Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 5: The Four Kage's Ultimate Techniques

Even as enemies, the five Kage standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world couldn't help but admire the extraordinary talent of Hagoromo Gengetsu, who was undeniably the strongest of the Hagoromo clan in a millennium.

As the person in question, Hagoromo Gengetsu wasn't entirely satisfied.

The essence of ninjutsu is the transformation of chakra's seven basic attributes: fire, wind, earth, water, lightning, yin, and yang.

From the beginning, Hagoromo Gengetsu's goal was clear.

It wasn't just to master the bloodline limits but to take it a step further and obtain the power of the "Bloodline Encompassing."

The Bloodline Encompassing is the fusion of all seven chakra nature transformations, surpassing both bloodline limits and bloodline selections.

An existence at the Six Paths level doesn't necessarily possess the Bloodline Encompassing, but those who have it are surely at the Six Paths level and among the elite.

Both Otsutsuki Kaguya and Otsutsuki Hagoromo possessed the Bloodline Encompassing.

As a ninja, Hagoromo Gengetsu naturally aimed to become a Six Paths-level being.

Not only would this allow him to dominate the ninja world, but it also meant eternal life.

Having lived through one life already, he didn't want to be buried after just a century.

However, although the Hagoromo clan has a long history and can be traced back to the Sage of Six Paths, like the Senju and Uchiha clans, their bloodline had long since waned. Achieving Six Paths-level through bloodline advantage alone was impossible.

As for the alternative method, becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki to achieve Six Paths-level status, Hagoromo Gengetsu had avoided it after witnessing Otsutsuki Kaguya's fate of merging with the Ten-Tails and becoming a monstrous entity.

Other than these two routes, the only way left was to thoroughly research the Bloodline Encompassing by mastering the seven chakra nature transformations and perfectly integrating them.

Among ninjas, there are those who have mastered all seven chakra nature transformations, such as Kakashi Hatake.

However, no one has ever fully understood and perfectly fused all seven chakra nature transformations.

Since his reincarnation, Hagoromo Gengetsu, known as a "model child" due to his outstanding ninja talent, had smoothly achieved mastery in chakra.

In a short period, he had unlocked all seven chakra nature transformations.

Yet, delving deeper and perfectly integrating these seven transformations proved extremely challenging, even for someone as talented as him.

Although he hadn't completed the Bloodline Encompassing, he had developed numerous abilities by combining bloodline limits, which only required two chakra nature transformations instead of seven.

This led to his current reputation as a being comparable to a deity.

"Unfortunately, I'm still not a true deity. Even the current god of the ninja world doesn't quite measure up."

On the tumultuous surface of the water, Hagoromo Gengetsu watched the Four Kage using their techniques to counter his Ice Release, shaking his head in regret.

He needed more time, but it appeared he didn't have enough.

"Perhaps I should prepare an escape plan."

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at the distant battlefield, briefly observing a conspicuous white-haired figure, and quickly shifted his gaze away before being noticed.

[Please complete the beginner mission as soon as possible.]

The cold reminder from the system echoed in his mind.

"Useless system!"

Habitually cursing at the malfunctioning system, Hagoromo Gengetsu refocused on the battlefield.

The Four Kage had begun their counterattack, unleashing a dazzling array of jutsu far beyond what ordinary ninjas could perform.

"You stubborn old geezers, why don't you just die already!"

Hagoromo Gengetsu shook his head and formed hand seals again:

"Ice Release: One-Horned White Whale!"

A deep, resonant roar echoed through the sky.

Before the astonished eyes of the Four Kage, an enormous ice whale leaped from the water, causing massive waves and descending with a cataclysmic force.

The next moment.

Boom!!!

The earth shook.

A powerful, tangible shockwave carrying water and debris swept rapidly in all directions.

As Hagoromo Gengetsu waved his hand to dispel the incoming shockwave, he furrowed his brow.

As the smoke cleared, he saw that on the most devastated land, Ishikawa, wearing the Tsuchikage's ceremonial robe, was using strength far beyond his size to hold up the enormous ice whale descending from the sky.

"Earth Release: Super Light-Heavy Rock Technique!"

Facing the natural disaster with his own strength, Ishikawa, once small, now appeared enormous, and with a tight grip and an effort to straighten his body, he visibly lifted the ice whale higher.

"Take this back!"

Ishikawa suddenly threw the ice whale with a dramatic arc back at Hagoromo Gengetsu, its original master.

"Stubborn, foul rock."

Hagoromo Gengetsu shifted his gaze from Ishikawa to the thrown ice whale and formed seals once more. The ice whale disintegrated into a vast expanse of water, which he intended to use to block the incoming A and Reto.

However, just as he was about to give instructions, an external chakra suddenly intervened, contesting his control over the water.

"Byakuren!"

Hagoromo Gengetsu uttered the name.

Taking advantage of the opening, A and Reto charged directly towards him.

"Here we go again!"

With chakra comparable to a Tailed Beast exploding, A, surrounded by a greater amount of chakra, moved at high speed, clenching his fist and delivering a powerful blow to Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Hagoromo Gengetsu did not retreat but used Steel Release. His right fist, as black as forged steel, met the attack head-on.

Clang!

The loud clash of metal rang out.

A's physique, equally monstrous and unyielding, only took a step back, unharmed.

Hagoromo Gengetsu was also pushed back a few steps.

As he prepared to counterattack, a strange wind suddenly appeared at his side.

Before Hagoromo Gengetsu could fully assess it, a sharply honed blade, carrying a razor-sharp wind chakra, darted directly at his eyes.

Steel Release could cover his entire body but not protect his eyes.

It was Reto, wielding his sword with razor-sharp wind chakra, making a thrust.

And it wasn't over.

The large hands that had previously held up the ice whale now extended from beneath Hagoromo Gengetsu, gripping his legs and immobilizing him.

Meanwhile, Byakuren, having appeared beside Hagoromo Gengetsu at some point, began to rapidly form a water prison jutsu at the Water Kage level.

Even if Hagoromo Gengetsu could fend off Reto's attack, he couldn't escape the prison specially prepared for him.

Everything happened too quickly.

In the blink of an eye, the Four Kage, working in perfect harmony, delivered their ultimate techniques to Hagoromo Gengetsu.