Main World.
Konoha Year Twenty-Two, autumn.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
Late at night. Kinkaku sat cross-legged in the secret chamber of the Raikage's Office, his eyes closed and his breathing steady. He wore no Raikage's ceremonial robe, only a thin black training outfit. Fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, and his muscles tensed slightly, as though he were enduring some invisible pressure. Ginkaku sat opposite him, his eyes likewise closed, his breathing synchronized with Kinkaku's. Their heartbeats, breathing, and chakra circulation were completely identical at that moment.
The power of the Twin Fruits let them share everything. Strength, speed, chakra, injuries, and even-training results.
"Color of Armament turns spiritual energy into physical substance."
Kinkaku's voice was very low, as though he were speaking to himself.
"Color of Observation turns spiritual energy into perception."
Ginkaku's voice was equally low.
"Color of the Supreme King turns spiritual energy into oppressive force."
Their voices rang out together.
"Three colors united become Yin Release."
Dark purple light surged from their bodies within the secret chamber, intertwining and slowly circulating through the air. It was not the light of chakra, but the light of spiritual energy.
Kinkaku opened his eyes. They were no longer an ordinary black, but carried a faint metallic sheen-the mark of Color of Armament. He raised his hand, palm upward. A dark, armor-like layer of spiritual energy covered his palm, gleaming cold and hard beneath the light.
"Color of Armament: Body Coating."
He clenched his fist, and the dark energy spread from his palm to his arm, from his arm to his shoulder, and from his shoulder across his entire body. A layer of dark, flowing armor enveloped him.
"Intermediate: Flowing Sakura."
He murmured the words. The dark energy began to flow, slowly revolving over his skin as though