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"The tailed beast chakra is running low. Can you ask Matatabi for me? I need to extract some more."
Yōichi said as he approached Yugito. Recently, he had been continuously training using his shadow clones without taking a break. He even took a trip to Takigakure and extracted a large portion of the Seven-Tails' chakra without alerting the village.
However, even with all this, Yōichi found himself running out of chakra.
But there were results. Yōichi had successfully mastered the basics of the Thunder Annihilation Mode.
With the help of his Research Assistant ability, he had developed two new techniques. By combining the Lightning Release Chakra Mode with the Destruction Spear Technique, Yōichi had created a new ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid technique, which he named the Thunder Annihilation Mode.
It was the only super S-rank forbidden technique in the ninja world.
Even at the first level, it required the physical constitution of a high-ranking warrior from the Devouring World to successfully cultivate it. After mastering the first level of Thunder Annihilation Mode, activating it would enhance one's physical abilities by 2.2 times—speed, strength, explosiveness, reflexes, and physical defense included.
However, it consumed a lot of chakra. If a jonin-level ninja managed to master it, their chakra would only support the Thunder Annihilation Mode for a few dozen seconds.
To simulate the feeling of molten lightning chakra boiling within and then erupting inside the body required immense physical strength, precise chakra control, abundant chakra reserves, and original energy. Without these, the technique was impossible to execute.
The second level of Thunder Annihilation Mode would boost physical abilities by 4.4 times, and the full potential of the mode could enhance physical attributes by up to 15.4 times. However, this required an even higher level of physical constitution.
Aside from Thunder Annihilation Mode, Yōichi also fused the Destruction Spear Technique with Tsunade's superhuman strength, creating a new technique he called Hakai: Unmatched Strength.
This technique allowed the user to concentrate explosive power to its absolute limit, similar to condensing a tailed beast bomb with raw chakra and force. Releasing this power in an instant resulted in a massive explosion of force.
This technique also required immense control, physical strength, and original energy. Though it focused on the fist's explosive power, Yōichi classified it as a super S-rank ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid.
Mastering it was so complex that Yōichi was likely the only one in the ninja world capable of doing so; even Tsunade lacked a few necessary qualifications.
With these two super S-rank techniques finally developed, Yōichi spent every day training with his shadow clones, quickly burning through his tailed beast chakra.
If he relied solely on his own chakra, his training time would be significantly reduced. Besides, why not use an external source of chakra if it was available?
However, when Yugito heard Yōichi's request, she felt a surge of anger. So, he came to her just for more tailed beast chakra? She had just returned from a long mission, and he didn't even ask how she was.
She had gone to wash her feet and changed into silky white knee-high socks as soon as she returned!
With a cold huff, Yugito turned her head and said, "No, Matatabi is sleeping!"
"Huh? Tailed beasts can sleep for long periods?" Yōichi asked, puzzled. But when he noticed Yugito glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, he understood what the tsundere girl was really thinking.
He approached her and placed a hand on her head, asking, "It's been a while since I last helped you with your training. Do you have time now?"
"I just finished a mission, but I could have continued. The jonin leading the team insisted on taking a break!" Yugito tilted her head slightly, her tone defiant. In truth, she was slated to rest and train for a month to prepare for the upcoming chunin exams, as her mission record had long qualified her for promotion.
"Then let's start tomorrow. I have too much going on in the village, so I'll have a shadow clone guide you."
Then, leaning in closer to her, Yōichi smiled and said, "But shouldn't you repay me with a few massages?"
Yugito's cheeks flushed red as she lowered her head and whispered, "Idiot!"
"Let's go to my room."
With that, she turned and walked to her room, leaving the door open until Yōichi followed her inside.
Yugito's room wasn't small—none of the rooms in Yōichi's house were. When he first selected this location, it was on the village's outskirts, giving him plenty of space. Even as the area developed, he still had a forest reserved as his personal training ground.
