PS : Chapter 245 does not exist.
Tushi continued refining the alchemy system, while Hui diligently laid the groundwork for Uchiha Kiyo's physical and spiritual development. Time flowed quietly as they worked.
Two years passed in a blink.
"The effect of the Peiyuan Pill has reached its ceiling. I can't enhance it any further for now. There's still room for improvement with the Soul-Nourishing Pill, but Soul-Boosting Grass is too rare. With the current resources, further progress is stalled. It's time to shift focus to Body Forging Fluid. Maybe I can improve it—but whether I'll get the peace to research remains uncertain."
Over those two years, Tushi successfully perfected the foundational alchemy system. By extracting medicinal liquids and introducing natural energy through an established technique, he managed to bind medicinal properties with that natural energy. While he couldn't convert the natural energy directly into medicinal energy, he did succeed in merging it in such a way that, during final reactions, both energies worked together. This synergistic blend boosted the medicinal effects indirectly.
By configuring various medicinal liquids based on medicinal theory—emphasizing synergy and balance—and adopting techniques akin to creating soldier pills (Bingliang Pills), he developed fast-acting medicinal products. The result wasn't always in pill form either; some, like the Body Forging Fluid, remained as potent liquids.
Thanks to Tushi's supply, Uchiha Kiyo's physical development accelerated far beyond what it had been before his foundation was established. After two years, enhanced by the successful cultivation of two advanced Kekkei Tōta, his physical strength reached the late Foundation Building stage.
The two Kekkei Tōta were Wood Release and Lava Release.
Wood Release, deeply rooted in nurturing plants and fusing natural energy into living matter, had an especially enlightening effect on Hui. His studies revealed the vital connection between Yang Release—the ultimate life energy—and plant life. Hui stumbled upon a critical insight regarding the death of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
History records Hashirama, known as the "God of Shinobi," died of exhaustion, presumably after his final battle with Madara. But Hui's observations challenged that narrative. During his studies of plant acceleration, Hui found that purified natural energy alone couldn't stimulate growth. Instead, it oversaturated the plants with nutrients, which led to instability. True Mu Release required not just energy but life force—the vitality of the user.
This discovery implied that every time Hashirama used Wood Release, he sacrificed a portion of his life force. Normally, his powerful regenerative abilities balanced the loss. But in his final, drawn-out battle with Madara, he exceeded his body's recovery threshold, leading to irreversible depletion.
Lava Release, by contrast, posed no such risk. When Uchiha Kiyo first chose to study it, he wasn't sure whether Kekkei Tōta could be cultivated artificially. But he had always theorized about combining elemental affinities into higher forms. Lava, being a fusion of Earth and Fire, contains aspects of Water in its liquid state. His long-standing theories—first developed before crossing through the Ryūmyaku—finally bore fruit, allowing him to cultivate Lava Release to a true Kekkei Tōta level within two years.
While not as overwhelmingly powerful as Wood Release, Lava Release had no hidden cost. It became a dependable weapon in Uchiha Kiyo's arsenal.
Yet it wasn't only Tushi and Hui who had changed in two years.
The world itself shifted. Tensions between Konohagakure and Kumogakure were rising along their shared border. Though no major battles had erupted, the signs were clear—restraint was waning.
Across the ninja world, the five great villages had quietly rearmed and restructured. After the Second Great Ninja War, internal divisions were either purged or suppressed. Each Kage consolidated power, shaping their villages into peak condition.
Iwagakure now maintained a military force of tens of thousands. Their system for cultivating low- to mid-tier shinobi had matured greatly. Kumogakure followed closely, bolstering aggressive expansion policies. Konohagakure, as always, remained a superpower. Veteran high-ranking shinobi like Shikaku Nara, Hyūga Hiashi, Hizashi, and Uchiha Fugaku provided formidable leadership. The younger generation, led by geniuses like Hatake Kakashi, showed no signs of weakness either.
Kirigakure, due to its bloody policies, produced especially brutal but effective shinobi. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen remained a terrifying asset. Even Sunagakure, despite earlier setbacks, fostered strong upcoming talent under the likes of Rasa.
In short, every Hidden Village had ascended to an unprecedented peak in overall strength.
War loomed on the horizon.
"War is coming..."
In Sunagakure, Ma Jia muttered as he noticed Scorpion's frequent disappearances.
"Scorpion has been unusually active. He vanishes after completing missions, slipping away quietly. He's definitely preparing something... possibly laying a trap."
Ma Jia decided to keep his eye on the Third Kazekage. If the man disappeared for more than ten days, it would be a sure sign that Scorpion had struck.
Still, Ma Jia didn't intend to follow either directly. Both were Kage-level shinobi. Tail them, and you risk exposure. Besides, he already knew too much. Watching wasn't necessary—taking that risk would be foolish.
"The bloodline advancement for Tushi and Hui is done. When will I complete the Sand Release transformation? No—Magnet Release. When will that be ready?"
He sighed again. Lightning Release had been studied extensively. Uchiha Kiyo and several clones had developed it deeply as part of the body-strengthening training. Their control over it was highly advanced.
Even if Ma Jia wasn't proficient in all Lightning techniques, Magnet Release didn't demand vast mastery over Lightning. It required control and precision.
"Fusion with sand techniques still eludes me…"
Electricity flickered in Ma Jia's palm. Around it, a spiral current flowed, shifting rhythmically. Yet no matter how many variations he tried, the magnetic interaction with Sand Release refused to click into place.
Once more, he exhaled, disheartened.
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