Shindai was now panicking, because Orochimaru appeared ready to settle old scores with him.
And this "settlement" seemed to mean no more experiments in the lab for him.
How could that be acceptable!
These instruments were all incredibly expensive—some couldn't even be bought with money, since a few had been custom-crafted by Orochimaru himself.
Without these instruments, Shindai's research would come to a complete halt.
Then...
"Let go of me immediately!"
Orochimaru glared darkly while violently shaking his right leg.
Hikaku Uchiha was also breaking into a cold sweat while watching Shindai.
Because right now, Shindai was tightly hugging Orochimaru's leg and wailing.
"Orochimaru-sama, I admit my mistake! I didn't do it on purpose! Originally, I wanted to fix it, but then Minato suddenly gave me an urgent mission. I had no choice but to carry out that mission first and planned to repair it afterward.
It's all true—I kept thinking about how to fix everything after returning, even while carrying out the mission. Please give me another chance! Ah~"
Orochimaru's expression grew even darker.
Why was this guy clinging around like a bad penny that won't go away?
Hikaku already regretted coming here with Shindai.
She had long heard from Shindai that he went to Kannabi Bridge thinking there might be treasure—he was just treasure hunting.
Urgent mission indeed—such blatant lies.
Orochimaru shook his leg again forcefully, but when Shindai still wouldn't let go, his gaze gradually turned dangerous: "Let go, and I'll grant you one final chance!"
Instantly releasing his grip, Shindai stood straight upright: "Thank you so much, Orochimaru-sama! I always knew you wouldn't hold a grudge against me. After all, you're one of the legendary Three Sages and head of the Scientific Research Division. Surely, such a small accident is beneath your notice!"
Orochimaru sneered ominously: "Silence! Next, I'm adding a fourth condition. If you violate any one of the previous three again, each violation means seven days as my test subject!"
A shiver crawled up Shindai's spine.
Become Orochimaru's test subject?
That definitely sounded dangerous—what if he died during the experiment?
But probably not now, considering Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi had already reached an agreement.
He'd just need to be careful from now on. If something really did slip up... well, he'd deny it outright!
After all, even if Orochimaru tried to force him, there wasn't much he could do.
Yeah, that's decided!
Pounding his chest confidently, Shindai vowed, "Yes, understood, Orochimaru-sama! From now on, I swear I'll follow every single one of your orders to the letter!"
"Coincidentally, I have an operation next, and I need an assistant—you'll assist me with the procedure."
Curiously asking, Shindai said, "What kind of procedure is it?"
Orochimaru explained, "It involves a cell transplantation procedure. Konoha brought in a child about five years old from the Land of Fire. He was critically injured and on the brink of death — none of the medical ninja could stabilize him. I discovered his cells were highly compatible with those of the First Hokage.
"He's not going to last much longer. So I suggested to the Fourth that we try transplanting Hashirama cells into him. Maybe through the powerful vitality of these cells we could heal him, and furthermore..."
Shindai picked up the thread, "...and there's also the possibility of awakening the Wood Release kekkei genkai, right?"
Orochimaru nodded, "Exactly. If we wait any longer, he won't survive another three days. It's worth trying at least. This way, we might bring another Wood Release kekkei genkai bearer to Konoha."
Shindai rubbed his chin thoughtfully. So this child would be the future Yamato, huh.
Shindai agreed, "Alright then, when do we start?"
Orochimaru began walking toward a laboratory ahead, saying, "Right now. His life force is slipping away moment by moment — the later we wait, the lower our chances of success. I've completed all the preparations. I'm about to perform the surgery myself, and your presence adds an extra layer of security."
Hikaku Uchiha asked Shindai, "Looks like you'll be busy. Should I leave first then?"
"Do you want to watch? If you do, come along. As long as you don't disturb Orochimaru-sama, he won't say anything."
Hikaku was genuinely curious about this cell transplantation technique and also wanted to see how Shindai acted when being serious.
So Hikaku said, "I want to see."
"Then come on. But my research direction is completely different from Orochimaru-sama's. I mainly focus on my Magnet Release kekkei genkai and puppets. I'm not even sure how I can help — he actually said I'd be 'an extra layer of security.'"
Shindai and Hikaku Uchiha arrived at Orochimaru's lab.
Inside the room stood a huge cultivation chamber. Within it floated a thin, frail child who looked like a skeleton.
If it weren't for the occasional small bubbles rising through the liquid, Shindai would've assumed the child was already dead.
Shindai asked, "Orochimaru-sama, what should I assist with?"
Putting on his lab coat as he spoke, Orochimaru replied, "Your magnetic field. I'm worried his current body might not withstand the powerful vitality of the Hashirama cells — although they may be the only thing capable of saving him, because his body now lacks endurance.
"I've developed a special nutrient solution. By using your electromagnetic field to influence the ions and charged particles within his body, we can affect cellular electrical activity and enzyme activity, regulating his physiological functions. This will accelerate circulation, raise his pain threshold and physical tolerance, promote elimination of inflammatory products, and enhance immune function."
Shindai listened with intense focus, occasionally nodding to show he understood.
Meanwhile, Hikaku's gaze grew distant, as if lost in thought.
I totally don't get it~
Orochimaru had already put on his lab coat. He opened the cultivation chamber and carried the child—Yamato—to the operating table.
Then Orochimaru inserted various needles into Yamato's body and took out a glass vial containing Hashirama Senju cells.
After everything was ready, Orochimaru said, "Let's begin the surgery, Shindai. Start with the weakest electromagnetic field."
Shindai activated his Magnet Release techniques to generate a magnetic field, then converted it into an electromagnetic field surrounding Yamato's body.
"Strengthen it a bit."
Shindai increased the intensity of the electromagnetic field.
"More."
"Keep going."
"Alright, stop! Maintain this level."
Once Orochimaru called for a stop, Shindai immediately ceased increasing the electromagnetic field's strength and kept it at the current level.
Yamato, lying on the bed, began to regain a little color in his previously pale face.
Orochimaru reminded him, "If I ask you to increase the field again during the surgery, just follow the same ratio as your first adjustment."
"Got it."
Orochimaru picked up the scalpel and began implanting the cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, into Yamato's body.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>