In the spacious courtyard, Zenshu stood at the front as Zenji and Gojo Satoru approached.
"By the way, neither of us has even entered the Ninja Academy. We can't even be considered ninja apprentices. Why must we be brought along on a mission?" Gojo Satoru sounded genuinely puzzled.
"Who knows?" Zenji shrugged and looked toward Zenshu.
Seeing both had arrived, Zenshu turned and led them out.
They quickly reached the mission gathering point. Kakashi stood with three familiar ninjas.
Akimichi Kuryo, Nara Yuto, and Yamanaka Mitsumi—the three Jonin from the Ino-Shika-Cho clans.
All of them had served on the Land of Bears battlefield.
"Lord Zenshu, Lord Hokage has arranged for us to follow your orders." The three bowed their heads slightly.
The Hyuga Main House incident had made life difficult for them recently—especially Akimichi Kuryo, who'd been targeted at every turn.
Though most issues were inconsequential, no one enjoyed living under constant pressure.
Fortunately, Minato Namikaze had become Fourth Hokage. Their situation immediately improved. After all, they could be considered the Fourth Hokage's subordinates.
And Lord Fourth clearly intended to recruit the Ino-Shika-Cho.
"I remember you." Zenshu nodded lightly.
"Let's depart. No sense risking delays."
"Yes!"
The group quickly reached the main gate, registered, and set off.
Zenji leaped across tree branches, gaze fixed on the Ino-Shika-Cho trio ahead.
The Multi-Size Technique. The Shadow Secret Technique. The Mind Body Switch Technique—all fascinating secret arts.
The Multi-Size Technique's result was body enlargement, but its internal mechanism actually converted chakra into fat.
A unique and efficient chakra storage and conversion system.
Combined with the newly acquired Dark Release, numerous interesting ideas surfaced in Zenji's mind.
The Shadow Secret Technique was even simpler. Zenji had already researched a half-finished version of the Ten Shadows Technique—though the final Mahoraga remained too difficult for short-term completion.
The earlier shadows were only at the analysis stage. Fully shaping them would require more time.
It's the Mind Body Switch Technique that's hardest to modify.
Zenji frowned slightly.
Individually, the Ino-Shika-Cho clans didn't seem large. But their combined influence was formidable.
Moreover, they'd supported Hiruzen Sarutobi for nearly thirty years—die-hard Hokage loyalists holding high positions throughout.
If he could recruit these three clans, they could potentially play unexpected roles at crucial moments.
As for them being longtime Sarutobi allies who would never support anyone else...
That was merely because the benefits weren't substantial enough.
If the foundation of a clan's existence were at stake, the situation could change entirely.
Besides, large clans aren't monolithic. Different factions always exist. If an upgraded version of their secret techniques were placed before them...
The corners of Zenji's mouth curled slightly.
Akimichi Kuryo and the others running ahead had no idea they'd been marked by a child.
Zenshu, flying overhead, cast a glance at Zenji with his cloudy eyes.
He didn't care much about the Ino-Shika-Cho. Nothing more than ants.
Time passed. The surrounding scenery gradually shifted.
Trees began to thin. Rocks became more prevalent.
"This is it." Zenshu stopped flying, merely regarding the rocky mountain ahead.
"Someone's here." Nara Yuto's voice turned serious.
The other two immediately went on alert—then noticed Gojo Satoru's gaze fixed on a specific direction.
A woman emerged from the rock pile, watching Zenshu's group with obvious wariness.
"Who are you people?" Her face showed pure suspicion.
"Capture her." Zenshu glanced once and issued the order indifferently.
Kakashi moved first. Akimichi Kuryo and the others immediately assisted.
Zenshu continued forward, soon entering the cave.
A monster resembling some hybrid of dog, pig, and turtle opened its bloody maw and lunged.
Gojo Satoru appeared beside it instantly, subduing the creature with a casual flick.
Zenji, on the other side, launched yellow-white Will-o'-the-Wisps, eliminating monsters large and small.
Soon, research equipment came into view. Nearby stone alcoves presumably contained experimental materials and data.
Hiruko hadn't been defected for long. His base remained underdeveloped—nothing like the massive facility from the original plot.
Zenji headed straight for the materials area and quickly found what he sought in a sealed box.
A piece of sealed wood the size of a forearm—the remnant branch of the God Tree.
He tossed it casually toward his shadow. The sealed wood rapidly sank into the darkness.
Footsteps echoed from the cave entrance. Kakashi and the others walked in, the captured woman in tow.
Zenshu was flipping through a large stack of books that had been moved out nearby. Without looking up, he spoke.
"Sort and pack all items. I'll take these books."
"We'll hand everything in together once we return to Konoha."
Akimichi Kuryo and the others exchanged glances but could only agree.
After packing everything, they returned to the village.
Upon reaching Konoha, Zenji went straight home. He passed through a barrier layer and entered the courtyard.
In the bedroom, he traversed a specialized barrier and descended underground.
White light flared instantly, revealing a space the size of two basketball courts.
A chamber opened by a special barrier. Though underground, it was completely isolated from the surrounding earth.
Beings like White Zetsu couldn't enter without Space-Time Ninjutsu.
And even Space-Time Ninjutsu would be detected—silent entry was impossible.
Zenji approached a fixed spherical barrier, retrieved the sealed remnant branch from his shadow, and tossed it into the transparent containment sphere.
The seal dissolved immediately. A peculiar aura radiated from the forearm-sized remnant.
Chakra within the barrier space was absorbed. The specialized barrier glowed faintly, isolating the effect completely.
The strange infection was also locked down. For now, it seemed relatively safe.
What powerful absorption.
Zenji sighed inwardly.
After a moment's thought, he extended his hand.
The instant his fingers passed through the barrier, he felt the sensation of being drained.
Chakra and vitality were rapidly siphoned away. This remnant of the God Tree was ravenously hungry.
Chakra and vitality being absorbed... it seems to want to condense them together... Failed. Is it missing something?
Zenji carefully sensed his specialized chakra.
A smile gradually spread across his face. He'd confirmed something important.
His chakra already possessed a certain degree of differentiation. Even if the God Tree could absorb it, digestion was impossible.
He didn't know how this level compared to the Sage of Six Paths' chakra—but he'd taken the crucial first step.
The branch of the God Tree.
Zenji looked down at the segment. Under the replenishment of chakra and vitality, it had begun to grow.
His gaze locked onto the newly sprouted branches and vines. They carried black and blue-white coloration, flickering faintly.
I wonder if I can use it to create Sacred Treasures?
With an idea forming, Zenji immediately prepared to experiment.
The Ten Shadows Technique he'd obtained wasn't merely the jutsu itself—but everything contained within it.
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