The fewer changes the body showed after transplanting Hashirama's cells, the better the compatibility.
After enduring the initial rejection reaction, the woodification spreading across Yako's skin faded away. He steadied his breathing and stared at the four IV bags hanging from his limbs.
The diluted Hashirama cell solution inside them was a translucent milky white.
Drop by drop, it entered his veins and was absorbed rapidly.
"Lord Orochimaru," Yako said, "I can feel my Earth and Water chakra leaking out uncontrollably. Should I restrain it?"
"I sensed that as well," Orochimaru replied. "For a jonin, your chakra volume is abnormally high. Keep the Earth and Water chakra contained inside your body."
Yako complied, using his body as a vessel to confine every thread of chakra.
Soon, his internal reserves filled to capacity. Under the stimulation, his muscles began to swell.
Orochimaru crouched down, staring at Yako's arm as if admiring a masterpiece.
"This isn't edema… The Hashirama cell solution is stimulating tissue growth. The subject's physical structure is strengthening.
"Hashirama's extraordinary vitality is reshaping his physique!
"But why… why is there no rejection reaction at all?"
An hour passed as the diluted solution finished dripping.
Yako felt like he was about to burst. His body was crammed with Earth and Water chakra.
He desperately wanted to unleash two ninjutsu to release the pressure.
Instead, Orochimaru's shadow clones approached with syringes.
"Stand up, Fox. Second stage."
Yako pushed himself upright.
His chakra surged violently. When he braced himself against the iron-rimmed operating table, the reinforced edge crumpled beneath his palm.
"Magnificent," Orochimaru murmured. "Your body is nearly perfect."
Eighteen shadow clones surrounded him, each holding a twenty-centimeter syringe filled with thick, resin-like pure white solution.
Yako had monitored the preparation. The solution was so concentrated it resembled pine sap.
The clones crowded around him, their expressions twisted with fascination and sinister excitement.
"Next," Orochimaru said softly, "eighteen intramuscular injections. Prepare yourself."
Front side: biceps, pectorals, abdominals, quadriceps — left and right.
Back side: triceps, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, hamstrings — left and right.
Two injections at the sides of the neck.
Eighteen total.
In less than a second, each twenty-centimeter needle was driven in to the hilt.
The moment the injections finished, Yako's muscles convulsed violently.
His entire body trembled, yet he remained standing.
The clones dispersed, leaving the original Orochimaru watching intently.
"The subject's muscles are vibrating!
"During the tremor, his Earth and Water chakra are being forcibly compressed… merging into a new chakra form!
"Compression efficiency… excellent!
"Woodification visible within muscle fibers — the strands resemble wooden fibers.
"This indicates the first trace of Wood Release chakra!
"The subject is suppressing woodification almost immediately.
"Woodification is the deadliest side effect of Hashirama transplantation.
"Up to now, only one child survived the second stage without becoming a wooden puppet.
"But this is still insufficient! This Wood Release chakra is only temporarily induced by the drug!"
Orochimaru retrieved the final syringe.
Inside, red-and-white cells pulsed like a living heart.
"Fox! One final step!
"Spinal injection of raw Hashirama cells!
"While Wood Release chakra is active — push through!"
Without waiting for a reply, Orochimaru flashed behind Yako and drove the long steel needle into his spine.
Yako let out a low, pained growl.
The raw cells surged into his spinal cord with terrifying aggression.
His head snapped back, veins bulging in his eyes. His arms spread wide as if another being had been forced into his body.
His aura surged.
Pure-grade Senju bloodline combined with his monstrous physique.
For a moment, his presence stood equal to Hashirama's cells.
Orochimaru retreated several steps, stunned.
He didn't care whether Fox lived or died. Either result meant priceless data.
But then he noticed something extraordinary.
Yako's Earth and Water chakra were decreasing rapidly.
Yet his total chakra volume was increasing.
A new chakra was being born.
Not Hashirama's.
His own.
"Why… why is this so smooth?" Orochimaru whispered. "No… something is off…"
He stepped forward slightly.
"Yang Release!
"His body is producing an immense amount of Yang chakra!
"That Yang chakra is the catalyst!
"Yang represents life. Yin represents consciousness.
"The subject's vitality is forcing Earth and Water chakra to fuse!"
Earth. Water. Yang.
