Konoha Research Division.
Hiruko, Orochimaru, and Tsunade followed behind Hiruzen, undergoing the Hokage's inspection…
Hizashi also stood to the side, his expression grave, clearly lost in thought.
Ordinary researchers might find a leader's inspection annoying…
But Orochimaru and Hiruko? They practically wished Hiruzen would come by more often.
Although Orochimaru and Hiruzen already trusted each other deeply,
being able to communicate frequently and reinforce that bond was still better than rarely meeting.
Besides, there were times when Orochimaru genuinely missed Hiruzen.
Even if Hiruzen wasn't particularly specialized in research, his thinking was both meticulous and unconstrained…
Who wouldn't want to exchange ideas more often with a kindred spirit?
In all of Konoha, Orochimaru believed there was only one person who could truly understand him—Hiruzen.
As for Hiruko, he felt that being trusted too much sometimes made him uneasy.
Although he considered himself loyal to the Hokage, his research path was far too radical…
After all, he had already developed the prototype of the Chimera Technique…
The problem was, the technique's application to Kekkei Genkai—combined with the Hokage having just obtained Ice Release and Boil Release—made the whole thing feel… somewhat suggestive.
Most people wouldn't think much of it; it was just baseless speculation.
But Hiruko was different.
Being chosen by the Hokage, jumping from an ordinary jōnin to a Konoha council member and a key figure in the Research Division…
Even now, it still felt like a dream.
He was terrified of losing everything he had gained—so much so that he lived in constant anxiety, as if walking on thin ice, afraid that the slightest mistake would wake him from this dream.
In a sense, it was severe obsessive anxiety.
One could only say that the ninja world was a grand stage—every ninja, to some degree, had something wrong with them mentally…
Geniuses especially so.
"You two—who's going to explain it to me?"
"This so-called technique that can fuse Kekkei Genkai—what exactly is it?"
Hiruzen spoke with a cheerful smile. "Quite impressive…"
Orochimaru glanced at Hiruko and tilted his chin.
The meaning was clear—Hiruko should do the explaining.
Although Orochimaru had provided plenty of assistance in developing the Chimera Technique, the core concept came from Hiruko.
As a researcher, Orochimaru wasn't someone like Tobirama, obsessed with ownership—he supported open development…
But he wouldn't go so far as to take credit for his childhood friend's work.
Yet Hiruko instinctively took a step back, his eyes filled with unease.
The Hokage's tone sounded kind, but could it be…
'Is it? No, no… is it or isn't it? So is it or not?!'
Standing face to face with Hiruzen, all the explanations Hiruko had prepared suddenly dulled—his mind seemed to freeze in an instant.
Obsessive and anxious thoughts erupted at once, his brain spiraling into frantic internal overanalysis.
Hiruzen took in Hiruko's reaction and sighed inwardly.
Sometimes he felt that, as Hokage, he wasn't so much the leader of a military force—as he was a high-level psychological counselor…
Aside from handling documents and focusing on his own training… his most important job was chatting with ninja, keeping an eye on their mental health, and making sure they didn't spiral out of control and do something earth-shattering…
Basically, the director of a mental asylum.
"Hiruko, what are you thinking about?"
Hiruzen stepped forward and patted his shoulder, joking, "What, afraid I won't understand since I'm an outsider? Trying to think of a simple explanation?"
Hiruko's body visibly trembled. He forced an awkward smile. "Come on, Hokage-sama… you're known as the Professor of Ninjutsu!"
"What I know is just ordinary five-element techniques—nothing worth mentioning."
Hiruzen waved it off, staring into Hiruko's eyes.
"What Konoha needs are ninja like you and Orochimaru—those who can keep innovating, bringing continuous vitality to the village through ninjutsu…"
Hearing those words and meeting Hiruzen's steady gaze, Hiruko's mind suddenly calmed.
The ripples in his heart gradually settled.
The Hokage had just defined the Chimera Technique.
It was good.
Hiruko took a deep breath and spoke carefully: "Hokage-sama, the Chimera Technique is still only in its early prototype stage."
"The core idea is to activate the cells of a Kekkei Genkai user through a formation, then integrate them into the recipient's body to grant corresponding abilities."
"Structural Kekkei Genkai are difficult, but chakra-based ones are feasible. We used the First Hokage's cells, and also applied for rare materials from the Second Hokage's material repository you opened."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
To be honest, even he didn't fully know everything in that repository.
There was simply too much—far too complex.
The administrative department had catalogued it, and he had only skimmed it.
One could only say that Tobirama hadn't just studied the Uchiha—he had likely researched other ninja as well, including those with Kekkei Genkai…
No wonder the Second Hokage's reputation wasn't exactly… bright.
"Through experiments on rabbits, we've confirmed the method is viable."
"This proves that there is a generalizable method for transplanting Kekkei Genkai. If we further refine it and find a way to reduce the activity of the First Hokage's cells, we could develop a universal First Generation vaccine."
"Although the First Hokage's Wood Release is tied to his vitality, after deactivation, the cells—when transplanted through the Chimera Technique—"
"Even if Wood Release can't be triggered, they can still significantly enhance the recipient's chakra, stamina, and physical strength, granting a physique similar to the Senju clan."
Hiruzen nodded slightly.
This was proceeding exactly according to his intended direction.
There was no need to pursue Wood Release at all costs—safety and universality came first.
After all, even partial Senju traits would already be an enormous gain.
