Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 331 Five Elements Clone Techniques
Glug... Glug... Glug...

The scene inside Kakuzu's room was far more bizarre and terrifying than the three people outside had imagined.

The room was almost unrecognizable; the walls, ceiling, and floor were completely covered by countless black lines of varying thickness, resembling tentacles.

Although they still look terrifying, these black lines are noticeably calmer than when Wuwei first brought Kakuzu back to the base. They are merely wriggling and intertwining like blood vessels.

In the very center of the room, they wove together into five enormous black cocoons, like a heart beating powerfully.

Each black cocoon is as tall as two people. With each throbbing, the gnarled black lines on the surface of the cocoon shimmer and flicker, as if something is being conceived and stirring within it.

Otsutsuki Isshiki stood quietly in front of the five pulsating black cocoons, his face expressionless, his white eyes indifferently watching the scene before him, as if observing an interesting experiment.

puff!

A muffled thud, like cloth being forcibly torn, suddenly broke the silence!
Suddenly, a dark brown hand pierced through the surface of the black cocoon located in the center of the five black cocoons, and the tough black thread snapped.

A completely naked figure staggered out of the cocoon and stood on the ground covered with black lines, in front of Otsutsuki Isshiki.

Without a doubt, it was Kakuzu.

His body seemed to have returned to its original state, but his skin was a hard, dark brown material, just like when he used "Earth Release: Earth Spear" before, with faint black lines wriggling under his skin.

"Did you make it?"

Looking at Kakuzu in front of him, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's voice was calm and even, yet it carried a hint of barely perceptible interest.

"The native human race of this planet, although physically inferior and weak, must be admitted..."

He continued, "The energy manipulation techniques you developed based on the power of the Divine Tree, called 'Ninjutsu,' are indeed quite unique."

"Perhaps this is the wisdom of lower life forms?"

The Otsutsuki clan's approach is completely different from that of the ninja world, which utilizes complex techniques such as hand seals, nature transformation, and form transformation to create countless variations from limited chakra.

They did not develop their physical body and soul like the Sage of Six Paths.

However, the Otsutsuki clan is born with powerful bodies and energy, enabling them to traverse various planets in the universe and plant divine trees that devour all life on those planets and bear fruit.

Of course, the fruit cannot be kept to oneself; it needs to be handed over to the higher-ups of the Otsutsuki clan, who will then refine the divine tree fruit into elixirs and distribute a portion to the Otsutsuki people.

The fruit contains enormous energy and genetic material. The Otsutsuki clan members can become stronger by eating the elixir made from the fruit, until they become incomparable "gods".

To devour an entire fruit like Kaguya Otsutsuki did, especially one from a bountiful planet like the ninja world, is something even the Otsutsuki elites wouldn't do—such extravagance and waste.

Some exceptional individuals who consume large amounts of pills, such as Isshiki Otsutsuki, can unleash speed and power comparable to Might Guy when he opens the Gate of Death.

Most importantly, compared to the rule-based divine arts and Rinnegan eye techniques they awakened, Madara Uchiha's Limbo: Border Jail and Sasuke's Amenotejikara were far inferior.

It's all about forcibly altering the world's perception, observing timelines, anchoring spatial coordinates, and correcting causality...

They are essentially mechanics with maxed-out stats, which allows them to roam freely throughout the universe.

Perhaps Madara, after becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki, was not much different from them in terms of physical stats, but he was far inferior in terms of his eye technique mechanics.

Like Otsutsuki Isshiki, whose eyes are "black eyes" and whose divine arts are called "Shona Hikona" and "Daikoten".

The former, activated by visual perception, can instantly shrink any inanimate object it sees, but it cannot shrink any living entity other than itself.

Of course, it only takes a moment to return to its original size.

It's a very simple ability, but it completely disregards the rules and principles of the world.

The method to kill Pipa Juzo was to scatter black thorns shrunk to the size of cells in various places, and then instantly restore them to their original size to pierce Pipa Juzo.

The latter, Daikokuten, places objects in a time-frozen alternate dimension, and can also instantly summon objects from that dimension.

With these two abilities, combined with the Otsutsuki's innate strength, speed, and reflexes, ninjutsu is almost ineffective against him.

Because as soon as he sees you, you can instantly shrink to almost nothing.

Of course, it is "almost" ineffective, not completely ineffective.

Since it's a mechanism, it will have flaws.

Ultimately, "Shonami Higana" needs to see the target in order to shrink it, and it can only achieve its miraculous effect when combined with the abnormal physical qualities of the Otsutsuki clan.

If an ordinary person possessed this ability, it wouldn't be very effective against ninjas, because they would be killed before they could even see them.

In other words, if the strength, speed, and reaction values ​​of both parties are similar, it is possible to use ninjutsu to inflict damage on him before he can react or see it.

Just like Naruto and Sasuke in Boruto, when the two of them work together, their physical abilities are not much different from Isshiki's, but the difference in their eye techniques is too great.

It was only after Naruto activated "Heavy Particle Mode" and gained the ability to burn the enemy's life force like radiation that the gap in their mechanics was bridged, allowing him to kill Isshiki.

In other words, as long as the numerical difference is not significant, some ninjutsu can compensate for the disadvantage in terms of "mechanics" and may even pose a fatal threat.

It's highly likely that this is why Isshiki was severely injured by Kaguya.

These past few days, using Kakuzu's body for research, Isshiki has also become clearly aware of this.

Faced with some bizarre and unique ninjutsu, if there are too many ants, even he might be caught off guard and suffer a setback.

This made him put away some of his inherent arrogance.

Humanity has truly begun to take this planet seriously.

"I am..."

Kakuzu lowered his head, looking at his unharmed hands, feeling the strong yet unfamiliar heartbeat, and whispered, "I'm still alive?"

He knew better than anyone how badly he had been injured.

That was an injury that would have been fatal. Did this guy in front of me save me?
Is this the organization's base?

Who is this guy? A new member? An enemy?
Should I test the waters with words, take direct action, or simply run away?

Various thoughts churned in my mind, popping up completely out of control.

Seeing Kakuzu standing there with a flickering gaze, Isshiki said, "It seems there are still some side effects. Is it because you're overly worried and suspicious?"

"Ok?"

Upon hearing this, Kakuzu snapped back to reality, a chill running down his spine as he instantly realized how dangerous his momentary lapse in concentration had been.

How did I become so indecisive and prone to overthinking?
Could it be this guy in front of me...?

“I am the new leader of Akatsuki. You can call me Jigen or the leader. I am the one who continued your life.” Without giving Kakuzu any more chance to be suspicious, Isshiki spoke directly: “Those parasite-like black lines inside you are very interesting.”

"Although I helped you suppress their rampage, they had already overproliferated and modified your body when you were on the verge of death."

Even if you awaken, you will no longer be able to completely suppress and control them as before.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "So, I used your body to do some research, and incidentally made some minor modifications to your body."

Upon hearing this, Kakuzu's pupils contracted slightly, and a storm of emotions surged within him.

A new leader?
Where's Payne?

What happened to that guy who has the Rinnegan and calls himself a god?
And what minor modifications?
Kakuzu lowered his head, examining his newly formed body.

But this glance gave him a jolt.

The body is still filled with dense black lines of earth resentment, which have replaced the functions of blood vessels, nerves and even most internal organs, forming a complete life system.

However, unlike the unstable state in the past, these black lines are now like inanimate objects, with only one earth-attribute chakra heart remaining inside them.

There's a certain feeling about the corners.

It didn't seem like the Earth Grudge had been transplanted into his own body; rather, it was more like his brain and heart that had taken over and dominated the "Masked Monster's" body.

"This is... Payne's black rod?"

His gaze fell on his arms and torso, and he spoke instinctively.

“No,” Isshiki Otsutsuki corrected, “it’s my black rod. You’d better tell me the difference between primary and secondary.”

On the outside of Kakuzu's arms, there was a row of dark black rods neatly embedded. He had seen these rods before; they were the ones on Pain's puppets.

Kakuzu subconsciously touched the center of his chest and the temples on both sides of his head, and felt the cold, foreign objects embedded in them, obviously black rods were also inserted there.

These black rods continued to transmit chakra, and following the flow of chakra within his body, he turned his gaze to the other four pulsating black cocoons beside him.

An idea flashed uncontrollably through his mind.

These cocoons... could it be...?

His thoughts stirred, and he connected with the black cocoon within, which emanated wind-attribute chakra.

puff!

With a tearing sound, the black cocoon ripped open from the inside, splattering out a viscous black liquid, and a figure stepped out of the cocoon.

No, that can no longer be called a "person".

Several black rods were inserted into his temples and heart. His arms were wings covered with blue feathers, which were folded at his sides, and the edges of the feathers gleamed with a metallic cold light.

Its legs have transformed into the sharp claws unique to birds of prey, with four toes, three pointing forward and one backward, digging deep into the ground like steel hooks, the tips of which are so sharp they seem capable of easily tearing through steel.

Its face was covered with a white mask that was exactly the same as the "Wind Release Mask Monster" in Kakuzu's memory, except for a pair of eyes that peeked out from the eye sockets, which were vertical pupils like those of a hawk.

His entire body exuded a light and swift aura of wind-style chakra.

"What is this?" Kakuzu's expression changed slightly.

He had expected to see a controlled puppet like Payne, but the presence before him emanated a life force that...

"Alas..." The "monster" actually spoke, with an exaggerated, dramatic tone of pity, as if lamenting the misfortunes of the world.

"Did the near-death experience cause the original body's mind to become confused? How... pitiful."

Ontology? !
Kakuzu's thoughts raced like lightning, instantly catching the key information, and an incredulous look flashed in his eyes.

"You are... my wind-attribute heart? The masked monster that split off from it?"

"So sad..." The wind-attribute clone covered its face with its wings, its tone even more sorrowful, "I am not a 'monster'. Perhaps, I should give myself a name."

Kakuzu felt a chill run down his spine and abruptly turned to look at Isshiki Otsutsuki, who was standing silently to the side, his brows furrowed: "What exactly did you do to me?"

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki remained expressionless and said calmly, "You are no longer able to suppress the rampaging Earth Grudge Fear."

“I separated their power, that is, the five hearts, and placed them into five new bodies made of earth-grim black lines.”

He pointed to Kakuzu's main body and the other three black cocoons, and continued, "Thunder, fire, earth, wind, and water, each occupying one body."

"However, only your current body, which is based on earth element, retains a complete brain as the main consciousness center, but they also possess a certain degree of self-awareness."

"Now it seems that your personalities were influenced by different heart conditions, which is something I didn't expect."

"Indeed, an interesting change." Otsutsuki Isshiki's eyes flickered as he looked back and forth between Kakuzu's main body and his Wind Release clone.

After the five hearts form independently, their consciousness will naturally lean towards the emotional qualities contained in the chakra attributes they represent.

Just like the dominant emotion of Kakuzu at this moment is 'worry', weighing and doubting the current situation.

The wind-attribute clone, on the other hand, clearly displayed 'sorrow'.

They are part of Kakuzu, yet they possess distinct personalities due to their different attributes.

"..." Kakudou fell silent for a moment.

Indeed, in his perception, the eagle-like clone in front of him, just as the guy in front of him said, did not have a brain inside its body.

No, it should be said that the Earthly Grudge Black Line, with the heart as its core, simulates and twists into the shape of a brain, to a certain extent replacing the brain's functions and also influencing the clone's personality.

As the main body, he has the dominant power, able to control the four clones through the black rod, and also allows them to act on their own.

Is this... the Five Elements Clone Technique?
Kakuzu's first reaction was not disgust, nor anger, but rather...

"If I could have four clones, wouldn't I be able to take on five missions at the same time, making my earning efficiency five times higher?" he thought to himself.

Thinking of this, Kakuzu looked up at Isshiki Otsutsuki in front of him.

“I owe you my life,” he said. “And I hate owing people the most.”

"So, what do you want me to do?"

(Sorry for the two-day event. I tried to reach 10,000 subscribers, everyone was so supportive, thank you so much QAQ)

(End of this chapter)