The Trio

The Eight Gates Release was a powerful ninjutsu.

But for the vast majority of ninja, including Tsunade, it was something that was neither worth keeping nor worth discarding.

Only ninja like Might Duy, who had no talent for ninjutsu whatsoever and had devoted all their gifts to their body and perseverance, were best suited for this Forbidden Technique. They also had to endure the daily torture of tempering their bodies to the limit.

After all, although ninja were far stronger than ordinary people and possessed the powerful force known as Chakra, everyone had their own physical limits.

Once the body reached a certain stage, the growth of one's strength and physique slowed down. At such a stage, where progress was nearly impossible, how many ninja would still devote themselves to intense training, risking everything to continuously push past their limits and improve their Physical Fitness?

For most ninja, simply maintaining their current level of strength without declining was already enough.

"This technique isn't from the Nara Clan, is it?" Tsunade rolled up the scroll on the table.

"I obtained it from a Genin named Might Duy." Kagetsu did not hide anything and recounted every detail of his conversation with Might Duy to Tsunade.

"You certainly have your ways." Tsunade snorted twice, neither approving nor disapproving of Kagetsu's actions.

The things Kagetsu had offered and this Forbidden Technique were difficult to compare in terms of value. It was impossible to say who had gotten the better deal.

For Kagetsu, it was a Forbidden Technique he could not possibly learn, but could use as a reference.

For Might Duy, this Forbidden Technique could be exchanged for a way to lay a better foundation for his son, Might Guy, and reduce the physical risks brought by the Forbidden Technique.

In essence, both sides had obtained what they wanted.

Tsunade had clearly seen through that as well, which was why she gave that evaluation. Tsunade had always trusted the brains of the Nara Clan. Although she hated schemes, she did not oppose calculations that carried a touch of human warmth.

"Does this Forbidden Technique truly offer you no help at all?" Kagetsu waved the Eight Gates Release scroll in his hand.

"That depends on how you look at it." Tsunade had lived up to her role as a teacher these past few days, diligently answering every question.

"If I were a ninja who specialized purely in taijutsu, or one who was exceptionally skilled at taijutsu and used it as my primary means of attack, then this Forbidden Technique would suit me very well.

"At the very least, it would be viable to use it to stake my life on the line at a critical moment and turn the tide of battle.

"But I'm not! I have my own combat system. Forcing this technique into it would not help me much. It would only waste my time and energy.

"Unless I could open more than seven Gates. Otherwise, everything it can do, I can already do now, with a smaller burden and for a longer duration.

"It cannot increase my strength. Instead, it would become something superfluous.

"Of course, if it were Orochimaru, he would not go to the trouble of learning this Forbidden Technique, but he would probably be happy to treat it as a valuable collectible."

"What if it were improved?" Kagetsu softly spoke a single sentence.

Tsunade, who had been about to say something else, suddenly fixed her gaze on Kagetsu's calm, still somewhat youthful face.

"You really are like Orochimaru." Tsunade suddenly chuckled. There was neither appreciation in her smile, nor disgust or coldness.

And like Second Grandfather too.

After laughing, Tsunade silently added that in her heart.

"How do you intend to improve this technique?" After composing herself, Tsunade looked at Kagetsu, who was still watching her and waiting for an answer. Rarely, she reached out and ruffled his hair, scattering his pineapple-like hairstyle.

"Are you planning to help?" Kagetsu's eyes lit up. He paid no attention to the hair Tsunade had messed up. He only felt that if Tsunade joined them, it would truly be like adding wings to a tiger for his improvements.

At the very least, no one was more authoritative or experienced than Tsunade when it came to Medical Ninjutsu and the secrets of the human body.

If they also added his own teacher, Orochimaru, a man with an extremely deep understanding of and research into ninjutsu and Chakra, then although there would be few of them, the strength of this team would far surpass those Nara Clan elders.

So the moment he heard Tsunade's tone, Kagetsu resolved to pull her into the team.

"That depends on whether your idea can move me." Tsunade poured herself a cup of wine, happily downed it, and spoke after exhaling a breath of alcohol.

