章節 125: Chapter 125

Time flowed quietly, another year passing since the Land of Whirlpools incident. The shinobi world had returned to a semblance of calm, like a lake with no ripples on its surface.

But beneath this tranquillity was a slow undercurrent, ready to erupt and spread across the entire shinobi world when the time came.

In a modest room within the Senju Clan's compound, sixteen-year-old Moonlight Hui lay motionless on a bed. He'd been lying there for a long time—not due to injury or any mishap, but because the natural energy within him was nearing complete assimilation.

This transformation was unlike his previous assimilations of light energy or chakra; this time, the natural energy had triggered deeper changes in Hui's body, casting him into a deep slumber.

This wasn't Hui's first time in a state like this, though, and Tobirama Senju and the others weren't overly concerned.

If anything, his physical attributes seemed to grow stronger during this sleep, so Tobirama arranged for the utmost security around him, making it the most secure place in Konoha.

As Hui slept, natural energy gathered in the room in thick waves, drawn from the surrounding environment and steadily absorbed into his body. He was instinctively taking in this energy while he slept, a phenomenon that, if others saw it, would leave them dumbfounded.

Thankfully, only three people and one beast in Konoha knew about it: Mito Uzumaki, Tobirama Senju, Jiraiya—and the Nine-Tails. Mito sensed the growing concentration of natural energy around Hui thanks to her sensitivity to energy as the Nine-Tails' jinchuuriki.

Tobirama was aware due to his research on natural energy, though he had never managed to harness it. And Jiraiya—he had trained in Sage Mode for four years and instantly recognized what was happening.

When he first detected Hui's absorption of natural energy, he had been stunned. Understanding what was happening, Jiraiya's eyes had gone red with envy.

After years of back-breaking training, struggling against the risk of turning to stone, he could finally absorb natural energy. Meanwhile, for Hui, the natural energy practically willed itself into his body.

The Nine-Tails was even more affected, feeling as if his worldview had shattered.

Just what was this kid? Was he really not a tailed beast? Or maybe some kind of new species altogether?

The fox's mind whirled as he sensed Hui's growing power that felt increasingly inhuman.

For another month, natural energy continued to accumulate in Hui's room, even condensing into a thin mist. Tobirama noticed this strange phenomenon, yet, after confirming Hui was in no danger, he focused only on strengthening security around him.

Then, something remarkable happened: Hui's entire body became encased in a translucent cocoon, a massive egg-like shell formed from condensed natural energy.

Even compared to the Sage Lands—the three great lands of Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest—the natural energy in his room at the moment was unparalleled.

Tobirama had a feeling that once Hui awoke, he would undergo a complete transformation.

The awakening was near; Tobirama even dispatched a shadow clone to handle Hokage duties so he could personally stand watch outside Hui's room. Several elite Jonin of the Senju Clan joined him, all waiting for Hui's awakening.

Finally, one day, a faint cracking sound came from within the room.

Tobirama rushed inside and saw that the translucent cocoon surrounding Hui was emitting a faint glow and starting to crack.

Crack! Crack!

Tobirama's eyes narrowed as he leaped back, withdrawing from the room. As he watched from outside, the entire room erupted into light, transforming into a brilliant source of radiance that illuminated its surroundings with dazzling splendour.

After a long moment, the light subsided. Hui, slightly dazed, opened his eyes.

Slowly, he sat up, taking in the room around him with a slight dizziness. Shaking his head, he closed his eyes briefly before reopening them to steady his vision. In that instant, clarity washed over his mind, and he remembered everything.

"It seems… this time, I've gained quite a lot this time," he murmured to himself, closing his eyes to sense the changes in his body, a faint smile curling his lips.

"You're awake, Hui." A voice interrupted his reflections, and Hui turned to see Tobirama standing nearby.

"Grandfather Tobirama, I'm grateful for your care during this time," Hui replied, unaware of the exact details of what had happened, but still considerate enough to express gratitude.

"It appears you've gained much from this experience. Take some time to adjust to your growth and come find me when you're ready," Tobirama advised, noting Hui's altered presence and leaving him to process the transformation.

After Tobirama departed, Hui closed his eyes once more, immersing himself in the sensations of his new form. At last, he opened his eyes.

These were no ordinary eyes. They seemed to contain entire galaxies, ancient histories, and a profound understanding of the world. Glowing runes—symbols of divine power—floated within his gaze, casting a shimmering light.

Testing his abilities, Hui's body moved in a flash, and he found himself outside, hand gently enclosing a small bird perched on a tree branch.

He looked into the bird's eyes, and the markings in his own began to emit a faint glow. Suddenly, a force emerged from within the bird, a mysterious essence that Hui drew toward himself.

It was… life force!

In his hand, the bird appeared to weaken. Its form remained the same, but an unnatural frailty took hold of it, its eyes dimming, almost as if the creature were on the verge of death due to old age.

Hui's smile widened. The markings in his eyes shifted, reforming into another pattern as a stream of life energy flowed back from him into the bird. Instantly, it regained its vitality, eyes brightening with life. Though, it seemed slightly less lively than before, as if its life force hadn't entirely returned.

"I never would have imagined… my eyes have gained the ability to command life force!" Hui's voice was filled with excitement. The sheer scope of this power stunned even him.

"With one thought, I can bestow life… and with another, take it away. These are truly the eyes that govern life itself!"

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