In the fortress of the Land of the Moon, Takeshi sat cross-legged, seemingly immersed in meditation with his eyes closed.
"Lord Takeshi, the new materials we've acquired are truly remarkable. If we fuse these two cells..."
Echoing within the vast fortress was a series of unsettling sounds, like "crack, crackle, crackle." It wasn't a hoarse or sharp howl, but rather an eerie noise.
Hiruko was no longer the humble and cowardly figure he once was in Konoha. Now, he held a scalpel, meticulously dissecting and observing pieces of tissue in a petri dish. Occasionally, he cast glances at Takeshi, who sat nearby with an excitement bordering on madness in his eyes.
The enormous stronghold housed numerous large glass jars, containing a variety of peculiar ninja beasts, tissues, mutilated limbs, and even grotesque ninjas.
Some of these creatures remained motionless, while others opened and closed their mouths within green nutrient solutions, their eyes lethargically following the rise and fall of bubbles.
Besides the extensive array of glassware, various colossal white scientific instruments adorned the stronghold, with monochrome screens displaying dense data.
From Takeshi's perspective, these devices might have seemed like outdated antiques, but in this era, they represented the pinnacle of technology. Both he and Hiruko had been exhilarated upon obtaining them.
Though Sarutobi had not yet become the third Hokage, and Orochimaru had not assumed the role of one of the "Three Sannin" wielding significant power, funding wasn't a significant issue for Takeshi and his associates.
With Hiruko's financial backing, Takeshi's exploits in the ninja world and frequent dealings in the black market provided sufficient support for these expensive research endeavors.
Takeshi opened his eyes and rose slowly, observing Hiruko engrossed in his work. A thought crossed his mind, acknowledging the genius before him.
Those who delved into inhumane experiments daily exuded a peculiar brilliance. Were they mad, insane, conducting the most taboo research without any moral boundaries, or were they achieving a different form of greatness?
This endeavor, a remarkable feat shaping the technological landscape of the entire Naruto world, simultaneously appeared as the work of saints shedding light upon humanity while being perceived as demonic and ghostly by ordinary people.
"Hehehe, excellent work, Hiruko!"
Takeshi patted Hiruko on the shoulder, offering both approval and praise. Surveying the macabre scene that unfolded before him, Takeshi felt no sense of repulsion. Instead, he felt exhilarated, as if a new realm had unveiled itself—a realm filled with a strange benevolence.
If he and Orochimaru were experts in snake ninjutsu, forbidden arts, and "engineers of the soul," then Hiruko embodied a profound understanding of cellular and genetic engineering.
With his intense research spirit, solid foundation, exceptional talent, and, of course, his unbridled and cunning personality, Hiruko made rapid strides, achieving feats that bordered on developing forbidden arts independently.
How could someone possessing so many "remarkable qualities" fail?
Takeshi strolled around the laboratory with hands behind his back, admiring Hiruko's masterpieces. The scenes unfolding seemed ghostly, yet they represented the highest manifestation of contemporary technology. The paradoxical beauty left Takeshi somewhat captivated.
"This... Hela? Truly intriguing!"
Takeshi gazed at the immense glass container before him, filled with women submerged in it, his expression a mix of surprise and intrigue.
Hela appeared to be one of Troy's subordinates, captured during the Battle of Gelel Mine. A survivor transformed by magical chakra, she could wield natural power, morphing into a spell-like form.
"Yes, this is our most precious experimental subject. She endured numerous transformations, displaying incredible adaptability and vitality. Truly an astonishing specimen!"
Hiruko approached, his eyes ablaze as he observed Hela immersed in the green solution, as though appreciating the most perfect artwork.
Hela's complexion was deathly pale, her skin resembling a layer of pale wax.
Her long purple hair undulated in the green solution, resembling clusters of purple sea snakes, possessing a life of their own. This set off her pale yet beautiful face, akin to a banshee with snake hair.
Her tall and slender body extended in the solution, appearing remarkably peculiar. Apart from her face, black fur covered her from the neck down, resembling a living beast.
Metal wires suspended her arms high, no longer resembling human arms, but more like two enormous sharp scythes or wings.
Initially resembling Kama Itachi after her transformation, Takeshi noticed that Hela now exhibited more unique characteristics.
Her shoulders, chest, and vital areas were adorned with fine snake scales, emitting a metallic cold light. Her ears were bat-like in their slenderness, and she even sported two slender tails with devilish tips.
Presently, Hela had transformed into a grotesque and enchanting monster, a killing machine crafted by Hiruko.
"What a perfect form! It's a miracle that so many cells perfectly combined on her body without collapsing!"
Hela's spirit and body seemed restrained. Light snake scales covered her cheeks, and her vacant eyes retained a depth of consciousness—struggling slightly, displaying pain, hatred, and desperate stares.
"Other experimental subjects have perished, some even exploded on the spot. Only she has successfully adapted to cell rejection, truly deserving of being transformed by Senjutsu chakra!"
Hiruko delicately caressed the glass container holding Hela, as if caressing a lover's face, his expression solemn and even pious.
Given his still imperfect cell fusion technology, the survival rate remained extremely low. Hela's success provided significant help and inspiration. Takeshi surmised that Hiruko aimed to develop a synthetic beast, a preliminary subject for the technique of chimera.
Initially capturing Hela to analyze the Senjutsu chakra, Takeshi unintentionally provided Hiruko with an excellent experimental subject. With Hela as the focal point, Hiruko's research would be smoother and more refined.
"My research aims to merge the strengths of various creatures, drawing on their abilities to grant immense power. This will create the ultimate individual, capable of continuous evolution beyond the limits of living things, even reaching the status of... a god!"
Hiruko gazed at Takeshi with a dazzling look, narrating his lofty ideals to his leader and mentor.
"Continuous evolution toward godhood? Hee hee, the line between genius and lunacy is truly thin, but your ideals are indeed grand. The art of chimera is far from its conclusion..."
Takeshi mused and turned to leave, summoning a large snake.
"The crucial moment for Orochimaru has arrived. You're in charge here. The ninja world needs to witness our achievements."
"Leave it to me!" Hiruko respectfully replied in the direction where Takeshi disappeared.
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