Chapter 137 : Uchiha Ken

"Could it be that he caught your eyes?''

Amidst a dense thicket, Takeshi and Orochimaru stood side by side atop a tree, their gazes locked onto Uchiha Ken in the distance.

"You're not wrong. Your intention is to exploit his animosity toward you. You aim to harness his resentment, fuel his latent abilities, and simultaneously manipulate him, thereby gaining control over the Uchiha clan's movements."

Orochimaru's raspy voice remained devoid of emotion, revealing Takeshi's thoughts.

Indeed, Uchiha, harbouring hatred and thirst for power, were at times willing to quench their thirst even with poison if it would satiate their desires.

"The Uchihas are quite prone to extremities. Like Obito, they can plunge the world into chaos due to a crush. Itachi is similar—willing to slay parents and kin to protect Konoha from ruination."

Takeshi sighed, his pale eyes reflecting the shadows of profound insight, piercing through the tumultuous emotions in his gaze.

"It's not solely about extreme ideologies. Many in this world hold such views. However, the Uchiha diverge. The more fervent their zeal, the mightier their ocular prowess grows. As they evolve into Mangekyou Sharingan, their intense convictions become the impetus for their ambitions. They wield the power to realize those convictions."

Orochimaru's expression shifted into one of intrigue, conveying Takeshi's ideas.

Within Ken's scarlet-triple tomoe, the crimson Sharingan revolved slowly.

"Who? Who's there? Reveal yourself!"

A profound irritability gnawed at Uchiha Ken. Sensing an adversary who kindled his rage, he watched from afar, akin to a predator observing wounded prey slowly bleeding out—a hunter having finally delivered the fatal blow, instilling terror and desperation.

Suppressing the mind's anguish that frequently fanned his baseless fury, Ken slipped into an inconspicuous corner, waiting in silence.

Approaching, nearing—who dared disturb him within Konoha?

"Ken, your demeanour portrays a desolate spirit."

A figure donned in a hood emerged before him, a sinister mask shrouding its visage, striking terror into his heart.

"Damn! A mask... Are you, are you an ANBU?!"

Eyeing the enigmatic individual before him, his frame impossible to gauge, he recoiled in horror, only to find himself backed against the tree trunk.

As if ashamed of his cowardice, he pushed forward with resolve, enduring a more acute headache, prying open his scarlet eyes, and piercing the figure before him with his gaze.

"Formidable resentment—your life must have seen much injustice."

The enigmatic ANBU figure closed in, unperturbed.

"It's lamentable that, while your anger burns, you've yet to prove yourself or amass the power to retaliate decisively. At best, you're but an unfortunate soul, forcibly awakened and subsequently discarded by your kin."

The figure struck his wounded core, each word striking his rawness.

"Damn! Who are you? I'm..."

Ken's counterattack wavered into futility, his circumstance recalled in a daze, his head drooping, his voice rendered silent.

In this moment, his enmity for the pummeling by "Orochimaru," the one who tormented him relentlessly, seemed diminished. He comprehended that his sole protector, his grandfather, had succumbed under clan pressure. Overnight, he'd transformed from a privileged heir to a disregarded scion, even with the awakening of the three tomoe sharingan.

At fifteen, he was all too aware of the ninja world's brutality and the sinister intrigues that interwove the clans. Yet, this awareness didn't ensure equanimity. It didn't absolve the family's indifference.

Head pounding with increasing intensity, dark chakra flickered within his eyes, endeavouring to steel his resolve.

However, residual effects dissipated into the air, thwarting his efforts. It was as if these energies mocked his aspirations, echoing his past two years.

"Who the hell are you? Why are you here?" Ken's resolve found footing, his gaze locking onto the visitor.

"Recovered so swiftly? It appears potential dwells within."

A raspy voice resounded, and before Uchiha's astonished eyes, scarlet-triple tomoe gleamed from beneath the ANBU's mask. Simultaneously, an almost kage-class force pressed upon him.

"You... Who within the clan do you serve?"

Genuine astonishment seized Ken, verging on overwhelm.

"Ken, you must be seething. Your resentment these past years must be immense."

