Inside the laboratory, Tatsuya spent over an hour meticulously transplanting Uchiha Teru's Mangekyo Sharingan into Jizo.
Once the eye transplant was complete, Tatsuya didn't immediately proceed with the Hashirama cell infusion. To achieve perfect fusion with the cells, the ideal scenario was to attain Yin-Yang balance post-transplantation. Therefore, Tatsuya needed to condition Jizo's body to its optimal state.
Although Uchiha Teru's Mangekyo Sharingan was nearly blind, its ocular power remained. However, because Jizo's body had previously hosted another pair of transplanted Sharingan, the ocular power within his eye sockets was somewhat impure. Before transplanting the Hashirama cells, it was crucial to completely purge the residual ocular power from that previous set of eyes.
This conditioning process lasted for two full days, during which Jizo remained immobile on the operating table. Tatsuya even summoned Suijin, having him constantly monitor Jizo's physical state with his Byakugan.
Two days later, the conditioning was finished. Tatsuya began the Hashirama cell transplant surgery on Jizo.
The laboratory was silent save for the soft sounds of the procedure. Tatsuya worked intently at the operating table while Suijin observed closely from the side.
As the Hashirama cells were steadily infused, a pained expression began to contort Jizo's face. The muscles in his right arm, at the injection site, started writhing visibly.
Seeing the ceaselessly churning flesh, Tatsuya's expression shifted slightly. This was the Hashirama cells battling Jizo's own body for dominance.
Tatsuya halted the cell infusion, his hands flashing through seals to activate the Body Activation Secret Technique on Jizo. Within Jizo's body, his cells began to divide rapidly, generating large amounts of chakra from the newly formed cells, which then surged towards his right arm.
Bolstered by the influx of chakra, the writhing in Jizo's right arm began to slow, and the effect spread like ripples across his entire body. During this process, the agony etched on Jizo's face gradually lessened.
Seeing this, Tatsuya stopped his ministrations and stood alongside Suijin, quietly watching as Jizo's body attempted to fuse with the Hashirama cells.
After more than ten minutes, a grey, humanoid mask emerged on the surface of Jizo's right shoulder and upper arm, similar to manifestations seen on others infused with the cells. A look of delight crossed Tatsuya's face.
However, just as Tatsuya felt a surge of success, Jizo's body underwent another drastic change. The grey mask, upon forming, began to spread down Jizo's entire arm at an alarming rate. Judging by the color and texture, it was undergoing wood transformation – petrifying.
Tatsuya's expression changed dramatically. There was no time to think; his immediate instinct was to reach out and remove the Mangekyo Sharingan from Jizo's eye sockets. Before starting the surgery, Tatsuya had already decided: if the transplant failed, his primary goal was to save the eyes. As for Jizo's clone body, Tatsuya had prepared a contingency. A compatible replacement clone body was already prepared in a large cultivation chamber nearby. In a crisis, Jizo could use a modified version of the Earth Grudge Fear technique to transfer his consciousness into a new vessel at any time.
"Wait!" Suijin quickly stopped Tatsuya's hand.
Under the scrutiny of his Byakugan, Suijin could clearly see that the ocular power within Jizo's eyes was rapidly intensifying. The Hashirama cells had revitalized Uchiha Teru's dormant Mangekyo Sharingan. Feeling the encroachment of the Hashirama cells on Jizo's body, the reborn Sharingan had begun exerting its own power.
The Yin Release power of the Sharingan clashed fiercely with the Yang Release power of the Hashirama cells. The two forces began battling for control within Jizo's body.
At that moment, the extreme agony twisted Jizo's features into a grotesque mask.
The silent struggle raged for over half an hour. Just as Jizo seemed about to lose consciousness, his body finally returned to a state of calm. His breathing gradually evened out, and his eyes slowly opened.
Instantly, a potent wave of ocular power, accompanied by an almost chilling aura, swept through the entire laboratory. Reflected in Jizo's eyes, a pair of crimson Mangekyo Sharingan glared back at Tatsuya.
Having fused with the Hashirama cells, Uchiha Teru's Mangekyo Sharingan was finally reborn! Furthermore, stimulated by the potent Yang Release power inherent in the Hashirama cells, the eyes' abilities seemed even stronger than before.
"Success!" Jizo sat up, turning his head to look at Tatsuya and Suijin. "It worked," he stated, his voice hoarse. The cellular fusion process had put him through hell. The inhuman torment was truly difficult to bear.
Meanwhile, at the Mountain Graveyard.
Uchiha Hiroaki, clad in standard Uchiha attire, stepped into a dimly lit cave. Flickering candlelight cast uncertain shadows. Obito, wearing his spiral mask, sat on a simple bed.
"Kakuzu and Hidan's mission failed," Hiroaki reported, approaching Obito's side. His voice was steady, his tone calm and measured. Compared to any previous encounters, Uchiha Hiroaki appeared significantly more composed.
"Oh? Did someone from the Divine Court appear?" Obito immediately opened his visible eye, looking towards Hiroaki.
Hiroaki shook his head. "No."
Obito's voice deepened. "Then why did they fail?" With the combined strength of Kakuzu and Hidan, Obito couldn't imagine anyone defeating them unless it was a village Kage or someone from the Divine Court.
"While pursuing Pakura's apprentice, they were attacked at a mysterious hot spring," Hiroaki explained. "It seems to be some kind of spatial passage, guarded by a large, genjutsu-using river crab and numerous puppets."
"A genjutsu-using crab and puppets? Where is this mysterious hot spring located?" Obito pressed.
"On the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Fire," Hiroaki replied.
After Hiroaki finished speaking, Obito fell silent.
"What is Pain's plan?" Obito asked after a moment.
Hiroaki answered, "The leader intends to gather members and investigate the location."
Obito queried, "Pain plans to go himself?"
Hiroaki nodded. "Yes."
Obito considered this for a moment. "Alright. I understand the situation."
Hearing this, Hiroaki bowed silently and respectfully before turning to leave.
"You heard all that, didn't you?" Obito murmured softly after Hiroaki had gone.
"A mysterious hot spring? We haven't detected this space before," Black Zetsu's voice rasped from within the room. As he spoke, a giant pitcher plant slowly rose from the center of the floor. The plant split open, revealing Black Zetsu and White Zetsu nestled inside.
Obito asked, "He left no information behind either?" referring likely to Madara Uchiha's legacy or records.
"None. It's likely a ruin left over from the Warring States Period," Black Zetsu stated. He then added, "Nagato plans to take people to investigate. Aren't you going to check it out?"
"Pakura's apprentice discovered that place first. It could very well be a trap set by the Divine Court. To be safe, we should go take a look as well," Obito declared.
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