Thousands of Kaguya clan members knelt reverently on Fuma's broad back, not daring to move a muscle. Their eyes, however, were filled with fervent admiration.
Fuma was a man who didn't concern himself with trivialities. The priority now was to reunite with Orochimaru and leave the border of the Land of Water as quickly as possible. Thus, he adopted this unconventional mode of flight.
The earlier battle had been so intense that the shockwaves of the earthquake could be felt hundreds of miles away. This was bound to attract scouts from nearby hidden villages to investigate.
If they were discovered, it could lead to unforeseen complications, adding unnecessary trouble to Fuma's plans.
Using his own body as a temporary passenger carrier didn't bother him much. After all, these people would be his subordinates in the future. Offering them a little perk was no big deal.
To the typically cold Kaguya clan, however, this was an immense honor, though it left them confused and uneasy.
"Could this be a ploy to toss us all from the sky and let us fall to our deaths?"
"With the Clan Leader's strength, killing us wouldn't require such theatrics... Could it be some sort of bizarre sense of humor?"
As they knelt nervously on Fuma's back, listening to his accounts of battles with the Uchiha clan and Konoha's intrigues, as well as his analysis of the Shikotsumyaku, they quickly became enthralled by this man who combined wisdom and power.
Rising to prominence at the age of twenty, Fuma's achievements included leaping into the abyss to train, slaying Shukaku upon debut, expanding the Konoha Police Force, reforming Uchiha clan policies, reclaiming power from the Hokage step by step, and even beginning the annexation of Kirigakure.
To the Kaguya clan, whose mental development was far from sophisticated, these feats sounded like divine legends, leaving them mesmerized.
What stunned them most was the Uchiha clan's current welfare system, which was unprecedented in its inclusivity.
Free aid for clan members, unrestricted access to a wide array of ninjutsu, and even personalized guidance from elite jonin—without the traditional harsh discipline.
The younger members of the Kaguya clan were practically drooling with envy, their eyes glowing red as they resented not being born into the Uchiha clan.
For those raised in the warlike atmosphere of the Kaguya clan, Fuma's depiction of the Uchiha way of life was nothing short of paradise.
The adult Kaguya clan members, however, focused on more pragmatic concerns.
In their minds, the relatives who had perished in the earthquake's fissures were already fading into blurry, forgotten memories.
This wasn't heartlessness on their part—rather, it was the dual allure of wealth and power, which overshadowed everything else.
In time, some Kaguya descendants might ask their elders how they came to join the Uchiha clan. The answer might be something like this:
"Why do you care? It's just a bump in history, nothing worth mentioning… Now stop asking questions and enjoy the life you have, kid!"
No one doubted Fuma's sincerity. For someone with the power to unleash calamities, enslaving them wouldn't even require deception. He simply had no reason to bother.
What thrilled Kaguya Muzuki the most was Fuma's insight into the hidden flaws of the "Shikotsumyaku: Bloodbone" technique and why no one had successfully harnessed its full potential for decades.
That single revelation alone was enough to make the entire Kaguya clan willing to serve Fuma like loyal hounds.
For years, the Kaguya clan had abandoned their homes, resorted to plundering, and sought battles—all in pursuit of unlocking the power hidden in their bloodline.
"To think that even the Shikotsumyaku has been studied so thoroughly by you... It seems that the Kaguya clan's meeting you was destined by fate."
Kaguya Muzuki's words were awkward, but for him, it was the highest level of flattery he could muster.
.......
Fuma smiled faintly, his voice booming like thunder.
"It's not profound knowledge—just a matter of understanding the interplay between physical and spiritual energy. You need to read more books in the future. Effort without direction is pointless."
"For example, in the Uchiha clan, those who awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan often face blindness due to insufficient physical energy to sustain their ocular power."
"Similarly, your Kaguya clan suffers from an imbalance—your physical energy is overwhelming, but your spiritual energy fails to keep up. This leads to the chaotic state of your flesh and blood, affecting your sanity, and ultimately causes the so-called *Kekkei Disease*."
"But don't worry—I have a friend who's very skilled at solving such problems. You'll meet him soon."
During the earthquake, when Kaguya Muzuki used all his strength to unleash "Shikotsumyaku: Bloodbone", he had already noticed subtle changes in his body.
For the Kaguya clan members who had awakened the Shikotsumyaku, their innate sensitivity to osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and calcium levels in their flesh and blood was unparalleled.
However, Muzuki sensed that his cells no longer obeyed his commands as they once did. Instead, they had begun to divide uncontrollably, corroding his body. After the battle, this led to uncontrollable bouts of vomiting blood and even the feeling that his life was in danger.
But now, that wasn't a concern. Fuma had even hinted at the possibility of unlocking a higher level of power.
What if Kaguya clan members could overcome their deficiency in spiritual energy? What heights could they reach then?
This was an irresistible temptation—a promise of greatness no Kaguya clan member could refuse. They had no choice but to bite the bait.
.......
At the Border of the Land of Hot Water~
A massive floating fortress hovered high in the sky. Orochimaru, playing with a bluish-green Grell Stone in his hand, gazed into the distance at the massive black figure approaching.
"As expected of Fuma-kun… To bring the entire Kaguya clan back with him. Truly impressive…"
A smirk curled Orochimaru's lips as he steered the floating fortress toward Fuma. Since their collaboration began, their power had expanded exponentially.
In less than two years, their combined forces now surpassed even one of the Five Great Hidden Villages—Sunagakure—and were steadily advancing toward becoming one of the dominant factions in the ninja world.
Their forces included 2,000 elite rebel ninja from Kirigakure, 3,000 Uchiha clan members, nearly 1,000 insect users from the Aburame clan, and now 1,000 ninja from the Kaguya clan, augmented by the advanced technology of the Land of Sky.
In terms of high-ranking combatants, Fuma himself was unmatched.
There were also Uchiha Setsuna, wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan; Minato, mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique; and the scientific ninja Orochimaru—four indisputable Kage-level forces.
Additionally, they had Kushina, Nawaki, and Fugaku, who, while not progressing as rapidly as Minato, showed immense potential and were prime candidates for future greatness.
As a former student abandoned by his teacher, Orochimaru now looked down on his old sensei—the so-called "Ninjutsu Professor"—with a condescending gaze.
If it weren't for the need to consider Tsunade's and Jiraiya's feelings and the desire to peacefully take over Konoha, Orochimaru would have long since persuaded Fuma to seize power through military might.
Compared to the Five Great Hidden Villages, what Fuma and Orochimaru lacked were elite jonin to serve as the backbone of their forces.
However, this problem was easily resolved. The late Third Mizukage had left behind enough resources for them to harvest, waiting to be plucked like ripe, juicy fruit…
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