Moments later, the clash between Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna finally came to an end.
They hadn't truly settled the score—after all, Madara's power clearly outclassed his brother's, and he hadn't even tapped into his Six Paths form.
Yet the Ninja Guild members watching could plainly sense that Izuna's strength had surged far beyond his previous level.
This guy could actually boost someone's power that fast!
In that instant, every eye turned toward the Great Elder, faces alight with shock and delight.
Izuna's transformation was unmistakable, and it was obviously the old man's doing.
Who would've thought this chubby elder from Namek had real chops? He could genuinely unlock hidden potential. The guild's members felt a thrill ripple through them.
And this was just one activation. Izuna had leaped forward by leaps and bounds.
What if they could do it multiple times?
Could their own strengths keep climbing without end?
If so, imagine having the Great Elder tune them up every day—they'd shatter the heavens and remake the world in a heartbeat!
The Great Elder, oblivious to their scheming thoughts, suddenly shivered anyway. His instincts were sharp enough to catch the odd glint in their eyes.
If he knew what was brewing in their heads, he'd probably be cursing up a storm right then.
Lin Xuan saw right through their greed but just smirked to himself: Keep dreaming. If the Great Elder could spam potential unlocks without limits, Namek would've conquered the stars by now!
Still, even if it was a one-shot deal, Lin Xuan wasn't about to pass it up. This was a golden chance to double his guild's firepower overnight.
With the spar wrapped up, the group filed back into the grand hall.
One by one, the Ninja Guild lined up for the Great Elder to awaken their latent power.
Lin Xuan's face lit up with genuine surprise and joy as he watched.
He had to admit, the old Namekian's gift was no joke. Every guild member who underwent the ritual emerged noticeably stronger.
And when they stepped outside to test their newfound might, the ninjutsu they unleashed left the Namekians slack-jawed in awe.
As he worked through the crowd, the Great Elder kept a close eye on Lin Xuan's crew, his wrinkled face twisting in disbelief at the raw power they displayed.
But the real jaw-dropper was Uzumaki Nagato.
As a son of the Uzumaki clan, Nagato's raw talent was already top-tier. Add in his Edo Tensei state, which preserved his Rinnegan from life, and even restrained as it was, his baseline power dwarfed most folks—putting him well above Kage-level threats.
When the Great Elder laid a hand on Nagato's head, the air shifted in an instant. Nagato's aura exploded outward, warping and intensifying like a storm breaking.
Lin Xuan, Madara, and Hashirama all stiffened, their expressions shifting.
They could feel it: Nagato's energy had skyrocketed, evolving into something primal and vast.
By the end, sweat beaded on the Great Elder's brow.
But Nagato? He radiated an overwhelming presence now, black orbs materializing around him—Truth-Seeking Balls, hovering like dark sentinels at his back.
"This is... Six Paths Mode?" Lin Xuan murmured, eyes wide.
Madara and Hashirama nodded, their own experiences with the form making it unmistakable.
None of them had seen this coming. Unlocking Nagato's potential had catapulted him straight into Six Paths Sage Mode!
In that moment, Nagato's gaze locked onto Madara. "Care for a round?"
Why Madara over Hashirama or Lin Xuan? Old wounds ran deep—the Uchiha's past manipulations still burned in his chest.
Madara huffed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "If you're itching for payback, I'll indulge you."
Their figures blurred, vanishing in a flash. Soon, the ground miles away shuddered with the echoes of their battle.
It dragged on for ages before the tremors faded. Madara and Nagato reappeared before the group, both windswept but intact.
Nagato looked roughed up, his clothes torn and stance unsteady. Madara, though marked, stood tall and composed.
It was clear: even in Six Paths Mode, Nagato couldn't bridge the gap. Madara's dominance held firm.
Lin Xuan wasn't shocked. Without the form, Madara outmatched him handily; with it, the edge sharpened but didn't flip.
Still, Nagato unlocking Six Paths Mode out of nowhere? That caught him off guard.
Looks like this Namekian elder's talent for awakening potential was even more potent than he'd bargained for!
Lin Xuan kept his thoughts to himself as the rest of the guild cycled through. Even Whitebeard and Roger jumped in, seizing the opportunity.
By the time they finished, the Great Elder was wiped out, slumped and heaving.
But then, to his surprise, Lin Xuan stepped forward.
The elder blinked at the proffered head, then twitched at the corner of his mouth. The intent was crystal clear: My turn.
Potential awakening wasn't some magic power-up from thin air. It simply coaxed out what lay dormant inside, accelerating growth that was already there.
Everyone's reserves varied wildly, so the gains did too.
The stronger you started, the less dramatic the boost—diminishing returns for the elite.
The Great Elder could tell Lin Xuan, their enigmatic leader, was a heavyweight. Would this even move the needle?
Doubts aside, he placed his hand on Lin Xuan's crown.
Seconds ticked by. Then, something stirred deep within—a subtle shift, like gears clicking into place.
Lin Xuan's eyes snapped open, a grin spreading as new knowledge flooded his mind.
This awakening had gifted him a fresh skill: time dilation!
It was the one ability he'd coveted for ages, and here it was, unlocked at last.
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T/N:
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