Kapitel 124: Uchiha Shisui

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"Don't worship me; he's just a legend."

Takuya smiled lightly as he looked into Guren's eyes.

"Husband, you're incredible. How do you come up with things like this?" Guren asked, genuine admiration in her voice.

Despite only knowing Takuya for a short time, Guren felt she'd been more amazed in these few days than in her entire life.

"Alright, let's set that aside for now and get back to your special training," Takuya replied, steering the conversation back on track.

"Right. Husband, do you want me to reshape the shuriken to look like this?" Guren asked, glancing at the thick crystal Senbon Takuya held. She was puzzled. The shape would definitely conserve chakra, but would the lethality be enough?

Takuya snorted softly. "This is just the beginning. Ninjutsu always needs a backup plan. Watch closely."

With that, Takuya waved the dark red crystal Senbon toward a wooden stake nearby. In an instant, thousands of crystal Senbon buried themselves into the wood.

"Husband, I still don't quite get it. Even though changing it to Senbon form makes it stealthier and faster, doesn't that reduce its killing power?" Guren asked, still confused. Attacks like this would only be lethal if they hit vital organs like the eyes or heart; otherwise, the damage would be minimal.

"It does reduce power, but what if I do this?" Takuya smiled, raising two fingers. "Crystal Release: Wolf Fang Stabs!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the wooden stake erupted with countless thorns from the inside out, making it look like a mace.

"How... how did you do that?!" Guren exclaimed. As a seasoned ninja, she instantly recognized the devastating potential of Takuya's technique. If it were a human body, there would be no chance of survival—every internal organ would be destroyed.

"The crystallized Senbon I embedded in the stake carries my chakra signature. I can use it as a medium to trigger a second technique, like this Wolf Fang Stabs. It's similar to how a branch sprouts into countless smaller branches," Takuya explained.

Guren gasped in awe. To think of such a method... isn't that just too ingenious?

First, by transforming the shuriken into Senbon, Takuya greatly reduced chakra consumption. Then, when the Senbon entered an opponent's body, he could use it as a conduit to trigger a devastating secondary jutsu. This combination made it nearly impossible to survive the attack, regardless of where the Senbon struck. The speed and stealth of Senbon also made them far more likely to hit the target compared to shuriken. And even if the Senbon missed, the chakra cost was minimal. Using Crystal Release to create Senbon was almost effortless.

Guren looked at Takuya with newfound respect. Just by observing her ninjutsu, he had devised an improvement that was nothing short of brilliant.

"There are other jutsu that can be improved as well. Once I demonstrate them, I'll teach you how to use them," Takuya said, noticing the fire in Guren's eyes.

Over the course of the session, Takuya modified many of Guren's jutsu based on his experience and insight. He also created several new, simple, but effective techniques for her. What seemed difficult to others was as easy as breathing to him. His current level was beyond the comprehension of ordinary ninjas.

When they finally wrapped up the day's training, Guren ran into his arms. "Husband, how are you so strong? I'm so lucky to have married you," she murmured, tears of joy in her eyes.

Takuya laughed heartily, placing his hands on his hips. "Hahaha... Flattering me won't make me any happier!" he joked.

Ignoring his playful tone, Guren stood on her toes. "Honey, kiss me!" she said shyly, closing her eyes.

Takuya embraced her. "Come on, let's go. I'll take you to some real combat training."

After marrying Guren, Takuya resumed his peaceful life. It was calm, yet never boring. Under his leadership, the ninja world was progressing rapidly, with the people's lives undergoing dramatic changes. Movies, video games, ninja tourism... it almost made Takuya feel like he was back on a planet called "Earth."

Meanwhile, the search for Hiruko was slow. Despite mobilizing the entire ninja world, there was no trace of him. But Takuya wasn't worried. Hiruko's Chimera Technique, which could allow him to absorb the power of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, was something he could deal with, sooner or later.

Three years passed quickly. During this time, Takuya married several high-caliber women and fathered many children. The Senju clan's population had swelled to 500. While it was still far from its peak, the clan was on a trajectory that would see its numbers easily exceed a few thousand in the coming decades.

As the clan grew, so did Takuya's power. Now, the only Ōtsutsuki who could stand against him might be the clan's god.

One more thing worth mentioning: at Uchiha Mikoto's request, Takuya agreed to her resignation as the leader of the Uchiha clan. With his current strength, the position was trivial. If Mikoto wanted out, so be it. After all, Uchiha Shisui and others had matured enough to lead.

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**Konoha Village**

**Uchiha Clan Grounds**

A group of Uchiha clansmen gathered at Naka Shrine, whispering among themselves.

After all, today was the day the Uchiha clan would choose their new leader.

"Have you heard? The candidate for clan leader this time is from the main branch."

