[Jiraiya: Orochimaru pours tea for someone?]
[Orochimaru: Heh heh heh… When I meet someone I appreciate, pouring tea is nothing.]
[Jiraiya: We worked together for years. How come I've never seen you pour tea for me?]
[Orochimaru: Do you deserve it?]
[Jiraiya: Ouch. That hurts.]
Orochimaru ignored him and turned his attention back to the screen.
"The truth behind techniques… is it?"
Back in the laboratory—
After taking a few sips, Nagi set down his teacup.
"Good tea."
"As long as it suits your taste. Please, continue."
"What I demonstrated earlier was only Lightning Release. The same Yin–Yang augmentation can be applied to the other five basic nature transformations."
"I see. But I do have a question."
"Go ahead."
"You already wield Yin–Yang chakra with proficiency. Why seek me out instead of Tsunade?
Her medical ninjutsu is renowned throughout the shinobi world. Her Yang Release must be exceptionally strong—and from my past observations, her Yin attribute is hardly weak either.
Rather than approach a missing-nin like myself, wouldn't Tsunade be the better choice?"
[Tenten: Exactly! Lady Tsunade would definitely be the best choice!]
As Tsunade's number-one admirer, Tenten immediately spoke up.
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: Indeed, my junior apprentice. Tsunade's chakra control is extraordinary. Orochimaru is too dangerous.]
Hiruzen understood his former student well. Cooperating with Orochimaru was like bargaining with a tiger.
Moreover, he secretly hoped Nagi might approach Tsunade instead—perhaps it would encourage her return to Konohagakure. Hiruzen already felt the weight of age pressing upon him.
[Tsunade: No, no. I don't have time to teach anyone right now.]
[Shizune: Lady Tsunade! Where have you run off to this time?!]
[Tsunade: Shh! Quiet, Shizune.]
After slipping away from an inn without paying, Tsunade had run into old debt collectors again and fled in another direction. Shizune lost track of her and had to rely on Tonton's nose.
Back in the lab—
Nagi smiled faintly and shook his head.
"Lady Tsunade is indeed an excellent option. But she is not the best option."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"Oh? I rank that highly in your estimation?"
"Yes."
"What I'm about to say next regarding Yin–Yang Release relates directly to Lady Tsunade."
"Oh? I'm listening."
"Lord Orochimaru, the kekkei genkai you value most is the Sharingan, correct?"
"Correct."
"Then how do you define kekkei genkai?"
Orochimaru considered briefly before replying:
"One type occurs when two nature transformations merge to create a new release—for example, Ice Release in Kirigakure or Storm Release in Kumogakure.
The other stems from unique bodily traits—such as Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku, the Hyūga clan's Byakugan, or the Uchiha clan's Sharingan."
"Very well. Let's focus on the first type.
Do you believe these kekkei genkai techniques are merely simple combinations of two chakra natures?"
"…What are you implying?"
Orochimaru's grip tightened on his teacup.
Nagi retrieved a scroll from his robe, broke the seal, and spread it across the table.
Orochimaru examined it carefully.
"These are records of kekkei genkai from other villages."
"Correct. Over the past few years, I dispatched Root operatives to infiltrate various hidden villages and collect data on their bloodline techniques."
Nagi pointed toward Iwagakure's section.
"Let's take Lava Release as an example.
During the Third Shinobi World War, the Four-Tails' jinchūriki, Rōshi, wielded Lava Release derived from the Tailed Beast. His version combined Fire and Earth Release, manifesting as molten rock.
Ōnoki's granddaughter, Kurotsuchi, reportedly uses Lava Release as well—but hers combines Earth and Water Release, manifesting as quicklime."
He then shifted his finger toward the Land of Water.
"In Kirigakure, a member of the Terumī clan possesses dual kekkei genkai. Her Lava Release combines Water and Earth, producing corrosive lava and acidic substances.
In Kumogakure, the Raikage's aide, Dodai, also uses Lava Release formed from Water and Earth—yet his manifests as rubber."
Orochimaru continued seamlessly:
"The same Lava Release—yet different manifestations."
"Exactly. Setting Rōshi aside, the other three all combine Water and Earth Release.
Most would assume the difference lies in chakra ratios.
But that is only superficial.
The true cause lies in the subtle, unconscious infusion of Yin and Yang chakra during execution."
He continued:
"Even if one forcibly combines Wind and Water Release, it does not necessarily produce Ice Release.
It is as though the two chakra natures lack a binding agent—or a catalyst.
Yin–Yang chakra serves that role.
Each shinobi possesses a slightly different Yin–Yang balance. When performing a technique, the proportion infused unconsciously differs as well.
Thus, identical dual-nature combinations may yield different manifestations.
Dodai and Kurotsuchi likely incorporate different amounts of Yin chakra relative to their total chakra, giving their techniques adhesive qualities.
The Terumī clan's Lava Release user incorporates both Yin and Yang in varying proportions—producing corrosion and viscosity (a Yin influence), yet at times displaying molten intensity similar to Rōshi's (a Yang influence)."
He continued:
"The Third Kazekage, the Fourth Kazekage, and Kumogakure's Toroi all use Magnet Release.
Yet variations in Wind and Lightning ratios—and more importantly, Yin–Yang infusion—lead to differing manifestations."
"However," Nagi concluded, "shinobi traditions emphasize inheritance.
Hand seals, chakra pathway circulation, and elemental ratios become habitual.
Thus, the variance in Yin–Yang infusion remains relatively stable within each village.
That is why Kumogakure's Storm Release and Iwagakure's Lava Release maintain consistent forms."
At this moment, the entire shinobi world fell silent.
[Ōnoki: Th-This… is that truly the case?]
[Kurotsuchi: So that's why our Lava Release differs from others'.]
[Dodai: I've learned something today.]
[Fourth Raikage (A): I don't fully understand it—but I'll still say you're incredible.]
[Mei Terumī: My, my. Such a knowledgeable young man.]
[Tobirama Senju: Of course. My disciple excels at drawing broad conclusions from limited principles.]
[Hashirama Senju: Hahaha! Impressive, just as expected of my grand-disciple!]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: Indeed—worthy of my junior apprentice.]
[Jiraiya: As expected of my… wait—my grand-uncle?!]
Only then did Jiraiya realize he was technically a generation below a child.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
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