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Focusing his mind, Horyu tried to feel the chakra in the air. It was unlike anything he had encountered before—dense, oppressive, and teeming with an unsettling energy. He began to meditate, reaching out with his senses to connect with this strange new chakra. His goal was to achieve a form of Sage Mode that would allow him to harness the Spectral Chakra, giving him the strength and adaptability he needed to navigate this realm.
The process was slow and arduous. Luckily, Horyu had all the right tools to try something so lethal. First, there was the Cursed Seal, Orochimaru's gift to him. He had long mastered the Cursed Seal forms, including Free Transformation. His Demon of Flame mode was the peak of Free Transformation. Beyond Free Transformation was Nature Chakra Transformation, the peak of the Cursed Seal, which even Jugo hadn't mastered.
Secondly, the Specter Chakra was mainly emotions liquefied into energy, much like chakra. Specters fed on emotions, and with the Uzumaki Seed, Horyu had awakened the Mind's Eye of Kagura, Karin's ability, allowing him to sense emotions long ago. It was akin to feeling everything in the Plane of Specters.
Thirdly, he had the system. The biggest cheat in the world, the system could help him master any ability.
A system message flickered in front of Horyu's vision:
[System Message: Nascent form of Specter Chakra Sage Mode detected. Progress: 1%]
Horyu smirked. It wasn't something he could achieve easily, but it was a start. The sanctuary's tranquility helped him focus, allowing him to tap into the surrounding chakra. He could feel the heavy, oppressive energy of the Spectral Realm, different from the natural energy in the human world.
He sat cross-legged, his hands resting on his knees as he closed his eyes and began to meditate. The dense chakra pressed against him, but he drew it in slowly, letting it merge with his own. His breathing steadied, and his mind cleared, focusing solely on the energy around him.
Kurenai watched from a distance, her expression a mix of concern and admiration. Horyu's determination was unwavering, his focus absolute. She knew he was pushing himself to the limit, but she also knew there was no other way. They had to adapt to this realm's chakra to survive and eventually find a way back.
Horyu's mind wandered to the various techniques he had mastered over the years. The Cursed Seal had been a double-edged sword, granting him immense power but also threatening to consume him. He had learned to control it, to harness its energy without losing himself to its influence. The Demon of Flame mode was a testament to his mastery, a dark and chaotic power that amplified his combat prowess.
As he meditated, he could feel the Cursed Seal's power stirring within him. It resonated with the Spectral Chakra, creating a bridge between the two energies. Horyu focused on this connection, drawing the Spectral Chakra through the Cursed Seal and into his own chakra network. It was a delicate process, one that required precise control and unwavering concentration.
Time passed slowly, the minutes stretching into hours as Horyu worked to adapt to the new energy. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his muscles trembled with the effort, but he didn't falter. He could feel the Spectral Chakra becoming more familiar, its oppressive weight lessening as he grew accustomed to its presence.
Kurenai approached cautiously, sensing the change in Horyu's energy. "How are you feeling?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Horyu opened his eyes, meeting her gaze with a determined look. "It's tough, but I'm making progress," he replied, his voice steady despite the exhaustion he felt. "The Spectral Chakra is different, heavier. But I can handle it."
Kurenai looked at Horyu, conflicted. "What should I do?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Horyu didn't answer directly. He respected Kurenai's strength and independence. She was not a weak woman, and it disgusted him how Asuma had destroyed the career she had painstakingly built, leaving her with a baby when he crapped out in the original series. In this reality too, Asuma and the Third Hokage had schemed to betroth Kurenai to the Sarutobi clan, but she and her father had resisted.
Horyu couldn't stand the thought of her being reduced to a mere pawn in their clan politics. She deserved recognition for her own strength and abilities, not to be overshadowed by Asuma's pathetic legacy and worthless pride to come out of his father's shadow. That is why he hated the idea to tell her to trust him. Depend on him. Wait for him to get stronger while she did nothing and waited to be saved. He didn't like that version of Kurenai. He admired her resilience and ambition.
"Sensei," Horyu began, his voice steady. "This place, this chakra... it's different but not something we can't use. Did you know humans are the most adaptable creatures in creation? You can try to add it to your illusions to create something new."
Kurenai looked at him, absorbing his words. She knew he was trying to encourage her, to push her to find her own strength in this alien realm. "But how?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly. "This chakra feels... wrong. It's almost painful to use."
Horyu nodded. "It will be. This isn't going to be easy."
Kurenai took a deep breath and then slowly let her barriers down, allowing a wisp of the Spectral Chakra to enter her system. The moment it did, a searing pain shot through her body, and she began to writhe in agony. Blood trickled from her eyes and mouth as the intense discomfort blanked her mind. Horyu watched her struggle but made no move to help. He knew that as long as she wasn't in mortal danger, this was a trial she needed to face alone.
Closing his eyes, Horyu continued to focus on mastering Senjutsu. The sanctuary's tranquil environment helped, but the weight of the Spectral Chakra made it an arduous task. The energy felt alien and oppressive, different from the natural chakra he was used to manipulating. He needed to find a way to harmonize with it if they were to survive in this realm.
Kurenai's pained gasps filled the air, but Horyu remained resolute. He respected her strength and believed in her ability to adapt, just as he had to. His own journey with the Cursed Seal had been fraught with similar trials, and he understood the necessity of pushing through the pain to gain true mastery.
He channeled his focus inward, visualizing the Spectral Chakra as a dense, swirling mass. With each breath, he drew it into his core, letting it merge with his own chakra. The process was slow and grueling, but he felt the beginnings of an alignment. His chakra pathways expanded, adapting to handle the increased density and unfamiliar energy of the Spectral Realm.
Kurenai's screams eventually subsided, replaced by labored breathing. Horyu opened his eyes to see her lying on the ground, exhausted but alive. She had managed to stabilize the Spectral Chakra within her system, a testament to her resilience and willpower.
Soon, Horyu noticed Kurenai's emotions were in turmoil. Her face twisted with anger, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Why did Shisui have to die?" she cried out, her voice choked with grief. The pain in her voice was raw and intense, echoing through the sanctuary.
Horyu remained silent, knowing she needed to release her emotions. As he watched, her anger shifted to sorrow, and then to a profound sense of loss. Her tears fell freely now, her body shaking with sobs. He moved closer, offering his presence as a silent support.
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