The morning after his dreamscape training, Ryu was in the compound workshop, adapting the [Yang Stabilisation Seal] Kiyomizu had provided and his [Anchor Seal] to suit his current need, to solve the Iburi's dispersion into smoke. This was the last of several [Yang Anchor Seal].
Dan entered the workshop and paused to watch him work.
"Is this a new seal? What does it do?" Dan asked.
Ryu didn't look up. "It aids Yang chakra control. It's a training seal."
Dan moved closer, studying the seal's construction. "For Yin-Yang balance? Why not use the traditional spirit flower method?"
"It's about efficiency," Ryu cut in, not lifting his brush. "Traditional methods take months, sometimes years, to develop the necessary control. This seal provides immediate results—a foundation they can build on while training properly."
Dan's eyebrows rose. "That's ambitious. Is this one for the Iburi Clan?"
"I have a specific jutsu in mind for them. Without superior Yang control, the technique won't work. The seal gives them hope while they develop the skill themselves."
Dan asked, "Will it work?"
"Only one way to find out."
Ryu set the brush down and rolled the completed seal carefully, tucking it into his pouch alongside several others he'd prepared during the morning.
He stood, stretching his shoulders. "I'm heading out to see them now."
"Alone?"
"Kaori and Kohinata are coming."
Dan nodded slowly. "Good. Take care of yourself out there."
Kaori and Kohinata scouted the perimeter, their unique sensory abilities confirming they weren't followed. By the time they reached the remote location, the sun was high overhead.
The cave entrance loomed ahead, a dark mouth carved into the mountainside. Ryu approached with Kaori and Kohinata flanking him.
Kaori's expression remained neutral, but Ryu caught the subtle tension in her posture. "The ANBU are near. They're watching us."
"Expected," Ryu replied. "They don't get many visitors who aren't trying to kill them."
Kaori's eyes swept the surrounding terrain, her sensory abilities picking up multiple chakra signatures positioned in a protective perimeter. "At least eight ANBU scattered around the cave. The Hokage is taking their protection seriously."
A figure stepped forward from the shadows—Gotta Iburi, the clan leader. He looked healthier than Ryu remembered from the intelligence reports—less gaunt, with more colour in his face.
"Lord Ryu Hamura," Gotta said, bowing slightly. "You've returned."
Ryu replied, "Just Ryu would be fine."
"Please," Gotta gestured towards the cave. "Come in."
The interior of the cave was dimmer than Ryu expected, but not uncomfortably so. Small oil lamps dotted the walls, casting warm light across makeshift living spaces. Children played in one corner, their laughter echoing softly from deeper chambers—sounds that would have been unthinkable weeks ago. The clan's spirits had improved considerably thanks to proper food, medical care, and the Hokage's personal promise of protection.
Ryu scanned the area, noting the changes. "The aura inside this cave has changed."
Gotta said with a thick voice of relief, "The supplies have been coming steadily… Medicine, food, and blankets. It's been years since we've eaten this well. You and the Hokage both kept your promises."
Yukimi, Gotta's daughter, approached with more confidence than during their first meeting and said, "You came back."
Ryu nodded. "I did. Want to see something… I brought a gift… two actually."
Ryu's hands moved through a rapid sequence of seals.
-[Genjutsu: Mind Palace Projection]
The genjutsu took hold—encompassing Gotta, Yukimi, Kaori, and Kohinata in its sphere.
The world shifted, colours bleeding away before snapping back into sharp focus. They found themselves standing in a vast greenhouse—walls of glass stretching upward, sunlight pouring through the transparent ceiling. Rows of vegetation filled the space, green and vibrant, each section organised with meticulous care. The air smelled of soil and life.
Gotta stood motionless. His breath caught, shallow and uneven. His gaze swept upward—tracing the glass panels, following the light to where it met an endless expanse of blue sky. Clouds drifted lazily above, white against the void. His hand trembled as he raised it, fingers splayed as though reaching for something impossibly distant.
How many years had it been? How many of his clan had died never seeing the sky—never knowing anything but stone and shadow? His daughter had never felt sunlight on her skin.
Yukimi gasped. "It's beautiful."
"And practical," Gotta managed, his voice rough. He blinked hard, moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes. He forced his attention downward, to the rows of green filling the space. "All the vegetation... it's edible or medicinal."
"Correct." Ryu gestured around the greenhouse. "I want you to be independent. I'm sure you do too. I hope you don't mind growing your own food."
Gotta nodded. He looked up at the sky again, a satisfied look crossing his face. He had always wanted to live under the sky, but he was practical enough to know the wind would kill them. This... this was the answer.
In the centre of this greenery, a metallic structure stood out—an underground lift, its doors sliding open with a soft hiss. Ryu stepped inside, gesturing for the others to follow. "Come on. Let me show you the rest."
The platform descended smoothly—the sensation strange in the genjutsu, neither real nor fake, somewhere in between. When the doors opened again, they revealed a large living space, open and bright. Solar-powered lighting systems illuminated the area, casting no shadows. Screens lined one wall, displaying feeds from the upper floors and the lift entrances.
"This is for guests and monitoring. You'll be able to see who's coming and going."
Yukimi moved closer to the nearest screen, her reflection appearing in its dark surface. "It's like a window!"
