At that time, Ishitaro was missing, and Tsunade could only begin studying the brain placed inside the strange cylindrical device.
First, she observed the state of the brain. The surgery that had removed his brain was done beautifully, preserving the brain's basic structure completely.
"The surgical precision... it's flawless," she muttered. "But who could have done this?"
What surprised her even more was that, through her chakra perception, she sensed that the nerves within the brain were still transmitting electrical signals. This indicated that the brain was still alive!
This was beyond her understanding. She could remove a brain from the body perfectly, but keeping a brain alive and functioning after being separated from the body was extremely rare. Tsunade was unsure if she could even accomplish this because extracting a living brain was an ethically prohibited procedure, and she had never performed such a surgery.
This wasn't just a specimen. It was... it was a living being. What was she supposed to do with this?
Moreover, in her perception, the brain's function wasn't just limited to basic nutrition intake; there was also faint neural activity in the consciousness area of the brain. This suggested that the brain not only remained active but might also retain thought!
This realization made Tsunade handle the brain even more cautiously, fearing that even a slight tilt could cause it to touch the inner wall of the cylinder, leading to the brain's death. If the standard for determining death was brain death, then technically, what she was holding was not just a brain but a living human being.
After carefully placing the cylinder on a low wooden cabinet, she began studying this bizarre device with intrigue. However, during her examination, she realized that her caution was unnecessary. Although the brain was fragile, the cylinder provided excellent protection. The green viscous liquid inside served both as a nutrient solution and as a protective medium, much like amniotic fluid, preventing external damage to the brain.
In addition, the cylinder's external structure was quite peculiar. The middle was made of translucent hardened glass, with metal frames on both ends. The lower metal frame had three triangularly arranged metal slots, each with a uniquely shaped opening that matched the three devices Tsunade had found earlier.
Following the shapes of the slots and plugs, she assembled the three devices with the cylinder. If I'm right about this...
A strange event occurred: a face was projected three-dimensionally from the box with two lenses on top.
Ishitaro?
Not only that, but a voice also emerged from another box filled with various components. "Long time no see, Tsunade."
The greeting was almost devoid of any tonal fluctuation, mechanical and monotonous, lacking any emotion. However, considering the connection to the brain in the cylinder, she had reason to believe these were the words of Ishitaro—or at least what he had intended to say.
Facing this bizarre, almost absurd situation, she had countless reasons to deny its reality. This must be the delusion of some mad scientist, a lunatic comparable to Orochimaru in his pursuit of immortality. Yet, surrounded by the humming sounds of the connected devices, Tsunade felt a strange dizziness. This chaotic sensation gradually lowered her guard until she could speak to the peculiar voice.
"Are you Ishitaro?" she asked cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course, Tsunade, my friend. When did you arrive at my house?"
This casual remark, typical of two old friends reuniting, carried no emotion through the device, making it difficult for Tsunade to grasp its meaning. Still, she tried to maintain her composure and respond normally.
"Weren't you the one who sent me a letter inviting me here?"
"Oh, was that so?" The projected face of Ishitaro showed a faint hint of confusion, though it quickly returned to its emotionless state.
Something's not right. If this is really Ishitaro, why doesn't he remember inviting me? A trap? Her body unconsciously shifted into a more defensive stance.
An impostor? But how? And why go to such lengths? The butler, the maid... are they in on this too? Am I surrounded by enemies?
These questions swirled endlessly in Tsunade's mind, drawing her deeper into confusion. But the voice from the box seemed unaware of her growing suspicions. Instead, it started to narrate something peculiar it claimed to have discovered in a dream.
"Do you know, Tsunade, that there exists a strange species in this world called the Mi-Go?"
She blinked, momentarily thrown by the sudden change in topic. "Mi-Go? What are you talking about, Ishitaro?"
"Mi-Go resemble red crustaceans, but their bodies are more akin to fungi. They come from a distant, dark land known as Yuggoth, which is why they are sometimes referred to as Fungi from Yuggoth."
"Mi-Go possess enormous wings, allowing them to traverse great distances and come to this world, or leave whenever they wish."
"Yuggoth? Ishitaro, none of this makes sense. What's happened to you?" Tsunade interrupted, her frustration breaking through her calm facade.
"What's remarkable about the Mi-Go is their mad obsession with science. They possess technology far beyond our world, especially in biological science, which they are particularly proud of."
"They have discovered a method to extract a living brain from its body without causing any damage, and then place it into a special container."
"As long as the container is regularly supplied with nutrients, the brain can be preserved for thousands of years. Truly an incredible technology!"
As the projection discussed this technology, a sense of excitement even appeared on Ishitaro's face.
"But the Mi-Go have a peculiar hobby. They enjoy carrying the brains of other intelligent beings across vast distances to showcase their technology and their ability to traverse space."
"They have a name for this bizarre pastime—interstellar travel."
"What a magnificent feat!"
"With just a brain left, one can follow these Mi-Go and soar across distant realms, listen to the voices from beyond the human world, and witness wonders greater than the apes discovering fire!"
Has he lost all sense of self?
"Perhaps, during the long journey through the stars, one might even behold those beings so revered by the Mi-Go."
"Beings like Nyarlathotep, Yog-Sothoth, or the Black Goat—how utterly marvelous!"
The voice from the box gushed with praise for the dreamlike entities, the Mi-Go.
Tsunade didn't fully understand the Mi-Go he was talking about, but from the increasingly impassioned words, she began to piece things together. It seemed that the brain in front of her, belonging to Ishitaro, was the work of the Mi-Go.
