Unremarkable Steel Style (update 1/3)

The changes that Jiraiya noticed were not the changes that occurred during the three years he was away from Konoha after his last departure.

What he saw was himself being brought back by Teacher Sarutobi, witnessing the changes that occurred after the Fifth Hokage took office and reorganized the Konoha organization.

This period of time was really short, only 9 days.

However, the Ninja demolished the illegal buildings that made the streets narrow and difficult to navigate.

The Ninja repaired the potholes in the road that were filled with water and dust.

The houses on both sides of the road, which had been in disrepair for years and were even dilapidated, were repaired by the Ninja.

Even the haphazardly strung and tangled electrical wires, a problem that used to be a headache, can now be seen being neatly reorganized by Ninja.

Jiraiya discovered that the visible signs of decay in Konoha after the Uchiha Clan incident had completely disappeared.

In just a few days, everything became tidy and orderly.

After noticing this situation, he became increasingly alarmed and bewildered as he looked at it.

In Jiraiya's view, the Fifth Hokage Shazo, didn't cause much trouble.

Shazo, upon becoming Hokage, assigned only a few tasks on his very first day.

After bringing Tsunade back, he focused even more on his own training, leaving all other tasks to the other Konoha Ninja.

Two days ago, he left Konoha to capture Orochimaru, and then he immersed himself in training again.

Although Shazo wasn't as busy with heavy work every day as the Third Hokage, Konoha was revitalized, becoming vibrant and orderly.

This is truly unbelievable.

The changes in Konoha are certainly a good thing, but for Jiraiya, they don't seem to be a good thing at all.

With Konoha restored to order, how could Jiraiya still freely leave the village and wander the Ninja World world in search of the Child of Destiny?

Jiraiya sat atop the Third Hokage's head, staring blankly at the tidy Konoha, unsure of what to do.

Must I become missing-nin of Konoha, driven by the Great Toad Sage's prophecy and the search for the Child of Destiny?

But he Jiraiya sought the Child of Destiny in order to protect the Ninja World, and the purpose of protecting the Ninja World was to protect Konoha.

Wouldn't doing that reverse the priorities?

After much thought, Jiraiya still couldn't find a suitable solution, and that's when he realized he was trapped in Konoha.

We can't leave.

Jiraiya still had a way to leave Konoha, but it wouldn't make a difference.

Because the only way now is to go to Mount Myōboku using the [Reverse Summoning Technique].

However, when leaving Mount Myōboku, one still has to return to Konoha.

Only with the guidance of other Mount Myōboku contractors can one be sent by the Great Toad Sage to the location of the other contractors, without having to return to the place where the [Reverse Summoning Technique] occurred.

Since Minato Namikaze's death, Jiraiya is now the only contractor left with Mount Myōboku, and they are walking different paths.

Jiraiya, a thought flashed through Jiraiya's mind: why not ask the Great Toad Sage about the problem he couldn't figure out? He was so wise; he must have a solution.

Without hesitation, Jiraiya immediately used the Summoning Technique to summon the Toad, and after communicating with it, he immediately dispelled the Summoning Technique.

Soon, Jiraiya turned into a wisp of white smoke and disappeared.

A few minutes later, Chunin Uchiha En arrived at the Hokage's office and reported to Shazo, "Fifth Hokage, Lord Jiraiya used the [Reverse Summoning Technique] through the Toad of Mount Myōboku. He must have gone to Mount Myōboku."

Shazo sneered, "It seems Jiraiya going to seek help from the giant Toad. My plan to preserve the Konoha Sannin is probably thwarted."

"Let's see what kind of solution the Great Toad Sage, who can see into the future, can come up with for Jiraiya."

After that Shazo stopped caring about the matter and continued to ponder the fusion of Kekkei Tōta.

He set his sights on Steel Style.

The reason is simple: the Konoha Ninja discovered information about the Steel Style Ninja.

Although intelligence indicates that the Steel Style Ninja is not powerful, and even the Steel Style itself does not have the strength of Kekkei Tōta, it only demonstrates the strength of Kekkei Genkai.

The Ninja World's research on Kekkei Genkai is so poor that they can't even figure out the strengths and weaknesses.

For example, the Dark Style, which can absorb all Chakra, and the indestructible Steel Style, which are clearly powerful beings on par with the Dust Release, which can disintegrate all things, are actually classified as Kekkei Genkai.

As for the even more incredible abilities like Shikotsumyaku, Byakugan, and Sharingan, they were all crammed into the category of Kekkei Genkai.

Therefore, Shazo completely disregarded the description in the intelligence report and decided to try obtaining his flesh and blood first.

