Some people pursue immortality… others quietly reshape the future of the ninja world.
"Bone regeneration technique?"
After finishing her bath, Tsunade vaguely heard Shizune mentioning a new technique Souma had proposed.
She dried her hair, then took the notebook Shizune handed over.
After reading it carefully for quite some time, she finally murmured,
"It really could achieve a certain degree of bone regeneration."
Using chakra to create bone tissue.
Using Hashirama cells to cultivate hematopoietic stem cells within bone marrow.
Tsunade stared out the window.
"Lady Tsunade? Is something wrong?" Shizune asked.
"Nothing."
Tsunade closed the notebook.
"You can take responsibility for researching the chakra-based bone creation part. If this technique can be completed, it would become an excellent supplement to skeletal repair surgery."
What Tsunade couldn't quite figure out was—
Why Souma suddenly came up with this technique.
Perhaps while studying Kimimaro's condition, he had an idea and casually drafted a new ninjutsu concept.
That sounded exactly like Souma's style.
Many of his previous techniques had been born this way.
Still—
It would be very useful.
In the field of medical ninjutsu, bone treatment methods were indeed underdeveloped.
Most existing treatments simply used generalized healing techniques.
Souma's notes were different.
They included detailed analysis of bone structure, regeneration principles, and even a proposed bone marrow cultivation method.
There was only one problem.
The creation of bone marrow required Hashirama cells.
And Tsunade understood better than anyone how dangerous those were.
The next morning, Tsunade quietly left a note behind.
Then she slipped away from the Hokage Office.
She claimed she would return by noon, but Shizune wasn't optimistic.
"I just hope Lady Tsunade comes back before the Raikage arrives," Shizune muttered nervously.
"With his temper… I really don't know how to deal with him."
Just thinking about the Raikage's explosive personality made her uneasy.
Meanwhile—
"Souma, what exactly are you doing?"
"I'm trying to make it stronger."
"…I see."
Tenten stood nearby watching.
Her expression was complicated.
She could vaguely recognize the sealing arrays and barrier techniques Souma had set up.
They were clearly designed to compress chakra around the bone structure.
But—
Could bones really be strengthened artificially?
And more importantly—
Why strengthen bones at all?
Tenten couldn't understand the purpose.
Souma's reasoning was actually simple.
Originally he planned to wait for feedback from the Bodhi Seed.
But relying on that was partly luck.
And even the bone regeneration technique itself was still uncertain.
He couldn't place all his hopes on a single possibility.
More importantly—
Souma could strengthen himself using the Bodhi Seed.
But Guy and the others couldn't.
If skeletal durability could be improved…
Might Guy's combat capability beyond the Seventh Gate would increase dramatically.
Therefore—
Another solution had to be developed.
Souma was attempting to enhance skeletal durability using barrier techniques.
In reality, only certain bones needed reinforcement.
Mainly the arms and legs.
Barrier reinforcement could theoretically be applied surgically.
Now he was testing whether the idea was feasible.
After several attempts—
All of them failed.
Souma sighed with disappointment.
"What exactly are you researching?"
A familiar voice suddenly sounded behind him.
Tenten turned in surprise.
"Lady Tsunade?"
"Mm."
Tsunade nodded and walked closer.
She watched for a moment but couldn't quite understand what Souma was trying to achieve.
Wasn't he supposed to be researching Kimimaro's treatment?
Why had he suddenly started studying bones?
Then a thought occurred to her.
"Are you trying to crack the secrets of Shikotsumyaku?"
"Not exactly," Souma replied.
"This is mainly to complement breathing activation techniques and the Eight Gates."
"During the Fourth Activation or after the Seventh Gate, the strain from those techniques could damage the user's own body…"
Souma calmly explained his ideas.
Tsunade crouched down to inspect the barrier array.
"So your plan is to strengthen bones through surgery combined with stabilized barrier techniques?"
"Exactly."
Souma nodded.
"Also, regarding Kimimaro's treatment, I've developed some ideas I'd like to discuss with you."
