Chapter 32 : Success or Failure??

"I'll go first." Uchiha Akihiko glanced around and stepped forward, taking the initiative. He reached into the box and grabbed a pill, then, under the watchful gaze of Fugaku and the others, closed his eyes and swallowed it.

Instantly, a chilling chakra began to emanate from Uchiha Akihiko's body. The kind of chakra that felt dark, oppressive, and heavy, filled with an unsettling aura that everyone present could sense and capture.

Two lines of blood trailed down from the corners of his tightly shut eyes, leaving crimson streaks on his face. The intense emotions stirred within his spiritual world were clearly reflected on his features and chakra, laid bare for everyone to see.

Just as Fugaku's expression turned serious, his Sharingan revealing three tomoe and his ocular power fully focused to observe the flow of Akihiko's chakra, Akihiko's eyes abruptly snapped open.

The extreme coldness of his chakra, along with the bloodshot madness in his gaze, immediately made everyone realize something was wrong.

Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!

Without hesitation, Orochimaru spread his hands wide, and a mass of venomous snakes burst forth from his arms, hissing as they shot towards Akihiko with a sharp whistling sound.

In the same instant, Kagetsu connected his shadow to Akihiko's.

The other two Uchiha Jonin swiftly used the Body Flicker Technique to move out of harm's way.

Akihiko's body noticeably slowed for a moment as the shadow connected to his feet. His mind seemed to still be trapped in an illusory world, and in that instant, he erupted with an even greater surge of chakra, breaking free from the Shadow Imitation Technique's hold. He immediately formed hand signs at a dizzying speed.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!

Blazing flames erupted from his mouth, coalescing into a massive fireball mid-air, scorching the snakes with a sizzling sound.

Fugaku and the other two Uchiha Jonin, moving in sync, launched a coordinated attack. Fugaku, whose ocular power was pushed to its utmost limit, seized an opening and knocked Akihiko unconscious with a precise chop to the neck.

"What's happening to him?" Looking at Akihiko lying on the ground, Fugaku and the other two Uchiha Jonin turned to Kagetsu, hoping for a clear answer.

"His mind was overstimulated, and he temporarily couldn't distinguish between illusion and reality," Kagetsu stepped forward, performing medical ninjutsu to check Akihiko's condition in front of Fugaku and the others. He then calmly drew a vial of Akihiko's blood.

"Fugaku-san, once he wakes up, make sure he comes back for a follow-up check-up." Kagetsu casually slipped the vial into his palm and handed the remaining two pills to Fugaku as a reminder.

"So, was this a success or a failure?" Fugaku asked, somewhat anxiously.

"In my opinion, it was a success, but we need to see how his mental state holds up next. I suggest the other two Jonin wait a bit before taking theirs," Kagetsu replied.

"Akihiko's ocular power seemed to have increased," one of the Uchiha Jonin remarked uncertainly, recalling their earlier confrontation, and looked at Fugaku and his other companion.

"Let's head back to the clan grounds first." Fugaku gestured with his hand, looking around the somewhat chaotic lab and signaling for them to leave before discussing further.

Uchiha Kagetsu, however, did not leave with them. Instead, he stayed behind to help restore the lab.

"Do you want to study the Uchiha clan's bloodline?" In the small, private laboratory, Orochimaru suddenly asked Kagetsu.

"I do have that intention." Kagetsu nodded. In this lab, he could keep secrets from everyone, but he couldn't hide anything from Orochimaru.

Even if Kagetsu said nothing, Orochimaru could tell what he was up to from the use of equipment, the resources consumed, and the backup data.

"Are you trying to get the Sharingan?" After thinking for a while, Orochimaru concluded that Kagetsu's purpose for studying the Uchiha was to obtain the Sharingan.

Having never suffered under the Mangekyō Sharingan, Orochimaru didn't have an obsessive enthusiasm for the Uchiha and the Sharingan. He simply viewed it as a powerful bloodline limit.

"No, I'm just curious and want to study it." Kagetsu shook his head.

He was currently pleasantly surprised by the changes in his panel.

[Talent Card: Kurotsuchi Mayuri 

World: Bleach

Quality: Purple (7900/10000)]

Effect: Growth-type research talent 

Field: Your talent in biological and neural research far exceeds other development fields! 

Passive: Biological Modification! Bloodline Research! 

Accumulation: Any research requires a large amount of knowledge and material experimentation; all the knowledge you possess will be understood and remembered more efficiently, providing alternative knowledge feedback as a reward!

Achievement: For every recognized creation you make, the higher the recognition, the more your physical abilities and strength will improve.

Recognized Research Products: Dog Food, Bug Repellent, God Tree, Yin Release Secret Technique: Shadow Coffin, S-Class Ninjutsu: Blood Armor.

Rewards: Physical Ability +10, Chakra +600 

Obsession: To become a scientist surpassing Urahara Kisuke

Obsession Task One: Hōgyoku! 

Task: After Urahara Kisuke and Aizen, you want to create your own Hōgyoku. 

...

[Name: God Tree 

Quality: Purple 

Characteristics: Has the ability to absorb specific chakra types and produce corresponding chakra fruits based on the planter's settings.

Skills: Absorb, Transform, Store.

Hidden Attributes/Skills: Wood Release (Seal)

Description: This is a special plant with certain evolutionary powers, situated between a living being and a plant. If it can be nurtured with better absorption materials, it will have a higher growth potential.

Recognition: 130/1000, Physical Ability +31, Chakra +100 

...

"Clan Head, Akihiko has awakened!"

A Uchiha jonin who followed the clan leader back to the clan quickly reported to Fugaku.

When Fugaku hurried over, he saw Akihiko staring blankly, looking dazed and as if he had just survived a disaster.

"Akihiko?" Fugaku gently called out as he approached Akihiko, waking him from his daze.

"Clan Head," Akihiko said, shifting his gaze to Fugaku's face. His lips moved a couple of times before he responded.

"How are you feeling?" Fugaku asked softly, sitting at the edge of the bed.

"I feel terrible." Akihiko knew Fugaku was asking about both his physical condition and the effects of the fruit.

"It feels like I've died once." After a pause, Akihiko continued with his eyes still closed, "I spent a long time in that illusionary world, experiencing so many things that now blur the line between reality and illusion. I can't even be sure if what I see right now is real or just an illusion.

The only thing I know for sure is that I don't have the ability to awaken Mangekyō Sharingan. I went through hell in that illusionary world and still couldn't succeed in opening the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

****

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