Kenji slipped away from the training ground before the confrontation between the legendary founders could fully unfold. The chakra barrier technique had served its purpose, allowing him to witness Madara's overwhelming display of power, but maintaining it any longer would risk complete chakra exhaustion. As he made his way back through the forest paths toward his temporary residence, his mind churned with possibilities and revelations.
The battle had been a masterclass in shinobi supremacy. Madara's casual demolition of two highly skilled opponents demonstrated a level of power that transcended ordinary combat techniques. What struck Kenji most profoundly was not the Uchiha patriarch's raw strength, but the precision and efficiency with which he had wielded it. Every movement had been calculated, every technique deployed with surgical accuracy.
More importantly, the confrontation had crystallized a fundamental truth about this world's power structure. Physical prowess alone, no matter how enhanced, would never be sufficient to achieve true dominance. Ninjutsu represented the apex of shinobi warfare, and without access to these techniques, even his demonic physiology would remain incomplete.
The irony was not lost on him. His biological manipulation abilities theoretically granted him the capacity to reconstruct chakra pathways and adapt his body to accommodate any technique he could properly analyze. The problem lay in observation—without the enhanced visual prowess of the Sharingan or Byakugan, he lacked the ability to perceive the intricate chakra flow patterns that made ninjutsu copying possible.
His current enhanced senses, while formidable by human standards, could detect chakra signatures and general energy fluctuations. But the subtle details of hand seal coordination, chakra molding, and pathway manipulation remained beyond his perception. It was like trying to recreate a complex painting while seeing only rough outlines and color blotches.
The solution, when it came to him, felt both elegant and challenging in equal measure. If he could mimic the visual capabilities of the Byakugan through biological manipulation, he would gain access to the detailed chakra perception necessary for technique copying. The Hyuga clan's legendary eyes could see chakra pathways in microscopic detail, tracking the flow of energy through opponents' bodies with perfect clarity.
But therein lay the fundamental problem—to recreate something through biological manipulation, he first needed a sample to study. And obtaining access to a Byakugan, would require careful planning and significant risk.
After arriving home, Kenji's enhanced hearing picked up footsteps approaching the front door within a few hours. A messenger ninja was already knocking with the steady rhythm that signaled official business.
Takeshi answered promptly, his weathered face betraying no surprise at the late visit. "My Lord," he called toward the back room, "you have a visitor."
The messenger was young, probably recently promoted to chunin based on his bearing and equipment quality. He offered a respectful bow before delivering his message with practiced efficiency.
"Lord Kibutsuji, the Hokage requests your presence at the Senju clan estate this evening. A guide will be provided if needed."
The invitation was clearly connected to the afternoon's events, though the exact nature remained unclear. Kenji accepted graciously, confirming his attendance and arranging for the suggested escort. As the messenger departed, he found himself genuinely curious about the encounter ahead.
This would be his first opportunity to observe Mito Uzumaki in person. The legendary kunoichi represented a convergence of several interests—her status as the future Nine-Tails jinchuriki, her mastery of advanced sealing techniques, and her connection to Uzushiogakure's fuinjutsu traditions. He hoped to visit Uzushiogakure in future to learn fuinjutsu.
The late afternoon hours passed quickly as he prepared for the visit. His choice of clothing struck a balance between respectability and humility—fine enough to show proper respect, simple enough to avoid appearing presumptuous. The image he needed to project was that of a recovering merchant with genuine interest in Konoha's development, nothing more or less.
---
The Senju clan estate sprawled across a significant portion of Konoha's residential district, its architecture reflecting both traditional elegance and practical defensibility. Guard towers positioned at strategic intervals provided clear sight lines across the compound, while the main buildings displayed the kind of craftsmanship that spoke of both wealth and permanence.
What struck Kenji most forcefully was the sheer density of the population. Dozens of families moved through their evening routines—children playing in carefully tended gardens while adults conducted business or shared meals. The vibrancy of the scene made the future fate of this clan all the more poignant. Within a few decades, under the regime of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, this thriving community would be reduced to a handful of survivors scattered across the shinobi world.
The guards had clearly received advance notice of his arrival. Rather than subjecting him to detailed questioning, they simply verified his identity before assigning an escort. The young Senju who led him through the compound's main pathways maintained a polite but distant demeanor, answering basic questions about the estate's layout while avoiding any topics of political significance.
