"It's time to give it a try…"
Ever since Shūichi's physical compatibility had improved again, he'd been contemplating consuming a part of the Ten-Tails to harness its immense power and further enhance himself.
However, considering the Ten-Tails' overwhelming strength, he had refrained from doing so—until now.
With his physical condition significantly improved over multiple stages, Shūichi's chakra reserves had reached over 40 times that of the Nine-Tails.
This was a power surpassing anyone currently in the ninja world.
Physically, he was equally unrivaled. Consuming part of the Ten-Tails' husk would no longer pose any risk—what remained was determining whether his body's compatibility would allow him to assimilate its unique properties.
Reaching into a glass jar, Shūichi retrieved a fragment of the Ten-Tails' husk, a dry, withered piece that resembled deadwood. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth, bit into it, chewed it into pieces, and swallowed.
At first, it felt like nothing more than eating brittle wood.
But as the fragment resonated with the power of the nine Tailed Beasts within him, it began to change. The swallowed splinters gradually came alive, transforming into thin, thread-like filaments that extended like roots, growing and spreading throughout Shūichi's body.
Sensing the invasive energy, Shūichi immediately erupted with chakra, enveloping the filaments with his own energy to counter and suppress them. At the same time, he kept eating until he had consumed every last bit of the Ten-Tails' fragment.
Once done, Shūichi turned his focus inward to observe the changes in his body.
The resurrected fragment of the Ten-Tails had sprouted filaments that seemed to mimic his chakra network.
Had his physique not been strong enough, these filaments would have drained his chakra to sustain themselves.
Instead, the now-activated fragment fused with Shūichi's cells, while the filaments integrated into his chakra pathways, forming intricate patterns along the system.
"I've finally reached this level!"
Lowering his gaze, Shūichi attuned himself to the ever-present natural energy in the world around him. He inhaled deeply.
As he breathed in, the cells in his body contracted and drew in torrents of natural energy. This energy flowed through the chakra pathways created by the Ten-Tails' filaments, nourishing his cells.
The continuous intake caused his cells to expand, leading to a gradual enlargement of his entire body.
This was a state akin to Sage Mode.
Opening his eyes, Shūichi condensed a massive amount of chakra, rapidly shrinking his body back to its normal size.
Golden chakra enveloped him, forming a radiant robe.
The robe's hems and sleeves were adorned with lotus patterns, while magatama symbols were symmetrically arranged on his chest.
"My chakra quality has improved again. Sage Mode has merged seamlessly with the chakra I gained from the Nine Tailed Beasts."
Shūichi examined himself carefully, feeling every detail.
Although the total amount of chakra hadn't increased, its quality had ascended to a higher level. Furthermore, like the Tailed Beasts, he could now directly absorb natural energy to replenish his chakra.
This meant that while he still had a chakra limit, he now possessed an inexhaustible and faster way to recover chakra than eating or resting.
"This must be my unique version of the Sage of Six Paths Mode…"
As Shūichi's golden eyes opened, his Mangekyō Sharingan gleamed brightly.
"My eyes are stirring again… Is this the precursor to awakening the Rinnegan?"
Uchiha Madara had awakened the Rinnegan by relying on the power of the Sage of Six Paths. However, the Sage of Six Paths' power originated from Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
Kaguya's Rinne Sharingan, in turn, came from the fruit of the Ten-Tails' Divine Tree.
Now, through the nine Tailed Beasts and the remains of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Shūichi had used his Tag Tree to enhance his physical compatibility and obtain the Ten-Tails' core traits. Thus, awakening the Rinnegan seemed like a natural progression.
However, the portion of the Tailed Beasts and the Demonic Statue he had consumed wasn't enough to immediately unlock the Rinnegan.
In this regard, his situation mirrored that of Uchiha Madara's initial state.
"So, to accelerate the awakening of my Rinnegan, I'll need to keep eating…"
Shūichi licked his lips.
A Ten-Tails Jinchūriki?
No, he planned to devour the entire Ten-Tails!
Releasing his Sage of Six Paths Mode, Shūichi stretched lazily and decided it was time to head home.
At Home...
At the moment, only Tenka was at home. With the looming war preparations, Yakushi Nonō, Asuka, and Pakura were all preoccupied with their duties. Since Tenka wasn't part of the Konoha ninja hierarchy, she had naturally taken on the role of homemaker.
When she saw Shūichi return unexpectedly early, Tenka walked out of the kitchen with delight. "Shūichi, what would you like for dinner tonight?"
