Returning to his room, Mahito glanced at the large caterpillar sprawled lifelessly in the flowerpot by the window.
He gently prodded it with a finger, causing it to lazily roll over, exposing its belly and twitching slightly as if stretching, before lying motionless again.
This caterpillar was an extra bonus from when Mahito's aptitude upgraded from white to blue. Along with it came some basic knowledge of "Kido".
Of course, this "Kido" knowledge was of no practical use in this world.
He couldn't expect to wield "Kido" and suddenly create a completely different system that rivaled ninjutsu.
But that didn't mean the knowledge was entirely useless either. At the very least, it served as a reference—concepts that could be reworked and integrated into the ninjutsu system.
Take the "Shadow Coffin" for instance. It was a modified version of "Kurohitsugi", transformed into a "Yin Release"-based ninjutsu.
If not for the Nara clan's expertise in using "Yin Release' to manipulate shadows, backed by countless "Yin" techniques and knowledge passed down through generations, Mahito's ideas would have remained nothing but fleeting illusions.
His father, Nara Shikaji, had also provided unwavering support, crucial for bringing these ideas to fruition.
As for the seemingly ordinary, lazy caterpillar—Mahito saw a status screen appear in his mind the moment he touched it:
[Name: Unknown Larva]
[Quality: White (+)]
[Traits: Unremarkable. Its sole redeeming feature is its immense vitality and adaptability, making it highly modifiable]
[Skills: Crawling, Eating, Silk-Spinning]
[Evaluation]: Its potential depends entirely on one skill and feeding of its caretaker]
[Note: Right now, it's a worthless bug with zero combat capabilities]
Its status was laughable, and its battle prowess non-existent. Even compared to a regular bird, this caterpillar was utterly useless.
If not for its intriguing traits, it would've been nothing more than a joke of a summoned creature.
After days of deliberation, Mahito had finally decided how to raise the larva in its early stages.
If this bug was like a piece of hardware that could constantly evolve with resource input, then Mahito's job was to determine its configuration and write the operating system and software for it.
His reference? The biological zanpakuto of "Mayuri Kurotsuchi", Ashisogi Jizo. While it might not be powerful, it was certainly sneaky and deadly enough to catch enemies off guard.
First, Mahito planned to request help from the Akimichi clan to provide a foundation. Their "Yang Release" techniques, in his mind, could solve the issue of the larva's future size.
Of course, this would only be the first step. Raising it to meet Mahito's ideal expectations would require overcoming numerous obstacles, some too complex for him to handle alone in the short term.
As for whether the Akimichi clan would assist, Mahito had no doubts.
His personal request might be rejected, but a request from the Nara clan? Considering the close bond between the "Ino-Shika-Cho" clans, it was unlikely the Akimichi would refuse.
After all, all Mahito was asking was for them to help raise a special larva using the same methods they used to raise their own children.
Having cooperated for centuries, the clans were intimately familiar with each other's training systems and secret techniques.
Secret techniques differed from "Kekkei Genkai", they were the result of extensive experimentation and refinement, capitalizing on a clan's unique physical or spiritual traits.
If you didn't possess those traits and the training methods, even if you stole the techniques, you wouldn't be able to use them effectively.
The Nara clan's shadow techniques, the Yamanaka clan's mind techniques, and the Akimichi clan's body techniques were all the result of lifelong, gradual nurturing and conditioning.
The real core of a clan's legacy wasn't the outward techniques—it was the training methods and resource allocation.
Mahito moved the flowerpot from the window to his bedside, ensuring that the bug wouldn't be snatched away by a bird by morning. Only then did he pull the blanket over himself and close his eyes.
............
At the Ninja Academy, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was giving a speech from the podium.
Mahito sat lazily in his seat, his eyes half-lidded as he scanned the crowd. He recognized quite a few familiar outfits and faces.
The Uchiha and Hyuga clans were naturally represented.
In the front row sat a boy with silver hair and a mask, while another child in a green jumpsuit and thick eyebrows was furiously doing push-ups in the aisle, almost creating afterimages with his speed.
In the corner was a lonely boy with sunglasses, wrapped head-to-toe in an oversized cloak, seemingly ignored by everyone around him.
This class was a gathering of children from various clans.
Mahito couldn't help but feel a surge of desire welling up inside him, an impulse born from his innate "Mayuri Kurotsuchi"-like curiosity.
These children, each with their unique bloodlines and abilities, were perfect research subjects. He had a burning urge to draw their blood, or better yet, dissect them for further study.
Shaking his head, Mahito banished these dangerous thoughts. Acting on them would certainly provoke a backlash from the entire village.
He wasn't strong enough to handle the consequences—he wasn't even qualified to become a rogue ninja at this stage.
"Wherever there are leaves flying, fire will burn. The fire's shadow will shine upon the village, and new leaves will sprout," the Third Hokage finished his speech.
While many students were fired up by the speech, eager to prove themselves, Mahito remained lazily slumped in his seat.
He and others, like the ever-stoic members of the Aburame clan, seemed out of place amid the excitement.
But that wasn't a problem. Unlike other reincarnated individuals who either had civilian status or awkward affiliations like the Uchiha and Hyuga, Mahito had no need to ingratiate himself or go out of his way to earn favor.
The "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio were naturally allied with the Sarutobi clan.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Mahito's disinterest, he would only chuckle to himself.
The Nara clan had always been known for their laziness, just as the Akimichi clan was known for constantly eating, the Aburame for their low-key presence, and the Uchiha and Hyuga for their arrogance. These traits were already deeply ingrained.