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Asahi knew that Nagato needed an opportunity to fully break through to the Six Paths level, and he had just the thing: the Concentration Pill and the Dragon Vein, both prepared years ago.
To ensure Nagato's success, Asahi decided to personally oversee the process.
Pausing his training session with Mou, Asahi briefly explained the situation to him and then left the central hall.
Mou, now a skilled shinobi at the Kage level, had also sensed the powerful energy fluctuation from Nagato's breakthrough.
He understood the importance of the moment and continued his training alone, determined not to fall too far behind his senior brother.
Asahi quickly arrived at Nagato's residence, where he found Nagato excitedly talking with Yahiko and Konan.
The joy on their faces was unmistakable. Nagato eagerly informed Asahi that he had permanently mastered Sage Mode.
Although Asahi had already sensed this, he listened patiently, understanding Nagato's excitement. Asahi smiled and nodded, then said,
"Since you've permanently mastered Sage Mode, it's time to prepare for the final step. While you're at your peak, go and exchange for a Concentration Pill. Then, join me at the Dragon Vein in the Land of Wind to break through to the Six Paths level in one go."
Nagato's expression turned serious. He knew this was a crucial moment. Without delay, he headed to the clan's treasury to obtain a Concentration Pill.
Asahi instructed Yahiko and Konan to accompany them. Although they hadn't reached their final steps yet, he estimated it wouldn't be long.
This experience would be invaluable for them, and they cared deeply about Nagato, their closest companion.
The group of four, all top-tier shinobi and masters of space-time ninjutsu, quickly reached the Dragon Vein in the Land of Wind, despite the great distance from the North Pole.
Upon their arrival, they were greeted by Sara, the guardian of the Dragon Vein.
Asahi had appointed Sara and Sakumo Hatake as guardians of this vital location over a decade ago.
With the growth in the clan's membership and power, additional ordinary members now also took turns guarding the Dragon Vein monthly.
However, Sara and Sakumo remained the primary defenders due to their strength.
Asahi had even created a floating island above the Dragon Vein as their base.
As he and his group arrived, Sara descended from the sky and respectfully greeted Asahi, "Master, you have arrived."
Asahi nodded in acknowledgment. Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan also greeted Sara, whom they had known for over ten years.
After the brief exchange of greetings, Asahi got straight to the point. "Sara, we need to access the Dragon Vein. Nagato is ready to break through to the Six Paths level."
Sara understood immediately and led them to the heart of the Dragon Vein.
The area was imbued with an immense concentration of natural energy, perfect for Nagato's final breakthrough.
Once they reached the Dragon Vein, Asahi began to set up a protective barrier around Nagato to ensure his safety during the process.
"Nagato, take the Concentration Pill and begin. We'll be here to support you."
Nagato took a deep breath, swallowed the pill, and sat down to meditate.
The potent energy of the Dragon Vein surged around him as he concentrated on his inner chakra. Asahi, Yahiko, and Konan watched intently, ready to assist if needed.
Hours passed as Nagato's chakra swirled and intensified, merging with the Dragon Vein's energy.
Suddenly, a tremendous burst of chakra exploded from Nagato, filling the entire area with blinding light.
When the light subsided, Nagato stood up, his presence radiating a new, profound power.
Asahi smiled, knowing that Nagato had successfully stepped into the Six Paths level.
The intense training, the years of dedication, and the strategic use of the Dragon Vein had all paid off.
Nagato had become one of the most powerful beings in the ninja world, without relying on a tailed beast.
"Congratulations, Nagato," Asahi said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You've achieved something remarkable. Now, let's return to the clan and continue to grow stronger together."
With that, the group returned to the Ogami Clan, ready to face whatever future challenges awaited them.
For over a decade, the four of them hadn't met frequently, but they had spent a significant amount of time together.
Sara had even lived on the Ogami Clan's island for a considerable period.
Later, however, she left, claiming she didn't want to leave her master alone for too long. When Sara greeted them with a smile, Asahi explained the purpose of their visit.
After explaining, Asahi paused and asked, "Sara, has your master broken through yet?"
