Six Paths Power

"Do you know what you're saying? Root is the greatest organization in Konoha! Do you have any idea what you've missed out on?"

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

Namikaze Yoru's tone was neither obsequious nor defiant. It was almost indifferently calm.

"Chunin Namikaze, I know your situation inside and out." Danzo placed particular emphasis on the word "Chunin."

"Even Tsunade couldn't heal your chakra pathways. You're destined to go no further in this life. Sooner or later, you'll come crawling back to me."

Having grown rather familiar with the way out, Namikaze Yoru left Root Base and let out a quiet breath, cursing under his breath:

"What good is your lousy organization? Joining you would be the real end of me."

Free of Root's entanglements, he soon returned to his little house. He hadn't lived there for several months, and a thin layer of dust had gathered inside.

He rolled up his sleeves and started cleaning. With the help of Wind Release, it took him less than an hour to get the place spotless.

Sitting down in his living room, Namikaze Yoru opened the system panel and began to study it carefully.

[Myriad Realms Rare Pawnshop]

[Host: Namikaze Yoru (Gold Card)]

[Myriad Credit Gold: Current Limit 1000]

[Redemption: Redeem pawned items, service fee: 5 per use]

[Available Items:] (Repeated entries from earlier text have been folded)

[Boil Release Kekkei Genkai—Exchange Points: 600]

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

"Exchange for Six Paths Power."

[Current Pawn Points: 3575]

A vast surge of energy flooded into his body. The intensity was comparable to when he had exchanged for the Uzumaki Sage Body. Namikaze Yoru felt himself growing stronger in every way.

"Holy crap!"

Though he'd already had some idea of what to expect from "Six Paths Power," the actual effects far surpassed his imagination.

His chakra reserves nearly doubled, and both his physical and mental strength increased dramatically. It felt as if his body's operating system 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 update—a leap in the very nature of his life.

Rubbing his chin, Namikaze Yoru mused, "Could collecting the Tailed Beasts be the real path to clearing the game? And this method of growing stronger doesn't seem to have any of the drawbacks of becoming a Jinchuriki."

The greatest risk of being a Jinchuriki was that having the Tailed Beast extracted meant certain death. It was like acquiring a vital weak point out of nowhere.

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

But the enhancement he'd gained by pawning the Five-Tails showed him a whole new path: a different route that could steadily increase his strength.

He could hardly imagine how absurd the basic boost alone would be if he collected every Tailed Beast.

He'd originally planned to exchange for Body Rapid Repair to fix his chakra pathways, but now it seemed he could save those points.

With his Uzumaki Sage Body now strengthened, it was only a matter of time before his chakra pathways healed on their own.

The only thing that bothered him was the system's notification: "Pawn failed." It seemed the rules of the Shinobi World wouldn't allow a Tailed Beast to be erased completely. The Five-Tails' soul would eventually be reborn somewhere in the world.

That 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 faced its very existence being threatened.

He stopped dwelling on it. After giving Danzo another boost, Namikaze Yoru felt refreshed and at ease, in both body and mind.

He wished another Five-Tails would show up so he could properly test his current strength.

As he planned his next move, dusk deepened outside the window.

"Brother Yoru, it's time to go."

Namikaze Minato's cheerful voice came from outside. The two lived close to each other, and since Nawaki was treating them, Namikaze Yoru had made sure to invite Minato, who had the day off. He couldn't very well leave his little brother out.

"Coming."

When he opened the door, he saw an unusually excited look on Minato's face.

"Why are you so happy?" Namikaze Yoru asked, puzzled. As far as he knew, Minato had never been particularly interested in food.

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

"Uh... all right."

Namikaze Yoru paused, only then realizing that because he'd spent so much time around Tsunade over the past few months, he'd almost forgotten how highly ordinary shinobi regarded her.

And of course, students like Minato, who was still at the Ninja Academy, would look up to the strong—especially the Konoha Sannin, whose fame had soared during the Second Shinobi World War.

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

Namikaze Yoru said this shamelessly. Minato would become Jiraiya's student in the future, after all, so he had nothing to worry about and could speak with complete confidence.

Jiraiya was probably still in the Land of Rain, teaching the "problem student" who would one day give Konoha the unforgettable line, "How many floors can one bag of rice carry?"

Interestingly, the students in Jiraiya's line of succession seemed to have a strange knack for "turning on their masters."

The two set off for Yakiniku Q, running into Uzumaki Kushina along the way. Since she was Minato's "future girlfriend," Namikaze Yoru generously invited her to join them.

When they reached the restaurant, they saw that Nawaki and Aburame Shibi had already been waiting for some time. Holding a bouquet of flowers, they called out with hearty voices:

"Congratulations on getting out of the hospital, Brother Yoru!"

"Thank you."

Namikaze Yoru reached out and took the flowers, then went inside with the two of them. Yakiniku Q was as lively as ever.

Tsunade was already seated at their reserved table, smiling as she watched the young people laugh and play around.

Minato and Kushina hurried to greet her respectfully:

"Lord Tsunade."

Tsunade waved a hand, telling them there was no need to be so formal. After all, Namikaze Yoru was the guest of honor that day.

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

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

Everyone raised their glasses together, and the atmosphere grew wonderfully lively. Only then did Minato and Kushina learn of Namikaze Yoru's astonishing deeds on the battlefield. Their eyes filled with admiration.

Even Tsunade clinked glasses with Namikaze Yoru again and again. She didn't say much, but everything that needed to be said was understood.

The gathering ended with everyone having a wonderful time. In the lively atmosphere, even Tsunade grew tipsy—a rare sight.

Nawaki and Minato were already locked in a contest over who would become Hokage, right there in Yakiniku Q. Tsunade swayed as she stood, intent on leaving first. Worried about her, Namikaze Yoru followed close behind.

"Kid—don't underestimate adults. I'm fine."

Tsunade mumbled, her breath heavy with alcohol. Perhaps she was in such a good mood that she hadn't even used chakra to sober herself up. She nearly tripped.

Namikaze Yoru hurried forward to steady her, agreeing with her repeatedly.

When they reached the entrance to the Senju Clan Compound, he deftly opened the door to Tsunade's house. He was about to help her inside to rest when he heard her murmur:

"Thank you, Anko. Nawaki, he..."

Before she could finish, Namikaze Yoru acted as if possessed. He gathered his courage and kissed the lovely woman in front of him. For a moment, both of them froze.

The night breeze swept past. Tsunade came to her senses and abruptly took half a step back. Her cheeks flushed scarlet, and her eyes were full of confusion.