As they approached what was clearly the Hokage's personal residence within the compound, Kenji's enhanced hearing picked up an amusing domestic scene unfolding behind closed doors. A woman's voice, carrying the particular tone of long-suffering patience that suggested extensive practice, was delivering what sounded like a comprehensive lecture on fiscal responsibility.
"—and another thing, Hashirama, your gambling debts are becoming a village scandal. Do you understand how it looks when the Hokage's creditors start approaching other clan heads for payment guarantees?"
The voice could only belong to Mito Uzumaki, and the domestic drama provided a humanizing glimpse of the legendary couple's relationship. Kenji found himself fighting a smile as his escort announced their presence, causing the scolding to abruptly cease.
Hashirama emerged from the house with the slightly sheepish expression of a man caught in familiar misbehavior. His recovery was swift, however, professional courtesy overriding personal embarrassment as he welcomed his guest with characteristic warmth.
"Lord Kibutsuji, thank you for accepting our invitation on such short notice. Please, come inside."
The interior of the residence reflected its owners' personalities perfectly. Traditional furniture and decorations spoke to respect for cultural heritage, while scroll cases and reference materials scattered throughout the common areas indicated active intellectual pursuits. The overall atmosphere felt lived-in rather than ceremonial, comfortable rather than intimidating.
Mito Uzumaki's presence filled the room before she had spoken a single word. Tall and elegant, with the distinctive red hair of her clan and an aura of barely contained power, she embodied everything the legends suggested about the Uzumaki bloodline. When she offered her greeting, her voice carried the controlled strength of someone accustomed to command.
"Welcome to our home, Lord Kibutsuji. I hope you're recovering well from your recent illness."
The conventional pleasantries continued as they settled into the main sitting room, tea service appearing with the efficiency that suggested well-trained household staff. Hashirama inquired about his health, his accommodations, and his impressions of Konoha's development. Mito contributed observations about the village's growing merchant community and the challenges of establishing stable trade relationships in an era of constant political uncertainty.
The conversation remained carefully neutral until Tobirama's arrival shifted the entire dynamic. The Second Hokage entered with his characteristic intensity, barely taking time for basic courtesies before addressing the afternoon's events directly.
"I understand you witnessed today's demonstration at the training grounds," Tobirama stated, his red eyes studying Kenji with uncomfortable intensity. "That location should have been deserted during the scheduled activities."
Kenji repeated his earlier explanation about taking prescribed walks for health reasons, emphasizing his assumption that the confrontation was an authorized diplomatic display. The story held up under scrutiny, helped by its foundation in partial truth and logical consistency.
But Tobirama's questions revealed a deeper purpose. "What are your plans for the immediate future, Lord Kibutsuji? How long do you intend to remain in Konoha?"
"I plan to stay for some time to complete my recovery," Kenji replied carefully. "But once my health is fully restored, I hope to travel extensively. There's much of the world I haven't seen, and the current era of relative peace provides opportunities that may not last."
The answer seemed to satisfy Tobirama's immediate concerns, though his analytical nature ensured the conversation remained probing. They discussed trade routes, political developments in other nations, and the challenges facing civilian populations during the transition to the hidden village system.
Throughout these exchanges, Kenji became increasingly aware of Mito's attention. While she participated in the conversation normally, something in her demeanor suggested deeper scrutiny. Her chakra-sensing abilities were legendary, and he found himself wondering exactly what she might be perceiving.
The evening concluded without incident, formal farewells exchanged and future contact implied rather than explicitly arranged. But as Kenji departed through the compound's main gates, he couldn't shake the feeling that the encounter had revealed more about himself than he had intended.
---
His instinct proved correct. Behind closed doors, as the sound of their guest's footsteps faded into the distance, Mito Uzumaki was the first to break the contemplative silence.
"There's something... different about him," she said quietly, her chakra-sensing abilities, combined with the Third Eye of Kagura, detecting something troubling during the evening's interaction.
Both Hashirama and Tobirama turned their attention to her, recognizing the serious tone that indicated more than casual observation.
"Different how?" Tobirama asked, his analytical mind immediately focusing on potential security implications.
Mito considered her words carefully, trying to articulate something that existed at the very edge of perception. "His chakra signature doesn't feel entirely... human. There's something underlying it, something that feels..."
She paused, searching for the right description.
"Malevolent isn't quite right, but there's a darkness there. An otherness. Like looking at someone and sensing a demon wearing human form."