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Shin experimented with Yomotsu Hirasaka. This technique could be used offensively, to shorten the distance for long-range Jutsu, or to disrupt and ambush opponents. It could also be used defensively, for evasion and escape. It was incredibly versatile.
The Chakra cost was manageable, but the strain on his eyes was significant. His Mangekyō Sharingan had limited ocular power.
If he didn't have the Perfect Sage Body, using these abilities a few times would risk blindness.
Blindness was caused by depleting ocular power. Once depleted, the Mangekyō Sharingan's power couldn't be replenished. There were two ways to overcome this: evolve it into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, or transplant Hashirama's cells and survive.
With his Perfect Sage Body, Shin didn't have to worry about permanent blindness. His ocular power would regenerate, but he was concerned about running out mid-battle.
Regeneration took time. In a fight, he wouldn't have time to wait for his eyes to recover.
If he evolved his Mangekyō Sharingan into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he would have practically unlimited ocular power. The regeneration rate would match the consumption rate.
He needed to find a way to evolve his Sharingan quickly.
He wasn't worried, though. As long as he had time, he could evolve his Sharingan naturally.
After awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, Shin had sensed a resonance between his eyes and his body.
Influenced by his Perfect Sage Body, his ocular power was slowly increasing. Once it reached a certain threshold, his Mangekyō Sharingan would evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
The Sage Body and the Sharingan were indeed complementary, representing Yin and Yang, the perfect balance.
"Time to head back. Kushina will be looking for me."
Shin headed towards the Senju compound, his sword strapped to his back.
This wasn't just any sword; it was the one he had taken from the Uzumaki Clan Shrine.
After some research, he discovered it was one of the Kusanagi swords.
There were eleven Kusanagi swords in the Naruto world. Itachi Uchiha's Totsuka Blade was one of them.
Shin's Kusanagi sword didn't have the lengthening ability of Orochimaru's Kusanagi sword or the sealing ability of Itachi's Totsuka Blade, but it did have the Chakra-conducting ability of Sasuke's sword.
Its greatest strengths were its durability and sharpness. It could cut through steel like butter.
Shin didn't need any special abilities. He just needed a sword that could withstand his strength and swordsmanship. In his hands, it was the ultimate weapon.
Back at the courtyard, he saw a feast laid out on the table. His face paled.
"Who made this?"
He looked at Tsunade and Kushina suspiciously. The food looked and smelled delicious, but to him, it was poison.
"I did," Mikoto said, emerging from the kitchen with a pot of miso soup.
"Oh, Mikoto. That's a relief."
Shin sat down, ignoring Tsunade and Kushina's glares.
"Mikoto, you didn't go home?"
"Why, Shin? Don't you want me here?"
Mikoto's gentle gaze made Shin feel a strange sense of danger. Was it just his imagination? Mikoto was so sweet; how could she be dangerous?
"Of course I'm glad you're here, Mikoto. I was just curious."
"I asked her to stay," Tsunade said.
Knowing Mikoto had no family, Tsunade had invited her to stay, hoping she would keep Kushina company and prevent her from sneaking into Shin's room at night.
Shin and Kushina were too old to be sharing a bed. Tsunade didn't want to see that.
The next morning, Tsunade took Shin, Kushina, and Mikoto to the Hokage's office to accept a mission.
They didn't need to see the Hokage for ordinary missions; he'd be overwhelmed.
But as new graduates, if they wanted to take on missions above D-rank, they needed his approval.
"Sandaime, I want to take on a higher-level mission. Please sign this application."
Tsunade placed the form in front of Hiruzen.
"A higher-level mission?"
Hiruzen frowned, glancing at Shin, Kushina, and Mikoto. "No," he said, shaking his head.
"They're new graduates. They should start with D-rank missions to gain experience."
"What kind of experience? How to be better farmers? So they can become farmers or pig breeders if they fail as Shinobi?"
Hiruzen's lips twitched. Tsunade had a point. D-rank missions were mostly useless and didn't provide any real training.
"But what if they're in danger?"
"I'll take responsibility. Just sign the form."
Tsunade slammed the form on his desk.
"Fine."
Hiruzen sighed and signed the form. With Tsunade leading the team, he wasn't that worried.
Tsunade took them to the mission assignment desk.
"What kind of mission do you want?" she asked.
"Something with blood," Shin said after exchanging glances with Kushina and Mikoto.
The type of mission didn't matter, as long as it helped Kushina and Mikoto grow.
For a new Genin, the best way to grow was to kill someone.
If you didn't have the resolve to kill, you shouldn't be a Shinobi. It wasn't a merciful profession; killing was part of the job.
Tsunade nodded. "Let's take this C-rank mission: bandit extermination."
She handed the form to the mission desk clerk and accepted the mission.
Bandit extermination was a common mission for Genin teams. Being a bandit in the Shinobi world was a tough job.
New graduates, after completing a few D-rank missions, would move on to higher-level missions.
Facing enemy Shinobi directly was out of the question. Sending new graduates against experienced Shinobi was suicide.
But they needed to experience real combat, to kill, to become true Shinobi.
Killing innocent people was unacceptable. Shinobi weren't executioners. So, bandits were the next best thing. They were a menace, and killing them was a public service.
In the Shinobi world, bandits were both hated and pitied. They were constantly being hunted, serving as stepping stones for new graduates.
Alert: New mission available. View?
The System's voice echoed in Shin's mind.
Shin opened the mission panel and saw the bandit extermination mission.
[Bandit Extermination: Eliminate the bandits near Nishi-mura. Reward: One Common Replication Card. Failure: No penalty.]
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