Chapter 540: The Arduous Path

Chapter 540: Chapter 540: The Arduous Path

This was the first time Danzo had heard such a theory. In fact, even Orochimaru and Root’s chief researcher, who were standing nearby, had furrowed their brows and fallen into deep thought.

Both Orochimaru and Root’s chief researcher were limited by their own understanding. Neither had paid sufficient attention to the importance of possessing all seven chakra natures, nor did they fully understand the role that Yin and Yang Release played in the bloodline fusion ritual. As a result, they had completely overlooked the fatal flaw in Hiruko’s bloodline fusion ritual.

Only after hearing Kagami’s explanation did they realize, with a start, just how much they had overlooked.

It was only at this moment that Orochimaru finally shed his composed expression. His snake-like eyes swept toward Kagami as he thought to himself, "I never imagined Kamigami’s research into the Chimera Technique had already reached such depths!"

In the field of scientific research, Orochimaru had never acknowledged anyone as his superior. However, the theory Kagami had presented left him with no choice but to concede its merit. At the same time, it made him even more wary of Kamigami.

Thud, thud...

Danzo forcefully tapped his cane against the floor, breaking the brief silence in the conference room. He asked Kagami, "You said I possess an advantage in this regard. Are you referring to the fact that my body already contains Yin-nature and Yang-nature chakra, meaning I no longer need to worry about acquiring those two chakra natures?"

Kagami nodded.

Danzo’s furrowed brows relaxed, and his tone became noticeably lighter. "In that case, what is there left to worry about?"

"It’s not that simple." Shaking his head, Kagami explained, "As I mentioned earlier, your body is somewhat special. Although you’ve transplanted Sharingan and the First Hokage’s cells into yourself, the methods used were far too crude, leaving behind numerous hidden dangers. Hmph, rather than calling it a fusion, it would be more accurate to say that these two powers are merely residing within your body for the time being. I’m sure you understand that better than anyone."

As he spoke, Kagami’s gaze shifted toward Danzo’s right arm.

Due to the limitations of the technology available at the time, Danzo’s transplantation method belonged to the most primitive and unstable category: limb fusion.

The right arm embedded with Sharingan did not even belong to Danzo himself. His method of transplanting the First Hokage’s cells was equally crude. Rather than performing a transplant at the cellular level, he had directly implanted the First Hokage’s flesh into his body. Just like his right arm, this was another form of limb fusion.

Among all forms of fusion, genetic fusion was the most thorough. Although its failure rate was extremely high, once successful, the results would be remarkably stable.

For example, Kagami had initially fused all the recessive genes of the Hyuga clan, forcibly awakening the Tenseigan despite his frail constitution. He had experienced neither rejection nor any loss of control.

Cellular fusion came next. Once successful, it would also gradually stabilize. The First Hokage cell transplantation surgery Kagami had performed on Shisui was a typical example of fusion at the cellular level.

Limb fusion, on the other hand, could be considered the lowest and most unstable form of fusion. Even if someone like Danzo managed to succeed through sheer luck, his body would remain under the constant threat of rejection and uncontrolled cellular proliferation.

This could be seen from Danzo’s battle against Sasuke in the original timeline.

During that battle, Danzo’s excessive chakra consumption disrupted the balance between Yin and Yang Release within his body. The First Hokage’s flesh implanted inside him immediately went out of control, nearly transforming him into a mindless tree.

"How dare you..."

Hearing Kagami evaluate his transplants so bluntly, Danzo’s expression fluctuated between anger and embarrassment as his shortcomings were laid bare.

Yet, precisely because of Kagami’s frankness, Danzo found himself developing a rare trace of trust toward this sharp-tongued Homura of Kamigami.

Kagami paid no attention to Danzo’s wounded pride and continued coldly, "Considering that your body contains far too much flesh and too many limbs belonging to other people, particularly the First Hokage’s flesh, the Kekkei Genkai representing the Earth and Water chakra natures must be slightly weaker when selecting the bloodlines for fusion.

"At the same time, you need to determine the primary chakra nature of the true owner of your right arm. Only then can you ensure that all the chakra natures remain balanced!"

On this crucial matter, Kagami held almost nothing back, laying out every precaution he knew in full.

After all, a ’lab rat’ like Danzo, who possessed manpower, financial resources, and the willingness to subject his own body to drastic modifications, was exceedingly rare in the shinobi world.

He was an extremely scarce resource.

Therefore, Kagami had to extract the maximum possible value from Danzo as a test subject, allowing him to thoroughly explore this arduous path that ultimately led to Kekkei Mora!

After recovering from his initial shock, Orochimaru finally regained his composure.

He keenly discerned Kagami’s intentions and guessed that Kamigami’s willingness to assist Danzo without holding anything back was most likely driven by the same motive as his own: using Danzo as a lab rat.

Consequently, that faint, mocking smile returned to his face as he said to Danzo, "I can use my techniques to conduct a comprehensive examination and modification of your body, making it somewhat more stable before you undergo the ritual!"

When it came to human body modification, Orochimaru could be considered one of the foremost experts in the entire shinobi world.

Take Orochimaru himself, for example. His body had been modified to the point where it practically had no vital weaknesses. Combined with his unique Orochimaru-Style Substitution Technique, killing him through ordinary taijutsu or ninjutsu had become virtually impossible.

However, Orochimaru’s expression and tone were far too mocking as he spoke. Coupled with his snake-like vertical pupils, he practically had the words ’ulterior motives’ written all over his face!

Kagami furrowed his brows and shot Orochimaru a fierce glare, conveying a message through his eyes:

"Hey, you bastard! Do you have to make it so obvious that we’re treating Danzo like a lab rat?!"

With a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, Orochimaru returned Kagami’s gaze, as though saying:

"Relax. Even if Danzo knows we’re using him as a lab rat, he won’t refuse!"

Watching the silent exchange between Kagami and Orochimaru, Danzo’s expression darkened.

Just as Orochimaru had anticipated, although Danzo could not claim to understand Kamigami’s and Orochimaru’s intentions completely, he had already figured out most of what they were thinking.

But he didn’t care.

As long as he could obtain supreme power and ascend to the pinnacle of authority, he had no objection to being used by Kamigami and Orochimaru.

Moreover, in his eyes, whether Kamigami and Orochimaru were exploiting his influence and body to conduct their experiments, or whether he was exploiting the technology they provided to achieve his own ambitions, was something no one could determine given the current circumstances.

Only time would tell who was truly using whom...