School was out.
Naruto came to the Forest of Death and found Kazan.
He could hardly wait. This was the first time Kazan had offered to teach him a Ninjutsu technique.
Could it be Haki?
He pictured himself shouting like Kazan someday and summoning the might of heaven to strike everyone with awe.
"You're here."
"Yeah! Let's get started, Kazan. I'm definitely going to beat Sasuke!"
"Good. Starting today, I'm teaching you Senjutsu."
Senjutsu?
Naruto had never even heard the word.
But the Nine-Tails was startled. He transformed into a miniature fox and leaped out.
"Kazan, are you serious? He's still just a brat."
"Of course. Naruto grew up in the Forest of Death."
And he had Asura's Chakra inside him.
After all these years, Naruto's body was ready. He was qualified to begin Senjutsu Training.
Naruto knew nothing about Senjutsu, but judging by the name and Kurama's tone, it had to be powerful.
"I want to learn!"
"I'll teach you, but be prepared. Senjutsu Training is dangerous."
"Absorb too much Natural Energy, and you'll turn to stone forever, becoming part of it."
Kazan explained Natural Energy to Naruto.
Naruto was starting to have second thoughts.
Turning to stone forever? That was terrifying.
"Don't worry. Kurama will help you."
Kazan raised his hand. A black sphere appeared and transformed into a longsword.
"A Truth-Seeking Orb!" the Nine-Tails exclaimed.
Naruto might not recognize it, but the Nine-Tails certainly did.
That black sphere held the Power of All Creation and could take the shape of various weapons for its wielder.
But creating one required exacting conditions: shaping it with Yin-Yang Release while combining high-density Chakra of all seven attributes, Yin-Yang and the Five Nature Types.
"So you've reached the Old Man's level?" the Nine-Tails marveled.
Kazan had reached the Six Paths by