Shikkotsu Forest, Sage Art Cave.
Energy thick enough to suffocate someone filled the cave, and a dense aura of nature lingered all around.
Shihōin Naraku sat cross-legged above the pool. A closer look would reveal that he was actually floating above the surface, without touching the water.
The water in the pool was unusually still, without even the slightest ripple.
Only the Katsuyu Sage, who remained nearby, could sense the natural energy in the pool being absorbed little by little into Naraku's body, strengthening his life force.
It began to bring entirely new changes to Naraku, inside and out.
"It's begun!"
The Katsuyu Sage stared at Shihōin Naraku, as though seeing new senjutsu chakra about to be refined within his body.
As time passed, a faint, translucent glow gradually rose from Naraku's entire body. Like the rising sun, it was not dazzling, but instead filled with warmth.
The flickering glow shed brilliant light, filling the Sage Art Cave.
Having witnessed this scene before, the Katsuyu Sage knew that Naraku had successfully refined senjutsu chakra, and that this newborn power was granting him nature's vitality.
Once he completed this step, Naraku could become immortal.
Thump-
A powerful pulse swept through the Sage Art Cave!
The Katsuyu Sage tilted its head in puzzlement. Was Shihōin Naraku refining it this quickly?
No, his organs must have been stronger than those of ordinary people, which was why it had taken so little time.
The faint glow draped over him, flickering in time with his heartbeat.
This was a sign that his power was about to awaken!
Suddenly, Shihōin Naraku's tightly closed eyes snapped open, a sharp gleam flashing through pupils as brilliant as stars.
Immediately afterward, an immensely powerful current of air erupted outward from Naraku, overturning the still pool water and every obstacle