Chapter 195

Orochimaru has been researching the forbidden technique Edo Tensei!

But since obtaining the Senjutsu Body cultivation method, most of his energy has been devoted to cultivation, and his research on Edo Tensei has nearly stalled.

So in reality, the ninja world currently has no complete or refined version of the Edo Tensei technique.

That's right, the Edo Tensei technique recorded in Konoha is incomplete, with numerous flaws yet to be improved!

No one knows whether the Second Hokage deliberately withheld the full version out of fear of the technique, or if his research was never fully completed.

But thinking of what Edo Tensei relates to, Ishihara's heart grew hot with excitement.

He already had the Senjutsu Body cultivation method.

But even fully transforming his body into a Senjutsu Body does not grant immortality—only longevity.

So he has been exploring the next step beyond the Senjutsu Body.

His study of kekkei genkai and forbidden techniques is for the future study of the Ten-Tails, also a backup method for immortality.

But recently, while reviewing Konoha's forbidden techniques, he had a flash of inspiration.

Shinigami Shinku!

When performing this forbidden technique, one can summon the Shinigami!

He didn't know whether this so-called Shinigami was a deity, but he knew this Shinigami must have lived an extremely long time!

Ishihara certainly didn't want to become that grotesque Shinigami!

He wanted to become the Shinigami of the Soul Society from "Bleach"!

Even become the Soul King!

But the Shinigami and ninja are entirely different power systems.

He needed to develop reiatsu, or some substitute energy for reiatsu.

This couldn't be accomplished overnight.

There was much to research.

Among it was the connection to the Underworld and the dead!

In Ishihara's conception, the Underworld was his Soul Society!

So this Edo Tensei was also an opportunity for him.

He quickly opened the scroll and read it; after a while, he lifted his head and exhaled deeply.

The Edo Tensei technique was even more complex than he imagined.

First, Edo Tensei is a Summoning Technique!

And it summons spirits from the Underworld!

But Summoning Techniques work by establishing coordinate anchors through blood contracts with summoned beasts.

Edo Tensei establishes coordinate anchors through the genetic material of the deceased!

But spirits are dead people!

Completely different from living summoned beasts!

Even if Ishihara started from scratch, he had no idea how much time it would take.

The Second Hokage actually managed to create such a summoning contract—utterly incredible.

Even more complex is giving the spirits physical form!

That is, the sacrifice!

This step involves the use of Yin-Yang Release.

"The Second Hokage managed to develop so many forbidden techniques—he must have studied Yin-Yang Release in extreme depth."

Ishihara couldn't help but feel some admiration for the Second Hokage.

Though his strength was inferior to the First Hokage and Madara, in theory he was likely stronger than both.

"Let's try to analyze it!"

Ishihara took a deep breath, then suddenly vanished from his spot.

Danzo froze, before he could react, Ishihara reappeared.

He stared, eyes wide in shock.

Ishihara had indeed mastered space-time ninjutsu!

Kirigakure.

Temporary base by the lake.

Ishihara was cultivating when his Mokuton clone returned.

"Main body, there's something you need to handle."

With that, the Mokuton clone dissolved.

A flood of memories surged into his mind; even Ishihara felt his head throb with pain.

"So it went this smoothly?"

After learning of the clone's experiences, Ishihara was surprised, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the Edo Tensei technique.

He activated a Mokuton clone and sent it back first.

Then he approached the Kirigakure ANBU stationed there: "I need a death row inmate—stronger, the better!"

"Yes!"

The Kirigakure ANBU dared not neglect Ishihara's request and acted immediately.

Soon, they brought a strong death row inmate, clearly sealed and immobilized by ANBU procedures, unable to move at all.

Ishihara thanked them, then grabbed the inmate and entered the experimental lab, taking a scroll from a nearby shelf and unrolling it.

Immediately, a corpse appeared before him.

This was the physical form of that elder from the Ghost Lamp Clan he had studied previously.