belamy20

191-195

Added 2025-08-12 17:34:01 +0000 UTC

Chapter 191: Five Years of Change

Hokage’s Office

Golden sunlight streamed through the windows, casting pillars of light across the room. Swirls of smoke danced lazily within the beams, thickening the air.

Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, a brown pipe clenched between his teeth, his eyes narrowed to slits as he sorted through a stack of documents. He pulled out three special files and laid them neatly on the desk, pushing the rest into a haphazard pile to the side.

Arranging the three files in front of him, his gaze lingered on the names—two boys and one girl, each extraordinary in their own right.

Senju and Uzumaki… A lone Uchiha… A Hyūga with the Kaguya’s ferocity… The Nine-Tails and Three-Tails’ fusion…

Familiar yet alien concepts intertwined in his mind. These three, who would never have coexisted in the Warring States era or even the current shinobi village system, were now being placed in the same squad—teammates bound to undertake missions together.

How strange fate could be.

The classic two-boys-one-girl setup, yet somehow encompassing the five great bloodline clans that once dominated the Warring States period. Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction smooth the wrinkles on his face.

Knock, knock, knock!

A sharp rap at the door interrupted his thoughts. In walked Kakashi, clad in his standard green flak jacket, his face half-hidden behind his mask. Five years had done little to change his languid demeanor, but the White Fang’s short sword strapped to his back and the noticeably steadier aura around him reminded Hiruzen of the elite ANBU captain he once was.

Ah, Sakumo…

"Lord Hokage, you summoned me?"

Kakashi seemed to catch the nostalgic glint in Hiruzen’s eyes. He adjusted the sword on his back, his usual cold gaze flickering briefly.

This was why he avoided using that blade—it always dredged up memories he’d rather forget.

"Oh? You’re willing to wield it now?"

Hiruzen’s eyes softened with approval. Despite Kakashi’s years of melancholy, the Hokage had never given up on him. Seeing even the slightest hint of recovery lifted his spirits.

"It’s just a sword," Kakashi deflected, clearly unwilling to dwell on the subject. "What’s the mission?"

Hiruzen, wise to the art of avoiding open wounds, didn’t press further. Instead, he slid the three files across the desk, pipe still clamped between his teeth.

"No mission. I just want you to take on three students."

Kakashi’s visible eye scanned the files. He ignored the detailed reports and grades, focusing only on the three familiar faces staring back at him.

Obito’s clansman… Sensei’s son… His best friend’s adopted daughter.

Every one of them was tied to his past.

He plucked out the middle file—the girl who stood out like a sore thumb—and slid it back toward Hiruzen. Picking up the other two, he said flatly:

"I can handle these two. That one… you’ll have to teach yourself."

Hiruzen chuckled, stroking his beard before shaking his head in exaggerated dismay.

"Even I can’t teach her anymore."

Silence settled over the room, the swirling smoke thickening the tension.

"Why not assign her to ANBU?" Kakashi asked.

"She claims all the killing in ANBU ‘ruins her mood.’ Prefers a peaceful life."

"You really let her do whatever she wants, huh?" Kakashi muttered. If even the Hokage couldn’t instruct her, the only ones left in Konoha qualified to teach her were him and Might Guy.

Resigned, he pulled the discarded file back, staring at the name nestled between the other two—Hikari. On paper, she seemed like just another ordinary genin.

"It’s not indulgence," Hiruzen said gravely, leaning back in his chair, fingers drumming against the desk. "She’s… changed."

"Yeah." Kakashi agreed.

Having lived under the same roof as her for five years, he understood better than anyone. Her personality, appearance, demeanor—even her hobbies—were completely different. Sometimes, it was hard to believe she was the same person.

"Change isn’t bad. At least she’s easier to get along with now."

"What I fear is—" Hiruzen hesitated.

In five years, he’d never seen her fight. Never witnessed her train. The monstrous taijutsu that once crushed enemies in an instant—gone. At the Academy, she only played around with basic elemental jutsu.

Though her mastery of the five elements was flawless, rivaling even his own, it worried him.

That bone technique—the one that reduced everything to ash—was terrifying. He couldn’t shake the suspicion that her transformation was tied to a bloodline disease.

Was she avoiding taijutsu because her body was failing?

He’d asked her directly, but her answers were always the same:

"Everything’s fine."

"It’s going smoothly."

"Don’t worry about it."

Yet the unease lingered, and with it came more leniency, more favoritism.

"Fear what?" Kakashi waited, neck craned, but Hiruzen never finished. The silence reminded him of a term Hikari had once joked about—*"riddle-speakers."*

"Never mind." Hiruzen changed the subject abruptly. "Focus on Naruto and Sasuke. They’re Konoha’s future."

"These three won’t be easy to teach." Kakashi sighed, already feeling the headache coming.

Naruto and Sasuke, driven by rivalry and trained by him and Guy, had already reached special jōnin level.

As for Hikari? For the past two years, a faint red barrier had shrouded her. His Sharingan couldn’t even gauge her chakra anymore. Even if she hadn’t improved in five years, she was at least elite jōnin level.

But that was impossible.

If even the Hokage couldn’t instruct her, her strength had likely surpassed imagination. Considering their actual skill levels—and his own survival—he decided some traditions needed… adjustments.

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll prepare for the assignment."

"Go ahead." Hiruzen nodded, then added as an afterthought: "Oh, and Hikari hates waiting. Don’t be late for team assignments."

"Understood."

Kakashi’s response was solemn. He knew this wasn’t just concern for a student—it was a warning for his own safety.

Root Headquarters – Sublevel 4

A winding staircase descended into darkness, flickering torchlight casting twisted shadows on curse-sealed walls.

Thud… Thud…

The dull impact of a cane echoed with each step. A shadowy figure moved downward until reaching the bottom, then turned into an adjacent corridor.

