Hashirama's Cells

Oil Transformation Technique!

Hōzuki Mangetsu froze for a moment, staring at Orochimaru in confusion.

He knew Orochimaru had once stolen the Second Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu's body from his grave. Otherwise, Orochimaru couldn't have summoned him.

But he hadn't expected Orochimaru to have studied Hozuki Gengetsu's Oil Transformation Technique as well.

Oil Transformation Technique was a Kekkei Genkai. Ever since Hozuki Gengetsu, no one else in the Hozuki Clan had inherited it.

Orochimaru licked his lips and said unhurriedly, "The Second Mizukage was from the Hozuki Clan—and probably Kirigakure's strongest shinobi. His Oil Transformation Technique and Steaming Danger Tyranny were both incredibly powerful!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu stared at Orochimaru in confusion. Why did he feel like a big bad wolf trying to lure in a little white rabbit?

He immediately realized what was wrong.

Orochimaru had been forced to promise him a reward. He should have been impatient, so why was he so excited?

Something was wrong!

Orochimaru wasn't really helping him modify his body. He was after experimental data.

The Hozuki Clan's bodies were unique. Even if Orochimaru had obtained the Second Mizukage's cells, transplanting them into someone else wouldn't be easy.

A science fanatic like Orochimaru wouldn't pass up this opportunity. That made Hōzuki Mangetsu the perfect test subject.

Seeing the teasing look in Orochimaru's eyes, Hōzuki Mangetsu broke out in a cold sweat.

That was close!

If not for his silver tongue, he would have become one of Orochimaru's test subjects long ago.

"No!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu hurriedly shook his head.

"Why?"

Orochimaru stared at Hōzuki Mangetsu in surprise. Hozuki Gengetsu's Oil Transformation Technique was extremely rare. There was no way the Hozuki Clan wouldn't care about it.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled faintly. "Actually, I prefer the abilities of the First, Hashirama, over those of the Hozuki Clan."

"What?"

A cold glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

After a long pause, he laughed. "So you're an ambitious one, too. The First, Hashirama, was a man who stood at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World. His Wood Release was truly one of a kind."

Orochimaru muttered to himself again, "Though perhaps it isn't one of a kind. In my eyes, there's no such thing as an ability that can't be replicated."

Ten years ago, Orochimaru and Danzo had secretly conducted experiments, transplanting the First Hashirama's cells into other people.

In the end, only one of the forty children survived. Danzo kept him hidden. That boy later became Yamato, the Wood Release user.

Of course, compared to the First, his Wood Release was barely worth mentioning.

Danzo now possessed some of the First's Chakra as well. To Orochimaru, who pursued perfection, Danzo was merely a flawed prototype.

There was still a long way to go before they could create perfect Hashirama Cells.

Learning every jutsu in the world and uncovering the secrets of shinobi—that was the path Orochimaru wanted to follow.

"I have Hashirama's cells. But your body may not be able to withstand them," Orochimaru said casually.

Over the years, he had conducted experiments more than once. They had all failed, with the exception of Yamato.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled easily. "I know your base has an extremely powerful test subject, someone capable of merging with any cells. Fusing me with the First's cells shouldn't be much of a problem, right?"

Orochimaru's expression immediately darkened.

He did have an ideal test subject, someone who could receive anyone's cells without rejecting them.

Danzo's right arm had been made using a clone of this person.

Unfortunately, although the test subject could perfectly merge with the First's cells, he couldn't fully wield the power of Wood Release.

Orochimaru was still making improvements, hoping to achieve the best possible results.

But this was a secret known only to the two of them. How did this child know about it?

At that thought, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

He suddenly realized that Hōzuki Mangetsu seemed to know a lot of things that he himself didn't.

"Kid, it seems you know quite a bit," Orochimaru asked, his expression shifting.

Hōzuki Mangetsu shrugged.

"I'm from the Hozuki Clan, and I have a few channels of my own. Naturally, I know things others don't."

"Brat!"

Orochimaru said ominously, "Don't get too greedy. Hashirama's cells aren't easy to digest."

Hōzuki Mangetsu knew Orochimaru wouldn't hand over Hashirama's cells so easily. He said, "Actually, besides Shisui, there's another Mangekyo in the Uchiha Clan..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Orochimaru transformed into a long snake and swiftly coiled around him, binding him tightly.

Splash!

Hōzuki Mangetsu's figure vanished in an instant. He soon appeared somewhere else.

"Mist Body Flicker?"

Orochimaru sneered. "Kid, you've improved quite a bit since I last saw you!"

He had noticed that the boy's abilities improved a little every time they met.

The first time, Orochimaru had been confident he could keep him there. But by their second and third meetings, it had become clear that holding on to the kid would be difficult.

That made Orochimaru wary.

Hearing Orochimaru say that, Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled as well.

His hard work lately hadn't been in vain.

Even against Orochimaru, he now had plenty of ways to respond.

"Facing one of the Sannin, I have to think about keeping myself alive."

Hōzuki Mangetsu grinned and held out his hand.

Hashirama's cells!

They were his shortcut to gaining a Sage Body. With Shisui's research and Hashirama's cells, he might be able to unlock the Rinnegan and become a new Sage of Six Paths.

But he also knew Orochimaru wouldn't agree so easily.

Orochimaru grunted and slowly returned to normal, his expression shifting.

His plan to seize Uchiha Shisui had failed.

But after seeing the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyo, Orochimaru had lost interest in other vessels.

After giving it a long thought, Orochimaru finally agreed.

If he could help Danzo make Sharingan and an arm, adding Hōzuki Mangetsu wouldn't matter.

Besides, he didn't think much of this flawed specimen anyway.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have worked with Danzo.

"I'll help you fuse with Hashirama's cells, but first you have to tell me who that person is."

"Impossible."

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled and shook his head.

He hadn't just started out in the world. Empty promises didn't work on him.

Orochimaru was the type who wouldn't act until he saw the rabbit.

Orochimaru seemed helpless. After a moment, he said slowly, "Come with me somewhere."

With that, he turned and left.

Only then did a smile appear at the corner of Hōzuki Mangetsu's mouth.

Hashirama's cells were a key part of his plan. Only after obtaining them could he activate Uchiha Shisui's eyes and successfully become the Sage of Six Paths.

Only by combining the Uchiha and Senju could he gain the power of the Six Paths.