Mass Production of the Sword of the Thunder God

"Based on what you said, the Senju and Uchiha share the same bloodline. If I gave you First Hokage Cells right now, would they turn against you?"

Orochimaru asked curiously.

"The First Hokage had the strongest physique among the Senju Clan in nearly a thousand years. You could say his power came close to that of a Sage Body."

"Awakening the Mangekyō means your genes are closer to those of your ancestors, so you should be able to withstand this genetic invasion. An ordinary Uchiha probably couldn't, though. The cells would have to be weakened first."

Uchiha Gin replied.

With someone as clever as Orochimaru, you either kept things from him or told him the truth. Lies were easy for him to see through.

Even Uchiha Gin wasn't certain. Obito had used Zetsu's body, and Uchiha Madara was the only one who had used First Hokage Cells directly.

Sasuke had used modified First Hokage Cells later on, which was a different matter.

"So you can't be sure yourself. Is that why you haven't asked me for First Hokage Cells to cure your Bloodline Disease?"

Orochimaru could tell Uchiha Gin was hiding a lot of things.

So he was also looking for ways to prove his worth and gain more influence.

"No. I've already solved the side effects of the Mangekyō Sharingan, but unfortunately, the method can't be replicated."

"First Hokage Cells are more valuable to me for strengthening my physique, making up for my genetic deficiencies, and helping the entire Uchiha Clan grow stronger."

"I'm not trying to reach the power of Uchiha Madara or the First Hokage. I want to surpass them. That's why I need to scientifically explore the deeper secrets in our bloodline and reach the Sage of Six Paths' level of power."

Uchiha Gin's answer shattered Orochimaru's hopes.

Uchiha Gin's Mangekyō Sharingan had been refined into Mystic Eyes. The magic power that fueled them had eliminated the side effect of blindness.

In other words, Uchiha Gin could now use the power of the Mangekyō as recklessly as Obito did.

Otherwise, Uchiha Gin wouldn't have dared show them off when they would have blinded him after only a short time.

Orochimaru's expression grew increasingly twisted, until he finally let out a sinister laugh.

That was more like it. How could his partner be someone so short-sighted?

"Very well said."

"Poof!"

As he spoke, Orochimaru took out a scroll, summoned a test tube, and tossed it to Uchiha Gin.

"These are First Hokage Cells that I've modified and weakened through many rounds of testing. Use them or don't, as you like. I'll keep working on them either way."

This time, Orochimaru was genuinely cooperating.

"Even though I can't use them right now, I'm still grateful."

Uchiha Gin thanked him.

There were plenty of ways for him to get his hands on these cells, and they wouldn't help him much. But they would be a great boost for Fugaku and Shisui.

Uchiha Gin planned to wait until he had more stable First Hokage Cells before using them. His body hadn't yet been tempered to its limit, either. The cells would probably be more effective once he could no longer make further progress.

"By the way, Danzo has always coveted the First Hokage's power and the Uchiha Clan's strength. He's also collected several Sharingan."

Orochimaru was sincerely cooperating now, so he'd begun betraying his former partner, Shimura Danzo.

"Yeah, I know. The new eye in the eye socket beneath his bandages is one of them, right?"

Uchiha Gin replied without concern.

But Itachi, standing to the side, looked furious. He clearly hadn't expected something like that to have happened.

Orochimaru gave Uchiha Gin a long, deep look. The earlier claim that he had eyes capable of seeing the past and future had clearly shaken him.

It made him feel that he wouldn't be able to pull any tricks from now on.

"Then I'll leave this place to you."

"And let me add one thing: decoding the genetic information in bloodlines and the information in chakra is what matters most. If you can decipher them, you'll have taken the first step toward becoming a god."

"Start by studying the bloodline information of the Senju and Uchiha, along with stronger test subjects. We can't get any right now, but I'll find some within three years."

Uchiha Gin's words sparked even greater ambitions in Orochimaru.

