Chapter 10: The Art of Reincarnation
Deep within the headquarters of Root, in a vast research lab, more than a dozen researchers were busily assisting Orochimaru in his experiments.
With a nearly unlimited supply of funding and manpower, Orochimaru was consumed by his relentless pursuit of the truth behind life itself.
Boom...!
A massive glass containment tank suddenly exploded, and from within came an inhuman shriek.
"..."
"Test Subject No. 16 is rampaging!"
The surrounding researchers instinctively stepped back, while the Root operatives responsible for security swiftly moved into position, ready to suppress the threat.
This was already the third time this month that an experimental subject had lost control. They were used to it.
"Hm? It's immune to genjutsu...? Prepare to seal it with ninjutsu."
The security squad captain frowned as he watched the grotesque creature effortlessly shatter the
"Earth Release: Earth Wall" meant to contain it.
These rampaging test subjects were becoming increasingly difficult to subdue. This one in particular seemed to have the strength of an elite jōnin.
Who knew what kind of monster they'd create next?
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands."
The moment Orochimaru made his move, the tense atmosphere relaxed slightly.
Several large serpents shot toward the escaped test subject at blinding speed, coiling around it and restraining its movements.
Only then was the full extent of its transformation revealed. Its facial features had completely blurred into an indistinct mass, its entire body covered in grotesque, tumor-like growths that resembled a fusion of muscle and tree bark.
As if enraged by its confinement—
Snap!
The snakes binding it were violently torn apart, their severed bodies writhing on the floor.
"Such strength..." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with fascination as he made his next move.
"Hidden Shadow Multi-Snake Hands."
Dozens of serpents swarmed forward, instantly enveloping the test subject.
"Sealing squad, now—!" Several sealing squad members rushed in to subdue it.
"ROAR—!"
Before they could act, the test subject erupted with raw power, sending the serpents flying in all directions. The sealing squad had no choice but to retreat.
The squad captain's expression darkened, but Orochimaru's excitement only grew.
"This level of physical power... it rivals Tsunade."
The test subject threw back its head and howled, the tumor-like growths pulsating and shifting as if alive.
Then, suddenly, its entire body began to expand at an alarming rate, rapidly losing its humanoid form. Like a seed sprouting at an unnatural speed, it grew wildly.
A massive tree erupted from its body, shooting upward until it struck the stone ceiling, then spreading outward, engulfing the lab in a matter of seconds.
In less than a minute, it had transformed into a towering ancient tree that should have taken centuries to grow.
Orochimaru's eyes shimmered with an insatiable thirst for knowledge and power.
"This kind of ability..."
And to think—this was achieved with just a fragment of the First Hokage's cells.
After countless experiments, Orochimaru could finally see a glimmer of hope in his quest to successfully integrate Hashirama's DNA.
...
"From now on, conduct such dangerous experiments in a sealed chamber."
Danzo's cold voice echoed through the room as he arrived, his gaze sweeping over the wreckage—shattered containment tanks, mutilated snake corpses, and destroyed equipment. His expression was grim.
All of this cost money. And Orochimaru, that damn lunatic, had no concept of financial restraint.
The massive tree looming before him stirred unpleasant memories. Danzo's eyes flickered toward his left arm.
"Even someone with this power couldn't escape the inevitability of death," Orochimaru mused, ignoring Danzo's presence entirely.
"Some people leave behind legacies that transcend their deaths."
Orochimaru turned, surprised. That didn't sound like something Danzo would say.
"I never expected you to be the sentimental type. How unexpected."
His amused tone irritated Danzo, but he merely responded in his usual flat voice.
"Show me your progress, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru smirked. He knew exactly what Danzo was referring to.
"I wouldn't dream of disappointing you."
With that, he led Danzo deeper into the lab.
At the heart of the laboratory was a hidden chamber. In its center, a young man lay unconscious on a research table, his body covered in intricate sealing formulas.
Several research assistants moved efficiently around the room, monitoring equipment and taking notes.
Orochimaru gazed at the test subject with undisguised obsession.
Danzo suppressed a shudder. He knew Orochimaru had no interest in such things, but his expression was still unsettling.
The young man on the table was once a chūnin of Konoha. While on a mission, he had assaulted a village woman, only to be caught red-handed by enraged villagers.
Rather than face justice, he slaughtered them all and razed the village, becoming a rogue ninja.
Now, he was nothing more than a rare test specimen.
"The relationship between the soul and the body is truly fascinating..." Orochimaru murmured, eyes gleaming as if he were admiring a priceless treasure.
Danzo, uninterested in his philosophical musings, turned to one of the researchers.
"Shinraku, how far along is the technique's development?"
The scientist, Shinraku, assigned by Danzo to assist Orochimaru, eagerly reported,
"We have successfully achieved soul extraction. Currently—"
His eyes flickered toward the unconscious subject, his enthusiasm and reverence mirroring Orochimaru's.
All these researchers were freaks.
Still, this breakthrough put Danzo in a good mood.
He had only given Orochimaru some of the Second Hokage's old notes, yet within mere months, the scientist had unraveled the mysteries of soul separation.
Far faster than in the original timeline.
Once the "Living Corpse Reincarnation" was perfected, Danzo would finally be able to abandon his aging body at will.
But he hadn't forgotten the drawbacks shown in the future—
Orochimaru's reckless overuse of the technique had corrupted his soul, leaving him vulnerable to genjutsu and mental attacks. Worse, his stolen bodies eventually rejected him.
It was a dead end.
Danzo believed the best vessel would be a clone of himself, enhanced with his own DNA.
However, there was a problem—Zetsu was out of reach, and he had no desire to attract the attention of Madara or Black Zetsu.
And more importantly—Zetsu had no defined biological sex. It wasn't even fully human. That was something Danzo absolutely could not accept.
For now, he had no choice but to pursue the path of creating a perfect clone.
"Good. But in addition to extracting the soul, you must ensure the vessel's compatibility... The development of a soul-compatible clone..."
Danzo shared his insights, drawn from his knowledge of the future anime.
With the medical and scientific advancements available, creating a clone of himself should be entirely feasible.
As Danzo spoke, Orochimaru's attention sharpened. His expression shifted between contemplation and fascination as he absorbed every word.
Danzo knew this information would save Orochimaru years of trial and error.
It was a risk.
Orochimaru could one day become an enemy—but for now, Danzo needed his genius.
Especially with the Third Shinobi War approaching. According to the timeline, Orochimaru would soon defect from Root.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a grin.
"I never expected you to be so well-versed in matters of the soul."
Danzo simply responded, "The Second Hokage was my teacher."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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