Chapter 5

Even as enemies, the Five Kage, standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world, had to marvel at the incredible talent of Gensou, the strongest member of the Hagoromo clan in a thousand years.

As the person in question, Gensou was not particularly satisfied with this.

The essence of ninjutsu lies in the nature transformation and shape transformation of the seven chakra attributes.

From the beginning, Gensou's purpose in training was clear.

It was not to master Bloodline Limits but to go further and obtain the power of "Net."

The "Net" is a fusion of the seven nature transformations of Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, Lightning, Yin, and Yang, surpassing Bloodline Limits and Bloodline Selections.

Not all Six Paths-level beings possess the "Net," but those who do are undoubtedly top-tier in power.

Kaguya and Hagoromo possessed the "Net."

As a ninja, Gensou naturally aspired to become a Six Paths-level being.

This not only meant unrivaled power in the ninja world but also immortality.

Reborn, he did not wish to be buried within a mere hundred years.

Although the Hagoromo clan had a long history, tracing back to the era of ninja monks and even having connections to the legendary Sage of Six Paths, their bloodline had diluted over time. It was impossible for him to ascend to the Six Paths-level solely based on bloodline advantages like the Ōtsutsuki clan.

As for another method, becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki to reach the Six Paths level.

Knowing that Kaguya had merged with the Ten-Tails after consuming the Chakra Fruit, Gensou had already decided to stay away from that path, fearing he might end up like the laughingstock of the Uchiha clan.

Excluding these two paths, the only remaining option was to honestly pursue the way of the "Net," thoroughly studying and perfectly merging the seven chakra nature transformations.

There were those in the ninja world who mastered all seven chakra nature transformations, like Kakashi.

But no one had ever fully comprehended and merged all seven nature transformations.

Since transmigrating, perhaps due to being reborn, Gensou had been extraordinarily talented in chakra from a young age, often praised as the "model child."

In a short time, he had mastered all seven chakra nature transformations.

But going deeper, especially achieving the perfect fusion of all seven, proved extremely challenging even for someone as gifted as him.

Although he hadn't achieved the "Net," the Bloodline Limits, which only required the fusion of two chakra natures instead of seven, were easier for him to develop in various combinations.

This led to his current reputation as a person who could rival gods.

"Unfortunately, it's not true divinity. Even the so-called God of the Ninja World today can't be considered."

On the rippling water surface, Gensou watched the Four Kage breaking through his Ice Release with their various techniques and shook his head in regret.

He needed more time, but it seemed he didn't have enough.

"Perhaps, I should prepare an escape plan."

Gensou glanced again at a conspicuous white-haired figure in the distance, observing the battlefield with crossed arms. Before the person could notice, he quickly withdrew his gaze.

"Please complete the beginner task promptly."

The system's cold reminder rang in his mind once more.

"Stupid system!"

Cursing habitually, Gensou ignored the malfunctioning system and refocused on the battlefield.

The Four Kage had launched their counterattack, and various dazzling ninjutsu, performed on a scale far beyond ordinary ninja, swept towards him.

"A bunch of old geezers, why don't you just die already!"

Gensou shook his head and formed a single-hand seal: "Ice Release: Ice Whale!"

A deep, resonant bellow echoed through the sky.

Under the shocked gaze of the Four Kage, an unimaginably massive ice whale leaped from the water, raising enormous waves, and descended upon them with overwhelming force.

In the next second.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The ground shook and mountains trembled.

A massive shockwave, carrying water and debris, swept rapidly in all directions.

Gensou waved his hand to disperse the incoming shockwave, raising an eyebrow.

As the caster, he could feel the state of his jutsu.

As the smoke cleared, he saw Ishikawa, wearing the Tsuchikage robe, using incredible strength to hold up the colossal ice whale descending from the sky.

"Earth Release: Super Light-Weight Rock Technique!"

Ishikawa, whose originally short figure now appeared immensely powerful, gritted his teeth as he straightened his waist bit by bit, lifting the enormous ice whale above his head.

"Take it back!"

Ishikawa threw the ice whale with exaggerated force, sending it hurtling back towards Gensou.

"Stubborn stone."

Retracting his gaze from Ishikawa, Gensou glanced at the returning ice whale. Forming seals again, he converted the ice whale back into a vast ocean, planning to use it against the approaching Ai and Reto.

But just as he was about to give the command, an external chakra force suddenly intervened, contending for control over the water.

"Byakuren!"

Gensou spat out the name.

Taking advantage of this gap, Ai and Reto successfully closed in on him.

"Let's go again!"

Bursting with chakra comparable to a tailed beast, Ai, now enveloped in even more chakra, sped up and clenched his fist, striking Gensou with tremendous force.

Gensou didn't retreat. Utilizing Steel Release, his right fist turned as black and hard as tempered steel and met Ai's punch head-on.

Clang! The sharp sound of metal clashing echoed.

With a body equally strong as a monster's and comparable to Steel Release, Ai only retreated a short distance, unharmed.

Gensou was also forced back a few steps by the impact.

As he prepared to counterattack, a strange wind suddenly appeared beside him.

Before Gensou could react, a sharp point aimed straight for his eye at lightning speed.

Steel Release could cover the entire body but couldn't protect the eyes.

This was Reto, who had drawn his ninja blade, infused with razor-sharp Wind Release chakra, and stabbed towards Gensou.

But it wasn't over.

The giant hands that had previously supported the ice whale suddenly emerged from beneath Gensou, grabbing his legs and immobilizing him.

Meanwhile, Byakuren, having appeared at Gensou's side without his notice, extended his hands, swiftly forming a Water Prison Technique at the Mizukage level.

Even if Gensou managed to fend off Reto's attack, he wouldn't escape the prison Byakuren had prepared for him.

Everything happened so fast.

In the blink of an eye, the Four Kage had seamlessly coordinated to deliver their ultimate strike against Gensou.

(End of Chapter)