After much thought, Kyoichi went to find Tsunade. He first laid out, in a systematic manner, all the intel and recent developments he had gathered.
Tsunade's expression grew heavy.
The fact that Madara was still alive was already terrifying enough. But now that man had also started creating bizarre, unnatural creatures.
Hard to sense, without physical form…
Such things went beyond the very scope of what she understood life to be.
She pondered for a long while, unable to hide her doubts.
"Just how are those things made?"
"I have a theory. According to what the Nine-Tails told me, the tailed beasts were all created by the Sage of Six Paths. In essence, they are chakra given form. Madara may have gained a similar ability."
Kyoichi explained.
Tsunade's headache deepened.
The ability to create?
That bastard…
Her grandfather, really—why hadn't he checked more carefully back then, made sure Madara was dead before leaving the battlefield?
And if not him…
Even Tobirama should've confirmed it!
Inwardly, she grumbled at Hashirama and Tobirama alike.
But complaining now solved nothing.
The urgent matter was to deal with the present crisis.
Nagato coming to Konoha might hold Madara in check from reclaiming the Rinnegan and suddenly growing stronger, but the cost was that the village would likely be anything but peaceful in the meantime.
If they wanted to solve this…
Nagato had to be strengthened.
She understood Kyoichi's line of thought and said, "Brat, you never come to my office unless something's up. Spit it out—what do you want to do? But I'll tell you in advance, I won't allow you to use Hashirama's cells."
Hashirama cells could indeed make one stronger, but the price was enormous.
Their devouring, assimilating effect was overwhelming.
If Nagato underwent Hashirama cell implantation, it would be nearly impossible to undo later. Though he wasn't a Konoha native, Tsunade, as a doctor, could never endorse it.
"Actually, for Nagato, the risk might be a little lower. The stone tablet suggests that the Uchiha line and Hashirama's cells represent the extremes of Yin and Yang. Combined, they could reach a unique balance."
Kyoichi paused briefly before continuing, "But I'm not here today for Hashirama cells. I want to teach Nagato the Yin Seal—and have him attempt sealing tailed beast chakra to see if that can reduce the cost of summoning."
"Oh?"
Tsunade pondered.
The Yin Seal…
It was confidential, yes, but it was originally researched by Uzumaki Mito herself, based on the Uzumaki clan's vast repertoire of sealing techniques. Since Nagato carried Uzumaki blood, teaching it to him wasn't too outrageous.
But tailed beast chakra…
That was a much touchier subject.
Still, she began to piece together what Kyoichi was getting at.
One doubt remained, however.
"You're certain those summons are important enough to justify this?"
"The Rinnegan is no ordinary eye. That summoning technique comes with it—it must conceal some enormous secret. I think it's worth pursuing."
Kyoichi replied earnestly.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples.
Everything lately…
Had gone far beyond her scope of knowledge.
Still, it only took her a moment to decide.
"Fine. Do it. I trust your judgment. Whatever comes of it… I'll cover for you."
Then she cracked a smile. "But if Madara shows up, you're the one going out there. I'm no match for that old monster. I'll just sit atop the Hokage Tower and admire your heroic figure from afar."
"Hahaha, of course!"
Kyoichi knew she was only teasing.
Because if it truly came to that…
With Tsunade's character, she'd be the first to charge at Madara.
Because she was the Hokage.
As she herself had said—only a fool would ever take that position.
And Tsunade was exactly that kind of fool.
Kyoichi sighed inwardly.
"All right then. If you're not helping me with paperwork, get out. Don't get in my way."
—Kyoichi chuckled—
"Sure, sure. Just remember to pace yourself, sis."
With a wave, he vanished with the Flying Thunder God.
Left behind, Tsunade tapped her pen against the desk, staring blankly for a while before murmuring, "Brat… if you really face Madara, you'd better be careful."
For Madara to stand equal to Hashirama back then—he hadn't relied solely on the Sharingan.
His innate talent was extraordinary.
To put it bluntly…
The Sharingan became legendary because of Madara—not the other way around.
Others had Mangekyō too.
Take Izuna, for instance—yet he still died young.
One way or another, Kyoichi would inevitably clash with Madara.
And she herself…
Her own strength was falling further and further behind his pace.
Tsunade sighed.
Before becoming Hokage, she had lived every day trapped in the past.
After becoming Hokage, she lived buried under paperwork.
Where was the time to train?
She began to understand why the old man of the Third had made so little progress in his thinking over all those years—the sheer burden of responsibilities was crushing.
She'd have to start delegating.
Kyoichi's way wasn't bad—train up "tools," and let the tools work in your place.
"I'll have to cultivate Oriri and Shizune…"
Tsunade mused.
Both were excellent candidates. Especially Oriri—about fourteen now, gradually opening up to Konoha, willing to integrate into village life.
In that case…
Promoting her to Tokubetsu Jōnin, even full Jōnin, wasn't out of the question.
In terms of strength, Oriri had what it took.
The Uzumaki clan's resilient physique and natural sealing prowess guaranteed her capability. Add in her Mind's Eye of the Kagura and Adamantine Sealing Chains—she was formidable indeed.
At present, in the Anbu sealing squad, she was already carrying out duties nearly identical to the squad captain.
Meanwhile, Kyoichi returned and handed Nagato a scroll of the Yin Seal.
Of course…
This was his modified version.
The one from Tsunade, Nagato likely couldn't use—it required specific Uzumaki traits, and gendered differences weren't something he could circumvent.
Nagato looked puzzled at first, but when he opened it, he immediately realized the immense value of the technique.
The Yin Seal…
It could expand one's chakra reserves.
If he mastered it, perhaps he could finally make full use of his eyes' abilities…
Kyoichi said, "No need for extra words. If you run into difficulties, come find me. Once you've learned this technique, I'll have you attempt to merge tailed beast chakra as well."
"Tailed beast chakra?"
Nagato was stunned.
"Just chakra. I'm not making you a jinchūriki. But tailed beast chakra is fundamentally different from ordinary chakra. It might reduce the consumption. Either way, it's worth trying."
Kyoichi explained.
Nagato nodded lightly.
If he could master the Yin Seal, this wouldn't be a problem.
As Kyoichi said—no harm in trying.
Still…
Clutching the scroll, Nagato's feelings were complicated.
At first, he had agreed to come to Konoha only because he trusted Kyoichi's and Jiraiya's character, and because he didn't want to cause trouble for Yahiko and the others.
Yet instead of making things difficult, Konoha had continually extended goodwill.
To the point that he felt ashamed.
And now, this Yin Seal…
That sense of indebtedness grew heavier.
But…
At this stage, he could only answer with one line:
"I'll master this as quickly as possible—and summon that thing forth!"
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