March 20th, 9:00 AM.
Black Tower, Sixth Floor, Orochimaru's Laboratory.
The laboratory was filled with a pungent odor—a mixture of nutrient solution and formaldehyde.
The cold fluorescent light tubes above the operating table cast a ghastly white glow over the entire space. Floating in the淡-green nutrient solution within the culture tanks lined along both sides of the corridor were several snake-like and human-like organisms. As a figure walked past, they curiously opened their eyes and looked at the person's receding back.
It was Hyuga Yu.
At this moment, Yu stood with his arms crossed before four special culture containers, looking up at the four clones floating inside the glass jars, all identical to him in physical appearance.
"Just as you wished," Orochimaru's sinister, raspy laughter resonated from behind him as he introduced the creations to Yu. "Four 'blank' clones. They possess no chakra natures, no soul or consciousness, and I have even suppressed the expression molecules of the Byakugan in your genome, preventing them from developing the Byakugan."
Yu looked at the four hollow-eyed clones inside the culture tanks and nodded slightly.
This was precisely the cloning project he had requested Orochimaru to research.
And the subject of the cloning was himself.
The Chimera Technique was a jutsu capable of fusing shinobi or summoned beasts into oneself to acquire their abilities. Its concrete manifestation involved forcibly fusing five individuals into a single body. To minimize tissue rejection to the greatest extent possible, fusing oneself with oneself was theoretically the most viable approach.
Yu turned his head toward Orochimaru and asked, "How is the bloodline compatibility of the clones?"
"Mediocre," Orochimaru shook his head, replying indifferently. "After all, they are based on your cells. Even if we forcibly fuse the bloodlines of other shinobi clans, the Hyūga bloodline will still exhibit rejection reactions against them. However, if you merely intend to use them to complete the Chimera Technique, I believe... hehe, it shouldn't be much of an issue."
Orochimaru was no fool. After serving as the Vice Director of Headquarters, he naturally had some inkling of what his subordinates were researching. Furthermore, he was well aware of the pros and cons regarding the Chimera Technique being developed by his former friend, Hiruko.
Although Yu had not disclosed what he intended to do, Orochimaru had roughly guessed it.
Standing behind Yu, Orochimaru stared at him with a slightly mocking gaze, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint, cold arch.
Although Yu did not activate his Byakugan, he sensed Orochimaru's disdainful air through his sixth sense.
He glanced sideways at Orochimaru and asked with a slightly solemn expression, "Orochimaru, do you think... this method won't work?"
Orochimaru shrugged and laughed raspily, "I don't have a habit of speaking ill of people behind their backs."
Yu couldn't help but chuckle. Turning his head back to gaze at the clones inside the tanks, he laughed, "Yet your expression has already betrayed you."
With a calm gaze, Yu continued, "Do you think Hiruko's proposal—using my cells to cultivate clones and subsequently adapting other bloodlines into them to lower the risk of technique rejection—has an issue?"
"No issue."
Yu understood instantly, "Which means there is an issue. Speak—"
Orochimaru shook his head and simply remarked, "The Chimera Technique was originally a jutsu that guy Hiruko developed specifically to resolve rejection issues."
Yu nodded.
He roughly grasped Orochimaru's point:
Namely, the Chimera Technique was fundamentally created to fuse different abilities.
Using his own clones to reduce rejection reactions indeed guaranteed the final success rate of the technique, but it also implied—
It was not extreme enough.
If it was not extreme enough, it was not strong enough!
Realizing this, Yu said to Orochimaru, "The development of cloning technology ends here. Next, you will lead the development of another project—"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, "What project?"
Yu looked at the newly acquired pile of equipment from the Land of Lightning inside Orochimaru's laboratory and said concisely:
"Karma."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's pupils shrank abruptly. Staring fixedly at Yu's back, he couldn't help but lick his lips.
"Tennin... what do you mean by that?"
Without turning around, Yu spoke calmly:
"Must I make it any clearer? Orochimaru, haven't you been secretly developing that immortal technique—Living Corpse Reincarnation?"
"In the Land of Lightning, that jutsu goes by another name and is guided by a far more advanced foundational theory. Your Curse Mark and Living Corpse Reincarnation—to put it another way—"
"Aren't they essentially 'Karma' and 'Vessel'?"
"And it was because you saw the endpoint of this technology—of this forbidden jutsu—that you compromised with me and provided me with these outdated cloning techniques, was it not?"
The pupils of Orochimaru's eyes contracted slightly as he stared at Yu, a dangerous glint flashing across his gaze before quickly fading away.
"Tsk," Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "It seems, Tennin, that you know far more than I imagined?"
Putting away his levity and disdain, his face turned serious as he stared solemnly at Yu and asked in a low voice:
"What do you want?"
Only then did Yu turn around to meet Orochimaru's gaze, revealing his true master plan:
"I might as well inform you of my goal—"
"I want to complete the bloodlines of five families: Hyūga, Kaguya, Senju, Uzumaki, and Uchiha. I will construct a stepped path tracing back to the origin of bloodlines, stepping into the realm of the primordial god—the Otsutsuki Goddess, Kaguya!"
