Chapter 232: The Rinnegan's Ownership
Genichi remained noncommittal regarding Fugaku Uchiha's words.
He hadn't been exaggerating the threat. Nor had he been overstating his own contributions.
Even if the Nine-Tails Rampage hadn't happened, the "Six-Tails Rampage" (a canon-divergent event in this timeline) was similarly controlled by a Sharingan. It likewise would have caused the village to become more hostile toward the Uchiha clan.
And then, the Uchiha would have been moved to a more remote part of the village.
In the original timeline, Danzō did this after the Nine-Tails Rampage.
Without sufficient resolve, the Uchiha problem simply couldn't be solved.
Even now, it wasn't completely solved.
Fugaku still couldn't completely suppress the dissenting voices within the Uchiha.
One shouldn't assume that just because the Konoha leadership had relaxed its pressure, the Uchiha would be grateful.
The radicals would only feel it was what they deserved.
Uchiha Inabi and a few others had been intimidated by Genichi and had quieted down for a time, but now they were starting to get "jumpy" again.
It wasn't that they were no longer afraid.
It was because of the power displayed by Madara and Tekka.
The immense power of the Mangekyō had given the Uchiha clan a strong sense of confidence.
Because Fugaku also had the Mangekyō, he had the potential to one day match Madara and Tekka.
And then there was Obito, who possessed both the Wood Style and the Sharingan. According to intelligence, his potential was even greater.
Genichi was powerful; no one dared to contend with him.
But in the future, couldn't an Uchiha become Hokage?
As the Uchiha grew stronger and stronger, shouldn't they acquire the power they deserved?
One should never doubt the stupidity of some people, let alone the depths of human greed.
"To fear power, but not respect virtue." This phrase was a perfect fit for some within the Uchiha clan.
According to Anbu intelligence, a faction of Uchiha wanted to obtain the First Hokage's cells through Obito.
Fugaku had temporarily suppressed this matter.
But that didn't mean the idea was dead.
At this moment, Fugaku also realized that in the eyes of the man before him, he and the Uchiha clan had no secrets.
He even knew details about his Mangekyō ability. What didn't he know?
For a moment, cold sweat rolled down Fugaku's back.
Genichi observed him and said, "Clan Head Fugaku, you're aware of the Ninja Academy reforms, correct?"
Fugaku snapped back to reality. "I know some details."
Genichi said, "All Uchiha children of the appropriate age will be required to enter the Ninja Academy to study."
"This isn't just targeting the Uchiha. All ninja clans will be treated the same."
The major ninja clans didn't send all of their children to the Academy.
This was especially true for large clans like the Hyūga and Uchiha.
The Uchiha were even more distinct because they lived together in their own compound.
The Hyūga, by contrast, didn't all live together.
But both had their own systems of elite, in-clan education.
Was the Academy reform meant to eliminate this elite clan education?
No.
Because that was impossible.
One of the key components of the reform was ideological education.
You could call it "Will of Fire" education, or perhaps more accurately, "Love-the-Village" education.
Of course, the reform's purpose wasn't limited to just that.
Facing the overbearing Genichi, Fugaku agreed immediately.
He hadn't planned on opposing it anyway. It caused no substantial harm to the Uchiha clan.
Genichi said, "Regarding the Sharingan's awakening... I only train geniuses."
"Obito, Shisui, and Itachi. For now, just them."
With a complicated mix of emotions, Fugaku thanked him. "Then, I leave them in your care, Genichi-kun."
...
Watching Fugaku depart, Genichi's gaze turned profound.
If Fugaku can't handle it, I'll just find someone who can.
Of course, he wasn't referring to experiments.
If he needed to experiment, he didn't need Fugaku. Obito, Shisui, and even Itachi would cooperate with him, and they would do it without Fugaku's knowledge.
Since Fugaku couldn't properly handle the heretical ideas within the Uchiha, he would just hand the problem to someone more capable.
Konoha did not need a dissonant Uchiha.
This was for the greater good.
