The months had flowed like tides around Uzushiogakure, each day bringing new mastery and deeper understanding of the sealing arts. Six months had passed since Kenji's arrival, and his progress had been nothing short of remarkable. The basic principles of fuinjutsu now came as naturally as breathing—storage seals, barrier techniques, explosive tags, and even intermediate binding formulas were well within his grasp.
Master Shikai had begun introducing him to advanced theoretical concepts that most apprentices wouldn't encounter for years. Kenji's small room in the compound had become a sanctuary of scrolls, ink stones, and practice materials. The other apprentices—Taro, Masato, and Akari—had become genuine friends, their late-night study sessions filled with collaborative learning and quiet camaraderie.
Yet during these months of academic focus, Kenji had not forgotten to train to integrate his template.
**TEMPLATE SYSTEM ACTIVATED**
The familiar interface materialized in his vision.
**Host: Kenji Nakamura**
**Template: Muzan Kibutsuchi (50%)**
The percentage had increased significantly from his previous integration level, and with it came a cascade of new abilities and enhancements that left him reeling with their implications.
**Twelve Kizuki:
Lower Rank 3 – Wakuraba
Lower Rank 4 – Mukago
Lower Rank 5 – Rui
Lower Rank 6 – Kyogai**
Two new names had appeared in his demon hierarchy, bringing with them powers and personalities that existed somewhere between memory and reality. Wakuraba and Mukago—demons he remembered from the anime, now somehow made manifest through the template's mysterious mechanisms.
**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.**
**4. Poison Generation – Lethal toxins infused in blood attacks. Effective but more situational; depends on toxin resistance.**
**5. Shapeshifting – Alters appearance, size, and voice. Good for deception and stealth but limited in direct combat use.**
**6. Physical Augmentation – Boosts strength, speed, reflexes to superhuman levels. Great for one-on-one combat but more straightforward.**
The physical augmentation had been the most immediately noticeable change. Where once he could punch holes through enemy bodies with concentrated effort, now he could turn a man into paste with casual strikes. With his strength, he is easily comparable to Tsunade. His speed had reached levels that he suspected rivaled the legendary third Raikage.
His durability had increased as well, though not quite to the mythical levels of the Third Raikage. Still, ordinary ninja weapons would struggle to penetrate his enhanced flesh without significant chakra reinforcement.
The new Lower Moons brought their own unique capabilities. Wakuraba's "Disaster Winds" allowed manipulation of air within a fifteen-meter radius, creating attacks that could reach speeds of up to 12,900 miles per hour. Mukago possessed "Beast Assimilation"—the ability to transform animals into demons through blood injection, along with creating clone copies of herself from severed fingers.
The time had come to act.
---
The evening air carried the salt tang of the surrounding sea as Kenji made his way through the compound's corridors toward Master Shikai's private study. Lanterns cast dancing shadows on the walls, and the distant sound of waves provided a constant, soothing backdrop to Uzushiogakure's nightly rhythm.
He found his sensei reviewing a scroll of advanced barrier techniques, the man's violet eyes reflecting the lamplight as he traced complex formulae with one finger.
"Master Shikai," Kenji began, bowing respectfully as he entered the study. "I hope I'm not interrupting your work."
"Not at all, Kenji," Shikai replied, setting aside his scroll with a warm smile. "Your progress has been exceptional these past months. What brings you to my study this evening?"
Kenji had rehearsed this conversation, crafting a believable narrative that would explain his temporary absence. "I've received word from family contacts in the mainland, it seems to be my father." he said, allowing a note of concern to color his voice. "There are matters that require my personal attention."
Shikai's expression grew thoughtful, his experienced gaze studying Kenji's face for signs of deception. "How long would such matters require?"
"Two weeks, perhaps three at most," Kenji replied. "I understand this is an inconvenient time, given our recent advancement to intermediate techniques, but—"
"The timing is actually quite fortuitous," Shikai interrupted gently. "I was planning to go on mission assigned to me by the village."
Relief flooded through Kenji, though he kept his expression appropriately solemn. "Then you'll grant my request for leave?"
"Of course," Shikai nodded. "Your dedication has been unwavering these past months. A brief respite to handle personal matters is entirely reasonable. When would you need to depart?"
"Tomorrow evening, if possible," Kenji said. "The matters are somewhat time-sensitive."
"Very well. Travel safely, and remember—the techniques you've learned here are tools for protection and service, not conquest or personal glory."
"I understand, Master. Thank you for your guidance in all things."
---
The next evening found Kenji at the outskirts of Uzushiogakure, where the village's defensive barriers thinned and the wild coastline began. Moonlight painted the rocky shores in silver, and the crash of waves provided cover for any sounds his departure might create.
He had waited until full darkness, both for practical reasons and to spare himself the agony of extended sunlight exposure. His chakra coating technique could sustain him for several hours during the day, but night travel remained far more comfortable.
Standing alone on a windswept cliff overlooking the sea, Kenji allowed his demonic nature to manifest fully for the first time in months. His shoulder blades split with wet, tearing sounds as massive wings erupted from his back—membranes of flesh and sinew that caught the moonlight like dark silk. The transformation sent waves of euphoria through his system, the terrible joy of unleashed power after long restraint.
With a powerful downstroke, he launched himself into the night sky, leaving Uzushiogakure's gentle lights behind as he soared toward the mainland. The wind rushed past him with intoxicating speed, and below, the dark waters of the sea reflected scattered starlight like scattered diamonds.
---
Two nights of flight brought him to the mountainous terrain of Hot Water Country, where natural hot springs dotted the landscape like scattered jewels. The region's geography provided excellent cover for someone with Kenji's particular needs—deep caves for daytime shelter, rugged terrain that discouraged casual travelers, and a thriving underground economy that asked few questions about unusual clients.
