Orochimaru led Nanchuan You deep into the laboratory.
The moment they entered, a strange smell washed over them from every direction, making You frown.
Then he noticed something.
At the center of the laboratory, an enormous tree grew in silence.
It looked like a real tree, rooted in the ground and seemingly drawing nutrients from the soil as it grew.
Yet to You's senses, there was something strange about it. It seemed part animal, part plant.
"What an immense amount of chakra."
He spoke softly, already knowing what it was.
Sure enough, when he looked closer, a familiar face emerged from the center of the tree.
It was none other than Senju Hashirama's face.
"These are cells left behind after the First Hokage died."
Orochimaru explained from up ahead, "I cultivated the First Hokage's Cells anew, and this was the result."
"Without exaggeration, it's a miracle of life."
"Before I saw the First Hokage's Cells, I never imagined human cells could possess such powerful vitality."
"Indeed."
You nodded in agreement.
Senju Hashirama's cells truly were a miracle.
Even members of the Otsutsuki Clan would be astonished by this sight.
It was almost as though he had incorporated the God Tree's immortality into his own body.
Though the man himself was dead, the cells he left behind would keep growing until the end of the world.
"This is something truly valuable. Only a select few in Konoha are allowed access to it."
Orochimaru spoke with interest. "I doubt even your teacher would want you touching such things, You."
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"Only here with me can you see wonders like this."
You glanced at Orochimaru but said nothing.
Orochimaru believed Namikaze Minato would never let You near such forbidden things.
He was wrong.
Minato did have a warm, gentle nature, but that did