Ch.137 Bewitchment!

As Neji injected his Byakugan chakra into the culture dish, the aggressiveness of the Kimimaro cell tissue inside immediately decreased by a level.

"There's hope!"

Uchiha Shinji's expression shifted slightly.

Without discussing other factors, the mere fact that Byakugan chakra could suppress the rejection of Kimimaro's cell tissue demonstrated that Byakugan chakra was the key to fusion.

Afterward, he used instruments to test the progress of cell fusion inside the culture dish.

He discovered that the two groups of cells, which had previously been unable to fuse, now showed faint signs of fusion after being infused with the Byakugan chakra that acted as a regulatory agent.

Crack!

Moments later, the culture dish shattered.

The cell tissue inside the dish calcified completely and then withered at a visible speed, eventually turning into a pile of fine ash.

Shinji was not surprised by this scene.

He had tried many times before. As long as it involved Kimimaro's cell tissue, the outcome was always the same, without exception—everything would turn into this.

However, compared to previous experiments, there was significant progress this time, and it was clear that this progress was caused by Byakugan chakra.

"As expected!"

Looking at the data displayed on the instrument, Shinji became even more certain.

The fusion of the bloodlines of the Kaguya and Hyuga clans followed the principle of the combination of Yin Release and Yang Release—balancing Yin and Yang. It's not simply about merging cells mindlessly.

If Kimimaro's cells were the primary focus, with the Yang Release inside Kimimaro being dominant, the only way to harness the Yin Release power of the Hyuga clan would be through the transplantation of the Byakugan.

Conversely, if Neji from the Hyuga clan were the focus, they would have to acquire the Yang Release power of the Kaguya clan through the transplantation of cell tissues.

If Kimimaro received Neji's cell tissues, or if Neji were given Kimimaro's eyes, the results would be minimal, and the failure rate would greatly increase due to the inability to balance Yin and Yang.

Aside from that, Shinji also discovered through the experiment that the intensity of Byakugan chakra was the key to successful fusion.

To completely suppress Kimimaro's cell tissue, one would need a constant supply of Byakugan chakra. In this regard, Neji's Byakugan chakra was clearly insufficient.

After cleaning up the experiment table and erasing all traces of the experiment, Shinji left the lab.

He had prepared two plans for finding the path to the moon.

If Neji could find a way within the Hyuga clan to contact the Otsutsuki clan on the moon, that would be ideal. If not, Shinji planned to create a pair of pure Byakugan to lure the Otsutsuki clan from the moon down to Earth.

As long as the Otsutsuki were tempted, he could follow the trail and find a way to the moon.

...

In a hidden cave.

Zetsu emerged from the ground and said to Obito inside the cave, "The Five Kage have gathered in the Hidden Leaf, discussing how to deal with us."

Obito asked, "Any news from Nagato?"

Zetsu replied, "He wants us to be ready. The plan might need to be advanced."

Obito nodded.

Since the Five Great Shinobi Villages had already taken notice of the Akatsuki, advancing the plan was a natural decision.

Then Obito asked Zetsu, "Any clues about those people?"

Zetsu shrugged, "No clues yet. It's like they don't exist!"

"At least two Mangekyō Uchiha—how could they not exist!" Obito's face darkened as he angrily said, "They must be hiding somewhere!"

Zetsu probed, "Maybe Itachi knows something?"

Obito's expression grew uncomfortable. "I can't figure out what he's thinking!"

When it came to Itachi, he remained cautious.

Perhaps in Nagato's eyes, Itachi was an ally, but Obito knew better than anyone that Itachi had never truly trusted him.

Zetsu reminded, "But we need him now, don't we?"

Obito, realizing the importance of Itachi, understood that if Nagato held two Mangekyō Uchiha as trump cards, he had to keep Itachi on his side, or at least prevent Itachi from joining the enemy.

After thinking for a while, Obito said, "Itachi's will is strong, ordinary bewitchment won't work on him. To control him, we must first secure a trump card!"

Zetsu chuckled, "You're planning to use Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Yes!" Obito nodded lightly.

Itachi had slaughtered their entire clan but left his brother, Sasuke, alive. Anyone with a bit of intelligence could guess what Sasuke meant to Itachi. If they captured Sasuke, they'd hold Itachi's weakness!

