Shin did not hesitate for long before agreeing to the procedure.
The promise of increased power, even with some cost, was acceptable to him.
Seeing Shin agree, Ye Zi showed no significant reaction. Apart from using clones, there weren't many viable test subjects for the Cursed Seal; Shin was the only suitable candidate for this initial trial. After all, Kotoe, now a reincarnated body, wasn't a suitable subject for the seal.
If Shin knew that Ye Zi was essentially using him as practice, it was uncertain how he would react.
The method Orochimaru taught for applying the Cursed Seal involved biting the subject. Ye Zi was skeptical of this approach, prompting him to dig deeper. He soon discovered that biting wasn't strictly necessary, it was simply one of Orochimaru's eccentric preferences.
"Are you ready?" Ye Zi asked.
Having learned the technique from Orochimaru, Ye Zi had yet to try it out, making Shin his first test subject.
Shin nodded slightly. "I'm ready."
Ye Zi closed his eyes, momentarily silent. When he opened them again, the purple markings of Sage Mode had appeared, and his golden snake-like eyes glowed with power.
He stepped forward, placing a hand on Shin's neck.
After months of rigorous training, Ye Zi had mastered various sealing techniques. Though Orochimaru had only verbally explained the process once, Ye Zi easily grasped the concepts and steps.
As his chakra flowed under his direction, a triangular black pattern appeared on Shin's neck, radiating faint heat.
Ye Zi infused the seal with his Sage Chakra before withdrawing his hand.
Simultaneously, Shin groaned, his face contorted in pain.
The seal burned intensely, forcing Shin to clutch his neck as if trying to suppress the searing heat spreading across his body.
Ye Zi stood silently, observing Shin's reaction to the Cursed Seal.
The heat intensified, radiating through Shin's body like molten lava, causing him to fall to one knee. Cold sweat poured from his body as he let out muffled cries of agony.
Bright red light began emanating from the seal, spreading across Shin's face and body, leaving behind a web of jagged, lightning-shaped black markings.
As the pain ebbed away like a receding tide, Shin's rigid body relaxed, and he collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
"It seems the Cursed Seal has been successfully accepted," Ye Zi noted, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
"How do you feel?"
"...Tired," Shin muttered between breaths as he struggled to sit up. "My body feels numb."
He flexed his trembling fingers, attempting to regain control. "It's not responding well."
"You're still adjusting," Ye Zi replied, noting the jagged black patterns lingering on Shin's face.
Orochimaru had explained that there were two types of seals: the Heaven Seal and the Earth Seal. The one Ye Zi applied to Shin was the Heaven Seal.
The primary difference lay in their effects. The Heaven Seal spread in patterned shapes during the first stage, while the Earth Seal spread as linear streaks.
As time passed, Shin's body gradually stabilized. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he examined the changes within himself.
"I can feel Ye Zi-sama's chakra coursing through me," Shin said, sensing the connection.
Clenching his fists, he noted an apparent increase in strength and chakra, though he had yet to test the full extent of the boost.
"So this is the power of the Cursed Seal…" Shin murmured.
"The seal has a second stage," Ye Zi remarked. "You can explore it at your own pace."
The seal's ability to forcibly enhance a ninja's power made it a highly desirable technique for any village, provided the survival rate issue was resolved.
For now, Shin focused on regaining his composure. He was exhilarated by the newfound strength, as power had always been his pursuit.
The jagged black patterns began retreating, glowing faintly red as they receded back to Shin's neck before vanishing entirely.
Shin conducted a brief self-examination. Ye Zi had mentioned that the Cursed Seal's side effects could corrode the body, but Shin saw no immediate changes. Perhaps it was because he had yet to push the seal to its limits.
"Take some rest," Ye Zi instructed. The successful trial was an important milestone, but there was still much to do before applying the seal to others.
"Yes, Ye Zi-sama," Shin said, though he still had questions. Respectfully, he left to head to the training grounds.
Ye Zi remained deep in thought. Implanting Hashirama cells into the children at the base was the next step, but it was uncertain how many would survive the process.
Afterwards, Ye Zi left the base to resume his personal training in a secluded forest nearby.
....
Land of Rain
Rain poured incessantly, swept by occasional gusts of wind, splattering across the land and forming ripples in the countless puddles scattered on the ground.
The Village Hidden in the Rain stood like a peculiar fortress of steel amidst the storm, tranquil yet cold.
Jiraiya endured the chilling rain, concealed in an inconspicuous puddle surrounded by clusters of large rocks that provided ample cover.
Silently observing the village, Jiraiya refrained from any rash actions, proceeding with utmost caution as he had for years.
Most of the Leaf Village's intelligence on the Akatsuki and the Hidden Rain Village had been gathered by him, although critical information had continually eluded his grasp.
Patience had been his modus operandi, avoiding unnecessary risks in exchange for slow but steady progress. While this approach limited his ability to obtain key intelligence, it had yielded valuable insights, such as details about Akatsuki members and their abilities.
Currently, Jiraiya sought deeper knowledge, specifically information about the abilities of other Akatsuki members, the identity of their enigmatic leader and the true motives of the Hidden Rain Village.
Ye Zi's immense strength, yet subordinate status within Akatsuki, left Jiraiya pondering the nature of their leader, a figure capable of commanding such a formidable subordinate.
Having departed the Leaf Village to investigate both Ye Zi and the Hidden Rain Village, Jiraiya found himself unable to pinpoint Ye Zi's exact location. Thus, he focused his efforts on the Hidden Rain, hoping that this reconnaissance might reveal clues to Ye Zi's movements.
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Currently on Chapter 520 - Successful Capture of Another Tailed Beast