While Akashi and his weary companions finally crossed the familiar borders of Uzushiogakure, the news of his improbable clash against A, the son of the 3rd Raikage, and Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, had already begun to ripple outwards, spreading like wildfire across the intricate web of the shinobi world. Initially, the reports were met with widespread disbelief, dismissed by many as outlandish propaganda emanating from the notoriously isolationist Land of Whirlpools.
A twelve-year-old child besting the Raikage's son and a Jinchuriki? Preposterous! This was the common sentiment amongst the civilian populace, their understanding of shinobi power dynamics limited. They would sooner believe in mythical beasts or celestial invaders than accept such an unbelievable feat.
However, the reaction within the clandestine world of the shinobi villages was starkly different. Fueled by their extensive and meticulously maintained spy networks, the Great Nations were privy to information far beyond the ken of ordinary citizens. Despite their initial skepticism, the relentless corroboration from multiple independent sources left them with an undeniable truth: the great-grandson of the Uzukage had indeed awakened a unique, never-before-seen Dojutsu amidst a desperate battle and, through its power, had forced the formidable Kumo shinobi to their knees.
The scramble for information regarding this mysterious new eye was immediate and intense. Spies were dispatched, covert inquiries made, but Uzushiogakure's defenses remained as impenetrable as ever. The only details that managed to seep through the tight veil of secrecy were fragmented descriptions: a glowing red ring surrounding the pupil, an unsettling aura, and the apparent ability to induce a strange form of Genjutsu that severely disrupted an opponent's equilibrium.
Naturally, this news sent shockwaves through the prominent Dojutsu clans of Konohagakure: the Hyūga and the Uchiha. Upon hearing the astonishing feats attributed to Akashi, some hot-headed members within both clans clamored for immediate action, eager to journey to Uzushiogakure and demonstrate the supposed superiority of their own revered ocular powers. However, cooler heads prevailed. The respective clan elders and heads, recognizing the potential for a disastrous diplomatic incident and the unknown capabilities of this new Dojutsu, swiftly and firmly quashed such impulsive actions. Their curiosity was piqued, a seed of unease planted, but caution dictated their response.
While many within the shinobi world fixated on Akashi's combat prowess and the enigmatic nature of his eyes, a certain blonde-haired Senju kunoichi in Konohagakure found herself more intrigued by a different aspect of the reports: his apparent mastery of medical techniques.
Tsunade Senju POV:
The whispers had reached even the secluded corners of Konoha's medical facilities. A young Uzumaki, barely a Genin, performing feats of healing that bordered on the miraculous. Saving his sensei from near-certain death on a battlefield, mending ravaged organs, staunching mortal wounds with an almost supernatural efficiency.
Tsunade herself was capable of similar medical feats, honed by years of rigorous training and unparalleled skill, but such intricate procedures demanded meticulous preparation and unwavering concentration.
Utilizing Konoha's extensive intelligence network, she had managed to glean fragments of information about Akashi, though the notoriously tight security of Uzushiogakure made it a frustratingly piecemeal effort. They had been forced to rely on the unreliable accounts of merchants who occasionally passed through the isolated village. Yet, even these scant details were enough to pique her considerable intellect.
According to these traders, Akashi was not a dedicated medical ninja. He had reportedly dabbled in medical ninjutsu for a mere month before turning his prodigious talents to other shinobi disciplines. For most, this would simply paint Akashi as a medical prodigy. But Tsunade's sharp, analytical mind refused such a simplistic explanation. She knew the immense dedication and years of relentless study required to achieve the level of anatomical understanding and chakra manipulation necessary for advanced medical ninjutsu. To perform such intricate internal repairs after only a month of study was, by all logical reasoning, impossible.
As she pondered the seemingly inexplicable feat, her thoughts inevitably drifted back to the other prominent detail of the reports: his awakened Dojutsu. He had manifested this new ocular power during the heat of battle and had saved his sensei immediately afterwards. While the specific abilities of these eyes remained shrouded in mystery, Tsunade's keen intuition suggested a connection. Perhaps his Dojutsu possessed some unique property that enhanced his medical abilities, granting him an unprecedented level of precision and control over his chakra, or even providing him with an accelerated understanding of the body's intricate workings.
Her initial instinct was to share this potentially groundbreaking information with the Hokage. However, a lifetime of navigating the complex political landscape of Konoha, coupled with the current strained relationship between the village and the newly assertive Uzushiogakure, gave her pause. Any information Konoha gained about this new Dojutsu could be weaponized against Uzushio in the future.
However, her loyalty to the Senju clan, and the deep-rooted alliance they had historically shared with the Uzumaki, stayed her hand. With her grandmother, Mito Uzumaki, still alive, albeit frail and nearing the end of her long life, the bonds between the two clans remained a powerful undercurrent. As a final act of goodwill towards their ancestral allies, Tsunade decided to keep her insightful hypothesis to herself, a closely guarded secret.
