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In the Shinobi World, at the heart of the continent, beneath dense forest canopies that blocked out the sky, a young ninja stumbled deeper into the untamed wilderness.
He appeared no older than fourteen or fifteen, his clothing torn to shreds, crimson bloodstains painting his chest and back. Each step wavered with exhaustion, his movements sluggish and labored, as though collapse was imminent.
Mercifully, he had managed—for now—to evade his pursuers.
His name was Shin Hagūgen, scion of a minor shinobi clan known as the Hagūgen Clan, and nephew to the former clan leader. A month prior, the old chief had fallen in battle. A week ago, the new leader—his own cousin—met the same fate. Thus, the mantle of leadership had fallen to him.
Three days earlier, during a brutal skirmish, Shin Hagūgen had volunteered as bait to ensure his clansmen's safe retreat. After successfully drawing away the enemy and barely escaping their pursuit, he now made his way toward the predetermined rendezvous point.
Such was his situation. Though there remained one crucial detail: beyond all this, he was a transmigrator.
A year ago, through circumstances unknown, his soul had crossed dimensions into this youth named Shin Hagūgen, supplanting the original consciousness entirely.
Upon arriving in the Shinobi World, he initially believed he would follow the classic "system protagonist" path, becoming a figure who would shake the very foundations of this world. Reality proved harsh—no system materialized.
Next, he hoped his knowledge of Naruto's historical trajectory and pivotal events would grant him the "genius protagonist" route. Yet here he stood, strength capped at Chūnin level, with no hope of advancement in sight.
Finally, he resigned himself to the outdated "tragic underdog" archetype.
Even that proved illusory. Now, at this moment, he was certain his true path had always been the Cannon Fodder Style. Born ordinary, he was destined to become glorious cannon fodder. His transmigration journey had barely begun, yet seemed poised to end immediately.
Though unable to pinpoint the exact era, Shin Hagūgen was reasonably certain he existed in the chaotic clan warfare period preceding the establishment of the shinobi village system—a time of primitive brutality where minor clans faced extinction.
Suddenly, his foot caught on something, and he crashed to the earth.
Three days and nights without rest had taken their toll. Hunger and exhaustion rendered each step a monumental effort...
Regardless of circumstances, he needed sustenance to replenish his strength, yet his supplies had long since been exhausted.
Fortune, however, had not entirely abandoned him. Struggling to lift his head, Shin Hagūgen forced his eyes open and dimly perceived something growing nearby.
"Mushrooms..."
Fungi were preferable to tree bark. In his desperation, he crawled forward on hands and knees, seized what appeared to be a king oyster mushroom, and devoured it without hesitation.
Only after consumption did he notice the peculiar nature of the mushroom's growing site.
The cluster had sprouted from a half-buried stump, surrounded by ghastly pale pitcher plants crowned with unnaturally glossy, paint-like green aloe leaves. In retrospect, the mushroom had possessed an unusually oily texture...
"..."
Shin Hagūgen's gaze grew vacant. An inexplicable sense of déjà vu washed over him, as though he had encountered something familiar.
Examining the stump more closely, he discovered a grotesquely twisted human face embedded within its surface.
"Mm... Hm? HM!"
Since arriving in the Shinobi World, Shin Hagūgen had frequently lamented his lowly circumstances—never encountering familiar characters or witnessing significant events. Now, his wish had been granted with a vengeance: he had discovered a major figure from the original narrative—a White Zetsu. A deceased one.
The mushroom he had consumed had grown directly from the White Zetsu's eye socket.
Suddenly, Shin Hagūgen felt profoundly unwell. Theoretically, he had just ingested the most contaminated, unsanitary substance in the entire Shinobi World.
No—it transcended mere unsanitary conditions. This entity possessed side effects that could prove lethal.
Without warning, excruciating pain wracked Shin Hagūgen's entire body. His limbs convulsed uncontrollably, twisting as though he were being wrung like a wet cloth. Despite clenching his teeth, agonized groans escaped his throat... The unbearable torment began stripping away his consciousness.
