31 No, Lord Third, you really understand!

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened intently to Hiruko's report.

What he called "cell fusion" essentially meant injecting foreign cells into the human body, stimulating it to produce foreign Chakra and thereby awakening abilities it had not possessed before.

It was similar in concept to Konoha's previous idea of injecting Hashirama Cells to awaken Wood Release.

However, Hiruko's current approach was more conservative.

He had begun with less aggressive cells and shared quite a few successful fusion cases and methods.

Although these examples contained no cases related to Kekkei Genkai due to a lack of materials and other reasons, they had already yielded many conclusions regarding cellular compatibility.

Keywords such as "compatibility" and "integration" undoubtedly caught Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention.

Senju Tobirama's notes had recorded something that had once greatly puzzled him.

Even someone as rigorous as him had found it astonishing, as though fate were playing a trick—why did his cells and Izuna Uchiha's cells display such extraordinary compatibility?

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately thought of it.

Hiruko's technique might be applicable to the experimental subject in the Secret Archive.

It could allow the body based on Izuna Uchiha to completely integrate with the Senju Tobirama cells within it, achieving a state where the two became one, seamless and whole.

As Hiruko spoke, he secretly observed the Hokage's expression.

He was secretly startled.

Was the Third listening a little too seriously? He looked as stern as if he were carrying out wartime strategic planning...

Yet the more this was the case, the more pleased Hiruko felt.

To a researcher, the fruits of their research were like crystallized lifeblood. They never wanted others to look down on them, not even the Hokage...

Conversely, when their work was valued, that sense of satisfaction was beyond words.

"Even if Lord Third doesn't understand it, this attitude alone is worthy of my respect!" With that thought crossing his mind, Hiruko held nothing back and poured out all his ideas.

"That is roughly how it works, Lord Hokage..." Hiruko had spoken to his heart's content. In the past, Orochimaru had been the only one he could communicate with.

And now, he had been able to speak so freely before the Hokage for so long...

Setting everything else aside, Lord Third's respectful attitude toward his skills had given him plenty of emotional satisfaction.

"Mm..." Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly lifted his teacup, pondering what Hiruko had just explained.

"You should drink as well. Let me think for a moment..."

Hiruko smiled knowingly and carefully savored the hot tea the Hokage had poured for him.

A cup of tea was nothing special, really...

Yet for some reason, he deeply enjoyed this feeling of being noticed and acknowledged.

"Your line of thinking is very good."

"I had also considered the matter of environmental stimulation during fusion in my earlier years."

"Speaking only of cloning, the maternal incubation environment and the interaction between soul and body both affect genetic expression."

"If fusion is roughly regarded as a stage of cellular differentiation, perhaps some aspects of cloning theory can be applied..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled quietly to himself as he leisurely laid out the ideas from Senju Tobirama's research notes.

"Chakra is both an important mechanism at work and a possible source of interference... This research is highly significant, but it will also require considerable manpower and resources for repetitive exploratory work."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke in broad terms.

As a leader, how could one appear both professional and seasoned before one's subordinates?

Talk about systems, frameworks, and standards. Avoid excessively specific details, then use data and compliance as focal points. That made one appear rigorous while maintaining a high-level perspective.

Besides, even when it came to the details, Senju Tobirama was there to back him up.

The legacy of the Second Hokage had allowed Hiruzen Sarutobi, his fine disciple, to draw more and more from it.

After hearing those words, Hiruko, who had been quietly savoring his tea, unconsciously set down his cup and widened his eyes slightly.

Wait?

Lord Third actually understood this?

His grasp of the overall direction, his explanation of the details, and the seasoned insight he revealed so casually...

Hiruko had nearly thought Orochimaru was the one sitting across from him!

"Lord Third, you... you have also dabbled in scientific research?"

"I was very interested when I was young, but after becoming Hokage, I realized that I was merely of average talent. I simply do not have the energy to attend to both village affairs and research..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a sigh. "Research requires imagination, focus, and time. In that regard, we must ultimately rely on young people like you."

Hiruko felt his teeth ache a little.

Average talent, my ass.

Yet it also gave Hiruko a strange sense of relief.

It wasn't that this piece of gold failed to shine; perhaps the village's higher-ups were truly full of hidden talents, and he simply had to wait his turn?

"Your line of thinking is very good. Have you considered developing it together with the village?" Hiruzen Sarutobi set his empty teacup on the table and asked with a smile. "In the future, the village will vigorously support ninjutsu development and technological research."

Hiruko hurriedly rose to refill Hiruzen Sarutobi's cup.

He was so nervous that he even lightly wrapped a layer of Chakra around his fingers, lest he spill the tea while pouring for the Lord Hokage.

That would be utterly humiliating...

"Lord Hokage, if needed, Hiruko is willing to dedicate this technique to the village!" Hiruko readily offered.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled inwardly, but said with a faint note of reproach, "You, honestly..."

"Dedicate it to the village? I understand the mindset of researchers to some extent. These achievements are the fruits of your labor..." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "When I say joint development, I mean joint development! The village will provide you with personnel and financial support. The technique's attribution will clearly list its developers, but naturally, the results must be shared with all of Konoha."

"And as for all that social maneuvering... researchers just want to focus their energies, and let Performance Metrics and results speak for themselves, right?" Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed at the teacup before him.

Hiruko was a little dumbfounded.

Wait, not only did he understand research, he even understood the psychology of researchers?

He really understood!

"You... you're absolutely right!" The way Hiruko looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi changed somewhat.

"The reforms must have spread throughout the Jonin circles by now, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a sip of tea and said warmly, "Your talent for research is no less than Orochimaru's... These reforms are meant to uncover talents like you!"

"We can't let you keep slacking off! We need you to shoulder more responsibility. Do you have confidence?"

Hiruko's heart trembled. He sprang to his feet like a coiled spring, his back ramrod straight.

"I will obey all of Lord Hokage's instructions!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand. "Sit, sit. Let's talk while seated..."

The two spoke for a while longer before Hiruko finally left in high spirits.

He even took the initiative to offer to immediately organize his existing results and report them to the village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not surprised by this.

He had given Hiruko honor, respect, and goodwill. It was only natural that Hiruko would be willing to repay the village...

"Orochimaru, how is your soul research progressing?" Hiruzen Sarutobi mused as he rubbed the tabletop.

He was waiting for Orochimaru to come report to him on his own initiative.

It was a small understanding between master and disciple, as well as a process of gradually building unbreakable trust.

The next day.

"Lord Hokage, this is a letter from Uzumaki Kushina!" An Anbu arrived.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart stirred.