《Konoha's Tag-System Ninja》 Chapter 1: Ninja Academy & Might Guy

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Ninja Academy & Might Guy

On March 15th, in the 38th year of Konoha, a crowd had gathered in front of the bulletin board outside the Ninja Academy. Among them were students who had participated in the assessment and their parents. Hoshita Shichi''s eyes quickly scanned the list of names, and he finally let out a sigh of relief when he found his own. Though he had been confident about getting into the Konoha Ninja Academy, it wasn''t until now, with the results confirmed, that he could truly rx. Passing the assessment meant that the only thing left between him and the academy was the submission of his enrollment documents after the entrance ceremony. Once those were submitted, he could officially start school on April 1st. As he mentally reviewed the process, Shichi''s attention shifted to a tree in his mind. He called it the Tag Tree. At the moment, this tree was bare except for two leaves, which represented his tags. One leaf was 90% bathed in white light, with the remaining 10% still gray. Tag: Student Condition to Obtain: Be a student at the Ninja Academy Effect: Increases focus by 100% during the study/learning. He then looked at the other leaf, which had already been fully activated, enveloped in bright white light. Tag: Self-Discipline Condition to Obtain: Stick to a daily exercise regimen (at least 30 minutes) for one year. Effect: Hard work can make up forck of talent. Every effort will yield results, even if small. Each step contributes to a greater journey. To obtain this tag, Shichi, who had awakened his consciousness at the age of four, had spent an entire year exercising every day, rain or shine. He started with half an hour of exercise daily, and now it had increased to at least an hour each day. Although he had earned the tag long ago, he had grown addicted to this routine. Of course, it was also because this tag was incredibly useful. Hard work pays off. This effect was practically game-breaking! What people fear most is putting in effort without any return, without results. If it weren''t for his status as an orphan, he would have trained even harder. The reason he could maintain such a rigorous training routine at such a young age was because of the excellent head of the orphanage: Yakushi Nono. The orphanage''s funds were limited, unable to support the purchase of various secret medicines to aid his training, but Yakushi Nono, who mastered medical ninjutsu, could somewhat make up for theck of these supplements. Thinking of that gentle and kind woman, Shichi felt a warmth in his heart. But then, the thought of the loathsome Danzo sent a chill through him. "I need to be stronger as soon as possible!" "And I need to make money..." Shichi clenched his fists. He wasn''t just any orphan without rootshis father had been a Chnin in Konoha, and his mother a Genin. They had left him an inheritance. Now that he had passed the assessment and was about to start at the Ninja Academy, he could finally im his parents'' inheritance and move out of the orphanage. However, the inheritance his parents left behind might not be much. Even with the vige''s stipend, living expenses wouldn''t be an issue, but supporting his intense training might be difficult. But how could he make money? He was still so young! As Shichi pondered this, he suddenly heard crying beside him. "My name''s not there! It''s not on the list at all, Dad!" "Keep looking, Guy. You gave it your all!" "Your hard work won''t go unrewarded. On the path drenched in your tears, you''ll eventually find your name!" ... Hoshita Shichi turned his head and saw two figures dressed in an eye-popping shade of green. It was Might Duy and Might Guy! The sight was almostical, but listening to the father and son''s conversation made Shichi unable tough. He then turned to observe the others around him, those who might be his future ssmates. Rin Nohara? Kurenai Yhi. They all looked so young! He quickly withdrew his gaze to avoid any unwanted thoughts. Wait a second? Shichi noticed a white-haired boy with his hands in his pockets walking through the crowd. That guy''s already acting cool at such a young age. How annoying! As the crowd gradually dispersed and Shichi was about to leave, he felt a sudden coolness in his mind. He then noticed that a new gray leaf had appeared on the Tag Tree. Shichi paused, surprised and delightedhe had triggered a new tag. Tag: Strong and Sturdy Condition to Obtain: Train alongside Might Guy for 100 consecutive days. Effect: Strong and sturdy, brimming with energy. Recovery rate +100%, resistance to injury and illness +100%, Taijutsu talent +100%. Oh my! The three 100% boosts made Shichi''s breath catch. He had to get this tag! Shichi immediately changed his n. Instead of leaving, he walked over to a nearby swing, sat down, and started swinging as he watched Might Duy and Might Guy walk away. Before long, the father and son left, but Shichi remained, quietly waiting. Sure enough, less than half an hourter, Might Guy reappeared. With a long banner hanging from his shoulders, Might Guy began runningps around the Ninja Academy''s courtyard. This scene drew the attention of many people nearby, and Shichi could hear some mocking voices in the background. With a smile, Shichi got off the swing and approached Might Guy. ... "Huh?" Might Guy, who was running, suddenly noticed someone beside him. Startled, he slowed down and asked, "Um... did you not pass the exam either?" "No, I passed," Shichi replied. "But passing doesn''t mean I don''t need to keep working hard." "I think Uncle Duy is absolutely right about one thing." Might Guy''s eyes lit up, and he asked instinctively, "What?" Shichi smiled and overtook Guy. "Hard work never goes unrewarded!" "I believe that effort always pays off; it''s just a matter of time." "Guy, my name is Hoshita Shichi. I believe you can get into the Ninja Academy." This motivational speech brought Guy to a halt. He watched Shichi''s back, feeling a surge of boundless energy within him. Smiling, he dered, "My goal is 500ps! If I can''t do it, I''ll walk 500ps on my hands!" Shouting loudly, Might Guy caught up with Shichi, and the two began runningps around the school courtyard side by side. From that day on, the Ninja Academy courtyard saw two figures training tirelessly, rain or shine. Sometimes, Might Duy would cheer loudly for Shichi and Guy from the sidelines. Sometimes, it was just the two of them, with asional sneers and mocking voices from other kids. Every now and then, a white-haired boy with his hands in his pockets would walk by coolly, his gaze lingering for a moment. Ten dayster, on March 25th. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, visited the Ninja Academy to inspect it in preparation for the new term in April. He noticed the sweat-drenched Shichi and Guy training hard. He was pleased to see such hardworking youngsters. With youth like this, Konoha has a bright future! The next day, Might Guy''s name appeared on the Ninja Academy''s bulletin board. "Congrattions, Guy!" Shichi said with a genuine smile. Though he knew the story, if Guy hadn''t shown such hard work, would Hiruzen have enrolled him? Certainly not. Hiruzen couldn''t see the future, and Might Duy wasn''t anything special at the time. Guy, now overwhelmed with emotion, was crying tears of joy. "Thank you, Shichi!" Shichi shrugged. "See? Hard work never goes unrewarded." "Come on, we still haven''t finished our training today!" Wiping his tears and snot away, Guy shouted, "Today, I must challenge 1,000ps! If I can''t do it, then 1,000 push-ups!" "And I have to oust you, Shichi!" (End of Chapter) Chapter 2: Scholar!

Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Schr!

Konoha, April 1st, Year 38 Click! With the sound of a camera shutter, the entrance ceremony for Hoshita Shichi''s ss officially came to an end. The previously quiet crowd instantly became lively as everyone started to leave the school grounds. Hoshita Shichi walked side by side with Might Guy, heading home, when they spotted a panting andte-arriving Uchiha Obito. Seeing his ssmates leaving in small groups, Uchiha Obito sighed in disappointmenthe waste again. Kakashi stopped walking, turned slightly, and with a mocking tone said, "Late even to the entrance ceremony, huh..." Uchiha Obito gritted his teeth and turned back, irritated by Kakashi''s sarcastic remark. Shichi also stopped in his tracks, turning to watch the unfolding drama. Once upon a time, Uchiha Obito was the brightest among his friends, until Kakashi came along. Indeed, Uchiha Obito, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi had been familiar ymates even before starting school. Unlike Shichi, who had lived in an orphanage and whose ymates were other orphans. ... "Hey, this is for you!" Rin Nohara handed Obito a folder with a cheerful smile. "I picked up your enrollment documents for you." "Huh?" Obito was momentarily stunned, then his face turned red with embarrassment. His irritation with Kakashi vanished instantly, reced by a big smile. "Thank you, Rin!" ... What a memorable scene! Shichi thought to himself, then patted Might Guy on the shoulder. "Let''s go!" Guy fell into step with Shichi, realizing only then what had just happened. "Shichi, do you know them?" "Yeah." "That white... white-haired guy is the son of the famous White Fang!" "I see. Looks like I''ve got another rival to deal with!" "He''s really strongwe''ll have to work extra hard!" "Of course! How about we double our training today?" "(o)..." ... When Hoshita Shichi returned home with Might Guy, he found that his previously unupied house had been thoroughly cleaned by Yakushi Nono, who had brought a few older orphans to help. In addition, Might Duy had also lent a hand, taking on most of the dirty and tiring tasks. Afterward, everyone pitched in to prepare a hearty lunch, with the ingredients that Shichi had already bought earlier that morning after his training. Originally nning to leave, Might Duy decided to stay, as there was too much food prepared to let it go to waste. ... At 1:00 PM, after a satisfying meal and tidying up, Might Duy and Might Guy bid their farewells and left. Shichi then escorted Yakushi Nono and the others to the door. "Don''t worry, Director, I''ll take good care of myself," Shichi assured, smiling at the ever-concerned Yakushi Nono. Nono nodded, "I believe in you, but please, if you encounter any difficulties, don''t hesitate toe back to the orphanage." Shichi nodded earnestly. "I will!" Nono handed him a notebook she had prepared earlier. "These are some notes from my medical ninjutsu studiesconsider it a gift." "If you ever need anything, don''t hesitate to reach out to me." Overjoyed, Shichi quickly took the notebook and then hugged Nono''s soft waist. "Thank you!" Nono gently patted his head. "From today on, Shichi, you''re standing on your own now. Keep up the hard work!" "Mmm..." Shichi released her and watched as she walked away with a group of his former ymates. The "Wandering Miko/Nun" was still in her early twentiesyoung and yet to fully separate from Danzo''s Root organization. While at the orphanage, Shichi had noticed that Nono would often be absent for extended periods, indicating her continued involvement with Root. "Although I don''t know the exact timeline, I do know that Kabuto Yakushi entered Konoha after the Third Ninja War, and certainly not until theter stages. Kabuto''s assignments as a spy in various countries must have happened afterwardthere''s at least ten years before that urs." Ten years! Shichi withdrew his gaze and turned to close the door behind him. "In ten years, I need to be a Jonin, or even achieve fame on par with the Three Sannin or the White Fang..." And of course, there was another optioneliminate Danzo. That wasn''t entirely out of the question. Over the next ten years, Danzo, as the leader of Root, would frequently go on missions outside the vige. The key was having enough strength to take him down when the time came. Despite Danzoter being wounded by a mere kunai in a battle with Susanoo, the fact that he rose to be the second most powerful figure in Konoha meant his abilities were not to be underestimated. His Wind Release ninjutsu alone was rare not only in Konoha but across the entire ninja world. Putting these thoughts aside, Shichi carried the notebook into his study. The house left by his parents was a two-bedroom, one-living roomyout. Aside from the bedroom, the other room served as his study. On the desk in the study, two scrolls wereid outhis parents'' ninja technique scrolls, containing their notes. There weren''t many jutsu because his parents were only a Chunin and a Genin. Aside from the basic Three Basic Techniques (Henge, Kawarimi, Bunshin), his father had left him two Fire Release jutsu: me Bullet and Dragon Fire Technique, both of which were C-rank in terms of difficulty. His mother had left him a Wind Release jutsu, Gale Palm, in addition to the Three Basic Techniques. Yes, a rare Wind Release chakra nature. Of course, chakra nature and innate talent are two entirely different things. cing Yakushi Nono''s notebook on the desk as well, Shichi didn''t immediately start reading it. Instead, his attention shifted to the ''Tag Tree'' in his mind. There was a pleasant surprise! After today''s entrance ceremony, the "Student" Tag had been fully activated. But the surprise was that the Tag Tree disyed a prompt. The "Student" Tag could bebined with the "Self-Discipline" Tag to create the "Schr" tag. Tag: Schr Condition to Obtain: Possess both the Student and Self-Discipline tags and maintain 100% focus for at least 100 hours of study. Effect: The ultimate learning machine10x focus, with thought processing speed increased by 100%. The effects of the original tags will remain. This is amazing! Shichi became excited. He had only tested the 100% focus effect a bit and found that he could instantly enter a highly focused state even in extremely noisy environments. Obviously, this is an effect that calms the mind and blocks out external distractions. And if 1x focus is already this powerful, then 10x... "I might end up studying obsessively, unable to stop!" Shichi marveled. "And an increase in thought processing speed by 100% means my brain will work faster, leading to quicker reactions." "Both focus and thought processing speed would be incredibly useful not just in studying, but also inbat." "Thought processing speed is essentially the speed at which the brain processes information, which could also be considered as the speed of neural reactions, right?" (End of Chapter) Chapter 3: Memory Palace!

Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Memory Pce!

The "Schr" Tag must be synthesized! A hundred hours of studying with 100% focusthanks to the Student Tag, focus isn''t an issue. Even if you study just one hour a day, at most, it would take 100 days. "If it really takes 100 days, then there''s no hope..." Shifting his gaze back to the desk, Shichi Hoshita picked up the clock beside him and set the timer, then opened the scroll left behind by his father. He had only skimmed through it before, but now he intended to study it thoroughly. Under the enhancement of the Student Tag, Shichi Hoshita quickly immersed himself in his studies, undisturbed by anything else. The scroll contained a lot of information, and it was clear that much of it had been addedter, notpleted in one sitting. It covered everything from chakra refinement, shuriken throwing, and the Three Basic Jutsu, to various matters a ninja must be mindful of during missions, and detailed exnations of two Fire Release jutsu. It was very thorough. However, when it came to chakra refinement, Shuichi quickly realized that his father was far less skilled than Yakushi Nono. But that wasn''t surprisingafter all, Yakushi Nono was a medical ninja and currently at the jonin level, far beyond a chunin''s expertise. Even so, Shichi Hoshita still gained some valuable insights on chakra refinement from the scroll. Time ticked away, and when the rm went off, it was already 4 PM. Shuichi raised his head, slowly pulling his mind away from the scroll. 1st word: Amazing! 2nd word: Exhausted! Not only was his mind mentally fatigued, but his body also felt weak, as if he had beenpletely drained. Barely able to press the rm off, Shuichi crawled to get some food. Luckily, there was plenty of food left from lunch, so he had no shortage of nourishment. After eating his fill, Shuichi felt revived and couldn''t help but reflect, "High-intensity focus can''t be sustained for long. Just over two hours and I''m already worn out. My body is still too weak." Packing up two lunch boxes and two bottles of saltwater, Shuichi finally left the house, strolling to digest his meal as he headed to meet up with Might Guy. In a small forest in Konoha, after reuniting with Guy, the two began their afternoon training. Runningps around the forest, runningps on their hands, push-ups,teral jumps, straight punches, kicks, and finally sparring. After exhausting their stamina, the twoy on the grass, staring at the starry sky above, panting heavily. "You truly are my eternal rival, Shuichi!" Guy suddenly grinned. Despite all the training and sparring, Shuichi had never fallen behind. Listening to Guy, Shuichi wanted to retort, "Kakashi is your eternal rival..." But instead, he said, "Effort never goes unrewarded, Guy. When ites to hard work, I''m notgging behind you!" He was a master of motivational speeches. Of course, Shuichi knew that while 99% effort was crucial, it was the remaining 1% of talent that truly determined one''s height. That''s why he was determined to obtain both the "Schr" Tag and the "Strong and Sturdy" Tag. And not just thosehe needed to trigger more Tags as well. How else could someone as ordinary as him ever hope topare with a genius like Kakashi, challenge someone like Danzo, or stand against the Uchiha and tsutsuki who seem to cheat their way through life? After a brief rest, the two got up, pulled out their lunch boxes, and began devouring their food. All three lunch boxes were emptied in no time, and Might Guy even licked his clean. Teenage boys can eat a ton. The inheritance left by his parents,bined with the vige''s subsidy, was more than enough to cover Shuichi''s basic needs. But anything beyond that was out of reach. How could he make some money? He was just too young! Lost in thought, Shuichi casually chatted with Guy as they walked home, their asionalughter startling a few birds from the trees. By the time they got home, it was nearly 8 PM. After washing the lunch boxes, Shuichi took a refreshing bath, tossing his clothes in to wash as well. The time was now 8:30 PM. After preparing ate-night snack, Shuichi sat down at his desk, set the rm, and once again focused intensely on his studies. At 11 PM, the rm went off. Feeling drained, Shuichi turned off the rm and quickly downed his prepared snack. With a full stomach, he paced around the house, reviewing the contents of the scroll in his mind to reinforce his memory. "My memory is much better than it was in my previous life; maybe I should try the memory pce technique I trained in back then." Whether it was due to the fact that he had crossed over into this world, or because people in the Naruto world naturally had better memory, Shuichi felt it was worth trying out the memory pce technique. Especially since in the Naruto world, there were genjutsu, brain-sealing jutsu, and various sealing techniques. By the time he had finished digesting his food, it was exactly midnight. He turned off the lights and got into bed. Within a minute, Shuichi was fast asleep. ... April 2nd, 5 AM, Shuichi woke up right on time. After washing up, he went for a run, picked up some groceries, and grabbed breakfast. After preparing lunch for the day, he ate his breakfast and arrived at the academy by 8 AM, carrying his lunch box as he entered the ssroom for ss 1-A. There was still half an hour before sses began, and the ssroom was empty. Unbothered, Shuichi chose a seat and closed his eyes, starting to build his memory pce. As time passed, the ssroom gradually filled with activity. Kakashi Hatake, Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi clinging to Kurenai, Aoba Yamashiro, Ebisu, and several members from various ninja ns like the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, the Shimura n, the Uchiha n, and the Hyuga n all arrived. It was clear that ss 1-A was an "elite ss." When Might Guy arrived in the ssroom, Shuichi opened his eyes and saw Shizune sitting beside him. "Hi, I''m Shizune!" she greeted him with a bit of baby fat still on her cheeks. Shuichi smiled warmly, "Hello, I''m Shichi Hoshita!" It seems Tsunade hasn''t left the vige yet! After chatting for a bit with Guy and Shizune, the bell rang, and a young man in a green vest walked into the ssroom. The ssroom quickly quieted down as the young man scanned the room full of kids, smiling. "Hello everyone, I''m Kimura Kazuya, and from today on, I''ll be your homeroom teacher." "Now, let''s all go together to pick up your textbooks!" A group of students followed Kimura Kazuya out of the ssroom to collect their textbooks, just as Obito Uchiha rushed in. Kakashi couldn''t resist a jab, "Almost missed out on getting textbooks!" Obito, frustrated, didn''t have time to argue as Rin quickly urged him, "Obito, hurry and catch up!" Hmph! With a grunt, Obito caught up with Rin. ... After picking up the textbooks, Shuichi realized that the ninja academy had quite a few courses. Chakra Analysis, Hand Seals and Chakra, Secrecy and Codes, Traps and Tracking, Introduction to Genjutsu, Three Basic Jutsu, Will of Fire, Nindo, Konoha Chronicles, Ninja World, Introduction to Sealing, Mathematics, Mechanics, Biology and Poisons... There were as many as 20 courses in total, and although this was spread out over the six years of the academy, it was still a lot. Will of Fire and Nindo were basically ideology courses, while Konoha Chronicles and Ninja World were history sses. The rest were all specialized courses. Including subjects like Mathematics and Mechanics, which Shuichi had never imagined would be part of the curriculum. Are these really useful? After thinking it over, Shuichi realized that courses like mathematics and mechanics would indeed be useful for ninjas who needed to be versatile, like mercenaries. Whether inbat, assassination, or espionage. Carrying arge stack of textbooks, Shuichi realized he needed to reassess his understanding of what it meant to be a ninja. (End of Chapter) Chapter 4: My Mind: Fast as Lightning!

Chapter 4: Chapter 4: My Mind: Fast as Lightning!

Ninja Academy, First-Year ss 1. Kimura Kazuya was droning on about the key points of chakra refinement, but more than half of the students in the ssroom were upied with their own activities. Kimura Kazuya didn''t mind this. He was well aware that many of the students who came from ninja ns or had ninja parents likely already knew how to refine chakra before even entering the academy. Shichi Hoshita was one of the students not paying attention to the lecture. His chakra refinement had been taught by Non Yakushi, so he had no issues with it. At the moment, he was memorizing his textbooks, mentally storing every word into the memory pce he had constructed in his mind. Of course, for many ninja-rted subjects, memorizing alone wasn''t enough. Take hand seals, for exampleremembering them was just the first step. The second step was to practice so that both hands could skillfully and urately form the seals. The third step was to be able to channel chakra while forming the seals since the purpose of the seals is to guide the chakra for more effective jutsu execution. Only when all three steps were mastered could one sessfully perform a jutsu. As for the speed of forming seals, that required long hours of practice to develop muscle memory. While Shichi was filling his memory pce, he was also taking notes, making annotations, and leaving questions for himself. This was his version of a study session. Beside him, Shizune wasn''t paying attention to the lesson either. Already having a solid foundation, she found herself increasingly drawn to the focused and serious Shichi. Although Shichi didn''t have the cold, aloof aura of someone like Kakashi, his clean and refined appearance, paired with his warm and gentle smile, made him quite appealing. But it was his current look of intense concentration that really caught Shizune''s eye. ... At noon, the bell rang, signaling the end of thest ss of the morning. As soon as the teacher left, the ssroom erupted as students scattered. Those who lived nearby headed home, while those who lived farther away stayed at school to eat the lunches they brought with them. Shichi Hoshita and Might Guy were among thetter group. However, as they dug into their meals, a voice interrupted them. "Shichi-kun, I have some spinach here. Would you like to try some?" Both Shichi and Might Guy looked up. Seeing a slightly shy Shizune, Shichi was a bit surprised but smiled and didn''t refuse, "Thank you, I won''t be shy about it!" So, what started as a meal for two became a meal for three, although Might Guy continued to eat on his own. Shizune offered Shichi some of her food, and in return, Shichi reciprocated, "Shizune, this is beef I made myself. Try it!" "Huh?" "Amazing!" Shizune was stunned. She hadn''t expected Shichi to be so skilled in cooking; she hadn''t learned how to cook herself yet! She picked up a slice, finding it surprisingly tasty. As she watched Shichi devour his food with gusto, a wave of sympathy washed over her. "Shichi-kun must have it really tough, living on his own..." The mealsted only 15 minutes, with Shichi even finishing the leftover half of Shizune''s brown rice. The time between lunch and 2 PM was designated as rest time, but Shichi didn''t rest. He continued his studying and memorization. Might Guy was fast asleep beside him, while Shizune, watching Shichi study so diligently, slowly drifted off to sleep herself. At 2 PM, sses resumed, focusing on kunai throwing andbat training. It was during these sses that the differences among the students became apparent. Students like Kakashi, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Shizune, who either had parents teaching them or came from ninja ns, performed exceptionally well in both kunai throwing andbat training. In contrast, there was a clear divide between them and civilian students like Shichi Hoshita and Might Guy. Shichi Hoshita happened to be paired with Shizune for sparring, and the result was aplete defeat! Kakashi was matched against Obito Uchiha, and to Shichi''s surprise, Obito managed to hold his own against Kakashi in the first half of their match. The two exchanged blows with equal skill and precision. Is this the same "deadst" Obito I knew? Shichi realized he needed to reassess the characters he thought he knew so well. Among the students in ss 1, the most dazzling and admired by the girls was undoubtedly Kakashi. Obito Uchiha, filled with envy and jealousy, was burning with frustration so intense that even Shichi, from across the room, could feel it. There was a time when Obito was also popr among the girls, but now Kakashi hadpletely stolen the spotlight! "Damn it!" Watching the girls cheer for Kakashi, especially seeing Rin Nohara''s eyes filled with admiration for him, Obito''s fists clenched in anger. Next time, I''ll definitely beat him down! Obito gritted his teeth in determination. ... At 5 PM, the day''s sses ended. Shichi and Might Guy headed to the small forest to continue their training. Only after exhausting themselvespletely did they return home. Wash up, do theundry, cook, eat. By 8 PM, Shichi was back to studying. Whether for himself or for Non Yakushi, he couldn''t afford to ck off. The Tag System had given him limitless potential, but filling that potential still required him to give 120% effort. At midnight, Shichi went to bed on time, ending another busy and fulfilling day. From this day forward, Shichi''s life became extremely disciplined. He attended sses during the week and helped out at the orphanage on weekends, taking the opportunity to learn from Non Yakushi. But whether it was a school day or the weekend, he never skipped his training with Might Guy. However, from this day on, during the dailybat sses, Shichi began a routine of constantly getting beaten up. Kakashi, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, Shizune, Obito Uchiha... except for Guy and a few other civilian students, Shichi couldn''t win against anyone. The gap was obvious. Yet, in the eyes of their teacher, Kimura Kazuya, Shichi''s rapid progress was clearly visible. Shichi''s eagerness to ask countless questions every day also gave Kimura a strong sense of aplishment and fondness for the diligent student. ... Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye. May 1st, 9 PM. "Finally, I''vepleted 100 hours of 100% focused study!" Though mentally exhausted, Shichi was excited and full of anticipation. Focusing on the Tag System in his mind, he immediately chose to merge the "Student" and "Self-Discipline" tags. A new tag, covered in a green glow, appeared on the tree of tags. "Schr!" Tag Effect: The ultimate study machine10 times focus, with thought processing speed increased by 100%. The original tags effects remain. As the tag''s effects activated, Shichi immediately felt the difference. A mosquito flew by his face, and it seemed like its movements were slowed down. "As expected, the increased thought processing speed means my brain processes information faster, resulting in what seems like ''dynamic vision.''" "But it''s not just dynamic visionmy overall thought processing speed has improved, not just my ability to process images." "It also affects my brain''s neural response time..." Shichi immediately raised his hands to form seals. His speed had noticeably increased! But then Shichi frowned, "Although my seal formation speed has improved, my hands aren''t keeping up with my brain." Brain: I''m fast! Hands: I can''t keep up. (End of Chapter) Chapter 5: Sakumo Hatake!

Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Sakumo Hatake!

Outside the Ninja Academy. It was a rare asion that Sakumo Hatake came to pick up his son, Kakashi. His gaze, however, was unconsciously drawn to two other people. He asked, "Kakashi, are those two also your ssmates?" Kakashi followed his father''s line of sight and saw Shichi Hoshita and Might Guy. After nearly three months as ssmates, they had all be quite familiar with each other, especially with Shichi and Guy. Guy considered Kakashi his strongest rival and often dragged him into friendlypetitions. Since Shichi and Guy were close friends, it was only natural that they also became friends. Of course, part of it was because Kakashi had already formed a strong impression of Guy even before joining the Academy. This was because Sakumo Hatake had once told him that Guy had extraordinary talent and would be a formidable opponent. "Yes, Father," Kakashi replied. "His name is Shichi Hoshita, and he''s also my friend." "His learning ability is incredibly stronghe''s ranked first in the written exams for two consecutive tests." Sakumo smiled and said, "It seems he''s another outstanding talent." "Kakashi, if you don''t put in the effort, your friend might surpass you!" Kakashi instinctively wanted to argue, because over the past three months, every time he faced Shichi in a match, thetter had always been defeated. But remembering Shichi''s rapid progress over the past month, he hesitated. Especially in their practical ss yesterday, when he was paired with Shichi. During their match, it felt as though Shichi could predict every one of his moves and techniques. Although he still won, it wasn''t due to superior taijutsu techniques, but rather because of his stronger physical abilities and more extensivebat experience. So Kakashi thought for a moment and then asked, "Father, can I go train with them?" Sakumo smiled and nodded, "Of course, go ahead." Kakashi quickly said goodbye to his father and caught up with Shichi and Guy. Naturally, Shichi and Guy weed Kakashi''s participation, especially Guy, who had already invited Kakashi to join them many times. On the way, Kakashi couldn''t help but ask the question that had been on his mind, "Shichi, during our match yesterday, and in your matches with others, it seemed like you could see through all our movements. How did you do that?" So he noticed after all. Shichi wasn''t too surprised; exceptional people always draw attention. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Kakashi, when you''re facing someone who is slower than you and you''re familiar with their moves, you can also predict their actions." Kakashi frowned, "Your speed is..." He quickly realized Shichi wasn''t talking about the speed of his hands or feet. "Are you referring to nerve response speed?" Shichi nodded, "That''s part of it." He pointed to his brain and then to his eyes. "When your eyes receive information from the outside world and pass it to your brain, which then sends feedback to your eyes and other parts of your body, it all takes time." "These can all be categorized as neural response speed. As it happens, my brain processes information faster, allowing me to quickly handle the data received by my eyes, hearing, smell, and touch, and then ry that information back to my eyes, hands, and feet." "At the same time, I have a decent memory. I''ve created mental profiles for you, Kakashi, and for the other ssmates, which makes me familiar with your fighting styles and techniques." When Shichi mentioned these "profiles," he was actually referring to the way he had categorized and stored memories of battles with Kakashi and others in his memory pce. Although everyone was improving, when it came to taijutsu duels, especially with someone like Kakashi who had been trained in family techniques from an early age, certain patterns had already been established. Bybining his memory with his exceptional information processing speed, Shichi was able to read and anticipate Kakashi''s and others'' moves. Shichi also spected that the dynamic vision of the Sharingan might not only be about seeing the opponent''s chakra flow but could also involve speeding up the transmission of visual information to the brain. After hearing this exnation, Kakashi had a moment of realization. He recalled that the concept of neural response wasn''t just covered in the Biology and Poisons textbook issued by the Ninja Academy; his father had also taught him about it. Through long-term training, increasing the speed of hand seals and forming muscle memory were actually ways of enhancing neural response speed. "My father was right. A brain that processes information quickly is a unique talent Shichi possesses." Kakashi, with his keen insight, also noticed that Shichi seemed to have a unique technique rted to memory. However, he didn''t press further because prying into someone''s secrets, especially a friend''s, was highly impolite. When they reached the small forest, Might Guy immediately challenged Kakashi to a spirited battle. Watching the two of them go at it, dust flying everywhere, Shichi squinted and thought, "They''re going at it much harder than when they fight me!" "It seems I''m still far behind; I can''t push Guy to his full potential." When it came to taijutsu talent, Shichi knew he was far behind Kakashi and Guy. This was something he could clearly feel after training with Guy so often. If it weren''t for the buffs provided by his tags, Guy would have left him far behind a long time ago. "I wonder if the ''Strong and Sturdy'' tag, with its one-fold enhancement to taijutsu talent, will allow me to catch up to Kakashi or even Guy." Shichi was full of anticipation. Because today was June 25th. Once today''s training was over, the ''Strong and Sturdy'' tag would finally be activated. However, neither Shichi, nor the battling Guy and Kakashi, noticed that a pair of eyes was watching them from afar. ... Night, at the Root Base. The Root leader, Danzo, still in his prime, looked at the report in his hand. "So, he''s from an orphanage, with both parents having died in battle. His exceptional qualities are merely a superior neural response and memory?" The Root ninja, responsible for scouting potential talents at the Ninja Academy, lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Lord Danzo." "This Shichi Hoshita has an exceptional learning ability, consistently ranking first in written exams, surpassing geniuses like Kakashi and many students from established ninja ns." "His taijutsu talent is average, but his superior neural response and memory give him a Sharingan-like ability to see through an opponent''s moves and anticipate their actions." "In addition, he has an extremely valuable trait: self-discipline." "His self-discipline surpasses that of most adults. I believe that if someone like him were to be trained by Root, he could be of great use." At the mention of the Sharingan, Danzo''s eyes narrowed, and he began to take the matter more seriously. A Sharingan-like ability,bined with exceptional learning capabilities and terrifying self-discipline... these traits were indeed well-suited for Root. Danzo immediately issued an order, "Keep a close eye on this Shichi Hoshita!" There were more talented individuals at the Ninja Academy than Shichi, such as Kakashi. But Kakashi was a child he couldn''t recruit into Root. (End of Chapter) Chapter 6: The Transformation Expert

Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Transformation Expert

In the small forest, Shichi Hoshita, Kakashi, and Might Guyy side by side on the grass, gasping for breath. Their stamina waspletely drained. Despite his physical exhaustion, Shichi''s mind was buzzing with excitement. The activation conditions for the Strong and Sturdy tag had finally been met! Activation! In Shichi''s mind, the Strong and Sturdy tag fully lit up, glowing green. Immediately, he felt a mysterious power surge through his entire body. Perhaps because his stamina was depleted, he could distinctly feel his body rapidly recovering. Strong and Sturdy: Brimming with energy and vitality. Recovery rate increased by 100%, resistance to injuries and illness increased by 100%, and taijutsu talent increased by 100%. While he hadn''t experienced the other effects yet, just the doubled recovery rate alone made Shichi feel incredible. However, as his stamina returned, a strong wave of hunger swept over him. His stomach growled with urgency! "It seems this recovery isn''ting from nowhere. The tag enhances my body''s natural constitution..." Understanding this, Shichi quickly got up, grabbed his bento, and began eating voraciously. Bringing a bento for training had already be a habit for him. Of course, the bento was store-bought, and he always brought two. High focus and high efficiency also meant high energy consumption. As he ate, the hunger subsided, and by the time he finished one bento, his body started to feel a warm,forting sensation. "So fast... could the increased recovery rate also mean my digestion has doubled?" Shichi was pleased with this discovery but decided not to eat the second bento himself. Instead, he handed it to Kakashi, who hadn''t brought food since his visit was spontaneous. Might Guy, like Shichi, had prepared a bento during lunch. "Thanks!" After thanking him, Kakashi epted the bento and joined Might Guy in replenishing their energy. Meanwhile, Shichi got up and took a walk. The recovery effect was already evident, but it would take long-term training to assess the increased resistance to injury and illness. Then there was the 100% increase in taijutsu talent. If his original talent level in taijutsu was a 5, it would now be a 10. If his taijutsu talent was 5, how high must Kakashi''s be? And how high would Guy''s be? At this moment, Shichi couldn''t help but wish he had some kind of system that could quantify these abilities. But based on his memory, if he didn''t consider the Eight Gates, Kakashi''s and Guy''s performance in taijutsu shouldn''t differ too much. And the Eight Gates... Kakashi could only open the Third Gate. Could this secret technique be the true measure of one''s taijutsu talent? ... After digesting most of his food, Shichi was tempted to test the effects of his enhanced taijutsu talent, but he restrained himself. Too much of a good thing can be harmful, and today''s training had already been intense. The three packed up and headed home. Once at home, Shichi first cleaned up, washed his clothes, and then headed to the kitchen to prepare more food. His body, still signaling hunger, told him he needed more food to replenish and store energy. After eating until he was about 70% full, Shichi cleaned up and headed to his study. It was 9 PM. Nighttime Study Session Continues, That night, Shichi Hoshita''s study session resumed. This time, his focus was on one of the Three Basic Jutsu: the Transformation Jutsu. After so many weeks since the start of school, their teacher, Kazuya Kimura, had finally taught the Transformation Jutsu, one of the Three Basic Jutsu. Given the progress of their ss, where all the students had already mastered the refinement of chakra, the timing for teaching ninjutsu was just right. Entering a focused state, Shichi began by recalling the exnations his parents had left him about the Transformation Jutsu, along with Kazuya Kimura''s teachings. He reviewed these three sets of memories. Building on what he had learned during the day''s lessons, Shichi deepened his understanding, forming his own insights andprehension. Afterpleting this step, Shichi began to practice. First, he formed the hand seals while guiding his chakra. The hand seals for the Transformation Jutsu were already deeply ingrained in his memory. Due to Nono''s teachings and his own dedicated training, he was also quite proficient in refining and controlling chakra. In this aspect, Shichi had a clear advantage. The third step was to choose a target for transformation. This required a thorough understanding of the person he wanted to transform into. The level of skill in the Transformation Jutsu depended on the control of chakra, but the keyy in the details. The person Shichi was most familiar with was, without a doubt, Might Guy, with whom he had been training for over three months. With memories of Might Guy in mind, a puff of smoke rose, and Shichi, sitting in the chair, transformed into Might Guy. He stood up and walked to the bathroom mirror. The appearance was wless, but the demeanor was slightly off. Releasing the jutsu, Shichi took a moment to gather himself and then formed the hand seals again, performing the Transformation Jutsu once more. *Poof!* Might Guy reappeared, this time with a more urate demeanor. However, when Shichi tested his voice, it was still far from perfect. This was the subtlety of chakraeven the voice could be altered. After three more attempts, Shichi finally achieved a transformation with no discernible ws. "Hmm?" His Tag Tree began to stir again. Shichi quickly checked it and saw that a new leaf had sprouted on the tree. Tag: Transformation Expert Condition to Obtain: Transform into 100 different targets, meeting certain criteria. Effect: Your keen insight allows you to quickly grasp the characteristics of others, making the jutsu second nature to you. You can even skip the hand seals, transforming into anyone with perfect uracy. Even seasoned ninja can only detect you through ws in intelligence. However, beware of chakra-sensing ninja, especially those with the Sharingan or Byakugan. Shichi was both surprised and a bit disappointed. When ites to the Transformation Jutsu in the Naruto world, the most powerful user is White Zetsu, who can even mimic chakra, making it undetectable by the Byakugan, Sharingan, or even sensory techniques like the Mind''s Eye of the Kagura. This Transformation Expert tag fell a bit short of that level. Still, transforming into 100 targets wasn''t too difficult. Between his ssmates and thepanions from the orphanage, Shichi had more than enough people to meet the requirement. "So the criteria are..." Shichi realized that he had alreadypleted one of the 100 targetsMight Guy had met the standard. "Appearance, demeanor, and voice..." Shichi now had a clear understanding. He then thought, since the Transformation Jutsu could trigger a tag, could the Clone Jutsu and Substitution Jutsu do the same? Should he self-study the Clone Jutsu and Substitution Jutsu first? Even though Kazuya Kimura hadn''t taught them yet, with the notes left by his parents and Nono Yakushi, Shichi felt confident that these basic ninjutsu wouldn''t pose a problem for him. The key to the Clone Jutsuy in chakra control. The most basic Clone Jutsu only created a false image, not a solid clone, making it far less difficult than techniques like the Shadow Clone Jutsu or Water Clone Jutsu. As for the Substitution Jutsu, the most critical aspect was timing and prediction. It required preparing a substitute item in advance. Often, the Transformation Jutsu served as the foundation for this. This was also why Kazuya Kimura had taught the Transformation Jutsu first. A more advanced form of the Substitution Jutsu involved using a clone as the substitute. For instance, Orochimaru''s Earth Substitution or Kakashi''s Lightning Clone Substitution could even counterattack when the clone was destroyed. Going even further, Shichi considered that Uchiha Sasuke''s Amenotejikara could be seen as a form of the Substitution Jutsu. Just like how the Flying Thunder God Technique could be ssified as a Body Flicker Jutsu. (End of Chapter) Chapter 7: The Gap!

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: The Gap!

Shichi Hoshita ultimately decided not to alter his study n to practice the Clone Jutsu and Substitution Jutsu first. The next morning, he woke up at 5 AM, feeling more energized than ever beforeno longer the fatigue that used to linger after staying up until midnight to study. Shichi felt invigorated, full of energy, and could clearly sense the extraordinary effects of the "Strong and Sturdy" tag! Moreover, he noticed another aspect of his recovery: his injuries. The swelling and redness from yesterday''s training hadpletely disappeared. In the past, his recovery was never this fast. After breakfast, Shichi was the first to arrive in the ssroom, followed shortly by Shizune. Taking advantage of the fact that the other students hadn''t arrived yet, Shichi began observing Shizune closely. She was his second target for the Transformation Jutsu. Feeling his gaze, Shizune blushed and turned to ask, "Shichi, is there something you need?" "If there''s anything I can help with, just let me know." Recalling their interactions over the past two months, Shichi identified one of Shizune''s key traits: her kindness and thoughtfulness. "I''m observing you for the Transformation Jutsu," Shichi exined with a smile. "On the battlefield, in enemy territory, the Transformation Jutsu is often used spontaneously and for short periods. That requires keen observational skills to capture details quickly, avoiding any ws that might give you away." "Besides the appearance and shape, I believe we also need to pay attention to demeanor and aura. Additional details like voice and walking posture are crucial too." "These elements need to be practiced, and you have to carefully observe the characteristics of different people." Shizune nodded enthusiastically. "Lady Tsunade says the same thing!" After finishing his observation, Shichi formed the hand seals and performed the Transformation Jutsu under Shizune''s watchful eyes. *Poof!* When the smoke cleared, there were two identical Shizunes sitting across from each other. Just then, someone walked into the ssroomit was Rin Nohara. She froze at the sight of the two Shizunes, unable to tell which one was the real one. Suddenly, with a puff of smoke, one of the Shizunes transformed into Rin Nohara. "Kakashi!" the ''Rin Nohara'' next to Shizune sped her hands in front of her chest and cheered. This was exactly how Rin acted every time Kakashi stood out during practical or shuriken-throwing lessons. Although she wasn''t the only girl who did this, the real Rin standing at the door still blushed deeply upon hearing it. At that moment, Shichi once again performed the Transformation Jutsu, turning into Kakashi with a puff of smoke. He stood up, hands in his pockets, and started walking towards Kakashi''s seat. Rin stared in surprise. The cool expression, the hands-in-pockets stance, that backit was just like... "Could it be Kakashi...?" Rin almost believed it, but then quickly dismissed the thought. Kakashi wouldn''t y such a prank. Just then, Shichi stopped in the aisle, turned around, and with another puff of smoke, transformed into Uchiha Obito,plete with goggles. Pushing up the goggles, the "Uchiha Obito" snorted, "That arrogant Kakashi! Next time, I''ll make sure he gets a taste of my power!" Rin was startled. "Obito?" "No, wait, Obito wouldn''t arrive this early." *Poof!* Shichi returned to his original form and smiled, "Sorry, I was practicing the Transformation Jutsu." As expected. Rin breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled, "Shichi, you''re amazing! Sensei only taught this yesterday, and you''ve already mastered it." Shichi shrugged and said with a smile, "But I still didn''t fool you, did I?" His rapid, precise transformations were thanks inrge part to his Memory Pce technique. After all, he had already stored samples of each of his ssmates in his Memory Pce. He had nowpleted five targets. Returning to his seat, Shichi chatted with Shizune for a bit. As more ssmates arrived, he began observing each one, adding more details to his Memory Pce. By the afternoon, during the practical training ss, Shichi also felt the noticeable effects of his improved taijutsu talent. Even though Shichi Hoshita had struggled with certain techniques despite rigorous training, today he found himself using them with remarkable ease, leaving his opponent, Might Guy, at a loss. "Shichi, you''ve gotten stronger again!" "But I won''t fall behind at all!" Might Guy felt the pressure but became even more fired up, increasing the speed of his punches and kicks. *Boom! Boom! Boom!* The two fought fiercely, exchanging blows and strikes, with neither able to gain a decisive advantage. Most of the students watching were cheering for Shichi, especially the girls. Kakashi, however, keenly noticed that Shichi seemed to have experienced a significant improvement. Kimura Sensei also nodded in appreciation. "Shichi has made notable progress again. I wonder if he has been practicing privately." "With such learning talent, he''s only slightly behind Kakashi in this batch. Compared to Asuma, he is equally impressive." ... After several more rounds, the twobatants finally separated, both on one knee, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat. They had exhausted all their fighting strength. "Hoshita Shichi and Might Guy, it''s a draw!" Kimura announced loudly. After Shichi and Guy performed the reconciliation seal, Kimura Kazuya dered the next match: "Kakashi Hatake versus Obito Uchiha!" Kakashi maintained his aloof demeanor, while Obito Uchiha, after a quick nce at Rin Nohara, swaggered onto the field and said, "Kakashi, this time you will definitely lose to me!" Kakashi replied calmly, "If you didn''t show upte every day, I might believe that." Obito Uchiha gritted his teeth in frustration. "Arrogant Kakashi, you''re so infuriating!" The remark had clearly rattled Obito Uchiha. After performing the confrontation seal, Obito rushed in eagerly, and a fierce sh began, just as intense as Shichi and Guy''s earlier battle. The surrounding girls, meanwhile, were all cheering in unison for Kakashi. Shichi was focused, his eyes fixed on the two fighters. It wasn''t just him who had improved. After twenty or so exchanges, Obito Uchiha was kicked flying by Kakashi. Rolling several times on the ground, Obito leaped up, brandishing kunai and charging forward again. Kakashi also drew his kunai, and the two figures shed, sparks flying from their intensebat. "It looks like Kakashi has been training with kunai," Shichi observed. Kakashi''s kunai techniques were noticeably different from their previous fights. After another dozen or so exchanges, Obito, once again at a disadvantage, suddenly performed a series of backflips. After retreating a distance, he puffed out his cheeks and unleashed a fiery attack. Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu! Shichi was surprised to see this for the first time. Despite Obito having lived with his grandmother and lost his parents, he was still a disciple of a prominent n. Clearly, ns like the Uchiha and Hyuga had established systems for training ninjas. Looking at Kakashi, he ced his hands on the ground, and a wall of earth shot up. Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall! *Boom!* The fireball collided with the earth wall, causing mes to scatter and forcing the spectators to retreat. "Damn it!" Obito, whose carefully prepared technique had failed, scowled in frustration and charged forward again. ... "This is the difference!" Shichi couldn''t help but reflect inwardly. Kakashi had obviously not been using his full strength in their previous encounters, relying solely on taijutsu. The proficiency Kakashi disyed with earth-style jutsu indicated he had learned it a long time ago. You can see your own efforts, but you can''t see others'' efforts; that doesn''t mean they don''t exist. Kakashi, with his background, must have started training at a very young age. However, Shichi didn''t let this discourage him. With the help of his Tag Tree, he was confident that with continued effort, he would catch up. After another dozen rounds, Kakashi used a clone to outmaneuver the reckless Obito. He kicked Obito away and, before he could rise, Kakashi''s kunai was already at his face. Obito, unwilling to give up, could only sigh in defeat. Teacher Kimura Kazuya reflected, "As expected of the son of Konoha''s White Fang. With such strength, without considering mission experience, he could easily qualify as a genin." However, considering Obito''s poor theoretical knowledge and impatient nature, Kimura Kazuya shook his head and announced, "Kakashi wins!" "Perform the Seal of Reconciliation!" Kakashi sheathed his kunai and extended his hand. Obito hesitated for a moment, took Kakashi''s hand to stand up, and then the two performed the reconciliation seal. (End of Chapter) Chapter 8: The Script is Off!

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: The Script is Off!

Student life is always carefree, and because of this, time slips away unnoticed. In the blink of an eye, July arrived. With the release of exam results, summer vacation began. In the final exams, Shichi Hoshita ranked tenth in his ss. He scored perfect marks in the written tests, but his scores in ninja tool throwing andbat dragged him down. Those who ranked higher than him were students like Kakashi and Asuma Sarutobi, who were both highly talented and from ninja ns. Don''t be fooled by how inattentive they seem during ssthere''s a good chance they get private tutoring outside of school! As for Obito Uchiha, he naturally ended up at the bottom of the ss. There was nothing to be done; he was hopeless in the theoretical exams. Rin Nohara had tried her best to give him opportunities, but unfortunately, Obito was just too uselesshe couldn''t even cheat properly. ... After leaving the school, Shichi Hoshita was stopped by Shizune. Shizune asked, "Shichi, do you have any ns for the summer?" Shichi smiled and said, "I''ve already made ns to train with Guy and Kakashi." Guy, standing nearby, shed his white teeth in a confident and proud smile. "We''ve already set up a training schedulewe''re calling it the ''Summer Operation!''" "Shizune, why don''t you join us?" he suggested. Shizune looked at Shichi, her clear eyes showing a hint of anticipation. "Is that okay? I hope I''m not too much trouble?" Shichi immediately smiled and nodded. "Of course, you''re more than wee!" "Starting tomorrow, we''ll meet outside the school at 9 a.m. And... it''d be best to bring lunch with you." Shizune quickly nodded. "Got it! I''ll be there on time... see you tomorrow then." "See you tomorrow!" Shichi and Guy said in unison. Waving goodbye, Shizune walked away with a cheerful bounce in her step. Shichi thought to himself that having a pretty girl join their training might not be so badit could help avoid getting too tired of the same scenery. Should I invite Kurenai Yhi, Rin Nohara, and the others as well? Shichi pondered, rubbing his chin. But then he quickly shook his head, dismissing the idea. "Forget it, women will only distract me from my training." "Let''s go, Guy. Today''s training officially begins!" Shichi called out. Might Guy grinned widely. "Shichi, let''s have a race and see who gets there first!" Just then, Kakashi appeared. "I''ll give the signal!" Shichi immediately dropped into a starting stance. "No problem." Guy also got ready. Behind them, Kakashi took on the role of referee. "1, 2... 3, go!" As soon as the words left Kakashi''s mouth, Shichi burst into motion. His legs powered forward, kicking up a burst of air as he shot ahead. Guy was a split second slower to react, but he quickly caught up, his explosive power surpassing Shichi''s. In an instant, he was neck and neck with Shichi. The two of them leaped and dashed through the streets and across rooftops, racing at top speed toward the training ground. Kakashi followed behind, his eyes locked on the two in front as he silently analyzed the situation. "Their reaction speed is incredible, and they''re both still improving. But Shichi''s explosive power doesn''t match Guy''s..." At this point, Guy had overtaken Shichi. But just as they were about to reach the destination, Kakashi''s eyes narrowed. Guy''s speed had started to drop, and Shichi overtook him. "Was he holding back?" Kakashi quickened his pace. "No, Guy''s speed is decreasing because he''s running out of stamina. Shichi may have been overtaken earlier, but his speed hasn''t changed. His stamina shouldn''t be better than Guy''s, so... is it his recovery ability?" Studying and analyzing othersthis was something Kakashi had learned from Shichi Hoshita. --- Soon, the three of them arrived at the training ground one after another. Might Guy bent over, panting heavily, but still gave Shichi Hoshita a thumbs up. "As expected of you, Shichi!" Shichi, also slightly out of breath, smiled. "I just managed my stamina better." If it weren''t for the buff from the [Strong and Sturdy] tag, he would have lost just now. Guy''s training regimen was more intense than his own. After all, Shichi still had to spend time studying other subjects, while Guy focused solely on taijutsu. In this situation, Guy''s progress was clearly greater than his. With faster recovery and better stamina management, Shichi was able to secure a slight advantage over Guy. Talent and hard workwhat canpare? Of course, having a cheat! --- Shichi Hoshita''s summer vacation started with a race. Time quickly flew by, and before long, it was afternoon. Today''s training ended earlier than usual, wrapping up by 4 PM. However, Shichi didn''t head home right away. Instead, he strolled around the busiest part of Konoha. This summer, he was determined to find a way to earn some money. He wasn''t aiming to get richjust to make some extra cash. "Write a book?" Seeing a bookstore, Shichi had a fleeting thought, but he quickly dismissed it. He wasn''t Jiraiya, with all the time in the world to write books. He barely had enough time for studying and training as it was! Making money was just a means to get stronger, so he couldn''t lose sight of the main goal. "So, it''s best if it''s rted to being a ninja..." Shichi thought to himself, scanning the shops along the street one by one. Learning medical ninjutsu to treat people and working part-time at the Konoha Hospital? But medical ninjutsu wasn''t easy to learn. Suddenly, Shichi''s gaze locked onto a shop selling ninja tools, and he stepped inside. "Little boy, are you here to buy a kunai?" The one who greeted him was a well-endowed young woman. Shichi couldn''t help but take a second look before focusing on her youthful face,rge, bright eyes, and rosy lips. He blinked and asked, "Sister, do you have anything other than kunai and shuriken here?" The shop was small, with only various kunai and shuriken visible. There were also some long, rectangr boxes on the wooden racks, likely containing swords or simr weapons. The young woman leaned forward, her ample chest nearly pressing against Shichi''s face. She pointed toward the wooden rack. "Of course." "Are you looking for a short sword?" she asked. The scent of milk filled his nostrils, and Shichi took a deep breath, then shook his head. The young woman blinked. "Explosive tags?" "Little boy, you''re still a student at the ninja academy, right? Explosive tags are very dangerous for someone like you!" Shichi immediately reached out and gently grasped the woman''s cool, soft hand. Using his youthful age, innocent looks, and bright, dark eyes to his advantage, he pleaded, "Sister, you''re so beautiful, please sell me just one?" The young woman smiled warmly at Shichi. "Even though you''re ttering me, I still can''t sell it to you." "But what do you want it for?" "Maybe I can help you," she offered. Shichi hung his head, putting on an act. "Sister, I want to learn how to make explosive tags so I can earn some money." The young woman was stunned. Shichi looked up, his eyes glistening with tears. "Sister, I got into the ninja academy from the orphanage, so I want to earn some money..." What a pitiful and sensible little guy! The young woman pulled Shichi into a tight hug, almost making it hard for him to breathe. But when she released him, she still said, "Even so, I can''t sell it to you. It''s too dangerous for you." "But I can help you in another way." "How about working here during the summer? I can pay you a sry." This isn''t how the script was supposed to go! Shichi was speechless and quickly replied, "Thank you, sister, but I believe I can learn it. You should know I''m the top student in theory exams at the academy. If you don''t believe me, you can ask Kimura Sensei." "Impressive!" The young woman praised him before smiling again. "I believe you, but making explosive tags isn''t easy." "First, you need to understand sealing techniques. Second, you need to have fire-release chakra!" "Also, the materials for explosive tags are quite expensive." Shichi immediately changed his strategy, adopting a proud expression and tone. "Sister, I do understand sealing techniques." "Plus, I inherited my father''s fire nature and my mother''s wind nature chakra." "Sister, if I learn to make explosive tags, you could provide the materials, and I could make them. Then we could sell them in your shop, and you''d just need to pay me a fixed amount for each tag." What a clever little guy! Impressed by Shichi''s proposal, the young woman, Tenka, couldn''t help but be amazed. She thought for a moment, then stood up and took an explosive tag from a drawer. She waved it in front of Shichi and smiled. "This explosive tag sells for 1,000 ry, and the material cost is usually around 300 ry." "Little boy, if you can figure out which seals were used to create this explosive tag, I''ll teach you how to make them. Plus, for every tag you make, I''ll pay you 200 ry." (End of Chapter) Chapter 9: Tsunade!

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Tsunade!

1,000 ry for a single tag, and such a small one at that. Shichi Hoshita recalled that explosive tags coulde inrger sizes, which likely meant they were even more expensive. As expected of military-grade equipment! Suddenly, Shichi thought of Konan and her billions of explosive tags. Where did theye from? Did she buy them? "It''s probably rted to Konan''s secret technique," Shichi spected. "The money Kakuzu earned was probably used by Konan to purchase paper or the materials to make it." The paper that could carry ninjutsu and chakra clearly wasn''t ordinary paper. Just like the unique chakra-conductive metals in the ninja world. "It seems I''ll need to adjust my summer ns..." Shichi had already made up his mind. A reward of 200 ry per tagthis was definitely money he could earn. And when he said earlier that he had fire and wind nature chakra, he wasn''t lying; he had tested it with chakra paper before. Taking the explosive tag in his hand, Shichi immediately got serious, focusing on the tag. In the center of the paper was the kanji for "explosion" surrounded by aplex array of seals. To the untrained eye, these seals would look like random scribbles without much pattern. But for Shichi, who had self-studied all the basic sealing scripts and memorized them, it was different. These seals were full of elegance and had a unique order. However, what seemed like simple seals actually contained a lot of information. "The base of the sealing script seems straightforward, but it''s actually a condensed version," Shichi mused, slightly furrowing his brows. Reverse-engineering thepleted explosive tag to deduce the full, non-simplified form was challenging. But it wasn''t impossible. The process mainly involved two aspects: sealing and fire release. Although Shichi hadn''t formally learned sealing techniques, their foundation was essentially the sealing scripts. The academy''s textbooks listed the nine mostmon basic sealing scripts. Likewise, examples of fire-release seals were also provided. Moreover, activating an explosive tag was simplethe hand sign required was the right half of the "Ram" sign. Shichi knew this well from watching Uchiha Obito. The Fireball Jutsu involved six hand signs, and the second one was the "Ram" sign. Additionally, the first hand sign for his father''s Fire Release: me Bullet technique was also the "Ram" sign. Fully focused, Shichi analyzed the tag, retrieving a wealth of knowledge from his memory pce. After a moment, Shichi reached into his backpack, pulled out some paper and a pen, and quickly began sketching seals under Tenka''s astonished gaze. "Amazing... truly amazing!" Tenka covered her mouth to stifle a gasp of surprise. However, as Shichi nearedpletion, she let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it wasn''t perfect. But it was still incredibly impressive! This little boy wasn''t lyinghe was a remarkable genius. Konoha might produce many geniuses, but he was still astonishing! At that moment, Shichi tore off the sheet filled with seals and began forming hand signs at lightning speed. "Wait..." Tenka cried out, but it was toote to stop him. Shichipleted the hand signs and pressed his right palm onto the paper covered in seals, which he had ced on the floor. The next moment, as chakra flowed into the paper, the tadpole-like seals seemed toe to life. They quickly moved and gathered, centering around Shichi Hoshita''s palm, arranging themselves in a circr pattern. "Careful!" Tenka shouted, grabbing Shichi and pulling him into her arms as she swiftly leaped onto the counter. In the following instant, the paper seal emitted a soft "hiss" and spontaneously ignited without any external fire. Holding Shichi on the counter, Tenka had already prepared a ninjutsu scroll in her left hand, which turned out to be a Water Release scroll. Seeing the paper ignite naturally without an explosion, she refrained from activating the Water Release sealed within the scroll and let out a long breath of relief. If it had exploded, that would have been trouble. After storing the ninjutsu scroll away, Tenka set Shichi down from her embrace. Shichi was panting heavily, but more from being squeezed too tightly than from exertion. Before Tenka could speak, he quickly said, "Sister, I didn''t inject too much chakrait wouldn''t have exploded." Even if it had, the explosion would have been no more dangerous than a firecracker. He wasn''t about to risk his life over something like this. Tenka blushed slightly and flicked Shichi''s forehead, retorting, "Still, you shouldn''t do that! It''s very dangerous." She set him down from the counter, and as she watched him rub his forehead, she chuckled. "Well, even though your seals had some mistakes, they were still very impressive. So, I''ve decided to hire you!" Shichi was overjoyed, immediately bowing, "Thank you, Sis! I won''t let you down!" Tenka smiled warmly, then asked, "By the way, little boy, shouldn''t you tell me your name?" Shichi quickly replied, "Hoshita Shichi! You can just call me Shichi!" --- Half an hourter, Shichi walked out of the shop, muttering to himself, "Tenka... Could she be rted to Tenten?" Just earlier, he had received the full explosive tag seals and the sealing forms from Tenka, along with an agreement to visit every afternoon to learn how to make explosive tags. The shop, Tenka''s shop, would cover the cost of materials. Yes, the shop was called Tenka''s Shop. ncing back at the shop''s sign, Shichi quickened his pace to head home. Upon arriving home, after freshening up, Shichi didn''t immediately prepare dinner. Instead, he went to his study to revise his summer ns. ording to his original n, he intended toplete water walking, tree climbing, and cliff climbing training during the summer. But that was only part of the chakra control training, with the ultimate goal being the medical ninjutsu left to him by Non Yakushi. Additionally, he nned to master the Clone and Substitution techniques. Next, he intended to familiarize himself with theyout of the entire Konoha Vige, embedding it into his memory pce as the primary structure. Finally, he aimed to learn at least one medical ninjutsu. However, due to the explosive tags, Shichi now felt it was necessary to first master a Fire Release ninjutsu. This would allow him to better utilize the fire-nature chakra transformation. In fact, after today''s experiment with the explosive tag, Shichi was already somewhat confident about the Fire Release: me Bullet jutsu. But learning and bing proficient in a technique were two different things. --- The next day, at 9 a.m., Shichi, Guy, Kakashi, and Shizune gathered with their backpacks and set off towards the vige''s training grounds. Their destination was a location beside a mountain with a river running through it. Tree climbing, water walking, cliff climbingthis ce was perfect for all these training activities. And during breaks, they could even catch fish to grill. After reaching the spot and resting briefly, the four of them began their training. Shichi, Guy, and Shizune all started with water walking, while Kakashi went straight to cliff climbing. It was clear that Kakashi had alreadypleted his tree climbing and water walking training. However, not far away, in the nearby forest, a figure was observing them. Tsunade stood with her arms crossed, scrutinizing Shichi Hoshita, then scoffed, "This brat doesn''t seem all that special." Shizune had mentioned Shichi''s name multiple times, and now that they were training together, even though Kakashi, the son of the White Fang, was present, Tsunade still decided to take a look. Seeing Shichi and the others quietly focused on their training, Tsunade was about to leave, but just as she moved, she paused, frowning slightly as she looked toward a certain part of the forest. "Anbu... Root!" Tsunade turned back to the group training by the river, her thoughts bing clear: "Danzo, that bastard... hmph!" With a cold snort, Tsunade''s figure vanished from the spot. (End of Chapter) Chapter 10: He’s Coming!

Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Hes Coming!

The morning passed quickly. After a short break following lunch, Shichi bnced himself on a tree branch, hanging upside down, hands sped together, refining his chakra. This was another method to train chakra control. After maintaining this position for half an hour, he dropped to the ground, took a sip of salted water, and headed towards the river. Shizune and Guy were still practicing water walking, but Shichi had already mastered it by the end of the morning. Now standing by the river, he took a moment to prepare, then suddenly formed hand seals. Fire Release: me Bullet! Shichi opened his mouth, releasing a stream of fire that extended over three meters across the river''s surface. The mes gathered, swelling and forming a fireball. With a boom, the half-meter-wide me bullet erupted, sending up waves and steam. "Amazing!" Shizune eximed from the water''s surface. Guy grinned, baring his teeth. "Impressive as always, Shichi! You learned a Fire Release jutsu so quickly." "Eh?" "Wait..." Suddenly, Guy iled wildly before toppling into the river. --- By the riverbank, Shichi quietly reflected: "The chakra output wasn''t fast or stable enough." "And it wasn''t concentrated enough either. The more condensed the chakra, the stronger the explosive force, and the faster the me extends, which means quicker attack speed." After reviewing his performance, Shichi turned his attention to the Tag Tree in his mind. There was a new tag. "As expected..." Shichi wasn''t surprised when he saw the tag''s name. Tag: Fire Release Expert Condition to Obtain: Proficiently master at least 5 Fire Release jutsu of at least C-rank. Effect: Fire Release aptitude increases by 100%, and Fire Release jutsu can be performed without hand seals. Not bad, not bad at all! However, for Shichi, obtaining this tag wouldn''t be easy. Mastering jutsu is already challenging, and finding five C-rank Fire Release jutsu takes considerable effort. With his experience learning Fire Release: me Bullet, Shichi was confident he could self-learn the Great Fireball Technique he''d observed from Obito Uchiha. Add to that the Dragon Fire Technique his father left behind, also C-rank, and that made three. But where would he find the other two? Konoha doesn''t have a store that sells jutsu. "Could I get them from Tenka''s shop?" After pondering it for a moment, Shichi decided to set the thought aside for now. --- Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. On his day off, Shichi Hoshita visited the orphanage. Unfortunately, Non Yakushi had been away on a mission and hadn''t returned for over a month. After spending the entire day at the orphanage, Shichi returned home in the evening and immediatelypleted the conditions required to unlock the "Transformation Expert" tag. Activate! With just a thought, the "Transformation Expert" tag on his tag tree lit up green. The next moment, he felt a significant difference. The Transformation Jutsu now felt like an innate ability, hardwired into him. He no longer needed to form hand sealshe could perform it effortlessly. "No wonder it''s a green tag!" Shichi silently praised, and with another thought, he transformed into Kakashi. No hand seals, no smoke, and the transformation took less than 0.1 secondssmooth as silk! "Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Shichi was increasingly satisfied and grew more eager to unlock the "Fire Release Expert" tag. Not needing to form hand seals meant he could be more stealthy and unpredictable. The speed of execution alone would give him an unparalleled advantage inbat. If an enemy hadn''t gathered prior intelligence on him, they''d be caughtpletely off guard. Even the most experienced opponents wouldn''t be able to predict which jutsu he was about to use. After releasing the Transformation Jutsu, Shichi pondered, "It seems I should focus my training based on the tag tree." Trigger the tags,plete the conditions (training), and activate the tags. "I''ve already mastered water walking, tree climbing, and cliff climbing. Those training goals areplete." "I''ve also proficiently mastered the me Bullet technique, meeting the tag tree''s requirements." "So now, aside from maintaining basic taijutsu and physical training, I should focus my energy on specialized training." Shichi''s progress over the summer was faster than he had anticipated, prompting him to revise his ns once again. "But why haven''t I unlocked any tags for taijutsu or ninja tool throwing?" Shichi was puzzled. "Are taijutsu and ninja tool throwing not considered important enough?" Or was there some other reason? After thinking carefully, Shichi spected, "Could it be because I don''t have a style?" His current taijutsu training didn''t follow any particr style; there were no fixed techniques or names. Techniques like the Konoha Whirlwind or Konoha Strong Whirlwind were part of a style that Might Guy had created. Rubbing his chin, Shichi felt like he had an epiphany. So, without any shame, he decided to name his taijutsu Konoha Style Taijutsu and his ninja tool throwing Konoha Style Ninja Tool Throwing. Sure enough, the tag tree immediately responded, and two gray-white tag leaves appeared. Tag: Taijutsu Expert Condition to Obtain: Defeat Kakashi in taijutsu battles a total of 50 times. Effect: Taijutsu aptitude increases by 100%, physical strength increases by 100%, and nerve reaction speed increases by 100%. Tag: Ninja Tool Expert Condition to Obtain: Proficiently use at least 10 types of ninja tools. Effect: Ninja tool usage aptitude increases by 100%, physical strength increases by 100%, and nerve reaction speed increases by 100%. "Hiss..." Looking at the two newly appeared tags, Shichi couldn''t help but feel envious. These tags offered enhancements to his physical capabilities! As a ninja, having a body with high potential and a high ceiling was incredibly important. Physical attributesrgely determined one''s chakra capacity. And for a ninja, chakra capacity could be seen as the ceiling of their overall potential. "Can''t rush itone step at a time. I''ll get them all eventually." Shichi was now more motivated than ever. --- Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, September arrived, leaving only four days until the start of the new academy term. Shichi Hoshita and his friends officially concluded their summer operation, reserving the remaining four days as a vacation. Shichi decided to spend all four days at the Tenka''s Shop, fully dedicating himself to making Explosive Tags. Yes, he hadpletely mastered the art of making Explosive Tags. However, with his current chakra reserves, he could only create a maximum of three tags in a row before needing to rest and recover his strength. Root Base. Once again, Danzo received a report on Shichi Hoshita. Compared to thest one, it contained a lot more information. He had proficiently mastered the Three Basic Justus, Fire Release: me Bullet, and Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu (likely learned by observing the hand signs from Uchiha Obito). His Transformation Jutsu seemed to require no hand signs. He had also begun to grasp Medical Ninjutsuspecifically, Basic Healing Jutsu. He could now independently produce Explosive Tags. ... After Danzo finished reading the report, the Root ninja in charge of monitoring Shichi said, "Lord Danzo, the Academy is about to start. With Shichi Hoshita''s current skills, he''s bound to make a big impression in the new term, catching the attention of the Third Hokage." In fact, Shichi had already caught the eye of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. After all, Sarutobi was the principal of the Academy, and Shichi''s consistent perfect scores in theory exams hadn''t gone unnoticed. However, Danzo understood the underlying message from his subordinate. Sarutobi''s knowledge of Shichi couldn''t match their own. Once Shichi began to shine, it would be much harder for the Root to recruit him without Hiruzen intervening. Danzo''s gaze darkened, and after a moment, he said, "Then let''s pay him a visit tonight." (End of Chapter) Chapter 11: Reporting!

Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Reporting!

As night fell, Shichi Hoshita dragged his tired body back home. With limited time today, he only managed to make three Explosive Tags, earning 600 ryo. For food expenses, that would cover about 25 meals for him. For an average person, it would be enough for 100 meals. Since learning how to make Explosive Tags, including today''s earnings, he had umted 4,000 ryo. "Just four more days of hard work, and then I can go on a shopping spree and buy several types of ninja tools," Shichi silently nned. But as soon as he opened the door and entered his house, he sensed something was off. "Who''s there?" Shichi shouted softly, preparing to retreat. But before he could move, a terrifying force pressed down on his shoulder, immobilizing him. Arge man appeared behind him. "Don''t be afraid. We''re from the Root. Lord Danzo wants to see you," said a figure in a fox mask standing by the entrance. Shichi''s heart sank, but he also felt a slight sense of relief. At least they weren''t here to kill him. The hand on his shoulder released its grip, and Shichi stepped forward. Why would Danzo want to see him? Was it because of Head Non Yakushi? Or because of his own abilities? Had he been under surveince for a long time? How should he respond? Should he act naive or like a genius? In an instant, a flurry of thoughts raced through Shichi''s mind. As he crossed the threshold, he saw Danzo sitting on the sofa in his living room. Danzo''s right eye was covered with a bandage, but his right hand appeared normal, without any bandages. "Lord Danzo!" Shichi greeted him calmly with a bow. Danzo looked at Shichi, a hint of appreciation in his eyes, and said, "You''re very talented. The Ninja Academy is no longer suitable for you. The Root is where you truly belong, where your potential can be fully realized, allowing your talents to serve Konoha better. You can be a hero who protects the vige!" Shichi bowed again, saying, "I''m deeply grateful for your high regard, Lord Danzo." "If the Third Hokage allows it, I would be honored to serve you and join the Root. After all, the elite level of the Root is second to none in Konoha." Danzo''s gaze sharpened. "It seems Non Yakushi has taught you well." "You''re very clever!" "But you don''t need to worry about Hiruzen. The Root is part of the ANBU." Still bowing, Shichi respectfully said, "Lord Danzo, I''m currently a student at the Ninja Academy. The Third Hokage is the headmaster, so I am one of his students." "I must receive the Hokage''s approval and permission before I can graduate early and join the Root to serve you." "Impudent!" "How dare you refuse Lord Danzo!" A sudden shout rang out, and Shichi felt a terrifying killing intent envelop him, making every hair on his body stand on end. A wave of fear surged from deep within. For the first time, he realized that killing intent was a real thing, capable of instilling overwhelming terror in its target. Cold sweat ran down his back, and droplets of sweat unknowingly began to form on his forehead. Biting the tip of his tongue, Shichi spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, "Lord Danzo, if I were to agree to serve you without the Third Hokage''s permission, that would be a betrayal of the Third Hokage." "If I betray the Third Hokage today, I could just as easily betray you in the future." "I believe this is not your intention." Danzo stared at Shichi, his admiration growing. For someone of this age, to remain soposed and articte in such a situationperhaps only Orochimaru couldpare. He became even more determined to bring Shichi Hoshita into the Root. "Very good!" Danzo slowly stood up and walked past Shichi, saying, "Serving me is the same as serving Hiruzen." "Besides, your head director, Non Yakushi, is also a member of the Root. You were born to be part of it." "So, Hiruzen won''t stop you." As he spoke, Danzo paused, already at the door, and added, "Moreover, you wouldn''t want anything to happen to Director Non Yakushi, would you?" With those words, Danzo exited the house. The two Root shinobi inside the room also vanished silently, as if they had never been there. The terrifying killing intent receded like a tide, and Shichi couldn''t help but gasp for air. Danzo, that despicable old man, was bullying a child like him. This whole scenario hadn''t been part of Shichi''s expectations. Danzo showing up at this moment likely meant he had noticed the significant progress Shichi had made over the summer. What should he do? Wiping the sweat from his brow, Shichi closed the door and headed to the bathroom. He washed up, cooked a meal, and filled his stomach. By the time he had finished cleaning up, he had thought things through. Without worrying whether the Root was still watching him, Shichi headed straight for Konoha''s bustling streets. Before long, he found Tsunade in a tavern, with Shizune by her side. Luckily, it was still early, and Tsunade hadn''t gotten drunk yet. "Shichi!" Shizune eximed in surprise when she saw him. "Shizune!" Shichi greeted her with a smile, then approached the table and bowed to Tsunade. "Good evening, Lady Tsunade. I''m Shichi Hoshita." Tsunade nced at him. "Kid, I know who you are. Shizune says you''re quite the genius." Shizune blushed at that. Shichi smiled at Shizune, then turned to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, I''d like to ask you to take me to see the Third Hokage." "Hmm?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, showing a bit of interest. "Why?" Shichiid it all out. "Just now, the Root leader, Danzo, broke into my house and invited me to join the Root." "What?" Shizune gasped, "Shichi, you..." "Lady Tsunade..." But before she could finish, Tsunade silenced her with a nce. Disgust flickered in Tsunade''s eyes, but she smirked. "Danzo is the second most powerful man in Konoha, and the Root is very strong." Shichi responded righteously, "But I''m a student at the Ninja Academy, and the Third Hokage is the headmaster. That makes me his student." Tsunade scoffed, "So you''re saying you''re my junior, then?" Shichi quickly seized the opportunity. "If Lady Tsunade doesn''t mind, then of course I am." Tsunade rolled her eyes, took a sip of her drink, and snorted. "You''re right. You''re a student at the academy, and if you don''t want to, Danzo won''t be able to do anything to you." "Don''t worry, if Danzo tries to take you, the old man won''t let it happen." Shichi quickly added, "But Danzo threatened me with the orphanage and Director Non Yakushi." Tsunade''s hand, which was holding her cup, paused. Her mood took a nosedive. She usually turned a blind eye to Danzo''s dirty deeds, but when they were shoved in her face like a pile of filth, it was too revolting to ignore. Setting her cup down, Tsunade''s expression finally grew serious. Beside her, Shizune watched Shichi with deep concern, clearly wanting to say something to Tsunade but holding back. Looking at Shichi, Tsunade asked, "What do you n to do once you see the old man?" Shichi blinked and replied, "Lady Tsunade, I''m still just a first-year student at the Ninja Academy, not even six years old yet." "My parents died for Konoha, so as the Hokage and headmaster of the academy, the Third Hokage is like a guardian to me." "Now that I''m being bullied, shouldn''t I report it to my guardian?" "And shouldn''t the Third Hokage stand up for me?" What''s the best trick a child has? Tattling! Telling an adult! (End of Chapter) Chapter 12: Shameful Betrayal!

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Shameful Betrayal!

Tsunade was momentarily stunned by Shichi Hoshita''s words. She then took a closer look at the little boy in front of her. Yes, after all, he was just a kid, not even six years old. His mature thinking and way of speaking almost made her overlook his age and identity. Interesting! Tsunade smiled and then stood up. "In that case, let''s go!" "Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Shichi quickly expressed his gratitude, quietly letting out a sigh of relief. When he had first sought a solution, his initial thought was to find Kakashi and seek help through Sakumo Hatake. But he quickly dismissed the idea. The name of Konoha''s White Fang was very prominent, and his strength was formidable, even surpassing that of the Sannin. In Konoha, he was subtly considered the strongest after the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. However, after analyzing the situation more thoroughly, Shichi realized that in terms of influence, Sakumo Hatake couldn''tpare to Tsunade. He had also considered asking for help from Tenka, the sister at the Tenka''s shop, but he quickly ruled that out as well. Without a doubt, Tsunade was the best choice, followed by Sakumo Hatake, then Tenka. Lastly, he could consider seeking help from his academy sensei, Kazuya Kimura. Or he could just stake out the Hokage''s office and intercept visitors. Now that Tsunade was stepping in, the situation carried much more weight. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi''s judgment were clouded by Danzo, he would still have to give face to his disciple, Tsunade. This was the best strategy Shichi could devise with his current abilities and connections. When strength isn''t enough, one must rely on theirwork. Shichi gave Shizune a reassuring look, and the three of them headed out together. "Kid, a word of caution." Tsunade suddenly stopped and said, "Even if you go tattle, it won''t affect Danzo. In fact, it might make him see you as an enemy." Shichi nodded. "Don''t worry, Lady Tsunade, I understand that." Danzo was the second most powerful figure in Konoha, a formerrade and close aide to Hiruzen Sarutobi. There was no one in Konoha more suitable than Danzo to handle the tasks that the Hokage couldn''t be directly involved in. This was a matter of practical interests. And even considering what Danzo had done, it was still far from enough to bring him down. Reporting him now would only serve to annoy Danzo. Shichi had already taken all this into ount, but he remained undeterred and continued, "He can''t do anything to me while I''m in the Ninja Academy, but once I leave for missions, he''ll have a thousand ways to deal with me." "As long as there''s no evidence, who could say anything?" Tsunade remained silent, then nodded. "As long as you understand." She resumed walking, and the three of them made their way toward the Hokage''s office. Shichi spoke up, "Lady Tsunade, could you request that the Third Hokage bring Director Non Yakushi back?" "The director possesses unparalleled medical ninjutsu. Forcing a medical ninja to gather intelligence is the greatest disrespect to their skills." Tsunade nced at Shichi and said, "You''re absolutely right." Shichi looked around cautiously and reminded her, "Lady Tsunade, the Root shinobi might still be monitoring me. Meeting the Third Hokage as quickly as possible is the best course of action." Tsunade paused for a moment, then grumbled, "Got it!" In the next instant, Shichi felt the wind whipping against his face, his features distorting. Tsunade had grabbed him by the back of his cor, lifting him with one hand while holding Shizune with the other. With a powerful leap, she sped toward the Hokage''s office. Women really are petty! Shichi thought to himself, but he was deeply grateful to Tsunade. ... Tsunadended outside the Hokage''s office, letting go of Shichi and Shizune. Feeling solid ground under his feet, Shichi quickly tidied up his hair and rubbed his face, which had grown stiff from the wind. The reason he had taken the time to shower and eat beforeing out was not only to think of a solution but also because he didn''t want to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi looking pitiful. Since Danzo had targeted him for his talent, he needed to present himself to Hiruzen as a genius, ensuring the Third Hokage would take him seriously. "Smart kid," Tsunade muttered to herself, then turned to Shizune. "Shizune, you wait here." Shizune nodded obediently. "Yes, Lady Tsunade." Shichi shed Shizune a warm smile and nodded before following Tsunade into the Hokage''s office. At the same time, in the Root base, Danzo had just received the news. He was stunned, his expression darkening. What a wicked and cunning little brat! Danzo stood up and walked out. He wasn''t afraid of Shichi''sints, but he couldn''t allow such a cunning child to spout nonsense unchecked. ... In the Hokage''s office, Tsunade didn''t bother knocking and walked right in with Shichi, which didn''t surprise Hiruzen Sarutobi at allhe was used to it by now. As soon as Tsunade had arrived downstairs, an Anbu ninja had reported her presence to Hiruzen. Given his keen observation, it wasn''t difficult for him to deduce that Tsunade was here because of Shichi. After all, Shizune hadn''te upstairs. "Old man, this kid wants to see you," Tsunade said, not bothering to exin further, and then stood aside to watch. Shichi quickly bowed in greeting. "Lord Third Hokage!" "Shichi!" Hiruzen greeted him warmly. "It''ste. Is there something important you need to discuss?" Shichi straightened up and said, "Just now, Lord Danzo tried to recruit me into the Root." Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, exhaling smoke that partially obscured his face. "I see." "As the head of the Root, Danzo does have the authority to recruit, but he still needs my approval." Shichi quickly continued, "Lord Third Hokage, that''s exactly what I told Lord Danzo." "If you issue an order, as a student of the Ninja Academy, I should naturally follow themand of the Hokage and the principal of the academy." Hiruzen smiled lightly. "That''s true." Shichi''s tone suddenly turned indignant. "But, Lord Third Hokage, Lord Danzo threatened me." "He tantly vited Konoha''s Will of Fire by using the orphanage and Director Non Yakushi to intimidate me." Tsunade, listening from the side, was stunned. He hadn''t mentioned the Will of Fire earlier when talking to her. This kid really knows how to tailor his words to his audience! Tsunade couldn''t help but grit her teeth in secret. Meanwhile, Hiruzen took another two puffs from his pipe. He knew Danzo well enough to realize that these were indeed tactics Danzo would use. However, before he could respond, Shichi, even more agitated, continued as if his words were burning on his tongue. "Lord Third Hokage, you taught us at the academy that as Konoha''s ninjas, the inheritors of the Will of Fire, we must have the determination to protect ourrades and the vige." "But isn''t the orphanage part of Konoha?" "Isn''t Director Non Yakushi part of Konoha?" "As the Hokage''s advisor, Lord Danzo threatened me using myrades. This is a betrayal of the Will of Fire, a shameful betrayal of you, Lord Third Hokage!" "As the Hokage''s advisor, Lord Danzo even tried to overstep your authority by taking me away and making me betray you, Lord Third Hokage." Tsunade was left speechless. She had underestimated this kid. As for Hiruzen, he was caught between anger at Danzo''s actions and surprise and pride in Shichi''s words. For a moment, he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions and didn''t know how to console Shichi. The hidden Anbu members were also stunned, feeling a chill run down their spines. This kid is too persuasive! They even started to get the impression that Hokage''s advisor Danzo might actually be nning to betray Konoha. However, as Danzo, who had just reached the door, overheard these words, he was furious and immediately barged in. "You wicked and cunning little brat!" (End of Chapter) ??? This is the End of the Initial Release, from now on there will be one Chapter per day + an extra Chapter per 200 PS. Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 13: Iconic Moment!

Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Iconic Moment!

"You wicked and cunning little brat!" Danzo''s voice rang out, and Shichi Hoshita reacted like a startled rabbit, instantly jumping and hiding behind Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen''s eyes lit up. Impressive speed, but more importantly, quick reflexes. Is he as talented as Minato? Hiruzen wondered to himself. Danzo, his face dark with anger, red at Shichi. "Hiruzen, this Shichi is trying to drive a wedge between us!" "I suspect he''s been influenced by forces outside the vige!" Shichi quickly spoke up, "Lord Danzo, can you honestly say you didn''t threaten me?" "You''ve had your Root ninjas watching me for a long time, haven''t you?" "You chose this moment to recruit me because the academy is about to start, and you feared that I''d make a name for myself and catch the Third Hokage''s attention. So, you tried to bring me into the Root before Lord Third could learn more about me." "As the Hokage''s advisor and subordinate, Lord Danzo, your actions are an attempt to deceive and hide things from the Third Hokage. That''s betrayal!" "Threatening me with the vige''srades is a betrayal of Lord Third Hokage''s Will of Fire!" Danzo responded coldly, "Everything I do is for the good of the vige. A little sacrifice is necessary." Shichi immediately retorted, "Then why isn''t the sacrifice you? Why must it be me, a student who hasn''t even graduated from the academy yet? Why must it be the poor orphans in the orphanage or the kind and gentle Director Non Yakushi?" "As the Hokage''s advisor, who inherited the Will of Fire from the Second Hokage, isn''t it your duty to stand at the forefront, protecting the younger generation, and safeguarding Konoha''s tender sprouts?" Danzo''s face twisted in anger as Shichi''s words struck a nerve, reminding him of the time he lost to Hiruzen and failed to be Hokage. Shichi''s words had hit Danzo where it hurt the most, leaving him speechless and causing a surge of murderous intent to explode from him. Tsunade, watching from the side, was thoroughly enjoying the show. Shichi''s words were incredibly satisfying and echoed her own thoughts. But when Hiruzen saw the murderous intent radiating from Danzo, his expression darkened, and he called out sternly, "Danzo!" Danzo snapped out of it immediately, reining in his killing intent. Hiruzen then turned to Shichi with a gentle expression. "Shichi, don''t worry, I''ll handle this matter." He then spoke to Tsunade, "Tsunade, take Shichi and leave for now." Tsunade was a bit reluctant, not quite done enjoying the show, but she was smart enough to know when to stop. She grabbed Shichi and started to leave. As they were walking out, Shichi lightly scratched Tsunade''s palm, then gave her a wink when she looked at him questioningly. He silently mouthed the word, "Director..." Tsunade suddenly remembered, stopping in her tracks, and turned back. "Oh, right, old man, that Non Yakushi is an excellent medical ninja. It''s a waste to use her as a spy." "Besides, I might leave Konoha soon." Her voice grew somber towards the end. Hiruzen sighed and nodded. "I''ll transfer Non Yakushi to Konoha Hospital." Tsunade nodded in satisfaction and walked out with Shichi. After they left, Danzo immediately spoke up, "Hiruzen, Non Yakushi has excellent intelligence-gathering abilities..." Hiruzen cut him off in a stern voice, "I''ve already promised Tsunade. That''s final!" Danzo had no choice but to relent, but he quickly added, "That Shichi Hoshita has an astonishingly mature mind. If we don''t control and train him properly, he could be a threat to Konoha in the future." "Hiruzen, the Root is the best ce for him. If you entrust him to me, I can turn him into a de no less sharp than the White Fang of Konoha!" Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe and said, "Shichi is better suited for the Anbu." To Hiruzen, Shichi''s understanding of the Will of Fire was more important than his talent. Moreover, what Konoha needs isn''t just a killing machine. It needs someone with the Will of Fire, someone who can inherit the precious legacy of the predecessors and protect the vige. If he weren''t so old, he would have wanted to personally teach Shichi Hoshita. "Tsunade might be able to do it. Maybe this could even keep her in Konoha..." Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered to himself while saying aloud, "Danzo, submit a report on Shichi''s profile tomorrow." Danzo was reluctant. "Hiruzen, Shichi Hoshita needs to be controlled. His thoughts are too dangerous." "Precisely because of that, he needs proper guidance." Hiruzen remained firm. "Danzo, I am the Hokage!" "You''ll regret this, Hiruzen!" Danzo stormed out, leaving the office in silence. Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, his mind reying Shichi''s earlier words. Not a single word was wrong. And how could he not be aware of Danzo''s ambitions? After a long pause, Hiruzen suddenly gave an order, "Shinnosuke, go inform Orochimaru to see me tomorrow." "Yes, Lord Hokage!" ... At a small eatery. Shichi, Tsunade, and Shizune were having ate-night snack together. After watching such a good show, Tsunade''s appetite was huge, and she was devouring her food with gusto. Shizune, however, was a bit worried. "Lady Tsunade, Shichi haspletely offended Lord Danzo. Won''t that be a problem in the future?" Tsunade nced at Shichi. "That depends on his own abilities." Shichi smiled confidently, "Don''t worry, Shizune, I''m a genius!" Tsunade scoffed, "A dead genius is no genius at all!" Her mood suddenly darkened. Her brother Nawaki had been a genius too. How many geniuses has Konoha lost? Gulping down a cup of sake, Tsunade said, "Kid, if you''re a prideful andcent ninja, it''s easy to end up dead." "On the battlefield, even a Jnin must be extremely cautious." Shichi epted her advice humbly, "Thank you for the warning, Lady Tsunade. I''ll be careful." After finishing their meal, Shichi returned home alone, sitting on his sofa to rest. Danzo''s threat had been dealt withat least for now. Yes, only temporarily. As long as Danzo lives, the problem isn''t truly resolved. If Danzo doesn''te for him, he''ll eventually take Danzo out himself. "Looks like I really need to change my ns..." Shichi mused to himself. Initially, he hadn''t nned to graduate from the ninja academy early. But the results of his summer operation made him consider early graduation. Now, he''s decided to graduate early. The ninja academy isn''t enough to support the growth of his tag tree! He shifted his focus to the tag tree. Several tags on the tree remained unactivated. Fire Release Expert, Clone Expert, Substitution Expert, Taijutsu Expert, Ninja Tool Expert, Medical Expert, Sealing Expert. These specialist tags were all tempting, but activating them wouldn''t be easy. For example: Tag: Clone Expert Condition to Obtain: Master at least five different Clone Techniques. Effect: Increases mental strength by 100%, allows effortless use of Clone Techniques without hand signs. (End of Chapter) ??? I''m posting 5-8 Chapters as of now on Patreon daily if you want to read in advance. /RedX43 ??? Chapter 14: A Small Shock!

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: A Small Shock!

Looking at the list of expert-level Tags, Shichi Hoshita''s gaze settled on the [Fire Release Expert] Tag. Among the various Tags, this one seemed to be the easiest for him to activate at the moment. The [Fire Release Expert] Tag required him to master at least five C-rank Fire Release jutsu, and he had already mastered two. Additionally, he had one more C-rank jutsu, the Dragon Fire Technique, that he hadn''t yet practiced. So, he only needed two more C-rank Fire Release jutsu. Perhaps Tsunade could help him with that? Having set his target, fatigue began to take over. Shichi immediately turned off the lights and went to bed to rest. The next day, at 9 a.m., Shichi arrived at the Tenka Shop right on time and began working on creating explosive tags in the workshop. Meanwhile. In the Hokage''s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had just received Shichi Hoshita''s detailed file from the Root division. As he finished reading through the file, Orochimaru knocked and entered. Hiruzen immediately handed the file over to Orochimaru. Orochimaru quickly scanned through it, showing a hint of surprise. Smiling, he said, "He seems to be a genius on par with Minato. Are you nning to have me take him as a student?" Hiruzen shook his head. "No, I want you to go to the Root." Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, instantly realizing that this Shichi Hoshita must have caught Danzo''s attention. Sending him to the Root was to monitor Danzo, restrict him, divide his power, or perhaps even to seed him... "Looks like something quite interesting has happened!" Orochimaru chuckled to himself but simply replied, "Understood, sensei!" Hiruzen nodded and continued, "Shichi Hoshita will undergo special training in the Root in the future. When that timees, I''ll leave him to you." ... After leaving the Hokage''s office, Orochimaru went straight to the Root base and met with Danzo. Once his subordinates had left, Danzo looked at Orochimaru and said, "I hear you''re interested in researching Hashirama''s cells?" Orochimaru nodded in acknowledgment. "Indeed, but the vige rejected it." "I can help you with that!" Danzo knew why Orochimaru had been sent by Hiruzen, but his old friend clearly underestimated him. "I can provide everything you need!" Danzo offered an extremely tempting deal. "Hashirama''s cells, test subjects, funding!" In one sentence, he covered it all. "Of course, I''ll have the right to enjoy the research results!" Danzo stated his apparent condition. Orochimaru smiled. "Naturally!" He agreed to the deal and then added, "That Shichi Hoshita will soon enter the Root for special training. The old man has entrusted him to me." Danzo''s expression darkened upon hearing this, but as the leader of the Root, he didn''t let his emotions take control. "Make sure he can be of use to the Root!" Orochimaru nodded. "I understand!" ... Four days passed in the blink of an eye. Shichi Hoshita managed to earn 24,000 ry in one go, but then spent it all at the Tenka Shop just as quickly. While the store''s assistant Tenka generously gifted him a set of ninja toolsshuriken, kunai, and senbonat no cost, Shichi used his earnings to purchase a batch of secret medicinal herbs for medicinal baths at a discounted price through the Tenka''s Shop. However, thatpletely drained his summer earnings. These herbs wouldst him about three months, which would cover the uing academy term. But Shichi didn''t feel the slightest bit of regret. The secret herbs were designed to relieve fatigue, heal hidden injuries from training, and strengthen muscles and bones. They also promoted growth and slightly increased chakra, even if they couldn''t significantly boost chakra reserves. They were still useful. One of the reasons why shinobi from ninja ns were generally stronger than those from civilian backgrounds was not just their systematic training but also their superior nutrition and ess to various secret herbs. Generations of umtion had widened the gap. September 15th. The new academy term began. Everything seemed the same as it had been two months ago. But it clearly wasn''t. In the afternoon, during the ninja tools throwing ss, the girls cheered enthusiastically for Kakashi, while Obito Uchiha, as usual, was annoyed but couldn''t match up to Kakashi. When it came to ninja tools throwing, Shichi was just average, not doing anything shy. The next ss was abat lesson. Amid the continuous cheers, Shichi quietly observed everyone''s matches, taking note of their progress and updating the "intel" in his memory pce. At the same time, in the Hokage''s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out his crystal ball to secretly observe thebat ss of Shichi''s ss. "Next match, Kakashi Hatake versus Shichi Hoshita!" Kimura Kazuya announced loudly. Obito immediately protested, "Sensei Kimura, why am I not the one fighting Kakashi?" Kimura Kazuya sighed inwardly. Could he really say this was an order from the Third Hokage? Ignoring Obito''s objections, Kimura Kazuya said, "Form the Seal of Confrontation!" Shichi and Kakashi formed the Seal of Confrontation, with Shichi smiling quietly, "Kakashi, this time, I''m going all out!" Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "I''ll be waiting." After the Seal of Confrontation was formed, both of them quickly retreated. Kimura Kazuya nced at the two, confirmed they were ready, and shouted, "Begin!" In the next instant, amid the crowd''s cheers, Shichi and Kakashi charged at each other. Bam! Bam! Bam! Fists and kicks collided, generating bursts of wind. Their movements grew faster and faster, their strikes creating afterimages, causing the once loud cheers to gradually die down. Shizune, Rin Nohara, and the others stopped cheering, their eyes fixed on the fight, unable to look away. Even so, many found it difficult to keep up with the pace. "Kakashi, that guy... actually..." Obito clenched his fists tightly, reluctant to admit it, but it seemed Kakashi had improved even more over the break. Meanwhile, Asuma Sarutobi''s gaze remained on Shichi, feeling a growing sense of urgency. It was bad enough to be overshadowed by Kakashi, but now Shichi was catching up too. It wasn''t that he looked down on Shichiafter all, he was the Hokage''s son. One Kakashi was already enough. But clearly, some things don''t change just because of personal feelings. Shichi had made significant progress over the summer, but so had Kakashi, who had also trained hard. In pure taijutsubat, even with his exceptional reflexes, Shichi inevitably fell behind. Not just in skill, but in strength too. Bam! Shichi was kicked away by Kakashi, but as he flew back, he pulled two shuriken from his pouch and hurled them. Kakashi anticipated this, pulling out a kunai and effortlessly deflecting the shuriken with two ngs, before decisively throwing the kunai back at Shichi. He saw that Shichi was forming hand signs, preparing to use a Fire Release jutsu. So after throwing the kunai, Kakashi also formed hand signs and crouched down. He was confident that Shichi would easily dodge the kunai and continue his jutsu. Shichi did indeed dodge Kakashi''s kunai with ease and immediately changed his hand signs. Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall! Clone Jutsu! Kakashi''s expression shifted slightly as an earth wall rose up in front of him. At the same time, numerous clones of Shichi appeared, surrounding him. But the key detail was that these clones didn''t look like Shichithey had transformed into Kurenai Yuhi, Rin Nohara, Shizune, and Asuma Sarutobi... On the first day of the new term, Shichi had delivered a small shock to the entire ss. Earlier in the day, Kakashi had impressed everyone by using the Clone Jutsu and Transformation Jutsu in tandem during Kimura Kazuya''s assessment, creating a dozen identical versions of the teacher, which drew gasps from the ss. But Shichi''s move was even more captivating. In that moment, the entire ss surrounded Kakashi. The most impressive part was how Shichi''s transformation was so convincing that even their fighting styles were perfectly mimicked, making it nearly impossible for Asuma, Obito, and the others to tell them apart. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 15: Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Decision

Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Hiruzen Sarutobi''s Decision

"What an outstanding performance!" Kimura Kazuya praised with admiration. There was no doubt that Kakashi had wasted a jutsu, needlessly expending some of his stamina. And he would continue to drain his energy further. Although Shichi Hoshita''s clones didn''t have muchbat power, they concealed his real body among them, forcing Kakashi to waste his energy taking down the charging clones while staying highly alert to guard against Shichi''s sudden attacks. Which one was the real Shichi? Kakashi leaned against the earth wall he had created, punching the approaching clones one by one while observing and contemting. Was it Obito Uchiha? Asuma Sarutobi? Suddenly, he noticed that the figures in front of him and on either side were forming hand signs. Which one was real? Or was this another trick? In a split second, after taking down two more clones, Kakashi quickly formed hand signs. Another wall of earth rose in front of him. At that moment, Kakashi was sandwiched between two walls. Meanwhile, Shichi also finished his hand signs. The real Shichi was the one on the leftnow disguised as Asuma Sarutobiwho breathed out a streak of me that pierced through several clones and shot between the two walls, rapidly expanding into a fireball. Boom! The mes exploded, but Kakashi had already leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the st. ng! ng! As he descended, Kakashi deflected two kunai, only for Shichi''s clones to rush at him, obscuring his vision. Bam! Bam! Bam! One by one, the clones were destroyed. Taking advantage of the chaos, Shichi moved in and kicked Kakashi away. This time, he appeared as Obito Uchiha. Kakashi rolled a few times on the ground before jumping back up, bringing his hands to his mouth. Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu! Almost simultaneously, Shichipleted another set of hand signs and spat out a streak of me, forming a fireball. The same Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu! Boom! The two fireballs collided, scattering mes and cracking the ground. When the mes dissipated, Kakashi was breathing heavily. His stamina was severely depleted. Shichi was also panting, but he was in slightly better shape. He had used the Clone Jutsu, the Transformation Jutsu, and two Fire Release jutsus. Kakashi had used two Earth Release jutsus and one Fire Release jutsu. But clearly, the chakra required for the Clone Jutsu and Transformation Jutsu was far less than that for Earth and Fire Release. However, by this point, both of them were exhausted. A ninja battle doesn''t usually involve big, shy jutsu duels. For Genin and Chnin, taijutsu skirmishes, weapon exchanges, and traps or sneak attacks are the norm. Jutsu shes? Most ninjas don''t have that much chakra, and Genin and Chnin typically don''t know many offensive jutsus. Shichi''s father was a Chnin, but aside from basic techniques like the Substitution Jutsu and Body Flicker Jutsu, he only knew two offensive jutsus. His mother, being a Genin, only mastered one Wind Release jutsu, Gale Palm. Jutsu shes? That''s just not a thing. So, after intentionally exhausting Kakashi''s stamina, Shichi engaged him in hand-to-handbat again. Punchesnded solidly, both fighting until theirst bit of energy was drained. There was no doubt that Kakashi held the upper hand in terms of skill, strength, and sheer speed. But Shichi had the advantage in stamina and dynamic vision. In the end, neither could overpower the other, and they were both too exhausted to continue. "A brilliant match!" Kimura Kazuya couldn''t help but praise them, finally understanding why the Third Hokage wanted these two to face off. If it had been anyone else, they might not have pushed each other to their limits. Especially Shichihis abilities were nowhere near this levelst term. Meanwhile, Obito Uchiha and the other ssmates were stunned. Shichi had always been impressive in theory, scoring perfect marks on every exam. But in practicalbat, he was only considered upper-middle tier. Yet now, he had left the top-ranked Kakashi in a rather sorry state, and their match ended in a draw. This was even more shocking than the visual impact Shichi had created earlier with hisbination of the Clone and Transformation Jutsus. ... In the Hokage''s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had finished his observation. There was no doubt that the fight between Shichi Hoshita and Kakashi disyed a level of skill typically seen in Chnin, a feat that even many Chnin couldn''t match. Sarutobi had long known about Kakashi''s excellence, but this time, he focused more on Shichi Hoshita. Undoubtedly, the information from Danzo was urate without any exaggeration. Adding to that were Shichi''s mature thinking, his self-discipline surpassing that of an adult, and most importantly, his understanding and maintenance of the Will of Fire. There was no doubt that Shichi was a civilian genius worthy of significant investment. "Ten years from now, he might be another Minato..." Sarutobi smiled broadly, harboring great expectations for Shichi. This also solidified his decision to train Shichi. But how should he train him? Orochimaru was the first to be ruled out. Sarutobi had felt that his disciple, Konoha''s strongest Shinobi at the time, Orochimaru had undergone significant changes after the 2nd Ninja War. Not only him, but Tsunade had also been nearly destroyed after the deaths of her brother and lover. Thinking about this, Sarutobi''s mood grew somber. Jiraiya? Sarutobi shook his head quietly. He was originally an excellent candidateJiraiya was his disciple, outstanding in strength, and skilled at teaching. Unfortunately, Jiraiya was often driven by what he called fate, spending most of his time traveling the world. Even Minato had been nearly left to fend for himself, though he still turned out excellent. "Shichi has a greater advantage than Minato did initially. With his level of self-discipline, he just needs a mentor to guide him forward." "Especially in terms of ideology..." Sarutobi''s decision was gradually taking shape. --- September of the 38th year of Konoha passed in a sh. Shichi had also mastered the third Fire Release technique, Dragon Fire Jutsu, and was only two C-rank Fire Release techniques away frompleting the requirement for the [Fire Release Expert] Tag. This day happened to be a weekend. After a five-day interval, Shichi went to the Tenka''s Shop with the prepared explosive tags. Since the start of school, he had only visited the Tenka''s Shop on weekends, spending the weekdays making explosive tags at home using the materials he brought back. Two tags a day for five days amounted to ten tags, totaling 2,000 ryo. After receiving the payment, Shichi looked at Tenka and asked with a smile, "Sis Tenka, you must know Fire Release techniques, right?" Tenka smiled and asked, "Oh? Shichi, do you want to learn Fire Release techniques?" Shichi nodded eagerly, looking at Tenka with anticipation. In the ninja school, he was a talented student, mature and gentle. In the eyes of Sarutobi and Tsunade, he was still a talented student, but with a mindsetparable to an adult. In Tenka''s eyes, however, he was just a pitiful, hardworking, five-year-old orphan. Seeing Shichi''s expression, Tenka smiled and said, "Since you''ve been working so hard on making these explosive tags, I''ll teach you a Fire Release technique!" She then led Shichi to the back of the shop, where there was a small testing area suitable for trying out jutsu. "Now, pay close attention. This Fire Release technique is called Phoenix Flower Jutsu. It creates multiple fireballs to attack the enemy." "You''ve already learned the Fireball Jutsu, so Phoenix Flower Fire Jutsu should be manageable. It requires more control over your chakra to direct the fireballs." "Additionally, this technique can be used in conjunction with kunai to increase its power and control the attack''s trajectory, making it harder for the enemy to evade." As she exined, Tenka, dressed in a qipao, slowly performed the hand signs. Shichi, ignoring Tenka''s impressive figure, focused on her hands,mitting the sequence of hand signs to memory. Rat - Tiger - Dog - Ox - Rabbit - Tiger! Tenkapleted the hand signs and with a mouthful of air, released three fireballs in a triangr formation. Boom! The three fireballs hit the ground three meters away, creating three scorched craters. (End of Chapter) ??? I was free so upload some extra, enjoy!! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 16: The Ninja World’s Grenade!

Chapter 16: Chapter 16: The Ninja Worlds Grenade!

"Did you get a good look?" After finishing the jutsu, Tenka turned to Shichi. Shichi nodded, "I''ve memorized it!" Tenka smiled, "Then give it a try. With your talent, it should be no problem." Without saying a word, Shichi immediately raised his hands to perform the hand signs. Rat - Tiger - Dog - Ox - Rabbit - Tiger. Shichi took two seconds toplete the six signs, then exhaled, releasing three fireballs that flew out haphazardly, crashing into the ground and leaving three craters. "Well done, Shichi!" Tenka praised with a smile. Shichi immediately asked with a grin, "Do you have any other Fire Release techniques, sister?" Hearing this, Tenka bent down and gave Shichi a yful tap on the forehead, then put her hands on her hips, "You little rascal, don''t get too greedy!" Even with Shichi''s thick skin, he couldn''t help but blush. But getting even one Fire Release technique was already great. Once he mastered it, he would only need one more jutsu to unlock the [Fire Release Expert] Tag. "I definitely need to repay Tenka somehow..." As Shichi left the shop to meet up with Kakashi and the others, he quietly made ns. Upon reaching their meeting spot, Shichi immediately challenged Kakashi to a taijutsu match. Though he ultimately lost, the gap between them was shrinkinga very promising sign. With the boost from the [Self-Discipline], [Schr], and [Strong and Sturdy] Tags, and his relentless training, Shichi was confident that he could eventually surpass Kakashi in taijutsu. After all, while Kakashi was skilled in taijutsu, much of his focus was now on kenjutsu and ninjutsu. The next morning, Shichi once again arrived at the Tenka''s Shop early. But today, besides a few explosive tags, he also brought a gift. "What''s this thing?" "Is it food?" "Or a toy?" Tenka examined the egg-shaped, pitch-ck object, turning it over in her hands. "No, it''s a ninja tool!" Shichi chuckled, pointing to the Ninja World version of a grenade in Tenka''s hands. "The shell is made of stic, and it''s filled with tiny steel balls." "And of course, the most important part is the explosive tag." Tenka gasped, "A ninja tool? An explosive tag?" "Does it cause damage by making the steel balls scatter with the explosion?" Shichi gave a thumbs up, "Exactly, Sis Tenka!" "Of course." Tenka gave a proud smile, but then her expression turned serious as she examined the object more closely and noticed the explosive tag. It was rolled into a strip and inserted into a hollow tube in the middle. This meant that the number of explosive tags could be adjusted to control the power of the explosion. In Tenka''s mind, scenarios of its use quickly unfolded. After the object exploded, the steel balls inside would be scattered in all directions by the shockwave, making them far more difficult to avoid than a simple explosive tag. The more explosive tags used, the greater the explosion''s power, and the faster the steel balls would fly, increasing the range of destruction... Suddenly, Tenka shivered. She looked at Shichihis face gentle, his gaze pure, his smile warmand asked in disbelief, "Shichi, did you... make this?" Shichi smiled, "Of course." "You taught me a ninjutsu, so I''m giving this to you as a gift." Giving such a powerful weapon as a gift to a girl... Tenka couldn''t help but find it amusing yet touching at the same time. She understood the true value of this item very well. It had the potential to elevate her family''s status within Konoha. In a situation where the information about it remained confidential, this tool might even be a game-changer in a war. Perhaps that''s a bit of an exaggeration. But when presented to the Hokage, it would certainly be framed that way. For now, they needed to test its power. "Let''s go to the back and try it out!" Tenka said, pulling Shichi along. But Shichi stopped her, "This isn''t the right ce for a test. We need somewhere with cover, and we should set up some targets." "You''re so smart!" Tenka pinched Shichi''s cheek, then quickly agreed. Half an hourter. The two found themselves in a wooded area. In a rtively open spot, seven or eight wooden targets were set up in a circle. Standing about twenty meters away, Shichi and Tenka positioned themselves behind arge tree. Shichi raised his hand and tossed the grenade into the center of the ring of wooden targets. As soon as itnded, Shichi made a hand sign andmanded, "Detonate!" The moment the grenade exploded, both Shichi and Tenka ducked behind the tree. Immediately, they heard the rapid crackling of the air being torn and the dull thuds of impacts. Even the tree they were hiding behind wasn''t spared from the sound of impacts. Once everything quieted down, the two quickly emerged from behind the tree to inspect the aftermath. The wooden targets were leaning at odd angles, each one riddled with holes. Nearby trees had steel balls embedded deep into their trunks, including the one they had just used for cover. "At least a 20-meter lethal range," Tenka observed, both amazed and fearful. "At this distance, with an attack like that, no ninja could withstand it." Tenka was both excited and terrified. This was a weapon she definitely didn''t want to face. While ninjas wouldn''t stay in one spot and the Body Flicker Technique could be very fast, this was far more dangerous than a simple explosive tag. If someone was ambushed and caught off guard, they would surely meet a grim fate. If a vital spot was hit by one of the steel balls, even a medical ninja might not be able to save them. "Shichi, are you really giving this to me?" Tenka asked again. Shichi nodded with a smile, "Of course!" "A man''s word is his bond; I won''t go back on it!" Tenka chuckled, then leaned down and gave Shichi a quick kiss on the forehead, "Thank you, Shichi!" Looking at Tenka, Shichi could only sigh inwardly, acknowledging his own limitations. Afterward, the two of them began cleaning up the area. The wooden targets were destroyed, and they needed to collect the scattered steel balls. Tenka decided that this matter definitely needed to be reported to the Third Hokage, but for now, the grenade wasn''t something that should be widely distributed. Such an item wasn''t difficult to make, and the information could easily be leaked. It had only been a few years since thest Great Ninja War, and the ninja world had mostly stabilized. However, many unresolved conflicts from the Second Ninja War remained, and Tenka felt that another war would inevitably break out. That would be the right time to introduce the grenade. Selling weaponsasional retail sales weren''t much, but vige procurement was where the real money was! First, produce and stockpile! Of course, Tenka decided that for every grenade sold, Shichi would receive a portion of the profits. Shichi didn''t refuse this arrangement. After finishing this task, his life returned to normalgoing to school, training, and studying Fire Release techniques. He always knew what his priorities were. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 17: Yakushi Nono!

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Yakushi Nono!

Time flew by, and more than a month of the new academy term had already passed. After school, Shichi and Shizune had just left the academy when he spotted a familiar figure. Filled with joy, he quickly ran over. "Director!" Shichi hugged Yakushi Nono. The bespectacled Yakushi Nono gently patted Shichi''s smooth ck hair, smiling. "Shichi, you''ve grown quite a bit." Shichi''s height had already surpassed her waist. Releasing her from the hug, Shichi grinned, "Well, it has been a few months!" At this moment, Shizune and the others approached. Shichi quickly introduced them to each other and then sent Shizune and the others ahead to the training ground, while he took a walk with Yakushi Nono. Without asking about Yakushi Nono''s mission, Shichi took the initiative to recount his earlier encounter with Danzo, including how Tsunade had stepped in to help. "I see..." Yakushi Nono stopped in her tracks, looking at Shichi with aplex expression. "Shichi, you''ve grown up." Shichi smiled. "Of course. Now I can protect the orphanage and each other, alongside you, Director." "So, Director, since you''re working at Konoha Hospital, does that mean I cane to help out and learn more about medical justu at the same time?" Yakushi Nonoughed, "Of course you can." She wasn''t the type to be overly strict. She then asked, "Should we pay a visit to Lady Tsunade to express our gratitude?" Shichi thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes, we should visit and thank her properly." He figured it wouldn''t be a bad idea for Yakushi Nono to build a connection with Tsunade. After all, Yakushi Nono was still in her early twenties and had a lot of potential for growth. Since they couldn''t take down Danzo at the moment, the best strategy was to strengthen their position so that Danzo wouldn''t dare to act rashly. Yakushi Nono said, "We should prepare in advance to make sure we don''t show any disrespect." Shichi agreed. "Let me check with her, and then we can decide on a time for the visit." Yakushi Nono nodded and patted Shichi on the shoulder. "Go join your ssmates." After parting with Yakushi Nono, Shichi rejoined Shizune and the others. Once they finished their afternoon training, Shichi asked Shizune to pass on the message about their uing visit to thank Tsunade. Shizune replied, "Shichi, isn''t this a bit too much trouble? You don''t need to be so formal." Shichi shook his head. "For Lady Tsunade, it might have just been a small favor, but for me, the Director, and the orphanage, it was incredibly important." Understanding this, Shizune nodded. "I see. I''ll make sure to tell Lady Tsunade." That evening, Shichi set aside an hour to prepare a gift for Tsunade. The next day, when he arrived at school, Shizune brought the news. The visit was scheduled for that very evening. So, after finishing his training that evening, Shichi freshened up and, along with Yakushi Nonowho had prepared some homemade snacksset out for Tsunade''s house. But before they left, Shichi stopped by a shop and bought a bottle of fine sake, which cost him a hefty 500 ry. It hurt! ... "As Expected of the Senju n!" Standing in front of Tsunade''s grand residence, Shichi couldn''t help but sigh inwardly. However, despite its size, the house had a lifeless atmosphere. After knocking on the door, it was Shizune who answered. Shichi immediately pulled out the gift he had prepareda scroll. "Shizune, this is for you!" Shizune was both surprised and delighted, her face flushing slightly. "For... for me?" Shichi smiled, "Of course, you''ve earned it too!" Shizune epted it with gratitude, "Thank you." She then quickly invited both of them inside, where Tsunade was already waiting at the entrance of the living room to greet them. However, Tsunade didn''t seem to be in high spirits today and showed no intention of inviting them to stay for dinner. Shichi, being perceptive, handed over the gifts, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then politely took his leave with Yakushi Nono. Tsunade didn''t insist they stay. As they left Tsunade''s home, Shichi couldn''t resist ncing back, thinking to himself, "It seems Tsunade isn''t doing well in Konoha." "Then again, it''s understandableher brother is dead, her lover is dead... She''s the top medical ninja in the world, yet she suffers from hemophobia." ... Inside the living room, Shizune looked at Tsunade and softly asked, "Lady Tsunade, wasn''t that a bit too rude?" Tsunade didn''t seem to care. "What''s there to be rude about?" "It''s not like I''m the one thanking them!" "Now, let''s see what that little brat brought as a gift." With no other choice, Shizune brought the gift basket over to Tsunade. "Oh, there''s sake." Tsunade smiled, "That kid sure knows what I like!" Shizune nced over and said, "Lady Tsunade, I think the scroll and the snacks are probably the most valuable gifts here." Tsunade gave it a nce and snorted lightly, "The snacks are yours. As for the scroll..." After thinking for a moment, she decided to open it. "Hmm?" Tsunade let out a surprised sound, and her expression gradually became more serious. A momentter, she set down the scroll and looked at Shizune, "Did that kid give you a gift too? Open it and take a look!" Shizune nodded and quickly unrolled the scroll Shichi had given her. "Memory... Pce." "Lady Tsunade, it''s a memory technique!" Shizune eximed in surprise. Tsunade snorted, "That sneaky brat, he gave us both the same gift!" "Huh, the same?" Shizune was taken aback and leaned over to look at Tsunade''s scroll. Indeed, it was the same. But instead of feeling disappointed, she felt a bit pleased, and then she defended Shichi, "Lady Tsunade, it hasn''t been easy for Shichi either. This technique is probably something his parents left for him." Tsunade, however, shook her head, "You''re underestimating him." "This technique was likely created by him." "I''ve seen the data from the old man''s filesthe assessment from the Root. That kid has an astonishing memory." Shizune was both surprised and impressed, "That''s incredible!" Tsunade rolled her eyes, but then said seriously, "Shizune, this technique is really valuable, especially for a medical ninja. You need to study it carefully. If you have any questions, don''t hesitate to ask that kid!" ... At home, Shichi''s thoughts were also on Tsunade, "She must have realized I gave them both the same gift by now, right?" "Well, I couldn''t help it. Besides this, I don''t really have anything else impressive to give." Of course, he had also made a copy of the Memory Pce technique for Yakushi Nono. In the days that followed, Shichi''s routine changed. Instead of spending his weekends at Tenka''s shop, he began going to Konoha Hospital to study medical knowledge under Yakushi Nono''s guidance, fully absorbing and understanding the information he had crammed into his mind before. And so, autumn passed and winter arrived. Before he knew it, it was already December, and the winter break and New Year''s holiday were just around the corner. But just as the term wasing to an end, Kakashi submitted his application for early graduation, shocking the entire ninja academy. Because Kakashi, who was born in September, was not yet six years oldhe hadn''t even been five when he first entered the academy. Although Shichi had also decided to graduate early, he didn''t n to do so alongside Kakashi. He wanted to first obtain the "Fire Release Expert" Tag, which would give him enough confidence to ensure his safety. (End of Chapter) ??? Bonus Chapters!! 100k+ View ? 1k+ Collections ? 100 Power Stones ? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 at $7! ??? Chapter 18: Fire Release Expert Obtained

Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Fire Release Expert Obtained

1st Time Bonus Chapters!! 100k+ View ? 1k+ Collections ? 100 Power Stones ? ??? On December 15th, Konoha Year 38, it was time for Kakashi''s graduation exam. Shichi Hoshita and the others were all waiting at the exam site. About an hourter, Kakashi, still as cool and aloof as ever, emerged from the exam area, his scarf wrapped around him. Instantly, everyone''s eyes focused on the ninja forehead protector on Kakashi''s head. "He really passed!" "Amazing!" "As expected of Kakashi!" "At this age, he must have broken the record, right?" The students around him were filled with exmations of awe and admiration, mixed with envy. At the age of 5, Kakashi graduated, bing the youngest person to ever graduate from Konoha''s ninja academy, quickly gaining fame throughout the vige. The news even spread beyond Konoha. After all, geniuses always attract attention, whether from allies or enemies. Shichi remained calm and collected. He had already mastered the Phoenix Flower Jutsu and was only one step away from unlocking the "Fire Release Expert" Tag, needing just one more Fire Release jutsu. Unfortunately, Yakushi Nono didn''t know any Fire Release jutsu. In the end, Shichi decided to wait until after the New Year to see if he could exchange his Memory Pce technique for a Fire Release jutsu from the vige. During the two weeks of winter break before the New Year, he spent most of his time at Konoha Hospital. Of course, he didn''t neglect his basic physical and taijutsu training. Before he knew it, the New Year had arrived. Shichi didn''t spend it at home; instead, he returned to the orphanage to celebrate with Yakushi Nono and the others. After January 1st, Konoha Year 39, Shichi returned home and discovered a scroll on the living room table, with a note pinned underneath it. Picking up the note, he read: "A New Year''s gift for Shichi." He recognized the handwritingit was from Tenka. Speaking of which, Tenka had paid him a sum of 100,000 ry as payment for the grenades before the New Year. "What could it be?" "A sealing technique?" "Or a ninjutsu scroll?" Shichi spected, then unrolled the scroll and couldn''t help but widen his eyes in surprise. "Firing Biscuit Jutsu!" "A-Rank Fire Release!" Shichi was both shocked and delighted. He had guessed it was a ninjutsu scroll, the kind that contained a sealing jutsu, since Tenka''s family dealt in such items. But he never expected it to be a jutsu he actually wanted. "Sis Tenka, I really love you!" Shichi grinned broadly. Now that he had five jutsu, all he needed to do was master this Firing Biscuit Jutsu toplete his goal. However, mastering an A-Rank Fire Release jutsu was no easy task. After carefully reviewing the scroll, Shichi was even more convinced. He remembered this Fire Style: Firing Biscuit Jutsu from the original seriesan ANBU ninja had used it to fight against Pain''s summoned beasts. Unlike most Fire Release jutsu that are expelled from the mouth, this one can ignite a target from a distance. As such, it requires a higher level of chakra control. Additionally, this jutsu is more suited for use in rtively confined spaces against enemies. Since it doesn''t cause explosions, it relies purely on mes to inflict damage. No matter what, Shichi decided to master this jutsu as quickly as possible. And so... While others were enjoying their New Year holiday, Shichi was by the cold riverside, training in the Firing Biscuit Jutsu. But he wasn''t the only one working hardObito Uchiha was also pushing himself. He had decided to submit an application for early graduation at the start of the new school term. ... Konoha Year 39, January 10th - The New Semester Begins This marked the start of the final semester for the first-year students. Shichi Hoshita''s life returned to a regr routine. However, he decided to temporarily pause his studies at Konoha Hospital, dedicating that time instead to mastering the Firing Biscuit Jutsu. At the very start of the new term, Obito Uchiha caused a minor stir at the ninja academy. He applied for early graduation. But he failed. He didn''t pass the written exam, nor did he seed in the Clone Jutsu. Still, Obito wasn''t willing to give up. If that smug Kakashi could do it, so could he! On March 3rd, Konoha Year 39, Shichi celebrated his sixth birthday at the orphanage with Yakushi Nono and the other children. He received a bunch of gifts. Although most of them weren''t particrly valuable, they were given with heart. Some were bouquets of flowers, others were origami creations, homemade treats, or wooden kunai carved by hand. These small tokens of affection filled Shichi with warmth. Yakushi Nono''s gift, however, was a jutsu. The Shadow Clone Jutsu! Shichi suddenly found himself overwhelmed with a happy dilemma. The Shadow Clone Jutsu was undoubtedly a highly useful technique. Even if he could only create one clone, it would still help him train faster. But he was still so young, with pitifully little chakra to spare. "I''ll focus on obtaining the [Ninja Tool Expert] Tag after I get [Fire Release Expert]!" After receiving the Shadow Clone Jutsu, Shichi made up his mind. His original n was to secure the [Medical Expert] Tag first, since he had Yakushi Nono to guide him in medical ninjutsu, which would undoubtedly make the process smoother. But the benefits of the [Ninja Tool Expert] Tag were something he urgently needed. It would increase his aptitude for using ninja tools by 100%, enhance his physical constitution by 100%, and boost his nerve reaction speed by 100%. The physical enhancement, in particr, would significantly raise his chakra capacity. Moreover, with the [Ninja Tool Expert] Tag, his physical prowess would improve, allowing him to progress more quickly in surpassing Kakashi in taijutsu, which would in turn help him earn the [Taijutsu Expert] Tag. Once that happens, his physical constitution would double again. Time to go for it! ... As spring blossomed and the spring break approached, Shichi was training by the riverside. After sessfully performing the Firing Biscuit Jutsu, a smile spread across his face. Finally... tag unlocked! After nearly an entire semester, he had fully mastered the Firing Biscuit Jutsu. Focusing his attention on the Tag Tree in his mind, Shichi immediately unlocked the [Fire Release Expert] Tag. A green glow enveloped the Tag Tree''s leaves, and a mysterious power coursed through his body. His aptitude for Fire Release was enhanced by 100%, and he could now perform Fire Release jutsu without hand signs. The talent boost was impressive, but the ability to execute Fire Release jutsu without hand signs, just like the [Transformation Expert] Tag before it, was incredibly smooth and seamless. This meant that his survival skills had been greatly improved. "I can apply for graduation now!" Shichi exhaled deeply. At that moment, a new leaf appeared on the Tag Tree, and Shichi quickly checked it out. Tag: [Ninjutsu Master] Condition to Obtain: Master at least 30 jutsu Effect: Any Ninjutsu can be performed with just two hand signs; Ninjutsu aptitude increased by 100% Shichi shook his head as he read. Thirty jutsu is too many. For now, it''s better to focus on acquiring various expert Tags for different jutsu types. Once I''ve got those, this Tag will fall into ce. "Next up is mastering all kinds of ninja tools..." Shichi shifted his attention. He was already proficient in using kunai, shuriken, explosive tags, and grenades, and was currently working on mastering senbon. Luckily, mastering ninja tools was easier than jutsu. Otherwise, mastering ten different tools would be no small feat. "Besides senbon, a short sword or wakizashi might be another option. I wonder if short and long swords count as two different ninja tools?" "Nunchaku? Staff?" (End of Chapter) --- T/N: The author did number on me really. Dude wrote A-rank justu ''Firing Biscuit Jutsu'' as B-rank and Chinese Names never adds up. I have to re-watch Pain Attack Leaf Vige Arc in order to just understand what Justu did that Cat Masked ANBU Used. Anyway, I Fixed it so Enjoy. --- Chapter 19: Totsuka!

