"Teacher, I heard you've been declared an S-rank missing-nin," Kenichi said to Orochimaru with a wide, cheerful grin.
Three days after their defection from Konoha, news spread like wildfire across the Ninja World that Orochimaru, one of Konoha's Three Great Sannin, had gone rogue. Konoha had no choice but to acknowledge the rumors and release some information about Orochimaru, officially classifying him as an S-rank missing-nin.
Kenichi had also heard about his own status—Konoha had apparently classified him as an A-rank missing-nin.
Looks like that Root ninja incident is still biting me.
"Hmm," Orochimaru murmured, uninterested in the news. He was currently engrossed in his research, focusing on Cursed Seals.
Kenichi glanced at the Cursed Seal. His teacher had brought it out recently, and Kenichi had feigned great surprise when he first saw it.
But he knew this Cursed Seal was actually derived from research on Jugo's body. Right now, his teacher was probably studying the Heavenly Curse Mark.
Speaking of the Heavenly Curse Mark, Kenichi thought of his junior sister, Anko Mitarashi.
Anko bore such a mark, and Orochimaru had likely already sealed her memories of it—a mercy for her, considering the circumstances.
"Kenichi," Orochimaru said, setting down his work and glancing at his disciple, "why do you think the Heavenly Curse Mark has such a high mortality rate when implanted?"
"Teacher, I suspect it's because not everyone can absorb Natural Energy," Kenichi replied with a shrug.
Under Orochimaru's guidance, Kenichi had gained a deeper understanding of the Heavenly Curse Mark. At its core, it was a crude method of Sage Transformation. However, since it was derived from Jugo, using this power forced the recipient to absorb violently chaotic Natural Energy, causing grotesque physical mutations.
In a way, it was like a potent compound designed to dramatically enhance the recipient's abilities. The problem was its selectivity and high fatality rate. This reminded Kenichi of Sage Mode itself.
But Sage Mode wasn't something anyone could just pick up; it required innate talent.
"Speaking of which," Orochimaru mused, looking at Kenichi, "didn't you once mention wanting to learn Sage Mode back in Konoha?"
Orochimaru had once considered imbuing Kenichi with the Heavenly Curse Mark, but since his disciple suited his purposes and was easy to use, he abandoned the idea.
"Yes, Teacher, that's exactly what I want," Kenichi admitted readily, having made his intentions clear from the start.
Orochimaru pondered for a moment. If he knew Sage Mode, he could instruct Kenichi, but that was the problem—he didn't.
When he had ventured to Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru had attempted to master Sage Mode, but failed. Still, his disciple could give it a try.
"Since you wish to cultivate Sage Mode, let me explain the basics first," Orochimaru said gravely, his expression turning serious.
He himself didn't know Sage Mode. But who was he? He was Orochimaru, a ninja of extraordinary talent. Even during his failed attempt, he had managed to retain some key concepts.
This knowledge would be enough to guide Kenichi's initial training.
Kenichi listened intently, but as his teacher continued, a peculiar expression crept onto his face.
According to his teacher, the most crucial step in mastering Sage Mode was sensing the Natural Energy present in the air. Each of the Three Great Sage Lands had its own method for achieving this. For example, Mount Myōboku used Toad Oil to help practitioners initially sense and control Natural Energy.
When Kenichi tried following his teacher's instructions, he was astonished to discover that Natural Energy surrounded him everywhere. Moreover, he could absorb it into his body almost instantaneously, simply by focusing his will.
"Could this be because of the First Hokage's Sage Body Constitution?" Kenichi mused.
The First Hokage was an exceptional figure among ninja who had mastered Sage Mode. Unlike Jiraiya, who needed to absorb Natural Energy to enter Sage Mode, the First Hokage could achieve it in an instant. His innate talent was undeniable.
Since Kenichi had inherited the First Hokage's Sage Body Constitution, it was only natural that he could sense Natural Energy so easily.
Kenichi had inherited the Sage Body Constitution, but not the knowledge to go with it, which had kept him from truly grasping the concept. Now, with his teacher's guidance, he had finally broken through that barrier, successfully entering a new realm.
Kenichi remained outwardly calm, though inwardly he was anything but. The moment he sensed the Natural Energy, it surged toward him like a lovesick fan girl in a manga, desperate to jump into his arms. He quickly severed the connection to avoid being overwhelmed by the influx of energy.
After all, his teacher Orochimaru had mastered the Immortality Reincarnation technique. If Kenichi revealed such extraordinary talent, Orochimaru might covet it. For now, Kenichi decided to refine his skills in secret.
"Now that you can absorb Natural Energy, you need to balance it with your physical and spiritual energy," his teacher continued. Kenichi listened intently, knowing this kind of knowledge was unobtainable anywhere else in the Ninja World.
Kenichi now had a completely new understanding of Sage Art.
Kenichi was itching to start researching Sage Art. Even though he hadn't absorbed any Natural Energy yet, he could already sense a deep connection to it.
This was likely due to his Sage Body Constitution, inherited from the First Hokage.
"Teacher, could I request some research funding?" Kenichi asked eagerly as soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, trying to hide his excitement.
He missed the days when Konoha and Root had provided funding. Now that he was cut off, he had to figure everything out himself, and even basic supplies cost money.
But Kenichi needed those funds for other things. He hadn't forgotten his side quest to establish his own laboratory.
"You're an A-Rank Missing-nin now, Kenichi," Orochimaru said with a faint smile, patting him on the shoulder. "It's time you learned to make your own money."
Kenichi's lip twitched. Seeing Orochimaru's smile, he knew there was no point in asking for funding.
"Alright, Teacher," Kenichi sighed. "I'll apply to take on some missions then." It seemed he'd have to find a way to join the Ninja World's First-Tier Group as soon as possible.