[Ding! Detected that the host's savings have reached: 506 million ryō, completing the second Kekkei Genkai activation mission.]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for awakening the second Kekkei Genkai: Crystal Release!]
[Ding! Sensing that the host completed the mission in a short time, a special bonus is granted. The host can use Crystal Release while in the Transparent Escape Technique state, but the chakra cost will increase. Additionally, this version of Crystal Release differs from Guren's—it cannot be destroyed by sound waves. Please be aware.]
Three successive beeps sounded, leaving Kazuyama first confused, then happy, and finally ecstatic!
Crystal Release! His second awakened Kekkei Genkai was actually this!
This was Guren's Kekkei Genkai—one possessing offensive, defensive, and control capabilities. Even the Three-Tails, Isobu, could be restrained by it.
Its offensive potential allowed for the crystallization of all objects—whether blood or ninjutsu—turning them into fragile crystal structures that could then be shattered.
Its defense was equally formidable. Crystals created by Crystal Release could not be destroyed unless overwhelmed by incredibly powerful ninjutsu.
But the most crucial part—he could use both of his Kekkei Genkai simultaneously. This perfectly compensated for the Transparent Escape Technique's lack of direct offensive power.
Just as he was lost in thought, a black-clad man suddenly spoke.
"What are you smiling at, sir?"
"Is there anything else?"
Kazuyama quickly wiped the grin off his face and coughed lightly.
"Nothing, nothing, I'm just a little happy. Haha, let's go."
Without wasting any more time, he quickly left. He couldn't wait to test his new Kekkei Genkai.
The two black-clad men exchanged confused glances.
After leaving the Bounty Station, Kazuyama ran straight into the depths of the forest.
Once he stopped, he looked around warily before jumping up into a tree.
"Kazuyama, what are you doing? You look like a thief."
"Chōmei, do you remember that brand-new Kekkei Genkai I told you about?"
"Yes, I do. Why? Have you developed it?"
Chōmei stared at him with wide eyes. He had always assumed Kazuyama was just spouting nonsense.
But now… had this guy actually pulled it off?
A brand-new Kekkei Genkai?
Kazuyama already had Transparent Escape. If he had really developed another Kekkei Genkai…
My god, was this guy unkillable or what?
"Heh heh heh..."
Hearing Chōmei's words, Kazuyama couldn't help but laugh.
He clasped his hands together, and his chakra began to flow unconsciously. When he opened them, a transparent crystal had formed in his palms.
Both he and Chōmei were dumbfounded.
"Shit! Is this an ice crystal? No, it's not ice... it's a crystal! A transparent crystal!"
"Crystal Release? How is that possible?"
"Shit! Why is it transparent? It's supposed to be pink!"
Chōmei and the insect inside him exclaimed at the same time.
Chōmei was shocked that Kazuyama had actually awakened a new Kekkei Genkai, while Kazuyama was baffled by its color. Guren's Crystal Release had always been a beautiful pink—why was his completely transparent?
Did it lose its aesthetic appeal?
"Kazuyama... holy shit, I don't even know how to describe you. Are you a yōkai?"
"You actually created a Kekkei Genkai? Oh my god... Good thing I'm a Tailed Beast, or I'd be scared to death right now."
Chōmei was at a loss for words. Kekkei Genkai were rare—occurring in maybe one out of ten thousand people—yet his Jinchūriki had somehow created one from scratch?
And from the looks of it, this was definitely Crystal Release—using chakra to generate crystals. An incredibly powerful ability.
"Heh heh heh, is Kekkei Genkai really that difficult?"
"I already have the four major elements—fire, earth, water, and wind—and now I've created Crystal Release. No big deal."
Kazuyama quickly accepted the fact that his Crystal Release was transparent. After all, color didn't matter as long as it was strong.
And with his Transparent Escape Technique, using transparent crystals actually made perfect sense.
Focusing his chakra again, he activated Crystal Release.
A long sword made entirely of transparent crystal formed in his hand.
Swish!
With a casual wave, the sword sliced through a tree trunk, leaving a deep mark.
"Geez, you're invisible, and so is your sword. In the future, people with bad eyesight won't even know what's cutting them."
"Gotta say. Your Crystal Release suits you pretty well," Chōmei muttered, impressed by the sheer strength of the crystal.
But it wasn't over yet. Kazuyama let out another mischievous chuckle.
"It's not over yet..."
"Chōmei, watch closely."
He activated his Transparent Escape Technique, turning himself completely invisible. Then, just like before, he clasped his hands together.
The next moment, two long knives of transparent crystal formed in his palms.
"You can still use it in Transparent Escape Mode...?"
"Yōkai... Kazuyama, you must be a yōkai..."
A series of shocks had left Chōmei completely speechless.
"Heh heh, with Crystal Release, I'll be like a ghost from now on. Anyone who pisses me off will just get slashed without even seeing it coming."
"But even though I've awakened Crystal Release, I haven't developed any proper techniques for it yet."
"I'll take it one step at a time. Right now, Toroi should be waking up."
"Chōmei, let's go. We can't stay in the Land of Waterfalls. We're heading to the Land of Grass."
At that, Chōmei was stunned again.
The Land of Grass? Hadn't it already become a gathering place for Iwa? What was the point of going there?
"I stole Kumo's supplies. If I go to the Land of Grass and stir up some chaos, maybe I can take advantage of Kumo again."
Kazuyama carefully analyzed the situation.
Originally, Iwa was waiting for Kumo and Konoha to clash so they could stab Kumo in the back. Now that Kumo's supplies had been stolen, this was the perfect opportunity to make things even messier.
As for returning to Konoha? Forget it—he wasn't done having fun yet.
And now that he had awakened Crystal Release, he wanted to experiment with it.
"Suit yourself, you're the boss anyway."
"Heh heh heh... I'm off!"
With his next target set, Kazuyama dashed toward the Land of Grass, planning out his Crystal Release techniques along the way.
Little did he know...
While he was heading to the Land of Grass, Toroi—whom he had put into a state of suspended animation—had finally woken up.
And he wasn't just awake.
He was already on his way to the Land of Fire.
Toroi, groggy and disoriented, found himself sealed inside a wooden box, surrounded by the strong scent of medicine.
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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