Chapter 281: Kabuto Yakushi’s Schemes

"Damn it... I never expected Uchiha Feng to be this powerful..."

Now that Obito had defected, their previous underground base could no longer be used.

Madara brought Kabuto with him to another hidden base.

As for the old hideout, it had already been filled with traps according to their earlier plans.

If Obito really returned there, he would definitely receive quite a surprise.

"The Rain Shadow’s strength truly cannot be underestimated."

Behind Madara, Kabuto Yakushi—dressed in a black robe—pushed up his glasses with a sinister smile as he studied the battlefield map.

At this point, Madara could be said to have fallen to his lowest point.

First, he had been defeated by a junior of his own clan.

Then he had been betrayed by his chosen successor.

The forces under his command had dwindled considerably.

Even the White Zetsu army had suffered heavy casualties.

If Kabuto hadn’t had the foresight to recall most of the White Zetsu beforehand, the surviving numbers would have been even smaller.

He still intended to continue studying their bodily structure.

Since he possessed no bloodline limit of his own, he had no intention of passing up such an opportunity to grow stronger.

Besides...

These were experimental materials containing Hashirama’s cells in concentrations even greater than any of Orochimaru’s test subjects he had ever seen.

To Kabuto, these White Zetsu weren’t fearless soldiers the way Madara viewed them.

They were priceless research specimens.

And after so much investigation, he had discovered something strange.

Although the White Zetsu possessed incredibly abundant Wood-Release chakra, they were unable to use Wood Release techniques.

Was it because they lacked true consciousness?

Whatever the reason, Kabuto planned to thoroughly understand their physiology first.

The White Zetsu bodies were treasure troves from head to toe.

If possible, he had even begun setting his sights on Hashirama’s cells themselves.

Kabuto had already traveled to Ryūchi Cave and mastered Sage Mode.

Unlike Mount Myōboku’s Sage Mode, his version was complete.

However, he could feel that because his body lacked a bloodline limit, the amount of senjutsu chakra it could withstand wasn’t particularly high.

And now...

He had begun coveting Hashirama’s cells.

If he could transplant Hashirama’s cells into himself, like the White Zetsu, his strength would undoubtedly rise to another level.

Furthermore, Hashirama’s cells would increase his control over Edo Tensei resurrected shinobi.

Hashirama’s cells enhanced more than just vitality.

They also improved chakra control.

If he could uncover the secrets of the Hashirama cells hidden within the White Zetsu, his strength would experience another major leap.

"We can no longer confront him head-on."

After a moment of contemplation, Madara finally spoke.

Having personally experienced Ning Feng’s strength, he no longer believed he could match him.

"Indeed. Hashirama Senju’s Edo Tensei won’t hold much longer either."

Thinking of the Hashirama he had controlled today, Kabuto smiled helplessly.

"Won’t hold much longer?"

Madara turned toward him in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"Hashirama’s consciousness is constantly fighting for control of his body. As expected of the God of Shinobi... he can actually resist Edo Tensei and struggle free through sheer willpower."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses.

Hashirama’s spiritual strength was astonishing.

His physical body had already reached the pinnacle of the ninja world.

Who would have thought his mental strength would be equally formidable?

According to the information Madara had provided, Hashirama was connected in some way to the Sage of Six Paths.

Most likely, he had inherited the Sage’s body.

The Sage’s Body was supposed to blossom through physical cultivation.

Yet somehow it also granted tremendous amplification to spiritual power.

Viewed from that perspective, Hashirama’s cells were clearly superior.

The cells of the Uchiha clan provided only limited enhancement.

If Kabuto wanted to further improve his Sage Mode, Hashirama’s cells were the only path forward.

As long as he could unravel the secrets hidden within the White Zetsu bodies...

He could transplant Hashirama’s cells into himself while maintaining similarly high concentrations.

With that level of Hashirama-cell integration, he was confident his Sage Mode would become even more perfect.

"In that case..."

Madara tapped the tabletop thoughtfully, producing a rhythmic knocking sound.

He was considering what would happen if Hashirama’s consciousness were simply released.

However...

Madara knew Hashirama would never attack Konoha’s shinobi.

And if that were the case, he certainly wouldn’t have any desire to fight Uchiha Feng either.

Should he simply release Edo Tensei?

But his current position was already precarious.

Even with Hashirama, the situation had become difficult.

If he lost Hashirama as well, he didn’t believe his side retained any meaningful advantage.

"I’ll release Edo Tensei for now."

Kabuto’s expression grew serious.

Having personally controlled Hashirama, he understood better than anyone how terrifying the man truly was.

If such a monster escaped his control...

Kabuto didn’t believe he would survive the encounter.

Compared to the God of Shinobi, his own Sage Mode seemed inadequate.

Hashirama could enter Perfect Sage Mode instantly.

Kabuto had no confidence whatsoever in surviving the Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands.

"It seems we have no choice."

Madara sighed helplessly.

He hadn’t expected Edo Tensei to possess such a flaw.

The technique had been greatly improved by Kabuto.

Its level of control and fidelity had increased dramatically.

But at the same time...

The stronger the shinobi being resurrected, the harder they were to control.

The technique was far from perfect.

If handled improperly, it could even backfire upon the caster.

It still required further refinement.

Although Kabuto spoke as if he intended to abandon Hashirama, he had no such plans.

Instead, he intended to accelerate his White Zetsu research and strengthen his control over Edo Tensei subjects.

That way...

Hashirama Senju could become a hidden trump card.

Regardless of whether the Rain Shadow or Madara emerged victorious in the future, Kabuto would still possess a safeguard to ensure his own survival.

"Oh, right, Madara-sama."

Suddenly, Kabuto spoke again.

"My research on the White Zetsu is about to achieve a breakthrough. I’ll need roughly two hundred more White Zetsu."

He had no intention of conducting White Zetsu experiments behind Madara’s back.

After personally witnessing Black Zetsu, he knew Madara was likely monitoring his every move through various means.

Whenever he needed research materials, he simply requested them directly.

After all...

For Madara, who commanded well over ten thousand White Zetsu, a few hundred of them were nothing more than a drop in the bucket.

🌟 The story is already written... waiting to be unleashed.

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