"Should have at least blanched it first..."
This was his final coherent thought before oblivion claimed him.
Approximately ten minutes later, the unconscious Shin Hagūgen finally ceased convulsing.
Silence reclaimed the forest. He lay curled in a fetal position, his skin gradually acquiring a ghastly pallor.
Clearly, he was undergoing some form of metamorphosis.
Three hours elapsed before the pale coloration slowly receded, restoring his normal appearance.
A crushing sensation of suffocation jolted Shin Hagūgen back to consciousness. His eyes snapped open as he sprang upright, kneeling while supporting himself on trembling arms, coughing violently.
With each spasm, pale, sap-like fluid erupted from his throat, soon coating the ground before him in a viscous pool.
"Hah..."
After releasing a long breath, Shin Hagūgen used a nearby tree for support as he slowly rose. His expression bore an indescribable gravity mixed with unconcealed bewilderment.
Though uncertain of exactly what had transpired, upon awakening he felt remarkably rejuvenated—his body light, his mind crystalline. Not only had all his wounds completely healed, but his combat capabilities seemed to have ascended an entire tier... It felt like "Constitution +10," "Chakra +10."
Previously, he had been merely another faceless Chūnin among countless others. Now, he sensed that by standing on his toes, he could graze the "Kakashi Line"—yes, that Kakashi.
Additionally, new information had materialized in his mind—more precisely, a novel instinct. Though difficult to articulate, this instinct informed him that he had acquired unprecedented abilities.
Raising his left arm, Shin Hagūgen focused his thoughts. Instantly, the entire limb transformed to a ghastly white, the skin adopting the texture of stripped bark. As his concentration shifted, this pallor rapidly spread across his entire body—in essence, he had become a White Zetsu.
"White Zetsu..."
Shin Hagūgen could scarcely believe the transformation.
Common knowledge dictates that spider bites create Spider-Man. Similarly, after consuming a mushroom that had grown from White Zetsu remains, Shin Hagūgen's body had undergone a White Zetsu-like metamorphosis—this could aptly be termed "White Zetsu-Man."
"In the end, isn't it just the poor relying on mutation?"
Through his reckless fungal consumption, Shin Hagūgen suspected he had achieved some form of symbiosis with White Zetsu. This assimilation had not only substantially enhanced his physical capabilities but also granted him access to certain White Zetsu abilities.
These changes warranted extensive study, but the present moment was hardly appropriate for such contemplation.
The sound of fabric brushing against foliage reached Shin Hagūgen's ears, instantly heightening his alertness. Based on the audio signature, a ninja squad of ten or more was approaching his location.
He immediately concealed himself. Roughly fifteen minutes later, the ninja force halted nearby. No—not coincidentally. Upon recognizing their faces, Shin Hagūgen immediately revealed himself. These were his clansmen.
Apparently, while unconscious, he had unknowingly reached the designated rendezvous point.
"Clan Leader!"
Shin Hagūgen's sudden appearance triggered momentary tension among the ninjas, but recognition quickly brought relief.
"Is this all who remain?" Shin Hagūgen inquired.
Sixteen ninjas had assembled here, predominantly young males. The fate of those who hadn't arrived was self-evident.
"Clan Leader, we..." One ninja's face was etched with guilt.
Shin Hagūgen raised a hand, halting the explanation. His expression remained composed, his voice steady: "The fault isn't yours. It appears my diversionary tactics failed."
"Clan Leader, enemy forces vastly outnumber us. We were... powerless." Overwhelming helplessness caused the ninja to bow his head.
In both numerical strength and average combat capability, the enemy held crushing superiority.
"What of our pursuers? Have you evaded them?" Shin Hagūgen pressed.
"No. Within four to five hours maximum, they'll overtake us... The enemy employs reconnaissance specialists. Escape is impossible."
Whether witnessed or not, the moment of reckoning for a shinobi clan arrives inexorably.