Chapter 499: The Sage of Six Paths' Compensation
Ishiro practically sang his way back to Iwagakure.
Fearing an accident, he didn't even stop at any of the other bases. The whole way, he clutched the object in his coat, terrified it would fall.
After returning to the village, he went straight to the Tsuchikage's office and eagerly took out the item the Sage of Six Paths had given him.
He carefully placed it on his desk.
It was a perfectly regular sphere, pure white, about the size of an apple.
He examined it with his naked eye for a long time but couldn't figure out what it was made of.
When he tried to sense it with his Mind's Eye, he was surprised to find that even it could not fully penetrate the sphere. It could only probe a short distance before being blocked by something.
"It really is a treasure," he muttered to himself, not discouraged but excited. He knew very well how powerful his perception was. The fact that even it could not penetrate this small object meant it was definitely something good.
He examined it lovingly for a long time. Only after confirming he could discover nothing more by perception alone did he carefully probe it with his chakra.
"Hm? It merged," he observed. He had sent a sliver of chakra into the white ball, and it had been absorbed directly.
He thought for a moment and slowly increased the input. The result was the same.
"It can absorb chakra?" he said, overjoyed.
At any rate, this was the first function he had figured out.
Next, he began to slowly analyze the ball's structure by inputting chakra. At first, he found nothing, but when he used chakra of different natures, he finally discovered a clue.
This white ball was composed of five different natures.
Or rather, it was a perfect balance of the five natures.
Thinking of this, his eyes widened. "Could it be? The Sage of Six Paths knew I was walking the path of five-element fusion and gave me a template?"
He rubbed his hands together and began to carefully analyze the ball's composition.
The more he analyzed, the brighter his eyes became. His guess was likely correct. The white ball was indeed a balanced body of the five natures.
However, the five natures within it were not fused. They were in a state of being on the verge of fusion, but not yet fused.
The five natures were still separate but were intertwined and very closely connected. It was as if, with just a little more push, they could completely merge.
For Ishiro, this state was far more instructive than a complete fusion would have been.
For convenience, Ishiro had named the complete fusion of five natures "Kekkei Mora." At his current level, he couldn't even begin to comprehend that.
He took out a pen, about to record the internal structure, but then gave a wry smile. His own ability was limited. The complexity of this white ball's internal structure was something he had never seen before, far surpassing any S-rank sealing jutsu, even the one he considered Beyond-S-Rank.
The only Beyond-S-Rank seal he had ever seen was the one near Uzushiogakure that isolated the gravity-well space.
The structure of this white ball was even more intricate than that. Even if he could analyze some useful information from it, it would take too long.
So, he said directly, "Someone, immediately notify all the high-ranking officials to come for a meeting."
A short time later, Saka, Bella, Ikura, Megumi, Kawakita, Kitsuchi, Han, and two of the Tsuchikage's assistants who were responsible for taking minutes arrived in his office.
Ishiro thought for a moment and said to the two assistants, "There's no need to record the beginning of this meeting. You can go back for now. I'll call you when I need you."
After they left, he said to the Anbu outside, "Be vigilant. Don't let anyone eavesdrop."
He then personally placed a barrier around the office.
Only after doing all this did he, under the strange gazes of the others, take out the white ball again.
"I just went to Konoha. A lot happened. I also obtained a Mangekyo Sharingan. But none of that is important. What I want to talk about is this unexpected gain."
"No one is to ask where this came from or how I got it. That's not important. We are here to discuss how to study it."
Megumi was the first to speak. "Teacher Ishiro, what on earth is that? Why are you making such a big deal?"
The others were also curious. His caution had piqued their interest.
Ishiro couldn't contain his excitement. He threw his head back and laughed three times before saying mysteriously, "I can't say exactly what it is. In any case, it's a good thing. A treasure."
"Do you all remember the divine artifact, the Yata Mirror? This thing is even more precious."
"It is a fusion of the five natures, in a state of being on the verge of fusion, but not yet fused. If we can figure out its principles, perhaps the village can develop a training path that is above even a Kekkei Tōta."
Ikura was stunned. "You mean, what you talked about before? The fusion of five natures, that... 'Kekkei Mora'?"
Ishiro nodded vigorously. "That's right. Two natures is a Kekkei Genkai, three is a Kekkei Tōta. I call five a Kekkei Mora."
"You know, I planned a path for myself long ago: to slowly fuse the five natures, with the goal of achieving Kekkei Mora. Over the years, I've developed three Kekkei Genkai and even created a Kekkei Tōta. Although Light Release hasn't been integrated into my body yet, after studying Madara Uchiha's Wood Release notes, that day is no longer so far off."
