The black lightning shark unleashed by Mangetsu had shattered most of the massive ice blade. Yet part of it still rushed straight toward Kenya and Tsunade.
"Suigetsu, you bastard! How dare you attack Teacher Aizen like this?!"
Temari, dressed much like she had been during the Shippuden era, whipped out the giant iron fan strapped to her back and swung it fiercely.
But instead of summoning her usual gale-force winds, the strike unleashed a slender arc of white lightning—fluid like water, yet crackling with destructive impact.
The bolt met the incoming ice midair, just before it could reach Kenya. With a sharp crack, the ice shattered into glittering fragments.
"…S-Sorry. I still can't fully control this power."
From the swirling frost, a figure slowly emerged. His body was half encased in ice, as though frozen into an unwilling sculpture. His face looked dazed, almost childlike.
Suigetsu.
Kenya couldn't help but think of Aokiji from One Piece.
"This… this is the Ice Release of the Yuki clan?"
Tsunade's emerald eyes widened in shock. She recalled what she had seen moments ago, then turned toward Mangetsu and the others.
"That black lightning earlier—that was the Bloodline Limit of the Third Raikage. Darui inherited it after his death. And now… this?"
Her disbelief only grew. "Just what is going on here?!"
The Hōgyoku pulsed faintly at Kenya's side, its light carrying an otherworldly beauty. Kenya's calm explanation followed:
"Not long ago, many test subjects failed to endure their new powers. They either went mad or died. But recently, things have stabilized. Control has become possible."
"You mean… you're granting people Bloodline Limits?!" Tsunade's voice rose, fury mixing with disbelief.
Kenya shook his head lightly. "Don't say granting. Call it what it really is—evolution. The form it takes is unpredictable, even to me. That's why I didn't risk my most important subordinates in the early trials."
"You…!" Tsunade bit down hard on her lip, glaring at him.
"Don't be angry, Tsunade-senpai," Kenya said, smiling faintly. "The path of evolution is always paved with sacrifice. But imagine this—if one day, I could awaken Wood Style within you. Wouldn't such sacrifice be worth it?"
Tsunade's eyes widened, her breath catching.
Wood Style.
She had once been hailed as the heiress of the Senju, expected to follow in Hashirama's footsteps. But as she grew older, the truth became clear: Hashirama's power was unique, belonging to him alone. No one else—not even among the Senju—had ever awakened it.
And yet here was Kenya, claiming he could give it to her.
"…The experiments are basically successful now," Kenya continued calmly. "No further testing is needed. Tsunade-senpai, I'll see you home."
"No." Tsunade turned sharply, her lips pressed tight. "I'll go myself."
She left without looking back.
Kenya chuckled softly. "Compared to her teacher, she's still far too innocent."
"Master Kenya!"
A small voice piped up as Hanabi came running, her eyes wide and eager. She looked so much like Hinata, though her features were sharper, her gaze steadier.
"Can I evolve too?!" she asked, practically bouncing on her toes.
Kenya smiled, reaching down to ruffle her hair. "In time, Hanabi. You're special. But if your foundation isn't strong enough, the Hōgyoku's power would crush you."
"Ughhh…" Hanabi puffed up her cheeks, sulking like a frog.
It had only been a month since Kenya officially began experimenting with the Hōgyoku on his most trusted subordinates. After long deliberation, Hinata had been excluded—not out of weakness, but because her loyalty was not absolute. Kyōka Suigetsu could restrain her if needed, but Kenya preferred caution. Perhaps, someday, the chance would come.
Year 62 of Konoha's founding.
Jiraiya and Naruto were still away on their training journey. Meanwhile, Orochimaru had sent Kenya a warning—Sasuke's behavior had grown increasingly erratic.
It could only mean one thing. He was ready to act.
This time, Orochimaru no longer possessed the power to bind Sarutobi Hiruzen with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. His hands, his ninjutsu—all had limits.
And yet Sasuke dared to move against him. Compared to the original timeline, his growth was… alarming.
Kenya's reply had been short and sharp: Follow the plan.
Even so, he decided to write to Jiraiya directly, claiming intelligence on Sasuke's whereabouts. If there was one word that could drag Naruto back from the ends of the earth, it was Sasuke.
And as expected, within ten days Naruto and Jiraiya returned together.
Kenya wondered idly how their training had gone. Though in truth, he almost wished Naruto could live an ordinary life this time. Sasuke's fate, after all, was already sealed.
Knock. Knock. Knock!
The pounding came early in the morning, thunderous against the quiet. In the kitchen, Kurenai Yuhi—now more mature, clad in a dark red nightdress—was preparing breakfast for Kenya.
From outside, a familiar voice shouted:
"Mr. Kenya! You said you had Sasuke's whereabouts—is it true?!"
It had been two years since Kurenai last heard that voice, but she recognized it instantly.
After all, across the entire shinobi world, few would dare to pound on Kenya's door like this.