Days passed in the quiet isolation of the Grotto Heaven as the group made the sanctuary their home. Tsunade and Orochimaru spent hours hunched over the Herb Encyclopedia, comparing its sketches to the glowing flora of the valley.
Together, they carefully planted the Spirit Herbs in the richest soil, ensuring each one was positioned to absorb the dense natural energy.
"The growth rate here is impossible," Tsunade noted, her eyes bright as she watched a sprout twitch with life. She and Orochimaru worked in tandem, cataloging every shimmering root with meticulous care.
On a distant ridge, Jiraiya sat in deep meditation, his usual loud personality replaced by a rare stillness. He focused on the atmosphere, realizing the natural energy felt different from the wild power of Mount Myōboku. It was smoother and more refined, flowing through his meridians like silk.
Nearby, the Yin Yang Earrings on Yoichi's ears wafted gently in the mystical winds, catching the light of the mysterious sunlight within this space.
He wasn't just observing; he was contemplating the creation of his own set of unique techniques.
Yoichi focused on the evolution of his own power.
Based on the notes, he comprehended that while the Mortal Realm relied on base techniques to fortify the external body, the Innate Realm demanded a deeper, more internal transformation.
"To move beyond the basics, one must look inward," he whispered to the wind.
The Innate Realm required more than just repetitive training; it required an individual to create their own techniques while fine-tuning them with their Qi.
It was a process of rebuilding the human anatomy from the inside out to handle the massive energy shifts.
This realm consisted of three critical stages: Meridians Strengthening, Five Organ Transformation, and Marrow Blood Exchange.
Each step was designed to harden the fragile internal systems of a human. If the Mortal Realm was the armor, the Innate Realm was the very engine driving the warrior forward.
Meridians, organs, and bone marrow had to be reinforced to withstand the pressure of Qi circulating through blood vessels and capillaries.
Without this internal tempering, the body would simply shatter under the weight of its own power.
This is very different than the Sage Energy.
Both paths require absorbing natural energy, but the storage methods are worlds apart. A Sage draws power from the environment for immediate use, while a Martial Artist refines it into Qi Force or Gang Qi.
Unlike Sage Mode, which is a temporary state, the energy absorbed by a Martial Artist is stored permanently within the Dantian. If Sage Mode is like standing under a waterfall to catch buckets of water, the Martial Path is like building a massive dam to hold the river. Once refined, it becomes a constant part of the user's biology.
This allows for sustained power that Sage Mode cannot match. A Sage must constantly balance energy or risk turning to stone, but a Martial Artist in the Innate Realm has tempered their meridians and organs to hold the force.
The energy is always present, circulating through blood and bone, ready to be unleashed.
Soon enough, Yoichi sat cross-legged. His figure fell into a deep contemplation as he went far deeper into his enigmatic world.
"I almost forgot about this place."
He stood within his own spirit, facing the Martial Arts Archive. The hidden library had remained a quiet secret beneath his consciousness, filled with potential he had nearly overlooked.
He approached a weathered stone slab, his gaze fixed on a single, sinister palm print.
The mark felt cold and oppressive, radiating a lethal intent that seemed to swallow the light.
Yoichi traced the jagged lines with his mind, seeking the energy flow that caused such destruction.
This strike is just pure devastation...
It was not meant for subtle internal damage; it was a force meant to level the land itself. He spent hours deciphering the hidden rhythms of the palm and how it focused Qi into a single, world-shaking blast.
"This will be the foundation for my first original technique," Yoichi's mouth curled up.
The logic of the strike aligned with his knowledge of the Innate Realm, showing him how to channel massive energy through his meridians. He felt a surge of grim excitement, knowing that with a single palm, he could reduce his surroundings to dust.
Yoichi remained frozen, lost in the destructive rhythm of the palm. He sat like a statue while his mind looped through the logic of the world-shaking strike. The silver mists swirled around his unmoving form, his spirit fully submerged in the Martial Arts Archive.
"Yoichi! Wake up already!" Tsunade's voice finally broke the void. She gripped his shoulder, her face pulled into a tight frown of worry.
His eyes snapped open to find his best friends surrounding him. Jiraiya stood with his arms crossed, sensing the heavy pressure of the man's intent, while Orochimaru observed the strange energy radiating from Yoichi's skin. They had watched their companion for seven days, wondering if he would ever return from his trance.
"You've been under for a week," Orochimaru noted, his golden eyes narrowing. "A dangerous amount of time, even for you."
A week? It felt like hours, Yoichi thought, his stiff muscles protesting as he moved. He felt the raw power of the sinister palm humming in his hands, ready to be unleashed.
