Time flies like an arrow; years passed in a blink.
Three years later.
It was noon, the sun blazing high in the sky.
In the Forest of Death, beside a small stream.
Now sixteen years old, Tōshirō sat cross-legged on the ground with his eyes closed, fully immersed in the process of forming hand seals.
After three years of continuous experimentation, Tōshirō was just one step away from mastering the fusion of Boil Release. But that last step—no matter what—he simply couldn't break through.
The scorching sun beat down on his face. Sweat streamed down his chin, falling and shattering on the ground.
This state lasted for quite some time. Tōshirō moved forward carefully and steadily, not daring to be the slightest bit careless. Who knew how much time passed before he finally released all the chakra he had accumulated in his body in one go. Steam rose from him in waves.
This phenomenon marked the official fusion of Water and Fire Release within Tōshirō, giving birth to a brand-new Kekkei Genkai.
He stood up, clenched his fists, and savored the sensation of this newfound power.
Had it not been for the assistance of the Five-Tails' power, even someone as gifted as Tōshirō could never have developed a new Kekkei Genkai in just three years.
Take the Third Hokage, for example—he mastered all five basic chakra natures, yet even someone as strong as him never developed a single Kekkei Genkai in his lifetime.
To be fair, part of that may have been due to the Third Hokage learning too many jutsu without specializing, but it also underscores just how difficult Kekkei Genkai fusion truly is. Perhaps it even requires some unique catalyst. In Tōshirō's case, he was able to develop it only by relying on the power of the Five-Tails—what others may need, who could say?
At this moment, by concentrating Boil Release chakra throughout his body, Tōshirō was able to envelop himself in steam, enhancing his physical activity and allowing him to perform Steam Body Flicker. His speed and power increased significantly, and the steam bursting from within also enhanced his neural transmission speed. The more Boil Release chakra used, the faster and stronger he became.
This jutsu, developed under the influence of the Five-Tails, was known as Steam Armor, and its difficulty level was roughly around B-rank.
It was somewhat similar to another technique—Lightning Release: Lightning Armor.
Tōshirō closed his eyes and deactivated the Steam Armor. Then, as if to double-check, he activated it again.
A Kekkei Genkai is incredibly difficult to use the first time, but after that, it's much easier to activate.
The first time he activated Boil Release: Steam Armor, it took him a painfully long time and great effort. But the second time? Much easier—it came almost effortlessly.
With the Steam Armor active, Tōshirō tested it out. His sprinting speed over 100 meters had clearly improved compared to his "baseline" state.
Just then, the voice of the Five-Tails echoed from within him: "It wasn't easy, huh? You've finally developed the 'Boil Release' Kekkei Genkai."
"It's really all thanks to you, little Five," Tōshirō replied sincerely. "If it weren't for you, this new Kekkei Genkai wouldn't have come so quickly."
"Hmph. Just don't forget what you promised me," the Five-Tails said bluntly. It was referring to the agreement to extract the other Tailed Beasts from their jinchūriki hosts.
"I won't."
Fresh from achieving the fusion of his new Kekkei Genkai, Tōshirō was starting to get a little cocky. He was already thinking about whether to fight the Five-Tails and completely subdue it. If he could do that, even facing Uchiha Madara might not be so terrifying.
Hearing Tōshirō's response, the Five-Tails closed its eyes to rest. After three years of coexistence, it had become much more tolerant of Tōshirō's temperament.
Having successfully fused a Kekkei Genkai, Tōshirō couldn't wait to share the news with the person he loved. He went back to the cabin, took a shower, changed into new clothes, and looked at himself in the mirror.
Black hair and black eyes, a nose sharp like a pendant, and slightly taller than before—now about 178 cm. His overall appearance was delicate and slender.
Tōshirō bared his teeth in a grin, slightly narcissistic: "Damn, I look good."
By his estimate, Tsunade's mission should be ending around now, and she would be returning soon. Tōshirō decided to go welcome her—and maybe give her a little surprise.
Once he was ready, Tōshirō stepped out of the cabin. But as soon as he crossed the red-line barrier of the ward, two masked ANBU operatives immediately jumped out, their tone lifeless, as if addressing an object: "Without authorization from the village, you may not leave this place."
"Can't I at least go out for some fresh air?" Tōshirō raised an eyebrow, clearly irritated.
He'd been practically cut off from the world for three years.
It wasn't so bad at first, but as time went on, it started to feel like prison. Only he knew how he endured those years.
Thankfully, now that he had developed Boil Release and stepped into Kage-level strength, he no longer had any reason to stay confined.
More importantly, he couldn't remain confined. In case Uchiha Madara launched a sneak attack, Tōshirō needed to discuss moving in with Tsunade for safety.
On top of that, being monitored day and night, with no privacy whatsoever—Tōshirō knew he had to return to a normal life.
The ANBU ninja replied with an unshakable tone: "No."
"You two teaching me how to live now?"
