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Although Shin believed that his current strength was comparable to that of a Six Paths level Shinobi, he didn't consider himself to have reached that level yet.
In his eyes, to truly stand among Six Paths–class fighters, he first had to master Yin–Yang Release and achieve Nature Transformation at the Bloodline Selection—often dubbed Kekkei Mōra.
Only by controlling Yin–Yang Release and Kekkei Mōra would he gain that final metamorphosis, becoming an invincible force in the Shinobi world.
However, he hadn't mastered either of those yet.
He felt that once he mastered Yin-Yang Release and Kekkei Mōra, his strength would undergo a true transformation, making him invincible in the Shinobi world.
At present, he knew there were still threats out there—Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, for one, remained sealed but was certainly dangerous if she ever broke free. Other unknown Ōtsutsuki might also roam the cosmos.
Even Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths, was a potential threat.
In the original story, although Hagoromo only had a fragment of his Chakra left, he was still able to help Naruto and Sasuke seal Kaguya.
Shin suspected Hagoromo might still be lurking somewhere, observing the Shinobi world. If so, that man could present a serious menace to Shin's aspirations.
So even with the Rinne-Tenseigan, Shin couldn't be careless. There were still those who could threaten him.
Although Shin had no personal grudge against Hagoromo, his power posed a threat, and that was enough to make him an enemy.
It was like how the Third Hokage targeted Shin. He saw Shin as a threat and tried to undermine him.
Shin also saw Hagoromo as a threat. Even if he only had a fragment of his Chakra left, he was still a threat. If Shin could find him, he would eliminate him.
It wasn't about hatred; it was simply a matter of survival.
...
"Shin-nii, what are you thinking about?"
Konan's voice broke his reverie. She tugged at his sleeve, her cheeks puffed in mild annoyance.
She'd come for training, only to find Shin lost in thought, barely paying attention.
"Are you angry, Konan?"
Shin smiled and pinched her cheek.
"No…!"
"You're saying that, but your lips are so pouty they could hang an oil pot." Shin poked her nose playfully.
"Come on, let's head back. It's nearly mealtime, we can resume your training tomorrow."
Shin led Konan back home.
Mikoto had already finished preparing dinner.
"We didn't have many ingredients, so it's nothing special," Mikoto said.
"It looks great."
Shin was satisfied with the spread.
"By the way, we should go shopping tomorrow," Mikoto said.
They were currently in the Land of Whirlpools, and there was no one else here besides them.
To buy anything, they had to leave the Land of Whirlpools. It was inconvenient.
But Shin knew Space-Time Ninjutsu, and he was planning to teach it to Kushina and the others. It was a valuable life-saving skill.
He couldn't teach them Yomotsu Hirasaka, but he could teach them the Flying Thunder God Technique.
He had learned it from the Forbidden Scroll. It was easy for him to learn, having already mastered Yomotsu Hirasaka.
But he hadn't used it yet. Yomotsu Hirasaka was more convenient.
Yomotsu Hirasaka consumed more Chakra, but Shin didn't care. He had plenty.
"We're going shopping tomorrow? I'm so excited!" Kushina's eyes sparkled.
Shin knew she'd probably buy random, whimsical items, but that was just how she was. At least it wasn't Tsunade—her gambling habits could bankrupt an entire country.
...
After dinner, night fell. Shin retreated to his room to do a bit of research—trying to figure out how to unlock Kekkei Mōra or master Yin–Yang Release.
He pondered for hours but made little progress, unsurprising given these were essentially the pinnacle of jutsu.
Sometime around midnight—
Creak....
His door opened quietly. Kushina slipped in, wearing only her nightclothes, moving like a burglar. She shut the door carefully and turned to see Shin's gaze.
"Shhh…"
Seeing Shin looking at her, she put a finger to her lips, shushing him.
Shin was speechless. She was acting like she was sneaking into his room for a tryst.
"Kushina…what are you doing sneaking into my room?" Shin whispered.
He instinctively matched her low volume.
"What? You're not happy to see me? Do you not love me anymore?" Kushina looked at him with feigned hurt.
Shin was about to reply when—
BAAMM!
The door flew open, nearly bouncing off its hinges. Tsunade and Mikoto burst in, startling Kushina so badly she nearly fell over.
"What are you two doing here?!" Kushina demanded, flushing.
"Shouldn't we be asking you that question?" Tsunade's face was stony.
"I, I'm having a private late-night chat with Shin! What's wrong with that?" Kushina said defiantly.
"Ooooh? A private chat? Mind telling us the topic? Maybe we can join in,"
Mikoto suggested with a sweet smile that looked anything but friendly. It gave Kushina chills.
Kushina couldn't figure out how they'd caught her. She had been 'so' quiet.
"We're discussing private matters. You wouldn't understand. GO AWAY!"
Kushina decided to get rid of them first.
"We're all good friends here, right? Surely there's nothing we can't hear. Unless you're doing something shady?"
Mikoto's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Kushina and Shin were sitting quite close.
"Ugh!" Kushina gritted her teeth. Who was her best friend? She was ending their friendship now.
"Ahem, It's late. and we're going shopping early tomorrow. You should all go to bed."
Without waiting for protests, he ushered Kushina, Mikoto, and Tsunade out the door, ending the impromptu midnight fiasco.
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