The Forbidden Scroll Library looked barren enough to starve a rat, but to be honest, the quantity of forbidden and secret techniques stored here would be hard for even Hidden Villages like Takigakure and Amegakure to match. After all, aside from the Leaf Village with grandmasters like the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who had pioneered the development of forbidden jutsu, other villages were quite limited in the number of such techniques they possessed.

As for secret techniques, they were even rarer than forbidden ones. Like bloodline limit abilities, they were passed down only within clans and never shared outside of them. Forbidden techniques, with some cost, could occasionally be learned, but acquiring a secret technique usually required brute force or was nearly impossible to obtain.

"Do you have a target in mind, Kazuma?"

Genpachiro asked from his spot beside the bookshelf.

"I want to try learning that Earth Release forbidden technique."

There was only one Earth Release forbidden technique in the library, which Kazuma knew of but had never been able to access until now. His knowledge of it was limited to the fact that it existed—he didn't even know its name.

"Oh, that one, huh…" Genpachiro wasn't surprised by Kazuma's answer but reacted with a somewhat hesitant expression as he carefully handed him a dark yellow scroll. "Take a look for yourself. It's a rather cruel jutsu, one that could easily be met with opposition. If you manage to learn it, be sure not to reveal your true identity when using it."

Kazuma froze, surprised.

Was this technique really so controversial?

It was well known that forbidden techniques were labeled as such for generally three reasons. The first reason was that they inflicted severe harm on the user, often falling under the "if I die, you're coming with me" category, with some leading to mutual destruction. The second reason was a violation of basic ethics, the kinds of jutsu that could cause public outrage—like the infamous Reanimation Jutsu. The Second Hokage had ruined his reputation across the ninja world due to this technique, and the Human Puppet Technique of Sasori of the Red Sand was similarly despised. The third category encompassed techniques that were simply too destructive to control, putting innocents at risk.

"Earth Release: Ultimate Creation Technique – Soil of the Dead?"

Kazuma glanced at the introductory section, rendered speechless.

No wonder this was labeled a forbidden technique. Using soil infused with the bodies of the dead was highly offensive. If people discovered this, the families of the dead would surely seek vengeance. No wonder Genpachiro had warned him to keep his identity concealed if he ever used it.

This jutsu required preparing soil containing preserved corpses, kept relatively intact to avoid extensive decay. The corpses could only be revived once, as further damage would make them irretrievable. In a sense, this jutsu was like a weaker version of the Reanimation Jutsu.

It shared a disregard for ethics and was less effective than the Reanimation Jutsu in every way.

Overall, it was lackluster.

It was entirely different from the kind of forbidden technique Kazuma had been hoping to find. He wanted something with massive destructive power, not something so morally ambiguous and with such limited use.

It was awkward—too weak to call impressive, but with some limited utility.

"Genpachiro-senpai, may I look at other forbidden techniques?" Kazuma was reluctant to give up and wanted to see if there were other techniques in the library that might better suit his needs.

"Sure, go ahead. Just be careful not to damage or dirty the scrolls."

Genpachiro settled into a chair in the corner, leisurely sipping tea and reading a novel.

Kazuma, meanwhile, eagerly browsed through the forbidden techniques on the shelves. Time flew by.

By sunset, he reluctantly put down the last scroll. There were indeed some powerful forbidden techniques, but they didn't align with his nature. Techniques like Lightning Release were beyond his reach since his chakra nature was Earth, with Wind being the secondary one he developed. He had no affinity for Lightning Release.

Various other forbidden techniques caught his eye, but none seemed as practically useful as the "Earth Release: Ultimate Creation Technique – Soil of the Dead."

"Nothing of interest?" Genpachiro asked, noticing Kazuma's disappointed expression.

"I couldn't find anything that really suited me, so it seems I'll have to stick with this Earth Release technique," Kazuma replied, waving the dark yellow scroll Genpachiro had initially handed him. "I'll try it out and see if I can master it."

"You'll need to read it here. Afterward, I'll place a seal on your memory," Genpachiro said.

"Understood."

Kazuma sat across from Genpachiro and opened the scroll. Glancing around, he noticed a thin book titled Compilation of Forbidden Techniques lying on the corner of the table. Curious, he picked it up. "What's this?"

"Oh, that," Genpachiro glanced up from his book. "That's a record compiled while gathering forbidden and secret techniques from around the world. Most of the ones listed have already been acquired, and the rest are probably out of reach. Just a way to pass the time now."

"Got it," Kazuma murmured.

Flipping through it, he found mention of the Earth Release: Soil of the Dead technique, with detailed notes indicating it originated from the Tsuchiyama clan of the Land of Rivers, with a "medium" acquisition difficulty.

However, as he skimmed further, he noticed a few forbidden techniques not in the library. One, in particular, held his attention for a long time.

At a hidden chamber beneath the Naka Shrine in the Leaf Village, Sougen pushed open the lab door just as a resounding crash echoed through the room. A monstrous half-man, half-tree creature broke free from its iron cage and charged at him like a runaway freight train.

"Sasori, planning a mutiny?" Sougen asked, stepping lightly as black curse marks coiled out like serpents, spiraling up the creature's root-covered legs and instantly freezing it in place. The momentum sent the creature crashing to the ground at his feet, immobilized like a defeated animal.

The technique was known as—

Curse Mark: Binding Curse of Karma.

Subduing this mindless beast was easy enough, but Sougen didn't want to risk damaging it, as it was a valuable experimental subject. After a split-second decision, he opted for the curse mark he had acquired from Danzo.

