The world was different, even miles below in Kaizoku's swallowed sea, the shift in my perspective was so stark it left me speechless as I examined myself. The Nature Energy transformed my skin to a smooth and almost scaly surface that glittered in certain light, not that there was much light. But as my eyes had become slit like an eel so had my underwater vision improved, much so that I could peer through the dark waters drowning Kaizoku's tower from my place atop his tail. I could see how much of him remained coiled down there, he was huge, long and more feathered and scaled than Unaimaru. A section of his body was barbed with spikes that twitched infrequently.
My eyesight was poor in comparison to the heightened sense of smell, and god this tower stunk. My nose crinkled and the two, subtle barbels protruding from my cheek wriggled. I prayed to not only get used to the stank but my own [Sage Mode] transformation sooner rather than later.
I wasn't expecting so many…modifications.
The stumpy little barbels flailed by my cheek, each sway brought me a new understanding of the chakra clustered in the atmosphere nearby and increased my [Water Perception] range by magnitudes such that I could sense the movements of the many other Unagi and half-breeds swimming around in Kaizoku's tower. But more than the barbels was the perpetual mist that seemed to aura around me, it was thin, enough to wave away with a hand but thick enough to obscure.
I could see some use in this. The mist acted according to my thoughts and will, though quite sensitively— I would need some practice before it could move as I wished during combat or otherwise.
Overall, my affinity to Water Chakra nature had seen explosive growth, well past what I thought was possible even after being declared a master at it for years. The power in my bones and muscles was just as well, each movement felt like I was a feather gliding through the air, my body was light, free but dangerously strong.
I spun around on my heel and punched out at the water, it exploded as a pressure wave blasted against its surface. A satisfied grin crawled against my lips at the show but that quickly faded as Kaizoku's stunned silence ended with a rolling cackle, "Nnghahaha! Yagura Karatachi!"
Surprised to hear my name and not 'turtle' from Kaizoku, I answered with a raised brow as the colossal Sea Serpent leered closer at me but without any of the hostility he'd exhibited from before. Is he…happy?
"I will remember you, Yagura, Fourth Mizukage and second ever Sea Sage!" Kaizoku bellowed joyously, his voice full of mirth even if his face remained as frightening to look at as ever; the extra viewing to his rows of hundred teeth didn't help.
His switch up was surprising but considering what I'd accomplished…Wait, second Sea Sage? "Sea Sage? I thought you were a Sea Serpent, an Unagi?"
"Marvellousss child, the dominion of my contract includes all from the tiniest seahorse to the largest whales. Every creature within my Sea is within my protection and subject to our calls." Kaizoku said, his toothy grin growing larger every second I stewed in [Sage Mode] his eyes ogled me with a mix of pride and fascination, "I will train you in the Sage Art, worry not, you will understand the true depthss of your new power."
I couldn't help but raise a brow to that, after everything the damned sea snake had put me through and his clearly attempted murder just now, training with him wasn't in any of the scenarios I imagined. We have this handled, don't we?
"Your Senjutsu is particularly suited to me," Isobu answered within me, "We should stick to our original plans, not sure what other sacrifices Kaizoku has planned when he says 'train'."
The original plan was simple and straightforward, it was also a success. Meeting Kaizoku one last time to get a scent for the [Sage Mode] so I could activate it on my own…I'd just done that and feeling the energy coursing through me, I knew I'd never forget how to access it, not after what I'd done to make this all possible.
Looking up from my clenched fist I answered his offer, "No, thank you. I think I've learned enough to be functional." I waved a hand through the thin mist cloaking me, "I will master the Sage Art just as I have other forms of jutsu."
Kaizoku's mood soured instantly. His head surged forward, eyes gleaming with something between frustration and determination. "Do not be foolish, Yagura. The Sea Sage Art is not something to intuit—you barely understand the power I've placed in your fingertips."
I opened my mouth to counter, but he wasn't done.
"That strike was a poor but powerful showing." His voice deepened, coiling around me like the waters of his domain. "I can show you how to rupture organs with a touch. How to sail the air itself. How to become unseen, even in the clearest waters."
As if to prove his point, Kaizoku vanished. One second, his massive bulk filled my vision—then nothing. My new Sage senses screamed, yet all I could grasp was the faintest ripple of displaced chakra.
Where—?!
A whisper of movement. Then, a force like a tidal wave slammed into my side. I barely had time to reinforce my body with chakra before I was sent hurtling through the water, flipping end over end. The currents themselves felt like Kaizoku's limbs, dragging and twisting me at his command.
I caught myself mid-spin, heels digging into an invisible surface—the water itself solidified beneath me. I gritted my teeth. That was no simple movement. He's shaping the battlefield with every breath.
Kaizoku's laughter echoed. He reappeared with a slow, sinuous coil, his gaze triumphant. "This is Kaikyo Ken."
Already I could see how I could go about doing some of those things, especially developing a new martial art form to bring the best from my [Sage Mode] I'd done a lot of those with Uncle during the 3rd War, with a healthy plethora of shinobi and their varying combat styles, I was intrigued but also afraid. But that was then.
"That was…an impressive demonstration and while I appreciate the offer, Kaizoku, I'll have to decline." I turned, ready to jump out into the water so I could leave out the giant Uzumaki sealed doors and return home, but Kaizoku wasn't taking no for an answer. More of his tail rose up from the water, blocking my path as he slithered around the tower.
"You stubborn one. You cannot simply take the power of a Sage and wield it without purpose or definition. I will be your guide, your master in the art!" I groaned but he wasn't done, he began to negotiate, "Very well, I shall give you authority to summon more than my son, I am sure he has been a bore unto you. In exchange I will train you in Kaikyo Ken!"
I was about to outright reject him with no care towards being polite but the context of his words told me something new, "I never realized I wasn't allowed to summon more than Unaimaru." Brows knitted to a frown I glared up at him, "That's a breach of the contract I signed, Kaizoku."
The aged and colossal Sea Serpent seemed to shrug, unconcerned, "Can you blame me for not trusting you? For believing you would fail?"
"Yes." I deadpanned, partly furious and partly surprised I never noticed. I suppose I never had time to discover how many more creatures I could summon, Unaimaru was quick, familiar and serviceable. Shaking my head I decided there and then not to let it go, regardless of my apparent ignorance and Kaizoku's somewhat understandable doubt in shinobi, I wouldn't forgive, much less give into his demands without significant concessions on his part.
"If you really want to revive your lost Sage Art in the shinobi world, then you'll restore my privileges and add on to it." I said, arms folded.
"Anything within my power, Sage Child, name it." Kaizoku promised, hope glittering in his eyes as he leaned closer to hear my wish.
"It is exactly your power I want, Kaizoku," I said, a measured smirk creeping up my lips as confusion came alight in those slit eyes, "I will summon you to battle someday and you will answer the call, however many they are. The shinobi world enters an age of uncertainty now."
For the second time this encounter I'd rendered Kaizoku stunned and speechless. His mouth hung open, eyes dilated in deep thought as he stared at and through me. And then, slowly, those jowls expanded in a showcase of fangs and teeth as he grinned, "Yagura Karatachi, I will surely remember you."
"You better, now, what do you say? Will you heed my calls?"
"I will grant you my might in battle three times and no more, do not waste it. Now, we train." He loomed, just about a snap away from swallowing me.
I saw myself in the lens of his eyes, and mine were just like his. Slit pupils and a sclera darkened to a deep sea blue, the same colour markings that highlighted my eyes. I liked what I saw.
"Good, but let's make a schedule first."