"This is..." Kushina peered at the vial.
"Orochimaru's blood," Habara explained casually. "Collected it offhand some time ago. Now it's time for some waste reclamation."
It must be said, scavenging is a behavior deeply ingrained in the human species' memory. When you see something potentially good, who cares who dropped it or if it'll be useful later? Just collect it first. It'll surely come in handy someday... Orochimaru's blood was exactly that kind of thing – possibly useful, possibly not, but undeniably rare. And since it was rare, it was worth collecting.
This sort of thing is even more common among ninja, though usually, it involves retrieving enemy corpses for intelligence analysis or other research, rather than just blood samples. This indelicate tradition of "borrowing" bits and pieces from others probably dates back to Madara Uchiha taking a bite out of Hashirama Senju.
Evidently, no matter how domineering Madara always appeared, he wasn't above such crude methods when necessary. Stealing (or biting) a piece of his rival? He just went ahead and did it.
"Summoning using Orochimaru's blood?" Kushina pondered. "Theoretically, it's possible. The blood contains the necessary contract link. However... whether the summoning animal will respond to chakra other than Orochimaru's is another matter entirely." Wisely, she didn't delve into how Habara had obtained Orochimaru's blood.
Using Orochimaru's blood for the summoning seals would definitely establish a connection to the summons of Ryuchi Cave. The issue was whether the summons would choose to respond, knowing the chakra performing the summoning didn't belong to Orochimaru.
"Once the transfer channel is established, the choice is no longer in the summoning animal's hands. Disregarding chakra consumption, a forced summoning is achievable," Habara stated confidently.
When digging a pit, if the target refuses to jump in willingly, Habara certainly knew how to "drag them in kicking and screaming." After all, for every situation relying on "mutual consent," there's always the concept of "taking by force."
Stealing well, stealing cleverly, retreating promptly – none of these define a master thief. Being able to acquire things at "zero cost" – that is the mark of a true master thief.
"Besides, that's just the fallback plan. For Manda, the likelihood of responding to the summons is far higher than not responding," Habara added.
This was because Manda's inherent nature was cruel, bloodthirsty, and utterly arrogant. If summoned out of Ryuchi Cave, the first thing he'd do upon arriving is devour the summoner, then look around for any other primate-sized snacks nearby.
Aside from the Sages of Ryuchi Cave, one couldn't expect high levels of intelligence from other reptiles.
"If feasibility isn't a major issue, we still need to consider other factors, like whether this action might provoke hostility from Ryuchi Cave..."
However, Kushina trailed off, shaking her head slightly. She realized she was overthinking it. Snakes are generally aloof creatures; the social structure within a snake pit, even Ryuchi Cave, wouldn't likely involve strong kinship bonds like human clans. Would the loss of one snake matter? Would it have any impact? Almost certainly not. Given Manda's personality, the other snakes in Ryuchi Cave probably hoped he'd disappear sooner rather than later.
The so-called White Snake Sage likely wouldn't react either. Whether snake or toad, after living for so many years, worldly concerns tend to fade. Calling them "transcendent" might be an exaggeration, but as Sages, they surely possess some degree of detachment.
Taking it a step further, even if the White Snake Sage did become hostile towards Konoha and led an army of snakes against them, what difference would it make? In terms of pure combat power... Habara wondered if anyone was interested in aged snake soup.
Kushina shot Habara a sideways glance. She found his "might makes right" paternalistic thinking objectionable but couldn't immediately formulate a counterargument.
At this point, there wasn't much left to discuss regarding the plan or action. However, Kushina had other warnings for Habara.
"Habara, there are some things I need to clarify beforehand. Even if Daigo successfully undergoes 'Tailed Beast vitalization,' the freedom she gains will not be comparable to yours now. First, generally speaking, it's almost impossible for Daigo to possess combat power as formidable as yours, so her safety cannot be guaranteed. Second, becoming Bijuu-like isn't the same as becoming a true Tailed Beast. What we're creating is essentially an imitation, similar but fundamentally different. She won't have the crucial ability to resurrect after death. Third, Daigo is currently the central hub for certain Konoha systems. Just considering the vast amount of Konoha ninja chakra concentrated within her, she cannot possibly attain true freedom."
In other words, even if Daigo's main body regained mobility, her range of activity would be restricted to Konoha and Shadow Leaf. Allowing her to roam the continent freely was out of the question. It couldn't be helped; in a sense, she was now a core node of Konoha. How could Konoha possibly allow such a vital component to be exposed?
"Compared to being stuck in a cave indefinitely, it's already significant progress," Habara replied. Ultimately, he wasn't unreasonable, at least not within the circle of those he considered "his people." He was willing to abide by necessary rules.
Actually, the most ideal approach would be for Daigo to undergo the same kind of "Bijuu-fication" as Habara, but that was unrealistic.
Firstly, what happened to Habara was the result of numerous coincidences piled together; its replicability couldn't be guaranteed. Tangling with the Nine-Tails was incredibly dangerous; the possibility of being devoured by it was far greater than devouring it.
Secondly, under the current circumstances, Konoha would never allow Habara to control the core power of two Nine-Tails entities. This had nothing to do with whether he was trustworthy; for a center of power to endure, balance is crucial. Habara wielding two Nine-Tails would represent an imbalance... Daigo possessing the Nine-Tails would be functionally identical to Habara possessing it – this was common understanding.
