The battlefield was still smoking.
Charred craters, broken trees and unconscious bodies lay strewn across the ravine. Konoha shinobi worked silently pulling allies from debris also tending to the wounded and relaying urgent reports back to command.
Raizen stood at the back near the commander tent arms crossed. His clothing was torn and singed. Though his monstrous form had faded the pressure left behind from the transformation still lingered in the air.
Beside him Mighty Fist sat on a log wrapping a fresh bandage around his forearm.
Might Fist: "We're gonna be called freaks after this."
Raizen: "They already call us that."
Might Fist: "Yeah, but now it'll come with respect."
A brief silence settled between them. One earned through survival.
A sudden ripple in space broke the calm.
Flying Thunder God.
In a flash Tobirama Senju appeared before them flanked by a group of elite shinobi. His eyes scanned the battlefield once before settling on Raizen.
Tobirama: "I heard… rumors. I came to see the monster for myself."
Raizen didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and activated his Fish-Fish Devil Fruit transformation.
His body morphed. Arms and legs became scaled dragon limbs and a powerful tail unfurled behind him also two horns emerged from his forehead. His slitted dragon eyes glowed fiercely. A surge of wind blew through the trees from the sheer pressure of his presence.
Around them, even battle hardened shinobi tensed.
Raizen: "This is what I've become Maybe it's a mutation. Maybe it's something older. I call it the Beast Bloodline Limit."
Tobirama's gaze narrowed. The transformation ended, and Raizen stumbled slightly as he returned to normal. Might Fist caught his arm.
Raizen reached into his pouch and handed over a sealed scroll.
Raizen: "These are techniques I've refined. Soru, Shigan and Tekken. I'm dedicating them to Konoha."
Tobirama opened the scroll, scanning the neatly written instructions and chakra adjusted diagrams.
Raizen: "The other three Geppo, Kami-e, and Rankyaku. I'll only teach to those I trust."
More shinobi arrived, including Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo and several Senju and clan elders. Their silence spoke volumes. They had all witnessed Raizen's power.
Hiruzen: "This… isn't just power. You're becoming a force like the First Hokage."
Raizen didn't smile. He looked to the tree roots erupting from the cracked earth around them, life responding unconsciously to his chakra.
Raizen: "I'm not trying to replace him. Just trying to protect the village… my way."
Tobirama gave the faintest nod of approval.
Tobirama: "Then do it well. And don't let power cloud your judgment. Konoha will need more than just strength in the days ahead."
[Almighty System - Online]
Daily Task Progress: Next task unlock after 1000 days
Push ups: 600/700 Squats: 600/700 Run: 6/10km
Time Remaining: 6 hours
Progress: Day 755/1000
Kaido Template Progress: 60%
Beast Body (Enhanced) Armament Haki (Mid) Observation Haki (Mid) Conqueror's Haki (Mid)
Fish-Fish Fruit (Mid)
Wood Release – 45% (Inherited)