Chapter 64: No. 1 Potion
Three days later, inside an underground laboratory in the forest surrounding Konoha Village.
Su Xiao had been staying in this laboratory for about two days. On the test table before him were numerous test tubes, beakers, documents, and other items.
The location of this laboratory was provided by Orochimaru. In return, Su Xiao publicly declared that Orochimaru was dead.
To be precise, Orochimaru was dead in a certain sense, but he could revive himself. This great scientist had a built-in resurrection function. Unless all holders of the Curse Mark were killed, Orochimaru would not truly die.
Inside the laboratory.
"Hashirma Cells have this kind of ability..."
Su Xiao shook the test tube in his hand. A light green solution inside gradually changed color, shifting from light green to light yellow.
He raised an eyebrow. If the solution in the test tube completely turned yellow, it meant the Wood Release components of the Hashirama Cells had been entirely removed.
Just as Su Xiao thought he was about to succeed, the solution that had turned light yellow gradually reverted to light green. Several small saplings grew wildly inside the solution, and with a crack, they shattered the test tube.
Failure.
Su Xiao picked up a diary beside him and recorded a line of text.
'Attempt 1063 failed. Over 90% of Wood Release components removed from Hashirama Cells. Reason for failure: The original Hashirama Cells have extremely strong vitality.'
Tossing down his pen, Su Xiao leaned back in his chair.
"What exactly is the reason? What is Wood Release? What is its specific structure? Is it simply a combination of the nature transformations of Water Release Chakra and Earth Release Chakra? Absolutely impossible."
In the Naruto world, there were many ninjas who mastered Water and Earth nature transformations, yet none of them had ever used Wood Release.
After some research, Su Xiao gained a bit of understanding about Wood Release. Using Wood Release involved several processes: Water and Earth Chakra nature transformation → converting the two types of Chakra into a Life Source (likely containing Yang Release Chakra internally) → germination → control → shaping, ultimately forming Wood Release.
Su Xiao directly ignored the nature transformation; that aspect didn't need research. As for converting Chakra into a 'Life Source,' he also ignored it. It was too difficult, and without over a decade of study, nothing substantial could be achieved.
Su Xiao felt the problem lay in the powerful 'Life Source' within the Hashirama Cells. To remove the Wood Release components from the cells, the 'Life Source' inside them also had to be removed.
But without the 'Life Source,' the Hashirama Cells were essentially useless, offering no advantages other than being highly invasive.
After much deliberation, Su Xiao concluded that he wasn't very suited for scientific research. It was better to stick to practicing his blade techniques—that was where his talent lay.
"Since I can't fully analyze it, I'll simplify it!"
Su Xiao made a choice. He removed as much of the Wood Release components from the Hashirama Cells as possible, then diluted the cells, and finally added them to an alchemical potion to create a stronger concoction.
As long as the Wood Release components in the alchemical potion weren't too much, after drinking the new version of the potion, the Azure Steel Shadow energy within Su Xiao could devour and annihilate those components without any adverse effects.
This way, the new alchemical potion became Su Xiao's exclusive recovery potion. Others couldn't use it. If someone rashly consumed it, they wouldn't just fail to recover from injuries—they'd be lucky to survive.
Thinking this, a smile appeared on Su Xiao's face. He took out some Philosopher's Stone powder. This was his last stockpile, capable of substituting for the materials needed for a top-grade alchemical potion, but it could only produce one bottle.
He had only one chance. If this attempt failed, Su Xiao would have to wait until he returned to Reincarnation Paradise to experiment again.
The Philosopher's Stone glowed with red light. Su Xiao picked up an empty test tube, consumed 300 Mana Points to catalyze the materials, and light flickered in his hand.
After a moment, Su Xiao took a bottle of light green solution and added it to the nearly finished top-grade alchemical potion.
Gurgle～
A string of bubbles emerged from the semi-finished alchemical elixir. Su Xiao worked hard to stabilize its structure, adding several more materials one after another.
To stabilize the structural changes of the potion, Su Xiao consumed an additional 100 Mana Points.
Ten minutes later, fine beads of sweat appeared on Su Xiao's forehead. He held a bottle of emerald green potion in his hand. He had succeeded.
[Unnamed]
Origin: Naruto
Quality: Purple
Type: Recovery Item
Effect: After drinking, rapidly restores 85% of Health Points, and continuously restores Health Points over the next 30 seconds at 2 points per second. Restores a certain degree of internal organ injuries.
Note: Because this potion contains untreated Hashirama Cells, there is a risk of turning into wood after consumption.
Rating: 109
Introduction: A product of alchemy, a semi-finished item, pending improvement.
...
Success. Su Xiao clenched his fist, unable to suppress his excitement. This potion combined his knowledge of pharmacology, Orochimaru's research findings, and the First Hokage's cells. Such a strong effect was not surprising.
Because this potion was independently made by Su Xiao, he had the right to name it.
After a moment of hesitation, Su Xiao named the potion [No. 1 Potion]. It was simple and easy to understand, and it signified that [No. 1 Potion] would continue to be improved in the future.
Putting away [No. 1 Potion], Su Xiao wasn't worried about the material issue for [No. 1 Potion].
He had consulted Reincarnation Paradise. The original Hashirama Cells couldn't be replicated, but the diluted solution he made from the cells could be replicated using Paradise Coins, though the cost was slightly higher.
[No. 1 Potion] couldn't be sold externally. Not because it couldn't be sold, but because no one would buy it. No one dared to try such an unstable experimental potion. Only Su Xiao dared. It was his creation; he knew its composition and properties inside out. It was his exclusive recovery potion.
Stretching, a series of crisp cracking sounds came from his joints. He had been researching non-stop for two days. It was time to rest.
Finding a relatively clean room in the laboratory, Su Xiao set up aerial guards and then fell into a deep sleep.
...
Meanwhile, underground in Konoha Village, inside the Root organization headquarters.
An old man sat on a stone chair. Two intersecting scars marked his chin, and bandages wrapped around his head, covering his right eye.
"Fuu, how is the search going?"
The old man's voice was low, as if merging with the darkness.
Whoosh. A figure appeared not far from the old man, kneeling on one knee.
"Lord Danzo, we have found him. That person entered an underground laboratory and hasn't surfaced for two days."
"Two days, huh. Being able to find a laboratory near Konoha means he has ties to Orochimaru."
Danzo, shrouded in darkness, remained expressionless, as if contemplating something.
"I heard, Itachi is dead?"
"Yes."
"Killed by Uchiha Sasuke?"
"Yes."
From this exchange, the style of Root was evident—no unnecessary words. Whatever Danzo asked, his subordinate answered.
"Uchiha Sasuke killing Uchiha Itachi? Ridiculous."
Danzo let out a rare cold laugh.
"The two brothers have decided life and death. Then the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan will soon appear."
Danzo fell silent. Fuu understood Danzo's meaning.
"Should we act now, Lord Danzo?"
"No, the time is not right. Let's first go meet that 'guest.' After that person appeared, I sensed a special aura."
Danzo glanced at his right arm. His right arm was filled with Hashirama Cells, so he could sense purer Hashirama Cells. This was precisely why Danzo had discovered Su Xiao.