Chapter 61: Three Legendary Techniques, No Longer What He Was
During these three months, Yoru hadn't used the Flying Thunder God Technique to secretly leave Konoha and observe the war situation.
He held no interest in the Second Shinobi World War—not just because this conflict wasn't his stage.
More importantly... Yoru had zero interest in this world's "defending home and country."
Though he'd been reborn in this world as a "native," he remained a transmigrator from another world. Even as he began integrating into this world, Yoru still felt no emotional attachment to it.
He only held affection for specific important characters who'd been fictional in his previous life. If he happened to encounter them and helping required minimal effort, Yoru wouldn't mind rewriting their predetermined fates.
If they could bring him massive benefits—like Kushina Uzumaki and Orochimaru—Yoru would even actively approach and befriend them, then gradually reciprocate their feelings, coming to view them as important people in his life.
If they encountered danger or difficulties, Yoru would help them with everything he had, even exposing his Space-Time bloodline if necessary.
As for other people's life and death? What business was that of his?
Beyond this point, another critical reason explained why Yoru hadn't gone to observe the war situation.
Namely, at that time, Yoru's Space-Time Yin Seal had just formed without any stored Space-Time chakra yet. Rashly leaving Konoha would make him easily discovered by White Zetsu, drawing Madara Uchiha's attention.
The Spore Technique, Mayfly Technique, and Transformation Technique—these three jutsu in some ways rivaled even Shippuden's three legendary techniques: Reanimation Jutsu, Flying Thunder God Technique, and Eight Gates.
The clones created by the Spore Technique wouldn't disappear even if the original body died. They were completely independent entities.
Moreover, these clones could attach to others to hide while transmitting real-time information to the original body.
The Transformation Technique—by absorbing someone's chakra, one could not only assume their appearance but perfectly replicate their chakra signature. Even the most familiar people and top-tier sensory ninja couldn't distinguish true from false.
If one could hide malicious intent, even the Nine-Tails' good-evil sensing would struggle to detect it.
However, the most absurd was the Mayfly Technique.
The Spore and Transformation Techniques could at least be considered ultimate versions of the Clone and Transformation Techniques, possessing only cloning and transformation abilities.
But the Mayfly Technique combined Body Flicker and Concealment abilities.
When activating this jutsu, the user became one with the earth, severing all presence. No one could detect the user's chakra signature.
Beyond concealment, the user could also travel at high speed through organic networks like underground plant roots and subterranean water flows—even barriers couldn't stop them.
Precisely through this technique, Black Zetsu had never been discovered by Hagoromo and Hamura Otsutsuki. He'd even dared bewitch Indra while those brothers still lived.
When even ultimate dojutsu couldn't detect it, Yoru—whose Space-Time chakra couldn't completely leave his body yet and whose sensory abilities hadn't sublimated into spatial perception—naturally couldn't possibly discover Black and White Zetsu's existence.
His desperate desire for the Flying Thunder God Technique also stemmed from worry about being discovered and targeted by this thousand-year-old schemer.
After all, back then Yoru possessed neither ultra-long-range teleportation nor strong defenses against assassination.
However, now...
In his room, Yoru stood before a full-length mirror, buttoning his shirt while examining the young man in the reflection. He grinned. "No longer what I was!"
The reflected youth stood 170 centimeters tall, his form straight as a pine tree. The physique revealed through unbuttoned shirt showed clear definition and balanced muscle.
As he finished buttoning up, his hand passed across his chest.
Just above the chest cavity, that black diamond seal had grown far more vivid compared to its appearance three months ago.
Donning his black jacket, besides white hair and striking white eyelashes, Yoru now wore black from head to toe.
Except for a twenty-centimeter height difference and a more youthful face, Yoru's appearance increasingly resembled Gojo Satoru.
He retrieved two wristband-style storage scrolls. One sealed his chakra blade, the other sealed a ninja tool pouch filled with Flying Thunder God kunai.
Pulling down his sleeves to conceal both storage scrolls, Yoru then retrieved the Sword of the Thunder God—which when not in use was merely a flashlight-shaped hilt—and placed it in his large-capacity pocket.
Patting his jacket, which showed neither bulge nor affected his appearance, Yoru felt extremely satisfied with his design.
After completing all preparations, Yoru walked out of his room with hands in his pockets.
Kushina Uzumaki, who'd been waiting in the living room, immediately approached. Rather than their usual banter, her expression filled with worry as she cautioned: "Yoru, whatever mission this is, please be extremely careful. I'll wait at home for your return."
"Don't worry. I'm the strongest, after all."
Yoru couldn't help starting another "try not to laugh" challenge.
Patting Kushina's head, Yoru seemed to remember something and cautioned in return: "While I'm away, don't train sensory abilities in the wilderness alone. Remember to always carry your Flying Thunder God kunai."
"Hehe... I always keep it with me and only wear clothes with Flying Thunder God seals." Kushina patted her ninja tool pouch, then raised her hand to show the seal on her sleeve.
"Smart girl. Wait for my return."
Yoru smiled as he rubbed Kushina's cute round face, then his figure vanished without warning.
"Hokage-sama, Genin Gojo Yoru reporting."
In the Hokage's office, Yoru met Hiruzen Sarutobi again after many months.
Unlike his initial respectful demeanor, having mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, Yoru acted increasingly casual before Hiruzen.
Like now—Yoru didn't bow in salute but simply raised his right hand as though greeting an acquaintance.
"Long time no see, Yoru. You've grown taller again."
Far from minding Yoru's attitude, Hiruzen quite liked this casual manner. It showed their relationship had grown less distant.
Yoru had become a member of the Hokage faction—he'd be one of Hiruzen's trump cards in the future.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe. Rather than immediately assigning Yoru's mission, he made small talk, advising: "Though Orochimaru isn't in the village, missions aren't limited to high-level assignments outside the village. There are also D-rank missions helping the village and villagers with trivial matters. Young people should develop social connections—don't always think only about training."
"But... isn't accepting missions independently something only chunin can do? I'm still a genin." Yoru looked somewhat puzzled.
"The rule states only chunin can independently lead teams on C-rank missions. It doesn't include accepting D-rank missions." Hiruzen explained. "You yourself are the team leader. You can completely come accept D-rank missions alone."
"Moreover, with your current mission record, you already qualify to participate in the Chunin Exams."
"However, the shinobi world hasn't been peaceful lately. This year's Chunin Exams might be canceled. Promotions will likely occur through mission performance evaluations instead."
Hiruzen finally reached the main topic, his expression turning grave. "Therefore... I have a special mission for you."
"I understand. Please give your orders, Hokage-sama." Yoru straightened seriously.
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