"The Chimera Technique is merely the first phase of my plan, used to accomplish the analysis of bloodline genes and the construction of a benchmark."
"Once this step is complete, I will subsequently need your power, Sasori of the Red Sand's power, Earth Grudge Fear's power, and even the power of more aspiring individuals in the Shinobi World—"
"I need you all to join forces with me to construct a body fused from the five top bloodlines of the Shinobi World, and devise a controllable system for genetic fusion!"
"This involves genetic temporal expression, a multi-tiered energy circulation system, an immortal energy core—"
At this point, Yu paused, staring darkly at Orochimaru as he added:
"And... the most flawless consciousness transfer, which only you can achieve!"
Hearing this, Orochimaru's body trembled. Immediately after, he stared at Yu before him in utter disbelief.
"You—"
He wanted to criticize it, wanted to declare that this was a delusion, and that no one could possibly accomplish such an unprecedented, monumental feat!
Yet upon deeper reflection, he suddenly realized in shock—
Funds, power, status, strength, technology, talent...
Every single prerequisite to accomplish all of this had already been assembled by Hyuga Yu without anyone noticing!
"Develop Living Corpse Reincarnation, Orochimaru. You no longer need to hide it!"
Yu turned around and walked out of the laboratory, leaving behind a final sentence from afar:
"What I want is very simple: a 'Curse Mark' far stronger than 'Karma'!"
"This is something only you can achieve!"
March 22nd, Morning.
Three days after word spread from the Hokage Residence that the Third Hokage would personally take the field against Kirigakure.
In front of the Hokage Residence, six hundred shinobi stood arrayed in formation, awaiting orders.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the very front, clad in Sengoku-style shinobi armor, his Hokage hat replaced with a lighter Konoha forehead protector.
Standing before the ranks, his aging frame held straight and erect, his gaze swept across every face before him.
Fugaku Uchiha stood on his right.
Elites from the Uchiha Clan, Sarutobi Clan, and Aburame Clan were lined up below in separate divisions, forming a 600-man square formation.
"Where the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames still burning. The fire's shadow will..."
The Third Hokage was delivering a pre-battle morale-boosting speech.
Meanwhile, Yu stood behind the crowd, leaning against a tree and watching the scene from afar.
"Even the Third Hokage was forced to go out to battle personally..." Hyuga Natsu's voice came from beside him. "It seems the situation on the eastern front is indeed far from optimistic."
Yu did not answer.
Because right now, he too was somewhat confused about the situation on the eastern front. He couldn't tell whether it was Black Zetsu and Obito Uchiha, the Kara organization, or one of the Moon Ōtsutsuki pulling strings behind the scenes.
However, with Hiruzen Sarutobi leading the troop deployment, he could take this opportunity to slip away in secret and infiltrate Kirigakure in the Land of Water to secure the things he needed.
At this moment, Natsu asked, "When do you plan to leave?"
"Today."
"Won't you run into Kirigakure forces at the Kusunami Coast frontline?"
"I won't pass through the frontline," Yu shook his head. "I plan to detour through the Land of Rice Fields and take the water route from the Land of Hot Springs, avoiding the warzone. Besides, I'll also look for a few other things along the way."
Natsu looked at him without asking further, offering only a thoughtful reminder:
"Over at Foundation, Terai has already arranged everything. The stronghold in the Land of Hot Springs will receive you, and backup vessels for the water route have been prepared."
Yu nodded, "Thanks."
Just then, the Third's voice echoed from a distance:
"With that—dismissed!"
The 600-plus shinobi scattered in all directions, turning into black flickers as they sped away using the Body Flicker Technique, their footsteps heavy and hurried.
Yu watched their backs vanish into the morning mist, then turned and walked toward another direction.
At the same time, elsewhere.
Land of Lightning, a certain underground facility corridor.
Fluorescent lights illuminated the corridor in a ghastly white glow. The walls were constructed entirely of a grayish-white metal with a surface as smooth as a mirror, showing not even a single seam.
One end of this corridor led to the outside world while the other led deep underground. The entire corridor was only 150 meters long, but its deepest subterranean end was a complete dead end—at the end stood a solid steel wall without any door, mechanism, or barrier jutsu for entry.
A faint odor of ozone lingered in the air, resembling the traces left behind after a high-voltage electrical current passed through.
Within such a peculiar location, a set of footsteps suddenly echoed out.
It was a male monk clad in a white haori, his hair gathered at the top of his head with a long braid behind it. A Roman numeral 'IV' was tattooed beneath his left eye, and a black diamond-shaped mark rested on his chin.
At this moment, he strolled leisurely, appearing suddenly before the iron wall at the end of the passage and stepping outward.
At the end of the corridor was a massive metal door.
The door had no handle, keyhole, or anything resembling a camera. Yet when the monk arrived, the door slid open silently.
