The clearest evidence that Veigar Koshima's mental strength had undergone a qualitative leap after absorbing Life Essence was found in his Chakra Sensory Technique—an ability that, in the hands of an average shinobi, could at most sense a radius of fifty meters.
This enhancement was undeniable proof.
Moreover, during his battle with Kisame Hoshigaki, the injuries Veigar sustained had begun healing rapidly once he absorbed Life Essence. That was further evidence that the vitality within his body had surged, becoming hyperactive as the essence was assimilated.
But this wasn't what truly excited him.
What thrilled Veigar was that after his body had initially fused with the Phenomenal Evil Power, it had undergone a preliminary metamorphosis, now possessing a weakened but real version of that extraordinary power.
Granted, the Phenomenal Evil Power Veigar currently wielded was far from its full potential—a diluted form of the original.
Still, what he truly looked forward to was discovering the transformation that would occur once he achieved complete fusion with the Phenomenal Evil Power.
The forest at night echoed with the sounds of insects. After pulling some food from his backpack and enjoying a satisfying meal, Veigar leaned back in contemplation.
"Does it... have other uses?"
Floating in his open palm was a complete, holographic-like symbol of the Phenomenal Evil Power, spinning freely in 360 degrees.
This symbol was no longer just a spectral projection like before. Now it was a tangible fragment of the power he had fused with—a real manifestation of the Phenomenal Evil Power that now belonged entirely to him.
As he stared at the symbol hovering above his palm, almost involuntarily, Veigar formed a Rasengan.
And then—an unexpected phenomenon occurred.
The Phenomenal Evil Power symbol dissolved into inky azure motes and merged seamlessly with the Rasengan.
To his shock, the Rasengan began drilling into his palm—not outward but inward.
Veigar felt it.
The spiraling chakra orb burrowed through his palm, slid up his arm, passed his shoulder, crossed over his heart, and settled in his lower abdomen—the same place where his chakra typically gathered.
And in that very instant, Veigar's chakra surged violently out of control.
An eruption of chakra burst from within, coiling around his body like a storm, forming a massive, erratically spinning sphere of chakra energy.
Veigar, who had been sitting calmly in a hollowed-out tree, now floated at the core of the chakra sphere.
The tree he had split open to create his shelter collapsed entirely, its upper half sheared clean off by the sheer force of the outburst.
All across the Forest of Death, numerous shinobi jolted awake, sensing the explosion of chakra.
"What a powerful chakra…" muttered Nanaki Hyuga, activating his Byakugan and gazing in Veigar's direction—though the distance was too great to see clearly.
Shōgetsu Uchiha's Sharingan eyes widened in disbelief. The pride he had felt after advancing his dōjutsu was now being crushed under the weight of Veigar's terrifying display.
Across the forest—Konoha, Kumo, Kiri, Kusa, Amegakure—all the genin from different villages were stunned.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru, the chief proctor of the Chūnin Exams, felt Veigar's chakra surge and turned to the two nearby proctors.
"Continue with the mission. I'll check this out myself."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama," they replied, bowing.
But Orochimaru was already gone, vanishing with blistering speed via the Teleportation Jutsu.
Back at the epicenter, Veigar floated within the Rasengan-shaped chakra sphere. With a single thought, the energy began to dissipate—just like when he released the Rasengan from his palm.
"Huff… huff… huff…"
His breathing was heavy. The sheer volume of chakra expelled had taken a toll.
But then he realized something—his body had changed again.
It was as though his entire being had been inscribed with the Rasengan's formula. He could now conjure the technique from anywhere on his body. If he wanted, he could even envelop himself in a Rasengan sphere like before.
Before he could act on that realization, Orochimaru appeared—perched atop a nearby tree branch, his eyes gleaming.
"Veigar-kun. We meet again."
The infamous Sannin surveyed the surroundings and immediately confirmed that the source of the chakra eruption had been none other than Veigar.
Hearing the familiar, magnetic voice, Veigar quickly turned and respectfully greeted him.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Orochimaru studied him in silence for a few moments, then spoke.
"Veigar-kun… You've certainly lived up to the expectations of both the old man and Danzo."
"That little show you put on wasn't subtle."
Veigar knew precisely who "the old man and Danzo" referred to—Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, and Shimura Danzo, the secretive leader of Root and the Hokage's advisor.
He was already aware that Sarutobi had taken interest in him. As for Danzo's attention—he'd anticipated that too.
As a Konoha genin, Veigar was naturally well aware of the influence of Danzo. He responded humbly:
"Yes. I'm deeply grateful for the trust of the Third Hokage and Danzo-sama."
Orochimaru, considered by many as the greatest researcher in the shinobi world, was also a master psychologist. And now, he clearly saw that Veigar's expression remained calm and unshaken at the mention of Hiruzen and Danzo—unlike most shinobi who held at least a shred of reverence or fear toward them.
Behind his sinister smile, Orochimaru radiated a twisted kind of charm—impossible to ignore, impossible to resist.
"Veigar-kun… after the Chūnin Exams… would you be interested in becoming my subordinate?"
That sudden offer made Veigar's heart race for just a moment.
In many ways, Orochimaru would be the perfect mentor for him. From his vast arsenal of jutsu to his obsession with unraveling their mysteries…
But most importantly—Orochimaru's ruthless methods.
If he joined Orochimaru, then even mass slaughter would no longer be taboo. He wouldn't have to worry about holding back like he had under Minato Namikaze.
In other words—
Let's fucking do it.
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