Chapter 112 (Patreon)

Twenty minutes later, Yujiro stared at Minato standing on the podium, utterly speechless.

Throughout his lengthy speech, Minato had done little more than praise Yujiro in every elaborate way imaginable.

First, he recounted how Yujiro had pulled Konoha back from the brink of destruction during the Third Shinobi World War.

Then came his victories over the Three-Tails, the Eight-Tails, and the Two-Tails.

After that, Minato described how each of the other four great shinobi villages had been forced to compensate Konoha one after another.

By the end of the speech, he had practically described Yujiro as the living reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths.

The newly enrolled students now stared at Yujiro with feverish admiration.

Even the future Konoha Twelve were no exception.

Naruto clenched his fists, his blue eyes burning with determination.

“I’m going to become just as strong as Yujiro-nii-chan!”

Sasuke folded his arms and nodded solemnly.

“My goal is to catch up to Yujiro-nii-san. But first... I’ll surpass Naruto.”

Sakura clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling.

“Yujiro-sama is so handsome! Oh no... I think I’ve already fallen in love with him!”

Neji studied Yujiro with a serious expression.

“So this is Lord Yujiro, the shinobi Father and the clan head spoke about. He truly is powerful. I must train even harder.”

Lee’s entire body seemed to ignite with youthful determination.

“I’ll work hard! I’ll become stronger! One day, I’ll do everything I can to become as powerful as Yujiro-sama!”

Tenten stared at Yujiro with undisguised admiration.

He’s handsome and unbelievably strong... Someone like him would make the perfect husband.

Kiba crouched beside Akamaru and raised his fist.

“Akamaru, we have to work hard too! We’ll make everyone notice us at the Academy!”

“Woof! Woof!”

Shino adjusted his sunglasses.

“Yujiro-sama truly possesses extraordinary strength. I can sense it clearly. If you are wondering why, it is because the kikaichū within my body are exceptionally sensitive to chakra.”

Hinata lowered her head, nervously pressing her fingertips together.

“Um... I think Father once said that Yujiro-sama and I... were promised to each other when we were young...”

Ino immediately raised her hand and declared without hesitation,

“I’m definitely going to marry Yujiro someday!”

Shikamaru released a quiet sigh.

“Dad said Yujiro’s intelligence far surpasses even his own. I suppose I can’t do anything that would embarrass him... What a drag.”

Chōji looked around in confusion.

“What? Is it already time for lunch?”

With that, the Academy entrance ceremony finally came to an end.

For the next several years, the shinobi world entered a brief period of peace.

However, Yujiro had no intention of spending that time idly.

Every day, he subjected himself to almost inhuman training.

The training grounds in the mountains behind Konoha had already been expanded to nearly twenty times their original size.

Had they not been expanded, they would no longer have been able to endure Yujiro’s relentless destruction.

Even then, whenever he needed to test a large-scale ninjutsu, Yujiro had no choice but to leave the village entirely.

The power of his techniques had simply become too great.

Although Konoha itself had expanded to nearly ten times its former size, even the enlarged village could not withstand one of Yujiro’s full-powered attacks.

Time continued to pass.

Slowly, yet relentlessly.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for developing the Fire Release chakra nature to its ultimate stage! Limiter-unlocking progress increased by 0.2%!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for developing the Water Release chakra nature to its ultimate stage! Limiter-unlocking progress increased by 0.2%!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for developing the Lightning Release chakra nature to its ultimate stage! Limiter-unlocking progress increased by 0.2%!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for developing the Scorch Release kekkei genkai to its ultimate stage! Limiter-unlocking progress increased by 0.2%!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for developing the Ice Release kekkei genkai to its ultimate stage! Limiter-unlocking progress increased by 0.2%!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for developing the Storm Release kekkei genkai to its ultimate stage! Limiter-unlocking progress increased by 0.2%!]

Developing a kekkei genkai to its absolute limit was exceptionally difficult.

Even so, Yujiro never allowed himself a single day of rest.

His relentless dedication and almost frightening intensity had already captivated the several girls who accompanied him during his daily training.

Over the past few years, even the three maids serving in Yujiro’s household had completely fallen for him.

Of course, they had developed those feelings entirely on their own.

Yujiro had not deliberately tried to win them over.

At the moment, he simply had no time to concern himself with such matters.

After all, he was only one final step away from reaching the fourth level of the Limiter.

Spring gave way to autumn.

Day followed night.

Five years passed.

Five entire years.

Does anyone understand how I spent these five years?

Does anyone understand?!

