Zhu, Nan

With the concept of the Yang Seal in place, the next step was figuring out how to develop it.

Houka sat down with a grave expression, observing the Sage Art chakra inside his body while thinking seriously. After sitting there blankly for quite some time, he blinked innocently twice, his mind completely blank and devoid of any ideas.

"Looks like I'll have to ask Tsunade about the Yin Seal first."

With the Yin Seal as a reference, developing the Yang Seal should be easier.

By now, thanks to the efforts of his many Shadow Clones, Houka's Mangekyou ocular power had nearly recovered. And with the matter of Takigakure successfully resolved, if he kept hiding up in this tree, he really would turn into a birdman.

Besides, leaving Takigakure now might actually be a good thing for him.

Killing Kakuzu had felt satisfying, but Kakuzu was a member of Akatsuki. By now, news of Kakuzu's "disappearance," or even death, had surely reached Nagato's ears. That meant Akatsuki members could arrive at any moment!

The more Houka thought about it, the more uneasy he became.

If Akatsuki arrived now and they fought, then once the recovery of his Mangekyou ocular power was exposed... with the intelligence of the people in Akatsuki, they would probably soon connect it to Takigakure's Sacred Tree!

With that thought, Houka immediately jumped down from the Sacred Tree.

Using the Chakra Sensory Technique, he quickly found Shizuki.

"Lord Houka, did something happen?" Seeing the serious look on Houka's face, Shizuki's heart inexplicably tightened.

"We can't wait three days. You have to leave this place immediately!" Houka said directly. "The organization behind Kakuzu could come looking for us at any time. If they learn that you possess Earth Grudge Fear, they'll definitely avenge Kakuzu!"

Shizuki froze. "Lord Houka, were