Naruto: The Age of Ninja Swords Begins in Kumogakure

"Is it no longer a war between ninja villages?"

Jiraiya muttered to himself, his heart growing heavier.

"This era is strange. First, there were extraordinary powerhouses like the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha. Then, there was an evolved form of the Byakugan with incomprehensible power. Next, the legendary Rinnegan appeared. The future will inevitably be even more terrifying. Perhaps there will be powerhouses like the Sage of Six Paths with terrifying power to create and destroy the world."

All of this foreshadows a major upheaval in the future, perhaps even ushering in an era more concentrated than the era of the Ninja Kingdom.

Nodding, Tamura Hiroshi's expression was serious, showing both vigilance and anticipation for the future.

"If such an era were to truly occur, your Hidden Cloud Village would likely be the most likely to unify the ninja world."

Jiraiya remained very wary of Kumogakure. Kumogakure was simply too powerful. In recent years, they had even occupied the lands of the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, possessing half of the world's land, a larger population, and the greatest potential.

"We also want to have the last laugh, but the ninja world is no longer what it used to be. What truly determines the future are the top experts. In the face of those mythical top experts, numbers are meaningless."

In this respect, Konoha has the advantage. The performance of Shimura Danzo back then still makes us feel lingering fear.

Madara Uchiha also came from your Konoha. Your Konoha truly produces a wealth of talented people.

Tamura Hao retorted, saying that Konoha's potential should not be underestimated, and that the current rising stars are Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.

"So you're saying we're very likely to become friends in the future?"

Minato Namikaze interrupted the confrontation between the two sides and shifted the topic to the essence of the matter.

"That depends on your choices. Your hidden potential is quite frightening. Even Lord Tsuchidai cannot predict what choices you will make in the future."

There are no precedents for such a future, and we'll only have to wait and see what happens.

Tamura Hao did not give a clear answer; we'll have to see what Konoha has to say on that matter.

Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya both fell silent. Not to mention the other, even they themselves didn't know what choices they would make in the future, mainly because the uncertainty of the future was too great.

Just then, a sound came from the kitchen. Tamura Hiroshi removed the soundproof barrier and walked towards the dining table.

Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya also got up and went over.

"That's quite a feast."

Looking at the large table of dishes in front of him, Tamura Hao was quite surprised.

I thought this person would cook a set of traditional Japanese dishes, such as sashimi, just like Mikoto did.

"I went to a food and entertainment center to learn."

Whirlpool Ninth Rank said smugly that while taking care of Minato, she often sent shadow clones to the Food and Entertainment City to learn how to cook many dishes.

"Minato-kun is quite lucky with food."

Tamura Hao smiled and praised, and then the group didn't delay, picked up their chopsticks and started eating and chatting.

We didn't talk about anything serious, so as not to affect our appetite.

"Thank you for the meal!"

Tamura Hiroshi wiped his mouth with the tissue Vanilla handed him and was quite satisfied with the meal.

Although it's far inferior to Garuro's cooking skills, it's still quite good and reaches the average level of a food and entertainment city.

"I'm glad you're satisfied."

Uzumaki Kyuujin smiled and got up to clear away the bowls and chopsticks, while Kushina and Vanilla also helped to tidy up.

"Jiraiya-sensei, please take Naruto to Orochimaru-sama and ask him to teach Naruto Wood Release. Hao-jun and I will go to the Uchiha clan."

Minato Namikaze knew that Orochimaru was the only one in Konoha who could teach Naruto Wood Release.

"I see."

Jiraiya, who was drinking tea, nodded in agreement. Indeed, only Orochimaru could teach him this, after all, Orochimaru had even used the First Hokage's ultimate move back then.

"Next time I'll definitely beat that arrogant Sasuke."

Naruto Uzumaki made a firm statement, not forgetting that this guy had said before that he would teach Sasuke, which would inevitably make him stronger.

But Naruto Uzumaki is not afraid. With the Wood Release power of the First Hokage, he will surely be able to defeat him.

"I'm really looking forward to it."

With a smile, Tamura Hiroshi ruffled the boy's soft hair again, nodded to Minato Namikaze, and then got up and left.

The two left their home and headed straight for the Uchiha clan's territory, where Uchiha Fugaku was drinking with Yotsuki Ai, both of them flushed and red-faced.

