Transplanting Hashirama Cells, Double Contingency

What are Hashirama Cells?

To put it simply, they are Sage Body cells.

They are a type of super-genetic cell containing immense vitality, regenerative capabilities, and natural affinity.

They can be called the "cure-all" of the ninja world!

Once mastered, they can significantly enhance a ninja's various physical functions, granting you strength double or even several times that of an ordinary person!

Moreover, this is only for the average ninja.

For Uchiha ninjas who possess the Kekkei Genkai "Sharingan," transplanting Hashirama Cells can even more drastically optimize the side effects brought about by using the Sharingan.

Just like Obito, after transplanting Hashirama Cells, he could use his Mangekyo Sharingan almost without restriction.

After all, to put it plainly, the powers of the Sharingan and the Hashirama Cells both originate from the Sage of Six Paths; the two powers are of the same lineage.

It is no wonder that Hashirama Cells can perfectly control the Sharingan and eliminate its side effects.

And this is exactly what Natsume has been pursuing!

"Are you sure you are ready?"

"Of course. Although I accompanied Lord Natsume on a long journey these past two days, my shadow clones have been in the laboratory, calibrating the experimental injection serum."

"Everything is now prepared."

"We need only for you to step into the laboratory to begin."

Orochimaru spoke respectfully.

But just looking at his slightly trembling fingertips was enough to prove how excited and expectant this guy was inside.

"Very well, let's go!"

Natsume, equally expectant, did not hesitate. After leaving a Shadow Clone behind, he followed Orochimaru out of the village and arrived at the underground experimental base located in Otogakure.

Soon, the two walked into the laboratory prepared for the transplant.

Standing in the laboratory was a young boy with white hair.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

Kimimaro greeted Orochimaru respectfully.

"Oh! This is Kimimaro, one of my assistants."

"I know. He is the possessor of the Kaguya Clan Kekkei Genkai 'Shikotsumyaku,' right?" Natsume said indifferently, his expression unchanged.

Orochimaru, however, was secretly shocked.

He never expected that this brat Natsume would see through Kimimaro's background at a single glance.

Or perhaps, had he planted a mole here? Did he already know everything about this place?

That's impossible!

"Hahaha! Natsume-kun has a sharp eye. This child is indeed a survivor of the Kaguya Clan."

"Coincidentally, he just turned ten, similar in age to you."

"I had intended to introduce him to you sooner, Natsume-kun..."

At this moment, Natsume had no energy to care about anything else.

He responded directly:

"Have him leave. There is no need for him to know what happens next!"

"Very well. Kimimaro, you may withdraw."

Orochimaru waved his hand, signaling for Kimimaro to step down.

"As you command!"

Soon, the white-haired boy retreated.

Although he did not understand why Lord Orochimaru, whom he admired so much, would be so enthusiastic and respectful toward a brat of his own age, he knew very well that he must never ask about things he was not meant to know!

"Can we begin?"

"Of course we can!"

"However, Natsume-kun, you must first choose the 'degree of transplant'!"

"?"

"The powerful activity of the Hashirama Cells makes them extremely corrosive! If the transplant fails, the high probability is death..."

"Even if the transplant is successful, it will produce some 'anomalies'."

"For example, skin turning pale, horns growing from the head, a face appearing on the chest... and so on."

"If you were like Danzo, transplanting only a portion of your body, I have test subjects that could help you mitigate the risks, confining the anomalies strictly to the transplanted area."

"But you are not doing a limb transplant. We can only use the injection method to graft them."

"Therefore, I have prepared four dosages of cell injections: low, medium, high, and extremely high. The concentration of Hashirama Cells increases sequentially."

"Naturally, the higher the cell concentration, the better the effect, but the risk is also higher. The extremely high dosage even carries a certain possibility of helping you master Wood Release!"

"It all depends on which one you choose."

Natsume frowned and asked with some displeasure.

"What are the probabilities of alienation?"

"10%, 30%, 50%, and 100%..."

"Which ratio can guarantee perfect control over the Sharingan?"

"The [high] and [extremely high] dosages should both be able to guarantee that!"

"I'll choose the 'high dosage'!"

Natsume made his decision.

In this world, not everyone can easily obtain powerful strength through a system like he can.

