Danzo: Benefits should be shared by everyone.

A short while later, in the Uchiha clan’s training grounds, Uchiha Jinsuke was still enthusiastically performing Wood Release techniques, but the test itself had already concluded.

Fugaku frowned slightly, puzzled. “Isn’t the power a bit lacking?”

If the First Hokage had conquered the world with his Wood Release, conjuring titanic structures with a clap of his hands, then Jinsuke’s Wood Release was only good for nurturing saplings and landscaping. It was even inferior to Yamato’s Wood Release—at least Yamato could raise new buildings from the earth.

“Perhaps you’re misunderstanding something.”

Orochimaru glanced at Fugaku and spoke in a slow, measured tone. “The Wood Release kekkei genkai is merely a side effect of this body enhancement surgery. A mere bonus. What exactly were you expecting from it?”

The rationale was clear enough, and Fugaku nodded in agreement, though he couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret. After all, Wood Release was the unique bloodline limit of the First Hokage, and had become the symbol of the Leaf Village itself. Not to mention the Uchiha and Senju clans had been entwined for a thousand years—if a Wood Release prodigy could arise from among the Uchiha, the spiritual satisfaction would truly be beyond words.

“Don’t be impatient. This is only a truncated, immature version of the surgery,” Orochimaru said, licking his lips with a sly smile. “There will be a more complete body enhancement surgery in the future.”

“That’s truly something to look forward to,” Fugaku replied, the regret vanishing from his face as he smiled.

Three days later, the second Uchiha jonin underwent the body enhancement surgery—and the operation failed.

If Orochimaru hadn’t acted decisively, excising parts of the large intestine, liver, and lower abdomen, the entire set of internal organs might have been transformed into wood, costing the man his life.

On the first floor of the medical facility, Fugaku gripped his teacup tightly, his expression grim. “Lord Orochimaru, will his body recover?”

“After the intestines are removed, they can’t regenerate, so he may have trouble with bowel movements in the future. The other injuries can heal with rest. Compared to losing his life, this is a minor issue,” Orochimaru replied, licking his lips with a smile. “I said from the start there were risks. Well, Clan Head Fugaku, do you still wish to continue? Or now that this surgery has failed, will your clansmen still volunteer?”

Fugaku hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth. “Yes, of course we will continue.”

In truth, none of the three remaining Uchiha jonin withdrew; Fugaku’s hesitation stemmed only from his responsibility as clan head. Orochimaru smiled. “Very well.”

A few days later, the third operation succeeded, and the Uchiha jonin walked out of the underground operating room on his own two feet. However, unlike Jinsuke, this jonin could not perform Wood Release.

The reason was simple: to ensure a higher success rate and collect enough experimental data, Orochimaru had further diluted an already weakened procedure, shifting the focus to observing the strength of the Sharingan and its confrontation with the First Hokage’s cells’ chakra.

The targeted experiment yielded rich results for Orochimaru.

Fugaku, unaware of the details, breathed a sigh of relief at another successful operation and tried to schedule the next surgery, but was refused.

“Experimental data is sufficient for now, and the process can be improved to increase future success rates,” Orochimaru explained before leaving the Uchiha compound after making his arrangements.

Fugaku, learning of this, could only suppress his eagerness to continue.

With two newly empowered jonin of considerable potential, the Uchiha clan was more than satisfied.

In the Hokage Tower’s conference room, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, face expressionless as he smoked his pipe. Beside him, the two Hokage advisors wore grim looks.

A short while ago, under persistent questioning from the advisors, Shisui had reported Orochimaru’s recent activities with the Uchiha jonin.

Of the three surgeries, there had been a single failure—something that could not escape the scrutiny of the truly observant.

Shisui reasoned that even without his report, it was only a matter of time before the Third Hokage’s side uncovered the body enhancement surgery. If he brought it to their attention himself, perhaps the fallout could be mitigated.

“Hiruzen, you’ve heard it for yourself. Orochimaru is conducting human experiments in broad daylight,” Koharu Utatane exclaimed, slapping her hand on the table, her expression grave. “This cannot be tolerated any longer. Have you considered what would happen if that Uchiha jonin had died during the procedure?”

Homura Mitokado turned to the Third Hokage as well, waiting for his answer.

Kneeling on the floor, Shisui now raised his head and insisted, “Elders, that’s not human experimentation. It’s a body enhancement surgery.”

Even with his limited political acumen, Shisui understood how taboo such experiments on one’s own villagers were. Moreover, the clansmen volunteered for the surgery out of concern for him, a gesture of goodwill that must not be twisted by the advisors’ rhetoric.

“Shisui’s words have some merit,” the Third Hokage said slowly. “It may not be human experimentation, after all. I’ve heard that the two Uchiha jonin who succeeded have seen significant improvement in their abilities.”

“Hiruzen, even now you protect your disciple,” Koharu retorted, her brows knit in anger, attributing the Hokage’s defense to personal bias. “Body enhancement surgery? It’s clearly the First Hokage’s cell transplant. Did you think we didn’t know? Danzo told us everything about that Wood Release boy.”

That scoundrel!

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe and exhaled a plume of smoke, offering no reply.

But the advisors weren’t finished. Homura straightened his face and pressed on. “We let the matter of the Wood Release boy slide, but the First Hokage’s cells are incredibly dangerous. We cannot allow Orochimaru to act without restraint—especially not to put such power in the hands of—” He stopped, realizing he’d nearly said too much in front of Shisui.

Koharu, however, had no such qualms. “Homura is right. I propose we immediately ban Orochimaru’s experiments and order him to destroy all his research.”

“Seconded,” Homura agreed.

“You both make good points,” Hiruzen replied solemnly, setting down his pipe and glancing at the two advisors, “but don’t forget: our negotiations with the Cloud have yet to conclude. Is this really the moment to pressure Orochimaru?”

The two advisors exchanged glances, each seeing hesitation in the other’s eyes.

“Hiruzen is absolutely right,” a voice suddenly sounded from beyond the office door. Danzo, leaning on his cane, entered briskly. “Direct pressure won’t work. Even if Orochimaru claimed to have destroyed his research and ceased the experiments, would any of us believe him?”

The Third Hokage glared. “Danzo, what brings you here?”

“Hiruzen, am I not entitled to attend the village’s high council?” Danzo replied coolly, eyes half closed. “Forcing Orochimaru to destroy his data is unwise. He should be made to turn it over.”