Hiruzen and the others began questioning their purpose.
It seemed Kazuku alone could handle everything?
In strength, Kazuku surpassed their combined power.
In analysis, forget Steaming Danger Blast…
Even Gengetsu's Steaming Danger Tyranny stumped them.
That level of genjutsu fooled them all.
If Gengetsu attacked from within the mirage, their defeat was only a matter of time.
Yes.
Without Kazuku, Hiruzen and the others would've been wiped out.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen gasped.
While marveling at Kazuku's strength, he felt helpless about his own weakness.
If he were stronger, things might've been different.
"Gengetsu's strength wasn't inferior to the Gold and Silver Brothers," Uchiha Kagami said, deactivating his Sharingan, sighing.
To him, the brothers' trickiest aspects were their Six Paths tools and tailed beast transformation.
Their personal techniques weren't remarkable.
In individual strength, Gengetsu was far superior.
"Especially his genjutsu. Even my Sharingan couldn't see through it. He's an expert in illusions."
Even as an Uchiha, Kagami admired Gengetsu's genjutsu.
His Sharingan, meant to pierce ninjutsu and genjutsu, was useless against Gengetsu.
Without Kazuku finding and shattering the clam…
The consequences would've been dire.
"I feel like Kazuku's getting stronger."
"Sensing was his weakness, making him vulnerable to ambushes. Now, he's awakened sensing."
"This boosts his battlefield survivability!"
It seemed every so often, Kazuku mastered a new technique.
How did he do it?
Incomprehensible.
Kagami racked his brain but couldn't figure it out.
"Is this what a genius is?"
In the end, Kagami chalked it up to genius.
Homura and Koharu, the team's weakest, felt numb.
Seeing Kazuku defeat another untouchable foe, their hearts dulled.
"Is effort even worth it?"
Homura gritted his teeth. His talent and effort paled compared to Kazuku's.
Rumor had it Kazuku trained at 4 a.m.
So disciplined!
Homura hadn't even seen the Hokage Rock at dawn!
"Bloodline…" Danzo's eyes narrowed, staring at Kazuku.
His immense chakra and sensing were unmistakably Uzumaki.
Wood Release, monstrous strength, and seal-less healing came from Hashirama.
Rather than a genius…
Danzo called him a bloodline monster!
The perfect fusion of Senju and Uzumaki.
A flawless genetic composition.
Consider this.
Without Wood Release…
Without that terrifying chakra…
Without seal-less healing…
Without sensing…
Could Kazuku be this strong?
This terrifying?
"Mastering only the Eight Gates taijutsu, even at its peak, what then?"
"Could it challenge legends like Hashirama or Madara?"
"Laughable."
"Kazuku's terror stems from his superior bloodline."
Danzo clenched his teeth, envious and resentful of Kazuku's lineage.
If he had Hashirama's cells, Uchiha's Sharingan, and Uzumaki sensing…
He'd surpass Kazuku!
Frustrating!
"Dispose of Gengetsu's body."
Kazuku turned, rejoining the group.
Returning it to Mist was impractical.
There was no guarantee Mist wouldn't attack the deliverers in rage.
Destroying it felt wrong to Kazuku.
A ninja like Gengetsu deserved respect.
"I'll handle it," Danzo, silent until now, volunteered.
"Fine." Kazuku glanced at Danzo, not objecting.
With that, the assassination incident concluded.
Kazuku and the others escorted the shaken daimyo back, ensuring no other ninja lurked. Kazuku periodically used Kagura Mind's Eye to monitor.
Notably, Kagura Mind's Eye was a remarkable ability.
Danzo and Homura, per Kazuku's orders, buried Gengetsu's body in a forest.
But…
"What are you doing?"
Homura noticed Danzo's actions, seeing him tamper with Gengetsu's body.
This shocked Homura.
He'd witnessed Gengetsu's final moments.
Though enemies, Gengetsu was a respectable ninja.
But…
Danzo's actions desecrated him.
Homura rushed over, seeing Gengetsu's clothes cut, a gaping wound on his abdomen.
Danzo had taken a piece of flesh.
"I'm just doing what's necessary."
"You saw it. When Kazuku hit Gengetsu, his body liquified, turning to water."
"That might be the Hozuki Clan's kekkei genkai."
"His body's different from ours."
"Studying it could yield breakthroughs."
Danzo spoke casually, urging Homura to keep it secret.
"But…"
Homura hesitated.
Kazuku tasked them with a proper burial.
"Don't be naive, Homura. Kazuku's just a seven-year-old. He doesn't grasp the ninja world's cruelty."
"The Uchiha's Sharingan, the Hyuga's Byakugan, the Uzumaki's sealing…"
"Which village doesn't covet them? They just lack the chance."
"I'm doing what everyone wants but can't."
"And it's not for me—it's for Konoha."
"Everything…"
Danzo's eyes gleamed oddly, "is for the village."
Homura swallowed, unsure how to refute.
Thus, Danzo preserved Gengetsu's flesh in a nutrient solution.
"Danzo, why carry that with you?"
(End of Chapter)