The matter of the Tailed Beasts wasn't difficult to resolve.
After all, Naruto would be arriving soon.
Judging by the timeline, he should reach Konoha in just a few days.
During this period, Shigure planned to rely on the enhancement provided by Six Paths power to further develop the abilities of the Op-Op Fruit.
[Great Sage: Current calculation progress — 4%]
[Estimated completion time: 24 hours]
Shigure paused slightly.
A full day?
Then again, it made sense.
The stronger the ability, the more complex the calculations required.
With the amplification of Six Paths power, the Great Sage determined that new abilities had entered a range where calculation was now possible.
Among them were two new techniques.
The first was a high-level offensive ability of the Op-Op Fruit.
Gamma Knife.
By releasing intense gamma radiation, it forms a short-bladed weapon used for direct strikes.
Once it lands, it causes irreversible and catastrophic damage to the enemy's internal organs.
It was a technique especially effective against enemies with strong regenerative abilities.
The second was a defensive technique.
Antimicrobial Armament.
A transparent barrier capable of blocking incoming attacks, possessing considerable defensive power.
While it might not appear particularly outstanding in the pirate world, this was the world of shinobi.
As the Great Sage continued its calculations, Shigure began experimenting with Six Paths power on his own.
If Six Paths power could be fused with Ninjutsu, it might amplify their effectiveness even further.
Increasing attack range.
Enhancing destructive force.
Even coating the surface of the body directly could potentially produce terrifying results.
Shigure intended to use Six Paths power in a manner similar to Armament Haki.
And according to the Great Sage—
It was possible.
However, the Great Sage was currently focused on skill calculation. Since it had already confirmed feasibility, Shigure would test the concept himself.
If he failed to complete it before the skill calculations ended—
Then he could simply have the Great Sage assist afterward.
[Great Sage: Host, the third active skill has been repaired to 10%.]
[Would the Host like to view the third ability?]
Shigure's eyes lit up.
The final active skill.
At last.
Of course he wanted to see it.
This was the last remaining active ability.
Shigure couldn't help but feel anticipation.
Both Great Sage and Gluttony were extremely powerful skills.
Although Great Sage had provided him with the greatest practical assistance—acting as an omnipotent computational core capable of analysis, prediction, and deduction—
Shigure knew very well that the truly terrifying ability was Gluttony.
Gluttony allowed direct consumption.
Devour the target.
Obtain their abilities.
Simple. Absolute. Overwhelming.
If Great Sage provided indirect assistance, then Gluttony provided power directly.
And so, Shigure found it difficult to imagine what kind of skill could exist alongside these two.
[Great Sage: The third active skill is—Alteration.]
"…Huh?"
Shigure was momentarily stunned.
If he remembered correctly, this ability sounded… underwhelming.
[Alteration: A skill capable of influencing all aspects of the Host, inducing directed and intentional changes across the Host's abilities and state.]
Shigure stared at the brief description.
'Great Sage… explain.'
[Great Sage: It allows the Host's abilities to evolve directly in the direction the Host desires.]
Shigure's expression shifted.
"…So it forces skills to change?"
Then wouldn't that mean—
[Great Sage: Correct. If this skill is fully restored, any ability the Host can conceptualize—so long as it does not exceed the Host's controllable power limit—can be assisted into realization through this skill.]
'So… it grants wishes?'
[Great Sage: That interpretation is inaccurate.]
[Example:]
[Normally, skills analyzed and calculated by me require enormous amounts of complex computation to approximate the Host's intended outcome. Even then, results may deviate from expectations.]
[With Alteration, I can complete 50%–80% of the calculation, and forcibly complete the remaining portion through Alteration itself.]
Shigure slowly exhaled.
Forcible completion.
A skill that didn't calculate perfectly—
But made reality comply anyway.
This explanation made Shigure's expression jolt sharply.
This meant that the difficulty of skill calculation and development would be drastically reduced.
And not only that—
It could force the final result to match his intention.
[Great Sage: Correct.]
Shigure's eyes burned faintly red.
Then this skill…
Isn't it essentially the strongest auxiliary ability of the Great Sage?
'If I want to develop Six Paths power into something like Armament Haki…'
[Great Sage: Exactly. The estimated success rate is approximately 80%.]
Eighty percent.
At Shigure's level, that was effectively guaranteed success.
"Excellent."
A smile spread across his face.
It seemed the next few days would be very busy.
If Six Paths power could truly be reshaped into something like Haki—
Then not only could he realize a Six Paths–enhanced Armament,
but also a Six Paths–enhanced Observation,
and perhaps even a Six Paths–enhanced Conqueror's Haki.
The thought alone sent a thrill through him.
Without hesitation, Shigure headed to the underground training space.
The Alteration skill activated.
However, it was still far from fully restored.
[Alteration: Repair progress — 10%]
Only ten percent.
Yet even at that level—
Shigure immediately felt the difference.
The Six Paths power he had previously struggled to channel now seemed to respond on its own.
Under the influence of Alteration, it transformed.
An invisible force enveloped his hand.
Like Armament Haki, it reinforced both offense and defense simultaneously.
But this—
This was far more terrifying.
The Six Paths–enhanced Armament allowed Shigure to attempt catching a Tailed Beast Ball bare-handed.
He did so effortlessly.
With Gluttony activated, he swallowed the attack whole.
No resistance.
No backlash.
Only annihilation.
Terrifying.
Absolutely horrifying.
If the development of the Six Paths Three Colors was completed—
Then even if Kaguya Ōtsutsuki were to be resurrected—
Shigure, without relying on any external power, could contend with her using Six Paths Three Colors alone.
While Shigure continued refining the Six Paths Three Colors within the underground space—
Naruto and Sasuke were also moving toward the Hidden Mist Village, each from a different direction.
Sasuke arrived first.
From far across the sea, before even setting foot on land, he sensed it.
Kirigakure… was different.
The outermost island, once merely a watch post, had already been partially developed.
Merchant ships sailed back and forth without pause.
The port bustled with activity.
Prosperous.
Alive.
Suigetsu stared ahead, eyes wide.
"…Is this really the Hidden Mist Village?"
(End of Chapter)
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