thenovelthief Chapter 404 - 404 New Chimera Cells
Chapter 404 - 404 New Chimera Cells
Thousands of miles away, in a dark underground space.
A sludge-like black substance seeped from the rocky wall, coalescing into a vague humanoid shape.
It was Black Zetsu, having received the White Zetsu's report.
"Shura... indeed not an easy guy to tempt," Black Zetsu's voice was low and gravelly, like stones grinding together. "But... he's interested in Tailed Beasts. That's an opportunity."
Behind it, the colossal form of the Gedo Statue stood silently, its nine eyes closed, emanating an oppressive aura.
Further away, densely packed White Zetsus stood like statues, their numbers too many to count at a glance.
"A thousand White Zetsus... quite an appetite," Black Zetsu sneered. "But if it can set him on the path of collecting Tailed Beasts... this price is worth it!"
He knew well that Shura's strength had surpassed Madara's peak, perhaps even the closest any Ninja had come to the Sage of Six Paths in a millennium.
If he could incite such a person to collect Tailed Beasts and create the Ten-Tails, the possibility of Kaguya's resurrection would increase greatly.
As for whether Shura would rebel after becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki...
Black Zetsu already had plans.
For a thousand years, he had manipulated countless pawns, from Indra to Madara. No one had escaped his control.
'No matter how strong Shura was, he couldn't surpass Mother.'
"Give him five hundred White Zetsus first, as 'sincerity'," Black Zetsu made a decision. "At the same time, give him intel on the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails—"
In the darkness, Black Zetsu's form slowly sank down.
Only a low murmur remained, echoing in the empty underground space. "Mother... please wait a little longer..."
"This time... I will surely bring you back to this world..."
Land of Stars, deep underground biological laboratory.
This underground space hidden deep beneath the earth was filled with the cold precision of futuristic technology.
Soft, cool-white light shone evenly from the ceiling, illuminating the main passageway wide enough for several carriages side-by-side.
On both sides of the passage were thick transparent observation walls made of special alloy and reinforced glass. Behind them were various experimental units with different functions.
The air was permeated with the smells of disinfectant, culture fluid, and the unique ozone scent of a faint energy field, mixing into a distinct, calming atmosphere.
Only a few days had passed since Menma left.
Yet, the massive machinery of the entire Land of Stars continued to operate efficiently and steadily.
Every department performed its duties, from military defense to civilian construction, from intelligence gathering to cutting-edge research… everything orderly.
This was thanks to the well-established systems Menma had built over the years and the core team he had nurtured.
Even with their supreme leader temporarily absent, this emerging nation, like a tightly wound precision clock, continued moving forward relying on its own inertia and internal coordination.
This was the solid foundation Menma had laid for this country… a powerful system not dependent on a single individual, but built upon institutions, technology, and collective will.
At this moment, however, the atmosphere in the core laboratory of the biological experimental area was completely different from the calm order outside, filled with tension and anticipation.
In the center of the laboratory was a spotless circular metal platform raised above the floor.
Surrounding the platform were various precision instruments and equipment, screens flowing with waterfalls of complex data.
Several flexible energy conduits and liquid delivery tubes, like living tentacles, connected to a special ergonomic examination chair in the center of the platform.
Hikari lay quietly on the examination chair.
She wore a white experimental gown for easy monitoring of vital signs, outlining her slender yet supple teenage physique.
Her eyes were lightly closed, long lashes casting faint shadows under the cold light. Her coolly beautiful and delicate face showed no expression.
Only the slight rise and fall of her chest indicated she was in a state of deep meditation and physical adjustment.
By the experimental table, two figures were busy.
One was Hiruko, wearing loose white research robes, long hair flowing casually, face pale but with a fanatical thirst for knowledge. He was carefully using special tweezers to extract a small piece of faintly pulsating, strangely pinkish-white semi-transparent tissue from a temperature-controlled sealed container nearby.
The tissue seemed to have a life of its own, slightly contracting and expanding at the tweezers' tip, even extending tiny, hypha-like tendrils at the edges trying to coil around the tweezers.
This was the new fusion cell sample, refined countless times, combining the vitality of Hashirama's cells with the adaptability of White Zetsu's cells, and stabilized with the core of the Chimera Technique.
