The key to healing Rin Nohara was to guide her into mastering the power of the Three-Tails, allowing her to regain a Jinchuriki's passive Yang Release self-healing ability.
There were two methods to help Rin Nohara master the Three-Tails' power. The first was to achieve a harmonious, symbiotic relationship with the Tailed Beast, much like Naruto or Killer B, prompting the beast to actively cooperate with its Jinchuriki.
The second method was to forcibly partition and plunder the Tailed Beast's power until it was reduced to a level that Rin Nohara, as an ordinary human, could comfortably withstand.
Hyuga Yu was a pragmatic man. Even though Rin Nohara was praised to high heaven in the official databooks—portrayed almost like a natural succubus with a bizarre spiritual energy who could effortlessly get along with anyone, meaning she could very well win over the Three-Tails just like Naruto—Hyuga Yu trusted fists and clubs far more than relying entirely on a fickle matter of personal chemistry.
Therefore, Hyuga Yu intended to employ the second method—partitioning the Tailed Beast.
But how could that be achieved?
The only clear, existing instance of partitioning a Tailed Beast in the original canon was Minato Namikaze using the Reaper Death Seal to split the Nine-Tails into its Yin and Yang halves. However, the cost of that jutsu was blatantly too high, and Hyuga Yu's expertise in Sealing Jutsu was merely average—just barely enough to get by. Trying to rely on that method to achieve his goal was nothing short of a pipe dream.
Yet, if one stepped outside this narrow framework and examined the issue of partitioning a Tailed Beast from a more fundamental perspective, another method actually lay hidden in the background lore of the original work—
The present existence of the Tailed Beasts in the shinobi world was essentially the result of the Sage of Six Paths partitioning the Ten-Tails.
Then, how did the Sage of Six Paths partition the Ten-Tails?
This point became glaringly obvious if one looked at how the Gedo Mazo captured Tailed Beasts. One way was the Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons executed by Nagato and the members of the Akatsuki.
The chakra dragons expelled by the Gedo Mazo would seal the Tailed Beasts inside the statue.
Aside from that, there was an even more efficient method: the Gedo Mazo would spit out specially crafted "dragon-headed chains" that directly bound the Tailed Beasts, pinning down their tails and forcibly dragging them into its mouth.
And looking at how those dragon-headed chains effectively suppressed chakra and severed the communication signals between Tailed Beasts, they were in truth—
Yin-Yang Release black receivers.
And that was something Hyuga Yu could manifest himself.
Thus, for Hyuga Yu, who possessed Yang Release: Organic Reanimation—a chakra-linking technique—and the ability to synthesize Yin-Yang Release black receivers, suppressing and partitioning the Tailed Beast's chakra was not the critical part of this "surgery."
The Three-Tails posed zero threat to the current Hyuga Yu. What truly harbored a threat... was a much deeper, hidden, and perilous element left inside the Three-Tails' body that was obstructing its true consciousness from waking up and denying Rin Nohara her Jinchuriki traits.
To put it more bluntly, it was the "visual prowess" left behind by Madara Uchiha, the man in this world who stood closer to the Sage of Six Paths than Hyuga Yu!
Hyuga Yu was highly satisfied with the outcome of his initial meeting with Minato Namikaze. Minato hadn't outright rejected Hyuga Yu's proposal to exchange Mount Myoboku's Summoning contract for the treatment of Rin Nohara. Instead, he stated that he needed to consult with his master, Jiraiya, and the Great Sages of Mount Myoboku before he could give Hyuga Yu a definitive answer.
Once their conversation concluded, Minato immediately utilized the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to depart for Mount Myoboku to deliberate on the matter. Concurrently, after aligning his objectives with Hyuga Yu, Minato felt significantly more confident about rejecting Kirigakure's ceasefire demand to return the Three-Tails during the upcoming higher-up council meeting.
After Minato Namikaze left, Hyuga Yu reviewed the entire sequence of events. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he parsed a few different implications from it.
His encounter with Kakashi Hatake had been no accident, and performing the surgery on Rin Nohara had already been on Hyuga Yu's to-do list. The two matters overlapping had ultimately facilitated this meeting with Minato Namikaze.
Yet in the end, one detail was firmly set in stone—
Minato Namikaze, who was already opposed to Kirigakure's demand for the Three-Tails' return, had now gained the backing of Hyuga Yu, who shared the exact same stance.
