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Two months later, the first prosthetic skeletal system was completed through the collaboration of Sasuke and Orochimaru.
Although it was labeled as a "collaboration," Sasuke contributed very little in practice. Despite observing Orochimaru's procedures day and night, he could only grasp the surface-level details, failing to comprehend the deep intricacies.
Laid out on the experimental table was a male artificial body—its appearance nearly identical to Orochimaru's own.
"Hehehe… yes, this is just right. The cells of Hashirama Senju are the optimal material for crafting prosthetic skeletons. Once the regenerative resistance of these cells is suppressed, there's no longer any concern about material rejection.
Moreover, I've already implanted a Sharingan into this vessel without any signs of rejection. This opens the possibility of integrating other kekkei genkai into future prosthetic constructs.
One day, I might even recreate the physical body of the First Hokage himself!" Orochimaru's gaze sparkled with fascination as he admired the humanoid form on the operating table, like an artist marveling at his own masterpiece.
Sasuke glanced at Orochimaru with slight envy. Sometimes talent truly was the deciding factor. The methods described in the medical-ninjutsu scrolls seemed incomprehensible to Sasuke—like reading ancient runes. Meanwhile, Orochimaru not only understood them fully, but had also begun optimizing the techniques, incorporating various scientific advancements into the prosthetic skeletal system.
After admiring the results for a while, Orochimaru sealed the artificial body into a storage scroll.
"Not planning to try it out?" Sasuke asked with a hint of skepticism.
"Body Transfer Jutsu requires intricate preparation. I'll save that for later. But you, Sasuke-kun… you've been here quite a while. Are you really not planning to return to Konoha?" Orochimaru turned, his golden serpentine eyes locking onto Sasuke's.
The two had worked together long enough to understand each other. At this point, their relationship could almost be called a partnership. Any past hostility had long been set aside. After all, nothing turns enemies into allies more effectively than shared ambition.
"Relax. I didn't come out here just for sightseeing. There's still more I want to complete. Let's continue developing the next prosthetic skeleton. Your subordinate—Kimimaro—would benefit immensely. Replacing the body may be the best method of circumventing bloodline illness." Sasuke responded calmly.
"Heh… Sasuke-kun, as always, a pursuer of truth. Very well. Let's proceed." Orochimaru chuckled and brought out a test tube of blood alongside a sealed container of Hashirama's cells.
They began constructing the second prosthetic skeleton. This time, the integrated kekkei genkai was Shikotsumyaku, the Kaguya clan's Dead Bone Pulse.
As the six-month deadline neared, Sasuke began preparations to return to Konoha. Through his dedication and aptitude—combined with Orochimaru's reluctant mentoring—Sasuke finally mastered prosthetic skeletal construction, capable of crafting functional units independently.
Before parting ways, Orochimaru handed Sasuke a sample of Hashirama cells. In return, Sasuke presented him with a peculiar, soul-related item.
"What's this?" Orochimaru asked, eyeing the candy-like object in his palm.
"A Gikongan. A soul pill from another world—paired with Gigai technology. It houses an artificial soul engineered for complete obedience. Swallow it, and your soul will temporarily vacate your body while the soul in the pill takes over. Feel free to dissect it. But be cautious—it involves soul-level interference." Sasuke explained, his voice even.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with fevered interest. He had yet to scratch the surface of soul-related technologies, and here was a synthetic soul, perfectly stable and obedient.
"Hehehe… cooperating with Sasuke-kun was the wisest decision I've ever made. Still, one isn't enough for full analysis. Might you have… more?" Orochimaru leaned forward, his voice hoarse with anticipation.
Sasuke hesitated. After a long moment, he finally handed over another pill.
"I only had four of these. I'll need the remaining two myself. Giving you two already stretches my limit."
"Much appreciated, Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru stuck out his tongue to lick the corner of his mouth, then carefully tucked the second Gikongan away.
With the exchange complete, Sasuke turned and began his journey back toward Konoha.
A great deal had been accomplished. His only regret was that he had not yet achieved Senbonzakura's Bankai. However, he had grasped the core principle behind it.
The test Senbonzakura had set for him involved one thing—speed. Within the billions of tiny blades controlled by the Bankai, there existed a blind spot, akin to the no-injury zone around Byakuya Kuchiki after his Bankai's release—a 85 cm radius sphere centered around the user. If Sasuke's Shunpo was fast enough to pierce that space, the rest of the challenge would be trivial.
Thus, while studying Gigai with Orochimaru, Sasuke had also been pushing himself to further refine his Shunpo, hoping to achieve a new level.
That evening, Sasuke chose not to continue traveling. The border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire wasn't far—at full speed, he could return within a day. No need to rush.
He lit a fire and roasted a hare he'd hunted. From the Zanpakutō at his side, a tremor signaled an emerging presence.
"I knew something smelled good." Ryuuka emerged from the blade, soon followed by Sharpspear and Senbonzakura.
"Phew~ It's nice to get out once in a while. That endless sword forest was getting dull." Sharpspear yawned, stretching his arms.
Senbonzakura said nothing, leaning coolly against a tree, arms crossed, face hidden behind his signature grimacing mask.
Sasuke remained curious about Senbonzakura's true appearance—he'd never seen the spirit without that eerie visage.
The golden rabbit meat sizzled, fat dripping onto the flames with satisfying crackles.
"Still not done yet?" Ryuuka crouched beside the fire, practically salivating.
Meanwhile, Sharpspear quietly carved something into a tree trunk.
"All right, all right. Here." Sasuke handed one of the four roasted hares to Ryuuka.
She snatched it eagerly and began devouring it, not minding the heat.
Sasuke handed the second one to Sharpspear.
"Thanks." Sharpspear nodded, accepting the hare while continuing to carve. Sasuke glanced at the work—he was sculpting a figure in Shinigami robes, with the number three etched onto the haori's back.
Sasuke didn't interrupt and offered the third hare to Senbonzakura.
Without a word, Senbonzakura accepted it.
Just when Sasuke expected him to lift the mask to eat, a petal-thin barrier of countless tiny blades enveloped the spirit's body, completely blocking the view.
"…Seriously?" Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. Even Kakashi didn't hide his face this obsessively.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED 30+ CHAPTERS
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Five chapters uploaded every two days on patreon.
One chapter uploaded everyday on webnovel.
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