Wood Release Experiment
A secret underground base in Konoha
Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru walked side by side through a large laboratory.
The laboratory contains numerous upright Nutrient Tank Nutrient Tank, filled with a green nutrient essence liquid.
Each Nutrient Tank contains a teenager or toddler wearing a respirator.
Orochimaru passed by and sighed.
"It failed. This method is wrong. We need to find a different way to obtain the power of the First Hokage."
Danzo remained expressionless and did not answer. He was somewhat reluctant to part with the power of the First Hokage. But no matter how reluctant he was, all that money spent would only produce a ripple effect, never yielding any real results.
"If I could get a few more test subjects, I'm 90% confident I could bring the power of Wood Release back to life."
Orochimaru was unwilling to accept the failure of the experiment and wanted to try it again.
Danzo had heard far too many of these kinds of grand pronouncements.
Every research team says the same thing: next time, next time, and before they know it, dozens of times have passed.
Danzo was immune to these claims of certain success next time.
How many test subjects do you need?
After much hesitation, Danzo, unable to bear giving up the power of Wood Release, finally asked the question.
Orochimaru is a rare talent in scientific research. In other teams, you invest money and get nothing. But with Orochimaru, you invest money and at least see some results.
"Twenty people, just twenty pieces of material, and we're guaranteed results."
Orochimaru licked his lips. This experiment had failed. Orochimaru remembered the warning given by the captain of the Police Force earlier.
These materials have failed; less than a third of them have already exploded and died in the past few days.
The remaining body monitoring results were no different from those that exploded, indicating that the experiment had failed. These experimental subjects would eventually explode and die.
There was no chance of success anymore, and Orochimaru became wary of Naraku's pretentious and superstitious remarks.
She shook her head slightly, truly wondering how Tsunade could befriend someone like that.
"This is the last time, Orochimaru."
"If we fail this time as well, it only proves that the power of the First Hokage is beyond the reach of ordinary people."
Orochimaru licked his lips; he was very confident about the next experiment.
"Um"
Danzo responded with a faint sound.
The two walked to the power outlet, Orochimaru reached out and turned off the power to the Nutrient Tank, declared the experiment a failure, and then left.
The two left the laboratory side by side, heading towards the Root's base. On the way, Orochimaru recalled his conversation with Uchiha Nara.
Should I turn back and look again? Maybe a miracle will happen?
Shimura Danzō walked along the road, feeling extremely frustrated. He had invested too much energy in this Wood Release experiment, and every time it yielded the same result.
"I'm handling official business. If you have a mission, go find Aburame Ryoma."
Danzo said something indifferently, and without waiting for Orochimaru's reply, turned and left.
Danzo wanted to go back to the Wood Release laboratory to see how his funds had disappeared.
Inside the Wood Release laboratory, a young child has awakened. Unlike the other test subjects who exploded, this child is unharmed.
There was nothing unstable about the equipment, but the power outage caused the ventilator to stop supplying oxygen, which led the toddler to kick the Nutrient Tank frantically.
"Let me out! Let me out!"
The child had a very strong will to survive, but the Nutrient Tank was too sturdy, and with his small body, how could he possibly kick it open?
"Let me out..."
The child's kicking force against the glass decreased significantly, and the lack of oxygen caused him to nearly faint.
"There are still people alive!"
Danzo returned to the Wood Release laboratory, only to encounter this unexpected event: Danzo smashed the glass.
The nutrient solution flowed out, air was pumped in, the child was taken off the ventilator, greedily inhaled the air, took two deep breaths, and then fell into a coma.
"Child, how are you!"
Danzo, overjoyed, picked up the child.
"I never expected that one case would be successful."
At this moment, Orochimaru also returned to the Wood Release laboratory. Finally, he couldn't help but turn back to take another look at the hint that Uchiha Nara.
Orochimaru witnessed this scene, but missed his chance; the test subject was already in Danzo's hands.
"I really didn't expect anyone to survive; we still need to observe them."
Danzo spoke coldly, his expression showing displeasure at Orochimaru's return.
Orochimaru understood that he couldn't snatch the food from the Orochimaru's mouth, but the experimental data was very helpful to him.
What was initially thought to be a hopeless experiment turned out to be a genuine possibility of success.
Orochimaru wanted to observe the child's physical characteristics to see what had allowed him to survive.
Once the experimental subject is understood, Wood Release ninjas can be replicated again using the First Hokage Cells.
"If I can overcome the difficulty of Wood Release Ninjutsu, I can reach the pinnacle of fame. At the same time, I can bring many more Wood Release ninjas to Konoha. That would be a fitting reward for the sacrifices of these experimental subjects."
Orochimaru murmured to himself.
"Of the 20 test subjects, not a single one survived?"
"It failed. The age range of these materials is not uniform enough. If we can find more materials, it would be best to have materials in the age range of forty to thirty years old."
"The power of the First Hokage was too domineering, and its devouring ability was too strong. I need more data for reference. If I try again, I'm sure I can succeed."
Hiruko dark circles under his eyes and bloodshot eyes. He observed the data day and night, leaving no detail overlooked.
Without a suitable assistant, Hiruko such an important observation to anyone else and had to do it himself.
"You've worked hard; you've been overworked lately. I'll arrange two experimental assistants for you. I already have quite a few excellent medical-nin under my command, who might be able to help you."
"That would be perfect."
Hiruko responded that having an assistant would save Hiruko a lot of energy in such monitoring work.
"I originally thought the First Hokage Cells was just a matter of cell fusion and rejection, but now it seems it's not that simple. It seems to involve some mysterious Chakra energy issues."
Hiruko informed Naraku of some information about the experiment.
"Chakra energy? The First Hokage has been dead for so many years, yet his body still contains Chakra?"
Naraku some doubts about Hiruko's words.
"Yes, and it's extremely powerful Chakra. The previous batch of test subjects were burst apart by the energy and eventually turned into a giant tree."
"I see. I'll have someone search for thirty more test subjects. I hope you succeed; otherwise, let's stop."
All twenty experimental subjects collapsed without a sound, and only some data was obtained.
Whether it's from the Konoha prison or from captures outside, the long-term, unexplained disappearances of people, especially ninjas, will eventually lead to an investigation.
Although Naraku wasn't afraid, Naraku didn't like things that would only cause trouble.
"Doing scientific research is really expensive and troublesome."
Naraku sighed inwardly.