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"Sadly, the two modes can't coexist. This technique still hasn't reached perfection." Orochimaru was satisfied, but he also felt somewhat regretful.

Once Blut Arterie was activated, it was difficult to maintain Blut Vene.

Likewise, while maintaining Blut Vene, it was difficult to activate Blut Arterie.

"These are two different Chakra circulation modes. Making them coexist harmoniously would be harder than my Strength of a Hundred Sealings Technique and Creation Rebirth." Tsunade, who had been deeply involved in developing the technique, pinpointed the issue at once.

Both modes circulated through the same meridian pathways. Activating one would inevitably shut down the other.

It was not impossible to solve. For example, they could reduce the overlap between meridian pathways and divide the body into two areas. It might work if one could focus on two things at once.

They could also modify the body itself.

However, both methods had their own flaws. The former required further optimization and raised the training threshold once again; the latter, body modification, existed purely to accommodate Blood Armor, making it easy for one's potential ceiling to be locked in place.

Being able to create this technique during this period, even if it looked like only a half-finished product, was enough for Tsunade as long as people could successfully learn it.

She did not intend to involve herself in any further optimization. She had already done what she needed to do. Next, it was time to leave the village with Shizune and travel far away from conflict and troubles.

"Kagetsu brat, give this to that Might Duy." Tsunade pulled a scroll from her robes and tossed it directly to Kagetsu.

After throwing it, she turned around, waved her hand, called for Shizune, and left the training ground without waiting for Kagetsu or Orochimaru to speak.

"I've already examined their bodies. As long as they continue training in the Eight Gates Release, the strain and damage to their bodies will never stop. All I can do is make their bodies as strong as possible."

"It seems she has made up her mind to leave the village." A trace of disappointment passed through Orochimaru's snake-like golden eyes.

He had already noticed Tsunade's changes over the past few days and vaguely guessed her resolve and purpose. After this parting, they might not see each other again for a very, very long time.

"You two have two days to adjust yourselves properly. In two days, I'll take you out of the village for a mission." Orochimaru withdrew his gaze and spoke to Kagetsu and Anko beside him.

He did not try to stop Tsunade or offer any comfort. He understood the torment she was suffering through. Aside from her clansmen, that torment also came from him and their teacher, the Third Hokage.

Tsunade's departure was perhaps the best solution for the village, her clan, and herself. So what reason did Orochimaru have to stop her?

Even if the Third Hokage learned of it, he would only remain silent, tacitly accept Tsunade's departure, and help her settle the aftermath.

Kagetsu did not spare any thought for his teacher Orochimaru's emotional turmoil. His Status Panel had finally updated again just now.

Create Ninjutsu: New

Name: Blood Armor

Level: A→S

Effect: Blut Arterie focuses on offense and can greatly enhance the body's strength and the power of ninjutsu. It must be actively activated;

Blut Vene focuses on defense, forming a layer of Chakra membrane beneath the skin to enhance the body's defensive power. It provides excellent resistance against taijutsu attacks, weapon attacks, and ninjutsu attacks.

Conclusion: A powerful ninjutsu that combines offense and defense, but it has a training threshold.

Recognition: 900/1000 (The higher the Recognition, the more inspiration and rewards from subdivided fields of similar works you will receive.)

Reward: Physical Fitness +3, Chakra Amount +100 (Note: Once the body reaches its current physical limit, further increases to Chakra Amount will become ineffective.)

The recognition of two Kage-level ninja, Tsunade and Orochimaru, instantly raised the Recognition to an extremely high level.

More related inspiration for this technique emerged in his mind one after another at that moment, like flashes of insight that revealed a path ahead.

Although Kagetsu's current knowledge and techniques were not enough to immediately evolve this technique or transform it completely, he finally had a direction for improving and adjusting it.

Just like Kakashi's Chidori, which had evolved into Raikiri and spawned various derivative ninjutsu series.

But as he looked at the explanation behind the reward, Kagetsu mulled it over before reaching a conclusion: There was a limit to increases in physical constitution. Once his constitution could no longer improve at its current stage, would the upper limit of this body's Chakra extraction and output also stop increasing?

Of course, perhaps that was not what it meant.