Life.
That was the true core of Wood Release.
For an entire hour, Yako stood trembling.
Sweat pooled across several meters of floor.
At last, the final trace of instability vanished.
Diluted solution. Concentrated solution. Raw cells.
All assimilated.
He turned his head and examined his shoulder.
Two narrow slits marked the skin — like closed eyes.
Every Hashirama transplant left some physical imprint.
Madara bore Hashirama's face on his chest.
Danzo carried it on his shoulder.
Yako had only two faint seams.
He dressed calmly.
"Lord Orochimaru," he said lightly, "your technique was almost gentle. I barely had time to enjoy it.
"When you transplant others, perhaps increase the dosage.
"Or… did you skimp on me to conserve precious cells?"
Orochimaru laughed.
"Skimp? I increased the dosage.
"Ordinary subjects receive only one-tenth of what you endured.
"To date, only one subject survived the second stage.
"His name is Tenzo."
So Yamato had endured only a fraction.
That explained much.
"Can you use Wood Release?" Orochimaru asked.
Yako extended his hand.
A vine shot from his palm and elegantly coiled around his mask.
With a flick of his eyes, dozens of wooden tendrils burst from his arms, sweeping away every syringe and IV bag.
He would not leave his biological material behind.
Orochimaru clicked his tongue, too slow to stop him.
"My apologies," Yako said. "Our alliance was founded upon your desire for the Sealing Scroll.
"I'll prove your success with Wood Release. Once you obtain the Scroll, our cooperation changes.
"These may contain my cells. I'll take them."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"You're cautious.
"The Sealing Scroll is only the first step. I intend to research its forbidden techniques.
"Trust me — we still have reason to cooperate.
"Use Wood Release against Uchiha Madara.
"I won't inform the elders until your triumphant return. That shock will shake Danzo to his core.
"He'll beg me to perform transplantation."
"Triumphant?" Yako replied. "I can produce Wood Release chakra, but I don't yet know Wood Release techniques."
Orochimaru tossed him a scroll.
"Partial Wood Release techniques. Originally prepared for Tenzo."
Inside were three techniques.
Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs Technique.
Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall.
Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.
Offense. Defense. Large-scale control.
Yako looked up.
"Did Danzo give you only three? Or are you only giving me three?"
"Heh. Cleverness can be fatal, Fox.
"Continue working with me, and you'll gain more.
"Wood Release is worthless to me. To you, it's priceless."
Yako considered.
"Orochimaru, you won't attempt it yourself?"
"My body cannot endure that vitality."
Yako suspected Orochimaru had already failed in mastering Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode, damaging himself in the process.
He stored the scroll.
"I will validate your research — and secure the Sealing Scroll."
His body sank into the earth.
High above the Hokage Monument, he checked his panel.
1.8× Kage-level chakra.
Two days ago he had 3.6× elite jonin level.
The increase was explosive.
Fortunately, Hashirama's cells reinforced his body; otherwise he might have collapsed under the strain.
Under the moonlight, he studied the techniques.
Cutting Sprigs — wooden spears that impale and explode within the enemy.
Wood Locking Wall — curved wooden pillars forming a protective dome.
Deep Forest Emergence — a battlefield-dominating forest conjuration.
And beyond them…
Wooden vines danced naturally in his palm.
He named the technique: Wood Release: Iron Vine.
He would train these four techniques on the journey to the Land of Rain.
A simple demonstration would shake the shinobi world.
Wood Release alone altered political value.
The village. The Senju clan.
Their eyes would turn green with envy.
Two days later, he convened the ANBU captains.
"Commander Yellow Dog is stationed beneath the Hokage Tower. As Deputy Commander, I will assess mission performance upon my return from the Land of Grass.
"Black Ant Squad — protect the Hokage and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
"Golden Eagle Squad — continue high-value assassinations.
"Fox Squad — depart for the Land of Rain as soon as possible. Coordinate with the Uchiha and eliminate the aged rogue, Uchiha Madara."
Behind his mask, Yako's eyes gleamed.
"Deputy Commander, how could I delay? My hands are itching for action."
Unfortunately for you…
Wood Release is reserved for Madara.
You'll only taste Five Release Great Barrage — a standard S-rank forbidden technique.
After all—
The dead can't remain ANBU Deputy Commander.