"Oh dear, Ryujin, I suddenly realized I forgot something. Could you help me take Kakashi back?" Kushina Uzumaki's tone was exaggerated, her hands on her hips as she flashed a mischievous grin.
Kenichi Ryujin took a deep breath. Why was he increasingly regretting his decision just now?
"Of course, Kushina-nee-san." Kenichi sighed, but ultimately agreed.
However, just as he was about to say 'auntie,' he sensed the sudden shift in atmosphere—killing intent oozing from Kushina, while Minato Namikaze stood behind her, shaking his head seriously.
So, without hesitation, he went with 'nee-san.'
Kenichi suddenly felt sympathy for Minato Namikaze, wondering about the true family dynamic of the future Fourth Hokage.
"Then I'll leave it to you~" Kushina beamed, grabbing Minato by the arm and pulling him away. Before disappearing, Minato turned back, winked at Kenichi, and gave him a thumbs-up.
"…" Kenichi decided not to comment.
It was too obvious. Minato and Kushina were clearly trying to push him into getting along with Kakashi.
His gaze shifted to Kakashi Hatake, whose expression remained as cold and indifferent as ever. Without so much as a word, Kakashi turned and walked away as soon as Minato and Kushina left.
Tsk. Kids are such a hassle.
Kenichi clicked his tongue but still followed. A promise to Kushina Uzumaki was not something he could afford to break, especially considering his long-term plans.
Not that he had any ulterior motives toward Kakashi. Kenichi simply knew talent when he saw it. Kakashi was a prodigy, and while he himself had no particular interest in Kakashi's abilities, there was one thing that caught his attention—swordsmanship.
The White Fang of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake, had been a legendary shinobi, said to have surpassed even the Sannin. The sword techniques of the Hatake Clan must be formidable. And yet, Kakashi had rarely shown interest in inheriting them in the future.
Still, Kenichi understood his own limits. He was no genius. In Konoha, he was just another ordinary Genin—the type of shinobi often used as cannon fodder.
Well… except for the fact that his mentor was Orochimaru.
[Research Progress: 99.99%]
A small smirk formed on Kenichi's lips. He may be cannon fodder now, but once this progress bar reached completion, he would hold the key to true strength.
"Hey, Kakashi, I heard you've already been promoted to Jonin?" Kenichi finally broke the silence.
Kakashi didn't respond. He didn't stop walking, didn't even turn his head—just kept moving at an unhurried pace.
Kenichi clicked his tongue again. The Kakashi standing before him was nothing like the carefree, slightly perverted Kakashi of the future, forever engrossed in Jiraiya's 'Make-Out Paradise.' Right now, he was more like a walking corpse.
A soulless husk.
"Do you have nightmares?" Kenichi asked, his tone laced with something unreadable.
This time, Kakashi paused, if only for a fraction of a second. But he still didn't turn back, merely resuming his silent march home.
Kenichi smirked slightly. The weight of Obito and Rin's deaths still pressed heavily on Kakashi. It was no surprise he suffered from nightmares.
In his previous life, such trauma would require therapy. Kenichi wasn't a professional in that field, but he did know genjutsu.
And as for why an apprentice of Orochimaru would take an interest in genjutsu…
Self-preservation.
At present, Orochimaru had no plans to use Kenichi as a future vessel. His research wasn't yet complete. But Kenichi wasn't naïve—if he wanted to ensure his survival, he needed every possible tool at his disposal, and genjutsu was a perfect failsafe.
To Kenichi, genjutsu was simply an advanced form of hypnosis. If wielded correctly, it could be used to heal the mind rather than destroy it. But for now, using it on Kakashi was impractical.
After all, Kakashi had the Sharingan.
So Kenichi abandoned the fleeting thought of influencing Kakashi's mind, creating embarrassing memories, and blackmailing him in the future for personal amusement.
Instead, he simply walked Kakashi home, exchanged no further words, and left.
They weren't friends.
Not yet, at least.
The current Kakashi was like a lifeless shadow of his former self. Kenichi Ryujin had no habit of speaking to ghosts of the past. He knew that time would eventually dull the pain Kakashi carried, especially once he entered the ANBU. Until then, there was little point in trying to reach him.
After returning home, Kenichi collapsed onto his bed. His house was small—one of the many hidden research facilities Orochimaru had provided him. Despite its size, it had everything necessary, even a refrigerator, a rare commodity in the ninja world. The science of this world was inconsistent at best, a strange blend of traditional mysticism and unexpected technological advancements.
Kenichi, however, had no intention of sleeping. He knew his research was nearing completion, and he couldn't afford to miss the moment of breakthrough. Instead, he settled into his chair and examined his collection of rare specimens.
Orochimaru, for all his sinister reputation, was an exceptional benefactor. He provided Kenichi with a generous salary—far superior to the hollow promises of lesser employers who only spoke of rewards without delivering them. With the resources at his disposal, Kenichi had begun gathering unusual biological samples, each with its own potential for unraveling the mysteries of chakra and genetics.
"This piece of amber is intriguing," Kenichi mused, rolling the small gemstone between his fingers. Encased within it was an insect species he had never encountered. Even the Aburame Clan, Konoha's foremost experts on insects, had no knowledge of it. That mystery alone made it a worthy addition to his collection.
But among his treasures, one held the greatest significance.
"I wonder how long these will remain viable," Kenichi murmured, opening his refrigerator. Inside, several test tubes were carefully stored, each containing samples he had requested from his teacher.
These were no ordinary samples—they contained the blood of the toads of Mount Myōboku, the venom of Manda from Ryūchi Cave, and the secretions of Katsuyu from Shikkotsu Forest. Each came from one of the legendary Three Great Sage Lands, home to creatures that granted immense power to their chosen summoners.
Orochimaru had long dismissed these samples as unfruitful after failing to extract anything useful from them. But Kenichi had different plans. Though he had momentarily abandoned his research on them, he still kept them preserved, waiting for the right moment to revisit the mysteries they held.
The one regret he had was the lack of complete biological samples from all three Sage Lands. While Orochimaru had managed to procure remnants of Katsuyu, the tissues of Mount Myōboku's toads and Ryūchi Cave's serpents remained elusive.
[Current Research Progress: 100% Completed] [You have obtained the Senju Hashirama Sage Body]
Kenichi's heart pounded as he read the notification on his research interface. His lips curled into a slow, triumphant smile. The power of the First Hokage—the unparalleled vitality and chakra that had allowed Hashirama Senju to dominate the battlefield—was now within his grasp.
The game had only just begun.