Inside a secluded Bounty Station in the Land of Fire.
Wearing the White Tiger Mask, Lin Ze set down the mission scroll in his hand.
He had just accepted several bounty missions. The targets were all missing-nin or wandering ninja of middling strength, but they would barely suffice as whetstones.
Through his constant activity over this period, the compatibility between the White Tiger Clone and his soul had quietly risen to eighty percent.
"Much faster than expected."
Lin Ze made an estimate.
He had originally thought it would take around two years to achieve complete compatibility. Now, it seemed that in another three months at most, he would be able to control the White Tiger Clone as naturally as his own limbs.
This was undoubtedly good news.
He did not linger at the Bounty Station. After accepting the missions, he turned and left, his figure soon vanishing into the dense forest.
Three months later.
Ascension Island, the underground laboratory.
Lin Ze's soul left the White Tiger Clone, and the body immediately went still. Tagitsuhime, who had been waiting beside it, gently lifted it and placed it in the life-preservation device prepared in advance.
The chamber door slowly closed, and pale green nutrient solution flowed in. The White Tiger Clone floated quietly inside, entering deep dormancy.
"Master, the White Tiger Clone has been safely stored."
Tagitsuhime bowed as she reported.
Lin Ze's soul form nodded and floated toward the other side of the laboratory.
There, another cylindrical Life Support Device stood open. The Yin Release Clone, "Youying," lay inside with his eyes closed, faint fluctuations of yin release chakra emanating from his body.
Lin Ze's soul merged into him. A few seconds later, "Youying" opened his eyes.
"Whew..."
Lin Ze sat up, taking stock of this body's condition.
The Yin