Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Hiruko's report with unwavering focus.
The core of what Hiruko called Cell Fusion was simple in theory: inject foreign cells into the human body, stimulate the host to generate foreign chakra, and awaken abilities that had never existed before.
It wasn't far from Konoha's earlier attempts to implant Hashirama Cells in hopes of awakening Wood Style.
But Hiruko's current approach was far more cautious.
He had started with cells that carried lower rejection risk, sharing multiple successful fusion cases and the methods behind them. Due to limited materials, none of the examples involved Kekkei Genkai, but he had already drawn several solid conclusions regarding cellular compatibility.
Compatibility. Integration.
Those keywords immediately caught Hiruzen's attention.
In Tobirama Senju's research notes, there had been a detail that left even him puzzled.
Why had his own cells and Izuna Uchiha's displayed such astonishing compatibility?
Even Tobirama, meticulous as he was, had wondered if it was some cruel twist of fate.
Hiruzen's thoughts moved quickly.
Perhaps Hiruko's technique could be applied to the experimental body stored in the hidden archive.
If the body based on Izuna Uchiha could be made to fully integrate with the Tobirama Cells within it, reaching a true state of unity…
Two becoming one. Seamless. Indivisible.
As Hiruko continued explaining, he stole occasional glances at the Hokage's expression.
He felt a quiet shock building inside him.
The Third was listening with far too much intensity. It almost felt like he was planning a battlefield deployment.
And yet, the more serious Hiruzen looked, the more at ease Hiruko felt.
To a researcher, one's results were crystallized heart and blood. No one wanted their work dismissed lightly. Not even by the Hokage.
On the other hand, being taken seriously like this brought a satisfaction that was hard to put into words.
Even if the Third doesn't truly understand, this attitude alone earns my respect.
With that thought, Hiruko stopped holding back and laid out every part of his reasoning.
"That's the general outline, Hokage-sama…"
He had spoken freely, more freely than he had in years. Until now, the only person who could truly keep up with him had been Orochimaru.
To speak this long in front of the Hokage…
Whatever else happened, the Third's respect for his craft alone made it worth it.
"Mm…"
Hiruzen slowly lifted his teacup, reflecting on what he had just heard.
"Have some tea as well. Let me think for a moment."
Hiruko smiled faintly and carefully sipped the tea the Hokage had personally poured for him.
It was just tea.
And yet, he savored it.
Because what he truly enjoyed was the feeling of being acknowledged.
"Your direction is good," Hiruzen said at last.
"You mentioned external environmental stimuli during fusion. I considered something similar in my younger years."
"Even in cloning, the maternal environment, the interaction between soul and body, all of it affects genetic expression."
"If we treat fusion as a stage of cellular differentiation, perhaps we can borrow certain principles from cloning…"
A quiet smile flickered through Hiruzen's mind as he drew from Tobirama Senju's research notes.
"Chakra is both a mechanism and potentially a source of interference. The significance of this research is immense, but it will require substantial manpower and resources for repeated verification."
He spoke in broad strokes.
As a leader, how did one appear seasoned and professional in front of subordinates?
Discuss frameworks. Systems. Standards. Avoid getting lost in overly specific minutiae. Anchor everything in data and compliance. It projected both rigor and authority.
And if it did come down to technical depth, Tobirama's legacy more than covered him.
The Second Hokage's inheritance had become a foundation Hiruzen relied on more with every passing day.
By the time he finished speaking, Hiruko had unconsciously set down his teacup. His eyes widened slightly.
Wait.
Third Hokage-sama… you actually understand?
The grasp of overarching direction. The subtle details. The seasoned perspective that slipped out without effort.
For a moment, Hiruko almost felt as if he were sitting across from Orochimaru.
"Hokage-sama, you… you've studied research as well?"
"I was interested when I was young," Hiruzen replied with a faint sigh. "But after becoming Hokage, I realized I'm merely average. There isn't enough time to handle village affairs and pursue research at the same time."
He shook his head.
"Research demands imagination, focus, and time. In that regard, the future must rely on young people like you."
Hiruko felt his teeth ache.
Average?
If this was average, what did that make everyone else?
And yet, an unexpected sense of relief spread through him.
It wasn't that he lacked brilliance. Perhaps the village's upper ranks were simply filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Perhaps he just needed to wait his turn.
"Your idea is solid. Have you considered developing it together with the village?" Hiruzen set his empty teacup down and smiled. "In the future, the village intends to heavily support ninjutsu development and technical research."
Hiruko hurried to refill his cup.
His hands trembled slightly, so he wrapped a thin layer of chakra around his fingers to steady the flow and prevent even a single drop from spilling.
Spilling tea for the Hokage would be humiliating beyond words.
"Hokage-sama, if the village has need of it, I am willing to dedicate this technique!"
He answered without hesitation.
Hiruzen chuckled inwardly, though his expression carried mild reproach.
"You, honestly…"
"Dedicate it to the village? I understand researchers. Your results are your lifeblood."
He shook his head.
"When I say develop it together, I mean exactly that. The village will provide personnel and funding. The technique will clearly list you as its developer. But the results will belong to all of Konoha."
"And as for the politics and social obligations… researchers prefer to focus, to let performance and results speak, correct?"
He gestured lightly toward the teacup.
Hiruko was stunned.
Wait. You not only understand research. You understand researchers?
You truly understand.
"You… you're absolutely right!" The way Hiruko looked at Hiruzen had changed completely.
"The reforms should have spread throughout the Jonin circle by now, yes?"
Hiruzen took a sip of tea, his tone warm.
"Your research talent doesn't lose to Orochimaru's. This reform exists to discover people like you."
"We can't let you keep hiding in the lab anymore. You'll have to shoulder more responsibility. Do you have the confidence?"
Hiruko's heart trembled. He shot to his feet like a spring, back straight as a spear.
"I will follow Hokage-sama's orders in all things!"
Hiruzen waved him down.
"Sit, sit. Let's talk properly."
They spoke for a while longer before Hiruko left in high spirits.
He even volunteered to immediately organize his current findings and submit them to the village.
Hiruzen wasn't surprised.
He had given him honor, respect, and recognition. It was only natural that Hiruko wished to repay the village in return.
"Orochimaru… how is your soul research progressing?"
Hiruzen traced his fingers lightly across the desk, lost in thought.
He was waiting for Orochimaru to come report on his own initiative.
A small, unspoken understanding between master and disciple.
And another step toward forging unbreakable trust.
The next day.
"Hokage-sama, this is a letter from Kushina Uzumaki!"
An Anbu operative stepped forward.
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened slightly.