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Totsuka!

3 Bonus Chapters Uploaded!! 100k+ View ? 1k+ Collections ? 100 Power Stones ? ??? Konoha Year 39, March 15th. Shichi Hoshita officially submitted his application for early graduation from the academy. Although he didn''t graduate at the age of five like Kakashi, it still garnered significant attention. For Kimura Kazuya and Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, this was entirely expected, so they approved his application that very day. The next day, under the watchful eyes of Shizune and others, Shichi entered the exam hall prepared solely for him. The written exam? Finished in ten minutes. The assessment of the three basic jutsu? Shichi passed without any issues. No extra tests, no surprises, and Hiruzen Sarutobi didn''t make an appearance. Everything was calm and straightforward. "Congrattions, Shichi. From today onwards, you are a true ninja!" After the exam, Kimura Kazuya handed Shichi a ninja forehead protector with a smile. Shichi epted it with a deep bow, saying, "Thank you. Thank you, Kimura-sensei, for all your guidance!" This gratitude was genuine. Kimura Kazuya had not only taught him in ss but had also answered numerous questions outside of it. It was thanks to this guidance that Shichi had been able to master the academy''s entire curriculum ahead of schedule. Kimura Kazuya epted this thanks with pride, as he believed Shichi was a true genius he had personally mentored, unlike Hatake Kakashi. "The path of a ninja is fraught with danger, Shichi. I hope you can continue to walk it with perseverance." Kimura Kazuya offered his best wishes. Shichi nodded seriously. "Kimura-sensei, I will!" Kimura Kazuya patted Shichi''s shoulder with a smile, "Go on, let your ssmates congratte you. But remember to report to the Hokage''s office tomorrow to meet your squad leader." Shichi bowed once more before turning to leave the exam hall. Shizune immediately hurried over. "Shichi, congrattions!" Soon, Might Guy, Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and others gathered around to offer their congrattions as well. At that moment, Shichi became the center of attention. Standing at the edge of the group, Obito Uchiha clenched his fists tightly. "Even Shichi has graduated. Obito, you''re an Uchiha you have to work hard and catch up to that smug Kakashi!" ... Returning home from the academy, Shichi found himself feeling slightly out of ce. From today onwards, he no longer had to attend school. This meant it was time to adjust his previous ns. Additionally... "Who will be my squad leader?" Shichi wondered with anticipation. From Tsunade, he had learned that not every newly graduated Genin was assigned a Jnin squad leader. Each year, many new shinobi graduated from the academy, but the number of Jnin in Konoha was limited, and not all could serve as squad leaders. Only the most talented graduates would receive guidance from a Jnin squad leader. For the majority, however, a Chnin squad leader was the norm. In any ninja vige, Chnin represented the core of the military strength. Jnin were the elites of the vige, a small and select group capable of handling high-stakes missions on their own. Each Jnin not only possessed exceptional strength or skills but also had a wealth of mission experience. Shichi believed that with his performance, he deserved a Jnin squad leader, right? Kakashi''s squad leader was a Jnin from the Sarutobi n. With that thought, Shichi grabbed his ninja tool pouch, ced a senbon in his mouth, and headed out to the Tenka''s shop. "Huh, Shichi?" Tenka was quite surprised to see Shichi Hoshita, but then she quickly realized what was happening and smiled. "You graduated early!" Shichi smiled back. "Of course." "Well, congrattions!" Tenka grinned and immediately turned around to fetch a wooden box, which she handed to Shichi. "Here, this is your graduation gift. Open it and take a look!" "This..." Shichi hesitated a bit since Tenka had already gifted him a finely crafted kunai for his birthday not long ago. Seeing his hesitation, Tenka put her hands on her hips and pouted in displeasure. "What, are you going to refuse my gift?" Shichi quickly took the wooden box. "You''re not exactly strapped for cash, sis. I wouldn''t dare refuse." Tenka''s mood brightened at this response. "That''s more like it! Now, open it up and see!" Shichi nodded and opened the wooden box to reveal a sheathed short sword inside. Tenka smiled and said, "I prepared this especially for you. Give it a name!" Shichi could sense the sword was something special. He took it out, set the box aside, and unsheathed the de. The short sword had a straight de with a single-edged side, so polished that it gleamed like a mirror. Shichi channeled his chakra into the de, and it immediately began to vibrate slightly, a faint glow appearing along the edge. The chakra flowed through the de seamlessly. It was indeed a chakra de! Chakra des/swords were not only expensive but also quite rare. Shichi''s face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Sis! I''ll name this sword... Totsuka!" "Totsuka..." Tenka''s smile grew even brighter. "As long as you like it, Shichi." The grenades had brought significant profits to her and the family. Although they would give Shichi a portion of the earnings, it was nowhere near enough. She felt she had topensate her little brother somehow. But as she looked at Shichi, Tenka suddenly felt a pang of mncholy. He''s still so young! But then, she quickly perked up and left the room. When she returned, she had a leather belt in her hand. She personally helped Shichi fasten it around his waist and smiled. "Now you can wear Totsuka at your back. And when you have a longer sword in the future, you can carry it on your back too." Shichi tried it out and found it easy to draw the sword without interfering with his ninja tool pouch. With that, he decided to put off buying more ninja tools for now and focus on mastering the use of the senbon and this short sword. After staying at the Tenka''s shop for a while, Shichi bid farewell and left. He went alone to his usual training spot to practice with the senbon and Totsuka. During lunch, he ate a bento and in the afternoon, he took out the scroll for the Shadow Clone Jutsu and began studying it. With his solid foundation in the Clone Jutsu, the Shadow Clone Jutsu wasn''t too difficult for Shichi. The real challenge was his chakra capacity. In less than an hour, he had basically mastered the jutsu. However, he could only create one shadow clone, and it was somewhat weak. After swallowing an unpleasant-tasting soldier pill to restore his stamina, Shichi immediately created a shadow clone. Now, with his original body and the shadow clone, he could have one practice sword techniques while the other worked on senbon techniques. But Shichi was very cautious. He carefully tested the limits of using shadow clones without overexerting himself. For the first trial, he only kept the shadow clone active for ten minutes. Fortunately, he could handle it without issue. The second time, he extended it to twenty minutes. The fatigue was noticeably greater, and the memory feedback was intense. "Hmm?" "Maybe I could use the Memory Pce..." Feeling the overwhelming feedback from the shadow clone''s memories, Shichi suddenly thought of his Memory Pce. Could he store the shadow clone''s memories directly in the Memory Pce to reduce the impact on his brain? "It should be possible." Shichi pondered, "But I''d need to modify the Memory Pce, incorporating seals and jutsu to turn this memory technique into an actual ninja art." Of course, he knew this wouldn''tpletely solve the dangers of using the Shadow Clone Jutsu extensively. Especially the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, which was ssified as a forbidden technique. The biggest danger of this jutsuy in its strain on the body. One aspect was the division of chakra. If managed poorly, it could lead to fatal exhaustion. The other was the cumtive fatigue brought back by the shadow clones. This required a strong physical constitution! Without it, the sudden influx of overwhelming fatigue could easily lead to physical copse. "As expected, the more solutions there are, the more challenges arise." Shichi sighed internally. Turning the Memory Pce into a jutsu or sealing technique wasn''t simple. To build a strong enough body, besides regr training, the fastest way was through the use of Tags. "Time to get back to work!" Shichi buried himself in training once more. (End of Chapter) ??? Next Milestone!! 500k+ View ? 5k+ Collections ? 5000 Power Stones (Total)? Of course, you''ll get an extra Chapter per 200 PS ?? Read up to 30+ Chapters ahead at my Patreon for just $7. ??? /RedX43 ??? Chapter 20: Squad Leader and Teammates!

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Squad Leader and Teammates!

When Shichi Hoshita returned home that evening, he washed up and ate dinner before starting his attempt to fully convert the Memory Pce into a ninjutsu or sealing technique. This task was no easy feat, but fortunately, Shichi had a solid grasp of basic sealing techniques thanks to his work on explosive tags, and he was also well-versed in talismans. Moreover, Shichi wasn''t aiming to immediately turn the Memory Pce into an A-rank or S-rank technique. His initial goal was simply to store the memories returned by the Shadow Clone Jutsu directly into the Memory Pce. This application was actually simr to the explosive tags he had been working on. However, since it involved his brain, Shichi proceeded with extreme caution and refrained from any reckless experiments, focusing instead on designing the technique. He decided that once he had made some progress, he would consult Tsunade for guidance. The night passed uneventfully. Konoha Year 39, March 16th. After his morning training and a hearty breakfast, Shichi wrapped medical bandages around his forearms and calves. These bandages, soaked in a special medicinal solution, helped alleviate muscle fatigue and could also be used to stop bleeding. Next, he donned a ckbat outfit, followed by a ck jacket with white stripes. The jacket bore simr to the Uzumaki n''s swirl pattern on the shoulders, arms, and back. He also equipped himself with iron bracers and armguards, as well as his ninja tool pouch, with the Totsuka chakra de sheathed at his back. Once fully prepared, Shichi left his house, moving swiftly through the vige to the front of the Hokage''s office, where he waited. It wasn''t long before he noticed a somewhat familiar figure approaching. "Uchiha Shisui?" Shichi blinked. The boy across from him seemed to notice Shichi staring and offered a friendly smile. Shichi smiled back, then decided to approach and introduce himself. "Hello, I''m Hoshita Shichi." "Hello, I''m Uchiha Shisui," Shisui responded warmly. "I''ve heard of you, Shichi-kun. Graduating from the Ninja Academy at six years old is quite impressive." Shichi replied, "There are many who graduate at this age. Sometimes, graduating early isn''t necessarily a good thing." If he hade from a ninja n with abundant resources, he wouldn''t have chosen to graduate early. He would have preferred to stay in the academy for the full six years. Shisui paused at Shichi''s words, then thoughtfully nodded in agreement. "You''re right, Shichi-kun." At that moment, a figurended beside Shisui. "Shisui, you''re early as usual." The neer then turned to Shichi. "And who might this be?" Shisui smiled and introduced them. "This is Hoshita Shichi. I think he''s our new teammate." The boy gasped. "Hoshita Shichi, the one who graduated at six?" Shisui then introduced him to Shichi. "Shichi-kun, this is Sany Kurama, from the Kurama n." An Uchiha and a member of the Kurama n as teammates? Shichi was a bit surprised but politely greeted Sany. "I''m Hoshita Shichi. It''s a pleasure to meet you, Sany-senpai." Sany quickly waved off the honorific. "No need to call me ''senpai.'' Shisui and I only graduated a year ago; we''re still newbies ourselves." Only a year of experience? So, Shisui might be two years older than me? Shichi was a bit surprised. His impression was that Shisui wasn''t much older than Uchiha Itachi. But then again, considering Shisui''s reputation for his Shunshin no Shisui (Body Flicker Shisui), it was likely that he earned his fame during the Third Shinobi World War and after the Fourth Hokage''s death, especially during the shes with the Hidden Mist. Even if Shisui was five years older than Itachi, he would have been only around ten years old at that time. A ten-year-old jnin with a fully matured Sharingan? That''s pretty terrifying. Additionally, Uchiha Shisui is a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, who died quite early and was significantly younger than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen Sarutobi''s grandson, Konohamaru, is much younger than Naruto and his friends. Therefore, it''s most likely that Shisui is the son of Uchiha Kagami. When did Uchiha Kagami die? The most probable time would be during the Second Shinobi World War. So, it makes sense that Shisui is a year or two older than Kakashi and the others. Shichi quickly came to ept the fact that Uchiha Shisui was older than him. The three chatted casually and soon became quite familiar with each other. Clearly, none of them were difficult to get along with. "It seems you all get along well." A voice suddenly called out. Shichi and the others quickly looked over. "Minato-sensei!" Shisui was the first to step forward and bow respectfully. Sany Kurama followed suit, excitedly bowing as well. "Minato-sensei, are you our new squad leader?" Looking at Minato Namikaze, Shichi was even more surprised than when he saw Uchiha Shisui. Minato was still very young, around 15 years old. Having Minato Namikaze as his team leader waspletely unexpected for Shichi. He had thought of Jiraiya, or even Kakashi''s father, Sakumo Hatake, or perhaps a jnin from the Sarutobi n, but never Minato Namikaze. However, thinking about Minato''s identity, it seemed quite reasonable. So, Shichi, though a bit dyed, stepped forward and bowed. "Minato Sensei, I am Shichi Hoshita." All of them were polite and amiable, without any of the arrogance that often apanies geniuses. Minato Namikaze reflected on this privately and smiled. "Hello, I''m Minato Namikaze. From today on, I''ll be your team leader." "Let''s find a ce to talk!" With that, Minato vanished. Although Minato knew from Hiruzen Sarutobi that he was primarily assigned as the team leader due to Shichi, Minato did not show this. The three exchanged nces and quickly used Body Flicker Jutsu to follow him. On a rooftop. Minato watched as Shichi and the others arrived and said with a smile, "Let''s start with introductions so we can get to know each other better." "I''ll go first." "You already know my name. I specialize in taijutsu, Body Flicker Jutsu, and Wind Release." Uchiha Shisui then added, "I''m Uchiha Shisui. I excel in swordsmanship, genjutsu, Fire Release, Body Flicker Jutsu, and I have a single tomoe Sharingan." Sany Kurama followed up, "I''m Sany Kurama, and I specialize in genjutsu." Finally, everyone turned to Shichi. Shichi immediately said, "I''m Hoshita Shichi. I specialize in Fire Release, Transformation Jutsu, and have a basic proficiency in Medical Ninjutsu." His Medical Ninjutsu proficiency included the basic Healing Jutsu and a fundamental understanding of the moreplex Mystical Palm Technique, though he was far from being proficient. He was certain that even without the "Fire Release Expert" tag, he had some natural talent in Fire Release, which,bined with the "Schr" tag, made the effects more pronounced. Medical Ninjutsu was different, as his talent was rtively weaker, and the effort required was much greater. Being able to learn the Mystical Palm Technique in such a short time was thanks to the boost from his tags. Minato smiled upon hearing this. "Then, from now on, Shichi will be our team''s Medical Ninja." In a team, the Medical Ninja is often the one who is protected. Of course, from the enemy''s perspective, the Medical Ninja is also the first to be targeted. (End of Chapter) ??? Bonus Chapter for 300 PS Coming Next... Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 21: The First Mission!

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: The First Mission!

Bonus Chapter ?? ??? Assigning Shichi Hoshita as the team''s medical ninja was Minato Namikaze''s way of looking out for and protecting him. Shichi understood this well and immediately responded, "I''ll take care of everyone''s backs!" Uchiha Shisui and Sany Kurama both smiled and said in unison, "We''ll make sure to protect you too, Shichi." Seeing this interaction, Minato felt a sense of relief. The atmosphere was unexpectedly positive. Given the unique nature of this newly formed team, Minato decided not to conduct the traditional bell test, which is usually used to assess team cooperation. Instead, he directly announced their mission: "Earlier, when I met with the Third Hokage, I received a mission. It seems that a summoning beast has appeared in the Forest of Death. Our task is to investigate and, if the summoning beast is confirmed, track it down and capture it if possible." Shisui asked, "Minato-sensei, do we have any more information about the summoning beast?" Minato shook his head, "No, we don''t. The assumption is based on the disturbances caused by the wild animals in the Forest of Death, leading us to specte that a summoning beast might be involved." "Any more questions?" Shichi and the others shook their heads in unison. "Let''s move out!" With Minato''smand, he took the lead, and Shichi and the others quickly followed. For Shichi, the first day after graduation was clearly beyond his expectations. No bell test, straight into a high-stakes mission. If there truly was a summoning beast involved, could this mission be ssified as a C-rank? After all, the danger posed by a summoning beast could be on par with that of a ninja. The group swiftly left the core area of Konoha, reaching the entrance of the Forest of Death within minutes. "The Forest of Death is full of wild beasts and poisonous insects, so be careful," Minato reminded them before leading the team inside. The ancient trees towered overhead, making the people below seem insignificant. The four of them moved through the forest, asionally stopping to analyze traces left by the animals. Minato, Shisui, and Sany did most of the talking, while Shichi listened intently, absorbing the information like a student in ss. The three of them were clearly making an effort to guide him. Shichi humbly sought their advice, eagerly learning from them, gradually converting the theoretical knowledge he had acquired at the academy into practical experience. Through this tracking process, Shichi noticed that while Minato didn''t say much, Shisui''s skills in tracking were clearly superior to Sany''s. Of course, Sany Kurama, who hailed from a n known for their genjutsu, was also quite adept. Those who specialize in genjutsu often pay close attention to details. An hourter, the four of themnded on a thick tree branch. Shisui said, "Minato-sensei, it should be here." Sany Kurama added, "The traces of animal activity around here have noticeably decreased, and there are signs that they''ve been migrating outward. It seems this area has already been imed as a territory by the summoning beast." Wild animals have territorial instincts, especially powerful ones. Summoning beasts are no exception. Minato nodded, "Based on the traces, this summoning beast appears to be a wildcat, with speed likely being its primary advantage, so everyone stay alert." Shichi and the others nodded in unison, "Yes, Minato-sensei." Minato gave a hand signal, and the four of them moved forward in a semicircr formation, closing in. Suddenly, Shisui signaled for them to stop, and Shichi and the others followed his gaze. On a tree branch, in a patch of sunlight filtering through the leaves, a ck catyzily, its tail swaying back and forth. Minato quickly signaled again. Encircle it! Except for Shisui, Shichi and the others immediately moved to surround the ck cat. However, the ck cat was very alert. Before they couldplete the encirclement, it sensed something, stood up, and with a "meow," leaped in the direction of the gap in their formation, right where Shichi and the others had left an opening. "Stop it!" Minato shouted. Since their cover was blown, there was no need to be cautious anymore. In an instant, Shichi Hoshita and the others surged forward with chakra bursting from their feet, each using the Body Flicker Technique to pounce on the ck cat. However, the cat''s speed was astonishingly fastat least, Shichi felt that he was no match for the cat in terms of speed, especially in this environment. But Minato Namikaze and the others were even faster. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Kunai flew through the air, embedding themselves with sharp thuds into the branches ahead of the ck cat. They were thrown by Minato. The cat, startled, immediately changed direction. Just as Shichi saw the catnd on another branch, it abruptly changed course and leapt straight toward Uchiha Shisui. "It''s genjutsu!" Shichi noticed Sany Kurama lowering his hand. The next moment, Shichi saw Shisui and the cat lock eyes mid-air, and then the ck cat fell limp, caught by Shisui. Sharingan! As Impressive as ever. So Sany Kurama used the False Surroundings Technique, perhaps? So what is the technique used by Kurama Sanyo here? Shichi silently spected. Minato smiled, "Excellent teamwork." "Well, the mission is sessfullypleted. Let''s head back." The four of them left the Forest of Death without any hesitation. However, Shichi noticed a new leaf on his Tag Tree. Tag: Tracking Expert Condition to Obtain: Sessfully track an enemy''s whereabouts at least five times during missions. Effect: Increases tracking talent by 100%, and sensitivity to traces by 100%. Another "Expert" tagShichi was starting to feel numb to these now. But the conditions didn''t seem too difficult, as this recent mission had already been counted toward the requirement. This meant he didn''t have to track the enemy entirely on his own to seed. Watching Minato and the others ahead, Shichi thought, [Tracking Expert] might be the easiest and quickest expert tag for me to acquire. Smiling to himself, Shichi caught up to Sany Kurama, walking alongside him and asking about genjutsu techniques. Of course, he only asked about theoretical aspects and avoided specific jutsu. Sany, not one to be stingy, answered every question. Upon returning to the Hokage''s office, Minato reported the mission and received themission fee, distributing it afterward. Shichi immediately earned 6,000 ry. "We''re done for the morning. How about I treat everyone to some barbecue for lunch?" Minato said with a smile as they left the Hokage building. Shichi and the others quickly thanked him and headed to the barbecue restaurant. On the way, Minato asked, "Shichi, what''s your next focus in training?" "Is it Fire Release?" Although Minato hadn''t personally witnessed Shichi using Fire Release, he had received information from the Third Hokage. He knew that Shichi had managed to replicate the Great Fireball Technique just by observing a ssmate perform ita clear sign of exceptional talent in ninjutsu. "Fire Release?" Shichi shook his head. "Minato-sensei, I''ve already mastered five Fire Release techniques, covering short, mid, and long-range." "For me, there''s no need to learn more Fire Release techniques, given the chakra limitations." This statement surprised Minato and the others. Sany Kurama couldn''t help but mutter to himself, "Are rookies this amazing nowadays?" He had been graduated for over a year but hadn''t mastered five genjutsu techniques. Minato nodded and continued, "So your next focus will be on closebat and swordsmanship?" He pointed to the Totsuka Chakra de at Shichi''s waist. Shichi nodded, "Yes, Minato-sensei." "Due to my chakra limitations, I believe I''ll be engaging in closebat most of the time on the battlefield." "And the overall physical conditioning is the foundation of a ninja''s abilities, so my training will focus on enhancing my physical strength, taijutsu, ninja tools, and swordsmanship." Minato smiled approvingly, "That''s a very wise choice." Shisui then offered, "If you need any help with ninja tools or swordsmanship, Shichi, don''t hesitate to ask me." Sany Kurama also smiled, "My taijutsu is decent, so I think I can manage as a sparring partner." Shichi, thick-skinned as ever, didn''t hold back, "Then I''ll be counting on you both from now on." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 at just $7 ??? Chapter 22: Minato Namikaze’s Special Training!

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Minato Namikazes Special Training!

The barbecue lunch was thoroughly enjoyable, though it did eat up the mission reward Minato Namikaze had just received. There was no helping itMinato didn''t say anything, but Shichi Hoshita and the other two were all big eaters. After lunch, the four of them arrived at a forest on the outskirts of Konoha Vige. "Rest for an hour," Minato said before disappearing into the forest. Watching Minato vanish into the trees, Sany Kurama grinned, "Shichi, how about a taijutsu match?" Shichi Hoshita readily agreed, "No problem!" Uchiha Shisui took on the role of referee. At his signal, Shichi and Sany shed. As Shisui observed silently, he quickly noticed, "Sany''s moves are beingpletely read by Shichi. This kind of ability..." The first thought that came to his mind was the dynamic vision of the Sharingan. Although Sany Kurama was two years older than Shichi, their hand-to-handbat skills were surprisingly simr. Soon, Sany began using kunai, and Shichi responded in kind. The sound of metal shing filled the air. But the flow of the battle didn''t change much. After about five minutes, Shichi and Sany stopped. "Impressive!" Sany gave Shichi a thumbs-up, genuinely impressed, despite taijutsu not being his strong suit. At this point, Shisui stepped forward, pointing out the ws in both Shichi''s and Sany''s techniques, giving them a detailed analysis of their fight. As Shichi listened, he quickly realized that Shisui''sbat intelligence was on a much higher level. After the review, Shichi immediately took the opportunity to ask Shisui for tips on using short swords. Before they knew it, an hour had passed. Minato reappeared and looked at the three, saying, "The next training exercise is to follow a designated route through this forest." "The direction is straight behind mego straight through." After saying this, Minato vanished once more. Sany immediately turned to Shisui, "Shisui, what should we do?" Shichi also looked to Shisui. Among the three of them, he was the strongest and most experienced. Shisui responded, "I''ll take the lead. Sany, you stay in the middle, and Shichi, you take the rear. We''ll advance in a single line formation." Both Shichi and Sany nodded in agreement. With Shisui leading the way, the three of them dashed into the forest. The moment they entered, Shisui activated his Sharingan. At the back of the formation, Shichi immediately entered a state of 100% focus. As for the 10x concentration boost from his [Schr] tag, he didn''t dare to use it lightly due to the significant drain on his stamina. From his hidden vantage point in the forest, Minato watched the three as they moved. Suddenly, he used a kunai to cut a thin wire. In the next moment, a pre-set trap was triggered, sending a barrage of kunai and shuriken flying toward the three of them from the side. More specifically, Sany in the middle was the primary target, with the most kunai and shuriken aimed at him. "Watch out!" Shisui reacted first, stopping in his tracks and shouting a warning as he hurled a kunai forward. Sparks flew in the forest, apanied by the sharp nging of metal. Shisui''s single kunai deflected four or five of the iing weapons aimed at Sany. Shichi wasn''t far behind, reacting a split secondter. But he was better prepared,unching two kunai with both hands, intercepting two shuriken headed their way. Shichi Hoshita and Uchiha Shisui quickly moved closer to Sany Kurama, both drawing their des. At the same time, Sany held a kunai in each hand. In the next moment, a barrage of projectiles rained down on them. The three of them swung their weapons, deflecting the iing attacks amidst a chorus of shing metal. Sany inwardly chuckled bitterlyhad he be the weak point of the team? After clearing the first hurdle, the trio continued forward. Not long after, Shisui''s ears twitched as he shouted, "Shichi!" Shichi immediately heard the whistling of projectiles behind him, stopping in his tracks and turning around to see a dense volley of weapons headed their way. This time, instead of drawing his sword, he quickly retrieved two kunai while biting down on a senbon needle. Activating 200% focus, he spun his arms like windmills, using the kunai to deflect the barrage of weapons. Behind him, Shisui and Sany also had their hands full as projectiles came at them from both the front and the sides. The three of them formed a back-to-back formation, working together to fend off the assault. When the attack finally ended, a variety of projectilesy scattered in front of each of them. Shichi''s kunai were chipped, and the senbon he had been holding in his mouth had been spat out at thest second to block a shuriken. The intensity of this training was worlds apart from their time at the ninja academya single mistake could lead to serious injury. Shisui and Sany weren''t much better off; Sany even had two cuts on his arm. Shichi quickly checked the wounds and smiled, "Just scratches." Covering the wounds with his hands, he used the simplest healing technique, and within a minute, the wounds were healed. The three of them resumed their journey, this time adopting a triangr formation. They encountered explosive tag traps and ambushes from Minato''s shadow clones before finally making it through the forest to the other side. Once they stopped, all three were breathing heavily. Shichi was still shaken. They hadn''t noticed the explosive tag trap until it was nearly toote, reminding him of how Nawaki had died in an explosion trap. The ninja world was far more dangerous than he had imagined. He also realized more clearly that the hierarchy among ninjas wasn''t just about strength; there were deeper reasons at y. "You all did very well," Minato said, appearing with a smile. "Rest for an hour." The three of them immediately sat down, pulling out water and food from their packs to replenish their strength. An hourter, Minato created three shadow clones and said to them, "Each of you will face one of my clones in a fight. Treat it as if it were an enemy you need to kill." "Yes, Minato-sensei," they responded in unison before each took on a clone, attacking with full force. Minato stood a short distance away, observing. He had been watching his three students closely since their mission that morning. This afternoon''s training was also a way for him to gauge their abilities. "Shisui is the strongesthe has a keen mind, the powerful insight and genjutsu of the Sharingan, and excellent skills in the Body Flicker Technique and swordsmanship. He also has the most experience and is fully capable of bing a Chnin." "Sany excels in genjutsu. His taijutsu and experience arecking, but he has the potential to be a Chnin." "As for Shichi... his Fire Release hand seals were so fast that even I couldn''t see them. Is it a concealed seal, or perhaps no seals at all?" "What an astonishing talent for Fire Release!" "And his reaction speed is extraordinaryLord Third wasn''t exaggerating at all." Minato analyzed quietly, nning how best to teach each of them ording to their strengths. In terms of technique, there wasn''t much he could teach Shisui. The Sharingan had its own unique system, so his role would be to help Shisui gain morebat and mission experience. For Sany, aside from improving his taijutsu, the focus would also be on gainingbat and mission experience. The Kurama n had an impressive heritage in genjutsu. As for Shichi... (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 23: Leaving the Village!

Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Leaving the Vige!

When Minato Namikaze looked at Shichi Hoshita, his first thought was about the Flying Thunder God Technique. For someone outside the Uchiha n to have such extraordinary reflexes, Shichi was indeed a promising candidate for mastering the Flying Thunder God. Of course, mastering this technique required not only exceptional reflexes but also a strong sense of perception and spatial awareness. "But it''s too early for that," Minato thought with a smile. Shichi was only six years old, while Shisui Uchiha and Sany Kurama were just eight. For now, they needed to focus on building a solid foundation, gainingbat experience, andpleting missions. --- The first day after graduation passed quickly. The next day, the morning was spent on another mission, helping vigers near Konoha deal with wild animals that were destroying their crops. This time, it was a group of wild boars. Following the tracks, Shichi and the others quickly located and dispatched them. This mission brought Shichi just three tasks away from unlocking the "Tracking Expert" tag. The afternoon was once again dedicated to Minato''s special trainingtraps, shadow clone battles, and taijutsu guidance. To Shichi''s surprise, this pattern continued for an entire week. Morning missions, afternoon training. Before he even had a chance to leave Konoha, Minato had helped him unlock the "Tracking Expert" tag. With a 100% increase in tracking talent and a 100% increase in sensitivity to traces, Shichi''s progress in both missions and training became visibly faster. March 24, Year 39 of the Konoha Calendar. As usual, the team gathered on the rooftop. However, when Minato arrived, he announced, "Today''s mission is a C-rank mission outside the vige. Meet at the vige gate in half an hour." "Understood!" Shichi and the others replied in unison before using the Body Flicker Technique to disperse. At home, Shichi quickly packed his gear into his backpack. Kunai, shuriken, a medical kit, soldier pills, a change of clothes, as well as explosive tags and grenades... After packing, with some time to spare, Shichi went to Konoha Hospital and Tenka''s shop to bid farewell to Yakushi Nono and Tenka. When he arrived at the vige gate, Minato and the others were already there. However, Shichi wasn''tte. "Let''s move out!" Minato ordered as soon as Shichi arrived. The four of them left Konoha and headed south along the main road. Before long, they veered off the path leading to the Daimyo''s residence and entered the forest, moving southwest. As they leaped through the trees, Minato exined the mission: "Our target this time is a group of bandits based on the border of the Land of Rivers." "These bandits have crossed the border into the Land of Fire multiple times, attacking viges in the area." Shisui immediately sensed something was off: "The border has ninja team outposts. If they''ve managed to cross the border and raid viges multiple times, it means they''ve figured out the patrol routes of the border ninja teams." A C-rank mission? This was likely more than that! Shichi Hoshita thought, "Even if ordinary bandits had ninjas among them, it wouldn''t be enough to consistently figure out the patrol routes of the border ninja squads and manage to infiltrate and return to the Land of Rivers each time." Sany Kuramamented, "So, Shichi, are you suggesting that these bandits might be disguised ninjas?" Shichi replied, "That''s a possibility." "But if that''s the case, this mission might not be for us." "There''s another possibility: the bandits could indeed be ordinary bandits, maybe with just one or two lower-ranked rogue ninjas among them. However, they might have precise intelligence support." Minato Namikaze smiled, "Shichi''s analysis is very good." Shisui Uchiha asked, "Minato-sensei, if that''s the case, where would their intelligencee from?" "From Amegakure?" "Before the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Rivers was within Amegakure''s sphere of influence, and the missions there were managed by Amegakure. After the war, Amegakure''s influence was limited to the Land of Rain, while the Land of Rivers'' missions were divided between us and Sunagakure." "So, it could be that Amegakure wants to make aeback, or Sunagakure wants to take over all the missions in the Land of Rivers." Minato nodded and asked, "So, Shisui, which possibility do you think it is?" Shisui thought for a moment and said, "Sunagakure!" Kurama asked, "Shisui, why Sunagakure?" "Hanz of the Smander from Amegakure is known as a legendary shinobi. It wouldn''t be surprising if he wanted to make aeback and take over the Land of Rivers." Shichi analyzed, "But if it were Hanz, he would be facing us and Sunagakure. That wouldn''t be a wise move." "Sunagakure, on the other hand... It has been quite some time since the Second Shinobi World War. Their ambitions may have reignited, and it wouldn''t be surprising if they wanted to take over the entire Land of Rivers." "And the current situation fits Sunagakure more." Kurama was puzzled and asked, "Why is that?" Shichi exined, "Because if it were Hanz from Amegakure, he wouldn''t need to use such methods. He could just send people south to reim the Land of Rivers directly." "Sunagakure, however, might not have the determination to confront us directly, so they might use such methods instead." "This bandit group might not be simple." Shisui quickly asked, "Shichi, are you saying there might be other issues with these bandits?" Shichi replied, "It''s just a guess." "For instance, if these bandits have legitimate identities in the Land of Rivers, and we deal with them there, the Land of Rivers'' daimyo might be displeased and deteriorate rtions with the Land of Fire and Konoha. At that point, Sunagakure could easily align with the daimyo of the Land of Rivers and take over all the missions there." Kurama was astonished, "How... How did youe up with this, Shichi?" Shisui was also surprised. Minato was equally astonished, as Shichi''s final analysis was something he hadn''t considered yet. Of course, he was aware of the hidden aspects of this mission. "The Third Hokage was right. Shichi''s level of maturity in thought is on par with that of an adult. His insights are precise, and his analytical abilities are remarkable." Minato marveled privately and then said to Shichi and the others, "Shichi''s analysis is excellent. It looks like this mission won''t be too simple." "Therefore, we need to be extra cautious once we enter the Land of Rivers." "After we find the bandits, the first step is to thoroughly investigate their situation." Shichi and the others responded in unison, "Yes, Minato-sensei!" --- They set off at 9 a.m., rested for two hours at noon. By evening, Shichi and the team reached the border of the Land of Fire but did not immediately cross. Instead, they set up camp at the border. Early the next morning, after having a meal of fish soup, the four crossed the border and entered the Land of Rivers. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 24: Intelligence!

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Intelligence!

Bonus Chapter For 500 PS ?? ??? After entering the Land of Rivers, following Konoha''s intelligence, Shichi Hoshita and his team found a cave on a mountain. It seemed to have been inhabited in the past. "Judging by the traces, it''s been at least a month since someone was here," Shisui Uchiha observed. Shichi scanned the cave and then volunteered, "Minato-sensei, I''ll go check outside." Minato Namikaze nodded, "Sany, go with Shichi." Sany Kurama quickly nodded, "Yes, Minato-sensei." The two of them left the cave to investigate the surrounding area. Before long, Shichi reached the top of the mountain and gazed southward. He raised an eyebrow and then took a monocr from his backpack to look down at the valley. "There''s a vige down there..." "There are a lot of people, but the fields seem somewhat neglected." Shichi frowned slightly. He noticed women and elderly people working in the fields but didn''t see any young, able-bodied men. Looking closer at the vige, there were children ying around, and asionally, he could spot a few young men. "Are they justzy?" Shichi put away the monocr, met up with Sany Kurama, and then rejoined Minato to report what he had discovered. Minato asked, "Shichi, do you suspect there''s something unusual about that vige?" Shichi nodded, "The information leading us to this hideout wasn''t baseless. This ce was likely a hideout for rogue ninjas, but it''s now abandoned." "And conveniently, there''s a vige just below. In fact, this would be an ideal location for a hideout." Sany added, "Judging by the traces around here, someone did live here for a long time." It''s impossible for all signs of life to vanish within just a few months unless someone meticulously cleaned up, but it''s clear that wasn''t the case. Everyone understood Shichi''s point. If this hideout belonged to rogue ninjas or bandits, then the vige below might have been under their control in the past, possibly paying them tribute. This vige could be a valuable source of information. "Indeed, the vige is a good ce to gather intel," Minato concluded, making a quick decision. "We''ll start our investigation with the vige." Sany suggested, "The simplest method would be to bring someone back here and use genjutsu to interrogate them." Both he and Shisui had the skills to do sodirect and straightforward! However, Shichi offered an alternative, "Perhaps we could gather information in a more discreet manner." Minato and Shisui understood Shichi''s underlying concernthat the vige might be moreplicated than it seemed, possibly with ties to external forces. After all, they had previously spected that Sunagakure might be involved. Shisui added, "If we want to collect information covertly, it would be best to wait until nighttime." Entering during the day, even with a transformation jutsu, could easily raise suspicion. After all, gathering intel discreetly requires subtlety. Directly questioning the vigers would be too risky. A stranger entering the vige would immediately arouse suspicion. Sneaking in at night, using genjutsu when everyone is asleep, would leave minimal traces, most of which the vigers would likely dismiss as a dream. Minato immediately decided, "Then we''ll wait until nightfall to infiltrate the vige." Shichi then suggested, "Minato-sensei, maybe we could first familiarize ourselves with the vige in a simpler way." Minato, Shisui, and Sany all turned to Shichi. Shichi smiled, and in the next moment, he transformed into a ck cat. Minato Namikaze immediately recognized the ck catit was the same stray cat from their first mission a few days ago. Shisui Uchiha''s eyes lit up as he smiled, "Shichi''s idea is indeed clever. A stray cat in this area shouldn''t raise any suspicions." Minato nodded with a smile, "That''s true." Meanwhile, Shichi Hoshita felt a bit strange inside because he had just triggered a new tag. Tag: Transformation Master Condition to Obtain: Achieve 100 different forms of transformations, meeting the required standards. Effect: Able to change into countless forms; transform into a bird to fly, a fish to swim. The effect was impressive, but the difficulty was also daunting. Humans count as one form, and cats as another. He had already met the requirements for the human form, but not for the cat. While his cat form had no visible ws, hisck of knowledge about feline behavior could easily expose him. But in reality, just achieving 100 different transformations forms was already an extraordinary feat. Releasing the Transformation Jutsu, Shichi turned to Shisui with a smile, "Shisui, you probably know cats better than I do." Minato also looked at Shisui, "Shisui, I''ll leave this task to you." "Understood!" Shisui nodded. Minato then turned to Sany Kurama, "Sany, you''ll be responsible for supporting Shisui." Sany quickly responded, "Yes, Minato-sensei." Shisui and Sany immediately set off. However, instead of entering the vige right away, Shisui transformed into a stray cat and moved through the forest, quickly finding a group of roons. Shisui then transformed into a roon and mingled with the group, allowing himself to pick up the scent of the wild roons. The drawbacks of the ordinary Transformation Jutsu are numerousnot only in chakra but also in scent, which is difficult to alter. Shisuipensated for this by using alternative methods. Shichi observed this and couldn''t help but silently give Shisui a thumbs up. He had learned something valuable. If he wanted to unlock the [Transformation Master] tag, mastering animal transformations would be a significant advantage. --- Back in the cave, Shichi practiced using senbon needles, and before he knew it, it was already noon. Shisui and Sany returned together. "Minato-sensei, Shichi''s earlier spection waspletely correct," Shisui reported, clearly astonished, and then ryed the gathered information. Although it was just bits of overheard conversation, they had confirmed that the vige below housed two rogue ninjas who also led the bandits. Almost all the able-bodied men in the vige were their subordinates. Moreover, the two rogue ninjas indeed had a source of intelligence. They were scheduled to meet their contact tonight, with ns to act the following day. After Shisui finished his report, the cave fell into silence. The vige was a bandit stronghold, responsible for significant harm to the Land of Fire. Revenge seemed inevitable. But it was still a vige. Would they target only those who had raided the Land of Fire, or would they root out the problem entirely? "What a messed-up world..." Shichi sighed inwardly. He had heard of simr situations in his previous life, but now, faced with the realityif he were to seek revenge in the vige, would he kill everyone or just the able-bodied men? Would he carry that burden in his heart? Minato''s gaze swept over the three of them before he said, "For now, we won''t concern ourselves with the vige. We''ll split into two teams to keep an eye on those rogue ninjas." "Yes, Minato-sensei!" The three of them quicklyposed themselves and responded in unison. Shichi and Minato formed one team, while Shisui and Sany formed the other, and they began closely monitoring the vige. It was a long process. Byte night, the two rogue ninjas finally left the vige and headed west. Shichi and the others immediately followed, keeping a safe distance behind. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 25: Strike!

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Strike!

Under the moonlight, by a riverbank, two rogue ninjas finally met with a contact. In the forest, Shichi Hoshita and his threepanions silently observed. The contact didn''t disy any obvious signs of being a Suna ninja. Instead, he appeared to be a wandering samurai. The distance was too great to hear what they were saying, and Shichi didn''t know how to read lips. Within five minutes, the meeting concluded. As the rogue ninjas began to head back, Shichi and the others quickly concealed themselves. In the darkness, Minato Namikaze used hand signals tomunicate. "Track the contact!" However, the contact, who resembled a wandering samurai, was very cautious and ran downstream along the river. Shichi and the others followed through the forest. After covering nearly 10 miles, Minato used hand signals again to issue a newmand. "Strike!" They split into two groups again. Shichi and Minato moved ahead to intercept, while Shisui Uchiha and Sany Kurama dove into the river to chase the target. As soon as themand was given, Shisui and Sany changed direction, rushing out of the forest and into the river, sprinting across the water''s surface to pursue the wandering samurai. The samurai, sensing their presence, nced back under the moonlight. "Konohagakure! Two kids?" Realizing that someone might be moving ahead to cut him off, the samurai sneered, "You''re underestimating me!" Without hesitation, he turned and charged toward Shisui and Sany, intent on dealing with the two kids first. In the forest, Minato immediately led Shichi in a charge towards the fight. Shisui and Sany came to an abrupt halt. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Shisui hurled several shuriken, while Sany quickly formed hand seals. The samurai deftly dodged the flying shuriken, but Shisui suddenly tugged on the thin steel wire attached to the shuriken, causing them to change direction and converge on the samurai from three different angles. At the same time, Sanypleted his jutsu. Genjutsu - Mirage Technique! This genjutsu distorted the target''s vision, making what they saw differ from reality. At that moment, Sany aimed to disrupt the samurai''s perception of the shuriken''s trajectories. The samurai drew his sword, slicing through the wire and deflecting two of the shuriken, but he missed the third. Thud! The shuriken lodged into the samurai''s right arm, blood spilling out and staining the river red. The agonized scream of the samurai echoed loudly in the stillness of the night. "Damn it!" Breaking free from the genjutsu, the samurai roared in anger, the water beneath his feet exploding as he leaped into the air, bringing his sword down towards Shisui. "Retreat!" Shisui and Sany quickly withdrew. The wandering samurai missed his strike and was about to pursue when he heard the sound of something cutting through the air. Turning his head, he saw a kunai flying toward him. His pupils dted in shock as he stumbled, the kunai barely missing his face. But before he could feel relieved about dodging the attack, a figure appeared in front of him, catching the kunai mid-air. "You..." The samurai was stunned. Before he could finish speaking, Minato Namikaze''s powerful punch cut him off, sending him flying off the river''s surface. As he fell, Shichi Hoshita arrived just in time,nding a whip-like kick that sent the samurai crashing into the river with a loud ssh, knocking him out cold. Shichi quickly retrieved the unconscious samurai from the river and brought him to the shore. The interrogation that followed was naturally led by Shisui Uchiha. Even with just a single-tomoe Sharingan, Shisui''s genjutsu abilities surpassed those of Sany Kurama. After enduring a beating, the wandering samurai''s willpower was severely weakened, and it took less than ten minutes for Shisui to extract the information. The man turned out to be a Suna ninja, a Chnin named Tonegawa Ry. Moreover, he wasn''t working alonehis mission involved a four-man team. The other three members consisted of one Jnin and two Chnin. The Jnin from Suna was a seasoned veteran, while the two Chnin were sensor-type ninjas. The bandits led by the rogue ninjas were receiving intelligence from this Suna team. Their goal aligned closely with what Shichi had previously spected. Those two rogue ninjas had originally enved the small mountain vige until they were discovered by Tonegawa Ry''s team. They then recruited the vige''s young men as forcedbor, with Suna providing intelligence to help them cross the border and raid the Land of Fire. After just one operation, the young men of the vige werepletely trapped in the cycle. As a result, the two rogue ninjas moved into the vige, abandoning their mountain hideout. Suna''s goal was to use this bandit group to stir conflict between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers, creating an opportunity for Suna to take over missions in the Land of Rivers. The bandits were set to act again tomorrow, but this time Suna had deliberately fed them false information. They were going to run straight into a Konoha border patrol squad. A battle would ensue, the bandits would be defeated, and Konoha would discover the bandits'' hideout, leading to a massacre in the vige. Even if Konoha and the Land of Fire managed to restrain themselves, they would inevitably hold the Land of Rivers ountable. Of course, there was a risk that Suna would be exposed during this operation. Therefore, Tonegawa Ry and his team would also take action tomorrow, nning to kill the two rogue ninjas amidst the chaos and dispose of the bodies. "Sunagakure is truly despicable!" Sany Kurama said angrily. Shichi and Shisui nodded in agreement. The n was indeed viciouslow-cost, high-reward, and not particrly difficult to execute. With the current calm in the shinobi world, Konoha''s patrols along the Land of Fire''s borders were rtivelyx, making it easier for Sunagakure to exploit the situation. Minato Namikaze looked down at the unconscious Tonegawa Ry in thought before raising his head to ask the three young shinobi, "What do you think we should do next?" Sany immediately replied, "Minato-sensei, we should take down hisrades as soon as possible, preferably capturing them alive. We should also notify the border patrol squad and leave the rogue ninjas alive. With this evidence, we can present it to the Daimy of the Land of Rivers, showing him Sunagakure''s ambitions and pushing him to fully align with Konoha." Minato turned to Shisui. "I agree with Sany," Shisui said. "If Tonegawa Ry doesn''t return in time, Suna will definitely suspect something is wrong." Minato nodded, then looked at Shichi. Having already thought it through, Shichi said, "We should capture the Sunagakure team, inform the border patrol, and report the situation to the Third Hokage. Since this mission involves the Land of Rivers and Sunagakure, only the Third Hokage can decide how to handle the situation." Minato''s eyes reflected approval, though he didn''t express it outright. He said, "We''ll split into two groups. Shisui, Sany, Shichi, you three take Tonegawa Ry back to the Land of Fire''s border and assist the patrol squad in capturing the rogue ninjas and banditsalive if possible." Sany was startled. "Minato-sensei, you''re going alone...?" Shichi smiled and said, "Sany, let''s follow Minato-sensei''s orders. We should trust in our sensei''s strength." Minato smiled, "Alright, it''s decided." He then took out a specially made Flying Thunder God kunai and handed it to Shisui. "Shisui, take this. I''ll return as quickly as possible." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 26: Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Choice!

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Hiruzen Sarutobis Choice!

The team split into two groups. Uchiha Shisui carried the prisoner on his back while Shichi Hoshita and the others bid farewell to Minato Namikaze under the moonlight. They then retraced their steps, eventually stopping to rest at the foot of the mountain where the rogue ninja''s hideout was located. Sany Kurama, still worried, said, "Shisui, are we really okay letting Minato-sensei handle a Jnin and two Chnin all by himself?" Uchiha Shisui remained silent, fully aware of the reason behind Sany''s concern. Their previous team leader and another teammate had perished during a mission when their squad had split into two groups. It was during that mission that Shisui had awakened his Sharingan. Shichi Hoshita, observing Sany''s anxious expression and Shisui''s silence, thoughtfully said, "Sany, Minato-sensei''s n is the most suitable." "With this prisoner, we need at least two people to carry him. If we divided into pairs, anyone who went with Minato-sensei might be a burden to him." "So, the best strategy is for the three of us to stay together while Minato-sensei operates alone." "As for Minato-sensei''s strength, you might not have noticed during the fight earlier, but his speed with the Flying Thunder God Technique is unparalleled in the entire shinobi world." "Even if he were outmatched, it would be easy for him to retreat alone." After hearing Shichi''s analysis, Shisui smiled and said, "Shichi is right, Sany. We need to trust in Minato-sensei." Realizing that Shichi''s reasoning was sound, Sany shook off his worries and said, "Then let''s hurry to our destination." Half an hourter, the three continued on their journey, taking turns carrying the prisoner. After another hour, they crossed the border and located a Konoha patrol squad. They exined the situation to the Jnin leading the patrol. This Jnin, named Sakai Itsuki, immediately instructed his three subordinates, "Shinichi, you three head out at once and notify the other two squads." The border was long, so naturally, there was more than one patrol squad in the areathere were three, totaling twelve people. All they could do now was wait. Reflecting on the day''s events, Shichi closed his eyes to rest and conserve his energy. Suddenly, Sany''s voice broke the silence. "Shisui, what do you think the Third Hokage will decide?" Shichi immediately opened his eyes and looked at Shisui, who was leaning against a tree across from him. "This situation involves three countries. The Third Hokage will likely be extremely cautious," Shisui replied. "After all, it hasn''t been long since the Second Shinobi World War ended." From his perspective, he didn''t want to see another major war break out. However, this mistake was entirely on Sunagakure''s part, and Konoha had already caught them red-handed. There was no way the Land of Rivers would side with Sunagakure. The only concern was whether Sunagakure would dare to start a war over this. At that moment, Sany asked another question, "What do you think will happen to that vige?" Shisui was taken aback, not because he hadn''t considered it, but because he subconsciously didn''t want to think about it. "The Third Hokage will likely leave that to the Anbu," Shisui finally answered, then looked at Shichi and asked, "Shichi, what do you think?" Shichi pondered for a moment and said, "Since it involves three nations, the Third Hokage will certainly be very cautious. As you said, it hasn''t been long since the Shinobi World War ended. Neither we nor Sunagakure want another war, especially one that might give Amegakure an advantage." After all, the Land of Rivers had been snatched from Amegakure''s grasp. "Right now, we have the upper hand, and there''s a good chance we can secure the Land of Rivers." Shichi paused, then added, "As for that vige, it might be handled by Root." Technically speaking, Root was also part of the Anbu. However, in Shichi Hoshita''s eyes, Root was Root, and the Anbu were the Hokage''s direct subordinates. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, could dismiss Danzo from his position as the leader of Root with a singlemand, but in reality, Root remained under Danzo''s control. Danzo had ced curse marks on the key members of Root. Although both the Anbu and Root handled the dirty and exhausting tasks, Shichi felt that Root was more likely to be involved in this situation. But what would Danzo do? The atmosphere grew tense. A six-year-old and two eight-year-olds were already being forced to confront a darkness more terrifying and torturous than death itself. Before they knew it, the sun began to rise in the east. After eating their rations in the morning, Shichi and the others were assigned patrol duties by Jnin Sakai Itsuki. Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze had already returned to the Hokage Tower, where he reported the details of the mission and the intelligence they had gathered to Hiruzen Sarutobi. In fact, when he returned to Konoha, he had brought along a prisonerthe Jnin from Sunagakurewho had since been handed over to Konoha''s interrogation unit. They would do everything they could to extract any valuable information from the prisoner''s mind, whether it pertained to Sunagakure''s ns or other secrets. Given that this situation involved three countries, two ninja viges, and possibly even Amegakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn''t help but furrow his brow. However, this was indeed an opportunity to monopolize the missions in the Land of Rivers. The only concern was whether Sunagakure would dere war as a result. Or perhaps they might even ally with Hanzo. After some thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally said, "Minato, your handling of the situation was very appropriate. Go and regroup with Shichi and the others. Capture those rogue ninja and hand them over to Root. Let Root handle the rest." This decision was not unexpected for Minato, and he immediately nodded. "Yes, Lord Third Hokage." With that, Minato vanished from where he stood. ... At the Fire Country border. Shichi Hoshita and the others had justpleted a patrol and were taking a rest when Minato Namikaze suddenly appeared beside Uchiha Shisui. "Minato-sensei!" The three were pleasantly surprised. Minato nced at them and smiled, "Looks like I made it in time." At that moment, a signal re shot into the sky. Shichi couldn''t help but smile. "You arrived just in time, Minato-sensei." The bandits wereing! The four of them immediately sprang into action, disappearing from their resting spot. Momentster, when Shichi and the others arrived at the battlefield, the fight was already over. Aside from the two rogue ninja, ten vigers were also lying unconscious on the ground. Nehan Shja no Jutsu? (Temple of Nirvana Technique) Shichi spected silently. Soon, the other two patrol squads arrived, and Minato promptly ryed the orders from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. After hearing the orders, Sakai Itsuki smiled and said, "In that case, I''ll leave these prisoners to you, Minato." Minato responded immediately, "As it should be." The three patrol squads then dispersed to resume their duties and to establish new patrol routes. Once Sakai Itsuki and the others had left, Minato said, "Tie these people up first. Later, Shisui, you and I will head to the Land of Rivers to bring back the other two Sunagakure prisoners." "Yes, Minato-sensei." (End of Chapter) ??? Bonus Chapter Coming Right Next Up.. Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 27: Shisui’s Choice!

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Shisui''s Choice!

Bonus Chapter for 700 PS ?? ??? Root moved quickly, arriving at the border by noon. There were two squads in total, all wearing animal masks and ck cloaks, except for the leader. However, the leader''s identity shocked Shichi Hoshita to the core. Orochimaru! Snake Bastard! Has he(she/it?) already joined Root this quickly? Upon seeing Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze immediately stepped forward and bowed in respect. "Orochimaru-sama." "Minato..." Orochimaru''s gaze swept over the prisoners on the ground. "Are these the only ones?" Minato replied, "Two from Sunagakure, two rogue ninja, and the rest are vigers from that vige." Orochimaru nodded, then turned his eyes toward Shichi Hoshita and his twopanions, showing a look of interest. But whether it was Shichi, Shisui Uchiha, or Sany Kurama, they couldn''t help but feel a chill run down their spines. The cold, menacing aura that Orochimaru exuded,bined with his gaze, gave the three of them the feeling of being watched by a venomous snake. Nevertheless, the three had no choice but to step forward and bow. "Orochimaru-sama!" Orochimaru withdrew his gaze and, with a smile, looked at Minato. "You have some impressive students." A genius from the Uchiha n, a member of the Kurama n, and a renowned civilian prodigyOrochimaru had already reviewed their profiles before arriving. "Minato, lend me one of your students to guide us to that vige." Orochimaru''s words made Minato''s expression change slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Orochimaru added, "Minato, you need to stay here to ensure these prisoners don''t escape. I only need one person to lead the way. Don''t worry, nothing will happen." Minato found himself unable to argue and instead looked at Shichi and the other two with concern. At that moment, Shichi, Shisui, and Sany felt the deep malice emanating from Orochimaru. Evil! So evil! Fucking Snake Bastard!! As Shichi looked at Orochimaru''s smiling face, he also sensed the twisted amusement hidden beneath it. With the arrival of Root, the fate of that vige seemed all too predictable. Whoever went to lead the way would undoubtedly witness something horrific. Perhaps even... Suddenly, Shichi noticed Orochimaru''s gaze settle on him, causing his heart to pound. At that moment, Shisui stepped forward. "Minato-sensei, I''ll guide Orochimaru-sama." Sany let out a quiet sigh of relief but then felt a pang of shame. Shichi didn''t try to step forward and instead watched as Minato nodded in agreement. Shisui then led Orochimaru and his men away. Sany hesitated as if wanting to say something but remained silent. ... The wind howled as Shisui Uchiha led Orochimaru and the others to the mountain north of the vige, reaching the location in under an hour. "That''s the ce," Shisui said. Orochimaru looked down at the vige below and smiled. "Are you nning to plead for them?" Shisui was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "ording to the information we gathered earlier, during several raids into the Land of Fire, the able-bodied men from this vige all participated. This was something Sunagakure orchestrated." "They may have been forced at first... but no matter the reason, everyone must pay the price for their actions." "But the elderly, the women, and the children are innocent." Orochimaru smiled at this. "Konoha is peaceful, and to win over the Land of Rivers, it will not harm the innocent." Shisui''s face brightened with relief. However, Orochimaru''s tone shifted as he added, "But if they resist, then there''s nothing to be done." Shisui''s heart sank as he looked down at the vige, at the elderly and women working in the fields, and at the children ying. He suddenly made a decision. "Orochimaru-sama, please leave this matter to me." "They''re just ordinary people; there''s no need for Root to intervene." Orochimaru''s smile widened. "Of course." Shisui took a deep breath, then leaped into the air like an eagle, diving down toward the vige. Watching Shisui''s figure, Orochimaru couldn''t help but remark, "The Uchiha n... they''re so naive." Then he issued an order: "Don''t let anyone leave." "Yes!" The Root ninjas responded in unison and immediately vanished. In the vige. Shisui drew his sword and swiftly entered a viger''s home, ying two men who were drinking inside. Blood sttered, staining the walls. One after another, Shisui''s actions were swift and decisive. When he encountered children, he used genjutsu to put them all to sleep. In less than five minutes, all the able-bodied men in the vige had been ughtered by Shisui. Then he moved on to the men working in the fields. This time, the situation could no longer be hidden. Screams erupted, and vigers began fleeing in panic, but the men in the fields couldn''t escape Shisui''s pursuit. After killing thest man, Shisui, now drenched in blood, looked at the Root ninjas who had entered the vige to knock out the fleeing vigers and at the bodies strewn across the ground. His Sharingan grew even more vivid and sinister. Orochimaru noticed this and was surprised. "He''s showing signs of awakening the two-tomoe Sharingan..." Although he hadn''t started researching the Sharingan, Orochimaru was familiar with this bloodline limit. He knew how the Uchiha awakened their eyes. ording to the reports, Shisui had awakened his single-tomoe Sharingan after the death of his squad leader and anotherrade. But he hadn''t expected Shisui to show signs of further awakening over a group of bandits and vigers he didn''t even know. "Interesting..." Orochimaru smiled to himself, then approached and said, "You did well." "Leave the rest to us. You may return." Shisui''s eyes returned to normal, and he sheathed his short sword, bowing respectfully. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama!" However, before leaving, Shisui couldn''t help but ask, "Orochimaru-sama, what will happen to these vigers?" Orochimaru smiled. "They will be handed over to the daimyo of the Land of Rivers as evidence of Sunagakure''s misdeeds." Shisui waspletely reassured by this and bowed again before leaping away. Orochimaru watched Shisui leave. A momentter, a Root ninja appeared before him and respectfully asked, "Lord Orochimaru, the task isplete. What are your orders?" "Take all the children to Laboratory Number Two, and have the bodies preserved and sent to Laboratory Number Three." The Root ninja immediatelyplied. "Understood!" Orochimaru hadn''t lied to Shisui; these vigers would indeed be handed over to the daimyo of the Land of Riversbut only their names. He was confident that the daimyo, eager not to provoke the Land of Fire and Konoha, would hand the vigers over to him for disposal. So, was it really a lie? ... Before returning to the Land of Fire, Shisui stopped by a river to wash away the blood and rid himself of the scent. Only then did he rejoin Shichi and the others, who didn''t notice anything unusual. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 at just $7 for All the Chapters! ??? Chapter 28: Talent Realized!

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Talent Realized!

Bonus Chapter !! 500k Views ? 5k Collections ? 5k Power Stones ? ??? Root''s movements were swift; by evening, they reappeared and took away all the captives. With this, Shichi Hoshita and his team''s mission was sessfullypleted. Even though night had fallen, Minato Namikaze decided they should return to Konoha. However, before departing, he turned to Shichi and the other two and said, "Next, I have a small test for you." "I will set off first. You will leave in half an hour and must urately track my trail." Shichi Hoshita and the others exchanged nces and nodded in unison. "Yes, Minato-sensei." Minato nodded, then vanished from sight. After watching Minato disappear into the forest, the three waited for half an hour before immediately setting off to track him. Unless Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique, he would leave many traces behind. In a dense forest like this, he would often use the tree branches for leverage. Shichi and his teammates followed the traces Minato left on the branches as he moved. However, five minutester, they stopped in their tracks. In front of them were four sets of trails. "Three Shadow Clones..." Kurama Sany scratched his head. In the darkness of night, it was extremely difficult to distinguish between the four sets of marks. "Are we going to have to rely on luck?" "Each of us could choose a direction and use a Shadow Clone." Both he and Shisui Uchiha had mastered the Shadow Clone Technique. Shisui shook his head at this. "Our Shadow Clones are not as strong as Minato-sensei''s; they might notst long enough for us to realize we''ve taken the wrong path." Shichi nodded in agreement, then reached out to touch the marks, carefully sensing them. Shisui followed suit. After the two had finished examining them, Kurama Sany also touched the marks and then looked up, asking, "Did you two notice any differences?" Shisui smiled at Shichi and asked, "Shichi, what do you think?" Shichi pointed to the leftmost set of marks and smiled, "Even though Minato-sensei was very careful, the time spent at each spot differed, so the marks left behind naturally vary, though the differences are extremely subtle." Kurama Sany couldn''t help but reach out to feel the marks again, but still couldn''t detect any difference, so he looked at Shisui. Shisui nodded and smiled, "Shichi, you have a talent for tracking." "I relied on the insight of my Sharingan to sense a slight difference, but I couldn''t bepletely sure." Kurama Sany said, "Then let''s choose the leftmost one?" "Wouldn''t that be too risky?" Shisui shook his head. "We should trust our instincts." Shichi agreed wholeheartedly, "I think so too." "Then the left it is!" Kurama Sany took the lead, and Shichi and Shisui immediately followed. Ten minutester, they faced another choice, though this time there were only two sets of marks. After observing the marks, both Shichi and Shisui looked serious. It was difficult to judge. Minato had likely let his real body move ahead while his Shadow Clones lingered, making the time difference between the two sets of marks almost imperceptible. The two exchanged nces and then each followed one set of tracks for a short distance before returning. Shisui said, "The marks on the right lead toward a river." Shichi decisively said, "Then it''s the right side." Kurama Sany nodded in agreement, "A river makes it easier to escape tracking, especially when ites to scent and bloodstains." There were many dog-type summoning beasts in the ninja world, and like those used by the Inuzuka n of Konoha. The three then pursued the trail on the right, which indeed led them to a river. They split up to search, each checking upstream, downstream, and the opposite bank. A momentter, they regrouped and began tracking down the river. Minato Namikaze had led them in circles! Shichi Hoshita and his teammates had to constantly sift through various misleading tracks to find the most likely trail. At times, they encountered long stretches where no traces could be found, forcing them to widen their search radius. After navigating twists and turns for what felt like forever, the three of them, utterly exhausted, finally saw the familiar sight of Konohaand standing on a tree branch with a smile on his face was Minato Namikaze. "Congrattions, you got itpletely right," Minato said with a grin. Though their pace had been slow, it was enough to prove their exceptional abilities. In fact, Minato had a Shadow Clone following Shichi and the others the entire time, observing their performance closely. At this moment, the trio also broke into smiles. The night''s tracking exercise had been incredibly rewarding for them. For Shichi Hoshita, in particr, not only had he gained valuable insights from Shisui Uchiha and Kurama Sany, but the tracking experience itself had allowed his innate talent for tracking to flourish, enhancing his sensitivity to traces. Realizing his potential, absorbing knowledge from hisrades, and umting experienceit was a win on all three fronts! Minato then announced, "Alright, let''s head back to the vige. Get a good night''s sleep, and we''ll meet at the usual spot tomorrow!" The four of them returned to the vige and then went their separate ways. Once home, Shichi washed up, made himself some breakfast, and reviewed the mission and the previous night''s tracking before finally drifting off to sleep with a contented smile. He slept until 2 PM. After washing up, Shichi went out, had a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen, and then headed to Konoha Hospital. "Shichi?" Seeing him, Non Yakushi was pleasantly surprised. "Director!" Shichi quickly walked over and exined, "I returned this morning and already had a nap." Non Yakushi nodded gently. "Thene with me. Lady Tsunade is here today for a patient consultation." Shichi''s eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded, following her. Tsunade, despite her hemophobia, was a rare sight in the hospital. Could hemophobia, which is psychological in nature, be treated with genjutsu? ... Shichi stayed at the hospital until 4:30 PM, then headed to the ce where he had trained with Kakashi and the others during thest break. "Huh?" He noticed a figure hanging from the cliffside. Kakashi! Come to think of it, this was the first time he''d seen Kakashi since graduation. A battle was a must! As soon as Kakashi descended from the cliff, Shichi immediately challenged him, "Kakashi, you haven''t been cking off, have you?" Kakashi, still as cool as ever, replied casually, "You''ll find out soon enough." If it were Obito Uchiha, Kakashi would have made a snarky remark or two. But Shichi''s discipline and effort, which even Kakashi couldn''t match, meant their rivalry had to be settled with fists and feet. Ten minutester. The two shed, their fists and feet meeting in a collision that sent shockwaves through the air. In that instant of impact, both could feel that the other''s speed and strength had increased. Kakashi knew that Shichi possessed exceptional insight and reaction time, along with an incredible memory of Kakashi''s pastbat habits. So he pushed himself to fight as fast as possible, moving at top speed. The sounds of their punches and kicks intensified as the battle raged on. They fought from the river''s surface to the foot of the cliff, using the cliffside as solid ground, locked in a fierce, unyielding battle. When Shizune, Guy, Kurenai, Asuma, and the others arrived, this was the scene they witnessed. --- (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 29: Medical Ninja Tools!

Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Medical Ninja Tools!

"It''s Shichi and Kakashi!" Shizune eximed in delight. She hadn''t seen Shichi Hoshita for several days. Might Guy was full of energy: "There''s no room for cking off! Today, I''ll challenge myself to climb the cliff 500 times. If I can''t do it, I''ll have a match with Shichi!" Sarutobi Asuma was secretly impressed: "Their speed is incredible." Being able to fight so fiercely while moving as if the cliff were t ground showed how well both of them had mastered their chakra control. "Their progress is amazing!" Asuma began to consider the possibility of graduating early. Although he had his older brother and other n members to guide him, and could continue to improve even without graduating, school was starting to feel a bit dull for him. Watching Shichi Hoshita and Kakashi, he had the sense that both of them had advanced even faster after graduating. However... Asuma couldn''t help but nce at Kurenai Yuhi beside him. Compared to graduating, Kurenai was more important! ... Atop the cliff, Shichi and Kakashi were panting heavily, drenched in sweat, and too exhausted to continue fighting. Another draw! However, considering that Kakashi had already expended some energy before the fight, even with a short rest, Shichi could tell that Kakashi still had the edge in stamina and energy. If it weren''t for the boosts in focus and mental processing speed from his tags, he might not have even managed a draw. Kakashi''sbat intelligence was impressiveeven at his young age, it was already beginning to show. But Shichi wasn''t discouraged. The fact that he could now hold his own against Kakashi in taijutsu was proof that his training hadn''t been in vain, and that his tags were truly powerful. At the same time, Shichi felt an increasing urgency to improve his physical condition. He didn''t expect to rival people like Jiraiya or Naruto, but at the very least, he couldn''t afford to fall behind Kakashi. Shichi remembered that among Konoha''s jnin, Kakashi wasn''t particrly notable in terms of staminahe was slightly outssed by someone like Asuma Sarutobi. In the ninja world, as battles grew more intense, physical staminaor chakra reservesbecame increasingly crucial, often forming an insurmountable barrier. Without enough chakra, even the most powerful techniques couldn''t be unleashed. ... After descending from the cliff, Shichi greeted Shizune and the others. Just as he was about to grab a drink from his backpack, Shizune handed him a bottle. Shichi epted it without hesitation. "Thanks." Shizune watched him as he drank, and then said, "Shichi, I have a few questions about the Memory Pce technique. Do you have some time to help me out?" "Of course." Shichi agreed instantly, and the two of them huddled together, with Shizune asking questions and Shichi answering them. Meanwhile, Asuma and Kurenai teamed up to climb the cliff. Kakashi, maintaining his cool demeanor, was resting while his gaze fell on Guy, who was frog-jumping with arge boulder. ... The afternoon training session passed by quickly, almost without notice. As evening approached, Shichi Hoshita bid farewell to Shizune and the others and met up with Non Yakushi. Together, they returned to the orphanage with an assortment of food. From now on, Shichi knew he''d be spending less and less time at the orphanage, and the number of people he knew there would dwindle. So whenever he had the chance, he made sure to visit. Even though he hadn''t spent much time there, Non Yakushi considered the orphanage her home, and so it became a home for Shichi as well. That night, Shichi and Non had a long conversation. He made a makeshift bed on the floor in her room, and theforting scent unique to Non soon lulled him into a peaceful sleep. The next morning, after saying goodbye to Non, a refreshed Shichi went home to pack his backpack. On the way to meet up with Minato Namikaze and the others, he also purchased a set of surgical tools. Yes, surgical tools for a medical ninja! As a medical ninja, considering surgical tools as ninja tools seemed entirely reasonable to him. So Shichi decided he no longer needed to train with things like nunchaku or staffs. Surgical tools would be enough for him to achieve the status of a "Ninja Tool Expert." Plus, it would be a much faster way to reach his goal than practicing with other weapons. ... When Shichi met up with Minato and the others, the day''s training began. For the next few days, the team had no missions, focusing entirely on various training exercises: traps, tracking,bat drills, and so on. During breaks, Shichi spent time practicing on small animalsrabbits, wild boars, chickens, fish, and more. This practice served two purposes: it helped him hone his medical ninjutsu and use of medical tools, while also allowing him to observe the animals'' characteristics,ying the groundwork for his "Transformation Master" tag. Before he knew it, four days had passed, and April had arrived quietly. To Shichi''s surprise, even soldier pills counted as a type of ninja tool. With the addition of senbon needles, short swords, and the surgical knives he''d been using extensively over the past few days, he was now only two tools away from mastering ten types of ninja tools. On April 2, Konoha Year 39, at 9 a.m., Shichi appeared before Minato and the others at Konoha''s vige gate with a new look. He wore ck clothing with iron wrist and arm guards, simr to before, but his original jacket had been reced with a ck vest resembling Minato''s green vest. Besides the color difference, Shichi''s vest was customized with several small pockets. Noticing Minato and the others looking at him curiously, Shichi hooked a finger into one of the vest pockets, revealing a sharp surgical knife. "Shichi, did you bring your surgical tools along?" Kurama Sany recognized the knife immediatelyhe''d seen Shichi dissect all those small animals with it over the past few days. Shichi smiled, "Of course. As a medical ninja, carrying medical tools is both reasonable and necessary, right?" Kurama Sany scratched the back of his head, "Well, yeah, but... aren''t surgeries usually done with more than one person?" Shichi sheathed the knife, "Once I have enough chakra to use shadow clones, the tools wille in handy. Better to be prepared." He could already use shadow clones, though his chakra reserves didn''t allow him to sustain them for long. At this point, Minato stepped in to stop the small talk, "Alright, let''s get going! Our mission this time is to serve as one of the patrol squads on the western border of the Land of Fire. The mission willst for half a month, so be prepared." The three of them responded in unison, "Understood!" The four of them set off immediately, heading west after leaving the vige. By evening, they had reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, taking over from another squad to be one of the patrol units. That night, they began their monotonous patrol duties. Konoha had stationed far more patrol squads on the border with the Land of Rain than on the Land of Rivers'' borderfive squads in total, patrolling in a staggered, ovepping pattern. This heavy presence was due to the chaos that had gripped the Land of Rain since the end of the Second Shinobi World War. Rogue ninjas, bandits, and spies or ninjas from other viges weremon in the area. The reason for this was twofold: the Land of Rain had been one of the major battlefields of the Second Shinobi World War, and it was also surrounded by the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth. As a result, it had be a hotspot for conflict among the three major ninja viges. Additionally, the instability in the Land of Rain was exacerbated by Hanzo''s waning ambition and the retreat of his forces. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 30: Ninja Tool Expert Tag Unlocked!

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Ninja Tool Expert Tag Unlocked!

The handover of duties, familiarizing themselves with the patrol route, and understanding the various traps and warning devices set up by the previous team kept them busy until around 9 p.m. After everything was in order, Minato Namikaze issued hismand: "The first half of the night, Shisui and I will patrol together. Shichi and Sany, you two will take the second half. Get some rest while you can." "Understood!" ... After only half an hour of rest, Minato Namikaze and Shisui Uchiha began their patrol. Part of their duties included checking the traps and other arrangements to ensure they hadn''t been damaged by wild animals or anything else that couldpromise their effectiveness in battle. Sess lies in the details. However, the patrol route assigned to Shichi Hoshita''s team was actually at thest stage of a tiered defenseyout. There were three other defensive lines ahead of them. But as the team leader, Minato Namikaze remained vignt, not allowing any room forcency. At 1 a.m., Shichi Hoshita and Kurama Sany took over the night watch from Minato Namikaze and Shisui Uchiha, keeping watch until 5 a.m. Before finishing their shift, Shichi managed to catch a wild rabbit and two fish, cleaning them with his medical tools. Minato and the others had grown ustomed to this and showed no difort. After breakfast, Shichi and Kurama Sany rested while they could. At 9 a.m., the squad moved out together. They had to dismantle some of the traps and setups left by the previous team and then reconfigure everything ording to their own preferences and habits. For Shichi, this was another invaluable lesson. Thus, the Trap Expert tag was triggered. Unfortunately, Shichi wasn''t particrly interested in this tag for the time being. Even though there were still conflicts between the ninja viges during peacetime, these shes typically took ce outside their respective countries. As a result, the borders of the Land of Fire were rtively peaceful. The main purpose of a patrol squad''s setup was to provide early warnings ofrge-scale invasions. However, if individuals were sneaking in covertly, it was almost impossible to stop them. The Land of Fire''s borders were simply too long. ... Before they knew it, 12 days of monotonous patrol duties had passed. On this particr day, Shichi was in an exceptionally good mood. After nearly half a month of hard work and hunting, he finally met the conditions to unlock the Ninja Tool Expert tag. But Shichi didn''t rush to unlock it immediately. He waited until their patrol duties were done for the day and they had eaten and rested. Only then did he focus on the tag tree in his mind. Ninja Tool Expertunlocked! With a single thought, the previously greyed-out tag was enveloped in a green glow. Suddenly, Shichi felt a surge of energy coursing through his entire body, leaving him tingling all over as his consciousness seemed to elevate. About 10 minutester, the strange sensation faded away. In the darkness, Shichi opened his eyes, which were now incredibly sharp. He nced around and noticed an insect flying in the moonlight. Instinctively, Shichi tried to focus on the insect more clearly. To his surprise, the insect''s rapidly pping wings appeared to slow down. Though there was still some blurring, he could almost distinguish each individual psomething he couldn''t do before. Prior to this, Shichi''s thought processing speed had been enhanced by a factor of two. The speed at which his brain processed various information and thoughts had indeed increased. This enhancement granted him a type of "dynamic vision" simr to the Sharingan, allowing him to process visual information faster and react more quickly. However, it was far from the level he''s experiencing now, where he could almost discern each p of a fast-moving insect''s wings. Tag: Ninja Tool Expert Condition to Obtain: Proficient use of at least 10 different ninja tools. Effects: 100% increase in ninja tool proficiency, 100% increase in physical attributes, and 100% increase in neural response speed. While Shichi hadn''t yet experienced the benefits of improved ninja tool proficiency or enhanced physical attributes, the 100% increase in neural response speed was something he could immediately feel. If, before acquiring the Schr tag, his overall neural response speedincluding his thought processing speedwas at a baseline of 1, then with the Schr tag''s 100% boost to mental processing speed, Shichi''s brain''s neural response speed became 2, while the rest of his body remained at 1. For instance, the process of his eyes transmitting images to his brain was now twice as fast. After spending considerable time training with Shisui Uchiha, he knew that his dynamic vision still couldn''t quite match Shisui''s single-tomoe Sharingan, but the gap had narrowed. Now, with the Ninja Tool Expert tag, his neural response speed had doubled again. This meant Shichi''s brain now processed information at a speed of 4, while his other neural responses were at 2. Not only did his brain process information faster, but the speed at which his eyes transmitted visual data to his brain had also doubled. The result was remarkable. "This level of perception definitely surpasses that of a single-tomoe Sharingan..." Shichi was thrilled. "But just doubling the speed at which my visual nerves transmit information shouldn''t have produced such a significant effect." "The key is my brain''s processing speed. It was already doubled before, and now it''s doubled again. This is incredible." "The concept of dynamic vision not only involves the speed of neural signal transmission but also the speed and efficiency with which the brain interprets the images seen by the eyes." "Unless we''re talking about insects with multiplepound eyes, which are like multiple cameras capturing separate images..." He had dissected plenty of insects before. "Before obtaining the Schr tag, my neural response speed was definitely far inferior to Minato-sensei''s. But with the Schr tag, even if my brain processing speed was still a bit slower, the gap wasn''t significant." "And now, the difference should be negligible..." Although this was just a hypothesis, Shichi was fairly confident. Previously, he had consulted Minato about neural response speed. Minato''s reaction time was fast, but even he couldn''t see the wings of a fly pping at high speed. In this regard, even three-tomoe Sharingan had an edge. But Minato''s strengths nevery in visual acuity. His high neural response speed, strong perception abilities, immense chakra reserves, and most importantly, his space-time ninjutsu talentsallbined to make Minato''s Flying Thunder God technique even more advanced than its creator, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju. Of course, Minato stood on Tobirama''s shoulders, which made it rtively easier for him, but it also highlighted Minato''s terrifying talent. Unfortunately, since joining Minato''s team, Shichi had only seen him in action onceand it was over in a single move. As for sparring with Minato, it was too easy for him, making it impossible to gauge Minato''s true strength. ... "I need to quickly adapt to my enhanced neural response speed..." "The improvement in physical attributes probably requires some exploration on my part as well." Closing his eyes slowly, Shichi began nning to intensify his training once they returned to Konoha. Despite the physical enhancement, he didn''t feel an abrupt surge in strength, indicating that it might require training to fully unlock. But that was to be expected. Content and at ease, Shichi soon drifted off to sleep. ... "Shichi!" Shichi suddenly woke up. It was Shisui Uchiha. "There''s an emergency mission!" Shisui exined, "An Anbu ninja just arrived from the Land of Rain, and Minato-sensei had to return to the vige briefly." Shichi quickly got up, noticing Minato resting with his eyes closed under a nearby tree. He then spotted another person, not dressed as a ninja, resting against another tree. After Shisui woke up Kurama Sany, Shichi asked, "Shisui, what''s the mission?" Shisui replied, "We need to assist an intelligence officer who has critical information. The situation in the Land of Rain isplicated, and their escape route has been cut off." (End of Chapter) ??? Can''t wait for next Chapters? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 OR Support this fic! Mass Upload on the following milestone!! Complete 1M View (550k+/1M ?) Complete 5k Collections (3.9k+/5k ?) Complete 5k Power Stones (888+/5k ?) ??? Chapter 31: Sudden Incident!

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Sudden Incident!

Bonus Chapter For 200 PS ? ??? Listening to Uchiha Shisui, both Shichi Hoshita and Kurama Sany turned their attention to the Anbu ninja. He had returned to report, but without the intel. This suggested that something went wrong either during or just before the rendezvous. The Anbu ninja seemed to be around the same age as Minato, and Shichi felt a sense of familiarity with him. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Shisui swallowed a military ration pill and said, "Rest up for a bit longer. A sudden mission like this is bound to be challenging." Shichi and Sany nodded in agreement, then sat down and each took a military ration pill. About half an hourter. Minato opened his eyes and stood up, followed by the Anbu ninja. "Shichi, are you all ready?" Minato asked Shichi and the others. Shichi and Sany both nodded, "No problem at all, Sensei." Minato nodded, "Alright then, let''s move out!" Swish, swish, swish! The three of them followed closely behind Minato, leaping through the forest and carefully avoiding the traps they had previously set. The Anbu ninja trailed behind them. After crossing arge forest, the Land of Rain appeared before them, and the group came to a halt. Fortunately, it wasn''t raining. Shichi silently sighed in relief, while Minato spoke up, "The mission is to rendezvous with an intelligence officer. The opposition consists of arge number of rogue ninjas from the Land of Rain, who can also be considered bounty hunters." "In addition to them, there are two more elite forces. As for their identities..." Minato paused before continuing, "They are suspected to be Suna-nin and Ame-nin." Shichi shivered instinctively and blurted out, "Is this rted to thest mission?" Minato replied, "It''s uncertain at this time." "Once we enter the Land of Rain, stay on high alert. As soon as we secure the intelligence officer, Shisui, Shichi, and Sany, the three of you will prioritize escorting him back to the Land of Fire. The border patrol squad will meet you." "If..." "If the mission can''t bepleted, then initiate n Bbring back the intel!" Shichi and the others instantly felt a chill in their hearts. They understood very well what that meant. If it came to that, any one of them might be the one to bring back the intel. However, Minato suddenly smiled, "But don''t worry too much. I doubt it''lle to that." The atmosphere lightened significantly, and the four of them resumed their journey, entering the Land of Rain. Shichi nced back at the Anbu ninja, whom Minato hadn''t introduced. Seeing him unarmed, Shichi slowed his pace slightly and handed over a kunai. The Anbu ninja was momentarily surprised, then epted it with a smile, "Thank you. I''m Sarutobi Shinnosuke!" The Hokage''s son! Shichi was taken aback, then responded, "I''m Hoshita Shichi." They didn''t speak further, focusing instead on the mission. Soon, Shinnosuke surged ahead, leading the group. In the dark of night, they crossed a barren expanse, climbed over two mountains, and then Shinnosuke stopped, pointing to a town with only a few scattered lights in the distance, "The intelligence officer is hiding in there, using theplex sewer system for cover. But his current situation is unclear." "However, he will have left clues to help us find him." Upon hearing this, Minato immediately said, "In that case, Shisui, Shichi, Sany, you stay here to provide support." "Shinnosuke, let''s infiltrate and extract the intelligence officer." Shinnosuke nodded in agreement without hesitation. As for Shichi Hoshita and the other two, they had no choice but to follow orders. After making the decision, Minato and Shinnosuke immediately set off, quickly disappearing from the sight of the three. After retracting his gaze, Uchiha Shisui said, "Sany, Shichi, you two rest up. I''ll keep watch." "Got it!" Shichi and Kurama Sany nodded in agreement, sitting down cross-legged to rest and recover their strength. At a time like this, there was no need for politeness. Having one person on watch while the other two rested to maintain optimal condition was the best choice. Time passed slowly, and an hour went by without any disturbances. Shichi finished his rest and took over the watch from Shisui. Before they knew it, dawn had arrived. Kurama Sany was beginning to get restless. "Shisui, Shichi..." Shisui calmly replied, "Don''t worry, Sany. Don''t forget the special kunai that Minato-sensei gave mest time." Hearing this, Sany nodded repeatedly, taking a deep breath to calm himself. He then turned to Shichi with a wry smile, "Shichi, your mental resilience is really impressive." Just as Shichi was about to respond, Minato suddenly appeared with a person who was battered and covered in wounds. "Sensei!" All three of them were pleasantly surprised. Minato immediately instructed, "Shichi, tend to his wounds. Then you three take him back to the Land of Fire." After giving the order, Minato vanished again. Shichi quickly moved to support the wounded intelligence officer that Minato had rescued, checking his injuries. There were many wounds, but fortunately, most of them were not deep. Shichi quickly had Sany help bandage the minor wounds with medical bandages, while he focused on the deeper ones, mainly stopping the bleeding and providing emergency treatment. "Thank you. My name is Koichi Hatada," the intelligence officer said weakly. Shichi smiled and handed Koichi a military ration pill along with his own sugared water. This was his habitwhenever he went on a mission, he always brought salt and sugar. With a water sk, it was easy to make saltwater or sugared water to quickly replenish his body''s needs. After about 10 minutes, Koichi Hatada stood up and said, "I''m ready." Shisui immediatelymanded, "Let''s go!" He took the lead, with Koichi close behind, and Shichi and Sany followed on either side. At that moment, Shichi entered a state of 100% focus. Up front, Shisui had also activated his Sharingan. The four of them moved swiftly through the mountains and forests, quickly crossing over arge mountain. Suddenly, Shisui warned, "Be careful, enemies are approaching!" Shichi scanned the sides, his gaze sweeping over the trees. The previously fast-moving scenery seemed to slow down, and he was able to spot the figures swiftly moving through the forest. He immediately alerted the group, "There are a lot of them... We''re surrounded!" Enemies were closing in from behind and on both sides. It was likely these enemies had been lying in ambush in the forest for some time. "Sany, take Hatada-senpai and go ahead. Shichi and I will hold them off!" Shisui''s voice had barely faded when the sound of shing metal rang out. He had already engaged two enemies who were blocking their path. "Understood!" Sany quickly formed a hand seal, casting a genjutsu to assist Shisui in taking down his first opponent. Without looking back, Sany then led Koichi Hatada away from the battlefield, breaking through the enemy lines. The enemies on the nks quickly swarmed after them, ignoring Shichi. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 32: The First Real Battle!

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: The First Real Battle!

Shichi Hoshita didn''t bother with the enemies on either side. Instead, he dashed forward to join forces with Uchiha Shisui, swiftly shing the throat of the enemy who was fighting Shisui. The two of them then unleashed their chakra without hesitation, propelling themselves forward with the Body Flicker Technique to its maximum potential. This was Shisui''s specialty, and his speed was faster than Shichi''s. Within seconds, he caught up with two enemies, and the sounds of shing metal rang out through the forest. Shichi was a bit slower, and when he intercepted two enemies, he wielded a kunai in his left hand, the Totsuka Chakra de in his right, and had a senbon clutched between his teeth. "Brat, get lost!" "You''re in the way! Die!" The enemies, dressed as rogue ninjas, snarled with twisted expressions, brandishing their swords as they charged at Shichi. Shichi also surged forward, and in his eyes, the movements of the two enemies seemed to slow down. ng! Squelch! "Ah, my eyes!" Three sounds rang out almost simultaneously. Shichi dodged one attack, blocked another with his kunai, and at the same time, his Totsuka de shed open one enemy''s throat while the senbon he spat out pierced the eye of the other. With a quick follow-up strike, Shichi turned and continued his pursuit. At the same time, he swallowed another military ration pill and grabbed another senbon to hold between his teeth. For most people, consuming a solider pill during battle wouldn''t have much effect. But Shichi had the "Strong and Sturdy" Tag, which doubled his body''s recovery ability, giving him an astonishingly fast digestion rate. By sparing no effort with his stamina and chakra, Shichi soon caught sight of the enemy ahead. Meanwhile, the group ahead, led by Shind Masaru, was surprised. A kid, a Konoha genin, had actually caught up? Though they weren''t elite ninja from a major vige, but rather part of one of the many small ninja organizations in the Land of Rain, they were still quite experienced. Judging by Shichi''s age, he likely just graduated. A Konoha prodigy? The thought shed through Shind Masaru''s mind before he ordered, "Leave two to hold off the kid. The rest of you, speed up!" "Yes, sir!" The five ninja at the rear followed the order. Two of them immediately halted, turning to face Shichi. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Shuriken and kunai sliced through the air. Shichi easily deflected them, and just as he was about to engage in closebat, he spat out the senbon from his mouth. "Don''t underestimate me, kid!" The bearded enemy sneered, tilting his head to dodge the senbon. But then, Shichi''s mouth suddenly shot out a stream of fire. Fire Release: me Bullet! At such close range, and with no warning signs, Shichi Hoshita had no free hands to form hand signs, making it impossible to anticipate a jutsu. The bearded enemy barely had time to react before a me bullet sted into his face, sending him flying without even a chance to scream. The other enemy was initially shocked, then delighted. Seizing the opportunity, he lunged forward, swinging his de at Shichi. He believed that this swift strike, honed over ten years, was something the boy couldn''t possibly dodge. However, in Shichi''s eyes, the attack seemed slow. He ducked, using his arms to support himself on the ground, and kicked out with both legs, striking the enemy squarely in the abdomen and sending him flying. Shichi then flipped back onto his feet, already hurling the kunai in his left hand. This enemy was tough, though; despite the pain, he managed to swing his sword and deflect the kunai. As he hit the ground, he rolled several times before springing back up. But at that moment, Shichi was upon him. His small frame plunged into the enemy''s chest, stabbing rapidly with the Totsuka de in his hand, slicing upward to disembowel him. The enemy fell to the ground, and Shichi used his body to propel himself forward, not stopping for a moment to continue his pursuit. The enemy''s blood was warm, its metallic scent filling the air. Shichi didn''t bother wiping the blood sttered on his face. He grabbed a new senbon to hold between his teeth and readied another kunai in his left hand. At that moment, Uchiha Shisui caught up and quickly passed Shichi. By the time Shichi reached them, Shisui had already intercepted Shind Masaru and his four men, but he was being pushed back under theirbined assault, with two wounds already on his body. Shichi immediately threw the kunai in his hand, aiming directly at Shind Masaru, the strongest of the group. Then, with a quick movement, he pulled three shuriken from his pouch and threw them while spitting out a stream of mes that ignited the shuriken. Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu! Shind Masaru easily dodged Shichi''s kunai, unaffected as he continued his attack on Shisui. However, the other three enemies had to dodge Shichi''s Phoenix Flower Jutsu. Though Shichi wasn''t skilled in shy ninja tool techniques, his talent in using them had doubled, and with his dynamic vision, his uracy had greatly improved. Even though the attacks ultimately missed, Shisui was freed from the encirclement. Seeing this, Shind Masaru immediately retreated. Shichi joined Shisui, standing side by side as they caught their breath. "Are you okay?" he asked. Shisui shook his head. "Just minor injuries!" Shind Masaru''s gaze fell on Shichi, thinking to himself, "It looks like this brat is running low on stamina. I''ll take him out first!" "No, I''ll take both of these brats out!" Whoosh! Shind Masaru flicked a shuriken at Shichi and shouted, "Attack!" The three enemies charged forward. Shind Masaru saw Shisui forming hand signs and immediately realized he was preparing to release a Fire Release jutsu. He quickly nted his sword into the ground and formed hand signs as well. Water Release: Water Formation Wall! A water barrier appeared in front of the three advancing ninjas. However, Shisui seemed to hesitate for a moment, and the Great Fireball Technique didn''te out. "Cunning brat!" Realizing he had been tricked into wasting a jutsu, Shind Masaru was furious. But just as he was about to drop the water barrier, Shichi quickly threw three ninja tools in session. The first was a shuriken, the second a hand grenade, and the third a kunai. The three projectiles were lined up almost perfectly, so the shuriken and the hand grenade passed through the water barrier without losing much speed. "Smart brat, but this trick won''t work on me!" Shind Masaru sneered internally. The kid probably thought that forcing him to drop the Water Release would allow the Uchiha brat to use his Fire Release. But that was underestimating him! Maintaining the Water Release, Shind Masaru kicked the sword in front of him. The sword flew up, urately hitting the kunai and deflecting it. The shuriken, having lost momentum after passing through the water, fell to the ground before reaching him. Across from him, a smile crept onto Shichi''s face. "Retreat!" Both Shichi and Shisui swiftly hid behind a tree. The next moment, the hand grenade exploded mid-air, mes erupting as countless tiny iron beads shot out in all directions. Pfft pfft pfft... The closest, Shind Masaru, had his head blown apart, and the water barrier copsed instantly. The other three enemies, still unaware of what had happened, were pierced by the steel balls from behind. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 - I Upload 1 or 2 Chapters Daily there! ??? Chapter 33: The True Profession of the Third Kazekage!

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: The True Profession of the Third Kazekage!

Stepping out from behind the tree, Uchiha Shisui looked at the bodies scattered on the ground in shock. It was his first time witnessing the power of a hand grenade. Shichi Hoshita was quite satisfied with the grenade''s debut, smiling as he said, "Just a small design, Shisui, you''ll understand more about it in the future." Uchiha Shisui immediately understood and nodded without asking further questions. As he walked forward, Shichi opened his mouth and unleashed a Great Fireball, engulfing and incinerating all the bodies. Given the amount of chakra he had, he couldn''t melt the steel balls, but it was enough to destroy the evidence on the battlefield, ensuring no one could uncover the mystery behind the hand grenade. After finishing this, Shichi and Uchiha Shisui turned and pursued Kurama Sany. Ten minutester. Shichi and Shisui reunited with Kurama Sany and hispanion, then retraced their steps, entering the Land of Fire, where they were met by a squad of ANBU operatives. Unlike Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s team from before, these ANBU members all wore animal masks. Unless you were familiar with them, it was hard to identify who they were. These ANBU operatives didn''t engage in any conversation with Shichi and his group; instead, they spread out around them, ensuring their protection. While Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany rested, Shichi popped another soldier pill and continued treating Koichi Hatada''s injuries. His proficiency in the Mystical Palm Technique wasn''t particrly high, so it took more time for him to heal the deep wounds on Koichi Hatada''s body, which also meant consuming more chakra. As for Minato Namikaze and Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Shichi wasn''t sure of Shinnosuke''s exact strength, but he trusted Minato and his Flying Thunder God technique. Time passed slowly. An hourter, the ANBU operatives suddenly reacted, with two of them heading west. Shichi and Shisui exchanged nces, both showing signs of happiness. Sure enough, not long after, Minato Namikaze appeared within their sight. "Sensei!" All three of them hurriedly approached. Minato smiled and said, "You all did an excellent job on this mission." Sarutobi Shinnosuke, havingpleted his handover with the ANBU squad, also came over and said to Shichi, "Shichi, I''m sorry, I couldn''t retrieve your kunai." Shichi quickly responded with a well-rehearsed line, "Ninja tools are just consumables, butrades are not." This statement made everyone turn their heads in surprise. As Minato and the others silently pondered his words, Kurama Sany enthusiastically eximed, "Shichi, that was spot on!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke also nodded in approval, genuinely believing that his father hadn''t misjudged Shichi. Minato patted Shichi on the shoulder, smiling as he said, "You''ve all done well. Rest up, and then we''ll head back to Konoha." The three of them nodded in agreementthey definitely needed the rest. However, the ANBU squad, havingpleted the handover with Sarutobi Shinnosuke, was the first to set off, taking Koichi Hatada back to Konoha. While resting in the woods, Kurama Sany couldn''t resist asking, "Sensei, was it Sand Shinobi?" Minato nced at Sarutobi Shinnosuke before nodding. "Yes, it was Sand Shinobi." "It''s rted to our previous mission. There are signs that Sand Shinobi and Hanzo might be joining forces, likely due to their interest in the Land of Rivers." Uchiha Shisui quickly asked, "Sensei, could Sand Shinobi be nning to ally with Hanzo topete with us for the Land of Rivers?" "If they do, what''s in it for Sand Shinobi? Even if they take over the Land of Rivers with Hanzo, they''d have to share the benefits." Minato nodded. "You''re right, Shisui, but Sand Shinobi has the upper hand against Hanzo, while they''re at a disadvantage against us, Konoha." "Additionally, the Land of Rivers hasn''t aligned itself with Konoha." What? Both Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany were stunned, unable toprehend this. After all, the evidence from theirst mission was clearhow could the Daimy of the Land of Rivers ignore Sand Shinobi''s atrocities? Shichi, however, pondered, "Sensei, could this be more than just a struggle for missions in the Land of Rivers?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke was surprised, but Minato smiled. "You really are something, Shichi." "Moreover..." Shichi looked at Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany. "To the Daimy of the Land of Rivers, that vige might not be important at all." "Sandwiched between great nations, the best strategy is to remain neutral, reaping benefits from all sides rather than fully siding with oneunless that side possesses absolute power." Despite saying this, Shichi couldn''t help but suspect that Danzo might be involved in this. It wasn''t that he wanted to nder Danzo, but the guy was an extremist. Hiruzen Sarutobi often delegated dirty and tough tasks to Danzo, giving him the opportunity to amass his own power and ambitions. Would Danzo simply present evidence to the Daimy of the Land of Rivers and gently persuade them to abandon Sand Shinobi? Now, Shichi was more inclined to believe that Danzo would use a tough stance to pressure the Land of Rivers. In fact, if he were to be more cynical, could Danzo even be trying to stir up conflict on purpose? ... Upon hearing Shichi Hoshita''s words, Uchiha Shisui fell into deep thought, while Kurama Sany remained puzzled. Politicshe didn''t understand it. (T/N: Me too bro!) Shichi Hoshita didn''t fully grasp it either, but he knew a little. After resting for about two hours, Shichi and his group of five set out for Konoha, arrivingte at night. Afterpleting their mission and reporting to the Hokage at the tower, Minato Namikaze announced a three-day vacation. Once they were dismissed, Shichi headed home, enjoyed a long bath, and then went out for a big meal. As he exited the restaurant, he happened to spot Tenka in a kimono. Her graceful figure was a sight to behold, so he immediately approached her. "Sister Tenka!" Tenka turned around, surprised and delighted to see Shichi. "Shichi, didn''t you say it would take half a month?" Shichi smiled, "The mission ended earlier than expected." He nced up and down at Tenka''s curvaceous figure and teased, "You look so beautiful, Sister Tenka. Are you going on a date?" Tenka''s face flushed slightly, and she huffed, "Do I look like someone who needs to go on a date?" Then she added, "I''m out with my sistershe''s about to get engaged." "Sister? Engaged?" This was the first time Shichi learned that Tenka had a sister. He quickly smiled and offered his congrattions. Tenka wrapped her arm around Shichi''s shoulder and said, "If you''re in the vige, you muste. You''ll be a guest of honor for our family." Shichi agreed immediately; he had no objections to getting closer to Tenka''s family. ... Back home, Shichi tossed his bags onto the floor and flopped onto the sofa. "Sure enough, no matter where you are, shopping with women is the most exhausting thing." After spending an hour shopping with Tenka, he felt more tired than he did during a mission. But Tenka also bought him a bunch of stuffclothes, shoes, a magatama pendant, and so on. After resting for a while, Shichi sorted through the gifts from Tenka and then went to sleep. He nned to go to bed early today since tomorrow would mark the beginning of three days of intensive training. As for taking a vacation? That was out of the question! However, while Shichi was peacefully asleep, the lights in the Hokage''s office were still burning brightly. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado were gathered there. "Danzo, you shouldn''t have pressured the Land of Rivers like thatthey have a Daimy after all," Homura Mitokadoined. Danzo replied calmly, "But the truth is, our methods have been too soft." "The Third Kazekage has helped the Land of Rivers discover iron ore, so it''s inevitable that they''ll side with the Sand Shinobi." "Unless we make the Daimy of the Land of Rivers understand that without Konoha, they won''t be able to mine that iron ore peacefully." "You should know, the Land of Rain is currently filled with numerous ninja organizations. If the Sand Shinobi and Hanzo can hire them to fight against us, then it''s only natural for these ninja organizations to enter the Land of Rivers." "So, resolving this matterpletely is not difficult." Koharu Utatane agreed, "Danzo has a point. Now is not the time to discuss who''s at fault." She turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Hiruzen, how do you n to handle this?" Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke and said in a low voice, "We cannot afford to lose the missions from the Land of Rivers." "Moreover, we must prevent Hanzo and the Sand Shinobi from joining forces." "Danzo, I''ll leave this matter to the Root division." Though he felt a tinge of disappointment, Danzo nodded in agreement. Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "As for the cooperation between the Land of Rivers and the Sand Shinobi, I''ll have Sakumo investigate it thoroughly." (End of Chapter) ??? Can''t wait for next Chapters? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 OR Support this fic! Bonus 10 Chapters on the following milestone!! Complete 1M View (820k+/1M ?) Complete 5k Collections (4.3k+/5k ?) Complete 1k Power Stones (1.1k+/1k ?) ??? Chapter 34: Victory!

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Victory!

April 16th, Konoha Year 39. Shichi Hoshita woke up early. After washing up and putting on his ck training uniform, he jogged out the door. First up, a 10-kilometer run around the vige! With a light step, Shichi disappeared into the morning light. Ten minutester, a familiar voice reached his ears. It was Might Guy! Sure enough, Shichi soon saw Guy approaching from around a corner, moving towards him on his hands. Guy lifted his head and spotted Shichi as well, flipping upright with a joyful shout, "Shichi, you''re back!" Shichi stopped in his tracks and smiled, "Yeah, I returned to the vigest night." "So, Guy, how about a littlepetition?" Guy, eager as ever, immediately agreed, "That''s exactly what I was going to suggest." "If I don''t win, as punishment, I''ll do anotherp around the vige this afternoonon frog jumps!" Shichi added, "And if I don''t win, I''ll have a taijutsu match with Kakashi as my punishment!" "Then let''s get started!" With passion surging through him, Guy flipped back into his handstand, and Shichi quickly followed suit. The two of them moved in sync, racing on their hands. They ran around the vige, their sweat glistening in the morning light, creating a striking scene. Twenty minutester, they both returned to the starting point, leaning against the wooden fence and panting heavily. Shichi had lost! But he clearly felt that his stamina had significantly improved. The Double Physical Enhancement was really paying off! As he dug deeper into its benefits, he realized that his chakra might not double, but increasing it by two-thirds wouldn''t be out of reach. While resting, Shichi chatted casually with Guy. Ten minutester, Guy left for academy, and Shichi headed home for breakfast. After breakfast, he went to his usual training spot to continue his regimen. He walked across the river while carrying arge rock. He climbed the cliff while holding that samerge rock. This was both a physical training exercise and a chakra control exercise. After his morning training, Shichi returned to the vige''s shopping district for a big mealhe needed a lot of energy. At 2 PM, when he returned to his training spot, he saw Kakashi hanging from the cliff with one hand. A smile immediately spread across Shichi''s face. The Taijutsu Expert tag would require Kakashi! So, when Kakashi climbed to the top of the cliff, he was greeted by Shichi''s smiling invitation, "Kakashi, how about a taijutsu match? Let''s see if you''ve been cking off in your training." Kakashi responded with a hint of reluctance, "I''d be happy to, but at least let me rest first, okay?" "Of course!" Shichi smiled and tossed a bottle of lightly salted water from his bag to Kakashi. Kakashi epted it without hesitation, takingrge gulps. The two sat side by side on the edge of the cliff, and Shichi casually asked, "Learned any new jutsu recently?" Kakashi replied, "Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation." Shichi was slightly surprised. "So, you''ve alreadypleted your Earth Release nature transformation training?" Kakashi nodded casually, "Yeah." Shichi gave him a thumbs up. Kakashi was naturally gifted with two chakra natures: Earth and Lightning Release. This meant that when training in Earth and Lightning Release jutsu, he didn''t need to go through the specific chakra nature transformation training to use the corresponding jutsu. For example, Kakashi had mastered the Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall jutsu early on and had used it many times in the practical sses at the Ninja Academy. However, the same jutsu would have different power levels depending on the person using it. The two main factors that influenced this were chakra amount and chakra nature transformation. For instance, the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken is a prime example of the extremebination of wind chakra nature transformation and shape transformation. This is also why Shichi hadn''t specifically trained in Fire Release chakra nature transformation but was still able to train in Fire Release jutsu. Because he was naturally gifted with Fire Release. Of course, after training in five Fire Release jutsu, Shichi had actuallypleted his Fire Release chakra nature transformation training in the process. However, he hadn''t started on Wind Release yet. ... After resting for half an hour, Shichi Hoshita and Kakashi squared off, ready to begin their taijutsu duel. Dust flew and sweat sttered as the two shed. They fought from the top of the cliff to the ground, and then moved to the river''s surface. The more they fought, the more astonished Kakashi became. He was beingpletely overpowered! Though Kakashi primarily focused on ninjutsu, he had never neglected his taijutsu training. He was confident that he had made considerable progress recently, especially with Guy, that overly enthusiastic guy, pushing him, and Shichi, this overly disciplined guy, as his rival. "It''s his reaction speed..." "Shichi''s reaction speed has increased again!" Kakashi quickly realized the key difference. He intensified the weight of his strikes and increased the frequency of his attacks. But Shichi countered everything with rtive ease. Ten minutester, Kakashi copsed onto the grass, utterly exhausted. He had no strength left, not a drop. Meanwhile, though Shichi was also drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, he remained standing. Victory! This was his first time winning a taijutsu duel against Kakashi, and it marked a significant step forward toward unlocking the Taijutsu Expert tag. ... In the evening, after a long day, Shichi rxed in his bath, soaking in the warm water with his eyes closed as he pondered his next training n. He had already unlocked the Ninja Tools Expert tag, but the Taijutsu Expert tag required winning 50 taijutsu duels against Kakashi. Today was just the first victory, so there was still a long way to go. Moreover, after today, Kakashi would likely train even harder, and Shichi couldn''t afford to ck off either. So, which direction should he focus on next? Which tag should he aim to unlock? Medical Expert? Wind Release Expert? Clone Expert? Body Flicker Expert? Shichi''s eyes roamed over the gray, unactivated tags on his Tag Tree. For most of the ninjutsu-rted tags, the activation conditions were tied to the number of jutsu learned. If Shichi hade from a ninja n, he would have had more ess to ninjutsu resources. His previous Fire Release techniquestwo came from his father, one he learned from Uchiha Obito, and the remaining two were from Tenka. As for the clone jutsu, Shichi currently knew the basic Clone Technique and the Shadow Clone Technique. He still needed to learn three more clone techniques. He naturally possessed Fire and Wind Release, which meant he would need to develop another chakra nature transformation to train in the corresponding clone techniques. The situation with the Body Flicker Technique was simr. "Ninjutsu resources..." Shichi sighed. "In that case, I''ll focus on Medical Expert first, and then Wind Release Expert." Shichi had made up his mind. The resources for medical ninjutsu were avable through Non Yakushi, while the resources for Wind Release ninjutsu could be obtained from his sensei, Minato Namikaze. Besides, his role in the team was that of a medical ninjahe couldn''t let that character setting fall apart. With a ssh, Shichi finished his bath, dressed, and headed out to the orphanage. Tonight, he nned to stay with Director Non Yakushi and study medical ninjutsu. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 35: Swordsmanship Expert!

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Swordsmanship Expert!

The three-day vacation flew by in the blink of an eye. April 19th, Konoha Year 39. Shichi Hoshita and Uchiha Shisui met up at their usual spot. After waiting for a moment, Minato Namikaze appeared. "Shichi!" Minato called out as he handed over a scroll. "Minato-sensei, this is..." Shichi reached out and took the scroll. Minato smiled and said, "This is a special request I made to the Third Hokage, Konoha''s Swordsmanship style." "I''ve noticed that you''ve be proficient in using short swords, so I thought this would be perfect for you." Shichi was immediately overjoyed and quickly bowed. "Thank you, Minato-sensei." Minatoughed and said, "I haven''t trained in swordsmanship specifically, so I can''t guide you in the details of your practice. However, the Uchiha n''s swordsmanship is also quite formidable within Konoha''s style, so Shisui will be an excellent sparring partner for you." Uchiha Shisui smiled right away, "If you need any help, Shichi, just let me know." Shichi thanked them both repeatedly. He certainly wouldn''t be shy about asking for help. After giving away the scroll, Minato announced, "This mission will take us to the Daimy''s residence. It should take about seven days, so make your preparations and meet at the vige gate in half an hour." "Understood!" The three of them immediately dispersed. Returning home, Shichi began packing his things while also checking the tags in his mind''s Tag Tree. On the tag tree, the Swordsmanship Expert tag had appeared. Despite bing proficient with the short sword earlier, it hadn''t triggereduntil now. Tag: Swordsmanship Expert Condition to Obtain: Master the Konoha Swordsmanship style assigned by Minato Namikaze and win a swordsmanship duel against Kakashi Hatake. Effect: Swordsmanship talent increased by 100%, and the designated weapon''s quality improved by 100%. Looking at the unlock conditions, Shichi couldn''t help butugh wryly. Kakashi again! "Fortunately, though it''s a swordsmanship duel, it won''t be purely about swordsmanship." Shichi knew that if it were purely about swordsmanship, he wouldn''t have much confidence in beating Kakashi. After all, Kakashi had been trained by Sakumo Hatake and possessed extraordinary natural talent. As for why it was called "swordsmanship" when it involved a sword, in the ninja world, the term "sword" epasses swords and is often referred to as "true sword." Therefore, whether it''s a knife or a sword, it''s generally referred to as swordsmanship. The Konoha Swordsmanship style is quiteprehensive and serves as an umbre term for various techniques. For instance, the Uchiha n''s swordsmanship, the Hatake style, and even the Flying Thunder God sh of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, are all included. Additionally, techniques like the Dance of the Crescent Moon, Moon Shadow, and Leaf-Style Willow are all highly representative. After cing the scroll into his backpack, Shichi headed out to the vige gate, where he met up with Minato and the others before setting off towards the Daimy''s residence. This mission allowed plenty of time, so they didn''t travel at a fast pace. Along the way, Minato briefed the team on their mission: "This time, we''re going at the invitation of the Daimy." "The Daimy?" Kurama Sany''s eyes widened with excitement. "Does that mean the Daimy has heard of us?" Minato smiled, "No, the Daimy wants to form his own ninja guard and has already recruited a few people. He requested that the vige send some ninja to exchange ideas with them, so the Third Hokage assigned this mission to us." Kurama Sany was a bit disappointed but then asked with some confusion, "But isn''t Konoha the ninja vige of the Land of Fire? Why would the Daimy need to form his own ninja guard when he could just have the vige send people?" This was also something Uchiha Shisui was curious about, so he looked toward Minato. Minato, however, turned to Shichi, "Shichi, what do you think?" Shichi pretended to think for a moment before responding, "The Hokage is the Hokage, and the Daimy is the Daimy!" "The Land of Fire is the Land of Fire, and the Daimy is the Daimy!" Kurama Sany looked confused. Uchiha Shisui seemed deep in thought. Minato exined, "While the vige can dispatch ninja squads to guard the Daimy in rotation, for the Daimy, having his own ninja who answer directly to him is more practical." Shichi added, "It''s like how the Hokage has his own ANBU, rather than giving orders to use Root." Kurama Sany suddenly understood. "I see!" Minato, however, was inwardly impressed, "Such sharp intuition..." Before the Second Shinobi World War, there wasn''t much of an issue, but after the war ended, the Hokage indeed only issued orders to Root through Danzo, the leader of Root, rather than directly. Of course, under normal circumstances, this was standard practice. Just as the Hokage wouldn''t directlymand Shichi Hoshita, Uchiha Shisui, or Kurama Sany to carry out a mission but would instead give orders to him as the Joninmanderunless the Joninmander was unavable. But now, Root and Danzo... Minato furrowed his brow in thought. At this moment, Uchiha Shisui mused aloud, "It''s like ninja toolsborrowing someone else''s is naturally not as good as having your own." Shichi nodded, "Exactly, and since people have thoughts of their own, they''re even harder to control than tools." Minato smiled and shifted the topic, "Alright, that''s the mission briefing. When we arrive at the Daimy''s residence, do your best to make a good impression. We want the Daimy to know that Konoha''s ninja are the best." "Understood!" "Don''t worry, Minato-sensei, we won''t let anyone underestimate us!" ... Although the topic had shifted, Shichi Hoshita''s thoughts remained focused. The Daimy wants to form ninja directly under hismand. Is this the beginning of the Twelve Guardian Ninja? This made Shichi think of Sarutobi Asuma. Then he remembered Sarutobi Shinnosuke. Compared to his older brother, Sarutobi Asuma indeed seemed quite rebellious. Back in the Ninja Academy, when Hiruzen Sarutobi came to lecture on the Will of Fire, this guy challenged him several times. But at only five or six years old, that was understandable. Wasn''t Kakashi also a bit arrogant? "Maybe I''m the odd one out," Shichi thought with an inward smile. ... By noon, the four of them had arrived at the Daimy''s residence in thergest and most bustling city in the Land of Fire. The weather was clear, and the streets were lively, offering a feast for the eyes. Minato Namikaze wasn''t in a hurry to meet the Daimy and took the time to stroll around with Shichi and the others, even buying various snacks. At 2 PM, the four of them entered the Daimy''s mansion and were introduced to the Daimy of the Land of Fire. Upon seeing the four of them, the Daimy appeared slightly displeased. "Did the Hokage only send you?" A young man who looked no older than twenty, along with three children. Was the Hokage underestimating him? Brushing him off? At this moment, all four of them were kneeling on one knee. Upon hearing this, Minato Namikaze slightly raised his head and said, "Rest assured, Lord Daimyo. Shisui and the others are exceptionally skilled Genin, who have previously defeated enemies in the Land of Rain that far outnumbered them." "As for me, I am a Jonin of Konoha and am willing to undergo any test Daimyo-sama deems fit. I assure you, we will not disappoint." The Daimy of the Land of Fire remained nomittal, responding coolly, "Very well then, let''s put that to the test." With that, he covered his mouth with his fan and whispered some instructions to a nearby attendant. (End of Chapter) ??? We''re very Close to Our Goal Guyz!! Almost 1M Views & 5k Collections ?? Throw those Powerstone Fast!! Don''t forget to check out my other works if you''re interested in Genshin Impact, Pokemon or Marvel ?? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 36: Too Slow!

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Too Slow!

