Chapter 181: New Year's Gift! (Seeking subscriptions and monthly passes)
Hatake Sakumo was unaware that he had gained another capable subordinate who could unify the Ninja World.
At this moment, in the training room of his residence, shared with Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune, Tsunade had joined them.
This was Tsunade's first time training using an electromagnetic field.
The sensation was quite peculiar.
She finally understood the secret behind Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune's rapid progress; it wasn't just the Sage Cursed Seal.
The tingling and pleasure that spread through her body made her feel a bit embarrassed and annoyed.
She had almost cried out just now.
"Shizune and Kurenai really should have warned me beforehand!"
Tsunade gritted her teeth inwardly.
Meanwhile, Hatake Sakumo was contemplating that it was time to update the Sage Cursed Seal.
Although version 1.0 could penetrate cells, allowing Sage Power to nourish them more thoroughly and quickly, it wasn't enough.
Hatake Sakumo envisioned the Sage Cursed Seal's power reaching the cell nucleus, directly influencing cellular metabolism and genes.
He wasn't ready to edit other people's genes yet, but perhaps through the Sage Cursed Seal, he could grant Tsunade and the others abilities similar to his own.
Or, even if it was a weaker version, the ability to influence genes.
After this process, it would also improve their Chakra Control.
This way, developing Kekkei Genkai would be much easier, rather than relying on luck.
"Furthermore, after developing Wood Release to the level of Kekkei Mōra, I'll go back and develop more Kekkei Genkai to set an example for Kurenai and the others, allowing them to take a more direct path."
Hatake Sakumo made a secret plan.
He was pursuing immortality, and at the same time, he wished for Yūhi Kurenai and the others to accompany him always, rather than him walking alone one day.
Although this was incredibly difficult.
But wasn't the meaning of life precisely this?
In the blink of an eye, Konoha Year 50 passed, and Konoha Year 51 arrived.
"Good morning, Kurenai!"
The moment Yūhi Kurenai opened her eyes, Hatake Sakumo presented his New Year's gift.
It was a necklace.
Completely handmade.
Most importantly, the golden diamond was a crystal condensed from Hatake Sakumo's vast Sage Power.
Yūhi Kurenai was instantly captivated. She reached out to take it, only to discover that this small diamond held another hidden marvel.
She brought it closer to her eyes and observed that within the diamond, there were two small figures.
It was her and Hatake Sakumo!
Surprise!
Happiness!
"Thank you, Asuma!"
Yūhi Kurenai wrapped her arms around Hatake Sakumo's neck, her satisfaction filled with love and tenderness.
Shizune, whose shoulder was exposed nearby, had already woken up but pretended to be an ostrich.
After letting go of Yūhi Kurenai, Hatake Sakumo presented his prepared gift to Shizune, placing it on her hand.
It was a bracelet, also featuring a crystal condensed from Sage Power.
However, this crystal was smaller, but there were twelve of them.
"Thank you, Asuma!"
Shizune was overjoyed.
Hatake Sakumo gently kissed her forehead. "Sleep a little longer!"
Considering it was everyone's first time, Hatake Sakumo set aside the saying "the morning sets the tone for the day." He got up and went outside, stretching in the winter sunlight, feeling refreshed.
After washing up, he retrieved another gift and leisurely walked towards the Senju Ancestral Home.
Tsunade had also drunk quite a bit last night and should still be asleep.
As expected.
He didn't see Tsunade in the living room or the study.
Hatake Sakumo headed straight for the bedroom area and saw clothes scattered on the floor, with a section of fair, tender lotus root exposed from under the covers.
Shaking his head, Hatake Sakumo stepped forward to tuck Tsunade in properly, and then he heard her mumbling, "Asuma… you little brat…"
Hatake Sakumo's mouth twitched. He then placed the bracelet he had prepared on Tsunade before turning to leave.
However, what he didn't know was that shortly after he left, Tsunade opened her eyes, raised her hand to look at the bracelet on her wrist, and let out a soft hum.
Her eyes, however, were full of amusement.
Although it was getting late, Sarutobi Asuma hadn't put down his training from that morning.
