Chapter 17: Rally (3)
A.N: Sorry guys, as you may have suscepted, I'm dropping this.
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Just joking, I'm back. Sorry about that. :D
Enjoy.
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Dark, and Crystal releases… The elder thought in silence, surprised. He took a second to think about it before answering prudently.
"I'm not aware that any of our people have ever cultivated these elemental releases." He said, under the silence of the room who was also curious about these two elements that they have barely heard of, if at all. "According to the elemental theory, Dark release is the combination of Lightning and Yin natures, and Crystal is the combination of Earth and Yin nature. I would not advise you to pursue the research of these elements because you would be on your own, and it may just as well never work out. Not all releases that are theoretically possible can be done in practice through human efforts."
It was actually common knowledge to some degree that any combined nature blending that involve any more than three chakra natures are absolutely impossible in practice.
Even for some dual elements combination, such as the blending of Fire and Lightning, despite relentless research spanning across centuries these efforts never bore any successful results. If any thing, they've proven their incompatibility on firm technical grounds.
But that did not phase out Haru much. From the canon, he knew already that a character named Guren was a wielder of Crystal release. And whilst he had extremely limited information about Dark release from the anime, he had definite proof that it existed as the former Sannin friend and Konoha's nukenin Hiruko sacrificed a Dark release user to perform his Chimera ritual.
It was the display of the latter's ability by Hiruko that made Haru very interested in Dark release. Despite being a only dual combined nature element, it gave the user the very rare and useful ability to absorb and refine ninshu techniques and chakra directly. An ability that is generally only limited to the individuals of the Ōtsutsuki race.
So it was not surprising that Haru was interested in such a useful ability. Not only would it greatly enhance his means against ninshu and ninjutsu techniques, but Haru was also interested in its potential as a way to develop his Kekkei Genkai.
The latter was the most relevant aspect of Dark release for Haru. As long as one was a bearer of the Ōtsutsuki DNA, chakra was the primary factor of blood limit evolution.
It was especially apparent when the Six Path Sage gave away his chakra to Naruto and Sasuke during the fourth Great Shinobi War. Or the mere fact that Ten Tails Jinchūriki were able to awaken the Rinnegan due to its unique chakra.
Examples were not lacking, so Haru was quite sure of his assumptions.
If he turned out to be unable to further evolve his Byakugan on his own, it provided Haru other options but to steal the eyes of the Hyūga clan and even diversified the possibilities beyond the Tenseigan.
Even if this theory turned out to be wrong, he would also benefit of stealing the Yin and Yang attributes of his foes in order to strengthen his physique and grow his chakra.
If Dark release was not the most offensive nature release, it was by far the best chakra nature as a support type for its user's growth.
The upsides were vertiginous.
Whilst Haru was lost in his thoughts thinking about the possibilities of Dark release, others began asking questions as well as the lecture came to an end.
It was at this moment that the two most conspicuous persons present began approaching the white and pink haired duo.
"Isshin." Greeted Hayao with his unwavering smile. Acknowledging Isshin's nod, his attention turned towards Haru. "Greetings, Ōtsutsuki Haru. I don't think we've ever been introduced to each other. I am Matsumoto Hayao, heir and represantative of the Matsumoto Group of the Land of Fire."
Although he was a bit taken aback by the unexpected attempt of Hayao to befriend him, Haru answered with a slight bow out of politeness.
"Pleased to meet you, Hayao."
"Likewise, the pleasure is mine." Hayao answered with a soft smile, happy to exchange pleasantries.
Engaging in a bit of small talk, Haru and Hayao gradually became a bit more familiar with each other. Although Isshin did participate in the midly superficial discussion from time to time, being acquainted with the Matsumoto people due to his status as he son of the ruling patriarch of the Ōtsutsuki clan, the imposing presence of Ryūnosuke by the side of Hayao made his continuous silence all the louder.
Although his unabashed disregard for their presences made Haru a bit uncomfortable, he did not say anything.
"So you were interested in Crystal and Dark releases earlier, right ?" Hayao finally brought up.
"That is indeed the case." Haru nodded, curious about what he intended to say.
"As you have seen, in spite of its greatness the Ōtsutsuki clan is not very knowledgeable about these two chakra natures." Said Hayao. "I can provide you with some informations if you're interested."
Haru's white yes widened in surprise.
Although he had some knowledge about Dark and Crystal release himself due to the anime, in truth it could barely be considered clues of limited usefulness.
But Haru was not a naïve and gullible child, and understood that someone hailing from the world of business affairs like a prince of the Matsumoto corporation such as Hayao undoubtedly had ulterior motives.
"And what might you be interested in ?" He replied.
Hayao smiled. "You may take it as a token of friendship ! To be honest if you're truly hell bent on reciprocating the favour, I hope you can accompany me for a while in the shinobi world in the future. Of course, you don't have to, I'll tell you about the information we can gather anyway."
"That's not something I can decide about alone I'm afraid." Haru replied, direct about it. "It's not impossible, however you'll have to negotiate it with the Council. But I'm sure I'm not teaching you anything new here."
"Don't worry about it."
After discussing courteously for a while longer, the two of them separated. Listening quietly to the busy scene of the aspirants exchanging questions and answers with the elder, it didn't escape Isshin's nor Haru's attention that some gazes were laying on them.
"Have you done something stupid before we met, perhaps ?" Asked Isshin suspiciously, bewildered about this unwarranted attention. "They can't be just glaring at you like that because you got to mix up with the human kid."
"Well kind of, don't worry about it too much." Dismissed Haru, unworriedly. "What's up with that ´human kid' ? That's weird, aren't you one yourself ?"
