[Note: Part 1: Naruto: Starting with EMS (Audiobook) is available: https://youtu.be/M7kLM0da72U?si=v6FaQSuWbeRueZbp]
Chapter 87: Ōtsutsuki Development Stage 28 — Danzo Loses His Cool
"Gen, why are you here so early…"
Early morning, at Konoha Hospital.
A half-awake Kakashi looked groggily at Kitagawa Gen standing by his bedside holding flowers, and instantly felt a headache coming on.
"Kakashi-sensei, you're back in the hospital again. Of course I had to come check on you."
"You really didn't have to…"
"It's fine, it's fine. I'll just put these flowers in a vase."
Gen didn't give Kakashi any room to protest, placing the flowers in the vase and casually sitting down beside him.
"Wait, flower shops are open this early in the morning?"
Kakashi rubbed his forehead, clearly puzzled. Gen, meanwhile, simply shrugged and smiled.
"I went too early, but I got lucky and ran into Ino."
But as he mentioned Ino, a twitch tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Because… Ino's hair is blonde.
The real reason he came this early was to avoid a certain other blonde who had been pestering him. After yesterday's experience, he decided he had no patience for a second round.
He'd rather spend the day hanging out with Kakashi instead. After all, it had almost been a full year since graduation, and he'd mostly been following Kakashi around ever since.
"Well, there's also Guy and Jiraiya…"
Gen realized that the people who'd taught him were few, but each one was a top-tier powerhouse. That kind of mentorship wasn't something an ordinary ninja could dream of.
"Tch, you just couldn't handle that loudmouth from Iwagakure, huh?"
Kakashi rolled his eyes, now fully awake, and lazily pulled the book from under his pillow to start reading.
"That brat does talk too much, and he's a bit unhinged. But deep down, I don't think he's bad. Otherwise, the Third Tsuchikage wouldn't have taken him in as a disciple."
Indeed, there was a high chance the boy was being groomed to be the next Tsuchikage.
Gen nodded, leaning against the bed.
"He's just way too crazy. He kept insisting we had the same artistic vision. I was just using Flying Thunder God in a creative way, that's all."
"That's not 'just' anything, Gen."
Kakashi sighed, thinking back on Gen's performance during the mission. It had left him speechless.
It wasn't just him. Jiraiya, who had been there, and even Hiruzen—after hearing the full debrief yesterday—were equally stunned.
A sky filled with what seemed like endless puppets—Gen wiped out over half of them in an instant.
It was hard to put into words how shocking that was. Now they finally understood why Ōnoki was so alarmed.
"A shame I couldn't witness it myself…"
Hiruzen had murmured those words yesterday after learning the full extent of Gen's feats.
They all now agreed on one thing: as long as nothing goes wrong, Gen will surpass the Fourth Hokage.
"…But that was too reckless."
Even while thinking that, Kakashi couldn't help but slip into 'sensei mode,' hoping to instill caution in his student.
"Pulling that off in Iwagakure territory like that… it was a direct provocation to the Third Tsuchikage. You have to remember the consequences."
"I didn't have many options at the time. That was the only way I could think of to handle the situation. And… well, it worked."
Gen smiled casually—he was clearly in a great mood.
"How about this, Kakashi-sensei? Teach me some new and stronger techniques?"
"I wish I could, but honestly, at this point, you're on your own."
Kakashi buried his face in his book. He wanted to help, but there wasn't much more he could offer.
Besides, he had his own path to focus on—like fully unlocking the potential of his Mangekyō Sharingan. The battle with Itachi had left him with plenty to reflect on.
"But I can give you some inspiration. Jiraiya-sama already mentioned it to you—developing your own version of the Rasengan."
"The Rasengan doesn't have an elemental affinity by default, so you could try combining it with your Purple Lightning… or even other chakra natures. It's worth experimenting."
"Besides, your Purple Lightning is already powerful, and I can tell you're thinking about evolving it into something like the Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
"That's a solid direction. If you combine both ideas, I believe you'll become even stronger, Gen."
"Mm."
Gen nodded thoughtfully—but Kakashi did get one thing wrong.
His so-called "Lightning Release Chakra Mode"… was basically a sham.
Still, he had done a decent job developing Purple Lightning. There was more potential there, sure—but it was solid. It was becoming his signature move.
The Akatsuki members who had fought him likely all recognized it.
As for the Rasengan… he hadn't used it much. But its biggest advantage was compatibility. So then—
"What if I infused my Kekkei Genkai into the Rasengan?"
That idea made Gen's eyes sparkle.
It didn't sound impossible at all.
He hadn't quite figured out how to "clean up" the reputation of those bloodline powers just yet, but it seemed wasteful not to use them.
After all, he'd earned them through hard work and effort!
And the Rasengan could be the perfect platform to integrate them.
"If I infuse them into the Rasengan, problem solved. And Deidara's explosive clay—though called Explosion Release—might actually be a secret technique, not a true Kekkei Genkai."
