Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

"Shūichi, was that flight ability of the Third Tsuchikage just now from a Kekkei Tōta?"

On the road, Asuka asked curiously.

Shūichi snapped back to attention and smiled, "Not at all."

"It's actually an Earth Release nature transformation."

Asuka looked surprised. "Earth Release?"

"Earth Release can make you fly?"

Shūichi nodded. "By altering the density of matter, changing the mass without changing the volume, it allows him to fly."

"The Scorch Release Chakra Mode can also enable flight, primarily due to Fire and Wind Release. Although different from the Third Tsuchikage's technique, it achieves a similar effect."

"It works by heating the air, creating a difference in air density, which generates lift."

Shisui and Pakura understood immediately, but Asuka looked at Shūichi with admiration—this was beyond her knowledge base.

Shisui and Pakura, having received traditional shinobi training, had a better foundation, while Asuka was mostly self-taught.

Even for Shisui and Pakura, though, they couldn't know everything outside their expertise.

Moreover, Ōnoki's Lightweight Boulder Jutsu was a unique Earth Release skill, with no other Iwagakure shinobi mastering it so far. This shows how challenging this form of Earth Release transformation was to learn.

After all, Kitsuchi himself was an expert in Earth Release and Ōnoki's own son, so it was clearly not a matter of simply being taught but of being able to learn it.

…

Once they entered the Land of Grass, Shūichi used Flying Thunder God to teleport himself and his three companions across the entire country, reaching the Fire Country border. After a brief rest, he teleported repeatedly, returning directly to Konoha in one go.

After dismissing Shisui and the others, Shūichi went first to the Hokage Building to report to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and then went to his teacher Minato Namikaze's home.

"So rescuing Obito is extremely difficult right now?"

Hearing the situation, Kushina frowned.

Shūichi nodded. "The clone of the First Hokage is unique and has merged with Obito."

"Especially since First Hokage cells were implanted in Obito as well. He's probably under a curse mark like Rin was, which controls him."

"Additionally, there's another individual associated with Obito, but we have no intel on him whatsoever."

"Plus, Obito's eyes were separated—one eye implanted in another clone of the First Hokage. This was likely done to weaken Obito's ocular power, making him easier to control."

Minato nodded thoughtfully. "That being the case, we really can't act rashly."

"We only have one chance, and if it fails, Obito might be discarded."

Shūichi shared the same sentiment.

Kushina sighed, worried. "But Obito hardly took his studies seriously; I doubt he'll understand your hints, right?"

Minato laughed. "Obito is smarter than he seems. Don't worry, he'll figure it out."

Kushina still looked worried. "I just hope Obito doesn't get too caught up with those people and do something irreversible."

Minato was silent; this was indeed a concern.

After all, Obito had been through so much in such a short time, and his entire outlook had changed, making it impossible to predict his actions.

Shūichi reassured them with a smile. "Don't worry. Once we expose Uchiha Madara's scheme, we can turn him back."

If Obito still wouldn't turn back after learning that Rin's death was a setup, then he'd have to be dealt with.

But Shūichi believed that possibility was extremely slim.

Minato also smiled, comforting Kushina. "Shūichi is right, and we should trust in Obito's abilities as well!"

Kushina sighed, then smiled. "You're right!"

"Though Obito can be unreliable, he does pull through when it counts!"

…

After leaving Minato's home, Shūichi stretched and teleported to an open area near the Forest of Death.

He activated the Scorch Release Chakra Mode, covering his body in a blue aura that ignited with fierce flames, and lotus patterns dotted the chakra cloak.

Since he wasn't using Sage Mode or curse marks, there were no purple flame patterns, making it look similar to his initial Fire Release Chakra Mode, though more refined.

Then, Shūichi ramped up his chakra output, causing the Scorch Release mode to expand and form a three-headed, six-armed giant.

This was his God of Stars formed purely from Scorch Release Chakra Mode, without Yin Release, Sage Mode, or Nine-Tails Chakra.

"Based on yesterday's battle, this form's offensive power aside, its defense is likely inferior to even the skeletal form of Susanoo, with its only advantage being its high-temperature shield."

"But to match Susanoo... maybe Scorch Release nature transformation isn't ideal for that."

Shūichi pondered.

Without Yin Release, Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, or Sage Mode, his God of Stars could hardly stand up to Obito's Susanoo.

Not to mention the perfected Susanoo.

Scorch Release's inherent nature felt light and insubstantial.

"Maybe I should base it on Yin Release... with Scorch Release as the outer layer?"

