163 - Bloodline Selection and Bad Decisions
System, copy Ōnoki's red-tier trait [Dust Release Successor].
Kei took a distant glance at the unconscious Ōnoki. Before turning to leave, he duplicated the Dust Release. As clearly recorded in the official databook, it was the only known bloodline selection.
The offensive power of Dust Release was undeniable.
As long as it was cast using senjutsu chakra, even the Ōtsutsuki clan would likely not dare to take it head-on, as it could reduce everything to an atomic state. Of course, the reason he duplicated this trait was not solely because of Dust Release's powerful offensive capabilities.
It also allowed him to grasp the chakra nature transformations of wind and fire.
In the shinobi world, the pinnacle of power was the bloodline selection, which was formed by fusing seven chakra nature transformations.
Kaguya's Rinne Sharingan was classified as a bloodline selection in the official databook.
In other words, the Rinne Sharingan itself was a form of bloodline selection!
Techniques such as Amenominaka, Yomotsu Hirasaka, Truth-Seeking Balls, and Rabbit Hair Needle were all specific jutsu derived from bloodline selection.
Aside from Kaguya, only a few among the remaining Ōtsutsuki clan possessed bloodline selection.
The only known individuals were Urashiki, who could freely switch between the Byakugan, the red tomoe Rinnegan, and the blue Rinnegan, and Kaguya's son, Hagoromo.
Even Momoshiki and Isshiki, who also possessed the Rinnegan, were merely classified as bloodline limit users in the official databook.
Kei knew that possessing just a pair of Rinnegan was not enough. With his foresight and understanding, he naturally had to choose the best path.
Mastering all seven chakra nature transformations, fusing them into bloodline selection using the system's ability, and combining them with his own senjutsu—Awakening his own ultimate eyes!
[Yin-Yang Sage Master] had drastically enhanced his control over Yin-Yang Release, while [Wood Release Jinchūriki] had greatly amplified his mastery of Earth and Water Release.
That left wind, fire, and lightning.
No matter how he calculated it, he needed to duplicate two more times.
His first choice, naturally, was Dust Release—formed by fusing wind, fire, and earth chakra nature transformations.
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[Obtained:
- Dust Release Successor (Red)]
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Upon hearing the system notification, Kei did not activate the trait immediately.
Instead, he turned to look at Jiraiya, who was walking towards him.
"Why do you look so conflicted?"
"Maybe it's that sudden feeling of realizing that something I've been chasing for years has been right in front of me all along."
Jiraiya placed his hands on his hips, watching as the Iwa and Suna forces gradually retreated, his expression complex.
"Don't tell me you think I'm the Child of Prophecy? I'm not some blue-eyed kid, and I'm certainly not your student."
"A prophecy, huh? Hahaha—what I've been searching for has always been the possibility of a path to peace! Even if that possibility is so small that people call it a miracle!"
"So, do you see a miracle now?" Kei chuckled softly.
Free-spirited, unrestrained, indifferent to trivialities, yet unwavering in his beliefs. Despite his perverted nature, this version of Jiraiya was undeniably a charismatic man.
"I see it! More clearly than ever before! Hahaha—" Jiraiya laughed heartily, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
With Ōnoki and Kitsuchi leading the Iwa forces, it was clear that they had already agreed to Kei's proposal. Sajin, though his attitude was ambiguous, would ultimately have no choice but to follow suit if Iwa accepted the deal.
Given the shifting tides, even if the Suna higher-ups were reluctant, they would have no choice but to comply. What else could they do—expect their already weaker village to take on two of the Five Great Ninja Nations at once?
"So, in a few days, how about coming with me to Suna?" Kei raised an eyebrow and invited Jiraiya.
He didn't know much about Sajin, the Suna higher-up who had only appeared briefly in the original story and had even attempted to assassinate the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara.
But he knew Chiyo well enough. The pain of losing a son… If she were truly desperate, there was almost no doubt that she would jump out and cause trouble when the negotiations with Iwa began.
He wasn't the kind of person to passively react after letting the enemy finish their big moves. Since he foresaw the signs of trouble, wouldn't it be better to nip it in the bud early?
"Just the two of us?" Jiraiya rubbed his chin, immediately realizing what Kei was planning to do.
It was true that Wood Release was strong. But if only the two of them went and ended up surrounded...
"What, do you want me to call in the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, Madara, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Kushina? And then have them summon the three great summoning beasts?"
Kei rolled his eyes in exasperation. It was just Suna—how many powerful figures did they even have at this stage? Was there really a need to look so worried?
"That's a great idea! Suna wouldn't even dare to move a muscle, hahaha~" Jiraiya threw his head back in laughter. He naturally assumed Kei was joking.
"Hmm... makes sense." Kei pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.
His reputation in the shinobi world wasn't widely known yet. Unless he used Sage Art: Wood Release to make a strong first impression with large-scale destruction, how else could he completely intimidate the Suna ninjas who had never seen him before?
After all, whether it was Hashirama, Tobirama, or Madara, their legendary status had been built by cutting down enemies in battle.
Let Hashirama summon his giant Buddha, Madara unleash his Perfect Susanoo.
As for Tobirama... Forget it, best not to call him—don't want to trigger Madara.
The Three Legendary Sannin, each with their giant summons, together.
A full-powered Nine-Tails jinchūriki unleashing Kurama.
On that day, Suna would recall the sheer terror of being dominated by those monsters… And the humiliation of being caged like birds.
Khehehehe... With that level of intimidation, even if Chiyo had marinated her brain in methane, she'd know exactly what choice to make.
"Hey, hey, you're joking, right?! Your jutsu only borrows the power of predecessors, doesn't it? You can actually summon people too?!"
Jiraiya gulped hard, watching Kei's expression grow increasingly offbeat.
"I never said I was using my jutsu. The Second Hokage's jutsu works just fine."
"...Wait, what?"
"Edo Tensei. Orochimaru has been researching it recently, and he's making good progress."
"Wouldn't that be disturbing the predecessors' rest?"
"The First Hokage literally told me last time to bring him out for a stroll more often—this doesn't count as disturbing. Besides, I'm summoning them for the sake of peace in the shinobi world. Wasn't that the First Hokage and Madara's dream? I'm just giving them a chance to fulfill it."
"Please let me join!!!" With a whoosh, Jiraiya bowed at a full ninety degrees.
Holy crap—How could he, the great toad sage and gallant hero, possibly miss out on such a legendary event?!
"Relax, relax, I won't leave you out!" Kei couldn't hold back a laugh.
Then, after a brief pause, he suddenly remembered something. He had left Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan at the giant clam's lair.
His laughter halted as he leaned closer to Jiraiya and whispered,
"Do you still remember the three disciples you took in at Ame?"
"Of course! How could I forget! Hahaha~ Have you met them? How have they been doing lately?"
"I've met them, yeah—but only once. As for recently… well, they've probably eaten so much seafood that they're sick of it."
"That sounds like they're living quite well! It's been a long time since I've had seafood myself."
"Mm, when you see them later, you can comfort them by saying that."
"???"
Jiraiya stared at Kei, completely puzzled.
What did that mean?
"See them later? Comfort them?"
Since when did eating seafood become something that needed comforting?