"Kagami died during the Second Shinobi World War. As for Torifu, he sustained old injuries during both wars and is now mostly recuperating at home," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "Danzō also sacrificed himself for the village during the last Shinobi World War."
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado remained silent.
They had no intention of revealing the truth about Danzō. They were well aware of Tobirama Senju's temperament.
Hashirama Senju couldn't help but lament, "It seems every era is plagued by war."
Tobirama immediately interjected, "Which is why, elder brother, you shouldn't have distributed the Tailed Beasts back then."
Hashirama winced at his younger brother's reprimand, his expression awkward. He quickly turned to Tsunade. "Little Tsuna, how about showing me around the village now?"
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "Grandfather, the village has so many fun places now. I'll take you to see them!"
The two quickly darted off, leaving Hiruzen pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
"Fun places... Aside from the casino, there's nowhere else she could mean."
Tobirama seemed unconcerned and turned to Shūichi. "Let's go. We'll find a place to discuss Yin-Yang Release."
Shūichi immediately bid farewell to his teacher, Minato Namikaze, and led Tobirama out of the Hokage Office to the experimental base.
"Have you collected cells from all the Tailed Beasts?"
Tobirama observed the various Tailed Beast components being cultivated in glass containers, visibly impressed. "I recall Shukaku being made of sand."
Shūichi smiled. "We now share a common enemy, and Shukaku proved to be quite cooperative."
Tobirama seemed only half-convinced.
After touring the experimental base, they headed to a lounge where their formal discussion of Yin-Yang Release began.
Tobirama, a master of forbidden techniques, demonstrated knowledge that surpassed even Hiruzen's. Though he had not mastered Yin-Yang Release himself, his understanding was profound.
In essence, Yin Release creates form from nothingness, while Yang Release infuses it with life.
Naruto Uzumaki once used this ability to create an eye for Kakashi and save Might Guy's life.
However, this field is exceedingly unfamiliar to most shinobi. Even figures like Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru have no understanding of Yin-Yang Release, and the records on it within Konoha are extremely scarce.
For Shūichi, learning about this from Tobirama was like obtaining a priceless treasure.
While his proficiency in individual Yin Release or Yang Release might not be the highest in the shinobi world, few—apart from those with the Rinnegan—could claim superiority over him.
"Yin-Yang Release is not a combined ninjutsu, nor is it a Kekkei Genkai. It doesn't form a new nature transformation. Its subtlety lies in your comprehension and the perfect harmony and fusion of two powers," Tobirama concluded.
"It exists between a combined jutsu and a Kekkei Genkai."
Shūichi reflected on this: So, people with the Rinnegan can easily master Yin-Yang Release because the Rinnegan itself is a Kekkei Genkai formed by combining the nature transformations of Yin and Yang Release.
Indeed, the Rinnegan and Sharingan are fundamentally different Kekkei Genkai.
This means the relationship between the Rinnegan and Sharingan is not like the evolution from a three-tomoe Sharingan to a Mangekyō Sharingan.
Shūichi had reached this conclusion after extensive analysis.
Although it appears that Uchiha Madara's Rinnegan evolved from his Sharingan, in reality, it results from the fusion of extreme Yin Release and extreme Yang Release—powers inherited separately by Indra and Ashura from the Sage of Six Paths.
This is evident in the fact that Madara couldn't use both Rinnegan and Sharingan techniques simultaneously.
Susano'o, however, was a special exception.
Only the Rinne Sharingan could simultaneously wield the powers of both the Sharingan and Rinnegan without switching.
---
As Shūichi continued to analyze and refine his understanding of Yin-Yang Release, a sudden thought struck him. Joining his hands together, he channeled Yin Release in his left hand and Yang Release in his right, letting the two forces merge in his palms.
Yin Release shaped the form, while Yang Release infused it with life.
This "life" was not merely vitality but also tangibility and reality.
Tobirama watched Shūichi's hands intently, brimming with anticipation.
The young man before him wasn't even 18 years old yet, but his talent was nothing short of extraordinary.
After half an hour, Shūichi parted his hands. Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "Did it succeed?"
Shūichi gazed at the black coin in his palm, patterned with lotus petals, and smiled. "It did. Manifesting imagination into reality truly is a wondrous feeling."
As he spoke, the coin floated from his palm and began swimming through the air like a fish.
Tobirama raised an eyebrow. "This isn't Magnet Release."
Shūichi nodded. "It's Electromagnetic Release, a Kekkei Tōta combining Lightning Release and Magnet Release. It doesn't require metallic or ferrous materials; even the human body can be manipulated."