This would lead to a specific result: Minato Namikaze would very soon veto Kirigakure's condition to return the Three-Tails during the Konoha higher-up meeting. While the Foundation had historically played a role that leaned toward accepting Kirigakure's terms in this whole affair, one could easily deduce with a bit of common sense that the person who least desired a ceasefire regarding the Kirigakure conflict right now was actually Danzo Shimura.
The war between Konoha and Kirigakure would continue.
Of course, this didn't mean Danzo Shimura was some brilliant mastermind who had foreseen all of this. In truth, Danzo's prior willingness to accept Kirigakure's terms had been a calculated move to quickly build momentum for the "Tennin" and validate Hyuga Yu's achievements. The contradiction of suddenly allowing the combat-capable and war-mongering Hyuga Yu to make contact with Minato Namikaze—who refused to sacrifice his disciple—stemmed from the fact that during this intervening period, Hyuga Yu had displayed an unbelievably terrifying display of raw combat power in the Land of Rain. This had directly caused Danzo Shimura to alter his previous stance.
It was all driven by decisions where one's position dictates one's alignment.
Yet, this was precisely where the coincidence of fate lay. The faction of the Third Hokage and Minato Namikaze, who had initially leaned toward a ceasefire, had essentially traded places and reached a mutual consensus of sorts with the hawk faction consisting of Danzo and Hyuga Yu. Starting from this very junction, the trajectory of the entire shinobi world would begin to experience a massive deviation. The policy of distributing the Tailed Beasts to balance the power of the nations, along with the old established order established since the first Five Kage Summit, silently entered its...
Countdown to collapse!
Perhaps Minato Namikaze, Danzo Shimura, and even the collective higher-ups of Konoha had yet to realize what scale of tempestuous storms this move would unleash next. However, as Hyuga Yu thought of his upcoming plans, he couldn't help but chuckle softly.
He was more than happy to see it happen.
"Lord Tennin... what are you laughing at?"
At this moment, Kakashi Hatake, who had stepped out of the ward and was trailing behind Hyuga Yu, suddenly caught Hyuga Yu's unsuppressible chuckle. Feeling slightly bewildered, he looked up and asked.
Hyuga Yu turned his head, staring at Kakashi with a look of surprise. "Nothing. But why are you still following me?"
"Minato-sensei told me before he left... to follow you from now on."
"?" Hyuga Yu knit his brows in confusion. "Follow me for what?"
Shouldn't this kid be assigned to guard the Naruto currently inside Kushina Uzumaki's belly? Wait, what kind of plot development was this?
"He said it's been a long time since he's seen me so driven... By staying close to a peer like you, perhaps I can regain some of my vitality?"
Hyuga Yu thought about it. Terai had been quite busy lately, and he had no idea what Yamato and Shin were up to. He truly lacked an errand boy by his side, so he didn't refuse. Nodding his head, he allowed Kakashi to trail behind him.
Right then, Kakashi asked, "Lord Tennin, what are we doing next?"
Hyuga Yu answered succinctly, "Going to work."
"Huh?"
Hyuga Yu had originally planned to visit the ancient archives library today to hunt for some research materials, but he had been delayed by this whole ordeal with Rin Nohara. Now, the time he had agreed upon with Danzo to learn how to handle Foundation affairs was fast approaching.
Therefore, as the heir to the Foundation, he had to clock in at headquarters first.
Naturally, free labor shouldn't go to waste. "Kakashi, go buy me a cup of coffee, and pick up a bento while you're at it."
At 1:00 PM, Hyuga Yu led Kakashi toward the Foundation headquarters base. However, just as they arrived at Training Ground 43 located in the mountains behind Konoha, Hyuga Yu unexpectedly ran into an uninvited guest right at the Foundation's entrance.
"Hehe, Tennin, it really has been a long time~"
The newcomer was leaning against the moss-grown, rusty chain-link fence of the abandoned training ground, arms crossed over his chest, as he let out a raspy laugh of ambiguous meaning toward Hyuga Yu.
Long black hair, pale skin, elongated golden pupils, with purple markings around his eyes that extended down to the bridge of his nose. He wore two blue-green, magatama-shaped earrings, a pale yellow combat outfit, and a thick purple rope shimenawa tied around his waist.
