The Hokage's office was unusually tense as Konoha's high-ranking officials gathered once more. A heavy silence filled the room, as if everyone was burdened by some unspoken gravity.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, no longer leisurely puffing on his pipe, frowned deeply as he reviewed the battlefield report. The message was brief but alarming:
"Basic Internal Energy has been leaked."
The report had come from the Kirigakure front. Over time, the Hidden Mist ninja had suddenly produced an unusual number of formidable fighters. Intelligence from the frontline, gathered through Sharingan reconnaissance, revealed that the enemy's chakra reserves were abnormally high.
Eventually, a Uchiha team captured and escorted a Mist ninja back to Konoha. Through interrogation, they confirmed the leak of Basic Internal Energy.
This was no trivial matter.
Konoha's ability to withstand the combined forces of three major villages had relied heavily on the advantage provided by Basic Internal Energy. Now, the enemy possessed it as well. The balance of power would inevitably shift.
"As the inventor, Uchiha Kin must be held responsible," Danzo declared, placing the blame squarely on Kin's shoulders.
"But doing so would discourage future innovation," Utatane Koharu countered. If inventors were punished for leaks, who would dare share new techniques with the village?
"While Uchiha Kin bears some fault, he cannot shoulder all the blame," Mitokado Homura added, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly where Kin had erred.
But Kin was a Uchiha—that alone was enough for some.
Still, the village elders couldn't act purely on bias. They had to consider the morale of other shinobi. The last thing they needed was an atmosphere of distrust.
As for how the Uchiha would feel? That was the least of their concerns.
"The oversight lies with me," Hiruzen said, taking responsibility. "If we blame Uchiha Kin, how will others perceive us?"
This wasn't an opportunity to exploit. While using it to pressure the Uchiha might be tempting, the broader consequences—including damage to Hiruzen's reputation—made it unwise.
Rubbing his temples, Hiruzen continued, "Have Uchiha Kin submit all his invented techniques and tools to mitigate the village's losses."
"Hiruzen, you're letting him off too lightly," Danzo grumbled, displeased. Kin had rejected his offers twice and even escaped his grasp. This was a chance to act, and Danzo wasn't about to let it slip.
But bringing up the Hashirama Cells or the lab incident would backfire—Danzo's own hands weren't clean.
"Basic Internal Energy has been a boon to the village," Hiruzen said firmly, locking eyes with Danzo. "The matter is settled."
Danzo's dissatisfaction grew. "You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
"Danzo, I am the Hokage."
With a cold snort, Danzo stormed out, followed by Homura and Koharu.
Left alone, Hiruzen sighed heavily. "The Uchiha..."
Why had his teacher been so fixated on targeting them? Though doubts lingered, Hiruzen understood the reasons all too well.
The Uchiha were a clan of loose cannons, a ticking time bomb. The Sarutobi clan, too, had once been bested by them. These factors, among others, had cemented the elders' bias.
At this point, it wasn't even about whether Hiruzen wanted to oppose the Uchiha—Danzo, Homura, and Koharu had dragged him into it.
"I hope Uchiha Kin is sensible."
He couldn't afford to push the Uchiha further into opposition.
Meanwhile, oblivious to the brewing storm, Uchiha Kin pushed open the gate to his courtyard.
Clenching his fist, he felt a surge of power coursing through him.
The Senju clan's monstrous strength techniques were now within his reach. More importantly, the possibility of attaining Hashirama's Sage Body had become real.
With a deep breath, he pressed his palms to the ground.
A twisted sapling burst forth, its growth erratic.
"Truly overwhelming," Kin murmured.
The Hashirama Cells had altered his chakra, infusing his naturally Yin-aligned energy with the Wood Release's blend of Water and Earth. Perhaps due to his Yin affinity, the resulting wood was pitch black.
Even better, the cells allowed him to wield Earth and Water techniques effortlessly, fully unlocking his elemental versatility.
His gaze shifted to the sapling, which soon grew to his height, its branches swaying with an eerie aura.
"Wood Release: Wood Clone Technique!"
Black wood sprouted from his body, morphing into a perfect replica of himself. Unlike Shadow Clones, which skilled shinobi could detect, this clone could only be exposed by a dojutsu like the Byakugan.
A snap of his fingers, and the clone dissolved into a tangle of branches—ready to ensnare any foe.
Kin nodded in approval. "Not quite Hashirama-level yet, but I'll surpass Yamato soon enough."
As for where he'd acquired Wood Release techniques?
Thanks to Uchiha Madara's "generosity," Kin now had access to everything from Wood Clones to the Wood Human Technique.
But—
"Wood Release isn't my true path."
For Kin, the development of internal energy remained his focus. Still, he was now an Uchiha with Wood Release.
The benefits of the Hashirama Cells didn't end there. His chakra production had tripled, rapidly absorbed and stored by the seals within his body. By his estimates, what would have taken decades to reach the third layer of Foundation Internal Art now required only a little over ten years.
Finally, the Heavenly Demon Art had taken root.
Chakra Internal Energy, evolved from Basic Internal Energy, possessed a unique trait: it could fuse with a single ninjutsu, allowing instant activation and scaling power with accumulated chakra.
Kin had prepared for this.
"Darkness Release Technique."
A sphere of darkness swallowed his hand. No hand seals were needed now—he could manipulate its form freely. Within this darkness, Wood Release and even techniques like Shadow Imitation could be concealed.
In fact, Shadow Imitation wielded within the darkness might surpass even Wood Release in potency.
"What I wield now isn't Tobirama's Darkness Release Technique," Kin declared.
"It's my Dark Walker Technique."
Tobirama's version created fixed zones of darkness, controlled but confined. Kin's technique brought darkness with him.
"Elite Jōnin-level strength."
Achieved!!
...
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(End of Chapter)