[Fusion successful. Congratulations, Host has obtained the improved trait: Wood Release Cells · Fragment (Blue).
Cell division rate of Wood Release cells has decreased.]
With the reinforcement from Wood Release · Wooden Lock Wall, the fragmentary Wood Release cells finally showed real improvement.
Especially the ability to control the cell-division speed — it was now clearly noticeable.
Uchiha Ren closed his eyes and sensed his body for a moment.
The rate of cell division inside him had already dropped to about half.
That discovery made him exhale in relief.
"Good. At least it can be improved."
"Otherwise, the dual drain on body and mind would've been way too heavy for a tiny old me."
Who would've thought that Wood Release, originally meant to balance the Mangekyō's consumption, would end up consuming him together with it instead?
"I hate defective products…"
He muttered and shifted his gaze.
At that moment, he suddenly noticed that another trait floating above him was quietly changing.
The once pitch-black, almost purple-dark [Seven-Year Itch] had dimmed slightly.
The suffocating heaviness faded, and the black light cluster began to churn and transform.
Not long after, the original name changed into—
Six-Year Cycle.
[Detected: Host has spent six years gaining the power to alter fate. Trait is undergoing metamorphosis.]
[After completion, Host will obtain Divine-grade Trait: Six-Six Great Fortune (Rainbow).]
"Six-Six Great Fortune? What kind of trait is that?"
Seeing the system prompt, Ren's dark pupils lit up instantly.
He only had two rainbow-grade traits so far.
But both Light-Gold Body and Weak Presence were conceptual-level abilities —
they were the foundation that allowed him to safely loot corpses and grow steadily.
Naturally, his expectations for this new trait skyrocketed.
Unfortunately, Yamato had already woken up and been knocked out several times.
The sky was nearly dark, yet the trait showed no sign of finishing its evolution.
It remained a hazy blur hovering above him.
"Fine. You evolve on your own."
Moonlight grew brighter.
A silver beam poured through the forest canopy, slanting down onto the edge of the crater, flickering across Ren's face.
After waiting the entire day, he finally confirmed—
This trait's evolution would not be quick.
Or perhaps…
"Could it really require completely changing the Massacre Night before it finishes evolving?"
"If that's the case, I can't keep waiting for that traitor Itachi. He's way too slow."
He rolled his stiff neck.
Crackling sounds echoed throughout his body.
Only he knew how painful it was to stay motionless all day, only smacking Yamato whenever he woke up.
"Ugh… my head hurts… feels like I've been beaten up…"
Below, Yamato — knocked out for the seventh time — rubbed his head groggily.
He really felt like his skull was splitting.
"You awake again?"
Ren lifted his hand instinctively, ready to knock him out once more —
When suddenly, movement rustled behind him.
Sha… sha…
A tall figure slowly emerged from behind the trees.
Silver hair, mask covering the face.
Kakashi stepped out, looking awkward.
"Ahem… Ren, if you keep hitting him, this guy's brain is going to explode."
"Oh? Kakashi-senpai. Surveillance these days is so blatant you're just walking up to me now?"
Ren glanced sideways indifferently — though the corner of his mouth curled faintly.
The fish took the bait.
Although Kakashi was still in the seven-day cooldown period for trait copying — meaning Ren had zero interest in chatting —
But Kakashi's chakra fluctuations when he saw Yamato injured were obvious.
That meant their relationship had already grown fairly close.
And Ren just happened to need a stable NPC for farming Wood Release.
After all, aside from Danzo, Yamato was the only remaining Wood Release source.
Danzo was practically a dead man — not many chances left to farm him.
But Yamato? He'd live a long time.
If Ren got lucky and copied First Hokage cells, a few fusions might even create a legendary trait.
Kakashi walked closer, shock still lingering in his eyes.
He already knew this second young master of the Uchiha was extraordinary — mysterious, elusive, capable of detecting him silently and disappearing just as quietly.
But what had he witnessed today?
Ren beating Yamato from the academy gates all the way to the outskirts of the village — without holding back.
Kakashi had clearly seen that Yamato's ribs were mostly broken.
If Ren kept hitting him, Yamato might actually die.
That was why Kakashi had stepped in.
Unfortunately for him…
He'd walked straight into danger himself.
Kakashi forced a dry smile and gestured toward Yamato.
"This one's different from other Root members. He… has his own thoughts. He's a good person."
Translation: He's a good guy. Don't beat him.
"Not my problem," Ren replied flatly.
Kakashi's awkwardness deepened.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Inside the crater, Yamato struggled to push himself upright.
He'd heard everything.
A flash of humiliation crossed his eyes.
"Ka-Kakashi-senpai, you don't need to beg f—"
BOOM!
Another crushing force slammed down.
Ren leapt straight up and dropped like a bolt of lightning!
His speed was absurd.
His foot smashed straight down.
CRACK — THUD!
Yamato was stomped back into the center of the crater, nearly embedded into the ground.
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
His injuries were now severe.
"So fast! Ren's taijutsu rivals a normal jōnin!"
"I've never heard of Uchiha specializing in physical combat like this…"
Kakashi's pupils shrank sharply.
Ren's speed was so fast he could barely catch the afterimage.
But seeing Yamato's condition made Kakashi anxious.
"Kinoe! Stop!"
He didn't know what state of mind Ren was in right now.
But concern for Yamato forced him to act.
Crackle—crackle—
Lightning gathered in Kakashi's right hand.
Blue-white arcs spread through the air.
Lightning Release · Chidori!
Extreme speed. Overwhelming penetration.
Powerful enough to tear through Wood Release.
He couldn't afford to hold back.
To avoid losing track of Ren's movements, he even uncovered his left eye.
Three scarlet tomoe spun within.
Sharingan.
Then his body turned into a streak of lightning and shot forward.
Zzzzt—
Only thunder echoed in the air.
Zzzzt—
SNAP!
In the instant of contact, the lightning shattered.
A massive crimson hand crushed it apart.
Ren's left foot still pressed down on Yamato's chest.
His other small hand, transformed into a gigantic crimson chakra palm, clenched Kakashi's throat tightly from two meters away.
A trace of violent excitement flickered in Ren's eyes as he smiled mockingly.
"Kakashi… using something stolen from the Uchiha against an Uchiha."
"Don't you think that's a little naïve?"
Kakashi struggled violently in midair.
But the moment he lifted his head — he froze.
Reflected clearly in front of him—
Was his own pathetic figure…
Inside a complete pair of three-tomoe Sharingan eyes.
Want More? Get up to +60 Extra Chapters on Patreon!
➤ https://www.patreon.com/MythArcStudio
➤ +300 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter Drop!
Thanks for the support!