In the laboratory next door, the torrent of emotions finally began to subside, transforming into a more gentle and genuine confirmation.
Tsunade held onto the edge of the incubation tank, her fingertips repeatedly tracing the outline of the hand against the glass, as if wanting to pass warmth through the cold barrier.
Inside the tank, Kato Dan tried to move his fingers and bend his arms; every tiny movement made Tsunade's heart surge with emotion.
The expression on his face shifted from initial confusion to the excitement of reunion, and finally to the focused seriousness of adapting to his body. His eyes never left Tsunade, and the sense of cherishing what had been lost and found again was almost overflowing.
Orochimaru walked back in, scanned the various data on the instruments, and confirmed that all vital signs were stable before speaking.
"It seems to be a great success." Orochimaru's raspy voice broke the silence.
"Tsunade, let him out."
Tsunade took a deep breath, forcing herself to pull away from her emotions and regain some of the professional composure of a master medical ninja.
She nodded and looked at Kato Dan.
Orochimaru pressed a few buttons on the console, and the nutrient solution in the incubation tank quickly drained out through the bottom pipe.
The glass cover of the tank slid slowly to one side, and fresh air rushed in.
Kato Dan held onto the tank wall, attempting to take a step, albeit a bit unsteadily. As he left the buoyancy of the liquid, the real weight and sensation of gravity instantly acted upon this brand-new body.
"Slow down." Tsunade immediately stepped forward, extending her arm for him to lean on. Her movements were natural and firm, her eyes full of concern.
Kato Dan grasped her hand; the touch was warm and real.
Using her for support, he stood steadily, his bare feet touching the cold metal floor, causing him to shiver slightly.
He looked down at his own intact and powerful body, then looked up at Tsunade, who was standing close by, her tear tracks still wet but wearing a smile. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally found his voice, raspy yet clear.
"Tsunade... it really is you..."
"It's me, Kato Dan." Tsunade's voice was choked with emotion, yet unusually gentle. "Welcome back."
Orochimaru timely handed over a set of clothes that had been prepared in advance: simple white garments and a robe.
"Put these on first. Although your bodily functions are perfect, you still need to adapt. Tsunade, you can take him next door for a more detailed basic examination; there is a full set of equipment there."
"Mn." Tsunade took the clothes and carefully helped Kato Dan put them on, her movements as gentle as if she were handling a fragile treasure.
Kato Dan was very cooperative; his gaze could hardly move away from Tsunade, as if he couldn't look at her enough.
Watching the two of them supporting each other, they slowly walked toward the passage leading to the observation room.
Once their figures disappeared at the end of the passage, only the low hum of the instruments and the faint lingering scent of the nutrient solution remained in the laboratory.
Orochimaru turned around.
"Kabuto."
After Orochimaru's voice fell, half a minute later, the figure of Yakushi Kabuto appeared in the laboratory.
He pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses quickly sweeping over the empty incubation tank and the remaining data screens, then he bowed his head respectfully.
"Lord Orochimaru, you summoned me."
"Mn." Orochimaru walked into the analysis room, with Kabuto following closely behind.
"The resurrection was a great success, and the first stage of data has been recorded. Next, we need to advance another research project."
Orochimaru took him into the room from just before.
"The research on the Mangekyo Sharingan has hit a Bottleneck." Orochimaru's voice was calm.
"Pure theoretical analysis and observation are no longer enough to achieve a Breakthrough. We need more direct data."
Kabuto's eyes immediately sharpened; he understood Orochimaru's intention almost instantly.
"You mean... a living transplant experiment?"
"Yes, this is the fastest and most effective method." Orochimaru nodded.
"Go prepare a few subjects; they need to be physically robust and have stable Mental Energy."
After Orochimaru finished giving the order, to his surprise, Kabuto did not bow to accept the command and rush off to execute it as usual.
Kabuto stood there, pushing up his glasses, the lenses reflecting the eerie glow of the Sharingan in the container.
He looked up, staring directly at Orochimaru. The usual docility and efficiency were no longer on his face; instead, an expression mixed with fanaticism and immense sincerity emerged.
"Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto's voice was clear and firm, "please give the opportunity for the first transplant experiment to me."
Orochimaru's snake-like pupils narrowed slightly; this was the first time he had defied his will.
"Kabuto?"
"Lord Orochimaru, I understand the significance and danger of this research!"
Kabuto stepped forward, his tone becoming agitated.
"Ordinary subjects simply cannot provide sufficiently detailed and subjective feedback! Their thresholds for pain, their perception of abnormal Chakra, and their descriptions of mental shocks are all too rough and instinctive! This will seriously affect the quality of the data!"
He pointed to himself: "But I am different! I have studied and researched under you for many years; only I can accurately capture and record it for you!"
A light bordering on that of a martyr burned in Kabuto's eyes.
"Lord Orochimaru, this research is a ladder to the mysteries of higher ocular techniques, and an important step in your ambition! Handing over such an important, unknown, and mysterious first attempt to those muddled pieces of trash is the greatest waste! Please let me do it! Let me use my own body to pave the way for you and obtain the most valuable first-hand data for you! This is the most valuable thing I can do as your most capable assistant!"
He bowed deeply, his posture humble, but the fanaticism of his voluntary sacrifice could not be ignored.
Orochimaru watched Kabuto quietly, no excessive emotion visible in his golden snake-like pupils.
He understood Kabuto. This man, whom he had picked up from confusion and endowed with knowledge and purpose, had a loyalty and dedication that had long surpassed that of ordinary subordinates.
Kabuto had completely bound his own value to following him and advancing his research.
At this moment, what Kabuto saw was not just an experimental opportunity, but a ritual to prove his irreplaceable value—a sacrifice to the "science" and "Lord Orochimaru" he believed in.
Risk? Kabuto certainly knew, but to him, risk was directly proportional to value. Sacrificing himself for such great research was, in itself, an honor.
Silence spread through the analysis room, with only the occasional flickering light of the Sharingan in the Seal container.
A moment later, Orochimaru spoke slowly.
"Have you thought this through, Kabuto? This is not an ordinary cell transplant or Cursed Seal experiment; this is the Mangekyo Sharingan. If forced to transplant, your body will have problems."
"I understand, Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto looked up, a calm and resolute smile on his face.
"Precisely because the risk is extremely high, a qualified observer is needed even more. Please trust me, and please entrust this heavy responsibility to me. If I fail, at least I can eliminate a wrong path for you and provide valuable failure data."
Orochimaru stared at him for a few more seconds, and finally, the corners of his mouth curled into a meaningful arc.
"Very well." He said, turning and walking toward the deeper surgical preparation room.
"Since you have such resolve, then start preparing. I want you to be in the best condition to welcome this 'gift'."
"Yes! Lord Orochimaru!" Kabuto's voice trembled slightly with excitement. He bowed deeply, his eyes shining with an incomparably bright light—it was the excitement of being about to step into an unknown forbidden Domain, and even more, the satisfaction of dedicating everything to his faith.
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