Zenshu led Might Guy into the courtyard and seated himself at the stone table.
"Sit." He gestured to the opposite side.
Might Guy lowered himself cautiously.
"Your father did leave remains. But by the time I found him, his body had already turned to charred carbon. Even with my abilities, there was nothing I could do." Zenshu's voice was soft.
"Where?" Disappointment colored Might Guy's words. "Where are my father's remains?"
"I found a spot in that forest and buried him. If you need to visit, I can have someone take you there." Zenshu showed no intention of concealing anything.
Might Guy looked up, staring at the old man. His emotions churned in turmoil.
He understood that if Zenshu hadn't claimed his father's remains, they would have fallen into Hidden Mist's hands. Three of the ninja swordsmen had survived, after all.
But taking the corpse clearly meant research had been conducted. As a son, how could he not care?
"Your father's body had already turned to carbon by then." Zenshu read his thoughts effortlessly. "After retrieval, I found meaningful research was impossible. Aside from some traces, I gained absolutely nothing."
"Nothing?" Might Guy's expression froze.
"However, those traces did bring considerable insight. The Eight Inner Gates Formation is formidable taijutsu—but the price is truly too great."
Zenshu's gaze fixed on the youth before him. This one would play a significant role in the story's later stages.
"If you're interested, you can seek out Toji Fushiguro. He can provide guidance on taijutsu." Zenshu gestured to the side.
Might Guy glanced over instinctively. A powerfully built man with a gloomy gaze stood beside him—having appeared at some unknown moment.
"Eh! When did you get there?" Might Guy stumbled back two steps in shock.
Not the slightest sound. He had absolutely no idea how the man had approached.
If he hadn't seen it directly, he'd never have known someone was standing right there.
"A brat like this? Troublesome." Toji Fushiguro muttered indifferently.
"Take him to the burial site." Zenshu paused. "Before you go, report to the Hokage first. If they want to send an escort, let them."
"Fine." Toji regarded Might Guy through half-lidded eyes.
"Brat. Come with me to the Hokage Building."
"Um... okay... Senior!"
Zenshu watched them leave, then turned his attention to a large tree beyond the courtyard wall.
An ANBU? Wasn't there before. Doesn't seem to be monitoring me.
Sure enough, shortly after, the ANBU departed. The target appeared to be Might Guy himself.
Or perhaps protection rather than surveillance. After all, the Eight Inner Gates wasn't a technique just anyone could cultivate.
Reaching the level of opening the Eighth Gate required exceptional physical talent, immense endurance, and extraordinary tolerance.
Only then could the Eight Inner Gates Formation be fully activated.
Since Might Guy's father could open the Eighth Gate, the Hokage—based on his understanding of bloodlines—surely believed the son also had potential.
Mere contact only generates slight changes in ink. If I could recruit him, how many pages of the Book of Ages might spawn?
Zenshu's perception sank inward. Being souls of one body, their inner worlds were naturally connected.
He easily perceived the Book of Ages within Zenji's soul. The history book had directly spawned eight pages.
Worthy of Konoha. Just joining has already generated eight pages.
Many major events would unfold here. Even doing nothing—merely existing as a background figure—each incident would probably generate additional pages.
And he had no intention of remaining in the background.
---
Time flowed onward.
Perhaps because they'd only recently joined, Danzo Shimura made no apparent move to contact them.
Hiruzen Sarutobi officially confirmed his abdication, issuing a letter of apology that took full responsibility for Konoha's massive losses during the Third Shinobi World War.
He then publicly endorsed Minato Namikaze, recommending him as Fourth Hokage.
Though Hiruzen accepted blame for the village's losses, this didn't mean he'd lost popular support, authority, or influence.
He merely transferred the Hokage faction's political network and resources to Minato. Combined with Minato's own subordinates and prestige, the transition completely overshadowed Orochimaru's position.
The transfer of power began in earnest.
---
In the newly constructed laboratory, Zenshu observed cells in a petri dish—cells emitting a faint blue luminescence.
Chakra had accumulated on the cell membranes, causing them to glow softly.
Knock knock.
"Lord Zenshu, Lord Orochimaru is here to see you. He's waiting in your office."
Zenshu frowned slightly at the voice.
"Understood."
He sealed the laboratory surroundings with a Barrier Technique, then walked toward his office.
Opening the door, he found Orochimaru seated against the wall, scroll in hand, wearing that practiced smile.
"What do you want?" Zenshu sat nearby, voice blunt.
He'd already guessed the purpose—but said nothing of it.
"I heard Senior submitted a research project on 'Cellular Structure and Total Chakra'?" Orochimaru's hoarse voice carried a light chuckle.
"I expected some unique technique. I didn't anticipate such a basic project."
Zenshu leaned back. His cloudy eyes regarded the eerily composed figure before him.
"My clan researched techniques for thirty years. Countless peculiar ideas emerged—but whether they can be realized is the key."
"What you consider basic is precisely the foundation determining whether certain techniques become possible."
"It seems Senior intends to research techniques that aren't limited to personal use." Orochimaru's interest sharpened visibly. "Techniques others could also employ."
Zenshu didn't answer. He rubbed his forehead wearily, then spoke with cutting directness.
"Don't waste my time. If you have something to say, say it."
Orochimaru showed no offense. He simply placed the scroll on the table between them.
"Research data on a special type of cell. I believe it might prove quite useful to Senior."
"What do you want in trade?"
"The Incarnation ritual. And the technique for shaping souls."
"Orochimaru, what kind of fantasy are you living in?" Zenshu's cloudy eyes flashed with sudden sharpness—piercing like a blade.
"A pile of data, and you want both my secret techniques? Did you wake up confused this morning?"
"Forget Idle Transfiguration—even the Incarnation ritual alone couldn't possibly be traded for mere materials."
Orochimaru remained unruffled by the rebuke. Instead, he caught the crucial information within.
"Then what—"
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