Konoha.
Inside a vast clearing at the experimental base, a pitch-black spatial rift appeared out of nowhere. Yuzuru and the Third Raikage stepped out side by side.
The Third Raikage could not help but grow solemn when he saw the Ten-Tails Clone resting quietly in the clearing.
The power he sensed from it was completely different from that of Gyūki, the Eight-Tails, back then.
If Gyūki had felt like an immense, unyielding wall, then the Ten-Tails felt like a towering mountain range.
He might have had a chance to topple that wall if he gave it everything he had, but there was no chance of bringing down a mountain.
And now, he was about to seal that towering mountain inside his own body.
Even with his usual confidence in his physique, the Third Raikage could not help feeling nervous.
Yuzuru said nothing and merely patted him lightly on the shoulder.
In an instant, the Third Raikage felt much more at ease.
By the time he came back to his senses, Yuzuru had already walked up to the Ten-Tails Clone.
"Yuzuru, Third Raikage, you're here."
Orochimaru nodded at them, then ran his tongue across his face. "Shall we begin?"
Yuzuru nodded.
The Third Raikage was not one to waste time. "Let's do it."
Once the Third Raikage was ready, Yuzuru placed a hand on the Ten-Tails Clone.
In the next moment, an overwhelming pressure surged from Yuzuru's body.
The Ten-Tails Clone instinctively let out a roar before obediently lowering itself to the ground.
Yuzuru rapidly formed hand seals, and the Ten-Tails Clone's terrifying chakra began flooding into the Third Raikage.
Fifteen minutes later, the Ten-Tails Clone vanished.
The Third Raikage's body was now encased within an incredibly smooth egg.
Not long after, a crack suddenly appeared in the shell.
Then it burst apart with a thunderous boom.
The Third Raikage appeared before them once again.
The moment he opened his eyes, a terrifying pressure spread outward in every direction.
His already beast-like body had become even more massive and imposing.
His eyebrows, hair, and beard had all turned white.
Nine black Truth-Seeking Orbs floated behind him, making him look overwhelmingly majestic.
"Excellent! We succeeded!"
Orochimaru was so excited that his tongue was practically spinning like a helicopter rotor as it whipped around his face.
The successful creation of an artificial Ten-Tails jinchūriki meant the future of the ninja world held limitless possibilities.
They had truly grasped a method to surpass the Otsutsuki clan.
"So this is the power of the Six Paths?"
"It's too strong! This feels incredible!"
The Third Raikage clenched his fists and threw back his head with a roar.
Then he slowly walked up to Yuzuru.
"Yuzuru, I feel unbelievably powerful right now."
"Want to have a fight?"
Yuzuru waved a hand. "There's no need. If we fought, we might destroy the world."
"Other than the enormous increase in strength, do you feel anything else?"
The Third Raikage shook his head. "No. I just feel like I have endless strength."
Seeing that the Third Raikage was mentally unaffected and that the chakra in his body was circulating steadily, Yuzuru nodded inwardly.
It seemed sealing the Ten-Tails Clone was even easier than he had expected.
If it had been the real Ten-Tails, the Third Raikage likely would have struggled to suppress it inside his body.
Even if Yuzuru forcefully sealed it for him, the moment Yuzuru's power was no longer restraining it, the Ten-Tails would tear apart the Third Raikage's consciousness.
Just like a jinchūriki going berserk.
But the Ten-Tails Clone was different.
It had no mind. Even though it possessed immense power, it did not know how to resist.
Sealing it inside one's body was no different from sealing a massive chakra power bank inside oneself.
You could use its power whenever you wanted without worrying about losing control of your body.
"Orochimaru, I'll leave this matter to you."
"You must guarantee that you cultivate at least one Ten-Tails Clone every year."
Hearing Yuzuru's order, Orochimaru nodded firmly. "Rest assured, Yuzuru."
"In the future, Ten-Tails jinchūriki will be everywhere in the ninja world."
Yuzuru smiled and patted Orochimaru on the shoulder. "Orochimaru, this could not have happened without you."
"When the next Ten-Tails Clone is ready, we'll seal it inside your body."
Orochimaru straightened excitedly and bowed. "Yuzuru, I will work hard."
Watching Orochimaru hurry away, Yuzuru opened Yomotsu Hirasaka.
"Come on. Let's fight in space and help you adapt to your new power."
The Third Raikage was overjoyed. "Alright!"
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
In space above the ninja world, the Third Raikage launched a full-force assault against Yuzuru.
Compared to the Six Paths Senjutsu he had gained after reaching the Six Paths level, he still preferred to use his own nintaijutsu.
Especially Lightning Chakra Mode.
After advancing to the Six Paths level, the boost provided by Lightning Chakra Mode had undergone a qualitative transformation.
Dark violet lightning covered his entire body, while Truth-Seeking Orbs enveloped his fists and feet.
Like an ancient ferocious beast, the Third Raikage unleashed a relentless barrage of taijutsu attacks against Yuzuru.
Yet Yuzuru remained completely at ease, blocking every attack the Third Raikage threw at him.
Their battle continued for more than a month, during which they shattered countless meteors drifting through space.
After being kicked away by Yuzuru once again, the Third Raikage finally stopped.
His eyes shone with excitement.
"Yuzuru, I've completely adapted to the power within my body now."
"No wonder those Otsutsuki are so arrogant. This kind of power really is intoxicating."
Yuzuru replied calmly, "What do the Otsutsuki matter? Give us a little more time, and they will meet their destruction."
The Third Raikage nodded, then asked, "Yuzuru, what level are you at now? I've already reached the Six Paths level, so why am I still no match for you at all?"
Yuzuru smiled. "I've long surpassed the Six Paths. I am now at the level of Kekkei Mōra."
The Third Raikage stared at Yuzuru in surprise before speaking in a deep voice.
"Yuzuru, I don't care how much you carry on your shoulders, but remember one thing."
"No matter when it is, as long as you need me, I will help you with everything I have, even if it costs me my life."
Yuzuru nodded seriously. "Don't worry. There will be times when I'll need you."
"Hahahahaha..."
"Hahahahaha..."