Time flowed like water.
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
In a dilapidated training ground, Kin was hanging upside down from a tree, munching on an apple, when Namikaze Minato suddenly appeared and thrust a finger toward him.
The next moment, the tree was pierced clean through by Minato's strike. Yet, Kin had already leaned back, taking a big bite of the apple as if nothing had happened.
"Too slow, little Minato," Kin teased.
Both of them vanished from the spot using Shave (Soru).
Their fast-moving figures collided repeatedly across the training ground.
Nearby, Kushina stood under another tree, flicking a pebble at its trunk. Instantly, a rain of shuriken and kunai fell from the branches. Her body swayed like paper, effortlessly dodging every projectile.
Watching this, Hyuga Kiyoshi gritted his teeth.
I can't compare. I really can't compare.
The Four Styles—Minato had mastered them all in just three months, wielding them with ease. Kushina had also grasped Paper Drawing (Kami-e) and Shave (Soru). Meanwhile, Kiyoshi had only managed Iron Body (Tekkai) and was still struggling with Shave (Soru).
The Four Styles had a high barrier to entry, especially in terms of chakra requirements. Kiyoshi couldn't fathom how Minato could be such a genius. But the evidence was right before his eyes. Reluctantly, he had to admit—he was no match for Minato.
Yet, compared to these two, Uchiha Kin was an outright monster.
Kiyoshi had no idea where Kin had obtained the Four Styles, but the boy's combat prowess was beyond anything someone his age should possess. His agility, reflexes, and effortless mastery of the Four Styles made even a genius like Minato seem like a child playing games.
Even without ninjutsu, Kin gave off the aura of a jonin. Kiyoshi had sparred with chunin and even jonin before, but Kin felt like a seasoned elite.
Is this guy a monster wearing human skin?
Kiyoshi stared intently at Kin, who was effortlessly evading Minato's pursuit. He's the one worth chasing.
But alas, he couldn't even keep up with Minato.
Kin glanced at Kiyoshi, who was observing them. The Hyuga boy didn't know about the Basic Internal Energy Technique. Kin's forehead was wrapped in a cloth, hiding the Caged Bird seal. The Hyuga branch family could never defy the main family, so trust was out of the question.
Dodging Minato's Finger Gun (Shigan) with a tilt of his head, Kin watched as the nearby tree was punctured. He countered with a sweeping kick, but Minato reacted unnaturally fast, pressing a hand against Kin's leg to vault over it.
Kin smirked and accelerated his kick, striking Minato's abdomen and sending him flying. Minato stabilized mid-air, landing horizontally on a tree trunk.
"You've still got a long way to go, Minato," Kin said, finishing his apple.
Minato dropped to the ground, sitting heavily.
"Kin, why are you so strong?" Minato groaned.
He could feel his rapid progress, but Kin's depth remained unfathomable—like a mountain that never seemed to shrink no matter how high he climbed. He'd reached the Fourth Layer of Basic Internal Energy and mastered the Four Styles, yet Kin still towered over him like an adult over a child.
"Diligence, Minato. Diligence," Kin said, shaking his head.
Truthfully, Kin's progress had slowed over the past three months due to his growing body's limitations. But his solid foundation, combined with insights from Minato, Might Dai, Kushina, and Orochimaru on the Basic Internal Energy Technique, had become his nourishment.
The trio's understanding of the Four Styles also contributed to his overwhelming edge.
Even a genius like Minato was only at chunin level now.
Speaking of which, Orochimaru was the one who had progressed the farthest with the Basic Internal Energy Technique, already touching upon the final layer. That layer, designed by Kin to mimic immortality, was incredibly complex and demanded vast amounts of chakra.
"Oh, Inoue-sensei said you have to go to school tomorrow. There's an important announcement," Minato suddenly remembered.
For the past three months, Inoue Satoru had barely caught a glimpse of Kin.
"Got it," Kin replied dismissively.
Though, if he used that technique, he could probably threaten even a jonin—or match one outright.
But it was a one-time trick.
Orochimaru stared impassively at the glass chamber before him, where a writhing ninja slowly turned into wood amidst agonized screams.
