As Akashi walked towards home, the familiar cobblestone paths of Uzushiogakure beneath his sandals, his mind was a whirlwind of self-assessment. The years of diligent training during this relative peace had honed his skills to a razor's edge. In Ninjutsu, Fuinjutsu, and Taijutsu, he could confidently hold his own against a Tokubetsu Jonin. Yet, a nagging unease persisted. The only true barrier to reaching the rank of Jonin is my lack of real combat experience. A sigh escaped his lips. Since when did I become the kind of person who yearned for war? This world has truly twisted my perspective. The thought of being a "glass cannon," powerful but untested in the crucible of actual battle, was deeply unsettling.
Well, he mused, shifting his thoughts, if war doesn't erupt soon, I can always focus on other avenues…
Despite his considerable shinobi prowess, Akashi knew there were still significant power-ups within his reach, potential catalysts that could propel him straight to Kage-level strength. The awakening of his dormant ocular powers was one such path, but all his attempts had thus far yielded no results. He had even resorted to deliberately losing spars, hoping to trigger an awakening through a near-death experience, mirroring the original Uchiha's trials. Alas, his efforts had been in vain. Perhaps Gramps might know of another way… Hashirama learned Senjutsu from trees, and Jugo's clan had a natural affinity for drawing in natural energy. It's not unreasonable to think there might be other summons or methods.
Before Akashi could delve deeper into the mysteries of Senjutsu, he sensed the approaching, familiar chakra signatures of Kuroko-sensei and Oyashiro. With a swift Body Flicker Technique (瞬身の術, Shunshin no Jutsu), he materialized on a nearby rooftop, intercepting them.
"Sensei, Oyashiro, were you two looking for me?" Akashi asked, a hint of surprise in his voice, considering he had just parted ways with Oyashiro after their intense duel.
"That's right, Akashi," Kuroko confirmed, his expression serious. "We have a mission. Your grandfather requests our immediate presence. Enough questions for now; Lord Ashina will provide the full details."
A mission? Akashi's pulse quickened. But Oyashiro and I don't even have a third teammate. Still, the prospect of venturing beyond the village walls was undeniably exciting. This is far better than tedious D-rank missions within Uzushio. Looks like I'm finally going to experience the outside world!
The news also spurred a new urgency regarding his other potential power sources: the Seven-Tails and Senjutsu. Akashi had always intended to forge a genuine connection with Chomei, but he had planned to cultivate more personal strength first. Relying solely on a Bijuu that could be forcibly extracted was, in his opinion, foolish. Looks like I'm going to have to initiate contact with Chomei sooner than originally planned. That should be manageable.
Senjutsu, however, presented a more complex challenge. When Akashi had inquired with his parents about potential summons within the clan who could impart the ancient art, he had been met with disappointment. According to them, the only known paths to learning Senjutsu lay within the fabled, unexplored sage regions.
Still, that can't be the complete truth, right? Akashi's mind raced back to his past life's fascination with Naruto theories. He vividly recalled the widely accepted fan theory, one he himself wholeheartedly supported, suggesting that Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest were not the sole repositories of Sage Mode knowledge. There had to be other hidden pockets of natural energy, other unique pathways to tapping into its immense power.
- Uzushiogakure Kage Building -
Entering his grandfather's office, they were granted immediate access, their presence clearly anticipated. "Lord Ashina, I've brought the two," Kuroko announced, bowing respectfully. Looking up from his cluttered desk, Ashina offered them a gentle smile before his expression shifted back to the stern gravitas of the Uzukage. "Good work, Kuroko. Efficient as always," he said, a hint of warmth in his voice before turning his attention to Akashi and Oyashiro. "I know you both likely have questions, but please reserve them until I've provided the necessary details. As Kuroko may or may not have mentioned, I've requested your presence for a crucial mission. Both of you will be embarking on a diplomatic endeavor to forge alliances for our village."
Allies? Akashi's mind raced. Does Gramps mean more clans? If so, it was a significant step towards bolstering Uzushiogakure's strength and security.
"Judging by your expression, Akashi, I see you've already surmised the nature of this task," Ashina chuckled softly. "Yes, you two, along with a squad of experienced Anbu, will be venturing out to meet with potential new clans who may choose to join our ranks, much like the esteemed Chinoike clan."
Oyashiro's crimson eyes widened with intrigue. "Will these clans possess unique Kekkei Genkai, similar to our Chinoike and the Uzumaki, Lord Uzukage?"
"Indeed, Oyashiro," Ashina confirmed. "From the information we've gathered, the majority of these clans possess abilities that can be classified as Kekkei Genkai. One clan, however, is primarily characterized by their exceptionally high chakra reserves, rivaling even our own Uzumaki. Initially, I had intended for the two of you to meet with only one clan. However, recognizing this as a profound opportunity for both of you to grow and gain invaluable experience, I have decided that you will be tasked with meeting all three primary candidate clans and persuading them to join our cause."
