The black mist shrouding Fugaku's body gradually thinned, revealing his figure. In the blink of an eye, he became an ordinary-looking Land of Whirlpools Ninja.
The entire island had descended into chaos, with fighting everywhere. Invaders had reached the Land of Whirlpools' doorstep. Its people had to fight back or be slaughtered.
Four Mist Ninja suddenly appeared before Fugaku. Their clothes were flecked with blood; they had clearly just come through a fierce fight.
"Captain, there's another one who slipped through."
"Get him. Kill him. Leave none of the Land of Whirlpools' armed forces alive."
A faint smile touched Fugaku's lips. It had been a long time since he had fought anyone. Lately, most of his work in Konoha had called for thinking, not fighting.
These Mist Ninja small fry had stirred a little interest in him.
"I hope you can give me a good fight."
As the four Mist Ninja charged, Fugaku formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"
A massive Wind Blade swept through them, spraying blood and killing three. Fugaku flashed to the last ninja's side with the Body Flicker Technique. His Kunai cut across the man, ending his life.
All four Mist Ninja were dead in an instant, without forcing Fugaku to show his true strength. He formed another set of seals and used an Earth Release Ninjutsu. The ground swallowed all four bodies.
At the same time, information that he had absorbed four measures of Pupil Power surfaced in his mind.
Madara Uchiha had not awakened the Rinnegan until his later years. Fugaku had an advantage: his Pupil Power could grow without limit.
As long as conflict existed in the Shinobi World, he could gain Pupil Power by killing Ninja. He could awaken the Rinnegan far sooner than Madara Uchiha had.
And before the