Chapter 16
The opportunity came during a major battle. A Hatake ally, famed for their lightning-fast taijutsu and heightened senses, fell defending the Senju flank. In his last moment, Itama touched his arm and **Copied** him. Later, in secret, he used **Devour** on a single drop of the fallen Hatake's blood.
The sensation was electric. It wasn't just the Hatake's physical skills flooding into him. It was the awakening of his dormant canine-like senses. His hearing sharpened; he could smell emotions—fear, aggression. His reflexes gained a preternatural edge. He had not stolen a bloodline; he had assimilated its manifested biological expression through total comprehension. He now *was*, on a fundamental level, partially Hatake. He carefully modulated these new senses, letting them integrate slowly to avoid suspicion.