CHAPTER 40

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Hiruzen stood atop a rocky cliff, overlooking the vast barren landscape of the moon. The air was thin, and the distant craters were illuminated by a strange, silver hue cast from the Earth hanging in the sky.

His long black cloak fluttered in the soft lunar wind as his mind raced with thoughts of what he had just achieved.

"After this integration, the Sarutobi clan will possess the mastery of all five elemental nature transformations," he mused aloud, his voice calm but filled with a growing sense of pride.

"The Uchiha may have their Sharingan, and the Uzumaki and Senju their immense chakra reserves, but the Sarutobi... We will become the masters of ninjutsu, unrivaled in any elemental field." His eyes gleamed with ambition.

"With mastery of the five elements, the clan will stand at the pinnacle of the ninja world."

He smiled, a rare expression of joy breaking his usual stoic demeanor. For years, he had honed his skills, relentlessly pursuing power. And now, he was on the verge of rewriting the very foundations of his clan's abilities.

"After mastering all five chakra nature changes, any Sarutobi ninja will automatically become an S-rank ninja," he thought, the vision of his clan's future becoming clearer by the second.

His grin widened as he pictured the rise of the Sarutobi—surpassing the power of the Uchiha's famed dōjutsu, the Senju's vitality, and the Uzumaki's chakra chains.

Without wasting another moment, Hiruzen initiated the final stage of his plan: integrating the five elemental nature transformations directly into the Sarutobi bloodline.

His hands moved with precision as he formed intricate hand seals, each one channeling the immense elemental powers within him.

Hours passed as he meticulously manipulated the chakra, focusing on the final element: Earth. His brow furrowed in concentration, sweat dripping from his forehead as the process neared its climax.

Suddenly, the air around him shifted, and the lunar dust at his feet began to tremble. His chakra flared, surrounding him in a brilliant glow.

He could feel the elements merging within his very being, fusing into the bloodline of the Sarutobi clan. As the power settled within him, he stood up, his chest rising and falling with deep, controlled breaths.

"Hahahahaha!" His laughter echoed across the desolate moon, the sound both triumphant and overwhelming.

"Finally! After more than five years of hard work, I've done it! The Sarutobi bloodline will now rival even the greatest clans!" His voice was filled with exhilaration, his eyes shining with the glow of his newfound power.

The Sarutobi clan, already renowned for their fire nature transformation and natural chakra affinity, now stood poised to dominate all five elemental releases.

"Our clan can now naturally gain access to these elements," he thought. "Though they will have to master them on their own—I won't spoon-feed them my hard work."

Hiruzen knew that his efforts had given his clan a unique opportunity. With the right training, every Sarutobi ninja could master all five elements and become a force to be reckoned with in the world of shinobi.

"This... this is true mastery of ninjutsu. We will surpass any clan in the manipulation of chakra," he whispered, satisfied with his work.

As the glow of his chakra faded, he set his sights on the next task. "The next step is integrating the Yin and Yang nature transformations," he said aloud, sending his shadow clones to focus on comprehending these abstract natures while he prepared to return to the village.

Back on Earth, the village of Konoha was buzzing with activity. The streets were filled with civilians and shinobi alike, going about their daily lives.

Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Sakumo Hatake had just completed a mission. Jiraiya, as usual, was the first to speak as he jumped into the room with his characteristic exuberance. 

"Sensei!" Jiraiya grinned widely, slamming his hands on the desk. "We finished the mission! Now let's take on something tougher!"

Tsunade stood behind him, rolling her eyes but smiling at his enthusiasm. Orochimaru leaned against the doorframe, silent but observing, while Sakumo remained calm and composed as always.

Hiruzen, his expression warm and gentle, smiled at his students. "Well done, all of you. I knew you could handle it." He reached into a drawer and pulled out a few scrolls, handing them to each of his students.

"But, for now, you'll take on these D-rank missions individually. Complete them, practice your skills, and refine your techniques."

Jiraiya's smile faltered. "D-rank missions again? Sensei, c'mon, these are too easy! Give us something tougher!"

Hiruzen's smile didn't waver, but his tone became more serious. "You need more experience before you're ready for higher-ranked missions. Don't rush. Master the fundamentals, and the rest will follow. You're still not ready for the real cruelty of this world."

His gaze sharpened momentarily as he glanced at each of his students. "Except for Orochimaru..." he thought privately. "He has already begun to see what the world is truly like."

Reluctantly, Jiraiya accepted the scrolls, and the group left the office. Hiruzen watched them go, his heart heavy with the knowledge that their innocence would not last much longer.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen's real body made his way to the Sarutobi clan's compound. Upon arriving, he summoned the jonin and chunin of his clan to the main hall.

The gathering was massive, more than 500 elite ninjas, with many more in training. As they settled into their seats, Hiruzen stood before them, his presence commanding their attention.

"I have gathered you all here for an important announcement," Hiruzen began, his voice steady and powerful. "I have enhanced our bloodline once again."

A wave of shock rippled through the room. The previous enhancement had already left the clan members in awe, but another one?

"This time, I've integrated the ability to master all five elemental nature transformations into our bloodline. We now stand on par with the Uchiha, Senju, Uzumaki, and Hyuga clans. Every one of you has the potential to access these elements, though mastering them will be up to your own efforts."

The hall erupted into murmurs of disbelief and excitement. The Sarutobi clan had always been respected, but this... this was a leap beyond what any of them could have imagined.

Hiruzen raised his hand, silencing the crowd. "With this power, we will become the unrivaled masters of ninjutsu. You can even master the kekei genkai, but remember—this is not a gift to be taken for granted. I've given you all an equal opportunity, but how far you go will depend on your dedication and hard work."

His voice grew more serious. "From now on, elite-jonin strength will be required to become a clan elder. You must enhance your strength and prove yourselves worthy of this power."

The room grew quiet as the gravity of his words sank in. Each ninja in the hall, from the most seasoned jonin to the rising chunin, felt the weight of Hiruzen's expectations.

One of the senior members of the clan, Elder Murasaki, stood and addressed Hiruzen. "Once again, you've surpassed all expectations, Hiruzen. Our bloodline now stands at the pinnacle of the ninja world. Your father and grandfather would be proud."

The elder paused, then added with a knowing smile. "But now that you've achieved such greatness, there's another matter to address."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, curious.

Elder Kizaru, another senior member, stood and spoke with a serious expression. "Hiruzen, you are now 26 years old. It's time for you to consider continuing the family line. You should marry."

As soon as the words left Kizaru's mouth, the entire hall broke into chatter. Hiruzen, the man who had just elevated their clan to unprecedented heights, was now being urged to settle down.

A small smile tugged at the corner of Hiruzen's lips. "Perhaps, it's time to consider that as well," he thought, letting the conversation swirl around him. 

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