Originally, Shigure relied on the power of the One-Tail, Three-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, and Eight-Tails. Through them, he had accumulated Six Paths chakra, yet even then, it still fell short of the Nine-Tails' peak.
Now, however—
As Shigure sensed the Six Paths chakra surging within his body—more than double its previous amount—he guided it outward, shaping it into a dense external coating, similar to an invisible armor.
The moment it manifested, the violent airflow around him was forcefully dispersed.
[Alteration — Activated]
"Hm?"
Shigure froze.
Why had this skill activated now?
The very next second—
Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!
Black lightning erupted from his body, violently tearing through the surrounding air.
Shigure's pupils shrank.
This lightning—
It was identical to Armament Haki.
But that made no sense.
He had only been simulating Haki using Six Paths chakra. It wasn't supposed to truly transform into something so close to the real thing.
[Great Sage: This is the effect of the skill Alteration. It allows an existing power to undergo continuous transformation until it perfectly aligns with the host's conceptual understanding.]
Only ten percent of Alteration's effect was active.
Shigure's breath grew heavier.
"What happens… if it keeps evolving?"
[Great Sage: Unlimited transformation grants the host limitless developmental potential.]
"…So even if I don't want my power to change, Alteration will still force it to evolve?"
[Great Sage: That interpretation is accurate.]
Shigure frowned.
An ability that never stops changing—that bordered on being uncontrollable.
What would his power ultimately become?
For a brief moment, confusion surfaced in his mind.
But it quickly faded.
There was no need to worry about that now.
What truly interested Shigure was something else entirely.
With the increase in Six Paths chakra and Alteration's reactivation, the way he used chakra had fundamentally changed.
It no longer felt like imitation.
It felt as though he was actually using Haki.
"If even a foreign system like Haki can be replicated to this degree…"
Shigure's eyes sharpened.
"Then what about my other abilities?"
[Great Sage: The host may attempt it.]
Try.
He had wanted to experiment for a long time, but previously, every attempt required careful consideration—whether the Great Sage could logically support it.
Shigure never developed techniques without a clear theoretical foundation.
But now?
That restriction was gone.
With Alteration, even abilities that were once outrageous—or lacked precedent—could be attempted.
If there was one power Shigure felt both hopeful and dissatisfied with, it was Light Release.
Born from Storm Release, refined through Yin Release, it allowed movement and attacks resembling a certain Admiral's light-based abilities.
Yet the gap in power was undeniable.
But now—
Shigure possessed Alteration.
"Activate Alteration."
"Let Light Release evolve."
[Great Sage: Alteration activating. What effect does the host desire?]
Shigure paused.
He couldn't define it precisely.
Only one thought surfaced—
The closer it is to true light itself, the better.
The current Light Release was still far from that.
[Great Sage: Alteration is influencing Light Release. Evolution in progress.]
In the next instant, Shigure froze.
Light flickered wildly before his eyes.
Blinding flashes erupted from his body, pulsing again and again.
Then—
His arm dissolved.
Not shattered.
Not dispersed.
It transformed into pure light.
"…This is—"
"Elementalization?"
Even this was possible?
Terrifying fluctuations surged outward from the underground chamber, shaking the entire Mizukage Building.
Above ground, the structure trembled violently.
At the entrance, Kuji, who had been standing guard, could no longer remain calm.
So much time had passed.
Lord Shigure still hadn't emerged.
And now—
This level of disturbance.
Kuji gritted his teeth and rushed inside.
The moment he entered, his vision was overwhelmed by a massive cross-shaped beam of light, expanding and contracting in the air.
The brilliance was so intense that he couldn't even open his eyes.
The next second—
Before Kuji's terrified gaze, Shigure appeared.
His body reconstructed itself from countless particles of light.
Kuji stood frozen.
"…Lo-Lord Shigure?"
Shigure, meanwhile, carefully sensed his new state.
Elementalization…
The feeling is incredible.
But the chakra consumption is enormous.
[Great Sage: Current synchronization is approximately 40% of a true light-based ability. Elementalization is active. Special chakra-based attacks—such as Sage chakra or Tailed Beast chakra—can still damage the host.]
"So it's not invincible."
"But ordinary physical attacks are meaningless."
"And space-based ocular techniques—like Kamui—likely won't affect me either."
Overall—
It was still an extraordinary ability.
And if Alteration continued to improve…
The evolution would only deepen.
"Great Sage," Shigure thought calmly.
"Continue optimizing Alteration."
[Great Sage: Understood, host.]
"Lord Shigure… are you alright?"
Kuji asked carefully, his voice trembling.
Shigure looked at him, then casually patted his shoulder.
"I'm fine."
"I just developed a bit of Ninjutsu."
A bit.
Kuji's expression twisted.
Every time his Mizukage secluded himself, terrifying new power emerged—as if creating new Ninjutsu were as simple as breathing.
Shigure smiled inwardly.
With Alteration and Great Sage working together…
As long as my chakra is sufficient, even techniques from other worlds can be recreated.
And with Gluttony devouring everything on top of that…
These abilities were nothing short of divine.
Shigure's smile deepened.
In this ninja world—
Was there still anyone who could stand against him?
Perhaps only beings at the level of the Six Paths could pose even a minor threat.
At that thought, Shigure turned his gaze toward the distance.
"It's time," he murmured.
"It's time to meet Sasuke."
And according to the cloud pigeons' surveillance—
Itachi had already arrived at a certain location.
Waiting.
For Shigure to appear.
Perhaps Itachi didn't know that the cloud pigeon was Shigure's Ninjutsu.
But given Itachi's talent, it wouldn't be difficult for him to deduce that the cloud pigeon was some kind of reconnaissance technique.
That was likely why he chose to wait.
The problem was—
He didn't know who was coming.
ROOM — Transfer!
In an instant, Shigure appeared directly in front of Sasuke.
At that moment, Sasuke was standing at the entrance of the Mizukage Building, just about to head inside in search of Shigure. He abruptly halted.
His gaze locked onto the figure that had suddenly materialized before him.
For some reason, the moment Sasuke saw Shigure, he felt an indescribable radiance emanating from him—subtle, yet impossible to ignore.
"Let's go," Shigure said calmly.
Sasuke was taken aback.
"You've confirmed Itachi's location?"
Shigure nodded.
"It's already confirmed."
"Where is he?"
Shigure smiled faintly.
"We'll go together. I also need to find Itachi—he has something I want."
Shisui's other eye.
That was Shigure's objective.
If he could obtain it, he would be able to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, gain its power, and—more importantly—acquire the complete Kotoamatsukami.
"…Alright," Sasuke said after a brief pause.
"Then we'll go together. But Itachi is mine."
"You're not allowed to interfere in the battle between him and me."
(End of Chapter)
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