After explaining both the risks and benefits of the Hashirama cell implantation to Kimimaro, he agreed without hesitation. To him, this was a lifeline and there was no reason to hesitate.
With Kimimaro's consent, Orochimaru and Nanako immediately began preparations for the surgery, wasting no time.
Less than half an hour after Kimimaro agreed, everything was ready, and the Hashirama cell implantation surgery began.
Ye Zi waited quietly outside the room while the procedure took place inside.
The process itself was not overly complicated, but Kimimaro, lying on the operating table, had to face a high risk of death. Fortunately, the implanted Hashirama cells did not go berserk or cause Kimimaro's body to rupture.
When the surgery was completed, Orochimaru and Nanako exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
A strong and healthy body increases the success rate of Hashirama cell implantation, whereas a weakened body typically leads to higher mortality rates. Given Kimimaro's current state, the risk of death was very high, yet he succeeded.
"In theory, Hashirama cells can enhance ninjutsu power, but I wonder if they can also enhance the strength of kekkei genkai," Orochimaru thought to himself as he observed Kimimaro, who was breathing steadily on the platform.
If the cells could enhance kekkei genkai, then with Kimimaro's natural talent and aptitude, it would only be a matter of time before his name became known throughout the shinobi world.
Orochimaru knew Ye Zi would undoubtedly implant a curse mark in Kimimaro and later transplant Sharingan to enhance his taijutsu. Even at his young age, Kimimaro would become a force to be reckoned with.
Once the surgery was completed, Orochimaru left.
Nanako stayed behind, while Ye Zi, informed of the successful procedure by Orochimaru, turned and left without entering the room.
Now that the surgery had succeeded, the next step was to observe the effects before deciding when to implant the curse mark and Sharingan.
Walking down the corridor, Ye Zi found himself genuinely curious about the potential of Kimimaro after receiving the curse mark and Sharingan.
A few days later, the versatile Hashirama cells began to take effect.
Kimimaro regained his ability to move, it was an encouraging sign.
Several days later, Kimimaro's body had fully recovered. Throughout this period, Nanako conducted repeated examinations and was delighted with the final results: Kimimaro's body had completely healed.
The benefits Hashirama cells brought to Kimimaro far exceeded the expectations of both Nanako and Orochimaru. Not only did they cure his hereditary illness, but they also demonstrated the incredible power of the cells.
After Kimimaro's recovery, at Ye Zi's request, Nanako transplanted a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan into him before returning to her research on Hashirama cells alongside Orochimaru.
The eye transplant surgery was simple and took less than a day for Kimimaro to adjust to his new eyes. Because the Sharingan were transplanted, they remained permanently in the three-tomoe state.
"How does it feel?" Ye Zi asked, his gaze fixed on the three-tomoe Sharingan in Kimimaro's eyes in the otherwise empty room.
Kimimaro pressed his fingers lightly to his eyelids, shook his head, and replied, "I can't quite describe it… everything just seems clearer."
"The Sharingan enhances dynamic vision. Since you specialize in taijutsu, you'll notice its benefits during combat," Ye Zi explained.
Even the improvement in dynamic vision alone would provide tremendous advantages for Kimimaro.
"Understood." Kimimaro smiled. After a brief pause, he looked up at Ye Zi and asked, "Ye Zi-sama, can I receive the curse mark now?"
Ye Zi had explained the effects and drawbacks of the curse mark three days after Kimimaro's surgery.
The curse mark's ability to enhance power left Kimimaro with no reason to refuse. Having just received the Sharingan, he eagerly brought it up.
The Hashirama cells, Sharingan, and curse mark were measures Ye Zi had prepared for the children in the base. Kimimaro's illness had simply fast-tracked his access to these enhancements by six months.
Ye Zi smiled faintly and reminded him, "You can, but adapting to the curse mark will be painful. Be prepared."
"I am." Kimimaro's expression was serious, he no longer considered pain to be a significant obstacle.
"Where would you like the curse mark placed?" For this second curse mark implantation, Ye Zi generously allowed Kimimaro to choose its location.
Kimimaro was slightly startled, then, after thinking for a moment, placed his hand over the center of his chest and smiled. "Here will do."
Ye Zi nodded, extending his hand to press against the spot Kimimaro indicated. The curse mark was implanted in an instant, infused with senjutsu chakra. Retracting his hand, Ye Zi observed the black three-tomoe curse mark now adorning Kimimaro's chest.
The curse mark's implantation was a success, but the ensuing pain surged through Kimimaro's nerves like a tidal wave.
"Hngh—" Kimimaro let out a muffled groan, his brow furrowing as he endured the searing heat raging inside him. It felt as though every bone in his body was being scorched by flames.
"This pain is nothing."
Kimimaro merely furrowed his brows and endured the pain from adapting to the curse mark without showing much expression. His composure far surpassed what Uchiha Jin had displayed during his own curse mark implantation.
Having long grown accustomed to pain, Kimimaro's performance was especially commendable for someone under ten years old.
A glimmer of admiration flashed in Ye Zi's eyes. Kimimaro's formidable willpower was on full display, undoubtedly honed through his training with Shikotsumyaku.
Even though he suppressed the pain, Kimimaro had no energy to notice Ye Zi. If he had seen the admiration in Ye Zi's eyes, he probably would have been overjoyed.
The Cursed Seal of Heaven emitted a faint white light as it spread across Kimimaro's body, forming an irregular flame pattern that covered half of him.
After a while, the red glow of the curse mark faded, solidifying into a pattern, and the pain gradually subsided.
Kimimaro reached out to touch the black flame-like pattern on the right side of his face and murmured, "So this is the Cursed Seal of Heaven."
Feeling the chakra slowly flowing through his body, Kimimaro squinted his eyes, his expression resembling that of a lazy cat basking in the afternoon sun.
"My whole body is infused with Ye Zi-sama's chakra," Kimimaro said happily.
Ye Zi rubbed his temples, thinking Kimimaro's reaction was a bit exaggerated, and said, "The curse mark has two forms. You have three days to adapt to it. After that, you'll fight me."
He wanted to see just how strong Kimimaro had become after integrating Hashirama cells, transplanting Sharingan, obtaining the Cursed Seal of Heaven, and utilizing his kekkei genkai.
"Huh?" Kimimaro's face immediately froze in shock. Fighting Ye Zi-sama… wasn't that just asking for a beating?
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