Chapter Twenty-Nine
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I wonder what abilities to give Young Kenshin.
The thought drifted through Kenshin's mind as his boot caught a loose pebble, sending it skittering across the dirt path. He walked alone, hands buried in the pockets of his black cloak, the afternoon sun warm against his shoulders.
He'd accepted the mission in his 'Aizen' persona—recruit a teammate. Specifically: Kenshin Yogen, a fifteen-year-old rogue-nin with an Elite Jōnin-equivalent threat rating. Fifty-nine confirmed kills of high-rank missing-nin, their heads turned in at black-market bounty stations across three nations. A name whispered in the underworld with equal parts fear and profit motive.
I've made quite a name for myself, if I say so myself.
The self-congratulation was brief. The real question loomed larger: how to distribute his aspects to the incoming doppelgänger without breaking the charade. The clone needed to be strong—convincingly strong—but not him strong.
Let's keep his power range mid-tier Kage. Yes, he'll have an ace up his sleeve, yada yada. Standard protagonist stuff.
He spotted a gnarled tree jutting from the roadside and leapt, landing soundlessly on a thick, horizontal branch. Settling into a crouch, he summoned the system interface. Blue light flickered in the air before him, text arranging itself in clean, glowing lines.
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[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Kenshin Yogen
Age: 15
Race: Ōtsutsuki
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Attributes
- Chakra Capacity: SS Rank
- Chakra Control: SS Rank
- Strength: S Rank
- Agility: S Rank
- Endurance: S Rank
- Perception: S Rank
- Intelligence: SS Rank
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Traits
Mythic:
- Ōtsutsuki Lineage
Epic:
- Lil Hercules
- Peak Specimen
- High Specs
- Nature Energy Affinity
Rare:
- Precise
- Battle Instinct
- Immunity System
Uncommon:
- Flexible, Silent Steps, Eagle Eyes, Bloodhound, Sharp Hearing
- Scholar, Cursed Tension
- Cardboard World, Protection From Arrows
Common:
- Chronolog
Elite:
- Polymath
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Skills
Divine Level:
- Hand-to-Hand Combat
- Blade Weapon Mastery
- Genjutsu
Grandmaster Level:
- Drawing
- Ninjutsu Mastery
- Stealth
- Medicine
- Tactics
- Fūinjutsu Mastery
Master:
- Leadership
- Acting
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Abilities
Epic:
- Observation Haki
- Instant Transmission
- Chakra Morph Jutsu
Elite:
- Universal Pull
- Almighty Push
Rare:
- Soru
- Light Steps
- View Earth (5km range)
- Rasengan
Uncommon:
- Chakra Flow: Blade Enhancement
- View Air (1–2km range)
- Ratio Technique
Common:
- Measure King
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Items
- Sealed Arsenal Scroll (Common)
- Perfect Decoy (Common)
- Pitcher of Eternal Water (Common)
- Playful Cloud (Elite)
---
Kenshin let out a slow breath, the interface casting faint blue shadows across his face.
It took me the whole damn day to find the perfect stat range, and this… Well, this looks like he's past mid-Kage.
He'd tried to be consistent—replicate the scrappy, explosive style he'd used back during the Chūnin Exams, when every new trick in his arsenal was deployed with reckless enthusiasm. The doppelgänger ability should've come earlier. Would've made his life so much easier.
This has to be the strongest anybody can be without being Indra or Ashura's reincarnation.
Though, the Ōtsutsuki bloodline had carried him farther than expected. It seemed there was more to it than the initial system description. His status panel now listed his race as Ōtsutsuki, not just human with Ōtsutsuki traits. And even without his other chakra-boosting abilities, his base capacity sat at SS Rank. His physical stats had climbed in tandem.
I couldn't nerf myself any less.
A consequence of showboating. Of the bloodline itself. And the fact that he couldn't just let Sage Mode gather dust in his skill list.
Just having Sage Mode puts Young Kenshin in the top ten of the verse right now.
He closed the interface with a flick of his wrist. The light dissolved into motes that scattered like fireflies.
Well. Time to bring the doppelgänger to life.
---
"Yo."
A younger Kenshin—fifteen, silver-blond hair tied back, sharp-featured and lean—raised a hand in casual greeting. He stood ten paces away in the clearing.
The adult Kenshin, still wearing Aizen's face, tilted his head, arms crossed. "From now on, you're Kenshin. I'm Aizen. I'm getting an aneurysm from calling you 'Young Kenshin.'"
