Kai said nothing more. He simply waited in silence for the Sage of Six Paths' answer.
The Sage fell quiet, weighed down by the knowledge that if Ōtsutsuki Kaguya were resurrected and no one could stop her, the consequences would be catastrophic—far more than Kai could imagine.
The Divine Tree would spread its roots across the world, and the entire shinobi world would cease to exist.
For the Sage of Six Paths, there was truly no other choice. He let out a faint sigh, then looked at Kai and said, "I can grant you the power of Yin Release. I only hope you'll use it to bring peace to the shinobi world."
"Of course." Relief washed over Kai as he saw the Sage's resolve. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Hold out your hand," the Sage said quietly.
Kai didn't hesitate. He extended his left hand before the Sage.
The Sage's expression grew solemn. More than a dozen Truth-Seeking Orbs appeared, floating behind him, and his aura erupted in full force.
Kai couldn't help but marvel at the pressure—this was only a remnant soul, yet his power was nearly on par with his own. If this were the Sage at his peak… No wonder he was the one who sealed Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
The Sage's withered palm slowly covered Kai's outstretched hand.
A chill swept from Kai's palm through his entire body, finally converging in his mindscape.
There was no pain, only the sensation of a shackle breaking. The spiritual energy that had once been scattered throughout his consciousness now gathered under his will, as easy to control as moving his own limbs.
At the same time, the immense life force within him seemed to surge, drawn by some mysterious force, growing even more vibrant.
Raising his arm, Kai splayed his fingers wide. A mass of black matter formed in his palm, stretching outward.
In an instant, a Sage's staff materialized in his hand, and nine Truth-Seeking Orbs floated behind him.
"So this is… the power of Yin-Yang Release…"
He could feel the Truth-Seeking Orbs behind him, their forms shifting at his whim, completely under his mental command within a certain range.
Witnessing this, the Sage's eyes widened in shock. He fused Yin and Yang Release the moment he awakened Yin Release?
Kai withdrew the Sage's staff, and the orbs faded from view.
Deprived of Yin Release, the Sage of Six Paths seemed even older, his features withered. "Very well, descendant of Hamura and myself. You have received the power of Yin Release. Remember—peace in the shinobi world now rests in your hands."
As he spoke, the Sage's figure began to dissolve, his body scattering into points of starlight.
At last, even his Rinnegan faded from the space.
Staring at the spot where the Sage vanished, Kai felt a flash of insight. "Without the balance of Yin Release, the Yang Release in his soul collapsed, and his spirit scattered instantly?"
The Sage was gone. There was no point dwelling on it.
"Now that I've obtained Yin Release, there's no reason to linger here."
With a thought, Kai shifted into the Amenominaka: Lava dimension, and in the next instant, he reappeared on the remote island where he'd summoned the Death God.
Scanning his surroundings, Kai frowned. "The leaves have turned yellow… Is it because time flows differently between these spaces? Or was it the absence of time in that realm?"
"I wonder how much time has passed." He furrowed his brow and activated Kagura Mind's Eye.
After awakening Yin Release, the range of his Kagura Mind's Eye had expanded dramatically. Now, at full power, he could sense nearly half the shinobi world in a hazy sweep.
"Hm? That chakra signature…" A smile curled on Kai's lips. He instantly understood what point in time he'd returned to.
The Land of Waves was an island nation nestled between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water.
In such a small country, there were no hidden villages, and even ninja were a rare sight. The entire nation was controlled by underground syndicates.
The largest of these was the Gatō Gang, which monopolized all maritime transport in the Land of Waves. For an island nation, this meant controlling the country's wealth, politics, and people—every aspect of life.
Yet behind the scenes, Gatō trafficked in drugs and contraband, earning the hatred of the entire populace.
To resist Gatō's tyranny, the people of the Land of Waves pooled their resources to build a great bridge, hoping to free themselves from his grip.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
Naruto shouted desperately as he watched Hatake Kakashi trapped within the Water Prison Jutsu cast by Momochi Zabuza.
"Damn it! I can't believe I let my guard down and got caught. Now Naruto and the others are in danger!" Trapped in the water prison, Kakashi's face was tight with worry.
"Raiga! Go, kill those three brats!" Zabuza snarled, glaring at the black-haired ninja beside him.
Kurosuki Raiga—one of the previous generation's Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, and the first wielder of the Kiba blades. Known as the "Thunder of the Hidden Mist," he was infamous for his cruelty and cold-bloodedness.
Raiga's expression soured at Zabuza's order. "You're just a junior. It's not your place to boss me around." Then, turning to the three Genin, he bared his teeth, a cruel excitement flickering in his eyes. "But hey, throwing a grand funeral for these kids doesn't sound half bad."
Hidden Mist Technique!
Thick fog rolled in, swallowing the area in an instant.
"Sasuke! Sakura! Where are you?!" Naruto called out in panic, unable to see even five meters ahead.
"Idiot! Don't make a sound!" Kakashi roared from inside the water prison.
"Heh, found you, brat!"
Raiga's mocking voice echoed through the mist. Suddenly, he plunged his Kiba blades into the ground and shouted:
"Lightning Release: Thunder Gate!"
Inside the water prison, Kakashi's face twisted in terror and despair. He knew all too well—with their current strength, Naruto and the others had no chance of surviving a lightning strike like this.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?
🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?
✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?
✨patreon.com/DarkGolds