Shinji didn't linger in the Sixth Ring World. After settling Shion in, he immediately returned to the Shinobi World.
Arriving at the Research Institute, Shinji summoned Amado and Orochimaru to get an update on their research progress.
Amado took a drag from his cigarette. "There has been progress in every project group, but Shinjutsu is incredibly mysterious and complex. We still need more time."
"Mm."
Shinji nodded in understanding.
Researching secret techniques and forbidden jutsu took years of accumulation, let alone Shinjutsu, which stood above all ninjutsu. The fact that the Institute had made any progress at all was already quite impressive.
Orochimaru put away his usual mocking expression and spoke seriously, "I suspect that Shinjutsu is likely a natural metamorphosis that occurs after chakra evolves to a certain level. Therefore, the final key likely lies within chakra itself."
Amado nodded in agreement. "Indeed."
Shinji asked, "So, what are your ideas?"
Amado replied, "We have diverted resources to establish a brand-new project group. We intend to attempt reproducing Shinjutsu from the source—that is, from chakra!"
Direct research into Shinjutsu had hit a dead end, so the Institute planned to take a different approach. The leader of this project group was none other than Hiruko, the developer of the Chimera Technique and the Bloodline Fusion Ritual.
The Institute planned to use rituals as a means to forcibly elevate a mass of chakra to its extreme limit, thereby attempting to reproduce Shinjutsu.
After listening to Amado's introduction, Shinji said, "Do your best."
Orochimaru smiled. "The experiment is already in preparation. This time, I will personally serve as the test subject."
Hearing that Orochimaru would be the subject, Shinji froze for a moment. "Is there a need to take such a risk?"
Orochimaru explained, "The bodies of other test subjects simply cannot withstand a ritual of this intensity. Only I can barely attempt it. Furthermore, to verify the relationship between Shinjutsu and chakra, we need a ninja who understands chakra sufficiently. In this regard, I am undoubtedly the best candidate!"
Shinji said, "Understood. Go prepare, then."
Orochimaru bowed and withdrew.
After Orochimaru left, Shinji looked at Amado. "What do you think about this?"
Amado shrugged. "I have no reason to stop him."
Shinji fell silent.
Orochimaru's reasoning was impeccable. Being the subject of such an experiment wasn't something just anyone could do. Moreover, many subtle changes could only be felt by the subject themselves, which was why many researchers experimented on their own bodies.
However, the danger level of this experiment was unpredictable. Orochimaru risking his life personally still gave Shinji some misgivings.
After all, the relationship between Shinji and Orochimaru was purely one of control. Orochimaru had only submitted because he was under Shinji's Kotoamatsukami. If something went wrong with the genjutsu control, Orochimaru would have zero loyalty to Shinji.
After pondering for a moment, Shinji suppressed his suspicion.
Now was not the time to be suspicious of everything. Instead of worrying about Orochimaru betraying him, it was better to focus on improving his own strength.
Shifting his thoughts, Shinji asked Amado, "Any progress on the matter regarding contacting other Otsutsuki I assigned to you earlier?"
Amado said, "I was just about to report to you on that!"
Shinji's eyes lit up. "Oh? Let's hear it."
Amado explained, "I recently reviewed some documents left behind by Otsutsuki Isshiki and found a suspicious point. When Isshiki designed the seal to imprison the small Ten-Tails, he used a type of Sensory-Blocking Barrier."
"Sensory-Blocking..." Shinji narrowed his eyes. "Isn't it normal to set up a barrier to prevent others from sensing the Ten-Tails?"
Amado replied, "I thought so too at first. But then I noticed the date on his drafts was over a hundred years ago. In other words, the prison where he kept the small Ten-Tails was renovated and modified over a century ago."
Shinji frowned, realizing the issue.
Over a hundred years ago in the Shinobi World, not only was Otsutsuki Kaguya sealed, but even the Sage of Six Paths and his brother had lost their physical bodies, reduced to spirits lingering in the world. At that time, there was seemingly no need for Otsutsuki Isshiki to worry about anyone in the Shinobi World being able to sense the Ten-Tails hidden in a different dimension.
Yet, Isshiki had meticulously set up a barrier to shield it from detection. That was the problem.
Shinji asked, "So... you suspect the method to contact other Otsutsuki is hidden within the Ten-Tails... no, within the God Tree?"
Amado nodded. "As expected of you, sir! At that time, no one in the Shinobi World could threaten Isshiki. Therefore, he wasn't guarding against the ninjas of this world, but against other Otsutsuki far out in space. After all, he hadn't found a suitable vessel for reincarnation yet and was at his weakest. If any of his kin noticed the Shinobi World, it would have been a massive threat to him. Thus, he had to strictly imprison his small Ten-Tails to prevent any information leakage!"
Shinji immediately agreed. "Yes, your deduction makes sense!"
Every Otsutsuki drifting through the universe carried a Ten-Tails. Therefore, it was perfectly logical that the Ten-Tails—or rather, the God Tree—was their means of communication with one another.
Thinking of this, Shinji could no longer hold back. He vanished from the spot instantly.
If the method to contact other Otsutsuki was truly hidden within the God Tree, then Shinji wouldn't need to worry about a shortage of sacrifices.
After leaving the Institute, Shinji activated the power of his Lamp to open a spatial rift, stepping into World No. 1, where he had planted the God Tree.
The view was entirely gray and dreary.
Although he wasn't the Lantern Bearer of this world, Shinji could tell from experience alone that the Hegemon's erosion of this world was becoming increasingly severe.
Shinji shook his head, then flickered to land on top of the God Tree, placing a hand against its bark.
Shinji had done some research on the God Tree before, but due to various matters, he hadn't been able to calm down and deeply understand all its functions. Now that he had a lead, he immediately began to explore the tree's ability to communicate with the outside world with focused intent.
Soon, Shinji, who had closed his eyes to sense, snapped them open.
"As I thought..."
Amado's deduction was correct. The God Tree indeed possessed the ability to communicate with Otsutsuki—or more accurately, the God Tree possessed the ability to communicate with other God Trees.
As long as Shinji was willing, he could use the God Tree in his possession to attempt to contact other God Trees.
And since the Otsutsuki clan were all "Planters," contacting a tree naturally meant contacting the person.