Chapter 175: If That's the Case, Let Me Start a New Era
Hagoromo Gengetsu took off his sunglasses and opened his hand. A seemingly harmless, yet incredibly destructive, black orb quickly formed. The entire process was now much smoother compared to the initial cautious steps he had taken before, indicating significant progress in his mastery of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements.
However, the current issue was that while he had the knowledge, he couldn't apply it to another practical use. It was like having excellent math skills but being unable to solve a test in front of you because the pen had no ink.
Gengetsu clenched his fist, and the Truth-Seeking Ball in his palm disappeared instantly. Then he closed his eyes to sense his inner self. The seven types of chakra — Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning, Yin, and Yang — surged one by one, intertwining and merging within his body in a complex and mysterious operation until they finally unified.
With a roar, an enormous amount of chakra erupted from his right palm, violently splitting the sea in front of him and continuing its forceful advance into the distance.
"Indeed, it's still not working," Gengetsu muttered after trying once more and shaking his head. If the path to Bloodline Encompassing was fundamentally wrong from the start, he wouldn't have seen any progress. But if the method was correct and then went awry, the issue must lie within the Bloodline Encompassing itself, not the Truth-Seeking Balls.
Although both Truth-Seeking Balls and Bloodline Encompassing were products of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, the significant difference between them was in their chakra. The Truth-Seeking Balls required a limited amount of chakra since they were defined as a ninjutsu.
In contrast, the Bloodline Encompassing, which was above Bloodline Limits and Bloodline Selection, required a colossal amount of chakra to harness its full power. Gengetsu had underestimated the enormity of the chakra needed to achieve the Bloodline Encompassing. Even possessing chakra comparable to that of a tailed beast wasn't enough.
"How to increase chakra volume? Should I become a Jinchuriki?" he wondered, though he quickly dismissed it as insufficient. Reflecting on the history of his clan, he recalled how Kaguya Otsutsuki absorbed the entire world's chakra using the Infinite Tsukuyomi before her revival, yet she still sought to reclaim the chakra within Naruto and Sasuke.
This underscored that a true Six Paths-level being with the Bloodline Encompassing had an overwhelmingly immense chakra reserve. Even Hashirama Senju paled in comparison. Achieving the Bloodline Encompassing required much more chakra than a single tailed beast.
Other methods in the ninja world to enhance chakra volume, such as the Hero Water, Star Stone, or Reibi, were mere drops in the ocean. Gengetsu pondered deeply until he heard footsteps behind him.
"The approaching individual has chakra levels at Jonin standard; their chakra type, particularly Yin Release, is prominent and appears to be a secret technique rather than genjutsu. It feels familiar," he assessed without turning around.
After some thought, Gengetsu recognized the newcomer: Yamanaka Ino, the girl who once had lively conversations with his alias. Donning his sunglasses again, he altered his appearance with a simple gesture.
A minute later, Ino excitedly arrived at the beach, only to find it deserted save for one person. "Is this really a popular spot? Why is there only one person?" she wondered, confirming that she was in the right place despite the unexpected quiet.
Respecting the seemingly sleeping individual on the lounge chair, Ino decided not to disturb them. She changed into her swimsuit in a secluded spot and dove into the sea.
"The little girl from back then has grown up," Gengetsu thought, watching Ino through his sunglasses. Unlike Sasuke, who had been by his side, seeing Ino again brought a realization of how much time had passed.
Accompanying the Fire Nation's envoy was a Konoha team, which Gengetsu had already been informed about. "The new wind of Shippuden won't blow here without Hidan and Kakuzu," he mused.
With a profound gaze into the distance, he said, "If that's the case, let me start a new era."