"Which clans are these, Gramps?" Akashi interjected, his mind already sifting through his fragmented memories of the future, searching for any relevant information that could expedite their mission or help them avoid potential pitfalls.
Ashina gestured to a stack of dossiers on his desk. "The primary clans we are considering are the Iburi Clan, the Kagasei Clan, Kesshōgawa Clan,Tsuchigumo Clan, Kurokiba Clan, the Umikage Clan, Fūma Clan, and the Hagaromo Clan. I understand these names may be unfamiliar to you, so here." He slid the stack of notes across the desk. "Study these before your departure. They contain all the intelligence we've managed to gather on each clan, including their known abilities and potential challenges."
Akashi and Oyashiro reached for the dossiers, their eyes scanning the detailed information.
* Iburi Clan – The Phantom Mist Clan: Originating from the underground of the Land of Fire, the Iburi Clan possessed the rare Smoke Release (煙遁, Enton) Kekkei Genkai, granting them the ability to transform their bodies into smoke, rendering them nearly intangible. Their mastery of stealth and espionage would have been invaluable for ANBU Black Ops and reconnaissance missions. However, their unstable transformations often led to fatal consequences if not meticulously controlled.
* Kagasei Clan – The Curse-Born Clan: Hailing from the isolated Land of Valleys, the Kagasei Clan was feared for their cursed bloodline: Cursed Flesh (禍肉, Wajiku). This Kekkei Genkai allowed for the passive absorption of natural energy, leading to berserk transformations with monstrous features, immense strength, rapid regeneration, and shapeshifting into weapons. However, prolonged transformations often resulted in mental instability. (Author's Note: To mitigate this instability, the Kagasei Elders developed sealing rituals, later refined by Orochimaru into his infamous Cursed Seals.)
* Kesshōgawa Clan – The Crystal River Clan: From the Land of Waterfalls, the Kesshōgawa Clan wielded the exquisite Crystal Release (晶遁, Shōton), enabling them to crystallize any substance, including water, earth, and even chakra-based attacks. Their abilities included matter crystallization for barriers and weapons, chakra absorption and reflection through crystal mirrors, the creation of diamond-hard crystal clones and armor, and the terrifying petrification of enemies. Once master fortress builders, their numbers had dwindled to a mere handful of survivors.
* Tsuchigumo Clan: An independent shinobi clan from the Land of Fire, known for their isolationist nature and the development of forbidden and powerful jutsu for self-defense. Their Tsuchigumo Style: Forbidden Jutsu was rumored to be capable of destroying an entire country, drawing upon immense natural energy. They also utilized spider-based techniques, including chakra webs, threads, and barriers.
* Kurokiba Clan – The Fangs That Devour Light: Once mercenaries from the Land of Rivers, the Kurokiba Clan possessed the dangerous Dark Release (冥遁, Meiton), allowing them to absorb and manipulate enemy chakra, convert stolen energy into devastating counterattacks, and employ forbidden sealing techniques that drained life force. Their fearsome abilities had led to their near annihilation.
* Umikage Clan – The Clan of the Ocean's Shadow: From the Land of the Sea, the Umikage Clan possessed the Abyssal Transformation (深淵の変化, Shin'en no Henka) Kekkei Genkai, granting them advanced aquatic physiology, hydrokinesis, the ability to develop aquatic mutations for deep-sea combat, echo sense for underwater detection, and a Silent Hunter Technique for seamless blending with water currents. They were highly adaptable, resilient, and known for their mastery of naval warfare.
* Fūma Clan: A once-great, now scattered mercenary clan primarily associated with the Land of Sound, though historically linked to the Land of Fire. While lacking a specific Kekkei Genkai, they were renowned for their unique and deadly Fūma Ninkenjutsu (Wind Demon Ninja Arts), including deceptive techniques, binding abilities, and weaponized transformations. Their survivalist mentality often led to ruthless tactics.
* Hagaromo Clan:
* Current Location: Nomadic (originally from the Land of Lightning)
* Former Affiliation: Hidden Cloud Village (exiled)
* Current Role: Mercenaries for hire
* Bloodline Trait:
* High Chakra Density (Innate Trait): Members are born with an immense chakra pool, comparable to Jinchūriki-level capacity. Their chakra is dense and heavy, making it poisonous to weaker or incompatible hosts. They can survive in near-death conditions (e.g., being eaten by the Nine-Tails) due to chakra endurance. Some rare members manifest partial transformations resembling half-human, half-beast forms.
* Notable Traits & Abilities (Non-Kekkei Genkai): Extreme Vitality and Regeneration; Chakra Poisoning (destabilizes seals, disorients sensory types, damages chakra networks); Resonance with Sage Tools (reduced cost and better affinity); Natural Resistance to Genjutsu (due to powerful chakra interfering with illusions). Every member of the Hagaromo clan is born with two horns on their forehead or head.