"Which means I could totally take inspiration from it, right?"
Gen quietly mused to himself, his thoughts racing. This was worth a shot.
If he had to explain it later, maybe he could just call it a "chakra combination secret technique"?
"It's got real practical potential!"
Gen nodded to himself. This definitely felt worth trying—especially since he already had two Kekkei Genkai.
---
[Name: Kitagawa Gen]
[Age: 13]
[Bloodline: Ōtsutsuki Clan (Development Progress: 28%)]
[Chakra Reserves: SS (Elite Kage Level)]
[Chakra Natures: Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning, Wind, Yin, Yang]
[Special Abilities: Ice Release, Magnet Release]
Last night, after merging the Yang Release chakra acquired from Nagato, he had felt it immediately—something was changing.
His natural recovery rate had become stronger, and the speed at which he recovered chakra had increased noticeably.
More importantly, his sensory perception had become terrifyingly sharp.
Now, paired with his Flying Thunder God technique, he could accurately mark and teleport from even greater distances.
At the same time, the quality of his chakra had also improved, which meant his techniques now packed even more power.
"The biggest change… aside from my heightened sense of the skies... is—"
Almost subconsciously, Gen flicked his hair.
He could feel it now—as his bloodline continued to evolve, his hair was truly starting to turn white!
Aside from that...
"Hey… why do you look even paler than before?"
Kakashi suddenly asked, squinting at Gen suspiciously as he gave him a once-over.
"No idea. Must be natural."
Gen chuckled. That question was too awkward to answer directly.
His complexion hadn't changed all at once, but rather subtly over time.
This latest jump in his bloodline's development had clearly pushed it further.
He was genuinely starting to worry—if things continued like this, he'd not only need to find a way to explain any horns that might appear on his forehead, but also his unnaturally pale skin.
"By the way, Kakashi-sensei, what's the deal with those books you're always reading?"
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Gen quickly changed the subject with a grin.
"It's the same few volumes over and over—don't you get bored?"
"Not at all. They're great."
Kakashi shook his head without even looking up. But Gen was already peering over his shoulder.
"How about we go check out the hot springs in the Land of Steam next time?"
"??!"
"Jiraiya-sama already gave me the okay! I trust my Transformation Jutsu. Let's go together next time!"
"…"
Kakashi slammed the book over his face. He was done.
He'd decided—once he got discharged, he was definitely requesting a private meeting with the Third Hokage.
Gen might have talent beyond even the Fourth, but his personality was a disaster. Clearly a failure of Konoha's education system.
Konoha needed a reform movement. Immediately.
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared thoughtfully at the report in his hand.
"That kid... he's pretty interesting, isn't he?"
Gen's loud banter with Kakashi echoed in his mind.
Sarutobi had carefully observed Deidara's behavior the day before and hadn't interfered when Naruto met him.
After all, Naruto would eventually need to stand on his own as a shinobi—it was fine for him to get a taste of what other villages' ninja were like.
But who knew the two of them would stir up such a commotion?
"So... Ōnoki is planning to send Kitsuchi to negotiate, huh?"
He glanced at another scroll, freshly delivered overnight.
Iwagakure's message clearly expressed their intent.
That satisfied Hiruzen. Kitsuchi was Ōnoki's son, and his arrival would reflect Iwa's genuine attitude and willingness to talk.
"Hopefully, we can get more intel from this… but we'll have to rely on ourselves in the end."
Hiruzen took a long puff from his pipe.
He definitely wanted to get a better handle on what was going on in Iwagakure, but he also knew they wouldn't reveal too much.
Deidara wouldn't be staying in Konoha permanently either—so any leads would have to be pursued quickly.
Thankfully, both Deidara and Jiraiya had already offered some valuable intel.
---
"Hiruzen. You wanted to see me?"
The door burst open without warning.
Shimura Danzo walked in, his expression cold as ever.
"Ah, you're here. Have a seat."
Hiruzen didn't react to Danzo's blunt tone—he was long used to his refusal to address him as "Hokage."
"If you have something to say, hurry up. I've got information to gather."
Danzo raised a brow, clearly irritated.
"That organization is dangerous and complex. I don't have time to waste on petty matters."
It wasn't that Danzo was so devoted—he was just anxious.
Last time, he'd gone out of his way to send Jiraiya away, and it hadn't worked.
And now Jiraiya had gone to Iwagakure and stirred up another storm.
Danzo was feeling the pressure—if this continued, he might lose his edge in the power struggle.
"Fine. Since you're in such a hurry…"
Hiruzen nodded, then took a deep breath and leaned in.
"There's something I want to ask you."
"Go ahead."
Danzo folded his arms, slipping into a serious tone. But in the next moment, his expression changed dramatically.
"How familiar are you… with Hanzo the Salamander?"
"…"
Danzo went red with anger. Red hot.