Gathering Strength

Chakra was gradually being converted toward an elemental nature. Mo Jingxian made a rough estimate: about five-thousandths of it could be converted each day.

At an optimistic estimate, it would take seven months for all the energy in his body to become elemental.

By then, Water Element Mastery would naturally advance to the advanced level.

With a little effort, he might even have a chance of mastering Wind Element too.

He now spent an hour each day on erosion and conversion, using the rest of his time to nurture the new element.

The element he had just converted was still unstable and could easily undergo a reverse reaction.

It wasn't that he didn't want to spend more time converting it.

His strength was the limiting factor. If he kept his Star Cross eye open for nearly an hour, he began to feel noticeably unwell.

He didn't want to go blind in the prime of his life. It was best to respect the signals his body was giving him.

So he would lie low for a while.

Mo Jingxian considered this to himself.

Progress he could see day by day was incredibly satisfying.

He also looked forward to what lay ahead, like waiting for a wondrous surprise he knew was coming.

He hefted the cloth pouch in his hand and cheerfully whistled.

Inside the pouch was a piece of Chakra Metal about the size of a child's fist, bobbing up and down with his movements.

He and Ayako had traded three A-rank mission points, along with their military merits, for it at Konoha's supply office.

It hadn't come cheap, but it was worth it.

It wasn't even ten yet when they left the supply office. Bathed in the early-autumn morning sun, the two walked along Konoha's broad, tidy streets.

"What tune are you whistling?" Ayako tilted her head to listen. "It's pretty cheerful."

"Sunshine Rainbow Little White Horse."

"Oh."

The two youngsters passed a bustling shopping street and were drawn in by the dazzling array of goods in the display windows.

When they came back out, Mo Jingxian held three-color dango in his left hand and stuffed grilled squid into his mouth with his right, eating with unrestrained gusto.

Ayako, by contrast, was much more reserved. Even though the girl liked the food, she still ate quite elegantly.

They crossed the lively street, turned at two intersections, and reached the commercial street where Konoha's ninja tools were sold.

Halfway down the street stood a smithy called Yitie Feng.

Word was that its owner had come to Konoha from the Land of Iron. His weapon-making skills were highly sought after by the ninja.

Mo Jingxian glanced at the sign hanging above the entrance, then stepped inside.

Hinata Ayako followed beside him, and every so often, he heard her muttering, "Too expensive. What a rip-off..."

He smiled, finding it amusing.

He hadn't expected Ayako to have a knack for managing the household. It was completely at odds with the personality she usually showed.

"Welcome. Take a look around, and let me know what you need."

An apprentice from the smithy came over to greet them, not treating them dismissively just because they were young.

"Is the master smith here? I have some business I'd like to discuss with him."

The apprentice paused, then looked Mo Jingxian over.

"Please wait a moment. My master doesn't usually come out to the front. I'll go inform him."

Mo Jingxian nodded. From the apprentice's manner, he could tell this shop was run properly.

He wasn't being overly cautious for no reason. Chakra Metal was a high-end commodity that money alone couldn't easily buy.

It never hurt to be careful.

They didn't have to wait long before the apprentice hurried back. "Please come this way. My master is in the back."

Mo Jingxian and Ayako followed the apprentice through to the courtyard.

Before they even saw the man, the clang of hammering rang in their ears.

Beside a tall furnace, a muscular, bare-chested man swung his hammer so fast it left afterimages. Each blow landed precisely on the glowing red metal atop the anvil.

Red-hot sparks flew as the burly man struck in a steady, powerful rhythm.

After the final blow, the man took a towel, wiped the sweat from his body, and walked out of the workshop.

"You wanted to see me?"

"I'd like to ask you to make a ninja tool for me, Master." Mo Jingxian handed over the design, then added, "Money isn't a problem."

The master smith took the design and studied it carefully.

"The bow limbs won't be difficult. We can wrap iron around purple sandalwood. As for the bowstring..."

The master glanced at Mo Jingxian. "Sorry, I don't have any Chakra Metal on hand."

"I do." He opened the pouch and took out the metal. "But can you meet the specifications on my design?"

The master didn't take it right away. Instead, he went over the design again, carefully checking each detail.

"Making the string by twisting together the sinew of a beast and Chakra Metal wire won't be difficult." Remembering Mo Jingxian's earlier reminder, the master continued, "And making the bow transmit Chakra is simple too. We just need to work Chakra Metal into the ear tips."

The master looked up at the two of them, then swallowed his question.

As long as he made it to the client's specifications, that was all that mattered. Whether it worked well was their concern.

At last, the master gave them a price. "I'll provide the remaining materials. Come back in a month. That'll be two hundred thousand ryo."

"Five days." Mo Jingxian gave him an unreasonable deadline.

The master frowned but didn't get angry. "Five days will cost four hundred thousand."

Mo Jingxian's heart gave a painful squeeze. Beside him, Ayako tugged at his sleeve.

What a swindler, he grumbled inwardly.

But there was no helping it. He was the one in a hurry.

Mo Jingxian looked the owner straight in the eye.

