Changing Faces

The entire scene fell into an eerie, deathly silence.

Ten seconds.

Counting from the moment Kaminazuki raised his hand to form the Seal of Confrontation, only about ten seconds had passed.

Too fast...

In the eyes of the village's Jonin, the reason the battle ended so quickly was not because Fugaku was weak.

It was because Kaminazuki's existence completely defied the common sense of a ninja!

Even in battles at the Jonin level, Taijutsu was merely used for probing, serving as an auxiliary to Ninjutsu.

Kaminazuki's fighting style was more akin to the Nintaijutsu of Kumogakure—swift, rapid, and lethal.

But without Chakra... how on earth did he manage to do it?!

If even his clansman Fugaku couldn't fathom it, how could they possibly figure it out?

"Cough, cough..."

Fugaku's eyes were filled with unwillingness: "With such immense strength... why... why did you pretend to be weak!"

Had he known Kaminazuki was this strong, he would have gone all out from the start and would never have suffered such a defeat!

"When did I ever pretend?"

Kaminazuki pressed his knee against Fugaku's chest, his body still smoldering with a few flickering flames.

He leaned down, bringing his face close: "I've been telling everyone I was born with divine strength since I was three years old. Did you think I was joking?"

"Out of respect for the Clan Head, I've been going easy on you this whole time, yet you still dared to provoke me!"

"I... when did I ever provoke you..."

Although he was in a miserable state now and it was humiliating to be pinned down by a junior, Fugaku's confusion still outweighed his anger.

Fugaku swore that he had never mocked Kaminazuki's constitution, not even in his own mind.

His father had specifically instructed him to look after Kaminazuki's family after his parents died young, and he had done exactly that.

I personally handed you the clan's annual pension every year, and even when my family slaughtered a cow, I cut off a whole side for you!

Why do you hate me so much!!

If Fugaku had cursed him out, Kaminazuki wouldn't have felt so awkward.

But this resentful gaze...

No! Can't go soft!

Kaminazuki's face turned grim, and he said coldly: "Don't worry about that. In short, stay away from me in the future!"

He didn't dare to say "stay away from Mikoto" directly; such a statement would sound too much like a sister-complex, which was too embarrassing.

He raised his fist.

"Brother! Stop!!"

There was genuine anger on Mikoto's face: "Fugaku-nii has always helped us, and this is how you treat him?"

"A brother like you is just too much!!"

Kaminazuki suddenly realized that his previous approach might have been wrong.

Mikoto had a gentle personality and was the type to sympathize with the weak. Attacking Fugaku wouldn't make her think he was weak or unreliable; if anything, it might backfire.

Just like in those dramas, if he fiercely tried to stop them, it would only trigger Mikoto's rebellious streak and push her toward Fugaku even sooner.

So... what kind of man do girls hate the most...

Kaminazuki turned his head to look at a tall, white-haired man in the crowd who was watching the spectacle.

His brain spun rapidly, and as one plan failed, another was born.

The correct approach should be to become friends with Fugaku and dig up his dark secrets to tell Mikoto.

Once they were close, even if there were no dark secrets, he could manufacture them!

A young girl would absolutely never like a pervert who peeks into women's bathhouses!

That's the plan!

"I was too impulsive, Fugaku-senpai."

Uchiha Kamizuki loosened his fists and stood up, reaching out to pull up a bewildered Fugaku, his savage grin shifting into a gentle smile.

"I was too eager to prove myself to everyone. My apologies."

"And thank you for holding back; if you had used your Sharingan on me from the start, I surely would have lost."

"Let me call a medic for you."

How should one put it...

Fugaku could not keep up with Kamizuki's train of thought at all, much like Orochimaru's experience just moments ago.

The explanation was overly logical, yet it felt strange in some indescribable way.

Fugaku wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth: "It's... it's fine, nothing serious."

It was just a few broken ribs; he would have the clan's medic treat them when he returned.

As the Seal of Reconciliation was formed, Mikoto's expression eased, and she handed a jacket to Kamizuki.

"Fugaku-san, I am truly sorry. My brother, he..."

Mikoto had repeated these lines so many times that it had become muscle memory.

Fugaku clutched his abdomen with one hand and waved her off: "I have some urgent business at home. Let's talk another time."

"If I am not mistaken, Kamizuki-kun, you were not born without Chakra, nor do you possess some innate divine strength..."

Orochimaru stepped closer, a strange light flickering in his eyes: "You have converted all your Chakra into physical prowess, which is how you achieved such speed and power that break through the limits of Ninjutsu!"

"An unprecedented... unique Kekkei Genkai!!"

Kamizuki patted out the sparks on his clothes, put on his jacket, and smiled faintly: "I am not certain, so I would like to ask for your guidance."

He had never intended to hide the ability of his Heavenly Restriction; any experienced ninja who saw him in action would arrive at the same conclusion as Orochimaru.

Moreover, there were so many "cataract-eyed" individuals in the village who could see that his physical strength was abnormal.

He could not play the "pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger" trope, nor did he want to.

If he lacked the capacity to even display his own strength and could only hide in the shadows...

How could he ever talk about surpassing his predecessors and becoming the strongest!

On the high platform, Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his small mustache in thought.

He had reached the same conclusion as Orochimaru: Kamizuki possessed some sort of special Kekkei Genkai.

If this Kekkei Genkai had appeared in a small ninja clan or among civilian ninjas, it would indeed be a great thing, but...

The Uchiha were world-renowned for their Sharingan!

If all Chakra were converted into physical strength, leaving none to awaken the Sharingan, wouldn't that be picking up sesame seeds while losing a watermelon?

Uchiha Kamizuki's current combat effectiveness was indeed outstanding, but he could never compare to a clansman with the potential to awaken the Mangekyo.

This Kekkei Genkai had a high floor, but its ceiling was mediocre; just how strong could a pure Taijutsu ninja get?

Without Chakra, he couldn't even sign a contract with a Summoning Beast, nor could he use Explosive Tags...

Unless he carried a Summoning Beast capable of Ninjutsu to assist him in battle.

Or, he could learn the combat style of Sakumo, equipping a powerful ninja tool to serve as a sharp blade for breaking through enemy lines.

It had to be said that Sarutobi Hiruzen was truly an outstanding tactical master; in a short time, he had analyzed the pros and cons of Kamizuki's abilities and even devised a supporting strategy.

Konoha was, at its core, a military institution, and a ninja's combat power was the most important standard for measuring their value.

As he pondered, Sarutobi Hiruzen realized something, his eyes brightening.

Teacher Tobirama had said that the instability of the Uchiha stemmed from the Sharingan, as the foreign Chakra in their brains stimulated emotional volatility.

So, an Uchiha who would never awaken the Sharingan, yet whose combat power remained promising...

Once he matured, wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity for the village and the Uchiha to fully integrate!

From another perspective, If he were to start a family, in a few years, the Uchiha clan would naturally split into two factions, posing even less of a threat to the village!

Considering that Kamizuki was born shortly after the death of Teacher Tobirama...

A revelation from Teacher Tobirama!!

Could it be that he was a product of your research in the Pure Land!

Ahem... that was a bit of a stretch, but this child was indeed...

No!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows furrowed tightly. Based on his performance just now...

Fugaku, who had activated his Sharingan, looked much more "normal" than the Sharingan-less Kamizuki!

With such a volatile personality, the hidden dangers of this Kekkei Genkai might be even greater!