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-Narrator's P.O.V-
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Once Ryoichi meditated and recovered enough Chakra, he tried again and absorbed the tiniest amount of Natural energy possible and held it in his unorganised mind scape, once there he started using his Chakra to wipe out the World's Will and replace it with his own Will.
The process was going smoothly when Ryoichi noticed that Yin or Will less Natural energy was destabilising faster than he can replace It with his own. In the end, he was too slow and Natural energy collapsed in itself.
'It's alright Ryoichi It's alright, failures are the ladder to success.' Ryoichi encouraged himself and jumped back into the pond to clean off his sweat again.
Once done wearing his clothes he started running towards his home. He doesn't have to go to the playground since after his successful Ninjutsu training with Ayame. Ryoichi took permission to train his Substitution Jutsu in the Senju training ground which is much closer to their home than the playground, so Ayame let him travel alone.
And yeah he chose Substitution Jutsu because it fascinated him the most, its a nerf version of Sasuke's Rinnegan's ability. If could upgrade it somehow, it would become one of his core Jutsus in future.
While hopping through the forest, Ryoichi picked the smell of something burning, curious he spread his Haki but couldn't find the source, wherever it was, its outside his range.
Ryoichi hesitated to follow the scent because he felt someone is trying to lure him towards the smell. But the baffling thing was, his Haki and instinct weren't warning him, so it could be believed, it was safe.
Ryoichi didn't even entertain the idea that he picked the scent randomly because if his Haki range couldn't cover the source then his nose has no business in picking up that smell as well.
The person behind is purposely spreading it to lure someone, and no one other than him comes to the Senju training ground at this time. It is also another reason Ryoichi hesitated whether to approach or retreat.
No one in the current Shinobi world has the guts to attack the Senju compound with both Senju brothers alive…well except for one, but this didn't align with that guy's personality.
"Haa~If you don't have the balls for even that, how the fu*k would you cut open living Humans for your bloodied goal, and do not forget how much this hypocrite world and humans will condemn you for your future inhumane act." Ryoichi mumbly berated himself thinking about his biggest fears and what he considered his biggest obstacle that he has to conquer.
Ryoichi wasn't a psychopath nor was he a mad scientist in his previous life. He was a good man raised by even better people, so his fear and disgust towards killing humans and experimenting on them were normal. And even if his ten years in that accursed bed and unknown years in the cold Void made him grow indifferent and apathetic towards most of the world, he was slowly returning back to his former self, and the reason behind such changes is undoubtedly the one person that cares and loves him indefinitely.
No matter how much Ryoichi denies it, Ayame's unconditional love has really made a crack in his growing calculative and cold personality. She is the only beam of light in his otherwise dark life. The warmth brought by her has stopped him from completely suppressing his emotions and embraccing this cruel new world.
'My mum(previous life) would have also been disappointed and ate my ears from her nagging if I hadn't given the love and respect this unselfish of a woman deserves.' Ryoichi thought before Shaking his head and walked towards the source.
"Took you longer than expected?"
The moment Ryoichi reached the clearing near the water stream a familiar voice sounded.
Countless thoughts passed in Ryoichi's head when he saw the Senju Tobirama roasting fishes in a makeshift camp.
'Is he trying to pull the lost old man card? Does he think I'm a desperate child like Naruto…' Ryoichi snickered, not thinking that he really was a child in Tobirama's eyes and a desperate one at that.
"Lord Second." Ryoichi greeted politely.
"Quite prideful of you to not bow, huh?" Tobirama commented offhandedly.
'Quite perspective of you to notice.' Ryoichi snorted internally but still didn't bow. Ryoichi has never bowed to anyone till this day, not in his previous like or on this, and since he's still a child no one had noticed, but it's different with Tobirama who's cold red eyes were scanning Ryoichi deeply.
"Forget it, I have no time for nonsensical things, I will be frank with you… I have been watching you past few months."
Ryoichi stiffened at those words which didn't escape Tobirama's sharp senes, he nodded approvingly before continuing. "Your senses are impressive, but you are too inexperienced in using them, any trained Shinobi can easily trick them…"
"…Now before I tell you why I came here, I want to know the reason behind your blind pursuit of strength?"
