Chapter 17: The Scroll of Seals

The tension in the air was palpable as Ryūsei, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru stood before the legendary Scroll of Seals. The room, dimly lit and filled with the weight of ancient knowledge, seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the choices they would make. Each technique was a path to power, a key that could unlock new potential. Yet, for Ryūsei, the decision was more than a mere choice. It was a step toward becoming something far greater.

Jiraiya was the first to speak, his usual mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I'll take the Earth Escape and Fire Escape techniques. Earth for control and fire for destruction. What can I say? I like making an impact."

Orochimaru stood silently beside him, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the choices. "Soft Body Modification," he declared with a cold, calculating voice. "It will allow me to mold my body to adapt to any circumstance, a perfect reflection of my ambitions."

Both techniques were powerful, no doubt. But Ryūsei's thoughts drifted elsewhere. He could feel the pull of something greater, something more deeply tied to his bloodline, something that resonated with him on a primal level.

The Yamato no Orochi technique. The name echoed in his mind, its significance unfolding before him like a puzzle whose pieces were slowly falling into place. This was not just any technique. This was a method of sealing and transformation that could help him achieve what he had always sensed within himself—a deep connection to the Ōtsutsuki bloodline, a power rooted in the Karma ability, a legacy that had been left dormant inside him.

He had seen it before—the flash of the Karma mark possessed by Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. It had come to him in fleeting glimpses, recorded in the ancient halls of the Moon's records, a vision of something greater than he could fully understand. But now, with the Yamato no Orochi technique, Ryūsei saw an opportunity to not only refine that ability but to use it as a foundation. A way to reshape and perfect his bloodline.

This technique wasn't just about immediate power. It was a tool—a means to gather the scattered bloodlines of the Ōtsutsuki, piece them together, and forge them into something unified. But it wasn't enough to simply wield it. He would need to master and refine it. He would need to unlock the full potential of the Karma ability as a base and create a technique uniquely suited to him.

"This is my choice," Ryūsei said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of his resolve. "Yamato no Orochi."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "That's quite a choice, Ryūsei. Looks like you're thinking long-term."

Orochimaru's calculating gaze lingered on Ryūsei. "You're not seeking power for power's sake. You want something deeper. I can respect that."

Tsunade, who had been observing silently, stepped forward. "Each of you has made your decision. But remember, the techniques you've chosen come with their own dangers. Use them wisely."

As the scroll was sealed once again, Ryūsei felt the weight of his choice settle on his shoulders. The knowledge of the Yamato no Orochi surged through him, but it was more than just the raw power of the technique. He could feel the faint stirrings of the Karma ability deep within him, the connection to the Ōtsutsuki bloodline that had been dormant until now. It was as if the technique itself was calling to that hidden potential, urging him to refine and shape it into something greater.

But the Yamato no Orochi was not a technique to be mastered quickly. It was a method of transformation, and like all transformations, it would take time, effort, and patience. It would require him to not only control the power of the technique but also to understand its deeper implications. He would need to study the Karma ability as a foundation, to uncover its secrets and refine his own bloodline, piece by piece.

Ryūsei felt a quiet certainty in his heart. This was his path forward. The technique would not just empower him—it would unlock the scattered bloodlines of the Ōtsutsuki, bringing them together into a singular whole. Through it, he would become something more than he was. He would become the being he was meant to be.

"I have much to learn," Ryūsei murmured to himself, the weight of his decision pressing upon him. "But I will master this. I will refine it and create a technique that is truly mine."

Tsunade, overhearing him, smiled faintly. "Good. Take your time with it, Ryūsei. This power is not something you can rush."

As they left the chamber, Ryūsei could feel the pull of the technique, the Karma ability, calling to him. The pieces were falling into place, and he knew that mastering this technique would take everything he had. It would require him to delve deep into his own bloodline, to unlock the secrets hidden within. But with that, he would gain the power to reshape not just his destiny but the future of the Ōtsutsuki.

The road ahead was long, but Ryūsei had always known that true strength was built on patience and understanding. This was just the beginning.