Chapter 253: Kekkei Genkai Absorption

Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Kekkei Genkai Absorption

Land of Rain.

At the same time that Hyuga Kagami was conducting his Fire Release clone experiments, Hiruko was also carrying out human experiments in his laboratory in the Land of Rain.

"AAAAARGH...!"

A heart-wrenching scream echoed throughout the laboratory.

On the operating table, enormous tumors glowing with a faint purple light continuously bulged from a man’s body. The masses of flesh twisted and swelled grotesquely, presenting an utterly nauseating sight.

Yet Hiruko, standing beside the operating table, wore an expression of sheer fanaticism, an indescribable gleam blazing in his eyes!

Just then, the man’s agonized screams gradually died away.

The enormous tumors protruding from his body also began shrinking one after another, withdrawing back beneath his flesh.

Before long, his body had completely returned to normal, as though those grotesque tumors had never appeared in the first place.

Bang...

But the man’s body, which had only just returned to normal, suddenly exploded with a muffled blast!

Splattered from head to toe with blood and filth, Hiruko showed no anger whatsoever. Instead, the corners of his mouth curled upward, revealing a strange, sinister smile.

"Heh, Dark Medical Ninjutsu is even more useful than I imagined!"

In the original timeline, Hiruko at this point had been forced to constantly change his hiding place to evade Konoha’s ANBU pursuit. On top of that, he had to scramble for funding to support his experiments, and since he was conducting all of his research entirely on his own, the development of his Chimera Technique progressed extremely slowly, almost reaching a complete standstill.

But in this timeline, after being forced to join the Akatsuki, Hiruko no longer had to fear Konoha’s pursuit, and the Akatsuki also provided him with financial support.

More importantly, he now had two invaluable allies at his side: Shinno, one of the finest physicians in the shinobi world, who possessed extensive knowledge of the human chakra pathway system and medicinal herbs, and Yomi, who specialized in Dark Medical Ninjutsu.

Unlike before, when Hiruko had been blindly working behind closed doors on his own, he now had the advice of Shinno, one of the shinobi world’s finest physicians, as well as Yomi’s assistance with Dark Medical Ninjutsu.

As a result, the development of Hiruko’s Chimera Technique advanced by leaps and bounds. In just over half a year, with no shortage of funding, he had already achieved a major breakthrough in his research.

Wiping the bloodstains from his body, Hiruko walked out of the laboratory.

In the rest area, Shinno was discussing some of his ideas regarding an artificial Tailed Beast with Yomi.

Just like Hiruko, after joining the Akatsuki, Shinno’s Zero-Tails Project had also progressed extremely smoothly. At present, only a handful of technical obstacles remained unresolved.

Seeing Hiruko emerge from the experimental area, Shinno immediately rose and hurried over, asking eagerly,

"How did it go? Did you succeed?"

Hiruko casually tossed the bloodstained towel into a trash bin.

"The test subject was still too fragile!"

Disappointment flashed across Shinno’s face as he sat back down dejectedly.

If Hiruko’s fusion experiment succeeded, then his Zero-Tails Project could immediately move forward.

Hiruko smiled.

"However, Dark Medical Ninjutsu really is far more useful than I originally imagined. If the test subject is strong enough, the chances of success should be quite high!"

Yomi smiled politely.

"As long as you’re satisfied."

Yomi was not yet a member of the Akatsuki. In terms of status, he naturally stood a level below both Hiruko and Shinno, so no matter whom he spoke to, he was always exceedingly cautious and respectful.

"Really?" Shinno immediately perked up again upon hearing this. "Then does that mean both of our plans can finally be put into motion?"

Hiruko desperately suppressed the madness surging within his heart and nodded.

With his technique further perfected, he could finally begin the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Plan that he had spent more than a decade preparing.

Now, the only thing he lacked was Kekkei Genkai shinobi who met his standards.

In the past, simply selecting suitable targets, preparing an ambush, carrying it out, and successfully capturing the appropriate Kekkei Genkai shinobi would have kept Hiruko occupied for a very long time.

But things were different now.

With the power of the Akatsuki at his disposal, the vast majority of Kekkei Genkai shinobi in the shinobi world were practically his for the taking.

Before long, Hiruko arrived at the tower where Pain resided. Under Konan’s guidance, he was brought before Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki.

Hiruko glanced at the pair of Rinnegan within Pain’s eye sockets, then naturally shifted his gaze away.

"Leader, my experiment has reached a critical stage. I need the organization’s assistance!"

Pain remained expressionless.

"What kind of assistance do you need?"

Hiruko immediately replied,

"I need the bodies of several Kekkei Genkai shinobi."

Konan, standing nearby, frowned slightly.

"The bodies of Kekkei Genkai shinobi aren’t exactly easy to obtain!"

Hiruko nodded slightly.

"That’s precisely why I’m asking for the organization’s help. I believe that with the organization’s strength, capturing a few Kekkei Genkai shinobi should be an easy task."

Pain remained indifferent as he asked,

"What kind of Kekkei Genkai shinobi do you need?"

Hiruko was ecstatic inwardly.

"If possible, I’d like to obtain a Swift Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi, a Steel Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi, a Storm Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi, a Dark Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi, and... and a member of the Uchiha clan who possesses the Sharingan!"

Pain gave Hiruko a faint glance.

"You already have targets in mind, don’t you?"

Hiruko nodded.

"Yes. I already have targets for Swift Release, Steel Release, and Dark Release. It’s only the Storm Release Kekkei Genkai and an Uchiha with the Sharingan that I don’t have targets for yet."

Pain said,

"I’ll consider it. You may leave."

Hiruko opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but after seeing Pain’s cold expression, he ultimately chose to remain silent and obediently turned around and left.

After Hiruko departed, Obito emerged from the shadows and asked Pain,

"What do you think?"

Pain remained as cold as ever.

"A pointless experiment."

To Pain, who possessed the Rinnegan, Hiruko’s Kekkei Genkai Absorption Plan was utterly meaningless. Deep down, he looked down on Hiruko somewhat because of it.

Obito leaned against a wall with his arms crossed.

"The threat posed by Kamigami cannot be ignored. I’ve already discovered that their target is the Tailed Beasts as well!"

Pain’s gaze sharpened, and a trace of anger appeared on his face.

Obito continued,

"I’ve heard that Konoha even proposed convening a Five Kage Summit because of this. At present, all five Great Shinobi Villages have agreed to Konoha’s proposal, but they’re still deadlocked over where the summit should be held."

Konan asked,

"Can Kamigami really pose a threat to us?"

Obito replied,

"’Kawa’ was able to contend with the Third Hokage for quite some time. ’Homura’ and that newly appeared Magnet Release shinobi were able to hold their own against Kumogakure’s Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki. And on top of that, there’s Kamigami’s leader, ’Yama,’ whose strength remains unknown."

He paused briefly.

"I’m afraid Kamigami is far more troublesome than we originally thought. We need to expand our fighting strength!"

Pain was not someone incapable of adapting to circumstances. Thus, he said,

"Then approve Hiruko’s request."

"I’ll take care of the Storm Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi and the Uchiha..."

As Obito spoke, his body was drawn into a swirling vortex before disappearing without a trace.