"Tsk tsk... such astonishing vitality and stability," Another soft, magnetic voice spoke. Orochimaru, wearing similar research robes, long black hair flowing freely. He stood by a monitoring screen, golden serpentine eyes flashing with undisguised admiration and curiosity.
He extended slender fingers, lightly tapping the cell energy fluctuation chart displayed on the screen. "Hiruko, I must admit, your expertise in cell fusion is truly unique. Using White Zetsus' peculiar 'Natural Energy mimic' cells as a buffer matrix greatly reduces the aggressive invasiveness of Hashirama's cells. This refinement of the Chimera Technique is a masterpiece."
Hearing this, Hiruko's lips curved into a smirk mixing pride and arrogance. He carefully placed the sample into a culture dish containing light green nutrient solution, not looking up as he snorted. "Hmph, naturally. This technological system has even been personally experienced and recognized for its potential by Shura-sama. Its value far surpasses ordinary Forbidden Techniques."
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes shifted slightly, his gaze returning to the seemingly sleeping Hikari on the examination chair, his tone carrying a barely noticeable hint of testing and playfulness. "Shura's physical constitution and Chakra Control have long surpassed ordinary Ninja, even comparable to Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama in their prime. His successful case certainly has reference value, but its universality..."
"Hikari-san, though exceptionally talented, if you feel unable to withstand the impact of this power, remember not to force it. We can terminate the experiment anytime. After all, a perfect test subject... cough."
His words turned subtly at a key moment, as if covering something up.
On the examination chair, Hikari slowly opened her eyes.
What eyes they were!
Against a crimson backdrop, the Mangekyo Sharingan pattern slowly rotated… the symbol of the Uchiha Clan's power!
Yet, unlike the usual madness, hatred, or sorrow of the Mangekyo, these eyes held coldness and detachment.
Her gaze swept calmly over Orochimaru, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, yet it sent a chill down even the experienced Orochimaru's spine, instantly transporting him back to years ago in Akatsuki, when that boy named Uchiha Itachi had utterly crushed him with just a glance!
Orochimaru instinctively averted his gaze, his throat involuntarily moving, before letting out his hoarse, magnetic low laugh. "Heh heh... my apologies, I overstepped. I almost forgot, you are perhaps... no, you are one of the most unique and powerful existences in terms of Ocular Power in the Uchiha Clan's history."
"If even you cannot bear the New Chimera Technique's power, then this project truly can only be shelved for now."
Hiruko paid no mind to the subtle atmosphere between the two.
He walked to the nearby control panel to begin final preparations.
This [New Chimera Technique], conceptualized by Menma and perfected jointly by him and Orochimaru, was now far beyond its former self.
It was no longer that high-risk, low-success-rate Forbidden Technique, but a relatively safe, controllable biological enhancement technology refined through countless iterations, screenings, and optimizations.
Its core lay in a triple balance: using specially treated, highly inert White Zetsu cells as a 'buffer pad' and 'universal adhesive' to weaken the violently invasive nature of Hashirama's cells… then using refined, improved Chimera cells as a 'catalyst' and 'stabilizer' to guide the three cell powers into a delicate symbiosis and balance.
After thousands of painful failures and data accumulation on clones and death row inmates, the current [New Chimera Technique's] success rate had greatly improved, with side effects controlled within acceptable limits.
Menma had even longer-term plans.
He had proposed to the two scientists that the ultimate goal was not to create a few super-soldiers, but to achieve the popularization of 'genetic modification'.
Considering the physical limits and mental fortitude of ordinary Ninja, a 'step-by-step' enhancement plan could be designed.
The entire modification process could be divided into multiple stages, say twelve stages, starting with the primary formula with the weakest rejection and mildest energy, allowing the subject's body to gradually adapt.
Each completed stage would require a period of consolidation and observation, confirming no adverse reactions before injecting the next stage, higher-intensity formula.
Progressing step by step, qualified Ninja would eventually complete full genetic optimization, becoming 'new era genetic Ninja' with greater potential, longer lifespans, and possibly even awakening special Kekkei Genkai.
This was undoubtedly an ambitious, grand plan capable of changing the entire Ninja System.
"All preliminary checks complete. Vital signs stable. Mental fluctuations within preset safety thresholds," Hiruko announced, looking at the flashing green indicator lights on the control panel.
