"What! Are you certain it can instantly bring someone from near death back to full health?"
"Don't joke about that!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe nearly slipped from his fingers. He shot up from his seat so abruptly that his heavy Hokage robes knocked over a teacup, yet he didn't even notice.
This kind of power went beyond medical ninjutsu it was nothing short of a miracle.
In the ninja world, the strategic games of war were often decided by the elite.
But the moment an elite like a Kage-level ninja was gravely injured, the balance of battle could flip in mere seconds.
Just like the passing of Hashirama Senju years ago reshaped the ninja world… yet with this ability
A core fighter on the brink of defeat could immediately return to the battlefield. An already dominant warrior could unleash their full strength without fear.
Moreover, for the daimyo of the Land of Fire, this ability was priceless. Which aging noble wouldn't want a second life? Konoha's military budget and diplomatic standing would be rock solid.
One Julian White was worth five Kage-level ninjas or maybe even more.
At that thought, Hiruzen's fingertips grew cold. If this boy had been born in the Hidden Cloud or Hidden Rock, Konoha's dominance might already have shifted.
"Hokage-sama?" Julian White's voice cut through his thoughts. The boy blinked slyly, feigning concern. "Actually, 'Please Don't Die' has a fatal limitation."
Hiruzen exhaled in relief. Perfect, flawless power was unsettling imperfections made it real.
He sat back down, and the kindly yet authoritative elder offered reassurance once more. "There are no saints in this world. No one is perfect. Whatever limitations your bloodline may have, its power is still immense."
"What's the drawback?"
"I've told you. My bloodline limit only works to restore a body on the verge of death to full health."
Seeing Hiruzen's puzzled expression, Julian chuckled lightly, like a cat that had just knocked over a vase. "My ability only works at the point of near-death. In other words, to heal someone, they have to be nearly beaten to death first."
"Otherwise, it won't activate."
An eerie silence fell over the office.
Hiruzen opened his mouth, then smiled wryly. "This world is vast and strange indeed."
After a long pause, he added, "Even so, its power is extraordinary."
"Besides the three of you, does anyone else know about this?"
He turned to ask them directly.
"Only us my power only awakened a few days ago."
His expression turned serious as he looked at the trio. "This secret belongs solely to the three of you present today. From now on, Julian White's bloodline limit will be classified as one of Konoha's top secrets."
"This is also to protect you."
"That's enough for today. I'm tired. Next time, I'll teach you jutsu."
Hiruzen seemed almost overwhelmed by the flood of information.
The three exchanged glances and suppressed their laughter. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
As they stepped out of the office, the main door burst open.
An ANBU operative rushed in, carrying a white-haired man, blood dripping down the stairs.
Julian White paused at the doorway, hearing:
"Hokage-sama! A member of the Uzumaki clan is in critical condition the Land of Uzumaki "
The moment the door opened, Julian sensed an unusual tension in the air.
The fallen man's face was haggard, his signature crimson hair fading to gray before his eyes an unmistakable sign of chakra exhaustion in the Uzumaki clan.
Though unconscious, there was a strange serenity etched into his battered features.
What truly caught Julian's attention were the other two:
The ANBU members froze, their breathing shallow beneath their masks completely unlike the elite, as if shocked by some astonishing news.
As for Hiruzen… he breathed heavily, three times faster than normal, yet his eyes were unusually calm, as though he had already anticipated this sudden crisis.
The Hokage's voice was calm and steady. "Heal him. He is of the Uzumaki clan. In this state, he must be utterly exhausted."
Light danced like butterflies. The long wound on the man's right arm closed, and the gray strands of hair regained their vivid crimson.
When the last glimmer of light faded, Hiruzen waved to the ANBU. "Take him to the infirmary. I need to speak with Julian privately."
His words were gentle yet carried absolute authority.
The ANBU members scurried off as though granted a reprieve.
Julian White stood respectfully, hands at his sides, awaiting what came next.
The middle-aged man simply stared out the window, his breath quickly filling the room.
"You know," he finally spoke, his tone heavy with meaning, "some powers are destined to reshape the ninja world; some villages are destined to reclaim their former glory. Heaven has opened dawn for them, yet they remain blind to it."
Only the wise could see the truth and carry enough confidence in their hearts.
The boy lifted his gaze, meeting the Hokage's eyes.
Those bright eyes burned with long-suppressed emotion and imminent joy; something was reigniting.
On the way home, Julian replayed the scene over and over in his mind.
He already had a rough idea of its significance.
He had read hints of it in his comics before.
The Uzumaki clan descended from Ashura Otsutsuki, possessing the Six Paths' bodies, immense chakra, extraordinary vitality, and sealing techniques.
Every member had bright red hair, which turned white when their chakra was exhausted just like the injured ninja he had just seen.
Geographically, the Land of Uzumaki lay to the east of the Land of Fire, close yet separated by the ocean.
In the Warring States Era, Hashirama Senju's marriage alliance with Mito Uzumaki connected the two clans tightly.
Konoha also offered them protection.
Their strength was no joke, yet the Second Ninja World War was looming.
Compared to other villages eager for conflict, their power seemed laughably small like a praying mantis trying to stop a tank.
To gain an advantage in the impending clash, every hidden village would plunge into a frenzied arms race. The Uzumaki clan's immense vitality and perfect jinchuriki potential made them a coveted strategic resource.
The tailed beasts granted to Konoha for peace by Hashirama now became a double-edged sword pointing back at the village.
Greedy villages might stop at nothing to tear open the Land of Uzumaki and seize that invaluable power.
This would be naked resource plunder and a test of Konoha's endurance.
If Konoha stood firm and swore to protect its allies, it would prove its strength.
If it wavered or retreated, it would embolden enemies, paving the way for even larger wars perhaps even the village's total annihilation.
At that thought, excitement surged within Julian. The appearance of the Uzumaki might very well be the first fierce gust of the approaching storm.
As the saying goes, "A strong wind can lift me to the clouds." This storm was both danger and opportunity.
It would allow him to rapidly accumulate presence points and earn system currency like mad.