Deep within the Forest of Death.
Even at high noon, sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense, web-like canopy above. What little light managed to filter through was fragmented into scattered beams, casting distorted, shifting shadows across the damp forest floor.
The air was heavy.
Still.
Filled with an almost oppressive silence.
Aoki Yoru sat cross-legged beside a quiet lake.
His breathing was slow and controlled.
His mind—calm.
Around him—
The world seemed unchanged.
But in his perception—
Everything was different.
Since returning from the Land of Water, the memory of that overwhelming presence—the terrifying chakra of the Three-Tails—had never left his mind.
That feeling of helplessness.
Of insignificance.
It lingered.
Like a shadow.
"I need to get stronger…"
He murmured softly.
Improving his chakra nature transformations would take time.
Refining his body—also slow.
But there was one path…
One he had already begun exploring.
Natural Energy.
Unlike ordinary chakra, Natural Energy existed everywhere.
Invisible.
Untouchable.
Yet—
Overflowing with power.
Absorbing it into the body to achieve Sage Mode required time and balance—too slow for immediate combat use.
So—
Aoki Yoru chose another path.
"If I can't absorb it efficiently…"
"Then I'll use it externally."
The Birth of Control
Aoki Yoru slowly exhaled.
Then—
He expanded his sensory perception to its limits.
In his mind—
The world changed.
Countless faint particles—
Like tiny stars—
Floated throughout the air.
Natural Energy.
He focused.
Using his spiritual energy as a guide—
He reached out.
Not physically—
But mentally.
Like invisible hands—
His will grasped at those scattered particles.
At first—
They resisted.
Drifting aimlessly.
But slowly—
Under constant pressure—
They began to gather.
Compress.
Condense.
From nothing—
Into something.
Threads.
Slender.
Nearly invisible.
Faintly glowing.
Floating at his fingertips.
Aoki Yoru opened his eyes.
A faint smile appeared.
"Finally…"
With a flick of his wrist—
The threads shot forward.
Silent.
Invisible.
Deadly.
Swish—
Several massive trees in front of him—
Each thick enough for an adult to wrap their arms around—
Were cut cleanly in half.
No sound.
No resistance.
The cuts were smooth.
Perfect.
Like polished mirrors.
For a moment—
Even the forest seemed stunned.
Then—
The upper halves of the trees slid off—
Crashing to the ground.
Aoki Yoru stared.
Then—
He burst into laughter.
"Hahaha…!"
It was the first time—
Since his transmigration—
That he laughed so freely.
Before—
He had always been cautious.
Careful.
Afraid.
Afraid of hidden enemies.
Of unseen dangers.
Of powerful figures lurking in the shadows.
But now—
He finally had something.
A weapon.
A method.
A way to protect himself.
"This…"
He whispered.
"Is my foundation."
Invisible Killing Power
Natural Energy—
Could not be seen by ordinary people.
Could not be sensed easily.
Which meant—
His attacks—
Were nearly impossible to detect.
Impossible to defend against.
A perfect assassination tool.
But—
Aoki Yoru quickly calmed himself.
"No… I still can't be careless."
The Ninja World was full of monsters.
Black Zetsu.
Madara Uchiha.
Jigen.
And the ancient beings of the Sage Regions.
Any one of them—
Could end him instantly.
"I need more."
A Greater Application
Aoki Yoru drew his ninja sword.
The blade gleamed faintly.
He placed it horizontally before him.
Closed his eyes.
Once again—
His perception expanded.
This time—
Faster.
More precise.
Threads of Natural Energy gathered once more—
But instead of releasing them—
He guided them.
Wrapped them—
Around the blade.
Layer by layer.
At that moment—
In his perception—
The sword changed.
It was no longer just steel.
It was surrounded by a flowing aura—
Like crimson energy—
Violent.
Dominating.
"Let's test it…"
He stood.
Raised the sword high.
Then—
Brought it down.
BOOM—!!
The lake exploded.
