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  Having achieved Six Paths Sage Mode, Shi his sights on another crucial goal: acquiring the Kekkei Mōra. In his view, only after mastering that art would he truly stand at the pinnacle of Six Paths power.

  Kekkei Mōra surpassed both Kekkei Genkai and Kekkei Tōta, representing the fusion of all nature transformations—Fire, Wih, Water, Lightning, Yin, and Yang.

  Although his Truth-Seeking Orbs already embodied aspects of Yin-Yang and the five elements, they weren't the same as Kekkei Mōra itself.

  "It won't be quick, Abs so many chakra properties is probably harder than the Six Paths Sage Mode." Shin mused.

  Still, he was in no hurry. Between his own training, he also supervised Tsunade, Mikoto, and Kushina. With Shin's keen eye, guiding them was almost effortless.

  Tsunade and Mikoto tinued honing Sage Mode; even Kushina revisited her own Sage training, striving to shorteime it took to enter Sage Mode in battle.

  She couldn't activate it instantly, which was a major weakness. She was trying to overe this weakness, but Shin couldn't guarantee she would succeed.

  ....

  "What are you doing sneaking around?" Shin asked, turning to see that it was—Kushina.

  "I-I wasn't sneaking. Just taking a break." She puffed her cheeks.

  She sat down beside him, a bit closer than usual. Shin, who had been reading a scroll on the Edo Tensei teique, arched an eyebrow.

  "Still studying that Reanimation Jutsu?" she asked.

  "It's more like a specialized form of Summoning," Shin expined. "An impressive ohough it demands a live sacrifice."

  Kushina frowned.

  "It's so brutal. Needing a living person as an —if Tobirama ied it, he sure wasn't a nice guy."

  "This is the shinobi world," Shin said dryly. "How many genuine 'nice guys' do you think we've got?"

  Kushina harrumphed.

  "So…you're including yourself as not a nice guy, huh?"

  Shin chuckled.

  "Well. I'm definitely no hero. Just ask the rest of the world; most of them think I'm a butcher. The 'Reaper of the Shinobi World' isly a saint, is it?"

  Hearing him say that, Kushina gnced away, then reached out to grab Shin's wrist.

  "Enough training for now. I want to take a break. Will you e with me?" Kushina looked at him expetly.

  Shin blihe aside the Edo Tensei scroll, getting to his feet.

  "Alright. Lead the way."

  Kushina's eyes lit with excitement. She led him off, departing from the training area.

  ....

  Not long after, Tsunade and Mikoto realized that both Shin and Kushina had vanished.

  They had been focused on training and hadn't noticed when Shin and Kushi. Tsunade asked Konan.

  "Konan, have you seen Shin and Kushina?" Tsunade asked, sing the spot where they'd been moments before.

  "Yes, Kushina-nee dragged Shin-nii away. They went that way." Konan answered, pointing in the dire they disappeared.

  Tsunade and Mikoto exged a look—Kushina was known t Shin off spontaneously, often to find good food or do something random. This time, though, they had a nagging feeling it might be more than that.

  "Should we go find them?" Mikoto suggested.

  Tsunade agreed without hesitation. They took Konan with them ao look for Shin and Kushina.

  ....

  Meanwhile, Kushina and Shin walked through a familiar forest—a pce they often visited in childhood.

  "It's exactly how I remember," Kushina said nostalgically.

  "We used to train here stantly… Any time I couldn't find you, I'd just check this forest."

  "Yeah, So many memories," Shin said, gng around.

  She pouted:

  "You always trained. Never had time to just hang out."

  Shin gave a faint shrug.

  "I was trying to get stronger so I could protect you, Couldn't do that without training."

  As always, he reached out to ruffle her hair—his usual tactic whenever she got huffy. It still worked; she softened.

  "Makes me miss those days, Back then, you only looked after me—but now…" Kushina said softly.

  She trailed off, voice heavy with wistfulness.

  "...."

  Sensione, Shin opted for silence.

  After a moment, Kushina leaned into him, pressing her head against his chest, letting her arms around his waist. He returhe hug, both of them enjoying the quiet closeness.

  "Shin… I love you."

  Her words broke the silence. She gnced up, cheeks reddening, f down her embarrassment.

  Shin wasn't shocked; he'd known how she felt for a long time. Still, he gave her a reassuring smile, and her eyes shoh hope.

  "What about you? Do you…love me back?" Kushina asked nervously.

  "Of course I do, Kushina," Shin said, tightening his embrace.

  Kushina visibly rexed, tension slipping away. She'd half-feared he'd reject her.

  "I've loved you since we were kids," she admitted softly, resting her head back against his chest.

  Shin stroked her hair, cherishing the moment. Then she spoke again, gaze flig up to meet his.

  "Shin, we not go back tonight?" Kushina asked, her eyes shining.

  A shy flush spread across her face, but it was obvious what she meant.

  Shin's heart gave a small leap; he'd read that message loud and clear. They were alone in the forest—no watchers, no obligations.

  "Sure," he agreed gently. Only a fool would refuse.

  Kushina smiled.

  Feeling her warmth against him, Shin used Wood Release to build a modest but cozy . Theepped inside, shutting the door behind them.

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