NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: CHAPTER 5
Phagocytosis and Fusion of White Zetsu Cells
"Hmph!"
As the White Zetsu in his grasp dissolved completely, Uchiha Yue let out a low groan, instinctively raising a hand to his eyes. A sharp pain pulsed through them, forcing him to cover them momentarily.
Between the gaps of his fingers, his Sharingan gleamed with an ominous crimson light—its patterns shifting subtly as if reacting to the strain. The technique he had just executed was not only complex and time-consuming but also placed a significant burden on his vision, triggering the inevitable backlash of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Despite the searing pain, a smirk crept onto his lips. He was not disheartened by the cost—if anything, he was exhilarated.
The scene that had just unfolded wasn't merely an illusion but a projection of his own inner world, a unique space refined through the fusion of his ocular power and the properties of the Mangekyō. In essence, it functioned similarly to an Inherent Enchantment, akin to a separate dimension where his will reigned supreme—a concept not unlike the Tsukuyomi or Kotoamatsukami, albeit with its own distinct characteristics.
However, Uchiha Yue had no interest in merely trapping White Zetsu in this fabricated world. His true goal was far more profound—within this controlled space, he could manipulate and assimilate matter in ways that defied conventional ninjutsu. By pulling White Zetsu into his domain, he was able to break him down at a fundamental level, initiating a process that went beyond mere absorption—a fusion of flesh, chakra, and will.
As the last remnants of White Zetsu's existence faded into nothingness, Uchiha Yue felt a shift deep within his body—a sensation both foreign and familiar. His Sharingan pulsed violently, the scarlet hue intensifying, as his vision momentarily blurred before stabilizing.
The experiment was a success.
As he continued to analyze the situation internally, Uchiha Yue felt the searing pain in his eyes gradually subside. He knew he couldn't linger. Without hesitation, he swiftly left the scene, disappearing into the night.
Mere minutes after his departure, several masked figures clad in Anbu attire arrived at the location, their movements swift and precise. Silently, they began their investigation, their presence a testament to the increased workload Anbu would face that night.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Yue, relying on his gradually recovering Mangekyō Sharingan, found a secluded place to rest. Taking a deep breath, he allowed his consciousness to sink into the illusory world within him—a domain shaped by his own power.
As his perception shifted, the entirety of his inner world unfolded before him. Verdant mountains stretched endlessly, rivers shimmered under a brilliant sky, and clouds drifted lazily across the horizon. The scene was breathtakingly vivid, nearly indistinguishable from reality—save for the absence of any living creatures. Even the sun shone overhead, casting a warmth that felt tangible.
Yet, as he immersed himself deeper, the sensation of illusion faded entirely. To an outsider, this world might seem ethereal or artificial, but to Uchiha Yue, it felt just as real as the physical one. If not for his undeniable connection to this space—his ability to control and reshape it at will—he might have even doubted its origin. Within this realm, his will was absolute.
However, rather than becoming lost in admiration for his own creation, his gaze soon fell upon a familiar figure—White Zetsu. The entity remained motionless, trapped within Yue's control, its consciousness subdued and showing no signs of resistance.
A cold glint flickered in his eyes.
"Now then," he murmured, stepping forward. "Let's see what secrets lie hidden within you."
Following Uchiha Yue's gaze, he noticed no unnecessary movements. White Zetsu's body seemed to become transparent in an instant, revealing its muscles, bones, and even cellular structure with perfect clarity—without the slightest omission.
"So this is White Zetsu? It doesn't even have internal organs... What a miraculous form of life."
He observed further, noticing the distinct structure of the cells.
"These cells are almost identical to those of plants, even containing chloroplast-like structures. Is this the true secret behind Hashirama Cells? Are they really plant-based, or is this due to the Divine Tree's influence?"
Relying on his overwhelming authority to manipulate this world, Uchiha Yue could easily perceive the full nature of White Zetsu. Having been assimilated into the world and stripped of independent will, White Zetsu had no ability to hide any secrets from him.
"There's a theory that White Zetsu are actually ancient humans—people who were caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, died, and were transformed into biological weapons by the Divine Tree. In that case, they weren't simply cultivated by Uchiha Madara using Hashirama Cells."
"However, at least the White Zetsu of this era were indeed artificially created by Madara, and there's no doubt that they contain Hashirama's DNA."
He contemplated the significance of this.
"Hashirama Cells are incredibly unique. Given that Senju Hashirama was the reincarnation of Asura, a direct descendant of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, his chakra is closely related to the Divine Tree's power."
"So, whether the cells within White Zetsu can be classified as 'pure' Hashirama Cells or not, they should function similarly for Mangekyō Sharingan users. At most, White Zetsu's cells might be weaker in comparison to genuine Hashirama Cells, but their fundamental nature remains the same."
Uchiha Yue continuously analyzed the unique properties of White Zetsu's cells in his mind. Since he believed he had grasped a sufficient understanding, he did not hesitate further and proceeded directly to the next phase of his experiment.
With a simple motion, he extracted a mass of White Zetsu cells, their pale, plant-like texture pulsing faintly with vitality. Then, without hesitation, he removed a portion of his own flesh and placed both biological samples in front of him. Bringing his hands together, he initiated the fusion experiment.
The process itself was crude and unrefined, lacking the precise methodologies of a traditional laboratory. However, with his unique abilities—perhaps akin to the divine control of a higher existence—the reaction between the two cell types unfolded in a way that would be impossible under normal scientific conditions.
As he observed closely, the two masses of tissue reacted violently. The genetic material within them was fully stimulated, unlocking dormant potential. The fusion was not seamless; rather, it triggered a microscopic war at the cellular level. White Zetsu's cells, known for their adaptability and Hashirama Senju's genetic influence, clashed against Uchiha Yue's own.
A brutal struggle ensued—countless cells perished, while new ones were rapidly generated. Yet, with each successive iteration, the emerging cells displayed signs of increased strength, refined traits, and improved adaptability.
Time lost meaning as the microscopic battle raged on. However, under Uchiha Yue's direct influence, the outcome was never in doubt. His own cells, reinforced and guided by his will, ultimately dominated the fusion, ensuring his complete control over the resulting organism.
The newly formed cell not only perfectly retained all the genetic characteristics of Uchiha Yue's original cells but also seamlessly integrated the power of White Zetsu's tissue, bursting with astonishing vitality.
"As expected, in a world where I hold absolute control, genetic fusion poses no challenge," Uchiha Yue murmured, his gaze fixed on the powerful new cell in his palm. A satisfied smile tugged at his lips before he directly absorbed it into his body.
As the newly fused cells merged within him, Uchiha Yue waved his hand, breaking down and assimilating the entirety of White Zetsu's body. He then closed his eyes, patiently awaiting the transformation.
Time passed. When Uchiha Yue finally opened his eyes again, his entire body had undergone a fundamental renewal. Outwardly, he appeared much the same, but deep inside, he alone could feel the immense vitality coursing through his being.
"This level of vitality… If I can externalize and refine it further, I may be able to counteract, or at least slow, the inevitable side effects of the Mangekyō Sharingan," he mused, his voice low yet brimming with anticipation.
His scarlet Sharingan gleamed with an even deeper intensity, reflecting the excitement that burned within him.