Inside the Konoha Hospital, Tsunade sat in her office frowning as she studied the blood test report on her desk.
A misunderstanding? No big deal?
That shouldn't be possible!
As an elite Medical Ninja, her knowledge of human anatomy far exceeded that of ordinary people.
That condition was clearly not normal!
"Because the Yin Seal ran wild and clashed with Yang Release chakra, causing a nervous system disorder? No..."
Tsunade rubbed her forehead where the Yin Seal resided.
Although named the "Yin" Seal, it was in fact an advanced jutsu that involved Yang Release chakra nature transformation.
In extreme cases, there could be scenarios like what Kei Yamanaka described—"emergency treatment."
However, the formula structure of the Yin Seal was extremely stable.
Normal bodily hibernation caused by falling into illusions absolutely didn't qualify as an extreme situation.
To cause such an abnormal outbreak,
her body must have already been showing symptoms like nervous system disorder before the Yin Seal activated.
Therefore, something was definitely wrong.
But the problem wasn't from drugs like she initially suspected!
Damn it! You've still got a long way to go if you think you can fool me...
Tsunade clenched her teeth tightly.
With drugs ruled out, she began considering how Kei Yamanaka had managed this!
Though genjutsu can influence the five senses, its effects work through spiritual interference and control, which then influence physical sensations—in other words, spiritual impact is the foundational element.
The illusion she experienced contained nothing related to that.
So it probably wasn't genjutsu either.
Then what remained...
A technique similar to the Disturbance Taijutsu principle?
Disturbance Taijutsu involved using exceptional chakra control to decompose lightning-natured chakra into microscopic levels via extreme speed, injecting it into an enemy's body to paralyze their nervous system.
If even more refined, precisely targeting specific nerves, theoretically this effect could indeed be achieved.
But Kushina had said earlier that Kei Yamanaka used Mystical Palm Technique!
Tsunade believed her sisters wouldn't lie to her.
Besides, Kushina wouldn't mistake Yang Release for Water Release either.
By manipulating Yang Release properties to stimulate and disrupt specific nerve systems, or directly affecting bodily organs themselves?
Hmph!
Earlier, she'd even been tricked into thinking he only knew Medical Water Release.
Just wait until I figure out how you pulled this off, and then—
Tsunade slammed her desk and rose from behind it.
She grabbed a seldom-read tome from the shelf and flipped through it quickly.
The Konoha Library and Old Book Hall held many ancient texts she had never read, including ancestral Yang Release training notes she hadn't studied deeply.
There was no way she would accept that someone else's technique could remain beyond her grasp despite her mastery of Yang Release!
Once she cracked that guy's jutsu!
Won't tell me about it, huh?
I'll hit you with it every day until you—
Wait... something feels off...
Crash!
The door to Tsunade's office slammed open.
A medical ninja with a worried expression approached Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama, an elite Jonin just arrived at the emergency room. He has a comminuted fracture in his right hand, multiple fractures on the left side of his ribs, and internal bleeding. Physician Kazekaze Fuwind asked me to check with you..."
"WHERE IS HE?!"
Tsunade's expression flickered slightly. She remembered how, earlier, drawing her own blood for testing hadn't triggered any particularly severe reactions.
She clenched her fists, steeling herself mentally, then strode quickly out of her office.
"Operating Room Two!"
The medical ninja's eyes widened in surprise.
————————————
At Konoha's Root headquarters.
Kei Yamanaka had just reached his office door, ready to dispel his shadow clone.
An unfamiliar Root ninja approached him.
"Lord Kei, Orochimaru-sama has invited you to visit the results of our experiments at Site Seven."
"...Ao?"
Kei studied the masked ninja before him.
He quickly sifted through Danzo's memories before hesitantly calling out the individual's code name.
It wasn't that his [Source Seer] ability was malfunctioning.
Even Danzo himself had little recollection of this person.
"Yes. I am Ao, assigned under Orochimaru-sama's Ninjutsu Research Division, responsible for daily security and protection of the research team."
The Root ninja identified as Ao slightly lowered his head, proactively revealing his posting.
"I'll be there shortly. Go inform them."
"Understood!"
Watching the other disappear from sight.
A faint, intrigued smile tugged at Kei's lips.
Establishing his own loyal subordinates within Danzo's tightly controlled Root organization—Orochimaru was clearly not as obedient as Danzo's memories suggested.
Plus, requesting him to visit "experimental results"?
Site Seven primarily focused on researching Kekkei Genkai transplantation and fusion techniques. How did those experimental findings relate to him—the deputy director who oversaw task assignments and training?
That's a flimsy excuse.
Most likely, they've noticed his activities.
But it's already too late!
In the past five days, he had altered control over the Tongue-Cutting Seals of all department heads, core members, and Combat Unit personnel.
Even Danzo's two aides had their relevant memories erased, turning them into nothing more than loyal Root supporters.
As for the grassroots members...
His shadow clones had selected one among three newly activated White Zetsu units yesterday.
All its memories were wiped, then it was reprogrammed into a puppet fully loyal to him.
So long as no one possessed Black Zetsu's level of innate "bloodline"-based control, anyone inspecting would only see Danzo.
If Snake Auntie decided to stir up trouble now...
She'd be in for a serious showdown!
Kei switched out the shadow clone stationed inside his office.
Leaving the Root Base, he strolled unhurriedly toward Experiment Site Seven located at Bone-Erosion Plain.
Bone-Erosion Plain lay northeast of Konoha's Summon Aviary, over ten kilometers beyond the village borders. Its complex terrain and harsh conditions offered little of strategic or material value.
So it was often used by some civilian ninja to house their rather unfriendly summoned beasts.
Over time,
aside from the ninja who kept summoned beasts here, few people ventured here anymore.
Opening the hidden entrance to the underground laboratory concealed behind the waterfall,
Kei Yamanaka stepped inside.
Perhaps it was because snakes typically preferred cool, damp environments.
Orochimaru's laboratory had always avoided excessive use of lighting equipment. The air was perpetually filled with a chilling coldness.
This particular base was no exception.
"Ahh~!"
A vaguely familiar, ear-splitting shriek echoed from deep within the facility.
Kei's expression remained unchanged as he walked past the Root ninja bowing respectfully beside him.
He made his way directly to Orochimaru's location, guided by the Sensor Ninjutsu.
Not walking in haste,
nor deliberately slowing down.
When Kei reached the laboratory where Orochimaru was located, the piercing scream he had first heard had already faded into feeble groans.
"Ah, it's been a while, Kei-kun."
Wearing the Konoha Forehead Protector and a Jonin flak vest, Orochimaru turned around slightly and gave a small nod toward Kei.
His voice was somewhat hoarse, exuding an icy and noble aura.
Though his skin had become paler than before, with purple eye shadow lining his eyes and wearing a pair of slightly feminine earrings,
his outward appearance was nowhere near as sickly or twisted as depicted in the original storyline.
It could be said that—
Orochimaru, one of the Sannin known as the Cold Prince, naturally possessed his own unique charm!
"Is this your new experimental result, Orochimaru-kun?"
Kei nodded back politely.
His gaze shifted toward the crimson cage behind Orochimaru.
Inside the cage,
Gokuraku Castle En, with sunken, hollow eyes, was painfully curled into a trembling ball.
Beneath his skin, egg-sized lumps surged and writhed, radiating a violent force that threatened to burst through his body at any moment, exploding outward.
"This experiment still lacks one essential ingredient,"
"The Blood Dragon Eye?"
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