Konoha's lexicon of ninjas

Chapter 168 The Eyes That Are Coveted! (Please Subscribe and Vote)

The day after receiving news of the Third Raikage's death, the Cloud Ninja retreated again, but the Leaf Village did not continue to pursue them. Instead, they also received news of a retreat and withdrew from the Land of the Moon back to the Land of Fire.

Along with the order to retreat came orders for Hoshino Shuichi and Namikaze Minato to return to the village.

Hoshino Shizuka was not surprised by this, because with the AB duo withdrawing from the front lines, the Cloud Ninja battlefield no longer needed him and his teacher, Minato Namikaze, as their fighting strength was overflowing.

On the way back to the village, Minato Namikaze suddenly revealed to Shuichi Hoshita, "Shuichi, after the war ends, I may succeed as the Fourth Hokage."

Seeing Hoshita Shuichi's completely unsurprised expression, Namikaze Minato couldn't help but remark, "Looks like you predicted this all along, Shuichi? You're as perceptive as ever!"

Hoshino Hideichi smiled and said, "Because there is no one in Konoha more suitable than you, Sensei."

Minato Namikaze asked curiously, "Why do you say that?"

"Jiraiya-sensei and Tsunade-senpai are fine, but Orochimaru would be quite suitable too, wouldn't he?"

Hoshita Shuichi shook his head: "Orochimaru is too obsessed with researching ninjutsu. Sensei should be able to sense that his chakra is different from before, right?"

Minato Namikaze nodded: "That's right, he doesn't seem like a human being."

Hoshino Hideichi pointed out incisively: "If someone who has lost his ethics and morality in order to study ninjutsu were to become Hokage, it would be a terrible thing. It would cause the entire village to lose control and head towards the unknown."

"Moreover, Orochimaru has Danzo behind him."

"The Third Hokage knows Danzo better than we do. He is too ruthless and unscrupulous, both internally and externally."

"With them united, no one can imagine how terrifying Konoha will become in the future."

"Of course, Orochimaru is not someone who can be controlled, and he may not even want to become Hokage."

Minato Namikaze listened thoughtfully, then asked after a moment's thought, "Shuichi, what do you think Orochimaru should be done?"

"this……"

Hoshita Shuichi pondered for a moment before asking, "Does Master know that Danzo and Orochimaru are researching the First Hokage's cells?"

Minato Namikaze's expression turned serious: "I've guessed a bit, but it's based on what I've learned from you."

Hoshino nodded and said, "Although we don't know the specifics yet, and Orochimaru said the experiment has failed."

"But without a doubt, it must have been human experimentation."

"Using Root as a base for human experimentation is probably not enough, even with enemy ninjas. Moreover, having learned from the last experiment, Orochimaru will definitely try something else."

"Based on the intelligence I obtained from the secret service, it seems they've targeted people near the village, and children at that."

Upon hearing this, Minato Namikaze's expression immediately darkened: "The experiment failed, doesn't that mean...?"

Hoshino Shuichi remained noncommittal: "Human experimentation has always been done this way, so whether it's researching the power of the Tailed Beasts or the First Hokage's cells, I haven't rashly used them."

"But it cannot be denied that Orochimaru's research on the First Hokage's cells was already very in-depth; his failure may simply be due to bad luck."

"The problem isn't with the experimental research itself, but with the methods and the regulations."

Minato Namikaze understood Hoshino Shuichi's attitude immediately upon hearing this.

Hoshita Shuichi then changed the subject, asking, "Teacher, you know about the Moonlight Clan, right?"

Minato Namikaze reacted quickly: "What Shuichi is trying to say is that Hayate Gekko, a member of the Gekko clan, awakened the Transparent Release bloodline limit, but also suffers from a bloodline disease?"

Xingxia Xiu nodded: "Not bad."

"His condition cannot be cured even with a lung transplant, which means he would need a new transplant every so often, but obviously there aren't enough lungs available to replace him."

"But the first-generation cells have the potential to make him normal, even if they can't cure him completely."

"But controlling the first generation of cells is too difficult, while Orochimaru's experiments made the impossible possible."

When faced with Hayate Gekko's bloodline disease, the first solution that came to mind was human modification, an idea that originated from Orochimaru.

His second thought was interstitial cells.

Of course, it wasn't about implanting Hashirama cells into Hayate Gekko, because Hayate Gekko couldn't withstand that.

Unless you simultaneously transplant a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan into Hayate Gekko.

Therefore, instead of implanting interstitial cells, the interstitial cells were weakened to match the Moonlight Hayate's cells, and then the cloned lungs were cultured and transplanted to Moonlight Hayate.

Orochimaru has done an excellent job in weakening Hashirama's cells.

In terms of cloning, Orochimaru's technology is unparalleled in the ninja world.

Of course, it's not called cloning now, but cell culture.

