Kakashi hadn't forgotten his original goal, nor was he seduced by the power of the tailed beast.
He clearly understood that what he needed was to build a solid foundation and elevate his potential, not to chase imdiate power.
Seeing the tailed beast chakra covering Kakashi, Shūichi suddenly smiled and said, "I have a sword that would suit you well."
With that, he summoned the large blade, Sahada.
Tsunade glanced over and comnted, "One of the Seven Swords of the Hidden Mist?"
"Yep," Shūichi nodded. "Sahada has its own spirit, so you could even consider it alive."
"I originally intended to give it to Rin."
Tsunade and Kakashi looked surprised. "Rin?"
They glanced at Sahada, then imagined the petite Rin wielding it—a comically mismatched sight.
Shūichi explained with a smile, "Sahada has a special bond with the Three-Tails, as it once followed Isobu. It has a liking for tailed beast chakra."
"Basically, it's a bit of a parasite."
Sahada seed to understand this remark and bent its handle to give Shūichi a thump.
Unfazed, Shūichi kicked it away without hesitation.
Kakashi instinctively caught it, but as soon as he did, the Eight-Tails chakra around him disappeared.
"It can absorb chakra!" Kakashi exclaid, surprised. Before long, all of his Eight-Tails chakra had been devoured by Sahada.
Shūichi explained, "That's Sahada's ability—it can absorb chakra."
"This ans it can counter certain ninjutsu as well."
"Of course, among the Seven Ninja Swords, there's another one that might suit you."
He then summoned the twin blades, Kiba. "These are excellent for lightning-based jutsu."
"However, they might not be ideal for your White Fang swordsmanship."
Kiba, originally wielded by Raiga Kurosuki of the Seven Ninja Swordsn of the Mist, was more of a ninjutsu-based weapon than a close-combat one.
Kakashi glanced between Sahada and the Kiba blades, then shook his head. "Sahada should be left for Rin, and these twin blades don't suit either. My White Fang short sword is all I need."
Hearing that Kakashi didn't want it, Sahada, unwilling to let go, quickly spat the chakra it had absorbed back at Kakashi.
Kakashi was taken aback.
Shūichi laughed, "You can feel it, right?"
"The chakra processed by Sahada is even easier to use than regular tailed beast chakra."
Unlike the Nine-Tails chakra, which can harmonize for any user, other tailed beast chakra isn't as adaptive.
For instance, Kakashi's Eight-Tails chakra, covering his body, was rely a temporary state of borrowed power.
In contrast, Shūichi's Nine-Tails chakra mode was indistinguishable from his own chakra, only with extraordinary quality.
Kisa was famously called the Tailed Beast without a Tail, and much of that reputation was due to Sahada.
Yet Kakashi shook his head again, saying, "Borrowing the Eight-Tails chakra is more than enough for ."
Shūichi sighed. It seed that, despite having the Seven Ninja Swords on hand, no one wanted them.
Seeing his frustration, Tsunade chuckled, "Kakashi already has his own fighting style. You should look for soone new to train."
Accepting the reluctant Sahada, Shūichi shrugged. "Alright, I'll see if Rin wants it when she wakes up."
Rin with Sahada? Now that would be quite a sight.
...
Ti flew by, and it was now February of Konoha's 47th year.
A delegation from the Sand Village arrived in Konoha, led personally by Chiyo.
Back at the old Root base, Shūichi divided the One-Tail, storing the Yin portion here and even cutting off a portion of its tail as a keepsake.
Shukaku, enduring the pain, growled, "Hey, rember your promise. If you go back on it, I'll bring the Jinchūriki and attack Konoha."
Shūichi smiled. "I'm a man of my word, no need to worry."
"Just rest here for a day, and tomorrow you'll be sent back to the Land of Wind."
Shukaku yawned and lay down lazily. "The Land of Wind is a lot better than this creepy place. No sunlight here at all."
"True, it's a bit gloomy," Shūichi replied absentmindedly. After marking Shukaku's tail with a Flying Thunder God seal, he waved and left.
Outside, Shūichi found Sarutobi Shinnosuke waiting, which piqued his curiosity. "Captain, does the Third Hokage have a ssage for ?"
Masked, Shinnosuke smiled, "Well, since Scorch has returned to the Daimyō's side, we've assigned you a new teammate."
"Yamato!"
A slightly shorter Anbu mber stepped forward, removed his mask, and bowed. "Shūichi-senpai, I'm Yamato!"
Looks like there would always be a house available on future missions.
"Nice to et you. Just call Shūichi or Captain," he said, nodding warmly before looking at Shinnosuke as if unfamiliar with Yamato.
Shinnosuke explained, "Yamato is a forr Root operative and possesses the First Hokage's Wood Release."
"Wood Release, I see."
Shūichi feigned surprise.
He had almost forgotten about Yamato, having avoided Root matters since Danzo's death.
"Alright then, Yamato, et here at 8 a.m. tomorrow."
"Yes, Captain!" Yamato nodded quickly.
After setting the ti, Shūichi turned to Shinnosuke. "I'll head over to the lab then."
