.
.
.
Bathed in the pulsating glow of a grand arena, the spectacle unfolded before thousands of eager spectators. A handsome teenager, with striking brown hair cascading down his shoulders and eyes gleaming with a metallic cold golden hue, faced off against the robust middle-aged man whose every move emanating the wisdom of years spent mastering the art of combat. The air was charged with anticipation as the clash began, the teenager's seemingly effortless grace masking the incredible strength he deliberately held in check. His golden eyes, like orbs of focused intensity, followed the middle-aged ninja's every move with a discerning gaze.
As the dance of combat commenced, the teenager's movements were a mesmerizing blend of fluidity and precision. His agility, far surpassing that of his opponent easily adapted to the middle-aged man's powerful strikes. The audience, collectively holding their breaths, witnessed a breathtaking display of skill as the teenager studied the intricacies of the martial arts the middle aged man displayed.
The middle-aged man fought without holding back, his experience easily matched him with the teenagers despite the laters superior agility, but he was unaware of the vast strength restrained by his younger oponent. He fought valiantly, drawing upon his seasoned experience to match the oppents powers, not knowing he was just giving his lifetime's of hardwork to someone in single battle.
Ryoichi analysed the middle aged man's fighting, copying and storing them in his memory without even letting his opponent even realise.
The audience cheered the dazzling exchange before them, Ryoichi's restraint added layers of complexity to the confrontation making this battle far entertaining for them. He made the battle not merely of raw power but strategy, martial arts, jutsu and experience.
.
.
.
-Ryoichi's P.O.V-
.
.
.
I delivered a swift kick to the middle-aged man, whose name I had little interest in learning, and reflected on the week's time passage since my awakening in this futuristic timeline. A couple of revelations marked this span.
Firstly, I found myself catapulted at least a few hundred years into the future from my original timeline, a significant leap where even the memory of the First Intergalactic War had faded into obscurity. Describing it as the First Intergalactic War was necessary due to subsequent space conflicts that unfolded from Aina's timeline to the present. And the reason… well humans couldn't sit for long and attacked a peaceful planet for their unique resource that could help them extend lifespan for a few years longer.
Greedy, but understandable.
The second revelation unveiled the cave where I awoke as the underground repository for corpses within the Heaven's Arena Tower—the same location Tsunade had mentioned.
Speaking of Tsunade, my thoughts drifted to the conversation we had, especially the end part where she questioned why I didn't revive my dear mother.
Her words unsettled me. Having found Madara's hidden location years ago, locating him wasn't difficult, especially with Zetsu's misplaced confidence in his stealth. My Observation Haki, enhanced after achieving Sage physique, made the task even simpler
So finding them wasn't difficult, not to mention I was trying to locate Kara — An organisation hidden better than Madara and his so-called Will.
The part that really bothered me was that ever since knowing Madara's location, countless times I thought of attacking him to steal Rinnegan to further my research on Otsutsuki genes. But not once did bringing back my mother crossed my mind.
'Am I really becoming a heartless machine that even forgot the selfless love of his mother?' I couldn't help but lament. This very thought has crossed my mind countless times. And each day I find myself becoming disgusted at myself.
Would I still be able to meet Ayame's eyes after all the inhumane experiments I have conducted on Innocent, would my mother look at me with the same loving gaze? What about my father…? Would he be proud…?
And most importantly would I still be the same person who started this pursuit of Immortality at the end of my journey or… I will be like many others who lost themselves and became shell of themselves despite achieving everything they ever wanted.
"Sigh~"
A deep sigh escaped my lips as I redirected my focus to the approaching opponent. Ceasing to hold back, I analyzed his modern fighting style. Dodging his lightning chakra-coated fist with a simple side step, I swiftly incapacitated him with a one-inch punch to his Tenketsu point.
Observing the unconscious owner of the 125th floor, my mind shifted to my climbing progress—125 floors of 200 floors scaled in a week. To be honest, I could have climbed more but due to my hand looking like a toddler's, and my mind being occupied with Tsunade's words, I only started climbing the tower five days later after my arm started to look normal.
while contemplating my changes since my mother's death- no since my own, I started climbing the tower on the sixth day I arrived.
Not that I minded any of that due to my body adapting to my recent breakthrough to Super-Kage level and my blank Sage body developing a Kekkai Genkai similar Hashirama's Wood Release.
The recent breakthrough to the Super-Kage level and the development of the new Kekkai Genkai stirred mixed feelings. Despite having reservations about bloodlines' limiting potential, the novelty of this unseen bloodline and the untapped potential intrigued me.
As long as this bloodline doesn't hinder my growth till the time I return to my timeline, I fine with it. After I return to my timeline, I can create something to increase my limit if this bloodline limited my growth. I just don't want my growth to stagnant here.
And time-based ability is pretty strong if you do not take cheat abilities like Reality, Creation, Destruction, Fate in consideration that is.
.
.
.
-Third POV-
.
.
.
Ryoichi strode back from the pulsating arena, triumphant cheers echoing around him as he emerged victorious against the formidable owner of the 125th floor. He walked out of the dark tunnel leading him to the lounging area where he found the same old crippled man who found his unconscious body in the dispenser.
The old man was eating and munching on the food which was prepared for Ryoichi without even paying any attention to anything else.
Ryoichi not wanting to deal with the cunningly annoying man silently moved from the lounge and approached the personal training room of the owner of the 125th floor.
Once there Ryoichi sat down in a lotus position in the middle and entered a deep meditation. He focused on his newly coloured Chakra and mutated Chakra vain before starting to manipulate his new Kekkai Genkai under the complete observation of his Haki. Doing so lets Ryoichi know even the smallest of changes which in turn helps him get a better grasp on his Kenkai Genkai — Like the fact his Kekkai Genkai Naturally combine Chakra and Natural energy to work or to lear most efficient Chakra pathway for his Kekkai Genkai.
Ryoichi continued to train his Kekkai Genkai for the whole night before standing and walking outside the training room to challenge the owner of the 126th floor.
.
.
.
[AN: If you want to read more go to my Patr*on/41_Claws. There are 10+ advance unedited chapters on it…]
.
.
.