Chapter 103: Meeting Konan Again

Based on this theory, Aoba conducted a series of tests and discovered an interesting phenomenon: tailed beast chakra was closer to natural energy. Aoba wasn't sure if the Divine Tree absorbed the planet's natural energy during its growth, but it seemed likely.

This led him to a question: if natural energy was the world's primordial power, why couldn't most people handle it?

This question had puzzled him for some time. He knew that chakra was an alien intervention, while natural energy was the planet's own power. Yet strangely, most people adapted well to chakra but couldn't tolerate natural energy. It seemed counterintuitive.

However, a deeper thought suggested that the issue might stem from the Sage of Six Paths.

When the Sage spread chakra training across the world, people gradually adapted to his modified chakra. But they lost the ability to connect with the planet's natural energy.

Or perhaps, even deeper down, the planet's essence had grown to reject chakra itself.

Typically, entering Sage Mode required carefully mixing chakra, natural energy, and spiritual energy in specific proportions, a process extremely challenging for most people. This difficulty supported his theory that natural energy was inherently incompatible with chakra. Only a few people with unique constitutions, or those gifted by the Sage, could access this power.

Aoba was one of the few capable of using natural energy, but his reason was unique.

He hadn't received any gifts from the Sage or assistance from the three Great Lands. Instead, he suspected that he was gradually accepted by natural energy because his original soul had died. His spiritual energy, in this world, was as new as a newborn's, which allowed it to be slowly accepted by natural energy.

In contrast, his chakra caused a natural rejection, explaining his initial struggles in mastering it.

This revealed just how terrifying the Sage of Six Paths truly was. The Sage had thoroughly mastered chakra and natural energy, capable of altering and manipulating both. Aoba couldn't yet fathom the true scale of this power. The Sage could share even a fraction of his strength, transforming any ninja into a god-like figure.

The only upside was that the Sage's interference seemed less than anticipated. Aoba couldn't guess his current state, but he knew the Sage was not at full strength. If he were, he wouldn't have needed to rely on the reincarnations of Asura and Indra to handle the threat of Kaguya.

This provided Aoba the time he needed to grow stronger.

After absorbing chakra from the One-Tails, he sensed slight changes in his body. His chakra and physical body grew stronger but also harder to control.

This wasn't an issue, he only needed time to adjust to this new chakra.

Aoba wondered: if he could gather chakra from all nine tailed beasts, would he become a miniature Ten-Tails himself? And if so, he wouldn't be the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki but more akin to the Ten-Tails itself. What kind of being would he become? A humanoid super-tailed beast?

After recording this hypothesis, he put the idea aside. Fully testing it would take time. For now, he shifted his attention back to studying the powers of the Sharingan.

Although he didn't use it often, his Sharingan would be crucial in future plans, so he invested heavily in researching its powers.

The Sharingan's ocular abilities were one of the most remarkable powers in this world. Its capacity to bring forth inner emotions as reality was almost beyond comprehension.

But so far, Aoba had struggled to fully decode this power.

As he recorded his latest failed test results, a ninja cat suddenly appeared on his desk.

The ninja cats were the Uchiha clan's summoning animals, but given his relationship with Sasuke, it was easy for Aoba to form a contract with them. These cats were among the few highly intelligent summoning animals, serving not only the Uchiha but also working in the ninja tool and intelligence business.

This particular ninja cat was one Aoba had hired to deliver messages, mainly to stay in contact with Zabuza and handle financial transactions.

The cat brought news that Konan had found him and wished to talk.

Zabuza was now working for Aoba, managing Gato's corporation to fund his lab, while discreetly taking control of the economy in the Land of Waves. Despite his covert approach, the Akatsuki had managed to track him down.

Aoba had expected this. During his previous encounter with Konan, he'd left her with information, knowing she would eventually seek him out, though he hadn't expected it to take this long.

Two days later, in a forest north of Konoha, Aoba stood alone atop a tree, waiting quietly.

In the sky, a large bird approached. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the bird was made of paper.

Konan and Kakuzu leapt from the bird, landing before Aoba.

It seemed that, within the Akatsuki, Konan trusted Kakuzu the most. And thinking about it, this made sense: the Akatsuki was filled with peculiar individuals—spies, shadowy figures, and "artists." Kakuzu was one of the few grounded members.

Kisame might also have been a good candidate, but he had become too enthralled by Itachi, practically a shadow following his "Itachi-san" everywhere.

"It's been a while," Aoba greeted, casually.

Seeing him again, Konan felt conflicted. She couldn't understand this man. He was a Konoha ninja, yet his actions showed a clear self-centeredness.

During their last encounter, he had inexplicably given her crucial information. If his claims were true, Konan would have to take certain actions in response.

"Aoba Kamikawa, what do you want?"

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