Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 51

I was deep in the process of mastering my control over Senjutsu when Akatsuki first appeared in my life. At the time, I was entirely focused on my training, the words of Kitsune and Yako still echoing in my mind as I meditated. Their instructions were precise, almost affectionate, yet filled with warnings and caution.

"Unlike the toads, who can only teach their Senjutsu on Mount Myouboku, we foxes are not bound to a specific place," Kitsune had said, her voice gentle but firm. "We can teach you anywhere. But first, you need to learn how to feel the natural energy—Senchakra. Without that foundation, you won't make any progress."

Her explanation was clear, but the path was anything but easy. For days, I sat perfectly still, eyes closed, trying to sense the subtle currents of natural energy around me. It felt like chasing a fleeting breeze that constantly slipped through my grasp. And then, after countless hours, the breakthrough came. I felt it—a barely perceptible, yet vibrant pulse that filled the air. It was like a soft whisper surrounding me.

"Well done, Princess," Yako had said, his calm, measured voice grounding me. "Now that you can feel it, you must learn to see it. It will appear as a fine web around you, a pattern that weaves through nature itself."

They had explained the next steps with unwavering clarity, their words etched into my memory.

"The greatest difference between our Senjutsu and that of the toads lies in how natural energy is utilized," Kitsune continued. "The toads draw it into their bodies, carefully avoiding partial transformations. But with us, it's different. The toads tell stories of those who absorbed too much natural energy—humans who turned to stone or were irreversibly transformed into frogs. For us foxes, the risk is just as real, but it manifests differently."

I vividly remember the warning in her tone. "If you use too much natural energy at once, you will temporarily transform into a fox. It's not permanent—the energy dissipates after a few days—but during that time, you'll be vulnerable and exposed. You must learn to avoid that risk."

Her next explanation had fascinated me, even as it hinted at the challenges ahead. "Unlike the toads, you won't draw natural energy into your body. Instead, you shape it like a second skin, a layer that envelops you and enhances your abilities. This will cause visible changes: fox ears, a tail—that's completely normal and a sign you're doing it correctly."

I had nodded in amazement as Kitsune continued. "If you can maintain this focus, you'll be able to stay in this state for days, even weeks. It will only end when you choose or lose concentration. However, the drawback is that you'll still use your own chakra for Jutsu, amplified by natural energy. You'll find it more demanding, but also far more powerful."

Yako had added, "You also won't switch into a separate mode, like with the toads. Instead, your senses and reflexes will be enhanced with ours, amplified by natural energy. The effect is similar, but achieved in a completely different way."

The final words of Kitsune still echoed clearly in my mind. "We call this state Yoko Senpō – the Fox Sage Technique. It's an extension of your abilities, a testament to your strength. But be cautious. Concentration is key, and if you overreach, natural energy will overwhelm you."

By the time Akatsuki first appeared, I had already learned to sustain the Yoko Senpō form for hours. I could channel the natural energy around my body and maintain the form without faltering. After half a year of intense training, I had grown increasingly comfortable in this state, realizing the immense advantages it granted me. My senses were sharper, my reflexes unmatched, and my strength felt almost limitless. Even as two Akatsuki members approached me in their iconic cloaks, I held my concentration effortlessly.