Two days after his final session with Kaito, Kenji felt the familiar surge of power coursing through his demonic physiology. The sensation was more intense than previous integrations—a wave of raw energy that made his enhanced cells practically vibrate with newfound potential. He immediately retreated to the soundproofed depths of his training facility and opened his system interface.
**TEMPLATE SYSTEM ACTIVATED**
**Host: Kenji Nakamura**
**Template: Muzan Kibutsuchi (20%)**
**Twelve Kizuki: Locked**
**Primary Abilities:**
**1. Biological Manipulation – Can restructure body at will; create weapons, grow limbs, alter organs.**
**2. Cellular Regeneration – Instantly heals from wounds, even decapitation (unless hit by specific weaknesses).**
**3. Sensory Perception – Can detect other demons and humans over vast distances.**
**Special Traits:**
**Immortality – Cannot age or die naturally.**
**Sunlight Weakness – Incinerated by direct sunlight.**
**Ultimate Technique:**
**"Perfect Demon Physiology" – Full release of body manipulation, enhancing all attributes and spawning countless whip-like appendages capable of shredding enemies instantly.**
The third ability had finally awakened. At first glance, sensory perception seemed almost mundane compared to his other powers—certainly less flashy than biological manipulation or cellular regeneration. But Kenji's memories from his previous life contained extensive knowledge of how devastating superior sensing abilities could become in the hands of a skilled practitioner.
Tobirama Senju had demonstrated the true potential of chakra sensing during the Fourth Great Ninja War. His precision had been so refined that he could pinpoint specific chakra signatures across vast distances, even amid the chaotic energy fluctuations of god-tier battles. The ability to instantly detect threats, coordinate attacks, and maintain battlefield awareness had made him one of the most formidable tactical minds in shinobi history.
Now, with demonic enhancement backing his sensing capabilities, Kenji suspected his potential might exceed even that legendary standard.
He closed his eyes and extended his awareness outward, feeling for the subtle energy signatures that surrounded every living being. The sensation was intoxicating—like suddenly gaining an entirely new sense that revealed previously hidden layers of reality.
His perception expanded gradually, sweeping through his residence and detecting the familiar chakra signature of Takeshi in the main house. The technique felt natural, as if his enhanced physiology had been designed specifically for this purpose. Beyond his retainer, other presences came into focus—neighbors in adjacent compounds, patrol ninjas maintaining their routes, civilians going about their evening activities.
The range continued expanding. Five hundred meters. One kilometer. Fifteen hundred meters. The clarity remained remarkably sharp even as the distance increased, each chakra signature distinct and identifiable. At two kilometers, he could still distinguish between individual presences with startling precision.
Then, suddenly, two new signatures entered his sensory range from the direction of Konoha's outer gates. They were approaching at high speed—far faster than normal travel pace—and one of the chakra sources was immediately recognizable as belonging to someone of exceptional power.
Kenji's eyes snapped open, his enhanced senses practically humming with excitement. The stronger signature felt familiar in an odd way, though he was certain he had never encountered its owner directly. The chakra carried a distinctive quality—ancient, refined, and possessing the controlled intensity that marked truly elite shinobi.
Recognition dawned as he processed the implications. Based on the timing, the approaching power level, and his knowledge of historical events, this could only be one legendary encounter making its way toward Konoha.
Madara Uchiha and his demonstration to the future Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
According to the historical records from his previous life, this meeting had become the stuff of legend. The young Ōnoki, accompanying his master, Mu to negotiate with Konoha, had witnessed firsthand the terrifying power that made Madara one of the most feared names in the shinobi world. The psychological impact of that encounter had shaped Ōnoki's entire worldview, creating both immense respect for overwhelming power and deep-seated trauma that would influence his decisions for decades.
The opportunity to witness such a historically significant event was tantalizing, but it presented an obvious problem—daylight. The sun had risen hours ago, making direct observation impossible for someone with his particular vulnerabilities.
However, Kenji had been developing a potential solution to his sunlight restriction, though it remained largely theoretical. The concept was an extreme application of the Transformation Jutsu—not merely changing appearance, but creating a complete chakra barrier around his entire body. By maintaining a thick, constant layer of chakra-infused energy, he might be able to prevent ultraviolet radiation from making direct contact with his skin.
