I... Have Mastered It!

"I truly admire the first person who ever created a weapon."

"It heralded humanity's mastery of power that did not originally belong to them, defying the natural course of evolution."

Kaminazuki gripped the blade, speaking calmly.

What is this guy... talking about?!

The Kirigakure Jonin who had grabbed the blade immediately let go, leaping back as kunai shot towards him.

"Do you know the most fundamental difference between humans and beasts?"

He was like a shadow.

Kaminazuki leaned against his back, continuing, "Beasts merely adapt their evolutionary direction according to their environment."

"If the oxygen concentration is high, they grow larger; if it's low, they shrink their bodies to survive."

"Humans are different."

"These creatures, completely self-centered, will attempt to reshape their environment to suit their own survival."

"To be born human is truly remarkable... isn't it!"

The smile on the youth's lips grew more unrestrained, terrifying and ferocious.

An inexplicable fear seized his body and mind.

"You... what exactly are you talking about!!"

Kaminazuki's smile faded, but in the eyes of the Kumogakure ninja, this calm demeanor was even more terrifying.

The sound of the wind ceased, And he heard himself softly chant.

--

"Withered Remains

The flame that burns the body is born from the heart

Burning through the throat, searing the eyes

Splitting the orifices, unleashing disaster

Secret Fire Cage: Garuda Flame Extinction!"

--

"Say it again..."

"I've mastered it!"

The Sharingan's red glow intensified, and he clenched his hand!

BOOM--!!

Instantly!

An indescribable, scorching heat swept through the Kumogakure ninja's body and mind, something even a Jonin who had experienced the First Great Ninja War could not withstand.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!"

The heart-rending roar sent shivers through everyone, making them feel his agony.

Soon--

WHOOSH--!

Crimson flames erupted madly from his eyes, ears, and mouth, burning him to ashes from the inside out, even his screams were incinerated!!

Such a sight was difficult for even the Kirigakure ninjas, accustomed to their brutal promotion system, to accept.

Death held no fear for them, but a death that could elicit such a horrific scream from a battle-hardened ninja...

Step by step, the ground beneath his feet turned black and charred by the scattered flames.

As they watched the youth, bathed in karmic fire, approach, they took a step back, and another.

On Kaminazuki's face was the smile of a child who had received a beloved toy.

"So, this is how it is..."

"The feeling of clearly perceiving the existence of spiritual energy is so wonderful!"

"Don't be afraid."

Kaminazuki stopped, speaking earnestly, "If you feel fear in your heart, the burning will be even more painful."

To everyone's ears, the voice of a demon rose once more.

"Withered Remains—"

Slap!

A broad, thick palm pressed down onto Kamizuki's shoulder.

"That's enough. We still need a live captive to interrogate for intelligence."

"Besides... you've frightened that child."

"Since the Clan Head has spoken..."

Kamizuki lowered his hand and shrugged. "Then so be it."

"Wait, Kamizuki!"

Uchiha Iwamasa called out to him.

This Uchiha Clan Head had a sturdy build and sharp cheekbones, with an old battle scar running from the tip of his nose to his greying temples, giving him an even colder, tougher air.

Contrary to his stern and resolute appearance, Iwamasa was an elder who cared for all his clansmen with a gentle, reserved nature.

It was only out of respect for him that Kamizuki hadn't tortured Fugaku to death.

Iwamasa's deep-set eye sockets surged with an unusual light; even someone as calm as he could not fully suppress his stirred emotions.

"Is it... what I think it is?"

Kamizuki's lips curled into a faint smile. "Have a little more confidence in your own eyes, old man."

"Something this simple, it's only natural that I can do it!"

Using language to guide intangible spiritual power—that is, Pupil Power—to issue tangible commands to Earth Grudge Fear.

To put it more simply...

If external Chakra is a wild horse, Kamizuki had just grabbed the reins!

It was still only a preliminary mastery; it required a great deal of speech to solidify his own conviction, the wind-up was too long, and the effects of the technique needed to be described as detailed as possible.

Later on, he should be able to streamline it; perhaps a single syllable would be enough to complete a command.

It's a good thing I have the physical foundation to chant slowly, otherwise, I would have been beaten to death before I even finished reciting the menu.

That...

How could there be such Chakra...

I can't feel a shred of goodwill, only pure, destructive malice!!

Uzumaki Kushina, who was born with vast Chakra, possessed powerful sensory abilities.

While ordinary people could only see the surface of the Kumogakure ninja being burned by raging fire, she "saw" something far more terrifying.

Black-red, indescribably twisted claws surged from the Sharingan, clutching that Kumogakure ninja in their palm.

As the chant fell, the movements of that illusory entity...

"That... that movement is..."

Kushina murmured, not even noticing when Kamizuki walked to her side.

"Lighting a fire."

"If you can't think of a suitable way to describe it, you've seen the old men in the clan light their pipes, right?"

Kamizuki said indifferently, "Replace the person with tobacco leaves, and it's easier to understand, isn't it?"

"Right! It's a bit... ah!"

Kushina was so frightened she sat on the ground, scrambling back several meters using both her hands and feet.

"I wasn't expecting your thanks, but don't be so afraid. Am I some kind of evil ghost?"

In the eyes of people with Byakugan or such excellent sensory abilities, what exactly do I look like? Is there some kind of underworld filter applied to me?

"I... I'm sorry..."

Kushina realized that her behavior was very rude.

She remembered that she had come to an unfamiliar environment and was dealing with strangers; she couldn't be as willful as she was back in the village.

Kamizuki walked toward Kushina as if it were nothing, gently patting her shoulder to comfort her. "It's alright. My name is Uchiha Kamizuki."

"As a disciple of the Third Hokage's disciple, you can just think of me as Konoha's successor; I shall be the bridge of hearts that connects people to one another."

As he spoke, invisible threads of Pupil Power seeped from Kamizuki's fingertips into Kushina's body.

You...

...are the bridge that will support my communication with the Nine-Tails from now on.

Casting a technique through mere words is indeed subtle, but her gaze... she wouldn't happen to see me as a lunatic who likes to spout nonsense, would she?

--

"Stay away from that child."

A figure stepped out from the woods, his face gloomy and his eyes filled with an indescribable, complex emotion.

Shimura Danzō.

"Uchiha Kamizuki... what special ability do your eyes possess? Tell me what that technique just now was."

Kamizuki wore a half-smile, remaining silent for a moment.

"Lord Assistant to the Hokage, you have certainly arrived at an opportune time."

Danzō's brows furrowed tightly: "What is that supposed to mean?"

"A few decades earlier..."

Kamizuki's lips curled upward: "Speaking such words would have been enough for the Uchiha to exterminate the Shimura clan."

Facing Shimura Danzō, who had numerous Anbu behind him, there was not a hint of fear in Kamizuki's eyes!

Audacious and unbridled!