That feeling of knowing just enough to realize how much he didn't know left him unable to resist.

Uchiha Gin wanted Orochimaru to reach the point where he could decipher Ōtsutsuki data. Only then could he help Uchiha Gin awaken the Rinnegan.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki could distribute Karma to several people. Anyone who received one gained an initial grasp of Ōtsutsuki abilities and could reach Beyond Kage Level strength.

Otsutsuki Hagoromo and Hamura had probably been created by Kaguya in the same way—as copies of her abilities, meant to be offered as sacrifices to the God Tree.

Those who reached that level had all eaten the God Tree Fruit. But Uchiha Gin believed that science might also be able to decipher the information within Karma.

By the time dawn approached, the two groups had parted ways.

Itachi would be the main user of this research lab, while Orochimaru would come by regularly to assign him tasks. At the Root Base, Orochimaru would also have Danzo's former research staff continue their work.

Itachi would handle fusing First Hokage Cells with the Uchiha, while Orochimaru's side worked on producing stable First Hokage Cells.

Orochimaru would handle the more advanced analysis on his own, though he might assign Itachi some tasks.

The division of labor was clear.

"Lord Gin, so my task is to develop the best First Hokage Cells for the Uchiha Clan and help the clan members and Sasuke grow stronger?"

On the way back, Itachi couldn't help asking.

He had a feeling that wasn't the whole story. Whenever Uchiha Gin mentioned Sasuke, he put extra emphasis on his name.

"The First Hokage and Uchiha Madara were the reincarnations of the souls of the Sage of Six Paths' two sons, Ashura and Indra. That's why they were so powerful."

"And Sasuke is the current reincarnation of Indra, one of the Sage of Six Paths' sons."

Uchiha Gin didn't hide the truth from Itachi.

Putting pressure on him would bring out more of his potential.

He wasn't his son, so why should he worry about sparing his feelings?

He could work hard for the glory of the Uchiha and do some proper research.

"Lord Gin, did your eyes see all of this?"

Itachi had clearly been taken in by Uchiha Gin's lie. He asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. But Sasuke is still Sasuke. He's inherited the power of the soul, not its memories. It might have some effect on his personality, though."

"You can tell Orochimaru about this, but remember to look out for yourself and keep something in reserve. Don't mention that Sasuke has the power of Indra's reincarnation."

Uchiha Gin advised Itachi.

Although Orochimaru had been frank and told them everything Danzo had done, trust still had to be earned over time.

Itachi would be handling most of the research, so Uchiha Gin wanted to give him some leverage and keep Orochimaru from having him completely under his thumb.

Besides, Sasuke's power wouldn't reveal itself all at once. It would take time, and Uchiha Gin wasn't in a hurry.

"I understand!"

Itachi's gaze was firm now, and his uncertainty had faded.

Before, he'd worried that his actions might cause a war and lead to many deaths.

But for Sasuke's sake, he would give it everything he had and never hesitate again.

Chapter 24: Mass Production of the Sword of the Thunder God

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the so-called Scientific Research Building was ready.

There hadn't actually been much to prepare. They were developing Scientific Ninja Tools, so they didn't need many delicate pieces of equipment. Most of what they needed were raw materials.

A lot of people showed up that day, including the ten clever candidates selected by the Uchiha.

Orochimaru had also brought two Root members. They were both his trusted subordinates.

Fugaku came as well. After all, this ninja tool development shop? had used a substantial amount of Uchiha funds, and as the clan's main financial manager, he naturally wanted to keep an eye on it.

"Our task is to research and develop new Scientific Ninja Tools."

"Our target customers are mainly Chunin. They have some spare money and are willing to buy equipment that can improve their combat ability. Keep prices between 300,000 and 1,000,000 yen, and consumables under 100,000 yen..."

As the person in charge, Uchiha Gin was naturally responsible for setting the specific goals.

