Chapter Thirty-Nine: Experiment and Peace

As Orochimaru’s cold, hoarse voice echoed through the operating room, he issued new orders to his subordinates.
“Prepare to inject Catalyst No. 3.”
“The subject’s breathing is normal, blood pressure is low, body temperature is low… Vital signs are currently stable.”
“The restraints are secure. According to the preliminary plan, install the metal fixing device with chakra sealing properties… Reinforcement complete.”
A chorus of orderly reports resounded throughout the operating room, making it clear that those participating in the experiment were no strangers to such procedures.
The staff member who had just replied to Gafuu Kato’s question now addressed Orochimaru: “Lord Orochimaru, preparations for injecting Catalyst No. 3 are finished. As discussed in yesterday’s meeting, the purpose of operation number 9527 is to test some properties of Catalyst No. 3…”
Gafuu Kato stood beside the operating table, observing the busy staff and listening to their reports, while once more examining the main figure on the table.
The “patient” lying there now had a flush to her face, breathing steadily. The wooden transformation of her skin, halted by Orochimaru and his team’s earlier efforts, had stopped spreading. Apart from patches of wood-like skin, she appeared to be merely asleep.
The skin that had been partially transformed did not resemble the coarse bark of dead trees. Combined with her original delicate complexion, it looked more like the polished surface of a wooden figurine.
‘Whatever else one might say about Orochimaru, his aesthetic standards remain impeccable. Beauty, even in appearance, is still beauty.’
Orochimaru had stepped away from the operating table, standing beside Gafuu Kato, listening to the staff’s reports. His yellow-brown serpent eyes fixed intently on the “patient,” as if admiring a beloved toy, a piece of fine art.
“Well? Kato, isn’t she perfectly beautiful? There’s a certain unique charm, wouldn’t you say? Any suggestions?” Orochimaru asked.
Gafuu Kato found it difficult to appreciate Orochimaru’s twisted tastes, especially in a setting as serious as a research lab.
“I’ve only reported to this base today. Though I’ve learned a bit beforehand, it’s not my place to interfere directly with your work. Besides, you know my medical ninjutsu skills…” he deflected.
“True enough. Well then… Inject Catalyst No. 3! Let’s see her performance.”
After a brief inspection, Orochimaru waited until the staff had cleared away from the table, then issued his command.
Once again, a chorus of brisk, orderly reports filled the operating room.
“Understood, injecting Catalyst No. 3!”
“The subject’s breathing is normal, blood pressure is low, body temperature is low… Vital signs are currently stable.”

“Injection of Catalyst No. 3 complete!”
…
“The subject’s breathing is normal, blood pressure rising, body temperature falling… Vital signs are currently stable.”
The “patient” began to breathe rapidly, her face no longer flushed but pale. Her body, in tandem with the quickening breath, grew paler still.
Meanwhile, the area of wooden transformation on her body slowly shrank, the texture becoming smoother and more uniform, gradually resembling her original skin.
“Subject’s breathing abnormal, accelerating; blood pressure continues to rise, body temperature continues to fall… Vital signs fluctuating sharply, brain activity rapidly increasing, mental strength readings abnormal, genjutsu and sedative control weakening! She’s about to wake up!”
“Body temperature still dropping; Catalyst No. 3 is performing well, much better controlled than previous attempts, the area of wooden transformation is shrinking…”
“…Brain activity continues to accelerate, exceeding thresholds, mental strength readings surpassing thresholds, genjutsu and sedative control have failed! She’s waking up…!”
Suddenly, the “patient’s” pallid face cracked open its wooden eyes, staring wide. Her entire body began to struggle.
It was clear she was enduring immense pain, her mouth open wide, though it had been treated so she could not utter a sound.
“Subject’s breathing abnormal, blood pressure too high, body temperature still falling, now rapidly rising… Vital signs still holding… Brain activity accelerating, mental strength readings sharply increasing…”
Accompanying the reports, the area of wooden transformation that had been shrinking now began to expand, the texture becoming coarser, more like dead tree bark.
Her suffering intensified, her voiceless screams growing desperate, her wooden eyes darting as she twisted her head to memorize the faces around her.
With the increasing transformation, her strength surged, surpassing that of ordinary people—and even normal shinobi.
Fortunately, the newly added metal restraints held firm, shining with sealing properties, securely pinning the “patient” to the table.
Gafuu Kato stood beside Orochimaru, silently witnessing the “performance” as described.
He had steeled himself for this, and the “patient” was an enemy of Konoha. He was a seasoned jonin, his hands stained with the blood of foes.
‘It’s not sympathy for her fate, merely the natural response one feels as a human when witnessing another endure inhuman torment.
Shinobi, no matter how powerful, are first and foremost human.’

Gafuu Kato neither turned away nor spoke. In this tumultuous world, the “patient’s” misfortune was perhaps inevitable. He was no savior, unable to rescue all; he could only protect those he cared for. Tsunade was the one he vowed to guard.
All he could do was strive harder, grow stronger, so that in this perilous world, he could live freely and safeguard those he cherished.
He did not shy away from the feelings stirred within him, knowing it was part of the path to greater strength.
The shinobi world was never a place of harmony and love; what you perceive as peace is merely the result of others bearing burdens for you.
Gafuu Kato had no intention of bearing others’ burdens. He remained the man who aspired to live as freely as the wind, to protect Tsunade and those he loved.
Such resolve demands strength—great strength, and the willingness to pay certain prices and undergo certain trials.
He quickly sorted through his emotions, betraying nothing outwardly; even Orochimaru at his side noticed nothing amiss.
Turning to Orochimaru, he observed the latter’s calm demeanor, not rushing to intervene as the “patient’s” condition worsened. Clearly, he had witnessed such scenes many times before.
Orochimaru, his serpent eyes gleaming with interest, watched the “patient” on the table as if she were a masterpiece, a beloved collectible.
Yet, peering into those amber eyes, Gafuu Kato detected a yearning—a desire for Wood Release, for power.
Feigning composure, Gafuu Kato asked steadily, “Do you require my ninjutsu assistance?”
Orochimaru turned to him, ceasing his scrutiny of the “patient.”
“Oh? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t get involved today? The original plan didn’t include your participation in this experiment, but if you wish, you’re welcome.”
A glimmer flashed in Orochimaru’s serpent eyes. “That rumored secret technique tied closely to the soul—during your jonin exam, I was too far away to observe it clearly…”
…
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