Minato Namikaze's vision went dark. His surroundings shifted to gloomy gray. The smell of decaying wood and old paper filled his nostrils.
Dust coated every surface. Cobwebs hung in corners.
On corroded bookshelves lay massive quantities of books and scrolls.
A study?
Joy surged through him. He hadn't expected such luck.
He reached for a nearby scroll and unrolled it. His brow furrowed immediately.
"The essence of Chakra is physical energy and spiritual energy. Why must the two mix to form this power..."
"Does physical energy itself possess the conditions to become an independent power system..."
"The relationship between spiritual energy and Genjutsu..."
"On the connection between spiritual energy and the soul..."
"Compatibility of soul and physical body..."
"Preliminary concepts of the Incarnation ritual..."
"The Incarnation ritual and immortality..."
The further Minato read, the more alarmed he became. The content grew increasingly unhinged toward the end.
Who exactly is conducting experiments here?
His expression darkened. He grabbed another book—and finally found an answer.
A piece of paper slipped out. A contract bearing numerous signatures.
Minato's eyes lit up as he examined it. Though brief, the text revealed considerable information.
We, wandering rogue ninjas and insignificant small clans,
Unite as one, to jointly research the secrets of Chakra, in order to protect ourselves in this chaotic world.
We do not value bloodlines, nor do we esteem background.
Only those with profound mastery of jutsu and the strongest power shall be established as the Main House.
The rest shall be the Branch House, assisting and serving them.
Main and Branch are one body, sharing existence and perishing together.
Those who violate this oath shall be mutually abandoned.
Based on the paper's texture... roughly thirty years old?
Thirty years ago would have been the First Shinobi World War. A group of wandering ninjas and declining clans had united to overcome hardship together—and simultaneously begun researching ninjutsu.
"Put that paper down. Don't damage it."
A faint voice shattered the silence.
Minato's scalp prickled. His entire body tensed as he whirled toward the source.
An old man stood in the darkened room. Long blue hair emitted a faint glow, illuminating his entire form.
His eyes appeared condensed from blue light itself—pupils impossible to discern.
When did he appear? Why didn't I sense him?
Horror flooded through Minato. With his sensory abilities, he should have detected the man instantly. How was this possible?
Moreover, that blue light radiating from the stranger's body—wasn't that chakra? How could such obvious energy disturbance have escaped his perception?
Though they hadn't exchanged blows, Minato's heart sank. He lowered into a defensive stance while carefully placing the contract back on the nearby shelf.
"You're making things quite difficult for this old man." Zenji's aged voice carried weary resignation.
He glanced at Minato, then at the book still clutched in his hand.
Suddenly, his hands came together. An indifferent yet majestic voice resonated through the chamber.
"Domain Expansion: Metamorphosis of Form and Soul."
A massive sea of grayish-blue chakra erupted from Zenji's body. Two giant spectral hands embraced from left and right, closing inward.
Everything they touched began distorting. Wooden bookshelves transformed into blooming wooden flowers. Scrolls took flight like paper butterflies.
The floor itself flowed continuously—like a living river.
And this was merely the change produced in the instant before the hands fully closed.
Every cell in Minato Namikaze's body screamed in primal terror.
In that moment, his entire being reached perfect consensus. One will. One thought.
Flee.
Pushing the Flying Thunder God Technique to its absolute limit, Minato vanished.
The deliberately slowed Domain finally sealed shut. A hint of satisfaction flickered in Zenji's eyes.
"An impression like that should leave quite the mark."
Warmth trickled down his cheeks. The blue light in his eyes dimmed as he wept tears of blood.
Fresh blood surged from his nose and ears. The Domain dissipated instantly. Everything around him reverted to its original state.
Zenji grabbed the nearby bookshelf for support as blood spilled from his mouth.
"The consumption was far more massive than expected. Even the Tiger Talisman can barely compensate."
The blood transformed into blue light and dissipated. Within moments, not a trace remained on his body.
The glow surrounding him replenished itself. Recalling the Domain Expansion, Zenji formed a hypothesis.
It must be because of Yin-Yang Release.
The current Idle Transfiguration had evolved far beyond its Jujutsu Kaisen origins.
Yin-Yang Release chakra. The meticulous depth of Angel Hands. Integration of the Reverse Cursed Technique. The Tiger Talisman's Yin-Yang balance.
Multiple abilities had pushed this technique beyond its previous limits—in both depth and scope.
A Domain expanded with this as its core would naturally demand staggering consumption.
Yin-Yang Release chakra: one aspect created something from nothing; the other breathed life into form. Combined, they could birth all things.
That characteristic is probably why the consumption became so terrifying.
He recalled the wooden flowers and paper butterflies he'd transformed moments ago.
"I need to accelerate the plan."
"The new body is nearly ready."
"Metamorphosis of Form and Soul can't be used again casually. I need to design a new ultimate technique as a safety net."
"My chakra nature is Earth Release... Earth Release?"
His thoughts turned to two Innate Techniques: Anti-Gravity System and Star Rage. Both were highly compatible with Earth Release.
Arriving in the laboratory, Zenji directed his gaze at the central embryo among the three.
Powerful vitality radiated from within. Slightly open eyes emitted traces of red light. Though still in embryonic form, it already possessed massive chakra reserves.
"It's nearly perfect, but many concepts still need integration. Moreover, every story needs a proper beginning and end..."
Inside a tent at the frontline camp, several elite ninjas maintained vigilant watch.
At the center of their formation, a specially crafted trident-shaped kunai stood planted in the ground.
CRACK.
Minato Namikaze materialized and collapsed.
Catching himself on his hands, sweat poured from his head like rain. His breath came in ragged gasps.
"Lord Minato!"
Exclamations filled the tent. None of them had ever seen the illustrious Yellow Flash in such a state.
"Minato, what happened?" Inuzuka Gaku rushed forward, helping him stand.
Minato rose, exhaled slowly, and gripped the book in his hand tightly.
"I'm fine. Everyone out."
His expression had turned deadly serious. The assembled ninjas withdrew immediately.
As qualified shinobi, they understood: extremely important intelligence had been discovered.
Raising the book before him, Minato took a deep breath and began reading.
We, wandering masses, insignificant clans, and lone travelers.
Without a main house or society, weak in power and influence, in order to seek survival, we jointly establish this treaty.
One: Unite as one, jointly defending one Main House.
All who enter this treaty belong to one family, assisting one another, jointly resisting foreign insults.
Sharing the techniques of Chakra, jointly researching the secrets of its origin, without mutual annexation or betrayal.
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~ Evey 150 PS = Bonus Chapter
~ ush the Story forward with your [Power Stones]