It had to be said—the "White Tiger" was quite the sight to behold.
However, Hiruko didn't let his gaze linger for long, quickly turning his focus back to the scrolling data. If a single variable went off-track during this phase, the experiment had to be terminated immediately.
In such an event, Hiruko would act swiftly to stabilize Anko's physical condition while deploying precision instruments for an all-encompassing, deep-level diagnostic. He wouldn't stop there; he'd comb through the massive influx of data generated during the process, hunting for the slightest anomalous ripple to pinpoint the root cause. Only after meticulously refining the experimental protocol would he restart the first phase. It was a grueling, time-consuming process that demanded absolute patience and a rigorous scientific mind.
Fortunately, the first stage proceeded without a hitch. The medicinal agents were being absorbed perfectly by Anko's body, and her vital signs remained stable within the ideal parameters.
With that, the experiment officially crossed the threshold into the second stage.
This phase was essentially a deep-level surgical procedure at the cellular level. Its complexity and risk factor far eclipsed the first. At this point, the intricate, specially engraved seals on the tank became the final, crucial safety net. These runes hummed with a mysterious, potent power; should any uncontrollable variable arise, they would activate instantly. Their purpose was to sever the modification process immediately and revert her cells to their pre-experimental state, ensuring her life was preserved at all costs.
As the second stage commenced, Anko's subconscious took the reins.
In this phase, she was subjected to an agony that made the first stage look like child's play. It was a pain that seemed to radiate from the very depths of her soul—as if every inch of skin and every single cell were being ruthlessly torn apart and reshaped.
If she could weather this inhuman torment through sheer willpower, and if her body showed no signs of rejection, her physiology would become like a parched sponge. She would begin to drink in the new power, gradually completing her evolution. Fundamentally, humans possessed the potential for evolution, but the process was usually shackled by countless biological constraints. The success of this endeavor rested solely on whether Anko could survive these trials.
To make her body adapt to the Steel Release, Hiruko could only do so much—his role was merely to accelerate the body's natural rate of adaptation.
Furthermore, compared to some of the more destructive and rare Kekkei Genkai, Steel Release wasn't overwhelmingly volatile. In theory, the pain Anko had to endure was within the realm of "survivable."
Once the second stage was cleared, the experiment entered its final, critical milestone: the Recuperative Observation Period.
The primary objective here was a comprehensive assessment of the power now dwelling within Anko's body. Hiruko utilized a battery of specialized equipment to evaluate if the new power had left any latent side effects, while simultaneously measuring her current output and stability. These results would be the ultimate verdict on the experiment's success and whether Anko could truly master her new gift.
For the next three days and nights, Hiruko was like a master craftsman, pouring his entire soul into the "remodeling" of Anko's body.
By the fourth day, the monitors in the lab suddenly stopped their steady rhythm, flashing with a sudden, vibrant light. Under the watchful eyes of the precision instruments, Anko's consciousness began to stir. Like a long-dormant volcano on the verge of eruption, she was reclaiming control over her physical form.
Hiruko was focused on pouring himself a cup of coffee, the rich aroma drifting through the sterile air. Suddenly, a series of rapid, loud thumps echoed against glass from behind him. He instinctively turned around, only to lock eyes with Anko. Her gaze was clear, though wide with a frantic sense of panic.
Realizing she was completely naked, she reflexively scrambled to cover herself.
As consciousness flooded back, Anko found herself submerged in a transparent tank filled with nutrient fluid, without a stitch of clothing. The clear liquid did little to hide the graceful curves of her silhouette.
Shame and fury surged through her instantly. Her fair hands balled into fists, and she began to hammer against the glass wall with a rhythmic, thunderous bang-bang-bang-bang!
A piercing alarm immediately shrieked through the laboratory, the sharp sound cutting through the air like a volley of arrows. It startled the deep-in-thought Hiruko so badly he nearly dropped his coffee. He had spent a long time in this lab, but this was the first time he'd heard an alarm quite that deafening.
Upon receiving word about his disciple, Orochimaru dropped everything and hurried over at top speed. After reading a brief message left by Hiruko, Orochimaru turned and headed straight for a different location.
Instead of lying weak in a lab bed, Anko was currently sitting in a boisterous, crowded barbecue restaurant, eating like a woman possessed. Hiruko had brought her here specifically to celebrate the milestone success of the experiment.
