Tempering Pakura

Tekka Uchiha faintly sensed that his strength had improved slightly.

Seeing Hiruko's highly effective medicine, Orochimaru's eyes immediately gleamed with excitement. His curiosity was piqued, and he was intensely interested in the formula.

He then directly ordered the ninja beside him to use a veterinary syringe to draw several tubes of blood from the Uchiha ninja before them.

He immediately went to examine it.

"Hiruko, you truly are a genius!" Orochimaru praised.

"I never expected you to create such a restorative substance. It can make the body's cells divide rapidly, quickly restoring stamina and chakra, even healing injuries. During the period when the drug is active, its effects are nearly comparable to Tsunade's forbidden technique, Creation Rebirth."

Orochimaru shook his head again and muttered to himself, "No, it should be capable of more than merely replicating the effects of medical ninjutsu."

Although extracting this substance was not easy and it came with considerable side effects, it possessed enormous potential for recovery.

On the battlefield, such an ability could become the deciding factor between victory and defeat at a critical moment.

Just like the Akimichi Clan's Three-Colored Pills.

Despite their powerful side effects that could endanger one's life, the Akimichi Clan had always regarded them as a lifesaving trump card in critical moments.

"And the Uchiha physique seems capable of resisting the side effects of these medicines..." Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering inwardly.

"Is the Sharingan's ocular power at work?" On his path toward immortality, he had become increasingly interested in researching these mysterious bloodlines.

Time quietly ticked by. Hiruko emerged carrying three portions of pills. Each portion contained seven or eight pellets of varying sizes, each a different color, creating a dazzlingly colorful display.

He solemnly placed the pills before the three of them and reminded them that this medicine experiment was quite dangerous.

"I cannot predict what kind of mental world, completely simulated through the five senses, you will create. But I can say for certain that it will be an extremely miserable and sorrowful world." Hiruko's tone was grave.

"Once inside, it will be difficult for you to realize that it is an illusory world. I do not know what you will experience. But you must keep your minds stable. Once your minds collapse, you will never return."

After saying that, Tekka Uchiha stepped forward on his own initiative. He extended both hands, took the seven or eight pills from Hiruko, and swallowed all of them in one gulp.

Finally, he swallowed the fist-sized silver flower in a single bite as well.

In an instant, an extremely cold chakra spread from Tekka Uchiha's body. That chakra, dark, oppressive, heavy, and filled with unease, was immediately sensed by everyone present.

The pills also began to take effect, continuously suppressing that icy chakra aura.

The next second, two streams of blood slowly flowed from Tekka Uchiha's tightly shut eyes, carving two bloody trails across his face.

Although only three seconds had passed in reality, more than a decade had already passed in his mental world.

As Fugaku Uchiha wore a solemn expression and carefully observed the flow of chakra within Tekka Uchiha's body, Tekka Uchiha's tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open.

A Kage-level chakra filled with madness erupted from his eyes, instantly alerting everyone that something was wrong.

Hiruko, who had long been prepared, moved swiftly. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he formed hand seals with both hands, and countless sealing chains instantly wrapped around Tekka Uchiha.

But the next second, Tekka Uchiha lost control of himself because of the black shadow on the ground, seemingly still immersed in the illusion.

He instantly unleashed an extraordinarily powerful chakra and broke free from the sealing chains.

Immediately afterward, he performed the dazzling Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. Scorching flames surged from his mouth and condensed into an abnormally massive fireball in midair.

The snakes Orochimaru had just summoned were instantly roasted, sizzling loudly.

At the same time, Fugaku and the other two Uchiha clansmen acted in perfect coordination. They swiftly subdued Tekka Uchiha and knocked him unconscious.

Fugaku Uchiha looked at Tekka lying on the ground and pondered inwardly.

Tekka Uchiha's mind might have suffered too great a shock, leaving him temporarily unable to distinguish illusion from reality.

Hiruko quickly stepped forward and carefully examined Tekka Uchiha's physical condition with medical ninjutsu.

After ensuring that he was fine, he openly drew another large tube of blood.

Hiruko instructed them to make sure Tekka Uchiha came over for some tests after he woke up.

As he spoke, he smoothly transferred the blood sample in his hand into a specially made container, then handed the other two portions of pills to Fugaku.

"So, this counts as a success?" Fugaku asked curiously.

"In my view, it was successful. But what happens next will depend on his mental state. I recommend that the other two clansmen wait for a while before taking theirs."

Hiruko waved his hand, signaling that everyone could leave.

Fugaku glanced at the wrecked laboratory and decided to take the clansmen away first.

However, Shisui Uchiha did not leave with them. He stayed behind to help restore order to the laboratory.

The night was deep. Because of the day's successful experiment, Hiruko planned to visit Pakura's room that night.

The room was extremely clean, having been tidied thoroughly by the adorable Rin Nohara.

Pakura of the Scorch Release was breathing erratically, and her chakra was nearly exhausted, yet her gaze remained as stubborn as a blade.

She raised her face, blood staining the corner of her lips, yet she smiled defiantly. "Kill me."

It was the boldness of one facing death head-on.

As though even the end of her life had to remain under her own control.

Hiruko watched her, a flicker of amazement passing through his eyes—

As expected of a kunoichi renowned throughout the ninja world. Even at death's door, she remained beautiful in a sharp and dangerous way.

Her figure was indeed alluring, but what fascinated him even more was the pride in her bones.

Clearly possessing exceptional strength, yet reduced to a discarded pawn in the games of the higher-ups. She had lived spectacularly, only to face an utterly stifled death...

Heh, was this the fate of heroes?

In the chessboard of power, no matter how strong a piece was, it was ultimately still just a piece.

"Any last words?"

His voice was low, carrying a hint of amusement. "I am a man of my word. As long as your request is not excessive... I can fulfill it."

Pakura's body suddenly tensed. Fury flared in her previously dim eyes. "Pitying me?"

"Hehe, I am Pakura of the Sand Village. I do not need the charity of Konoha's pigs and dogs!"

Her voice was hoarse yet sharp, like a blade drawn from its sheath. "If you want to kill me, then kill me. Stop talking nonsense!"

Hiruko raised an eyebrow. This was the first time in so long that anyone had dared speak to him like this.

Tonight, he would make sure to properly...