"Hahaha, Orochimaru, use a bit more strength! I can still handle this much force!"
It was still that testing ground, still that arrogant laughter.
Undoubtedly, Owl was testing his abilities in the testing ground again. Only unlike before, this time the participant was not an ordinary person, but Orochimaru, who had also undergone the ritual's baptism.
The researchers on the sidelines were all dumbfounded.
Watching a battle between two 'Six Paths Level' combat powers up close was a rare scene even in the Research Institute.
Moreover, to establish his dominance, Owl showed no intention of holding back, attacking with wide, sweeping moves, seemingly determined to take down Orochimaru.
Bang...
After another fierce exchange of punches, the two separated.
"Orochimaru, let me see your 'Shinjutsu Chakra Mode', will you?" Beckoning to Orochimaru, Owl laughed loudly: "Hahaha, I want to see if my true Shinjutsu is stronger, or your half-baked pseudo-Shinjutsu!"
Hearing Owl's provocation, even Orochimaru, who was accustomed to hiding his emotions, couldn't help but flash a trace of annoyance in his eyes: "A mere bandit, seems like you don't know your own weight!"
Owl laughed loudly: "Hahaha, I am indeed a bandit, and I really don't know my own weight. How about you, one of the 'Sannin', come and weigh me!"
"Hmph, seeking death!"
Orochimaru snorted lightly and launched another offensive.
In terms of combat experience and skills, he indeed crushed Owl. However, Owl's Shinjutsu 'Conversion' greatly compensated for Owl's disadvantage in this aspect, rendering Orochimaru's ninjutsu and genjutsu basically ineffective.
The only effective thing left was Taijutsu.
However, 'Conversion' also had a certain effect on Taijutsu strikes; it could convert the impact force Owl bore into other forces to neutralize the power of Taijutsu strikes.
This meant that even if Orochimaru completely crushed Owl, who was just a bandit, in experience and skills, he couldn't do much against the opponent. At least, before activating 'Shinjutsu Chakra Mode', there wasn't much he could do.
The researchers on the sidelines looked at each other at this moment.
No one expected that Owl, having awakened a 'Shinjutsu', could not even be suppressed by Orochimaru. This test also triggered a series of questions, the most important of which was whether the Research Institute could still control Owl.
Observation Area.
Amado meticulously recorded the battle between Owl and Orochimaru.
Engaging with an opponent of the same rank like Orochimaru allowed Owl's Shinjutsu 'Conversion' to be displayed to everyone in the most intuitive way.
So no matter the current situation on the field, this was the best time to record and analyze Owl's Shinjutsu.
A long time later, the test ended.
Orochimaru couldn't do anything to Owl who mastered the Shinjutsu 'Conversion', and Owl couldn't take down Orochimaru whose experience and skills were above his. Both sides were in a delicate state of balance.
Coming before Amado, Owl complained: "That guy Orochimaru refused to use 'Shinjutsu Chakra Mode' no matter what. It's really unsatisfying!"
Amado said: "I will arrange for him to spar with you using 'Shinjutsu Chakra Mode' as soon as possible for the next step of testing!"
"If it's too difficult for him, then forget it. After all, he is a senior in the institute!" Waving his hand, Owl continued somewhat smugly: "Besides, his so-called 'Shinjutsu Chakra Mode' is just a pseudo-Shinjutsu. How can it compare with my true Shinjutsu? Even if he uses it, it will be cracked by my 'Conversion', so it doesn't matter whether we test it or not!"
Amado said: "Any jutsu has a bearable threshold. Once the attack power exceeds the limit of your 'Conversion', your Shinjutsu will fail!"
Owl's expression froze: "What I awakened is a Shinjutsu!"
Amado said with certainty: "Shinjutsu is no exception!"
Owl asked hesitantly: "So you want to test where the limit of my 'Conversion' is?"
"En!"
Amado nodded.
Owl gave a sheepish smile: "You researchers are stubborn. How can my Shinjutsu have a limit? Even if there is a limit, it's not something Orochimaru can test out. At least... at least it has to be 'A' personally taking action! By the way, when is 'A' coming to see me?"
Amado glanced at Owl and secretly criticized: "If he comes, your death date will arrive!"
Criticism aside, from the fact that Owl dared to openly inquire about Shinji's news, he knew the Research Institute could no longer suppress Owl.
Sending Owl away, Amado privately found Yakumo and Haku guarding the Research Institute: "The experimental subject has begun to break away from control. I might need your assistance."
Yakumo also knew about the test between Owl and Orochimaru today and nodded: "Don't worry, he can't escape our grasp!"
Although Shinji was not in the shinobi world right now, Karin and Hikari were permanently stationed at the Flying Fortress and could support the Research Institute at any time. So once Owl rebelled, even if the Research Institute's own power wasn't enough to suppress Owl, the Akatsuki organization had ways to deal with Owl.
Getting reassurance from Yakumo, Amado breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew Shinji should have made corresponding deployments before leaving the shinobi world. What he needed to do now was to appease Owl as much as possible and wait for Shinji's return.
Leaving Yakumo and Haku, Amado had just returned to his office when Orochimaru came knocking.
Amado asked: "Something up?"
Orochimaru pretended to be indignant and said sinisterly: "That idiot is already out of control. Letting him be will only harm the entire Research Institute!"
Amado naturally knew who the 'idiot' in Orochimaru's mouth referred to, so he said: "Owl is the only experimental subject who completed the ritual after you. I don't have the authority to deal with him; I need to report upwards!"
Orochimaru urged: "Then report immediately!"
Amado glanced at Orochimaru: "Don't worry, I have already reported to the higher-ups. I believe orders will come down soon!"
Orochimaru said: "If that guy needs to be dealt with, there's no need for the higher-ups to act; I can do it on their behalf!"
Amado gave a perfunctory reply: "Wait for orders!"
Leaving Amado's office, the corner of Orochimaru's mouth curled up slightly, the indignation on his face long gone.
In today's test with Owl, he actually held back a bit intentionally. The purpose was to create the impression that he could no longer suppress Owl, causing everyone in the Research Institute to worry that Owl was out of control.
And through various probes, he confirmed that Shinji shouldn't be in the shinobi world right now. So the next period was a precious window of opportunity. He must make the Research Institute determine to eliminate Owl within this time frame so that he would have the chance to absorb the Shinjutsu from Owl unknowingly...