Chapter 43: Ninja Beast Transformation, Activating Self-Hypnosis
Stars glittered across the night sky like countless pearls scattered on a velvety black canvas. Uchiha Tonan stepped out from the Naka Shrine, but instead of heading home, he made his way toward the training grounds.
The Flicker Clone Technique was a beast—no ordinary ninjutsu. Being a nin-tai-genjutsu hybrid, it wasn't something even talented shinobi could master without sweat and time. Tonan knew it would take countless hours to hone.
He might even have to push his limits further, devouring every bit of chakra and stamina he had, to reach the required level. Compared to that, Beast Infestation was simpler. After all, Tonan's combined spiritual strength rivaled that of several shinobi. He could safely consider himself a genius.
Activating his Sharingan, Tonan scanned the area. Finding it deserted, he pulled a scroll from his ninja pouch and unfurled it. The three tomoe of his Sharingan spun rapidly as he absorbed the scroll's contents.
Half an hour later, he memorized every line and carefully rolled up the scroll. Then, he used Kagami Tenchi Kaeshi — Mirror Heaven and Earth Change — to summon the white pigeons scattered across the village.
"Coo, coo," the birds fluttered in, perching on his shoulders and the ground at his feet.
Biting his finger, Tonan drew blood and fed it to each pigeon one by one, their pale feathers ruffling with the infused chakra. With his beasts ready, he formed the hand seals.
The Beast Infestation technique had two sets of signs—one to transform the ninja beasts and one to unleash their berserk mode in battle. Tonan started with the transformation sequence, over two hundred seals in all—a painstaking and complex ritual.
Swish.
The final seal completed, Tonan slammed his palm on the ground.
"Secret Technique—Beast Infestation."
A surge of chakra burst forth, flowing into the pigeons. Their forms twisted and expanded rapidly, feathers shifting from pure white to fiery crimson. Their slender beaks thickened and curved into jagged fangs, sharp enough to rend flesh.
Time passed, but the transformation continued. The pigeons' feathers deepened to a dark blackish-red, like wild crows.
More than half of Tonan's chakra had drained, but this initial metamorphosis had to be done in one continuous effort—any interruption would waste everything. Tonan's face remained impassive as he forced more chakra from his reserves.
Ten agonizing minutes later, the pigeons had transformed fully. Their final forms resembled black hawks with pitch-black, metallic hooked beaks that radiated menace at a glance. What had once been innocent city birds were now fierce beasts.
Tonan released the technique and exhaled in relief, wiping cold sweat from his brow. Instantly, the transformed pigeons reverted to their original white forms, the change swift enough to see with the naked eye.
Looking at the gentle birds now cooing and rubbing against him, it was hard to believe they were the deadly creatures moments ago. Still, a subtle intelligence glimmered in their eyes.
They nuzzled him affectionately, silently absorbing his chakra to strengthen themselves—but their consumption never outpaced his recovery.
A strange smile crept over Tonan's lips. He scratched a pigeon's neck and said, "If an opportunity arises, maybe it's time to end your meatless diet."
The next morning, Tonan woke, washed up, and cooked a simple bowl of porridge. After donning his ninja headband and preparing his tools, he made his way to the Hokage Residence.
At the entrance, Namikaze Minato and Hatake Kakashi were already waiting.
Tonan bowed apologetically. "Sorry to keep you both waiting."
Minato scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. "It's alright, it's alright… we actually got here before the scheduled time."
Tonan nodded silently but furrowed his brow as neither of them moved forward.
"Why aren't we going?" he asked.
Minato's expression clouded like he'd remembered something unpleasant. "Let's wait a little longer," he said, guilt creeping into his voice.
So they waited. An hour passed before Uzumaki Kushina jogged up, carrying a white plastic bag with three lunch boxes inside.
She put a hand on her hip, lifted the bag with the other, and said, "You must be hungry—I made these especially for you."
Minato glanced up at the sky and sighed awkwardly. "Thank you," he said without reaching for the food, well aware of Kushina's unique cooking skills—which could only be described as… an acquired taste.
Kushina took out a lunch box and offered it to Tonan. "Here, Tonan, I made this just for you. I remember you like bland food."
Tonan stared at the box in her hand, dumbfounded. After a long pause, he looked up slowly, meeting Kushina's eyes. At that moment, a hypnotic genjutsu flickered inside his mind.
His eyes cleared, and his expression softened with warmth and affection.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kushina asked, sensing something strange in his gaze.
Recalling the Kyubi's warning about Tonan's supposed ill intent, she swallowed hard.
"What is that brat thinking? He's not planning to kill me, is he?"
Tonan pursed his lips, raised a hand, and gently pushed the lunch box back.
He then bowed deeply. "Thank you for your kindness, Kushina-senpai, but I've already eaten breakfast. I can't eat any more right now."
Kushina blinked, caught off guard. The corners of her mouth twitched as she forced a smile. "That's alright."
Inside, however, she was boiling.
"Damn it! I woke up early to make breakfast for you, and you don't even want to taste it? If you weren't so tragic, I'd make you taste my fist today!"
Minato noticed Kushina was about to blow a fuse and wisely chose not to push it.
"We're running late; we need to hurry to get our mission orders."
Grabbing Kakashi and Tonan by the arms, Minato rushed them toward the Hokage Residence.
After they left, Kushina stomped her foot, tossed the plastic bag into a nearby trash bin, and muttered, "Damn it, I'm mad."
Hands on hips, she took a deep breath and thought, "Kurama, did that brat really have evil intentions toward me again?"
"No."
"No? He was sensible?"
"But it was very strange. Not only did his hostility vanish suddenly, but his goodwill toward you was stronger than toward Minato. It was almost like how a human child feels for their mother."
Kushina was dumbfounded. "Is it because I made him breakfast?"
"Possibly. Human minds are complicated, always changing," the Kyubi said, closing its eyes.
Outside, Kushina smiled softly, confidence sparkling in her gaze. "Looks like kids like me best when I'm warm and gentle."
Suddenly, her eyes widened. "The breakfast I made!"
She dashed to the trash can just as two stray dogs, startled by her sudden movement, yelped and ran off with tails between their legs.