Chapter 86: Transplanting Hashirama Senju’s Cells

Listening to his words, Fugaku's face was alight with a faint smile.

Compared to Wood Release, Fugaku still preferred using the Uchiha clan's signature eye techniques—this was, after all, the essence of their clan. At this stage, as a Uchiha, openly utilizing Wood Release wasn't an option.

Besides, this Wood Release, gained through transplanting Hashirama Senju's cells, could never rival the power of Hashirama himself.

To Fugaku, the ability to perform Wood Release was nothing more than a bonus. Its true value lay in preventing the Mangekyō Sharingan from descending into blindness.

"Do you feel anything? Can you use Wood Release?" Akira asked.

Shisui, after concentrating for a moment, nodded hesitantly. "It feels like I can, but I don't know the hand seals for Wood Release techniques. It might take some time to figure out whether I've truly gained it."

"No rush. Take your time," Akira replied.

"Exactly," Fugaku added with a nod. "For now, rest well. Leave the lab only after your body has fully recovered."

"I understand," Shisui replied, his voice steady. Yet, as he watched them prepare to leave, he quickly spoke up. "Clan Leader, Akira-senpai, if the Third Hokage or others ask how I recovered, how should I respond?"

After his earlier conversation with Akira, Shisui instinctively wanted to sever any connection between the Uchiha within the village and Uchiha Madara or Nagato outside. He didn't want to give the village leadership any grounds to suspect the Uchiha clan.

"Just say you don't know. Push the matter onto Clan Leader Fugaku," Akira said nonchalantly.

This was a plan he and Fugaku had agreed upon earlier. Let the matter fall on Fugaku's shoulders. Besides, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't shameless enough to push the issue too far. Fugaku could always come up with a convenient excuse to deflect any probing questions.

Leaving Shisui's specially designed recovery room, Akira and Fugaku headed to Akira's private laboratory. The purpose of their visit was clear: transplanting Hashirama's cells into Fugaku.

Fugaku was desperate to restore his eyesight. His current condition couldn't support an intense battle, and in the event of an emergency, he risked going completely blind mid-fight.

Akira understood Fugaku's urgency, as he felt the same. If Shisui could succeed under far worse conditions, then there was no reason for their attempts to fail now.

Fugaku lay down on the operating table as Akira retrieved the prepared transplant serum and began the procedure without hesitation.

Moments later, Fugaku's expression twisted in pain, beads of sweat forming on his forehead and soaking his clothes in no time. His body trembled uncontrollably, his agony evident.

"Ahhh!" he groaned, his voice hoarse, his body convulsing under the intense pain.

"So it's this painful? I guess it was a blessing Shisui was unconscious during his procedure…" Akira murmured in surprise.

In the throes of pain, Fugaku's Sharingan activated, first revealing its three-tomoe form before quickly evolving into the Mangekyō Sharingan. As his eyes activated, the strong Yin Release energy from his Sharingan clashed with the Yang Release energy in Hashirama's cells, rapidly achieving a balance.

After what felt like an eternity, Fugaku's screams subsided. He lay gasping on the operating table, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

Akira stood by silently, not rushing to ask questions.

After a long ten minutes, Fugaku finally sat up, his voice hoarse as he muttered,

"That was… horrifying. A pain worse than death. I barely made it through."

"How do you feel now?" Akira asked.

Fugaku took a moment to sense his body before replying, "Just as Shisui described. There's no difference."

"However…" Fugaku continued, his tone shifting, "there's one thing Shisui didn't notice. Hashirama's cells significantly reduce the cooldown time for our Mangekyō Sharingan techniques."

This revelation didn't surprise Akira; he had already anticipated this effect.

Seeing Akira's composed expression, Fugaku let out a knowing sigh. "Of course. Your techniques don't even have cooldowns. I guess this doesn't mean much to you."

Amused by Fugaku's conclusion, Akira didn't correct him and simply smiled.

Once the operating table was cleaned, Akira lay down, ready to undergo the procedure himself. Administering the serum, he soon found himself in the same excruciating pain Fugaku had endured.

His body felt like it was being torn apart, each cell screaming in agony. Instinctively, Akira activated his Sharingan, feeling a wave of cool energy wash over him. The pain, while still intense, became manageable.

"So I don't even need to activate the Mangekyō…" Akira thought, observing how his strong Yin Release energy seemed to stabilize the process effortlessly.

"It seems the stronger the Yin Release, the smoother the transplant…" he mused as his body began adapting.

After half an hour, the pain subsided entirely, leaving Akira feeling more invigorated than ever.

"How do you feel?" Fugaku asked eagerly.

"Incredible. I've never felt this powerful," Akira replied with a grin.

While the transplant didn't significantly increase Akira's already immense chakra reserves, it did substantially enhance his Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities. Wood Release, though useful, was ultimately just a bonus.

With his dual Kamui abilities and Hashirama's cells, Akira felt nearly unstoppable. Even Nagato seemed like a foe he could confidently face—and defeat.

However, he couldn't sense Nagato's chakra anymore, not even through the Spirit Transformation Technique. It seemed Nagato had found a way to block his spiritual probing.

"Black Zetsu truly lives up to his reputation," Akira muttered to himself, recognizing the ancient entity's resourcefulness.

At this point, Fugaku spoke up. "Akira, now that we've resolved our most pressing issues, I think it's time we deal with the village leadership. We need to force Hiruzen out and seize the position of Hokage!"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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