Mass.
That was Hyūga Ming's final choice.
If his only goal were to conceal his identity, then the first option—True Form—was undeniably powerful. But in the long run, it offered little growth potential.
Besides, a max-level Transformation Technique might already be enough to fool others.
As for the second option—Simulate—the uncertainties were simply too great.
Physical attributes were a composite of many factors: bloodline, talent, chakra. He couldn't be sure that, lacking those foundations, a transformation could truly preserve the target's physical strength.
In the end, Hyūga Ming chose the most reliable option.
Mass.
At a glance, this option had enormous future potential and, more importantly, it was stable.
[Transformation Technique (lv10 – Max Level)]
Trait: Mass
A far more complex body of transformation knowledge flooded into his mind.
If Hyūga Ming had to evaluate it—this level of Transformation Technique completely surpassed the current era of shinobi techniques.
It was a jutsu that should not exist in this age.
Just like Substitution Technique, once it reached max level and gained a trait, it became a technique that transcended generations.
In theory, Hyūga Ming could teach this technique to others.
In practice? Impossible.
Not because the technique itself was difficult—but because it required a vast amount of prerequisite knowledge and conceptual understanding that ordinary shinobi simply didn't possess.
He only understood it because the system had directly implanted that knowledge into his mind.
"I can barely protect myself," Hyūga Ming muttered. "Why would I even think about teaching others?"
Until he had sufficient strength, there was no way he'd pass something like this on.
At most, he'd sell off skill books or equipment he didn't need—those wouldn't affect him much.
"But this Transformation Technique…"
"…it's honestly insane."
He carefully experienced the finer details of the technique.
Ordinary Transformation Techniques could alter appearance, but the user's form and mass remained unchanged.
You couldn't turn into a pebble by the roadside, nor into a massive boulder or mountain.
But now?
As long as he was willing to burn chakra, he could ignore all of those rules.
From something as small as a needle to something as vast as a mountain range—
the only limitation was chakra consumption.
At his current level, such extremes were completely unsustainable.
Seventy-two transformations, indeed.
"Obviously I can't pull off something that ridiculous yet…"
"…but I can do this."
Hyūga Ming formed the Ram seal.
His chakra began to fluctuate at an eerie, unfamiliar frequency.
"Transformation Technique · Water Transformation!"
Poof!
Smoke erupted.
Hyūga Ming's body became translucent—almost liquid.
He reached a hand toward his own chest.
It passed straight through.
Then it emerged from his back.
"…So I don't even need a Devil Fruit to use elemental intangibility."
"At least in some sense… I'm kind of invincible now?"
He was still marveling—
Poof!
The smoke burst again.
Hyūga Ming reverted to normal and collapsed flat onto the floor, eyes unfocused as he stared at the ceiling.
"…I'm out of chakra."
"No—wait, what the hell? Why does this drain chakra even faster than Substitution?"
He wore a bitter expression.
Using that transformation left him completely unable to fight.
He immediately pulled out a Low-Grade Mana Potion and downed it in one gulp.
Cold, slightly bitter.
Only once the thin thread of chakra inside him began recovering did he finally sit up.
"…I almost killed myself experimenting."
After catching his breath, he quickly used Transformation again, turning back into Kimu.
This time, the transformation felt different.
More refined.
More real.
It felt like his own body—
not like wearing a disguise.
Previous transformations had always felt like slipping on a layer of clothing.
That sensation was gone now.
He glanced at his pitiful remaining 232 EXP.
Useless for anything at the moment.
Activating his Byakugan, he looked toward Kusamori's room.
The man wasn't resting—he was seated at his desk, writing something.
"…Hard at work, huh."
Hyūga Ming's lips curled upward slightly.
"This mission was led by myself, Kusamori…"
Kusamori was drafting the mission report—detailing the outcome and carefully polishing any questionable points.
This report would be sent to Lord Hanzo.
As long as Hanzo saw how smoothly the mission had been completed, Kusamori's standing would surely rise.
Though his body was still weak, the excitement in his heart couldn't be suppressed.
That was the hero of the Rain Country.
Hanzo of the Salamander.
Rain's current leader, Shōzō, still held the title of Kage—but he commanded far less loyalty.
Shōzō merely represented legitimacy.
Hanzo represented power.
To outsiders, smaller hidden villages feared Hanzo alone.
Some would flee at the mere mention of his name.
As for the Five Great Villages?
They'd scoff.
"Hanzo of the Salamander? Who?"
"Some nobody?"
To them, small villages weren't even on the same plane of existence.
They acknowledged Shōzō as a Kage—barely.
Hanzo? They didn't care.
But for Amegakure, Hanzo was a living legend.
"Kusamori-sama,"
a ghostly voice spoke from behind him,
"why isn't my name on there?"
Kusamori shuddered violently.
He whipped around.
Kimu stood behind him, staring silently.
At some point, a bronze blade had appeared in his hand.
Where does he keep pulling these weapons from!?
And worse—
How had this man gotten behind him without being noticed?
Was he really that weakened?
Kusamori swallowed hard.
"I was just about to write it… just about to."
Fear had crept in.
Partly because he was weakened—but mostly because he feared Kimu losing control.
This man's bloodlust was terrifying.
For the sake of his own life, Kusamori dutifully wrote Kimu's contributions into the report.
Even so, resentment lingered.
One man claiming the credit versus two—how could that be the same?
If he'd still been strong enough, he would've taken all the credit for himself.
Kimu's name would have appeared—
as a fallen comrade.
What a shame.
Hyūga Ming watched him finish writing, nodding slightly.
"Alright, Kusamori-sama. You can send the report now."
Seeing that Kimu had no intention of leaving until it was done, Kusamori sighed internally.
He took out a summoning scroll, spread it across the desk, placed the report on top, bit his thumb, and pressed it down.
Poof!
Smoke rose.
The completed report vanished.
Hyūga Ming watched thoughtfully.
Kusamori hadn't used hand seals at all—very different from his own summoning method.
As for why the difference existed…
He had no idea.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
http://patreon.com/KuroTL