Chapter 17: Should You Join Kirigakure
Yuto smiled faintly. If one were to speak of who possessed the most chakra modes, that title did not belong to him.
Among the protagonists of the shinobi world, Uzumaki Naruto held four distinct modes: Sage Mode, Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Kurama Mode, and Six Paths Sage Mode. He even wielded a fused state combining Sage Mode with Kurama's power.
What did it mean to be overpowered?
Naruto was the living proof—showing everyone that cheating might be temporary joy, but constant cheating was constant bliss.
Still, Naruto's ability to merge Sage Mode with Kurama's power gave Yuto an idea.
Each Tailed Beast, from the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails, possessed its own unique chakra attribute.
If Yuto were to gather all nine kinds of chakra within himself, could he reconstruct a form of Six Paths chakra—without becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki?
After all, in the original tale, Naruto entered Six Paths Sage Mode largely through borrowing chakra from the other Tailed Beasts. But that alone was not enough.
The key was the gift bestowed by the Sage of Six Paths. That was the true reason Naruto could achieve such a state.
Without the Sage's blessing, success would be uncertain at best.
Even so, the notion intrigued Yuto. To unite the nine chakras of the Tailed Beasts within himself was a wildly audacious path.
Even Madara and Obito had only managed to reach Six Paths strength by becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki.
And Yuto did not believe for a moment that Madara had never considered this possibility. The fact that it was never attempted only proved how slim the chance of success must have been.
Naruto succeeded not just because of Kurama anchoring the other chakras within him, but also because of the unprecedented goodwill he earned from the other Tailed Beasts. They had no desire to rebel.
Yuto's eyes flickered. He set the thought aside for now. For the moment, his strength was more than sufficient.
But against those with Six Paths-level power, he knew he still was not a match.
He collected his thoughts. It was far too early to plan so far ahead. What lay before him now was mastering Sage Mode and the curse mark state.
Some preparations would need to begin once he returned to Kirigakure.
Yuto withdrew the Sage chakra, then lifted his head—meeting Orochimaru's gaze, burning with hunger.
That look was like a starving beggar who had not eaten in ten days suddenly beholding a slab of roasted meat.
Behind Yuto, Terumi Mei and Ao's eyes also shone with awe. The two powers he had just displayed—each alone—were terrifying enough to shake the world.
But more than awe, they felt exhilaration. The stronger Lord Yuto became, the greater the benefit to Kirigakure.
"Orochimaru, what do you think of those two powers just now?"
Yuto asked casually, noting the hunger in his eyes.
"The cursed seal's power I know well—cold, sinister, and difficult to control. But judging by what I saw, it seems Lord Yuto has already mastered it."
Orochimaru's tone carried a rare gravity as he spoke.
No one knew better than Orochimaru how low the survival rate was for cursed seal transplants.
After a brief silence, he spoke again.
"As for the second power, it is stronger than the cursed seal, and far more refined."
He stopped there, leaving unsaid what weighed on his mind—that this power was strikingly similar to the strength they had once studied in their experiments on Hashirama.
"So, do you wish to grow stronger? Would you consider joining Kirigakure?"
Yuto's smile was faint as he looked at Orochimaru, his tone calm.
Anyone who had watched the shinobi world unfold knew it well: though Orochimaru's nature was fickle and treacherous, he was undoubtedly a rare talent.
If such a man could be brought into Kirigakure, it would be a great boon for Yuto. With Orochimaru's help, the unification of the shinobi world would draw even closer.
Hearing Yuto's words, Orochimaru's expression twisted strangely. It sounded almost like something he himself often said.
And yet, he was tempted. The power of Sage Mode was not something anyone could easily refuse.
At this time, having been effortlessly defeated by Itachi, Orochimaru was consumed with obsession over the Sharingan and the pursuit of immortality.
But now, Sage Mode stood before him as another path—one that was safer, more certain.
"Forgive me, Lord Yuto. I still have matters to attend to. I must take my leave."
After a long moment of inner struggle, Orochimaru's eyes flashed with hesitation, but in the end, he refused.
His hands moved quickly. A giant serpent was summoned, its jaws opening wide to swallow the unconscious Sound Four whole.
With a resounding thud, the serpent vanished into nothingness.
Having done this, Orochimaru used Earth Style to burrow away in haste, fleeing in one direction.
If he remained any longer, he feared he might not be able to resist agreeing to Yuto's offer.
"The gates of Kirigakure are always open for you!"
Yuto called out as he watched Orochimaru vanish, a trace of regret flashing in his eyes. He raised his hand and waved with a grin.
Behind him, Terumi Mei and Ao exchanged a glance, both catching the same helplessness in each other's eyes.
Taking in a rogue from Konoha was one thing—but to consider welcoming someone as dangerous as Orochimaru, that was something only Lord Yuto would dare.
"Come, Mei. It's been so long—I wonder how the village is faring."
Yuto stretched lazily and turned toward her.
"Ah!!"
Terumi Mei suddenly let out a startled cry. In the next instant, her face flushed red, and she hurriedly turned her body away.
(End of Chapter)
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