c84: Expectations for Kaleidoscope
At seven o'clock the next morning, Gen Uchiha awoke on schedule, driven by the force of his internal biological clock. He sat up straight from the futon, dressed, washed, cooked, ate, and cleaned up with mechanical precision.
It had been nearly a full year since transmigrating into this world, and Gen Uchiha considered his greatest accomplishment not the techniques he'd learned, but the fact that he'd cured his own chronic procrastination and "bedridden syndrome" under the very real pressure of life-or-death stakes.
In his past life, he would often sleep till noon with ease, then still waste 40–50 minutes scrolling in bed before dragging himself out—like his soul had been sealed under the sheets.
After completing his daily duties at the Konoha Police Force, Gen Uchiha left the village's northwestern gate and walked into the frozen woodlands beyond. Snow blanketed the trees and earth. He soon found a tree hollow, summoned Zhurong and Mu Sheng, and ordered them to patrol the perimeter. Then, he formed hand seals and activated the Spiritual Transformation Technique (Shin no Jutsu), forcibly separating part of his soul.
A transparent, spectral form drifted from his crown, rising swiftly into the sky before vanishing into the snowy ether. That disembodied soul raced across mountain ranges and rivers, covering hundreds of miles in an instant to reach Baishi Town once more.
Using enhanced sensory perception from the soul, Gen quickly located his targets. The soul then split into two, gliding to opposite ends of town to the two inns he'd marked during his previous trip. Soon, he took control of two Chūnin-ranked Nami-nin, luring them out of town and directing them south toward the Land of Fire.
His reasoning was simple: the two former puppets had lost their functionality once their souls departed. With their blood coagulated and rigor mortis set in, they could no longer be used. He needed replacements.
By 10:30 AM, the two newly possessed puppets had arrived at the underground lab. There, they stripped the cloaks off the corpses of their predecessors and assumed their garb. One moved to the eastern research room, the other west.
Inside, Uchiha Yuichi and Uchiha Mori, still bound to their chakra-suppressing crosses, lifted their weary heads. Their sclera were bloodshot, and their Sharingan eyes now with two tomoe swirled with hatred.
Gen had ordered Mu Yi and Mu Er to feed them before, or else they'd have perished from starvation.
Ignoring their seething gazes, the possessed puppets knocked both men out cold.
From a drawer, they retrieved reinforced steel-bound rope and tied the captives tightly, then carried them outside. With swift and silent movements, the group departed toward the Land of Whirlpools.
Once the four had left, Gen Uchiha's real body emerged at the base's entrance.
Mu Yi and Mu Er, waiting loyally, kneeled in greeting. "Master."
"You've completed your assignments admirably. Well done," Gen said.
With a flick of his hand, Gen activated the Soul-Soul Fruit ability, stabilizing their soul flames and adding years to their lifespan.
"Thank you, Master!" the two replied gratefully.
"For now, stay hidden near the research base. The time for your public debut hasn't come. Once the time is right, you'll serve in more menial, visible roles."
"Yes, Master."
The Homitz owed their continued existence to Gen Uchiha only he could replenish their life energy. Without him, they'd fade like burned-out candles.
"You may go now find a new den nearby. And try not to be arrogant. Just because psychic beasts don't like eating wood doesn't mean they won't destroy you for sport."
Mu Yi and Mu Er, who barely reached genin-level combat power, grinned as they bounded off into the snowy forest. Their tough wooden bodies made them durable but still vulnerable.
Watching them, Gen Uchiha smiled slightly. The day the Mangekyō awakens will also mark the rise of the Homitz.
With the Kaleidoscope Sharingan, the Homitz, and his own unique accumulation of forbidden jutsu, Gen's strength would experience a quantum leap.
At that point, he'd be bold enough to stand atop the Hokage Rock and shout at the village: "Who else dares challenge me?"
In truth, Gen didn't want his Mangekyō ability to be destructive. He already had enough offensive capability between the Soul-Soul Fruit, high-level genjutsu, and multiple ninjutsu affinities. What he wanted was a life-saving, defensive or spatial ability.
The ninja profession emphasized offense and agility over defense. High offensive stats were the norm overkill, even. But defensive techniques were rare and precious.
After entering the lab again, Gen sealed the equipment using advanced sealing tags, then cloaked the entrance with Earth Release: Tunneling Jutsu (Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu). With the base hidden, he returned to the village for lunch.
Gen wasn't interested in independent research. He wasn't Orochimaru, after all. Why reinvent the wheel when you could fund Orochimaru's genius and reap shared benefits?
Scientific research was tedious and laborious failures, recalibrations, more failures. Unless one had genuine passion and patience, success was elusive.
Two days later, the puppets arrived at the Fire Country border. Thanks to Gen's deep understanding of the old defense network set up years ago by Orochimaru, with Gen's assistance they crossed undetected.
Although the original posts had been turned over to new commanders after Orochimaru's fall from grace, large-scale changes weren't made. At most, details were modified.
After all, Orochimaru was a legendary shinobi with war experience and battlefield command his defensive layouts were sound. No successor would dare undermine him without a solid replacement.
Even if some bureaucratic puppet had taken over, they likely chose to copy Orochimaru's methods exactly. Safety in imitation.
Once past the border, the puppets took Yuichi and Mori to an abandoned research base once used by Orochimaru.
They secured the two Uchihas again, then split up one puppet activated the base's systems, while the other scoured local villages for food and supplies.
Gen was methodical. He knew that simply dumping two missing Uchihas at Konoha's doorstep would raise far too many flags. Even Kirigakure, known for poor intel, wouldn't be foolish enough to run a lab just outside Konoha.
It was more believable to be in the buffer zone between Fire and Whirlpool.
This borderland was an ungoverned grey zone ruled by rogues, merchants, missing-nin, and mercenaries. It had long since descended into a haven for black-market trade. A hell for the poor. A fantasyland for the rich. A free-for-all for wanderers.
For Gen and his schemes, it was ideal.
---
Peaceful days passed like fleeting mist especially in the Hidden Villages.
Another year vanished in the blink of an eye.
It was now January 1st, Year 51 of Konoha. New Year's Day.
In the Naruto world, there were few universally observed festivals, and New Year's Day was the most important. Its cultural significance was on par with the Spring Festival from Gen's previous life.
Today, Konoha was adorned with paper lanterns, banners, and festive lights. Markets bustled with promotions, and most shinobi from jōnin to genin took time off. Unless a mission was urgent, everyone rested.
The village's shopping district was packed. Streets were so crowded it resembled Tokyo Station during rush hour—people jostled shoulder-to-shoulder, voices ringing through the air in every direction.
Gen planned to enjoy the day to its fullest. Once the new year began, he'd leave again to gather soul energy for his Mangekyō evolution.
No one knew how much soul power the Mangekyō required so he needed to begin early. Preferably before the Nine-Tails Night, when Konoha would soon face its greatest disaster.
---
This chapter is dedicated to @[ TYLER A] for SUBSCRIBING TO OUR GOLD PACKAGE!...We appreciate your kindness and support...There will be a bonus chapter soon
30+ advanced chapter on patreon....Visit patreon now to read my exclusive content... posting 5 chapters per day, Our collection is now available on PATREON
visit patreon.com/Elbertovic to view 30+ advanced chapters
Please subscribe guys