At the Daimy''s mansion, in an expansive training ground, Shichi Hoshita and his team came face-to-face with the six ninja recruited by the Land of Fire''s Daimy. All six were men. Two of them were older, appearing to be in their forties. The other four were slightly younger but still seemed older than Minato Namikaze, likely in their mid-twenties or older. They had fierce expressions! Where did he find these rogue ninjas? Shichi silently mocked. A young man dressed in a ck robe on the opposite side sneered, "Has Konoha run out of people? They sent a bunch of kids to assess us?" He was being incredibly arrogant! A middle-aged man with a goatee beside him chuckled, "Don''t underestimate these kids. They''re from a major ninja vige. If you underestimate them on the battlefield, you''ll end up dead." Although his words suggested caution, Shichi could see the contempt, malice, and excitement in the man''s eyes. What''s wrong with being a kid? Did kids steal your milk? Kurama Sany couldn''t help but clench his fists in anger. "These two guys are really pissing me off!" Minato Namikaze calmed him, "Sany, take it easy." At that moment, another young man from the opposing group spoke, "So, how are we going to start this assessment?" "We have six people. If we all go at once, it might be too much of a bully move." The ck-robed youth shouted, "Hey, boss, if we identally kill them, Konoha won''te after us, will they?" His words made the other four turn to look at their leader. The man called "boss" was a middle-aged man with scars on both sides of his face. He had a stern expression and mostly kept his eyes on Minato Namikaze. Hearing his subordinate''s question, he responded coolly, "If you don''t want to die, I suggest you don''t do something that stupid." Arrogance is one thing, but don''t be foolish! At this moment, the Daimy''s attendant announced in a loud voice, "Namikaze-sensei, Ken''ichi-sensei, the exchange will be conducted in two phases." "First, individual matches. Both sides will each send out four people for one-on-one matches." "Second, a team battlefour against four." "Do either of you have any objections?" Minato responded, "None." Ken''ichi also replied, "None." The attendant nodded, "Very well, let''s begin!" "The Daimy has dered that for each victory, the winner will receive a reward of 100,000 ry." "And each victory earns one point. The team with the most points at the end will be awarded a special treasure by the Daimya Kusanagi sword from ancient times. It can cut through iron like butter and has excellent chakra conductivity." Hearing this, Ken''ichi''s stern face finally showed a hint of seriousness. Money is important, but a good weapon is essential for survival. And even with money, it might not be possible to buy a Kusanagi sword, especially one that can conduct chakra. With this in mind, Ken''ichi cast a cold nce at his five subordinates and said, "Take this seriously. Don''t get careless, or I won''t hesitate to make you pay." The five underlings, including the ck-robed youth, immediately tensed up and dropped their yful attitudes. "Boss, let me go first!" The ck-robed youth volunteered. Ken''ichi nodded slightly. On the other side, seeing the ck-robed youth step forward, Minato Namikaze looked towards Uchiha Shisui. But Shichi Hoshita raised his hand and said, "Sensei, let me take the first match!" Minato didn''t refuse and nodded, "Alright, Shichi, you go first. Don''t worry too much about winning or losing." "Understood!" Shichi nodded and stepped forward, pulling out a kunai, holding a senbon in his mouth, and drawing his Totsuka de with his right hand. "A kid who specializes in closebat, huh?" The ck-robed youth eyed Shichi, "But then again, at his age, even if he''s a genius, how much chakra could he possibly have for ninjutsu?" Before the battle even began, the ck-robed youth had already pigeonholed Shichi. It was because Shichi''s stance was too well-prepared. Minato Namikaze and the other two weren''t surprised by Shichi Hoshita''s actionsthis was his style. What he revealed was always meant to mislead the enemy. While it was true that Shichi was skilled in closebat, to someone like Uchiha Shisui, unless one possessed ultra-fast reflexes, Shichi''s taijutsu and use of ninja tools would be considered subpar. However, in reality, those ultra-fast reflexes were Shichi''s innate talentsomething that couldn''t be overlooked. "He''s just a kid who doesn''t know how to hide his abilities!" The ck-robed youth inwardly mocked Shichi, but he also decided to go all out, aiming to give this kid a real shock. Of course, he was also motivated by the 100,000 ry reward! "Hey, kid, don''t cryter!" With a loud shout, the ck-robed youth charged forward, his hands emerging from his wide sleeves, flinging several shuriken at Shichi. Shichi easily deflected them with a simple motion, not even moving an inch. Suddenly, the ck-robed youth changed direction, throwing shuriken from the side. As Shichi blocked the shuriken, the youth quickly moved into his blind spot, lunging straight at him. At that moment, two sharp swords emerged from the youth''s wide sleeves. Shichi sidestepped and fell to the ground, narrowly dodging the two swords that whizzed past his ears. Thud! Thud! Supporting himself with one hand, Shichi kicked at the ck-robed youth''s wrists. Although he didn''t disarm the youth, the kick made him wince in pain and forced him to stagger backward. Flipping back onto his feet, Shichi charged at the youth with blinding speed, his arms moving like a blur as the gleam of his de surrounded the youth. ng! ng! ng! The sound of shing metal echoed, sparks flying in all directions. "Too slow!" "Too slow!" Shichi''s movements grew faster with each strike, his taunts never ceasing. "This kid''s speed..." The ck-robed youth''s eyes widened in shock, sweat forming on his brow. "I can''t keep going like this..." Sensing that the situation was bing dangerous, the youth shook his sleeves, releasing two plumes of ck smoke that enveloped both him and Shichi. Poison gas! "Kid, die!" The youthughed maniacally, as two chains shot out from his sleeves, wrapping around Shichi. The youth had already broken the antidote capsule hidden in his mouth, so he had no fear of the poison. Seeing Shichi holding his breath, his hands bound by the chains, the ck-robed youth slowly approached. Outside, Kurama Sany was rmed. "Shichi!" Minato Namikaze ced a hand on Sany''s shoulder. "Stay calm. Don''t forget that Shichi is a medical ninja." Within the ck poisonous fog, the ck-robed youth suddenly froze. The Shichi he had chained up had suddenly transformed into a rabbit, easily slipping out of the chains. But how did he perform a transformation jutsu with his hands bound? Before the youth could react, the rabbit kicked off the ground, soaring into the air and dispelling the transformation to return to human form. Mid-air, Shichi, with a senbon in his mouth, swallowed an antidote pill, took a deep breath, puffed out his cheeks, and exhaled. Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu! On the ground, the ck-robed youth simultaneously finished his hand seals and unleashed a dragon-shaped me into the sky. Boom! The mes exploded, the heatwave scattering the poison gas. But then, the ck-robed youth couldn''t help but exim in shock, "How is this possible?" He saw several fireballs raining down from the sky. Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu! Boom! Boom! Boom! The ck-robed youth scrambled to dodge the iing mes. As Shichinded on the ground, the senbon in his mouth suddenly shot out, hitting the youth who had just dodged a fireball, striking his neck with pinpoint uracy. Clutching his neck, the ck-robed youth looked at Shichi and quickly shouted, "I surrender!" Shichi extended his hand. "The antidote!" Although he had only inhaled a small amount of poison and had already taken an antidote pill with no obvious signs of poisoning, he still decided to get the antidote, just in case. Reluctantly, the ck-robed youth pulled out a small box and handed it to Shichi. Shichi opened the box and saw two pills inside. He immediately took one and tossed it to the ck-robed youth. The youth''s expression soured, but he had no choice but to swallow the pill. Seeing that the ck-robed youth was unharmed, Shichi nodded in satisfaction. (End of Chapter) ??? Almost Done!! Just a Little more! Extra Chapters will be uploaded on Monday as I will be busy this Saturday/Sunday. (Tranting batches of new Chapters ~keke(insert evilugh gif)) Read Up to Chapter 72+ on my Patreon! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 37: Shisui’s Body Flicker Technique!

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Shisuis Body Flicker Technique!

Shichi Hoshita''s victory in the first round was a great start, earning him 100,000 ry. However, to everyone''s shock, the ck-robed youth was executed by Ken''ichi as soon as he returned. "He..." Kurama Sany was too stunned to speak. Minato Namikaze, with a serious expression, reminded them, "Shisui, Sany, be careful from now on." With the opposing jnin showing such ruthlessness, the remaining opponents would certainly fight desperately. Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany nodded in unison. "Understood!" At that moment, the bearded middle-aged man stepped forward. Minato immediately instructed, "Shisui, you take this one." "Yes, Sensei!" Uchiha Shisui moved out swiftly, leaning forward as his pace quickened, charging directly at the bearded man. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The bearded manunched shuriken as a probing attack, but Shisui effortlessly blocked and dodged them, not even activating his Sharingan. Shisui then engaged the bearded man in closebat, with their kunai shing repeatedly, sparks flying. The two figures leaped and darted around the vast battlefield at high speed, their movements closely followed by Shichi and the others. Even without using his Sharingan or drawing the short sword on his back, Shisui fought the bearded man to a standstill. Suddenly, after a seamless retreat, the bearded man swiftly formed hand seals and stomped the ground with force. The ground cracked open from where the bearded man stood, rapidly spreading in all directions, with two fissures trapping Shisui in the center. In the next moment, sharp stone pirs erupted from the ground, converging on Shisui''s position. However, Shisui, well-versed in hand seals, quickly recognized that the bearded man was using an Earth Release jutsu and leaped into the air just in time. But then, the bearded man sped his hands together, causing the sharp stone pirs to grow even taller. This left Shisui with no ce tond! As he began to fall, Shisuipleted his own hand seals. Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu! Boom! The fireball shattered several of the sharp stone pirs into pieces. As Shisuinded, he activated his Sharingan, and the short sword on his back was drawn. But the bearded man wasn''t finished. He formed more hand seals, shouting, "It''s not over yet!" On top of the existing stone pirs, smaller, sharper spikes emerged, lunging toward Shisui. Shisui''s Sharingan whirled as he moved at high speed, slicing through the stone spikes with his short sword. At that moment, it looked as though he was dancing on the edge of a de. Even Shichi, who was watching, couldn''t help but feel a bit anxious for Shisui. The bearded man turned out to be an expert in Earth Release ninjutsu, his skill at least on par with a high-level chnin, possibly even a special jnin. Soon, Shisui broke free from the area of the fissures and stone pirs. Even with the Sharingan, he wasn''t unscathedhe had a few cuts on his body, blood trickling from them. Once out of the Earth Release jutsu''s range, Shisui sheathed his sword and quickly formed hand seals. Body Flicker Technique! Shisui''s figure instantly split into two, then began to move at high speed around the battlefield, creating more and more afterimages. Shichi watched in shockthis was the first time he had seen Shisui use this technique. Could this be the origin of his title "Shisui of the Body Flicker"? Had he already developed this technique so soon? However, Kurama Sany, standing nearby, eximed in surprise, "Shadow Cloneno, it''s a genjutsu!" Minato Namikaze confirmed, "Yes, it''s indeed a genjutsu. A very advanced one at that, creating genjutsu clones. What a genius idea." Genjutsu clones? Even Kurama Sany, who came from a n known for genjutsu, couldn''t fully grasp it at first. "Illusions created by genjutsu shouldn''t have physical forms, should they?" Shichi Hoshita pondered before asking, "Sensei, do those clones have chakra signatures?" Minato nodded. "That''s correct." Among the three of them, only Minato had sensory abilities, so he could detect that the illusions, which Kurama Sany thought were mere phantoms, actually had chakra. These clones were different from ordinary illusions and not like typical clone techniques. On the stone pirs, the bearded middle-aged man was also observing Shisui Uchiha''s clones. He quickly tested them by throwing shuriken. The shuriken passed through Shisui''s body without causing any harm, simply going through them, yet the clones didn''t dissipate. "They''re not Shadow Clones... It''s a genjutsu, isn''t it? Typical of the Uchiha n," the man muttered with a sneer. At this moment, the clones of Shisui began to move within the range of the Earth Release jutsu. The bearded man sped his hands together again and smirked. "Even if I can''t tell which is the real one... I''ll just attack them all!" The stone pirs reactivated, striking through each Shisui, but every attack missed. Cold sweat dripped from the bearded man''s forehead. "How is this possible?" "Are they all illusions?" "Where is his real body hiding?" "Am I still trapped in his genjutsu? Is he just trying to exhaust my chakra?" Despite attacking every Shisui, none of the strikes had any effect. By then, three Shisui clones had closed in on the bearded man, shing down with their des. The bearded man released his hands, blocking with his kunai. ng! The attack had substance. The bearded man was in disbelief. "How is this possible?" Another Shisui clone''s short sword came down, and he raised his other hand to block it. ng! Again, the attack was real. The third Shisui clone''s de was now at the bearded man''s neck, the cold touch sending shivers down his spine, but he still shouted, "Impossible!" "They''re all illusions!" "Ha! I won''t surrender!" Shisui looked at the bearded man and said, "If that''s the case..." sh! Shisui''s de cut through. The bearded man dropped his kunai, clutching his neck as blood poured out. "It... it''s real?" Kurama Sany was equally stunned by what he saw. "How... how did he do that?" "Could Shisui be manipting the five senses to make genjutsu attacks real?" Even Minato couldn''t answer that question. Despite his own abilities, he hadn''t fully understood Shisui''s Body Flicker Technique. Genjutsubined with clones and the Body Flicker? Minato wasn''t entirely sure. Shichi Hoshita''s knowledge couldn''tpare to Minato''s, but based on Minato''s exnation and Shisui''s performance, he also felt that the Body Flicker Technique had a significant connection to genjutsu. But regardless, Shisui had secured the second round. After returning, Shichi immediately began treating his wounds. Next, it was Kurama Sany''s turn. His opponent was a young man with a katana at his waist, more like a samurai than a ninja. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 38: Yagakigami Sword!

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Yagakigami Sword!

Compared to Hoshita Shichi and Uchiha Shisui, Kurama Sany is a pure genjutsu-type ninja. Thus, hisbat style is different from the other two. Before his opponent could even reach him, he had already formed hand seals and cast a genjutsu. Genjutsu - Mirage! This is a visual genjutsu that deceives the enemy''s eyes, making everything they see shrouded in a false illusion. However, the young swordsman clearly had amplebat experience. After his first strike missed, he didn''t wait for Kurama Sany''s follow-up attack; instead, he decisively closed his eyes. ng! Relying on his hearing, the young swordsman perfectly blocked Kurama Sany''s surprise attack from behind. Kurama Sany''s attack failed, and he immediately retreated, avoiding closebat. The young swordsman also acted decisively, stabbing his sword into the ground and forming hand seals to dispel the genjutsu. But Kurama Sany didn''t remain idle during his retreat. Two shuriken were already flying towards the young swordsman, forcing him to dodge them and move further away from his sword, even after dispelling the genjutsu. At this moment, Kurama Sanypleted his second genjutsu. Hoshita Shichi couldn''t recognize this technique, likely a unique genjutsu of the Kurama n. Judging by the young swordsman''s reaction, this technique clearly affected him on all fronts. Unlike the previous "Mirage," a visual genjutsu, this one influenced all five senses simultaneously. The young swordsman ran around erratically, muttering to himself and attacking non-existent enemies. After the technique ended, Kurama Sany was gasping for air and popped a pill into his mouth. He didn''t rush to attack but waited silently for the right moment. Suddenly, the young swordsman stopped his frantic movements and locked his gaze on Kurama Sany with deadly precision. Hoshita Shichi felt a twinge of unease: "He''s been pretending to be under the genjutsu!" At this moment, Minato Namikaze spoke up, "We concede this match." Thatst technique was Kurama Sany''s most powerful genjutsu. But since his opponent had seen through it and even used it to their advantage, there was no point in continuing the fight. It was fortunate that Kurama Sany had limited chakra. Otherwise, if he had attacked immediately after using the genjutsu, the young swordsman might have struck him down with a single blow. Kurama Sany returned with his head lowered in guilt. "Sorry, I dragged everyone down." Hoshita Shichi, having just finished healing Uchiha Shisui, smiled and said, "It''s not that you dragged us down, Sany. Your opponent was simply stronger." Uchiha Shisui nodded in agreement. Minato Namikaze patted Kurama Sany on the shoulder and said kindly, "Shichi is right. It''s just that the opponents are different." "Besides, we''re still ahead by one match. Now it''s time to watch your sensei." With that, Minato Namikaze stepped forward. On the opposite side, Hoshita Shichi and his two teammates watched as the enemy''s Jnin, Ken''ichi, stepped up. Jnin vs. Jnin! Hoshita Shichi kept his eyes fixed on the fight, full of anticipation. He had already witnessed Minato Namikaze''s Flying Thunder God Technique, but he hadn''t yet seen his other signature jutsu and didn''t know if it had been developed yet. Suddenly, the two opponents moved simultaneously, so fast that only their afterimages could be seen. "So fast!" Hoshita Shichi gasped in amazement. Without the [Ninja Tools Expert] tag that enhanced his reflexes, he would have found it nearly impossible to keep up with their movements. Next to him, Uchiha Shisui had also activated his Sharingan; otherwise, he too would have struggled to follow the swift movements of Minato Namikaze and his opponent. Kurama Sany eximed, "They''re too fast! I can''t keep up at all!" Hoshita Shichi and Uchiha Shisui, however, kept their eyes on the battle. Cling! ng! The sound of shing metal wasn''t frequent, but Hoshita Shichi could tell that Minato Namikaze had the upper hand. Suddenly, Ken''ichi retreated a significant distance and quickly formed hand seals toplete a jutsu. Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet! Hoshita Shichi looked up as a stream of water formed into a massive water dragon that shot into the sky, then dived down to crash towards Minato Namikaze. In response, Minato Namikaze threw a kunai straight at Ken''ichi. This was clearly an unexpected attack, but since Ken''ichi had alreadypleted his jutsu, he easily dodged the kunai. But in the next moment, to Ken''ichi''s shock, Minato Namikaze vanished from where he had been standing. Where did he go? Ken''ichi quickly scanned his surroundings, but before he could react, he felt a cold sensation on his neck. Minato Namikaze''s voice echoed, "You''ve lost!" His body froze in ce, and Ken''ichi slowly turned his head, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. "Such incredible speed... May I ask your name?" "Minato Namikaze!" "I''m honored to have faced you!" Ken''ichi admitted defeat. He didn''t even want to participate in the final group battle, instead choosing to leave immediately with his team and the fallen, not even bothering to say goodbye to the Daimy of the Land of Fire. He wasn''t a fool; though Minato Namikaze and his team hadn''t killed anyone, they also didn''t show any respect to the Daimy. If he didn''t know his ce, he might not leave here alive. Watching Ken''ichi and his men depart, the Daimy of the Land of Fire''s expression darkened slightly. He then covered half of his face with a fan, his eyes locking onto Minato Namikaze and the other three, before giving orders to a nearby attendant, "Request their information from Konoha, especially on those three children." Although the Daimy wasn''t a ninja, he could tell that Minato Namikaze was the strongest among them. However, it was clear that Minato Namikaze could not be swayed. But those three children might be a different story. The attendant nodded in agreement, and the Daimy continued, "Make sure they are well taken care of." With that, the Daimy was carried away. Half an hourter, after bathing, Hoshita Shichi and the others were treated to a grand banquet. There was not only an abundance of delicious food but also music from a band and graceful dancers performing. Unfortunately, the entertainment was lost on the four of them. Hoshita Shichi and his team focused solely on the food, devouring everything in sight. After the empty dishes and cups were cleared away, and the band and dancers had left, the Daimy''s attendant arrived, bearing their previous rewards. Aside from Kurama Sany, each of the remaining three received 100,000 ry. Of course, the most important reward was the legendary Kusanagi Sword promised by the Daimy! Minato Namikaze reached out to ept it, thanking the attendant before drawing the sword from its sheath. Zing! The sword hummed as it was drawn. Hoshita Shichi and the others observed that it was a single-edged, straight sword, approximately 80 centimeters long. The de was silver-white, reflecting light like a mirror, but the upper part of the de was pitch ck, absorbing all light, forming a stark contrast. The Daimy''s attendant spoke, "This Kusanagi Sword is called the Yagakigami Sword. It is said to possess the power to control the earth, though no one has ever been able to unleash its full potential." Minato Namikaze nodded slightly and then infused the sword with chakra. Buzz! Buzz! The Yagakigami Sword vibrated gently as a faint green glow appeared along the de, its sharpness instantly increasing, sending chills down the spines of Hoshita Shichi and the others. However, Minato Namikaze didn''t sense any unique power within the sword; it seemed to be just an ordinary chakra de. Sheathing the sword, Minato Namikaze said to the attendant, "Please convey our thanks to the Daimy-sama." "And also, we''vepleted this mission..." Before Minato Namikaze could finish, the attendant quickly interrupted, "There''s no need for you to rush back to Konoha, Jnin Minato. The Daimy has ordered that you stay here until the originally scheduled time to return." Minato Namikaze could only nod helplessly, "In that case, we''ll rely on your hospitality!" (End of Chapter) ??? Hmm, Should I have use a different name for Yagakigami Sword? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 39: Daimyō-sama, Please Invest in Me!

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Daimy-sama, Please Invest in Me!

After the attendant left, Minato Namikaze looked at Hoshita Shichi and the other two, holding the Yagakigami Sword in his hand. Uchiha Shisui was the first to speak up, "Sensei Minato, I''m more suited to a short sword." Minato Namikaze then turned his gaze to Hoshita Shichi. Hoshita Shichi shrugged and said, "Sensei Minato, my Tostuka is also a chakra de." "Besides, the credit for this mission goes mostly to you, Minato Sensei." Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany both nodded in agreement. Minato Namikaze smiled wryly. Having such considerate subordinates can be a bit of a dilemma! Since he didn''t use swords or des himself, he thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I''ll hold onto it for now." Then, Minato Namikaze changed the subject, "We should have some downtime in theing days. Starting tomorrow, we''ll resume our previous training." "Yes, Minato Sensei!" ... Back at their quarters, Hoshita Shichi took out the scroll that Minato Namikaze had given him earlier and spread it open. Konoha-style Kenjutsu came into view. It started with the most basic sword techniques,plete with diagrams and detailed exnations. Hoshita Shichi focused intently,mitting each move to his memory pce. Soon, his eyes fell on the final technique. Leaf-Style Dance of the Crescent Moon! Hoshita Shichi was all too familiar with this move. It would one day be the signature technique of Hayate Gekk, who famously used it to strike down Sunagakure Jnin Baki, only to be countered and killed by Baki''s Wind Release prowess. Clearly, the most critical aspect of the Konoha-style Kenjutsu described in this scroll was this ultimate technique. It involved the user and two shadow clones attacking simultaneously. The description seemed simple, but the detailed exnation that followed was highlyplex. It wasn''t the execution of the technique that wasplicated, but the timing, speed, angle of the attacks, and the coordination between the shadow clones and the userthese were all crucial details. Hoshita Shichi waspletely engrossed in studying it. The next day. Hoshita Shichi officially began his focused training in Konoha-style Kenjutsu. During his breaks, he continued experimenting on various small animals to improve his medical ninjutsu skills. Before this mission, he had learned a new medical ninjutsu from Nono Yakushi. B-Rank Technique: Delicate Illness Extraction Technique! This technique allows the user to remove toxins and transnt organs within the body. ... The days of training were far from dull for Hoshita Shichi because he could feel his progress every single day. It wasn''t just his Konoha-style Kenjutsu and medical ninjutsu improving, but also his chakra reserves, strength, and attack speed. Even Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Shisui could clearly sense the increase in his strength and attack speed. On top of that, the Daimy of the Land of Fire was providing them with excellent food and drink every day, and they didn''t have to spend a single ry. Time flew by, and seven days quickly passed. On the night before they were scheduled to leave the Daimy''s residence, Hoshita Shichi was suddenly summoned by the Daimy of the Land of Fire. This surprised everyone. Minato Namikaze smiled and said, "Since the Daimy has summoned you, Shichi, you should go." Hoshita Shichi nodded and followed the attendant. He had already guessed the reason behind the Daimy''s summons. Out of the four of them, he was the most likely to be recruited due to his background. After all, Minato Namikaze was already a Jnin with deep ties to Konoha. Uchiha Shisui came from the prestigious Uchiha n, and Kurama Sany''s origins were also notablethe once-famous Kurama n. Only Hoshita Shichi had lost his parents early and grew up in an orphanage, making him seem like an easy target for recruitment and brainwashing. And sure enough. When Hoshita Shichi met the Daimy of the Land of Fire, he was showered with praise. A lesser kid might have beenpletely ttered by this. Moreover, the Daimy didn''t immediately try to recruit him. Instead, after praising Hoshita Shichi, he started talking about the current system in the ninja worldhow each vige was guided by the Daimy, how the Hokage was appointed by the Daimy, and how the Daimy was the real power behind everything! Hoshita Shichi nodded obediently, but internally he was thinking, "Joining you is worse than joining Danzo..." After a lengthy lecture, the Daimy, satisfied with Hoshita Shichi''spliant nods, finally left. The attendant who remained then extended an olive branch, "Hoshita Shichi, would you be willing to be the Daimy''s personal guardian ninja?" Without hesitation, Hoshita Shichi nodded, "Of course!" "The Daimy can directly order the Third Hokage to transfer me to the Daimy''s residence." The attendant was taken aback and then rified, "What I mean is, would you be willing to leave Konoha and be the Daimy''s personal guardian ninja?" Hoshita Shichi shook his head and asked, "With my current strength, could I defend against a Jnin like Ken''ichi?" The attendant shook his head. Hoshita Shichi continued, "Then even if I became the Daimy''s personal guardian ninja, I wouldn''t be able to protect him." The attendant frowned, "But you have exceptional talent; you''re a genius of Konoha!" Hoshita Shichi asked again, "Can the Daimy provide me with ninjutsu?" The attendant shook his head. Hoshita Shichi then asked, "Does the Daimy have a Jnin like Minato Sensei who can guide me in my training?" The attendant shook his head again. Hoshita Shichi spread his hands, "In that case, what use would it be for me to join the Daimy now?" "I wouldn''t be able to fulfill the role of protecting the Daimy!" The attendant nodded, acknowledging the logic. Before he could ask what to do next, Hoshita Shichi continued, "Therefore, the Daimy should fully support my development in Konoha, allowing me to grow into a Jnin who can stand on his own. Only then will I be able to serve the Daimy effectively." "And at that time, as a Jnin, I could help train even more ninjas for the Daimy." "After all, raising a ninja requires not just money, but various ninjutsu resources!" The attendant nodded solemnly, "You make a very good point. I will report this to the Daimy immediately. Please wait here." With that, the attendant hurriedly left. In the Daimy''s chambers, after hearing the attendant''s report, the Daimy smiled, "As expected of a genius, he''s absolutely right." "Let''s fully support this Hoshita Shichi!" The attendant hesitated for a moment and then said, "Daimyo-sama, this Hoshita Shichi is very clever. It''s hard to predict what might happen in the future. What if he betrays you?" The Daimy replied calmly, "So what?" "What I''m spending is just a bit of money." "Can 30 million ry buy a Jnin who ispletely loyal to me?" "Can 100 million ry buy a Jnin who ispletely loyal to me?" "Even if he betrays me in the future, it would just be a loss of 30 million or 100 million ry, which is nothingpared to what we give to Konoha!" The attendant quickly responded, "Daimyo-sama is wise!" The Daimy chuckled and said, "However, we shouldn''t stop recruiting ninjas from outside." "Also, this kid''s suggestion is excellent." "From now on, inform Konoha regrly to send young ninjas to the Daimy''s residence." "Preferably geniuses!" The attendant quickly bowed, "Yes, Daimyo-sama!" (End of Chapter) ??? As promised once we reach the milestone, I will upload the Bonus Chapters!! This week gonna be a mass upload of ~20 chaps/this week. (though the upload rate per day depends on Powerstones!!) Also, I added the Romance & Harem Tag, so if anyone wants to quit is best time! Otherwise, Enjoy the Story! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to Chapter 85+ There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 40: The Pioneer

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Pioneer

In Minato Namikaze''s room, a stack ofrge denomination money billsy on the table. Hoshita Shichi had brought them back. Minato nced at the money, then looked at Hoshita Shichi. "The Daimy wants to recruit you?" Shichi nodded and then recounted the entire process. Minato listened, wide-eyed and astonished. After some thought, he finally said, "A double agent?" Shichi stroked his chin, deep in thought. "That could actually work." He hadn''t originally considered bing a double agent. He was just trying to scam the Daimy for some investment, nning to grab some resources from Hiruzen Sarutobi when he returned to Konoha. It was a way to exploit the underlying power struggle between Konoha and the Daimy for his own benefit. Minato, who wasn''tcking in political awareness and was trained in the Hokage''s mindset, considered the situation. If the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, were in his ce, he probably wouldn''t let this opportunity slip by, likely assigning Shichi as a double agent. Minato thought it over and said, "Keep this money for yourself, but don''t tell anyone else. When we get back to Konoha, I''ll personally exin the situation to the Third Hokage." "Understood." Shichi nodded and put the money away, but he didn''t leave. Instead, he pulled out a scroll, opened it, and smiled. "Minato Sensei, I designed a technique here. Since it involves the brain, I haven''t dared to try it yet." "A technique?" Minato was surprised, then took the scroll and examined it carefully. The technique wasn''tplex, in fact, it was quite simple for him, but the concept was remarkably clever. Looking up at Shichi, Minato''s surprise deepened. "I didn''t expect you to be skilled in curse seals and sealing techniques as well." Shichi "bashfully" responded, "I learned while making explosive tags." "I''ve developed a unique memory technique that I call the Memory Pce." Shichi exined to Minato, "Due to my training with Shadow Clones, I had the idea to create this technique." Minato nodded. "So, you''re trying to have the memories brought back by the Shadow Clones directly enter your Memory Pce through this technique, avoiding any mental shock or confusion." "You''re aiming to umte training experience through your Shadow Clones?" Shichi nodded. Minato immediately cautioned, "Remember, the memories brought back by the Shadow Clones are just one aspect. You also need to be wary of the umted fatigue." "A person''s capacity to endure is limited." Shichi quickly assured, "Don''t worry, Minato Sensei, I''ll be careful." Minato, trusting in Shichi''s steady nature, didn''t press further. Instead, he continued asking about the details of the Memory Pce while reexamining the technique on the scroll. "It''s impressive, Shichi, that you''re using the entire vige of Konoha as the container for your memories. That''s a brilliant idea." "Incorporating genjutsu could make it even better." "Yes, and it should be based on chakra, supplemented with sealing techniques, almost like constructing a library." "Even though the technique itself is simple, the fact that you could devise something like this just from studying explosive tags shows you have exceptional talent in sealing techniques." ... Minato Namikaze wrote and revised, making adjustments as he went along. What had originally been a simple technique designed by Shichi rapidly became moreplex, changing right before his eyes. After about two hours, Minato set down his brush and smiled, "There, this should do it." "With your chakra capacity, Shichi, you shouldn''t have any trouble using it." "Of course, to maintain the seal, you''ll need to continuously channel chakra, which will be a drain on your reserves." Shichi looked at the technique, now vastly more intricate than before, and scratched his head. He sighed, "Minato Sensei, I think it''s going to take me some time to fully grasp this." Minato chuckled, "Sorry, I got a bit carried away." "But don''t worry, if you run into any issues, feel free to ask me anytime." "Yes, it''s gettingte, and we''ve got a long journey tomorrow. Let''s save this for when we get back to Konoha." Shichi nodded, gathered his things, and bid farewell to Minato before heading back to his room. Lying on his bed, Shichi''s attention shifted to his Tag Tree in his mind. Just now, two new tag had been triggered. Tag: Sealing Expert Condition to Obtain: Complete the training of the secret technique [Memory Pce], perfected by Minato Namikaze. Effect: Increases talent in sealing techniques and curse seals by 100%, and boosts memory by 100%. The requirement didn''t seem too difficult, and the Tag''s effects weren''t bad either. As for memory, though Shichi prided himself on having an excellent memory, he wasn''t quite at the level of photographic recallso the Memory Pce technique was essential. Doubling his memory might just push him to that level. This would obviously enhance his ability to perceive, learn, and perform at his peak during actualbat. "Having a talent for sealing techniques means I should take them seriously. After all, they''re an incredibly versatile skill." However, Shichi remained clear-headed. At this stage, sealing techniques weren''t a top priority. His focus was still on swordsmanship and medical ninjutsuthese were the skills he relied on for survival and establishing himself. Next, he examined the second Tag. Tag: Pioneer Condition to Obtain: Develop at least five A-rank or higher ninja techniques, including but not limited to ninjutsu, sealing techniques, genjutsu, taijutsu, etc. If others assist, the user must y a key, innovative role in the development. Effect: Once per year, the user gains "A sh of Insight" for 10 minutes. During this period,prehension and creativity are maxed out. Shichi sat up abruptly. Two maxed-out statsan irresistible temptation. But developing five A-rank or higher techniquesbe they ninjutsu, sealing techniques, genjutsuwas no small feat. The Chidori is A-rank difficulty, and so is the Rasengan. "Tsk, this won''t be easy!" "Even if Minato-sensei hasn''t developed the Rasengan yet, it won''t be simple to replicate and im credit for it." "And then there''s Kakashi''s Chidori... first, I''d have to master the Lightning Release chakra nature transformation..." "Hmm, the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken could also count." Shichi pondered, "A key, innovative role... I wonder ifing up with the idea and having someone else assist in the development would count?" Looks like this will require some trial and error. Shichiy back down and slowly drifted off to sleep. The next day, the group left the Daimy''s residence and returned to Konoha around noon. In the Hokage''s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Minato Namikaze''s report, including thements Shichi had made on the way to the Daimy''s mansion. Of course, the most important part was the Daimy''s attempt to recruit Shichi and how Shichi responded. After the report, Minato said, "Shichi is incredibly smart, with an exceptionally keen sense of political awareness. He recognized the divide between the vige and the Daimy''s office as soon as he heard the mission details." Hiruzen nodded in agreement. This was evident from Shichi''s words and actions. Not only that, but he''s also a staunch supporter of the Hokage. Hiruzen was quite pleased with this and smiled, "Shichi handled it very well. It''s rare to see someone so young respond so flexibly." "As for the money, let Shichi keep it. Now, about making him a double agent... Minato, what do you think?" Shichi was, after all, under Minato''smand, so as Hokage, Hiruzen felt it was necessary to consider Minato''s opinion. Moreover, Hiruzen was keen on grooming Minato as well. It was bing clear that Tsunade had little interest in seeding as the Fourth Hokage, and Jiraiya, ever the wanderer, was lost in his own destiny, not having returned since the Second Shinobi World War. Rumor had it he was training some disciples in the Land of Rain. Orochimaru had originally been a promising candidate, but he had changed too much since the war... All these factors forced Hiruzen to reconsider his options. Minato, anticipating Hiruzen''s inquiry, had already formed a n. He responded, "I believe Shichi is well-suited for this task." "He''s very disciplined, has a strong will, and firmly upholds the Will of Fire, dedicated to protecting Konoha and the Hokage. Despite his young age, his mind is mature, and I don''t foresee any risk of betrayal while serving as a double agent." Hiruzen nodded and then said, "In that case, you''ll be the one to ry this mission to Shichi. You''ll also be his point of contact." Minato immediately epted the order, "Yes, Lord Third!" --- (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 41: Tsunade’s Astonishing Idea!

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Tsunade''s Astonishing Idea!

In the bath, Shichi Hoshita closed his eyes, contemting the mission of being a double agent. As a double agent, the most crucial factor was gaining the trust of both sides. Earning Konoha''s trust shouldn''t be a problem. After all, he would be a Konoha ninja for a long time, with Minato Namikaze as his mentor and backing, and his loyalty to the vige was well-established. But how could he gain the Daimy''s trust over a long period? Beyond the mission itself, the Daimy''s investment in him was quite significant. This could provide an additional source of ie, which he could use to his advantage. "Should I introduce some geniuses to the Daimy?" "Like Kakashi... Charging a three-to-five percent introduction fee wouldn''t be too much, right?" "But if that guy Asuma Sarutobi gets recruited by the Daimy, will he me me?" Shichi''s thoughts wandered, onlying back to reality after he finished his bath. "My current focus is closebat, with a secondary role as a medical ninja." "Leaving aside the medical ninja path for now, my closebat skills will definitely center around kenjutsu in the future. The Dance of the Crescent Moon isn''t bad, but it''s not enough to make me a Jnin, let alone an elite Jnin." As Shichi got dressed, he continued pondering. Even though he was just a Genin now, he had to consider his future path. For instance, how should he progress in kenjutsu? "After mastering the Dance of the Crescent Moon, I should focus on Wind Release chakra nature transformation, then apply it to kenjutsu, developing my own ultimate sword technique." "As for Fire Release... it seems like I would either need to pour a lot of chakra into it orbine it with other techniques, like Wind Release..." Given the limits of time and energy, if it weren''t for the tag-system, Shichi would likely be fullymitted to the Wind Release and kenjutsu path by now. Once dressed, Shichi headed straight to Konoha Hospital. While practicing the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique at the Daimy''s residence, he had umted a few questions that only Nono Yakushi could help him answer. However, upon arriving at the hospital, he didn''t see Nono. Instead, he ran into Tsunade, whom he hadn''t seen in a while. "Lady Tsunade!" Shichi quickly bowed in respect. "Kid... are you here to see Nono?" Tsunade stopped in her tracks. Shichi nodded, "Yes, I''m here to study medical ninjutsu." Tsunade nodded and began to walk away, but after taking two steps, she stopped and turned back, "Hey, have you ever thought about developing your Memory Pce into a sealing technique?" Shichi''s eyes lit up at her words. He turned and asked, "Lady Tsunade, do you have the same idea?" "I''ve already tried it before, I attempted to fix the Memory Pce in the mind using a curse seal and developed a technique for it. Iter consulted with Minato-sensei, and he further refined it." Tsunade frowned slightly upon hearing this, "That guy Minato... his sealing techniques aren''t bad." She knew about Minato Namikaze, of courseJiraiya''s disciple and Uzumaki Kushina''s lover, who had learned sealing techniques from Kushina. "If that''s the case, then it''s fine." Tsunade waved her hand and started to walk away. But Shichi quickly stepped forward to stop her, "Lady Tsunade, although we have simr ideas, the paths we take might not be the same. It''s really necessary to exchange our thoughtswho knows, we might gain even more insights." Tsunade hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, let''s go to my office." ... In Tsunade''s office, under her watchful gaze, Shichi Hoshita carefully replicated the sealing technique that had been refined by Minato Namikaze. Tsunade crossed her arms as she observed, nodding in approval when Shichi finished. "This technique is already quite well-developed." "It turns the Memory Pce into a genjutsu space, reinforced with a sealing technique, allowing for controlled input and output of memories." "So, this sealing technique is specifically designed for certain memories?" Shichi gave a thumbs-up. "As expected of Lady Tsunade." "The initial idea was to prevent the mental shock thates from the memories when a shadow clone is dispelled." Tsunade mused for a moment. "Shadow clones? You want to use them for training?" "Be careful thenbesides the memories, there''s also the exhaustion. You could easily overwork yourself to death." "But I assume Minato already warned you about this?" Shichi nodded, then asked, "Lady Tsunade, do you have any thoughts on this?" Instead of answering, Tsunade asked, "What do you think ninjutsu is?" "Uh..." Shichi frowned, thinking for a moment before replying, "It''s the release of chakra energy in various forms, like wind, fire, lightning, or illusions, and so on." Tsunade nodded. "That''s a good description." "There are many techniques, including curse seals and sealing jutsu, that can be pre-set on the body and then activated whenever needed." Shichi immediately thought of the Hyga n''s Caged Bird seal, a sealing technique with both active and passive triggers. Active, meaning the main family can control the seal at will to damage the brain and blind the Byakugan of the branch family members. Passive, meaning that if a branch member dies in battle or is captured and their eyes are taken, the seal will automatically activate, destroying the Byakugan. Another example that stood out to Shichi was Danzo''s Reverse Four Symbols Seal. During his battle with Sasuke Uchiha, Danzo used a binding curse seal that must have been pre-prepared, allowing him to activate it instantly. However, such sealing techniques and curse marks were far from simple; otherwise, they would have been widespread long ago. Shichi considered, "Lady Tsunade, are you thinking of using this to seal medical ninjutsu?" Tsunade nodded. "The original Memory Pce is just a mnemonic technique that most people can learn." "But by transforming it into a sealing technique, turning the Memory Pce into a genjutsu space, and the sealing space into something like a library, you could store memories as books, or even as people." "In the same way, you could store medical ninjutsu using this method, ready to be deployed instantly without the need for hand signs." Shichi was inwardly shocked. Is this really the kind of creativity a native of this world should have? But thinking it over, there were already pre-set curse marks that could be activated instantly, and even ninjutsu scrolls that stored jutsu, like the one Shikamaru Nara used against Kakuzu. However, Tsunade''s idea was clearly more systematic andrge-scale. And it involved doing this within a person''s brain. After a moment''s thought, Shichi responded, "Lady Tsunade, simple memory is vastly different from finjutsu, curse seals, or ninjutsu." The original Memory Pce was a mnemonic system, a technique for associative memory. In simple terms, it linked what needed to be remembered with familiar locations to achieve quick, long-term, or even permanent memory retention. Shichi used the familiar setting of Konoha for his Memory Pce, which is why he came up with the idea of turning this mnemonic technique into a sealing jutsu. And he had seeded. But ninjutsu was different from memory. Memory is just a function of consciousness, whereas ninjutsu requires chakra as an energy source. As Shichi had exined to Tsunade earlier, the process of performing ninjutsu, without considering hand signs, involves controlling chakra energy and manipting its form and nature. "I''m aware of that," Tsunade replied, having clearly thought this through before proposing her idea. Shichi smiled. "It''s certainly an astonishing idea." "But solidifying a medical ninjutsu in the brain... aside from the difficulty of doing that, if the seal malfunctions, even a medical jutsu could cause serious harm." Tsunade, however, was nonchnt. "What jutsu isn''t dangerous?" "If the Memory Pce can systematically store memories, it should be possible to store medical ninjutsu in the same way." "Take Yin Healing Wound Destruction, for example. You wouldn''t need to anticipate the enemy''s attacks." "Thoughts and nerve signals travel faster than any physical action, so you could activate the jutsu in the instant before the enemy''s attacknds." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 42: The Chūnin Examination!

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: The Chnin Examination!

Shichi Hoshita knew that if Tsunade''s idea could truly be realized, the benefits would be immense. But how could it be achieved? Shichi pondered, "Lady Tsunade, if we want to systematically store medical ninjutsu, then chakra would also need to be sealed along with it." "To put it simply, it would involve sealing a jutsu that has already been released, and then releasing it again when needed." As he spoke, he couldn''t help but think of the Creation Rebirth S-rank medical ninjutsu from the original series. This technique could regenerate cells rapidly, healing even life-threatening wounds, but it required a massive amount of chakra. Hence the creation of the Strength of a Hundred Seal, which allowed for an instantaneous surge of chakra, increasing the output while maintaining stability and precision. With these two techniques, one was almost invincible. And the Yin Seal was a sealing technique specifically designed to store chakra, passed down from the Uzumaki n. However, it was clear that Tsunade had not yet developed Creation Rebirth or the Strength of a Hundred Seal at this point; otherwise, she wouldn''t be considering these ideas now. "Of course, it''s challenging," Tsunade remarked. "If we could pre-store ninjutsu, including the umtion of chakra, we could heal severe injuries at critical moments." "You see, many injuries require a tremendous amount of chakra to heal effectively, but often during treatment, we don''t have the capacity to generate such powerful chakra bursts or maintain precise control." As she spoke, a shadow crossed her face, recalling the loss of Dan in front of her. For Shichi, the concept of sealing ninjutsu had already diverged significantly from the Memory Pce itself. The Memory Pce technique had merely inspired Tsunade. Even though he wasn''t yet proficient in sealing techniques, Shichi understood just how difficult it would be to achieve what Tsunade envisioned. Noticing Tsunade''s somber expression, Shichi thought for a moment and said, "Lady Tsunade, your idea is truly remarkable, but I believe we could break it down into steps and tackle it piece by piece." "First, we need to develop a sufficiently powerful medical ninjutsu. Yin Healing Wound Destruction is indeed impressive, but many injuries may not heal quickly enough, especiallyrge open wounds or internal organ damage." "So, our first priority should be to create a more powerful medical ninjutsu." "Second, we''ll need a sealing technique to construct a chakra pathway. Medical ninjutsu is different from other types of ninjutsu; it requires greater precision, stability, and arge chakra output. Therefore, a specialized technique must be developed to handle this." "Lastly, we need to address the issue of massive chakra reserves. We should devise a method to store chakra that isn''t immediately needed and release it when necessary." Tsunade fell into deep thought after hearing this, then looked up at Shichi. "Shichi, your approach does seem more likely to seed." Finally, she stopped calling him "kid." That simple change in address held a lot of significance. Shichi knew that his rtionship with Tsunade had taken a step forward. Which made sensethere''s no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and he wasn''t handsome enough to win people over on looks alone, especially considering he was just a six-year-old kid. Now that he''d earned her recognition, Shichi immediately smiled and said, "Since Lady Tsunade agrees, let''s focus our efforts on these three areas!" "Lady Tsunade, as the greatest medical ninja in the shinobi world, I''m confident you can achieve this." Tsunade''s mood lifted, and she hummed in agreement. "Of course." "But I''ll be the one doing the hard work. As for you... your sealing and medical ninjutsu skills are stillcking." So harsh! Shichi put on a "hurt" expression. "Lady Tsunade, are you really just tossing me aside after I''ve helped you cross the river?" "My skills may be unremarkable, but you can''t deny that my ideas are unrestrained." Feeling a bit guilty, Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "Alright, alright!" "You''ve definitely contributed a lot. If we seed in developing this technique, you''ll get your share of the credit." "And also..." She hesitated before adding, "If you need any help with medical ninjutsu, feel free to ask me!" Shichi was overjoyed and quickly bowed. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Tsunade waved him off and then said thoughtfully, "There''s already a sealing technique for storing chakrathe Yin Seal, inherited from the Uzumaki n." Shichi chimed in, "Was it passed down by Lady Mito?" "It was indeed something my grandmother left behind." Tsunade nodded. "Once I''ve fully mastered it, I''ll teach it to you. For now, you can goI need some quiet time to think about this new technique." Having received this promise, Shichi immediately took his leave to find Non Yakushi. Sigh, the hospital director is still the kindest! ... That evening, as Shichi Hoshita returned to the orphanage with Non Yakushi, he bought two chickens on the way. Back at the orphanage, he sessfully swapped the eyes of the two chickens. The Delicate Illness Extraction Technique was perfected! And the chicken soup turned out to be very delicious. For the next two days, Shichi rested, spending from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Konoha Hospital with Non Yakushi to further familiarize himself with the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique. Additionally, he practiced from 5 AM each morning, trained with Guy and the others after 4 PM, and continued to seek medical knowledge from Non Yakushi in the evenings. Unfortunately, Kakashi was absent, so Shichi missed out on a taijutsu showdown with him. The two days passed quickly, and the team resumed their missions. Whether it was escorting a merchant convoy, protecting a noble from the Land of Fire, border duty, or exchanging intelligence with other ninja viges or organizations, each mission was at least a C-rank. Shichi and his team''s mission experience was rapidly increasing. Time flew, and it was July before they knew it. On this day, Minato Namikaze did not bring a new mission but rather three registration forms. Minato smiled and said, "As your team leader, I''ve rmended you to participate in the Chnin Exam." "Finally, we''re about to be a Chnin!" Kurama Sany was very excited and immediately reached out to take the registration form. "Eh?" Sany, who was handing the form to Shichi, suddenly said, "By the way, if Shichi passes the exam, that means he''ll be a Chnin at six years old, right?" Minato and Uchiha Shisui both looked at Shichi. Shichi was momentarily stunned. His birthday was March 3rd, so by age calction, he was indeed still six years old. Kakashi''s birthday was in September, and he wasn''t even six yet! So, if Shichi passed, he would be the youngest Chnin, surpassing Kakashi? It was a bit thrilling to think about. But would Kakashi be participating in the Chnin Exams this year? As he pondered, the tag tree in his mind started to stir. Shichi didn''t check immediately and said, "My birthday is in March, so I''m still six years old. If no one younger than me passes the exam, then I would indeed be a Chnin at six." Minato was confident. "With your abilities, it''s definitely not a problem." Among the three, Shichi was the youngest, having graduated less than six months ago, but his progress had been rapid, demonstrating full Chnin-level strength. "Fill out the registration forms and submit them to the Hokage Tower. The first written test will be in three days, so make sure not to bete." Minato reminded them. Shichi and his team nodded in unison. "Understood!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 43: Sealing Expert

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Sealing Expert

After the team disbanded and returned home, Shichi Hoshita immediately checked the newly triggered tag in the tag tree. Tag: Konoha Genius Condition to Obtain: Be a Chnin at the age of six, breaking the record for the youngest Chnin in Konoha. Effect: Increasesprehension by 50%. "Whoa!" An increase inprehension! This isn''t like the "Fire Release Expert" tag, which only enhances Fire Release abilities. This boosts overallprehension across all areas. "I have to get this!" Shichi''s resolve hardened. While the ranks of Genin, Chnin, and Jnin aren''t the only indicators of strength, they are certainly based on it. One might possess Chnin-level strength but still fail the examfor example, Uchiha Obito. "The first written test shouldn''t be a problem. As for the second round, the individualbat... is there anyone participating in the exam who could be stronger than Shisui?" Shichi evaluated himself. Over the past two months, while his swordsmanship was still slightly behind Uchiha Shisui''s, his superior mental processing speed and neural reflexes made him formidable in closebat, whether unarmed or with a sword. Kurama Sany was no longer a match for him. Even against Shisui, when not using the Body Flicker Technique, their sparring sessions were evenly matched. Shisui had the edge in insight and attack speed, but Shichi''s reactions were faster. However, quicker reactions don''t necessarily mean faster attack speed. Speed inbat also depends on chakra, physical fitness, and technique. Shisui''s Body Flicker and Genjutsu were both significant threats to Shichi. In past sparring sessions, Shichi had never been able to counter Shisui''s Body Flicker. He could only rely on his quick reflexes to respond, but ultimately, he would still lose. Of course, in the individualbat round, he likely wouldn''t face someone from his own team. "But I still need to be wary of Genjutsu users among the Genin." Shichi thought to himself. He was familiar with Genjutsu, having trained with both Shisui and Kurama Sany. His experience in handling Genjutsu was extensive. Detecting when he was under a Genjutsu and then dispelling it was crucial. However, Genjutsu is often hard to guard against. Most of the time, it''s difficult to realize you''ve been caught in a Genjutsu right away. If you can''t detect it immediately, it could be very dangerous. When facing the Sharingan, dispelling the Genjutsu bes even more challenging, often requiring assistance from others. There''s also the "Paralysis-type" Genjutsu, where you''re fully aware you''re under its influence, but you can''t control your body. For instance, the Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes TechniqueOrochimaru was taken down instantly by Uchiha Itachi with this move. Then there''s the Sage Art: Frog Song, an auditory-based paralysis Genjutsu. "The Sharingan... I''ve gotten used to not making direct eye contact with Shisui during battles, but that doesn''t guarantee safety. Not all Sharingan Genjutsu require direct eye contact to activate..." Shichi couldn''t help but think of Danz. Orochimaru had joined the Anbu, and it wouldn''t be surprising if he was already researching Wood Release. Who knows if Danz had already transnted a Sharingan? In the original story, he used Izanagi when he ambushed Shisui. "Izanagi is manageableyou might not die the first time, so just kill them a few more times." "But Izanami... now that''s a particrly troublesome technique, said to counter Izanagi by forcing the user to ept their fate." "Isn''t that basically forcing someone to ept their death without using Izanagi?" "Who would want to ept that?" Right now, the technique Shichi feared the most was Izanami. Would Danz master both Izanagi and Izanami? Shichi didn''t know but decided it was better to be prepared. Looking at the now-cursed Kabuto Yakushi, it wasn''t something that could be fixed with a simple "I''m sorry." Under infinite loop scenarios, Kabuto might have been driven mad and forcibly brainwashed. Its effects wereparable to the Tsukuyomi. If Danz used it, would Shichi have to kneel and pledge his loyalty, bing a mere tool in his schemes to be Hokage? His thoughts wandered a bit too fast. Shichi quickly refocused on himself. With his powerful neural response speed, basic techniques like Fire Release, swordsmanship, and physical techniques, unless someone in the Chnin exam was even more monstrous than Uchiha Shisui and him, defeat was unlikely. Team battles were even less of a concern. With two members skilled in Genjutsu,bined with his Fire Release and closebat expertise, their advantage was significant. Finally, Shichi returned to his task, retrieving a scroll. Sealing TechniqueMemory Pce! Over the past two months, he had thoroughly mastered this sealing technique, perfected by Minato Namikaze. Today, he wouldplete this technique and acquire the Sealing Expert tag. He took arge nk scroll and began drawing the seals. About half an hourter, the seals werepleted. Shichi set down his brush and sat cross-legged in the center of the scroll, surrounded by a dense array of drawn seals. He then formed hand seals. Twelve seals in total, and oncepleted, the seals on the scroll activated, resembling tadpoles as they rapidly crawled up Shichi''s body, eventually converging at the top of his head and vanishing into his scalp. Memory Pce, achieved! Shichi immediately sensed a new sealing space in his mind. Or rather, a Memory Space. The Memory Pce was now as described. The structure of the Memory Pce resembled the entire Konoha vige. Buildings within the vige served as his storage for memories. In addition to the buildings, there were individuals. Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, Shizune, Shisui Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, Kurama Sany, and others. These represented their abilities, habits, battle styles, and more. Looking at his Memory Pce, Shichi thought, "This Memory Pce is best suited for use in Genjutsu." Yes, Genjutsu. Or rather, abination of Genjutsu and sealing techniques. However, Shichi hadn''t had the chance to delve deeply into Genjutsu yet; it was still just a concept. Shifting his focus from the Memory Pce, Shichi looked at the tag tree. Activate Sealing Expert! Sealing techniques and seal/cursed rted skills increased by 100%, memory enhanced by 100%. Shichi immediately felt a surge in his brain, as if it were electrified, with a brief moment of nkness. Once everything settled, he got up and took another scroll. Sealing TechniqueYin Seal! This was the technique Tsunade had given him two days ago. Undoubtedly, this technique was far moreplex than the Memory Pce he had just used. Previously, he had only skimmed through it and found it quite challenging, deciding to postpone further research until he had umted more knowledge in sealing techniques. Now, however, he felt differently. "Seems... it''s not particrly difficult?" "And indeed, I''ve gained a photographic memory." Shichi smiled. Without a cheat, he had been praised by Minato Namikaze for his talent in sealing techniques. Now with a 100% increase, he wondered if he couldpare to Minato, Tsunade, and the others. "It looks like I need to seek their advice on sealing techniques more often..." Stowing the scroll, Shichi formed hand seals. Boom! A Shadow Clone was created and nodded to the original before leaving. This Shadow Clone was to practice Wind Release chakra nature transformation. Given his chakra, one Shadow Clone was ideal for sustained training. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 44: Training with Tsunade

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Training with Tsunade

After sending out a Shadow Clone to train in Wind Release chakra nature transformation, Shichi Hoshita headed to the Konoha Hospital to continue his training under Yakushi Non. Even with the Chnin Exam approaching, his training schedule remained unaffected. Three days passed in a sh. On the morning of July 6th, Year 39 of Konoha, the first written test of the Chnin Exam began at 9 AM. Before heading out, Shichi still made time to create a Shadow Clone for training. He entered the exam hall with Shisui Uchiha and Kurama Sany, but even as the exam started, there was no sign of Kakashi. It was clear that Kakashi wasn''t participating in this Chnin Exam. Setting aside his thoughts, Shichi focused on the test. Ten minutester, both he and Shisui submitted their papers simultaneously. As they left the ssroom, the two exchanged smiles. Shisui said, "Let''s wait for Sany, and then we can train together afterward!" Shichi nodded, "That''s exactly what I was thinking." While waiting, Shichi took the opportunity to ask Shisui for advice on Genjutsu. Shisui, of course, answered all his questions but couldn''t help but be curious, "Are you nning to develop your skills in Genjutsu, Shichi?" Shichi smiled, "When ites to countering Genjutsu, I think the best method is also Genjutsu." Twenty minutester, Kurama Sany emerged from the exam hall. The three then headed to their training ground. They practiced individualbat and team battle tactics until noon, when they parted ways. For lunch, Shichi joined Yakushi Non at the Konoha Hospital. "The test this morning was no problem for you, right, Shichi?" Non, who wore sses, gently ced her beef onto Shichi''s te. Shichi ate it in one big bite, smiling, "Of course not." "Tomorrow and the day after won''t be an issue either." "Director, I''ve almost mastered the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique. Can I start learning another medical ninjutsu?" With his high level of concentration, he had a significant advantage in medical ninjutsu. Even a 100% focus is hard for most people to maintain for long periods, but Shichi could do it as long as his physical and mental stamina held out. Non listened with a mix of fondness and mild exasperation, "Shichi, you''re usually so steady, but sometimes you''re too impatient. Even though you''ve grasped this technique, there''s still plenty of room for improvement." Shichi couldn''t help but feel a bit frustrated. The Medical Expert tag required him to master at least five medical ninjutsu, all at C-rank or higher. And apart from the basic Healing Technique, which is C-rank, none of the others are simple. Mystical Palm Technique is A-rank, Delicate Illness Extraction Technique is B-rank, Yin Healing Wound Destruction is A-rank, and Chakra Scalpel is A-rank. He had to practice on countless small animals before he could master the Mystical Palm Technique and the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique. Without his high concentration, quick reflexes, and strong memory, it would have taken him several times longer to master these techniques. And even now, he was only proficient, not yet at the level of mastery. But being proficient was enough for now. Once he earned the Medical Expert tag, his talent would increase, making further improvement much faster. What might take an average person years to learn could take a genius only a month. Though Non voiced someints, she added, "You can start learning Yin Healing Wound Destruction next." "Thank you, Director!" Shichi leaned over and gave Non a quick peck on the cheek. A six-year-old kid acting cutetotally reasonable, right? Yakushi Non didn''t mind getting a bit greasy from the kiss. She smiled gently and said, "I hope Shichi cane back safely from every mission." Shichi Hoshita confidently reassured her, "Don''t worry, I wouldn''t leave you behind, Director!" On the other side of the room, Tsunade, who was also eating, observed the scene and couldn''t help but smirk. "What a sly little fox!" This kid actedpletely differently in front of Yakushi Nonpared to how he behaved around her. In the afternoon, Shichi Hoshita officially began training in Yin Healing Wound Destruction. This medical ninjutsu is crucial for predicting where the enemy will strike and gathering chakra at that spot before the attacknds. Once hit, the jutsu activates and heals the wound instantly. Unquestionably, having quick reflexes is a significant advantage. Inplex battle situations, if an attack is too difficult for Shichi to fully avoid or block, his fast reflexes help him predict the strike point. So, despite being an A-rank medical ninjutsu, the difficulty of mastering it might actually be less than that of the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique. Of course, this is all rtive. To be proficient in this jutsu, he needed a training partner to act as the attacker. That afternoon, Yakushi Non created a Shadow Clone to spar with Shichi at the training ground beside Konoha Hospital. But at some point, Tsunade appeared at the edge of the training ground. "Non, let me take over. Your attacks aren''t challenging enough for him." Tsunade''s sudden voice interrupted their training. Seeing Tsunade, Shichi suddenly had a bad feeling. Yakushi Non, however, was delighted. She quickly bowed in gratitude, "Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" "Shichi, go ahead and thank Lady Tsunade!" Shichi bowed, "Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Looking at the well-behaved Shichi, Tsunade smiled, "Don''t worry, I''ll train him well!" "Then I''ll leave him in your care!" Yakushi Non bowed again before releasing her Shadow Clone. Tsunade lowered her arms from her chest and gave Shichi a smirk, "Ready?" Shichi could feel the intense pressure and immediately shifted into 100% focus mode. "Ready!" Whoosh! In a sh, Tsunade was in front of Shichi, flicking her finger straight at his forehead. "So fast!" Aside from Minato Namikaze and that one elite Jnin he met at the Daimyo''s estate, Shichi hadn''t encountered anyone with such speed since graduating. Luckily, his reflexes were sharp enough for him to lean his head back and avoid the flick. But Tsunade''s hand quickly changed course, aiming to grab Shichi by the neck. Shichi immediately stepped back. "Quick reflexes!" Tsunade huffed. Letting a little brat dodge her attack was a bit frustrating. She struck with a kick! A punch! The ground exploded, leaving deep craters all over the training ground. Shichi dodged with all his might, and when he finally managed to distance himself, he couldn''t help but gulp at the sight of the craters. If he got hit, could his small body take it? "Not even thirty yet and already going through early menopause?" Shichi couldn''t help but grumble to himself. Across from him, Tsunade shouted, "Don''t forget the purpose of your training." This kid''s reflexes were incredibly fastalmost on par with some Jnin. Tsunade was secretly impressed, thenunched another quick attack using the Body Flicker Technique. As Shichi dodged, he replied, "Lady Tsunade, of course, I haven''t forgotten the purpose of the training." "If you''re not forced into a corner, Yin Healing Wound Destruction is pointless." Tsunade grunted, "Then get ready!" It seemed she needed to take this more seriously. Tsunade immediately increased the frequency of her attacks, while also holding back on her strength to conserve energy. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 45: One Move!

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: One Move!

Around 4 p.m., Shichi Hoshita limped away from the training ground beside Konoha Hospital, grimacing in pain. It hurts! It hurts so much! He had taken more than a dozen hits from Tsunade. That woman could really hit hard, and she was downright ruthless. She waited until his mental and physical stamina were drained, his reactions slowed, and then she went all out on him. Aside from his face, he had bruises and welts all over his body. "When I grow up, I''ll definitely get even!" Shichi vowed silently as he popped a soldier pill into his mouth. Back at the training ground, Tsunade watched Shichi limp away and couldn''t help but smile, feelingpletely refreshed. "Beating someone up is actually pretty satisfying?" "But was I too harsh?" "No way. I''m helping this brat with his training." Tsunade muttered to herself, then decided, "We''ll continue tomorrow!" ... By the time Shichi arrived at his usual training spot near the Ninja Academy, most of the bruises and welts on his body had already faded. This was thanks to abination of medical ninjutsu and his own enhanced recovery abilities from the tags he unlocked. "Huh, Kakashi!" Shichi spotted Kakashi standing on the edge of a cliff, gazing at the sun as it slowly sank toward the western horizon. He immediately walked over. "Kakashi, why didn''t you sign up for the Chnin Exams?" Shichi asked as he sat down beside him. Without turning his head, Kakashi replied, "Our squad leader, Akiyama Sensei, thinks we''ve only just graduated, so he didn''t rmend us." Sarutobi Akiyama, a Jnin from the Sarutobi n and Kakashi''s team leaderShichi had met him a couple of times before. "Well, since we can''t face off during the exams, how about we have a taijutsu match right now, Kakashi?" Shichi suggested with a grin. Before today, he had already beaten Kakashi in taijutsu 12 times. Kakashi turned to him, "Instead of just taijutsu, I''d prefer a full-scale match!" Shichi chuckled, "Of course, but let''s warm up with a taijutsu match first!" "Then let''s not waste any time. Let''s begin!" With that, Kakashi leaped up, and the fight began. With his superior strength, stamina, battle experience, and quicker reflexes, Shichi easily won the taijutsu match again. After recovering their strength, the two started a second battle. This time, there were no restrictionseverything was allowed. Taijutsu, kenjutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsuKakashi used every technique he had, but he still found himself at a disadvantage. "Shichi''s kenjutsu has improved so much sincest time..." As their swords shed repeatedly, Kakashi''s relentless attacks werepletely countered by Shichi. Every counterattack from Shichi disrupted Kakashi''s rhythm, putting him in dangerous situations. Just over a month ago, when Kakashi had been Shichi''s sparring partner, Shichi''s kenjutsu hadn''t been nearly this advanced. The amount of progress he''d made in just one month was incredible! ... Suddenly, Shichi Hoshita retreated a short distance and then raised one hand, creating two shadow clones. The three Shichi''s then simultaneously attacked Kakashi from three different directions. "Shadow Clones, Konoha-style Kenjutsu: Secret Technique, Dance of the Crescent Moon!" As Kakashi watched the three Shichi''s charge at him, he quickly assessed the situation, immediately pulling out a kunai with his left hand. But Shichi''s speed was too fast; Kakashi didn''t have time to use shadow clones to distribute the attacks. ng! Kakashi managed to block the attacksing from the left and right, but the Shichi attacking from the center effortlessly avoided his kick and ced his de against Kakashi''s neck. The battle was over. As they sheathed their weapons and sat down to rest, Kakashi couldn''t help but remark, "Your kenjutsu has improved so quickly." Shichi shook his head, "It''s because my reactions are faster, and I''m quicker overall. Pure kenjutsu skill-wise, I''m still behind you." His kenjutsu had indeed improved rapidly,rgely thanks to the "Ninja Tool Expert" tag, which enhanced his talent with ninja tools, and swords were a type of ninja tool. However, he hadn''t surpassed Kakashi in just a few months; it was primarily due to his focus and faster neural responses. But Kakashi countered, "Speed is part of kenjutsu too." Hearing this, Shichi didn''t offer any further reassurances. Instead, he said, "I''ve heard that the Cloud Ninja have a Lightning Release secret technique that activates their muscles and nerves, making them faster and improving their reaction time." "I wonder if we have such a secret technique in Konoha." Kakashi pondered this for a moment. Shichi then smiled and said, "Kakashi, I''ve thought of a rtively safe way to train our speed and reaction time." Kakashi quickly asked, "What method?" "You''ll find out soon!" With that, Shichi descended from the cliff. At that moment, Shizune, Guy, and the others arrived. Shichi greeted them with a smile, "Perfect timing! The more people, the better this will work." Soon, Shichi led Shizune and the others to the riverbank, where they started rolling mud balls. After everyone had made a dozen or so mud balls, Shichi finally exined, "From now on, these mud balls are shuriken and kunai. Kakashi, your task is to dodge the mud ball attacks." Everyone immediately understood. Sarutobi Asumamented, "It''s actually a great training method. Using mud balls instead of kunai and shuriken reduces the danger of training." Shizune and the others nodded in agreement. This training method was actually quitemon. For example, Minato Namikaze had set up traps in the forest to ambush Shichi and the others with shuriken and other hidden weapons. One of the goals was to train their speed and reaction time. Now, Shichi was simply recing the kunai and shuriken with mud balls and the traps with people. And so, the mud ball training began. Starting with Kakashi, Shizune, Kurenai, and Guy all took turns dodging the mud ball attacks, getting sttered with mud spots, whileughter echoed in the setting sun. ... The next day. At 9 a.m., in the indoor examination hall, the Genin participating in the Chnin Exams gathered together, a total of 36 people. At 9:10, the second round officially began. After watching four matches in a row, Shichi had a good grasp of the situation. Most of the Genin relied primarily on taijutsu, with ninjutsu being used only at critical moments. Of course, anyone who made it to the exams wasn''t weak, butpared to Uchiha Shisui, they still had a long way to go. In the sixth match, Uchiha Shisui took the stage. His opponent was a Genin from the Sarutobi n, whom Shisui defeated effortlessly. In the tenth match, Kurama Sany stepped up but had bad luck; his opponent was a Genin from the Hyga n, and he lost. In the eleventh match, the examiner announced, "Shichi Hoshita versus Yjin Uchiha!" An Uchiha! Shichi was slightly surprised, but then he heard Shisui and Sany cheering him on. Nodding to them, Shichi stepped into the arena. Across from him stood a boy about ten years old, carrying a sword on his back. The examiner nced at both of them and then retreated, "Begin!" Shichi immediately raised one hand and created two shadow clones, then all three of them drew their swords and charged at full speed. "So fast!" Yjin Uchiha was startled, his initial disdain vanishing instantly. His ck eyes quickly turned crimson, revealing the Sharingan, and he swiftly threw three shuriken with his left hand. Shichi easily deflected them. But Yjin soon realized he couldn''t use his Sharingan to cast genjutsu, as Shichi had avoided making eye contact with him the entire time. "This guy learned that from Shisui..." Yjin was furious, but before he could react, Shichi''s attack was upon him. ng! Yjin blocked two of Shichi''s strikes with his sword and kunai, but he couldn''t stop Shichi''s real body, and could only watch as the sword was ced against his neck. Defeated in one move! The examiner immediately announced, "Shichi Hoshita wins!" As the shadow clones dissipated, Shichi sheathed his sword. Yjin Uchiha snorted, ncing at Shisui in the stands before leaving with a scowl. Being defeated by a kid so much younger than himself in a single move was utterly humiliating! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 46: Not Wearing Anything?

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Not Wearing Anything?

In a room within the examination venue, Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Shichi Hoshita and Yjin Uchiha''s battle through the surveince screen. "To be able to fully execute the Dance of the Crescent Moon in such a short time, it seems that Shichi has quite a talent for kenjutsu," Hiruzen Sarutobi praised. Minato Namikaze nodded with a smile, "Yes, Third Hokage-sama. Shichi has indeed made great progress in kenjutsu, and his natural reflexes give him a significant advantage in closebat." Hiruzen Sarutobi added, "If he also has sensitivity to sensory and spatial techniques, he could be an ideal candidate for learning the Flying Thunder God Technique." Minato nodded again, "Indeed, I''ve considered that as well, but it''s still too early for Shichi at the moment." Although Shichi''s chakra reserves had recently seen a significant increase, they were still not at the level required to practice the Flying Thunder God Technique. ... After the second round of exams, Shichi and his teammates continued their training. At noon, Shichi returned to Konoha Hospital to have lunch with Yakushi Nono. In the afternoon, it was time to endure another round of Tsunade''s brutal training. Seeing the exhausted Shichi panting heavily, Tsunade teased him with a mischievous grin, "Hey, kid, are you done for?" Woman, you''ve picked the wrong person to mess with! Shichi gritted his teeth in frustration, pulling out a soldier pill and swallowing it. Feeling his energy quickly returning, Shichi took a deep breath andunched himself at Tsunade with the speed of a rabbit. "Finally taking the initiative?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, not particrly concerned. But in the next moment, she was caught off guard as Shichi unleashed the Fireball Jutsu without forming any hand seals. A fireball came rushing at her, and Tsunade quickly leaped back to dodge it, "Seems like I haven''t gathered enough intel on you!" "Of course, Lady Tsunade, there''s a lot about me that''s worth exploring." "Now it''s my turn to attack." "In realbat, you can''t always be on the defensive, constantly thinking about how to prepare medical ninjutsu in advance." As Shichi spoke, he leaped into the air, spitting out a barrage of fireballs that engulfed Tsunade. Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique! Boom! Boom! Boom! Tsunade dodged repeatedly, but in the chaos, she lost sight of Shichi. "He''s behind me..." Tsunade turned in midair and threw a punch, but it hit nothing but air. "Not good!" She realized something was wrong behind her, but it was toote. Shichi had wrapped his legs around Tsunade''s waist, his arms encircling her, locking her arms in ce. His hands inadvertentlynded on her prominent chest. Tsunade''s body immediately stiffened, and Shichi seized the opportunity to twist her body, flipping her upside down as they plummeted toward the ground at high speed. "Hah!" Tsunade''s chakra red as she forcefully broke free from Shichi''s grip. As she hit the ground, she used her hands to push herself back onto her feet, lunging at Shichi with a rapid series of punches. Bam! Bam! Bam! Shichi raised his arms to block, but Tsunade''s strength was overwhelming. After just a few punches, his defenses started to falter, his arms growing numb, leaving an opening. Tsunade took advantage of the moment andnded a punch squarely on his abdomen. Fortunately, Shichi had anticipated this and used the Yin Healing Wound Destruction technique, although he wasn''t very skilled at it. The impact bent him like a shrimp, and Tsunade followed up with another punch, this time striking his cheek, and then a powerful uppercut aimed at his chin. 200% focus! His mind raced! Shichi Hoshita pushed everything else out of his mind, twisting his body to avoid the blow, and kicked Tsunade in the chest, using the rebound to propel himself away. Flipping in mid-air, Shichiunched a fireball straight at Tsunade''s face. The distance was short, and the speed was fastTsunade couldn''t dodge in time. Chakra red around her arms as she crossed them in front of her to shield herself. Boom! The explosion sent Tsunade flying, flipping several times beforending. Her bare arms were covered in burns, but they began healing rapidly, clearly the result of the Yin Healing Wound Destruction technique. "This kid... he didn''t even need hand seals for that Fire Release!" Panting heavily, Tsunade red at Shichi, who was also gasping for breath across from her. Her chest heaved as she caught her breath, clearly winded. Shichi''s left cheek was already swollen. He had managed to use the Yin Healing Wound Destruction on his abdomen after taking that punch, but there hadn''t been time to do the same for his face. Luckily, Tsunade had held back. If she hadn''t, that punch would have left his head ringing, making it impossible for him to concentrate enough to use any jutsu. Just like when Shisui Uchiha was ambushed by Danzo with Izanagitaking several hits to the head before he could even react, leading to his eyes being stolen. Shichi popped another soldier pill, formed hand seals, and used a healing technique to reduce the swelling on his face before walking over to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, we agreedno hitting the face." Tsunade blushed, remembering that she had indeed promised, but she quickly huffed and defended herself, "In a real fight, any part of the body is a target." "Especially the headit''s the easiest way to disrupt an enemy''s thinking and attack capabilities." Shichi had no response to that. He then nced at the two footprints on Tsunade''s chest and pointed at them. Tsunade looked down, then casually brushed off the dust, causing a noticeable jiggle. Shichi kept his gaze straight ahead, not daring to look. "That''s enough for today!" Tsunade concluded the day''s training, saying, "Your reactions are quick, but your techniques still need more refinement. We''ll continue tomorrow!" She had nearly been bested by a mere genin today. It was a sign that she needed to get back into training herself. Her speed and reaction time had clearly declined fromck of practice. As Tsunade walked away, Shichi couldn''t help but reflect on what had just happened. It seemed... she wasn''t wearing anything? His hand twitched instinctively, but Shichi quickly suppressed the urge. Pervert! Such a pervert! Shichi shook off the thought and left the training ground to find Kakashi. With no missions to distract him, he needed to get as many sparring matches in with Kakashi as possible. The sooner he could unlock the Taijutsu Expert tag, the sooner he could further enhance his physical abilities. Physical strength is the foundation of everything! Before sunset, Shichi had not only scored another taijutsu victory over Kakashi, but he had also made progress toward unlocking the Kenjutsu Expert tag. However, his victories weren''t due to superior swordsmanship or kenjutsu techniques, but rather his exceptional reaction speed. But a win is a win, and the tag system recognized it as such. Now, all Shichi needed was to fully master the Dance of the Crescent Moon, and he would unlock the Kenjutsu Expert tag. On July 8th, in the 39th year of Konoha, at 10:00 AM. The third round of the Chnin Exams began, with Shichi''s team facing off against another squad. By sheer coincidence, the opposing team included Yjin Uchiha, who had lost to Shichi in the second round. While they weren''t exactly enemies, Yjin red at Shichi and Shisui Uchiha with intense hatred. "I''ll take care of Shisui Uchiha and that Kurama Sany. You two need to be cautious of Shichi Hoshitahe''s incredibly fast!" Yjin warned his two teammates. They both nodded in agreement. "Don''t worry!" They had watched Shichi''s battle with Yjin yesterday and knew just how strong he was. On the other side, Shisui said, "I''ll handle Yjin." Shichi and Kurama Sany had no objections. Sharingan against Sharinganit couldn''t be more fitting. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 47: Konoha’s Youngest Chūnin!

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Konoha''s Youngest Chnin!

In the forest where the third exam was taking ce, the two teams stood about ten meters apart, facing each other. The proctor nced at the two prepared teams and then stepped back. "Begin!" At the sound of themand, both sidesunched their attacks simultaneously. Shichi Hoshita pretended to form two hand seals and immediately unleashed a barrage of fireballs from his mouth, covering everyone in mes. Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique The speed at which he released the jutsu caught Yjin Uchiha and his team off guard. They had assumed that Shichi was solely focused on closebat. Their formation was instantly disrupted, forcing all three to dodge in different directions. Taking advantage of the distraction, Kurama Sany quickly cast a genjutsu that ensnared everyone except Yjin. However, with an Uchiha on their team, his teammates were well-versed in handling genjutsu, even if they weren''t experts themselves. In the blink of an eye, they broke free from the genjutsu and charged at Kurama Sany. Three against one in closebatKurama Sany was swiftly kicked away. But by then, Shichi had alreadypleted his preparations for the Dance of the Crescent Moon. He drew his sword and dashed forwardthree against two! In a sh, two figures were sent flying and copsed unconscious without a sound. Having dealt with their opponents, Shichi and Kurama Sany turned to the other side of the battlefield. Uchiha Shisui and Yjin Uchiha were locked in a fierce duel, their weapons shing with sparks flying everywhere. Seeing that Shichi and Kurama had defeated their opponents, a smile appeared in Shisui''s eyes. "Looks like I need to hurry up..." Seizing the moment, Shisui stepped back, sheathed his sword, and then formed hand seals: Body Flicker Technique! His body split into multiple images as he began circling Yjin Uchiha at high speed, creating more and more afterimages. "Shadow clones?" Yjin threw shuriken to test, only to find they passed through the images. "Afterimages? Genjutsu?" Suddenly, several Shisuis attacked at once. ng, ng, ng! Yjin swung his long sword and kunai to fend them off, shocked at the realization. "They''re all solid attacks!" Before he could unravel the technique, Shisui appeared behind him and struck him unconscious with a swift chop. Done. Missionplete! The proctor announced, "Minato''s team wins!" ... Outside the exam area, Minato Namikaze watched as Shichi Hoshita and his teammates walked out. He smiled and said, "Well done. Lunch is on me, a little early celebration." The four of them left in high spirits, while the other teams continued their battles. That afternoon, instead of heading to train with Tsunade after lunch, Shichi stayed with Minato and the others, waiting in front of the Hokage building for the Chnin Exam results. It happened to be the weekend, so people like Shizune, Guy, Kurenai, and Asuma were also gathered there, waiting for the news. At 3 PM, the list of newly promoted chnin was posted. As expected, Shichi Hoshita, Shisui Uchiha, and Kurama Sany were on the list. In total, only five people had been promoted to chnin. "Shichi, you''re now the youngest chnin in Konoha!" Kurama Sany eximed excitedly, looking at the names on the list. This statement immediately caught the attention of those around them. "The youngest?" "Shichi Hoshita... he just graduated this year!" "Wait, I remember a guy who graduated at fivecould it be him?" "No, the five-year-old graduate is the son of the White Fang." ... The chatter around them grew louder, and Kurama Sany, proud of the attention, added, "Shichi isn''t even seven yet!" "Amazing!" "Bing a chnin before seven!" "How did he manage that?" "I saw his match yesterdayhis speed is incredible! He took down his opponent in one move, and it was against an Uchiha who had activated his Sharingan." As the discussions grew, many of the female ninjas gathered there looked at Shichi with sparkling eyes. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Shichi quickly pulled Kurama Sany along and headed into the Hokage building. Ten minutester. After receiving their chnin vests, Shichi and his teammates exited the Hokage building and said their goodbyes to Minato. Shichi then walked over to where Shizune and the others were waiting. "Congrattions on your promotion to chnin, Shichi!" "The youngest chninmaybe even in the entire ninja world!" "You''re incredible, Shichi! Truly amazing!" Everyone around him chimed in with their congrattions. ... "Just as expected from Shichi, he''s always so popr wherever he goes." Kurama Sany looked at Shichi Hoshita with admiration. Shisui Uchiha smiled, "Outstanding people always attract attention." Minato Namikaze, however, noticed Shizune beside Shichi and couldn''t help but think of Kushina Uzumaki. He smiled and said, "Shisui and Sany must also have girls who like them, right?" Kurama Sany blushed and immediately ran away. Shisui Uchiha remained calm andposed, "I don''t have a girl I like at the moment, but it seems that Minato-sensei already does and is quite eager about it!" Minato Namikaze, slightly embarrassed, chuckled, "Since you already know, I''ll leave you to it." He patted Shisui on the shoulder and vanished. ... After arranging to practice with Shizune and the others at 5 PM, Shichi headed toward Konoha Hospital. He had made ns with Tsunade to continue their training today. But just a few steps out, Shichi saw a figure smiling warmly as she waited for him. "Sister Tenka!" Shichi hurried over. "Congrattions on your promotion to chnin, Shichi, and bing the youngest chnin in Konoha''s history." Tenka, with a radiant smile, slightly bent down and handed over the prepared gift. "Thank you!" Shichi expressed his gratitude as he took the gift with both hands. A jutsu scroll? Shichi didn''t open it immediately. He chatted with Tenka as they walked, and only when they reached Konoha Hospital did Tenka give Shichi a hug and turn to leave. As Shichi watched Tenka leave and was about to turn around, he heard a voice: "It seems your charm with women is quite impressive!" Turning around, Shichi calmly replied, "If Tsunade-sama didn''t hit me, that statement would be more convincing!" Tsunade smirked and said sternly, "That won''t do. Training must be taken seriously." Shichi couldn''t help but roll his eyes. Tsunade''s smile grew a bit warmer as she waved her hand, "Let''s get started!" The real training began! ... About an hourter, Shichiy exhausted on the ground. Not far away, Tsunade was leaning on her thighs, panting heavily, sweat pouring down her forehead. "This kid is really something." "Exceptional reaction speed, high concentration, and faster recovery than ordinary people... He''s truly a natural-born ninja." Catching her breath, Tsunade stepped forward, "Hey, can you still continue?" Lying on the ground, Shichi couldn''t help but roll his eyes. He had already consumed two soldier pills. "Lady Tsunade, I''m not even seven years old yet!" (T/N: Totally child abuse, Should I call the FBI here?) Shichi emphasized. Tsunade snorted, "On the battlefield, enemies won''t care if you''re not yet seven." (T/N: In bedroom, people do care woman!) Her expression softened as she said, "Well, that''s it for today." "Oh, and congrattions on bing a chninthe youngest chnin since Konoha was established!" Shichi got up from the ground and extended his hand to Tsunade. Tsunade paused for a moment. Shichi said, "Shouldn''t Lady Tsunade have prepared a congrattory gift?" Tsunade''s face darkened, "Let''s talk about that when you be a jnin!" With that, she turned and walked away, her high heels clicking as she went. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 48: Let’s Dance!

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Lets Dance!

Tag: Konoha Genius Condition to Obtain: Be a Chnin at the age of six, breaking the record for the youngest Chnin in Konoha''s history. Effect: Increasesprehension by 50%. Before training with Tsunade, Shichi Hoshita quietly activated this tag. During the training, he genuinely felt the impact of the talent enhancement. Even a 50% increase made a noticeable differencepared to the previous day. "A 50% overall improvement means that my talent in using ninja tools, Fire Release, and sealing techniques has also increased by 50% on top of what they were before." If his Fire Release talent initially had a base value of 1, then after acquiring the [Fire Release Expert] tag, it became 2. Now, it''s 2+1, totaling 3! This also applies to his talent in sealing and curse techniques. Since his starting point in these areas was already higher than in Fire Release, the percentage increase would be even greater. "I''ll try out some sealing techniques tonight..." As he pondered, Shichi packed his bag and headed to meet up with Shizune and the others. When he arrived, he saw that they were already training, with Asuma Sarutobi being the one under siege. However, this time, they weren''t using mud balls butpletely reusable y. Noticing Shichi''s arrival, the group paused, and Shizune exined, "This was Asuma''s idea. It''s better for simting various ninja tools." Shichi''s eyes lit up, "That''s an interesting idea." Might Guy suggested, "If we allpete together, I think it''ll be even more exciting and fun." "Let''s do it!" Shichi said with a mischievous glint in his eye as he looked at Kakashi. "For example, if Kakashi loses, he should take off his mask and let everyone see his real face!" In an instant, everyone''s gaze locked onto Kakashi''s face. Shizune immediately raised her hand, "I agree with Shichi!" Rin Nohara also quietly supported the idea; she wanted to see too. The others quickly followed suit, raising their hands in agreement. Kakashi was full of resignation. Although he wanted to refuse, he was outnumbered by the majority on Shichi''s side. Then, Obito Uchiha jumped in, "Kakashi, I''llpete with you!" Kakashi responded coolly, "You''re not my match." Obito huffed, "Don''t underestimate me, Kakashi! I''m an Uchiha." Kakashi shot back, "Talk to me when you unlock your Sharingan." Seeing the two of them bickering, Shichi quickly took control of the situation, "Alright, it''s decided thenKakashi versus Obito." "Within the set time, whoever gets hit by the y the most loses." "If Kakashi loses, he takes off his mask. If Obito loses..." Shichi paused, then smiled mischievously, "Obito has to dance in front of everyone!" Obito froze, "D-dance?" Realizing what he agreed to, Obito quickly shouted, "II don''t know how to dance!" Shichi grinned wickedly, "No problem, just dance however you like!" "Unless you think you can''t beat Kakashi." Obito fell right into the trap and agreed, albeit reluctantly. The group then moved into the forest, with Shichi acting as the referee to count the number of times Kakashi and Obito were hit by the y. At the moment, he was the only one with the ability to do so. Meanwhile, Shizune, Asuma, Kurenai, Guy, and Rin took on the task of throwing the y, using it like shuriken and kunai aimed at Kakashi and Obito. Once everything was set, thepetition began with Kakashi. In the Forest: Silhouettes darted through the forest, leaping from branch to branch while asionally hurling y at Kakashi. Kakashi, with a short sword in one hand and a kunai in the other, either dodged the projectiles or sliced them cleanly in half. After five minutes, everyone came to a halt, and Shichi Hoshita announced the results: "Five hits!" "Kakashi, it seems you''re not that great after all!" Obito Uchiha said confidently. "Now, it''s my turn to show you what I''ve got!" The group collected the y, reshaped it into balls, and began targeting Obito Uchiha. Another five minutes passed, and Obito emerged from the forest, head hung low. He had been hit a total of ten times! Under everyone''s watchful eyes, Obito hesitantly started dancing, prompting bursts ofughter from the group. Frustrated, Obito shut his eyes and danced wildly, as if to get it over with. When he finally opened his eyes, he saw Rin Nohara standing nearby, smiling at him. Immediately, Obito''s mood lifted, and he grinned back at her. Watching this joyful scene, Shichi Hoshita couldn''t help but regret not bringing a camera. Scenes like this would surely be cherished memories in the future. Later That Evening: In his study, Shichi Hoshita focused intently on researching the Yin Seal, aplex sealing technique. Compared to before, he found the learning process much easier. Talent andprehension really do matter! The gap between people can sometimes be as vast as the gap between humans and pigs, especially when ites to intelligence! Before he knew it, the clock struck ten. Shichi rolled up the scroll he had been studying and was about to go to bed when he remembered the gift from Tenka. He quickly retrieved it from his bag. Unrolling the scroll, Shichi was pleasantly surprised: "It''s a storage scroll!" It was a specialized sealing scroll designed to store items. "Looks like I''ll only need to carry this scroll for future missions..." Shichi tested it out by sealing his backpack into the scroll and was quite satisfied with the results. The scroll was just the right size to strap to his back. After tidying up, Shichi got into bed. He used to stay up until midnight, but after being under the care of Non Yakushi, who insisted on a 10 PM bedtime, his habits had changed during his stay at the orphanage. The Next Day: A new mission arrived, and this time, it was to the Land of Bears, with a route that passed through the Land of Rain and the Land of Birds. After bidding farewell to Non Yakushi and Tenka, Shichi headed to the vige gates to meet up with his team, and they set off for the Daimy''s pce. The mission was to escort the Daimy''s envoy to the Land of Bears. They arrived at the pce by noon, but they didn''t set out for the Land of Bears that day. After wandering around the bustling pce town, Shichi returned to the inn and sought out Minato Namikaze to learn more about sealing techniques. Meanwhile, Shisui Uchiha and Sany Kurama discussed genjutsu. The afternoon flew by, and when it was time for dinner, Minato couldn''t help but remark, "Shichi, your talent for sealing techniques is even better than I initially thought." Hmm, it''s probably on par with his. Shichi put away his filled notebook and smiled, "That''s because you''re a great teacher, Minato-sensei!" Minatoughed happily, then stood up, "Alright, let''s go eat!" After dinner, the team of four strolled through the night market in the pce town before heading back to the inn. Shichi first sparred with Shisui in kenjutsu, then continued his study of sealing techniques under Minato''s guidance. By 10 PM, he was ready to rest. Seeing Shichi go to bed, Sany Kurama let out a long sigh of relief. Although he was already ustomed to Shichi''s discipline and intense regimen, it still put pressure on him. Especially since Shichi''s talents were truly remarkable. Taijutsu, kenjutsu, Fire Release, sealing techniqueswould genjutsu be next? Shisui Uchiha patted Sany Kurama on the shoulder and smiled, "That''s what it means to be a genius!" He, too, felt the pressure but found it more motivating than anything else! Sany Kurama just rolled his eyes, "Shisui, you''re a genius too!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 49: Taking Charge!

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Taking Charge!

On July 9th, Year 39 of Konoha, at 9 AM, the team departed from the Daimyo''s residence. However, their pace was painfully slow. Shichi Hoshita nced back at the leisurely moving pnquin and the six samurai apanying it, feeling slightly ufortable with the situation. How long would it take to reach the Land of Bears and return at this pace? A month? Two months? As expected, after a leisurely three-day journey, the team finally reached the border of the Land of Fire. Before entering the Land of Rain, Minato Namikaze gave a reminder: "Once we enter the Land of Rain, stay alert. Shisui, you take the front, Shichi, you cover the left, Sany, you handle the right, and I''ll stay in the center!" The three of them nodded in unison. On July 12th, at 9 AM, the team officially entered the Land of Rain. The six samurai apanying the diplomatic mission stayed with the pnquin, while Shichi Hoshita and the others spread out, with Minato managing the centralmand. Of course, Minato Namikaze was also in charge because he is a sensory ninja. Every so often, he would sense the surroundings, covering a muchrger area than Shichi and the others could. ... It started raining! Shichi Hoshita looked up as raindrops fell on his face. At first, they were just light and scattered, but soon they formed a continuous stream, obscuring his vision. As per the n, Shichi immediately closed the distance with the rest of the team. After another hour of walking, the rain intensified, forcing the group to halt. It wasn''t until around 2 PM, when the rain finally stopped, that the team resumed their journey. Shichi continued to guard the left side. Although he wore a raincoat, the dampness seeping through made him ufortable. "What terrible weather... Looks like it''s going to rain again," Shichi muttered as he nced up at the gloomy sky, which seemed ready to burst open. Sure enough, half an hourter, the rain started pouring again. The team narrowed their defensive perimeter once more, but suddenly, Shichi halted, his eyes narrowing as he stared through the wind and rain, catching a fleeting glimpse of a shadow. "Trouble''sing..." Shichi quickly formed a hand seal, creating a shadow clone to report to Minato. Seeing Shichi''s shadow clone, Minato immediately ced his fingers on the ground, closing his eyes to sense the area. Watching Minato''s pose, Shichi couldn''t help but feel a pang of envyit looked so cool! "One, two... Eight in total. Two teams. They don''t seem to be nning an attack; just watching, perhaps?" After sensing the area, Minato stood up and said, "Shichi, please inform Shisui and Sany to stay vignt. If the enemy doesn''t attack, there''s no need to engage them." "Understood!" Shichi nodded and turned to ry the message to Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany. The tension continued throughout the night as they entered a small town. Even though they were exhausted, Shichi and the others remained on high alert. After dinner, Minato assigned the night watch: "Shisui and I will take the first half of the night; Shichi, you and Sany will cover the second half." "Understood!" The three of them nodded, and Shichi and Sany immediately went to rest. It took them less than two minutes to fall into a deep sleep. Shichi was already used to this, while Sany put himself into a hypnotic state. At midnight, Shichi and Sany woke up on time to relieve Minato and Shisui. Fortunately, the night passed without incident. At 5 AM, Minato got up to relieve Shichi and Sany. At 9 AM, the team set off again. Less than half an hourter, the watchers reappeared. By the time they stopped for lunch, Sany couldn''t hold back his frustration any longer: "These guys are so annoying. Minato-sensei, why don''t we just drive them away?" Minato shook his head. "If we do that, we might fall into their trap." He then smiled and reassured them, "Don''t worry. Once we''re out of the Land of Rain, they should leave us alone." As expected, once they left the Land of Rain, the watchers disappeared. Shichi and the others couldn''t help but let out a sigh of relief. These past few days had been mentally exhausting, far more so than physically tiring. However, Shichi couldn''t stop pondering over the identity and motives of the watchers. "The Land of Bears used to be a vassal of the Land of Earth, under Iwagakure''s influence. The most likely culprits are Iwa-nin." "But we can''t rule out the possibility that Suna-nin are behind this." "Why would they just watch without making a move?" As Shichi was deep in thought, Sany asked Minato the same question. Minato replied, "Regardless of which faction is involved, if their goal isn''t to stop the mission to the Land of Bears, then they''re probably after information." Upon hearing this, Shichi remarked, "It seems like we''ll be in big trouble on our way back." Sany clenched his fist. "Then we''ll give them a good beating when the timees!" ... On July 20th, Shichi Hoshita and the others finally arrived at the Daimyo''s residence in the Land of Bears. The team then split into two groups, taking turns to protect the Fire Daimyo''s envoy. This processsted for two days without incident. On July 23rd, Shichi and his team left the Land of Bears, reaching the border of the Land of Rain three dayster. Before entering the Land of Rain, Minato Namikaze solemnly dered, "From here on out, we''re inbat mode!" "The mission is the priority, not killing the enemy!" The three of them nodded in unison. "Understood!" Minato continued, "We''ll split into three groups: Shisui and Sany, you''re Group A; Shichi, you''re Group B; and I''ll be Group C." "Group B is responsible for guarding the mission targetyou must not leave it." "Any enemies that appear will be handled by Groups A and C." "If anyone gets injured, retreat to Group B, and Shichi will take care of the healing!" ... On July 28th, Shichi and the others officially entered the Land of Rain. As expected, it didn''t take long before Minato sensed ninjas watching them. Half an hourter, arge number of enemies appeared on both sides of the team, attempting to encircle them. Minato decisively ordered, "Group B, protect the target and keep moving forward. Group A, engage on the left!" "Understood!" Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany moved out, followed by Minato disappearing to the right. Shichi continued to guard the envoy as they advanced. About 10 minutester, Minato and the others returned one after another. Uchiha Shisui immediately reported, "Minato-sensei, they''re trying to wear us down." "These guys are from small ninja organizations in the Land of Rain, hired with bounties." Minato nodded; he had gathered the same information from the attackers. "It seems we''re going to face more ambushes. We need to change our n." Minato decided, "From now on, the three groups will take turns attacking until the real enemy appears!" He then looked up at Shichi and asked, "Shichi, any issues?" Shichi shook his head. "None." Minato immediately took out two specially made kunai, handing them to Shichi and Uchiha Shisui. "Shichi, your task is to handle the enemies on the left. If you can''t overpower them, just focus on evading and distracting them." "Also, if the group on standby encounters a powerful enemy attacking the mission target,unch a signal re!" "Understood!" With a synchronized nod, Shichi surged with chakra and disappeared from his spot. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 50: Harassment!

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Harassment!

The rain continued to drizzle. Shichi Hoshita had only been patrolling for about 20 minutes when he sensed someone approaching. This area was unlike the dense forests of the Land of Fire; it was barren and exposed. Even with the rain obscuring the view, it was hard not to notice an enemy getting close. "Six people..." Shichi eyed the six figures who had stopped ten meters ahead. None of them bore the forehead protector of a ninja vige. "Konoha brat!" "Is he alone?" "For now, it seems so." "Heh, they really underestimate us!" The six men focused on Shichi, their faces twisting into bloodthirsty and cruel smiles. "Let''s start by taking out this brat!" "Attack!" "Kill this Konoha kid!" The six who had stopped suddenly rushed forward, forming a crescent formation. With a senbon needle in his mouth, Shichi swiftly reached into his ninja tool pouch with his left hand and flung three shuriken. He followed up with a second throw, stronger and faster, which caught up with the first three shuriken. The six shuriken collided mid-air, altering their original flight paths. Thud, thud, thud! Three of the enemies were struck, their screams piercing through the rain. "Damn it!" "Bastard!" "Kill him!" Screams, curses, and the sound of the rain blended together. Shichi charged forward, his right hand gripping the Totsuka de and a kunai in his left. He darted straight towards the enemy in front, while the two on either side tried to circle around and nk him. ng, ng, ng... The sh of steel echoed, sparks flying. "You''re too slow!" "You''re all so slow, and you dare toe out and pick a fight?" Shichi taunted mercilessly. The enraged enemy retorted, "Brat, don''t look down on us!" Just as the enemy tried to intensify his attack, Shichi''s de had already sliced through his throat. Thud, thud, thud! Three bodies fell in quick session, their blood soaking into the muddy ground. The remaining three, who had been hit by the shuriken, were momentarily stunned by the scene. But Shichi moved like a lightning bolt, and amidst a series of screams, the remaining three were also swiftly cut down. From the moment the fight started to its end, it didn''t even take a minute. Neither the enemies nor Shichi had used any ninjutsu. "They''re all just cannon fodder... This probably won''t be thest wave." Shichi cleaned up the battlefield, collecting any useful kunai and shuriken. There was no telling how many more battlesy ahead, so conserving ninja tools was essential. Sure enough, less than an hourter, another group attacked. Their strength was stillcking; Shichi quickly killed two of them, and the third fled in terror. He didn''t bother to give chase. There was no need to waste time or energy on cannon fodder. Before nightfall, Shichi and his team had endured a total of eight ambushes. The constant attacks slowed their progress, forcing them to camp out in the wilderness for the night. On the barren hillside, six samurai and the porters were busy setting up tents. The reason for choosing this spot to camp, rather than finding a cave, was to have a wide-open view, making it nearly impossible for the enemy to approach undetected for a surprise attack. Of course, if the enemy turned out to be Iwa-nin as suspected, a cave would be even more dangerous. "The real enemy should appear at dawn; tonight''s harassment is likely to continue," Minato Namikaze analyzed the situation. The enemy''s tactic had be clear: constant harassment throughout the day using hired cannon fodder. Although it was unclear why the enemy had chosen this strategy, they were currently in a very passive situation. To change this, Minato made a decision. "Shichi, your Transformation Jutsu is the best here. I''ll need you to use a shadow clone to transform into the envoy." Shichi immediately understood. "Minato-sensei, are you nning to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to take the envoy away?" Minato nodded. "Exactly. The envoy is not only putting us in a passive position, but he''s also the enemy''s primary target due to the high intelligence value he holds." "However, we also need the envoy as bait to draw out the real enemy and gather information from them." "During the time I take the envoy away, it''s crucial that the enemy doesn''t realize what''s happening." "So, Shichi, you''ll need to transform a shadow clone into the envoy, and I''ll leave a shadow clone behind as well for cover. If any enemies attack, you must hold them off to prevent the n from being exposed." Minato then smiled. "If the real enemy shows up while I''m away, retreat immediatelymy shadow clone will cover your escape." "And if you can''t withstand the harassment, retreat immediately as well!" "Of course, I''ll return as quickly as I can." Kurama Sany patted his chest confidently. "Don''t worry, Minato-sensei. If it''s just more of the same from today, we''ll handle it without any problem." Shichi and Uchiha Shisui also nodded, though neither was as optimistic as Sany. The issue wasn''t just strength; it was whether their mental and physical stamina could hold up under the constant harassment. But in any case, Minato''s n allowed them to proceed without worrying too much. "Minato-sensei, why doesn''t the enemy just attack and seize the envoy directly?" "We''re just a small ninja squad with six samurai. If they can hire this many ninjas to harass us, why not send arge force at once to overwhelm us and take the envoy?" "Are they afraid we might kill the envoy if we can''t hold them off? But this is a Daimyo''s envoy." Sany voiced his doubts. After a day of fighting, they had already killed over twenty enemies and driven off more than ten. Shichi chuckled. "Maybe the enemy knows how strong Minato-sensei is and doesn''t dare attack directly." "Sometimes, numbers don''t make a difference!" At this point, Minato hadn''t yet earned the nickname "Yellow sh," but as a young Jnin of Konoha who hadpleted numerous missions, it was unlikely the enemy hadn''t gathered intelligence on him. The Flying Thunder God Technique, pioneered by the Second Hokage, was surely known to other ninja viges. Minato smiled at Shichi''s praise and said, "There''s no need to dwell on why the enemy is acting this way. We''ll find out once we capture the real enemy and interrogate them." After making these arrangements, the camp was just about set up when another wave of harassment arrived, but Minato and Uchiha Shisui quickly drove them off. Afterward, Minato went straight into the envoy''s tent. He left behind a shadow clone and then departed with the envoy. A momentter, Minato''s shadow clone exited the tent, and Shichi and Sany entered the tent to rest. The six samurai continued to guard the tent, unaware that the envoy had already been taken away. The campfire flickered as Minato''s shadow clone and Uchiha Shisui kept watch. An hourter, another night raid urred. Shisui moved out and repelled the attackers. Another hour passed, and more enemies attacked. Shisui and the six samurai fought them off, but one samurai was killed, and three others were injured. Shichi, who had been resting, left a shadow clone in the tent and went outside to heal the injured samurai. The night was anything but peaceful, with harassmenting in waves. Shichi, Shisui, Sany, and the remaining five samurai were the main force fending off the enemy''s attacks, while Minato''s shadow clone held the position outside the tent. This didn''t arouse the enemy''s suspicion. Given the situation, it was reasonable for Minato to conserve his energy. At midnight, Minato returned to the tent. Shichi finally felt relieved, and began to look forward to the final battle. After being harassed all day, he was ready to unleash his pent-up frustration. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 51: Extreme Speed!

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Extreme Speed!

July 29th, Dawn. On the barren hillside, Minato Namikaze, who was standing guard, suddenly called out, "Shisui, Sany, Shichi!" The three resting in the tent immediately woke up and quickly exited one after another. Standing atop the tall hill, with no trees to obstruct their view, they could easily see figures emerging from all directions. At a nce, these people were clearly different from the ones who had harassed them the day beforenot just in their appearance but also in their energy and demeanor. "Are they Ame-nin?" Kurama Sany asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. The neers were indeed wearing the forehead protectors of Amegakure. Shichi took out a soldier pill and swallowed it. "That might not be the case!" In the Land of Rain, it''smon for everyone to disguise themselves as someone else, blending truth and lies. Minato added, "For now, don''t worry about their identities..." Before he could finish speaking, the ground began to tremble. Soon after, Shichi and the others saw the earth rise and form steps about ten meters away from the hill, with the highest step quickly surpassing the height of the hill itself. Swish, swish, swish... A series of figures appeared on top of the towering earth wall, looking down on Shichi and the others. "Impressive earthwork!" Shichi couldn''t help but silently remark, but his vignce was at its peak. "Be careful, these guys are likely Iwa-nin!" Minato warned. As soon as the words left his mouth, the ninja on the high earth wallunched their attack. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! A barrage of kunai and shuriken rained down on them, though none were apanied by explosive tagslikely to avoid identally killing the envoy protected in the tent. ng, ng, ng... Shichi''s hands moved rapidly, wielding the Totsuka de in one hand and a kunai in the other, deflecting all the iing kunai and shuriken. Meanwhile, some of the attackers took advantage of this assault to leap down from the wall and rush toward the tent. As the first wave of attacks ended, the remaining attackers also jumped down from the wall. In an instant, Shichi and the others found themselves surrounded by over twenty enemies. Since his graduation, this was the first time Shichi had faced such arge-scale assault and fought on such aplex battlefield. So, as the first wave of enemies approached, he immediately swallowed a soldier pill and activated his tenfold concentration for the first time. At that moment, Shichi felt his already fast-thinking mind be even quicker, his reflexes more acute, and all five senses heightened. The sounds of battle cries, screams, and the sh of metal no longer affected him in the slightest. Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique Without forming any hand signs, Shichi opened his mouth, unleashing a st of mes. This was also the first time he revealed his ability to use jutsu without hand signs in front of the enemy. So sudden and at such close range, only one of the three charging enemies managed to barely dodge, while the other two were hit, sent flying, andnded as zing torches on the ground. "Watch out, this guy can use Fire Release without" The one who dodged the fire release was furious, but before he could finish his sentence, a blur shed before his eyesShichi was already upon him. sh! Blood sttered, and the enemy fell, clutching his throat. Shichi immediately turned and charged toward the three enemies facing Kurama Sany. "Sany!" Kurama Sany, who was at a disadvantage, instantly understood and retreated toward Uchiha Shisui. Shichi inhaled deeply, then unleashed several fireballs from his mouth. Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu! Boom! Boom! Boom! The mes collided with a wall that suddenly rose from the ground, causing it to crumble instantly, sending dust and debris flying everywhere. Shichi swiftly tore off his raincoat, attached it to a kunai, and threw it to the right, slicing through the dust. "Over here!" someone shouted from behind the wall, but Shichi raised one hand, and two shadow clones materialized on either side of him. The two clones burst into action, one attacking from the left and the other leaping over the top of the crumbled wall. ng! ng! Both shadow clones'' attacks were blocked, revealing that the enemy hadn''t fallen for Shichi''s baitthe shout had been a deliberate ruse. However, as the three enemies focused on the clones, Shichi struck from the right. A sh of his de, and a head flew. Shichi decapitated the enemy who had his back to him. As one of the shadow clones was dispelled, Shichi dashed forward with lethal precision, slicing through two more enemies in an instant, blood sttering as their screams echoed. With only one shadow clone left, Shichi dispelled it and swallowed another soldier pill. By this time, Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany had already defeated the three enemies attacking them. Meanwhile, one of the enemy jnin finally broke through the defenses and charged into the tent where Minato Namikaze and the others were. Inside the tent, the clone of Shichi, disguised as the envoy, appeared terrified. As the enemy lunged forward to knock him out, the clone raised a hand from beneath its sleeve. Boom! The clone, struck in the neck, instantly exploded into a cloud of smoke. The enemy''s expression changed drastically as he looked down, only to see an explosive tag burning brightly. Not only that, but the hidden explosive tags on the tent also ignited in unison. "Damn it..." the intruder muttered, but before he could react further, he was consumed by the explosion and mes. Outside the tent, the moment the defenses were breached, Minato Namikaze didn''t hesitate to order a retreat. Shichi had already deactivated his 10x concentration and, together with Uchiha Shisui, leaped onto the tall wall. The next moment, Minato Namikaze appeared beside them, and almost simultaneously, the tent on the hill exploded into a massive fireball, spreading mes in all directions. Several nearby enemies were blown away by the st, and five of the samurai who didn''t retreat in time were also knocked down the hillside by the shockwave. "Shisui, Shichi, throw the kunai I gave you toward the enemies!" Minato ordered as he threw several kunai himself. Shichi and Shisui immediatelyplied, hurling their kunai forward. In the blink of an eye, Minato vanished from their sight. At that moment, Shichi and the others witnessed what true speed really was. Kurama Sany couldn''t even follow Minato''s movements as the enemies began to fall one after another. Even Shisui''s Sharingan couldn''t fully track Minato''s movements. Only Shichi, who had reactivated his 10x concentration as he threw the kunai, could catch glimpses of Minato''s lightning-fast flickers, the process of him eliminating enemies, and then disappearing. "So fast!" "If it were just kunai appearing nearby, and I was mentally prepared, I might be able to react under 10x concentration." "But if the mark were on my body, I might not even have time to react!" Shichi swallowed nervously. With kunai, Minato''s appearance would be limited to a small area. But if the mark was on someone, Minato could appear on any sidefront, back, left, right, or even above! "I must get the chance to learn this jutsu in the future!" Shichi resolved with determination. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 52: No-Hand Seals Ninjutsu!

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: No-Hand Seals Ninjutsu!

The battle ended with only one enemy left alive, intentionally spared by Minato Namikaze. All the others were killed. Shichi Hoshita took down six enemies, Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany each took down three, and the rest were dealt with by Minato Namikaze. As for the five samurai, each of them was injured, but none of them managed to kill a single enemy. Shichi was responsible for healing the five injured samurai, while Shisui and Sany used genjutsu to assist Minato in interrogating the surviving enemy to extract information. The captive was a jnin, with an unusually strong will. Half an hourter, Shichi had finished treating the samurai, and Minato had sessfully obtained the necessary intelligence. As suspected, these ninja were indeed from Iwagakure! Their goal was not only to extract information from the envoy of the Land of Fire but also to capture the envoy alive and frame Sunagakure for it. This was because Konoha and Sunagakure were already in conflict over the Land of Rivers. Provoking arger conflict, or even a war, between Konoha and Sunagakure would be highly beneficial to Iwagakure. As for why they didn''t directly assault them but instead used attrition tactics, the reasony in Minato Namikaze. Even though Iwagakure had three jnin, they weren''t confident in taking on Minato. Minato, although not yet renowned as the "Yellow sh," had already gained a significant reputation in the ninja world, particrly for his incredible speed. Unfortunately for Iwagakure, they underestimated Minato Namikaze, as well as Shichi Hoshita and the others'' resilience andbat abilities. Shichi, in particr, stood out with his no-hand seals Fire Release, high focus, and rapid reflexes, allowing him to kill enemies even faster than Uchiha Shisui. However, this came at a considerable cost. After finishing the medical treatment, even though his physical strength had begun to recover, Shichi still couldn''t resist the overwhelming drowsiness. The aftermath of using tenfold focus had left him quite fatigued. "Sensei, leave Shichi to me!" said Shisui as he lifted Shichi onto his back. With heavy eyelids, Shichi murmured, "Thanks, Shisui..." ... Without the burden of the envoy, their return journey after dealing with the enemy became much quicker. Of course, due to the presence of the five pnquin bearers, their pace still wasn''t as fast as a group of pure shinobi traveling. By evening, the group had entered the Land of Fire. Shichi, having been carried alternately by Shisui and Sany throughout the journey, had fully recovered and was now full of energy once again. Sitting by the riverbank, with fish roasting over the campfire, Shichi couldn''t help but reflect on the day''s battle. He asked, "Sensei, it seemed like you didn''t use any ninjutsu while using the Flying Thunder God technique." Earlier, Shichi had observed Minato Namikaze using the Flying Thunder God against an Iwagakure jnin. However, Minato hadn''t been able to finish him off in one strike because of the enemy''s Earth Release: Hardening Technique. In the end, Minato decided to capture that jnin instead. Hearing Shichi''s question, Minato smiled wryly and exined, "Because the Flying Thunder God is so fast, there''s hardly any time to perform hand seals or prepare ninjutsu in advance." "Shichi, your sensei doesn''t have your ability to use Fire Release without hand seals." "That''s why I''m working on creating a no-hand seals ninjutsu to pair with the Flying Thunder God for attacks, but I haven''t seeded yet!" Although Minato said this, the original purpose of developing no-hand seals ninjutsu was different. "No-hand seals ninjutsu, that''s amazing!" Kurama Sany eximed in awe, then asked, "Sensei, can we join you in training next time?" Minato smiled warmly and replied, "Of course, that''s not a problem." ... The next day, Shichi and the others returned to the Daimy''s residence in the Land of Fire, where they were received by the Daimy himself. They also took the opportunity to evaluate a few new shinobi the Daimy had recruited. However, the atmosphere this time wasn''t as intense as before; it was just a straightforward assessment. The new shinobi weren''t as skilled as the previous batch, with most of them being at the level of chnin, and not a single jnin among them. Afterward, Shichi Hoshita once again received a private audience with the Daimy. During the meeting, Shichi took the opportunity to rmend a few of Konoha''s young geniuses to the Daimy. For instance, he mentioned Kakashi, the prodigy who graduated from the Konoha Ninja Academy at the youngest age since its founding. He also brought up Asuma Sarutobi, the son of the Third Hokage. The Daimy was quite pleased with the mention of Kakashi, a name he had already heard of. However, he had some reservations about Asuma Sarutobi. After all, Asuma was the son of the Hokage! But Shichi quickly convinced the Daimy with a single sentence: "Recruiting the Hokage''s son would have a greater impact than recruiting ten other geniuses." As a result, when Shichi left, he had an additional ten million ry in hand. As expected of the Daimyhe''s incredibly wealthy! ... On the afternoon of July 31st, Shichi and his team finally returned to Konoha. After submitting the mission report and collecting their payment at the Hokage''s office, Minato Namikaze announced a one-week break. However, they agreed to meet the next day to observe his progress on a new jutsu. After freshening up and having lunch, Shichi made his usual visit to Konoha Hospital. This mission had taken nearly a month, making it the longest mission he had ever undertaken. Naturally, he missed Non Yakushi after being away for so long. Upon arriving at Konoha Hospital, Shichi quickly found Non, who was busy treating injured ninja. "Let me help!" Shichi offered as he approached. Non, with sweat on her forehead, looked up and was pleasantly surprised to see him. "Shichi..." With a smile, Shichi began using the Mystical Palm Technique, taking over Non''s position. However, the number of injured seemed higher than usual today, so Non didn''t get a break. Seeing this, Shichi sped up his work to help ease the burden on her. Before they knew it, the afternoon had passed. When the treatment was finally done, Shichi felt somewhat exhausted. "Good job!" A familiar voice rang in his ears, and when he turned, he saw Tsunade standing there with a box of milk. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Shichi expressed his gratitude as he took the milk, then asked, "Lady Tsunade, why are there so many injured today?" "And many of them seem to be poisoned. Could it be the work of the Sand Ninja?" Tsunade nodded slightly. "It''s from the Land of Rivers." As expected! Shichi frowned slightly but then quickly let it go. It wasn''t his concern yethe wasn''t at that level. Focusing on improving his strength was the most important thing. "Lady Tsunade, let''s continue training today!" "Of course," Tsunade agreed without hesitation. Shichi didn''t mind getting beaten up; in fact, Tsunade found the secret technique training a bit dull without it. After saying goodbye to Non, the two headed to the nearby training ground to begin their session. In addition to taijutsu and Fire Release, Shichi also practiced kenjutsu, particrly the Dance of the Crescent Moon. But Shichi noticed that Tsunade seemed noticeably stronger than before. Her reaction speed had improved, and her attacks were faster too. Sensing Shichi''s surprise, Tsunade snorted, "Kid, don''t underestimate me." "I may be a medical ninja, but I''m not the type who relies on others to protect me." Shichi quickly responded, "I wouldn''t dream of underestimating you, Lady Tsunade. I was just thinking that you''ve gotten even stronger." Tsunade raised an eyebrow. Stronger than before? So, does that mean I wasn''t strong enough before? Is that supposed to be apliment? Unable to resist, Tsunade put a bit more force into her next attack. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 53: Rasengan!

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Rasengan!

Words can be dangerousShichi Hoshita learned this the hard way as he limped out of Konoha Hospital alongside Non Yakushi. That night, Shichi stayed at Non''s ce, as usual, diligently absorbing medical knowledge. When it was time to sleep, Shichi snuggled up to Non and whispered softly, "Director, do you have someone you like?" "Huh?" Non was momentarily taken aback, then she smiled warmly. "Yes, Shichi, and also every child at the orphanage." Shichi continued, "It seems like Minato-sensei already has someone he likes." Non turned her head, unable to see Shichi''s expression clearly without her sses, and teased, "It sounds like Shichi has someone in mind too." "But it makes sense. Shichi is very popr with the girls!" Hearing this, Shichi couldn''t help but think of Shizune''s face, followed by Tsunade''s. He turned to look at Non, feeling an inexplicable mncholy. A six-year-old body with the soul of an adult. Non was more than ten years older than him! Perverted, this is just too perverted! Shichi silently chastised himself, then wrapped his arms around Non''s waist. "I want to stay with you forever, Director." Non didn''t think much of it and gently patted Shichi''s back. "That''s what I hope for too!" ... The next day, at 9 a.m., Shichi, Shisui Uchiha, and Sany Kurama followed Minato Namikaze to the ce where he was developing a new jutsu. Seeing therge craters scattered around, Shichi was nowpletely certain. Rasengan! Looking at the numerous pits, Sany couldn''t contain his excitement. "Minato-sensei, this must be a really powerful jutsu, right?" "I can''t wait to see it!" Minato smiled a bit sheepishly. "The technique isn''tplete yet, but I can show you a demonstration." With that, under the watchful eyes of the three, Minato raised his right hand, and chakra quickly gathered, forming a pale blue ball of swirling energy. However, the chakra sphere was extremely unstable, with chakra surging in all directions as if it might explode at any moment. Sany eximed, "That''s amazing!" The sheer amount of gathered chakra was astonishing. Shisui was equally impressed. "Once it''s fully developed, this will be an incredible jutsu!" Minato, unable to maintain the stability of the technique, had to release it, leaving anotherrge crater in the ground. Shichi observed thoughtfully. He didn''t know if the inspiration for the Rasengan came from the Tailed Beast Bomb, but the current Rasengan involved chakra spinning like a vortex, forcibly controlled by Minato''s powerful chakra control. It was extremely unstable. In its current form, it was clearly not suitable for use in actualbat, especially with Minato''s fast-paced fighting style. So, how could the chakra gathered in the hand be stabilized? Minato''s version involved a single spiral. Could it require a double spiral? The inneryer of chakra rotating to the left, and the outeryer rotating to the right? "It shouldn''t be that simple..." Shichi furrowed his brow slightly. Sany noticed and asked with a smile, "Shichi, are you thinking about how to help Minato-senseiplete this jutsu?" Shichi snapped out of his thoughts, nodded, and was about to speak when a sudden idea shed through his mind, making his eyes light up. He quickly said, "Minato-sensei, I think I''ve got an idea." "Shisui, Sany, can you two help me gather some vines?" Sany was puzzled. "Vines? What do they have to do with Minato-sensei''s jutsu?" Shisui immediately smiled and said, "Just do as Shichi says." The three of them then leapt into action. As Minato watched them leave, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of anticipation. Vines were not hard to find in Konoha, so Shichi and the others quickly collected a bunch and returned. In front of Minato, Shichi picked up a vine and said, "Minato-sensei, this represents the flow of chakra." As he spoke, he twisted the vine into a small ring and held it in his hand. But he didn''t stop there. Shichi grabbed another vine and wound it around the first ring, but instead of wrapping it in the same direction or in the opposite direction, he wrapped the second ring perpendicr to the first. At this point, Minato already began to understand. But Shichi continued, "The vines represent the trajectory of the chakra flow. The firstyer rotates in one direction, while the secondyer rotates in another direction, holding down the chakra of the firstyer to prevent it from expanding outward immediately." "And then you keep adding moreyers." As he exined, Shichi quickly wove moreyers with the vines, and soon, a ball of vines appeared in his hand, tightly held by his fingers. He looked at Minato and the others, smiling, "By using the outeryer of chakra to suppress the inneryers, the finalyer of chakra is controlled by us. This greatly reduces the difficulty and also stabilizes therge amount ofpressed chakra." "And then..." Shichi slowly released his grip on the vine ball, and Minato and the others saw the ball start to expand outward. "As we attack the enemy and release the outer control, the chakra ball will expand from the inside out." "Moreover, since it expands while rotating at high speed, it will increase the destructive power." "The most important thing is that the expansion will not ur on the side of the ball that we control with our hand, but rather on the side that makes contact with the enemy." Although the vine ball in Shichi''s hand wasn''t an actual rotating chakra ball, Minato and the others weren''t fools. Shichi''s exnation was so clear and vivid that they could fully visualize what he was describing in their minds. Sany was stunned, then suddenly shouted, "Shichi, how did youe up with this?" Minato and Shisui also looked at Shichi with curiosity. Shichi smiled and said, "Have you ever seen a ball of yarn? It''s used for knitting sweaters." The three of them exchanged nces, then allughed awkwardly together. Minato then praised him, "Shichi, you have an incredible sensitivity to ninjutsu!" Shisui added, "No wonder you can use Fire Release without hand signs." Shichi felt a bit embarrassed by thepliments but also proud. Because this idea didn''te from his knowledge as a reincarnated personhe only knew that the Rasengan was amazing and had a rough idea of how Naruto trained to master it, but who knew how it actually worked? The inspiration had indeede from a ball of yarn. Back at the orphanage, Non Yakushi had once knitted a sweater for him. "Minato-sensei, you should give it a try first. We won''t know if it works until you do." Shichi suggested. But Minato was already confident. "Shichi, I''m certain your method is correct." He had an exceptional sensitivity to ninjutsu. With that, Minato began to experiment. As the sound of wind whistling filled the air, the blue chakra ball in Minato''s hand rapidly expanded. This time, it was very stable, unlike before. Shichi couldn''t help but be amazed at Minato''s talent. He had only exined the theory once, and Minato had already seeded. Just then, there was a stirring in the tag system within Shichi''s mind. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 54: Seriously Injured!

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Seriously Injured!

