Chapter Forty: Healing (Part One)

In the heart of the Leaf Village, deep within an underground base belonging to the Root organization, a brightly lit surgical room played host to a grim scene. Upon the operating table, a "patient" lay bound, wide awake and writhing in agony. His mouth had been tampered with—no sound could escape, leaving him to scream voicelessly into the sterile air.

The "patient" was rapidly undergoing a transformation; his body was turning to wood at an alarming pace. With every passing second, his strength increased, his struggles grew more violent, and the instruments scattered about the room chimed and beeped with urgent alarms.

Aside from the suffering figure on the table, eight silhouettes stood nearby, all clad in specialized uniforms. Two led the group: one, with pale blue, tousled hair and sharp, starry eyes; the other, with long black hair, porcelain skin, and serpent-like pupils.

If only the lights were dimmer, and the atmosphere more oppressive, the scene would have perfectly matched the customary darkness of the Root organization.

...

Kato Yufeng responded to Orochimaru's words, "Efficiency is essential for ninjas, especially during missions. Besides... my expertise in biological cell research isn't as great as yours, but when it comes to souls, I have certain talents. Otherwise, Lord Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, wouldn't have sent me here..."

"Edo Tensei and Living Corpse Reincarnation both relate to souls, don't they? It seems my Soul Cultivation Technique might restrain Orochimaru, or perhaps it's highly compatible with his methods... Or maybe..."

As he spoke, flashes of inspiration darted through Yufeng's mind, yet his actions never faltered. He walked to a corner of the operating room, evidently a staff rest area, and summoned a nearby attendant. He murmured a few instructions, entrusting the care of his physical body to the staffer. Yufeng intended to feign the usual limitation of the Soul Transformation Technique: immobility of the physical form.

Having made his preparations, Yufeng first sensed the barriers around the room and the base's periphery. They were indeed advanced warning and defense seals, but clearly not aimed at souls. Relieved, he formed seals, channeling chakra within, and activated the Soul Cultivation Technique—his soul leaving his body.

Yufeng, now a floating soul, manifested before Orochimaru and the other staff members.

Orochimaru, having heard Yufeng's reply, shifted his attention from the operating table to Yufeng's actions, watching intently as the latter completed his preparations, seated himself cross-legged in the rest area, and performed a simple seal.

"So, just the Hare seal, as the legends say. And after the jutsu is cast, the body truly can't move..."

From Yufeng's crown, a translucent figure began to drift upward. At first, it wavered like a wisp of blue smoke, then gradually condensed into a humanoid shape, bearing Yufeng's features.

...

The six other staff members, besides the bound "patient," were drawn to this extraordinary sight. The secret Soul Transformation Technique of the Kato clan, so closely tied to legend and soul, was something they knew of, at least in passing. Rumor had it that Lord Danzo, the chief of this mission, had specifically requested Yufeng's participation from the Third Hokage because of this very jutsu.

As mission staff, they had made some effort to learn about Yufeng, though detailed information was hard to come by. Still, general knowledge—well known throughout the Leaf—was within their grasp.

Knowledge aside, seeing a living soul with their own eyes was a first for them. It was said that another member of the Kato clan could perform the same jutsu, but most who had encountered a soul form before were enemies—slain by the technique, sent to the legendary Shinigami, their bodies long cold.

...

Orochimaru, sensing Yufeng's soul, perceived a mysterious force—a type of power unfamiliar to him.

"So this is a soul? Truly a wondrous technique."

With a cold, raspy voice, Orochimaru asked, "Is this the legendary soul form from the Soul Transformation Technique? Kato, can you hear me?"

"I can... Orochimaru, this isn't your first time seeing one. Why so surprised?" Yufeng replied.

"Perhaps it's the first time I've seen a living soul entity this close," Orochimaru said, his serpent pupils fixed on the transparent figure before him, even reaching out to touch Yufeng's soul.

The soul form could interact with physical objects if Yufeng allowed it, much like he could manifest before others.

Yufeng had touched his own soul form before—it felt cool and soft, rather like jelly.

"Orochimaru will one day evolve from Uncle Snake to Aunt Snake. He's handsome now, but still very much a man. If..."

Yufeng quickly dismissed his odd thoughts, refusing to indulge Orochimaru's attempt to touch his soul form.

Orochimaru's hand passed through Yufeng's soul, feeling only the faintest, almost nonexistent chill.

"Is it intangible? Or is it controlled by the jutsu's user?"

...

"Orochimaru, keep your hands to yourself. I'm not interested in men. And if you keep rambling, I won't assist with this experiment," Yufeng said, controlling his soul form to avoid Orochimaru's touch.

Viewing the world from a soul's perspective, Yufeng saw things differently. The "patient" on the table, after this brief delay, was in dire straits. Sensing danger, Yufeng alerted Orochimaru.

Prompted by Yufeng, Orochimaru and the staff turned their attention back to the main subject—the experiment's "patient," bound to the table.

By now, the "patient" was barely human; the wooden transformation had nearly overtaken his entire body. Features once attractive were now almost unrecognizable.

All that remained was a vague outline of head, limbs, and torso, every part turned to wood. Not the refined craftsmanship of a model, but like the rough bark of a dead tree.

...

PS: New author humbly asks for support, recommendations, and bookmarks. Another chapter coming soon.