"This was an accident; your accusations are baseless," Sasori replied coolly, clutching a record book as he began noting the creature's responses.

"An accident… So no progress?" Sougen raised an eyebrow.

"Another ridiculous question. The experiment improves daily. This subject lasted two hours and seventeen minutes before the transformation and loss of control occurred. But never mind, you wouldn't understand. Just know that the experiment is going well."

Sasori shot Sougen a contemptuous look.

"You know you're my prisoner, right?" Sougen replied.

"Yes, but you need me for this experiment, don't you?" Sasori retorted, noting Sougen's silence. "Instead of your usual useless questions, get me new materials soon. I'm running out of subjects."

"But didn't I bring you twenty new subjects just last week?"

Sougen glared over.

"So, as I was saying! We're running low—only three bodies left. If we don't restock soon, the experiment's progress will inevitably slow down," Scorpion remarked calmly.

"Fine! The materials will be delivered tonight, at the latest tomorrow."

Sougen shook his head reluctantly.

Luckily, there were still quite a few death row inmates in the Konoha prison. But to be safe, he still planned to organize a team to gather experimental materials. After all, Konoha's death row inmates weren't limitless, and Scorpion went through materials alarmingly fast.

"Also, about that, when can I borrow the Amber Purifying Pot for my research?"

Scorpion hadn't forgotten Sougen's earlier promise.

He'd coveted that ninja tool of Sougen's for some time. As a puppet master, Scorpion's puppets were, strictly speaking, also ninja tools—just with a more unique form. Therefore, he was highly interested in ninja tools like the Amber Purifying Pot, which had mysterious abilities.

To be honest, he had reached a bottleneck with human-puppet techniques, where progress seemed almost impossible.

If he wanted to become stronger, making breakthroughs in human-puppet techniques in the next few years probably wasn't feasible. Just then, he noticed the various mysterious ninja tools that Sougen wielded, which expanded his thinking instantly. If he could learn the secrets of crafting such tools, his puppets would undoubtedly grow much stronger!

"I told you before, once you deliver some truly valuable research results, I'll lend you the Amber Purifying Pot. Heck, I'll even let you study the Flame Fan for a bit. But what have you shown me so far? Nothing yet. Get back to work."

Sougen didn't mind if Scorpion pushed boundaries a bit with his words.

Scientists are like that!

With quirks that are sometimes unusual, Sougen gave Scorpion a lot of leeway in his boldness to drive his initiative and bring out that brilliant mind. But, if Scorpion seriously thought he could take advantage, Sougen would consider changing tactics—harsh control was always an option.

"Hmph!"

Scorpion didn't respond, burying himself back into his work.

Sougen was also glad for the quiet. As the Uchiha clan leader, head of the police force, and Hokage assistant, he had plenty on his plate. Visiting the lab daily had only recently become a habit—to keep track of experimental progress and keep Scorpion in check, warning him not to get any ideas.

He knew very well:

Scorpion hadn't entirely given up on escaping.

He looked obedient and immersed in his work now, but Sougen didn't believe he'd stay if given a real shot at escape.

"So, Taro, how are things going?"

Sougen turned to speak with Uchiha Akitaro, Scorpion's assistant.

Scorpion was clearly the lead in the safe transplantation experiments of White Zetsu cells, but Sougen wouldn't blindly trust him to handle the research entirely. He had assigned Uchiha Akitaro, Uchiha Jun, and a few other loyal subordinates to rotate as Scorpion's assistants. Technically, they were his assistants, but "overseer" was a more accurate title.

"Nothing suspicious so far."

Uchiha Akitaro rubbed his temples. "I don't understand any of this research stuff, but I've been monitoring his every move, and if there's anything unusual, I'll note it down. So far, he seems pretty well-behaved."

"Well, don't let your guard down."

"Don't forget what I told you before—the Third Kazekage was killed by that guy."

"I know, it's just...honestly, this research work is completely beyond me!"

"Well, do your best! If things get unmanageable, remember that protecting yourself is your top priority."

Sougen gave a few more reminders before leaving the lab and heading to the police department. Recently, the village had been busy with intelligence on the Jashin Cult. First, the ANBU had gone to investigate in the Land of Hot Water, following information from Yamagawa Uemon.

Unfortunately, they didn't find the Jashin Cult, only clearing out small fry without catching any big fish, though this was hardly surprising. If the higher-ups in the Jashin Cult weren't foolish, they'd have gone into hiding and changed identities after Yamagawa Uemon betrayed the organization.

But the more elusive the cult, the more vigilant the village grew. Tracking down the Jashin Cult became a long-term mission for both the ANBU and the police department.

Sougen was also curious about this so-called "Jashin." He wanted to know what kind of entity it was and how it might compare to the legendary "Rabbit Goddess" Kaguya Otsutsuki. After all, the ninja world still had quite a few mysterious beings.

Like the Death God summoned through the Reaper Death Seal.

Or Enma, who would one day be summoned by Nagato.

Or even the demonic creature, Moryo, sealed by the priestess of the Land of Demons.

Unfortunately, his energy was limited, and he simply didn't have the bandwidth to investigate all these mysteries.

Returning to the police department, he hadn't even sat down when an ANBU member appeared before him with a message from Kirigakure: the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, had finally taken his last breath four days ago.

"The Fourth Mizukage is dead, at last?"

The news didn't surprise Sougen.

After all, following Konoha's alliance with Kirigakure, communication between the villages had opened up. Konoha had been closely monitoring the situation in Kirigakure, particularly big events like the Fourth Mizukage's impending death.

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