Zetsu said, "Alright, I'll arrange for someone to head to the Hidden Leaf."

Obito glanced at Zetsu, "But the Five Kage are in the Hidden Leaf right now!"

Zetsu smiled, "Don't worry. This task requires a professional."

Obito narrowed his eyes, "You plan to send that Shinno?"

"Yes. It's rumored that guy is a top-tier spy! This is the perfect opportunity to test his skills!" Zetsu paused, then continued, "And since his membership in the Akatsuki is still a secret, he can use his cover as a medical shinobi to infiltrate the Hidden Leaf."

Obito thought for a moment. "Alright, let him handle it!"

...

The next morning.

Shinji, as usual, was training in taijutsu with Bai and Karin in the practice field.

At that moment, Sasuke appeared at the edge of the field.

Seeing this, Shinji stopped the taijutsu session, walked over to the edge while wiping his sweat with a towel, and asked, "You looking for me?"

Sasuke nodded without saying much, then turned and walked away.

Shinji, slightly puzzled, followed him.

After reaching a secluded place, Sasuke asked Shinji, "Shinji, have you heard the rumors circulating in the village lately?"

"What rumors?"

Sasuke took a deep breath, "The ones about the Akatsuki!"

"What about them?"

Sasuke stared at Shinji, "Then you must have heard that the person responsible for unspeakable crimes has joined the Akatsuki, right?"

He was, of course, referring to Itachi.

Undoubtedly, news of the Five Kage Summit had spread like wildfire, and Itachi joining the Akatsuki had reached Sasuke's ears.

Shinji responded, "I've heard a little."

Bang.

Sasuke slammed his fist against a nearby tree trunk. "Finally… finally, I know his whereabouts!"

Seeing Sasuke eager for action, his three-tomoe Sharingan involuntarily activated, Shinji sighed internally, "Uh… you're not thinking of doing something rash, are you?"

Sasuke coldly replied, "I'm going to kill him!"

"Now?!" Shinji chuckled, shaking his head. "You're crazy."

Sasuke glared at Shinji. "Don't you want revenge?!"

Shinji answered, "I do, but I'm not ready to throw my life away!"

Sasuke raised his voice, "That guy isn't unbeatable! I've already awakened my three-tomoe Sharingan—I'm strong enough to fight him now!"

Shinji slowly shook his head, "Not enough. He has the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"I know! I know!" Sasuke yelled in frustration. "But I can't wait any longer! My entire reason for living is to kill him!"

Shinji stepped forward and patted Sasuke's shoulder. "Don't do anything stupid."

With that, he stopped trying to convince him and returned to the training field.

As Sasuke watched Shinji walk away, he shouted angrily, "Shinji, you don't have the Sharingan, so of course, you don't understand anything! Just stay in the village and wait for my success!"

Shinji raised a hand without turning back, thinking to himself, "As if you could even find Itachi."

Sasuke's reaction didn't surprise him.

Whenever Itachi was mentioned, Sasuke's emotions would ignite. Now that rumors about Itachi and the Akatsuki were widespread, it was no wonder Sasuke's emotions were boiling over.

However, Shinji wasn't worried that Sasuke would do anything reckless. Even if Sasuke wanted to act, the village wouldn't let him.

Sure enough.

When Sasuke approached Kakashi and asked to join the team tasked with fighting the Akatsuki, Kakashi looked exasperated. "What did you just say?"

Sasuke said, "The village is discussing how to deal with the Akatsuki, right? I want to join!"

Seeing Sasuke's serious expression, Kakashi sighed. "This has nothing to do with you. Enjoy your vacation."

Sasuke snorted, "Without me, you won't be able to handle Uchiha Itachi!"

Just then, Asuma arrived with a stack of documents for Kakashi.

Kakashi patted Sasuke on the shoulder. "Go home."

He then walked past Sasuke and greeted Asuma.

Asuma, noticing Sasuke's frustration, asked, "What's up with that kid? Causing trouble again?"

Kakashi replied, "Probably heard some rumors."

Watching Kakashi and Asuma leave, Sasuke's chest heaved with anger. "Damn it! They're all underestimating me!"

...

In the following days, Sasuke trained while gathering information on the Akatsuki organization.

Nighttime.

