Zenji's body brimmed with growth potential but remained limited by available materials.
Though he possessed the Senju bloodline, his exploration focused primarily on the Sharingan.
Furthermore, he'd integrated traits from both the Byakugan and Six Eyes as the foundation. Most importantly, at that time, his Yin Release research had outpaced his Yang Release work.
If nothing unexpected happens, Zenji will focus on those Sharingan. Then I'll focus on the Sage Body.
A faint glow kindled in Zenshu's eyes. A phantom cell resembling a planet appeared within the blue light.
Reversal of Eight Directions—this ability wasn't merely a simple biological field involving gravity and attraction.
More importantly, it's virtual mass. Virtual mass shaped like a planetary core.
He extended his palm. Hazy blue light ignited at its center.
A minuscule planetary core phantom surfaced within—looking very much like a miniature planet.
And also like a cell.
Konoha.
The nearly predetermined election had concluded. Minato Namikaze began preparations for his New Year inauguration.
The entire village buzzed with celebration. Zenji paused his studies and took Gojo Satoru out into the streets.
As for Ryomen Sukuna—that one refused to play with them. Unable to go on killing sprees, he also refused to venture outside.
Gojo Satoru's eyes lit up at the sight of a dango shop ahead. He quickened his pace.
"Let's get some three-color dango!"
"You eat sweets for three meals a day. Don't you ever get sick of it?" Zenji followed, somewhat exasperated.
"Aren't you the same? Barbecue every day, and you never tire of it either."
Gojo Satoru ducked into the shop. Shortly after, he emerged with a massive stack of three-color dango, eating as he walked.
Zenji said nothing. He proceeded to a barbecue shop and ordered an equally impressive pile of meat.
The two found a spot to sit, eating and chatting.
"By the way, what are you researching? Doesn't look like any particularly special technique." Gojo Satoru spoke indifferently while eating, gaze drifting toward the window.
"Some basic things. I discovered a fascinating direction within them." Zenji replied between bites of barbecue.
"What is it?"
"Nature transformation and shape transformation... Just a bit deeper and more specialized."
"Then what about your technique? When will the research be complete? I really want to fight you."
Zenji regarded Gojo Satoru with mild exasperation. His new body hadn't been prepared with any systematic techniques at all.
It had been given hardware and a general framework—the specifics required personal completion.
This was because body and soul differed fundamentally. Only techniques he'd developed himself would achieve proper compatibility.
So Zenji had to do it alone.
"I've actually completed a half-finished product. If you're bored, I can let you test it."
"Alright then—"
Gojo Satoru's words cut off mid-sentence. His gaze swept over a passing figure. His eyes lit up instantly.
Zenji noticed and glanced over.
Kakashi.
The young ninja's condition seemed strange—somewhat dazed, walking on instinct.
"Follow him?"
Though phrased as a question, Gojo Satoru was already moving, packed dango in hand, eating as he trailed behind.
Zenji frowned slightly, finished his meat in a few quick bites, and rose to follow.
"Don't cause trouble. We've only just joined, after all."
"Don't worry! I just want a simple spar with him." Gojo Satoru waved dismissively, face full of unconcern.
But catching Zenji's serious expression from the corner of his eye, he sighed with theatrical boredom.
"Fine. I'll ask permission first."
Having secured that promise, Zenji didn't stop him—because something tugged at the edge of his memory.
The end of the Third War. Minato just took office. Kakashi. What am I forgetting?
He thought for a long moment but couldn't recall.
Yet he had a distinct feeling this wasn't an insignificant day.
The two followed Kakashi at a distance, suppressing every trace of their presence.
As they walked, the surroundings grew increasingly remote—farther from the village center.
Though called a village, Konoha was actually more like a city.
The center consisted of densely clustered buildings near Hokage Rock. The outskirts held fewer structures but contained various resource-producing areas: farms, manors, forests.
Training grounds of various sizes dotted the landscape—the largest being the Forest of Death—along with forested buffer zones.
The true scale of Konoha's territory was best illustrated by Sasuke's defection.
At ninja speed, Sasuke had departed late at night and only reached the Valley of the End the following day during daylight. The battle lasted until dusk.
At minimum, that was eleven or twelve hours of travel.
From this alone, one could see how vast Konoha's territory truly was. A state within a state.
The spring wind howled. Soft banging sounds filled the air.
Countless bamboo stalks swayed and collided gently around them.
Gojo Satoru suddenly frowned, his gaze shooting toward the sky above the distant bamboo forest.
"Enemy."
"I see him." Zenji's eyes shifted—single-tomoe Sharingan manifesting.
He finally remembered what he'd overlooked.
Hiruko. The Hiruko who researched the Chimera Technique.
The man had set his sights on Kakashi's Sharingan during Kakashi's youth. If nothing had changed, this point in time should be exactly when the Third War was won.
Before the war, Kakashi hadn't possessed the Sharingan yet.
A couple years later, when Kakashi was tracking Orochimaru, he'd already grown taller—approaching young adulthood rather than still having a youth's frame.
As for when he'd first obtained the Sharingan, Madara Uchiha had been monitoring Kakashi closely.
If Hiruko had appeared then, he would have been eliminated to prevent interference with Madara's plans.
"How truly wonderful." Zenji's eyes gleamed as he watched Hiruko descend from the sky.
He immediately notified Zenshu. Hiruko's Chimera Technique held immense research value.
"Protect Kakashi. Don't let this guy escape."
Zenji dashed forward.
Hiruko had just landed. He regarded Kakashi with cold indifference.
"Long time no see, Kakashi Hatake."
"You are... Hiruko?" Kakashi stared blankly at the deathly pale middle-aged man before him.
Hiruko reached toward Kakashi's forehead—but a figure suddenly materialized between them.
"Kidnapping children is illegal, pale old man." Gojo Satoru appeared with casual arrogance.
Invisible chakra erupted violently, deflecting Hiruko's hand.
"Who are you?" Hiruko's expression turned cold.
A burst of intense firelight surged from the side. A massive fireball streaked toward him.
Hiruko extended his hand toward the flames. A mark pulsed on his palm.
Dark Release: Inhaling Maw!
The giant fireball was rapidly absorbed, vanishing completely within moments.
Hiruko's gaze shifted. His pupils contracted—then his face lit with pleasant surprise.
"I didn't expect a lone Uchiha." His fiery attention fixed on Zenji's red eye with its single tomoe.
Watching the fireball being absorbed, Zenji frowned slightly.
Has this guy already completed fusion and absorption of his first Kekkei Genkai?
"Seems I'll have to show some real skill."
A cold smile touched his lips.
"Perfect opportunity to test that research."
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]