Time passed day by day, and Ryujin Kenichi continued to maintain a close relationship with Kakashi. Under Kakashi's tutelage, he had successfully mastered the Chidori—a powerful technique requiring both high-speed movement and the Sharingan to control.
Kakashi, initially cold and distant, found himself gradually warming up to Kenichi, whose persistent efforts to stay close had softened some of his gloom. Ever since the tragedy of losing Obito and Rin, Kakashi had rarely opened up to anyone, but Kenichi's presence brought a subtle change.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly. All that remained was the looming threat of Obito, who, now operating as Tobi, would soon orchestrate the Nine-Tails' attack on the village to further his hidden agenda.
Just as Kenichi was preparing for the inevitable chaos, he was suddenly summoned by his teacher—Orochimaru.
"Sensei, can I use these materials?" Kenichi asked as soon as he stepped into the underground laboratory. He had initially planned to inquire about Orochimaru's current research, but the sight before him diverted his attention.
Four Konoha ninja were restrained in the room—clearly a jonin and his genin team. This was a rare opportunity. Despite their declining usefulness in large-scale wars, jonin were still vital assets to a village's military power. Most of Orochimaru's test subjects had been genin or civilian captives, and this was the first time Kenichi had seen a jonin used as material.
"No," Orochimaru replied without hesitation, "They are extremely valuable experimental subjects."
With Konoha increasing its internal security, capturing an active-duty jonin-led squad was a rare and risky move. Orochimaru was not about to waste them.
"Then… why did you call me here?" Kenichi asked, trying to mask his disappointment. He knew Orochimaru never called anyone without purpose.
"You wanted to see the Impure World Reincarnation, didn't you?" Orochimaru said, glancing over with a thin smile. "I'm about to test it."
Kenichi's eyes lit up. "Really? You're finally going to use Edo Tensei?"
"Calm yourself. Pay attention and observe," Orochimaru said sternly.
Kenichi quickly pulled out his notebook and began taking notes as Orochimaru began the summoning process.
A simple villager—clearly not a ninja—was brought in as the sacrifice. Despite that, the ritual succeeded.
"Impure World Reincarnation... success," Kenichi whispered, watching as a spectral form took shape and solidified.
The summoned figure opened his eyes, blinking in confusion. "Wasn't I in the Pure Land…? What is this?"
Kenichi recognized the face immediately—it was Kato Dan, a jonin who had died during the Second Shinobi World War and had been the lover of Tsunade. Known for his rare Spiritualization Technique, Dan had once momentarily returned to the living during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Before Dan could process his surroundings, a kunai was driven into the back of his head by Orochimaru. The reanimated body stilled, falling silent.
"Record it—Impure World Reincarnation of Kato Dan: success," Orochimaru instructed, his voice even. But Kenichi, ever perceptive, noted a flicker of caution in his teacher's eyes.
Was Orochimaru afraid of Dan's Spiritualization Technique? Perhaps. Though in this form, and with a civilian body as the vessel, Dan likely couldn't access his full power.
Kenichi jotted down the observation and waited.
Orochimaru turned to Dan's reanimated body. "Use the Spiritualization Technique on the restrained genin," he commanded.
Dan stood motionless.
The genin—bound to a post—opened his eyes in horror, but nothing happened.
[Note: A non-ninja host body seems to limit the reanimated ninja's abilities.]
Without prompting, Kenichi continued recording. Orochimaru gave further commands.
"Walk. Squat. Dance."
Dan responded to each one with precision. The basic motor functions worked—so control was not the issue. It was a matter of physical limitation.
[Conclusion: Civilian bodies may not be able to channel or endure chakra-based techniques, even under Impure World Reincarnation.]
Kenichi's pen scratched across the page, and he couldn't help but feel thrilled. This was the kind of forbidden knowledge he'd been waiting for.
Orochimaru released the Impure World Reincarnation with practiced ease, this time using a genin as the sacrifice. The result was slightly more stable than before—he managed to summon a former Chūnin and had them cast a few basic ninjutsu before the body deteriorated.
"Hmph… not ideal," Orochimaru muttered, observing the technique's limits through narrowed eyes.
On the nearby operating table, a captured jōnin thrashed violently, veins bulging in his neck and forehead. His eyes were wide, bloodshot—filled with a mix of rage and horror.
Standing beside the table, Ryujin Kenichi—one of Orochimaru's most promising assistants—observed silently. The jōnin looked like he would tear them both apart if given the chance.
When the summoned soul dispersed and the genin vessel collapsed, lifeless, Orochimaru didn't continue the experiment. Instead, he sat back in his chair, holding the latest experimental report that Kenichi had submitted.
Kenichi didn't disturb him. He glanced at the bound jōnin, who glared daggers at both him and the teacher. With a yawn, Kenichi turned his gaze to the remaining members of the four-person team they had captured.
One of them—a young kunoichi—was trembling. Kenichi's sharp nose picked up the sour stench of urine.
"Tch. Shinobi these days are growing soft," Orochimaru said with a note of displeasure, though his tone remained eerily calm.
Kenichi was slightly surprised—his master usually avoided speaking when deep in thought. Yet this time, he didn't chastise the girl.
Curious, Kenichi looked more closely at her. She was young, perhaps twelve or thirteen. Clearly frightened out of her wits, but undeniably pretty. A thought sparked in his mind.
Didn't Lord Orochimaru once mention that his ideal vessel had to be compatible… preferably young… strong chakra, and resilient?
The girl's features were delicate, and she had a certain aura about her. Could she be a potential future host for the Living Corpse Reincarnation?
Kenichi's gaze lingered thoughtfully. By the time Lord Orochimaru carries out the Konoha Crush, she'd be about the right age…
He suppressed a shiver. The Living Corpse Reincarnation allowed the transfer of Orochimaru's soul into a new vessel, regardless of gender. The body changed, but the mind remained entirely his master's.
So technically, Lord Orochimaru could become a woman…
Kenichi blinked, then mentally slapped himself for the direction his thoughts were going.
"Terrifying," he muttered under his breath, lips curling into a half-smile.