Note: Don't Forget to join my Pãtreon/flokixy to get access to +50 Advance Chapters or unlock the full story from the shop support so I can bring more Chapters for you
Thud, thud, thud!
Sakura slammed Samehada onto the ground repeatedly, causing it to bristle with all its spikes in defiance.
"As long as you don't burn me with fire techniques, I, Samehada-sama, fear no one!"
But despite its bravado, it was still beaten into a pulp by Sakura's relentless pounding.
"Listen here, you brat, what exactly are you so afraid of?" Shukaku crossed his tiny arms, puffing out his chest as if he were some great authority. He began lecturing Mujin earnestly. "You're too scared to let the Sand Village find out about me, and you're too scared to let Konoha find out about me either. So why did you even bring me here? The chakra of a Tailed Beast is incredibly distinct—it's easy for anyone with a sharp sense of perception to detect it. You only got away with it this time because that shark guy's and Sakura's chakras were mixed together in such a chaotic mess that it confused everyone. But do you really think you can keep relying on luck like that?"
"And another thing!" Shukaku slapped his thigh dramatically, growing more animated. "Not once—NOT ONCE—have I killed anyone since I've been with you! Not a single soul! Surely there will come a time when you'll need to use my power. And when that happens, don't you think people will notice the moment you start emanating red chakra? If one person figures out you have a Tailed Beast sealed inside you, then before you know it, the entire ninja world will know too. You can't hide something like this forever."
"If your concern is that others might try to steal me away," Shukaku continued, "then just become strong enough that no one dares to challenge you. Do you think the Sage of Six Paths would have achieved what he did if he had been as timid and indecisive as you? It's all about mindset! Mindset! Allow me, your wise mentor, to teach you something fundamental. Do you know what chakra truly is? It's a combination of physical energy and spiritual energy. But what exactly is spiritual energy?"
"It's your willpower and state of mind! How can someone who's constantly afraid possibly become powerful? Being afraid of everything weakens your resolve and stifles your spiritual energy. Haven't you heard stories of ninjas on the brink of death suddenly remembering their beliefs or shouting random things, only to unleash extraordinary strength and defeat their enemies? Have you ever wondered why that happens?"
"It's spiritual energy! It's Yin Release! When they firmly believe in their cause and maximize their spiritual energy, they inadvertently tap into the edges of Yin Release, granting themselves immense power to overcome their foes. You already possess the Idō Eye, which puts you far ahead of most others in terms of Yin Release. But if your willpower and spirit don't match up, not only will you fail to grow stronger—you may even regress!"
Shukaku went on, "Do you know what kind of feats the Sage of Six Paths accomplished using Yin Release?"
Mujin nodded solemnly. "Yes, he used Yin Release to create the moon."
"Uh… Correct." Shukaku paused awkwardly for a moment before blurting out, "Hey, isn't it possible that the Sage of Six Paths didn't reincarnate his entire chakra but instead split off just a tiny portion for rebirth?"
"No, absolutely impossible."
"... Ahem, yes, well said." Shukaku faked a cough to cover his embarrassment and pressed on. "In any case, a ninja's strength is determined by their body and spirit. Physical strength doesn't fluctuate much, but mental fortitude can rise and fall rapidly. Therefore, having a resilient and fearless spirit is the most critical factor in determining a ninja's power!"
Mujin stroked his chin thoughtfully, absorbing Shukaku's words. After all, this ancient being had lived for thousands of years and existed purely as chakra energy. His understanding of chakra far surpassed that of ordinary ninjas.
Moreover, this explanation resolved a lingering question in Mujin's mind.
Why did Naruto's "mouth jutsu" weaken enemies so drastically? It turned out that Naruto's words planted doubt and confusion in their hearts.
If we assume that physical and spiritual strength each contribute 50% to a ninja's overall power, then Naruto's mouth jutsu could theoretically halve an opponent's strength!
No wonder the most legendary figures in the ninja world possessed unwavering convictions and beliefs.
It also explained why ninjas shouted the names of their techniques while performing them—their battle cries genuinely boosted their power through sheer willpower!
Upon further reflection, Mujin realized that the Uchiha clan's incredible strength might stem from their extreme mental states, which allowed them to touch the boundaries of Yin Release.
Take Uchiha Madara, for instance. To achieve world peace, he decided to trap everyone under the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Uchiha Obito, driven by his desire to reunite with the girl of his dreams, pursued the same goal.
And Uchiha Itachi slaughtered his entire clan to protect Sasuke.
These incomprehensible, extreme mental states undeniably granted them immense power.
Thus, the key to a ninja's strength lay in Yin Release—or more accurately, Yin-Yang Release. For now, however, Mujin could only access Yin Release.
Yin Release…
Suddenly, it dawned on Mujin. If the Idō Eye was an accidental, unreplicable manifestation of Yin Release taken to its peak…
Then there was one bloodline whose abilities almost directly embodied Yin Release!
The Uchiha clan!
The Sharingan!
When first awakened, the Sharingan manifests as a single tomoe. As the user grows stronger, it evolves into two and then three tomoe.
Once a user reaches the three-tomoe stage, experiencing extreme emotional trauma triggers the evolution into the Mangekyō Sharingan!
The Mangekyō Sharingan manifests powers based on the user's deepest subconscious desires—essentially a perfect embodiment of Yin Release's ability to materialize fantasies. Moreover, these abilities were extraordinarily potent. For example, Mujin's Idō Eye couldn't yet replicate Amaterasu-level fire techniques.
Consider Uchiha Shisui. He awakened his Mangekyō during the height of tensions between the Uchiha and Konoha. Unable to prevent the Uchiha's descent into tragedy, his greatest desire became reconciling the two sides. Thus, he gained Kotoamatsukami, the ultimate genjutsu capable of permanently altering someone's will.
Uchiha Itachi awakened his Mangekyō upon Shisui's death. His left eye inherited Shisui's "undying flame," symbolizing his unyielding fiery will. However, since Shisui was betrayed by the village, the flames turned black.
His right eye's Tsukuyomi mirrored Shisui's despair over the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha. As a result, Itachi gained a genjutsu space entirely under his control.
Uchiha Sasuke awakened his Mangekyō after Itachi's death. One of his eyes manifested Amaterasu, reflecting his admiration and pursuit of Itachi.
The other eye gained Kagutsuchi, allowing him to manipulate Amaterasu's flames—a testament to his desire to surpass Itachi.
Looking at it this way, both of Sasuke's eyes were influenced by Itachi. Truly, he was a brother-complex case.
Uchiha Obito followed the same pattern. He awakened his Mangekyō when Rin died before his eyes, unable to stop her death. Consequently, he gained Kamui, a space-time technique with its own pocket dimension where he could escape reality with Rin. Since half his body was crushed by boulders during his "death," Kamui also allowed him to phase through objects, rendering him immune to harm.
Even Fugaku Uchiha's rumored future-seeing Mangekyō likely stemmed from his confusion and uncertainty about the Uchiha clan's fate.
In short, nothing in the ninja world better represented Yin Release than the Sharingan.
"The Sharingan, huh? Looks like I'll have to get my hands on a few to play around with."
Mujin muttered to himself.
Shukaku climbed onto Mujin's shoulder, waving a hand in front of his face. "Hey! Are you listening to me? Did you hear what I said? Let me kill something next time—I'm bored out of my mind!"
Mujin chuckled. "Alright, I'll consider it."