Dan began by teaching Ye Zi the hand-seal sequence for the technique, explaining the chakra flow and various critical details in great depth and with considerable patience.
Ye Zi had always been quick to learn, a trait he displayed even in the ninja academy, although he usually kept it under wraps—only Orochimaru knew.
Even with a complex forbidden technique, he grasped the basics quickly. During his first attempt at the hand-seals, his movements were somewhat awkward, but he managed to complete them correctly, and the chakra guidance was flawless. Soon, a faint glow began to emerge from his shoulders, slowly extending outward and twisting into shape.
Ye Zi felt the effort it required, his brow furrowed deeply as the soul form emerging from his body struggled to take shape.
Dan watched Ye Zi with surprise. He hadn't expected him to succeed on his first try, let alone possess the Yin-Yang Release attribute.
In no time, the soul took on Ye Zi's form, floating above him.
Ye Zi slowly opened his eyes, looking up at the expressionless soul above him. He quickly dispelled the technique, causing the soul to vanish immediately.
His eyes brightened. He had just mastered the Spirit Transformation Technique, and while he couldn't yet control it perfectly, there would be plenty of time to improve.
This forbidden technique was his first encounter with such an advanced technique, akin to touching a world he had never known. It gave him reason to believe that returning to Earth might not be impossible.
Dan, observing Ye Zi's delighted expression, realized just how formidable his aptitude was. Even Minato, whom he held in high regard, might not match Ye Zi's potential.
He sensed that hastily bestowing a forbidden technique upon Ye Zi might have been unwise, but at this point, it was too late to change things. He said to Ye Zi, "As expected of a genius, you managed to master the Spirit Transformation Technique so easily."
He gave a faint smile, recalling how much effort he had put into mastering the technique himself. It was frustrating to see someone else achieve it so effortlessly.
"Thank you." Ye Zi said, clenching his fists, his tone somewhat excited.
Dan shook his head slightly. If not for Ye Zi, he would have been dead by now. He still had dreams to fulfill and couldn't afford to die without making any significant achievements. In a way, he owed him.
With the Spirit Transformation Technique learned, Dan took his leave.
Ye Zi returned to Root and immersed himself in his studies, poring over stacks of scrolls.
As time passed, rumors about hi's preference for eating human flesh spread more widely. Even ordinary residents of Konoha were aware of the issue.
When the Third Hokage learned of this, he immediately took action, publicly highlighting his contributions during the war. However, this had little effect.
Ultimately, consuming human flesh was something people found hard to accept.
Ye Zi walked the streets with an ever-present sense of strange looks directed at him. People coming towards him would avoid eye contact, and shops he used to frequent seemed unfamiliar overnight.
Although he didn't care about others' opinions, the pervasive atmosphere was unpleasant. Over time, he ventured out less and stayed in Root, focusing on his tasks.
Among his peers, few had become close to him—only Kushina and Minato were notable exceptions.
After the rumors spread, Kushina frequently visited Orochimaru's residence to find Ye Zi. However, since he rarely stayed there, Kushina was unable to see him each time.
She was very worried but felt powerless to help.
Days went by, and he continued to grow rapidly through completing dangerous missions. His value in Danzo's eyes increased continuously.
Regardless of other factors, his usefulness alone outweighed any concerns.
Nanako, while treating Ye Zi, remained focused on her original goal. She was continuously working on ways to refine her techniques for extracting enemy chakra.
However, due to his lack of cooperation, the research made little progress. She was quite frustrated and sometimes even wished for an opportunity to drug him. Yet, such thoughts were mere fantasies since anesthetics and toxins had minimal effect on Ye Zi.
Even if she had the chance, she wouldn't dare to implement it. She knew that if she did, she would never be able to approach him again.
Despite the lack of progress due to his resistance, She remained satisfied as long as she could stay close to him. She believed that one day, she would be able to help him.
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