Shūichi adjusted his thinking, setting aside his previous shadow clone techniques.

He dispelled the God of Stars and exited Scorch Release Chakra Mode.

Clap!

Shūichi pressed his hands together, and in the next moment, a rich blue chakra aura surged around him.

This was pure chakra with no nature transformation applied.

Next, bones started forming as he used Yin Release to shape them.

First, the spine appeared, followed by the sternum, ribs, and skull, then clusters of muscles.

At this point, Shūichi already felt an immense mental strain.

"Pure Yin Release nature and shape transformations are indeed extremely challenging…"

Frowning, Shūichi realized there was no way he could mold this into the level of Susanoo.

No wonder every Uchiha who unlocked the Mangekyō Sharingan had some degree of mental instability.

He relaxed his hands, and the chakra around him quickly dissipated. "I'll have to stick to the previous approach of combining multiple nature transformations."

Refocusing, Shūichi clasped his hands together again, causing the ground to quake beneath him as a giant rock figure emerged.

Standing over ten meters tall, this three-headed, six-armed stone giant had lotus patterns on its surface and looked like it was carved from black marble.

As it fully formed, cracks appeared along the lotus patterns, and hot lava started flowing from within.

This was the Lava Giant he had developed using the Lava Release Kekkei Genkai!

He hadn't used this against Susanoo before because, compared to Scorch Release, its attack methods were somewhat limited and lacked the sharpness of Scorch Release.

However, in terms of raw strength, even without Nine-Tails Chakra or Sage Mode, it surpassed the Scorch Release mode.

Moreover, this form was relatively easier to maintain.

Atop the Lava Giant, Shūichi activated Scorch Release Chakra Mode, enveloping himself in a blue flame aura. He spread it downward, covering the entire Lava Giant in a layer of blazing blue flame armor.

With a thought, he commanded the Lava Giant to raise all six of its arms, instantly forming blue Scorch Release blades in each hand.

"With both Scorch Release and Lava Release Kekkei Genkai, I have the power I need and solid attack potential, but… I can't fly, at least for now."

Shūichi considered, "And I can't fully protect myself either."

This felt similar to the Wood Golem Jutsu, albeit stronger than the Third Tsuchikage's rock golem.

Boom! 

Boom! 

The new God of Stars took a step, making the ground tremble, and Shūichi frowned slightly. "Mobility has dropped significantly too."

Without flexibility, this form would likely get sliced in half by a single strike from Susanoo.

It seemed like he couldn't have both power and agility.

Dispersing his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, Shūichi leaped down from the Lava Giant.

Without his chakra to sustain it, the lava inside the giant cooled rapidly, and it soon collapsed into a pile of rubble.

Emerging from the dust, Shūichi sighed inwardly, "Susanoo still has its undeniable advantages."

"Balanced offense and defense, flight capability, flexibility, and it doesn't interfere with other jutsu."

"So, the best approach still needs pure chakra as a base, shaped with Yin Release…"

As he was mulling over this, a surge of memories entered his mind.

Shūichi checked—it was feedback from his shadow clone at the research base.

"Kakashi…"

Raising an eyebrow, Shūichi set aside his work on the giant and teleported to Kakashi's room in the base.

"Shūichi!"

Sensing Shūichi's arrival, Kakashi opened his eyes and got up.

"Kakashi, are you sure you're ready?" Shūichi asked again to confirm.

Kakashi nodded seriously. "Yes, I believe I am."

Shūichi nodded back. "I'll make the preparations."

A moment later, Shūichi returned, carrying a tray.

Kakashi looked at it, a bit puzzled. "What's this?"

With a mischievous grin, Shūichi replied, "Slices of the Eight-Tails' horn, and, well, slices of the Eight-Tails' tentacles."

"You just eat them like sashimi."

The tentacle piece was from a battle with Killer B, collected after one was severed.

Under his mask, Kakashi's face twitched. "Raw?"

Shūichi retorted, "Would cooking it help?"

"Relax, it tastes fine. I've tried it before."

"Plus, this is lab-grown, perfectly clean."

Kakashi looked at Shūichi, wondering if he was being played with. "Shouldn't it be an injection of tailed beast chakra?"

Shūichi nodded. "That's also possible. But eating it is a form of assimilation—a way to wrestle for control of the tailed beast's power."

"Alternatively, there's the more civilized approach of implanting tailed beast cells into your body."

Kabuto had used this method on a former Jinchūriki with Edo Tensei.

"Let's get started then!"

Clenching his teeth, Kakashi sat in the center of the sealing array, took up a scalpel, and began eating piece after piece of the "sashimi."