Shūichi's eyes lit up as he took in the sight of Tenka wearing a qipao with an apron tied over it. Stepping forward, he wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered softly in her ear, "I want to eat you, Tenka-nee."
Tenka playfully rolled her eyes at him, her tone flirtatious. "Not now, silly. Wait until tonight, and I'll invite Pakura to join us."
Shūichi's heart raced at her words.
Tenka's fiery passion paired with Pakura's enticing shyness... Together? Of course, now that he was an adult, he didn't have to choose—he wanted them both.
Without further hesitation, he scooped Tenka up and carried her into the kitchen.
"Ah!"
Tenka let out a soft exclamation, but her fair arms quickly circled Shūichi's neck, and her long legs wrapped around his waist. Her eyes shimmered with a seductive allure.
In the heat of the moment, Shūichi could no longer hold back. He pressed her down onto the countertop and began to savor the moment.
---
An hour later.
After repeated pleas from Tenka to stop, and with the others expected to return soon, Shūichi finally finished sowing his "seeds in the field."
He carried the thoroughly exhausted Tenka to the bathroom and, after settling her there, returned to the kitchen to clean up the aftermath and complete the meal Tenka had left unfinished.
When Asuka and the others returned home and saw Shūichi personally cooking in the kitchen, they were both surprised and delighted.
---
During dinner, Yakushi Nonō brought up the topic at hand. "I heard the Akatsuki has declared war. Does that mean it's about to start?"
Shūichi nodded. "Yes, since they've officially declared war, the conflict is imminent."
"The preparations we've been working on should allow us to assemble our forces within a few days."
Noticing the slightly tense expressions on the women's faces, Shūichi smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. We're certain to win this battle! And it won't drag on for too long."
Asuka smiled softly. "Of course, we believe in you, Shūichi. But… can I help when the time comes?"
Shūichi shook his head. "Your sealing techniques won't be very effective against the enemy in this war. It's better for you to stay with the medical corps, where your talents will shine the most."
Though Asuka looked a bit disappointed, she nodded obediently.
---
The Allied Ninja Forces
While Shūichi and the others enjoyed a lighthearted dinner, the atmosphere at the Allied Ninja Forces' headquarters was anything but cheerful.
Even as their strategies were finalized, a series of bad news arrived.
First, the Daimyō of the Land of Rain had been assassinated by the Akatsuki.
Before Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī could relocate the Daimyō of the Land of Hot Water and surrounding nations, one after another, they were eliminated with alarming speed.
Nagato moved swiftly, and although Konan had informed Shūichi about their plans, he hadn't shared this intelligence with the Alliance.
Faced with the dire situation, the gathered Kage deliberated and ultimately decided not to involve Shūichi directly.
Daimyō could be replaced, but if Shūichi were ambushed, it would be a devastating loss.
---
The following day, the Allied Ninja Forces began to assemble.
In addition to the intelligence and sensory units already established, five main combat divisions were formed:
1. First Division (Mid-Range Battle): Commanded by Ōnoki.
2. Second Division (Close-Range Battle): Commanded by the Fourth Raikage.
3. Third Division (Mid-Range Battle): Commanded by Fourth Kazekage Rasa.
4. Fourth Division (Long-Range Battle): Commanded by Jiraiya.
5. Fifth Division (Special Operations): Commanded by General Mifune.
Additionally, Tsunade was put in charge of the medical and logistics division, while the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, led the Edo Tensei counterforce, tasked with combating the enemy's reanimated forces.
A reconnaissance unit, led by Hiashi Hyūga, was also formed to monitor and track the movements of the White Zetsu army.
Within three days, over 80,000 ninja gathered.
Hiashi Hyūga's unit continued to relay updates. The White Zetsu army had split into three groups:
- One was advancing south along the peninsula.
- The other two were crossing the sea, aiming to land at the borders of the Land of Taki, the Land of Fields, and the Land of Frost, before converging on the Land of Fire.
---
The War Council
At the Alliance headquarters, upon receiving this intelligence, Tobirama Senju spoke decisively. "Sarutobi, give the orders!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "The Fourth Division will head north immediately to establish defenses along the borders of the Land of Fields and the Land of Frost. Do not let a single enemy breach the line and head south!"
Jiraiya responded firmly, "Understood!" He turned and left immediately.
Shūichi sent a shadow clone to follow him—not only to guard against White Zetsu spies but also to monitor White Zetsu himself.
After Jiraiya's departure, Hiruzen continued issuing orders.
- The First Division (Ōnoki) and the Third Division (Rasa) would engage the enemy approaching from the Land of Taki. The First Division would strike from the flank while the Third confronted them head-on.
