Basement.
Dim light shone on containers filled with unknown liquids, giving off a faint glow like a low-budget moon and illuminating the spacious underground chamber.
Rows of glass containers stood neatly arranged, covered in serial numbers and various data. Inside were all kinds of cultivated organisms, each resembling a plump ball of flesh.
At the center of the laboratory, Orochimaru waited quietly for Boruto's arrival. His gaze was fervent and blazing, as though he were looking at some rare treasure or admiring a perfect work of art.
Under Orochimaru's gaze, Boruto and Mitsuki arrived through the Flying Thunder God Technique. Both were impressed by Orochimaru's talent, unaware that, to him, they were both excellent specimens.
"Welcome to my laboratory, Boruto-kun," Orochimaru greeted warmly.
"I'm honored as well. The number one genetic expert in the Hidden Leaf Village—no, even in the entire Shinobi World."
The two exchanged smiles. Orochimaru led Boruto and Mitsuki to the testing table, where specially prepared cultured organisms rested quietly in a unique glass container. Unlike the other flesh balls, this one had lush little saplings growing from it.
The special nutrient solution was absorbed at a visible rate, the liquid level in the container steadily falling before fresh nutrient solution was added.
Orochimaru introduced it. "These are newly cultivated Hashirama Cells. They've passed every test. Would Boruto-kun like to see the results?
"You should know that Hashirama Cells are abnormally active. To ordinary cells, they are like cancer cells, capable of devouring other cells to replenish themselves."
"Mm." Boruto nodded.
Orochimaru snapped his fingers. The laboratory filled with the sound of machinery operating, as though locks had been released. From a dim corner in the distance, a completely white White Zetsu stepped out.
"White Zetsu?" Boruto recognized the life-form resembling a human model at a glance.
"Unlike the White Zetsu that appeared during the Fourth Shinobi World War, mine is a special version. Its most representative function is that it can use Wood Release," Orochimaru explained with an eager gleam in his eyes.
Boruto's gaze flicked toward Mitsuki without comment. They both understood that Mitsuki might be a similar creation.
"Since it was rushed out for demonstrating Wood Release, it can only survive five to seven days after leaving the nutrient solution. A certain amount of Chakra must be injected before use."
As Orochimaru explained, he extended a hand in invitation, indicating for Boruto to personally "activate" it.
At close range, White Zetsu gave off the fresh scent of trees, making Boruto feel as though he were standing in a forest. Its eyes were tightly shut, and it showed no physiological functions.
After Boruto injected Chakra into it, White Zetsu slowly opened its eyes. Its brown pupils reflected Boruto's figure, filled with confusion like a machine that had just powered on.
After remaining confused for a while, White Zetsu began moving its limbs and formed hand seals with proper precision. "Wood Release: Tree World Descent!"
Boruto's eyes lit up. Trees rapidly grew throughout the center of the spacious laboratory. Trees sprouted along the walls and ceiling as well, their branches lush and thriving, with red buds poised to bloom.
Likely due to insufficient Chakra, the flowers did not bloom. That was for the best, though. Once the flowers bloomed, they would release toxins, and the cramped basement was poorly ventilated.
"Is Boruto-kun satisfied with my results?" Orochimaru chuckled.
"Not bad, not bad. Let's begin the implantation." Boruto was already growing impatient.
"Very well."
Boruto lay quietly on the testing table. Beside him, Orochimaru held a syringe and, under everyone's watchful eyes, drew blood from the flesh ball in the glass container before injecting it into Boruto's arm. (Vein)
The bluish-green blood called to mind the rapidly growing grass on the lawn outside. Around 20 ml of blood was injected into Boruto's body.
Then Orochimaru and Mitsuki waited quietly nearby, watching for signs of rejection in Boruto's body. Generally speaking, these cells were closest to the original host and possessed strong cellular activity. Only a Wood Release body like White Zetsu could endure them.
Yet clearly, Boruto's constitution was no weaker than Hashirama's—perhaps even stronger! (The Sharingan was merely another evolutionary path of the Byakugan. Fundamentally, the Byakugan was the foundation of the Ōtsutsuki.)
Thus, Boruto possessed the most primordial Six Paths bloodline and had countless ties to Asura Ōtsutsuki. Naturally, his bloodline was exceptional. It was only that Boruto's constitution seemed to be suppressed by the Jōgan, which was why it had not displayed its proper dominance.
