The Calm After the Battle

The Third Shinobi War was long over for the Iwa ninja. If Yichen weren't an advisor who occasionally received intelligence about the war, he would have thought the Ninja World was at peace long ago.

During a break from training today, Yichen was looking through a piece of intelligence. The intelligence report stated that Konoha had withdrawn its troops from the Land of Whirlpools, but Orochimaru had stayed behind.

Moreover, judging from his demeanor, he intends to stay in the Land of Whirlpools for a long time. Intelligence personnel speculate that Orochimaru is planning to block the path of the Mist ninja's invasion.

Yichen, however, knew that Orochimaru's Human Experimentation had begun.

In the original story, Orochimaru began his Human Experimentation several years later, but in this Orochimaru, his research has clearly been brought forward. Moreover, this time Orochimaru is conducting his experiments in the Land of Whirlpools, so he doesn't have to worry about as much as he did in Konoha in the original story.

Yichen was actually quite looking forward to it, wondering what Orochimaru would come up with.

The Wood Style Ninja from the Orochimaru Yamato this period; it remains to be seen whether he can succeed this time.

Meanwhile, Yichen was thinking about something else. In the original story, Orochimaru used Konoha ninja for experiments, which aroused public outrage. But this time, he was using civilians from the Land of Whirlpools for experiments. Yichen was afraid that the Konoha ninja would no longer reject Orochimaru.

Shouldn't we find an opportunity to help Orochimaru? Scientists should just focus on their research; why be bound by Konoha's rules and regulations? Wouldn't it be better to defect sooner?

Seeing Yichen lost in thought, Han walked over and asked, "Advisor Yichen, what happened?"

Yichen shook his head and said, "Nothing happened, it's just that Orochimaru from Konoha is acting strangely. Never mind, let's try my Lightning Release: Spiraling Sphere again."

After saying that, Yichen flew into the air, looking down from above, preparing to unleash Ninjutsu.

Han shouted, "Good!"

Before he finished speaking, a layer of Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak appeared on his body.

In mid-air, Yichen stretched out his right hand and instantly condensed a Rasengan. Then, Yichen incorporated Lightning Release into it, which was something he had worked hard for two months to complete.

Then Yichen waved his hand and threw the Lightning Release: Spiraling Sphere towards Han's direction.

Han skillfully manipulated the Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak Lightning Release: Spiraling Sphere: Rasengan.

Boom~~

After a violent explosion, Han's Chakra Cloak was only slightly damaged; Han himself was completely unharmed. Yichen was speechless; it was too embarrassing. The Ninjutsu he had spent two months developing was completely ineffective against Jinchuriki.

However, Han has made rapid progress; he is now able to slightly manipulate the Five-Tails 'Chakra without any side effects.

Don't underestimate this. Putting aside the attack power boost from the Tailed Beast Chakra, the defensive power alone is enough to make Yichen envious.

Yichen's offensive Ninjutsu is all designed for ninjas, and he has virtually no good way to deal with Han, who is disguised as Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak.

Techniques used against ninjas, including Water Cutting Technique, Earth Style: Mountain Earth Technique, Porcelain Release, Yichen, were largely ineffective against Han Shi.

While the Water Cutting Technique could cut through the Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak, its cutting speed was too slow, giving Han ample time to dodge.

Of all Yichen's techniques, only Chidori could penetrate Han's thin Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak at close range.

However, Yichen is not good at close combat!

So Han gave Yichen a thought: should he come up with a powerful single-target ranged Ninjutsu?

There needs to be at least one Ninjutsu that can break through defenses, otherwise the weakness will be too obvious.

Back when Yichen was on a mission with Kitsuchi, he encountered Yuki Kagami, who was encased in Ice Release defense, and experienced a feeling of helplessness.

This is the second time this has happened today when facing the Han.

If I had enough time, I could upgrade my Water Release technique, my main Ninjutsu, and break through Han's Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak.

Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time.

Although Yichen was in pain, he had no intention of changing his mind. Combat power would never be his primary pursuit; his primary goal had to be the evolution of life.

After reaffirming his decision in his mind, Yichen said to Han, "Senior Han, the selection of disciples is tomorrow. Are you ready?"

Han nodded and said, "I'm ready."

Han was very well prepared. Several months ago, after Yichen handed over all the Ninjutsu he had collected to Han, Han was full of confidence in taking on disciples.

These days, Han has been reviewing the graduates' materials again and again.

Aside from personally verifying the information at the Ninja Academy, Han has done everything he could.

Yichen smiled slightly. He knew Han's situation very well; he had just asked out of curiosity.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Yichen prepared to absorb Natural Energy.

Over the past two months, Yichen Senjutsu has progressed rapidly. Yichen first mobilized a trace of Natural Energy to conduct a fusion experiment.

This process was completed naturally after more than ten days of practice.

Then it became simple: Yichen gradually increased the amount of Natural Energy involved in the fusion.

Yichen has now been able to fully integrate 30% of the Natural Energy that has entered his body.