As dawn approached on his second day of travel, Kenji found himself a suitable cave system in a remote valley. The entrance was small enough to block completely with loose stones, creating a light-tight environment where he could rest safely until nightfall.
After sun set, he first exercised his enhanced sensory abilities in earnest. Closing his eyes and extending his perception outward, he searched for the familiar demonic signatures of his Lower Moons.
Rui's presence was the first to register—an icy, calculating aura marked by the unmistakable pattern of spider-based abilities. Moments later, Kyogai arrived, his signature accompanied by the rhythmic pulses of his drum-based Blood Demon Art. It appeared they were both waiting in the same place for the sun to fully set
---
As the sun set and the moon emerged, Kenji left his shelter and took flight once more. His enhanced speed allowed him to cover the remaining distance to his subordinates' location within an hour, landing silently in a grove of bamboo fed by hot springs, where the air shimmered with rising steam.
He had barely touched down when familiar voices reached his ears—Rui and Kyogai in quiet conversation as they made camp for the evening.
"It's time," Rui said, his youthful voice carrying a characteristic cold precision. "Lord Muzan will arrive soon to find us."
Kyogai added with satisfaction, "Our organization's name is already well-known. Lord Muzan will be pleased with our work."
"It seems you guys are talking about me," he said, stepping into their small clearing.
Both demons immediately fell to their knees, heads bowed in deep reverence.
"Lord Muzan," Rui breathed. "You honor us with your presence."
"Rise," Kenji commanded, his voice carrying the weight of absolute dominion. "The time has come to expand our ranks."
As they stood, Kenji performed his summoning.
Wakuraba appeared first, tall and lean with dark hair and clothing that seemed to move independently in unfelt winds. His eyes held the cold calculation of a natural predator, and the air around him carried an almost subliminal sense of pressure—the promise of devastating atmospheric violence.
Mukago followed, smaller and more delicate in appearance but radiating an aura of barely contained savagery. Her fingernails were slightly too sharp, her smile slightly too wide, and something in her posture suggested she was perpetually ready to tear herself apart for tactical advantage.
"Lower Rank Five, Lower Rank Six," Wakuraba said as he recognised Rui and Kyogai, his voice carrying an odd harmonic quality, as if spoken through compressed air. "I am Wakuraba, Lower Rank Three. The winds themselves obey my command."
"Mukago, Lower Rank Four," the smaller demon added with a giggle that held disturbing undertones.
Rui and Kyogai exchanged glances—respect mixed with wariness as they recognized the higher-ranked demons.
"Lower Rank Three, Lower Rank Four," Rui acknowledged formally.
Kyogai's response was a complex rhythm beaten against his palms—a greeting in his unique drum language that somehow conveyed both welcome and challenge.
Kenji observed these interactions with satisfaction. The Lower Moons were establishing their own internal dynamics, which would serve his purposes well.
"Report," he commanded, his attention turning to Rui and Kyogai. "What progress has been made in our absence?"
"The bounty stations speak our name with increasing frequency," Rui replied. "We have completed seventeen missions of varying difficulty, with a one hundred percent success rate. Our reputation for... thorough completion has attracted the attention of clients seeking particularly challenging eliminations."
"Financial resources have grown substantially," Kyogai added. "The drum beats of commerce have been favorable. We possess sufficient funds for equipment, information, and expansion of operations."
"Excellent," Kenji nodded. "Any complications?"
Both Lower Moons' expressions darkened slightly.
"A formidable competitor named Kakuzu," Rui admitted. "His methods are efficient, if somewhat inelegant. He targets the highest-value bounties and completes them with mechanical precision. Some clients have even started requesting his services specifically."
Kenji absorbed this information with cold calculation. He recognised Kakuzu from the anime. Kakuzu would indeed prove a challenge.
"Don't engage with him if you see him." Kenji commanded.
All four Lower Moons nodded their understanding.
"Now," Kenji continued, "it is time to truly announce the presence of Lower Moon 3 and Lower Moon 4 to the world. Wakuraba and Mukago, you will work in partnership to establish your reputations. Rui and Kyogai will continue operating as a separate team. This division will allow us to take on multiple high-value contracts simultaneously while spreading the Twelve Kizuki name more rapidly."
"What manner of targets should we prioritize?" Wakuraba asked, the air around him stirring restlessly.
"Quality over quantity," Kenji replied. "Seek contracts that will be discussed for months after completion. Rogue jonin, missing-nin with unique abilities, targets that conventional bounty hunters have failed to eliminate. Our goal is not profit, but to create unshakable reputation."
The demons' expressions showed their understanding and anticipation.
"There is such a contract available," Rui said after a moment's consideration. "A rogue jonin from Kumogakure. The man slaughtered half a village two weeks ago using stolen Lightning Release techniques. Multiple bounty teams have attempted his elimination and failed. The reward has grown substantial."
Kenji's interest sharpened. A rogue with stolen abilities from the Village Hidden in the Clouds—likely someone who had acquired forbidden jutsu through treacherous means. Such a target would serve multiple purposes: establishing the new Lower Moons' reputations, eliminating a genuine threat to innocent civilians, and sending a clear message about the Twelve Kizuki's capabilities.
"Acceptable," he decided. "Wakuraba, Mukago—this will be your introduction to our organization's standards. Demonstrate your abilities fully, but remember: we are shadows within shadows. Leave no witnesses to our true nature."
Both demons bowed deeply.
"As you command, Lord Muzan," Mukago replied, her giggle carrying anticipatory hunger.