Although these experiments by Orochimaru are terrifying, they can also be considered a form of alternative talent.

Looking across the ninja world, how many people crave power!

Let alone taking a small risk; countless people would willingly flock to it, even at the cost of their lives.

Of course.

These countless people do not include him.

Natsume would never inject the [extremely high] dosage, which has a 100% probability of alienation.

The 50% chance one might be worth a gamble.

After all, obtaining an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan with infinite stamina is important.

But Natsume does not want his appearance to change drastically because of it.

He is only in his early teens, and he is quite handsome. There are plenty of beautiful female ninjas waiting for him to 'ruin' in the future...

Pah... to pursue, that is!

If he were truly forced to 'alienate' and had to go out with a 'White Zetsu' face, wouldn't he scare people to death?

In short, he wants the Sage Body power brought by the Hashirama Cells.

But he cannot lose his handsome face!

Otherwise, it really wouldn't be worth it.

At worst, he would just pay a high price to redeem an 'Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan' from the System Shop.

"Good!"

"Natsume-kun, please lie down! Leave the rest to me!"

Orochimaru pointed to the operating table in the center of the laboratory and urged him on with great excitement.

Those reddened eyes and those nostrils breathing hot air.

At this moment, Snake Auntie was no different from those mad scientists in the movies.

Just looking at him made one's scalp tingle and heart tremble.

For this reason, Natsume naturally did not lie on the operating table immediately.

Instead, he first cast the Shadow Clone Technique again.

He created a shadow clone.

And handed the divine weapon Kunwu Blade at his waist to this clone.

He ordered it to remain on high alert throughout the process.

It also served as a signal: if his original body were in danger, the clone would immediately begin a massacre!

And this was merely the first layer of insurance.

Watching Natsume's clone holding the divine weapon, Orochimaru couldn't help but twitch his eyes.

He felt a slight chill in his heart.

But soon, he discovered that the backup plans of this brat Natsume went far beyond this!

The next moment.

After Natsume's main body lay down on the operating table, he didn't say a word before suddenly launching another ninjutsu.

"[Spirit Transformation Technique]—Activate!"

In an instant, a translucent soul projection abruptly flew out from within Natsume's main body. It floated silently in mid-air, keeping its gaze fixed on Orochimaru.

This inconceivable scene gave Orochimaru another jolt of shock.

"Soul ninjutsu! And a very high-level one at that!"

"Lord Natsume, what an impressive method you have!"

"Are you really that distrustful of me?"

Orochimaru clicked his tongue in amazement, a thick sense of wariness rising deep within his pupils. He knew that he currently feared no physical attacks; even if his body were hacked into eight pieces, he would not die. However, he was uniquely terrified of this rare type of soul ninjutsu! After all, his own soul could not shed its skin to be reborn. Once it was erased, he would truly be gone!

Therefore, he never expected that this brat Natsume would actually possess a soul-based ninjutsu that countered him so perfectly! He was truly hiding his true strength! It seemed that he would have to abandon his little schemes for now.

"Stop harboring any bad intentions!"

"Hurry up and start!"

Natsume's shadow clone urged from the side. In fact, the reason Natsume had exchanged for this rare S-rank soul ninjutsu from the very beginning—aside from preparing to target Obito-bro—was precisely to guard against Orochimaru at a time like this! After all, no one knew better than him just how obsessed Snake Auntie, that scientific fanatic, was with the Sharingan. If he had really taken no precautions and simply laid there to let Orochimaru experiment, he was certain the other party would have a hundred ways to quietly kill him!

Now, with two layers of protection in place—one of which was a soul ninjutsu capable of threatening Orochimaru's very life—he figured the man would finally put away those wicked thoughts. Natsume would never be foolish enough to place his life and death entirely in someone else's hands.

In short: you can mess with my body all you want, but my soul is right here watching you! If you actually break my body, you won't be living either! You'll be buried right along with me! This was the preventive mechanism Natsume had left behind. Just ask yourself: are you afraid?

"Fine, fine!"

"I'm starting now."

Orochimaru wiped the beads of sweat from his brow and reined in all his ulterior motives. He quickly and honestly began to perform the transplant surgery for Natsume.