After temporarily sending Morino Ibiki off, Hatake Kusuo waited for him at home. The moment he stepped inside, he saw Shion sitting cross-legged on the floor, her body enveloped in a mesmerizing purple light.
"What's this? Have you started trying to control Mōryō's chakra?" he asked.
Previously, Shion had predominantly used her holy priestess sealing chakra. It was rare to see her utilize the Tailed Beast-level chakra of Mōryō that resided within her. The latter's power was, of course, incredibly astonishing.
Voom!
In that instant, a surge of immense and malevolent energy flickered and vanished. A phantom-like glint flashed through Shion's amber eyes.
"No, I haven't been able to fully control this power yet," she said, her tone sour. It was clear something had provoked her.
"Hinata's awake?" Hatake Kusuo immediately guessed the source of the issue.
"Yes."
This was truly great news. Although ninety percent of the Rinnegan's power was sealed, its fundamental tier of power remained. It was, in essence, a Sage of Six Paths-level ability.
"Excellent. Take me to see her."
Hmph! Shion's heart soured even more. She knew Kusuo would react this way the moment Hinata woke up.
They made their way to the secret basement, passing through layers of sealing barriers.
"Hinata!" Hatake Kusuo rushed forward and pulled the newly awakened Hinata into his arms, completely ignoring the feelings of the other girl behind him.
"Kusuo-kun..." Hinata had just woken up and her body was still weak. But to see the man she loved watching over her and caring for her the moment she opened her eyes filled her girlish heart with sweet affection.
"Don't worry. The fact that you've woken up means you've successfully overcome the Rinnegan's invasion. In the future, with a little more effort, you'll be able to command it instead of just fighting it," Kusuo said with concern. After all, no matter how powerful the Rinnegan was, it was just an inanimate object. It didn't possess a soul, which only life could generate. So, over time, as her strength grew and its influence waned, it was inevitable that Hinata would gain control.
Hinata didn't fully understand all of this, but she could faintly feel a slight throbbing in her eye sockets, like a heartbeat, each pulse sending a shiver of fear through her. This power was simply too immense, beyond anything she had ever known.
"Thank you, Kusuo-kun." Only now did Hinata truly understand what kind of treasure Hatake Kusuo had given her. The promise they made when they were young... the boy had fulfilled it in another way.
"There's no need for 'thank yous' between us. Shion, come here." Kusuo beckoned to Shion.
Shion ran over joyfully, her face full of anticipation, ready to throw herself into Kusuo's arms as well.
Hatake Kusuo: "...?"
"What are you doing?" he asked, completely bewildered by her actions. "I was calling you over to help check if the seal on Hinata's eyes has loosened, to prevent any accidents later on."
"..." You big oaf! Shion fumed internally. You forget your new love the moment your old one is back! It's just a pair of eyes, what's the big deal!
Though she was furious, she unwillingly helped check Hinata's condition again. Despite her anger, she was extremely careful and serious during the process. The bond between the two "sisters" was still very strong.
Just as they were finishing up, a knock came from the door outside. It was Morino Ibiki.
"I'll go see what he wants. You stay here with Hinata," Kusuo said to Shion as he got up to leave.
"Mm, you can go without worrying." Shion nodded obediently. Hinata also gave a gentle nod, her face radiant with love.
"Lord Kusuo!" Unconsciously, Morino Ibiki's form of address for the young man, more than twenty years his junior, had changed. It had gone from his full name to the more intimate "Kusuo," and now, to "Lord Kusuo." Hatake Kusuo's terrifying achievements had truly won him over.
"Hm? Did you experiment on yourself?" Kusuo asked, a little surprised. Through his Transparent World, he could see that Ibiki's right arm had completely transformed into a sea of Yang Release chakra, exceptionally active, albeit slightly unstable.
"I had this idea about a month ago. To fully unlock the secrets of the First Hokage's cells, I felt that personal experience would yield the best results."
"I see." Kusuo didn't say much more. Ibiki's actions were drawing him closer and closer to Kusuo's side. Privately transplanting Hashirama Cells was strictly forbidden in Konoha, especially for a high-ranking official like Ibiki.
"After this period passes, I'll teach you a secret breathing technique. It will allow you to fully master your right arm." Kusuo planned to teach him the Breathing Style. In the future, a talented individual like this needed to be won over with both the stick and the carrot. Relying solely on the restriction of the Tongue-Cursing Eradication Technique wouldn't be enough to earn true loyalty.
"Thank you, Lord Kusuo!" Ibiki was overjoyed. He was well aware that this young genius possessed a breathing method that surpassed all known secret techniques in the ninja world. To receive such a legacy meant his choice of allegiance was firmly secured!
"Alright, project the images sealed in that eye," Kusuo said, waving his hand to quell Ibiki's excitement.
"Yes!" Ibiki's expression turned serious. He removed the disguise from his right arm, revealing a pale limb with a crimson Sharingan embedded in it. This method came from Danzo. When the Anbu took over the Foundation's data and archives, they had also acquired all of its forbidden jutsu and technology.
Voom!
A strange ripple, carrying a gust of air and a deep red light, emanated from the eye.
"Cast it on me. Don't worry about me," Kusuo ordered in a low voice, simultaneously relaxing his body's defenses. Otherwise, the images sealed in the Sharingan would never be able to enter his mind.
Instantly, an even brighter red light flared. Hatake Kusuo found himself viewing a strange, dark, and cold room from a god-like perspective. This was Obito's underground base in Amegakure. Itachi lay quietly on a medical bed, seemingly asleep, but in reality, he had been using Shisui's eye to record everything.
Beside Itachi's bed lay an emaciated figure, practically skin and bones, yet his complexion was ruddy, his life force was vibrant, and his red hair was dazzlingly bright.
'It seems Nagato has also been supplemented with Hashirama Cells...' Kusuo instantly understood what had happened to him.
Across the room, ten containers held ten white human bodies. They all looked identical, but only seven of them were in a complete state.
'As expected!' Kusuo's heart tightened. Obito had indeed turned his attention to cloning. After all, in the original story, Orochimaru had perfected cloning technology almost immediately after the Fourth Great Ninja War began, and that was after he had been sealed by Itachi's Sword of Totsuka for a period. Now, Orochimaru was free and had re-established a tenuous connection with the Akatsuki under Obito's control. No one would believe there wasn't a trade of benefits between them.
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