The torches here burned brighter, illuminating the man—Shimura Danzō, leader of Root.

His right arm hung in a sling, his left gripping a cane. A single, narrowed eye glinted coldly.

He paused before a vermilion door at the corridor’s end, then strode forward.

"Halt, Lord Danzō!"

An arm barred his path. Danzō’s eye twitched, his gaze icy as it settled on the fox-masked Root member guarding the door.

"Lady Hikari is bathing. She gave strict orders—no disturbances."

The Root ninja, Kitsune, stood firm despite the killing intent pressing down on him.

"Do you know who you’re speaking to?" Danzō’s voice was a blade of frost.

"My apologies, sir!" Kitsune bowed slightly—but didn’t move.

Root… has truly changed.

Rage simmered in Danzō’s chest. Five years ago, after Hikari’s "surgery," he’d successfully transplanted the arm lined with Sharingan.

Not only had he gained the Wood Release he craved, but the Hashirama cells accelerated the replenishment of his Mangekyō’s power. Even the strain from using Kotoamatsukami lessened.

It was a dream come true—until he realized the cost.

The ten Sharingan and Hashirama cells balanced each other, minimizing backlash—but maintaining that equilibrium was near impossible in battle.

His combat style had to be completely overhauled.

With Yūhi Ryūma managing Root’s affairs and Hikari handling external threats, Danzō had focused on adapting.

At first, everything flourished.

Then, one day, he saw children laughing in Root’s training grounds.

Laughing.

These were supposed to be emotionless tools, stripped of individuality. Yet there they were—unshackled, joyful.

He’d punished the trainers. Executed the children.

Root returned to its silent, obedient state.

But something felt wrong.

Root members watched him differently—avoiding him, yet always watching.

Departments that should’ve been bustling fell silent the moment he entered.

He’d confided in Ryūma, ordered investigations, but was told it was just side effects of the Sharingan’s strain.

Now, standing before the sealed door, he finally had proof.

Kitsune remained unmoved, even as Danzō’s chakra flared dangerously.

"Last warning. Move."

The air crackled with tension.

Then—

"Let him in."

A voice, soft yet commanding, drifted from behind the door.

Kitsune immediately stepped aside.

Danzō’s expression darkened further, but he shoved the door open and stepped into the abyss.

As the door closed behind him, Kitsune resumed his post. The torches flickered wildly.

From the shadows cast on the walls, two more figures emerged—Sharingan eyes glowing—forming a three-man guard around the entrance.

Inside the Chamber

Danzō’s breath caught.

Before him stretched an impossible sight.

A pool of liquid lightning, boiling and crackling, illuminated the chamber in an eerie blue-white glow. At its center, floating effortlessly, was a silver-haired girl.

Her hair fanned out across the surface like molten silk, tendrils of electricity dancing along each strand.

Her body, submerged in the searing plasma, was unharmed. The violent currents cradled her like gentle waves, as if she were merely asleep in the heart of a storm.

Chapter 192: The Other Heavenly Gods

Thud!

The heavy, rhythmic pounding echoed through the secret chamber, like a giant hammering a war drum. With each strike, boiling white plasma rippled violently, sending waves of energy through the air.

The oppressive sound gnawed at Danzō’s nerves, his heartbeat syncing unnaturally with the drumming. For every ten beats of his own heart, the deep, resonant thud came once—an irregular, suffocating rhythm. The scorched scent in the air clung to his throat, making each breath feel like drowning.

Before he could steady himself, the figure submerged in the lightning began to rise. The ripples expanded, and slowly, a girl emerged from the crackling plasma.

Now, Danzō could see her clearly.

Tall, yet not slender—her frame carried a subtle fullness. She wore a pure black robe, unblemished by any other color, making her jade-like skin glow in contrast. As she ascended, tendrils of blue-purple lightning coiled around her body, erupting in violent sparks.

The flashes were blinding. In the dim chamber, the searing light forced Danzō to shield his eyes.

Just two bursts were enough to leave his vision swimming, tears stinging his eyes. He pressed his left hand over his covered eye, the Mangekyō Sharingan beneath the bandages flickering open.

But the light only intensified.

A vast, endless sea of purple flooded his vision.

Gulp.

His throat moved involuntarily. The fury he’d felt at being stopped at the entrance had vanished, replaced by sheer, bone-deep terror.

Three times… five times… ten times…

His Mangekyō trembled as it measured the chakra before him.

At least twenty times his own.

He had never sensed such overwhelming energy—not even in the Tailed Beasts.

Just how much has she grown in these five years?

Has she… reached the threshold of the God of Shinobi?

As his thoughts spiraled, a pale red barrier rose, veiling the chakra sea. The blinding light dimmed, and after a long moment, Danzō finally lowered his hand.

The girl—now clad in a white kimono—stood before him. Her long, silver hair coiled itself into an elegant updo, and the mysterious mark on her forehead pulsed faintly with residual violet light.

Hikari, now devoid of her earlier divine aura, smiled warmly at him.

Five years had passed, yet her features had changed little—only softened, shedding the last traces of childhood. Her once cold, razor-sharp demeanor had melted into something gentle, radiant.

"Teacher Danzō, what brings you here?"

Her voice was like sunlight.

And that terrified him more than any killing intent ever could.

"You’ve… changed greatly," Danzō muttered, unable to mask the wariness in his tone.

Though he had spent these years adapting to his new arm and mastering Wood Release, he had still summoned Hikari and Torune occasionally to assess Root’s affairs.

But this transformation was sudden.

Two years ago, after noticing anomalies within Root, she had become… different.

More smiles. A gentler presence. That red barrier, impervious even to the Sharingan’s gaze.

And now, this monstrous chakra.

But the real problem was Kotoamatsukami.

His right eye narrowed, the four-pointed pinwheel spinning rapidly.

