Boom!
Kinkaku swung the Bashō Fan, unleashing a violent storm.
Ōnoki and Yamato, already prepared, raised earthen walls to shield against the gale.
However, the next moment, the stone walls shattered as Kinkaku and Ginkaku charged forward at blinding speed.
The Two-Tails opened its mouth, firing a barrage of Tailed Beast Bombs. The continuous explosions filled the air, but Kinkaku and Ginkaku dodged them with ease.
Their movements were so swift that even Ringo Ameyuri's Lightning Release attacks failed to hit.
"Rankyaku!"
A loud roar echoed.
Might Guy suddenly appeared, delivering a ferocious kick that severed Kinkaku's right hand holding the Bashō Fan. The strike also tore through Kinkaku's chest and interrupted his high-speed assault.
Despite this, Kinkaku's ferocity was undeterred. With a roar of pain, tails sprouted from all directions and lunged at Guy.
At that moment, wooden tendrils emerged from the ground, binding the tails in place.
Rumble!
Lightning bolts from Ringo Ameyuri descended from the heavens.
Following this, Guy formed a peculiar hand seal as he landed, compressing the air into the shape of a white tiger.
Daytime Tiger!
With a roar, Guy thrust both hands forward. The white tiger charged forth, slamming into the paralyzed Kinkaku with tremendous force.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Kinkaku's body was sent flying, generating shockwaves in the air.
After being hurled hundreds of meters away, Kinkaku landed, his Nine-Tails Chakra fragmented. He reverted from his Tailed Beast form to his humanoid state.
"This guy…"
Kinkaku glared at the heavily panting Guy in disbelief. He had been forced back to his base form in a single attack.
However, he was too far away to notice that Guy had already activated the Seal of Life; otherwise, he would have collapsed.
"Well done, Guy!"
Yamato praised, flashing forward with a group to stand before Kinkaku. Forming seals, wooden stakes rose around Kinkaku, and wooden vines tightly bound his body.
Kakuan Nitten Suishu!
A "座" symbol appeared on Yamato's palm as he pressed it against Kinkaku's chest, extracting the Tailed Beast Chakra.
Simultaneously, more wooden vines wrapped around Kinkaku, suppressing the recovery of his Nine-Tails Chakra.
The seal was complete.
Yamato exhaled in relief and turned to the other battlefield. There, Ōnoki and the Two-Tails had been blasted away by Ginkaku, only for Kakashi—shrouded in dense lightning armor resembling an impenetrable suit—to pierce through Ginkaku's heart.
"Roar!"
Ginkaku howled in pain. Three tails coiled around Kakashi, while three more lashed out like swords, stabbing into him.
Crack!
Kakashi's Susanoo-like Thunder Armor fractured and then exploded.
Without mastering Electromagnetic Release, Kakashi had forged the Thunder God Armor through years of honing, controlling countless electric fields to sustain a Lightning Chakra Mode surpassing the Raikage's.
But Ginkaku's monstrous attack shattered this defense.
Before the tails could pierce Kakashi's body, he teleported away using Flying Thunder God.
The next moment, two massive boulders slammed into Ginkaku from both sides with a thunderous crash.
Already fatally wounded, Ōnoki's attack crushed Ginkaku, turning him into a "sandwich."
Finally, the Two-Tails unleashed a Tailed Beast Bomb, blasting Ginkaku away.
The outcome was decided.
Shūichi observed and reflected: perhaps he had over-prepared.
If this had been a single squad, the battle might have been more intense.
He had overestimated Kinkaku and Ginkaku's strength.
Of course, Kinkaku and Ginkaku were powerful—certainly beyond Kage-level. If not for intelligence on their Six Path Tools, Kakashi and the others would have suffered significant losses.
With Ginkaku also sealed, Senju Tobirama, Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and the elite troops orchestrated by Shūichi vanished.
Senju Tobirama was real; Kinkaku and Ginkaku were real. However, their elite troops were merely extras arranged by Shūichi.
After this intense battle, everyone except Ringo Ameyuri and Yamato showed significant growth.
Kakashi had mastered the Takemikazuchi Thunder God Armor. Yugito had unlocked the Flame Release Kekkei Genkai. Ōnoki had developed his Petrification Technique, combining it with Shūichi's Hive Shield to create a Rock Golem resembling an Earth Chakra Mode.
As for Guy, he had learned Shūichi's Rankyaku and completed the full development of Daytime Tiger.
