The atmosphere inside the main tent of Konoha's front-line camp was solemn—thick with the weight of blood and battlefield silence.
Furukawa Itoshiki stood silently before Orochimaru. The faint metallic tang of blood still clung to him—not his own, but that of Jonin Fukai Hesaburo and Akikage Hata.
At his feet, two corpses lay side by side, grim testaments to his achievement: a Chunin who had slain not one, but two Jonin.
Orochimaru broke the silence, his voice low and rasping, almost amused.
"Not bad, Koga-kun. Truly… surprising."
His snake-like eyes glinted with a mix of curiosity and calculation, as though he were examining an intriguing specimen under glass.
With fluid grace, Orochimaru rose from his seat and began circling Itoshiki, his movements slow and deliberate—like a serpent coiling around its prey.
"To kill two Jonin alone as a Chunin... That alone will carve your name into this war."
He stopped just beside Itoshiki, tone turning almost playful.
"Tell me, what's your secret?"
"I only did what was necessary to complete the mission," Itoshiki replied evenly, his voice deep but calm—neither submissive nor proud.
A dry chuckle escaped Orochimaru, echoing through the candlelit tent. There was no warmth in the sound—only chill.
"Did your best?" he repeated, amused. "Koga-kun... your 'best' is far beyond ordinary."
He leaned in, his voice lowering, becoming magnetic—each syllable like a subtle thread of chakra, probing the depths of Itoshiki's will.
"Tell me... don't you want to become stronger?"
The words dripped with temptation, serpentine and seductive. Power, legacy, transformation—all dangled like forbidden fruit before him.
Itoshiki remained silent for a moment.
He knew exactly what this was. Orochimaru wasn't just praising him—he was testing him, drawing him in. Recruiting him.
But Itoshiki raised his head, meeting Orochimaru's gaze without fear.
"All I seek is to protect Konoha," he said firmly, his eyes unyielding. "To protect those I cherish."
"Power—I'll pursue it on my own terms."
A flicker of surprise passed through Orochimaru's gaze—brief, but telling.
He studied the young shinobi in silence. Then, slowly, a dry chuckle rose from his throat—not mockery this time, but something between amusement and faint regret.
"Is that so?" he murmured. "I may have underestimated you, Itoshiki-kun."
He clapped once, and a ninja entered carrying a folded Jonin uniform. The Konoha insignia shimmered faintly in the candlelight, as if acknowledging the gravity of the moment.
"From today onward, you are a Jonin of Konoha."
He gestured to the uniform.
"Put it on. You've earned it."
Itoshiki took the uniform silently.
But inside, he felt no triumph—only a quiet, unshakable heaviness.He had just refused one of the most dangerous men in the village. A seed had been planted between them—a seed of uncertainty.
And yet, he didn't regret it.
He had chosen his path. And he would walk it, even if it led him through fire.
When Itoshiki stepped out of the main tent, the news of his promotion had already spread—like wind whispering through the camp.
"Did you hear? Itoshiki took down two Jonin from Rain—by himself!""No way. That guy's just a Chunin!""Not anymore. I saw the bodies at the entrance. He's legit.""Where did he come from? I've never even heard of him before.""Well, you'll hear plenty now."
Whispers turned to wonder. Wonder turned to awe.Itoshiki became the name on every tongue—a battlefield myth in the making.
But while the others talked, he said nothing.
Dressed in his new Jonin uniform, he made his way alone to the training grounds. He needed silence. Focus. A moment to digest everything he had gained—and everything he had just risked.
The greatest prize wasn't the rank.
It was the bloodline.
[Diluted Senju Bloodline acquired.]
It wasn't enough to awaken Wood Release—but it had already enhanced his chakra, fortified his body, and widened the gates of possibility.
He clenched his fists. Lightning hummed faintly beneath his skin.
"Senju bloodline… Six Paths level…"He murmured the words to himself like a mantra.
Someday, he would reach that level.And no one—not Orochimaru, not even fate—would shape that destiny for him.
Meanwhile, the Rain Village camp was ablaze with a different energy.
"USELESS! All of you!"
Takeda Shingen's roar cracked through the air, a shattered teacup lying at his feet.
"Two Jonin—dead! Supplies lost! And all because of a single Konoha Chunin?"
His eyes, wild with rage, swept over the surviving Chunin like a blade.
"Lord Takeda, we tried our best," one ninja stammered. "That man... he was far stronger than expected. Even Jonin-sama—"
"Stronger? Then die trying!"Takeda's voice boomed. "A true shinobi does not crawl back to report failure!"
He paused, trembling with rage.
"Pass down the order. Hunt that Konoha ninja to the ends of the battlefield."His voice dropped to a deadly whisper."Alive… or in pieces."
"Yes, sir!"
The remaining ninja saluted and scattered into the night, leaving Takeda alone.
He paced in the shadows, fury and shame eating at him. This defeat had cost them more than resources.
It had cracked their reputation.
And he swore—the next time Itoshiki appeared, he wouldn't leave alive.
And at the center of it all—was a single name.
Itoshiki Furukawa.
Takeda Shingen clenched his fists, veins throbbing in his neck, the anger seething in his chest.
"Itoshiki Furukawa…" he hissed through gritted teeth."I'll remember that name."
His words were low and venomous, a vow to exact revenge.
"Next time... you will pay the price for this."
The news spread rapidly throughout the battlefield, reaching every corner with the speed of a wildfire.
"Konoha's Rising Star: Chunin Strikes Down Two Rain Jonin!""Rain Village Shamed—Bounty Set on Konoha's Genius!""Who is Itoshiki Furukawa? The Phantom Blade of the Front Lines?"
Suddenly, every major faction in the region knew the name of Itoshiki Furukawa.
Some marveled at his strength.Others speculated about his origins.And a few—began to plot how to use him.
But Itoshiki Furukawa was blissfully unaware of the stir he had caused.
He didn't seek fame.
He didn't crave recognition.
He only knew one thing:
To become stronger—strong enough to protect everything he held dear.
.... Hello readers, check out my new fanfic Naruto : Otsususki bloodline and if you want to get your hands on more chapters, go check out my patreon Seasay, it has more advanced chapters for both the books. This fanfic has 75 chapters whilst the new book has 10 chapters. Have a lovely week and thanks for the support.