The Backlot - 273 - Naruto: The Tenseigan Ascendant

Unlike Hiruko, who stood at the center of the platform, repeatedly starting to speak and then stopping in embarrassed fury, Naoki now wore a look of sudden understanding.

He had finally figured out why Hiruko, who had only fused Hideki Uchiha's ocular power, could possess ocular power close to the level of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Naoki's own Kekkei Mora plan had been designed on the foundation of Hiruko's Chimera Technique, so he had analyzed the technique in great depth. In his view, if everything were carried out perfectly, the Chimera Technique truly could produce extraordinary results from otherwise mediocre materials.

Hiruko's kekkei genkai fusion ritual was obviously imperfect.

Among the five kekkei genkai Hiruko had absorbed, Storm Release represented Lightning-nature chakra, Steel Release represented Earth-nature chakra, Swift Release represented Wind-nature chakra, Dark Release represented Water-nature chakra, and the Sharingan dojutsu bloodline represented Fire-nature chakra.

Without question, because of the limits of his perspective, Hiruko had considered only the five most common chakra natures when designing the ritual: Lightning, Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire. He had overlooked the two most critical natures: Yin and Yang.

That mistake at the level of principle was the most fatal flaw.

Regardless of how far Hiruko developed the Chimera Technique, it could not fully compensate for the damage caused by that oversight.

Under normal circumstances, even if Hiruko survived the kekkei genkai fusion ritual, the five kekkei genkai he fused would not improve at all. At best, they would barely reach the level of the shinobi he had absorbed.

As for reaching Kekkei Mora, that was pure fantasy.

But whether because of fate or sheer luck, something unexpected had happened.

Among the five kekkei genkai shinobi Hiruko chose, Hideki Uchiha did not only possess Fire-nature chakra. As a member of the Uchiha Clan and a dojutsu kekkei genkai user, he also possessed Yin-nature chakra. The Swift Release shinobi with Uzumaki blood did not only possess Wind-nature chakra; he also possessed a small amount of Yang-nature chakra associated with the Sage Body. To a certain extent, those two completed the seven chakra natures: Yin, Yang, and the five basic elemental natures.

Those seven chakra natures were not balanced in strength and could not form a perfect equilibrium.

But every nature was present. Because of that, after surviving the fusion ritual, Hiruko not only inherited all five kekkei genkai he had fused, but each ability had improved to some degree.

That was why his three-tomoe Sharingan could possess ocular power comparable to the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Naoki sighed inwardly. 'Does this count as failure or success?'

From Naoki's perspective, Hiruko's kekkei genkai fusion ritual was unquestionably a failure, because Hiruko had only barely survived the ritual and still had not touched Kekkei Mora.

But from another angle, Hiruko had never intended to pursue Kekkei Mora in the first place. Limited by his own understanding, his goal from the start had only been to absorb the five kekkei genkai he desired. From Hiruko's own point of view, the ritual was undoubtedly a success.

After giving Hiruko one last deep look, Naoki followed Shinichi and slowly left the mountaintop.

After their brief clash, Naoki knew Hiruko had become extremely powerful. Once Hiruko fully adapted to the five kekkei genkai he had absorbed and gained more combat experience, there would be few shinobi in the entire world who could defeat him one-on-one.

Akatsuki members rarely gathered in one place, so after Hiruko's ritual ended, everyone dispersed.

Before they left, however, the Akatsuki members all examined Naoki and Orochimaru carefully. Even Pain, the leader of Akatsuki, was no exception.

Clearly, Naoki and Orochimaru's performance in the battle had impressed them.

Orochimaru, who left with Shinno, looked back at Naoki one final time. The urgency in his gaze, the desire to possess that body, was almost undisguised.

Shinichi said with a dark expression, "Be careful of that woman. She seems to have set her sights on you."

Naoki nodded first, then said, "Lord Naoki needs Hiruko's Chimera Technique. You had better find a way to obtain it."

Shinichi frowned. "But I do not have any connection with Hiruko."

Naoki smiled. "You do not need to approach Hiruko directly. Go to Shinno."

Before Shinno joined Akatsuki, he had already been stealing classified ninjutsu throughout the shinobi world. Now that he had become Hiruko's partner, he had almost certainly obtained the Chimera Technique from Hiruko.

Orochimaru had once confidently assured Naoki that he could obtain the Chimera Technique. Most likely, he had also planned to start with Shinno.

Shinichi clicked his tongue. "I do not have any connection with Shinno either."

"It is just a transaction. Why would you need a connection?" Naoki paused, then continued, "State your demand to Shinno directly. See what he wants. If you can satisfy him, do it. If you cannot, inform Lord Naoki. Lord Naoki will find a way."

Remembering what had happened during the ritual, Shinichi asked uncertainly, "Can Hiruko's Chimera Technique really devour other people's kekkei genkai?"

Naoki considered it seriously before answering, "My personal view is that this method of fusion will definitely leave some kind of hidden flaw. I cannot yet say what that flaw is. You are a member of Akatsuki, so pay closer attention to him when you can. You may discover something unexpected."

Shinichi looked at Naoki strangely. "Homura, why do you sound exactly like Naoki when you talk? You are not copying him on purpose, are you? You are a girl. Why would you imitate him?"

Naoki's face darkened. "I am done talking to you. I am leaving."

With that, Naoki blurred away with the Body Flicker Technique.

Shinichi shouted after him, "Hey, do you not need me to escort you? If you die mysteriously halfway back, that has nothing to do with me!"

Naoki cursed inwardly. 'You dare curse me? Hmph. You would die before I did.'

Naoki did not linger. He raced onward and soon passed through the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass, entering the Land of Fire.

Even after entering the Land of Fire, Naoki did not lower his guard. He could sense someone following him from a distance.

In a forest, Naoki stopped and said coolly, "Come out."

Orochimaru stepped out from behind a large tree, licking his lips as he said, "Heh. You are sharper than expected."