Neji took a deep breath and rapidly formed hand seals. The silver cloud patterns on his forehead unfurled like living things.
The natural energy around him began to stir, transforming into wisps of visible white mist that spiraled toward him.
In the blink of an eye, Sage Chakra became a halo draped over his body.
"Sensei, are you ready?"
Neji's voice carried an ethereal echo. He raised his right hand, gathering a sphere of Sage Chakra at his fingertips, with streams of light flickering within it.
Tsunade sat cross-legged, the Golden Lotus Mark on her forehead shining brilliantly.
She closed her eyes and formed hand seals. "Come on!"
Neji's fingertips lightly touched the golden lotus.
"Bzzz—!"
The air throughout the tent shuddered violently.
The instant Sage Chakra came into contact with the Yin Seal, it unexpectedly let out a clear, ringing chime.
Neji's Byakugan clearly saw his Sage Chakra being frantically devoured by the golden lotus.
The lotus mark spun like a bottomless pit, and with every rotation, its absorption speed increased.
Even more astonishingly, the Chakra drawn inside was compressed into liquid within the golden lotus, forming a small pool. The lotus took root in that pool, firmly locking down the pool's energy.
As the infusion continued, the golden lotus on Tsunade's forehead gradually became more solid.
At first, it had only been pale golden lines. Now, it looked as though it had been carved from real gold, every petal pattern exquisitely detailed.
When the seventh petal formed, the entire mark suddenly blazed with light, illuminating the tent as brightly as day.
"It worked!"
Joy flashed through Neji's eyes.
The radiant Golden Lotus Mark suddenly bloomed with seven-colored light, then slowly drew it back in, finally settling into a lotus design with a white base and golden edges.
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