Uchiha Shin whispered excitedly, his thoughts racing as he realized something profound.
"Right now, I'm only using it passively. But if I can actively channel my chakra to record this information... then I..."
His voice trailed off, his mind recalling a being from another world—Kars, the Ultimate Lifeform from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, who had transcended the limitations of all living creatures.
He clenched his fists, suppressing his excitement.
"This is still just a theory. It'll take time to perfect it," he reminded himself, taking a deep breath to steady his thoughts.
First things first—he needed a short-term goal.
"Let's start small. If I can extend my Sage Mode duration to a full 24 hours before the Third War begins..."
His expression hardened with resolve.
"Once I master it, my strength in Sage Mode should be at the Super Kage level. By then, when Uchiha Madara is truly gone, I will be strong enough to suppress the entire ninja world on my own."
A fire burned in his eyes as he considered the obstacles ahead.
"The only real threats left will be the Ōtsutsuki Clan that will eventually appear and the Sage of Six Paths lurking in some unknown realm."
A smirk tugged at his lips.
"One step at a time. My plans are already set in motion."
For years, he had hidden his ambition, lying in wait like a predator watching its prey. His past weakness had forced him to suppress his desires. But now... it was time to bare his fangs.
His musings were interrupted by an official missive delivered to his quarters. A transfer order.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had assigned him to the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, reinforcing the frontline.
His brow furrowed as he examined the document.
"Something's off... This doesn't match the battle situation I remember."
He tapped his fingers against the wooden table, contemplating the implications.
At this point, Konoha was still in its prime under the rule of the Third Hokage and Danzo. The village hadn't yet suffered the talent drain it would in the years to come.
Plus, he had personally worked with Tsunade and others in the Land of Rain to take down Hanzo the Salamander. Unlike the original timeline, where Konoha had lost entire squads in that war, his intervention had ensured minimal casualties. Logically, those surviving forces should have been redirected to another front.
And yet...
Judging by the urgency of this order, Konoha was already at a disadvantage.
"What the hell happened while I was training at Ryūchi Cave?"
His focus had been elsewhere. Between training and keeping Mikoto and the others safe, he hadn't paid close attention to recent developments.
He tossed the letter aside and immediately set out to find Mikoto and Kushina. He tracked them down at Uzumaki Mito's residence, where they were keeping the elderly woman company. Tsunade was currently training in Shikkotsu Forest, so Mito was often alone.
"You're here, Shin."
Mito greeted him with a warm smile as he entered the room. Despite her aged frame, there was an undeniable presence about her, the aura of a woman who had once stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world.
Uchiha Shin returned her smile and inclined his head slightly.
"It's been a while, Mito."
He acknowledged Mikoto and Kushina as well, but wasted no time with pleasantries.
"Tell me what's been happening on the front lines."
Kushina's face fell.
She had barely seen him recently due to his training, and now he was being deployed again. She sighed but quickly relayed the information she had gathered.
"Something's changed with the Sand Village's puppetry. It's like they've upgraded their techniques using some new method."
She frowned, trying to articulate her thoughts.
"They don't have as many shinobi as we do, but they make up for it with an endless supply of puppets... and Chiyo's poison. We heard that our forces are already starting to lose ground."
Mikoto nodded in agreement, though both women admitted they hadn't witnessed the battle firsthand. Their knowledge was secondhand at best.
Mito sighed. "It seems the Hokage is sending you to reinforce that front. Be careful, Shin."
He gave a slight nod but said nothing.
A thought crossed his mind, and he suddenly reached out, placing his fingers lightly on Kushina, Mikoto, and Mito's shoulders.
A faint glow emerged as his chakra flowed into them. A dragon-shaped seal slithered across their skin, embedding itself there.
Kushina flinched. "What the hell was that?!"
"A little trick I developed while studying Sage Mode," he explained. "It's a Sage's Mark—an enhanced version of a chakra seal that boosts your recovery rate, both for chakra and physical stamina."
He left out one crucial detail.
With this mark, he could sense their presence no matter where they were.
More than that—he could control them if necessary.
The Sage's Mark also had another effect. It could extend one's lifespan. And he intended for Uzumaki Mito to live as long as possible.
It was both sentiment and strategy.
As long as Mito was alive, she remained a powerful deterrent. With her backing, he wouldn't have to deal with as much resistance from Konoha's higher-ups. If she died, he would have to take a far more direct approach...
His fingers twitched slightly. He wasn't opposed to the idea of purging the village if necessary. But that was a last resort.
For now, Mito's survival meant less trouble.
The three women exchanged glances, each feeling the power of the mark in their own way.
Mito closed her eyes, breathing deeply as newfound vitality coursed through her aged body.
When she opened them again, there was warmth in her gaze. She knew Shin's actions weren't purely selfless, but she appreciated them nonetheless.
"Mikoto, let's go. I need to organize my squad before departure. Tsunade won't be back in time, so we leave first."
Mikoto stood immediately. "Alright. Mito, Kushina, I'll see you both later."
Kushina watched them go, frustration simmering beneath her expression. She clenched her fists.
"Damn it, I want to fight too!"
Mito chuckled softly, placing a gentle hand on her head.
"Then train harder, Kushina. When you inherit my strength, you will have the power to carve your own path."
Kushina's frustration turned to determination. Without another word, she stormed into the other room and began refining her chakra.
The Sage's Mark on her body glowed faintly, amplifying her abilities. Her progress would be much faster now.
Meanwhile, Shin returned to the Uchiha compound, where he found Kanako and Konan.
They had been enjoying a rare moment of peace, lounging around the house, tidying up, and watching television.
The moment they saw his expression, they knew.
War was calling him again.
--------
Dear Readers
Join Patreon for Complete Novel (240 Chapters) and 100 Early Chapters
https://www.patreon.com/dd44
--------
Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones