Note: If you want the continuity of this story consider to join Pãtreon/Flokixy to access advance Chapters and help me translate more Chapters for you
Karin looked at the Samehada in her hands with a hint of surprise. She had heard from Muji that Samehada was powerful, but she hadn't expected it to be this strong.
Muji's barrier techniques were something she was well aware of. Even the technique called "Break" could only leave some scratches on the Peacock Mystic Art. However, Samehada had outright shredded the technique into pieces!
Coming back to her senses, Karin said to Samehada, "I didn't think you'd be so impressive."
Hearing this, Samehada proudly straightened itself. After all, it had once followed the Three-Tails and fed on tailed beast chakra.
At this moment, the miniature Shukaku rubbed its eyes and crawled out from Karin's backpack behind her. "Oh, is it over?"
"Yeah, please take a look," Muji gestured with his chin toward Natsu, who was still catching her breath.
"Ta-Tailed Beast!?" Natsu's eyes widened in shock.
The small Shukaku pointed a claw at Natsu and said to Muji, "See? Even some random ninja from a small village can recognize me."
Muji chuckled helplessly and shook his head. He had already decided not to hide Shukaku's existence anymore. If he were worried about Akatsuki's actions, he would naturally figure out countermeasures.
He couldn't give up the power of Yin Release, so he would try to adjust his mindset accordingly.
He didn't yet know how exactly to do that, but blindly charging into every situation like Shukaku suggested was impossible. He didn't believe anyone would save him if he truly faced a life-threatening crisis, so he could only slowly feel his way forward for now.
The small Shukaku walked up to Natsu and said, "Let me see your chakra."
Natsu's expression finally turned serious. She finally realized that these two people couldn't possibly have been sent by Akaboshi—they must be enemies from outside the village!
She immediately demanded, "What is your purpose!?"
Muji's gaze turned cold. "I've already told you—it's the Peacock Mystic Art. Stop wasting time. Just cooperate with us while we're still patient."
Natsu bit her lip, then reluctantly activated the Peacock Mystic Art, forming a ball of purple chakra in her palm.
"Oh, oh!" The small Shukaku circled the chakra twice, poked it with its claw, and then closed its eyes to ponder deeply.
After a while, Shukaku suddenly opened its eyes and said to Muji, "Well, let's get to the conclusion. Your idea isn't too far off. So-called 'chakra activation' is essentially activating the physical energy component of chakra, which indeed falls under the domain of Yang Release. Although we don't yet know how the meteorite works, the activated physical energy has clearly given her tremendous vitality. However, the level is too low. This thing can only help you glimpse the threshold of Yang Release."
Muji nodded. Seeing the threshold was good enough. Something like the Ido Eye was a rare occurrence.
"Life... vitality?" Natsu stared wide-eyed in disbelief, then immediately retorted, "Impossible! That star steals life—it's an evil object! How could it possibly grant someone vitality!?"
"Hey, woman, are you questioning my judgment!? Well, I guess it's understandable since you're just a country bumpkin. Haven't you ever heard the saying that excessive vitality can also be a poison?"
At this, Muji recalled the legendary Hashirama Senju, whose overwhelming vitality was infamous. The cells he left behind were known for their vigorous life force.
However, if those cells weren't controlled during transplantation, their excessive vitality would end up killing the host.
Thinking about this, Muji asked Natsu, "Your village's Third Star Shadow also mastered the Peacock Mystic Art to its peak, right? How old did he live to be?"
Natsu paused, then answered hesitantly, "Lord Star Shadow... he lived to be 117 years old."
Muji nodded and continued, "Then have you ever felt weak or sick? Or do you often fall ill?"
"I… I've hardly ever been sick."
Muji glanced around. "A dark, damp cave, with no sunlight year-round. Though this place is considered a safe zone, the toxic miasma outside still has some effect. You've lived here for so many years without any problems—probably because of your strong vitality."
Natsu opened her mouth but ultimately could only nod.
Muji turned to Karin. "Take her. Let's go to the Star Ninja Village and check out that star."