Uchiha Sasuke had been waiting for someone for a long time, and when that person arrived, his eyes immediately fixed on them.

"Take me to the place where you often practice."

After glancing at the already tipsy Fugaku Uchiha, Tamura Hiroshi gestured to Sasuke Uchiha.

"plz follow me!"

Uchiha Sasuke got up and led the way, and soon they arrived at a training ground that was about 100 meters long and wide.

"Could you teach me ninjutsu other than Chidori?"

Upon arriving at the training grounds, Sasuke Uchiha suddenly made a request.

Why?

Tamura Hiroshi was puzzled. Was this little guy no longer interested in Chidori?

Do you still believe that you can develop Chidori to its peak on your own?

"Chidori cannot counter Wood Release."

Sasuke Uchiha spoke frankly, revealing that while fighting Naruto, he had been keeping an eye on Minato and the others, and had even spoken with Hayate, learning that Hayate was going to help Naruto awaken his Wood Release power.

After returning, he asked his father about the power of Wood Release, since his father was also skilled in using Wood Release, but he had never seen it before and did not know anything about it.

After his father's explanation, he gained a clear understanding of Wood Release and realized that the Chidori system alone was insufficient to counter it; a much stronger power was needed.

Furthermore, my father also said that Chidori originated from Kumogakure, but the true strongmen of Kumogakure did not use Chidori, or rather, they used power that surpassed Chidori, either secret techniques or bloodline limits.

This can be interpreted as Chidori not being a top-tier power, so there's no need to put too much effort into it.

Minato Namikaze, who had come with him, looked at the disciple with a flickering gaze, but remained silent.

It's good to let these two kids compete, as long as it's healthy competition.

"You want to counter the power of Wood Release?"

Tamura Hao understood; this child cared a lot about winning or losing with Naruto Uzumaki, perhaps due to the influence of Indra's chakra within him.

"You already possess this power; it's the Sharingan. Once you evolve it into the Mangekyou Sharingan, you can fight against Wood Release."

Tamura Hao pointed to Uchiha Sasuke's eyes.

"What I want is the power to defeat Wood Release; the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan is not enough."

Sasuke Uchiha wanted more. He had seen the Mangekyou Sharingan before; his older brother and Shisui had awakened it, but their strength was only so-so.

"That's because the Mangekyou Sharingan users you know haven't developed it to its fullest potential. Only Madara Uchiha and Danzo Shimura did it back then, especially Danzo Shimura, who developed Susanoo to a height of 500 meters during the Fourth Shinobi World War."

Faced with a Susanoo of that size, even the strongest members of our four-village alliance couldn't break it. In the end, it was Nagato Uzumaki who used the power of his Rinnegan to help us break it.

Furthermore, our research indicates that there is another level above the Mangekyou Sharingan, which Madara Uchiha apparently reached, which is why he was able to contend with the First Hokage.

That's the direction you need to work towards. However, if you want to unleash the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan, other aspects also need to catch up, such as physical strength, life force, and chakra levels.

In particular, the amount of chakra is crucial. Susanoo is a product of materialized chakra, requiring a vast amount of chakra to create and to develop to a higher level.

Although your Uchiha ninjas have a greater amount of chakra than ordinary ninjas, they are far inferior to those with the Senju Uzumaki bloodline. Forcibly using Susanoo will even deplete your body.

Based on our observations from that battle, Danzo Shimura relied on his enormous chakra to propel Susanoo to a height of 500 meters. That was probably not the limit, or rather, the divine power of Susanoo has no limit.

In this regard, you'd better go find Orochimaru from Konoha. He's very skilled at bloodline transplantation. Have him perform the transplant for you so that these aspects don't hold you back.

Minato has done it before, so he should be quite familiar with Orochimaru. You could ask him to introduce you.

Tamura Hao offered advice and recommended Orochimaru to the boy.

Orochimaru!

Sasuke Uchiha looked at his teacher, Minato Namikaze. He knew about Orochimaru and also knew that Minato Namikaze had transplanted Sharingan eyes and evolved them into Mangekyou Sharingan using the power of the Nine-Tails.

However, because the teacher was not a member of the Uchiha clan, the Mangekyou Sharingan he evolved only had two eye techniques and did not have Susanoo.

