Bloodline Limit

Looking at the booklet in his hand, Li Ke finally understood why Minato Namikaze's reputation was so high.

The man truly knew how to treat people!

The simple fact that he treated those in his own camp as actual human beings was something many others failed to do.

However...

Li Ke thought about the absurd actions of this man, who was destined to become the Fourth Hokage, and felt a sense of helplessness.

In the future he knew, out of all the possible ways to handle the Nine-Tails Incident, Minato Namikaze had chosen the most ridiculous one.

A lover's suicide.

Even if sealing the Nine-Tails truly required the Reaper Death Seal, it should have been performed by some expendable soldiers, not the Hokage himself.

Or, it should have been Hiruzen Sarutobi who did it.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't much of a Hokage most of the time, if it came to sacrificing himself for the village, he wouldn't have hesitated for a second.

But the problem was that once the Fourth Hokage saw that his wife was doomed, he didn't want to live anymore either.

So, in all likelihood, Minato Namikaze loved the village, but he loved his wife, Kushina, even more.

As for accusations of shirking responsibility, Li Ke could say with certainty that Minato Namikaze never even considered that; it wasn't his problem, but the intelligence department's.

The issue was that his "lover's suicide" blew Konoha to pieces and pinned a massive, dark blame directly onto the Uchiha clan.

It could be said that the reason the Hidden Cloud Village dared to bully Konoha later on was entirely due to Minato Namikaze's suicide. The departure of the Sannin was seen by other villages as nothing more than a performance by Konoha.

What truly gave Cloud the courage to act so brazenly was the loss of the Tailed Beast.

Without a Jinchuriki, Konoha lost its trump card and a young, powerful Kage in one fell swoop. Furthermore, the issues surrounding the Uchiha clan were ignited by his death.

And because he used the Reaper Death Seal, even the Third Hokage couldn't use Reanimation to bring him back and get a clear explanation.

While people often say that Danzo's decision to prevent the Uchiha clan from participating in the rescue during the Nine-Tails Incident was idiotic, the rampaging Nine-Tails had a massive Sharingan visible in its eyes at the time. Since members of the Uchiha clan had indeed manipulated the Nine-Tails to attack Konoha previously, no one could have trusted them at that moment.

After all, if the Uchiha clan had no ill intentions, letting them pass wouldn't have significantly reduced the damage caused by the Nine-Tails, but what if they truly had malicious intent?

Konoha would have been destroyed in an instant.

So, looking at the booklet in his hand, Li Ke didn't quite know what to say.

Because the reason Minato worked so hard to become Hokage was, in all likelihood, to keep Kushina off the battlefield!

However, unlike Li Ke, who enjoyed political discourse, the Second Hokage cared about other things.

"This guy... he has surpassed me by far in the research of the Flying Thunder God Technique. And looking at what just happened, he has also surpassed me in its application."

Senju Tobirama's voice was filled with deep pleasure; he loved seeing his successors surpass him.

Of course, one still had to be mindful of copyright.

"And this young man has also made great achievements in sealing techniques..."

Senju Tobirama manipulated Li Ke's hand to flip through the Minato Namikaze version of the Flying Thunder God Technique, unable to stop himself from praising it again.

"Moreover, the upper and lower limits of his technique are much more sophisticated than my own Flying Thunder God. Kid, you can learn his version directly; just use mine as a reference. Especially his research on the Flying Thunder God seals... he might have already discovered the marks I created."

Senju Tobirama felt not a shred of resentment at being surpassed by Minato Namikaze; instead, he began to study it with great joy.

Soon, Li Ke felt his vision blur, a strange sensation washed over him, and the next moment, he appeared back at his previous campsite. Asuma was standing with his back to him, staring blankly at a book in his hands.

Li Ke glanced at the book Asuma was reading and was left speechless.

Icha Icha Paradise.

Senju Tobirama, however, had absolutely no interest in that and continued to examine the booklet in Li Ke's hand.

"Kid, how does it feel?"

"It feels... like I can do it too?"

Senju Tobirama asked, and Li Ke took a few small steps away. Asuma, focused entirely on his book, still hadn't noticed him.

Li Ke tentatively performed the Flying Thunder God Technique using the hand seals Minato Namikaze had developed, as instructed by Senju Tobirama. The next moment, his body reappeared behind Asuma.

