A week passed.
In the dimly lit lab, Orochimaru, who was analyzing data from the latest test subjects, suddenly revealed a rare expression of joy.
"Kakashi-kun, we've finally found a sample with an 80% fusion rate!"
Eighty percent.
The countless samples before hadn't even reached thirty. With such an exceptional result, it could only be one person—Yamato.
"Congratulations, Master Orochimaru. I believe we've caught a glimpse of success," Kakashi replied, his face calm but his heart stirred.
"There's no time to waste. I'll request the child from Danzo personally. He handles the orphanage—it'll be fastest that way."
Orochimaru quickly turned and left the lab.
'More than convenient,' Kakashi thought to himself. 'To that old thief Danzo, isn't the orphanage just his own private crop field? Nearly all of Root's agents came from there.'
Soon after, Orochimaru returned, accompanied by a masked Root ninja holding a small child.
The boy had short brown hair and large black eyes—just as Kakashi expected.
This was Yamato.
However, at this point in time, the boy didn't have a name. Following Orochimaru's lead, Kakashi referred to him as No. 33, the thirty-third subject in the Wood Style experiment.
Over the following days, Kakashi's task was to monitor No. 33's vitals while he remained immersed in nutrient solution. He recorded data meticulously.
> "Test subject No. 33 has survived for one hour after being injected with First Hokage cell cultures. Breathing stable. Heart rate normal."
> "Test subject No. 33 has survived twenty-four hours. Breathing remains stable. Heart rate within acceptable range."
> "Test subject No. 33 has survived forty-eight hours. Notable changes: pupils dilated, breathing rapid, heart rate increasing, onset of muscle spasms."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he listened to Kakashi's report.
Had their most promising subject failed after all?
"Kakashi-kun… it looks like another failure," Orochimaru said with a sigh. His voice was calm but laced with disappointment.
"No, Master Orochimaru. There may still be a chance!"
"Kakashi-kun, I've seen this too many times. This child is about to die. We must move on."
Orochimaru had learned to let go—he considered Kakashi's reluctance the sentimentality of youth.
"Please, trust me. Don't stop the experiment just yet," Kakashi pleaded.
"No. 33's physical compatibility with the First Hokage's cells is the highest we've ever seen. If I'm right, this is the most critical point of the fusion. As long as his will to survive holds, he can pull through!"
Orochimaru stared at him for a long moment.
"If you insist, we'll continue… until the subject dies completely."
With that, Orochimaru turned and walked out of the incubation chamber.
Kakashi stayed behind, silently observing No. 33's worsening condition.
The boy was barely holding on—his breathing labored, his limbs twitching erratically. Death seemed only seconds away.
Yet he survived.
Three agonizing hours passed, and the child clung to life. Slowly, his breathing began to even out. His heart rate stabilized.
Kakashi finally exhaled.
He had made it.
It had been a gamble, but one that paid off. In the original timeline, Yamato had undergone the experiment at a later time. If something had gone wrong, Kakashi would have been responsible for his death.
"Anko! Anko!"
A voice called urgently.
"Coming!" she shouted from the hallway.
"Tell Master Orochimaru—No. 33 survived!"
Anko, understanding the gravity of the situation, sprinted off to find Orochimaru.
Not long after, Orochimaru strode into the chamber.
"How's the test subject?"
"Out of danger," Kakashi said, pressing a button on the control panel.
The nutrient solution drained away, and the glass door hissed open.
No. 33 lay curled up inside, covered in IV lines. Slowly, he opened his eyes and whispered, "Who… who are you?"
"I am Orochimaru," the Sannin said coolly. "I oversee this facility."
He gestured to his assistant.
"Take him for a blood test. I want a full report immediately."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Kakashi stepped forward and gently comforted the disoriented child. Then, carrying him carefully, he left the chamber.
The blood test results arrived shortly afterward.
"Master Orochimaru, No. 33's cell activity is far beyond average. His body is brimming with vitality. I believe we can declare the experiment a success."
"No need to rush."
