Naruto: Infinite Reincarnation

In the main building of the Hoku clan, a dome-shaped structure kept the desert sands at bay. Inside, a man sat playing shogi, his face stern and lined with scars. Leather armor covered most of his body, leaving his muscular arms exposed.

This was Taiji Hoku, the patriarch of the Hoku clan. A Jonin-level ninja and the fastest warrior in the Land of Wind.

As Taiji contemplated his next move in the game, he sensed someone approaching his office.

With urgency and respect, a voice spoke from outside, "Lord Taiji, Baki has returned. He's heavily injured and requires immediate treatment."

Taiji stood abruptly, grabbing his sword—a weapon forged from chakra metal, the strongest naturally occurring metal in the world of Naruto.

Without hesitation, he sprinted toward where Baki Hoku lay. As both the clan's best healer and Baki's elder brother, he needed to act fast. Baki's body was covered in cuts and bruises, his left arm missing, and a deep wound cut across his right eye.

Upon arrival, Taiji found his brother on a table, surrounded by healers working desperately to save him.

"Step aside," he commanded.

Hours passed as Taiji poured his chakra into healing Baki. Finally, Baki stirred, his voice weak but questioning, "Where am I?"

Taiji met the inquiry with his own: "What happened?"

Baki's gaze dropped, avoiding his brother's piercing eyes. "I tried to avenge Fugato and Kenzai."

Taiji's expression darkened. "Didn't I tell you to wait? Did you at least kill Motomaru?"

Baki clenched his jaw. "No… I attacked his grandson."

Slap!

"You fool! Tell me you didn't attack the Dokukuro clan!" Taiji roared.

Although the two clans were fighting, they were essentially hired by other clans. The two clans were not yet at war, and if a war were to break out, the Hoku clan would suffer large losses.

"I—I didn't! The brat was at the Daimyo's palace…"

Taiji's blood boiled. If Baki weren't his brother, he might have killed him on the spot.

He sighed heavily and turned to leave, but Baki's voice stopped him. "Brother… The heir of the Dokukuro clan is a genius."

Taiji raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but our spies confirmed it. He created a new ninjutsu and mastered four others—all within a month. I couldn't believe it, but I took no chances. I sought revenge, but also to eliminate a future threat… And during the fight, I saw it. The kid used a strange jutsu that duplicated himself."

Taiji's eyes widened. "Duplicated?"

Baki nodded. "Yes. He created a perfect copy of himself and used it to kill the rogue ninja I hired."

A slow grin spread across Taiji's face. If he could obtain this jutsu, he could build an unstoppable army full of himself.

"We must have that ninjutsu. From now on, refuse all contracts from other clans. Our priority is obtaining it."

"Yes, brother!"

—----------------------

Similar events unfolded throughout the Land of Wind. The Dokukuro clan had become the center of attention. The news spread rapidly, carried by spies and informants. Every clan, big or small, had now set its sights on the elusive jutsu.

But not all sought to claim it through bloodshed.

In the meeting hall of the Kirikusa clan, voices clashed.

"We must obtain this ninjutsu—no matter what!" an elder bellowed.

Another, younger elder turned to Sora, the clan's patriarch. "He's right, my Lord. If force is necessary, so be it. We cannot allow the Kaze to seize this power before us!"

Sora held up a spy report, scanning its contents. Onochi, the heir to the Dokukuro clan, was the same age as his own son. He chuckled softly.

"We will not use force," Sora declared.

Silence fell over the room.

Though Sora was hailed as the strongest ninja in the Land of Wind, the Kirikusa clan lacked the manpower to fight both the Dokukuro and Kaze clans. A war on two fronts would be suicide.

He broke the silence with a question. "Didn't we recently hire the Dokukuro clan? Motomaru himself fought alongside us, correct?"

His assistant responded quickly, "Yes, Lord Sora. Sir Motomaru remains within our territory. However, our contract with the Dokukuro clan expires tomorrow."

"Hmmm…" Sora scratched his chin. "Summon Motomaru."

Minutes later, Motomaru arrived. The battle-hardened warrior stood tall at 6'2, clad in red leather armor. Fresh scars marred his already-weathered face, and his dark eyes gleamed with defiance.

"You called?" he asked, his tone bordering on disrespect.

The gathered elders bristled at his lack of decorum, but none dared reprimand him.

Sora wasted no time. "Your grandson—did he truly create a ninjutsu that can duplicate its user?"

Motomaru's eyes flickered with surprise. He considered lying but saw no reason to. Instead, pride swelled in his chest. "Yes. My grandson is a genius!"

After boasting, he sobered. "But where did you hear this?"

"Our spies in the Kaze and Hoku clans confirmed it," Sora replied. "It appears your grandson was attacked at the Daimyo's palace. We don't know by whom, but the news has spread. Every clan now knows the Dokukuro possess this jutsu."

Motomaru's fists clenched, his anger barely contained. The attack on his grandson was an affront he would not forget. But he took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. "And what do you want from me?"

Sora smiled. "An alliance—and 30 million ryo for the ninjutsu."

Motomaru's mind raced. The Dokukuro clan couldn't defend the jutsu alone. And no one yet understood its full potential.

"Make it 35 million," Motomaru countered. "And under one condition—you do not sell or share the jutsu outside of your clan."

Sora sighed but nodded. "Deal."

Satisfied, Motomaru said, "I will send a copy of the ninjutsu once I return home. However, we lack manpower. I request a convoy to safeguard its transport."

"Agreed," Sora said swiftly. Then, after a pause, he added, "Say, Motomaru…"

Motomaru raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Your grandson is seven years old, correct?"

"That's right."

Sora's lips curled into a grin. "Why not have my son and your grandson train together? It would strengthen our alliance and benefit them both."

Motomaru considered it. "That would be great, but my grandson will not leave the clan. If the rumors are true, I won't risk exposing him."

"That's understandable. Then how about my son stays with your clan for a while?"

"You must not do this, Patriarch!" an elder protested.

Sora ignored the outburst, waiting for Motomaru's response.

Motomaru smirked. "Now that… might be interesting."