However, only a Shadow Clone had come. His real body was at home doing mindless physical training. With a convenient jutsu like the Shadow Clone, how could he not use it?

"For example, this Chakra Blade. If you feed it chakra normally, it forms an edge. If you feed it chakra with a nature you've mastered, it forms a blade of that same nature."

"But I've modified this Chakra Blade so that even if you feed it chakra without a nature, it can still release a blade of fire."

Uchiha Gin took out a forearm-length Chakra Blade and demonstrated, feeding it ordinary chakra.

"Boom!"

Flames erupted from the Chakra Blade in Uchiha Gin's hand, lighting up everyone's faces.

"Something like the Second's Sword of the Thunder God?"

Orochimaru quickly understood.

"Exactly. It's a weapon like the Sword of the Thunder God, though it's far inferior."

"The grade of the Chakra Metal is different, and its chakra conversion rate can't compare to what you'd get from releasing an elemental nature you've mastered yourself."

"But being able to use different natures can turn the tide at a critical moment. For Chunin, who can generally only master one nature, that's a huge improvement. At the right price, it'll be in high demand."

Uchiha Gin nodded and explained it to everyone.

Then he passed the fire-nature Chakra Blade around so they could all inspect it for themselves.

"I used a modified Cursed Seal, though it's still crude. Your job is to develop Cursed Seals for the other four natures and improve the chakra conversion rate."

"Then standardize the entire process, and we'll be able to produce them on a large scale."

"You'll also need to develop better consumable ninja tools, such as new poison gas bombs, flash bombs, and Explosive Tags that are easier to use and more powerful..."

"Most importantly, see if you can develop better basic materials. That's where the greatest value lies!"

Uchiha Gin had no interest in devoting all his time to this. He only meant to get things started and leave the rest to his employees.

That Cursed Seal that changed the blade's nature to fire had taken a lot of effort to develop.

At its core, it used an engraved Magecraft formula modified into a ninjutsu formula. But no one besides him could use Magecraft, and Uchiha Gin didn't plan to spread it, so he'd had to find a way to modify ninjutsu instead.

He'd eventually discovered that Cursed Seals were most similar to Sealing Jutsu and Magecraft formulas. He'd modified them countless times and killed who knew how many cells before he finally succeeded.

After explaining the plan, Uchiha Gin split everyone into groups and had them start working on their assigned projects.

They were mostly grouped according to how familiar they were with each nature.

"Clever idea, but it doesn't have much value beyond this."

Orochimaru said to Uchiha Gin.

After all, he wasn't very interested in the Second's Sword of the Thunder God, either. Orochimaru had mastered all chakra natures, just like Sarutobi Hiruzen.

On top of that, he'd already gotten his hands on a Kusanagi Sword, which had an extremely high chakra transmission rate. It was unlikely he'd find a better weapon.

Besides, the Chakra Blade only produced a rough manifestation of an elemental nature. It didn't achieve a true nature transformation, so there was a huge difference in power.

"Scientific research costs money. Haven't you ever felt that?"

"High-priced weapons suited to the middle and lower ranks, which can be consumed in large quantities, are exactly the sort of thing that brings in enough profit to fund research, aren't they?"

Uchiha Gin's words left Orochimaru with no answer.

"If you have time, work on developing Cursed Seals to convert the other four natures. Improving the conversion rate afterward is a job for these mediocre researchers. It'll save time."

Uchiha Gin continued.

Now was the time for Orochimaru to show what he was worth.

Especially since Orochimaru had already studied Cursed Seals in depth.

"Fine. I'll take care of it."

"Do you have any other ideas for Scientific Ninja Tools?"

Orochimaru didn't refuse. It wouldn't take much effort for him.

"These are just ninja tools made with advanced ninjutsu, so they're easy to copy. I have another idea. What if we sealed an entire jutsu, then used a special machine and something like a Chakra Battery to activate it? That way, even ordinary people could release ninjutsu."