Chapter 216: Absolutely Terrifying
The domestic pig completed its transformation from living creature to monstrosity without any reaction. Dana felt numb all over, but beside him, Mamoru Anzai was shaking with excitement.
"It's truly miraculous! I want to learn the Earth Grudge Fear so badly! Sensei, does this change in the pig have side effects? Is it hereditary?"
To people like Anzai, if normal biological research was like digging dirt with a spoon, then mastering Earth Grudge Fear was like getting the keys to an excavator.
Old Man Yoshitoki gestured for his student to calm down and continued. "I can also stimulate its hormonal organs to make it go berserk, become sedated, or even enter estrus. This is distinct from Genjutsu. theoretically, modifications made via Earth Grudge Fear can resolve most rejection reactions. Technically speaking, it solves all organ transplant issues—provided, of course, that one has sufficient medical and biological knowledge."
The tentacles inserted into the pig surged again. Suddenly, the pig began to retch. After a few heaves, it vomited out a bloody mass of flesh.
It was its own heart.
Yet, despite vomiting out its heart, the pig remained standing, dull and wooden like a puppet. No pain, no death.
Dana: "....I don't think calling the police will fix this. We need the SCP Foundation or a Magical Girl squad."
Anzai, however, was ecstatic. "To complete such a perfect heart extraction so simply... it's incredible!"
The pig's heart, connected by thin black threads, hung in mid-air, still beating faintly.
Yoshitoki smiled. "A pig's heart is very similar to a human's in both size and structure. So for this stage, I chose to use pig hearts for research. As for the rest of the pig, let the cafeteria use it for extra rations. By the way, the fried tenderloin the kitchen made last time was quite good. Should I stimulate the growth of a few extra spines? Although the extra spines serve no functional purpose, the taste and texture are identical."
Dana covered his face, deeply regretting ever getting Earth Grudge Fear from Kakuzu.
This kind of ninjutsu should be humanely destroyed. It should be buried deep underground along with Kakuzu, crushed under a boulder, and then launched into space with a Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei so the Outer Gods can have a look.
Once Yoshitoki had safely stored the heart, the heartless, six-legged pig turned around on its own and walked toward the kitchen.
Dana struggled to find his voice.
"Grandpa Yoshitoki... regarding the rejuvenation. Is it only possible for self-modification? Or can you help others achieve the same effect?"
Yoshitoki smiled, his eyes crinkling pleasantly. "Although I haven't tried it yet, I likely cannot modify others without risk. Self-modification and external modification feel very different in terms of sensory feedback. More experiments are needed. Of course, if we disregard the risks, direct intervention is possible."
Dana chose his words carefully.
"Grandpa Yoshitoki... I believe with your wisdom, you can understand. What you currently possess is... too advanced for the village. No, for the entire ninja world. Even if there is no further progress, these technologies are already far too dangerous for the current era..."
Yoshitoki maintained his gentle smile. "I know. Being one step ahead makes you a genius; being ten steps ahead makes you a madman. I know that rejuvenation alone is shocking enough to shake the world. Aside from reporting it to the village leadership, I have no intention of making it public for now. Recently, I just got a new toy and couldn't suppress my curiosity, so I kept trying new things."
"Grandpa Yoshitoki, you can... um, keep experimenting, but be conservative. However, I hope you understand that in the future, we may increase the psychological health screenings for you and everyone else in the institute."
Yoshitoki nodded. "Are you worried my mind might be affected? Understandable. Ninjutsu that influences the mind or personality does exist, especially since Earth Grudge Fear involves body modification. It's fine; I will cooperate with the psychological evaluations. actually, I've already implemented insurance for myself. I have suppressed most of the hormones in my body that affect emotions—especially anger and destructive desires—to the lowest possible levels. This not only prevents mental issues but also significantly enhances my logical thinking ability."
Dana thought: No, I think that makes me even more worried! Aren't we in the Ninja World? Why does it sound like you're reading from the script of an Evil Scientist about to conquer the world?
"Thank you for your understanding. Additionally, any other personnel in the research base who wish to learn Earth Grudge Fear must undergo a separate approval process from the village. Anzai-senpai, I suggest you be patient and wait for a while."
Anzai looked a bit disappointed but nodded nonetheless.
actually, after Earth Grudge Fear was brought back to the village, it was classified as a forbidden jutsu. However, Yoshitoki's clearance was high enough that when he showed interest, the village gave it to him without hesitation.
But that couldn't happen anymore. Even if someone had the rank, they would need specific approval.
The impact of this jutsu was too massive. Especially when mastered by someone like Yoshitoki, who had nearly a century of medical and biological knowledge accumulated. Dana could only describe the potential as "Absolutely Terrifying."
"By the way," Yoshitoki added, "once I become fully accustomed to this body, I'd like to go out for a walk. It's funny to say, but ever since my health declined at seventy, I've been living in seclusion in Yugakure. Then I came to the Cloud and spent most of my time in the lab. I miss the days of traveling the ninja world in my youth. Plus, new research requires fresh inspiration from the outside world. I'll submit an application to the village when the time comes."
Dana hesitated again and again, but finally said, "I will report this matter as well. But you should understand, the village will definitely send people to accompany you for protection."
Yoshitoki waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind.
A person like Yoshitoki couldn't just be let loose without protection—whether it was the old Yoshitoki or the current one.
After chatting for a while longer, Dana declined the invitation to stay for "Fried Tenderloin Rice Bowl," and didn't even have time to check if Tsunade was dead or alive. He hurried back to the village and found the Third Raikage.
Dana solemnly reported the situation at the biological research base to his father.
"We did receive a report that Yoshitoki was training in Earth Grudge Fear. After that jutsu was brought back, others were interested, but only Yoshitoki succeeded... I didn't expect something like this to happen."
No one is uninterested in rejuvenation—whether a farmer or a Daimyo—because everyone ages.
But as the Kage of a village, the Third Raikage immediately realized the terrifying implications behind it.
"For the time being, classify all related research as Top Secret. Especially the rejuvenation aspect—it absolutely cannot be leaked. Furthermore, implement tiered management within the biological lab; only a select few can access or know about these matters. I will arrange the psychological screenings immediately."
Once others knew, even if the news was limited to within the village, it would be like detonating a nuclear bomb.
Every family had elderly members. Would the elders of the Yotsuki Clan not have thoughts?
Testing the loyalty of the village's ninja with a matter of life and death was a stupid move. If it could be avoided, it must be avoided.
And if this got out to the entire ninja world? What kind of chaos would that cause?
There might be positive aspects, but there were far more uncertainties. Neither Dana nor the Third Raikage could guarantee that things would remain controllable.
Plus, this version of Yoshitoki... was simply too powerful. They were genuinely worried.
Just as the two were discussing how to control Yoshitoki's research capabilities, the Raikage's secretary ran in, looking panicked.
"Raikage-sama! Dana-sama! Emergency situation!"
"A large force of Konoha ninja has crossed the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water!"