Clang, clang, clang.

Sasuke, hovering in the air, closed his eyes and threw several shurikens.

These shurikens collided mid-air, and each one precisely hit the targets placed in various blind spots.

After landing on the ground, he slowly opened his eyes and inspected the results.

Then, he began the next round of practice.

Just like that, he trained almost non-stop, continuing until late into the night.

Crack!

Suddenly, during a landing, due to extreme fatigue, he didn't notice the stone underfoot and twisted his ankle upon landing.

Falling to the ground, his face contorted in pain: "Damn it!"

At that moment, a figure rushed in from outside the practice field and grabbed Sasuke's ankle: "Don't move, let me bandage it for you!"

Sasuke glanced at the figure: "Who are you?"

The figure smiled warmly: "Don't be nervous, I'm just a passing doctor!"

Clearly.

This suddenly appearing doctor was none other than Shinno, who had received Obito's orders.

He had actually arrived at the Hidden Leaf yesterday but hadn't found an opportunity to approach Sasuke. Now, seeing Sasuke twist his ankle, he pretended to be passing by and appeared just in time.

"Doctor!?"

Sasuke was a bit confused, but soon he was impressed by Shinno's skillful bandaging techniques.

While applying medicine, Shinno asked: "Feeling any better?"

Sasuke nodded: "Yeah, it doesn't hurt as much as before!"

Shinno smiled and said: "Your muscles are already very fatigued, you need to rest!"

Sasuke shook his head: "No, I haven't finished my training yet!"

"So diligent!" Shinno began packing up his medicine box, then slowly stood up: "You'd better rest for the night and continue training tomorrow."

Sasuke got up and tried moving around, realizing his ankle didn't hurt anymore. He said: "Thank you for the treatment, how much is the fee?"

Shinno waved his hand: "It's just some herbs I mixed myself, not worth much!"

Seeing this, Sasuke still bowed slightly to Shinno: "Thanks."

Shinno pretended to leave, but then suddenly turned back to Sasuke and said: "Hey, have we met somewhere before?"

Sasuke thought for a moment, then shook his head: "We haven't met."

"Is that so? Your eyes, I feel like I've seen them somewhere before."

Mumbling to himself in a voice Sasuke could hear, Shinno walked towards the exit of the field.

At first, Sasuke didn't think much of it, but after pondering a bit, he was suddenly startled and called out to Shinno: "Wait, where have you seen these eyes before?"

At this moment, Sasuke had his Sharingan activated.

In his view, if this doctor had seen Sharingan, then it was likely he had seen Uchiha Itachi!

Being called back, Shinno waved his hand: "I can't remember clearly."

Sasuke walked up, urgently saying: "Think carefully, when and where did you see these eyes!"

Shinno stared at Sasuke's eyes for a while, then acted as if he had suddenly realized something: "I remember now, just last month, I saw a young man who looked somewhat like you. Yes, last month! But, he was much taller than you."

Sasuke instantly perked up. He grabbed Shinno by the clothes: "Where is he?"

Hearing Shinno's description, Sasuke immediately confirmed that the young man in question was none other than Uchiha Itachi, the person he desperately wanted to kill!

"It seemed to be somewhere in the Land of Hot Water!" Shinno smiled and said, "I'm getting old, so I don't remember clearly, but that young man seemed to be a wandering shinobi. His base must be nearby."

Sasuke sneered coldly: "Finally, I've found you!"

Shinno curiously asked: "You know him? Oh right, you two look so much alike, you must know each other!"

Sasuke gritted his teeth: "Of course, he's my dear brother!"

"Is that so? What a coincidence!" Shinno suddenly changed the topic, "But I have some bad news, you might want to mentally prepare yourself."

"What bad news?"

Shinno said: "The last time I saw him, he seemed to be seriously injured."

Sasuke's eyes lit up: "He's injured!?"

Shinno nodded: "Yes, seriously injured! I'm a doctor, and you know my skills. I don't think he'll recover in less than two months."

"Two months!?" Sasuke's expression changed, and he asked, "You saw him last month?"

Shinno replied: "Yes."

"So, that means I only have one month left! No, some time will be wasted on the road. I don't have much time!" Thinking of this, Sasuke grabbed Shinno by the collar: "Quick, take me to him!"