The shop was thick with the atmosphere of the hearth, the scent of roasting meat clinging to every corner. On the grill in front of Anko, a massive slab of golden-brown meat was sizzling in its own juices, releasing an intoxicating aroma. She didn't even wait for it to cool; reaching out with her small hand, she grabbed the scorching meat and shoved it into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out like a greedy hamster.
But that wasn't enough. Pots of bone marrow stew, cooked until the meat practically fell off the bone, were being shuttled over from the neighboring shop. With a piece of BBQ in one hand and a giant bone in the other, Anko worked both sides, grease slicking her lips as she mumbled through a full mouth, "So good... this is too good!"
When Orochimaru walked in, he was greeted by the sight of his disciple's mouth stuffed like a balloon. She was huffing and puffing as she gnawed on a bone, still finding room to cram in more grilled meat as if trying to replace three days' worth of missing calories in a single sitting.
Beside her, the stack of empty plates had grown into a precarious, swaying mountain.
Hiruko sat with his chin resting on his hand, a beaming smile on his face as he watched Anko eat. He had been watching this performance for nearly two hours and was secretly floored. This appetite... it was probably more exaggerated than the Akimichi clan, who prided themselves on their hunger. She was like a gluttonous god reborn.
Biological evolution truly does require a massive amount of nutrients to sustain, Hiruko thought. Judging by this incredible intake, the experiment was clearly a success.
Orochimaru's gaze remained fixed on his eating disciple, his lips curling into a rare, faint smile. After all, he had authorized this experiment. He had always been attentive to Anko; if this experiment could improve her survivability, it was for the best.
His mind drifted back to the past. He couldn't help but wonder—if Nawaki had been given the chance to fuse with the power of Steel Release back then... perhaps he wouldn't have been caught in an explosion on the battlefield, meeting such a tragic end.
"Success?" Orochimaru asked.
Hiruko nodded slightly. "From the current outlook, the experiment is more than halfway to being a total success. However, we still need to wait for the follow-up tests and a full diagnostic to be certain."
"I see." Orochimaru inclined his head, his deep eyes watching Anko. "Judging by her state, her body seems to be steadily evolving toward the integration of the Steel Release Kekkei Genkai."
Hiruko frowned slightly, seemingly deep in thought. "Indeed. However, this level of binge-eating is putting a heavy load on her system."
"She hasn't had a proper meal in three days and nights," Orochimaru noted. "Her body is instinctively craving a massive energy replenishment."
The two continued to converse. With the conclusion of the Fourth War, Orochimaru had realized he lacked a definitive, "one-hit kill" jutsu, and had recently pivoted his research back toward finishing moves.
An hour later, the "female raptor" finally slowed her pace. Her chewing frequency dropped significantly. By now, her stomach was distended like she was several months pregnant, rounded and letting out occasional gurgles as her digestive system worked overtime.
Amazingly, it seemed her digestive capabilities had also been enhanced by the evolution. Her efficiency was staggering; that mountain of food was being broken down and absorbed at a visible rate.
Satisfied, Anko finally stopped her frantic devouring. She looked like someone slowly waking up from a grand, intoxicating feast. Stretching her limbs lazily, her eyes were full of post-meal bliss. She let out a content belch, BBQ sauce still staining the corner of her mouth—the picture of a returning conqueror.
Before leaving, Orochimaru walked over and patted her on the shoulder, his eyes full of expectation. "Adapt well to this new power. Do not waste this opportunity. A Kekkei Genkai is something countless people can only dream of."
With that, he turned and vanished into the night.
Nearby, the head chef Hiruko had hired from the city stood by with a wide grin. He was a renowned culinary master who had seen all sorts of customers, but he had never seen anyone eat with such gusto. He gave Anko a thumbs-up and praised her sincerely, "Young lady, your appetite and your style are the best I've ever seen! You must come back often—I'll save the best ingredients just for you!"
Anko patted her stomach and laughed. "No problem at all!"
The subsequent testing, data logging, and tedious paperwork had already been arranged by Orochimaru; a professional team would handle the follow-up, leaving Hiruko quite free.