After more than ten minutes of waiting, a faint sheen of sweat appeared on Boruto's skin. Yet his expression remained calm. He even seemed to be enjoying the evolution of his bloodline.
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"That's incredible. It's practically a perfect Six Paths body." Orochimaru sighed, rare greed appearing in his eyes.
Boruto then sat up and briefly sensed the state of his body. The amount of Chakra within him had increased by leaps and bounds, while his skin had become smoother and looked as elastic as jelly.
"Try it." Orochimaru could hardly wait to see the results.
"If I want to try it, I may have to go outside. I can't guarantee I won't destroy everything here."
The words were arrogant, but given Boruto's strength, it was entirely possible.
"Well, there will be plenty of chances later. Next, would you like to see my research on the Sharingan?" Orochimaru asked excitedly.
Orochimaru led the two to the far end of the laboratory, where there was another small door. Once opened, it revealed even more sophisticated equipment. Most conspicuous of all was the fact that there was only one glass container inside.
It was not quantity but quality that mattered. It seemed Orochimaru still could not let go of the Sharingan. The reason he had cultivated only one was because of the Sharingan's Kekkei Genkai. Given his obsession with the Sharingan, he could not tolerate creating an imperfect product.
To Orochimaru, the Sharingan was like a child beloved by its parents. He would inevitably devote everything to it without holding anything back!
Orochimaru looked at his creation with satisfaction and explained proudly, "I only spent two days researching Wood Release before cultivating the version Boruto-kun is currently using. But the Sharingan before us is still only a semi-finished product even now!"
Boruto raised a brow. "Doesn't it already have the rudimentary form of a Sharingan?"
Another White Zetsu floated in the nutrient solution within the container. The difference was that its crimson eyes were open, and its pair of one-tomoe Sharingan stared brightly at Boruto.
It looked exactly like Orochimaru had stolen a pair of eyes and installed them on it.
"This is the most successful of my many experiments so far. Even its nutrients were made using Hashirama Cells! Given the connection between the Senju and Uchiha, the union of their bloodlines can produce the power of all things.
"So I can solemnly tell you that these eyes possess the potential to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan!!!"
"!" Boruto's expression changed drastically. "How confident are you?"
Orochimaru curled his lips confidently, revealing a chilling smile. "An experiment of this level carries no risk of failure, because the power of all things is simply another manifestation of miracles!!"
"During the Fourth Shinobi World War, the strongest man of the Uchiha was resurrected at full strength and caused the Shinobi Allied Forces a series of troubles. In the end, he even awakened the progenitor of Chakra—Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
"At the time, Madara's body actually carried two kinds of power. One belonged to Madara Uchiha himself, while the other came from Kaguya!!"
At that point, Boruto completely understood. No wonder this experiment would not fail. Orochimaru had most likely used Madara's genetic tissue.
Mitsuki: Good thing I studied history well enough to barely understand what those two are talking about.
"It's just that, with this White Zetsu body, no experimental subject so far has been able to fully withstand the power of the Sharingan. This has blocked the path toward awakening the Mangekyō."
"So it has potential but lacks the foundation for practical application?" Boruto saw through it immediately.
"No. In the past, I believed it was a matter of technological limitations. But now, I think it is entirely possible." Orochimaru spoke excitedly.
"Mm?"
"Because of you, Boruto-kun. Your constitution can accept bloodlines from every origin, like a pure Six Paths constitution—a Kekkei Mōra. You can definitely make these eyes reach the ultimate stage of evolution!"
Boruto froze, then said, "The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"Perhaps it will be an even higher existence—the current end point of the Sharingan, the Rinnegan!" Orochimaru's face was filled with longing.
Boruto poured cold water on him. "The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan requires two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan. Unless you can cultivate another pair of Sharingan with the exact same bloodline."
Now it was Orochimaru's turn to be stunned, because that was fundamentally impossible. Genetic cultivation at this level had already reached the limits of medicine. A Sharingan with the potential to become a Mangekyō was itself a genetic miracle. There was absolutely no way to replicate it.
Even if he reproduced it through the same method, the result would inevitably have flaws. The rarity of the Mangekyō was not something humans could casually profane!
It had shattered the taboo of genetics!!
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