Outside the door, a large group of people knelt on one knee. Leading them was a rotund fat man, followed by a squad of researchers wearing lab coats.
"Jigen-sama!"
Voices came from beneath his feet. Jigen did not lower his head, asking indifferently:
"What is it?"
The chairman of the Mokkei Group in the Land of Lightning stood up, stepping forward reverently with eyes full of flattery, and reported rapidly:
"With our covert reinforcements to Kirigakure, we have successfully pinned Konoha down at the Kusunami Coast!"
"Kumogakure spies inside Konoha sent word that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has personally led troops to reinforce the eastern front."
Jigen's brow furrowed slightly.
"What about that Byakugan brat?"
"Monitoring the Hyūga Clan is far too difficult; our people cannot confirm his movements for the time being. However, since Konoha dispatched the Third Hokage, Hyuga Yu should still remain inside Konoha."
"It's nothing more than a power struggle regarding the Fourth Hokage. Hyuga Yu should still be staying inside the Technology Development Headquarters he established in Konoha."
"Headquarters..." Jigen narrowed his eyes, repeating the name inwardly with a darkened gaze.
"It seems that brat has vaguely realized something and is cowering inside Konoha, refusing to show his head..."
Jigen's eyes turned cold, but the fluctuation on his face vanished almost instantly. Stepping forward, he asked without looking back:
"What about the other factions?"
"On the Land of Wind's side, the 'envoy' from the Moon Ōtsutsuki clan has seized control of Sunagakure and the Mōryō army from the Land of Demons. In order to evolve and obtain the Tenseigan, that person... is likely about to press his military forces upon the Land of Fire!"
Hearing this, Jigen's gaze darkened slightly, and he let out a cold snort.
"Hmph, a descendant of that Hamura brat... ruining my plans!"
The chairman paused briefly before continuing his report: "Additionally, we monitored that... abnormal chakra fluctuations have appeared once again in the direction of the Ten-Fold Rashomon. Although faint, they definitely exist."
Hearing this, Jigen narrowed his eyes for the very first time.
The Ten-Fold Rashomon—the cycle of reincarnation in the Shinobi World, the entrance to the Pure Land, and the private sanctuary of the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki.
A thousand years ago, after Hamura Ōtsutsuki died, he sank into it and fell silent ever since.
Yet precisely because of this, Jigen had concealed himself for a thousand years without daring to make any reckless moves. He could sense that the power left behind by the Sage of Six Paths was still operating in this world, monitoring the Shinobi World across the Pure Land.
He could not guarantee how much power the Sage of Six Paths—who had reached that realm and even defeated Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the possessor of Kekkei Mōra—still retained, nor what he was capable of doing.
However, it was precisely because of threats from these two directions that Jigen felt a sense of danger—
The Moon Ōtsutsuki targeted Hyuga Yu to gain evolutionary power.
Meanwhile, the Sage of Six Paths inside the Pure Land was also making subtle movements because of Hyuga Yu.
Yet ironically, Hyuga Yu was the perfect 'Vessel' targeted by Jigen... or rather, Isshiki Ōtsutsuki!
Such unusual phenomena unseen in over a thousand years were now occurring one after another. Naturally, Jigen would not be naive enough to believe it was a mere coincidence—
In fact, at his level, so-called 'coincidences' no longer existed in this world.
So-called destiny was merely the manifestation of a power or rule.
Evidently, the movements of the Moon Ōtsutsuki and the Pure Land—which triggered the continuation of the Third Great Shinobi War—were the result of a clash between two factions from higher dimensions.
Jigen deduced this instantly.
On one side was Shibai Ōtsutsuki, an Ōtsutsuki God who had ascended dimensions and manipulated destiny.
On the other side was this world itself.
This caused a cold sneer to rise in his heart:
"Shibai... you loser, are you finally going to make your move?"
"However," the corners of Jigen's mouth curled up. "You could never have imagined that I would appear here. And the vessel you selected across tens of thousands of years... will now belong to me!"
Thinking up to this point, Jigen turned his gaze slightly to the side, falling upon the group of people before him, and commanded coldly:
"Prepare yourselves. I am setting off for the Kirigakure front."
"Ah!?" Hearing this, everyone present was shocked, looking at Jigen in utter disbelief.
This lord had not taken action once in a thousand years, dedicating himself entirely to concealing his presence. Had it not been for the qualifications passed down through generations to meet him, they would have assumed he was merely an ordinary monk.
"Lord... what did you say?"
Jigen arranged coldly:
"Continue sending weapons and increase the pressure on Konoha's side. Before war breaks out on the Land of Wind front, force Hyuga Yu into a corner where he has no choice but to head to the Kirigakure front to suppress Kirigakure."
"And at that time, I will personally move to capture the 'Vessel'!"
Someone immediately tried to advise against it: "Bu-but, that Ōtsutsuki 'envoy' from the Land of Wind..."
Jigen let out a contemptuous, cold sneer:
"A mere jumping clown!"