It took an entire day to return to Konoha from the Land of Snow by sea.
During this time, Shigure was focused on studying his newly acquired skill—natural energy absorption.
This... was the foundation of senjutsu!
The Great Sage had gained the skill by analyzing Jūgo.
It was as if the method of absorbing natural energy had already been etched into Shigure's very bones.
No—more than that—it felt like it had become an instinct.
Back in the cabin, Shigure frowned. Something felt off. There was a strange energy lingering around him, constantly brushing against his body—like it was trying to invade him.
It was natural energy, attempting to flow into him.
Although Shigure had grasped the skill of absorbing natural energy, he knew better than to underestimate it.
Was it really something that could be absorbed so easily?
He understood the method of absorption, but not the technique of refining it into senjutsu chakra.
He knew that senjutsu chakra was created by perfectly balancing one's own physical and spiritual energy with natural energy.
But knowing that… and doing it… were two entirely different things.
And worse—natural energy wasn't something one could play around with casually. Mishandling it could mean losing control, or worse, becoming one with nature itself.
[Great Sage: Warning. Natural energy is currently invading the host: 0.5%]
Just as Shigure was deep in thought, the Great Sage's voice echoed in his mind.
"Huh? Natural energy invasion?" he asked aloud.
[Great Sage: Correct. The host has mastered natural energy absorption. Although the host's conscious mind is not actively absorbing, the ability inherited from Jūgo has been imprinted into your cells. As a result, your cells are passively absorbing natural energy.]
"My cells!?"
Shigure's eyes widened.
So this was how it worked? Absorbing natural energy wasn't just a skill—it had already affected his biology?
[Great Sage: Due to cellular mutation, Jūgo's cells naturally absorb ambient natural energy. After a comprehensive analysis, we developed the skill 'Natural Energy Absorption,' but for the ability to function, it must be engraved into the host's cells.]
"…So I've become the second Jūgo?"
[Great Sage: Incorrect. The host does not possess Jūgo's special cellular makeup. If the host's cells absorb excessive natural energy, the host will lose control, and the cells may undergo unpredictable mutations and evolutionary changes…]
Bang!
Shigure shot to his feet, his heart pounding.
Did this mean… that he had made a huge mistake?
The Great Sage went quiet for a moment.
Earlier, he'd been thrilled—thinking he had unlocked the gateway to senjutsu and was on the verge of mastering magical arts.
Now, it felt like he had unwittingly signed a death sentence.
He had inherited the ability to absorb natural energy like Jūgo—but not the resilience that came with Jūgo's cells.
Which meant this ability posed a very real threat to him.
"…That percentage earlier—does it mean that if it hits 100%, I'll lose my mind?"
[Great Sage: The host will actually lose sanity once natural energy invasion reaches 80%. At 100%, the host's body will mutate. The nature of the mutation is unknown.]
[Great Sage: There is a slight probability the host may undergo rebirth and regain consciousness.]
"What's the probability of rebirth?"
[Great Sage: …]
He refused to answer.
Which basically meant—close to zero.
Shigure's face turned grim.
[Great Sage: As the natural energy in the host increases, the speed of invasion will accelerate. Host must find a solution immediately.]
"A solution? What kind of solution?"
[Great Sage: Consume the natural energy stored within your cells.]
"How long until you finish calculating a safe method?"
[Great Sage: Estimated calculation time: 30 days.]
"Thirty days!?"
At this rate, he wasn't sure if he'd even last thirty hours.
He couldn't afford to sit around and wait for the Great Sage to finish its calculations. He'd have to think of something himself—and fast.
Luckily, he hadn't actively started absorbing natural energy yet. If he had, the active absorption would've drastically sped things up.
It might've hit 100% in an instant… and he would've lost himself right then and there.
Still… a part of Shigure was curious.
What would happen if someone absorbed too much natural energy?
"Great Sage, you mentioned before that because of the system, shadow clones don't affect the original body, right?"
[Great Sage: Correct.]
Then—Shigure had an idea.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Bang!
A shadow clone appeared in a puff of smoke. Without hesitation, Shigure looked at the clone and gave a command. The clone immediately sat down and began actively absorbing natural energy.
"Great Sage, analyze the status of the clone in real time!"
[Great Sage: Analyzing and calculating target—host's clone.]
Shigure watched intently. The moment the clone began to absorb natural energy, he could clearly sense it—an energy vortex began to form, condensing the surrounding nature chakra and forcefully funneling it into the clone's body.
Almost instantly, the clone began to change.
Its eyes turned blood-red.
Its flesh began to shift—parts of its body expanded and contracted like some grotesque mutation straight out of Resident Evil.
And then—
Bang!!
Its chakra flared chaotically, wildly unstable. The clone was forcefully dispersed before the transformation could even finish.
[Great Sage: Analysis interrupted. Partial data on runaway natural energy collected…]
Tch.
So that's what happens when natural energy runs out of control… it's catastrophic.
But the real problem wasn't absorption—it was survival.
How do you stop the absorbed natural energy from harming the body?
The key…
Was the cells.
"If the danger lies in the cells passively absorbing natural energy, then shouldn't we start there? Is there any technique that can either rapidly use up the energy… or stop the cells from absorbing it in the first place?"
[Great Sage: Calculating…]
[Calculation complete.]
That fast?
[Great Sage: Based on the host's question, there are two viable solutions.]
[Solution 1: To stop passive absorption, the cells must be given a new characteristic that prevents them from reacting to natural energy. One method is through mastering the Transformation Technique. Once transformed, the altered cell structure will no longer absorb natural energy.]
Transformation Technique?
Shigure's face darkened.
"Wouldn't that mean… I could never practice Sage Arts again?"
[Great Sage: Correct.]
A dead end.
"…Then what's the second method?"
[Great Sage: It is hypothesized that if the host can awaken Wood Release (Mokuton), it may allow the natural energy in the cells to be safely consumed.]
Wood Release?!
Shigure froze.
Why that Kekkei Genkai specifically?
"Why would Wood Release help consume the natural energy inside my cells? What's so special about it?"
[Great Sage: Analysis shows that among all known Kekkei Genkai, Wood Release is uniquely capable of generating life. This gives it a natural affinity with senjutsu chakra and allows it to harmonize with natural energy, consuming it safely.]
Shigure was silent for a long time.
So that's it…
Wood Release wasn't just a rare nature transformation—it was a living force, capable of coexisting with nature itself.
And that… might be his only hope.
...
TN:
🔟 Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin