Chapter 20: Codename "Bone"
At the same time, Yagura in the rear had also prepared his ninjutsu.
"Wind Release: Typhoon Passage!"
Yagura also used Wind Release. The two gusts of wind, filled with their respective Chakras, collided with a bang.
"Water Release: Water Clone Technique!"
Seeing his ninjutsu blocked, Kazama formed hand seals and summoned a water clone. Kazama's main body quickly rushed towards Yagura, while the water clone blocked Kiyoshi.
The naive Kazama knew nothing about Kiyoshi's strength and abilities, thinking Kiyoshi was just an ordinary Anbu rookie. He foolishly attempted to fight Kiyoshi with a water clone that possessed only one-tenth of his power.
"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Camellia!"
Accustomed to using Shikotsumyaku as a weapon in combat, Kiyoshi did not use the ninja sword he carried on his back. Instead, he drew bone blades from his arms, stepping with profound footwork as he attacked Kazama's water clone.
On the other side, Yagura faced Kazama directly. Although Kazama was not currently using his full strength, the huge gap in power between a Jōnin and a Chūnin still allowed Yagura to be easily suppressed.
"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"
Barely managing to hold on, Yagura had no choice but to use almost all of his Chakra to create a mirror made of water. An identical copy of Kazama appeared in the mirror and then quickly rushed out, engaging Kazama's water clone.
Yagura, exhausted, supported himself with his hands on the ground, panting heavily. The Water Mirror Technique was an A-rank Water Release ninjutsu that his clan had rewarded him with when he was promoted to Chūnin. As a Chūnin, using it directly depleted his combat power.
Seeing Yagura use the Water Mirror Technique, which could replicate the enemy to counterattack, Kazama nodded secretly, already acknowledging that Yagura could become a member of his squad.
Just as Kazama was about to burst forth with Chakra to crush the Water Mirror Technique, he suddenly felt his water clone be instantly destroyed.
Looking back, Kazama only saw scattered water droplets in the air and Kiyoshi holding snow-white bone blades with an indifferent expression.
"Shikotsumyaku?" Kazama asked with a puzzled expression.
As the squad leader of the Anbu, he knew that there were no members of the Kaguya clan currently serving in the village. How could they, who had already fallen out with the village, send such a young member to join the Anbu?
"It's not just the Kaguya clan that possesses the Shikotsumyaku," Kiyoshi said, knowing what Kazama wanted to ask. He had no desire to admit that he was from the Kaguya clan.
"Alright, no need to continue. Welcome to the Sixth Squad of the First Division of the Anbu." Thinking that he might have been set up by someone, Kazama, who clearly knew the combat power of the Shikotsumyaku, said somewhat unhappily.
"Be at the First Training Ground of the Anbu Main Base at seven o'clock sharp tomorrow morning. By the way, go back and think about your Anbu codenames. If you think it's necessary to use codenames." Kazama finished speaking and left in a hurry.
At the same time, in the Anbu Commander's office, Commander Ken and Kiri, the division leader of the First Division, were watching this scene using the monitoring equipment installed in the training ground.
"Still couldn't see Kazama get a good beating from this little guy! Don't blame me for not telling him the little guy's details, after all, Elder Seiji arranged it," Kiri sighed.
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The next morning, Kiyoshi had breakfast with Elder Seiji at home and then dressed neatly to go to the Anbu Main Base.
First Training Ground, the four members of the Sixth Squad gathered here.
"Let's introduce ourselves first. From now on, we'll be comrades in the same squad. I'll start first!" Kazama said.
"I am Imai Genji, the squad leader of the Sixth Squad under the First Division of the Anbu. My codename is Kazama (Wind), I am a Jōnin, and I specialize in Water Release and Wind Release." Kazama took off his mask, revealing a middle-aged man's face.
"I am Karatachi Yagura, codenamed Kagami (Mirror), a Chūnin. I specialize in Water Release and have some sensory abilities. I can use the secret ninjutsu inherited by my clan, Water Release: Water Mirror Technique," Yagura introduced himself next.
"Hōzuki Senno, codenamed Hana (Flower), an Elite Chūnin. I specialize in Water Release medical ninjutsu." Senno slowly took off her mask while introducing herself, revealing a delicate and beautiful face like a blooming flower.
After the three finished their introductions, they all turned their gazes to Kiyoshi, who had not yet spoken.
"Kiyoshi Otsutsuki, codenamed Kotsu (Bone), a Jōnin. I specialize in Taijutsu, possess the Kekkei Genkai Shikotsumyaku, and also have sensory abilities," Kiyoshi slightly withheld some of his abilities while taking off his mask, revealing his handsome yet somewhat eerie face.
Hearing Kiyoshi's words, Kazama gasped. He once again rejoiced that he had decisively agreed to Yagura and Kiyoshi joining the squad yesterday after seeing Kiyoshi use the Shikotsumyaku. Otherwise, he would have truly become a laughingstock and received a beating out of nowhere.
A hint of shock flashed in the beautiful eyes of Hōzuki Senno on the side. Coming from the Hōzuki clan, she had seen many geniuses, but this was the first time she had seen a genius to the extent of Kiyoshi.
"Very good, then our Sixth Squad is considered full today," Kazama said, regaining his senses.
"Hana, you have free training today. Kagami and Kotsu, come with me. I'll first familiarize you with the main base and then teach you the Anbu regulations. We will officially start missions tomorrow!"
"Yes!" the group replied in unison.
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Land of Frost, Mountain Graveyard, Madara Uchiha's underground base.
Having awakened the Rinnegan and summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the husk of Kaguya's Ten-Tails, Madara's life was extended. Furthermore, Madara's eyes, which had lost their light due to the use of Izanagi, also recovered with the awakening of the Rinnegan.
Inside the base, Madara stood up with difficulty, looking at the location on the Demonic Statue where Hashirama's cells had been injected. An upper body that was exactly the same as Hashirama Senju's had gradually grown. He muttered to himself, "Hashirama, watch. I will prove that I am right!"
Black Zetsu, who had been hiding in the dark for a long time, saw that the time was almost ripe. After several months of cultivation, the number of Hashirama's cells had become very large.
So, Black Zetsu secretly communicated with some White Zetsu who had been asleep inside the Demonic Statue since the ancient times when Kaguya planted the God Tree for the second time and used the Infinite Tsukuyomi. He ordered them to fuse with the Hashirama cells being cultivated on the Demonic Statue, so that the White Zetsu could appear reasonably, taking advantage of Madara Uchiha's opportunity to cultivate Hashirama's cells.