But poor Asuma still hadn't noticed Li Ke's arrival, remaining engrossed in the book written by Jiraiya under the watchful eyes of the Second Hokage and Li Ke.

"It really works..."

Feeling his success, Li Ke was shocked himself; he had actually succeeded on the first try!

"Well, since I have used the Flying Thunder God Technique using your body, it saves you quite a bit of time in finding that feeling... Besides, this improved version by the young man named Minato Namikaze is much more convenient. He is truly worthy of being a Konoha ninja!"

Senju Tobirama praised Minato Namikaze's talent once again, as he preferred such talents who could delve deep into ninjutsu over others.

Li Ke, however, still felt a slight dizziness. The abrupt change in location was a bit too stimulating for a ninja with his heightened senses.

"It's just that I still can't activate the Flying Thunder God Technique instantaneously. It's a pity; for now, it can only be used as a trump card."

Li Ke felt a bit regretful. Because of his lack of proficiency, there was at least a one-second pause when he tried to activate the technique, and that one second was enough for powerful ninjas to do many things.

"This is already quite good. Even I, as I am now, cannot perform multiple transfers within a second. A one-second interval is not a fatal flaw in most battles."

Senju Tobirama didn't think much of it; after all, to him, the Flying Thunder God was just a means to catch an opponent off guard, and he himself did not rely entirely on this technique.

Li Ke nodded. A ninja like Minato Namikaze, who specialized entirely in the Flying Thunder God Technique, was a rare sight indeed.

To put it bluntly, Minato Namikaze was practically born for the Flying Thunder God Technique!

"It is a pity, though. If you had the time to train properly, you might not have been unable to achieve what that young man did. However, on the battlefield, it is better for this old man to handle the use of the Flying Thunder God Technique for you."

Senju Tobirama felt a sense of regret. If Li Ke could dedicate himself to training for two or three months, applying the Flying Thunder God Technique in actual combat would be no problem at all.

Unfortunately, this was a battlefield. Honing an unskilled technique in the heat of war was akin to courting death. If it were any other ninjutsu, it might be fine, but a technique as dangerous to both the user and the enemy as the Flying Thunder God was better left to him for the time being.

"Understood, Second Hokage. But I have one more thing I am curious about."

"What is it?"

Li Ke felt the connection between himself and Senju Tobirama, and his previous hypothesis surfaced in his mind once again.

"Is it possible for me to summon another person's soul and have them coexist with you?"

Li Ke's words caused Senju Tobirama to frown. He had indeed considered this question, but he had kept it to himself for fear that Li Ke might lose control.

But what did Li Ke mean by bringing it up now?

Did he feel that he was no longer useful?

"Kid, aren't you being a bit too impatient?"

He was somewhat displeased, as Li Ke was acting far too rashly.

Yet Li Ke knew that for what he wanted to accomplish, relying solely on Senju Tobirama might still carry the risk of failure. If he could pull out Hashirama Senju, however, that might change things.

Besides, wouldn't it be better to have Hashirama Senju there to help him learn Wood Release?

"So, Second Hokage, let me give it a try!"

Senju Tobirama did not object. After all, he had no power to stop this, so he simply chose not to voice his opposition, opting instead to offer a word of caution.

"You must act within your limits, kid. A portion of your chakra is already occupied sustaining my existence. Do not weaken your own chakra just for the sake of a summoning."

It was normal for a young man to have expectations for his own bloodline limit, so he was not surprised, and he was quite interested in the capabilities of this bloodline limit himself.

Thus, even though he was slightly annoyed, he still intended to let Li Ke try.

"Understood, Second Hokage. I am just curious, that is all."

Li Ke nodded. What Senju Tobirama described was the same mechanism as summoning a Heroic Spirit; the existence of a spirit required the constant consumption of the Master's chakra. Summoning the souls of ninjas worked the same way, continuously draining his reserves.

Even when the summoned ninjas used techniques, they were drawing upon his chakra.

However, just as Senju Tobirama was waiting for Li Ke to send him back to the Pure Land, Li Ke activated his power once more.

"O ninja who yearns for peace, cherishes your kin, and is willing to forsake all and guard all to protect your ideals! Come to my side!"

Li Ke silently utilized Senju Tobirama's chakra. He felt that by using Tobirama's chakra as a catalyst, combined with the words he had spoken, the result would surely be—

Hashirama Senju!