"We are not the same race," said Isshin calmly. "They are not descended from the Celestial beings. You should be clear about that."
"This might be true but a bit of alien blood doesn't take our nature away from us." replied Haru. "If anything, we are mixed race. And one much closer to its human nature that the rest."
"Alright but I still stand on what I said. We are not the same race, so no matter how much they are useful or interesting keep that reality in your mind."
"… You know, there's a couple other clans in the mainland do also share the blood of the Ōtsutsuki."
"Oh right I forgot." Isshin's eyebrows arose. "I still can not figure out why those traitors were allowed to escape and settle down like that. It's been centuries, I supposed most have forgot about that."
"I'm not merely talking about the Hyūga and the Kaguya people."
Isshin looked at him with a puzzled expression, intrigued.
"There are at least three other clans that descend from Lord Hamura's brother, the Sage of Six Paths. You have probably heard of them. The Uchiha, Senju and Uzumaki clans." revealed Haru, upholding his stare into Isshin's eyes.
"I've heard of them. The Uchiha clan is the only one among them who bears a hereditary blood limit if I'm not wrong, the Sharingan pupil." Nodded Isshin, thoughtful. "So the Sharingan is also a Kekkei Genkai of the Ōtsutsuki clan ? It's fascinating. Does the Council know about this ? It's not a small matter. How were you made aware of it ?"
"That's my business, but you can trust my words."
"Hmm… Alright." Isshin didn't bother to probe further.
Haru had read his fair share of Naruto fan fictions in his previous life, and he had always been somewhat frustrated at the fact that most transmigrators were extremely cowardly about their canon knowledge.
In his opinion, it's not a big deal to reveal some things to the right people. What is the worst that can happen ? Being asked about it ? He can just refuse to provide his sources. What are they going to do about it ? It may be a bit cheeky, but it is the information that he provided that matters. The provenance is secondary.
"And what about the other two you mentioned ? I may have to make a trip down the mainland to see for myself.."
Isshin was a nerd. This didn't escape Haru's attention, and it was part of the reason why he was explaining these things to him.
"The Uzumaki et Senju clan are much more closely related to each other compared to the Uchiha. Whilst it is not as eye catching and renown as the Sharingan, the Uzumaki and Senju have inherited a kind of Lesser Yang physique comparable to the branch members of our clan who can not awaken the Shikotsumyaku."
"The Uzumaki in particular, have been known for centuries as the greatest experts in fuinjutsu throughout the world." Haru added, glancing meaningfully at his pink haired mate reaction.
"Fuinjutsu ? I suppose it is the way they call fuinshu down there."
Isshin's curiosity has been greatly aroused by these informations. Being naturally conceited about the status of his clan just like any other kid of the main family, he naturally despised the mainland people to some degree and had always thought of them as being of no interest.
But he wasn't someone stupid and head strong. He was now realising that his prior assessment of the Shinobi World was far off and he shouldn't let his judgment get clouded by his own ignorance.
"Why are you revealing these things to me ?"
Coming back to his senses, it would be an offense to his mental faculties to assume that he would miss the fact that Haru had a hidden agenda about these revelations.
"Well, I'm just rousing your interest in case you may be interested in accompany me down the planet some time in the future. Hayao invited me earlier, remember."
"Oh, I almost forgot." Isshin laughed sheepishly. "Why not, you've indeed given me some fair reasons to do so. And I suppose I haven't heard everything either."
Haru merely smiled in a silent acknowledgment of his assumptions.
"But y'a know… You should start worrying about yourself, Haru." Suddenly said Isshin, yawning. "The lecture is coming to a close and it won't take long before Eina's annoying siscon brother comes to pick on you."
"Don't worry." He replied indifferently. "Just a dead man in the making."
"Hahaha…"
What Isshin took as a joke was a true statement in Haru's mind.
Of course, Haru could not possibly kill any one here, especially Eina's brother before her eyes. He would be executed on the spot if he ever dared.
But whilst Haru would do his best to preserve the lives of his family, friends and allies when the day of the civil war arrives, he would not spare any energy for the sake of little shitheads unrelated to him.
So Fujisuke was actually going to die for real in about four of five years, more or less. That's why he never spared much attention to this kind of people.
As far as he was concerned, only Eina, his mom and dad as well as possibly Isshin may be worth this hassle in the future.
The true reason why he revealed these things to Isshin tonight was not purposeless.
As time passed, Haru truly felt how unfathomably strong the Ōtsutsuki clan of the moon was. Their arrogance was not misplaced. The whole Shinobi World could band together against them and Haru didn't have a single ounce of doubt regarding the bitter defeat they would face.
The most powerful warriors of the clan were most likely as strong as Hashirama, Madara, or Indra Ōtsutsuki. The true peak of human potential throughout the ages.
To think that such a powerful clan would meet its demise silently was absolutely insane. Even with a civil war, the only way such a thing could have happened in the manga lore that Haru could think of was the intervention of a Six Paths or Kekkei Mora level powerhouse.
Of course it was nothing but a somewhat baseless assumption, the fact remains that all the people he knows here besides Toneri would die in about four to seven years in the future, no matter how strong they were.
And for Haru who was just a kid barely older than four and a weakling of Gennin level strength, that thought was absolutely terrifying.
Seeing all these people around him, living their lives carelessly ignorant about their impending doom gave Haru immense pressure.
He had nothing but four years to save his life and those of whom he cared about. And to that end, he needed help.
For the first time, he saw that hope in someone he assessed as worthy enough. This is why Haru was now beginning to slowly invest in Ōtsutsuki Isshin.
Weekly Power Status
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