Hashirama Cells

"It failed again."

In the Otogakure laboratory, Orochimaru leaned back in his chair, exhausted.

"This time, I fused your cells with Yamato's beforehand. Although your cells weren't immediately consumed by the Hashirama Cells in the final step, the two seemed to harbor a deep grudge against each other. They kept consuming one another throughout the prolonged fusion process, until nothing was left."

During this period, Orochimaru had tried various methods to strengthen Shisui Uchiha's cells and increase the chances of a successful fusion.

These included using nutrient solution to boost Shisui's cell activity and fusing Yamato's cells with Shisui's beforehand to improve their adaptability to the Hashirama Cells. All of his attempts had failed.

"To some extent, fusing your cells is even more difficult than fusing the cells of an ordinary person."

The experiments had been long and intense, and even the research-obsessed Orochimaru looked weary.

Can my cells really not fuse with the Hashirama Cells at all? But how did Uchiha Madara manage it...? Shisui wondered to himself.

Could it be because I don't have the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan? Shisui couldn't be sure.

"Is there really no other way? Even if I can't fuse with the Hashirama Cells, I'd be satisfied if they could help me restore my eye power." Since he couldn't achieve a perfect fusion with the Hashirama Cells for now, he might as well try a different approach. All he needed was something that could restore the Mangekyō Sharingan in his right eye and replenish the eye power he used up in his daily life.

"You mean extracting some of the vitality from the Hashirama Cells and using it as a disposable resource?" Orochimaru, who had been stuck in a rut, suddenly realized that Shisui's idea had given him a new direction for his research.

"If I can manage that, it won't just meet your needs. I could even mass-produce the finished product and use it to strengthen other ordinary shinobi."

As a research expert, it was easy for Orochimaru to apply one idea to another.

"If the research succeeds, I'll have an inexhaustible army of shinobi." A feverish gleam appeared in Orochimaru's eyes.

Aside from immortality, what Orochimaru wanted most was revenge against Konoha, the village that had treated him so unjustly.

"By chance, I found evidence that this might be possible in that creature you provided—the one called White Zetsu."

In fact, the White Zetsu were created by Uchiha Madara using the Hashirama Cells.

"I really am grateful to you, Shisui. In return, I can grant you another request, as long as it isn't too unreasonable." With his new line of research in mind, Orochimaru had shaken off his earlier dejection. He looked at Shisui with bright, intent eyes as he spoke.

Shisui didn't bother being modest. He made his request directly. "Thank you for your generosity, Lord Orochimaru. In that case, why not hand Kidomaru and the others over to me?"

The orphans Orochimaru chose were naturally gifted and had potential of their own.

Besides, Kidomaru and the others were still young and hadn't yet come into their own, so Orochimaru didn't value them highly.

For Shisui, this was also when the Sound Four were most malleable. He was confident he could train them to become even stronger than they had been in his previous life.

And in the original story, the Sound Four's loyalty had been beyond question.

Who would turn down subordinates who were both loyal and full of potential?

"You have a good eye, Shisui. Kidomaru and the others may not have the talent of the Uchiha Clan, but with proper training, each of them can hold their own. I picked them out of a group of orphans myself."

Although Orochimaru's snake-like eyes were fixed intently on Shisui, Shisui knew that Orochimaru wouldn't refuse him.

"But since I've already promised you, I'll hand them over." Orochimaru was decisive by nature, too. Kidomaru and the others had only been a spur-of-the-moment investment for him. He had far too many studies that demanded his time and effort now, so losing them would make little difference.

After receiving Orochimaru's confirmation, Shisui didn't show how pleased he was.

Shisui had never expected Orochimaru to complete the experiment in the short term. As far as he was concerned, he had already gotten more than his money's worth from this trip to Otogakure.

"Then let's begin a new experiment." Revitalized, Orochimaru began preparing for a new line of research. Shisui cooperated with the researchers and provided more of his blood and cells.

[The host has changed the fates of Kidomaru, Tayuya, Sakon, Ukon, and Jirobo. System reward: Ninjutsu: Four Violet Flames Formation, Telepathy Technique]

[Telepathy Technique: By infusing your spiritual energy with chakra, you can establish a mental link with others and communicate silently. Chakra consumption doubles with each additional person connected. The maximum effective range is one hundred meters.]

Shisui realized that this system reward seemed tailor-made for the Sound Four.

"The Telepathy Technique is a good support ninjutsu. If Kidomaru and the others use it, it'll make their teamwork twice as effective." Shisui was already planning their tactics in his mind.

The Ninjutsu: Four Violet Flames Formation was also a good technique. A Four Violet Flames Formation cast by Kidomaru and the others could hold even a Kage Level fighter at bay for quite some time.

While Orochimaru and Shisui were busy with their new research, Uchiha Madara, knowing he didn't have much time left, was busy as well.

"Lord Madara, do you think that Shisui Uchiha can be trusted?"

Inside another of Uchiha Madara's hidden bases, a half-black, half-white creature resembling a pitcher plant spoke beside him.

"I saw ambition in Shisui's eyes. In a way, we're alike, but he's more capable than I was at his age—and harder to control." In Uchiha Madara's eyes, Shisui was like a younger version of himself.

"There's just one thing I still don't understand. He inherited Kagami Uchiha's will, so he should have faded into obscurity like that rotten clan. Why has he changed so drastically lately? It's as if he's a completely different person."

Judging by Shisui's recent actions, the Uchiha Clan as it stood now simply wasn't capable of such resolve.

"Could unlocking the Mangekyo have changed Shisui's temperament?" the half-black, half-white creature guessed.

"That's why your task will be very important from now on, Black Zetsu."

Looking at the extension of his own will before him, Uchiha Madara instructed him, "You'll need to guide Nagato closely. If necessary, you can activate the technique I implanted in him to control him and complete the Rinne Rebirth Technique."

Madara had transplanted his Rinnegan into Nagato so he could use Nagato to bring himself back to life.

"I will, Lord Madara. Your will guides my every action."

Looking at Black Zetsu, who was utterly obedient to him, Madara nodded with satisfaction. Little did he know that the moment he trusted Black Zetsu, his fate was sealed—and it would end in tragedy.