"See? You're worked up again."
Uchiha Ren rubbed his forehead helplessly as he looked at the furious Tobirama Senju.
Honestly—
When would this man ever grow up?
Anyone with a functioning brain—
Upon seeing that even after death, Hashirama Senju's body hadn't decayed—
That his cells still retained vitality—
Would be curious.
Would want to study it.
That was only natural.
If someone like Orochimaru were here—
He'd probably be ecstatic.
Ren briefly imagined it—
That pale, androgynous figure staring obsessively at Hashirama's body, eyes flushed with excitement—
Tongue flicking out—
"…Nope."
Ren shuddered.
Absolutely not.
"Bastard!"
Tobirama's voice exploded with rage.
"You've desecrated not only my soul—"
"But my brother's body as well!"
"One day, you'll pay for this!"
Ren blinked.
…Wait.
You're really saying that?
"You've got some nerve, Tobirama."
Ren crossed his arms.
"Don't act like I don't know what you've done."
"You were the first one to experiment on Hashirama's cells after his death."
"That body is a treasure trove."
"Don't tell me you weren't tempted."
"And now you're acting righteous?"
"…!"
Tobirama froze.
Direct hit.
Because it was true.
After Hashirama's death—
He had been the first to notice the anomaly.
Dead—
Yet his cells still lived.
It defied everything.
And in that moment—
To Tobirama, it had been the greatest treasure imaginable.
He had wanted—
To dissect it.
To understand it.
To uncover the secret behind that overwhelming power.
Why—
Were they born from the same parents—
Yet Hashirama stood so far above him?
Especially after meeting Madara—
Hashirama's strength had skyrocketed.
Then came Wood Release—
And he became something untouchable.
Tobirama had restrained himself.
Barely.
If he had truly gone through with full dissection—
Mito Uzumaki would have torn him apart.
So he had only taken samples.
Blood.
Cells.
That was all.
"…I advise you to stop."
Tobirama's expression turned serious.
"There are things about Hashirama's body you don't understand."
"You can't control it."
His tone grew heavier.
Because he remembered.
The experiments.
The cost.
At first—
It had been exhilarating.
Hashirama's cells could grant Wood Release.
Even partial success—
Would have elevated Konoha's strength tremendously.
So he gathered volunteers.
Senju clan members.
All eager.
All desperate for that power.
And then—
They died.
Every single one.
Bodies twisted.
Cells mutating—
Turning into grotesque, tree-like forms.
Not a single success.
"…We lost many clan members."
Tobirama's voice was low.
"Even the Senju couldn't handle it."
"And you?"
"Give up."
Ren nodded.
"I know."
Then—
He smiled.
"But your approach was wrong."
Tobirama frowned.
"…What?"
"If Hashirama's cells are too aggressive—"
"Why not find something to counterbalance them?"
Ren spoke casually.
"As a medium."
"Hmph."
Tobirama scoffed.
"You think I didn't try that?"
"I've already explored that line of thinking."
"There is nothing that can suppress those cells."
Ren's smile widened.
"…There is."
Tobirama's eyes sharpened.
"…What?"
Ren leaned forward slightly.
Confidence radiating from him.
"The Uchiha."
Silence.
"For generations—"
"The Senju and Uchiha have been opposites."
"Intertwined."
"Balanced."
"If anything can suppress Hashirama's cells—"
"It's the Uchiha."
He continued calmly.
"Whether it's Uchiha cells…"
"The Sharingan…"
"Or the ocular power itself…"
"That's your job to figure out."
"I'll provide the materials."
"As many Sharingan as you need."
"No limits."
His voice hardened.
"I don't care about the cost."
"I want that power."
Tobirama stared at him.
Mind racing.
This—
Was a path he had never fully explored.
Yet—
It made sense.
Disturbingly so.
"…Interesting."
For the first time—
His tone carried genuine curiosity.
Then—
Ren chuckled.
"If this works…"
"Maybe the Senju and Uchiha really were meant to be."
"Who knows?"
"Maybe we were originally one family."
"Split apart over some ancient dispute."
"Maybe the Uchiha were the older brother—"
"And the Senju the younger—"
Tobirama's expression darkened instantly.
"…Bullshit."
"You're talking nonsense."
One vein pulsed at his temple.
"Who the hell are you calling the younger brother?"
Ren grinned.
Teasing.
Provoking.
"Tobirama…"
"Face it."
"We're practically family."
"…I'll kill you."
"Language, Lord Tobirama."
Ren's smile only widened.
Because now—
The experiment had begun.
And whether Tobirama liked it or not—
He was already part of it.
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