- The Second Division (A) and Fifth Division (Mifune) would advance to the peninsula to intercept the largest enemy force.
Notably, the Second Division was the strongest among the five. In addition to its large numbers, it included elite ninjas like Kakashi, Guy, Maki, Yugito Nii, and Kitsuchi from the major villages.
As each division mobilized, Shūichi ensured a shadow clone accompanied each one.
Meanwhile, the medical corps departed Konoha, setting up camp along the Land of Fire's borders.
Tsunade, however, remained in Konoha to oversee medical logistics, while Yakushi Nonō and Asuka took charge of the front-line medical teams, with Shizune assisting them.
At this moment, Pakura was assigned to Jiraiya's Fourth Division, while Konan was placed in the Third Division.
The White Zetsu clone within Obito Uchiha remained there, but the Immortal White Zetsu and White Zetsu Tobi were respectively entrusted by Shūichi to Pakura and Konan, as a precaution.
As for Shizune and Asuka, stationed in the Medical Corps far from the frontlines, they were under minimal threat. With clones deployed for additional security, their safety was nearly guaranteed.
On the day the Medical Corps set out northward, after an evening of tending to Tsunade and Tenka, Shūichi did not rest. Instead, he went to the study.
With the final battle imminent, he couldn't wait until the end of the year to activate the annual Flash of Insight.
Fully focused, Shūichi activated Flash of Insight.
---
The Graveyard of Mountains
Under the watchful gazes of Madara Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, Orochimaru, and Black Zetsu, atop the Ten-Tails, Nagato completed the Six Paths Ten-Tails Coffin Seal.
In an instant, the massive Ten-Tails began shrinking into Nagato's body, distorting the surrounding space as it compressed.
Moments later, only a white sphere hovered midair.
With a cracking sound, the sphere shattered like a broken eggshell, revealing a transformed Nagato.
"What immense chakra! And this feels entirely different from before!" Orochimaru exclaimed, his pupils contracting in shock.
Before them stood Nagato, his once-red hair now pure white, his skin equally pale. His former Akatsuki divine robe had transformed into a white garment, adorned with black magatama patterns on the chest and sleeves. This divine robe was formed entirely from overwhelming chakra.
As they watched, mysterious black orbs materialized behind Nagato.
Clap!
Nagato opened his eyes, gripping the air with his right hand. A black staff appeared.
The Six Paths Nagato had arrived.
Even Obito Uchiha, astonished by Nagato's power, couldn't help but think, Not even Madara Uchiha would likely be able to control Nagato in this state. My only option is to weaken him first.
But with such overwhelming power… Can Shūichi and the others really defeat him?
It seems I'll have to step in at a critical moment.
Orochimaru, unable to contain his curiosity about the Truth-Seeking Orbs, asked, "What kind of jutsu is this? Are these similar to the black rods created through Yin-Yang Release?"
Black Zetsu helpfully explained, "Not at all."
"Though both are created through Yin-Yang Release, the Truth-Seeking Orbs are formed by the fusion of Yin-Yang and the five elemental chakra natures, a power surpassing even Kekkei genkai or tota."
Madara Uchiha chuckled. "This is the formidable power of the Six Paths—a level of strength attainable only by reaching the Six Paths' domain."
"Those without the power of the Six Paths are rendered helpless before it. Any form of ninjutsu is nullified in its presence."
Orochimaru, shaken to his core, murmured, "Such astonishing power!"
In that moment, his fiery gaze betrayed a deeper realization. Shūichi, it seems both of us underestimated the strength of the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki.
This battle… it's more precarious than I thought.
From Nagato, Orochimaru sensed an overwhelming might that surpassed even Shūichi Hoshita.
---
Hovering in midair, Nagato looked down on Madara Uchiha and the others with the disdain of a god surveying ants.
The gap between his current self as the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki and his past self was immeasurable.
With his eyes now able to perceive everything, Nagato saw through Madara Uchiha and Orochimaru as if they were transparent.
Then, he raised his gaze, his eyes seeming to pierce through space and time, locking onto Konoha.
"Shūichi Hoshita," Nagato declared, "this battle is already over. You've lost."
"But I will honor my promise. In the peaceful new ninja world I create, you will have a place."
"And Yahiko… You will witness the peace of this world!"
With his immense power, Nagato resolved to change his plans.
He abandoned his earlier intent to fulfill Shūichi and Konan's wishes.
This battle was his to win.
After creating his peaceful world, Nagato planned to use his unparalleled Six Paths power to resurrect Yahiko and let him witness this new reality firsthand.
(End of Chapter)
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