"Go ahead."
"What if we used a method similar to Hidan's body structure—allowing his body to fuse with Hashirama cells?"
Souma continued,
"That might even push Shikotsumyaku to evolve."
"And if that fails, we could extend his lifespan using the Curse Mark."
Tsunade froze for several seconds.
She couldn't help admiring Souma's imagination.
No normal person would ever think of something like this.
Orochimaru would probably resonate strongly with Souma's thinking.
But unlike Orochimaru—
Souma's methods were far gentler.
If Orochimaru were here, he would already have begun human experimentation.
Tsunade considered the proposal carefully.
Hidan's body had achieved a kind of immortality.
If Hashirama cells and the Curse Mark could replicate something similar…
Kimimaro's illness might truly be cured.
He might even become stronger than before.
But another concern arose.
After spending time with Kimimaro, Tsunade believed his personality was trustworthy.
However—
That trust only held as long as Orochimaru remained dead.
If someone resurrected Orochimaru…
Where would Kimimaro's loyalty lie?
Konoha?
Or Orochimaru?
Tsunade glanced at Souma.
"What if Orochimaru returns?"
"I trust Kimimaro," Souma replied calmly.
"And I'll explain everything clearly to him."
"If necessary, we can also prepare additional safeguards within the Curse Mark."
"He'll agree to that?"
"He will."
Souma nodded.
"I already discussed it with him."
"Very well."
Tsunade crossed her arms.
"I've been studying Hashirama cells these past few days."
"Even if the procedure fails, I can prevent them from spreading uncontrollably."
"What?"
"Tsunade isn't here?"
"Lord Raikage, please wait for a moment. Lady Tsunade stepped out for something."
"Hmph."
The Raikage snorted.
"Is she avoiding me?"
"Forget it. I'll walk around for a bit."
He stood and left the Hokage building.
Samui followed.
Once they were outside, she asked quietly,
"Is the Hokage avoiding you?"
"Maybe she's researching Hidan," the Raikage muttered.
His mood was complicated.
Yesterday's negotiations between Kumogakure and Konoha had ended without agreement.
Konoha's proposal was simple.
An alliance.
Joint ninja research.
And co-hosting the Chūnin Exams.
In return—
Kumogakure would gain access to research on Hidan's immortal body.
And any ninjutsu developed through joint research would also be shared.
The Raikage disliked the idea of conceding ground in ninjutsu development.
Kumogakure had already suffered a hidden loss regarding the Eight-Tails.
Now even in negotiations they were expected to compromise.
He hated it.
But if Konoha truly succeeded in researching Hidan…
Then Kumogakure might fall even further behind.
Samui hesitated before speaking.
"Just say it," the Raikage said irritably.
"I think exchanging techniques might not be a bad idea," Samui said carefully.
"According to Atsui, Konoha has recently made significant progress in taijutsu research."
"If we could obtain those techniques, Kumogakure would benefit greatly."
The Raikage frowned.
He almost exploded.
But remembering his own words earlier, he forced himself to stay silent.
He walked several steps angrily.
Gradually—
He calmed down.
She had a point.
If Kumogakure could obtain techniques they needed, it might not be a loss after all.
Even if Konoha gained more in the exchange.
After all—
Konoha possessed Souma.
A genius capable of constantly creating new techniques.
The Raikage sighed.
Just as he was thinking—
Two familiar chakra signatures passed nearby.
Tsunade?
The Raikage immediately changed direction.
Soon he saw them.
Tsunade.
Souma.
And behind them—
A pale young man.
The Raikage remembered him.
He had seen this man in the Forest of Death earlier.
And he was strong.
The Raikage narrowed his eyes.
"Tsunade, what are you doing?"
"We have a surgery scheduled," Tsunade replied briefly.
"Sorry, Raikage. We'll talk later."
She disappeared with Souma and Kimimaro.
The Raikage wanted to follow.
But Samui stopped him.
"Lord Raikage… that's Konoha Hospital. Foreign shinobi aren't allowed inside."
