Empowered!

Ban gave a light snort, his tone still carrying a hint of arrogance and caution befitting a powerful figure.

"I hope it's as you say. Don't let me end up feeling disappointed."

"Who would dare lie to you, the Asura of the Ninja World?" Natsu replied with a smile, then a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes as she softly cautioned,

"However, please don't tell Hashirama- senpai about this potion yet. Otherwise, he might become envious and keep pestering you for more pills."

Ban carefully tucked the medicine into his bosom, offering no clear answer.

"He wasn't jealous; he just Tenten pestering me, asking if we could join together."

Natsu was slightly taken aback. After a moment's thought, she realized that given Hashirama's personality, such entanglement was indeed quite reasonable.

The Setsuna Madara Uchiha uttered the words "I join," an invisible and intangible power quietly emanated from the core of Natsu's system, silently sweeping across the entire courtyard.

There were no surging Chakra fluctuations, no dazzling spiritual light leaking out; it was unremarkable, yet it exuded a profound weight originating from the Origin.

However, Madara Uchiha, who was at the center of the power, suddenly tensed up at this moment, his muscles unconsciously tightening to the extreme.

He clearly sensed a strange yet incredibly familiar power welling up from the depths of his bones.

This is neither the Chakra known in the Ninja World, nor the Natural Energy of heaven and earth.

It is more ancient and more fundamental, flowing through the meridians and blood vessels of his body, permeating every inch of bone and every muscle, reshaping the foundation of his body from head to toe.

His pupils suddenly burned, accompanied by a familiar yet gentle tingling sensation, and his Sharingan opened uncontrollably.

The three Tomoe swirled rapidly beneath his eyes, their speed increasing, their patterns layering, intertwining, blurring, and condensing.

For decades, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan could only be enhanced through rage, fierce battles, and near-death experiences. Yet, in a state of peaceful tranquility, devoid of sorrow, joy, war, or anger, it was steadily lifted by this gentle and boundless power, silently touching upon a higher realm barrier and taking a shallow but incredibly real step forward.

Ban suddenly turned his head to look at Natsu in front of him, his eyes filled with a shock that could no longer be concealed.

Natsu met his gaze quietly, her expression calm and composed, and asked softly, "Did you feel it?"

Ban did not respond; he slowly raised his right hand, bringing it into view.

The old scar on my palm, which had been there for many years and had long since healed, was now undergoing a subtle transformation.

The scar tissue is slowly softening and fading, and the old, damaged tissue is gradually being replaced and regenerated. The process is extremely slow, but it is real and tangible, and not an illusion.

He slowly lowered his hand, looked at Natsu again, and his voice carried a hint of barely perceptible somberness.

"What exactly is this Divine Clan you're talking about?"

Natsu did not answer directly, but simply raised her hand and gently pointed at the void.

The system screen, visible only to him, slowly unfolded, revealing clear entries for each unique race. He followed the screen and slowly read them aloud.

"Return to Origin."

"The Uchiha bloodline that has been dormant within you for so long is now fully awakening. The hidden injuries left by years of battles and the impurities accumulated in your bloodline are being completely eliminated, your Chakra Origin are increasing by several times, and the threshold for the further evolution of the Sharingan has been reduced by nearly half."

"Long-Lived Species."

"Joining the clan guarantees a lifespan of at least ten thousand years."

Upon hearing this, Ban raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise rising in his heart, but he still suppressed his emotions and listened quietly to what followed.

"Diligence Overcomes Weakness."

"All abilities in the world that can be cultivated can be mastered through arduous training. Whether it's Haki, Taijutsu, various Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, or even the extremely difficult-to-comprehend Sage Mode, there are no talent limitations; just keep cultivating and you will reap the rewards."

"The Will Kin."

"Your talent is already unparalleled in the Ninja World; let's raise that ceiling several levels higher."

Seeing Ban's pupils slightly contract and his heart already churning with emotion, Natsu uttered the last and most crucial term.

"Time Traveler."

"Our entire clan can seamlessly adapt to the rule systems of any world in the universe. The Three Types of Haki, ultimate physical tempering, Devil Fruits abilities—all kinds of extraterrestrial powers can be cultivated without any barriers."

The courtyard fell silent once again.

Madara digested these powers and enhancements that overturned the understanding of the Ninja World. It took him a long time to suppress the shock in his heart before he spoke in a deep voice to confirm.

"So, from now on, all these powers belong to me?"

"That's right." Natsu nodded slightly, her tone firm. "From the moment you agreed to join, all the entries took effect immediately. The physical transformation you are experiencing now is just the beginning. Once we return to Origin Island and officially receive the Light of Susanoo serum, your eye power will undergo another qualitative leap."

He paused, then revealed the most enticing change.

"By then, the Complete Susanoo, burdened by immense energy consumption and strain, will no longer be your trump card, but rather your regular fighting force."

Ban closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed the myriad thoughts surging in his heart.

When he opened his eyes again, he avoided all external objects and stared only at his outstretched palm, slowly closing his fingers into a tight fist.

The obsession that had been dormant for many years finally resurfaced in my mind.

"Izuna Uchiha... can you come back?"

At this moment, Madara shed his aloof and fierce demeanor Asura of the Ninja World, and his composure and forbearance as a clan leader. His eyes held an extremely solemn and almost devout expectation.

This was a tenderness and expectation that Natsu had never seen in him before.

"Able."

Natsu's answer was crisp and clear, without the slightest ambiguity.

"As long as you successfully awaken the Rinnegan with your own talent and the blessing of your clan, you can personally use the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique."

No one needs to pay the price for you; you will personally bring Izuna Uchiha back from the Pure Land to the mortal world.

Ban closed his eyes, concentrated, and slowly took a deep breath, letting all his restlessness and anticipation settle down.

When she opened her eyes again, all the confusion and melancholy in those Mangekyo Sharingan eyes that had witnessed half a lifetime of battles and were filled with loneliness and resentment had faded away, leaving only the determination and clarity that had finally anchored her path forward after a long period of darkness.

"That's good."

He looked up at Natsu, his tone crisp and decisive.

When do we depart?

Natsu turned to look at the morning light outside the village; the golden rays spread across the forest, gentle yet bright.

"Let's go now."

"Back in Konoha, there's still a show to watch. I need to remind Tobirama Senju, and you can also take this opportunity to say a proper goodbye to Hashirama."

Madara raised his hand, Kunai placed the kunai that Izuna Uchiha had always kept close to his body into his robes, and slowly stood up.

"I will take care of things with Hashirama."

As he finished speaking, he looked at Natsu, his tone unusually relaxed and serious, devoid of the usual confrontation and distance, and softly uttered two words.

Thank you.