Chapter 5: The Path to Power
The night air was cold, but Shiro barely noticed. His body ached from the strain of trying to break Hagoromo's seal, yet the flicker of power he had felt made the pain worth it. He was not helpless. Not completely.
Sitting within the hollow of the great tree, he focused inward once more. His power was there, buried deep beneath layers of divine restraint. Hagoromo feared me enough to do this. That means I was strong. Strong enough to threaten him.
He smirked. Then I will become that strong again.
Shiro inhaled deeply, centering himself. He had no sword, no techniques, but he still had the instincts of a warrior. He had spent centuries honing his skills in another life. And if his powers were sealed, he would train his body first.
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight broke through the trees, he began.
Rebuilding Strength
At first, his movements were slow, his body weaker than he expected. He started with basic exercises—push-ups, squats, and stretches to regain flexibility. His muscles burned, but he welcomed the pain.
Soon, he moved to combat drills. His hands mimicked the motions of a blade, each strike sharp and precise. He envisioned himself wielding Yamato once more, cutting through enemies with effortless grace.
Hours passed. Sweat dripped down his face, but he didn't stop. His body screamed for rest, but he ignored it. He was not some fragile human. He was Ōtsutsuki. He would endure.
By midday, his breathing was heavy, but his movements were smoother. He could feel the difference already. His body was remembering.
And with it, so was his mind.
The First Opponent
The snap of a twig made him pause. He turned sharply, senses sharpening.
A lone figure stepped into the clearing—a shinobi. Young, but alert. His forehead protector bore the symbol of the Hidden Leaf.
Shiro narrowed his eyes. A scout.
The shinobi froze upon seeing Shiro. His hand moved instinctively to the kunai at his belt. "Who are you?"
Shiro didn't answer. His gaze locked onto the shinobi's stance, analyzing every detail.
The shinobi hesitated, then threw the kunai. It was fast—but not fast enough.
Shiro sidestepped, grabbing the kunai from midair. Before the shinobi could react, he dashed forward. The scout barely had time to raise his arms before Shiro struck.
A sharp kick to the ribs sent him flying back. He crashed against a tree, coughing violently.
Shiro walked toward him, twirling the stolen kunai in his hand. "Tell me about the Hidden Leaf."
The shinobi groaned, struggling to stand. "Why… why do you care?"
Shiro tilted his head. "Because I intend to burn it to the ground."
The shinobi's eyes widened. "You're insane."
Shiro smirked. "Perhaps."
Before the shinobi could react, Shiro moved, striking his neck with precise force. The scout collapsed, unconscious.
Shiro crouched beside him, considering his options. Killing him would be easy, but unnecessary. He needed more information. He needed to understand this world before making his move.
Tying the scout's hands, Shiro dragged him deeper into the forest.
Interrogation
The shinobi woke up with a groan, his hands bound to a tree. He blinked rapidly, eyes darting around in panic before locking onto Shiro.
"What do you want?" the shinobi spat.
Shiro knelt before him, his expression calm. "Tell me everything you know about the Hidden Leaf. Its defenses, its leaders."
The scout hesitated. "Why should I tell you anything?"
Shiro exhaled, standing up. In one swift motion, he drove the kunai into the tree beside the scout's head. The metal vibrated from the force.
The shinobi flinched.
Shiro leaned in. "Because if you don't, I'll make sure your suffering is legendary."
The scout swallowed hard. "…Fine. I'll talk."
And so, the information flowed. The Hidden Leaf was a powerful village, home to some of the strongest shinobi in the world. Its leader, the Hokage, commanded great respect. It was a fortress of power, deeply connected to the teachings of Hagoromo.
Shiro listened carefully, absorbing every word. The village was strong, but it was not invincible.
More importantly, it was where he could learn more about chakra and, possibly, how to undo Hagoromo's seal.
Once the scout had finished, Shiro stepped back. "You've been useful."
The shinobi tensed. "You're going to kill me now, aren't you?"
Shiro considered it. Then, with a smirk, he cut the ropes binding the scout.
"I have no need to kill you," he said, turning away. "You're already too weak to be a threat."
The shinobi hesitated, then fled into the woods without looking back.
Shiro chuckled. Fear is a powerful tool.
Now, with a new goal in mind, he set his sights on the Hidden Leaf.
The Road to Vengeance
Days passed as Shiro traveled. He moved carefully, avoiding patrols, learning the landscape. He encountered more shinobi along the way, testing his skills against them.
Each battle was a lesson.
He learned how to move more efficiently, how to strike with deadly precision. His body adapted quickly, regaining its former strength. And slowly, he felt his sealed power beginning to stir.
One night, as he meditated beneath the moonlight, he reached inward once more, pushing against Hagoromo's seal. This time, something cracked.
A pulse of energy surged through him, faint but undeniable.
His smirk widened.
It was only a matter of time.
And when the seal finally broke—Hagoromo and Hamura would pay.
Thanks Eeeeeeenbhk for the power stones