In Root, within the illusionary realm.
Shūichi looked at Shisui with a smile and said, "Shisui, congratulations on mastering Blaze Release."
Uchiha Shisui wore a beaming smile, exclaiming, "Training for a kekkei genkai is far more challenging than I had imagined, even with your help."
"Shūichi, you truly deserve your reputation as the unparalleled genius of the ninja world, capable of mastering so many kekkei genkai."
Shūichi chuckled. "You'll get used to it. The beginning is always the hardest, but once you've succeeded the first time, it gets easier."
Hearing this, Shisui couldn't help but smile wryly.
It was true that the beginning was difficult, but mastering a second kekkei genkai would hardly be much easier.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be so few people capable of mastering multiple kekkei genkai.
Everyone's talents were different. While Shisui was confident in mastering all seven chakra nature transformations, becoming as proficient in each as he was in Fire Release would be an enormous challenge.
His success with Blaze Release was largely due to his natural affinity for Yin Release and Fire Release.
Moreover, there were quite a few Uchiha ancestors who had dabbled in Blaze Release, even though it wasn't strictly a kekkei genkai.
"Shūichi, during this special training, did anyone else manage to master a kekkei genkai besides me?" Shisui asked.
Shūichi nodded. "Konan succeeded as well."
Shisui was startled. "Wood Release?"
Although Wood Release wasn't inherently stronger than other kekkei genkai, it carried a special significance due to its association with Hashirama Senju.
Shūichi nodded with a smile. "You could say that, but I think calling it Paper Release would be more fitting."
"Still, Konan had already been attempting to master Wood Release beforehand."
Shisui nodded in understanding and then asked, "What about Kakashi and Shinnosuke-senpai?"
They were the two he held in the highest regard, both immensely talented.
Shūichi shook his head. "They haven't rushed to train in kekkei genkai. For them, mastering a single chakra nature to its peak comes first."
"You'll see for yourself when the time comes."
Shisui laughed. "It seems there's a special event lined up for this training."
Shūichi grinned. "Of course!"
---
The five-year special training ended, and Shūichi allowed Kakashi and the others just one day to rest.
Of course, this was one day outside the illusionary realm.
The five years of training took place within the illusionary realm.
After the single day of rest, the 12 members regrouped.
Shūichi didn't waste words and announced directly, "Next, we'll divide into teams."
"Team 1: Kitsuchi, Ameyuri Ringo, Guy."
"Team 2: Kakashi, Yamato, Yugito."
"Team 3: Konan, Kisame Hoshigaki, Baki."
"Team 4: Sarutobi, Shisui, Darui."
As Shūichi announced the teams, Kakashi and the others naturally stood with their respective teammates.
Shūichi swept his gaze over the group and said, "Now comes the final test of this special training, to assess how much you've progressed."
"The first mission: Team 1 and Team 2 will work together to support the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, in defeating the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers. Your objective is to slay the traitorous brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku, who betrayed Kumogakure and assassinated the Second Raikage!"
The group was taken aback.
Darui couldn't help but exclaim, "The Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers? Are we recreating their battle with the Second Hokage?"
"Those two were once revered as the Twin Lights of Kumogakure, only to suddenly betray and assassinate the Second Raikage."
"They possess the power of the Nine-Tails as well as the legendary Six Paths Tools, granting them strength surpassing the Five Kage!"
These words caused Kakashi and the others to grow solemn.
They had witnessed the strength of the Second Raikage and Second Hokage. For Kinkaku and Ginkaku to defeat both, they undoubtedly possessed power beyond even the Kage level.
Moreover, the Six Paths Tools were tied to the Sage of Six Paths himself, ensuring their danger was no trivial matter.
Kakashi instinctively committed this critical intelligence to memory.
Yugito warned, "We must be cautious of those Six Paths Tools… At that time, the Amber Purifying Pot was still in their possession. That sealing tool only requires the target's name to be called out. If the target responds, they are immediately sealed, with no way to escape."
"The Third Raikage used it multiple times to seal the Eight-Tails."
"There's also the Bashōsen, which can wield all five chakra nature transformations."
"Additionally, the Seven Star Sword, Golden Canopy Rope, and Crimson Gourd form a set. If touched by the Golden Canopy Rope, it extracts your speech, rendering you immobile. The Seven Star Sword cuts the extracted words, cursing the victim, while the Crimson Gourd seals them. If the cursed individual utters their favorite word or catchphrase, the gourd absorbs and seals them."
Shinnosuke Sarutobi exclaimed, "That's incredible! Without prior knowledge of these tools, it's no wonder the Second Hokage was defeated back then!"
Kakashi said grimly, "This means neither shadow clones nor substitution techniques would work."
Darui nodded. "Exactly."
Shūichi, watching them exchange intelligence, said, "Head out. The battlefield is to the west!"
Kitsuchi immediately shouted, "Move out!"
