Upon arriving at the laboratory, Nanako was deeply engrossed in a mountain of documents.
Her work included research directions, experimental data, and various findings, all meticulously recorded after tests. Once enough material accumulated, it needed to be sorted, summarized, and streamlined.
Nanako remained as focused as ever, fully immersed in her tasks. Even the noise of Ye Zi and White Zetsu entering the laboratory didn't pull her out of her concentrated state.
Ye Zi didn't bother to remind her, instead turning to White Zetsu and saying, "The Sharingan."
"Where should I put them?" White Zetsu asked.
Ye Zi pointed to a table in the lab where several rows of glass containers, designed specifically for storing eyes, were neatly arranged.
Noticing the containers, White Zetsu nodded in understanding. He went over, grabbed a bottle filled with a translucent liquid, opened its lid, and pressed his palm over the mouth. Slowly, an eyeball emerged from his palm and fell into the liquid, floating gently.
After placing one eye, he repeated the process with the second. Each bottle could hold two eyes, and soon, White Zetsu had filled 19 bottles with the pairs of Sharingan he had collected.
The bottles, arranged in four neat rows, sat quietly on the table.
Ye Zi walked over and added the two pairs of Sharingan he had taken from Danzo, making a total of 21 pairs.
It remained unclear what effect transplanting Sharingan onto Hashirama-cell clones might yield. Although there was precedent with Byakugan, the outcome would remain unknown until an attempt was made.
If successful, it would mean the creation of an elite unit, each capable of wielding the Sharingan's abilities. It was a significant gain.
As Ye Zi silently observed the rows of Sharingan, he suddenly ordered, "White Zetsu, keep watch outside the base. Report immediately if there are any intruders."
"Understood," White Zetsu replied with a shrug. His body dissolved into the floor, slipping out to stand guard outside and prevent any potential incursions.
With time pressing, Ye Zi didn't wait for Nanako to finish her tasks. Instead, he knocked on the desk, pulling her out of her concentrated state.
"Ye Zi," Nanako said, looking up with a smile as she saw him.
"Is everything ready?" Ye Zi asked, glancing around the lab. The space was noticeably emptier, as much of the equipment had already been packed away. He was referring to preparations for relocating the base, a decision made after their location had been compromised.
While moving the laboratory was cumbersome, the rest was relatively simple. Most residents of the base only needed to bring personal belongings, and once the new base was established, essential supplies could be procured by their temporary allies.
Nanako nodded and said, "Everything's ready. Are we starting the move now?"
"Almost," Ye Zi replied. "Everyone's been notified, so we'll likely leave soon."
"Alright, I'll just finish packing these documents," Nanako said as she stood up and began gathering the piles of papers on her desk.
Since the base was being relocated, much of the primary equipment had been sealed into storage scrolls, making it impossible to continue experiments. Unable to stay idle, she had turned to organizing and revising the accumulated research materials.
"I'll help," Ye Zi offered without much thought, reaching out to assist.
Unfamiliar with the materials, he didn't realize that although the documents were piled high, they were meticulously organized. If accidentally disrupted, it would create a significant mess.
"Ye Zi, no need," Nanako quickly interjected, grabbing Ye Zi's hand to stop him. Her reaction stemmed from concern that he might disturb the carefully categorized materials.
"What's wrong?" Ye Zi asked, calmly observing Nanako's uncharacteristically abrupt reaction. Even if she didn't need his help, she could have simply said so; there was no need for such a hasty response.
Nanako didn't reply immediately. A trace of melancholy flickered in her eyes as she held Ye Zi's hand, feeling the warmth radiating from his fingertips. Unconsciously, she tightened her grip slightly.
The subtle change in pressure didn't escape Ye Zi's notice. He silently watched her, neither speaking nor making any other movements.
"It's nothing," Nanako eventually said, forcing a gentle smile that was indistinguishable from her usual demeanor. "These documents are delicate. I'll sort them myself."
She released his hand, lowered her gaze, and resumed organizing the papers.
Ye Zi sighed quietly in his heart, stepping aside to wait patiently as Nanako continued her work.
While arranging the documents, Nanako occasionally glanced at Ye Zi's profile. After a moment of hesitation, she averted her gaze and focused on her task.
It didn't take long for Nanako to finish sorting and storing the documents.
"Done?" Ye Zi asked, looking at her.
"Yes," Nanako replied with a nod.
"On this trip to Konoha, I acquired 21 pairs of Sharingan," Ye Zi said as he walked toward the table where the Sharingan were stored.
"Twenty-one pairs?" Nanako said in mild surprise, following Ye Zi.
The now sparsely occupied table, previously crowded with equipment, was now arranged with rows of glass containers. Each container held two Sharingan, floating in translucent liquid.
The vivid crimson hue, combined with the intricate black tomoe circling the pupils, marked these as Sharingan—the source of the Uchiha clan's immense power and a coveted treasure for other villages.
Looking down the rows, each eye's tomoe was uniformly shaped. The vivid red made them slightly piercing to the eye but undeniably beautiful.
Nanako picked up one of the glass containers, bringing it close to examine a three-tomoe Sharingan inside. She stared at it silently before speaking, "Once the base is relocated, I plan to transplant a pair of Sharingan into a clone to test the results. Lately, I've been exploring ways to enhance the durability of the clones. If I can find a way to strengthen them, the effects of transplanting Sharingan will undoubtedly improve."
After finishing, she carefully placed the container back on the table.
"These Sharingan aren't meant for the clones," Ye Zi said calmly, his gaze fixed on the eyes resting on the table.
Nanako froze momentarily, puzzled as she looked at Ye Zi. "If they're not for the clones, then…?"
Ye Zi shifted his gaze to meet Nanako's questioning eyes. "These Sharingan are meant for the children," he said evenly.
Nanako's heart skipped a beat, her expression briefly shocked, though she quickly composed herself. Transplanting Sharingan into human bodies wasn't particularly difficult, her proficiency in medical ninjutsu, combined with her technical expertise made it a relatively risk-free procedure.
If Ye Zi had decided to transplant the Sharingan into the children at the base, she saw no issue with it. Her surprise stemmed more from the fact that Ye Zi had previously intended the Sharingan for clones. She couldn't understand why he had suddenly changed his mind.
Ye Zi calmly watched Nanako, then raised a single finger and said, "You have one year. Within that time, I need you to minimize the risks of implanting Hashirama cells. In one year, I want every child at the base to be implanted with Hashirama cells."
Nanako's eyes widened gradually, a look of profound astonishment spreading across her face.
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Currently on Chapter 498 - The Cloud and Wind