But this is enough to show how excellent Orochimaru was at bloodline transplantation.

"Your father is actually more suitable than me to handle this, but having Lord Orochimaru perform the transplant for you will inevitably come at a price. You'd better discuss it with your father."

Seeing that his own disciple could only explain, Minato Namikaze suggested that Fugaku Uchiha step in.

Because Fugaku Uchiha is Sasuke Uchiha's father, he has more control over whether or not to cooperate with Orochimaru, and what price to pay.

"If it's Sasuke, he doesn't need to pay the price; his brother has already paid that price."

Just then, a magnetic voice rang out, and Orochimaru appeared beside them without anyone noticing.

"I don't want him to do anything for me!"

To everyone's surprise, Sasuke Uchiha became furious upon hearing about his brother's presence.

"Sasuke-kun, you can come to me anytime once you've figured it out."

Orochimaru didn't pay much attention and immediately looked at Tamura Hao.

"Haojun, we meet again."

"Lord Orochimaru, you are fine."

Tamura Hiroshi responded with a smile, saying that he had missed this person quite a bit after not seeing him for many years.

This was the final sacrifice they had chosen, something he and Black Zetsu had been longing for.

"Is Hao-jun still fixated on the bloodline fusion route?"

Orochimaru admired and was also curious about the path this person had chosen.

Bloodline fusion is not uncommon in the ninja world. There are many people who inherit the bloodline of the ninjutsu type, and some have successfully fused it. For example, there is that idiot Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze. Minato Namikaze, in particular, created a new bloodline elimination method.

Unfortunately, his talent has reached its limit and it is impossible for him to improve further.

On the contrary, the one in front of me is more talented and gifted in bloodline fusion, and has gone further.

"I prefer pure power, because that's the only way to achieve perfect control."

Tamura Hiroshi revealed a firm, even resolute, determination, stating that he would see it through to the end and would never give up.

He is very determined in his bloodline path and is about to complete the integration of Yin-Yang Escape and Five Elements Escape. Once the integration is successful, he will have a bloodline network of seven attributes, and his body will undergo new changes in all aspects.

However, this is not the limit. He only fused the seven basic attributes of chakra. In addition to those seven basic attributes, there are other attributes.

For example, Minato Namikaze's spatial talent, the power of time, and then there's his cheat ability, the power of fate.

He felt that these three powers could also be integrated, further enhancing the bloodline path.

Therefore, this path is bright, and once you reach the peak, you will inevitably surpass the bloodline of the Otsutsuki.

Conversely, if one were to follow the Otsutsuki bloodline route, it would be impossible to reach that pinnacle.

Just as Master Lu said, those who learn from me will live, and those who imitate me will die. If you want to truly reach the peak, you must take one step at a time and move forward steadily.

"It's a pity that the road is too difficult, and it gets more difficult as you go further. I'm really looking forward to seeing what limits Haojun can reach."

Orochimaru was looking forward to it; this guy always manages to surprise people, and he certainly wouldn't disappoint in the future.

Unfortunately, that path was still too difficult, many times more difficult and dangerous than exploring the Six Paths Sage's bloodline. I struggled immensely with the Six Paths Sage's bloodline path, let alone the path of bloodline fusion.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Tamura Hao glanced at Uchiha Sasuke, raised his hand to form a hand seal and created a shadow clone to teach him. He then walked to the edge of the training ground with Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze. Orochimaru even used Wood Release to create a small pavilion.

"Does that child have a conflict with his brother?"

Sitting down in the wooden chair, Tamura Hao glanced at Nisuke over there, curious about the little guy and his older brother.

Orochimaru took out his tea set and elegantly brewed tea.

"Speaking of this, one has to admire the political acumen of our Hokage. He won over Itachi and Shisui Uchiha, turning them against the Uchiha clan. I heard that Fugaku was so angry that he vomited blood."

As he spoke, Orochimaru turned his head and glanced at the Hokage Building, expressing his admiration for the man's political maneuvering and persuasive skills.

"Poor Fugaku-kun, no wonder he drank so much before."

After baring his teeth, Tamura Hao felt a little sorry for Uchiha Fugaku.

I never expected that I would change so many plot points, even the night of the massacre would be gone, but who would have thought that Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha would still go down that path and become traitors.