The Steel Style Ninja hails from the Hidden River Village in the Land of Rivers. When the Konoha Ninja Shisui Uchiha came to him, it meant that the Konoha needed his flesh and blood.

Upon hearing this, the Steel Style Ninja Jie, did not hesitate to cut off his own flesh and bleed, carefully sealed it up, and respectfully handed it to Shisui Uchiha.

Immediately bow down to the powerful and fulfill all their demands.

This is the essential awareness for Ninja from small countries that live between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire. Even if Awakening their Kekkei Genkai, they cannot stubbornly resist.

Because it's not just one person who dies.

When Shisui Uchiha handed the flesh and blood of the Steel Style Ninja to Shazo, he couldn't help but ask with doubt, "Fifth Hokage, that Ninja was really weak. Is Steel Style truly beyond the reach of Kekkei Genkai?"

Shazo chuckled and said, "Since when Kekkei Genkai and Kekkei Tōta been determined by the strength of Ninja?"

Shisui was completely bewildered. "Huh? Isn't that how it is?"

Shazo said, "After you came back, I also showed you the information on the Wood Release Ninja, Tenzo."

"You know how big the gap is between my strength and Tenzo's. Our Wood Release are also worlds apart, but he has undoubtedly Awakening the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai as well."

Shisui Uchiha shook his head repeatedly, then nodded.

Both Tenzo and Shazo possess Wood Release, and the trees they create are almost identical, but the difference in scale is enormous. One is an ornamental tree planted in a courtyard, while the other is an endless Primeval Forest.

Shazo said, "The level of Kekkei Genkai and the strength of Ninja are complementary, but what plays a dominant role is the Ninja's own strength, not any Kekkei Genkai."

"If Ninja is inherently weak, Awakening a powerful Kekkei Genkai wouldn't be a good thing for him either."

"Kaguya Kimimaro, one of Orochimaru's subordinates, Awakening the Shikotsumyaku) very purely, but as a result, she developed a severe Kekkei Genkai illness and was in danger of dying at any time at only a teenager."

Shisui Uchiha nodded, then suddenly asked, "Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Itachi, did Itachi also suffer from Kekkei Genkai illness?"

Shazo nodded. "That's only natural. He was only 13 years old when he Awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan. His frail body couldn't withstand such a powerful bloodline."

"I dare say that Uchiha Itachi, that missing-nin ninja, will definitely not live past 35."

"If Orochimaru's information is accurate, he has been using the Mangekyō Sharingan quite frequently over the past three years; it would be difficult for him to live to 25."

Upon hearing this, Shisui Uchiha felt a pang of sadness, which was quickly overwhelmed by a raging fire of anger.

He said bitterly, "How could Uchiha Itachi die so quickly?"

"What!?"

Suddenly, a childish roar came from next door; it was Uchiha Sasuke had come to play with Naruto Uzumaki.

The child climbed over the wall from Uchiha Izumi's house and asked, "That bastard Itachi, that bastard, how come he only lived for such a short time!"

"If he dies, wouldn't I be unable to avenge my father and mother!"

"Lord Hokage, I want to graduate early! I want to become Ninja as soon as possible!"

Shazo gave Shisui Uchiha a wink, Shisui immediately flicked Sasuke on the forehead, making him clutch his head and squat on the ground.

Then Shazo finally spoke up, "No, I won't allow you to graduate early."

"Don't worry, Sasuke. Although Uchiha Itachi doesn't have long to live, it's enough time for you to grow up, then take him down and avenge your parents and clan."

"However, the prerequisite for you to do all this is that you must lay a solid foundation as Ninja and prepare for rapid growth a few years from now."

Uchiha Sasuke a few deep breaths to control his emotions and said softly, "I understand, Fifth Hokage. My apologies."

Although Sasuke still lost his parents and became an orphan, the Uchiha Clan still existed. Shisui Uchiha and Uchiha Izumi took good care of him and did not blame him because of Uchiha Itachi.

The care from his older cousins, along with Naruto Uzumaki's friendship and concern, prevented Sasuke from developing the twisted personality that Uchiha Itachi had hoped for.

More importantly, there's Shazo, the Ninja who clearly defeated Uchiha Itachi during the clan massacre.

He told Uchiha Sasuke with absolute certainty, "Sasuke, you have the potential to defeat Itachi."

He even promised, "Shisui and I will wait for you, wait for you to grow up, to personally defeat Uchiha Itachi, and to personally take his head."

Shazo's promise greatly comforted Uchiha Sasuke, allowing him to calmly and methodically study and grow at the Ninja Academy.