It's worth mentioning here that absorbing Natural Energy is a dynamic process. If Yichen stays within the Natural Energy Seal, then Natural Energy will continue to flow in.

The 30% mentioned by Yichen is also dynamic, meaning that if the rate at which Natural Energy enters Yichen's body is 1, then the rate at which Yichen integrates is 0.3.

Originally, when Yichen's fusion speed could reach 1, he would have completed his cultivation of Senjutsu.

However, Yichen was not satisfied with this slow progress; today, Yichen was going to conduct a new experiment.

In the same Kajiyamari, after Yichen entered the Natural Energy Seal, he sat down on a wooden plank.

He nodded to Ikura, then closed his eyes and began to prepare.

Before long, a large amount of Natural Energy began to flow into Yichen's hand.

Yichen wasn't flustered at all; he was already used to this kind of training.

Yichen began to systematically integrate Natural Energy.

Outside, Ikura timed it perfectly so that several Anbu could lift the wooden plank beneath Yichen, and then the group slowly left the area Natural Energy Seal.

Yichen was completely absorbed in merging with the Natural Energy, was completely unaware of it.

Although the plan was devised by Yichen himself, the time it took for Yichen to leave the Natural Energy Seal area was also calculated by Yichen himself.

But at this point, Yichen was too preoccupied to pay attention to anything else.

After leaving the sealed area, Ikura, who had been guarding Yichen with the Black Rod, breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Yichen had not been petrified.

It seems the calculation was correct.

Once outside, the Natural Energy that Yichen had been absorbing immediately stopped. After another ten minutes or so, once all the Natural Energy that had flowed into his body had been integrated, Yichen opened his eyes.

"This feeling..." Yichen carefully experienced the changes in himself, and only two words could describe it: powerful.

Yichen could feel his body brimming with power, and every move he made possessed extraordinary force. Yes, this was Senjutsu.

Without needing to experiment or make any unnecessary judgments, Yichen knew he had succeeded; he was now the Sage Yichen of Iwagakure.

Yichen looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, adopting an expression of looking down on the world.

Ikura said, "Alright, stop being silly and stand up straight."

"Okay." Yichen stood up quickly.

Ikura looked at Yichen's face and asked, "Did you succeed in your cultivation?"

At this moment, some strange light blue patterns appeared on Yichen's face.

Ikura had previously heard Yichen mention that the hallmark of Sage Mode was Sage Face Markings.

Yichen nodded.

Ikura turned to the group of Anbu and said, "Go and invite Lord Tsuchikage and the other Two Advisors. Tell them that Yichen has succeeded."

Yes, the team of Anbu responded and left.

Before long, Ōnoki, Saka, and Mei arrived at the Kajiyamari. The three of them carefully examined the mask on Yichen's face.

Ming said, "It really succeeded!" She was the happiest, because before this, as the person in charge of finances, she was the one who felt the most heartache.

Each experiment Yichen conducted consumed a large amount of the village's funds, Yichen success finally showed her that this consumption had an end.

Saka's focus was different. He said, "I remember you said, Yichen, that the simpler the Sage Face Markings, the more proficient they are in Sage Mode. You have way too many masks on you; they're almost taking up your entire face."

Yichen rolled his eyes and said, "Senior Saka, I've only just learned it, and I did it by cheating. I didn't absorb much Natural Energy either. My success was pure luck. I must be the worst Sage in history."

Ōnoki said, "No matter what, success is what matters. From now on, our Iwagakure finally has a Trump Card that can be passed down."

The others nodded in agreement. It's not easy Iwa ninja in Iwagakure. Many geniuses from Iwagakure fade into obscurity because they can't find the right path.

Every bit of depth and heritage that Iwagakure means a greater hope for future ninjas.

Seeing that everyone was a bit sad, Yichen immediately said, "I've succeeded. Now it's just a matter of practice. So, who's next?"

After thinking for a moment, Ikura said, "Let the Lord Tsuchikage go first. Lord Tsuchikage's more suitable than me."

This wasn't Ikura being modest; it was a fact. Cultivating immortal Senjutsu requires the fusion of three types of energy, a skill that Ōnoki possessed far more experience with than anyone else.

Logically speaking, Ōnoki is the most suitable person to cultivate Yichen Senjutsu, and should have been ranked ahead of Ōnoki.

However, when it comes to the desire for Senjutsu, Yichen is the strongest.

In addition, Ōnoki was too busy and didn't have as much time as Yichen to carefully analyze every detail. That's why Yichen got this advantage.

Ōnoki nodded, somewhat excited as well. After all, this was Hashirama Senju's greatest reliance back then, Ōnoki never imagined he would be able to cultivate Senjutsu in his lifetime.

Yichen took out a complete set of documents and handed them to Ōnoki: "Lord Tsuchikage, this contains all the steps, precautions, and my insights regarding Senjutsu training."

"Our village's cultivation system for Senjutsu is not yet perfect, and it's far behind the Three Great Sage Locations. But we also have an advantage, which is stability."

"Our cultivation methods for Senjutsu are clearly defined and the risks are very low. Even if you fail to learn them, it won't cause any irreparable damage."