Chapter 21: The Kaleidoscope Ability - Recruitment

"You are Uchiha Izumi?"

Hearing Yūgao Uzuki's startled exclamation, Uchiha Izumi did not respond. Instead, the three-tomoe Sharingan in her eyes slowly manifested, confirming her identity as a member of the Uchiha clan. As a genius who awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan at the age of thirteen, Uchiha Izumi naturally garnered special attention from the higher-ups.

During the clan's massacre, she was gravely injured by a parasitic insect implanted in her body beforehand. This insect, upon activation, put her into a state of suspended animation, allowing her to escape Obito's threat.

"Why are you, someone who was supposed to be dead, appearing here?" Yūgao demanded, her eyes wide with disbelief. "And with the three-tomoe Sharingan!"

Seeing the Sharingan in Izumi's eyes, Yūgao did not dare to be careless. She pulled out a kunai and kept a close watch on Izumi's hands and feet. This was a method circulated within the Anbu for dealing with those possessing the three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Izumi, continue your training. I'll handle the explanation," a voice interjected. Uchiha Mikoto approached the tense duo at the gate.

"Yes," Izumi nodded in agreement, using the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

"You are..." Yūgao's eyes widened in recognition. She finally realized who the woman was who had been conspiring with the mastermind.

"You are Uchiha Mikoto, the clan leader's wife!" As the wife of the Uchiha clan leader and a high-ranking ninja with the three-tomoe Sharingan, Uchiha Mikoto was a key figure under the Anbu's watch. Yūgao had naturally seen her photo before. She recognized Izumi because they were classmates in the ninja academy.

"It seems he hasn't told you everything," Mikoto observed. "Yūgao, please follow me."

"Alright," Yūgao sighed, resigned to her fate. She followed Mikoto into a nearby courtyard. As a civilian Chunin, she had no chance of victory against a skilled Jonin like Mikoto. She also understood that knowing the secret of the surviving Uchiha meant she could never return to Konoha. Her fate was now tied to that of the enigmatic leader.

Reflecting on her predicament, Yūgao couldn't help but feel trapped.

---

Unbeknownst to what transpired at the estate, Zhixiang remained unconcerned, confident in Mikoto's ability to handle the situation. He focused on the system interface before him, preparing for the next evolution of his parasitic insects.

[Parasitic Insect, Epic Species, has evolved four times, ready for next evolution]

[Select evolution direction]

[Evolution One: Enhanced Toxicity]

[Evolution Seven: Enhanced Vitality]

Seeing no special options, Zhixiang chose [Evolution Seven], aiming to boost the insect's vitality and extend its survival time in the air.

[Selection successful, Parasitic Insect evolution complete]

[Placed in insect cultivation space for further breeding, next evolution possible after reaching certain quantity]

"Fifth evolution complete," Zhixiang mused. "One more evolution and I'll unlock a new insect cultivation space and a lucky draw. I wonder what I'll get."

He retrieved the insect on the verge of its ninth evolution from the table.

[Mangekyou Sharingan: Biological Acceleration!]

Zhixiang activated his Mangekyou Sharingan, the left eye spinning rapidly. Three seconds later, the insect on the table grew rapidly, reaching its mature stage. After more than a week, his body had finally adapted to the Mangekyou Sharingan, and he successfully awakened his unique ability.

Zhixiang's Mangekyou ability was named: Takami Musubi

Named after the powerful deity Takami Musubi, second only to the creator god in the ninja world, the power granted him control over all life growth!

[Mangekyou Left Eye: Takami Musubi - Biological Acceleration: Can accelerate or pause the growth state of target organisms.]

[Mangekyou Right Eye: Takami Musubi - Body Magnification: Can increase or decrease the size of target organisms, up to three times their original size, with the duration inversely proportional to the size change.]

Though not particularly offensive, these support skills perfectly complemented Zhixiang's insect swarm, allowing for accelerated growth and even the gigantification of his summons.

Imagining his summon beasts growing to immense sizes excited Zhixiang. If his already formidable summon creatures could grow three times larger, the possibilities were endless!

Moreover, if he could master the power to its fullest extent, he might even manipulate human growth, such as accelerating the maturation of others or keeping himself eternally youthful at the age of eighteen.

His anticipation grew as he considered the potential. Though his eyes weren't Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, which would prevent blindness, transplanting Hashirama's cells like Obito could significantly reduce the adverse effects.

[Firefly Larva, Common Species, has evolved nine times, ready for advancement]

[Advancement irreversible, proceed with caution]

Advancement? Zhixiang's curiosity piqued. Without hesitation, he chose to advance the insect.

[Select advancement direction]

[Direction One: Golden Firefly Larva, Rare Species, boosts all attributes]

[Direction Two: Green Stinging Moth, Rare Species, disperses mildly toxic phosphorescent powder]

Wondering what the Golden Firefly Larva entailed, Zhixiang chose [Direction One].

[Selection successful, advancing, time required: 30 days]

[Unavailable for summoning or use during advancement]

As the larva cocooned, Zhixiang turned his attention to the Healing Insect, activating the Mangekyou again. Successfully evolving it, he noted the absence of special evolutions and sighed. Turning off the light, he went to sleep.

---

Meanwhile, in the living room of the Fire Source City estate, Yūgao looked at the bankbook in disbelief.

"Are you sure this is all for me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Of course," Mikoto replied, sipping her tea calmly. Desperately needing capable people and noting Yūgao's potential, she saw no reason to let her go. Besides, considering Zhixiang's interest, she doubted he intended to let someone as beautiful as Yūgao slip away.

Counting the zeros again, Yūgao still felt like she was dreaming. "Five million..."

An S-rank mission only offered a reward of a million, split among several people, with expenses deducted. It would take numerous dangerous missions to amass five million. Having been struggling in Konoha just recently, the sudden windfall left her stunned.

Mikoto, seeing Yūgao's reaction, added fuel to the fire by presenting a stack of ninja scrolls. "If money doesn't interest you, we have many jutsu scrolls here. You can choose two to learn."

Jutsu scrolls, for free? Yūgao's resolve weakened further.

But did they think this alone could buy her loyalty? She stood, serious, before Mikoto. "Lady Mikoto, you can rest assured that from now on, whatever you need, just command me. I am now a part of the Uchiha clan."

Placing the bankbook back into her pocket, she eagerly searched through the scrolls for something of interest.

"Third Hokage, I'm sorry," she thought. "It's not that I'm disloyal to Konoha, but they offered too much."

Mikoto watched in silence, satisfied with the successful recruitment.

Enjoy reading "Naruto: Swarm System." Please leave a review to share any feedback or point out errors. Your input is greatly appreciated!