Water surged violently—
Splitting apart.
A massive trench—
Carved directly into the surface.
For a brief moment—
The lake itself seemed divided.
Waves crashed outward.
Aoki Yoru stood there—
Frozen.
"…What…?"
He hadn't expected this level of power.
Then—
A grin spread across his face.
"This is…"
"Even stronger than I thought."
Originally—
The threads were meant to be his trump card.
But this—
This was different.
This was power capable of—
Facing Tailed Beasts.
Even—
Something like Susanoo.
Naming the Power
He lowered the sword.
Thinking.
Then nodded.
"I'll call it…"
Sage Art: Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
"…No."
He paused.
"That's too long."
"Sage Might Flow."
He smiled.
Satisfied.
"As for the threads…"
"Thousand Threads: Sky-Rending."
He nodded again.
Clearly pleased with himself.
Unwanted Attention
Just as he prepared to continue training—
His expression changed.
"…Someone's coming."
Several chakra signatures—
Rapidly approaching.
"The commotion was too big."
Without hesitation—
He acted.
Using Earth Release—
He erased all traces.
Flattened the ground.
Restored the surroundings as best he could.
Then—
He vanished.
Moments later—
Three figures appeared.
Members of Anbu.
They surveyed the area.
"…Gone," said the leader, wearing a dog mask.
"Very cautious. No traces left behind."
Another nodded.
"This doesn't look like a battle."
"More like… training."
The leader turned.
"We'll report to Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"Possibly a Jonin testing a forbidden technique."
In an instant—
They disappeared.
A New Concern
Far away—
Aoki Yoru exhaled slowly.
"…Too close."
If this happened often—
The Anbu would eventually find him.
"I need to train farther away from the village."
A Moment of Peace
Back in Konoha—
The streets were lively.
As he walked—
Thinking about dinner—
He suddenly paused.
Ahead—
Two familiar figures.
Might Guy.
And—
Kenta.
Both—
Running.
On their hands.
At high speed.
"YOUTH!!!"
Guy shouted passionately.
Kenta followed—
Teeth clenched.
Determined.
Passersby stared.
Some confused.
Some amused.
Aoki Yoru chuckled.
"It seems…"
"He's found his path."
Kenta's strength had grown rapidly.
His physique—
Now powerful.
Solid.
Almost intimidating.
"Thankfully…"
"He's not wearing Guy's green suit."
Night Falls
Back home—
Aoki Yoru meditated.
Strengthening his spiritual energy.
His foundation.
Then—
Suddenly—
His eyes snapped open.
Cold.
Sharp.
"…Someone broke in."
He sensed it clearly.
Grandma Chidao's house.
A presence.
Hostile.
A child—
Kidnapped.
Chino.
His expression darkened.
"…Root."
Only Danzo Shimura's Root operated like this.
But why?
Then—
Realization struck.
"…Senju bloodline."
Rage surged.
Memories flashed—
Warm buns.
Kind smiles.
A small girl calling—
"Big Brother Yoru."
His chakra exploded.
Without hesitation—
He vanished.
Interception
On the rooftops—
A Root operative moved swiftly.
Carrying the unconscious child.
His escape route—
Perfectly planned.
Then—
A chill.
Danger.
Before he could react—
A blur appeared.
A flash of steel.
Puchi—
His arm—
Severed.
Clean.
Instant.
Blood sprayed.
Aoki Yoru—
Already gone.
Reappearing—
With the child safely in his arms.
Landing silently.
The operative staggered.
Gritting his teeth.
But he didn't scream.
Instead—
He drew a kunai.
Ready to fight.
Aoki Yoru's eyes—
Turned cold.
This moment—
Changed everything.
From now on—
He and Danzo—
Were enemies.
Irreconcilable.
"In that case…"
He thought.
"The bigger the commotion…"
"The better."
"So everyone can see…"
"And the Hokage…"
"Will have to act."
The air—
Turned deadly still.
The battle—
Was about to begin.