Interesting! Interesting! Interesting!Akashi's mind raced as he scanned the descriptions. The Iburi are Yamato's clan, the Kagasei are Jugo's, the Kesshōgawa are Guren's, the Tsuchigumo are Hotaru's, the Umikage are Isaribi's, and the Fūma will eventually become part of the Hidden Sound Village in future. But the Hagaromo Clan… that name struck a deep chord. Hagaromo? Named after the Sage of the Six Paths? Next thing you know, I'll start hearing about the Hamura clan.
Deciding to seize the opportunity for information, Akashi looked up at his grandfather. "Gramps, wasn't the Sage of the Six Paths named Hagaromo?"
"Hoho," Ashina chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "You've been delving into those old legends, I see. That's right, according to the ancient texts, the Sage of the Six Paths' name was Hagoromo Otsutsuki."
"Doesn't that make them related, Gramps?" Akashi pressed. "Well, that's what they claim," Ashina replied, a hint of skepticism in his tone. "In fact, many clans throughout history have claimed a connection to the Sage, our own Uzumaki included."
So Gramps knows about our potential lineage, Akashi noted. But he also acknowledges the prevalence of such claims.
Noticing Akashi's deep contemplation, Ashina decided to steer the conversation away from potentially misleading speculation. "You need not dwell on such matters, Akashi. Even if we are all distantly related to the Sage, it ultimately holds little practical significance. No shinobi since the Sage himself has ever reached that level of power, if the legends are to be believed. Not even Hashirama or Madara could hope to attain such heights."
Gramps is right, Akashi conceded. I shouldn't get bogged down in such abstract thoughts, especially when I'm still far from Kage-level strength.
"Well, if that's all," Ashina said, returning his attention to the documents on his desk, "you may go and prepare. And remember, Akashi, Oyashiro, take this mission with the utmost seriousness."
Kuroko and Oyashiro began to exit the office, Akashi following closely behind. But just as he reached the door, a thought struck him. "Sensei, would you mind if I stay behind for a moment? There's something I need to ask my grandfather."
"Hn," Kuroko grunted in acknowledgement. "Go ahead, but don't take too long. We'll meet you at Training Ground 2B before we depart."
Walking back into the office, Akashi found Ashina looking at him with a curious expression. "Gramps, do you know if there's any way to learn Senjutsu without venturing into the unexplored sage regions?"
"Senjutsu, hmm?" Ashina pondered, stroking his beard. "From what I understand, it can be taught by the great toad, snake, and slug summons. Hashirama possessed his own unique Sage Mode, but that was intrinsically linked to his Wood Release Kekkei Genkai. I'm afraid I can't offer you any direct guidance on that, Akashi."
Sigh. Akashi had anticipated as much. Maybe once we establish contact with the Kagasei clan, perhaps we could explore a method similar to the curse marks to tap into natural energy. The thought of Uzumaki shinobi wielding Senjutsu was a tantalizing prospect.
Sensing Akashi's disappointment, Ashina's mind raced, searching for any overlooked possibilities. "Well… there is one legend… but I'm highly skeptical of its veracity."
One legend? What does Gramps mean?
"You see, Akashi, there's a whirlpool off our coast, so immense and violent that even land of water vessels avoid it at all costs, forcing them to take circuitous routes. This natural barrier has ironically contributed to a fragile peace between our villages.
We Uzumaki have an ancient legend that speaks of a time when our ancestors first arrived in the Land of Whirlpools. Their leader at the time was lost, sucked into that very maelstrom. Most believed him perished, and they were about to name a new clan head. But he survived. He returned weeks later, bearing the ability to wield Sage Chakra, and riding atop a colossal sea dragon. Apparently, that massive whirlpool led to a hidden, underwater cavern belonging to the dragon. Over the centuries, many brave or foolish Uzumaki have attempted to find this cavern, but none have ever returned. Now, most dismiss it as a mere legend, and entering that whirlpool is considered a death wish."
A dragon in a whirlpool! A thrill shot through Akashi. It might very well be true… so much of the world of Naruto is shrouded in mystery, but one thing is consistent: most legends are rooted in some form of truth. Look at the Sage of the Six Paths, or even the tales of the Moon Goddess. They're real!
Ashina easily recognized the burgeoning excitement in his grandson's eyes. "Akashi! Don't even consider it, at least not yet. To survive that whirlpool, you would need an extraordinary ability or the strength of a Kage. Put that notion out of your head for the foreseeable future, unless you wish to join the countless Uzumaki who willingly threw their lives away."
Argh, he's right. I don't want to die yet. But the image of a dragon, a potential source of immense power, was now firmly planted in his mind. Hehe, one day I'll venture down there. This also reinforces my need to talk to Chomei soon. His strength might be the key to surviving such a treacherous journey.
"Alright, go now, Akashi," Ashina said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I have a mountain of paperwork to attend to. Shoo, shoo."
Obeying his grandfather's dismissal, Akashi quickly left to prepare for his upcoming mission. As he departed, Ashina watched his grandson's retreating figure, a fond smile lingering on his face. Haha, my grandson is still a child at heart, captivated by old fairy tales. Perhaps I should regale him with some other fantastical stories sometime… like the legend of the people who dwell on the moon?
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End of 22nd chapter