Tobirama stood frozen as Kenji departed, carrying the unconscious Kinkaku brothers over his shoulders like sacks of grain.
Only after Kenji disappeared from sight did Tobirama snap out of his trance. His students—he'd forgotten about his students who had retreated. He rushed in the direction they had gone.
---
**Twelve Kizuki Base**
Kenji returned with his unconscious cargo. The demons—from Upper Moon 5 down to Lower Moon 6—had assembled before the base, waiting for his arrival.
The moment they spotted him, they dropped to their knees in unison. "Welcome back, Lord Muzan!"
A slight smile tugged at Kenji's lips. "Rise."
He tossed the Gold and Silver Brothers toward Rokuro, who caught them with practiced ease. "Lock them up. Keep watch."
Rokuro nodded and dragged the brothers away.
Kenji's gaze swept over the remaining demons. "Return to your chambers. Tomorrow we discuss future plans."
Without another word, he headed for his private quarters. For the first time in ages, his system had activated.
Once inside, he immediately opened the interface.
**TEMPLATE SYSTEM ACTIVATED**
**Host: Kenji Nakamura**
**Template: Muzan Kibutsuji (87%)**
**Twelve Kizuki:**
**Upper Ranks (strongest six):**
- Upper Rank 4 – Hantengu
- Upper Rank 5 – Gyokko
- Upper Rank 6 – Daki and Gyutaro
**Lower Ranks (weaker six):**
- Lower Rank 1 – Enmu
- Lower Rank 2 – Rokuro
- Lower Rank 3 – Wakuraba
- Lower Rank 4 – Mukago
- Lower Rank 5 – Rui
- Lower Rank 6 – Kyogai
**Primary Abilities:**
1. **Biological Manipulation** – Restructure body at will; create weapons, grow limbs, alter organs
2. **Cellular Regeneration** – Instant healing from wounds, even decapitation (unless hit by specific weaknesses)
3. **Blood Demon Arts** – Tentacle-like whips that slice flesh with precision
4. **Sensory Perception** – Detect demons and humans over vast distances
5. **Poison Generation** – Lethal toxins infused in blood attacks
6. **Shapeshifting** – Alter appearance, size, and voice
7. **Physical Augmentation** – Superhuman strength, speed, and reflexes
8. **Absorption** – Consume and assimilate other demons' abilities
9. **Demon Creation** – Turn others into demons, creating loyal subordinates
**Special Traits:**
- **Immortality** – Cannot age or die naturally
- **Sunlight Weakness** – Incinerated by direct sunlight
- **Bloodline Control** – Can kill, punish, or communicate with created demons via mental link
**Ultimate Technique:**
**"Perfect Demon Physiology"** – Full release of body manipulation, enhancing all attributes and spawning countless whip-like appendages capable of shredding enemies instantly.
Another Upper Moon unlocked.
Kenji absorbed the information about Hantengu as it appeared in his mind. Upper Moon Four possessed an unusual Blood Demon Art—the ability to split his body into separate clones, each representing a different emotion.
Sekido wielded anger, using his shakujo staff to generate lightning attacks that could paralyze enemies. Karaku embodied joy, his tengu fan creating powerful wind gusts capable of destroying buildings. Aizetsu represented sorrow and fought with an extendable spear for long-range combat. Urogi took the form of pleasure, growing wings and producing sonic screams as attacks.
When threatened, Sekido could merge with the other clones to become Zohakuten, a fusion form that controlled wooden dragons. As a final defense, the main body could retreat into Urami, a larger form designed for protection.
He summoned Hantengu. Hantengu was summoned kneeling infront of Kenji.
---
**Land of Fire, Konohagakure - Hokage Tower**
"Do you think Tobirama-sensei will return?" Kagami's voice carried poorly concealed anxiety. They'd reached Konohagakure only minutes ago and briefed Mito Uzumaki on the situation. She'd immediately begun assembling a rescue team.
Hiruzen forced confidence into his voice. "Sensei will return. He's the fastest shinobi alive. With Flying Raijin, he's practically unkillable." But even he heard the uncertainty in his own words.
Danzo's harsh laugh cut through the false optimism. "Did you see sensei's condition during our retreat? He was already badly injured. And no enemy pursued us—meaning he blocked them all from reaching us. If he could have escaped, he'd be here by now."
"Tobirama-sensei has returned!" Homura and Koharu's voices rang out simultaneously.
The room erupted as everyone gathered. Tobirama surveyed his students—all alive except Akimichi Torifu, who was hospitalized. Relief flooded through him.
Soon the clan patriarchs filled the Hokage's office: Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Uchiha, Hyuga, and others. Mito arrived last, exhaling deeply at the sight of Tobirama alive.
"What happened?" she asked breathlessly. "Did the Raikage really die? How did the Gold and Silver Brothers manage it?"
"They possessed artifacts. Supposedly from the Sage of Six Paths' era."
Silence fell like a heavy blanket.
Tobirama recounted the events from the beginning, carefully omitting any mention of Kenji. The gathered leaders listened with growing shock. When he finished, he dismissed everyone except Mito.
She studied him with knowing eyes. "Now tell me what really happened. How did you escape? From what you described, there's no way you should have survived."
Tobirama met her gaze. "You won't believe what I witnessed. A monster—no, a demon. His regeneration surpassed even Hashirama's. Without using any ninjutsu, he nearly killed both Gold and Silver Brothers. I finally understand why you said Muzan Kibutsuji's chakra felt different. He hasn't aged a day in years. He's no ordinary man." His voice grew grim. "We must prepare for the possibility he'll attack Konoha. I'm not certain I could defeat him. He's essentially immortal—fuinjutsu might be our only option."
Mito's eyes widened. She'd always harbored doubts about Muzan Kibutsuji, but this exceeded her wildest suspicions. "Is he a pure chakra being like the tailed beasts?"
Tobirama shook his head. "No, he's flesh and blood like us. But he regrew severed limbs—including his head—within moments. He fought like a savage, not a man. The closest comparison... he's like someone brought back by that jutsu I developed, except he's not reanimated."
"Rest now. Get yourself to the hospital for proper treatment. Don't dwell on this—our immediate concern is Kumogakure. Their Raikage died during peace negotiations. They won't accept that quietly."
"Their threats are empty now. With the Raikage dead and the Kinkaku Unit's defection, they lack the power to act against us."
Mito nodded and moved toward the door.
"Wait." Tobirama's voice stopped her. "Can you provide the scroll for the Reaper Death Seal?"
She considered this for a long moment before agreeing. "I'll send it to you."
---
Within days, news of the Raikage's death spread across the elemental nations. Reports of the Kinkaku Unit's betrayal followed close behind, shocking the shinobi world. Kumogakure swiftly branded the entire squad as missing-nin and assembled a specialized hunter unit to pursue the Gold and Silver Brothers.
With the Raikage's death, the First Great Shinobi War drew to its bloody conclusion, leaving the nations to count their losses. Historians would later mark it as one of the most devastating conflicts in recorded history—surpassing even the chaos of the Warring States period. Three Kage had fallen, countless villages lay in ruins, and the balance of power had shifted forever.