Tick-tock, tick-tock...
The piercing wail of the alarm echoed through the room. The clone had just dealt him a metaphorical slap to the face; no sooner had he finished saying the remaining clones were in stable condition than an issue arose.
The core of the cloning technology Makiya used originated from the world of the Erotica Master. The technology there was undeniably powerful, capable of cloning elite Taimanin with abilities nearly identical to the originals.
However, the old adage held true: rules varied from world to world. A top-tier technology couldn't simply be transplanted and used without adjustment. Makiya had integrated the knowledge downloaded from the Matrix with the vast research data scavenged from Orochimaru's base, eventually completing a localized adaptation.
As things stood, the adaptation was far from perfect. Makiya had set the physical age of Yugito Nii's clones to eighteen. Whenever the bodies approached that theoretical age, they would inexplicably undergo systemic collapse.
Makiya stepped beside the incubation tank and observed closely before shaking his head helplessly. "Give up. It's beyond saving."
The clone sighed and performed a series of operations on the nearby console. The green fluid within the tank drained away, leaving the dying clone slumped and twitching against the base.
Opening the hatch, Makiya lifted Yugito's clone and placed it into a nearby recovery unit. Several long, slender needles pierced the body from various angles, and an unknown transparent liquid began to flow through the connected tubing.
The procedure was routine. As the machine whirred to life, the clone slowly ceased its struggle. Its breathing grew faint, and its life signs rapidly plummeted toward zero.
Clones lacked souls and could not develop self-awareness—a specific constraint imposed by the laws of the Ninja World. A human soul was unique; it inhabited the body while living and returned to the Pure Land upon death. No matter how many bodies one created, they remained empty vessels.
It would have been a different story in the Taimanin world. There, clones would naturally develop self-awareness at a certain stage. Even if they shared the same genetic source, they would develop distinct personalities. They could even share sensations yet grow jealous over trivial matters, a phenomenon that had left Makiya thoroughly envious.
As the transparent liquid surged into the clone's veins, the once-plump flesh shriveled at a visible rate. A viscous white liquid, reeking of concentrated protein, began to leak from the various apertures in the body.
This, too, was technology from the Erotica Master's world. It could decompose a human body into its most fundamental biological matter with exceptionally high efficiency. The female warriors of that world's syndicate often carried several canisters of it on missions.
Whenever their mana ran low, they would take a swig to instantly replenish health and energy. It could even clear certain status ailments like hunger, paralysis, and dizziness. Its effects were remarkably similar to [SHINING REMI'S AID] from DNF, which restored 30% of health and mana in one go.
If he didn't think about its ingredients, taste, or smell, Makiya might have considered keeping a few jars on hand. However, because it looked far too much like 'life essence,' he wouldn't touch a single drop even if it killed him.
Makiya had initially assumed that a substance with the same effect might manifest differently in other worlds—at least that its appearance or smell might change. But the Erotica World was indeed potent; even though it was a perfectly legitimate and useful item, its presentation insisted on looking like something out of an adult film.
Once Yugito's clone was completely decomposed, the liquid was automatically recovered by the machine and stored in a waist-high glass jar for future use.
Makiya looked around, realizing the aesthetic of the laboratory was becoming questionable. A dozen naked clones floating in nutrient solution, glass jars filled with dubious-looking liquids, and various sinister-looking machines—it gave off the distinct vibe of an 'Erotic Scientist's' lair. It certainly didn't look like the work of a decent person.
They say science has no borders and no world-barriers, but the technology tree from the Erotica Master's world seemed to have a built-in R-18 aura that transcended dimensions.
As time passed, the clones gradually approached their target state. As the saying goes, 'The last leg of a journey is the hardest.' Makiya was stuck at the final step. Alarms blared one after another as the life signs of the clones began to fade sequentially.
Destroying all the remaining materials, Makiya shook his head with a sigh. Plan A—replacing Yugito's body—was a bust. Now he had to resort to Plan B: replenishing Yugito's vitality after extracting the Two-Tails to patch the resulting void.
Leaving the cloning hall, he continued further down. The complex network of pipes in the corridor gradually vanished, and the chakra lamps were replaced by more primitive torches. Makiya's array hadn't reached this depth yet. To ensure the oxygen consumption didn't outpace the ventilation, the gaps between the torches were large, leaving the corridor in dim shadow.
Ten minutes later, Makiya finally reached the very bottom of the base and pushed the door open.
The massive stone chamber was dozens of meters high and extremely vast, appearing as though it hadn't been built for human use at all.
In the center of the empty chamber sat a modified container that resembled a hospital bed. The glass jars filled with Life Protoplasm were transported there by a clone. Yugito sat cross-legged on the ground, having apparently been waiting for some time.
Because she was still under the influence of genjutsu, the brown-haired beauty was exceptionally docile. Seeing Makiya approach, she immediately stood up happily and rubbed her head against his palm. A low, engine-like purring sound emanated from her throat, seemingly a habit she had picked up from Matatabi.
