Chapter 35: The Water Release Training Method!

Chapter 35: The Water Release Training Method!

The Hydrification Technique is quite unique—it's the only jutsu in the ninja world that allows a human body to naturally transform into an elemental state. Even though there are three different types of dojutsu in the ninja world, this is the sole technique of its kind.

Ever since discovering this technique, Ishihara had been eagerly anticipating its potential. Now, controlling Mei Terumi's body, he unrolled the scroll containing the Hydrification Technique, carefully absorbing its details.

The description read: "The Hydrification Technique allows the body to liquefy, requiring the unique physique of the Hozuki Clan and mastery of the Water Release chakra's nature transformation."

After reading it, Ishihara fell silent. The technique, rather than being a mere jutsu, seemed to be an extension of the Hozuki Clan's unique physical traits—traits that could be considered a hidden Kekkei Genkai.

In Ishihara's perspective, the Hozuki Clan indeed possessed a Kekkei Genkai, albeit one that was subtle and difficult to awaken. Even before awakening, it offered a significant advantage in utilizing Water Release techniques. Essentially, it wasn't the technique that birthed the Hozuki Clan's unique physique; instead, it was their inherent physical traits that led to the creation of the technique.

The key to this technique lay in tapping into the Hozuki Clan's Kekkei Genkai. The second crucial element was the precise transformation and manipulation of Water Release chakra.

The Hydrification Technique demanded such an advanced level of nature and shape transformation that even Ishihara was astonished. "If someone wanted to develop a technique similar to the Hozuki Clan's without their unique physique, it would be nearly impossible for anyone in the ninja world to use it effectively."

A thought flashed through his mind, prompting Ishihara to instruct Mei Terumi, "I need a corpse from the Hozuki Clan, preferably one that was highly skilled in the Hydrification Technique."

Mei Terumi frowned slightly. "Only a few members of the Hozuki Clan have mastered this technique, with their clan leader being the strongest. However, his body is under tight security; obtaining it won't be easy."

Ishihara chuckled. "It seems your people in Kirigakure are also quite eager to uncover the secrets of the Hydrification Technique."

Mei Terumi didn't argue. Just as Konoha once secretly researched the cells of the First Hokage, Kirigakure wouldn't miss the chance to study the Hozuki Clan and their technique now that the opportunity had arisen.

"I'll find a way," Mei Terumi finally said. "I might be able to acquire the body of a Hozuki Clan elder."

"That will suffice," Ishihara responded, not pressing her further. The difference in quality only affected the amount of time he needed for his research.

Mei Terumi sighed in relief. Acquiring even an elder's corpse would not be easy, given how closely they were watched. She began strategizing how to accomplish this task, not only to satisfy Ishihara but also to find a way to grow stronger herself. If the village was determined to study the Hozuki Clan, why not entrust the task to someone like Ishihara, who had almost guaranteed success?

"It seems things went smoothly earlier," Ishihara suddenly remarked, snapping Mei Terumi out of her thoughts.

She replied with lingering unease, "If the person controlling Yagura had decided to go down with us, Kirigakure would have suffered tremendously."

Ishihara didn't comment further. It was clear that Obito feared him, though Ishihara wasn't sure how long that fear would last.

"Quickly bring me the body," Ishihara urged, "or if the one behind Yagura decides to act, even I might not be able to stop him."

Mei Terumi's heart tightened. "You mean you're not confident?"

Ishihara remained silent. At this stage, Obito wasn't particularly strong, relying mainly on the First Hokage's transplanted cells and his Kamui. However, Kamui alone was enough to make anyone in the ninja world wary.

"I should have kept Kakashi's Sharingan," Ishihara thought with some regret. He hadn't anticipated his research would progress so rapidly. If he had known earlier that he would acquire the Life Chains technique, he would have made sure to keep Kakashi's Kamui.

Unfortunately, now that he had caught Obito's attention, getting close to Kakashi without raising suspicion would be nearly impossible.

Mei Terumi interpreted Ishihara's silence as agreement, and the thought of Kirigakure being targeted by such a powerful enemy filled her with urgency. She needed to deliver the corpse to Ishihara as soon as possible.

...

"I should prepare for my inevitable battle with Obito," Ishihara mused after withdrawing his consciousness from Mei Terumi's body. He wasn't pleased that Obito now saw him as a threat. This meant his actions would be under greater scrutiny from now on.

Thanks to Zetsu's formidable intelligence-gathering abilities, it would be nearly impossible to operate in secrecy from now on. However, there was little Ishihara could do to counter Kamui—a space-time ninjutsu, the hardest type of ninjutsu to deal with.

"Flying Thunder God Technique," the thought crossed Ishihara's mind, but he dismissed it. With his speed, he didn't fear Obito; he just lacked a means to defeat him. This concern wouldn't derail his plans, though.

Exhaling slowly, Ishihara refocused his energy on studying the Hydrification Technique.

...

A few days later, Mei Terumi managed to swap out a corpse at noon and informed Ishihara, who then sent Orochimaru, currently practicing the Boil Release Training Method, to retrieve it.

Orochimaru quickly delivered the body back to their base before eagerly returning to his training. Ishihara then began his dissection and experimentation.

"Interesting," Ishihara muttered, fascinated. "Are the Hozuki Clan members made of water? Their cells show significant traces of Water Release chakra, almost as if their bodies were eroded by it."

"However, their body tissues appear ordinary, showing no special characteristics."

After a preliminary examination, Ishihara initiated his real experiment.

Using Life Chains, he linked his consciousness to the corpse, experiencing a peculiar sensation as if he possessed another body. Once he adjusted to the corpse's stiffness, Ishihara attempted to perform the Hydrification Technique while activating his Byakugan to scrutinize the internal workings of the body.

"Hydrification Technique!" he commanded.

Immediately, the flow of chakra within the body, along with its nature and shape transformations, flooded into Ishihara's mind. He could clearly observe how large amounts of chakra underwent nature transformation within the body. This chakra then combined with a special form of chakra resembling Yin Release, leading the body's cells to undergo a transformation akin to assimilation, turning into water.

[You have observed the transformation process of the Hydrification Technique, gaining insight into the nature and shape transformations of Water Release chakra. You have created the secret technique: Water Release Training Method.]