Chapter 23: The Gathering Storm

The Second Shinobi World War had begun. Across the continent, battle lines were drawn, and the five great nations maneuvered their forces like pieces on a board. Konoha had chosen to strike first, aiming to cripple the Sand's war effort before their full power could be unleashed.

Under the command of Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang, Konoha's forces moved with ruthless efficiency. The man's reputation was legendary, his blade cutting through the battlefield like a storm. He was more than just a leader—he was an unstoppable force, and his presence alone bolstered the morale of those who followed him.

Beside him stood Ōtsutsuki Ryūsei, no longer just an elite shinobi but a warrior undergoing a transformation unlike any before him. Within him, the chakra seed pulsed—a culmination of his heritage, a crystallization of his Ōtsutsuki bloodline. It was growing stronger, reshaping him in ways both physical and spiritual.

Yet, despite its power, Ryūsei knew it was incomplete. The seed was pulling him toward something greater, toward a form more in line with his true origins. But without the missing pieces—the scattered bloodlines that held the remnants of Kaguya's legacy—he could not advance further. His transformation was stalled, and to stabilize himself, he needed to claim those bloodlines.

Thus, the Yamata no Orochi technique had been placed on the agenda—a means to collect and assimilate the remaining fragments of Kaguya's lineage, to bring together what had been scattered and forge a complete being. Without it, Ryūsei's chakra seed would remain unstable, an unpolished gem brimming with untapped potential.

But he was not the only one to walk this path.

The Chakra Seed—A New Dawn for Shinobi

While Ryūsei's chakra seed carried the full weight of his Ōtsutsuki heritage, two others had successfully created their own versions.

Uzumaki Mito, with her unparalleled mastery of sealing arts, had achieved something few ever could. Through sheer will and precise control, she had forged her own chakra seed, refining and purifying her Uzumaki bloodline to an unprecedented level. Her chakra, already vast, now felt eternal—self-regenerating, untouched by time. It was as if she had become a living conduit of vitality, a being whose presence alone could anchor those around her.

Her transformation was profound yet subtle. She had not sought power but instead a means to preserve the legacy of her clan, to ensure that the Uzumaki would never be forgotten. In doing so, she had ascended beyond mere flesh, becoming something more—a pillar of stability, a guardian of the old ways.

Orochimaru, on the other hand, had also succeeded in forming a chakra seed, but his was different. Unlike Mito, who had purified her bloodline, Orochimaru's seed was a foundation, not a completed transformation. It held potential, waiting to be filled with the missing pieces of power he craved.

Yet, for all his genius, he lacked what Ryūsei had—an Ōtsutsuki's pure chakra. His seed was limited, bound by the natural laws of the shinobi world. To evolve further, he needed bloodlines, a method to expand and refine his essence. Thus, he had turned his attention to experimentation, seeking to bridge the gap through science, forbidden jutsu, and genetics.

For now, he remained neutral in the grand design, watching, waiting—preparing for the day when he could complete his own transformation.

Tsunade, too, was on this path, though her chakra seed was still in development. Her blood, carrying the legacy of both the Senju and Uzumaki, gave her a natural advantage, but she was not yet at the same stage as the others. Still, Ryūsei had no doubt—when her seed was complete, she would stand among them as an equal, a force that embodied the perfect balance of vitality and power.

The Battlefield Calls

The war would not wait for their transformations to be complete. The Sand was moving, and Konoha had chosen to meet them head-on.

Standing atop a ridge, Ryūsei looked down at the enemy forces. The battlefield stretched out before him, dust rising in thick clouds as shinobi moved into position. The Sand had mobilized faster than expected, their forces stronger and better prepared than initial intelligence had suggested.

This would not be an easy victory.

Sakumo Hatake stood beside him, his expression unreadable beneath his white cloak. The man radiated confidence, but not arrogance. He was a warrior who had seen countless battles, and he knew better than to underestimate the enemy.

"They're waiting for us," Sakumo murmured, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield. "They knew we were coming."

Ryūsei nodded. "Then we strike harder."

Behind them, Konoha's forces were ready. Jiraiya was already coordinating the mid-range units, ensuring they had the best possible positioning. Orochimaru stood silently, observing, calculating. The three of them had trained under the same master, and though their paths had begun to diverge, on the battlefield, they were still a team.

Tsunade was positioned further back, ready to act as both a combatant and a healer. Her medical ninjutsu had advanced beyond anything seen before, her regenerative techniques pushing the very limits of what was possible. She was no longer just a medic—she was a warrior who could not fall.

As the signal was given, the battle erupted into chaos.

The First Clash

Ryūsei moved like a storm, his body flickering through the battlefield. His Gentle Fist—no, the advanced Moon Ōtsutsuki style—was devastating. Where the Hyūga struck to disable, Ryūsei struck to obliterate. His hands pulsed with energy, tearing through defenses with brutal efficiency.

Sakumo was a phantom, his White Light Chakra Sabre cutting through enemies like paper. He was fast. Faster than anyone Ryūsei had ever seen. The battlefield became a stage for his deadly dance, his movements so precise that it was almost artistic.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru worked in tandem, their combined jutsu devastating the Sand's ranks. The air burned with the heat of Jiraiya's fire techniques, while Orochimaru's snake-like precision picked apart high-priority targets.

But it was Tsunade who proved to be the greatest force. Her enhanced strength crushed defenses, her medical ninjutsu ensuring that Konoha's forces could continue fighting far beyond their normal limits. She had truly begun to embody her legacy as a Senju.

And yet, despite their overwhelming force, the Sand did not break.

Instead, they began to retaliate with an unexpected weapon—puppetry on a scale never seen before. Massive constructs, laced with poison and enhanced with chakra seals, marched forward like an unstoppable army. These were not ordinary puppets. They were weapons of war.

And at the heart of their forces, a single figure stood, his golden eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Chiyo.

One of the Sand's greatest puppet masters.

She had come to end Konoha's advance, and she had come prepared.

As the tide of battle shifted, Ryūsei felt the chakra seed within him stir. This was what he had trained for.

The true battle had just begun.