Yujiro almost felt like throwing his head back and shouting toward the heavens.

Then, at long last, the notification he had been waiting for echoed through his mind.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for entering the fourth level of the Limiter!]

Boom!

An unprecedented surge of energy erupted within Yujiro’s body.

Countless strange and unfamiliar sensations flooded through him at once.

At the same time, he became aware of every minute transformation occurring within his body.

Night had already descended over Konoha.

A brilliant full moon hung high in the sky, bathing the mountains behind the village in pale silver light.

Yujiro lay quietly on the grass.

Beside him sat a purple-haired girl who had remained there in silence, faithfully keeping him company.

It was Yugao Uzuki.

[Ding! Genetic optimisation commencing!]

[Ding! Genetic potential has been developed to one hundred per cent! All attributes have been enhanced to their ultimate state!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for acquiring the ability: Elementalisation!]

[The Host can transform his body into natural elements and launch elemental attacks.]

[Ding! Hidden genetic potential detected. Strengthening commencing...]

[Ding! Strengthening successful!]

[Ding! Special ability awakened: Killing Intent!]

[Ding! Special ability strengthening commencing...]

[Ding! Strengthening successful!]

[Ding! The special ability Killing Intent has evolved into Overwhelming Pressure: Force Field!]

Without warning, a terrifying pressure erupted from Yujiro’s body.

Yugao nearly cried out in fright.

Fortunately, Yujiro withdrew the pressure the very instant it was released.

[Ding! Ability awakened: Micro-Control!]

[The Host’s control over his own power has reached an absolute level.]

[Ding! Thought processes strengthened!]

[Ding! Muscular tissue strengthened!]

[Ding! Perception strengthened!]

[Ding! Ability awakened: Super Perception!]

[The Host’s perception range is currently ten times the total area of Konoha. Upon entering Sage Mode, that range will increase by an additional tenfold.]

[Ding! Synchronisation of body and soul completed! Special attack property awakened!]

[Ding! Soul strengthened! Additional characteristic acquired: Soul-Cutting Sword!]

[Attacks performed with a sword can now directly damage the target’s soul.]

[Ding! Energy circulation strengthening commencing...]

[Ding! Strengthening successful!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for awakening Infinite Chakra!]

[Ding! Initial awakening of the Light of the Soul completed!]

[Ding! Light of the Soul ability acquired: Initial control over gravity, one of the four fundamental forces of the universe!]

[Ding! Gravity ability strengthening commencing...]

[Ding! Strengthening successful!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for acquiring Preliminary Gravity Control!]

As one system notification after another echoed through his mind, Yujiro carefully examined the changes within his body.

The difference between the third and fourth levels of the Limiter was immense.

Someone who had reached the fourth level could single-handedly defeat an entire group of third-level opponents.

The difference was comparable to that between an ordinary jōnin and a shinobi who had reached the level of the Sage of Six Paths.

However, reaching the fourth level of the Limiter came with one final and extremely dangerous obstacle.

Yujiro had to maintain control over his own consciousness.

The sudden evolution of his body, mind, instincts, and killing intent placed an unimaginable burden on his psyche. If his concentration slipped even for an instant, his newly awakened instincts could overwhelm his rational mind and send him into an uncontrollable state.

Yujiro’s eyes suddenly snapped open.

Boom!

A terrifying pressure erupted from his body without warning.

At that instant, everyone in Konoha—whether awake or asleep—felt the horrifying presence descending upon the village.

It was like an ancient beast had broken free of its restraints.

Beside Yujiro, Yugao Uzuki gritted her teeth and desperately resisted the urge to collapse.

She did not understand exactly what kind of training Yujiro was undergoing, but she could tell that he had reached the most critical moment.

I have to stay beside him.

No matter what happens, I can’t leave him alone.

What Yugao did not know was that several others had already arrived nearby, each of them deeply concerned about Yujiro.

However, none of them could approach him.

A dark, oppressive haze had spread across the surface of Yujiro’s body, formed from the violent chakra and killing intent leaking from within him.

“Kurenai-nee-san, Izumi... and even Hokage-sama!”

Yugao’s eyes widened when she noticed the figures gathered nearby.

“Shh. Keep your voice down.”

Kurenai Yuhi quickly approached Yugao and motioned for her to remain silent.

Minato and Izumi Uchiha stood close behind her.

No one dared to interfere.

They could only wait and trust Yujiro to regain control.

Meanwhile, within the depths of his consciousness, Yujiro was desperately suppressing the violent instincts threatening to consume his rational mind.

The mental backlash caused by the fourth level of the Limiter was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.