Moreover, with two fertile fields to water, he had to improve himself and maintain his vigor.
An hour later.
Sarutobi Asuma finished his training, took a cold shower under the waterfall, and then headed to Namikaze Minato's place.
As expected, Uzumaki Miri and her daughter were there too, making it quite lively.
Naruto and Karin were already over two years old, able to run and talk.
As Asuma was talking with Kushina and Miri, Naruto's crying could be heard.
No need to look, Karin must have made him cry.
Sure enough, when the three of them went over, Karin had snatched Naruto's toy. Naruto was now sitting on the ground crying his eyes out, his eyes looking a bit dark.
Asuma suppressed a smile.
Poor Naruto.
Karin was a few months older than him and, with her pure Uzumaki bloodline, was a head taller.
Little Naruto was always the one being bullied by Karin.
"Karin!"
Uzumaki Miri sternly reprimanded her.
Karin immediately turned into a well-behaved girl.
Uzumaki Kushina didn't pay it much mind, because she knew.
Although Naruto was bullied at home, when they played outside, Karin acted like a protective older sister towards Naruto.
"Naruto, a real man doesn't cry sitting on the ground!"
"Get up quickly!"
Uzumaki Kushina leaned down and looked at Naruto with a smile.
Naruto immediately stopped crying, then quickly got up and toddled over to Miri on his short legs, hugging her calf and looking up pitifully.
Uzumaki Miri picked Naruto up and said sternly to Karin, "Hurry up and give the toy back to your brother!"
Karin pouted, let out a soft hum, and returned the toy to Naruto.
Naruto took the toy and immediately stuck his tongue out at Karin.
Asuma watched and secretly shook his head. He's really got a stubborn streak.
He could imagine that for the next few years, Naruto would live under Karin's shadow.
After playing with his little disciple Karin and his little nephew Naruto for a while, Asuma left to visit Hatake Sakumo.
In the days after the new year, Sarutobi Asuma was very busy.
He had people to visit, and many people came to visit him.
Meanwhile, at the experimental base, Shadow Clones were complaining about the inhumane practices of evil capitalists who refused to give them holidays. How hateful!
So, a few days later, the Shadow Clones conspired to go on strike and eat and drink, leaving Asuma a pile of IOUs.
Land of Rivers.
Deep within a mountain, Deva Path Pain, Kakuzu, and Sasori of the Red Sand stood side by side.
"This is it!"
Sasori of the Red Sand said, looking at a cave ahead.
As soon as he spoke, Kakuzu flicked his hand, and a kunai pierced a venomous snake. "It seems we've been discovered!"
"In that case, let's go in!"
Deva Path Pain stepped forward.
A rustling sound followed, and a large number of venomous snakes appeared, then retreated like a tide, making one's scalp tingle and goosebumps rise.
The three approached the cave but soon stopped.
A figure emerged from the darkness of the cave.
Orochimaru!
"Heh heh, you truly don't shy away from trouble."
Orochimaru's gaze swept over the three of them one by one, then settled on Deva Path Pain's Rinnegan.
"Rinnegan, I've finally seen it!"
Orochimaru licked his lips and looked at Deva Path Pain. "Are you that child from back then?"
"According to intelligence, you died by Hanzō's hand. Is it a puppet?"
Deva Path Pain's gaze deepened. "As expected of one of the Sannin, Orochimaru!"
Neither Kakuzu nor Sasori of the Red Sand had discovered that this body was a puppet.
Of course, this was also related to the intelligence they possessed.
Kakuzu and Sasori of the Red Sand looked sharply at Deva Path Pain.
Kakuzu feigned surprise, while Sasori of the Red Sand smiled. "I hadn't expected that there was a technique in the Ninja World even more advanced than my puppet creations. This is getting more and more interesting."
"Orochimaru, have you considered it?"
Deva Path Pain asked.
Orochimaru looked playfully at the three before him and chuckled, "It seems if I don't agree, you'll resort to force."
"However, I am indeed eager to witness your strength, especially... the power of the Rinnegan!"
Deva Path Pain spoke, "As you wish!"
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Machine Translation by: beta.randomtranslator.com
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