"The Land of Hot Water and the Land of Fire have always been allies, and the existence of Yugakure is different from that of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. This village emerged because of a religious sect within the Land of Hot Water," Shinnosuke Sarutobi revealed more information as they headed north out of Konoha.
This was something not taught in the Academy.
"A religious sect? So, this mission is related to that sect? But why are the Kumo-nin involved?" Akimichi Chōgan asked.
Shūichi Hoshita, however, thought of Hidan a devout worshipper of Jashin—who was supposedly from Yugakure, a village said to have gradually lost its combat prowess due to its pursuit of peace.
Shinnosuke Sarutobi continued, "Yes, it's related to this sect. The so-called 'Jashin Cult' promotes very evil ideologies, advocating slaughter and sacrifice. It has been suppressed by the Land of Hot Water, which led to the formation of Yugakure."
"But this cult has a knack for resurging without anyone noticing, and it's rumored that they have a secret technique that grants immortality."
Nara Satoshi added gravely, "It seems that this immortality technique is why the Jashin Cult can't be eradicated. Kumo, known for collecting various secret techniques, must be here because of this."
Shinnosuke Sarutobi nodded.
In fact, this situation hadn't erupted suddenly; it had been ongoing for some time.
Konoha had already suffered losses, including a Jonin from the Sarutobi clan.
At that moment, Shūichi also recalled Kakashi's previous encounter with the A-B Combo, realizing that this mission was likely connected.
The A-B Combo was no easy opponent.
Especially the future Fourth Raikage, known for his incredible speed, which made him particularly difficult to deal with.
And thinking about the current Third Raikage, who was supposedly worn down to death by thousands of Iwa-nin...
"Ape, tell us about the Kumo-nin, specifically the A-B Combo," Chihiro's voice broke through.
Shūichi refocused his thoughts.
Shinnosuke Sarutobi explained, "The A-B Combo consists of A, the candidate for the next Raikage. He possesses the strongest Lightning Release in the shinobi world, and his Lightning Release Chakra Mode is the pinnacle of shinobi combat."
Yamanaka Shinichi added, "So he's extremely fast, and I've heard that the Lightning Release Chakra Mode provides strong defensive capabilities. Such an opponent would be extremely difficult to handle."
"If we can't control him, using the Mind Transfer Technique would be impossible."
Nara Satoshi said, "Someone like that must have incredibly fast reflexes. Without a solid strategy, capturing him would be very difficult, especially with his partner supporting him!"
"To be chosen as the future Raikage's partner, the other member must also be formidable."
Shinnosuke Sarutobi nodded, "Indeed, the other one is Killer Bee, also known as the 'Killer B.'"
"Him?" Yamanaka Shinichi was surprised. "I've heard of him. He has exceptionally high-level swordsmanship."
Behind his mask, Shinnosuke Sarutobi's expression grew serious. "Yes, his swordsmanship is extraordinary, said to be impossible to read, even praised by White Fang himself."
"But he has another, even more dangerous identity—he's a Jinchūriki!"
Jinchūriki!
The entire Ino-Shika-Chō trio visibly tensed beneath their masks.
They weren't ordinary shinobi; they knew full well what a Jinchūriki represented.
After a moment of silence, Akimichi Chōgan couldn't help but ask, "Captain, are you sure we can handle this combination?"
Shinnosuke Sarutobi reassured them, "Don't worry, we're not the only ones involved this time."
"White Fang himself will be there too. We're the covert force, and our primary mission is to prevent the Jashin Cult's secret technique from being leaked."
This news caused the trio to breathe a collective sigh of relief. "White Fang will be there? That's a relief!"
It wasn't that they were cowardly, but rather that the threat of a Jinchūriki was simply overwhelming.
At that moment, Chihiro spoke up, "Flame, you've been quiet. Have you been thinking about something?"
Shūichi Hoshita hadn't expected her to be paying such close attention to him and quickly responded, "Yes, I was. Last time, Sakumo-senpai's son, my friend Kakashi Hatake, was nearly killed by the A-B Combo."
"Both of his teammates died in that mission, and the leading Jonin, Sarutobi Akimoto-senpai, was seriously injured. I was involved in their medical treatment."
Nara Satoshi and the others immediately understood.
"So that's what happened!"
"It seems that White Fang has a personal reason for joining this mission—to avenge them."
"I wonder if White Fang can handle those two formidable opponents."
Underneath their masks, the members of the ANBU were no different from ordinary people, which was something Shūichi found most striking today. They experienced fear and indulged in gossip, unlike his former comrades in Root, who were cold and emotionless, like machines.
Shinnosuke Sarutobi added, "There's one more crucial piece of information."
"Killer Bee is currently considered the most perfect Jinchūriki in the shinobi world. It's said that he can fully control the power of the tailed beast within him."
"So, we must be extremely cautious."
Shūichi noticed the wording Shinnosuke used—"most perfect Jinchūriki"—which implied that Killer Bee's control was superior compared to other Jinchūriki. He thought about how the two Jinchūriki from Iwa seemed to have pretty decent control over their tailed beasts as well.
Among the major shinobi villages, Konoha and Sunagakure probably had the weakest control over their tailed beasts. But when it came to sealing techniques, Konoha was undoubtedly the strongest.
"This likely has to do with the attitude toward the tailed beasts," Shūichi mused. "Konoha's approach to sealing the tailed beasts seems to stem from the idea that they're not just weapons, but incredibly dangerous beings, possibly due to the First Hokage's beliefs."
After all, the Nine-Tails was initially used by Madara Uchiha as a mount, and the First Hokage decided that the beast's power was too great, so he sealed it inside his wife's body.
After some thought, Shūichi asked, "Captain, if we end up facing the A-B Combo, or even just one of them, how should we handle it?"
Shinnosuke Sarutobi had clearly already considered this. "Flame, Force, you two excel in close combat. You'll need to engage them directly but focus on delaying rather than taking them head-on."
"Seeker and I will use ninjutsu and genjutsu to distract and interfere, creating opportunities for Mind and Deer to control them."
"However, we must be especially cautious with Killer Bee, the Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails. He can control the tailed beast's power, so Mind's Mind Transfer Technique and Deer's Shadow Imitation Technique might not fully hold him. After control is established, we'll need to attack from medium to long range with ninjutsu."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Against a high-speed, high-offense enemy, someone needed to occupy them, or else Yamanaka Shinichi and Nara Satoshi wouldn't have a chance to act.
Chihiro specialized in genjutsu and ninjutsu, and Shinnosuke Sarutobi was also more of a ninjutsu-type ninja. From their previous sparring, it was clear that neither could stand up to Shūichi in close combat.
Using ninjutsu required space and time, and the worst opponents were those who attacked so quickly that there wasn't even time to form hand seals.
After thinking for a moment, Shūichi said, "If we can control them, I have a way to break through the Lightning Release Chakra Mode's defense."
"As for a Jinchūriki, I'd need to see one in action before I can assess it."
This statement caused everyone to turn their heads toward Shūichi, clearly surprised.
Shinnosuke Sarutobi quickly asked, "Is it the secret technique of Fire Release and kenjutsu?"
Shūichi shook his head. "No, it's an S-rank Wind Release jutsu!"
"I've mentioned before that I specialize in Fire and Wind Release."
The group exchanged glances, slightly taken aback.
That level of expertise sounded almost excessive.
But they had already witnessed Shūichi's Fire Release prowess, so they didn't doubt his words. Even Shinnosuke Sarutobi, who knew Shūichi best, began reassessing him in his mind.
"In that case, I'm feeling much more confident about this mission," Nara Satoshi said with a smile, feeling significantly relieved.
...
The squad departed in the afternoon, around 2 p.m., and arrived at the Yugakure (Village Hidden In Hot Water) in the Land of Hot Water by 8 p.m.
Even at night, Shūichi could tell that this village was quite prosperous. Although its size couldn't compare to Konoha, its level of bustling activity certainly could.
Yugakure's ninjas welcomed Shūichi and his team into the village, leading them through the busy streets to a building nestled against a cliff. It was clear that this was where the secret technique of the Jashin cult was sealed.
There, Shūichi noticed Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, standing guard in front of the building. However, it was Captain Shinnosuke who handled the exchange, and Shūichi didn't approach.
After the handover, Sakumo Hatake's four-man team vanished without a trace.
"From now on, we'll divide into two groups for shifts. Group A will consist of me, Seeker, and Flame. Group B will be Force, Deer, and Mind," Shinnosuke quickly instructed.
"Tonight, Group A will be on watch. Group B, familiarize yourselves with Yugakure's terrain and bring back some food."
"Understood!" Shinichi and the other two responded, disappearing swiftly.