Although Minato Namikaze hadn''t yet named the jutsu, the Tag System had already recognized it as an A-rank technique. Even though Shichi Hoshita didn''t create the jutsu himself, he yed a critical and groundbreaking role in its development. As for the previous technique, Seal Technique C Memory Pce, it didn''t quite reach A-rank. But now, Shichi had taken a big step forward. He was just four A-rank jutsu away from acquiring the "Pioneer" tag. At that moment, Minato shed to arge tree, pressing the chakra ball in his right hand against it. With a resounding boom, the tree waspletely pierced through. "Amazing!" Sany Kurama eximed. "A jutsu without hand signsthis is undoubtedly perfect for Minato-sensei!" "What should we call it?" Minato retracted his hand, looking at Shichi with a smile. "Let''s call it Light Wheel Popsicle Initiating Shichi Yarn Ball!" Shichi covered his face in exasperation, while Shisui Uchiha and Sany stood there, stunned. Seeing their reactions, Minato chuckled awkwardly. "What? You don''t like the name? It has a lot of sentimental value, don''t you think?" Shisui and Sany also gave awkwardughs. Shichi cleared his throat and suggested, "Minato-sensei, maybe go with something simpler! How about thinking about why you created this jutsu in the first ce?" Minato''s expression softened as he recalled Uzumaki Kushina and thought of the Nine-Tails. His face grew serious for a moment but quickly returned to his usual warm smile. "In that case, let''s call it Rasengan." (T/N: There are other names for Rasengan, like Spiralling Sphere, Spiral Chakra Sphere, Power Strike..) Sany immediately raised his hand in agreement. "That''s perfect! Rasengan reflects the way the chakra rotates in this jutsu." Shisui nodded eagerly, worried that Minato mighte up with another strange name. And so, the Rasengan was born. With the jutsu sessfullypleted, Minato immediately offered to treat everyone to a big meal, which Shichi and the others dly epted. No way they were missing out on that! But before that, they didn''t want to waste the rest of the morning. Minato became their sparring partner, while Shichi took the opportunity to practice not only Dance of the Crescent Moon but also the medical ninjutsu Yin Healing Wound Destruction. Both techniques required realbat experience to master since their keyy in perfect timing. Time flew by, and by noon, the four of them shared a hearty meal before parting ways. Shichi headed to Konoha Hospital to continue training with Tsunade, while Minato went to a ce covered by a barrier. "Kushina!" Minato arrived at a house. The upstairs window opened, revealing a red-haired woman with an obviously annoyed expression. "Weren''t you supposed to be training somewhere else? Why are you back?" Minato wasn''t bothered by Kushina''s attitude and smiled. "Thanks to Shichi''s help, the new jutsu isplete, so I came to tell you." "Shichi?" Kushina was puzzled. "You mean that genius kid you mentioned?" She knew how talented Minato was, so it surprised her that a jutsu that had troubled him for so long could be solved by a six-year-old. Minato nodded with a smile. "Yes, Shichi Hoshita. He has a remarkable talent for understanding jutsu." He extended his right hand, and a Rasengan quickly formed. "See? This is the jutsu. I call it Rasengan, and I created it specifically to protect you!" Kushina stared at the Rasengan in Minato''s hand, stunned. It looks so much like the Tailed Beast Bomb used by the Nine-Tails! Unknowingly, tears began to stream down Kushina''s cheeks. Ever since Minato started spending so much time developing the new jutsu, they hadn''t trained in sealing techniques together as often. She had thought he was losing interest in her, but now... Seeing Minato''s gentle smile, Kushina''s heart softened, and she suddenly leaped out of the window. After hesitating for a moment, she threw herself into Minato''s arms. Minato was momentarily surprised but then broke into a radiant smile. He dispersed the Rasengan and hugged Kushina tightly. "Kushina, I''ll protect you well!" ... While Minato Namikaze was enjoying the warmth of a beauty in his arms, Shichi Hoshita was on the receiving end of a beating. "How can you master Yin Healing Wound Destruction without taking some hits?" Tsunade had said this withplete confidence. Shichi couldn''t help but think that this wicked woman had discovered some kind of twisted pleasure in beating him up! And so, time slowly passed. For Shichi, vacations meant more time for training. He focused on medical ninjutsu, swordsmanship, basic taijutsu, physical conditioning, and speed reaction training with Shizune, Guy, and the others. Nearly a month went by, and the training method Shichi had initially proposed had already been improved several times. It started with mud balls, then moved on to y. Kakashi further refined it by using different colored chalk, special round-shaped chalks, and drawing a circle to limit the area. They then had to catch a specific colored chalk ball within the circle. ... Before he knew it, three days had passed. On this particr day, while Shichi was practicing the Chakra Scalpel medical ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital, he suddenly heard that Minato Namikaze had been severely injured and rushed to the hospital. Minato Namikaze, seriously injured? Shichi was momentarily stunned, but then quickly hurried over. Outside the hospital room, he saw not only Tsunade but also Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Lord Third Hokage, Lady Tsunade!" Shichi quickly approached and greeted them. "Shichi!" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and then reassured him, "Don''t worry, Minato will be fine." Shichi nodded and noticed that Tsunade didn''t look too happy. He then peered through the ss into the hospital room. Inside, the entire medical team was at work, with Non Yakushi among them. A slug was also perched on Minato''s chest. "A wound that pierced through his chest?" Shichi spected and immediately connected it to the Nine-Tails and the Jinchriki of the Nine-Tails. "It seems the Nine-Tails'' seal isn''t very stable right now," Shichi thought to himself. But it made sense. Uzumaki Kushina was only around fourteen or fifteen years old, roughly the same age as Minato. Whether it was her sealing techniques, her chakra level, or most importantly, her mastery of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, she was certainly not at her peak. "But I recall that Uzumaki Kushina had mission records... was it before she became a Jinchriki? Or were there some afterward as well?" Shichi silently wondered. Time slowly ticked by. Three hourster, a masked medical ninja emerged from the room with the slug. "Lord Third Hokage, Lady Tsunade, Minato is out of danger!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was finally at ease and nodded. "Thank you for your hard work!" Tsunade took the slug and said, "Since everything is fine now, I''ll be going." With that, she turned and left. Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, looking a bit awkward, took a drag from his pipe, and said, "Shichi, please take care of Minato." Pretending not to notice anything, Shichi quickly bowed. "Yes, Lord Third Hokage, you can leave Minato-sensei to me!" "Good!" Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction and then also left. Shichi looked back into the room and immediately sent a shadow clone to notify Shisui Uchiha and Sany Kurama. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 55: Fire Release Swordsmanship!

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Fire Release Swordsmanship!

Due to Minato Namikaze''s severe injuries, the originally nned vacation had to be extended. Shichi Hoshita was quite pleased with this. After all, aside from Shisui Uchiha, Kakashi, and Guy, he also had Tsunade, a Jnin, as his sparring partner. Time flew by, and soon it was August 20th, when Minato was discharged from the hospital, fully recovered. However, Shichi and his two teammates were soon informed that Minato had another important mission. As a result, the three of them operated as a temporary team, taking on D-rank and C-rank missions, rarely leaving the Land of Fire. Autumn quietly arrived. On September 12th, beside Konoha Hospital... After just finishing a sparring session with Tsunade, Shichi sat on the ground, his mind fully focused on the Tag Tree. He had finally mastered the Dance of the Crescent Moon technique. With that, he had fulfilled all the requirements for the Swordsmanship Expert Tag. Activate! As the Swordsmanship Expert Tag leaf turned green, Shichi immediately felt a surge of energy within him, simr to chakra but far more powerful. The Swordsmanship Expert Tag had two effects: a 100% increase in swordsmanship talent and the ability to designate a ninja tool, enhancing its quality by 100%. He had yet to test the talent boost, but the surge of energy within him was clearly meant for enhancing the designated ninja tool. Without hesitation, Shichi drew his Totsuka de. This short chakra de, gifted by Tenka, was rather unremarkable among chakra des, yet it was still incredibly valuable. In the ninja world, even among Jnin, not everyone had ess to such a highly conductive chakra tool. High conductivity meant minimal chakra loss. With a thought, Shichi guided the newfound energy within him into the Totsuka de. It flowed effortlessly. The energy instantly responded to his will, flooding into the de. Shichi felt the Totsuka de in his right hand tremble slightly, and a faint humming sound reached his ears. Soon, the energy had fully merged with the Totsuka de, disappearing without a trace. When Shichi infused the de with chakra again, his face lit up with delight. He could hardly feel any chakra loss. He then took out a kunai and swung the Totsuka de. There was no sound of shing metal, yet the kunai was sliced cleanly in two. The cut was incredibly smooth. Trueit can cut through iron like mud! Although the kunai was just an ordinary one, most of the ninja tools on the battlefield were of simr quality. "My Totsuka de should now be considered a legendary weapon, right?" Shichi chuckled to himself, sheathing the de and picking up the split kunai before standing up to leave. "I''ve almost mastered the Yin Healing Wound Destruction technique. Next, if I can fully master the Chakra Scalpel medical ninjutsu, I''ll be able to acquire the Medical Expert Tag." "It''s now September. If I aim to achieve this by the same time next year, with the Tag''s enhancements, I''ll soon be a true medical expert." Shichi silently plotted out his n. "However, medical ninjutsu, like basic physical training, is a long-term pursuit. For now, my primary focus should still be on swordsmanship and kenjutsu." If his initial swordsmanship talent was at level 1, the Ninja Tool Expert Tag would have brought it to level 2. Then, with the 50% boost from the Konoha Genius Tag, it would be at level 3. Finally, with the current 100% boost from the Swordsmanship Expert Tag, it would reach level 6! "With such talent, I should already surpass Shisui, Kakashi, and the others, right?" Although he had some doubts, Shichi was confident. Before long, he arrived at a small grove. This was the ce where he originally trained with Guy, and now it served perfectly as a secluded spot for his solo training. Because the time hade for Shichi Hoshita to forge his own path in swordsmanshipa path that would lead him to bing a Jnin! First, he created a shadow clone to grind leaves, continuing his training in Wind Release chakra nature transformation. Meanwhile, Shichi himself sat cross-legged under a tree,ying the Totsuka de across his knees. He then pondered a crucial question: What kind of swordsmanship or kenjutsu technique should he develop? It needed to be at least an A-rank jutsu. His initial thought was to focus on Wind Release. Utilizing the cutting power of wind inbination with the Totsuka de seemed ideal, and it would certainly rival the Lightning des of Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchriki. However, he had yet toplete his training in Wind Release chakra nature transformation. Although more than two months had passed, he hadn''t dedicated much energy to it, only umting experience slowly through a single shadow clone. "Now I have two options: I could first unlock the Wind Release Expert Tag, gaining a boost in Wind Release talent, and then quickly finish my Wind Release chakra nature training. Once perfected, I could apply it to my swordsmanship." "Alternatively, I couldplete the Wind Release nature transformation training first, then quickly master five Wind Release jutsu, unlock the Wind Release Expert Tag, and apply that to my swordsmanship." "Or, I could continue to have a shadow clone grind away at Wind Release nature transformation, while I focus on developing a swordsmanship technique suited to my current abilities!" Shichi''s thoughts raced, and he soon made a decision. For now, his talent in Fire Release clearly surpassed that in Wind Release; there was no need to overlook the obvious. "Let''s start with Fire Release!" "Is there any precedent in the ninja world forbining Fire Release with swordsmanship?" "How can I merge them to achieve a synergistic effect greater than the sum of its parts?" Having set his direction, Shichi began a brainstorming session, doubling his concentration. "The nature of Fire Release: high heat, explosion..." "Explosion can be put aside for now." Shichi considered, "High heat... In reality, when Lightning Release is infused into a de, aside from the paralyzing effect of the electricity, it primarily utilizes high-temperature cutting." He recalled the battle between Killer Bee and Team Taka. (T/N: That Episode was Awesome!) Killer Bee had infused his de with Lightning Release, cutting straight through Zabuza''s Executioner''s de. But in the end, it was about high temperatures. Just like sma arc cutting, which involves high-current sma arcs. Moreover, Killer Bee could also infuse Lightning Release into a pen, using high-frequency vibrations to enhance its piercing power. Shichi stood up and drew his de, infusing it with Fire Release chakra. The de of the Totsuka de began to turn red, and the air around it started to warp. Suddenly, Shichi stopped, frowning slightly as he looked down at the gradually cooling de. "No, I shouldn''t just be heating the de." "The Totsuka de is fineit''s of high quality and has been enhanced by the Tag, so it can withstand high temperatures. But other weapons might not be so durable." "Also, heating the de results in significant energy loss and takes time." "I should instead create a high-temperatureyer directly on the de''s surface, or even across the entire de." Shichi thought of the Rasengan. The Rasengan was a non-elemental jutsu that involved orderly chakra rotationsyered into a chaotic spinning sphere. Likewise, he could construct an orderly Fire Release chakra flow on the de. "Yes, I''ll start by covering the entire de and then refine it." Shichi resumed his experimentation. Ayer of mes enveloped the de, but soon, under his control, the mes disappeared, leaving only a red glow surrounding the de. Shichi gradually refined the technique, wrapping the Fire Release chakra around the de like wires, spiraling around it in continuous loops. With each loop, the red glow deepened. After the firstyer, he added a second,pressing the firstyer of Fire Release chakra, and repeated the process,yering andpressing over and over. The glow enveloping the de constantly shifted in color. Red, dark red, cherry red... By the tenthyer, the glow had turned a deep orange-red. By this point, Shichi was drenched in sweat, pushing his limits. He immediately dashed forward, the de slicing through a thick tree trunk. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 56: Jiraiya

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Jiraiya

Boom! The tree trunk fell with a crash, and Shichi Hoshita took a few deep breaths, his eyes fixed on the cut surface, which was now charred. "The cutting was indeed easier... with the added effect of high-temperature burns." "The direction is correct, but it still needs further refinement and detail." After consuming a soldier pill, Shichi continued to analyze his progress. He needed a more efficient chakra nature transformation, faster chakra cirction, and greater chakra control. Once his stamina was restored, he resumed his efforts. Again and again, he tried, refining his technique with each attempt. Time flew by in this manner, and before he knew it, the three-day break was over, and it was back to missions. However, even during missions, Shichi didn''t stop developing his swordsmanship techniques. While taking a break during a patrol mission on the northern border, Shichi focused on perfecting his new technique. Watching him, Kurama Sany scratched the back of his head. He had just thought of developing a new genjutsu, but his mind waspletely nk. "I''m definitely not a genius!" Kurama Sany sighed in frustration. Minato Namikaze smiled and reassured him, "You don''t need topare yourself to Shichi. The reason he''s developing his own sword technique is because he has a natural advantage with Fire Release." "Sany, if you focus on genjutsu, the techniques you already know are enough for you to master." Kurama Sany was immediately convinced, his frustration disappearing. Then he asked, "Shichi, how exactly do you n tobine Fire Release with swordsmanship, or your de techniques?" In the ninja world, "swordsmanship" generally refers to the use of both swords and des, but Shichi preferred to use the term "de techniques." Shichi looked up with a smile and said, "Rather than justbining Fire Release with de techniques, it''s more about integrating chakra and ninjutsu with swordsmanship." "And chakra can be used in two main ways: nature transformation and shape transformation." "For example, Minato-sensei''s Rasengan is a pure application of chakra shape transformation." "In my case, I''m focusing on nature transformation, with shape transformation as a secondary factor. The nature transformation I''m dealing with is Fire Release, specifically its high-temperature properties." "Shape transformation is involved in how chakra is manipted to allow me toyer Fire Release chakra more effectively, increasing the temperature and enhancing the de''s cutting power." Minato was impressed by Shichi''s rity of thought. "That''s a very clear development process, Shichi. You have an even greater talent for ninjutsu than I do." Shichi humbly replied, "Only with Fire Release." But Minato shook his head slightly. "No, this kind of thinking can be applied to the development of any technique." At this point, Shisui Uchiha asked, "So, Minato-sensei, does that mean your Rasengan could also incorporate nature transformation and evolve into a new technique?" Minato nodded. "That''s true. I''ve considered it as well." "But so far, I haven''t made much progress." "Adding nature transformation to chakra makes it harder to control, and the Rasengan is already highly refined. Adding a nature transformation could destabilize it." By the end, Minato couldn''t help but shake his head in frustration. The original inspiration for Rasengan came from the Tailed Beast Bomb, but taking it further had proven challenging without a clear direction. Shichi, of course, knew about the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and Wind Release: Rasengan, but he hadn''t fully grasped the theory behind it, so he couldn''t exin it. The timing wasn''t right! ... Time flew by, and by the time Shichi Hoshita returned to Konoha afterpleting his border patrol mission, it was already October. On this day, Shichi exited the Konoha Hospital and headed to the nearby training ground to find Tsunade, only to discover an additional person there. ''Jiraiya... he''s actually back... At this time, Nagato and the others are only about ten years old, right?'' Shichi was secretly surprised but continued to approach. "Lady Tsunade!" Shichi greeted her and then respectfully turned to Jiraiya, "Jiraiya-sama, I am Shichi Hoshita!" Jiraiya, who was in the middle of a conversation, turned around and looked down at Shichi, confused. "Eh?" "Where did this little brate from?" "Do you know who I am?" "Hahaha, it seems like I haven''t been back in a while, but my fame still precedes me!" Shichi was speechless. Jiraiya had returned to Konoha but hadn''t gone to see his student Minato first; instead, he came to find Tsunade. Truly, he deserved his title as the Pervy Sage! And he was quite full of himself, too. Despite his inner thoughts, Shichi kept a pure and innocent smile on his face. "Of course! You''re one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, just like Lady Tsunadea remarkable ninja." Jiraiya was immediately pleased and struck a pose, "Rather than the title of Sannin, I prefer you to call me the Mystic Toad Sage of Mount Myboku,monly known as the Toad Sage, at your service!" Tsunade, standing nearby, couldn''t help but roll her eyes. "Idiot." Jiraiya''s expression froze for a moment, deting his excitement. Tsunade huffed, "Did you forget you have a student?" Jiraiya instantly recovered and grinned, "There''s no need to worry about Minato. He''s a once-in-a-decade genius, a natural-born ninja!" Shichi chimed in at the right moment, "Jiraiya-sama, Minato-sensei is currently my team leader." "Team leader?" Jiraiyaughed, "As expected of Minato. I haven''t seen him in a few years, and he''s already be a Jnin and started mentoring the next generation!" But then he quickly caught on, "Wait, you''re here to learn medical ninjutsu from Tsunade?" Shichi nodded, but Tsunade, already impatient, waved her hand dismissively, "We need to start training." Jiraiya nodded and walked off with a casual wave, saying, "Let''s grab a drink tonight!" "Got it!" Tsunade replied offhandedly. As Jiraiya left, Shichi and Tsunade began their training. However, instead of medical ninjutsu, they focused on the Yin Seal, a sealing technique. Meanwhile, after walking some distance, Jiraiya paused and looked back at Tsunade with a smile. "Looks like things aren''t as bad as I thought." The first thing Jiraiya did upon returning was gather information and then visit Hiruzen Sarutobi. It was only then that he learned about Tsunade''s hemophobia, prompting him toe see her immediately. At first nce, Tsunade seemed a bit lethargic, but now she appeared quite motivated! Feeling somewhat reassured, Jiraiya turned and went to find Minato Namikaze. ... Due to his high aptitude, Shichi quickly grasped the essentials of sealing techniques. However, the Yin Seal was quite unique, as it was specifically designed for sealing chakra, involving both chakra refinement and control. Shichi''s chakra control was naturally strong due to his medical ninjutsu training, but there were still details he needed to consult Tsunade on. Additionally, Shichi''s situation was different from Tsunade''s. Tsunade didn''t use chakra often except during sparring sessions, allowing her to store it up in the seal. Moreover, once the Yin Seal was initiated, it had to be sustained untilpleted; interrupting it meant starting over. If the stored chakra was insufficient, the seal would lose its significance. Shichi, on the other hand, frequently needed chakra for training and missions. He couldn''t afford to waste three years storing chakra just for the Yin Seal. This was an issue Shichi recalled that Sakura Haruno also faced, and her solution was to create a small reservoir within the seal to divert chakra. Therger pool was for storage, and the smaller one for regr use. However, Shichi had a different idea. "Lady Tsunade, the Yin Seal gathers chakra at the forehead for storage, but does it necessarily have to be on the forehead?" "The human body has three major chakra circtory systemsthe forehead, the heart, and the abdomen, all of which can distribute chakra throughout the body." Shichi asked, "So, would it be feasible to ce the Yin Seal on the abdomen instead?" Hearing this, Tsunade began to ponder the idea. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 57: Yin Seal and Eight Trigrams Seal!

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Yin Seal and Eight Trigrams Seal!

The Yin Seal technique originated from Tsunade''s grandmother, Uzumaki Mito. It could be said that this technique belongs to the Uzumaki n, but in reality, no member of the Uzumaki n had ever practiced it before Uzumaki Mito. This was because Uzumaki Mito herself was the creator of the technique. The reason she chose to ce it on the forehead was naturally due to the fact that the tailed beast within her was sealed in her abdomen. In fact, the Yin Seal was originally developed as a countermeasure against the Nine-Tails, using a vast amount of chakra to suppress it. The Nine-Tails had been sealed within Uzumaki Mito for so long without causing any issues and was thoroughly subduednot only because of Mito''s own strength but also due to the effectiveness of the Yin Seal. Of course, Tsunade didn''t mention any of this to Shichi Hoshita. Instead, she said, "There''s no problem with cing the Yin Seal on the abdomen, but how do you n to address the issue we discussedst time?" She had a solution in mind, but she wanted to test Shichi''s understanding. Shichi smiled and replied, "Lady Tsunade, you''re surely familiar with the Four Symbols Seal." "I once asked Minato-sensei about sealing techniques, and he taught me this particr seal." "So, my idea is to use two Four Symbols Seals in conjunction with the Yin Seal to create a cycleone seal for intake and the other for output, ensuring they don''t interfere with each other." Tsunade fell into deep thought, her mind already beginning to piece together thebination of the three seals. After a moment, she nodded, "Technically, this seems feasible." "And this design does indeed suit you better." "However, it does add a significant level of difficulty. Besides mastering the Yin Seal, you''ll also need to learn the Four Symbols Seal, which will require more time." Shichi chuckled, "Although I do feel like my chakra is insufficient at times, I''m not even seven years old yetthere''s no rush!" Tsunade, seeing his confidence, didn''t argue further and nodded, "Alright, let''s proceed with this n." "You can ask Minato to teach you the Four Symbols Seal." With that, she cracked her knuckles, the joints popping loudly, "Since you''re not learning the Yin Seal today, let''s resume our sparring from before!" "Your control over chakra bursts is still quite unrefined." Shichi''s eyelids twitched, and he quickly responded, "Wait, Lady Tsunade." "Although cing the Yin Seal on the abdomen is a good idea, it doesn''t mean I should abandon the previous approach." Why choose when you can have it all? ... At the residence of the Nine-Tails Jinchriki. Jiraiya found Minato Namikaze there, studying sealing techniques with Kushina Uzumaki. Minato was thrilled to see Jiraiya, "Jiraiya-sensei, you''re finally back!" "Yes!" Reflecting on his time in the Land of Rain, Jiraiya smiled warmly, "It was a very special journey." "So, Minato, have youpleted that idea you mentioned a while ago?" Hearing this, Kushina, who had just brought tea, chimed in, "Jiraiya-sensei, are you talking about the Rasengan?" "Rasengan?" Jiraiya, eager to see it, said, "As expected of Minatolooks like you''ve finished it. Show me quickly!" Minato smiled, "If it weren''t for Shichi, I wouldn''t havepleted it so quickly." "Shichi is the student I''m currently mentoringan exceptionally talented and outstanding ninja!" At this, the image of that polite, gentle, and well-mannered kid popped into Jiraiya''s mind, and he realized, "So it was him! No wonder Tsunade took a liking to him; he seems quite remarkable!" "Oh, Jiraiya-sensei, you''ve already met Shichi?" "Yes, Shichi has indeed gained Lady Tsunade''s favor. His talent in medical ninjutsu is also exceptionalhe''s already be a fully capable medical ninja." Minato Namikaze was full of praise. Jiraiya smiled and said, "It seems like you''ve taken a special interest in nurturing him, Minato." There''s a difference between a student and a personal disciple. "That''s true!" Minato admitted, then extended his right hand and opened his palm. "But for now, let''s take a look at the new jutsu!" Buzz! The air stirred as the blue Rasengan rapidly formed in his hand. Jiraiya''s eyes widened. "What a perfect jutsu, and it suits you so well!" Kushina Uzumaki, hands on her hips, interjected, "Jiraiya-sensei, this jutsu was developed by Minato for me, and it''s most suited for me!" Jiraiya, not wanting to provoke the fiery Kushina, quicklyughed, "Of course, of course! This jutsu is just right for dealing with that Nine-Tails." "The power of this technique is entirely determined by the amount of chakra you put into it." Kushina sighed, "Right now, all my chakra is being used to suppress that pesky Nine-Tails. Otherwise, I could store chakra using the Yin Seal." Minato quickly reassured her, "Once you master the Adamantine Sealing Chains technique even better, you''ll be able to suppress the Nine-Tails more effectively." "Also, your chakra reserves haven''t yet reached their peak, while the Nine-Tails won''t get any stronger." Hearing this, Kushina immediately brightened up and smiled, "That''s true." "Hmph, when the timees, I''ll make sure to give that Nine-Tails a good lesson." Watching the two, Jiraiya couldn''t help but think to himself, They really are a perfect match. One is oblivious, and the other is sincere! ... After returning home from the Konoha Hospital, Shichi Hoshita officially began training in the Yin Seal. Simply put, the Yin Seal involves creating a chakra storage area at the point between the eyebrows, which can be thought of as a reservoir, with chakra being the water. However, unlike Tsunade, Shichi needed to create two reservoirsonerge and one small. Therger one was specifically for storing chakra to be used in critical moments. The smaller one was for everyday use. Although this approach was somewhat cumbersome, until he mastered the Four Symbols Seal and Eight Trigrams Seal, this was the best he could do. Unlike when he used the Memory Pce Seal, Shichi''s skills in sealing techniques had significantly improved. He no longer needed to pre-draw the sealing script before using it. Instead, he could use hand seals to assist in transforming his chakra into talismans, forming the sealing script. Still, it took him a full minute toplete the hand seals. "Yin Seal!" As hepleted the final hand seal, Shichi brought his hands together, and his body was immediately covered in dense, tadpole-like symbols. These symbols then converged toward his forehead, forming the Yin Seal mark before it faded from sight. Afterward, Shichi lowered his eyes and began refining his chakra, channeling it into the two reservoirs within the seal. On October 6, Year 39 of the Konoha Calendar, Shichi Hoshita officially began training in the Yin Seal! To better develop new jutsu and achieve the [Medical Expert] tag, Shichi started reducing his missions outside the vige. Most of his time was spent at the Konoha Hospital or training within the vige, asionally going on missions with Minato and the others. Before he knew it, the temperature began to drop, signaling that autumn was deepening. One day, feeling exhausted, Shichi invited Tsunade to rx at a hot spring, but when she declined, he decided to head to Konoha''s hot spring street alone for some well-deserved rxation. "Huh?" Shichi noticed someone on the roof. "That old pervert Jiraiya..." Shichi stopped in his tracks. Peeping? How immoral! This definitely needs a stern reprimand. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 58: Master Tags!

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Master Tags!

"How should I reprimand him?" Shichi Hoshita pondered for a moment, rubbing his chin, and then a smile appeared on his lips. The next moment, his figure silently transformed into Tsunade''s form. He knew Tsunade very well, down to the smallest details. He crossed his arms, furrowed his brows, tilted his twin ponytails, and shouted with authority, "Ji-ra-iya!" On the rooftop, Jiraiya, who was thoroughly engrossed in his peeping and constantly shifting his position, heard the voice and turned his head. He was shocked out of his wits. "Tsunade!" "Oh no..." Shichi, in Tsunade''s form, had already lifted a leg and brought it down in a powerful axe kick. Crack! The ground split open, the force reverberating through the building, and the roof beneath Jiraiya gave way. He plummeted into the hot spring bathhouse below, apanied by the shrieks of women. Momentster, Jiraiya scrambled out of the bathhouse in a panic, with a group of women in bathrobes chasing after him. Shichi, having reverted to his normal form, quickly used the Transformation Jutsu to blend in with the women, joining them in pummeling Jiraiya with their fists. Jiraiya was chased all around the area, finally escaping by relying on his mastery of the Transformation Jutsu, Substitution Jutsu, and Clone Jutsu. Feelingpletely refreshed, Shichi returned to the bathhouse. Still, in Tsunade''s form, hepensated the bathhouse owner for the damage and then chose another spot to enjoy a rxing soak in the hot springs. "Next time, I shoulde here with Director Non..." Shichi closed his eyes, letting his mind wander. Meanwhile, Jiraiya, now sporting several lumps on his head, sighed. "Who would''ve thought there''d be a ninja involved..." He chuckled afterward, "But this field study turned out to be quite fruitful!" "Too bad Tsunade wasn''t inside..." Jiraiya felt a tinge of regret, but quickly dismissed the thought, recalling how close he''de to being beaten to deathst time. As for whether the Tsunade he just encountered was real or not, he didn''t give it much thoughtafter all, this was Konoha, and Tsunade''s personality was exactly like that. ... Time passed unnoticed amidst training and missions, and before long, it was the 40th year of Konoha. Shichi Hoshita''s seventh birthday quietly slipped by while he was on a mission. On a cliff. After a sparring match, Shichi and Kakashi sat side by side, watching the sunset. Down below, Guy and the others were still training, the area buzzing with activity. "Kakashi, how''s your jutsuing along?" After catching his breath, Shichi asked. Kakashi shook his head slightly, "Controlling the nature of Lightning Release is proving difficult." "And you?" Shichiy back on the ground, "I''ve made initial progress in the first step, which is incorporating Fire Release nature into my de techniques. Of course, this also involves shape transformation, but it''s still far from mastering the ultimate technique." "But everything needs to be done step by step. You can push forward graduallythe key is to have a clear direction." "You need to know what kind of result you want, or what kind of effect you need to achieve. Then, figure out what conditions or qualities are required for that." Kakashi listened thoughtfully, then stood up, "Thanks. But even though you''ve outpaced me again, the contest isn''t over yet!" With that, Kakashi leaped off the cliff. Shichi Hoshita stood up, watching Kakashi''s retreating figure with a smile. Despite his cool and aloof demeanor, Kakashi was actually quitepetitive. Cold on the outside, warm on the inside, with a touch of pride. But developing a new jutsu from scratch was indeed a challenge. Just look at Minato Namikazehe was a prime example. Shichi knew this all too well from personal experience. Even with his Tag System''s boosts, enhancing his Fire Release and swordsmanship talents repeatedly, it still took him nearly half a year to trulyplete the first step. This step alone could already serve as a jutsu simr to the Chidori de. The Tag Tree even recognized it as an A-rank technique, or perhaps a swordsmanship secret technique. However, what concerned Shichi the most at the moment was the tag titled "Taijutsu Expert." After more than a year, he finally achieved his 50th victory over Kakashi in taijutsu matches today. The tag he had been longing for was finally within his grasp. Focusing his attention on the Tag Tree in his mind, Shichi examined the "Taijutsu Expert" tag. - Taijutsu Talent: Increased by 100% - Physical Constitution: Increased by 100% - Nerve Response Speed: Increased by 100% His mind went nk, his body tingling as if electrified. When he came back to his senses, Shichi felt stronger than ever. 1st word: Amazing! 2nd word: Incredible! While the boost in taijutsu talent was not immediately noticeable, the enhancements in physical constitution and nerve response speed were instantly perceptible. His thought processes became quicker, his nerve responses faster, and his concentration more intense. Shichi could now clearly see the rapid pping of a fly''s wings! "This dynamic visionhow does itpare to the Three Tomoe Sharingan?" A smile spread across Shichi''s face as he rxed his heightened focus. "Even if my dynamic vision isn''t quite on par, how many Uchiha can match my nerve response speed?" "The Sharingan may evolve and enhance vision, but the rest of the nervous system can''tpete with me now." After adjusting to the changes in his body, Shichi turned his attention to another tag on the tree. Tag: Fire Release Master Condition to Obtain: On the basis of the "Fire Release Expert" tag, create five A-rank Fire Release jutsu or one S-rank Fire Release jutsu. Effects: - Fire Release Talent: Increased by 100% - Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation: Increased by 100% - Fire Release Shape Transformation: Increased by 100% - Any Fire Release jutsu or Fire-rted secret technique (excluding Kekkei Genkai-rted ones) can be learned without obstacles. This tag was clearly an upgraded version of the "Fire Release Expert" tag. The three 100% boosts were certainly tempting. However, the requirements were tough. Whether it''s an A-rank Fire Release or an S-rank one, they''re not easily created. Especially in Fire Release! Shichi couldn''t even recall any straightforward Fire Release ultimate techniques in the ninja world. Even A-rank ones are rare, let alone S-rank. He then turned his gaze to another newly triggered tag. Tag: Sword Master Condition to Obtain: Defeat Sakumo Hatake in a swordsmanship duel or create one S-rank swordsmanship technique. Effects: - Swordsmanship Talent: Increased by 100% - Physical Constitution: Increased by 100% - Designated Ninja Tools: Quality increased by 100% - Any swordsmanship or kenjutsu (excluding Kekkei Genkai-rted ones) can be learned without obstacles. Again, three 100% boosts, with the physical constitution boost being particrly enticing! But the requirements made Shichi''s eyelid twitch. He didn''t know what event in the original story led to Sakumo Hatake''s suicide, but anything that caused such great losses to the Land of Fire and Konoha wouldn''t be minor. However, with his current status and strength, it wasn''t something he could intervene in at will. "Thankfully, it''s a choice between two options..." Shichi sighed in relief, his eyes turning to Kakashi as he furrowed his brows. "Could it have something to do with that incident in the Land of Rivers?" Shaking off his thoughts, Shichi considered his situation. "Two Master tags at oncehow do I trigger the Taijutsu Master tag?" Apart from that, since obtaining the "Sealing Expert" tag, no more advanced tags had been triggered. "Oh well, these tags are already enough to keep me busy." Putting these thoughts aside, Shichi suddenly leaped off the cliff, sprinting downward. With his enhanced physical constitution, he needed to explore its full potential, especially now that he was training in the Yin Seal. (End of Chapter) ??? This is the End of Mass Upload Week, I Have Uploaded 20 Chaps this week~phew Anyways, From Next Week it''s Gonna be 1 Chapter per day... For Bonus Chapters Throw All your Powerstones. Support me on Patreon - Read Up to Chapter 100+ There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 59: Konoha Must Not Lose!

Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Konoha Must Not Lose!

"Huh, did I get a bit taller?" While washing up in the morning, Shichi Hoshita noticed something was off. After finishing, he measured himself and confirmed ithe had grown 2 centimeters taller since thest time he measured a week ago. He was now 1.3 meters tall. This made him quite tallpared to his peers, almost catching up to Shisui Uchiha and Sany Kurama, who were two years older. The boost to my physique is really something! "After thest enhancement to my physical constitution, my stamina was slightly better than Kakashi''s. If I underestimated a bit, I''d say our chakra reserves were about equal." "But now that my physique has doubled again, I can probably im to have 2 ''Kakashi Units'' worth of chakra." Shichi was delighted. It had been a week since he acquired the "Taijutsu Expert" tag. Of course, these "2 Kakashi Units" were inparison to the current Kakashi, not the adult version. But the improvement in his physique also meant that his potential for growth had increased ordingly. This would require continued training and exploration to fully realize. After all, even in the Senju n, and for Senju Hashirama himself, chakra reserves didn''t start out as overwhelmingly vast at birth. However, when he thought about the Sage Body and the Uzumaki n''s physique, Shichi quickly calmed down. After two enhancements to his physique, he only had 2 Kakashi Units. Without these enhancements, his chakra reserves might have only reached the level of a Chnin at best. I still need to work hard! "Compared to Nagato, who had mastered six mainstream jutsu (5 Basic Nature Transformations + Yang Release) by the age of ten, I''m still not much." "And my chakra reserves are nowhere near Naruto''s level, and probably still fall short of Jiraiya''s peak as well." Of course, Jiraiya was currently at the height of his power. His chakra level was the ceiling for people without special physiques. After packing his gear and slinging his scroll over his back, Shichi headed out. Once they gathered at their usual spot, Minato Namikaze promptly announced the mission: "This time, we''re headed to the Land of Rivers." "Shichi, you should remember that we had a skirmish with the Sand Shinobi in the Land of Riversst year, right?" Shichi nodded. He remembered it well; many Konoha shinobi were injured, and he had helped treat them. Seeing this, Sany Kurama immediately asked, "So, is this mission rted to our previous one, Minato Sensei?" Minato nodded. "It is indeed rted." "The Daimy of the Land of Rivers didn''t cut ties with Sunagakure after that incident. ording to our intelligence, Sunagakure discovered an iron mine in the Land of Rivers, and merchants from the Land of Fire lost out in thepetition for it." "In addition, there are signs that Sunagakure is forming an alliance with Amegakure." "However, the situation in Amegakure is being handled by the ANBU and Root divisions." "Our mission is in the Land of Rivers. After thest skirmish, both sides have been in a standoff, but as thepetition for the iron mine intensifies, the appetite of the Land of Wind and Sunagakure has grown. They''ve begun targeting themercial activities of the Land of Fire in the Land of Rivers." "So, our mission is to eliminate the Sand Shinobi and protect the merchants and caravans from the Land of Fire." The three of them nodded in unison. "Understood!" "Then, let''s move out!" Minato gave the order and led the way, with Shichi and the others following closely behind. After leaving the vige, they traveled along the main road for a while before turning off into the dense forest, heading southwest straight toward the Land of Rivers. By midday, the four of them rested near the Fire Country border and had a meal of grilled fish by the river. On April 6th, Year 40 of the Konoha, just after 1 PM, the team crossed the border and entered the Land of Rivers. "Minato Sensei, I''d like to visit that vige fromst time," Shisui Uchiha suddenly said. Minato Namikaze was momentarily surprised, then nodded. "Alright!" Shichi Hoshita pondered for a moment before following the change in direction. Before long, the group arrived at the vige in the Land of Rivers where they hadpleted their missionst year. But now, the vige was in ruins, with no signs of life. The houses were dpidated, serving as shelters for various animals. In just a year, everything had changed, and the people were gone. Shisui Uchiha stood there, stunned, while Sany Kurama asked, "Were the people here relocated?" Shisui''s expression shifted slightly. Though innocent, he wasn''t naive or foolish. Having personally killed all the men in this vige, he was beginning to realize certain truths. Shichi, however, thought of Orochimaru, and by extension, Danzo. Considering that those who would even dare to target shinobi near Konoha, or even Konoha shinobi themselves, the fate of the people from this vige might have been a mercy if death was the oue. If they had been used in human experiments, they might have suffered fates worse than death. Perhaps I should have realized this back then, but as the saying goes, those who are pitiable often have a reason to be hated. Besides those who raided the Land of Fire, the other vigers also benefited from those actions. Shichi was clear-headed. While he wouldn''t want to personally ughter a vige, he wasn''t naive enough to believe that forgiveness or understanding was the answer. He didn''t have that right. Of course, if the vigers were taken by Orochimaru for human experiments, that would indeed be inhumane. What a twisted world this is! ... Everyone noticed that Shisui seemed off, so Shichi walked up and patted him on the shoulder. "Everyone must face the consequences of their actions. Those who kill must be prepared to be killed, and those who rob must be ready for punishment." "Maybe the women and children of this vige didn''t participate, but they did benefit from the spoils of the raids. That''s the karma they must bear." "They may seem pitiable, but those we should truly pity and protect are the innocent people of the Land of Fire who were robbed and killed." People are always hypocriticalwhat''s important is whose side you''re on. Right now, they were on the side of the Land of Fire, on the side of Konoha. Not on the side of the Land of Rivers, and certainly not on the side of this vige. Of course, Shichi didn''t know that Shisui had participated in the ughter of the adult men in this vige. But even if he did, so what? As he said before, Shichi was on Konoha''s side, and Shisui was hisrade, his teammate. "Thank you, Shichi," Shisui said, his expression returning to normal. Seeing this, Minato immediately ordered, "Let''s continue!" The group set off again, and within ten minutes, they arrived at a hill overlooking a small town. Minato spoke, "This valley town is the first stop for merchants from the Land of Fire entering the Land of Rivers." "While the mission load in the Land of Rivers includes contributions from Konoha, the expulsion of Fire Country merchants this year means that part of our mission load has been taken over by the Sand Shinobi." Looking at the town ahead, Shichi asked, "So, Minato Sensei, we''re the vanguard in this operation?" Minato nodded. "Exactly." "Sunagakure isn''t trying to escte this into a full-scale war, so they haven''t stationed arge force at the border. Instead, they''re securing key locationstownsto establish de facto control over the Land of Rivers." Shichi pondered aloud, "The Daimy of the Land of Rivers probably doesn''t want topletely sever ties with the Land of Fire. Right now, they''re allowing Sunagakure to take control of the mission load in the Land of Rivers, butter, they might use the country''s resources as bargaining chips to reconcile with the Land of Fire''s Daimy." "So it''s not just the Daimys of the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind, and Sunagakure, who want to avoid a full-scale war. The Daimy of the Land of Fire does too." "If Konoha loses this battle, the Land of Fire''s Daimy would certainly suffer losses, but it wouldn''t be catastrophic." "But Konoha would lose more than just the mission load in the Land of Rivers." Minato''s eyes filled with admiration. He had intelligence to support his analysis, but Shichi had inferred all of this from just a bit of informationand he wasn''t wrong. What a sharp political instinct. With talent like this, he''s absolutely suited to be Hokage! Minato thought, and said aloud, "Your analysis is spot on!" Shisui, too, was inwardly impressed. As expected of Shichihis insight is extraordinary! But Sany Kurama was bewildered. He felt that Shichi''s words were convoluted, and only understood one thing: Konoha must not lose! (End of Chapter) (T/N: Sanyo you''re my bro!!) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! Powerstones == Bonus Chapter!! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 60: Blue Flame Sky Blade

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Blue me Sky de

Having grasped the key point, Kurama Sany asked, "Minato Sensei, ording to what Shuichi said, we can''t afford to lose. As the vanguard team, do we have a particrly crucial mission?" Minato Namikaze nodded. "Of course!" "Our first task is to take control of this town in front of us. Afterward, others wille to rece us." "The second step is to prate deeper into the Land of Rivers, disrupt the Sand Ninja''s current arrangements, and draw out Sand Vige''s forces, creating opportunities for the teams that will follow." "So, this is an A-rank mission!" Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany''s expressions became more serious than ever. It wasn''t just because of the mission''s A-rank ssification but also due to the inherent dangers of going deep behind enemy lines. Meanwhile, Hoshita Shuichi was pondering that even if they seeded in this mission, it would be difficult for Konoha to secure a victory, especially without a full-scale war. So, where is the key? "Is it the Daimy of the Land of Rivers?" "No, it''s the Third Kazekage of Sand Vige!" "But if we target the Third Kazekage, it risks triggering an all-out war, so maybe it is the Daimy of the Land of Rivers?" Shuichi grasped the critical point, but it had little to do with their current mission. "Next, we''ll use shadow clones to infiltrate the town, gather intelligence, locate the Sand Ninjas, and eliminate them as quickly as possible," Minato outlined the n, which was straightforward yet aggressive. The four of them created shadow clones and moved out. As they neared the town, Shuichi and Shisui transformed into a wildcat and a roon, slipping into the town unnoticed. Meanwhile, Minato and Kurama Sany, after Shuichi and Shisui had entered the town, used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport inside. Once inside, the four split up, moving through the streets and alleys to search for any signs of the Sand Ninjas. Suddenly, Shuichi halted, noticing a shadow flicker by. He immediately leaped onto a rooftop and spotted a figure moving swiftly in the direction he had juste from. A Sand Ninja! However, Shuichi didn''t pursue. The Sand Ninja''s movements were too conspicuous. Since he wasn''t skilled in genjutsu, it would be better for someone like Shisui to handle it. Instead, Shuichi decided to trace the Sand Ninja''s tracks in reverse, hoping to uncover other Sand Ninjas or their base in the town. As expected, it wasn''t long before Shuichi, following the traces and listening to the conversations of some townspeople, identified that the Sand Ninjas'' base was in the manor right in the center of the town. Without dy, Shuichi dispelled his shadow clone. Outside the town, when Shuichi received the memories from his clone, Minato already had feedback. The Sand Ninja he had seen was the same one Minato and Kurama Sany had captured. With the information verified, Minato didn''t wait for feedback from Shisui''s shadow clone. He ced his hands on Shisui and Kurama Sany''s shoulders, while Shuichi ced his hand on Minato''s arm. The next moment, the four of them vanished from where they stood and reappeared inside a woodshed. Nearbyy the Sand Ninja they had captured, already dealt with, and beside him was Minato''s Flying Thunder God kunai. ording to the intel, there were two Sand Ninja squads in this town: one led by a Jonin with three Chunin, and another led by a Chunin with three Genin. The Jonin-led team was stationed in the manor and patrolled the area regrly. The Sand Ninja they had captured was part of the patrol. The Chunin squad, on the other hand, was dispersed in four directions around the town, guarding the main roads. They were disguised as ordinary townspeople rather than wearing ninja attire. "The Jonin-led Sand Ninja squad will be handled by me. Shisui, Shuichi, and Sany, you three will take care of the Chunin squad," Minato Namikaze instructed. "Shisui, you''ll focus on the Chunin, while Shuichi and Sany will deal with the three Genin." "When I initiate the attack, it''ll cause quite amotion. That will prompt the Chunin squad to react, which will expose them." "Understood!" the three responded in unison, and with that, all four vanished from their spot. After leaving, Shuichi immediately split into two, with one clone heading north and the other west. His task was to eliminate the two Genin in those directions. Before long, both Shuichi and his shadow clone reached their respective destinations, each in the form of a wildcat. After surveying the area, they quickly identified their targets. However, Shuichi didn''t act immediately and waited in silence. Momentster, a loud rumbling sound came from the center of the town. The two Genin, whom Shuichi had been watching, immediately reacted, leaping onto the rooftops to investigate the smoke rising from the town center, then swiftly rushed toward it. Shuichi and his shadow clone acted quickly,unching a surprise attack from the side. sh! Blood spurted as the two Sand Ninjas copsed, clutching their throats, never even glimpsing Shuichi''s face. With the two enemies dispatched, the shadow clone dispersed, while Shuichi headed straight for the town center. By the time he arrived, Minato had already finished the battle. Soon, Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany joined them, both having sessfullypleted their respective tasks. "Next target: Shanliao Town!" Minato dered. Ignoring the chaos that had erupted in the town, Minato led Shuichi and the others directly toward their next target. Upon reaching Shanliao Town, the group infiltrated and gathered intelligence using the same method. Unlike the previous town, Shanliao Town was guarded by three Sand Ninja squads, each led by a Jonin, positioned in a triangr formation at three key locations. Additionally, the three Sand Ninja squads had set up elevated observation points to assist their patrols. Shuichi and the others quickly realized that even if they silently took down one of the patrolling Sand Ninjas, it would be detected almost immediately. If theyunched a surprise attack on one base, the other two would respond rapidly, arriving within a minute or two. It became clear that the two squads in the previous town were merely for early warning. Now, Shuichi and his team faced at least three Jonin. After gathering the necessary information from the outskirts, the team hid inside a room, where Minato gave his orders: "We''ll split into two groups. Shisui, you''ll pair up with Shuichi; Sany, you''ll be with me." "Sany and I willunch a surprise attack on the eastern Sand Ninja squad. Shisui, Shuichi, you two will intercept the Sand Ninja squading from the north." "Understood!" they all replied in unison. The n was to execute a lightning-fast strike. After receiving their orders, the four immediately split up. Disguised as a stray dog and a stray cat using the Transformation Jutsu, Shuichi and Shisui took their positions near a pile of garbage, waiting silently. In less than three minutes, an explosion erupted from the east, prompting the Sand Ninja squads in the north and south to spring into action, rushing toward the eastern side. As the Sand Ninja squad leaped over his head, Shuichi, disguised as a stray dog, swiftly moved, jumping from the rooftops. In mid-air, he returned to his human form. Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu! A fireball with a diameter exceeding five meters surged toward the Sand Ninja squad''s back. Almost simultaneously, Uchiha Shisuiunched a Great Fireball Jutsu from the right. His fireball was evenrger than Shuichi''s. "Watch out!" The two Sand Ninja at the rear turned around, but they were too close to react with a jutsu. However, they remainedposed despite the surprise, and with a flick of their arms, they hurled kunai attached with explosive tags. Boom! The explosive tags detonated, dispersing the two massive fireballs. The close-range explosion sent the two rear Sand Ninjas flying, crashing to the ground, while another barely managed tond on a rooftop. The Jonin leading them also stopped in his tracks. But Hoshita Shuichi and Uchiha Shisui were already prepared. Shuichi used the Chakra burst technique taught by Tsunade to execute the Body Flicker Jutsu, closing the distance to the fallen Sand Ninja in an instant and beheading him with a swift sh. Shisui, even faster with his own Body Flicker Jutsu, locked eyes with another Sand Ninja just as he was getting up. The Sand Ninja froze in that moment, and before he could react, Shisui''s de shed, leaving a thin line of blood across his neck. "Shuichi, be careful!" Shisui shouted. After dispatching one enemy, Shuichi looked up to see the Sand Ninja above him, alreadypleting hand signs. His cheeks puffed out as he unleashed a powerful gust of wind. Boom! The wind roared, carrying hidden wind des that cut through the air with a deafening sound. The buildings and walls in the wind''s path, whether made of earth or wood, were left with deep cuts as if struck by a sword. Shuichi and Shisui quickly took cover behind a building. The storm subsided quickly, and the Jonin descended from above, sword raised to strike at Shuichi''s head. At the critical moment, Shuichi sidestepped the strike, drawing his own de from his waist. He ducked low and sprang forward like a rabbit, shing horizontally from right to left, aiming at the enemy''s abdomen. Simultaneously, a blue light began to cover Shuichi''s Totsuka de from hilt to tip, the intense heat distorting the air and light around it. The speed of the sh left a trail of warped afterimages. A-Rank Kenjutsu: Blue me Sky de! The blue light covering the Totsuka de was actually high-temperature mes formed by Fire Release chakra nature transformation, reaching up to 4000 degrees Celsiusthe current limit of Shuichi''s abilities. As the Sand Ninja raised his sword to block, the distortion of the air and light caused him to misjudge the position of Shuichi''s de. The Totsuka de sliced through half of the Sand Ninja''s sword, then cut through his vest, skin, organs, and spine, splitting him in two at the waist. The speed and heat of the de were so intense that no blood flowed from the wound, and the Sand Ninja''s body remained upright, propped up by his sword. Without looking back, Shuichi dashed toward Shisui. At that moment, Shisui was engaging the Sand Jonin in a fast-paced battle, using his unique Body Flicker Jutsu. Seeing Shuichi arrive so quickly, the Sand Jonin''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible!" Under the cover of his Wind Release technique, and with the experienced Sunasuke having the upper hand, he couldn''t believe that this Konoha brat had defeated him so swiftly. "These two Konoha brats are no ordinary shinobi..." The Sand Jonin made a split-second decision, leaping into the air whilepleting hand signs. His chest expanded as he prepared to exhale. Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! This technique generated a pure gust of wind, unlike the earlier oneced with wind des. There wasn''t enough time for a moreplex jutsu, and any dy would leave him vulnerable. Shisui''s Body Flicker clones could easily withstand such an attack, but the real Shisui hidden among them was blown off the rooftop, causing the other clones to dissipate as well. Meanwhile, Shuichi burst forward with a surge of chakra under his feet, charging up the rooftop against the wind. As the Sand Jonin descended, he quickly began forming hand signs, but before he couldplete them, Shuichi unleashed a stream of mes from his mouth, which quickly expanded into arge fireball. "This brat didn''t even form hand signs!" The Sand Jonin was shocked once more but had no choice but to abandon his jutsu. He drew his sword, infused with Wind Release chakra, and sliced through the fireball. Shuichi then raised one hand, summoning two shadow clones, each wielding a Totsuka de. They both charged at the Sand Jonin as hended. At the same time, Shisuiunched a volley of shuriken, whizzing through the air to harass the Sand Jonin. The Sand Jonin parried the attacks with his de, quickly engaging in a close-quarters fight with Shuichi and his clones. The Jonin''s speed was undoubtedly faster than Shuichi''s, and his Wind Release-enhanced de was equally sharp and lethal. Yet, the Sand Jonin found himself at a disadvantage. Despite his superior speed, his attacks were either blocked or evaded. "Damned brat!" Gritting his teeth, the Sand Jonin created an opening in his defense, taking the opportunity to destroy one of Shuichi''s clones. He then used his shoulder armor to absorb another strike from the second clone before kicking it, causing it to disperse. Wind Release chakra surged in his left hand as he grabbed Shuichi Hoshita''s Totsuka de barehanded, while his right hand thrust a katana straight at Shuichi. ng! Uchiha Shisui intervened just in time, blocking the strike. In that instant, the Totsuka de in Shuichi''s hand was enveloped in a blue glow, casting a pale blue light on all three of their faces. Blue me Sky de! The intense heat distorted the air. The Sand Jonin''s pupils dted in shock as he tried to pull back, but it was tootethe Totsuka de sliced through the Wind Release chakra covering his hand, cutting his palm open. With a scream of agony, the Sand Jonin staggered back. But Shuichi and Shisui didn''t let up,unching a relentless flurry of attacks. ng! ng! Sparks flew as the Jonin parried Shisui''s strikes. But after a few exchanges, the Jonin''s katana was cleaved in two by the Totsuka de. Taking advantage of the opening, Shisui shed across the Jonin''s chest, tearing through his k jacket. Enraged and in pain, the Jonin retaliated with a powerful kick, sending Shisui flying. Ignoring Shisui as he was knocked back, Shuichi pressed the attack. With a swift strike, he severed the Jonin''s short sword and then sliced off his right arm before finishing with a lethal sh to the throat. The Sand Jonin''s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the panting Shuichi. He fell to the ground, his body split in two. "Shisui, are you okay?" Shuichi asked, turning his head. Shisui clutched his stomach and shook his head. That kick had almost knocked the wind out of him. Although his eyes had seen the attacking, it was too fast, and he couldn''t avoid it aftermitting to his own strike. This Jonin was truly formidable! At that moment, Minato Namikaze arrived with Kurama Sany, teleporting directly to Shuichi and Shisui using the Flying Thunder God kunai they carried. Seeing that the enemies had been dealt with, Minato first expressed surprise, then gave a heartfeltpliment, "Well done!" "But Shuichi, your chakra..." Shuichi sheathed his sword and made a hand sign. "Don''t worry, Minato-sensei. It''s not a problem!" As he spoke, he released an iplete Yin Seal. The chakra he had stored for the past six months flowed from his forehead, rejuvenating his depleted body. However, this also meant that the Yin Seal Shuichi had painstakingly worked on for half a year was now undone, and he would need to start over from scratch. But that was exactly why he had created the Yin Seal in the first cefor moments like this. He had no regrets. "Minato-sensei, more Sand Ninjas areing!" Kurama Sany warned. Shuichi and the others looked up to see four Sand Ninjas closing in. Their reinforcement speed was faster than expected. As soon as Minato and Kurama had finished dealing with their enemies, the southern Sand Ninja squad had already arrived. Worried about Shuichi and Shisui, Minato and Kurama had only engaged the enemy briefly before retreating. But as the Sand Ninja squad approached and saw the aftermath of the battle, the lead Jonin immediately ordered, "Retreat!" Both of their squads had been wiped out in such a short timeKonoha''s team was far stronger than they had anticipated. (End of Chapter) --- This Chapter concludes with a total of 2680 Words. Good night, everyone! Take this fic to Top 15 and you will get 5 Extra Chapters! ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! I Upload 1 or 2 Chapters Daily There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 61: Breaking Through!

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Breaking Through!

"Attack!" Seeing the retreating Sand Shinobi squad, Minato Namikaze gave the order. Shichi and the other two immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to pursue. As they closed in, they hurled Minato''s Flying Thunder God kunai with all their might. The retreating Sand Jonin nced back, adjusted his position, and easily dodged one of the kunai. But in the next instant, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a figure appearing right in front of him. "What?!" The Sand Jonin was shocked, but before he could react, Minato''s Rasengan was already crashing down, striking its mark with precision. Boom! The Sand Jonin''s body was sent flying, crashing into the ground and creating a massive crater, kicking up a cloud of dust. "Leader!" The remaining three Sand Shinobi cried out in shock and immediately halted. Shichi Hoshita and hispanions rushed forward. Body Flicker Technique! Crescent Moon Dance! Demonic Illusion - False Surroundings Technique! With Kurama Sanyo''s assistance, they used a group Genjutsu to disrupt the enemy. Shisui Uchiha used the Body Flicker Technique to overwhelm the enemies, swiftly eliminating them. Shichi Hoshita, although slightly slower, also managed to defeat his opponent in a single strike. "Retreat!" Minato ordered, leading Shichi and the others out of the town to rest temporarily on a nearby mountain. They consumed soldier pills to replenish their stamina and drank water to rehydrate. The four rested silently, without any conversation. Shichi lowered his gaze, reflecting on today''s battle. His Blue me Sky de was as sharp as ever, its intense heat capable of melting steel in an instant. "But my speed wascking," Shichi acknowledged his shorings. Or rather,pared to the level of a Jonin. He had an extraordinary reaction time, with dynamic vision that gave him a significant advantage in closebat. But it wasn''t everything. Even Uchiha Sasuke, with his Mangeky Sharingan and powerful insight, could clearly see Killer Bee''s movements but was still suppressed by Killer Bee''s swordsmanship. This was because Killer Bee''s attack speed was fast and relentless; even though Sasuke''s eyes and mind could keep up, his body couldn''t move fast enough. Against Chunin, Shichi could use the chakra-enhanced strength technique he learned from Tsunade to ovee any gaps in speed or power, along with his highly responsive nerves giving him a huge advantage. But against Jonin, his speed wasn''t fast enough. Or rather, his attack speed wasn''t fast enough! If it weren''t for Shisui Uchiha earlier, he wouldn''t have been able to take down that Sand Jonin by himself. "Speed... Apart from training and pure chakra bursts, Lightning Release can also enhance it." The first thing Shichi thought of was the activation of all the body''s cells through Lightning Release. Thanks to his fast reaction time, his attack speed was already exceptional among Chunin, evenparable to some Jonin in Tsunade''s eyes. But people are never satisfied. Moreover, on the battlefield, Chunin don''t always face only other Chunin! Shichi naturally hoped that even if he couldn''t defeat a Jonin, he would at least have the ability to escape. "Can Fire Release enhance speed?" Shichi''s thoughts quickly shifted back to Fire Release. Among all the various techniques, he had the highest aptitude in Fire Release, making it the easiest for him to achieve results. "Fire Release also has the characteristic of causing explosions. The shockwaves from an explosion could indeed create propulsion..." Shichi brainstormed. An hour passed in the blink of an eye, and their rest came to an end. Under the cover of night, Shichi and the others headed to the third town. From this point on, Minato Namikaze changed hisbat strategy. Instead of infiltration and annihtion, they switched to hit-and-run tacticsstriking swiftly and retreating before moving on to the next target. Over the course of the night, Shichi''s team hit four towns in the northern region of the Land of Rivers, throwing the area into chaos. However, the forces of the Sand Vige were also mobilized, leaving them unable to focus on the towns of Hegu Town and Shanliao Town, both of which were closer to the Land of Fire. These two locations were sessfully upied by the follow-up Konoha squads, bing the rear support for Minato''s team. Additionally, as Minato''s team continued their raids, drawing numerous Sand Shinobi squads into the fray, many small towns and viges in the northern Land of Rivers were left defenseless, allowing Konoha''s forces to quickly infiltrate. Undoubtedly, their tactical objectives had been initially achieved. As dawn approached, Shichi Hoshita opened his eyes inside a cave. After three hours of rest, he had fully recovered. Not far away, Shisui Uchiha also woke up. The two exited the cave, found a nearby spring, and washed their faces, then took over the watch from Minato Namikaze and Kurama Sanyo. Without Minato''s exceptional sensory skills, Shichi and Shisui had to expand their vignce range. Two hours passed in a sh. Standing atop a tree, Shichi spotted Shinobi approaching from downstream. The Sand Shinobis were here! Shichi immediately retreated and regrouped with Shisui, only to discover that Sand Shinobi were alsoing from the west. They returned to the cave to wake Minato and Sanyo. Minato quickly used his sensory jutsu and, after a moment, said, "It''s not just the south and westthere are enemies to the north and east as well." Shichi wasn''t surprised. Although Minato had the Flying Thunder God Technique, his chakra wouldn''t allow him to teleport the entire team recklessly. And since they had left traces, it was inevitable that they would be tracked down. Not to mention, this was all part of the n. Their squad''s mission was to disrupt the Sand Shinobi''s formations and force them to mobilize their forces. The Sand Shinobi likely realized this, but they had no choice but to encircle and eliminate Minato''s team. If they didn''t neutralize Minato''s squad, they wouldn''t be able to focus on Konoha''s reinforcements, especially given the impressivebat power and destructive capability Minato''s team had demonstrated. "Sensei, our mission objectives have been achieved. Should we break through to the east next?" Sanyo asked. Minato Namikaze replied, "Based on my current sensory readings, the forces to the east do appear to be weaker." "But is it that the Sand Shinobi want to force us back, or are they trying to trap us?" Shisui Uchiha interjected. "If I were the Sand Shinobimander, I would definitely aim to keep this squad here." "Not only as revenge for their fallenrades but also to make an example for the Land of Rivers," Shisui added. Kurama Sanyo was startled. "Shisui, do you mean there''s a trap to the east?" Shisui shook his head. "I can''t be certain." At this point, Minato asked Shichi Hoshita, "Shichi, what do you think?" After a moment of thought, Shichi replied, "Sensei, since your sensory abilities can''t reach that far, the only way to confirm whether there''s a trap is to probe." "With Shadow Clones!" "My chakra reserves are still sufficient. I can create three Shadow Clones, two of which can transform into Shisui and Sanyo, and together with your Shadow Clone, they can head east." "As for how we proceed, that decision should be yours." Minato, being a decisive leader, immediately responded, "First, we''ll follow Shichi''s n." "Second, we''ll break through to the south. Although this direction appears to have the strongest enemy presence, it also means that after breaking through, we''re less likely to face further strong resistance." Kurama Sanyo couldn''t help but ask, "Sensei, what if there isn''t a trap to the east?" Minato smiled. "Then we regroup and provide support!" Kurama Sanyo nodded. "The enemy is already on the mountain. Move out!" Minato ordered. Shichi quickly formed hand seals and created three Shadow Clones. Two of them transformed into Shisui and Sanyo, and together with Minato''s Shadow Clone, the four figures immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to break through to the east. It was clear that the Sand Shinobi had sensory ninjas as well, as they did not change the search directions of the enemy forces in the four directions but instead elerated their approach to the mountaintop. This sign seemed to confirm something. "Move out!" Minatomanded once again. The four of them exited the cave and began descending the mountain to the south. Minato Namikaze led the way, Kurama Sanyo took the middle, while Shichi Hoshita, holding a senbon in his mouth, and Shisui Uchiha covered the rear, one on the left and the other on the right. By the time they reached mid-mountain, the enemy was already within sight. Shichi and Shisui simultaneously elerated, overtaking Kurama Sanyo, and moved up to align with Minato, one on each side. As Shisui elerated, he started forming hand seals and then unleashed a massive fireball, sending a torrent of mes forward. On the left, Shichi performed a symbolic three-seal sequence, releasing his own Great Fireball Technique. Minato, in the center,pleted his hand seals as well, unleashing Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! Boom! The fireballs merged into a roaring sea of mes, engulfing the forest ahead. On the other side, three Sand Jonin, who were leading the charge,pleted their own jutsuall Wind Release techniquesforming a terrifying storm that kicked up sand and debris, tearing through the forest. The fire and wind collided, causing the air to violently crash and grind against itself, erupting in a deafening roar. The scorching heatwave that followed swept out in all directions. Both Shichi''s team and the Sand Shinobi halted their movements, taking cover behindrge trees. As the heatwave subsided, Shichi and the othersunched a barrage of shuriken and kunai, their hands moving in unison. ng, ng! The weapons were either blocked, intercepted by the enemy''s own shuriken and kunai, or evaded entirely. This round of projectile attacks achieved nothing. But in that instant, Minato''s figure suddenly vanished. He reappeared behind the lead Sand Jonin, grasping a Flying Thunder God kunai in his left hand while a Rasengan formed in his right. Boom! The Rasengan struck the Sand Jonin squarely in the back, causing the ground beneath to shatter and copse. At the same time, Shisui, with his Sharingan activated, employed his unique Body Flicker Technique, creating numerous afterimages that surrounded the other two Sand Jonin in the lead. Following closely behind, Shichi unleashed the Dance of the Crescent Moon, using Shisui''s afterimages as cover to break into the battle, targeting one of the Sand Shinobi. Kurama Sanyo, staying back, didn''t engage directly but instead used Genjutsu to disrupt the two Sand Shinobi fighting against Shichi and Shisui. Meanwhile, ahead of them, after taking out one Jonin with a Rasengan, Minato swiftly retrieved a handful of Flying Thunder God kunai from his tool pouch and flung them in all directions. In the next moment, Minato''s figure vanished again, leaving only shes of yellow light as he darted among the remaining Sand Shinobi. The Sand Shinobi barely had time to register Minato''s movements, seeing only a streak of yellowhis hair colorshing past. A series of agonized screams shook the resolve of the Sand Shinobi still battling Shichi and Shisui. As the screams ceased, Minato suddenly reentered the fray, and the two Sand Jonin let out muffled grunts as they were sent flying backward. Seizing the opportunity, Shichi activated a burst of chakra in his feet, and the Totsuka de in his hand red with blue mes, lighting up the forest. The Sand Jonin was quick to react, rolling to his feet and raising his kunai to block, but Shichi''s Totsuka de sliced through the kunai, cutting through his k jacket. The scorching de shed diagonally from his right shoulder to his left side, nearly cutting him in half. At the same time, Minato finished off the other Sand Jonin. From the start of the ninjutsu sh to the end of the battle, less than three minutes had passed. It wasn''t that the Sand Shinobi were weak; it was that Minato''s speed was simply too overwhelming. Moreover, Shichi and Shisui possessed extraordinary talents, and with Kurama Sanyo''s Genjutsu support, they were able to hold off two Sand Jonin. The best strategy against Shichi and Shisui would have been long-range, wide-area ninjutsu, but unfortunately, the Sand Shinobicked sufficient intelligence on them. Once engaged in closebat, the Sand Shinobi had no chance to form seals for ninjutsu, nor did Shichi and Shisui give them any opportunity to retreat or escape. With the battle concluded, Shichi and the others quickly collected the Flying Thunder God kunai and continued southward. The Sand Shinobi from the north and west were closing in, with the western group especially close. (End of Chapter) ??? Here is another Chapter to make up for my previous mistake, and yeah I Fixed that. We''re currently at rank 28, let''s go to top 15 and get your extra Chapter! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 62: Pakura!

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Pakura!

They descended the mountain and crossed the river. At that moment, the memories from the shadow clones returned, and Shichi Hoshita immediately reported, "Minato-sensei, there''s indeed a trap to the east!" "It''s Chiyo, the Puppet Master!" Minato Namikaze''s eyes narrowed as he heard this, and he immediately halted, saying, "Follow the river south!" The four of them quickly changed direction, abandoning their n to circle around to the east. As they followed the river downstream, Kurama Sanyo couldn''t help but ask, "Minato-sensei, is this Chiyo really that formidable?" Minato nodded slightly, "She''s an outstanding female puppet master from the Sand Vige." "Moreover, she''s skilled in medical ninjutsu and the use of poisons." "During thest Great Ninja War, she caused a lot of trouble for our vige. Fortunately, we had Lady Tsunade, who was able to counter her poison techniques." Puppet masters, especially powerful ones, are notoriously difficult to deal with. And Chiyo was among the bestit''s said she possesses the legendary Ten Puppets created by Monzaemon, the strongest puppet master in the Sand Vige''s history. Monzaemon was a remarkable ninja from the era of the First and Second Hokage and was the one who pioneered the path of puppet ninjutsu. Hearing Minato''s exnation, both Kurama Sanyo and Shisui Uchiha were taken aback. Shichi Hoshita also knew a bit about Chiyo. She was a formidable and ruthless opponent! If they were to encounter her along with other Sand Shinobi, without using the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape, Shichi believed that aside from Minato, the rest of them would be in serious trouble! Minato''s decision to change ns was undoubtedly the right one. The four of them continued south along the river, eventually entering a town called tsu. They used the town''splexity to cover their tracks. Shichi and Shisui transformed into wild cats and exited the town, heading north into the forest, while Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport himself and Sanyo to their location. This strategypletely threw off the Sand Shinobi, who had followed them to tsu but were left clueless, losing the trail of Minato''s team. ... In the mountains, Shichi Hoshita and his team found a cave where they could temporarily settle down. Meanwhile, back at the battlefield on the mountainside, Chiyo arrived with several Sand Shinobi, silently observing the grim scene. Three Jnin and twelve Chnin had been ughtered in just a few minutes. "That guy with the yellow hair!" Thinking about Minato Namikaze''s incredible Instant Movement Technique, Chiyo''s expression grew even more serious. "This sword wound... it must have been made by that kid with the short sword." "A genius from Konoha..." Chiyo examined each corpse, piecing together bits of information. Finally, Chiyo turned to one of the Sand Jnin and said, "Rasa, cancel the pursuit of Minato Namikaze and his team!" Rasa frowned upon hearing this. "Lady Chiyo, the destructive power of this Konoha team is immense. If we don''t eliminate them, they''ll pose a significant threat." Chiyo responded, "I''m well aware of that." "But you''ve seen it toohow many ninjas would we need to surround and eliminate them?" "We can''t afford a full-scale battle." "So, cancel the previous n and organize Jnin squads to pursue them. Even if we can''t take them out, we must at least force them out of our territory." Rasa nodded in agreement, as he had been considering the same approach. Chiyo then added, "I''ll leave this pursuit mission to you. The White Fang of Konoha has appeared in the Land of Rivers, so I need to head there." Rasa acknowledged the order and immediately turned to leave. ... Nightfall descended. Shichi Hoshita''s shadow clone, disguised as a stray cat, reappeared in tsu Town. Under the moonlight and streetmps, it wandered through the crowd, leaping between buildings. What puzzled Shichi, however, was the absence of any Sand Shinobi in the town. They had disappeared during the day, but so many Sand Shinobi had been pursuing themhad they really given up so quickly? "Huh?" Just as he was about to rendezvous with Shisui, Shichi suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed on a figure in the street. "Is that... Pakura?" Her figure and aura were simply too striking! At that moment, as if noticing Shichi''s gaze, the curvaceous figure on the street turned to look at him. Shichi nonchntly meowed, then strutted into a dark alley. Back on the street, Pakura withdrew her gaze and continued following the trail left by the Konoha ninjas that the Sand Shinobi had been tracking earlier in the day. She eventually arrived at an abandoned house. The Konoha ninjas'' trail had ended in this dpidated building. Frowning, Pakura carefully examined the area under the dim light but found nothing. The trail had been wiped clean! Exiting the house, Pakura scanned the surroundings again and eventually climbed onto the roof, surveying the area. Suddenly, her gaze locked onto a dirty stray cat. Stray cats weremon, but at that moment, Pakura recalled the stray cat she had briefly made eye contact with earlier on the street. Swish! Pakura''s figure disappeared from the rooftop and reappeared beside a few paw prints. These were the same paw prints she had noticed earlierseemingly ordinary. But now, her instincts told her something was off. She immediately formed hand signs, creating six clones, each heading in a different direction to follow the various paw print trails. Before long, Pakura returned to the room where Minato Namikaze and his team hadst been. She carefully examined the area again. There were no cat paw prints, but she did find traces of something being deliberately erased. "As I thought, there''s something suspicious here. The paw prints started from this spot, but someone tried to cover them up." A smile spread across Pakura''s face as she mused, "Why are there only two sets of cat prints?" "That Minato Namikaze''s Instant Movement Technique... could it possibly be more than just short-range teleportation?" Pakura''s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly darted away. Momentster, Pakura returned, apanied by Rasa and five other Jnin. Among them, Rasa and Pakura were the youngest. After hearing Pakura''s analysis, Rasa and the others surveyed the area once more. When they regrouped, a middle-aged Jnin said, "Pakura''s theory is highly usible." "A teleportation technique that works over long distancesthis could be a space-time ninjutsu!" Rasa''s gaze shifted northward. The darkness obscured his view, but he knew there was a mountain in that direction. Judging by the traces, it was highly likely that the Konoha team was hiding there. But there was also a chance they had already left. "Then let''s move out!" "We can''t keep lingering here. The current situation in the Land of Rivers is bing increasingly unfavorable for us." Rasa dered. The others nodded in agreement, and in unison, they vanished using the Body Flicker Technique. ... Inside the cave, Shichi Hoshita and Shisui Uchiha dispelled their shadow clones. After receiving the memories, Shisui reported, "Minato-sensei, the Sand Shinobi who were tracking us have all withdrawn, but new ones have arrived. The exact number is unclear, but given the situation, it''s highly likely they''re an elite Jnin squad." He had gathered this information by hypnotizing people in the town. By piecing together details from multiple sources, he couldn''t determine how many Sand Shinobi hade, but the shift in their forces provided some clues. Minato Namikaze nodded and then looked at Shichi. Shichi, however, furrowed his brows slightly and after a moment of contemtion said, "Minato-sensei, I think we might have been exposed." An amazed Sany asked, "Shichi, was your Transformation Technique discovered?" Shichi shook his head. "I''m not sure, it''s just a gut feeling." Minato smiled and said, "A ninja''s intuition is often very urate." "At this point, it''s likely the Sand Shinobi have changed their strategy, opting to use a small, elite force against us." "And it seems this elite unit has already figured out that we''re likely hiding here." Shisui added, "If that''s the case, Minato-sensei, there''s also a chance they''ve discovered the secret of your Instant Movement Technique." Minato, unconcerned, replied, "Once a jutsu is used, it''s inevitable that someone will gather intelligence on it. It''s just a matter of timenothing to worry about." Kurama Sany muttered, "An elite squad, sounds like we''re in big trouble, huh?" Shichi grinned, "We''ve caused the Sand Shinobi so much trouble, it''s only fair theye looking to return the favor!" His words immediately lightened the mood. Minato then said, "Shichi, send out a shadow clone to scout the area with me. The rest of you head north." "Understood!" ... Leaving behind a shadow clone, Shichi Hoshita, Shisui Uchiha, and Kurama Sany began their retreat together. Meanwhile, on the other side, Minato Namikaze and Shichi''s shadow clone encountered a Sand Shinobi squad halfway up the mountain. "Two Kekkei Genkai users!" Minato''s heart tightened when he saw Rasa and Pakura. The Hidden Sand Vige collected information on talented ninjas from other viges, and Konoha was no exception. Kekkei Genkai users were especially notable, particrly those without a family lineage. Rasa was slightly older, already 20 years old, while the voluptuous and seemingly mature Pakura was around Minato''s age, despite her appearance. "It looks like this mission might end here..." In an instant, Minato made a decision, quietly briefing Shichi on Rasa and Pakura. One controlled Ma Release, the other Scorch Releaseboth were young and powerful Jnin. Rasa, Pakura, and their team were equally on high alert, especially when they saw that there were only two opponents. The recent achievements of Minato''s team had been too remarkable for them not to be cautious. "Minato Namikaze of Konoha!" Rasa spoke first, his gaze fixed on Minato before shifting to Shichi. His eyes locked onto the hilt of a de peeking out from Shichi''s side. "For someone your age to kill a Jnin, that''s truly impressive. Even though you''re an enemy, you''ve earned our respect. I am Rasa, a Jnin of the Hidden Sand Vige." Shichi responded, "Shichi Hoshita, Chnin of Konoha!" Rasa, staring at Shichi''s youthful face, dered, "I will use all my strength to kill youthat is my way of showing respect." Shichi smiled, "Right now, I''m not your match, but in ten years, you won''t be mine." "And in the future, neither your son nor your daughter will be a match for me." This statement left both Minato and the Sand Shinobis, including Rasa, momentarily stunned. "Shichi''s perspective... really is odd but amusing," Minato thought with a smile, his hand already grasping a Flying Thunder God kunai. Rasa, snapping out of his surprise, darkened his expression. "You have no future!" But Pakura had already grown impatient. Raising her hands, two fiery red spheres appeared in her palms. "Let''s take them down first!" With that, sheunched one of the fireballs straight at Shichi. "She''s fiery, alrightattacks without hesitation!" Shichi muttered, quickly forming a few hand seals. He unleashed a stream of fire from his mouth, which rapidly gathered into arge fireball to meet Pakura''s. Boom! The two fireballs collided and exploded, sending waves of fire outward. Pakura''s Scorch Release fireball continued its trajectory toward Shichi. Shichi swiftly dodged, using his agility and quick reflexes to evade the attacks. Seeing this, Pakuraunched a second Scorch Release fireball toward him. At that moment, Minato''s kunai flew toward Pakura. Simultaneously, Minato vanished, reappearing in front of the Scorch Release fireball with a Rasengan in hand, which he mmed into the fireball. Boom! The Scorch Release fireball exploded. Pakura easily dodged the kunai, while Rasa clenched his fist. "I''ve got you now..." Iron Sand began to creep up from the ground beneath Minato. Rasa had anticipated Minato''s movements and seized the opportunity. However, just as he was about to ensnare Minato with the Iron Sand, Minato vanished from his spot. "Watch out!" A warning shout rang out from behind Pakura. Minato reappeared behind her, grasping his Flying Thunder God kunai. As he did, he reached into his pouch and scattered a flurry of kunai around. Rasa quickly turned, his pupils dting. "Those kunai... they''ve got teleportation forms on them!" The previous intelligence gathered on Minato had not mentioned anything about the kunai bearing teleportation markings. Those who had known this information were already dead. Just as the Sand Shinobi who knew Shichi didn''t need hand seals to use Fire Release were also dead. "Be careful! Those kunai have teleportation forms!" Rasa shouted, and his Iron Sand shot out densely to intercept Minato''s attack on Pakura. However, both the warning and the Iron Sand were toote. Minato once again disappeared and reappeared behind a middle-aged Sand Jnin, a Rasengan forming in his hand. The middle-aged Sand Jnin was on guard, turning to block with his sword. In the next instant, the Rasengan met the sword, and with a powerful push from Minato, the de shattered, and the Rasengan mmed into the Sand Jnin, sending him flying. Rasa''s Iron Sand, Pakura''s Scorch Release fireballs, and the other attacks all arrived, but they hit nothing. But Rasa had already hidden Iron Sand beneath each of the Flying Thunder God kunai, ready to strike whenever Minato reappeared. However, they still missed! "His speed... it''s unbelievable..." "He''s like a yellow sh!" Rasa''s face grew solemn. Minato shed several more times, finally appearing beside Shichi, where he used a Rasengan to shatter Pakura''s Scorch Release fireball, dispersing itpletely. Rasa''s attacks had consistently been a step behind, despite his early preparations. The first round of battle ended. Shichi and Minato were unscathed, while one Sand Shinobiy gravely injured and unconscious or may be dead by now. (End of Chapter) Next: The Yellow sh! ??? Current Rank 25, Come on guys!! Don''t you want to read extra Chapters? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 at just $7 for all my works! ??? Chapter 63: The Yellow Flash!

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: The Yellow sh!

After a brief exchange, the two sides once again faced off. Rasa stared at Minato Namikaze, his mind racing as he tried to figure out how to catch or strike Minato. "The only way is to attack his blind spot when he initiates an attack..." "Or to have a reaction speed faster than his." Rasa pondered, but inwardly frowned. Impossible! There''s no way to catch him! He then shifted his gaze to Shichi Hoshita. If he couldn''t directly target Minato Namikaze, then he would start with his subordinate. "Pakura, Madai, focus all your efforts on that kid!" Rasamanded. Pakura and the others immediately understoodShichi Hoshita was to be the weak point they would exploit to break through Minato Namikaze. No one found it dishonorable to gang up on a smaller opponent; they all nodded in agreement. On the other side, Shichi Hoshita keenly sensed Rasa and his team''s focus on him. In a low voice, he called out, "Minato Sensei!" With his wealth of experience, Minato Namikaze had already sensed their intentions and caught the meaning in Shichi''s words. Use it to our advantage. Bait! After all, it was only a shadow clone! At this moment, two Sand Jonin began retreating from the battlefield, taking with them the heavily injured Jonin that Minato had struck down earlier, moving away from the area covered by Minato''s Flying Thunder God kunai. Shichi Hoshita nced over and grew more alert. He didn''t believe those two Sand Jonin would just sit back and watch the rest of the battle. At that moment, Madai, the Jonin who had been standing behind Rasa and Pakura, suddenly moved. He rushed forward, kunai in hand. Rasa and Pakura also sprang into action. Rasa manipted his Iron Sand, forming a dense barrage of senbon that rained down. Meanwhile, Pakura''s Scorch Release fireballs circled around from both sides, aiming for the rear of Shichi and Minato. Shichi took in the entire situation, his hands swiftly forming seals. With just two hand signs, he unleashed a fire stream from his mouth, which quickly expanded into a massive dragon-shaped me. Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique! The dragon-shaped me engulfed the iing Iron Sand senbon, melting them into droplets of molten iron that fell to the ground. As the mes dispersed, the sound of whistling shuriken filled the airMadai was charging in with a flurry of shuriken. Minato Namikaze raised his hand and threw his own shuriken with pinpoint uracy, intercepting Madai''s attack. Just then, Pakura''s Scorch Release fireballs came at them from behind. Both Shichi and Minato dodged in unison. Rasa raised his hand, sending a wave of Iron Sand surging toward Minato, unleashing a relentless series of attacks. At that moment, Shichi no longer had time to observe Minato''s side of the battle. He was now engaged in a fierce fight with Madai, the Sand Jonin, while also dealing with two more Scorch Release fireballs. He was being pushed back step by step! The middle-aged Jonin, Madai, was already formidable on his own, and with the added power of the Scorch Release, Shichi Hoshita could only keep up thanks to his heightened reflexes and intense focus. However, what troubled him the most were those Scorch Release fireballs. Even if he sliced them apart with his Blue me Sky de, they would rbine, making it more effective to just smash them apart with a Rasengan. Suddenly, Madai retreated and began forming hand seals, and the frequency of the Scorch Release fireball attacks increased, leaving Shichi Hoshita no time to think of anything else. Though Shichi could also use the Rasengan, he chose not to. Sure enough, Madai finished his seals, took a deep breath, and unleashed a violent windstorm. But this jutsu wasn''t just aimed at Shichi; it targeted everyone on the battlefield, including Rasa and Pakura, covering the entire area and even the Flying Thunder God kunai scattered across the field. In the midst of ying cat-and-mouse with Rasa, Minato Namikaze suddenly appeared beside Shichi. Before the storm could engulf them, the two vanished again. Rasa, now protected by a shield of Iron Sand, stared intently at the flickering yellow light. Good, he hasn''t retreated! Rasa smiled. Pakura dispersed her Scorch Release fireballs, forming a ring of fire around herself as a protective barrier. Outside the battlefield, the two Jonin tending to the wounded began forming hand seals at the same time. Wind Release: Great Cast Net! One after the other, the two of them unleashed the same jutsu, creating a massive, razor-sharp web of wind that swept across the entire battlefield just as Madai''s Wind Release started to wane, resulting in a relentless, continuous attack. Rasa, with only his eyes exposed, looked out at the battlefield now shrouded in the raging winds and thought, "In this situation, if you don''t want to die, escape is the only option." If Minato Namikaze fled, it would indeed be a shame, but it would also provide crucial information about his teleportation technique. Additionally, it would rify whether Minato''s technique was merely high-speed movement or true space-time ninjutsu. However... Minato Namikaze silently reappeared behind the two Jonin who had just unleashed their Wind Release jutsu, with Shichi Hoshita by his side. At that moment, both experienced Sand Jonin sensed something was wrong. Sweat formed on their foreheads as they abruptly halted their jutsu and twisted their necks to look back. Minato''s Rasengan came crashing down, while Shichi was even more direct, slicing down with his Totsuka de. Splurt! Boom! The ground split, and the bodies were cleaved in two. Without uttering a sound, the two Sand Jonin were killed by Shichi Hoshita and Minato Namikaze. Madai, standing outside the storm''s reach, turned his head and widened his eyes in disbelief at the scene before him. "How is this possible?" As the storm subsided, Rasa and Pakura dispelled their defenses and turned to look at the rising dust cloud. Their expressions were grim, filled with disbelief. "This guy can ce a marking on people!" Rasa reacted quickly, instantly realizing what had happened, feeling so frustrated that he nearly coughed up blood. Two encounters, and they had already lost three men! Just then, with a poof, Shichi Hoshita dispersed into a cloud of smoke. "A shadow clone!" Madai couldn''t help but exim. Which meant that Minato Namikaze never really needed to rescue Shichi in the first ce. The only reason he did so was to trick them into continuing with their n. Their entire strategy had beenpletely seen through and exploited due to ack of information. "Sunagakure shouldn''t provoke Konoha. I hope you ry that message to the Third Kazekage." With those words, Minato Namikaze vanished. The battlefield fell into silence. After a long pause, Rasa looked up at the moon hanging in the sky and said, "Pakura, destroy all those kunai with the markings!" Pakura nodded silently and sent out her Scorch Release fireballs, melting each of the kunai. As for the idea of taking the kunai back for research, they didn''t even consider it. No one dared to touch the kunai marked with Minato''s jutsu. ... The memories from his shadow clone returned, and Shichi Hoshita and his group immediately stopped moving. Sure enough, Minato Namikaze appeared shortly after. "Let''s rest for half an hour before we continue," Minato said. Kurama Sany let out a sigh of relief and smiled, "Looks like we won''t have any pursuers." Minato smiled, "That may be true, but we should still stay vignt." Shichi, on the other hand, was deep in thought: After this battle, the name ''Yellow sh'' is probably going to start spreading throughout the ninja world. The road to glory is paved with countless bones! In the ninja world, any renowned title is built upon a pile of corpses. The Yellow sh, the White Fang of Konoha, and even the Killer Bee of the Cloud Vige... Shichi cleared his mind and said, "It''s been a long time since I''ve had a good meal. I''ll go hunt something for us." Minato nodded but added, "Shisui, go with Shichi." ... After a meal of roasted rabbit, the four set off again, reaching the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers by dawn. They then continued southeast along the border, eventually circling around from the north to return to Hegu Town. Konoha ninjas were stationed there, and it had even be the rear base for Konoha''s operations against the Land of Rivers. To Shichi''s surprise, he spotted Kakashi there. "Kakashi, when did you get here?" Shichi asked after greeting him. "Last night," Kakashi replied, then added, "The vige is still sending reinforcements, so it seems the situation at the front isn''t going well." Shichi chuckled, "No, I didn''te from the vigeI''m returning from the front lines." Kakashi was stunned. At that moment, Kurama Sany''s voice called out, and Shichi Hoshita patted Kakashi on the shoulder. "I''m off. If you head to the front lines, be extra careful, especially with Sand ninjas'' puppet masters." With that, Shichi quickly left and rejoined Minato Namikaze and the others as they set off again, arriving at the Konoha-Sand front lines by midday. Themander here was Sakumo Hatake! Seeing the four of them, Sakumo smiled and said, "Minato, we''re lucky to have you all." Minato responded humbly, "You''re too kind, sir. We were just doing our duty." Sakumo, knowing Minato''s gentle and modest nature, smiled and then turned his gaze to Shichi Hoshita. "Shichi, thank you for guiding Kakashi." Shichi was momentarily taken aback and quickly replied, "You give me too much credit, sir. Kakashi has helped me a lot as well. It''s more of an exchange between friends than guidance." Sakumo''s admiration for Shichi grew, and he said, "If you ever need help with swordsmanship, feel free toe to me anytime." Shichi was overjoyed and quickly bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, sir! I will!" This was not the time for modesty. Minato Namikaze then went off to attend a Jonin meeting and exchange information. Shichi and the others waited for nearly an hour before seeing Minato again. "We''ll have to split up now," Minato''s first words startled the three of them. "Shisui, you three will escort the injured back to Hegu Town. Once you arrive, Shichi, you''ll stay there and join the medical team." Minato then looked at Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany. "As for you two, you''ll temporarily join other teams until the mission ispleted." Shichi immediately understoodMinato was about to engage with powerful Sand ninjas, and it wasn''t suitable to bring them along. Kurama Sany breathed a sigh of relief and joked, "I was worried you wouldn''t be our squad leader anymore, Minato-sensei!" Minato patted Sany''s shoulder and advised, "Be careful during the mission!" "Don''t worry, Minato-sensei, we will!" Sany assured him, thumping his chest. After that, Shichi and the others escorted a group of injured ninjas back to Hegu Town. There wasn''t much time to talk as Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany were quickly called away by a middle-aged ninja. Meanwhile, Shichi dove into his duties as a medical ninja, barely having a moment to rest. Injured ninjas were continuously brought in from the front lines, while those who had recovered in Hegu Town were sent back to the front. Shichi gradually got to know more Konoha ninjas, and his exceptional medical skills earned him the respect of many, especially after word spread that he had trained under Tsunade. Over time, this rumor evolved into him being called "The disciple of Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin." To this, Shichi neither denied nor confirmed the rumors. After all, he had trained under Tsunade! If others misunderstood, that wasn''t his fault. (End of Chapter) Next Time: New Master Tags! ??? If we reach the top 3 in 30 days PS ranking I will release 3 extra Chapters..GL! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 64: New Master Tag Again!

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: New Master Tag Again!

Half a month quickly passed. In Hegu Town, fewer and fewer injured were arriving from the front lines, giving Shichi Hoshita a lot more free time. In a forest near the medical camp, Shichi''s chakra erupted beneath his feet, propelling him forward at high speed, leaving afterimages in his wake. Where he had just stood, a charred crater now remained. The most basic Body Flicker Technique essentially relies on a burst of chakra from the feet to achieve high-speed movement. Tsunade''s superhuman strength, on the other hand,es from even more precise chakra control, allowing for greater bursts of power. Now, Shichi had taken it a step further by using Fire Release chakratransforming a pure chakra burst into one with the nature of Fire Release, creating an even more powerful propulsion. The explosive nature of Fire Release was indeed effective, though it caused quite amotion. After several days of continuous practice, Shichi had finally mastered this explosive technique. This was no ordinary Body Flicker; it was the Fire Body Flicker Technique! Unfortunately, it hadn''t yet reached the level of an A-rank skill on his tag tree. Nor had it met Shichi''s goal. He wasn''t just after speed in movement; he needed speed in attack as well. While improving movement speed naturally boosts attack speed, it still wasn''t enough! Coming to a halt, Shichi fell into deep thought once more. Countless ideas from both his past and present lives surfaced in his mind. "Jet propulsion?" "Turbojet?" "Do I need Wind Release?" "No, maybe I should incorporate further shape transformation..." "If I want to boost speed across the board, it can''t just be about foot bursts; there''s really only one way to achieve that: a chakra cloak!" Shichi scratched his head in frustration. "But forming a chakra cloak requires an extraordinary level of chakra control, not to mention the amount of chakra I currently have is nowhere near enough." "The Yin Seal is clearly indispensable!" "Also, would it be more efficient to develop a Fire Release chakra cloak instead of continuing with Lightning Release training?" He exhaled deeply, abandoning the idea of training in Lightning Release. When developing a new technique, the worst thing you can do is give up at the first sign of difficulty. Stepping over to a tree, Shichi sat down cross-legged beneath it, organizing his thoughts. He pondered, "First is chakra controlmy current level isn''t enough, but if I can acquire the ''Medical Expert'' tag, my chakra control will immediately improve." "And as for chakra reserves, there''s the Yin Seal. One on the forehead and another on the abdomenif I fill both seals to capacity, I won''t be as strong as a tailed beast, but I''ll be close enough to act like one." "The most crucial part is, if I seed in developing this technique, it will undoubtedly be S-rank. Not only will I earn the ''Fire Release Master'' tag, but it will also advance my development of Fire Release sword techniques, leading to the ''Swordsmanship Master'' tag. That would further enhance my physical abilities..." The benefits were numerous, and after weighing them carefully, Shichi made up his mind. Fire Release it is! "I''ll start with shape transformation!" With that, Shichi began his new training regimen. He had previously pushed his chakra nature transformation to its limits. To achieve an even more powerful burst of energy, he needed to focus on shape transformation. Boom! Bang! In the forest, Shichi Hoshita repeatedly unleashed bursts of chakra beneath his feet. But this time, it was differenthe was experimenting with shape transformation. For example, he tried to shape the Fire Release chakra under his feet into a trumpet-like form before releasing it. ... Several days quickly passed. On thest day of April, while Shichi was training, he suddenly heard a familiar voice calling his name. He turned around to see Minato Namikaze, Shisui Uchiha, and Sany Kurama approaching him with smiles on their faces. "Is the mission over?" Shichi asked with surprise. But then he noticed the bandages on Sany Kurama''s arm. "Sany, you''re injured?" "It''s nothing, just a flesh wound," Sany replied nonchntly. Shichi stepped forward to inspect the injury and, satisfied that it wasn''t serious, nodded in relief. At this point, Minato Namikaze spoke up, "Shichi, you''re officially rejoining the team now. We''ll be heading back to Konoha." ... On May 1st, in the 40th year of Konoha, Shichi and the others returned to the vige. While Minato and the rest were enjoying some well-deserved time off, Shichi dove straight into work at Konoha Hospital. He urgently needed the "Medical Expert" tag to enhance his chakra control. Of course, he didn''t neglect his training in Wind Release chakra nature transformation, sealing techniques, or Fire Release shape transformation. His schedule was packed, even busier than when he was on missions. One day, after finishing lunch, Shichi headed from Konoha Hospital to seek advice from Minato on sealing techniques. However, when he knocked on the door, it wasn''t Minato who answered but a woman with red hairKushina Uzumaki. Shichi was momentarily taken aback, but Kushina smiled warmly and said, "You must be Shichi, the one Minato''s told me about, right?" "I''m Kushina Uzumaki, Minato''s girlfriend," she added confidently. At that moment, Minato Namikaze''s voice called out, "Is that you, Shichi?" "Come on in!" Kushina Uzumaki quickly added, "Come in, we were just working on some sealing techniques!" Shichi, no longer needing to pretend, immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Sensei''s wife, I''m Shichi Hoshita. Please take care of me!" Hearing herself called "Sensei''s wife" made Kushina blush, but she smiled even more brightly. She grabbed Shichi''s hand and led him inside. In the living room, Shichi saw numerous scrolls scattered around, all covered in densely packed sealing forms. Minato looked up as Shichi entered and smiled, "Shichi,e over here. Kushina and I have made some preliminary designs based on your earlier ideas." Shichi hurried over and examined the sealing forms on the scrolls. Though the notes were a bit rough, the thought process was very clear, with two distinct handwriting stylesclearly a coboration between Minato and Kushina. After a close look, Shichi eximed with delight, "Sensei, Kushina-san, you''re amazing!" Kushina immediately beamed with pride, "Of course!" But then she added with a smile, "And Shichi, you''re very impressive too,ing up with the idea ofbining two Four Symbols Seals." Minato nodded and said, "Shichi, this can be considered a new sealing technique." Pretending to think for a moment, Shichi suggested, "How about we call it the Eight Trigrams Seal?" Kushina instantly gave him a thumbs up, "That''s a perfect name!" Minato agreed, "Then it''ll be called the Eight Trigrams Seal." "There''s one more thing. The vige might find this sealing technique useful, so we need to get your consent," Minato continued. "Of course, the vige willpensate you. Based on the evaluation, the Eight Trigrams Seal qualifies as an A-rank technique, so you can choose an A-rank jutsu from the vige''s archivessealing techniques included." Shichi had already guessed what the Eight Trigrams Seal might be used for, and besides, he had only proposed the concept; Minato and Kushina were the ones who brought it to life. Still, he wasn''t about to turn down what he was owed, so he agreed without hesitation. As for which A-rank jutsu to choose, he decided to take some time to think it over. Just then, he noticed some activity in the tag tree within his mind. However, he didn''t check it right away. Instead, he continued learning about the Eight Trigrams Seal and the moreplexbination of the Yin Seal and the Eight Trigrams Seal alongside Minato and Kushina. Although thebination of the two sealing techniques was intricate, Shichi, who had already mastered the Yin Seal and the Four Symbols Seal, didn''t find it overly difficult to learn. This was partly due to his natural talent for sealing techniques, but also thanks to his strong memory, high-level cognitive abilities, and intense focusall boosted by his special system. Kushina couldn''t help but praise him repeatedly, growing even more fond of the lovely, sweet-talking Shichi. Minato Namikaze''s three-day vacation flew by, and by the end of it, Shichi Hoshita had almost fully mastered the new sealing technique. On thest day of the break, as they were about to leave, Kushina Uzumaki offered with a smile, "Shichi, if you ever have any questions about sealing techniques, feel free toe to me!" Shichi was pleasantly surprised but didn''t immediately agree. Instead, he looked toward Minato. It wasn''t that he doubted Minato''s approval; rather, he knew about Kushina''s true identity but had to pretend he didn''t. Therefore, he looked to Minato for confirmation. Minato, noticing Shichi''s reaction, smiled and said, "Of course, if you need any help, you can always go to her." Shichi''s face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Minato-sensei! Thank you, Kushina-sensei!" As they were seeing him off, Minato asked, "Have you decided on the A-rank jutsu yet?" Shichi thought for a moment and then asked, "Do you have any rmendations, Sensei?" Minato smiled, "It might be best to pick a jutsu that I haven''t mastered yet. For example, something in Wind Release, sensory ninjutsu, or sealing techniques." Shichi grinned, "That was my thought as well." "In that case," Shichi suggested, "how about choosing a genjutsu?" "Genjutsu?" Minato was a bit surprised. Shichi nodded. "I''ve learned a lot about genjutsu from Shisui and Sany. I''ve grown very interested in it." "More importantly, Minato-sensei, I think the memory pce we discussed earlier would be perfect as a genjutsu!" "Genjutsu, huh?" Minato pondered for a moment and then praised, "Shichi, your intuition with jutsu is as sharp as ever." "Alright then, a genjutsu it is!" With that decision made, Shichi returned home under the cover of night. After preparing a bath, Shichi closed his eyes and turned his attention to the tag tree in his mind. A new tag had appeared. Tag: Sealing Master Conditions to Obtain: Create at least 5 A-rank sealing techniques or create 1 S-rank sealing technique. Effects: Sealing jutsu and curse mark aptitude increase by 100%, thought processing speed increases by 100%, and one sealing technique can be converted into a Kekkei Genkai/Bloodline Limit. No learning barriers exist for non-bloodline sealing techniques or curse marks. Shichi''s eyes shot open as he stood up abruptly. To convert a sealing technique into a Kekkei Genkai! Incredible! "No wonder it''s called a ''Master'' tag!" "It''s both powerful and sturdy!" Shichi couldn''t help but grin widely. He knew very well that the world of Naruto revolved around bloodlines and overpowered abilities! Either you had a powerful bloodline or a game-breaking abilityotherwise, even someone like Orochimaru, a genius scientist, would end up sidelined. (End of Chapter) Next: Flower of mes! Next Next: S-Rank Confidential Mission! Next Next Next: Maybe exnation for Rasa'' Iron Sand? ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to Chapter 104 There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 65: Flower of Flames!

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Flower of mes!

After lying back down, Shichi Hoshita calmed himself. The [Sealing Master] tag was much more challenging to achieve than either [Fire Release Master] or [Swordsmanship Master]. Developing sealing techniques was significantly more difficult. Finally, as Shichi considered thest effect of the [Sealing Master] tag, a thought crossed his mind: "Isn''t Adamantine Sealing Chains considered a Kekkei Genkai?" "I remember it being a Hiden technique." "But Adamantine Sealing Chains is heavily tied to the Uzumaki n''s unique physiology, so it should still fall under the category of a Kekkei Genkai." Shichi shook his head, dismissing the idea. While Adamantine Sealing Chains was indeed powerful, it would be more appropriate to turn a sealing technique of his own creation into a Kekkei Genkai if he ever obtained the [Sealing Master] tag. "I could even develop a sealing technique specifically with the goal of bing a Kekkei Genkai in mind..." As the water cooled, Shichi finished his bath and then went to his study to review his sealing technique knowledge. Revisiting old knowledge brings new insights! The next day, after returning from his morning training, Shichi noticed a scroll and a note left on the table. Upon closer inspection, he found they were from Minato Namikaze. Opening the scroll, a jutsu was revealed: Infinite Darkness Jutsu! It was a visual genjutsu that could rob the enemy of their sight. Undoubtedly, this was an excellent technique for countering dojutsu users. Sealing the scroll inside the sealing scroll given to him by Tenka, Shichi washed up and headed to Konoha Hospital. In the following days, Shichi''s study of sealing techniques shifted from Minato to Kushina Uzumaki, with their sessions taking ce at Minato''s home. Time flew by, and July arrived, marking the start of the annual Chnin Exams. Upon learning that Kakashi was participating, Shichi made a point to watch during the second and third rounds. As expected, Kakashi sessfully advanced to Chnin, bing Konoha''s second genius to achieve this rank at the age of six. His birthday was in September, so he was still six years old! After Kakashi''s promotion, Shichi suggested a celebration, but Kakashi proposed, "How about we have an all-outpetition instead?" Shichi raised an eyebrow and agreed with a smile, "Today, you get to decide." Kakashi then said, "For the first round, let''s race from here to the training grounds and see who arrives first!" Might Guy immediately chimed in, "How could I miss out on such a passionate challenge?" Nohara Rin and the others, who were also waiting for the results, gathered around as well. "Count me in!" shouted Obito Uchiha, unwilling to be left out. Seeing Asuma Sarutobi also eager to join, Shichi said, "Since everyone wants to join, let''s all race together!" Shizune and the other girls quickly voiced their agreement. Soon, everyone was lined up, and at Shichi''smand, they all used the Body Flicker Technique, racing towards the training grounds at full speed. In no time, the group had formed different tiers. In the lead, neck and neck, were Shichi, Kakashi, and Asuma. The second tier consisted of Might Guy and Obito Uchiha. The third tier included Shizune, Kurenai Yuhi, Rin Nohara, and the other girls. However, as Shichi employed his newly developed Fire Body Flicker Technique, he immediately widened the gap between himself, Kakashi, and Asuma. But then, Shichi heard the crackling sound of electricity behind him. He turned his head to see Kakashi surrounded by crackling lightning, his speed suddenly increasing. "He''s already started applying Lightning Release chakra nature transformation to his body. Impressive, Kakashi!" Shichi Hoshita silently praised. Meanwhile, Asuma Sarutobi gritted his teeth as he watched the two in front of him. Damn it, I can''t catch up! He resolved to ask his older brother, Shinnosuke Sarutobi, for advice when he got back. ... The winner of the first round was undoubtedly Shichi Hoshita. Kakashi''s application of Lightning Release chakra nature transformation was still in its early stages. For the second round, by the river. Shichi and Kakashi collided at high speed under the watchful eyes of the others. Their fists and feet shed, kunai sparked as they met inbat. Both fought with incredible speed, leaving only afterimages in their wake that Shizune and the others struggled to keep up with. "So fast!" Kurenai Yuhi eximed in surprise. Suddenly, Shichi disarmed Kakashi, knocking the kunai out of his hand. But Kakashi quickly drew his sword, forcing Shichi to abandon his kunai as well. In response, Shichi drew his Totsuka de. Short sword against short sword! The sound of shing metal rang out as sparks flew between them. But soon, Might Guy and Asuma noticed that Kakashi was starting to lose ground. Kakashi suddenly retreated, performing several backflips before sheathing his sword and rapidly forming hand seals. Lightning Release? Shichi quickly formed two symbolic hand seals and unleashed a Great Fireball Jutsu, interrupting Kakashi''s jutsu and forcing him to dodge. Uchiha Obito, watching from the sidelines, widened his eyes in disbelief. Two hand seals for the Great Fireball Jutsu? This is the first time I''ve seen that! Shichi followed up by throwing a barrage of shuriken, forcing Kakashi to keep dodging. Despite this, Kakashi managed toplete his hand seals. Lightning Release: Ground Pulse! Electricity raced across the ground toward Shichi. Shichi leapt into the air and countered with a Dragon Fire Jutsu, sting the advancing electricity away. Before he evennded, he unleashed another jutsuPhoenix Sage Fire Techniquebined with a flurry of shuriken that merged with the fireballs. Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson! (Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu C Scarlet w) Kakashi immediately dodged and weaved to avoid the attack. As Shichinded, he formed two more hand seals. Fire Style: Biscuit Firing Jutsu! Suddenly, Kakashi''s body was engulfed in mes, forcing him to dive into the river to extinguish them. Shichi charged toward the water. The moment Kakashi resurfaced, he felt a kunai pressed against his neck. But in the next instant, with a puff of smoke, Kakashi''s body turned into a cloud of vapor. Behind Shichi, the real Kakashi emerged from the river, havingpleted his jutsu. Lightning Release: Ground Pulse! Lightning crackled and surged toward Shichi from behind, forming a tree-like pattern of electricity. Boom! The river surface exploded, sending waves crashing and spraying water vapor, while Shichi Hoshita had already vanished without a trace. "That''s fast!" Kakashi''s gaze sharpened as the mist parted to reveal three afterimages of Shichi charging toward him. It was the Dance of the Crescent Moon! There was no time to form hand seals. On the riverbank, under the watchful eyes of Shizune and the others, Kakashi was forced into retreat by the three Shichi Hoshitas, eventually having no choice but to surrender. In terms of speed, physical skills, swordsmanship, and ninjutsu... Kakashi was at a clear disadvantage. The fight left Shizune and the others thoroughly impressed. It was a different levelpared to the practice fights back at the academy. "This is what it means to be a Chnin; the difference is enormous," Kurenai Yuhi marveled. Shizune and Rin nodded in agreement. Afterward, Might Guy, Obito Uchiha, and Asuma Sarutobi all took turns sparring with Shichi and Kakashi, experiencing firsthand the strength of Chnin. ... As the sun set, everyone went their separate ways, and Shichi Hoshita apanied Shizune home. When they passed by a flower shop, Shizune stopped and said, "Lady Tsunade''s flowers need recing. How about we get some now?" "Let''s go take a look," Shichi agreed. He followed Shizune into the flower shop. Inside, the shop owner was watering some wilting flowers. Shichi looked at the blooming petals but suddenly froze in ce. Shizune selected some flowers and, noticing Shichi''s reaction, asked, "Shichi, do you like morning glories?" Shichi snapped back to reality, smiling and nodding, "Yes, I do!" "This should be my lucky flower!" Shizune said, taking note. "Then let''s buy it," Shichi said, and he purchased the flowers, including the ones Shizune picked. After escorting Shizune home, Shichi hurried back to his own ce, found a vase, and ced the flowers inside. He had mentioned that the morning glories were his lucky flower because their blooming appearance reminded him of the transformation of Fire Release. He aimed to simte the process of the flower blooming to enhance the explosive power of Fire Release chakra. The blooming of the flower symbolized the process of an explosive outburst. However, whether this approach would work was uncertain and required careful experimentation. For the first step in his experiment, Shichi needed to master the control of Fire Release chakra to simte the flower''s transformation from bud to full bloom. The difficulty was undoubtedly significant. After a wash and meal, Shichi focused on the morning glories on the table and began his attempt. With his right palm open, he first performed the Fire Release chakra nature transformation, and a pulsating me appeared on his palm. He then began to control this me to mimic the shape of the morning glory. After some trial and error, it was already 10 o''clock. Shichi, feeling somewhat exhausted, ended his training and started to rest. .... Unknowingly, July wasing to an end. At the Konoha Hospital, Shichi Hoshita returned to the lounge with a smile after just finishing a surgery. Finally done. With five medical ninjutsu in totalBasic Healing Jutsu, Mystical Palm Technique, Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, Yin Healing Wound Destruction, and Chakra Scalpelhe had finally met the requirements of the Tag Tree. Activate! Shichi immediately chose to activate the Medical Expert tag. The proficiency in medical ninjutsu increased by 100%, and chakra control improved by 100%. Shichi immediately felt a significant difference. He was now constantly channeling chakra into the Yin Seal + Eight Trigrams Seal in his abdomen, which itself required a very high level of chakra control. This specifically reflected in the refinement of chakra, which needed a steady and meticulous approach,pletely different fromrge-scale chakra refinement inbat. Previously, Shichi barely met the requirements, but now he could refine chakra down to the individual cells in his body. "This feeling is incredible." Shichi smiled broadly, then opened his right palm. Over the past month, through constant practice, he had been able to shape the Fire Release chakra into the form of a morning glory flower, but he still couldn''t achieve dynamic form changes. With the significant boost in chakra control, Shichi was eager to try it out. Soon, the orange-red me in his palm transformed into a bud shape and then began to bloom outward. At that moment, Tsunade pushed the door open and was stunned by the sight of the blooming me flower. Shichi looked up and saw Tsunade, then extended his palm towards her: "Lady Tsunade, what do you think?" Tsunade snapped back to reality, observing the blooming fire flower in Shichi''s palm, and asked, "Is this the shape transformation of Fire Release?" "Why a flower?" For Fire Release, in terms of shape transformation, it''s usually spherical or dragon-shaped. What''s the use of a flower shape? It''s pretty, indeed! Shichi exined, "It''s the Fire Body Flicker Jutsu." "Fire Body Flicker Jutsu?" Tsunade still looked puzzled. "You''ll understand better if you see it for yourself." Shichi said as he dispersed the fire flower in his hand, then led Tsunade to the small training grove where he practiced. Tsunade observed the ckened craters around and pondered. Shichi, meanwhile, lowered his gaze and concentrated for a moment. After opening his eyes, he leapt into the air, leaving afterimages. Tsunade immediately focused her attention and saw an astonishing sight. In mid-air, apanied by an explosive sound, Shichi used the leverage in the air to propel himself even higher. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 66: S-Rank Confidential Mission!

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: S-Rank Confidential Mission!

"This guy..." Tsunade showed a look of surprise. In the air, Shichi Hoshita was overjoyed. However, it was still in its early stages, and he wasn''t very skilled yet. When he tried to control the force during the second mid-air explosion, he ended up crashing straight into a tree trunk. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and used Yin Healing Wound Destruction in advance, so there was no serious injury. But as soon as he got up from the ground, Tsunade was already beside him, asking, "How did you do that?" "Bybining nature transformation with shape transformation." Shichi exined, "The explosive nature of Fire Release is enhanced by shape transformation, which simtes the blooming of a flower. The blooming process itself is the transformation of Fire Release chakraessentially, the explosion." "The explosion creates a shockwave, and the flower''s shape constrains the shockwave, which then propels us at high speed." "It''s actually an advanced development of the basic Body Flicker Technique." Tsunade, after hearing this, asked, "What made you think of using the shape of a flower?" Shichi smiled and replied, "It came to me when I was buying flowers with Shizunest time and saw the flowers bloomingmorning glories." Tsunade immediately recalled that day. Shizune had returned with flowers, looking very pleased... What incredible ninja instincts! Tsunade secretly marveled, then pondered, "This truly is a remarkable Body Flicker Technique. It allows you to gain momentum mid-air, something no other ninja can do." "Moreover, as you be more proficient, you might even be able to move at high speeds in mid-air." Shichi nodded, "Exactly." Tsunade added, "The difficulty of this technique is undoubtedly S-rank!" Not to mention nature transformationmost Fire Release jutsu have explosive characteristics. But shape transformation? Just forming a realistic fire flower, let alone simting its blooming process, is extremely challenging. And she noticed that Shichi did this without any hand seals. This means that this could be a hand-seal-less Fire Body Flicker Technique! Shichi nodded. In terms of difficulty, it indeed reached the S-rank level. However, the technique wasn''t fullypleted yet, so it didn''t meet the requirements of his Tag Tree. But the hardest part, the beginning, was already done. Now it was just a matter of refining the details step by step. And this Fire Body Flicker Technique was only the beginning. His ultimate goal was tobine it with the Yin Seal, and even add Tsunade''s unfinished Strength of a Hundred Technique to form a Fire Release chakra cloak, allowing the fire flowers to bloom from any part of his body. Of course, this was a far-off goal. Just mastering the Yin Seal would take two to three years, or even longer. Adding the Yin Seal on his forehead would take even more time. But he''s only seven years old now, so time is on his side. ... Under Tsunade''s watchful eyes, Shichi Hoshita continued to refine the Fire Body Flicker Technique. It seemed he had set a good foundation, and within a few days, he made another breakthrough. The Wind Release chakra nature transformation was finallypleted! This training was entirely a product of grinding through time with Shadow Clones. With that, the Wind Release Expert tag was triggered, with conditions and effects simr to those of Fire Release Expert. Having made this progress, Shichi decided it was time to end his "retreat" at the Konoha Hospital. Not only because he needed to obtain Wind Release ninjutsu resources from Minato Namikaze, but also because he needed to apply these techniques to perfect the Fire Body Flicker Technique. In the evening, after packing his belongings for the mission tomorrow, Shichi sat down to review his training. By now, he was a true Fire Release expert. However, Shichi hadn''t forgotten that his original goal in developing the Fire Body Flicker Technique was to enhance his swordsmanship, particrly to increase his speed. Thinking about swordsmanship, he couldn''t help but recall the Dance of the Crescent Moon technique. "The Dance of the Crescent Moon... what if I use Fire Release clones for it?" Shichi couldn''t help but think of the Lightning Release clone, which turns into a sh of lightning that can temporarily paralyze the enemy when struck. So, what about Fire Release clones? As he thought about it, Shichi grew more excited. He imagined the scene where a Fire Release clone is struck and then explodes, transforming into a blooming flower of mes. "Fire Release clones... I wonder if Konoha has any." Shichi pondered, "Even if not, it doesn''t matter. A Fire Release clone is just a Shadow Clone formed with Fire Release chakra, so developing it shouldn''t be difficult for me." "The key is the exploding fire flower... Making the Fire Release clone explode isn''t the problemit''s just a matter of chakra nature transformation. But the fire flower..." "It seems the Fire Release clone will need to self-detonate to achieve that." Looking at the time, it wasn''t practical to go outside and experiment now, so Shichi decided to calm his thoughts and retrieved the ninjutsu scroll his mother had left behind. He decided to master Wind Release: Gale Palm first! ... The night passed without incident, and the next morning, Shichi Hoshita woke up early. He started with his morning training, then tested out the Gale Palm technique. He found that releasing it was no problem at allnow it was just a matter of practice. It''s definitely easier to train in Wind Release ninjutsu after mastering the Wind Release chakra nature transformation. "I also need to find time to work on genjutsu..." After breakfast and getting ready, Shichi dressed in hisbat gear, slung his scroll over his shoulder, and headed out. As usual, they met at the old spot. After the entire Minato Squad gathered, they left the vige. On the way, Shichi mentioned to Minato Namikaze that he wanted to train in Wind Release ninjutsu. Minato agreed immediately and then smiled, "It looks like you''re shifting your focus to Wind Release?" Shichi exined, "Since the first stage of my Fire Release development isplete, it now needs a lot of realbat and time to refine and perfect it. I can temporarily shift my energy to Wind Release and genjutsu." Hearing the mention of genjutsu, Sany Kurama chuckled, "It looks like I might get to be a teacher!" Shichi immediately yed along, "Master Sany, I will be in your care!" Uchiha Shisui, watching the exchange, also smiled, "Shichi, if you need any help, don''t hesitate to ask." "Of course," Shichi joked, "I''ve always had a thick skin, so there''s no need for formality." As the three joked around, Minato''s smile grew even wider. He thought to himself, "With Shichi around, it feels like the atmosphere is even better!" --- When they stopped to rest, Shichi Hoshita learned his first Wind Release jutsu from Minato Namikaze. Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere! A B-rank Wind Release jutsu that allows the user to continuously fire air bullets from their mouth. This technique is somewhat simr to a smaller version of the Drilling Air Bullet used by Shukaku, the One-Tail. Shichi remembered that Uchiha Sasuke, after awakening his Mangeky Sharingan, was once injured by this very move from Danzo. "Wind fuels fire, Danzo, I''ll get you one day!" As he practiced the Vacuum Sphere jutsu, Shichi clenched his teeth in silent determination. Though things had been rtively peacefultely, he was definitely someone who held grudges. --- Time flew by, and before he knew it, it was already September. Shichi Hoshita continued his routine ofpleting missions while honing his skills. One day, Minato''s team received another mission to head to the Land of Rivers. Sensing something unusual, Shichi couldn''t help but ask, "Minato-sensei, the situation in the Land of Rivers has mostly returned to how it was before. If we go there again, won''t that provoke an overreaction from Sunagakure?" The name "Yellow sh" was already spreading, and the previous exploits of Minato''s team had been so remarkable that their return would certainly agitate Sunagakure. "It''s true the situation there has mostly stabilized, but this time it''s just a routine guard mission," Minato replied. At least for now, he hadn''t received any secret orders from the Third Hokage. In thest battle, the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind had conceded, giving up not only part of their iron ore profits but also some of the guarding and escorting tasks to Konoha. Before this, all of that was Sunagakure''s territory. After hearing Minato''s exnation, Shichi pushed his concerns aside. At noon, on the border of the Land of Fire, the team took a break. After enjoying some grilled meat, Shichi held his Totsuka de, watching as a faint white light flowed along the de, infused with Wind Release chakra. "My proficiency in Wind Release isn''t as high as in Fire Release. The Wind Release enhances the de''s sharpness, but it''s still not as good as the Blue me Sky de." As he withdrew the chakra, Shichi couldn''t help but think of Pakura''s Scorch Release. The fusion of two chakra natures creates a new chakra nature, and the fire from Scorch Release naturally possesses strong control and maniption capabilities. It''s simr to Storm Release, where thebination of Water and Lightning Release makes the difficult-to-control lightning much easier to manage. Shichi didn''t expect to master Scorch Release anytime soon, but that didn''t stop him from developing Wind and Fire Releasebination jutsu, and perhaps even sword techniques. After all, his original idea was to use Wind Release to enhance his weapons, granting them even greater cutting power. Danzo had used Wind Release chakra to enhance shuriken and kunai. Now, Shichi could do the same, but the effect wasn''t as strong as with his more advanced Fire Release techniques. However, if Wind and Fire werebined, it might lead to greater efficiency and higher temperatures. "In fact, thebination of Wind and Fire Release might be better suited for the Fire Body Flicker technique," Shichi thought, his mind racing. He had many ideas, but they would have to be developed step by step. After an hour of rest, the team set off again, crossing the border into the Land of Rivers. Around 4 PM, the four of them reached their destinationa mining mountain. They were there to rece the team that had been guarding the area. For the next half month, they would need to stay there, periodically escorting the mined and refined iron to the port. Of course, guarding the area also meant protecting it from bandits, or even preventing them from taking over the mine. For rogue ninja, taking over a mine from ordinary people would be all too easy. But Shichi couldn''t shake the feeling that sending Minato''s team to handle such a task seemed like overkill. Sure enough, the next day, scouts from Sunagakure appeared outside the mine. The word had clearly gotten out. When Minato learned of this, he simply said, "Stay alert, but don''t engage." Two dayster, Shichi spotted two familiar faces. Pakura of the Scorch Release! Rasa of the Ma Release! The sight of his enemies made Shichi''s blood boil. Seeing that Shichi was alone, both of them seemed tempted. Another ninja from Sunagakure noticed this and quickly warned, "It''s not the right time for a confrontation." Pakura was about to respond when Minato suddenly appeared beside Shichi. "Minato Namikaze..." Rasa was visibly cautious. Soon, Pakura and the others retreated, while Shichi and Minato quietly followed them until they entered a town, at which point they withdrew. It was clear that Pakura and her team weren''t nning to leave anytime soon. It seemed they had been specifically sent to monitor Minato''s team. That evening, Minato received a confidential message from Konoha. After reading it, he couldn''t help but frown slightly. Seeing this, Shichi quickly asked, "Minato-sensei, has the vige given us new orders?" Minato nodded. "Yes, we have new orders, and there are two of them." "But we''ve alreadypleted one." Shichi pondered this for a moment. Kurama Sany guessed, "Minato-sensei, is it rted to the Sunagakure ninja?" Minato nodded. "We need to draw Sunagakure''s attention, and at the right moment, support another team on a mission." "Another team?" Sany asked. "Minato-sensei, which team is it?" "Is it like thest time in the Land of Rain, with intelligence agents?" Minato shook his head. "No, the specific information is ssified." Sany was left speechless. Uchiha Shisui remarked, "It sounds like that team is on an S-rank ssified mission!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 67: Persuasion, the Blooming Flame Flower!

