chapter 99 part 1
Chapter 99: Become a Tree, or Become a Corpse!
The Third Hokage, observing everything clearly, remained seated, puffing on his pipe, not uttering a word.
Indeed, the Village's highest leader once again displayed his traditional skill – watching the show.
If those doing the work reach a consensus and can handle everything, then let them proceed.
If there are achievements, he'll take a share; if something goes wrong, they'll bear the responsibility themselves.
"Lady Touka, I have truly felt your powerful and resolute will, but it hasn't reached that point yet; the Senju Clan is still strong."
Tsukasa Kaede said, "Although all preliminary work for the cell transplantation experiment has been completed, and all necessary biological knowledge has been mastered, to be honest, when it comes to the First Hokage's Cells, we don't have absolute certainty of success."
Toka Senju said resolutely, "I know that Cells carrying Wood Release power are extremely dangerous. Even a slight contamination is enough to turn a healthy person into a tree in a very short time. But no matter how dangerous it is, it's still a way out."
Among Konoha's three great Kekkei Genkai families, the Senju Clan's situation was the worst. The awkward part was that the Senju Clan seemed to completely lack a clearly visible Kekkei Genkai, possessing only powerful physiques that surpassed ordinary Ninja.
Yet, the Uzumaki Clan also possessed this Life Force, and they even had a unique Sealing Jutsu. The Senju Clan, without anyone inheriting the Wood Release Bloodline Limit, found it difficult to reproduce the prosperity of the First Hokage and Second Hokage's era. Even the splendor of rivaling the Uchiha Clan during the Warring States Period was gradually fading.
Jiraiya still couldn't understand: "I apologize, Lady Touka. I didn't know the Senju Clan's situation was this severe. But even if it's as you say, even if you truly become a second-rate Ninja Clan, it's not a big deal. Nothing in this world is permanent, and Clans are the same. In the future, the Senju Clan will still have a chance—"
"No! The First Hokage and Second Hokage entrusted this Clan to me! I absolutely cannot allow it to decline in my hands!" Toka Senju exclaimed sharply. The normally gentle and decisive woman was now somewhat agitated.
Everyone present silently watched the Senju Clan Head.
"Her psychological burden is too heavy... With two previous Hokage, the First and Second, from her Clan, she hasn't even become the Third Hokage, let alone secured a position in the Village's Higher-ups. And if that wasn't enough, there's now the possibility of falling to a second-rate Clan, seemingly destined to sit at the same table as the Inuzuka Clan and Ino-Shika-Cho."
To be fair, Hiruzen Sarutobi's ascension to the Third Hokage position was well-deserved. There were no issues in any aspect, nor did he use any Scheme to seize the Hokage title.
After all, the Hidden Leaf Village isn't the Hidden Cloud Village; it can't have four consecutive Kage all from the same Clan.
Moreover, the Yotsuki Clan had produced four successive Raikage, and these four Kage truly possessed the qualities of a Kage in terms of individual strength and charisma, leaving nothing to be said.
"The glory of our ancestors is the direction for our endeavors, not a burden of undue pressure,"
the Third Hokage said, a smile appearing on his face. "We share common memories. The Senju Clan is an indispensable and important member of the Village, and this will never change."
"Lord Hokage..."
Shortly after, Tsukasa Kaede and Jiraiya walked out of the Hokage's Office.
"It's the first time I've seen Lady Touka in such a state. It's truly unimaginable," Jiraiya said, his expression complex.
"Is Lord Jiraiya very familiar with her?"
"Yes, I used to visit her often when I went to see Tsunade. She was a very confident person."
"People change, and you're changing too." Tsukasa Kaede looked up at the azure sky. "I will push forward with the human experimentation plan. Don't try to dissuade me. If Lord Hokage didn't refuse, then it's tacit approval."
"What if it fails? What if many innocent comrades die?"
Tsukasa Kaede's expression was a little strange: "If they die, they die. Everyone involved in the transplantation experiment should have anticipated such a result. They die both for the Village and for their Clan and themselves... Lord Jiraiya, you must understand how great the risks humans are willing to take to gain power."
Jiraiya didn't argue further. He knew that nothing could stop it.
He couldn't stop Toka Senju, couldn't stop Tsukasa Kaede, and certainly couldn't stop Orochimaru.
Who would have thought these people would come together for a forbidden goal? If it succeeded, even if only one person successfully mastered Wood Release, it would be meaningful. But if it failed...
Who knows how many would die tragically, becoming mere materials for Tsukasa Kaede and Orochimaru.
"You are the ones performing the surgeries. I hope you will control the extent of it well. Stop immediately if it crosses the line! Don't let too many fanatics die by your hands."
"Understood, but telling me is useless. At most, I'm responsible for backup. Orochimaru is leading the experiment, so you don't need to worry about the specific experimental process," Tsukasa Kaede said indifferently.
He watched Jiraiya's retreating figure, then withdrew his gaze and walked towards the laboratory with an impassive face. Beneath his seemingly calm exterior, a burning passion was hidden.
Finally, it had come to this step. Human experimentation wasn't the goal; the true objective was to legitimately obtain Hashirama's Cells and conduct a series of cultivation experiments.
Although Tsukasa Kaede no longer lacked Chakra, the prerequisite was to regularly extract Life Force from a batch of corpses to ensure his own vigorous Life Force. There was still room for improvement after all.
Only when Tsukasa Kaede no longer needed Zombies to use the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu, and his own body could supply all the Chakra he needed without worry, would it truly be enough.
"Cultivating a satisfactory body is the first step. What kind of body would truly satisfy me requires careful study," Tsukasa Kaede mused.
Over the years, he had actually devised more than one plan, even categorizing bodies into different grades. Now that he had the chance to achieve his goal in one go, selecting the most perfect one for the current stage was naturally ideal.
"The difficult part is the second step: how to transfer my Soul into this brand new body. The most perfect method carries extreme risks; a slight oversight and I could truly kill myself. Fortunately, I've prepared in advance."