"Huh?"
Uzumaki Mito blinked, confused by what she had just heard. "Chakra Seed Refining Technique? What do you mean by 'chakra seeds'? What is this technique supposed to do?"
She had never even heard of something like "chakra seeds" before. And from the way Ren Takashi spoke, it seemed these so-called seeds weren't entirely under her control—even though they were inside her own body.
The implication made her uneasy. Something was off.
Ren Takashi nodded seriously. "Chakra seeds are the foundation left behind by the Sage of Six Paths when he first granted chakra to the people of the ninja world. They are the reason why we can synthesize and train chakra so easily—and also the core of a hidden control mechanism."
"What?!"
Mito's eyes widened.
"They're also tied to what you could call the authority of chakra," Ren Takashi added. "Through these seeds, the Sage of Six Paths ensured that he could oversee and even reclaim chakra and souls after death. In essence, every ninja is bound to his system by default."
He explained the origin, mechanics, and far-reaching consequences of the chakra seeds. How they not only made chakra training possible but also served as a backdoor for control and harvesting.
After a long silence, Mito's expression turned grim.
"So this is the truth? The Sage of Six Paths is real? The Rabbit Goddess too? And they're... still alive? All this time they've been watching the world, reaping chakra from dead shinobi?"
She felt a chill race down her spine.
"All this time… we've just been livestock in a cage?"
Ren Takashi nodded.
"And your Chakra Seed Refining Technique—it can sever this connection? Make our chakra truly our own?"
"Absolutely," Ren Takashi confirmed without hesitation. "I used a unique method during my own cultivation to refine the chakra seed in my body. Since then, I've had full control over my chakra."
"But that method was tailored to my situation. It wasn't suitable for general use. So I took a different approach: I pretended to be interested in medical ninjutsu to become Tsunade's disciple, just so I could learn sealing techniques from her. With those, I've been working on a version of the refining technique anyone can use."
He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry for plotting behind your back."
Mito chuckled and waved him off. "You little fox. So it was all part of your plan, even back then? To manipulate me and Tsunade into helping you?"
"Well… yes," Ren Takashi admitted, scratching his head. "But it was never out of malice."
"Don't worry. I'm not angry." Mito smiled warmly. "In fact, I'm grateful. Without that plan, you wouldn't be here now. And the Uzumaki and Senju clans would be in a far worse state."
Then she turned serious again. "So this universal version of the Chakra Seed Refining Technique—have you finished it?"
"Almost," Ren Takashi said. "I just need another day or two of focused deduction and refinement. Once I've completed it, I'll teach it to you and to all my contract holders."
Mito's eyes sparkled. "I don't even know how to thank you. This is something that could change the future of the entire ninja world!"
Ren Takashi smiled. "You can thank me later. Just promise to help me out if I ever ask for something big."
"Of course!" Mito agreed without hesitation.
But a shadow passed over her face. "Wait… if we refine the chakra seeds and free ourselves from the Sage's control, won't he notice?"
Ren Takashi paused, then nodded. "If we do it on a large scale, yes. But on a small scale—just a few people? He likely won't notice. The seeds don't carry his direct consciousness, only a harvesting mechanism. As long as most souls still return to the Pure Land as usual, we won't raise any alarms."
"But if we push it too far, or if one of our trained people dies and their soul doesn't return properly… then yes. He might notice."
Mito's expression turned cold. "So we should keep this hidden—only teach a few, and ensure they don't die."
"And while we do that…" she said slowly, "you need to grow. Fast. Can you really reach a level where you can rival the Sage of Six Paths?"
Ren Takashi pondered for a moment. "Give me ten years. I'm enhancing my comprehension and cultivation talents daily with wish points. I'll get there."
"And," he added, "your concern gave me a new idea. If I can't teach this openly, I need to find a method that allows chakra growth without tipping off the Sage."
With that, he made a silent wish in his heart:
[I wish to find a way to help others cultivate chakra without alerting the Sage of Six Paths.]
The response came quickly.
[Consume 100 wish points. Maximizing comprehension for 5 minutes. Result: Creation of a new technique—Chakra Seed Refinement + Demon Heart Seeding Technique.]
"Demon Heart Seeding?" Ren Takashi muttered. "Interesting. It makes sense, though. If the chakra seeds were originally a demonic mechanism, then seeding one's own 'dao heart' is a way to overwrite it."
Still, the cost was steep. At three wishes per day, it would take time to recover from spending 100 at once.
"But I'll do it," he resolved. "This is too important."
Mito, sensing his determination, smiled. "Let's talk more about this when you get back."
Just then, her expression shifted. "The monkey's coming. Quick, drop the barrier."
Ren Takashi waved a hand, and the isolation field vanished.
Moments later, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked in holding the Book of Seals, placing it heavily on the table.
"I've unlocked the pages you wanted. The Reanimation Jutsu, the Spiritualization Technique, and the complete Eight Inner Gates Formation."
He held up three fingers. "I'll give you three hours. That should be enough, right? I heard from Tsunade that you have photographic memory."
Ren Takashi smirked. "No need for three hours. Five minutes will do."
He took the book, flipped through it at lightning speed, and closed it within moments.
"Done. Here's the upgraded Flying Thunder God Technique in exchange."
He handed over ten neatly compiled scrolls.
Sarutobi accepted them stiffly, fuming inside. But there was nothing more he could say.
Ren Takashi had won—again.