Assemble!

Root HQ Training Hall

Collapse Release… Abyss Core!

From in between her palm, a dense core of darkness is being created. The surrounding dirt floats and levitates surrounding it in a circular motion. The air hummed as a power of nature is being created.

"Unstable…!" The core crashed and crumbled apart, creating a large amount of heat and miniscule shockwave outward. It seems the chakra is dispersed more like photons while it crumbles, like hawking radiation? So it doesn't have much force. But…

She tried again. From in between her palm, a black core of dense chakra formed once more.

Taking a deep breath, she pushes excess chakra into the center all at once with all her effort in one fell swoop, with intention to overflow the chakra - then like a spring releasing its tension, the core exploded outward in a powerful shockwave, even sending herself a few meters backward. 

Even this unstable factor can be used as a repulsive technique. But with its outward direction from the spherical core, she wouldn't be able to control it and would hit herself. And she needs to hold the core to compress such an amount of chakra to create the spring effect so she cannot create it and throw it to her opponent expecting it would explode afterwards. But then again her shadow clones could use it in typical suicidal way. As for herself… if the center of gravitation is her own body?

Pain would cough out blood if he knew someone else is stepping into his power of God.

She wiped the dust off her clothes before continuing her practice with her shadow clones.

Danzo watched in awe, his cane almost shaking. Why, she always brought happy surprises for him. Seeing Tsuyu's fatigue appearance, he realised Tsuyu continued her training right after finishing her mission a few days ago. Where else can he find such a hardworking, genius, loyal shinobi around.

"Tsuyu, you are training too hard. You should have some rest. I have something to show you, we can have a walk meanwhile."

Tsuyu never imagined Danzo would tell her to have some rest. Is the sun rising from the west?

"Yes, Danzo-sama."

Danzo brought Tsuyu out of Root HQ, towards the sun and to the street of Konoha. Danzo is often seen in the sun these days… It's almost too weird for those in Konoha Council. Even people in Konoha start to know of Danzo's existence. They are going to the Research Institute of Konoha. Heading underground from a secret entrance, they arrived.

"My own people and Tsunade's are working on Cursed Mark. Though her methods are too soft. I am afraid we won't get results as fast." Danzo grumbled inwardly.

Tsuyu is surprised these two actually work together for once. Or maybe Tsunade is just cautious and wants to control him.

"I am going to show you something else… come." The two head to the Aerial Unit Research Department.

Danzo leads Tsuyu to the big laboratory filled with machinations, then to one of the rooms.

The staff inside working on various parts all greeted Danzo with respect. He just nods, walking past them and reaching out for the steel door at the end.

As the door opened, her eyes lit up seeing what's on the altar, connected to various wires and observation devices.

A weapon, in form close to that of a rifle brimming with chakra running through it. The lustrous silvery metal. The exquisite Fuin Engravings. The sharp bayonet of a chakra-conducting blade. SKS loading system.

"Danzo-sama! The weapon has finished its optimization." The staff member quickly reported.

Danzo nods. "Bring it out. Tsuyu, this will be your own weapon. You seemed fond of the chakra guns, and it will be useful once our Aerial Shinobi Unit makes its debut. You can get used to it first."

"Danzo-sama…" Tsuyu holds the cold rifle in her hands. She observed it closely, the engravings, the workmanship, the loading system that can switch between chakra cannon and using physical projectiles.

She never had such a generous boss even counting her past two lives. The only downside is Danzo had some backhand and could genjutsu her. But in a way it just means Danzo appreciates her so much he wants her guaranteed loyalty. She could appreciate that sentiment.

Channeling her chakra into it, the Fuin Engraving glows in blue light. Its aesthetic is top notch. And to think this weapon conducts her chakra so well. 

Danzo introduced the weapon and its materials, showcasing how expensive it is and that it had potential similar to top swords of the 7 Swords of the Hidden Mist.

Tsuyu wiped the cold rifle in her hand with awe. Could this weapon reach a similar level to Samehada?

She hoped her weapon wouldn't be alive though. She already had too many beings with her.

"Thank you, Danzo-sama. I will not betray your trust." Tsuyu bowed respectfully.

Danzo felt satisfied seeing Tsuyu's expression. In a way, Tsuyu is the only person who could appreciate him without any of his shady methods nor intentional manipulation.

"Tsuyu, as a younger generation, I believe you will lead Konoha to a better future. I am already too old." Danzo already started to think about his limited time due to the recent sneezes he had.

Tsuyu's eyes widened. To think Danzo trusts her so much he's talking about the future of Konoha…

"Danzo-sama… I will do my best to fulfill your expectations."

"Good." The way Danzo looks at Tsuyu is almost too warm. Even the staff around the lab almost freak out inside.

"As for the next agenda, we can form the first company of Aerial Shinobi Unit. We had enough units of Wings. I have selected 8 capable young men to form 2 squads within the company. As for the 3rd squad, you can make your own choice - your own squad to lead. Come now, we will discuss the details."

Danzo lets Tsuyu see the selection of Shimura clansmen among the people in the company. She doesn't mind that Danzo wants to bring his clansmen up. 

