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"It is indeed Yin-Yang Release," Nara Shintaku confirmed calmly. "By using Yin-Yang Release, chakra can take on the properties of metal, transforming it into a soul weapon."

As he spoke, Nara Shintaku stretched out his hand, causing the metal essence embedded in his soul to materialize. It shimmered, tangible in the air.

"Soul weapon?" the Third Hokage echoed, his eyes wide with surprise. The concept sounded like something out of legend. Could this truly be accomplished by a mere technique?

"I drew inspiration from the Spiritualization Technique," Nara Shintaku continued. "The Spiritualization Technique allows the soul to materialize. By reversing the process, I discovered that we can also render certain objects intangible. The most suitable medium for this transformation is chakra metal. Once virtualized, it can be stored within the soul, ready to be summoned in moments of need or utilized in the spiritual transformation state."

He deliberately left out the most sensitive part—Reflecting the Mind—something he and Orochimaru had decided not to reveal, especially with the Uchiha clan's interest in anything related to the soul and chakra.

The Third Hokage took a deep breath, absorbing the weight of this new information. The reverse application of the Spiritualization Technique? Using it to create weapons hidden within the soul? These revelations shook him to his core.

"This… technique… was this also your creation, Shintaku?" he asked after a long pause, still reeling from the revelation.

Nara Shintaku nodded. "Yes. Like the Blood-Armored Technique, I conceptualized the framework, and Orochimaru-sensei helped refine the details."

Orochimaru gave a subtle nod, looking pleased. This time, he could take pride in his contributions. The "Pearl Method" he'd proposed had significantly advanced the technique, unlike the Blood-Armored Technique, where Shintaku could have likely completed it without his help.

The Third Hokage gritted his teeth, realizing the gravity of the situation. After a moment of silent contemplation, he picked up his pen and signed a warrant. "I approve it. The remaining 100 grams of chakra metal in the village—take it all. I'll even give you the 30 grams stored by the Sarutobi clan. If this isn't enough, I won't have anything more to give."

Nara Shintaku accepted the warrant with a smile, turning to leave with Orochimaru. They headed directly for the warehouse, leaving the Third Hokage to sigh at their abrupt departure.

---

At the warehouse, the ninja on duty stared at the warrant in disbelief. "This is… everything," he thought, his hands trembling slightly. Confirming the warrant, he reluctantly opened the vault and handed over the remaining 100 grams of chakra metal to Orochimaru and Shintaku.

Once the metal was secured, the two immediately returned to Orochimaru's lab to continue their work, leaving the warehouse staff to whisper among themselves.

"What kind of weapon needs so much chakra metal?" one asked. "Are they building Konoha's Seven Ninja Swords?"

"Even those wouldn't need 200 grams of chakra metal!" another replied.

"But the Third Hokage approved it, so there must be a good reason…"

---

In Orochimaru's lab, both Orochimaru and Shintaku groaned in agony as they embedded the newly acquired chakra metal into their souls, continuing the soul-grinding process.

"It hurts too much," Orochimaru hissed through clenched teeth. "In this state, I can't do anything else."

"Any solutions, Shintaku?" Orochimaru asked, struggling to maintain focus through the pain.

"There are two," Shintaku replied evenly. "The first is to grind the soul in short, controlled intervals each day, gradually carving out the soul weapon over time."

"I don't have that luxury. The war is looming," Orochimaru said, shaking his head.

"Then the second method… throw yourself into it."

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"When metal grinds against our souls, it also grinds our souls in return. That's why we feel the pain," Shintaku explained. "This process isn't just about forging weapons. It's about forging our very souls."

Orochimaru fell silent, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

Shintaku, though pale and drenched in sweat, remained calm as he continued, "Just like the Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan, you must understand love—and lose it. How can you fully understand love if you don't give yourself to it completely? Don't resist the pain, Orochimaru-sensei. Let it burn."

"Burn?" Orochimaru asked, intrigued despite his pain.

"Yes, ignite the deepest parts of your heart into a raging fire. Only in that extreme heat can you imprint your most unforgettable emotions onto the chakra metal. Only then can you truly merge with it—only then can you forge a genuine soul weapon."

Orochimaru, still contemplating, understood that this was a turning point. The pain wasn't something to avoid but something to embrace—to refine both weapon and soul.