Chapter 105: 101: Raimei Maru, and... Ameyu
Early May.
The gentle breeze swayed, allowing warm sunlight to filter through the forest''s dense canopy. Bug Man shielded his eyes from the sun''s re, squinting as he did so.
Soon, he noticed an unusual urrence nearby. A man emerged from the ground, hoisted off the ground entirely. Hisplexion was pallid, and he seemed out of breath. He appeared visibly fatigued, bearing the marks of a recent struggle.
Bug Man regarded him and inquired, "Trouble, I presume?"
The other party responded, "Indeed. I didn''t anticipate the presence of such keen sensory ninjas in Kusagakure. I nearly fell into their trap."
He was Earth Man in the team, skilled in Earth Release Subterranean Voyage Jutsu. He specialized in reconnaissance for the Bug Men team. However, during histest mission to investigate the location of the Uzumaki n remnants imprisoned within Kusagakure, he had drawn the attention of Kusa''s sensory ninja.
This was the first time such a situation had urred.
"Kusagakure is still an official ninja vige, so it''s not surprising that they possess unique abilities. So, have you uncovered the whereabouts of the Uzumaki n remnants in Kusagakure?"
It had been nearly a month since they first learned about some of the Uzumaki n''s survivors being held in Kusagakure. During this time, they had discreetly arranged attack and retreat routes, set traps along the way, and hindered the Kusa Ninja''s movements during their retreat.
On the other hand, they had deployed organization members skilled in infiltration to investigate Kusagakure''syout. Most importantly, they needed to confirm where the Uzumaki n survivors were being held, which was important.
"We have a general idea of the location. However, But if i continue to investigate further, I feel like I won''t be able to make it back." he replied.
Indeed, it was an official ninja vige, fundamentally different from the rogue ninja they had encountered in the past, both in terms of skill and level. Kusagakure alone posed a significant challenge, making them wary. Confronted by thebined might of the five major ninja viges, their stratagems would prove futile. They''d be crushed outright by the ninja forces.
"So, they are indeed being held within the Kusagakure? Bug Man deduced.
"Correct."
"Now that this is confirmed, matters be more manageable. The past month has been spent on organizing attack and retreat routes. Once we extract the Uzumaki n remnants from within Kusagakure, we''ll be done."
"If only it were that simple" Earth Man replied, frowning as he looked at Kusagakure in the distance, where the outline of a massive structure could be discerned.
"So strategically, we can use a diversion this time."
"A diversion?"
Earth Man''s expressed uncertainty about Bug Man''s statement. Bug Man produced a map of the Land of Grass from his belongings, unfurled it on the ground, and pointed to a location in the Land of Grass.
"Here''s the location of Kusa. This is the route we''ll use to attack Kusa, with three retreat paths fitted with traps to intercept any pursuers. The pivotal part of our operation is to attack this ce to the west... right here."
Bug Man indicated a location near Kusagakure, where a castle was faintly marked.
"Hozuki Castle. It was established by the request of various nations and serves as a prison for ninja who havemitted serious crimes. It''s located on a small ind surrounded by the Ind Sea. The warden of Hozuki Castle is an elite ninja from Kusagakure. We need to feign an attack here and signal to Kusagakure that we are nning a major assault on Hozuki Castle. They will ensure the safety of the dangerous criminals inside Hozuki Castle and prevent any repercussions from the major ninja viges. Kusagakure will undoubtedly send reinforcements here."
"I see. It''s indeed an effective method to disperse Kusagakure''s forces. When will this n be executed?" Earth Man inquired.
"Tomorrow night. We need some time to assemble the assault team."
The next evening, at nine o''clock.
On a small ind not far from Kusagakure, in the Ind Sea, a massive fortress loomed faintly through the mist. This fortress was Hozuki Castle, a prison established by the request of various nations and where ninja who vited the rules andmitted heinous crimes were held.
It was said that few prisoners had ever escaped from Hozuki Castle since its establishment. The warden of Hozuki Castle was an elite ninja from Kusagakure who could use a ninjutsu called "Fire Release: Heavenly Prison." This jutsu was nted on the criminals, ensuring that they could never leave Hozuki Castle until the jutsu was released.
