Bab 71: CHAPTER 71
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Hiruzen Sarutobi walked along the stone-paved path leading to the Senju clan grounds.
The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers. The Senju compound, nestled in a secluded corner of the village, exuded an air of quiet grandeur.
Tall, imposing gates carved with the clan's emblem stood before him, a testament to the once-mighty lineage that had built Konoha alongside the Uchiha.
At the heart of the compound lay a traditional courtyard, where Mito Uzumaki, the matriarch of the Senju, was tending to a small garden.
Despite her advancing age, her presence was commanding. Her long crimson hair, now streaked with silver, shimmered in the sunlight, and her sharp eyes carried the wisdom of decades.
"Saru," Mito greeted warmly, rising to her feet. "To what do I owe this visit? You rarely leave your office these days."
Hiruzen bowed respectfully. "Lady Mito, I've come to propose something that could bring great benefit to the Senju clan."
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Mito gestured for Hiruzen to sit on the wooden veranda overlooking the garden. A servant brought tea, and the two settled in for a discussion.
"Benefit the Senju, you say?" Mito's lips curled into a slight smile. "That's a rare sentiment these days. Many forget that the Senju have already given so much to this village."
Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "Exactly. The Senju have shared their most exclusive sealing techniques and a vast repository of S-rank jutsu with Konoha. It is only fitting that the village, or at least I as the Hokage, offer something in return."
Mito raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "And what would this gift entail?"
Hiruzen leaned forward, his tone earnest. "I have developed a technique called the Bloodline Seal. It enhances the clan's genetic potential, allowing dormant abilities and talents to manifest at a much higher level. For the Senju, this could mean a resurgence of their legendary vitality and chakra reserves."
Mito's eyes widened slightly, though her composure remained intact. "That's a bold claim, Hiruzen. And what do you seek in return for this... gift?"
Hiruzen smiled and shrugged. "Nothing. This is not a negotiation, Lady Mito. It is simply my way of honoring the Senju's contributions to the village. You have already given so much; this is my way of giving something back."
For a moment, Mito said nothing, her gaze fixed on Hiruzen as if trying to discern his true intentions.
Then, her expression softened, and she chuckled lightly. "You always were a sentimental one, Hiruzen. Very well. If your seal is as effective as you claim, I see no reason to refuse."
As she sipped her tea, a thought seemed to strike her. "Speaking of seals... the Sarutobi clan has long been known for their mastery of all five elemental chakra natures. Tell me, Hiruzen, is this related to the Bloodline Seal?"
Hiruzen nodded. "Yes, it is. The Sarutobi clan's control over the five elements stems from our own application of the seal. It amplifies our innate affinities and allows us to pass these traits down through generations."
Mito's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Fascinating. Then I shall trust you to implement this seal on the Senju. Begin with Tsunade. I would like to see its effects firsthand."
Hiruzen inclined his head. "As you wish, Lady Mito."
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Within the week, Hiruzen applied the Bloodline Seal to Tsunade. The process was intricate, involving precise chakra manipulation and the activation of latent genetic markers.
At first, the effects were subtle—Tsunade reported feeling an increase in her chakra reserves and vitality. But as the days turned into weeks, the changes became undeniable.
Her strength, stamina, and chakra control reached unprecedented levels, and her natural healing ability grew more potent.
Soon, the entire Senju clan began to exhibit similar improvements. Even those who had retired from active duty felt reinvigorated, their dormant potential awakened.
The village buzzed with rumors of the Senju clan's resurgence, and whispers of the Bloodline Seal spread like wildfire.
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In the Uchiha compound, a tense meeting was underway in the grand hall. The room was dimly lit, with the clan's emblem hanging prominently on the walls.
Setsuna Uchiha, the clan head, sat at the center, his expression unreadable. Around him were the elders, their faces a mix of anger and concern.
"The Hokage's actions cannot be ignored," one elder declared, slamming his fist on the table.
"The Senju have already gained a significant advantage with this Bloodline Seal. If this continues, the Uchiha will be left behind!"
Another elder nodded in agreement. "The Hokage is clearly favoring the Senju. This move could destabilize the balance of power within the village."
Setsuna raised a hand, silencing the room. His voice was calm but carried an edge of steel.
"Enough. We must assess this situation rationally. The Bloodline Seal has undeniable benefits, as evidenced by the Senju's transformation. The question is whether we should pursue it for ourselves."
An older, more conservative elder frowned. "But at what cost? The Hokage will demand our jutsu repository in return. Are we willing to hand over the secrets of the Sharingan to the village?"
A younger elder leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
"If the Bloodline Seal can enhance the Sharingan, imagine the possibilities. We could produce hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Sharingan users—an unprecedented achievement in our clan's history."
The room buzzed with debate, the elders divided between those who saw the seal as an opportunity and those who viewed it as a threat to the clan's autonomy.
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Similar scenes played out in the compounds of the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Hatake, Inuzuka, and Kurama clans.
In the Nara compound, Shuzaku Nara, the clan head, rubbed his temples in frustration. "The Bloodline Seal could amplify our shadow techniques, but the cost of giving up our clan's secrets is too high."
In the Yamanaka compound, Inosuke Yamanaka mused aloud, "If the seal enhances our mind techniques, it could revolutionize our ability to gather intelligence. But can we trust the Hokage's intentions?"
Gensou Hatake, the head of the Hatake clan, considered the possibility of strengthening their kenjutsu techniques.
Torifu Akimichi debated the potential of enhancing the clan's body-expansion techniques, while Matsu Inuzuka contemplated the effects of the seal on their bond with their ninken partners.
In the Kurama compound, Nanatsu Kurama, the clan head, sat in quiet contemplation.
"If the Bloodline Seal can awaken the dormant power of our clan's genjutsu, it could surpass our former glory. But is it worth the risk?"
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Beneath the Uchiha compound, in the hidden chamber of the Naka Shrine, a lone figure cloaked in black knelt before the sacred stone tablet.
His Sharingan glowed ominously as he read the inscriptions.
The whispers of the Bloodline Seal had reached his ears, and what he had overheard during the clan meeting confirmed his suspicions.
"This is no ordinary development," the figure muttered to himself.
"The Third Hokage is reshaping the village, and his actions could disrupt the Moon Eye Plan. I must inform Madara-sama immediately."
With a final glance at the tablet, the figure melted into the shadows, disappearing through a secret passage beneath the shrine.
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Hiruzen stood atop the monumental Hokage Rock, the wind tugging at his white robe as the village stretched out below him.
His sharp eyes scanned the bustling streets of Konoha, the villagers oblivious to the storm brewing in his mind.
His lips curled into a smirk before erupting into a deep, booming laugh that echoed across the mountain.
"Hahaha!" His voice carried a mix of amusement and menace. "So, it seems I'm no different after all. I desire war, just as much as the enemies circling our gates like vultures."
"Let it be war, then!" he declared, his tone resolute. His voice carried a chilling conviction, resonating across the silent mountain.
"Even if I suppress this revelation… even if I manage to keep this information buried, war will come regardless. Perhaps it will come earlier than anticipated."
His fists clenched, his eyes glinting with determination. "But so what!?"
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Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone