Satoru's Hesitation
Satoru stared at the pitch-black Ninefold Celestial Pill resting in his palm, deep in thought.
He **really, really** hated these so-called "side effects" that seemed too good to be true.
He muttered to himself:
*+500 years of lifespan?*
Adding to the 500 years he had already gained from the previous celestial pill, that made **1000 years** of life! That was insane! To be honest, the thing he feared most was outliving everyone he cared about. By the time he reached his prime, all his loved ones would have long turned to dust.
Then he thought about marriage prospects—who would want to marry a **1000-year-old immortal**? No woman would agree to marry someone who stayed young while she aged.
Satoru was a **realist**—he wasn't like those delusional immortality seekers. His forehead veins popped as he deeply pondered.
And the **other side effects**?
**More handsome?**
**More attractive to women?**
A terrifying vision suddenly popped into his mind…
Satoru standing in the middle of Konoha, his sharp eyes and wind-blown hair making him look like a protagonist straight out of a **shoujo manga**.
Women of all ranks and backgrounds, from elite kunoichi to market vendors, from **Tsunade to Kurenai**… all gazing at him with starry eyes.
"Aaaah! Satoru-sama!"
"Please take my heart!"
"Forget the path of Hokage! Choose the path of **love**!"
"I'll abandon the Uchiha for you!" - some random Uchiha girl screamed.
…
Satoru **shuddered**!
Hell no! If this was a **side effect**, it was more terrifying than any natural disaster!
Satoru **feared women** the most. If this actually happened, he swore he'd **Genjutsu himself into unconsciousness**!
"Ugh… but if I don't take it, it'd be a huge waste…"
He hesitated, glanced around...
Then clenched his teeth and made a decision.
"Screw it! Let's go! What am I afraid of?!"
And with that, he tossed the celestial pill into his mouth and **swallowed it whole**!
---
**Celestial Pill Activation - Agony Beyond Hell!**
The moment the pill hit his stomach, a **burst of energy** erupted like fireworks, enveloping his entire body in a dazzling glow.
"Oi oi, system! What the hell is this?!"
A **burning sensation** spread through him, like molten lava coursing through his veins, yet at the same time, it felt **soothing and harmonious**. Every **cell** in his body was evolving, absorbing raw **life force** from the heavens and earth, transitioning from a mere mortal into something **beyond human**!
But then…
Right after that euphoric sensation came **unbearable pain**!
"GRAAAAAAH!!!"
Satoru clenched his teeth so hard that **blood dripped from his mouth**.
His entire body convulsed as the **raging energy** forcibly **broke through** his **Governing Vessel (Du Meridian)**.
**BOOM!!!**
A loud explosion echoed in his mind, like an **invisible dam bursting open**.
At that moment…
A sense of relief washed over him, as if a massive **blockage** inside him had just been **shattered**.
"GOVERNING VESSEL - **UNLOCKED!**"
---
**Benefits of the Governing Vessel Unlock**
🔹 The **Governing Vessel**, also known as the "Yang Meridian," runs along the spine at the back of the body.
🔹 Functions:
✔️ Enhances **chakra endurance**, making chakra stronger and more stable.
✔️ Boosts **physical control**, increasing reaction speed.
✔️ Accelerates **chakra circulation**, allowing faster jutsu execution and movement.
Satoru gasped for air, **sweat soaking** through his clothes.
But what shocked him the most was the **black, foul-smelling impurities** being expelled from his pores.
"What the actual hell?! I smell disgusting!?"
Eren, who was meditating across from him, instantly **clamped his nose shut**!
"Little brother… you… you stink! Stay away from me!"
Satoru looked heartbroken at being **shunned** by his own family.
"Come on, big bro, it's not that bad—"
He took a deep breath… and nearly **vomited on the spot**!
Without another word, he **sprinted to the bathroom**!
---
**Checking His New Body**
Inside the bathroom, Satoru examined his changes.
He knew that everyone was born with a **unique chakra network**.
For example:
✔️ **Might Guy** had **extremely resilient** meridians, allowing him to withstand the monstrous power of the **Eight Gates**.
✔️ **A normal ninja** attempting the Eight Gates would simply **explode from within**.
Now, thanks to the **Ninefold Celestial Pill**, his meridians had **greatly strengthened**, allowing him to **store and channel chakra more efficiently**.
His **chakra reserves** had increased to the **High-Level Jōnin Tier**.
If he kept refining his chakra, he **could** one day reach the level of the **Legendary Sannin**, or even **Hokage**!
But that was still a **long** way off.
Currently, he could **only** use his "**Infernal Flame Slash**" **three times** before exhausting himself.
---
**Power Boosts - A New Potential**
Thanks to the celestial pill, Satoru had achieved several breakthroughs:
✔️ **Purer chakra**, allowing better control over chakra, haki, and elemental ninjutsu.
✔️ **Lightning Release upgraded to Rank S** – meaning he could now **adjust** the trajectory of his attacks **mid-flight**!
📌 **Example:**
If a **lightning bolt** was fast but **unpredictable**, he could now **curve it** like a homing missile!
✔️ Faster **chakra flow**, improving speed and agility.
✔️ Stronger **physical endurance**, making close-combat much easier!
Satoru clenched his fists, **confidence surging** through him.
But He **Still Wasn't Strong Enough!**
Even though he had grown stronger, he knew…
He was still **too weak**.
The shinobi world was filled with **monsters**.
✔️ **Minato** – The Yellow Flash.
✔️ **Orochimaru** – The Insatiable Mad Scientist.
✔️ **Jiraiya** – The Perverted but Unstoppable Sage.
✔️ **Uchiha Shisui** – The Lightning-Fast Phantasm.
✔️ **Danzō** – The Most Dangerous Fox in Konoha.
✔️ **Uchiha Fugaku** – A Man Who Could Rival Minato.
Satoru took a deep breath, his gaze **firm**.
"This is just the beginning."
There was still so much more to learn, so much more **power to attain**, so much more **to protect**...
**END OF CHAPTER 67! 🚀**