But the next moment, the chakra in Li Ke's body began to boil violently. It startled Asuma, who turned around abruptly, only to see Li Ke standing behind him with a blank expression.

"What are you doing!"

Asuma shoved his adult magazine behind his back, pointing a finger directly at Li Ke's face with a look of terror.

"Nothing."

Li Ke's mouth twitched as he spoke. Then, amidst Asuma's bewildered gaze, he walked out of his tent, reached the perimeter of the main camp, and sat down silently on the ground to think.

It wasn't that the summoning had failed; the summoning had undoubtedly succeeded—perhaps even too successfully.

But could someone explain to him?

Why, after using Senju Tobirama's chakra and reciting those words, did he summon someone from the Uchiha clan!!!

That cold, evil chakra—he didn't know who it was yet, but it was definitely from the Uchiha clan!

Touching his eyes beneath the gauze, Li Ke was certain that the eyes hidden underneath had already transformed into the Sharingan!

As Senju Tobirama sensed the other chakra within Li Ke's body, he too was left speechless.

"...You brat."

How could he not recognize this chakra? But he was equally dumbfounded. Li Ke had taken his chakra and used that incantation; even he had thought it would summon his older brother. Why on earth was it Izuna Uchiha!?

Just as he was at a loss for words, Izuna Uchiha, who had been summoned by Li Ke, also regained his senses.

"Senju Tobirama! You despicable villain, you truly are as insidious as ever! Even after I am dead, you do not intend to let my soul rest?! You wretch! Are you trying to threaten my brother?!"

Izuna Uchiha questioned Li Ke angrily. He assumed Li Ke was Senju Tobirama because he could clearly feel Tobirama's chakra emanating from him!

He might mistake anyone else's chakra, but he would never mistake that bastard's!

With that, Izuna Uchiha activated his Sharingan chakra.

"Or are you trying to imprison me within your body to steal the power of our Uchiha clan? Don't even think about it! Let me show you the power of our Uchiha clan!"

As his words fell, Li Ke's mind went into a trance. A powerful, cold Yin-style chakra surged directly into his brain. At that moment, Senju Tobirama's chakra rose to intercept it, and Li Ke immediately canceled his summoning of Izuna Uchiha!

"Damn it..."

Izuna Uchiha's soul vanished in frustration, and the chakra that had been burdened by his presence returned to Li Ke's body. The cold, evil chakra that had been rushing toward his brain slowly calmed down, beginning to disperse throughout his body.

"I told you, brat, you need to be more careful."

Senju Tobirama let out a cold snort. If he hadn't acted in time, this kid Li Ke would have fallen into the Uchiha clan's genjutsu forever.

However, just as he was about to continue reprimanding Li Ke, he felt the chakra Li Ke was using to burden Izuna Uchiha suddenly go berserk. Not only could Li Ke not control it, but even he couldn't suppress it as it frantically surged into Li Ke's only remaining left eye!

A wave of intense pain washed over him, and the evil, cold chakra vanished, but Li Ke felt as if something had changed in his left eye. His heart began to pound wildly, and blood rushed rapidly toward his head.

It was at this moment that Senju Tobirama roared out.

"Brat! Look at your eyes!"

Without hesitation, Senju Tobirama used Li Ke's body to activate an Ice Release jutsu. Li Ke opened his eyes wide, staring in astonishment at his own reflection, for he saw, to his shock, a Kaleidoscope spinning incessantly within his iris.

After the Kaleidoscope appeared, that uncontrollable chakra did not stop; instead, it violently surged into the empty socket of Li Ke's right eye!

The next moment, Li Ke felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his right eye, and then, under the gaze of both of them, a snow-white eye—undoubtedly a Byakugan—grew out from Li Ke's empty socket!

"..."

"..."

For a moment, neither of them had any words. At the same time, deep beneath the distant wilderness, an old man who looked like withered wood suddenly lifted his head.

"This feeling... Izuna?!"

The ninja known as Madara Uchiha clutched his own eyes. He couldn't have sensed it wrong! Although these eyes were not Izuna's, his ocular power was still within his own eyes! That palpitating sensation could not be mistaken! That was Izuna's ocular power!

Following that, he couldn't help but fly into a rage, because in this world, there was only one technique that could make him feel this sensation again.

Reanimation!

Someone was toying with his younger brother's soul! And it was those people from Konoha!

"Senju Tobirama!!"

Madara Uchiha let out an incredibly frenzied roar.