Although the process of learning was oppressive, during his attempts to connect with natural energy, Haseo had also started researching and developing new ninjutsu… Or perhaps more accurately, he needed to shift his focus elsewhere because training in Sage Art was becoming unbearable. Otherwise, the sense of helplessness would drive someone mad.
Previously, Katsuyu had described the top-tier ninja like this—eventually, their pursuit of "strength" shifted from craving techniques to studying the very essence of chakra itself.
That statement held true. Though Haseo wasn't yet one of those elite ninja, the techniques that had long defined his strength as a shinobi—all stemmed from unique uses of chakra. Whether it was his original Lightning Release: Mikage or the later Chakra Mode Kinjutsu, they followed the same principle.
Fundamentally, Haseo's chakra had always been unique from the very beginning.
Now, Haseo could master changes across five chakra natures. The remaining Yin and Yang natures were something you'd obtain only by chance—it depended on fate whether he could grasp them. Plus, until he completed Sage Art, he didn't have the capacity for further study in that area—let alone there seemed to be no teacher available who could instruct him in such rare knowledge and learning methods.
So in theory, Haseo had already taken conventional chakra nature transformations as far as any normal ninja could go.
Therefore, Haseo intended to start developing [Ultimate Art]-class techniques based on these five elemental transformations.
The only known reference here seemed to be Third Hokage's [Five Elements: Five Great Chakra Cascades], but that wasn't Haseo's objective.
Certainly, in terms of mastery over five-element chakra, variety of ninjutsu learned, and deeper utilization, the versatility of Haseo's elemental transformations remained significantly inferior to Third Hokage's. However, this didn't mean Haseo's own five-element techniques lacked advantages—most notably, Haseo achieved higher efficiency when changing chakra natures, allowing quicker transitions and combinations between them.
In Haseo's view, while impressive in scale, Third Hokage's [Five Elements: Five Great Chakra Cascades] wasn't necessarily efficient regarding energy usage—the method involving Shadow Clones releasing different elements even required separating attacks by nature to prevent mutual suppression that weakened overall effectiveness.
Simply put, Third Hokage's technique was an additive technique—"1+1+1+1+1"—that merely added effects linearly instead of creating multiplied results. Therefore, Haseo believed there was no need for him to follow that path.
He planned to develop new ninjutsu based on the principle of elemental synergy, much like how Wind Release enhances Fire Release.
He already had the conceptual framework; the problem lay solely in execution... Firstly, it demanded massive chakra output. Secondly, the transformations across all five chakra natures nearly had to occur simultaneously, sequentially incorporated into the jutsu. Thirdly, based on the previous two points, successfully executing such a technique would require the user to possess extremely precise chakra control.
At the very least, Haseo currently lacked this ability. Although he was quite satisfied with his chakra control — objectively speaking, his level of control far surpassed that of an average ninja — it still fell short of the precision required for [Five Elements Techniques].
Considering Haseo's chakra control would theoretically increase as his body became further corrupted, it stood to reason that by the time he approached death from this corruption, his control would naturally reach the needed level... Well, such a method held absolutely no practical value whatsoever.
So…
Another fun-sized dilemma to deal with.
This was yet another head-scratching puzzle.
After completing what could be described as "a small step forward in Sage Arts, but a giant leap forward for himself personally," Haseo temporarily concluded this arduous training and returned to Konoha.
It wasn't because anything major had happened in the village. In fact, the reason he ended his training and came back to Konoha was purely personal.
Uzumaki Shikou and her Kagenami-based Uzumaki shinobi had finally completed their improvements to the [Four Symbols Seal]. After some trials, they confirmed that the new sealing technique could perfectly fulfill its designed purpose.
Therefore, Haseo returned to Konoha intending to resolve his own corruption issue by willingly submitting to being sealed away… Yeah, definitely nothing to do with him getting too tired from practicing Sage Arts.
Within the underground base of Kagenami was a rectangular chamber covering at least 200 square meters, where intricate patterns of techniques were already drawn across the entire floor.