As he spoke, the electromagnetic force lifted Tobirama off the ground.
Tobirama asked, "Is this Electromagnetic Release your trump card against Uchiha Madara and the Ten-Tails?"
Shūichi shook his head. "The Rinnegan can absorb chakra and ninjutsu. While Electromagnetic Release has immense potential, it's not exempt from this limitation.
"Additionally, the development of Electromagnetic Release is still in its early stages, so it can't be called a trump card yet.
"A true trump card is something meant for desperate situations."
Tobirama immediately understood. "Taijutsu?"
Shūichi nodded. "The Eight Gates and a forbidden taijutsu technique I'm currently developing."
After dispersing the Yin-Yang Release-created coin, Shūichi briefly explained the two taijutsu techniques he had mentioned earlier and added, "Of course, a life-risking move is reserved for the direst moments. Until then, I must continue improving myself."
"I've now mastered Yin-Yang Release. Next, I'll work on fusing the seven nature transformations."
Tobirama's eyes widened. "Kekkei Mōra?"
Shūichi shook his head. "I haven't cracked the secret of Kekkei Mōra yet. Fusing the seven nature transformations is essentially an extension of the Yin-Yang Release we just discussed. It would allow the materials created to reach an even more astonishing level."
The Truth-Seeking Orbs possess a wide range of uses: offense, defense, and healing.
For Shūichi, combining the Truth-Seeking Orbs with Electromagnetic Release would elevate their offensive capabilities within the orb's range to an extraordinary level.
Most importantly, attacks powered by electromagnetic forces, such as an electromagnetic cannon, are not ninjutsu but physical attacks, rendering them immune to the Rinnegan's chakra absorption ability.
At a speed of 10 kilometers per second within a 100-meter range… whoever steps in dies!
The conversation lasted until evening before Tobirama finally left the experimental base and returned to the Senju ancestral residence.
After dinner, Shūichi retreated into his study.
---
Meanwhile, at the Mountain Graveyard
Nagato, Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Obito, Orochimaru, and Zetsu—now merged as one entity—gathered around a stone table.
Behind Madara stood Fu, the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, who was under his genjutsu control.
Behind Nagato, the Six Paths of Pain loomed, one of whom was Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.
The atmosphere was tense. Orochimaru glanced around with narrowed eyes before breaking into a sly smile. "After this, the Five Great Shinobi Villages will surely join forces—tens of thousands of shinobi."
"Moreover, Shūichi likely already knows the Reanimation Jutsu. The former Kage he has sealed might just be summoned again."
"Judging by the situation, we're at a disadvantage in both manpower and combat power."
White Zetsu glanced at Madara, then chuckled. "They don't outnumber us. We've been preparing for this."
"A hundred thousand White Zetsu should be sufficient, no?"
Nagato and Orochimaru looked visibly surprised.
Madara spoke indifferently. "Although they're inferior creations, Orochimaru, you have Hashirama's cells. You can enhance them. These White Zetsu will be enough to give the villages a headache."
Orochimaru nodded. "That leaves one issue—how to capture the Six-Tails and Nine-Tails."
"Should we launch a joint attack on Konoha?"
"That doesn't sound like the best approach," he mused.
Nagato interjected, "If necessary, we can turn Konoha into a battlefield."
Madara smirked knowingly. "There's no need for that.
"The villages are too constrained. They won't allow their homes to become battlegrounds. Instead, they'll likely relocate the Jinchūriki to hidden locations to protect them while coordinating to take us down."
"This is our opportunity."
Black Zetsu chimed in, "Though they have the Flying Thunder God Technique, making it difficult to detect the Jinchūriki's movements, by keeping an eye on a few key figures, we can deduce where they've hidden them."
Nagato declared, "Zetsu will handle intelligence. Obito and Madara, you'll keep Konoha in check. I'll personally capture the Jinchūriki. Any objections?"
Madara's eyes glimmered with amusement. Without contesting Nagato's leadership, he agreed readily. "No objections."
Obito nodded silently in agreement.
Zetsu stood up and gestured to Orochimaru. "Come, I'll show you our army of shinobi."
---
In the Land of Fields, deep within the forest
Kakashi led three ninja squads as they pressed on under the cover of night.
Suddenly, Hyūga Hizashi spoke up. "They're within seven kilometers!"
Kakashi nodded and turned to Aoba Yamashiro, Hayate Gekkō, and Might Guy on his left. "You three stay here and rest. Regain your strength, then catch up and support us."
"Understood!"
The three immediately stopped, pulling out water and ration pills to recover.
Kakashi then turned to an Aburame clan member on his right. "Shikuro-senpai, please notify Suna's tracking team to join us as reinforcements."