The Mangekyō’s power surged—an invisible force lancing through Hikari’s barrier, worming its way toward her mind.

Crack.

Like shattering glass, the genjutsu dissolved before it could take hold. No matter how he willed it, his control slipped away like mud through fingers.

Kotoamatsukami… had failed.

The "Unrivaled Illusion," the strongest genjutsu of the Uchiha, was useless against her.

Hikari’s smile deepened as she watched Danzō’s face darken.

Within her mind, she swiftly redirected the intercepted genjutsu into a hidden Sharingan in her palm. The three tomoe twisted, morphing into the same four-pointed pinwheel, storing the stolen power.

Root and ANBU had their fair share of stubborn loyalists—hardened warriors who would die for Danzō. Without his "generous donations" of Kotoamatsukami’s power, she wouldn’t have been able to turn them.

For years, Danzō had holed up in Root’s underground base, obsessed with his experiments.

His survival instincts were sharp, and destroying Kotoamatsukami by killing him prematurely would’ve been a waste. Besides, with her strength and influence growing exponentially, she had no reason to rush.

Thanks to Torune’s efforts and her Yang Release clone’s research, Root had long since changed hands.

The balance of power between her and Danzō had flipped entirely.

"I owe my progress to your guidance, Teacher. I’m truly grateful."

She meant every word.

Danzō had been instrumental in her rise.

And to repay him, she had prepared a grand funeral—a spectacle worthy of his legacy.

How merciful of me.

The mere thought of the execution she had planned sent a thrill through her.

Danzō’s skin prickled under her smile.

His muscles locked, primal fear screaming in his nerves. The instincts honed through decades of life-or-death battles blared like alarms. For a moment, he even forgot why he had come.

Seeing his pallor, Hikari suppressed her aura further, the flesh-seals woven into her body tightening their grip.

Only then did Danzō’s tension ease slightly.

Three years ago, her Sage Body had entered its second stage.

Along with surging chakra and vitality, her body temperature had skyrocketed—70°C at rest.

And when she moved?

Her blood boiled.

Literally.

Yet it didn’t harm her. In fact, the hotter she burned, the stronger she became.

Even her breath could scald flesh, her mere presence invoking primal dread in all living things.

Like prey before a predator.

At first, she hadn’t realized the effect—until people began avoiding her.

A single glance, a word, and they froze.

Weaklings collapsed outright. Even elite jōnin like Kakashi and Guy tensed like cornered animals.

So she sealed it away.

And learned to soften it with kindness.

But anger? Malice?

That only amplified it.

She had lost herself in the euphoria of Lightning Release training, forgetting to hold back.

And standing so close to Danzō while imagining his funeral… well.

No wonder he had been petrified.

"Did you need something, Teacher?"

Now that he had calmed, she saw no reason to linger. Guy had promised her a feast to make up for missing her graduation.

And feasts—like Lightning Release training—were best enjoyed in person.

"N-No, I just… heard—"

Danzō’s voice faltered. His limbs still felt weak, the terror lingering. But he was no greenhorn.

With sheer will, he forced composure.

"Have you noticed anything unusual in Root lately?"

Hikari nearly laughed.

He’s so desperate he’s asking me now?

"I’m usually training here. For missions, I just deploy. You should ask Torune."

Danzō’s eye twitched at her dismissiveness, but the memory of that chakra ocean kept his temper in check.

"Investigate—"

"Sorry. Starting tomorrow, I won’t have time for Root." She cut him off without hesitation. "In case you missed it, I’ve graduated."

Without waiting for a response, she strode past him.

Foxfire, waiting outside, bowed and followed as shadows swallowed them both.

"Keep watching Danzō."

"Yes!"

In the narrow halls of Root, silent operatives lined the path, heads bowed as Hikari passed.

Foxfire hesitated.

"Why provoke him? Why not kill him now?"

The ambush had been prepared. The Nara brothers were ready.

Yet she had let him live.

Hikari didn’t turn.

"Torune says ANBU still has Danzō’s loyalists—sleeper agents even he doesn’t know. Landmines waiting to blow."

A cold smile curled her lips.

"Anger him enough, and he’ll summon them all to kill me."

"Then we purge them all at once."

Foxfire’s eyes widened in understanding.

Hikari’s gaze swept over the gathered Root operatives as she ascended.

With each step, her shadow grew.

More joined her. Their silhouettes stretched along the walls like a forest of blades.

"Danzō has a genjutsu—Kotoamatsukami. It brainwashes. From now on, pair up. If one falls under it, the other wakes them up."

"YES!"

Voices thick with hatred rose behind her.

Hikari’s smile was beatific as she stepped into the light.

This was the true power of Kotoamatsukami.

To conquer without fighting.

Chapter 193: The Strongest Summon

The next day.

At the towering "Fire"-inscribed building in the heart of Konoha.

Inside the mission hall on the first floor, small groups of Konoha ninja gathered around the Mission Assignment Division's counters, waiting for the staff to assign tasks. Those who had already received their mission scrolls were discussing details with their clients.

Contrary to how it was portrayed in the comics, missions weren’t exclusively handed out in the Hokage’s office.

With Konoha’s vast number of shinobi and the sheer volume of daily requests, leaving everything to the Hokage alone would be impossible.

To ease the burden, the Mission Assignment Division was established on the first floor to categorize missions and assign safer B- to D-rank tasks to chunin and below.

Only high-risk A- or S-rank missions—or those requiring jonin-level combatants—were personally assigned by the Third Hokage in his office at the top floor.

In truth, most ninja would only visit the upper floors twice in their lives for direct assignments from the Hokage.

The first was during their academy graduation, when team placements were decided.

If their assigned sensei was a special jonin or full jonin, they might get the chance to meet the Hokage in person.

The second was when high-risk missions required extra manpower—often as "cannon fodder." Of course, that opportunity might also be their last.

