After several days, Chiya finally gained stable control of Sage Mode. Without Katsuyu, he could maintain it for five minutes. If Katsuyu was on him, that time could be extended to ten minutes.
Chiya was currently sitting beside the waterfall, the markings beneath his eyes slowly fading.
Chiya opened his eyes and looked at his hands.
After exiting Sage Mode, that sense of fullness gradually receded as well, though an indescribable lightness still lingered in his body.
His eyes felt much better too.
When he looked at distant things before, it had always seemed like they were covered by a layer of fog.
Now everything was much clearer. He could see the moss on the rock wall behind the waterfall, as well as the droplets on the distant fern leaves.
Progress with the Yin Seal, however, was painfully slow.
The jutsu formula Tsunade gave him looked like only a few pages, but actually practicing it was a nightmare.
Every night after returning to the Mushroom House, Chiya would sit at the mushroom table, light the glowing little mushroom lamp unique to Shikkotsu Forest, and slowly store chakra at the center of his forehead.
The first time, he only managed to hold it for an instant.
The second time, he barely lasted a few breaths longer.
The third time, it dispersed with a pop.
Chiya slumped over the table and muttered dejectedly,
"Why is this thing even more torturous than Sage Art?"
After hearing him, Kaguya merely replied flatly.
"Too crude."
Chiya abruptly raised his head.
"If you can do it, then do it?"
Kaguya fell silent for a moment.
"Hmph. This kind of ninjutsu is not worth learning."
Chiya froze for a moment, then nearly burst out laughing.
Kaguya said coldly, "What are you laughing at?"
Chiya hurriedly held it