Chapter 362: The Daughters' Whetstone; Hiruko Has Returned! [HN]

Konoha Village, Hokage Office.

“Bang!”

Nara Shikaku slammed an urgent intelligence report onto Chiya’s desk, his usually calm face carrying an unprecedentedly grave expression.

“Hokage-sama, the Third Reconnaissance Squad discovered an extremely well hidden underground base while carrying out an energy detection mission near the border of the Land of Hot Springs. When the squad conducted a preliminary investigation according to protocol, they triggered an internal alarm and were attacked by a… strange ninja.”

Shikaku’s voice was low and hurried.

“Two of the three squad members were killed on the spot. The remaining member barely escaped by using a clan secret technique and managed to send back this information, but after suffering severe injuries… he also died. According to the survivor’s final description, the attacker could simultaneously use several strange Kekkei Genkai, including absorbing Ninjutsu, causing explosions, controlling lightning, turning his body into steel, and moving at extreme speeds. He called himself Hiruko. He also declared that Konoha should not go too far, or there would be no need for Konoha to exist anymore!”

“Hiruko?”

Namikaze Minato’s brows knitted tightly.

“That ninja who defected from Konoha many years ago and devoted himself to researching forbidden techniques? Could he really have succeeded? And even…”

Chiya’s eyes did not fluctuate at all.

He merely tapped his fingertips lightly against the desk, producing a crisp sound that interrupted Minato.

He picked up the intelligence scroll and scanned the descriptions of the characteristics of Hiruko’s several Kekkei Genkai.

A barely perceptible chill appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Dark Release, Storm Release, Steel Release, Swift Release, and Explosion Release…

All in one person?

That certainly saved him the trouble of collecting the samples himself.

“Looks like our search in all these places has disturbed a poisonous snake hiding in a ditch.”

Chiya’s voice was calm, but it carried a bone chilling coldness.

“Since he dared to kill Konoha’s ninja, he should be prepared to be completely uprooted.”

He looked at Minato and was about to issue an order when the office door was suddenly pushed open with a loud crash.

“Father!”

Uchiha Mirai dragged Uchiha Chimi with her as the two rushed inside, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

Although Chimi remained calm as always, a determined light also shone in her black eyes.

“Is there some dangerous mission? Let us go!”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

Tsunade’s voice came from behind them.

She had clearly been left behind by her two daughters.

“That’s a mission, not a training target!”

Mirai raised her chest defiantly.

“Mother! We’re from the future! We’ve experienced no fewer battles than people here!”

Chiya looked at the three of them.

He raised his hand and tossed the scroll in his hand to the three.

After reading it, Chimi spoke softly, her reasoning clear and precise.

“Father, Hiruko’s combination of abilities may seem perfect, but every technique has weaknesses. A combination of Kekkei Genkai like this must have flaws in coordination and conflicts between the different energies. My ability is suited to analysis and restriction, while Sister excels at powerful attacks and breakthroughs. We are the best combination for dealing with this type of composite enemy. This is a rare opportunity for actual combat experience.”

Chiya looked at his two daughters.

One was like fire, while the other was like water.

Both of their eyes were filled with a desire to prove themselves.

He remained silent.

A scene from that future where he had disappeared for a year flashed through his mind.

In the end, the softness belonging to a father overcame pure rational judgment.

“Shikaku, organize the detailed coordinates of Hiruko’s base and the existing intelligence into a mission.”

Chiya’s voice sounded as he made his decision.

“Mission rank, temporarily set at S rank. Mission participants…”

After saying this, Chiya pointed toward the two girls.

“Mirai and Chimi.”

“Chiya!”

Tsunade exclaimed in shock.

“Hokage-sama!”

Minato also looked worried.

Although he had previously heard Chiya say that these two girls were his daughters from the future, they looked very young based on their appearance.

Sending them to deal with such a dangerous mission seemed somewhat reckless.

Chiya raised his hand and stopped them from trying to persuade him.

His gaze fell upon Mirai and Chimi, becoming sharp and deep.

