Zenji's hand seals shifted instantly. His expression turned serious.
"Fire Release: Will-o'-the-Wisp Flame Bullet!"
He exhaled. Yellow-white flames roared forth.
Hiruko spun around, facing the fireball that towered above his head with both palms extended.
"A futile attack."
But the moment he made contact with those yellow-white flames, his expression twisted.
The chakra was absorbed—but thick white smoke rushed at his face, carrying a pungent odor and obvious toxicity.
Hiruko retreated hastily, distancing himself from the cloud. But the palm he pulled back trailed a cluster of yellow-white fire.
Ninjutsu whose chakra was absorbed by Dark Release would be greatly weakened. A simple layer of chakra should have blocked it entirely.
Yet these flames merely touched his palm and stuck directly to the skin.
The burning yellow-white fire was finally extinguished with tremendous difficulty. Bone-deep pain radiated from his hand.
Sweat rolled down Hiruko's forehead. His face turned deathly pale. His other hand gripped his trembling palm.
Disbelief filled his voice as he stared at the Sharingan child opposite him.
"What kind of Fire Release is this? How could even Dark Release fail to completely absorb it?"
Zenji ignored him entirely. He formed seals and expelled another cluster of white-yellow flames.
After launching, they exploded immediately—transforming into patches of fire that flew toward Hiruko from all directions like burning butterflies.
Hiruko raised his injured hand. The flames on it had finally dissipated.
The mark on his palm glowed. A large burst of flames erupted in response.
Also yellow-white—but the color was slightly paler, lacking that thick smoke.
Truly unexpected. A Fire Release developed by referencing white phosphorus could actually be extinguished.
Zenji stepped back, glancing at Hiruko's charred palm.
He hadn't anticipated that white phosphorus refined and condensed from chakra would be absorbed by Dark Release itself.
Though the process was slower—allowing the Will-o'-the-Wisp to cause some damage—it fell far short of his theoretical projections.
The two flames collided, emitting a burst of thick white-yellow smoke.
Hiruko charged up from the side, rapidly closing the distance.
His eyes fixed on Zenji. Unconcealed joy made him almost giddy.
Zenji had already completed his seals. His gaze shifted slightly—and he stopped his attack.
This didn't escape Hiruko's notice. His pupils contracted. Before he could react—
An irresistible force struck him.
SMACK.
Zenshu's large hand closed around Hiruko's throat, lifting him from behind.
The power of Idle Transfiguration made his body stiffen. His soul fainted instantly.
"Hiruko? Chimera Technique?" Pleasant surprise flickered in Zenshu's cloudy eyes. "A pillow arriving just when you're feeling sleepy."
Polymorphic Soul Isomer. Chimera Technique. Star Core Virtual Mass...
Unfortunately, he's only researched to the single-fusion state. Not yet approaching the quintuple-fusion limit from the original plot.
Slight regret colored the thought.
Within moments, every secret in Hiruko's soul was swept clean.
Not only his self-created technique, but also the Dark Release he'd obtained. Even the location of his research base and all acquired materials lay completely exposed.
One particular memory caught Zenshu's attention: a special branch Hiruko had harvested.
That branch could absorb chakra and vitality while possessing dangerous polluting and distorting properties.
He'd obtained it recently. Finding it too dangerous, he'd considered destroying it—but remained reluctant and was still deliberating.
A remnant branch of the God Tree?
Zenshu's eyes lit up.
This was a valuable find.
When the Sage of Six Paths sealed the Ten-Tails, he'd left quite a few fragments behind.
A portion became material for certain Six Paths Sacred Treasures. The remainder was destroyed by Asura and Indra.
Those surviving to the present day were extraordinarily rare.
For Hiruko to obtain a forearm-length piece could be considered extremely fortunate.
Unfortunately, he hadn't recognized its value. His abilities were insufficient to harness the branch, so destruction had crossed his mind.
With a thought, Zenshu erased that specific memory.
Only then did he turn his gaze to Zenji. His attention lingered on those eyes for a moment before shifting aside.
Gojo Satoru stood in the distance, holding the unconscious Kakashi while hovering slightly off the ground.
"Do you want me to modify things? Hide the Sharingan."
"No need." Zenji shook his head slightly. "Since you're still alive, no one threatens me."
He'd never planned to hide the Sharingan to begin with.
"Then grow up quickly. I won't live many more years." Zenshu's voice sounded even more aged than before.
"Bring Kakashi. Come with me to the Hokage Building."
He turned and walked toward the urban center.
Gojo Satoru floated after him, Kakashi dangling from his right hand.
Zenji followed at the rear, his Sharingan gradually fading to normal.
A remnant limb of the God Tree? I wonder if it's a real object shaped purely from Yin-Yang chakra.
The group moved swiftly, soon entering the populated district.
Kakashi was the Fourth Hokage's disciple and the son of Konoha's White Fang. Many villagers recognized him.
"Isn't that Kakashi? Why has he fainted?"
"Who are these people? Why did they capture Kakashi?"
"...They look like those people from the Land of Bears who just joined."
"Look at the one in front! Isn't that the defector Hiruko?"
Some older residents recognized Hiruko. After all, he'd been a friend of the Sannin and a Jonin powerhouse—hardly a nobody.
Suddenly, four dark figures landed around them, forming a perimeter.
All four wore animal masks. The leader gripped a short blade, gaze fixed solemnly on Zenshu.
"You came just in time. Accompany me to see the Hokage."
Zenshu stepped forward, giving these ANBU ninjas no chance to speak—issuing an order instead.
The squad leader was shaken by that presence. His leg lifted to retreat before he caught himself and stopped.
"Lord Zenshu, what happened to Kakashi?"
"He was attacked by this person in my hand and fainted. If you have questions, wake him up right now."
As he spoke, Zenshu bypassed them and continued toward the Hokage Building.
Gojo Satoru floated over and handed off Kakashi.
Seeing this, the ANBU squad leader quickly signaled his team to follow Zenshu's group.
He himself leaped away to reach the Hokage Building first.
Upon arrival, that same ANBU ninja stood waiting at the main entrance. Kakashi was already gone.
"Please follow me. Lord Hokage and the advisors are in the office."
The ninja led the way.
The group ascended to the second floor and entered the spacious office.
Minato Namikaze sat behind the desk wearing the Hokage uniform.
On the left stood the two advisors. On the right: Hokage Assistant Danzo Shimura and the Third Hokage.
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]