By gathering the chakra of all nine tailed beasts, the passive skill bar could be used to recreate them.
At that point, there would be no need to capture the real Tailed Beasts—using the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, he could directly cultivate the Divine Tree!
This sudden realization made Shigure sit up in bed, his heart pounding.
I didn't expect this… If I'd known earlier, I should have captured Naruto and used the Glutton to devour the Nine-Tails' chakra!
"Alright, then. If I can track Naruto down and secretly absorb some of Kurama's chakra, it should be no problem!"
[Great Sage: Analytical Calculation]
[Great Sage: The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki possesses an extremely strong seal, with additional chakra protection within his body. Unless he willingly releases Kurama's chakra, it cannot be devoured.]
A powerful seal… indeed, it was the seal of the Nine-Tails. But it was far more formidable than the seal binding Shukaku.
And Naruto also carried the chakra imprint of the Fourth Hokage.
Devouring Kurama's chakra directly was simply impossible.
Then I'll just have to make him release it willingly!
If only Naruto could already control the Nine-Tails…
Unless Naruto went berserk. But if he lost control just so Shigure could steal a little chakra, and Naruto failed to come back from the rampage, wouldn't that be the end of him?
"Forget it. There's no need to rush. Until Shukaku's chakra reaches one hundred percent, I don't need to worry about the others yet."
"Oh, Great Sage, calculate how long it will take before Shukaku's chakra reaches full integration through the passive skill bar."
[Great Sage: Estimated time—one thousand days.]
"One… a thousand?!"
Shigure froze.
Nearly three years—too long!
But thinking deeper: three years to refine one Tailed Beast. In twenty-seven years, all nine would be his.
With that power, he would stand equal to the progenitor of chakra herself—Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
From that perspective, the passive skill bar's effect was truly monstrous.
"Still… if only I could speed it up!"
But the passive skill bar wasn't under his direct control like the Great Sage. No matter what he did, it probably wouldn't change the pace.
[Great Sage: Analysis: Tailed Beast chakra is composed of natural energy. The passive skill bar acts as a bridge, connecting host and chakra. If the host provides a large amount of natural energy, the process can be accelerated.]
"…So it can be done?"
"Can the passive skill bar be linked to this process?"
[Great Sage: Of course. As one of the host's fixed active skills, it can naturally be linked to the bar. Otherwise, how could skills be swapped mid-battle?]
"Right… makes sense!"
During combat, he could command the Great Sage to switch his skill sets, and it would execute instantly. Linking to the bar wasn't unusual at all.
"All I need is… a lot of natural energy!"
"Wait. Isn't my body already capable of absorbing natural energy?"
[Great Sage: The host's Sage Body can only absorb natural energy passively. If it is supplied to the skill bar, the host will repeatedly experience depletion and replenishment of chakra. Would you like to begin the supply?]
Repeatedly drained, then refilled…
That didn't sound pleasant—and likely not very efficient either.
Natural energy absorbed by the body automatically converted into chakra. The Sage Body ensured rapid recovery—but that didn't mean it could generate an overwhelming amount.
"No… if I want a true solution, I'll have to learn senjutsu!"
Senjutsu wasn't just about refining Sage Chakra—it was mastering the art of actively drawing in natural energy, and then converting it into usable chakra.
Sage Mode.
And there was one person in Konoha right now who had mastered it.
Jiraiya.
Maybe… the answer lay with him.
But it wasn't realistic to just approach one of the Legendary Sannin and demand such a profound technique. Even Shigure, with all his confidence, knew better. Jiraiya would never hand down senjutsu simply because someone was a Konoha shinobi.
"…But wait. If I could devour senjutsu chakra, couldn't the Great Sage analyze it and allow me to master it directly?"
[Great Sage: Affirmative.]
The Great Sage's reply came in two words—clear, concise, yet carrying a trace of irritation, as if offended that Shigure dared to question its ability.
If all he needed was to devour senjutsu chakra, then it would be simple.
Becoming someone's disciple wasn't guaranteed, but challenging himself? That was always possible.
Tomorrow will be better.
Konoha had just endured a fierce battle today. If he approached Jiraiya now, people would only think he'd lost his mind.
"Let's focus on other things for now!"
"Right—like that special chakra property."
Shukaku's chakra carried the attribute of sand, which fascinated Shigure.
It made sense: chakra properties could be used to unleash corresponding ninjutsu with great power. Shukaku's sand-attribute chakra was also why the One-Tail possessed such formidable defensive abilities.
"Great Sage, can you calculate chakra with special properties, like Cloud Release, Ice Release, or Boil Release?"
[Great Sage: The calculation time for Cloud Release exceeds thirty days. The calculation time for special attributes such as Ice, Boil, or Transparent Release is estimated at ten days.]
"Why is Cloud Release so slow… Oh, right. Cloud Release is a newly developed combination of two kekkei genkai. No wonder it takes longer."
[Great Sage: Host, are you ready to begin the calculation?]
"Mm… wait. How's the repair of the Glutton skill progressing?"
[Great Sage: Estimated progress—10% repaired by tomorrow morning.]
"Good. Add that to the 10% already restored, and Glutton will reach 20% completion tomorrow."
Special attributes were valuable, but Glutton was far more important. Better to focus on that first.
While Shigure immersed himself in study, events elsewhere were already unfolding.
From the Hokage Building, Danzō Shimura emerged wearing a satisfied smile.
He had successfully persuaded Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
"Send someone to recall the Mizukage from the Hidden Mist!" he ordered.
"Tell her—I have a gift for her."
At that very moment, Terumī Mei hadn't traveled far from Konoha. When she was intercepted by Root operatives, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Could it be that Konoha intended to hold her accountable?
The attack on the village had nothing to do with Kirigakure. For Konoha to create more conflict now would be reckless.
"Lady Mizukage," one Root ninja said flatly, "Danzō-sama requests your presence in Konoha."
...
TN:
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