"Hah. Humans... such double standards."
Genichi pulled his gaze back, sighing to himself.
If someone tried to sacrifice him for the "greater good," he would flip the table.
But, what could you do? The Uchiha didn't have a "cheat."
If you're not strong enough, you stay quiet.
It's been that way since ancient times.
...
Back at home, Fugaku Uchiha fell into deep thought. He was only roused after his wife, Mikoto, called his name several times.
"What's wrong?" Mikoto asked with concern.
Fugaku took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions. "It's nothing. Where's Sasuke?"
Mikoto smiled. "He's pestering Itachi."
Fugaku said, "Start Sasuke's training tomorrow."
Mikoto was startled. "So soon?"
Fugaku didn't explain. "It's decided."
He needed to make preparations on two fronts.
...
Genichi no longer cared what Fugaku was considering. He went straight to the Hokage's Office to find Minato, and the two of them went to the top of the Hokage Monument.
When the topic of the Uchiha clan came up, Minato's expression turned grim. "Is Fugaku really not an option?"
Genichi said, "He's too indecisive. He's trying to find a balance between the Uchiha clan and the village, but that balance point doesn't exist."
"There is no such thing as absolute fairness, nor is there a 'balance point.' There is only one side compromising."
"The Uchiha need someone who can suppress their internal chaos."
Minato thought for a moment and nodded. "Genichi, who do you think is suitable?"
Genichi smiled. "Itachi Uchiha. But he's still too young."
Minato said, "Then Obito Uchiha?"
He immediately shook his head with a wry smile. "Obito... he's still a bit naive."
Genichi said, "Shisui Uchiha."
Minato knew of this Uchiha genius. "Shisui of the Body Flicker. He is indeed someone who has inherited the Will of Fire."
"But, Genichi... I have complete faith in your strength. But what if... someone in the Uchiha awakens the Rinnegan?"
As the soon-to-be Fifth Hokage, Minato had to consider these things.
Genichi said, "According to my research, it's not as simple as Mangekyō plus Hashirama's cells to awaken the Rinnegan. There are other secrets hidden within."
"Besides, a simple Rinnegan is nothing."
"I told you about the Uchiha tablet, right, Minato-san?"
Minato nodded.
Genichi smiled. "I went to look at it again. As my dōjutsu improves, I can see more of the content."
"Heh... there's some very interesting stuff in there."
"It mentions the method to awaken the Rinnegan, the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, and most importantly, a jutsu."
Minato was curious. "A jutsu left by the Sage of Six Paths?"
Genichi said, "An ultimate genjutsu called the Infinite Tsukuyomi. A jutsu that can trap everyone in the shinobi world in a genjutsu."
Minato was shocked.
Genichi continued, "Madara's goal is obvious. He wants to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and force the entire world into a dream, thereby creating 'peace'."
Minato was dumbfounded.
Is that the logic of a sane person?
"That... that..." Minato wanted to say it was impossible, but this was the Uchiha.
Genichi asked, "Minato-san, do you think the Sage of Six Paths would leave behind something like that?"
"I learned from the Nine-Tails that the Sage was the first Ten-Tails Jinchūriki. He also had the Rinnegan."
"If the Infinite Tsukuyomi could really create peace, why didn't he do it himself? Why did he split the Ten-Tails into nine beasts instead?"
Minato said grimly, "So, the Uchiha tablet is... fake?"
Genichi said softly, "The tablet is probably real. The content is the problem."
"Minato-san, to be honest... if I go all-out, I can kill Madara."
"I'm keeping him alive because I want to see who is hiding in the shadows of the shinobi world, manipulating all of this."
Could it be the Sage of Six Paths himself, playing 5D chess from outside the atmosphere?
Cold sweat broke out on Minato's brow. He forced a smile. "Genichi, it's... it's not that serious, is it?"
"Um, does the Fourth Hokage know about this?"
Genichi shook his head. "I didn't tell Tsunade."
"She's retiring anyway."
I really want to punch him.
