Kapitel 170: Chapter 171 : Awakening Wood Release
In the tranquil night of Konoha, the stars adorned the sky, casting a gentle moonlight upon the village. Amidst this serenity, a few scattered lights illuminated the stillness of the village.
A team of Konoha garrison ninjas vigilantly patrolled the village, safeguarding the slumbering inhabitants of the village hidden within the leaves.
Despite the villagers not always seeing eye to eye with the Uchiha, the Uchiha clan members dutifully fulfilled their limited duties and responsibilities.
"Lord Ken, all is calm."
"Lord Ken, nothing seems amiss."
Two teams of ninjas reported their findings to a young man.
Uchiha Ken, at the age of fifteen, had risen to the position of sub-commander in the garrison. He possessed the prowess of a jonin, making him a promising and ambitious youth.
After Takeshi had healed Ken of the aftermath caused by forcefully unlocking his three tomoe Sharingan, and after relentless solitary training, Ken had emerged as a standout among his peers. Were it not for the problem of the third elder, he would have undoubtedly been the pride of the clan, a true Uchiha to be reckoned with.
But the days of scorn, slander, and indifference by the villagers, especially the Uchiha clan itself, had enshrouded his heart in darkness. He felt estranged from his own clan.
Despite his capabilities, achieving the rank of sub-commander was a daunting task. Yet, as a prodigious talent, he still held hope. However, in reality, his clan excluded him from ascending to the highest echelons, with at least three competitors ahead of him.
Over time, Ken came to understand more about his grandfather's fate. He had sacrificed himself in pursuit of benefits for the clan. His endeavor ended in failure, leading to his abandonment by the clan and relegation to obscurity.
Did Ken harbor hatred? He recognized his grandfather's sacrifice, but how could he feel a sense of belonging in a clan that was apathetic and snobbish?
When Uchiha Long had approached him earlier, his words had held undeniable truth. The current Uchiha clan, after betraying Madara, had become submissive, a flock of spineless cowards lingering in Konoha—a clan destined for gradual decline. The most potent Uchihas had become mere pawns, mercilessly consuming the Uchiha clan from within.
Uchiha Dragon had stated that the current clan was bereft of a future, destined to perish within the village. Considering the almost permanent absence of Uchiha Kagami, who rarely returned to the clan, Ken had to admit that Dragon's insights were accurate.
Was this current Uchiha clan truly representative of the steadfast Uchihas who had once held life and death in disregard, the ones who never backed down? If his ancestors were all Senju clan disciples, then why establish Konoha if they knew their contributions would amount to so little?
Dragon had advised him that had Madara been the current leader, he would have departed the village at all costs. An individual's and a clan's fate rested in their own hands, rather than being at the mercy of others' hostility.
Ken agreed with Dragon's viewpoint, thus becoming Dragon's devoted confidant and informant. He suspected that Dragon might be an Uchiha who had fled alongside Madara.
Orochimaru had decided to act once Ken's path to advancement in the Police Force became obstructed. Subsequently, the Uchiha clan had lost four members overnight, leaving the entire clan in a state of shock.
As everyone's attention focused on the battleground, Orochimaru had exploited Uchiha's preparations, entering his Sage Mode. He had successfully infiltrated and captured four Uchiha members, with one among them being a mere decoy.
While Takeshi was entangled in a conflict with Sand Shinobi, Uchiha believed Konoha to be the source of the action. However, Konoha naturally disavowed any involvement in such a meaningless act, intensifying the tension between the two parties.
Ken also faced suspicion, but he had purposely appeared in public that day, and the clan elders were skeptical that his abilities could orchestrate such an event.
Orochimaru had obtained four pairs of Sharingan eyes. Additionally, Ken had provided extensive clan ninjutsu and information. Despite suspicions arising from Orochimaru's interest in commonplace Uchiha techniques, Ken dismissed these concerns.
Several within the clan contended that Uchiha secrets were not passed on, but due to Ken's lineage as the grandson of the third elder, he had the chance to attain them. Orochimaru was very happy to get them from Ken.
"The night is growing late; let's conclude our duties."