"I know, right?" the doppelgänger replied, his grin easy and familiar.
"You also need to change your character archetype." Aizen's tone shifted, mock-serious. "I know we're the same person, but the overpowered quirky guy in the group is me. Find another schtick."
"Nuh-uh." Kenshin wagged a finger dramatically, the motion exaggerated and playful.
Aizen's expression flattened. "I believe you understand the instructions."
Kenshin's demeanor shifted instantly—posture straightening, grin fading into something more neutral and watchful. "Yes."
"Good." Aizen began pacing, boots crunching softly against the dry grass. "So. Tell me—what's the reason you left Konoha?"
Kenshin shrugged. "The Hokage died?"
"That's a stupid reason." Aizen stopped, turning sharply. "Look at the rest of the villains. They have good reasons. I think. Itachi killed his clan. Kisame—whole village betrayed him, ethics crisis, existential dread, et cetera. Kakuzu got stabbed in the back by his own people. You see where I'm going with this? Your reason can't be Gen Z–coded. We already have Deidara for that."
Kenshin scratched his jaw, thinking. "Well… you find the reason. You're the one who defected."
Aizen paused. "That… makes sense, but no. You're Kenshin now. So find a reason."
"Why would they even ask that?"
"Another valid point," Aizen admitted, resuming his pacing. "But still. I recruit you. I tell you we want peace, we want to end the wars, all that idealistic nonsense. Why do you agree?"
Kenshin's expression brightened slightly. "I just want to fight?"
Aizen stopped again, considering. "Eh. Good enough. Falls in line with why you fought the genin and gave up midway through the Chūnin Exams. Why you've been hunting and killing rogue-nin ever since. Yeah. That works." He nodded once, decisively. "Let's head to Ame."
"I also need to send a message to Konoha," Kenshin added. "Let them know I've successfully infiltrated the Akatsuki."
"Do your thing."
Kenshin pulled a small scroll from his pouch, already prepped with the encoded message. He bit his thumb, smeared blood across the seal, and released a tiny, near-invisible spider that skittered into the underbrush.
"You think we'll be sent on any missions?" Kenshin asked, watching the spider vanish.
"Don't hope for it." Aizen shook his head. "Following the original timeline, Kakuzu and Hidan should've just hunted the Two-Tails. Next, Kakuzu hits the Fire Temple for the bounty, kills Asuma in the process, yada yada. You're useless baggage for now."
"The plot'll change, though." Kenshin's tone was thoughtful. "Jiraiya has me in Ame as an informant now."
"Yes, he does." Aizen's voice took on a conspiratorial edge. "You and Jiraiya are going to confront Pain. Find out there are six Paths, blah blah. But since he's got the overpowered you backing him, surviving's easier. Until Nagato himself steps in. Then the fight escalates. Jiraiya entrusts the intel to the Leaf through Fukasaku—and through you. You return to Konoha. Feed them what you've gathered. Join Naruto in the final push against Nagato."
Kenshin let out a low whistle. "A very evil plan. You really deserve the name Aizen."
Aizen's grin returned, sharp and satisfied. "I know, right?"
---
Konohagakure – Hokage's Office
The afternoon light was heavy and golden through the high windows. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air. Tsunade sat behind her desk, fingers steepled, amber eyes fixed on Shikaku Nara, who stood before her with a scroll in hand.
"Lady Tsunade," Shikaku began, his voice steady. "Kenshin has infiltrated the Akatsuki."
Tsunade's expression didn't change, but her fingers tapped once against the desk—a faint, restless rhythm. "Finally. The one thing he set out to do has been done."
Her tone was wry, almost mocking, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her relief.
"He dropped intel," Shikaku continued. "The Akatsuki has successfully captured the Two-Tails jinchūriki."
Tsunade's humor evaporated. "That's bad." Her voice dropped, low and sharp. "Did he say what they plan to do with the Tailed Beasts?"
"According to him, his recruiter mentioned they plan to weaponize them."
"Bastards." Tsunade's fist hit the desk with a dull thud, papers jumping. "Hasn't the world suffered enough? We need to stop them. Quickly."
"Agreed." Shikaku's tone remained calm, measured—a counterweight to her frustration. "With Kenshin providing intel, we can intercept jinchūriki captures before they happen. But it's a short-term solution. The Akatsuki will trace the leaks back to him eventually."
"Yes." Tsunade leaned back in her chair, the leather creaking. "The other villages aren't cooperating. They still underestimate the threat. We need undeniable proof—hard evidence of their strength, their headquarters, their plans."
