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Years passed, and Muzaka's training in the Forest of Bewilderment transformed him from a struggling orphan into a force of nature. His body grew stronger, his senses sharper, and his control over his powers more refined. Hank's beast transformation allowed him to tap into raw, monstrous strength, while Muzaka's werewolf abilities made him one with the forest. He could control the creatures of the wild, running alongside wolves and hunting like a predator.
But his most powerful asset was his ability to absorb natural energy, a gift from Jūgo. Muzaka learned to draw power from the land itself, enhancing his physical abilities and transforming his body at will. His ability to control darkness, a gift from Marshall D. Teach, made him nearly invincible at night, shrouding himself in shadows and becoming the terror of the forest.
Lobo's regenerative abilities made him unkillable. He could heal from the most grievous wounds, and each time he emerged stronger than before.
Muzaka trained relentlessly for years, mastering the powers he had been gifted. His body grew stronger, his mind sharper. He embraced the wildness within, becoming one with the forest, a beast among beasts. By the time he emerged from the Forest of Bewilderment, Muzaka was no longer just an orphan boy—he was a skilled Shinobi. He no longer feared the world; the world now need to fear him.
During the Warring States period, entire clans were decimated by the conflicts between shinobi factions. Refugees and survivors wandered the land, seeking shelter and safety. Muzaka saw opportunity in the chaos. He began to gather women who had lost their clans, victims of the ongoing conflicts. They were nomads, wandering with no place to call home.
He offered them protection, and in return, they became his companions, wives, and the mothers of his children. Many of these women were gifted kunoichi, with knowledge of combat and survival. Muzaka married several of them, not for love, but to strengthen his bloodline. With each child born, a new generation of warriors emerged—stronger, faster, and more powerful than any normal human. The werewolf and Czarnian genes passed down through his bloodline, creating a new breed of warriors. The women, too, were affected by the power of their offspring, growing stronger and more resilient with each birth.
Over the years, Muzaka's family evolved into a clan, and that clan became known as the Lycan clan. The Lycans were feared throughout the land for their physical prowess, their ability to transform into monstrous beasts, their ability to harness natural energy and their near-immortality. They were warriors capable of regenerating from almost any wound, and they became known as a savage and unstoppable force on the battlefield.
Muzaka's power was legendary. His children and their children continued to inherit his gifts, making the Lycan Clan one of the most formidable in the world.
His vision was clear: he would create a clan that would stand the test of time, a clan that would thrive even in the face of the coming storm. He knew that the Five Great Shinobi Villages would eventually rise, but by the time they did, the Lycan Clan would already be a powerful and ancient force, a clan that none could challenge.
Muzaka's ambitions did not end with the survival of his clan. He wanted to create an empire, a legacy that would span generations. Using his strategic mind and the immense powers at his disposal, he began to manipulate the conflicts between the clans, taking advantage of the chaos to expand his influence. As the warring clans fought for dominance, Muzaka quietly built his empire in the shadows.
He taught his children and followers the skills and knowledge he had gained from his previous life as the Assassin King. They became masters of stealth, manipulation, and combat, using their abilities to infiltrate and dominate from within. The Lycan Clan became a powerful force, feared for their strength and cunning.
By the time the Warring States Period officially began, Muzaka was no longer a simple warrior or clan leader. He had become an Ancestor—an immortal figure whose power was unmatched. His clan had grown into an empire, spanning the Land of Forests and beyond. They had fought in countless battles, seizing territory and leaving behind a trail of destruction.
The Five Great Shinobi Villages had not yet been formed, but even the clans that would one day become part of them feared the Lycan Clan.