Tōshirō sneered, his eyes going cold. After being under constant surveillance, he'd long been fed up with these guys.
Despite the defiance in his tone, Tōshirō let his arms hang loosely at his sides, showing no intention to make a move.
And yet, that exact relaxed posture put the two battle-hardened ANBU instantly on alert.
"Well, since you're obviously going to report everything to the higher-ups anyway, I might as well make your report more interesting. Let me show you this technique."
Tōshirō's body was steaming, like a bamboo steamer.
"This is..."
The eyes behind the masks widened. After over three years of constant surveillance, they knew very well what Tōshirō was about to do, so they hadn't let their guard down in the slightest—in fact, they were fully focused.
However, what happened next far exceeded their expectations. In the blink of an eye, a dark shadow swept past like a gust of wind. By the time they reacted, they were already tightly bound by icy chains.
"Damn it, what is this thing?! I can't break free!" one of the ANBU ninja shouted.
"Don't bother struggling. My Ice Chains have a sealing effect."
Tōshirō crossed his arms, moved his fingers slightly, and released the ice chains from his palms, nailing them into the ground and pinning the two ANBU ninjas in place.
Over the past three years, Tōshirō had studied sealing techniques properly under Mito and had successfully incorporated them into his Ice Release ninjutsu.
These two ANBU had never truly experienced the power of Boil Release, and with Tōshirō's growth over three years, he was no longer the same as before. Being taken out instantly wasn't surprising.
"Hey, stop! You can't leave here! If the Tailed Beast inside you goes out of control—"
The two ANBU shouted as they watched Tōshirō walk away swaggeringly.
Tōshirō couldn't be bothered to look back. He casually waved a hand in farewell, leaving with a carefree attitude, not a trace of worry on him.
He easily left the Forest of Death. After a little disguise, he walked boldly down the streets.
He made a trip to the Uchiha Clan grounds, took a stroll, and found things were the same as ever. Then he went back to his own "kennel." He had thought that after being gone so long, the place would be covered in dust and spider webs—but surprisingly, it was quite clean.
"Looks like someone's been helping keep it tidy," Tōshirō muttered, wondering who it could be. Just then, someone walked into the room.
The person seemed surprised to see someone inside. From the soft, delicate voice, it was a little girl. Tōshirō turned around and saw a girl around five or six years old.
"Who are you?"
The little girl asked cautiously.
Tōshirō paused. He remembered there was a little girl from a neighboring house and said tentatively, "Are you... Mikoto?"
The little girl nodded, her big, round eyes full of curiosity.
"I'm your big brother Tōshirō. Don't you remember me?"
Mikoto suddenly remembered and covered her mouth in shock. "Big brother Tōshirō! Where have you been these past three years? I haven't seen you at all!"
Being young, Mikoto didn't know much, especially about the painful fact that Tōshirō had become a Jinchūriki.
"Well, your big brother was busy with some things during that time."
Tōshirō spoke gently, then shifted the topic: "But enough about me. How's your family been doing lately?"
Back when Tōshirō was flush with cash from his kidnapping days, he'd supported Mikoto's single-parent household financially.
"Mom's been really busy and doesn't have time to take care of me," she said.
"That must be tough." Tōshirō sympathized.
He'd always liked this sensible little girl. He thought that if he stuck to the right path, he might become a jonin instructor one day.
If that happened, he wouldn't mind taking Mikoto as a disciple and training her.
Looking around at the room—now even cleaner than when he lived in it—Tōshirō asked, "So you've been the one cleaning my room?"
Mikoto shook her head. "Not just me. Mostly, it's a big sister with blonde hair."
A blonde-haired big sister?
From that description, Tōshirō quickly deduced who it was. Most likely, it was Tsunade.
Strange—why hadn't she mentioned it? Maybe she was trying to surprise him, show her caring side?
As if afraid Tōshirō didn't get it, Mikoto gestured at her chest and added, "Yup! That big sister is really pretty, and her chest is super big. My mom always looks at her with this jealous expression."
Tōshirō: "…"
"Want me to take you out to play?"
Tōshirō, seeing how Mikoto was often alone, felt a bit of pity. Don't get the wrong idea—he wasn't a lolicon. He simply saw her as a little sister.
"Big brother Tōshirō, since you finally came back, you must have important things to do, right?"
Mikoto was understanding and didn't want to cause trouble.
Tōshirō was touched. What a good kid.
He figured Sasuke's personality probably inherited a lot from his mother—otherwise, even after going through so much trauma, he wouldn't still have a kind heart. If it were Tōshirō, he'd probably have gone full villain by now.
Just as Tōshirō was about to leave the room, another beauty walked in.
She had golden hair, a peach-like face, eyes like stars, and looked like a goddess. The fair skin and the blue diamond-shaped mark on her forehead only added to her sacred and mysterious aura.
With her appearance, it felt like even the air grew thinner for a moment.
(End of Chapter)
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