'I wonder if this girl will want to kill me once the genjutsu is lifted.'
Makiya's mouth twitched. Yugito's behavior was a bit surreal. Once she regained consciousness, she would likely be so embarrassed she'd want to die.
"Take off your coat and lie down on that bed."
At Makiya's command, Yugito obediently shed her outer garment and settled onto the cold, modified bed.
Life Protoplasm could be taken orally or used externally. Absorption through the skin wasn't slow, and theoretically, lying in it naked would be best. However, Makiya wasn't a pervert; he didn't need to take cheap shots like that.
Besides, he had seen it all countless times with the clones. There was nothing new to see.
Makiya used specialized straps to secure Yugito firmly to the bed, then connected a transparent tube from a nearby glass jar, snaking it through her mouth and down into her stomach.
Opening the valve, the Life Protoplasm was pumped out, dyeing the transparent tube a milky white. Yugito's legs instantly stiffened, her expression a mix of pleasure and agony.
With everything prepared, Makiya formed hand seals. Complex patterns spread from his palms, the pitch-black lines radiating a mysterious aura.
After such a long period of research, Makiya had thoroughly analyzed the seal on Yugito. If Killer B were to appear before him now with an unupdated Tailed Beast seal, Makiya could set the Eight-Tails free with a single strike.
"[SEAL: RELEASE!]"
Makiya pressed his palm against Yugito's smooth abdomen. A mass of black markings spread out, delving deep into the skin to hook into the internal meridians. Without the correct seal-breaking method, the technique would automatically drain chakra from the meridians to counter-attack, causing the Jinchuriki agonizing pain.
Under Makiya's control, the swirling seal began to rotate in reverse. The complex black patterns thinned out, eventually concentrating at the center of her navel.
As the seal was undone, the chakra belonging to Matatabi began to leak out uncontrollably. Blue and black energy converged above Yugito, forming the shape of a massive feline head.
Makiya ceased maintaining the genjutsu. The last of his control was swept away by the surging torrent of chakra. Matatabi instantly regained consciousness, and the spectral head floating in the air glanced around, its vertical pupils regaining their sharp, intelligent glow.
Lowering its head, Matatabi immediately spotted the detestable ninja who had controlled it with genjutsu—that wicked Uchiha!
"Roar... Meow..."
The low growl had barely escaped its throat when the fear of being dominated by Makiya resurfaced in Matatabi's mind. It quickly shifted to a cute, feline cry.
This was the guy who had once grabbed it by the scruff of its neck while saying, 'Matatabi, you're too strong!' and then used it and Yugito as practice dummies for genjutsu. He was utterly heartless.
Recognizing that discretion is the better part of valor, Matatabi decided it was a 'magnanimous' Tailed Beast. It wouldn't lower itself to the level of a common ninja. It would be the bigger person—or cat—and spare this insolent Uchiha's life.
'It's definitely not because I'm scared. That's right, meow!'
Regardless of how it convinced itself, it obediently flowed out of Yugito's body, its form coalescing in the vast underground space.
As Matatabi departed, Yugito's life force plummeted, flickering like a candle in the wind.
Makiya immediately flipped a switch. A large volume of Life Protoplasm flooded the specialized bed, submerging her entire body until only her nostrils remained exposed.
In Makiya's perception, Yugito's life force was clearly recovering. However, the damage caused by the Tailed Beast's extraction remained. It was a constant cycle of loss and replenishment, much like those math problems from school about filling a tub while the drain was open.
But reality wasn't a cold word on a test paper. Yugito couldn't withstand the strain of this vital tug-of-war. Makiya immediately performed the Mystical Palm Technique, infusing chakra into her body to repair the damaged meridians and tissues.
Methods for sharing life force weren't particularly rare in the Ninja World. Makiya's combination of Life Protoplasm and medical ninjutsu was one way. In the original story, when Gaara was on the brink of death after being stripped of his Tailed Beast, Lady Chiyo used the Forbidden Jutsu: One's Own Life Resurrection to give him her remaining life. That was another.
In the 'Blood Prison' movie, a girl named Ryuzetsu kissed Naruto and used Dragon Life Resurrection to share her life force and save him.
Makiya's method focused on the marriage of technology and ninjutsu. It required no human sacrifice; the 'consumables' were merely mindless clones, costing nothing more than some money.
It wasn't without side effects, though. The taste and appearance of the Life Protoplasm were nauseating, similar to mucus. The flavor was even more indescribable. Yugito would likely be disgusted for a very long time after she woke up.
Half an hour later, Makiya finished repairing the damage to Yugito's body. Seeing that she showed no signs of waking yet, he turned his gaze toward the Two-Tails, which was obediently curled up nearby.
"The Two-Tails thought: 'What do I do? That demon is looking over here. Should I meow again? Is he going to hit me?'"
[Support the story with Reviews, Power Stones, and Comments—they mean a lot and keep me going! 30+ chapters waiting on patreon.com/elite_reads]