Chapter Forty-One: Healing (Part Two)

At this moment, the “patient” stared wide-eyed, mouth contorted in frenzied, incoherent screams. Yet, due to prior procedures, not a single sound escaped her lips. Her strength had become alarmingly fierce, seemingly approaching the level of an elite ninja. The struggle grew ever more violent; the metal restraints securing her limbs and neck flashed with light, clearly a sign that the chakra-sealing properties were at work.

Yet through the soul-vision of Yufeng Kato, the scene appeared entirely different from what others perceived. Ordinary souls were protected by a shell-like layer, which Yufeng Kato referred to as the soul’s protective shell, serving primarily to shield the inner soul from harm. The Kato clan’s Spirit Transformation Technique, as well as Yufeng Kato’s Soul Cultivation Technique, required first breaking through this protective shell to enter and possess another’s body.

But now, under Yufeng Kato’s soul-vision, the “patient” had lost this protective shell entirely. It seemed to have burst from within, leaving the soul exposed directly to his gaze, entangled in a body that had begun to resemble a wooden puppet.

The woman’s soul was also writhing and howling in agony. The difference was, in this state, Yufeng Kato could clearly hear the hollow echoes of her screams.

“Ah… Kill me, please kill me… Ah… Save me, someone help, save me… Ah…”

Her soul was showing signs of petrification—sometimes retaining a human shape, other times twisting into the monstrous form she now wore outwardly. In contrast to the formidable vitality and power of her woodenized body, her spiritual strength was rapidly diminishing—her soul’s flame seemed on the verge of extinction.

“The First Hokage’s cells truly can affect the soul itself. Was her original spiritual power simply too weak to resist…?” Yufeng Kato mused.

He did not act immediately, growing even more cautious as he observed the patient’s soul closely, noting every nuance. Meanwhile, in the operating room, Orochimaru and the six other staff members, after Yufeng Kato’s warning, had attempted a series of rescue measures. But by now, they had largely abandoned hope—clearly, this was not the first time they’d encountered such a case.

Orochimaru paused in his work, turned to glance at Kato’s soul-form floating beside the “patient,” and said, “Kato, I’ve exhausted all options here… what about your side?”

Even in this brief moment, the woman’s soul, as seen by Yufeng Kato, had grown weaker, more often than not resembling a wooden creature.

Yufeng Kato tentatively infused her with a sliver of his soul’s power, hoping to help her resist the transformation.

It worked.

He sensed the process slowing in her soul. Maintaining the flow of his own soul’s power, he felt no trace of the corrupting force crossing the link back toward him. After careful observation, he confirmed this invasive power would not threaten his own soul.

He slightly increased the flow, offering greater support against the corruption.

From the perspective of Orochimaru and the other staff, Yufeng Kato’s soul simply stood beside the operating table; his actions invisible to them.

“It’s working on my end,” Kato answered, “but this is my first time participating in such an experiment. I can only barely ease her pain—and her soul is far too fragile. I doubt she can hold out for long before fully transforming into a monster.”

“Oh? There’s an effect…” Orochimaru’s eyes flashed. He strode quickly to the table, leaned close, and peered into the “patient’s” face, examining her intently.

“She seems less violently agitated than before? Some features of her face are returning to human form…” he thought.

Orochimaru immediately ordered, “Report the subject’s vital signs—compare them in detail to earlier records!”

Once again, a series of orderly reports rang out in the laboratory.

“Subject’s breathing abnormal, rapid, accelerating—no significant change compared to earlier records.”

“Subject’s blood pressure abnormal, still high, rising trend—no significant change compared to earlier records.”

“Subject’s body temperature abnormal, still high, rising trend… correction, rate of increase appears to be slowing. Current data insufficient for further conclusions…”

“Subject’s brain activity abnormally active, surpassing thresholds, mental strength readings over limits—no significant change compared to earlier records… correction, signs of slowing in mental fluctuations, but data is insufficient for conclusions…”

Hearing these reports, Yufeng Kato increased the output of soul power slightly—not out of reluctance to expend more, but because the woman’s tattered soul could not bear a greater infusion. He feared that if he increased it too much, the First Hokage’s cells might not kill her, but his own power could overwhelm and destroy her soul.

With every increment of soul power he provided, her soul’s struggles began to subside.

“Subject’s breathing…”

“Subject’s blood pressure…”

“Subject’s body temperature abnormal, still high, but the increase is slowing. Compared to earlier records, the upward trend is confirmed to be slowing.”

“Subject’s brain activity abnormally active, surpassing thresholds, mental strength readings over limits—compared to earlier records, signs of slowing in mental fluctuations are confirmed.”

Standing at the table, Orochimaru listened intently to the reports, his snake-like eyes locked onto the “patient,” searching for the slightest change. He then cast a covert glance at Yufeng Kato’s soul-form and, without betraying his thoughts, looked over to the resting area where Kato’s body sat cross-legged, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Yufeng Kato continued his transmission of soul power to the “patient,” all the while keenly aware of Orochimaru’s gaze. He paid it little mind; after all, his body was feigning immobility, but his true soul remained within, able to control his physical form at will. The floating figure was but a fragment of his spirit.

The woman’s soul was so fragile, it demanded the utmost care.

…

PS: New author humbly seeks your support—please consider voting and adding to your collection.