From the shadows emerged a man wrapped in bandages, his face grim under the dim light.
The shadow of Konoha—Shimura Danzo.
"Any progress?"
Orochimaru's reply was cold.
"As you can see, another failure."
Danzo's expression darkened.
"This experiment has been running for a month. Why is there no progress?"
The sacrifices for this project were mounting, even straining frontline manpower. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the true sponsor of this mission, was beginning to waver.
"Hashirama's cells relentlessly consume the host. Suppression is impossible," Orochimaru said flatly.
He'd tried every method, but the cells' corrosive nature remained unchecked.
"Continue the experiments. Results are mandatory."
"I am not your subordinate, Lord Danzo."
Orochimaru emphasized the title, casting a sidelong glance at Danzo. Even as Hiruzen's old friend, Danzo had no authority over him.
Danzo studied Orochimaru deeply.
"Hiruzen also awaits results. Without progress, this project will be terminated."
Such sacrifices with no gains—Hiruzen's soft heart would never allow it to continue.
Danzo vanished back into the shadows.
In all of Konoha, only two could research Hashirama's cells: Orochimaru and Tsunade. The latter could never learn of this.
Try telling her we dug up her grandfather's remains to strengthen Konoha.
Even the Will of Fire's indoctrination wouldn't stop her from tearing the village apart.
As Danzo left, Orochimaru's gaze shifted to an inconspicuous potted plant in the corner—a sapling growing steadily.
To him, this sapling was far more fascinating than the failed experiments.
Incredible. That Uchiha is a true genius.
His skepticism had turned to certainty.
This sapling had no connection to Hashirama's cells. It was a dead seedling until Orochimaru sealed the Basic Internal Energy Technique's principles into it. He hadn't watered it—only nourished it with chakra.
Yet, it thrived.
If chakra reaches a certain threshold… could true immortality be possible?
Orochimaru pondered.
The Basic Internal Energy Technique could extend one's lifespan by a few years, but true longevity or immortality was beyond its scope.
The key lay in the third layer's method:
"Seal the power of nature within the body using chakra."
This world had something called Sage Art Chakra. Most sought to absorb it, but no one had thought to seal it.
According to the technique, sealed natural energy would gradually adapt the body to withstand its power.
If the human body can sustain Sage Art Chakra indefinitely… then immortality is achievable.
The White Snake of Ryūchi Cave was living proof.
This… is the path to immortality.
For the first time, light flickered in Orochimaru's eyes.
A seeker of jutsu, he had always felt the constraints of mortality. Now, a true path to immortality lay before him.
Hashirama's cells? Just a tedious task assigned by his superiors.
They were remarkable, but they couldn't grant eternal life.
Only this path—the Basic Internal Energy Technique—was the correct one.
Sealing jutsu… is the future.
Uchiha Kin could never have imagined.
His Basic Internal Energy Technique had irrevocably altered Orochimaru's path.
The shinobi world might have glimpsed such techniques before, but ninja were brutes obsessed with destructive power. They saw only annihilation, the pinnacle of jutsu.
No one had ever pursued immortality.
Originally, Orochimaru was the sole seeker.
Now, there were two.
Uchiha Kin.
Ninja Academy
Kin looked around the familiar yet alien classroom and sighed.
"It's only been a few days, but this place already feels strange."
It's been three months!!!
Inoue Satoru screamed internally, but he maintained a strained smile for the sake of professionalism.
"Eww… Inoue-sensei's smile is creepy," a passing student muttered.
Inoue's smile twisted into something even more pitiful.
Can't I even keep my dignity?
Inoue: orz
Once the class settled, Inoue pulled himself together.
The weight of what he had to announce pressed down on him.
Standing at the podium, his body felt heavier than lead.
These students—aside from Kin—were all his. Raised under his care.
He opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat.
The Second Hokage established the academy with a twelve-year graduation age. When did it become ten?
He didn't understand. Nor did he understand the decision he was about to relay.
Under the students' puzzled gazes, Inoue took three deep breaths and forced his brightest smile.
"Class… starting tomorrow, everyone is eligible to take the graduation exams."
"WHAT!?"
Kin slammed his desk and stood up.
(End of Chapter)