Hiruzen persuaded me to die

Konoha – Hokage's Office, Midday

The warm sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the Hokage building, casting golden shadows across the ancient scrolls spread before Hyūga Naraku.

He exhaled, raised his hand, and concentrated deeply.

"Wood Style: Wood Clone Technique!"

Nothing.

Not even a tremor of life from his chakra.

"Failed again…" Naraku muttered, frowning as he closed the Book of Seals and set it aside.

He had been experimenting for days, attempting to independently synthesize Wood Style—a feat that very few had ever attempted, and only one had ever truly mastered.

After the battle at Kumogakure, he still had 13,350 chakra attribute points left in reserve. In preparation, he'd poured those points into his elemental chakra:

Fire Style Chakra: 4000 / 10,000

Lightning Style Chakra: 3500 / 10,000

Wind Style Chakra: 500 / 10,000

Water Style Chakra: 5000 / 10,000

Earth Style Chakra: 5000 / 10,000

His Yang Release was already in place, thanks to his unique Tenseigan-enhanced chakra.

"There's no problem with elemental types. I have Earth, Water, and Yang—all needed for Wood Style. The chakra volume is also more than enough."

"So… is it a matter of chakra ratio?" Naraku murmured thoughtfully.

He stood from his seat, the Tenseigan in his eyes glowing faintly. Then, without looking up:

"Kakashi. Fetch Yamato. And please… read less of Icha Icha Paradise."

A cough echoed from the ceiling corner.

Kakashi nearly slipped from his perch as he dropped into the office awkwardly. "Y-Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Behind his mask, his eye darted away as he disappeared, murmuring something about being judged by Anbu comrades.

Minutes later, Yamato entered the room and saluted with practiced ease.

"Lord Hokage!"

He was only fifteen, but already a respected jōnin. A former Root member under Danzō, later transferred to Anbu by Sarutobi Hiruzen, and now serving under Kakashi's command again—his loyalty was proven.

"I want to observe your Wood Style closely," Naraku said. "Use any basic technique you're comfortable with."

"Yes, sir!"

Yamato didn't hesitate.

"Wood Style: Silent Binding Technique!"

Wood burst from his palm—angular, square-formed trees wrapped together, sprouting like vines of muscle and stone. A technique engineered more than grown.

Naraku's eyes shimmered with an ethereal blue glow.

In a flash, he reached out, his palm brushing Yamato's arm—Tenseigan Chakra Mode activating.

He effortlessly absorbed a sample of Yamato's chakra.

Yamato's eyes widened in shock. "This… is the technique you used to calm Naruto during his Tailed Beast transformation…"

Naraku nodded. "Just as I thought—Wood Style depends on a very precise chakra ratio."

The complexity of Kekkei Genkai synthesis was starting to become clear.

Even Tobirama Senju, a prodigy with all five chakra natures and Yin–Yang Release, had never created a bloodline limit like Wood Style. He lacked the right balance—and more importantly, he lacked the Sage Body.

"Synthesizing a Kekkei Genkai isn't just about having the right chakra types," Naraku said aloud, "but also their ratio and mastery."

And that was what made bloodline limits so rare.

Most natural-born bloodline users don't even know the ratio. Their chakra simply flows correctly when using their techniques, responding instinctively. For synthetic users, it must be measured, understood, and manipulated.

But Naraku had a unique advantage: his chakra absorption ability let him analyze exactly how Wood Style was formed within Yamato.

"It's Earth-heavy," he muttered. "And Yang Release gives it its living quality."

"Combined correctly, it creates something that isn't just strong—it's alive."

A smirk crossed his face.

"Let's try again."

He closed his eyes, adjusted his chakra circulation, and shaped the exact proportions.

Yang + Dominant Earth + Water

"Wood Style: Wood Clone Technique!"

A sharp pulse of chakra radiated through the room—brown, bark-textured wood burst from his shoulder, swirling into a humanoid form.

In seconds, a perfect clone stepped forward—indistinguishable from Naraku himself.

Yamato stood frozen in shock. "That's… a true Wood Clone…"

It had taken Yamato years of training, and even then, his Wood Style was a faint echo of Hashirama Senju's legendary might.

But Naraku had absorbed a mere trace of chakra—and recreated the technique flawlessly.

Naraku's expression remained calm, but satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

"Summon the Sealing Corps. Bring me the Amber Purifying Bottle."

Yamato blinked. "Amber Purifying Bottle?"

Naraku's clone turned toward the door. "We're going out of the village."

"If I want to test this power…"

"…then what better opponent than a Tailed Beast?"