I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

Chapter 444: Spiritual Power, Reiatsu, and Zanpakutō

"I’d love to shout out, ’All things in the universe, turn to ashes, Ryūjin Jakka!’ while brandishing my sword," thought Nagasawa with a wry smile.

But he was currently at home in Konoha. If he released his Zanpakutō here, Konoha would be annihilated. Konoha and even the entire Land of Fire would suffer significant damage, obliterating its lush landscapes.

So, Nagasawa wisely decided to put away his Zanpakutō. Under his control, it dissipated into light particles and vanished into the air.

The Zanpakutō was a particular entity, distinct from ordinary swords. It was an external manifestation of a Shinigami’s power, composed of spirit particles. When a Shinigami’s power was triggered, their soul’s strength was summoned as a sword.

Thus, the world of the Shinigami was a unique realm. Beyond just the Zanpakutō, the Shinigami themselves were extraordinary beings.

With the Genryūsai Yamamoto template, Nagasawa had effectively become a Shinigami, gaining the ability to project his soul outside his body.

Soul projection wasn’t new; some secret arts in the ninja world could achieve it. For instance, Dan Katō’s Spirit Transformation Technique allowed him to project his soul to invade enemies’ mental worlds and defeat them.

However, Dan had to enter others’ bodies to cause damage by destroying their mental worlds and attacking their souls. Nagasawa was different. If he projected his soul and swung his sword, the opponent would be finished without needing body invasion.

Due to the template, Nagasawa estimated that his soul projection attacks would be limited to Genryūsai’s methods. Other abilities might not transfer.

Nonetheless, Nagasawa believed ninjas could find ways to use their souls to perform jutsus and utilise chakra, just as the ostensibly dead Sage of Six Paths did.

Nagasawa mused, "Have I evolved into an immortal species now, at least in soul longevity?" He stroked his chin.

Shinigami had long lifespans. The captain-commander’s lifespan was as long as the history of the Soul Society, and who knew how much longer he could live?

This addressed one of Nagasawa’s dilemmas. Though he wasn’t particularly obsessed with longevity, having already become the strongest in the ninja world after migrating, he wanted to enjoy a longer life.

By switching bodies, Orochimaru could develop techniques like Living Corpse Reincarnation for longevity. But Nagasawa didn’t desire such longevity. Continuously switching bodies, abandoning his powerful physical form, would significantly impact his strength.

Therefore, Nagasawa preferred to consult the founders of the Three Great Sage Lands for their secrets to longevity.

The founders of the Three Great Sage Lands were exceptional. The Great Toad Sage had existed since the Sage of Six Paths and had assisted in sealing Kaguya. If the other two sages were on the same level, they must have existed since that era.

This hinted at the deep waters of the ninja world. Nagasawa believed the three sage founders had methods to protect their domains from the effects of the God Tree.

Nagasawa had visited all three sage lands and sensed their uniqueness. While they seemed like ordinary places in the ninja world, he could feel a difference. Even visually, the colossal flora of Mount Myōboku couldn’t be natural.

Nagasawa speculated that the sage lands were covered by a grand barrier, seemingly in the ninja world but isolated by the barrier, merely attached to the world.

For instance, when he went to Shikkotsu Forest, the slug sage had to open a barrier for them to enter the faithful Shikkotsu Forest.

This also explained why the sage founders didn’t personally intervene when the God Tree was absorbing the world’s nutrients. They had ways to survive without directly confronting the threat, merely taking in human disciples to fight on their behalf.

However, methods aside, strength was paramount. If the sage founders were strong, they would have claimed the God Tree’s fruit for themselves long before Kaguya did.

Nagasawa pondered less about longevity. He was only twenty-seven. Why worry about matters centuries or millennia into the future?

In just a few years, he had risen from elite jonin to Six Paths level. Who knew? A hundred years later, he might transcend the universe. Worrying about lifespan seemed pointless.

Nagasawa focused on more immediate matters. "How much would it cost to enable people in the ninja world to cultivate spiritual power and possess reiatsu?" he asked the system.

Unlocking haki for one person costs 3000 points. Nagasawa figured this would be similar, perhaps more expensive, but not by much.

He had reserved 700,000 points to cover potential high costs for enabling spiritual power and reiatsu.

[8000 Points]

"Nearly three times as expensive as haki. But still acceptable," Nagasawa thought, slightly frowning.

He had expected around 5000 or 6000 points. 8000 was higher than anticipated but reasonable, considering spiritual power and reiatsu was foundational to the Shinigami world.

"Haki is important in the pirate world, but not as much as spiritual power and reiatsu in the Shinigami world."

Nagasawa asked about the cost of acquiring a Zanpakutō.

[Random Asauchi: 20,000 Points Each]

"20,000 points for a random Asauchi..." Nagasawa mused, pondering the cost.

An Asauchi was an unnamed Zanpakutō, a proto-Zanpakutō yet to be imprinted with the wielder’s spirit and beliefs, making it a unique, true Zanpakutō.

Even without a name, an Asauchi required significant spiritual power to wield. If the wielder was weak, they might never learn its name or achieve Shikai or Bankai.

Though 20,000 points for an Asauchi wasn’t unreasonable, random selection meant uncertainty about its potential. Each nameless sword looked identical until its name was learned.

Nagasawa decided to ask about specific Zanpakutō costs, starting with Ryūjin Jakka, only to be informed it was unique and couldn’t be replicated.

Next, he inquired about Kyōka Suigetsu.

[100,000 Points]

[Note: Purchased Zanpakutō can only achieve Shikai if acknowledged by the Zanpakutō spirit]

The price took aback Nagasawa. He hadn’t expected Kyōka Suigetsu to be so affordable. Seeing the note, he understood. Even with the Zanpakutō, its spirit had to acknowledge the wielder for Shikai to be possible.

Nagasawa asked about Hyōrinmaru and other notable Zanpakutō, finding a consistent price of 100,000 points each.

This consistency surprised him. He had expected varying prices based on strength, yet all named Zanpakutō were 100,000 points.

Nagasawa felt a sense of glee as if he had found a bargain. He had anticipated a million points for powerful Zanpakutō like Kyōka Suigetsu but found them much cheaper.

With restraint, Nagasawa decided against an immediate purchase, knowing it would be pointless without suitable wielders. He needed to cultivate their spiritual power and reiatsu first.

He did consider who might wield Kyōka Suigetsu, deciding on Shisui Uchiha. Shisui’s aptitude for genjutsu was unparalleled, making him a perfect fit.

Despite being just eight years old, Shisui’s potential was evident. His Mangekyō Sharingan, Kotoamatsukami, demonstrated his mastery in altering perception and thoughts.

Nagasawa trusted Shisui’s loyalty and integrity, unlike a schemer like Danzō. Shisui’s commitment to Konoha reassured Nagasawa, making him an ideal candidate for the powerful Zanpakutō.

Nagasawa briefly considered establishing a new division, perhaps named the "Thirteen Division Guards of Konoha." But he found the name needing more appeal.

He thought of the Special Operations Squad, whose members were already trained in breathing techniques and swordsmanship, effectively covering Zanjutsu (swordsmanship), Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat), Hohō (agility), and Kidō (spirit techniques).

Satisfied with his plan, Nagasawa started with those he trusted and gradually expanded. Each random Asauchi costs 20,000 points, and enabling spiritual power and reiatsu costs 8000 points per person.

Nagasawa was ready to invest in this potential, confident it would pay off in Konoha’s strength and his growth.