Many ninja joked that the two most glorious moments in their lives were their youth and their final moments before death.

—

"Hey, is that—?"

"It’s her!"

"She’s so beautiful—"

The noisy hall fell silent for a brief moment before erupting into whispers.

Ninja who had been clustered around the counters turned their heads toward the entrance, murmuring among themselves. Even the clients paused their negotiations, curiosity piqued by the sudden shift in attention.

When they looked, no explanation was needed—the source of the commotion was immediately obvious.

A girl, no older than thirteen or fourteen, stood there with skin like polished jade.

Her forehead bore mysterious purple markings, her eyes were covered by a black cloth, and her lips were a striking crimson. Despite the loose kimono she wore, her tall, curvaceous figure was impossible to ignore.

But what truly stood out was her silver hair.

Unadorned by pins or ribbons, the cascading curls seemed to glow under the sunlight, framing her like a divine aura.

"She’s… unreal…"

The client—a merchant who dealt in antiques and jade—was utterly speechless. He had traveled to the capital, mingled with nobles, yet never in his life had he seen someone so breathtaking.

Forgetting his mission entirely, he craned his neck just to catch another glimpse of her.

If even a well-traveled man like him was stunned, the reactions from clients hailing from smaller villages were even more extreme. It wasn’t until the girl ascended to the second floor and disappeared from sight that the crowd finally snapped out of their daze, exchanging looks of shared awe.

"My apologies, I got a bit distracted!"

"Understandable. No need to apologize."

The men chuckled awkwardly, an odd camaraderie forming between them.

"Hey, was that girl one of Konoha’s ninja?"

"Not just any ninja—she’s the strongest prodigy in Konoha’s history: Hikari!"

The Konoha shinobi puffed up with pride as they boasted about their village’s unparalleled genius.

Over the past few years, Hikari had frequently visited the Hokage’s office. At first, her beauty had been striking but still within human limits.

But lately, she had become something else entirely.

Her appearance alone was mesmerizing, but what truly set her apart was the aura she carried—a mix of vitality, danger, and mystique, amplified by her reputation as Konoha’s top talent.

When she stood there, it was clear she wasn’t like ordinary people bound by mundane lives. She existed on another level.

So whenever she appeared, scenes like this were inevitable.

The villagers had grown used to it—so much so that recounting her feats had become second nature.

They reveled in the clients’ awed reactions, savoring these rare moments of pride in their otherwise ordinary lives.

"Listen, between you and me—rumor has it she’s the fifth Hokage in waiting!"

The boasts grew louder and more exaggerated, each trying to one-up the other with increasingly dubious "insider info."

Hikari felt secondhand embarrassment creeping in.

Channeling her Earth Release chakra, she hardened her shoes and the stairs beneath her, quickening her pace as she gracefully made her way to the third floor.

Over the years, people had remarked how her demeanor had softened, how her movements had taken on a noble elegance.

But only she knew the truth—if she let her malice, killing intent, or even just her speed run wild, the results would be catastrophic.

Sometimes, elegance wasn’t a choice. It was a necessity.

—

Whoosh.

A gentle breeze pushed open the Hokage’s office door as Hikari stepped inside.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, in the middle of reviewing documents, hastily stubbed out his pipe and flipped it upside-down on the desk.

"Don’t wait until you’ve ruined your health before calling for a doctor, Hiruzen-sensei."

"I have faith in your medical ninjutsu," Hiruzen chuckled, waving away the lingering smoke. He hadn’t expected her to arrive so soon—now he’d been caught red-handed.

Hikari sighed, summoning a breeze to sweep the smoke out the window.

Two years ago, when Hiruzen developed a lung condition, she had healed him and even used the Mystical Palm Technique to purge the tar from his lungs.

She’d assumed he’d quit smoking after that.

Instead, he’d taken it as permission to smoke even more.

"Medical ninjutsu isn’t omnipotent. If you develop lung cancer, even I won’t be able to save you."

"Don’t worry. I’ve lived long enough," Hiruzen said dismissively, signing off on a thick report and tossing it onto a towering stack of paperwork.

"Take these away!"

"Yes, sir!"

Three ANBU operatives materialized from the shadows, gathering the files before bowing respectfully to Hikari. Only after receiving a nod in return did they vanish.

Click.

The door closed softly behind them—courtesy of the same tactful ANBU who always shut it during Hiruzen’s meetings with Danzo.

These guards, having served the Third for years, understood Hikari’s standing better than most.

To Hiruzen, she wasn’t just another student.

She was his true successor—more cherished than the Sannin combined.

And while the Third’s remaining years were uncertain, Hikari was a rising star. Respecting her now was simply good sense.

No one in the Hokage’s office was foolish enough to underestimate her based on age. If anything, her youth only made her achievements more awe-inspiring.

—

"You called for me. What’s the matter?"

Seeing that Hiruzen had dismissed all the ANBU, Hikari knew this wasn’t a casual meeting.

"Any signs of your Kekkei Genkai illness resurfacing lately?"

Hiruzen’s expression was uncharacteristically grave. The years had added new wrinkles to his face, deepening as he frowned.

That’s it?

Hikari was puzzled.

He’d asked about her condition multiple times already.

Her Kekkei Genkai illness had been cured the moment she reversed the Eight Gates. If anything, her body had only grown stronger since then. Three years ago, when her Sage Body entered its second stage, she’d even informed Hiruzen that the issue was resolved.

"Thanks to you granting me the Forest of Death as a training ground, I’ve developed a technique to fully suppress the illness. It won’t be a problem anymore."

Hiruzen studied her for a moment before relaxing slightly. "It’s just… I haven’t seen you training taijutsu lately. I thought the illness might have flared up again."

Ah.

Now she understood.

The truth was, most taijutsu had become meaningless to her.