This ce was the core facility that sustained the Kusagakure''s existence, as it allowed them to maintain a bncing act between the five major ninja viges and avoid being crushed in the wars between the major nations.
Therefore, by attacking this location, they could sessfully divert the Kusagakure''s attention. In order to satisfy the major ninja viges and avoid any losses here, the Kusagakure would definitely dispatch reinforcements.
A group of individuals dressed in ck cloaks, relying on boats, approached the small ind in the Ind Sea where Hozuki Castle was situated. They had already scouted the patterns of the guards'' movements and shift changes, so their infiltration proceeded smoothly.
Opening a map, it disyed theyout of Hozuki Castle.
"The cells of the prisoners are located at this point, which is marked as point A. The entrances are at points B and C. There are two attack routes, and on the way, avoid engaging in battles as much as possible. Once we reach point A, make it look like we''re killing and silencing,unch indiscriminate attacks, and then withdraw from point D, where there will be support personnel waiting ashore."
"Yes."
"After collecting what we need, we''ll take action immediately."
The leader produced a wooden box containing neatly arranged explosive tags.
After distributing the detonators, the eight individuals automatically split into two teams, converging on the previously designated B and C locations.
At location B, one of the group members consulted a pocket watch, indicating 9:30.
"It''s time to initiate the attack."
Without exchanging words, each person retrieved prepared kunai with five attached explosive tags and hurled them toward the imposing wall before them.
The kunai embedded themselves into the city wall''s stones, igniting the explosive tags. In an instant, a brilliant sh followed by a deafening explosion erupted from the city wall.
Simultaneously, at the location designated as C, another explosion echoed.
The Hozuki Castle''s internal rm system was promptly triggered, prompting the guards to organize and move towards the source of the disturbance.
However, the infiltrators had already breached the shattered city walls, casting kunai in every direction.
Each kunai bore five explosive tags, unleashing a devastating explosion upon contact with any human body.
Explosions reverberated continuously throughout the area, resulting in copsed structures everywhere. Violent dust clouds billowed across the streets, further exacerbating the pandemonium within Hozuki Castle.
"Extreme situation alert, level two!"
"Extreme situation alert, level two!"
"Extreme situation alert, level two!"
The announcement repeated three times, the announcer disying a mix of shock and anger as they observed buildings erupting in explosions.
At that moment, two kunai wereunched at a towering, slender building, resulting in a resounding st. The structure began to copse from its center, shaking the ground and burying unfortunate guards beneath it.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
One of the assants, draped in a ck overcoat, performed hand seals, exhaling a massive fireball.
Over a dozen Hozuki Castle guards charged forward. Upon spotting the iing fireball, they swiftly scattered, hurling kunai at the attackers.
Within the dust clouds billowing from the explosions, the cacophony of metal weaponry shing, jutsu colliding, and explosions echoed, intensifying the chaos.
"Stop them! They''re after the prisoners! Don''t let them seed!"
The guards who had been blown away by explosive tags screamed amidst their bloodied coughs.
However, regardless of their cries, the attackers refrained from protracted confrontations with these individuals. Their sole aim was to sow chaos, forcing the guards to divert their attention toward the defenseless inmates, therebyplicating their task.
Moreover, they were very near to the imprisoned criminals, and distracting the guards for their protection added an additionalyer ofplexity to the mission.
Explosions red, buildings continued to crumble, and agonized screams filled the air.
Eight attackers maneuvered through the cell area, pretending to search for a specific prisoner, all within view of the guards.
This tactic was employed to create the impression that they hade to liberate a particr inmate.
"Move!"
As the time neared its end, lingering any longer proved futile. While retreating, the eight continued hurling kunai equipped with explosive tags, creating a chaotic and riotous scene.
Without hesitation, the eight formed a battle line, utilizing explosive tags to clear their path, preventing flesh-and-blood guards from closing in.
The effort to extinguish fires and tend to injured inmates stretched Hozuki Castle''s avable personnel thin.
