Chapter 6: Body-Forging Art

For three years.

Ishihara gained a more genuine understanding of the Ninja World through Orochimaru's intelligence network.

The ninja world appears calm now, but in reality, small-scale conflicts never cease in the shadows.

After the Nine-Tails' attack, the Fourth Hokage and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki sacrificed themselves, and with Orochimaru's defection, Konoha's top-tier combat strength was greatly reduced.

Although the major ninja villages suffered heavy losses in the Third Great Ninja War and are powerless to launch wars,

other villages will not let slip the opportunity of Konoha's weakness, constantly harassing Konoha at the borders to test its true strength.

And Konoha can no longer spare the effort to hunt down the traitor Orochimaru.

So for the coming years, there should be no large-scale conflicts, at least none that would affect him; it can be considered a stable period.

Ishihara can develop in peace and study cultivation methods.

Therefore, he is not content with merely learning Orochimaru's techniques.

Instead, he wants to use Orochimaru's knowledge to create a true method of immortality.

Over these three years, he has also been constantly learning; he has read through all the materials within the scope Orochimaru allowed.

Although these materials and knowledge are of a basic nature,

precisely because of this, with his heaven-defying comprehension, he has thoroughly grasped the truth of chakra.

Not the few lines of official settings he saw in his past life.

But the true principles have been completely penetrated by him!

Precisely because of this, he has the confidence to create his own method of immortality!

"Teacher, I want to obtain true immortality, not this incomplete secret art that requires constantly switching bodies and tearing apart the soul!"

Ishihara said to Orochimaru with a solemn expression.

After three years of living together, he dares not say he has seen through Orochimaru, but at the very least he knows how to get along with him.

As long as one can demonstrate sufficient value, even if you tear the sky apart here with Orochimaru, it doesn't matter.

And he happens to have such value and qualification!

"True immortality, you say?"

Orochimaru looked at the confident Ishihara and couldn't help but fall into a daze.

Eternal youth and immortality are what he craves.

In the eyes of anyone in the ninja world, even his teacher, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, would consider it a tall tale.

But hearing the young man before him say it so naturally made him involuntarily feel that Ishihara could truly do it.

After all, no one knows better than him how terrifying Ishihara's talent is! Even horrifying!

"Then I shall wait and see!"

Orochimaru said, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"Teacher, I hope to access more knowledge and materials!"

Ishihara knew what he needed most.

Only with sufficient foundation can his heaven-defying comprehension bring forth its maximum value.

So he needs knowledge, the more the better!

And this is precisely where only Orochimaru is most suitable for him.

"Very well!"

After pondering for a moment, Orochimaru nodded.

"However, from today on, you must also learn ninja techniques from me!"

"Immortality without strength is like a tower built of sand; it will collapse at any moment!"

"Yes!"

Ishihara fully agreed with Orochimaru's words.

Immortality is my Dao, but I must also possess the techniques to protect my Dao!

And in this world, ninja techniques are the techniques to protect my Dao!

Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction.

He could not be more satisfied with Ishihara.

Not only is he smart, but he can also recognize reality!

Afterwards, he took out a huge scroll and a key from behind his back and handed them to Ishihara.

"On this are some of the mid-to-low level ninja techniques I have collected, as well as the key to the data room."

"With your talent, most ninja techniques should not pose a problem for you; if you encounter difficulties, come find me."

Ishihara nodded happily.

He very much liked Orochimaru's teaching style; it was simply too suitable for him.