Chapter 68: Mara's Faith
"Teacher, are you planning to use that person's arm as the replacement arm for the Third Hokage?" Kenichi asked as he assisted.
Orochimaru was pushing cloning research forward. He wanted to finish cloning that special test subject as soon as possible, so the results could be used in more ways later.
He had already imagined countless applications for that body. Danzo had always complained that his own body could not withstand the burden of Sharingan, yet in Orochimaru's tests, that test subject could accept Sharingan perfectly.
When the time came, handing that subject to Danzo could also pry loose a batch of research funding. Orochimaru had far too many experiments to run, and without money, even genius had to tighten its belt.
"Hm. The Third Hokage paid a lot," Orochimaru said calmly while examining the instruments.
A moment later, he shook his head. Another failure.
Kenichi scratched his head. In this regard, the Third Hokage really should learn from Danzo. The two of them were almost amusing, one acted as the left hand, the other as the right hand. A perfect pair.
And Kakashi, too.
If Kakashi's eyes were replaced with ordinary eyes, what would his future achievements look like?
Kenichi thought the chance was slim. That Sharingan was a keepsake Obito gave him. With Kakashi's personality, he would never let it go. If he could have replaced it, he would have done so long ago.
After the cloning test failed again, Kenichi returned to his own work. He wanted to refine the thermobaric weapon tests as quickly as possible.
"If I miss this chance, I'll never get another one."
Kenichi formed a hand seal. Three more Kenichis appeared at his side.
Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
This jutsu, broken to the point of being unfair, was finally in Kenichi's hands. Orochimaru had stolen many jutsu from the Hokage Building, including this one.
But it consumed a frightening amount of chakra, and the more clones you made, the heavier the exhaustion when they dispersed. When Orochimaru taught it to him, he warned him repeatedly.
Kenichi's chakra reserves were already impressive. After inheriting the First Hokage's Sage Body, his chakra surpassed Kakashi's by a wide margin.
Even so, he did not dare create too many clones.
"Then I'll have to trouble you. We're pressed for time," Kenichi said, glancing at the three copies.
The shadow clones nodded.
They immediately began testing thermobaric explosive ratios inside the laboratory.
It took seven days to reach a preliminary result.
"The past few days weren't wasted," Kenichi said with a smile as he looked down at the mixture in his hand. "At the very least, I found a combination that's both the most stable and the strongest."
He had spent an absurd amount of time testing proportions. Now, he had cleared one of the most critical steps in building thermobaric weapons.
He also gained a deeper understanding of Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
"Some ideas from my previous life just don't work," Kenichi muttered, stroking his chin. "Shadow clones can use Transformation Jutsu too, but they can't solve that kind of personal need."
Back then, he had once seen a ridiculous theory online, claiming Kakashi stayed single because he created a self solved version of Shadow Clone Jutsu combined with Transformation Jutsu.
It was so outrageous that it got torn apart by dozens of people, including Kenichi.
Still, curiosity made him investigate.
Now he could confirm it was completely impossible.
A shadow clone was, at its core, another version of yourself. There was no way it could do something that absurd.
With the ratio problem solved, the next step was to build a thermobaric bomb according to the design, at full scale.
Kenichi originally wanted to make two.
But he only had enough raw materials for one batch. A second batch would cost far too much money.
So he decided to build one first, test the power, and see how effective it really was against ninjas in this world.
"Kenichi, come and take a look."
Before Kenichi could start assembling the bomb, Orochimaru called him out.
The moment Kenichi stepped outside, he saw another person standing beside his teacher.
A man stood with his head lowered, timid and withdrawn.
What caught Kenichi's attention most was his scalp. Completely bald, not a single strand of hair, and he looked malnourished.
"Who is this?" Kenichi asked, curiosity rising. He did not remember seeing this man before.
"This is the test subject I mentioned," Orochimaru said with obvious interest. "His body is special. So far, no matter what I transplant into him, there is no rejection reaction."
Kenichi immediately understood.
He could not recall such a person appearing before, but that did not matter. A subject like this was priceless.
His gaze dropped to the man's collarbone.
There was a Sharingan embedded there.
Kenichi's expression turned complicated. It was the first time he had ever seen a Sharingan transplanted onto a collarbone.
The optic nerve was not located anywhere near the clavicle. Even if blood vessels could be connected, Kenichi was still deeply curious whether this man could actually see through that Sharingan.
"This is Shin," Orochimaru added briefly. "He volunteered to become a test subject."
Kenichi nodded and studied the man in front of him with increasing interest.
Shin did not look extraordinary. Chakra fluctuated around him, but it did not feel strong.
"So, teacher, why did you call me here?" Kenichi asked.
"I need your help," Orochimaru said simply.
Kenichi frowned slightly. Help with what?
Orochimaru could use shadow clones. He had even taught Kenichi the technique. If it was simple labor, he could just make a clone.
Then Orochimaru smiled at his disciple.
"The Third Hokage wants a complete arm. He can't wait any longer," Orochimaru said. "You've done research on new cells. I want to hear your thoughts."
Kenichi froze.
New cells?
Then his mind clicked into place.
If he knew anything about "new cells," the first thing that came to mind was cancer cells.
Kenichi glanced at Orochimaru's broad smile.
His teacher truly cared about the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage must be deeply moved.
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