Kurama Clan

"What an astonishing Yin-nature transformation." Namikaze Minato looked admiringly at Kagetsu's Shadow Secret Technique, genuinely impressed.

There were seven Chakra natures, each with its own characteristics. The more skillfully and profoundly one mastered a Chakra nature transformation, the greater the damage bonus to Ninjutsu of that corresponding nature.

Take wind, for example. Some pursued its sharpness, so they honed their wind-nature Chakra transformation to become as thin as possible. This increased wind's penetrating power and lethality.

Why could the same technique produce vastly different destructive power in the hands of different ninja? It was because there could be a certain, or even enormous, gap in their mastery of Chakra nature transformations!

When such a gap existed, even if the other side used the same amount of Chakra, their technique would be stronger than yours, with greater destructive and damaging power.

So what kind of nature transformation did Yin represent?

Creating form from nothing!

It represented the strange and ever-changing nature of mental thought, and could give form to those illusory ideas.

The Susanoo possessed by the Mangekyo was an example of Yin Release reaching an extremely profound realm.

Before him, Kagetsu's shadow seemed to have gained a degree of life. It constantly changed shape along the ground, a truly breathtaking sight.

At the very least, among the Nara Clan members Namikaze Minato knew from memory, no one's Shadow Secret Technique had ever been as lively as Kagetsu's. It truly seemed alive rather than being an inanimate thing.

This showed that Kagetsu's Yin-nature transformation was already exceptionally impressive. As for shape transformation, which usually served as the vessel for a technique, Kagetsu had mastered that with great proficiency as well.

At the very least, both the power and Chakra consumption of his Shadow Secret Technique were remarkable.

"The most incredible thing about Yin Release is its creativity. There is almost nothing it cannot accomplish. As long as you find the right path, it can manifest what you imagine.

"Your Yin-nature transformation and shape transformation have already reached a certain threshold. This will save you a great deal of time and Chakra when learning Yin Release Secret Techniques.

"These are the Sealing Techniques and related Sealing Rune combinations Kushina and I organized for you over the past few days. If you can integrate them into your new technique, it will mean your concept has fully succeeded.

"The Nara Clan will gain another Yin Release Secret Technique." Namikaze Minato took a scroll from his pocket and gently handed it to Kagetsu.

"Thank you for your help, Senior Minato and Senior Kushina." Kagetsu accepted the scroll and bowed slightly.

"All right, you're quite talented in Sealing Techniques. If Orochimaru Sensei hadn't gotten to you first, Kushina would probably have gone to the Nara Clan to snatch you away.

"Your studies may be at a temporary stopping point, but if you have any questions about Sealing Techniques in the future, you can still come see me." Namikaze Minato waved his hand with a sunny smile.

"Also, I haven't congratulated you and your teammates on passing all three rounds of the Chunin Exams. Before long, one of you might even be promoted to Chunin!"

"Are you leaving the village, Senior Minato?" Kagetsu asked as he watched Namikaze Minato say his farewells.

"Yes! The Chunin Exams are over, so it's time for me to leave the village for missions." Namikaze Minato smiled at Kagetsu. "I hope to hear good news from you when I return. I'd also really like to see what this technique looks like once it takes shape."

"I will. When the time comes, I'll demonstrate it for you personally, Senior Minato." Kagetsu answered without hesitation. Even without the system's so-called recognition, Namikaze Minato's guidance and efforts over this period were enough to make Kagetsu willing to do so.

After all, the man's personal charisma was truly powerful.

Konoha Barbecue Restaurant.

Inside a semi-enclosed private booth, Anko was stuffing mouthful after mouthful of grilled meat into her mouth. Kagetsu and Shisui sat on either side of her, constantly placing more cooked meat onto her plate.

Orochimaru sat upright across from them, his arms folded as he watched the three. A trace of some memory flickered in his eyes.

"Orochimaru Sensei, the three of us can all become Chunin, right?" Anko raised her oil-slicked lips and looked up at Orochimaru across from her.

"That depends on the evaluations of the Jonin leading the other villages' teams, as well as the Hokage's opinion. I am merely a proctor." Orochimaru suppressed the faint ripples in his heart before speaking.

Anko's face immediately fell, and she lowered her head.

"However, you performed exceptionally well. I believe you should be able to become Chunin." Orochimaru's deliberate pause instantly cleared the gloom from Anko's face.

After the simple meal, the team split up. Shisui and Anko went to the Training Ground together. Recently, whenever Orochimaru and Kagetsu were occupied in the Laboratory, Shisui would take the initiative to serve as Anko's sparring partner.

"Using Ninja Clan funds for early-stage research is indeed a viable path." Orochimaru and Kagetsu walked back toward the Technology Development Department. "The Uchiha Clan has certainly set a good example."

"Have more Ninja Clans joined us?" As soon as Kagetsu heard Orochimaru's words, he knew that besides the Uchiha Clan, other Ninja Clans had drawn closer as well.

At present, the Uchiha Clan had undoubtedly invested the most in the Technology Development Department. The Ino-Shika-Cho three clans came next, but they had not poured everything into it as the Uchiha Clan had. They had merely contributed a sum of funds and resources together.

"You know the Kurama Clan, don't you?" Orochimaru lowered his head slightly and looked at Kagetsu.

"Of course. When Konoha was founded, they were also a powerful Ninja Clan. It was said that their Genjutsu attainments could rival, or even surpass, the Uchiha Clan's. They supplied the village with many Jonin and Chunin. Back then, based on reputation alone, they were a great clan that could vaguely stand alongside the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan." Kagetsu recounted what he knew.

"The Kurama Clan's Genjutsu manipulates a person's Five Senses. It is an extremely rare Yin Release-type Kekkei Genkai in the ninja world. Any Kurama clansman who awakens the Kekkei Genkai can match, or even surpass, the Genjutsu attainments and destructive power of a Three Tomoe Uchiha Clan member." Orochimaru gave Kagetsu a more detailed introduction to the Kurama Clan's Kekkei Genkai.

"They came because of their Kekkei Genkai?" Kagetsu asked.

"Yes. Too many Kurama Clan members died in the war. Worse still, very few of the new generation have awakened their Kekkei Genkai. If this continues, the Kurama Clan may be wiped from the record in another ten or twenty years.

"The Kurama Clan's Elder foresaw this possibility. After learning of the Uchiha Clan's situation, he came to me himself, willing to provide money and the bodies of clan members for my research." Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

"The bodies of clan members?" Kagetsu was slightly taken aback.

"Yes, but the only ones truly available for large-scale research are those Kurama clansmen who have not awakened the Kekkei Genkai." Orochimaru said.

Kagetsu fell silent.

"So you see, anything in this ninja world can wither away, whether people or clans. In order to preserve their clan's Kekkei Genkai, those who still bore the Senju name were willing to make a desperate gamble under the instigation of others. The Kurama Clan is the same."