After considering it in his mind, Kagetsu put the matter aside for now. He did not need to worry about things so far in the future yet.

He was not even seven years old. His body and Chakra were still growing, so he probably would not need to worry about this for at least the next ten years.

Talent Card: Mayuri Kurotsuchi

World: Shinigami

Quality: Purple (1900/10000)

Effect: Growth-Type Research Talent

Field: Your research talent in the Biological and Neural Fields far surpasses that in other research and development fields!

Passive: Biological Modification!

Accumulation: No research can be separated from the accumulation of vast knowledge and experimental materials. All the knowledge you possess will be understood and remembered more efficiently, then returned in another form through Knowledge Feedback rewards!

Achievement: For every recognized work you create, the higher its Recognition, the more it can improve your Physical Fitness and strength.

Recognized research products: Dog Food, Kikaichū Insecticide, Yin Release Secret Technique: Shadow Coffin, S-rank Ninjutsu: Blood Armor

Reward: Physical Fitness +3, Chakra +100

Obsession: Become a scientist who surpasses Kisuke Urahara

The Talent Card's Quality had advanced once more, which also meant Kagetsu's learning and comprehension abilities had improved further.

"Then let's dismiss for today. You've performed very well these past few days! Your talent has pleasantly surprised me. If you're willing, I can give you some of the research resources under my control." Orochimaru looked at Kagetsu appreciatively.

At least for now, he felt that Kagetsu suited his tastes very well.

"Orochimaru Sensei, can I take this ninjutsu back to my clan?" Kagetsu took the initiative to ask Orochimaru before leaving.

"Do as you please." Orochimaru did not care. What he enjoyed was the sense of accomplishment from creating a technique. As for ownership, strictly speaking, he did not care about it.

At least, he did not care about Blood Armor.

Besides, Kagetsu himself had contributed to this technique. He had the right to decide whether to hand it over, keep it for himself, or let his clansmen learn it.

Having received Orochimaru's answer, Kagetsu let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

The original story might make it seem as though every named character possessed a signature ninjutsu. Some, such as the representative Second and Third Hokage, as well as Orochimaru, had mastered an endless stream of ninjutsu and Forbidden Techniques.

But in reality, ninjutsu circulation in this world was highly restricted. No village would willingly allow ninjutsu to spread freely.

Even at the Konoha Ninja Academy, students spent several years mostly learning knowledge and building foundations. The ninjutsu they learned upon graduation were only basic techniques such as the Three Body Technique.

Afterward, under the three-person squad system created by the Second Hokage, three Genin who graduated from the academy would be assigned to a Jonin and form a mission squad through a master-disciple teaching arrangement.

Of course, Jonin among the village's upper ranks could decide whether the three Genin assigned to them passed their assessment. Those who failed could only be sent back to start over.

Another option was for outstanding individuals to join the Anbu or accept missions independently.

Might Duy had chosen that route, taking missions alone as an independent Genin, earning money through tasks such as finding cats, catching dogs, and locating lost items.

But regardless of the route, there was always a threshold for obtaining ninjutsu.

In three-person squads, even the instructor leading the team would not casually pass down the ninjutsu they had mastered. More often, they merely guided the students in combat experience and training.

The Anbu required merit in exchange for ninjutsu, and one also had to consider coordination with one's teammates' ninjutsu.

No matter the method, ninja organizations led by villages strictly controlled the leakage and circulation of ninjutsu.

By answering Kagetsu's question, Orochimaru had shown his willingness to vouch for him and bear any possible trouble that followed. Although such a possibility was unlikely.

But with a large tree to lean on, Kagetsu naturally intended to make full use of it and reduce potential trouble as much as possible.

Before going home, Kagetsu first found Might Duy, who was training Might Guy in the village, and handed him the scroll Tsunade had given him.

"This is the solution Tsunade-sama gave you. It can't solve the Aftereffects of the Eight Gates Release Technique, but it can make your bodies more resilient and improve your recovery."

"Tsunade-sama?" Strong emotion immediately appeared on the faces of both father and son. The feelings bursting from their hearts were as dazzling as their exposed teeth.

Shaking his head, Kagetsu prepared to slip away. Though this father and son would both become famous figures in the future, their infectious enthusiasm and tenacity were simply too powerful. He could interact with them, but he could not stay around them for too long.

