Uchiha Fugaku's Residence, Hidden Chamber beneath the Study
"Corpse Refinement!"
Uchiha Fugaku threw a corpse from the Kaguya Clan into the swirling black vortex, then stood silently, awaiting the completion of the refinement process.
Moments later, the refinement was complete.
There were still many Kaguya Clan corpses left, and his ocular power was also still abundant. However, he didn't continue refining more corpses.
"I've reached the limit."
The reason he stopped refining Kaguya Clan corpses was because, after several consecutive attempts, there was no further improvement.
He sensed that continuing the refinement would no longer bring any enhancement to the Shikotsumyaku bloodline.
He speculated that the Shikotsumyaku had already reached a certain peak—no further advancement was possible.
"Just as I suspected… It's impossible to evolve the Shikotsumyaku into the All-Killing Ash Bones simply through refining Kaguya corpses."
He exhaled a deep breath, feeling a slight tinge of regret.
Even though he had long anticipated this outcome, the realization that the Shikotsumyaku had reached its limit and could not be elevated to All-Killing Ash Bones still left him somewhat disappointed.
After a short pause, he forced the regretful emotions aside and shifted his focus back to the current state of the Shikotsumyaku bloodline.
All in all, he had refined over fifty Kaguya Clan corpses. The Shikotsumyaku had reached its peak and could no longer be improved.
"With the current level of the Shikotsumyaku, in terms of bloodline rank, it should be on par with Uchiha Madara's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan or Hashirama Senju's Wood Release. In theory, it's capable of producing super-Kage-level combat power."
At this thought, his mood brightened.
Although he hadn't gained the All-Killing Ash Bones, he had acquired a bloodline theoretically equivalent in rank to the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release—both renowned kekkei genkai with super-Kage-level potential.
This was no small gain—in fact, it was an immense one. Shikotsumyaku had now become his most potent bloodline.
"The pity is that among the Shikotsumyaku jutsu I obtained, none are super-Kage-level—only Kage-level techniques."
Over the past few days, he had not neglected to study the Shikotsumyaku jutsu he'd acquired.
Perhaps the Kaguya Clan did have members with super-Kage-level power in ancient times, but any corresponding jutsu had likely been lost due to the passage of time or wartime destruction.
Or perhaps no one in their clan ever reached that level to begin with, and no super-Kage-level jutsu were ever created.
In any case, even though he now possessed super-Kage-level bloodline strength, he had no Shikotsumyaku techniques capable of unleashing its full potential.
"Fortunately, the strength of the bloodline is the foundation. With this kind of power, I only need time to develop my own super-Kage-level Shikotsumyaku jutsu."
"When that day comes, it will mark the moment I truly possess super-Kage-level strength."
A glint of anticipation lit up Uchiha Fugaku's eyes.
The powerful jutsu that Uzumaki Naruto used in the later stages of the series were all improvements based on the Rasengan.
Even someone like Naruto, who wasn't particularly bright, could create techniques suited to himself—Fugaku didn't believe he couldn't do the same.
"Moreover, refining so many Kaguya Clan corpses has given me more than just the Shikotsumyaku bloodline."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Corpse refinement not only grants kekkei genkai, but also innate talent in ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and more.
Having refined over fifty corpses from the Kaguya Clan—renowned for their taijutsu—it was easy to imagine the leap in his own taijutsu talent.
This heightened aptitude in taijutsu would greatly assist in the creation of super-Kage-level Shikotsumyaku techniques and significantly reduce the time needed.
"Creating a super-Kage-level Shikotsumyaku jutsu will take time. But even now, the bloodline itself gives me a massive boost in strength!"
His smile deepened.
Although he didn't yet have a super-Kage-level technique, the current Shikotsumyaku had that level of bloodline strength. Even with only Kage-level jutsu, the power he could unleash would be formidable.
It was like how the same Fire Release jutsu, when used by Uchiha Madara, was on a completely different level compared to when cast by an average Uchiha.
With super-Kage-level bloodline strength behind it, even a basic jutsu would become devastating.
He estimated that his current Shikotsumyaku had already surpassed the Mangekyō Sharingan, making it his most powerful bloodline.
---
Root Base, Interior Room
"Lord Danzō, the chairman of Taiwa Trading Company, Taiwa Yōshi, has been successfully captured."
In a room within Root's base, Danzō sat cross-legged, his expression somber and contemplative.
Before him, a man in an insect-faced mask knelt on one knee and reported.
The group of more than ten ninja who attacked the Taiwa Trading Company's convoy were all Root operatives. The supposed bandit attack on the convoy had been orchestrated by Root to capture the company's chairman.
"Hm."
Shimura Danzō responded with a faint sound.
He wasn't surprised by the result. Among the ten Root ninja he had dispatched, there was even an elite jōnin.
Defeating two Uchiha squads, even ones led by jōnin, was hardly a challenge.
"Did any of the Uchiha escape?"
"No. All were eliminated. These are their eyes."
The masked ninja handed over two sealed transparent containers filled with liquid.
Inside were eyeballs, each attached to root-like optic nerves. All were blood-red Sharingan, taken from the six Uchiha clansmen who had been killed.
"Two pairs of two-tomoe Sharingan, and four pairs of one-tomoe Sharingan…"
Shimura Danzō reached out and took the containers, his gaze fixed on them.
One container held two pairs—four eyes in total—each with two tomoe, while the other held four pairs—eight eyes in total—each with a single tomoe.
"These will make perfect catalysts for that jutsu."
He smirked coldly, placing the containers aside.
"The next phase of the plan can proceed."
With six clan members killed and the well-connected merchant chairman kidnapped, the Uchiha were sure to respond.
The ultimate goal of this entire plan was to lure Uchiha Fugaku out of Konoha—then ambush and eliminate him.
"Yes."
The masked ninja nodded, then hesitated and asked:
"What if the Uchiha send a rescue team that isn't led by Fugaku?"
"Then we keep killing—until Fugaku himself comes out!"
A chilling smile spread across Danzō's face, his lone visible eye gleaming with cold light.
If the team sent by the Uchiha wasn't led by Fugaku, then they would simply eliminate all of them.
Given the pride of the Uchiha, even if they suspected something was amiss, they would never let the matter go.
Eventually, Fugaku—stronger and more influential—would have no choice but to personally lead the next team.
"…Understood."
The masked man responded solemnly.