The Shadow Clone Jutsu possessed a characteristic that made it undetectable—even by the Rinnegan or Kaguya Otsutsuki's Rinne Sharingan.
The Shadow Shikigami, which referenced this technique, shared that property.
In fact, because it possessed a structure exactly like a real person and wouldn't dispel upon a single hit, detection was even more difficult.
"Not bad. Since it won't be discovered, I'll use the Shadow Shikigami for school from now on." Zenji spoke softly to himself.
The remnant branch of the God Tree within the barrier ahead had grown to human height after this period of cultivation.
However, only the initial forearm-sized portion remained brownish-black. The rest displayed much brighter coloration.
Bright white sections. Azure blue. Purple and black.
"The God Tree. The Ten-Tails."
Zenji's eyes narrowed slightly.
The so-called Ten-Tails was the God Tree's initial state—a sapling.
After being planted on a planet, the Ten-Tails would transform into tree form and begin absorbing energy.
This absorption was extremely domineering. Not only human chakra, but vitality itself was drained.
The natural energy of the entire world would also be absorbed bit by bit.
Upon reaching a certain threshold—using an Otsutsuki as sacrifice—the Ten-Tails could truly metamorphose from sapling into the God Tree.
And condense into a Chakra Fruit.
If we treat this process as refining an elixir, the Otsutsuki clan is the catalyst. The key to producing qualitative change.
Zenji continuously simulated this process, analyzing the underlying principles.
A higher state of vitality?
A higher quality of chakra?
Or that informationalized form of life?
He didn't know which was the key. But it offered an excellent method to draw inspiration from.
Looking down at the God Tree, detailed structural information of Mahoraga surfaced in his mind.
Someone else's God Tree might be useful, but it's still someone else's. Fine for application—but as my foundation? Not ideal.
Zenji raised his head slightly, eyes narrowing.
Why can't Mahoraga become my very own Ten-Tails God Tree?
Even if, due to materials and techniques, it couldn't compare to the genuine article initially—
Mahoraga's greatest strength was adaptation.
As long as that adaptation could be solidified, the genuine Ten-Tails God Tree's power would be nothing more than a brief stopping point.
The idea is sound. But deciphering this God Tree is genuinely difficult.
Zenji couldn't help rubbing his eyes.
On the other side of the compound, Ryomen Sukuna stood before the courtyard.
The sky had already darkened. The main gate swung open gently, and Zenshu walked in.
He cast a glance at the expressionless Sukuna. As he walked, his voice came out cold.
"Speak if you have something to say."
That eerie, abyssal presence made Sukuna suspect this old man might be an even bigger bastard than himself.
"I need a place and materials for research." The words came out stiffly.
Zenshu stopped walking. He looked up at Sukuna, recalling past events.
Back when he'd researched the five of them, Tengen's situation had been simple and quick—his own methodology.
Toji Fushiguro, due to first contact with profound native knowledge, even though the Eight Inner Gates Formation was somewhat rough, that deep knowledge had brought massive inspiration. The overall design was exquisite enough.
Gojo Satoru could be considered the perfect work of that stage—completing the Limitless Technique using the Byakugan and Space-Time Ninjutsu.
Choso was a coincidental burst of inspiration. The Death Painting Blood Technique was Zenshu's magnum opus at that time, possessing extremely high potential.
Only Ryomen Sukuna's technique, due to time constraints, remained a half-finished product.
He merely possessed Wind Release, Fire Release, a special physical structure, and an incomplete Domain Expansion.
"Follow me."
Zenshu fell silent for a moment before speaking.
Sukuna didn't know what this meant but could only follow.
Passing through the corridor and entering a study, two or three seconds after stepping inside, the scene before him shifted.
He appeared in a vast space the size of three or four football fields.
Zenshu's underground barrier space.
Since Zenji could accomplish this, Zenshu—with even more massive chakra reserves, stronger power, and higher mastery of Barrier Techniques—could naturally do the same.
Sukuna's eyes brightened. Such a large space was truly wonderful.
Zenshu waved his hand casually. Two boxes flew out from nearby—one new, one old—both filled with books and scrolls.
The boxes landed before Sukuna. He picked up a book and began reading.
His expression gradually turned serious as he flipped through the pages.
The contents detailed deepening deductions and evolutionary simulations of his core technique: Malevolent Shrine.
One concept deeply attracted him at first glance.
Eating. Cooking.
He then retrieved several books from the new box. Among them, the Chimera Technique caught his attention.
"Take them back and read slowly. Once you're finished, destroy them." Zenshu's gloomy voice faded as he spoke.
"What about the experimental site and materials?" Sukuna looked up.
"Handle it yourself. Or wait a few years until the clan has developed enough funds."
Zenshu turned and walked toward the nearby laboratory, not looking back.
Solve your own problems. He'd shaped these subordinates to serve him—not the other way around.
Sukuna said nothing. His four hands lifted a box each. He turned and vanished from the space.
After returning upstairs, he immediately began reading with rapt attention. These concepts were genuinely helpful.
A gust of wind rustled through the leaves, dispelling the chill and bringing midsummer warmth. But in what seemed like the blink of an eye, the weather turned crisp and clear again.
In the underground barrier space, within an independent circular containment, a peculiar little flower was blooming.
This flower had branches resembling tree limbs, emitting a startling attractive force.
Within the bloom, chakra was gestating. But it couldn't condense—radiating loosely instead.
Then being absorbed by the branches below.
"Finally some results."
Zenji breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed his sore eyes.
"But after figuring out a bit, I realize my idea still has flaws."
He opened his eyes, staring seriously at the flower.
Or rather—this was a flaw of the Ten-Tails God Tree itself. For absorbing chakra, it still relied on humans actively approaching it.
Because the Ten-Tails God Tree could directly absorb natural energy, this point wasn't crucial for it.
But for the God Tree Zenji wanted to imitate, it was absolutely essential.
I must add another method of energy absorption.
Suddenly, Zenji looked up with some emotion.
"Has it been that long already? Naruto is almost born."
"I remember his birthday is October 10th. Only a little over half a month left? No wonder the village security is tightening."
On the street not far from the courtyard above, a building displayed several large characters: "Zenji's Training Class."
Compared to a few months ago, attendance had declined steadily.
Almost seventy percent of students had chosen to postpone their classes. Only a handful of ninjas came to study normally.
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