Under the warm lamplight, Kushina nestled against Uchiha Ling's solid chest. The anger and grievance stirred by Orochimaru's damnable report melted away like ice and snow beneath the sun, replaced by a deeper dependence and a softness that sought comfort.
She buried her cheek deeply in Ling's chest, breathing in his reassuring scent—a mixture of faint ink and sharp chakra—as though this place were a harbor sheltered from every storm outside.
Uchiha Ling's broad hand stroked her flame-like crimson hair now and then, his movements gentle yet carrying an unquestionable power to soothe.
Looking down at Kushina in his arms, Uchiha Ling leaned back against the chair, closed his eyes, and sank his consciousness into the system.
The light screen shifted, numbers flickering.
The overwhelming torrent of emotions brought by ending the Third Shinobi War, intimidating the four nations, marching into the Land of Fire, purging Danzo, and recently taking city after city—fear, awe, worship, fanaticism, hatred, despair—was continuously absorbed and quantified by the system, eventually gathering into an astronomical figure that left one dumbfounded.
This was the foundation of his ruthless path to reshape the world, as well as the capital he needed to achieve even greater ambitions.
He focused his thoughts on the system's search function and entered the key requirements: "Safely extract the tailed beast. Ensure zero risk to the host. A permanent solution."
Information cascaded down the screen, countless abilities, techniques, and treasures from myriad worlds—each based on different principles—scrolling rapidly past.
Many options seemed viable, but either their costs were so enormous as to be nearly impractical, they carried uncontrollable side effects, or they required certain material foundations unavailable in the shinobi world.
After a long while, his gaze settled on one option, and his pupils narrowed slightly.
``` [Kyoka Suigetsu (Complete Form · Rule