49. Taking Stock
*Altered Nature-Transformation Template Fragment Consumed!*
*Altered Nature-Transformation Template Fragment Consumed!*
…
*Unstable Nature-Transformation Prototype Created!*
*Altered Nature-Transformation Template Fragment Consumed!*
…
*Inferior Nature-Transformation Prototype Created!*
*Altered Nature-Transformation Template Fragment Consumed!*
…
*Flawed Nature-Transformation Prototype Created!*
*Altered Nature-Transformation Template Fragment Consumed!*
…
*Imperfect Nature-Transformation Template Created!*
I awaken from my trancelike state one step closer to making something useful from the splinters of Jugo’s bloodline I’ve recovered from semen affected by Orochimaru’s Curse Seals. I don’t think completing this Template will actually give me Sage Mode directly, but senjutsu is so stupid powerful there’s no way this was going to be easy.
My Deep Dweller can catalog and, to some degree, manipulate all the genetic material I’ve obtained. It takes hours of communing with my rent-free partner to deconstruct and reconstruct the Fragments into components that fit together. Consuming all five of the fragments I’d obtained still doesn’t give me something I’m satisfied with testing, however. ‘Imperfect’ implies something could go wrong and harm one of my women.
Eh, oh well. I have a plan to complete the Nature-Transformation Template that’ll have to wait until after the Exams.
I have more urgent things to worry about.
Like the Macabre Bone Pulse.
Arguably the strongest Kekkei Genkai pre-Timeskip, this technique descends from the bloodline of Naruto’s True Secret Final Boss. I kind of want it. And yet, here I run into a fundamental issue.
Time.
The plot of Naruto marches on whether I like it or not. My training time is a limited resource I have to spend wisely whether I get the full Timeskip or a shortened version before Shippuden kicks off. Developing the Macabre Bone Pulse to Kimimaro’s level would require learning six different ‘dances.’
How am I going to find the time to train anything else?
For example, take Ino Yamanaka. She spends years on her clan techniques and eventually learns several, including the Mind Transfer Clone Jutsu. It’s quite a decent technique, allowing her to possess multiple people at once. Now, I could give her the Ice Leech and have her learn to create an enclosing dome of Ice Crystal Mirrors or one of the Movie exclusive Ice Release techniques. There’s just no way she can perfect both the advanced Yamanaka jutsus and Ice Release before the End Boss Rush of the series finale.
Anime-Shino used his time to learn advanced Insect techniques. Sakura trains under Tsunade, etc. There’s a little wiggle-room, but the limits are obvious. I’m no Naruto with a Shadow Clone training montage!
Gaining the Sharingan and Byakugan yielded an instant, easy power spike. Sure, I could put in the effort to develop the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists or finagle a way to get a Mangekyo Sharingan without losing one of my harem girls, but I already got most of the benefits of both Dojutsu after a week of acclimation.
The other problem is that the Macabre Bone Pulse modification insect is obviously going to be intrusive, which means only I can use it safely… right? I almost feel backed into a corner. It’s too good not to use!
Especially when fate or Deus or karma basically handed it to me when I had no other opportunity to grab it.
I need a power boost before the Exam Finals, too. Everything seems to point me in that direction, except…
*Amalgam Kekkei Genkai Template Acquired!*
Sakon and Ukon’s ability.
Go figure what does and doesn’t count as a Kekkei Genkai in this world (Choji’s body modifications are classified as ‘Yang Release’), but it is what it is.
I start doing math in my head. Calculous and differential equations fly past my eyes at rapid speed.
Yes… this just might work!