Shinigami in the Ninja World

"Is 'Ashura' a Kekkei Genkai?"

Naruto had initially thought so.

The Uzumaki clan was known for their powerful life force and vitality. As a descendant of 'Ashura,' it seemed logical that awakening some ancestral power could grant him access to unique energy that amplified his abilities. It made sense, even if occurrences like this were extremely rare and unrecorded in Uzumaki clan history.

But then, it turned out that Hashirama Senju had it too.

Kekkei Genkai generally fall into two categories.

One is relatively conventional, involving a type of chakra with a unique attribute, like 'Lava Release' or 'Storm Release.' These can be inherited through bloodlines, but they can also be mastered by exceptionally talented individuals who learn to combine and transform two types of chakra.

The other type involves special abilities, such as the 'Sharingan,' 'Byakugan,' or 'Shikotsumyaku.' These Kekkei Genkai have strong familial traits and can only be wielded by those with the specific bloodline.

'Ashura' seemed more like the latter.

But if that were the case, why did two different bloodlines with distinct surnames both have access to the same power?

The key issue was that in Hashirama's flesh, Naruto could only detect traces of 'Ashura's' influence. The actual presence of this foreign chakra was absent.

If Naruto hadn't experienced 'Ashura's' chakra firsthand and been influenced by it, he might not have even noticed these traces.

Moreover, Hashirama's chakra had a significant 'Ashura' imprint, making Naruto feel as if Hashirama had been assimilated by 'Ashura.'

"Naruto-kun?" Orochimaru licked his lips, observing Naruto's expression. "What's wrong?"

"I've been studying Hashirama's flesh and chakra for a long time. If you have any questions, I can—"

Naruto shook his head. "I'm thinking about what 'Ashura' and 'Indra' really are. And chakra as well..."

An old idea—'chakra is a parasitic entity'—resurfaced in his mind, clearer and more persistent than ever.

Perhaps neither the 'Ashura' chakra he possessed nor the 'Indra' chakra Sasuke wielded were Kekkei Genkai or simply "awakened" powers.

They were, in fact, the chakras of 'Ashura' and 'Indra' themselves. These chakras hadn't slumbered in the 'Pure Land' over the ages but had instead remained in the world, reviving in suitable individuals.

Naruto furrowed his brow, recalling another point.

Hashirama's personality—

He was optimistic, naive, and even idealistic. In contrast, Tobirama was almost the exact opposite—pragmatic and stern.

Despite being blood brothers raised in the same environment, they developed in completely different directions.

And then there was Naruto himself, before his journey to the 'Soul Society.' He had been just as optimistic and naive as Hashirama.

It's hard to say whether both he and Hashirama were influenced by 'Ashura.'

But why would it be this way?

Reflecting on the past events shown by the White Snake Sage, the history was only filled with the battles between 'Ashura' and 'Indra.'

Even after nearly a millennium, must they continue this fight?

"Have you ever researched chakra?" Naruto asked, shifting the conversation.

Orochimaru nodded, then shook his head. "I've tried to study it, but at its core, chakra is just energy."

"So, there isn't much to—"

Naruto interrupted, "Do you think it's normal for energy to carry 'will'?"

Orochimaru was taken aback.

If it were anyone else, they might have just nodded at this point. After all, chakra is the first energy most people encounter, and it's easy to accept the first thing you learn as the "correct answer."

But Orochimaru wasn't just anyone. His thinking wasn't limited to just one perspective.

He immediately realized something.

"Spiritual energy" doesn't carry a will. "Natural energy," although wild and maddening, doesn't contain a will either. The same goes for other energies in nature.

Only chakra is an exception.

"Naruto-kun seems quite wary of chakra," Orochimaru said with a sly grin.

Naruto retrieved his chakra. "That's because chakra's will can alter a person's will."

"It's quite insidious."

"Orochimaru, I'm leaving this task to you."

Orochimaru readily agreed. Naruto's remarks had sparked his own curiosity.

During this time, Naruto also interrogated Danzo's soul, with Karin documenting his life's events.

"How did he become a high-ranking advisor?" Karin wondered aloud as she sifted through the densely packed text. Despite filling three scrolls, Danzo's decades-long life appeared to hold little value.

Danzo wasn't completely incompetent. He had talent, particularly with 'Wind Release,' a field in which he even surpassed Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But becoming a village leader isn't solely about strength.

In other areas, Danzo was less than admirable.

He constantly claimed to be acting "for the good of Konoha," yet he had done little to benefit the village.

His collaboration with Hanzo to dismantle the Akatsuki was a move to elevate himself to the position of Hokage. Although... Naruto and Karin couldn't figure out how this would help him become Hokage—what did events in the Land of Rain have to do with Konoha?

As for the Nine-Tails incident, he truly hadn't conspired with Obito Uchiha.

However, one thing deeply shocked both Naruto and Karin.

Danzo had a significant role in the Uchiha massacre.

Naruto called Sasuke over.

"From Danzo's memories, I've discovered something related to you," he said, holding a scroll. "It's a truth you didn't know."

A truth?

What truth?

Sasuke frowned, his eyes filled with doubt as he took the scroll from Naruto.

After reading everything, he clenched his teeth, rage boiling within him. "Konoha!"

"The real culprits were them."

Danzo's memories laid out the events leading to the Uchiha clan's annihilation in vivid detail.

It all stemmed from the Nine-Tails incident.

That night, the Nine-Tails went berserk, and the sight of a "giant, crimson Sharingan" couldn't be ignored. Even Root and the Anbu, despite their shortcomings, couldn't overlook such an obvious sign.

Konoha grew suspicious of the Uchiha and began to systematically isolate them. The Uchiha clan, unable to tolerate the humiliation, plotted a coup.

But within the Uchiha clan, two individuals stood apart.

One was Shisui Uchiha, the other was Itachi Uchiha.

The 'Kotoamatsukami' Sharingan belonged to Shisui.

Shisui tried to change things but failed and had one of his eyes stolen by Danzo.

Itachi, not wanting the Uchiha to threaten the village, aligned himself with Danzo and carried out the massacre of his own clan.

"Naruto," Sasuke said, raising his head, fists clenched in fury.

"I will..."

"Destroy Konoha."

~~~

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