Jugo took a deep breath and looked at the sleeping Kin.
Should he transform her? This would at least increase their strength by a level, but it would take a long time to learn how to control it. Unlike him, wild Werewolves don't have the binding ability to remain sober outside of a full moon.
Thus, during a full moon, they become even crazier than Werewolf Beyonders, but outside of it, they still become irritable and difficult to control.
Besides, he doesn't want Orochimaru to find out about this, at least not yet.
So, he gave up on the idea for now, he hoped to find a way to make the werewolves control themselves first.
Jugo didn't wake her, instead trying to think about what happened that day. One moment he was fine, the next everything was a blur, as if he'd drunk a bottle of vodka.
The only thing he knows is that his potion was digested.
At least he didn't kill anyone this time, so he didn't feel his mindset had changed, that or he couldn't sense the change.
Now he needs to act like a Werewolf.
If he had to associate Werewolf with the word bind, he would probably think of a wolf pack.
Does that mean he needs to form a pack? Transform werewolves and act together?
That makes sense, passing the curse on to others falls under the "Curse" aspect of the Chained path.
Cursing them and bonding them to himself.
Jugo was 90% sure this would help him advance.
But the problem is... creating werewolves will alert not only Orochimaru, but also Konoha.
Besides, how should he deal with them during the full moon?
The more the merrier, right? Should he leave Konoha to advance, or should he wait for the chunin exams to end?
Jugo sighed. It was better to wait for Orochimaru to dictate his fate. In any case, even though he had advanced, Jugo's chances against Orochimaru were still negative.
He believes that only when he advances to a zombie will he have the capital to face Orochimaru head-on. At the very least, he won't die easily, his improvement will be at least to the point where he can escape. Besides, the bind might grow enough for him to use the curse's power without going insane. It's just a theory, but he hopes so.
But when he reaches Sequence 5, it will be Orochimaru's turn to run. Jugo couldn't wait.
To be honest, if he weren't afraid that Orochimaru would come after him to finish the job, he would like to run away now so he can continue acting.
The Chunin Exam wasn't really important at this point, it wouldn't help his Werewolf performance.
Unfortunately, he wasn't the typical protagonist who did whatever he wanted and relied on luck. No, he thinks he excels at the "containment" aspect of the Chained Path.
Besides, Orochimaru is a skilled protector himself, at least he can summon Uncle Snake if he gets into trouble. Of course, Orochimaru must be in a good mood for that.
So, he wasn't in a rush to escape, even as a zombie, he still hopes to be able to stay under Orochimaru's wing.
When he reaches Wraith... well, it doesn't matter anymore, he hasn't yet planned what to do at that point, but Orochimaru won't be able to stop him, few people in this world will.
As he thought, Kin finally seemed to wake up. - Jugo-sama! - She exclaimed excitedly when she saw him awake.
Jugo stopped thinking and looked at Kin. He was already perfectly fine, just lying down because he didn't want to wake her.
Kin showed a look of relief as he watched Jugo smile at her and pat her head.
Kin, how long was I asleep? Jugo asked calmly.
-3 days.- she answered and Jugo looked surprised. He didn't know why he slept for so long. It didn't make sense with his healing, he should have woken up sooner.
-Do you know why I was out for so long?- he asked.
-Your abdomen? When you arrived, Orochimaru-sama had applied a seal. Your chakra was constantly corroding that spot. When I fell asleep, it was still being corroded. You seemed to be in pain and sweating heavily.- Kin explained.
Jugo looked at the sweaty skin and then at the smooth and unmarked abdomen thoughtfully, but he understood, Orochimaru probably used some seal to contain his chakra and that made him faint, but the seal was corroded on its own...
Of course, Jugo didn't think he was immune to seals because of this. Orochimaru didn't really want to seal him completely. If he did, even his chakra wouldn't be able to do anything.
But he also understands that if he seals him completely, then what's the point? He doesn't want to trap Jugo, but to control him. A complete seal prevents him from using chakra, an incomplete seal disrupts his chakra and hinders him. In the end, there's nothing positive in sealing him.