Achieving Daigo's "evolution" using the artificial Tailed Beast method was the second-best option, and also the most practical one.
"Then let's prepare slightly, and then begin inscribing the formula."
Three days later, within the secret realm of Shadow Leaf Mountain.
On a large, flat boulder, a massive circular technique formula had been inscribed. The dense lines and tadpole-like script were dizzying to look at.
The summoning animals "raised" here, both contracted and artificially cultivated, had likely never witnessed such a scene. They sat in neat rows some distance away, observing with scrutinizing and curious gazes. Among them, the largest and most eye-catching were naturally Habara's "Rock, Scales, and Stripes."
Habara and Kakashi were making the final preparations, about to transfer Daigo from her cave dwelling to the center of the circular formula.
"Kakashi-senpai, I hear you've completed the development of that encapsulation formula?" Habara asked casually.
He hadn't expected Kakashi to finish the "Flash" technique seal so quickly. Truly worthy of the genius ninja, Kakashi Hatake – a hexagonal warrior at six, sixteen, and still a hexagonal warrior at twenty-six.
"It's essentially complete. Just some minor adjustments left. After several rounds of testing, there are no major issues," Kakashi replied.
"So I heard," Habara said. "Though, for some reason, it seems the personnel involved in the experiments are reluctant to discuss their experiences. Logically, shouldn't completing such glorious work be praiseworthy, even something to boast about?"
The "personnel involved" undoubtedly referred specifically to Tenzo.
Kakashi almost failed to suppress a grin. Fortunately, it was only almost. He managed to keep a straight face and said, "Experiments, you know... accidents inevitably happen along the way. Yes, rather... undignified accidents..."
It was far more than "undignified"; it was treating everyone involved as if they weren't outsiders at all, in the most embarrassing way possible.
Habara was slightly puzzled but didn't press further since it was just an accident. After moving Daigo's core, the massive chakra sphere, into the center of the formula, Habara addressed her, "Daigo, how do you feel?"
Daigo seemed to consider it, then tried to describe her sensation. "Feeling... a little chilly?"
Hmm, indeed, a bit chilly. Like a shut-in who finally steps outside and immediately catches a cold from the draft.
Seemed like there were no problems. The patient being wheeled into the operating room was emotionally stable.
Habara retreated outside the formula's range and looked towards Kushina Uzumaki.
Kushina simply nodded. "We can begin."
Habara didn't hesitate. He smeared the dull, foreign blood onto his fingertips, formed the hand seals, and activated the Summoning Jutsu.
Events unfolded exactly as anticipated. Without any extra effort from Habara, Manda proactively responded to the summons. The next moment, his colossal form appeared in the center of the technique formula.
Simultaneously, Kushina activated the formula. The lines, patterns, and runes instantly lit up with blinding light.
"You...!"
Before the purple-skinned serpent Manda could even speak, he felt himself instantly seized by an immense force. No matter how he struggled, invisible hands held his body fast.
Then, Daigo's spherical chakra core began to flow, bit by bit, soon completely enveloping Manda's massive body.
At this point, Manda could only emit short, continuous, choked whimpers. The gruesome sight instantly made the onlooking summoning animals' fur stand on end. A wave of panicked chirping and squawking erupted as they scattered in a frenzy... Too terrifying! True evil exists in this world!
Manda's body began to disintegrate piece by piece. After five minutes, his flesh, bones, skin, and scales were completely dissolved. As his physical form vanished, high-density chakra coalesced into solid, visible lines, reconstructing Manda's bodily outline with remarkable regularity and uniform speed.
Like a 3D wireframe drawing, the "Manda" outline floated in mid-air. Then, the vast amount of ambient chakra began to fill the hollow frame – bones, organs, flesh, skin – reforming the physical tissues according to the life blueprint Manda had unwillingly contributed, until all the chakra solidified into tangible matter.
When everything settled, "Manda" landed back in the center of the formula. It held its upper body raised, seemingly gazing into the distance.
Habara called out, "How do you feel, Daigo?"
After a moment, "Manda" spoke, its voice now Daigo's. "A bit high up... Seems even colder now."
Snakes, naturally, lack limbs. But as Daigo's thoughts directed, a semi-transparent arm composed of gathered chakra solidified out of the snake's body.
Daigo raised the arm, reaching up to touch her head, feeling several small horns that seemed to have grown there.
Habara and Kushina exchanged glances, then nodded simultaneously. No problems. It appeared to be a success.
Manda had been stolen. So, what about the victim? How was the victim feeling right now?
Suffice it to say, the victim was currently quite happy.
Not because Orochimaru had any peculiar kinks involving cuckoldry, but because he was actually completely unaware that his precious Manda had been snatched and "processed." Therefore, his happiness was genuine.
In a secret underground lair somewhere in the Land of Rain, Orochimaru stood before two upright coffins. The lids were open, revealing two figures standing stiffly inside with closed eyes.
Orochimaru looked from one coffin to the other, then couldn't help but let out a low chuckle.
"Even with the so-called 'Eyes of God that Behold All Creation,' can the self-proclaimed god truly defeat the one universally acknowledged as the God of Shinobi? Heh... hahaha! What the answer truly is... I simply must witness it with my own eyes."