The Village Hidden in Sound.
As usual, it was Kimimaro who greeted them.
"Please follow me, esteemed guests. Lord Orochimaru has been waiting for you," Kimimaro said as he led the way. This time, however, they didn't head to the underground experimental base but instead arrived at a forest beside the village.
Crack, crack, crack!
Samehada vibrated excitedly on Kisame's back.
"Oh, this forest is no ordinary place."
"Looks like Orochimaru has succeeded, hasn't he?" Through Samehada, Kisame keenly sensed the chakra within the forest. It wasn't naturally occurring but had been created using Wood Release techniques.
After walking for a while, the three arrived at a clearing where three figures stood.
Orochimaru, Uzumaki Yusuke, and Sasori.
Oh, correction—Sasori, controlling Hiruko, was crouched down.
"Sasori, you're finally showing yourself?"
"It's been quite a while," Deidara greeted him.
"Deidara, so you're teaming up with Kisame now? What about Itachi? Don't tell me he's dead," Sasori asked.
"His health is fragile; he's recuperating," Deidara replied.
"Alright, enough idle chatter."
"Deidara, come and take a look at my masterpiece!" Orochimaru said eagerly, unable to contain his excitement.
Uzumaki Yusuke, bare-chested, turned around, revealing a face resembling Hashirama Senju embedded in his chest. It was clear that the ratio of Hashirama cells transplanted into him was quite high.
Equally striking were his Three Tomoe Sharingan, exuding a faint sense of oppression and possessing the unique elegance and mystery of the Sharingan.
"Yusuke, show them what you can do," Orochimaru licked his lips, his sinister tone carrying a distinct thrill.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!" Uzumaki Yusuke responded with unwavering respect for Orochimaru.
With a clap of his hands, he declared, "Wood Release: Forest Emergence!"
Though it was a lower-level version of Deep Forest Emergence, being able to perform the technique at all was already impressive.
Countless saplings broke through the ground in the clearing, rapidly growing into towering trees. They clustered tightly together, forming a dense forest that completely blocked out sunlight, plunging the surroundings into darkness.
"What do you think?" Orochimaru asked, standing atop a tree trunk.
Deidara sent out several clay insects, which clung to the tree trunks and detonated, leaving only shallow marks.
"The defense is quite impressive. It seems that B-rank and lower ninjutsu won't be able to inflict damage, and ordinary weaponry will also lose effectiveness," Deidara assessed.
Compared to the Wood Release techniques used by Tobi that day, it was almost at the same level, though Tobi hadn't put his full strength into it then.
Crack, crack, crack!
Feeling the excited vibrations of Samehada on his back, Kisame removed it and pressed it against a nearby tree, allowing it to absorb the Wood Release chakra.
"Samehada has never been this excited before, not even when facing the chakra of a Tailed Beast," Kisame remarked with a laugh.
Seeing the recognition from everyone, Orochimaru couldn't help but display a rare moment of pleasure.
"But that's not all. Let me show you something else."
"Yusuke!"
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"
Suddenly, four chakra chains extended from Uzumaki Yusuke's back. As they swung through the air, they effortlessly sliced through the nearby Wood Release forest, as if cutting through tofu.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains—the unique ability of the Uzumaki Clan, which can also be considered a Kekkei Genkai."
"Even among pure-blooded Uzumaki Clan members, the awakening rate is less than ten percent. But after transplanting the First Hokage's cells, Yusuke awakened this ability with ease."
"Truly remarkable," Orochimaru praised, though it was unclear whether he was admiring Yusuke or the Hashirama cells.
"And that's not all. Yusuke is only ten years old this year. As he grows, his Wood Release abilities will become even stronger."
"While he may not reach the level of the First Hokage, he will certainly surpass the average Kage-level ninja."
"Combine that with the Sharingan and the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques..."
"Yusuke is, aside from the Mangekyō, a perfect creation," Orochimaru said, extending his tongue to lick his lips in a disturbingly sensual manner.
Everyone couldn't help but show expressions of disgust, except for Uzumaki Yusuke, who was visibly thrilled.
"Now I can become Lord Orochimaru's vessel, right? This is wonderful!" Yusuke exclaimed excitedly.
Deidara nodded in agreement. Sharingan combined with Wood Release and Uzumaki sealing techniques—it was a terrifying thought!
Moreover, as Orochimaru's research continued to deepen, Uzumaki Yusuke would only grow stronger. Especially if the secrets of the Mangekyō Sharingan could be deciphered—then things would truly become extraordinary.
But now wasn't the time to focus on that.
"So, Orochimaru, have you developed universally compatible Hashirama cells?"
"After all, I've already paid you quite generously," Deidara said, eager to strengthen Nagato after his split with Tobi.
"Of course." Orochimaru pulled a vial of green liquid from his mouth and handed it to Deidara. "Though I don't know who you intend to use it on..."
"But if it's for Itachi Uchiha, it won't work for now."
Deidara frowned and used a clay white snake to grab the mucus-covered vial. Kisame, unable to hold back, asked, "Why can't it be used on Itachi-sama?"
Orochimaru glanced curiously at Deidara's clay snake before explaining, "These cells were developed based on the Uzumaki Clan's physiology."
"For a truly universal version suitable for others, more time is needed."
"Especially for someone like Itachi Uchiha, whose body is already weakened by a genetic illness. Injecting these domineering cells would only backfire."
"Look, even Kimimaro hasn't received a transplant."
Orochimaru's keen insight remained as sharp as ever. Though no one had explicitly mentioned Itachi's illness, he had deduced the truth from subtle clues. Hearing Orochimaru's explanation, Kisame reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"Hey, Deidara, what are you doing?" Kisame suddenly exclaimed as he turned to retrieve Samehada.
Deidara was wiping the last bit of mucus onto Samehada. "I'm just letting it taste Orochimaru's chakra."
"Samehada doesn't seem to like it much."
Samehada: "..."
Retrieving Samehada, which was sticking out its tongue in apparent disgust, Kisame complained, "Deidara, don't do that to my loyal partner!"
Deidara shrugged and approached Sasori.
"Sasori, how's your work coming along?"
"Don't tell me you've also grown a Hashirama face on your chest?"
"How boring!" Hiruko's tail extended to push Deidara away as Sasori disappeared into the depths of the forest.
"I have one last thing to do. It won't take long, Deidara. Soon, I'll show you true art!"
"Art that belongs to eternity!"
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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