Central Tower.
In Nagato's laboratory.
Uehara Naraku's ninja pouch seemed like a treasure box, as he kept pulling out Hashirama cells and several scrolls filled with experimental equipment.
"These are Hashirama cells, and the rest are lab instruments."
Uehara Naraku clapped his hands gently and said softly, "I emptied Orochimaru's base in the Hidden Sound Village. I brought all these back to build a biological science laboratory in the village."
"Let's not talk about that right now."
Nagato shook his head, thought for a moment, and hesitantly asked, "Um...Naraku, have you recently taken a liking to a girl?"
"Huh?"
Uehara Naraku glanced at Nagato in surprise, raising his eyebrows suspiciously, "Why ask this all of a sudden? Did you find out something?"
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Nagato covered his mouth, coughed lightly, and lowered his head to speak, "I just saw through Pain's eyes that you handed an umbrella to a girl, but that girl seemed really young, and that's not appropriate..."
"Hey, hey, hey, what do you mean!"
Uehara Naraku crossed his arms and leaned against the table, dissatisfied, "I worked hard to find materials to heal you, and you're asking me about this? Not concerned about your health, but about some random stuff?"
"I'm not, I didn't."
Nagato shook his head and quickly moved past the topic, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about it. First, congratulations on becoming a full member of Akatsuki!"
"Hehehe..."
Uehara Naraku couldn't help but grin widely, waving his hand, "I didn't expect Teacher Konan to suddenly agree. I'll be leaving for a mission in half a month, but until then, I'll stay here and do experiments with you."
"Okay."
Nagato nodded and blinked.
The reason Konan agreed was because he had been persuading her behind the scenes, wasn't it?
The little guy has grown up, not even telling him whom he likes now. Did he forget that they are on the same side?
The dynamic between Nagato and Uehara Naraku was unique. Despite their fifteen-year age difference, they resembled both elder and junior as well as timeless friends.
Back then, Nagato used the Deva Path of Pain to instruct Uehara Naraku, showing great dissatisfaction. But since killing Hanzo of the Salamander a few years ago, it was as if a knot in his heart was untied, and he began quietly caring for the little guy again.
A half month's time.
The cultivation speed of Hashirama cells was swift.
Of course, this kind of thing couldn't be directly implanted into Nagato, so Karin became the first beneficiary.
According to the recognized conclusion in the Ninja World, the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Family share a distant kinship, with some connection in their bloodlines. Both clans possess abundant Chakra and vitality.
Therefore, the Uzumaki Clan is also the most suitable for Hashirama cell transplantation.
Karin had her life force constantly drained by the Hidden Grass ninja. Transplanting Hashirama cells into her could be beneficial, also boosting her power so that she wouldn't be just a mobile blood pack in Akatsuki.
On the experimental table of the Hidden Rain Village.
The Hashirama cell transplantation surgery was conducted by Pain, while Uehara Naraku watched from the side, ready to cut off a piece of Karin's body and use Star Infusion to save her if necessary.
Luckily, the surgery was relatively successful.
The only pity was that the Wood Release was still not awakened.
Moreover, a face had grown on her shoulder.
"What is this situation?"
There was a hint of confusion in Pain's Rinnegan as he stared at the face that had appeared on Karin's arm. His surgery should not have had any errors!
Uehara Naraku rubbed his forehead lightly and said softly, "Maybe the Hashirama cells were too pure. Should we wait a bit for another surgery?"
"No need."
Pain shook his head and said solemnly, "Since the experiment was successful, it means it worked. Karin, how do you feel?"
"I don't feel much..."
Karin slowly sat up, clenched her fist, and spoke softly, "No, actually, the Chakra inside me has increased significantly, and my physical strength has also improved a lot."
After speaking, Karin looked at her left arm involuntarily, "It's just that this face feels a bit strange..."
"That's the face of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."
Uehara Naraku tapped on that face indifferently and shrugged, "No worries, that's a normal reaction to the Hashirama cell transplantation. After all, we used someone's cells. Isn't it normal for them to leave a mark?"
Karin: "..."
Pain: "..."
This is all nonsensical.
Since the surgery was successful, Nagato's body's surgery can also proceed, still under the knife of Deva Path Pain.
Essentially, it means performing surgery on himself.
I wonder what that feels like.
Uehara Naraku planned to ask Yakushi Kabuto later. After all, Yakushi Kabuto also must rely on himself for surgeries like Kamui Sharingan and Hashirama cell transplantation.
Nagato's surgery was relatively complex.
His surgery required pre-cultivating two legs using Hashirama cells and then transplanting those Hashirama cells onto his legs.
Nagato lay on the operating table, feeling the weight from the Hashirama cells. His body gradually felt fuller, showing that his transplantation results were far better than Karin's.
"I want to transplant more."
Nagato furrowed his brows, controlling the Deva Path Pain to prepare more Hashirama cells, clearly believing he might need more.
If too much, he might even be able to fully exert the power of the Rinnegan.