After surveying the surrounding area, Shinnosuke gave quick orders. Shūichi stood guard at the front gate, Chihiro stationed herself on the rooftop, while Shinnosuke climbed the cliff for a high vantage point. From there, he could monitor not only the cliff but also the houses and the dense forest behind them.
Two hours later, Shinichi returned with a hand-drawn map and an abundance of food from the Land of Hot Water.
Shūichi sat cross-legged on the ground, eating and drinking heartily, while Shinichi and the others familiarized themselves with the traps set by Sakumo's team in the surrounding forest. They adjusted them to suit their own preferences.
This area was so remote that even the ninjas of Yugakure rarely ventured here, and when they did, they approached from the main road. There was no need to worry about accidentally harming the villagers—if anyone got hurt, it meant they weren't allies.
After completing their tasks, Shinichi and his team rested in a wooden cabin on the right, which had previously been used by Yugakure's ninja as a guardhouse.
Time passed, and even the lively Yugakure gradually turned off its lights and fell into silence.
Suddenly, the dark sky was illuminated by a flickering light.
Shūichi stood up, crouched down, and touched the ground with one finger, spreading his sensory abilities toward the light source. The closer he got, the more he could sense a powerful chakra fluctuation.
"They've come, as expected!"
"That's Sakumo-senpai's chakra…"
"These two powerful presences—could they be the A-B Combo?"
As Shūichi continued to sense the situation, he raised an eyebrow. "They actually broke through the perimeter…"
His expression grew strange, realizing that the three individuals had encountered no resistance and were moving through Yugakure without any hindrance. It almost seemed as though the Yugakure ninjas were all dead or had completely withdrawn to the outer areas.
After ending his sensory scan, Shūichi turned toward the rooftop and used hand signals to communicate what he had sensed to Chihiro. She nodded in acknowledgment and swiftly leapt to the cliff to report the situation.
However, when Shūichi sensed again a moment later, he frowned slightly.
They had retreated!
"It seems the enemy also has sensory ninjas. They detected our presence and withdrew immediately."
Shūichi relayed this new information to Chihiro. Sure enough, the battle on the outskirts ended quickly, and the enemy seemed to have retreated.
Still, Shūichi didn't dare let his guard down, continuing to scan the area periodically. He couldn't fully trust the ninjas of Yugakure, and even Sakumo's team couldn't cover every angle.
The rest of the night passed uneventfully.
After eating breakfast, brought back by Shinichi's team, Shūichi collapsed onto his bed and slept until 3 p.m.
Day by day, time passed.
Aside from the incident on the first night, the following three days were peaceful. It seemed as though the Kumogakure ninjas had truly withdrawn.
Yugakure's vigilance also began to slacken, with guards being pulled back from the outer perimeter.
While wandering around the village in civilian clothing, Shūichi noticed how relaxed the Yugakure ninjas had become.
It turned out that after the enemy broke through the perimeter on the first night without any resistance, it wasn't because Yugakure's ninjas were too scared to leave their village—it was because they had spread their forces around the outskirts, trying to prevent the enemy from entering the village.
Or perhaps they simply didn't want the battle to take place within the village itself.
...
Back at the mission site, just as Shūichi was about to delve into some ninjutsu practice, he heard Shinnosuke announce, "Everyone, after tonight, the mission will be over."
"Make sure not to let your guard down on this final night."
Upon hearing this, the group couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Akimichi Chōgan then asked, "Have the Cloud Ninjas completely retreated?"
Shinnosuke nodded. "It seems so, at least for now."
"The leader of Yugakure also believes that the Cloud Ninjas have given up, so they've decided to end the mission."
Nara Satoshi frowned. "Even if the Cloud Ninjas retreat now, they could come back eventually. Doesn't Yugakure have a better solution?"
"Like destroying the secret technique completely?"
Shinnosuke shook his head. "It's precisely because they can't destroy it that they have to seal and protect it this way."
"As for the Cloud Ninjas... the leader of this village has decided to secretly relocate the secret technique tonight."
Shinichi speculated, "It seems Yugakure hasn't been idle during this time."
Relocating the technique would require re-establishing seals and other protections, which couldn't be done quickly.
"The Jashin cult's secret technique..." Shūichi was a bit curious.
However, what intrigued him wasn't Hidan's curse technique, but rather his immortality.
Teaming up Hidan with Kakuzu was like pairing a dragon and a phoenix—Hidan couldn't die, so Kakuzu could go all out, without worrying about accidentally killing his partner.
After considering it for a moment, Shūichi suppressed his curiosity.
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal was one thing—at most, it involved making a basic deal with the Grim Reaper. But Jashin required devout worship, and it could turn someone into a maniacal killer like Hidan, who took pleasure in slaughter.
Better to finish this last day of the mission and return to the village, where he could focus on his training.
He was close to mastering the S-rank technique in swordsmanship, and once he did, he could unlock the [Taijutsu Master] tag, which would further enhance his physical abilities.
...
In the blink of an eye, midnight arrived.
The leader of Yugakure, along with three of the village's Jōnin, each leading a small team, arrived at the site where the Jashin secret technique was sealed. They opened the heavy iron door to begin the relocation process.
Shūichi and his team were stationed around the perimeter.
As the situation grew more tense, Shinnosuke became even more cautious. Shūichi and Shinichi took turns sensing the area every five minutes.
About half an hour later, Shūichi saw a stone tablet covered with a black cloth being carried out.
But at that moment, Shinichi, who was on sensing duty, suddenly opened his eyes wide. "Captain, enemies have breached the perimeter!"
"They're moving very fast!"
Underneath his mask, Shinnosuke Sarutobi's expression changed immediately. He turned to the Yugakure team and ordered, "Enemies are closing in fast—abandon the relocation immediately!"
"What?" The Yugakure ninjas were shocked but had no choice but to hurriedly carry the stone tablet back inside.
Meanwhile, Shūichi and his team were already prepared for battle.
"They're here!" Shinichi warned.
In the next moment, under the moonlight, two figures appeared directly in front of them.
One was large, the other small!
"It's really the future Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee!" Shūichi's eyes narrowed as he gripped the hilt of his sword.
"Yo, yo, looks like we arrived just in time!"
"So many people—are you all here to give us a special welcome?"
Killer Bee's bizarre rapping echoed through the night.
A glanced around briefly and then said, "Bee, it looks like they're trying to relocate that secret technique. Let's make this quick—Konoha's White Fang isn't easy to deal with!"
"Got it, I'll show them the super-high-speed swordsmanship I just perfected, you idiot, you fool!"
Killer Bee grinned, and several swords of varying lengths flew into the air. He caught them with his teeth, hands, and even tucked them under his arms and elbows.
The stance was extremely odd!
"Take them down!" The leader of Yugakure ordered, and the three Jōnin immediately led their teams into the fray.
"Yoo-hoo!" Killer Bee let out a strange cry as he leaped into the air, spinning rapidly. His swords sliced through the air with a sharp whistling sound.
Boom!
Killer Bee descended with incredible speed, crashing into the midst of the Yugakure ninjas. With one swift stomp, he drove one of them into the ground. Then, as he extended his limbs, his swords danced through the air, sending blood spraying as two more ninjas fell.
The shuriken thrown by Shinnosuke and the others were easily deflected, having little to no effect.
Killer Bee's attacks were swift, his swordsmanship bizarre and unpredictable, striking like a relentless storm.
In the blink of an eye, two squads from Yugakure were reduced to just two Jōnin, and even they were badly injured, barely holding on.
"He's too fast—we can't even lock onto him!" Yamanaka Shinichi lamented.
Chihiro added, "Normal genjutsu won't work on this guy."
Meanwhile, Shinnosuke, Nara Satoshi, and Akimichi Chōgan all focused their attention on A, the future Fourth Raikage.
"I'll handle this!" Shūichi spoke up. He removed his mask, clenched the senbon that Tenka had given him between his teeth, and dashed forward.
Suddenly, a bright blue light illuminated the night as Shūichi forcefully entered the battle, swinging the Totsuka Blade, now glowing with a blue hue.
"Trying to sneak up on me, you fool, you idiot!" Killer Bee shouted, his electrically charged sword clashing against Shūichi's.
Clang!
The clash of sword and blade sent sparks flying as lightning met fire.
Killer Bee was momentarily stunned, realizing that his sword was actually being overpowered and cut by Shūichi's.
"This guy's Fire Release is stronger than my Lightning Release..."
As the thought crossed Killer Bee's mind, he shifted his primary target to Shūichi, launching a barrage of attacks that came like a storm—swift and unpredictable.
Killer Bee's attacks were so fast that even Shūichi couldn't fully anticipate them, especially since Killer Bee's swords sometimes flew through the air as if they had a mind of their own.
The title "Killer Bee" was well-deserved, as you never knew when he would sting.
However, Killer Bee was growing increasingly shocked. Although Shūichi's attack speed was slower, he managed to block every strike.
Moreover, Shūichi's explosive power was incredibly strong!
"You're even tougher than that white-haired guy from last time, you fool, you idiot!" Killer Bee acknowledged Shūichi's strength.
But after deflecting one of Killer Bee's strikes, Shūichi suddenly exploded with chakra from his feet, launching himself into the air.
The blue light around the Totsuka Blade intensified, transforming into a massive sword that he brought down in a powerful slash.
Blue Flame Waterfall Blade!
Shūichi admitted that he couldn't match Killer Bee in skill, so he decided to overpower him with sheer force!
Boom!
The slash carved a deep trench into the ground, forcing Killer Bee to narrowly evade it.
But as soon as he landed, Shūichi shot towards him like an arrow, only to suddenly soar back into the air with a burst of sonic booms, causing Killer Bee's prepared counterattack to fail as he clumsily dodged another Blue Flame Waterfall Blade.
The tides had turned.
Shūichi, relying on his immense explosive power, agility, and the devastating Blue Flame Waterfall Blade, made it difficult for Killer Bee's erratic swordsmanship to shine.
Watching from the sidelines, A couldn't help but feel restless. "This brat is actually pushing Bee back!"
Sparks of electricity began to flicker around A's body.
Meanwhile, in the battlefield, Shūichi suddenly spat out the senbon he was holding.
Killer Bee was ready for this and expertly slashed with his lightning-coated sword.
But in the next instant, his sword was split in two.
Sssht!
The senbon grazed Killer Bee's face, leaving a shallow cut.
"Even his Wind Release is stronger than my Lightning Release..."
Killer Bee was shocked, but his eyes widened even more as he saw Shūichi inhaling and exhaling again, unleashing multiple sharp air currents.
Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!
"This guy didn't even form any hand seals!"
At that moment, Killer Bee felt his scalp tingle with fear.
At such close range and so suddenly, even his speed couldn't fully dodge the attack.
A was also shocked. "Bee!" he shouted, bursting forward like a lightning bolt.
Almost simultaneously, Akimichi Chōgan charged in to intercept, swinging his large blade with full force.
In the next moment, with a loud clang, Chōgan's massive frame was sent flying, and his sword was shattered into two pieces.
But in that instant, Shinnosuke seized the opportunity.
Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!
"Got him..."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke hadn't even had time to celebrate before the swamp trapping A had dried up and exploded with a bang. A, wrapped in lightning, soared into the air, narrowly evading Satoshi's Shadow Imitation Technique.
"Failed! Damn it!"
Satoshi quickly pursued A, but all he could see was a streak of lightning, followed by thunderous roars echoing in his ears.
Earth Flow Wall!
Raging Water Torrent!
Earth Flow River!
Then came a Vacuum Great Sphere.
A series of jutsu were unleashed one after another by Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro, but none could slow A down. He forcefully broke through them all with sheer, terrifying power.
Meanwhile, as Killer Bee faced a wind release head-on, he couldn't avoid it.
But behind him, an octopus tentacle silently extended, acting as a shield. Another tentacle swiftly moved underground, suddenly launching an attack from behind Shūichi.
The octopus tentacle in front of Killer Bee was sliced open, but Shūichi used the momentum to dodge the other tentacle's capture mid-air. The blue flames on his Totsuka Blade surged once more.
Blue Flame Waterfall Blade!
From a distance of over ten meters, Shūichi swung his blade at Killer Bee again.
But this time, Killer Bee didn't defend. Instead, he wrapped three octopus tentacles around his sword and thrust it towards the airborne Shūichi, while crossing his swords in his hands, lightning surging across the blades.
He was gambling!
If Shūichi dared not to dodge, Killer Bee would take his attack head-on, leaving the outcome to whose defense was stronger.
But Killer Bee was confident that his opponent would be the one to die.
However, in that moment, Shūichi, still in the air, willed it, and the Eight Trigrams Seal and Yin Seal on his abdomen fully unleashed, releasing a torrent of chakra.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three fire release clones appeared, each raising a hand with curved claws. Orange flames erupted, forming lifelike dragon heads. The dragons opened their mouths, white-hot flames condensing within, before blasting out at light speed.
S-Rank Fire Release: Dragon Flame Breath - A Sword Divides the World!
These were high-temperature beams!
Initially, Shūichi performed this technique with his mouth, but the temperature was too extreme, so he switched to using his hands. He first forms a dragon's head to create a structure similar to a human mouth, which highly compresses chakra and also serves as an insulator.
At this moment, the three high-temperature beams extended outward, and as the fire release clones swung their arms, they sliced through the octopus tentacles of the Eight-Tails.
Simultaneously, Shūichi's Blue Flame Waterall Blade struck Killer Bee's crossed swords. Lightning clashed with fire, the earth cracked, and with a crunch, Killer Bee's feet sank into the ground.
But he withstood it!
Amid the clash, Shūichi's transparent Blue Flame Waterfall Blade shattered, scattering blue flames across the ground.
"Bee, watch out for those flames!"
The Eight-Tails warned urgently from within Killer Bee.
"Huh?"
Killer Bee glanced at a nearby flame, only to see it morph into a flower bud and start blooming.
"This is... bad!"
Cold sweat dripped from Killer Bee's forehead.
The next moment, the scattered flames around him transformed into blooming fire lotuses, and then...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of explosions erupted, covering everything in a blue inferno, as if the entire area had become a blue hellfire.
At that moment, Shinichi and Satoshi, who could hardly intervene in such a battle, were utterly shocked.
"Bee!"
A was infuriated and on edge. Even though he knew this attack, as terrifying as it was, might not fatally wound Killer Bee, he still felt rage.
With brute force, he plowed through Shinnosuke's barrage of shuriken shadow clones, his body flashing as he completely broke through the combined efforts of Shinnosuke and Chihiro, charging towards the airborne Shūichi.
"Shūichi, watch out!"
Shinnosuke shouted, hurling a shuriken. With a single hand seal, the shuriken expanded into a massive size, spinning rapidly as it flew towards A, who had appeared behind Shūichi.
Most importantly, this shuriken had been infused with Wind Release chakra.
But A ignored it, still punching towards Shūichi.
Turn, horizontal slash.
In the next instant, an octopus tentacle swatted away the giant shuriken, while A's fist slammed into the Totsuka Blade covered in blue flames.
Boom!
Shūichi's body plummeted, crashing into the ground and creating a massive crater.
But A's unguarded fist was also severely burned by the intense heat of the Totsuka Blade, the skin torn and charred.
Most critically, Shūichi's three fire release clones dissipated at that moment, transforming into flower buds and then exploding.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three simultaneous explosions erupted, each one directed at A, forming a terrifying wave of flames. In midair, with no foothold, A was engulfed by the blazing inferno.
"Brother!"
On the ground, Killer Bee shouted in panic.
Just moments ago, during the explosion, Killer Bee had wrapped himself with an octopus tentacle at the critical moment. Though it burned like hell, it protected his body from serious harm.
He also managed to intercept Shinnosuke's giant shuriken just in time.
Now, seeing A suffering the same attack as him, Killer Bee's body was immediately enveloped in the crimson chakra of the tailed beast.
With brute force, he broke free from Satoshi's Shadow Imitation Technique and dashed towards A, who had been blasted away and was falling. Leaping through the air, he caught A.
Seeing A's body covered in charred burns, Killer Bee quickly asked, "Brother, are you okay?"
A shook his head, gritting his teeth, "I'm fine!"
"But I didn't expect this kid to be even more troublesome than the Konoha's White Fang."
Looking at Shūichi, who was being pulled out of the crater by Shinnosuke and Chihiro, Killer Bee nodded, his expression serious, "This guy is no ordinary ninja... I've never seen such a style before. His jutsu seems to require no hand seals, or at least they're extremely well hidden."
"And his reactions are incredibly fast. Even in that situation, he managed to counter your attack, brother."
A nodded in agreement, letting out a cold snort, "It seems like this mission is going to be a failure!"
"If even a no-name kid is this difficult to deal with, imagine when the White Fang arrives... not to mention those two other jutsu masters."
Killer Bee adjusted his sunglasses, "Didn't expect to encounter such a tough opponent right after making a name for myself. Konoha, you're something else, you bastard, idiot!"
"Retreat!" A ordered.
Killer Bee nodded and, after giving Shūichi one last deep look, quickly retreated with A.
Shinnosuke didn't give the order to pursue; against such powerful foes, it would be difficult to stop them.
By now, Shūichi had also caught his breath.
