BOOM.
Several large trees nearby were severed at the trunk. Deep marks scored the ground.
Horror flickered in the eyes of the two masked ninjas who'd been forced from cover.
They'd nearly been cut in half.
"Sealless Ninjutsu? Damn brat!" The muscular masked ninja cursed under his breath.
His mask wasn't an animal face but rather sharp lines forming a somewhat ferocious pattern.
This was characteristic of Root ninjas. Most ANBU wore animal masks, while Root operatives bore masks with only minimal animalistic features—the majority composed of angular lines.
The other Root ninja—wearing a wavy-patterned mask—formed hand seals and expelled a stream of fire from his mouth.
Ryomen Sukuna watched the incoming flames, cold sneer spreading across his lips. He flicked his finger forward.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Wind blades formed instantly, slicing the flames into countless fragments and neutralizing their power.
"The strength... is too weak." Sukuna frowned slightly.
Operating his Innate Technique through Wind Release chakra felt more relaxed and free—but produced far less power.
The Root ninja with the ferocious mask had circled to his flank.
Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!
Sharp wind blades flew toward him. Sukuna's attention snapped to the attack.
Buzz.
He casually threw out several wind blades of his own. They collided in midair with the incoming assault.
The competing forces churned the atmosphere together, forming distorted, transparent ripples.
This sight made Sukuna narrow his eyes. He instantly noticed the difference.
Both were chakra. Both were Wind Release. But the enemy's Wind Release possessed a fundamentally stronger foundation.
"So this is Wind Release nature transformation? Interesting."
His smile widened.
His implanted memories contained introductions to nature transformations but no detailed practical knowledge.
Personal comprehension would be more profound—and would allow Sukuna to grow more effectively.
Two eyes monitored his surroundings while two hands launched continuous Wind Release slashes.
His other two hands gathered chakra before his chest, gradually condensing a rotating mass between his palms.
As expected. Though wind and slashing are similar, it's not merely about cutting.
Fury surged in the ferocious-masked ninja's eyes. No matter how they attacked, this brat blocked everything effortlessly.
"Ryomen Sukuna, halt immediately and come with us." The striped-mask ninja's voice dropped low as he retreated several steps. "Lord Danzo wishes to see you."
"Danzo? Never heard of him." Sukuna stopped his attacks, voice cold.
"Aren't you the Hokage's ANBU?"
"That is not your concern."
"Come with us. This is Lord Danzo's will. You have no choice."
Both spoke with frigid finality.
But at that moment, an emotionless voice rang out behind them.
"So this is merely Lord Danzo's will—not the Hokage's order. Correct?"
The flat tone made both Root ninjas' expressions twist with alarm. The next instant, their bodies locked rigid.
Choso had placed his hands on their shoulders. A portion of their blood coagulated instantly, rendering them immobile.
"Didn't I say not to stick your nose into other people's business?" Sukuna's voice carried genuine irritation. "This great me hasn't finished playing yet!"
Choso frowned, completely ignoring the outburst.
"I only obey the Clan Head's orders."
He turned his attention to the frozen Root operatives.
"If you have business with us, please go through official channels."
"The next time you track and coerce like this, I will treat you as foreign spies—capture you and hand you over to the village's Police Force."
Both men's pupils contracted. Being handed over elsewhere wouldn't concern them.
But not this.
Because that department was also known as the Uchiha Police Force.
Choso gripped their arms. Red light flared. Then he flung them violently.
Both shot away like cannonballs.
Sukuna approached with a dark expression, regarding Choso coldly.
"You think I couldn't handle those two?"
"The Clan Head said your body structure differs from the norm. You cannot fight at full strength in the short term."
Sukuna stared at him for a long moment, then turned and walked away without expression.
Choso dissolved into blood-red liquid, dropped to the ground, and followed in that specialized form.
This wasn't Choso's true body—merely his Blood Clone.
A technique developed by referencing the Shadow Clone and his own characteristics. Its effects surpassed the Shadow Clone, but cultivation requirements and restrictions were correspondingly greater.
The most notable advantage: it wouldn't disperse from ordinary levels of damage.
After both departed, slight fluctuation disturbed a nearby linden tree.
Within it, White Zetsu watched Sukuna's retreating figure. He swam silently through trees and earth, following at a distance.
Inside the research room, Orochimaru placed the scroll containing the petri dishes on the table, his gaze fixed on the scroll in Zenshu's hand.
"Everything is here."
"The knowledge of the Incarnation ritual is here." Zenshu extended his scroll in exchange.
After obtaining what they wanted, both immediately began examining their acquisitions.
Orochimaru's eyes gradually brightened. He hadn't expected such ingenious ideas regarding souls and Yin Release chakra.
Zenshu skimmed the detailed research data, sensed the three samples of Hashirama's cells, and allowed the corners of his mouth to curl slightly.
He quickly stored the items, then looked up—meeting Orochimaru's gaze directly.
"This trade was very pleasant. I hope the next will be equally so." Orochimaru revealed a somewhat eerie smile, voice dropping low.
"Then let's look forward to it." A hint of a smile appeared on Zenshu's aged features as well.
Both parties had obtained what they wanted. No further conversation was necessary. Orochimaru departed swiftly.
Zenshu proceeded to the laboratory. The blue cells still glowed faintly on the experimental table.
Compared to them, Hashirama's cells appeared less conspicuous—but those white cells were remarkable enough.
He stored two samples separately using barriers to continue cultivating additional cells.
The final sample was placed on the experimental table.
Looking at Hashirama's cells brimming with vitality, too many ideas crowded Zenshu's mind. For a moment, he genuinely didn't know which experiment to conduct first.
Use these cells to neutralize my own cellular defects? Extend my body's lifespan?
The idea was rejected the moment it formed.
This body was already on death's threshold. No matter how much he struggled, he'd only live marginally longer.
Better to develop a brand new body. A perfect body.
Or rather—a body that perfectly fuses the Sage Body and the Sage Eyes.
Zenshu's eyes slowly narrowed.
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