"You actually got in with the Senju Clan?!" the Pirate version of Kael Draven exclaimed, eyes wide with envy. The difference between their fates couldn't have been more dramatic.
The Shinobi Kael sighed, spreading his hands helplessly. "Big brother, this is the Warring States period, not Year One of the Hidden Leaf. We're at war with the Uchiha right now our brains are practically spilling out on the battlefield. You have no idea how dangerous it is."
"That still sounds better than what I've got," the Pirate Kael muttered. Then curiosity gleamed in his eyes. "So, who's the current head of the Senju Clan? Have you met the First Hokage yet?"
A proud smile crept onto Shinobi Kael's face. "The First has just taken charge. He's even accepted several of us younger clan members as disciples to teach us his original Wood Release. I'm one of them."
The Pirate Kael's envy overflowed. But he knew that Wood Release, being a Kekkei Genkai, was nearly impossible to master without special genetics.
Wood Release came from fusing two distinct chakra natures Earth and Water. It sounded simple in theory, but in practice it was an impossible feat for most. More importantly, such fusion carried immense risk. If one failed, the backlash could be catastrophic.
Fortunately, those of Senju blood could better withstand that backlash, their shared lineage offering natural protection.
"I'm actually the only one among his students who managed to awaken Wood Release," Shinobi Kael said, clearly unable to hide his pride. "But here's the strange part right after I learned it, I suddenly found myself in this temple."
"Can I see it?" Pirate Kael asked eagerly, his eyes shining.
Some Kekkei Genkai didn't require hand signs. With a faint smile, Shinobi Kael clapped his hands together, and a pulse of unique energy surged from his body. His upper torso bloomed with intertwining vines and branches, spreading outward like living armor.
"How about that?" Shinobi Kael asked proudly.
"That's… incredible," Pirate Kael began, but before he could finish, a strange sensation rippled through his body.
He instinctively mimicked Shinobi Kael's gesture and to their shock, branches burst from his own skin as well.
He was using Wood Release.
Both Kaels froze.
Shinobi Kael's jaw dropped. "You can use my power… then that must mean your abilities, I might be able to use them too."
Pirate Kael nodded slowly. "That's what it looks like. Unfortunately, I don't know how to use any of my powers yet."
"Wait."
Shinobi Kael closed his eyes and focused inward. His expression turned to shock. "My chakra it's more active than usual. At least twice as strong!"
"Maybe the more of 'us' there are," Pirate Kael guessed, "the faster our strength grows?"
"That makes sense!" Shinobi Kael's eyes sparkled with excitement. "If we can find and reconnect with all of our selves across the multiverse, we could become unstoppable!"
Before they could continue, thick fog began to rise within the temple, swirling around them like living mist. Both felt their consciousness being pulled away.
"Who knows when we'll meet again," Shinobi Kael said earnestly. "But you need to get stronger fast!"
Kael nodded, and in the next instant, his awareness snapped back to reality. Agonizing pain shot through his chest. The branding iron had just been lifted from his skin.
Though he had spent what felt like hours in the temple, only a moment had passed in the real world.
The jailer sneered, seeing Kael awaken so quickly. "Awake already? Good. Let's see how you handle another round." He raised the iron again.
But he didn't notice Kael's charred flesh was already healing, the burn marks vanishing at an impossible speed.
Chakra was flowing through his body now alive, vibrant.
A surge of power exploded inside him. With a furious roar, Kael broke free from his chains.
The jailer's eyes widened in terror. Before he could react, Kael's hand clamped around his throat, vines and roots bursting from Kael's arms, coiling tightly around the man.
Crack. Crack.
Bones splintered under the pressure.
"A… Devil Fruit user?" the jailer gasped, his face twisted in disbelief. Regret filled his eyes before life drained from them entirely.
Kael let the body fall. "Time to move."
Killing a World Noble's servant within the Holy Land of Mary Geoise was nothing short of treason against the Celestial Dragons themselves. Staying here even a moment longer was suicide.
But escaping wasn't so simple.
"If I run without a plan, I'll never make it out alive," Kael muttered.
A Marine Admiral was permanently stationed here to protect the Celestial Dragons. The base swarmed with elite soldiers and on top of that, there was CP0, the shadowy intelligence agency of monsters.
With his current strength, he couldn't hope to slip past them all.
"I'll need a distraction… something big enough to throw everything into chaos."
Then an idea sparked he remembered Fisher Tiger's legendary assault, when he set fire to the Holy Land itself.
A dangerous smile tugged at Kael's lips. "Guess I'll just have to follow his example."
He slipped through the dark corridors, retracing his steps until he reached the prisoners' quarters.
When he appeared before the three sisters, their eyes lit up with relief only to widen in fear.
Kael hadn't been brought back by guards. He'd come on his own.
There was only one possible explanation.
The second sister, Sandersonia, trembled. "You… you didn't kill the jailer, did you?"
Kael nodded once.
Marigold's entire body shook.
They had dreamed of killing their tormentors countless times, but fear of the Celestial Dragons' wrath always stopped them.
The eldest, Hancock, stared at the young man in stunned silence. From the moment she met him, she had sensed there was something different about him but never imagined he'd dare something this bold.
Fear warred with exhilaration inside her. Kael had done what she never dared to.
"You have to run," Hancock urged in a trembling whisper. "If the Celestial Dragons find out, your fate will be worse than death."
"I know," Kael said calmly. "But before I leave, I'm setting everyone free."
"What?" Sandersonia and Marigold gasped.
"You can't!" Hancock hissed. "You have no idea how many slaves are imprisoned here. You'll never get them all out!"
She wanted to save him she truly did but even she knew this act would draw the wrath of the entire World Government.
Kael didn't respond. He crouched down instead, pressing his hands against the cold stone floor.
Vines began to stir beneath his palms.
The time for escape and rebellion had come.
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