Gurgle... gurgle...
As the potion was injected into Neji's shoulder, the muscles there began to bulge and quiver!
His muscles twitched violently! A look of pain spread across Neji's face.
It hurt. It hurt so much!
Genya noticed that the whirlpool cells inside Neji seemed unusually active. However, with his remarkable endurance, Neji forced himself not to cry out in pain.
But judging by his distorted expression, it was clear he was in agony.
Genya frowned. Using the power of his Dual Pupil, he observed that the cells in Neji's body were still merging properly. The reaction was just intense, and the speed of the fusion was comparable to the legendary Hashirama Senju's!
Hikari leaned in to take a closer look.
"This is within the normal range of fusion," she said. "But at this rate, it will take about three months. During these three months, you'll have to endure this pain continuously."
"Continuously?" Neji frowned, but his expression soon grew resolute.
"Don't worry," he said firmly. "I'll endure it!"
Everything—
Everything was for his dream, for becoming stronger!
"If you can persevere, it will be a complete transformation," Genya reassured him with a nod of approval.
Neji gave a solemn nod in return.
"Remember," Genya added, "you must not tell anyone about what happened today!"
Neji's eyes gleamed with determination. He nodded again.
"I swear, I won't breathe a word of it!"
Satisfied, Genya left.
He had his own training to attend to—mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Spirit Transformation Technique. If possible, he wanted to learn the Flying Thunder God Seal as quickly as he could.
Time passed bit by bit.
Genya's practice with the Flying Thunder God Seal grew increasingly refined.
A month later, he reached the point where he could successfully imprint the Flying Thunder God Seal once in about a hundred attempts.
This was a significant improvement—before, it had taken him at least ten thousand attempts to succeed even once! This progress required absolute mastery of both spiritual energy and chakra control.
Now…
His success rate was much higher!
Over the past few days, Genya secretly engraved the Flying Thunder God Seal in several locations around the outskirts of Konoha.
These spots were carefully chosen and extremely well-hidden. He even placed one beneath the waterfall where Shisui had once leapt from the cliff.
The kunai at his waist were also inscribed with small Flying Thunder God markings.
The first step was almost complete!
The second step…
Was to comprehend the power of space!
The concept of space was vast. He was already within space itself, but to distort it, to manipulate it, and to perform spatial jumps was an almost impossible feat!
Although the Flying Thunder God technique explained how to open space and execute spatial jumps, it was still immensely challenging.
Each time he trained, he would try to sense the power of space and detect the slightest ripples around him.
But locking onto the Flying Thunder God markings he had left behind in space? That was an incredibly difficult task.
Space.
Jumping through it.
No wonder it was one of the most difficult jutsu to master. The act of controlling space was unimaginably hard!
If not for his ability to perceive faint fluctuations in the spatial field, he would have given up on mastering the Flying Thunder God technique entirely.
Thankfully, it was feasible. As long as he continued to train diligently, there was still a chance for him to succeed in mastering this jutsu!
With that thought in mind, Genya returned to his training with renewed determination.
In the Uchiha Clan's territory.
"Clan leader, what is the reason you've summoned us today?"
A group of over ten people had gathered here. Each one was an elite Jonin of the Uchiha clan. At the highest point of the gathering stood several elders, their expressions grim.
"The Sarutobi clan has gone too far," Fugaku said firmly from atop the platform. Behind him stood Itachi, listening quietly as his father spoke with conviction.
"I need your support for what comes next."
"We've all been aware of this situation for a while, clan leader," one of them said, his eyes flashing with anticipation. "Give us your command! Should we take action now?"
The others nodded in agreement. They had been waiting for this moment, their eagerness clear in their eyes.
"It's not the right time yet!" Fugaku Uchiha shook his head but still explained, "The Sarutobi clan has just faced upheaval, and the village is on high alert. This is not the moment to act!"
Everyone remained silent, listening intently to Fugaku.
"This time, I've convinced several elders. They will join us in the coup!" Fugaku's eyes gleamed with determination. "Our coup will definitely succeed!"
"It will succeed!" the others echoed in agreement.
"Clan leader, should we inform Uchiha Kinya about this?" someone suggested, looking at Fugaku. "After all, a large portion of our clan's fighting strength is tied to his Merchant Association."
Hearing this, Itachi Uchiha frowned slightly. If Kinya's Merchant Association got involved in the coup, it could cause even more trouble for the village.
"No need!" Fugaku decisively shook his head and looked at the person who had spoken. "Kinya is just a merchant. Besides, those who defected to him can't be trusted. They're fickle and unreliable—unsuitable for our plans!"
At the mention of Uchiha Kinya, Fugaku's expression darkened.
The fact that a significant number of Uchiha clan members had joined the Merchant Association made him feel as if his leadership was merely symbolic. His frustration and anger were still evident.
Indeed, it felt as though the Merchant Association had become the true heart of the Uchiha clan.
"But... if we want the coup to succeed, we need top-tier strength," another person hesitated, voicing their concern.
To execute a coup, they needed not only to overthrow Konoha's leadership but also to intimidate the entire village.
"You're saying we need top-tier strength? Those in the Merchant Association are nothing but a rabble!" Fugaku sneered coldly, his eyes flashing with sharp intensity. "As for top-tier strength—I am enough!"
As he spoke, the tomoe in Fugaku's Sharingan began to spin, transforming into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Upon seeing the Mangekyō, everyone present was filled with awe and respect.
As expected of the clan leader, the Mangekyō Sharingan is truly the pinnacle of the Uchiha clan's strength!
With the Mangekyō, one possesses power at the level of a Kage!
Fugaku swept his gaze over the crowd. Only then did he speak, "It's not just me. I will also convince Shisui to join our side. And with my genius son, Itachi, the three of us will become the strongest force of the Uchiha clan!"
Fugaku's words were bold and stirring, igniting the spirits of his audience.
The Uchiha, suppressed by the village for so long, finally began to release their pent-up frustration. One by one, they nodded in agreement with Fugaku's declaration.
A coup d'état,
It couldn't be delayed any longer!
Otherwise,
There would be no place left for the Uchiha clan in Konoha.
In the background, Uchiha Itachi silently observed everything before him.
His expression was cold, and his usually stern face grew even darker.
These people…
Why must they insist on starting a coup?
"The clan leader's decision is correct," someone said.
"We are willing to follow the clan leader," another agreed.
"We will await the clan leader's orders at any time," the group echoed.
Even a few of the elders, though hesitant at first, finally nodded in agreement.
This time,
They had truly unified their thoughts.
A coup d'état.
They believed this was the only way to change the fate of the Uchiha clan.
"Next, we will assign tasks," Fugaku said, his voice steady and commanding.
The preparations were nearly complete. The fateful night of the clan's destruction was drawing closer.
****
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