She tries to think carefully on who to invite. Aerial units now depend on ninjutsu and projectiles. But then she herself has enough firepower for her squad. But she needs another one as well. As the other 2, of course it's a Yamanaka and then a Hyuga. A Yamanaka could let her communicate through even vast distances. Byakugan's sight extends up to hundreds of meters. Though she wished she could take the elite Jonin of Yamanaka and Hyuga, those are extremely precious and rare and is a very important asset for the entire battlefield. Using them in a small squad that acts independently isn't efficient at all. They weren't cabbages.

"Hinata… Ino…" She thought of her two classmates. These two had potential. Ino, despite being young, shows her prowess in long distance communication through her technique in the Chunin exam. And that's already enough for her. Hinata is someone she had wanted to shape a long time ago, and her recent performance made her believe Hinata had huge potential ready to be unleashed.

As for the third member, someone with great ninjutsu potential. Wait… I look at it wrongly. If there's someone with expertise with ranged attacks…

"Tenten…" She remembers this unique senior of hers. An expert in object sealing technique, master of various different weapons. Her mind and talent lies in her fluid adaptability. She can use various weapons and projectiles. She should be able to adapt to aerial combat even easier than most. Just the right kind of genius for her squad.

It seems we need a few variations of chakra based weapons.

"Hm. These people had talents in their respective fields. But I could introduce you to more experienced ones. These people are too young." Danzo saw the portfolios, and it's Tsuyu's acquaintances.

"Danzo-sama, I wish to retrain these recruits myself. Our familiarity would make it go smoother. Besides, being younger means it's easier to be built."

"Hm. Fine, do as you wish. I will give you the rights to train the entire company. While you are at it, I will see if Tsunade is willing to send some under your hands. I am looking forward to the result."

***

Hiashi sat across Tsuyu, holding the scroll of appointment for her daughter. As the patriarch he would need to agree and approve of it first.

"Tsuyu. This Aerial Shinobi Unit, tell me what it does." Hiashi elegantly crossed his arms into his sleeves, much like a noble.

Tsuyu explained briefly about its roles, and also what role Hinata could play.

"Byakugan of the main lineage had farther potential than the branch. You had keen observation. Very well, if Hinata agreed, you are free to take her in. I leave her safety to you when the time comes."

Hiashi trust in Tsuyu's abilities, also because Hinata is only acting as a sensor. And it's aerial too, often it's projectile based combat and with Byakugan there's not much that can threaten her. So Hinata can be considered to have a safe place.

Tsuyu soon meets Hinata in the guest hall.

"Tsuyu. It's been awhile." Hinata looked haggard on the outside, as if she had just finished hard training. She looked a little bit more confident than the last time, albeit the change is almost unnoticeable. The fight with Neji seemed to truly bring her out of her shell.

"Hinata, I wish you would want to join my team." Tsuyu gets straight to the point, handing over the scroll containing the details.

"This… Aerial Shinobi Unit…? Huh, you are a Jonin already?"

Hinata felt shocked inwardly. 

"I… I am not sure if I could…"

"Hinata, if you doubt your ability, then I will shape you. You wanted to be strong. Then I have the right method for you. I will be leading a training camp soon. It will be gruesome. It will be cruel. It will be tiring and you may lose consciousness. But, if you want to become stronger, if your will is as strong as you believe, then join me."

Tsuyu said with conviction.

"Tsuyu…! I…" Hinata clenched her fist, looking at the floor. She knew she was weak. But Tsuyu is lending her a hand. 

"I will join." Hinata says with resolution. I will change, and become stronger…!

Tsuyu smirked slightly. "Good, I will meet the others. I plan to recruit Yamanaka Ino and Tenten. Both of them had particular talents I wanted."

***

Tenten and Ino, hearing they could actually fly, joined immediately. As for the 'harsh' training as a condition, the two are shinobi. Naturally they accept it. Tenten was already going crazy with imagination.

Ino on the other hand feels excited about the flight part, also, Tsuyu is powerful and had a high status to even lead a squad of a newly formed unit. Konoha higher ups must have a lot of trust in her. Thus she also wants to firm her connection with her.

This… is my chance…! Tenten felt she finally found her path to become truly powerful. Besides, it's Aerial Shinobi Unit's first company. There's only 12 people in it. This is an ELITE! Konoha had 10,000 shinobi, but now only 12 can use flight. And perhaps even the full extent of the Aerial Unit would reach a hundred or so in time and it's still such a small percentage.

Tenten, who had wanted to reach the top in her own way felt like she's given the ladder to the sky.

"As a congratulatory gift, you can have these explosive tags. I noticed you had a keen eye for weapons." Tsuyu hands Tenten a scroll containing stacks of black explosive tags inside. Her own craftsmanship. Tenten take one out, observing the fuin in detail. Her hands trembled in excitement.

"Isn't this… THE black explosive tag?! I heard it's a sensation! A company in the land of Iron made them!" 

Her eyes were almost moist with tears. These tags are superior in many ways. Even the red explosion had an aesthetic touch to it. Even Deidara the Explosion connoisseur takes inspiration and adds some metals to add colours to his explosives.

"Are you free tomorrow? If you have no planned missions with Might Guy we can do our first round of test flights for you to get used to the Wings first. Once you two and the others in the company mastered basic operation and maneuvers, we can proceed with formations and tactics."

"Test flight?! YES! YES I AM FREE!"

Tenten was already brimming with anticipation. Tsuyu bait and hooked them with the feeling of flight first so they wouldn't be able to run away once she forced them into the training camp. Heh.

***