Once the initial excitement and fervent discussions subsided, a sense of calm settled over the Uzukage's office. Ashina turned his gaze towards Hiro, a respectful curiosity in his aged eyes. "Well, Akashi, I believe it is time you formally introduce the Hagaromo Clan to us."
"Of course, Grandfather," Akashi replied, stepping forward slightly. "Everyone, this is Hiro Hagaromo, the esteemed clan head of the Hagaromo Clan and, as of today, a new and vital pillar of our growing village."
Upon hearing the formal introduction, Hiro's imposing figure straightened even further, his back ramrod straight, and his prominent horns held high, radiating a quiet dignity. "It is an honor to stand before you," he rumbled, his deep voice echoing slightly in the room.
Akashi continued, his tone sincere, "During the battle in Kumogakure, Hiro and his clan members faced overwhelming numbers with unwavering courage and displayed remarkable strength. Their resolve, even when confronted by the Raikage's son and the Jinchuriki, was truly commendable. I believe they will be an invaluable addition to Uzushiogakure, Grandfather."
Tomo Chinoike, her crimson eyes reflecting a thoughtful consideration, stepped forward to stand beside Hiro. "I, too, wholeheartedly agree with Akashi's assessment. The Hagaromo Clan has a long and proud history as honorable warriors, upholding the legacy of the Sage of the Six Paths himself. Their strength and unwavering spirit will undoubtedly bolster our village." A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Hiro's lips at her words of respect.
Ashina's gaze returned to Hiro, a weight of leadership in his expression. "And what say you, Hagaromo Clan Leader? Will you and your people formally pledge your allegiance and join the ranks of Uzushiogakure?" He waited patiently for the final confirmation, the weight of the decision hanging in the air.
"Yes," Hiro replied, his voice firm and resolute. "The Hagaromo Clan gladly accepts your generous offer. Our only requests are suitable land within the village to establish our community and perhaps designated areas for our skilled blacksmiths to sell their unique wares in the village."
A wave of satisfaction washed over Ashina's face. "Then it is final. Officially, Uzushiogakure is now home to three strong and distinct clans!"
A spontaneous round of applause erupted throughout the office, a tangible expression of hope and unity, marking a significant moment in the history of their nascent village.
Now, Akashi mused, they just needed to secure alliances with the Iburi Clan – the Phantom Mist Clan, the Kagasei Clan – The Curse-Born Clan, the Kesshōgawa Clan – The Crystal River Clan, the Kurokiba Clan – The Fangs That Devour Light, the Umikage Clan – The Clan of the Ocean's Shadow, the Tsuchigumo Clan, and the Fūma Clan.
Once the momentous meeting concluded, Akashi approached his grandfather, eager to propose a mission to gather the remaining scattered clans. "Grandfather, I was thinking that Oyashiro and I could…"
But Ashina held up a hand, his expression firm. "No, Akashi. You both require rest. You have faced considerable challenges and deserve time to recover. I will dispatch Anbu teams to locate and extend invitations to the other clans."
Frustrated by the prospect of enforced inactivity, Akashi, never one to willingly embrace rest, subtly coerced a reluctant Oyashiro to their usual training grounds.
"Alright, Oyashiro," Akashi declared, his eyes gleaming with a newfound intensity. "This spar is primarily for me to familiarize myself with my Teiōgan. So, don't hold back. Push me, and try to identify any weaknesses you can exploit." Understanding the potential vulnerabilities of his new Dojutsu was paramount. He would rather discover his limitations in a controlled environment than face their exploitation in a critical battle. Forewarned was forearmed.
"Fine, but you're buying me a triple order of steamed buns after this," Oyashiro grumbled, stretching languidly.
Assuming their stances, Akashi slowly opened his eyes, the crimson rings of the Teiōgan swirling into focus.
"Heh, Akashi, you're not the only one with a fancy eye power, so don't get cocky," Oyashiro retorted, his own crimson eyes blazing with the intricate patterns of the Ketsuryūgan.Instantly, the two powerful Dojutsu locked gazes, an invisible pressure emanating outwards, causing the surrounding foliage to rustle and sway. Neither ocular power seemed willing to yield dominance.
"Oyashiro, for our first test," Akashi began, his voice calm but focused, "let's see how my Teiōgan fares against your Genjutsu."
