Morning.
Like every other day, Tsunade got up early. After washing up, she reached for her cup to take a sip of water and get her system moving for the day. But after taking a few gulps, she paused.
Something felt… off.
This stuff—
Why did it taste so strange? There wasn't even the faintest hint of water in it.
"Shizune, is there something wrong with this tea today?"
"Huh? No way, I just made it—you can taste for yourself!"
Shizune looked puzzled. She'd brewed it moments ago, and all the cups were from the same pot.
Tsunade frowned, picking up another cup and sniffing it before falling into thought.
This stuff really did feel different.
"Kyoichi! Get out here! Did you do something to my tea again?"
She immediately thought of him.
Whenever something weird or mysterious popped up, if she couldn't figure out who was behind it, blaming Kyoichi was almost always safe. Maybe it wasn't always him—but half the time, it was.
"Don't blame me for your imagination. You were just drinking air—what's that got to do with me?"
Kyoichi chuckled.
Tsunade glanced at her cup—and was startled to find it completely empty.
Then what the hell had she just drunk?
She was sure she'd felt liquid in her mouth just now. It had been real—but flavorless, with none of the bitterness or warmth of tea. Thinking back now…
Could it be genjutsu?
"You developed a new illusion technique, didn't you?"
That was the only explanation. The effect was far too vivid otherwise—more lifelike than any illusion she'd ever seen.
Tsunade was honestly impressed.
She could already see countless possibilities flashing through her mind.
If this kind of tangible illusion could be refined and spread—even without pairing it with ninjutsu—it could be devastating on the battlefield, especially when used alongside Clone or Shadow Clone Techniques.
"Can it be taught to others?" she asked at once.
"Hardly. The difficulty level… it's at least S-rank. Even I barely figured it out after several days of study, and only because I had a foundation in theory. For most people, it's practically impossible. It's a kind of Yin Release transformation, similar to the Nara Clan's techniques."
Kyoichi shook his head.
Yin Release—
even with his deep understanding, it had taken him days to grasp the basics. Ordinary ninja wouldn't stand a chance. Compared to the "Six Paths" level Yin Release, what he could do now was still primitive.
In short—
He was only at the starting line. Reaching the peak would take a long time, but at least he'd found the path forward. Before, he hadn't even known where to begin.
As for Yang Release—
that was somewhat easier.
Medical ninjutsu itself was a manifestation of Yang Release, and Hashirama's cells—or the artificial God Tree experiments—were full of Yang-based properties to study.
"Yin Release, huh… what a pity. If it could be taught, it would completely change the battlefield," Tsunade sighed.
Kyoichi smiled. "Not just the battlefield. It'd change daily life too. But spreading it around isn't realistic—and I've only barely begun to master it."
Tsunade nodded seriously. "Yin Release in its purest form is creation itself. If you ever manage to create water that actually tastes like water, then you'll know you've succeeded. For now, though—you're still a step away."
She knew exactly why Kyoichi was pursuing this path.
Yin and Yang Release—
they were the key to creating tailed beasts, the foundation of the Sage of Six Paths' power. To reach that level of existence, one couldn't avoid them.
In a way…
Tsunade thought Kyoichi and Orochimaru were of the same breed—both obsessed with uncovering the world's truths. The difference was that Kyoichi knew where to draw the line. He had a moral compass, a sense of right and wrong.
That was what made her trust him.
If it were Orochimaru, she'd never feel this at ease.
Tsunade didn't know much about genjutsu, so she didn't comment further. But when it came to other releases—especially Yang—she had plenty to say.
After all, besides Madara, there was probably no one alive who understood Yang Release better than she did.
"If you ever need help with Yang Release, don't hesitate to ask," she offered.
Just then, Nagato emerged from the next room. Oriri and Shizune were finishing up breakfast, calling everyone to the table.
After they ate, Nagato said, "By the way, I've realized a new jutsu. I think it's the one you mentioned before—the technique that creates a moon."
"Oh?"
Tsunade's eyes lit up. She forgot all about work and immediately pointed toward the study.
The three of them entered.
Nagato began explaining Chibaku Tensei.
The moment Tsunade heard the details, she froze.
That technique—it might really be the "Moon-Creating Jutsu" the Great Toad Sage once mentioned!
With that power…
sealing someone like Madara would be child's play.
"You can actually use it already?"
"I think so."
Though he'd just mastered it, Nagato was confident. After the cell transplant, his body had become far stronger, and the Rinnegan no longer drained him as it once had.
Kyoichi, however, knew it wasn't that simple.
"According to the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, you and I will both need to use Chibaku Tensei together. Sealing someone like Madara or Kaguya Ōtsutsuki—ordinary Planetary Devastation won't cut it."
Nagato hesitated. "Then the Great Toad Sage's…"
He trailed off, clearly doubting the prophecy.
Tsunade explained, "That old toad has lived since the age of the Sage of Six Paths. He once served as the Sage's companion. Even if it isn't prophecy, his words carry truth."
Nagato nodded quietly, deep in thought—wondering why it would require both of them.
Kyoichi didn't keep him guessing.
"To seal beings on that level, ordinary methods won't work. Remember—the Sage of Six Paths used both Yin and Yang Release to create life itself. So…"
He looked directly at Nagato.
"To seal them, we'll likely need to combine Yin and Yang Release within Chibaku Tensei."
Nagato frowned thoughtfully. "Between the two, I'm probably better with Yang Release. My eyes come from the Sharingan, so I should have a natural affinity for Yin, but I've never studied genjutsu much. Lately, though, I've been working with Yang Release."
Kyoichi grinned, then turned to Tsunade. "You said before—'If you ever need help, just ask,' right?"
"Uh…" Tsunade instantly regretted it.
Why did she have to say that?
Teaching Nagato was one thing.
Guiding Kyoichi? That was another matter entirely.
Kyoichi's fundamentals were rock solid—almost on par with her own—but his Yang Release studies were still shallow. Nagato, meanwhile, barely knew the basics.
Training him up to the level Kyoichi needed… would be like starting from scratch.
Heaven help her.
Tsunade took a deep breath, then sighed in defeat.
Well—
She had said it herself, after all.
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Read advanced chapter ahead of everyone else on my P@treon.
P@treon/GodDragcell