No wonder A would become the future Fourth Raikage—his strength is terrifying.
It was fortunate that the Totsuka Blade was of high enough quality, and that he had used the Yin Healing Wound Destruction technique at the crucial moment to gather chakra in his back beforehand.
Otherwise, the impact from that landing would have made him cough up blood.
Even so, the recoil almost knocked the wind out of him.
His arms were also fractured from the impact.
But to him, these were minor injuries, and by now, he had already healed.
Watching the A-B Combo retreat, Shūichi sighed to himself, "It's a shame I didn't get the chance to use Wind Release: Rasenshuriken..."
Right now, A would have no way to emerge unscathed from his Rasenshuriken.
At this moment, Satoshi and Shinichi carried over the unconscious Akimichi Chōgan.
Shūichi quickly examined him and breathed a sigh of relief, "He's okay, just knocked out by the electric current and suffered some internal injuries from the shock. Nothing life-threatening."
Hearing this, Shinnosuke and the others also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Shūichi, we'll leave Chōgan to you!"
Shinnosuke said, then went to negotiate with the leader of the Hot Water Ninja Village.
Now that the AB Combo had retreated, it was the best time to transfer the Jashin secret technique.
...
Shūichi placed his palms, glowing with green chakra, on Chōgan's exposed chest, healing the internal injuries caused by the shock.
As for the electrical burns on the skin, they were less urgent.
"Shūichi, we really owe you for this one!" Chihiro's tone was incredibly sincere, and she even felt a lingering fear. She prided herself on her genjutsu skills, but against the A-B Combo, they had been completely ineffective. This was something she hadn't anticipated before the battle, especially concerning A.
Satoshi and Shinichi wholeheartedly agreed with Chihiro.
Satoshi said, "Both of them are incredibly fast and powerful. The strength of that jinchūriki is terrifying—he broke free from my Shadow Imitation Technique just like that."
Yamanaka Shinichi added with a wry smile, "They're so fast, it's impossible to keep up."
In this battle, they had barely contributed.
Even Akimichi Chōgan had been taken down by A in a single move.
Their strength was beyond belief!
As they spoke, a figure suddenly appeared.
Chihiro and the others immediately tensed, but then relaxed when they saw who it was. They all spoke up, "Senpai!"
"Is everyone alright?"
Sakumo Hatake surveyed the wrecked battlefield, sword in hand, as he approached.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke emerged and reported, "Sakumo-senpai, only Shūichi and Chōgan sustained minor injuries."
"We owe this one to Shūichi."
Shūichi quickly shook his head, "Captain, if you all hadn't kept A occupied, I wouldn't have been able to handle Killer Bee."
"That guy has the power of a tailed beast."
He couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. If it had been any other jōnin, they'd have been obliterated by his attack, blown to pieces, but Killer Bee was unscathed and even helped A.
Judging from the battlefield and the accounts from Shinnosuke and the others, Sakumo quickly realized that Shūichi had been the key player in this fight.
"Regardless, you managed to hold off the AB Combo—excellent work!"
Sakumo Hatake praised him with a smile, then explained, "The Cloud ninja brought in a new Lava Release kekkei genkai user."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke's heart skipped a beat, "Is it Dodai, the Third Raikage's trusted aide?"
Sakumo Hatake nodded, "Yes, he's also a formidable opponent."
Shūichi, listening, recalled who it was.
A Cloud ninja capable of transforming chakra into rubber, with extremely fast jutsu execution—perfectly suited to dealing with high-speed, high-power enemies.
Yamanaka Shinichi remarked, "I didn't expect the Cloud to send such a powerful figure to stall you, senpai. It seems they were determined to succeed."
Chihiro smiled, "But Shūichi thwarted their plans!"
Shūichi could only smile wryly.
Although today's performance was indeed somewhat outstanding, he knew very well that without the chakra stored in his Yin Seal, he wouldn't have been able to sustain such an intense, high-consumption battle.
"Body, body, grow up quickly..."
...
After the battle, the night passed peacefully, and the secret technique of the Jashin cult was successfully transferred by the ninja of Yugakure.
By the next morning, Akimichi Chōgan's injuries were nearly fully healed.
At nine in the morning, led by the chief of Yugakure, the high-ranking members of the village gathered to bid farewell to Shūichi and his team.
Throughout the farewell, many of their gazes frequently shifted toward the masked Shūichi.
During the battle the previous night, Shūichi had removed his mask while using his Senbon techniques. The chief of Yugakure, along with the two surviving jōnin, had witnessed firsthand Shūichi's impressive combat skills.
Such a talented young ninja—what a shame he wasn't from Yugakure!
...
Since they were traveling back together with Sakumo Hatake's team, Shūichi and his group moved at a slower pace.
They finally reached Konoha at around 5 PM.
In the changing room, after removing their gear, Shūichi and Chihiro chatted and laughed with the others. It was clear that this mission had brought them closer together.
Akimichi Chōgan, in particular, was enthusiastic, inviting Shūichi to try the Akimichi clan's special barbecue at their restaurant.
Satoshi and the others joined in, praising the secret recipe of the Akimichi clan's barbecue.
Faced with such warm invitations, Shūichi gladly accepted.
Meanwhile...
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Shinnosuke was giving a solo report to Sarutobi Hiruzen after Sakumo Hatake had finished. He especially detailed the extraordinary battle between Shūichi and the AB Combo.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was astonished as he listened, then couldn't help but smile. "I didn't expect Shūichi to grow so quickly. It seems Minato was right—Shūichi's talent in ninjutsu is extraordinary, surpassing even his teacher."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded. "It appears so. Shūichi's Fire Release is already beyond yours, Father. Before the battle, he hinted that he has also developed an S-rank Wind Release jutsu, though he didn't use it in this fight."
"But I believe it's no less powerful than his Fire Release."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment. "Wind Release… it must be related to Minato's technique."
After some thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "If Shūichi ever needs any jutsu in the future, as long as it's not a forbidden one, you can teach it to him."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded. "Yes, Father."
"Go on, don't keep them waiting too long."
...
Changing Room:
Once Shinnosuke returned, the group headed to the Akimichi clan's barbecue restaurant.
After just one bite, Shūichi couldn't help but give a thumbs up. "Amazing! Chōgan, you weren't exaggerating at all!"
Akimichi Chōgan laughed heartily. "Of course! Our clan loves to eat, so naturally, we take pride in perfecting our food."
"Shūichi, keep it up! In our team, no one can out-eat me!"
Satoshi teased, "Your clan can even convert chakra into fat for storage!"
Akimichi Chōgan laughed, "But I still need to digest it first."
As they chatted, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro were also joking around.
Shūichi glanced over and asked with a smile, "Captain, are you and Chihiro-san a couple?"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded with a smile.
Chihiro grinned and said, "Shūichi, you're so outstanding—there must be some girls who like you, right?"
Shūichi immediately replied seriously, "Chihiro-san, I'm only nine!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
As they continued eating and chatting, the atmosphere grew lively.
Before they knew it, an hour had passed. Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others had all stopped eating, staring in amazement at Shūichi.
"Shūichi, your appetite is incredible. Truly an enviable physique!"
After some exclamations, Satoshi encouraged him, "Come on, as the newcomer, it's your duty to break Chōgan's record!"
Chihiro poured Shūichi some tea to help with digestion.
Akimichi Chōgan, not worried in the slightest, laughed, "Satoshi, Shūichi may be impressive, but he's still too young to beat me!"
Shūichi just smiled and kept eating without slowing down.
He had released the chakra stored in his abdomen yesterday, so now was the perfect time to replenish his energy.
As Chōgan mentioned earlier, food can't be directly converted into chakra—it needs to be digested and turned into stamina first.
But Shūichi's body had undergone two upgrades, so his digestion was naturally enhanced. Plus, with the [Strong and Sturdy] Tag's 100% boost to recovery, his physical recovery was also faster.
This included everything related to the body's functioning, including digestion.
So, Shūichi now had an astonishing digestive capability.
He wasn't sure if he could out-eat Chōgan, but he was definitely up for the challenge.
As they continued, the stack of plates beside both of them grew higher and higher.
Other diners in the restaurant began to gather around, cheering for Shūichi—after all, he was the underdog due to his young age.
An hour later, both Shūichi and Chōgan finally stopped, exchanging smiles before slumping in their seats.
They were stuffed!
Applause erupted around them.
"Shūichi, well done! Amazing! You actually tied with Chōgan! And remember, Chōgan isn't even weak among the Akimichi clan!"
As everyone praised him, Shūichi, being fed a sip of tea by Chihiro, contentedly patted his round belly while diverting his attention to the Tag Tree in his mind.