By the time Might Duy and Might Guy finished being moved, Kagetsu had already become a distant silhouette. Clutching the scroll that seemed capable of bringing him warmth, Might Duy shouted about youth with tears in his eyes, then added another hundred sets of frog jumps for himself and Might Guy.

"You don't need to study with Tsunade-sama today?"

At the Nara Clan Grounds, Nara Shikaji and Nara Yuno were slightly surprised to see their son return home so early.

During this period, Nara Kagetsu had been away from dawn until dusk, which was the Kagetsu they were familiar with. The entirety of the Nara Clan Grounds had already heard of Kagetsu's unusual nature.

"My studies have come to an end for now." Kagetsu looked at the lazy Shikaji, sat down before him, then unconsciously yawned and rested his head on his right hand as he answered.

"I thought your spirit and physique far surpassed those of the other Nara Clan members. I didn't expect you to get tired too."

Seeing Kagetsu's helpless and lazy expression, Shikaji chuckled inwardly. At last, he could see a little of the Nara Clan's true nature in Kagetsu.

"That technique succeeded?"

Before Kagetsu could answer, Shikaji asked expectantly.

It was no secret to the Nara Clan that Kagetsu was creating a technique with Orochimaru and Tsunade. Orochimaru and the others had never intended to keep it secret either.

With the Shadow Coffin secret technique as precedent, Kagetsu's new technique had likewise attracted the attention of the Nara Clan Elders.

Including Shikaji, everyone believed that once the technique was created, the Nara Clan would definitely gain the right to use and teach it. At that time, Nara Kagetsu would also receive a portion of the clan's resource allocation and attention.

The fact that the Genin named Might Duy had brought Kagetsu's handwritten note to the Nara Clan's pharmacy to exchange for medicinal ingredients was part of the Elders' attention toward Kagetsu.

Without Shadow Coffin as precedent, Orochimaru formally taking him as a disciple afterward, and his talent, future, and potential beginning to show, Shikaji would not have allowed Kagetsu to fool around like this.

"Yes, it succeeded." Kagetsu took three scrolls from his robes.

"This is the Eight Gates Release Technique, the ninjutsu that Might Duy cultivates. Blood Armor was inspired by it, and its core also draws upon part of its principles."

"This is Blut Arterie, the offensive technique."

"This is Blut Vene, the defensive technique."

After Shikaji took the Eight Gates Release Technique and read through it, he set it down and tossed it aside. It was not that the technique was weak, but no Nara clansman would ever cultivate it no matter how powerful it was.

The training intensity alone, which could practically be called self-torture, was enough to make the Nara Clan avoid it like the plague. Thus, in the Nara Clan's hands, this technique could only be stored away and gather dust.

Shikaji focused all his attention on the latter two scrolls.

He spread the two scrolls side by side on the floor. They were densely packed with diagrams of the body's meridian pathways, along with explanations and annotations.

The Nara Clan's intelligent minds allowed him to read rapidly, taking in ten lines at a glance as he read and understood the words and contents of the scrolls as quickly as possible.

But even with the reading and comprehension skills Shikaji had honed day after day in the Hokage's Office, the abundant content on the two scrolls still took him quite some time.

The room fell silent for a while. Shikaji read quickly, while Kagetsu stared off into space beside him.

After an unknown amount of time, Shikaji finally finished reading. He rolled up the two scrolls, closed his eyes, and pondered—or perhaps simply rested his mind—for a moment.

"A very outstanding technique. It involves many aspects, and one needs a certain foundation in medical knowledge to understand it correctly." Shikaji sighed.

It was a mutually reinforcing and opposing technique, known as spear and shield. If it found a suitable practitioner, it would be enough to create a powerful Jonin-level ninja.

Even more rare was its broad applicability. So long as one could understand it, one might be able to master and learn it. Even someone less talented could cultivate one of its aspects to an extremely profound level through diligent effort.

"This technique..."

"Do as you please." As if he knew what his father was about to say, Kagetsu interrupted him. "Those were Orochimaru Sensei's exact words."

"Is that so? Then we really should thank Tsunade-sama and Orochimaru-sama." Shikaji smiled.