Mito Uzumaki POV:
A faint smile touched Mito's aged lips as the whispers of her great-grandson's exploits reached her secluded chamber. Though her physical form was weakening, her spiritual connection to the Uzumaki bloodline remained strong. She felt the surge of his awakened power, a unique resonance that echoed the ancient strength of their ancestors. A Dojutsu within the Uzumaki… it was an unexpected development, a testament to the latent potential within their lineage. She hoped Ashina understood the significance of this new power, the delicate balance between its immense potential and the inherent risks it posed.
Jiraiya POV:
The news had reached even the far-flung corners of Jiraiya's extensive spy network. A young Uzumaki, a Genin no less, had somehow held his own against the Raikage's son and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. The details were hazy, focusing primarily on the sudden awakening of a mysterious Dojutsu. Jiraiya stroked his chin thoughtfully. The Uzumaki were known for their sealing prowess and incredible vitality, but a Dojutsu? That was an anomaly. He made a mental note to gather more information on this Akashi Uzumaki. Anyone capable of such a feat at such a young age was worth keeping an eye on. Perhaps this was the spark that would ignite Uzushiogakure's resurgence.
Orochimaru POV:
A sardonic smile stretched across Orochimaru's pale face as he perused the reports. A Dojutsu among the Uzumaki? Intriguing. Their genetic makeup, their inherent life force, had always held a certain fascination for him. This sudden mutation, this unexpected evolution, presented a wealth of new possibilities for his research. He would need to acquire more information, observe this Akashi Uzumaki firsthand. The secrets held within those eyes could unlock new avenues in his pursuit of ultimate knowledge.
Nawaki Senju POV:
Nawaki's youthful enthusiasm bubbled as he heard the exaggerated tales circulating amongst the Konoha Genin. A kid from Uzushiogakure with a super-cool eye power taking down the Raikage's son! It sounded like something straight out of a hero's legend. He wondered what kind of amazing abilities this Dojutsu possessed. Maybe it could see the future, or shoot lasers! He decided right then and there that Uzushiogakure sounded like a pretty awesome place.
Minato Namikaze POV:
Minato listened to the reports with a thoughtful frown. While the details remained scarce, the fact that a Genin had managed to survive an encounter with such formidable opponents was undeniably significant. The awakening of a new Dojutsu within the Uzumaki clan could drastically alter the balance of power in the shinobi world. He made a mental note to discuss this development with his teacher Jiraiya and his girlfriend Kushina Uzumaki about Uzushiogakure's resurgence was becoming increasingly apparent, and Konoha needed to tread carefully.
Kushina Uzumaki POV:
A fierce pride swelled within Kushina as she heard the whispers of a young Uzumaki displaying such incredible power. A Dojutsu within their clan! It was a rare and wondrous thing. She hoped he was being guided wisely, that this newfound power wouldn't become a burden. The Uzumaki were strong, resilient, and now… they were evolving in unexpected ways. A hopeful spark ignited within her; perhaps Uzushiogakure's future was brighter than she had dared to imagine.
Hiruzen Sarutobi (Third Hokage) POV:
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, the smoke from his pipe curling around his weary face as he read the latest intelligence reports. The situation with Uzushiogakure was becoming increasingly complex. The emergence of this new Dojutsu, wielded by Ashina's grandson no less, was a wild card he hadn't anticipated. The potential implications for the balance of power were significant. He would need to proceed with caution, gathering more information while carefully navigating the delicate diplomatic tightrope between Konoha and their former allies. Danzō and the council would undoubtedly have their own… opinions on this matter.
Danzō Shimura POV:
Danzō's one good eye narrowed with suspicion as he absorbed the reports. A new Dojutsu in Uzushiogakure? This development was… concerning. The Uzumaki were already proving to be a resurgent force, their isolationist stance making them unpredictable. This new power only amplified the threat they posed to Konoha's dominance. He would need to monitor this Akashi Uzumaki closely, assess the true extent of his abilities, and prepare contingencies. The safety and security of Konoha demanded vigilance, even if it meant employing… unconventional methods. And if possible in future take his eyes and use them as his own eyes.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane POV (Joint):
Homura and Koharu exchanged worried glances across the council table. This news from Uzushiogakure was troubling. A new Dojutsu? It threatened to disrupt the established order, potentially emboldening other smaller villages to challenge the authority of the Great Nations. They voiced their concerns to the Hokage, urging a cautious but firm approach. Uzushiogakure's growing strength needed to be carefully managed.