Minato was speechless, then grew contemplative. "If that's the case, we must make more preparations."
Genichi nodded. "So, Minato-san... what do you think about transplanting a Rinnegan into Naruto?"
Minato was stunned. "A Rinnegan? Into Naruto?"
"Madara's eye?"
Genichi shook his head. "No. One I cultivated in the lab."
"Madara's eye is too dangerous. It's not suitable for Naruto."
Minato fell into deep thought. After a moment, he said, "Then let's do it."
He finally smiled. "I trust that Naruto will use the Rinnegan's power well!"
Genichi said, "There's no rush. I still need to verify something."
He wasn't yet sure if Naruto was the Asura chakra transmigrant.
After all, in this timeline, Naruto was born before Sasuke.
It should be fine, right?
Among those of a similar age, there seemed to be no one more suitable than Naruto.
The Asura chakra transmigrant wouldn't just reincarnate into anyone.
It would at least be someone with Senju or Uzumaki blood.
If Naruto wasn't the Asura transmigrant, transplanting the Rinnegan would just create another Nagato.
But if he was... there might be an unexpected surprise.
...
Time flowed like water, never to return.
Winter passed, spring came, and soon it was March.
Genichi's progress on the "Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze" was faster than he'd expected.
On March 2nd.
While Tsunade was taking her afternoon nap, Genichi was cultivating in a quiet room. He directed his Fire Style chakra to his optic nerves. A searing, intense pain spread through his eyes.
When the pain subsided, Genichi opened his eyes. The Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze was active.
"Good. 'Sky Eye,' 'Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze,' and 'Electromagnetic Induction.' They're all complete."
The Sky Eye was (Yin + Water + Wind).
The Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze was (Fire + Yang).
The Electromagnetic Induction (Electromagnetic Release) was (Lightning + Earth + Wind).
All seven nature transformations were present.
The critical question was, how to fuse these powers?
For Genichi, Kekkei Genkai and Kekkei Tōta were traceable.
But a Kekkei Mōra... he had no reference.
He knew of several Kekkei Mōra.
All-Killing Ash Bones, for example, looked like an upgraded Shikotsumyaku.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi was an ability of the Rinne Sharingan.
Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack, Rabbit Hair Needle...
Other than Ash Bones, the others were hard to analyze.
Of course, that was looking at them individually.
If he used the Rinne Sharingan as the base, some patterns emerged.
"Too many natures... A Kekkei Mōra must have a foundation..."
This sensory-type Mōra was the first one he had logically mapped out.
He also had Nuclear Release and Wood Style.
Nuclear Release didn't have a clear foundation. But Wood Style was different.
It had an obvious base: Tsunade's version of Yin-Yang Wood Style.
Using Yin-Yang as the core, and continuously incorporating other natures.
So, what about this one?
Sky Eye, Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze, Electromagnetic Induction.
Or should he break them down again?
Of the three, Sky Eye (like Kagura's Mind Eye) and Electromagnetic Induction were undoubtedly the strongest sensors, with the widest coverage.
But...
Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze was special.
Especially its ability to see the "Light of the Soul."
"Use Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze as the base?"
Genichi weighed his options.
Sky Eye wasn't a physical eye; it was a "Mind's Eye."
Should the foundation be physical or ethereal?
After long deliberation, Genichi decided to use the physical Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze as the base and fuse the others into it, step by step.
"From now on, the top priorities are: Yin-Yang Release, Truth-Seeking Orbs, and this Kekkei Mōra."
He was prepared for a long battle.
That evening, after recalling his training clones, Genichi reassigned their tasks.
His clones had recently mastered: the Two-Tails' Flame Release, the Four-Tails' Lava Release, the Five-Tails' Boil Release, and the Six-Tails' Corrosion Release.
Adding the Magnet Release he'd mastered long ago, the only ones left were the Seven-Tails' "Stealth Scale Release" and the Eight-Tails' "Tail-Drop Substitute."
