Six Paths Power

"Do you have any idea what you're saying? Root is the greatest organization in Konoha. Do you even realize what you're missing out on?"

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Namikaze Yoru's tone was neither servile nor arrogant, carrying a flat indifference that bordered on unconcern.

"Chunin Yoru, I know your situation inside and out." Danzo deliberately emphasized the word "Chunin."

"Not even Lord Tsunade could heal your meridians. You're destined to stagnate here for life. One day, you'll come crawling back to me."

Walking out of the Root base with practiced ease, Namikaze Yoru silently spat and cursed in his mind:

"What's so great about your crappy organization? Following you would be the real dead end."

Free from Root's entanglement, he soon returned to his small house. After months of vacancy, a thin layer of dust had settled inside.

He rolled up his sleeves and began cleaning. With the help of Wind Release techniques, the windows were spotless and the room tidy in just over an hour.

Sitting down in his living room, Namikaze Yoru pulled up the system panel and began studying it carefully.

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[Myriad Realms Rare Pawnshop]

[Host: Namikaze Yoru (Gold Card)]

[Myriad Credit Gold: Current Limit 1000]

[Redemption: Allows retrieval of pawned items. Fee: 5/time]

[Available Items:] (Previous text collapsed)

[Boil Release Kekkei Genkai — Exchange Points: 600]

[Six Paths Power - Kokuō (1/9) — Exchange Points: 1000]

"Exchange Six Paths Power."

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[Current Pawn Points: 3575]

A surge of immense energy instantly flooded his body, its intensity comparable to when he had exchanged for the Uzumaki Sage Body. Namikaze Yoru felt a comprehensive enhancement across the board.

"Holy shit!"

Though he had anticipated something from "Six Paths Power," the actual effect far exceeded his imagination.

His Chakra reserves nearly doubled. His physical strength and mental fortitude were also greatly amplified, as if his entire body's system version had been forcibly upgraded.

If exchanging for a Kekkei Genkai or bloodline was a version adjustment, then exchanging for Six Paths Power was a major version update—a leap in the very essence of life.

Namikaze Yoru stroked his chin, pondering: "Could collecting the tailed beasts be the real path to clearing this game? And this method of enhancement has none of the drawbacks of becoming a Jinchuriki."

The biggest hidden danger of being a Jinchuriki was that if the tailed beast was extracted, you died. It was like having a random fatal weak point tacked on.

Even a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki would be severely weakened after losing the tailed beasts.

But the enhancement gained from pawning the Five-Tails showed him a brand-new path—a completely different shortcut that steadily increased strength.

He didn't even dare imagine how absurd the base amplification would be if he collected all the tailed beasts.

He had originally planned to exchange for "Body Rapid Repair" to solve his meridians problem, but now it seemed he could save those points.

With his current enhanced Uzumaki Sage Body constitution, the self-repair of his meridians was only a matter of time.

The only thing that bothered him was the system's notification of "Pawn Failed." It seemed the rules of the Shinobi World didn't allow a tailed beast to be completely erased—the Five-Tails' soul would eventually be reborn somewhere in the world.

This made him think of the Sage of Six Paths, watching everything from the Pure Land. Perhaps he would only truly appear when the Shinobi World was on the brink of destruction.

Pushing those thoughts aside, having dealt with Danzo and strengthened himself, Namikaze Yoru felt refreshed and at ease.

He almost wished another Five-Tails would show up so he could really test his current power.

Just as he was planning his next move, the dusk outside the window had deepened.

"Brother Yoru, time to go."

Namikaze Minato's cheerful voice came from outside the house. The two lived not far apart. Since Nawaki was treating them, Yoru had already notified Minato, who had the day off, that he couldn't shortchange his own little brother.

"Coming."

Pushing open the door, he saw Minato's face brimming with rare excitement.

"Why are you so happy?" Namikaze Yoru was a bit puzzled. In his view, Minato had never been one to obsess over food.

"It's Lord Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin!"

"Uh... alright."

Namikaze Yoru paused, realizing that his frequent contact over the past few months had made him almost forget how highly ordinary ninja regarded Tsunade.

It was only natural that someone like Minato, still a student at the Ninja Academy, would idolize the strong—especially the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, whose fame had soared during the Second Great Ninja War.

"When I get the chance, I'll introduce you to the other two. I'm sure they'll recognize your talent too."

Namikaze Yoru shamelessly declared. After all, Minato would eventually become Jiraiya's student, so he had no worries and spoke with full confidence.

But at this moment, Jiraiya was probably still in the Land of Rain, teaching the "problem student" who would one day bring Konoha the famous "I'll make you feel the pain of this world" scene.

Funny enough, the disciples of Jiraiya's lineage always seemed to have an inseparable connection with "betraying the master and destroying the sect."

The two went together to Yakiniku Q, and on the way they ran into Uzumaki Kushina. As Minato's "almost-girlfriend," Namikaze Yoru naturally waved a hand and invited her along.

Just as they reached the shop entrance, they saw Nawaki and Aburame Shibi already waiting. Holding flowers in hand, they called out in congratulations:

"Congratulations on being discharged, Brother Yoru!"

"Thanks."

Namikaze Yoru reached out and took the flowers, then followed the two inside. Today's Yakiniku Q was as bustling as ever.

At the reserved seats, Tsunade had already settled in, watching the youngsters laugh and mess around with a smile.

Minato and Kushina quickly greeted Tsunade respectfully upon seeing her:

"Lord Tsunade."

Tsunade waved a hand at this, signaling they didn't need to be so formal—after all, today's main character was Namikaze Yoru.

Once everyone was seated, Nawaki raised his glass first and said to Namikaze Yoru:

"Again, congratulations on your recovery, Brother Yoru, and thank you for saving my life on the battlefield!"

With that, everyone raised their glasses together, the atmosphere lively and warm. It was only then that Minato and Kushina learned of Namikaze Yoru's astonishing feats on the battlefield, their eyes filled with admiration.

Even Tsunade picked up her glass and clinked it repeatedly with Namikaze Yoru. Though she said little, everything was understood without words.

By the end of the gathering, all guests were thoroughly pleased. In the heated atmosphere, even Tsunade was unusually tipsy.

Nawaki and Minato, already locked in a rivalry for the Hokage position, were still dueling it out inside Yakiniku Q, while Tsunade staggered to her feet, intending to leave first. Namikaze Yoru, worried, followed close behind.

"Kid—don't underestimate an adult. I'm fine."

Tsunade mumbled with the scent of alcohol. Perhaps because she was in such a good mood, she hadn't even used Chakra to sober up, and nearly tripped.

Namikaze Yoru quickly stepped forward to support her, echoing her words in agreement.

When they reached outside the Senju Clan Compound, he skillfully pushed open the door to Tsunade's house. Just as he was about to help her inside to rest, he heard her murmur softly:

"Anko... arigatou. Nawaki, he..."

Before she could finish, Namikaze Yoru, as if possessed by some ghostly impulse, mustered his courage and kissed the lovely woman before him. For a moment, both of them froze.

A night breeze swept by. Suddenly sobering, Tsunade stumbled back half a step, her cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes full of shock.