Chapter Thirty-Five: Project Implementation (Seeking Votes and Investment)

The Desperation Virus was a theoretical discovery made by Maya, and she had already conducted experiments with it on plants. If one regarded the human biological system as an interconnected network, Maya's research was akin to hacking into this system and modifying it as a hacker would. Altering the body's self-defense and immune functions, though not strictly related to pharmaceuticals, certainly belonged in the realm of biological research.

Recently, Maya had accepted Killian's request for collaboration. Perhaps she could not overcome the Desperation Virus on her own and needed help. Killian's team had been following Maya's research for a long time and possessed deep understanding in this area, which was why Maya agreed to work with him.

Their partnership had only just begun, and with Killian's institution receiving little investment lately, they were in urgent need of investors. Maya seemed to have no secrets from Karn, telling him many things, though Karn did not believe everything and planned to ask someone to investigate further.

His chakra attributes were lightning and earth, but unfortunately, Kakuzu did not know any earth-style stealth techniques. Otherwise, Karn would have surely mastered them. He had already asked Kakuzu to collect them for him, offering ten million ryo for each earth-style stealth technique.

After listening to Maya's introduction, Karn feigned contemplation and nodded, then said to the two, "I'm very interested in this project. I think it warrants deeper investigation. If I confirm my investment, I will sponsor all funding and provide facilities..."

He paused here, glanced at Maya and Killian, then continued, "But I want fifty percent ownership of the project and full access to its progress. Miss Maya, I've already been admitted early to Columbia University, and my intended major is in biology. So, as you conduct your research, I hope you will keep me informed of developments."

"So, Mr. Karn is in the same field. I have no objections," Maya replied. She looked at Killian, who shook his head, indicating he also had no problem with it. Frankly, Karn now held the dominant position. Their research was so 'lofty' that it was hard to gain investors' trust.

It was rare for an investor like Karn to seek them out. If they missed him, who knew when the next would come? Sponsoring everything in exchange for fifty percent ownership was already a generous offer. If he asked for more, Maya and Killian might lose interest in the research.

As for the right to monitor progress at any time, that was only natural; investors were entitled to it. Karn likely meant he wanted them to explain the details to him in a 'mentor' capacity.

With both sides intent on cooperation, negotiations became much easier. Killian's team still had several members, but they could all relocate to Karn's biological research center, which had been under construction for some time and was expected to be fully built within half a year. In the meantime, Karn rented a laboratory for them and even provided salaries; otherwise, some on Killian’s team would have struggled financially.

Material resources are indispensable at any time.

Finalizing the cooperation, discussing details, and signing contracts took over a month. Maya and Killian made different decisions: Maya chose to join Karn’s biological research center, while Killian elected to cooperate on behalf of his team. This caused some delays, but nothing serious.

Killian probably now harbored deep resentment toward Tony Stark. Once he developed a Desperation Virus applicable to humans, he would most likely seek revenge on Stark. Since he wasn’t Karn’s employee, Karn felt no obligation to worry about him.

All Karn needed was a mature Desperation Virus. Such an experiment could completely offset the reactions caused by transplanting Hashirama cells, and with further research, might even counteract the side effects of transplanting any bloodline limit.

After the contract was signed, Karn gave them access to the rented laboratory and covered all equipment and material expenses.

When it came time to spend money, Karn realized how costly it was to sponsor a team for biological research. The construction of the research center, purchasing equipment and materials—before seeing any results, he had already spent over ten million dollars.

There would surely be more to come. After investing in the Desperation Virus project, Karn used his transformed appearance to purchase a new identity. With that identity, he sold all his jewelry, only recouping around ten million dollars.

Once Maya and Killian’s team moved into the laboratory, Karn hired many people: managers, accountants, and a personal assistant.

Normally, income from a pharmaceutical wholesale company, a private hospital, and the stock market wouldn’t sustain a biological research center, let alone just one team. Karn planned to recruit even more biological scientists in the future.

He had to work harder to make money!

Karn felt he could finally stretch his wings a bit, mainly because with Shadow Clone and Transformation techniques, he no longer feared the likes of Foberle or SHIELD, or even dared to venture into Hell’s Kitchen.

“With the Desperation Virus project in hand, next is to contact Orochimaru. He should begin his research a few years before the Third Ninja War, so I’ll reach out to him then..."

In Karn’s view, the Desperation Virus and Hashirama cells might have complementary effects, but this was only a guess—he needed actual samples and data for research and experimentation.

Over the past half year, Karn often took leave, but his enterprise grew ever larger, and he might have little time for university in the future. Still, he did not want to give up further studies in biology. His aptitude for cultivation was poor—both Natsukawa and Kakuzu agreed on that.

Karn could only rely on biological evolution to become extraordinary. The Desperation Virus and Hashirama cells were just the first step; there were many bloodline limits in the ninja world. Moreover, Karn had the trade system; the next world might bring even greater rewards.

The dimensional trade system continued searching for worlds available for exchange. Karn had stared at that starry interface for ages, but with only one world experienced, he had not yet figured out the system’s trading patterns.

If it took several years, Karn would be most unfortunate. He could only focus on conquering the Hashirama cells and Desperation Virus in the ninja world. The key was that these things could make him stronger, but were hardly reliable for survival...

After handling his affairs, Karn filled a few more slots in his spatial backpack. Though both sides of his life were gradually settling into routine, Karn still carried some things not found in the ninja world.

If his spatial backpack wasn’t full, Karn always felt a sense of emptiness.