When people grow used to relying on something, letting go isn't easy.
With the spatial constraints of the water balloon and rubber ball, Sasuke and Naruto had managed to control their chakra's irregular rotation. But without anything in their hands, it became difficult.
It's like elementary school students practicing calligraphy — when they practice against a template within the grid, their letters look decent. But on blank paper, their writing immediately reverts to its original form and won't even stay in straight lines.
You could see chakra running wild in their hands. Although it rotated, it simply couldn't coalesce into a sphere.
Mizuki wasn't surprised and no longer offered verbal guidance. Having reached this step, they were just one step away from success. With more practice, they'd naturally master it. By his estimate, three days should be enough.
But geniuses always exceed expectations. After just one day, Naruto succeeded.
"I did it, Sakura-chan! Look at my ball!"
Early in the morning, as soon as Naruto got up, he ran excitedly to the kitchen and showed off the Rasengan in front of Sakura.
For a moment, quite a wind kicked up in the kitchen.
"Idiot!" Sakura punched Naruto on the head, extinguishing the Rasengan, "Don't you know it's dangerous to use the Rasengan here? What if you damage the house?"
Naruto covered his head with a pitiful expression, "Well, you see, I was too happy, so I forgot. But I've already learned the Rasengan, Sakura-chan. Now you know who's more of a genius between me and Sasuke, right?"
Sakura wanted to refute, but she had nothing to say.
She was surprised. Before, she'd only thought of Naruto as an idiot who couldn't learn anything. She hadn't expected him to learn the Rasengan so quickly.
Just then, Sasuke came to the kitchen.
Naruto immediately turned his attention to him, "You stuck-up Sasuke, I've already mastered the Rasengan. What do you think? Pretty surprised, huh? Bet you feel like you're trash, completely useless, right? Ah, can't help it. The world of geniuses is just so hard for people to understand. You can't be jealous of it."
Sakura: ###
She was planning to give Naruto another punch. He was just too obnoxious.
Sasuke glanced at Naruto, let out a prideful cold snort, and without saying a word, raised both hands with palms facing up. The next moment, a Rasengan appeared in each palm.
Sakura's attention immediately shifted from Naruto's head to Sasuke's face, "Ahhhh, Sasuke-kun, you're so amazing!"
What she was thinking: Sasuke-kun is so cool, I want to have your babies.
Sasuke ignored her, glanced at Naruto again, and said coldly, "You think you're the only one who knows to train late into the night?"
Naruto coughed dryly twice, "Well, this is the kitchen. The Rasengan is dangerous. Dispel it quickly, don't destroy the house."
Sakura scolded sweetly, "Idiot Naruto, you're just jealous of Sasuke-kun's talent. You need both hands together to create one Rasengan, while Sasuke-kun can do one per hand. You have absolutely no right to compare who's more of a genius with Sasuke-kun."
Naruto shut down.
Isn't this a bit of a double standard?
Of course, he'd grown used to it since ninja school.
At that moment, Mizuki came downstairs and heard the system notification in his mind.
[ Ding! ]
[ You have granted your disciple Naruto Uzumaki the A-Rank Ninjutsu [Rasengan], triggering a 3,000× Return! ]
[ You have granted your disciple Sasuke Uchiha the A-Rank Ninjutsu [Rasengan], triggering a 3,000× Return! ]
[ Due to the same type and return multiplier, the two returns will be stacked, triggering a 10,000× Return! ]
[ Congratulations, you have obtained the SS-Rank Hijutsu (Secret Art) [Six Paths: Yin-Yang Rasengan]! ]
SS-Rank Secret Art? Six Paths: Yin-Yang Rasengan?
Mizuki's eyes widened, his head buzzing.
The words "Six Paths" meant this technique had transcended the ordinary. And "Yin-Yang" wasn't used casually either.
Besides the five basic attributes — Fire, Lightning, Wind, Earth, and Water — chakra also has Yin Release and Yang Release attributes.
Yin Release represents spiritual power. Its techniques create form from the formless. Genjutsu and the secret techniques of the Yamanaka and Nara clans all fall under Yin Release.
Yang Release represents physical power. Its techniques breathe life into form. The Akimichi clan's multiplication technique, the Senju clan's bodily healing, and medical ninjutsu fall under Yang Release.
When Yin Release and Yang Release combine, it becomes Yin-Yang Release. Mastering it means mastering the power of creation.
The Sage of Six Paths created the nine tailed beasts by dividing the Ten-Tails' chakra and using Yin-Yang Release techniques. Techniques based on Yin-Yang Release, like Truth-Seeking Balls, can nullify all ninjutsu.
Except for Senjutsu, any other ninjutsu can be neutralized by Truth-Seeking Balls. Even bodies created through Edo Tensei cannot resist them. After being hit, the body cannot heal. In severe cases, it will be reduced to ash.
