The final day of the Festival of Fire painted the capital in gold and crimson.
Lanterns swayed from rooftops, music echoed through crowded streets, and banners of all the great clans fluttered proudly under the evening sun.
Keiji Uchiha walked among the celebration, his shiny Gengar floating lazily beside him — its spectral body shimmering violet beneath the lantern light. Children gasped as it grinned playfully, making its eyes glow before fading into smoke.
"Hey, Gengar," Keiji said, amused, "try not to terrify every civilian in the capital."
The ghost Pokémon responded with a low chuckle and an innocent smile that fooled no one.
The past days had been chaos — alliances formed, rivalries sharpened, and shadows stirred. But tonight, the world felt light.
---
A Chance Reunion
"Keiji Uchiha!"
Keiji turned, instantly recognizing the voice. Asahi Senju and Sayaka Senju were approaching from the crowd. Sayaka waved with her usual enthusiasm, her crimson-tipped hair glinting in the sunset.
"Well, this is unexpected," Keiji said, smiling. "Didn't think the Senju would visit the Uchiha side of the festival."
Asahi crossed his arms, calm as ever. "We could say the same. The capital's neutral ground, remember? Besides—" he smirked faintly, "—Sayaka insisted."
Sayaka puffed her cheeks. "Don't act like you didn't want to come too, Asahi."
Before Keiji could respond, two more figures joined the group — Renjiro Uzumaki, fiery as ever, and Kaya Kaguya, her pale eyes calm and distant.
Renjiro threw an arm around Keiji's shoulder. "Hey, Champion! Don't think you're off the hook just because you won the competition. I still owe you a rematch!"
Keiji laughed. "You can try anytime, Renjiro. Just don't cry when Gengar wins again."
The ghost Pokémon smirked, crossing its stubby arms, glowing mischievously.
Behind them, Kaya Kaguya gave a slight nod of greeting. "Uchiha Keiji. It seems the festival favors coincidences."
Keiji nodded back. "Or fate has a sense of humor."
Before their conversation deepened, another imposing figure approached — Daigo Hagoromo, his golden-silver armor gleaming. Behind him stood the stoic Hinuru Hyūga, arms folded.
"Uchiha," Daigo called out, his tone confident but respectful. "It seems the world insists we meet again."
"And I see the Hagoromo Clan hasn't lost its pride," Keiji replied lightly.
Gengar floated between them, half-shadow, half-light, as if symbolizing the strange peace that had formed between ancient clans.
---
Bonds Over Lanterns
Hours passed as the unlikely group wandered through the festival streets.
They tried local foods — roasted eel, spiced dumplings, sweet dango — and even joined a lantern-making contest.
Sayaka and Renjiro bickered over whose design looked better, while Asahi and Kaya quietly observed. Hinuru, though composed, seemed oddly intrigued by the game stalls, especially the precision throwing challenge.
Daigo scoffed at a strength test stand. "These carnival games underestimate Hagoromo Clan."
He swung the mallet once — and shattered the bell mechanism entirely. The crowd burst into laughter and applause.
Keiji grinned. "Impressive. Maybe next year, they'll make a version that survives."
For a brief moment, clan rivalries, politics, and destiny all melted away.
They were just teenagers under a sky full of fireworks.
Gengar floated above them, creating ghostly images in the air — glowing illusions of dancing Pokémon, flickering beside the fireworks. The crowd gasped, mistaking them for chakra illusions, but only Keiji smiled knowingly.
Sayaka looked up, her eyes reflecting the lights. "You know," she said softly, "if every clan could see this… maybe the world wouldn't always be fighting."
Keiji glanced at her — the warmth in her voice stirred something gentle in his chest.
"Maybe someday," he said, "we'll make them see."
---
Parting at Dusk
As the night deepened, the group found themselves atop a high terrace overlooking the capital. Below, the festival shimmered like a sea of lights.
Renjiro stretched. "Man, this was fun. Haven't laughed like this in months."
Kaya folded her hands. "Enjoy it while you can. Tomorrow, the politics begin again."
Daigo's voice was firm but thoughtful. "True. But tonight… we stand as equals, not heirs."
Asahi nodded. "Then let this night be a memory — one untouched by clan pride."
They all exchanged silent agreement. Even Gengar nodded solemnly, for once.
Then, as the final fireworks erupted into the sky — a blazing lotus of red and gold — each of them made their farewells.
Renjiro clasped Keiji's shoulder. "Next time, we spar. No excuses."
Sayaka smiled, her voice soft. "Don't forget this night, Keiji."
