Chapter 10: A Display of Calculated Power
"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"
At the final moment of the hand seals, Aizen did not channel chakra. Instead, he drew upon the spiritual power hidden within his body, the energy uniquely capable of fueling Kidō.
In truth, he had already mastered the Lightning Strike ninjutsu through his observations. However, he had recognized a fundamental similarity in the energy manipulation between it and the fourth Hadō spell, Byakurai (White Lightning). This realization prompted a change in his plan.
If his performance in the genjutsu test was tempered by a desire to conceal Kyōka Suigetsu, earning him second place, he felt no such restraint for this test of raw power. Thanks to the mutation of his spiritual seed, his chakra and spiritual energy were now fused. He could seamlessly mask spiritual power as chakra, making the substitution undetectable to any outside observer.
A brilliant, piercing bolt of white lightning erupted from Aizen's fingertips. It was nothing like the sizzling arcs of the other students. This was a concentrated beam of pure energy, dazzling and sharp, like a meteor cutting across the sky. In its form and density, it far surpassed anything seen before.
It crossed the distance in an instant and struck the central boulder with violent force.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rocked the training ground. The students flinched, their ears ringing. A thick cloud of dust and debris erupted from the impact site, obscuring the view.
"Why does his Lightning Strike seem so much more powerful? How did it cause such a huge explosion?"
"Did he succeed? Did he pierce the boulder like Sasuke?"
"That was a terrifying sound! Is he really using this for the first time?"
A torrent of questions flooded the students' minds. They could tell from the sheer intensity and form of the white lightning that Aizen's technique was on an entirely different level.
All eyes were fixed on the settling dust, eager to see the result. Was it just a flashy display, or something truly shocking?
Gradually, the dust began to clear, revealing the outline of the boulder. Everyone held their breath, their gazes locked forward in tense anticipation.
When the air finally cleared completely, the sight that greeted them left them utterly speechless.
The expected, neatly pierced boulder was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the central target and a dozen surrounding stones had been utterly obliterated, reduced to a field of shattered rubble and fine powder.
A heavy, stunned silence fell over the training ground.
Gulp.
A loud, involuntary swallow broke the quiet. Every student stared at Aizen's calm, unmoving back, their hearts a turbulent mix of awe, disbelief, and envy. Even Iruka was rendered speechless, a storm of emotions raging within him.
He had seen geniuses before. But a monster who could annihilate a cluster of training boulders on his very first attempt? This was unprecedented. A talent of this magnitude was rare even in the entire history of the Ninja Academy. Next to Aizen, the legendary Sannin and even the prodigy Uchiha Itachi seemed to pale in comparison. Iruka felt he was witnessing the birth of a future star.
The other students' expressions were complex. Shock, admiration, and excitement were present, but the most prevalent emotion was a deep, gnawing envy. They admired Aizen's monstrous talent and comprehension. When he first arrived, they had assumed he was there to replace Naruto as the class dunce. Yet, time and again, Aizen had responded with actions that proved he was not a failure, but a rising star with heaven-defying gifts, someone who could potentially stand alongside the legends.
The girls in the class found their eyes shining, their gazes toward Aizen softening with newfound interest. At their age, they naturally gravitated towards talent and good looks. Aizen, possessing both in abundance, perfectly fit their idealized image of a prince.
Aizen, however, was indifferent to their reactions. His goal was accomplished: he had demonstrated unparalleled potential. This high-profile display was a deliberate part of his plan. From the system's information, he knew of Konoha's secret ninja organization—the Anbu.
The Anbu, the Konoha Tactical Assassination and Tactical Squad, was a special force operating directly under the Hokage, specializing in assassination, espionage, and black ops. As an elite unit, every member was a ninja handpicked from the best. They were all exceptional shinobi for their level, possessing formidable strength.
Throughout Anbu history, there had been many outstanding geniuses like Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi. But that wasn't what attracted Aizen the most. It was the organization's particularity—specifically, the fact that Anbu operatives always wore masks on their missions.
It was this detail that led Aizen to display his talent so openly. He was counting on Konoha's leadership taking notice. An invitation to join the Anbu would provide him with the perfect cover and freedom of movement to execute his long-term plans.
Because Aizen possessed a terrifying power that no one else could fathom: Kyōka Suigetsu.
The ability of Complete Hypnosis, combined with the inherent anonymity of the Anbu, was a perfect match.
From the very beginning, Aizen had planned every step. He was confident that after this performance, his name would reach the ears of Konoha's upper echelons. And when the time was right, his plan to infiltrate the Anbu would be well within his grasp.