Chapter 393: Chapter 392 : Shikotsumyaku Fusion!!
"Hmph~"
A sharp cry of pain rang out as the Shikotsumyaku serum began coursing through Neji’s chakra pathways, before latching itself onto his bones.
The agony surging from his skeleton forced a cry from his lips.
"Hikari... monitor Neji’s physical condition constantly," Genya ordered with a frown, making sure Hikari kept a close watch on every shift in Neji’s body.
Meanwhile,
In Genya’s hand, a flickering blaze of pitch-black flame danced and churned restlessly.
Over the past few years, Genya had delved deeper into the mysteries of Black Flame.
He could now control it freely, and had even discovered some of its hidden applications.
If Neji ended up unable to adapt to the Shikotsumyaku serum, Genya was prepared to guide the Black Flame through his chakra pathways to help absorb the serum completely.
However, if the Shikotsumyaku eroded Neji’s bones and the Black Flame had to be used to cleanse it, Neji’s strength would be at least halved from the toll.
Naturally, Genya was hoping Neji could adapt perfectly and endure this trial.
"The Shikotsumyaku serum appears relatively stable within Neji’s body," Hikari reported calmly while maintaining constant surveillance.
"Although some bone spurs have formed where the serum is in contact with the bones, that’s a normal effect of the Kekkei Genkai. If Neji can push through this adaptation phase, he should gain full control over the growth of those bone spurs."
Thanks to Genya’s prior experience with merging the Shikotsumyaku into his own body, Hikari had a solid basis for comparison.
After all, when Genya underwent the same fusion, the backlash had been far more severe.
And in the end... Genya had endured.
Compared to that, the rejection response Neji’s body was showing now was barely worth mentioning.
This was already the first step toward success.
As long as Neji could withstand the first wave of backlash, everything else should fall into place.
However, the bone replacement process was very slow.
To fully evolve into the Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse), it would take at least several months.
So even if Neji truly succeeded in merging with the Shikotsumyaku, he would have to endure months of bone-shattering pain!
Hmph...
The pain still continued.
Veins bulged on Neji’s forehead as he clenched the armrest tightly with his palm, crying out in pain repeatedly!
But he still gritted his teeth and held on!
"Should I inject him with anesthesia?" Toshi looked at Neji at this moment with some sympathy.
Neji seemed to be bearing too much pain.
If they gave him anesthesia now, at least he wouldn’t feel the physical pain!
"No!" Genya shook his head decisively.
Looking at Toshi’s confused expression, he slowly said, "Neji must stay conscious. He needs to control those bone spikes growing out!"
Genya answered seriously.
This time... Neji must complete it himself!
If they gave him anesthesia, his body would lose control, just like those evil red-robed cultists used in experiments, who suddenly grew two sharp bone spikes piercing through their bodies from nowhere!
Without perfect fusion of the Shikotsumyaku and the immortal cells, this was almost fatal!
After hearing Genya’s explanation, Toshi also nodded seriously.
"I understand."
Though Toshi knew some about cellular drug research, it wasn’t his specialty.
That field was still Hikari’s domain.
Next, they could only quietly wait.
Wait for Hyuga Neji to endure it himself!
As time passed...
Bone spikes pierced through the skin on Neji’s wrist and joints, blood spreading out from the wounds!
Hikari quickly used medical ninjutsu to heal the injuries, but... the countless wounds kept appearing and required endless healing!
Neji’s frown grew deeper and deeper.
This pain was less than that of a caged bird, but it forced all his focus to be on controlling the bone spikes!
These bone spikes required him to constantly use his mental energy to control them.
Sweat dripped from his forehead. It was clear he was focusing intensely to manage the bone spikes, but under their relentless spread, he looked helpless.
"His bone spikes are too big. Should we not remove them?" Toshi looked anxiously at the bone spikes spreading from Hyuga Neji’s joints and asked with a serious, questioning tone.
After all, the Jashin Cult’s test subjects had their spikes trimmed from time to time.
"No need. He can only rely on himself now!" Genya shook his head. He had experienced this feeling before. Neji had to complete this on his own.
Time ticked by, second after second.
Hyuga Neji kept controlling the ever-spreading bone spikes. As time passed, the growth of the spikes slowed down more and more.
Finally,
The bone spikes stopped growing. Neji’s tense expression began to relax.
The bone spikes started to retract slowly.
This process lasted for a whole day and night. At last, Neji slowly opened his eyes.
Though his face was pale and his clothes were torn through by the spikes, he looked incredibly relieved.
"How do you feel?" Genya smiled when he saw Neji like this.
Neji had controlled the spreading bone spikes—basically a success.
"The pain still aches throughout my bones," Neji smiled faintly, a small grin on his face.
"I just checked. To fully fuse the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei genkai, you’ll need at least a month and a half. During this time, you’ll have to endure this pain continuously," Hikari explained to Neji.
"It doesn’t matter. This pain is much weaker than caged bird seal. I can endure it," Neji nodded seriously. He knew well the benefits of the Shikotsumyaku. If successful, it would make him stronger.
In this world, weakness was the original sin.
"All right... You must be hungry. Go eat something!" Genya looked at Neji, knowing he needed to quickly replenish his energy and blood vitality.
The stone door slowly opened.
Outside, people were already waiting at the door, their expressions serious.
They were all worried about Neji, especially Kimimaro.
"How is it?" Kimimaro, still blindfolded, asked.
"Everything is fine. Neji will soon completely merge with Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai!" Genya smiled, joy shining in his eyes.
"Congratulations, congratulations," Kimimaro smiled and looked toward Neji, offering sincere blessings.
The others smiled too.
This was truly something worth celebrating.
Neji smiled as well. He looked at Kimimaro, who was still blindfolded, and said, "You too. Once your eyes perfectly fuse, we can spar!"
"Ha ha... I’d be delighted!" Kimimaro laughed.
"Genya-sama."
While everyone was celebrating, a young girl approached.
She was the one with the perfect immortal body, Asahi, followed by two children about her age, their eyes full of excitement.
They were also children Genya had rescued from the Jashin Cult.
Originally left in Yugakure for secret training, Genya had now brought them over, surely for an important matter.
Miyuki and the boy beside her bowed simultaneously, "Genya-sama!"
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