Chapter 581: Tenseigan
"Other than the pain in your eyes, are you experiencing any other symptoms?"
Kenichi looked at Subject No. 1 in front of him.
The young man appeared completely normal.
The transplanted Byakugan also looked normal from the outside. The only abnormality was the intermittent pain in his eyes.
According to Subject No. 1, whenever the pain appeared, it was extremely intense. Severe enough to interfere with his ability to perform ninjutsu and even affect ordinary daily activities.
Kenichi was not surprised.
After all, Toneri had experienced similar pain in The Last.
In fact, those repeated bouts of pain had caused Toneri to miss several opportunities he otherwise could have taken advantage of, eventually contributing to his defeat.
Of course, it was still a movie.
Even without such an obvious weakness, Naruto was destined to win in the end.
Still, the pain itself had clearly played a role in the story.
And Kenichi had several theories about what might have caused it.
Organ transplantation was an extremely troublesome field.
Even in his previous life, transplantation medicine had still been developing.
The actual surgery was not necessarily the most difficult part.
The greater problem came afterward.
Rejection.
Immune responses.
Inflammation.
And all the other complications caused by the recipient's body identifying the transplanted organ as foreign tissue.
That was why people who received organ transplants often needed to take immunosuppressive drugs for long periods.
But organ transplantation in the Shinobi World was almost absurdly convenient.
Remove the organ.
Put it into someone else.
Use a little ninjutsu.
Done.
From a scientific perspective, the process was ridiculous.
Toneri's situation, on the other hand, was actually closer to something Kenichi could accept scientifically.
Normally, the immune system had little direct contact with the interior of the eyes.
But if that immune isolation was disrupted and the body suddenly recognized ocular tissue as foreign, the immune system could attack it.
That would naturally trigger inflammation and severe pain.
"No."
Subject No. 1 rubbed his eyes.
"Only the occasional pain."
He paused.
"Recently, I've also been feeling mentally tired more often. I don't know whether that's related."
His tone remained completely calm.
Kenichi did not immediately respond.
He was skeptical that the mental fatigue had anything to do with the transplanted Byakugan.
There were far too many possible causes.
Subject No. 1 was, after all, an artificially accelerated clone.
One ordinary day for Kenichi could represent several days, perhaps even weeks, of biological aging for Subject No. 1.
Under those circumstances, mental and neurological fatigue would hardly be surprising.
"This still requires observation."
Kenichi recorded the symptom in his experimental log.
As for the transplanted Byakugan themselves, their transformation toward the Tenseigan was progressing slowly.
That alone told Kenichi something important.
Awakening the Tenseigan required time.
Kenichi studied Subject No. 1 thoughtfully.
Perhaps supplying him with some of the specialized Otsutsuki chakra Kenichi currently possessed could accelerate the transformation.
While observing him, however, Kenichi noticed something else.
Subject No. 1 was also staring back at him.
His eyes were indifferent.
Cold.
Almost mechanical.
Kenichi fell into thought.
Was this caused by the accelerated growth process?
Subject No. 1 had always been unusual.
His emotional responses were extremely muted, while his tolerance for pain was extraordinarily high.
Even when his original eyes had been removed, his expression had barely changed.
That had made Kenichi curious for quite some time.
Was this emotional indifference unique to Subject No. 1?
Or did Toneri's genetic structure naturally produce such traits?
"Teacher."
Subject No. 1 suddenly spoke.
His voice remained flat and emotionless.
There was almost no rise or fall in his tone, like an artificial voice reading prepared lines.
The effect was always somewhat strange.
Kenichi was not particularly surprised that Subject No. 1 called him Teacher.
Their relationship had developed that way over time.
More accurately, Subject No. 1 had taken the initiative to recognize Kenichi as his teacher.
Kenichi himself had never truly considered the clone a disciple.
If this experiment failed, Subject No. 1 would eventually die.
The only uncertainty was how long that would take.
"What is it?"
Kenichi asked calmly.
A trace of interest appeared in his eyes.
He wanted to know what Subject No. 1 intended to say.
Kenichi had occasionally wondered why this clone was so emotionally detached, but he had never investigated the matter deeply.
After all, Subject No. 1's greatest value lay in Tenseigan research.
His purpose was to provide a viable experimental model for the awakening process.
Everything beyond that was secondary.
But since Subject No. 1 had spoken up himself, Kenichi was willing to listen.
