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By day's end, Tsunade and Mikoto had spent the entire day honing Sage Mode. By nightfall, they both managed to sense natural energy, taking a solid step forward.
They'd only covered the first step, but that step often proved the hardest. Shin was pleasantly surprised that Mikoto, in particular, sensed it even faster than Tsunade.
"Let's call it a day, It's already getting late." Shin suggested.
Because Shin had supervised rather than trained himself, he was free to keep watch. But now it was late, and they decided to head back.
Arriving home, they spotted Kushina slumped over the table like a lifeless fish.
"Where on earth have you guys been?" she groaned weakly. "I've been starving all day."
Apparently, she hadn't even bothered make lunch for herself and had waited in vain.
"Why didn't you come find us if you were hungry?" Shin asked, ruffling her soft hair.
"I didn't know you'd be gone so long," she pouted. "And I was kinda busy planning stuff. Didn't realize I was starving till it was too late."
Mikoto took pity on Kushina and headed to the kitchen to make dinner.
Meanwhile, Tsunade let out a weary sigh.
"Sage Mode is tough," she admitted. "Just sensing the energy took all day. That's only the first step."
She glanced at Kushina. The fact that even Kushina had mastered Sage Mode gave Tsunade determination not to lag behind. She refused to let Kushina hold that over her.
"Already sensing it, huh?" Kushina asked, eyes wide. "That was quick. I needed at least a week to get that far."
"Really? So you mean you were slower than me?" Tsunade teased, smirking.
"But the conditions were different," Shin cut in. "I was funneling a massive amount of energy your way. In that scenario, it's normal to progress faster."
Kushina conceded with a nod, somewhat mollified. Then she gave a sly grin, glancing at Tsunade.
"You might have gotten a good start, but I'm still further along, you know."
Tsunade snorted softly, but said nothing. Shin was about to speak when he felt a sudden presence.
His expression changed, and in a blur, he stepped outside. A moment later, he stood there, holding a wriggling figure in his grip—a pale, plantlike form.
"White Zetsu," Shin said icily, scanning the grotesque half-face. "Your sneaking skills are impressive for normal shinobi, but not to me."
Zetsu's abilities allowed him to merge with terrain and mask his aura, but Shin's vast sensory powers dwarfed such tricks.
"Shin-sama," White Zetsu greeted shakily. "Please don't kill me—I came in peace."
Shin narrowed his eyes.
"Go on," he said, "Spit it out, or I'll break your neck."
"Madara-sama—he requests your presence," Zetsu stammered quickly. "He sent me to invite you."
That gave Shin pause. He recalled how he'd been systematically collecting all Tailed Beast chakra—surely Madara, who needed them for his Eye of the Moon Plan, was concerned.
"So he's worried about my meddling?" Shin murmured. "Well, I suppose I'll humor him."
He released Zetsu, who scurried off without further ado, clearly relieved to be alive.
Returning inside, Shin met Tsunade's questioning eyes.
"What was that all about?" she asked.
"Just an invitation from Madara Uchiha." He said it lightly, but Tsunade's expression turned grim.
"Could be a trap," she warned. Even if Madara was a pawn for someone else, he is still unbelievably dangerous.
"He can't really do much in his current state. If he tries something, I'll deal with it."
At this point, Madara was powerful yet also physically frail, reliant on life support.
Shin suspected he wouldn't risk an open fight.
"So you're going to meet him?"
"Sure," Shin said. "I can guess what he wants to say anyway."
Mikoto emerged from the kitchen, dinner tray in hand.
"Shall we come with you, then?" she offered.
"No. You all focus on training. Kushina, you too—less time building your fantasy village, more effort on your own growth. Power matters above all else."
Kushina made a face, clearly not thrilled by the criticism. Shin pressed on:
"If you don't keep pushing yourself, Tsunade and Mikoto—maybe even Konan—will surpass you. You don't want to end up the weakest, do you?"
That did the trick. Kushina stiffened, remembering her ambition to be the strongest among them.
Satisfied, Shin joined them at the table for dinner.
Later that night, he continued fusing the Nine-Tails' chakra with the rest of his Ten-Tails–like energy, pushing closer to a complete synergy.
He trained until nearly dawn, then finally decided to sleep—a testament to his Philosophy of balanced practice.
Even with his enormous stamina, he valued rest to ensure steady progress.
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