But Sasuke couldn't help but get anxious when he heard that Uchiha Itachi was dying.

He worried that his growth rate was too slow, which would prevent Uchiha Itachi from being punished and cause him to die of illness at an early age.

After apologizing to the Fifth Hokage, Sasuke thought about how he had been unable to Awakening his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, and he couldn't help but shed tears.

Uchiha Sasuke asked tearfully, "Lord Hokage, how can I further Awakening my Sharingan?"

Shazo shook his head and said, "Sasuke, the Sharingan isn't necessarily better the earlier it Awakening."

Do you know who the strongest Clan Leader of the Uchiha clan has ever been?

Uchiha Sasuke nodded and said, "My father once told me about Madara Uchiha."

Shazo raised his finger and said, "Did you know that Madara Uchiha only Awakening his Sharingan at the age of 14? It was a single-tomoe Sharingan."

"But this not only did not prevent him from Awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, it also laid the foundation for him to become the strongest Uchiha Clan Head."

"Sasuke, the stronger your body, the more powerful your Sharingan will become."

"If you put the cart before the horse, you will repeat Uchiha Itachi's mistakes, but more likely you will get stuck at a certain stage and be unable to grow any further."

"At that point, I'll have no choice but to break my promise and personally take down Uchiha Itachi."

"In the name of the Fifth Hokage, I advise you not to consider Awakening the Sharingan before you graduate at age 12."

Uchiha Sasuke was persuaded by Shazo.

After apologizing again, he climbed over the wall and returned to Uchiha Izumi's house.

Shisui Uchiha smiled helplessly, "These two brothers react completely differently, but they're both so prone to getting stuck on trivial matters."

"Fifth Hokage, does Sasuke truly have the potential to surpass Uchiha Itachi?"

Shazo nodded. "Without a doubt, Sasuke has it."

Shisui Uchiha was relieved. "That's good."

He then left Shazo's house, leaving Xia Zuo alone to cultivate.

Steel Style Ninja Jie's strength is quite average. By Konoha's standards, he's not even at the level of Jonin; at best, he's a decent Chunin.

But his flesh and blood do indeed contain the secret of Steel Style, and Steel Style is indeed Kekkei Tōta.

As Earth Release, Wind Style, and Water Release successively underwent Nature Transformation and simultaneously came into contact with the flesh and blood of Steel Style Ninja Jie, the Steel Style Chakra successfully fused.

When the Steel Style Chakra was first created, it did not form a core. Instead, it dispersed into thousands of tiny strands of Steel Style Chakra, circulating throughout Shazo's body.

Steel Style Chakra modified Shazo's skin, flesh, fascia, internal organs, and bones.

When Steel Style Chakra enters these modified Human Body organs, they become incredibly hard, completely immune to attacks from Shuriken, Kunai, and Ninja Blade.

Even Kakashi Hatake himself, using the A-rank Ninjutsu [Lightning Release: Chidori], was unable to penetrate skin brimming with Steel Style Chakra.

What's amazing is that these seemingly indestructible Human Body organs also possess incredible flexibility; Shazo was even able to maintain his original high speed.

Kakashi Hatake had come specifically to help, was stunned and exclaimed, "Fifth Hokage, you are truly amazing. If my enemies were as indestructible as you, I would feel utterly hopeless."

"As Ninja, all offensive methods are powerless to break through my defenses; this is no less intimidating than Wood Release."

Shisui Uchiha remarked with a sigh, "Just as the Lord Hokage said, the same Kekkei Tōta can manifest in vastly different ways in different Ninja."

"The Steel Style Ninja of Hidden River Village can barely withstand even Ninja Blade, and are almost unable to resist B-rank Ninjutsu, but the Lord Hokage is immune to all Ninjutsu damage below S-rank."

Shazo was quite satisfied with himself, and he said smugly, "If the Fourth Raikage dares to provoke me again next time, I'll show him that the Lightning Release Armor isn't the strongest defense in the Ninja World."

"But the next fusion of Kekkei Tōta will be difficult, what about Dust Release— "

Kakashi Hatake and Shisui Uchiha a glance, both feeling a pang of unease. The Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, was not so easy to deal with.

Afterwards, guided by Wood Release, Shazo successfully embedded Steel Style into the Kekkei Tōta Ring.

Driven by the Kekkei Tōta Ring, even without activating the Steel Style Kekkei Tōta, Shazo's body can still be continuously strengthened.

Just after the Fifth Hokage successfully fused with Steel Style, Uchiha En brought him a report that annoyed him.

Jiraiya secretly made contact with Naruto Uzumaki!