Kaya bowed politely. "Until fate calls again."
Daigo extended his hand. "Hagoromo Clan will remember Uchiha Clan honor."
Hinuru's pale eyes flickered. "You've earned my respect, Uchiha Keiji."
Asahi simply smiled. "Be well, brother in fire."
One by one, they disappeared into the city — returning to their clans' temporary estates.
The last firework faded, leaving only embers drifting through the warm air.
---
A Message from the System
Keiji stood alone now, the night silent around him.
Gengar hovered quietly, watching as his master gazed up at the stars.
Then —
[Ding!]
A soft blue glow formed in front of Keiji, text flickering in the air.
> System Message:
Hidden Mission Complete — "Bridge the Descendants of Hagoromo and Hamura Ōtsutsuki."
Reward Granted:
• Theoretical Knowledge of Kekkei Tōta
• Ability to Create Kekkei Tōta
• Ability to Teach Kekkei Tōta to Eligible Individuals or Clans
• 100% Success Rate in Training, Research, and Instruction of Kekkei Tōta
Keiji's eyes widened. "Kekkei Tōta…?
That's… impossible."
He recalled the original Naruto anime — the 2nd and 3rd Tsuchikage Mū and Ōnoki, masters of Dust Release.
Kekkei Tōta wasn't just rare — it was legendary.
Gengar tilted its head, its eyes glowing softly in concern.
Keiji whispered, "If I can really create and teach Kekkei Tōta… I could shape the future of the Uchiha Clan no,of all shinobi world ."
But confusion struck him next.
He remembered the Senju Clan.
The Wood Style.
"System," he murmured, "tell me something. Wasn't Wood Release just Earth and Water? Or… is it something more?"
The air around him shimmered again.
---
System Explanation: The Lost Truth of the Senju
> System Response:
Your assumption is correct — Wood Release is not a Kekkei Genkai, but a Kekkei Tōta.
In the lost archives of Ashura Ōtsutsuki's personal library lies a scroll known as "The Root of Life: Records of the First Sage of the Forest."
It details that Wood Release (Kekkei Tōta) — combines three elements:
• Water (Suiton) – Flow and nourishment
• Earth (Doton) – Structure and stability
• Yang Release (Yōton) – Vitality and creation
This tri-nature fusion allows the creation of living matter — wood, roots, even organic tissue.
Thus, Wood Style is not merely an elemental combination. It is the breath of life itself.
Keiji's expression darkened with awe. "Then Hashirama Senju's power was… a Kekkei Tōta all along."
> System: Correct.
The truth was lost as time passed.
Tobirama Senju, valuing logic over spirituality, redefined Wood Release as a simple Kekkei Genkai to make it replicable.
His approach stripped away the Yang aspect — the essence of life.
Hiruzen, Orochimaru, Danzō, and others inherited this misunderstanding.
They pursued Wood Release through science, not spirit — and thus could never reproduce its true form.
Keiji clenched his fists. "Then… Hashirama wasn't just strong. He was in harmony with life itself."
> System: Indeed.
The original Wood Release was born from spiritual unity with nature.
The irony lies in White Zetsu cells — remnants of humans absorbed by the God Tree.
Their infused Yang and Nature energy accidentally preserve the missing element, allowing partial recreations of true Wood Release.
Keiji's eyes widened. "So Yamato's version, Danzō's grafted power — they were just fragments of the real thing."
> System: Precisely.
You, Keiji Uchiha, now hold the theoretical and spiritual foundation to recreate the original Wood Release as a Kekkei Tōta — for yourself ( OR ) help Senju clan Reawaken Wood Release as a Kekkei Tōta ( OR ) even forge entirely new ones.
The words sank deep. The gravity of it all left Keiji speechless.
Gengar floated closer, tapping his shoulder with a spectral hand.
Keiji exhaled slowly. "This… changes everything. If I can understand this… I can balance destruction and creation — the Uchiha clan and Senju clan legacies together."
He smiled faintly, looking up at the fading lanterns. "Wood Release… huh. Maybe it's time the world remembers what it truly means to live."
A sudden gust of wind blew across the terrace, extinguishing the last of the lanterns.
In the silence, Keiji's eyes gleamed with newfound resolve.
Gengar grinned, mirroring his determination — its aura flickering violet and gold, the colors of balance.
"Come on, partner," Keiji whispered. "If Wood Style was the Senju's Clan secret Kekkei Tōta.… then it's time the Uchiha Clan discover their own Kekkei Tōta."
The night sky shimmered faintly — as if fate itself was listening.
---
End of the Chapter
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