The tour continued. Ryu led them through the underground facility, pointing out features as they went. A big screen dominated one room, already displaying colourful images. Yukimi's face brightened with fascination as she took in the vibrant colours. A game room branched off to the side, filled with tables for shogi, storage for equipment, and space to move. Further down, a swimming pool shimmered under soft lighting.
"A pool?" Yukimi's eyes widened.
They passed a training room next, equipped with padded floors and reinforced walls. Finally, private quarters, each one fitted with room heaters, air conditioning, and LED lighting seals. The beds looked soft. The walls looked sturdy. The entire thing was a masterpiece, so impressive that they almost forgot it was underground.
"This is a prototype design," Ryu replied. "I thought about safety as well as comfort and came up with this. Even though it's underground, I built it with luxury and comfort in mind. There are many features that you are yet to see."
Gotta nodded slowly. "I would prefer not to live underground," he admitted. "But I understand the necessity. A simple wind could kill us all. This... exceeds my expectations."
Ryu snapped his fingers. The genjutsu dissolved like morning mist. The cave returned—dim, familiar, but now filled with new hope.
"That was impressive. I have not seen a home like that," Kohinata said quietly.
"The vision is the goal," Ryu said.
Ryu then asked, looking at Gotta, "How are your chakra control exercises going?"
"We are trying our hardest," Gotta replied.
With a nod, Ryu retrieved the seal tag he had made earlier that morning from his pouch. "I also made this. It's a probable solution to your dispersion problem."
Ryu held up the tag. "I need a volunteer."
Yukimi immediately raised her hand, stepping forward eagerly.
Gotta put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "No. As clan leader, I'll go first. If there's any risk, it falls to me."
Yukimi puffed her cheeks in annoyance but stepped back.
Gotta approached Ryu and asked, "What do I need to do?"
"Stand still," Ryu said.
Ryu pressed the [Yang Anchor Seal] against Gotta's stomach and said, "Now channel your chakra into your stomach."
Gotta closed his eyes, took a deep breath and concentrated. The seal glowed once active.
Ryu also closed his eyes, extending his senses. He felt the shift immediately—a dense, stable point forming within Gotta's chakra network. A Yang core.
Ryu smiled. "It's working … there is a Yang Chakra core forming inside your body."
The clan watched in silence, confusion evident on their faces.
"What is it?" Yukimi asked.
Ryu turned to the group. "Think of Yin and Yang like lovers," he explained, simplifying the concepts for people who had lived in isolation for decades. "Your smoke form is Yin—fluid and scattering. This seal creates a Yang core at the centre of your body—stable, solid. The Yin naturally wants to be with the Yang."
Yukimi giggled. "You mean they want to do the cuchi-koo?"
Ryu blinked. "What is cuchi-koo?"
"You know," she made a cuddling gesture. "Like lovers."
Ryu felt a rare flush of embarrassment. "That's... one way to put it."
Gotta cleared his throat, hiding a smile. "I understand now. The core pulls the smoke back."
"Exactly," Ryu said, recovering his composure. "Let's demonstrate."
Gotta transformed into his smoke form. His body dissolved into smoke—but instead of dispersing, the smoke swirled tightly around the natural shape of his body. Even if he tried to increase the range of the smoke to the maximum he could, to the point of risk of dispersion, there was a force pulling him backwards towards the core. He moved, reforming and dissolving with far greater control than before.
Gotta reformed fully, his expression one of wonder. "It feels... different," he said, turning to Yukimi. "Like I have an anchor now. Solid." He looked at Ryu. "The pull is constant but gentle. I'm not fighting to hold myself together anymore. Something is doing that for me."
Kaori sensed the core using her chakra-sensing ability and was shocked at how one can concentrate the yang chakra to this degree. This was impossible given her limited knowledge and training. She wondered how Ryu did it.
With one hand on his eye, Kohinata activated his Byakugan in secret and saw the yang core. He was also shocked and thought, "What the hell? How is it possible?"
Ryu said, "You are right about the anchor part. I named this seal [Yang Anchor Seal]… it worked as intended."
The clan members murmured excitedly; they could not believe it. Even a genius like Orochimaru could not do it.
"Good Logia users in the making," Ryu thought, watching the smoke swirl and reform with increasing precision. "Once they train themselves properly, the dispersion risk drops to almost nothing. They'd give Smoker a run for his money."
The Iburi problem was solvable. One less crisis, one more alliance secured; next was the Otsutsuki Moon Clan.
"Remember," Ryu said, his voice cutting through the chatter. "This seal is a tool. You need to learn to form this Yang core by yourselves in the long run. Dependency on a tool is never good."
Gotta nodded solemnly. "We understand. We will follow your instructions, and the entire clan will always be at your service."
Ryu handed Gotta two scrolls. "These are training notes on chakra control; follow them carefully."
Ryu then passed over six more seal tags. "One for each adult with the bloodline. Start with these, and I'll send more once the relocation is complete. I will start teaching you to form the Yang core without this seal once you have mastered the chakra control as per my notes."
Gotta took the items with both hands, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Ryu. For everything you are doing for us."
"It's fine," Ryu said, adjusting his pouch. "I'm just doing my duty."
Ryu left the cave along with his companions with a smile, knowing one clan which did not exist in canon is alive due to his work.
A/N:
Sorry for my absence. I was not in good health. I am still not at my best.
Thank you,
McCallister Wilson
Timothy cordelle
Mason Erickson
Eymi Lopez
Nova Gamer555
Carlos Barker
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