Summoning Scroll

Orochimaru's Laboratory was located in an underground space at the edge of the village. It had probably been built by Root, then later handed directly over to Orochimaru.

The location was highly confidential, and there were no Root guards watching outside the Laboratory.

Although Orochimaru was helping Danzo conduct experiments, the two had an equal transactional relationship. If Danzo treated Orochimaru like a subordinate, then the Hashirama Cells experiments could be forgotten.

Hyuga Mirai arrived outside Orochimaru's Laboratory and scanned it with his Byakugan. Then, at a weak point in the Barrier, he injected a trace of Chakra to notify Orochimaru that he had arrived.

Once the Barrier activated, Orochimaru emerged from the Laboratory.

Seeing an unfamiliar face standing outside, Orochimaru gave a hoarse chuckle. "Mirai-kun, you're as cautious as ever..."

"The research has reached a critical stage. I have no choice but to be careful..."

Hyuga Mirai answered casually, then followed Orochimaru into the Laboratory.

"Lord Orochimaru, has the experiment really reached that point? Have you already been able to reproduce the genetic traits of the Hashirama Cells in test subjects?"

A trace of surprise flashed across Orochimaru's face before he smiled. "If I didn't know Mirai-kun had been at Konoha Hospital all this time, I'd think you had been watching me, hehe."

"You've really reached that point?"

This time, Hyuga Mirai asked in surprise. What he had just asked concerned whether the key factors behind Hashirama Senju's power in life could be replicated from the Hashirama Cells. He had not expected Orochimaru to have truly reached this stage.

Hyuga Mirai had thought it would already be impressive if Orochimaru could achieve what was written in the scroll. He had not expected Orochimaru to hide another step from him and already be capable of reproducing Hashirama Senju's genetic traits in test subjects.

It had not even been a year, yet Orochimaru's progress in Cell Gene experiments could only be described as astonishingly fast.

"I can only barely manage it. At present, the mortality rate among the test subjects is still quite high."

Orochimaru spoke in his hoarse voice. Though his words were modest, the smile on his face made it clear that he was extremely satisfied with the current experiments.

Reaching this point was essentially the same as having one foot through the door to success.

After descending a flight of stairs and walking forward for some distance, Hyuga Mirai finally arrived at Orochimaru's Laboratory. Following his suggestion, Orochimaru had raised the Laboratory's sanitation standards considerably, even specifically having his temporary Assistant clean the place.

Upon entering, Hyuga Mirai saw three test subjects restrained on beds. Various instruments stood beside them, monitoring the changes in their bodies.

"Can I look at the experimental data?"

"Of course. I invited you here precisely because I wanted to discuss it with you, Mirai-kun." Orochimaru stepped aside and spoke hoarsely.

Hyuga Mirai then picked up the test subjects' data and began reading. He was also very interested in the Hashirama Cells, but he had too much on his plate. No matter how interested he was, he would only begin researching the Hashirama Cells after cracking the Caged Bird Seal.

After reading the data, Hyuga Mirai nodded in agreement. "As expected, the Gene Sequence within the Hashirama Cells is far too domineering. Ordinary people simply cannot endure it. Only by extracting a small portion of the genes can ordinary people withstand Hashirama Senju's genetic erosion."

An excited smile appeared on Orochimaru's face. "This is all thanks to Mirai-kun's reminder."

If the Hashirama Cells were transplanted wholesale into a test subject, few could endure their erosion. Even Danzo needed the power of the Sharingan to balance the Hashirama Cells.

However, by extracting a small portion of the Gene Sequence from the Hashirama Cells, cultivating and fusing it with another person's Cell Gene, and then transplanting it into a test subject, the test subjects' survival rate increased dozens of times over.

"Of the three test subjects, two gained extremely powerful cellular regeneration abilities. Even a ten-centimeter wound could recover completely within just a few minutes. The other gained control over Wood Release and could use Chakra to grow Wood Release branches from his body."

Orochimaru slowly introduced his research results to Hyuga Mirai.

"However, the last one's strength is too weak. The Wood Release in his body cannot reproduce Hashirama Senju's power."

After reviewing the experimental data, Hyuga Mirai could not help but ponder for a moment before saying to Orochimaru, "If the test subjects were changed to a man and a woman, then after success, their chromosomes could be extracted for embryo cultivation. Perhaps the newborn child could fully inherit the Hashirama Cells' Gene Sequence within the previous generation's bodies..."

"In that case..."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's eyes once again filled with a feverish passion for research.

"That is also a good method, and the success rate would be very high. As expected of Mirai-kun."

At that moment, Orochimaru truly wanted to bring Hyuga Mirai to his side as his Assistant. If the two worked together, Orochimaru felt there was nothing in this world that could stump them.

Scientists appreciated one another, especially those in the same field. Moreover, Orochimaru and Hyuga Mirai were among the few in the Ninja World researching biological genes.

"Lord Orochimaru, I came this time because I want to exchange something with you. This is the Perfect Clone Technology I developed recently."

After speaking, Hyuga Mirai took out a scroll and handed it to Orochimaru.

"Perfect Clone..."

Orochimaru accepted the scroll with interest, then opened it and began reading its contents.

After Hyuga Mirai's guidance, Orochimaru had also gained considerable knowledge of Cell Gene research, so he could understand part of the research in the scroll. He noted down every part he did not understand, intending to ask Hyuga Mirai about them later.

Second by second, the excitement on Orochimaru's face grew stronger. The moment he finished reading the final word, he immediately raised his head and asked Hyuga Mirai,

"Mirai-kun, what do you want in exchange?"

Hyuga Mirai answered decisively, "Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Scroll and the Spirit Transformation Technique."

Then he added, "Lord Orochimaru, you need not worry that the Clone Technology cannot be realized. I am completely confident in it. Unfortunately, I lack the time and funds."

Orochimaru might have them, but according to the requirements of Clone Technology, the stronger the person, the greater the demands for time and money. Unless he was willing to lower the standards for the Clone Body, someone of Orochimaru's strength would require at least a hundred million in funding to perfectly clone another him.

Orochimaru chuckled in his hoarse voice. "Hehe, I do not doubt Mirai-kun. Many aspects of this technology have greatly inspired my research... But Mirai-kun, if you want Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Scroll, aren't you afraid of exposing the connection between us?"

Hyuga Mirai said, "I will probably only use it when my life is in danger. Actually, I want to research Sage Art... after my current research is finished."

After thinking for a moment, Orochimaru said, "Sage Art? It is indeed a very powerful force, but it places high demands on those who practice it."

Hyuga Mirai shook his head. "Their methods are simply too crude. If even Hashirama Senju's power can be researched and controlled, then Sage Art is nothing."

"That is true..."

Orochimaru agreed with this completely. Then he used the Summoning Technique and summoned a ten-meter-long python. A scroll half the height of a man was wrapped around its body, and it slowly unfurled before Hyuga Mirai.

"Mirai-kun, this is Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Scroll. As for the Spirit Transformation Technique, I will have White Snake deliver it to you later."