"Rumble…"
Without any warning—
Within the enormous underground training grounds—
Space itself suddenly distorted and trembled.
Danzo Shimura, Mū, and the others instantly turned pale in shock.
They felt as though they had fallen into an inescapable swamp, their bodies on the verge of being torn apart.
Immediately—
All of them rapidly retreated.
"BOOM… BOOM…"
The massive training grounds collapsed in an instant.
Countless rocks scattered everywhere as smoke and dust billowed wildly.
A long while later—
Danzo, Mū, Torune Aburame, and the others widened their eyes.
Within the ruins ahead—
A perfect green figure stood proudly.
It was none other than Akira Ren, still maintaining Sage Mode and completely unharmed.
"Fortunately, I restrained the power of the technique somewhat… otherwise the entire Root base would probably have been destroyed…"
Looking at the ruins below, Akira Ren's eyes flickered.
"The terrifying energy released from the collision between two Sage-level Dust Releases actually distorted space itself?"
Even he had not expected—
That within the Netherworld Space created by the dōjutsu Ōanamuchi—
The collision between the two Dust Releases used simultaneously by himself and his Wood Clone while in Sage Mode—
Would possess such horrifying power.
Although it had not reached the point of shattering the dimensional barrier—
It had undeniably distorted space itself.
The ruined training grounds were the best possible proof.
"Powerful strength really does make people addicted…"
Recalling that incomparably overwhelming clash of power—
Akira could not help sighing emotionally.
The sensation of wielding supreme power—
Was simply too intoxicating.
Even he could not help becoming immersed in it.
"Whoosh! Whoosh…"
One Root member after another rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
Danzo frowned and coldly ordered:
"This matter does not concern you. Withdraw!"
"Yes!"
"You will remain within Root for the time being, acting as one of its members while assisting Danzo and the others in perfecting Nue's defects and developing forbidden techniques…"
Akira ignored the Root members and directly addressed Mū:
"If needed, I'll summon you again."
Without question—
The Second Tsuchikage possessed astonishing talent in the development of ninjutsu and forbidden techniques.
Even if he was inferior to the Second Hokage—
Overall, he was still extraordinarily capable.
The mere fact that he developed the Bloodline Elimination: Dust Release already proved this point.
For such a person—
His true value clearly did not lie merely in serving as combat power.
Having him cooperate with Danzo's Root organization in developing forbidden techniques—
Was the true definition of making full use of his talents.
Akira had long since taken interest in the creature named Nue—
The summoning beast Root cultivated using the First Hokage's cells, originally intended as a war weapon specifically for self-destruction.
However—
According to reports, it still possessed severe defects and remained incomplete.
Otherwise—
It truly would have been quite an impressive summoning beast.
"Yes—"
Mū nodded in acknowledgment.
Hearing Akira Ren's arrangement, Danzo could not help revealing a smile.
"It just so happens that the 'Ox Heavenly King' project has already reached a critical stage. Having a talent like the Second Tsuchikage assisting us could not be more suitable!"
"Oh, right…"
Akira shrugged.
"Organize all of Root's research materials and secret techniques related to space-time ninjutsu and hand them over to me!"
Although Nue was merely an optional summon to him—
That did not negate its strength and unique properties.
And if he remembered correctly—
Root had conducted a certain degree of research into Kaguya Otsutsuki's space-time dimensions and had already achieved some results.
They could seal the summoning beast Nue within an alternate dimension, allowing it to exist in the form of a mark.
Nue itself could even freely enter and exit that separate dimension.
However—
The current Nue was merely an unfinished product.
Naturally, Akira held little interest in it for now.
Still—
He required those space-time research materials.
Combined with the Flying Thunder God Technique of the Second Hokage—
He intended to attempt developing his own personal space-time ninjutsu.
After all—
The Flying Thunder God Second Step, which required specially marked kunai in order to perform space-time movement—
Was still too restrictive in actual combat.
He wanted to see whether it was possible to develop a far more efficient space-time ninjutsu—
One no longer limited to Flying Thunder God kunai, requiring no advance preparations whatsoever—
A technique capable of allowing instant teleportation completely at will.
That—
Would be the true perfected advanced version of the Body Flicker Technique.
"Danzo-sama!"
At that moment—
Several heavily injured Root members hurried over.
Their bodies were covered in blood, looking rather miserable.
In their hands—
They carried the corpse of a rather frail-looking figure who resembled a young girl.
This immediately attracted Akira Ren's attention.
Raising a brow, he asked:
"What's this?"
"Not long ago, we tracked down the whereabouts of the Kirigakure missing-nin and former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Raiga Kurosuki…"
The Root member leading the group reported solemnly:
"We originally intended to eliminate him, extract Kirigakure intelligence from his brain, and recover the Thunder Swords: Kiba along the way…"
"But we encountered a troublesome opponent and suffered heavy casualties among our elite members…"
"However, we did successfully heavily injure him, and he fell from a cliff. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the corpse, and it is suspected someone rescued him!"
"This child-like boy was Kurosuki Raiga's accomplice. He possessed a strange Kekkei Genkai with abilities similar to the Byakugan—capable of seeing through all obstructions, and even generating chakra illusions to interfere with the perception of others!"
"It was precisely because of his abilities that our losses were far greater than anticipated!"
"Unfortunately, he was too weak. He suffered injuries from ninjutsu during the battle and died!"
Listening to the report—
Not only did Akira Ren's eyes narrow—
Even Torune and the others revealed expressions of surprise.
"A boy? I thought it was a girl…"
"But he actually possessed perception abilities superior to the Byakugan?"
"How unbelievable…"
They looked curiously at the boy's corpse.
"If I'm not mistaken…"
The well-informed Mū pondered briefly before speaking to Akira Ren:
"That should be the Red Eyes, a bloodline that disappeared long ago…"
"Back during the Warring States Era, it was once known as the nemesis of the Byakugan!"
"Indeed, I've heard of it before. However, they were exterminated long ago by the Hyuga Clan together with several other clans…"
Danzo stroked his chin and nodded.
"It would seem this child is a descendant of that clan who survived and wandered among the common people!"
"So that's how it is…"
Akira suddenly understood.
Looking at the boy's corpse—
A bold idea suddenly surfaced in his mind.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Red Eyes, huh?"
"Perfect. Hand his corpse over to me!"
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