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Persuasion, the Blooming me Flower!

??? Give me 200+ PS within 24Hrs and I shall grant you an extra Chapter! ??? "Even if it''s an S-rank ssified mission, we should still be given basic information. Otherwise, how are we supposed to effectively carry out our support role?" Kurama Sany questioned, confused. Shichi Hoshita responded, "It''s because we''re positioned right along their retreat route!" Minato Namikaze nodded. "Shichi is right." He exined further, "Since we can''t pinpoint the exact time of their retreat, we must remain vignt at all times." "Additionally, while we''ve already drawn some of Sunagakure''s attention, we can''t let them focus on us constantly." "So, we''ll need to split into two groups." "Shichi and I will form Group A, responsible for diverting Sunagakure''s attention. Shisui and Sany, you two will stay here. Shichi, leave a shadow clone behind, and make sure to inform us immediately if anything happens." The three nodded in agreement. Such a n was only feasible because Minato had the Flying Thunder God technique. After making preparations and leaving behind a shadow clone, Shichi and Minato boldly set off. As expected, it didn''t take long before Minato sensed they were being followed by Sunagakure ninja. Pakura and Rasa were among them. Without paying any attention to the Sunagakure squad trailing them, Shichi and Minato continued on their path. "What are those two trying to do?" "This direction... could they be heading towards the vige-guarded mine?" Pakura couldn''t make sense of Shichi and Minato''s movements. Rasa was equally puzzled. "Perhaps they''re just returning the favor, an eye for an eye." Pakura scoffed. "I think Konoha sent them with ulterior motives. They''re probably still bitter about thest oue." Rasa''s expression darkened. "We''ve already made concessions." "If Konoha keeps pushing, I don''t think the Third Kazekage would hesitate to go to war. Even the Daimyo wouldn''t oppose it." Pakura nodded, then sneered, "It''s a shame that Hanz backed down... The so-called ''Demi-God of the Shinobi World'' has grown soft." ... "This mountain should do." Minato Namikaze stood atop the mountain, looking out at the distant mine, which was guarded by Sunagakure. Shichi Hoshita nced at the illuminated mine across the way, still lit even in the dark of night, and then said, "Sensei, I''ll go look for a water source." Minato nodded in agreement. Shichi turned and left, quickly finding a waterfall and a pool. The two of them then set up camp by the waterfall. From their observation point in the distance, Rasa and Pakura exchanged puzzled nces. Afterward, they retreated to the mine. Rasa stayed behind to keep watch, while Pakura left to report the situation to Chiyo. The night passed without incident. The next morning, Shichi followed the stream to catch some fish and unknowingly arrived at a smallke. Theke was adorned with many water lotuses, which were quite beautiful. After catching a few fish, Shichi was about to head back when he suddenly turned to look again at the multyered petals of the water lotuses. "Water lotuses... with multiple petals..." His eyes lit up with excitement, eager to test something out immediately. Taking a deep breath to calm his impulse, he returned to the waterfall with the fish in hand. While having fish soup, Shichi asked, "Sensei, what do you think this mission is about?" Minato didn''t answer directly but instead said, "Although we forced the Land of Rivers and Sunagakure to back downst time, the fact remains that the Land of Rivers is leaning toward Sunagakure." Shichi nodded. "That''s a matter of interest." "Konoha is stronger than Sunagakure, which is why the Land of Rivers sided with us after breaking away from Amegakure. But now, with Sunagakure offering better benefits, they''ve naturally shifted their allegiance." The key lies with the two Ma Release users in Sunagakure: the Third Kazekage and Rasa. ording to Shichi''s knowledge, Rasa maniptes gold dust. But if he can control gold dust, there''s no reason he can''t control iron sand as well. Why, then, is Rasa known for manipting gold dust in the ninja world, distinguishing himself from the Third Kazekage, who uses iron sand? Perhaps it''s due to changes in his environment or personal circumstances. But either way, while the Fourth Kazekageter mined gold dust in the desert to alleviate Sunagakure''s financial problems, it makes perfect sense that the Third Kazekage is now using Ma Release to prospect for minerals. The core issue remains: in the absence of an all-out war, eliminating the daimyo of the Land of Rivers, who currently favors Sunagakure, seems like the best option for Konohaor rather, the most likely choice for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. As for the argument that killing the daimyo would have too big of an impact, the Land of Rivers is just a small nation and doesn''t enjoy the privileges of the Five Great Nations. And Shichi remembered that in the original story, the Third Tsuchikage hired the Akatsuki to stage coups in many small countries! So, would Sunagakure anticipate that the daimyo of the Land of Rivers is in danger? Shichi thought it was inevitable. After all, as one of the Five Great Ninja Viges, they were well aware of these tactics. "Sensei, if this mission fails, everything the vige has worked to reim will be lost," Shichi said. Minato nodded, then smiled reassuringly. "Don''t worry, the Third Hokage must have considered this carefully. The person chosen to carry out the mission will be someone extremely reliable." Shichi pondered this and realized why the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would send Sakumo Hatake on this mission instead of the more ruthless Orochimaru. "It seems that Chiyo is stationed at the daimyo''s residence in the Land of Rivers." "To deal with a powerful puppet master, a high-speed, high-attack ninja like Sakumo Hatake is indeed the best choice." ... At the Daimyo''s Residence in the Land of Rivers Pakura met with Chiyo and reported the situation in full detail. Chiyo frowned upon hearing it. "The Yellow sh..." After a moment of thought, she immediately gave an order: "Return at once. Minato Namikaze''s target might be Rasa." Pakura was taken aback. "Rasa?" "Because of his Ma Release?" "But the Third Kazekage... Could Konoha be nning to assassinate the Third Kazekage?" Chiyo shook her head. "The Third Kazekage is in the vige; we don''t need to worry about him. Now go!" Pakura nodded and quickly left. After she was gone, Chiyo''s younger brother, Ebiz, asked, "Sister, do you really think Konoha would target Rasa and the Third Kazekage?" Chiyo replied, "If Rasa is attacked, it confirms that someone is trying to assassinate the Third Kazekage." "However, the Third Hokage likely doesn''t have the resolve for such a bold move." "Thest Shinobi World War ended not too long ago, and the new generation hasn''t matured yet." Ebiz''s expression grew serious. "So, Konoha''s most likely target is the Daimyo. They will definitelye." Chiyo responded calmly, "We''ll find out soon enough. This was expected, wasn''t it? If we were in their position, we would make the same decision." "But we can''t afford to be careless regarding the Third Kazekage. Send someone back to the vige immediately to ensure he remains vignt." Ebiz nodded and quickly set off to make the necessary arrangements. ... After breakfast, Shichi Hoshita and Minato Namikaze stood at the mountain peak, gazing across at the mine on the opposite side. As they observed, Shichi asked, "Minato-sensei, by showing up here, is there a chance that Sunagakure might think we''re nning to take action against the Ma Release user, Rasa? Or even attempt to target the Third Kazekage?" Minato paused for a moment; he hadn''t considered that angle. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had been very clear about avoidingrge-scale conflict. Otherwise, after gaining the upper handst time, they would have pushed topletely take over the Land of Rivers, leaving the Daimyo with no room to waver. After thinking it over, Minato replied tactfully, "There is indeed that possibility, but I believe Sunagakure is well aware of the Third Hokage''s stance." In other words, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn''t dare make a move against the Third Kazekage. Killing the Kazekage would drive Sunagakure into a frenzy, especially given that the current Third Kazekage is reputed to be the strongest Kazekage with high esteem. Besides, assassinating a Kage is no simple task. Right now, Konoha likely doesn''t have anyone capable of such a feat. Shichi, still watching the distant mine, smiled and said, "So, if we were to make a move against Rasa now, wouldn''t that send a signal to Sunagakure?" "That we intend to take down Rasa, and also the Third Kazekage, to leave Sunagakure without any Ma Release users?" Minato was startled by the idea, then quickly realized what Shichi was suggesting. "If we did that, it could easily lead to war between the two viges." But as he processed Shichi''s intent, Minato added, "So, you''re suggesting we attack now, to send Sunagakure a false signal, confuse the enemy, and lead them to misjudge our true intentions, thereby reducing the difficulty of the other mission." Shichi nodded. "Exactly." "However, as you said, Sensei, there is some risk involved. And, we haven''t received any authorization from the vige." Minato fell into deep thought, but he quickly made a decision and smiled. "Let''s go with your n, Shichi. If anything goes wrong, I''ll take responsibility." Shichi responded without hesitation, "Of course, we''ll take responsibility together. We''re a team, after all!" Minato''s smile broadened, but then he grew serious. "I''ll handle Rasa. You take care of the other Sunagakure shinobi, just keep them upied!" Shichi nodded solemnly. "Understood!" Then he smiled again. "I''d like to show you a new technique I''ve been working on, Sensei." Minato returned the smile. "I''m looking forward to it!" With that, Minato vanished. Shichi immediately followed suit, disappearing into the forest as he headed straight for the Sunagakure shinobi guarding the mine. As they moved, the alert Sunagakure shinobi quickly noticed the threat. Amidst shouts, Rasa and Madai led a squad to intercept them. Seeing Minato charging forward, Rasa immediately called out, "Leave Minato Namikaze to me!" As soon as he finished speaking, iron sand morphed into countless senbon, forming a dense cloud that enveloped Minato. Minato responded by scattering arge number of Flying Thunder God kunai. Madai quickly warned, "Don''t go near those kunai!" "Spread out!" Before the words finished, Minato had already vanished, avoiding Rasa''s attack, and kicked a Sunagakure shinobi before they could react. Rasa''s next attack arrived, but Minato disappeared again. The other Sunagakure shinobi dispersed, while Madai moved to assist Rasa, trying to corner Minato. Just then, Shichi arrived. Standing on a tree branch, Shichipleted his hand seals and pped his hands together with a "snap." Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique! Wind Release: Gale Palm! The hand seals were for the Wind Release, while the Great Fireball Technique required none. After inhaling deeply, Shichi puffed out his chest and cheeks, then exhaled sharply. A line of fire shot out first, but it was quickly followed by a roaring ze, creating a fearsome firestorm that surged forward. Wind and Fire Combination Jutsu! The three Sunagakure shinobi who had been on guard against Shichi quickly performed their own jutsu in response, though they had been caught off guard. Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! The collision of air currents caused a massive explosion, tearing through the surrounding vegetation and sending up clouds of dust. Shichi then formed more hand seals and executed the Dance of the Crescent Moon, sending two fire clones charging into the swirling dust. Unlike the original technique, these were not Shadow Clones but Fire Release Clones. Momentster, as the dust settled, the three Sunagakure shinobi were seen retreating in the face of Shichi''s clones. Rasa shouted, "Madai, I can handle things here!" Madai immediately rushed towards Shichi. If he didn''t, the others might be wiped out. That kid, Shichi Hoshita, had extraordinary closebat skills, rivaling those of a Special Jnin. As Madai sprinted forward, he started forming hand seals. But Shichi wasn''t about to let him unleash arge-scale Wind Release jutsu. A swift Fire Release: Fireball Technique interrupted Madai, forcing him to use Wind Release chakra to blow out the mes on his body. Madai abandoned the idea of using long-range Wind Release jutsu and closed in, engaging Shichi''s two clones in closebat. Outnumbered four to two, with one of the opponents being a seasoned Jnin, Shichi''s clones quickly found themselves at a disadvantage. Soon, one of Shichi''s Fire Release clones found itself in an inescapable position, about to be struck by Madai''s attack. But just as Madai''s strike was about tond, the Fire Release clone suddenly transformed into a blooming fire flower. Madai''s pupils dted, and his ninja instincts screamed danger. He instantly used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat, shouting, "Scatter!" Before the words had fully left his mouth, the orange-red fire flower exploded, blossoming into a brilliant re. Boom! With the explosion, the three Sunagakure shinobi were sent flying by the intense mes, screaming in agony. Even Madai, who had retreated as quickly as possible, was blown away by the shockwave. He scrambled to his feet, looking down at his severely burned arms, sweat dripping from his forehead. If he hadn''t reacted in time... Madai nced over at his threepanions, only to see blood pouring from their noses and mouths, their bodies covered in severe burns. They were no longer even capable of screaming. (End of Chapter) ??? If you''re interested in Genshin Impact, Pokemon, or Marvel/DC, you can check out my other stories too. Just visit my profile and you can see it ?? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to Chapter 108+ There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 68: Fiery Lotus of Buddha’s Wrath, A Critical Decision!

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Fiery Lotus of Buddha''s Wrath, A Critical Decision!

Fire Release: Fiery Lotus of Buddha''s Wrath! Although the fiery blossom doesn''t take the form of a lotus, Shichi Hoshita decided to name it this way. This is an A-rank Fire Release technique, slightly less difficult than the Fire Body Flicker Technique, and much easier in terms of form maniption. However, the power of this jutsu depends on the amount of chakra the Fire Release clone has left. Earlier, the Fire Release clone had already expended some chakra; otherwise, Madai wouldn''t have gotten away with just a few burn injuries. Now, seeing that Madai hadn''t been killed by the explosion, the remaining shadow clone immediately lunged at him. Madai quickly retreated, throwing shuriken to hinder the clone and buy time to prepare his own jutsu. But what concerned him the most was Shichi Hoshita''s true body. "This brat is even more troublesome thanst time!" Madai gritted his teeth. Every time he tried to release a jutsu, he was interrupted. He kept retreating, using the trees as cover, until he finally found an opportunity. He created a shadow clone to engage Shichi''s clone while his true body leaped onto a tree branch and unleashed a windstorm. The branch beneath Shichi''s feet exploded, but his figure left an afterimage as he suddenly ascended. In Madai''s horrified gaze, a fiery blossom bloomed beneath Shichi''s feet, propelling him even higher andpletely dodging Madai''s Wind Release. Below, the windstorm swept through, clearing awayrge swaths of vegetation. Shichi flipped in mid-air, descending headfirst while rapidly forming hand seals. Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere! Inhaling deeply, Shichi spat out a series of air bullets that shot toward Madai below, leaving streaks in the air. Bang, bang, bang... The Vacuum Spheres pierced through tree trunks, leaving holes, and struck the mountainside, creating craters and scattering debris. Madai dodged repeatedly, but in doing so, he managed toplete his own hand seals. Wind Release: Cast Net! Standing on a tree stump, Madai opened his mouth and released a-like wind that swept upward. Shichi shifted his body, and once again, a fiery blossom erupted beneath his feet. His figure flickered as he dodged the jutsu andnded on the ground, appearing right behind Madai. "Fast!" Madai spun around, eyes wide as he saw the short sword descending. His right hand was already prepared to unleash a jutsu. He intended to withstand Shichi''s strike and then counterattack with Wind Release. But just then, Shichi caught sight of a fireball approaching from the side. Instantly, he activated the Fire Release chakra in his feet and vanished. The fireball missed its target, and Pakura''s figure appeared beside Madai. Shichi came to a halt, just as Minato Namikaze appeared on the other side. Meanwhile, the Fire Release clone that had been entangled with Madai''s shadow clone exploded, taking the clone down with it. The battle was over, with four Sunagakure shinobi killed. Shichi Hoshita and Minato Namikaze remained unharmed. In their second encounter, Minato''s team had once again won decisively. Rasa''s expression was grim. In a one-on-one fight, he couldn''t do anything to Minato Namikaze, not even graze him. Although Minato hadn''t broken through his defenses either, he had managed to let Shichi Hoshita eliminate three of Rasa''srades, and even the Jnin Madai was injured due to a misstep. "This brat is said to be only seven years old. He might grow up to be another Minato Namikaze or Sakumo Hatake." After two confrontations, Shichi Hoshita had left an indelible impression on Rasa. On the other side, Minato quickly gave the order, "Retreat!" As soon as the words left his mouth, both he and Shichi vanished. Watching Shichi and Minato depart, Rasa immediately ordered, "Madai, after treating your injuries, go to the Daimyo''s residence and report the situation here to Elder Chiyo. Konoha may very well be nning to target the Third Kazekage." "Understood!" Madai wrapped his burned arm in bandages and quickly set off. ... Upon returning to the camp, Minato Namikaze smiled and said, "It seems your new techniques areing along nicely. Besides the Fire Body Flicker Technique, you''ve also got the Fire Release: Clone Technique. What do you call it when the Fire Clone self-destructs?" "How about calling it ''Fire Release: Explosive me Blossom''?" Shichi Hoshita couldn''t help butugh and quickly responded, "Minato-sensei, I''ve already got a name for it. It''s called ''Fiery Lotus of Buddha''s Wrath.''" "Fiery Lotus?" Minato looked puzzled. "If I''m not mistaken, that looked more like a morning glory flower, didn''t it?" Shichi nodded, "This technique is only in its initial stage. The Fire Body Flicker Technique is also still in progress. The final form will be a multiyered lotus flower." Minato thought for a moment but didn''t ask further. Instead, he smiled and said, "Fiery Lotus of Buddha''s Wrathit''s a fitting name." "It seems you''re better at naming techniques than I am!" You''re just realizing that now? Shichi resisted the urge to make a sarcastic remark and changed the subject, "After today''s battle, the Sand Shinobi will probably send reinforcements, right?" Minato nodded thoughtfully, "They''ll definitely send more forces, but they might not concentrate them all here." "They could also target Shisui''s group, forcing us to split our focus and go help them." Shichi agreed. The Sand Shinobi weren''t foolsthey might not have a saying like ''besiege Wei to rescue Zhao,'' (When the enemy is too strong to attack directly, then attack something he holds dear.) but that didn''t mean they wouldn''t use such a strategy. After thinking for a moment, Shichi suggested, "Minato-sensei, maybe you should leave a clone here?" Minato hesitated slightly. Shichi reassured him, "Don''t worry, Sensei. My Fire Body Flicker Technique is nearlyplete, so I can retreat if necessary." "Whether it''s Rasa or Pakura, I''m definitely no match for them. But with your clone here, I''ll have no problem getting away." "And once the Sand Shinobi start moving, I suspect the Daimyo''s residence will make a move by tonight at thetest." After a brief moment of consideration, Minato nodded, "Alright!" The two then quietly waited, recovering their chakra in the meantime. By the afternoon, Minato, now fully recovered, left a shadow clone behind and teleported away using the Flying Thunder God Technique. Meanwhile, at the Daimyo''s residence in the Land of Rivers, Uchiha Y returned to the hiding ce of Sakumo Hatake''s team. Though he appeared calm, there was a hint of excitement in his eyes. "Captain, the Sand Shinobi have mobilized. It seems something unexpected happenedtwo squads have been pulled away!" Sakumo immediately decided, "Then we''ll act tonight!" "I''ll take care of the Daimyo and Chiyo. Y, you three handle the distractions and keep the other Sand Shinobi upied." Uchiha Y and the other two nodded in unison. They were all Jnin, making this an elite squad. Time passed, and night quickly fell. By the waterfall and pond, Minato Namikaze''s shadow clone stood up. "Shichi, the Sand Shinobi are here!" Shichi rose to his feet, ready for battle. "There are... 11 of them!" Using his sensory skills, Minato urately pinpointed the number of Sand Shinobi and immediately instructed, "Shichi, engage and retreat." "Understood!" Shichi nodded and swiftly departed, wasting no time. The Sand Shinobi''s n was clear: Rasa, Pakura, and Madai would hold off Minato, while the other eight would focus on Shichi. Eight against one, including a Jninthe Sand Shinobi clearly regarded Shichi as a Jnin-level threat. The Sand Shinobi also had sensory ninjas. As soon as Shichi began his retreat, they sensed it, and Rasa immediately ordered the other two squads to bypass Minato and pursue Shichi from both sides. Boom! Explosions echoed behind him, but Shichi didn''t look back. It was night, and even if Shichi turned around, he wouldn''t be able to see much. Momentster, his ears twitched. The pursuers were here! The Sand Shinobi were chasing at full speed. The fastest Jnin quickly overtook Shichi, appearing ahead of him and finishing his hand seals. His chest swelled as he opened his mouth, unleashing a fierce wind in the dark of night. Shichi''s chakra surged beneath his feet as he soared into the air. Behind him, the other Sand Shinobi made their moves. Some used Wind Release, others Fire Release, and one puppet master fired a barrage of hidden weapons aimed at the airborne Shichi. In mid-air, Shichi had already dodged the Jnin''s attack. As he turned around while descending, he too had finished his Wind Release hand seals. He brought his hands together and exhaled sharply downward. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" "Wind Release: Gale Palm!" Once again, abination techniquean intense firestormcollided with the attacks of the seven Sand Shinobi. Heat waves rolled back as Shichi, who was falling, suddenly shot upward again, simultaneously hurling several kunai, some of which were rigged with explosive tags and smoke bombs. Boom! Bang! Fire and smoke erupted, shrouding the area in a thick veil. The Sand Shinobi below quickly used Wind Release to disperse the smoke, and the sensory ninja immediately tracked Shichi''s location. "To the left!" The sensory ninja shouted, "It''s a clone!" The leading Jnin immediately warned, "Don''t let his clone get close!" A clone that could self-destruct was far more dangerous than an explosive tag. Letting it get near would be akin to gambling with their lives. The Sand Shinobi swiftly joined forces to unleash mid-to-long-range attacks, destroying Shichi''s clone before it could approach. But then, the sensory ninja detected another Shichi to the right. The leading Jnin decided to split the group, leaving four to eliminate the clone while he led the rest to pursue the real Shichi. From the memories returned by his clone, Shichi knew the Sand Shinobi had split up, which made him secretly pleased. But his satisfaction was short-lived. The Sand Shinobi gave him no chance to engage in closebat. They had prepared their jutsu in advance,unching them in rotation. Soon, the four Sand Shinobi caught up, forcing Shichi to keep running. Meanwhile, at the Daimyo''s residence in the Land of Rivers... Sakumo Hatake''s team emerged from their hiding ce, each member wearing a mask and a ck cloak, with no visible signs of their allegiance to Konoha. The four split into two teams. Uchiha Y and two others would draw the Sand Shinobi''s attention, while Sakumo headed straight for the Daimyo. Under the cover of darkness, the Daimyo''s residence quickly became chaotic, with explosions echoing throughout the city. The battle had begun! As expected, the Sand Shinobi were drawn away by Uchiha Y''s team, while Sakumo advanced through the night like a phantom, easily making his way into the Daimyo''s sleeping quarters. Suddenly, Sakumo halted, staring at the figure ahead of himChiyo. "The White Fang of Konoha?" Chiyo red at the figure before her. Sakumo didn''t respond. He drew his de, which shed white as he struck. "So what if you kill the Daimyo?" Chiyo said, and in the next moment, her body exploded into a puff of smoke. A clone! Sakumo stopped, a change in expression hidden beneath his mask. Had the Daimyo been moved? Impossible! The Daimyo''s attendants had been hypnotized by Uchiha Y, confirming that the Daimyo hadn''t been relocated. So why did Chiyo abandon the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers? This thought shed through his mind, and Sakumo immediately leaped onto the roof, looking towards Uchiha Y''s location. Chiyo''s real body was there too! The Daimyo was right in front of him, but on the other side, Uchiha Y and the others were in a deadly situation. In that moment, Sakumo faced a difficult choice. Should heplete the mission, allowing hisrades to suffer severe casualties? Or should he save hisrades and abandon the mission? But in an instant, Sakumo made his decision. He turned and headed straight for the battlefield where Uchiha Y was. He didn''t create a clone to finish off the Daimyo. Facing a powerful puppet master like Chiyo, he couldn''t afford to be careless. Otherwise, not only would they fail to break through, but the entire team might be left behind. (End of Chapter) ??? I was almost ready to upload 2 Chapters but you guys... what a shame anyway we got 180+ so I guess I should upload next right? may be in few hrs? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 69: A Surprise Attack!

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: A Surprise Attack!

Sakumo Hatake moved like a sh of white light, as sharp as the deadliest fang, tearing through the Sand Shinobi''s encirclement with overwhelming force. "Retreat!" At hismand, Uchiha Y immediately led the two injuredrades to retreat. Among the three of them, he was the only one uninjured. As they withdrew, Sakumo continued to fight while retreating. His fearsome de was so sharp that even Chiyo couldn''t stop him. This sword was too lethal. Facing the man who killed her son and daughter-inw, even Chiyo had no choice but to watch as Sakumo and his team broke through the encirclement and vanished into the night. "Sister, the Daimyo is safe," said Ebiz, who appeared beside Chiyo. Chiyo responded calmly, "It seems Hiruzen Sarutobi chose the wrong person." She had already prepared for the possibility that the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers might be killed. If that happened, they would simply support a new Daimyo and, in his name,pletely expel Konoha''s influence. Of course, this would inevitably lead to both open and covert conflicts with Konoha. Since Konoha intended to eliminate the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers, there were likely supporters within the country who had their own candidate in mind. When great nations or shinobi viges involve themselves in the coups of smaller nations, this is the kind of tactic they employ. "The Daimyo is safe now. Brother, you can go and im credit from him," Chiyo added. Ebiz''s face twitched at her words. ... On the other side, Shichi Hoshita continued to fight while retreating. This was where his explosive power proved invaluable, allowing him to avoid being surrounded and trapped. The Fire Body Flicker Technique further yed to his advantage, enabling him to maneuver in mid-air and evade the Sand Shinobi''srge-scale Wind Release attacks, quickly escaping the battlefield. When the memories from his Shadow Clone near the mine returned, Shichi feltpletely relieved. With Minato Namikaze''s real body over there, the Sand Shinobi''s surprise attack had hit a solid wall, forcing them into a hasty and costly retreat. Before long, Minato arrived with Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sany to assist Shichi. The pursuing Sand Shinobi, shocked by their arrival, quickly turned and fled. Elsewhere, the Minato who had been keeping Rasa and Pakura at bay suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke. A Shadow Clone! "Damn it!" Rasa and the other two immediately rushed forward at top speed. ... "There''s no need to chase them!" Minato ordered, deciding not to pursue further. He hadn''t forgotten the primary mission: to rendezvous with the other team. Minato''s team promptly withdrew back to their base, while Rasa and his group also regrouped, falling into silence. Both of their strikes had failedone group suffered no losses but gained nothing, while the other was devastated, with only two survivors from two entire squads. Without a doubt, this was an extremely unsessful operation. Rasa never expected Minato Namikaze to be so bold as to leave only a Shadow Clone to deal with him and Pakura. Arrogance! But also, a clear sign of their underestimation. Yet, despite several confrontations, they hadn''t managed to gain any advantage. "Let''s retreat to the mine and report the situation to Lady Chiyo before nning our next move," Rasa said reluctantly. ... After retreating to the cave and resting briefly, Minato Namikaze said, "Shichi, Sany, you stay here and stay alert." "Shisui, you and I will go out for reconnaissance." Shichi Hoshita and his twopanions nodded in agreement, "Understood!" Minato and Shisui then departed. As time passed slowly in the darkness, Shichi, who was on guard, noticed some movement and immediately made the call of a night owl. Responding to this, Sany quickly appeared beside Shichi, asking, "Shichi, is it Sand Shinobi?" Just as he finished speaking, another night owl call came from ahead. Shichi smiled, "It seems it''s Minato-sensei and the others." Even so, he didn''t move immediately and continued to wait silently until Uchiha Shisui arrived before approaching them. "Shichi, prepare to assist with the injured immediately!" Minato''s voice came from behind. Shichi looked and saw Minato carrying someone in a ck cloak with an animal mask. There were also three other simrly dressed individuals, one of whom was also being carried. Two members of their four-man team were injured. "Let''s head to the cave!" Shichi turned and went back to the cave first, spreading out his vest to reveal numerous medical tools. Shisui and Sany quickly helped to ce the injured and began using Shichi''s medical tools to cut away their clothes. "They are heavily poisoned. Have they taken any antidote pills?" Shichi asked. "They have, but it didn''t work," came the voice of Sakumo Hatake. Without lifting his head, Shichi performed hand seals to summon a chakra surgical de, swiftly cutting open the wounds of the injured to remove all the poisoned needles and hidden weapons from their bodies. "This poison is not amon type used by Sand Shinobi. It seems they encountered a particrly skilled puppet master." "Chiyo of the Sand Shinobi?" Shichi continued working as he spoke. Sakumo replied, "Yes, Chiyo. She is currently the most powerful puppet master in the Sand." "I''ve heard Lady Tsunade speak of hera master of poison." "This type of poison needs to be analyzed to formte a specific antidote." As he spoke, Shichi had already removed all the hidden weapons from the two injured and treated the non-toxic wounds. With the [Medical Expert] tag, his medical abilities had significantly improved, making his treatment speed exceptional. However, Uchiha Y, sounding anxious, asked, "Isn''t there a way to fully save them?" Shichi looked up and saw the crimson eyes beneath the mask. Uchiha n! Shichi was a bit surprised but quickly performed hand seals, saying, "I can''tpletely remove the poison." "I can extract the toxins, but I can''t remove the previous damage. I can only ensure it doesn''t worsen." He summoned a Shadow Clone to assist, with each one using the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique to continuously remove toxins from the two injured. Uchiha Y sighed in relief and bowed deeply, "Please make sure to save them. Thank you!" Shichi replied, "Don''t worry. Although I don''t know them, they are still myrades!" Uchiha Y looked at Shichi with a newfound respect. Minato and Sakumo exchanged nces and silently stepped out of the cave. In the mountain breeze, they remained silent. Due to the confidential nature of their mission, Minato couldn''t inquire casually, and Sakumo couldn''t disclose mission details. Both adhered to the principles of being shinobi. Five minutester, Shichi Hoshita walked out of the cave and said, "Minato-sensei, the toxins in the two injured have been removed, and they have taken the antidote pills prepared by Lady Tsunade. They''re stable for now." "But topletely detoxify and prevent any long-term effects, we need to get them back to Konoha as soon as possible to analyze the poison and prepare a specific antidote." Minato Namikaze nodded and said to Sakumo Hatake, "Senpai, please take the injured back to Konoha immediately." Sakumo nodded, thanked Shichi, and headed back to the cave. Shichi watched them leave and couldn''t help but say, "How about we strike back?" Minato and Sakumo were both stunned. Shichi continued, "The injured can be escorted by Shisui and the others. If we go back now, the Sand Shinobi''s defenses should be at their weakest." Although he didn''t know the exact situation at the daimyo''s residence, he had some guesses. Sakumo, standing at the cave entrance, turned around and said, "Even if we kill the daimyo now, it won''t help. The Sand Shinobi seem to have prepared for the daimyo''s death." Shichi said firmly, "Whether the death of the daimyo is useful or not isn''t our concern; it''s something the Third Hokage should consider." "Our goal is to send him to the Pure Land, nothing more." "Besides, given the current situation, the daimyo''s death is the best option." "If he doesn''t die, the Land of Rivers willpletely fall to the Sand Vige. If he dies, even if the Sand Vige tries to install a new daimyo, we and the Land of Fire can do the same." "Furthermore, the new daimyo, even for the sake of internal stability, won''t dare topletely turn against us. The worst-case scenario would be maintaining the current situation." "After all, if we can assassinate once, we can do it a second or third time. The newly appointed daimyo wouldn''t want to die without enjoying their position, right? A wise person knows how to choose." A counterattack! Shichi''s words were not just to unlock the entry for Sakumo Hatake. They were also due to Sakumo''s previous guidance on swordsmanship, his friendship with Kakashi, and Sakumo''s personal persistence. Some things are always hard to ept, making one subconsciously want to change them. Now Shichi was indeed crossing the line of ninja principles. After all, Sakumo was on a confidential mission. But Sakumo was not without decisiveness. After a brief thought, he bowed and said, "Then I leave the injured in your care." Hearing this, Minato swallowed the proposal he was about to make. This mission, they were indeed not suited to directly participate in. Thus, Shichi and Minato watched as Sakumo disappeared into the night. "Let''s go, we need to retreat immediately." Minato withdrew his gaze. Shichi nodded, a bit reluctantly. He wasn''t sure if he had changed anything, but for now, there was nothing more he could do. Inside the cave. Upon learning that Sakumo was going back toplete the mission alone, Uchiha Y was very excited and almost wanted to follow, but was persuaded by Shisui, who used the injuredpanions as an excuse. The group immediately retreated with the two injured. To be safe, Shichi also sent a Shadow Clone to use Transformation Jutsu to impersonate Sakumo. Minato and Shisui were responsible for covering their retreat, while Shichi, Y, and Sany were in charge of escorting the injured. Fortunately, the Sand Shinobi did not pursue them, and they traveled safely. By dawn, they had already entered the Land of Fire. After resting for half an hour, they continued their journey. Another hour passed, and Sakumo finally caught up. "Shisui, you and the others go ahead. Shichi,e and treat the injuries of our senpai." Minato''s voice came from behind. Shichi quickly turned and went over. Sakumo''s injury was in his abdomen. Shichi used a chakra surgical de to cut open his clothes and vest, applying first aid bandages. He checked the wound and sighed in relief. Fortunately, there was no severe poison or damage to the internal organs. However, the wound was quite long. Shichi immediately summoned a Shadow Clone to help with the Healing Jutsu on Sakumo''s injury. Additionally, he gave Sakumo a Blood Increasing Pill as he had lost too much blood. Five minutester, Sakumo''s wound was healed. "Thank you." Sakumo thanked him and added in a quieter voice, "The mission isplete!" Shichi smiled, "Senpai, you''re too polite." Everyone pretended not to recognize each other and continued on their way. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 70: Lotus Blooms with Every Step!

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Lotus Blooms with Every Step!

I just saw we''re in the top 3 in 30 days ranking.. keep up guys and here is another Chapter! ??? Land of Rivers, Daimyo''s Residence. Chiyo and the others fell into a heavy silence as they looked at the lifeless body of the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers. Although they had prepared themselves for the possibility of the Daimyo being assassinated, they had previously thwarted the enemy''s ns and didn''t expect them to strike again so suddenly, catching them off guard. Chiyo was confident in her poison, and from Sakumo Hatake''s actions, it was clear that he wasn''t the type to sacrificerades just for the mission. But Sakumo had returned unexpectedly, and although they had stationed guards to protect the Daimyo, the level of attention wasn''t as high as before. "Let''s execute n B," Chiyo said decisively. n B involved supporting a descendant of the Daimyo to ascend to power, ensuring that the interests of Sunagakure and the Land of Wind were preserved. This could even serve as an opportunity to further erode Konoha''s influence. ... Land of Fire. As Shichi Hoshita leapt through the forest, he nced at the Uchiha ahead of him, who was carrying hisrade on his back. He couldn''t help but think of the yet-to-be-born Uchiha Itachi. In his previous life, Itachi was revered as a god by manyhe wiped out his n at the age of 13, which was even more impressive than Kakashi bing a Jonin at 12. After all, most members of the Uchiha n who awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan were Jonin-level at minimum, and they held a significant advantage in one-on-one battles. By now, Shichi had already encountered three members of the Uchiha n. Obito Uchiha had a kind heart but was somewhat timid, though he was also proud of the Uchiha n''s honor. His teammate, Shisui Uchiha, was gentle and always willing to help others. Unlike Obito, Shisui never spoke about the Uchiha n''s honor. The masked Uchiha before him, who had already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, seemed to care deeply for hisrades from their brief interaction. They all appeared to be normal people. "No, wait, are they really normal?" Shichi suddenly recalled that he was only seven years old. It was said that Uchiha Itachi had been brought onto the battlefield by Uchiha Fugaku when he was just four years old and had personally killed a dying enemy ninja who tried tounch a final counterattack. "The First Hokage established the ninja vige system to keep children off the battlefield. The Second Hokage created the ninja academy to further refine this idea," Shichi mused. "The standard system had children start their education at six, graduate at twelve, and then be guided by experienced Chunin or even Jonin, beginning with low-level missions and gradually developing their skills." "But the First Hokage''s death, followed by the Second Hokage''s demise during the First Shinobi World War, shattered that system, and the original intentions couldn''t be upheld." Shichi sighed inwardly, "No ninja is truly sane, are they?" "The stronger they are, the more twisted they be... It looks like I''ll have to be even crazier and more twisted than them to survive!" ... In order to get the injured back to Konoha as quickly as possible, Shichi Hoshita and the others traveled at high speed, only pausing briefly when they reached the Fire Country''s border. After that, they hurried back to Konoha without stopping. Namikaze Minato and Hatake Sakumo went directly to the Hokage''s office to report on the mission, while Uchiha Shisui, Kurama Sany, and the others waited outside. Shichi and Uchiha Y took the two injuredrades to Konoha Hospital. Once there, Shichi and Nono Yakushi worked together to analyze the toxin. After identifying theponents, Tsunade took over and began preparing the antidote. It was at this moment that Tsunade showcased her incredible skills, quickly formting the antidote. As soon as the medication was administered to the injured, their symptoms improved rapidly. In this area, both Shichi and Nono Yakushi had a long way to go to reach Tsunade''s level. Before they knew it, the afternoon had passed, and Shichi felt he had gained a lot from the experience. As they left Konoha Hospital, Shichi noticed Namikaze Minato waiting under a tree. He quickly approached, calling out, "Minato Sensei." Minato smiled and nodded, then said, "You''ve got a seven-day breaking up. Remember toe by my house for lunch tomorrow. Kushina''s cooking has improved a lot, and she wants you to see for yourself!" Shichi''s face immediately fell at the thought. While Kushina''s skill in sealing techniques was indeed impressive, her cooking... was another matter entirely! Seeing Shichi''s expression, Minato couldn''t help butugh. Kushina''s cooking might not be the best, but he found it endearing. "That''s settled then," Minato said as he disappeared. Shichi turned back to Nono Yakushi, and the two of them started walking towards the orphanage as the sun set. On the way, Nono suddenly said, "I''m handing over the management of the orphanage to Ayame." Shichi paused for a moment, and Nono exined with a smile, "I need to spend more time at Konoha Hospital." Hearing this, Shichi quickly thought it over and smiled, "Aunt Ayame may be strict, but she''s very kind. I''m sure she''ll manage the orphanage well." "But if that''s the case, you''ll need to move out of the orphanage, right?" "Why note live with me?" Shichi, with his thick skin, saw that Nono was about to shake her head in refusal, so he quickly added, "That way, you can take better care of me too!" Nono hesitated for a moment, but finally, with Shichi tugging at her hand, she nodded and agreed with a smile, "Alright, I''ll take care of you until you''re an adult!" Shichi didn''t care about the whole ''until you''re an adult'' partgetting her to agree was already a victory. That night, he still slept in Nono Yakushi''s room, falling asleep to theforting scent that was uniquely hers. The next day, after morning training and breakfast, Shichi headed to the small grove to further refine his Fire Body Flicker Technique. He wanted to change the blooming me flower into the shape of a lotus, instead of its current trumpet flower form. Not only that, but he also needed it to be a doubleyered lotus. The transformation from a trumpet flower to a lotus wasn''t particrly difficult. By noon, Shichi had nearly perfected it. "Time to eat, then I''ll continue this afternoon!" Feeling energized, Shichi ended his training and headed to Minato''s house for lunch. When Minato Namikaze opened the door, Shichi Hoshita followed him inside and immediately saw Kushina Uzumaki smiling as she held a spat. "Shichi, take a seat. The food will be ready soon!" she called out. Shichi nced at the array of dishes on the table and breathed a small sigh of relief. It all looked pretty goodseemed like her cooking really had improved. Just then, Minato chimed in, "I made most of these. Thest dish is the one Kushina cooked." Shichi''s heart sank, and he heard Minato whisper, "Shichi, remember to encourage Kushinater." Forcing a smile, Shichi replied, "Don''t worry, Sensei." At this point, he strongly suspected that it wasn''t Kushina who invited him over, but rather his unreliable teacher, Minato, who needed someone to share the burden of the "unique" cuisine. As it turned out, Kushina''s cooking had only improved a little. However, Shichi took a big bite without so much as a frown, giving a thumbs up. "Your cooking has improved a lot, Kushina-san isamazing!" Minato, also eating heartily, nodded in agreement, without a hint of dishonesty. Kushina beamed with joy, then picked up the dish she had made andughed, "You''ve tried it, and that makes me happy. Now, go ahead and eat what Minato made!" Shichi quickly grabbed the dish and set it back down, smiling, "Since you worked so hard to make it, it would be a waste not to eat it." "Besides, cooking is like a ninja''s trainingit requires gradual improvement and a lot of encouragement to keep going." Kushinaughed heartily, cing her hands on her hips, and then patted Shichi''s head with a smile. "You''re absolutely right, Shichi. Even learning to cook carries the spirit of a ninja." "But seriously, with a sweet talker like you, no wonder you''re so popr with the girls!" Shichi pretended to be shy, saying, "Kushina-san, I''m only seven!" Both Kushina and Minato froze for a moment before bursting intoughter together. The meal turned out to be a great sess, with everyone enjoying themselves. By the end of it, Kushina no longer treated Shichi as an outsider but as Minato''s direct disciple, almost like her own younger brother or student. After lunch, Shichi helped Minato clean up before bidding farewell and heading back to the small grove to continue his training. Forming a vivid lotus shape out of mes was no longer an issue for him. Now, his focus was on maintaining the explosive effect of the mes for a longer duration. However, this continuity was not like the previous method where a single step would produce a me flower. What Shichi needed was a sustained, stable effect that would allow him to seemingly walk on air, as if standing on water. Of course, this was a very challenging step. With his current level of chakra control, Shichi wasn''t confident he could achieve it just yet. So, after sessfully transforming the original me flower into a fiery lotus and achieving a smooth, explosive release in mid-air, Shichi shifted his attention to the Tag Tree in his mind. At the same time, he officially renamed his Fire Body Flicker Technique. "Fiery Lotus Steps!" The name wasn''t particrly fitting for the Shinobi world, but Shichi felt it was incredibly appropriate. Immediately, the Tag Tree provided an evaluation of this Fire Release secret technique. S-Rank Difficulty! It met the requirement to activate the "Fire Release Master" tag! Shichi took a deep breath and instantly activated the "Fire Release Master" tag. In a sh, the gray leaf of the tag tree was enveloped in a blue light. It was a blue tag. Immediately after, Shichi felt a surge of electricity through his body, and his mind went nk for a moment. Fire Release Talent +100%, Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation +100%, Fire Release Shape Transformation +100%; excluding Kekkei Genkai-based Fire Releases, no Fire Release jutsu or secret technique would pose a learning obstacle. When his consciousness returned, Shichi carefully assessed the changes within himself. This time, the feeling was far more pronounced than when he had activated the "Fire Release Expert" Tag. Spreading his right palm, Shichi effortlessly summoned a fiery lotus. The speed of its formation was leagues ahead of what he could achieve before bing a "Fire Release Master." But that wasn''t allat his mentalmand, the fiery lotus, originally orange-red, subtly shifted colors, transforming into a white lotus after a moment. White mes! The temperature was significantly higher than that of the orange-red mes. Among Fire Release users, Shichi had yet to see anyone else capable of producing white mes. The only exception was Pakura of the Scorch Release, whose Scorch Release orbs reached extremely high temperatures, appearing white. Of course, the temperature of Shichi''s Blue me Sky de was even higher. But that was the result of stacking multiple effectsunder normal circumstances, even Shichi couldn''t achieve that temperature with Fire Release alone. Now, however, Shichi could instantly raise his Fire Release temperature to match that of Pakura''s Scorch Release. "No wonder it''s called ''Fire Release Master''!" Shichi grinned widely. The enhancements of +100% to Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation and Shape Transformation had brought about incredible, immediate changes. And with his Fire Release talent now doubled, Shichi felt even more confident about further developing his "Fiery Lotus Steps." Calming his mind, Shichi dispersed the white lotus in his hand, then leapt into the air. As his upward momentum slowed and he began to descend, two clusters of mes appeared under his feet, resembling flower buds sprouting at his soles, which then quickly bloomed toward the ground. They looked like inverted white lotuses. The air distorted and wavered, and Shichi felt a momentary boost, halting his descent. He began walking through the air, with each step causing the white lotus to contract into a bud when his foot lifted and bloom again when his footnded. Fiery Lotus Stepsthe name was truly fitting. However, as Shichi continued walking in the air, he couldn''t avoid missteps, causing his movements to be wobbly and unsteady. At times, the lotus would suddenly extinguish, causing him to drop. But with his Fire Release Chakra Nature and Shape Transformation both enhanced by 100%, and his talent greatly improved, Shichi progressed rapidly. Within just five minutes, he was already able to walk steadily through the air above the small grove, with each step blooming a lotus. Landing back on the ground, Shichi was panting heavily. Impressive, indeed. Stylish, too. But it''s quite draining. Even though his physique had improved and his chakra reserves were far ahead of his peers, he was still too young. "It''s tough to work on physical strength, but thankfully, I have the improved Yin Seal..." After consuming a soldier pill, Shichi sat down under a tree to rest, contemting his next steps in training. (End of Chapter) T/N: Original Name of ''Fiery Lotus Steps'' justu was ''Step-by-Step Lotus Bloom'', I changed it. ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 71: Summoning Beast!

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Summoning Beast!

The further development of the secret technique Fiery Lotus Steps would require significant time, and the same goes for medical ninjutsu, which demands a deep umtion of knowledge over time. "Next, my focus should be on swordsmanship, especially mastering an S-rank kenjutsu secret technique." "Then, I''ll tackle Wind Release, aiming to unlock the [Wind Release Expert] Tag, and from there, I''ll strive for [Wind Release Master]." "After that, I''ll move on to genjutsu and sensory ninjutsu." "Hmm, I also need to figure out how to obtain a summoning beast and learn the Summoning Technique. Since it''s a space-time ninjutsu, it should trigger the corresponding Tag." "The same applies to sensory ninjutsu, but I hope that if there''s a [Sensory Expert] Tag, the conditions to unlock it won''t be as challenging as [Fire Release Expert]; otherwise, it''ll be a hassle." Shichi Hoshita contemted, carefully nning the path he needed to take. There was so much to learn, so he had to take it step by step, prioritizing one discipline at a timespecializing first, then broadening his skills. Once he had rested enough, Shichi got up and continued practicing the Fiery Lotus Steps technique, determined to master it for use in realbat. By 4 PM, he finished his training and headed to the usual spot to meet up with Shizune and the others for their workout, and even had a spirited taijutsu sparring match with Guy. On the third day of his break, Kakashi returned from a mission. "Here, this is something my father asked me to give to you." On a cliffside, Kakashi handed Shichi a scroll. "A gift from a senpai can''t be refused. Since it''s from Sakumo Senpai, I''ll dly ept it." Without hesitation, Shichi took the scroll and opened it to take a look. Kakashi, curious about the contents, immediately leaned in to see, as he had no idea what was inside. "Lightning Release..." Shichi''s eyes lit up. The scroll contained key insights into the nature transformation training for Lightning Release. However, as Shichi read further, he discovered that it wasn''t just about Lightning Releasethere were also training tips for Earth, Wind, and Water Release nature transformations, with content ranging from simple toplex, reflecting Sakumo Hatake''s mastery of these techniques. Kakashi''s eyes widened as well, and he asked, "Is my father nning to take you on as a disciple?" Shichi grinned, "What, are you against it, Kakashi?" Kakashi quickly replied, "Of course not." "Hahaha, just kidding." Shichiughed before turning serious. "Kakashi, you''d better work twice as hard." "Sakumo Senpai sees great potential in me, which is why he''s passing on these secrets." "As they say, the student surpasses the master. Kakashi, our goal shouldn''t just be to be the next Konoha''s White Fang. Otherwise, people might say that the tiger father has raised a dog son." "And by ''dog son,'' I mean you." Kakashi felt like ants were crawling all over him and immediately stood up, "I''m going to train!" As Kakashi walked away, Shichi rolled up the scroll and watched him go, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Kakashi, just you waitthere''s more motivationing your way!" The days off were fulfilling and enjoyable, filled with training at the Konoha Hospital, in the small grove, and hanging out with friends. Not to mention, Nono Yakushi officially moved in with Shichi. Time flew by, and the seven-day break was over in a sh. It was time to get back to missionsthis time, they were heading to the Land of Rivers again. On the road, Shichi asked, "Minato-sensei, has the new Daimyo of the Land of Rivers been decided yet?" Minato Namikaze replied, "Not yet." "There are multiple factions involved nownot just us and Sunagakure, but Iwagakure as well. Even Kumogakure''s spies have been spotted." "However, the matter of the Daimyo is not our concern. The Third Hokage has entrusted this to Root and the ANBU." "Our mission this time is simply to secure the trade routes." Hearing this, Kurama Sany couldn''t help but say, "I hope nothing unexpected happens this time." Shichi and the others couldn''t help butugh at that. This time, however, Sany didn''t jinx the missioneverything went smoothly. Minato Namikaze''s reputation as the Yellow sh was already well-known among the Sand Ninja. Although there wasn''t an official order to abandon missions if they encountered him, his presence was undeniably intimidating. During the seven-day mission, Shichi Hoshita and his team only had to deal with a group of rogue ninjas. However, throughout September, October, and November, all of Shichi''s missions were centered around the Land of Rivers. They were tasked with guarding mines, protecting merchant caravans, and defending various towns in the Land of Rivers. Most of these were C-rank or B-rank missions. The only A-rank missions they undertook involved skirmishes with ninjas from Iwagakure and Kumogakure. By December, the situation in the Land of Rivers had finally started to calm down. Konoha and Sunagakure, as well as the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, eventually reached an agreement and joined forces to drive out the meddling ninjas from Kumogakure and Iwagakure. It''s worth noting that in December of Konoha Year 40, Kakashi''s team, much like Minato''s team before them, was invited to the Daimy''s mansion by the Daimy of the Land of Fire. When Shichi heard this, he couldn''t help but ask, "Minato-sensei, will Kakashi go through the same experience as I did?" Minato shook his head. "One double agent is enough." "Besides, the Third Hokage believes that Kakashi''s personality isn''t suited for being a double agent." Shichi thought about it and agreed. Cold and a bit tsundere, Kakashi wasn''t really cut out for the role. "What a shame," Shichi chuckled. "The Daimy is quite generous." Being able to enjoy feasts every day, buy various items, etc was all thanks to the Daimy''s support. After discussing the matter of the Daimy, Shichi asked, "Minato-sensei, how should I go about raising a summoning beast?" "Raising a summoning beast?" Minatoughed, "Powerful summoning beasts typicallye from the wild and need to be tamed." "If you''re raising one yourself, you''ll need not only various valuable medicines but also a bit of luck." "The Inuzuka n sells specialized medicines for raising summoning beasts, but even with those, there''s no guarantee you''ll raise a suitable summoning beast, let alone one that can understand humannguage." Shichi grinned, "Minato-sensei, I''m not aiming too high." "If raising one doesn''t work out, I''m still young enough to search for and tame one from the wildter on." Minato thought of the toads from Mount Myboku, but since he couldn''t make a decision about signing a contract with them, he suggested, "In that case, tomorrow we can head to the Forest of Death and try to capture a spiritually attuned creature to raise." Shichi nodded in agreement. The next day, Minato''s team gathered and headed into the Forest of Death to look for a spiritually attuned animal. Before entering the forest, Kurama Sany asked, "Minato-sensei, I remember we once had a mission to capture a summoning beast that appeared in the Forest of Death. Can Shichi buy that one?" Minato smiled, "I already checked on that. The cat has been sent to the Ninneko n." "Ninneko n?" Kurama Sany nced at Shisui Uchiha, "Shisui, I remember that n has a close rtionship with your Uchiha n." Shisui nodded, "Yes, that''s true, but I prefer crows." Shichi stroked his chin and said, "Raising crows sounds good too." "Shisui, teach me how to raise crows!" With the Clone Technique, Shadow Clone Technique, and Fire Release: Clone Technique, Shichi already had three clone jutsus. If he could add two more, he''d unlock the Clone Expert Tag. Raising crows and creating a Crow Clone Technique seemed like a pretty good idea. Moreover, he still hadn''t unlocked the Transformation Master Tag. Raising crows could give him an additional transformation option. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 72: White Tiger, High-Temperature Laser!

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: White Tiger, High-Temperature Laser!

Entering the Forest of Death, Shichi Hoshita and his team split up to observe the animals in the forest, searching for those with spiritual potential that could make suitable summoning beasts. A giant python! A massive spider! A huge gori! The Forest of Death was home to a diverse array of wild animals, each of them enormous in size. After spending the entire morning searching, the group gathered at the agreed meeting spot around noon to share the information they had collected. "Shichi, I think this ck gori would be a good choice. It''s powerful, huge, and has thick skin that''s tough to prate." "This ck wolf is also a strong contenderit''s agile, has sharp ws and teeth, and is highly intelligent. It''s also excellent at tracking prey, which could make it a greatpanion if trained properly." "What about the spider? It''s venomous and can spinrge webs to trap enemies." Kurama Sany was the most enthusiastic, eagerly introducing the targets he had selected. On the other hand, Minato Namikaze and Shisui Uchiha had fewer selections, but their notes were far more detailed. Shichi carefully reviewed the options and finally locked his gaze on one specific target. It was the one Shisui Uchiha had chosen. "Shichi, you''re interested in this white tiger?" Shisui noticed where Shichi was looking. Shichi nodded, "This young tiger seems like a good pick. It''s just started hunting on its own after leaving its mother. Since you, Shisui, say it has spiritual potential, it must be quite exceptional." "Plus, raising a young tiger offers more room for growth." Minato immediately made the decision, "First impressions are very important. Let''s go check out the white tiger Shisui found." The four of them set off at once, following Shisui to the young white tiger''s hunting grounds. They arrived just in time to see the cub lying on a rock, basking in the sun. This white tiger wasn''t entirely white; it had rings of ck stripes across its body. Because it was so young, it looked particrly adorable. Shichi took a liking to it at first sight and immediately decided, "This one''s the one!" He then used the Body Flicker Technique to appear right beside the white tiger. Startled, the tiger cub let out a low, immature growl. It was about to get up, but Shichi quickly ced a hand on its head, holding it down. "Roar..." The white tiger struggled and growled, ring at Shichi with a mix of fear and defiance, but its roars were more cute than threatening. Shichi chuckled softly, "Don''t be afraid, don''t be afraid." He kept one hand on its head and began to gently stroke its back with the other. The tiger soon realized it couldn''t break free and eventually gave up, staring at Shichi with wide eyes. Indeed, it seemed quite intelligent. Shichi grew even more fond of it and then channeled chakra into his left hand, carefully injecting it into the tiger''s body. "Roar!" The tiger was startled again but soon found the sensation surprisingly pleasant, even closing its eyes to enjoy it. Seeing this, Shichi smiled and took out a special medicine he had purchased from the Inuzuka n earlier. The tiger opened its eyes, sniffing the air as it caught the scent. "Here, eat this!" Shichi brought the pill to the tiger''s mouth. The tiger sniffed it cautiously but hesitated to eat it. Seeing this, Shichi decided to take a more forceful approach, prying open the tiger''s mouth and pushing the pill inside. "Roar..." The tiger struggled again. Shichi simply held it close, letting the pill slowly dissolve in the tiger''s mouth. Huh? It actually doesn''t taste bad? The tiger stopped resisting. Shichi released it and then stood up, "From today, I''m going to call you Shiro." "Hunt well, and I''lle back to visit you!" With that, Shichi''s figure vanished from the tiger''s sight, leaving the confused cub to look around in search of him. ... "Shichi, aren''t you nning to take him back?" Kurama Sany asked when he saw Shichi Hoshita returning empty-handed. Shichi smiled, "No, he''s better suited to stay here." Minato Namikaze nodded in agreement, "This environment will help nurture his wild instincts and ferocity." "But Shichi, you''ll need to visit him regrly. The more time he spends with you, the more he''ll get used to you and even absorb some of your spiritual energy." Shichi nodded, "Got it!" The three of them left the Forest of Death, and Shichi treated everyone to a barbecue meal. ... Back home, Shichi spread out the scroll of ninjutsu he had received from Minato. The scroll detailed the Summoning Jutsu, including its principles, the sealing forms, and the hand signs, along with Minato''s own training experiences and insights. Even though Shichi had an exceptional memory, he still read through the scroll three times, carefully pondering its contents before closing it. He then began practicing the hand signs to familiarize himself with them. Before going to bed, he focused on studying the summoning seals. To establish a contract with a summoning beast, it was necessary to create a summoning scroll. While it was possible to purchase such a scroll, Shichi, who had a solid understanding of sealing techniques and curses, decided to make one himself rather than waste money on a pre-made one. This required him to delve deeper into the summoning jutsu''s seals and fully understand them. ... The next day, which was thest day of his vacation, Shichi headed to the Ninja Academy. He wasn''t aloneKakashi, Shizune, Kurenai Yhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Rin Nohara were also there. Today was the day of the graduation exam for Might Guy and Obito Uchiha. Of course, this wasn''t Obito''s first attempt at the graduation exam. Not long after, a dejected Obito walked out of the academy. Shichi and Kakashi exchanged nces, both showing a bit of helplessness. Obito wasn''t weakhis taijutsu was strong enough to hold his own against them, and his Fire Release jutsu had improved considerably. But his clone jutsu wascking, and he often messed up during exams. He even had a tendency to mess up at critical moments. Shichi remembered that Obito had failed hisst exam because of a stomachache, which caused him to botch his transformation jutsu. "If he were a bit more serious during practice, he would''ve passed by now." "And, you were almostte just now!" Kakashi showed no mercy, delivering a sharpment to the already downcast Obito. Immediately, Obito''s dejection turned into a burst of energy, his fists clenching in determination. "Kakashi, you... That was just an ident, and I wasn''tte!" Kakashi replied calmly, "But you didn''t pass." Obito huffed, "Next time, I''ll definitely pass!" Kakashi, unfazed, said, "You said thatst time too." Obito, clearly frustrated, snapped, "Kakashi, I challenge you to a duel!" Kakashi was about to respond when Rin quickly stepped between them. "Kakashi!" Kakashi turned his head away, staying silent. Rin then hurried to pull Obito away. Shichi watched the whole scene with great interest. "He''s out!" Shizune suddenly pointed out. It was Might Guy who hade out. Before anyone could ask how it went, Guy rushed over to embrace his father, Might Duy, and then burst into tears. Immediately, Shichi and the others stood awkwardly on the spot. Watching the tears stream down their faces, Shichi couldn''t help but think to himself, "Guy and Duy have incredibly active tear ducts." But listening to their conversation, it was clear that the news was good. At the age of seven, Might Guy had finally graduated from the Ninja Academy! ... December quietly slipped away, and three days before the New Year, Shichi Hoshita officially went on holiday, pausing all missions. However, this didn''t change much for himhe was still as busy as ever. Every day, he visited the Forest of Death, Konoha Hospital, engaged in physical training, continued refining his technique, Fiery Lotus Steps, and pondered the development of his next jutsu, which had to be at least A-rank in difficulty. He already had four A-rank or higher jutsu: Rasengan, Blue me Sky de, Fire Release: Fiery Lotus of Buddha''s Wrath and Fiery Lotus Steps. But he still needed one more A-rank jutsu to unlock the [Pioneer] Tag. Unfortunately, his Fire Release Clone didn''t meet the criteria, and neither did the Eight Trigrams Seal. "Maybe I should try creating the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken?" "Even if I onlyplete 50%, it would likely be rated S-rank." Shichi mused after finishing his kenjutsu practice in the snow. However, the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken wouldn''t be particrly useful to him unless it was 100%plete, even though he had mastered advanced medical ninjutsu like Yin Healing Wound Destruction. "Perhaps I need a sh of inspiration from the [Pioneer] Tag to fully perfect the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken." After considering this, Shichi returned to what he was most skilled at: Fire Release. Fiery Lotus Steps was a movement technique, Fiery Lotus of Buddha''s Wrath was executed through fire clones, making it effective in closebat. His other five Fire Release jutsu covered mid- to long-range attacks. "But even though the temperature of my Fire Release can rival Scorch Release, my mid- to long-range offensive capability still seems somewhatcking," Shichi pondered. "Water and Earth Style jutsu can easily counter it." "So, should I develop a Fire Release jutsu with strong offensive power?" Once this thought crossed his mind, Shichi immediately considered two existing jutsu. The first was the Water Release: Water Severing Wave, used by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and by the toads of Mount Myboku. During the battle between the reanimated First, Second, and Third Hokage, Tobirama''s Water Severing Wave pierced through the Third''s Earth Wall. The second jutsu was the Sage Art: Storm Release Light Fang used by Six Paths Madara, which sliced through the ck rods created from Six Paths Naruto''s Truth-Seeking Orbs. "High-Temperature Laser?" Shichi stroked his chin and made a decision. Developing a Fire Release jutsu with strong offensive power would allow him to temporarily conclude his work on Fire Release jutsu, except for Fiery Lotus Steps and the Fire Release Chakra Cloak, and then shift his focus to kenjutsu and Wind Style. "High-Temperature Laser..." Shichi pondered, "Actually, techniques like the Grand Fireball Jutsu start as aser or stream of fire when first expelled from the mouth." "For a ninja, the farther you project chakra, the harder it is to control." "Water''s fluidity makes shape transformation rtively easier, but Lightning, Wind, and Fire Release are more difficult." "Most Fire Release jutsu are spherical, and even the Dragon Fire Technique isn''t as detailed in formpared to something like the Water Dragon Bullet." "This is closely rted to the nature of the chakra." "Moreover, maintaining a stable form after shape transformation requires additional control." After thinking it through, Shichi stood up and walked to the frozen riverbank. p! He sped his hands together and, after a moment of concentration, opened his mouth and expelled a zing white beam of fire. However, the beam dispersed into a burst of white mes after extending only about six meters. This was still only a medium-range attack. He continued practicing, gradually increasing the attack''s range. This process involved constantly condensing his Fire Release chakra, requiring both strong chakra control and adeptness in shape transformation. To prevent the fire from dispersing, a stable form had to be established. ... Time passed, and before long, the New Year of the 41st year of Konoha arrived. This year was different from the past; Shichi Hoshita spent it at home with Yakushi Nono, and only visited the orphanage the next day. On the fourth day of the New Year, Shichi went to visit Miss Tenka. It was his first time meeting Tenka''s already-engaged older sister, who was only about sixteen or seventeen years old, not much older than Minato Namikaze. Her name was Tennai. After having lunch at Tenka''s home and being sent out, Tenka asked, "Shichi, you''ve be very skilled with medical ninjutsu. Are you able to create medical ninjutsu scrolls?" "Medical ninjutsu scrolls?" Shichi asked, puzzled. Tenka nodded, "Yes, for battlefield first aid." "They''re quite rare because they''re not cost-effective. Medical ninjutsu often requires precise control, and scrolls are difficult to meet those requirements." "But for first aid in the absence of medical ninjas, it''s still viable, though it will waste some chakra." Hearing this, Shichi smiled, "Is this for Tennai''s fianc?" Tenka poked Shichi''s forehead, "Clever!" Shichi patted his chest, "Since it''s your request, Sis Tenka, I''ll make sure to do it." "Leave it to me!" Tenka smiled and nodded, "I''ll have someone bring nk scrolls to your hometer." "And..." She took out a wooden box, "Here, this is a New Year''s gift from me." "You''re going on a mission, so you might miss your birthday!" Shichi immediately epted the box with a smile, "Then I''ll take it without hesitation. Thank you!" After saying that, he leaned in and gave Tenka a kiss on the forehead before using Body Flicker Technique to disappear. "Little rascal!" Tenka scolded with a smile, then touched her forehead with a faint blush on her cheeks. ... Taking advantage of the gift, Shichi now found himself on an empty rooftop, opening the wooden box Tenka had given him. Inside was a kunai. "Is this made of the same material as the Tostuka de?" Shichi wondered, taking it out to test. It indeed had high chakra permeability. Holding the kunai, he suddenly had an idea. "The High-Temperature Laser might be used with the kunai to allow the Fire Release chakra to adhere." "But this doesn''t seem very different from the Blue me Sky de." Shichi thought, "But I can practice with the kunai first and then gradually phase out the kunai." With this thought in mind, Shichi bought sake and some of Shizune''s favorite snacks and went to the Senju family estate. This was a prior arrangement, so he couldn''t go back on his word. When Shizune opened the door and happily epted the gift, she led Shichi to Tsunade. Upon entering, Shichi saw Tsunade engrossed in some scrolls, with many scrolls scattered across the table and the floor. These scrolls were clearly quite old. Such depth of knowledge! Shichi sighed inwardly, then focused on the two mountains on the table. No, it was Tsunade sitting behind the table. "Lady Tsunade!" Shichi greeted. Tsunade looked up briefly before lowering her head again, slightly annoyed, "Just sit anywhere, or go y with Shizune. I don''t have time to entertain you right now." This mood seemed off! It looked like she was facing a problem. Shichi nced at Shizune, exchanged a look, and confirmed his suspicion. He immediately walked over and sat down opposite Tsunade, saying, "Lady Tsunade, if you''re facing a problem, maybe talking about it could help. I might be able to assist." Tsunade looked up, frowning, "You won''t be much help." Shichi shook his head, "That may not be true. While my medical ninjutsu skills might not match yours, I do have some expertise in ninjutsu development." Tsunade rubbed her forehead and said, "It''s not medical ninjutsu, but a technique for controlling chakra." Shichi became even more interested, "In that case, I''m more relevant. The foundation of techniques is hand signs and seals, and I''m quite skilled in that area." The [Seal Expert] Tag also includes seals, and the basics of these are hand seals/signs that are rtively obscure and difficult for most people. (End of Chapter) Next: Space-Time Expert? T/N: Of course, the author did write ''Little White'' here, so I have to change it. I hope you like ''Shiro'' Also, does anyone have a good name for the High-Temperature Laser skill? ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 73: The Envoy of Space-Time

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: The Envoy of Space-Time

While eating snacks and watching the intense discussion between Shichi and Tsunade, Shizune felt very happy, even though she couldn''t participate in the conversation. The discussion between Shichi and Tsunade continued well into the night, only stopping when Shizune finished preparing dinner. During dinner, Tsunade said, "Shizune, once school starts, apply for graduation." Shizune was taken aback, then instinctively nodded, "Okay, Lady Tsunade." Tsunade nced at Shichi before continuing, "After you graduate, start at Konoha Hospital. I''ll have Yakushi Nono mentor you." Shichi understood and quickly added with a smile, "Don''t worry, Shizune, I''ll talk to the director too." With her cheeks puffed up from the delicious food, Shizune nodded happily, "Mm!" After dinner, Shichi, wrapped in the scarf Shizune had given him, waved goodbye and left. Under the streetlights, Shizune watched as Shichi disappeared into the darkness, snowkes swirling around him. "He''s already out of sight!" Tsunade''s voice suddenly broke the silence. Blushing, Shizune turned around to see Tsunade leaning slightly tipsy against the doorframe, holding a sake bottle. "Lady Tsunade, it''s too cold out here. Let''s go back inside!" Shizune quickly stepped forward to support Tsunade. Tsunade took another sip of sake and muttered, "That little rascal is just like Jiraiyasuch a pervert!" "That''s not true, Lady Tsunade. You must have misunderstood Shichi," Shizune softly defended. "Hmph, that kid always stares at my chest!" "Oh no..." As the door closed behind them, their voices were gradually drowned out by the wind and snow. ... Returning home through the snow, Shichi found that Yakushi Nono had already prepared a hot soup. After taking a sip, the chill in his body melted away, and he smiled, "Director, your cooking is getting better and better!" Nono smiled as she gently brushed the snow off Shichi, "As long as Shichi likes it." "The herbal bath is ready too, so head there after you finish your soup." Nodding, Shichi downed the rest of the soup, then gathered his clothes and headed to the bathroom for a bath. When he emerged from the bathroom, he saw Nono quietly mending his clothes with a focused and tender expression that tugged at his heart. Stepping closer, Shichi grinned, "Director, could you help dry my hair?" "Shichi, you''re almost eight years old now!" Nono chuckled. Despite her words, she set aside the needle and thread. Shichi immediatelyy down on the sofa, resting his head on Nono''sp. With gentle care, Nono used a towel to dry andb Shichi''s medium-length hair. As the familiar scent surrounded him, Shichi unknowingly drifted off to sleep, his arms wrapped around Nono''s waist. Seeing him asleep, Nono became even more tender in her actions. She was well aware of the unique attachment Shichi had toward her, but she also saw his relentless efforts, and her heart ached with sympathy, unable to refuse any of his requests. "Being able to stay by Shichi''s side like this... it''s good," Nono thought to herself. ... Shichi Hoshita woke up at 5 AM, feeling refreshed after rolling around in bed, thinking about the events of the previous night. The world outside was covered in a nket of snow, but that didn''t stop Shichi from heading out for his morning training. "Shichi, I knew you''d be here!" In the snowyndscape, Might Guy, dressed in his iconic green outfit, stood out vividly. The cold did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm. "Since we''ve run into each other, let''s have a sparring match, Shichi!" "As you wish!" Shichi agreed with a smile. Training with a partner was always more effective than going at it alone. Soon enough, the two of them were leaving clear tracks in Konoha''s snow-covered world. Partway through, they encountered Kakashi, and their duo became a trio. ... After finishing his morning training and returning home for the hearty breakfast Nono had prepared, Shichi didn''t follow his original n to go out and train. Instead, he headed to the study. Last night, he had intended toplete the summoning scroll and wrap up his summoning jutsu training, but he had been derailed by Nono''s kindness. "As expected, a gentle embrace can be a hero''s downfall!" he sighed to himself before activating his double concentration mode to get to work. Time flew by, and after two hours, Shichi deactivated his double concentration mode and let out a deep breath. "Finally done!" He smiled, satisfied after inspecting the seal on the scroll. Then, he walked to the window and opened it, letting the cold air clear his slightly foggy mind. Just then, Nono entered with a bowl of bone broth. "It''s fine to air out the room, but don''t stand by the window!" she reminded him as she gently pulled him away to sit down. "Thanks, Director." Shichi took the hot soup and drank it down in big gulps. ncing at the scroll, Nono asked, "Is it finished?" "Of course." Feeling warm and content after finishing the soup, Shichi smiled. "I am a genius, after all." "Amazing!" Nono took the bowl from him, cautioning, "Even geniuses shouldn''t be arrogant, Shichi!" "I know." Shichi replied earnestly, "I promised to protect you for a lifetime, didn''t I?" Nono responded with equal sincerity, "I believe in you, Shichi!" The two exchanged smiles. After Nono left the study, Shichi retrieved his Totsuka de and ced it on a scroll inscribed with a seal. He then formed a series of hand seals and finally pressed his hands onto the Totsuka de. In an instant, the seal on the scroll activated, quickly moving onto the sword, and forming the word "Totsuka" on the hilt. With the sealing processplete, Shichi grabbed the Totsuka de, swung it, and stabbed it into the snow outside the window. Next, he approached another summoning scroll, leaving his bloody handprint and chakra on it. With everything ready, Shichi formed the hand seals again. Summoning Jutsu! As soon as hepleted the jutsu, the Totsuka de, which was stabbed into the snow outside, reappeared in his hand. The summoning jutsu was a sess! Almost simultaneously, Shichi noticed some movement in the "Tag Tree" within his mind. Focusing his attention, he was surprised. "Huh?" He had expected to unlock something like the "Space-Time Expert" tag, but it turned out to be more than that. The "Ninjutsu Master" tag had also unlocked. "So I''ve already mastered 30 ninjutsu?" Shichi realized btedly and started counting. Including the summoning jutsu, he had indeed mastered 30 ninjutsu. He used to think mastering 30 jutsu was a huge task, but now, it waspleted almost without him noticing. But how many Chunin in the entire ninja world could boast of mastering this many jutsu? It wasn''t just about having the talent and time to train; resources yed a crucial role too. Back when Shichi decided to graduate early, it was primarily for ess to more jutsu resources. Without graduating early, he would have been limited to medical ninjutsu resourcesother than what Nono knew, there would have been nowhere else to learn from. ... Tag: [Ninjutsu Master] Condition to Obtain: Proficiently master at least 30 ninjutsu. Effect: Any ninjutsu hand seals can be reduced to two, and ninjutsu talent is increased by 100%. The effect of this tag is undoubtedly exceptional, as expected from a master tag. Being able to reduce any jutsu to just two hand seals will significantly enhance the first-strike advantage. The increase in ninjutsu talent applies to all types of ninjutsu. Fire Release, Wind Release, Lightning Release, Water Release, Earth Release, Genjutsu, and more. "With this, I won''t have to worry about having a low aptitude for Lightning, Water, and Earth Release techniques anymore." Shichi Hoshita smiled. And then there''s Genjutsu. Right now, he was delving into the Darkness Technique. After briefly savoring the thought, Shichi shifted his attention to another leaf on the Tag Tree. Tag: [Space-Time Envoy] Condition to Obtain: Proficiently master at least five Space-Time Ninjutsu. Effect: Space-Time ninjutsu talent is increased by 100%, and physique is increased by 100% (since long-distance space-time travel requires a strong body). Reading the description on the tag leaf, Shichi felt a bit overwhelmed. At least five Space-Time ninjutsu! Where was he supposed to find them? "The Summoning Jutsu, Reverse Summoning Jutsu, Cloud Vige''s Heavenly Transfer Technique, the Flying Thunder God Techniqueaside from the ones linked to kekkei genkai, what other ninjutsu falls under Space-Time?" Shichi couldn''t help but scratch his head. If it weren''t for the boost to his physique, he''d be tempted toin. "Fortunately, both the [Ninjutsu Master] and [Konoha Genius] tags enhance all types of ninjutsu, including Space-Time. Otherwise, I wouldn''t be confident about mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique." "But the Heavenly Transfer Technique from Cloud Vige will be tricky." "Maybe I''ll have to create one myself?" After pondering for a moment, Shichi set aside the thought, tidied up the study, and headed to the Forest of Death with the summoning scroll. The white tiger was hibernating, but as soon as Shichi appeared, it woke up, gave a low growl, and got up to nuzzle him. Shichi yed with the white tiger for a while before injecting chakra into its body, helping it be more ustomed to the energy. After feeding it some medicine, he opened the summoning scroll. While the white tiger was savoring the taste of the medicine, he quickly pricked its paw. Blood oozed out, which Shichi pressed onto the summoning scroll, leaving a paw print. The white tiger didn''t even have time to react before the wound was healed with medical ninjutsu, leaving it staring nkly at Shichi. "Hahaha..." Shichiughed heartily, rubbing the white tiger''s head. "Shiro, now I can feed you even when I''m on a mission." After ying with the white tiger a bit more, Shichi finally left. ... Entering the Uchiha n''spound, Shichi curiously observed his surroundings. The Uchiha were indeed a unique presence in Konoha, with the entire n living in close quarters. In contrast, even the prestigious Hyga n didn''t live so closely together. "Shichi!" A voice suddenly called out, making Shichi stop and turn. An unfamiliar Uchiha nsman was approaching him. After a quick nce, Shichi suddenly remembered, "It''s you!" The person was Uchiha Y. He walked up to Shichi and introduced himself with a smile, "I''m Uchiha Y. You must be here to see Shisui, right?" Shichi quickly greeted him, "Hello, Y-senpai. Yes, I''m here to see Shisui." "Let me take you to him!" Uchiha Y offered. Not wanting to refuse, Shichi quickly said, "Thank you, senpai!" The two chatted as they walked to Uchiha Shisui''s house, but Uchiha Y soon excused himself and left. After watching him leave, Shisui gave Shichi a tour of his home. It was quiterge, with theyout of a mansion,pletely different from the two-room apartment Shichi lived in. But living alone made the house seem too empty, a stark contrast to Shisui''s warm and sunny personality. Finally, the two arrived at the ce where Shisui kept his crows. Shisui had built wooden houses to serve as nests for the crows during winter. "Look, these are specially prepared for you." Shisui pointed to a few nests inside one of the wooden houses. Shichi looked inside and saw several young birds in the nests. Shisui smiled, "But I don''t rmend taking them now. The weather is too cold." "Why note by every day to feed them, and take them home after spring arrives?" Shichi agreed readily, "You''re the expert, Shisui. I''ll follow your advice!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 74: Blue Flame Waterfall Blade, Kusagakure!

Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Blue me Waterfall de, Kusagakure!

The beginning of Konoha Year 41 was rather "leisurely" for Hoshita Shichi. ying with the White Tiger and feeding crows had be part of his daily routine. However, a technique he thought would be rtively easy to masterHigh-Temperature Rayended up posing quite a challenge. By the now-thawedkeside, Hoshita Shichi winced, his mouth full of blisters. He got burned! The highlypressed fire stream in his mouth reached such extreme temperatures that even the Yin Healing Wound Destruction technique couldn''t fully heal it. The reason he needed topress the fire stream inside his mouth was that this position offered the most control over chakra, allowing him topress the Fire Release to aser-like state. Once ejected from the mouth, this would not only have an extremely long range but also tremendous power. Unfortunately, his mouth couldn''t handle it. After treating the blisters, Hoshita Shichi sat down on the ground, trying to reorganize his thoughts. A high-pressure water jet doesn''t harm the mouth, and the Storm Release is abination of lightning and water, which is further enhanced by Sage Mode, offering more protection. But in Fire Release is different. It won''t work unless he lowers the power. However, if he lowers the power, there would be no point in developing this technique. After much thought, Shichi couldn''t find a solution, so he decided to set it aside for now and focus his energy on other matters. Time flew by, and before he knew it, the new academy year at the Ninja Academy had arrived. As nned by Tsunade, Shizune submitted her graduation application as soon as school started. On January 9th of Konoha Year 41, Shizune sessfully passed the graduation exam and officially became a Genin. Shizune then entered the Konoha Hospital, where she spent her days working with Yakushi Nono and receiving guidance from Tsunade when she returned home. Whenever Shichi was at the Konoha Hospital, Shizune would follow him around like a little shadow. But after the New Year, Shichi began taking on missions again with Minato Namikaze and the others. March passed in the blink of an eye, and Shichi''s 8th birthday quietly came and went while he was on a mission. However, after the mission, Yakushi Nono threw a small birthday celebration for Hoshita Shichi,plete with a birthday cake and longevity noodles. After eating the longevity noodles, Yakushi Nono took out a scroll. "Shichi, happy birthday!" "Thank you!" Hoshita Shichi epted the scroll, curious. "Did the Director develop a new medical ninjutsu?" Yakushi Nono shook her head but smiled mysteriously. "So secretive?" Shichi grew more excited and immediately opened the scroll, only to be stunned. "This is..." The scroll was filled with densely packed seals, forming a series ofplex jutsu. Given Shichi''s current level of medical ninjutsu, it was impossible for him not to understand it, even though the scroll contained more than just medical ninjutsu. Yes, this was a ninjutsu scroll. Even those who didn''t know medical ninjutsu could activate the jutsu within the scroll to perform techniques they didn''t otherwise possess. In the original story, Shikamaru Nara once used a Water Release ninjutsu scroll to fight Kakuzu. And this scroll before him was clearly a medical ninjutsu scroll. "Director, this is the Jutsu of Regenerative Healing, and... the iplete jutsu that Lady Tsunade has been working on?" Hoshita Shichi was very familiar with the jutsu on the scroll. Yakushi Nono nodded, smiling. "Yes, it''s the Jutsu of Regenerative Healing, and also Lady Tsunade''s iplete jutsu." "Tsunade discussed this jutsu with me before. Although it''s far fromplete, it can still be used." "You made a medical ninjutsu scroll for Tenka before, so I got the idea to create this." Yakushi Nono''s smile faded as she carefully exined to Hoshita Shichi, "However, the Jutsu of Regenerative Healing requires extremely precise chakra control. Lady Tsunade''s jutsu doesn''t meet the necessary requirements yet. So, when dealing with severe injuries like missing flesh or shattered organs, this scroll can heal the injuries but not perfectly, and it may cause side effects." "Because the healing process is too rough, relying on massive amounts of chakra to force rapid cell division, it inevitably shortens the injured person''s lifespan." "Shichi, you should know that the number of times human cells can divide is limited." "Of course, if the injuries are so severe that ordinary medical ninjutsu can''t heal them, then the shortened lifespan won''t be much of a concern." Shichi nodded and then smiled. "Don''t worry, Director. I''ll make sure not to need this scroll." "If things go south, I''ll just run. I wouldn''t want to leave you behind." Yakushi Nono couldn''t help but smile at his words. But she knew all too well that as a ninja, one could never predict what dangers they might face on a mission. The reason she made this scroll was so that even if Shichi encountered danger, he coulde back alive. As long as he stays alive, everything will be okay! ... The Next Day, in the Small Grove. Shichi held the Totsuka de in both hands, and soon, the de was enveloped in blue mes. As he continued to pour chakra into it, the blue mes extended, reaching a length of two meters within moments. This was his new focus after hitting a bottleneck with the High-Temperature Rayfurther developing the Blue me Sky de. Extending a fire de from the Totsuka de to increase attack range wasn''t particrly difficult. If he were only using regr white mes, it wouldn''t have taken Shichi nearly as long to achieve this. Dispelling the blue mes, Shichi shook his head. "Too slow, and the range is a bit short." What he envisioned was a sword sh like Xianxia Novel''s de Qi. A giant sword extending several meters! "Not only is the range insufficient, but it also takes too long and consumes too much chakra." "But, in fact, the entire de doesn''t need to be made of blue mes. The key part is the edge." Shichi''s original design for the Blue me Sky de focused on reinforcing the de edge with Fire Release. Covering the entire de with mes made it easier to alter its shape. However, with the support of the [Fire Release Master] tag, his Fire Release transformation capabilities had greatly improved, and the [Medical Expert] tag further enhanced his chakra control. It was time to test his original idea! Hoshita Shichi took a moment to gather himself before injecting chakra into the Totsuka de. In the next instant, the de edge was quickly covered in blue mes. Immediately after, Hoshita Shichi''s gaze sharpened, and the blue mes, initially only covering the de edge, rapidly expandednot just covering the entire de but extending outward to a length of ten meters. It looked as if he was now holding a massive blue sword. The de edge was a deep blue, while the giant sword above it was a faint blue me, giving it a somewhat ethereal appearance. After reaching this point, Shichi let out a low shout, raised the Totsuka de high with both hands, and then brought it crashing down. In an instant, the ten-meter-long giant blue energy de sliced downward, splitting the small grove in two. Boom! The trees exploded, sending debris and dust flying. When the dust settled, a charred trench over ten meters long appeared on the ground. Breathing heavily, Hoshita Shichi grinned. "Not bad power!" "Although ten meters is still considered mid-range, it''s longer than the range of Chidori Sharp Spear." Unfortunately, it still didn''t reach S-rank difficulty. Damn it! Pouting, Hoshita Shichi swallowed a military ration pill and sat down to rest, thinking to himself, "The sword technique extended from the Blue me Sky de will be called Blue me Style Swordsmanship, and this move will be... Blue me Waterfall de?" Scratching his head, Hoshita Shichi felt a bit awkward about his naming skills. "Hm?" Suddenly, Hoshita Shichi turned his head and saw Uchiha Shisui appear. "Shichi, Minato-sensei has called a meeting. There''s an urgent,st-minute mission. We''re to gather at the vige gate in half an hour." With that, Uchiha Shisui vanished in a puff of smokeit was a shadow clone. "That urgent?" Shichi didn''t dare dy and immediately headed home to gather his things. After packing, he sent a shadow clone to the Konoha Hospital to inform Yakushi Nono while his real body headed to the vige gate at top speed. When he arrived, Minato Namikaze and the other two were already waiting. "Let''s move out!" Without any unnecessary words, Minato Namikaze gave the order. The four of them leaped out of the vige and entered the forest to the west. "Our mission''s destination this time is Kusagakure in the Land of Grass." As they traveled, Minato Namikaze exined, "Kusagakure is an ally of Konoha. A critical situation has arisen, so they requested assistance from Konoha to send sealing specialists. The Third Hokage assigned this mission to our team." "ording to the information from Kusagakure, the object that needs to be sealed is said to be a ninja tool passed down from the time of the Sage of Six Paths, possibly even crafted by the Sage himself." Kurama Sany couldn''t help but exim, "A ninja tool from the Sage of Six Paths?" "That must be incredibly powerful. No wonder Kusagakure is asking for help with the sealing." "So, it looks like the key yers in this mission will be you, Sensei, and Shichi." Minato Namikaze shook his head. "ording to our own intelligence, other parties are also targeting this ninja tool in Kusagakure." "So, this mission isn''t just about sealing a dangerous ninja tool. That''s why the Third Hokage selected our team, instead of sending a sealing squad." Uchiha Shisui responded, "So, Minato-sensei, you''re saying we need to be extra vignt during the sealing process." Minato Namikaze nodded. "Exactly." At that moment, Hoshita Shichi''s mind was racing with thoughts. When Minato mentioned Kusagakure, the first person he thought of was Karin. With her Uzumaki n bloodline, Karin would make an excellent teammate. Without Karin, Uchiha Sasuke would likely have been defeated long ago. And when Minato mentioned a ninja tool connected to the Sage of Six Paths, Hoshita Shichi guessed it was probably the Box of Ultimate Bliss. "Karin... Karin probably hasn''t been born yet. Her mother might even be around the same age as Minato-sensei. I wonder if she''s currently in Kusagakure." "Maybe I can investigate while we''re there." As these thoughts ran through Hoshita Shichi''s mind, he asked, "Minato-sensei, did our vige''s intelligence mention who our enemies might be?" "Iwa-nin?" "Or Kumo-nin?" Iwagakure had long aimed to expand its influence eastward, even eyeing the fertilend of the Land of Grass. But Kusagakure was cunning, skillfully navigating between the great nations and ninja viges like a socialite, even managing to establish the Hzuki Castle(Blood Prison) with support from several ninja viges. As for Kumo-nin, Kumogakure had a reputation for stealing others'' secrets. Kusagakure''s unique Fire Release techniques were noteworthy, and not to mention, Kumogakure was the most familiar with the power of the Six Paths ninja tools. (End of Chapter) ??? I''m quite happy with 1k stones... so one more Chaptering shortly..! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 75: Severe Injury!

Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Severe Injury!

"Iwa-nin and Kumo-nin are both possible suspects." Minato Namikaze stated, "Kusagakure also has Kumo-nin spies, which is inevitable." Kurama Sany chuckled, "Looks like this mission is going to be quite challenging." "Speaking of which, we''ve already fought against Suna-nin and Iwa-nin. The only ones left are Kumo-nin and Kiri-nin. It''s said that Kumo-nin are more proficient in Taijutsu and Lightning Release." Uchiha Shisui reminded him with a smile, "Proficient doesn''t mean unbeatable, Sany. Don''t underestimate the unknown enemy." ... Since this was an urgent mission, although they chatted along the way, Shichi and the others did not slow down at all. After only a half-hour break, they arrived at Kusagakure by dusk. "Greetings, friends from Konoha. I am Mu Wei, a Chnin from the vige." The one responsible for receiving Hoshita Shichi and his team was a young ninja who appeared to be around the same age as Minato Namikaze. Upon hearing the self-introduction, Hoshita Shichi couldn''t help but scrutinize him. Nothing remarkable. "I''m Minato Namikaze, a Jnin from Konoha, and one of those responsible for the sealing." Minato Namikaze introduced himself with a smile. Following that, Hoshita Shichi and the other two also introduced themselves. Mu Wei then led them into Kusagakure to settle in. Since it was already evening and they were quite exhausted, none of them were in the mood to explore the vige. After meeting with Kusagakure''s leader, Minato Namikaze returned and said, "The sealing is scheduled for tomorrow. After dinner, the three of you should get some rest immediately. We''ll take turns standing guard after midnight." The three of them nodded in unison, "Understood!" Even though Kusagakure was an ally of Konoha and this wasn''t a battlefield, Minato Namikaze remained vignt. Fortunately, the night passed without incident. The next morning, shortly after breakfast, Mu Wei reappeared to escort Hoshita Shichi and the others to the sealing site. As they walked, Shichi discreetly observed his surroundings. In terms of scale and prosperity, Kusagakure was clearly no match for Konoha. It looked more like a "vige" in the true sense. "Perhaps I can explore a bit after the mission. I wonder if Karin''s mother is currently in Kusagakure." Hoshita Shichi pondered quietly. With the destruction of Uzushiogakure, the Uzumaki n members scattered. Karin''s mother might have ended up like Nagato''s mothermarried after wandering for a while, leaving behind descendants. But was Karin''s mother a member of Kusagakure, or did she marry into the vige and then get treated as a "medical tool" after her husband''s death? Or maybe... "We''re here!" Mu Wei''s voice snapped Shichi out of his thoughts. Looking ahead, he saw a rather impressive building with Kusagakure ninjas standing guard at the entrance and on the rooftop. Creak! The doors opened, and a middle-aged man, around forty years old, walked out with two Kusagakure ninjas. Mu Wei quickly stepped forward to pay his respects, and Shichi immediately understood that this was Kusagakure''s leader. He greeted Minato Namikaze warmly, and was considerate of Shichi and the others, disying great tact and hospitality. After some polite exchanges, the Kusagakure leader said, "We''ll be counting on you, Jnin Namikaze. This ninja tool has already consumed six of our ninjas. If this continues, it could destroy the entire vige." "And ording to the legends, the most worrying thing is that this ninja tool might be nurturing a terrifying demon inside." "For the safety of the entire ninja world, even if it''s a relic from the Sage of Six Paths, it must be sealed." The Kusagakure leader spoke with heartfelt concern, and Minato Namikaze solemnly assured him that they would do their utmost to seal it. All for the sake of the ninja world! As Shichi observed the scene, he couldn''t help but specte. Did the Box of Ultimate Bliss really devour six ninjas on its own? Would Kusagakure, which loved studying others'' jutsu, really be willing to give up such a powerful ninja tool, possibly left behind by the Sage of Six Paths? It''s not overly cynicalShichi had to assume the worst of others to avoid letting his guard down and falling into a trap. After the conversation, the Kusagakure leader led the four of them into the building, while Mu Wei remained outside. Inside the spacious hall, four massive pirs stood tall, and in the center was the ninja tool to be sealeda peculiar, even somewhat eerie, box. Facing the entrance, the first thing Shichi and the others saw upon entering was an exaggerated human face, representing "Joy." Around the ninja tool, near the four pirs, stood four Kusagakure shinobi. On the ground beneath them, and on the pirs, were inscriptions forming arge sealing array that enveloped the Box of Ultimate Bliss. "Fire Release..." After a few nces, Shichi couldn''t help but think, "Kusagakure, which has managed to maneuver between the great ninja viges, really has some tricks up its sleeve. They''re not to be underestimated." This reminded him of Takigakure''s Earth Grudge Fear and the Jashin cult powers of Hidan from Yugakure. "This is our vige''s unique binding technique, the Grand Fire Prison. Although it can bind this ninja tool, it requires constant maintenance." The Kusagakure leader introduced the technique, with a hint of pride in his voice, but then he sighed, "But for a permanent solution, we need Jnin Namikaze and the others to seal it." "We''ll be counting on you. Recently, foreign forces have invaded the vige, so I''ll personally stand guard outside to prevent anyone from disrupting the sealing process." Minato Namikaze immediately replied, "Rest assured, we''ll do our best!" The Kusagakure leader nodded and then left with his men, leaving only the four Kusagakure ninjas maintaining the binding array. Creak! The heavy doors closed, and the light inside immediately dimmed. "Shichi, prepare to perform the Eight Trigrams Seal with me." Minato Namikaze ordered, "Shisui, Sany, stand guard!" "Understood!" The three responded in unison. Uchiha Shisui positioned himself directly opposite the door, while Kurama Sany leaped up to hide in the shadows of the ceiling beams. Minato Namikaze opened his backpack and took out scrolls and ink. Shichi stepped forward to assist, and together, they began drawing the sealing array on the scrolls. But before they could finish, there was amotion outside. Shichi and Minato remained focused, while Uchiha Shisui ced one hand on his sword hilt, his other hand ready to form seals. Kurama Sany, still hidden in the rafters, was equally prepared to use genjutsu to create an opening for Uchiha Shisui. The disturbance outside grew louder, to the point where the ground began to shake. Suddenly, Uchiha Shisui shouted, "Watch out!" Almost simultaneously, he activated his Sharingan, performed a single-hand seal, and used the Body Flicker Technique, splitting into multiple shadow clones that quickly positioned themselves behind Hoshita Shichi and Minato Namikaze. Then, the sound of something piercing through the air filled the room as the windows and doors were shattered by a barrage of stone bullets. Uchiha Shisui''s clones dashed around, deflecting the stones aimed at Shichi and Minato with their des. Sany remained hidden, waiting for the right moment. After Uchiha Shisui blocked the first wave of attacks, the door suddenly exploded, and several figures stormed in. "Shadow Clones?" "No!" "Be careful, it''s the Uchiha n''s Sharingan!" ... A Chaotic Battle Erupts, Shisui took the lead, with Sany supporting him, holding off the three enemy ninjas who had stormed in. Meanwhile, Hoshita Shichi and Minato Namikaze finallypleted the sealing array. Both simultaneously formed hand seals and pressed their hands onto the array on the scroll. In the next moment, the symbols, like tadpoles, swiftly moved, crawling onto the Box of Ultimate Bliss. Just as the sealing process began, Uchiha Shisui, with Kurama Sany''s assistance, managed to take down two of the attackers. The third retreated immediately. However, another wave of attacks quickly followed from outside. Dense volleys of rock bullets sted through the walls, wooden panels, and beams. These were not only targeting Uchiha Shisui but also focusing on Kurama Sany, who was hiding in the shadows, using genjutsu. Sany dodged rapidly, but the barrage was too intense. With several muffled sounds, Sany let out a groan as his body fell from the air, crashing onto the ground, his crimson blood quickly staining the floor. "Sany!" Uchiha Shisui shouted in rm. Shichi, who was in the middle of the sealing, nced back, gritting his teeth, "Minato Sensei!" Minato Namikaze lowered his gaze and then withdrew his hand. "Let''s save him first!" But at that moment, the four Kusagakure ninjas suddenly activated the binding array. Dark red mes surged up, weaving together like a giant, tightening toward the center. "Jnin Namikaze, this Box of Ultimate Bliss must be sealed, or it will awaken and devour everyone," one of the Kusagakure ninjas shouted. "You''re asking for it!" Shichi''s anger red, and blue mes flickered in his eyes. He drew his sword, and blue mes spread along the de, swelling with a roar. Blue me Waterfall de! Wielding the massive blue de with both hands, Shichi shed down. Boom! The Kusagakure''s binding array, the Grand Fire Prison, was cleaved in half with a single strike, leaving a charred gash on the wooden floor. "How is this possible?" The four Kusagakure ninjas gasped in shock. Though they were only Chnin, they hadbined their strength to maintain the array. Even a Jnin shouldn''t have been able to break it so easily. Yet this young Konoha ninja... Stunned, the Kusagakure ninjas watched as Hoshita Shichi, after breaking the array, immediately formed a single-hand sign, summoning two Fire Release clones that charged forward. At that moment, several more enemies rushed in, only to be met by the clones, which burst into blinding white mes before exploding. Boom! The enemies were blown back, while Uchiha Shisui carried Kurama Sany over to Hoshita Shichi''s side. As for Minato Namikaze, the moment Shichi shattered the Grand Fire Prison, he had already vanished. "This is bad..." Shichi muttered as he sheathed his sword and knelt to check Sany''s injuries. Four wounds, each piercing through. Heart, lungs, liver, arteries... Cold sweat beaded on Hoshita Shichi''s forehead. He quickly unsealed a scroll, pulling out the medical jutsu scroll given by Nono Yakushi, and spread it over Kurama Sany''s body. Eight Trigrams Seal, Release! Yin Seal, Release! Hoshita Shichi fully released the stored chakra from his Yin Seal, then pressed his right hand onto the scroll. In an instant, a gentle green chakra glow spread out. The medical jutsu scroll was activated, unleashing the Regeneration Technique, and the green light enveloped Kurama Sany''s torso. Although Hoshita Shichi didn''t personally know the Regeneration Technique, the scroll allowed him to execute it as if he did. However, Kurama Sany''s injuries were severe, so Shichi focused the chakra on healing his heart and arteries first. With one hand controlling the chakra on the scroll, Shichi formed a shadow clone with his left hand to treat Sany''s lung injury. The lung was pierced; if left untreated, Sany would die from blood loss and suffocation. (End of Chapter) Question of the Day! - Sany will be saved? - ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 76: The Ominous Eye, The Pursuit!

Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The Ominous Eye, The Pursuit!

"Damn it..." "It''s not enough!" "Too slow!" Hoshita Shichi gritted his teeth, pouring out chakra from within himself, desperately trying to control it to regenerate and heal Kurama Sany''s wounds. But the speed was still too slow. If he spread the power across all four wounds, none of them would heal quickly enough. Even when he focused his power on the two most critical wounds, the speed was still insufficient. The arterial wound healed the fastest, but the heart was slower. At this rate, Sany would still be dead due to massive bleeding from either the lungs or liver. In his current situation, Shichi could only manage to create a single shadow clone. But without the Regeneration Technique, the clone could only use basic medical ninjutsu, which was inadequate for treating such extensive internal injuries where the organs were shredded. These injuries were caused by the Iwa-nin''s notorious "Rock Gun Technique," where the stone bullets not only caused a cavity effect but also scattered fragments upon impact. Though Sany had a prating wound, the internal damage was far moreplex. If there were multiple medics, they could use the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique to remove the stone fragments, followed by the Mystical Palm Technique for the superficial injuries, and then coborate on the Regeneration Technique to handle the internal damage. Only then would it be possible to treat such wounds quickly. But now, Hoshita Shichi was alone. "Shisui, find Minato Sensei!" Shichi shouted. Uchiha Shisui immediately created a shadow clone to search for Minato Namikaze, while he stayed behind, wary of the four Kusagakure ninjas. However, as Shisui''s clone departed, a loud crash resounded behind them as the wall was sted through, and several figures charged straight for the Box of Ultimate Bliss. "Stop them!" The four Kusagakure ninjas rushed forward, but with the sound of thunder, they were all sent flying one after another. "A brat from the Uchiha n, with a single tomoe Sharingan..." The tall man dressed as a Kusagakure man stared intently at the wary Uchiha Shisui. "You three take the ninja tool; I''ll capture this Uchiha brat and bring back his Sharingan." Before he could finish his sentence, his hands had alreadypleted a series of hand seals. Lightning Release: Lightning Illusion sh of Lightning Pir A blinding sh of light erupted, making it impossible for anyone to see. The tall man then lunged at the now blinded Uchiha Shisui. Boom! Before he could get close, the tall man was sent flying back, crashing into the wall. Minato Namikaze appeared, flinging a kunai, and in a sh, the three ninjas who were about to take the Box of Ultimate Bliss were struck down with screams of agony. Within a second, the enemies were eliminated. Minato Namikaze returned to Hoshita Shichi''s side. "Shichi..." "Minato Sensei, Sany''s injuries are too severe," Shichi quickly said. "Even the medical scroll isn''t enough." "Can you take Sany back to Konoha, or use the Flying Thunder God to bring...?" Shichi trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. Even if Tsunade were here without her hemophobia, she might not be able to handle such injuries alone. Now, with Tsunade suffering from hemophobia, even bringing Nono Yakushi might not be enough. But Kusagakure was far from Konoha, and Minato Namikaze wasn''t in his Edo Tensei state, nor did he have Kurama''s chakra within him. He might be able to take one person, but with more, his chakra would likely be insufficient. As for bringing Sany back to Konoha... Looking at the critically injured Sany, Minato was also deeply saddened. "It''s impossible to reach Konoha in one go, and with my current chakra, I can''t teleport two people over such a long distance in a single trip." "And if I take one person, without you, Sany wouldn''t survive the journey back to Konoha." Uchiha Shisui trembled upon hearing this. "Minato Sensei, is there no other way?" "Ugh... ugh..." Sany, who had been unconscious, suddenly coughed, blood foam spilling from his mouth. He opened his fading eyes and vaguely saw the silhouettes of Hoshita Shichi and the others, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Looks like... I can''t... keep going with you guys..." Shichi opened his mouth but couldn''t bring himself to make a promise of recovery. Sany slightly turned his head, his gaze falling on Shichi. "Sh... Shichi, you''ve done... exceptionally well... to give me time... to say goodbye." Shichi gritted his teeth, holding back his tears. But Sany''s life was slipping away quickly. He looked at Minato Namikaze onest time, with regret in his voice. "I''m sorry, Minato Sensei, I couldn''t give you a wedding gift." Minato Namikaze opened his mouth but could only say, "Sany, you will be a hero of Konoha!" Sany''s gaze began to fade. He opened his mouth again, his voice growing faint. "I... I never wanted to be a hero. I just wanted to be with you guys..." Shisui lowered his head, unable to hide the sudden, intense crimson light that red in his eyes. ... Kurama Sany could not be saved. As Shichi slowly withdrew his trembling hands, he stared at Sany''s lifeless body, the faint smile of regret still on his face. Shichi had seen death in Konoha Hospital before. Countless shinobi had died under his care. But for the first time, he felt death so close, so deeply sorrowful. And as Sany''s friend, he felt utterly powerless in the face of his death. Suddenly, Shichi began to understand why Tsunade, a strong kunoichi who had experienced countless battles, would develop hemophobiaa condition that might seem almostughable to others. If one day, Nono were to die like this before his eyes... If Shizune were to die like this before his eyes... If Tenka, Minato Sensei, Kakashi, or Guy... Just imagining it filled Shichi with an inexplicable fear and resistance. Minato Namikaze patted Hoshita Shichi on the shoulder and was about to speak when his expression suddenly changed. "Shisui, retreat!" Shisui had already sensed the danger and immediately vanished with the Body Flicker Technique. The moment Shichi and the others disappeared, the Box of Ultimate Bliss, which had been silent until now, suddenlyunched an attack on its own. An invisible force swept through, engulfing the four Kusagakure shinobi, as well as the four that Minato had already defeated, pulling them all into the Box of Ultimate Bliss. Minato appeared outside the gate, his expression solemn. Although the Box of Ultimate Bliss did not attack them again, it emanated a malevolent aura and intense chakra fluctuations. Shisui, his Sharingan glowing red, stared at the Box of Ultimate Bliss. "Minato Sensei, it seems this ninja tool absorbed their chakra." Minato Namikaze nodded. "Shichi, we must seal it!" Shichi nodded silently, blocking out his grief as he activated double focus mode. He spread out the sealing scroll again, and together with Minato, formed hand seals and pressed their hands against the scroll. Seals immediately spread towards the Box of Ultimate Bliss. This time, there were noplications. The Eight Trigrams Seal waspleted sessfully, sealing the Box of Ultimate Bliss. The malevolent aura receded, and the fluctuating chakra calmed. As soon as the sealing wasplete, Kusagakure''s Mu Wei arrived. "Jnin Minato, our vige leader has been killed in battle." Shichi and the others exchanged surprised looks. Mu Wei nced at Sany''s lifeless body on the ground and apologized. "I''m terribly sorry. Our leader was ambushed and killed, which is why we couldn''te to help sooner." The three remained silent. At that moment, Shichi, having dropped out of high-focus mode, felt a surge of irritation and spoke up. "There should be attackers who managed to escape, right?" Mu Wei nodded. "Yes, they were very powerful. We couldn''t stop them." Hoshita Shichi turned to Minato Namikaze. "Minato Sensei, I want to do something for Sany." Uchiha Shisui quickly added, "So do I." Minato Namikaze nced at Shisui''s three-tomoe Sharingan and nodded. "Be careful, both of you. I''lle after you once things are settled here." He handed the Flying Thunder God kunai to Shichi. Taking the kunai, Shichi and Shisui headed west, leaving Kusagakure. The two followed the tracks, but after some distance, they halted. Uchiha Shisui examined the trail and said, "They''ve split up!" Shichi analyzed carefully. "These aren''t shadow clones. Let''s just follow one trail!" Shisui nodded, and they chose the trail on the left. Ten minutester, they passed through an area of flooding water. As the water rippled, a figure emerged from beneath, firing several rock bullets straight at the backs of Hoshita Shichi and Uchiha Shisui. But in the next moment, their figures shattered like illusions. "Not good, genjutsu!" The Iwa-nin realized toote, and the next moment, his eyes were locked onto a pair of crimson, three-tomoe Sharingan. His eyelids grew heavy, and he began to drift into sleep. The Iwa-nin, hiding in the water, had already been discovered. The genjutsu he was caught in was a masterful deception. But just as he was hypnotized, the Iwa-nin burst into a puff of smoke. Shadow Clone! Shisui immediately warned, "Shichi, we need to be even more careful. This guy is probably a Jnin." Hoshita Shichi nodded, continuing forward. Uchiha Shisui quickly followed. They had failed to protect Sany, but from now on, he would use his "Ominous Eye" to safeguard his friends! After pursuing for a while, Shichi suddenly stopped. At that moment, the Iwa-nin, hiding behind a giant mushroom and a tree, frowned. "These brats are not simple." "The one with the Sharingan is particrly troublesome, with his three-tomoe." He was indeed the one left behind to cover the retreat, and as Uchiha Shisui had guessed, he was an Iwa-nin Jnin. However, just as the Iwa-nin was contemting how to take them down one by one, Shichi suddenly leaped into action. Boom! Boom! Boom! The air exploded as zing white fire lotuses bloomed beneath Shichi''s feet, propelling him at high speed towards the Iwa-nin''s hiding spot. "What?" The Iwa-nin''s eyes widened in disbelief. "How is this possible?" "Genjutsu?" "No, it''s not genjutsu!" At that moment, as Shichi soared through the air, he drew his de. The instant he raised the sword with both hands, blue mes erupted along the de, forming a massive, slightly ethereal blue sword. He shed it down towards the Iwa-nin hiding behind a tree, despite the distance of several meters. "This brat..." The Iwa-nin was shocked again, momentarily hesitating before throwing his kunai. But before the kunai could reach its target, it was swiftly intercepted by Shisui''s shuriken. Boom! The thick tree trunk was split open by the sh. The Iwa-nin leaped back, but not before a charred line appeared across his chest. His clothing and flesh had been seared by the burning de, and the excruciating pain contorted the Iwa-nin''s face. At that moment, Shisui''s shuriken attacked once more, while Shichi, still in the air, unleashed a barrage of mes from his mouth, attaching themselves to the shuriken. Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson! Despite the intense pain, the Iwa-nin drew his sword. ng! ng! ng! He deflected each shuriken, but Shichi was already closing in. ng! ng! ng! Metal shed with metal, and sparks flew as the two figures engaged in a fierce battle within the forest of gigantic nts. Shisui moved swiftly, his three-tomoe Sharingan spinning as he kept a close eye on thebatants, ready to assist at any moment. Suddenly, a blue light red. The Iwa-nin''s sword was cleaved in two by the Totsuka de. In shock, he still attempted to sh at Shichi with the broken de, while his left hand reached for a kunai to stab Shichi in the abdomen. But Shichi ignored the kunai aimed at him and brought his sword down again. The blue-med de easily severed the Iwa-nin''s broken sword, then sliced through his arm. Almost simultaneously, the Iwa-nin''s kunai pierced Shichi''s vest and stabbed into his abdomen. This action shocked Shisui, as Shichi could have easily dodged the attack if he had just given up on his own strike. The Iwa-nin let out a scream of agony, using the tree trunk to push himself back and away. As the kunai was pulled out, the wound in Shichi''s abdomen began to bleed, but it quickly healed. Yin Healing Wound Destruction! Shichi didn''t even flinch, thanks to his 10x focus mode. He watched as the retreating, one-armed Iwa-nin, despite his intense pain, still managed to throw a kunai with an explosive tag to block Shisui''s Fireball Jutsu. Shichi then unleashed a zing white beam of light from his mouth, undeterred by the burns that blistered his lips. The high-temperature ray shot forward with incredible speed. The Iwa-nin instinctively raised his short sword and tilted his head to the side. In the next moment, the beam pierced through the short sword and grazed past the Iwa-nin''s ear. But just as the Iwa-nin thought he had narrowly avoided the attack, the beam, guided by Hoshita Shichi''s movements, lowered and shed across the Iwa-nin''s neck. In an instant, his head was severed from his body. Shisui appeared beside Shichi, concern in his voice. "Shichi, you..." Shichi exhaled a long breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as he smiled and said, "Don''t worry, with Yin Healing Wound Destruction, the wound has already healed." Shisui nced at Shichi''s blistered lips. Shichi exined helplessly, "It''s an iplete jutsu." The high-temperature ray was merely a jutsu in form; it didn''t even have a proper name yet. Uchiha Shisui felt reassured, then asked, "Should we continue the pursuit?" Shichi looked at the Iwa-nin''s fallen body and shook his head. "The enemy''s situation is unclear. Continuing to chase them could be dangerous. Let''s wait for Minato Sensei." He had been driven by pent-up frustration, but now that he had vented it, his rationality had returned. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 77: Kannabi Bridge, Red-Haired Girl!

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Kannabi Bridge, Red-Haired Girl!

Sitting on top of therge mushroom cap, Hoshita Shichi nced at Uchiha Shisui''s three-tomoe Sharingan. Uchiha Shisui had a gentle smile on his face, but there was a hint of sadness in his voice. "These are cursed, ominous eyes." Hoshita Shichi shook his head. "To me, these are eyes that can turn grief into strength." Uchiha Shisui was taken aback. Shichi continued, "Everyone dies eventually, whether it''s from war, illness, or old age." "When a person dies, their light goes out, but the grief remains with those who survive." "The living are always more important than the dead. To transform grief into strength to protect those who are still alivehow could that be considered ominous?" Though his words might seem like mere titudes, they were not without merit. To Uchiha Shisui, these words were like a bolt of lightning, piercing through the gloom in his heart. His character was indeed gentle and sunny, but that didn''t mean he had no sorrow within him. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have awakened his Sharingan with three tomoe immediately after the death of Sany. He just hid his sorrow beneath his gentle demeanor. Since his eyes were already considered cursed, he felt that he shouldn''t let this curse affect others. Instead, he believed he should use his warmth and kindness to counteract the curse and sadness. This was his ninja way! But after hearing Shichi''s perspective, Uchiha Shisui felt enlightened, as if a guiding light had illuminated the path before him. From this moment on, he felt he was no longer walking in darkness! "Shichi, you''re right!" Uchiha Shisui smiled with newfound rity and warmth. "Turning grief into strength to protect the livingthis is the true purpose of the Sharingan!" ... After their conversation, Shichi had not only convinced himself but also managed to change Shisui''s mindset. With the blisters in his mouth now healed, Shichi asked, "Shisui, this jutsu of mine generates such high temperatures. Is there any way to avoid burning my mouth?" Shisui responded, "Shichi, your chakra control is exceptional. I''ve never seen anyone better at manipting Fire Release, both in terms of nature and form, not even the leader of my n." "So you don''t necessarily have to release it through your mouth." "Ordinary shinobi often use their mouths because the throat and mouth are better suited for chakra gathering." Hoshita Shichi nodded in agreement. Uchiha Shisui continued, "But your abilities aren''t bound by those limitations." "For instance, you could use your hands. While there would still be a risk of burns, you could create an internal and externalyering." Hoshita Shichi had a sh of insight, recalling Pakura''s Scorch Release fireballs. Scorch Release fireballs were orange-red on the outside, with a searing white core. With that in mind... Just as Hoshita Shichi was about to experiment, Minato Namikaze suddenly appeared beside them. "Minato Sensei!" Hoshita Shichi and Uchiha Shisui immediately stood up. Minato Namikaze breathed a quiet sigh of relief seeing them unharmed, then said, "I''ve sealed away Sany''s body in a scroll." "The leader of Kusagakure did indeed die at the hands of Iwa-nin." "However, given today''s attack, there might be a traitor within Kusagakure." Uchiha Shisui pondered, "If there''s a traitor within Kusagakure, that''s an internal matter. We can''t intervene directly, or it could spark conflict between our viges." "Even though the Kusagakure leader was killed by Iwa-nin, those Iwa-nin weren''t wearing any identifying symbols." "Kusagakure might choose not to pursue the matter to ensure their survival." Hoshita Shichi scoffed, "The next leader of Kusagakure could very well be pro-Iwa." Minato Namikaze nodded. "Exactly." He had considered that possibility as well. After a brief pause, Hoshita Shichi asked, "Minato Sensei, are we going to continue pursuing the Iwa-nin?" Minato Namikaze nodded. "I''ve already forced Kusagakure to issue us a mission to hunt down the attackers." "Although using jutsumonly associated with Iwa-nin doesn''t necessarily mean they were Iwa-nin, whoever the culprits are, they must be held ountable." "So..." "Let''s go!" Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Minato Namikaze, Hoshita Shichi, and Uchiha Shisui vanished from their spots, using the Body Flicker Technique. The three of them tracked the Iwa-nin all the way to the borders of the Land of Grass, where they finally caught up to them. Or rather, the Iwa-nin had regrouped here, waiting for their rear guard. At this moment, five figures, now back in their Iwa-nin attire, were waiting at the bridge. Kannabi Bridge! To Hoshita Shichi, this bridge was legendary. After a quick observation, he finally understood why the Third Shinobi World War would leave such a mark here. This massive bridge spanned a wide, fast-flowing river, with mountains on either side. That was likely the reason for the river''s rapid current. Such a fast-moving river wasn''t something just any shinobi could cross, especially not while transporting supplies. As for using scrolls to seal and transport kunai or other supplies, creating such scrolls wasn''t easy. They were expensive, had limited space, and weren''t practical forrge-scale material transport. Squinting at Kannabi Bridge, Hoshita Shichi felt an urge to destroy it. But he knew that if he did, both Iwa-nin and Kusagakure would likely confront Konoha together! In the worst-case scenario, it could trigger an international incident. ... "Minato Sensei, these guys have resumed their Iwa-nin identities. Should we attack?" Uchiha Shisui asked. Minato Namikaze nodded. "They''re still on this side of the bridge, meaning they''re still in the Land of Grass." "Also, Shisui,ter on, capture one of them alive and deliver them to Kusagakure!" Uchiha Shisui quickly responded, "Understood!" "Attack!" Minato Namikaze gave the order, disappearing from his spot before the sound of his voice even faded. "Enemy attack!" The Iwa-nin shouted, blocking a barrage of kunai and shuriken. However, under the cover of Hoshita Shichi and Uchiha Shisui, Minato Namikaze appeared behind them. Holding the Tostuka de, Hoshita Shichi addressed the five Iwa-nin. "You''re surrounded. Surrender your weapons, and you might live!" "You arrogant brat!" "Die!" The Iwa-nin facing Shichi and Shisui yelled. One threw a shuriken while charging forward with a drawn de, and the other stayed back to form hand seals. The remaining three attacked Minato. The battle erupted instantly. Shichi snorted, easily deflecting the shuriken with his sword. He then opened his mouth, unleashing a searing white fireline that quickly expanded into a massive white-hot fireball. The charging Iwa-nin leaped into the air to avoid the fireball and threw several more shuriken from above. ng, ng, ng. Shisui jumped up, deflecting all the shuriken, his eyes transforming into a three-tomoe Sharingan as he locked eyes with the Iwa-nin midair. In an instant, the Iwa-nin''s eyes rolled back, and he plummeted to the ground. Simultaneously, another Iwa-nin finished his hand seals, unleashing a volley of rock bullets. However, they melted before they could prate the fireball due to the intense heat. Boom, boom, boom! Burnt craters appeared on the ground as Shichi moved at high speed. The Iwa-nin who had just performed the jutsu didn''t even have time to react before Shichi decapitated him from the side. On the other side, Minato finished his fight even faster, defeating all the Iwa-nin. After tossing the four Iwa-nin corpses into the river, Shichi, Shisui, and Minato took the Iwa-nin that Shisui had subdued with a genjutsu back to Kusagakure. Meanwhile, on the other side of Kannabi Bridge, another Iwa-nin watched helplessly as hisrades were wiped out. It wasn''t that he didn''t want to help, but the battle ended before he could even react. Now, he didn''t dare to reveal himself. Despite having a mission to report back, he didn''t dare send out a distress signal to the border patrol unit. He was sure that before the patrol unit could arrive, those three Konoha shinobi would kill him. Given the choice between his life and the mission, he chose the former. ... After handing over the prisoner in Kusagakure, Shichi, Shisui, and Minato had just finished lunch, arranged by the Kusagakure shinobi, when a Kusagakure Jnin came to invite Minato to discuss some matters. They also asked Hoshita Shichi to help treat the wounded. Although Shichi harbored some resentment towards Kusagakure, he agreed, remembering Karin''s mother. "Shisui, go with Shichi," Minato Namikaze instructed. Uchiha Shisui nodded seriously. "Understood!" The group split up, with Shichi and Shisui heading to the chaotic Kusagakure hospital. Shichi quickly scanned the area and locked onto a figure with red hair. It was a girl around sixteen or seventeen years old! At that moment, the girl was extending her hand to allow a severely injured Kusagakure shinobi to bite it. "That''s her..." Shichi looked away but couldn''t help thinking, "If we had found her earlier, perhaps we could have saved Sany..." But as soon as the thought arose, Shichi pushed it aside. Given Sany''s severe injuries, no one could say for sure what would happen if the red-haired girl was bitten. With a silent sigh, Shichi steadied his mind and began treating the wounded. Following Shichi''s gaze, Shisui also noticed the red-haired girl. "Could she be from the Uzumaki n too?" ... As evening approached, Shichi finished treating the wounded and was leaving when he happened to see the red-haired girl walking away, her head down, looking exhausted. When he returned to their lodging, Minato had alreadye back. Shichi immediately spoke up, "Minato Sensei, I want to take someone from Kusagakure with us." Minato was momentarily surprised, and Uchiha Shisui asked, "Shichi, is it that red-haired girl?" "Red-haired girl?" Minato Namikaze caught on. "Like Kushina?" Shichi nodded. "She seems to be from the Uzumaki n, just like Kushina-san." "She has a unique constitution. The Kusagakure shinobi only need to bite her, and their wounds heal rapidly." "Minato Sensei, whether it''s because of her Uzumaki heritage or her abilities, she''s worth bringing back to Konoha." Minato nodded and then gathered more information about the red-haired girl. He quickly grasped the situation. She seemed to be around Kushina''s age, and they might even know each other. "If Kushina had a childhood friend around, she wouldn''t be so lonely when I''m on missions." "Not to mention her exceptional Yang Release powers..." Minato immediately made up his mind. "I''ll go negotiate right away." Shichi added, "Minato Sensei, what if Kusagakure refuses?" Minato smiled. "Don''t worry. Kusagakure has no reason to refuse, especially at a time like this." "If they do refuse... we''ll take her by force!" Minato wasn''t one to stick strictly to the rules! From what Shichi described, if that girl stayed in Kusagakure, her fate likely wouldn''t be good. With that, Minato left the room. After about half an hour, Minato returned, apanied by a timid red-haired girl. (End of Chapter) ??? I just did a little mass upload on Patreon - Read up to Chapter 124+ there! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 78: You Don’t Want Your Daughter to…

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: You Don''t Want Your Daughter to...