Hmm?

The taste was… surprisingly good.

Crunch.

Uh… but the slimy texture of the tentacle was harder to stomach. Kakashi nearly gagged, but he forced himself to keep eating.

Soon, he felt a burning sensation in his stomach, and then the familiar, agonizing feeling of tailed beast chakra invading his system. The Eight-Tails chakra surged from within, intensifying with each wave.

Besides the intense pain from the tailed beast chakra corroding him, Kakashi felt a new agony as if his body were being torn apart.

Once he finished eating everything, he couldn't even hold onto the scalpel, dropping it as he let out muffled groans of pain.

Shūichi took a few steps back, putting away the scalpel, and called out, "Kakashi, right now it's like you're fighting the Eight-Tails—a mindless version of it."

"From here, either you consume the Eight-Tails, or it consumes you!"

Kakashi didn't have any special advantages or physical compatibility, so it was highly likely he'd experience something similar to a Hashirama cell transplant.

This could mean Kakashi's body might gradually mutate into a mindless version of the Eight-Tails. Fortunately, unlike Hashirama cells, this wouldn't lead to explosive cellular growth and wouldn't make him sprout into a tree.

Of course, with Shūichi monitoring the experiment closely, if Kakashi couldn't handle it, he would immediately intervene, suppressing and extracting the Eight-Tails' power.

Thus, the risk of death or losing control was minimized.

As time passed, Kakashi, who had been sitting cross-legged, collapsed to the ground. A scarlet chakra tail emerged from his lower back, gradually turning into blood and flesh, morphing into an octopus tail.

In addition, bulges began forming on Kakashi's body as his bones and muscles seemed to be transforming, slowly shifting him toward the Eight-Tails' form.

Shūichi had never witnessed anything like this before.

Having cheats sure makes a difference!

Clink! 

Fire Nether Chains appeared, ready for Shūichi to intervene and halt the experiment if needed.

He wasn't like Orochimaru, who could ignore the life of his test subjects for the sake of science.

"Shū…Shūichi, I can still go on!" Kakashi suddenly raised his head, rasping hoarsely.

Shūichi nodded slightly. "I understand. I won't step in unless absolutely necessary."

Lowering his head, Kakashi focused all his strength on wrestling with the Eight-Tails' power.

Time dragged on.

As night began to fall, Tsunade appeared in the doorway, frowning at Kakashi, who was writhing in pain. "Did you go through the same thing back then?"

Shūichi shook his head. "My body has a natural tolerance, and my chakra is much stronger. Even the Eight-Tails is manageable for me."

"Kakashi's strength is far below mine, so he has to rely solely on his mental willpower to defeat the mindless Eight-Tails' force."

"That's why I first had him face the malevolent tailed beast chakra."

"Confronting the malice is the first step. Only by overcoming it can he even try to control the beast's power."

Tsunade nodded. "This is different from a Jinchūriki—they have the benefit of a sealing technique."

Indeed, it was.

Also, Kakashi was only dealing with a small portion of the Eight-Tails' tissue.

Suddenly, Shūichi's gaze sharpened, and he smiled slightly. "Looks like it's going to work."

Kakashi, who was almost fully transforming into the Eight-Tails, quickly began returning to normal, his body now cloaked only in tailed beast chakra.

Huff! 

Huff! 

Kakashi lay on the ground, breathing heavily.

At this moment, he could feel the immense power within him, though he was utterly exhausted mentally.

But… this power was incredible.

Steadying himself, Kakashi stood up, looking over at Shūichi. "Thank you, Shūichi!"

Shūichi smiled. "Congratulations, Kakashi!"

"Now, let's test the limits of how many tails' worth of power you can handle."

After greeting Tsunade, Kakashi nodded and began channeling the tailed beast's power. Chakra tails started forming around him.

Three tails!

"That's the limit…" Kakashi said, looking a bit weary.

Tsunade added, "For you, this is already very impressive."

"In terms of chakra alone, this might be comparable to the One-Tail."

Shūichi nodded. "More or less."

"Chakra is the foundation, but combat strength needs to be judged separately."

"And remember, Kakashi, you won't be fighting solely with tailed beast powers."

"You'll need time to make this power your own, adapting it to the ninjutsu you excel at."

"Though the tailed beast's power does amplify your abilities across the board."

Kakashi nodded. "Understood."

"The purpose of gaining tailed beast power is to compensate for my lack of chakra and physical endurance, not just to wield it for raw power."

(End of Chapter)

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