Time flies in the blink of an eye.
Before anyone realized it, half a year had passed since the invasion of the Land of Waves by the four great shinobi villages.
Kakashi, Yamashiro Aoba and the other shinobi who remained in the Land of Waves for "reform through labor" were gathered in the square today, where the guards were distributing their wages one by one.
"Tch, I can't believe Hayashi Yuto is actually going through with this," Aoba muttered, counting the bills in his pouch with a wry grin. "Paying us, his prisoners, for working. Is there something wrong with his head?"
"You think someone who could crush the four great shinobi villages that easily has something wrong with his head?" Kakashi retorted flatly.
"Well… good point," Aoba conceded, catching himself.
If Hayashi Yuto really had a few screws loose, then what did that make them, the defeated?
A bunch of incompetents?
"I cannot allow that. Please leave!"
A calm yet polite reprimand rang out, catching Kakashi and Aoba's attention.
Their gaze shifted to a fair-skinned, blond shinobi from Kumogakure. He was bowing deeply before a Land of Waves guard, speaking in a humble tone, "W-why? I sincerely wish to stay in the Land of Waves. Please give me a chance!"
"I understand how you feel, Mr. Bordaii," the guard said expressionlessly, his tone neutral. "However, your request does not comply with the relevant policies of the Land of Waves and could hinder friendly relations between Kumogakure and our nation."
"Why doesn't it comply?" Bordaii found this hard to comprehend.
"You have a criminal record here in the Land of Waves and have not made any outstanding contributions to our country," the guard replied softly.
"I…"
"Please return, Mr. Bordaii."
"Dammit!"
Bordaii returned to his group, his face filled with resentment. Watching this, Kakashi fell into thought.
'So, is this the real reason the Land of Waves is paying us? To win over hearts?'
But then, why reject Bordaii's request to join their side?
Kakashi found it puzzling, but the guards on site didn't give him much time to ponder. After confirming everyone had received their pay, the guards began the process of repatriating everyone in the square.
—
—
*Konoha, Root Research Lab*
"It's done." Orochimaru allowed a slight smile to touch his lips as he observed Uchiha Itachi, whose eyes had just opened within the cultivation tank.
He pressed a switch, and the tank hissed open. Itachi's body slid down to the floor. He caught himself on one hand, swayed slightly, and then stood up, his dark eyes immediately locking onto Orochimaru.
"How do you feel, Itachi-kun?" Orochimaru asked softly.
"Like I've been reborn," Itachi replied, his voice low. He grabbed a towel hanging nearby and began drying his hair. He truly felt… powerful. Like he possessed unlimited power. The usual, aches and hidden injuries that had plagued him seemed to have vanished without a trace.
"Now, can we begin our process?" Danzo stepped forward.
"Don't be impatient. It's still far too early," Orochimaru shook his head.
"Are you toying with me, Orochimaru?" Danzo's brows furrowed deeply.
Half a year!
He had waited half a year!
Judging by the current state, Itachi's Hollowfication was very stable! To not proceed with enhancing Leaf shinobi now made Danzo suspect which side this Orochimaru was really on.
"I've said we share a common goal," Orochimaru glanced at him. "But I hope you also understand that Itachi-kun is special."
"Special?" Danzo raised an eyebrow.
"His Hollowfication synchronization rate is ninety percent, while yours and mine are only eight and nine percent," Orochimaru pulled up the data from the experiment database, his tone flat. "Do you know what this means?"
"How can the difference be that vast?" Danzo's face was full of disbelief.
"Individual physique, genetic level, cellular activity…" Orochimaru began listing examples, a smile playing on his lips. "The possibilities are too numerous. Do you want to experiment with each one?"
Danzo fell silent, having nothing more to say.
"We can start screening Leaf shinobi. Those with a synchronization rate reaching fifty percent could be prioritized for Hollowfication," Orochimaru suggested.
"Later, I will have White Zetsu conduct physical tests on our shinobi," Danzo nodded.
"If you want to tangibly increase the combat strength of the Allied Shinobi Forces, or Konoha itself, it's best to focus your efforts on the deceased," Orochimaru turned his back, continuing, "The synchronization rate of the deceased can reach at least fifty percent. Hayashi Yuto must have understood this principle long ago."
"Then, what progress have you made in your research on Hollowfying the deceased?" Danzo asked.
"Currently, I only have samples from these dead animals," Orochimaru turned on the full spectrum lights, illuminating the entire lab and the cultivation tanks within, which glowed with a faint phosphorescent light.
The densely packed tanks contained a host of ferocious beasts, their bodies covered in white bony structures, their eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty light.
Danzo could keenly feel a pressure emanating from these beasts that were extremely similar to the Arrancar from before.
"Why only beasts?" Danzo couldn't help but ask.
"Using deceased shinobi would be… very troublesome," Orochimaru stated frankly, without hiding anything. "The process of perfect Hollowfication requires a battle within one's own heart."
"Oh?" Danzo raised an eyebrow.
"If you conquer your inner self, you ascend to a higher state of being," Orochimaru's gaze shifted to the leftmost tank, where a white weasel lay, its eyes quite lively.
Arrancar!
This weasel had now become a true Arrancar. The white bony material had solidified along its spine into a line.
"And if you fail, you lose your mind completely," Orochimaru grinned. "Looking at the current success rate, do you really want to gamble?"
Apart from that little white weasel, it was clear all the other beasts were failed products.
If even beasts with simple minds ended up like this, what about humans?
"Then, calculating based on this ratio, how does the Land of Waves have so many successful Arrancar?" Danzo asked in a low voice.
"Hasn't Konoha's Fifth Elder already told you?" Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
The Fifth Elder… Right. He meant the original White Zetsu. It was still bizarre to think that thing was now a Konoha elder. Anyone who knew the truth would probably have their eyes pop out of their heads.
"Told me what?"
"Hayashi Yuto is the progenitor of spiritual power. A figure like the Sage of Six Paths. Since the power of Hollowfication also originates from him, is it not possible that he can simply… make it succeed for anyone he chooses? Arbitrarily?"
"Is this a conclusion from your research or mere speculation?" Danzo frowned.
"How does one even research that?" Orochimaru let out a dry laugh. "By capturing Hayashi Yuto and making him a test subject?"
"Hmph, pointless!"
Danzo flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.
"Let's go as well, Itachi-kun," Orochimaru said, his smile not fading. He turned to Uchiha Itachi. "As per our agreement, you will provide me with your post-Hollowfication data."
Uchiha Itachi didn't speak. He merely gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod.
The vast laboratory became quiet and still.
And in that silence, unnoticed by anyone, a peculiar, milky-white creature oozed up from the floor. Its eyes fixed on the little white weasel in the cultivation tank. With a gleeful, silent giggle, it reached out a hand and pressed the big, red "Open" button.
"Hehehe, go on and raise some hell!"
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