Just then, a new Tag had been triggered.
Tag: Big Eater
Condition to Obtain: Convince a restaurant to host a Big Eater competition and win first place in it.
Effect: Increases Physique by 100%, Recovery by 100%, and Digestion by 100%.
Shūichi's eyes lit up—three 100% boosts!
The most important was the increase in Physique. The other two were also highly beneficial.
Enhanced recovery didn't need much explanation, and better digestion would further speed up recovery. The faster he digested a soldier pill, the quicker he regained stamina, which naturally sped up chakra recovery.
"This is great! I have to find a way to win this."
Shūichi's "fingers started itching," and after the crowd dispersed, he smiled and said, "Hey, Chōgan, what do you think about hosting a village-wide Big Eater competition?"
Akimichi Chōgan's eyes lit up. "A Big Eater competition?"
Shūichi nodded.
Yamanaka Shinichi laughed, "I'm sure a lot of ninjas would participate. It would definitely be lively."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others nodded in agreement, finding Shūichi's idea quite interesting.
Akimichi Chōgan was very interested, but after thinking it over, he scratched his head and awkwardly said, "Shūichi, your idea is great, but hosting something for the whole village would be very costly!"
Shūichi smiled, "Of course, we wouldn't use barbecue meats like beef. The Akimichi clan must have some signature dishes that can be made quickly, right?"
Akimichi Chōgan immediately smiled and gave a thumbs up.
Shinnosuke laughed, "Looks like we'll have some free Akimichi clan noodles to enjoy soon."
Chihiro playfully raised a fist to Shūichi, making a cheering gesture. "Shūichi, we'll all be there to cheer you on. Go win that Big Eater competition!"
Akimichi Chōgan quickly objected, "Hey, Chihiro, you're underestimating me!"
After parting ways with Shinnosuke and the others, it was already past 9 PM. Shūichi strolled along the streets, the night breeze brushing against him as his thoughts wandered.
The future Fourth Raikage, who perfected his Lightning Release to the extreme, possessing a formidable physique—based on his current strength level, he should already surpass the elite jōnin class, at least reaching the level of a quasi-Kage.
A ninja like Shinnosuke, who leans towards ninjutsu, lacks the diverse techniques and sheer power necessary to take down someone like A.
Then there's Ōnoki, the old but still strong man, whose Dust Release is maxed out in terms of attack power, though its speed leaves something to be desired.
From thinking about Shinnosuke, Shūichi couldn't help but consider the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
In terms of ninjutsu ability, Sarutobi Hiruzen would definitely surpass Shinnosuke, both in experience and casting speed.
In close combat, the Third Hokage, wielding the Enma Staff, would be far more formidable.
Facing the current Third Raikage, they would probably have to rely on stamina to determine the outcome.
"And then there's the Mizukage..."
Shūichi knew very little about the Mizukage.
But the Third Mizukage, who created the terrifying atmosphere of the Hidden Mist Village, likely had his Water Release maxed out as well, considering he once served as the First Mizukage's bodyguard.
"And then the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī... she's probably around my age..."
As Mei Terumī's image flashed in his mind, Shūichi thought, "Kekkei Genkai..."
"My current Fire Release is actually no weaker than most Kekkei Genkai."
"My age and chakra reserves are holding me back."
"If I were an adult... with my current physique, I wonder if I could rival Jiraiya, who is considered the chakra ceiling among ordinary people."
Shūichi remembered that Jiraiya's stamina was rated a 10, even higher than Tsunade, who has the Senju bloodline.
Kakashi, as he vaguely recalled, only had a stamina rating of 6.
The difference of just 4 points between Kakashi and Jiraiya might seem small, but in terms of chakra and stamina, it could represent a gap of several times.
After all, the rating system caps at 10.
Naruto's chakra was also rated a 10, but could Jiraiya really compare to him?
But without the Nine-Tails...
"Shinnosuke's chakra is also strong. Roughly estimated, it's about ten times mine—not as much as Asuka's, but much more than the Director's."
Shūichi recalled his understanding of the original series.
He remembered that Kakashi's peak chakra reserves were actually not that low.
Without the Yang Nine-Tails, Naruto's chakra was rated at 4 units, but at that time, Naruto was far from fully grown.
With the Yang Nine-Tails, it was around 100 units, but that was just the minimum estimate.
And at that level, it was comparable to Senju Hashirama...
Shūichi couldn't help scratching his head. "How many times would I have to increase my physique to reach that?"
Currently, he's at 3 units, but that's compared to Kakashi at this age.
If we stretch the timeline to adulthood and still estimate at 3 units...
Doubling it would bring it to 6 units.
...
Shūichi carefully calculated and figured that he would need to increase his physique by 100% at least five more times to reach something similar to Senju Hashirama's level.
If he could do it six more times, he might be able to surpass that and barely compare to Naruto with the full Nine-Tails.
But the Ten-Tails...
Even though this was the simplest way to estimate, Shūichi felt a bit of a headache coming on.
He quickly reviewed the Tags he currently had that could increase his physique.
Tags: Swordsmanship Master, Space-Time Envoy, Ninjutsu Professor, Poseidon(King of the Sea), Big Eater.
Exactly five.
"Taijutsu Master surely has a physique boost too, but I haven't triggered it yet. Same with Ninja Tool Master."
"The Tags above Space-Time Envoy probably have boosts as well..."
Shūichi shook his head to clear his thoughts. "I have a seven-day break coming up—I'll aim to unlock Swordsmanship Master during that time!"
"With another physique boost, I'll have a better chance of winning the Big Eater competition."
Shūichi wasn't too confident about winning first place in the Big Eater competition—after all, Konoha was full of talent.
...
When he got home, it was just before 10 PM. Yakushi Nonō and Asuka were both waiting for him. As soon as they saw Shūichi return, they immediately sprang into action.
Asuka went to fill the bathtub, adding medicinal herbs to the water. Yakushi Nonō helped Shūichi with his clothes, preparing them for washing. The warmth of this domestic scene instantly erased all the mental fatigue Shūichi had accumulated over the past couple of days.
In the days that followed, apart from his daily training and using shadow clones to practice other jutsu, Shūichi didn't even visit Orochimaru's lab. He focused all his efforts on mastering the S-Rank Sword Technique.
Time flew by, and five days of his vacation had already passed.
In a small grove, Shūichi stood with his sword, eyes lowered in concentration.
After a moment, his eyes suddenly snapped open, and he thrust his sword into the ground with both hands.
In the next instant, the earth trembled. Fissures spread from where the sword was embedded, and fiery orange-red flames erupted from the cracks, as if fire lotuses were growing from the ground.
In a flash, a 50-meter radius around Shūichi was covered in these fiery lotuses.
The lotuses, initially in bud form, bloomed and exploded in unison.
The blooms burst in different directions—some towards the sky, some to the left, some to the right.
In that instant, the 49-meter ring around Shūichi became a chaotic maelstrom of fiery waves, distorting the light and even making it seem like the very space was trembling.
Every tree within this range was shattered by the explosions and quickly reduced to ashes.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The terrifying roar of explosions filled the air, and a raging firestorm erupted outward, reducing tall trees in its path to ash in seconds.
When everything finally calmed down, the entire 300-meter area of the grove had been reduced to scorched earth, with only a few charred tree remnants remaining on the outskirts.
Huff, huff!
Shūichi was breathing heavily, gripping his sword for support to keep from collapsing.
The chakra expenditure had been enormous, almost draining him of all his strength.
But as he looked out over the scorched landscape, a brilliant smile spread across Shūichi's face.
The S-Rank Sword Technique Secret—Flaming Lotus of the Inferno—was complete!
Within the area of this technique, not only would one have to endure the chaotic shockwaves and the terrifying heat from the explosions, but they would also face the vacuum environment created by the blazing flames.
The lethal range was the ring surrounding him, and the damage range encompassed the entire grove.
This was the very move he had used in his fight against Killer B—when the flames scattered after the "Blade Aura" shattered and exploded around Killer B.
But at that time, it was only in its infancy.
So, there wasn't just one form for using the Flaming Lotus of the Inferno.
"There shouldn't be many jutsu that can dodge this—Reverse Summoning, Space-Time Ninjutsu, the Tailed Beasts…"
Shūichi was very satisfied with his creation.
The key was that this technique was flashy enough!
And the more chakra you have, the more powerful it becomes.
What he had just used was only orange-red flames—there were still higher temperatures like white flames, green flames, and even blue flames.
Not to mention flames as hot as the surface of the sun...
Shūichi mused for a moment.
However, he would need to find a new place to train.
After swallowing a soldier pill and downing a bottle of saltwater, Shūichi left the scorched area, found an empty forest, and sat down under a tree. He focused his attention on the Tag Tree in his mind.
