In the dim cave, a mass of writhing flesh trembled faintly, like a giant beast slowly waking from hibernation.
It was a strange creation brought into being by Haotian, with an endless vitality. At that moment, it was fast asleep.
Suddenly, the surface of the mass began to bulge and pulse violently. A vague human silhouette gradually emerged: Grandma Madara, a consciousness formed from Madara Uchiha's Chakra and White Zetsu Cells.
She slowly opened her eyes. A hint of confusion flickered in her scarlet gaze, followed by deep-seated resentment.
But before she could fully awaken, a cold palm pressed down on her head, forcing her back into the mass of flesh.
"Stay put. Don't move around." A slightly childish voice sounded beside her. Grandma Madara struggled a few times, only to find that the hand was as immovable as steel.
It was Haotian's Shadow Clone, assigned by Haotian to look after the mass of flesh—and to stop the consciousness inside it from causing trouble.
Damn it, I've been restrained by a brat. Grandma Madara cursed inwardly, but didn't dare act rashly. She could feel how fragile this body was, and understood that the Shadow Clone's strength far exceeded her expectations.
She tried to calculate how long this consciousness of hers could last. She wanted to carry out her plan as quickly as possible and provoke that Uchiha Clan descendant named Obito.
But the Shadow Clone stuck to her like glue, staying by her side every moment as though guarding against something. She couldn't find any chance to get away.
Grandma Madara tried all kinds of methods, but still couldn't shake off the Shadow Clone. An indescribable sense of helplessness welled up inside her. It seemed that her plan had been thrown into disarray by this brat who had appeared out of nowhere.
Meanwhile, near the distant battlefield at Kannabi Bridge, Madara's true body slowly opened his eyes. Black Chakra swirled around him like a dormant dragon.
He looked coldly at the White Zetsu kneeling before him and spoke in a low, imposing voice. "How is the task I gave you going? Has that brat named Haotian done anything unusual?"
Feeling the pressure radiating from Madara, White Zetsu trembled and hurriedly replied, "Lord Madara, Haotian seems to possess some kind of special Kekkei Genkai that can counter my abilities. I can't get close to him. Recently, he's been conducting some strange experiments."
At that, Madara's lips curled into a contemptuous smile, his tone full of disdain. "A mongrel with neither Senju nor Uchiha blood dares to act out in front of me? He's nothing but a fool putting on a show." He didn't take Haotian seriously at all. In his eyes, only those with Senju and Uchiha blood had the right to be his opponents, to become pieces on the board.
In Konoha, inside Haotian's laboratory, his true body was carefully examining the mass of flesh on the ground, excitement glinting in his eyes.
Watching the Shadow Clone hold the mass down, he smiled slightly. He seemed to have realized just how powerful the Shadow Clone Technique could be. If his Shadow Clones had even greater strength, perhaps he could do much more.
Just then, someone pushed open the laboratory door. It was Minato, looking a little tired. He had just returned from the front lines, and the armor he wore still smelled of smoke.
Seeing Haotian, he smiled warmly. "Haotian, what are you doing here?"
Haotian looked up and answered with a smile, "Minato-sensei, I'm conducting some experiments."
Before Minato could ask anything else, an energetic voice came from outside the door. "Haotian, Kakashi wants to challenge you to a duel! Come on, let's go!" Guy grabbed Haotian by the arm and dragged him out of the laboratory. Minato shook his head helplessly and could only put his questions aside for now.
At the training ground, Kakashi looked coldly at Haotian, whom Guy had brought along. His left eye was covered by his Forehead Protector, but his right eye still gleamed with a cold light.
Genma lay on the ground, covered in injuries. It seemed he had just been through a fierce fight.
Kakashi slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of provocation. "Haotian, I challenge you."
In the laboratory, a soft green glow illuminated Haotian's intent face.
He stared at the mass of flesh before him. The Shadow Clone kept Grandma Madara's consciousness firmly under control, and not the slightest movement escaped his notice.
A sudden realization burst into his mind, like lightning cleaving the night sky.
Before, he had treated Shadow Clones simply as tools for scouting and harassment. Now he realized they weren't merely copies—they were extensions of his power, replicas of his consciousness!
If he could pour more Chakra into his Shadow Clones and give them greater strength, wouldn't that mean...
Haotian clenched his fists, his heart pounding. He felt as though he had grasped the key to creating "cancer clones." Endless possibilities opened before him, and an unprecedented excitement coursed through his entire body.
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