"Are there any spare pieces of this metal available for experiments?" Ryu asked, looking at the transmitter device—the spherical alien metal machine etched with seals, collecting and transporting senjutsu chakra.
Taro shook his head. "No. This metal is extremely rare. And all of it was used to build the device."
Ryu's expression didn't change, but internally, he catalogued the limitation. "That's unfortunate. I was hoping to have spare material for modifying the device's efficiency. And studying how the metal interacts with senjutsu chakra would give me invaluable insights into Sage Mode itself."
"If there's no spare metal here," Ryu said, "how many transmitter devices exist on Earth?"
Taro replied, "Multiple devices scattered across the planet. All hidden in remote, uninhabited locations. Each one collects ambient senjutsu chakra and transmits it to this main receiver."
Ryu processed this. A network system, not a single point of failure. Redundancy built into the design. Smart.
"Other than these transmitters," Taro continued, his tone becoming more measured, "there are a few more locations where traces of this metal exist as mineral." He paused, pale eyes fixing on Ryu. "But you should forget about those places."
Ryu's analytical mind engaged immediately. Taro's hesitation wasn't random---it indicated significance and danger about these places.
"The metal attracts and accumulates senjutsu chakra," Ryu thought, recalling what he'd just learned. "It draws in life energy from the surrounding environment. So if there are other locations with this metal, they'd be places extraordinarily rich in natural energy."
His mind catalogued what he knew of the world. Where are the most concentrated sources of life energy on the planet? Places so saturated with nature chakra that they're essentially forbidden zones for ordinary humans? The answer crystallised immediately.
The three great unexplored sage regions. Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, Shikkotsu Forest. The connection was obvious to Ryu. The metal didn't just exist in those places---it was the REASON those places were so rich in life energy.
"The big three unexplored sage regions," Ryu said calmly.
Taro's eyebrows rose slightly. A moment of silence passed between them before he said, "You keep on impressing me, Ryu-kun."
"Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest," Taro confirmed, watching Ryu's reaction carefully. His voice carried a mixture of respect and curiosity. "Those places existed even before our ancestor, lord Hamura found this metal in another dimension."
Ryu's mind lit up with understanding. "So THAT'S why those places are nexuses of natural energy. The metal acts as a passive accumulator, drawing in and concentrating life force from the entire ecosystem. It's not just that the regions are rich in life energy---the metal CREATES that richness through a positive feedback loop. Maybe the collector placed by Ryuken for the moon's Tenseigan device is the reason for the rise of summoning animals that are intelligent and have evolved even to speak."
More life energy meant the metal accumulated it, which created ideal conditions, which meant more life flourished, which produced more energy. A self-sustaining cycle that had probably run for millennia.
"So this explains the importance of those places," Ryu said aloud. "Too bad I cannot risk damaging those delicate ecosystems. All three locations are critical to the planet's natural balance."
Taro studied him carefully.
"You could place one anchor there," Ryu suggested. "The places overflow with life energy---"
"You think we don't know that?" Taro interrupted, shaking his head. "But that's also a terrible idea."
Ryu nodded. "I thought so."
"War with the beasts living there would be catastrophic," Taro explained. "They'd perceive any device as invasion, destroy it, and probably kill whoever tried to install it. The damage to those ecosystems would be irreversible."
"Then the solutions to your problems are limited," Ryu observed.
Taro gestured toward the portal opening in the chamber wall. "Let's continue this conversation on the surface."
They swam through the portal, the viscous-yet-breathable medium giving way to normal water, then air as they surfaced. Night had fallen over Fire Country. The lake's surface reflected the moon perfectly, a mirror image hanging in dark water. Rocks and forest surrounded them on all sides, dense and silent.
Ryu glanced at the moon's reflection.
"You've already told me your thoughts before," Taro said, "but after seeing the device, what's your opinion now?"
Ryu considered his response carefully. "I'll tell you the most easily deliverable option first."
"Go on."
"If I could get the machine to perform at higher efficiency, you may lower load on device but this might not solve your problem." Ryu held up one hand. "But I cannot say anything before I study all the seals I've recorded and analyse them thoroughly, and form a concrete plan to attempt improvements."
Ryu paused. "If I assume I successfully optimise the 'Tenseigan device', at best you'll be able to save a few pairs of eyes per generation."
Taro nodded slowly. "A marginal improvement. But it will increase my problem instead of improving. The clan is already dissatisfied with the current division."
Ryu nodded and continued, "Second, I've already told you about decreasing the population's dependence by creating a city that doesn't rely on Tenseigan power. That's also not an immediate solution and will take years and a few generations that do not have old resentments of previous generation." He met Taro's gaze. "But in the long term, it's the BEST option. You'll have many sets of eyes from people who die of old age, forming a larger pool from a population that doesn't need to sacrifice during their lifetime."
"A sustainable approach," Taro acknowledged. "Though it will take generations."
"What about the synthetic Byakugan?" Taro asked, hope colouring his voice. "The one you created in the dreamscape?"
"No," Ryu said. "That was a poor attempt of creating an optical device that mimics the basic nature of Byakugan but not a real Byakugan. I am thinking of something better and real."
