Chapter 53: Studying the Byakugan with the Byakugan

"What are you trying to do?!"

Terumi Mei, witnessing this, was both shocked and furious.

The treasure the Mist Village had paid such a heavy price to obtain had just been stolen right before their eyes.

"If you dare speak another word, I'll seal you up and throw you out."

Ishihara frowned impatiently.

This woman is so tedious.

Terumi Mei's teeth clenched in rage.

But after what had just happened, and after her earlier attacks, she realized she had likely encountered someone extraordinary.

So she dared not act rashly—she could only suppress her thoughts and watch Ishihara's movements closely.

And Ishihara made no effort to hide his thoughts from Terumi Mei.

Because since bringing her to the base, he never intended to let her go.

Once Terumi Mei fell silent, Ishihara took the Byakugan to the lab bench and began his study.

"First, examine how the Byakugan's structure differs from an ordinary eye."

Ishihara placed the Byakugan under the microscope and observed it carefully.

Simultaneously, he recalled the ocular anatomy data he had learned from Orochimaru, comparing it with the current specimen.

"The Byakugan's pupil is smaller, its position differs from ordinary eyes, the neural connections are clearly more complex, and it contains a vast network of chakra pathways…"

Ishihara meticulously recorded every observation.

This was his first true experiment—he wanted to perfect it.

After this, he removed cellular tissue from the Byakugan for further study, then used chakra perception to probe its internal structure…

Time passed slowly.

Ishihara's research on the Byakugan progressed rapidly, and the flashes of insight in his mind multiplied.

Terumi Mei, watching Ishihara's focused work at the lab bench, found herself momentarily entranced.

"He looks quite handsome when he works—though he's a bit cold."

"Ah, what am I thinking?!"

Terumi Mei blushed at her own thoughts.

Yet her gaze remained fixed on Ishihara, unwilling to move.

Suddenly,

Ishihara rose from the lab bench, frowning as he muttered to himself:

"Not enough—this surface-level research cannot reveal the true origin of the Byakugan's power!"

"Must I dissect it?"

He could feel the flashes of insight in his mind had already accumulated sufficiently.

If he wished, he could create a new secret technique right now.

But such a technique would be utterly insufficient for him!

It was his instinct—born from using the system so many times!

Terumi Mei's face paled at Ishihara's words.

"You're going to dissect the Byakugan?!"

Once the Byakugan is dissected, it will be ruined beyond repair—never recoverable.

Ishihara's expression darkened as he glared impatiently at Terumi Mei: "Have you forgotten what I said just now?"

Seeing him prepare to act, Terumi Mei hurriedly said:

"Wait—I'm only reminding you that in the entire ninja world, aside from the Hyuga clan of Konoha, this is the only intact Byakugan!"

"If you dissect it incorrectly, no matter what you intend to do, you'll never accomplish it."

"Better to preserve the Byakugan and think of other methods to test!"

Orochimaru, who had been watching silently beside them, said nothing.

He simply observed Ishihara, like a detached watcher.

He wanted to witness firsthand the moment Ishihara created a secret technique.

To see just how terrifying Ishihara's insight and talent truly were.

Hearing this, Ishihara grew slightly calmer.

He realized he had been too hasty.

The appearance of Akatsuki—and especially the possibility of clashing with them—had placed immense pressure on him.

In truth, even when studying existing materials, he had always needed long periods of accumulation to create a complete secret technique.