Uchiha Kasage, after activating his Rinnegan, gathered chakra into his palm. As his ocular power surged, a pitch-black rod suddenly pierced out from the center of his hand.
"Crack!"
The black rod snapped off cleanly, falling into his grasp, while the remaining portion dissolved back into chakra and disappeared.
This black rod was formed through Yin-Yang Release, a power derived from his Six Paths abilities.
Yin-Yang Release was the second ability he had awakened after obtaining the Six Paths Power, aside from the Rinnegan itself.
Interestingly, although Yin-Yang Release and the Rinnegan both belonged to the same source of power and should theoretically be usable independently, he discovered something unusual.
Without activating the Rinnegan, he couldn't properly use Yin-Yang Release to create the black rods at all.
"It's probably because I've just awakened the Rinnegan and haven't fully mastered Yin-Yang Release yet," Kasage thought to himself. "Once I gain more control, I should be able to use it freely without relying on my eyes."
"Kasage, what is that?" Kikyo stepped closer, her curiosity piqued. She gently touched the rod with her fingertip, feeling only its cold, solid surface.
"It's a manifestation of my Rinnegan's power—a medium for channeling the Six Paths energy," Kasage replied, turning toward her with a faint smile. His pale purple eyes shimmered with a mysterious glow under the sunlight.
"Even seeing it again… your eyes still feel strange," Kikyo murmured, studying them carefully, her tone carrying quiet fascination.
"I feel the same," Kasage admitted with a light chuckle. "The Sharingan looks far more natural. These… don't really resemble human eyes."
As he spoke, he crouched beside the clay body of Midoriko and carefully inserted the black rod into her back.
To minimize damage, he only placed a single main rod.
Then, using Yin-Yang Release, he extended fine branches from the rod inside the hollow clay body, spreading like veins throughout it.
This method caused no structural damage while perfectly allowing chakra to flow.
"Alright… let's see if it works."
He adjusted the miko robes to cover the insertion point, then closed his eyes.
Through the Six Paths technique, he began channeling chakra and ocular power into the body.
A moment later—
Midoriko's fingertips twitched.
Then slowly, steadily, she pushed herself up and sat upright.
Kikyo's eyes widened slightly, her breath catching as she watched in stunned silence.
What shocked her even more—
As Midoriko opened her eyes, the once empty gaze was now filled with pale purple Rinnegan, identical to Kasage's.
Deep. Mysterious. Overwhelming.
At the same time, Kasage experienced something entirely new.
His vision split into two.
One perspective remained his own, watching Midoriko before him.
The other—
Was Midoriko's vision.
Through it, he could see Kikyo standing nearby, staring in astonishment.
Yet strangely, this dual vision caused no confusion. It felt as natural as using both hands at once.
Unlike Shadow Clones, which shared memories only after dispersing, this puppet synchronized consciousness in real time, completely under his control.
"Kasage… what is this? Why do her eyes look like yours?" Kikyo stepped forward, unable to hide her shock.
"Because she is now a puppet controlled by my Rinnegan."
Midoriko spoke.
Her voice was calm and clear.
"The projection of my ocular power changed her eyes. Once I withdraw it, they will return to normal."
"Kasage… is that you?" Kikyo's eyes widened further. Though the voice differed slightly, the tone was unmistakably his.
She reached out and gently poked Midoriko's cheek.
A soft, cool sensation met her fingers.
Not surprising.
Her own body had once been the same.
"So… you've become a 'girl' now?" she said, a faint teasing smile appearing.
"...What do you mean 'become a girl'? I'm still myself. This is just a puppet!" Kasage replied, slightly exasperated.
Controlling Midoriko's body, he grabbed her wandering hand.
"Stop touching randomly!"
"From now on… we'll be 'sisters,' then." Kikyo leaned closer, resting her cheek lightly against Midoriko's, her eyes filled with quiet amusement.
Kasage paused for a moment—
Then suddenly, a strange smile appeared.
"Speaking of sisters… I could actually give you a real one."
"Hm?" Kikyo blinked, turning to look at his main body. "What do you mean?"
"A secret," Kasage said with a sly smile. "You'll find out later."
In truth, his thoughts were already racing.
He recalled the existence of a false Kikyo created from blood.
If he could obtain that body… it would be perfect for another Six Paths puppet.
After all, he couldn't keep using Midoriko's body forever.
Just imagining Kikyo's reaction made him suppress a laugh.
"You're definitely planning something," Kikyo narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. "You've been smiling strangely this whole time."
"I'm not. You're imagining things," Kasage denied immediately.
"Suspicious…" she muttered, clearly unconvinced.
Seeing her expression, Kasage gently took her hand, shifting the topic.
"Kikyo, I want you to teach me how to use spiritual power."
That caught her attention instantly.
"Teach you… spiritual power?" she repeated, frowning slightly. "You've cultivated some before while training in Sage techniques, but you never focused on it. Why now?"
"I have my reasons."
Kikyo studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. I'll teach you. But the spiritual power within you is quite weak. It's only enough to deal with minor yokai."
Kasage smiled.
"My own power is limited… but don't forget—"
At that moment, Midoriko spoke again.
"We once placed Midoriko's soul into this body. Even if it's incomplete, it still retains part of her strength. As a top-tier miko, the spiritual power within this body far surpasses my own."
Kikyo's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned.
"So that's why… you preserved her soul."
"Exactly." Kasage nodded, looking at the still figure before him.
"This puppet now possesses both the Rinnegan's power and Midoriko's spiritual strength. Once I learn to properly control spiritual energy, I can fully utilize this body's power."
Kikyo remained silent for a moment—
Then nodded.
"Alright. I'll teach you."
She turned toward Yuzuki, who had been watching quietly nearby, and smiled gently.
"Perfect timing. You can learn together with Yuzuki."