Red Haired Supremacy

Chapter 216 216: Ch-216 Kushina Wakes Up.

Obito totally agreed with Black Zetsu. If they wanted to keep the Uzumakis in check and prevent them from interfering with their future plans, they would need to create an entire army of modified ninjas—those injected with White Zetsu's cells, a diluted yet stable version of Hashirama's cells. And of course, Madara was someone who favoured absolute control over others. Because of that, he had created a hidden failsafe for those injected with White Zetsu's cells—one that not only enhanced their power, but also ensured obedience. Within the Wite Zetsu Cells existed the will of White Zetsu very faint not enough to control the body but enough to destroy nerves inside the body.

And White Zetsu was under Madara's complete control, acting solely according to his commands. And now, with Madara dead, those same orders flowed through Obito.

If any of those people attempted to interfere with Madara's directives—or now, with Obito acting as Madara's successor—then consequences would be immediate. If anyone dared to defy him, Obito could simply command White Zetsu to kill them outright if they resisted. Control without resistance. On paper, it was a perfect plan.

What they lacked, however, was a reliable method to actually create such an army. The cost was devastating. To produce just fifty ninjas injected with White Zetsu's cells, it required the lives of five hundred to six hundred test subjects—and among them, only fifty survived.

Obito had no real issue with gathering ninjas. Technically, Akatsuki was now under his control. Soon, the Land of Rain and Amegakure would fall fully into his hands, once Nagato killed Hanzo and seized rule over the village. On the other hand, Kirigakure was already under Obito's control. With these two shinobi villages, he could maintain a steady flow of potential subjects. But even then, a more flawless method was necessary. Madara had conducted extensive research and managed to create these warriors by injecting White Zetsu's cells into them, yet even that method was far from perfect.

If Shanks, Benimaru, and Yoko—those who had fought these White Zetsu cell–injected ninjas—were about to tell the flaw in these ninjas. Their bodies were fundamentally imperfect. As time passed, those infected with White Zetsu's cells would inevitably die, victims of the uncontrollable and violent nature of Hashirama's DNA. Their strength came with an expiration date.

Obito who was controlling them have better knowledge. Because of this, Obito would require an expert—someone capable of conducting proper research in this field. Someone who could refine the process and develop a superior method to create these soldiers through White Zetsu cell injections. Only then would the army be truly complete.

Obito voiced the concern that had been weighing on his mind to Black Zetsu. As he spoke, Black Zetsu listened quietly, and then replied, his tone confident.

"I think I already have the perfect person in mind for this job. While I was gathering intelligence on Konoha for the Nine-Tails attack, I came across something quite interesting. Orochimaru of Konoha—one of the Sannin. He has been conducting multiple human experiments, keeping them hidden from the village. But secrets like that can't be hidden from me. I observed everything, and with his intelligence, I believe our goal can be achieved."

As soon as Obito heard this, he nodded without hesitation. "Let's do it. I'll go and talk to Orochimaru myself and see if he can be recruited into our ranks. If he can be, then that would be for the best."

Black Zetsu nodded in agreement. It truly would be ideal if Orochimaru succeeded in creating a perfect method to inject White Zetsu's cells—even into normal ninjas. At the very least, they would gain power beyond that of Chunin. At minimum, they would be equivalent to special Jonin. Both Obito and Black Zetsu were confident about what the future held. As long as they succeeded in this plan and created a full army of ninjas injected with Hashirama's cells, they could restrain—or even completely destroy—the Uzumaki.

…

Ten days had passed since the Nine-Tails attack on Konoha, and since Shanks had brought Kushina to Uzushiogakure for treatment. Finally, today, Kushina slowly opened her eyes and looked around the hospital ward. Pale light filtered in through the window, and the unfamiliar ceiling greeted her. The moment her eyes opened, memories surged back—the chaos of that night, the pain, the fear, and the moment she gave birth to her son, Naruto. Every detail flooded her mind at once.

She immediately sat up, her body tense despite her weakened state. "Is Naruto all right?" she asked urgently, her voice tight with worry.

At that moment, a nurse entered the ward and froze briefly upon seeing Kushina awake. "Are you all right?" the nurse asked quickly, stepping closer.

Kushina barely registered the question. "Where is this?" she asked at once. She turned her head toward the window, her eyes scanning the scenery outside. It was unfamiliar—nothing like Konoha. Her expression hardened. "Where am I? This isn't Konoha."

The nurse answered without delay, her tone calm. "You're in Uzushiogakure Hospital. Your condition appears to be completely stable now. I'll go inform the Uzukage immediately about your awakening—he'll be very happy to hear the news."

After saying this, the nurse didn't wait for another question or any further reaction from Kushina. She immediately left the ward, the door closing softly behind her. Within the next few minutes, the air inside the room distorted, and Shanks appeared directly inside the ward. And he wasn't alone. Using spatial movement, Guy, Benimaru, and Antares appeared alongside him, one after another, their presence filling the room in an instant.

The other Uzumaki siblings had also been informed by Shanks about Kushina's recovery and the fact that she had awakened. Those who couldn't use spatial movement were already on their way, moving at their fastest speed to reach the hospital.

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