I probably say that every time I come to this timeless dimension of white, and it's true, this place weirds me out. Whatever, at least I can finally relax
Time to figure out how this little pill works
Come, Black Gem
ZWIP!
Soon as I call, you come zipping over. Obedient as always, this round thing is starting to remind me of pets
Okay, I need you to carefully analyze this pill. Tell m--er, I forgot you can't talk...um...please show me what it's made of. It's composition, structure, functions, any information you can provide will be of service
ZWIP! SWALLOW!
?!
Geez!
I asked you to work, but you didn't have to eat it right out of my hand. Thought I was gonna lose my fingers for a second there! Though, considering this "me" isn't the true me, just a manifestation of my consciousness while my body waits in the real world...
ZWIP! BLEEP!
Hm? Now that is interesting. I said "show me", but I didn't know you could create holographic images in midair
A diagram of the pill, this DNA isn't human. Wait, haven't I seen this genome before?
ZWIP!
I have? When did I--wait...
No way...this is from a Tailed Beast! And not just one...oh no...you've got to be kidding me. Someone out there has their hands on the genes of all nine beasts?!
H-How--I mean, I know how. It's obviously a "Ripple" but...how'd they get it?! Acquiring Tailed beast DNA from just one of them isn't like grocery shopping!
Who the f**k are these people?!
ZWIP! BLEEP!
There's more?!
A seal formula? I'm not an expert when it comes Fūinjutsu1Sealing Techniques, but I recognize a transfer pattern when I see one
This must be how the deceased, LIFT user's chakra is divided and shared amongst the living ones
Impressive. This kind of work--huh? Wireless shared and divided chakra?
...
...
...
SON OF A BITCH! THAT'S MINE!!!
Some asshole out there stole my work!!! This concept is a messed up version of my updated design for the Network!!
How in the hell did they get-?!
ZWIP! ZWIP...
Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Someone out there needs a boot up their ass, is all I'm saying
I'll worry about that later. For now, I must ensure Suzu's body can adjust to it. Here. Breakdown this blood I took from her, she's descended from the Sage of Six Paths, so try to isolate the strand relating to Hagogromo
The better I understand it, the more likely this crazy plan is to work
ZWIP! BLEEP!
Okay...everything seems normal. Oh, there it is...this tiny, miniscule strand even modern scientists couldn't find unless they knew what to look for. Amazing how even the smallest piece of Ōtsutsuki DNA makes such a difference
Back to the pill, the first thing I have to do is disconnect it from the others. Since each batch of LIFT pills are most likely connected, Suzu doesn't need any additional side effects
Hey! Remove that formula, leave no trace!
ZWIP!
Second, the pill is made with various ratios of the Tailed Beasts. This part, I sense something familiar...Yugito?
ZWIP! ZWIP!
Yeah, I forgot you took chakra from her the first time you rampaged with my body. Safe to say it's from the Two-Tails, and...it makes up most of the pill
Although...it's unstable. The pill needs to be equally proportional, perfectly balanced. All nine beasts together...whoever made this was essentially trying to recreate Kaguya Ōtsutsuki
But their work is shoddy, incomplete. Hmph! As expected of copycats, they couldn't come up with a good idea if it bit em' in the ass-!
ZWIP...
Okay, okay! I know I'm being petty...back on track
Black Gem, balance out the nine Tailed Beast ingredients of the pill, I want them all equally matched to the nearest decimal point! And remove any impurities you find as well!
If I'm doing this, it sure as hell won't be half-assed
ZWIP! ZWIP!
...
Nicely done. Watching you work never gets old...
Now...the most important part...I need you to show me the stabilizing agent. My work on that factor...it'll determine whether or not Suzu survives
ZWIP! BLEEP!
...
...
I don't recognize this...ah crap
The work on everything prior was something I could understand...but this...it's like one person worked on the pill, lazily stopped halfway, and gave the reigns to someone else
And still, it works somehow...I know consuming flesh from just a single beast likely leads to one's end . Whoever created this...it must've been a means to prevent instant death upon consumption
Forget who gathered the ingredients, I wanna know who the hell came up with a binding agent like this. This kind of science shouldn't even be a concept in this world...yet
Whatever it is, the chemical doesn't even exist in my original world...goddamn absurd manga logic!
ZWIP! ZWIP! ZWIP!
Hm? What's up? That? Hmmm...yeah, I see what you mean. I may not understand what it is, but it's function is familiar. It practically mimics polysaccharides, almost like carbohydrates in sweets
Maintaining a strict molecular bond between the differing ingredients for better performance...
In which case, I can improve upon it. Since I've already had you scan nearly every element on the periodic table I could find in this world...let's make it ever better
Black gem...make the bonds even tighter, but not too much, this'll all be pointless if she can't even consume the pill
ZWIP!
