Chapter 6: chapter 6: Turning Point
Recollecting his scattered thoughts, Bai Shi forcibly suppressed the increasingly active Hashirama cells due to the failed inhibitor and initiated evolution once more.
Thanks to the II-level [Cell Adaptability], during the previous eight days, the erosion from Hashirama's cells had only increased by 1.4%. Although they were still eroding his body, the speed had significantly slowed down.
Additionally, over these eight days, the fusion rate of his cells with Hashirama's cells had increased by a solid 8.1%, which had correspondingly enhanced his [Wood Release] and [Chakra Affinity] abilities.
Just as he had predicted earlier, everything was progressing smoothly.
If there were no unexpected twists, he expected he would completely pass the danger period and master the Wood Release ability in less than a month.
However, as life goes, things rarely go as planned.
······
Time flew by, and another ten days had passed; the experiment had now entered its third month.
On this day, Orochimaru arrived at the experimental area right on time.
Compared to before, the place was considerably emptier.
The reason was simple: in those ten days, another eight experimental subjects had lost control.
Now, only forty-six experimental subjects remained.
As usual, Orochimaru skillfully injected the cell inhibitors into each subject.
Before long, he arrived at the thirty-sixth cultivation tank.
Looking at the pale green Bai Shi inside, Orochimaru let out a soft "Hmm," murmuring to himself, "Surprisingly, you haven't lost control yet!
Haha~ how interesting, truly interesting!
I wonder if you can hold on this time.
I'm quite looking forward to it!"
With that, he injected a new cell inhibitor into the sustaining apparatus.
After observing for a moment and confirming the subject was stable, he proceeded to the next cultivation tank.
······
Bang—
With a muffled thud, the door of the experimental area closed, and Bai Shi opened his eyes.
Feeling the Hashirama cells inside him becoming more active than before, he furrowed his brow and muttered, "What's going on? System, display my status."
The familiar translucent panel appeared in an instant:
[Host: Bai Shi
Age: 2 / 59 ↓
---- Basic Attributes ----
Strength: 0.1
Agility: 0.1
Constitution: 0.1
Intelligence: 0.8 ↑ (3.0)
---- Special Enhancements ----
Cell Adaptability: II (0.6%) ↑
Chakra Affinity: Water: I (19.5%) ↑ Earth: I (20.1%) ↑
Wood Release: I (31.6%) ↑
---- Abnormal States ----
Warning 1: Unknown drug effect ongoing, foreign cell activity reduced by 70%, expected duration: 9 days, 11 hours, 52 minutes, 13 seconds!
Warning 2: Foreign cell erosion ongoing (91.9%), expected loss of control time: 10 days, 21 hours, 47 minutes, 26 seconds!
Warning 3: Foreign cell fusion ongoing (18.5%), expected time needed: 84 days, 23 hours, 6 minutes, 34 seconds!]
Just one glance, and Bai Shi noticed that 70%.
"No wonder I feel the Hashirama cells are more active than ever; it turns out this new inhibitor only reduces their activity by 70%."
Bai Shi pondered, "Is this developing a resistance?"
But he quickly dismissed that thought.
The combination of Orochimaru's words before leaving indicated that this was intentional on his part, or rather, it was part of the experiment.
With this thought in mind, Bai Shi looked around.
At that moment, a sound of shattering glass echoed.
Not far away, a twisted vine burst through a cultivation tank and reached out in all directions, but within mere moments, it withered completely.
Sensing the rapidly waning life force, Bai Shi knew another experimental subject had died.
"As expected, I'm not the only one being switched to a new inhibitor. That last experimental subject likely couldn't adapt to this sudden change, causing them to lose control.
In the next few days, more people will probably lose control.
I wonder how many will survive after this round."
Shaking his head inwardly, he focused once again on himself.
Although he was also on the brink of losing control, his current cell adaptability should allow him to hang on just fine.
This could be confirmed by the system's estimated loss of control time; as long as Orochimaru provided the inhibitor on time in ten days, he would successfully survive this crisis.
If he could get through this crisis, his situation would gradually improve.
To survive this crisis, he needed to ensure that Orochimaru wouldn't change the inhibitors for the time being, but unfortunately, that wasn't something he could control.
Following the normal experimental protocol, Orochimaru would undoubtedly continue to increase the activity of Hashirama's cells to further stimulate the potential of the experimental subjects.
Ultimately, the subjects would either die or successfully fuse with the Hashirama cells, gaining true Wood Release power.
It all depended on the frequency of the inhibitor changes by Orochimaru. If he didn't increase the activity too aggressively, it wouldn't pose much of a danger to Bai Shi.
But if he decided to raise Hashirama's cell activity in the next round, even with the system's aid, Bai Shi feared he would not make it out alive.
"Overthinking won't help; I need to focus on evolving!"
With that thought in mind, Bai Shi began yet another round of evolution.
······
Days passed, and soon it was time to receive the inhibitor again.
Looking at the panel displaying an erosion increase of nearly 3%, Bai Shi felt an unusually heavy weight on his heart.
All he could do was hope that Orochimaru wouldn't increase the activity of Hashirama's cells again, at least giving him some breathing room; otherwise, his situation would become dire.
Fortunately, Orochimaru did not take such drastic actions this time; the inhibitor still effectively suppressed the activity of Hashirama's cells by 70%.
Seeing this, Bai Shi let out a long sigh of relief, thinking, "I've finally made it through this crisis."
Without a doubt, this was the greatest crisis he faced since crossing over.
He had a premonition that this was going to be a turning point in his ninja career.
Not wasting any time, Bai Shi immediately initiated a new round of evolution.
With each successive evolution, Bai Shi's cell adaptability continued to enhance, and the fusion rate of his cells with Hashirama's cells improved as well.
As the fusion rate rose, so too did his [Wood Release] abilities, resulting in an increase in his chakra. This chakra would also further boost his rate of evolution.
Thus, a positive feedback loop was formed.
Within this cycle, his condition grew better and better, while the erosion from Hashirama's cells steadily decreased.
As expected, this change soon attracted Orochimaru's attention.
Time moved on, and more than a month had passed since the start of the experiment, now entering its fifth month.
In front of the thirty-sixth cultivation tank, Orochimaru stood side by side with Danzo.
Observing Bai Shi, who looked no different from an ordinary child, both had different expressions.
Danzo wore a look of joy, with an undeniable desire in his eyes; he viewed Bai Shi as a tool to achieve his ambitions.
Orochimaru, on the other hand, exhibited an unmistakable curiosity on his face, clearly still regarding Bai Shi merely as an experimental subject.
Fortunately for Bai Shi, he remained unconscious; otherwise, the sight of those two faces upon waking would likely scare him to death.
---
{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}
*Thank you*
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
legendaryweeb
legendaryweeb {please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone