Compared to Keigo Uchiha, Hyuga Ruri was certainly strong.
But she still hadn't found her own path!
Nor did she have the heart of a strong person!
As for Inuzuka Mi, she had good talent, but she still couldn't compare to Hyuga Ruri or Keigo Uchiha!
Faced with Hyuga Ruri's question, how would Keigo Uchiha... answer?
Orochimaru's lips curled slightly, his curiosity piqued.
Of these three... Keigo Uchiha was unquestionably the center. Whether Hyuga Ruri and Inuzuka Mi were there or not, he was destined to reach the pinnacle. But without Keigo Uchiha, Hyuga Ruri and Inuzuka Mi...
Would only be weaker than they were now!
They certainly wouldn't be stronger!
"Strong people don't hesitate. Only the weak are indecisive."
Keigo Uchiha's expression was calm, without the slightest ripple. His eyes were so tranquil it was unnerving, as if nothing in the world could sway his judgment.
His handsome, composed face was bathed in a faint glow in the darkness.
He seemed to radiate light!
"Don't worry about the consequences. Don't overthink things. All you need to do now is keep trying and keep working hard."
Keigo Uchiha chuckled softly and gazed at Hyuga Ruri with an easy calm.
"As for what you said about your eyes hurting, every time the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan advances, it comes with pain that cuts to the bone. What does a little hurt like yours... matter?"
A crimson gleam flickered in his eyes.
His three-tomoe Sharingan spun gently, its aura uncanny!
"I understand!"
Hyuga Ruri took a deep breath, determination filling her pale eyes!
She looked at Keigo Uchiha in shock.
She had always thought Keigo Uchiha had reached his current position with ease thanks to his talent. Only now did she understand that it wasn't talent alone.
He had endured countless bouts of pain, too!
He was a genius, but that didn't erase all his hard work!
Time passed.
In the days that followed, Keigo Uchiha and the other two trained relentlessly, making rapid progress!
For Keigo Uchiha, his fight with Orochimaru had caused his experience to increase by leaps and bounds!
And thanks to Keigo Uchiha's growing experience, Hyuga Ruri and Inuzuka Mi had also gained valuable combat experience!
In fact, Keigo Uchiha was certain that if he faced Orochimaru again now, he'd handle him much more easily than last time!
"Keigo, Ruri, Ami, I have something for you."
As they were training,
Orochimaru's hoarse voice rang out. A smile played across his pale face. "Following Keigo's suggestion, I developed a Gravity Transcription Seal!"
As he spoke,
He handed them three talismans marked with intricate seals.
"This is... a gravity seal?"
Keigo Uchiha's eyes lit up!
Aside from combat experience, what he lacked now was a stronger body that could withstand the powerful Storm Armor Technique!
And if his body could bear a heavier strain,
His chakra reserves would grow as well!
This Gravity Seal was exactly the idea he had suggested to Orochimaru: turn Iwagakure's Added-Weight Rock Technique into a fixed seal and place it on the body, allowing the wearer to adjust the gravity at will!
"Training under increased gravity not only raises your physical limits, but also improves your body's ability to handle chakra, allowing it to bear more!"
Keigo Uchiha's lips curled upward.
Ordinary training had no effect on him anymore.
His body had already been strengthened to its limits through training in Kumogakure's Nintaijutsu, so he badly needed an external force like this!
"Exactly. You're in the prime of your growth. Putting your bodies under greater stress at this stage will greatly increase both your physical strength and your chakra."
Orochimaru explained in his hoarse voice.
"The Gravity Talisman can currently adjust the gravity on your bodies from one to three times normal. The materials we have now would struggle to withstand four times gravity or more."
"But this should be enough for you."
Orochimaru looked pleased with himself.
This was his own research!
Seeing his students use it filled him with pride!
"Sensei, you could consider engraving this kind of Gravity Talisman onto the body as a Cursed Seal. That would make it more convenient. Being able to adjust the gravity freely during battle could produce unexpected results."
Keigo Uchiha offered the suggestion.
As he spoke, he stuck the Gravity Talisman onto himself.
Then he immediately activated one-times gravity!
His body felt some pressure, but it didn't restrict his movements. For now... it reduced his speed and combat strength by about twenty percent. That alone showed how much Keigo Uchiha had accomplished over the past three years training in Kumogakure's Nintaijutsu!
Orochimaru's eyes lit up at once!
"Excellent idea!"
Orochimaru smiled and looked at Keigo Uchiha with approval. "That would not only save materials, but also make it more convenient. It wouldn't get in the way during battle, either. It's a good suggestion."
"I'll try developing that technique. Perhaps... later I can consider incorporating other things into this kind of seal."
"Things like... ninjutsu, or... the Senjutsu Jiraiya is currently studying!"
Orochimaru's thoughts raced, and his eyes grew brighter and brighter. "That way, even an ordinary ninja could master Senjutsu on their own! No, ordinary ninja wouldn't be able to master Senjutsu completely, even with this method."
"But even if they could only learn a part of Senjutsu, that would be enough to crush ordinary ninja!"
At the thought,
Orochimaru's eyes shone with excitement!
He couldn't help looking at Keigo Uchiha in admiration. "You really are a genius, Keigo. To come up with such a good idea... this will be incredibly useful for my research."
"Now, keep training. My experiments aren't finished yet! I have to keep trying a few things!"
Orochimaru's voice was hoarse. His and Keigo Uchiha's gazes met in the air.
The two shared a knowing chuckle.
Keigo Uchiha's eyes gleamed. Half a month ago, Orochimaru had begun researching the relationship between the bloodlines of the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan, and whether they could produce even greater power!
Hyuga Ruri and Inuzuka Mi knew nothing about this part.
It was a secret between the two of them.
Because... it involved the cells of the First, Senju Hashirama!
And neither Hyuga Ruri nor Inuzuka Mi would be able to accept it!
In Konoha, this already crossed the line into human experimentation!
It was a true taboo!
I never thought that after coming to this world and meeting Orochimaru, I wouldn't reform him or delay his involvement in human experiments. Instead, I'd... lead him to human experimentation even sooner?
Keigo Uchiha's expression turned strange.
But he didn't care.
What was wrong with human experimentation?
In his previous life, it wasn't considered taboo at all. Some researchers even regarded it as a technology that could benefit all of humanity.
Technology had no good or evil. Power had no good or evil.
It was the people who used them who decided what was right and wrong!
Orochimaru strode away, excitement written across his pale face!
"With Keigo providing Uchiha Clan blood, and with Senju Hashirama's cells, I've found a new direction for my research! Perhaps... I really can awaken that legendary power!"
"It may take a long time, but at least I have a direction now!"
Orochimaru murmured to himself, the desire for knowledge shining in his eyes!
He was already a little afraid.
If he hadn't taken Keigo on as a student back then, he'd be regretting it bitterly now!
"Once Senju Hashirama's cells are added to the cells of the Uchiha Clan, the two enter a delicate balance. But Senju Hashirama's cells are still far too powerful. They need to be further moderated!"
Orochimaru's voice was hoarse.
He hurried into the laboratory!
But just then, he stopped and looked toward the laboratory entrance. A man in his early thirties stood there, his gaze icy, like bitterly cold ice!
And a bandage covered his right eye, a sight that made anyone who saw it wince!
"Orochimaru, how is the research coming along?"
"Shimura... Danzo!"
Orochimaru's amber eyes narrowed, and for a moment he seemed dazed.
Naturally, he couldn't have obtained Senju Hashirama's cells on his own.
Shimura Danzo had provided them.
And the price of providing Senju Hashirama's cells was that Orochimaru would share the secrets of the Senju Clan with him once his research uncovered them!
And... create a child who possessed Wood Release!
So that Konoha could wield the power of Wood Release once more!
But lately, Keigo Uchiha had given him far too many ideas!
While Shimura Danzo was still thinking about Wood Release,
Keigo had already given him a new idea: fusing Senju Hashirama's cells with the cells of the Uchiha Clan would produce even greater power. This was the... real direction!
As a result, he'd pushed Shimura Danzo, his teacher's teammate, straight to the back of his mind.
Orochimaru: "..."
Can I say I'd already forgotten about you?
"It's been three months. Have you made any progress cultivating the cells?"
Shimura Danzo lowered his gaze, his eyes like cold blades!
He was a hyena driven by ambition and desire!
His frenzied greed was enough to unsettle even Orochimaru, a Quasi-Kage!
"Hehehe... Lord Danzo, there's no need to rush. Wood Release isn't easy to develop. Besides... experiments require test subjects, and there are no suitable test subjects in Konoha right now."
Orochimaru chuckled, his voice full of hoarseness and sinister amusement.
A strange meaning glinted in his amber eyes.
"Of course."
Shimura Danzo snorted, clearly displeased with Orochimaru's attitude.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was one thing!
He had already become a Kage Level powerhouse, and he was the Third, still in the prime of his life!
Danzo was no match for him.
But now even Orochimaru, who was barely thirty... was provoking him!
Still... Orochimaru was already a Quasi-Kage!
He was no match for him either. Shimura Danzo's face darkened at once, his expression thoroughly unpleasant!
"I'll prepare sixty test subjects for you. I hope... you can create a killing machine that wields Wood Release!"
"Don't forget... we're partners. I need a child who can use Wood Release, and you need... research material!"
"I have the secrets of the Senju Clan... in my hands!"
With that,
Shimura Danzo issued his threat.
Then he turned and left, his face dark.
He didn't linger.
These two, teacher and student, were both equally infuriating!
Sarutobi Hiruzen was domineering in a way that made resistance impossible, while Orochimaru treated Danzo with utter contempt, as if he didn't matter. If Danzo hadn't been able to provide Orochimaru with research data,
He even suspected
Orochimaru would have betrayed him without a second thought!
Watching Shimura Danzo's retreating figure disappear into the darkness, Orochimaru smiled scornfully.
"Hehehe... partners?"
A certain young man's face came to mind. "You're nothing but a hyena in the shadows. Compared to my student Keigo, you don't even qualify as a partner!"
"As for the secrets of the Senju Clan? I no longer need them!"
Scorn showed in Orochimaru's amber eyes.
Thanks to this excellent student of his, he had already discovered even more shocking secrets. The Senju Clan, the Uchiha Clan, and even the Hyuga Clan—
None of them held any secrets from him now!
"As for the secrets you have, Shimura Danzo... they're probably just secrets of the Senju Clan or the Uchiha Clan. They're... completely useless to me now!"
Orochimaru's eyes were cold as he turned and left.
His figure disappeared into the darkness, and all the light behind him gradually faded away.
In the Forest of Death,
Keigo Uchiha and the other two were getting used to the Gravity Talismans.
"So that's how it is. When I activate two-times gravity, my strength is suppressed by fifty percent, and my speed drops by half. And if it's three-times..."
He adjusted it to three times gravity without hesitation!
In an instant,
his body sank, and tiny beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, as if he were bearing tremendous pressure!
"Once I turn the gravity up to three times normal, my body can bring out... less than a tenth of its strength! Right now, I'm no different from an ordinary Genin."
"My body's already at its limit! I can bear it, but I have to use tremendous strength to resist. In this state... my muscles will ache, then repair themselves rapidly!"
A hint of excitement flashed in Keigo Uchiha's eyes!
In this state,
his strength would grow rapidly!
His constantly compressed muscles and the chakra continuously surging through his body were the best proof!
"Three times! Keigo, did you turn it up to three times gravity?!"
Hyuga Ruri suddenly looked at Keigo Uchiha. With her Byakugan, she could examine his entire body. At that moment, every muscle was bearing immense pressure. Some of them were even tearing!
Then healing at incredible speed!
This was practically self-torture!
"I'm already struggling to bear twice normal gravity. I have to use all my strength to withstand the pressure, but Keigo... actually managed to endure three times gravity!"
Hyuga Ruri could hardly believe it. Her beautiful eyes were full of shock!
She swallowed.
If she had to bear three times the pressure... how long could she last?
Ten seconds? Three seconds? Or... would she fail to last even one second?
"This is perfectly normal."
Keigo Uchiha chuckled. "I could reach this level of intensity back when I was training, but after I became stronger, I hadn't felt this kind of stimulation in a long time."
"It's nothing to me."
"Ruri, being able to bear twice normal gravity is already impressive. Don't turn it off. You have to keep going."
He gave the instruction calmly.
"You have the stamina to handle it. Only by persevering can you surpass yourself; only by persevering can you break your limits. Mi-chan, don't force yourself. One times gravity is... already enough for you!"
The Three-Tomoe Sharingan in Keigo Uchiha's eyes gleamed with an eerie light.
With his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he observed everything the two girls did.
"Under the pressure of gravity, it's not just our muscles that grow stronger. Our internal organs are strengthened too. That gives us greater cardiovascular endurance in battle, faster reactions, and sharper senses!"
Keigo Uchiha looked at them and spoke slowly and deliberately. "Both you and I, Ruri, have strong constitutions. Training can make our bodies stronger and give us vast reserves of chakra. We might even be able to take on ten opponents at once."
"That's why gravity training is essential. From now on, keep it on at all times, until you've adapted."
Keigo Uchiha's gaze flickered.
He and Hyuga Ruri were both blessed with cheat-like advantages, and both had the potential for massive chakra reserves.
Inuzuka Mi's talent, on the other hand, didn't lie in the amount of chakra she had.
Hyuga Ruri and Inuzuka Mi nodded firmly.
They looked at Keigo Uchiha's face, which had returned to its usual calm, their eyes filled with shock and understanding.
So... this is why Keigo has always been so strong.
His strength came from constant effort and unyielding determination. Even under training this intense, he could remain calm, reflect on himself, and demand more of himself!
He never gave up!
That's Keigo Uchiha: a genius who works as hard as he's gifted!
"I'll work hard. I absolutely won't let you leave me too far behind!"
Hyuga Ruri's beautiful eyes shone with determination!
"I... I will too!"
Inuzuka Mi clenched her delicate hands. Her lovely, elf-like face was fixed on Keigo Uchiha. Keigo-kun... surely he doesn't like weak girls, does he?
I have to work hard to keep up with Keigo-kun.
"Thanks for your effort, both of you. But now, let's plan our next steps. Gravity training alone won't be enough."
Keigo Uchiha smiled warmly.
He turned his gaze to Hyuga Ruri. "Right now, you have only one main task: develop your eyes. Just like the Uchiha Clan, your eyes are the most important factor in your growth."
"Other techniques might make you a Jonin, but if you want to improve quickly, the only thing you can rely on is your Byakugan."
Sunlight bathed the three of them.
They seemed to glow.
Hyuga Ruri and Inuzuka Mi listened to Keigo Uchiha's advice like obedient students.
Their impossibly handsome faces made them look like three young gods.
They were brimming with hope and light.
"Your Reincarnation Blast is one of the abilities of the Tenseigan. But your Tenseigan hasn't awakened yet, so you'll have to keep training. Using Reincarnation Blast can stimulate the Tenseigan, and practicing it will help you understand related abilities."
"When you've mastered Reincarnation Blast, you might be able to awaken the Tenseigan sooner."
Keigo Uchiha mused, rubbing his chin.
It was much like how Nagato had obtained the Rinnegan.
The more he used the Rinnegan, the more proficiently he controlled it. The same principle applied here.
"I understand. From now on, I'll keep training in Reincarnation Blast until I awaken the power called the Tenseigan!"
Hyuga Ruri nodded firmly, excitement written all over her lovely face!
She said brightly, "Once I awaken the Tenseigan, then... I'll have a chance to defeat you, Keigo, right?"
"I'll work hard!"
"Only by defeating Keigo will I gain the strength to change the entire Hyuga Clan!"
She stared at Keigo Uchiha, her fighting spirit blazing, as though he were the stubborn faction within the Hyuga Clan.
Keigo Uchiha: "..."
"Are you asking to get beaten again?"
He raised an eyebrow. Hyuga Ruri immediately ran off to the side, acting as though she were far enough away that he couldn't hit her.
"Keigo-kun, what about me? I want to get stronger too. I don't want to hold you back."
Inuzuka Mi spoke timidly.
She clenched her delicate hands, but her beautiful eyes were full of resolve.
Keigo Uchiha chuckled and ruffled Inuzuka Mi's soft hair. "I've already made the perfect plan for you, Mi-chan."
"Your talent is very special."
His eyes gleamed.
He'd always known Inuzuka Mi had a knack for manipulating chakra, but even he hadn't expected her talent to be so remarkable!
"Really?"
Inuzuka Mi looked bewildered, like the evening glow on the horizon.
"Of course."
Keigo Uchiha smiled. "You don't have Ice Release, but you can control an ice-aligned Ninja Cat. Not everyone can do that. To be precise, only a very small number of people can!"
It was even rarer than forming Hand Seals with one hand!
"Normally, we have to buy a Ninja Sword that matches our nature transformation. If we have Lightning Release but buy a fire-aligned Ninja Sword, it's difficult to use it effectively. We might not even be able to use its power at all!"
His gaze flickered as he watched Inuzuka Mi's lashes flutter lightly like butterfly wings.
Delicate and adorable.
So lovely, it made his heart ache.
"But even without Ice Release, you can control an ice-aligned Ninja Cat and have it use Ice Release ninjutsu. That's an exceptionally rare talent!"
"It proves you have incredible chakra control!"
"Your chakra is also extremely unusual—clean and pure. Those qualities allow you to use any type of Ninja Sword, and make it easy for you to learn any ninjutsu!"
Keigo Uchiha chuckled. "Your Inuzuka Clan is too set in its ways, relying on its secret techniques..."
"You've been wasting your talent!"
"From now on, you'll need to change your approach. You have to start training in Taijutsu. It's the only way for you to become stronger. Other paths might take you as far as Elite Jonin, but Taijutsu can raise your ceiling to the level of a Kage!"
Hyuga Ruri and Inuzuka Mi both stared at him with their mouths hanging open.
They couldn't believe it.
"C-could I really become a Kage-level powerhouse?"
Hesitation and self-doubt colored her lovely face.
"Of course. You could already see it when you defeated Gekko Yabu."
Keigo Uchiha smiled reassuringly. "I've already planned out your path. For now, all you need to do is train. You'll become the strongest Taijutsu specialist in all of Konoha!"
His dark eyes gleamed.
"Keep improving your Taijutsu. Later, I'll contract with my teacher's Ninja Snake and become a summoner of Ryūchi Cave. With the purity of your chakra and your control over it, you'll have the ideal constitution for learning Senjutsu!"
"Once you're empowered by Senjutsu, you'll become the most important fighter by my side."
That's right.
The path Keigo Uchiha had planned for Inuzuka Mi... was the path of Senjutsu!
Before you continue