"Lie on the floor."
"I won't. The floor's too hard; you should lie on the bed."
Yōichi wasted no time lying down on the bed, then used Wood Release to create a support bar for Yugito so she wouldn't lose her balance while giving him a foot massage.
"Cheater... pervert~"
Yugito huffed in irritation at Yōichi's audacity, but she still complied. Standing on the bed, she placed her soft, delicate feet on Yōichi's back.
Her slender feet, tender soles, curled toes, and perfectly shaped calves encased in white socks made every touch feel soft and smooth against Yōichi's skin.
As she continued, Yugito couldn't help but glance down at his iron-hard abdomen, blushing more with each peek.
"After our mission, our team went out for dinner before we disbanded."
Yugito suddenly broke the silence, mentioning her day before returning home.
"Really? Was the mission difficult?" Yōichi asked casually, eyes closed as he enjoyed the massage.
"The mission was a breeze for us, but do you know what happened after the dinner?"
Yugito, her tone proud, shifted her white-clad feet slightly down Yōichi's back, almost to his lower abdomen.
"What happened?" Yōichi asked, curious. What could have happened in the village?
"Someone on the team expressed their feelings for me and even gave me a gift."
Yugito's face lit up with a proud smile, like a small fox showing off. She pointed to the gift on her desk as she spoke.
Yōichi sighed, "Someone gave you a gift? The younger generation matures so quickly. He probably doesn't even know you that well yet, and he's already pursuing you."
Yugito felt a wave of frustration. After saying all that, this pervert didn't even say anything nice? She stomped her foot in irritation, her white-socked toes pressing against his back.
"How do you know he doesn't know me?" she huffed.
"Does he know what you're doing now?"
Yōichi suddenly grabbed her soft, sock-covered foot, feeling its warmth and smoothness.
"Ugh..."
Yugito wobbled, the heat from his grip making her lose balance slightly. Thankfully, the support bar kept her steady and then...
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After extracting the tailed beast chakra, Yōichi left, satisfied. It was only after a while that Yugito, her face flushed, snapped out of her daze.
As she recalled what had just happened, she couldn't help but mutter words like "pervert" and "freak" under her breath.
But when she thought about training with Yōichi tomorrow, a smile crept onto her face.
"I just washed up, and that pervert..."
She grumbled a bit, then went to wash up again. After changing clothes, she noticed the gift on the table.
She hadn't wanted to take it, but the teammate—whether his name was —had stuffed it into her hands and run off. She still hadn't opened the gift box.
"I'll return it to him tomorrow. What was his name?"
Yugito wasn't short of money. She took on missions to increase her strength. Living in Yōichi's house for so long, they had become like family.
Mikoto had even given her a card that could be used to purchase anything from any Uchiha shop—pills, ninja battle gear, kunai, explosive tags, or other items. And it wasn't really "buying" since the card was practically limitless.
After Yugito finished washing up and changing, a blue chakra aura formed around her, and a cat-like face appeared on her shoulder.
"Yugito, that guy took more of my chakra again. You need to stop him from doing that."
Ever since the seal had been removed, Matatabi could manifest like this whenever it wanted, even taking control of Yugito's body, though it chose not to.
"It seems like he's been training, Matatabi. Maybe I should stop using your chakra and let him have it."
"...Yugito, you always call him an idiot, but I think you're the real idiot here!"
Matatabi said, exasperated, before retreating back into Yugito's body. Having just given away a lot of chakra, it needed to rest.
"How am I the idiot, Matatabi? Explain that, Matatabi..."
Yugito called out a couple more times, but Matatabi didn't respond. Frustrated, she resigned herself to tidying up her bed. Recently, she'd taken to cleaning her own sheets, never relying on anyone else.
...
Sunagakure
Though Pakura and her companions had returned with cheap supplies and negotiated a much-desired peace agreement for Sunagakure, Rasa was furious when he found out. He remained silent throughout the high council meeting, his face twisted in a scowl.
