Shisui still seemed hesitant, but Orochimaru continued calmly:
"Danzo underwent the physical enhancement surgery as well."
"…What?"
Shisui was stunned, his expression confused. "You performed it on Danzo too?"
"Of course not," Orochimaru said with a faint smile. "Even if I wanted to, the risks were too high. There's no way Danzo would trust me that much."
He leaned in slightly, his voice more deliberate.
"But he got access to the research data I submitted. After years of studying it, he successfully performed the procedure on himself."
Shisui fell silent.
Orochimaru hadn't explicitly mentioned the Third Hokage's involvement, but the implications were clear. If Danzo had access to those records, it could only have happened with high-level approval.
When the leadership bends the rules, what's the point in us pretending to follow them blindly? Shisui thought. Wouldn't that make me the fool?
"…When do we begin, my lord?"
"No time like the present," Orochimaru replied with a smirk. "Tonight."
He licked his lips. "Use the free time between now and then to rest and recover."
"Yes, sir."
---
That night.
In an underground lab beneath an abandoned medical wing, Shisui had already cleaned up and was lying on a hospital bed. His limbs and neck were strapped down with elastic bands to prevent movement during the procedure, and a nutrient IV was feeding into his veins.
This was a partial transplant of First Hokage cells—Orochimaru's revised approach after refining his understanding of cell fusion, especially following his recent mind-link experiment with Hidan.
Most shinobi, even Uchiha, simply don't possess the physical potential to withstand a perfect fusion.
Nutrient solutions alone weren't enough. While they provided necessary support for basic biological functions, First Hokage cells demanded something beyond the physical—something spiritual. They needed energy.
In Shisui's case, regular chakra wouldn't suffice. What barely made it viable was his ocular power—chakra generated specifically from his Mangekyō Sharingan. This allowed him to just barely suppress the rampant proliferation of the transplanted cells.
Only two people in Konoha could handle full cellular integration: Tsunade and Jiraiya.
Tsunade had exceptional vitality, and Jiraiya could enter a sustained "Full Concentration Breathing" state, drawing on nature energy to stabilize the fusion.
If Shisui had been training in breathing techniques, he might have been ready in a few years, Orochimaru thought. But for now, partial fusion is the only option.
---
Thirty minutes passed.
Shisui slowly sat up, unstrapping the bands and rising from the bed. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath.
"…I feel lighter."
He wasn't exaggerating. The transplant had noticeably reduced the constant strain his Mangekyō placed on his body. Even for a Uchiha, the Sharingan carried a heavy burden—emotionally and physically. A Mangekyō only increased that toll.
Even a partial enhancement had eased the weight significantly.
"Your body will continue to change in the coming days," Orochimaru said, studying him closely. "If you start to feel something different—like the 'Power of All Creation'—record it carefully."
Unlike Uchiha Shinsuke, Shisui possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan—already a higher-tier Yin-type chakra. That gave him just enough compatibility with the Yang-type chakra in the First Hokage's cells, letting him approach the threshold of that mysterious power.
"I understand," Shisui replied. Then, after a pause, he asked, "How do you know so much about this?"
As far as he knew, no other Uchiha in the village had undergone this kind of surgery—not with a Mangekyō Sharingan.
"I have… special sources," Orochimaru said with a dismissive smile. Then he added, "Anyway, it's late. Time to handle the Hidan situation."
---
Elsewhere, under the moonlight...
The bedroom's sliding doors opened with a shhhk, moonlight pouring across the wooden floor, casting a long shadow.
Just like the night before, Hidan had returned to the fruit vendor's home. He was back to resume his "missionary work"—though this time, there was no genjutsu placed on him.
Without Uchiha Shinsuke's illusion suppressing him, Hidan's true personality was on full display.
He stood in the middle of the room, grinning with blood smeared across his face as the old couple woke with a start.
"Auntie… why not try worshiping the Evil God?" he asked, voice gleeful. "You could gain powers like mine!"
He stabbed himself through the chest with a kunai and laughed. "See? Even if I gouge a hole in my chest, I don't die."
The elderly couple could only stare, paralyzed with fear. Their mouths hung open, but no sound came. The beast was no longer chained.
"Tsk… I liked it better when you acted defiant," Hidan muttered in disappointment.
He had thought the old woman was tough—an interesting soul. But she had just been putting on airs when protected. Now, reduced to cowering, she was no longer amusing.
Still, Lord Jashin welcomed all believers.
"Well?" he asked, crouching beside them. "Ready to join the faith?"
The old couple nodded frantically, terrified.
"Excellent. Time for the initiation."
From his sleeve, Hidan pulled out a rough, fist-sized idol of the Evil God. Crude in craftsmanship, its face was unrecognizable—but the reverence in Hidan's eyes was unmistakable.
He set it on the ground and led the couple in a ritualistic bow. Then, each of them placed a kunai before it.
"Now, to test your faith…"
He drove a kunai into his thigh without flinching. "Your turn. Let's see your devotion."
The couple trembled, unable to move.
"…What's this? Were you lying to me earlier?" Hidan growled, face twisting. "Fake believers deserve worse than unbelievers!"
He raised his kunai again. "So? Will you do it—or shall I?"
But before he could strike—
Shhhk—
Two powerful chakra signatures suddenly surged into the room. Hidan wasn't a sensor-type, but even he could feel them now that they were right behind him.
He whirled around and lunged.
But before the kunai reached its mark—
Snatch.
Shisui appeared in a blur and grabbed his wrist mid-swing. The blade hovered inches from the terrified couple's throats.
With a sharp intake of breath, the two collapsed, unconscious.
Hidan froze. With both Shisui and Orochimaru now present, he knew there was no escape.
But it didn't matter.
Just tonight, he told himself. Just for now…
---
In the corner of the room, leaning casually against the wall, stood a young man.
Orochimaru turned to him and said coldly, "Shinsuke… it's not very wise to be this lazy."
_____________________
The story is Finished on patreon (394 Chapters)
Join my patreon
patreon.com/Silver757
Or Tip me on
coff.ee/silver7959
http://buymeacoffee.com/silver7959