Tobirama's explanation has given Ryoichi enough time to process his circumstance and calm down from the scare Tobirama delivered with his stone cold face.
Ryoichi thought of answering Tobirama's question with a lie but he decided against it, he doubt whether he can really pull a lie on someone like Tobirama, so he decided to be truthful… at least as much as he could possibly be.
Taking a deep breath Ryoichi starts speaking. "I have many goals in life and to achieve them I need strength."
"like?"
"I want to travel this wonderful yet cruel world, I want to explore many things, eat the delicacies this world has to offer, research things that piques my curiosity, and enjoy the warmth this short life brings. And I never want to feel cold again… to achieve all this I need POWER!"
Ryoichi answered, a little out of breath from his emotional outburst. And as he was taking deep breaths to calm himself, a face of a clumsy woman passed through his head, making him mumbly speak again. "I also want the power to protect the people I love…"
"Hmm… I see, but why are you in so hurry? You can wait till you're eight." Tobirama questioned as he threw a fish stick at Ryoichi who easily caught it.
Observing the sharp stick which was thrown fast that it could have easily caught a normal human off guard, Ryoichi sat on an empty spot near the fire.
"I don't to waste time doing nothing… life is too short for that!"
"Says the kid who barely reaches my knees, huh? Let's get back to the main topic as I have already wasted enough time on this, I have watched you only because of your mother's request. Normally I wouldn't have done something like that, but you being the only Senju child other than Tsunade in the last 10 years is not something I can overlook. I think seeking strength is good as you will be a future pillar of the Clan."
"Lord Second, may I ask why there are so few children in our Clan?"
Tobirama become silent once Ryoichi asked that, his cold expression breaking slightly before he sighed loudly and started speaking again.
"There are many reasons for that, but you are not old or ready enough to know them, just know that Senju has many enemies and none of them wants another Wood user, especially someone who is not as benevolent as Elder Brother."
Ryoichi nodded at Tobirama's explanation even if he doesn't admit with the first part, but he still nodded knowing how much other hidden villages are scared of Wood Release especially after Hashirama single-handedly defeated 8 of 9 tail beasts.
'Not bad.' Tobirama thought. Seeing the kid easily process his information, Tobirama nodded his head in satisfaction. His paranoia and rationale told him that something is seriously wrong with this kid, a three years shouldn't be this mature, even he- who was considered a never seem prodigy wasn't as mature as this kid, parts of him wants to interrogate the kid, even use Yamanke's jutsu to pry into the kid's mind, but his prejudice and love towards the Senju Clan suppress those thoughts especially with the kid being the last male Senju kid.
If it was in his control he would have wed the kid with Tsunade to continue the pure Senju lineage, but that's something his Elder brother would never agree to.
"Anyway, Since Elder Brother won't let you join Academy before 8 I'm here to invite you to join an organisation I'm creating," Tobirama spoke again, halting Ryoichi's thoughts for a moment before they churned even faster.
"May I ask what kind of Organisation?" Ryoichi questioned, his mind already giving him few guesses.
"It's an Organisation that will do all the dirty work of Konoha…" Tobirama vaguely answered, but it was enough for Ryoichi to confirm which organisations he was talking about, but just to show his cluelessness he questioned again.
"And what is it called?"
"It will be called Anbu…" And with that both turned silent and started eating their meals, each busy in their own thoughts.
'Heh~ Anbu, huh? Such an opportunity, if I become one of its first d, I will have the opportunity to turn the future backbone of Konoha loyal to only me, especially when Tobirama dies in the first Shinobi war and Hiruzen takes over. Imagine having all the control over information, missions, Jutsus and many others. With all those under my control, I can even make the next Hokage a puppet and in extension to him other important people as well.' Ryoichi's mind raced through multiple scenarios as he dug into his fish.
'Now that I think why did I never consider taking the village my under control? It would have been quite easy with my background and future knowledge. Am I too influenced by Fanfics that I'm taking similar root to their Protagonists? *Growl* whatever! Thoughts for later lets focus on this fish first hmm~'
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[AN: If you want to read more go to my Patr*on/41_Claws. There are 10+ advance unedited chapters on it…]
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