They would extract human brains through precise surgical methods and place them in cylindrical containers, equipped with three mechanical devices to mimic human senses.
But why? To flaunt their ability? To showcase technology? Is that all human life means to them? Unforgivable! An unnamed fury rose within her.
Though she guessed that the Mi-Go might lack human emotions and couldn't comprehend human morals, they had committed an unpardonable crime.
Looking at the brain of her old friend inside the cylinder, and hearing the voice from the box—which might even belong to Ishitaro himself—she was at a loss for words.
From his speech, it seemed his attitude was ambiguous. Has he been brainwashed? Or is this some twisted form of Stockholm syndrome? Tsunade studied the projection, searching for any sign of the man she once knew.
He was full of praise for the Mi-Go, entirely forgetting that what the Mi-Go had done was a violation of human dignity.
Was putting a human brain in a jar and then hanging it on their waist while they flew around something worthy of praise? If creatures like the Mi-Go were capable of showing off, would they boast to each other about how many human brains they possessed?
The mere thought of it made Tsunade feel sick. They're treating human brains like trophies. Like pets.
Moreover, she didn't even know if her old friend was aware that he had been turned into a brain in a jar. He needs to know. But will the truth break him completely? Despite her reservations, she knew she had to act.
She quickly scanned the room and found a small hand mirror on a nearby table. Then, she picked it up and turned to face the projection.
"Ishitaro... there's something you need to see."
"What? Are you telling me I'm just a brain now?"
"A mirror."
"This…"
"Oh! Is this true?"
"Is this really me?"
"Is this my brain?"
"My brain… placed inside a metal cylinder."
"Is this…?"
Pointing the mirror at Ishitaro's projected face allowed his brain to see the image he needed to witness. This was truly an indescribable feat of science and technology.
Thanks to this technology, his brain finally understood that he was no longer Ishitaro, but rather his brain. This was his new identity.
Seeing the projection of Ishitaro's face transition from expressionless to shocked—though still slightly stiff—brought a sliver of comfort to her heart. There's still a part of him in there. The real Ishitaro.
But just as Tsunade began to feel a hint of relief, his next words completely shattered her illusions.
"This is wonderful!"
"Absolutely wonderful!"
"Truly wonderful! I've become a traveler of the stars!"
"I will follow the Mi-Go on interstellar journeys! This is a great achievement no human has ever accomplished, and I will be the first to do so!"
"Though I have lost my aging body, my brain will live on forever, and my life will be extended indefinitely. Soon, I will stand alongside the legendary Sage of Six Paths."
"No, I will surpass even the Sage of Six Paths! I will become a figure who exists only in ancient legends and myths!"
"An interstellar traveler—immortal Ishitaro! What a perfect name!"
Has he gone mad? Or is this some defense mechanism? No... He's delusional. Completely lost in this fantasy.
"Tsunade, what's with your expression?"
"You should be happy for me, my friend! I've become an immortal being. I will witness things that humans can only dream of, the great abysses of existence!"
How can I make him see? How can I bring him back to reality? Tsunade's hand hovered over the plug connecting the devices. This isn't Ishitaro anymore...
"I…"
The voice of Ishitaro's brain abruptly stopped as she pulled the plug from the device.
Without the assistance of the other three mechanisms, his brain became nothing more than a preserved human brain specimen—decorative and nothing more.
From what he had said, Tsunade was now certain beyond doubt that Ishitaro had completely lost his human reasoning.
The stubborn, justice-driven man I knew would never accept this. What have they done to you?
Evidence of this was the marks of axe chops hidden in the darker corners of the house. Those were the clear signs of a battle between Ishitaro and the Mi-Go.
But in the end, the old man had been turned into a brain in a jar, dreaming fantastical dreams in the Mi-Go's green nutrient fluid.
These dreams must have had a hypnotic effect, allowing the Mi-Go to extract his memories, impersonating him, while also gradually leading him to understand and accept their race.
Ultimately, the illusions within the dream would shatter Ishitaro's self-recognition as a human, leaving him incapable of recognizing his own humanity. Now, his brain no longer saw itself as human.
He had even tried to convince Tsunade to accept this great honor.
He's become a willing trophy for these... creatures. Her gaze softened as she looked at the silent brain. "I'm sorry, old friend. I was too late to save you."
For this maddened brain, she felt there was no point in further conversation, so she disconnected the device. However, the conversation with the brain had helped her realize who had been impersonating Ishitaro earlier in the day.
That was the Mi-Go, wasn't it?
Though Tsunade had sensed the fungal matter within that body, she had never imagined that the answer to the mystery would be something like this.
She silently approached the lounge chair and yanked the blanket off it.
There lay a disturbingly lifelike human skin, more meticulously crafted than any wax figure by any master artist, but unfortunately, it was not wax.
On the backside of the skin were small metal clips, seemingly intended to affix the skin to something.
Tsunade hung her head low, staring intently at the human skin on the sofa, saying nothing. How many others have they taken? How long has this been going on?
In this eerily quiet atmosphere, a sound of footsteps suddenly came from the stairway. Tsunade's body tensed, instantly alert.
"Tsunade-sama, what are you doing here?"
At the staircase's turn, Shizune appeared, holding an oil lamp, and saw Tsunade standing silently in the living room.
Tsunade turned her face, expressionless, and coldly asked, "Why are you out here?"
Her gaze was so chilling that Shizune trembled in fear, worried she had done something wrong, and quickly responded.
"Anko has gone missing. I came out to look for her."