The Chinoike Clan were renowned for their potent Genjutsu, their illusions capable of ensnaring even Uzumaki with their formidable mental resilience, albeit perhaps only momentarily.
Their ocular Genjutsu also granted them the unsettling ability to delve into minds and extract memories, making them invaluable assets for interrogation and law enforcement within the village. Akashi was eager to gauge the Teiōgan's defenses against such formidable ocular power.
"Genjutsu: Sanguine Dream (幻術・血染めの夢, Genjutsu: Chizome no Yume)!" Oyashiro intoned, his eyes swirling hypnotically.
In an instant, Akashi's surroundings dissolved, replaced by the unsettling vista of a vast lake of viscous, crimson blood. Eerie tendrils of blood snaked upwards, attempting to ensnare his limbs, to drag him down into the suffocating depths.
This Genjutsu is undeniably potent, even after repeated exposure, Akashi mused, observing the nightmarish landscape. But it's time to dispel this illusion.
As serpentine figures of solidified blood erupted from the crimson lake, intent on striking him, they abruptly froze mid-strike, suspended in the unnatural stillness of the illusion. Oyashiro, observing this unexpected development from the real world, felt a jolt of surprise. He had lost control of his own dreamscape.
"Time to wake up to reality," Akashi stated, his voice echoing strangely in the blood-soaked illusion. As he spoke, the dream world fractured and shattered like brittle glass, the oppressive crimson dissolving to reveal the familiar training grounds.
"Tch," Oyashiro clicked his tongue in frustration. "So, your resistance to Genjutsu has increased significantly." It was one of his favorite tactics against Akashi, and its ease of shattering was irksome.
Well, Akashi thought, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow, I may possess a heightened resistance to Genjutsu, but that doesn't make me impervious. Ocular Genjutsu of the caliber of Tsukuyomi or Kotoamatsukami would likely still pose a significant threat. That's a crucial weakness to address. He made a mental note to incorporate training to fight effectively with his eyes closed, a skill his Mind's Eye of Kagura would facilitate. Just in case I ever face someone like Itachi.
"Alright, Oyashiro," Akashi continued, shifting his focus. "Now, I want you to actively try to resist my ankle break technique." He needed to determine if the seemingly effortless takedown was truly as potent as it appeared or if its previous successes were merely due to his opponents being caught off guard.
Their training session continued for several grueling hours.
Oyashiro fell victim to the subtle manipulation of his balance a few more times, much to his chagrin, but eventually, he began to adapt. By consciously focusing chakra to strengthen his lower body and improve his core stability, he managed to mitigate the Teiōgan's effect. The effortless collapses became stumbles, the stumbles became near-misses.
Hmm, Akashi observed, analyzing the results. It appears this technique is most effective against unsuspecting opponents or those with less refined chakra control. Once an opponent consciously reinforces their lower body, its effectiveness diminishes significantly. He considered the implications. Someone like Might Guy, with his unparalleled physical conditioning and complete chakra control, would likely be immune. The Sharingan and Byakugan, with their enhanced perception, would also likely provide a significant advantage in resisting the subtle manipulations. It's a useful tool for catching opponents off guard or as a form of initial disruption, but it's far from an invincible technique.
He wouldn't be surprised if A and B had already analyzed and countered the technique. They were both exceptionally perceptive and skilled shinobi. If they had, the knowledge of this weakness would likely spread rapidly, potentially putting a target on his back. Still, it's a valuable asset to have in my arsenal.
"Now, onto the 'Zone'," Akashi muttered to himself, a thoughtful expression on his face. That ability… it's undeniably broken. The perception boost, the near-perfect execution of techniques, the slowed perception of time… it's almost unfair. But he refused to succumb to hubris. Just because I haven't identified a clear weakness doesn't mean one doesn't exist. As Itachi wisely said, every jutsu has a vulnerability. The immense chakra consumption was a significant limitation, restricting its usage to brief, decisive moments.
As the intense training session drew to a close, Akashi acknowledged the significant leap in his combat capabilities thanks to the Teiōgan. However, the identified weaknesses and the unknown limitations of his new power spurred him to seek further refinement.
"Looks like it's time Chomei starts paying his rent," Akashi murmured, a determined glint in his sovereign eyes. The symbiotic relationship with the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki was about to become even more crucial in his quest for absolute mastery.
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End of 31st chapter