Shichi''s gaze fell on the red-haired girl, silently observing her. Her red hair was loose, and she looked fragile and pitiable. However, the old-fashioned sses she wore greatly concealed her beauty. Minato Namikaze introduced her, "This is Asuka." Shisui smiled warmly, "Hello, I''m Uchiha Shisui!" Shichi was just about to speak when Asuka suddenly said, "Um... yourpanion is already dead. There''s nothing I can do to heal him." Her words left all three of them in an awkward silence. Asuka, seeing their reactions, instinctively took a step back, fear welling up inside her. After a brief pause, Minato spoke, "We''re not asking you to heal anyone. We want to bring you back to Konoha." "Konoha..." Asuka opened her mouth, then fell silent again. The atmosphere became tense once more, and Minato felt a little awkward. He knew a bit about the destruction of the Uzumaki n. It happened right before the Second Shinobi World War, and several viges participated in the attackKirigakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and some smaller viges. The Land of Whirlpools was practically wiped out under the onught. At the time, Konoha was powerless to help. When the war broke out, the remaining survivors of the Uzumaki n scattered across thends. For Konoha, the destruction of the Uzumaki n meant their extinction, and the outbreak of the Second Shinobi World War left no room to search for survivors. ... "Asuka..." Shichi finally broke the silence, speaking bluntly, "We''re not really asking for your permission. Taking you from Kusagakure wasn''t Minato Sensei''s decision, nor Konoha''s. It''s mineHoshita Shichi''s!" Asuka stared at the much shorter Shichi in shock. "You..." "Is it because of my abilities?" Shichi didn''t directly respond. Instead, he said, "Your abilities could have been a precious gift, but because you are so weak, they''ve be a curse." "If you stay in Kusagakure, you''ll eventually exhaust your life through this form of treatment." "And it won''t stop with you. If you marry and have children, your descendants will suffer the same fate." "Asuka, you don''t want your daughter, or son, to live a life covered in bite marks, ending their days in misery, do you?" Asuka was stunned, but fear rose from within her. Stumbling backward, she copsed to the ground in a kneeling position. Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Shisui exchanged nces, both feeling a bit strange about Shichi''s words. While everything he said was true, something about it felt a little off. Shichi continued, "Asuka, the truth is, you don''t have any other options." "Even if you refuse, I will still take you to Konoha by force. Leaving your abilities here in Kusagakure would be aplete waste." Shichi stepped forward, standing in front of Asuka. His voice was calm yet firm as he persuaded her, "However, if youe with me to Konoha, I will teach you medical ninjutsu, so you won''t need to use your ability in this way anymore." "I''ll also teach you how to protect yourself and the people you care about." "And most importantly, when you be one of us, I, Minato Sensei, Shisui, the Third Hokage, and many others will stand by you. We''ll have your back, supporting and protecting you!" With that, Shichi extended his hand toward Asuka. Asuka looked up at him, seeing the sincerity and determination in his eyes. "Th-thank you..." she whispered, reaching out her hand. Shichi grasped her cold, soft hand and pulled her to her feet. However, Asuka stumbled, and in her panic, identally pulled Shichi into her embrace. "Ah... I''m sorry, Shichi-kun!" Asuka hurriedly apologized, quickly letting go of him. Shichi awkwardly sniffed, a little embarrassed. Minato Namikaze immediately broke the tension. "Now that we''vee to an agreement, let''s get some rest. We''ll head back to Konoha first thing in the morning." "Yes, Minato Sensei!" Shichi and Uchiha Shisui responded in unison. Minato then made the arrangements. "Shisui, you''ll stay with me. Shichi, you stay with Asuka." After setting up two rooms, Minato took Shisui and left. Once they were gone, Shichi felt more at ease. Still, he thought to himself, I need thicker skin! After a moment, Shichi spoke to Asuka, "You can sleep in the bed. I''ll stay by the door and keep watch." With that, he sat cross-legged near the door. Asuka opened her mouth as if to say something, but instead quietly nodded, turning toward the bed and lying down. At first, she faced away from Shichi, but before she realized it, she turned over, watching him through her sses, observing his back. Meanwhile, Shichi''s attention was focused on the mental "tag tree" in his mind. Tag: Pioneer Condition to Obtain: Develop at least 5 A-rank or higher ninja techniques, including but not limited to ninjutsu, sealing techniques, genjutsu, or taijutsu. If someone assists, you must y a key, pioneering role in the process. Effect: Once per year, you can activate a "sh of Insight" for 10 minutes. During this time, bothprehension and creativity are maximized. Rasengan, Blue me Sky de, Blue me Waterfall de, Fiery Lotus Steps, Fire Release - Fiery Lotus of Buddha''s Wrath. Four A-rank techniques and one S-rank technique in total. Shichi had already partially mastered the A-rank sword technique, Blue me Waterfall de, before the mission. After repeated use in actualbat, the technique had finally be fully developed. "Activate!" With a thought, Shichi activated the [Pioneer] tag on the mental tag tree. But instead of a blue glow, it lit up with a red one! This was the first red tag he had unlocked, a tier even higher than the Master tags! The ability "sh of Insight" that came with it was truly remarkablemaximumprehension and creativity, both fully boosted. "However, it only activates once a year, so I must use it wisely." After unlocking the tag, Shichi started nning, "First, I need to build a solid foundation. Even with maxed-outprehension and creativity, without a base, it''s like building castles in the air." "Next, I should prepare the groundwork for techniques, so that I can use this ability at a critical moment." "For example, I shouldn''t waste this year''s chance on developing the high-temperature ray technique." "This year... it would be best to use it on mastering the S-rank sword technique and unlocking the [Swordsmanship Master] tag." "Next year... if there''s time, I''ll focus on Wind Release." "And then, medical ninjutsu..." That night, Shichi thought about many things. Meanwhile, on the bed, Asuka also had a lot on her mind as she watched Shichi''s back. She felt a mixture of confusion, hope, anticipation, and fear of the unknown. Unconsciously, she drifted into a deep sleep. When she woke up, it was already daylight. "Get up and wash up. We''re about to set off." A gentle voice echoed in her ears, and Asuka blinked in surprise. It was the first time she had slept so soundly since her mother passed away. Quickly, she got up, her face flushing as she hurried to wash up. After breakfast, with a polite but indifferent farewell from the Kusagakure ninjas, Shichi and the other three left the vige. They traveled swiftly, and only after entering the Land of Fire did they stop to rest. As usual, Shichi caught a couple of small animals, then brought Asuka to a small river to prepare them. When she saw himying out various medical tools, Asuka was stunned. "This..." Asuka opened her mouth to speak, but Shichi reassured her, "Don''t worry, they''ve all been sterilized." "And as a medical ninja, you need to be proficient in using these tools." "Although there''s a technique like the Chakra Scalpel, these are still essential until you master it, even if they aren''t usually used on the battlefield." Asuka nodded, "I understand." She then squatted beside him, assisting as Shichi expertly prepared the animals. After that, he went to the river and caught two fish. Fish soup and grilled meatthe taste was as good as ever. But for Shichi and the other two, things were no longer the same. There were still four people, but everything had changed. Unlike before, when they would chat and joke during meals, this one was eaten in silence. After resting for half an hour, the team continued their journey. Around 3 PM, they arrived at Konoha Vige after going through registration. Together, they headed to the Hokage''s office. In the Hokage''s office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was smoking his pipe as he listened to Minato Namikaze''s report. When Minato finished, Hiruzen sighed, "Sany was a good kid. He''s a hero of Konoha. The vige will arrange his funeral." "Let''s hold it the day after tomorrow." Minato nodded, "Yes." He then added, "Shisui has already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan." Through the rising smoke, Hiruzen''s eyes sharpened. "At his age... he surpasses even Kagami!" "Shisui is indeed outstanding," Minato agreed. "Moreover, his character hasn''t changed despite this." Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction, "He''s a child with a strong will." Minato then brought up Asuka. Hiruzen listened quietly and, after a moment of thought, said, "Let her stay with Shichi for now. Once we''re sure there are no issues, Kushina can meet her." Minato agreed, "Understood." Hiruzen then asked, "How is Shichi doing?" Knowing what he meant, Minato replied, "Though affected, he hasn''t let it get him down." "However, Shichi has expressed a desire to continue his medical ninjutsu studies at Konoha Hospital." Hiruzen nodded, contemting, "In that case, let him study at the hospital, and have him teach Asuka as well." "When the time is right, we''ll arrange for him to train with Root and then join the Anbu." "Shisui will be ced in a Chnin squad." With that, the Minato team was officially disbanded! ... Both Shichi and Uchiha Shisui had anticipated the disbandment. It wasn''t really a big deal, but Sany''s death made it all the more painful. Minato patted Shichi and Shisui on the shoulder, "Go home and rest. Attend Sany''s funeral the day after tomorrow." "Yes, Minato Sensei!" Shichi and Shisui responded, and the three of them went their separate ways. After bringing Asuka home, Shichi began to busy himself. The two-bedroom apartment was a bit cramped for three people. Shichi had been sleeping in the study most of the time, while the master bedroom belonged to Non Yakushi. Now, with Asuka here, the study was cleared out for her, and Shichi moved back to the master bedroom, setting up a tatami mat. "Looks like I''ll need to buy a house and move..." After tidying up for over an hour, Non Yakushi returned home. She was surprised to see Asuka cleaning. "Director!" Seeing Non return, Shichi was in high spirits and quickly introduced her, "This is Asuka, formerly from the Land of Whirlpools. She''ll be learning medical ninjutsu from me from now on!" Non noticed Asuka''s red hair and immediately understood. She smiled and said, "Hello, I''m Non Yakushi. You can just call me Non." Asuka quickly nodded, "Yes, Non-senpai!" "Don''t be nervous." Non took Asuka''s hand and smiled, "Since Shichi brought you here, consider this your home." "Come on, let''s go buy groceries together." "Do you have any favorite dishes?" As she spoke, she was already out the door, leaving Shichi scratching his head with a wry smile. (End of Chapter) ??? Why are we not even in the top 30?? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to Chapter 125 There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 79: Accepting a Disciple, Sensory Ninjutsu!

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: epting a Disciple, Sensory Ninjutsu!

??? I just touch death ?? , My bike suddenly went off in the middle of the fucking bridge, hopefully, no one behind me otherwise you won''t be getting any Chapters.. So thanks god I''m alive and so I am giving you an extra Chapter! Enjoy! ??? March 10, Konoha Year 41. A light spring rain fell, as if even the heavens understood the sorrow of the day. In front of the Memorial Stone, Shichi Hoshita, Uchiha Shisui, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki, all dressed in ck, gathered to bid farewell to Sany Kurama. Feeling the coolness of the spring rain, Shichi''s thoughts drifted to the Pure Land. What could the Pure Land be like? Could it be connected to the Sage of Six Paths? Is that why there''s no reincarnation in this world, except for Indra and Asura? But even Indra and Asura only reincarnate their chakra, over and over again. Should I learn the Edo Tensei in the future and summon Sany for a chat? Maybe not. If I be strong enough, I could just use a summoning technique to bring out his soul, without even needing a sacrifice. Shichi''s thoughts wandered until he felt a tap on his shoulder, snapping him back to reality. Turning around, he saw it was Kushina Uzumaki. "Shichi,e over to our ce for dinner tomorrow. Jiraiya-sensei will be there too!" Kushina invited him. Shichi nodded, "I''ll be there on time, Kushina-san." Kushina gently ruffled Shichi''s hair and softly said, "Don''t think too much about it." Minato, standing beside them, added, "You can also learn sensory ninjutsu from me tomorrow." Shichi nodded eagerly. As the crowd gradually dispersed, Uchiha Shisui came over to Shichi and invited him, "Shichi, want toe feed the crows with me?" "Sure!" Shichi agreed, and the two walked away together. Goodbye, Sany... (T/N: I will miss you, bro, Take care of Six Paths in Pure Land.) ... At Uchiha Shisui''s home, Shichi and Shisui fed the crows together. Shichi decided that once he bought a new house, he would take this nest of crows that Shisui had given him and raise them there. Yes, he should also start working on the Crow Clone Jutsu. With the Clone Technique, Shadow Clone Technique, Fire Release Clone Technique, and soon the Crow Clone Technique, he would be just one step away from unlocking the [Clone Expert] tag. As noon approached, Shichi said his goodbyes to Shisui and returned home. As expected, Non Yakushi had already prepared lunch and was waiting with Asuka. After lunch, Non left for Konoha Hospital, leaving Shichi and Asuka sitting on the living room floor, facing each other. Shichi extended his hand, motioning for Asuka to do the same. Asuka quicklyplied, and Shichi took hold of her hand. "Medical ninjutsu utilizes Yang Release chakra, which isn''t amonly used chakra nature." As Shichi spoke, a warm Yang Release chakra flowed from his right hand into Asuka''s. "Asuka, your body is special. You naturally possess strong Yang Release chakra, so you should be able to grasp this chakra nature transformation easily." "Chakra is said to be a force that connects minds. Asuka, try to feel this chakra carefully." Nervously, Asuka nodded repeatedly. However, the warmth of Shichi''s chakra, like the gentle sun on a winter''s day, calmed her nerves considerably. Following his instructions, she lowered her gaze and began to focus intently. Gradually, she started to perceive many things, or rather, information. "Isn''t it fascinating?" Shichi''s voice suddenly echoed in her mind. The next moment, Asuka found herself in another world. "This is the world of the mind!" Shichi said with a smile. "Communicating here is much easier than in the outside world, and many things that are hard to express with words can be felt with the heart." "Back then, Director Non taught me how to quickly master Yang Release chakra nature transformation in this way, and then learn medical ninjutsu." Asuka nodded, then shyly said, "I can feel... your feelings for Non-senpai..." Shichi froze for a moment, then his face darkened. Asuka, like a frightened little rabbit, quickly retreated, sensing Shichi''s embarrassment and anger. How scary! In an instant, their mental connection was severed. Opening his eyes, Shichi almost jumped up in frustration. He even regretted using this method to teach Asuka. "You can practice on your own..." Shichi muttered, standing up and quickly leaving the room. Asuka sighed in relief, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Luckily, Shichi-kun couldn''t sense my feelings..." "But Shichi-kun must be really lonely, which is why he has such feelings for Non-senpai, right?" "Shichi-kun taught me medical ninjutsu this way, so I can''t let him down." With that thought, Asuka lowered her gaze, recalling the feeling of Yang Release chakra, and began to try channeling her own power. Meanwhile, Shichi, now feeling slightly moreposed, walked out of his room and saw the green glow of medical chakra on Asuka''s hand. "This... She''s already done it?" Shichi was stunned, feeling a bit down. That was way too fast! "This is what it means to be an overpowered genius!" Shichi grumbled to himself. He then thought of Nagato, who had mastered all six chakra nature transformations in three years. Clearly, his abilities still weren''t at that level! Sitting back down in front of Asuka, Shichi took her hand again, and they reentered the mindscape. "Now that you''ve mastered Yang Release chakra nature transformation, let''s start learning medical ninjutsu." Asuka was taken aback, "Isn''t this too fast?" Shichi decided to push her, "No, it''s not." "Let''s begin. The first medical ninjutsu is the Mystical Palm Technique!" ... True geniuses cannot be described bymon logic. In just one afternoon, Asuka was already able to perform the Mystical Palm Technique. Although she wasn''t particrly proficient yet, it was still an impressive feat. At this moment, Shichi could somewhat understand how others felt when they were shocked by his development of the ''Fiery Lotus Steps'' technique. A genius should understand another genius. So, the next day, Shichi left Asuka in the care of Non Yakushi and sent her to the Konoha Hospital. --- At the Namikaze residence. When Shichi arrived, Jiraiya was in the middle of talking about his uing new work. Make-Out Paradise? (Icha Icha) Probably not, right? As Shichi listened in, he realized it wasn''t. Instead, it was The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja. "This book will definitely be a bestseller and spread across the entire ninja world," Jiraiya said with a mix of imagination and innocence. "Jiraiya-sensei is right; I''m sure it will," Kushina Uzumaki said with a smile, though her tone was slightly perfunctory. She pulled Shichi closer and said to Jiraiya, "Jiraiya-sensei, Minato is nning to officially take Shichi as his disciple." Jiraiya''s attention immediately shifted, and he looked at Shichi, "The youngest Chnin in Konoha, truly remarkable." He then turned to Minato, who was smiling, and said with emotion, "I never thought you''d take on a disciple, Minato!" Minato smiled, "The things passed down from our predecessors must be inherited by the next generation." Shichi was taken aback. He had thought he was just here to learn sensory ninjutsu, but he hadn''t expected to be taken as a disciple. Previously, although he, Shisui Uchiha, and Sany Kurama referred to Minato Namikaze as their teacher, they weren''t truly in a master-disciple rtionship. Their real rtionship was that of a team leader and his team members(T/N: IT Guys Can Understand The Pain!), or a Jnin and his subordinates. A true master-disciple rtionship was more like the one Shichi had with Kimura-sensei at the Ninja Academy, which was distinct from the kind of lineage-based rtionship between Minato and Jiraiya. Of course, this also depended on the attitudes of the Jnin and Chnin involved. Although there wasn''t any special ceremony to mark the asion, Jiraiya''s presence seemed to serve as a witness. After lunch, Jiraiya left gracefully, and Minato formally began teaching Shichi the sensory ninjutsu he had mastered. "Shichi, this sensory ninjutsu has been passed down from the Second Hokage." Minato handed a scroll to Shichi and exined, "It doesn''t have a specific name, but it''s extremely powerful and highly precise." "Once mastered, the range of your sensing ability will depend on your chakra reserves." "Of course, this jutsu is also difficult to master, as it''s ssified as an S-rank jutsu." Minato then smiled, "But with your talent, Shichi, I''m sure it won''t be a problem." Shichi wasn''t sure how strong his sensory abilities were, but with the all-around talent boost from his [Konoha Genius] and other tags, he felt confident. As he opened the scroll, Minato began to formally exin the technique, "The key to learning this sensory ninjutsu lies in sensing a certain force of the earth." "This force varies in strength but is omnipresent. Once you can sense it, you''ve entered the doorway to this technique." Force of the earth? Shichi was puzzled. Could it be geomaic force? At this point, Minato pointed to aplex form on the scroll, "This is an auxiliary technique left by the Second Hokage to help sense the earth''s force. It''s quiteplicated." "But I''ve developed a set of hand signs based on this form that allows you to use chakra to sense the earth''s force." Shichi looked at the form on the scroll. It was indeed veryplex, involving Earth Release, Lightning Release, Wind Release, Water Release, and Fire Releasethe five basic chakra natures. And there was more: Yang Release, as well as Yin Release, which Shichi had only just begun to master, represented by genjutsu. Of course, Yin Release isn''t limited to genjutsu. "Minato-sensei, this form is indeed quite intricate," Shichi said seriously, but his interest was piqued. Minato smiled, "It''s true, if you were to start with this form, you''d need to master all seven chakra nature transformations first." "But if you fully master this form, you''ll definitely seed in learning this sensory ninjutsu." "However, the requirements are too high, so I developed a set of hand signs from the form to assist, though it''s not as effective as the form itself." "Whether you can sense the earth''s force might depend a bit on luck." Kushina Uzumakiughed, "Like me, I wasn''t very lucky." Minato chuckled awkwardly. Shichi smiled at Kushina, "Don''t worry, Kushina-san. I''ve always been lucky." --- The afternoon was spent delving into the sensory ninjutsu. The technique was indeed difficult, and Shichi didn''t make much progress in one afternoon. When he returned home in the evening, he brought the ninjutsu scroll with him. He had a feeling it would take some time to master this technique. While washing up at home, Shichi turned his attention to the tag tree. As expected, a new tag had been triggered. Tag: [Sensory Expert] Condition to Obtain: Master the sensory ninjutsu taught by Minato Namikaze. Effect: Sensory talent increased by 100%, mental and spiritual strength increased by 100%. Shichi was a bit surprised. Mental and spiritual strength? "It seems that mental processing speed and spiritual power in ninjutsu are different." Shichi couldn''t help but feel a sense of anticipation. --- The next day, Shichi spent the morning purchasing a house with a courtyard and moved in with Non Yakushi and Asuka in the afternoon. The new house had six bedrooms and a dedicated study, offering plenty of space. Although Shichi was thick-skinned enough to want to stay with Non Yakushi, he was ultimately old enough to need his own room. After moving in, Shichi officially reported to Konoha Hospital. This time was different. He was now formally employed at the hospital, working as a full-time medical ninja. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 80: Brain: Simple, Too Simple!

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Brain: Simple, Too Simple!

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the year 41 of Konoha wasing to an end. In a snow-covered grove, Shichi let out a long breath, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders. "Finally, I''ve unlocked the [Wind Release Expert] tag!" Tag: [Wind Release Expert] Effect: Wind Release talent increased by 100%, allows for Wind Release techniques to be used without hand seals. The effect was simr to that of the [Fire Release Expert] tag. To obtain this tag, he had mastered five Wind Release jutsus: Gale Palm, Vacuum Sphere, Vacuum Wave, Vacuum Great Sphere, and Vacuum de. Aside from Gale Palm, which was inherited from his mother, the other four jutsus were taught to him by Minato Namikaze. After unlocking the [Wind Release Expert] tag, Shichi immediately focused on another grayed-out tag on the tree. This was just triggered recently. Tag: [Wind Release Master] Condition to Obtain: Create five Wind Release jutsus of at least A-rank, or develop one S-rank Wind Release jutsu. Effect: Wind Release talent increased by 100%, Wind Release chakra nature transformation increased by 100%, Wind Release shape transformation increased by 100%; any Wind Release jutsu or secret technique, except for those involving Kekkei Genkai, will have no learning barriers. Both the acquisition conditions and the tag effects were as expected. "Next up is mastering the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!" Shichi aimed to unlock the [Wind Release Expert] tag before the year 41 of Konoha ended to avoid wasting the once-a-year "sh of Insight" ability. He already had a general idea for the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, an S-rank Wind Release jutsu. If he were to use "sh of Insight" elsewhere without adequate preparation, it might be wasted. Even with 10 minutes of maxed-outprehension and creativity, there''s no guarantee of developing an S-rank jutsu from scratch. "Only three days left until the new year..." He took out a soldier pill and swallowed it, sitting quietly to restore his energy. Although he wasn''t sure if "sh of Insight" would consume a lot of stamina, it was better to be fully prepared. Once his energy was fully restored, Shichi lowered his eyes and said, "sh of Insight, Activate!" In an instant, Shichi felt like his brain had been reced with a new one. All the problems he had encountered during the past year of training now had clear solutions in his mind. For instance, the sensory ninjutsu he had been struggling to master. The high-temperature ray Fire Release that was just one step away frompletion. Medical ninjutsu, medical knowledge, and so on. At that moment, Shichi felt like he had opened a massive doorthe door to infinite knowledge, the door to omniscience. But he quickly realized something was wrong. Because there was so much he didn''t know before, now that his brain was functioning at this level, countless ideas flooded in. "Not good!" Shichi quickly activated 10x focus, suppressing the overwhelming thoughts and concentrating solely on Wind Release, specifically the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. He truly felt the power of maxed-outprehension and creativity. How to perform the shape transformation to form a high-speed rotating shuriken? It turned out you had to first undergo the Wind Release nature transformation. How to make the formed shuriken stable enough to be thrown? By constructing a double-loop system, creating an interconnected, three-dimensional cross-loop. An S-rank Wind Release jutsu? Simple! Too simple! Within 10 minutes, Shichi didn''t even need 2 minutes to fully understand the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. Why not add Fire Release? In addition to the deadly wind needles, let''s add some high temperature. Adding Fire Release wasn''t difficult either; after forming the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, you could inject Fire Release chakra. Soon, Shichi had also grasped the principle behind the Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken. No, it should be called the Wind-Fire Radiant Wheel Rasenshuriken(?). Over 6 minutes left. Keep going! This time, Shichi''s target was the extremelyplex form of the sensory ninjutsu. Minato''s hand signs relied somewhat on luck, but now that his brain was working at full capacity, he would rely on logic. Time ticked by, and this time it took unexpectedly long. That form contained knowledge that Shichi hadn''t mastered before, like Earth Release, Lightning Release, and Water Release. However, with maxed-outprehension, there were no real issues. Finally, 10 minutes passed. His brain downgraded instantly, and Shichi felt as if he had fallen from sky, as if he had suddenly be stupid. But it was only for a moment. Then, his head throbbed, his vision darkened, and he felt something trickling out of his nose. Gritting his teeth to avoid fainting, Shichi deactivated tenfold focus, quickly ate another soldier pill, and grabbed a thermos from his bag, drinking the warm water mixed with salt and sugar. He drained it in one go and, after nearly 5 minutes, his head began to clear, and the dizziness faded. Only then did he realize that blood had been flowing from his nose. "''sh of Insight''bined with 10x focus is truly terrifying..." Shichi chuckled bitterly and used snow to cover the bloodstains, but his mind was still sluggish, and his body felt extremely weak. He had no choice but to give up on trying to use the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken for now. After resting for another half hour, Shichi packed up and headed home. To his surprise, it took him a full seven days, well into the year 42 of Konoha, to return to peak condition. And that was with his previous 100% recovery boost. Otherwise, it might have taken half a month to recover. Shichi decided that the next time he used it, Asuka should be by his side. ... Konoha Year 42, January 5th Just after fully recovering, Shichi Hoshita couldn''t wait any longer and headed to a secluded, open area in the vige. Today, he nned to test the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, turning theory into reality. Buzz! Shichi raised his right hand, palm facing up, as chakra gathered to form a rapidly spinning Rasengan. He rarely used the Rasengan in actualbat because it didn''t suit his personal style. Using Rasengan was not as effective for him as using Blue me Sky de or Blue me Waterfall de. Even without a de, he preferred to enhance a kunai with Wind Release. ... The second step after forming the Rasengan was to apply the Wind Release nature transformation. As Shichi continued to pour chakra into it, the whistling sound grew louder, and a zing white ring formed around the Rasengan. This ring was the high-speed rotating Wind Release chakra. "This consumes so much chakra..." Shichi frowned slightly, then proceeded to the third step: shape transformation! Buzz, buzz, buzz! With the sharp, ear-piercing sound of friction, four shuriken-like "des" appeared around the zing white ring, spinning at high speed. These spinning "des" were actually formed by the high-speed flow of Wind Release chakra. The chakra flowed out from the secondyer of the zing white ring and back in, and with the high-speed rotation of both the inner and outer rings, it formed the shape of a shuriken. Additionally, the further out from the center, the less chakra was concentrated, but the faster it rotated. Therefore, the core Rasengan was blue, the outer ring was zing white, and the outermost shuriken shape was almost transparent. "With my chakra, I can only manage one shot..." Shichi was speechless. But this was without tapping into the chakra stored in the Yin Seal. "Let''s see if it''s trulyplete..." Shichi raised his right hand and then threw the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken like a wind shuriken. Buzz, buzz, buzz! The Wind Release: Rasenshuriken spun rapidly, cutting through the air as it flew over a hundred meters away. Then, as it lost stability, the entire jutsu expanded rapidly, emitting a dazzling white light, forming a massive sphere over 25 meters in diameter. Next came a fierce windstorm, kicking up a wave of earth! After a while, the storm subsided. Shichi lowered his arm from in front of his eyes and used the Body Flicker Technique to reach the center of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken''s explosion. A giant crater had formed here. "The power is indeed impressive," Shichi noted to himself. "Not only does it have powerful cutting abilities, but also terrifying high-speed rotating wind needles." "Especially when the jutsu loses stability and explodes, there''s no orderly trajectory. Unless someone has the regenerative abilities of Six Paths Madara or Hashirama Senju, their chakra pathways would be severed, and their cells pierced. Even if they don''t die, they''d be crippled." "If this were the Wind-Fire Radiant Wheel Rasenshuriken, the resulting storm would have been a deadly firestorm, turning it into a mass ughter technique." Shichi refocused his attention on the tag tree. The [Wind Release Master] tag lit up in blue! Wind Release talent increased by 100%, Wind Release chakra nature transformation increased by 100%, Wind Release shape transformation increased by 100%; any Wind Release jutsu or secret technique, except for those involving Kekkei Genkai, will have no learning barriers. With the tag''s enhancement, Shichi raised his right hand and extended one finger, and a mini version of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken quickly formed at his fingertip. He then flicked the mini Rasenshuriken, which flew about 20 meters before expanding, covering an area two to three meters wide. Therger version of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken consumed too much chakra, but the mini version was much more efficient and sufficient for single-target attacks. Moreover, he could adjust the size of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken ording to the battle''s demands. Sitting down, Shichi ate a soldier pill to restore his energy, thinking to himself, "With the Wind Release and Fire Release jutsus I currently possess, the title of Master is well-deserved." "In terms of killing power, I''m not inferior to an elite Jonin, even if Ick their battle experience." "But my biggest weakness remains my insufficient chakra." "One reason is my physical constitution, and the other is my age. That''s why I rely on the Yin Seal topensate, though I''ve failed twice before." In fact, Shichi''s chakra reserves were already outstanding among his peers. In December ofst year, he estimated that he had around 3 units of chakra. Compared to Sarutobi Asuma, his reserves were roughly twice as much. "I can''t control growing up, so I''ll have to improve my physical constitution and focus on the Yin Seal." Shichi plotted to himself, "I''ll bide my time for two years and fully store the Yin Seal." "Once I unlock the [Swordsmanship Master] and [Space-Time Envoy] tags, I''ll get two chances to enhance my physical constitution." "I''m almost 9 years old now. This year or next year, I shouldplete my goals by Konoha Year 43 at thetest." "The Flying Thunder God Technique is difficult to learn, so I''ll start with other space-time ninjutsu. Even if I have to use ''sh of Insight'' to create one myself, I''ll do it." With his n set, Shichi stood up and headed home. He wanted to go back and review theplex form of the sensory ninjutsu, then master the technique, reducing one more shoring. (End of Chapter) NOTE: Normal/Expters Tags Are Normally Green, Master Tags Are Blue, and Above Blue Tags are Red Tags (i.e., Pioneer tag) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 81: Listening Technique?!

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Listening Technique?!

After returning home, Shichi went into his study and took out the sensory ninjutsu scroll. Combining it with the insights he gained during his "sh of Insight," he carefully reviewed and refined the technique. He even made some modifications and reductions to the form originally developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Next, he simplified the hand seals that Minato Namikaze had devised, reducing them from 36 seals to just 2. (T/N: Don''t apply your logic here, it''s system perk!) By this time, night had fallen, and the aroma of dinner wafted through the air. Shichi stretchedzily, then got up and walked out of his room to the dining area, where he saw Non Yakushi and Asuka busy preparing the meal. Seeing him, Non Yakushi smiled and said, "Shichi, get ready; dinner is almost served!" Asuka, holding a spat, grinned and added, "Shichi, we made your favorite braised beef!" Nearly a year had passed, and Asuka had grown ustomed to life here,fortable with Shichi and Non Yakushi as her family, no longer feeling the unease she had when she first arrived. "I''ll help too!" Shichi rolled up his sleeves, washed his hands, and stepped forward to assist, moving between the two women and enjoying their warmth and gentle care. This was the beauty of life. ... After a satisfying meal, Shichi went to the courtyard. He quickly formed the two hand seals, then crouched down and touched the ground with a single finger. Chakra rippled out like waves from his fingertip, spreading into the earth as he tried to sense the power Minato had spoken of, the force of the earth itself. Time passed slowly as Non and Asuka, having finished tidying up, quietly watched Shichi''s training from under the eaves. Gradually, sweat began to form on Shichi''s forehead. "I can feel it!" Suddenly, Shichi opened his eyes and smiled. Though it was faint, he had indeed sensed it. After making no progressst year, he had immediately gained significant results after using "sh of Insight." It really came down to not having the right mindset before. He withdrew his hand and stood up. Non Yakushi''s voice promptly reached him: "Shichi, have you mastered the technique?" Shichi turned and smiled, "Not yet, but I''ve taken the first step." "ording to Minato-sensei, there shouldn''t be any problems going forward." Asuka had already brought out a bowl of honey water. Shichi took it from her, saying, "Thank you, Asuka." Asuka''s eyes crinkled with her smile, "Shichi, I''ve mastered the Chakra Scalpel technique!" Shichi paused for a moment, then drank the honey water in one go before looking at Non Yakushi. "Director, what''s the n moving forward?" Non Yakushi replied, "Asuka''s chakra is quite special; its healing effects are extraordinary. The next step for her should be to learn the Healing Regeneration Technique." "This technique usually requires a team of medical ninjas working together, but with Asuka''s abilities, she should be able to perform it alone, and she''ll likely learn it quickly." That''s the power of a special bloodline! Shichi agreed with Non Yakushi''s arrangement. Although he had also mastered this technique, his abilities were no different from other medical ninjas. With his own strength alone, it was nearly impossible to treat injuries like those sustained by Sanyo. It was clear that not all Yang Release techniques were created equal. Just as his Fire Release nature transformation had reached a level different from that of other Fire Release users. It wasn''t simply a matter of chakra quantity. Like the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, which was often hailed as the pinnacle of shape and nature transformation. ... After chatting and joking with Non and Asuka for a while, Shichi resumed his training. But this time was different from beforehe didn''t use the improved hand seals of Minato Namikaze. The reason he had used them earlier was to test the results of his modifications. This time, he nned to use the altered technique of Tobirama Senju. Snap! Shichi pped his hands together. In the next moment, a ck seal form spread rapidly from beneath him, forming arge octagonal pattern in an instant. Under the effect of this technique, the chakra flowing from Shichi''s feet underwent aplex transformation before being injected into the earth. As his chakra entered the ground, Shichi''s senses underwent a profound change. It was an indescribable state. It was as if he could see waves expanding outward, or as if he were witnessing dazzling beams of light. These waves and lights were all erupting from the earth. Shichi felt as though he had entered a world of strange and fantastical phenomena. "As expected!" "This sensory ninjutsu utilizes the Earth''s maic field. The so-called ''power of the Earth'' is actually the power of geomaism!" Shichi was now almost certain of his earlier hypothesis. And he had to admit, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was truly a genius! The talent for ninjutsu that guy had was something Shichi could hardlypare to now. He could only surpass it during his brief moments of ''sh of Insight.'' "With this, the first step is trulyplete." Feeling the fluctuations of the Earth''s maic field, Shichi thought to himself, "The next step is to align my chakra with the Earth''s maic field, or to attach my chakra to the maic field and radiate it outward to sense my surroundings." "This is just like a radar..." Unconsciously, Shichi delved deeper into his thoughts: "This step is merely a simtion, using the Earth''s maic field to sense things. Once this is done, the technique is fully mastered." "But in reality, there''s potential for even further developmentchakra nature transformation into Ma Release?" "Unlike the Ma Release of the Third and Fourth Kazekage, reaching the level of the Earth''s maic field would require a fusion of seven chakra naturesa Kekkei Tta." Kekkei Tta? Shichi shook his head silently. That was too far-fetched for him. Inparison, with his current knowledge base, electromaism was something much more attainable. Gradually, he collected his thoughts. Shichi moved on to the final step of his training. This step turned out to be surprisingly simple, which exined why Minato Namikaze had said that once the first step waspleted, mastering the technique was a certainty. However, without mastering Tobirama Senju''s form, it would havee down to luck. As hepleted the final step, Shichi immediately felt his sensory range expand outward. The first chakra he sensed was Asuka''s, as she was practicing medical ninjutsu in the house, followed by Non Yakushi''s chakra. Each of their chakras gave him a distinctly different sensation. Non''s chakra was gentle and warm, just like her personality. Asuka''s chakra, however, was surprisingly different from her seemingly delicate demeanor; it was warm but carried an intense, vibrant energy, full of life. "Asuka''s chakra is at least five times that of the Director''s!" "Andpared to mine, it''s at least thirty times more. If my constitution hadn''t been enhanced by the Tags, this difference would be terrifying." Shichi marveled inwardly. Non Yakushi''s current chakra level could be considered at its peak, but Asuka still had much room for growth. He then discovered another unique feature of this sensory ninjutsu. Stealth! He knew that while Asuka hadn''t awakened the Kagura Mind''s Eye sensory technique, she was naturally very perceptive. During their first chakra link, she had sensed the forbidden thoughts in his mind. But now, Asuka didn''t seem to notice that he was sensing her. "Moreover, everyone''s chakra has a different frequency of oscition, allowing me to distinguish who is who based on these frequencies." Shichi continued to expand his sensory range. Throughout this process, he kept experimenting with different applications. Directed sensing, omnidirectional sensing, and more. He only stopped once his chakra was nearly depleted. Returning to his study, Shichi rested while organizing the principles and training experiences rted to this sensory ninjutsu, recording them on another scroll. Finally, he thought for a moment and wrote down a name on the scroll. Earthen Listening Technique! After finishing his work, Shichi''s attention turned to the Tag Tree in his mind. [Sensory Expert] Tag Lit Up! Sensory talent increased by 100%, mental and will/spiritual power increased by 100%! That electric sensation surged again, and his mind went nk for a moment. When he recovered, Shichi felt his mind was clearer, though there weren''t any major changes beyond that. It was different from the enhancements he had experienced before, like faster thought processes or heightened reflexes. "Let''s try chakra control..." With a thought, Shichi began controlling chakra. Immediately, he noticed a difference from before. Precision! He could now control chakra with almost cellr-level uracy. His awareness of his own body also became much clearer, such as knowing exactly how much chakra to control without harming himself. "My chakra control has improved..." Shichi carefully observed, feeling that the enhancement to his mental and willpower had a significant impact,parable to a physical boost. This would greatly aid in unlocking his full potential. Before he knew it, it was already 10 p.m., and Non Yakushi arrived on time to remind Shichi that it was time to rest. Reluctantly, Shichi ended his training for the day. He washed up, said goodnight to Non Yakushi and Asuka, andy down on his bed. But before falling asleep, he nced at the new Tag that had just been triggered on the Tag Tree. Tag: [Sensory Master] Conditions to Obtain: Create at least 5 A-rank sensory ninjutsu or create 1 S-rank sensory ninjutsu. Effect: Sensory talent increased by 100%, mental and will/spiritual power increased by 100%, thought process speed increased by 100%; aside from Kekkei Genkai sensory techniques, no sensory ninjutsu can challenge you anymore. What kind of sensory ninjutsu should I develop next...? As this thought crossed his mind, Shichi gradually drifted into sleep. ... The Next Day After leaving two Shadow Clones to train in Lightning and Earth Release chakra transformations, Shichi went to work at Konoha Hospital with Non and Asuka. With the New Year over, life had returned to its usual routine. Time passed quickly, and Shichi''s 9th birthday quietly came and went. That day. In the office of Konoha Hospital, Shichi was resting with his eyes closed when a hurried sound of the door opening interrupted him. "Shichi, Kakashi has been brought to the hospital!" Shizune''s voice was urgent. "What?" Shichi''s eyes snapped open as he sprang to his feet. He quickly made his way outside. "Let''s go!" They soon arrived at the operating room, where they found that Non and Asuka were already present. And it wasn''t just Kakashi who was injuredhis team leader, the elite Jonin Sarutobi Akimoto, was also hurt. "Shichi, Kakashi''s injuries aren''t severe. First, help treat Jonin Sarutobi," Non Yakushi instructed. Shichi nodded and immediately went to assist. Sarutobi Akimoto''s injuries were severe; the knife wound to his abdomen was serious but not fatal. His right arm was broken, but that wasn''t fatal either. The critical injury was the knife wound that had pierced his liver,pounded by chakra damage, specifically from Lightning Release, which was irreversible! Non and Asuka, along with a medical team, were working hard to treat the liver injury, using the regeneration technique to heal it after removing damaged tissue. The broken arm and abdominal knife wound were only treated with basic care. Shichi joined in, taking care of the broken arm and abdominal wounds. Meanwhile, Kakashi was being attended to by three Chunin-level medical ninjas. An hourter, Kakashi was the first to be wheeled out of the operating room. Shichi and the others continued their work for another two hours before finishing. Thanks to Asuka''s exceptional skill, the treatment of the liver injury was surprisingly effective and quick. However, the broken arm couldn''t be salvaged. Such an injury couldn''t be healed even with Asuka''s techniques. And Shichi wouldn''t easily let Asuka use such methods for treatment. Unfortunately, while they had saved Sarutobi Akimoto''s life, losing his right arm meant he would no longer be able to fight on the front lines. ... After the treatment, Shichi went to Kakashi''s hospital room and found him awake, staring nkly at the ceiling. Sitting down beside him, Shichi said, "It seems you encountered a tricky enemy this time." Kakashi''s eyes flickered. "It was the Cloud Ninja, skilled in Lightning Release and swordsmanship... the guy named Bee, using seven swords." Shichi''s gaze sharpened. "Bee... Cloud Ninja." "That''s Killer Bee, known for being the Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails!" Kakashi grimaced, pushing himself up. "You know him?" Shichi nodded. "I haven''t met him, but I''ve heard about him from Minato-sensei." That was the truth. The A-Bbo of the Cloud Ninja had gained a notorious reputation in the ninja world. Moreover, Killer Bee''s identity as a perfect Jinchuriki was no secret. This was different from Konoha. It was also rted to Killer Bee being the first perfect Jinchuriki in the ninja world. In terms of age, Killer Bee was probably about 5 years older than Shichi and Kakashi, and about 5 years younger than Minato Namikaze. Patting Kakashi on the shoulder, Shichi offered somefort. "It''s impressive that you came back alive. The A-Bbothe candidate for the next Raikage and his right-hand man, the Raikage''s guard." Kakashi remained silent. Two of hisrades had died, and his team leader was left with irreparable injuries. Sarutobi Akimoto''s fatal injury had urred while saving Kakashi from Killer Bee. "Kakashi, focus on developing your Lightning Release techniques!" Shichi urged, "I''ve started training in Lightning Release chakra transformation myself. Don''t let me surpass you." "As for Killer Bee, we''ll take our revenge with Lightning Release next time!" As for peace and mutual understanding... to hell with that! Let''s go to the Pure Land for mutual understanding! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 82: Ninjutsu Professor!

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Ninjutsu Professor!

Kakashi was discharged from the hospital after just two days. As time passed, by mid-March, Konoha Ninja Academy entered its graduation season. Sarutobi Asuma, Yhi Kurenai, Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin, and others all graduated early. Having spent over a year in the tranquil environment of Konoha Hospital, Shichi keenly sensed something unusual. The ninja world seemed to be getting busier. The day after Asuma and the others graduated, Shichi brought a scroll to Minato Namikaze''s house, only to find Kushina Uzumaki there alone. Kushina weed Shichi inside with a smile. "Minato''s taking care of his new Genin team, but he should be back soon." Shichi pondered this. Even though he had altered some things, the relentless wheel of fate still rolled on. But some things were, indeed, different. ... "Let''s start by studying some sealing techniques!" "I found a very interesting one," Kushina said, pulling out a scroll that seemed to have been left untouched for quite some time, interrupting Shichi''s thoughts. As Shichi carefully examined the scroll after it was opened, his eyes immediately narrowed. This technique... Shiki Fjin! "Kushina-san, this technique... it''s quite dangerous!" Shichi remarked. Kushina nodded, smiling. "Yes, it''s indeed dangerous, just like the Four Symbols Seal." "But it''s also fascinating. It allows for the sealing of souls." "I remember that Konoha has a secret technique that allows for the separation of the spirit from the body. Such jutsu are extremely rare in the ninja world and worth studying." What she didn''t mention was that her interest in this sealing technique stemmed from a desire to see if it could be used against the troublesome fox inside her. Shichi nodded in agreement with Kushina''s words. Indeed, while this was a self-sacrificial sealing technique, it held significant research value. So, the two of them began studying the eerie Shiki Fjin together. Shichi prepared lunch, and it wasn''t until after 3 PM that Minato finally returned home, carrying a group photo. When Shichi took a look, sure enough, it was a picture of Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin. cing the photo frame next to the one of him, Minato, Shisui, and Sany, Shichi asked, "Minato-sensei, it seems like the situation in the ninja world is bing more unusualtely." Minato nodded. "The major ninja viges have been more active. The vige''s manpower is starting to run thin." Kushina was taken aback. "It''s already reached that point?" Minato exined, "It''s not just the movements of the other viges. The increased number of missions is also a factor." Shichi understood. This likely had to do with the economic development, political exchanges, and even conflicts between the major countries. Additionally, after the Second Great Ninja War, the world was likely at its peak recovery period. While the ninja wars were mostly battles between shinobi, they still caused significant damage to the livelihoods of civilians. Just look at the Land of Rain. It was devastated during the Second Great Ninja War and still hasn''t fully recovered. There are countless ninja organizations. It''s reminiscent of the armed groups from his previous lifehow do those who don''t produce anything sustain themselves? And let''s not assume the moral standards of ninjas are that highnot everyone is like Naruto. Piging and looting aremon urrences. Even Shichi couldn''t guarantee that Konoha''s ninjas wouldn''t rob civilians during wartime. Such a situation inevitably disrupts societal production and stability. The Land of Fire was fortunate not to have been invaded by outsiders, so it avoided significant destruction. Leaving aside the Second Great Ninja War, even the recent conflicts between Konoha and Sunagakure in the Land of Rivers had their impact. When both sides engaged in battle, the affected towns would surely be in a state of panic, with rising prices and decliningmercial activity. This doesn''t even ount for the direct impact on civilians and the destruction of towns by the fighting. ... After a brief exnation, Minato Namikaze turned to Shichi and said, "Shichi, your days at Konoha Hospital might being to an end." Shichi nodded. "I understand." He had already anticipated this. Given the strength he had demonstrated and his talent in ninjutsu, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi possibly let him remain as a simple medical ninja hidden away in Konoha Hospital? If he were the Third Hokage, he''d also push him to the limit. Minato then revealed, "The Third Hokage mentioned that you might be assigned to undergo special training in the Root division before eventually joining the Hokage''s Anbu." At the mention of Root, Kushina Uzumaki immediately frowned. "The guys in Root, especially Danzo, are quite troublesome." "Besides, I heard from Lady Tsunade that you had a conflict with Danzo before." Minato quickly reassured her with a smile, "It''s beenmon practice for Anbu members to receive training in Root for a long time, so there''s no need to worry." "And since it''s personally arranged by the Third Hokage, there won''t be any issues." He then looked at Shichi. "Of course, Shichi, you''ll still need to stay vignt when you''re there." Shichi smiled confidently. "Minato-sensei, Kushina-san, don''t worry. I can handle it." If he dared to lodge aint before, now he wouldn''t hesitate to fight back directly! After discussing this matter, Shichi quickly brought out the scrolls he had with him. First was the sensory ninjutsu scroll Minato had given him earlier, which he returned. The second was a scroll that Shichi had copied himself, containing his modifications to the technique and the hand seals, as well as his insights from his training process. When Minato saw the scroll, he smiled. "It seems you''vepleted the training for this technique, and in just a yearimpressive!" But as soon as he opened the scroll containing Shichi''s training insights, his expression became serious. Kushina, curious, came over to take a look and eximed, "Shichi, you''ve modified the technique and Minato''s hand seals?" Shichi humbly replied, "Just some minor adjustments." But Minato sincerely praised him, "This isn''t just a minor adjustmentit''s an improvement." "Shichi, your understanding of this technique has surpassed mine and even that of the Second Hokage." Kushina gave him a thumbs up. "Impressive!" Shichi smiled, "I only achieved this by standing on the shoulders of the Second Hokage and you, Minato-sensei." Looking at the name of the technique on the scroll, Minato smiled. "The Earthen Listening Techniquethe name is unique and fitting." He thought for a moment and then asked, "Shichi, do you n to submit this to the vige?" Shichi nodded. "Minato-sensei, I''ve been studying time-space ninjutsu recently, so I''d like to exchange this with the vige for some time-space ninjutsu." Kushina smiled upon hearing this. "Seems like you''re aiming to learn the Flying Thunder God technique in the future." Shichi didn''t hold back. "The Flying Thunder God is extremely difficult, so I want to prepare by learning the fundamentals now." Minato readily agreed, "That''s no problem. The Third Hokage won''t refuse." "As for time-space ninjutsu, I recall that the Second Hokage developed a technique called Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, which also involves time-space elements and offers further applications in summoning." Shichi immediately decided, "Minato-sensei, I''ll go with that one!" The difficulty of acquiring the "Time-Space Envoy" tag was higher than expected because the Reverse Summoning Technique wasn''t recognized, as it was deemed too simr to the standard Summoning Technique. Instead, the Summoning Seal, whichbined the Summoning Technique with spatial sealing, was acknowledged by the tag system. ... After deciding on the jutsu to exchange, Shichi handed Minato Namikaze onest scroll with a smile and said, "Minato-sensei, this one is a gift for you." "For me?" Minato took the scroll, curious. Kushina Uzumaki asked, "Is it a jutsu?" Minato had a sudden thought and said in surprise, "Shichi, could this be an advanced form of the Rasengan?" Shichi grinned, keeping up the suspense. "You''ll know once you open it, Sensei." Minato and Kushina opened the scroll together, and the first thing they saw was the name of the jutsu. "As expected..." Minato marveled, "You never cease to amaze me, Shichi!" "Wind Release: Rasenshuriken..." Kushina remarked, "It''s shaped like a shuriken? Can this jutsu be thrown like one?" Shichi gave her a thumbs-up: "Worthy of being the woman who can be Hokage in the future!" Kushina beamed with pride, not even realizing that Shichi had said ''woman'' instead of ''kunoichi.'' Minato had fully unrolled the scroll and was reading it, awe-struck. "This is a brilliant concept!" "You''ve taken the Wind Release nature transformation and the shape transformation to their limitsthis is a true S-rank Wind Release jutsu!" Kushinamented, "Shichi, this is the second S-rank jutsu you''ve developed, isn''t it?" Shichi held up three fingers. "To be precise, it''s the third." "Incredible!" Kushina turned to Minato. "Minato, has anyone in Konoha''s history ever achieved what Shichi has at his age?" "Shichi just turned nine!" Minato replied seriously, "Indeed, no one has." "Even the Second Hokage, who developed numerous jutsu and forbidden techniques, hadn''t achieved this much at Shichi''s age." "Shichi, after the Third Hokage, you might also be called the Ninjutsu Professor!" Shichi shook his head modestly. "The Third Hokage mastered all five elemental jutsu. I''ve only mastered Fire Release and Wind Release so far." Just as he said this, he felt a reaction from the tag system within his mind. Kushina, not noticing, encouraged him, "That''s already an amazing achievement. You''ve got decades ahead of youyou''ll definitely surpass the Third Hokage!" She then put her hands on her hips,ughing boldly. "I''ll be the future Fourth Hokage, and Shichi, you''ll be the Fifth!" Shichi nodded repeatedly, thinking it was a pretty good idea. ... On his way back from Minato''s home, Shichi immediately checked the newly appeared tag on his system''s tree. "As I thought," Shichi smiled to himself. Tag: Ninjutsu Professor Condition to Obtain: Collect all five elemental mastery tags (Wind Release, Fire Release, Lightning Release, Earth Release, Water Release). Effect: Increases ninjutsu talent by 100%, chakra nature transformation talent by 100%, chakra shape transformation talent by 100%, and physical constitution by 100%. What ninjutsu, other than Kekkei Genkai, could possibly challenge you? None! Hiruzen Sarutobi was known as the The Ninjutsu Professor, and rightly so. Besides the five elemental jutsu, he was also proficient in genjutsu and sealing techniques. He had developed many jutsu, such as the Telescope Technique, which could be considered a sensory jutsu, and the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, which was incredibly efficient with ninja tools. However, the system''s Ninjutsu Professor Tag was even more astonishing. With this Tag, even the most challenging space-time ninjutsu would no longer be a problem. But the difficulty of obtaining this Tag was no small feat. Currently, Shichi had only unlocked Wind Release Master and Fire Release Master. "There''s no room forcency!" Shichi sighed inwardly but felt more determined than ever. Surviving the Third Great Ninja War and taking down Danzothese were goals that required substantial strength! And these were just his short-term goals. With these thoughts, Shichi quickened his pace. ... The next day, Shichi received the scroll for the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags technique from Minato. As for the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, Minato didn''t ask whether it should be submitted to the vige, as this jutsu was entirely original, unlike the Earthen Listening Technique. Of course, Shichi could use the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken to exchange for jutsu from the vige, but there was no need for that just yet. Moreover, some things had to be kept as a trump card. The S-rank difficulty was high, but the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken Shichi had developed was not the iplete version that Naruto created but aplete version with a clear path for gradual mastery. Shichi didn''t believe that, besides himself and Minato, no one else in Konoha could master this technique. It''s understandable if the Third Hokage couldn''t, but if Danzo, that old fox proficient in Wind Release, mastered this jutsu, wouldn''t it beughable to fight himter? (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 83: Double Agent? I’m Familiar with That!

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Double Agent? I''m Familiar with That!

Konoha, Year 42, April 15th. As Minato had mentioned, on this day, just as Shichi arrived at Konoha Hospital with Non Yakushi and Asuka, an ANBU operative appeared right behind them. "Shichi-kun, the Third Hokage summons you!" The ANBU operative was surprisingly polite. After nodding to Non and Asuka, Shichi followed the ANBU to the Hokage Building. He then knocked and entered the Hokage''s office alone. "Third Hokage-sama!" Shichi bowed in respect. "Oh, Shichi, you''re here..." Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was working behind his desk, looked up with a smile and said, "Given your outstanding performance in previous missions and your contributions at Konoha Hospital, the Konoha Medical Corps has jointly rmended that, as of today, you are promoted to Special Jnin." Shichi bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Hiruzen Sarutobi mused, "You are the youngest Special Jnin in Konoha''s history. Your teacher, Minato Namikaze, has likely informed you about the recent developments in the ninja world. The vige needs you to make even more contributions." Shichi looked up, his gaze resolute. "I am ready to dedicate myself to the vige. Please give the order, Hokage-sama!" "For the protection of the vige and the fulfillment of the Will of Fire, I am prepared to sacrifice myself if necessary." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly, his expression full of kindness. "It''s not yet time for you to make such sacrifices. You are still a young sprout in Konoha, and you need to grow." "Soon, someone will take you to the Root for three months of training. Afterward, you will join the Hokage''s personal ANBU." Shichi immediately showed excitement. "Yes, Hokage-sama!" "Thank you for your guidance, Hokage-sama!" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile. "You may go." After bowing once more, Shichi exited the office, only to find an ANBU operative wearing a fox mask waiting for him. "Shichi, let''s go. I''ll take you to the Root!" The ANBU operative spoke with a gentle and familiar voice. Sarutobi Shinnosuke! Recognizing him, Shichi quickly nodded. "Yes, thank you, senpai!" Although he recognized him, there was no need to name him. Both understood. Following Shinnosuke, Shichi arrived at the Root''s headquarters. The ce was hidden deep underground, filled with an atmosphere of mystery and eeriness. After handing a dossier to a Root member responsible for the handover, Shinnosuke turned to Shichi. "Shichi, this is where I leave you." Shichi bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, senpai!" Shinnosuke smiled beneath his mask before disappearing. "Shichi Hoshita, follow me." The Root ninja spoke, then turned and began walking across a dimly lit bridge. Shichi immediately followed. The lighting was dim, and the tunnels branched in all directions. The Root''s headquarters was vast, like an underground world filled with many rooms. Some areas were even sealed with jutsu. "We''ve arrived. Wait here for a moment." The Root ninja brought Shichi to an unremarkable room, gave a brief instruction, and left. Shichi looked around the room but found nothing special. He then sat down on a stone chair and waited quietly. About half an hourter, footsteps echoed from outside. Shichi looked up towards the door, where a figure in a green vest soon appeared. It was him! Shichi''s expression showed surprise. The neer looked at Shichi with a mysterious smile. "It seems my arrival has surprised you." Shichi quickly stood up and bowed. "Orochimaru-sama!" Orochimaru stood at the doorway, his snake-like vertical pupils fixed on Shichi, smiling as he said, "The Third has entrusted you to me, and I''ve heard quite a bit about you." "Tsunade says you''re a rare talent in medical ninjutsu." "Jiraiya says your aptitude in ninjutsu rivals Minato''s." "Let''s hope you don''t disappoint me, Shichi-kun!" Shichi smiled. "I''ve already experienced the skills of two of the Sannin." "Lady Tsunade''s medical techniques are unparalleled. Although I haven''t seen Jiraiya-sama''s abilities firsthand, anyone who can teach a student like Minato-sensei surely lives up to his reputation." "Since you are also one of the Sannin, I doubt you would disappoint the Third Hokage either, Orochimaru-sama." Orochimaru''s eyes narrowed, but his smile deepened. "Interesting. It''s been a while since anyone has spoken to me like that." "Well then, follow me." With that, Orochimaru turned and began to walk away, and Shichi immediately followed. The two left the Root headquarters and entered a nearby forest. Soon, a training ground came into view, and there, Shichi spotted a familiar figure. Danzo! Standing on a tree branch, Orochimaru smiled. "ording to the records, besides medical ninjutsu, you''re also proficient in Fire Release." "Your first task in the Root''s training: eliminate the target in front of you." "Show me your strength and determination." Take down Danzo? dly! But is this the real Danzo? A shadow clone, perhaps? What''s Orochimaru''s intent? Or the Third Hokage''s? Or maybe Danzo''s? Who cares! I''ll figure it out after taking him down! Boom! The branch beneath Shichi''s feet exploded as he shot out of the forest like an arrow, heading straight for Danzo, who had his back turned. Orochimaru, on another branch, nced at the branch split in two. "A Fire Body Flicker Technique?" As he turned back towards the training ground, the battle had already begun. Danzo had turned around, firing multiple Vacuum Bullets like projectiles, carving through the air in straight lines, all aimed at Shichi, who was speeding towards him like a swordfish. At such high speed, and with such a dense barrage of attacks, dodging seemed impossible. But under Orochimaru''s expectant gaze, explosions rang out, and shockwaves rippled through the air as Shichi''s figure suddenly shot upwards, effortlessly evading Danzo''s assault. He then opened his mouth, unleashing a barrage of fireballs. Phoenix Sage Fire Technique! Danzo''s figure flickered as the ground below erupted in a series of charred craters. As Danzo dodged, hepleted a series of hand signs. With a sharp inhale and exhale, de-like currents of air rushed toward Shichi, who was still in midair. Wind Release: Vacuum Wave! Shichi, descending from above, didn''t use his Fiery Lotus Steps technique to evade this time. Instead, he drew the Totsuka de, which became enveloped in blue mes. The de then expanded into a massive blue sword. Blue me Waterfall de! The giant sword shed downward, effortlessly tearing through the vacuum des, scattering them like dry leaves. The resulting hot wind swept outward. At that moment, both Orochimaru and Danzo looked surprised. Boom! The sword cleaved the ground, raising a cloud of dust and debris. But Danzo swiftly burst through the smoke, retreating unscathed. However, the next moment, Shichiunched a surprise attack from above, his Totsuka de cutting through Danzo''s kunai with ease. Danzo quickly stepped back, withdrawing a new kunai and coating it with a sharpyer of Wind Release chakra as he blew across it. ng! ng! ng! The sound of metal shing echoed as the two figures moved rapidly across the training ground, leaving afterimages in their wake. Their weapons shed repeatedly, sparks flying. "Ninjutsu, swordsmanship, body flicker technique, reaction speedthis is all at the level of a Jonin," Orochimaru silently evaluated. "Truly impressive!" Suddenly, he saw a sh of blue light and witnessed Danzo''s Wind Release-enhanced kunai being sliced in half, followed by Danzo''s body being split in two. "Fire Release overpowering Wind Release..." Orochimaru was taken aback. However, in the training ground, the bisected Danzo suddenly vanished in a puff of smoke. "A shadow clone, as expected," Shichi muttered to himself, letting out a cold snort before sheathing his sword with an expressionless face. The next moment, Orochimaru appeared beside him, smiling. "It seems you haven''t disappointed me. Your Fire Release is the strongest I''ve ever seen, bar none!" At this moment, Danzo emerged from the forest opposite them and spoke, "Shichi, your talents shouldn''t be limited to just this." "The fact that Hiruzen didn''t fully develop your potential proves it." Testing a neer, especially one only nine years old, was unprecedented for Danzo. But Shichi''s achievements, including his further development of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju''s sensory ninjutsu, led him to this decision. And it turned out he wasn''t wrong. Such a sharp de, yet Hiruzen, who was growing increasingly soft, had relegated him to the Konoha Hospitalaplete waste of potential. If it were up to him, in five years, Shichi could be a weapon as sharp as the White Fang of Konoha. Staring at Shichi, Danzo seemed to forget their earlier conflict, his tone both forceful and persuasive. "Shichi, join me!" "I''m the one best suited to guide you!" "Hiruzen cannot train your talents, but I can teach you the Fire Release Swordsmanship of the Uchiha n." "And not just Fire Releaseyou''ve probably already learned Wind Release from Minato, haven''t you?" "I can teach you everything about Wind Release. In Konoha, no one surpasses me in that field." As he spoke, Danzo extended his right hand toward Shichi. Though disgusted inside, Shichi kept his face neutral. "While it might sound arrogant, I have to say that even the Uchiha''s Fire Release Swordsmanship cannot surpass mine." "I''ve already forged my own path, and I no longer need the Uchiha n''s techniques." "As for Wind Release, with Minato-sensei''s guidance, I don''t think I''ll have any issues mastering what Konoha has to offer." "Everything in this world has a price, so what exactly are you offering, Danzo-sama, to make me betray the Third Hokage?" Danzo was displeased but replied in a deep voice, "Whatever you desire, I can provide." "I can even support you in bing the Fifth Hokage one day!" Orochimaru as the Fourth Hokage, and me as the Fifth? Shichi seriously considered it, but it didn''t seem as reliable as having Minato-sensei as the Fourth Hokage and himself as the Fifth. Besides, it was all just empty promises! Shichi shook his head. "The position of Hokage is too far off for me, and I''m not interested in it." Orochimaru, who had been observing Shichi closely, couldn''t help butugh. "In that case, Shichi-kun, why not make a specific request? I believe Danzo-sama would be more than willing to fulfill it!" For now, at least, his cooperation with Danzo had been quite smooth, and Danzo had been very amodating, saving him a lot of trouble. So, he didn''t mind saying one more thing. Shichi nced at Orochimaru and said, "Since Orochimaru-sama has spoken, I won''t hold back." "Lord Danzo, if I need to, can I study any jutsu from the Scroll of Seals?" Orochimaru''s eyes flickered with interest, and his smile grew wider. Danzo responded in a deep voice, "No problem!" "I told you, I would spare no effort in improving your talents, and that includes more than just jutsu." Shichi immediately beamed with a bright smile. "Excellent!" "Then, here''s to a sessful partnership!" A double agent, huh? That''s something he was very familiar with! Last year, when the Daimy of the Land of Fire summoned him under the pretext of needing a medical ninja, he had offered quite a bit of advice to the Daimy. For instance, he suggested that the Daimy select suitable children from among the various noble families and even from the ranks of samurai under hismand, to send them to Konoha to learn ninjutsu, or to bring in instructors to teach them. The Daimy had also recruited quite a few wandering ninja, so training children was a worthwhile investment. Additionally, Shichi advised the Daimy to win over Danzo as a way to counterbnce Hiruzen Sarutobi. In front of Hiruzen, Shichi had made no effort to hide his efforts to set traps for Danzo. Now, after reaching a preliminary agreement with Danzo, Shichi smiled again and said, "Danzo-sama, my suggestion is that after Iplete my training in Root, you should let me return to the Anbu." "Right now, I have the trust of the Third Hokage. In the Anbu, I can better serve you, Danzo-sama." "Of course, I would also have to report your intelligence to the Third Hokage." Danzo listened and inwardly scoffed. He immediately recognized Shichi''s attempt to y both sides, but he also did want Shichi to return to the Anbu. Shichi was a sharp de, one that still needed some sharpening to be more effectively wielded without cutting the wrong person. So, Danzo nodded. "That aligns with my thoughts as well." "When the timees, I will cooperate with you and have the necessary intelligence prepared." "And there will be someone specifically assigned to handle the transmission of information." Shichi nodded and smiled. "Danzo-sama, your consideration is most thorough." "If it had always been this way, I imagine I would have already secured quite a few benefits for you." Danzo''s eye twitched slightly, and he responded coolly, "If you need any jutsu, you''d better request them in advance." Shichi immediately started listing his demands: "Lightning Release jutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher." "Water Release jutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher." "Earth Release jutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher." "And genjutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher." Danzo''s eyelids twitched furiously. Meanwhile, Orochimaru found Shichi increasingly amusing. Danzo frowned. "You should be focusing on mastering one area." Shichi shrugged. "Danzo-sama, I have no interest in the position of Hokage, nor in power struggles. My only interests are jutsu and women." "The reason my Fire Release has reached its current level is because I''ve devoted myself to its study." "But as you know, I''m still young and full of energy." Danzo''s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. "I''ll have the jutsu handed over to Orochimaru tomorrow." With that, his figure vanished from the spot. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 84: Orochimaru’s Temptation!

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Orochimaru''s Temptation! [Bonus Chapter]

After Danzo left, Orochimaru looked at Shichi with a meaningful smile and said, "Shichi-kun, you truly haven''t disappointed me." "However, being a double agent isn''t an easy role to y." Shichi replied, "Who in this world could possibly understand Danzo better than the Third Hokage?" Orochimaru paused for a moment before nodding in agreement. Shichi then turned to Orochimaru, speaking with a deeper implication, "As long as I prioritize the Third Hokage and the vige''s interests above all else, no one will doubt my loyalty." Orochimaru, of course, understood the underlying message in Shichi''s words and chuckled lightly. "In terms of connections, my rtionship with the Third Hokage runs deeper than yours, Shichi-kun." He had already begun treating Shichi as an equal, with no hint of condescension. In the ninja world, strength is always the best way to earn respect. As he turned to walk away, Orochimaru continued, "Shichi-kun, is it your ambition to master all types of ninjutsu?" Shichi followed a step behind him, replying, "If possible." "However, a human''s life is ultimately limited. From ancient times to the present, countless jutsu and secret techniques have emerged. Trying to master them all in one lifetime might be impossible." Orochimaru nodded in agreement. "Indeed." But then he shifted the conversation, his tone bing more seductive, "However, Shichi-kun, your perspective is still too narrow. There are beings in this world with extraordinarily long lifespans." Shichi feigned ignorance, asking, "Is Orochimaru-sama referring to those with special constitutions?" "I''ve heard that the Uzumaki n has incredibly long lifespans." Orochimaru nced back at Shichi and smiled. "No, even the Uzumaki n are still just mortals." Shichi nodded thoughtfully, "That''s true." "As long as one is human, there''s no escaping the limitations of cellr division." "This is why, in medical ninjutsu, techniques that elerate cell divisione at the cost of one''s life." "I''ve also studied many other animals; no flesh-and-blood being can escape this shackle." Of course, there''s a difference between cell division and cell regeneration or metabolism. For example, Tsunade uses chakra to maintain her appearance in her thirties, and it''s not just for beauty. More importantly, she uses chakra to keep her cells vital, dying their aging process and extending the cycle of cell renewal, thereby reducing the number of times cells need to divide, which in turn prolongs her lifespan. But this clearly can''t grant immortality. Forget about bing like Kaguya tsutsuki or ck Zetsu; even living for 500 years seems impossible. After all, chakra ultimatelyes from both the body and spirit. Organ aging is irreversible; its consumption may be small but is ever-present. "Sage Arts..." Shichi''s thoughts wandered to Sage Mode, then to Kabuto''s state after mastering it. He also thought of Jgo. Both of these individuals could save others through cellr transference, and both had saved Uchiha Sasuke. "In the ninja world, it seems that the only viable paths to immortality currently lie in the God Tree and Sage Arts..." To be honest, this was the first time Shichi had ever seriously considered the question of immortality. After all, he was still so young. He had previously been focused solely on how to keep himself alive. Orochimaru''s gaze swept over Shichi''s thoughtful expression, noticing the glint in his eyesa look he was all too familiar with. "It seems Shichi-kun has gained quite a bit; Tsunade must have taught you well," Orochimaru remarked with a smile. Shichi modestly replied, "It''s nothing significant, just a small idea to slow down cellr aging and extend the cycle of cell division." Orochimaru''s interest was piqued. "Oh? May I hear about it?" "Of course, I''ll offer something of equal value in return." This was exactly what Shichi was hoping for, so he smiled immediately. "That''s not a problem at all. It''s nothing extraordinary or secret." With that, Shichi began to exin his idea in detail. Orochimaru listened intently, even offering suggestions on certain details. Though this wasn''t the high-level information he was after, there were elements that might prove useful. Indeed, within Shichi''s concept, there were many aspects worth absorbing. After hearing everything, Orochimaru smiled. "It''s certainly a very interesting idea, quite innovative." "Shichi-kun, you truly live up to the praise Tsunade and Jiraiya have given you as a genius." Thepliment made Shichi feel a bit embarrassed. However, his thick skin prevented him from blushing. Just as he was about to speak, Orochimaru stopped in his tracks. "We''re here." Shichi looked ahead and saw an entrance. Was Orochimaru bringing him to ab? Shichi nced around. "Orochimaru-sama, is this a secret base of the Root?" Orochimaru chuckled. "No, this is where I conduct my research." With that, he led Shichi through the entrance into a long passageway. Shichi could sense that the passage sloped downward. After about twenty meters, it branched off into multiple corridors, each leading to various rooms. Entering one of the rooms, Shichi was amazed by what he saw. Shelves lined the walls, filled with ss jars of various sizes, containing all sorts of strange thingseyes, body parts that could be human or from other animals, and more. Of course, what Shichi noticed most were the numerous samples of different types of snakes, particrly white ones. "Is this the beginning of your research into the soft body modification and the Eight-Headed Serpent Technique?" Shichi thought to himself. At that moment, Orochimaru approached one of the ss jars and said, "Now, let me show you what I''ve been working on." Shichi stepped forward, his eyes falling on the contents of the jar, and he was slightly taken aback. "A... horn?" Orochimaru smiled mysteriously. "This isn''t just any ordinary horn!" Shichi feigned ignorance. "Is it the horn of some powerful summoning beast?" "Eight-Tails!" Orochimaru revealed. "You''ve heard of it, right? The Eight-Tails jinchriki of the Cloud Vige, Killer Bee." Shichi feigned surprise, then nodded. "Yes, Minato-sensei did mention it once. He said the Eight-Tails is a terrifying creature with an enormous amount of chakra, which is why it''s sealed within a human and used as a powerful weapon." This was indeed something Minato had once exined to him. In this era, it''s not umon to see jinchriki on the battlefield, especially from the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone viges. In fact, even Uzumaki Kushina has been released from the restrictions preventing her from leaving the vige, and she asionally takes on missions. Of course, she''s usually well-protected during these missions. However, Minato Namikaze didn''t go into great detail about jinchriki in his exnations. Perhaps when ites to understanding jinchriki or the Tailed Beasts, Shichi Hoshita knows more than Minato does! Orochimaru smiled and said, "Minato wasn''t wrong." "Tailed Beasts not only possess immense chakra, but they also have unparalleled longevity. It''s said that they''ve existed since the time of the Sage of Six Paths and that each time a jinchriki dies, the Tailed Beast can be reborn." Shichi appropriately disyed a look of shock, his eyes fixed on the small horn inside the ss jar. "The era of the Sage of Six Paths is incredibly ancient, isn''t it?" "Can they really survive until now, continually resurrecting?" "Orochimaru-sama, how did you obtain this?" "Minato-sensei mentioned that Tailed Beasts have the power to destroy entire cities." With a hint of pride, Orochimaru smiled. "Jinchriki, or rather, Tailed Beasts, are indeed difficult to deal with, but there are ways to extract some of their cells." Shichi was astonished. "Is this something you made using cells from the Eight-Tails, Orochimaru-sama?" "Incredible technologyTsunade-sama might not evenpare to you in this field." Orochimaru nodded. "Our paths are different." "Unfortunately, the power of the Tailed Beasts is too wild and unstable, making it unsuitable for human transntation at this time." He spoke with genuine regret. Even so, he intended to continue researching this piece of the Eight-Tails'' horn. Though the power of the Tailed Beasts is indeed uncontroble, it holds great potential. With this, many previously difficult experiments could be conducted. Turning to Shichi, Orochimaru smiled and said, "Shichi-kun, you have remarkable ideas and are well-suited for research. How about joining me in exploring how to make the human body immortal?" "I believe this would be an incredibly significant endeavor." "With such technology, even previously incurable injuries could be manageable." Orochimaru''s voice was filled with temptation, and there was an underlying message directed at Shichi. Shichi withdrew his gaze from the Eight-Tails'' horn and smiled wryly. "Orochimaru-sama, I would be happy to." "But as you know, I''ve be a double agent, so the situation here might..." Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Feel free to report everything here to the Third Hokage. There''s nothing here that needs to be hidden." Hearing this, Shichi immediately bowed and said, "In that case, I look forward to your guidance, Orochimaru-sama!" Orochimaru nodded with a smile, then turned to leave. "Come, take a look at this research of mine. Consider it a return favor for the knowledge you shared earlier!" ... By the time Shichi left Orochimaru''sb, night had already fallen. As he walked toward the Hokage''s office, he pondered to himself, "Did Orochimaru recruit me for experiments purely because of my abilities?" "Or is it for the Nine-Tails?" The fact that the Nine-Tails is sealed within a jinchriki is a secret to many Konoha shinobi, but Orochimaru is not among them. "Surely the Third Hokage is aware of this little scheme?" Shichi mused, "It seems Orochimaru is ying an open game." "He''s trying to subtly pull me deeper into this path of research, and then..." "What a well-thought-out n." "But Orochimaru does have a lot that I can learn from. When ites to the study of the human body, cells, and cloning, Tsunade can''t hold a candle to him." With that in mind, Shichi focused on the tags in his mind. A new tag had been triggered! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to Chapter 130 There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 85: Body Compatibility!

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Body Compatibility!

Tag: [Medical Master] Condition to Obtain: Assist Orochimaru inpleting gic modification techniques. Effect: Medical Ninjutsu talent increases by 100%, Chakra control improves by 100%, and bodypatibility enhances by 100%. Besides Bloodline Limits, is there any medical technique that could still challenge you? None! It''s actually [Medical Master]! Shichi was a little surprised. "Gic modification... This refers to Orochimaru''s soft tissue modification on himself, even turning himself into the White Snake." "Moreover, this also ties into the transntation of Hashirama''s cells." Shichi mused to himself, "Orochimaru may appreciate me, but he wouldn''t involve me in something as significant as Hashirama cell research unless Ipletely defect to him." "What I saw today, the biggest secret should be the horn of the Eight-Tails; everything else seemed quite normal." Now, looking at the effects. A 100% increase in bodypatibility? Shichi''s heart pounded a few times. Does this mean a change in physique, enabling the body to better amodate other powerful genes or Bloodline Limits? For example, transnting the Sharingan without the fear of it failing to close? Or Hashirama cells without the risk of bacsh? Is this pushing me towards the path of collecting powerful bloodlines? Shichi had never considered the path of transnting Hashirama cells or the Sharingan. With the Tag Tree, umting various tags and continuously improving, the future might not be inferior to Hashirama cells, the Mangeky Sharingan, or even the Rinnegan. Besides, the transntation of Hashirama cells or obtaining the Rinnegan has its own set of challenges. "But bodypatibility might not just be about transntation... I''ll have to wait until I acquire this Tag to see." Shichi stopped walking. He was now in front of the Hokage''s building. Gathering his thoughts, Shichi stepped into the Hokage''s building. After being announced, he entered the Hokage''s office to report to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Danzo''s test, Danzo''s attempts to recruit him, obtaining ninjutsu, being a double agent, Orochimaru''s experimental base, and the horn of the Eight-Tails. Shichiid everything out like pouring beans. Regarding Danzo''s actions, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn''t surprised at all. He also didn''t mind Shichi seizing the opportunity to gain benefitshe had done it once before and had grown ustomed to it. However, Shichi''s request reminded him of Orochimaru, especially Orochimaru''s little schemes, which Hiruzen Sarutobi saw through in an instant. Dangerous! So, after Shichi finished his report, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "You''ve handled things well with Danzo, but Shichi, you must be careful not to lose yourself in the pursuit of power." "Ninjutsu is a means for us to survive and protect the vige and our loved ones, not something that should drive us." Upon hearing this, Shichi immediately smiled and replied, "You''re absolutely right, Hokage-sama. However, the reason I seek these ninjutsu is to umte knowledge and ultimately carve out my own path." "Just like the Second Hokage, who developed the most suitable ninjutsu for himself, creating a system." "That''s why, after studying five Fire Release and Wind Release techniques, I felt I had umted enough and began developing my own ninjutsu." "As for Medical Ninjutsu, it involves even moreplex subjects, so it requires more umtion." Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi was relieved. He feared that Shichi might follow the same path as Orochimaru and be led astray by him. "In that case, I''m relieved." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said, "Let''s leave it at that. Someone will provide you with the intelligence you need on Danzo''s side." "As for Orochimaru, just keep an eye on whether he conducts any experiments that vite the rules of the ninja world." Shichi immediately bowed and epted the orders, "Understood, Hokage-sama!" ... April 16th, Konoha Year 42. While Kakashi was being retrained,pleting D-rank missions with Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin, Shichi officially began his training with the Root division. Wearing a cat-faced mask and a ck hooded robe. The so-called special training didn''t involve teaching ninjutsu, taijutsu, or swordsmanship. Instead, it focused on a distinct approach to tasks, different from that of ordinary ninjas. For example, when missions are assigned, there is no refusal or choice; they must bepleted, even if it means assassinating a daimyo or even the Hokage. Additionally, Root missions differ significantly from those of regr ninjas. Staging coups in small nations, gathering intelligence, assassinating political figures, infiltrating other countries and ninja viges for intelligence, counter-espionage, hunting down rogue ninjas... and so on. Shichi''s first mission was to intercept and kill a spy. The mission details were shockingly simple: a photograph, a location where a caravan was stationed, and the objective to eliminate the spy who would leave with the caravan after it departed from Konoha, and then return the body using a sealing scroll. This mission was to be carried out by Shichi alone. However, having already mastered the Listening Technique, he easily detected another Root ninja tailing him. Shichi didn''t mind this and quietly waited for the caravan to leave Konoha, then followed. After leaving Konoha Vige and two hourster, Shichi finally formed seals, and with a Gale Palm, whipped up a storm of wind and dust, then used the chaos to slip into the caravan, easily slitting the target''s throat. He swiftly took the body and, after distancing himself from the caravan, sealed it in a scroll. "This kind of mission really isn''t for humans..." Shichi frowned internally, disliking theck of intelligence avable for these kinds of operations. Or rather, his deep mistrust of Root made him skeptical of their intelligence. After tidying up, he ignored the observer who had been tailing him and returned to Root to submit his mission. Upon leaving the Root headquarters, Shichi saw Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-sama!" Shichi stepped forward and bowed in greeting. Orochimaru nodded slightly, then handed him a scroll. "This is the ninjutsu you need. From today on, you''ll have one mission every three days. In your spare time,e to the experimental base." Taking the scroll, Shichi readily agreed. Orochimaru then smiled and added, "Don''t worry, there''s a training area at the experimental base too. If you need anything, just ask me." So considerate! Shichi quickly bowed and thanked him, "Thank you, Orochimaru-sama!" They immediately went to the experimental base from the previous day. Orochimaru led Shichi to a room filled with research documents and said, "These are the current project''s documents. Go through them first." "If your chakra is sufficient, use a Shadow Clone to help read them." Shichi nodded and immediately created a Shadow Clone to start reading the project''s documents. For him, with his photographic memory, it didn''t matter whether it was his original body or a clonethey both retained the knowledge. Leaving the clone behind, Shichi followed Orochimaru to theboratory, where he began familiarizing himself with various tools, instruments, and chemicals, assisting Orochimaru as needed. The worksted until evening. Politely declining Orochimaru''s offer to dine at the experimental base, Shichi hurried back home. "Shichi, you''re finally back!" It was Asuka who opened the door. She was delighted to see Shichi, "I thought you wouldn''t being back because of your mission!" Since Non had worked in Root before, she was very familiar with Root and even the Anbu''s situation. It wasmon to have no rest day or night. "If I have time, of course, I''lle back. This is home, after all." Shichi smiled, "Besides, how could the food outsidepare to what you and the director make, Asuka?" Asuka immediately beamed with joy and said, "Then how about I prepare lunch for you tomorrow?" "You can use a sealing scroll to carry it." Shichi nodded, "That would be great!" He then noticed that Non wasn''t home, so he asked, "Has the director not returned?" Asuka, busy setting the table,ughed, "Non is on duty tonight. I''ll be bringing her dinner to the Konoha Hospital in a bit." Shichi felt a slight disappointment but washed up and sat down with Asuka to have dinner. "Asuka, have you made any progress with sensory ninjutsu?" Shichi asked while eating. He had taught Asuka the Listening Technique, not necessarily expecting her to master it, but hoping it might stimte her to awaken the secret technique Mind''s Eye of the Kagura. Asuka looked a bit downcast at the question, "No progress yet." Shichi quickly reassured her, "That''s alright, not every member of the Uzumaki n can awaken that ability." Even Uzumaki Kushina didn''t have Mind''s Eye of the Kagura. Moreover, if Asuka had been able to awaken it in the original story, perhaps she wouldn''t have met such a tragic fate. Listening to Shichi''sforting words, Asuka shook off her disappointment and smiled, "Don''t worry, Shichi, I''ll keep working hard!" Even though she hade to consider this ce her home, having been uprooted and tossed around since childhood, she had a deep-seated desire to be needed. Moreover, facing Shichithe person who had saved her from Kusagakure and given her a life she could hardly have imagined in the pastshe didn''t want to disappoint him. Even though he was younger than her, he was someone much more mature and reliable. Seeing Asuka''s determination, Shichi smiled and said, "Then let''s work hard together!" "Later tonight, let''s study together!" Asuka nodded firmly, "Yes!" ... After dinner, Shichi took care of the dishes while Asuka prepared to take dinner to Non Yakushi. Once he had cleaned up, Shichi took a quick shower, then went to the study and unrolled the scroll Orochimaru had given him earlier. One by one, the ninjutsu appeared before him, making Shichi smile. [Lightning Release]: Lightning Release: Earth Walk, Lightning Release: Four Pir Bind, Lightning Release: Shadow Clone, Lightning Release: Sixteen Pir Bind, Lightning Release: Falls of Thunder. Five Lightning Release jutsuno more, no lessbut Shichi was very satisfied since they included the Lightning Release Shadow Clone he needed. [Water Release]: Water Release: Water Formation Wall, Water Release: Wild Water Wave, Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet, Water Release: Water Clone, Water Release: Water Severing Wave. There were also five Water Release jutsu. Shichi specifically checked the Water Dragon Bullet jutsu and confirmed that its hand signs were indeed lengthy. But it didn''t matterhe only needed two hand signs. Once he acquired the [Water Release Expert] tag, he wouldn''t need any hand signs at all. [Earth Release]: Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique, Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld, Earth Release: Earth Clone, Earth Release: Earth Flow River. Finally, there were five [Genjutsu]: Demonic Illusion: Fox''s Wedding Technique, Temple of Nirvana Technique, Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings, Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death, Golden Binding. "Once Iplete my chakra nature transformation training, I''ll first master the Lightning, Water, and Earth Clones, earning the [Clone Expert] tag. After that, I can start training in Water and Earth Substitution Jutsu, along with earning the [Substitution Expert] tag." Shichi thought to himself, "Although Substitution Jutsu is almost useless againstrge-scale attacks, it''s still effective against single-target attacks, especially since I don''t need to form seals." "This skill will greatly enhance my survival on the battlefield." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to Chapter 131 There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 86: Slander, Absolute Slander!

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: nder, Absolute nder!

After skimming through the ninjutsu on the scroll, Shichi immediately created shadow clones to train in the chakra nature transformations of Lightning Release, Water Release, and Earth Release. In reality, he was already on the verge of mastering these three chakra nature transformations. This was thanks to his earlier use of the "sh of Insight" to study the Listening Technique, aplex jutsu left behind by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, which involved these nature transformations. From talismans/seals to actual nature transformations, this was what he was currently working on. As he put away the scroll, a pleasant aroma filled the air. He turned to see, as expected, it was Asuka. After storing the scroll, the two sat across from each other on the tatami mat. Shichi took Asuka''s left hand in his right, and their chakras instantly linked together. In that moment, their minds became one. In the mental world, Shichi was also holding Asuka''s hand as they sat across from each other. "Asuka, Kagura''s Mind Eyeas the name suggestsis the eye of the mind. Let''s try to uncover it through our spirit, through our minds." Asuka asked, "How do we uncover it?" "Desire!" Shichi replied. Asuka was startled, then her cheeks flushed red. Shichi''s face darkened. What nonsense was she thinking? He was being serious! "Asuka, please put those thoughts aside. We''re doing something important right now." Shichi sternly reprimanded her. "Yes, Shichi-kun!" Asuka sat up straight, still blushing. Shichi continued, "Desire refers to what you yearn for deep inside." "For example, what is it that you want to pursue? Use this drive, this desire, to awaken the hidden power within your body." Asuka thought about it carefully, then shyly whispered, "But I''m already very content. I have Non-nee, I have you, Shichi..." Shichi couldn''t help but rub his forehead. After thinking for a moment, he said, "But don''t you want to keep up with me, Asuka?" Asuka froze. Shichi resorted to ttery, "I hope that in the future, we can be on the same team, and I want you to be there to protect me." "But if you''re not strong enough, you''ll only be a burden." Asuka bit her lip upon hearing this. "I... I can do it!" "Shichi, I will always be by your side, protecting you!" After saying this, Asuka lowered her eyes. Shichi then felt a violent fluctuation in Asuka''s spirit, sending ripples across their mental world as if a stone had been thrown into a calmke. As time passed, sweat began to form on Asuka''s forehead. Their mental link started to be unstable, and Shichi sensed the deep-seated fear and longing within Asuka. This fear stemmed from her childhood of wandering and hardship, from her days as a medical tool in Kusagakure. It was a fear of being unwanted, of being abandoned, of losing everything she now had. Feeling all this, Shichi was filled with guilt. He shouldn''t have used fear as a motivation. He immediately reached out and gently embraced Asuka, speaking softly, "Don''t worry, the Director and I will never abandon you." "But I want to always stay by your side, Shichi." Asuka returned his embrace, opening her eyes with a look of unprecedented determination. The weakness and timidity were gone. Suddenly, Shichi sensed a surge of power from within Asukaa powerful force. "What is this...?" Shichi was stunned. Then he saw a golden light emanate from Asuka''s back, apanied by the sound of chains dragging, as golden chains shot out. Adamantine Sealing Chains! Shichi was both shocked and slightly bewildered. He had been aiming for Kagura''s Mind Eye, but instead, Adamantine Sealing Chains appeared. Was this an example of an unexpected sess? "Shichi, I did it!" Asuka cried tears of joy. "You did it?" Shichi asked excitedly, "Did Kagura''s Mind Eye awaken too?" "Yes!" Asuka nodded emphatically, then shyly released Shichi''s hand and said, "I followed your advice, using my spirit and mind to drive it." "What you said was right tooKagura''s Mind Eye is the eye of the mind, a chakra-condensed eye of the mind that, being free and unrestricted, can detect a vast range." "But this sealing technique appeared on its own." Shichi smiled and said, "This technique is called Adamantine Sealing Chains. It not only seals but also has strong offensive power. You''ll need to practice it often." "Right, You''ll practice it in the mental world first and won''t reveal it easily outside." Asuka nodded, "Yes, I''ll listen to you, Shichi." "Then let''s start now!" Shichi stood up, "I''ll be your opponent. Use Adamantine Sealing Chains to attack me." Asuka nodded and stood up. In the next moment, the two figures, one big and one small, began to spar within the mental world, helping Asuka gradually get ustomed to using the Adamantine Sealing Chains. Their practice continued until ten o''clock at night. After finishing their training, Shichi washed up, said goodnight to Asuka, and returned to his room. Lying in bed, he focused his attention on the Tag Tree. While they were in the mental world, there had been some movement in the Tag Tree. Now, upon closer inspection, he realized that a new Tag had indeed been triggered. What could it be? Previously, the tags for Sealing Master and Sensory Master had already appeared. Tag: Poseidon Condition to Obtain: How can you call yourself Poseidon without at least ten fish in your pond? Make sure your small pond has ten mermaids first. (Shizune, Tsunade, Yakushi Non, Tenka, Uzumaki Asuka) Effect: Increases physical strength by 100%, recovery rate by 100%, and stamina by 100%. Upon seeing this new Tag, Shichi''s face darkened instantly, followed by an angry blush. nder! This is absolute nder! He, Shichi, is still a child. How could he be Poseidon? It''s natural to appreciate beauty; what''s wrong with admiring beautiful women? Shizune and Yakushi Non are understandable, but what about Tsunade, Tenka, and Asuka? "I''m just a kid appreciating some beauty, what''s wrong with that?" Shichi silently gritted his teeth, feeling deeply ndered by the Tag Tree. Yet, he couldn''t help but focus on the Tag. No, specifically on the effects section. Increasing physical strength by 100%, recovery rate by 100%, and stamina by 100%. This temptation was hard to resist. But... Shichi couldn''t help but mutter to himself, "Isn''t ten a bit too much... Where am I supposed to find ten mermaids?" Pervert! This is way too perverted! Images of various figures shed through Shichi''s mind, and before he knew it, he fell asleep. That night, Shichi had a dream in which he was surrounded by ten mermaids in arge swimming pool, all ying around him. Suddenly, one of the mermaids leaped out of the water, transforming into an enraged Tsunade who punched him, sending him flying. Shichi jolted awake, only to realize it was already 5 a.m. Recalling the dream, he quickly lifted his nket. Thankfully, it wasn''t wet. Development was normal. After getting up and washing, Shichi headed out for morning training with Asuka. On the way, they also brought breakfast to share with Yakushi Non at Konoha Hospital. Before heading to the Root, Shichi left some shadow clones at home to continue training. However, there were no missions at the Root today, so after signing in, Shichi went to Orochimaru''sb to study under him. In the days that followed, Shichi sometimes carried out missions alone for the Root, sometimes under Orochimaru''s direct supervision, or asionally alongside other Root ninja. The rest of his time was divided between assisting Orochimaru in theb and continuing his own training. Before he knew it, two months had passed. In a room at theb, Shichi was organizing experiment data when suddenly, the memories from one of his shadow clones returned. After reviewing them, he smiled, "Finally, it''s mastered!" The Clone Technique, Shadow Clone Technique, Fire Release Clone, Lightning Release Clone, and Earth Release Clonethese five clone techniques met the criteria to unlock the Clone Expert Tag. Shichi immediately activated it. Mental power increased by 100%, allowing effortless use of clone techniques without hand seals. "Huh?" Shichi noticed something unusualthis time it was his mental power that increased, which differed from the increase in Mental Will/Spiritual Power he gained from Sensory Expert. He was confident the Tag Tree wouldn''t make a mistake. "Willpower is generally a state of mindlike having a strong will..." Shichi mused, "In the context of ninjutsu, it seems that mental power and willpower could indeed be considered two different forces." "Mental power could be seen as spiritual strength, akin to physical strengthone yin, one yang." "And willpower, extending from the spirit and mind... In the original series, Uchiha Obito was nearly torn apart mentally by the Ten-Tails and lost his sanity. In the end, he overcame it through his feelings for Rin, Kakashi, and the others. That must be willpower." "Willpower might also rte to resistance against genjutsu." Shichi gradually understood. "The increase in mental power from Clone Expert should significantly aid my training in the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, right?" "And the enhancement in mental will..." Shichi decided to test it out. Previously, he was very restrained in using shadow clones for training, usually sticking to one or two, at most three. Otherwise, it wouldn''t have taken him so long to master the remaining nature transformations. If he could go all out like Naruto, it would only take a day or two. After all, with hundreds of shadow clones training simultaneously, the efficiency would be several hundred times greater! "I don''t have that much chakra, nor do I need to go that far." With that thought, Shichi willed five shadow clones into existence. Then, the five clones left theb and went to a nearby grove to train. Shichi ate a soldier pill and resumed organizing the experiment data. With Clone Expert in hand, next up was Substitution Expert. But who knows if there are Clone Master and Substitution Master tags, and how to unlock them? Would they be as difficult to obtain as Transformation Master? Shichi still hadn''t unlocked Transformation Master to this day. (End of Chapter) T/N: Hmm, should I change the Tag name? Suggest some cool ones! Anyways, Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 87: Chunin Examiner, Chidori!

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Chunin Examiner, Chidori! [Bonus Chapter]

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was July of Konoha Year 42. Shichi Hoshita''s special training at the Root hade to an end. He removed his battle gear, took off his mask, and left the Root without any hesitation. He didn''t like this ce. It was devoid of any emotion, cold and unfeeling. "The Root''s environment is just like its base, a ce where sunlight never reaches, hidden in the darkness." "The Root has indeed made many contributions to Konoha from the shadows, but unfortunately, Danzo''s ambitions are too great, and he''s also offended me..." ncing back at the entrance to the Root, Shichi leaped away, disappearing from sight. At the Hokage''s office in the Hokage Building. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Shichi Hoshita, who hade to report, and said, "Before you officially join the Hokage''s Anbu, Shichi, I want you toplete this task first!" As he spoke, he handed over a file. Shichi stepped forward, took it with both hands, and after ncing at it, was a bit surprised. "Chunin Examiner?" "Lord Third Hokage, this..." "Is this really appropriate? I''m only nine years old." Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and said, "But you are already a Special Jonin of Konoha." "For those kids, you''ll also be a role model." "Go on, I trust you!" What else could Shichi say? He immediately nodded. "Yes, Lord Third Hokage, I won''t let you down!" After leaving the Hokage Building with the mission, Shichi carefully reviewed the file again and then smiled. "Kakashi should be taking the exam again this year, right?" "This could be interesting." "I bet the looks on Asuma Sarutobi and the others'' faces when they see me will be quite something!" ... On July 18th, Konoha Year 42, the annual Chunin Exam began once again. Since the exam applications were submitted as teams, Kakashi, who had already been promoted to Chunin long ago, entered the exam hall again with Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin. Inside the exam hall, Kakashi and Nohara Rin had already taken their seats, but Rin kept looking back. Noticing her actions, Kakashi silently sighed. "In a situation like this, is that guy going to bete again?" "Though, even if he''s notte, I doubt he''ll pass the exam." As time ticked by and the exam was about to start, a figure dashed into the exam hall. Seeing the panting Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin immediately smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Then the examiner appeared, handed out the test papers, and the exam began. Kakashi only needed a quick nce at the paper before he started writing furiously. This level of difficulty, even after several years, was still no problem for him. "But that guy must be struggling right now." Behind his mask, Kakashi couldn''t help but smile. Meanwhile, in the back of the room, Uchiha Obito was staring at the questions on the test paper, so frustrated that he almost snapped his pen in half. "Damn it!" "Why do ninjas need to take this kind of exam? I get the graduation exam, but I''m already a Genin now!" "Shouldn''t we be tested on Taijutsu and Ninjutsu?" Uchiha Obito instinctively forgot about the three basic techniques he was least skilled at. Time slowly passed, and the only sounds in the ssroom were the scratch of pencils against paper and Obito''s internal anguish. Suddenly, Obito looked up and saw a certain smug individual strutting out of the exam hall. Just as he was feeling desperate and frustrated, Obito looked down and noticed a crumpled piece of paper that had rolled to his feet. He nced at Rin''s back in front of him, then at the examiner who wasn''t paying attention, and quickly grabbed the paper, beginning to copy furiously. Outside the exam hall, Kakashi had just stepped out when he heard a voice, "Kakashi, how does it feel to be back in the exam hall?" Kakashi turned and saw Shichi leaning against amppost, smiling at him. "Aren''t you supposed to be joining the Anbu?" Shichi chuckled, "People aren''t machines, you know. Everyone needs to rest." "I''m at the age where I''m still growing, so working too hard wouldn''t be good for my development." Kakashi nearly rolled his eyes. In all of Konoha, who besides Guy worked harder than you? Seeing Kakashi''s speechless expression, Shichi burst outughing, then asked, "How''s your Lightning Releaseing along? Care to show me?" Kakashi nodded, "I''ve made some progress." In the next moment, both of them vanished from the spot. At the bottom of a cliff, Shichi watched as Kakashi drew his de. In the next moment, apanied by the crackling sound of electricity resembling the chirping of a thousand birds, Kakashi''s short sword burst forth with dazzling blue lightning. Shichi narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. "Impressive Lightning Release chakra, Kakashi. What''s this technique called?" Kakashi replied, "Chidori de!" Shichi''s smile deepened. Thanks to his influence, the Chidori de technique was developed before the original Chidori. However, both the Chidori de and Chidori are A-rank techniques. As for their power, that depends on the amount of chakra one can channel and the level of mastery over chakra nature transformation. "Let''s test its power!" Shichi didn''t draw his sword. Instead, he took out a kunai, blew on it lightly, and enveloped it in ayer of white Wind Release chakra, extending it into a longer de. "Begin!" Seeing that Shichi was ready, Kakashi immediately shouted and charged forward. Shichi alsounched himself forward, and in the next moment, the two shed, their kunai and short sword striking with equal force. Kakashi''s eyes focused. He knew he was still at a slight disadvantage. After all, he was using the White Fang short sword, a high-quality chakra de gifted by his father, while Shichi was merely using a regr kunai. With a burst of strength, the two engaged in a flurry of rapid, intense exchanges. Suddenly, a brighter sh of lightning appeared before Shichi''s eyes, as Kakashi''s body erupted with blue currents. In the next moment, Kakashi''s speed surged. Both his reaction time and attack speed increased dramatically. Kakashi had been hiding his true strength well! However, Shichi still handled it with ease, not even needing to activate his focused state. His neural response speed and cognitive processing were still superior to Kakashi''s current abilities. So, he didn''t even need to use Fire Body Flicker. The only issue that slightly troubled him was the interference caused by the lightning surging from Kakashi''s body. This technique not only partially activated Kakashi''s cells but also provided a defensive effect. As a result, the Wind de in Shichi''s hand extended further, transforming from a short weapon to a long one. The two continued to sh until they finally stopped after two minutes. In this state, neither could gain the upper hand. Sitting down to rest, Shichi smiled and said, "Congrattions, Kakashi, on developing two A-rank Lightning Release techniques." Kakashi shook his head. "Chidori Stream is just a derivative of Chidori de, and it barely activates cellspared to the Cloud Ninja''s AB Combo." Shichi chuckled. "Kakashi, you''re not even nine years old yet!" "And the Lightning Release Chakra Mode of the Cloud Ninja has been refined over several generations to reach its current level." "Take the AB Combo, for example. Killer Bee is only a few years younger than Minato-sensei, much older than us." "Besides, Konoha''s reserves of Lightning Release techniques are far less than the Cloud''s. You''ve developed something from scratch, which is already quite remarkable." Being praised like this made Kakashi, who was a bit prideful, somewhat embarrassed. "That may be true, but the gap is still significant." Especiallypared to you! Kakashi added silently in his mind. Shichi shifted the conversation and asked, "Since these two techniques are rtivelyplete, do you have any new directions for developing your Lightning Release?" Kakashi nodded. "I''ve given it some thought, and Minato-sensei has also provided some suggestions." "First, I need to be able to use Chidori bare-handed so that I can still execute the technique if I don''t have a de." Shichi smiled. "Since you''ve already developed Chidori Stream, the challenge lies in concentrating the chakra to a high degree." "However, without a de, the nature transformation won''t be as strong, and if the chakra output isn''t sufficient, you''ll need high-speed thrusting to achieve the same piercing power as the Chidori de." "Of course, with Chidori Stream, speed isn''t an issue for you." "However..." Shichi paused and pointed to Kakashi''s eyes. "Moving too fast will make it difficult for your eyes to track the enemy''s movements urately, creating a significant vulnerability." Kakashi isn''t like Shichi, whose neural response speed and cognitive processing are so fast that they rival the dynamic vision of the Sharingan. Shichi has improved his dynamic vision to the point where it''s on par with Uchiha Shisui''s Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Of course, his insight is stillcking byparison. Kakashi nodded seriously. "Minato-sensei came to the same conclusion." "So, on one hand, I need to further refine my Lightning Release nature transformation, and on the other, I need to train my eyesight." "I''ll improve the method you showed me earlier." Shichi thought for a moment and smiled. "You mean dodging y, and then catching specific colored pieces?" Kakashi nodded. "Exactly." This is essentially training hand-eye coordination. Shichi pondered for a moment. It seemed that this might be the only viable option. For ordinary people, it''s one of the few paths avable, though it has a clear upper limit. However... After some thought, Shichi said, "Another direction would be to further develop Chidori Stream." "But going too deep into that would be risky, requiring extremely high chakra control skills." "The human nervous system is quite delicate." Kakashi understood Shichi''s meaning. It was about using Lightning Release to enhance the visual and even brain nerve response speeds, thereby improving vision. But such an attempt could easily result in blindness or brain damage if it went wrong. "Let''s skip that one." Shichi stood up, smiling. "Come on, let''s continue." "The previous bout was just to test the power of your technique. Now I''ll use even greater speed to help you adapt to high-speedbat rhythms." "umting battle experience can also reduce vulnerabilities. It can even help train your eyes." Kakashi immediately stood up. "Shichi, bring out your full strength!" Shichi smiled slyly. "That depends on your ability, Kakashi." The battle began once again! Shichi continued to use Wind Release and kunai, but this time with his neural response and cognitive processing fully activated, he used swordsmanship and reaction speed to keep Kakashi under pressure. Each boutsted one to two minutes, followed by a break before continuing. In the third round, Shichi used the technique "Fiery Lotus Steps," greatly increasing his speed and causing Kakashi to struggle. If not for the Chidori Stream, Kakashi would have quickly lost. The entire morning passed this way. In the afternoon, Shichi visited Orochimaru''sb and didn''t return home untilte. Soon, on July 24th, the third stage of the Chunin Exam began. In the indoor arena, as Shichi entered, Might Guy, Kakashi, Obito, Sarutobi Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, Nohara Rin, and others quickly gathered around him. Might Guy shouted, "Shichi, you''re definitely here to cheer me on!" Shichi smiled and nodded. "Of course, Guy!" "I''m sure you''ll get promoted." If not, then it just means you haven''t worked hard enough! As he chatted with the others, Shichi quickly noticed a few other figures. Yamashiro Aoba, Raid Namiashi... They were all older than him. Last time Shichi took the Chunin Exam, he hadn''t seen them. Even Guy''s teammate, Genma Shiranui, was actually older than both Shichi and Kakashi. At that moment, a bell rang, and the electronic disy started rolling the names of the Genin participating in the exam. "It''s starting!" "Finally, it''s starting. I can''t wait!" ... The once noisy arena gradually fell silent. Shichi used the Body Flicker Technique to leave the stands where Kakashi and the others were sitting and appeared in the center of the arena. Then, in a loud and clear voice, he announced, under the astonished, shocked, and stunned gazes of his friends like Guy and Kakashi, "I am Special Jonin Shichi Hoshita, the proctor for the third stage of the Chunin Exam." Gulp! Uchiha Obito swallowed hard, finding it difficult to believe. "How is this possible?" "Shichi... When did he be a Special Jonin?" Might Guy, equally bewildered, scratched his head in confusion. He didn''t know about this either, but then he smiled and said, "With Shichi''s strength, it''s only natural for him to be a Special Jonin, right?" "Don''t you agree, Kakashi?" As he spoke, Might Guy became fired up with enthusiasm. "As expected of my lifelong rival! It seems I need to work even harder from now on!" Many others shared Uchiha Obito''s disbelief. "This is unbelievable!" "A Special Jonin at such a young age!" "Shichi-kun is only 9 years old, right? He must be the youngest Special Jonin in Konoha''s history!" ... The previously quiet exam hall buzzed with discussion once more. Shichi was very pleased with his dramatic entrance, but he maintained a stern expression as he shouted, "Silence!" Instantly, the hall fell silent again. Shichi nced at the electronic screen and announced, "Uchiha Obito, Might Guy, step forward!" From the stands, Might Guy and Uchiha Obito leaped down and stood before Shichi. Uchiha Obito looked at Might Guy across from him, made a thumbs-down gesture, and said confidently, "Guy, I''m going to settle the score with you fromst time." Might Guy looked puzzled, rubbing his chin as he asked, "Last time?" Uchiha Obito nearly stumbled, his inner frustration boiling: This guy! It was just a few days ago, and he doesn''t even remember! In theirst team battle, Obito had choked on a lollipop given to him by an elderly woman and was unable to perform the Fireball Jutsu in time, leading to him getting knocked out by a single kick from Guy. Today, he was determined to redeem himself. Watching these two clowns, Shichi barely managed to maintain hisposure as a proctor withoutughing. Just then, a voice called out from the stands. "Obito, do your best!" Uchiha Obito froze and turned to see Nohara Rin waving her arms, cheering for him. His face immediately flushed red, and a smile spread across it. Seeing this, Shichi couldn''t help but think, "Who could resist such a sweet and gentle voice?" Obito clenched his fist and shouted back, "Rin, watch me!" Shichi kindly reminded him, "Obito, focus and get ready!" Obito quickly turned back to face Guy. Shichi raised the red g in his hand and then brought it down. "Begin!" Obito immediately jumped back and started forming hand seals, but before he could finish, Might Guy had already leaped into the air, delivering a powerful kick. Thud! Obito took the full force of the kick, sending his goggles flying and leaving him sprawled on the ground, snot and drool everywhere. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 88: The Special Assassination Tactics Squad!

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: The Special Assassination Tactics Squad!

On the stands, Nohara Rin, who had been cheering for Uchiha Obito, froze, her voice abruptly cutting off. "Obito... What is he doing?" Kakashi couldn''t help but snort, "Idiot!" Everyone else was equally dumbfounded, especially Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and their ssmates. They all knew Uchiha Obito''s abilities well enough to know that he shouldn''t be weak enough to be taken down in one hit. But this situation was simply... beyond words. Shichi also found himself at a loss, torn betweenughter and tears. He had kindly reminded Obito to get ready and not let Nohara Rin''s voice distract him. Who could have imagined that Obito would try to form hand seals and use a Fire Style jutsu at such close range? Did he think he was the First Hokage, pping his hands and summoning any jutsu he wanted? "Winner, Might Guy!" Shichi announced, a bit exasperated. He had no idea that Obito had attempted to use Fire Style to redeem himself from his loss in the second team battle. ... In a room elsewhere, a television screen clearly disyed the events unfolding in the exam arena. Standing behind the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze couldn''t help but smile awkwardly as he watched Uchiha Obito lose in such a clumsy manner. He had mentored two Uchiha before, and their personalities couldn''t have been more different. Reflecting on the constant bickering between Obito and Kakashi, Minato realized how challenging this team was, far more so than his previous squad. Still, Minato spoke up in Obito''s defense, "Obito may be prone to mishaps, but he''s actually quite strong. He''s also very kind-hearted and strives to be Hokage. I believe he''ll be an excellent ninja in the future." The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, exhaled a puff of smoke and sighed softly, "An unpredictable ninja... He still needs much more training." Minato quickly nodded with an embarrassed smile, "Yes, Lord Hokage. I''ll make sure to guide him properly." ... Back in the exam arena, the matches continued. Shichi Hoshita''s eyes remained fixed on the fighters, not missing a single detail, ready to intervene if necessary to prevent things from getting out of hand. In reality, however, he was mentally recording every move of thebatants, storing them in his memory pce as samples. The number of Konoha vigers stored in his memory pce was growing, including even Danzo. Now, with the addition of Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Nohara Rin, and other childhood friends, Shichi was updating their versions in his mind. These memories would form the foundation for Shichi''s future development of genjutsu. The Sealing Technique - Memory Pce was initially intended to store the memories of Shadow Clones, but it had also be a cornerstone for Shichi''s ns to enhance his genjutsua n he had conceived long ago. ... "Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy!" Before anyone realized it, Might Guy was stepping into the ring once again. As Shichi waved the g, Guy and Kakashi shed fiercely. Although Guy wasn''t entirely devoid of ninjutsu skills, hisbat style was undeniably focused on pure taijutsu. At this moment, Kakashi also refrained from using his newly developed Lightning Release jutsu, choosing instead to engage Guy in a taijutsu-only battle. "This might be the most thrilling match of the third round," Shichi thought to himself. The second-best match had been between Asuma Sarutobi and a member of the Hyuga n, with Asuma emerging victorious. The son of the Hokage, whom Shichi had rmended to the Daimyo, had already mastered the Wind Release chakra nature transformation. Among their peers, only Shichi himself and Kakashi surpassed him. "Still, relying solely on taijutsu is an incredibly challenging path." Shichi watched as Might Guy, exhausted and drained, finally copsed. "Kakashi wins!" Shichi dered. At 4 PM, the third stage of the Chunin Exams concluded sessfully. Shichi brought the results sheet to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and bowed in respect. "Hokage-sama, Minato-sensei, here are the results from the third stage." Hiruzen reached out and took the sheet. "Shichi, in your opinion, who among them is ready to be promoted to Chunin?" Shichi pondered for a moment before replying, "Besides Kakashi Hatake, Asuma Sarutobi, Genma Shiranui, and Aoba Yamashiro all have sufficient strength and experience to be promoted." Hiruzen nodded slightly but didn''t immediatelyment. Instead, he said, "Shichi, you''ve worked hard these past few days. Take a couple of days to rest, and then report to the Anbu." "Yes, Lord Hokage!" Shichi responded. ... "Shichi!" As soon as he exited the exam arena, Shichi saw Shizune waving at him. He quickly walked over. "Shizune, what are you doing here?" Shizune smiled and replied, "I didn''t expect you to be the Chunin examiner. If I had known earlier, even if I wasn''t taking the exam, I would havee to watch." Shichi couldn''t help butugh. "It''s no problem. Next time, I''ll ask the Third Hokage if I can be the examiner for the medical team''s promotion exams." Given that he was promoted to Special Jnin through medical ninjutsu, it would make sense for him to be the examiner for the medical team. The two continued to chat andugh as they made their way to the Konoha Hospital. ... Even though he was given two days off, Shichi spent most of his time training, except for meals, evening strolls with Shizune, and sleeping. He was particrly focused because he was close to mastering an S-rank kenjutsu technique. He hadn''t used this year''s "sh of insight" yet. Last year, he had nned to use it toplete the S-rank kenjutsu technique, but since he had found a lead and felt confident in developing it himself, he instead used the inspiration on the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. This year, Shichi nned to use his "sh of insight" at the end of the year to help Tsunade fully develop the secret technique for controlling chakra, bringing the Strength of a Hundred Seal topletion ahead of schedule. Once that''s done, he could start working on creating a Fire Release chakra cloak or a Fire Release chakra mode. On July 27, Year 42 of Konoha. At just nine years old, Shichi officially joined the Hokage''s Special Assassination and Tactics Squadalso known as the ANBU(Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai)! Unlike the Root Division, which had its own separate headquarters, the Hokage''s Anbu was based in an auxiliary building next to the Hokage''s office. Once again, it was Sarutobi Shinnosuke who escorted Shichi. "Shichi, in the Anbu, we usually don''t use our real names, so you''ll need to choose a codename." As they reached the equipment distribution window, Sarutobi Shinnosuke exined. "Let''s go with ''me,''" Shichi chose his codename casually, then turned to the ninja behind the counter. "Excuse me, could you give me a tiger mask?" "Sure," the equipment manager nodded and handed him a tiger mask. Shichi quickly thanked him, "Thank you!" In addition to the mask, he received bracers, a long sword, a steel chest te, and two tattoo stickers. Sarutobi Shinnosuke smiled and said, "Tattooing the arms is a hallmark of the Anbu. I''ll help you apply them." After tattooing both his arms and putting on the equipment, they continued deeper into the building. Shinnosuke continued to exin, "The Hokage''s Anbu is typically organized into four squads, or four teams." "Each squad is led by a squad leader, and under them are usually four smaller teams, each with four to five members." Shichi quickly calcted that with a minimum of four members per team, plus the squad leader, a squad would have 17 members. With four squads, the Anbu under the Hokage''s directmand would consist of about 68 to 100 members. And that''s just the regr contingent. "This is a considerable force, especially since everyone in the Anbu is an eliteat least an exceptional Chunin," Shichi thought. "I wonder how many members Root has..." Even though he had spent three months in Root, Shichi had never figured out its exact structure. But knowing Danzo''s personality, he figured the Root''s numbers wouldn''t be much smaller than the Hokage''s Anbu. Before long, Sarutobi Shinnosuke brought Shichi to a locker room. Inside, four people were already waiting. None of them were wearing masks. There were three men and one woman, and the oldest looked to be no more than in their early twenties. "Everyone, starting today, Shichi Hoshita, codename ''me,'' is now a member of our team," Sarutobi Shinnosuke introduced. "Chgan Akimichi, codename ''Force!''" "Satoshi Nara, codename ''Deer!''" "Shinichi Yamanaka, codename ''Mind!''" "So it really is the Ino-Shika-Cho trio..." Shichi immediately greeted them, addressing them as "seniors." The moment he saw these three, he had a pretty good guess. Their hair color, hairstyles, and Chgan Akimichi''s bulky build gave them away. Moreover, these three ns had always been closely allied with the Sarutobi n and the Hokage''s lineage, and Sarutobi Shinnosuke was the Hokage''s son. After paying his respects, Shichi turned his attention to the only female member. She appeared to be around Shinnosuke''s age, likely around fifteen or sixteen. Could she be...? As he pondered, the dark-haired woman smiled and introduced herself, "Chihiro, codename ''Seeker!''" "I''ve heard Shinnosuke talk about you often. It''s great to finally meet you." Shichi quickly bowed. "Seeker-senpai." Finally, Sarutobi Shinnosuke smiled and said, "Codename ''Ape,'' currently the leader of this third squad, and also the team leader." "Shichi, from today on, you''re officially part of our team and the Anbu." "Now, let''s get suited up!" Everyone quickly put on their gear and masks, then left the Anbu headquarters, heading out of the vige at full speed. After covering some distance, the team came to a halt. Sarutobi Shinnosuke removed his mask and said, "Before the mission begins, me, why don''t you tell us what you''re best at?" This was a familiar routine. Shichi nodded and said, "I specialize in Fire Release, Wind Release, and medical ninjutsu. I also have a basic understanding of Water Release, Lightning Release, Earth Release, and genjutsu." His words left everyone except Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro visibly stunned. They had heard of this youngest Special Jnin and Chunin, but at his age, could he really know so much? "Captain, let me test him out!" Therge, muscr Chgan Akimichi suggested. But Sarutobi Shinnosuke shook his head. "Force, your style might not be the best for testing me''s abilities. I''ll do it myself!" He then smiled at Shichi. "me, you don''t mind, do you?" Under his mask, Shichi felt a surge of excitement. "Not at all, Captain!" (End of Chapter) ??? Next: Shichi vs. Shinnosuke! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 89: Shūichi vs. Shinnosuke!

Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Shichi vs. Shinnosuke!

