Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Don't Worry, They Wouldn’t Dare!

Looking at baby Naruto, Shūichi couldn't help but let his thoughts wander.

The wheels of fate had already shifted.

What would Naruto's future hold now?

After all, there was no Nine-Tails anymore.

In terms of physical constitution, Naruto hadn't inherited much from the Uzumaki clan.

Of course, it wasn't insignificant either. With his potential, having four chakra reserves by his teenage years wouldn't be any worse than Minato or Jiraiya.

Without the "Tailed Beast buff," it would all come down to his wits.

Oh, he's got quite the grip!

Naruto, still with his eyes shut, clutched Shūichi's finger tightly.

Minato chuckled. "When Naruto grows up, we'll have him apprentice under you, Shūichi. You're currently the best teacher in Konoha."

Kushina immediately nodded in agreement. "Exactly!"

"He doesn't even need to become as strong as you. Even one-tenth of your ability would be more than enough."

Shūichi replied earnestly, "I'm very strict, you know."

"But, Naruto should inherit his father's talent, right?"

Minato laughed. "That's something we'll have to wait and see."

"He inherited my hair color and eye color, so who's to say he won't inherit Kushina's talent instead?"

Kushina's tone turned playful but sharp. "And what's wrong with my talent?"

Shūichi and Minato exchanged a quick glance and immediately chimed in unison:

"Of course not, Kushina-san is a sealing master!"

"Kushina, you mastered the Rasengan faster than even Jiraiya-sensei. On top of that, you've perfected the Rasenshuriken technique!"

Hearing this, Kushina nodded in satisfaction but then humbly added, "It's not as impressive as you two make it sound."

Her tone then shifted, filled with hope and imagination.

"Still, if Minato and I guide him well while he's young, and later Shūichi trains him, I'm sure he'll surpass Minato someday."

Shūichi nodded in agreement, not doubting it for a second.

Even without the Nine-Tails buff, there was still the Sage of Six Paths buff.

Asura's chakra reincarnation—now that's a game-changer.

...

Returning from Minato Namikaze's House

When Shūichi returned from his teacher Minato Namikaze's home, he found that Nonō Yakushi and Asuka were still awake. They had prepared a late-night snack and were waiting for him.

Asuka quickly approached and asked, "Shūichi, everything's fine now, right?"

Shūichi nodded. "Yes, everything is fine."

Kushina's recovery was swift, and despite the Nine-Tails' tough exterior, its attitude had softened significantly.

Not only did the Yin Nine-Tails inside him stop resisting the use of its chakra, but the Yang Nine-Tails within Kushina was similarly cooperative. This made the childbirth unusually smooth.

Under such conditions, even a one-eyed Obito Uchiha would be powerless.

He couldn't even get close to Kushina.

After all, the Kamui ability couldn't attack while phasing, and the Adamantine Sealing Chains, which were both an offensive and defensive seal, rendered Obito helpless.

Not to mention, there was also the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.

"Since everything is fine, eat your late-night snack quickly and get some rest," Nonō Yakushi said gently, smiling.

Asuka eagerly ladled a bowl of seafood porridge for Shūichi. "Here, this was specially made by Nonō!"

"Thank you!"

Shūichi sat down, accepted the bowl, and the three of them enjoyed a warm and cozy late-night meal together.

After the meal, they strolled in the courtyard under the night breeze, chatting leisurely.

"Naruto is so adorable," Asuka said with a hint of envy in her tone. "He's sure to inherit the Fourth Hokage's talent."

Shūichi immediately grinned. "In the future, Asuka should have one too—no, make it two!"

"A son to inherit me, and a daughter to inherit you."

Asuka's cheeks turned red, and she nodded expectantly. "Mm!"

Nonō Yakushi chuckled softly, her expression tinged with a bit of helplessness.

"But only after Shūichi becomes an adult," she added firmly, her tone slightly rigid in matters like this.

Shūichi sighed and playfully winked at Asuka, who looked back at him with a pitiful expression.

Half an hour later, everyone returned to their rooms to sleep.

Lying on his bed, Shūichi couldn't fall asleep. His thoughts wandered to the Sage of Six Paths Mode.

Naruto had activated a form stronger than Fox Mode after receiving the chakra of the Sage of Six Paths.

But what was the essence of this so-called Sage of Six Paths Mode?

This question intrigued Shūichi the most.

Given his current physique, opening all Eight Gates might not be weaker than Naruto's Sage of Six Paths Mode.

