Chapter 86: New Discoveries in Cellular Research

Chapter 86: New Discoveries in Cellular Research

"The cells of this Cloud ninja exhibit resistance to electric currents far beyond ordinary cells, and their activity levels are incomparable to typical ones.

To put it dramatically, this man's cells have transcended the limits of normal human biology.

The ninja world truly can't be judged by the standards of my past life. Chakra alone defies the principles of modern science. And yet, thanks to this extraordinary energy, even a rudimentary lab like this can accomplish feats like cell cloning and micro-level manipulations."

Tonari observed the Cloud ninja's cells alongside his own. Subjected to the same electric stimulation, his cells charred instantly, while the Cloud ninja's endured.

Although it was only a small sample, the results were undeniable.

"Hm?"

Tonari noticed something unusual.

"These Cloud ninja cells… they can temporarily store electricity? This must be due to their natural resistance to electricity, coupled with prolonged exposure to lightning-natured chakra. These specialized cells have essentially turned into miniature batteries.

The difference, however, is that while regular batteries store normal electricity, these cells can store lightning chakra."

It felt like discovering a new continent.

Ordinary ninja cells couldn't achieve this. After all, who would use chakra of varying natures to refine their cells? And beyond that, lightning seemed to be unique in this regard.

Chakra, extracted from cells, didn't typically feed back into them in such a way. If someone could fully master this process, they'd become a fearsome force.

Such a person could absorb massive chakra-based attacks, converting them into energy stored within their cells, and release it all at once during combat.

They'd essentially be a living bomb—immune to their own explosions and capable of surviving any attack that didn't exceed their storage limit.

"Thankfully, no such individual exists in this world. If someone could even absorb senjutsu chakra, they'd be unstoppable—a monster capable of going toe-to-toe with tailed beasts."

Tonari chuckled at the absurdity of his imagination but couldn't help but feel a twinge of longing.

That would be true invincibility: an indestructible defense. Compared to that, Orochimaru's soft-bodied techniques were insignificant.

He pushed aside the far-fetched idea and refocused on the Cloud ninja's cells.

"The stored lightning chakra doesn't last long, likely because the sample size is too small…"

Rubbing his chin, Tonari considered a new possibility.

"Setting aside their resistance to lightning techniques, what if the stored lightning energy could be controlled, regulated, and utilized? Couldn't someone carrying these cells draw upon that energy to enhance themselves?"

A self-contained source of lightning-style chakra…

The more he thought about it, the more excited Tonari became.

The Cloud Village's Lightning Chakra Mode had always fascinated him. But lacking lightning-natured chakra himself, and knowing how difficult it was to acquire new chakra natures, he had shelved the idea.

Now, however, this discovery might offer an alternative solution.

With renewed determination, Tonari decided to experiment.

He began by introducing a controlled amount of lightning energy from the Cloud ninja's cells into his own.

Such an experiment would've been impossible in his previous world without specialized equipment. But in the ninja world, chakra made it achievable in seconds.

As expected, his cells burned to cinders once again.

"Only lasted a minute… Ordinary cells without prior exposure to lightning chakra couldn't handle it. And this was the lowest output from the Cloud ninja's cells."

Tonari wasn't discouraged.

"If a one-to-one transfer is unsustainable, what about a one-to-ten or one-to-one-hundred ratio? Dividing the load could distribute the stress."

He glanced at the now-deteriorating Cloud ninja cells.

"The bigger issue might be the vitality of these donor cells, but Orochimaru-sensei has plenty of reagents for boosting cellular activity.

Does this mean that even without lightning chakra, I might still replicate a rudimentary Lightning Chakra Mode?"

Tonari's excitement grew, though he tempered his expectations.

"At least for now, combat applications are out of the question. But with time… Who knows?"

Orochimaru's research had mentioned that enhancing a body's adaptability to external chakra types could eventually help it generate those types internally.

Sitting at his workstation, Tonari's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Anyone watching would've seen an expression eerily similar to Orochimaru's when he was fully engrossed in research.

Reaching into his pocket, Tonari pulled out a small yellow sachet. He inhaled its minty aroma to refresh himself.

Carefully tucking it back, he mused aloud, "The next challenge is portability."

Carrying a clump of cells around wasn't practical, not to mention unsightly.

For most ninjas, effectiveness trumped appearance, but Tonari had his standards.

"Looks like I'll need to study sealing techniques. A good sealing array could preserve these cells and regulate their lightning output."

He pondered his options.

When it came to sealing techniques, no one surpassed the Uzumaki clan. Kushina Uzumaki—his classmate and friend—might be able to help.

Although Orochimaru was also proficient in seals, his methods didn't always align with Tonari's needs.

Standing, Tonari began packing up all the cellular samples and related materials. While researching cells wasn't outright forbidden in the village, using samples from fellow ninjas made secrecy essential.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

He left a clone in the underground lab to continue analyzing Orochimaru's notes, then returned to the surface using Earth Style. His earlier clone remained at the shop, diligently training chakra control.

After grabbing breakfast at Ichiraku Ramen, where Teuchi was already open for business despite the early hour, Tonari felt the night's exhaustion catching up to him.

Handing Teuchi some coins, he ordered, "Teuchi-ossan, pack me a bowl of ramen to go!"

"Coming right up!" Teuchi replied cheerfully.

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(Chapter End)

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