Her physical control had reached a point where training was redundant—as long as she had enough chakra, her muscles strengthened on their own.

And aside from her shadow clones, no one could even serve as a sparring partner anymore.

A casual swing of her arm generated force measured in tons. A serious punch? Hundreds—if not thousands—of times stronger.

Add nin-taijutsu enhancements, and the numbers became incalculable.

Once, while testing her limits in the Forest of Death, she had activated all three state-enhancing techniques and unleashed a single punch.

Now, the Forest of Death was just… the Plains of Death.

"I stopped taijutsu training because I’ve been experimenting with new combat methods. It’s not the illness."

She couldn’t exactly explain the full truth, so she settled for a simplified version.

"I see. That’s a relief."

Hiruzen visibly relaxed, his stern demeanor melting away.

"So, how do you like your assigned jonin instructor?"

"Predictable," Hikari replied dryly. She didn’t even need to guess—she already knew who he’d assigned her to.

Her presence had already altered the original timeline significantly.

Take the Konoha 12, for example. Under her influence, they’d all become relentless overachievers.

Naruto and Sasuke, the original protagonists, had trained under Might Guy and Kakashi, respectively, and were now far stronger than they should have been at this point.

The others weren’t far behind.

Sakura, the former top kunoichi in written exams, had initially struggled to keep up. But fate had a way of balancing things—she’d found her own path.

Two years ago, Senju Tōu, one of Hikari’s subordinates in ROOT, had reported discovering a medical prodigy named Haruno Sakura during her hospital internship. He’d even requested permission to recruit her as his assistant.

Hikari, amused by the irony, had declined. Sakura’s true potential lay with Tsunade, not ROOT.

With Sakura now training at the hospital, a spot had opened up in Team 7.

And given Hikari’s existing ties to Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke, Hiruzen’s decision was obvious.

—

"Did you call me here just to ask about these things?"

Hikari wasn’t buying it. Hiruzen had been too busy earlier to dismiss his ANBU over trivial matters.

There was something else.

And he was clearly waiting for her to ask.

"Of course not."

Hiruzen smirked, pleased that he’d finally drawn her into the conversation. Reaching into his desk, he pulled out a sealed scroll.

"What kind of teacher would I be if I didn’t give my prized student a graduation gift?"

Hikari’s eyes sharpened as her visual prowess pierced through the scroll’s outer seals.

"A few years back, Might Guy mentioned he wanted to gift you his tortoise summon—only for you to turn him down," Hiruzen said, unfurling the scroll to reveal rows of black names.

Most shared the same surname: Sarutobi.

And among them was Sarutobi Hiruzen himself.

"This is the Sarutobi clan’s summoning contract with the Monkey Clan."

Hiruzen’s voice brimmed with pride as he smoothed the scroll across his desk.

"The Monkey Clan’s members possess bodies harder than steel, capable of transforming into the extendable Adamantine Staff.

"But their true strength lies in their intelligence. They speak human language, assume human forms, and can weave hand signs with all four limbs. They are, without a doubt, one of the strongest summon clans in the shinobi world."

His grin widened.

"And my personal summon is their king—Enma, the Monkey King!"

Hikari inhaled sharply.

She knew exactly how powerful Enma was.

In the original timeline, even Orochimaru—who had visited Ryūchi Cave and witnessed the might of the toads and slugs—had called Enma the strongest summon.

But raw power wasn’t what interested her.

As a summon, Enma’s strength was ultimately an external asset—nothing compared to her own abilities.

What she truly sought was the natural energy that likely saturated the Monkey Clan’s territory.

And, perhaps, a Sage Mode distinct from the three great lands: Shikkotsu Forest, Mount Myōboku, and Ryūchi Cave.

Her Sage Body had been stuck at the second stage for a while now. Soon, it would advance to the third—but unlike Hashirama, her evolution was entirely different.

She doubted she’d achieve a perfect Sage Mode naturally.

If that happened, she’d need an alternative.

And now?

She might have just found it.

Chapter 194: The Monkey Clan

"It’s not that I’m being picky, but Gai’s summoning creature is completely useless. I’d be afraid of accidentally crushing it if I used it as a stepping stool."

Hikari couldn’t help but complain to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Two years ago, Might Gai had indeed tried to gift her his ninja tortoise as a summon. But that tortoise knew no jutsu, moved at a glacial pace, and had zero combat ability. The only thing it had going for it was slightly higher intelligence than a normal beast (thanks to its ability to harness chakra) and a somewhat sturdy shell—which Gai often used as a footstool.

Gai, thinking she was just a kid, tried to sell her on the idea that "tortoises live long and have great potential—wait a few hundred or thousand years, and it might even evolve into the Turtle Sage!"

What absolute nonsense.

Even if it could evolve into the Turtle Sage—or even Sun Wukong—she wouldn’t want it. With that kind of time, she might as well plant a Divine Tree and wait for it to bear fruit. Who’d bother with summoning creatures?

"But the Monkey Clan is different!"** Hiruzen stroked his beard, chuckling as he listened to his disciple’s rant.

His family’s ancestor had been born before the Warring States era, back when he was just an ordinary civilian ninja—barely more than a commoner with chakra. The only two jutsu he knew were the Chakra Extraction Technique, which he’d stumbled upon on a battlefield, and a C-rank technique found alongside it—the Summoning Jutsu.

In his quest for power, the ancestor—much like Jiraiya—used the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to traverse space, where he encountered the then-ruler of the Monkey Clan: Enma, the Monkey King.

Saved by Enma, the ancestor trained under him, mastering the Monkey Clan’s Adamantine Staff Techniques and formidable fire-style jutsu. Their bond was one of mentor and friend.

Out of gratitude—and to honor their deep friendship—the ancestor, who had no surname, took Enma’s name as his own, founding the Sarutobi Clan.

