Chapter 20: Blueprints and Bloodlines
According to Uchiha Akira's vision, the five bloodline limits chosen for the Demonic Mirror Technique had to be perfect—a synergistic fusion with zero compromise.
'But which five?' The question churned in his mind, a whirlpool of possibilities. The known kekkei genkai in the shinobi world were not infinite. Many were artificially cultivated or unstable. The ones passed down through ancient lineages were rarer.
The Uchiha's Sharingan. The Hyuga's Byakugan. The Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse). The Yuki clan's Ice Release. The Hōzuki clan's Hydrification. The less common ones like the Blood Prison clan's Blood Dragon Eye or the Snow country's Ice Crystal Mirror.
Notably, clans like the Senju and Uzumaki, while descended from the Sage of Six Paths, displayed no singular, unique visual or bodily transformation kekkei genkai on the surface. Their power was more diffuse, expressed in immense vitality and chakra reserves.
Akira immediately dismissed the acquired fusion natures, like Scorch Release or Magnet Release. Their potential, while significant, was fundamentally different from the primordial bloodlines tracing back to the dawn of chakra itself. They couldn't compare.
The true power lay in the legacies of the Sage of Six Paths and his mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. These bloodlines—the Sharingan, the Byakugan, the Rinnegan, the body of the Sage—held the original secrets of the world. Their potential was the highest.
Thus, Akira narrowed his focus to these Ōtsutsuki-related lineages.
'What about Karin's ability? Her rapid healing after being bitten… is that a kekkei genkai? Or simply an extreme expression of Uzumaki vitality?' His thoughts wandered. 'And Jūgo… born with the ability to passively absorb natural energy, a natural Sage body. Could that be considered an innate, bodily bloodline limit?'
'If the unique Uzumaki traits and Jūgo's Sage Transformation qualify as kekkei genkai, then they become prime candidates,' he reasoned. Mastery of natural energy was non-negotiable. Without Sage Mode, facing ultimate threats like the Ten-Tails or its Jinchuriki in the future would be a hopeless endeavor.
He decided: upon returning to Konoha and after the war, he would use the Uchiha clan's influence to locate both Karin and Jūgo and bring them under his purview.
'That leaves one final slot,' he mused.
After further consideration, he settled on the remaining notable Ōtsutsuki-descended clan: the Kaguya clan and their Shikotsumyaku. It was a powerful, physical kekkei genkai with a direct link to Kaguya herself.
So, the tentative blueprint formed:
Senju/Uzumaki (Wood Release/Vitality Source – via Hashirama's cells)
Uchiha (Sharingan – already possessed)
Hyuga (Byakugan – already acquired)
Kaguya (Shikotsumyaku – to be acquired)
Jūgo's Clan (Sage Body Transformation – to be acquired)
'Five branches of Ōtsutsuki's legacy, plus a unique conduit to natural energy… The synergy could yield something extraordinary,' he thought, a spark of anticipation igniting.
'The next annular solar eclipse is in Konoha Year 56. Just under six years. With the Uchiha's resources, locating the targets is feasible within that timeframe.'
The Demonic Mirror Technique's final Ragnarok ritual required the specific celestial alignment of an annular solar eclipse at Mount Sumeru. Missing the one in Year 56 meant a twelve-year wait until Year 68. Time, while not critically short, was not abundant.
'The clock is ticking. Biological research must be accelerated as soon as possible,' Akira resolved silently.
His plan was not to use Karin and Jūgo themselves as fusion materials, as the vile Hiruko would have. He felt a distaste for that. Instead, he intended to leverage the Uchiha clan's wealth to pioneer advanced cloning technology after the war. He would use replicated, blank-slate clones as the vessels. That felt cleaner, more controlled.
The remainder of the journey to Konoha passed without incident. Two days later, Uchiha Akira and the team successfully delivered the hundreds of wounded soldiers to the village gates.
From a distance, they could see the figure of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, waiting at the entrance with a contingent of medical-nin. He stood in his full Hokage regalia—robe and hat—a figure of compact, undeniable authority that belied his age.
"You have all done well. Your service is noted," Hiruzen said, his voice carrying the weight of his office.
"It is our duty as Konoha shinobi," Akira and the others replied in unison.
Hiruzen's gaze swept over them, lingering for a fraction of a second on Uchiha Akira before he turned to the medics. "Prioritize the wounded. Get them to the hospital."
The battle reports had preceded them. Hiruzen was well aware of Uchiha Akira's remarkable feats on the front. 'Another prodigy rises from the Uchiha,' he thought with an internal, complex sigh. "Rest now," he said aloud to the returning team. "Submit your formal mission reports after you have recovered."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Upon returning to the Uchiha compound, Akira was met with an unexpectedly fervent welcome. News of his exploits had spread. While the clan's shinobi maintained a more reserved, proud demeanor, the civilian members of the Uchiha clan poured out, their enthusiasm unrestrained. It took him nearly half an hour to navigate the short walk to his residence through the crowd of well-wishers.
The next morning, Akira met with Kakashi, and together they headed to the Hokage Tower to debrief.
In the Hokage's office, Kakashi gave a concise, professional account of the mission, concluding with the encounter with Hiruko.
"…I see. Attacked by Kiri, then ambushed by a rogue ninja… You faced considerable adversity," Hiruzen said, his expression grave. "This mission's rating is hereby elevated to S-rank. Your compensation will reflect that."
"We only did our duty," Akira responded.
Hiruzen's eyes settled on him. "Akira. You are certain Hiruko is dead?"
"Based on the evidence, Lord Hokage, I am certain," Akira confirmed.
A satisfied nod. "Well done. Hiruko was a seasoned jonin from the last war. This is a significant service to the village."
"Eliminating threats to Konoha is the duty of every one of its shinobi," Akira replied, his tone neutral.
Hiruzen offered a faint smile. "All of you, get proper rest. Remain on standby. While the war's tide has turned, the final currents are unpredictable. Be prepared to return to the front if called."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
They filed out of the office. Not long after the door closed behind them, another figure entered—a man with bandages covering one eye and much of his head. Shimura Danzō.
(End of Chapter)
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