Ken waved his hand with a hint of exasperation, disliking the role of watchdog, while yawning beneath the moon's glow.
"Hmm? What's that?"
Suddenly, Ken caught sight of a small silhouette dashing across the moon. He rubbed his eyes, questioning his senses in the dark sky.
However, the night was too dim, preventing him from discerning anything beyond the stars, even with his Sharingan.
"Damn it!"
Ken tugged at his collar, rejoining his clan members to return home.
"Ahhh—!"
Takeshi rode the Kusanagi sword through the nighttime breeze, soaring amidst the dark sky like a celestial being. Unexpectedly, he sneezed.
"Hmph, who's thinking about me in the dead of night?"
Takeshi landed in a bush far from Konoha, surveyed his surroundings, and then promptly summoned Orochimaru.
"I'm departing with Sarutobi-sensei tomorrow. What's the rush?" Orochimaru displayed preparedness.
"Needless to say, you won't have the chance to visit from outside. I still can't fully trust Hiruko, so your watchful eyes are essential."
Takeshi brushed aside Orochimaru's response, consuming a series of potions and flexing his muscles. Subsequently, he extracted numerous crystal stones from the Gerel ore vein.
"Remember, our clash with Kumogakure might bring us against the golden horn and the silver horn brothers. Awakening Wood Release's power is pivotal. You can contact me at any moment. The battle between Tobirama and the Golden and Silver Horn brothers won't be easily missed—I need the Nine-Tails' chakra discreetly."
Takeshi's voice grew resolute, his ambition evident.
"Oh, it seems my assumptions were correct. You're willing to take risks. Clearly, the first ninja war isn't our arena."
Orochimaru smirked.
"It wasn't historically, but it is now."
Takeshi smiled, continuing, "Tobirama is well-suited for the Hokage role, yet his demise is necessary to ensure our smoother path. Though the shortsighted Danzo is a scourge upon Konoha, he serves as our salvation."
"Hehe, you're becoming more pragmatic, making even Sarutobi-sensei question his convictions," Orochimaru chuckled.
"We influence each other," Takeshi's expression grew serious. He then summoned a series of large ninja snakes, commencing the construction of subterranean caves.
"All right, it's time."
Within the expansive cave, Takeshi removed his shirt, unveiling his robust physique. He inscribed a fuinjutsu on the ground to suppress energy and aura—Orochimaru sustained the jutsu. Countless Gelel ore vein crystals were spread out; these were the majority of his collection, saved for this awakening.
The cave sealed, coupled with the fuinjutsu's containment, the crystals metamorphosed into pure, natural chakra saturating the space. Abundant vitality condensed into a dew-like form. A sip would elongate life and deter poisons.
This was the divine tree's essence, the power the Ten-Tails had in it. Essentially superior to the Nine-Tails' chakra, it was the optimal force to awaken Senju clan's Wood Release.
"Let's begin!"
Takeshi roared, pouring his strength into the absorption process.
Suppressing his own white-scaled serpent's phagocytic ability, Takeshi forcefully absorbed the energy, harnessing it to activate the Senju clan's bloodline limit in him—the blood of countless Senju clan members flowing in his veins.
"Roar-!"
Crimson hues enveloped Takeshi, his veins pulsating beneath his skin, sweat forming a mist enshrouded by Senjutsu Chakra.
Every cell transformed vigorously. A challenging and agonizing process, this was a gene-level alteration, a life metamorphosis.
"Seems I've reached the limit."
Bones crackled, and Takeshi's skin radiated a distinct shimmer.
"Most of the Senjutsu Chakra has been consumed. Senju clan bloodline activity's peaked, yet it's one step away from true change."
Takeshi's azure eyes brimmed with emerald light. At this moment, his physique had swelled noticeably.
"Senjutsu Chakra is mostly depleted. Senju clan bloodline's maximally activated, though a qualitative shift remains elusive."
Joints snapped, his expanded skin shimmering.
"Ashura's chakra is seemingly essential; Wood Release power is nearly unattainable for ordinary individuals. Let's add the finishing touch!"
Takeshi produced a small vial, imbibing the green liquid without hesitation!
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein