Chapter 234: Sage Body, Too Brutal!
Chapter 234: Chapter 234: Sage Body, Too Brutal!
"Let's give it a try!"
Shūichi extended his hand toward Tsunade.
Tsunade immediately reached out and grasped it.
In the next moment, Shūichi's chakra flowed into Tsunade's body, replenishing her stamina—which was essentially replenishing her chakra.
Previously, Shūichi relied on the Strength of a Hundred Seal to achieve this.
But now, the seal wasn't necessary.
This was one of the unique traits of the Asuka Physique.
Not only could it heal injuries, but it could also restore stamina and chakra.
As for replenishing chakra, technically, Senju Hashirama could do the same. However, his Sage Body's no-hand-seal healing was uncontrollable.
Absorbing chakra was another story—Wood Release could achieve that too.
White Zetsu's ability was inherited from this very aspect.
In contrast, Asuka's Physique offered precision, as if it had an on-and-off switch.
Shūichi had now merged the strengths of both, perfecting the Sage Body.
At this moment, Tsunade felt Shūichi's power and exclaimed, "This Yang Release nature transformation... it's just like Grandfather's—no, it's surpassed Grandfather!"
She could sense that while Shūichi's chakra quality and quantity were still lacking compared to Hashirama, in terms of Yang Release alone, he had already faintly exceeded him.
Shūichi chuckled, "Surpassed? Not quite. I've merely addressed some flaws."
"Yang Release involves the physical body, and I'm still a bit short there."
"However..."
"I can already feel the changes in my body."
When he previously enhanced Wind Release and Lightning Release, his body didn't undergo significant changes.
But Yang Release was different.
And this time, the effects were especially pronounced.
As Yang Release represents physical strength, it was only natural for it to have a massive impact on the body.
Tsunade remarked, "The Sage Body, then?"
Shūichi nodded. "The so-called Sage Body refers to the power derived from the Six Paths Sage Body constitution."
"It's the lineage of the Six Paths Sage's younger son, Asura, passed down through the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan."
"However, I've cultivated it myself. Along with my remarkable chakra reserves and mastery of Sage Mode, my physique is gradually transforming into a Sage Body."
The Sage Body of the Six Paths Sage wasn't exactly innate. It resulted from inheriting Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's power combined with the Sage Art of Mount Myōboku, diverging from the pure Ōtsutsuki bloodline.
Looking at Tsunade, Shūichi added, "With your Star Curse Mark and mastery of Yang Release nature transformation, you too could gradually alter your physique."
As he spoke, he extended his hand. "Come on!"
Tsunade placed her hand in his. The two of them sat down hand in hand, linking their chakras and connecting mentally.
Their lunch was later brought to them by Shizune and Asuka.
During lunch, Shūichi took the opportunity to check his Tag Tree.
After advancing further in Yang Release, there was indeed a new reaction in the Tag Tree.
"As expected, a new tag was triggered."
Shūichi was secretly delighted.
Tag: Master Healer
Condition to Obtain: Develop a medical forbidden technique capable of reversing life and death.
Tag Effects: Six Paths-level Yang Release nature transformation, physique enhancement by 100%, physical compatibility improvement by 100%, Medical Eye (Kekkei Genkai: Yang Release + Yin Release; Yang Release dominant; provides microscopic vision + X-ray vision + chakra vision). At this level, one approaches divinity, capable of resurrecting the dead and restoring flesh and bones.
Another medical-oriented tag!
"A medical forbidden technique capable of reversing life and death..."
Shūichi's mind immediately thought of Chiyo's Reanimation Jutsu and Ryūzetsu's Dragon Life Reincarnation.
However, both required sacrificing one's own life.
Then there was the Rinnegan's Rinne Rebirth, which similarly demanded vast chakra reserves to avoid killing the caster.
He also considered Sage Kabuto's use of Jūgo's healing ability to save Sasuke Uchiha.
"Six Paths-level Yang Release... Does that mean the level of the Six Paths Sage?"
Shūichi was intrigued.
The Yang Release power the Six Paths Sage granted to Naruto had already surpassed Hashirama's.
"This won't be easy."
Shūichi pondered deeply.
Though he was eager for the tag, he never took shortcuts.
If he were to develop a life-reversing medical forbidden technique, it would have to be one without side effects for him. Otherwise, it wouldn't be meaningful.
After lunch, training resumed, and time quietly flowed into December of Konoha Year 48.
---
Land of Hot Water
Shūichi, disguised as "Kogami Kohai," stepped out of a hot spring inn, stretching contentedly.
Immortal White Zetsu grinned. "Following Lord Shūichi was truly the right choice."
"So this is what soaking in a hot spring feels like—absolutely blissful. I never experienced this before!"
And of course, that included using the restroom.
However, Shūichi had issued a strict order forbidding Immortal White Zetsu from bringing up "bathroom matters" again.
"Being human feels so nice. No wonder Uchiha Madara wanted to reclaim his peak."
Immortal White Zetsu sighed deeply.
Once you've tasted life as a human, you'd never want to go back to being an artificial one. You'd miss even the most basic pleasures—like the satisfaction of answering nature's call.
Sigh. That poor Tobi, though.
Ignoring Immortal White Zetsu's chatter, Shūichi left the small town and returned to the secluded valley where he'd been staying.
During this time, he had been controlling Immortal White Zetsu's body and training under the guise of Kogami Kohai. Occasionally, he would head to town to enjoy a hot spring, stroll around, hunt down bandits, or test out the sinister 'Death by Blood' technique.
(T/N: The one in which the more you kill, the longer you live... Ref. Ch 220)
If he were to pose as a follower of the Cult of Jashin, he had to act the part convincingly.
In less than half a month, he had wiped out all the bandits and thieves in the Land of Hot Water, as well as remnants of the Cult of Jashin, while also earning a considerable amount of money from the Daimyō of the region.
After two more days of training in the valley, Shūichi performed his sensory technique as usual. Before long, a smile appeared on his face.
"Finally, she's here!"
He sensed Konan's chakra. Rising to his feet, Shūichi vanished on the spot.
---
On the road leading to the town, Konan suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Reacting instantly, her body turned to paper as she leapt back several meters, her wary eyes fixed on the stranger who had appeared out of nowhere.
"It's you?" she asked in a mix of shock and doubt.
Shūichi smiled and nodded. "Yes, it's me."
"I am the emissary of Lord Jashin in this world. I represent His will to judge all who oppose Him!"
"And I, Kogami Kohai, am the will of Lord Jashin!"
As she looked at the wicked grin on Shūichi's face, Konan felt a little disoriented.
How could such an evil smile exude such righteousness and authority?
What's more, aside from that fleeting glint in his eyes earlier, she couldn't see any resemblance between this man and the Shūichi she remembered.
Shūichi looked at her and said, "Do you want to test my strength for yourself?"
Konan steadied her nerves and nodded. "Very well, let's see."
She understood that Shūichi wanted to evaluate her progress in training.
Sheets of paper began appearing around her, rapidly forming a pair of wings behind her. With a light motion, Konan rose into the air.
Shūichi glanced up and praised, "Not a bad idea. Aerial mobility gives you a considerable advantage."
As his words ended, Shūichi's hands formed seals at lightning speed.
After just three seals, the moisture around him condensed into a swirling torrent of water that surged upward, transforming into a massive dragon. With its maw wide open, it lunged at Konan.
Konan's wings immediately fired a barrage of paper shuriken, which collided with the water dragon and detonated into a series of deafening explosions, shattering the dragon into a cascade of water.
Hidden among the paper shuriken were explosive tags.
Unfazed, Shūichi completed another set of three seals, and a stream of fiery flames erupted from his mouth, rushing toward Konan in the air.
This time, Konan didn't confront the attack head-on. She ascended higher into the sky to avoid the Fire Release technique.
However, the next moment, her pupils contracted sharply.
From within the torrent of flames, fiery moths emerged, flapping their wings and speeding toward her.
Blaze Release: Flame Moths !
Konan instantly realized that their speed and maneuverability far outstripped her own. Her wings released another wave of paper shuriken.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The fiery moths exploded on impact with the paper shuriken, forming scattered fireballs in the air, their heat radiating outward.
Suddenly, Konan's expression changed. Before she could react, an explosion erupted behind her, tearing apart her paper wings.
One of the moths had circled around to her blind spot!
As she lost her balance and began falling, Shūichi leapt into the air. With a swing of his scythe—a replica of Hidan's—he aimed straight for Konan's head without hesitation.
Bang!
Konan's body disintegrated into countless paper fragments, evading Shūichi's attack.
Landing back on the ground, Shūichi watched as Konan's form reassembled in the distance.
With a smile, he asked, "Does my strength meet the standard?"
Understanding the implication, Konan nodded. "You pass."
"From this moment, you're officially a member of the Akatsuki."
A ring shot out toward Shūichi.
Catching it, he glanced down at it. The kanji for "San" (Three) was engraved on its surface.
Donning the ring, Shūichi walked to Konan's side. Together, they began their journey.
Passing through the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Fire, four days later, they arrived at the border of the Land of Grass, where they met another Akatsuki member.
By now, Shūichi had donned the iconic Akatsuki cloak with its black base and red clouds.
Facing him was Kakuzu, also wearing the Akatsuki cloak.
Kakuzu glanced at Shūichi and remarked coldly, "So, this is my new partner?"
Konan nodded. "Kogami Kohai, a member of the Cult of Jashin from the Land of Hot Water."
Kakuzu, well-traveled and knowledgeable, sneered. "Ah, one of those lunatics."
"But wasn't the Cult of Jashin wiped out by Konoha?"
