c132 — War Begins
Among these bloodline-limit families, two stood out in particular.
The first was the Terumi clan, from which Terumi Mei later the Fifth Mizukage in the original timeline hailed.
Unlike most clans in the shinobi world, which lived together in a fixed district, the Terumi had no unified compound in Kirigakure. Their members were scattered throughout the village, linked more by name than by shared territory, and their internal cohesion was comparatively low.
Their kekkei genkai were Lava Release (Yōton) and Boil Release (Futton). Only the exceptionally gifted could awaken even one of these. Terumi Mei, who mastered both, was considered a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
The second was the Hagoromo clan. Unlike the Terumi, the Hagoromo had historically maintained strong ties with the Uchiha.
During the Warring States Period, there was a time when the Uchiha and Hagoromo allied against the Senju. When the Uchiha and Senju later formed a truce, the Hagoromo unwilling to live under Senju influence.left the Land of Fire for the Land of Water and joined Kirigakure.
By the time of the Second Mizukage, the Uchiha and Hagoromo had renewed contact, and their relations were amicable once again.
The Hagoromo possessed a rare hereditary trait tied to their unique bonding with personal summoning beasts. From a young age, each member raised a chosen summon, feeding it chakra daily and refining it through clan techniques until man and beast were as one.
A Hagoromo child who achieved basic partnership could qualify as a genin; those who attained a half-human, half-beast fusion could rise to chūnin; and complete transformation with seamless control marked the level of jōnin.
Beyond jōnin, there were two advancement paths:
1. Using a single chakra nature to cultivate a new summon from infancy, creating a second partner.
2. Training the existing summon to its maximum potential using a single-element specialization.
The first path demanded years of resources and patience but resulted in more versatile abilities and a higher safety margin. The second was faster but less transformative, with far less room for recovery if the summon was slain.
Losing a bonded beast could cut a Hagoromo's combat strength by up to 80%, making them fiercely protective of their partners.
Because each shinobi's summon could be as varied as their chakra nature, the clan's battle styles were equally diverse. In theory, a Hagoromo with multiple chakra elements could train multiple beasts over their lifetime, multiplying their strength.
In the Warring States era, this adaptability made them powerful enough to fight the Senju and worthy of alliance with the Uchiha. Even under modern Kirigakure, where bloodline clans still faced pressure, the Hagoromo remained among the village's great families.
…
"Hoho… is everyone here?" Orochimaru's tongue flicked snake-like over pale lips as he chuckled, his hoarse voice dripping malice. "If not, I can wait."
His arrogance made the Kirigakure jōnin bristle. Yes, he was a living legend from two shinobi wars, but this was still their territory.
"Kill," commanded Suikazan Fuguki coldly.
The Mist's jōnin charged at master and disciple. Konoha's own jōnin moved to intercept, but could only match their counterparts one-for-one. Ten more Kirigakure jōnin broke through among them the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, bloodline-limit elites, and seasoned specialists.
It's worth noting that in the Mist, even jōnin without bloodline powers could rival their kekkei-genkai peers in raw skill.
A cloud of smoke burst beside Orochimaru as he drew the Kusanagi blade , its style identical to the one Sasuke would later wield. He was too pressed for time to theatrically regurgitate it as usual.
Master and disciple each gripped their Kusanagi, advancing together with killing intent so sharp the two ordinary Mist jōnin in front instinctively felt their blood run cold. Orochimaru's murderous aura was infamous, but for Gen a youth to match it was unsettling.
Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew as steel met steel, Mist kunai and swords nicked and cracked under the pressure. Orochimaru's neck snapped forward like a striking viper, sinking fangs into an opponent's neck before the man's counterpunch could land. Venom worked instantly, and the jōnin collapsed.
Retracting his neck, Orochimaru swept his Kusanagi in a smooth arc, deflecting a hail of kunai and shuriken.
On the other flank, Uchiha Gen's Sharingan locked onto another jōnin. The man turned his gaze away just in time but too late to stop the wind-and-fire–imbued slash that sliced through his water-chakra-coated kunai. The blade seared a deep blackened wound, its scent of scorched flesh filling the snowy air.
Gen seized him by the throat with his left hand. The jōnin froze, trapped in the scarlet three-tomoe gaze and in the next instant, his soul peeled free, drawn into Gen's body along with the light of his lifespan. Fear, Gen knew, was the easiest trigger for his Soul-Soul Fruit powers, though it cost slightly more chakra in battle.
Shuriken struck the jōnin's body from the front; those from behind were cleanly split midair by Gen's sword.
Two Mist jōnin fell in the opening exchange though Orochimaru's foe still lived, paralyzed by venom. That was deliberate: Gen had told him beforehand that a living jōnin's soul was far more nourishing.
"Raiga and I will take the Uchiha brat. Six of you, on Orochimaru!" Fuguki barked. He knew better than to leave a Sharingan user free to act; a single misstep could turn the fight.
Jūzō Biwa, Kisame Hoshigaki, and others surged toward Orochimaru. Six in total — three elites, three standard jōnin. Even for a Sannin, that was serious pressure.
Without their swords, Fuguki and Black Hoe Raiga would be standard jōnin; with them, they could rival Kage-level opponents for brief bursts.
"Boy, I'll be taking that sword," Raiga called, Lightning Fangs crackling in his grip. The paired blades roared with blue-white electricity, cleaving stone as he closed the distance. Said to be the fastest of the Seven Swords, the Lightning Fangs could both channel and summon lightning, amplifying speed and destructive power.
Gen's lips curved into a faint smile as his gaze met Raiga's…
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