Watching Anko's vibrant energy, Hiruko began to scheme. Once Anko's strength took a qualitative leap with this new power, someone with Yuhi Kurenai's competitive nature would surely be unable to sit still. She'd likely come knocking on his door, begging to be the next subject.
At the thought, Hiruko's lips curled into a meaningful smirk. He was quite curious to find out if Anko's best friend was also a "White Tiger."
Seven days later.
The air in Hiruko's basement was thick, almost like solidified darkness, save for the rhythmic drip-drop of water from the corners.
Yugito Nii was curled against the cold stone wall, her iron chains clinking softly with her weak struggles. Her silver hair fell in a mess over her pale shoulders, her thin inner garment soaked with a cold sweat and clinging to her curves. Her eyes were closed, lashes trembling, her breathing so faint it seemed it might vanish at any moment.
"How long do you plan on playing dead?"
Pakura's voice drifted from the shadows, carrying the sharp edge characteristic of a Sunagakure ninja. She stepped closer, her boots crunching over the dried blood scabs on the floor.
Yugito didn't look up, only burying her face deeper into the crook of her arm. "Leave me alone..."
Pakura let out a cold snort. She suddenly reached out, grabbed the chain, and yanked hard—
Clang! The metal shrieked. Yugito was dragged forward by the force, stumbling into Pakura's embrace. The Scorch Release user gripped her chin, forcing her head up.
Their breaths mingled.
"Look at yourself," Pakura said, her thumb brushing over Yugito's parched lips with enough force to draw blood. "The killing machine of Kumogakure... and now you don't even have the courage to look me in the eye?"
Yugito's pupils constricted. The Tailed Beast chakra stirred restlessly in her veins. She suddenly grabbed Pakura's wrist, her nails nearly digging into the skin.
"You don't understand... those screams... I can still feel the texture of the muscle when I tore open my friend's chest—"
"Then remember it!" Pakura leaned in closer, her nose almost touching Yugito's, her hot breath ghosting over the other woman's lips. "Remember every drop of blood. And then—" She slammed Yugito's hand against her own heart. "Use these hands to rip Hiruko's throat open!"
The heartbeat beneath her palm was strong and steady.
Yugito froze. Her fingers curled instinctively, hooking into Pakura's collar.
The chains hummed in the darkness. Once the sound of the guard rotation faded into the distance, Pakura immediately tore her sleeve.
"Bear with it," she muttered. She bit her fingertip and pressed the bleeding digit against the iron collar around Yugito's neck.
Blood slid down the blonde's collarbone and disappeared into her shirt. Yugito's throat hitched as she let out a muffled groan.
"Your blood... why is it so hot..."
"The Scorch Release Kekkei Genkai," Pakura whispered, leaning down until her lips were grazing Yugito's earlobe. "Now, feel it."
Searing chakra seeped through the blood and into the seal. Faint cracking sounds echoed from inside the iron ring.
Yugito began to tremble violently. The Two-Tails' chakra was following Pakura's bloodline, surging backward to erode the seal. The two powers entwined and clashed within her body.
"Ugh... ah!" Her head snapped back against the stone wall, but Pakura's hand was already there to cushion the impact.
The movement brought them flush against each other. Yugito's scorching gasps fell entirely against Pakura's neck.
"Hold on!" Pakura's voice was uncharacteristically strained.
The spectral blue Tailed Beast Shroud flickered in and out of existence, illuminating their overlapping silhouettes.
"You two... really have a lot of nerve," Hiruko remarked, a twisted smile playing on his lips.
He had been wanting to "consume" Pakura's disciple, Maki, but if the master didn't make a mistake, a "man of culture" like Hiruko couldn't easily find an opening. He had deliberately allowed these two to conspire.
Amidst the swirling dust, Yugito licked the trace of Pakura's blood from her lip, her slitted pupils glowing in the dark.
"Now," she said, snapping the final chain. She reached out a hand toward the dust-covered Scorch Release user. "Are you going to hell with me, Sand Ninja?"
Pakura spat out a mouthful of bloody foam and gripped her hand firmly.
The two immediately dropped into combat stances.
"Scorch Release: Flaming Stream!"
A wave of incinerating heat swept forward, forcing Hiruko to retreat!
"Cloth Binding Jutsu!"
Pakura's pupils suddenly shrank in shock!
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