While Shūichi was teaching his final lessons in the illusory realm, far away in the Land of Bears, Nagato and Uchiha Obito finally uncovered traces of Monk Jigen.
"Although we've found a lead, it dates back over ten years," Obito said, frowning after exchanging information on a rooftop. "This guy is deeply hidden. He's likely plotting in secret, just like Black Zetsu, to recover his strength and seize the Tailed Beasts."
Nagato nodded. "That's likely his plan."
"We need to find him quickly."
"Even if the trail is over a decade old, it's still a clue."
"Like Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, he'll need a suitable vessel to contain his power. Such candidates won't be abundant."
"He might also be recruiting helpers, just like when I founded the Akatsuki."
Obito nodded. "The most suitable vessels would be those with Six Paths bloodlines."
"This guy was gravely wounded by Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, so he wouldn't hide in the Ninja World's core areas to avoid exposure."
"Another possibility is a separate dimension…"
Nagato pondered. "That would be left to chance. Only if he moves between dimensions could your Mangekyō detect him, right?"
Obito nodded. "For now, we'll pursue both approaches. We can't afford to miss any opportunity."
Nagato agreed, and the two vanished from the rooftop, resuming their pursuit.
…
Konoha Village, Uchiha Clan.
Uchiha Itachi returned home after school and approached his father, who was feeding the fish. Bowing respectfully, he announced, "Father, I have awakened my Sharingan!"
Fugaku Uchiha's hand froze mid-motion. Turning to his son, his usually stern face showed a rare expression of joy. "So, you've finally done it?"
Itachi nodded, and his eyes shifted, revealing a single tomoe Sharingan.
Fugaku nodded with satisfaction. "Tonight, you will attend the clan meeting and share your method of awakening the Sharingan with everyone."
Itachi remained calm and replied, "Yes, Father."
Fugaku then asked, "Has anyone else been informed of this?"
Itachi responded, "My teacher knows and said he would report it to the Fourth Hokage."
Fugaku gave a slight nod, unconcerned.
Even if the teacher didn't report it, Fugaku had planned to do so himself.
"Itachi, you are the first in the Uchiha clan to awaken the Sharingan through your own efforts. This is of great significance to our clan."
His tone grew solemn. "You must not let the clan down, nor should you disappoint Shisui or Lord Shūichi."
Itachi bowed slightly. "I understand, Father."
Fugaku's expression softened with pride. "Go. Shisui has also returned. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to hear of your achievement."
Itachi's eyes lit up. "Has Brother Shisui completed his special training?"
Fugaku nodded. "Indeed."
Itachi quickly bowed and hurried off.
---
Shisui Uchiha, feeding his crows, suddenly turned around with a smile as Itachi approached. "Itachi, congratulations on awakening your Sharingan!"
Itachi was momentarily surprised. "Brother Shisui, how did you know?"
Shisui chuckled. "When I reported to the Fourth Hokage after completing my training, he mentioned it."
"Well done!" Shisui gave a thumbs-up.
Itachi smiled. "It's all thanks to you and Lord Shūichi's guidance."
Shisui asked with interest, "What's your next plan?"
"I want to graduate early," Itachi said as he stepped closer, "but I haven't discussed this with Father yet."
Shisui nodded approvingly. "That shouldn't be a problem. Now that you've awakened your Sharingan, graduating early would allow you to join the training unit at the Root Division, where you can train further with some of the best shinobi in Konoha—and even the ninja world."
Itachi's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Will Lord Shūichi personally train me there?"
Shisui chuckled. "That's unlikely. You won't need Lord Shūichi's training until you unlock the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Itachi felt a twinge of disappointment but quickly smiled. The answer was within his expectations.
After all, Shūichi Hoshita was now the strongest shinobi in the ninja world. Teaching someone like him would be a waste of Shūichi's talents.
"So, it will be you, Brother Shisui?" Itachi asked.
Shisui nodded. "Most likely. Right now, I'm the only Uchiha in the Root Division. Of course, when it comes to practical classes, it won't be me. Those will be arranged by Shinnosuke-senpai."
"Is that the son of the Third Hokage?" Itachi asked curiously.
Shisui nodded again. "Yes. Shinnosuke-senpai has inherited the full legacy of the Third Hokage. His recent training was highly fruitful, and he might now even surpass the Third Hokage himself."
