The constant clicking of keyboards and the bubbling of liquids filled the underground chamber. Life-support machines hummed in the background, casting a faint blue light onto the walls covered in scrolls and formulas written in black ink. Scientists dressed in white robes worked, adjusting controls and observing data on monitoring screens.
Then the door opened.
Danzo's firm footsteps echoed throughout the laboratory. Without a command, everyone present dropped their work and knelt, bowing their heads in a sign of absolute respect.
Danzo scanned the room with a glance before gesturing with his hand.
"Continue with your work."
The scientists immediately returned to their stations. Danzo moved to the center of the room, where Shijima, the research squad leader, was waiting for him with a scroll of notes in hand.
"Shijima," he said in a firm voice. "Inform me about the progress of the project."
The woman adjusted her glasses and reviewed her notes. "Danzo-sama, we've followed your suggested method, Rapid Mitosis Cloning. The first attempts failed, but experiment #7 has been running for three days without any problems, suggesting we've reached considerable stability."
Danzo looked at the data on the board. "Explain the details to me. Although I gave a basic idea, the truth is I know practically nothing about genetics."
The truth is that Danzo simply remembered a cloning method he saw in an animated series he liked in his previous life.
Shijima nodded. "The process begins with the extraction of a stem cell from Mangetsu Hōzuki. Rather than introducing foreign DNA, we use a cell stimulation protocol to induce accelerated division while keeping the genetic structure intact. Through a balance of growth serum, medical chakra, and controlled electrical shocks, we force the cells to multiply at a rate far exceeding their natural rate without causing premature degradation."
Danzo kept his expression neutral.
"Previous attempts failed because cell division stopped within hours," Shijima continued after Danzo nodded. "However, we fine-tuned the external power supply for the process, ensuring that each cell receives the energy it needs to sustain itself without collapsing. Experiment #5 showed significant improvement, and now #7 has successfully surpassed three days without interruptions in mitosis."
Danzo turned his gaze to the other end of the lab, where two large life support pods stood among the machines.
In the first capsule, floating in a clear liquid, a developing fetus remained suspended, connected to multiple tubes that supplied chakra and nutrients, it was expected to be a perfect copy of Mangetsu Hōzuki, and was now growing at an accelerated rate within the cultivation vat.
In the second capsule, Mangetsu Hōzuki remained unconscious, his body connected to several tubes that monitored his vital signs and extracted samples for the experiment.
Danzo slowly approached the tanks, observing the floating figure of the cloned fetus.
"How long will it take to reach full development?" he asked without looking away.
Shijima consulted his notes. "At the current rate, we estimate that in six months he'll reach a physical state equivalent to that of a ten-year-old child. In a full year, the clone should be fully developed, though we still don't know how this process will affect the subject's mental stability and muscle memory retention."
Danzo kept his gaze fixed on the developing clone.
"Then stop the process when he's as physically fit as a five-year-old," he declared coldly. "We'll make sure he receives proper training, and that's when most children begin training."
Shijima nodded. "Yes, Danzo-sama. We will continue constant monitoring and make adjustments if necessary."
Danzo turned to Mangetsu, unconscious in the other capsule. His gaze showed neither sympathy nor compassion, only assessment.
"As for Mangetsu, keep him sedated and under observation," he ordered. "When the experiment is fully operational, I'll get rid of him."
"As you command, Danzo-sama."
Danzo kept his gaze fixed on Mangetsu for a moment longer before turning back to Shijima.
"And the other project?" he asked impassively.
Shijima adjusted his glasses and nodded, anticipating the question. "The Reproductive Cloning Project is still ongoing, Danzo-sama. As you suggested, we combined it with advanced medical ninjutsu to increase the success rate."
Danzo said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
Shijima allowed himself a brief pause before continuing. "When I worked on Lord Hashirama's cell experiments under the supervision of Orochimaru and other scientists, I never considered the possibility that we could create a new Hashirama from scratch. The goal back then was simply to replicate his Kekkei Genkai in adult subjects. However, you proposed something entirely different… And I must admit, the idea is brilliant."
Danzo held his ground, his posture steadfast, his expression undisturbed. "Explain the progress and failures so far."
Shijima consulted his notes and began to detail the process.
"The basis of this experiment follows the principle of reproductive cloning you told us about. We extracted somatic cell nuclei from the fragments of Hashirama's flesh that were preserved in the laboratories.
Enucleated eggs were taken, removing their original genetic material to implant the nucleus with Hashirama's information in them, through the use of medical chakra we induced embryonic development.
We allowed the embryos to grow in a controlled environment to verify their stability before proceeding with implantation.
We design gestation chambers that simulate the conditions necessary for fetal growth without the need for a human carrier."
Danzo nodded slightly. "How many attempts has it taken so far?"
Shijima flipped the page of his notes. "Following your guideline of minimizing failures, we've made around 70 attempts so far. Of those, 22 embryos reached the implantation stage, but most died during development. This is a remarkably high success rate compared to conventional experiments."
Danzo silently assessed the information before speaking. "And how many are currently in development?"
Shijima walked to a control panel and pressed a button. A wall in the room slid upward, revealing two large gestation capsules. Inside, floating in chakra-enriched amniotic fluid, two embryos were slowly developing, connected to multiple life-support tubes.
"Currently, two clones have reached a stable phase in the artificial wombs. Development is proceeding without complications, although we are still monitoring for possible mutations or unexpected effects."
Danzo looked at the capsules carefully.
"How long do you estimate until birth?"
Shijima checked his calculations. "If the process continues uninterrupted, both clones should reach the stage of a fully formed newborn in eight months."
Danzo kept his gaze fixed on the gestation tanks.
"Perfect," he said finally. "Make sure everything is carried out until it's a success."
Shijima bowed his head respectfully. "Of course, Danzo-sama. This will be the greatest breakthrough in Konoha's history."
Danzo looked at the tanks once more. If all went according to plan, within a year he could have two new Hashirama Senju in his hands.
With one last look, Danzo turned on his heels and headed for the exit.
"Continue with your work."
Without another word, he left the lab, leaving the scientists immersed in their task of creating Konoha's future... in the shadows.