Naruto: Kurotsuchi Mayuri

"Sir?" Hiroto nervously looked at Kagetsu.

He couldn't help but feel anxious. After all, he was facing someone who could take his life at any moment. Being summoned to this particularly significant laboratory only added to his unease. He had some guesses in his mind about what might happen next.

The good news was that he wasn't the only one brought here.

The bad news? 

Even with several others present, they were utterly powerless against Kagetsu. Among those gathered, Hiroto was the only former shinobi from Amegakure.

"It seems you've recovered well." Kagetsu glanced at Hiroto and the others, who were no longer as feeble as before. His expression remained calm.

"I won't be staying here for long, so I need someone to help manage this fortress."

Hiroto and the others exchanged uncertain looks. Their initial unease gave way to a brief moment of confusion. However, their expressions quickly shifted as a flicker of hope flashed in their eyes. 

Without hesitation, they reaffirmed their loyalty and pledged their support to Kagetsu.

"Lord..."

"I've been observing your behavior these past few days and believe that in my absence, you are capable of maintaining order in Ancor Vantian.

However, you should understand that the reason you're able to manage Ancor Vantian and the people here is because of my presence. If I were to leave, it's hard to say whether the remaining shinobi would still obey you."

Kagetsu interrupted them, his tone calm to the point of coldness as he laid out the possible outcomes.

He never deluded himself into thinking that, in such a short time, those he had rescued would all become loyal and obedient to him.

Unlike Orochimaru, who excelled at manipulating and captivating people's minds, Kagetsu neither enjoyed molding individuals from a young age nor instilled his own will into children.

Hiroto and the others clearly understood this as well. After all, the ninja world was a place where only the strong survived.

"Do you desire power?"

Kagetsu's words caused the laboratory to fall into a heavy silence.

"Power... what kind of power?"

After a brief pause, Hiroto stammered, his voice tinged with both anticipation and trepidation.

"Simply put, it's about implanting a certain power into your bodies, allowing you to use it," Kagetsu explained, then added, "It's similar to a secret technique or a Kekkei Genkai, but it skips the learning and awakening process."

"Like ninjas?" one of the civilians raised his hand. His previous identity was that of a merchant, but during the Ninja World War, his wealth was looted, and he was imprisoned in Ancor Vantian as a common civilian.

It was his experience as a merchant that made him stand out in managing personnel and handling affairs. Having interacted with ninjas before, he had always admired their strength.

"Of course," Kagetsu nodded. "However, skipping the process and directly granting you power may save you time and effort, but it isn't without risks.

Without fully comprehending the power you wield, it will be difficult for your strength to grow through personal effort and training.

Additionally, this transformation will require multiple upgrades and adjustments based on your feedback."

"Will it... cause death?" Another person among the four raised his hand, his face showing fear.

This man was a mountain bandit with remarkable physical strength. He had been imprisoned in Ancor Vantian even longer than Hiroto. If he could learn to refine chakra, his superior physical abilities could make him as skilled as a Chūnin from the Five Great Shinobi Villages in taijutsu.

That was already a rare achievement!

In this world, the difference between having chakra and not having it is like night and day. Even a cautious Genin could single-handedly wipe out a small bandit group.

"I won't say there's no risk," Kagetsu shook his head, "but I can promise to keep the risks within a controllable range.

Moreover, this isn't mandatory—it's a mutual choice. If you're afraid or worried, you can leave now. Whether you choose to stay as you are or depart entirely, I have no objections."

The four, including Hiroto, exchanged glances once more. None of them backed down. They fully understood that in this world, having no power meant having no safety.

Even if there was a risk, as long as it wasn't instant death, they weren't about to retreat. The only thing that truly weighed on their minds was the fact that too many prisoners had already died in this laboratory.

After all, Shinnō's mastery of forbidden medical techniques came at the cost of countless dissections and experiments. His appearance looked like that of a middle-aged man, but that was only because his medical techniques preserved him. In reality, his true age was likely much older than he appeared.

"I accept!"

The bandit leader was the first to speak. The hesitation and fear that had plagued him earlier gradually gave way to unwavering determination as he uttered those words.

He had had enough of this precarious existence!

Family, friends, children—they had all died, one after another, leaving him numb. He once thought his sole purpose in life was merely to survive until he, too, would meet the same end as his loved ones.

But now, an opportunity to gain power lay before him. Even someone as desensitized as he was felt a desperate urge to reach out and seize it.

At the very least, with strength, he might be able to protect himself and his loved ones in critical moments. He wouldn't have to stand helplessly by as they died before his eyes anymore.

"We accept too!"

Hiroto and the other three quickly raised their hands. Their reasoning was straightforward: in this new organization, it was obvious that having power would grant them some level of influence.

From Kagetsu's attitude, it was clear that his sole intention was to strengthen their abilities.

Of course, Hiroto and the others also understood that once they gained power, they would owe Kagetsu something in return.

But so what?

In the ninja world, they were nothing more than weeds—insignificant, discarded without a second glance if they died. To be needed and trusted was a luxury for them.

They weren't irreplaceable. At any moment, they could be abandoned and replaced. No matter what, they were determined to grasp this chance.

****

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