Kazuyama Gekkō scoffed, his tone dripping with arrogance.
"Not to brag, but even without using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Sunagakure couldn't touch me even if they threw the entire village at me."
"Here—take a look."
He rolled up his sleeve, and both Sakumo Hatake and Tsunade's eyes widened in shock.
What they saw was not an arm but a series of strange, glowing markings winding across his skin.
"No wonder you've been wearing gloves…"
"What is this?"
Tsunade could feel a distinct, potent energy emanating from those markings. She already had a suspicion but didn't dare confirm it outright, so she asked directly.
Kazuyama's lips curved into a wide grin.
"One year. It took me an entire year, but I finally did it."
"I fused Transparent Release, Crystal Release, my own chakra, and natural energy."
"With the power of my Kekkei Genkai as the foundation and natural energy as the catalyst…"
"I've created my very own Sage Technique system!"
It had been a year filled with failures—countless injuries, near disasters. If not for the passive version of Yin Healing Wound Destruction and Chōmei's help, he might have ended up crippled.
But after endless trials, he had finally succeeded.
[Name: Kazuyama Gekkō]
[Status: Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, Konoha Jōnin, Head of the Gekkō Clan]
[Traits: Strong Vitality, Enhanced Durability, Genjutsu Resistance (Immune to all Genjutsu below B-rank)]
[Kekkei Genkai: Transparent Release, Crystal Release]
[Mastered Ninjutsu: Fire Release, Water Release, Wind Release, Earth Release, Summoning Technique, Sealing Technique, Snake Techniques, Taijutsu, Forbidden Techniques]
[Senjutsu: Sage Body (Unique! Fusion of Crystal Release and Transparent Release)]
[Tailed Beast: Seven-Tails Chōmei – Affinity: 100%, Tailed Beast Transformation Progress: 100%, Tailed Beast Ball (Mastered, Passive Skills Activated: Handheld Technique, Compressed Bomb, Tailed Beast Beam), Synced Form (Reduced Chakra Consumption)]
[Base Stats: Strength 100, Speed 100, Chakra 100, Constitution 100, Taijutsu 100, Genjutsu 100, Hand Seals 100]
[Active Abilities: Chakra Regeneration, Yin Healing Wound Destruction (Passive), Swift as a Swallow, Double Strength, Master of All Martial Arts, Clap and Summon Anything!]
[Resistances: 40% Six Paths Resistance]
[Ninjutsu Amplification: +75%, Increased Power and Elemental Adaptability]
His former Sage Techniques had completely vanished, replaced by something new—"Sage Body."
A Sage Mode belonging solely to Kazuyama Gekkō.
However, while his Sage Mode was indeed complete, it was far from ordinary.
When infused with natural energy, he could apply Transparent Release to different parts of his body. The more of his body he rendered transparent, the faster he absorbed natural energy.
Which explained why he was now completely covered up, gloves included—because aside from his head, his entire body was transparent, patterned with glowing lines.
While others painted their faces for Sage Mode, he looked like he'd tattooed his entire body.
Unorthodox? Absolutely. Impressive? Without a doubt.
At the same time, his Taijutsu had finally reached its limit, unlocking a new ability—Master of Eighteen Martial Arts.
Now, give him any weapon—even a stick—and he could turn it into a deadly art form.
Not that it mattered much to him anymore.
Sakumo and Tsunade stared at what remained of his "arms," though arms was no longer the right word—they were invisible, only the markings could be seen.
"Sage Mode, huh…"
"But it's not like any Sage Mode I've ever seen."
Tsunade frowned. She'd witnessed Sage Modes before—Jiraiya's, Minato's, even Kazuyama's earlier Ryūchi Cave version.
But this… this was something entirely different.
And that transparency—how was that even possible? Could Transparent Release really be used this way?
"Ah, we'll talk about it when I get back."
"All I'll say is, a Sage Mode built purely from one's own power doesn't have any of those strange abilities tied to the Three Great Sage Lands."
"This kind of Sage Mode has only one function—to infinitely amplify one's own strength."
"For example, that attack I used earlier to pierce through Rasa's Gold Dust Waterfall—it was technically Crystal Release, but its power can no longer be described by that alone."
"Anyway, that's that. Time to take on a disciple!"
As Kazuyama vanished from sight, Tsunade and Sakumo exchanged a long, stunned look.
Terrifying. He had actually developed his own Sage Mode...
And it only took him a year???
...
Not long after Kazuyama followed Rasa to Sunagakure, Sakumo and Tsunade ran into Minato Namikaze leading a squad of nearly fifty ANBU on their way back.
"Senior Sakumo, Lady Tsunade."
"Where's that bastard Kazuyama???"
"Didn't he pick a fight with the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa?"
Upon receiving the report, Minato had immediately mobilized the ANBU and personally led them out.
This squad consisted of elite operatives trained directly by Kazuyama and Midori—Midori herself was leading them.
It was, without exaggeration, a strike unit of the highest caliber.
"Hokage-sama," Sakumo began, "the battle between Kazuyama and the Fourth Kazekage has already ended."
"They didn't fight to the death. Instead, they reached two major agreements."
Sakumo stepped forward and explained Kazuyama's proposal for an alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure—along with his plan to take Rasa's son as a disciple.
Minato blinked, completely taken aback. He had rushed here expecting a crisis, only to be handed two shocking pieces of news.
"An alliance?"
"Since the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha hasn't had a single formal ally."
"That's why every war has drained so much manpower and funding."
"If we could form an alliance with Sunagakure… that would indeed be ideal."
"But what's this about taking a disciple???"
Minato rubbed his temples. Kazuyama Gekkō felt like divine punishment—sent from above to torment the Hokage.
He'd already driven the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, half-mad. Now it was Minato's turn—completely at his mercy.
"I don't really know either," Sakumo admitted. "That's what he said—and that's exactly what he did."
"He's already gone to Sunagakure with Rasa."
"We were just the witnesses."
"Witnesses?" Minato repeated, his voice tight with frustration.
What the hell was going on?
A year of seclusion had already brought endless trouble to the village—and now, the moment he reappeared, he picked a fight, dragged two senior figures into it, and called them his witnesses?
"Witness to what?"
"His power…"
"Power?"
"Yes," Sakumo said quietly. "He succeeded."
Minato fell silent for a long moment.
Then only one thought came to mind—
This man will be the death of me.