Clatter—
The sound of surging bloodlines suddenly echoed through the laboratory.
On the instrument display, the fusion curve—previously in freefall—shot upward at an astonishing speed.
Root's pupils shrank violently.
(This… completely violates all established laws.)
The corner of Root's eye twitched. His chest rose and fell several times before he forcefully calmed himself.
Casting aside all shock, he no longer allowed his thoughts to stray into forbidden territory. Instead, he lowered his voice respectfully.
"Supreme Leader… should this set of data be permanently erased?"
"Do you want to keep it?"
Uchiha Soren countered calmly.
Root did not hesitate for even a second.
He dropped to one knee.
"Please grant me this mercy, Supreme Leader!"
"If I can dissect the principles behind this phenomenon… the path to immortality will be within reach."
In Root's mind, the image was already forming—
A future where beings fused with the strengths of countless races could be born.
Such existences would deserve only one title.
God.
And gods… did not die of old age.
"If you want it, then keep it."
Soren waved his hand casually.
"Thank you, Supreme Leader!"
Soren did not even glance at Root's uncontrollable excitement.
Whether Root discovered anything or not was irrelevant.
Soren himself was a singular exception—no methodology could be replicated.
But if something was discovered?
All the better.
After all, the first to enjoy the results would always be him.
And afterward, depending on circumstances, those benefits would spread through the Ninja World…
Raising the lower limit of all life—ninja and Magic Continent alike.
In the end, everyone would become Ascension Points, returning to his embrace as they followed him toward immortality.
The glass cover above the operating table slowly lifted.
Several researchers stepped forward, carefully removing the tubes connected to the Frost Dragon bloodline.
The clone's appearance was revealed.
The white frost coating his body gradually melted.
Jet-black hair faded into a lustrous silver white.
As his eyelids opened, vertical dragon pupils emerged—radiating an oppressive aura that seized the heart.
A faint chill escaped with each breath, making nearby researchers shiver instinctively.
"Supreme Leader… how does your body feel?" Root asked reverently.
"Better than ever."
The answer came without hesitation.
Root immediately stepped forward, eyes filled with reverence and fanaticism, beginning a meticulous examination.
One researcher recorded data. Another adjusted the instruments, logging every fluctuation.
Seeing this, Soren lost interest in staying.
He turned and left at an unhurried pace, taking the private elevator reserved for Level 1.5, ascending to the standard Bloodline Research Level Two.
Under countless respectful gazes, Soren stopped before a sealed chamber.
Chakra verification.
Fingerprint authentication.
The thick metal door unlocked—
Crack, crack.
The sound was unmistakable.
Metal grinding against ice.
A wave of frigid air rushed out, yet Soren's expression remained unchanged.
Inside stood a half-dragon humanoid, naked, scales covering portions of the body, horns crowning the head, wings folded behind the back, ice crystals dancing through the air.
Among the dozen-plus Mizunashi clan members, this was the strongest.
Also the least rational.
An existence that barely qualified as human—
Better described as a beast.
Shadow-level strength.
Against someone like Chiyo, who relied on puppets and poison, it would be a one-sided massacre.
But a creature without reason was a failure.
Its future held only three paths:
Reduced to a breeding tool
Further degeneration into a true Frost Dragon
Or complete bloodline collapse and death
"ROAR!"
A deafening roar shook the chamber, chains of Adamantine Sealing Chains screeching violently.
Soren's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan opened.
Even a creature with immense mental resistance—or one incapable of being controlled—could not withstand Six Paths-level spiritual pressure.
Chaos was pinned down.
Like driving a divine pillar into a storming sea.
The beast's mind stabilized.
The savage glare dimmed.
A trace of intelligence flickered within its eyes.
Soren's spiritual restructuring continued—precise, refined.
Soon, the half-dragon regained consciousness.
Memories shattered and fragmented.
When its eyes fully opened, curiosity and fear filled them.
Then it saw the man standing calmly before it.
Something etched into its very soul stirred.
It dropped to its knees instinctively.
"Greetings… Supreme Leader!"
"Mm."
Soren studied the figure.
As consciousness stabilized, the surrounding frost receded.
Dragon horns and wings gradually withdrew.
What emerged was a slender figure with an androgynous face, delicate and refined.
When the half-dragon raised its head, the pure, gentle temperament struck Soren with familiarity.
Memories stirred.
"Your past no longer matters," Soren said softly.
"From this moment on, you are reborn."
"You will serve as the clan head of a new ninja clan—the Mizunashi Clan."
"I now grant you your name."
"Mizunashi Haku."
Haku blinked blankly, murmuring the name under his breath.
Then his face lit up with genuine joy.
"Supreme Leader!"
At that moment, Uchiha Sōju—the head of the Scientific Institute—arrived in haste.
Seeing the once-discarded failure restored to sanity, surprise flickered briefly in his eyes… then vanished.
Their leader was Uchiha Soren.
Anything he did was natural.
There was no need for astonishment.
"Sōju," Soren said calmly,
"I leave Haku in your care. Teach him as one of your own."
Soren placed a hand on Haku's silver hair.
Haku's eyes curved into crescents.
"This stern-looking man is Uchiha Sōju. You will study under him for a time."
"The rest of the Mizunashi Clan will also be entrusted to you."
Haku thumped his chest earnestly.
"Leave it to me, Supreme Leader! Haku will not disappoint you!"
"I look forward to it."
Soren gave Haku's shoulder one last pat—and vanished.
He was in a good mood today.
That was why one dragon beast was granted reason.
As for the others?
That would depend entirely on their luck.
In the freezing chamber, Haku turned toward Sōju.
"Sōju-sama… the Supreme Leader said I should listen to you. What do we do next?"
Those vertical dragon pupils sent a chill even through Sōju's Shadow-level body.
Yet his expression softened into a smile.
"Clan Head Mizunashi," he said warmly,
"welcome to Konoha."
"Now, please follow me."
"Let us first get you some proper clothes."
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