Sara silently shook her head, prompting Asahi to sigh in resignation. He had thought that Sakumo Hatake would be the first in the Ogami Clan to take the final step.
Sakumo had reached the bottleneck of permanently mastering Sage Mode three years before Nagato.
However, due to a mental block, Sakumo had been stuck at this stage for five years without making any progress.
Asahi understood Sakumo's situation. Sakumo had been a hero of his village but had to fake his death and go into hiding. Such a situation would break anyone's spirit.
Even with his broad-mindedness, Sakumo had a lingering knot in his heart. He was still alive, but almost everyone, including his son, thought he was dead.
As Kakashi grew stronger, Sakumo didn't dare to venture outside the floating island, fearing even a fleeting glimpse of his son would lead to his recognition.
Kakashi had become an outstanding and powerful ninja, and encountering him outside the island could lead to unintended consequences.
For nearly ten years, Sakumo had confined himself to the floating island because it was the one place Kakashi would never come.
Any other place carried the risk of running into Kakashi on a mission. Sakumo feared the repercussions of being recognized by his son.
Although Konoha had changed under Minato Namikaze's leadership, rendering Sakumo's self-imposed exile unnecessary, he still did not dare to show himself.
He wasn't concerned about societal judgment or being labelled as cowardly. His real fear was that Kakashi would resent him for abandoning him during his childhood.
Despite his good intentions, Sakumo knew he had left Kakashi with deep emotional scars.
Sakumo Hatake, despite his strengths, was ultimately a loving father. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have succumbed to such mental struggles.
However, the isolation magnified his vulnerabilities.
For over a decade, he had spoken to no one except his disciple, and that kind of loneliness was incomprehensible to outsiders.
Even Asahi couldn't fully grasp Sakumo's loneliness.
Although Asahi often immersed himself in months or even half a year's worth of training, his focus on comprehending laws and principles meant he wasn't as sensitive to the passage of time.
Additionally, his routine of studying ancient texts and teaching disciples kept him from feeling lonely.
Given Sakumo's current state, Asahi felt powerless to help.
He had tried to address Sakumo's mental block directly, but each time Sakumo, ever the proud individual, would simply shake his head and claim he didn't know what was wrong.
Asahi, feeling helpless, sighed. As the leader, he was frustrated that such a talented disciple like Sakumo Hatake was stuck at an inexplicable barrier.
Knowing that Sakumo was likely still in seclusion trying to overcome this obstacle, Asahi didn't press further.
He noticed Sara wanted to say something but held back. Although Asahi sensed her hesitation, he didn't comment on it.
Instead, he nodded at Sara and led the group toward the underground Dragon Vein.
Navigating through the ruins of the ancient Roman Kingdom, they took a series of secret passages to an expansive underground altar.
This altar was constructed later to channel the energy of the Dragon Vein and provide a place for disciples to advance their training.
Above this altar was the old shrine and sealed chamber of the Roran Kingdom.
According to intelligence from the major ninja villages, the Dragon Vein was considered completely sealed.
As the five of them arrived, the ninja talismans around the altar activated, illuminating the previously dark space.
The air was filled with purple energy and the rich natural energy caused Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan to widen their eyes in amazement.
They had only heard about the high density of the Dragon Vein's energy but witnessing it was another matter.
The density was far beyond their expectations, making it clear why this place was chosen for breakthroughs—it could save an enormous amount of time.
Asahi nodded at Nagato, signalling him to start his training at the centre of the altar.
Nagato, aware of the steps needed for the breakthrough, did not hesitate and sat down in the middle of the altar.
As he consumed a pill, a sense of void began to emanate from him, and the energy of the Dragon Vein started to flow around his body.
Observing this, Asahi knew Nagato had begun his breakthrough.
With the help of the concentration pill and his steady progression in Sage Mode, Nagato's breakthrough would take much less time than Asahi's.
Asahi estimated it would take Nagato about a year to reach the Six Paths level.
Turning to Sara, Asahi instructed her to follow him, and they left the altar.
Yahiko and Konan, taking advantage of the situation, began their training nearby, using the natural energy that Nagato inadvertently dispersed.