"I want to improve it into another technique. Or rather, I want to borrow part of the Eight Gates Release, extract the core it requires, and make it the foundation of another technique.

"This envisioned technique is called Blood Armor! It uses Chakra to fill the meridians and blood vessels in exchange for an increase in physical strength and overall combat ability."

As he spoke, Kagetsu stepped forward and clearly explained his entire concept to Tsunade.

The Eight Gates Release was a technique that removed the body's restrictions on Chakra and released excess energy.

Within the Chakra circulatory system, the eight locations that suppress and control the Chakra within the body were the Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, Gate of Wonder, and Gate of Death.

These eight Gates imposed limits on the amount of Chakra in the body, but this technique allowed Chakra to forcibly exceed those limits, drawing out strength dozens of times greater than one's original power.

But at the same time, every Gate opened drastically increased the burden on the body.

Kagetsu did not intend to copy the Eight Gates Release wholesale, nor did he intend to improve it directly. In truth, this technique was already relatively perfect.

Lowering its damage would only sever the foundation of the technique, while greatly reducing its power.

Besides, even Might Duy, who had immersed himself in this technique for twenty years, had been unable to reduce the strain and damage it inflicted on the body. Kagetsu did not believe he currently had the ability to improve it to an even more perfect state.

What he wanted to do was exactly as he had told Tsunade: extract part of this technique as the foundation for a new technique, take a different path, and create a technique better suited to himself.

"So it is the integration of one active and one passive technique?" After hearing Kagetsu's concept, Tsunade, who had not expected much, could not help but become quite interested.

She was even surprised to discover that many parts of Kagetsu's concept coincided with, or were extremely similar to, some of her own current ideas!

That meant Kagetsu's concept could also serve as a valuable reference for her.

"Send someone to bring Orochimaru here!" Tsunade felt inspiration bursting forth at that moment. She slapped the table in excitement, shattering it into fragments, then spoke to Shizune.

She then pulled Kagetsu along and began discussing the further concept and foundation for creating Blood Armor.

Of course, Kagetsu mainly provided ideas and questions, while Tsunade handled the difficult points and offered the corresponding experience.

At that moment, Tsunade's prowess as a medical authority easily helped Kagetsu resolve many issues concerning the body.

Just as their discussion grew heated, the notified Orochimaru entered the Senju Clan Grounds under the guidance of Shizune, who had been waiting for some time, and arrived at the courtyard where Tsunade and Kagetsu were.

Having just arrived and before he could exchange greetings, the calm-faced Orochimaru was pulled over by Tsunade and seated, then dragged into the discussion.

Orochimaru patiently listened to Tsunade's explanation. His snake-like eyes turned toward Kagetsu beside him with delight.

Although this technique was merely a sprout that had yet to take shape, its concept alone was enough to amaze him. In particular, the concept called Blood Armor had been proposed by Kagetsu, which made him even more interested.

"So, Blood Armor is divided into two parts.

"The first is Blut Arterie. It uses the Eight Gates Release method of stimulating the excess Chakra within the body's meridians to gain formidable attack power. The degree of enhancement can also be controlled, reducing the damage to the body.

"The second is Blut Vene. It combines the Eight Gates Release with certain Medical Ninjutsu to cover the surface of the body with a layer of defense while nourishing the body.

"The former can be activated when needed, while the latter, if mastered and perfected, can remain active continuously without interruption.

"Is my understanding correct?" After quickly refining what Tsunade had said in his mind, Orochimaru summarized it.

"That's right." Tsunade nodded.

"Then what do you need me to do?" Although he had not yet been invited, Orochimaru immediately saw through why Tsunade and Kagetsu had called him over.

Although he had many things to handle, he was willing to spend some time on it because this technique was extremely interesting and possessed considerable potential for growth.

Furthermore, this was an idea proposed by his disciple, Kagetsu. As his teacher, Orochimaru could not possibly stand aside when Tsunade was willing to help.

"You will handle the technique and hand seals, while I deal with the issues concerning the human body and medicine." Tsunade waved her hand and spoke eagerly.

