"Then I'll need a piece of flesh from this big guy, as well as some Hashirama cells. I'll conduct my research at the Laboratory Base."
Mi pointed toward the Gedo Statue. She had no intention of performing such delicate research in this gloomy, dilapidated underground chamber.
"No problem."
Uchiha Madara stepped forward. He drew his gunbai, leapt into the air, and swung the scythe-shaped blade attached to its end. With a sharp tearing sound, a chunk of flesh was ripped directly from the Gedo Statue.
A viscous white substance oozed out, resembling plant sap rather than blood.
No—when one considered it carefully, the Gedo Statue, as the shell of the Ten-Tails, resembled a massive plant far more than a living creature.
"Put it here."
Mi produced a sealed culture container and carefully placed the harvested flesh inside. This material was invaluable; it would form the foundation of her research.
She then turned and caught sight of Uchiha Madara removing his outer robe, revealing sealing talismans attached to his body.
"Old man," Mi said dryly, "you're old in body but not in spirit. Are you still trying to act like a pervert?"
Madara froze.
"I'm bringing you Hashirama cells! What exactly do you think you're implying?!"
His aged face flushed bright red as he roared in fury.
"You transplanted the flesh of your lifelong enemy into your own body," Mi continued calmly, her gaze strange and assessing. "Could it be that you actually enjoy it?"
"Shut your mouth!"
Madara cut away a small piece of flesh from the area where Senju Hashirama's cells had been grafted into him. Mi immediately placed the sample into a culture vessel. The instant it touched the nutrient solution, the flesh twitched, absorbing nutrients as though it had come alive.
"What astonishing vitality…" Mi murmured in awe. "Are these really cells that humans can possess?"
"Have you finally realized how ignorant you are?"
Madara looked at her with faint smugness in his eyes.
Mi resisted the urge to retort. What are you so proud of? Those are Hashirama's cells, not yours.
She swallowed her thoughts—provoking Madara now would only invite unnecessary suspicion.
"I admit my earlier words were inappropriate," she said evenly. "I'll return to begin my research. If you're interested, you may check on my progress later."
With that, Mi turned and walked toward the exit of the Mountain Cemetery.
Madara watched her leave, feeling deeply satisfied. He had sought her assistance because she was a genuine scientist—someone who would devote herself completely to research.
More importantly, attempting to study the Gedo Statue and Hashirama cells alone would have been nothing short of foolish.
Madara knew nothing about cellular research.
Rather than waste his remaining life on blind experimentation, it was far wiser to entrust such matters to someone truly qualified.
Chapter 181 – The War Begins Again
News of the Limb Regrowth Technique spread rapidly across the Four Great Shinobi Villages.
Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure all showed intense interest in a technique capable of regenerating severed limbs.
Compared to them, Iwagakure was filled with regret.
Ōnoki could not help but lament his hesitation. If his Dust Release had been even slightly faster back then, he might have killed Orochimaru outright—an outcome far more beneficial than merely injuring the Third Hokage.
Even a single Orochimaru had dramatically altered Konoha's strength and trajectory.
Ōnoki underwent a full medical examination at Iwagakure Hospital. No abnormalities were found.
After reviewing intelligence reports from all major villages, he understood clearly: everyone was waiting to see what move Iwagakure would make next.
Finally, Ōnoki issued his order.
Iwagakure would once again launch an attack on Konoha.
The decision was quickly relayed back to Konoha by undercover intelligence operatives.
Laboratory Base
Just as expected, the vitality contained within the Gedo Statue's flesh far surpassed even that of Zero-Tailed Beast cells.
Orochimaru stared intently at the culture tank containing the Gedo Statue's tissue. By comparison, he paid little attention to the adjacent tank holding Hashirama cells.
Hashirama cells were undeniably powerful—but also extremely dangerous. One misstep could result in being devoured by them entirely. After all, these were the cells of Senju Hashirama, inheritor of Asura's Sage Body.