As the energy settled, a cold interface flickered within his mind, flashing with a metallic light.
[Please name the technique!]
The system recognized the birth of his creation, demanding a title for the destructive force he had mastered. He didn't hesitate, choosing a name that matched the dark, crushing weight of the strike.
"I will call it the Malevolent Palm," he declared, his voice steady.
A new notification pulsed in his vision, confirming the registration. The air around his hand distorted slightly as the system processed the data, locking the blueprints into his muscle memory.
[Malevolent Palm (Entry) 0/100]
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow at the name, sensing the grim aura flaring from his friend. Tsunade and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, recognizing that Yoichi had returned with something far more dangerous than simple insight. The silence of the Grotto deepened as if the world acknowledged the birth of a terrifying new power.
...
A few days later, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the training grounds, pipe in hand.
The Professor watched his students with narrowed eyes, noting a heavy, unfamiliar pressure in the air.
Their movements carried a newfound weight that felt distinct from standard ninjutsu.
Tsunade slammed a fist into a boulder, the stone shattering with a density that defied her usual strength.
She moved with endless vitality, craters forming wherever she stepped.
Nearby, Orochimaru flickered like a shadow, his steps leaving faint afterimages as he darted between targets with lethal grace.
"Their growth is unnatural," Hiruzen muttered, smoke drifting from his lips.
Jiraiya sat apart in deep meditation, his skin humming with a refined resonance. The boy's presence felt as solid and unyielding as a mountain peak.
The Hokage noted Yoichi's absence, knowing the man had returned to his parents. Unlike the trio, Yoichi walked a solitary path without a sensei. Yet, his influence lingered on the team, driving them to master the secrets they now guarded.
'They have found a different path,' Hiruzen thought, grip tightening on his pipe.
Pride and raw power burned in their eyes.
Though the nature of their evolution remained a mystery, he knew the village was not prepared for what his students were becoming.
Hiruzen tapped his pipe against a wooden post, the sharp sound echoing through the training ground. He gestured for the three to gather, his expression turning serious as the playful atmosphere vanished. "Enough. Your progress is evident, but the time for isolated practice has ended," the Professor stated.
"What's on your mind, Sensei?" Tsunade asked, wiping sweat from her brow. Her eyes were bright with a confidence that hadn't been there weeks ago.
"A joint venture has been proposed for the upcoming Chūnin Exams," Hiruzen explained, blowing a thick cloud of smoke. "The venue remains a secret for now, but several villages are participating. It will be a den of wolves, and I want to know if you are ready to step up."
Jiraiya grinned, punching his palm with a heavy thud. "We've been waiting for a real test. Let them bring whoever they want."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his gaze distant and calculating. "A secret venue suggests a dangerous environment. It would be a waste of our new... insights to decline such an invitation."
"This isn't a game," Hiruzen cautioned, his voice dropping an octave. "You will be representing the leaf against unknown variables. If you accept, you go in as a team, and you go in to win."
"We're in," Tsunade said, her voice firm. "We've spent enough time hiding our growth. It's time to see how the rest of the world stacks up against us."
She then crossed her arms, her gaze lingering on the empty spot where their friend usually stood.
"There is also one more thing, Sensei," she added, her voice cutting through the drifting smoke. "We want Yoichi to come with us. We aren't going without him."
Hiruzen paused, his pipe halfway to his lips as he considered the request. He was well aware of Yoichi's strength, having seen flashes of a power that didn't belong to a normal shinobi. The Professor blew a long, thoughtful stream of smoke, his eyes darkening with a different kind of concern.
"Yoichi belongs to the Uchiha Clan," Tsunade continued, her tone challenging. "Is he allowed to participate in an exam like this, or are you going to let politics hold back the Leaf's best asset?"
"It is not just about that, Tsunade," Hiruzen replied, his voice dropping. He thought of Yoichi's rational but unpredictable nature, a character that seemed to answer to no one but himself.
He worried that in the heat of a diplomatic exam, Yoichi might act on his own logic rather than the village's interests.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru remained silent, though their focused expressions made their stance clear.
They stood as a united front, refusing to leave their companion behind. The tension in the air grew thick as Hiruzen weighed the risk of Yoichi's uncontrollable nature against the undeniable benefit of his presence.
"He is a wildcard," Hiruzen finally said, tapping the ash from his pipe. "If I allow an Uchiha of his temperament to go, I am responsible for whatever he decides to break. But if you three are certain he is necessary, I will consider it."
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