"Hashirama's cells..."
Kin rubbed his chin as he examined the hidden specimens containing Hashirama's cells.
As a member of the Uchiha clan, these cells were crucial—especially if one awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. They could replenish the Mangekyō's ocular power. After all, prolonged use of the Mangekyō would lead to blindness, necessitating the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
But achieving the Eternal Mangekyō was far more difficult. Setting aside the potential need for a sibling's eyes, historically, only Indra's reincarnations had ever awakened it. Others, even with a sibling's eyes, might still fail.
And Kin had no siblings to begin with.
Worse yet, he couldn't even unlock the Mangekyō.
What a pain.
Returning to the topic of Hashirama's cells—despite spending considerable time researching them alongside Orochimaru, progress had been agonizingly slow. The cells' rejection rate was simply too high; any attempt at transplantation resulted in rapid wooden transformation.
Not a single test subject had survived the cells' erosion, forcing the experiments to a halt. The number of sacrificed shinobi had grown too large, prompting Sarutobi Hiruzen to shut it down.
With the village already stretched thin, if Kumogakure joined the war, Konoha would be left with no manpower. Hiruzen was likely drowning in stress. Continuing the Hashirama cell research now would be tantamount to surrender.
Hiruzen had ordered all specimens reclaimed. This lab, however, remained hidden from his knowledge, allowing the cells to persist.
In the current shinobi world, the one with the deepest understanding of Hashirama's cells was undoubtedly Uchiha Madara. And now, Kin possessed Madara's knowledge.
"Deduction: merge the Three-Tomoe Sharingan with Hashirama's cells, incorporating the Heavenly Demon Art."
Soon, detailed instructions for safely merging the cells appeared. All he needed were the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and the Heavenly Demon Art.
Suddenly—
Kin's gaze shifted from his "Golden Finger" interface to the shadows of the lab.
A figure emerged from the darkness.
"Uchiha Kin."
A low voice rang out.
The man was wrapped head-to-toe in bandages.
"Well, if it isn't Lord Danzō," Kin replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
This was his first time meeting the legendary "Shadow of Konoha."
Shimura Danzō wasn't surprised Kin recognized him.
"So, Orochimaru told you about me."
The existence of Root, Konoha's hidden faction, wasn't common knowledge.
"What brings you here, Lord Danzō?"
Though Kin used the honorific, his voice held no respect.
At this point in the war, Danzō wasn't yet the village's tumor—his Root operatives were instrumental in gathering intel from other villages. But in peacetime, he'd become a full-blown malignancy.
And yet, Hiruzen still kept him around.
Was the Third Hokage a fool, or just sentimental?
Danzō ignored Kin's disrespect and extended a hand.
"Join Root. Perhaps we can find a way for the Uchiha and the village to coexist peacefully."
He'd had his eye on Kin for a long time. That talent for developing jutsu—even if he was an Uchiha, Danzō could be magnanimous.
"Pfft—" Kin burst out laughing. "Are you joking?"
Crimson Sharingan spun to life in his eyes.
Kin covered half his face with one hand, leaving only his eyes visible.
"I'm afraid these eyes might end up in your collection."
This man was the future expert in eye theft. By now, he probably already had a few Sharingan tucked away.
The Uchiha's eyes had always been coveted, but the ones who'd actually stolen them were Konoha's own.
What irony.
Kin's smirk deepened.
Danzō's expression darkened.
This Uchiha Kin wasn't so easily fooled.
"In that case," he said coldly, "you'll stay here forever."
Figures emerged from behind Danzō, surrounding Kin in an instant.
"How terrifying, Lord Danzō," Kin said, his voice laced with disdain.
There was a reason he'd grown bolder lately—his strength had reached new heights.
While many in Konoha could still defeat him, none could stop him from leaving.
Darkness pooled at his back.
"Until next time, Lord Danzō."
The shadows swallowed everything.
By the time they receded, Uchiha Kin was gone.
The Root operatives exchanged glances.
Sensory-type ninja scoured the lab but found no trace of him.
Danzō's face was grim.
"Uchiha Kin is becoming increasingly dangerous."
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
An uncontrollable Uchiha Kin would inevitably become a threat to the village.
But he couldn't move openly against him. Today had been his only chance, and Kin had slipped away.
There wouldn't be another opportunity like this.
Danzō seethed silently.
"Lord Danzō."
A Root member knelt before him.
"The Hashirama cells are gone."
Danzō's anger flared.
His primary objective had been reclaiming the cells, yet they'd vanished. Whether Orochimaru had hidden them elsewhere or Kin had taken them, pursuing the matter further was too risky.
All of this had been done behind Hiruzen's back.
At least he'd recovered most of them.
"Let's go!"
With a cold snort, Danzō led his forces away.
Beneath Uchiha Kin's residence, in a hidden lab.
Amidst a swirl of smoke, Little White slithered out, opening its mouth to release Kin.
Snake Concealment Technique.
Kin grabbed a prepared towel and wiped off the strange fluid with disgust.
"Never using that jutsu again. Disgusting."
He had a thing about cleanliness.
Once he'd scrubbed off every trace of the fluid, he unsealed a scroll.
Biting his thumb, he pressed it against the parchment.
Poof!
A container holding Hashirama's cells materialized.
"If I merge with these, my strength should improve."
Kin stroked his chin.
Not only would they enhance his Sharingan's power, but they'd also grant him Wood Release.
The Heavenly Demon Art, combined with Hashirama's cells...
"Even without the Mangekyō, my ocular power shouldn't lag far behind."
And truthfully, Kin had little interest in the Mangekyō.
He knew he lacked the emotional triggers to awaken it.
His path lay in Chakra Internal Energy.
He glanced around the lab. He'd built it long ago but never used it, mainly storing important items here.
This would be his first experiment—and the test subject was himself.
What a terrible feeling.
Forming hand seals, he muttered:
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Poof!
Three clones appeared.
It was time to begin the transplantation.
...
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(End of Chapter)