"Preparations are complete. Now, let's see how well the Senju Clan adapts to Hollowfication."
The true core of Las Noches wasn't above ground.
Senju Yukika's first step had been building underground, setting up Orochimaru's laboratory as a priority.
And now, the plan to modify the Senju Clan had to be accelerated.
Once Orochimaru fully mastered the core techniques, Yukika wouldn't need to oversee things personally anymore.
Glancing over the roster, Yukika nodded in satisfaction.
The data, compiled with Mito's help, covered the entire Senju Clan. But Yukika wasn't aiming for quantity — he wanted to walk the elite path.
The strength one gained after Hollowfication heavily depended on their foundation.
He needed to form a truly powerful core team first and foremost.
"But Yukika-kun..."
Orochimaru looked conflicted.
"At the moment, only you can actually perform this technique."
"If you want me involved..."
During the Hollowfication experiment on Sakumo Hatake, Orochimaru had helped but hadn't grasped the full principles behind it. Even now, he was still far from truly understanding how a soul could be transformed.
Still, Yukika had allowed him to participate.
It was a huge gesture of trust!
Orochimaru was touched, but he still felt he had to remind Yukika:
He was still an outsider.
"I don't mean to sound suspicious..."
Yukika smiled and shook his head. Orochimaru's meaning was clear.
He was advising Yukika: Don't reveal all your cards to others.
As a teacher, Orochimaru was warning him not to trust anyone completely.
Of course, Yukika understood.
But Orochimaru had only seen the surface.
In fact, the true protagonist of the Hollowfication project would eventually be Orochimaru himself.
Once the bond between king and soldier was forged, even if Orochimaru wanted to betray him, he wouldn't be able to.
There was no need to worry.
"Relax, sensei. You will always be my teacher."
Patting Orochimaru's shoulder meaningfully, Yukika smiled.
He knew exactly what Orochimaru desired.
With a Hollowfied body, Orochimaru could reach new, unimaginable heights of strength.
He wouldn't be able to resist staying.
"Always your teacher, huh..."
Orochimaru swallowed hard.
"...Fine. Being your teacher is stressful, Yukika-kun."
Most teachers would feel bitter seeing their students surpass them again and again.
But deep down, Orochimaru wasn't jealous — he was proud.
And grateful.
Grateful to be part of this groundbreaking project!
Exploring unknown realms, chasing forbidden knowledge — every day felt exhilarating.
What more could he ask for?
"Alright, off you go!"
Waving Yukika away, Orochimaru eagerly turned back to the lab equipment, fully immersing himself in studying the transformation process.
Yukika had already provided all the materials.
All he had to do was follow the steps carefully.
"Don't worry, I'll be watching."
Encouraging him lightly, Yukika exhaled softly.
Las Noches' construction was progressing slower than expected.
Originally, he had hoped to use the downtime to track down Asura's chakra.
"Oh right, Orochimaru-sensei."
As Yukika was about to leave, he suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong, Yukika-kun?"
Orochimaru turned, puzzled.
"Did you guys dig up my grandfather's grave?"
"...The First Hokage's?"
Blinking innocently, Yukika asked it with a straight face.
Cough!
Orochimaru stumbled back into his chair, face red.
"Uh... well..."
"It was an official decision by Konoha leadership. You know how it is."
"The Second Hokage personally authorized the research."
"It really wasn't my idea."
"And besides, it's not grave robbing — it's scientific research."
Sure, real convincing.
Yukika rolled his eyes.
But looking at Orochimaru's twitchy face, he knew the man wasn't lying.
"I get it. Probably Danzo's idea, right?"
Patting Orochimaru's shoulder, Yukika sighed.
"I need you to gather a sample of the First Hokage's cells — just a small piece is enough."
There was still an active reincarnation of Asura lingering in this world!
Even if Hashirama was dead, his body still carried traces of Asura's soul and chakra.
Yukika had no interest in experimenting on his grandfather's corpse.
What he wanted was the Asura chakra — a guiding beacon to locate the true soul.
The Wood Style, Sage Mode...
And eventually, full Asura power — all of it would be his.
Wood Release...
The ultimate tool for construction!
Thinking of this, Yukika couldn't help smiling bitterly.
If others knew the first thing he wanted to do with Wood Style was build houses, they'd riot on the spot!
"Just a cell sample, huh..."
Orochimaru sighed in relief.
He had indeed been part of the grave exhumation back then.
It wasn't really his choice — the project was authorized by Konoha.
But the Second Shinobi War had interrupted everything before any real progress was made.
He had assumed Danzo would pick it up again someday.
Still, he was curious.
Why did Yukika want the First's cells?
The Second Hokage's records clearly stated that Hashirama's cells were so overwhelmingly powerful that even experimental subjects usually died.
Orochimaru had once thought of implanting them into a child little by little, building tolerance from an early age.
But for now, that idea remained shelved.
BOOM!
Suddenly, while Yukika and Orochimaru were speaking, an explosion rocked the ground!
A terrifying roar echoed across Konoha.
It was the Nine-Tails!
All the Senju ninjas and Konoha ninjas turned toward the noise.
They recognized that roar instantly.
After all, Konoha had fought the Nine-Tails before.
The giant fox was being knocked backward!
Was the Nine-Tails escaping? Or was something else happening?