Teacher Fuma's Lesson (Part 1)

*Crack!*

A dense cocoon of bone split open with a thin fissure at the top. The crack spread like a spiderweb until the structure shattered entirely, accompanied by a deep, relieved sigh.

From within the cocoon, Kaguya Muzuki stepped out slowly. He gave a gentle shake, shedding white bone dust like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.

What had once been white skeletal armor had now turned a blood-red hue, emanating a savage aura.

His chakra surged more potently than ever, reaching a level far beyond his previous capabilities—far exceeding the typical "Kage-level" standards.

"This looks oddly familiar… like the old you, Fuma," Minato remarked as he scrutinized Muzuki's transformed state, a sense of déjà vu washing over him.

"It does, a little," Fuma admitted, also observing the evolved Shikotsumyaku closely. "But my blood aura leans more toward defense, whereas this evolved form of Shikotsumyaku seems heavily geared toward offense."

Muzuki now stood shrouded in crimson bone armor, his entire body encased, even his face hidden behind a thick mask. Only his eyes, filled with killing intent, remained visible.

"The *Shikotsumyaku: Blood Bone*, lost since the middle of the Warring States Era, has finally been reborn in my hands! The revival of the Kaguya Clan is at hand!"

"Constant battle—sharpening every bone in the body through unending conflict, unleashing every ounce of power even in the face of death—that's the only way to evolve in the throes of life and death!"

"Indeed, leaving Kirigakure and throwing the entire clan into relentless bloodshed was the right choice!"

Muzuki's expression grew increasingly frenzied, intoxicated by his newfound strength, forgetting the humiliation of being sent flying by Fuma's punch just moments earlier.

Minato, standing to the side, watched the scene unfold with a serious expression. The events of the day struck him deeply.

At that moment, he recalled a piece of advice Fuma had given him before.

"Never underestimate any bloodline ninja in the shinobi world. At your current level, they can undergo changes you'd never expect during battle."

Minato's thoughts drifted to the Uchiha youths he had sparred with in the past—Fugaku, Tekka, Yashiro, and even Obito.

As an infamous slayer of Uchihas, Minato had defeated nearly every clan member, save for Shisui and Fuma. He was unrivaled within the clan.

Yet during these battles, he had witnessed something peculiar. Occasionally, Uchiha clan members would awaken the third tomoe in their Sharingan mid-fight. While it may have been spurred on by his taunts, the rapid leap in their abilities was undeniable.

All it took was a surge of emotion for their strength to skyrocket. It was an absurdly profitable transformation.

And if one considered the possibility of a Sharingan evolving into a Mangekyo Sharingan during battle, the implications were even more profound.

These bloodline clans truly seemed to be blessed by the Sage of Six Paths.

*Damn… I want that power…*

Shaking his head to dismiss the thought, Minato came to a conclusion:

"Always strike decisively and without hesitation. Only by ensuring an enemy's instant, painless death can one prevent them from transforming."

While Minato pondered, Fuma was deep in thought, analyzing Muzuki's source of power.

It was clear that the Kaguya Clan's Ōtsutsuki bloodline likely didn't originate from the Sage of Six Paths but rather from his brother, Ōtsutsuki Hamura. Hamura's Sage Body and its inheritance might share roots with the Hyūga Clan's Byakugan.

The Shikotsumyaku seemed to align with Kaguya's ultimate technique, *All-Killing Ash Bones*, though centuries of degradation had reduced it to a shadow of its former self. It was far less pure than the Sharingan or Byakugan.

"What if the Hyūga Clan and the Kaguya Clan were united? Could their combined bloodlines yield a unique reaction? The ultimate fusion of the Sage Body and Sage Eyes…"

Fuma's thoughts spiraled, his imagination running wild as his gaze toward Kaguya Muzuki grew increasingly intrigued.

......

At that moment, Muzuki dismissed his clansmen. Now, he intended to turn the formidable opponent before him into nothing but ashes—a sacrificial offering for the Kaguya Clan's return to the pinnacle of the shinobi world.

"Good. You will pay for what you've done. If you hadn't tried to interrupt my grand awakening, you might have had a chance to survive today. But alas, your arrogance will be your downfall!"

Fuma responded with a faint smile. "Seeing you reminds me of many from my own clan. They were once just as confident. Words are unnecessary—just remember the promise you made after your defeat."

This display of reckless abandon after gaining power, acting as if the heavens ranked second to them, was all too familiar. It was reminiscent of the Uchiha Clan before Fuma had "educated" them.

Most Uchiha who awakened their Mangekyo Sharingan would behave even more arrogantly than Madara in his prime—at least until they were beaten into submission.

"Stop acting smug, you bastard!"

A crimson light flashed as Muzuki's arm bones extended dramatically, and he charged at Fuma, fully armed.

*Shikotsumyaku: Blood Bone—Ten-Finger Barrage*

Countless bone bullets rained down upon Fuma, each one bursting into waves of blood upon impact.

But Fuma didn't meet the attack head-on. Instead, his feet moved lightly, his steps as graceful as a butterfly flitting through flowers.

His massive frame moved with an elegance that seemed out of place, always finding blind spots in the storm of bone bullets, evading each attack with precision.

"In battle, power is the foundation of everything, but technique is just as important," Fuma said earnestly, looking at Muzuki.

"Your taijutsu is abysmal. You rely too much on brute strength and blindly use the Shikotsumyaku. This will get you nowhere."

"You dare insult me!"

Muzuki's eyes filled with murderous intent as he closed in, slashing wildly at Fuma.

At that moment, bones erupted from every part of his body—his ribcage, knees, spine, shoulders, and skull—turning Muzuki into a grotesque, blood-red porcupine, a raging war machine.

"Tsk, childish tricks."

Fuma shook his head slightly, disappointment evident in his expression as he regarded Muzuki's frenzied assault.

"Let me show you the role technique plays when power is equal."

A menacing bone spear shot toward Fuma's ribcage. This time, Fuma didn't dodge.

His hand moved like a nimble dragon, meeting the blood bone directly. Yet the blade barely seemed to graze his palm. There was no resistance, as if it wasn't even there. His hand slid effortlessly along the edge until it stopped at an unassuming spot in the middle of the spear.

Fuma applied only a gentle pressure.

*Crack!*

With a crisp sound, the blood-red spear shattered into two pieces, as fragile as a freshly cooked shrimp cracker.

Muzuki froze in disbelief. The spear was an extension of his body—a bone he could feel. Though the Shikotsumyaku granted him immunity to excessive pain, he could still sense its destruction.

And just now, he was certain that Fuma had exerted hardly any force—less than even his own casual swings.

Yet, the Shikotsumyaku he had just evolved, which he had taken such pride in, had broken inexplicably, snapping cleanly and decisively.

Could this be genjutsu?

Muzuki retreated several steps, nervously checking his chakra. He found no signs of disruption. Touching the broken bone's jagged edge, the coarse texture felt all too real.

"There's no need to be nervous. You're not under a genjutsu," Fuma said calmly.

"This is simply the application of force."

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