Konoha Notes

Chapter 373 Sample
Shuji arranged a new job for Anko, and also made proper arrangements for Fu, who had come to Konoha with Shibuki, along with other miscellaneous follow-up matters.

On the third day after returning to Konoha from Takigakure, Shuji headed towards the western outskirts of the village.

It's not about going back to the old house.

Instead, he went to Kabuto's laboratory. After taking over the Divine Tree experiment, Kabuto found an empty three-story building in the western suburbs.

When the report was submitted, the magistrate approved the permit.

What followed was renovation, equipment relocation, material procurement, and the installation of a protective barrier. With the highest level of support from Konoha, that originally abandoned building, at least in terms of performance indicators, was now considered one of the top experimental facilities in the ninja world.

The sign hanging in front of the building reads "Konoha Medical Research Institute".

After being verified by human intervention, barriers, and chakra, Shuji was able to enter the building.

At this moment, Kabuto is in the underground isolation laboratory.

In the center of the laboratory are several cylindrical culture tanks arranged side by side, with tissue samples of various shapes suspended in pale blue nutrient solution. Along the surrounding walls are rows of experimental tables.

And Dou stood in front of the innermost experimental table.

He was wearing a white lab coat, his light gray hair tied in a short ponytail at the back of his head, and his signature round-framed glasses perched on his nose. He was recording something at that moment.

Shuji did not make a sound to disturb them.

He walked to the side of the lab bench and his gaze fell on the scroll that Dou was recording.

"Lord Shuji."

"You've worked hard." Xiu Si nodded. "It seems you've gained quite a bit."

"Yes." Kabuto placed the scroll he had just recorded in front of Shuji, and then picked up another report that had already been compiled. "The analysis of the White Zetsu samples brought back from Takigakure, including the comparative analysis of the active and dead samples, as well as the preliminary comparative results of their comparison with the First Hokage's cell samples, has been completed."

He opened the report scroll and pointed to a set of side-by-side data charts.

"As you can see, in terms of vitality and the aggressiveness of chakra, the First Hokage's cells are far superior to White Zetsu cells."

On the chart, the curve representing interstitial cells shows a steep upward trend, while the curve representing leukocytes is much flatter.

"Even after dilution and culture, the chakra of the secondary sample still shows a strong tendency to assimilate and proliferate in an in vitro environment."

Shuji stared at the images. In them, clusters of interstitial cells spread outwards like roots into the surrounding normal muscle tissue, and wherever they went, the color and structure of the host cells changed visibly.

"And the White Zetsu cells," Kabuto flipped through a few pages, displaying another set of comparison images, "are, according to the information you provided, products created by the Gedo Mazo and the First Generation's cells, originating from life forms absorbed and assimilated by the Divine Tree."

“In terms of their nature, they are much milder and more controllable.”

Although the leukocytes in the image are also growing, their edges are clear and there is no aggressive spread.

He pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses falling on the charts.

There are two possible reasons for this speculation.

"Firstly, the original materials used to create White Zetsu were life forms that had been digested by the Divine Tree once. Therefore, their independence and resistance have been greatly weakened—it can be understood that they have been 'formatted' once in the process of becoming 'White Zetsu'."

"Secondly, during the subsequent culture process, the Akatsuki tissue may have undergone some kind of stabilization treatment. The specific method is still unclear, but judging from the uniformity and stability exhibited by the cells, this is definitely not the result of natural evolution."

Shuuji nodded: "Therefore, White Zetsu cells can be seen as 'domesticated' Hashirama cells."

"You can understand it this way: although the activity and strength are reduced, the risk is also reduced accordingly."

After a moment of thought, Shuji asked, "Now that we have a more controllable version, is it possible to develop a safer method for implanting Hashirama cells, using White Zetsu cells as a template?"

Dou's smile faded slightly. He didn't answer immediately, but instead closed the report scroll in his hand.

"Lord Shuji," he said, slowing his pace, "please allow me to speak frankly."

"Hmm." "The spread of this power may make it difficult for you to control the situation."

Dou carefully considered the words.

"Of course, there is another Wood Release user in the village besides you, but all of Yamato's abilities were developed based on the First Hokage's cells, which are completely different from yours."

"Those currently authorized to know about this experiment are either high-ranking members of the village or have been listed as special candidates. They already possess considerable power and status. Once they complete the White Zetsu cell implantation experiment, although they still cannot compare to you, it will inevitably give rise to new and uncontrollable variables."

"Power can change a person's mindset, Lord Shuji. Even a slight increase in power can create the illusion that 'perhaps I can go even further.' And once this illusion takes root and resonates among many people..."

He did not continue.

But the meaning is already crystal clear.

After hearing this, Shuji suddenly laughed.

“No need to exaggerate my abilities, Kabuto.” Shuji shook his head. “I know I’m just an ordinary person. Luck and the times have probably played a bigger role in getting me where I am today than in my abilities.”

“You’re too modest.” Dou bowed slightly, but his tone remained firm. “Your prestige certainly doesn’t solely stem from power. However, the spread of power can still breed unnecessary ambition and challenges.”

"Moreover, even white leukemia cells, which are relatively mild, still have high requirements for the host."

“Conducting implantation experiments is inherently a high-risk project. If it fails, it will not only mean the loss of valuable combat power for the village, but may also trigger a chain reaction.”

Kabuto stopped, waiting for Shuji's response.

Silence fell over the laboratory again. Bubbles in the culture tank rose slowly, bursting at the surface with a soft "pop" sound.

After a long silence, Xiu Si finally spoke softly.

"pocket."

"exist."

"Allow me to say something irresponsible." Shuuji's gaze fell on the tissue samples floating in the nutrient solution in the distance. "Whether my power can become stronger now depends on your research."

"And the power that can be obtained by implanting white Zetsu cells cannot compare to that."

"So, don't worry about those problems, just try to come up with a suitable solution."

Dou remained silent for a long time.

He lowered his head, looked at his outstretched palm, and then slowly clenched it.

"……I see."

"Regarding the specific research and development direction, I will submit a feasibility report as soon as possible. Also—"

Dou walked towards an isolation door deeper inside the laboratory.

After multiple verifications, the door was opened, revealing a dark brown tree, about the height of an adult, in the center of the room.

"The mother plant is currently in a stable condition." Dou stood by the door without entering the room. "I have already implanted your cells."

Shuji entered the room.

The moment he stepped inside, the tree seemed to awaken. But it showed no intention of attacking.

"Now, you can establish a psychic contract with it."

"Although it is still a long way from becoming a true divine tree, at least it is a living tree with tailed beast chakra, giving you more options in battle."

(End of this chapter)