Malphegor
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YTS: Ch. 123
🕑 Added 2025-04-07 23:01:43 +0000 UTCWithin the borders of the Land of Fire, deep inside a vast and desolate forest spanning tens of kilometer, after testing Wood Release for several hours, Kei let out a long sigh.
Wood Release was indeed strong—especially in the hands of Hashirama, who not only possessed the body of a Sage but also mastered Sage Mode and had the chakra of Asura.
Under these conditions, the power of Wood Release completely surpassed the limits of a bloodline limit.
However, what Kei was referring to wasn't just the strength that came from the user's inherent abilities, but rather the way Hashirama had pushed the potential of Wood Release to its absolute limits.
Whether facing an army of ninjas, massive summoned beasts, jinchūriki, or even a fully-susanoo-clad opponent, Wood Release had a way to deal with them—provided there was enough chakra.
Unmatched destructive power, combined with all-encompassing versatility.
Even if the user wasn't Hashirama, Wood Release still possessed power superior to most bloodline limit!
Well, except for Yamato.
"How could I forget about him!"
Kei smacked his forehead.
More than two months ago, he had asked Shikaku to secretly investigate the sealed records in the Hokage Building regarding Hashirama's cell transplantation experiments.
But due to some unexpected maneuvers from Danzō and Hiruzen, he had to spend over a month in Kumo.
When he returned, Kushina had already handed him the copied research files from Shikaku. However, joining Root, controlling Danzō, and taking over the organization had kept him too busy to focus on it.
And just like that, time slipped away until now.
"I should go there first before I delay this any further and lose the 'Captain of Afforestation' for good."
Muttering to himself, Kei recalled the name of the research facility mentioned in Shikaku's documents. Then, he cross-referenced it with the location from Danzō's memories of an abandoned research base.
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he instantly traveled to a dense forest less than a hundred kilometers from Konoha.
After confirming his direction, he summoned hawks and falcons for reconnaissance.
Circling high above the forest ten kilometers west, he finally found the entrance—hidden beneath a massive rock formation.
Using a special Root seal technique, he moved the boulder concealing the research facility's entrance.
As he pushed the rusted doors, a foul, decaying stench mixed with dust hit him head-on.
Forming hand seals, he used a basic Wind Release jutsu, forcing strong gusts into the facility's corridors.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—
Suddenly, from hidden ventilation shafts, waves of putrid air gushed out. Birds took flight in alarm, and beasts scattered in panic.
"Still in decent shape—hasn't been completely sealed off after all this time."
Glancing at the airflow direction from the vents, he stood at the entrance.
After using Wind Release a few more times to clear the air, he stepped into the pitch-black corridor.
Tap—tap—tap—
In the eerie silence, the sound of his ninja sandals against the floor echoed clearly.
Activating his sensory abilities, he searched for the light switch and pressed it. The old ignition device struggled for a moment before flickering to life, illuminating the research facility with dim, flickering light.
---
Deep within the research facility, inside the most secluded laboratory, sixty two-meter-tall glass incubation pods stood in neat rows.
Five years had passed.
Originally, all sixty pods had been in operation. Now, only two in the center remained active. Inside, a small boy and girl floated in silence, eyes closed as if resting.
Their bodies were submerged in a vibrant green nutrient solution, with black tubes wrapped around them, supplying the energy needed to keep them alive.
Suddenly, distant footsteps echoed through the room, growing closer.
The boy's ears twitched.
Submerged in the fluid, he abruptly turned his head toward the entrance of the lab.
The sound… was coming from there!
On the opposite side, the frail-looking girl—clearly in much worse condition than him—also woke from her slumber. Pressing her hands weakly against the glass, she gazed at him with confused, dazed eyes.
As if asking—"What is that sound? Are you calling me?"
Faced with her bewildered expression, the boy felt an unexpected urge to cry. He had seen it too many times before.
One by one, the other incubation pods had shattered.
One by one, the other children—just like him—had died.
Now, the last one who remained—his final "light"—was fading as well.
He knew it.
All those who disappeared before had worn the same exhausted, helpless expression. And soon… her light would dim too. He didn't want that to happen again!
No!
No!
No!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang…
The boy desperately pounded on the glass cover of his incubation pod.
He didn't know why he was doing this. He didn't know what he was yearning for or hoping for.
But his instincts screamed at him—if he kept doing this, maybe, just maybe, the "light" wouldn't disappear.
Whoosh—Creak!
A sudden sharp noise cut through the silence.
The sealed and enchanted door of the research lab was yanked open. The sudden burst of white light in the darkness made the boy freeze in place.
Half-leaning against the inside of the pod, he turned toward the girl, whose face was full of astonishment and confusion—then, without even realizing it, he broke into a bright smile.
He didn't know why he was smiling.
But his instincts told him—maybe, just maybe… The light wouldn't disappear this time!
---
Swish!
"Two of them?!"
With a flash of Body Flicker Technique, Kei appeared between the two incubation pods.
---
[Name: None]
[Career: None]
[Traits: Wood Release Experimental Subject (Purple), Compatibility (Blue), Survival Instinct (Green), Watchful (Green), Naive (White)]
[Name: None]
[Career: None]
[Traits: Wood Release Experimental Subject (Purple), Vitality (Blue), Naive (White), Weak (Gray)]
[Wood Release Experimental Subject (Purple):
A test subject who has undergone transplantation and fusion with Hashirama's cells. Having survived cellular erosion, rejection, and assimilation, they possess the genetic potential for Wood Release. They can learn and perform Wood Release jutsu, with significantly increased casting speed, power, and effectiveness for Wood, Water, and Earth Release. Additionally, they gain minor enhancements to their physical constitution.]
---
A degraded version of [Wood Release Inheritor], huh?
Kei glanced at the status screens of the two children, immediately understanding the situation.
Although they both possessed Wood Release and were classified as purple, the trait gained through cell transplantation required continuous training and improvement.
Not only did they lack the amplification effects for refining, modifying, or creating wood and water jutsu, but their physical enhancement had been reduced to a mere minor boost.
Moreover, they had lost the affinity for life force and natural energy that a true inheritor of Hashirama's power would possess.
The difference between them and Hashirama?
Roughly… Like a father looking at his son? Or perhaps… a grandfather looking at his grandson?
Among these two children, the boy was undoubtedly Yamato. As for the girl… Kei recalled the original storyline.
If he remembered correctly, this girl had died because her incubation pod shattered before Danzō could retrieve her.
She didn't even have a name.
Looking once more at Yamato's [Compatibility] and the girl's [Vitality], he quickly understood why she had died ahead of time.
Yamato's [Compatibility] allowed him to steadily absorb and integrate Hashirama's cells, preventing severe rejection. The girl, on the other hand, had survived purely due to the sheer life force provided by [Vitality].
After overcoming the initial fusion phase, as their bodies continued to grow, the energy required to sustain her daily life far exceeded Yamato's. The incubation pod simply couldn't provide enough energy to sustain her, which is why she had gained [Weak].
Once the required energy exceeded the pod's safety threshold, the system would automatically register her as being consumed by the cells… and her fate would be sealed.
"Good… there's still time to save her…"
