Bab 62: Chp-62: The Caged Bird Experiment and Sample Collection
Hyuga Satoru scanned the dusty experimental equipment around him. There were many types, similar to what he had seen in his previous life.
Various medical instruments were also present, including experimental equipment. However, due to long-term disuse, they were all covered in a thick layer of dust.
This was the lab Orochimaru had found for him. It had previously been used by Tsunade but had been abandoned ever since she developed her fear of blood. Konoha only had one research fanatic, Orochimaru, who naturally took over the place, though it seemed he didn't come here often.
Hyuga Satoru felt a bit of a headache and helplessly thought, "Orochimaru wouldn't be fooling me, would he? Who knows if this rundown place can even be used?"
Tsunade had developed her fear of blood during the Second Shinobi War, so it had been many years since. Whether these instruments would still work was a question.
However, there was a benefit: because it had been abandoned for so long, no one would come here, making it a discreet place to work.
Using electromagnetic force to create a magnetic field, he sucked up the tiny dust particles on the equipment, like a vacuum cleaner, cleaning them inside and out. Then, he began testing for functionality. As a science student in his past life, he was no stranger to laboratory instruments.
Although these instruments in the ninja world had some differences, they were largely the same.
- The differential centrifuge was in good working order.
- The cell culture apparatus was functioning well.
- The high-powered microscope was also in perfect condition.
Aside from not being used for a long time, there was no significant loss in functionality, which made Hyuga Satoru sigh in relief.
"Should I consider setting up my own laboratory in the future?" Hyuga Satoru pondered.
If he had to come here every time for an experiment, it would be too troublesome. Setting up a lab would require a lot of funds.
With the bounty earned by his Silver Mask Asura persona and the generous gifts from his good brother Rasa, he wasn't exactly poor. If worst came to worst, he could borrow some money from Rin; she wouldn't refuse him.
Hyuga Satoru chuckled at the thought.
"But the immediate priority is to solve the issue of the Caged Bird Seal. Otherwise, even if I set up a lab, the Main Family might not agree."
Taking a deep breath to clear his mind, Hyuga Satoru began his experiment.
The process wasn't overly complex. By studying his own cells and genes, he aimed to roughly estimate the mechanism and principles of the Caged Bird Seal.
Everything becomes simpler when you get to the essence of the problem.
As for the method, he had consulted Orochimaru.
Orochimaru had no qualms about these forbidden matters. On the contrary, he seemed eager, perhaps long-awaiting, to see a flawless Hyuga Satoru.
The methods and ideas Orochimaru provided gave Hyuga Satoru a sense of clarity.
After all, Orochimaru was a scientific genius. With just a bit of thought, he formulated several research directions for the Caged Bird Seal's mechanism and explained each one.
Combining Orochimaru's experience and ideas with the knowledge from his past life, Hyuga Satoru made some progress in his experiments on the Caged Bird Seal.
"The Caged Bird Seal seems to be a type of curse mark involving Yin-Yang Release. The Yang component is rooted in the optic nerve and the area around the brain, while the Yin component is rooted in the soul, though its mechanism remains unknown."
Hyuga Satoru muttered, combining the experiment results with his conjectures.
The physical aspect of the curse mark was easy to understand, but the part involving the soul was particularly malicious.
There were very few techniques in the ninja world that involved the soul. Any issues with the soul would result in disastrous consequences.
Hyuga Satoru suddenly thought of the original story where Neji's father, Hizashi Hyuga, was resurrected through Edo Tensei during the Fourth Great Ninja War. He still bore the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead.
If the Caged Bird Seal only existed physically, it wouldn't have appeared on a soul summoned from the Pure Land after being reincarnated. This made the Yin-Yang Release theory even more plausible.
"The experiment samples are too few. With just me, the information is too limited. I need a broader range of samples."
Hyuga Satoru frowned, contemplating the next steps for his experiment.
A figure suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Hizashi Hyuga.
He had approached Hyuga Satoru twice, hinting at his support.
Their goals and stances were perfectly aligned.
As the brother of the clan leader, Hizashi had significant influence within the Branch Family. If anyone could gather numerous samples without attracting attention, it would be him.
...
In a modestly elegant room, a copper brazier on the wooden table emitted a faint, white smoke.
"I didn't expect you to come to see me," Hizashi Hyuga said, surprised.
He had approached Hyuga Satoru several times, and this was the first time Hyuga Satoru had come to him.
"Hizashi-sama, I need your help with something important."
"Go ahead."
Hyuga Satoru hesitated for a moment before speaking in a low voice, "I need you to provide me with some Branch Family tissue samples. Blood, flesh, skin, hair, anything will do. It's best if the Main Family doesn't find out."
"Tissue samples?"
Hizashi's expression turned serious as he pondered silently.
Why did Satoru need Branch Family tissue samples without the Main Family knowing? After a brief thought, a shocking realization dawned on him.
He looked at Hyuga Satoru with astonishment.
Hyuga Satoru gently shook his head, indicating not to speak further.
Although he had observed beforehand and found no surveillance, Hyuga Satoru adhered to the principle of speaking less to avoid revealing anything.
"I understand."
Hizashi took a deep breath, suppressing his shock and revealing a hint of joy.
Was Satoru planning something? Could it mean that in the future, they wouldn't have to live like this, that their descendants could live freely?
Just the thought made his breath quicken.
"There are a few medical clinics frequented by Branch Family members. Getting samples from there would be the least noticeable."
"Understood."
Hyuga Satoru paused, then looked at Hizashi. "Hizashi-sama, there's another piece of information I need from you."
"I think you might be the only one in the clan who knows this best."
"Only I know?" Hizashi furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Go ahead; if I know it, I won't hide anything."
...
Hyuga Clan Grounds.
Hyuga Satoru looked up at the tall wall in front of him, his face solemn.
This was Hyuga Hiashi's house.
In the Hyuga clan, the Main and Branch Families lived in different parts of the clan grounds. Though Hiashi and Hizashi were brothers, they didn't live together and had very different living conditions.
If anyone in the clan knew Hiashi best, it would undoubtedly be his brother.
From Hizashi, Hyuga Satoru had learned that Hiashi had a habit of taking a one-hour nap every day at 1 PM, a habit he had maintained for many years.
The most dangerous place is often the safest. No Branch Family member would dare disrespect the Main Family.
Therefore, even though there were Branch Family guards stationed outside Hiashi's house, they merely stood their posts and did not use their Byakugan to survey the surroundings.
This created an opportunity for Hyuga Satoru.
Calculating the distance to Hiashi's room, Hyuga Satoru raised his finger. A drop of silver magnetic fluid flowed to his fingertip, transforming into a tiny metal mosquito. The mosquito fluttered its wings and flew over the wall.
Hyuga Satoru focused intently.
Such precise electromagnetic manipulation would consume a lot of his mental energy.
The range could only be maintained within 200 meters.
But that was enough.
If he was careful, he should be able to obtain a perfect control sample.
A sample of the blood of a Main Family member who hadn't been marked with the Caged Bird Seal.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone