Compared to the ordinary five types of chakra, Yin Release and Yang Release were the true foundation of Hikari's current strength.
From a theoretical standpoint, balanced development of Yin and Yang Release would benefit him more. However, time was not on his side. Hikari wanted to rapidly increase his power, and improving Yin Release had given him that opportunity.
Right now, the Yin Release chakra in his body exceeded his Yang Release. There would be some effects from this imbalance, but overall, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
According to Hikari's discoveries, Yin Release was closely tied to the soul. As his own soul grew stronger, the Yin Release chakra would absorb Yin-natured energy from the world to reinforce itself.
And when his personal Yin Release reached a certain level, it could reach a state of "Extreme Yin giving birth to Yang," allowing him to begin absorbing Yang-natured energy from the world instead.
So what did it mean for Yin to reach the extreme?
Hikari's understanding was that once Yin Release chakra became dense enough, his soul could wander freely even in broad daylight. Under those circumstances, he could finally settle down and train Yang Release properly, seeking balance within his body.
Yin Release affected the spirit, while Yang Release affected the body. Perhaps when he fully mastered Yang Release, that would be the moment he stepped into the realm of the Six Paths.
"Come out and eat! Do you want to starve?"
Anko, who was staying at Hikari's place, knocked on the door again, urging him.
"Got it!"
After all, it was Anko's kindness, so Hikari couldn't ignore it.
Gathering his thoughts, Hikari walked out of the room and went downstairs.
Looking at Anko sitting there, occasionally stealing glances at him, Hikari said, "Anko, you seem a bit strange today."
"Strange?" Anko reached up to touch her face, feeling it was slightly warm.
"Yeah, you never used to nag me like this before. You'd just eat by yourself and then head out."
Anko: ...
Fine, that was her fault.
As a straightforward woman who had been single for many years, Anko was used to living alone. Suddenly coming to Hikari's place, she hadn't changed her habits.
Plus, Hikari was often busy and out on missions, so she had subconsciously overlooked him.
"So what, did I do a bad job today?" Anko's tone hardened slightly. "If you don't like it, I just won't call you next time."
"Having someone to eat with makes me pretty happy." As Hikari spoke, he carefully observed Anko. "Actually, my lifestyle isn't that different from yours. Back then, I was pretty lazy. Brother Izumo had to take on missions whenever he could to support us, so the two of us basically did our own thing. The times we ate together were pitifully rare."
"Oh, I see!" Anko said, "Then from now on, I'll give you the chance to eat with me!"
Hikari raised an eyebrow, somewhat speechless at Anko's thick skin. "Well, thank you then."
Anko smiled smugly. "Yeah, you definitely should thank me!"
*Knock! Knock! Knock!*
A knocking sound came from the door. Before Hikari could even ask, his powerful Yin Release energy had already sensed the visitor.
Tenten.
"It's Tenten, right? Just come in!"
The door was pushed open, and sure enough, it was Tenten.
She was holding some gifts in her hands. Seeing Hikari and Anko eating normally inside, both fully dressed, she subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
"Hikari-senpai, Gai-sensei was talking about you all morning. He asked me to come check on you when I had a chance."
"Gai? I'm sure he wasn't saying anything good about me!"
"No way! Gai-sensei just wanted to know if you were sleeping in again. After all, your laziness is infamous."
"Slander! Pure slander! I'm the most diligent person there is!" Saying words even he didn't believe, Hikari waved Tenten over to sit.
"Any issues with your training lately? I've been a bit busy and haven't had time to check your progress."
Hikari genuinely cared about Tenten, his de facto first student.
The physical technique chakra seed he had developed by combining Yin and Yang Release was prepared specifically for her.
In his heart, he quite liked this girl.
"I've been training hard, but I've realized that compared to close-quarters combat, I prefer kunai throwing."
Having geniuses like Lee and Neji on the team had made things tough for Tenten. Trying to compete with them in taijutsu was asking for trouble.
Fortunately, Tenten came from a wealthy family and could freely spend on kunai, which had solidified her fighting style.
Her luck was also extraordinary.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, she had personally picked up several of the Sage of Six Paths' tools. Calling her a girl favored by heaven wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"If it's kunai throwing, I can teach you some techniques." Hikari flicked his finger, and a silver-white light shot from his fingertip, landing directly on Tenten's forehead.
Rubbing her head, Tenten felt like something had been added to her mind, yet she couldn't quite grasp it.
This technique was a small ability Hikari had created by combining it with Yakumo's genjutsu.
Simply put, he used Yin Release energy to create a miniature chakra-based illusionary space, infusing it with his understanding of kunai throwing. As long as Tenten practiced with kunai, it would trigger the genjutsu, making her more familiar with the weapons and subtly improving her skills.
"What kind of technique was that? You didn't plant something on Tenten, did you?!" Anko was very curious about the scene but asked mercilessly.
At those words, Tenten's expression changed instantly, and she glared fiercely at Anko.
She trusted Hikari completely.
She knew he would never harm her, and if Hikari had any intentions toward her, he wouldn't need to resort to such underhanded methods.
"Come on, your thoughts are too filthy!"
Hikari placed a hand on Anko's head and roughly ruffled her hair, turning it into a messy bird's nest.
"I'm Kamizuki Hikari, an upright and honorable gentleman. How could I do something so low? You're looking down on me!"
Anko sneered. "Heh. This is the first time I've heard of a gentleman who writes erotic novels. You've got it rough."
Hikari: 'This conversation can't continue. Anko, prepare for punishment!'
Though he thought it, Hikari of course couldn't actually do anything to Anko.
"If you can't speak nicely, just shut your mouth. Even eating doesn't stop you from talking. Next time, I'll seal it shut."
Anko chuckled, giving Tenten a meaningful look before continuing her meal.
"Tenten, besides bringing me gifts, you came over so quickly. Is there something else?" Based on Hikari's understanding of Tenten, if it wasn't something urgent, she wouldn't specifically visit him at noon.
She was a very determined girl—how could she be willing to fall too far behind Lee and Neji?
"Oh, right!"
Reminded by Hikari, Tenten jumped to her feet. "Just now, Gai-sensei headed to the Hokage's office. It seems someone from the Kusagakure (Grass Village) came asking for aid, and even the Anbu were mobilized."