Swordsmanship Master—Activated!
The leaves of the Tag Tree glowed, enhancing his swordsmanship talent by 100%, increasing his physique by 100%, improving the quality of his designated weapon by 100%, and removing any learning barriers for any sword or blade techniques, except those tied to bloodlines.
His body immediately felt warm and cozy.
Chakra began to surge like a spring, flowing into the Yin Seal on his forehead and abdomen.
Then, Shūichi drew his Totsuka Blade.
Since the last enhancement was to the Totsuka Blade, he naturally wanted to continue with it.
With a single thought, just like before, a surge of power flowed into the Totsuka Blade.
Soon after, he noticed that dense seals began to appear on the blade, quickly spreading across its surface, forming complex and mysterious patterns.
But just as quickly, the seals and patterns vanished, and lotus patterns emerged on the blade. In the sunlight, a faint glow of firelight seemed to flow along the surface.
"Hmm?"
Shūichi sensed a power gathering within the Totsuka Blade.
"This is..."
His heart raced as a possibility came to mind.
Natural Energy!
He was certain that the energy from the Tag Tree had been fully consumed to modify the Totsuka Blade and create that mysterious technique.
So this newly formed energy must be coming from that technique!
Soon, the power within the Totsuka Blade subsided.
Shūichi immediately injected his chakra into the blade.
Sure enough, as soon as his chakra entered the blade, it encountered a different, unique energy!
And very naturally, it merged seamlessly with his chakra.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
The blade hummed softly as the lotus patterns glowed with a blue light.
Shūichi felt his chakra and the energy within the blade combine, naturally altering its nature.
Moreover, this alteration was specifically for Fire Release.
His Fire Release properties were significantly amplified, resulting in the blade's blue flames.
However, the Blue Flame Sky Blade was not just about changing the nature—it also involved shape transformation, with multiple layers of enhancement creating high-temperature flames.
Originally, after acquiring the Fire Release Master Tag, Shūichi could instantly raise the temperature of his flames to their peak—white flames.
This was similar to Pakura's Scorch Release, but there was still some distance to reach blue flames.
Now, after the enhancement, he had jumped straight to that level.
"So then..."
Shūichi's eyes narrowed as he activated the Blue Flame Sky Blade.
In the next moment, the blue flames on the blade rapidly transformed. The blue lotuses also began changing color, shifting from blue to a blue-green mix.
"One more hit like this, and Killer B would be split in half."
Shūichi grinned widely.
But after withdrawing his chakra, Shūichi immediately felt a pang of regret and smacked his thigh in frustration.
"Damn it, that mysterious technique must have been for gathering Natural Energy and enabling nature transformation."
Shūichi closely examined the blade.
Unfortunately, now he could only see the lotus patterns and not the technique.
Of course, he had memorized the part of the technique he had seen.
But the blade had two sides, and he could only see one.
This meant he only had half of it!
"It hurts so much!"
Shūichi couldn't help clutching his chest.
Shūichi rushed home as quickly as he could, pulling out a blank scroll to transcribe the incomplete technique he had seen earlier.
He then pored over it repeatedly.
"Hmm... I can understand a bit, just the part related to Fire Release."
"Natural Energy is a completely unfamiliar field to me, so I'll need to take it slow."
Shūichi wasn't discouraged.
If he couldn't figure it out now, he would aim to acquire the Sealing Master Tag. Or perhaps rely on the annual "Flash of Insight"—he was confident that he would eventually decipher it.
After putting away the scroll, he thought for a moment and decided to head to Orochimaru's lab.
Time flew by, and the vacation ended.
Shūichi returned to his team, resuming the fast-paced life of the Anbu.
However, while the Anbu's pace was intense, there was still ample time for rest, allowing Shūichi to train on his own or visit Orochimaru's lab.
After obtaining the Swordsmanship Master Tag, Shūichi began shifting his focus.
The priority of the Body Flicker Expert Tag was now at the top.
Tag: Body Flicker Expert
Condition to Obtain: Master at least five different types of Body Flicker techniques.
Effect: 100% increase in Body Flicker technique talent, 100% cell activation boost, and the ability to perform any Body Flicker technique without hand seals.
The battle with the A-B Combo made Shūichi realize that fast reaction speed alone wasn't enough—he also needed faster attack speed.
Or more precisely, he needed to improve the reaction speed of his muscles and other motor functions.
This could either be a natural talent or something developed through rigorous training, like Guy's muscle memory, achieved through years of relentless practice to enable quick reactions.
Another method was the Cloud Ninja's Lightning Release Cell Activation.
Kakashi's Chidori Stream could also activate cells, but it was far inferior to the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
If it weren't for the fact that he was still one Space-Time Ninjutsu short, Shūichi would have fully focused on mastering the Space-Time Envoy Tag.
But if he couldn't find a suitable Space-Time Ninjutsu, he would rely on stacking talents to master the Flying Thunder God technique.
With the 50% talent boost from Konoha Genius, the 100% Ninjutsu talent boost from Ninjutsu Professor, the 100% Body Flicker talent boost from Body Flicker Expert, and the 10 minutes of "Flash of Insight"—Shūichi was confident he could master the Flying Thunder God.
And once he had the Flying Thunder God, as long as he didn't do anything reckless, the vast ninja world would be his to explore!
...
Time flew by, and it was now November of Konoha Year 42.
The Akimichi Clan's Big Eater Contest, which had been in preparation for over three months, had become a massive hit after a few days of warm-up events. It was the talk of the entire Konoha Village.
Even as Shūichi strolled through the village with Shizune during his holiday, he could hear people discussing it.
Not only that, but even outside Konoha, many "big eaters" from the Land of Fire had heard about the contest and planned to participate.
As they walked to the new udon shop opened by the Akimichi Clan, Shūichi and Shizune found the area packed with people.
"Incredible! So many people signed up!"
Even though she knew the contest had become popular, Shizune couldn't help but gasp at the sight of so many people.
Shūichi smiled and said, "It looks like this will be a very successful event."
Shizune nodded, smiling as well. "If they hold it annually, it could become a festival!"
Shūichi stroked his chin thoughtfully and then laughed, "I think it could be a Big Eater Contest held in alliance with Konoha's allied ninja villages."
"Hmm, maybe each village could have a preliminary contest, and the top ten from each village could all come to Konoha for the finals to compete for the title."
Shizune was stunned, "Wouldn't that be a bit too much?"
Shūichi couldn't help but laugh as well, "Haha, it is a bit over the top."
"But if there are profits to be made, I think people would still participate."
Shizune wondered, "But wouldn't organizing the contest also be profitable?"
As she spoke, she noticed a familiar figure and said, "Shūichi, I think that's Jiraiya-sama!"
Jiraiya?
Following Shizune's gaze, Shūichi indeed saw the familiar white hair and muttered to himself, "He's back... but what's he doing here instead of gathering material at the hot springs?"
"Is he planning to participate too?"
Shūichi felt he might have gained a formidable opponent.
At that moment, Jiraiya pushed his way through the crowd, spotted Shūichi and Shizune, and walked over with a smile, "Are you two here to sign up too?"
"Jiraiya-sama!"
Shūichi and Shizune greeted him politely, and then Shūichi responded, "Yes, we came to sign up together. I didn't expect to see you here, Jiraiya-sama."
Shizune quickly added, "This contest was Shūichi's idea!"
"Oh?"
Jiraiya looked at Shūichi, gave a thumbs up, and smiled, "It's a great idea. But during the contest, I won't go easy on you."
Shūichi immediately replied without backing down, "Jiraiya-sama, I won't go easy on you either, even if you are one of the legendary Sannin."
Jiraiya laughed heartily, "You seem pretty confident!"
"Hmm..."
Jiraiya stroked his chin, then smiled, "Shūichi, if you can beat me, I'll teach you an interesting jutsu. How about that?"
An interesting jutsu?
Shūichi blinked in surprise.
Does Jiraiya have any interesting jutsu?
Not really, right?
But since there's a jutsu on the line, Shūichi naturally wouldn't refuse. He nodded in agreement and smiled, "Jiraiya-sama, if you win, I'll also give you a very interesting jutsu."
After thinking for a moment, Shūichi added, "Hmm... Jiraiya-sama, I'm sure you'll really like it."
Seeing Shūichi's mysterious expression, Jiraiya became intrigued but managed to hold back his curiosity, waving goodbye with a smile. "Well then, I'll be looking forward to your jutsu, Shūichi!"
As Jiraiya left, Shizune couldn't help but ask curiously, "Shūichi, what interesting jutsu are you planning to give Jiraiya-sama if you lose?"