Staring at this individual who had suddenly materialized at the Foundation's doorstep with unclear motives, Hyuga Yu knit his brows slightly. Behind him, Kakashi Hatake—who was carrying the lunchbox—stiffened instantly, his free hand instinctively reaching for the White Fang chakra blade strapped to his back.
"You are... Orochimaru?"
"Hehe, in your impressions, this should be our first formal meeting. However, for me, it is already the second time we've crossed paths."
Orochimaru's gaze slithered like a venomous serpent down from Hyuga Yu's pair of Byakugan all the way to his abdomen. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he murmured in a ghostly tone, "That lord's cells... are they performing well?"
Hyuga Yu's gaze remained tranquil as he cast a flat glance at Orochimaru. "No need to trouble yourself. On the contrary, I am surprised you actually dare to appear before me..."
"You couldn't possibly believe that yesterday's matter is simply brushed aside?"
"Oh~" Orochimaru smiled. "Could it be that you are dissatisfied with the gift I sent over?"
Hyuga Yu's gaze turned cold as he let out a sneer. "As far as gifts go, it was reasonably satisfactory... However, if an assassination is equated to a gift, I would quite like to return the favor."
Silently and without a sound, faint, chilly currents of air began to spiral up in the deep, quiet Training Ground 43, swirling the dead leaves across the ground.
In a single instant, the relaxed look on Orochimaru's face slightly froze. His physically modified body automatically seeped with traces of cold sweat, and his heart abruptly sank, as though he had sensed a premonition of some immensely horrific danger about to descend!
Tugging the corner of his mouth, he laughed hoarsely, "I didn't come here to trade blows with you. Quite the opposite, Tennin, I am here to present you with an even grander gift!"
Hyuga Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. "A gift?"
Orochimaru slowly drew a glass canister-like container from his shinobi tool pouch, displaying it right in front of Hyuga Yu.
Staring at the pristine white substance floating inside the container in Orochimaru's hand, which radiated a faint purple sheen, Hyuga Yu's gaze focused slightly.
Meanwhile, Kakashi Hatake behind him was utterly shocked. "That's... Orochimaru, what did you do to your disciple?!"
Orochimaru stared intently at Hyuga Yu, chuckling as he said, "Let this gift serve as my apology. What do you say?"
Hyuga Yu raised a fingertip slightly, dispelling the Wind Release: Chakra Scalpel that had enveloped the entirety of Training Ground 43. Looking at Orochimaru, he said flatly, "Not bad at all."
The corner of Orochimaru's mouth hooked up as he lightly swirled the container in his hand, extending an invitation, "In that case, Tennin, would you do me the honor of coming to my office to discuss a further plan regarding this object?"
Hyuga Yu's eyes flickered slightly as he said calmly, "Lead the way."
Concurrently, on the other side, at Mount Myoboku—this was one of the three great sage regions in the shinobi world, alongside the Ryuchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest, existing as the habitat of the toad clan.
After leaving Konoha Hospital, Minato Namikaze returned to Training Ground 28 for the sake of Rin Nohara's situation. After briefly explaining the circumstances to Kushina Uzumaki, he immediately summoned a scroll-toad, notifying the other side to perform the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to bring him to Mount Myoboku. Upon locating Fukasaku and several other higher-ups responsible for managing Mount Myoboku's affairs to explain his intent, it didn't take long for Jiraiya—who had already left Konoha to travel abroad for his "research"—to also be reverse-summoned to Mount Myoboku by Fukasaku and Shima.
At this moment, beneath a massive mushroom in Mount Myoboku, the summoners of Mount Myoboku and the two elder sages sat cross-legged to commence their meeting. Having listened to Minato's intent, Jiraiya blinked in a daze before speaking up, "Minato, are you saying that the Tennin wishes to sign a Summoning contract with Mount Myoboku to obtain the assistance of the toad clan?"
Minato Namikaze analyzed, "Given the Tennin's strength, he doesn't actually require the toad clan as combat support. His objective is highly straightforward—it should be Sage Jutsu."
"Sage Jutsu?" Fukasaku and Shima exchanged a glance, both reading a hint of bewilderment from each other's round toad eyes. "Little Minato, although many people have come to Mount Myoboku seeking the sages over the years, this particular individual..."
"Based on your descriptions and the analysis from young Shikaku under your command, the Tennin already possesses a terrifying strength that far outstrips yours, even if it might come at a cost."