“Remember, this is not a game. Hiruko is an experienced missing ninja who has fused multiple Kekkei Genkai. He is extremely dangerous. Your mission is to investigate and make contact with him, then obtain as much data about his abilities as possible while ensuring your own safety. If you have the opportunity… kill him on the spot.”

“Yes, Father!”

Mirai answered excitedly and waved her fist.

“Understood, Father.”

Chimi nodded solemnly.

Chiya handed the mission scroll to Mirai and added one final sentence, his voice low but carrying undeniable authority.

“I will be behind you.”

Those words were both a promise to his daughters and a declaration to whatever danger awaited them.

…

At the same time, deep within a desolate valley near the border of the Land of Hot Springs.

Inside the underground base, everything was in complete disarray.

Various experimental instruments had been knocked to the ground, flickering with unstable sparks.

The air was filled with the pungent smell of chemicals and a faint scent of blood.

Hiruko stood in the center, his white robe covered in dust and stains.

His originally handsome face was twisted by anger and fear.

He looked at the destroyed alarm system and the traces of the hurried evacuation, his body trembling slightly under the intensity of his emotions.

“Konoha… Konoha! Why does it have to happen now?!”

He growled, his voice hoarse like sandpaper scraping against stone.

He had endured for many years and poured countless hours of effort into his research.

He had finally completed the preliminary fusion of the Chimera Technique, successfully gathering five Kekkei Genkai within himself, Dark Release, Storm Release, Steel Release, Swift Release, and Explosion Release.

Only one final step remained.

He needed to find a sufficiently powerful vessel to complete his ultimate evolution.

Then he would become a truly perfect existence, one that surpassed even the Five Kage.

But just as he was about to capture his next target, a ninja possessing a Kekkei Genkai, Konoha’s people had found this place like sharks that had smelled blood.

They had disrupted all his plans!

“Damn Konoha!”

“I can’t wait any longer…”

Hiruko suddenly raised his head, madness and determination flashing in his eyes.

Previously, he had only been borrowing the power of these abilities.

He had intended to wait for a suitable opportunity before completely fusing them together.

But now that Konoha knew about him, he would undoubtedly have to face even more powerful ninja in the future.

It would not even be strange if Konoha’s strongest ninja, Uchiha Chiya, came personally!

There was no time left to waste.

“If I can’t hide anymore, then let the entire Shinobi World tremble beneath the power of Hiruko!”

He suddenly tore open his white robe, revealing a slightly thin body covered in strange energy patterns.

His hands rapidly formed seals as the Chakra around him surged violently like boiling water.

“Chimera Technique, Fusion Ritual!”

Boom!

Enormous Chakra mixed with five completely different types of energy erupted violently from his body.

The darkness of Dark Release, the blazing white lightning of Storm Release, the crimson fury of Explosion Release, the metallic sheen of Steel Release, and the pale blue flowing wind of Swift Release surged like wild beasts that had broken free.

They violently collided, tore at one another, and fused together inside his body.

“Arghhhh!”

Hiruko let out a painful yet exhilarated roar.

His body underwent violent changes as the energy washed through him.

His skin was sometimes covered in a metallic sheen, while at other times lightning patterns flashed across it.

His speed and strength continued to rise toward their limits.

The process was painful and dangerous, but he succeeded!

Relying on years of research and a desperate gamble, he forcibly stabilized all five Kekkei Genkai within his body.

An unprecedented sense of power filled every part of his body.

He felt the five Kekkei Genkai powers surging within him, and a distorted, arrogant smile appeared on his face.

“Konoha… Uchiha Chiya… You forced me into this!”

He looked toward Konoha, his eyes filled with hatred and confidence.

“I’ll use you as the sacrifice for the first step of my ascent to the summit of the Shinobi World!”

He no longer concealed himself.

His body transformed into a streak of blue light that was almost impossible to follow with the naked eye, instantly breaking through the roof of the base and standing atop the mountain valley.

He let out a furious roar toward the sky, declaring war.

“Konoha! I, Hiruko, have returned!”

His roar, carrying Chakra, spread far into the distance and startled countless birds into flight.