Teams 1 and 2 swiftly disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
Shūichi raised his hand, summoning a massive water curtain that formed a screen before Shisui and the others. On the screen, the figures of Kakashi's teams could be seen.
The six were moving swiftly through the forest and soon arrived at an open clearing.
The battlefield stretched before them—a clearing littered with countless corpses. At the center, surrounded by numerous Cloud shinobi, stood the aged figure of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
"In this situation, even a Kage being defeated wouldn't be surprising," Kakashi muttered, his sharp gaze scanning the battlefield.
Apart from the prominent figures of Senju Tobirama and the Gold and Silver Brothers, there were 13 elite members of their unit present, with many more fallen on the ground.
Their arrival interrupted the battle momentarily. All eyes turned to the six newcomers, whose headbands didn't belong to any of the major villages.
"Kitsuchi, let's work together to restrict Kinkaku and Ginkaku!" Yamato suggested immediately.
"I'll join as well," Yugito Nii said firmly. "They possess the power of the Nine-Tails."
"Then it's decided," Kakashi nodded. "The three of you hold them off. The rest of us will assist the Second Hokage in taking down the remaining enemies."
Kinkaku smirked. "Reinforcements, huh? Bold words for your size."
"Seems they know a lot about us," Ginkaku sneered.
Tobirama warned, "Be cautious of their weapons, especially that rope. Don't let it touch you. Also, avoid responding to them. If you answer, you'll be sealed. And above all, do not reveal your names, not even code names."
"Understood, Second Hokage-sama," Kakashi replied. "We're already aware of this information."
Kinkaku's expression darkened. "This might be troublesome. Let's end it quickly."
"Ginkaku!"
Ginkaku nodded, and in the next moment, both brothers were cloaked in a menacing red chakra shroud. Tails sprouted rapidly from their forms, unleashing a terrifying presence that weighed heavily on everyone present.
"Six tails... But they're even more fearsome than Matatabi!" Yugito marveled silently, though she kept her composure.
Kitsuchi and Yamato moved swiftly. Kitsuchi used Earth Release: Mountain Stone Technique, sending two massive boulders crashing towards Kinkaku. Yamato followed up with Wood Release, vines snaking towards Ginkaku.
At the same time, Yugito summoned Matatabi, the Two-Tails. The blue flames of her bijū charged forward, aiming straight for Ginkaku.
Kinkaku braced himself, catching the massive stones with both arms. Seeing Matatabi's appearance, his expression briefly wavered in shock, but the Wood Release infuriated him. His tails lashed out violently, slicing through the air towards Kitsuchi.
Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!
The rising walls crumbled under the impact of Kinkaku's tails, piercing through them like spears. Yet, Kitsuchi's figure transformed into stone—it was a substitution.
Meanwhile, Yugito capitalized on Ginkaku being restrained by Yamato and Matatabi's flames. She unleashed a stream of fireballs, which split midair into numerous smaller projectiles, each homing in on Ginkaku.
This was Scorch Release, an advanced kekkei genkai, not a product of her bijū.
A series of deafening explosions followed, tearing apart Ginkaku's chakra cloak. Yamato seized the opportunity, preparing to seal the Nine-Tails' power within him.
But Kinkaku wasn't idle. With a resounding crash, he shattered the boulders and vanished in a blur of speed.
"Watch out!" Kitsuchi bellowed.
The next moment, Matatabi was sent flying, and Yugito leaped through the air, narrowly evading Kinkaku's tail strikes. Just as she landed, a furious roar erupted from Ginkaku.
"All of you, die!" Ginkaku snarled, forming a Tailed Beast Ball at his mouth.
While this happened, Kakashi, Guy, and Ringo Ameyuri moved in unison, cutting down the remaining members of the Gold and Silver elite unit with precise and deadly efficiency.
As the Tailed Beast Ball neared completion, Kakashi stepped in front of Matatabi, activating the Flying Thunder God Technique. At the same time, Guy unleashed the Seventh Gate, his aura blazing blue as he delivered a ferocious kick, sending Kinkaku flying.
Yamato hurled a kunai, embedding it in Kinkaku's shoulder, while Ringo summoned lightning from her twin blades. The crackling energy descended from the sky, striking Kinkaku where he landed.
Kitsuchi slammed his palms to the ground, causing the earth beneath Kinkaku to sink while the surrounding terrain rose, trapping him.
Finally, the redirected Tailed Beast Ball reappeared, slamming into Kinkaku with devastating force. The resulting explosion obliterated the elevated ground, forcing everyone to retreat.
As the dust settled, Senju Tobirama, now a spectator, allowed a faint smile to cross his face.
"It seems I'm just a guest star today," he murmured.
From the sidelines, Baki observed. "That should take care of one of them, right?"
Darui shook his head. "Even if they aren't full jinchūriki, it's unlikely to be that easy."
At that moment, Shisui narrowed his eyes. "They're back!"
Everyone's expressions hardened. Sarutobi Arinobu muttered, "That was too fast…"
...