Shūichi's gaze turned predatory as he smiled at Kakuzu. "Sounds like your information isn't entirely accurate."
"I am the embodiment of Lord Jashin's will. I cannot die!"
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed. Talking about immortality in front of me?
How old are you anyway?
Kakuzu sneered, shifting his gaze away from Shūichi and addressing Konan. "I don't care about this Jashin nonsense. As long as it doesn't interfere with my missions, it's fine."
"But if it does, I won't show any mercy."
Konan, unfazed, responded expressionlessly, "Then let's proceed with the mission."
Kakuzu nodded and turned, heading deeper into the Land of Grass.
"Such arrogance!"
Shūichi tilted his head toward Konan, winking mischievously. "Say, would it be a problem if I killed him?"
Konan ignored him and walked away.
With a sigh, Shūichi muttered, "This doesn't seem like a fun job."
Leaping after Kakuzu, he shouted, "Hey, old man! Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
Kakuzu snorted. "Survive first, and then we'll talk."
Feigning annoyance, Shūichi retorted, "You'd better not slow me down, or I might just sacrifice you as an offering to the great Lord Jashin who walks this world through me!"
Listening to Shūichi's deranged ramblings, Kakuzu scoffed. "Idiot."
Hearing that, Shūichi decided this "old man" needed a taste of what the younger generation could do.
For the rest of the journey, Shūichi kept quiet, following Kakuzu all the way to the daimyo's mansion in the Land of Grass.
Unlike the bustling cities of the Land of Fire, this place resembled a slightly larger town.
Outside the mansion, Kakuzu finally stopped and said, "Your task is to intercept reinforcements. Not that it matters if you fail."
Without waiting for a reply, Kakuzu leapt into the daimyo's residence and began his assault.
Shūichi sighed in disbelief.
Storming in so brazenly... Well, considering the Land of Grass was a small nation with mediocre ninja forces, stealth wasn't really necessary for someone of Kakuzu's caliber.
"So, he's targeting the daimyo. Could this be a mission from Iwagakure?"
Shūichi pondered. "That stubborn old Ōnoki is at it again, huh."
"Well, the more the Akatsuki gets used, the more they'll regret it later."
Hearing the screams from inside, Shūichi leapt onto a rooftop, content to spectate.
As for reinforcements? Whoever's capable can deal with it!
The daimyo's guards were samurai, though they had chakra.
Unfortunately for them, even a samurai of jōnin level was no match for Kakuzu.
Shūichi watched as one of the samurai attempted a sneak attack, his blade striking Kakuzu directly. However, the weapon couldn't penetrate Kakuzu's skin. The samurai was then ruthlessly impaled through the heart by Kakuzu.
The battle ended quickly, with the daimyo of the Land of Grass losing his head to Kakuzu.
On his way out, however, Kakuzu encountered a large contingent of reinforcements—samurai armed with heavy armor and fierce resolve. They surrounded him entirely.
"You dare kill the daimyo? Kill him!"
"Attack!"
The enraged samurai launched their assault, throwing grenades in unison.
Whizz, whizz, whizz!
A barrage of grenades arced through the air.
"Konoha's ninja tools... How underwhelming."
Kakuzu sneered, ignoring the attack entirely.
The grenades exploded mid-air, unleashing a storm of steel fragments that tore through the space around Kakuzu. He raised an arm to shield his eyes, his clothes shredding under the impact, but his body remained unscathed.
As the first wave of explosions ended, the samurai charged, drawing their blades and attacking from all sides.
Kakuzu formed seals and opened his mouth.
Fire Release: Searing Migraine!
A roaring blaze surged forth, engulfing the samurai in front of him. They were instantly reduced to charred skeletons, which then crumbled to ash.
The terrifying wave of fire continued forward, consuming the ranks behind them like an unstoppable river of flames.
Clang!
Amidst the inferno, Kakuzu caught a falling katana barehanded and used his right hand to pierce through its wielder's chest effortlessly.
With a flick of his left hand, the lifeless samurai was hurled into another, knocking them both down. Kakuzu then leapt into the air, his hands forming seals rapidly.
Wind Release: Pressure Damage!
A compressed wind sphere descended, striking a heavily armored samurai and ripping him apart on impact. The sphere detonated, creating a massive windstorm that swept through the surrounding area.
Samurai were thrown into the air, their encirclement utterly broken.
Standing atop the rooftop, Shūichi watched, his cloak billowing in the aftermath of the destruction. He couldn't help but remark, "How brutal!"
With just two ninjutsu, Kakuzu had devastated nearly a hundred samurai, turning the battle into a one-sided massacre.
As Kakuzu landed, his gaze coincidentally fell on Shūichi's position.
Wind Release: Pressure Damage!
Kakuzu unleashed the technique again, the wind sphere shredding through another armored samurai before hurtling toward Shūichi.
(End of Chapter)
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