Rather than risk unnecessary danger, Orochimaru chose to prioritize research on White Zetsu cells and the Gedo Statue.
The Gedo Statue contained Ōtsutsuki cells.
If properly cultivated, they might even allow Hyuga Mio to awaken the Tenseigan, the ultimate evolution of the Byakugan.
"Orochimaru-sama," a voice reported, "these are the analytical results of the Gedo Statue's flesh and the Hashirama cells."
Orochimaru accepted the documents and began reading.
"Hm… just as I suspected."
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's cells were indeed present within the Gedo Statue.
But more than that—he detected traces of another Ōtsutsuki.
"This is far more interesting than I imagined…"
A thin smile curved across Orochimaru's lips. His immediate priority became isolating Kaguya's cells and those of the unknown Ōtsutsuki from the statue's flesh.
At the same time, enhancement of Hashirama cells had to continue. There were countless ways to extend Madara's lifespan—but since he had given his word, Orochimaru intended to honor it.
"Mio," he said, turning, "are you well rested?"
He handed the documents to Hyuga Mio, who had been sitting quietly with her eyes closed.
"Yes," she replied, taking a sip of medicinal tea as she stood beside him.
She wore her white lab coat, golden-rimmed glasses pushed upward, pale eyes calm and focused.
"Then let us begin," Mio said softly. "The experiment to isolate cells from the Gedo Statue's flesh."
Meanwhile, at the Ada Laboratory Base, Mi was conducting parallel research on both the Gedo Statue and Hashirama cells.
Similar experiments could yield entirely different discoveries.
Konoha – Orochimaru's Residence
Orochimaru stared expressionlessly at the battle armor in his hands before tossing it onto the nearby sofa.
He fastened his forehead protector instead. He was thoroughly sick of that cumbersome armor.
At this very moment, he felt an overwhelming urge to annihilate Iwagakure with chakra explosives.
Did they have any idea what he was doing?!
He was in the middle of separating Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's cells and unknown Ōtsutsuki material from the Gedo Statue!
Why provoke war now—at such a critical juncture?!
Ōnoki… why didn't Uchiha Madara strangle you and Mu back then?
Orochimaru prided himself on patience, but even he was nearing his limit.
Although the Limb Regrowth Technique exempted him from frontline duty, he could not help worrying about Tsunade.
"You don't need to go to the battlefield," Orochimaru said.
Tsunade, holding a hair tie, shook her head. "I know you're worried—but you also know my strength."
"And precisely because I know it," he replied calmly, "I worry you'll overexert yourself."
He took the hair tie from her and began tying her blonde hair into twin ponytails.
"How could I possibly—"
Her cheeks puffed slightly.
"Would you like me to list the number of times you've overextended yourself and made foolish mistakes on the battlefield?"
Orochimaru produced a notebook labeled 'Tsunade Observation Log'.
"What?! When did you write that?!"
"If you don't want me adding more entries," he said lightly, tapping her head with the notebook, "then reduce the frequency of reckless behavior."
Tsunade glared, then slowly deflated.
"I… I'm sorry."
"Sigh… do you really think I'd be angry with you?"
She buried her face against his neck.
"I'm sorry!"
Orochimaru stroked her back helplessly.
"Mio," he said later, forming hand seals, "I'll leave the experiment to you and my Shadow Clone."
A clone appeared beside him.
"Please be careful," Mio said, embracing him briefly. "Both of you."
"I'm strong," Tsunade declared, raising her fist.
Orochimaru lifted the charm she had given him. "Thanks to this, danger becomes safety."
Mio's breath caught as warmth spread through her chest.
"When you return," she whispered, "I'll give you another charm."
"This one is enough," Orochimaru replied gently.
He turned, smiling faintly. "Unless you want me completely covered in them?"
Mio laughed softly.
As he departed, Uchiha Hikari watched silently from the sofa.
"I'll check your progress when I return," Orochimaru said, patting her head.
"Mm."
The war had begun once more.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)