"Fine. Four hundred thousand it is." He patted Ayako's hand reassuringly. "Could you make a few arrows with the remaining Chakra Metal too?"

"Sure." The owner was a straightforward man and quickly drew up the contract.

By the time they left Yitie Feng, Mo Jingxian had less than a hundred thousand ryo left in his pocket. Money really did disappear fast.

Ayako said softly, "I'll pay you back when I have money."

"Hey!" Mo Jingxian waved his hand. "Why bother keeping score between us?"

Ayako's face reddened. She sneaked a glance at him, then quickly looked away.

A smile gradually spread across the girl's face.

"Now that we've ordered the weapon, let's talk about the problem here." Mo Jingxian pointed to his forehead.

When he saw that she was listening closely, he continued:

"I thought about it all night. Your Cursed Seal is a bit complicated."

"Mm." Ayako agreed. If it weren't complicated, someone would have broken it already.

"It doesn't matter if we can't undo it. Worst case, I'll die. I'm prepared for that."

"Who said we can't break it? I said it's complicated."

Her interruption made Mo Jingxian forget what he'd been about to say.

He glared at her, annoyed. "Don't interrupt. Just listen."

When he turned to look ahead, Ayako stuck her tongue out at him and made a face.

"The Caged Bird Cursed Seal is activated through two channels. It connects to the eyes, the brain, and the soul.

"I'm confident I can remove the seal on your body, but I know nothing about the soul.

"That means we have to destroy the seal from both sides at once, or separate the person's soul from the body to keep it from connecting to the seal."

Ayako didn't understand all the technical terms, but she trusted Mo Jingxian.

"You've thought of a way, haven't you?"

Mo Jingxian nodded. "I've thought of two possibilities so far. One is the Spirit Transformation Technique, and the other is the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Each comes with different risks."

"I'm not afraid. You decide."

"Don't rush into a decision yet." He went on to explain the risks of both methods:

"As the name suggests, the Spirit Transformation Technique lets your soul leave your body. The risk is that it could trigger a backlash from the Caged Bird Cursed Seal."

As he'd explained earlier, the seal was activated through two channels. It might mistake the soul leaving the body for death and activate the jutsu.

"But the Dead Demon Consuming Seal is different. Its strength lies in preserving the sealed soul in its original state. It's a power that governs the rules, and it stands above the Caged Bird. We don't have to worry about the seal activating."

"You said they both had risks, right?" Ayako took Mo Jingxian's hand, worry written all over her face.

She wasn't stupid. She could tell he was leaning toward the second option.

But every jutsu came with risks. With the first, she would bear them herself.

As for the second... it was obvious who would have to bear the risks.

"Don't worry." He comforted her gently. "I'm confident. Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought it up."

"The problem is that both jutsu are S-rank, so it'll take time to obtain them and learn how to use them. We can't master either overnight."

As they walked, Mo Jingxian recalled the story. Only three people in all of Naruto had used this jutsu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and Orochimaru.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze had probably both learned it through Kushina.

Another option was to make a deal with Orochimaru, but Orochimaru performed the jutsu differently. He needed the Death God Mask of the Uzumaki Clan to use it.

Perhaps he could try to get the Sealing Jutsu from Kushina first, he thought.

Once he had an idea, he acted on it. He had time today, and it was about time he paid a visit to Big Sis Kushina.

Mo Jingxian brought Ayako along, bought a gift, and knocked on the door of Minato's house.

Kushina was the one who answered, as always. "Well, look who finally decided to show up."

"It's not my fault. I'd just gotten back when Lord Hokage threw me in prison. Anyway... I came to see you as soon as I got out, Big Sis."

"Serves you right." Kushina laughed gleefully. "You shouldn't have caused trouble. I'll let you in for your little girlfriend's sake."

Kushina stepped aside. Ayako blushed and greeted her. "Kushina-senpai, I'm Ayako Hyuuga. It's nice to meet you. Please take care of me."

"Sure. I'll look out for you from now on." Kushina took Ayako's hand and led her inside. "If that little brat gives you any trouble, I'll teach him a lesson."

Mo Jingxian rolled his eyes and followed the two inside, taking off his shoes at the door.

The three of them chatted happily for most of the day. It was clear Kushina had been lonely for a long time; once she had company, she just kept talking.

It was all Minato's fault.

As dinnertime approached, Kushina warmly invited them to stay.

In the end, the two youngsters were the ones who went into the kitchen, while she waited for dinner to be served.

Mo Jingxian strongly suspected she simply couldn't be bothered to cook. They'd even brought the ingredients themselves.

Everyone enjoyed the meal. As they were leaving, Kushina reminded Ayako, "Come by and see me whenever you have time."

The two strolled home in the evening breeze.

"Big Sis Kushina is really nice."

"She is." Mo Jingxian didn't bring up the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.

For now, Kushina's favorability toward him was only twenty points. She regarded him as a promising junior she quite liked.

There was no need to bring up something that might annoy her. They weren't close enough yet.

That left only one path.

Mo Jingxian felt the scroll in his pouch. It contained the Third Kazekage Puppet.

He wondered if Orochimaru might be interested in it.