The technique would be enormously chakra-intensive. Even with his enhanced reserves, sustaining such a comprehensive barrier would drain him rapidly. Moreover, the longer he maintained the transformation, the more likely it was to develop weaknesses—small cracks or thin spots that would allow deadly sunlight to penetrate.
Still, for an opportunity like this, the risk might be worthwhile.
His sensory perception tracked the approaching signatures as they reached Konoha's gates and made their way toward the Hokage's office. The diplomatic mission would likely involve formal meetings and negotiations before any demonstrations took place. He had time to prepare.
Kenji made his way to his private study, where maps of Konoha's layout covered one wall. His enhanced memory provided detailed knowledge of the village's structure, but he needed to identify optimal observation points that would allow him to witness events while minimizing exposure time.
The Hokage Tower would be the center of diplomatic activities, but any demonstration of power would likely take place in a more suitable location—probably one of the large training grounds where destructive techniques could be safely displayed without endangering civilians or important structures.
His fingers traced potential routes on the map as he calculated distances, sight lines, and escape paths. The new sensory ability would be invaluable for tracking movements and positioning himself appropriately, but the physical limitations of his sunlight vulnerability remained a significant challenge.
"Takeshi," he called, and his retainer appeared within moments.
"Yes, my lord?"
"I may need to venture out briefly today for... business purposes. Prepare the heaviest cloak we have, with deep hood and full arm coverage. Also, have emergency supplies ready in case I return in poor condition."
Takeshi's expression showed concern but no surprise. His lord's unusual schedule and specific requirements had long since ceased to shock him. "Of course, my lord. Will you require an escort?"
"No. This is something I must handle personally."
After Takeshi departed to make preparations, Kenji began the complex process of preparing his experimental chakra barrier technique. The transformation would need to be far more comprehensive than a standard henge—not just altering appearance, but creating a complete protective layer around every inch of exposed skin.
He started with small-scale tests, wrapping individual fingers in dense chakra and observing the stability of the technique. The energy consumption was significant, but manageable for limited applications. Scaling up to cover his entire body would be a different matter entirely.
His sensory perception continued tracking the diplomatic party as they settled into the Hokage Tower. Through his enhanced awareness, he could distinguish individual chakra signatures and monitor their movements. The overwhelming presence he had identified as Madara remained distinct from the others—a source of power that seemed to dwarf everyone around him.
Time passed as negotiations presumably began. Kenji used the delay to refine his chakra barrier technique, gradually expanding the coverage area and testing the durability of different layer thicknesses. Too thin, and ultraviolet radiation would penetrate. Too thick, and the chakra consumption would exhaust him within minutes.
He also practiced rapid deployment and dismissal of the barrier, knowing that emergency situations might require instant activation or deactivation. The technique had to become instinctual rather than conscious if it was to serve as reliable protection.
Midday approached, and his sensory perception detected movement from the Hokage Tower. The diplomatic party was relocating, their chakra signatures heading towards the edge of the village. It seems they leave in a while.
This was it. The demonstration was about to begin.
Kenji donned the heavy traveling cloak Takeshi had prepared, ensuring every inch of skin was covered by thick fabric. The garment was stifling, but it provided an additional layer of protection beyond his experimental chakra barrier.
He activated his sensory technique at maximum range, using the enhanced awareness to navigate through Konoha's shadowed alleyways while tracking the movements of Onoki and Mu. The precision of his new ability was remarkable—he could distinguish between individual signatures even when they were clustered together, monitoring their positions and movements with perfect clarity.
The route to village gate required crossing several open areas where shadows would provide insufficient protection. Here, Kenji implemented his experimental technique for the first time at full scale.
Chakra flowed across his skin like liquid energy, forming a dense barrier between his demonic physiology and the deadly sunlight above. The sensation was strange—a constant tingling that reminded him of his body's supernatural nature while simultaneously protecting it from destruction.
The chakra consumption was enormous. He could feel his reserves draining steadily as he maintained the comprehensive barrier, and small fluctuations in concentration caused brief thin spots that made his skin tingle with the first hints of burning.
But it worked. He moved through patches of direct sunlight without the immediate incineration that had previously confined him to nocturnal existence. The technique wasn't perfect—he could feel the strain building with each passing minute—but it provided precious mobility during daylight hours.