She straightened, her gaze sharpening. "Shikaku. Tell Kenshin to dig deeper. Fast. Once he finds their base and brings back proof they can't ignore, we'll rally the other villages. Hit them where they live."
"Understood." Shikaku nodded. "He mentioned his recruiter said it'll take time before he's brought to the headquarters."
Tsunade's jaw tightened. "That kid. I just want to beat him up. Tell him to get as much intel as he can from his recruiter. You said he's anti-social? Tell him to social up."
"Eh—"
A sharp knock interrupted him.
Tsunade's gaze snapped to the door. "Who is it? Come in."
The door swung open. Shikamaru Nara, Izumo Kamizuki, and Kotetsu Hagane stepped inside, their expressions somber. The air in the room shifted—heavier, colder.
"Lady Tsunade." Shikamaru's voice was quiet, controlled. His eyes flicked briefly to his father.
"Lord Shikaku."
Shikaku nodded once, his gaze already cataloging the tension in his son's posture. Something bad happened.
Tsunade sat forward. "What's going on?"
---
Silence.
Then Shikamaru spoke, voice flat but steady.
"Asuma Sarutobi is dead."
---
Tsunade's hand, resting on the desk, curled slowly into a fist. She lowered her head, pressing her knuckles against her forehead. The room held its breath.
"I see," she said quietly.
The words hung in the air, fragile and final.
Kotetsu shifted his weight. "What about Kurenai-san?"
Tsunade exhaled slowly, lifting her head. "You three notify the others. I'll tell Kurenai myself."
"No." Shikamaru's voice cut through, firm. "I'll do it."
Tsunade's eyes met his. For a moment, she studied him—the grief held tight behind his calm mask, the weight settling across his too-young shoulders.
"Captain Asuma wanted me to tell her something," Shikamaru added, quieter now.
Tsunade nodded once. "Understood."
---
Amegakure – Akatsuki Safehouse
Rain drummed against the windows in a steady, relentless rhythm. The room was dim, lit only by a single oil lamp flickering on a low table. Madara stood near the wall, arms crossed, his Edo Tensei form pale and still in the shadows. Obito leaned against the opposite wall, his mask tilted slightly as though listening to something far away. Kenshin—the doppelgänger—sat cross-legged on the floor, flipping a kunai absently between his fingers.
Aizen stood by the window, watching the rain streak down the glass.
"Asuma's dead," he said without turning.
The kunai stopped spinning. Kenshin caught it, thumb pressed against the flat of the blade.
"I know," Obito said, his tone conversational. "My clone's currently sealing the Three-Tails. So is yours. And… his." He glanced toward Kenshin.
Obito looked at Kenshin—the doppelgänger—his visible eye narrowing slightly. "I still can't get used to this."
"It's a persona, 'Tobi.'" Aizen's voice carried faint amusement. "You of all people should understand."
"Who's Asuma?" Madara's voice cut through, flat and uninterested.
"An old classmate of his," Aizen replied, gesturing toward Obito.
Obito didn't look up. "His death has nothing to do with me."
"Sure, sure." Aizen's grin was audible. "You'll find him in the world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
Madara shifted, his gaze fixed on the doppelgänger. "This clone of yours is very weird. Especially having him in the same room as you."
"Not you too, Madara." Aizen turned from the window, hands spreading in mock exasperation. "I recruited him. He has to stay here for a while. After the sealing's done, I'll send him to his room."
"He's also quite real, unlike shadow clones," Madara observed, his tone clinical. "Another one of your many abilities, I suppose."
"Mm. Want to learn?"
Madara's expression didn't shift. "There's no need. Unlike you, I don't need to increase my number."
Aizen's grin widened. "Ah, yes. It'd only be increasing the number of fools."
Madara's eyes narrowed fractionally. "Are you talking to me?"
Aizen scooted behind Obito in one smooth motion, using him as a human shield. "It's just a reference! I was quoting someone cool! No—stop!"
Madara stepped forward, deliberate and unhurried.
Aizen bolted.
He vaulted through the open window in a blur of black fabric, disappearing into the rain with a faint whoosh of displaced air.
Madara stopped at the sill, staring out into the downpour. His expression remained unreadable.
After a long moment, he turned back to the room.
"What a drag," he muttered, echoing a phrase he'd heard far too often lately.
Obito sighed. Kenshin resumed flipping his kunai.
The rain continued its endless drumming against the glass.