Benihime turned her attention to the snake Sannin. "Orochimaru, what can you tell us about the current effectiveness and rejection rates of transplanting the Hashirama cells?"
"Well, it fluctuates based on numerous biological variables," Orochimaru explained breaking down complex genetic science into its simplest terms. "However, the primary indicator relies on how closely a subject's lineage relates to the DNA of Hashirama Senju himself. According to my extensive data, members of the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Uzumaki clans naturally possess a much higher compatibility rate and suffer significantly fewer symptoms of genetic rejection compared to regular shinobi."
The Raikage turned his gaze toward Fugaku and Mikoto. Both Uchiha had been branded with the Free Bird Seal... a specialized seal designed to act as the exact opposite of the Hyuga's Caged Bird Seal. Its sole function was to disintegrate and protect the Sharingan from being harvested upon the wielder's death, leaving their control of over them completely untouched. Hence, the name: Free Bird seal.
"Extract their DNA immediately and test their compatibility with the First Hokage's cells," the Raikage commanded. Fugaku and Mikoto exchanged a brief look before giving a knowing nod.
The Uchiha couple had already entrusted the secrets of their Mangekyou Sharingan abilities exclusively to the Raikage, prompting his suggestion to see if they could safely handle the cell integration to bolster their strength.
Stepping forward Orochimaru took nose swabs, drew several vials of blood, and harvested small tissue samples from the couple.
"Kushina, keep a very close eye on exactly what he does with those samples," the Raikage warned not bothering to hide his inherent distrust on Orochimaru.
Orochimaru smiled as his tongue darting out to lick his face as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "My, Raikage-san, you really don't trust me at all, do you?"
The Raikage said with a straight face. "If you ever looked in a mirror, you wouldn't trust yourself either."
~~
As the group made their way toward the center of the Uzushiokage tower, they drew the undivided attention of every bystander from the captial. It wasn't every day the locals saw their Uzushiokage, let alone accompanied by the legendary Snake Sannin.
For the average civilian, even catching a glimpse of their own leader was a rare event, making the presence of an unknown foreign dignitary was an absolute spectacle. Lacking the political context to identify him, the villagers resorted to quiet speculation.
"Hey, look at that young man with the red beard," one villager whispered to his neighbor, nudging him slightly. "Do you think he's a member of the Uzumaki clan?"
The neighbor squinted, studying the stranger's features. "Yeah, now that you mention it, he definitely looks like one."
Ignoring the growing murmur of the crowd, the party of ten picked up their pace, quickly arriving at the grand structure of Kushina's tower.
The Raikage turned to face En Oyashiro, Fugaku, and Mikoto. "You three need to head back immediately. Inform Renga to begin assembling the two-thousand-armed battalion. As for the Uchiha clan, let them know they can begin settling down. I will personally speak with every elite of the clan once the immediate arrangements are made."
Kushina nodded in agreement, turning her attention toward the Snake Sannin. "Orochimaru, escort the three of them to the underground chambers and arrange the Teleportation Seal Array for their departure."
With a knowing nod, Orochimaru gestured for the trio to follow him, guiding them down into the depths of the tower.
They navigated the corridors until they finally reached the Uzushiokage's office. Kushina, the Raikage, and the remaining members of the inner circle entered into the main office.
Kushina puffed out her chest, looking toward Benihime with a proud smile. "So, how do you like my office, Mother? It's pretty big, isn't it? What do you think?"
Benihime didn't look particularly impressed though she was. She narrowed her eyes as she said in a warning tone. "Don't get cocky, brat."
"Enough. We have serious matters to attend to," Aya interrupted. She stepped forward, commanding the room's attention. "Since Kushina doesn't seem to fully grasp the situation yet, I will enlighten her. Now that the sealing barrier on the sea bed leading to Kumogakure has been shattered, the existence of Genbu Island is going to be revealed to the rest of the world as the it sits in the direct path to Kumo."
Aya paused, letting the situation sink in. "We have no choice but to relocate Genbu to a new destination. Aside from the inhabitants currently living on the island itself, the six of us in this room are the only ones who know about its existence. We need to keep it that way."
young Ay stepped up to the massive desk as he unrolled a large detailed map. The parchment stretched out to display the geography of the Land of Hot Water, Kumogakure, Uzushiogakure, Kirigakure, and the vast expanse of the surrounding sea.
young Ay pointed to the northern territories. "There are a few viable options to safeguard Genbu's new location. Ideally, we could move him anywhere along the north-eastern coast of the Land of Lightning. The terrain there offers excellent natural cover devoid of any attention from any major village."
Aya frowned, looking at the map. "But that would place him far too distant from the core territory of Kumo. How about we move him closer to the northern region of the Land of Whirlpools instead?"
Kushina dragged her chair to the desk, her eyebrows furrowed as she analyzed the proposed coordinates. "That positions him way too close to Konoha's borders. You know how they are right now... they're actively looking for any vulnerability, watching for any opportunity to strike us."
Aya conceded the point, her eyes scanning the map until they landed on a different landmass. "Fair point. Then not the smaller island chain, but the larger island positioned right by its side. Look here. If we anchor Genbu in this northern sector, he would be completely surrounded by our allies on all sides. It creates a natural buffer zone."
Everyone stayed silent as they stared down at the map, mentally calculating the strategic advantages, supply lines, and defensive perimeters of the proposed location.
When no one raised any objection, the Raikage finally nodded. "Good. It's decided then. Let's begin the preparations."
~~
A/N: See the map for better understanding of the new Genbu location and the Fuinjutsu seabed array in orange leading to Kumo via current turtle Island.
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