"If the experiment fails, I want you to transplant my brain into another cloned body."
Subject No. 1 spoke as calmly as though he were discussing the weather.
Kenichi raised an eyebrow.
Now that was interesting.
He had not expected Subject No. 1 to know enough to make such a request.
Had the clone already understood his situation long ago?
For something that had undergone such extreme accelerated growth, that level of awareness was genuinely surprising.
Kenichi looked at him with renewed interest.
He had placed some restrictions on Subject No. 1.
From the moment of his creation until now, Subject No. 1 had lived entirely inside the laboratory.
He had never gone outside.
He had never seen the wider world or interacted with ordinary people.
However, Kenichi had deliberately avoided restricting his access to information inside the laboratory too heavily.
He wanted to observe the clone's ability to learn.
The result had greatly exceeded his expectations.
Subject No. 1 absorbed new knowledge extremely quickly.
Most impressive of all, much of it was self-taught.
At this point, he could even perform some basic genetic screening work.
That might not sound extraordinary at first.
But learning such techniques entirely from books, without anyone personally teaching him, was remarkable.
The quality of Subject No. 1 had exceeded Kenichi's original expectations by a considerable margin.
Still, Kenichi did not fear him.
The accelerated-cloning process itself imposed significant limitations on Subject No. 1.
He posed no real threat.
More importantly, Kenichi's current strength was far beyond anything an experimental subject confined to a laboratory for a short period could challenge.
So Kenichi remained completely calm.
"Fine."
He nodded.
"As long as your brain cells remain viable until then."
Kenichi had no objection.
If the opportunity arose, he was perfectly willing to attempt a brain transplant.
It would provide another useful experiment.
The brain remained one of the most mysterious and difficult parts of the human body to study.
Even tiny problems could lead to enormous consequences.
Neurological dysfunction.
Emotional instability.
Loss of behavioral control.
In severe cases, complete paralysis or a vegetative state.
And even that was not necessarily the worst outcome.
Kenichi knew there were rare patients whose brains remained active.
They could think.
They remained aware.
Their minds functioned normally.
But their bodies could not move.
They could not speak.
Sometimes, they could not even move their eyes.
They were not truly unconscious.
They were prisoners.
Prisoners trapped inside their own bodies.
As for Subject No. 1, Kenichi did not know whether accelerated growth would cause his brain to age prematurely and die.
But he did not mind agreeing to the request.
No matter whether the current experiment succeeded or failed, Kenichi could gain something from it.
If the Tenseigan experiment failed, then he could use the opportunity to investigate Subject No. 1's brain and perhaps make progress in humanity's most mysterious biological field.
How was consciousness generated?
How was it stored?
Where did consciousness go after death?
These were all questions that had troubled researchers in Kenichi's previous world.
Of course, the Naruto world had already provided relatively complete answers to some of them.
Consciousness was closely tied to the soul.
And after death, souls entered the Pure Land.
Even so, Kenichi had never abandoned his interest in researching the brain.
He had always felt that it was one of the most mysterious parts of a person.
If someone could truly control another person's brain, then in practical terms, they could control that person entirely.
Even Kenichi's earlier idea of developing techniques that manipulated emotions during combat ultimately pointed back toward brain research.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Subject No. 1 replied calmly.
Kenichi looked at him for another moment.
Then he finished recording the observations from this period in the experimental log and left the laboratory.
He still had not moved his research facility to the Moon.
Although the lunar base was excellent in terms of secrecy and security, Kenichi had ultimately decided against relocating.
There was simply too much equipment to move.
Transporting everything would consume too much time and effort.
And more importantly...
This timeline was not Kenichi's permanent home.
Sooner or later, he would leave.
Once Isshiki was dealt with, Kenichi intended to return to his original world.
If he stayed too long after that, he might eventually become the next Isshiki, a powerful outsider surrounded and targeted by everyone else.
That sounded far too troublesome.
"Big Brother Kenichi!"
Shortly after returning to Konoha, Kenichi heard a familiar voice.
He turned.
Hikari was approaching while holding a skewer of three-colored dango.
Kenichi almost laughed.
It seemed that no matter what world she was in, Hikari's love for three-colored dango never changed.
"Hikari, eating three-colored dango again?"
Kenichi looked at her with amusement.
"Don't you want to try another flavor for once?"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata were all undergoing specialized training now.