The moment Haseo entered, he felt a slight tingling on his scalp. It wasn't like he had some weird fear of holes — he just thought this whole thing looked way too complicated. Wasn't this supposed to be a sealing formula derived from the Four Symbols Seal? Yet this technique appeared excessively grand in scale.
Could this be a trap — pretending to be a sealing jutsu while actually attempting to eliminate him permanently with some destructive ninjutsu? For a moment, such thoughts flashed through Haseo's mind. But then again, he hadn't done anything particularly outrageous lately to warrant such treatment.
Huh… Feels like there's hardly a spot to stand without stepping on something, he dryly remarked. No matter how hard he tried to observe, he couldn't make heads or tails of this sealing technique.
"Lord Haseo, please don't worry. The outer layers are multiple locking mechanisms designed to ensure the seal remains intact not only upon initial activation but also even after repeated openings and closings. Fundamentally, it truly is the [Four Symbols Seal]… Please follow me."
As if seeing through Haseo's confusion, Uzumaki Shikou explained beside him, reaching out and guiding Haseo toward the very center of the sealing formation.
Since this involved sealing *himself*, Haseo wasn't about to buy into a simple explanation so easily. That huge spread across the floor still looked mighty sketchy to him, and he still felt somewhat reluctant. However, since Uzumaki Shikou was pulling him forward, he had no choice but to keep walking ahead.
The surrounding Uzumaki ninja couldn't help but grimace, each one clearly trying their hardest not to burst out laughing... The current scene was just too much like a little elementary school student being dragged into school by his mom for the first time.
So this was the legendary "Konoha leadership," huh? Guess I'm into this 'Konoha leadership' thing too.
After being brought into the center of the sealing array, well, Haseo decided to let go. At times like this, he should just trust the expert and allow her to mess with him as she pleased.
He shut his eyes, stretched his limbs, and flopped flat onto the floor at the center of the sealing formula—it was the expert's request that he lie down.
Wait, where's my clothes?
At this moment, an image involuntarily popped into Haseo's mind—the world-famous painting known as the "Vitruvian Man" drawn by an Italian person he'd once seen in a textbook.
The only difference was that at least he still had a pair of briefs on—so he wasn't completely naked...
Well then, consider it a sacrifice for art.
However, Haseo's noble silence ultimately failed to withstand the spread of rumors and gossip.
"This is Lord Haseo… Wow, he really is bright white."
"Yeah, sure is. White, definitely white."
"What a rare sight! Should've brought that kid along earlier to broaden his horizons..."
In theory, after half a year inside Shikkotsu Forest, Haseo indeed could be considered pale. Yet... which two nosy spectators dared to gossip about this? Toka and Kenji again?
Haseo glared, attempting to locate those cheeky bystanders commenting on the spectacle, but due to his lying perspective, he saw nothing—everyone simply scattered upon noticing his anger.
But this wasn't intentional teasing. It was just because next, Shikou needed to continue drawing sealing formulas across Haseo's entire body until they connected with the larger ones on the floor.
Shortly afterward, when this part of the work finished, the very fair-skinned Haseo finally looked black-and-white, just like someone who'd been wrapped head-to-toe in fishnet stockings.
Then, Shikou stepped back to the edge of the formation, and seven other Uzumaki ninjas moved into their designated spots.
"Lord Haseo, you may begin forming hand seals now."
Shikou's voice echoed within the vast underground space. Upon hearing her words, Haseo started channeling chakra according to the method previously taught and formed the seals.
Meanwhile, the eight Uzumaki shinobi responsible for the sealing technique also began forming hand seals together.
Next, Haseo felt his chakra surge outward, flowing along the paths of the inked symbols. Soon enough, the entire seal array seemed to come alive—as if hungry for three days straight, it began 'absorbing' and 'siphoning' the jutsu scattered throughout the space, just like Sakumo Hatake slurping up noodles.
All those techniques rushed toward Haseo, staining his entire body pitch-black before condensing further, finally forming a delicate black ring about ten centimeters in diameter atop his shoulder, composed of extremely fine lines.
It looked like the most delicate kind of traditional tattoo—simple, yet strangely powerful.
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