"There's actually a simpler method," Orochimaru said with a sly smile. "Just use the Four Symbols Seal to bind most of Matatabi's chakra—leave just the head intact."
The words sent a chill down Matatabi's spine.
"After all, it's just chakra," Orochimaru added casually. "Even if only the head remains, it can reshape into a miniature Two-Tails."
He paused, voice calm but clearly teasing.
"Of course, sealing that much chakra does require... quality scrolls."
That last part may as well have slapped a 'broke' sign on Ishiki Kujo's forehead.
"And my recommendation remains: find a proper Jinchūriki. Otherwise, one day you'll wake up to a rampage."
Orochimaru didn't care how much fire Matatabi was glaring at him with.
"I understand."
Ishiki didn't argue—just tucked the scroll away without using it, shifting the topic to something else that had piqued his curiosity.
"You're researching Yang Release?"
"Mm. Not just Yang, but Yin as well. If I can grasp both in tandem, I might glimpse a higher truth."
Orochimaru's stare turned sharp, greedy. "You possess both within you—pure Yin in the form of the Sharingan, and your Yang-style Taijutsu, the physical manifestation of life force itself. The idea of dissecting such a balance… is intoxicating."
Yin-style illusions like the Sharingan, and Yang-style medical taijutsu—two extremes. Combining them might open new realms even Orochimaru hadn't explored.
His first instinct had been to take Ishiki's body, of course. But clearly, that wasn't feasible.
So Plan B: emulate Ishiki's methods—steal a pair of Sharingan, train in Yang-style combat.
But first, he needed to know—how to perfectly control the Sharingan.
And that led to the biggest mystery.
Orochimaru had already investigated the Kujō bloodline.
No relation to the Uchiha.
None to the Senju, either.
And yet Ishiki possessed chakra far exceeding both clans' standards.
Something didn't add up.
Ishiki already knew what Orochimaru was thinking—and snorted inwardly.
Overthinking it.
His Sharingan didn't come from genetics. It came from the Disc—a foreign anomaly that granted him Uchiha powers.
Meaning, in reality, he had no true mastery of Yin Release.
And combining Yin and Yang into a functional hybrid would essentially create a Kekkei Genkai.
Far easier said than done.
"You'd be better off abandoning that dangerous idea," Ishiki warned. "It won't end well."
Killing Orochimaru wasn't easy. But if he wanted to… he'd find a way.
Orochimaru simply shrugged, unfazed. "Then let's move on. Can you undo the snailification yet?"
He pointed toward a wriggling pile of snails—formerly his summoned snakes, now mollusks.
"Sorry," Ishiki sighed. "Still can't control the subconscious triggers. If I could, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."
"A pity," Orochimaru mused. "One last question. That Senjutsu of yours—is it from Ryūchi Cave?"
"No."
He dodged the question entirely.
"But I'll teach you Yang-style Taijutsu. What do you offer in return?"
Orochimaru listed his price without pause:
"Multi Shadow Clone Technique.
Bringer-of-Darkness Jutsu.
Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags.
Five Elements Seal.
Pick one."
Ishiki wanted to say:
"I want all of them."
But Yang-style taijutsu wasn't enough to cover the full exchange.
He hesitated. Then thought of Ripple (Hamon).
If he included that… it might be enough.
But was that wise?
Just a moment's pause—and Ishiki made his decision.
"What about Flying Thunder God Technique?"
If Orochimaru was handing out Second Hokage jutsu, he wanted the best.
"Not happening," Orochimaru shot back flatly.
"Then I want everything."
Ishiki didn't flinch.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "And what do I get in return? Just Taijutsu won't cut it."
"I'll share something else—something you don't understand yet.
A power called Ripple."
"Ripple…?"
Behind Ishiki, golden ripples of light suddenly pulsed outward.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
That's it.
That was the strange energy he'd sensed earlier.
So it was called Ripple, huh?
"It resists aging," Ishiki said. "It can't grant immortality, but it extends lifespan. Is that enough?"
His voice dripped with temptation.
Orochimaru stared silently—then nodded.
"Yes."
A simple transaction.
To him, those jutsu were pocket change.
His truly valuable jutsu—Living Corpse Reincarnation, Edo Tensei, Eight-Headed Serpent Technique—he never even mentioned.
Both sides transcribed their respective arts onto scrolls.
Ishiki, for his part, had cheated a bit.
Because anyone with the right talent—especially someone like Orochimaru—could sense Ripple energy simply by progressing far enough through Yang-style training.
He was sure Orochimaru would figure it out.
And honestly, Ishiki looked forward to seeing what the man might discover.
Orochimaru skimmed the scroll, eyes gleaming.
Ishiki knew why.
Because he hadn't just given instructions—he'd included personal insights.
Dozens of techniques and effects Ripple could trigger:
The red-hot Crimson Ripple Overdrive, the same attack that scorched Orochimaru's shoulder during their fight.
The basic Ripple Surge, which could jolt organs or stun muscles with pure life energy.
The healing Golden Ripple, capable of reinvigorating and restoring others.
The subtle Detection Ripple, perfect for scanning terrain or chakra fluctuations.
Orochimaru silently acknowledged:
He'd made a profit.
Not that he'd say so.
After all, he'd paid a price too: the Four Symbols Seal, Rashōmon summoning, and a few sacrificed snakes.
He'd done his due diligence.
"So this is the Kujō clan's secret art... Is your Senjutsu also linked to this 'Ripple'?"
"You'll have to figure that out yourself," Ishiki replied.
He, too, was curious—could Ripple users naturally enter Sage Mode?
If so, Orochimaru might become far stronger in the future.
But Ishiki wasn't worried.
He'd get stronger too.
If Orochimaru wanted to walk the same path, so be it. Ishiki welcomed the company.
In research and experimentation, he'd never beat Orochimaru.
But in medical ninjutsu?
That was Ishiki's domain.
That knowledge… he had mastered completely.
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New translation : Naruto : I Got "Return by Death" Kind Of Cheat
New story translated ! This one is interesting, give it a try !