Once the fires were under control and injured prisoners received treatment, attempts to pursue the attackers revealed that they had already departed the small ind housing Hozuki Castle, leaving the once orderly city in disarray.
"Next, we simply wait for Kusagakure''s response."
One of the attackers on the boat, who had exited the Hozuki Castle vicinity, remarked.
The entire attack on Hozuki Castle had taken less than ten minutes, yet the scale of the riot and the destruction left behind were undoubtedly substantial.
As a result, significant actions from Kusagakure were all but guaranteed.
As anticipated by Bug Man and the others, Kusagakure quickly learned of the attack on Hozuki Castle, which resulted in numerous buildings copsing. In response, they promptly dispatched hundreds of ninjas to Hozuki Castle. The prevailing belief was that the attackers hadn''t seeded in locating the prisoner they intended to rescue, raising the likelihood of a second assault.
These hundreds of ninjas constituted only the initial wave, as more Kusa ninjas were en route to Hozuki Castle, effectively sealing it off like an imprable iron barrel, thwarting any potential infiltrations.
"It seems our n to surprise Hozuki Castlest night worked, and many Kusanagi ninjas went to support them this morning," Bug Man observed, his satisfaction evident as he perused the reports from his subordinates.
"The n was sessful, but it came at quite a cost," Earth Man said with a wry smile. After all, the key to the operation''s sess had been the exploding tags.
These tags were pricey, one-time-use explosive ninja tools. Each one packed the explosive punch equivalent to a typical Fire Release jutsu. Using so many explosive tags in just under ten minutesst night... well, it was like tossing money away.
Though the buildings within Hozuki Castle had indeed suffered huge damage, their own expenses were far from negligible.
"No worries, the organization still has considerable funds at its disposal. Plus, if we ever run short,Ruri is there to help," the Bug Man reassured.
"True," Earth Man conceded, remembering their wealthy benefactor within the organization.
Viewed in this light, the expenditure on those detonating symbolsst night didn''t seem as burdensome.
"With the bait set, our next target is Kusagakure," Bug Man said, standing on the cliff and looking at Kusagakure in the distance, his words murmured more to himself than to anyone else.
....
On a weekend evening, the waning sunlight filtered through the forest, illuminating an empty training ground. The only sounds were the sh of metal, marking a fierce duel between a short knife and a shadow de.
Compared to one side, which was fighting with all their might, both the power and speed of their knife techniques were maintained at full capacity, and their eyes revealed a serious demeanor. On the other side, it was merely apanying them for a ''y.''
Because this was a battle with a significant power imbnce.
Kakashi gripped his sword, looking at Shiraishi, who had never left his original position, with a serious expression. Around Shiraishi, there were solidified shadow des emerging from the shadows, slowly rotating around him.
It was a type of ''absolute defense'' shadow domain.
From any angle or method, it would be wlessly blocked and then rebounded.
Shiraishi folded his hands across his chest, standing there with an extremely rxed posture. He only needed Shadow Dancer from within his shadow to act, and it ced absolute suppression on Kakashi.
However, this was only natural. The speed, power, and hardness of the shadow des were such that even a Jonin ninja would be killed in an instant if they were not careful.
Moreover, who would have thought that there would be an assassin lurking in his shadow?
Shadow dancer didn''t need sleep, and as long as they had enough chakra and natural energy, they could block any attacks aimed at Shiraishi at any time, and even counterattack.
For those unfamiliar with him, each of the traps set by Shiraishi was an instant-death area.
It was also Shiraishi''s pride.
Currently, Shadow Dancer had practiced a trial version of Sage Mode. The speed, power, and hardness of the shadow des,pared to before, were now even stronger.
At this moment, Shadow Dancer fighting Kakashi was still using chakra to emit the shadow des.
If she used Senjutsu chakra to create shadow des, White Fang would probably be shattered in an instant.
Yet Kakashi was content with his progress. At just seven or eight years old, he couldn''t demand as much from himself as an adult could. His prime as the fastest-growing ninja prodigy was still ahead of him.
