Gekko Chizan didn't actually reject curse marks; it was mainly because they were useless to him.
He could already use Sage Arts—so what was the point of a lower-tier thing like a curse mark?
"Hehe, don't worry. You already know Sage Arts, so you have no use for something like a curse mark."
"However, Chizan-kun, Sage Arts are only a starting point. Natural energy is very mysterious—it's different from chakra, which is produced within our bodies."
"Natural energy is scattered everywhere—mountains, rivers, all contain it. It's a kind of energy far more wondrous than chakra."
"No wonder Sage Arts are primarily based on natural energy. I think if you want to carve out a new path, natural energy is absolutely a strength you must conquer."
It had to be said—what Orochimaru said was crucial.
Just like the Sage of Six Paths—even after his death, his chakra was still scattered across the entire shinobi world.
That was the strength of a sage.
Gekko Chizan looked at Orochimaru with genuine astonishment. He truly admired him.
Using the power of science to gradually deduce the pinnacle strength of this world—there really was no second person besides Orochimaru who could do that.
"Sensei, I have to admit, you really do give me inspiration."
"The White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave once told me that when my Transparent Release is activated, it greatly increases the speed at which I absorb natural energy."
"Combined with what you said about natural energy being a strength that must be conquered..."
"Maybe from the very beginning, I should have been walking my own path."
Gekko Chizan closed the scroll in his hand and revealed a slightly helpless smile.
A different Transparent Release, a different Sage Mode, plus all the little advantages the system gave him—his path had been different from the very start.
"Oh? This is the first time I've heard you mention that."
"Transparent Release can help absorb natural energy? No wonder you were able to master Ryūchi Cave Sage Arts in such a short time."
"If possible, I'd really like to study it."
Gekko Chizan: ...
Feeling Orochimaru's curiosity-filled gaze, Gekko Chizan had no doubt that the "research" he spoke of might very well involve a thorough and satisfying dissection.
Orochimaru: Don't talk nonsense. At most, I'd just take a bit of tissue. But if I run out, you'll have to provide me with more.
"Let's forget it, let's forget it, sensei."
"I'm not worthy of being studied by you."
"By the way, sensei, where is Jūgo?"
He wanted to meet Jūgo. After all, Jūgo was born with the ability to absorb natural energy, which was different from his own Bloodline Limit.
He wanted to see if he could gain some inspiration from him.
"He's still over at the Island Turtle. Jūgo likes it there, so whenever I need something, I go there to find him."
"There, his emotions can be well controlled."
Gekko Chizan nodded, then directly used Flying Thunder God in front of Orochimaru and left.
The very next second after he left, Orochimaru suddenly thought of something.
"We weren't done talking..."
"Kimimaro is also on the island, currently receiving Jūgo's power..."
"I hope nothing goes wrong..."
...
The Island Turtle was still to the north of the Land of Waterfall.
"Tsk tsk, just as expected—the northern sea is completely incomparable to the one near the Land of Water. This sea breeze is really comfortable."
Having already arrived on the island, Gekko Chizan stepped onto the path leading to the waterfall.
After all, he had seen Jūgo here before, so he knew exactly where he was.
The closer he got to the waterfall, the more facilities there were around, along with many large animals gathered nearby.
If it were just the abundance of equipment, Gekko Chizan wouldn't have cared—but he clearly saw that all the animals' gazes were focused in one direction.
"Hm? What's going on?"
"Why are they all looking over there?"
Driven by curiosity, Gekko Chizan also walked toward the direction where the animals were gathered.
Upon reaching the waterfall, he immediately saw his target for this trip.
"Yo, Jūgo. Long time no see."
"Hm?"
Suddenly being called out, Jūgo—who had been staring into the waterfall—paused slightly. He wasn't surprised. This island was very hidden, and only a few people could come here.
Moreover, he remembered Gekko Chizan's voice, and he also remembered the dense natural energy surrounding him.
When he turned around and saw Gekko Chizan, he even showed a slight smile.
"Chizan, hello."
"Ah, you remember me. That's good. What are you doing here?"
Gekko Chizan couldn't help but look into the waterfall as well. After all, both people and animals were staring at it—what was inside?
"Kimimaro is inside, currently receiving Sage energy."
"Hm???"
Kimimaro?
Gekko Chizan showed a hint of surprise, though not too much.
After all, Kimimaro was quite powerful. With the Shikotsumyaku Bloodline Limit combined with a curse mark....
It seemed Orochimaru had placed Kimimaro on the Island Turtle and had Jūgo help stabilize his curse mark.
Wait...
Sage energy? Wasn't it a curse mark?
"Not a curse mark? The Heaven Curse Mark, or the Earth Curse Mark?"
Jūgo shook his head and revealed a faint smile.
"The curse marks Orochimaru-sama researched are weakened versions. What Kimimaro is receiving right now is a Sage body like mine."
"It's a brand-new technique developed using my blood as the base."
"Originally, this technique wasn't mature, because my curse mark transformation is difficult to control."
"But Kimimaro volunteered, so Orochimaru-sama sent him to the Island Turtle and used the Waterfall of Truth to offset the negative emotions brought by the transformation."
Hearing this, Gekko Chizan's eyes widened instantly.
He couldn't help but recall the contents of the scroll he had just seen—perfect curse mark transformation. So this was what it referred to?
No longer relying on ordinary curse marks, but directly replicating Jūgo's Sage body?
Orochimaru, Orochimaru—you really dare to think, and you really dare to act.
Before Gekko Chizan could finish marveling, a furious roar suddenly came from within the Waterfall of Truth.
"Ah!!!"
"Die!!!"
Hearing this voice, Jūgo let out a slight sigh.
"Looks like he's gone berserk."
"Gekko Chizan, please step back a bit. I'm going to stop him."
As he spoke, Jūgo's aura changed. The originally calm presence instantly turned violent.
A trace of ferocity became visible on his face.
Curse mark transformation—Jūgo's was the true perfect Sage body.
"It's been a while since I've done this… feels a bit unfamiliar."
"Chizan... hm???"
Just as he was about to say something more to Gekko Chizan, he suddenly sensed a surge of dense natural energy erupt beside him.
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