"What a shame. They don't have Sage Art inheritance."
Kei Yamanaka couldn't help but cluck his tongue in disappointment, then nonchalantly released the Mind Transfer Puppet Jutsu on Bugaratsu Hozuki.
According to Bugaratsu's memories:
The Clam Clan wasn't as populous as Mount Myoboku or Ryuchi Cave, but their numbers still surpassed most other summoned beast clans.
Some of these clams possessed abilities rivaling those of the dazzling frogs of Mount Myoboku—clams capable of releasing special mirage vapor to create illusions and enhance genjutsu; clams with absurdly high defense that could serve as shields; clams producing ultra-strong acidic substances capable of dissolving nearly anything; even clams able to use Water Release techniques...
Their only limitations were an inability to speak, and more complex communication had to be conveyed through mirage illusions formed by their vapor emissions.
"The only drawback really is no Sage Art inheritance."
"You… You'll see… Our clan will hunt you without end… Until only one of us remains!"
Bugaratsu curled up in a corner in pain.
The agony from his shattered soul caused involuntary muscle spasms and trembling throughout his body.
His voice was raspy and strained, as if forced through gritted teeth.
"The Hozuki Clan huh? Hmph… Your Mist Village hasn't exactly been peaceful lately."
Kei waved dismissively.
The internal situation in Kirigakure was currently chaotic.
With Madara Uchiha pulling strings behind the scenes, the Bloody Mist policies continued spreading further.
The hardliners had collectively gone mad, while the conservatives were all living in fear.
The Hozuki Clan, holding significant influence yet never clearly declaring allegiance, would be caught right in the vortex of village politics with no spare capacity for outside vendettas.
And once the Third Great Ninja War kicks off?
Even if they learn he inherited Gengetsu Hozuki's legacy, the Hozuki Clan would be swept into wartime priorities alongside the rest of the village.
Then after the war ends, Kiri's internal power shifts and worsening Bloody Mist policies would immediately shift toward targeting bloodline limit families.
The Hozuki Clan would fall even before the Uchiha!
Hunting me down?
Who exactly do you expect to come after me?
Suigetsu Hozuki—the last surviving member of the Hozuki Clan—who got captured by Orochimaru to become both an experiment subject and an ornamental pet fish?
Don't drag that poor kid into this.
"You'll… regret this…"
Splash~
As his words faded, Bugaratsu's entire body collapsed like broken debris, dissolving into scattered water.
Massive amounts of chakra began dispersing outward.
Within mere seconds, all life signs vanished completely.
Clearly using Hydrification Technique to fully dissolve his body and commit suicide.
"Pfft, I'm not Hiruzen Sarutobi, damn it. What the hell do I have to feel guilty about?"
Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Kei hadn't moved at all to stop Bugaratsu's self-destruction.
Because from the very beginning, Bugaratsu's fate had already been sealed!
In the ninja world, every shinobi clan hopes to avoid having its members captured alive by enemies.
Because such capture doesn't just risk leaking sensitive village intel—it threatens to expose the clan's very foundation: secret techniques and bloodlines.
The current political situation in the ninja world was already tense.
Destroying Summoning Island could still be justified as targeting a remote site located within the Sea Country's territory. Konoha was merely eliminating an unknown, unethical, and malevolent research facility.
The Mist had little moral standing in this matter. Even if they were furious, they'd just have to swallow their pride with bloodied teeth.
But capturing an elite Jonin from the Hozuki Clan?
If Mist's leadership remained unaware it wouldn't matter, but once they learned of it, the hardliners would seize this as justification for the Hozuki Clan to retaliate against Konoha.
Such a chain reaction would likely be welcomed by no one except Danzo Shimura.
Snake-Goat-Monkey-Boar-Horse-Tiger.
[Katon: Gōka Messhitsu!]
Translation: Fire Release – Great Fireball Technique!
Kei Yamanaka formed hand seals and, using his somewhat clumsy Fire Release technique, completely evaporated the water stains on the ground.
Only after ensuring Hozuki Bugaratsu had been reduced to nothing—not even ashes—did he finally turn and leave the laboratory.
Inside the vast research facility,
The more than ten researchers who had previously been locked up were now nervously dismantling and packing all the equipment inside.
Three shadow clones of Minato Namikaze stood guard at the front and rear exits of the facility.
One of them supervised workers in the hallway.
"Finished?"
This Minato shadow clone spoke up when he saw Kei emerge.
"He took his own life before we could get any answers."
Kei stressed the word 'suicide' with clear emphasis.
"I understand."
The Minato clone showed a knowing expression.
After all, he'd served as a ninja for many years—he could piece things together on his own.
But in life, especially when dealing with comrades from Konoha, he simply preferred not to assume ill intent from others.
"All the summoned beasts have been sent back. What about your original body?"
"Yeah, uh... Actually…"
"Why are you hesitating? Find a quiet corner to fool around?"
"Huh? No! Kei, don't tease me like that. I just went home with her to organize some documents. Seriously."
[Beep~ Detected substantial deviation in a major character's destiny path. World line progression has shifted. Acquired: Keyword Copy opportunity x1, Keyword Detach opportunity x1, Blue Keyword Upgrade opportunity x1, Keyword Downgrade opportunity x1, Keyword Gift Opportunity x1.]
A sudden system notification rang through Kei Yamanaka's mind.
Another appearance of the Keyword Copy chance, along with rare system functions he'd never seen before, all confirmed one undeniable truth—
Minato Namikaze was truly the chosen prodigy of this era!
This reward package was utterly outrageous!
Yet looking at the earnest expression on Minato's face right now,
Kei suddenly realized that honest men could be dangerously persuasive when lying!
(Shock Wave)!
(Japanese emoticon representing shock or frustration)
That sincere expression...
He almost believed this guy actually went over just to help Honoka Uzumaki sort through documents!
Sort through documents? Sort through documents?!
If he weren't restricted from mentioning the system, he'd love to shove the system alert directly into Minato's face and demand an explanation—whose documents were sorted so thoroughly that an entire destiny path was rewritten?!
There's no way something didn't happen between them!
If that wasn't the case, he'd turn his name completely upside down and start calling himself Anejimak Y!
"Minato, don't sound so certain, or your real self might end up embarrassed," said Kei Yamanaka, patting the shadow clone's shoulder with a meaningful look, keeping the system reward in mind.
Sighing deeply, Minato Namikaze's shadow clone looked heartbroken and helpless. "Kei, how can I convince you to believe me?"
After all, who knows you better than yourself?
"If you can have your main body appear beside me within three seconds, I'll believe what you say."
"Fine!"
Poof!
Minato Namikaze's shadow clone left behind a Flying Thunder God Mark on the wall before vanishing into thin air in a puff of chakra smoke.
Once the shadow clone dispersed, its memories would return to the original—assuming, of course, that nothing actually happened.
Given Minato's personality, he wouldn't have waited even three seconds—just one would've been enough for him to show up beside Kei Yamanaka.
Too bad.
Almost a minute had passed, and still, no one showed up.
"Why do I feel like I'm disappointed?"
Kei Yamanaka stared at the Flying Thunder God Mark, which had remained inactive far too long, his expression flickering between emotions.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>