Chapter 286: Side Effects of the God Tree Fruit?
Konoha Experimental Facility – Lowest Level
Beside the towering God Tree, the massive form of the Ten-Tails lay prone. It wasn't frozen this time, but its tails and body were pierced by enormous black rods, pinning it firmly to the ground, allowing Orochimaru and the others to study it.
This "infant" Ten-Tails was different from the Gedo Mazo and the God Tree they had studied before. It hadn't been influenced by external forces; it was, in a sense, "primordial." The previous Ten-Tails (the Gedo Mazo) and the God Tree both bore the distinct marks of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, and even the Sage of Six Paths. To put it bluntly, they had already been shaped by Kaguya and the Sage.
This one, however, was the genuine article.
Thus, Orochimaru and Kabuto's eyes gleamed as they eagerly collected samples from the creature. Their previous research on the Gedo Mazo and the God Tree had yielded significant insights—not necessarily specific secret jutsu or completed techniques, but rather new knowledge and understanding gained through the process.
Kinoshita Genichi walked one path, Orochimaru another, and Kabuto his own. Senju Tobirama's focus differed again; his goal wasn't personal power, but the protection of the "village."
Was Orochimaru Genichi's subordinate? No, merely a collaborator. Genichi provided research materials, Orochimaru conducted the research, and they shared the results. Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tōta, Kekkei Mōra, Sage Transformation, planting the God Tree, eating its fruit—this was the path Genichi had chosen. Orochimaru, however, wanted to become the Ten-Tails.
And Kabuto? He was Genichi's subordinate, but not a mindless tool. He had mastered Orochimaru's Fushi Tensei (Living Corpse Reincarnation), acquiring different abilities by changing bodies, much like Genichi accumulated Kekkei Genkai. He had also learned Sage Mode from Genichi. Kabuto was relentlessly acquiring various powers, including longevity. However, under Genichi's influence, his methods were less horrifying; he used biotechnology and cloning rather than stealing the bodies of Kekkei Genkai users.
Though their paths diverged, their ultimate goal was largely the same: immortality. This shared ambition allowed them to cooperate effectively. Of course, the main factor was Genichi's overwhelming power and his unique advantages, which allowed him to easily keep Orochimaru and Kabuto in line.
Seeing Genichi appear, Kabuto and the others left clones to continue their work while their real bodies approached him. Genichi shared the latest intelligence regarding the Ōtsutsuki.
Tsunade listened with a deep frown.
Senju Tobirama spoke gravely. "It seems we must develop techniques specifically to counter the Ōtsutsuki clan. According to your information, Genichi, there are Ōtsutsuki superiors above even Isshiki."
Orochimaru mused, "From what we've seen, neither ninjutsu nor even senjutsu seems particularly effective against them." This was based on the data gathered from Uchiha Madara and Ōtsutsuki Isshiki—even though Madara wasn't a true Ōtsutsuki, becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki had essentially transformed his body into one.
"Currently, the best methods appear to be taijutsu and space-time ninjutsu," Tsunade concluded.
"The Eight Inner Gates technique, and jutsu like the Hiraishin?" Tobirama pondered. The Eight Gates had begun to spread throughout Konoha, and many shinobi were now training in it. However, none had reached Might Guy's level. Immense effort was required, but talent in taijutsu, along with exceptional physical conditioning and willpower, were also crucial factors. Two shinobi opening the Sixth Gate could possess vastly different levels of combat power. This principle, of course, applied to any technique.
"Lord Genichi," Kabuto suggested, "if we could clone Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, we could also become Ōtsutsuki. Fight fire with fire."
"That is indeed a viable option," Genichi acknowledged. "However, our biotechnology isn't advanced enough yet. Cloning someone like Isshiki would be extremely difficult."
"The Ōtsutsuki probably won't appear immediately," Kabuto countered with a smile. "We should have time to try. Progress in genetic engineering is ongoing, after all."
Tobirama, less burdened by ethical concerns, readily agreed with Kabuto. "Every feasible method should be explored. However, access to Fushi Tensei must be strictly limited."
Orochimaru chuckled. "No need to worry, Lord Second. Not just anyone can learn such a technique. Besides, while cloning Isshiki is difficult, perhaps we could try cultivating Tailed Beasts instead. From the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails, and then to the Ten-Tails…" Orochimaru's eyes held a fervent gleam, not just for the Tailed Beasts' power, but for their unique form of life. He had, after all, once cultivated the Eight-Tails' horn, which now resided within Genichi.
Hearing Orochimaru, Kabuto smiled knowingly. "Lord Orochimaru, surely you don't intend to use the Ten-Tails as a vessel for Fushi Tensei?"
Orochimaru glanced at the restrained Ten-Tails and simply smiled without answering.
"Research has just begun, Orochimaru," Tsunade warned sharply. "Don't get any ideas about the Ten-Tails."
Genichi remained unfazed. "Fushi Tensei carries risks. It can fail. Don't underestimate the powerful, chaotic consciousness of the Ten-Tails."
The Ten-Tails certainly possessed its own will. When Uchiha Obito became its Jinchuriki, he initially couldn't suppress it and nearly had his mind torn apart. Genichi suspected that even Kaguya's consciousness had been influenced, to some extent, by the Ten-Tails. Perhaps the Sharingan itself represented the negative aspect of its power. Genichi had noticed subtle changes in his own personality since integrating Uchiha Namiichi's Sharingan, though these changes were masked by his rapidly growing power and natural psychological shifts. Fortunately, the power of Sage Transformation infinitely weakened such negative influences on him.
Orochimaru looked thoughtful.
Kabuto mused, "Both Sage Mode and Sage Transformation carry the risk of losing control, stemming from the corrosive effect of natural energy on the body. Perhaps the same applies to the Tailed Beasts and the God Tree. They act as filters, removing such negative influences…"
"Not necessarily," Orochimaru chuckled.
Tsunade nodded in agreement. "We all know that if a fruit tree is excessively treated with chemicals, the fruit inevitably retains residues. Even the condition of the soil can affect the fruit."
This reminded Genichi of something. He recalled that other Ōtsutsuki used the God Tree Fruit differently from Kaguya. Kaguya had eaten it directly, while Momoshiki and his group seemed to refine it into pills. Of course, he only had limited information on this and couldn't be certain. He decided it was something worth investigating during his next 'leap' into the future. He didn't currently know the pill refinement method and wasn't sure if he could obtain it from Isshiki or Kaguya. He needed to prepare for different possibilities.