"I remember all the jutsu you've developed are highly practical, right?"
Shūichi quickly cleared his throat. "It's just an idea for now, I haven't developed it yet!"
Shizune nodded, not pressing the matter further.
Shūichi silently breathed a sigh of relief, making up his mind.
If he really lost, he'd have to make Jiraiya keep it a secret.
Before long, it was their turn to sign up.
After Shūichi wrote down his name, he glanced over and was surprised, "Huh? Lady Tsunade is signing up too?"
Shizune, who had just finished writing Tsunade's name, nodded and smiled, "Yes, Lady Tsunade also thought it seemed like a lot of fun."
Great, yet another formidable opponent!
Tsunade, when she's hungry, might even consider eating her own pets.
After signing up, Shūichi and Shizune headed towards Konoha Hospital.
The Big Eater Contest would officially start in three days, but it wouldn't be just a one or two-day event; it would last until the last day of the year, so there was plenty of time.
After spending two hours at Konoha Hospital, Shūichi returned home to feed his crows.
The once-young birds had now grown up, and just like with White Tiger(Shiro), Shūichi fed them medicinal herbs and injected chakra into their bodies.
In addition, Shūichi had created a summoning scroll specifically for these crows, so they could be summoned as needed.
He was also experimenting with developing a Crow Clone Jutsu based on this.
"The chakra I've stored in these crows has become familiar to them. Their spirit and synchronization with me have developed nicely."
Watching the dozen or so crows circling in the air, Shūichi felt they were ready.
Although these crows didn't have much combat power and couldn't speak, they could easily understand his commands through chakra, having developed a deep bond with him.
This was not only due to the continuous feeding of some herbs but also because the crows had his chakra within them.
From raising Shiro to these crows, Shūichi had realized how difficult it was to train a qualified summoning beast.
It wasn't just the financial cost, but also the time, effort, and uncertainties involved.
Now!
With a focused gaze, Shūichi activated the chakra stored in the crows.
The crows, sensing his command, immediately gathered together, merging into a single figure.
Watching another version of himself floating in the air, Shūichi smiled.
Crow Clone Jutsu—complete!
Clap, clap, clap...
The clone in the air dispersed, reverting back into individual crows, which flapped their wings and then regrouped into another clone on the other side.
Shūichi then tested the clone's ability to use Fire Release, Wind Release, and Genjutsu while airborne.
Once the chakra was almost depleted, he dispelled the clone jutsu.
"The strength of the Crow Clone depends on the amount of chakra stored in the crows. If combat power isn't a concern, it consumes far less chakra to perform than Shadow Clones or even Fire Clones."
"However, there's a limit to how much chakra the crows can store, but since this is a support-type clone, this isn't really a drawback."
Shūichi evaluated, "Another major advantage is air superiority!"
Even though he had mastered the Fiery Lotus Steps technique, it was still quite chakra-intensive.
For a clone, the Crow Clone was much more efficient.
"Additionally, the crows or Crow Clones can be used for long-distance reconnaissance."
"Though the Listening Technique is powerful, it's also quite chakra-consuming and is limited to detecting chakra."
As he watched the crows perched on the wooden stand, Shūichi thought to himself, "The only downside is that these crows aren't true summoning beasts. They can't refine chakra, and they can't speak or have intelligence, so the chakra I store in them will gradually dissipate over time."
"Although I can replenish their chakra as needed, it would be much more convenient if they could store it for longer periods."
"Hmm, I could try using a sealing technique to slow down the chakra loss."
"It doesn't have to be too advanced."
Having decided on the next step, Shūichi focused his thoughts, and the crows on the wooden stand flapped their wings and took off, flying in formation towards the Uchiha Clan.
He wanted to give Shisui Uchiha a little surprise.
This clone technique would be particularly useful for someone like Shisui, who was proficient in Genjutsu, especially with his Sharingan.
Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Uchiha Shisui was leisurely feeding his crows at home when he suddenly looked up at the approaching flock of crows, smiling. "Another message from Shūichi."
Since their team disbanded and they each carried out their own missions, they didn't see each other often, so Shisui and Shūichi frequently communicated through crows.
Sometimes they would chat casually, other times they would discuss jutsu, such as the Fire Release that Shūichi excelled in or the Genjutsu that Shisui was a master of.
Hmm?
Shisui paused, surprised as the flock of crows formed into a human figure. He chuckled, "Shūichi, your ideas are always so unique."
The crow-formed Shūichi smiled. "Necessity breeds innovation."
"But I think this jutsu is perfect for you. The principle isn't difficult, especially for someone like you."
"You project your chakra or store it within the crows, and then use that chakra to perform the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Of course, it required the ability to communicate with the crows, but for someone like Shisui, this was not a issue.
Shisui immediately understood and, without hesitation, accepted the gesture of goodwill.
The two chatted for a bit longer before Shūichi dissolved back into crows and flew away.
As Shisui watched the crows disappear into the distance, he pondered how he could return the favor.
"I should compile a Genjutsu manual for him!"
Shisui smiled to himself. "We've discussed so many things, but it hasn't been in a structured format yet."
---
Sometimes, missions from the ANBU come quite unexpectedly.
Shūichi's vacation hadn't ended, nor had the Big Eater contest begun, and he hadn't even received Shisui's return gift before he had to leave Konoha to carry out a mission.
"Sorry, everyone, the village is a bit short-handed, and this mission is very important," Sarutobi Shinnosuke apologized as they traveled.
Chōgan laughed. "I don't mind missions, but it's a shame to miss the opening ceremony of the Big Eater contest. I helped organize it, after all."
"And Shūichi's match.."
Shūichi said with a smile, "We might miss the opening, but we should still make it in time for the contest."
"If you feel like it's a loss, we can hold it again next year."
Chōgan's eyes lit up behind his mask. "You're right!"
"Yeah, next year we'll hold it again, and I'll personally host it!"
After some lighthearted banter, Chihiro brought the conversation back to the mission. "Shinnosuke, can you brief us on the mission details?"
Shūichi and the others immediately perked up.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke explained, "Our destination is the Land of Birds, and our target is the third son of the Daimyō of the Land of Birds."
"The Land of Birds has always been allied with the Land of Earth, which makes it within Iwagakure's sphere of influence. But small countries like this usually don't make their political affiliations too obvious."
"However, this third son is a war fanatic and has been stirring up the Land of Birds to fully support the Land of Earth in its eastern expansion."
"Additionally, the current Daimyō of the Land of Birds is critically ill, and this third son has gained the favor and backing of the Land of Earth."
Shūichi listened thoughtfully, then speculated, "This third son may not necessarily want war himself. It's likely that certain individuals in the Land of Earth are using him or the Land of Birds to start a conflict."
"If they're expanding eastward, their first target would be the Land of Rain, which just so happens to be in turmoil since the last Great Ninja War."
"However, that probably isn't the ultimate goal."
"If the Land of Earth is truly behind this, then their real target is likely the Land of Grass, which has more resources than the Land of Rain."
"Moreover, while the Land of Rain is in chaos, we can't overlook the strength of Amegakure. The 'Legendary Shinobi' is still there."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded in approval. "Flame, your analysis is spot on."
"That's also what the village's higher-ups believe."
Satoshi added, "The Land of Earth has always had ambitions for the Land of Grass, and Iwagakure has been steadily infiltrating it. The death of the previous leader of Kusagakure was linked to Iwagakure, and the current leader is heavily influenced by them."
"The Land of Earth wouldn't openly attack the Land of Grass to avoid provoking the Land of Fire and Konoha, so they're using the Land of Birds as a proxy."
"If the Land of Birds invades and hires Iwagakure ninjas, the international repercussions will be much smaller."
Shinichi sighed. "It's only been less than ten years since the last Great Ninja War, and these warmongers are already restless again."
Chōgan grumbled, "The First Hokage should've wiped out all these troublemakers back then."
Shūichi gave him a thumbs up.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke in a more serious tone. "The village is short on personnel not only because of an increase in mission demand but also due to the heightened activity in other ninja villages, especially Iwagakure."
Chōgan asked, "Will taking out this third son prevent the war?"
Shinnosuke shook his head. "We don't know, but that's not for us to worry about."
Shūichi smiled. "If killing one won't stop it, then we'll just keep killing."
"Once everyone who wants to start a war is dead, there won't be any war left."
Everyone was stunned by his bluntness.
Chihiro laughed helplessly. "Flame, your way of thinking is too simplistic."
"Also, while your idea is admirable, it's a bit extreme!"
Shūichi grinned. "Well, I'm not even ten years old yet!"
"But sometimes, the solution isn't to address the problem directly, but to take care of the people causing the problem—just like the mission we're about to complete."
"Although, it's still not direct enough."