Shinnosuke nodded.
Patting Yamato on the shoulder, Shūichi's figure vanished.
...
At the lab, Shuichi unseals a scroll, setting aside a small portion of Shukaku's tail as a sample for cell cultivation. He then proceeds to slice and consu the rest.
"Why does this still feel like eating sand?" he mutters, chewing through what feels like soft, sandy at. Frowning, Shuichi swiftly swallows and waits for his body to digest.
The reaction is much weaker than when he consud parts of the Nine-Tails or Eight-Tails, but as his body finally processes it, Shuichi's eyes light up.
He draws his blade and, with one swift motion, cuts off his left hand.
A soft pop sounds as his hand detaches at the wrist. Instead of bleeding, the severed hand turns into a pile of sand. Almost instantly, he channels chakra, and his hand regenerates as if untouched.
A Sand Body!
Eating Shukaku's flesh has unexpectedly granted him the ability to turn his body into sand—a power he didn't gain from the Nine-Tails, Eight-Tails, or even Four-Tails.
"Seems there's so randomness to this..." Shuichi muses, feeling more eager than ever to unlock the [dical Master] tag. With this, his body's compatibility would further increase, possibly sparking new changes.
"Hopefully, Orochimaru isn't taking too long to finish preparations."
After tidying up, Shuichi turns his focus to comparing Hashirama and Asuka's cells in his ongoing research.
---
The next day, Shuichi ets with Asuka, Shisui, and Yamato outside the Root base.
"Yamato, wielder of Wood Release," Shuichi introduces him to the group.
"Hello, I'm Shisui Uchiha. I specialize in Fire Release, genjutsu, kenjutsu, and Body Flicker," Shisui greets with a slight nod.
Yamato bows quickly. "It's an honor to et you, Shisui-senpai. I've heard of your prowess even during my ti in the ANBU."
Next, Asuka steps forward, smiling. "Hello, I'm Asuka Uzumaki, skilled in dical ninjutsu, sealing techniques, and sensory abilities."
Yamato bows again. "It's nice to et you, Asuka-senpai!"
Introductions done, Shuichi says, "I'll go retrieve Shukaku. Wait here."
In a blink, he vanishes, only to return monts later with a small tanuki perched on his shoulder.
"Shukaku's so tiny now?" Asuka says in surprise, wide-eyed at the adorable creature.
Shukaku glares. "Woman, never underestimate a Tailed Beast's power!"
Unfazed by his grumpy tone, Shuichi pats Shukaku's head with a grin. "Alright, let's go et the Sand delegation."
The group heads out and soon joins Chiyo and her team of Sand shinobi. Seeing the miniaturized Shukaku, Chiyo is taken aback.
"No sealing needed, then?" Shuichi comnts with a glance at the large sealing vessel—a golden cauldron—the Sand team had brought.
Chiyo turns to Shukaku. "Shukaku, are you...?"
Shukaku jumps to her shoulder, looking pleased. "Let's go. It's been ages since I've felt the sun on my sand!"
"Alright, let's move out," Chiyo replies, deciding against the seal for now.
With the Sand shinobi leading the way, Shuichi's group follows. Shuichi, ever-cautious, notices there's no sign of anyone trailing them, but Asuka still scans with her sensory skills every so often.
"When I wrap up my Yang Release research, I'll definitely pick up so of White Zetsu's abilities," Shuichi thinks to himself. White Zetsu may lack strength, but his utility skills—transformation, underground movent, hiding, chakra absorption, even healing—are invaluable.
Setting off before nine in the morning, the group reaches the Fire Country's border by afternoon and stops to rest. Yamato selects an empty area and quickly forms hand seals.
"Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique!"
Under the surprised eyes of the Sand shinobi, Asuka, and Shisui, a large wooden house materializes, complete with two stories.
"Wood Release...can also be used to build houses?" Asuka murmurs, still in awe.
Yamato chuckles sheepishly. "Just a small trick of mine."
Shuichi pats Yamato on the shoulder approvingly. "This is a great skill. From now on, you're in charge of our accommodations."
On the other side, Chiyo's gaze sharpens. "Is that... Wood Release?"
"Leaf Village has managed to revive the First Hokage's secret technique!" Chiyo's heart grows heavier. Having a strong ally in tis of war was beneficial, but with Konoha's current strength, Suna felt dwarfed.
First, White Fang, then Yellow Flash, now a Blue Flash, and now a Wood Release user?
"We must hurry and find a suitable Jinchūriki," she sighs inwardly. Even if a perfect Jinchūriki wouldn't be enough to challenge Shuichi, it would give them more confidence.
Soon, everyone settles into Yamato's wilderness villa. It's undeniably more comfortable than a tent.
The Sand shinobi take turns on watch, while Shuichi and Asuka share a room.
Whispering late into the night, Asuka eventually falls asleep in Shuichi's arms. With a gentle kiss, Shuichi also closes his eyes.
A single strand of his hair falls, morphing into a small moth that flutters out the window.
(End of Chapter)
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