One could say the Sarutobi Clan’s survival during the Warring States period—and their current status as one of Konoha’s most powerful clans—was entirely thanks to the Monkey Clan’s legacy. Because of this, the Monkey Clan held an exalted position within the Sarutobi Clan.

There was even an unspoken rule:

Only a Sarutobi who earned the recognition of the current Monkey King and fought alongside them as a partner could inherit the clan’s leadership.

Because of this tradition, every generation’s Monkey King and Sarutobi leader were sworn brothers. The two clans had maintained this unbreakable bond for over a century, with not a single rift between them.

This summoning scroll was one of Hiruzen’s most prized possessions. He had once hoped Jiraiya would sign the Monkey Clan’s contract, but Enma hadn’t taken a liking to him, and the pact failed.

Later, his three disciples each found their own paths, inheriting the legacies of the Three Great Sage Lands. Yet his own strongest summoning contract—the Monkey Clan—had no heir, leaving him deeply regretful.

But now, fate had gifted him a prodigious final disciple.

Hikari, with mastery over all seven chakra natures and the bloodline abilities of both the Hyūga and Kaguya clans, was the perfect successor to all his skills. There could be no one more suited in the entire world.

Hiruzan ran his fingers over the century-old summoning scroll—proof of his ancestor’s bond with Enma.

"Come, Hikari! Swear in blood, sign the contract, and you shall summon the mightiest of the Monkey Clan to fight by your side!"

"Yes!"**

Hikari steadied herself, eyes gleaming.

Even without senjutsu or natural energy, the Monkey Clan’s ability to transform into the Adamantine Staff alone made their contract impossible to refuse.

As she looked at the densely inscribed scroll spread across the desk, she stepped forward, raising her right hand. Her pale fingertip glowed with a piercing crimson light.

Drip. Drip.

Scalding blood, heated to nearly 80 degrees and steaming, fell onto the paper—but instead of soaking in, it rolled like liquid mercury across the surface.

Hiruzan had been about to remind her to write her name in blood when he saw the silvery droplets move on their own, flowing to the bottom of the list of names. There, they twisted and formed four delicate characters.

Once Hikari pressed her fingerprint onto the scroll, the blood seeped in, moisture evaporating instantly. In less than half a second, the blood contract was complete.

As she lifted her hand, Hikari could sense a mysterious connection forming between herself and the scroll. Now, with just a summoning jutsu, she could reach across space and call forth the Monkey Clan.

"Sensei, is it done?"

"Ah… yes."**

Hiruzan stared in astonishment at Hikari’s hand.

Despite having just signed a blood contract, there was no wound—not even a trace of blood. Her fingertip remained pristine, as if untouched.

He had always known his disciple was extraordinary, but the sheer number of anomalies she displayed was impossible to ignore.

Her hair, which needed no tie to stay perfectly in place. Her ability to cast jutsu without hand seals. And now, this power to manipulate blood even after it left her body.

None of these were earth-shattering abilities—certainly nothing compared to some of the more bizarre kekkei genkai.

Yet they all pointed to one undeniable truth:

She was not entirely human.

It was awe-inspiring… and faintly unsettling.

"So, can I summon Enma now?"**

Unaware of Hiruzen’s thoughts, Hikari was too excited to care. She focused on that distant space, eager to summon the Adamantine Staff and see if the legendary weapon suited her.

Or maybe she could ask for a set of golden chainmail, a phoenix-feather crown, and cloud-walking boots while she was at it?

"Not yet. Before you summon Enma, there are things you must understand."**

Hiruzan’s expression turned serious.

"The Monkey Clan is not like ordinary summoning beasts. Their bond with the Sarutobi is not one of master and servant—they are treasured allies, comrades-in-arms."

"They are proud by nature. You must never treat them as subordinates, nor refer to yourself as their master. If you anger the Monkey King, the contract will be voided on the spot—and no Monkey Clan member will ever answer your summons again."

Hikari nodded. From Hiruzen’s tone alone, she could tell the relationship between the Sarutobi and the Monkey Clan was anything but ordinary.

Put nicely, the contract would be voided. Put bluntly? The Sarutobi would likely cut ties with her immediately—and her bond with Hiruzen might end right then and there.

Seeing her understanding, Hiruzen held up two fingers.

"Second, though the Monkey Clan is proud, they value loyalty above all else."

"Each monkey chooses only one human partner in their lifetime. They fight and die together—never abandoning their comrade. Even if their partner dies, they will never answer another’s summons."

"Enma has been my partner since we were young. If you’re in danger, he might help you out of respect for me—but you cannot summon him freely as I do. You must find your own partner."

So that’s why Enma disappeared after Hiruzen’s death!

Hikari mused inwardly.

These monkeys really do have strong principles.

Enma only acknowledged Hiruzen—so summoning him for battle wouldn’t be easy.

"Finally, the most important point."** Hiruzen raised a third finger.

"Even though you’ve signed the contract, you don’t yet have a sworn monkey partner. If you use the Summoning Jutsu now, no monkey will answer."

"To summon them, you must first earn Enma’s approval. Then, he will find a suitable monkey for you. Only after you and your partner acknowledge each other can you summon them freely!"

This complicated?!

Hikari frowned.

The Monkey Clan was nothing like the Three Great Sage Lands.

With those summons, signing the contract meant you could summon them immediately—even if they didn’t always obey (and sometimes even turned on you). But at least they responded.

And with the Monkey Clan, your partner was fixed. Unlike the Three Great Sage Lands, where you could summon different creatures depending on the situation, here, you were stuck with whoever you bonded with. No substitutions allowed.

But thinking about it, this system had its pros and cons.

The Monkey Clan members were both summons and weapons. To maximize their potential, you needed deep synergy with your partner. Their strict contract culture made sense—and their loyalty and strength justified the hassle.

Proud. Loyal. Unyielding.