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed as he taught the boy a simple chakra control technique.
Once No. 33 had a basic grasp, Orochimaru handed him a small seed.
"Channel chakra into this. Let's see what happens."
The child obeyed without hesitation.
Green chakra pulsed from his hands. The seed twitched, then sprouted. In mere moments, it grew into a small sapling.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a rare smile.
"Kakashi-kun, the experiment is officially a success."
Just then, a chilling voice echoed from the doorway.
"Orochimaru."
Danzo walked in, leaning on a cane, eyes sharp and calculating.
"Is this the one? The successful Wood Style experiment? Hand him over to Root. I'll personally oversee his training."
Orochimaru frowned.
"Elder Danzo, I have no problem giving him to you—but not now. He's vital for refining the experiment and improving future fusion rates."
"You can keep using him. He'll come back for checkups if needed. But I want him under my authority—now."
Danzo's words were absolute.
Before Orochimaru could reply, a calm yet firm voice cut in.
"Danzo, I won't allow it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, had arrived.
"This child will be trained by me. He'll enter the Anbu, not Root."
"Hiruzen, don't be naïve!" Danzo barked. "This is a weapon! A weapon capable of suppressing the tailed beasts! Root is the right place for him."
"No," Hiruzen said, unshaken. "He's not a weapon. He's a child. A Konoha shinobi who will inherit the Will of Fire."
Danzo's face twisted with frustration.
"Only Root produces loyal shinobi. You know that!"
Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe and exhaled slowly.
"Danzo, I am the Hokage."
"You—!"
Danzo's voice choked. His fury swelled, but the words refused to come out.
Again. Just like always.
He was powerless in the face of the Hokage's authority.
'Hiruzen… just wait. One day, I will master Wood Style. And when I do, I'll show everyone who the real Hokage should be.'
"Hmph. You'll regret this!"
Danzo stormed out, his cane tapping furiously on the stone floor.
After he left, Hiruzen turned to the young test subject and gave a warm smile.
"You… are the child chosen by Hashirama himself. From now on, I will train you personally."
"Hokage-sama…" No. 33's voice trembled with emotion.
Ever since arriving at this cold, strange place, he had been afraid and confused. But now, someone as powerful as the Hokage had offered to take him in.
His world lit up.
Kakashi, watching from the side, was struck with a sense of déjà vu.
"By the way," Hiruzen added thoughtfully, "I heard you don't have a name. In that case—"
"Why not call him Yamato?" Kakashi suggested.
"Oh?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
Orochimaru interjected with a chuckle. "It was Kakashi who insisted on continuing the experiment. Without him, this child wouldn't have survived."
"I see…" Hiruzen nodded. "Then from now on, your name is Yamato."
"Yes!" the boy replied cheerfully. He turned and gave Kakashi a shy glance. So it was him… the one who saved me.
"Very well," Hiruzen said. "Orochimaru, I'll take the boy with me. He can return to assist with experiments as needed."
He paused and smiled.
"You've done excellent work this time. I'll see to it that your research funding is increased."
Hiruzen gave Orochimaru a light pat on the shoulder and left, Yamato's small hand in his.
Once they were gone, Orochimaru looked at Kakashi, his snake-like eyes glinting.
"Kakashi-kun, this is all thanks to you."
"You flatter me, Master Orochimaru. I only contributed a small part. You're the real reason the experiment succeeded."
"Don't be modest," Orochimaru said with a smile that was almost serpentine. "You've done me a great favor. Tell me, what would you like as a reward?"
Kakashi considered his answer carefully.
"I'd like to learn research from you. Systematically."
He already had the First Hokage's cells. What he needed now was the ability to understand and apply them properly. Without scientific knowledge, he'd be nothing more than a lucky amateur.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
"I didn't expect you to share my thirst for knowledge, Kakashi-kun."
At that moment, Orochimaru felt genuine satisfaction. Compared to the spirited but scattered Anko, Kakashi's composure and focus made him a far more promising disciple.
If only Tsunade hadn't gotten to him first...