At the end of July, the ninjas who had been relieved of their duties at the front lines and returned to the village were still on vacation.
The new poison from Sunagakure kept Tsunade busy for almost half a month, and her irritable mood only eased as the mission was finally coming to an end.
Inside the expanded herbal laboratory, Shu Furukawa was using Chakra to envelop the toxins for a new round of testing, while Tsunade observed carefully before lowering her head in deep thought.
" Sunagakure analyzed our Madness Pill, but they couldn't find the raw materials, so they thought of the Tailed Beast."
"As expected, trouble is piling up. The Anbu have been busy searching for spies for the past few months. Remember, never display that special Chakra in any situation."
Seeing that Shu Furukawa's face was still pale, Tsunade gently instructed him that she did not want others to notice this special talent, not even the village's higher-ups!
"Teacher, I understand."
"My Strength of a Hundred Seal is almost complete, and I can now assist my teacher in his cultivation."
After releasing the poison, Shu Furukawa pointed to his forehead. Upon hearing this, Tsunade immediately showed curiosity, leaned closer, and whispered while staring at his forehead:
"Theoretically, it should be a diamond-shaped mark!"
"However, after using the Yin Seal Release, your technique should be different from what I designed before."
"This technique is indeed very troublesome; most ninjas can't even control Chakra and master the Sealing Jutsu."
Shu Furukawa grasped Tsunade, which was about to point randomly, and was about to say some training techniques, but Tsunade shook her head:
"Secret techniques are a ninja's trump card. Although I am your teacher, there are still some information you must keep secret."
"Intelligence can be a matter of life and death at times. Remember what I said: never reveal your hand too easily."
"Survival is more important than anything else."
Perhaps because they had spent so much time together over the years, Tsunade's fear of death had intensified. At this moment, she subconsciously gripped Shu Furukawa's left hand, as if afraid that the scene in her mind would reappear.
"Teacher, don't underestimate the technique you developed! It adds a massive amount of Chakra, enough to handle any difficulty."
Shu Furukawa, with a serious expression, began to extoll the Strength of a Hundred Technique, Tsunade finally laughed out loud, turned her head, and changed the subject, saying:
" Shizune became Chunin today, let's go to an izakaya tonight to celebrate, it's been so long since I've had a good drink!"
"You're already Chunin? Time flies this year! Teacher, are you trying to leave work early?"
Tsunade dismissively after hearing the complaints, then pulled Shu Furukawa away. After being busy for so long, it was time for her to rest for a while.
--
Late at night, Shu Furukawa returned home and did not take any more of the secret medicine. His accumulated Senjutsu Chakra was saturated, and after his spirit merged with it, he could complete the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
"Master Xiu, tonight we'll first allow the spiritual energy to fully integrate with the Senjutsu Chakra, achieving initial resonance and sensing the Natural Energy."
"Once you've adapted, we'll return to Shikkotsu Forest. Your body will help you complete the transformation of your cells."
The Katsuyu's cheerful voice came from Shu Furukawa's shoulder; she couldn't wait to resonate with her kind.
Shu Furukawa nodded, formed hand Hand Seals, and then his spirit appeared in the Strength of a Hundred Seal. Looking at the "misty" Senjutsu Chakra floating above his head, he decisively stretched out his arm.
The vast energy accumulated through [ Collection ] allowed Shu Furukawa's spirit to freely split, allowing Senjutsu Chakra to continuously absorb it.
Shu Furukawa lost track of how much time had passed until a figure appeared beside him. The Katsuyu transformed into a beautiful blonde girl who reminded him in a soft, sweet voice:
"Lord Xiu, you can now freely control this power!"
"Now we will complete the initial resonance, and I will guide you to experience the Natural Energy."
Within the Strength of a Hundred Seal, after seeing the Katsuyu disappear from his body, Shu Furukawa's spirit suddenly became aware of everything outside, and the Katsuyu's voice reappeared at just the right moment:
"This is Natural Energy, Master Xiu. Your body is now fully activated, and your senses have been amplified."
"A wonderful reaction; it seems my worries were unnecessary."
The Katsuyu's voice was unusually cheerful. Shu Furukawa was about to respond when he suddenly noticed that the Senjutsu Chakra above was spinning and condensing, eventually forming a somewhat illusory sphere.
"The split spirit is automatically channeling Natural Energy within the Senjutsu Chakra sphere?"
"Yes, Master Xiu, this is my job."
"Please perceive carefully. It's not just Natural Energy; the spirit has also connected to every cell in your body through a technique. Master Xiu is now in Sage Mode."
Upon hearing the answer from the Katsuyu, Shu Furukawa formed another Hand Seals, opened his eyes, and then a flood of information rushed into his brain, his perception range constantly expanding.
"So this is Sage Mode?"
Power surged from his body, and his brain processed information at an increased speed. Shu Furukawa wanted to continue experiencing Sage Mode, but suddenly felt a strange Chakra.
"Celestial Technique: Subterranean Voyage!"
With one hand Shu Furukawa a hand Hand Seals, the Senjutsu Chakra within the Strength of a Hundred Seal was instantly converted, and then he vanished from the ground.
White Zetsu had just infiltrated the vicinity of the Shu Furukawa residence from the Uchiha Clan's side. By the time it sensed something was wrong, it was too late. It was grabbed by the neck and hurled rapidly out of the ground while still in the mud.
The deep purple diamond-shaped mark on Shu Furukawa's forehead was emitting an eerie glow, as if it were constantly flashing, and the purple eyeshadow around his eyes completely changed his aura.
"Who... who are you?"
White Zetsu was stunned by the fall. The Shu Furukawa he had seen on the battlefield not long ago did not look like this, nor did he have such terrifying pressure on him.
"An interesting life form, I didn't expect you to deliver yourself to my doorstep."
"Although it might disturb that old man, I need your help to verify my hypothesis."
Upon hearing Shu Furukawa's words, White Zetsu wanted to flee immediately, only to find himself trapped within a barrier, so he simply got up and attacked.
"Well..."
Shu Furukawa grabbed White Zetsu by the throat, easily subduing him and forcing him to kneel on the floor. Then, with a thought, he immediately used [ Collection ] with his right hand.
What did you do to me?
White Zetsu stared wide-eyed and whispered, feeling his body disappear and his consciousness rapidly fading away.
An invisible white energy appeared on Shu Furukawa's right hand, and the live [ Collection ] went very smoothly.
"Did Lord Xiu devour this creature?"
"Yes, Katsuyu, my previous conjecture has been successfully verified. I need to speed up my cultivation of immortal Senjutsu!"
--
In the dark, enormous cave, Madara Uchiha, who had been sleeping, was suddenly awakened by White Zetsu.
The White Zetsu looked at their newly arrived companions, chattering incessantly, while the latter knelt on the ground and loudly reported:
" Lord Madara, the God Tree energy lurking within the White Zetsu of Konoha has suddenly vanished."
Upon hearing the words "God Tree, "Madara Uchiha immediately became alert. All the White Zetsu in the cave felt immense pressure, and everyone silently awaited their master's instructions.
"Prepare for the relocation first, then conduct the investigation..."