"Once the experiment succeeds, we'll need to clone the antibody's gene sequence through genetic engineering, then mass-produce it in the lab.
The initial sample analysis and antibody extraction can be completed within two weeks.
The later cloning and mass production will take at least six to eight weeks-provided Konoha has enough genetic engineering equipment." Chisen stopped, took his hand off the microscope's adjustment knob, and leaned back in his chair.
Under the fluorescent lights, his eyes behind his glasses showed the particular fatigue that came from staring into a microscope for too long. It wasn't sleepiness, but the aching dryness caused by keeping his pupils contracted to examine tiny objects for hours. "Our current equipment isn't enough.
The gene sequence of the antibody against god tree cells belongs to an immunoglobulin superfamily variant I've never seen before. Its variable-region sequence is three times the length of an ordinary antibody's.
Cloning this antibody requires a high-throughput gene synthesizer. Konoha Hospital doesn't have one."
"Who does?"
"Orochimaru." Chisen spoke the name in exactly the same tone he would have used to name a model of laboratory equipment. "During the Chunin Ninja Exams three years ago, Orochimaru's underground laboratory in Konoha was raided. The inventory of confiscated equipment included three high-throughput gene synthesizers.
Those three machines were later locked away in the Konoha Research Institute's special equipment warehouse. I don't have clearance to use them.
But Orochimaru himself is currently under supervised residence in Konoha. He can't leave his designated area, but he can provide technical services to the Konoha Research Institute through an intermediary."
Tsunade closed the analysis report and set it beside the analyzer.
Her fingers rested on the report's cover for two seconds before she turned to face the night outside the window.
The ginkgo tree in the hospital courtyard