Also on the list: his teacher Sakumo's Swift Release, Minato's "Thunder-Fire Scorch Release," and "Five Senses Control."
It seemed like these abilities wouldn't be used in combat, and... that was true.
But for Genichi, they were all solidifying his foundation.
Not to mention the boost to his physique, just the experience of fusing so many Kekkei Genkai had given Genichi an extremely deep understanding of nature transformation.
This was the benefit of "grinding problems."
Furthermore, every Kekkei Genkai was a potential path to a new Kekkei Mōra.
"Pause the other Kekkei Genkai for now; we'll resume next year. For now..."
Genichi decided. Starting tomorrow, one hundred Shadow Clones would go all-out on Yin-Yang Release and the Truth-Seeking Orbs.
Only one clone was needed to comprehend Yin-Yang. But the seven-nature fusion for the Truth-Seeking Orbs... he would use a human-wave-tactic, trying constantly.
When the "cheat" activated, it would be human-wave tactics plus time-tactics!
His main body would focus entirely on the Kekkei Mōra.
...
As the new school season in April approached, the Hokage's Office officially announced the Ninja Academy reform plan.
The major clans had already been informed last month. The Academy was already being expanded to accommodate more clan children.
On March 15th, a crowd gathered in front of the Academy's display wall.
The reform details were posted, attracting a large number of villagers.
"Preschool Education Class?"
"Starting school at four? Isn't that too early?"
"Look closer. It's not ninjutsu. It's teaching literacy."
"And it helps watch the kids. I think it's great."
"Hahaha, I agree. These little ones are too rowdy!"
A group of parents laughed, very pleased with the new preschool class.
It would significantly reduce the burden of childcare.
Of course, the parents were happy. The children they brought with them were not.
School at four!? No more playing!
A kid immediately started wailing: "I don't wanna go to preschool!"
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "A Medical Ninja Academy!"
"The village is building a second Ninja Academy?"
"No wonder the hospital was expanding. I thought it was just the hospital, but it's a school!"
"A Medical Ninja Academy? To train medical-nin specifically?"
"Doesn't look like it... it says here even non-ninja can join."
"Really? Let me see! My daughter could try!"
...
At the Uchiha compound, Mikoto Uchiha held a pamphlet on the reform. "Apprentice Ninja... is that a new rank?"
Fugaku said, "Not really."
"Apprentice Ninja aren't 'real' ninja. They can't accept missions outside the village. Their status is still 'student'."
Mikoto nodded and read on. "The 'Experimental Class' is three years. That means... normal graduation is at 15. Then one year as an Apprentice... then you become a Genin."
"So, they're pushing the graduation age to sixteen?"
Fugaku nodded. "Correct."
"Under normal circumstances, you enter the Academy at six. You test into the Experimental Class at twelve. Three years later, you become an Apprentice. After one year, you become a Genin."
Mikoto asked, "What if you don't get into the Experimental Class?"
Fugaku's expression was plain. "Then it means you don't have the talent to be a ninja. You can choose another path early."
"At 12 years old, you still have plenty of options."
Mikoto smiled. "This is much better for the children."
"And with more training, they'll be stronger when they graduate. They won't have to fight and die so young."
"But... you applied for Itachi to enter the Experimental Class. Does that mean... even if you graduate early, you go to this class?"
"What do they teach in this Experimental Class?"
"Six years of Academy should cover all the basics."
It wasn't written in the pamphlet, so she asked.
Fugaku, who had been in the high-level meetings, explained, "The Academy teaches the basics. The Experimental Class is advanced."
"They will teach nature transformations, ninjutsu, practical application of jutsu, and combat simulation."
"And... Kekkei Genkai Development."
Mikoto gasped. "Kekkei Genkai Development? So young...?"
Her voice trailed off, as she remembered her own son had just completed one this year.
Mikoto's eyes widened. "Is... Genichi-kun in charge of this Experimental Class?"
Fugaku nodded. "Genichi-kun is responsible for combat simulation... and Kekkei Genkai development."
(End of Chapter)
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