Regarding cursed seals, Kazuyama Gekkō wasn't opposed to them—it's just that they had no practical use for him. He already mastered Senjutsu. Why would he need cursed seals, a lesser technique?
"Hehehe, rest assured. Since you already possess Senjutsu, cursed seals are utterly unnecessary," Orochimaru said with a slight chuckle.
"However, Lord Kazuyama, Senjutsu is merely a starting point. Natural energy is profoundly mysterious—unlike chakra, it originates from the world around us." Orochimaru continued, his tone growing more serious.
"Natural energy permeates every corner—mountains, rivers, streams. It exists everywhere. This energy is far more profound than chakra." He paused, his gaze intense as he looked at Kazuyama. "Moreover, since Senjutsu relies primarily on natural energy, I believe if you wish to forge a new path, mastering this power is absolutely essential."
Kazuyama Gekkō stared at Orochimaru with genuine astonishment. He truly admired the man. To use scientific reasoning to gradually deduce the ultimate power of this world—besides Orochimaru, there was truly no other.
"Sensei, I must admit, you truly inspire me." Kazuyama's voice was full of respect. "The White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave once told me that when my Transparent Escape Technique is activated, it drastically increases the absorption rate of natural energy."
He paused, then continued, "Combined with what you said about natural energy being a force that must be conquered… Perhaps, from the very beginning, I should have walked my own path."
Kazuyama Gekkō closed the scroll in his hand and let out a faint, resigned smile. A different kind of Transparent Escape Technique, a different Sage Mode, plus all the special training the system had given him—his path had been unique from the very start.
"Oh? This is the first time I've heard you mention that," Orochimaru said, intrigued. "Transparent Escape Technique can aid in absorbing natural energy? No wonder you mastered Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu so quickly. If that's possible, I'd really like to study it."
Kazuyama Gekkō stared at Orochimaru, knowing full well that the "study" Orochimaru spoke of might just involve a thorough dissection.
"Forget it, forget it, my teacher," Kazuyama said, raising a hand. "I'm not worthy of your research."
"Oh, right, Sensei. Where's Jūgo?" Kazuyama changed the subject. He wanted to meet Jūgo. After all, Jūgo possessed the innate ability to absorb natural energy—something entirely different from his own Kekkei Genkai. He hoped to find some inspiration through Jūgo.
"He's still on Turtle Island. Jūgo really likes it there. Whenever I need something, I go to Turtle Island to find him," Orochimaru replied. "There, he can control his emotions quite well."
Kazuyama Gekkō nodded, then instantly teleported away using the Flying Thunder God Technique, right in front of Orochimaru. The very next second after he vanished, Orochimaru suddenly remembered something.
"You didn't finish..." Orochimaru muttered to himself. "Kimimaro is also on the island, absorbing Jūgo's power..." He sighed, his voice tinged with concern. "Hopefully nothing goes wrong..."
...
Turtle Island remained north of the Land of Waterfalls.
"Hmm, as expected. The northern sea is incomparable to the waters of the Land of Water. This sea breeze... refreshing," Kazuyama Gekkō muttered to himself, taking in the air as he stepped onto the island.
Having already landed on the island, Kazuyama set off along the path towards the waterfall. After all, this was where he had first encountered Jūgo, so he knew exactly where to find him.
The closer he got to the waterfall, the more facilities he saw around him, along with numerous large animals gathered in the area. If it were merely the abundance of equipment, Kazuyama wouldn't have given it a second thought. But he clearly noticed that all these animals' gazes were fixed in one direction.
"Huh? What's going on here?"
"Why is everyone looking over there?"
Driven by curiosity, Kazuyama Gekkō made his way toward the gathering of animals. As he approached the waterfall, he immediately spotted the target of his journey.
"Oh, Jūgo, long time no see."
"Hm?"
Suddenly addressed, Jūgo, who had been intently observing the depths of the waterfall, paused. He wasn't surprised; this island was well-hidden, and few could make their way here. Moreover, he recognized Kazuyama Gekkō's voice and remembered the deep natural energy that accompanied him. When he turned to see Kazuyama, he even smiled faintly.
"Kazuyama Gekkō, hello."
"Oh, you remember me? That's good. What are you doing here?"
Kazuyama Gekkō couldn't help but glance toward the waterfall as well. After all, both Jūgo and the animals were focused in that direction—what was inside?
"Kimimaro. He's inside, absorbing Senjutsu energy."
"Huh???"
Kimimaro?
Kazuyama Gekkō raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, but not overwhelmingly so. After all, Kimimaro was formidable. The Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, combined with a cursed seal, would undoubtedly make him much stronger.
It seemed Orochimaru had placed Kimimaro on Turtle Island to have Jūgo assist with stabilizing his cursed seal.
Wait...
Senjutsu energy? Not a cursed seal?
"Not the cursed seal? The Cursed Seal of Heaven? Or the Cursed Seal of Earth?"
Jūgo shook his head, then smiled faintly.
"The cursed seal restoration technique Lord Orochimaru researched is a weakened version. What Kimimaro is undergoing now is the same Senjutsu physique as mine."
"It's a brand-new technique developed primarily using my blood."
"Originally, this technique wasn't fully developed because my own cursed seal transformation was difficult to control."
"But Kimimaro volunteered. That's why Lord Orochimaru sent him to Turtle Island and used the Waterfall of Truth to counteract the negative emotions caused by the cursed seal transformation."
Hearing this, Kazuyama Gekkō's eyes widened. He couldn't help but recall the scroll's contents—perfect cursed seal transformation. So, this was what it meant?
No longer relying on ordinary cursed seal power, but directly replicating Jūgo's Sage Body?
Orochimaru… Orochimaru, you truly dare to conceive it, and you truly dare to execute it.
Before Kazuyama Gekkō could finish his thoughts, a furious roar suddenly erupted from within the Falls of Truth.
"Aaah!!!"
"Die!!!"
Upon hearing the roar, Jūgo let out a faint sigh.
"Looks like he's gone berserk."
"Kazuyama Gekkō, please step back a bit. I need to restrain him."
As Jūgo spoke, his aura shifted. The peaceful energy that had surrounded him moments ago turned chaotic. His features began to twist into a more savage form. Visible tendrils of raw power manifested on his face.
Cursed Seal Transformation—Jūgo's Cursed Seal Transformation was the perfect embodiment of the Immortal Body.
"It's been a while since I've done this. Feels a bit unfamiliar."
"Kazuyama Gekkō... Hmm???"
Just as he was about to address Kazuyama again, Jūgo suddenly sensed a surge of intense natural energy erupting around him.