chapter 100 part 2
It was truly difficult; she wanted the power of Wood Release to strengthen the clan's power, yet didn't want too many core clan members to become Tsukasa Kaede's vassals and live relying on Tsukasa Kaede's Secret Technique, but also couldn't do nothing.
Going forward, the casualties from the experiment would have nothing to do with Tsukasa Kaede.
Human experimentation continued to advance, and because of Toka Senju's successful case, the Third Hokage secretly increased his attention to the experiment, even specially arranging for several researchers to come as assistants.
And as time went on, ninja from the Village, through various channels, accidentally learned about this matter, developing an unrealistic desire to inherit the First Hokage's Wood Release Bloodline Limit, joining the experiment one after another.
But none survived; one after another, they tragically died on the operating table. Even barely managing to preserve a humanoid form was considered a good outcome.
"This month, twelve more people died, including two from the Senju Clan."
Tsukasa Kaede once again came to the laboratory, picked up the top-secret report, and quickly flipped through its contents. Each page symbolized the loss of a life, with details from surgery time to death time, all included.
Orochimaru didn't even lift his head, focused on the experiment subject in his hands, his cold face showing no emotional fluctuations; he completely disregarded the person in his hands as a human being.
Or rather, when Tsukasa Kaede decided not to intervene in the experiment process with Corpse Release, the fate of these people was already sealed.
"...Another one died, Morino Idate. Next, you'll be dissecting this corpse."
Orochimaru wiped the blood that had splashed onto his face and said to one of the researchers beside him.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama. And after the dissection, this corpse..." Morino Idate's gaze flickered between Tsukasa Kaede and Orochimaru, revealing an inquiring look.
Orochimaru chuckled lowly, "You once partnered with Tsukasa-kun, and were even his superior. You should know Tsukasa-kun's style. These failed specimens are, naturally, handed over to Tsukasa-kun to dispose of. Of course, officially, they are burned to make it easier to report to the Village... Am I right, Tsukasa-kun?"
The other researchers dared not speak, burying their heads in their work. Indeed, to participate in such experiments not only required outstanding personal ability but also extremely high loyalty to the Village, and their hands were more or less tainted. Only then could they assist Orochimaru in cruel experiments and dissection analysis on their comrades without any psychological burden.
But no matter how tainted their hands were, compared to someone like Tsukasa Kaede, they were practically pure white rabbits; each one seemed heartwarming.
Tsukasa Kaede carefully placed the report in his hand back onto a bookshelf piled high with countless documents. Looking at the rows of labels on the shelf, he said, "Give it to me. This way, I can barely preserve a complete corpse, which is a rare treasure. It has great utility. Even if Lord Hokage finds out, he surely wouldn't blame me."
Everyone present knew very well that anything happening here would soon be known to the Third Hokage. Take these researchers, for example: if the Third Hokage questioned them, would a single one keep their mouths shut? Impossible. None of those present were moral paragons; they all knew what to do in such a situation.
Orochimaru and Tsukasa Kaede themselves didn't care about these matters reaching the Third Hokage's ears. As for this act of "embezzling corpses"... as long as it wasn't too excessive, the Third Hokage would also turn a blind eye.
Sometimes Tsukasa Kaede would often sigh with emotion, thinking it was no wonder the Third Hokage was so popular in the Village. His mere tolerance towards his subordinates and lack of political puritanism was enough to garner significant approval from many people.
Of course, this still couldn't escape the prevailing ethos of the current era: missions were paramount. If a mission was completed, the process was less important; if it wasn't completed, no matter how elegant the process, it was useless.
"I'm leaving. You all continue."
Tsukasa Kaede, performing a routine task, pressed down on the corpse of the tragically deceased ordinary ninja, then sealed it into a summoning scroll before turning to leave.
Morino Idate hesitated for a moment. "Tsukasa Kaede-sama, would you consider using the power of Corpse Release to increase the success rate of human experimentation?"
"You've crossed a line. This is not for you to consider. I think, even Lord Hokage, wouldn't ask me to do something so biased. If you bring this up again, my patience is limited, and I'll directly pin you down on the operating table."
Morino Idate immediately shut his mouth, watching Tsukasa Kaede leave.
Orochimaru sneered, "You're too impatient. Danzo is also too anxious. How long has the experiment been ongoing, and you're already desperate for more results? That a single successful case like Toka Senju appeared actually far exceeded my expectations."
"My apologies, Orochimaru-sama, I'm just following orders."
"It's truly Danzo's style, completely disregarding the lives of his subordinates. He'd rather sacrifice you than attempt to guide the direction of human experimentation... To research the Human Puppet Technique, Hidden Sand Village sacrificed countless lives. We've only killed—"
"Fifty-seven people, Orochimaru-sama," Morino Idate supplied.
"Thank you. Your memory is excellent. If you weren't serving Danzo, you might live a very long time."
Orochimaru calmly removed his gloves. "In the next few years, a large-scale war shouldn't erupt in the Shinobi World. All the Villages are desperately expanding their military power and researching various Forbidden Jutsu. We still have several years to utilize. That's enough."
However, if this continues, more and more people will die.
The deaths of ordinary ninja were not a big deal—ninja who were aware of this experiment and participated wouldn't be conspicuously searched for if they died; their deaths would be silent and unremarked upon.
Only the Senju Clan couldn't be circumvented; the death of a single person would add a risk to the human experimentation.
"Hehehe, still need to wait a bit longer. This clan still has research value. The Senju Clan's genes..."
Orochimaru's expression was somewhat sinister. He wasn't simply conducting transplantation experiments; he was also conducting deeper research. At the very least, the development of genetic technology had already secretly begun.
Senju Clan members were inherently more resilient than ordinary ninja, often enduring more torment before painfully succumbing.
"Soon, soon..."
Orochimaru thought for a moment and said to Morino Idate, "There's something I need your help with."
...
After walking out of the laboratory, Tsukasa Kaede did not go home, but instead turned to pay a visit to Tsunade and Dan Kato.
"Teacher!"
With the usual opening, Shizune first performed a ninety-degree bow, then respectfully led Tsukasa Kaede into the house.
"Train diligently. Don't slack off during this period of peace. I will regularly check your progress." Tsukasa Kaede casually instructed, "Wars between ninja villages will definitely break out in the future; it's just a matter of when."
"Yes, Teacher. I have always been training, without the slightest slackening, lest I disgrace you and Hidan." Shizune was a bit restrained.
Tsukasa Kaede was actually fine with it; it was natural for subordinates to show respect to superiors.
It was mainly Hidan. Shizune had found herself unsure how to face someone like Hidan, who could kill a Kage-level expert, in recent months. Hyuga Takashi didn't have such a psychological burden, but Shizune's thoughts were relatively more complex, always trying to find a comfortable position for herself.
"Oh, Kaede, it's been a while since I last saw you. I thought you were on some secret mission." As soon as Dan Kato saw Tsukasa Kaede, a smile appeared on his face. "I'm ready to hear news of which Tailed Beast you've taken down next."