"The most straightforward approach would be to eliminate the warmongers in the Land of Earth!"
This time, even Sarutobi Shinnosuke laughed wryly. "Flame, your ideas... well, while they make sense, the Land of Earth is dominated by the militant faction. The current Third Tsuchikage is one of them."
"That would be almost the same as declaring war on the Land of Earth and Iwagakure."
Shūichi laughed. "In that case, let's not overthink it."
"Let's rush in, take out this Daimyō's son, and then head back to the village for the Big Eater contest. I've been looking forward to it!"
Everyone burst into laughter, and the heavy atmosphere lifted.
The group exited the Land of Fire, crossed through the Land of Rain, and by dusk the next day, they had entered the Land of Birds.
After spending the night resting in a cave and fully recovering their strength, Shūichi and the others used the Transformation Jutsu to disguise themselves as ordinary merchants and infiltrated the Daimyō's mansion in the Land of Birds.
Once they checked into an inn, a female attendant soon arrived with a meal box, entering the suite that Shūichi and the others had reserved.
"Root of the Darkness!"
Her words startled Shūichi.
However, Sarutobi Shinnosuke wasn't surprised and responded, "The Leaves Flutter in Konoha!"
The attendant nodded, then opened the meal box, revealing food on top and a map hidden underneath. "This is a map of the target's location, with the positions of the guards marked."
"On the back are details of the target's daily routines."
"But be cautious: yesterday, a four-person Iwagakure team arrived at the target's residence. We don't have much information on them yet."
"However, one of them is suspected to be Roshi, an elite Iwagakure Jōnin."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke was visibly startled. "Rōshi?"
"Can you confirm that?" he asked.
The attendant shook her head. "I only saw him once."
Shinnosuke nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."
With a slight nod, the attendant picked up the meal box and left.
Shūichi watched silently. "I didn't expect her to be a spy from Root."
"The former Orphanage's director was the same, quietly gathering intelligence in foreign lands as a medical ninja…"
At that moment, Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke up. "This mission might get a little tricky."
Satoshi asked, "Captain, is it because of Rōshi?"
Shinnosuke nodded. "This guy is no ordinary shinobi. He's the Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails!"
Everyone was stunned—another Jinchūriki!
Chōgan sighed helplessly. "It seems we have quite the affinity with Jinchūriki, don't we?"
Everyone smiled wryly.
Shūichi then asked, "Captain, do we have any intel on Rōshi?"
Shinnosuke nodded. "Yes. In fact, both Minato-senpai and Jiraiya-sama have encountered Iwagakure's Jinchūriki before."
"While Rōshi might not be as perfectly in sync with his Tailed Beast as Killer Bee from the Cloud Village, he's even more dangerous in some ways."
Shinichi asked, "Are you saying that the Jinchūriki might lose control?"
"That's right," Shinnosuke replied. "If Rōshi fully unleashes the Four-Tails' power, it would be devastating."
Satoshi considered the situation. "In that case, we'll need to split into two groups: one to draw the enemy's attention and the other to carry out the assassination."
As he spread out the map, Shinnosuke explained, "I'll lead Group A with Seeker and Flame. We'll infiltrate first and draw the enemy's forces away, killing as many Iwagakure shinobi and guards as possible."
"Meanwhile, Force, Deer, and Mind, you'll be Group B and handle the assassination."
"Once the mission is complete, retreat immediately. You don't need to wait for us."
"Our rendezvous point will be the cave we rested in yesterday at the border."
Satoshi, Shinichi, and Chōgan all nodded in agreement. "Understood!"
With the guards drawn away, whether they snuck in directly or used the Mind Body Switch Technique to control someone close to the Daimyō's son, the mission would be much safer and smoother.
Next came the task of familiarizing themselves with the intelligence and the layout of the area.
As for conducting reconnaissance, Shinnosuke chose not to risk it. Iwagakure already had agents in place, and the more they did, the higher the risk of exposure.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was nightfall.
In the dead of night, after resting and regaining their energy, Shūichi and the others quietly left the inn, moving under the cover of darkness. They finally reached a street that overlooked their target's residence.
Though the Daimyō's son belonged to a small country, the mansion was still quite large.
However, Shūichi and the team had already memorized the layout of the map.
Shinnosuke gave a hand signal, leaving Satoshi, Shinichi, and Chōgan behind, while Shūichi and Chihiro moved ahead with him, boldly approaching the front.
Yes, they were going to enter directly.
After all, their job was to draw out the enemy.
If they could fight their way to the target, there would be no need for Satoshi's team to take any further risks.
…
One by one, the guards were easily hypnotized and knocked out by Chihiro, while Shūichi Hoshita swiftly caught them and gently laid them on the ground.
The three continued to infiltrate the courtyard until they suddenly came to a halt.
"Konoha ninjas?"
"Or from Amegakure?"
A voice called out from the rooftop.
Shūichi looked up to see a figure standing with arms crossed. Under the moonlight, the man's purple hair and beard were unmistakably visible.
It was Rōshi, the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki!
At the same time, several Iwagakure shinobi appeared on the rooftops to the left, right, and behind them.
They were surrounded!
Shūichi immediately realized that the enemy had sensory-type ninja.
"Retreat!"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke quickly ordered.
Whoosh!
The three of them leaped into the air.
While Rōshi remained still, the three Iwagakure ninjas charged forward, clashing mid-air. Sparks flew, and the metallic clanging sounds echoed sharply as six figures collided.
Suddenly, one of the Iwagakure ninjas was sent flying, crashing into a building with a thunderous boom, sending up a cloud of dust.
At that moment, Rōshi, who hadn't moved before, quickly formed hand seals and exhaled several massive molten lava orbs toward Shūichi and his comrades.
Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Jutsu!
Boom!
The night sky lit up with the fire's glow.
While avoiding Rōshi's attack mid-air, Shūichi swung his blade, igniting it with blue flames. From more than 20 meters away, he slashed down at Rōshi on the rooftop with his Blue Flame Waterfall Blade.
"Hm?"
Rōshi was surprised to see Shūichi hovering in mid-air. Without hesitation, he clapped his hands together, and his body became rapidly encased in molten rock.
Lava Release Chakra Mode!
As Shūichi's giant blade descended, Rōshi rocketed upward, throwing a fierce punch that collided with the sword.
Boom!
The Blue Flame Waterfall Blade shattered under Rōshi's punch, scattering pale blue flames that quickly transformed into buds scattered across the courtyard.
Having anticipated this, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro had already withdrawn from the courtyard.
Sensing something wrong, Rōshi shouted, "Watch out for those flames!"
But before he could finish, the flames bloomed and exploded, engulfing the entire courtyard in a sea of fire.
The two Iwagakure ninjas who had leaped up to pursue Shinnosuke and the others were caught off guard and thrown back by the fiery wave.
Meanwhile, Shūichi split into three, leaving shimmering blue afterimages that twisted the air.
The two Iwagakure ninjas, having barely gotten back on their feet, were immediately faced with three Shūichis charging at them. They had no time to form hand seals and were forced to engage with their blades.
But their strikes hit nothing.
Shūichi was too fast, and the heat from his blade distorted the air, combined with a small illusion that caused both their attacks to miss entirely.
Slash!
The two Iwagakure ninjas widened their eyes in shock as they collapsed.
Without pausing, the three Shūichis sped off in pursuit of Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others.
Behind them, Rōshi's furious voice echoed, "Damn it! You won't escape!"
Shūichi glanced back and saw that Rōshi, now sporting a tail and still covered in molten lava, was closing in on them at high speed—faster than him.
Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Jutsu!
As Rōshi drew closer, he once again exhaled seven or eight massive lava orbs at the three Shūichis.
But Shūichi didn't even look back.
Boom!
A torrent of water surged up, blocking Rōshi's attack.
Immediately afterward, a high-speed water jet shot out, striking Rōshi and blasting him away.
Water Release: Water Severing Wave!
"As expected of a Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails…"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke muttered to himself before shouting, "Retreat!"
He and Chihiro swiftly leaped after Shūichi, continuing their escape.
Behind them, Rōshi quickly recovered and resumed his pursuit.
Though Shinnosuke's Water Severing Wave had hit its mark, it failed to penetrate Rōshi's molten armor, merely knocking him back.
Shūichi couldn't help but click his tongue in frustration.
If he had been hit by the Water Severing Wave, it would have either pierced him or sliced him in half.
The power of a Kekkei Genkai and a Jinchūriki was truly formidable!
...
The two groups raced through the Daimyō's mansion, swiftly exiting the town.
As soon as they were gone, Satoshi, Shinichi, and Chōgan began their operation, infiltrating the residence of the Daimyō's son.