Chapter 234: Meeting Expectations

"What do you mean?" Kawakaze didn't get an answer from Tsunade, so he turned to Orochimaru.

"The answer is simple. He used his life force to manipulate Wood Release," Orochimaru said. "And then he was sucked dry and died."

Orochimaru continued speaking while placing his hands on the test subject, as if chatting didn't interrupt his work. It was rare for him to answer questions while working—something he didn't do for just anyone.

"Isn't this Wood Release a bit too weak?"

In Kawakaze's memory, the weakest user of Wood Release was Yamato, who could at least handle landscaping and construction. Yamato's Wood Release Ninjutsu was also far more versatile, even if less powerful than Hashirama's.

But this experiment? Two tree branches replacing hands? This was Wood Release? What a joke. Kawakaze would rather not have Wood Release at such a pitiful level.

"First, he's just an ordinary person who hasn't studied Ninjutsu.

Second, this is an experiment combining your cells with Grandpa's, so it's inherently inferior to the original cells.

Third, if you don't understand, just watch and don't speak," Tsunade said, her cheeks slightly flushed. She was an expert, after all, and her husband's ignorance annoyed her.

"Fine, I'll shut up," Kawakaze muttered, suppressing his doubts and deciding to ask questions once they were done.

"Internal organs are normal, no signs of rejection," Orochimaru reported, withdrawing his hand as he concluded his examination.

"Consistent with natural death," Tsunade added, finishing her own examination.

The results of both evaluations confirmed that the test subject had not experienced any abnormalities. The experiment had fully met expectations.

This also meant Kawakaze could proceed with the transplant of Hashirama's Cells.

Orochimaru roughly threw the corpse back into the jar, as it still had some research value.

"Let's go outside and talk," Tsunade said, taking the lead and walking out.

Kawakaze was completely at a loss for words. Is this over already?

It was far from what he had imagined—no dissection with instruments or any detailed analysis. If he didn't already know the strength of Tsunade and Orochimaru, he might have thought they were entirely different people. Dragging himself up early in the morning for this?

Seeing Orochimaru also heading outside, Kawakaze had no choice but to follow. Halfway there, he glanced back at the corpse in the jar, lost in thought.

Once they left the secret room, Tsunade busied herself recording the experiment's results, while Orochimaru checked on the Tailed Beast cells, part of his daily routine.

Noticing the faint smile on Orochimaru's lips, Kawakaze guessed that the cell cultivation was going smoothly.

Once the two were finished, Tsunade gave Kawakaze the opportunity to speak.

"Just ask your questions," she said, crossing her arms and leaning against the filing cabinet, looking effortlessly charming.

"Did the results meet your expectations?" Kawakaze asked, recalling what Tsunade had told him previously: as long as the results met expectations, he could proceed with the transplant of Hashirama's Cells.

"Although the test subject died, the results met expectations," Tsunade replied immediately, addressing his main concern.

While Kawakaze felt a sense of relief, new questions arose.

"The test subjects all died, so why did the results meet expectations this time?"

He couldn't understand it. The outcome for the test subjects had always been the same, so why was this time different?

"Let me explain."

Orochimaru noticed Tsunade roll her eyes, her impatience evident, so he took the initiative to continue.

"In fact, from the beginning, after the finger you fused with Lord Hashirama's Cells was cultivated, the cell transplant could have been performed."

He paused briefly, noting the growing doubt on Kawakaze's face. With a light laugh, he continued.

"However, to ensure your safety, Tsunade decided to extend the experiment. She wanted to confirm that your fused cells would not cause any further abnormalities in the human body. After a long period of improvement and observation, the results are now conclusive."

"The test subject died a natural death, with no abnormalities detected in the body. In other words, the risk of transplanting Lord Hashirama's original cells into you has been minimized."

Orochimaru explained the matter slowly and clearly, and Tsunade gave a slight nod, saving herself the trouble of elaborating further.

"Haha~ my wife still loves me."

Kawakaze, now fully understanding, realized how much effort Tsunade had put in for his sake. Delighted, he ran over and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Stay away from me. I was only being rigorous for the sake of the experiment," Tsunade said, pushing him away and wiping her cheek with the back of her hand, looking visibly annoyed.

"You should at least try to act more convincing. Don't ruin it with that mouth of yours," Orochimaru remarked, glancing at Tsunade with mild amusement. She really is a woman of two faces.

"Exactly! Admit that you're not ashamed of me," Kawakaze chimed in, encouraged by Orochimaru's remark.

"You're the one with the big ego. For you?" Tsunade shot back, her haughty demeanor only making her all the more endearing.

"Fine, I'll make sure to handle you thoroughly tonight," Kawakaze said with a teasingly mischievous look.

Tsunade, unimpressed, remained unfazed by his antics.

"By the way, does this test subject prove that the fusion of your grandfather's cells and mine can be used on other people?"

Kawakaze shifted the topic, finding a way to steer the conversation. A flash of inspiration struck him—after his cells fused with Hashirama's, could he give Fugaku a Mangekyō Sharingan that would never go blind?

As for the Wood Release, which was only moderately powerful, it seemed harmless enough. Surely Fugaku wouldn't refuse such an enticing offer. A pair of Mangekyō that don't cause blindness was a dream for any Uchiha.

"In theory, it is possible," Tsunade said. "However, the risk factor cannot be determined. While your cells have made Grandpa's cells slightly gentler after fusion, as you've seen, no test subject has survived so far."

"Even for a powerful ninja, I can't guarantee a successful transplant," she added, her expression turning serious as she considered the question. Kawakaze's point aligned with her next research goal.

Regardless of the strength of the Wood Release, the powerful self-healing ability alone could save countless lives. Such advancements could benefit all of Konoha.

"Tsunade is right—you are a special case," Orochimaru said, stepping in. "As long as there is no rejection, the possibility of failure is nearly zero, because your cells have successfully fused with Lord Hashirama's original cells."

"That's entirely different from what we're discussing here. Each individual is unique. For anyone else, we would need to take cells from the patient and conduct experiments beforehand."

Orochimaru's final remark seemed to touch on Kawakaze's thoughts, even suggesting a possible approach. However, such experiments would require immense resources and energy, raising questions about who would qualify to participate.

Orochimaru would be lying if he said he wasn't envious. Tsunade shared similar thoughts. In all likelihood, Kawakaze and themselves might make up the second round of candidates.