She was not so happy merely because of this technique, nor had she cast off her despondency because of it. Rather, she had discovered that this technique could break through the bottlenecks in several techniques she had envisioned.

Previously, she had been figuring things out on her own. Now, with Kagetsu's ideas and Orochimaru's understanding of techniques and Chakra, she felt that the bottlenecks in the techniques she wanted to create might be broken by this outside force.

Once she succeeded, she might still suffer from Hemophobia, that troublesome psychological condition, but her ability to protect herself in dangerous situations would greatly increase!

Greater strength would also be very helpful for her plans to leave the village and travel far away.

Thus, Tsunade now held nothing back and laid out all her research regarding both Blood Armor and her own techniques.

"Blut Vene, which involves Medical Ninjutsu and Yang Release Chakra, is somewhat similar to a technique I am still creating.

"I have named it Creation Rebirth! By gathering Chakra in one place over a long period and releasing it when needed, a large amount of Chakra stimulates rapid cellular regeneration and completely heals wounds. However, the cost is a shortened lifespan.

"According to the concept, Blut Vene can also be maintained for a long time once completed. But compared with my Creation Rebirth, it weakens the healing ability and increases defensive power!

"If Creation Rebirth is a healing-type ninjutsu that allows me to fight without worrying about any injuries, representing the shield, then another technique I want to create is the Strength of a Hundred Sealings Technique, based on Chakra Enhanced Strength. It can greatly increase my attack power and represents the spear.

"I have already created these two techniques and am still refining them. They can ensure that I remain in an undying state during battle. But both techniques consume an enormous amount of Chakra. Even for me, they can only be used when staking my life on the line or deciding victory and defeat.

"What I want to solve now is the consumption issue of these two techniques.

"I classify Creation Rebirth and the Strength of a Hundred Sealings Technique as S-rank ninjutsu in terms of difficulty and power. Although Blood Armor differs from them, it will likely require a tremendous Chakra expenditure as well."

"What astonishing techniques. I thought you had lost your spirit, Tsunade, and had completely become a drunkard and gambling addict. So you secretly created techniques like these?" Orochimaru was also extremely surprised that Tsunade had quietly created two S-rank ninjutsu.

This made him look upon his teammate anew. At the same time, a sense of urgency rose within him.

Clearly, Tsunade had completely forged her own system of power and traveled very, very far down that road. If not for the psychological issue of Hemophobia and her long absence from battle, she would probably be even more troublesome and powerful now.

Then what was his path?

Longevity and immortality?

As Orochimaru looked at Tsunade, who was no longer despondent and instead carried an air of confidence, he came to know her anew and once again analyzed and understood himself.

Perhaps it was time to determine his future path in ninjutsu.

The Third Hokage's path was becoming less and less suited to him.

"There are many ways to solve the Chakra issue. If you trust me, I can share some of my research results with you, although they are not complete either." Orochimaru was unusually generous.

But Tsunade shook her head upon hearing his words. "Of course you can, but you do not need to share all your research with me. My current line of thought already has a semi-finished product.

"I have a feeling that after Blood Armor is created and perfected, that semi-finished technique of mine will also be completed."

"Suit yourself. But I still have to thank you this time. I did not expect you to be willing to involve yourself in something you find troublesome." Orochimaru spoke softly.

He truly had not expected Tsunade to meddle in something like this.

"You paid money, after all. If he has questions, shouldn't I, as half a teacher, help answer and solve them?" Tsunade snorted twice again.

The three of them then immersed themselves once more in discussing and researching how to bring the technique into form.

Kagetsu provided requirements and ideas, Orochimaru handled the problems of techniques and Chakra, while Tsunade took charge of the body's acupoints and meridians. She connected Kagetsu and Orochimaru's thoughts, using her insight into the human body to judge whether their opinions and ideas were reliable and feasible.

If they were feasible, they continued exploring them in depth. If not, they rejected that path and replanned, searching for another.

Unknowingly, time gradually passed amid arguments and the collision of ideas and inspiration.

The three of them discussed things excitedly throughout the entire night. When the Nara Clan came looking for them and saw the scene, their scalps went numb. They could only quietly leave, just as quietly as they had arrived.