Shiraishi was confident that Kakashi could be a Jonin before turning twelve. With proper training, his future achievements might surpass even those of his father, Konoha White Fang.
Kakashi wielded the White Fang, cutting through the air. The de''s sharp aura split tree leaves neatly. White Fang de technique''s uracy, suitable for actualbat, wasplemented by its power, speed, and the incredible body flicker technique.
The simplicity of White Fang''s technique was its strength. Its power,bined with remarkable movement jutsu, had created by his father with his formidable reputation.
The simpler the technique, the more terrifying it could be in practice.
Kakashi''s breathing remained steady, his eyes focused.
This was the training regimen Shiraishi had designed for him. Initially, Kakashi had felt nervous, but as he grew ustomed to facing Shiraishi, that nervousness transformed into motivation to be stronger.
He no longer worried about how long he couldst against Shiraishi; instead, he pondered how to break through the Shadow de domain and strike Shiraishi directly.
Shiraishi had exined that even a Jonin proficient in Taijutsu would struggle to match the shadow des'' speed and strength.
Breaking through this domain would signify Kakashi''s readiness to take on a Jonin. In recent days, he had made significant strides in both speed and strength.
Under Shiraishi''s rigorous teachings, his power grew rapidly. He consistently pushed past his limits, reaching new heights.
Kakashi''s training with Shiraishi had honed his quick judgment and neural response abilities in actualbat. For a ninja skilled in physical and sword techniques, a sharp neural response was a fundamental skill.
ording to Shiraishi''s knowledge, the world''s ninja with the strongest neural response abilities was the Third Raikage of Kumogakure, a ninj unmatched in both offense and defense.
Stimted by the Lightning Release: Chakra Mode, the Third Raikage''s neural response had likely transcended human capabilities.
"Let''s call it a day, Kakashi. You''ve worked hard and need some rest."
After roughly half an hour of intense training, Kakashi''s physical stamina began to wane. He panted heavily, his legs quivered as he stood, and the arm holding the knife shook slightly. It was clear that his overall energy had dropped to a point where he wasn''t suitable for further exercise.
Kakashi wisely chose not to push himself beyond his limits, opting to sit directly on the ground to catch his breath.
"You''ve made great progress in these past days. If you continue at this rate, you''ll soon be ready to advance to the next stage of White Fang''s kenjutsu," Shiraishimented, acknowledging Kakashi''s dedication.
"However, I still can''tnd a hit on you" Kakashi said with a hint of frustration.
"Don''t rush that aspect. Every person has their limits. For you, this is the foundational stage. It''s not about raw strength right now. Strengthening your foundation will ultimately raise your upper limit," Shiraishi advised, offering perspective.
"Is that so?" Kakashi mused, ncing at the White Fang in his hand.
"Besides, your sword skills are currently at the maximum level suitable for your age. There''s no need to push too hard; your body might not handle it. Next, you''ll learn how to manipte the nature of your chakra. What''s your chakra attribute?" Shiraishi inquired.
"Lightning and Earth," Kakashi replied.
"Dual attributes? And one of them is Lightning Release, which is known for its speed. You might be more adept at Kenjutsu than Sakumo-sensei" Shiraishi noted.
Among evasion techniques, Lightning Release was the fastest type and paired well with Taijutsu
"Well, let''s set aside Lightning Release for now. Next, I''ll teach you how to change the nature of your chakra, specifically the Lightning Release chakra. This willplement your Taijutsu and Kenjutsu, eliminating any so-called bottlenecks on your path to bing a Jonin. You''ll be one step closer to your goal," Shiraishi exined, looking at Kakashi with determination.
Kakashi nodded, his gaze shifting to the White Fang.
"In that case, you''re one step closer to that ''objective''..." he murmured.
.....
After his training session with Kakashi, Shiraishi returned to the Uchiha n and made his way to the undergroundboratory. Kakashi''s training wasn''t a pressing issue at the moment; the top priority was rescuing the surviving members of the Uzumaki n imprisoned in Kusagakure and bringing them to the Land Of Demons.