He exhaled irritably.
"Let's go."
"I need to reconsider their proposal before the next negotiation."
"If only Darui had come with me…"
He sighed deeply.
Why had he allowed Atsui to come instead?
If Darui were here, at least he'd have someone reliable to discuss things with.
Samui could give useful advice—
But she was often too quiet.
And in negotiations, Darui was more experienced.
"Lady Tsunade."
"Yugao, prepare a clean laboratory. Souma and I will begin surgery in one hour."
"Yes, ma'am."
Yugao left.
Inside the small ANBU room remained only three people.
Souma.
Tsunade.
Kimimaro.
Souma spoke calmly.
"Kimimaro, Tsunade and I have prepared two treatment approaches."
"We plan to apply both simultaneously."
"Simultaneously?" Kimimaro asked.
"What does that mean?"
"Our plan relies on the regenerative power of Hashirama cells," Souma explained.
"So we must implant those cells into your body."
"My current idea is to apply them through a method similar to the Curse Mark."
He paused and glanced at Kimimaro's neck.
"But there's a problem."
"My Curse Mark?" Kimimaro guessed.
"Exactly."
Kimimaro already possessed a Curse Mark.
That was why Souma had originally considered the technique only as a backup plan.
There was no guarantee that a new mark wouldn't conflict with the existing one.
At that moment Tsunade spoke.
"We have a risky solution."
"We'll allow Hashirama cells to consume the Curse Mark on your neck."
"Then we'll seal and stabilize the result as a new Curse Mark."
"I accept."
Kimimaro nodded immediately.
Tsunade blinked.
She glanced at Souma, then back at Kimimaro.
"There's something you should know first."
"You'll need to place control measures on me, correct?"
"…Yes."
Tsunade nodded.
Kimimaro smiled faintly.
"Lord Souma already explained Konoha's concerns."
"Honestly, the fact that you're willing to perform surgery on me is already more generosity than I expected."
"Very well," Tsunade said.
"Rest for now. We'll begin shortly."
She left the room, allowing Souma to speak with Kimimaro privately.
Souma looked thoughtful.
"Kimimaro."
"This surgery has about a sixty percent chance of success."
"Even if it fails, it should extend your life somewhat."
"You don't need to worry."
"I'm not worried," Kimimaro replied calmly.
"But I am curious."
"Aren't you afraid I might betray you?"
Souma answered honestly.
"I have the strength to defeat you."
"So I'm not afraid."
Kimimaro fell silent.
Considering Souma's space-time techniques, even his strongest attack—
Early Fern Dance—
Would likely fail to threaten Konoha.
Strength created confidence.
He sighed.
"To be honest… sometimes you remind me of Lord Orochimaru."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"But also not quite."
Kimimaro hesitated before speaking again.
"You're gentler than him."
"But also more restrained."
Souma smiled faintly.
"People need moral restraints."
"Otherwise, once they gain great power, they stop being human."
"In my opinion, Orochimaru has already crossed that line."
"What does that make him?"
"He pursues immortality."
"Isn't that basically trying to become a god?"
Souma shrugged.
Kimimaro considered the idea carefully.
Then he nodded slowly.
Yes.
Orochimaru…
Was closer to a dark deity than a human.
If Kimimaro had been asked this question in the past, he would never have agreed.
But after living in Konoha and working within the research division—
The difference between Souma and Orochimaru had become obvious.
Kimimaro looked directly at him.
"You say Orochimaru seeks godhood."
"But in my eyes…"
"You're becoming something else entirely."
"What's that?"
"The Sage of Six Paths reborn."
Creating new ninjutsu.
And spreading them throughout the world.
Even without emotional bias—
That path was undeniably greater.
Kimimaro bowed deeply.
"If I survive this surgery…"
"Even if Lord Orochimaru returns…"
"I will never fight for him again."
"That is my promise."
Souma smiled gently.
"Everything I told you earlier was also sincere."
"Thank you very much."
Kimimaro bowed once more.
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