It was early, before the sun even thought about peeking over the horizon.
Boop.
Sarutobi Ryo took a step back, nodding.
Guren, after just one night of Ryo's special healing, was nearly as good as new. Not only that, but Sarutobi Ryo now possessed the secret to her special power: the Crystal Release Fusion Method.
He replayed her instructions in his mind, a series of words spoken as she drifted in and out of sleep while he healed her. Guren, still so young, had been easily won over by his simple kindness.
[Progress: 90%]
[Reward: Crystal Release Fusion Method]
Ryo smiled, looking at the notification. He couldn't be more pleased.
"Alright, now it's time for a visit to the Hokage Building."
Knowing what was happening in Roran, thanks to Guren, Sarutobi Ryo decided he needed to handle this personally.
----
As the first fingers of sunlight reached out...
At the Konoha Entrance, early risers greeted Namikaze Minato as he returned home. He was welcomed like a hero.
Backed by powerful figures like Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, Namikaze Minato was being hailed as someone even the legendary Sannin would envy.
He had faced the fearsome A-B Brothers all by himself, forcing them to retreat.
That was a feat most Sannin wouldn't even attempt.
Yet, young Namikaze Minato had done it.
For a while, everyone in Konoha seemed to sing his praises.
"Haa..."
Minato let out a sigh of relief, seeing history slowly finding its way back to where it belonged. He felt a sense of calm wash over him.
When he reported to the Hokage Building, the Higher-ups showered him with praise. Even the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was amazed by his achievements.
Sarutobi Hiruzen not only acknowledged Namikaze Minato's skills but also mentioned another critical mission.
"Minato, we've learned from Anbu Squad Six that Roran is in trouble..."
As Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke of Roran, Namikaze Minato's eyes sparkled. He knew this was the time when the events in Roran were supposed to occur.
The memories he gained on Mount Myōboku, combined with his own, allowed him to foresee events.
Namikaze Minato had become increasingly reliant on these glimpses into the "predetermined future" to guide his actions.
In that original future,
Roran was invaded by Mukade, a man from the future who seized control.
A brave citizen of Roran endured incredible hardships, finally reaching Konoha to deliver the Roran Queen's desperate plea for help.
They needed Konoha's aid to quell the uprising.
That... was how it was meant to happen.
"Anbu Squad Six accidentally uncovered secrets in Roran and were almost killed to silence them..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen explained the situation, echoing what Sarutobi Ryo had told him earlier that morning.
Even though Roran hadn't officially asked for assistance,
Konoha still needed to step in.
They had always maintained strong ties with Roran and had received many requests from the Roran Queen over the years.
Now, after years of silence, with no news from Roran,
Sarutobi Hiruzen was worried.
"I've sent more people to gather information... Once we confirm the situation, we can offer our support..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's words made it clear he intended to proceed cautiously.
He needed solid confirmation of the coup in Roran.
After all, Guren, as a young girl, couldn't possibly provide a complete picture of what was happening.
"..."
Namikaze Minato listened intently to the Third Hokage's report, realizing this was another deviation from his memories.
"Honorable Hokage, I'm ready to go whenever you need me."
Namikaze Minato nodded, his mind already on Roran and, more importantly, the Dragon Vein Power.
Such a volatile, space-time bending force would be better handled by him.
----
Days flew by.
Sarutobi Ryo sat silently, cross-legged, in his training room.
Suddenly, the Shadow Clones surrounding him vanished, and Sarutobi Ryo began weaving the hand seals for Crystal Release...
As Sarutobi Ryo performed the technique,
A visible, dark substance began to form before him.
These black crystals shimmered like gems... obsidian, to be exact. [T/N: Sarutobi Ryo's crystals were black, unlike Guren's pink ones.]
The growing black crystals spread quickly, like weeds taking over a garden.
Within moments, they resembled a messy, potted plant.
Sarutobi Ryo focused, sensing the crystals. He realized he could feel their presence.
Crystal Release involved manipulating existing matter and combining it with Yin Release.
Since crystals came from the earth, it also had a connection to Earth Release.
Therefore, the Crystal Release Fusion Method was the blending of Earth and Yin attributes.
Sarutobi Ryo stood and began examining the crystals.
Because they were born from Chakra, they weren't exactly like real crystals.
They were smooth and cool to the touch.
Sarutobi Ryo struck one, finding the substance incredibly hard.
He broke off a piece, holding it in his hand, and noticed its sharp edges.
"Apart from the color, which is different from Guren's pink Crystal Release, their characteristics are similar..."
Crystal Release was a versatile Kekkei Genkai, offering many possibilities.
Attack, defense, barriers, support, illusions… it had everything.
It was an all-in-one Kekkei Genkai.
Depending on the user's control and creativity, it could manifest in countless ways.
"Crystal Release: Crystal Wall!"
Now with Crystal Release in his arsenal, Sarutobi Ryo began a new training regimen.
Crack crack crack!
Crystal Release Chakra turned into black crystals, rising to form a wall.
This move was based on the B-rank Earth Release Wall.
But since Crystal Release included Yin Release, its defense and capabilities were far superior.
It was the ultimate, souped-up Earth Release Wall.
Next, Sarutobi Ryo, inside the vast Underground Hall, began the hand seals for an attack.
"Crystal Release: Shattering Crystal Rising Dragon!"
Crack crack crack!
Countless crystals spread and grew uncontrollably.
Then, a fierce Crystal Dragon roared to life, tearing through the air, and slammed into the massive wall.
Rumble!!
The Underground Hall shook. The attack was far more powerful than Water Dragon Bullet.
"Amazing..."
Sarutobi Ryo's eyes sparkled with excitement.
He spent the morning using Crystal Release to replicate various Ninjutsu from other elements, completely absorbed in his training.
Time flew by, and Sarutobi Ryo had simulated dozens of similar Ninjutsu techniques.
"I remember Crystal Release has a fatal weakness: sound-based Ninjutsu."
In the original story, Orochimaru created Otogakure, filled with ninja who used sound waves. Ultrasonic and infrasonic waves were Crystal Release's bane. That's why Orochimaru could easily control Guren.
"But more power is never a bad thing. For me, weaknesses are just challenges to overcome..."
After all, this was the sixth Kekkei Genkai he now possessed.
After mastering Crystal Release, Sarutobi Ryo's physical abilities soared once more.
Maintaining 20 Shadow Clones was no longer an issue.
Sarutobi Ryo felt like he had unlimited strength surging through him.
With this power, Sarutobi Ryo's confidence grew, transforming his very being.
"Soon... I should be hearing back from Roran."
Sarutobi Ryo composed himself, preparing for his trip to Roran.
*
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[T/N:
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 119 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
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]