discord.gg/q5KWmtQARF
Join my Discord!
**************
He then got up and moved closer, a determined glint in his eyes. "First, I'll test emitting emotions to see if they can feed on them. The Brigade mentioned they can feed, but only a tiny amount without the soul. Time to see how these creatures work," Horyu mused, his voice steady and curious. The specters, bound by ethereal chains, lunged at him like hounds, but they were restrained, unable to reach him. Despite their efforts, they couldn't feed directly on emotions.
Horyu observed the specters' futile attempts, a smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like you're out of luck," he taunted, knowing well they could hear him but do nothing about it. He focused, trying to emit a blend of strong emotions, channeling his own frustrations and anger towards the specters. Yet, as expected, there was no noticeable reaction; the specters continued their restless, starving dance, unable to grasp the emotional feast Horyu presented.
"Interesting," Horyu noted, his voice low. "They need the soul as a medium to feed on emotions. Without it, they're just... starving." The realization brought a sense of clarity. The specters were trapped in a cruel fate, bound to hunger eternally for something just out of reach.
Toru, watching from above, called down, "Any luck?"
Horyu shook his head. "No, they can't feed directly. It's all about the soul," he explained, his gaze never leaving the specters.
With a thoughtful nod, Toru suggested, "So, what's the plan? Starve them out?"
"Exactly," Horyu confirmed. "If we can isolate them, cut off any potential food source, they'll eventually fade. It's a slow process, but it's a start." His strategy was clear: weaken the specters to a point where they posed no threat, a crucial step in dismantling the Shinigami's lingering influence.
Horyu's approach was methodical. He began by studying the chains that bound the specters, ethereal yet robust, designed to keep them tethered to this realm. "If I can understand these chains, maybe I can find a way to manipulate them, strengthen their binding," he pondered aloud, his Sharingan analyzing the complex seals that made up the chains.
The task was daunting. The seals were intricate, a testament to the Uzumaki's mastery over such arts. Horyu, however, was undeterred. He had a knack for unraveling the mysteries of seals, a skill honed through countless hours of study and practice.
As night fell, Horyu continued his work, the moon casting a soft glow over the sea. The specters, aware of his presence, grew increasingly agitated, their movements more erratic. Yet, they remained bound, unable to break free from their chains.
Horyu was in a bit of a bind, weighing his options as he looked out at the restless sea below. Staying on this little boat to study the Uzumaki's sealing techniques wasn't exactly comfortable, but going back and forth between here and the Wave Country wasn't appealing either. It made sense to stay close to the source; if he had a breakthrough, he could test his theories right away. But the idea of spending days, maybe weeks, bobbing on the water wasn't exactly pleasant. He considered returning to the Twilight Realm for a bit of respite, yet he couldn't just leave Toru behind—it wouldn't be fair to summon him back and forth on a whim.
"Nothing for it, then. I'll just have to buckle down and get this figured out sooner rather than later," Horyu grumbled, setting his resolve. Checking his understanding of sealing jutsu through the Gamer System, he noted he was making good progress, with over half of the required knowledge already under his belt. "A week, maybe less, if I push hard," he estimated, focusing back on the ethereal chains that held the specters at bay.
Toru, hovering nearby, could sense Horyu's determination. "Need any help?" the owl offered, though it was clear there wasn't much it could do in terms of deciphering ancient seals.
"Keep an eye out for any unwanted visitors," Horyu responded, half-joking. "Unless you've picked up seal analysis in your free time."
The owl huffed, clearly amused. "Right, because that's exactly what I do for fun."
Night turned into day, and then back into night, with Horyu pouring over his notes and observations. The seals were complex, a tangled web of chakra threads that defied easy analysis. Yet, with each passing hour, he began to pick apart the patterns, the logic behind the Uzumaki's craftsmanship becoming clearer.
By the third day, Horyu's patience was wearing thin, not with the seals, but with his cramped working conditions. "I swear, if I have to eat one more ration bar..." he muttered, longing for a change of scenery—or at least a change of menu.
At this time, a quest notification lit up in Horyu's mind, a welcome distraction from his frustration with the seals.
[Quest Completed: Uzumaki Quest: Delving into the Spiral - Subquest 1: The Journey Begins]
Objective: Secretly make your way to the land once belonging to the Uzumaki, avoiding detection.
Reward: Seal Apprentice's Toolkit (Set of tools and scrolls necessary for learning Uzumaki sealing techniques, +200 XP, +10 SP)
Looking at the reward, Horyu sighed in relief. He realized that Uzumaki Seals were indeed more complex than the usual fare, and the Seal Apprentice's Toolkit would be a timely aid in his studies.
With the toolkit in hand, "Alright, let's crack this," he muttered, examining the contents of the toolkit. It contained various scrolls, each detailing different aspects of Uzumaki sealing techniques, along with tools that seemed specifically designed for applying and manipulating seals.
Toru, seeing Horyu's excitement, couldn't help but comment, "Looks like you got something fancy there."
Horyu chuckled, "More than fancy, Toru. This might just be what I need to get through these seals." He immediately got to work, the scrolls from the toolkit spread out before him. The tools were peculiar, unlike anything he had seen before. They were finely crafted, each with symbols and inscriptions that hinted at their use in the delicate art of seal application.
As Horyu delved deeper into the scrolls, his understanding of the Uzumaki's sealing techniques began to solidify. The intricate patterns that once seemed like a maze now started to make sense. "So, this is how they did it," he said, almost in awe of the depth and complexity of the Uzumaki's knowledge.
Toru, sensing Horyu's growing frustration, offered a bit of distraction. "How about I catch us some fish? You could use a break, and I'm not half bad at fishing."
Horyu considered the offer, then nodded. "Sure, why not? It's not like these seals are going anywhere."
As Toru disappeared into the sky, Horyu took a moment to stretch and breathe in the salty air. The break was welcome, giving him a chance to clear his head and approach the problem from a fresh angle.
When Toru returned, carrying a sizable fish in its talons, Horyu couldn't help but smile. "I stand corrected. You're pretty good at this."
The simple meal they shared was a bright spot in what had been a monotonous few days. Horyu found himself grateful for the company, even if Toru's idea of conversation was recounting tales of owl heroics and misadventures.
With a renewed sense of energy, Horyu dove back into his work, the seals gradually giving up their secrets. By the fifth day, he had a breakthrough, identifying a key pattern that seemed to be the linchpin holding the rest of the seal together.
"This is it," he said, a note of triumph in his voice. "If I can disrupt this pattern, even slightly, it might weaken the chains enough to make a difference."
Toru, ever the supportive companion, peered over Horyu's shoulder. "Just be careful. Messing with seals this powerful can be tricky."
Horyu shook his head, dismissing Toru's caution with a confident wave. "I know. I'm not trying to weaken it. Instead, I want to make it stronger so these hungry ghosts can't even snack on passing emotions. This way, they'll starve," he explained, his focus on reinforcing the chains while finding a way to weaken the barrier just enough for him to pass through.
--
It is the start of the new week. Please support me with Power Stones! Much appreciated!
-----
To Read up to 50 advance Chapters (25 for each novel) and support me...
patreon.com/thefanficgod1
Please drop a comment and like the chapter!