For example, the horns of the Eight-Tails, and the tail of the Four-Tails that is being raised.

Minato Namikaze clearly didn't understand these studies, so Shuichi Hoshino explained them in the simplest terms, including the goals of the First Hokage cell research that he and Tsunade were currently conducting.

Hoshino Shizuka said these things not to defend Orochimaru, but to garner support for the future Fourth Hokage.

Minato Namikaze couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this: "Don't worry, I won't object to what the Third Hokage supports."

"If we can really develop the technology for targeted cloning of organs, or even limbs, that you mentioned, then many ninjas who have lost limbs can recover and become ninjas again."

Xingxia Xiu nodded: "That's true, and it can also cure many diseases."

Minato Namikaze then asked, "Shuichi, can the human body modification you mentioned really solve Hayate Gekko's problem?"

Hoshino Hideichi said cautiously, "This can only be a temporary solution. We'll give him another way to breathe and work on improving his lung function."

His idea was to use Orochimaru's software modification technology.

But this is just a concept at the moment; we haven't even thought about the most basic ideas in detail yet.

However, he learned a lot from Orochimaru and Hoshino Shuichi, and he was quite confident in performing human modifications on Gekko Hayate.

The master and apprentice chatted as they traveled, only stopping when they returned to Konoha.

After seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi emerge from the Hokage Building, Minato Namikaze laughed and said, "Shuichi, I really hope all your ideas can come true."

"Looks like I'll have to work even harder from now on!"

Upon hearing this, Xingxia Xiu pretended to be serious and said, "Then you'd better work hard, teacher. These ideas of mine will depend on you to realize them."

Minato Namikaze chuckled and patted Shuichi Hoshita on the shoulder, reminding him, "Come visit Kushina when you have time; she hasn't seen you in a long time."

"And I also got the ninjutsu you wanted; it's at home!"

Hoshino Hideichi quickly replied, "I'll go see my teacher's wife tomorrow."

Minato Namikaze nodded, and then his figure disappeared.

Hoshino Shuichi also went home immediately, eager to return.

He hasn't been back for more than half a year!

……

Inside Orochimaru's experimental base, Orochimaru calmly listened to Danzo's words while handling the experimental equipment.

"Hiruzen's abdication is inevitable. When I meet the Daimyo, I will propose that you succeed as the Fourth Hokage."

"However, in addition to gaining the approval of the daimyo, one must also pass the vote of the Jonin."

"Let's keep in touch during this time, especially with Jiraiya and Tsunade."

Orochimaru chuckled after hearing this, "I don't think I'll have any formidable opponents, do I?"

"Minato is too young."

Danzo said, "Don't be careless."

"Once you become Hokage, there will be no more obstacles to your research into forbidden techniques or your experiments."

Orochimaru is no child.

Even the Hokage can't do whatever he wants.

However, Danzo was right about one thing: the forbidden techniques treasured by Konoha.

Now he can only watch secretly.

If you become Hokage, there are indeed no restrictions.

After dealing with the experimental equipment, Orochimaru suddenly changed the subject, laughing, "I have a new idea about suppressing the power of Hashirama cells."

Danzo immediately stopped his rambling and stared intently at Orochimaru: "What are you thinking?"

"Does this mean we'll need a large number of test subjects again?"

Orochimaru chuckled: "This time is different."

"You must know quite a bit about the Sharingan, right?"

Danzo narrowed his eyes: "Sharingan?"

"Is it related to the Uchiha clan?"

Orochimaru nodded: "The First Hokage possessed powerful Yang Release, and I think the only thing capable of suppressing Hashirama's cell power is a bloodline limit like the Sharingan."

"Speaking of which, it was Shuichi who reminded me, which made me shift my focus to spiritual power and thus notice the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan."

Many of the ninjas who were sent to support the Iwagakure battlefield were from the Uchiha clan who had been transferred from the Kirigakure battlefield. Orochimaru had observed many members of the Uchiha clan during the great battle.

He even witnessed the Sharingan advancement process of the Uchiha clan, and the cold chakra left a deep impression on him.

Danzo frowned upon hearing this: "The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan is not just as simple as Yin Release."

Although he also coveted the eyes of the Uchiha clan, and even had one in his body, it was a bit far-fetched to link Hashirama's cells with the eyes of the Uchiha clan.

He even suspected that Orochimaru was interested in the eyes of the Uchiha clan and wanted to obtain them through him.

Orochimaru was full of confidence: "The Sharingan is indeed more than just Yin Release, but it is dominated by Yin Release, or rather, by spiritual power."

"You haven't forgotten Shuichi-kun's theory, have you?"

"Furthermore, the spirit controls the body's energy; this is the essence of chakra!"

Danzo was convinced and nodded: "I understand, the materials will be prepared for you."

Orochimaru nodded, then instructed, "It would be best to have them at every level."