On the battlefield, only three tails remained on Kinkaku, and his Tailed Beast Cloak covered only parts of his body. Suddenly, he charged forward at an incredible speed.
Boom! Boom!
Yamato's Wood Release defense shattered as Kinkaku's arm, wrapped in the Golden Rope, struck Yamato, sending him flying.
"This is bad!"
Everyone's expressions changed.
Seeing Kinkaku charging toward him, Kitsuchi clasped his hands together. His body rapidly turned to stone, growing and transforming into a towering rock giant covered in honeycomb-like patterns. With a massive fist, he swung at the oncoming Kinkaku.
Yugito warned, "Don't let Ginkaku sever the Word Soul!"
Even as she spoke, her Scorch Release orbs streaked toward Ginkaku with a series of explosions.
But Ginkaku was too fast. Whether it was Yugito or the Two-Tails' attacks, he evaded them all, his tail wrapped around the Seven Star Sword as he slashed toward the Word Soul Yamato had spat out.
Just as he was about to succeed, a Chidori Sharp Spear struck, severing his tail.
Guy appeared behind Ginkaku, grabbing one of his tails and, with a roar, swung him into the air.
Ringo Ameyuri raised her twin blades, electricity crackling as she struck Ginkaku midair, paralyzing him.
Yugito's Scorch Release followed, slamming into Ginkaku's body. Then the Two-Tails' tails came down with tremendous force, smashing him into the ground and leaving a deep crater. His Tailed Beast Cloak was forcibly stripped away.
Meanwhile, Kinkaku clashed with the rock giant formed by Kitsuchi. The impact shook the ground, causing it to crack and sink with a deafening roar.
Debris flew everywhere, and cracks appeared all over the rock giant's body, but it managed to withstand Kinkaku's attack.
Kinkaku accelerated, roaring, "Die!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
His tails stabbed forward like spears, piercing into the rock giant.
This time, Kinkaku had no intention of using the Six Paths' tools.
As the giant raised its other arm to strike back, its legs and arm were ensnared by Kinkaku's tails.
Moments later, the rock giant was torn apart, crumbling into rubble. Kitsuchi was flung away by a strike from Kinkaku's tail.
But Kinkaku didn't stop, pursuing him immediately.
Kakashi, who had been preparing to seal Ginkaku, had no choice but to abandon his plan and disappear.
In the blink of an eye, Kitsuchi vanished from Kinkaku's sight, his attack missing its mark.
Swish!
Kinkaku reappeared at Ginkaku's side.
Meanwhile, Guy appeared next to Yamato, holding the Seven Star Sword. "Hey, how do I use this thing?"
Yugito replied, "As long as they don't get it back, their attack is nullified."
Guy nodded, then looked at Yamato. "What about this situation? How do we handle it?"
Yamato was key to sealing Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
"I'll take care of it," Senju Tobirama interjected, appearing beside Yamato. He formed hand seals and placed his hands on Yamato.
In the next moment, the Word Soul Yamato had released was gradually withdrawn, and Yamato regained his mobility. He quickly bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Second Hokage-sama!"
Tobirama gave a slight nod.
Back in the day, without the Soul Binding Technique, he wouldn't have been able to hold out until exhaustion, and Kinkaku and Ginkaku would have sealed him with the Crimson Gourd.
It was this very technique that rendered the Golden Rope ineffective against him, preventing it from extracting his Word Soul.
But the strength of Kinkaku and Ginkaku was far more than just that.
---
On the other side, Kitsuchi also thanked Kakashi.
Earlier, he had hardened his body with Earth Release, so he wasn't injured.
Still, Kinkaku and Ginkaku's power was terrifying. Kitsuchi had recently learned the Rock Giant technique from Hoshita Shuichi, confident it could suppress the Four-Tails or Five-Tails. Yet, it had failed against Kinkaku.
Kinkaku turned his gaze toward Kakashi and the others. "Ginkaku, how are you doing?"
Slowly, Ginkaku rose from the ground. The remnants of his Tailed Beast Chakra swirled around him, seemingly recovering bit by bit.
He glared at Kakashi and his group, snorting smoke from his nostrils. "Damn pests. It's been a while since I've been this humiliated!"
"I'll kill them all!"
Kinkaku nodded. "Then let's show them our true power."
With that, he stowed away the Golden Rope, keeping only the Banana Fan.
Ginkaku swallowed the Crimson Gourd.
Without the Seven Star Sword, those two tools were now useless. Holding onto them would only give the enemy opportunities.
As for the Amber Purifying Pot, its effectiveness relied on surprise, so it was temporarily hidden.
Across the battlefield, Kakashi, now cloaked in Tailed Beast Chakra and crackling with lightning, said, "I, Guy, Kitsuchi, and Yugito will handle them head-on in pairs."
"Ringo Ameyuri and Yugito, you'll flank them and support Yamato in sealing them!"
(End of Chapter)
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