Shinnosuke Sarutobi, the eldest son of the Third Hokage, brother of Asuma Sarutobi, is a character who, in the original series, is often mentioned by others but never appears directly. Along with his wife, he is an elite Jnin in the Anbu, serving as one of the Third Hokage''s most trusted aides. Shichi wasn''t sure if Shinnosuke Sarutobi currently had the strength of an elite Jnin, but being a squad leader in the Anbu meant he was definitely of Jnin level. Although this wasn''t Shichi''s first time meeting Shinnosuke, he had never witnessed him in action and was very curious. Compared to his brother Asuma, whoter specialized in Wind Release and Fire Release, how much of the Third Hokage''s teachings had this highly regarded future elite Jnin already inherited? It''s worth noting that before the advent of theter powerful figures, the Third Hokage was widely regarded as the strongest Hokage in history. And for good reason. After all, the First Hokage''s strength was rooted in Wood Release, while the Second Hokage''s greatest prowess was in Water Release. ... The others dispersed, each taking a position on the surrounding trees. Shinnosuke Sarutobi lowered his mask, concealing his face. Shichi retreated a few steps and took his stance. Leaning against a tree, Chihiro saw that both men were ready and called out, "Begin!" Shinnosuke Sarutobi immediately threw a shuriken, quickly followed by a series of hand seals. Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique! The single shuriken multiplied into dozens, even hundreds, forming a dense barrage. What was even more impressive was that each shuriken was infused with Wind Release chakra, causing them to slice through the air as blinding white streaks, raining down like a storm. This technique alone was not something an average ninja could withstand. Watching from the sidelines, Satoshi Nara couldn''t help but remark, "Isn''t the captain going a bit overboard?" But as soon as he finished speaking, he was shocked to see Shichi not dodging but instead charging forward. Shichi unsheathed his dea standard-issue Anbu swordalso coated with Wind Release chakra. ng, ng, ng... Shichi''s movements were swift and fluid, deflecting every single shuriken. "So fast!" Shinichi Yamanaka eximed in amazement. At that moment, Shinnosuke Sarutobipleted another jutsu. A dragon''s head emerged from the ground,unching Earth Dragon Bullets from its mouth. Simultaneously, Shinnosuke exhaled, igniting the earth bullets with fire. Thebination of Fire Release and Earth Release techniques was executed with seamless precision. Shichi, who had been charging forward, suddenly halted. He nted his sword into the ground in front of him and swiftly brought his hands together. Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique! Wind Release: Gale Palm! As Shichi exhaled, a fiery whirlwind erupted from his mouth, not only tearing through the fire-infused earth bullets but also turning into a raging inferno that surged toward Shinnosuke. "This guy..." Chgan Akimichi''s mouth hung open under his mask, doubting his eyes. He hadn''t even noticed Shichi forming hand seals. Water Release: Water Formation Wall! Shinnosuke spat out a torrent of water, which surged upward and expanded rapidly. Boom! As the water and fire collided, a loud explosion erupted, and thick steam billowed out, shrouding the entire area. The steam obscured Shichi and Shinnosuke from view, as well as blocking the sight of Chihiro and the others. All they could see were two blurry figures shing at high speed, apanied by the sound of metal striking metal. Suddenly, the steam parted as Shinnosuke Sarutobi was sent flying backward, only to vanish in a puff of smoke. Shadow Clone! Shichi turned, noticing that Shinnosuke had alreadypleted another set of hand seals. Once again, a massive surge of water erupted forth. Immediately after, Shinnosuke''s body crackled with electricity, which rapidly spread through the surrounding water. Water Releasebined with Lightning Release! Mastery of all five nature transformationsWind, Fire, Water, Lightning, and Earth! Shichi was a bit surprised, but he had anticipated this. As the water and electricity surged toward him from all sides, Shichi stomped the ground, causing the earth to explode beneath his feet. He leapt into the air, his sword glowing a brilliant blue. As he swung the de, the blue light intensified, forming a massive, ethereal sword. "That''s at least an A-rank kenjutsu technique, with truly impressive Fire Release." Shinnosuke watched as the giant sword descended from above, seemingly cleaving the heavens and earth in two. He couldn''t help but admire the technique, though he quickly dodged at an incredible speed. Boom! The ground and water split apart, sending waves crashing violently to either side. As Shinnosuke dodged to the side, he crossed his arms in front of him to shield himself from the water''s impact, his body skidding backward across the surface. Just then, with a burst of explosive speed, Shichiunched himself forward, running through the air with zing steps, each step leaving a brilliant me lotus in its wake. Seeing this, Chihiro and the others couldn''t help but gape in astonishment. Gulp! Chgan Akimichi swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead. "A body flicker technique of this level... It''s incredible!" He now realized that Shinnosuke had been a bit modest in his earlier remarks. It wasn''t that He couldn''t test the neer''s abilitieshe simply wouldn''t be able to keep up. Satoshi Nara marveled, "That''s definitely an S-rank technique!" "A terrifying genius!" Shinichi Yamanaka nodded in agreement. On the battlefield, Shichi streaked through the air with a trail of fire, closing in on Shinnosuke Sarutobi at high speed and preventing him from forming any more hand seals. Shichi, who disliked prolonged jutsu battles where he couldn''t use his full chakra reserves due to the limitations of his Yin Seal, preferred quick and decisive strikes. After a couple of strikes, Shinnosuke Sarutobi was sent flying with a powerful kick, only to explode into smoke once again. Another Shadow Clone! "me''s strength is truly impressive; he already possesses the abilities of a Jnin," Shinnosuke Sarutobi''s voice resonated. Shichi turned around to see Shinnosuke''s figure slowly emerging from the ground. Sheathing his sword, Shichi modestly said, "I''m still far from matching the skills of a senior like you." "me, you''re being too modest," Chihiro said with a smile as the four of them jumped down from the trees. Shinnosuke then asked, "me, do you not know sensory ninjutsu?" "A little," Shichi replied honestly. "I''ve been practicing the sensory technique of the Second Hokage." Shinnosuke immediately understood that Shichi was hiding quite a bit of his strength but didn''t press further. He smiled and said, "The Second Hokage''s sensory technique is indeed remarkable. Given that, you and Mind will be responsible for the sensory aspect of the team in the future." Shichi nodded, "Understood!" "Next, let me exin the details of this mission." Shinnosuke''s tone became more serious, and the five members of the team gathered around. "We have detected a force specifically targeting our vige, Konoha. Besides gathering intelligence, they have caused the loss of several Chnin teams and have disrupted missions." "It is suspected that these are remnants of the now-defeated Sky Ninja Vige(Sora) from thest Ninja World War. They are likely being directed by others." Shinnosuke continued to exin the mission: "We have identified a base believed to be run by these Sky Ninja remnants. The primary objective of the mission is to capture their leader." "If capturing the leader is not possible, then at least one member must be apprehended." The five of them responded in unison, "Understood!" Shinnosuke then gave the order, "Let''s go!" In a blur of motion, the six of them disappeared from their location using Body Flicker Technique. Shinnosuke led the way, with the Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Nara families in the middle, while Shichi and Chihiro took the positions on the left and right respectively. The team headed east, resting for about half an hour before continuing. Around 2 PM, the team stopped in front of a mountain range. Shinnosuke took out a map and said, "ording to the intelligence, the base is located somewhere in this mountain range. We don''t have an exact location, but it should be within this area." Shichi and the others looked at the map, where a red circle marked the central area of the mountain. "Be prepared forbat at any moment," Shinnosuke instructed. "me and Mind, the responsibility of locating the enemy falls to you." "Move in battle formation: I and Seeker will lead, me and Mind in the middle, and Force and Deer at the rear!" With the map folded, the team entered the mountain. Not long after entering, the team stopped. Shichi crouched down, extending his right hand to touch the ground. His sensory technique spread out in a semi-circle ahead for a search. Every so often, Shichi and Mind used their sensory ninjutsu to scan the area. The approach was extremely cautious. However, the team''s progress was swift, steadily closing in on their target. ... "The traces left here are quite obvious. Be careful; this area is within the enemy''s patrol range," Shinnosuke warned after inspecting the traces found. Estimating the distance, Shichi figured it wouldn''t be more than 5 kilometers from the map''s marked location and said, "Captain, let me give it a try." Shinnosuke gave Shichi a look and then nodded. Shichi immediately touched the ground again, using the Listening Technique. His sensory perception quickly expanded forward and soon picked up results: "There are four peopleing toward us, moving at a normal patrol speed. There''s also a squad heading toward the target location..." "1, 2, 3... Besides the previously mentioned two squads totaling eight people, there are 12 more in the base." Shichi finished and withdrew his hand. Shinichi couldn''t help but marvel, "Such impressive sensory ninjutsu." The range and speed of Shichi''s perception far exceeded his own. Shichi quietly took one of his soldier pills. "Take down this patrol squad!" Shinnosuke ordered, and the team dispersed. The forest was silent except for a bird hopping and chirping among the trees. As a ninja patrol team approached, the bird immediately took flight and quickly disappeared into the forest. Meanwhile, Shinichi, hidden in a tree, finished his technique. Unaware, the enemy ninja patrol walked right into Shichi''s and the team''s encirclement. Shichi''s gaze fell on Chihiro, who quicklypleted a series of hand seals. It was a genjutsu! Temple of Nirvana Technique, an A-rank difficulty technique! Thud! Two of the enemy ninjas fell unconscious instantly, while the other two staggered briefly before bing alert, "It''s a genjutsu!" The two immediately began forming hand seals, but as they dispelled the genjutsu, they found their bodiespletely immobilized. "This technique... damn it!" The middle-aged leader of the squad, seeing his shadow connected to his own, immediately understood what was happening. In the next moment, Shichi and Shinnosuke appeared behind the two, knocking them out with a precise chop to the neck. The coordination was as smooth as flowing water, and in an instant, the four-man squad was subdued without any noise. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 90: A Little Shock, Aerial Assault!

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: A Little Shock, Aerial Assault! [Bonus Chapter]

After capturing the enemy, Chihiro immediately used genjutsu inbination with Yamanaka Shinichi to interrogate the leader of the enemy squad and extract information. Shichi silently observed. Apart from himself, it was clear that this team had been working together for a long time, exhibiting a strong sense of camaraderie. Even in the field, where Shinichi couldn''t directly invade the enemy''s mind to read their memories, the cooperation with a genjutsu expert allowed them to extract information swiftly. "The number of enemies matches exactly what me sensed, and they are indeed remnants of the Sky Ninja." "Besides this base, there are at least three other bases, but unfortunately, the leader doesn''t know their exact locations," Shinichi reported after ending his technique. Shinnosuke Sarutobi nodded, "It looks like we''ll have to capture the leader of this base." He quickly outlined the n: "Mind, you''ll take control of this squad leader. I, Seeker, and me will use Shadow Clones transformed into the other three, pretending to be pursued by enemies..." The strategy was simple, much like disguising themselves in enemy uniforms to deceive and infiltrate. Everyone moved swiftly. Yamanaka Shinichi used his Mind Transfer Technique to control the enemy leader, while Shichi and the other two created Shadow Clones and transformed into the other three enemies. As for the real enemies, they were put into an eternal sleep. Akimichi Chgan carried Shinichi on his back due to hisrge frame. With the four in the front pretending to flee and the other five in pursuit, they approached the enemy''s rest point. The patrol squad, who had just sat down to rest, were startled by the sudden cries of an enemy attack and rushed out of their wooden hut. Seeing theirrades being closely chased by enemies, they were shocked. "Shichi, what''s going on?" "Why didn''t you use the signal re?" the squad leader shouted, pulling out a signal re. Before he could fire it, Shichi threw a kunai with pinpoint uracy, striking the squad leader''s wrist. "Be careful, they''re impostors!" the squad leader yelled in pain. Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death! As soon as Shichi threw the kunai, Chihiro had already begun weaving hand signs. The genjutsu took effect, and in the enemy''s perception, they were bound by trees. In the next instant, blood sttered, and the screams were abruptly cut short. Shichi and Shinnosuke''s Shadow Clones almost simultaneously slit the throats of two more enemies. The battle was over. Shinichi released his Mind Transfer Technique, then quickly controlled a bird to fly towards the enemy base. The enemy no longer had any defensive lines left. Watching the bird fly away, Shichi thought of his Transformation Master tag. With that tag, he could transform into a bird and fly. Unlike now, where even if he transformed into a bird, he couldn''t actually take flight. Of course, with enough knowledge of biology and aerodynamics, it would theoretically be possible to fly. It''s like how Naruto and Gamabunta cooperated to transform into the Nine-Tails, gaining ws capable of holding onto Shukaku. However, the difficulty of using ws is vastly different from the challenge of using wings. Even baby birds born with wings have to go through a period of trial and error before they can learn to fly! Shichi had never considered transforming into a bird before, but now he realized that if he used Shadow Clones to transform into birds and practiced flying in cliff areas, once he mastered it, he would quickly earn the Transformation Master tag. At that point, he could transform into a tree and look like a tree, or into a stone and be a stone, or even into a fish and swim in the ocean... the possibilities would be endless. Five minutester, Yamanaka Shinichi released his Mind Transfer Technique and used a branch to sketch a rough map on the ground. It was a map of the enemy''s base. "The remnants of the Sky Ninja are all residing in wooden houses at the mountaintop. This is where their leader is located." "Additionally, there''s a vige at the base of the mountain where they''ve set up a guard post," Yamanaka Shinichi exined while pointing at the crude map. Shinnosuke Sarutobi nodded, "It seems these people are very cautious." Shichi studied the map and asked, "Captain, we just need to capture the enemy leader, right?" "In that case, let''sunch an aerial assault!" he suggested. Nara Satoshi chuckled, "me, Mind''s Mind Transfer Technique can control birds, but it doesn''t offer muchbat power." "I''ll handle it!" Shichi decided to give his teammates a small surprise. He leaped into the air, and as he began to fall, a lotus of fire appeared beneath his feet. Unlike before, when his technique produced a powerful explosion, this time there was no st, and Shichi didn''t ascend further. Instead, he stood steadily in mid-air. The others had seen his Fiery Lotus Steps technique once before, but watching the fiery lotus bloom beneath his feet still left them in awe. Through the air and light distorted by the intense heat, they could seeyers of fire lotuses blooming from the inside out. This was the perfect form of Fiery Lotus Steps! "It''s beautiful!" Chihiro eximed without thinking. Yamanaka Shinichi praised, "The nature and shape transformation here are simply..." Nara Satoshi muttered two words, "That''s insane." Shinnosuke Sarutobi, however, thought to himself, "Minato-senpai didn''t exaggerate at all. With such a transformation of Fire Release, there''s truly no one in the entire shinobi world who canpare." "me, I''m leaving the Sky Ninja leader to you!" Shinnosuke decided. "The rest of you, prepare for the assault!" Shichi nodded and began ascending higher into the sky. From the ground, he was just a small dot, and with the heat-distorted air, he would be nearly impossible to spot. On the ground, Shinnosuke and his team started their rapid advance, heading straight for the enemy''s base. High above, Shichi had already reached the area above the enemy stronghold and began descending slowly. Momentster, Shinnosuke and his team entered the vige at the base of the mountain and were quickly spotted. A signal re shot into the sky with a loud bang. The enemies at the mountaintop immediately burst out of their rooms, including their leader, a bearded man in a gray robe. From his aerial vantage point, Shichi instantly locked onto the leader and began a rapid descent. "It''s Konoha ninja!" "Damn it! How did they get here?" "Retreat immediately!" the Sky Ninja leader shouted angrily, but then he sensed something and looked up. His pupils dted in shock. Shichi Hoshita, now plummeting towards him, had alreadypleted his jutsu. Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique! This was the first genjutsu he had ever mastered. The Sky Ninja leader''s vision was instantly plunged into darkness. He quickly began forming hand signs to dispel the genjutsu, but found that the usual methods were ineffective. "Damn it!" "Watch out for the enemy above us!" the Sky Ninja leader shouted, "Boda, get me out of here! My sight''s been taken!" No sooner had he spoken than he heard the piercing screams of hisrades. Then, he felt a sharp pain in his neck, and his consciousness began to fade. Shichi swiftly eliminated three enemies, then grabbed the unconscious Sky Ninja leader and retreated down the mountain. "me, great job!" Shinnosuke praised as he rushed past Shichi, joining Chihiro and the others in their assault on the mountaintop, swiftly cutting down the remaining enemies. One minuteter, the battle was over. Aside from the leader captured by Shichi, all the other enemies were eliminated. Shichi and his team rested for about half an hour before they began their journey back to Konoha with the captive in tow. Since Yamanaka Shinichi''s technique couldn''t delve deep enough to extract all the necessary information from the Sky Ninja leader''s mind, bringing him back alive for interrogation by Konoha''s Torture and Interrogation Squad was the best course of action. By the time they were done, the squad would be able to uncover everything, even down to when the leaderst wet his pants at the age of three. Around 7 PM, Shichi and the others returned to Konoha to hand in their mission. For an ordinary shinobi squad,pleting such a mission in a single day would be impossible. They had two days to rest after that. But on thest day of rest, just as Shichi was still in training, Chihiro suddenly appeared, urgently summoning him. In the changing room, as they geared up, Shinnosuke briefed them on the new mission: "This time, our destination is Yugakure, the Vige Hidden in Hot Water." "The enemy is Kumo-nin, and there''s a chance we''ll be facing the A-B Combo!" (End of Chapter) Next Time In Konoha''s Tag-System Ninja - Shichi VS Killer Bee! ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 91: Shūichi Hoshita vs. Killer Bee!

Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Shichi Hoshita vs. Killer Bee!

"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 Viges. This vige 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 rted to that sect? But why are the Kumo-nin involved?" Akimichi Chgan asked. Shichi Hoshita, however, thought of Hidan a devout worshipper of Jashinwho was supposedly from Yugakure, a vige said to have gradually lost itsbat prowess due to its pursuit of peace. Shinnosuke Sarutobi continued, "Yes, it''s rted to this sect. The so-called ''Jashin Cult'' promotes very evil ideologies, advocating ughter 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 n. At that moment, Shichi 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 particrly 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. Shichi refocused his thoughts. Shinnosuke Sarutobi exined, "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 shinobibat." 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 identityhe''s a Jinchriki!" Jinchriki! The entire Ino-Shika-Ch trio visibly tensed beneath their masks. They weren''t ordinary shinobi; they knew full well what a Jinchriki represented. After a moment of silence, Akimichi Chgan couldn''t help but ask, "Captain, are you sure we can handle thisbination?" 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 Jinchriki was simply overwhelming. At that moment, Chihiro spoke up, "me, you''ve been quiet. Have you been thinking about something?" Shichi 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 missionto 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 Shichi found most striking today. They experienced fear and indulged in gossip, unlike his formerrades 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 Jinchriki 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." Shichi noticed the wording Shinnosuke used"most perfect Jinchriki"which implied that Killer Bee''s control was superiorpared to other Jinchriki. He thought about how the two Jinchriki from Iwa seemed to have pretty decent control over their tailed beasts as well. Among the major shinobi viges, 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," Shichi 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, Shichi 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. "me, Force, you two excel in closebat. You''ll need to engage them directly but focus on dying 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 Jinchriki 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 upy 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 Shichi in closebat. 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, Shichi said, "If we can control them, I have a way to break through the Lightning Release Chakra Mode''s defense." "As for a Jinchriki, I''d need to see one in action before I can assess it." This statement caused everyone to turn their heads toward Shichi, clearly surprised. Shinnosuke Sarutobi quickly asked, "Is it the secret technique of Fire Release and kenjutsu?" Shichi 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 nces, slightly taken aback. That level of expertise sounded almost excessive. But they had already witnessed Shichi''s Fire Release prowess, so they didn''t doubt his words. Even Shinnosuke Sarutobi, who knew Shichi 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 (Vige Hidden In Hot Water) in the Land of Hot Water by 8 p.m. Even at night, Shichi could tell that this vige was quite prosperous. Although its size couldn''tpare to Konoha, its level of bustling activity certainly could. Yugakure''s ninjas weed Shichi and his team into the vige, 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, Shichi noticed Konoha''s White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, standing guard in front of the building. However, it was Captain Shinnosuke who handled the exchange, and Shichi 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 me. 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. Shichi 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 hourster, Shinichi returned with a hand-drawn map and an abundance of food from the Land of Hot Water. Shichi 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 identally harming the vigersif anyone got hurt, it meant they weren''t allies. Afterpleting 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. Shichi 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''vee, as expected!" "That''s Sakumo-senpai''s chakra..." "These two powerful presencescould they be the A-B Combo?" As Shichi 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 hadpletely withdrawn to the outer areas. After ending his sensory scan, Shichi turned toward the rooftop and used hand signals tomunicate what he had sensed to Chihiro. She nodded in acknowledgment and swiftly leapt to the cliff to report the situation. However, when Shichi sensed again a momentter, he frowned slightly. They had retreated! "It seems the enemy also has sensory ninjas. They detected our presence and withdrew immediately." Shichi ryed this new information to Chihiro. Sure enough, the battle on the outskirts ended quickly, and the enemy seemed to have retreated. Still, Shichi 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, Shichi copsed 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 vignce also began to cken, with guards being pulled back from the outer perimeter. While wandering around the vige in civilian clothing, Shichi noticed how rxed the Yugakure ninjas had be. 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 vigeit was because they had spread their forces around the outskirts, trying to prevent the enemy from entering the vige. Or perhaps they simply didn''t want the battle to take ce within the vige itself. ... Back at the mission site, just as Shichi 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 Chgan then asked, "Have the Cloud Ninjaspletely 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 coulde back eventually. Doesn''t Yugakure have a better solution?" "Like destroying the secret techniquepletely?" 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 vige has decided to secretly relocate the secret technique tonight." Shinichi spected, "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..." Shichi 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 phoenixHidan couldn''t die, so Kakuzu could go all out, without worrying about identally killing his partner. After considering it for a moment, Shichi suppressed his curiosity. The Dead Demon Consuming Seal was one thingat 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 ughter. Better to finish thisst day of the mission and return to the vige, 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 vige''s Jnin, 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. Shichi and his team were stationed around the perimeter. As the situation grew more tense, Shinnosuke became even more cautious. Shichi and Shinichi took turns sensing the area every five minutes. About half an hourter, Shichi saw a stone tablet covered with a ck 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 fastabandon the relocation immediately!" "What?" The Yugakure ninjas were shocked but had no choice but to hurriedly carry the stone tablet back inside. Meanwhile, Shichi 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 wasrge, the other small! "It''s really the future Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee!" Shichi''s eyes narrowed as he gripped the hilt of his sword. "Yo, yo, looks like we arrived just in time!" "So many peopleare you all here to give us a special wee?" Killer Bee''s bizarre rapping echoed through the night. A nced around briefly and then said, "Bee, it looks like they''re trying to relocate that secret technique. Let''s make this quickKonoha''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 Jnin 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 Jnin, and even they were badly injured, barely holding on. "He''s too fastwe can''t even lock onto him!" Yamanaka Shinichimented. Chihiro added, "Normal genjutsu won''t work on this guy." Meanwhile, Shinnosuke, Nara Satoshi, and Akimichi Chgan all focused their attention on A, the future Fourth Raikage. "I''ll handle this!" Shichi 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 Shichi forcefully entered the battle, swinging the Totsuka de, now glowing with a blue hue. "Trying to sneak up on me, you fool, you idiot!" Killer Bee shouted, his electrically charged sword shing against Shichi''s. ng! The sh of sword and de sent sparks flying as lightning met fire. Killer Bee was momentarily stunned, realizing that his sword was actually being overpowered and cut by Shichi''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 Shichi,unching a barrage of attacks that came like a stormswift and unpredictable. Killer Bee''s attacks were so fast that even Shichi 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 Shichi''s attack speed was slower, he managed to block every strike. Moreover, Shichi''s explosive power was incredibly strong! "You''re even tougher than that white-haired guy fromst time, you fool, you idiot!" Killer Bee acknowledged Shichi''s strength. But after deflecting one of Killer Bee''s strikes, Shichi suddenly exploded with chakra from his feet,unching himself into the air. The blue light around the Totsuka de intensified, transforming into a massive sword that he brought down in a powerful sh. Blue me Waterfall de! Shichi admitted that he couldn''t match Killer Bee in skill, so he decided to overpower him with sheer force! Boom! The sh carved a deep trench into the ground, forcing Killer Bee to narrowly evade it. But as soon as hended, Shichi 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 me Waterfall de. The tides had turned. Shichi, relying on his immense explosive power, agility, and the devastating Blue me Waterfall de, 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, Shichi suddenly spat out the senbon he was holding. Killer Bee was ready for this and expertly shed 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 Shichi 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 Chgan charged in to intercept, swinging hisrge de with full force. In the next moment, with a loud ng, Chgan''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! (End of Chapter) T/N: 3.5K Words ?? Next: Dragon me Breath! ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 92: Dragon Flame Breath!

Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Dragon me Breath!

"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, suddenlyunching an attack from behind Shichi. The octopus tentacle in front of Killer Bee was sliced open, but Shichi used the momentum to dodge the other tentacle''s capture mid-air. The blue mes on his Totsuka de surged once more. Blue me Waterfall de! From a distance of over ten meters, Shichi swung his de 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 Shichi, while crossing his swords in his hands, lightning surging across the des. He was gambling! If Shichi dared not to dodge, Killer Bee would take his attack head-on, leaving the oue to whose defense was stronger. But Killer Bee was confident that his opponent would be the one to die. However, in that moment, Shichi, 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 ws. Orange mes erupted, forming lifelike dragon heads. The dragons opened their mouths, white-hot mes condensing within, before sting out at light speed. S-Rank Fire Release: Dragon me Breath - A Sword Divides the World! These were high-temperature beams! Initially, Shichi 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 simr to a human mouth, which highlypresses chakra and also serves as an instor. 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, Shichi''s Blue me Waterall de struck Killer Bee''s crossed swords. Lightning shed with fire, the earth cracked, and with a crunch, Killer Bee''s feet sank into the ground. But he withstood it! Amid the sh, Shichi''s transparent Blue me Waterfall de shattered, scattering blue mes across the ground. "Bee, watch out for those mes!" The Eight-Tails warned urgently from within Killer Bee. "Huh?" Killer Bee nced at a nearby me, 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 mes 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 be 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 shing as hepletely broke through thebined efforts of Shinnosuke and Chihiro, charging towards the airborne Shichi. "Shichi, 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 Shichi. Most importantly, this shuriken had been infused with Wind Release chakra. But A ignored it, still punching towards Shichi. Turn, horizontal sh. In the next instant, an octopus tentacle swatted away the giant shuriken, while A''s fist mmed into the Totsuka de covered in blue mes. Boom! Shichi''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 de, the skin torn and charred. Most critically, Shichi''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 mes. In midair, with no foothold, A was engulfed by the zing 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 sted 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 Shichi, 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 sunsses, "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 Shichi onest 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, Shichi had also caught his breath. No wonder A would be the future Fourth Raikagehis strength is terrifying. It was fortunate that the Totsuka de 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 thatnding 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, Shichi 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 Chgan. Shichi 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. "Shichi, we''ll leave Chgan to you!" Shinnosuke said, then went to negotiate with the leader of the Hot Water Ninja Vige. Now that the AB Combo had retreated, it was the best time to transfer the Jashin secret technique. ... Shichi ced his palms, glowing with green chakra, on Chgan''s exposed chest, healing the internal injuries caused by the shock. As for the electrical burns on the skin, they were less urgent. "Shichi, 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 beenpletely 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 jinchriki is terrifyinghe 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 Chgan 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 rxed 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 Shichi and Chgan sustained minor injuries." "We owe this one to Shichi." Shichi quickly shook his head, "Captain, if you all hadn''t kept A upied, 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 jnin, 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 ounts from Shinnosuke and the others, Sakumo quickly realized that Shichi had been the key yer in this fight. "Regardless, you managed to hold off the AB Comboexcellent work!" Sakumo Hatake praised him with a smile, then exined, "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." Shichi, listening, recalled who it was. A Cloud ninja capable of transforming chakra into rubber, with extremely fast jutsu executionperfectly 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 seed." Chihiro smiled, "But Shichi thwarted their ns!" Shichi 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 sessfully transferred by the ninja of Yugakure. By the next morning, Akimichi Chgan''s injuries were nearly fully healed. At nine in the morning, led by the chief of Yugakure, the high-ranking members of the vige gathered to bid farewell to Shichi and his team. Throughout the farewell, many of their gazes frequently shifted toward the masked Shichi. During the battle the previous night, Shichi had removed his mask while using his Senbon techniques. The chief of Yugakure, along with the two surviving jnin, had witnessed firsthand Shichi''s impressivebat skills. Such a talented young ninjawhat a shame he wasn''t from Yugakure! ... Since they were traveling back together with Sakumo Hatake''s team, Shichi and his group moved at a slower pace. They finally reached Konoha at around 5 PM. In the changing room, after removing their gear, Shichi and Chihiro chatted andughed with the others. It was clear that this mission had brought them closer together. Akimichi Chgan, in particr, was enthusiastic, inviting Shichi to try the Akimichi n''s special barbecue at their restaurant. Satoshi and the others joined in, praising the secret recipe of the Akimichi n''s barbecue. Faced with such warm invitations, Shichi dly epted. 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 Shichi and the AB Combo. Sarutobi Hiruzen was astonished as he listened, then couldn''t help but smile. "I didn''t expect Shichi to grow so quickly. It seems Minato was rightShichi''s talent in ninjutsu is extraordinary, surpassing even his teacher." Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded. "It appears so. Shichi''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 rted to Minato''s technique." After some thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "If Shichi 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 n''s barbecue restaurant. After just one bite, Shichi couldn''t help but give a thumbs up. "Amazing! Chgan, you weren''t exaggerating at all!" Akimichi Chganughed heartily. "Of course! Our n loves to eat, so naturally, we take pride in perfecting our food." "Shichi, keep it up! In our team, no one can out-eat me!" Satoshi teased, "Your n can even convert chakra into fat for storage!" Akimichi Chganughed, "But I still need to digest it first." As they chatted, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro were also joking around. Shichi nced over and asked with a smile, "Captain, are you and Chihiro-san a couple?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded with a smile. Chihiro grinned and said, "Shichi, you''re so outstandingthere must be some girls who like you, right?" Shichi immediately replied seriously, "Chihiro-san, I''m only nine!" Everyone burst intoughter. 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 Shichi. "Shichi, your appetite is incredible. Truly an enviable physique!" After some exmations, Satoshi encouraged him, "Come on, as the neer, it''s your duty to break Chgan''s record!" Chihiro poured Shichi some tea to help with digestion. Akimichi Chgan, not worried in the slightest,ughed, "Satoshi, Shichi may be impressive, but he''s still too young to beat me!" Shichi 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 Chgan mentioned earlier, food can''t be directly converted into chakrait needs to be digested and turned into stamina first. But Shichi''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 rted to the body''s functioning, including digestion. So, Shichi now had an astonishing digestive capability. He wasn''t sure if he could out-eat Chgan, but he was definitely up for the challenge. As they continued, the stack of tes beside both of them grew higher and higher. Other diners in the restaurant began to gather around, cheering for Shichiafter all, he was the underdog due to his young age. An hourter, both Shichi and Chgan finally stopped, exchanging smiles before slumping in their seats. They were stuffed! Apuse erupted around them. "Shichi, well done! Amazing! You actually tied with Chgan! And remember, Chgan isn''t even weak among the Akimichi n!" As everyone praised him, Shichi, 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 Eaterpetition and win first ce in it. Effect: Increases Physique by 100%, Recovery by 100%, and Digestion by 100%. Shichi''s eyes lit upthree 100% boosts! The most important was the increase in Physique. The other two were also highly beneficial. Enhanced recovery didn''t need much exnation, 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." Shichi''s "fingers started itching," and after the crowd dispersed, he smiled and said, "Hey, Chgan, what do you think about hosting a vige-wide Big Eaterpetition?" Akimichi Chgan''s eyes lit up. "A Big Eaterpetition?" Shichi nodded. Yamanaka Shinichiughed, "I''m sure a lot of ninjas would participate. It would definitely be lively." Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others nodded in agreement, finding Shichi''s idea quite interesting. Akimichi Chgan was very interested, but after thinking it over, he scratched his head and awkwardly said, "Shichi, your idea is great, but hosting something for the whole vige would be very costly!" Shichi smiled, "Of course, we wouldn''t use barbecue meats like beef. The Akimichi n must have some signature dishes that can be made quickly, right?" Akimichi Chgan immediately smiled and gave a thumbs up. Shinnosukeughed, "Looks like we''ll have some free Akimichi n noodles to enjoy soon." Chihiro yfully raised a fist to Shichi, making a cheering gesture. "Shichi, we''ll all be there to cheer you on. Go win that Big Eaterpetition!" Akimichi Chgan quickly objected, "Hey, Chihiro, you''re underestimating me!" (End of Chapter) Almost 3k Words!! ??? Next time in Konoha''s Tag-System Ninja let''s see about Natural Energy! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 93: S-Rank Swordsmanship Secret - Flaming Lotus of the Inferno, Natural Energy!

Chapter 93: Chapter 93: S-Rank Swordsmanship Secret - ming Lotus of the Inferno, Natural Energy!

After parting ways with Shinnosuke and the others, it was already past 9 PM. Shichi 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 physiquebased on his current strength level, he should already surpass the elite jnin ss, at least reaching the level of a quasi-Kage. A ninja like Shinnosuke, who leans towards ninjutsu,cks the diverse techniques and sheer power necessary to take down someone like A. Then there''s noki, 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, Shichi 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 closebat, 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 oue. "And then there''s the Mizukage..." Shichi knew very little about the Mizukage. But the Third Mizukage, who created the terrifying atmosphere of the Hidden Mist Vige, 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 Terum... she''s probably around my age..." As Mei Terum''s image shed in his mind, Shichi 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." Shichi 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 reallypare to him? But without the Nine-Tails... "Shinnosuke''s chakra is also strong. Roughly estimated, it''s about ten times minenot as much as Asuka''s, but much more than the Director''s." Shichi 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 wasparable to Senju Hashirama... Shichi 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''spared 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. ... Shichi carefully calcted and figured that he would need to increase his physique by 100% at least five more times to reach something simr to Senju Hashirama''s level. If he could do it six more times, he might be able to surpass that and barelypare to Naruto with the full Nine-Tails. But the Ten-Tails... Even though this was the simplest way to estimate, Shichi felt a bit of a headacheing 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..." Shichi shook his head to clear his thoughts. "I have a seven-day breaking upI''ll aim to unlock Swordsmanship Master during that time!" "With another physique boost, I''ll have a better chance of winning the Big Eaterpetition." Shichi wasn''t too confident about winning first ce in the Big Eaterpetitionafter all, Konoha was full of talent. ... When he got home, it was just before 10 PM. Yakushi Non and Asuka were both waiting for him. As soon as they saw Shichi return, they immediately sprang into action. Asuka went to fill the bathtub, adding medicinal herbs to the water. Yakushi Non helped Shichi with his clothes, preparing them for washing. The warmth of this domestic scene instantly erased all the mental fatigue Shichi had umted over the past couple of days. In the days that followed, apart from his daily training and using shadow clones to practice other jutsu, Shichi didn''t even visit Orochimaru''sb. 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, Shichi 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 mes erupted from the cracks, as if fire lotuses were growing from the ground. In a sh, a 50-meter radius around Shichi was covered in these fiery lotuses. The lotuses, initially in bud form, bloomed and exploded in unison. The blooms burst in different directionssome towards the sky, some to the left, some to the right. In that instant, the 49-meter ring around Shichi 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! Shichi was breathing heavily, gripping his sword for support to keep from copsing. The chakra expenditure had been enormous, almost draining him of all his strength. But as he looked out over the scorchedndscape, a brilliant smile spread across Shichi''s face. The S-Rank Sword Technique Secretming Lotus of the Infernowasplete! 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 zing mes. The lethal range was the ring surrounding him, and the damage range epassed the entire grove. This was the very move he had used in his fight against Killer Bwhen the mes scattered after the "de 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 ming Lotus of the Inferno. "There shouldn''t be many jutsu that can dodge thisReverse Summoning, Space-Time Ninjutsu, the Tailed Beasts..." Shichi was very satisfied with his creation. The key was that this technique was shy enough! And the more chakra you have, the more powerful it bes. What he had just used was only orange-red mesthere were still higher temperatures like white mes, green mes, and even blue mes. Not to mention mes as hot as the surface of the sun... Shichi mused for a moment. However, he would need to find a new ce to train. After swallowing a soldier pill and downing a bottle of saltwater, Shichi 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 MasterActivated! 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 de 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, Shichi drew his Totsuka de. Since thest enhancement was to the Totsuka de, he naturally wanted to continue with it. With a single thought, just like before, a surge of power flowed into the Totsuka de. Soon after, he noticed that dense seals began to appear on the de, quickly spreading across its surface, formingplex and mysterious patterns. But just as quickly, the seals and patterns vanished, and lotus patterns emerged on the de. In the sunlight, a faint glow of firelight seemed to flow along the surface. "Hmm?" Shichi sensed a power gathering within the Totsuka de. "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 de and create that mysterious technique. So this newly formed energy must being from that technique! Soon, the power within the Totsuka de subsided. Shichi immediately injected his chakra into the de. Sure enough, as soon as his chakra entered the de, it encountered a different, unique energy! And very naturally, it merged seamlessly with his chakra. Buzz, buzz, buzz! The de hummed softly as the lotus patterns glowed with a blue light. Shichi felt his chakra and the energy within the debine, naturally altering its nature. Moreover, this alteration was specifically for Fire Release. His Fire Release properties were significantly amplified, resulting in the de''s blue mes. However, the Blue me Sky de was not just about changing the natureit also involved shape transformation, with multipleyers of enhancement creating high-temperature mes. Originally, after acquiring the Fire Release Master Tag, Shichi could instantly raise the temperature of his mes to their peakwhite mes. This was simr to Pakura''s Scorch Release, but there was still some distance to reach blue mes. Now, after the enhancement, he had jumped straight to that level. "So then..." Shichi''s eyes narrowed as he activated the Blue me Sky de. In the next moment, the blue mes on the de 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." Shichi grinned widely. But after withdrawing his chakra, Shichi 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." Shichi closely examined the de. 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 de had two sides, and he could only see one. This meant he only had half of it! "It hurts so much!" Shichi couldn''t help clutching his chest. (End of Chapter) ??? Next: Crow Clone! Next Next: Encounter with a Jinchriki! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 94: Crow Clone!

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Crow Clone!

Shichi rushed home as quickly as he could, pulling out a nk scroll to transcribe the iplete technique he had seen earlier. He then pored over it repeatedly. "Hmm... I can understand a bit, just the part rted to Fire Release." "Natural Energy is apletely unfamiliar field to me, so I''ll need to take it slow." Shichi 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 "sh 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''sb. Time flew by, and the vacation ended. Shichi 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 Shichi to train on his own or visit Orochimaru''sb. After obtaining the Swordsmanship Master Tag, Shichi 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 Shichi realize that fast reaction speed alone wasn''t enoughhe 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, Shichi 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 "sh of Insight"Shichi 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 n''s Big Eater Contest, which had been in preparation for over three months, had be a massive hit after a few days of warm-up events. It was the talk of the entire Konoha Vige. Even as Shichi strolled through the vige 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 nned to participate. As they walked to the new udon shop opened by the Akimichi n, Shichi and Shizune found the area packed with people. "Incredible! So many people signed up!" Even though she knew the contest had be popr, Shizune couldn''t help but gasp at the sight of so many people. Shichi smiled and said, "It looks like this will be a very sessful event." Shizune nodded, smiling as well. "If they hold it annually, it could be a festival!" Shichi stroked his chin thoughtfully and thenughed, "I think it could be a Big Eater Contest held in alliance with Konoha''s allied ninja viges." "Hmm, maybe each vige could have a preliminary contest, and the top ten from each vige could alle to Konoha for the finals topete for the title." Shizune was stunned, "Wouldn''t that be a bit too much?" Shichi couldn''t help butugh 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, "Shichi, I think that''s Jiraiya-sama!" Jiraiya? Following Shizune''s gaze, Shichi 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 nning to participate too?" Shichi felt he might have gained a formidable opponent. At that moment, Jiraiya pushed his way through the crowd, spotted Shichi and Shizune, and walked over with a smile, "Are you two here to sign up too?" "Jiraiya-sama!" Shichi and Shizune greeted him politely, and then Shichi responded, "Yes, we came to sign up together. I didn''t expect to see you here, Jiraiya-sama." Shizune quickly added, "This contest was Shichi''s idea!" "Oh?" Jiraiya looked at Shichi, gave a thumbs up, and smiled, "It''s a great idea. But during the contest, I won''t go easy on you." Shichi immediately replied without backing down, "Jiraiya-sama, I won''t go easy on you either, even if you are one of the legendary Sannin." Jiraiyaughed heartily, "You seem pretty confident!" "Hmm..." Jiraiya stroked his chin, then smiled, "Shichi, if you can beat me, I''ll teach you an interesting jutsu. How about that?" An interesting jutsu? Shichi blinked in surprise. Does Jiraiya have any interesting jutsu? Not really, right? But since there''s a jutsu on the line, Shichi 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, Shichi added, "Hmm... Jiraiya-sama, I''m sure you''ll really like it." Seeing Shichi''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, Shichi!" As Jiraiya left, Shizune couldn''t help but ask curiously, "Shichi, what interesting jutsu are you nning to give Jiraiya-sama if you lose?" "I remember all the jutsu you''ve developed are highly practical, right?" Shichi quickly cleared his throat. "It''s just an idea for now, I haven''t developed it yet!" Shizune nodded, not pressing the matter further. Shichi 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 Shichi wrote down his name, he nced 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, Shichi 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 wouldst until thest day of the year, so there was plenty of time. After spending two hours at Konoha Hospital, Shichi returned home to feed his crows. The once-young birds had now grown up, and just like with White Tiger(Shiro), Shichi fed them medicinal herbs and injected chakra into their bodies. In addition, Shichi 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 be familiar to them. Their spirit and synchronization with me have developed nicely." Watching the dozen or so crows circling in the air, Shichi felt they were ready. Although these crows didn''t have muchbat power and couldn''t speak, they could easily understand hismands 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, Shichi 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, Shichi activated the chakra stored in the crows. The crows, sensing hismand, immediately gathered together, merging into a single figure. Watching another version of himself floating in the air, Shichi smiled. Crow Clone Jutsuplete! p, p, p... The clone in the air dispersed, reverting back into individual crows, which pped their wings and then regrouped into another clone on the other side. Shichi 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. Ifbat 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." Shichi 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, Shichi 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, Shichi focused his thoughts, and the crows on the wooden stand pped their wings and took off, flying in formation towards the Uchiha n. He wanted to give Shisui Uchiha a little surprise. This clone technique would be particrly useful for someone like Shisui, who was proficient in Genjutsu, especially with his Sharingan. (End of Chapter) ??? Next: VS 4-Tails! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 95: Another Encounter with a Jinchūriki!

Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Another Encounter with a Jinchriki!

Uchiha n 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 Shichi." Since their team disbanded and they each carried out their own missions, they didn''t see each other often, so Shisui and Shichi frequentlymunicated through crows. Sometimes they would chat casually, other times they would discuss jutsu, such as the Fire Release that Shichi 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, "Shichi, your ideas are always so unique." The crow-formed Shichi 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 tomunicate with the crows, but for someone like Shisui, this was not a issue. Shisui immediately understood and, without hesitation, epted the gesture of goodwill. The two chatted for a bit longer before Shichi 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 shouldpile 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 ANBUe quite unexpectedly. Shichi''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 vige is a bit short-handed, and this mission is very important," Sarutobi Shinnosuke apologized as they traveled. Chganughed. "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 Shichi''s match.." Shichi 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." Chgan''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?" Shichi and the others immediately perked up. Sarutobi Shinnosuke exined, "Our destination is the Land of Birds, and our target is the third son of the Daimy 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 Daimy of the Land of Birds is critically ill, and this third son has gained the favor and backing of the Land of Earth." Shichi listened thoughtfully, then spected, "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 thest 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. "me, your analysis is spot on." "That''s also what the vige''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 thest Great Ninja War, and these warmongers are already restless again." Chgan grumbled, "The First Hokage should''ve wiped out all these troublemakers back then." Shichi gave him a thumbs up. Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke in a more serious tone. "The vige is short on personnel not only because of an increase in mission demand but also due to the heightened activity in other ninja viges, especially Iwagakure." Chgan 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." Shichi 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. Chihiroughed helplessly. "me, your way of thinking is too simplistic." "Also, while your idea is admirable, it''s a bit extreme!" Shichi 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 problemjust like the mission we''re about toplete." "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 Shinnosukeughed wryly. "me, 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 dering war on the Land of Earth and Iwagakure." Shichiughed. "In that case, let''s not overthink it." "Let''s rush in, take out this Daimy''s son, and then head back to the vige for the Big Eater contest. I''ve been looking forward to it!" Everyone burst intoughter, 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, Shichi and the others used the Transformation Jutsu to disguise themselves as ordinary merchants and infiltrated the Daimy''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 Shichi and the others had reserved. "Root of the Darkness!" Her words startled Shichi. 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 Jnin." Sarutobi Shinnosuke was visibly startled. "Rshi?" "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. Shichi 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 foreignnds 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 Rshi?" Shinnosuke nodded. "This guy is no ordinary shinobi. He''s the Jinchriki of the Four-Tails!" Everyone was stunnedanother Jinchriki! Chgan sighed helplessly. "It seems we have quite the affinity with Jinchriki, don''t we?" Everyone smiled wryly. Shichi then asked, "Captain, do we have any intel on Rshi?" Shinnosuke nodded. "Yes. In fact, both Minato-senpai and Jiraiya-sama have encountered Iwagakure''s Jinchriki before." "While Rshi might not be as perfectly in sync with his Tailed Beast as Killer Bee from the Cloud Vige, he''s even more dangerous in some ways." Shinichi asked, "Are you saying that the Jinchriki might lose control?" "That''s right," Shinnosuke replied. "If Rshi 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 exined, "I''ll lead Group A with Seeker and me. 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 isplete, 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 Chgan 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 Daimy''s son, the mission would be much safer and smoother. Next came the task of familiarizing themselves with the intelligence and theyout of the area. As for conducting reconnaissance, Shinnosuke chose not to risk it. Iwagakure already had agents in ce, 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, Shichi 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 Daimy''s son belonged to a small country, the mansion was still quiterge. However, Shichi and the team had already memorized theyout of the map. Shinnosuke gave a hand signal, leaving Satoshi, Shinichi, and Chgan behind, while Shichi 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 Shichi Hoshita swiftly caught them and gentlyid 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. Shichi 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 Rshi, the Four-Tails'' Jinchriki! At the same time, several Iwagakure shinobi appeared on the rooftops to the left, right, and behind them. They were surrounded! Shichi immediately realized that the enemy had sensory-type ninja. "Retreat!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke quickly ordered. Whoosh! The three of them leaped into the air. While Rshi remained still, the three Iwagakure ninjas charged forward, shing mid-air. Sparks flew, and the metallic nging 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, Rshi, who hadn''t moved before, quickly formed hand seals and exhaled several massive moltenva orbs toward Shichi and hisrades. Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Jutsu! Boom! The night sky lit up with the fire''s glow. While avoiding Rshi''s attack mid-air, Shichi swung his de, igniting it with blue mes. From more than 20 meters away, he shed down at Rshi on the rooftop with his Blue me Waterfall de. "Hm?" Rshi was surprised to see Shichi hovering in mid-air. Without hesitation, he pped his hands together, and his body became rapidly encased in molten rock. Lava Release Chakra Mode! As Shichi''s giant de descended, Rshi rocketed upward, throwing a fierce punch that collided with the sword. Boom! The Blue me Waterfall de shattered under Rshi''s punch, scattering pale blue mes 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, Rshi shouted, "Watch out for those mes!" But before he could finish, the mes 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, Shichi 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 Shichis charging at them. They had no time to form hand seals and were forced to engage with their des. But their strikes hit nothing. Shichi was too fast, and the heat from his de distorted the air,bined with a small illusion that caused both their attacks to miss entirely. sh! The two Iwagakure ninjas widened their eyes in shock as they copsed. Without pausing, the three Shichis sped off in pursuit of Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others. Behind them, Rshi''s furious voice echoed, "Damn it! You won''t escape!" Shichi nced back and saw that Rshi, now sporting a tail and still covered in moltenva, was closing in on them at high speedfaster than him. Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Jutsu! As Rshi drew closer, he once again exhaled seven or eight massiveva orbs at the three Shichis. But Shichi didn''t even look back. Boom! A torrent of water surged up, blocking Rshi''s attack. Immediately afterward, a high-speed water jet shot out, striking Rshi and sting him away. Water Release: Water Severing Wave! "As expected of a Jinchriki of the Four-Tails..." Sarutobi Shinnosuke muttered to himself before shouting, "Retreat!" He and Chihiro swiftly leaped after Shichi, continuing their escape. Behind them, Rshi quickly recovered and resumed his pursuit. Though Shinnosuke''s Water Severing Wave had hit its mark, it failed to prate Rshi''s molten armor, merely knocking him back. Shichi 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 Jinchriki was truly formidable! ... The two groups raced through the Daimy''s mansion, swiftly exiting the town. As soon as they were gone, Satoshi, Shinichi, and Chgan began their operation, infiltrating the residence of the Daimy''s son. (End of Chapter) ??? Bonus Chapter As soon as weplete 200 PS!! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 96: Move Aside, I’m Going All Out!

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Move Aside, Im Going All Out! [Bonus Chapter]

"You''re really relentless..." Shichi Hoshita dodged yet anotherva orb and suddenly shot upwards. Boom! On the ground, a torrent of water surged up, crashing into the pursuing Rshi, causing steam to rise. At that moment, Chihiropleted her hand seals as well. Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique! Taking advantage of the water terrain created by Sarutobi Shinnosuke, a massive water dragon quickly formed, its enormous body twisting skyward before diving down to strike Rshi. Rshi sped his hands together and spewed out a massiveva ball, colliding with the dragon''s head. With a deafening explosion, the dragon''s head disintegrated into mist and steam. "Hm?" Rshi frowned as he looked down and saw that the ground beneath him had turned into a swirling swamp, dragging him downwards. Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld! "Nicely done!" In the air, Shichi silently praised them as he raised his hand. Amid a harsh, screeching sound, a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken rapidly formed in his palm. On the ground, Chihiro heard the sound and looked up in awe. "Such powerful Wind Release chakra... Is this the S-rank Wind Release Shichi mentioned before?" "So terrifying!" "But..." She turned her gaze to Rshi, knowing that, just like the previous encounter with A, the Swamp of the Underworld wouldn''t be enough to hold him. Back then, A had used the intense heat from his Lightning Release to dry up the swamp quickly, and now Rshi was using his Lava Release''s heat in a simr manner. However, just as Rshi was about to leap out of the swamp, Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s jutsu waspleted. Lightning Release: Four Pir Bind! Four pirs rose from the ground, and arcs of electricity appeared, trapping Rshi in mid-air and causing him to fall back down. In the air, Shichi seized the opportunity and hurled his Rasenshuriken. But in the next moment, his eyes widened. He saw the crimson Tailed Beast chakra rapidly covering Rshi''s body. Originally, Rshi only had one tail, but now he quickly grew four. "This guy''s going into partial Tailed Beast Mode..." The four tails shot up, colliding with the rapidly descending Rasenshuriken. In an instant, a blinding white light expanded, enveloping Rshi and his four tails. "Retreat!" Shichi appeared beside Shinnosuke and Chihiro, grabbing them both and using his Fiery Lotus Steps technique to dash away at full speed. As they fled, both Shinnosuke and Chihiro couldn''t help but look back. The glowing sphere expanded dramatically, illuminating the night sky before rapidly shrinking, followed by a devastating shockwave. "So...so strong!" Chihiro was stunned. It was her first time witnessing such a powerful ninjutsu. Shinnosuke was equally astonished, but then he smiled and shouted, "Excellent work, me!" After gaining enough distance, Shichi stopped and braced against the iing gusts from the explosion. He warned, "Captain, now''s not the time to celebrate. That guy''s in partial Tailed Beast Mode. As strong as the Rasenshuriken is, it might not be enough to take him down." Shinnosuke nodded, "To deal with him, we''ll need to use Water Release to exploit the elemental advantage and wear him down." As the storm subsided, a crimson figure emerged in their line of sight. Just as expected! Shichi wasn''t surprised. In his Lava Release Chakra Mode, Rshi''s molten armor was absurdly toughit had even withstood his Blue me Waterfall de. The Tailed Beast cloak was even stronger, with incredible regenerative abilities. Moreover, the Rasenshuriken hadn''t fully hit Rshi; his Tailed Beast cloak''s tails had absorbed much of the impact, keeping him at a distance. "He''sing!" Shinnosuke''s voice was tense as Rshi, now cloaked in the Tailed Beast''s chakra, charged at them at high speed. The three of them simultaneously formed hand seals. Water Release: Water Colliding Wave! Shinnosuke was the first to unleash his technique, spewing a torrent of water that rose into a massive wave, crashing towards Rshi. But in the next moment, the wave was torn apart as Rshi''s tails shed through it, and he continued charging across the water''s surface. However, Chihiro and Shichi''s Water Release jutsu were also ready, and theyunched their attacks. Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique! Shichi used two hand seals, while Chihiro used eight. Despite the difference, they synchronized their timing perfectly. Two water dragons intertwined, then dove down together. Twin Dragon Strike! This time, the attack finally knocked Rshi off his feet. But before Shinnosuke could follow up with his Lightning Release, several tails shot out of the water like arrows, aimed directly at them. Shichi Hoshita and the others quickly dodged the attack. "Captain, I''ll engage him in closebat!" Shichi shouted. Although he only needed two seals for Water Release, he was far from mastering it. Plus, the Jinchriki''s attack speed was too fast. Without someone to engage in closebat, and without a master of Water Release like Kisame or his chakra-absorbing Samehada, it would be difficult to handle. Shinnosuke was proficient in all five elements, but when it came to Water Release, he still couldn''t match Kisame, especially in terms of chakra capacity. "Understood!" Shinnosuke responded as he leaped to dodge. Shichi charged forward, moving rapidly across the water''s surface. Water Body Flicker Technique! He had learned this technique from Shinnosuke! It was the third type of Body Flicker technique Shichi had mastered, in addition to the basic Body Flicker and the Fire Body Flicker: Fiery Lotus Steps. While advancing at high speed, he skillfully evaded the two crimson tails that kept attacking him. Meanwhile, Shinnosuke and Chihirobined their Water Release techniques, dodging the tail strikes and using Water Severing Wave to cut through the tails aiming for Shichi. Seizing the opportunity, Shichi dashed forward and reached Rshi. His Totsuka de glowed with a blue me as he shed down. ng! Rshi surprisingly caught the descending de with both hands. But the intense heat of the de scorched through his Tailed Beast cloak, causing excruciating burns and making Rshi scream in pain. However, he gritted his teeth, refusing to let go. By this point, Rshi was on the verge of losing control, and the tails regrown behind him shot toward Shichi like swords. Two water streams surged up, wrapping around two of Rshi''s tails. At the same time, lotus-like mes bloomed from Shichi''s Totsuka de. Inferno Lotus! Boom! Boom! Before the remaining tails could hit Shichi, Rshi''s entire body was sted backward. Immediately after, a water dragon roared, opening its jaws and biting down on Rshi. It then plunged into the water with a loud crash, sending huge waves skyward. As the water rippled, Shichi raised his left hand, curling his fingers into a w. A dragon''s head appeared, and as the chakra condensed into a searing white light, a thin beam shot out. Dragon me Breath! The high-temperature beam prated the water. Instinctively sensing danger, Rshi twisted his body, barely avoiding a critical hit, but the beam pierced through his shoulder. Shichi raised his left hand, causing the scorching white beam to rise, slicing through Rshi''s body and his Tailed Beast cloak. Crimson chakra spilled from the wound, and Rshi let out a beastly roar. Boom! Violent, malevolent chakra surged, sending water flying in all directions. "Looks like I might''ve overdone it..." Shichi muttered, sensing the danger. It seemed like Rshi was about to lose control. He quickly retreated to Shinnosuke and Chihiro''s side. "Captain, this isn''t goodhe''s about to go berserk!" Sure enough, in the next moment, a massive figure appeared. "Die!" Rshi''s voice bellowed. "He''s still maintaining his sanity...?" Shichi was surprised but quickly raised his right hand, sheathing his sword. Wind Release: Rasenshuriken! At the same time, the Tailed Beast Bomb in Rshi''s mouth, now in full Four-Tails form, waspleted andunched. Shichi hurled his Rasenshuriken, and it collided with the Tailed Beast Bomb. "Retreat!" Shichi and the others quickly retreated. As the Rasenshuriken and the Tailed Beast Bomb exploded, the deafening st was apanied by an intense light, like a miniature sun. A terrifying force expanded outward, forming a rapidly swelling sphere of energy. Then, just as quickly, the energy began to contract, triggering a devastating shockwave that ripped through the ground. Shinnosuke pressed both hands to the ground. Earth Release: Multiple Earth Flow Walls! Three earthen walls rose from the ground in front of Shichi and the others. In the next moment, the shockwave hit. The first two walls were torn apart, but the third wall finally held back the destructive force. When the storm subsided, the ground was left trembling violently. Shichi Hoshita and the others climbed onto the earthen wall, just in time to see the Four-Tails charging at them, its tails thrashing wildly. "What a pain..." Shichi muttered with frustration. Sarutobi Shinnosuke said, "me, Seeker and I will distract it. You find the right moment to use the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. If you cannd a hit, even a Tailed Beast won''te out unscathed." "No, Captain. I want to keep it simpletake it out in one move," Shichi replied. With that, he leaped off the earthen wall. Holding the Totsuka de, he drove it into the ground under the watchful eyes of Shinnosuke and Chihiro. At that moment, the chakra he had stored in his abdomen surged forth. Not only that, but the Yin Seal on his foreheadunused even in his battle against the A-Bbowas also unleashed. Inferno Lotus: Fire Prison! Crack! The ground split open as brilliant blue mes surged from within, like a terrifying dragon slithering beneath the earth. "This is..." Shinnosuke was stunned. "An S-rank sword technique secret art!" Chihiro was equally shocked. "Such massive chakra... me..." Shinnosuke exined, "It must be some kind of sealing technique that allows him to store chakra." Their gaze followed the crack in the earth, which split into three directionsone straight toward the charging Four-Tails, while the other two encircled it. Seeing the approaching cracks, the Four-Tails stopped, pressing its palms to the ground and turning the terrain into a sea ofva. Fire Release? The Four-Tails feared nothing less than Fire Release. Rumble! mes erupted from beneath the ground, shing with the sea ofva created by the Four-Tails, sending waves of molten rock into the air. But this did nothing to harm the Four-Tails. Even extreme heat had no effect on it. However, around the Four-Tails, a fissure had formed a circr boundary, and from it, blue mes burst forth, transforming into blooming lotuses of fire. Some of these fiery lotuses were massive, towering over the Four-Tails itself. Every lotus bud faced toward the Four-Tails in the center. Then, they bloomedexploding. In that instant, a terrifying, enclosed explosion erupted,pressing all of its destructive force toward the center, where the Four-Tails stood. For a brief moment, under the shocked gazes of Shinnosuke and Chihiro, their vision becamepletely distorted. The space around the Four-Tails seemed to be twisted, as if several invisible hands were squeezing it. This was a true Fire Prison. In the instant that the enormous Four-Tails wrapped its tails around itself for protection, its body was momentarily frozen, and then, massive holes burst open across its form. It could resist or even ignore the extreme heat, but it couldn''t withstand the crushing pressure. Though it sounds long, the entire Inferno Lotus: Fire Prison technique exploded in mere moments. Afterward, Shinnosuke and the others felt the waves of heat rushing toward them, and the warped space gradually returned to normal. The massive Four-Tails copsed, its form rapidly shrinking, until it reverted back into Rshi, whoy in pain on the scorched, cracked ground. Almost simultaneously, Shichi''s body gave way. "me!" Shinnosuke instantly appeared beside him, catching Shichi in his arms. Chihiro quickly followed, pulling the Totsuka de from the ground. "Retreat!" Without checking Rshi''s condition, they immediately moved to evacuate with the exhausted Shichi. "Wait..." Shichi weakly called out. "Captain, use a sealing scroll to collect some pieces of the Four-Tails'' flesh." Shinnosuke nced at the small scroll on Shichi''s back, nodding as he quickly went to work. Chihiro supported Shichi and asked, "me, do you n to study the Tailed Beast''s power? That''s very dangerous." Shichi gave a tired smile. "Don''t worry. I''ll hand it over to Orochimaru-sama for research." Chihiro nodded, pulling out a soldier pill. She removed Shichi''s mask and fed it to him. Shinnosuke soon returned, and together they swiftly retreated with Shichi. As Shichiy on Shinnosuke''s back, his eyes nk, he couldn''t help but silently curse, "Why are my opponents always so strong? Damn it!" His hope of filling both Yin Seals by the end of the year was thoroughly dashed after these two intense battles! However... the feeling of unleashing a massive attack like that was undeniably exhrating. That moment of release, the beautiful technique, the rushit was a high like no other! And it wasn''t without its rewards. The flesh of the Four-Tails... It''s got incredible research value! (End of Chapter) ??? Here is a Bonus Chapter, Happy Navaratri Guyzz ! ?? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 97: Frail Body!

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Frail Body!

On the battlefield, one Iwa ninja after another appeared. They crossed over the massive crater, stepping into the still-scorching ground. As they took in the sight of the scorched and cracked earth, each one slowed their pace. "Who could have done something like this?" "Could Lord Roshi be in danger?" "Impossible! He''s already transformed into his Tailed Beast form. No ordinary person could stand against him." "But the enemy this time is clearly no ordinary ninja." Breathing in the hot air, a few Iwa ninja cautiously advanced while continuing their search. "Lord Roshi is here!" Suddenly, someone shouted. Upon hearing that, several Iwa ninja immediately rushed over. There, inside a sunken crater,y Roshi, barely breathing. "To think he was pushed to this extent!" "Could it have been the Sannin from Konoha?" The two Jonin leading the squad couldn''t help but be shocked. Without wasting any time, they quickly took Roshi and retreated straight back to Iwagakure, bypassing the Daimyo''s pce in the Land of Birds entirely. ... Riding on Shinnosuke''s back, Shichi Hoshita, who had recovered some of his strength, couldn''t help but ask, "Captain, that guy... he didn''t die, right?" Shinnosuke nodded, "You inflicted serious injuries on him, but Jinchuriki have incredibly strong vitality. Plus, with his Lava Release powers, he was able to negate arge portion of the damage." Although Shichi didn''t ask further, Shinnosuke knew what he was curious about, so he continued, "Iwa reinforcements are already on their way, and at a time like this, we can''t give them an excuse to start a war." In that situation, he could have easily ended Roshi''s life with a single kunai or taken the heavily injured Roshi away. But either option would have driven Iwa into a mad pursuit. Most importantly, Konoha did not want a war to break out. After hearing the exnation, Shichi nodded. In fact, when Shinnosuke chose to retreat immediately, Shichi understood the reasoning. That''s why he had suggested gathering the scattered pieces of the Four-Tails'' flesh, rather than capturing Roshi. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had made it clear he did not want war. Otherwise, they wouldn''t have been assigned this mission today. Still, next time, Shichi thought, he should modify his Lotus Inferno Fire Prison Explosion into a Dragon me Breath beam. That way, he could st the Four-Tails Jinchuriki into a sieve. Let''s see if he could survive that! ... Shichi was thinking to himself, but with a smile on his face, he said, "If Iwagakure dares to start a war, next time we meet, I''ll finish that guy off!" Shinnosuke secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that Shichi might not understand the vige''s policies or the stance of his father, Hiruzen. After all, Shichi was someone highly regarded by his father, a key figure in the Hokage''s faction, a young genius with immense potential. His future was incredibly promising. Now that Shichi wasn''t harboring any resentment, it was a huge relief. Hearing Shichi''s somewhat childlike remark, both Shinnosuke and Chihiro couldn''t help but chuckle. Chihiro added, "Shichi, those two jutsu of yours are powerful, but they consume too much chakra. You can''t use them recklessly, especially without teammates to back you up." Shichi replied, "With you and Captain around, I can let loose without holding back!" ... Half an hourter, Shichi had mostly recovered his strength and climbed down from Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s back. Without pausing, the three continued their journey towards the border of the Land of Birds. By the time the sky began to brighten, the trio reached the rendezvous point and found Yamanaka Shinichi and Nara Satoshi waiting for them. "Where''s Force?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke asked. Satoshi and Shinichi remained silent. Shichi''s heart sank. Momentster, they returned to the cave, where they found Akimichi Chgan''s lifeless body. Shichi knelt by the body to examine the wounds, which were identical to those of Kurama Sany''s from before. Both had been struck by an Iwa Iron Cannon(Rock Bullets), the blow piercing through vital areas. Shichi sighed in frustration. This was the second teammate he had lost. Taking lives in battle didn''t faze him, but watching those around him die magnified the fragility of life tenfold. Behind him, Satoshi exined, "We ran into Iwa ninja reinforcements while retreating afterpleting the mission. They were likely the squad protecting the Daimyo of the Land of Birds." "Chgan died covering our escape," Yamanaka Shinichi added. "If it weren''t for your fight with Roshi drawing the pursuers away, Satoshi and I might not have made it out in one piece." They were elite members of the Anbu, but the Iwa forces were no slouches either, with two Jonin leading them. Sarutobi Shinnosuke, suppressing his grief, nodded. "Understood." "Let''s rest while we can. We''ll head out in two hoursthis ce isn''tpletely safe." Everyone nodded silently. Chihiro stayed behind to help Shichi prepare Akimichi Chgan''s body. Two hourster, they sealed Chgan''s body in a scroll, and the five of them set off again, crossing the border of the Land of Birds into the Land of Rain. By evening, they had returned to the Land of Fire. Compared to the lighthearted mood of their departure, their return was much heavier. After resting at the border for two hours, the team resumed their journey, traveling through the night until they finally reached Konoha. ... In the locker room. The four of them silently removed their gear, waiting. About half an hourter, Sarutobi Shinnosuke returned. After a brief pause, he said, "We''ll hold a funeral for Chgan tomorrow. Everyone should attend." "And unless something unexpected happens, the team will have a month-long break." "Dismissed!" Everyone nodded and left. Outside the Anbu headquarters, Shinichi and Satoshi left together. Chihiro patted Shichi on the shoulder and softly asked, "Want us to walk you home?" "Don''t worry about me, Chihiro-san. I''m not that fragile." Shichi shook his head, waved to Shinnosuke and Chihiro, and disappeared in an instant using the Body Flicker Technique. ... "How can I improve my defense?" On his way home, Shichi pondered to himself. A ninja''s body sometimes felt too fragile. Orochimaru''s current research on snakes and his experiments with soft-body modifications stemmed from this very issue. "Looking across the ninja world, the highest defense is probably the Lightning Release Chakra Mode used by the Cloud Ninja, which forms a Lightning Armor. Though it can''t block something like Amaterasu and has elemental weaknesses, it can withstand many physical attacks. Otherwise, the Third Raikage wouldn''t have died from exhaustion." "Then there''s the Chakra Cloak, but without massive amounts of chakra, it''s impossible. Plus, regr chakra wouldn''t be enough. Still, Chakra Modes could also be seen as a form of Chakra Cloak." "Creation Rebirth is another safeguard, but the cost is steep." Suddenly, Shichi thought of Orochimaru''s ability to shed his skin to avoid death, and for a moment, he felt a twinge of envy. "Stop it!" He shuddered, pushing away those dark thoughts. "I have the Tag System; I don''t need those methods. Even if I can''t escape bing a freak in this world, I refuse to lose my humanity." "Working with Tsunade to develop the Strength of a Hundred Seal, thenbining it with a Fire Release Chakra Mode... After that, Creation Rebirth. Losing lifespan is better than dying outright." "Besides, with the Strength of a Hundred Seal, I can use chakra to slow cellr aging, indirectly increasing my lifespan." "And what''s after that? Mastering all five elemental releases would make me versatile, but it wouldn''t necessarily raise my overall potential that much." Lost in thought, Shichi didn''t realize he had reached home until he snapped back to reality. Yakushi Non and Asuka were already asleep, so he moved quietly. But when he came out of the bathroom, he saw that Yakushi Non had already prepared ate-night snack for him. "It must have been exhausting to rush back afterpleting your mission. Come, have something to eat before resting," she said, smiling warmly. Non''s gentle,forting smile immediately melted away the fatigue in Shichi''s heart. He hurried over and, without a word, wrapped his arms around her, pressing his ear to her chest to listen to her strong heartbeat. A sense of peace filled him. Non was momentarily surprised but quickly understood. She returned the hug with one arm, softly stroking his hair with the other. Meanwhile, the door to Asuka''s room opened slightly, and a pair of eyes quietly watched the scene unfold. A few momentster. Shichi pulled away from Non and smiled. "Director, I''m fine now!" Non didn''t ask any more questions. She simply nodded with a smile. "How about that snack, then?" She added, "Asuka, would you like some too?" Asuka, who had been secretly watching, was startled and panicked. "U-uh... yes, please!" Shichi couldn''t help but chuckle. Not long after, Asuka emerged from her room in her pajamas, her face still slightly flushed. Being caught peeking was understandably embarrassing. But Shichi thoroughly enjoyed thete-night snack. After all, who doesn''t like being cared for? Once they finished eating, the three cleaned up and chatted for a bit in the living room before bidding each other goodnight and heading to bed. Shichi had only just fallen asleep when he was suddenly woken up, feeling a soft body pressing against him. "Shichi, I''ve decidedI''m going to apply to join the Anbu, and we''ll form a team together, okay?" Asuka''s voice whispered in his ear, sending a tingling sensation through him. Just as he was about to respond, she continued, "With me around, I won''t let anything happen to you. I''ve already mastered the Adamantine Sealing Chains and the Kagura Mind''s Eye. I won''t be a burden." Shichi turned to face her and smiled. "Asuka, I''m not the Hokage." Her bright red eyes shone brilliantly in the darkness. "Then, when you be Hokage, I''ll be your personal guard!" Shichi embraced her, burying his head against her chest. "It''s a deal, then." But in his heart, he thought that bing Hokage felt like a distant dream. Once Minato-sensei became Hokage, he could arrange for Asuka to be on his team. Yeah, and maybe he could pull Shisui into the team as well. ... The next day, Shichi dressed in ck and bought flowers to attend Akimichi Chgan''s funeral. Apanying him, much to his surprise, was Asuka, who had insisted oning. Yakushi Non had also approved of her decision. While Asuka stayed outside the cemetery, Shichi joined Shinnosuke and the others and entered the burial grounds. There weren''t many people at the funeral, just the members of their squad and the Akimichi n. But what surprised Shichi slightly was the presence of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. They observed a moment of silence,id down flowers... After speaking briefly with Chgan''s family, Shichi, following a gesture from Shinnosuke, went to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen. After paying his respects, the Third Hokage said, "Shichi, during your break, try to spend more time with Tsunade and Minato. I''ve heard Tsunade is developing a new technique?" Shichi nodded. "Yes, Lord Third, I also n to assist Lady Tsunade soon." "And I''ll be studying sealing techniques with Minato-sensei." After observing Shichi''s condition for a moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded again and added, "As for the research on the Four-Tails, don''t push yourself too hard. And don''t experiment on yourself lightly. Prioritize your safety above all." All his words were filled with concern. Shichi quickly replied, "Don''t worry, Lord Third. I''ll be careful. Besides, Orochimaru-sama will take the lead in that research." Let Orochimaru handle everything! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 98: The Revelation of the Eight-Tails, Orochimaru’s Temptation!

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: The Revtion of the Eight-Tails, Orochimarus Temptation!

After leaving the cemetery, Shichi and Asuka made their way to the Konoha Hospital. By spending the entire morning helping to save lives, Shichi had finally shaken off the impact of Akimichi Chgan''s death. After lunch, Shichi headed to Orochimaru''sb, bringing along a medical scroll. As expected, Orochimaru wasn''t there. Shichi wasn''t surprisedOrochimaru had missions to carry out as well. First, Shichi went through the research data collected in his absence, ensuring he was up to date. Once he had a clear understanding, he unsealed the scroll he had brought and retrieved the three fist-sized chunks of Four-Tails'' flesh that Sarutobi Shinnosuke had collected for him. He carefully ced them in ss jars, prepared a solution, and preserved them. Next, he began using theb''s equipment to observe the Four-Tails'' cells. "Amazing!" "Even after being separated from the body for so long, the cells are still incredibly active." Shichi marveled at the discovery. He then moved on to analyze the Four-Tails'' DNA andpared it to that of various species of monkeys. "It''s closest to that of gibbons..." He made a note of this and continued with various observations and small experiments. These procedures closely mirrored Orochimaru''s research process when he studied the Eight-Tails'' cells. Time flew by, and before he knew it, night had fallen. Orochimaru returned to theb and, upon seeing the ss jars containing the Four-Tails'' flesh, smiled. "Even though I was aware of this, seeing the spoils in person, I can''t help but be impressed by Shichi-kun''s excellence." Without looking up, Shichi replied, "Orochimaru-sama, if you have time to be impressed, wouldn''t it be better to dive straight into the experiments?" "Though the Tailed Beasts share some simrities, they''re also vastly different, especially in the unique ways they manifest their power." "Orochimaru-sama, wouldn''t you want to research Lava Release?" Orochimaru grinned. "Of course!" "After all, Sunagakure managed to develop Ma Release by studying the One-Tail." With that, Orochimaru quickly made preparations and, together with Shichi, got to work. Having experience with the Eight-Tails, Orochimaru handled the Four-Tails with ease, leaving Shichi to assist. But Shichi didn''t mindhe enjoyed learning from Orochimaru''s expertise. In the blink of an eye, it was already 9 PM, and Shichi left theb to head home. The next day, aside from the fundamental physical training and taijutsu practice that shadow clones couldn''t substitute for, he spent most of his time at theb. He used shadow clones or crow clones to train ninjutsu or study sealing techniques under Uzumaki Kushina. Lab work was monotonous, but the excitement that came with each new discovery was exhrating. Gradually, Shichi grew fond of this feeling, to the point where he even forgot about the eating contest he had once been interested in. Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and November was nearing its end. In theb, Shichi was in the middle of cultivating cells when he suddenly froze. The Tag System had triggered! Upon closer inspection, Shichi realized that he had unknowingly fulfilled the conditions to activate the Substitution Expert tag. This tag was closely rted to the Clone Expert tag. Aside from the basic Substitution Jutsu, most advanced techniques were linked to clone jutsu, such as Earth Substitution, Water Substitution, and so on. Master one type of clone jutsu, and you could quickly master the corresponding substitution technique. On the other hand, the Body Flicker Expert tag required mastery of various types of body flicker techniques. While Konoha had the Water Body Flicker, techniques like the Lightning and Earth Body Flicker were missing, so Shichi had devoted extra attention to them. Looking at the newly activated Substitution Expert tag, Shichi suddenly thought of the Eight-Tails. He remembered that during Killer B''s battle with Uchiha Sasuke, when he was struck by Amaterasu, B had used one of his tentacles as a substitute, allowing Sasuke to capture a decoy instead of his real body. At that time, Sasuke had the Mangeky Sharingan, yet he hadn''t seen through the substitution. "This could be a great research opportunity." With that thought, Shichi activated the Substitution Expert tag. His substitution talent increased by 100%, and he could now perform any substitution technique without hand seals. "Huh?" Just after activating Substitution Expert, Shichi noticed two new, unactivated leaves on the Tag System''s tree. He immediately inspected them. Tag: Substitution Master Conditions to Obtain: Develop a substitution technique simr to the Eight-Tails'' tentacle substitution through research on the Eight-Tails. Effect: Substitution talent increases by 100%. By selecting a specific body part for enhancement, its performance can be boosted by 100%. Anything in the world can be used as a substitute. As a Substitution Master, no one can fool you with substitution techniquesyou''ll see through them instantly. Shichi was stunned as he read through the information. "Enhance a specific body part for a 100% boost? That''s incredible!" Unfortunately, only one part could be chosen. He moved on to the second tag. Tag: Clone Master Conditions to Obtain: Develop a clone technique simr to the Eight-Tails'' tentacle-based clones through research on the Eight-Tails. Effect: Mental energy increases by 100%. Anything in the world can be used for cloning. As a Clone Master, no clone technique can deceive youyou''ll see through any clone instantly. Shichi was surprised. "Both tags are triggered by the Eight-Tails? That''s unexpected." He had originally thought that developing the Crow Clone technique might trigger the Clone Master tag, but it hadn''t. "Using parts of the body to perform clone techniques or substitutions..." Shichi fell into deep thought, only to be snapped out of it by Orochimaru''s sudden appearance. "Encountering a challenge?" Orochimaru asked with concern. Shichi smiled. "Not at all. Just had an interesting idea pop up." Orochimaru chuckled, "Ah, the energy of youth!" Shichiplimented, "Orochimaru-sama, your mind is still as sharp as ever." Without confirming or denying the ttery, Orochimaru asked, "So, what''s your take on the Four-Tails'' cells? For example, would you consider using monkeys for experiments?" Shichi thought for a moment before responding, "I''ve reviewed the experimental records. Orochimaru-sama, when you studied the Eight-Tails, you experimented with various animals that had simr DNA, but none of them could handle the strain." Orochimaru nodded, "Indeed. The Tailed Beasts are far too powerful. It''s like..." He paused briefly before continuing, "Even shinobi struggle to withstand the Tailed Beasts'' power and malevolence. It''s even harder for ordinary animals." "Unless you selectively breed and train them into a superior summoning beast, there''s little chance they could fuse with the power of a Tailed Beast." Shichi, after hearing this, said, "In that case, there''s no need to pursue such experiments." Orochimaru smiled, "But there''s still a small chance. Are you sure you don''t want to give it a try, Shichi-kun?" Shichi shook his head firmly. "Orochimaru-sama, given how slim the odds are, I believe it''s better to explore a different path." "Oh?" Orochimaru abandoned his persuasion, intrigued. "It seems you''ve made some other discoveries?" Shichi smiled, "It''s just an idea for now. However, I do have a request. I hope Orochimaru-sama can agree to it." "You want cells from the Eight-Tails, don''t you?" Shichi nodded, "Yes. In exchange, I''ll keep only a small portion of the Four-Tails'' flesh for my own experiments. The rest can be handed over to you." "I''ve already spoken to the Third Hokage about this. Since you''re leading the current experiment, it''s only natural that the remaining Four-Tails'' flesh goes to you." Orochimaru grinned knowingly, "It seems you''ve been nning this for a while." Shichi shrugged, "After all, it''s the Eight-Tails. I''ve even fought the Eight-Tails'' Jinchriki." "Deal." Orochimaru agreed without hesitation. He needed the Four-Tails'' cells for other experiments in differentbs. And so, the transaction waspleted. Having been interrupted, Shichi decided to wrap up his research for the day and left theb. As he walked through Konoha''s bustling night market, he pondered Orochimaru''s suggestion: "Is this a step-by-step attempt to lead me into human experimentation?" "First animal experiments, then human experiments..." Shichi didn''t have any moral objections to animal experimentationhe wasn''t a saint, after all. Usingb mice, monkeys, and other animals for experiments was perfectly normal and didn''t vite human ethics. But human experimentation, especially unrestricted human experimentation, was undeniably cruel. "Still, if animal experiments are unlikely to yield results, I''ll have to explore a different approach to study Lava Release," Shichi mused. "I could either raise a small Four-Tails Beast and extract Lava Release chakra from it, or... follow in the footsteps of Kinkaku and Ginkaku." Kinkaku and Ginkaku, shinobi from the Hidden Cloud, had consumed the flesh of the Nine-Tails and gained its chakra. Most importantly, they survived. However, Shichi suspected that those two likely had extraordinary bloodlines. Just looking at them made it clear. It wasn''t hard to believe that they had managed to kill the Second Hokage with an elite squad. After all, if Tobirama hadn''t intended to flee, anything could have happened in a battle. Lost in thought, Shichi unknowingly arrived at Konoha Hospital. He quickly pushed these thoughts aside as he entered. "Eh?" Upon seeing him, Shizune was initially startled, but then she beamed with joy. "Shichi! What brings you here?" Shichi smiled as he walked up to her. "Just came to check on you all." "It''s sote. Why are you still at the hospital?" Shizuneughed, "Lady Tsunade is still here, working on some research with Nono-sensei." Shichi understood and then, pulling Shizune along, said with a grin, "Shall we go see them?" Shizune quickly nodded. "Yes, yes!" The two of them strolled to Tsunade''s office, where they found Tsunade and Nono Yakushi frowning over a scroll. Shichi pushed open the door. Without looking up, Tsunade snapped, "I already said, don''t bother me unless it''s something important!" Such a bad temper! Shichi thought to himself,pletely forgetting how respectful he had been to her when he needed something from her in the past. "Shichi!" Nono Yakushi greeted him with a smile. Tsunade, hearing this, turned around and sneered, "Finally decided to step out of that snake''sb, huh?" Unfazed by her attitude, Shichi smiled and said, "Of course. In my heart, Lady Tsunade is always number one. Orochimaru-samaes after." Tsunade''s mood lightened a bit at that, though she still maintained a stern expression and huffed, "Smooth talker." Shichi pretended not to hear thement and nced at the scroll filled with seals and techniques. "Encountering some difficulties?" Nono nodded, "The technique requires precision down to each individual cell. The difficulty is extremely high, and the mental strain is enormous." Shichi agreed. When he had unlocked the Sensory Expert tag, his mental fortitude had improved, allowing him to extract chakra with cell-level precision. Before that, his body had undergone several enhancements, including faster thought processing, nerve reactions, memory, and chakra control. All of these were closely tied to mental strength and chakra refinement. The technique Tsunade was developing worked in both directionsextracting chakra at the cellr level and controlling it at the same precision. It also involved distributing the chakra. Simply put, the technique Tsunade was working on required creating a dual-channel system between the Yin Seal and every cell in the body. One channel would extract chakra into the Yin Seal, while the other would direct chakra from the Yin Seal to every cell. This was specifically designed for medical ninjutsu. The goal was to ensure that any severe injury could be healed instantly and without hand seals by building a high-speed channel to every part of the body. Shichi knew even he couldn''t achieve this level of precision yet. Controlling and distributing chakra was far more difficult than merely extracting it. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 99: Surprise, Fortune Boost!

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Surprise, Fortune Boost!

In the office, Shichi stared at the scroll in deep thought before looking up after a moment. Tsunade immediately looked over with anticipation, but Shichi said, "How about we grab somete-night snacks first?" "If we can''t find a solution right now, maybe taking a break and rxing will help use up with something." Tsunade instantly red up. Shichi continued, "Lady Tsunade, have you ever entered an eating contest?" Tsunade''s face darkened. "No." Shichi grinned, "Then let''s enter one tomorrow together!" "If I lose, I''ll follow your orders and let youmand me however you like." Tsunade scoffed, "Tch, don''t be so confident, kid. You''re not that important." Shichi crossed his arms. "Of course. Lady Tsunade, you''re the key yer here. But... I do have a bit of an idea." "Then spit it out already, idiot!" Tsunade mmed her hands on the table and yelled at Shichi, spraying him with spit. His hair even flew back from the force. Shizune looked worried from the side. Angering Tsunade wasn''t a good idea. Meanwhile, Nono Yakushi remained calm, smiling as she watched the scene. Wiping his face, Shichi sighed, "I was just trying to lighten the mood!" But the next moment, his expression turned serious. "Lady Tsunade, if your brain and consciousness are the Hokage, then your body''s cells are the multitude of Konoha''s shinobi." "So, how would youmand them as easily as you move your arm?" Tsunade thought for a moment. "The Hokage can''t directly manage every shinobi or give orders to each one individually." "They have advisers by their side to strategize, ANBU captains to manage the ANBU, and squad leaders below them. Regr shinobi are overseen by Jnin squad leaders, and Jnin can often handle things on their own." "So, you''re saying we needyers, a hierarchical system to simplify control?" Shichi nodded. "Lady Tsunade, you understand the human body better than I do. When ites to chakra flow, the human body can be divided into three systems, or rather, three cores." He pointed to his forehead, chest, and abdomen. "These three locations are like transport hubs, linking all the body''s chakraworks. That''s why I also ced a Yin Seal on my abdomen." "The human body is an incredibly precise and perfect system." "We already have a ready-made, perfectly intricate system capable of linking to every cell." Tsunade furrowed her brow. "I know that, but it''s precisely because of how perfect and intricate it is that it''s so hard to utilize." Shichi chuckled and shook his head. "Lady Tsunade, every jutsu has its difficulties." "Even the most basic techniques, like the Transformation Jutsu, require effort to master." "This jutsu we''re developing is undoubtedly of S-rank difficulty. You can''t expect everyone to be able to learn it." Tsunade had clearly fallen into a misunderstanding. At that moment, Nono Yakushi chimed in, "What Shichi mentioned aboutyers of management means using the body''s three chakra cores for tiered control." "Chakra is unique because it''s formed from both spiritual and physical energy, which imbues it with personal will. That''s why techniques like clones and shadow clones exist, as chakra links to one''s consciousness." "If the brain is the Hokage, then the forehead, heart, and abdomen represent the Hokage''s advisers, ANBU, and Jnin squads." Shizune added, "It''s like setting up three shadow clones at those core locations to manage the body''s three main regions." Shichi gave her a thumbs-up immediately. Shizune smiled back and then carefully looked at Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, I think Shichi''s idea is worth trying." Tsunade didn''t respond and instead got up, heading toward the door. "Weren''t we going for snacks?" Everyone exchanged amused nces before following her out. They invited Asuka as well, and the five of them enjoyed ate-night meal before parting ways. --- The next day. At 9 a.m., Shichi, along with Tsunade, Shizune, and their group, arrived at the Akimichi n''s shop to participate in the eating contest. The contest had been running for nearly a month, so it wasn''t as crowded as it had been at the start. Still, it attracted many regrs who came to see if anyone had broken the record. As soon as Shichi and the others entered the shop, they overheard the diners chatting. "As expected of one of the Legendary Sannin. It''s been ten days, and no one''s beaten his record yet!" "I wonder if Lady Tsunade or Lord Orochimaru, also of the Sannin, can break it?" "Lady Tsunade has signed up, but Lord Orochimaru hasn''t." "Then let''s look forward to Lady Tsunade giving it a try!" "Jnin Minato is also impressive. As Jiraiya-sama''s disciple, he only fell short by two bowls." "And Lady Kushina? She''s even better than Minato!" "Who''s this guy named Might Guy? He ate so muchhe even surpassed many Jnin, including Sakumo-senpai!" ... "Lady Tsunade!" "What?" "Lady Tsunade is here!" The customers and onlookers in the shop immediately became excited. Before long, the shopkeeper also came over. Upon learning that Shichi and his group of five were all here topete, they quickly began to make arrangements. Word that Tsunade was participating in the eating contest spread quickly, drawing more and more people to the shop. Many ordered a bowl of udon just to watch the spectacle. While waiting, Shichi found himself studying the ranking board on the wall. The first-ce record was held by Jiraiya, with an impressive 41 bowls. Second ce belonged to Kushina Uzumaki, with 40 bowls. Third ce went to Minato, with 39 bowls. Shichi also noticed other familiar names: Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi, Asuma Sarutobi, and even Might Guy, who had eaten a considerable amount30 bowls. If Guy ate like this regrly, Shichi wondered if his father, Might Duy, could afford it. Speaking of Duy, he also had quite the appetite36 bowls. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Chji''s father, Chza Akimichi. Shichi sighed to himself. Soon, the shopkeeper announced that everything was ready. Shichi cleared his thoughts and took his seat alongside Tsunade and the others. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the referee from the Akimichi n gave the signal, and the contest began. Shichi started eating steadily, while Nono Yakushi and the others also ate with a calm, graceful pace. Despite theirposed eating styles, they all maintained a quick tempo, bowl after bowl. After 20 bowls, Shizune was the first to give up. She could no longer eat and copsed onto the table, staring at Shichi in awe. After 25 bowls, Nono Yakushi also stopped, though she still seemed to have some energy left. Shichi and Tsunade, however, showed no signs of slowing down, while Asuka''s pace had noticeably decreased. At 32 bowls, Asuka also threw in the towel. Now, everyone in the shop had their eyes glued to Shichi and Tsunade. People began to whisper, "Who is this kid? He''s eating so much, it seems like he''s on par with Lady Tsunade!" "You don''t know who he is?" "No, should I?" "Hmph, Jnin Shichi is one of Konoha''s, and perhaps the entire shinobi world''s, youngest Chnin and Special Jnin!" "What? A S-Special Jnin? At his age?" "He''s not even 10 years old yet, I think." "Gulp... That''s incredible!" "He''s also Minato''s student, and he''s currently studying medical ninjutsu under Lady Tsunade. He''s a Special Jnin in the Medical Corps now!" "Amazing!" ... Listening to the whispers around him, Shichi thought to himself, "After this eating contest, I''ll probably be famous throughout all of Konoha." Previously, when he broke the record as the youngest Chnin and Special Jnin, only people in the ninja circles knew about it, and many had never even seen him in person. But now, with this eating contest, his face would be up on the leaderboard for everyone to see. Hmm? Suddenly, Shichi noticed some activity in his Tag System. He paused for a moment and diverted a bit of his attention toward the system. As expected, a new tag had appeared. Tag: Renowned Across Nations (Alternative Name: Famous) Condition to Obtain: Spread your fame across the major countries and ninja viges of the shinobi world. Effect: Increases luck by 50%, boosts "Talk no Jutsu" effectiveness by 100%, and enhances charisma by 100%. It can increase luck! Shichi was astonished. Luck was something intangible, mysterious, and difficult to grasp. In the simplest terms, it was like pure fortune. Bad luck, and you could chip a tooth while drinking water. Good luck, and even choosing a random path could lead you to sess. As the saying goes: "When fortune smiles, the heavens align, but when it fades, even heroes are powerless." "Though... drawing this much attention as a ninja could be risky..." Just as Shichi was pondering this, exmations erupted from the crowd around him. "Jiraiya-sama''s record has been broken!" "As expected of Lady Tsunade!" "Jnin Shichi is doing really well toohe''s already at 40 bowls!" Shichi nced over at Tsunade. She had eaten two more bowls than him. He quickly refocused and continued the contest. Eat, eat, eat! Both Shichi and Tsunade were different from the others. They had both trained in the Yin Seal and possessed extraordinary chakra control and refining abilities. They could eat while simultaneously refining and storing chakra. Even though they were still bound by the limits of their digestive systems, they were undeniably formidable in this aspect. Especially Shichihis body had undergone several enhancements, and his recovery ability had doubled, which also greatly boosted his digestive capacity. Before long, Shichi caught up with Tsunade, which caused another round of gasps from the crowd: "Incredible!" At 50 bowls, Tsunade nced at Shichi and thought, "This kid... his digestion is actually better than mine?" She could definitely keep eating, but continuing would put too much strain on her digestive system and might cause damage. Besides... maybe it was time to let the kid have his moment. At 52 bowls, Tsunade finally stopped. But Shichi kept going. He hadn''t reached his limit yethis digestive system was still working strong. He realized that the full benefits of his enhanced physique extended far beyond just an increase in chakra reserves. At this rate, if his chakra reserves ever reached the level of Hashirama Senju, his physical strength might even surpass Hashirama''s. 60 bowls! The spectators in the shop were left speechless. Even the shop owner was stunned. 70 bowls! The room fellpletely silent. At 75 bowls, Shichi finally set down his chopsticks and let out a satisfied burp. That was his limit. Any more, and it would start to harm his stomach and spleen. "This should be enough, right?" Shichi thought to himself. Immediately after, the shop erupted in apuse, and countless voices praised him. "No one can beat that number, right?" "That was amazing!" "He''s not even 10 years old!" "Jnin Shichi will probably surpass even Lady Tsunade and the others in the future!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 100: The Hundred Healings Technique!

Chapter 100: Chapter 100: The Hundred Healings Technique! [Bonus Chapter]

After taking the top spot in the eating contest rankings, Shichi shifted most of his focus to developing a new jutsu alongside Tsunade. If they could create it this year without using his "sh of Insight" ability, that would be ideal. Shichi could then save his once-a-year "sh of Insight" for other purposes. For example, it could be used toprehend the technique inscribed on the Totsuka de granted by the Tag Tree. Or it could aid in studying the Four-Tails'' Lava Release or even the Eight-Tails'' technique of tail shedding and substitution. There were countless areas where he needed this ability, but since it could only be used once a year, saving it was crucial. Sometimes, time was incredibly valuable. Other times, not so much. Of course, although he was busy with Tsunade''s project, he still relied on shadow clones to handle various other ninjutsu training. Time flew by, and before long, it was December of the 42nd year of Konoha. Shichi''s vacation ended. On this particr day, after returning to the ANBU headquarters and waiting for a bit in the locker room, only Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro showed up. He had a hunch. Sure enough, the next moment, Sarutobi Shinnosuke said, "Deer and Mind have both withdrawn from ANBU." Shichi nodded and asked, "Are there any new recruitsing in?" Shinnosuke shook his head. "Not for now. The three of us will form a squad and handle the uing missions." Then, he smiled. "But before the year ends, there probably won''t be any major tasks, so for now, we''ll be acting as guards for the Third Hokage." Chihiroughed as well, "I heard you''ve been busy with experiments and developing new jutsu recently. You can just use a shadow clone for this." "The Third Hokage rarely leaves the vige these days." Shichi nodded, "Understood. I''ll leave the heavy lifting to Captain and Chihiro-san!" For him, this was great news. The development of the new jutsu with Tsunade was at a critical stage. Contributing to this process wasn''t just helping Tsunade, but also honing his own talents and gaining valuable experience. So the new task began. The three of them were stationed at the Hokage''s office. When Hiruzen Sarutobi stayed inside, they were just hanging around, asionally running errands for him. When he went out for a casual stroll, they would follow discreetly. It was a prettyid-back job! As a result, Shichi was "ordered" to ck off. Leaving a shadow clone behind, he took his real body to the Senju residence. Since Shizune was at Konoha Hospital, only Tsunade was at home. But Shichi found her... fast asleep! Tsunade was slumped over the desk, seemingly having a pleasant dreamshe was even drooling. Ugh~~ Shichi sat across from her and, after a moment of curiosity, entertained a mischievous thought: Should I poke her cheek with my finger? The wicked idea shed through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. With Tsunade''s temper, she''d probably chase him through the vige for a hundred streets. Shaking his head, Shichi didn''t wake her. Instead, he began tidying up the nearby scrolls and reviewing the notes. Most of the scrolls contained iplete jutsu forms, some written by Tsunade, and others that he had contributed to. Shichi reorganized the scrolls, then started sorting his thoughts, pulling out fresh scrolls to work on seals and adjust the forms. Two hours passed in the blink of an eye. When Tsunade woke up and saw Shichi, she was momentarily surprised. "Huh, aren''t you supposed to be on a mission?" "Since it''s a pretty easy task, I get to ck off a bit," Shichi replied with a grin, ncing up at her. He couldn''t help butugh. Tsunade, still looking a bit drowsy, had ink marks smeared across her cheek. It was... kind of cute. "Lady Tsunade, you''ve got something... here," Shichi said, pointing to his own face. Tsunade wiped her face, blushing a little, but quickly brushed it off. "Stayed up tootest night." She stood up and went to wash up. When she returned, fully refreshed, she asked, "Any new ideas?" Shichi shook his head with a wry smile, "Lady Tsunade, I may be a genius, but I''m not a god." "Let''s start by going over everything we''ve done so far." Tsunade sighed and nodded, then started organizing the scattered scrolls. Time passed, and before they knew it, it was already noon. Shichi decided to cook lunch himself, while Tsunade leaned against the doorframe, munching on an apple. "It''s looking pretty good!" Shichi chuckled, "Of course! I''ve been honing this skill since I was little." Tsunade smirked, "You''re still just a kid." "But I''ll grow up eventually, Lady Tsunade." "Yeah, but in front of me, you''ll always be a kid." Their banter continued throughout lunch, and before they knew it, the meal was over. After cleaning up, the two returned to work. Over the next two days, they went over their previous progress and then continued advancing step by step. Before long, 10 days had passed. On this day, the jutsu form had finally taken shape, and Tsunade began testing it herself. She formed a series of hand seals, and as the final seal waspleted, the Yin Seal on her forehead activated. The curse marks immediately spread and intertwined, covering her entire body. Then, with a decisive motion, she released the Yin Seal! In the next instant, Shichi sensed an enormous surge of chakra. To his perception, Tsunade had transformed into a massive reservoir of chakra. However, Tsunade herself frowned slightly. "The chakra flow isn''t stable enough, and the control is still too rough." Shichi chuckled and replied, "Then we''ll just keep controlling it. To get this far already means we''ve essentially seeded, doesn''t it?" "Alright, fair enough," Tsunade nodded, still a little dissatisfied. The curse marks on her body faded away as the chakra flowed back into the Yin Seal, sealing itself again. What followed was a long period of adjustments and tests, refining the jutsu step by step, moving ever closer to the vision that both Shichi and Tsunade had in mind. ... On December 24th, in the 42nd year of Konoha. At the Senju residence, by the firece, Shichi wrote the final stroke,pleting theplex jutsu form. Shichi looked up at Tsunade across from him. "Lady Tsunade, how about naming this technique?" Indeed, just before the new year arrived, the new jutsu was finally perfected. Tsunade nced at the jutsu form on the scroll, nodded, and said, "Let''s call it the Hundred Healings Technique." Shichi immediately wrote the name of the technique on the scroll. Then, he pulled out another nk scroll and continued writing. Tsunade, puzzled, raised an eyebrow after a moment. "You''re nning to use three versions of the Hundred Healings Technique?" "Even if you set up Yin Seals on your forehead, heart, and abdomen, there''s no need to use three separate Hundred Healings Techniques, right?" "Even if the seals are pre-arranged, maintaining them still requires mental focus. That''s going to put a lot of strain on your mind." Shichi continued writing, smiling as he exined, "We also need to consider the possibility that one of the curse marks might get damaged." Tsunade huffed. "The core of the Hundred Healings Technique is located in the forehead. If that gets destroyed, you''d already be dead..." Her voice trailed off as her brow furrowed in thought. "You''re trying to ensure that even if your heador specifically, your brainis hit, the jutsu can still activate and heal critical brain injuries, even if you lose consciousness." A look of realization crossed her face. "So, when you suggested adding the Eight Trigrams Seal earlier, this was what you were aiming for?" It was a well-known fact that if a person dies or loses consciousness, most techniqueslike the Shadow Clone Techniquedisappear. But during their development of the Hundred Healings Technique, Shichi had proposed that the heart and abdomen serve as two additionalyers of control, each acting as separate chakra control cores, to ease the burden of controlling the technique and make it easier to manage. However, if the head were to sustain critical damage, and the user lost consciousness, those two additional control cores would also fail, much like how shadow clones vanish. But by incorporating the Eight Trigrams Seal, a protective mechanism could be added, allowing these control cores to maintain independent thought processes. This was the brilliance of sealing techniques! And also the versatility of chakra itself! Chakra could carry not only one''s thoughts but also one''s consciousness, or even soul. This was why techniques like the Shadow Clone Technique allowed the clones to have independent thoughts and actions. In the original story, Minato Namikaze sealed remnants of his and Kushina Uzumaki''s chakra inside Naruto using the Eight Trigrams Seal. When Naruto was about to release the Nine-Tails, Minato and Kushina appeared to intervene. Simrly, when Naruto was training in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Kushina appeared to assist him. Sealing techniques had limitless potential! ... Seeing that Tsunade understood, Shichi smiled. "Although we don''t yet know what kind of advanced healing jutsu this could lead to, at the very least, it could enable regeneration without requiring hand seals." "If the brain sustains serious damage and consciousness is lost, as long as healing begins before the brain cells die en masse, it could potentially bring someone back from the brink of death." "All three cores would have to be destroyed for us to truly lose the ability to heal." "Though it''s not perfect, we can now say that both the head and the hearttwo of the body''s most vulnerable and lethal weak pointsare no longer as deadly." Tsunade''s expression turned serious as she nodded, feeling the weight of the responsibility. "It looks like I''ll need to devote my full attention to developing a healing jutsu that''s fast enough to keep up with this concept. Otherwise, this ''brat'' will outdo me." She realized that the next step would be creating a healing technique with rapid regeneration speed to match Shichi''s design. Otherwise, the three healing cores would merely act as chakra storage points without true function. With this thought, Tsunade was reminded of her grandfather, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. "Grandfather''s ability to heal without hand seals... I may not be able to reach that level, but I can''t be too far off!" ... Watching Tsunade''s serious demeanor, Shichiughed and said, "No need to put so much pressure on yourself, Lady Tsunade. We still have plenty of time." While Tsunade''s version of the Hundred Healings Technique would assist with healing, maintaining her appearance, and extending her lifespan, Shichi''s version could assist inbat. Finally, he could unlock the Fire Release Chakra Mode! ... With the new jutsu formplete, Shichi spread the scroll on the ground, then removed his forehead protector and shirt, revealing his toned upper body. Sitting cross-legged on the scroll, he sped his hands together, focusing as Tsunade watched. The next moment, the form on the scroll came to life. Tadpole-like symbols rapidly climbed onto Shichi''s body, gathering at his forehead, heart, and abdomen, integrating with the pre-arranged Yin Seal and Eight Trigrams Seal. When the process wasplete, Shichi softly uttered, "Open!" Instantly, under Tsunade''s gaze, Shichi''s previously smooth forehead began to glow with a blue light. Unlike Tsunade''s diamond-shaped Yin Seal, this light was circrclearly tied to the Eight Trigrams Seal. But what surprised Tsunade the most was that, although she sensed Shichi activating the Hundred Healings Technique, no curse marks appeared on his body. Yet, his chakra quickly filled his head and became visible on the surface, bathing his entire head in a blue glow. "So this is the benefit of using the Eight Trigrams Seal? Maximum control over chakra." "No, wait!" Tsunade''s eyes narrowed. "This is... Fire Release chakra!" As she watched, the chakra around Shichi''s head retracted back to his forehead, and the blue glow there faded away. But then, the same blue glow appeared at Shichi''s heart, and the chakra spread out from there, covering his neck, chest, and arms. Tsunade silently noted, "Each core can be activated individually, like Yin Healing Wound Destruction. This method would indeed conserve chakra and prevent over-healing." Shichi thenpleted the trial of the Hundred Healings Technique at the heart core. Next was the abdomen, with the technique enveloping his lower body, including his legs and feet. In this way, he divided his body into three zones. Though it was a bit cumbersome, it had plenty of advantages. Moreover, since the form was pre-arranged, activating it would only take a single thought or hand seal, wasting no time. Of course, each of the three cores could also cover the entire body, not just a single zone. Everything was perfect. Shichi stood up and put his shirt back on. As for the forehead protector, after some thought, he decided not to tie it back on his forehead, but around his neck instead. Tsunade asked, "Hey, you''re nning to use the Hundred Healings Technique for something else, aren''t you?" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 101: Fire Release Chakra Mode!

Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Fire Release Chakra Mode!

"Yes." Shichi nodded and acknowledged, "Lady Tsunade, you''re familiar with the Lightning Release Chakra Mode used by the Cloud ninja, right?" Tsunade nodded in return. "Of course. The Lightning Release Chakra Mode is the pinnacle of their lightning techniques and physicalbat abilities. It''s widely regarded as the strongest Lightning Release technique in the ninja world." "So, you want to use the Hundred Healings Technique to train in a Fire Release Chakra Mode, since your specialty is Fire Release." "Plus, Fire Release is harder to controlpared to Lightning Release." Shichi nodded again. "Exactly. While my chakra control is excellent, my chakra reserves are still far from sufficient. That''s why I''ve trained with the Yin Seal." "And now that I have the Hundred Healings Technique, developing the Fire Release Chakra Mode will be much easier." "And it''s not limited to just Fire Release Chakra Mode. With the Hundred Healings Technique, the difficulty of developing any chakra mode is significantly reduced." Hearing this, Tsunade couldn''t help butment, "At your age, your chakra reserves are already massive. You''ve surpassed what I had back then, and only Jiraiya had reserves on this scale." She then frowned slightly, "But don''t you think you''re pushing yourself too hard?" "I''ve heard from Non and Asuka that you haven''t taken a single day off. No rest, no entertainment." Shichi shrugged helplessly, "Lady Tsunade, you''re aware of the conflict between Danzo and me. If I don''t have enough strength, he could eliminate me without a second thought." "Even without him, the ninja world is dangerous. All the major viges are ramping up their military forces. Iwagakure is getting restless, Kumogakure is gathering secret techniques from all over, and even Sunagakure is working hard to boost their finances." "These signs, Lady Tsunade, you understand what they mean, right?" "I don''t want to die in the middle of a war. I''m not even 10 years old yetI''ve got so much I haven''t experienced." Tsunade fell silent after hearing this. She waved her hand, clearly uninterested, then turned around to grab a bottle of sake and started drinking on her own. Shichi sighed quietly. He didn''t try to persuade her further, just tidied up his things and left quietly. ... Strolling down the street, Shichi pondered his next steps. The Hundred Healings Technique hadn''t been developed by a sudden burst of inspiration, which meant that this year''s "sh of Insight" needed to be applied somewhere else. "Well then, let''s go with Fire Release Chakra Mode!" Shichi made his decision. The Fire Release Chakra Mode would offer both offense and defense. With the heat from his Fire Release, ordinary weapons like kunai and other projectiles would melt instantly. The only things he needed to watch out for were projectiles infused with Wind Release or Lightning Release. For example, Killer Bee''s sword or the Wind Release-infused weapons used by Sunagakure''s sand ninjas. Especially Danzo! He had shed with one of Danzo''s shadow clones before, and that old man''s Wind Release techniques were no less powerful than his own. No, they were even craftier! That''s why, aside from Minato Namikaze, his teacher, Shichi hadn''t taught the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken to anyone elsenot even the vige. ... Shichi didn''t head home right away; instead, he went to the Akimichi n''s barbecue restaurant and ced an order. The staff, hearing the sheer quantity of food he requested, couldn''t help but gape in surprise. "Shichi-sama, do you... do you really need this much? Every meal?" Shichi nodded. "That''s right, for every meal. Let''s set it for three days for now." The employee swallowed nervously before nodding. "Understood, don''t worry, we''ll make sure it''s delivered to your house on time!" Shichi smiled and nodded. "Thanks for the hard work!" With that, he left a deposit of one million ry. Initially, he had nned to eat military ration pills, but they tasted awful. So he figured he might as well spend some money on better food since he wasn''t short on cash. After all, his experimental base expenses were covered. The reason for such arge order was that he needed to quickly build up his chakra reserves. From the eating contest he participated in, he had learned his digestion capabilities, and now he could put them to use. After cing his order, Shichi went straight home to take a bath, all the while pondering the next steps for his Fire Release Chakra Mode. He had to prepare in case hepleted the mode before his "sh of Insight" moment was used up. "Wind Body Flicker..." "Also,bining Wind Release with Fire Release will make Fiery Lotus Steps even more powerful." "Bybining Wind and Fire, I can actually improve my control over both elementsmuch like Pakura''s Fire Release. This could be an early exploration toward developing a kekkei genkai." "And then there''s space-time ninjutsu. I still need one more..." Summoning Jutsu, Sealing Scroll Techniques, Summoning Tags, and the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags. When thinking about space-time ninjutsu, Shichi scratched his head. He didn''t have a clear direction for developing it on his own. Maybe once he acquired the Body Flicker Expert tag, he could start learning Flying Thunder God directly. Flying Thunder God was difficult, but with all the talent he had stacked up, it shouldn''t be impossible for him. Swoosh! After finishing his bath, Shichi got dressed and took out the genjutsu analysis scroll given to him by Uchiha Shisui, pondering it for a moment before the Akimichi n''s food delivery arrived. Various meats and fruit sds filled up the entire living room. Shichi also brewed a huge bucket of tea before entering full eating mode. Three meals a day, for three days straight, and finally, he had filled up the Yin Seal on his forehead. There were only three days left until the New Year. In the courtyard. Standing in the snow, Shichi lowered his gaze. The next moment, the Hundred Healings Technique activated, the Eight Trigrams Seal opened, and the Yin Seal unlocked. A massive surge of chakra burst forth like a flood. In an instant, Shichi''s entire body was enveloped in blue chakra. Inside the kitchen, Asuka, who was making ration pills, looked worried. "Non-san, do you think Shichi is pushing himself too hard these days?" Yakushi Non nced at Shichi standing in the courtyard, then smiled gently. "Trust Shichi. He can handle it." "And all we need to do is support him." Asuka nodded and returned to her task, busy with the creation of a new vor of high-concentration Military ration pills, which had twice the energy of the regr ones, specifically designed for Shichi. In the courtyard, Shichi had fully focused his mind. The next moment, he activated his "sh of Insight." Maxedprehension, maxed creativity! p! With a p of his hands, Shichi went all in on chakra nature transformation. In the blink of an eye, his entire body became engulfed in orange-red mes. At this point, it looked as though he were standing in the midst of a massive fire. The surrounding snow melted rapidly, and the ground dried up. However, as Shichi fine-tuned his control, the mes began to shrink, eventually sticking to his body like ayer of flickering fire. Now, he finally resembled Naruto in his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, or Roshi in his Lava Release Chakra Mode. It was even more refined than the Lightning Release Chakra Mode disyed by the future Fourth Raikage, A. This was a result of Shichi''s exceptional chakra control and mastery of Fire Release nature transformation, allowing him to achieve this so quickly. At this moment, Shichi looked as though he were wearing a cloak of mes. His hair and eyebrows danced in the fiery glow. It seemed like he had seededhe had now donned a fiery chakra cloak. But for Shichi Hoshita, it wasn''t enough. The defense of this me cloak wasn''t strong enough, or rather, the temperature wasn''t high enough. The defensive capability of the Fire Release Chakra Mode relied on its temperatureit had to be able to melt steel instantly. So, after shaping the initial form, Shichi continued to refine the nature transformation further. As a result, the originally orange-red mes dancing around his body rapidly turned into a scorching white. "This shouldn''t be my limit!" With his gaze lowered, Shichi pressed on. A minuteter, the once white mes started to take on a light blue hue. Blue mesthis was a high-temperature fire that he hadn''t been able to produce all at once before. After five more minutes, Shichi''s chakra suddenly surged, and the white mes around him werepletely reced by blue. His entire body was now enveloped in blue mes, with only the mark of the Yin Seal on his forehead remaining visibly white due to its intense brightness. But before he could celebrate, Shichi let out a muffled grunt, and the fire chakra cloak around him instantly extinguished. His legs gave way, and he stumbled to the ground. "Shichi!" Asuka rushed over to support him, panicking. "Quick, bite my arm!" Drops of blood trickled from Shichi''s nose. "I''m fine..." Shichi winced, feeling as if his brain had been pierced by needles. "Just overworked my brain." If it weren''t for his improved physique, mental strength, and willpower, he wouldn''t have been able to handle it. This was far more mentally exhausting than developing the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. His brain felt like it was on fire. "Asuka, don''t worry." Yakushi Non also appeared beside Shichi, calm andposed. She ced her hands on Shichi''s temples, emitting a soft green glow of healing chakra. Shichi immediately felt relief as his head became enveloped in his own chakra, and the intense pain quickly subsided. "It seems that when operating with high focus, I need to envelop my brain with chakra to ensure no problems ur during extended periods of activation. I overlooked that before," Shichi thought to himself with a wry smile. After Non wiped away his nosebleed, Shichi grinned and said, "It''s fine now. I just neglected to protect my brain earlier." "I was too focused, and my thoughts were running too fast, overloading my brain." The Hundred Healings Technique could protect his brain well, but he had focused everything on the Fire Release Chakra Mode, which was apse in judgment. Non and Asuka both sighed in relief. Shichi stood up and smiled. "Don''t worry, there won''t be any more mishaps after this." Although there had been a minor setback, the result was good. The Fire Release Chakra Mode was nearlyplete. "Shichi, do you want to replenish your chakra?" Asuka asked. Shichi shook his head. "No need. I still have plenty!" Non and Asuka exchanged nces. Non went back to her work, while Asuka stayed nearby. Shichi knew she was worried about him, so he didn''t stop her. Instead, he quickly refocused. The next moment, his body was once again covered in blue chakra, and then blue mes began to appear. This time, he skipped the transition through white mes! He gradually reduced his focus. 5x! 2x! At this point, the blue Fire Release Chakra Cloak was starting to be unstable. Shichi sighed inwardly. "If it were Scorch Release, I wouldn''t need such high concentration to control it." High focus meant high energy consumption. His current Fire Release Chakra Mode was still relying on chakra from the Yin Seal, not his own natural reserves. "If Pakura had enough chakra, achieving a Scorch Release Chakra Mode wouldn''t be as difficult as people imagine." "Just like Roshi, with the Four-Tails'' chakra supporting him, creating a Lava Release Chakra Mode to form ava armor wasn''t too hard." Shichi pondered, "A single chakra nature is difficult to control, especially Fire, Wind, and Lightning Release." "My next goal should either be developing Lava Release or Scorch Release, as both could more easily form a chakra cloak." "Three minutes leftlet''s try adding Wind Release..." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 102: Thermal Imaging, Power of Bonds!

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Thermal Imaging, Power of Bonds!

In the yard, Shichi attempted to incorporate Wind Release chakra into his current state, causing the Fire Release chakra cloak around him to be unstable for a moment. Shichi quickly heightened his focus again. The chakra cloak stabilized rapidly and began to change. It became more solid, with a flowing quality to it, and the temperature increased, with the blue deepening in color. Soon, three minutes passed, and the effects of "sh of Insight" faded. However, the chakra cloak on Shichi''s body fully solidified, transforming into a high-cored cloak with lotus-shaped patterns. His hair turned blue, floating backward as if in a breeze, and his eyebrows burned like blue mes. His eyes also glowed brightly in a fiery blue, resembling a pair of fire-lit eyes. Around him, the air distorted from the heat. Yet, Shichi noticed that his vision wasn''t affectedthere was no distortion in what he saw, although the colors were no longer what he was used to. When he looked at Asuka, he realized he was seeing her in thermal vision. "This is... infrared thermal imaging!" Shichi was surprised and delighted. So, this was likely a form of sensory perception, right? He immediately checked the Tag Tree. Sure enough, it was acknowledged by the Tag Tree. After thinking it over for a moment, Shichi mused, "If it''s just this thermal imaging vision, I don''t need to maintain this mode to achieve it." "I should test whether it''s purely a Fire Release technique or if it requires the fusion with Wind Release." "But it''s likely thetter." With that thought, Shichi continued to carefully sense his current state. Besides the change in vision, his body had also be much lighter, with a faint feeling as if he might start floating. Shichi''s heart stirred, "If I manage toplete the Scorch Release Chakra Mode, I should be able to fly, right?" "For now, let''s test my speed." With that, Shichi moved in a sh, disappearing silently from his original spot. "So fast!" Asuka gasped instinctively, only able to see a distorted afterimage. The afterimage was due to his incredible speed, and the distortion was caused by the heat bending the light. Asuka quickly tried to locate Shichi, but all she could see were distorted afterimages and charred footprints wherever he had stepped. The temperature was so high that with each step, the ground burned ck. Realizing she couldn''t keep up with Shichi''s movements, Asuka closed her eyes and activated Kagura''s Mind Eye, finally locking onto Shichi''s presence. "In this mode, Shichi''s speed is so fast that only a Jonin might be able to react in time." "And he hasn''t even used the Fiery Lotus Steps technique yet." Just as she thought that, Asuka sensed Shichi''s speed suddenly increase again, making her exim, "Is that Fiery Lotus Steps? Why isn''t there any sound of explosions?" At this moment, Shichi''s body wasn''t just sprouting lotuses from his feet, but from all over his body. Blue lotuses bloomed, emitting high-temperature jets of air that propelled him at high speed. This was far more discreet, efficient, and flexible than the original Fiery Lotus Steps. Not only did it enhance his movement speed, but it could also increase his sword-drawing speed and strength, though at the moment he hadn''t drawn his de. Momentster, Shichi returned to his original position, silently reflecting, "Thebination of Fire and Wind Release is truly excellent, but in this state, using the Blue me Sky de is not ideal. I need to develop a sword technique thatbines Fire and Wind Release, one that has both extreme heat and unmatched sharpness." With this n in mind, Shichi dispersed the chakra cloak and returned to his normal state. For now, the Fire Release Chakra Mode wasn''t something he could use for extended periods. Yes, even though it included the power of Wind Release, Shichi still referred to this mode as Fire Release Chakra Mode, since Wind Release merely amplified the effects, allowing better control and higher temperatures. "So, this thermal imaging vision... should I call it ''Blue Eyes''?" "''Fire Eyes''?" "''Blue me Eyes''?" Shichi felt that none of these names were great, so he gave up, shrugging it off, "Forget it, I''ll just call it Thermal Vision for now!" After naming it, Shichi let out a long breath, and then fatigue swept over him. At this moment, Asuka''s voice came through, "Shichi, are you finished?" Shichi immediately smiled, "Yes, it''s done. The new technique isplete!" Asuka breathed a sigh of relief and smiled brightly, "Amazing, that''s great!" Shichi was also happy but exhausted, "But right now, I just want to sleep. I''m so tired!" "Huh?" Asuka eximed in surprise, quickly stepping forward to support him, "Then let''s get you to bed, quickly!" "Do you want to take a bath?" Leaning against Asuka, Shichi replied, "I just want to sleep right now." "Understood!" With a serious nod, Asuka effortlessly scooped him up in a princess carry and, using the Body Flicker Technique, swiftly brought him to the bedroom. Sheid him on the bed and covered him with a nket. Shichi closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, and he slept like a log. When he opened his eyes again, it was already thest day of Year 42 of Konoha. In other words, he had slept for two full days and nights. Asuka reported while Shichi was washing up, "Shichi, Minato-sensei, Lady Tsunade, Shizune, and others came to see you." "Shisui, Kakashi, and Guy too." "Captain Shinnosuke and Chihiro also dropped by." "Oh, and Tenka-san left you a gift, saying it''s your New Year''s present in advance." "Sister Non sent a return gift on your behalf, a medical scroll." "She''s also prepared more gifts for you to personally deliver when you''re feeling better." ... Shichi listened to all of this while bathing. Once he finished and felt fully recharged, he set off with arge number of gifts. His first stop was at Hiruzen Sarutobi''s home, as Sarutobi Shinnosuke had yet to move out. Next, he visited his teacher, Minato Namikaze, and found Kushina Uzumaki there as well. Shichi couldn''t help but smile and ask, "Sensei, when will you and Kushina-san officially get married?" Kushina smiled shyly and looked over at Minato, "I''ll go along with whatever your sensei decides!" Minato scratched his head and chuckled, "Next year! We''ll both be 18 by then." This made Shichi pause for a moment, realizing something. Next year would be Konoha Year 43, not far from the start of the Third Shinobi World War. And only six years from Konoha Year 48... "What''s wrong?" "Haven''t you fully recovered, Shichi?" Kushina, noticing Shichi''s momentary daze, asked in concern. Snapping out of it, Shichi smiled quickly, "It''s nothing. I just realized how fast time flies." Kushina nodded in agreement, "It really does!" "So, tell us, what technique did you develop that left you so exhausted?" Minato asked, curious as well. Shichi didn''t hide it from them and said, "It''s the Fire Release Chakra Mode." "Plus, I added the nature transformation of Wind Release to make the Fire Release easier to control." Kushina''s eyes widened in surprise, "Fire and Wind Release? Is that Scorch Release? A Kekkei Genkai?" Shichi shook his head with a wry smile, "Not quite. I''m still far from a Kekkei Genkai. It''s more like the Cloud Ninja''s Lightning Release Chakra Mode." Minato chimed in, "So, the Yin Seal and the technique you developed with Lady Tsunade were both for the Fire Release Chakra Mode?" Shichi nodded, "For now, yes, that''s the case." Kushina, however, frowned with concern, "It''s important to get stronger, but you can''t push yourself to the point of exhaustion like that, Shichi. Everyone was really worried about you." "Besides, you''re not even 10 yet, and you''re already so strong! Minato wasn''t even as powerful as you at your age!" Minato nodded in agreement, "That''s true." Kushina continued, "Why don''t you leave the ANBU? It''s too much pressure for you." "And for the New Year, give yourself a break! Don''t just focus on training all the time." Minato agreed, "Kushina''s right, Shichi. I can talk to the Third Hokage about it." "Or you could travel with Jiraiya-sensei. What do you think?" Feeling touched by their concern, Shichi quickly replied, "Minato-sensei, Kushina-san, don''t worry. I''ll make sure to rest properly." "As for leaving the ANBU, it''s really no trouble. The missions are light now anyway." "And honestly, instead of traveling with Jiraiya-sama, I''d rather study the Four-Tails'' powers in theb. I promise I''ll be in bed by 10 every night." Kushina put her hands on her hips, "It''s a deal then! I''ll have Non-san keep an eye on you. If you don''t stick to it..." She raised her fist in a mock threat, grinning fiercely. ... After leaving Minato-sensei''s house, Shichi headed straight to Tsunade''s ce. Tsunade''s suggestion was almost identical to Kushina''s she proposed transferring Shichi out of the ANBU and back to Konoha Hospital. After all, if she made the request, the Third Hokage would surely agree. But Shichi politely declined again. He stayed at Tsunade''s house for about an hour, mainly to keep Shizunepany. Afterward, he visited Shisui, Kakashi, and Guy, delivering gifts to each and assuring them that everything was fine. When he finally left Guy''s house, Shichi let out a long sigh. Unknowingly, there were now more people in this world who cared for him, not just Non Yakushi. However, sometimes that concern felt like a type of pressure. "Bonds..." Shichi suddenly understood the power of such connections. "Although it''s pressure, it''s also my motivation!" Feeling encouraged, Shichi made his way to Tenka''s shop. Sure enough, Tenka was there. "Tenka-san!" Shichi entered the shop. "Shichi!" When Tenka saw him, she was overjoyed. She rushed over, grabbing Shichi and inspecting him all over, almost as if she were about to undress him. Shichi blushed slightly and quickly said, "Tenka-san, I''m fine now. I just overworked my brain a bit." Tenka sighed in relief, "That still had us all really worried." "How about quitting being a ninja?" "Come live with me!" The words slipped out quickly, and Tenka blushed slightly, but she still looked at Shichi confidently. Shichi, on the other hand, was stunned. Is she trying to keep me as a "sugar baby"? Back when I was in the orphanage, I would''ve hugged her leg without hesitation. But now... well, it''s not entirely out of the question. Living off someone wouldn''t be too bad! Though these thoughts crossed his mind, Shichi kept a serious expression and said, "Tenka-san, I admit that I am indeed very handsome and quite exceptional." "And you, Tenka-san, are also very beautiful, truly captivating." "But... I''m only 9 years old!" Seeing Shichi like this, Tenka couldn''t help but tease him even more. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "I can wait until you grow up~" Shichi felt a tingling sensation all over his body. This is bad; my resolve is wavering! This enchantress is messing with my training! He set down the gift, turned, and ran away, saying, "Tenka-san, I will remember your words." Inside Tenka''s shop, sheughed so hard she nearly lost her bnce, but afterward, her ears turned red with embarrassment. Even though she was speaking to a child, saying such things was still quite embarrassing! ... After escaping from Tenka''s shop, Shichi couldn''t help but feel a bit regretful. He thought he should have pounced on her and tasted the sweetness of her lips back then. Unfortunately, now that he thought about it, the moment had passed. "Ah, I really wasn''t bold enough." Shichi sighed to himself. "Huh?" Suddenly, Shichi saw Jiraiya and Orochimaru drinking in a shop. He stopped in his tracks, watching them from afar, and sighed again, "I wonder if we''ll see scenes like this in the future..." He resumed walking, hands in his pockets, slowly heading home, leaving a trail in the snow. By the time he entered his house, the snow was falling heavily, and his footsteps were soon covered. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 103: Time to Charge Extra!