While the ninja world often emphasized top-tier combat power, it was mid-level ninja who filled the ranks and sustained the frontlines.
If those mid-level ninja could gain something akin to "mini-Senju" enhancements… then in equal-level combat, Konoha ninja could practically be called "Konoha supermen."
Moreover, strengthening the middle tier would also feed back into the Hokage's own potential—raising Hiruzen's upper limit and becoming an invisible support in his climb toward greater heights.
This was why he didn't pursue maximizing the use of Hashirama's cells.
"So, what's the problem?"
Hiruzen looked at Hiruko and spoke gently: "No need to hide bad news. Any new research project or technique will inevitably encounter setbacks and detours."
"If I, as Hokage, demanded that your research be smooth sailing, that would be unreasonable."
"I can see the pressure you're under, Hiruko."
Hiruzen's expression softened.
"That pressure comes from your sense of responsibility—and that's a good thing…"
"But you also need to understand that even though the village is allocating a large portion of its finances to research, we don't expect immediate results."
"If there are problems, bring them up. We'll solve them together. Carrying everything alone will only crush you…"
Hiruzen squeezed Hiruko's arm and shook his head.
"You've lost weight."
"Remember—not just Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, but all the ninja in the village are your comrades. And I, as Hokage, am your comrade too—and your backing."
"Understood?"
Tsunade clicked her tongue, shaking her head with a smirk as she observed Hiruko's stunned expression.
'Sensei's execution speed is insane… it's only been a few days since I told him Hiruko had mental issues…'
'At this rate, he's about to create another Hizashi…' she thought to herself.
"You're my backing?"
"Of course. If I, the Hokage, am not your backing, then who is?"
Hiruzen flicked Hiruko's forehead. "Remember, I'm also the headmaster of the Ninja Academy. So in theory, you're my student."
"When a student runs into problems while working for the village, should the sensei solve them—or criticize them?"
Hiruko smiled from the bottom of his heart.
All along, he had regretted not being part of the Hokage's faction…
He envied Orochimaru's mindset.
Never worrying about controversy—just filing a report, then proceeding with experiments.
Even when Danzō tried to interfere, Orochimaru would push back without hesitation, warning him not to disrupt research progress—or he'd take it up with Hiruzen.
In Hiruko's view, that confidence came from being Hiruzen's disciple.
A Hokage's student!
Now, with Hiruzen's words, his heart was finally eased.
Hiruko bowed slightly, then spoke in a deep voice: "The fusion formation of the Chimera Technique is too violent. If applied to a ninja, even if the Kekkei Genkai fusion succeeds, the subject may not survive."
"But to control the formation's intensity, we lack further experimental data—specifically, dynamic data between the human body, the Chimera formation, and foreign cells."
"We need a ninja with strong will and abundant chakra to cooperate, in order to improve the formation's instability…"
As he spoke, Hiruko handed a document to Hiruzen.
Hiruzen frowned.
This was indeed a problem.
Ordinary ninja lacked the mental strength and chakra to resist the original Chimera Technique's invasiveness.
And the subject needed to actively cooperate.
Even Orochimaru found this troublesome.
In the past, forcibly capturing subjects wouldn't work—because unwilling participants would resist internally, making the results unreliable.
In other words, they needed one of their own—and a strong ninja at that.
But the risks were significant. If something went wrong, it would be hard to explain.
In today's Konoha, experimenting on one's own people was unthinkable.
And the required volunteer had to be at least jōnin level.
Every jōnin was a valuable strategic asset—losing even one would be a major incident.
Hiruzen closed his eyes in thought.
This really was a difficult problem.
No wonder Hiruko had been so hesitant.
"How many ninja do you need?"
Hiruzen spoke slowly. "If you get the data, are you confident you can improve the formation?"
"Just one," Hiruko said unexpectedly.
"One?" Hiruzen frowned. "Why?"
"Because, with the village's financial support, we've acquired advanced equipment and expensive materials like chakra metal, and developed independent monitoring systems for chakra and cellular data."
Hiruko explained cautiously: "For preliminary improvements, we only lack one or two key data points. Everything else has been compensated using the First Hokage's cells or the Second Hokage's repository."
"With data from just one successful case, Orochimaru and I are confident we can perfect the Chimera Technique within two years and lower the entry threshold."
"This will further accelerate research on the First Generation vaccine. The only remaining issue will be reducing cell activity. With suitable materials, even ordinary ninja could gain Kekkei Genkai…"
"Of course, even if perfected, not everyone will be able to fuse successfully…"
Hiruko added.
To ensure successful fusion, Hashirama's cells could be weakened while retaining vitality—losing Wood Release but preserving Senju traits.
But other Kekkei Genkai cells weren't as resilient.
Once weakened, they would simply die.
So even with a perfected Chimera Technique, candidates would still need matching conditions, sufficient chakra, and strong will…
Hiruzen nodded.
He didn't mind that.
A certain threshold for power was reasonable.
In a sense, it ensured compatibility between character and strength.
He fell into thought, preparing to speak.
He actually had a suitable candidate in mind—
Kakuzu.
With five hearts and the Earth Grudge Fear, Kakuzu's chakra was certainly sufficient.
And even if the experiment failed, he could withstand the consequences.
As for willpower—someone who slaughtered his superiors and defected wouldn't lack it.
Interestingly, a few days ago Kakuzu had even greeted Konoha's ANBU, saying he was still gathering intel and materials—and once he accumulated enough value to match his advance payment, he would personally deliver them to Konoha…
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