Yang Release?
Not bad.
Unlike the five conventional elements—fire, wind, lightning, water, and earth—which could be developed after birth, shinobi with Yin or Yang Release usually acquired them innately. Developing them later was extremely difficult and generally required scientific methods.
Sasuke's initial affinities had been only Yin, fire, and lightning.
Now that he had gained Yang Release, even without training in Medical Ninjutsu, he could still improve his physical constitution and healing ability to some extent.
Of course, "element" wasn't quite the right term. The official term was "Chakra Nature Transformation."
Chakra itself had no nature. By imbuing it with different elemental properties, one created a nature transformation.
In the original story, even after Sasuke awakened the Rinnegan during the Fourth Shinobi World War, he still didn't have Yang Release.
He hadn't expected his first new affinity, so soon after arriving in this world, to be this one. It was a kind of fate, wasn't it?
Maybe this is a sign that my life will take a completely different path?
Thinking about it that way, Sasuke felt this was an excellent omen.
But he didn't rush to extract and merge it. In the real world, Uchiha Izumi was still holding him, with Itachi and a crowd of Uchiha shinobi nearby. He was worried they might notice something was off.
Meanwhile.
Just an illusion, like the Masked Man who attacked Konoha...
The kunai's gleaming edge passed through Sasuke's neck without meeting any resistance, as if it had cut through empty air.
The discovery made Minato Namikaze's heart sink.
Just then, Sasuke reached out and grabbed Minato's right wrist. With a meaningful look, he said, "Why not try again?"
Even though he knew that attacking again would be pointless, Minato still flipped his left hand. A kunai appeared in it, and he slashed once more with a sharp flash of steel!
The kunai passed through the Warden's neck before him without meeting any resistance, yet Minato could clearly feel the other man's grip still clamped firmly around his right wrist.
He had no choice but to give up.
This also completely ruled out the possibility that Sasuke was the Masked Man who had attacked Konoha.
When Minato put away the kunai, Sasuke released his wrist and asked with a faint, knowing smile, "Given up?"
Minato drew a deep breath, suppressing his emotions. "What did you do to Kushina?"
"Do? You're overthinking it. I only restricted her ability to use chakra."
Minato let out a breath of relief, then asked, "What will it take for you to let Kushina go?"
"I never thought the Fourth Hokage would use his own wife as a bargaining chip to probe for information."
Though he'd changed his wording, Sasuke understood that Minato was still testing him.
"This is both a test and a sincere offer," Minato said calmly. "Are you a Konoha shinobi?"
He had drawn that conclusion from Sasuke's words, "our Fourth Hokage."
"That's not important." Sasuke didn't answer directly.
He wasn't particularly worried about Minato learning anything about him.
Their souls had already been imprisoned in the Soul Space. Without Sasuke's consent, they couldn't leave.
As long as he didn't reveal the key fact that emotions triggered the skills, the rest didn't matter.
The skills weren't stolen, but copied. They wouldn't notice anything unusual.
Besides, with Kushina in his hands, he had no reason to worry that Minato wouldn't comply.
He simply didn't want to resort to excessive measures just yet.
After all, his body in this life was only three months old. He had plenty of time.
When Sasuke didn't answer, Minato paused to consider, then said, "If you're willing to release Kushina, I can pay a price, as long as it doesn't endanger Konoha."
"I went to all this trouble, and you're offering to pay a price?" Sasuke laughed.
Minato glanced at the image of Kushina and drew a deep breath. "Tell me what you want first."
Sasuke didn't seem to mind. He held up three fingers. "I want three things from you."
As he spoke, he glanced at the Flying Thunder God mark Minato had just used to teleport, then at Minato's abdomen.
Flying Thunder God!
And the Nine-Tails!!!
As for the third thing, Minato hadn't received any hint, but he could infer from the first two that it had to do with a jutsu—or perhaps with power.
"Someone who can snatch souls from the hands of the Death God would need those things?"
"That's not something you need to worry about."
"I can give you the Rasengan."
Sasuke shook his head, then smiled. "I wouldn't dare use the Fourth Hokage's signature jutsu so openly."
Minato's thoughts stirred.
He doesn't dare use it, which means he's worried people will trace the jutsu back to its source...
The most likely reason for that concern is that he's from Konoha...
Of course, he didn't need to say that at all. He might be trying to throw me off the scent...
But if it isn't the Rasengan...
His mind raced. Then, seemingly realizing something, he asked gravely, "You even know about a jutsu I'm not very proficient in? You must know a great deal about me."
Just then, Sasuke sensed something unusual in the outside world. He smiled and stood up. "All right, Lord Hokage. The pointless probing is over."
"I believe in equivalent exchange. If you're willing to hand them over, I'll agree to send Kushina back to the Pure Land."
"Of course, if you want to see her, you can. You can stay here and enjoy some time alone together. You could even watch Naruto grow up with your wife. That's not impossible either."
With that, he snapped his fingers and lifted Kushina's chakra restriction. Then his figure slowly faded away.
See Kushina...
Watch Naruto grow up...
Minato's expression turned complicated. Then he shook his head, pushing the unnecessary thoughts aside.
Only a handful of people know Naruto's name...
He turned to look at the image of Kushina, who was now roaring furiously.
"Who is it?!"
"Who are you?!"
She had clearly realized from the restriction and release of her chakra that someone was secretly controlling everything. Her short temper couldn't stand for it!
She was already dead, anyway. She had nothing left to fear!
Ding!
An intense emotional fluctuation has been detected from Kushina Uzumaki. Congratulations, Host! You have obtained: Uzumaki Bloodline!
Extract and merge?
Minato naturally couldn't hear the voice above.
He looked at the image that hadn't disappeared, at the room where Kushina was being held, then at his own luxurious cell. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly...
He deliberately left all this behind. It seems he's quite skilled at manipulating people...
I wonder whether this will be a blessing or a curse for Konoha...
In the real world.
"Sasuke, let go of Izumi. She needs to go home," Itachi urged him helplessly.
Uchiha Izumi, who was holding Sasuke, looked a little awkward. Forcing a smile, she said, "It's all right, Itachi. Sasuke's sleeping so soundly. We shouldn't wake him. I don't mind staying with him a little longer."
Nearby, Uchiha Mikoto had no idea what to do with Sasuke, so she changed the subject. "Sasuke never used to like being held by strangers, but today he didn't resist Izumi at all. He's sleeping so soundly in her arms, too. It seems Izumi has the makings of a good wife and mother."
A good wife and mother?
Uchiha Izumi blushed bright red. She was only five! Was it really appropriate to say that?
Sasuke's consciousness returned, and he slowly opened his eyes, his thoughts stirring.
He even gave me the Uzumaki Constitution?
I really like your fiery temper!
Seeing Sasuke wake up, Itachi breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness, you're finally awake..."
Uchiha Mikoto also let out a quiet sigh of relief. Gently prying at Sasuke's fingers, she said, "Sasuke, let go. Izumi needs to go home. If she doesn't, her family will worry."
??? Let go?
Sasuke froze.
Then he noticed that both his hands were clutching Uchiha Izumi's clothes, and there was a patch of drool on her chest...
Uh...
He was just a baby...
They'd forgive him, right...
Before you continue