Bab 50: Chp-50: Side Effects
In the hospital room, the atmosphere felt heavy.
Satoru Hyuga leaned against the white pillow, his brows furrowed, contemplating the shocking news brought by Orochimaru.
He had long noticed that each upgrade of his electromagnetic force would temper his body, but it was only now that he learned this tempering could lead to ancestral regression.
Thinking back, it was true that the purity of his Byakugan had increased significantly, indicating that Orochimaru was not lying.
However, he did not look forward to this process.
The Hyuga clan only possessed a small fraction of the Otsutsuki bloodline. Regressing all the way might not even turn him into an Otsutsuki, and the process involved too many unpredictable factors.
After pondering for a while, Satoru suddenly realized a crucial point, and his frown relaxed.
He almost forgot that once his electromagnetic force evolved to a certain level, he could control atomic arrangements at the microscopic level. By then, he could be as big or small as he wanted and as strong as he wished.
The Otsutsuki form was just a node in his physical evolution; there was no need to worry about it.
With this thought, Satoru let out a sigh of relief, his mood gradually easing.
"It seems Satoru has digested this information," Orochimaru remarked, noticing the change in Satoru's expression.
"Even if my bloodline is regressing, any significant changes are far in the future. The important thing is to focus on the present, isn't it?" Satoru replied calmly.
"As expected of Satoru."
Orochimaru couldn't help but praise him.
"How is Anko?" Satoru inquired.
"She's doing well. That child is a rare talent, and her abilities are quite compatible with mine. When you see her again, you might be surprised," Orochimaru said with a smile.
"That's good to hear."
Satoru felt a bit relieved. After all, Anko was originally Orochimaru's disciple in the original story, so Orochimaru shouldn't harm her.
"Well then, I won't disturb you any longer. I hope you recover soon."
With a smile, Orochimaru left the room quietly.
Satoru sighed and resumed practising the cell activation technique, steadily improving his physical qualities.
...
After a few days of recuperation, Satoru clenched his fists, feeling the abundant strength that gave him a sense of joy. His life force had also become much more vigorous, like a blazing flame.
Compared to before his injury, his strength had significantly increased after practising cell activation. Most importantly, it had compensated for his previous lack of chakra.
The experience points for his electromagnetic force had increased significantly due to using Tyrant Mode, which forced him to use abilities beyond his current level.
\[ Electromagnetic Force Level: Lv3 \]
\[ Experience Points: 8945/20000 \]
He was just over ten thousand experience points away from upgrading to Lv4.
Lv1 granted electromagnetic manipulation, Lv2 life magnetic field, Lv3 electromagnetic furnace...
What new ability would Lv4 bring?
Having tasted the power surge in Tyrant Mode, Satoru was eagerly looking forward to more advanced electromagnetic abilities.
In the afternoon, with Shibi Aburame's help, Satoru completed the discharge procedures.
Stepping out of Konoha Hospital, the bright sunlight made him instinctively shield his eyes with his hand.
"Satoru, it seems you've been resting so long that you're not used to such strong sunlight," Shibi commented, feeling a bit heartbroken at the sight.
"Sensei, don't say that. Resting is for better progress. I'm eager to start taking on missions," Satoru replied with a smile. "The Hokage is waiting for us. Let's hurry."
"Yes."
Shibi nodded.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Satoru, fresh out of the hospital, with admiration in his eyes. He couldn't help but nod in approval.
"Good! Very spirited!"
Satoru couldn't help but roll his eyes internally at the typical old man's comment.
Unaware of Satoru's thoughts, Hiruzen continued with admiration.
"Satoru, as Shibi should have informed you, your abilities have surpassed that of a genin. Thus, I have promoted you to chunin."
"From now on, you can take on A-rank and lower missions independently. If you have any requests, feel free to bring them up."
Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe, speaking slowly.
Initially, he had considered inducting Satoru into the Anbu. With his archery and unique magnet release, he seemed perfect for Anbu missions.
However, after much deliberation, Hiruzen decided against it, given Satoru's status as a branch family member of the Hyuga clan.
Promoting Satoru to chunin and granting him privileges beyond those of a regular chunin would allow him to grow rapidly without drawing too much attention.
After all, the ninja world was far from peaceful now.
Suddenly, Hiruzen seemed to recall something, his expression turning worried as he asked cautiously.
"Satoru, I've heard you used a high-cost forbidden technique. Is your body alright?"
A high-cost forbidden technique? He must mean Tyrant Mode.
Satoru thought for a moment before responding, "That technique was something I developed accidentally. It greatly boosts my strength for a short period. It was with this technique that I survived the encounter with those two Mist ninjas."
"As for the cost..."
"Since the technique involves overexerting my life force and physical strength in a short time, it damages my cells, potentially shortening my lifespan."
He looked up, maintaining eye contact with Hiruzen without a hint of nervousness.
"I see... That's troubling."
Hiruzen rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. The cost of the forbidden technique was indeed significant.
He had no reason to doubt Satoru. After all, Konoha Hospital had reported that Satoru's cells were damaged, and lifespan reduction was not something easily detectable.
Satoru remained composed as if his previous exaggerated claims were entirely truthful.
Shortened lifespan?
Yes, it did shorten his lifespan. He could maintain Tyrant Mode for a full three minutes!
And three minutes of life wasn't considered life?
Plus, the excruciating pain and several days of inability to work afterwards—weren't those indirectly shortening his life, too?
The information provided by Anko only mentioned that he survived the attacks from those two Jonin-level enemies.
Satoru didn't know whether the Hokage had sent the Anbu to investigate the battlefield or whether he understood the true power of Tyrant Mode. It was best to exaggerate the side effects.
Shibi, on the other hand, felt even more guilty because of Satoru's blatant exaggeration.
Hiruzen sighed, looking at Satoru with a complex expression. "Satoru, you truly embody the Will of Fire. How about this? I'll double your mission rewards this time as compensation."
Satoru's eyes lit up as he quickly selected the three highest-paying missions from the mission book.
Hiruzen's face turned slightly green, but he couldn't go back on his word now.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone