Orochimaru paused in surprise. Fox had voluntarily offered to become an experimental subject?
A living experimental subject at elite jonin level?
A smile slowly stretched across Orochimaru's lips.
"I never expected this, Fox. So you're a creature of ambition after all," Orochimaru said. "I heard Lynx became ANBU Deputy Commander. Did that stimulate you?"
Yako shook his head.
"A mere deputy commander position isn't enough to make me risk my life.
"I'm about to investigate the rogue ninja Uchiha Madara. The pressure from Madara forces me to take this risk.
"If you agree, Lord Orochimaru, we each make our preparations. Tomorrow, we perform the transplant."
For the sake of his Wood Release research, Orochimaru would never refuse such an excellent specimen.
Once he came into contact with Hashirama's cells, even if Orochimaru harbored other intentions, Yako believed he could seize the opportunity and obtain the Wood Release bloodline.
As a precaution, Yako planned to leave a shadow clone behind, using the Mayfly Technique to monitor Orochimaru and ensure no hidden tricks were played during surgery.
"Very well," Orochimaru said. "It seems my research will finally achieve a breakthrough. I will prepare. Tomorrow we implant Hashirama's cells."
Yako turned and vanished through the wall.
Outside, he breathed deeply and began calculating ways to increase the success rate.
If he died on the operating table from Orochimaru's injection, that would count as death at Orochimaru's hands.
He had already died once by Orochimaru's actions. Dying again at the same person's hands meant even the system wouldn't save him.
This month's revival chance was effectively useless if spent here.
After careful consideration, his gaze shifted toward Konoha Hospital.
It was time to find Tsunade and strengthen his Senju bloodline first.
If the Forest Senju bloodline improved again, perhaps his body could withstand the side effects of Hashirama cells.
He infiltrated the hospital.
The master of sewer infiltration arrived smoothly at the top-floor restroom.
A slight release of chakra alerted Tsunade immediately. Late every night, she worked in her office finishing patient reports.
She stepped into the washroom antechamber and stood before the mirror, waiting patiently, unsure what Fox wanted this time.
She still didn't know about the major ANBU changes.
"Lady Tsunade, I want to say something from the bottom of my heart."
Her eyes lit up instantly. She had long suspected Fox was secretly allied with her.
He had helped the Senju clan and Kushina from the shadows.
Was he finally going to reveal himself?
She wondered if Fox carried arrangements left by her late father.
Hope filled her gaze.
Yako stepped forward swiftly and placed his hand directly over her chest.
"Princess Tsunade, what I want to say from the bottom of my heart is—"
She had expected whispered secrets.
She thought he might perform some technique to prove his identity.
But—
When his hand pressed against her chest, Tsunade reacted instantly.
Even Jiraiya hadn't dared do something like this after all these years!
Instinctively, she raised her fist and smashed it into his chest.
Yako only managed half his sentence.
"Princess Tsunade, no more pretending. Actually I—"
The next instant he was sent flying.
Tsunade stared in horror. Fox's chest had caved inward by over ten centimeters.
Literally flattened.
Had she just killed him?
Wasn't he supposed to have absolute defense?
Regret flooded her.
Even if he grabbed her chest while talking, that didn't justify killing him!
[Host death detected. Arc of the Waning Moon system activating…]
I just wanted to speak from the heart… and you literally took my heart out.
Is that reasonable?
Darkness swallowed Yako.
He awoke half an hour earlier, just after leaving Orochimaru's lab.
[Arc of the Waning Moon activated!
Host receives one revival per month. Upon death, revival occurs at the previous full moon.
Reward selection:
1 — Super Strength Secret Technique
2 — Elite Jonin-Level Chakra (stackable)
3 — Senju Bloodline (Pure Grade, refinable)]
The first option, super strength, wasn't needed right now.
His combat system centered on ninjutsu. While powerful, it wouldn't bring qualitative change.
The second option—chakra volume—was insufficient.
The third option made his eyes shine.
Pure-grade Senju bloodline.
Perfect.
Previously, his Senju bloodline had been upper-mid level, stronger than ordinary clan members, roughly equivalent to mid-high jonin within the clan.
Like any large clan, both Senju and Uchiha contained ordinary individuals.
Now, with a pure-grade bloodline, his physical talent surged.
The Senju bloodline could even be refined further.
Higher than pure-grade… could it reach ancestral levels?
Six Paths Sage level?
After choosing the third option, Yako's entire body trembled.
Every cell strengthened instantly—muscle, organs, nerves.
He raised a trembling arm and watched muscles ripple visibly beneath his skin.
After the movement, his muscles became larger and denser, filled with growing power.
After years of tempering, his body had reached the peak physique of the Senju clan.
Comparable to Tsunade.
Second only to Hashirama's legendary Sage Body.
Chakra—formed from spiritual and physical energy—increased rapidly alongside his improved physique.
Checking the system panel, his chakra had nearly doubled.
From 3.6× elite jonin level to 1.2× Kage level.
A true genetic jackpot.
His regeneration ability upgraded from "slow" to "fast."
Testing Earth Release and Water Release showed a noticeable increase in power.
This time, he didn't go to Tsunade to speak from the heart.
He couldn't wait to test his strength.
After confirming surveillance conditions, he reverse-summoned himself outside Konoha, arriving near the Uzumaki hideout.
Rain fell lightly, unable to extinguish the fire burning inside him.
Yuka quickly grabbed his hand and led him toward their secret treehouse.
Half an hour later, Yako confirmed his strength and felt deeply satisfied with his physique.
With pure-grade Senju bloodline, partial Copper Light enhancement, and his refined techniques, he achieved a 1-to-3 exchange ratio with Uzumaki Yuka.