Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

The ground beneath Genzuki's feet cracked and collapsed.

In the next instant, his figure vanished like a ghost, reappearing behind Hozuki Mangetsu.

"Hiramekarei… Release!"

Mangetsu's expression was filled with caution. He knew how dangerous Genzuki was, having just seen him defeat Sasori—a foe even Mangetsu considered formidable.

So, as soon as Genzuki approached, Mangetsu activated his full power without hesitation.

But before he could attack, his twin swords were pushed back by a blade crackling with white lightning.

"Chidori Stream!"

Genzuki's Kusanagi sword was infused with lightning chakra, emitting a crackle and sizzle.

Even against the powerful Hiramekarei, Genzuki's sword didn't falter. Moreover, his lightning chakra naturally countered the Hozuki clan's Hydrification Technique.

"If you move even a little, you'll lose consciousness immediately."

Seeing no other option, Mangetsu dropped his weapon and raised his hands in surrender.

"Outmatched… Do as you will," Mangetsu said coldly.

"Hozuki Mangetsu, I won't waste words. You have two choices—death or work for me," Genzuki said.

"Work for you? I tried to kill you once. Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?" Mangetsu asked, raising an eyebrow.

Genzuki chuckled. "Your brother said the same thing when I defeated him."

Mangetsu's eyes narrowed. "What did you do to him?"

Surprised for a moment, Genzuki smiled. "So, you do care about him?"

Lowering his head, Mangetsu muttered, "I just don't want him dead. The Hozuki clan can't be left without an heir."

Genzuki sheathed his Kusanagi sword and patted Mangetsu's shoulder.

"Relax. Your brother is fine. He's on his way to a place called Charcoal Shinobi Village. If you leave now, you might catch up with him."

Mangetsu's eyes lit up with a rare hint of joy.

"Why are you helping me?" Mangetsu asked.

"You misunderstand. You're not going anywhere until you agree to join my organization," Genzuki replied.

After a moment of hesitation, Mangetsu gritted his teeth and said, "Fine. I'll join you. What do you want me to do?"

He expected Genzuki to send him on a suicide mission, but to his surprise, Genzuki simply shook his head.

"Find your brother and stand by for further orders. I'll contact you when I have a task for you."

Mangetsu blinked in disbelief. "You're really not asking for anything else?"

Genzuki smiled and nodded.

"You're not afraid I'll just run away?" Mangetsu asked again.

"Under the Phantom's name, I don't think you will," Sasori said in his usual hoarse voice, having returned to his Hiruko puppet form.

Genzuki wasn't building a tyrannical organization like the Akatsuki, relying solely on power to force submission.

"The Moon Organization I'm creating will follow the will of the heavens and change the current ninja world."

"Anyone with conflicting ideals will be killed without hesitation. But those who follow me will be treated as friends."

"Go now, Hozuki Mangetsu. But remember, your leave is temporary. Once I've dealt with Iwagakure, you'll have your next mission."

Hearing these words, Mangetsu felt a deep admiration for Genzuki.

As a sign of trust, he handed over the summoning scrolls for four of the Seven Ninja Swords: Blunt Sword: Kabutowari, Explosive Sword: Shibuki, Twin Swords: Hiramekarei, and Long Sword: Nuibari.

"Here. These blades are as precious as my life. Take them as a gesture of my sincerity."

Genzuki hadn't expected this, but since Mangetsu offered, he accepted without hesitation.

"Keep Hiramekarei. You'll need something for self-defense at Charcoal Shinobi Village," Genzuki said.

Mangetsu nodded, storing the scrolls and leaving to find his brother, Suigetsu.

In doing so, Genzuki knew he had already altered Mangetsu's fate, preventing his untimely death.

"Sasori, if you stay with the Akatsuki, you'll die sooner or later," Genzuki said suddenly.

"What do you mean?" Sasori asked.

"I can't say too much," Genzuki replied. "But your mission is simple: remain undercover in the Akatsuki and report to me regularly."

"I need to track the movements of the other Akatsuki members and adjust my strategies accordingly."

Sasori chuckled. "You want me to be a spy? Not a bad idea… I'll meet you at Tenchi Bridge on the third weekend of every month."

"And tell them you've killed Genzuki," Genzuki added. "From now on, I'll act in the ninja world under the name Phantom, leader of the Moon Organization."

"Understood. But talk is cheap. I'm not sure Pain will believe me," Sasori said.

Genzuki thought for a moment before untying the Kusanagi sword from his waist and tossing it to Sasori.

"This sword is unique—there are only two in the world. One belongs to Orochimaru, and the other is mine. Take it, and they'll believe you."

Sasori caught the sword, nodded, and vanished into the shadows.

Genzuki trusted Sasori's integrity. With the promise of meeting Chiyo and his parents' puppets, Sasori wouldn't betray him.

But if he did, Genzuki wouldn't hesitate to destroy Sasori's artificial heart the next time they met.

"Yagura, let's go… to Iwagakure."

Although they hadn't yet retrieved Samehada, tracking down Kisame Hoshigaki wasn't easy.

With Yagura by his side, Genzuki essentially controlled Kirigakure.

The Land of Water, being an island nation, would change drastically, though the outside world wouldn't realize it immediately.

By freeing Yagura from Obito's genjutsu earlier than in the original timeline, Kirigakure's development would be far more rapid.

In the future, the village's strength would become a powerful asset.

Genzuki summoned a massive clay bird, and he and Yagura flew swiftly toward Iwagakure.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, was getting old, and his control over the village was weakening.

The local daimyōs had even begun acting behind his back. It was time for Genzuki to help Ōnoki clean house.

"I've accumulated enough reputation points. Time to check out some artifacts."

He had over 200,000 reputation points—enough to purchase the Flying Thunder God Kunai.

『Ding! Purchase successful. You've acquired the Flying Thunder God Technique!』

Genzuki's eyes widened in surprise. I can actually learn the Flying Thunder God? This is insane.

"Let's buy another one… the Gunbai!"

『Ding! Purchase successful. You've acquired the Visual Prowess Clone.』

『The Visual Prowess Clone has evolved to Kage-level, granting Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and Byakugan! You now have access to all Mangekyō Sharingan-related jutsu!』

A series of system notifications made Genzuki almost giddy with excitement.

"So, all these points have paid off in the best way possible?"

"Now I really am invincible. Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and Flying Thunder God…" Genzuki smirked.

With these abilities, he felt confident enough to take on an entire nation by himself.

"Let's go. Time to teach Iwagakure a lesson!"