The Monkey Clan was like the Adamantine Staff itself—unbending in both character and power.

"So I still have to pass Enma’s test."**

Hikari wracked her memory. In the original story, Hiruzen had introduced Enma to Jiraiya, but the two didn’t get along, and the contract fell through.

But she couldn’t quite remember why Enma had rejected Jiraiya.

"Don’t worry. If it’s you, I’m certain you’ll earn his approval!"** Hiruzen’s expression was oddly confident, though his tone left no room for doubt.

Do I just have really good compatibility with the Monkey Clan?

Hikari felt a flicker of excitement. Toads and snakes had never appealed to her—but a humanoid monkey? Way cooler.

Once Hiruzen finished explaining, he didn’t hesitate. Forming hand seals, he bit his thumb and smeared blood across his palm before slamming it down.

BOOM!

A massive cloud of smoke erupted in the Hokage’s office—only to be swiftly blown out the window by a gust of wind from Hikari.

Standing beside Hiruzen was a towering, white-furred ape, arms crossed imposingly.

Over two meters tall, clad in dark ninja attire, with a golden headband, sharp fangs, and piercing golden eyes that radiated authority.

This was the current Monkey King—Enma!

"Hiruzen. What is it?"**

Enma glanced down at Hikari, assessing her briefly before deciding she didn’t look like an enemy. He turned back to his old partner.

"This is Hikari, my youngest disciple. She just graduated from the Academy and lacks a summoning partner. I wanted her to form a contract with the Monkey Clan."

Hiruzen played mediator. Whether Hikari succeeded depended entirely on Enma’s impression—he couldn’t force the matter.

"Hello, Enma!"**

Hikari smiled warmly, carefully suppressing her aura to avoid any misunderstandings.

"Hm. Hello."**

To her surprise, the seemingly aloof Enma responded immediately. His golden eyes scrutinized her before he gave a firm nod.

"She’s acceptable."

…Huh? That’s it?!

Hikari, who had been gathering chakra to showcase her strength, was stunned. She distinctly remembered Enma being much harder on Jiraiya. Why was he so agreeable now?

Her gaze flicked to the emotion aura above Enma’s head—despite his stern expression, the light shimmering there was unmistakably positive.

"If you approve, then please arrange a suitable partner for her."** Hiruzen wasn’t surprised in the least.

He knew his old friend too well.

For all his cold, imposing demeanor, Enma was secretly a huge sucker for pretty faces. Back in the day, he’d put on that act to attract female monkeys.

When he’d introduced Jiraiya, he’d thought their personalities would mesh well. But then Jiraiya had declared his dream was to "gather all the beautiful women in the world," and Enma had immediately nixed the contract.

"Of course. But first, we should test her taijutsu. That way, I can match her with a partner of suitable strength."**

Enma agreed readily, his sharp golden eyes lingering on Hikari’s delicate features.

She looks so gentle and refined… None of the rowdy young monkeys would suit her. Maybe one of the females? Though they’d be weaker…

Ah, but her taijutsu probably isn’t strong anyway. A gentler partner might be best.

Unaware of Enma’s thoughts—or that this regal Monkey King was just as much of a "certain type of man" as Hiruzen and Jiraiya—Hikari assumed his quick agreement meant he’d sensed her power.

His perception is that sharp?!

She was impressed. Despite her layered barriers (which even the Byakugan couldn’t pierce) and her chakra-sealing flesh seals, Enma had still seen through her.

No wonder they’re called the strongest summoning clan!

Her gaze grew more respectful as her Rinnegan’s power analyzed Enma’s famed "indestructible" body.

"Little Hikari, are you ready?"**

Enma loomed over her, his massive frame blocking the light.

"Yes."**

Hikari nodded solemnly.

Knowing this was a taijutsu test, muscles long dormant began to coil beneath her skin, twisting like steel cables with eerie creaks.

Her delicate fist clenched, the air around it seeming to solidify.

"Use your full strength. No need to hold back!"** Enma reassured the seemingly nervous girl.

Hiruzen licked his lips, about to warn his old friend not to underestimate her—

But then he remembered Enma’s Adamantine body… and the fact that Hikari hadn’t trained in taijutsu for five years.

After half a second of deliberation, he changed his advice:

"Hikari, this test determines your future partner’s strength. You must go all out—show Enma your limits!"

"Understood!"**

As she raised her fist, Hikari’s gentle smile vanished. Scorching steam billowed from her nostrils with each breath.

Seeing this, Enma grinned confidently, thumping his chest with a fist like a sledgehammer.

"Come! Strike here!"

Chapter 195: Ironclad

Mission Hall – First Floor

"So, to summarize, we might run into bandits along the way."

"Hmm… Your request is a bit complicated. I think—"

A chūnin team leader, clad in the standard flak jacket, was deep in discussion with a young merchant. They meticulously dissected every possible scenario—the brief disturbance caused by Hikari earlier had long been forgotten.

After all, life was fragile. Any mission involving combat required thorough evaluation.

Of course, there were shinobi who didn’t bother with such caution—either because they were powerful enough to disregard danger… or because they were already dead and no longer accepting missions.

As for idle gossip about beauties, geniuses, or high-ranking figures? That paled in comparison to survival. A passing glance was enough—no one wasted breath on it.

"If necessary… I can raise the reward by another 20%."

The merchant gritted his teeth, sweetening the deal.

The shinobi exchanged glances. Seeing his teammates’ hesitation fade, the chūnin leader dropped his troubled expression and grinned.

"Alright, we’ll take the job!"

"Excellent! A pleasure doing business."

The merchant smiled back.

He’d never expected to hire ninjas at the original price—his limit had been a 60% increase. Yet they’d folded at just 20%.

For all their supernatural power, they’re no different from common laborers. No business sense, no brains.