"How could Shisui side with Hiruzen Sarutobi? I remember when I met with Ms. Jiri and her mother, I told them to be wary of Hiruzen Sarutobi."

He was quite curious about how Hiruzen Sarutobi had managed to fool Shisui Uchiha.

"He died long ago, from illness caused by worry."

A mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips. Orochimaru knew something was wrong when he first learned about this, but he was too lazy to investigate further.

Moreover, it was because of that person's death that Uchiha Shisui awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan.

Then, through some transactions, he obtained Uchiha Shisui's eyes, cultivated a new pair of eyes for him, and helped him awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan again.

"Perhaps this is the destiny of their lineage."

Tamura Hao sighed deeply. That lineage was truly tragic. From Uchiha Kagami to Uchiha Myokyo, and then to Uchiha Shisui, the three generations were all rather dim-witted, so their fates were naturally not good.

"The Sharingan always makes people more prone to obsession."

Orochimaru was not surprised by this.

"Lord Orochimaru's hidden eye power is much stronger than before."

Looking into Orochimaru's eyes, Tamura Hao could sense a subtle yet immense power within them, far surpassing the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan.

"Thanks to Haojun's advice, I was able to create these eyes."

Orochimaru made no attempt to hide his identity and activated his Mangekyou Sharingan.

The snake-like eyes changed, the pupils split into three, each displaying a kaleidoscope pattern.

It is smaller than a normal pattern so that the eye can easily accommodate it.

Minato Namikaze also looked at those peculiar Mangekyou Sharingan, quite astonished.

This was the first time he had seen these eyes. Orochimaru's previous eyes were those of Uchiha Myōkyō, and the overlapping patterns were quite unique.

But now they've separated, and there's an extra pattern.

"Is that Shisui's child?"

Minato Namikaze speculated that the third pattern should be that of Shisui Uchiha.

"I made a deal with Shisui and helped him awaken his second pair of kaleidoscopes."

Orochimaru didn't hide anything, and there was nothing to hide about it.

I obtained it through a transaction, and I made a sacrifice. In addition, I helped Uchiha Shisui awaken his second pair of Mangekyou Sharingan and transplanted the bloodline power of Senju and Uzumaki. Neither side lost out.

Minato Namikaze also thought there was nothing wrong with this, after all, he himself had made a deal with Orochimaru in the past.

Moreover, although Orochimaru is dangerous, he is very trustworthy when it comes to transactions.

"His pupil power seems to have changed, proving that this path is viable."

Sensing the power of those eyes, Tamura Hiroshi was certain that he had indeed completed his transformation, no weaker than the Eternal Kaleidoscope and the Perfect Kaleidoscope.

Those are actually three different evolutionary paths. The Perfect Mangekyou Sharingan was the first to appear, and it was the one that Indra awakened back then. It was no weaker than Madara Uchiha's Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.

Madara Uchiha's Mangekyou Sharingan was formed by fusing his younger brother's eyes, and it has its own advantages and disadvantages compared to the perfect Mangekyou Sharingan.

Orochimaru's method combines the Mangekyou Sharingan of three generations, fusing them together with bloodlines as the linchpin, and it's equally impressive.

"Unfortunately, it's still not perfect; some of the eye power has not yet been fully integrated."

Orochimaru was not entirely satisfied with these eyes; they still had some flaws and could not be improved further, their potential essentially exhausted.

What he truly desired was the Rinnegan, which far surpassed the Mangekyou Sharingan.

"Orochimaru-sama has also set his sights on those Rinnegan?"

Tamura Hao pretended to suddenly realize that Orochimaru was eyeing the Rinnegan.

"That is the ultimate power, and naturally I crave it."

Orochimaru made no attempt to hide his interest in the Rinnegan; those eyes were indeed worth plotting against.

Since he couldn't synthesize the Rinnegan himself, he would steal it. Fortunately, there was a pair of Rinnegan in the ninja world. If he could steal them, his body would definitely be able to handle them.

"That's no easy feat. After all these years of training, Nagato will undoubtedly become even stronger."

He subtly reminded her that Nagato Uzumaki is quite powerful now.

"It's all about human effort!"

Orochimaru poured the brewed tea for the two of them. He knew that obtaining those eyes would be difficult, but not impossible. (End of Chapter)