The next six months were different.
Orochimaru became obsessed with preparing Sasuke's body for the procedure. Every aspect of training shifted focus toward physical optimization.
"Your body needs to be perfect," Orochimaru explained during a medical examination. "One weak point, one imbalance in your chakra network, and the Hashirama cells will exploit it. The rejection will start there and spread."
Kabuto ran tests constantly. Blood samples. Chakra pathway mapping. Cellular analysis. Sasuke spent more time in the lab than on the training ground.
"Your chakra control has improved significantly," Kabuto noted, studying a readout. "But it needs to be flawless. During integration, you'll need to guide the process at a cellular level. Any lapse could be fatal."
"How do I practice controlling something I don't have yet?"
"Meditation. Visualization. Internal chakra manipulation." Kabuto handed him a scroll. "These exercises will help you develop the mental discipline required."
The exercises were brutal in their own way. Sitting still for hours. Visualizing his own cellular structure. Manipulating individual chakra pathways instead of just flooding them with power.
Boring. Tedious. Necessary.
Sasuke's diet changed too. High protein. Specific vitamins. Supplements derived from medical plants. Everything designed to strengthen his cellular structure.
"You're preparing me like I'm going to war," Sasuke observed during dinner.
"You are," Orochimaru said simply. "A war inside your own body. The Hashirama cells will try to overtake your natural cells. Your Uchiha genetics will fight back. You'll be caught in the middle, trying to force them to coexist."
"And if I can't?"
"Then your body will tear itself apart at the cellular level. Extremely painful. Invariably fatal." Orochimaru smiled. "But I have faith in you, Sasuke-kun."
Three months into preparation, Sasuke's Sharingan evolved.
It happened during meditation. He was visualizing his chakra network when something shifted. His eyes burned. The world sharpened.
When he opened his eyes, everything was different. Clearer. More detailed. He could see individual dust particles floating in the air. The subtle movements of Kabuto's breathing across the room.
Three tomoe had become... something more. Not Mangekyo yet. But evolved. Sharper.
"Interesting," Orochimaru observed. "Your Sharingan is adapting. Preparing itself for what's coming."
The dojutsu seemed to know what he was planning. Or maybe it was just responding to the constant chakra manipulation exercises. Either way, it was stronger.
Six months later, Orochimaru declared him ready.
"Tomorrow," the Sannin said. "We begin the procedure."
That night, Sasuke couldn't sleep. Not from fear—he knew he'd survive. But from anticipation.
This was the first real step. Everything else had been preparation. Foundation building.
Tomorrow, he'd start becoming something more than human.