Shōketsu Sabaku (Third Kazekage of Sunagakure) POV:
Shōketsu listened to the reports with a detached curiosity. While the emergence of a new Dojutsu was noteworthy, Sunagakure had its own concerns to address, primarily the volatile political climate and the ever-present threat of their larger neighbors. Uzushiogakure's internal developments were of secondary importance, unless they directly threatened the Hidden Sand. He instructed his intelligence division to maintain a passive observation, gathering information but avoiding any direct engagement.
Kurō Kirisame (Third Mizukage of Kirigakure) POV:
A cruel smile played on Kurō's lips as he received the news. Internal strife and the systematic elimination of Kekkei Genkai users had left Kirigakure weakened. The rise of another potentially powerful village was unwelcome. This new Dojutsu, wielded by a child no less, was an intriguing development. Perhaps… perhaps there were ways to exploit this situation, to turn Uzushiogakure's newfound strength to Kirigakure's advantage. He tasked his most ruthless agents with infiltrating Uzushiogakure, their mission: to uncover the secrets of this new eye, by any means necessary.
Ōnoki (Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure) POV:
Ōnoki stroked his beard thoughtfully, his ancient eyes narrowed in contemplation. A Dojutsu among the Uzumaki? It was an unexpected development, one that added another layer of complexity to the already volatile political landscape. Iwagakure, nestled amidst its formidable rock formations, had always maintained a position of cautious neutrality. He would need to assess the true power of this new eye, its potential impact on the balance between the Great Nations. Direct confrontation was to be avoided, but information was paramount.
A (Third Raikage of Kumogakure) POV :
A slammed his fist onto his desk, the force of the blow cracking the sturdy wood. An Uzumaki brat… defeating his son and B? It was an insult, a humiliation! The reports, though reluctantly confirmed by his own returning shinobi, still felt like a bitter lie. This new Dojutsu… it needed to be understood, contained, or even… acquired. His pride, wounded and enraged, demanded retribution.
But the strategic implications were clear. Uzushiogakure was no longer a weak, isolated village. They had teeth, and those teeth were sharp. He would need to tread carefully, his next move dictated by a mixture of fury and calculated pragmatism. The Land of Lightning would not be made a fool of again.
Black Zetsu POV :(Underground Cave System):
"Madara, Madara, did you hear?" White Zetsu's voice was a frantic buzz, his white form pacing excitedly within the dimly lit cave. "Apparently, a kid from the Uzumaki awakened a strange Dojutsu, beating the Raikage's son and that Jinchuriki! And he was only twelve!"
Madara's ancient eyes snapped open, a flicker of intrigue in their depths. "Uzumaki, hmm? To think they would awaken a Dojutsu. I had relegated them to little more than resilient nuisances. Ashina was… somewhat troublesome in his day, but his grandson wielding such power… this is unexpected." Madara's mind drifted back to the tumultuous Warring States period, to clashes against Hashirama where the Uzumaki's unique sealing arts had provided a frustrating obstacle. Ashina's Fuinjutsu was… interesting, I'll grant them that.
"Madara, do you think this boy will hinder our plans?" Black Zetsu's voice held a rare note of nervousness.
I don't understand it. None of Asura's descendants have ever awakened a Dojutsu before. It should be impossible. This is… problematic. I cannot abide variables. Mother's release demands precision.
"You worry too much, Zetsu," Madara scoffed, though a sliver of unease lingered beneath his confident facade. "He may possess a Dojutsu, but in the end, those fledgling eyes are nothing before the might of my Rinnegan! The eyes wielded by the Sage himself…" His gaze sharpened.
"Speaking of those eyes, how fares Nagato?"
"After Jiraiya's departure from Amegakure, Nagato and his companions seem to have formed their own organization… Akatsuki, they call it. It's small for now, only the three of them, but that may change. They appear fixated on the naive goal of establishing peace in this cursed world."
"Hmph. A futile endeavor! Only through the Infinite Tsukuyomi can true peace be achieved."
"Yes, Madara. Only you possess the vision, only you can save this broken world!" Black Zetsu's sycophantic praise seemed to soothe Madara's growing agitation. The ancient Uchiha's eyelids began to droop with exhaustion. "Zetsu, while I slumber, keep a close watch on these Uzumaki. While my eyes are undoubtedly superior to this boy's, we must ensure he does not become an unforeseen obstacle. And… find me a suitable Uchiha, one who can inherit my will."
"Hmm, it shall be done, Madara. The next great war… it is not far off. Perhaps a few short years."
"Hn," Madara grunted, the classic Uchiha dismissal, before drifting back into his deep slumber.
Black Zetsu, however, was already formulating insidious plans. While a direct confrontation with the newly awakened Dojutsu was unwise at this juncture, the chaos of the impending war would provide ample opportunities to eliminate this unpredictable variable.
I will wait. The flames of war will provide the perfect cover to extinguish this nascent threat.
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End of chapter 29