He picked up a precision syringe already prepared with a small amount of shimmering green neutralizing fluid and walked to the examination chair.
The syringe needle was connected to a slender soft tube, the other end connected to a hanging IV bag slowly dripping from a stand.
The liquid in the bag was clear, gently swaying.
"Then, let's begin," Hiruko's voice held no emotion, like reading an experimental report.
He skillfully inserted the syringe tip into the reserved injection port on the IV bag, slowly pushing the plunger.
The pinkish-white, faintly pulsating New Chimera cell tissue was injected into the neutralizing fluid in the bag.
Instantly, the originally clear liquid, upon the cell tissue blending in, transformed into a liquid shimmering with pink, white, and green lights like an aurora!
Tiny star-like specks seemed to flash and collide within, emitting an indescribable life energy fluctuation.
Drip—drip—
The liquid mixed with the New Chimera cells began to drip into Hikari's arm vein at an extremely slow, steady speed through the soft tube and needle.
The laboratory fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the faint hum of instruments and the drip-drip sound of liquid, like taps on the heart.
Orochimaru and Hiruko's eyes were locked on Hikari and all the surrounding monitoring screens.
Heart rate, blood pressure, chakra flow, cell activity, neural reflexes...
Every slight change in the data tugged at their nerves.
At first, Hikari showed no reaction, lying calmly as if ordinary saline was being injected.
However, as the shimmering liquid drops flowed into her bloodstream, changes began to occur quietly.
First, under her pale skin, faint light seemed to flow, flickering in and out of sight.
Next, her hands resting by her sides began to curl and tremble slightly uncontrollably.
Her smooth black hair moved without wind, tips gently floating as if charged with static.
The most obvious change occurred around her closed eyes.
Beneath the skin at the corners of her eyes, fine blood vessels began to stand out, spreading a bluish-purple hue like spiderwebs.
Her breathing became slightly rapid, her full chest rising and falling with greater amplitude.
A fine layer of cold sweat broke out on her smooth forehead.
"Cell activity starting to rise... Chakra Flow accelerating by three percent... neural bundles showing slight abnormal discharge..." Hiruko stared intently at the screen, rapidly reporting data, a hint of tension in his voice.
Orochimaru focused more on Hikari's own state, muttering, "Her body is starting to show rejection... no, not entirely rejection. More like an... intense fusion and adaptation process."
"Her Mangekyo Sharingan's Ocular Power is rising..."
As if confirming Orochimaru's words… Hum!!!
A powerful, chaotic Chakra Fluctuation erupted from within Hikari!
The air around the examination chair distorted slightly!
Hikari's eyes snapped open!
Now, within her crimson pupils, the Mangekyo pattern was spinning wildly at an unprecedented speed!
The pattern's edges blurred, as if new lines were forming, or about to collapse and dissipate!
Around the pupils, an extremely faint purple halo even appeared!
"Ugh... ah..." A suppressed moan mixing pain and a strange sense of excitement escaped from between Hikari's clenched teeth.
Her body began to tremble violently, the examination chair creaking under strain.
The flexible energy restraint bands binding her wrists and ankles instantly lit up with warning red lights, indicating she was enduring tremendous force impact!
The Mangekyo Sharingan, these eyes hosting immense power and deep curses, under the strong stimulation of this external life energy, entered an extremely unstable 'prenatal movement' stage!
They were instinctively resisting, yet greedily absorbing, trying to incorporate this power into their own system, or be completely changed by it!
"Blood pressure rising sharply! Chakra Fluctuation exceeding safety threshold! Warning! Cell fission speed abnormal!" The monitoring instruments emitted piercing alarm sounds!
"Hikari! Steady your mind! Guide it! Use your Ocular Power to control it!" Orochimaru shouted sharply, golden serpentine eyes filled with unprecedented gravity.
He knew the most critical stage had arrived.
Successfully fusing, obtaining power beyond limits, or being devoured by this violent force, mental collapse or even physical disintegration… it all hinged on this moment!
Hikari didn't answer, or perhaps couldn't answer verbally.
Her wildly spinning Mangekyo Sharingan eyes stared fixedly at the laboratory's pure white ceiling, as if trying to see through it, to the end of the universe, to the essence of power.
Her consciousness was immersed in an extremely perilous and fierce struggle.