"It''s been a month; it should be about time..." Shiraishi muttered to himself as he descended the stairs.
In a corner of the undergroundboratory, tworge floor-to-ceiling ss cylinder devices contained the cultivation chambers for his own "clones." This time, he had created two clones. Filling them with natural energy and chakra took longer than the creation cycle for his General Tu and Shadow Dancer clones.
While General Tu and Shadow Dancer had also experienced performance improvements through their infusion of Sage Mode System, these newly born clones exhibited even greater potential in their nascent forms.
"Unfortunately, I don''t possess the Yin-Yang Release that is said to create all things; otherwise, this process would be quicker..." Shiraishi remarked.
Although Yin-Yang Release chakra was used when creating the clones and Yin Release and Yang Release were separately employed, Shiraishi understood that this wasn''t the application of Yin-Yang Release. Yin Release and Yang Release were separate entities, while Yin-Yang Release was aplete term that could create things invisibly and give them life and souls.
Because he couldn''t achieve the level of creation of all things with Yin-Yang Release, Shiraishi used some tricks to make up for theck.
He used natural energy as the source of life, with fragments of his own soul serving as the souls of the clones.
The work of Yin Release and Yang Release mainly relied on shaping materials to form containers that could hold natural energy and fragments of his soul.
However, Shiraishi had never heard of anyone in the current ninja world using Yin-Yang Release, so it was likely that it had long been lost.
He had only seen bits and pieces of this secret art in the Uchiha n''s records.
Not worrying about Yin-Yang Release for now, Shiraishi came to the two cultivation devices and looked through the ss at the created clones inside.
His shadow began to rise into a physical form, as if sensing something terrifying was about to emerge from the shell.
As she was about to form a physical entity with the shadow des, Shiraishi said to the Shadow Dancer inside the shadow, "Don''t worry, these are your little sister and brother."
Upon hearing his words, Shadow Dancer stopped its aggressive stance and withdrew its shadow des, returning to a state of calm.
Shiraishi breathed a sigh of relief, then turned his gaze back to the cultivation chambers. Inside, the two clones had already opened their eyes.
One of the clones gave the impression of being a cold and mechanical entity, running ording to a predetermined program.
Invisible ripples expanded from its inorganic eyes, causing a slight breeze in theboratory, rustling the pages of books on the nearby workbench.
Boom!
Both ss devices shattered simultaneously.
The solution filled with natural energy sshed everywhere, leaving the ground damp.
The moment the ss devices shattered, Shiraishi had already stepped back a few steps to avoid being sshed by the solution.
He watched as two figures emerged from the shattered cultivation chambers. One of them, a girl, stood upright in the wet solution. Upon closer inspection, it was evident that she wasn''t touching the ground; there was a gap between her feet and the liquid, and she seemed to be floating.
Her jet-ck hair cascaded down gracefully, her silky tresses framing her face. She had a slender, perfectly proportioned body, adorned in a traditional outfit with a white top and red bottom. Her hands, revealed from the white cuffs, appeared as white as jade, hanging naturally at her sides.
Her face was like a finely crafted work of art, seemingly around sixteen years old, older than the shadow dancer. Her eyes, however, contained concentric circles spreading outward—an outeryer of blue-green and an inneryer of dark purple, seemingly capable of capturing one''s very soul.
Strangely, while she appeared to be breathing, her overall demeanor was reminiscent of a lifeless, cold corpse or an emotionless machine.
Perched quietly on her slender shoulder, atop her white clothing, was a four-legged creature resembling a cat yet not quite a cat, perhaps more akin to a mystical beast. It was entirely ck with a single spiral horn on its head, its blue eyes gazing out. Blue lightning crackled across its dark hide, emphasizing its presence.
This four-legged creature rested calmly on the girl''s shoulder, forming a symbio
tic connection with her.
Shiraishi first nced at the creature on the girl''s shoulder and then directed his gaze to the girl herself, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.
"Wee to life, Raimei Maru, and... Ameyu. I''m sorry to say this to both of you, but I have a mission for you. Any objections?"
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