[Minato Namikaze: Nagi really reeled in Lord Orochimaru!]
[Jiraiya: Damn it. I chased Orochimaru for years and never got him back—yet Nagi hooks him just like that.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: Jiraiya, mind your manners. You should call him Grand-Uncle.]
[Jiraiya: ...]
[Kushina Uzumaki: Hahaha! That means Orochimaru has to call Nagi Grand-Uncle too!]
[Orochimaru: It's only a title. Grand-Uncle, I look forward to advancing along the path of science with you.]
[Nagi: Likewise.]
In the classroom, the Rookie Nine finally realized—
Nagi was no longer on the same level as them.
Disciple of the Second Hokage.
New leader of Root.
Partner of one of the Legendary Sannin.
In an instant, his stature within Konoha rose immeasurably.
Back in Otogakure—
Nagi explained that while his control over Yin–Yang Release chakra posed no issue, he was dissatisfied with its quality and quantity.
Orochimaru led him through a series of comprehensive tests using advanced instruments.
It had to be said—
Konoha's laboratories were nowhere near as sophisticated or well-equipped as Orochimaru's.
That was the consequence of the Third Hokage valuing science—but never fully committing to it.
An hour later…
Orochimaru stared at Nagi's physiological data in silence.
Nagi walked over but did not interrupt. He simply sat and observed.
Orochimaru occasionally flipped through the books Nagi had given him, nodding thoughtfully.
Several more hours passed.
Finally, Orochimaru spoke.
"I have a general understanding of your condition.
Your spiritual energy is exceptionally strong—second only to your physical durability.
With such powerful mental energy, chakra control is as natural to you as moving your own limbs.
However—there is another unusual energy within you."
He tapped the data sheet.
"I compared it to Cursed Seal energy and Hashirama's cells.
This energy seems… one tier higher."
Nagi immediately understood.
"You mean—evolution?"
"Precisely."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
"It resembles condensed and sublimated natural energy—far superior to ordinary natural energy.
But because its quality is so high, it is correspondingly harder to control.
Your body cannot yet fully utilize it."
His tone grew increasingly feverish.
"I suspect that your Yin–Yang chakra and even your five nature transformations are currently undergoing evolution under its influence.
They are in a gestation phase.
When enough time passes—there will be a transformation."
Nagi considered this seriously.
"And another factor," Orochimaru added, "is your age."
"…I see."
"Your physical durability is impressive for someone your age—but still insufficient to withstand the full impact of that evolution.
In short—give it a few years.
The issues you're concerned about may resolve themselves."
Sometimes, the observer sees what the participant overlooks.
Both Nagi and Tobirama had focused so heavily on Yin–Yang chakra that they had subconsciously neglected changes within the five elemental natures.
If they had noticed that—
They might have deduced evolution sooner.
If this was evolution—
Then everything made sense.
[Tobirama Senju: So it is evolution. That explanation is reasonable.]
[Kakashi Hatake: After all that analysis, it turns out the five nature transformations were overlooked.]
[Tsunade: In the end, he's still just too young.]
[Ōnoki: Too young? At that age, with that level of power and analysis—that's what's truly terrifying.]
[Fourth Raikage (A): Konoha's geniuses never seem to run out.]
[Jiraiya: Could Nagi be the Child of Prophecy?]
[Orochimaru: Jiraiya, you're still naïve. If destiny exists, then Nagi is its father.]
[Jiraiya: Orochimaru, you—!]
[Tsunade: Stop stammering. For once, I agree with him. You've been clinging to fate for decades. Grow up already.]
[Neji Hyūga: ...]
[Shikaku Nara: That reminds me—Yin–Yang chakra has existed for generations. Why hasn't anyone specifically sought ways to enhance it?]
[Tobirama Senju: Simple. Practicality.]
[Shikaku Nara: I see. Understood.]
As expected of Shikaku—he grasped it instantly.
[Kushina Uzumaki: What do you mean? Why?]
[Madara Uchiha: Practicality… I see.]
[Shikaku Nara: It's not that no one tried—it's that it wasn't cost-effective.
The five nature transformations are concrete and practical. A Fire Release technique might take days or months to master.
But cultivating Yin–Yang chakra is far more difficult. Three months of effort might not yield the same results as one month of elemental training.
So over time, people began neglecting it.
It's too much effort for too little immediate reward.]
The Nara clan's Shadow Possession Technique was a classic Yin Release art—but even they had only developed one aspect of it. Control was precise, yet increasing raw power was extremely difficult.
Ninjutsu innovation had stagnated for years.
Shikaku had a feeling—
The shinobi world was about to change.
Back in the lab—
Nagi looked at Orochimaru.
"It seems you've already thought of a solution to the Living Corpse Reincarnation problem."
Orochimaru nodded and lifted Genetic Factors in the Shinobi World.
"Indeed. This book resolves most of my long-standing dilemmas."
"You're thinking of cloning."
"Correct. Cloning can drastically reduce the incompatibility between soul and body."
"And kekkei genkai organs—like the Sharingan—could theoretically be mass-produced."
"In theory, yes.
By cloning my own cells to cultivate Sharingan, I could eliminate rejection."
Both men thought simultaneously of Kakashi's perpetually drained appearance.
They exchanged amused smiles.
[Kakashi Hatake: That's excessive. What do you mean drained? That's just chakra overuse.]
[Obito Uchiha: Just admit it, Kakashi. You're drained.]
[Might Guy: Don't worry, Kakashi! No matter how drained you are, I'll always stand by you!]
[Minato Namikaze: What? Kakashi's drained? He's still so young!]
[Jiraiya: Ahem. Well… as his mentor's mentor, I may have influenced him somewhat. He is my biggest fan, after all.]
[Kushina Uzumaki: You mean books like The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi? Then why is Kakashi drained?]
[Jiraiya: Ahem. Let's… change the subject and see what Nagi and Orochimaru plan next.]
Though proud of the popularity of his Icha Icha series, Jiraiya suddenly felt a trace of embarrassment.
Even a Legendary Sannin had some dignity to maintain.
[Asuma Sarutobi: So… will Orochimaru still cooperate with Sunagakure to invade Konoha?]
[Orochimaru: Heh. That's a separate matter entirely.]
[Anko Mitarashi: Orochimaru—! You…!]
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