Chapter 301

After completing the creation of the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique, Hui felt a weight lifted from his mind. One major task had been accomplished.

The next step would be to focus on large-scale educational development. However, before that, there was something far more important for him to address.

He could feel it—his body was on the verge of evolving once again.

From birth to the present, Hui's body had undergone two major transformations.

The first occurred when he was eleven years old, during the Cold wars. He suffered severe injuries after being caught in an explosive self-destruction by the Iwagakuree ANBU commander. The primordial energy in his body dispersed and permeated every cell, triggering a transformation. 

That event marked Hui's definitive entry onto the path of evolution. He awakened the divine power of the Celestial Eye, and his body began its journey beyond human limits.

The second transformation happened at the age of sixteen. After integrating natural energy, his body underwent another metamorphosis, nourished by its immense power. 

Although he didn't awaken new abilities, his Celestial Eye gained the power to govern life and death. This ability granted Hui near-immortality and enabled him to extend life to others.

Following this second transformation, Hui had initiated the fusion of his Primordial Qi with natural energy, estimating that the process would take at least a decade. Yet now, nearly eight years later, he could already sense the impending evolution.

This was ahead of schedule. Advancing earlier than expected meant Hui was closer to stepping into the realm of the Six Paths, or more accurately, reaching the level of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, a transcendent tier of existence.

"This time, I don't know how long it will take. I'd better make some arrangements beforehand," he muttered, casually disposing of the experimental subjects before leaving the lab.

…

Outside, the weather was clear, and sunlight streamed through the gaps in the trees, casting warmth and brilliance across the world.

Hui stretched lazily, a smile tugging at his lips. "First, I'll find Tsunade and inscribe the Sage Seal on her so she can begin her cultivation."

Activating his terrifying sensory abilities, Hui immediately pinpointed Tsunade's location and headed toward her.

In the Konoha Medical Department, within the director's office, Tsunade—now the department head—was busy drafting a report. It detailed the medical system, medical ninja, and medical ninjutsu improvements.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Come in," Tsunade said without looking up, her attention fixed on her work.

As the door opened, Hui stepped in and, seeing her focused on her writing, couldn't help but chuckle softly. 

They were quite the pair of workaholics, he thought.

"Hui?" Tsunade looked up, her face lighting up with delight upon seeing him.

"Tsunade," Hui began, a smile playing on his lips. "The technique I've been working on—it's done."

Tsunade's eyes widened in astonishment. 

She knew the scope of Hui's ambitions and understood just how monumental this technique was. 

Like her late uncle, Tobirama Senju, she had wanted to assist but had no way to contribute. Natural energy lay beyond the grasp of her existing knowledge.

"That's incredible!" Tsunade exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. She understood the implications: this technique would revolutionize the lives of countless people, reshaping the entire ninja world.

"I'll inscribe the Sage Seal for you now. From today onward, you'll no longer be limited by your talent," Hui said tenderly, gazing at her with affection.

"Alright, let's see what this Sage Seal is all about," Tsunade replied without hesitation. Between the two of them, there was no need for formalities.

The Sage Seal intrigued her greatly. After all, it was derived from the Yin Seal—the very technique etched on her forehead.

"You should release the Yin Seal," Hui instructed, "You won't need it anymore."

Tsunade hesitated briefly, feeling a pang of reluctance. The Yin Seal represented years of chakra accumulation. Still, she didn't dwell on it. Without hesitation, she released the seal.

The diamond-shaped mark on her forehead dissolved, sending black patterns cascading across her body.

"Quite a bit of chakra you've stored," Hui remarked, "then, let's get on with the Sage Seal."

Activating his Celestial Eye, Hui's gaze radiated divine brilliance. The light coalesced at his fingertip as he gently pressed it against Tsunade's forehead. 

A luminous burst of energy erupted, forming a new diamond-shaped mark.

Moments later, the light faded, leaving the seal in place. Hui stepped back, observing as Tsunade closed her eyes to quietly assimilate the experience.

Though the mark appeared simple, it contained intricate layers of knowledge and energy that could elevate her expertise in sealing techniques. Hui smiled faintly. "Then again, sealing techniques have never really been Tsunade's strong suit."

Just as he thought this, Tsunade opened her eyes. Her gaze was captivating, pulling him into their depths.

"I don't feel much of anything," she commented.

Hui chuckled. "Of course not. You've only just received the Sage Seal. You haven't started sensing natural energy yet."

With a tweak to her nose, Hui took her hand and led her out. "Let's go back to the Senju clan grounds. I'll help you sense natural energy."

…

Back in the Senju clan's compound, Hui guided Tsunade to their shared room. "The technique I created is called the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique. The eight gates represent its core principles. 'Ascension' signifies evolution, and 'sage' is the ultimate goal."

"This path diverges entirely from refining chakra. While chakra focuses on ability and offers minimal changes to the body, this technique emphasizes human evolution, enabling ordinary people to transition from mortals to sages, and even to gods."

As he explained, Hui unfurled a scroll on the table. It detailed his life's work—the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique.

Tsunade listened intently, her hands trembling slightly as she picked up the scroll. Within its text and diagrams lay the method for perceiving and harnessing natural energy.

"Natural energy..." she murmured, gradually immersing herself in the intricacies of the scroll.

Meanwhile, Hui filled the room with natural energy, transforming it into a miniature paradise—a "blessed land" with energy even denser than that of the Three Great Sage Regions.

Under such conditions, the process of sensing natural energy, which typically took days or even months, would be significantly accelerated. For Tsunade, it would take mere hours.

Hui sat patiently by her side. At a certain moment, his lips curled upward. He could sense a subtle ripple in the natural energy, a sign that Tsunade had begun to perceive it.

Several hours later, natural energy started flowing into her body. The diamond-shaped Sage Seal on her forehead emitted a faint glow, though it quickly dimmed.

But that was enough.

The glow signified that natural energy had successfully entered the seal.

Tsunade had succeeded.

As the first person besides Hui to cultivate the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique, Tsunade had officially embarked on the path of cultivation, from mortal to sage.