"But once I succeed, the next step will be the fusion of four or five natures. This step has always just been a concept for me. I didn't know how to do it, nor was I sure if the path was correct. I was always very anxious. But not anymore. Because I've found a template."
He pointed to the white ball. "This thing proves my path is correct. It is an example of the fusion of the five natures. I've examined it carefully. Its structure is extremely precise. It would take too long for me to study it alone. I intend to devote the full power of the village to its research."
Saka and the others looked at each other, thinking Ishiro had gone mad.
Bella asked tentatively, "Ishiro, can you explain what you mean by 'the full power of the village'?"
Ishiro took a deep breath. "All of the village's talent in this area will be devoted to this research. All of the village's funds will prioritize it. Whatever resources it requires will be supplied first. If we lack the talent and other villages have it, we will do our utmost to recruit them. The intelligence department will prioritize gathering all information related to this research. Not just them; all other departments will have to yield when their work conflicts with this project. That's all I've thought of for now."
Bella said, exasperated, "That's all for now? You're trying to reach the heavens!"
The others were speechless. What Ishiro was proposing would set Iwagakure's economy back ten years.
Finally, Ikura asked, "Can I see it?"
Ishiro reluctantly handed it to him. "Be careful. Don't break it."
When he saw Ikura infusing chakra into it, he immediately said, "Slowly, slowly! Be gentle!"
Ikura rolled his eyes. "You said it yourself, it's a fusion of the five natures. It's not that easy to break."
Ishiro knew he was being overly anxious and gave an awkward smile.
After a moment, Ikura finished his examination. He placed the ball back in Ishiro's hand. "It is as he says. It is in a state of being on the verge of fusion. If we can understand its principle, we might really be able to achieve the theoretical five-nature fusion. It's incredible. I can't imagine how this thing was formed."
Ishiro waved his hand. "How it was formed doesn't matter. What's important is that we can get what we want from it."
Saka asked Ikura, "What do you think are our chances of success?"
Ikura thought for a moment. "This thing is somewhat similar to the Five Elements Seal Ishiro has been researching, but its complexity far exceeds it."
Ishiro nodded. The two were like heaven and earth.
Ikura continued, "The Five Elements Seal is only A-rank. This white ball, in terms of rank, is definitely above S-rank. Using your previous classification, Ishiro, it's at least 'Beyond-S-Rank'."
Ishiro nodded, then shook his head. "By my analysis, my Sage Mode's Mind's Eye, and the Five Elements Great Consecutive Bullets Technique cast with five A-rank Sage Arts can be classified as Beyond-S-Rank. But even compared to those, this white ball is probably even higher. So I admit, the amount of research required is immense. It's not something one or two people can complete. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made such a big fuss and called you all here."
Bella frowned, beginning to seriously consider how much funding this would require, and how much income would be lost because of it.
Saka asked, "Ishiro, if one day you reach the level of this white ball, achieve that 'Kekkei Mora', how strong will you be?"
Hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted. They all looked at him.
That's right, that's the key. In the end, this world is all about strength.
A Kekkei Tōta could already dominate the world. If he achieved a Kekkei Mora, wouldn't he be able to crush the entire shinobi world like Hashirama and Madara once did?
Ishiro thought for a moment. "I estimate that even Hashirama and Madara at the Valley of the End were not as strong as a Kekkei Mora user. Madara faked his death, didn't he? I suspect that in his later years, he may have reached a similar realm."
Madara's fusion of Yin and Yang to achieve the Creation of All Things was indeed similar to a Kekkei Mora.
The council members looked at each other, all tempted. They now understood why Ishiro was so excited.
Bella asked, "Is there no middle ground? We don't need you to reach Kekkei Mora. Reaching Hashirama's level would be enough."
Ishiro thought. "Then we'd have to consider the fusion of four natures. But I don't have a template for that. And whether a fusion of four natures is even possible, I have no theoretical basis."
Ikura, who also had all five natures and had created the Five Elements Great Consecutive Bullets, knew the complexity of the balance. "Indeed. I also think a four-nature fusion might not even exist. A Kekkei Tōta is already unstable. It might be impossible to achieve a balance with four."
Bella was still unwilling. "But the cost is too great. The village is in a period of expansion, and our expenses are already high. What if we run out of funds halfway through?"
This was also a headache for Ishiro. "How about this? We take a step back. We will maintain the basic operations of the expanded village. That is the red line. If the research costs exceed that, we will halt it."
Saka nodded. "That's the only way. Although the investment is huge, if it succeeds, the return will be enough. I agree."
