"Start the upgrade process," Hoshino commanded curtly.
The array of robotic arms in the center of the laboratory immediately came to life, stretching out as if they were alive.
Hoshino's prosthetic body lay flat on the modification platform, surrounded by six puppet assistants, whose mechanical arms moved accordingly.
As the bionic outer skin was peeled off, the stark white Shikotsumyaku was exposed to the cold light.
These bones are covered with intricate blue Chakra circuits that fit perfectly into the mechanical parts.
"Begin full-scale cybernetic transformation."
The three puppets immediately stepped forward and began to work methodically.
The first puppet, holding a special tool, carefully adjusted the mechanical connections in its spine.
The second puppet's right arm bones were secured with precision clamps in preparation for the installation of a new weapon module.
The third puppet is responsible for monitoring the activity status of the Shikotsumyaku cells.
In the corner, two puppets dressed in white robes were manually recording data, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones.
The only sounds in the laboratory were the crisp clinking of instruments and the scratching of pens on paper.
"The left shoulder joint needs to be recalibrated," Hoshino suddenly said.
The puppet responsible for the right arm immediately stopped moving and instead assisted in adjusting the shoulder structure.
As the transformation progressed, Hoshino's body began to exhibit an eerie beauty.
The pale Shikotsumyaku was encased in a dark gold alloy, with Chakra Crystal shimmering with blue light embedded in its joints.
The newly installed alloy armor covers key areas, providing additional protection without affecting the ability of the Shikotsumyaku.
"Begin the bionic panel transplantation now."
A puppet carefully retrieved the specially made artificial panel tissue.
This biomimetic material perfectly mimics the texture and elasticity of a human panel, and can even exude tiny beads of sweat like a real panel.
Technicians began applying bio-adhesive, attaching the bionic panels inch by inch to the surface of the mechanical body.
The entire process is extremely meticulous, requiring even the smallest pores to be arranged exactly like the original panel texture.
"Perform a final system check."
All the puppets simultaneously took a step back and began to check the modification list one by one.
"Metacarpal extension blade, normal condition!"
"Rib chamber, fully charged!"
"Full-body armor, 98% fit!"
When the last check was completed, Hoshino slowly sat up from the modification table.
He moved his right hand, and the five fingers deformed one by one.
A 30-centimeter-long, stark white bone blade sprang from the mechanical knuckles and then quickly retracted.
Immediately afterwards, the Swift Release Puppet arrived at the fourth underground level with precise steps.
As it pushed open the heavy metal door, the main body, seated on the stone chair, slowly opened its eyes.
The Swift Release Puppet stopped moving, and a hidden compartment at the back of its neck suddenly opened, from which the Shadow Clone vanished.
The original entity closed its eyes, receiving all the memories of the modification process, and also learning its subsequent thoughts.
It's simply a matter of testing our current combat capabilities and bringing Shinnō back.
A moment later, the new Shadow Clone separated from the main body and silently burrowed into a hidden compartment in the back of the puppet's neck.
The main body got up and walked to the wooden shelf next to the refining furnace, and took down a small dark red flag.
The flag is densely embroidered with insect-shaped runes, and the flagpole is wrapped with specially made Chakra Threads.
"Take this."
The main body tossed the small flag to the Swift Release Puppet, saying, "Although we can't yet create spatial items that can contain living beings, using the collective consciousness of the insect swarm as a medium is sufficient."
The moment the Swift Release Puppet took the flag, the runes on the flag suddenly glowed with a ghostly light.
The entity explained, "A larva of a mother insect is sealed inside this flagpole, connected to the consciousness of the insect nest on the fifth underground level. When needed, injecting Chakra allows for direct summoning of the insect swarm."
After a year and a half of targeted cultivation, the Kikaichū in the fifth underground layer underwent an amazing transformation.
Not only does it retain the original ability of Kikaichū Chakra, but it can also achieve collective consciousness manipulation through Chakra resonance.
Each Kikaichū has shrunk by a third, but its mouthparts have evolved to be sharper, with serrated mandibles coated with a special alloy that can easily gnaw through fine steel.
If these modified Kikaichū get out of control, they will unleash an unprecedented and terrifying storm in the Shinobi World.
The ninjas were the first to suffer.
These mutated insect swarms can accurately locate Chakra fluctuations within a three-mile radius, and then swarm towards any living being with Chakra like a hungry locust swarm.
Ordinary ninjas' defensive Ninjutsu is useless against them.
Its corrosive saliva can easily dissolve panels, and its specialized mouthparts can gnaw through the strongest Earth Release is a type of defensive technique).
Buildings and fortifications are equally vulnerable to the Zerg swarm.
Experiments have shown that a standard swarm of insects, numbering approximately 500,000, can gnaw through a one-meter-thick reinforced concrete wall in half an hour.
They also possess tactical intelligence and reproductive capabilities.
Through the neural connections of the mother insect, the swarm can autonomously execute complex tactics such as ambush and encirclement.
The ovaries have been specially modified to produce tens of thousands of eggs per day.
With a sufficient supply of Chakra, these insect eggs can hatch in just twenty-four hours.
The newborn larvae will frantically devour all organic matter around them and complete metamorphosis within five hours.
Compared to the original Kikaichū, it's really nothing.
Even the Kikaichū of the Aburame Clan are far less terrifying than this, even if they are at the nanoscale.
Laboratory data shows...
When the insect population exceeds a critical value, new female insects will automatically differentiate.
This exponential growth characteristic allows an escaped swarm to cover the entire Land of Wind within a month without intervention.
Their most lethal aspect is their adaptive evolution.
The swarm can quickly adjust its own characteristics by consuming the Chakra of different ninjas.
For example, after absorbing Fire Style ninja, it will evolve fire resistance.
After absorbing Water Release Chakra, he can stay underwater for longer periods of time.
This alarming rate of evolution renders any targeted pest control measures ineffective in the short term.
This is why Hoshino has never released these Kikaichū; he's afraid they'll get out of control and cause a backlash.
This time, it was mainly thanks to Hoshino's continuous improvement of the swarm control system.
After repeated improvements, it finally met the standards for actual combat deployment and established a tight and absolute control mechanism.
If the swarm exhibits abnormal behavior, or if any Kikaichū fail to return to the nest within the specified time, the control program will be activated immediately.
These out-of-control or stranded individuals will self-destruct within a minute.
in this case.
As long as the larval mother insects inside the flag do not encounter any accidents, nothing major should happen.
If it is truly lost, Hoshino can summon the flag back using Summoning Technique medium.
A moment later.
Hoshino's Swift Release Puppet, holding a dark red command flag, slowly walked out of the Reform Society building and headed north.
This time, he didn't bring the Spirit Control Beads or other magical artifacts because he wanted to test the approximate strength of the full cybernetic transformation, so as to facilitate its subsequent widespread adoption.