Chapter 41: Summoning Scroll
Orochimaru's laboratory was an underground space on the village's border, likely built by Root and later given directly to Orochimaru.
Its location was highly confidential, and there was no Root surveillance outside the lab.
Although Orochimaru was assisting Danzo with experiments, their relationship was an equal exchange; if Danzo treated Orochimaru as a subordinate, the hashirama cells experiment would be ruined.
Hyuga Mirai arrived outside Orochimaru's lab, surveyed it with his Byakugan, then injected a small amount of Chakra into a weak point in the barrier, signaling his arrival to Orochimaru.
After the barrier activated, Orochimaru emerged from the laboratory.
Upon seeing a stranger standing outside, Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely: "Mirai-kun, still so cautious…"
"The research has reached a critical stage, so I have to be careful…"
Hyuga Mirai replied casually, then followed Orochimaru into the laboratory.
"Lord Orochimaru, has the experiment truly reached that stage? Are you already able to reproduce the genetic characteristics of hashirama cells in test subjects?"
A hint of surprise flashed across Orochimaru's face, then he chuckled: "If I didn't know Mirai-kun was always at Konoha Hospital, I would have thought you were monitoring me, heh heh."
"Have you really achieved this?"
This time, it was Hyuga Mirai's turn to ask in surprise. The question he just posed concerned a crucial factor in whether the power Senju Hashirama possessed during his lifetime could be replicated from hashirama cells. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to actually achieve this.
Hyuga Mirai thought it would be impressive if Orochimaru could just achieve what was stated in the scroll; he hadn't expected him to have concealed another step, already being able to reproduce Senju Hashirama's genetic characteristics in test subjects.
In less than a year, Orochimaru's progress in cell gene experimentation could be described as rapid.
"I can barely do it; the mortality rate of test subjects is still quite high at the moment."
Orochimaru said hoarsely. Although it was a humble reply, the smile on his face indicated his high satisfaction with the current experiment.
To achieve this stage is basically equivalent to having one foot through the door of success.
After descending a flight of stairs and walking a certain distance, Hyuga Mirai finally arrived at Orochimaru's laboratory. Following his suggestions, Orochimaru had significantly raised the hygiene standards for the laboratory, even assigning his temporary assistant specifically to clean it.
Upon entering, Hyuga Mirai saw three test subjects restrained on beds, surrounded by various instruments monitoring their physical changes.
"May I see these experimental data?"
"Of course, Mirai-kun, I invited you here precisely to discuss them with you," Orochimaru said hoarsely, stepping aside.
Subsequently, Hyuga Mirai picked up the test subject's experimental data and began to read it. He was also very interested in hashirama cells, but he was too busy. Even if he was interested, he would have to wait until the Caged Bird Curse Mark was deciphered before Hyuga Mirai would research hashirama cells.
After reviewing the experimental data, Hyuga Mirai nodded in agreement and said, "Indeed, the gene sequence within hashirama cells is too overbearing; ordinary people simply cannot withstand it. Only by extracting a small portion of the genes can ordinary people endure the genetic erosion of Senju Hashirama."
A look of excitement appeared on Orochimaru's face as he smiled and said, "This is largely thanks to Mirai-kun's reminder."
Transplanting entire hashirama cells into a test subject means few can withstand the erosion of hashirama cells; even Danzo needs to use the power of the Sharingan to balance the hashirama cells.
However, by extracting a small portion of the gene sequence from hashirama cells, culturing and fusing it with other human cell genes, and then transplanting it into a test subject, the survival rate of the test subjects increased by dozens of times.
"Of the three test subjects, two have developed extremely strong cell activation abilities; even a ten-centimeter wound can heal completely within a few minutes. The other person has mastered the power of Wood Release; Chakra can be used to induce Wood Release branches to grow on his body."
Orochimaru slowly introduced his research findings to Hyuga Mirai.
"However, the last person's strength is too weak; the Wood Release on his body cannot reproduce the power of Senju Hashirama."
After reviewing the experimental data, Hyuga Mirai pondered for a moment and then said to Orochimaru, "If you replace the test subjects with a male and a female, and after successful results, extract their chromosomes for embryo culture, perhaps the resulting infant could fully inherit the hashirama cells gene sequence from the previous generation…"
"In that case…"
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's eyes once again showed a fervent passion for research.
"That's also a good method, and the success rate is very high. As expected of Mirai-kun."
At this moment, Orochimaru truly wanted to bring Hyuga Mirai to his side as his assistant. If the two worked together, Orochimaru felt there was nothing in this world that could stump them.
Scientists have a mutual appreciation, especially in the same field, and Orochimaru and Hyuga Mirai are among the few people in the Ninja World who research biological genes.
"Lord Orochimaru, I came this time to exchange some things with you. This is the perfect cloning technique I've recently developed."
After speaking, Hyuga Mirai took out a scroll and handed it to Orochimaru.
"Perfect cloning…"
Orochimaru took the scroll with interest, then opened it to examine its contents.
After Hyuga Mirai's guidance, Orochimaru had gained a considerable understanding of cell gene research, so he could understand some parts of the research in the scroll. He noted down the parts he didn't understand, planning to ask Hyuga Mirai about them later.
Time passed by minute by minute, and Orochimaru's excitement grew stronger. Upon reading the last word, he immediately looked up and asked Hyuga Mirai,
"Mirai-kun, what do you want to exchange for?"
Hyuga Mirai decisively said, "The Ryuchi Cave Summoning Scroll and the Spiritualization Technique."
Then, he added, "Lord Orochimaru doesn't need to worry that the cloning technique cannot be realized. I have full confidence, but unfortunately, I lack the time and funds."
Orochimaru might have them, but according to the requirements of the cloning technique, the stronger the subject, the higher the demands for time and funds. Unless he is willing to lower the requirements for the clone, otherwise, with Orochimaru's strength, it would require at least hundreds of millions in funding to perfectly clone another him.
Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely, "Heh heh, I don't doubt Mirai-kun. There are many aspects in this technique that greatly inspire my research… But Mirai-kun, if you want the Ryuchi Cave Summoning Scroll, aren't you afraid of exposing our connection?"
Hyuga Mirai said, "I'll probably only use it for self-preservation, actually. I want to research Sage Mode… after my current research is finished."
Orochimaru thought for a moment and said, "Sage Mode, huh? It is indeed a very powerful force, but Sage Mode has very high requirements for its practitioners."
Hyuga Mirai shook his head: "That's because their methods are too crude. If I can research and control the power of Senju Hashirama, what's Sage Mode?"
"That's true…"
Orochimaru fully agreed with this. He then used the Summoning Technique, summoning a ten-meter-long python. A half-human-tall scroll was coiled around the snake's body, slowly unfurling before Hyuga Mirai.
"Mirai-kun, this is the Ryuchi Cave Summoning Scroll. As for the Spiritualization Technique, I will have the white snake deliver it to you later."
Yanzu, have you voted yet?