Chaos Caused by Swift Style

However, after further examination, Shazo discovered that Swift Style also had a minor but non-negligible negative effect.

First, the consumption caused by Swift Style chakra was enormous, placing an especially heavy burden on his heart and lungs.

The vitality and healing power brought by Wood Release could offset some of the damage from that strain, but it was not enough to let him remain in Swift Style for too long.

Keeping Swift Style active continuously would place constant pressure on his heart, potentially triggering fatal heart conditions such as cardiac hypertrophy and valve damage.

The second side effect was that the existence of the Emperor Engine had caused Shazo to reach adulthood early.

From now on, he would have to wash his own underwear.

There was one final minor issue. After awakening the Swift Style Kekkei Genkai, Shazo's body required more energy, and its consumption of sugar was especially severe.

He needed to keep careful track of his energy reserves and avoid the lethal danger of hypoglycemia.

Shazo shook his head with a smile. "It's fine. As long as I carry a few hard candies with me and pop a few into my mouth whenever I activate Swift Style, there won't be a problem."

"Haha, Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, Swift Style Kekkei Genkai—I'm terrifyingly strong now."

"Right. Developing the Swift Style Kekkei Genkai means I can share it."

Shazo's smile gradually turned lecherous. "Hehehe, I wonder how surprised the other mes will be?"

On Wednesday night, Shazo returned to the Plane Dreamscape once again. Before the familiar Bronze Long Table, he informed all the Shazos that he had successfully fused Swift Style.

The Shazos were extremely satisfied with Naruto Shazo's efficiency and eagerly urged him to share it.

At that moment, the Shazos had yet to realize how significant this news was.

But when the memories and power were shared with everyone, they were all stunned after sorting through the upgraded version of Wood Release. Once they understood Swift Style's additional effects, they were completely dumbfounded.

Middle-aged Marvel Shazo was the first to leap to his feet. He shouted, "My righteous father, accept your son's bow!"

"From this day forth, I, Shazo, shall follow my righteous father. Through fire and water, I shall not hesitate. I shall aid my righteous father, and together we shall achieve great things."

Naruto Shazo flew into a rage. "Shut your mouth! Is this how you repay kindness, by cursing your benefactor?"

Marvel Shazo grinned foolishly. He was simply too happy—Swift Style was exactly what he needed.

He needed that miraculous speed, but he needed lasting endurance even more!

The pressure brought by the 2008 superhero boom had been driving Marvel Shazo crazy. Whenever he was troubled, he could only find ways to relieve that pressure.

In a place like New York, there were plenty of ways to relieve stress, especially for an experienced patrol officer who knew the ropes.

But for a middle-aged man, the most effective way of relieving frustration was also an enormous burden.

Now, he was finally saved.

Marvel Shazo was not the only one overcome with excitement. Every Shazo was moved to tears with gratitude.

Even the deeply calculating Star Trek Shazo, as well as the bodiless Shinigami Xiazhuo and Demon Xiazhuo, were no exceptions.

One by one, their faces flushed red. They tearfully thanked Naruto Shazo, bowed their heads to him, spoke incoherently, and shouted wildly.

The joy brought by sharing the Swift Style Kekkei Genkai came from the most fundamental dignity of being a man.

They did not yet know how copying this specific ability would manifest in their different worlds before returning to test it themselves.

But after Swift Style had been shared, the accompanying changes to their physical condition were identical. Even in the dreamscape, they could feel the surging power of the Emperor Engine.

Like the side effects of cardiovascular drugs such as Sildenafil, it was stable and potent.

Making a man instantly brim with confidence was just that simple.

Naruto Shazo had completely conquered all his other selves in one stroke. Without hesitation, they admitted that they were merely accessories hanging from Naruto Shazo.

Of course, that was only temporary.

A few minutes later, there was no more talk of righteous fathers.

Since nothing major had happened during this cycle, the Shazos merely marveled at the fierce battle Star Trek Shazo had missed at the previous gathering.

After discussing the grandeur of interstellar warfare and mocking the rigid dullness of interstellar tactics for a while, the Shazos returned to their respective planes.

As Naruto Shazo began sharing Kekkei Genkai, the Shazos became far more driven to improve themselves. They were all busy training and striving toward their individual goals.

At some point, Konoha's atmosphere had gained an added layer of strangeness beneath its tension.

More than one Konoha Ninja on night duty reported to their superiors that they had encountered ghosts while patrolling or standing guard.

As the village atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Head of Security Fugaku Uchiha, Root leader Shimura Danzō, and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi all immediately concluded upon hearing the reports that one of the others was up to something.

They each dispatched Jonin patrols, hoping to catch evidence against the others.

Under the faint moonlight, a pale gray shadow darted through Konoha.

The gray shadow appeared in the forest one moment, on the central avenue the next, and sometimes streaked across the face of the Third Hokage on Hokage Rock.

The gray shadow was incredibly fast, but the Konoha Ninja lying in ambush still caught sight of it. They then discovered in shock that their speed was utterly insufficient to catch up with the target.

They had been selected precisely because they were the fastest Chunin.

"How can it be so fast?"

"Is it a ninja?"

"No idea. It's too fast—we can't see it clearly at all."

Several ninjas wearing animal masks appeared, but they also came up empty-handed. The gray shadow easily left them behind, even flashing past within centimeters of one of them.

"Anbu! Those are the Hokage's Anbu ninjas!"

"How is that possible? Even elite Anbu ninjas can't catch it?"

"Chase it! We can't let that monster get away!"

The gray shadow made a wide loop, then suddenly executed a hairpin turn, causing several Byakugan ninjas who had leaped out to miss completely.

"It's Lord Hyuga Hiashi!"

"Even the Hyuga Clan's Jonin missed. Were they discovered?"

"No. I saw that the gray shadow changed direction only after Lord Hiashi and the others appeared, but it was so fast that it created the illusion that it had turned in advance."

"Lord Hiashi, did you see what that thing was?"

The Hyuga ninjas led by Hyuga Hiashi had all activated their Byakugan. Veins bulged around their eyes as they stared intently at the gray shadow.

But in the end, Hyuga Hiashi shook his head. "I can only tell that it's a person, but he's too fast. I can't make out his build or face."

Suddenly, the gray shadow changed direction again and charged toward the Forest of Death.

The Konoha Ninja all realized that if they could barely intercept the gray shadow on streets with few obstacles, then once it entered the dense forest, they would never be able to pursue it again.

Though the outskirts of the Forest of Death had walls, barriers, and guards, no one believed they could stop the gray shadow.

They had to catch him before he entered the forest.

But they really could not catch up.

Just as the gray shadow approached the wall surrounding the Forest of Death, pairs of blood-red eyes lit up in the darkness.

They were Uchiha Clan ninjas, and every one of them was a Jonin with Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Shazo cursed inwardly, Why are the Uchiha here too? Just how thick are their nerves?