Orochimaru removed the restraints and the talisman from Hyūga Bluebird. Looking at the boy, whose face still showed traces of blood and tears and whose expression was utterly respectful, he spoke slowly: "I have activated your Byakugan while you were unconscious. Now, gather the chakra in your body into your eyes and test the effect."
Hearing this, the respectful Hyūga Bluebird was filled with surprise and joy. He immediately controlled his chakra to seep into his dual pupils.
Dual Pupil Byakugan, Activate!
Veins bulged out, and a faint chakra fluctuation appeared. Hyūga Bluebird's Byakugan successfully activated.
Orochimaru gazed at Bluebird's powerful eyes, which were distinctly different from other Hyūga clan members. He smiled wickedly and asked faintly: "How does it feel?"
"Good, very good! I've never felt this good. The Byakugan is truly powerful!" Bluebird was overjoyed, but he didn't forget Orochimaru's grace. He lowered his head, and his small body immediately knelt on one knee: "Thank you, Lord Orochimaru!"
Orochimaru continued to ask: "Can you see the blind spot directly behind the first thoracic vertebra?"
"Yes, my Lord!" Hyūga Bluebird confirmed after testing his Byakugan.
A glimmer of hope surged in Orochimaru's heart. He asked again: "Look up and look at me. To what extent can you see through?"
"My Lord, I can see your chakra system and your pressure points!" Bluebird respectfully said, having scanned Orochimaru, but immediately lowering his head, not daring to be presumptuous.
Orochimaru felt a bit disappointed, but he was still comforted that the Dual Pupil Byakugan, upon initial activation, possessed a perfect 360-degree field of vision and could even directly see chakra points.
Next, Orochimaru used the Yamata Cursed Mark on his own chest to sense the secondary Mark on Bluebird's neck. Only after confirming he could sense and control Bluebird's life and death did he finally nod in satisfaction.
Hyūga Bluebird suddenly felt a strong surge of chakra from the Yamata Cursed Mark on his neck, instantly rushing into his fragile mind. A sharp, drilling pain, as if being stabbed by needles and hacked by an axe, ensued. The next second, just as it felt like death, the change abruptly vanished.
Bluebird knew it was Orochimaru's doing. He immediately knelt down, pleading sadly for mercy, not knowing what mistake he had made.
After confirming the successful development of the new Curse Mark, Orochimaru, who had just demonstrated both might and grace, gently stroked Bluebird's head and said softly: "Alright, stand up. You did nothing wrong. I just wanted to confirm that the Cursed Mark was developed successfully. Your Dual Pupil Byakugan is a unique and powerful Byakugan. Slowly uncover its capabilities. From now on, follow my path and face your brand-new life!"
With that, Orochimaru led the way out the door.
Hyūga Bluebird hastily stood up, eyes full of gratitude and reverence as he followed closely behind. The dual pupils, now retracted from the Byakugan state, stared at Orochimaru's figure.
Orochimaru couldn't help but recall his unexpected experience of controlling Bluebird's Dual Pupil Byakugan earlier. At that time, the Byakugan's penetrating ability had reached the level of cellular internal structure, far surpassing what Bluebird had just described.
He frowned slightly and considered the possibility of Bluebird concealing information, but quickly dismissed it. There was simply no need for it, and Orochimaru hadn't noticed anything wrong with Bluebird's expression or eyes. He trusted his own judgment.
In that case, there was only one explanation!
Orochimaru pushed the door open and looked out at the moonlit night. Light flickered in his dark-golden snake eyes. What he had seen must have been the most powerful form and capability of the Dual Pupil Byakugan.
Orochimaru snapped back to reality, seeing Chi slowly emerging from the shadow dimension outside the door.
He smiled and walked over, patting the shoulder of Chi, who had been guarding the door the entire time.
Faced with Orochimaru's encouragement and praise, Chi was still extremely flustered. His face flushed red, and he stammered incoherently: "M-master, th-thank you, Master!"
Hyūga Bluebird quickly walked out from behind, following Orochimaru.
Chi glanced at the Yamata Cursed Mark on Bluebird's neck in a way no one would notice, his downcast eyes flickering slightly.
Time flew like an arrow, and the sun and moon hurried past. Under Orochimaru's highly systematic and disciplined training and life plan, three years quickly passed.
Three years of accumulation and tempering, aided by secret medicines and forbidden jutsu, had solidified Orochimaru's foundation. His chakra had reached the peak of the Chūnin level, and the forbidden jutsu, Ninjutsu, and combat techniques he could utilize had increased exponentially. His personal strength had entered a period of rapid growth, and his actual combat power was far beyond what his chakra rank suggested.
With the unexpected discovery of the three-dimensional, cellular-level body structure diagram, Orochimaru's project for his own life-form evolution progressed with high efficiency. In three years, he had managed to complete about one-tenth of the total project.
However, as the project progressed, the energy required for later stages increased exponentially.
Even though the project was enormous, having completed just one-tenth meant that Orochimaru's physical body was already several times stronger, tougher, and more agile than three years ago. His physical strength and constitution had reached the level comparable to an average Jōnin—a height that most ordinary ninja could never achieve in a lifetime.
Now a handsome, ten-year-old youth, Orochimaru stood calm and composed in a clearing in the Konoha forest, wearing a wide-sleeved, pale-moon kimono. The faint smile on his lips and his indifferent expression made him look peaceful, but his powerful spiritual energy was constantly probing and sensing for dangers in the surroundings.
The breeze rustled, occasionally lifting Orochimaru's hair and the corners of his robe, sending fallen leaves swirling down.
The youth in the clearing, pale and refined like a figure in a painting, with a wicked smile, contradictory aura, and chilling murderous intent, looked cold and composed, as if everything was under his control. He was like a magnet, firmly drawing the attention of others, exuding an irresistible and potent charm. He was Orochimaru!
Manji leaned against a giant tree in the clearing, one so thick it would take several people to hug it. Her slender, long eyelashes trembled slightly in the wind. Her bright, watery black eyes stared unblinkingly at Orochimaru's figure, captivated.
Nearly ten years old, Manji wore a beautiful, well-fitting, light-pink Japanese dress. Paired with her exquisite features, which had already blossomed into a beautiful young woman, she exuded a vibrant, youthful aura that was instantly captivating.
Over the past three years, under the tutelage of Yakushi Tenshu and Orochimaru, her medical Ninjutsu had grown increasingly proficient. She also radiated a gentle, soft, and sensitive aura, like a clear stream or calm, peaceful light music.
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