First Hokage Cells

Early the next morning after becoming a chunin, Uchiha Narong arrived on time at the familiar laboratory on the edge of the Forest of Death, just as he had on so many mornings over the past year. He deftly began tidying the workbench, wiping down vessels, and checking the status of various instruments. The air was filled with the mixed smell of disinfectant and chemical reagents. All of this had become his routine.

Before long, the laboratory door was pushed open soundlessly. Orochimaru arrived as silently as ever, but today, a small figure followed behind him.

Narong looked up and saw a little girl of around six standing beside Orochimaru. She had short brown hair, a slightly timid expression on her face, and a pair of large eyes that took in everything in the laboratory with curiosity and a hint of unease.

"Narong," Orochimaru's hoarse voice rang out, breaking the silence. "This is my new disciple, Anko Mitarashi." He casually pointed at the little girl, then said to Anko, "Anko, this is Uchiha Narong. He is also my disciple. Get acquainted."

Narong's heart stirred slightly. Anko Mitarashi... so it really was her. The girl from the original story who had decent talent, yet suffered because of an incomplete curse mark, and in the end still grew into a strong jonin. Looking at this little girl before him, still so young and tender, utterly different from the fiery Anko she would become in the future, a complicated ripple rose in his heart. He gathered himself, showed a fairly gentle smile, and took the initiative to greet her. "Hello, Anko. I'm Uchiha Narong."

"H-hello, Senior Brother Narong." Anko seemed a little nervous and answered softly, subconsciously shrinking behind Orochimaru.

Narong understood that the girl before him might be the true "successor" in Orochimaru's mind, the one who would inherit his signature snake-style ninjutsu and various secret arts. As for himself, he was more like a special "collaborator" or "research subject," pursuing a specific power with a clear goal. Over the past year, he indeed had not learned any snake-style ninjutsu from Orochimaru. Their focus had always been on chakra theory, nature transformation, the foundations of forbidden techniques, and research into the Sharingan.

After the brief introduction, Orochimaru began that day's research project. Narong cooperated as usual, carrying out chakra sampling, data recording, and other work. Anko was arranged to watch and learn from the side. Her eyes were wide as she struggled to understand the complex instruments and procedures, occasionally becoming flustered when Orochimaru suddenly asked her a question.

After the research ended, Orochimaru said to Anko, "All right, Anko. Today's observation ends here. Go back first, and review the basic chakra meridian diagram I just explained."

"Yes, Teacher Orochimaru." Anko answered obediently, stole another glance at Narong, and only then carefully left the laboratory.

Only master and disciple remained in the laboratory. The atmosphere seemed to shift in a subtle way.

Orochimaru turned around, his golden snake pupils focusing on Narong. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke in that distinctive hoarse voice of his. "Narong, you have been studying under me for more than a year now, haven't you?"

"Yes, teacher," Narong answered respectfully, though his heart stirred. He had a premonition that something important was about to happen.

"I have seen both your talent and your temperament." Orochimaru slowly paced to the window and looked at the dense forest outside. "The 'pinnacle of power' you seek... perhaps I can take you to see a more real 'landscape.'"

Narong's heart gave a violent beat, but on the surface, he remained calm. "What do you mean, teacher?"

Orochimaru turned around, his snake pupils flickering with a light that mingled scientific fanaticism and deep calculation. "Conducting certain... in-depth experiments alone is always somewhat inconvenient. It is time to let you come into contact with something deeper."

He did not say it outright, but Narong understood in an instant. The First Hokage cell laboratory! Orochimaru was finally going to open that core secret to him! After more than a year of observation, testing, and displays of value, he had finally won this scientist's initial trust.

"Come with me." After Orochimaru spoke, he turned and walked toward the depths of the laboratory. There was a seemingly ordinary wall there, but after Orochimaru formed several hand seals, the wall slid open soundlessly, revealing a dark staircase leading downward.

Narong took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement and inevitable trace of tension in his heart, and followed close behind.

The staircase was long and wound downward. The air became cold and damp, carrying the smell of soil and something... indescribable, an aura mingled with life and decay. Glowstones were embedded in the walls at intervals, giving off a faint light.

After walking for several minutes, the view before him suddenly opened up.

This was an underground space far larger than the laboratory above ground. The first things he saw were several huge, transparent cultivation tanks connected to all kinds of pipes. Some tanks were empty, but others held indescribable tissue specimens, or the remains of oddly shaped test subjects that seemed biologically active yet were clearly failures. They slowly rose and sank in the eerie green nutrient solution, giving off a hair-raising feeling.

