Chapter 70

Naruto observed the being before him, his keen eyes analyzing every detail of its construction. The fusion of multiple bloodlines had created a creature that was nothing short of a living weapon. Each component had been carefully selected, their abilities layering over one another in a synergistic manner.

The Kaguya bloodline reinforced its skeletal structure, making its bones nearly indestructible. The Ketsuryugan of the Chinoike clan enriched its blood, likely enhancing its ability to manipulate iron and increasing the potency of its circulatory system. The Hyuga bloodline granted it unparalleled chakra control and enhanced its visual prowess. The Uchiha bloodline further amplified its sight, perception, and combat instincts, stacking perfectly with the Hyuga's advantages. The Inuzuka bloodline heightened its instincts and reflexes, making it a born hunter. The Senju bloodline granted it an immense chakra pool, making it capable of sustaining prolonged battles. The Hoshigaki bloodline gave it the monstrous stamina and shark-like features of the Mist's legendary warriors. The Snake Sage abilities allowed it to absorb nature energy, increasing its power beyond human limits. The Otsutsuki genes, obtained through Toneri, pushed its abilities to divine levels, gifting it the potential to harness celestial energies.

The combination was unlike anything Naruto had ever seen. It wasn't just a fusion—it was a carefully engineered organism designed to dominate. However, even perfection had its limits.

Orochimaru, despite his enthusiasm, knew this was only a prototype. "The body can't handle the power at the moment," he admitted, running a hand through his long, black hair. "We will need to integrate genetic mutations to stabilize its form. This version will collapse within a few years as its structure deteriorates. But with time, we can create something truly perfect."

Naruto nodded, his sharp gaze flickering between the clone and the data on the monitors. The instability was evident—the being's life force was rapidly draining, its body struggling to contain the sheer density of power within.

"How long until the process is perfected?" he asked, his voice steady.

Orochimaru smirked. "If we continue at this pace, at least two years to create a stable, fully functional version. If we aim to refine and evolve it further, it will take much longer." His golden eyes gleamed with excitement. "However, you are a different case, Naruto-kun. If we apply the procedure to your body directly, we won't need to hold back. Your natural resilience, combined with your Uzumaki heritage and enhanced regeneration, would allow you to absorb and adapt far faster than these fragile clones."

Naruto remained silent for a moment, considering the implications. He could feel the weight of Orochimaru's gaze, the excitement in his tone. The scientist was right—he was uniquely suited for this kind of augmentation. But this wasn't just about power. There was a deeper question at play.

How much could a body change before it stopped being human?

His hands clenched slightly as he studied the clone. It was dying. Its existence was a temporary one, a mere stepping stone in the pursuit of progress. Was this the price of evolution?

Looking back at Orochimaru, Naruto's expression hardened. "I'll go through with it," he said finally. "But only when you're certain it's ready. No risks."

Orochimaru chuckled. "Of course. I would hate to waste such a valuable test subject."

Naruto scoffed but didn't respond. Instead, he turned back to the floating husk of a being before him. This was only the beginning.

And he would make sure it didn't spiral into something he couldn't control.

Naruto stared at the Zetsu clone, watching as its life force flickered like a candle in the wind. The once-powerful being, a fusion of countless bloodlines, was already on the verge of collapse. It was clear that, without intervention, the experiment would die within minutes.

Without hesitation, Naruto raised his right hand. His skin split open at his fingertip—not in a wound, but a controlled parting of flesh. A single drop of golden blood emerged, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. It carried the essence of his very being, an inheritance of power that had long surpassed human limitations.

Gently, he let the drop fall onto the forehead of the failing clone. The moment the golden liquid made contact, it sank into the creature's body like water into dry earth.

Sage Arts: Sea of Life.

A golden mud-like substance erupted from the point of contact, rapidly spreading across the clone's form. The once-unstable body, which had been moments away from disintegration, was now encased in a thick, luminous cocoon. The energy pulsated, shifting and molding the being inside.

Naruto watched, his expression unreadable. This was not a power he fully understood—Hades had guided him, revealing only what was necessary, and answering his questions when he sought knowledge. He had learned that this ability did not merely heal—it remade. It reached into the very fabric of existence and altered it according to Naruto's will.

