So this is the Hōgyoku?
Tsunade gazed at the radiant orb resting on the pedestal. It shimmered like glass under the sunlight, its colors shifting with an almost mesmerizing brilliance.
She had to admit—over the years, Orochimaru and his disciple had indeed created some remarkable things.
And this orb, named the Hōgyoku, was one of them.
At first, it appeared unremarkable. But once its power was activated, the changes it brought were enough to captivate and astonish anyone.
It was as if it could peer into a person's heart, exposing their emptiness, weaknesses, or desires.
No matter what one's ideology was, it always seemed to align perfectly with their thoughts, making them believe in its power.
Right now, Tsunade could feel an overwhelming force of Yang chakra emanating from the orb. Or rather, it was a power similar to Yang Release and medical ninjutsu—a force imbued with healing properties!
It felt as though if she could obtain this power, her medical ninjutsu would undergo a profound transformation.
The sensation grew stronger, gradually taking root in her mind as time passed.
"This orb is dangerous!"
Forcing herself to break eye contact, Tsunade severed her connection to the Hōgyoku's energy. She stepped back two paces, shut her eyes, and took deep, steadying breaths.
Even then, she couldn't shake the lingering fear in her heart.
She had nearly fallen into the illusion the Hōgyoku was weaving for her. If it had managed to uncover the deepest weakness within her heart, she might have truly lost herself to it.
"You are the only person, aside from me and Kagetsu, to have truly experienced its power up close," Orochimaru said as he activated the seals on the pedestal, once again binding and suppressing the Hōgyoku's energy into silence.
"I'm surprised... are you still fully conscious, Orochimaru?"
Tsunade's voice carried suspicion as she scrutinized him and his disciple. Given how long they had been exposed to the Hōgyoku's presence, she found it hard to believe that neither of them had succumbed to its illusions.
Especially Orochimaru—having known him since childhood, she couldn't believe he had any resistance to such a tempting power.
"You think the Hōgyoku has brainwashed me? That I've become its puppet?" Orochimaru immediately saw through her doubts.
Tsunade said nothing. She simply stared at him.
"Don't worry, I've already cut away the narrow-minded part of myself and reached a higher level.
Also, as one of its researchers, I understand the power of the Hōgyoku better than you. It can see through a person's inner thoughts and use their own desires to tempt them.
If you become obsessed with its temptations and endlessly use its power, you will eventually turn into a mindless monster, losing both reason and self-awareness.
But if you can control your heart and not fall into its trap, you can receive its gifts while maintaining your own consciousness!
This is the risk of training in the Hōgyoku Mode! Only by confronting your own heart, staying firm, and resisting all temptations can you truly master it."
Orochimaru smiled and patiently explained to Tsunade.
"Are you sure I can do it?" Tsunade asked after listening, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face. She understood Orochimaru's words, and because of that, she hesitated even more.
But this time, her hesitation came from a lack of trust in herself.
"Facing the core power of the Hōgyoku head-on will grant greater rewards and even more growth potential. However, if you don't trust yourself, I can use other methods to minimize the risks as much as possible and assist you in completing the training.
Between these two methods, the final benefit may not be too different depending on the strength of one's obsession. Or, the difference could be vast. What will you choose?"
Orochimaru's proposed solution only fueled Tsunade's inner struggle.
"Did you ever face the power of the Hōgyoku directly?" Tsunade looked at Orochimaru.
"Of course!"
"You backed down, didn't you?"
"Not an unreasonable assumption."
"Because out of the three of us, you're the one who values your life the most, Orochimaru! You always make the most stable and ruthless decisions, ensuring the least amount of loss."
"You always assess the situation and never believe in miracles!"
Tsunade openly expressed her understanding of Orochimaru. Hearing this, Shisui, Anko, and Shizune instinctively took a few steps back, leaving only Kagetsu standing out because of their retreat.
"Your impression of me is still stuck in the past, Tsunade," Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"So, you've chosen to face the power of the Hōgyoku head-on?"
"Rather, I'm facing my own obsessions and desires," Orochimaru said softly. "Did you know? The training with the Hōgyoku has many similarities to the Sage trials of Ryūchi Cave.
Both require one to confront their deepest desires. But the Hōgyoku's method is more precise and highly targeted. I already backed down once before. If I retreat again, I have a strong premonition that I may never achieve my ideals and ambitions.
I will prepare as thoroughly and perfectly as possible, then face the most rigorous trial."
"Your change has given me a new understanding of you," Tsunade said after a brief moment of surprise, slowly nodding.
"No, you're not wrong. The reason I made this decision is because I have countermeasures in place in case of failure.
I still cherish my life! Because only by staying alive and conscious can I continue my research and pursue my ideals. That kind of reckless gamble with no retreat—that's something only a fool like Jiraiya would do!"
Orochimaru took a jab at the absent Jiraiya.
"Prepare it for me. I really want to know what kind of power you value so much. As long as it helps the plan, I will do whatever it takes!" Tsunade said through gritted teeth.
...
Time passed second by second. Outside the laboratory, Shizune anxiously paced back and forth in front of the door, occasionally glancing at the lab's entrance and the light above it.
"Shizune, can you sit down? There's no need to worry about Lady Tsunade. She's one of the Sannin!"
Anko, feeling a bit irritated by Shizune's restless movements, waved her over, signaling her to sit beside her.
"Of course, I trust Lady Tsunade! But it's already been ten hours!"
Shizune tried to suppress her frustration. She didn't dare to shout, so she walked closer and spoke to Anko, forcing herself to keep her emotions and voice in check.
"The Hōgyoku trial is just like this. If it were the Sage trial of Ryūchi Cave, the time needed would be measured in months or even years."
Anko spread her hands as she replied.
"Have you undergone the Hōgyoku trial, Anko?" Shizune looked at her and asked.
"I haven't. Lord Orochimaru thinks I'm not ready to receive the power of the Hōgyoku yet. But Shisui has activated the Hōgyoku mode before."
Anko shook her head and pointed in Shisui's direction.
Among Orochimaru's squad, she was the only one who hadn't received the power of the Hōgyoku, which frustrated her.
However, as the easygoing member of the team, she instinctively pushed those feelings aside once the moment passed, choosing not to dwell on them and letting herself sink into a low mood.
****
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