Aburame Shikuro nodded. "Understood, Captain."
A swarm of insects buzzed into the air, heading toward the Suna team using pre-shared information to guide them.
---
Meanwhile, further north
Kakuzu glanced over his shoulder, sneering. "A bunch of pesky bugs."
Kohai chuckled. "Looks like we can't shake them off.
"In that case, let's stop and kill them all. I didn't get to offer any sacrifices to Lord Jashin earlier, so I might as well kill a few more now!"
Kakuzu nodded. "Then let's wait for them to catch up."
The two slowed their pace.
Five Minutes Later
With the sound of slicing wind, figures appeared to intercept the enemy.
Standing in front were Kakashi, Yamato, and Hyūga Hizashi.
Behind Kakuzu and his partner stood Aburame Shikuro, Akimichi Dōtō, and Nara Suzaku.
Kakuzu's partner, Kohai, glanced around and laughed. "Quite a crowd you've got here!"
"But don't you think sending a bunch of brats like this is underestimating us?"
At this moment, Kohai was fully controlled by White Zetsu, treating the fight as a game.
Kakuzu, however, recognized Kakashi and warned, "That white-haired kid is Konoha's 'Lightning Fang.' Don't underestimate him, or you'll end up dead."
Kohai immediately retorted, "Hey, I'm just lulling them into a false sense of security, alright?"
Hyūga Hizashi, observing the two's flippant demeanor, asked, "Are these really the ones who nearly destroyed Sunagakure?"
Kakashi's expression turned serious. "There's no doubt."
"Shūichi's intelligence is always accurate."
"Stick to the plan."
This mission was under Kakashi's leadership.
Although Hyūga Hizashi and the others were his seniors, they respected his authority during the operation, nodding in unison.
Of course, Kakashi's strength had earned their acknowledgment as well.
---
The Fight Begins
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Kakashi waved his hand, scattering kunai in multiple directions.
"The Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Kakuzu's gaze sharpened as he removed his Akatsuki cloak, revealing his stitched-up body beneath.
Black tendrils began unraveling from him as three masks detached from his back and floated into the air, transforming into monstrous forms.
The sight made Aburame Shikuro and his team's pupils shrink in shock.
Crack!
Two of the masked beasts opened their mouths, powerful chakra gathering rapidly.
"Be careful!"
Kakashi shouted, forming hand seals, with Yamato moving in sync beside him.
Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work!
Wind Release: Crushing Pressure!
Earth Release: Earth Wall (x2)!
Boom!
The wind-fed flames surged into a terrifying inferno, illuminating the night and obliterating the forest.
The first Earth Wall crumbled instantly, and the second didn't last much longer, collapsing under the overwhelming force.
However, this gave Hyūga Hizashi, Aburame Shikuro, and the others enough time to retreat.
Meanwhile, Kakashi and Yamato continued to create Earth Walls to shield them from the fiery onslaught.
"As expected of someone who once tried to assassinate the First Hokage and lived to tell the tale," Hyūga Hizashi thought as he observed the roaring flames.
"According to the intel, each of those three masked creatures represents one of the five nature transformations," he deduced.
"That means Kakuzu himself still possesses two more transformations."
"And that last attack wasn't aimed directly at us—it was meant to disrupt Kakashi's setup."
"On top of that, he's completely unrestrained, not even sparing his own partner. Immortality truly is a terrifying ability."
---
As the storm of flames subsided, Hyūga Hizashi and the others leapt out from behind the trees.
"Hahaha! Get ready to be sacrificed to Lord Jashin!"
Kohai charged forward, swinging his scythe directly at the towering Akimichi Dōtō.
Behind him, one of Kakuzu's masked beasts followed closely.
Nara Suzaku, who was preparing a shadow-binding jutsu, shouted, "Dōtō, watch your back!"
"Got it!"
Akimichi Dōtō gripped his staff tightly, stepping forward to meet Kohai head-on.
At the same time, Aburame Shikuro extended his arms, sending a swarm of insects toward the masked beast from the side.
But suddenly, Kohai stopped in his tracks, stabbed his scythe into the ground, and formed hand seals.
Blaze Release: Flame Moths!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Flaming moths shot out at high speed, swarming toward Akimichi Dōtō and his team.
At that moment, White Zetsu relinquished control, and Shūichi took over.
Simultaneously, the masked beast in the rear ascended into the air, gathering lightning in its mouth.
Lightning Style: False Darkness!
The gathered lightning launched like a spear, streaking straight toward Akimichi Dōtō.
(End of Chapter)
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