"It’s getting late. How about I treat you all to dinner? You can tell me about Konoha’s wonders. The ‘Greatest Shinobi Village’ truly lives up to its name! And that girl earlier… Well, let’s just say this trip has been eye-opening!"

Despite his condescension, the merchant was a smooth talker.

The ninjas, flattered by the wealthy man’s hospitality, soon warmed up. They were on first-name terms by the time they headed for the door.

Then—

BOOM!!!

Without warning, a thunderous explosion erupted from above. The shockwave rattled the entire Hokage Building.

The hall shook violently.

Crack—CRASH!

Dust and debris rained from the ceiling.

"W-What was that?!"

"It came from the Hokage’s office! An attack?! Move!"

"Seal the building! No one leaves! Shoot to kill!"

"YES, SIR!"

Chaos erupted.

Ordinary-looking shinobi sprang into action, scaling walls and leaping up stairwells. ANBU operatives blurred into smoke, flashing toward the third floor with jutsu at the ready.

The once-peaceful Hokage Building had become a battlefield in seconds.

"I—I—"

The merchant stood frozen, his earlier confidence shattered. The two ninjas who’d been escorting him now pressed him back, kunai gleaming.

The ‘foolish’ men he’d laughed with moments ago were gone—replaced by cold-eyed killers.

His silver tongue turned to lead. His throat locked. He dropped to his knees, hands clasped behind his head, trembling like a cornered rabbit.

Under the weight of their killing intent, his wealth, connections, and charm meant nothing.

This was what ninja truly were—the pinnacle of martial might.

And if these men revered that silver-haired girl as a genius, even a potential Hokage…

Just how terrifying must she be?

All his lecherous fantasies evaporated. Only awe remained.

This trip… really was eye-opening.

Thank god, thank god—

Third Floor – Hokage’s Office

The first responders froze upon entry.

No enemy. No carnage.

Just a massive summoning scroll unfurled across the Hokage’s desk—and a two-meter-tall, human-shaped hole blasted through the reinforced wall. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the room.

At the center of the cracked floor stood Hokage Hikari, lips pressed tight.

Opposite her, the Third Hokage looked dazed.

"Lord Hokage! Are you alright?!"

The shinobi swarmed forward, voices overlapping. Sarutobi Hiruzen’s reputation among Konoha’s rank-and-file was unmatched—some even considered him greater than the God of Shinobi himself.

"I’m fine—"

Hiruzen waved them off, staring at the hole in the wall. His aged face creased with concern.

"I just hope it’s okay."

Hikari licked her lips, the monstrous muscle beneath her skin relaxing.

Good thing I held back.

No Lightning Chakra Mode. No Eight Gates. Not even her bone-shattering Rift Fist. Just a plain, straightforward punch—yet it carried enough force to flatten a mountain.

Even a tailed beast would’ve felt it.

But Enma’s Adamantine Staff Body lived up to its name.

The Monkey King had taken the hit—square in the chest—without a sound. Just a spray of blood before folding in half and flying through the wall.

If not for the ungraceful midair tuck, it might’ve looked majestic.

By now, he was probably beyond Konoha’s borders.

Hope he finds me a decent summon…

She winced internally. That contract might be void now.

Worse, she hadn’t even asked about sage energy. Did the monkey clan even have senjutsu?

Meanwhile, Hiruzen shook off his worry. Enma was tough. He’d survive.

"Everyone, calm down. Just a minor accident—"

As the room filled, he quickly delegated repairs and dispersed the crowd. The shinobi obeyed, but whispers spread like wildfire.

"Did Hikari and the Hokage fight?!"

"An enemy attacked, but she punched them through the wall!"

"Proof? That human-shaped hole!"

By the time the rumors reached the first floor, they’d morphed into wild tales—each more outlandish than the last. Soon, she’d be hearing her own exploits from mission desk clerks.

Stories she didn’t even know about.

"Hey, sorry about earlier!"

"No worries! So what really happened?"

"Hikari and the Third clashed—wrecked the building!"

"She fought the Hokage? That little girl?!"

"You bet!"

Hikari sighed.

At this rate, they’d claim she was staging a coup by sundown.

Aftermath

Once order was restored, Hiruzen rolled up the summoning scroll and eyed his disciple warily.

First Tsunade, then Kushina, now Hikari—why were all the kunoichi he knew so violent?

He’d thought five years of ‘refinement’ had softened her.

Then she’d punched a hole through his office.

"Enma’s Adamantine Body is legendary. In decades together, I’ve never seen him injured. Don’t you dare use that fist on fellow Konoha shinobi."

His tone was grave. He’d never question her ‘lack of training’ again.

Hikari nodded obediently.

This was why she avoided taijutsu. Most ninjas were glass cannons—even a playful kick could shatter bones.

But today’s ‘test’ had been enlightening.

When her knuckles met Enma’s chest, her skin had ruptured from the recoil. Years of bathing in electric plasma had toughened her flesh to rawhide—yet it was nothing compared to the Monkey King’s indestructible frame.

His entire body—every organ, every cell—was like forged steel. A living, breathing Vajra.

If she could achieve that—if her muscles, nerves, and organs could match her bones’ resilience—she could finally stack her power multipliers.

No more holding back.

Pure taijutsu alone would crush Susano’o. With the Eight Gates? She could dance with Kaguya.

Sage energy could wait. But Adamantine Training? That was a monkey clan exclusive.

Too bad I just punched their king into orbit.

She’d have to wait for Enma to recover—maybe ask nicely through Hiruzen. If diplomacy failed?

Well. Reverse Summoning was always an option.

"Consider your taijutsu sealed. Same for those melting bones. And the Lightning Chakra Mode—"

Unaware of her scheming, Hiruzen rambled on about ‘restrictions.’

Eventually, he glanced through the hole in his wall.

"Hungry? Let’s grab lunch."