On the way to Orochimaru's laboratory, Shimura Danzo pondered many questions.
Chao Yanqian had clearly requested access to the laboratory not to "see the only surviving experimental subject" a flimsy excuse but because he was interested in Orochimaru's research results.
Still, Shimura Danzo chose not to immediately expose Chao Yanqian's lie. After all, he himself was also curious about the lone surviving subject.
With the Fourth Hokage in power, Orochimaru had been discarded by Danzo, leaving no hope for further cooperation. Thus, for research involving the First Hokage's cells and the Sharingan, Danzo could now only rely on Chao Yanqian.
More importantly, Danzo had found a method that could potentially counter the [Flying Thunder God Technique].
It was a sealing technique called the [Self-Karma Curse Bound Seal]. Once applied to the enemy's body, it would paralyze them, preventing any hand seals and thus any ninjutsu. No matter how powerful the [Flying Thunder God Technique] was, it would be rendered ineffective.
Mastering this technique gave Danzo new confidence. Even if he faced Be Feng Shuimen in the future, as long as he landed the seal, Be Feng Shuimen would be helpless.
Of course, to deal with the [Flying Thunder God Technique], Danzo had done extensive research, though it had yet to produce real results.
"Here." After a while, Danzo and Chao Yanqian arrived at the entrance of Orochimaru's lab. Danzo performed over twenty hand seals to lift the entry barrier.
Crack!
The iron door creaked open, revealing the laboratory to Chao Yanqian.
Sixty test subjects had been secretly brought back to Konoha by Danzo using his influence. All were children under ten, kept in massive incubators and subjected to the effects of the First Hokage's cells.
"Which one?" Danzo asked impatiently.
Judging by his familiarity with the lab, Chao Yanqian guessed Danzo had visited secretly more than once. Especially now that one of the sixty had survived and awakened Wood Release Danzo must have come to find the lucky survivor.
Scanning the children, Chao Yanqian searched for the one who resembled Yamato. Unfortunately, childhood appearances differed from adulthood, and four children looked like they might grow into Yamato.
But with Danzo watching, he couldn't inspect them thoroughly to determine which one would become Yamato.
Picking the child who most closely resembled him, Chao Yanqian said, "That one. Take a look."
"Oh?" Danzo was intrigued. He approached the incubator and studied the child closely.
After a while, he frowned. "I don't see any difference."
"If it were that obvious, Orochimaru would've figured it out already," Chao Yanqian replied dryly.
Danzo ignored the subtle disrespect. With Chao Yanqian's confirmation, his full attention went to the child.
The First Hokage's cells had integrated successfully. To Danzo, this was a dream come true.
Even though it wasn't his body that had adapted, this child could become a valuable subordinate. With a Wood Release user under his command, Danzo would gain more leverage in his hidden opposition to the Third Hokage.
While Danzo was distracted, Chao Yanqian quickly flipped through Orochimaru's experimental records. Unfortunately, Orochimaru had taken precautions there were no records of the First Hokage's cell experiments here. And even if there were, their authenticity would be questionable.
But Chao Yanqian hadn't come only for the records. If he found them, great but if not, he had other ways to extract the results.
He opened an incubator, removed a subject, and placed it on the examination table for a full inspection.
Deriving results directly from experimental bodies was something Chao Yanqian had long mastered.
Even if he had the notes, he'd still need to verify their truth. Orochimaru had planted false records before to mislead him sometimes even baiting him into suggesting the next step himself.
If Chao Yanqian hadn't been sharp, he might've fallen for it.
"But Orochimaru never expected me to team up with Shimura Danzo," Chao Yanqian thought. "And he certainly didn't expect Danzo to abandon him so readily."
With both experimental materials and Orochimaru's equipment at hand, Chao Yanqian analyzed the cellular changes induced by the First Hokage's DNA.
He carefully documented everything, then used his medical expertise and prior data to reverse-engineer Orochimaru's method of cell fusion.
"What are you doing?" Danzo asked, frowning.
"Running tests," Chao Yanqian replied casually.
"Oh? Is this kid special?" Danzo asked.
"No. He'll die soon. His body can't handle the First Hokage's cells," Chao Yanqian said bluntly.
Danzo clearly didn't want to believe it and stepped closer to observe the test.
But Danzo had no talent for research. Even as he watched, the meaning of the data escaped him.
"Is Elder Danzo interested in scientific research?" Chao Yanqian asked, feigning politeness.
"Hmph." Danzo snorted. "You're here for the same reason as me to get Orochimaru's research."
"Of course. He's been working on this for years. With his results, I can begin at a higher level," Chao Yanqian replied bluntly.
"Hmph." Danzo sneered. "And what if Orochimaru finds out you've been in his lab?"
"I wouldn't be here unless you want Orochimaru to know we're working together," Chao Yanqian said coolly.
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