Chapter 52: Young Yamato
Root Laboratory.
"There, there, don't move now," Kyosuke said softly to the infant on the table, then began his routine experiment.
"Cell stability... good."
"Vital signs... excellent."
"Life form growth rate... extremely high."
After a simple examination, Kyosuke found that this infant was indeed a character who would shine brightly in the "original story." His potential was immense.
In fact, the "person" Danzō had said he would be interested in a few days ago was this very infant.
According to Danzō, this infant was the only child to have survived Orochimaru's early experiments with Hashirama cells. Not even Orochimaru himself knew about this. Danzō had discovered the infant by accident while cleaning up Orochimaru's "trash."
Afterward, Danzō had secretly brought him back to Root and began to cultivate him.
The reason he had told Kyosuke about this was to have him obtain some data from the infant, in order to complete the Hashirama cell transplantation project sooner.
Of course, before he left, Danzō had also hinted that this matter was to be kept to himself. The unspoken meaning was that Orochimaru was not to know.
To this, Kyosuke had readily agreed.
The matter of Hashirama's cells was of great importance. If Orochimaru were to perfectly master it now, no one could predict what would happen. So, even if Danzō hadn't said anything, Kyosuke would have kept it a secret from Orochimaru.
As for the infant's identity, it was, of course, the ninja who would later be known by the Root codename "Kinoe," the Anbu codename "Tenzō," and, after regaining his identity, the name "Yamato."
He had successfully fused with Hashirama's cells as an infant and, after systematic learning as an adult, had successfully mastered the Wood Release ninjutsu.
Although... the power of his Wood Release was a far cry from that of Hashirama Senju.
The reason for this, aside from Hashirama Senju being the chakra reincarnate of "Asura," was the vast difference in the level of their "Sage Body."
According to the explanation in the original story, as long as one successfully transplanted and fused with Hashirama's cells, it meant that they had obtained a Sage Body. This was the case for both Obito, who had fused with White Zetsu, and Uchiha Madara before his death.
The former, after perfectly fusing with Hashirama's cells, not only had his physical fitness and chakra reserves greatly increased, but his use of the Mangekyo's visual prowess had also become almost inexhaustible.
As for the latter, through the cultivation of Hashirama's cells, he had successfully awakened the Rinnegan before his death and had summoned the Gedo Statue, which led to the later "Eye of the Moon" plan.
Therefore, the key to obtaining a Sage Body was to perfectly fuse with Hashirama's cells.
Kyosuke had been working toward this all along.
Although obtaining a true Sage Body would still take a long time, the initial transplantation of Hashirama's cells to achieve a state similar to Danzō's, using the Sharingan to forcibly suppress it, was not too difficult.
However, whether to transplant Hashirama's cells into himself now was something Kyosuke still needed to consider carefully.
"If only I had more high-quality test subjects," Kyosuke muttered to himself, looking at the young Yamato on the table.
"Well, let's put the transplantation aside for now," Kyosuke thought, taking off his white lab coat and changing into a hooded windbreaker to conceal his identity.
"It's getting late. I should go report to the Anbu."
Ever since the Third Hokage had ordered Danzō to be stripped of his leadership of Root, the organization was now temporarily under the supervision of an elite Jounin.
But while others might not know, Kyosuke was very clear that this elite Jounin was one of Danzō's own men.
So, the current situation was no different from when Danzō was in direct control of Root.
Of course, it was impossible for the Third not to know this. And his reason for doing so was obvious.
The Third had no intention of completely overthrowing Danzō, at least not now.
That was why this whole charade was being played out.
However, the Third had likely reaped considerable benefits from Root in this matter. He had managed to poach quite a few promising young ninja.
To this, the furious but helpless Danzō could only turn a blind eye.
He had suffered a major setback this time; it was only right that he pay a price.
As for who, besides himself, had been transferred to the Anbu, Kyosuke was not sure.
But there was at least one person he knew.
And not only did he know her, but he had been assigned to the same squad with her again.
Kyosuke could only sigh at the irony.
"Snake, do you think Ansui has been gone for so long because he died on some mission?"
There was only one person in the world Kyosuke knew who would talk like that.
Kyosuke turned to look at Rei's white mask and her well-developed figure, despite her young age. He could only roll his eyes silently, indicating that he had no desire to engage with her.
At the same time, he thought to himself, I wonder if she curses me like that when I'm not around?
After a while of random thoughts, Kyosuke and Rei arrived in the outskirts of Konoha and began their patrol mission for the day.
That's right, another patrol.
This was a mission Kyosuke had fought tooth and nail for after being transferred to the Anbu.
For this, the Third had expressed extreme puzzlement but had ultimately agreed to Kyosuke's request.
Perhaps this child just likes to wander around, the Third had thought, recalling Kyosuke's previous work with the Military Police. He had finally found a somewhat plausible explanation.
It had to be said that after the Sakumo Hatake suicide incident, the Third's favorability toward Kyosuke had greatly increased. Not only had he agreed to this "unreasonable" mission request, but he had also "sent" his previous teammate, Rei, back to him.
To this, Kyosuke could only express his thanks with a forced smile.
Of course, Rei had no objections to going on patrol every day. After all, who would want to live a life of constant danger when they could have peace and stability?
But after spending a long time with her, Kyosuke discovered that although Rei seemed carefree on the surface, she likely had some troubles of her own.
As for what those troubles were, from the way she occasionally touched her forehead, Kyosuke could roughly guess.
Rei was likely from the Hyuga's branch family.
Therefore, the Caged Bird Curse Seal was her biggest heartache.
Kyosuke, understanding this, said nothing. Their relationship was not yet at that stage. But if he had the opportunity and the ability in the future, Kyosuke wouldn't mind helping her remove this shackle.
Thinking of this, Kyosuke looked down at the mission prompt again and then began his patrol for the day.
[Mission Triggered: Patrol (Repeatable Daily)]
[Description: Patrol the outskirts of Konoha and deal with any suspicious incidents or personnel.]
[Completion Reward: 20 Experience Points.]
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