"Ame-no-Uzume?" Shishou and Izumi exchanged puzzled glances.
"Ame-no-Uzume is the name of a Kusanagi sword, and also the name of a deity..." Seeing their confusion, Uchiha Mikoto slowly explained.
Half an hour later, with Mikoto's explanation, Shishou and Izumi finally understood Mikoto's ability. Mikoto's Mangekyo Sharingan could manifest a divine sword called Ame-no-Uzume. This sword could be wielded by Mikoto or could enlarge to become a weapon for Susanoo, switching freely between the two states.
The abilities of the sword differed between its handheld and Susanoo forms.
In its handheld state, enabled by her left eye, Ame-no-Uzume could transform into any ninja tool desired by the user, each form possessing unique abilities. For example, if it transformed into a whip, it could enforce binding and sealing. A single lash could bind and seal any opponent for a few seconds. As a ninja blade, it had unparalleled sharpness and could grow or shrink in size, effortlessly slicing through ten-meter-thick trees.
In its Susanoo state, activated by her right eye, although Ame-no-Uzume could still transform into different ninja tools, these forms no longer possessed special abilities. It might seem weaker at first glance. However, the sword had a special ability in Susanoo state: enhancing Susanoo itself.
When Mikoto activated Susanoo and wielded Ame-no-Uzume, her Susanoo would receive comprehensive enhancements. Not only did it consume very little chakra to maintain, but its attack power, defense, size, and integrity would all be significantly strengthened. If Mikoto wished, she could use Ame-no-Uzume to activate the fourth stage of Susanoo, adorned with a crow tengu armor.
After adapting for a period, activating the fifth stage of Susanoo to achieve a complete form would not be difficult. Additionally, once Mikoto could independently activate the complete Susanoo, Ame-no-Uzume would further enhance it, potentially forming a sixth or even seventh stage. However, what the sixth and seventh stages would look like would only be revealed once Mikoto activated the complete Susanoo.
"Wow, Ame-no-Uzume's ability is incredibly powerful!" Shishou marveled.
He had to admit that this Mangekyo ability was perfectly suited for Uchiha Mikoto, who had a broad but not deeply specialized skill set.
Turning to Izumi, Shishou smiled and said, "You'd better be careful around Mikoto from now on."
"What do you mean?" Mikoto and Izumi tilted their heads in confusion.
Seeing their adorable expressions, Shishou grinned and said, "Didn't Mikoto just explain? Ame-no-Uzume is the divine sword that severed the head of the fire god Kagutsuchi. If this Kagutsuchi doesn't behave, it might lose its life."
Izumi's face fell, and she pretended to kneel on the bed in front of Mikoto, saying, "Aunt Mikoto, I will listen to you from now on. Please don't cut me with the sword."
Mikoto, playing along, pointed at Shishou and commanded, "Hit him!"
"Yes, ma'am," Izumi patted her chest and immediately lunged at Shishou.
Shishou laughed, once again overpowering both women, leaving them exhausted and laughing as he left.
"Aunt Mikoto, we can't beat him."
"His Totsuka no Tsurugi is one of the five main deities."
Izumi lay limp, barely able to move. Mikoto, equally exhausted, nodded.
"Looks like we'll have to endure his oppression from now on..."
...
At Shishou's secret laboratory, he asked, "How are your studies going?"
Entering the study room, Shishou looked at Hyuga Rimei and Hyuga Natsu.
Since Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Izumi had already awakened their Mangekyo Sharingan, and the promotion of fertilizer in the Land of Demons was complete, it was time for Shishou to continue with his plan to master the Rinnegan after a few days of rest.
"We can use it proficiently now," Rimei and Natsu said in unison after exchanging glances.
Shishou nodded in satisfaction and asked, "Who wants to go first?"
Using the sensory technique consumed a lot of chakra and mental energy. While Shishou's Phosphorescent Insects could replenish chakra, they couldn't restore mental energy. So he planned to take them one by one to various capitals marked by the Flying Thunder God technique to conduct sensory detection.
"I'll go first," Rimei volunteered.
Shishou nodded, extending his right hand. Rimei naturally placed her hand in his. After spending time together, she was used to physical contact with Shishou.
Holding Rimei's hand, Shishou teleported them to the capital of the Land of Fire. Upon arrival, Rimei immediately performed the sensory technique.
After a few minutes, Shishou asked, "Any response?"
"None."
Nodding, Shishou took her to the capital of the Land of Rain. Again, after a few minutes, Rimei shook her head.
They continued to various capitals like those in the Land of Birds, the Land of Bears, and the Land of Grass, but found nothing.
When Rimei's chakra was depleted, Shishou replenished it and continued the process.
An hour later, Rimei's mental energy was exhausted, and she fell asleep in Shishou's arms.
"Your turn, Natsu," he said, placing Rimei in a room to rest before turning to Natsu.
Natsu nodded, indicating her readiness. Shishou then continued the teleportation and sensory process with Natsu.
After two hours, Natsu also succumbed to mental exhaustion and fell asleep.
"This will be a long-term project," Shishou sighed, holding Natsu.
He now hoped the Otsutsuki clan on the moon would come down soon, allowing him to track them in reverse.
Returning Natsu to the lab's resting area, Shishou resumed accelerating the evolution of the Phosphorescent Insects, Healing Bugs, and Armored Beetles.
Once the three insects entered their evolutionary sleep again, he returned to his home in Konoha.
"It's been a while," Shishou chuckled, noting how long it had been since he last visited. Even his academy duties were handled by his clone. Seeing the dust covering his home, he created a clone to clean up while he went to check on Kushina's soul egg in the basement.
[Ding! An unknown rare insect belonging to the host has been detected. Would you like to analyze it?]
Just as he opened the barrier to the basement, Shishou received a system notification.
An unknown rare insect? What could it be? Puzzled, Shishou was taken aback. He then noticed a tiny, winged fairy-like creature flying by.
Seeing the red hair and familiar figure, Shishou froze.
No way... Kushina?
Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 530+ at patreon.com/Betek.