Pakura ignored Rasa's dark expression, continuing her report to the other council members. "From now on, I will manage all exports from Konoha to Sunagakure and will need a proper facility in the village."
"I think it would be better if the Fourth Kazekage handled this," interjected a council member close to Rasa. "The Fourth Kazekage oversees the entire village and understands how to distribute resources best, while Pakura has little experience managing such tasks beyond warfare."
Many in the village were close to Rasa. His status as the Fourth Kazekage was one reason, but he had also worked hard to prove himself after the war. If not for his betrayal of Pakura, Rasa might have been above reproach.
But betraying Pakura, a hero of the village, who had earned that title through countless deeds, was unforgivable.
The Third Hokage had at least kept his betrayal of Hiashi Hyuga a secret, staying behind the scenes while the clan's main family took the blame.
But Rasa had sent Pakura to her death without any attempt at secrecy. And Pakura had come back alive, making his actions all the more shameful.
"I agree with Pakura. If you can convince Konoha, go ahead."
Pakura sneered. "Do you think Rasa could make Konoha agree? If he angers them, we can forget about this shipment and prepare for war instead."
"Tell all of Sunagakure that because the Fourth Kazekage must personally oversee this matter, we'll be going to war if Konoha refuses!"
The sarcasm in Pakura's voice made Rasa's supporters blush with anger. Even with a mask on, Rasa's face was clearly contorted in frustration.
Unable to defeat Pakura in battle, and now having to endure her ridicule, any guilt Rasa had once felt toward her had turned into hatred.
"Pakura, you incited Konoha to gain control of this situation. For Sunagakure's sake, you'd better..."
Pakura cut him off before he could finish, "I dare you to take control. If Konoha finds out and cancels the next shipment, you'll be the traitor who dragged us into war!"
Her words silenced the council. No one wanted to be responsible for starting a war, especially when the village was so weak. They couldn't even rely on their jinchūriki; the current holder of Shukaku was just a child.
Reluctantly, Rasa ended the meeting, "Fine. Let Pakura handle it. Dismissed."
He stormed out of the council room, his anger so intense that he didn't even care that this was the most sacred place in the village, filled with statues of past Kazekages.
"Hmph!"
Pakura snorted and walked out as well. No matter how much Rasa accomplished, in her eyes, he would always be a traitor.
And his actions were all about gaining power.
"Pakura."
As she left the council room, she saw the elderly Chiyo waiting outside. Relaxing her tone, she said, "Chiyo-sama, you could have joined the meeting. Why didn't you?"
"I've retired, so I'm just an ordinary Sunagakure shinobi now. Meetings like these aren't for me," Chiyo replied with a chuckle. "You haven't come to see me in a while. Shall we take a walk?"
"Alright, Chiyo-sama."
"Don't call me 'sama.' I've been retired for a while now."
Pakura understood that Chiyo had something to discuss, so she agreed to accompany her. Pakura was grateful to Chiyo for treating her injuries and dealing with the traitor, but she didn't believe for a second that the whole scheme had been orchestrated by one person.
That traitor didn't have the power or influence to betray Sunagakure's hero on his own. Who had given him the courage to try?
As they walked outside, Chiyo suddenly asked, "Pakura, what do you think of Konoha?"
"...They're strong. Too strong for Sunagakure to resist."
Pakura answered truthfully after a moment's thought. "Even if Sunagakure's strength tripled, I wouldn't be confident in our ability to win a war. If Konoha decides to attack, Sunagakure's fate..."
"Is that so... It seems Konoha's strength has developed rapidly, especially with warriors like the Konoha White Fang and Thunder Fang."
Chiyo paused for a moment when she mentioned the Konoha Fang, then continued, "Pakura, I'm sorry for what happened before. We couldn't investigate further, but from now on, no one will betray Sunagakure."
