Tutai worked with impressive efficiency.
After conducting an in-depth discussion with the head researcher of this laboratory—and confirming that the project had little remaining value or feasible breakthroughs—he dispelled his shadow clone and transmitted its memories back to his main body to report to the Third Raikage.
At the time, the Third Raikage was already deep in discussions about revising the village's tailed-beast jinchūriki program. After a brief consideration, he approved Tutai's proposal.
Tutai immediately created another clone, collected all the sealed Sharingan stored in the laboratory, handed them to Tamura Hao, and then personally led him deeper into the research division—toward the materials vault.
They stopped in front of a cryogenic container clearly labeled:
"Second Hokage."
Tutai released the seals and opened it. Inside were rows of glass jars and containers.
"These are portions of the Second Hokage's internal organs," Tutai explained with visible regret.
"Back then, in order to ease tensions with Konoha, we returned Tobirama Senju's body. However, we retained some tissue samples for research."
"Although their value is far inferior to those of the First Hokage, Tobirama was still the strongest Senju after him. His body far surpassed that of ordinary humans. Even after twenty years, immersion in preservation fluid has kept the tissues remarkably active."
"Unfortunately, we never achieved meaningful results. This project was sealed several years ago due to funding constraints."
Tamura Hao stared at the preserved organs with unconcealed excitement—especially at the fully intact heart.
These were Tobirama Senju's organs.
Even if they were less valuable than Hashirama's, they were still priceless.
Without the slightest hesitation, Tamura Hao took out sealing scrolls and stored every container inside.
These were perfect nutrients for strengthening the Kaguya imprint.
Tutai did not object. The Third Raikage had already approved this.
Besides, these materials had been gathering dust for years. Keeping them served no purpose.
"Kinkaku and Ginkaku… Are these the two infamous criminals who killed the Second Hokage?"
Tamura Hao's gaze swept across the surrounding freezers before stopping on two labeled with their names.
"Yes," Tutai replied, stepping forward to remove the seals.
"After the Third Raikage killed them, their bodies were brought back for research. We wanted to uncover how they gained the Nine-Tails' power by consuming its flesh—and to retrieve the Six Paths Treasured Tools they sealed away."
"Unfortunately, we failed on both counts."
Inside were their preserved bodies, organs, and even separately stored blood samples.
"The blood stays," Tutai said decisively.
"If future techniques advance far enough, it may help us locate the sealed Six Paths tools. Everything else—you may take."
Tutai was being unusually generous.
But with the Partial Tailed-Beast Jinchūriki Project now confirmed as viable, the value of Kinkaku and Ginkaku's corpses had plummeted.
Directly consuming tailed-beast flesh had already been halted by the Raikage—too many sacrifices, no results.
Moreover, research suggested that the brothers' success stemmed from their own bloodline, not a universally replicable method. They even claimed descent from the Sage of Six Paths himself.
That path couldn't be copied.
So their research value dropped even further.
Most importantly—
Tamura Hao's recent contributions were immense.
In Kumogakure, rewards followed merit. That was the foundation of their unity—and the reason the village rarely produced missing-nin.
Ideology alone didn't make people stronger.
Tangible benefits did.
Tamura Hao sealed the remaining containers without hesitation.
After a final scan of the vault, he found nothing else of interest.
"Do not experiment recklessly," Tutai warned sternly.
"Especially not on yourself."
"Don't worry," Tamura Hao chuckled.
"I value my life."
These materials were not for human experimentation—only fuel for the Kaguya imprint.
"Tutai-sama, do we currently possess any mature tailed-beast sealing techniques?"
He needed something usable now. The Six Paths: Ten-Tails Coffin Seal was still too far out of reach.
He couldn't leave Kaguya's imprint indefinitely confined to his mental world.
"You want to apply jinchūriki logic to non-tailed-beast entities," Tutai realized.
The idea was clever—but extremely difficult.
"The concept is sound," Tutai admitted.
"But the execution is complex. As for sealing techniques—wait."
"Once we take down the Uzumaki clan, we'll gain access to their high-level sealing arts. They may even possess techniques specifically designed to seal tailed beasts."
The plan to dismantle the Uzumaki clan had already been finalized.
Once Danzo Shimura was informed, Konoha would cooperate—and the operation would begin.
This time, Kumogakure would deploy overwhelming force.
Even the Third Raikage himself would participate.
The spoils would be enormous.
"So… the operation against the Uzumaki clan is about to begin."
Tamura Hao's expression grew solemn.
"Fūinjutsu is terrifying. The Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques are especially lethal. A frontal assault would result in massive losses."
Techniques like the Reaper Death Seal could even split the Nine-Tails in half.
Utterly insane.
"We've taken that into account," Tutai replied.
"The Uzumaki will not be our direct enemy. The main attackers will be the other three villages."
That eased Tamura Hao slightly.
Before leaving, Tutai gave one final warning:
"Your role is critical. Danzo is not easily deceived. Don't slip."
"I won't," Tamura Hao said seriously.
He understood exactly how dangerous the so-called 'Pot Shadow' was.
That was why he planned to use self-hypnosis—a method far more reliable than acting.
Hypnosis techniques were on the same tier as the basic Three Techniques, technically classified as genjutsu.
When combined with certain drugs, their effectiveness increased drastically.
Tamura Hao had long practiced hypnosis to recover memories from his previous life—how else could he have recreated those infamous 'yellow literature classics'?
If necessary, he could become Danzo Shimura's most loyal subordinate.
And he had already planted an emotional "bond" within Root.
With careful reinforcement, he could easily follow Yakushi Kabuto's script—
And Danzo would trust him all the more.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/InfoAlex