At the frontline camp, Minato Namikaze led the assembled Jonin captains to welcome Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-senpai, what is the village's decision?"
"First, we investigate the enemy's intelligence thoroughly." A playful smile crossed Orochimaru's otherwise expressionless face. He produced a scroll and extended it.
"The old man told me to give this to you—for your eyes only, Minato."
Minato thanked him respectfully and accepted the scroll, paying no mind to the casual tone.
As he read, his frown deepened.
The document detailed situations on other fronts. Konoha appeared poised for victory in this war.
However, the losses from fighting on multiple fronts had been staggering—both in resources and ninja casualties.
Konoha couldn't withstand another major blow.
This was a crucial moment. If they simply maintained pressure, the other major villages would eventually negotiate peace or surrender outright.
But if Konoha suddenly gained a powerful new enemy now...
Or if news spread that a renowned powerhouse had been severely injured or killed...
It could destabilize the currently favorable situation, causing unpredictable shifts in the war's trajectory.
"...This group was originally cobbled together from small ninja clans and wandering rogues. Though they appear unified, they are not truly monolithic. After thirty years of isolation and hardship, the new generation may not wish to remain hidden forever.
We should recruit them on the condition of joining Konoha as official ninjas. Once they integrate into the village, we can slowly sort out proper arrangements."
Minato instantly grasped the Third Hokage's intent: wait until they joined Konoha, then scheme for the ninja swords—or even their secret techniques.
Recalling everything in that study, his thoughts turned to his own experience creating the Rasengan.
The sudden inspiration. The difficult process. The dangers involved.
My Rasengan is already considered a relatively smooth, simple, and safe technique—yet even its development carried risks.
A technique like theirs? The entire development process must have been a constant brush with death.
He thought of the ninja assassin who absorbed chakra and moved without sound.
He thought even more of the old man whose mere presence had triggered primal terror in his body. Reflecting carefully, both the man's aura and physical condition had seemed deeply problematic.
That study was suspicious too. Important items like the treaty and research materials were covered in dust.
The answer was obvious: that clan had likely been decimated, leaving very few survivors.
And those survivors were probably young.
Minato's eyes flickered. Rather than the Third Hokage scheming for ninja swords, he wanted something more valuable—a group of loyal subordinates who genuinely supported him.
After all, only with enough capable followers could he execute his political ambitions.
He put away the scroll and looked at Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-senpai, everyone—please rest for now. We'll discuss our approach this afternoon."
Orochimaru observed Minato's shifting expression after reading the scroll. A hint of amusement touched his cold features.
He offered no objection, walking toward the camp. His elite ninja squad followed, entering to rest.
Inside the valley barrier. The laboratory.
An eyeball radiating blue-white light floated above an embryo.
It descended slowly. The glowing orb merged into the forehead.
The embryo's entire body radiated blue chakra light, suffused with rich vitality.
One hundred thirty trillion cells began developing. Chakra meridians circulated. Major tenketsu and the Eight Gates functioned normally.
Abundant physical energy filled every fiber.
The brain secreted specialized chakra. Pupils turned blood-red as a single tomoe slowly manifested.
Special Yin-Yang Release chakra began forming. The body grew at visible speed.
Growth halted at approximately six years of age. The chakra gradually dissipated.
Zenji opened his eyes and leaped from the barrier, naked.
"The protagonist—is born!" He laughed loudly, stretching his new body.
He floated in mid-air, an invisible barrier automatically radiating outward to envelop him.
"No aging. No pain. No oppressive discomfort." Hearty laughter rang through the chamber. "This body is incredible!"
The other 'Zenji' standing before him had changed dramatically. His blue hair had dimmed to white. His eyes were slightly clouded, deep wrinkles creasing his skin. His back hunched unconsciously.
He'd aged from appearing fifty to looking well into his sixties.
The moment their eyes met, both paused.
"Empathy and all that—what utter nonsense." Zenji couldn't help but complain.
"From now on, you are the Young Clan Head Zenji." The aged figure spoke with flat indifference. "I will take the name Zenshu."
They were originally the same person, sharing the same mind. Empathy wasn't merely metaphorical here.
They could clearly feel each other's pain and joy.
This caused Zenshu's already cold and eerie aura to become freezing, almost sepulchral. His purple-blue Cursed Energy chakra darkened to deep violet.
The profound, malevolent presence strengthened continuously.
Zenji dressed himself, watching Zenshu's transformation. A slight frown crossed his young face.
"Perhaps you should keep the Tiger Talisman. I'm concerned you might turn your blade on me someday."
Zenshu raised his eyes slightly. His wrinkled mouth stretched into a somewhat terrifying smile.
"You are me. What benefit would come from attacking myself? Besides, I'm destined to die eventually. This body is nearly at its limit."
"In the time remaining, I only want to focus on research. Furthermore, even if the Tiger Talisman and Book of Ages remain with you, I can access them whenever needed. After all, we're merely the good and evil aspects of one soul—not two different people."
His gaze shifted to the remaining two embryos.
"The Book of Ages just spawned another page." Zenji followed his line of sight. "It seems significant internal changes—not just external events—can make it grow."
One embryo possessed the Six Eyes, formed on the foundation of the Byakugan. Snow-white hair crowned its head.
Gojo Satoru.
The other embryo had four arms, a robust frame, and two smaller eyes beneath its main pair.
Ryomen Sukuna.
Zenshu raised his right hand. Three pages of the Book of Ages flew out and combined.
They formed a Soul Book, which merged into Sukuna's mind. As for Gojo Satoru, his Soul Book had integrated long ago.
After nearly three months of observation, the self-wills had fully matured.
The embryo opened its eyes. Sapphire irises shone with brilliant chakra light.
The body expanded as if being inflated, growing into a seven-year-old's form in the blink of an eye.
Gojo Satoru leaped from the barrier and beckoned with one hand. Clothes flew over automatically.
"Hey, hey, hey!" His young face twisted with displeasure. "Why did you stop my growth at seven?"
"Any older and infiltrating Konoha becomes impossible." Zenji shrugged, standing to the side.
"Moreover, if you grow directly to full size, your strength becomes fixed. To become stronger, you'll have to earn it through your own efforts."
"Tch!" Disdain crossed Gojo Satoru's small features. "So what if the body and soul need a growth period? Even without that process, the great me will still become the strongest!"
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~ Evey 150 PS = Bonus Chapter
~ ush the Story forward with your [Power Stones]