In the following days, Tsunade focused on exploring and familiarizing herself with her Hōgyoku mode while also traveling to the Shikkotsu Forest for the initial stages of Sage training.
But outside of training, she spent her free time treating ninja patients with severe injuries and assisting Orochimaru and Kagetsu with their experiments.
Although her days were busy, leaving her no time for drinking or gambling, she didn't particularly dis sense of fulfillment.
Inside Orochimaru's laboratory.
Tsunade frowned slightly as she watched a pair of Sharingan wither like a dying flower, shriveling up and losing all their power due to a failed experiment.
"Your idea is far too unrealistic! Transplanting a Kekkei Genkai into someone else is still within the realm of medical ninjutsu. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NoveIꜰire.net
But turning a Kekkei Genkai into a spiritual weapon? That's something no one in the history of the ninja world has ever accomplished."
"Precisely because no one has done it before, I'm so obsessed with it, Tsunade!" Orochimaru spoke up, breaking the silence left by Kagetsu. "This is about paving a new path! We need patience!"
"The stock of Sharingan is being consumed too quickly. Out of the ten pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan that the Uchiha provided, only two pairs remain. Should we have Shisui inform Clan Leader Fugaku to send the next batch?"
Anko, who was assisting, raised her hand to report.
"Notify him. Once an experiment begins, it cannot be stopped," Orochimaru answered without hesitation. He didn't care where the Sharingan came from, but he certainly couldn't accept halting the experiment due to a lack of materials.
Besides, according to Fugaku, the Uchiha had accumulated enough Sharingan to sustain their experiments for a long time.
"This is more like the Orochimaru I know!"
Looking at Orochimaru's calm expression, Tsunade nodded slightly. She had already been informed about the source of the Sharingan used in the experiments, but that didn't stop her from feeling some resistance toward this kind of research.
Tsunade's thoughts about the Sharingan experiment led her to recall the experiments on the Wood Release. Both involved taking something from the deceased.
The difference was that the Sharingan experiment only consumed the lingering power of the dead, whereas Wood Release required sacrificing clan members and villagers to sustain it.
If Orochimaru and Kagetsu had conducted the experiment that way, Tsunade wouldn't have been able to accept it, even if it meant giving up on reviving her brother, Nawaki, and her lover.
"Let's put the experiment on hold for now," Kagetsu suddenly called out to Anko, giving an answer that left everyone present slightly surprised.
"Why?" Orochimaru was the first to express his confusion and dissatisfaction. "Is it because of your ridiculous compassion?"
"Orochimaru!" Tsunade shot him a glare. She found herself somewhat admiring Kagetsu for having his own limits.
"It has nothing to do with that. Continuing this experiment indefinitely won't do much to improve our chances of success, aside from increasing the consumption of materials.
I need to reassess the process and make adjustments," Kagetsu frowned, destroying the failed Sharingan specimens and rubbing his temples.
"Make adjustments?" Orochimaru was momentarily stunned.
"I got a little too greedy," Kagetsu murmured as he reflected on his recent experiments. "The success of the Hōgyoku made us overly optimistic.
In reality, its creation was not just due to our research and technology, but also a matter of luck. If the Ninja World War hadn't happened, there might have been many more obstacles and unknowns.
We wanted to complete the spiritual artifact in one go, but there are too many hurdles to overcome. So, I've decided to cut away some unnecessary parts and lower the difficulty of the research and experiments, focusing only on the manifestation of Kekkei Genkai abilities.
Once we succeed in this step, we can go back and refine the parts we set aside."
Orochimaru listened, still somewhat unconvinced, but he didn't object. After all, Kagetsu was the one leading the experiment.
Given their understanding of each other's research habits, they usually worked separately. When collaborating, one would take the lead while the other assisted.
Who takes the lead depends on whose research project it is.
"Since you've already made your decision, do as you wish," Orochimaru said before leaving the laboratory.
Now that the experiment had been put on hold, until Kagetsu finished organizing everything and restarted it, he would have a relatively free period unless Kagetsu needed him.
He might as well use this time to focus on searching for the Totsuka Blade. If he could obtain it, it might provide some help for their research.
Tsunade didn't leave. She watched Kagetsu, who was still immersed in his own mental world, flipping through the experiment data. After hesitating for a moment, she stepped forward and interrupted him.
"Kagetsu, the Slug Sage wants to see you."
"Slug Sage?" Kagetsu lifted his head from the data in confusion, looking at Tsunade in surprise.
"Yes. Of course, the Slug Sage made it clear that whether you go or not is entirely up to you. She only wanted me to pass along the message."
Tsunade didn't fully understand the Slug Sage's intentions, but that didn't stop her from reassuring him.
"The Slug Sage has a rather indifferent personality and doesn't concern herself with the affairs of the shinobi world. As far as I know, you're the first person she's ever taken the initiative to mention and invite.
There's no need to worry about any danger. The Slug Sage is a very gentle existence. You can think it over and decide whether to accept."
"I have no objections," Kagetsu replied without much thought. Among the Three Sage Regions, the slugs were indeed the most peaceful.
At the very least, those who had signed a contract with the Shikkotsu Forest had never encountered slugs with the short temper of the toads or the hostility of the snakes, which sometimes ignored the summoner's commands.
He was also quite curious about why the Slug Sage wanted to see him.
Was it because of the Hōgyoku?
Kagetsu considered the possibility. Since the sage of Ryūchi Cave had shown interest in it, it wouldn't be surprising if the Slug Sage was curious about it too.
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