Cellular Activation and Flesh Regeneration

After finishing his dessert, Akashi parted ways with Anko and headed to their usual spot to train, only dragging his exhausted body home when it was time for dinner.

Night fell.

Only when Akashi lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, could he truly feel the most peaceful serenity.

Half an hour of zoning out passed in the blink of an eye.

He collected his thoughts, sat up in his chair, opened his diary, and prepared to write.

A small snake slithered in from the windowsill.

Hiss, hiss—

It flicked its tongue, its head swaying back and forth in a rhythmic pattern.

This was Orochimaru's communication code; the different movements of each snake and the length of the hisses corresponded to character spellings, which, when combined, formed decipherable sentences.

[Come to the base outside the village to find me at two tomorrow afternoon.]

"Understood, you may return." Akashi waved his hand, signaling the snake to head back.

Hiss, hiss—

With two more soft hisses, the snake's body slid away rapidly, vanishing into the night without leaving a trace.

"A base outside the village, huh..." Akashi muttered to himself.

This base had been established before he began following Orochimaru. Located twenty miles from Konoha and hidden deep within the jungle, it was exceptionally well-concealed. Experiments unsuitable for the village were often conducted there.

Beyond this, Akashi had seen the codenames for several other secret bases.

However, he had no idea exactly how many strongholds Orochimaru possessed.

The next afternoon.

Inside a stone cave outside the jungle, a hidden door opened. The carved snake head, with its sharp fangs and realistic appearance, exuded a sinister and terrifying aura. Dim, yellow lights lined the narrow path ahead, making it feel as though one were walking inside the belly of a serpent.

Orochimaru had once claimed this was also a research facility for the village—an official institution, merely managed by him and kept confidential from the public.

With this interior design style, if you claimed it belonged to Konoha, not even a ghost would believe you.

Akashi walked toward the laboratory, familiar with the route.

Upon entering, he immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Orochimaru."

The tall, slender figure stood before a massive, transparent cylindrical container, an sight that naturally commanded awe.

Inside the container, something was bubbling.

It was a white snake, submerged in dark green liquid. Pipes connected to the top continuously injected nutrient solution, while pipes at the bottom drained away foul-smelling waste.

It looked as if the snake's body were being refined.

"You are punctual this time." Orochimaru's voice was low and raspy, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on the coiled white snake.

"How could I dare to delay your orders?"

"Heh, how has your practice of the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands been lately?"

Akashi answered honestly, "I can already summon four snakes simultaneously; I am faster than Anko."

Orochimaru glanced at him sideways. "Her talent is hardly comparable to yours; it is only natural that you are faster than her. Once you have fully mastered it, I will teach you the Hidden Shadow Multi-Snake Hands."

"Give me a week, and I should be ready."

Akashi shrugged. "As for the research you assigned, I am currently finding a way."

Orochimaru nodded slightly and pointed to the tabletop. "I called you here today mainly to have you look at this."

Following his gesture, Akashi looked at the scroll spread out on the table.

"This is..."

"A technique for cell activation and physical regeneration."

Orochimaru did not shy away from the truth. "I have conducted many experiments, intending to use this technique to obtain immense vitality and chakra, and I have already achieved results."

Akashi's eyes lit up.

Chakra itself is partially derived from the physical energy of the cells within the human body; activating those cells would naturally lead to an increase in chakra reserves.

Judging by Orochimaru's system stats, his raw chakra volume was not particularly high, yet he never seemed to run short in actual combat. He could repeatedly use Summoning Techniques, the Orochimaru-style Substitution Technique, and even forbidden arts like the Yamata no Orochi with ease.

The benefits brought by cell activation were clearly immense.

As for physical regeneration, being able to reattach limbs even after being swiped by Naruto in his four-tailed state meant it was no exaggeration to say he was almost immune to physical damage.

These two techniques were the foundation for his future development of Soft Physique Modification and Living Corpse Reincarnation, as well as the starting point for realizing his dreams.

Orochimaru's pursuit was to master every technique in the world, and to do so, he had to spend a vast amount of time.

Therefore, his plan contained one crucial step.

Immortality.

As long as one lives long enough, one can have everything.

And what Orochimaru possesses, I possess as well.

Akashi offered his congratulations: "Congratulations on achieving yet another breakthrough!"

"However..."

Orochimaru's tone shifted. "Human cells are finite; they do not multiply out of thin air. If one employs proliferation to facilitate repair and regeneration, it will inevitably shorten one's lifespan, as the number of times a human cell can divide in a lifetime is limited."

Having said this, Orochimaru shook his head. "The theory is still not perfect. Humans have their limits."

The deeper he delved into his research, the more disappointed he became with the brevity of human life and the limitations of the flesh. Unless... one were to discard this decaying body and allow the soul to exist eternally? Was that even possible?

It seemed that, in that very instant, a spark of inspiration flashed through his mind.

Akashi did not know what Orochimaru was thinking, so he couldn't help but probe: "Is there anything you need my help with?"

"It is quite simple."

Orochimaru spoke with nonchalance. "The Body Regeneration Technique still lacks a certain refinement, but the Cell Activation Technique has reached its final stage of development. Take it and try it out first. I know you have many ideas; help me look for loopholes and think carefully about how to resolve the subsequent issues..."

"If you need materials, just let me know."

He added this final remark as an afterthought.

The so-called materials were the people used for live experiments. Every time Orochimaru went out on a mission, he had ulterior motives, often dealing with black markets overseas where prisoners and orphans were frequently among the goods traded.

"The village's decision has already been handed down. In a month at most, I will be heading to the border. When that time comes, I will take you with me."

"I understand."

Akashi nodded, took the heavy scroll, and respectfully took his leave.

Inside the laboratory, Orochimaru stroked the glass pipe, a smile curling his lips: "Do not disappoint me, Uchiha Akashi."

Half an hour later.

Akashi returned to the village. Just as he entered the gate, he saw Anko walking toward him.

"Anko, why are you here?"

"Hmph! I've been looking for you for ages! It wasn't until Uncle Oda at the gate told me you'd gone out that I realized you'd snuck off to train! You actually ditched me—I'm going to tell Orochimaru-sensei on you!"

Anko shouted loudly.

Akashi was at a loss for words; he couldn't exactly say he had just been having a secret meeting with Orochimaru, could he?

Too lazy to explain himself, he waved his hand dismissively: "Is there something you need?"

Anko pouted and tugged at Akashi's clothes: "My shurikenjutsu has improved quite a bit over the last two days! Come on, come on, let's spar!"

"Spar... didn't we just do that yesterday?"

"That was the day before yesterday! Yesterday we just ate sweets together." Anko rolled her eyes.

Akashi scratched his head and let out an awkward laugh.

Just then, a figure caught his eye.

Wearing a green bodysuit, sporting a bowl cut and thick eyebrows, his highly distinctive appearance made him instantly recognizable.

Might Guy.

Akashi felt a surge of joy in his heart. Now, the techniques for Cell Activation and Body Regeneration had a potential market!