Danzo nodded, then turned to leave the laboratory, but stopped at the door: "You should still be more careful about the Hokage position, don't be careless!"

Orochimaru nodded calmly: "Don't worry, I understand."

……

After a relaxing bath, Hoshino Shuichi felt refreshed and revitalized.

Meanwhile, Asuka was already busy in the kitchen.

After drying his hair, Hoshino Shuichi leaned against the doorway, watching Asuka busy at work in her floral dress and apron, and said with a smile, "It's been so long since I've had Asuka-neechan's cooking, I'm going to eat my fill this time."

Asuka turned around and smiled happily, "Then I'll make more."

"Go and invite Nono-neechan back to eat together!"

Yakushi Nonou and Shizune have also returned from the front lines, and Hoshishita Shuichi can sense their chakra.

After chatting with Asuka for a few more minutes, Hoshino Shuichi took a stroll around Konoha Hospital. After making plans to have dinner with Pharmacist Nonou and Shizune, he went to the experimental base.

Tsunade was indeed here.

However, when Tsunade looked up and saw that Hoshino Shuichi was already taller than her, she was stunned: How come this kid is so tall?

Seeing Tsunade's expression, Hoshino Hideichi was quite smug: "Lady Tsunade, what's wrong? Don't you recognize me?"

Tsunade snorted coldly and said venomously, "I thought you'd die on the battlefield, so eager to show off!"

Hoshita Shuichi approached Tsunade, picked up the necklace around his neck, and shook it: "I received Tsunade-hime's blessing, how could I possibly die so easily on the battlefield?"

Tsunade glanced at it and said coldly, "I heard you're going to return the Tailed Beasts, but you'll still die anyway."

"Haven't you become overconfident in just three years?"

"They dare to promise things they haven't done?"

Hoshino Shuichi confidently stated, "It shouldn't take more than three years!"

"I have mastered the art of spirit transformation, and based on this art, I have developed a spirit clone."

"In addition, I have mastered the sealing technique Corpse Demon Sealing, and created the Fire Netherworld Lock sealing technique."

"Next, we only need to seal the soul based on the Fire Nether Lock, and then we can separate the Tailed Beasts."

Tsunade frowned as she listened.

Hoshino Shuichi continued, "Moreover, even if we don't complete this sealing technique, I still have a way."

"Lady Tsunade hasn't forgotten about the Eight-Tails' horns we've been nurturing, has she?"

"When the time comes, implanting the Eight-Tails' horn into the body will be enough to maintain the life force after the tailed beast is extracted."

He certainly wouldn't say he wanted to eat the Eight-Tails' horns raw, since that would sound a bit perverted.

Tsunade relaxed her brows and gave a soft hum: "It's good that you know your limits."

Hoshita Shuichi immediately smiled and changed the subject: "How's the First Generation's cell research going?"

Tsunade smiled and said, "Not bad. Orochimaru's research has gone very far."

"I have already managed to weaken my grandfather's cell activity, but it will still be quite difficult for us to do this."

Hoshino Shuichi encouraged him, "If you take this step, success won't be far away."

Tsunade nodded and then said, "The previous experimental data has been compiled. Go and get it yourself."

"I've also kept the cultivated samples; you know where they are."

Hoshino nodded, then turned and left the laboratory, but instead of immediately looking at the data on Hashirama cells, he went to the Tailed Beast Cell Cultivation Room.

This is where the four-tailed tail and the eight-tailed horn are cultivated.

The Eight-Tails' horns, built upon the foundation laid by Orochimaru, were already as tall as a person.

The tail of the four-tailed creature is as long as an arm.

Hoshita Shuichi couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Is it really necessary to eat it all now?"

Since they hadn't been able to capture the Four-Tails before, they were thinking of eating a whole tail of the Four-Tails to increase the Little Four-Tails' chakra limit.

However, it won't go to waste if it's cultivated; a part of a tailed beast's body can be very useful for experiments.

For example, cloning experiments, or more specifically, directed cloning experiments!

Thinking that Xingxia Xiu took out the Eight-Tails' horn from the cultivation vessel and then injected it with the Eight-Tails' chakra.

As expected, the Eight-Tails' horns grew rapidly after absorbing the Eight-Tails' chakra.

When about one-tenth of the Eight-Tails' chakra within the body of the Star-Under-Shu-Tai body was consumed, the Eight-Tails' horns finally stopped growing, but it had reached its complete form!

"I'll sneak over tonight to eat..."

"Never mind, I'll eat something now."

Hoshinobi Shuichi drew his Ame-no-Mao sword and cut off a small piece from the top of the eight-tailed horn.

After sheathing his sword, Hoshino opened his mouth, moved his lips around a bit, and then closed his eyes and bit down.

Crunch and crisp!

Huh?

It doesn't seem that bad, does it?

(End of this chapter)