Ikura, Megumi, Kawakita, Kitsuchi, and even Han all agreed.
In the end, Bella also reluctantly compromised.
Ishiro sighed in relief. He knew they were supporting this gamble on the nation's foundation because he had never made a mistake in the past and had always led Iwagakure to become stronger and stronger.
"Ikura, you will be in charge of this project. You also have all five natures; you're the right person for the job."
Ikura nodded.
Only then did Ishiro smile. "Alright, let's talk about something a little more relaxing."
He dispelled the barrier and had the two assistants called back in.
"Today, I went to Konoha. I arrived just as Danzō was taking Shisui Uchiha's right eye. Then, Shisui fought his way out of Root and, in front of Itachi Uchiha, entrusted his left eye to him. This is it," Ishiro said, taking out Shisui's left eye for everyone to see.
Megumi looked at the three-tomoe Sharingan. "Teacher, it's in the three-tomoe state. Why isn't it in the Mangekyo shape?"
"I don't know," Ishiro shook his head. "Maybe because the Mangekyo state consumes ocular power. After giving the eye to Itachi, Shisui chose to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff. Itachi awakened his Mangekyo on the spot. I rescued Shisui and traded for this eye from Itachi."
At this point, Ikura asked, "Ishiro, from what you're saying, you didn't kill Itachi? That doesn't sound like your style."
Ishiro looked a little embarrassed. "There was an... accident. It's related to what we just discussed. Let's not talk about it. In any case, both Shisui and Itachi are alive. But without his Mangekyo, even if Shisui gets a transplant, his strength will be greatly reduced."
"We need to discuss two things. First: Konoha's leadership made a move against a genius of the Uchiha clan, and one who was loyal to them at that. How do we use this?"
"Second: this eye of Shisui's contains a dōjutsu called Kotoamatsukami. It can change a person's thoughts without them knowing. How should we use such a terrifying genjutsu?"
Everyone was shocked by the description of the dōjutsu and gasped.
Saka said directly, "Ishiro, this thing is too dangerous. No matter how it's used, it must be kept by you, the Tsuchikage. When it is used, it must be under the supervision of at least two other advisors. We can't afford any mistakes."
Everyone nodded. Kotoamatsukami was indeed terrifying. What if one of the high command had their thoughts altered? If even the Tsuchikage fell for it, Iwagakure might end up worse than Kirigakure had been.
"Don't worry," Ishiro said. "This terrifying dōjutsu also has a drawback. It has a cooldown of ten years after each use."
Everyone nodded, relieved.
Kawakita interjected, "The other eye is in Danzō's hands? Then we have to be careful when we encounter him in the future. Kajiyama Ri is in Konoha and has to deal with him. Will he be in danger?"
Ishiro thought for a moment. "Although Kajiyama Ri is my disciple and an elite jonin, he's not important enough for Danzō to waste such a precious opportunity on. If it were you, it might be a different story."
Everyone agreed. Controlling an elite jonin wouldn't cause much damage to Iwagakure.
Han asked, "Lord Tsuchikage, what is Itachi Uchiha's dōjutsu? Did you find out?"
Ishiro gave him an approving look. "His right eye's dōjutsu summons a black flame that can burn anything. It's very simple to activate; it appears wherever he looks. And its temperature is extremely high; it can easily incinerate a ninja. I sealed some of it and brought it back for the village to study. I don't know what his other eye does."
Kawakita exclaimed, "A flame that burns anything, and can be cast just by looking? That's too terrifying. Teacher, is there a way to counter it?"
Ishiro thought. "My perception can detect it when he's preparing to cast it. If you detect it early, you have a chance to dodge. Once it's on you, there are two methods. One is a sealing jutsu. The other is this."
He gathered a large amount of visible chakra in his hand, then let it detach and fall away from his body.
Everyone nodded. Not many could do the former, but the latter was possible. Especially for Han, who had Kokuō's chakra. It wouldn't be difficult for him.
Saka said, "Konoha truly produces geniuses. How old is this Itachi, to be able to use such a terrifying Mangekyo dōjutsu?"
"Alright, back to the topic. How to use Shisui's eye, you figure it out, Ishiro. The village can't even handle a three-tomoe Sharingan, let alone a Mangekyo. Let's talk about the situation in Konoha. Danzō moved against Shisui. Ishiro, what do you think their current stance is?"
Ishiro shook his head and sighed. "If there are no surprises, they will still side with Konoha's leadership. Those two have been thoroughly brainwashed by Hiruzen and the others. They won't change their stance easily. But they probably won't trust Danzō as much anymore."
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