Chapter 9
Konoha Ninja Village—at the very top of the tallest building was the Hokage's office.
Obuya, guided by the middle-aged ninja, arrived at the door.
Just as the ninja was about to knock, a voice came from inside:
"Bring him in."
The door opened as if pushed by a gentle, invisible force.
Obuya peered inside and immediately saw an elderly man wearing the white Hokage cloak and a red conical hat. His hair was completely white, and his frame was somewhat thin.
Even from behind, it could only be Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Standing next to him was someone far more familiar to Obuya—Namikaze Minato, the one who had rescued him and brought him to Konoha. At this moment, Minato was wearing a gentle smile as he watched him.
Obuya felt no fear and walked in with steady steps.
"Obuya, I pay my respects to the Hokage!"
He performed the standard ninja salute, then bowed respectfully to Minato as well.
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around, smoking his pipe, and wore a kindly smile. He studied Obuya carefully, his expression calm and measured.
Obuya, in turn, observed the legendary figure before him.
"Minato told me that you possess an extremely rare Kekkei Genkai," Hiruzen said. "I was curious, so I had someone bring you here to take a closer look."
Obuya didn't say much. He knew they wanted to evaluate his worth. He extended his right hand, palm down. A swirl of white light emanated from his palm, then he pressed sharply downward.
The room suddenly stirred, though there was no wind. A whirl of energy spread outward, forming a half-circle light dome that enveloped the entire room.
"This… a barrier!"
Hiruzen, pipe paused at his lips, froze in surprise at the sight. His expression carried a hint of doubt.
Minato nodded beside him. "Indeed, it looks like a barrier. But… strange! Usually, such a barrier requires multiple people to cast. I've never heard of anyone being able to release one with just a hand gesture."
Hiruzen continued, "Within this barrier, there is a strange force. I'm not even sure if it originates from chakra, but anyone inside feels a certain degree of suppression."
Minato agreed with a nod.
Obuya spoke at the right moment: "I call this power the Surgical Barrier. Anyone I 'operate' on inside it—no matter how many pieces their body is divided into—will not die, bleed, or even feel pain."
"Truly an incredible power," Hiruzen said, clearly impressed. He glanced at the ninja who had brought Obuya in.
The ninja, a member of the Hokage's guards, understood Hiruzen's meaning with a glance and stepped forward.
"Boy, use me to demonstrate your Kekkei Genkai. Let the Hokage see if it truly is as extraordinary as you claim."
With that, he tossed his katana toward Obuya.
Obuya raised his hand, caught the hilt, and smoothly drew the blade.
Shiii!
With a single effortless strike, he severed the ninja's head, which rolled to the floor.
The gruesome sight made both Hiruzen and Minato blink in surprise.
The severed head spoke.
"Hokage-sama, as he said, I feel only slight pain. For a ninja, it's almost negligible."
Hiruzen stepped forward, inspecting the cleanly cut neck. The cross-section was smooth as a mirror, with no blood spilling.
"Amazing! Unbelievable! Such a Kekkei Genkai exists in this world. For our ninja world, this is an extraordinary discovery. However…"
Hiruzen's brow furrowed in thought.
Minato understood his concern and spoke up:
"However, this ability seems like an embryonic form of some greater power. You said you can assemble a human body inside the barrier as if building with blocks. If these were parts of another person, could you assemble them together?"
At Minato's question, Obuya immediately recognized the hidden implication.
If he could, it would mean he had the ability to transplant another's Kekkei Genkai—a revelation so extraordinary it could shock the world.
Obuya knew now was far too early to reveal everything.
Speaking the truth could bring more harm than good, potentially making him a tool for others' ambitions.
Obuya calmly replied, "At present, I do not possess such an ability. Whether I will in the future, I cannot say. No one can predict what lies ahead."
He wasn't entirely lying; at this point, he truly didn't have that power yet. Only upon advancing to a one-star demon would he gain the ability to modify human bodies.
Both Hiruzen and Minato nodded subtly, leaving Obuya unable to guess their thoughts.
Hiruzen chuckled. "Obuya, Konoha welcomes talented individuals. You are extraordinary, and your potential is limitless. Are you willing to join Konoha?"
Without hesitation, Obuya replied, "Hokage-sama, I was destined to die, but Minato-sama saved me. The village has given me the gift of a second life. I am willing to join Konoha and give everything in return, even my life."
Obuya had experience swearing allegiance. It was not about the words he spoke, but whether he hesitated.
He made his vow without a trace of doubt, which greatly pleased Hiruzen, who nodded repeatedly.
"Very good! From today, you are part of Konoha. Minato…"
Minato produced two items from somewhere and approached Obuya.
"These two items represent your Konoha ninja identity: a ninja forehead protector and a Konoha-specialized vest. The moment you take them, you truly become a member of Konoha Village."
Obuya had already decided to join. Without hesitation, he respectfully accepted both items.
…
Hiruzen walked to the window, smoking his pipe and blowing smoke rings. He looked down at Obuya walking farther away outside, his expression heavy.
He remained silent in thought, and Minato stayed quietly behind him.
"Minato, where did you first encounter him? I've lived a long life, but I've never heard of such a Kekkei Genkai," Hiruzen asked calmly.
"Hokage-sama, I saw him near a village that had been destroyed. It was very small, only a dozen households. From what I could tell, it had been wiped out by a bandit group," Minato explained.
Hiruzen nodded slightly.
"This Kekkei Genkai of his… I feel it is more than it appears. It may be a rare evolving ability, like the Sharingan."
He paused, then continued gravely, "This Kekkei Genkai may also be a rare transplantation ability. Most terrifying of all… in the future, he might be able to transplant others' Kekkei Genkai!"
Minato's face paled. "Perfectly transplanting Kekkei Genkai? If true, this could shake the entire ninja world."
"Huh? It seems the boy has run into some trouble," Hiruzen said, looking out the window.
Minato stepped forward and looked outside.
At that moment, Obuya had been blocked by a man in his path.