Although this residual energy was of little use to Nagato, it was invaluable to Yahiko and Konan, helping them progress further on their paths.
Outside the altar, Asahi looked at Sara and asked, "Sara, what did you want to say earlier? Go ahead."
Sara took a deep breath. She wasn't surprised that Asahi noticed her earlier hesitation.
Considering Asahi's perceptive nature, it would have been more surprising if he hadn't noticed.
Sara's earlier hesitation was a deliberate attempt to catch Asahi's attention.
She began, "It's about my master, Sakumo. He's been in this state for far too long, and I'm worried that if this continues, he might never breakthrough."
Sara's voice trembled slightly, reflecting her deep concern for Sakumo. Asahi listened intently, understanding the gravity of her words.
Asahi responded thoughtfully, "I understand your concern. Sakumo's mental state is a significant barrier, and it's something only he can overcome."
"We can provide all the resources and support, but the final step must be taken by him alone." He paused, considering the best course of action.
"Sara, continue to support him as you have been. Your presence is more valuable than you might realize. Sometimes, a familiar face and unwavering support can make all the difference," Asahi advised.
Sara nodded, her determination renewed by Asahi's words. "I will, Lord Asahi. I'll do everything I can to help my master."
Asahi smiled reassuringly, "I know you will, Sara. Sakumo is fortunate to have a disciple as devoted as you."
With that, they turned back to join Yahiko and Konan, knowing that the journey ahead would require patience, resilience, and unwavering support for one another.
Even Nagato and the others had noticed something was amiss. However, they wisely chose not to ask questions.
This was why Asahi had called Sara aside while Yahiko and Konan quietly continued their training. Seeing Asahi's seriousness, Sara did not hesitate to speak up.
"Master Asahi, my master's mental state issues likely stem from Kakashi."
Asahi was taken aback. How could Sara think it was related to Kakashi?
After all, Sakumo Hatake, known as White Fang, had virtually no interaction with Kakashi's character in the current setting. "You know your master's true identity?"
Asahi asked, his mind racing to comprehend the situation. This seemed like the only plausible explanation.
Sara nodded slightly, her expression tinged with frustration. "Yes, Master Asahi. I know my master's identity. He is the legendary White Fang of Konoha—Sakumo Hatake.
"The name 'Byakko' was just a title you gave him after he joined the Tazuna."
Hearing Sara's words, Asahi could sense her indignation and sorrow for Sakumo's past.
Nodding slightly, he said with a sigh, "I can see that Sakumo trusts you a lot. But why do you think his mental state issues are connected to Kakashi?"
Sara fell silent for a moment, contemplating her words. She knew the depth of Sakumo's trust in her.
Although she was initially assigned to him by Asahi, Sakumo had always treated her with utmost care and dedication. Finally, she spoke, her voice filled with conviction,
"Sakumo-sensei has always been deeply affected by the circumstances of his departure from Konoha."
"The pain of leaving his young son, Kakashi, to fend for himself has weighed heavily on his heart."
Asahi listened intently, realizing the depth of the bond between Sakumo and Sara. Her understanding of Sakumo's struggles reflected the trust and respect they shared.
"So, you believe that resolving his feelings towards Kakashi is the key to overcoming his mental barriers?"
Sara nodded again, more firmly this time. "Yes, Master Asahi. I think if Sakumo-sensei can find closure with Kakashi, it might help him move past this impasse."
Reflecting on her words, Asahi saw the wisdom in her perspective.
"Sara, you may be right. The bond between father and son is powerful, and unresolved emotions can create significant obstacles. We need to find a way to address this."
Sara's eyes shone with determination. "I will do everything I can to help Sakumo-sensei. He deserves to find peace and overcome this barrier."
Asahi smiled, appreciating her dedication. "Your loyalty and commitment are admirable, Sara. We'll work together to support Sakumo."
"This won't be easy, but with time and effort, I believe we can help him find the resolution he needs."
With a shared sense of purpose, they returned to join Yahiko and Konan, ready to face the challenges ahead.
The journey to help Sakumo find closure and peace would require patience, understanding, and unwavering support, but they were determined to see it through.
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