Their entire focus was on becoming stronger before the confrontation with Isshiki.
That left Hikari with relatively little to do.
With nothing better to occupy her time, she spent most days wandering around Konoha or idling inside the Uchiha Clan compound that had been returned to the village.
Kenichi had no idea what exactly she had been doing recently.
The last time Hikari came to see him, she had mysteriously mentioned wanting to start something of her own.
Kenichi wondered whether she had finally decided what she wanted to do with her future.
"No."
Hikari shook her head.
"Three-colored dango is really good."
She continued chewing, her cheeks slightly puffed out.
Kenichi said nothing.
As long as Hikari was happy, that was enough.
Her ability was extremely unusual anyway.
She did not need much additional training to remain useful in a major battle.
Kenichi had even heard that Hiruzen had once discussed something with Hashirama and Tobirama.
They had considered sealing a Tailed Beast inside Hikari and turning her into a Jinchuriki.
After all, Jinchuriki possessed enormous chakra reserves.
That would allow Hikari to sustain her abilities through longer battles.
However, they ultimately abandoned the idea.
Hikari had been brought back by Kenichi.
And none of them were confident they understood how he would react if they altered her body without his approval.
Kenichi had not bothered confronting them about it.
But he certainly would not allow Hikari to become a Jinchuriki.
Tailed Beasts looked extremely powerful by ordinary standards.
But to Kenichi, that was about all they were.
Besides, not just anyone was suitable to become a Jinchuriki.
There was no reason for Hikari to take that risk.
"Hikari, now that you mention it, what have you been busy with lately?"
Kenichi stretched comfortably.
The current Shinobi World really was pleasant.
Peaceful.
Everyone had their own responsibilities.
Almost no one had the energy or desire to fight each other to the death anymore.
Even the occasional border conflicts had stopped producing serious bloodshed.
The two sides would arrive.
Exchange a few attacks for appearances.
Then withdraw.
It was practically the most harmonious battlefield imaginable.
The major hidden villages still disliked one another, of course.
That had not changed.
But under the pressure of Kenichi and Hagoromo, they had been forced to grit their teeth and cooperate.
"Big Brother Kenichi, I've been preparing to open a bookstore."
Hikari spoke with complete seriousness.
Kenichi froze.
The three-colored dango in his hand nearly slipped from his fingers.
A bookstore?
He genuinely had not expected that.
Hikari wanted to open a bookstore?
Of course, bookstores were perfectly normal in the Naruto world.
They sold manga.
Novels.
And certain more specialized forms of entertainment.
Jiraiya's Icha Icha series, for example, was sold openly in bookstores.
Kenichi had read some of Jiraiya's work before.
He had to admit that Jiraiya genuinely possessed literary talent.
As one of the Shinobi World's most commercially successful writers, his prose was surprisingly vivid.
His descriptions were detailed and immersive, and certain scenes were clearly designed to leave adult readers rather excited.
In that sense, Kakashi was also quite impressive.
He could casually walk around reading Icha Icha Paradise every day without showing the slightest reaction on his face.
"A bookstore?"
Kenichi nodded.
"That's actually not a bad idea."
He took another bite of the dango.
The taste really was quite good.
Still, Kenichi felt that sweets like these probably appealed more to children and young women.
Personally, he preferred spicy, flavorful food.
There was something almost euphoric about eating something intensely spicy.
In his opinion, spicy food was one of the simplest and cheapest ways for ordinary people to chase a little happiness.
"But buying stock is really troublesome."
Hikari looked somewhat distressed.
"And there are some books on the suppliers' lists that I don't understand at all."
Kenichi smiled.
He understood exactly what she meant.
The Icha Icha series.
Along with various other unusual publications that were not necessarily suitable to leave on the front display.
Those books were still part of the Naruto world's publishing market.
And their sales were surprisingly high.
Many ninja apparently enjoyed simple, direct entertainment that helped them relax after missions.
Jiraiya's novels had been reprinted again and again.
At this point, the man could probably live comfortably on royalties alone without ever accepting another mission.
It was quite an enviable arrangement.
Kenichi smiled and began giving Hikari a few practical tips about running a business.
If opening a bookstore was what she wanted, then so be it.
After everything Hikari had endured in the past, allowing her to live the rest of her life peacefully and do something she genuinely enjoyed could be considered a small form of compensation.
....
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