Jugo lifted his torso, and Kin gave him room to get out of bed. He looked down and noticed he was naked, then looked at Kin in confusion.
Kin turned away, his face extremely flushed. -I-I had to take off your clothes to clean you.
Jugo looked at the woman and rolled his eyes, but didn't complain. He simply grabbed the new clothes from the side and put them on. He didn't mind being seen by her. Kin, however, didn't have the courage to look at him, at least not while he was awake.
Jugo changed into simple gray training pants, a breathable black tank top, and his ninja sandals before heading outside with Kin.
Kin returned to her standard Otogakure clothes. Jugo thought it was a waste of the baggy clothes that hid her curves, but perhaps it was better for her this way. People in Otogakure also need to let loose, being a weak woman in attractive clothes is quite dangerous there.
Jugo, followed by Kin, listened to her narration.
Dosu was training during this time, but it was just a simple training session. Kin stayed to look after Jugo. Orochimaru warned Jugo to look for him when he woke up, so after discovering his whereabouts from Kin, he soon found Orochimaru reading some scrolls in his room. The man looked at Jugo and smiled.
-Jugo-kun, you really slept a lot, but it doesn't matter. I don't have much time to help you. Then I have other things to do, but it doesn't matter too, it won't be long.- Orochimaru smiled and pointed to the pad in front of him.
Jugo nodded and sat down, looking at Orochimaru with that calm and tranquility that is Jugo's signature.
-You're improving your control more and more. I feel like you're even more restrained now.- Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction. -Our fight may have helped, but it doesn't matter. Your strength is already very good when you let it all out. Unfortunately, you still don't have control over it.
Jugo nodded slightly.
-I believe learning to control your own power is the starting point. Tell me, Jugo-kun, do you remember Misumi and Yoroi who were with Kabuto-kun?- Orochimaru smiled slightly, rolling up the scroll and setting it aside.
-Yes.- Jugo nodded.
-Have you seen their Jutsus?- Orochimaru.
-Yes, one can lengthen limbs, the other can absorb chakra.- Jugo nodded.
-Well... what if I told you they were both failed experiments, experiments I performed on your blood?- Orochimaru smiled even wider.
Jugo paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.
-Not only them, but the four sound ninjas have also been enhanced with their powers. Ukon and Sakon have their cellular control ability, but on a deeper level caused by a genetic mutation, Jirobo can absorb chakra and even Kidomaru's arms are offshoots of your power.- Orochimaru supported his chin with one hand as he stared at him thoughtfully.
Jugo narrowed his eyes. He already knew he could create new limbs and lengthen them was just a basic part of his ability, but sucking chakra and invading other people's bodies...
-Unfortunately, Ukon and Sakon's case is a bit too specific. If you try it, it might not be worth the effort, but absorbing chakra should be possible with some training. Do you want to try?- Orochimaru asked curiously.
Jugo thought, this could be useful. Actually, he'd never thought of it before, but his body constantly absorbs natural energy to replenish his chakra without worrying about balancing it.
And if natural chakra is directly transformed into his own chakra when it enters, doesn't that mean that other people's chakra would also at least be "filtered"?
Jugo was incredibly interested in this.
But at the same time, he resolved a doubt, because even though he constantly absorbs natural chakra, he doesn't enter sage mode.
Even his jutsus are much weaker than those cast by Naruto or Jiraiya.
He seemed to understand something, perhaps this power would make it even more difficult for him to learn Senjutsu, unless he can stop converting the nature chakra that enters him.
Is his cursed form a form where he is saturated with nature chakra to the point where he can't convert it as quickly as he uses it?
That's why his power is enhanced, because it's a form of Senjutsu, but since the balance isn't perfect, the resulting effect falls short of true sage mode.
If in his normal state his power should be 1 and in sage mode 10, Jugo's curse gives him a power of 4-5.
Jugo began to wonder if binding might be the key to controlling this power and creating true sage chakra.
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--x--
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