Was the Third Kazekage truly worried about Scorpion?
Would this change history in a big way?
Sarutobi Ryo couldn't be sure.
But if I do what I 'm meant to do, I won't have any regrets, will I, Nawaki …
----
A few days later.
Everyone was ready and geared up.
They stood at the One-Line Sky, the gateway to Sunagakure.
Pakura led the Sunagakure squad, and the Konoha team was there too.
Yamanaka Hui, Hyuga Ruri, the Umino couple, and others were also among the Konoha ninjas.
Sarutobi Ryo had gotten permission from the Third Kazekage and called Yamanaka Hui and the others from their post on the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers.
Except for Hyuga Ruri, who wasn't Anbu, all of them were.
You could say Sarutobi Ryo was just using his authority as the Division leader of Anbu Squad Six as he should.
Hatake Sakumo had also gathered some Anbu members.
The group of several dozen ninjas from Sunagakure and Konoha was a powerful sight. It showed their strength and influence.
The scene reminded Sarutobi Ryo of the Second Shinobi World War.
"Let's go!"
Pakura raised her arm, and the Sunagakure team cheered loudly.
Their eyes were bright with passion, showing they really believed in Pakura.
Pakura had worked her way up from nothing, and she was as admired in Sunagakure as Minato Namikaze was in Konoha.
Soon, the large group headed towards the northern border of the Land of Wind...
----
Two days later.
In an oasis in the northern part of the Land of Wind.
A team of Iwagakure ninjas was resting inside a house.
The sun was blazing outside, making the Iwagakure ninjas not want to move.
They had planned to only act after sunset and rest during the day.
The Land of Wind was mostly desert.
But there were many oases within those deserts.
The people of the Land of Wind lived in these oases.
The Iwagakure ninjas had attacked and destroyed several oases, but they hadn't gained much.
But that didn't matter.
What was important was giving their ninjas combat experience, even in times of peace, to keep them ready for battle.
"..."
At that moment, the Iwagakure Jonin in charge, Kotsuchi, held his sheathed sword and narrowed his eyes. The sun was directly above him.
Unlike his sweaty ninjas,
he breathed steadily and looked calm.
The others watched him with envy.
"They say… Lord Kotsuchi's sword has a special freezing power. It seems the rumors are true…"
Kotsuchi was an Iwagakure Jonin with fair skin and a good build.
Compared to his stocky comrades, he looked almost thin. Of course, that was only in comparison.
He held a short sword, and a faint chill came from its sheath.
This chill kept him cool in the heat.
The Land of Earth shaped its people. Most Iwagakure ninjas were skilled in Earth Release.
They were good at Earth Release Ninjutsu and ninja hand-to-hand combat.
Among them, there were many masters of hand-to-hand combat.
And among these masters were strong sword users.
For example, in the Third Shinobi World War, a young Kakashi fought two skilled Iwagakure Jonin swordsmen.
Kakashi almost died twice in those fights.
Once, Minato Namikaze saved him with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The other time, he barely survived with the help of Obito, who had awakened his Sharingan.
And Kotsuchi had an even more important role…
"They say Lord Tsuchikage is training Lord Kotsuchi. He values him more than Lord Kitsuchi…"
History has many secrets.
In the original story, Sarutobi Ryo's original body only appeared on a title page.
Tsunade's parents were never even mentioned.
But just because they weren't mentioned didn't mean they didn't exist.
"After all… Lord Kotsuchi is Lord Tsuchikage's favorite youngest son…"
Someone sighed.
Kotsuchi's older brother was Kitsuchi.
And he was the youngest son of the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki.
Unlike his older brother Kitsuchi, Kotsuchi hadn't inherited his father's strong body.
So, he focused on developing other skills.
In the end, Kotsuchi became skilled in hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship.
His fierce attacks and quick movements made his enemies afraid.
To make his youngest son even stronger, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, had found a special sword for him.
This short sword had a faint cold light, and it was very tough and sharp.
Its special "freezing" power could even freeze the enemy's movements, even their thoughts!
Just as the group was chatting…
Outside, the sentry rang the bell.
The bell in the oasis, which the locals used to call the villagers, was now used to warn of intruders.
Hearing the bell,
Kotsuchi instantly opened his eyes.
The others got up and looked outside.
Soon, someone ran in and said, "Lord Kotsuchi… bad news! Konoha and Sunagakure are attacking!"
"Konoha and Sunagakure?!"
Everyone was surprised.
"It's Pakura of the Scorch Release, and the 'Black Grim Reaper,' Sarutobi Ryo, the Hokage's son!"
"Hm?!"
Kotsuchi had been calm before, but when he heard the Hokage's son was there, he knew that Sunagakure and Konoha might have really joined forces.
This was a serious matter that needed to be reported.
"Return to the Village immediately and tell Lord Tsuchikage."
Kotsuchi looked at an Anbu member beside him.
The Iwagakure Anbu nodded and disappeared into the ground.
Using Earth Release, many Iwagakure ninjas could move freely through the earth.
"The Hokage's son…"
Kotsuchi looked outside.
"I've been hearing about him. It's strange for an Anbu to be so well-known. He's quite showy…"
Since joining Anbu, Sarutobi Ryo had almost never worn a mask.
He always wore black.
And every time he fought, people died.
Over time, he became known as the Black Grim Reaper.
Many people thought it was very showy for an Anbu to not wear a mask.
"Let's see if he's really skilled, or if he's just a fake!"
What Kotsuchi and the others didn't know was…
Konoha White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, was wearing an Anbu mask and hiding in the crowd.
If Kotsuchi knew Konoha White Fang was there, he would be much more careful… and might even retreat…
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 206 (Vol 2 Ch 148)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 79 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
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]