"Aren't I invincible now?"
In the current ninja world, there was no Six Paths Obito, no Six Paths Madara, no powered-up Naruto and Sasuke. Who else could be his opponent?
Mizuki felt dizzy. Happiness had come too suddenly.
Then the system continued:
〖 Six Paths: Yin-Yang Rasengan: Contains the power of Yin-Yang Release. Its destructive power rivals Truth-Seeking Balls. It nullifies everything except Senjutsu and other Six Paths Yin-Yang Release techniques. 〗
〖 Note: The host has not mastered Yin-Yang Release. Each use consumes massive amounts of spiritual and physical power. After use, extreme weakness results — bedridden for one week, unable to perform strenuous activity for two weeks. 〗
Mizuki: "…"
Damn, there are side effects.
"This can only be used as a trump card."
But even so, Mizuki felt happy. A trump card like this was incredibly rare.
❊❊❊❊❊
In the kitchen, breakfast was simple.
After everyone finished eating and prepared to leave, Tazuna was full of energy — the bridge would be completed in just two more days.
But before they could set out, someone knocked at the door. When Tsunami opened it, she saw a stranger. Seeing his Konoha forehead protector, she relaxed.
"Are you also a Konoha ninja? Who are you looking for?"
"This is the home of master bridge builder Tazuna, right? I'm Konoha Jōnin Kakashi, here to take over Team 7's mission."
Hearing the voice, Naruto immediately got up to look.
"Kakashi-sensei, it really is you! Why did you come?"
"I was ordered by the Hokage to replace Mizuki and lead you in protecting Tazuna."
Naruto frowned, "Why does the Third Hokage have to make it so complicated? Mizuki-sensei is doing great leading us. Why make you come all this way?"
"This is the Hokage's order. It concerns the deaths of three ANBU members. The Hokage needs to summon Mizuki back to understand what happened."
"Three ANBU? Dead?" Naruto exclaimed, "Kakashi-sensei, are you saying those three masked guys are dead?"
Kakashi nodded, "Yes. Orochimaru even sold their bodies to the bounty station."
Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. Three living people, just gone like that.
"Orochimaru!" Naruto gritted his teeth as he spoke the name.
Inside the house, Mizuki's eyes narrowed slightly.
The mission was more than halfway done, about to be completed, yet Hiruzen had sent Kakashi to replace him.
Thinking about it, he wasn't surprised. After all, three ANBU had died. How could Konoha not respond?
'It doesn't matter. I wasn't the one who killed those three ANBU.'
Even if things broke down with Konoha, Mizuki wasn't afraid. Though Konoha was strong, he wasn't a chicken ready for slaughter. If he couldn't win, he could run.
After Kakashi entered and everyone exchanged greetings, Mizuki said, "Kakashi-senpai, Orochimaru's target this time is Sasuke."
Kakashi had already noticed the curse mark on Sasuke's neck.
He nodded, "Orochimaru's curse mark will erode a person's body. Shortly, I'll use the Evil Sealing Method to seal it. Although I don't know his purpose, as a Konoha S-Rank Missing-nin, his appearance is taken very seriously by the Hokage. That's why he sent me to replace you. You must return to the village immediately and explain the situation to the Hokage."
Mizuki nodded, then added, "Orochimaru also placed a Five Elements Seal on Naruto's abdomen, causing his chakra to go out of control."
Kakashi shook his head, "I can't handle that. We'll have to wait until Naruto returns to the village and have the Hokage release the seal."
Before leaving, Mizuki told Kakashi about Zabuza's situation. Then he set off.
❊❊❊❊❊
Leaving the Land of Waves, Mizuki stepped onto the soil of the Land of Fire.
He hummed softly as he made his way toward Konoha, thinking about how to deal with Hiruzen once he returned.
Honestly, he didn't want to leave Konoha. It had many talented people, and the return multiplier from granting abilities was influenced by the disciple's talent. Especially Naruto and Sasuke — he absolutely couldn't lose these two protagonists.
Only in Konoha could he maximize the system's effect.
"When the time comes, I'll pin everything on Orochimaru. I'll leak information about the Konoha Crush Plan too, so the Third Hokage won't have time to deal with me."
Suddenly, his steps halted. He stopped and turned toward the nearby forest.
"You three, what business do you have with me?"
He'd been humming not because he was in high spirits, but because he had Echolocation activated for vigilance. Three figures had just entered his range, and by the looks of it, they came with hostile intent.
"You discovered us so quickly. Looks like you really are no simple Chūnin, just as the intelligence said."
With the voice, two men wearing black cloaks with red clouds stepped out from behind the trees.
Mizuki's eyes narrowed.
"Akatsuki? Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki?"
❊❊❊❊❊
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That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)