Takeshi and Orochimaru's orchestrated narrative unfolded, underscoring this Uchiha lineage's sinister aspects. Judging by the palpable chakra pressure, he seemed close to kage-tier status.

While the Uchiha brandished the triple tomoe, their Mangekyou was a marginal leap—beyond average Jonin strength, yet often beyond control.

As a transmigrated individual, Takeshi, two ages combined is in his thirties, bore no dissonance while addressing Ken.

"I... I haven't." Ken's head hung low.

"Ken, I'm your grandfather's confidante. He tasked me with safeguarding you. Yet, my more covert activities precluded me from direct intervention."

Orochimaru alluded, stoking Ken's astonishment.

"I can remedy your affliction, restore your talents, and cultivate you into one who can challenge the clan. It's my homage to your grandfather's memory."

Orochimaru swept his assurances aside, his hand already atop Ken's head.

"...!"

Warm, liquid-like energy permeated Ken's being. Simultaneously, profound spiritual energy plunged into his depths.

Unimpeded, the fusion of Orochimaru and Takeshi's joint spiritual prowess initiated mending, erasing prior damage of the past.

Soul damage proved notoriously stubborn, yet Takeshi had plotted for such contingencies. This flaw, strategically left behind, would someday serve a purpose.

An enigmatic imprint saturated the spiritual gap, restoring it whole. Simultaneously, verdant warmth enfolded the entirety, rekindling an eldritch soul and physique. It felt akin to a newborn's embrace, a soul and flesh guzzling this lifeforce like parched ground imbibing rain.

This is the work of Senjutsu chakra derived from Takeshi's Gelel Stone.

As Senju brethren, the Uchiha were uniquely predisposed to this chakra, especially compared to other clans.

Capitalizing on fine techniques and spiritual might, Takeshi had diluted and finessed this energy. Filling Ken's spiritual void, he amplified his spiritual fortitude beyond precedent.

"Thank you!"

Takeshi's intervention rekindled excitement, rendering him oblivious to suffering—however fleetingly.

"What a naive child," Orochimaru quipped, supporting Ken.

"Yet, don't overlook your tormentors—the slayers of your kin, the forsakers when you languished."

Masked, Orochimaru's glinting eyes radiated coldness: "You won't forget, will you? Else your grandfather's death shall be in vain."

Orochimaru concealed his satisfaction, retreating.

"Wait, senior!"

Ken's scarlet eyes ignited afresh. His resolve had deepened, resonating with newfound determination.

"I shan't forget, nor forgive those who've wronged me."

Pausing, he added, "And the village exerts pressure on the clan... the Senju clan's Patriarch."

His tone wavered as he recalled this.

"Oh?" Orochimaru responded with veiled contentment.

"Also, the instigator—Orochimaru. But what if I ascend to Jonin rank? I remain a mere fledgling."

His voice dimmed, coloured by the past's memories.

"Don't belittle your potential, Ken. I can empower you. Your latent talent's considerable. Assist me in minor endeavours, and you shall rise high, reshaping your destiny!"

Orochimaru's persuasive rhetoric unfurled, "In Uchiha history, acquiring the three tomoe at your age is exceedingly rare. You've endured trials—when your Mangekyou Sharingan finally opens, few within the clan can rival you."

A realization jolted Ken, coursing through him.

"With those eyes, who'll dare thwart you within the clan?"

Orochimaru's entreaty persisted, "Perhaps you'll even attain Konoha's apex power, quelling all calamity. War looms, after all."

Ken absorbed these words, his nascent ambition burgeoning.

"Remember, I'm here to aid you."

His final reassurance rendered Ken's decision final. He bowed deeply, yielding to this "senior," momentarily swept in this rebirth's marvel.

"Conform to your directions, senior!"

"Excellent. Await my call. Recollect this fervour."

Orochimaru encouraged, "Few in the clan acknowledge me, thus secrecy is paramount. My role prohibits overt interaction with the family's internal situations. However, this doesn't denote disinterest. I'll depend on you for insight."

"And your name?"

Ken's brow furrowed in perplexity.

"...Dragon. Memorize it, divulge it not."

Orochimaru cast him a fleeting glance before leaping into the treetops, vanishing.

**********

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