Perhaps, once his body improved further, fully opening the Eight Gates could even rival the Sage of Six Paths himself.

However, relying on such a desperate technique was inherently inferior to the Sage of Six Paths Mode—or the Sage of Six Paths himself.

"Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode amplify ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu so effectively because of the quality of chakra, more than just the sheer amount of it."

"Then, the chakra essence of the Sage of Six Paths Mode—or that of the Sage of Six Paths himself—must be..."

Shūichi pondered deeply. "The power of the Ten-Tails should be the strongest—or that of Kaguya ōtsutsuki."

"The Sage of Six Paths gained the ability to challenge Kaguya only after mastering Sage Mode."

"Later, he even became the first Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails. So, in terms of chakra quality, he wouldn't be weaker than the Ten-Tails."

The Ten-Tails!

Shūichi felt an urge to consume it.

Currently, the quality of his chakra was at the level of the Eight-Tails. With Sage Mode activated, it could rival the Nine-Tails.

Nine-Tails Chakra Mode combined with Sage Mode was an even greater enhancement.

If he could obtain the [Legend of Immortality] Tag, digesting the Ten-Tails might be uncertain, but the Nine-Tails would definitely be within his grasp.

At that point, his chakra quality would match the Nine-Tails, and the quantity would naturally continue to grow with his physical development and enhanced physique.

"Once I've absorbed all nine Tailed Beasts, along with the physique enhancements I've accumulated, my chakra reserves should rival the Nine-Tails."

"However, compared to the Ten-Tails or the Sage of Six Paths, I'd still fall short."

To reach the level of the Sage of Six Paths—or even Kaguya ōtsutsuki—without becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, Shūichi could only think of one path: the Sage Route.

Only the vast power of natural energy could sustain such strength.

"A Sage... That means the Star God Curse Mark must be continuously optimized."

Shūichi had an even more ambitious goal.

He aimed to become a being akin to the Tailed Beasts—or the Ten-Tails itself—capable of living by relying solely on natural energy.

Only then would his physical body cease to be a limitation.

Otherwise, he might follow in the footsteps of the Sage of Six Paths, ultimately abandoning the physical form and existing only as a spiritual entity.

...

Time swiftly passed, and November arrived, bringing colder weather.

In a massive clearing outside the Forest of Death, two towering figures were engaged in fierce combat.

On the forest's edge, Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado stood watching the battle unfold.

For Koharu and Homura, this was their first time witnessing Shisui Uchiha's Susanoo. Their expressions betrayed shock—if not for the different color, they might have mistaken it for Madara Uchiha's.

"Fourth Hokage, is it really safe to let the Uchiha clan grow this powerful?" Koharu asked worriedly. "That Susanoo is practically indistinguishable from the one Madara used to wield."

Homura added with concern, "From the looks of it, Shuichi seems to be at a disadvantage. This is exactly why we advised against implanting Hashirama's cells into Shisui. After all, he's still an Uchiha!"

Both turned their gazes toward Hiruzen, hoping the old man would join them in persuading Minato.

Hiruzen, however, puffed on his pipe, appearing oblivious to their cues. Instead, he asked Minato, "Fourth Hokage, hasn't Shuichi used his full strength yet?"

Minato smiled calmly. "Shuichi is only using derivative techniques from his Scorch Release Chakra Mode. These are part of his Star God series. He hasn't activated either Sage Mode or the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode yet."

Just as Minato finished speaking, the ground trembled violently. All four turned their attention to see a massive rock giant rising from the earth. Its body cracked open, revealing rivers of molten lava coursing through it.

Now, two giants began attacking Shisui's green Susanoo.

Minato explained, "That's the Lava Giant. It boasts incredible strength and defense."

"In reality, Shuichi is helping Shisui improve his Mangekyō Sharingan abilities," Hiruzen added, glancing briefly at Koharu and Homura. "Shisui has inherited Kagami's Will of Fire. He won't be a problem."

Hiruzen didn't mention that with Hashirama's cells already implanted, there was no point in revisiting this issue. What could they do? Sever Shisui's arm and remove the implant?

Moreover, suppressing the Uchiha clan was no longer realistic.

He was well aware that Fugaku Uchiha had also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. The Uchiha clan had returned to its peak strength.

Yet Hiruzen wasn't overly worried. With Minato, Kushina, and Shuichi in Konoha, the Uchiha would remain under control.

Especially Shuichi—still so young yet already brimming with potential. Hiruzen believed that as long as Shuichi was alive, the Uchiha would never pose a threat. Instead, they would be one of Konoha's greatest assets.

