Mutation Rate

Of course, the mutated species could be directly saved.

As long as those mutated species took a sufficient amount of life potion, most could retain their complete forms.

Still, the sight of creatures with extra arms and legs remained rare in this strange ninja world.

But it was hardly a big deal.

As long as Hiruko skillfully controlled the dosage, those creatures would not inexplicably mutate into all manner of grotesque forms at inappropriate times.

Now, the laboratory guarded so tightly by Hiruko was like a forbidden demon's den. No outsider could even dream of setting foot inside.

The things hidden within were simply too horrifying, far beyond what ordinary people could bear.

Hiruko's control over plants had reached a truly masterful level.

He had directly created nearly perfect plants—vine-like plants specially prepared for the Uchiha Clan to increase their ocular power.

Plants never had fixed forms to begin with, so a few strange mutations were nothing unusual.

In comparison, the mutations in animals varied wildly.

Insects were ugly by nature, so even if they changed a little more, they were still barely tolerable.

Small creatures like sparrows and rats showed nothing particularly remarkable after mutating, yet they were extremely prone to becoming deformed and grotesque.

As for large creatures, once they were forcibly injected with numerous targeted variables, there was almost no way they would not mutate.

Compared with this mutation experiment filled with a sense of science fiction,

there was another project exploring immortality, rejuvenation, and the lossless division of genetic codes.

Although there had been some progress in lossless division, the genetic codes for immortality and rejuvenation still had not been found.

The division potion developed by Hiruko had already displayed miraculous effects on some organisms and a small number of plants.

After insects were injected with the potion, they underwent massive mutations. The bugs with multiple limbs and heads were utterly disgusting.

But for more advanced creatures, such as birds and mammals, once injected with the potion, none of them lasted more than a day.

The main reason was that their mutated bodies became far too enormous to adapt to this world's environment at all.

Later, Hiruko tried combining the potion with life potion. The survival rate did improve somewhat, but the mutation rate did not decrease in the slightest.

Recently, Hiruko had immersed himself entirely in scientific research, focusing on methods of achieving immortality.

Meanwhile.

Hiruko examined the physical condition of Tekka Uchiha from the Uchiha Clan.

After giving him a comprehensive examination, Hiruko smiled and said, "Your overall physical condition is fairly good."

"As for the fluctuations in your ocular power, that is completely normal."

Hearing this, Fugaku Uchiha, who had accompanied Tekka for his follow-up examination, immediately asked, "Based on this examination, can Tekka Uchiha's ocular power recover?"

It turned out that on the seventh day after the experiment, Tekka Uchiha had informed Fugaku that his ocular power had begun to decline.

Fugaku had thought something had gone wrong, so he hurriedly brought Tekka in for an examination.

Hearing his clan head's question, Tekka, lying on the bed, hurriedly looked at Hiruko beside him as well.

Before he had experienced the wonderful increase in strength brought by soaring ocular power, he could endure it.

But after experiencing that kind of power, even the slightest loss of strength was torture to him.

Humans often suffered greatly when they lost something they had already obtained.

Hiruko nodded and said, "It can."

"That sudden surge in ocular power is merely a lingering fluctuation from waking up after the illusion incident."

"Only under extreme emotions can your ocular power possibly surge again. If you want it to stabilize, you need to adjust and temper your body and eyes."

"Given some time, your ocular power will return to its peak." Hiruko spoke calmly.

Hiruko's answer immediately made Fugaku Uchiha and Tekka, who had been on edge, breathe sighs of relief.

"If you need it, I can prescribe you a bottle of potion."

"Apply it to your eyes while resting. It can quickly ease the strain your eyes place on your body and help them adapt to your body's condition faster." After speaking, Hiruko looked inquisitively at Fugaku Uchiha and Tekka.

"We need it!" Fugaku Uchiha said anxiously at once.

"That will be twenty million ryo."

Inside the Hokage's office, Danzo and the two advisors wore grim expressions as they looked at the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, who sat in his chair puffing out clouds of smoke.

Danzo slammed his cane hard against the floor and said coldly, "Hiruzen, you should rein in that brat Hiruko."

"You must immediately halt Hiruko and Orochimaru's research into strengthening the Uchiha Clan, and recall all the pills and flowers that have already been distributed.

"The Uchiha clansmen who used those pills and flowers must also be placed under supervision and reprimanded."

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his forehead helplessly and said bitterly, "That is impossible."

He immediately rejected Danzo's proposal.

"Hiruzen, do not forget our teacher, the Second Hokage's evaluation of the Uchiha Clan."

"The Uchiha are a troublesome clan. Once they possess power, they develop thoughts they should not have." Danzo sternly refuted Hiruzen Sarutobi with righteous conviction, once again emphasizing his demand.

"The Uchiha Clan should not be strengthened. Suppressing the Uchiha was a strategy established by the Second Hokage.

"Orochimaru handled this matter very poorly. Hiruko is still young, after all, and knows too little." Koharu Utatane added, even invoking their late teacher, Tobirama Senju.

She also took the opportunity to excuse Hiruko. After all, Hiruko had helped Koharu Utatane's clan quite a bit; once they had resources, those parasites had eaten their fill.

"Hiruzen, the three of us are not forcing you. The Uchiha Clan is simply too untrustworthy, and the hidden danger is too great. Once things get out of control, our losses will be enormous."

Koharu Utatane's voice was very gentle as she tried to persuade Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"The Uchiha Clan provided more than half of the Research Department's initial funding." Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his face hidden behind the smoke, making his expression impossible to read.

"It is all for the village. I believe Hiruko and Orochimaru will understand," Danzo said seriously.

"We could try letting Danzo and others intervene in matters related to the experiments," Koharu Utatane suggested.

"What clan can provide as much funding as the Uchiha? Can the Hyuga Clan? What plans do they have?" After all, strengthening the Uchiha Clan's power was ultimately a hidden danger.

Homura Mitokado also chimed in, "We absolutely cannot hand that technology over to the Uchiha Clan. If we must deal with the Uchiha Clan in the future, we cannot be too weak!"

A glint flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes as he hesitantly said, "But..."