The clone's savage aura disappeared, replaced by something… pure. When the golden mud peeled away, what remained was no longer the monstrous hybrid of countless bloodlines. Instead, a child lay there—fragile, human, and empty. He had no memories, no identity, only existence.

Naruto felt a strange weight in his chest as he gazed at the child. He hadn't intended to create a human. He had only sought to stabilize the being, to prevent the failure of the experiment. And yet… here he was.

The room was silent, save for the gentle hum of machinery. The researchers, many of whom had dedicated their lives to scientific progress, now questioned their own relevance. With a single drop of blood, Naruto had undone years of genetic experimentation. He had succeeded where even Orochimaru had struggled.

But not everyone felt despair.

Orochimaru's eyes shone with intrigue. Unlike the others, he did not see futility—he saw potential.

This power… it is not simple healing or strengthening.

It is rewriting reality itself.

He studied the child, noting how his structure had been stabilized, his body devoid of any abnormalities. There were no imbalances, no mutations, no weaknesses. It was as if nature itself had been forced to accept his existence.

This wasn't simply an extension of Naruto's knowledge. No, the boy didn't possess the years of experience needed to manipulate genetic structures so flawlessly. The only logical conclusion was that Naruto had willed it to happen, and reality had obeyed.

It reminded Orochimaru of the Sage of Six Paths—of a power that did not abide by the laws of the world but instead rewrote them as it saw fit.

Perhaps Naruto was beginning to step into that realm.

Naruto turned to Orochimaru, his gaze steady. "Take the child with you and raise him. This is my command. Do you understand?"

Orochimaru blinked, caught off guard by the sudden order. But the surprise quickly turned to amusement. He had anticipated many things, but this was unexpected.

Raising a child? Him?

He had long since abandoned such attachments. And yet…

Orochimaru glanced at the boy again. He looked so small, so insignificant—yet filled with limitless potential.

The moment reminded him of another time, years ago, when he had taken in a young Anko. Back then, he had been a different man, driven by ambition alone. But now? Now, he was immortal. Time was no longer a constraint. He had experienced much, explored countless avenues of knowledge, and even dabbled in the mundane aspects of life.

Perhaps… this, too, could be an experiment.

He smirked, accepting the challenge. "Understood. I will take care of him."

For the first time in a long while, he felt something unusual—something he couldn't quite place.

Naruto gave a small nod before turning away. He had done what he needed to. Now, it was up to Orochimaru to decide what to make of this unexpected development.

As the legendary shinobi held the child in his arms, he couldn't help but wonder…

What kind of existence will this boy carve out for himself?

Naruto stood still, his smile faint but determined as he turned to Orochimaru. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with anticipation, and Naruto's eyes gleamed with an undeniable confidence. He had already made up his mind about the outcome, but there was something about Orochimaru's arrogance that piqued his interest. After all, this experiment was meant to push the boundaries of science—and he was eager to see if Orochimaru's claim of superiority could be backed up.

"Good," Naruto said, his voice calm yet laced with the weight of authority. "Now show me what you can do."

He had known from the beginning that the process would succeed, but as the weight of his newfound power settled in, he felt an even greater resolve to see things through. With the knowledge of potential beings far above him lurking in the shadows—beings that might one day challenge his place in the world—he couldn't afford to allow humanity to remain stagnant. If the Sage of Six Paths truly still existed, it only added to the confusion of the situation. Yet Naruto was determined: no one would stand above him anymore. He would no longer allow his future to be dictated by anyone else.

His power, now bolstered by the blood of Hades, had transformed him in ways he still didn't fully understand. Yet, the one thing he was certain of was that he was untouchable. Any effect the experiment would have on him would be minimal, as his body had already been irrevocably altered beyond the scope of ordinary mortals.

However, he wasn't entirely dismissive of Orochimaru's expertise. He understood the man's brilliance, and that's why he wanted to witness the results for himself.

Orochimaru, sensing the subtle challenge in Naruto's words, felt the need to prove himself once again. His lips curled into a confident smile as he stepped forward.

"Naruto boy," Orochimaru said, his voice dripping with pride, "I'm going to show you why they call me the best."