"Plus the A-rank medical ninjutsu—[Yin Healing Wound Destruction]!"
Kabuto helplessly added.
"[Yin Healing Wound Destruction]?" Mizuki mused for a moment. "That technique isn't bad, though compared to the previous ninjutsu ranks, it's slightly weaker."
This A-rank medical ninjutsu, [Yin Healing Wound Destruction], had a simple theory—but far more complex to master than either the [Scalpel] or the [Mystical Palm Technique]. Naturally, Mizuki had never seen or learned this technique before.
The value of medical ninjutsu was closely related not only to its rank but also to its practical utility and learning difficulty. Basic medical techniques were widely spread, while high-level ones generally fell into three categories. The first type was easy to learn but had astonishing effects, controlled by a few elite ninja—like the [Minute Malady Extraction] that Mizuki had paid dearly to obtain from Tsunade. The second type was similar to the [Scalpel]: widely known but difficult to master, thus still rarely used. The third category was what Kabuto mentioned—the [Yin Healing Wound Destruction]. Extremely hard to master, rarely seen by outsiders, and even fewer people knew its name.
It wasn't a bad technique, but for Mizuki—who already had Sage Mode—it just didn't cut it. Still, it would be valuable to others—like his newly-acquired disciple, Sakura Haruno.
Mizuki's excessive demands put Kabuto in a difficult position. At this point, there was no room left for negotiation.
"The summoning jutsu—[Rashomon]. If you're still not satisfied after that, I really don't have better options. As for regular ninjutsu, given your level, there aren't many that would impress you anyway."
"That's actually not bad. I could get it on my own eventually, sure—but it'd take effort and resources. Not wasting those would be nice. Anything else?"
"You're too greedy, Mizuki. One S-rank divine technique plus two A-rank jutsus—that's already a huge price. Each one, if thoroughly researched, could produce a jonin-level ninja."
"I understand that, but tell me—do you really think your life is worth only three techniques?"
Well then… When someone holds the knife and you're the fish on the cutting board, there's no choice but to bleed a little to satisfy Mizuki's appetite. Resigned to paying the price, Kabuto spoke again:
"I won't mention other common techniques since you probably wouldn't care. However, I do have a genuine Secret Technique here, although it's still incomplete..."
"A Secret Technique? Go on, explain further."
Any secret technique that a ninja of Kabuto's caliber considered worthy enough to bring up for trade must surely be no ordinary ninjutsu.
"[The Hozuki Clan's Water-Body Technique]. Does that interest you?"
"Hozuki? Very memorable indeed!"
Seeing Mizuki's interest, Kabuto let out a breath of relief.
"Not long ago, we captured the Hozuki Clan genius—Suigetsu Hozuki. I can only say that the Hozuki family, passed down from the Second Mizukage, deserves their reputation. After producing the gifted Mangetsu Hozuki, they've now given rise to another equally talented genius—Suigetsu Hozuki."
"How much of the technique have you completed so far?"
Incomplete techniques always made one hesitate slightly.
"The basic principles and applications are already clear and usable, but it hasn't yet reached the level Suigetsu Hozuki can achieve. I believe this may be due to special traits in the Hozuki Clan's physiology that enhance the power of this technique."
"But I still haven't figured out exactly what this trait is!"
"Could it be that the inheritance and usage of secret techniques have influenced the body in reverse?" Mizuki mused for a moment before saying, "This phenomenon isn't uncommon among users of secret techniques and Kekkei Genkai clans. Perhaps after several more generations of inheritance, or if another genius emerges, transforming the water-body technique into a kekkei genkai wouldn't be surprising at all."
After finishing his analysis, Mizuki nodded.
"All right then, you've passed. The cursed seal technique plus three regular ninjutsu should suffice. Congratulations—you're lucky enough to stay alive."
"Glad to hear that," Kabuto Yakushi exhaled in relief.
At this moment, sunlight finally broke through the mountain ridges in brilliant rays, instantly brightening up what had been a somewhat gloomy sky.
As the sun rose on this brand new day, Mizuki suddenly asked, "You're seriously injured and haven't eaten since yesterday noon. Are you really okay? I hope you don't drop dead halfway through."
"Don't worry, I wouldn't joke about my own life. As long as you don't attack again, I'll be fine."
Kabuto Yakushi seemed to be in a good mood after surviving with his life intact. "Now that my life has been spared, everything can be forgiven and forgotten. Shall we proceed with our normal transaction?"
"Huh?"
He hadn't expected Yakushi to insist on talking business at a time like this. It seemed there must be something important on his person—something Yakushi was determined to obtain.
"Do you even have anything else left to offer as an exchange?"
Yakushi shook his head. "Nothing immediately available now. But given some time, I could certainly come up with something fresh..."
"Something fresh—like stealing Orochimaru's jutsu?" Mizuki asked frowning. "Exactly which one are you referring to?"
"For instance: [Impure World Reincarnation]?"
Yakushi observed Mizuki's expression subtly change from interest, then continued, "Or [Living Corpse Reincarnation]!"
"You truly have guts! Are you trying to completely strip Orochimaru bare? You don't seem particularly loyal to him either!"
"Lord Orochimaru wouldn't mind things like this at all. Rather, he'd prefer having qualified subjects to test these theories. I've been deeply involved in developing and refining both techniques, although I haven't yet reconstructed fragmented information into fully complete techniques."
Yakushi appropriately revealed partial information to enhance his credibility.
"If I understand correctly, does this mean you agree to negotiate?"
Mizuki shook his head. "I don't know the exact dangers associated with [Impure World Reincarnation], but tampering with the deceased carries enormous risks—I have no intention of involving myself in such dark arts. As for [Living Corpse Reincarnation], don't think I know nothing about it. A technique that transfers the soul to achieve immortality—it's extremely risky if one lacks strong willpower during the reincarnation process. Transferring your spirit to possess another body may backfire severely, potentially leading to total annihilation of one's soul and spirit. Even if successful, you must constantly guard against disturbances from the original soul being devoured—it's way too dangerous for me. Besides, I'm still young; it's much too early for me to consider immortality techniques."
'Kabuto Yakushi doesn't know my true condition anyway. Whatever I say won't be exposed.'
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