CHAPTER 4

c4 - Truly Cruel

Nuclear Release!

This was the name Yuuji had given to the unique power he had developed an unprecedented ability that defied the very nature of shinobi techniques.

To wield the force of nuclear energy within a human body, to manipulate the very essence of atomic fusion and fission using chakra, was nothing short of madness. Yet, Yuuji had done it.

By using chakra as a medium, channeling both spiritual energy and a robust physical constitution, he had successfully initiated nuclear reactions at an atomic level, unleashing a devastating force.

This was the essence of Nuclear Release, a Kekkei Genkai unlike any other in the shinobi world.

However, despite its incredible potential, Nuclear Release was far from perfect.

Yuuji sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed, focusing on the faint, unstable nuclear energy stirring within him.

"Even using it at the most basic level consumes a terrifying amount of chakra and stamina..."

The fundamental principle behind nuclear reactions involved atomic manipulation. For a shinobi to forcefully bridge the gap between human biology and nuclear physics, the difficulty was immense, the strain on his body extreme.

Had it not been for the presence of Godzilla within him its energy subtly reshaping his body Yuuji would have long since perished in his early attempts.

"Godzilla possesses an innate ability to harness nuclear fusion. Its body houses a specialized organ a literal 'Atomic Furnace' that continuously sustains controlled nuclear reactions. By absorbing air and water, it perpetually fuels itself, making its energy supply nearly infinite."

Yuuji rubbed his temples.

But he did not have this organ.

Unlike Godzilla, Yuuji had no internal mechanism for stable, controlled nuclear fusion. All he had was his own flesh and chakra, both of which had been forcibly tempered by radiation adaptation. He had barely survived his earliest experiments, and even now, he was just beginning to grasp the intricacies of stabilizing his controllable nuclear reactions.

"It reminds me of Yamato in the original story... Even though he possessed the First Hokage's cells, when he first attempted to use Mokuton, all he could manage was a small wooden stake. Danzo must have been so disappointed."

Yuuji shook his head, recalling the challenges he had faced just a year ago.

Back then, his control over nuclear radiation had only just begun to stabilize. His first real attempt at developing Nuclear Release had nearly cost him his life.

It had been a reckless experiment one that ended in catastrophe. His right arm had suffered horrific radiation burns, his flesh breaking down at a molecular level under the sheer intensity of the nuclear energy he had attempted to wield. The pain had been unimaginable.

Had it not been for his enhanced regeneration and his habitual use of bandages to conceal his injuries, his secret would have been exposed.

That particular attempt had revolved around one of Godzilla's signature abilities, a technique that, in theory, would serve as Yuuji's ultimate trump card.

But back then, he hadn't even been able to initiate it.

Now?

Now, things were different.

"At the time, even a single attempt nearly obliterated me. But now... I should be able to use it at a cost, of course. Even with my improvements, every single Nuclear Release technique is essentially a Kinjutsu."

Yuuji pondered the implications.

The Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and Wind Release: Rasenshuriken were both considered forbidden techniques not because of their power alone, but because they posed a grave risk to the user.

Yuuji's techniques were the same.

Even if his Nuclear Release attacks didn't directly vaporize him, the fallout alone could cripple or kill anyone nearby.

The only reason he could even consider using them now was his improved control over nuclear radiation.

"I should be able to do it now. The risk remains, but I should be capable of maintaining Nuclear Mode without outright self-destruction..."

He clenched his fists and continued refining his chakra, striving to master the delicate balance of controlling nuclear fusion within his own body.

---

Dawn arrived.

Some of the lingering concerns in Yuuji's mind began to dissipate.

Even after staying awake the entire night, his mental and physical state had stabilized. In fact, his body felt stronger than ever, buzzing with suppressed energy.

He left his house an hour early, heading toward the forests bordering Konoha.

Training had always been a habit of his especially secret training.

Carrying a few of Hiruzen Sarutobi's writings, including The Will of Fire and The Ideals of the First Hokage, Yuuji made his way to his usual spot.

He had read these books dozens of times, filling them with annotations.

Yet, no matter how many times he studied them, he found the same flaw:

"Hiruzen's philosophy is full of hollow, idealistic nonsense. The structure of the village lacks any real depth beyond his vague 'Will of Fire' rhetoric."

One passage in particular irritated him:

A Senju clan member had supposedly sacrificed their family name, becoming an ordinary shinobi to embody the Will of Fire. This noble individual frequently assisted a widow whose husband had died in the war.

Eventually, they fell in love and lived happily ever after.

Yuuji scowled.

"Of course, the book conveniently leaves out the fact that this 'selfless' Senju died shortly afterward on the battlefield."

This was the problem.

Konoha's ideology demanded self-sacrifice, but the village itself never took responsibility for those who gave their lives for it.

It was all just empty words.

---

Hidden in the trees, an Anbu shinobi observed Yuuji.

The masked operative recognized him immediately.

"That child again..."

Though his expression was hidden behind a fox mask, the Anbu's thoughts were clear.

"This is the kid who set a record in the Academy's theory class. Hokage-sama speaks highly of him... But he focuses too much on theory. He'd be better off training in ninjutsu instead."

With a silent flicker, the Anbu vanished, leaving Yuuji alone with his books.

---

Two hours passed.

Yuuji shut his book with a snap, stretching his arms toward the rising sun.

"Another day begins... But where is Might Duy? He's usually here training."

Normally, Might Duy could be found in this very clearing, pushing himself through brutal training sessions alongside his son, Might Guy.

If not for Duy's presence, Yuuji wouldn't have chosen this spot.

There was safety in proximity to the man who would one day open all Eight Gates to fight the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

At present, however, Duy was a laughingstock, a "Genin for life", ridiculed by the entire village. He could barely scrape together low-level missions, much less secure a stable income.

Realizing this, Yuuji had secretly funded Duy and Guy for over a year, commissioning minor tasks chopping wood, housework, cleaning rooftops.

He had spent nearly all his personal savings ensuring the two could eat properly.

The villagers had praised Yuuji's kindness, calling him an exemplary shinobi who embodied the Will of Fire.

Yuuji didn't care about the praise.

He simply recognized what few others did Might Duy was the strongest safety net Konoha never appreciated.

"Still... where is he today?"

Yuuji yawned, preparing to head toward the Academy.

But then

He paused, his sharp gaze catching movement in the distance.

Someone was inside the forbidden training ground a location tainted by lingering nuclear radiation from one of his early failures.

"Who the hell would train in a place like that?"

Yuuji crept forward, peering through the trees—

And spotted Uchiha Kazue, the elder sister of Uchiha Izumi, Itachi's future lover.

She was drenched in sweat, deliberately eating dirt-contaminated food a brutal training method meant to build immunity.

"This girl... she's hardcore."

Kazue suddenly whirled around, kunai flashing.

"Who's there?"