Karin grabbed Natsu, but Natsu immediately began to struggle. "What are you going to do in the village!? Don't you dare hurt anyone in the village!"
"Unfortunately, you don't have the right to refuse."
Karin tapped Natsu on the head, knocking her out with physical hypnosis. Then, she carried her as they set off toward the Star Ninja Village.
After passing through Hell Valley, Muji and Karin quickly arrived at the outskirts of the Star Ninja Village. The guards here were sparse, as Hell Valley's protection meant the village had never experienced war.
Without alerting the guards, they headed directly toward the location sensed by Kagura Shinmyaku.
The star was placed in a circular training hall. Muji pushed open the door and saw a meteorite glowing with purple chakra in the center of the hall.
Karin looked at the "star" curiously and asked, "Is this the meteorite? It's the first time I've seen something that emits chakra."
The small Shukaku hopped down and ran over to examine it closely. "It's pretty rare, but with such a vast world, strange things aren't surprising. Hmm... the chakra emitted by this meteorite is fundamentally the same as what's inside that woman's body, though the quality here is higher. If transplanted into the body, it might produce decent effects. But even so, it's still only at the threshold of Yang Release—nothing significant."
Shukaku picked up the star, tossed it a few times, and then said after feeling it, "The erosion speed should be quite fast. If all your chakra is fully activated, your strength might increase by about 20-30%. Although this activated chakra isn't as potent as tailed beast chakra, it's still stronger than regular chakra. More importantly, this chakra belongs to you, unlike tailed beast chakra borrowed from us."
Hearing this, Muji nodded in satisfaction and then said to Karin, "Wake her up. We might still need her."
Natsu groggily opened her eyes, and Muji immediately said to her, "We'll take the star. You've always wanted the village to abandon the Peacock Mystic Art. Consider this a favor. In exchange, you'll hand over the complete Peacock Mystic Art to me. I think this is a reasonable trade."
After a moment of confusion, Natsu could only reluctantly nod. After all, she was now a prisoner, and if even the strongest ninja in the Star Village couldn't fight back, the village stood no chance against them.
Muji nodded and continued, "Since you're being cooperative, we have the basis for a second deal. The Star Ninja Village is currently in Akaboshi's hands. His ambitions are great, and he's been relentlessly pursuing you. As long as he lives, the Star Ninja Village won't find peace. We can help you kill him. Additionally, your son and other children in the village, who have had their chakra activated by the star, likely won't live long either. I can find someone to heal them for you. But in return, your life will belong to me from now on."
As soon as Muji finished speaking, Natsu anxiously asked, "My son... Can those children really be healed!?"
"You can't do it because you're too weak. Of course, you can refuse, but I'll kill you and everyone in the Star Ninja Village."
There was no room for hesitation. Natsu had no choice but to agree.
"Don't move." Muji pressed the black Yin Release staff against Natsu's forehead, and a circle of runes formed a seal above her head before disappearing.
"It's a seal. Its effect is simple—it will destroy your brain when activated. I hope we never have to use it."
Natsu's face darkened, but she had no other choice.
Just as Muji was about to ask Karin to deal with Akaboshi and the others, the small Shukaku jumped out. "Hey, hey, hey! Leave this little task to me. It's about time I got some exercise."
Muji thought for a moment and decided there was no harm in it. He created a shadow clone and partially transformed it into a miniaturized version of Shukaku, similar to Gaara's sand-wrapped form.
"Eh? That's all!?" Shukaku complained.
"Do you want to wipe out the entire Star Ninja Village? Just listen to Natsu this time and don't kill too many people—I still need her."
"Yes, yes, yes," Shukaku replied dismissively before diving into the partially transformed clone.
At this point, Muji also handed a scroll to Natsu. "Once everything is done, bring the people who need treatment to Konoha and find a kunoichi named Yuhi Kurenai. Just give her this scroll. From now on, your life belongs to her."
Danzo wasn't someone who played by the rules. It was only a matter of time before he made a move against Kurenai. And Kurenai's power was far too insufficient.