Chapter 167 : First Successful Experiment

"Boom!"

At a terrifying speed, an ANBU operative couldn't evade in time and was directly slammed into a wall by Lord Gen. The entire building tilted. As for the ANBU operative, it became a pool of blood on Lord Gen's chest!

"Roar!" Lord Gen pulled his body out of the wall, letting out a primal scream towards the sky. The branches embedded in his chest writhed, absorbing the flesh and blood of the ANBU operative as nourishment!

"Ah! A monster!"

The remaining three ANBU operatives were overwhelmed by fear at this moment, fleeing wildly. But how could Lord Gen let them escape?

A wind-like gust formed around his branch-like palm and rapidly expanded. It carried a fearsome destructive power. This move was unique to Lord Gen.

Unconsciously, Gen-sama released a low roar and once again caught up with the ANBU operatives using the Wind Release Chakra Mode. The wind mass transformed into a massive storm vortex, enveloping the three of them!

"Sizzle-sizzle-"

A massive, smooth crater appeared, and the three shadows vanished.

"Prepare the barrier when you're ready!"

After killing six ANBU operatives, Lord Gen's strength remained unyielding. He maintained the Wind Release Chakra Mode, unaware that he had entered another's sealing enchantment!

"Hmm...?!"

Lord Gen felt his strength being suppressed, his body shrinking. Around him stood a dozen elite ANBU operatives.

These individuals had been observing the preparation of the sealing jutsu, and now Lord Gen, in his delirium, found himself unable to break free.

"Very well, keep it up."

The leader among the ANBU operatives spoke with a low tone, maintaining a combat posture. A dozen of them formed a circle around Lord Gen, gradually closing in. The suppressive force intensified.

"Genshiro, awaken!"

Danzo appeared before Genshiro, no longer in his ethereal state, attempting to rouse his consciousness.

"Um... brother?"

As the power of Wood Release was suppressed, Gen-sama's body shrank bit by bit. The branches protruding from his body retracted, finally leaving him looking like a regular person. His formerly short black hair grew wildly and now even sported wooden antlers.

Though his adult arm remained as thick as a thigh, his five fingers resembled branches. The skin on his body retained the wooden texture, evidence of complete cellular transformation.

His legs remained bare, but his feet resembled sharp hooves, no longer resembling those of a human.

"I'm relying on you."

Danzo addressed a middle-aged ninja who nodded solemnly, approaching the restrained Lord Gen with the Uzumaki Clan crest on his back.

"The target's chakra source is in his chest," reported a Hyuga ninja.

"Understood."

The Uzumaki Ninja executed a complex seal, pressing his palm against Lord Gen's chest.

"Four Symbols Seal!"

A black vortex materialized in Lord Gen's chest. The suppression from Wood Release intensified drastically. The face on his chest seemed to cry out in agony, horrifying those who observed!

"What the heck is this, could it be—"

"Shh! Quiet, don't speculate!"

A group of ninjas whispered, yet in Danzo's eyes, excitement and fanaticism gleamed!

Ultimately, the seal vanished before reaching his chest. Lord Gen seemed to regain clarity, but he collapsed and fell into unconsciousness.

"Danzo, what transpired?"

A formidable figure descended, his overwhelming presence subduing everyone present.

"Lord Hokage!"

"Teacher, my experiment succeeded, and Genshiro survived!" Danzo exclaimed, brimming with excitement.

"Is that so? His appearance though... um, yet this kind of power is quite remarkable. If harnessed adeptly, it could certainly counter tailed beasts!"

Tobirama scrutinized Lord Gen, nodding as he spoke. "I never anticipated that, during Konoha's dire moments, two individuals would possess Wood Release. It seems the tumultuous era truly births heroes."

"Prepare him well, Danzo, and take utmost care with Nightingale's Wood Release research. She's even more critical, and any mistakes must be avoided!"

Tobirama cast one last glance at Lord Gen, resembling a wooden block, before departing. "I'll remember the contributions and sacrifices you and Genshiro made for the village!"

"Thank you, Teacher, it's my duty!" Danzo expressed with elation.

...........

The incident, occurring within the ANBU stronghold, remained undisclosed. Everyone issued a sealing order. However, they found Nightingale who happened to inform Takeshi, who was searching in a frenzy.

"What in the world is going on!"

For a while, Takeshi went to discuss the situation with Orochimaru. They reported progress and exchanged views.

Owing to the impending Land of Lightning war, Takeshi intended to relax first. His public identity was that of a Special Jōnin, affording him some recognition, albeit lacking popularity in the ANBU.

Takeshi resolved to confront Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and the others. While leisurely strolling down the street, he was intercepted by Nightingale.

"A transformation has occurred—he now has a wooden appearance, has lost his sanity, and a human face has appeared on his chest. He can freely use Wood Release."

Takeshi's expression turned grave, a human face manifesting on his chest. This was a sign of forcefully implanting First Hokage's cells. Success in such an experiment would be catastrophic!

Even later generations of Orochimaru conducted similar experiments, but they were far more advanced than Danzo's primitive approach.

Instead of direct transplantation, they cultured cells from an early age to minimize Wood Release's activity. Failures rarely were seen on the spot and survived for a significant duration.

Thus, only Yamato survived, illustrating the exceptionally low success rate.

Why was Danzo's research methodology so flawed?

Even someone from a small place like Troy understood that genetic mutation experiments must commence with infants—children. But Danzo, sacrificing numerous lives, continued to experiment with adults. These direct injections constituted a laughable and inferior method.

He merely believed that ninja endurance exceeded civilians', yet this notion was entirely ineffective. His theoretical success rate was nothing but wishful thinking.

"I recognize that person. Though he appears quite frightful, he's Genshiro Shimura, known as Lord Gen In Anbu!" Nightingale deliberated.

"Hmm...I didn't anticipate this. I really didn't expect..." Takeshi sighed, his injuries from that incident likely severe.

"Should I conduct such experiments as well?" Nightingale's heart wavered. Despite strengthening her Wood Release countless times, she still aspired to become a high-ranking member of the Senju Clan, showcasing her power and reaching the pinnacle of existence. She didn't wish to become a repugnant monster and perish like Genshiro!

"Compare his Wood Release to yours."

"...stronger than mine..."

"Haha." Takeshi chuckled softly. "Remember what I told you?"

"Understood."

Though Lord Gen's transformation didn't immediately threaten him, Nightingale remained compliant which was good for him.

As for Lord Gen, Takeshi speculated that, at the outset, he might have acquired some Gelel Stones, initially manifesting them. His luck seemed remarkable.

After bidding farewell to Nightingale, Takeshi continued to wander the streets, cherishing his rare leisure. Despite no longer being a child, he was perpetually occupied, striving to improve his skills.

Observing carefree peers on the streets, Takeshi felt a pang of emotion. Though his current self was excellent, he was finally leading a carefree life as a "child." But was this genuinely more joyful than others?

Perhaps, in the end, this perilous ninja world demanded strength to secure peace. Otherwise, prosperity was but an illusion.

Like the Konoha before him, would they sustain their serenity if they lost the Ninja World War?

"Orochimaru! I've finally found you."

Takeshi was taken aback, turning to find a slender and somewhat inferior figure standing before him.

"Oh, it's you again, Hiruko."