Chapter Forty-Two: Yearning

At this moment, Kato Mikaze had no time to pay much attention to Orochimaru's watchful gaze; most of his focus was still on handling the “patient” on the operating table. As for Orochimaru, no matter what, the two of them were still classmates, and their relationship as friends and partners was not bad. Besides, it was only the 35th year of the Hidden Leaf Village—Orochimaru had not yet fully fallen into darkness, had not become the deranged and mad scientist of the original story, and it would be at least another ten years before he betrayed the village.

Since Kato Mikaze had chosen to participate in the research of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju’s cells and to take on this S-rank mission, he would naturally need to work together with Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo. Collaborating with these two, both of whom would become infamous antagonists in the original story, Kato Mikaze would of course make sure to leave himself a way out.

Most importantly, at this point, the gap in strength between Kato Mikaze and Orochimaru was not great. Should an unexpected confrontation arise, Kato Mikaze was confident in himself and did not fear his opponent.

There was another reason as well: to a certain extent, Kato Mikaze trusted Orochimaru. Setting aside their years as classmates and friends, Kato Mikaze believed in Orochimaru—not in his character, but in his intelligence and cunning.

In the original story, Orochimaru was the infamous traitor of the Hidden Leaf. As a student, he murdered his teacher, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi; as one of the Legendary Sannin and a senior figure in the shinobi world, he targeted the young Uchiha orphan who had just graduated from the academy; as a notorious S-rank rogue ninja, he used illusory ideals, threats, abductions, and other villainous means, with a long record of kidnapping children and women from across the shinobi world, earning himself a terrible reputation.

Orochimaru’s character was irredeemable after his fall, but his intelligence was never in doubt. Without it, he could not have become such a successful and legendary rogue ninja, thriving in a world of betrayal and even founding his own hidden village from nothing.

Kato Mikaze trusted Orochimaru’s mind, his intellect. If Orochimaru truly intended to do something to him, it would be after meticulous planning and careful execution, not through reckless or hasty action that would expose his ambitions.

As for Orochimaru’s scrutiny of Kato Mikaze? His hunger for strength? For a ninja, such desires were only natural. Any ninja with ambition and ideals would feel a yearning for power—a strong, overwhelming power.

Just as Kato Mikaze had chosen to take on this S-rank mission and study the cells of the First Hokage, beyond fulfilling the assignment given by the village, deep down, he too longed to obtain something. He already knew what that was.

In their desire and ambition for power, there was little fundamental difference between Kato Mikaze and Orochimaru; both were ninjas who sought to become stronger and hungered for great strength. The only difference was that, unlike the Orochimaru of later years, Kato Mikaze had a boundary—a final trace of gentleness in his heart, embodied by that golden ponytail shining in the sunlight at the gates of the Hidden Leaf.

...

Within the vision of his soul, Kato Mikaze’s spirit was continuously channeling soul energy through their link to the “patient” on the operating table, helping her resist the power corrupting her soul. In the operating room, the other staff reported in clear, orderly voices, which Kato Mikaze could also hear: the patient’s body temperature, brain activity, and mental fluctuations were improving, all effects of the soul energy he was providing.

On the surface, Kato Mikaze’s treatment seemed quite effective. Unfortunately, in his soul vision, the force infecting the “patient” appeared endless. He could only maintain her current condition for now; it was impossible to sustain this for long. On one hand, his own chakra and soul energy were limited and could not be supplied indefinitely; on the other, the corrupting force originated from within the patient herself. Her body had already become inhuman, more like a monster with bark for skin than a person.

The once delicate beauty had turned into a hideous creature—hideous, yet far more powerful. Within her body, she held the home advantage, and the force corrupting her soul continued to grow stronger. Sooner or later, it would shatter the delicate balance Kato Mikaze was struggling to maintain.

The consequences of that balance breaking were not hard to imagine.

Increasing the output of soul energy had already been attempted—the patient’s soul was too weak and broken to bear it.

“She’s beyond saving.”

Kato Mikaze had already reached his conclusion in his heart. Though his intervention had little effect, he had still gained something. At the very least, it proved that the soul power generated by his Soul Cultivation Technique could affect the First Hokage’s cells. This attempt had been a bit hasty, coming on his very first day at the base; there was much more he could have prepared.

With better planning, perhaps it would be possible in the future…

He also wondered whether it was only his own soul power that could influence the First Hokage’s cells, or if the soul energy from other techniques in his clan would work as well. Perhaps he could ask his older brother to help him test it someday—though would his brother agree?

Even though Kato Mikaze had judged the patient to be unsalvageable, he still continued to channel soul energy into her. This was not out of overflowing compassion or a desire to prolong her life; even if that were so, the patient would hardly thank him for it.

The patient was in such agony that death would be a mercy; her soul grew ever weaker, while her body, though hideous, only grew more vigorous. To call this treatment was misleading—one could just as easily say she was being subjected to endless torture, the kind from which there was no escape, not even through death.

Kato Mikaze was not a sadist like Orochimaru, wishing to torment his subject for longer. There was, however, one final issue he hesitated over—whether or not to let his soul possess the patient’s body.

During his brief transfer of soul energy to her, he had already tested things: the corrupting force within her soul, when accessed only via a soul link, could not affect him. But what if he possessed her? What would happen then…?

Kato Mikaze did not hesitate any longer. Turning his soul form, he spoke to Orochimaru beside him: “Orochimaru, my ability can indeed affect her, but her condition is too poor. I can only stabilize her for a short time, and I won’t be able to keep it up for long. Once I stop, she’ll likely turn completely into a monster, and then…”

...

PS: New author humbly asks for your support, recommendations, and favorites. I’ve just come down from the New Books ranking and finally made it to third place in the light novel category. Now it feels like I’m all alone—wonder if I’ll be able to sign a contract smoothly.