...
...
Yes. That's the best--all I can do
ZWIP!
No, we're not done yet. There's still a big glaring issue
ZWIP?
Sigh...!
The moment I leave here, time will resume, and Kisshōten will begin "recreating" this LIFT pill in my hand. The alien part of me will inevitably react to the Yin-Yang chakra I used to make it
I need you to protect my remaining human DNA before the rest of those cells are devoured and replaced
ZWIP!
Thanks. Also, if we do happen to survive this-
ZWIP?!
Sorry. When we make it through this, I have another task I'm gonna be too tired to complete alone, my mind is weary enough as it is
List carefully. The moment I can move after giving Suzu this thing...
♦♦♦
KATA! KATA!
"Over there, I can see them!"
"Finally! How'd he get so far with an injured teammate?"
Three Chinoike clan members, appearing to be in their late-teens, sprinted across collapsed buildings. The structures Kyō was blasted through by Rei and Suzu earlier
The very same group whom convinced their leader to leave for the front, offering to eliminate any remaining hostiles in his place. Despite Rei's early retreat, it didn't take long for them to find and hone in on his position
As they approached, a peculiar display caught the attention of one
"Hey, do you see that? What's that Genin doing?"
"Who cares. Kyō-sama injured one earlier, he's probably performing first aid. Not that it matters anymore"
"Let's get this done fast so we can join Kyō-sama on the front!"
DASH!
The trio increased their pace
It became clear as day the majority of village citizens had been evacuated. The Chinoike's main purpose was to wreak havoc within, thereby diverting Kumogakure's attention between them, and the enemies outside
Despite having the element surprise, intel, unorthodox assets, and even the Raikage missing...Kumogakure was still one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations
Even if it possessed the smallest population of the five, its regimented military force was certainly not to be underestimated
Only fools and lunatics would believe otherwise...
"We're closing in! Remember what Kyō-sama said, don't underestimate them!"
"Yeah, yeah...he probably just let his guard down since they're kids"
"I'll take the lead!"
"Got it, we'll cover you!"
Turning people into explosives with the Ketsuryūgan2Blood Dragon Eyewas their main form of sabotage, they couldn't do much damage without any more, "ammunition"
It was time for the enemy to proceed with the final phase of this heinous siege
"Ketsuryū Tsume3Blood Dragon Nail!"
♦♦♦
That's it Suzu, swallow the pill. It's the only way we'll stay alive
TING!
"N-Ngh!"
Agh! Damn it! The chakra consumption of Kisshōten is no joke. I just hope there's enough to protect my human cells before the alien ones settle down
I feel like I'm about to pass out...!
PHT! PHT!
"?!"
Crap! More blood blades! Suzu can't be interrupted...but I can't risk using more...ah shit! No choice now!
WEAVE!
"Suiton: Suijinheki4Water Style: Water Wall!"
SPLOOSH!
"Rgh!"
"Hahaha! What a pathetic display, you call that defense?!"
I-I don't... have enough chakra...! The water barrier...it's going to break!
CRASH!
No! Too fast!
BAM!
"GAH!"
"Got em!"
"Nice!"
THUD!
"He's down. End it quickly so we can leave!"
"U-Uhack...!"
S-Shit!
My remaining chakra is in use, my Ōtsutsuki side still hasn't settled down from my...use of Kisshōten
"Hm, this girl is already dead?"
"?!"
"Kyō-sama's work finally took its toll. She died before turning into an exploding human. What a waste"
W-What?! No...no no no no no...Suzu's chakra...I can't sense it. I CAN'T SENSE IT!
This wasn't supposed to...my work was enough! There's no way she...no way she...!
Ugh! Eyes are...heavy...
Damn it. I'm so tired. Hard to...hard to sta...stay...a...wake
"Hmph!"
BUBBLE!
"I hate you Kumo-nin, but I'll make this quick. A clean shot of blood to the head, you won't feel a thing"
Blood on his...fingers...he's gonna...kill me. So dark...can't stay...don't...
...ot yet...I'm not...ready
...
"?"
"He passed out"
"Well...a painless death is the greatest mercy we can give to these Kumo basta-"
ZWSH!
"H-Huh? What was that noise?"
"Hm? Hey! Where'd the girl go?"
"What do you mean? There's no way a corpse could just get up and-"
STUP!
"LOOK OUT!"
"?!"
POW!
"Gah!"
"The hell?! Hey! Are you alright?!"
"Urgh! My nose...I think she broke it! Wait...w-wasn't she dead?!"
VWOOOO!!
"Uh?! Her chakra...it so abnormal...and strong. It's actually visible!"