You analyzed each of the thousands of bloodline powers—some faint, some potent—varying in Nature Affinities, expression, and methods of activation. Some were awakened, some hidden.

Using the essence from these bloodlines, you patched up their internal flaws.

Finally, using yourself as the blueprint, you filtered out any traces related to the Ōtsutsuki bloodline.

The most prevalent was the Shikotsumyaku, followed by the Uzumaki bloodline, and a small portion from the Hyūga clan. If someone were to graft all of this into one body, they might just create a bootleg version of an Ōtsutsuki.

Of course, that would come with bloodline disorders and various defects...

Still, simple absorption allows you to take the essence and discard the trash—enhancing your non-Uchiha Ōtsutsuki lineage...

...

〖Day 22〗

You created another Mantis Clone and left it in Konoha as a collector, to gather data on any innovative Taijutsu and Kenjutsu from the Konoha shinobi in real time.

Meanwhile, you yourself set off on a journey to the Land of Iron.

Before leaving, you appeared before Naruto in your true form, facing off against the hidden soul of Asura that lingered behind him.

Then, you swung your scythe in a diagonal slash.

You harvested Asura's reincarnated soul.

As for Naruto, you didn't lay a single finger on him—you simply wanted to observe how far he could grow without the influence of Asura's will...

With Asura's soul gone, a thunderclap cracked across the clear sky!

You knew the Sage of Six Paths was watching—and was fuming.

You didn't care.

From the moment you began this simulation, you never intended to hide your actions from anyone.

As for the Sage of Six Paths... you believed that once you found Black Zetsu and mastered the method to refine the God Tree Fruit, he wouldn't have long to act...

...

〖Day 23〗

You flew directly to the Land of Iron, forging the identity of a young swordsman traveling in search of a master.

At the same time, the ant clones hidden beneath the earth—created with Wood Release—were activated. Thanks to the valuable experience gained from battles between your Mantis Clone and the Infested Bugs, the ants' structures were improved.

Each grew a pair of transparent yet incredibly tough membranous wings, and their foremost legs were transformed into blades.

They now inherited the stealth and absorption abilities of the Infested Bugs, combined with the raw power of the ant physique.

When gathered in large numbers, they became the ultimate fusion of reconnaissance and combat!

You diverted a portion of your consciousness to control them, directing them to follow the mycelium network once used by White Zetsu to transmit messages underground. As they advanced, they devoured every White Zetsu they encountered, using the biomass to multiply and expand their numbers—

All to track down the fugitive Black Zetsu.

In your view, understanding the Realm of Intent and unlocking your full potential...

...and obtaining the method to consume the God Tree Fruit from Black Zetsu, while seemingly different paths, were not in conflict.

In fact, they complemented each other:

The Realm of Intent was about unlocking and refining your internal potential into real combat strength. The Fruit determined how much potential you could possess in the first place.

One set the upper limit. The other ensured the lower limit. Only by accumulating enough foundation and unlocking it later could you gain overwhelming power!

...

〖Day 24〗

You suppressed your Strength and imitated those hot-blooded, newly initiated samurai—dueling on the streets as if you had just entered the warrior's path.

Meanwhile, your ant clones had already spread throughout the entire Land of Fire...eliminating every last White Zetsu they could find and converting their biomass into material for replication.

Still, no trace of Black Zetsu was found.

...

〖Day 25〗

Thanks to your limitless stamina, sharp perception from your powerful soul, and the talents from the Ōtsutsuki and Kirin bloodlines, you gradually began developing your own swordsmanship style through street duels.

At the same time, your ant clones had spread across 90% of the entire shinobi continent.

White Zetsu had been culled in massive numbers. You even deliberately let a few escape and traced their flight paths—deducing that Black Zetsu had already caught wind and fled.

He had likely gone into hiding—either in the ocean depths, or isolated islands far offshore.

...

〖Day 26〗

Through this process of suppressing your own power while sharpening your technique, your swordsmanship became increasingly refined.

You even learned to suppress your strength to a level weaker than your opponent—then rely solely on skill and endurance to win.

Because of your undefeated streak and the number of well-known young samurai you've beaten, your name was beginning to spread in nearby cities.

By now, your ant clones had covered the entire shinobi continent. Every last White Zetsu had been eliminated. You had even taken over several peninsulas and offshore islets.

Still, no sign of Black Zetsu.

So the coastal ant clones unfolded their wings and began exploring the sea.

You also realized that dividing your awareness to control this massive number of ant clones was an immense burden—even for your current spirit.

Although you could choose to petrify the clones to reduce the strain...

You chose not to—because under this heavy mental load, your Spirit was actually beginning to grow.

...

〖Day 27〗

You decided to visit other cities near the Land of Iron to further test and refine your swordsmanship, hoping to gain insight into your own Realm of Intent.

But midway, a group of famous samurai intercepted you, loudly proclaiming they would defeat you.

Having lived this swordsman life for some time, you were no stranger to this sort of thing. You'd already beaten countless challengers like them.

What caught your attention, though, was that the chakra within their bodies was noticeably stronger than that of typical sword-only samurai.

However, the glow that indicated their mastery over physical power—was far dimmer.

The moment you clashed with them, the reason became clear.

They feared close combat. Instead, they preferred to fight from a short distance—about a foot away—using a unique technique: sword aura.

But you knew exactly what that was.

It wasn't real sword aura. It was chakra emitted through their blades.

To be honest, you had already mastered this technique after observing the Hyūga clan's Air Palm.

And if we disregard chakra emission, the control and refinement of physical power in Air Palm far surpassed what these samurai called "swordsmanship."

With a strong enough body and a deep enough understanding of Gentle Fist, it was indeed possible to use one's own body to release air blasts comparable to chakra projectiles!

Just like Might Guy, after opening the Eight Gates, could—with his overwhelming foundation and precise control—create fire with his bare fists and feet, even unleashing shockwaves strong enough to hold down Six Paths-level opponents...

In contrast, these samurai were pure chakra users. Before firing their so-called sword aura, they even had to secretly form hand seals.

There was no value in fighting them. So you simply threw away your blade.

Holding back your strength, you used these guys as targets to practice your Gentle Fist.

That evening, through your flying ant clones, you finally located Black Zetsu's presence on a small island in the ocean.

You instantly teleported there using Flying Thunder God.

It didn't take much effort—you captured Black Zetsu with ease.

...

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