Pakura looked at Chiyo for a few seconds, then said, "I will lead the people of Sunagakure to a better life—something Rasa can never do."
Konoha was preparing to target Sunagakure, leaving the village with only two choices: starvation or war.
But instead of either of those grim fates, Pakura believed the best option was to join Konoha and live a better life.
"Is that so..."
Chiyo said nothing more, leaving Pakura to her thoughts. After a moment, Pakura wondered if Chiyo had guessed her true intentions. But she quickly shook her head. Even if she had, there was no proof.
...
Ryūchi Cave
Yōichi received a summoning serpent's message and quickly performed the Reverse Summoning Technique. In a puff of smoke, Yōichi appeared in Ryūchi Cave.
"Master."
Yōichi greeted Garaga. "I'm here to see the White Snake Sage. I have a matter to discuss."
Garaga asked, "Shall I escort you?"
"No need. It's just a quick question, and I know the way."
Yōichi declined. Garaga's temper was only good when dealing with him. If Shinya decided to call the White Snake Sage a "bastard" during their conversation, it would ruin everything.
After parting with Garaga, Yōichi headed toward the White Snake Sage's lair.
As he approached, he suddenly found Ichikishima-hime rushing toward him. She grabbed his throat, hissing angrily, "You dare return to Ryūchi Cave after what you did?"
Yōichi had called upon Ichikishima-hime for help during the war but had sent her back as soon as it was over.
Feeling a twinge of guilt, Yōichi admitted, "It was wartime, and I didn't have the chance to explain properly. Now that everything's settled, I've come to repay the favor."
He pried Ichikishima-hime off his neck and added, "If I planned to renege on our deal, I wouldn't have come back."
"You have a point..."
"Now, take me to see the White Snake Sage. I have a question to ask. Once that's done, I'll repay my debt to you."
"Alright, but you said the same thing last time."
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Yōichi quickly silenced Ichikishima-hime with three firm pats on her snake posterior, then carried her to the White Snake Sage's chamber. If he didn't keep a firm grip on her, she would undoubtedly try to get even.
As they walked, Yōichi encountered the other two snake sisters, who greeted him with a smile, "Yōichi-kun, have you come to see us?"
Ichikishima-hime quickly interrupted, "He's here to see the White Snake Sage and me, so don't interfere!"
Tagitsu-hime noticed how tightly Yōichi had restrained Ichikishima-hime and chuckled, "The White Snake Sage is inside. Go ahead, Yōichi-kun."
"Thank you."
Yōichi bowed and headed into the deepest part of the cave. He remembered Ichikishima-hime telling him that the White Snake Sage had fused with the land, unable to leave until it transformed into a dragon.
When Yōichi finally met the White Snake Sage, it appeared in its usual elderly form, greeting him, "Yōichi-kun, what brings you to me today?"
"I have two questions, White Snake Sage. Have you ever encountered high-chakra aggregates, similar to this? Something with a high concentration of natural energy or chakra."
As he spoke, Yōichi gathered chakra in his fingers to illustrate his point.
"Hehehe, Yōichi-kun, I suspected you might come for this."
The White Snake Sage's body shimmered, briefly revealing its true serpentine form. Ichikishima-hime interjected, "I didn't tell him our secret."
Realization dawned on Yōichi, "You have something like that?"
"In areas rich in natural energy, it's possible for the environment to mutate—trees growing uncontrollably, animals increasing in size, and minerals transforming. This stone is one of those transformations."
The White Snake Sage explained while a smaller white snake brought several shiny stones to Yōichi, then vanished back into the energy stream.
"This is what you're looking for. I call it the Stone of Nature, formed only in places with extremely high natural energy concentrations."
Yōichi examined the stones, finding them brimming with energy, albeit filled with impurities. Still, they would be perfect for refining into new medicines.
"This is exactly what I needed, White Snake Sage."
(End of Chapter)