"Of course, I've heard. But isn't Uchiha Shisui too young?"

"Sigh... It would be great if Mikoto-sama could continue as clan leader."

"Yes, without Mikoto-sama, will our Uchiha clan still receive special treatment from Lord Takuya?"

"That's right. Besides, Uchiha Shisui is so young. Can he really assume the position of clan leader?"

"We, the Uchiha clan, aren't comparable to those small ninja clans."

The group of Uchiha clansmen were worried and agitated. During Uchiha Mikoto's tenure as leader, the clan had developed rapidly. A clan once marginalized on the outskirts of the village had suddenly transformed, once again becoming the top ninja clan in the world. Its reputation even surpassed the period when Uchiha Madara led it. Not to mention, because of Uchiha Mikoto, the Uchiha clan also had many opportunities to cooperate with the Senju clan. Life for the clan had become prosperous.

So, the current Uchiha clan was worried. Without a leader like Uchiha Mikoto, could the Uchiha clan maintain its current glory? Moreover, they didn't trust the young Uchiha Shisui.

"Enough talking," an elder interrupted. "Mikoto-sama was always meant to be an acting clan leader. It's only natural for her to step down now. Besides, though Shisui is young, he is strong and capable of leading the clan."

The elder's words silenced the crowd, though it was clear they were not entirely convinced.

After a while, a young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, wearing traditional Uchiha attire, walked in.

Seeing him, everyone started whispering again.

"Look, that's Uchiha Shisui. He really is young."

"Hmph, he doesn't even look like he has any experience."

"Are we really going to be led by this young boy?"

The voices were not low. Some deliberately wanted to embarrass Uchiha Shisui, but he ignored them.

"Hello, elders," Uchiha Shisui spoke calmly.

"Shisui, you know the nature of our clan. Don't let it bother you," the great elder said with a smile.

Others might not know, but the elders were well aware. Uchiha Shisui was a genius ninja who had been under the command of Senju Takuya since he was a child. Though he usually didn't show off, he was not someone to be underestimated.

"It's fine," Shisui replied. "I'll make everyone recognize me in my own way."

Having been with Senju Takuya since childhood and taught by Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Shisui's demeanor was very different from his portrayal in the original story. He was no longer just a gentle and honest man, but a sharp blade, always exuding a strong presence.

After a brief chat with the elders, Shisui turned to face the audience.

"The main agenda of today's clan meeting is to discuss the candidate for clan leader. You all know that I am the next leader of the Uchiha clan. I also know that many of you are dissatisfied with this decision. You can speak openly, and I will show you through my actions why I am qualified."

Shisui's voice was not loud, but it carried a strong sense of authority as he scanned the audience.

"Can we really say anything?" someone asked loudly.

"Of course," Shisui responded calmly.

"Good! Then tell us why you think you can lead the Uchiha clan. We respect strength. If you want to be clan leader, you must have the ability to convince everyone!"

Many nodded in agreement.

"Watch your tongue!" the great elder scolded. "Are you going to defy Hokage-sama and Mikoto-sama's decisions?"

Cold sweat broke out on the elder's head. These guys were pushing him into a corner. If Hokage-sama thought these actions were his doing, his days might be numbered.

"Great Elder, let me handle this," Shisui interjected, stopping the elder who wanted to intervene. He knew that after spending his childhood with Senju Takuya and Hatake Sakumo, the clan knew little about him. If he were to take leadership directly, of course, there would be dissatisfaction. So, to ensure his future work went smoothly, he needed to establish his authority today.

Stopping the elder, Shisui turned to face everyone with a confident smile.

"While Hokage-sama isn't here yet, if any of you want to challenge me, step forward."

**Konoha Village**

**A Popular Restaurant**

Senju Takuya was leisurely eating his meal. Across from him sat a man with spiky hair, lost in thought.

"Madara, are you really not going to visit the Uchiha?" Senju Takuya asked calmly. "After knowing the truth, the misunderstanding between you and the clan should have been resolved."

"There is no misunderstanding," Madara sighed. "I promised Hashirama that we, two relics of the old era, would not disturb the lives of the current clan members."

Like Hashirama, Madara didn't want to return to his family. Now, the two of them ran a restaurant together, living a peaceful life.

"It's you. When the Uchiha clan chooses a clan leader, you should be there to make the decision, right?" Madara asked, smiling wryly. "I never thought that one day, the Uchiha clan chief would ask the Senju clan chief for his opinion."

Takuya shrugged noncommittally and continued eating. "Shisui should be establishing his authority now. I'll go later."

He knew the Uchiha clan well. Although he appointed Uchiha Shisui as the new clan leader, if Shisui couldn't demonstrate his strength, the clan would remain unconvinced, and resentment would hinder his work. Confident in Shisui's abilities, Takuya decided to arrive later.

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