Naruto: Kurotsuchi Mayuri

[Hogyoku Series: Curse Seal of the Void (I)

Quality: Gold (10,001/50,000)

Traits: Amplifies a specific emotion or willpower within the individual. The strength of this emotion or willpower determines whether rationality can persist.

Description: A technique rooted in the power of the soul and natural energy.

The soul of an individual afflicted by the Curse Seal of the Void is gradually consumed by the seal's power. During this process, the afflicted individual gains the power of natural energy.

If the bearer of this power cannot maintain their sanity, their soul and willpower will be devoured by the Curse Seal of Void. Endless battles and consumption will occur within this ninja tool.

Subsequent users inherit the strength, experience, and techniques of its previous bearers until their own soul and willpower are entirely consumed, becoming the next source of sustenance.

Notes:

The trapped soul enters an endless cycle of combat and evolution within the host until it transforms into a complete entity.Those who successfully master this power can become Sages skilled in Senjutsu.The power continues to grow stronger—limitlessly so.

Approval Rating: 60,001/100,000

Physical attributes: +50Chakra: +5,000

New Traits with Approval:

Sage body enhancement: +1Soul strength attribute enhancement: +1

Conclusion: You are entering a phase of inspiration for further developing the Curse Seal of the Void. The only limit to realizing your ideas is the availability of materials!]

[Golden Card Reward: Power of the Hollow]

Kagetsu noticed the sudden surge in recognition value. Even the quality of the cursed seal's Hollow mask, which had been scattered outside, had transformed into gold. He had a theory in mind.

Could it be that the mask finally had a worthy wearer?

Pausing his current experiment, Kagetsu carefully wrapped up his work and made his way to the room where the original cursed seal's Hollow mask was stored.

With a gentle touch, his fingers brushed against the mask. This mask, the first to carry the cursed seal's Hollow power, had the unique ability to sense the presence, division, strength, and even the souls of other masks, despite its power having partially leaked out.

Unlike the discarded masks that fell off wearers, this bone-white mask before him was the true original.

Kagetsu distinctly sensed a ferocious, uncontrollable power and a resilient will emanating from it. That power felt strangely familiar to him.

Lightning Release!

But it was stronger than what belonged to Ai from the diplomatic mission.

The Third Raikage!

Kagetsu pieced together his hypothesis, identifying the key figure behind this transformation.

As recognition value increases, it becomes harder and harder to advance it. For it to leap past 60,000 in one go, it could only mean one thing: a war. A massive war, involving a significant number of ninja.

His mind began racing, brimming with ideas for further development of the cursed seal's Hollow Mask.

Kagetsu wasted no time, jotting down every idea that came to mind to ensure nothing would be forgotten later.

Considering factors like cost, experimental tools, materials, and funding, he categorized the ideas, prioritizing the most feasible ones for immediate attention. 

The more extravagant or currently unachievable concepts were carefully set aside for future reference.

It wasn't until late into the night that Kagetsu's flood of ideas finally began to slow and stabilize.

Looking at the several notebooks now filled with notes and sketches, Kagetsu, feeling slightly tired, shook his sore arms. Yet, his heart was filled with satisfaction.

Afterward, Kagetsu didn't forget to conduct a thorough check on his body. His physical strength hadn't increased much, but the strength and resilience of his soul had greatly surged.

To put it simply, the increase in his soul's strength and resilience made him much more resistant to genjutsu, mental techniques, and soul-related ninjutsu and methods.

Additionally, he found it easier to learn and master techniques related to Yin Release and those that involve the mind and soul.

With his current soul strength, Kagetsu believed that even if he lost his physical body, he could still exist in the world in his soul form for a while, rather than disappearing into the Pure Land.

At the same time, his affinity and control over natural energy had surpassed Jugo in certain aspects.

With his Yang nature, Yin Release, soul strength, and affinity for natural energy, Kagetsu could better control the natural energy entering his body. 

Unlike Jugo, who lost control after reaching a certain stage, almost like a mental breakdown, Kagetsu had no such problem.

Mastering Sage Mode and learning Sage Arts also required talent. Natural energy was far more dangerous than forbidden techniques, and the success rate was much lower.

At least his teacher, Orochimaru, had been intimidated by the risks of Sage Mode training in the Ryūchi Cave and turned to Jugo for help. 

He hoped to familiarize himself with natural energy through research, to eventually control it with ease and improve his chances of succeeding in Sage Mode training in the future.

For Orochimaru, the uncertainty and high risk of death involved in Sage Mode clashed with his desire for immortality and survival. He wouldn't gamble everything unless he was certain.

Orochimaru had also warned both Kagetsu and Anko that, without confidence, they should not easily take on the Sage trials in the Ryūchi Cave.

As Kagetsu was thinking, a small white snake slithered quickly from a dark corner. Its tiny head gently touched Kagetsu's finger twice before its mouth suddenly opened wide. 

The snake's jaws stretched out at an astonishing angle, and from its small body, it spat out a scroll much larger than itself.

Kagetsu took the scroll the snake had spit out. The outside of the scroll was clean, without any mucus. 

After using a sealing technique to open it, the scroll contained battlefield intelligence sent back by Orochimaru.

The Rock Ninja had joined the battle, the Cloud Ninja had retreated, and the Third Raikage was holding off the Rock Ninja army alone.

Kagetsu quickly scanned the contents of the scroll, focusing on the parts that interested him. 

The Third Raikage had indeed used the Curse Mark of Void technique and fought for two days and nights, enduring the ravaging effects of the technique.

The Five-Tails Jinchuriki was seriously wounded, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki was heavily injured, and the Third Raikage's whereabouts were unknown.

****

Support me on my ko-fi account and read upto 15 early chapters,

https://ko-fi.com/pirateking24/tiers