After obtaining the Sage Transformation armor, Ryuji had also researched the thing and understood its principles quite clearly.
Overall, it was Ninjutsu technology that very much fit the style of this world.
It used the Gelel Stone in the chest plate as the energy core. Array patterns were carved onto the armor that reacted to the human body, stimulating the Chakra state within, thereby amplifying the wearer's Chakra.
The wearer could also absorb the Natural Energy within the Gelel Stone to achieve Sage Transformation.
The array patterns on the armor automatically adjusted the proportions of Spiritual Energy, Physical Energy, And Natural Energy, achieving the effect of Sage Mode.
However,
Even with the armor's assistance, mastering Sage Mode remained very difficult. Without the corresponding talent, one still couldn't control the proportions of the three types of energy, causing the body to mutate or even lose reason, becoming a true beast.
In short, the armor itself was merely a tool to assist in using Sage Mode.
It was only because the Gelel Stone in the chest plate contained Natural Energy that one could enter Sage Mode with the armor. Without the Gelel Stone, but if the wearer themselves could absorb the Natural Energy present in nature, the same effect could still be achieved.
"The array patterns' amplification of Chakra isn't very significant. It mainly relies on the Sage Transformation function." Ryuji pondered slightly.
Chakra has the effect of amplifying the human body. The stronger the Chakra, the higher the amplification.
Eight Gates Release, Sage Mode, Tailed Beast Mode, Lightning Release Armor Mode... Although the methods of these Shinobi World skills that amplify physical functions are different, they all stem from the same root. The most fundamental principle is still increasing Chakra Intensity.
Whether changing the nature of Chakra or increasing the amount of Chakra, it's the same.
Since the Sage Transformation armor's array patterns had limited amplification on Chakra, the amplification on physical functions naturally wouldn't be too strong. But as for Sage Transformation... even wearing Sage Transformation armor required a certain talent and time to practice and master, unless you were a genius.
But if you were a genius, wouldn't it be better to directly practice Sage Mode?
What use would this armor be then?
If you weren't a genius, then mastering Sage Mode would be extremely time-consuming.
According to the information obtained from Anya, these knights were all selected talents from childhood, and they trained hard every day to be able to utilize the Sage Transformation armor's abilities.
Except for the supremely talented Anya, the others took a long time to master it.
No one taught Ryuji to practice Sage Mode, so he naturally didn't know what his talent in Senjutsu was like.
But he didn't think he was that kind of top-tier genius.
And if he had to spend a lot of time mastering the Sage Transformation of the Sage Transformation armor... why not directly practice Sage Mode instead?
"It seems improvements are needed in all aspects!"
With Anya, a perfect Sage Mode compatible individual here, conducting research through observation instruments, developing ways to improve armor performance, even enhance talent, and even developing Sage Mode training methods were all just a matter of time.
Now that Sunagakure's development was on the right track and there were no external threats, he had ample time for research.
Oh, and there were also the clan members of Kana who needed transformation surgeries.
But with Aka here, she could handle it.
Aka, based on Kana's physique, independently explored and adjusted an immune-to-poison constitution. Even the ever-changing Charm Poison Body had no effect.
However,
Although he had made a research plan, Ryuji couldn't immediately immerse himself in research.
That afternoon, the Mechanical City returned to Sunagakure.
All members of the diplomatic mission returned to the village and were entrusted with important tasks by the Third Kazekage, becoming pioneers in medical and educational reform.
Whether Sunagakure could prosper for a long time depended on these people.
As the leader of this mission and a council member, Ryuji naturally couldn't be absent. The mission report and matters related to the reform all needed his arrangements.
After all, this was his proposed plan.
…
When the meeting ended, it was already afternoon.
Ryuji pushed open the conference room door, looking slightly weary, and saw the girl with ink-green dyed hair.
"Pakura?"
Looking at the girl in front of him, Ryuji was taken aback, then reacted and asked, "Looking for me?"
"Can you accompany me for a bit?"
Pakura nodded lightly, already taking his right hand as she spoke.
Well, can he refuse now?
"Where to?"
"Just the rooftop."
"Huh?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No."
"Then let's go to the rooftop."
Saying this, Pakura led Ryuji by the hand all the way to the rooftop of the Kazekage Building.
...
The rooftop of the Kazekage Building had an extremely open view. Standing at the edge, one could take in the scenery of the entire village.
Ryuji sat on the rooftop railing.
Pakura sat beside him, snuggling into his embrace, quietly watching the setting sun.
After watching for a while, Ryuji hesitated, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Winter afternoons had no evening glow, no afterglow, only a gloomy horizon with a not-so-bright glowing ball slowly descending.
Even if Pakura was usually clueless about romance, she wouldn't bring him to see such unappealing scenery.
Pakura was stunned for a moment, then shook her head in denial. "No, there isn't."
Feeling the girl's unease in his arms, Ryuji thought of something and sighed, "...Is it about Karura?"
Hearing this, the girl fell silent.
'It really is about this issue!'
Ryuji sighed inwardly. "You don't need to worry at all. There's nothing between me and Karura."
"I know."
Pakura said in a low voice, her arms wrapped around Ryuji's waist tightening even more.
"But I'm still so worried."
"You're so outstanding. It's only natural many girls would like you. Karura won't be the first, nor the last. I'm afraid in the end, some other woman will take you away."
"Silly girl!"
Ryuji gently stroked the girl's hair, smiling. "You should at least have some confidence in yourself!"
"I wish I could, but I'm not skilled at exquisite makeup, nor do I know how to please a man. I only know fighting and killing, which men dislike. Compared to those gentle, beautiful girls, I really can't feel confident."
"Silly girl!"
Ryuji pressed his face against the girl's head, affectionately saying, "No matter how badly you describe yourself, it's you that I like!"
"Really?"
"Really."
Feeling the slight trembling in his arms and hearing the faint sobs coming from within, Ryuji held her even tighter.
The man's chest gave the girl a great sense of security, and gradually her body stopped trembling.
Ryuji inwardly breathed a deep sigh of relief, unable to help but marvel.
'No matter how outstanding Pakura performed on missions or how decisive she was in killing, she was still a girl under sixteen, extremely sensitive and fragile emotionally, severely lacking a sense of security.'
"Then what about Kana?"
Suddenly hearing the question from within his arms, the man's expression froze.
That's right. No matter how outstanding Pakura performed on missions or how decisive she was in killing, she was still a woman… extremely sensitive and vigilant emotionally. In a state of severe insecurity, she would do everything possible to eliminate any threat to her relationship.
"Uh, well..."
Ryuji stammered, unable to give a clear answer.
Pakura looked up, staring intently at Ryuji, and couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, I'm just teasing you."
"Huh?"
Seeing the man's bewildered expression, Pakura looked resentful. "Are you surprised I'm not pursuing it?"
Ryuji nodded.
"Actually, from the moment Aka appeared, I realized I couldn't have all of you." Pakura sighed. "Aka is too outstanding… beautiful, generous, gentle, considerate, a master at all household chores, and even her Shinobi talent stands at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World. I don't know how to compete with her."
"Aka..." Ryuji felt somewhat speechless. "Aka is indeed a perfect woman, but there's no such intention between her and me!"
"Maybe not on your part, but that doesn't mean Aka doesn't have feelings."
"Ah!?"
Pakura questioned, "Have you ever seen a maid treat her master so intimately?"
Times are not the same as before. Maids have long transformed from slaves to servants in an employer-employee relationship with the master, only responsible for handling household chores.
Although maids still call their employers 'master', it's merely a professional requirement, not truly acknowledging them as master, nor would they think of everything for the master.
Moreover, if dissatisfied with salary or working conditions, maids can resign and leave at any time.
But Aka is different.
Even when the master is absent, she never slacks off, diligently doing everything well, always considering her master, actively helping to cover her master's oversights in other matters.
After listening to the girl's explanation, Ryuji couldn't help but laugh. "Aka is like that because she's an artificial human I created. You're overthinking it."
"Is that so?" Pakura sneered, countering, "Then why is Kuro different?"
Hearing this, Ryuji's eyes widened.
Loyalty and affection… these are two completely different emotions, and the ways they manifest are also completely different.
Being loyal to someone means carrying out all that person's commands without hesitation, even if it means going to their death.
Loving someone means not needing that person's orders, but actively doing everything for them.
Although expressions may vary depending on the degree of loyalty or affection, the forms are recognizable at a glance.
Even if Ryuji hadn't specifically researched the concrete differences between the two, he could feel the difference in attitude between Kuro and Aka towards him.
Kuro only waited for his commands and then faithfully executed them. But Aka took the initiative to think for him, helping solve all disturbances.
Initially, he thought it was just due to personality.
But upon deeper reflection, it seemed somewhat off.
'Personality might cause differences in attitude, but there shouldn't be such a huge gap in behavior.'
'Could it be that Aka really likes me?'
"As a fellow woman, how could I not sense it?" Pakura said irritably. "Maybe you haven't thought about it that way, and Aka hasn't said anything, but she genuinely likes you. If she were to compete with me, I'd have no idea how to win."