Chapter 318: In the Midst of Fusion
"It's done."
"Not a drop was wasted." Orochimaru withdrew the syringe and tossed it onto the plate beside him, the sharp clink echoing in the room.
"Do you feel anything?" Kawakaze asked eagerly, momentarily forgetting that the effects weren't immediate.
"What kind of feeling could there be? It hasn't even started yet," Tsunade retorted, still composed enough to argue. Despite her words, she could sense a strange energy beginning to spread slowly through her body, carried by the flow of her blood.
"That's good, that's good," Kawakaze muttered, trying to reassure himself. The possibility of sudden, dangerous side effects haunted him. He knew all too well how hazardous this procedure was.
"Don't worry," Orochimaru said calmly. "The effect will kick in soon. For you, it was one minute and thirty seconds." He recalled Kawakaze's data from memory with precision. Although Orochimaru's demeanor was casual, he had meticulously prepared for this experiment. If it were him lying on the table, he likely wouldn't have shown the same level of care.
"You've got a sharp memory," Kawakaze said, surprised. During his own procedure, he hadn't bothered keeping track of the timing—he only remembered the unforgettable, indescribable pain that came right after.
"This is basic training," Orochimaru replied. "Back then—"
"Ahhh!" Tsunade's sharp scream cut him off as intense pain suddenly tore through her body.
Everyone froze for a moment, their hearts jolting at the sound. Her face contorted in agony, and Kawakaze, shaken by her screams, felt his knees weaken. He had no idea he had gone through this kind of pain before.
"This is normal," Orochimaru said, his voice steady despite the tension in his expression. "Misaki, how's the data?"