"Impressive!" Itachi exclaimed in awe.
"So, what did you gain from your training, Brother Shisui?" Itachi asked.
Instead of answering, Shisui raised his hand, and flames surged from his palm, forming a flaming shield.
Itachi's eyes widened. "Such precise control… Is that… Blaze Release?"
Shisui nodded. "Yes, the Blaze Release Kekkei Genkai, learned from Lord Shūichi."
Itachi gasped in amazement. "That means, Brother Shisui, you've mastered two Kekkei Genkai! Incredible!"
Shisui dispersed the fire shield with a smile. "Once you witness Shūichi's power, you won't find this surprising anymore."
Even Shisui himself was no longer certain how many Kekkei Genkai Shūichi had mastered.
---
Root Division Headquarters
In the office, Shūichi addressed Kisame Hoshigaki, Ameyuri Ringo, Yugito Nii, Baki, Kitsuchi, and Darui:
"You've already learned the concept of Sage Mode."
"To achieve Sage Mode, the most basic requirement is an immense chakra reserve. Without it, you risk being overwhelmed by natural energy, leading to loss of control."
"As of now, only Kisame, Kitsuchi, and Darui meet the chakra threshold."
"Of course, that's just the minimum requirement."
"There is also a faster method to master Sage Mode—through a Cursed Seal. By applying the seal, I can grant you perfect access to Sage Mode."
"However, using the Cursed Seal has its drawbacks. The seal contains my power, meaning I could appear behind you at any time and eliminate you."
Ameyuri Ringo grinned, revealing sharp teeth. "Even without the seal, wouldn't it be just as easy for you to deal with us, Lord Shūichi?"
Shūichi chuckled. "I'm simply informing you of the risks."
"Additionally, with the seal in place, I can monitor your every move."
Kisame spoke up. "Lord Shūichi, could we see an example of Sage Mode's power?"
Shūichi turned to Anko Mitarashi. "Anko, demonstrate for them."
Anko nodded promptly. "Yes, my lord!"
She stepped around the desk, clasped her hands together, and unleashed her chakra, creating a powerful gust of wind.
The group watched as Anko's body became enveloped in red flames.
"Is this a Fire Release Chakra Mode?" Kisame immediately recalled a similar technique Shūichi had demonstrated before.
Although Anko had trained for five years in a simulated environment, she hadn't fully mastered the Fire Release Chakra Mode and struggled slightly.
However, once the Cursed Seal's power activated, lotus-like markings spread across her body. The previously unstable flames solidified and shifted from red to azure.
Fire Release Chakra Mode: Complete!
Anko released her hands, and her body levitated into the air. Beneath her feet, fiery lotuses bloomed in layers.
Seeing this, Ameyuri Ringo couldn't help but ask, "Lord Shūichi, if I had the Cursed Seal, could I complete that jutsu?"
Shūichi nodded. "Sage Mode enhances both chakra control precision and the stability of ninjutsu."
Ameyuri grinned. "I have no issues, then. Please grant me the Cursed Seal, my lord."
Kisame followed immediately. "I have no problem either."
After all, even the Mizukage served under Shūichi, so there was no reason to refuse.
Yugito Nii added, "I'm fine with it as well."
Shūichi turned to her. "You could try training for traditional Sage Mode alongside Matatabi. If successful, your synchronization with the Two-Tails might surpass what you achieved with the standard Jinchūriki Mode."
Yugito's face lit up with excitement. "Really? That's wonderful!"
Baki spoke up next. "Lord Shūichi, I have no objections either."
The Fourth Kazekage had already instructed him about this beforehand.
Lastly, Darui said, "Lord Shūichi, I'd like to try mastering Sage Mode on my own first. If I fail, then I'll consider the Cursed Seal."
Kitsuchi echoed the sentiment. "Same for me, Lord Shūichi."
Shūichi nodded. "Kitsuchi, Darui, Yugito—return for further instructions tomorrow."
The three bowed respectfully and left.
Shūichi then created shadow clones to individually apply the Cursed Seals to Ameyuri, Kisame, and Baki.
Naturally, each seal was tailored for a single purpose.
For instance, Ameyuri's seal, the Takemikazuchi Mark, exclusively enhanced Lightning Release.
Kisame and Baki's seals amplified Water Release (Mitsuhanome Mark) and Wind Release (Shinatsuhiko Mark), respectively.
(End of Chapter)
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