"Isn't this person a bit too powerful..."
"Furthermore, for someone who is already so formidable... is there any necessity for him to use our Mount Myoboku's Sage Jutsu?"
Jiraiya also knit his brows, similarly unable to wrap his head around it. If the intelligence he had investigated out in the field was true, then the current Tennin likely already possessed a level of power on par with Tsunade's grandfather, the First Hokage—the God of Shinobi. For someone who was already strong to such an absurd degree, why was he still so obsessively pursuing more power?
And whom was this terrifying strength intended to combat?
Minato Namikaze scratched his head, inquiring, "Two Sages, Jiraiya-sensei, do you think this matter can be approved?"
"According to the Tennin's meaning, he doesn't require Mount Myoboku's summoning aid, but he needs Mount Myoboku to assist him in his training of Sage Jutsu."
Fukasaku thought it over and said, "If it is merely that, then naturally there is no issue. We would only need to pick a communications toad to sign the Summoning contract. Besides, many have visited Mount Myoboku over the years seeking the sages, however..."
Fukasaku pointed toward the vast gathering of stone toads beneath the nearby Toad Oil Waterfall, saying solemnly, "Those who possess the talent to train in Sage Jutsu are exceptionally rare. Even that Tennin might be unable to perfectly control this power."
Minato paused, asking, "But from what I've seen, the Tennin already satisfies all the conditions to train in Sage Jutsu. His chakra is immense, his willpower is resolute, and as a member of the Hyuga clan, his chakra control is exceptionally powerful. Could he still fail?"
"That's not what I mean..." The corner of Fukasaku's mouth twitched slightly as he explained, "What I am concerned about is that once he discovers the inconveniences of Sage Jutsu, he might instead direct his anger toward Mount Myoboku. After all, Sage Jutsu is merely just a type of jutsu."
Minato understood instantly. Without the assistance of the two Toad Sages, Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode didn't last very long, and its raw output couldn't be considered exceptionally massive. Even for Minato, it was only Frog Kumite that offered some practical utility; those jutsu that required a massive amount of nature energy to drive took far too long to prepare, which would instead become a liability in an extremely fast-paced battle.
"In short,"
Fukasaku stated seriously, "Little Minato, you must clearly explain the costs, side effects, and the limitations of Sage Mode without the assistance of myself and Shima to that Tennin."
"I understand."
Minato Namikaze nodded. Having received a definitive response, he also breathed a sigh of relief, immediately preparing to take his leave from his master and the two Sages to return to Konoha and inform Hyuga Yu of the good news.
However, at that moment, Jiraiya stopped him. "Wait a moment, Minato."
Minato turned his head back, looking at his master in confusion.
"I have been active within the borders stretching from the Land of Rice Fields to the Land of Lightning recently, and I managed to uncover a piece of intelligence."
"Intelligence?"
Jiraiya nodded, his brows knitting together in a grave expression. "If things proceed as you say, saving Rin Nohara will inevitably mean rejecting Kirigakure's peace offer. As a result, the antagonism between Konoha and Kirigakure is bound to escalate further, and it might even trigger a new round of war..."
"And recently, I detected something in the Land of Lightning that deeply concerns me."
Speaking up to this point, Jiraiya paused before stating with absolute seriousness, "On the Land of Lightning's side, it appears that a civilian organization is continuously shipping a massive quantity of 'new-type weapons' to the Land of Water."
"New-type weapons?" Minato Namikaze was familiar with this term, which referred to weapons like muskets or revolvers. However, these weapons primarily suffered from low accuracy, posing little threat to ninjas who possessed the ability to dodge bullets even as academy students. Secondly, their manufacturing production lines were scarce, with only a few companies in the Land of Lightning producing them, so their circulation scale wasn't large.
Even the most recent developments in explosives and artillery had their respective flaws—they weren't flexible enough, reloading was slow, and their explosive yield couldn't match an explosive tag.
Could shipping these weapons to the Land of Water be anything more than toys to offer some psychological comfort to the local nobility there?
Jiraiya guessed what Minato was thinking just by looking at his expression. Shaking his head at him, he extended his hands to make a vague gesture. "They are not quite the same as the type of weapons you are thinking of."
"These 'new-type weapons'... might be significantly stronger than you imagine..."
"The models seem to be called something like..."
"Howitzers, mortars, individual rockets..."
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