Taro's brow furrowed. "Better? A real Byakugan?"
Ryu's slight smile was answer enough.
Taro processed this. Real Byakugan could only come from one source in the shinobi world. Understanding dawned on his face, followed immediately by concern.
"If you're asking me to approach the Hyuga clan, then I must tell you---we're forbidden by our forefathers to make contact. They chose not to sacrifice then, and I don't believe they will now." Taro's voice hardened. "And I don't want to shed blood."
Ryu raised both hands in a placating gesture. "I also don't want to shed blood. I'm talking about creating real Byakugan not borrowing it from that clan."
Taro took a step back, his Byakugan activating reflexively. Veins bulged at his temples. "You want to artificially create real Byakugan through human experimentation? Just like that Orochimaru fellow tried?"
"No." Ryu's tone remained calm, almost amused. "Who said it had to be a HUMAN who achieves the Byakugan?"
Taro went completely still.
It hadn't occurred to him---non-human Byakugan eyes through animal experimentation. The realization dawned slowly as Taro connected the dots, processing what Ryu was suggesting.
"Can you do it?" Taro asked carefully.
"It will require extensive research into your clan's bloodline," Ryu said, "but it's possible." He paused. "Actually, it's more possible than creating artificial Byakugan, which I did in the dreamscape with my android. I don't think the Tenseigan Device can amplify a fake Byakugan. The device works using life energy and a fake Byakugan not from living being might be useless."
Taro's expression shifted through several emotions---consideration, calculation, desperate hope tempered by years of disappointment.
Ryu explained, "What I'm proposing is genetic splicing and taking Byakugan genes and transferring it to a non-human host."
He could see Taro weighing the implications.
"A summoning animal with Byakugan," Ryu continued, his voice taking on a thoughtful quality. "I would want that."
The tactical applications were obvious. Three-hundred-sixty-degree vision, chakra sight, penetrative vision---all in a creature that could scout, fight, and serve without the moral weight of human sacrifice.
"A tiger would be best," Ryu mused aloud. "Or maybe a giant owl. Everyone loves a flying summon."
Taro said nothing for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was measured. "It would be better than sacrificing human eyes. But still, it all depends on whether you're actually able to achieve it."
"I have Orochimaru's lab," Ryu stated simply.
Taro's attention sharpened.
"I received it from Lord Hokage," Ryu clarified. "I haven't begun working there yet---I was focused on solving the Iburi Clan's problem first using a non-medical solution. Which you helped me achieve with the Yang Anchor. I need to return that favour now"
Taro smiled.
"Also, I'm better than Orochimaru at genetics," Ryu said matter-of-factly. "I was going to study the Iburi Clan's bloodline there eventually, but I can prioritise creating summoning animals with Byakugan if you can provide me genetic material from your clan members."
"Whatever you need... just say it," Taro said quietly.
"I'll need to isolate the genes responsible for Byakugan in your genetic code," Ryu explained. "The more blood samples you can gather for me, the better. It would be ideal if all the samples came from very distantly related individuals. Genetic variance from distantly related individuals would help identify common Byakugan genes versus individual variations, enabling faster and more accurate gene isolation."
"I already have a person who's distantly related to the Hyuga clan," Ryu continued. "I can gather samples from actual Hyuga members as well if needed. Such a large pool of genetic data will help me achieve results faster."
Ryu thought, "Samples from Kohinata and Moon's Ōtsutsuki Clan will be sufficient. And the Hyuga blood samples archived at the Leaf Central Hospital for medicinal purposes---my teachers there have given me research access---I'll have a comprehensive Byakugan genetic database. I might not even need Hyuga samples as I have the much purer Ōtsutsuki bloodline samples from Taro's people."
"Speaking of person related to Hyuga," Ryu said, "Mukai Kohinata, he has Byakugan in just one eye. Can I teach him your technique for Yin-Yang chakra control?"
Taro considered briefly. "The technique was created by Hamura Ōtsutsuki, our forefather. We had a fallout with Hyuga clan but I will allow it." He paused. "But it would be better if you taught only to the people close to you. I trust your judgement regarding this."
Ryu smiled genuinely. "Thank you, Taro-san."
A moment of comfortable silence passed between them. The moon's reflection rippled gently on the water's surface.
Then Ryu's expression shifted. His eyes became distant, calculating. That slight, analytical smile began to form.
They'd been discussing the Byakugan throughout this conversation---replicating it, splicing it, transferring it to animals. But Ryu's mind had already moved beyond Byakugan.
If he could engineer animals to manifest the eye, if he could isolate and manipulate the genes responsible for its expression, then theoretically moving beyond Byakugan is also possible.
"Actually," Ryu said slowly, "what if I solved all your problems with just a single set of eyes? You might not even need this amplification device except for source of chakra."
Taro's brow furrowed. "What do you mean---"
Then understanding struck.
Colour drained from Taro's already pale face.
"Tenseigan," Taro whispered, voice barely audible. "You want to create a real Tenseigan going beyond Byakugan."
A/N:
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