Special Genes

According to vague memories from his past life, the Tenseigan was an upgraded form of the Byakugan, a supreme power capable of rivaling the Rinnegan.

As far as Hyuga Kagami knew, there were two ways to evolve the Tenseigan.

The first was to follow Otsutsuki Toneri's example: combine the bloodline of that lunar branch with the bloodline of the Hyuga Clan's Main Branch to evolve the Tenseigan.

The second was to fuse a large number of Byakugan.

Hyuga Kagami immediately ruled out the first method. He was neither from the Main Branch nor able to obtain the Byakugan from Otsutsuki Toneri's lunar bloodline. As for the second method, because of the Caged Bird Seal, the Branch Family's Byakugan would be instantly destroyed once removed from the body or upon death. Relying on the Main Branch alone, it was impossible to gather enough Byakugan.

Neither method seemed feasible, but the second gave Hyuga Kagami a new idea.

Whether it was the Byakugan, the Sharingan, or any other Kekkei Genkai, they were all merely tangible manifestations of genes. If he could not gather enough Byakugan, could he instead begin at the genetic level? By collecting a large amount of Hyuga Clan genetic material and fusing those genes, could he evolve the Byakugan into the Tenseigan from within, directly at the genetic level?

Based on this bold hypothesis, Hyuga Kagami began focusing his studies under Orochimaru on genetic technology.

Through constant study and observation, Hyuga Kagami made a startling discovery: every member of the Hyuga Clan possessed thirty-three sets of special genetic sequences.

With further observation, Hyuga Kagami discovered that among different clan members, the number of those thirty-three special genetic sequences in an activated state varied.

As for Hyuga Kagami himself, only sequences seventeen through thirty-three of the thirty-three special genetic sequences in his body were activated, while sequences one through sixteen remained inactive. The dozen or so other Hyuga clan members whose samples he had collected were much the same; only part of their thirty-three special genetic sequences were activated.

This discovery further confirmed Hyuga Kagami's speculation.

He even suspected that if all thirty-three sets of special genetic sequences in one's body could be activated, every Hyuga clan member could evolve their Byakugan into a Tenseigan.

In an instant, that thought spread wildly through Hyuga Kagami's mind.

Thanks to the war, Hyuga Kagami, who had been assigned by Orochimaru to the Field Hospital, easily collected a large quantity of Hyuga Clan genetic material. After screening and comparing over a hundred gene samples, he successfully extracted the activated special genetic sequences from four through sixteen.

Combined with the activated special genetic sequences from seventeen through thirty-three already in Hyuga Kagami's body, all he lacked were the first three activated sequences among the thirty-three sets.

Hyuga Kagami had already collected more than enough genetic material from the Branch Family, but none of it contained the first three special genetic sequences in an activated state. Naturally, he turned his attention to the Main Branch.

But the Main Branch rarely went to the battlefield personally. Even when they did, they were usually heavily protected, far beyond the reach of a ninja at Hyuga Kagami's level. Thus, he had never been able to obtain a genetic sample from the Main Branch.

For this, he had no choice but to ask Orochimaru to act.

Orochimaru did not refuse Hyuga Kagami, but even for Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, stealing the Main Branch's genetic material was no easy task.

The matter dragged on for over a year, and the experiment was forced to halt.

Though troubled, Hyuga Kagami understood that he was merely an insignificant man struggling to survive. If he wanted to change his fate, he could only seek opportunities himself; he could not wait for fortune to fall from the sky.

But just as Hyuga Kagami set his sights on Hinata, the Main Branch newborn who was soon to be born, Orochimaru unexpectedly gave him a piece of Main Branch flesh tissue while bidding him farewell.

As he processed the Main Branch flesh tissue, Hyuga Kagami pondered inwardly, Orochimaru's defection should happen within the next few days. Yet not only did he not intend to take me with him, he even brought me the experimental material I desperately need before leaving. What is he planning? Does he want me to remain in the village as his spy?

Whether from Orochimaru's recent behavior or the vague memories of his past life, Hyuga Kagami could determine that Orochimaru had already lost much interest in the Byakugan. Since Orochimaru had still brought him the experimental materials he needed at this time, it was clearly not for Byakugan research, but to reassure him.

Thinking this, Hyuga Kagami silently mocked himself. It seems the Caged Bird Seal is not entirely without its benefits.

There was no doubt that the decisive reason Orochimaru chose to leave Hyuga Kagami in the village was the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead. The Branch Family had no right to defect; once they did, the Caged Bird Seal could directly deal with Hyuga Kagami. Naturally, Orochimaru had no interest in taking away a useless corpse.

As the experiment proceeded, Hyuga Kagami reined in his scattered thoughts and focused on the experiment.

The Main Branch flesh tissue Orochimaru had sent was highly active. If Hyuga Kagami was not mistaken, it was very likely tissue from the clan head, Hyuga Hiashi, and it contained the genes Hyuga Kagami most wanted to obtain.

Because the flesh tissue was so fresh, the genetic extraction process went exceptionally smoothly. After comparing the results, he was astonished to discover that twenty-eight of Hyuga Hiashi's thirty-three special genetic sequences were activated, including the first three sequences he needed most.

There are actually twenty-eight activated special genetic sequences. As expected of the clan head!

Thinking of Hyuga Hiashi's strength, which approached the Kage level, Hyuga Kagami's amazement quickly gave way to understanding.

Hyuga Hiashi, in the prime of his life, was undoubtedly the Hyuga Clan's strongest warrior. It was only natural that such a powerful man possessed the finest genes in the clan.

Casting aside his amazement, Hyuga Kagami concentrated fully and extracted the first three activated special genetic sequences he had long dreamed of obtaining.

At this point, Hyuga Kagami had gathered every activated special genetic sequence from one through sixteen that he had lacked.

Whether I can defy fate and change my destiny depends on this one attempt!

Joy, anticipation, unease, and confusion surged into his heart all at once, leaving Hyuga Kagami momentarily dazed.

He wanted to throw back his head and roar, to freely vent the suppression and fear that had weighed upon him for so many years, but the One-eyed Viper on his shoulder made him abandon every such thought.

After letting out a soft breath, Hyuga Kagami gradually reined in his emotions.

Then, without drawing attention, he loaded the extracted gene solution into a small temperature-controlled vial. He then took out a Scroll and sealed the vial inside it.

Orochimaru's defection would inevitably cause turmoil in the village.

To ensure he would not be implicated, Hyuga Kagami still had much to deal with. First was this laboratory. He had to erase all traces of himself from it completely, even every trace of his experiment, lest the village follow the clues to him or discover the special genetic sequence fusion experiment he had been conducting.