Koharu and Homura fell silent upon hearing this.

The two couldn't help but feel that Konoha had changed too much recently.

Since Danzo's death, they had been swiftly marginalized, their influence waning rapidly. Now, it seemed their only role was to live out their days in quiet retirement.

Times had changed.

Koharu and Homura exchanged glances and sighed inwardly.

In the past, Hiruzen would consult them on major matters. Now, Minato discussed such issues only with Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shuichi.

It was as if Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shuichi had replaced them entirely.

A thunderous roar snapped them out of their thoughts. Their eyes widened as Shisui's green Susanoo formed an enormous spiraling spear, piercing through Shuichi's Lava Giant in one strike.

Shisui's Susanoo was now just a step away from achieving its perfect form—a result of improving his powers for a month after the cell implantation.

Soon after, the Scorch Release Giant, enhanced with Fire Release, was also defeated with a single blow.

Without the support of Nine-Tails Chakra Mode or Sage Mode, Shuichi's Star God series techniques were no match for this stage of Shisui's Susanoo.

The battle concluded.

Shuichi and Shisui approached the four spectators. After exchanging greetings, Shuichi smiled and proposed, "Koharu-senpai, Homura-senpai, why not come to the Root division and help train Konoha's future talents?"

Join Root and work under you?

Koharu and Homura immediately declined with excuses.

Shuichi wasn't surprised. He suggested again, "Alternatively, you could teach the Will of Fire at the Ninja Academy, passing your experience to the next generation of Konoha."

"Moreover, I think both of you should consider compiling your training and mission experiences into books. Such works would be priceless treasures for Konoha, ensuring your wisdom is passed down for generations."

The idea of teaching at the Academy intrigued Koharu and Homura. After all, Hiruzen still oversaw the Academy, and Minato hadn't shown any intent to reclaim that responsibility.

Stripping Hiruzen of all his duties would not only seem heavy-handed but waste valuable resources.

However, the proposal to compile their knowledge into books gave them pause.

Homura voiced a concern: "If we create such books, wouldn't it be easy for enemy villages to acquire them?"

Koharu nodded in agreement.

Minato smiled reassuringly. "That's a valid concern. How about teaching directly at the Academy instead?"

"I've already discussed with Hiruzen expanding the Academy curriculum. Students will spend more years there, learning more in-depth knowledge and skills."

Koharu and Homura agreed to this suggestion.

Hiruzen then changed the topic, asking, "Shuichi, when do you plan to act against the Mist?"

"Tomorrow," Shuichi replied decisively.

Minato glanced at Shisui. "Will it just be the two of you?"

Shuichi chuckled. "Sensei, two of us should be enough, don't you think? We're not trying to take over Kirigakure—just spar with the Third Mizukage and discuss ending the war."

Minato still offered a word of caution: "Be careful and don't underestimate them."

Koharu added, "And mind your actions—don't provoke another full-scale war."

Shuichi glanced at Koharu and smirked. "Don't worry, senpai. They wouldn't dare."

Koharu was left speechless by his arrogance.

Yet recalling Hiruzen's earlier comments, if Shuichi could indeed suppress Shisui, then his strength might rival—or even surpass—that of Madara Uchiha in his prime.

Back then, even the Second Tsuchikage had been defeated by Madara.

---

After the observation ended, Shuichi returned home with Shisui. Standing on the veranda, they fed the crows together.

"Shuichi, are you ready to awaken the Sharingan?" Shisui asked.

Shuichi shook his head. "Not quite yet. My original body might master Wood Release first, though."

Yes, this was merely his Shadow Clone.

Neither Minato nor Hiruzen had realized that the one sparring with Shisui earlier was only a clone.

His research into the Sharingan still needed more work.

Shisui scattered the bird feed with a smile. "Then you'd better hurry. I've been looking forward to seeing you awaken the Sharingan. If that happens, the clan leader will make up his mind."

Shuichi immediately understood. "You mean Itachi?"

Shisui nodded with a grin. "Itachi has incredible potential—even greater than mine."

"I hope he can pave a better path for the clan."

Shuichi laughed. "With such praise from you, I'm looking forward to training him in Root."

Shisui's voice brimmed with confidence. "Itachi won't disappoint you."

The two then sat indoors, palms joined, chakra intertwining.

Through this mental connection, Shuichi studied and unraveled the secrets of the Sharingan from Shisui.

Thanks to his Prodigy tag, once the mysteries were laid bare, Shuichi could master them effortlessly.

(End of Chapter)

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