A Special Flame

In a temporary hideout just on the outskirts of Kumogakure, Suguru analyzed Matatabi's chakra using his Dark Release-contaminated physique. The hunger that inadvertently erupted from his body wasn't his own.

As if every cell that existed within him had its bottomless desire for food, Suguru realized how his body had changed even further.

'I was wondering why I never truly felt full despite eating normal food recently.'

Only the Energy Pills he invented could sate his hunger ever so slightly. The extra chakra flowing into him was the only way he could retain his sanity and meditation was the only way he could sleep.

Had he failed to partake of these pills or meditate for hours on end...

'It's likely that I might lose my mind.'

Suguru had inflicted insomnia upon himself after he assimilated Hashirama's Cells and Uchiha Shin's genes. He felt that the increased compatibility of his body with the mysterious powers he had collected could be the spark of an all-consuming insanity.

The moment sleep consumed him would be the same moment he would fall.

"...It's like another version of Shukaku was sealed inside me."

Akin to Gaara, Suguru would likely transform into something dangerous if he fell asleep. On the other hand, he didn't need sleep at all nowadays. Chakra was enough to keep him sustained.

In this regard, Suguru was satisfied. He was growing closer to becoming the Tailless-Tailed Beast he had long set out to become.

—Gulp.

Swallowing his saliva, Suguru refocused his mind on the flavors filling his being. Matatabi's chakra tasted like spicy blueberries. This was a unique pairing, yet it bore the soothing sweetness characteristic of ice cream on a hot summer day.

He did not expect to experience the tingling sensation caused by the spice or the subsequent splash of bubblegum blue against his tongue.

Somehow, the azure flames that covered Matatabi had manifested as an inexplicable flavor.

'Tasty...' Suguru thought.

However, he was forced to recollect himself. Matatabi's reaction showed that she had grown a little wary of him.

She could feel the hunger expressed by every cell in his body.

"Ha,"

Breathing out, Suguru suppressed his desires and focused on the chakra he had devoured. Feeling the foreign become his own, he swiftly deconstructed its nature.

In a single breath, Matatabi's chakra disappeared within him.

Brought into oblivion and wholly dismantled into mere pieces and ratios. Suguru now had a firmer grasp on Matatabi's physique — an intuition he gained from feeling the energy that comprised her form.

"It seems like my guesses were close," Suguru spoke out loud.

Matatabi cautiously asked, "You mean... there's somehow a way to make my flames cold?"

Incredulously, she glanced at her paw. To somehow make the flames of her body cold... it seemed absurd.

"Well, in a certain sense, yes." Suguru nodded. "However, I must clarify that a cold flame is still hot enough to burn people. It just won't be as hot as the flames you currently have."

Though Suguru still suspected the possibility of creating frost flames through the endothermic combustion of chakra, he didn't want to give Matatabi false information. This was a principle he adhered to, given that he was benefitting from Matatabi's assistance.

"I understand," Matatabi then set her gaze on Suguru once more. "I also noticed that you're aura changed a bit. Did you learn anything new?"

Hearing these words made Suguru smile. How could he not have gleaned a new theory despite being allowed to deconstruct her existence so brazenly?

Had he failed in something so simple, he would've likened himself to a mollusk, famed to have no brain.

As such, he answered with confidence being subtly weaved into his reply.

"I've learned a little~"

***

When Matatabi and Suguru completed their exchange, the latter lost the ability to dive deep into his subconscious. Similar to when Shukaku's chakra disappeared in the past, Suguru no longer had control over that inner region of space.

It was quite an odd experience.

Perhaps it was worth researching.

'I'll look into the inner world in the future...' Suguru shook his head.

After throwing his plans to the back of his mind, Suguru focused inward. Though not as deep as he had to when communicating with Matatabi, he still fell quite deep into his mind.

Transitioning into a meditative state as if being lulled to sleep, Suguru began weaving his chakra.

Carefully.

Deftly.

And with precision.

Silently, he weaved a single seal.

[Tiger].

'Nintaijutsu: Blaze Battle Body,'

Suguru called upon the jutsu he created from adapting the Hyuga Clan's tenketsu chakra release. Flames flowed out of his body, wrapping around him yet taking no concrete form. In a way, it was similar to Hiruzen's interpretation of the Blaze Battle Body jutsu.

However, there was one key difference.

"The flames are anything but calm..."

Suguru's eyes shone with an analytical Sharingan, nearly growing bloodshot from the sheer strain he was placing on them. Information flooded his mind, and the flow of chakra was ingrained in his brain.

It was an impeccable memorization.

"...I'll record this as the initial trial."

The flames dissipated in an instant, evaporating into the atmosphere like a deceased spirit.

"Hoo,"

After another deep breath, Suguru calmed his mind and once more called upon his chakra to flow.

[Tiger].

'Nintaijutsu: Blaze Battle Body,'

—Vhoom.

A low grumbling was born from Suguru's body, more chaotic than the last. His skin was singed by the rabid flames, melting the surface with their darker hues. Beneath all that, his muscles were slowly being baked.

It was a clear loss of control.

"...Definitely not in that direction then,"

Remarking with burned lips, Suguru snuffed out the flames engulfing him. Then, with the mere cycling of his chakra, his body rapidly regenerated whatever burns it had incurred.

Majestic were the cells of the First Hokage.

Just like this, Suguru continued throughout the night. The hours passed by without him realizing it, yet he made strides in his research.

He did not eat.

He did not sleep.

He did not even use the bathroom.

Perfectly submerged within a state of zen concentration, Suguru morphed the flames erupting from his body. In his mind, a majestic, all-encompassing winged lizard served as his guide.

Raging and regal, unlike the terrifyingly calm candleflame that served as Hiruzen's focal point.

A prideful aura slowly emerged from one Hiryu Suguru's body — as if claiming its territory from beyond the world he resided in.

It was akin to a monarch, newly crowned and born as a mighty ruler, slowly descending the staircase of the palace.

Looking down upon the world with eyes of curious avarice.

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