Around the laboratory stood even more precise and large-scale instruments. Complex streams of data flickered across the screens of some of them. The operating table in the corner flashed with a cold metallic gleam, and the instrument rack beside it displayed all kinds of sharp scalpels, needles, and extraction tools. That strange smell in the air had grown even stronger. It was a mixture of disinfectant, formalin, nutrient solution, and a faint scent as if from an ancient forest, brimming with vitality yet carrying a sense of oppression.

Orochimaru walked to a huge control console, pulled up some data records and image files, and motioned for Narong to come over and look.

"This is the research I have been conducting... on the cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju." Orochimaru's voice echoed through the vast underground laboratory, carrying a nearly obsessive tone. "Hashirama cells contain unimaginable vitality and yang release power. They are the key to unlocking the mysteries of life and obtaining ultimate strength."

The screen displayed all kinds of experimental records: cell cultivation, tissue transplantation, living-body reaction data... the process was horrifying. Narong saw that most of the experimental subjects were young children. The image records showed that after the Hashirama cells were transplanted, the overwhelming majority suffered violent rejection reactions. Their bodies twisted, became woody, and ultimately collapsed and perished in agony.

"As you can see, the power of Hashirama cells is extremely tyrannical. An ordinary person's body simply cannot withstand it." Orochimaru's tone was flat, as if he were stating an objective fact. "This batch of experimental subjects... has basically been used up."

Narong's heart chilled. He knew what Orochimaru said was the truth, but seeing these records with his own eyes still sent a cold shiver through him. He forced himself to calm down and watched carefully. Suddenly, he noticed one record. A child numbered "A," after experiencing an extremely painful rejection reaction, had miraculously survived and even displayed a faint Wood Release ability.

"This child..." Narong pointed at that record.

"Oh, 'A'..." Orochimaru glanced at it, his tone carrying a trace of disdain. "An accidental semi-success. He survived and fused with part of the Hashirama cells, allowing him to use Wood Release. However, the degree of fusion is very low, and his power is pitifully weak. If Hashirama Senju's Wood Release was a vast river, his could at most be considered a frail little stream. Danzo seemed quite interested in him. Some time ago, he took him away. I heard he was sent to the Ninja Academy and renamed 'Yamato.'"

Orochimaru clearly did not think much of "Yamato." His goal was a more perfect, more powerful fusion.

At this moment, Orochimaru turned off the screen and faced Narong, his golden snake pupils fixed tightly on him. "Ordinary experimental subjects cannot withstand the power of Hashirama cells, but those with extraordinary talent may have a slim chance of survival. A powerful bloodline, tenacious will, excellent chakra control... these are all factors that raise the success rate."

His gaze seemed able to pierce through Narong's body and see the Uchiha bloodline and hidden power beneath.

Narong knew the crucial moment had arrived. He met Orochimaru's gaze without the slightest retreat, his voice clear and firm. "Teacher, I am willing to try. I am willing to become a transplant subject for the First Hokage cells."

The laboratory fell silent, leaving only the faint hum of instruments running.

The corners of Orochimaru's mouth slowly curved upward, his smile dangerous and full of temptation. "Heh heh heh... very good, Narong. I truly did not misjudge you. Your thirst for power and determination are precisely the qualities required for this great experiment."

He walked closer to Narong, his cold fingers lightly brushing across Narong's arm, as though he were evaluating a perfect piece of experimental material.

"The Uchiha bloodline, the yin release power of the Sharingan, and the yang release cells of the First Hokage... if they can achieve balance, or even fusion, within one vessel..." Orochimaru's eyes flickered with extreme fanaticism. "What a powerful existence that would create! This is not only your opportunity, but also the key for me to verify my theory and step toward a higher level!"

He made no attempt to hide his purpose. Narong's success would pave the way for his own transplant.

Uchiha Narong stood at the center of this underground laboratory filled with forbidden air, feeling the cold air around him and his teacher's burning gaze. He knew that once he stepped onto this boat, there would be no turning back. Ahead lay unknown risks and extreme pain, but it might also be the crucial step to breaking the shackles of fate and obtaining the power to change everything.

"What preparations do I need to make, teacher?" Narong asked calmly, only resolve in his eyes.

Orochimaru's smile deepened. "Very good... First, we need to conduct the most comprehensive physical examination and data collection. Then, we will formulate the most detailed transplant plan. This process may be very long, and it may also be... extremely painful. Are you ready?"

"I am ready." Uchiha Narong's answer echoed clearly through the underground laboratory. A great gamble had officially begun.