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Time to Charge Extra!

On the first day of the new year, as soon as Shichi opened his eyes, he received a big gift. Focusing his attention on the Tag Tree, he saw that the [Big Eater] tag was now ready to be activated. Clearly, after him, no one else had surpassed his record. "Activate!" With just a thought, the leaf on the Tag Tree was enveloped in a blue glow, and the tag''s effects were activated. Physique boosted by 100%, recovery ability boosted by 100%, digestion ability boosted by 100%. A wave of tingling spread through his body, and his internal organs started to heat up. It felt amazing! Shichi almost cried out in excitement. This was the first time he had experienced such a pure boost in his physical abilities. Whether it was recovery or digestion, these were essentiallyponents of his overall physique. As the enhancement finished, Shichi immediately felt a significant increase in the chakra flowing into his Yin Seal. "Based on previous calctions, the current amount of chakra I have... The director should have about 1.5 times more than me, but now, it seems like we''re evenly matched." Not even ten years old, and his chakra reserves were already on par with Yakushi Nono''s peak at over twenty. That was no small feat. Andpared to someone like Kakashi at the same age... "Previously, I estimated that I''d be at 12 units of chakra, but it should be even more than that now. The exact amount depends on Kakashi''stest improvements." Shichi smiled. "Plus, I can still continue to unlock more potential. With training, I can increase my strength even further." This New Year''s gift was pretty awesome! He got up, washed up, and dragged Asuka out of her warm andfy bed, pushing her into the bathroom. Ten minutester, the two of them left for training, and as expected, they ran into the ever-energetic Might Guy. Thus, their youthful and fiery spirit ignited apetitive training session. Watching the two, who showed no signs of fatigue and were brimming with passion, Asuka wiped the sweat from her forehead and couldn''t help but smile brightly. Living days like this felt wonderful! At 8 AM, Shichi and Asuka returned home. Back at the house, Yakushi Nono had already prepared a hearty breakfast. Shichi quickly wolfed down his meal but still felt like he could eat more. Watching him, Yakushi Nono chuckled, "It looks like your appetite has grown quite a bit, Shichi!" Shichi grinned, "Well, I''m a year older now!" Asuka nodded in agreement, then added, "Shichi seems to have gotten a bit taller too. He should be about 140 cm now. In two more years, he might catch up to you, Nono!" Yakushi Nono wasn''t very tall, standing at only 155 cm, unlike Asuka, who was a solid 164 cm. "Boys are supposed to grow taller." Yakushi Nono smiled softly. "Looks like I''ll need to cook more from now on." After a delightful breakfast, the three of them packed up the pre-purchased gifts into a sealing scroll and headed to the orphanage. They stayed there for three days. Those three days were probably the most rxed Shichi had been since arriving in this world. Aside from his basic training, he didn''t focus on any other rigorous practices. After the third day, Shichi began visiting people for the New Year. Technically, the vige of Konoha didn''t have this tradition, but it was a custom Shichi had kept. On January 6th, in the 43rd year of Konoha, Shichi officially resumed his duties. His first task was to escort the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, to the Daimyo''s mansion. It wasn''t just Sarutobi''s squad; the entire division under Sarutobi Shinnosuke''smand was involved. In addition, there were three other four-man squads joining the mission. Even so, before leaving the vige, Shichi still sent out six shadow clones for training. ... After the team left the vige, Shichi, Shinnosuke, and Chihiro followed behind Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two advisors, while the other three squads spread out within the dense forest nking the road. Unlike the missions that Shichi and his team had previously undertaken, the Hokage''s pace was not as rapid. Even though they were walking, their speed wasparable to that of a carriage. That night, the group rested in Tanzaku Town, and at 9 a.m. the next morning, they resumed their journey. "Captain! There''s an ambush ahead!" Shichi, hidden beneath his mask, frowned slightly. An ambush on the Hokage? Were they really bold enough to believe Hiruzen was just a feeble old man? With two sharp whistles, the Anbu stationed on both sides of the road immediately surged forward at high speed. Soon, the sound of explosions and rising smoke filled the air. The battle was intense. "They''reing!" Shichi whispered sharply. Someone had managed to break through the Anbu''s defenseclearly no ordinary foes. Swish, swish, swish! Shichi and his tworades swiftly appeared in front of Hiruzen and his advisors, just as five enemies emerged. Two approached from the sides, while three stood in the middle of the road, having alreadypleted their hand seals. Immediately, a terrifying storm roared towards Shichi and his team. Shichi stepped forward, pping his hands together with a sharp "snap," then blew through his mask. The deafening roar of an even more destructive ze echoed through the air. A ferocious firestorm erupted from his position, colliding with the enemy''s windstorm, producing an even more intense explosion. The enemy''s storm quickly fell apart, torn apart by Shichi''s fiery tempest, engulfing the three attackers in mes. Screams of agony echoed briefly before falling silent. Witnessing this, Mitokado Homura eximed in astonishment, "Hiruzen, is that the child called Shichi Hoshita?" Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded. "Yes, that''s him." Utatane Koharu added, "An impressivebination of Fire and Wind Release. At such a young age, this is truly remarkable." At that moment, Chihiropleted her own jutsu. "Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!" The two enemies approaching from the sides were instantly robbed of their vision. Shichi and Shinnosuke vanished from sight, followed by the sound of quick but lethal movements. Momentster, their opponents'' screams rang out and quickly died down. Shichi had eliminated his target, while Shinnosuke had captured his alive. Chihiro used genjutsu to interrogate the prisoner, and before long, they had results. "Hokage-sama, they''re remnants of the Sky Ninja," Shinnosuke reported. Upon hearing this, Mitokado Homura snorted. "These fools should''ve beenpletely wiped out long ago." Utatane Koharu responded, "They''ve hidden themselves well. It''s not that simple to eliminate them all in one sweep." Shichi silently agreed. Last time, they had captured a leader of one of the Sky Ninja remnants, but had failed to extract any information about other bases from his mind. These remnants were incredibly cautiousnone of them knew the exact locations of other hideouts. Unless they could capture the central leaderthe current head of the Sky Ninjait would be nearly impossible to root them outpletely. But that leader was well hidden. Shichi knew the Anbu had been searching for him for a long timest year without sess. He suspected the Sky Ninja leader was the man known as Shinn(Sky Emperor), but had no idea where to find him. Shichi had also suggested to Shinnosuke that they check the ruins of the Sky Ninja''s base, but the Anbu hade up empty-handed. Despite this, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unperturbed by the Sky Ninja''s attack. He simply nodded to Shinnosuke. "Understood. Let''s continue." With that, they resumed their journey, quickly returning to their original formation. Not a single person from Konoha was injured, and the Sky Ninja remnants werepletely wiped out. This was merely a minor episode. The rest of the journey passed without incident, and on the third day, the team arrived at the Daimyo''s residence in the Land of Fire. This time, Hiruzen and his advisors were here to attend the annual conference. Technically, Konoha was under the Daimyo''s rule. The Daimyo provided the funds, and Konoha fought the wars. Now it was time to determine how much funding the Land of Fire would allocate to Konoha for theing year. However, while observing the meeting from the sidelines, Shichi quickly realized that this really was just a routine affair. It seemed the amount of money had already been decided. Thinking about it, that made sense. Small meetings decided big matters, while big meetings decided small ones. But just as Shichi thought the meeting was about to end, the Daimyo suddenly made a request. Sarutobi Asuma! Shichi''s heart skipped a beat. No way... could it be? Had Sarutobi Asuma, who was going through a rebellious phase, really been persuaded by the Daimyo to switch sides? Shichi secretly nced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, but could only catch a partial view of his face. Hiruzen''s response was calm, "Of course, Daimyo-sama, but this matter will still require Asuma''s own consent." The Daimyo smiled warmly. "That''s only natural." That smile, that toneit was clear he was confident. While he had failed to recruit Kakashi, the son of the famous White Fang, Sarutobi Asuma had been an even more delightful surprise. It was all thanks to that boy, Shichi Hoshita! Ten million a year? Totally worth it! This year, we need to charge more! ... After the meeting concluded, Shichi thought that this year, the Daimyo should definitely pay more. To the Daimyo, a single Sarutobi Asuma was truly priceless. Back at their resting quarters, Shichi quickly removed his mask and eagerly asked, "Captain, about Asuma..." Sarutobi Shinnosuke sighed with a wry smile and shook his head, "That kid is really worrying." Shichi felt a bit awkwardAsuma certainly had a different way of thinking. Previously, he had discussed with Kakashi and Asuma the rtionship between Konoha Vige and the Land of Fire, and about the roles of the Hokage and the Daimyo... Clearly, Shichi''s persuasion skills weren''t quite enough; Sarutobi Asuma had his own ideas. But this was great! Thank you, Asuma, for helping me earn more money! Noticing Shichi''s awkwardness, Shinnosuke quickly reassured him, "Shichi, this isn''t your fault." "Besides, letting Asuma gain some real-world experience might actually be a good thing." Shichipared his previous impression of Asuma with the young man''s current attitude and couldn''t help but nod in agreement. The next day, Shichi and the others set off back to Konoha. When he got home, Shichi found that his reward had increased by an extra 20 million ryo. He didn''t even have to askthe Daimyo had automatically raised the price. In the Hokage''s office: Shichi reported the increase in the Daimyo''s payment as it was. Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Continue as usual." "Don''t worry too much about it, Shichi." Shichi nodded. "Understood!" ... After Shichi left, Hiruzen pondered whether he should send another person to the Daimyo''s court. But he quickly dismissed the idea. Konoha was currently short on manpower, and the Daimyo''s interest was in geniuses. Besides, sending an ordinary young ninja might not make much of a difference. With a sigh, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a long drag from his pipe and decided to just let things be. ... After leaving the Hokage building, Shichi headed towards Orochimaru''sb. During the next two days of vacation, besides his basic training, he spent his days immersed in theb, and at night, he continued practicing the Fire Release Chakra Mode in his home''s courtyard. Although he had already mastered it, he was still a bit short of using it in actualbat. Back then, he had achieved it only by focusing intensely with the help of a sudden sh of insight. Now, he was determined to perfect the ability step by step, until he could activate it with ease in any situation. Shichi held himself to the highest standards! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 104: Grilled or Boiled?

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Grilled or Boiled?

The short vacation passed in the blink of an eye. Shichi resumed his leisurely task schedule, as Hiruzen Sarutobi stayed in the vige, allowing Shichi more time for research and training. One day, Shichi had an appointment with Kushina Uzumaki and arrived at his sensei Minato Namikaze''s house. Upon entering, he was surprised to find that Jiraiya was there as well. The surprising part was that Jiraiya wasn''t in Konoha during the New Year celebrations. Who knows where he had gone to gather material for his new book? "Hahaha, Shichi, congrattions on winning first ce in the food-eating contest." Jiraiyaughed and said, "Remember, I promised I''d teach you a really interesting jutsu." Just as he finished speaking, Kushina quickly interrupted, "Wait, Jiraiya-sensei, let me guess first!" Jiraiya crossed his arms with a smug smile, waiting patiently. Shichi also watched as Kushina raised a finger, deep in thought. After a moment, Kushina grinned and said, "Jiraiya-sensei, I bet it''s that technique you developedthe Wild Lion''s Mane Technique, right?" "Among all the jutsu you''ve mastered, if we''re talking about fun, it''s got to be that one." Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Kushina, this time, you''re wrong." Kushina furrowed her brow and rubbed her chin in thought. "It''s not that one...? Then what other jutsu could be considered interesting?" Soon, another idea popped into her head, and she confidently dered, "This time I''ve got it!" "The Toad Transformation Jutsu! It looks like a simple transformation technique, but instead of changing yourself, you change someone else!" Upon hearing this, Shichi''s eyes lit up as he recalled that jutsu and smiled. "A transformation technique that alters others?" "That does sound really interesting. In a way, my Crow Clone Jutsu also changes the form of crows." Jiraiya, intrigued, asked, "Crow Clone Jutsu?" "You use crows as your substitution clones?" Kushina smiled and exined, "It''s a flying clone jutsu Shichi developed. But Jiraiya-sensei, you haven''t answered yet. Did I guess right this time?" Jiraiya chuckled, "Of course... you''re wrong again." Kushina''s eyes widened in disbelief, cing her hands on her hips. "No way! Jiraiya-sensei, are you cheating?" Laughing, Jiraiya stood up and walked behind Kushina before forming hand seals. From the side, Shichi watched as Jiraiya''s body seemed to dete, ttening into a two-dimensional shape like paper and merging with Kushina''s shadow. Kushina suddenly froze, feeling a loss of control over her body, and involuntarily spoke, "It''s this jutsu... Toad tness Shadow Maniption Technique!" "Well, what do you think? Isn''t it an interesting jutsu?" Jiraiya asked as he canceled the technique. Under Shichi''s gaze, his body reappeared from the shadow and quickly reinted like a balloon. Shichi chuckled, "It''s definitely a fascinating jutsu." As Kushina regained herposure, she argued, "The Toad Transformation Jutsu is clearly more fun." With a yful grin, she suggested, "Why not teach both to Shichi?" "Since we''re already teaching a Mount Myoboku jutsu, adding one more won''t hurt, right?" Jiraiya couldn''t help but tease, "Kushina, you''re really starting to act like Minato''s wife." Kushina proudly ced an arm around Shichi''s shoulder,ughing confidently. After his yful remark, Jiraiya smiled and asked, "Teaching both is fine, but Shichi, what''s this fun jutsu you mentioned before? How does itpare to the Toad Transformation Jutsu and Toad tness Shadow Maniption Technique?" Shichi grinned confidently, "I''m absolutely sure it''ll be even more fun than both of your techniques, Jiraiya-sama." "Oh?" "Such confidence!" Jiraiya''s curiosity was piquedhe had great faith in Shichi''s talent for jutsu. After all, his results had been outstanding. "Alright then, let''s start learning the jutsu now!" Jiraiya eagerly began teaching Shichi the Toad Transformation Jutsu and Toad tness Shadow Maniption Technique. The first was rtively simple, a variation of the standard transformation technique. Although Shichi hadn''t acquired the "Transformation Master" tag, he had developed the Crow Clone Jutsu, and the two techniques shared many simrities. It took Shichi less than five minutes to fully master the jutsu. The Toad tness Shadow Maniption Technique was slightly more challenging, as it required mastery of Yin Release nature transformation. It was rated as a B-rank jutsu. Jiraiya carefully taught Shichi the hand seals and exined the underlying principles. Aftermitting it to memory, Shichi couldn''t help but ask, "Jiraiya-sama, does the Nara n''s shadow techniques follow a simr principle?" Jiraiya nodded, "Yes, they do. However, the Nara n has refined their shadow jutsu to a much deeper level, developing a wide range of applications. They''re one of the most unique Yin Release specialists in the ninja world." Given that the Nara n had been a part of the ninja world since the Warring States period, it was no surprise they had developed formidable techniques. Shichi left it at that and didn''t ask further. Seeing Jiraiya about to ask him about his own jutsu, he quickly signaled with his eyes. Jiraiya understood immediately and quickly said to Kushina, "Kushina, I''m going to take Shichi to practice his new jutsu." Kushina didn''t notice anything odd and nodded with a smile, raising a fist toward Shichi. "Shichi, good luck!" "I will!" Shichi returned the gesture, then left with Jiraiya. ... In a secluded forest area, Jiraiya stopped and smiled at Shichi Hoshita, saying, "This spot should be good, right?" "Let''s get started. The Toad Sage from Mount Myoboku can''t wait to see your interesting jutsu!" Shichi grinned mischievously, "Then Jiraiya-sama, you''d better be ready." As soon as he finished speaking, with a loud poof, a cloud of smoke erupted. Jiraiya stood there with his arms crossed, waiting with a judging expression. However, as the smoke cleared, his eyes widened, and a perverted look crept onto his face. Shichi had transformed into a stunningly beautiful woman, wearing acy ck bra and underwear, unting a perfect hourss figure. Striking an incredibly seductive pose, with an alluring gaze, the transformed Shichi purred in a high-pitched voice, "Jiraiya-sama~" "This... this..." Jiraiya''s nose started bleeding on the spot. He bashfully rubbed his fingers together, squirming with a perverted yet shy expression as he stammered, "Is there more?" "This is definitely the perfect jutsu for me. Material like this is hard to find!" Shichi continued to transform. ck stockings! Lettered stockings! Nude-colored stockings! Styles ranging from mature to seductive to innocent, and even a sheer white nightgown. His voice shifted from high-pitched, to mature, to shy... Jiraiya''s nosebleed was unstoppable at this point. Finally, Shichi unleashed his ultimate moveclonesbined with transformation, surrounding Jiraiya in every style simultaneously, all calling out, "Jiraiya-sama~" Thud! Jiraiya copsed to the ground, overwhelmed with happiness. Shichi dispelled the jutsu and shook his head, thinking, That''s it? After a moment, Jiraiya finally recovered. Shichi smiled and asked, "So, Jiraiya-sama, how was my version of the Sexy Jutsu?" Jiraiya immediately gave a thumbs up. "Fantastic! This will save me so much time gathering material!" "But, where did you learn all those styles? Was it from a magazine?" Shichi smirked mysteriously, "That''s a secret!" "Alright then, Jiraiya-sama, I''m off to train now!" he said before running off. Jiraiya stood there, reying all those styles in his mind before quickly sitting down and pulling out paper and pen to jot down his inspiration. ... Meanwhile, on his way to the experimentalb, Shichi couldn''t help but think. If Naruto learns the Sexy Jutsu from Jiraiya someday, and Kushina finds out, will Jiraiya get chased down and beaten? Then again, will I also get caught up in the mess? This could be dangerous! But, I can always deny everything. I''m just a nine-year-old, such a diligent and hardworking kidhow could I possibly be involved in such mischief? "Hehe, I''m really looking forward to this!" Shichi thought with a mischievous grin. However, upon arriving at Orochimaru''sb, he immediately switched back to his studious persona. Diligently conducting research, carefully researching the Eight-Tails'' cells. Orochimaru admired this attitude the most! Hardworking and full of ideasa perfect assistant! Shichi felt the intense gaze on him and turned to see Orochimaru smiling at him. "Shichi-kun, how''s that idea we discussedst time progressing?" Orochimaru asked, retracting his gaze. While continuing his work, Shichi replied, "Orochimaru-sama, you''re quite knowledgeable about jinchriki. What would you say is their biggest challenge when dealing with the sealed tailed beasts?" "Or rather, what''s the hardest part of mastering a tailed beast''s power?" Orochimaru answered without hesitation, "The malevolent chakra!" "Or rather, the overwhelming malice of the tailed beasts!" Shichi nodded and then exined slowly, "Tailed beasts are indeed unique lifeforms. We don''t fully understand them yet, but setting that aside for nowboth tailed beasts and shinobi share onemon element: chakra. For us shinobi, chakra is the fusion of spiritual and physical energy." "That''s why chakra is often described as the power that connects the hearts of people." Orochimaru nodded. He already knew this much. Shichi continued, "Now, Orochimaru-sama, have you ever sensed the evil chakra of a shinobi?" Orochimaru paused, immediately thinking of certain members of the Uchiha n in Konoha. Shichi went on, "In terms of sensory ninjutsu, especially chakra sensing techniques, every person''s chakra gives off a unique feeling." "This feeling aligns with the nature of the chakra''s owner, meaning that chakra can sometimes reveal a person''s personality..." After a brief pause, Shichi corrected himself, "Their personality, as well as their mental state." Orochimaru''s eyes gleamed with excitement as he pped with a grin, "Interesting! This is a fascinating avenue of thought!" In the past, his research into the Eight-Tails and his secret work with Hashirama''s cells, as well as his current research on the Four-Tails, had all focused on the physical aspect. Shichi''s words brought up concepts Orochimaru wasn''t unaware of, but he hadn''t paid much attention to before. Compared to the physical body, the mental and spiritual worlds were too intangible. From Orochimaru''s reaction, Shichi could tell that Orochimaru''s research had yet to delve into the spiritual and soul-rted aspects. It seemed the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique was still a long way off. Orochimaru likely wouldn''t consider such concepts until after modifying his body, turning into the White Phosphorus Snake, and realizing that physical transformations couldn''t ovee his body''s weaknesses. At that point, he would probably start looking into Konoha''s vast library of forbidden jutsu for knowledge rted to the soul. And even then, Shichi vaguely recalled that Living Corpse Reincarnation wasn''t Orochimaru''s original creation, but something he had perfected step by step from Konoha''s forbidden jutsumuch like the Impure World Reincarnation technique. ... "So, back to the tailed beasts and jinchriki," Shichi calmly analyzed. "The power of the tailed beasts is immense. Their chakra can be hundreds, if not thousands, of times greater than that of an ordinary shinobi." "Moreover, these tailed beasts have existed for hundreds, even thousands of years, umting an unfathomable amount of negative emotions from countless battles and experiences." "I believe it''s this vast umtion of negative emotions that corrupts their chakra, and that''s the true source of the tailed beasts'' evil power." Orochimaru responded, "So, Shichi-kun, you think the key to resisting the tailed beasts'' evil power lies in mental strength?" Shichi nodded. "With a proper seal, the vast power of the tailed beasts can''t easily harm the jinchriki physically. While physicalpatibility is important, the real challenge lies in mental resilience." "I''ve fought two different jinchriki before. One was Killer B, the jinchriki of the Eight-Tails. That guy is quite special. Even when he uses the power of the tailed beast, his chakra doesn''t give off any sense of evil." Orochimaru raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That''s quite different from the previous Eight-Tails jinchriki. It seems Killer B is indeed the perfect jinchriki." Shichi agreed and continued, "But the jinchriki of the Four-Tails was different. He could also use the tailed beast''s power, even transforming partially into the beast. But his power gave off an unmistakably evil feeling. Even though he didn''t lose his sanity, it clearly affected him." "You can feel the stark contrast between the jinchriki of the Four-Tails and the Eight-Tails." "So, based on my theory, to control a tailed beast''s power properly, the jinchriki first needs to resist the malice of the beast, to stand firm against the overwhelming negative emotions." "This requires a jinchriki to have an incredibly resilient mental will, one that won''t be influenced by the tailed beast''s negativityat least not to the point of losing their mind." "And if they want to fully master the tailed beast''s power, perhaps the ultimate solution is to... treat the tailed beast like a regr summon, forming a mutual understanding." Treat the tailed beast like a regr summon? Orochimaru was taken aback and then chuckled. "That... seems rather impossible." Would an elephant ever befriend an ant? Would the strong ever willingly befriend the weak? Especially when the tailed beasts are sealed inside human bodiesa humiliating situation for such powerful creatures. Shichi nodded in agreement. Tailed beasts really aren''t the sharpest tools in the shed. Of course, his loyalty was firmly on the side of the shinobi. After all, if he were siding with the tailed beasts, how could they possibly stand for this? Just because they''re strong, they have to be sealed? Where''s the justice in that? It''s too much! They should definitely fight backespecially against the Senju and Uchiha. If the Nine-Tails doesn''t take down everyst descendant of Hashirama and Madara, can it even call itself the strongest tailed beast? ... "So, this is the real reason why you avoid animal experiments," Orochimaruughed. Shichi nodded. "Ordinary animals can''t withstand the malice of a tailed beast. As for physicalpatibility, it''s aplete gamble." "After all, if their mental resilience can''t hold up, their body will copse as well." "The mind and body are two sides of the same coin, like yin and yang. Only when they work together can chakra be produced." Orochimaru then asked, "So, Shichi-kun, are you nning to try it yourself next?" Shichi shook his head. "I''m confident in my mental fortitude, but Lady Tsunade and the others would never allow me to attempt something like that." Orochimaru chuckled, "You worry too much." Shichi responded thoughtfully, "But that caution is also a form of mental strength." Orochimaru was briefly stunned, then nodded with a smile. "Indeed, that''s true." At that moment, Shichi thought of the Gold and Silver Brothers from the Hidden Cloud and asked, "Orochimaru-sama, are you familiar with Kinkaku and Ginkaku from the Hidden Cloud?" "Of course!" Orochimaruughed. "After all, it was because of them that our Second Hokage met his end." "Those brothers are also tied to the tailed beasts," Orochimaru added meaningfully. "I''m guessing you brought them up because they once wielded the power of the Nine-Tails." Shichi nodded. "I''ve heard they were once swallowed by the Nine-Tails but managed to escape. By eating the Nine-Tails'' flesh, they gained some of its power." Orochimaru nodded in agreement, then looked at Shichi in surprise. "You''re not suggesting you n to follow their example and eat tailed beast flesh, are you?" "Heh... that''s quite an intriguing thought." Shichi opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself. He wasn''t seriously considering it; he was merely offering it up as an idea for Orochimaru to try. However... why was his Tag System stirring? He took a quick nce. Tag: Devourer Condition to Obtain: Eat the flesh of the Four-Tails and the Eight-Tails. Effects: Physical attributes increased by 100%, bodilypatibility increased by 100%, digestion ability increased by 100%, recovery rate increased by 100%. If you can eat tailed beasts, what can''t you eat? Shichi nearly turned pale. Grilled, or boiled? But the effects... were undeniably tempting! Still, this was dangerous! With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Shichi smiled at Orochimaru and said, "Eating tailed beast flesh... it''s not entirely out of the question." Orochimaru immediately grew serious. "If that''s the case, cell transntation might be a more efficient way to absorb the power." "Kinkaku and Ginkaku''s situation is, after all, legendary." "And from what you''ve analyzed, as long as a jinchriki can withstand the malice of a tailed beast, there''s a high chance they can obtain its power." Shichi also grew serious, thoughtfully analyzing, "Tailed beasts are indeed different. Their physical forms are essentially made of chakra." "From a strategic perspective, the weak submit to the strong." "If I defeat you, you submit to me." "Consuming the flesh of a tailed beast is a form of battle. If one can ovee the invasion of its malice, the physical domination and integration might be much easier." Orochimaru pondered deeply, as he found Shichi''s reasoning to be quite convincing, especially when it came to such unique entities like tailed beasts. On the gic level, it was a battle of dominancemuch like the powerful Hashirama cells. Then again, could this method also work with Hashirama cells? After all, Hashirama cells are in no way inferior to the power of a tailed beast. The key difference was that Hashirama cells exert their overwhelming power through the body, not the mind. But Orochimaru, being rational, thought that while Shichi''s approach might apply to tailed beasts, it wouldn''t necessarily work for Hashirama cells. Still, it was an intriguing thought. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 105: First Encounter with Akatsuki, a Moment of Impulse!

Chapter 105: Chapter 105: First Encounter with Akatsuki, a Moment of Impulse! [Bonus Chapter]

Leaving Orochimaru''sb, Shichi carefully contemted the newly unlocked tag, [Devourer]. Judging by its effects, it was likely a red-level tag. "Physicalpatibility... it''s probably referring topatibility with other gic traits." "Perhaps it could also apply to Kekkei Genkai..." With two consecutive tags involving physicalpatibility, the pattern was bing quite clear. "Although my mental strength and willpower have improved, I''m still not confident in fully resisting the tailed beasts'' malice." Shichi thought of Naruto. Even someone like Naruto, with his almost brainwashed optimistic personality, nearly lost control. As for Killer B... his focus on rap seemed like another sign of questionable mental stability. "I''ve always held a pessimistic view of human nature, and I have quite a few dark thoughts buried within me." Shichi pondered carefully. "Focus, and then a mental anchor..." "The director? Shizune? Or perhaps ninjutsu? Maybe even my desire for power?" Shichi hesitated. But he wasn''t in a rush. It would be much safer to attempt it after unlocking the [Medical Master] tag and enhancing his physicalpatibility. ... Time flew by, and before he knew it, March had arrived, marking Shichi''s 10th birthday. In the past few years, his birthdays had mostly been spent on missions. This time, he was finally in Konoha, and it was a milestone year. So Non Yakushi made special preparations. There was a birthday cake, longevity noodles, and she even invited all of Shichi''s friends and mentors who were in the vige. So, when Shichi returned home in the evening, he was greeted with a surprise and a grand celebration. Tsunade, Tenka, Kushina Uzumaki, Shizune, Might Guy, Kurenai Yhi, Asuka, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Chihiro, Shisui Uchiha... everyone who wasn''t out on a mission was there. This was also the first time Uzumaki Kushina met Asuka. After the birthday song and cake, while everyone was chatting and enjoying the party, Shichi found himself being pulled aside by Kushina, who tugged his ear,ining that he had kept secrets from her for so long. Shichi could only repeatedly beg for mercy, pretending he had no idea about Kushina''s jinchriki status. Knowing the real reason, Kushina eventually let him off lightly and went off to chat with Asuka. They had been childhood friends, after all! Once Kushina was gone, Shizune quickly came over and dragged Shichi to join Kurenai and the others in some party games. The birthday celebration continued until after 9 p.m. After seeing off each guest one by one, Shichi stayed back to help Non and Asuka clean up, finishing only around 10 p.m. "Rest for now. You can sort through your birthday presents tomorrow," Non said. She wanted Shichi to get some rest early. "Understood. Don''t worry, I promise I''ll fall asleep at top speed!" Shichi joked, quickly gathering his clothes and heading to the bathroom for a shower. However, as he showered, his mind was focused on the tags in his mental tag tree. Earlier, during the birthday party, the shadow clone he had left outside training had finallypleted its task. [Lightning Release Expert] activated! Lightning Release proficiency increased by 100%, and you can now perform Lightning Release ninjutsu without hand seals. "Next step is to develop the Lightning Release Body Flicker Technique. Once that''s done, I can unlock the [Body Flicker Expert] tag." "In addition, [Water Release Expert] and [Earth Release Expert] are almost ready." With those thoughts in mind, Shichi gradually drifted into sleep. In reality, if he focused purely on ninjutsu like Water Release, Earth Release, and Lightning Release,bined with consistent practice in battle, he could quickly master them and unlock the rted tags. But human energy is finite. With multiple projects going on at once, there had to be priorities. His priority was raising his overallbat strength, with mastering a wide variety of techniquesing second. In simple terms: specialization first, then breadth! The [Body Flicker Expert] tag would significantly boost Shichi''s speed and also help him learn the Flying Thunder God Technique faster, making it a higher priority. However, [Body Flicker Expert] required mastery of different types of Body Flicker techniques. In order to develop the Lightning Release Body Flicker, Shichi had focused on unlocking [Lightning Release Expert] first. ... Another month quickly passed. Shichi had just unlocked the [Earth Release Expert] tag, but before he could finish developing the Lightning Release Body Flicker Technique, an unexpected mission outside the vige was assigned to him. After leaving the vige, the three-person team headed west. "Our destination this time is the Land of Rain," Sarutobi Shinnosuke began sharing the mission details. "The objective is to investigate several ninja organizations there and assess their strength." Shichi''s eyebrow twitched slightly as he asked, "Captain, are we evaluating these ninja organizations to help Hanz bring order to the Land of Rain?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded. "Indeed. The Third Hokage has that in mind, mainly to curb the ambitions of Iwagakure." "Additionally, the goal is to strengthen ties with Hanz, preventing Sunagakure from forming an alliance with him." Shichi nodded, starting to grasp the strategy of Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Third Hokage was doing his best to maintain the current bnce in the ninja world. Even though he knew the other major viges were plotting, he was trying to buy time for Konoha. Hanz still held considerable power. If he managed to bring peace to Amegakure, both Iwagakure and Sunagakure would be forced to tread carefully. Although Amegakure lost during the Second Great Ninja War, Hanz''s presence still made the Land of Rain a dangerous quagmire for the major ninja viges. Hanz was ruthless, capable of wiping outrge groups effortlessly, even more so than the puppet masters of Sunagakure with their poisons. "It seems we''re likely to encounter Nagato and the others this time..." Shichi thought with a hint of anticipation. Chihiro added, "We may want Amegakure to stabilize, but Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and even Kumogakure might not want that." Shichi agreed, "For them, a chaotic Land of Rain is ideal. That way, it won''t hinder their ns. After all, Hanz is considered a ''Demi-God'' of the ninja world." What he didn''t say aloud was that, up until now, Konoha also didn''t want peace in the Land of Rain. In fact, the current chaos in the Land of Rain was partly due to the machinations of Konoha, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure. With the endless number of ninja organizations, who could tell how many were filled with disguised ninjas from the other major viges? Such tactics were nothing new. Sarutobi Shinnosuke warned, "So, we need to be extra cautious this time. The situation in the Land of Rain is extremelyplicated." Both Shichi and Chihiro nodded, "Understood!" They set out around 2 p.m., and that night, the team camped near the border of the Land of Fire. The next morning, Shichi and his teammates crossed into the Land of Rain and began investigating the ninja organizations there. Before their arrival, ANBU had already received intel from Root, providing them with a rough understanding of the ninja organizations in the Land of Rain, along with a preliminary list. The list wasn''t definitive because ninja organizations in the Land of Rain frequently rose and fell. Some groups might consist of just three to five people, disappearing within a month. After three days of investigation, Shichi and his team found the situation in the Land of Rain even worse than they had imagined. There were ninja organizations everywherecountless, without exaggeration. Shichi even saw a ninja leading a few samurai to form a ninja organization, collecting protection fees from local viges. Shichi almost couldn''t resist the urge to cut them down right then and there. While resting in a cave, Chihiro sighed, "I can''t imagine how terrifying it would be if the Land of Fire was in such a state!" It was proof that happiness is rtive. Compared to the Land of Rain, the Land of Fire was a paradise. Not to mention, the Land of Fire had always been seen as a rich prize by other great nations. After finishing his rations, Sarutobi Shinnosuke pulled out a list. "Next, we''ll investigate a rather unique organization called Akatsuki. They advocate achieving peace without using force." Chihiro shook his head after hearing that. "That''s too naive!" "In a chaotic ce like Amegakure, it''s impossible to achieve anything without using force." Shichi agreed. People only listen to reason when you show them your strength. Sarutobi Shinnosuke continued, "What''s more, this Akatsuki has ties to Konoha." Chihiro was surprised, "Does that mean Root has spies in there, or ANBU?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke smiled, "No, it''s because the three leaders of Akatsuki are Jiraiya-sama''s students." "What?!" Chihiro was utterly shocked. Shichi feigned surprise as well. Chihiro quickly asked, "How could Jiraiya-sama have students in the Land of Rain? Was it during thest ninja war?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded, "That''s likely the case." "We''ll know the full story soon." Half an hourter, the three of them set out in the rain, following Root''s intel toward Akatsuki''s base, silently observing from the shadows. Soon, Shichi finallyid eyes on Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan. "They all look so young, around fifteen or sixteen." Shichi''s gaze finally settled on Nagato. The Rinnegan! One of the most powerful djutsu! Nagato''s ability to master all six chakra nature transformations must have been greatly aided by those eyes. "Is Zetsu spying nearby?" "He probably is..." Just as he was pondering this, Shichi suddenly felt a chill and instinctively ducked. Nagato had turned his head to look in their direction! ... "Nagato, what''s wrong?" Seeing Nagato stop, Yahiko turned to ask. Nagato frowned slightly, then shook his head, "It''s nothing." The six members of Akatsuki continued on their way. Hidden behind the remains of a building, Shichi couldn''t help but marvel, "What sharp intuition!" After Akatsuki moved away, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro appeared next to Shichi. Sarutobi Shinnosuke smiled, "Jiraiya-sama''s students certainly don''t disappoint!" "We must be even more cautious from here on, Shichi. Don''t let your guard down." Shichi nodded. The three of them continued trailing Akatsuki, keeping them under surveince. Soon, they witnessed a battle between Akatsuki and another ninja organization. The fight ended quickly. Akatsuki emerged victorious, and the defeated group joined their ranks. After Akatsuki left, Chihiro couldn''t help but say, "I underestimated them." Akatsuki used force, but it wasn''t solely through violence. Once they had the upper hand, they persuaded the other group with their ideals of peace. Thispletely shattered Chihiro''s expectations. Sarutobi Shinnosuke was at a loss for words, finally saying, "Let''s observe them for a few more days." The next day, Shichi and his team witnessed another intense battle involving Akatsuki. Although Akatsuki had the upper hand, they voluntarily retreated. On the fourth day, Akatsuki subdued another small group of three using the same method as before. Afterpleting their investigation, Chihiro remarked, "They are indeed quite special and incredibly brave, practicing their own version of the ninja way." Sarutobi Shinnosuke agreed. Shichi, however, felt a sense of mncholy. Unfortunately, their fate lies in the hands of others. ... Half a month flew by in the blink of an eye. Hoshita Shichi and his team had investigated over two hundred ninja organizations. Some of them, after being investigated one day, were found to be wiped out or dispersed the next. Inside a cave. Sarutobi Shinnosuke reviewed a booklet filled with a vast amount of intelligence they had gathered. Finally, he closed it and smiled, "We''vepleted the mission well. Rest up for the night, and tomorrow, we head back to the vige!" Chihiro immediately responded with relief, "It''s finally over. The weather in the Land of Rain is unbearable." Raining day in and day out, always drenched and ufortable. Looking out at the drizzling rain, Shichi couldn''t help but think of the Land of Wind. In one ce, droughts ravage thend, while in another, floods never cease. That night, Shichi was on watch duty for the first half of the night. He left a shadow clone at the cave entrance while his main body went to a nearby river to practice the Water Severing Wave technique. The [Water Release Expert] tag was nearlyplete; only mastery of this jutsu remained. Once mastered, he would unlock the tag, achieving full mastery of the five elemental releases and summoning the [Ninjutsu Master/Professor]. "Hm?" Suddenly, Shichi halted his practice and vanished in a sh. Something was happening with his shadow clone! Back at the cave entrance, Shichi reappeared. Standing beside him were Shinnosuke and Chihiro, who had been awakened by his dispersed shadow clone. The rain continued to fall, the night dark and difficult to see. "There are quite a few enemies, twelve in total. Captain, should we retreat?" Shichi asked. Shinnosuke considered briefly, "Can we withdraw quickly?" Shichi shook his head, "I''m afraid not. We''d need someone to cover our retreat, but I can leave a shadow clone to buy us some time." "Then leave the shadow clone to cover. Move out!" Without hesitation, Shinnosuke ordered the retreat. Shichi left behind his clone, and his eyes suddenly lit up with a bright blue glow, illuminating the pitch-ck night. "Captain, Chihiro, follow me!" With a lowmand, Shichi led the way. Shinnosuke and Chihiro exchanged nces and followed closely, both inwardly surprised. This was the first time they had seen Shichi use such a unique jutsu. "What a powerful ninjutsu talent! This eye technique must be a Fire Release application, allowing him to see in the dark," Shinnosuke spected, impressed. As they moved through the night, the sound of explosions came from behind. The battle had begun! Momentster, Chihiro''s face changed under her mask. "It''s the Iwa-nin! They''re targeting us specifically!" Shinnosuke furrowed his brow, "It seems we''ve been exposed." Hearing this, Shichi''s steps faltered slightly, and a surge of anger welled up inside him. Since graduation, two of his teammates had been killed by Iwa-nin. Although he had killed many of them himself, the mission in the Land of Birds still left a lingering frustration deep within him. As they reached a sparse forest ahead, Shichi abruptly stopped. "Shichi?" Shinnosuke stopped as well, puzzled. Shichi removed his mask and said, "Captain, since these Iwa-nin are after us, they''ll likely pursue us relentlessly." "Chihiro, these guys are pretty strong, right?" Chihiro nodded, "At least four Jonin-level enemies. They work well together and are excellent at altering the terrain!" After hearing this, Shichi spoke seriously, "The best way to deal with a pursuit is to eliminate the pursuers entirely." Shinnosuke gave a wry smile. He hadn''t expected the usually steady and rule-abiding Shichi to suggest something so bold. Just as he was about to speak, Shichi continued, "These Iwa-nin have been following us for some time. Who''s to say they haven''t set up ambushes along the border of the Land of Rain?" "If we keep retreating through the night, our condition will be terrible by morning." Although the Iwa-nin hadn''t seen their faces, a sensory ninja could still identify people through chakra. Shinnosuke furrowed his brow in thought. While the possibility was slim, it wasn''t impossible. But he knew this was mostly Shichi finding a reason. Was it because of his fallenrades? With a sigh, Shinnosuke nodded, "Alright then, let''s take care of these troublesome Iwa-nin once and for all!" Who doesn''t desire to settle their grudges? Having decided, Shinnosuke instructed, "Chihiro, head to the far side of the forest." "The Iwa-nin are adept at changing the terrain, which would put you at a disadvantage. Support us from the perimeter with your genjutsu." Chihiro nodded, "Got it!" She quickly moved through the forest to prepare. Meanwhile, Shichi and Shinnosuke stood silently at the edge of the woods, waiting. Momentster, Shinnosuke spoke, "There are eight left. It looks like six Jonin-level." "They must have been observing us for a while and realized we were the ones from the Land of Birds." His shadow clone had been taken down as well. In the darkness, Shichi smiled, "If we take them all out, Iwa-nin will be in for a real heartache!" Shinnosuke replied, "Who knows, they might stop chasing us after that." Shichi pulled out a re, igniting it and sending it skyward. Just as Shinnosuke was about to ask why, he noticed a sudden ze of fire in the distance. It was the location of their previous hideout. Shinnosuke immediately understood that Shichi had used the re to signal his shadow clone to use that technique. As the distant mes gradually died down, Shichi crouched down, pressing his fingers to the ground. A grin crept across his face. "They''reing!" "Five of them!" (End of Chapter) ??? Tag List Updated, Do Check If wants Spoilers that is, xd ?? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 106: Blue Lotus, Bloom!

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Blue Lotus, Bloom! [Bonus Chapter]

"Captain, can you cover me for a bit? I want to test a new technique I developed," Shichi said after finishing his sensory scan. Under his mask, Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s eyes narrowed. "Is it the one from the end ofst year?" Last year, Shichi had copsed in exhaustion after developing a new jutsu, spending two full days and nights unconscious. Both he and Chihiro had visited him, so they had some idea of what had happened. Recalling Shichi''s power and fighting style during his battle with the Four-Tails Jinchriki, Shinnosuke nodded, "Alright, I''ll cover you." "But don''t push yourself too hard." Shichi chuckled lightly. "Don''t worry, Captain, I value my life too much for that." Handing his mask to Shinnosuke, Shichi pulled down his hood and silently waited. Soon, five figures appeared about a hundred meters ahead. "Is this the kid who defeated Roshi?" "It should be him. We could be wrong about the person, but our sensory data doesn''t lie. Don''t underestimate him just because of his agewe saw what his shadow clone could do earlier." "Exactly. This damn brat must be killed!" "Be careful, there''s still one more hidingprobably that woman who''s good with genjutsu!" ... The moment the Iwa-nin saw Shichi''s youthful face, they were momentarily stunned. Some of them even showed brief signs of underestimation, but recalling the previous battle, their contempt was quickly reced by caution and hatred. Out of the original twelve, only five of them remained. Six were dead, and one was gravely injured in thest explosionunlikely to survive. After such heavy losses, only a fool would underestimate him again. At that moment, Shichi brought his hands together: "Blue Lotus, bloom!" A blue light appeared at the center of his forehead, spreading like the blossoming petals of a lotus flower. The brilliant blue glow rapidly enveloped Shichi''s head, torso, and limbs. Boom! Blue mes ignited all over his body, as if he had donned a divine robe adorned with lotus patterns made of blue fire. Shichi''s hair, nowced with blue mes, billowed backward as if caught in an invisible wind. The rain that fell from the sky evaporated before it could even touch him. Beneath him, the muddy ground quickly dried up, and the surrounding grass and trees spontaneously caught fire. Feeling the intense heat, Sarutobi Shinnosuke immediately retreated to a safer distance, staring in shock at the fiery chakra cloak surrounding Shichi. "Is this simr to the Four-Tails Jinchriki''s... Fire Release Chakra Mode?" "No, there''s also Wind Release power mixed in!" "Incredible chakra... and such precise control!" Shinnosuke''s shock quickly turned to admiration. "This is probably on par with the Cloud-nin''s Lightning Release Chakra Mode!" "Shichi truly is Konoha''s unrivaled Fire and Wind Release prodigy!" At that moment, Shinnosuke couldn''t help but be in awe of Shichi''s abilities. On the other side, the Iwa-nin were equally astonished. Shichi''s current state immediately reminded them of Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchriki, and his Lava Armoralso known as the Lava Release Chakra Mode. But that required the support of a Tailed Beast''s chakra. Could this kid be the Nine-Tails Jinchriki from Konoha? Impossible! "This guy''s Fire Release has reached a levelparable to the Third Raikage''s Lightning Release Chakra Mode!" "Be careful. Avoid closebat if possible. Like Roshi, this kid''s body temperature must be insanely high!" "Create favorable terrain to drain his strength. A mode like this must consume a massive amount of chakra. If he''s not a Jinchriki, he won''t be able to sustain it for long!" ... Several Iwa-nin quickly exchanged ideas. At that moment, Shichi Hoshita, having fully prepared, turned to Sarutobi Shinnosuke and said, "I''m going in!" Before his words even fullynded, his figure had already darted forward, leaving behind a trail of distorted blue afterimages. "So fast!" Shinnosuke was inwardly shocked. This speed was even greater than when Shichi used Fiery Lotus Steps before. "The fusion of Fire and Wind Release... Even though it hasn''t formed a Kekkei Genkai, it''s already terrifying, altering the very nature of his Body Flicker Technique." As this thought crossed his mind, Shinnosuke followed after him. On the other side, the Iwa-nin shouted as soon as Shichi moved, "Here hees!" One of them crouched down and pressed his hands to the ground. In front of the rapidly advancing Shichi, walls of earth shot up from the ground one after another. Shichi unsheathed his swordnot the Totsuka de, but the standard Anbu katana. As he drew it, he shed forward in one fluid motion. A burst of blue light exploded, shattering the walls in his path. This was the Blue me Waterfall de in Fire Release Chakra Mode, enhanced by Wind Release. Thebination of Fire and Wind formed a detached blue me that took on a crescent shape. "Blue me Sky de, Second FormBlue me Vacuum sh!" Cleaving a path forward, Shichi dashed through the shattered walls. But now, the ground around him had risen, transforming into a sheer cliff face. Just as he was about to leap out of the pit, sharp stone pirs erupted from the surrounding walls, growing rapidly inward. Shichi snorted softly, preparing to slice through the pirs with his sword, but more massive stone pirs suddenly sprouted from the ground beneath him. However, these pirs avoided him, colliding with the others growing from the walls. Boom! The stone pirs exploded. It was Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s jutsu! Although it didn''tpletely neutralize the Iwa-nin''s attack, it gave Shichi enough space to maneuver. With a sh of movement, blue streaks of sword light shed through the air, and stone pirs copsed one after another. In an instant, Shichi had reached the surface again, only to be greeted by a massive wave of rocks and sand surging toward him. Earth Release: Earth Flow River! Shichi continued to run through the air, but hidden within the wave of sand were explosive tags. Boom! Boom! The explosion sted debris everywhere, and shockwaves surged toward Shichi. Yet, Shichi didn''t bother dodging. Blue lotus flowers bloomed around his legs, emitting a high-temperature airflow that neutralized the impact of the explosion beneath him. The scattering debris, naturally, posed no threat either. However, two stone dragons suddenly dove from above, crossing paths to strike him down. Earth Release: Earth and Stone Dragon! Shichi swung his sword, and both stone dragons exploded into rubble. Down below, the Iwa-nin who had cast the jutsu watched in disbelief as their attack was so easily broken. A burly Iwa-nin jonin formed the Seal of the Boar with his hands, preparing to unleash an Earth Rock Cannon from his mouth, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw a river of mud surging toward him. It was Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s jutsu, Earth Release: Earth Flow River! The burly Iwa-nin had no choice but to abandon his attack, retreating as the mud river blocked his path. Landing on solid ground, he pressed his palms to the earth, raising an earthen wall to stop the advancing mud. Meanwhile, in the air, two blue dragon heads appeared on Shichi''s shoulders, their mouths opening to release zing white fireballs that rained down on the Iwa-nin''s formation below. Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions erupted one after another, sending rocks flying as Shichi unleashed a barrage of firepower, bombarding the area. The Iwa-nin retreated while continuing to reshape the terrain in an attempt to defend against Shichi''s aerial attacks. "Hmm?" The burly Iwa-nin jonin had just dodged a fireball when his expression changed. The ground beneath his feet had turned into a rapidly rotating swamp, pulling him downward. That guy again! His Earth Release techniques are on par with my own! "Damn it!" The Iwa-nin jonin gritted his teeth, preparing to use an Earth Substitution to escape, but Shichi suddenly appeared in front of him, standing on the rotating swamp,pletely unaffected. Blue fire lotuses bloomed under his feet as he bnced effortlessly on the shifting ground. The Iwa-nin jonin''s pupils dted. Abandoning his previous n, he rapidly hardened his skin. Earth Release: Hardening Technique! At the same time, he swiftly formed seals with both hands. Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique! Even if I die, I''ll take you down with me! A crazed expression appeared on the jonin''s face as his right hand was covered in solid rock. But before he could throw a punch, Shichi had already swung his sword. The high-temperature de, empowered by thebined forces of Fire and Wind Release, cut through the hardened skin with ease, slicing across the jonin''s neck. Shichi vanished as quickly as he had appeared. The burly Iwa-nin jonin felt his strength drain away, sinking into the swamp and being swallowed by the mud in the blink of an eye. Seeing this, another Iwa-nin jonin''s eyes went wide with fury. "Damn it!" "Die, you brat!" cing both hands on the ground, countless stone pirs began to grow upward, reaching toward the sky in varying heights. But as Shichi advanced, blue lotus flowers bloomed all over his body, and graceful blue butterflies danced in the air, effortlessly dodging the pirs. However, as he reached the center of the area, the stone pirs suddenly exploded. In an instant, rocks shot through the air, with countless shards rushing towards Shichi. "Earth ReleaseEarth Pir Explosion!" This barrage was so overwhelming that even Shichi couldn''t dodge it. Yet, he didn''t even try. He let the stonese, each one melting instantly upon touching his Chakra cloak, unable to harm him. "His body temperature is too highthis kind of attack is useless." "We have to trap him first. Otherwise, with his speed and defense, we won''t..." "I get it!" "And we need to deal with that other guy toohe''s getting in the way!" "Watch out for the Genjutsu expert." Despite their conversation, the four remaining Iwa-nin didn''t stop their attacks. As they spoke, chunks of rock broke off from the ground, forming sharp spears that flew toward Shichi as he emerged from the forest of stone pirs. "Earth ReleaseRock Pir Spears!" The dragon heads on Shichi''s shoulders opened their mouths, spitting fireballs that shattered the spears. Meanwhile, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, following close behind, unleashed abination of Fire and Earth Release, sending ming rock spheres towards the four Iwa-nin, disrupting their attacks and hand seals. Walls of earth rose, only to explode momentster as Shichi charged through them. He appeared in front of one of the Iwa-nin, shing downward, cleaving the ninja in two. But the body crumbled into stone fragments. At almost the same moment, the ground beneath Shichi fractured into sand. Another Iwa-nin''s head emerged, spitting outrge chunks of rock that formed a golem to trap Shichi''s legs. "A clone trap!" Behind him, Sarutobi Shinnosuke immediately formed hand seals, but before he could act, hands reached up from the ground and grabbed his ankles. "You''re not interfering again, bastard! Die!" An Iwa-nin''s voice snarled as he dragged Shinnosuke into the ground. But halfway down, Shinnosuke''s body dissolved into mud. What? The Iwa-nin was shocked, and quickly realized the surrounding earth and rocks had turned into a rotating swamp, pressing in on him. This is a trap! "That guy... he knew all along..." The Iwa-nin desperately controlled the sand-like rubble to lift himself up, trying to escape before the swamp''s force crushed him. But Shinnosuke''s voice echoed. "My role isn''t just to support and interfere. I''m also bait, and the trap!" With those words, Shinnosukepleted his hand seals and spat a high-pressure water jet, easily piercing the Iwa-nin''s body still trapped underground. As the real body died, the clone imprisoning Shichi exploded with a puff. Now, only three Iwa-nin remained. One held Shichi down underground, while the other twobined their efforts for a jutsu. "Earth ReleaseErupting Rock Mountain Cannon!" Two massive half-sphere rocks, over two meters high, rose on either side of Shichi, hurtling toward him at high speed. Though the exchange seemed long, it all happened in an instant. Shichi was trapped, his legs grabbed by the underground enemy, followed by the rock pirs, and now the Erupting Rock Mountain Cannon. The coordination between the four Iwa-nin was seamless, their jutsu flowing without any gaps. Even Shichi''s reflexes couldn''t disrupt such a wless sequence. If he couldn''t break their flow, he wouldn''t try to. Thinking fast, Shichi passed his katana to his left hand, thrusting it into the ground to pierce the underground enemy. No Hardening Jutsu could block it. Next, he spread his arms wide, palms facing outward, as a massive blue lotus flower appeared and began to bloom outward inyers. Earth Release C Heavenly Stone Cover! A massive boulder, like a giant lid, descended from above. The two Iwa-nin barely had time to react, hastily retreating withoutpleting their hand seals. But in the next moment, two zing white beams pierced through the air. The two Iwa-nin twisted in midair, trying to evade. "Ah!" One of the Iwa-nin screamed in agony as a white-hot beam severed his arm. Just as hended, his body suddenly burst into searing white mes, causing him to scream even louder. Scorching Technique! The other Iwa-nin, shocked and furious, began forming hand seals to rescue hisrade. But before he could act, another zing white beam shot towards him. As he prepared to dodge, his body froze suddenly. From the side, Chihiro emerged from the ground, hands forming seals. Demonic Illusion C Tree Binding Death! Thud! A st of fire erupted from the dragon head on Shichi Hoshita''s shoulder, precisely striking the heart of the immobilized Iwa-nin. Boom! The Iwa-nin copsed to the ground, eyes wide open in shock. Meanwhile, the other Iwa-nin was consumed by the white mes, burning to death. Thus, all five elite Iwa-nin werepletely wiped out. Three against fivevictory! The blue mes enveloping Shichi''s body flickered out, and the blue chakra receded, retreating into his forehead as the Yin Seal and Eight Trigrams Seal re-engaged. Shichi exhaled deeply. "Ahh, that feels good!" The frustration that had been building in his chest was finally released. Shinnosuke and Chihiro approached, looking at the battlefield and the scattered corpses in silence. Although it was three against five, they both knew that even without their support, Shichi could have achieved the same result. Fire Release Chakra Modeterrifying! Chihiro quietly evaluated, "Shichi''s strength... It''s probably on par with the legendary Sannin, or even elite jnin like Konoha''s White Fang." Sarutobi Shinnosuke handed the mask to Shichi, who was still basking in the aftermath of battle, and helped him retrieve his sword. "We should retreat. Thismotion will likely attract more shinobi." Shichi snapped out of his thoughts, nodded, put on his mask, and took back his sword. The three of them swiftly retreated under the cover of night, with Shichi leading the way using his heat vision. They didn''t stop until they reached the Land of Fire, where they finally paused to rest. "Shichi, you rest first. Chihiro and I will take the night watch," Sarutobi Shinnosuke instructed. Shichi didn''t refuse. He sat under a tree, closing his eyes, but instead of resting immediately, he reyed the battle in his mind. Without a doubt, the Fire Release Chakra Mode was incredibly powerful. High-temperature attacks and defense, all in one, while greatly enhancing his speed. If the opponents hadn''t been Iwa-nin, experts at manipting the terrain, he would have closed the distance and finished them off long ago. In this mode, techniques like Fiery Lotus Steps, Dragon me Breath, Fire Lotus of Buddha''s Wrath, and Blue me Waterfall de became even easier to perform. If there was any drawback, it was that he could only use Fire Release and Wind Release techniques in this mode. Shichi chuckled to himself, "But that''s more than enough. Fire and Wind are my strongest elements right now. If these can''t defeat the enemy, other techniques won''t help either." "Plus, I wasn''t even using my full power today!" "I didn''t need to use Inferno Lotus, Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, or Wind-Fire Light Wheel Rasenshuriken." "However, against these Iwa-nin, those techniques, while strong, wouldn''t have been as effective." The Iwa-nin were tough to defend againstrge-scale attacks, but for elite jnin like them, they had ways to counter such moves. On the other hand, techniques like Dragon me Breath and Blue me Waterfall de were more potent single-target attacks that they couldn''t defend against. Of course, Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and Wind-Fire Light Wheel Rasenshuriken could also serve as single-target attacks. But for these particr Iwa-nin, Shichi felt they were unnecessary. "At my current level of strength,bined with the chakra from the Yin Seal, as long as I''m cautious in battle, I should be able to survive in this war." "If I could add Creation Rebirth to the mix, that would be perfect." With those thoughts, Shichi finally drifted off into a deep sleep. --- At the same time, on the battlefield in the Land of Rain. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were the first to arrive. They had been alerted by the earlier battle near the cave and tracked the signs to this location. "The terrain here has beenpletely altered..." "It must have been Iwa-nin. Only they could reshape thendscape like this." "Yes, these are definitely Iwa-nin. The bodies left behind at the other battlefield were Iwa-nin too." "Only Iwa-nin have the ability to" Yahiko examined the traces of battle with a grave expression. "A battle of this scale... These Iwa-nin were quite powerful, and their opponents..." Nagato spoke up, "Their opponents were even stronger. And there weren''t many of them... likely only two, no, three people." "The main fighter was someone with extremely strong Fire Release." Konan found it hard to believe. "Fire Release can be this powerful?" "Weren''t these Iwa-nin of the jnin level?" Nagato closely examined the battlefield, sensing the lingering chakra from the Fire Release. "It might not have been just Fire Releasethere are signs of Wind Release as well. It was abination of Fire and Wind." Yahiko mused, "Is it a Scorch Release Kekkei Genkai? I remember a powerful shinobi from the Sand Vige with such abilities." Nagato shook his head. "No, if it were Scorch Release, we wouldn''t find traces of Wind Release." "This could be someone from Konoha." "Konoha, huh..." Yahiko sighed, then smiled. "No wonder, the vige of Jiraiya-sensei." At that moment, Nagato suddenly warned, "Someone''sing!" "Nagato, Konan, retreat!" Yahiko ordered. The three of them vanished in an instant. Soon after, waves of shinobi arrived at the battlefield, surveying the area before quickly moving on. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 107: A Special Wedding Gift!

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: A Special Wedding Gift!

At the border of the Land of Fire. When Shichi woke up, the sky was already bright. He took over the watch from Shinnosuke and Chihiro, remaining on alert himself, while his shadow clone went to search for food. By mid-morning, a spread of fragrant roasted rabbit and fish soup wasid out in front of Shinnosuke and Chihiro. Chihiro couldn''t help butugh, "This must be the happiest moment!" Shinnosuke nodded in agreement. With the roasted meat and fish soup in their stomachs, their exhaustion vanished. "By the way, Shichi, your Fire and Wind release techniques have reached such a levelare you nning to explore the fusion of the two chakra natures next?" Chihiro asked. Shichi nodded. "That''s what I have in mind." "If I can master Scorch Release, it''ll make controlling the Scorch Release Chakra Mode easier, and its power will be even greater." "Of course, that''s just one specialized path. I''ll be developing in other directions too." Shinnosuke chuckled, "There are seven chakra nature transformations in total, and you''ve already mastered them all, haven''t you?" Chihiro was surprised. She hadn''t noticed this before. Shichi admitted with a nod, "Yes, in terms of chakra nature transformation, I''ve already mastered all of them." Chihiro eximed, "What... mastering all seven chakra natures at the age of 10?" "I remember you were born with two affinities, Shichi. You''re truly in a league of your own." Shichi smiled and replied, "But Captain, you''ve mastered six yourself!" He had never seen Shinnosuke use any Yang Release techniques. Moreover, counting from when he started training at age five, it had already been four years byst year. Nagato had mastered six transformations in just three years. Indeed, only prodigies can bepared to other prodigies. Shinnosuke, hearing Shichi''s words, smiled wryly and shook his head. "Shichi, at your age, I wasn''t nearly this impressive." Chihiro added, "I don''t think anyone your age couldpare to you, Shichi." Shinnosuke nodded in deep agreement. Even Namikaze Minato, hailed as a genius, while impressive at that agehaving rescued Uzumaki Kushina from the hands of the Cloud ninjastill hadn''t reached Shichi''s level. After some idle chatter, the three of them set off. By the time they returned to Konoha, it was already around 2 p.m. Shichi and Chihiro headed to the changing room, while Shinnosuke went to the Hokage''s office to report on the mission to Sarutobi Hiruzen. Particrly regarding the final battle, Shinnosuke gave a detailed report. Sarutobi Hiruzen listened attentively, smoking more and more quickly as his surprise and joy grew. When Shinnosuke finished, Hiruzen couldn''t help but remark, "To have reached this level so quickly?" "An astonishing talent, truly surpassing even Minato!" Shinnosuke nodded and said, "Based on this battle''s evaluation, I believe Shichi''s strength is nowparable to the Sannin or even elite Jonin like Sakumo-senpai." "And given his age, along with his self-discipline, hard work, and talent, it''s clear he has immense potential for future growth." "Moreover, Shichi has mastered all seven chakra nature transformations. When he asked me for advice on Earth, Water, and Lightning Release, his ability toprehend them was exceptional. I think it''s only a matter of time before he bes a true all-rounder." "Not only that, he''s also been learning sealing techniques from Minato and Kushina, and he''s said to be highly talented in that area as well..." "I believe that in the future, Shichi will be someone just like you, Father!" That was high praise indeed. Yet Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in agreement. He even thought of something Shinnosuke hadn''t mentioned. That was Shichi''s sharp political instincts. Looking at it this way, Shichi was shaping up to be a perfectly suitable candidate to inherit the title of Hokage. However, given Shichi''s age, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that such considerations were matters for the next generation of Hokage. ... Root Headquarters While Sarutobi Hiruzen listened to Shinnosuke''s report, Danzo was also reviewing intelligence sent back from the Land of Rain. Twelve Iwa-nin, including two full Jonin squads, were all dead. "Fire Release, Wind Release... could it be Shichi Hoshita?" Danzo''s eyes gleamed. He was well aware of Shinnosuke''s abilitiesnearly a replica of a young Sarutobi Hiruzen. But based on the battlefield report, the style didn''t match Shinnosuke''s. "The growth is astonishing, just like Namikaze Minato in his prime..." Danzo felt a twinge of concern. He realized that he couldn''t easily control this cunning youngster. "If that''s the case, I''ll have to form an alliance with him, like I did with Orochimaru, through mutual interests." Danzo made his decision. If Shichi were willing to join his side, not only would he have ess to various forbidden techniques from the Scroll of Seals, but Danzo would even be willing to share some of the current results from the Wood Release research. However, if the boy insisted on opposing him and threatened Konoha''s stability, Danzo wouldn''t hesitate to destroy him. --- Iwagakure, Tsuchikage''s Office noki looked at the intelligence report before him, his expression grim. Twelve elite ninja, including two Jonin squads, were wiped out. And it was done by only three opponents! "Are we sure it''s the same Konoha ninja who attacked Rshist time?" noki asked, lifting his head. Kitsuchi nodded. "We can confirm it. Chakra sensing is more reliable than facial recognition, unless the enemy can alter their chakra signature." noki snorted softly. "Fire Release, Wind Release... and seemingly young." "Activate our spies in Konoha. Find this guy, and then..." "Post a bounty. Ten million... no, thirty million!" Kitsuchi nodded immediately and left to make the arrangements. --- Kumogakure, Raikage''s Office After swiftly reading through the intelligence, the Third Raikage turned to Dodai. "Are we sure it''s the same brat who forced the AB Duo to retreat in embarrassment?" Dodai nodded. "ording to the reports from the Land of Rain, it''s almost certain." "In Konoha, there''s only one person with such Fire Release skills who also belongs to the ANBU. It can''t be anyone else." The Third Raikage smirked. "noki really took a hard hit this time, but..." He nced at the intelligence on his desk. "Someone this young must already have a reputation as a genius in Konoha, right?" "Can we confirm his identity?" Dodai replied, "Based on our analysis, he''s most likely Konoha''s youngest Chunin, Shichi Hoshita." "He graduated at six and became a Chunin that same year. He was a subordinate of Konoha''s Yellow sh, Namikaze Minato." "But current intelligence suggests that Minato''s team consists of three other individuals, so it''s likely that Shichi has been moved to Konoha''s ANBU." "Given Konoha''s traditions, this is entirely reasonable." The Third Raikage mmed his desk and roared, "In that case, let''s mobilize our forces and eliminate this brat!" Dodai quickly interjected, "Raikage-sama, with all due respect." "Judging by the strength Shichi has disyed, unless we mount arge-scale assault, only you personally could guarantee his death." "We need to treat him the same way we treated Konoha''s White Fang; otherwise, we''ll end up like Iwagakure, wasting resources and manpower for nothing." The Third Raikage snorted. "You give him too much credit!" Despite his words, he heeded Dodai''s advice and asked, "So what''s your suggestion?" Dodai responded immediately, "Sell this intelligence to Iwa-nin. I''m sure they''ll be eager for revenge." Although the Third Raikage disliked such indirect approaches, he nodded. "Fine, let''s do that!" ... In Konoha, Shichi Hoshita, having just left the ANBU headquarters, had no idea that he was already being discussed by both the Tsuchikage and Raikage. After heading home to freshen up, he went to the Akimichi family''s noodle shop for a bowl of udon, then made his way to Konoha Hospital to visit Shizune and the others. He hadn''t seen them for over half a month and missed them quite a bit. However, when he arrived at the hospital, he saw Rin Nohara and Shizune together with Non Yakushi. After exchanging greetings, he couldn''t help but ask, "Rin, are you on a break?" Rin nodded with a smile, "Minato Sensei and Kushina-san are preparing for their wedding. They said they''re waiting for you toe back to finalize the date!" Shichi was pleasantly surprised, "Looks like I came back just in time." "Well, I won''t bother you all. I''ll head over to Minato Sensei''s ce." Waving goodbye, Shichi left Konoha Hospital and made his way to Minato''s house. It was Kushina Uzumaki who opened the door, and she was overjoyed to see him. "We were just talking about you! Haha, you''vee back right on cue. Come in!" Inside, Shichi found Minato busy decorating the house, so he quickly went over to help. Not long after, Kakashi and Obito Uchiha also showed up, carrying supplies. It turned out that Kushina had sent them out to buy things for the wedding. Under Kushina''s hands-on direction, the four of them spent the whole afternoon setting up the house, giving it a proper wedding atmosphere. After inspecting the ce, Kushina nodded in satisfaction, "This will do!" Then, turning to Minato, she said, "Since Shichi and Jiraiya-sensei are both back in the vige, let''s set the date for the day after tomorrow!" Minato smiled and nodded, "No problem. The day after tomorrow it is!" On April 24th, in the 43rd year of Konoha, this would be the wedding day of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina. Shichi and the others immediately offered their congrattions. Kushina grinned and added, "Make sure you don''t forget to bring us a wedding gift, or else..." She raised her fist in a yful threat. Obito couldn''t help butin, "Who asks for gifts so directly?" In the next instant, he received a punch from Kushina. "You''re not allowed to talk back to your future sensei''s wife!" Obito clutched his head, wailing in pain, while Kakashi shot him a disdainful look. Shichi chuckled at the scene, then turned to Minato and asked, "Sensei, are you expecting a lot of people at the wedding?" Minato smiled, "Not too many." "Kushina and I don''t have many rtives, so apart from you all, it''ll just be a few close friends." "Oh, and we''ve invited the Third Hokage to be our officiant." Shichi was a bit surprised at first, but then realized it made sense. Though Minato''s reputation as the Yellow sh was already spreading throughout the ninja world, he wasn''t yet the future Fourth Hokage who would turn the tides of war. But whether there were many guests or not didn''t matterhappiness wouldn''t be diminished by the size of the crowd. So after hearing this, Shichi smiled and said, "Looks like it won''t be too exhausting for me, then!" Kushina immediately grabbed Shichi by the neck,ughing, "What, Shichi, are you nning to ck off?" ... After having dinner at Minato''s house, it was already dusk when Shichi said goodbye to Kakashi and Obito and made his way to Orochimaru''sb. On the way, he found himself pondering what to give as a wedding gift. "Choosing a gift is really a headache!" Shichi scratched his head. He couldn''t just give something like kunai or other fancy ninja tools like Tenka had gifted him beforethat would be too inauspicious! After much thought, with no conclusion, he found himself arriving at Orochimaru''sb. Seeing Shichi, Orochimaru smiled, "Shichi-kun, your recent mission caused quite a stir!" Shichi paused for a moment, then realized that Root had collected intel from the battlefield. He smiled back, "We had already retreated, but the Iwa-nin chased after us. Orochimaru-sama, I had no choice." Orochimaru chuckled softly and said, "Danz seems to have some concerns about you." Shichiughed lightly, "If I don''t cooperate with him, he might try to eliminate me?" Orochimaru neither confirmed nor denied, saying instead, "In fact, the chaos in the Land of Rain aligns with our interests, doesn''t it?" Shichi, while working, replied, "That''s not up to me; it depends on what the Third Hokage thinks." "The will of the Hokage is our will." Orochimaru immediately understood. Shichi suddenly asked, "Orochimaru-sama, did you know that Minato Sensei is getting married?" "What do you think I should give as a wedding gift?" Orochimaru, reminiscing, said, "Minato... no wonder that fool Jiraiya is in the vige." "As for a wedding gift..." After thinking for a moment, Orochimaru gave a meaningful smile, "Shichi-kun, I think your idea regarding the Jinchriki of the tailed beasts would be quite fitting." Shichi was momentarily stunned. ... After finishing his work in theb, Shichi returned home, washed up, andy on his bed, contemting Orochimaru''s suggestion. Perhaps Orochimaru knew that he knew Kushina Uzumaki was the Jinchriki of the Nine-Tails. Or maybe Orochimaru was subtly reminding him of it. Shichi leaned toward thetter. In fact, it had to be thetter. "It''s actually a good suggestion, but it''s still just a theoryit hasn''t been tested." "Unless I test it myself right now..." Shichi frowned. If he could help Kushina tame the Nine-Tails'' power, it would indeed be a great feat. Even if she couldn''t be a perfect Jinchriki, if she could control the Nine-Tails'' power and form the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, it would be astounding. Moreover, when it came to sealing techniques, Minato-sensei hadn''t taught him much. Most of what he learned hade from Kushina Uzumaki. The Five Elements Seal, the Evil Sealing Method, Contract Seals, and even their joint research into the Reaper Death Seal... "There are some things I can''t change no matter what, but there are others I can..." Having made up his mind, Shichi couldn''t help but think of Orochimaru, feeling a bit impressed: "As expected of Snake bastard, he truly understands people''s hearts!" Now, Shichi was sure that Orochimaru didn''t know he knew about Kushina being the Jinchriki; the earlier conversation was purely a reminder. One of Orochimaru''s goals was likely to push him into conducting human experiments. Sitting up, Shichi dressed, tidied himself up, left a shadow clone behind, and carefully opened the window before leaping out. He returned to Orochimaru''sb, where he retrieved arge piece of preserved flesh from the Four-Tails, sealed it into a scroll, and took it with him. After he left, Orochimaru appeared from the shadows, chuckling softly, "I knew I wasn''t wrong about him!" "Now, it''s just a matter of waiting... how exciting!" ... On the other side, after leaving Orochimaru''sb, Shichi arrived at a area near the Forest of Death. There, he found an open space and took out sealing tags, attaching them to kunai and embedding them into the ground. With a thought, a faint purple chakra glow erupted from the tags, forming a dome-like barrier that enveloped the entire clearing. Shichi, now well-versed in sealing techniques and curse marks, effortlessly set up the barrier. Once it was ready, Shichi opened the scroll and unsealed the piece of flesh that had fallen from the Four-Tails'' tail. Holding the head-sized chunk of meat in his hands, Shichi frowned, "Should I sprinkle some cumin on this?" "Grilling it might ruin the effects, right?" "But the Tag System didn''t say it has to be eaten raw..." If not for the system, Shichi would''ve preferred to cultivate the Four-Tails'' cells, like Orochimaru, and grow a tail of the Four-Tails to seal inside himself, using it as a chakra battery. Gritting his teeth, Shichi closed his eyes and bit into the flesh. No risks taken, no rewards gained! No craziness lived, no craziness attained! No perversion dared, no perversion achieved! (End of Chapter) T/N: The Next Chapter Gonna Be Awesome! Believe it! And why the fuck is the Chinese authors Writes Orochimaru as ''she'' and ''Auntie Snake''??? Just WHYYYY.. I preferred Orochimaru as ''He'' so I changed it. ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 108: Four-Tails, You’re Too Weak!

Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Four-Tails, You''re Too Weak! [Bonus Chapter]

Shichi Hoshita, eyes closed, bit into the meat, chewing a couple of times before swallowingdevouring it ravenously. Anyone unaware might think what he was eating was some kind of delicacy. Before long, the head-sized chunk of Four-Tails meat waspletely finished by Shichi. Wiping his mouth, Shichi was puzzled, "There doesn''t seem to be any reachmm?" "It''s happening!" His expression shifted as he felt heat rise in his stomach, followed by gurgling sounds, and then a surge of powerful and malevolent chakra. "So strong!" Shichi was startled. The chakra of the Four-Tails wasn''t just abundant; in terms of pure quality, it surpassed his own. To put it simply, even with the same Fire Release technique and the same amount of chakra, the Fire Release cast using the Four-Tails'' chakra would be much stronger than his own! As the vast amounts of the Four-Tails'' chakra began to flow through his body, Shichi realized that just from this chunk of flesh alone, the amount of chakra generated had already surpassed his current physical limits. In the blink of an eye, starting from his abdomen, crimson chakra rapidly spread across Shichi''s body. He could clearly feel the Four-Tails'' chakra seeping into every one of his cells, carrying with it intense malice and a strong will to invade and conquer. If his mental fortitude were to copse, this chakra would quickly take over his body, transforming his cells and causing him to undergo a "Four-Tails Transformation." "Well now!" "As expected, fighting against a Tailed Beast''s chakra isn''t just about physical strengthit''s a battle of wills!" Shichi''s spirit surged with excitement. The next moment, the Tailed Beast''s chakra enveloped his head, bringing with it an even more terrifying wave of malice. Illusions and tempting thoughts flooded his mind. Then, a mental world unfolded. Shichi''s consciousness found itself standing on the surface of a dark, evil chakra-infestedke. In that instant, Shichi focused all his attention. "Come, embrace me. I can make you stand at the pinnacle of the ninja world!" Shichi scoffed, "Sorry, but thest Jinchriki you had was beaten nearly to death by me!" Four-Tails: o((ѩn))o??? The Four-Tails roared, "That was a weakling who could only use a fraction of my power!" Shichi calmly asked, "Then, with all your power, could you make me surpass Hashirama Senju, who sealed the Nine-Tails?" Four-Tails: o((ѩn))o??? Shichi pressed further, "Could your power make me equal to the Sage of Six Paths?" "Could you help me defeat Kaguya tsutsuki?" Four-Tails: (;)!!! Shichi sneered, "If you can''t even do that, what good are you?" The Four-Tails, enraged, shouted, "I can help you persuade the other Tailed Beasts, and you could gain all of their powers! Then you''d be another Sage of Six Paths!" Surprisingly, it had some brains? But Shichi remained unimpressed. "Can you defeat the Nine-Tails?" Four-Tails: o((ѩn))o??? Shichi continued, "If you can''t even beat the Nine-Tails Fox, how are you going to persuade it?" "With your words?" The Four-Tails grew even more furious, its malice surging as it roared, "Don''t you want to take down that Danz, who threatens you?" "With my power, killing him would be a piece of cake!" Shichi shook his head. "I don''t need your power to kill him." "The real question iscan your power help me destroy Konoha?" The Four-Tails fumed, "Why would you want to destroy Konoha?" Shichi looked at it like it was an idiot. "If you don''t destroy Konoha, how are you going to kill Danz?" The Four-Tails snorted, "You find an opportunity to secretly kill him and frame Iwagakure''s Roshi for it, of course!" Hah, a little cunning, huh? But Shichi grew even more disdainful. "So, you''re saying I can''t kill him now and have to wait... then what use are you?" "If I have to wait, I could kill him myself without your help!" Damn brat! The Four-Tails growled in frustration, then tried to tempt him, "Don''t you want to have control over Nono Yakushi, Asuka, Shizune, and even Tsunade?" "Or perhaps, Pakura from the Sand Vige..." "As long as you wield my power, you can use it to erode their wills and control them." Shichi was surprised, "You have illusion abilities too?" The Four-Tails was about to lose it. "It''s not illusions, it''s chakra erosion! I can control them through my chakra!" Shichi, still unimpressed, retorted, "Then what do I need you for?" "Can''t I just use Genjutsu to control them myself?" "If you''re the one controlling them... am I ying with you, or with them?" Shaking his head, Shichi concluded, "Four-Tails will always just be Four-Tailsyou''re too weak!" "Brat!" "You damn brat!" "I''m going to tear you apart!" In the mental realm, the Four-Tails roared furiously, unleashing a massive surge of malice that rushed toward Shichi like a tidal wave. In an instant, Shichi entered his Fire Release Chakra Mode, drawing the Totsuka de and shing in one smooth motion. The blue sword light instantly cleaved the wave of malice in two. "Four-Tails, your power is far too weak." "At best, you''re worth just one tail..." Leaping into the air, Shichi sheathed his sword, and in his right hand, a massive glowing disc appeared. It rapidly expanded, creating a deafening sound as it cut through the air. Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken! "You''re only worth one tail, so why are you acting up?" With that, Shichi hurled the Rasenshuriken at the Four-Tails. The Four-Tails swung its lone tail, roaring angrily, "Don''t underestimate me!" However, even though it opened its mouth, it couldn''t form a Tailed Beast Bomb. BOOM!!! The Rasenshuriken struck the Four-Tails precisely, slicing through its body. The expanding light spherepletely engulfed the beast, and soon it couldn''t withstand the overwhelming power. Its body disintegrated, turning into a massive surge of Tailed Beast chakra. At that moment, surrounded by the crimson chakra, Shichi opened his eyes, pped his hands together, and said, "Seal!" Under his clothes, at the position of his abdomen, the markings of the Eight Trigrams Seal appeared, spinning like a vortex. The seal fully opened and then swiftly closed again, drawing in the Tailed Beast chakra from Shichi''s body and pulling it into the Eight Trigrams Seal. Next, this Tailed Beast chakra flowed into the Yin Seal that was shielded by the Eight Trigrams Seal. As all the Tailed Beast chakra converged, a miniature version of the Four-Tails reformed, floating in theke of chakra stored within Shichi''s Yin Seal. On the outside, the Four-Tails was now trapped within the prison created by the Eight Trigrams Seal. BOOM! Theke exploded as the Four-Tails roared in defiance, attempting to break free from the seal. But in the next instant, within theke of the Yin Seal, five different types of chakra appeared, forming chains that bound the raging Four-Tails. With a thud, the Four-Tails fell back into theke. Five-Element Seal! This was a sealing technique using the five elementswind, fire, water, earth, and lightningdesigned to disrupt an enemy''s chakra and prevent them from using it. This particr seal had been taught to Shichi by Kushina Uzumaki. Once sealed, the Four-Tails, now reduced to a mere One-Tail state, could no longer exert its chakra. It could only sit in theke, watching as its power slowly merged into theke beneath it, bing Shichi''s own strength. "You little brat... You even know sealing techniques..." the Four-Tails muttered, ring at Shichi outside the prison before grudgingly closing its eyes to rest. After all, it couldn''t win anyway... Outside. Shichi lowered his hands, releasing his intense focus. "Is that it?" "Seems kinda weak!" "Then again, it''s just the power from a chunk of meat." Shichi carefully observed the situation, and then discovered that the source of the Tailed Beast''s power was actually natural energy. "A Tailed Beast is a collection of chakra, and even after their Jinchriki dies, they will eventually resurrect after some time." "If a person dies, their body decays and their soul goes to the Pure Land." "But Tailed Beasts are different. Their souls wander the world of the living, absorbing natural energy to manifest again." "That''s why even a small piece of flesh can contain such a massive amount of chakra." "For Tailed Beasts, it''s not their bodies that limit themit''s their spirit!" Shichi''s expression became serious. "The reason the Four-Tails'' power is only at the One-Tail level is because the spiritual will contained in the chunk of meat I ate can only control that much power." "Even the Sage of Six Paths, who''s long dead, is essentially in the same state as the Tailed Beastshis soul free to roam, capable of absorbing natural energy through Sage Arts." "Though the Sage of Six Paths has died, in a way, he''s freed himself from the limitations of his physical body..." Undoubtedly, Shichi hade to a shocking realization by studying the Tailed Beasts. If anyone was the ultimate survivor, it was the Sage of Six Paths! Shichi couldn''t help but marvel at the thought, then turned his attention back to himself. "Looks like I''ve underestimated myself..." "My mental willpower is much stronger than I expected." "It''s not just the Tag System that has enhanced my will and bodymy long-term self-discipline has also forged a powerful spirit." "Plus, there''s my ability to focus..." After some thought, Shichi had formted a n in his mind. The Four-Tails'' chakra in its One-Tail state was at best like a small backup batteryit wasn''t nearly enough. He needed to further cultivate the Four-Tails'' cells, simr to how Orochimaru cultivated the Eight-Tails, eventually growing aplete Four-Tails'' tail. When the time came to eliminate one tail, it would likely increase the chakra capacity of the mini Four-Tails within him. The same applied to the Eight-Tails as well... "Moreover, I can now use the Four-Tails'' chakra to gain insight into Lava Release..." Shichi Hoshita smiled as he stood up, dismantled the barrier, and headed home. He couldn''t let Yakushi Nono and the others find out. Humming a little tune, Shichi happily returned home, dispelled his Shadow Clones, and went to sleep. The next day, afterpleting his usual morning training and breakfast, Shichi went to his study, took out a nk scroll, and began writing. Since he had already tested his theory, his previous assumptions could now be considered as "truth." However, he couldn''t hand this over to Kushina Uzumaki directly. That would be a huge mistake! So, after finishing his writing, Shichi first sought out Sarutobi Shinnosuke, asking him to arrange a meeting with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Inside the Hokage''s office, upon hearing Shin''nosuke''s report, Hiruzen Sarutobi''s eyes sharpened. "Let Shichi in!" "Yes!" Shinnosuke obeyed immediately. A momentter, Shichi entered alone, handing the scroll he had prepared to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen unfurled the scroll, his expression turning serious. The title read: Theories on Tailed Beast Chakra and Experiments with the Four-Tails'' Chakra. Hiruzen took a deep drag on his pipe and continued reading. What he saw next wasn''t the theory itself but references to chakra theory. The scroll began by citing theories from the ninja academy textbooks, with detailed footnotes providing sources for each reference. Then came exnations and insights on chakra theory from various individuals. The list included Yakushi Nono, Tsunade, Minato, Kushina, Orochimaru, Shinnosuke, Shisui, Sakumo, and Kakashi... Hiruzen couldn''t help but take another deep puff of smoke. The format... was rather unique. The content that followed made Hiruzen''s eyes narrow. It discussed the decisive role that mental willpower yed in subduing Tailed Beast chakra. Further on was the experiment Shichi had conducted on himself, sessfully proving his own theory. Although it was just one experiment with a single sess... At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a surprising sense of conviction in the report. However... "Orochimaru, that guy..." Even without thinking too deeply, Hiruzen could guess that Orochimaru must have used Minato and Kushina''s wedding as an opportunity to leak the secret of Kushina being the Nine-Tails'' Jinchriki to Shichi, luring him into experimenting on himself. Hiruzen slowly raised his head, looking warmly at Shichi. "So, Shichi, did you learn about the Nine-Tails from Orochimaru?" Shichi went along with it. "Yes, Lord Third Hokage!" Hiruzen sighed, "Though you seeded, it was extremely dangerous to do this alone." The result was satisfactory, but the method needed discussion. Shichi immediately understood. "Don''t worry, Lord Third Hokage. Next time I conduct an experiment, I''ll make sure to involve Minato-sensei, Lady Tsunade, or even Jiraiya-sama." Hiruzen was momentarily speechless. That wasn''t exactly what he meant! But then again, the allure of the Nine-Tails was difficult to resist, even for Hiruzen himself. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have agreed to the research on Hashirama''s cells back in the day. Back then, Konoha had suffered heavy losses, which is why the order was given to seal away this research. However, now that there was a sessful casea perfect Jinchriki... no, even just a Jinchriki like Roshi of Iwagakure, who could control part of the Nine-Tails'' powerHiruzen would be satisfied with that. So, instead of stopping Shichi, Hiruzen cautiously advised, "Be careful, don''t push yourself too hard. Your safety is the most important thing." Shichi readily agreed, "Yes, Lord Third Hokage!" Hiruzen nodded, closed the scroll, and handed it back to Shichi with a smile. "Is this meant to be a wedding gift for Minato and Kushina?" Shichi took it with a grin. "Yes, I thought it might be a bit unique!" "Hmm... it certainly is unique." Hiruzen said, "In that case, you should go give it to Minato." Shichi bowed respectfully and left. After leaving the Hokage building, Shichi headed straight to his teacher, Minato Namikaze''s house. Normally, a wedding gift should be given the next day. But this one was special, and naturally, he needed to let Minato see it first. Minato, who had been pulled aside by Shichi, looked curious. "Shichi, what''s so secretive?" Shichi simply pulled out the scroll. Minato took it with a smile, asking, "A newly developed jutsu?" "What kind?" Shichi remained mysterious and smiled without saying anything. Minato chuckled as he opened the scroll, but soon, his expression turned serious. When he saw the experimental section, his eyes widened with emotion. "Shichi, you..." Shichi smiled. "The power of the Four-Tails is not as overwhelming as one might think, or rather, it''s just a portion of its power." Even so, having witnessed the terrifying and malevolent power of a Tailed Beast, Minato was deeply moved. "Thank you, Shichi!" Shichi smiled and said, "I''ll leave this gift with you, Sensei. I''ve also obtained some of the Eight-Tails'' cells from Orochimaru-sama, and I''m currently researching them." "No need to rush with Kushina-san. After all, among the Tailed Beasts, the Nine-Tails is likely the strongest." Minato nodded gravely. "That''s true." He had personally experienced the power of the Nine-Tails, and it had been the only time he had ever suffered serious injury. He then cautioned, "The Eight-Tails'' power should be even stronger than the Four-Tails'', Shichi. Be cautious." Shichi nodded. "Don''t worry, Sensei. Next time, I''ll make sure to have you all by my side." Minato nodded, feeling reassured. ... After leaving Minato''s home, Shichi went to Orochimaru''sb. When Orochimaru saw him, he immediately smiled. "Congrattions, Shichi-kun, for proving your theory!" Shichi grinned. "Maybe it has something to do with my physique as well." "It''s still just an isted case for now." Orochimaru chuckled. "That may be so, but I have great confidence in you, Shichi-kun." Hearing this, Shichi asked in return, "Does that mean you n to do the same, Orochimaru-sama? Or... are you willing to let me try out the horn of the Eight-Tails?" He had originally intended to cultivate the horn himself, but it seemed he might not need to waste so much time. Orochimaru''s horn had already grown significantly. Orochimaruughed. "If you need it, Shichi-kun, of course, there''s no problem." "As long as I keep a sample, I can continue to research it." To him, giving up a piece of the Eight-Tails'' horn wasn''t a big dealjust a matter of time and money. Butpared to the certainty of results, it was nothing. Hearing this, Shichi pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Then I thank you, Orochimaru-sama." "However, we should wait a bit longer for the experiment with the Eight-Tails, and it would be best if it''s more fully developed." Orochimaru nodded. "Of course, that''s no problem." "So, will you continue your experiments with the Four-Tails?" Shichi nodded and revealed, "The upper limit of Tailed Beast chakra depends on the control of its mental consciousness." "The consciousness stored in a piece of flesh is limited;pared to the original body, it''s far too weak." Orochimaru''s eyes gleamed. "Is that so?" "Shichi-kun, you never fail to surprise." "I didn''t expect that the chakra of a Tailed Beast isn''t limited by its physical form, unlike humans." Shichi had gained a bit of an omniscient perspective, but Orochimaru''s understanding came solely from his research. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 109: Emergency! White Fang’s Disappearance!

Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Emergency! White Fangs Disappearance!

April 24, Year 43 of Konoha. Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki officially got married. Although the wedding wasn''t grand and didn''t have many guests, those who attended were all heavyweights, and the atmosphere was lively. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, acted as the officiant. The Legendary Sannin were all present, along with Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, Sakumo Hatake, the head of the Shimura n, and Minato''s close friends from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Seeing these people gathered, Shichi could faintly sense something brewing. But... Jiraiya was just too unreliable. He even sent a shadow clone to take over for the busy Shichi, dragging him off to a corner to beg for "research material." Shichi''s face darkened. As a model student, how could he engage in such behavior? What if they were discovered? Although he wanted to be famous in the ninja world, definitely not through "Sexy Justu" like this. So, Shichi firmly rejected Jiraiya but promised they could study something else together another time. ... In the afternoon, after seeing off the guests, Shichi, Kakashi, Shisui, and Obito all felt exhausted. "I didn''t expect a wedding to be so troublesome," Obito grumbled. "It would be nice if we could skip this step in the future." Kakashi immediately retorted, "You can always skip getting married!" Obito panicked and quickly nced at Rin Nohara, who was still busy nearby. Shisui smiled warmly. "Don''t worry, Obito. When it''s your turn to get married, it''ll be others doing all the hard work." "Look at Minato Sensei; he''s extremely happy right now!" The group turned to look and saw Minato wearing a blissful smile, even though his ear was being tugged by Kushina. Shichi couldn''t help but mentallyment: I''ve had enough of this lovey-dovey disy today. Obito, on the other hand, muttered, "Kushina-san is way too violent. Rin is much gentler." He couldn''t resist sneaking another nce at Rin, his face breaking into a shy smile. Noticing this, Shichi yfully teased, "Obito, do you have a crush on someone?" Obito jumped in shock, practically leaping into the air as he frantically denied it, "No! Shichi, don''t say such things!" Shichi grinned, "If you do, don''t let the chance slip by. Be brave and confess your feelings." "Look at Asuma; he already made his move on Kurenai!" Kakashi chimed in dryly, "Shichi, isn''t Shizune the one you like?" Flustered, Obito found his escape. "Yeah, Kakashi''s right! Shichi, are you and Shizune already together?" Shichi spread his hands. "I never denied it, did I?" So arrogant! Obito turned red with frustration. With a sly smile, Shichi suggested, "Obito, how about we have a duel? Whoever loses has to confess to the girl they like." Obito wasn''t falling for it. He pouted, "You''ve already reached Special Jnin. There''s no way I''d win against you!" Shichi shifted his gaze to Kakashi. "Then duel Kakashi!" Obito looked at Kakashi, hesitating but also itching for a challenge. At that moment, Kushina''s voice called out, and everyone turned to see her waving them over. The conversation abruptly ended. Destiny at work! Shichi sighed inwardly and, along with Kakashi and the others, made their way toward Kushina. ... That evening, dinner was held at Minato''s house. After parting with Kakashi and the others, Shichi and Asuka strolled home together. Though it was nighttime, the streets of Konoha''s central district remained bustling and lively. The sounds of vendors shouting, childrenughing and crying filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere of daily life. Shichi walked with his hands in his pockets, quietly observing and listening, a faint smile ying on his lips. This feeling wasn''t bad at all. Meanwhile, Asuka''s gaze lingered more on Shichi than their surroundings. She couldn''t help but feel that there was always a mysterious aura around this young boy, something that unknowingly captivated people. "Do you have any dreams, Asuka?" Shichi suddenly asked. Asuka was taken aback but then smiled. "Of course." "And that''s to live like this, with you and Non." Shichi raised an eyebrow. "That dream might not be so easy to achieve." Asuka was startled. "Is it... very difficult?" Shichi responded, "Because one day, Asuka will fall for someone else, right?" Asuka breathed a sigh of relief andughed. "No way. Don''t overthink it, Shichi!" Shichi chuckled but felt more and more the strength of bonds. Unless someone was utterly heartless, spending time together inevitably formed bonds, feelings, and attachments. Just like now, this peaceful Konoha... he enjoyed it and didn''t want to see it destroyed. There were also people like Non Yakushi, Shizune, Tsunade, Kushina, Minato... each person, like threads, had woven into a that had captured him. Shichi had originally only wanted to live a good life, but now... he wanted more. "Asuka, you''ll have to work hard for your dreams!" Shichi suddenly said with a smile, then leaped away. This brief moment of enjoyment was enough; now it was time to continue strivinguntil... until he stood at the very top! "Of course! I''ve always been working hard!" Asuka clenched her fist, then jumped after him. ... At night, Asuka and Non Yakushi were studying medical ninjutsu in the study, while Shichi was training with the Lightning Release Body Flicker in the courtyard. When ites to the Body Flicker Technique, the most basic version is simply a burst of chakra that propels the user forward at high speed. For most ninjas, this is the standard method, though individuals may have different tricks, and the strength of their chakra determines their speed. Beyond this basic version, there are also Body Flicker techniques infused with different nature transformations. Water Body Flicker allows for high-speed movement in watery environments. Wind Body Flicker, Shichi only remembered seeing Haku from the Ice Release n use it, moving as swiftly as the wind. As for the Lightning Release Body Flicker, the most famous practitioners are undoubtedly the Third Raikage and the future Fourth Raikage of the Cloud Vige. In Lightning Release Chakra Mode, their speed is said to be the fastest in the ninja world. The only technique faster than that would be space-time jutsu, like the Flying Thunder God Technique. Even Naruto, when first using the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, couldn''t confidently say he was faster than the Fourth Raikage at the time. This shows that, in terms of raw speed, the Lightning Release Body Flicker has a natural advantage. Aside from the Cloud Vige''s Lightning Release Chakra Mode, the most typical example of Lightning Body Flicker is the Chidori technique. The nature transformation of lightning activates the user''s cells, increasing their speed, and this counts as a form of Lightning Release Body Flicker. However, the Chidori Stream is clearly nowhere near the level of the Cloud Vige''s Lightning Chakra Mode. Even so, it''s still considered an A-rank difficulty technique. At this moment, Shichi was surrounded by flickering electricity, moving at high speed through the courtyard, using the Chidori Stream that he had exchanged with Kakashi for. However, Shichi didn''t n to make Chidori Stream his primary Lightning Release Body Flicker technique. Although it''s ssified as A-rank, for someone like him, who had acquired the [Lightning Release Expert] tag and numerous other traits that enhanced his talent, it posed no challenge. With superior chakra control, a deep understanding of the human body, a stronger spirit, and sharper mental focus, Shichi could take the Lightning Release Chakra further, activating his cells at a deeper level. This required him to gradually probe, test, and allow his body''s cells to grow ustomed to the electrical stimtion. Since different cells have varying thresholds for electrical current, figuring out how to optimize the overall activation of his cells was a slow, methodical process that needed careful experimentation. The conditions Shichi possessed simply elerated this exploration process. ... Time flew by quickly. Between his training and experiments, the vacation passed in the blink of an eye. Mission work resumed, but for Shichi, not much had changed. Of course, under the guidance of Sarutobi Shinnosuke, his proficiency with Water and Earth Release had indeed improved at a much faster pace. On May 16, Year 43 of Konoha, while eating lunch, Shinnosuke suddenly said, "Shichi, I have some bad news for you." "Huh?" Shichi blinked. "Bad news?" Before Shinnosuke could continue, Chihiro jumped in, "Shichi, you''ve been put on a bounty!" "Huh?" Shichi didn''t quite grasp it at first. "A bounty?" "Looks like I''ve been exposed..." "From Iwagakure or Kumogakure? How much is the bounty?" Chihiro held up three fingers. "Thirty million!" "The bounty was issued by Iwagakure, ording to the information." Shichi chuckled, "Thirty million? That''s not too much." Shinnosuke shook his head. "That''s a significant amount. It''s typically reserved for Jnin or even elite Jnin." Shichi grinned. "If I remember correctly, Captain''s bounty is 40 million, right?" Shinnosuke smiled wryly. His 40 million bounty had a boost due to being the Hokage''s son. Chihiro warned, "Shichi, from now on, you need to be extra cautious when doing solo missions. There are plenty of bounty hunters out there, including some S-rank criminals who are extremely powerful." Shinnosuke nodded seriously. "Chihiro''s right." Shichi nodded as well, his yful tone gone. He was well aware of bounty hunters, such as the infamous Kakuzu, who had been one of the top bounty hunters before joining the Akatsukiand even afterward, he still loved collecting heads for money. Like with Asuma... or Chiriku. Kakuzu was a dangerous figure, after all, and proficient in all five elemental releases. He was no joke! ... In the afternoon, Shinnosuke and Chihiro had to leave for their respective matters, leaving Shichi alone in the Hokage''s office. The memories from the shadow clones training outside suddenly returned, and the Tag Tree in his mind immediately reacted. Mental manifestation urred, and Shichi''s form appeared beneath the tag tree. This was something he had recently discovered, akin to a mental world connected through chakra. Looking up at the tag tree, the [Water Release Expert] tag had finally met the criteria to be activated. Activate! With a thought, the leaves of the tag tree lit up, and the effects of the tag took effect immediately. Water Release talent increased by 100%, allowing the use of Water Release techniques without hand seals. "Only one more to gather the Five Release ExpertEarth Release is left..." Shichi felt quite eager. However, even after obtaining the [Ninjutsu Professor] tag, his focus would still primarily be on the Flying Thunder God Technique. Once he mastered the Flying Thunder God, he would turn his attention back to bing a master of all five releases. He wondered if there would be tags stronger than [Ninjutsu Professor] in the future. As he was contemting, Shichi suddenly heard Kakashi''s voice from the adjacent room, followed by his teacher, Minato Namikaze. Shichi immediately focused. What''s going on? He faintly heard something about Hatake Sakumo. Soon, he heard that Minato and Kakashi had left. "What''s happening?" While pondering, Shichi heard Sarutobi Hiruzen''s voice: "me!" Shichi''s figure immediately sank into the floor, and he soon emerged in the underground area of the Hokage''s office: "Hokage-sama!" Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke gravely: "It has been confirmed that Jnin Hatake Sakumo, who was on a mission, is missing!" Shichi looked up in shock, his expression hidden behind his mask. Hatake Sakumo missing? What kind of joke is this? Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to notice Shichi''s surprise and sighed: "Sakumo was executing a secret mission alone. ording to the previous agreement, he was supposed to return to Konoha within half a month, regardless of whether the mission waspleted." "But now it''s been a month. The two teams sent out previouslyone team lost contact and waster confirmed to have encountered a strong enemy, with all members killed." "The information we have is from the second team, and based on some details left by the first team, Sakumo likely fell into an ambush, which included a puppeteer!" Shichi''s gaze sharpened: "Puppeteers... Third Hokage-sama, based on current information, the only puppeteer in the entire ninja world who could pose a threat to Sakumo-senpai is probably Chiyo of Sunagakure." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, his expression solemn: "Sakumo''s mission was indeed in the Land of Wind, and that''s where he lost contact." "So, Enthis time, we need you to lead a team to the Land of Wind to investigate this matter." "Besides you, Minato''s team will also join." Shichi nodded: "Understood!" Sarutobi Hiruzen then said: "Prepare yourself. They will be waiting for you at the vige entrance!" Shichi immediately vanished. ... At the exit of Konoha Vige, Shichi appeared, having removed his long cloak and mask. He saw his two teammates. Yhi Shiwei, who should be the next head of the Yhi n. The other person was unfamiliar to Shichi, but the distinctive ninja dog indicated that he was from the Inuzuka n. Approaching them, Shichi said: "Hello, I''m Shichi Hoshita!" The bespectacled Yhi Shiwei responded: "Captain, I''m Yhi Shiwei." The other person said: "Captain, I''m Inuzuka Kaku!" "Woof woof!" The ninja dog following Inuzuka Kaku greeted Shichi, and Inuzuka Kaku promptly added: "Captain, this is Hoshimaru." Shichi looked at the white-furred ninja dog with ck spots and greeted it: "Hello, Hoshimaru!" Then he turned to Minato Namikaze: "Minato Sensei!" Minato Namikaze nodded: "Let''s talk on the way!" Shichiplied, and the group of seven set off immediately. Once they left the vige, Shichi nced at the somewhat anxious Kakashi and chose not to offerfort, instead asking Minato: "Minato Sensei, do we have more detailed information?" "Let me exin," Yhi Shiwei said: "The information we have is from my previous team." Shichi turned his attention to Yhi Shiwei. Yhi Shiwei continued: "Due to the terrain in the Land of Wind, we didn''t find traces left by Sakumo-senpai. What we found was the battlefield where the first team sent out by the Third Hokage was killed, partly buried by sand." "Fortunately, they were poisoned, so their bodies were rtively well-preserved, allowing us to gather some information they left before they died, indicating that Sakumo-senpai had encountered an ambush, which included puppeteers." "But there was no additional information beyond that." Shichi considered: "So, the information obtained by the previous team was also very limited." "Perhaps the battlefield was covered or destroyed by sand, or maybe someone cleaned the site." Yhi Shiwei nodded: "We leaned towards such a deduction. The key point is that the information left by the previous team didn''t mention whether Sakumo-senpai was dead or if there were any clues about his body." Uchiha Obito couldn''t help but say: "If there''s no body, it means Sakumo-senpai is still alive, right?" "In that case, he must have been captured by the enemy." Ignoring Uchiha Obito, Shichi said: "Sand can cover many tracesblood, scents, even bodies." "If there were no poison, the body wouldn''t need to be covered by sand; insects and birds would quickly consume it." "Given the current situation, Sakumo-senpai is either captured, dead, or injured and escaped, but possibly poisoned or severely wounded, making it impossible to return to Konoha." Although he listed three scenarios, it was clear to everyone that there were only two possibilities. Either he was dead or captured! As for the third scenario of escaping and being poisoned... in the environment of the Land of Wind, after such a long time, the likelihood of death is high. However, Uchiha Obito, clearly emotional, shouted: "Even if he''s dead and his body is consumed by insects and birds, there should still be some traces left!" Minato Namikaze said sharply: "Obito!" At this moment, Kakashi suddenly said: "Shichi, you haven''t mentioned one possibility: that the enemy might have taken his body!" Kakashi''s voice trembled a bit as he said thest part. Shichi nodded: "If the enemy likely cleaned the battlefield, they might have also taken Sakumo-senpai''s body." "Keep in mind, even a body can be of great intelligence value, especially for a ninja like Sakumo-senpai." Uchiha Obito looked at Kakashi and said: "A powerful ninja like Sakumo-senpai would require the Sand Vige''s Kazekage or arge number of elite ninjas to subdue him, right?" Shichi pondered seriously: "It''s possible that the Third Kazekage personally intervened..." "The strongest puppeteer in Sunagakure is Chiyo, but given Sakumo-senpai''s strength and his fighting style, Chiyo couldn''t stop him." "Obito is right. Either the enemy had arge number of people or there were other strong individuals restricting Sakumo-senpai''s speed." He then looked at Minato Namikaze: "Minato Sensei, there shouldn''t be much useful information left if we revisit the site previously investigated by the teams." Minato Namikaze understood immediately: "So, you suggest we infiltrate Sunagakure?" Shichi nodded: "The likelihood of Sunagakure being involved is very high, considering Sakumo-senpai had a significant enmity with them." "Chiyo''s son and daughter-inw were killed by Sakumo-senpai. They were both powerful Jnin-level puppeteers." "Infiltrating Sunagakure seems to be the fastest way to make progress!" Inuzuka Kaku said: "But it''s also the most dangerous way!" "Even if we enter Sunagakure, the most effective method to verify information would be to target Chiyo or the Third Kazekage, right?" Minato Namikaze added: "We could also verify indirectly, checking if the Third Kazekage led any team out of the vige around half a month ago." "There should be quite a few people who know this information." Shichi nodded and then said: "Then it''s decided. We''ll split into two teams. Minato Sensei and your team will follow the previous traces, while I will take on the task of infiltrating Sunagakure." Minato Namikaze quickly said: "I should go instead!" Shichi shook his head: "Minato Sensei, your transformation jutsu can''tpare to mine, and your genjutsu might not be as effective..." Minato Namikaze had no choice but to agree. Infiltrating Sunagakure is not better with more people. However, Uchiha Obito was stunned by Shichi''s confidence. Shichi is incredibly bold, isn''t he? The key point is that Minato Sensei actually agreed! ... Once the two leaders made their decision, it was set. That evening, they stayed overnight at the border of the Land of Fire. The next day, after crossing the Land of Rivers and entering the Land of Wind, Shichi and Minato Namikaze agreed on a rendezvous point, and Shichi set off alone towards Sunagakure. Additionally, a flock of crows flew overhead! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 110: Infiltrating Sunagakure, Going Big!

Chapter 110: Chapter 110: Infiltrating Sunagakure, Going Big!

This was Shichi Hoshita''s first time truly carrying out a mission alone. In the Root Division, it might have seemed like he was acting solo, but there were always other Root members in the shadows following him. But now, it was just him and a flock of crows. Shichi was grateful he had brought along his trained crows, or he might have genuinely gotten lost. The desert was incredibly hard to navigate! ... Finally, he had arrived! On the third day, after avoiding several of Sunagakure''s outposts, Shichi finally caught sight of the vige. "What a godforsaken ce! How do people even survive here?" Shichi spat out a mouthful of sand. "The Third Ninja World War saw Iwa-nin and Kirigakure bothunch attacks on the Land of Wind, right?" As Shichi gazed at Sunagakure from a distance, he pondered silently, "It makes sense for Kirigakure, since not all of the southern Land of Wind is desert, but the northern part... I can only assume their goal was to eliminate Sunagakure and secure more missions from the Land of Wind." After taking a brief rest, Shichi called his crows down from the sky, giving them water and food, and replenishing their chakra. More cautiously, Shichi ced seals on each of the crows, temporarily sealing his chakra within them to prevent detection when they entered Sunagakure. The seals were set to automatically release after a certain time, at which point the crows could turn into his clones. This was Shichi''s infiltration n. If this n didn''t work, he''d have to resort to using the Toad tness Shadow Maniption Technique to enter a lone Sunagakure ninja''s shadow and infiltrate that waybut that would require more time and waiting. Once everything was prepared, the dozen or so crows pped their wings and took off, scattering as they flew toward Sunagakure. Within less than 15 minutes. By a garbage dump in Sunagakure, the crows gathered and transformed into Shichi, who then quickly slipped away. Momentster, Shichi had transformed into an ordinary Sunagakure viger and blended into the crowd. Wandering aimlessly, Shichi discreetly observed the vige. However, he didn''t linger in any one ce for too long, in order to avoid drawing attention. "Huh?" Suddenly, Shichi spotted a familiar figure. That back... there was no mistaking it! It was Pakura of the Scorch Release! But after just a nce, Shichi quickly averted his eyes. On the other side, Pakura, who was shopping with her student, felt a strange sensation and turned her head. But all she saw was a moving crowd, with nothing unusual. Her student, asked curiously, "Sensei, what''s wrong?" Pakura turned back with a smile, "It''s nothing." "Alright, break time''s over. Let''s resume training!" ... After a quick sweep of Sunagakure, Shichi set his sights on the building where the Kazekage''s office was located. His ideal target? One of the secretaries working near the Kazekage. Such individuals wouldn''t be too strong inbat but would likely know the Kazekage''s whereabouts. If that didn''t work, he could go after one of the Kazekage''s bodyguards, but that would mean he''d have to retreat immediately after taking action. So, he began. Shichi started passing by the Kazekage''s building multiple times, using different disguises each time, blending in with different groups of people. Then, he transformed into a child and yed with other kids near the Kazekage''s building. At other times, he transformed into a bird, hopping and pping around on the rooftops, appearing harmless. Yes, Shichi had learned to transform into a bird and fly. He achieved this by repeatedly dissecting birds with his shadow clones, studying aerodynamics, and improving his Wind Release abilities, which allowed him to finally master the art of flying by jumping off cliffs in bird form. This breakthrough caused his progress with the [Transformation Master] skill to skyrocket, as mastering bird transformations was half the battle in learning to be any type of bird! Time passed slowly, and soon it was night. Shichi had already scouted his spot, transforming into a tiny insect and hiding in the shadows of a balcony, quietly waiting. Near midnight, the target finally returned. Shichi heard the door open and hopped inside the room. Steam rose from the bathroom, but Shichi continued to wait. Not long after, a woman entered the bedroom,pletely naked, stretchingzily before slipping into bed. Sunagakurehot during the day, freezing at night. Without a sound, Shichi appeared and formed a series of hand seals. Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death! Just as the woman was about to fall asleep, she suddenly realized she was being bound to the bed by roots. Her eyes snapped open. "A dream?" "No, it''s genjutsu!" "There''s an intruder!" This woman wasn''t an ordinary personshe was a Special Jnin and reacted swiftly, but she couldn''t break free from the genjutsu. Meanwhile, Shichi sat calmly beside her, cing a cold kunai against her slender, pale neck. "Miss Mami, you wouldn''t want to die silently in your own bed,pletely naked, would you?" Shichi had taken on the appearance of a Sunagakure ninja at this moment. Mami gritted her teeth, "You... you must be from Konoha, right?" "I won''t betray my vige!" Shichi chuckled softly, "Smart woman. But women who are too smart often die quicklyand painfully." Mami snorted coldly, "As a ninja, I''ve long epted the idea of death." Shichi''s kunai slowly moved downward, causing Mami to break out in goosebumps. "I believe in your resolve, but I doubt you want to experience what I''m capable of." "My methods are quite... unpleasant, but I have a mission toplete." Mami''s body trembled, her face going pale. "You devil!" Shichi smiled lightly, "Don''t worry, as long as you share some information, I won''t harm you." "And besides, the information I want isn''t even that confidential." "So, tell mehas the Third Kazekage left the vige on any missions in the past month? And if so, when?" Mami blinked, momentarily taken aback. "That''s all?" Shichi grinned, "Of course. It''s simple, right?" Mami hesitated. Shichi''s kunai moved lower again. "You bastard..." Gritting her teeth, Mami finally began to speak, revealing the Kazekage''s recent schedule. Shichi listened silently, his brow furrowing. Unlike Hiruzen Sarutobi, who mostly stayed in the vige, the Third Kazekage frequently left Sunagakure. However, he seldom left the Land of Wind and only traveled with his personal guard. And in the past month, the Kazekage hadn''t gone on any missions with Chiyo. Unless Mami didn''t know, or she was lying. But that seemed unlikely. After Mami finished recounting the Kazekage''s movements for the past month, Shichi quickly formed another set of hand seals. Mami''s eyes widened in rm. Genjutsu: Temple of Nirvana! Feathers began to fall before her eyes, and already trapped in the genjutsu, Mami''s eyelids grew heavy as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Shichi left the bedroom and transformed into a bird, pping away. Throughout the entire encounter, Mami''s nket had never been disturbedeverything had been an illusion. In the dark of night, Shichi continued his work, targeting several other Sunagakure ninja. His targets were mostly lower and mid-level ninja, allowing him to indirectly verify the uracy of Mami''s information. It became clear that Mami hadn''t deceived him. In a shadowy corner, Shichi, now feeling the toll on his chakra reserves, dispelled his crow clones. In an instant, dozens of crows fluttered into the night sky. "Huh? Why are there suddenly so many crows?" A Sunagakure ninja on patrol was surprised to see the flock of crows take off. Their squad captain, however, paled. "Something''s wrong... Maki, report this immediately! There''s a strong chance an intruder has entered the vige!" With that, the captain and his team set off in pursuit of the crows. Maki hesitated for a moment before jumping off to ry the message. Before long, the previously silent Sunagakure sprang to life, with Jnin leading squads to investigate. ... Outside Sunagakure, Shichi fed his crows and replenished their chakra after theynded. As the crows flew off, he looked back at the vige. "So, they''ve discovered me... That was fast." "But based on the intel I''ve gathered, my previous suspicions have been disproven. If Inuzuka Kaku''s information was correct, the puppeteer who attacked Sakumo Hatake wasn''t Chiyo." "But I still can''t confirm if the Kazekage was involved." "And was there arge-scale assault at that time?" Seeing the approaching Sand ninja, Shichi rubbed his chin. "Actually, there''s a simple way to get the answer." Time for a big move! In some way, Shichi felt responsible for changing the fate of Sakumo Hatake. Emotionally and rationally, he couldn''t ept Sakumo''s disappearance or unclear death. Shichi didn''t know if the White Fang of Konoha had reached Kage-level strength, but he was undoubtedly one of the top elite Jnin of the vige. Even Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, the Sannin of Konoha, respected him. Though he wasn''t the highest authority under Hiruzen Sarutobi, his strength and mission experience ced him at the top among Konoha''s Jnin. Someone like him could be killed, but it had to be in a way thatmanded respectotherwise, it wouldn''t be eptable. ... Soon enough, the three Sand ninja who had been tracking Shichi arrived. "Hey, who are you?" one called out. "What are you doing in our vige?" "Surrender now, or we won''t show any mercy!" the leader shouted from a distance of about ten meters. Shichi took a step forward, and in a sh, he vanished. "He''s fast!" "Where''d he go?" The Sand ninja captain looked around, trying to spot Shichi, but he was nowhere to be seen. Then, a thud came from behind them. Turning around, the captain saw his two subordinates lying on the ground. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead as his grip tightened on his kunai, his knuckles turning white, and his throat dry with nervous gulps. Swish! Suddenly, Shichi appeared right in front of the captain, their eyes locking. "I am Shichi Hoshita from Konoha." Before the Sand ninja could respond, Shichi grabbed him by the throat, lifted him, and mmed him into the ground, knocking him out with a single punch. Three prisoners, captured! "But this isn''t enough..." Shichi muttered as he applied the Five Elements Seal and Limbs Sealing Jutsu to each of them, securing the three in ce. Then he remained on alert, waiting for more reinforcements. Not long after, another squad of Sand ninja arrived. The leader was clearly a Jnin, someone more formidable than the previous group. Shichi, uninterested in small talk, drew his de. In an instant, his figure split into three, and the swords in their hands shimmered with blue chakra, the intense heat causing the air around them to warp and distort. His speed was so great that to the Sand ninja, his three figures seemed not only to leave afterimages but also to bend reality itself. Modified Dance of the Crescent Moon: Three Raging Suns Dance! "He''s so fast!" The Sand Jnin was startled and immediately shouted, "Be careful, this guy isn''t ordinary!" But before he could finish, he drew his sword. At this speed, there wasn''t even time to form hand seals for a jutsu. In the blink of an eye, the three Shichis were upon them. ng! Metal shed with metal as des collided. In the next moment, the Sand Jnin''s eyes widened in shock. His sword, reinforced with Wind Release chakra, was being sliced through by Shichi''s de. "This heat..." Sweat dripped from the Sand Jnin''s brow, and he soon heard the sounds of bodies copsing behind him. Without even looking, he knewhis three subordinates were already down. Realizing the danger, the Sand Jnin abandoned his sword and leapt into the air, quickly throwing several shuriken to buy himself time. However, Shichi responded with even more precise shuriken throws, not only intercepting the Jnin''s shuriken but also forcing him to dodge, preventing him from forming hand seals for a jutsu. ng ng ng! Shuriken and kunai ttered to the ground as they were deflected mid-air. Facing Shichi''s two Fire Release clones, the Sand Jnin was rapidly pushed back, unable to mount any counterattack. His opponent''s speed matched his own, and his kenjutsu was terrifying. Even kunai were easily sliced apart. After only a few exchanges, the Sand Jnin was drenched in sweat. "Where did this terrifying kide from...?" "I need to find a way to alert the vige!" Gritting his teeth, the Sand Jnin struggled to hold his ground, waiting for an opportunity to fire a signal re. But Shichi didn''t give him the chance. His real body, which had been observing the fight, vanished and reappeared behind the Jnin, delivering a precise chop that knocked him out cold. The fight was over. After dispelling his clones, Shichi calmly sealed the four captives, just as he had with the others. Looking down at the seven unconscious prisoners, Shichi felt satisfiedespecially since one of them was a Jnin. He left a shadow clone behind and then disappeared into the night. Although he was nning a big move, Shichi wasn''t reckless enough to endanger himself. Leaving a shadow clone was more than enough. ... After waiting for a few minutes, Shichi suddenly looked up. Birds were circling overhead. "A summoning beast, huh..." He ignored it and continued to wait. Soon, two squads of Sand ninja arrived. Seeing the captured prisoners scattered on the ground, their faces darkened, and they refrained fromunching an immediate attack. Maki, who had alsoe with them, saw his team''s Jnin leader andrades captured, and his expression changed. "Captain..." "Don''t get close!" With a shout, Maki was pulled back. "Hey, what exactly do you want?" one of the older Sand ninja yelled. "State your demandswhat will it take for you to release them?" Shichi nodded. "Smart. No need to waste time then." "I am Shichi Hoshita from Konoha..." As soon as the words left his mouth, murmurs erupted among the Sand ninja. "Shichi Hoshita, the youngest Chnin and Special Jnin of Konoha, the one with a 30 million ryo bounty from Iwa?" "This kid''s supposed to be only around ten years old?" "Why is he here? And why is he attacking us?" "Is he crazy? So arrogant, challenging our Sunagakure like this!" ... Shichi''s strength hadn''t been particrly remarkable during his previous encounters with the Sand ninja, though he had left a deep impression on Rasa and Pakura. However, it was Iwa''s bounty that made Sunagakure aware of his name. Even so, few had actually seen Shichi in person. Not even Pakura knew his true strength now. While some were shocked by Iwa''s actions and Shichi''s age, many of the Sand ninja remained dismissive. A Special Jnin around ten years old? Surely, it was just an empty reputation! But now... looking at Shichi and the captured Sand ninja, there was a mix of anger and deep shock. They had just witnessed his power firsthandthe defeated captives were undeniable proof of his prowess. The middle-aged Sand ninja, hearing Shichi''s introduction, shouted angrily, "A Konoha ninja... Are you trying to provoke a conflict or war between our viges?" Shichi chuckled lightly. "Don''t make it sound so serious. I just captured a few people; I didn''t kill them." "Of course, if you want to start a war, that''s fine too. Go ahead!" The Sand ninja were momentarily speechless, but they were furious. This kid was way too arrogant! Shichi continued, "Now, back to the main point. Call your Kazekage to meet me, or I''ll kill all these prisoners." The moment he said that, the Sand ninja''s fury exploded. "Demanding to see the Kazekage like this... This brat!" "How dare he?! Does he n to assassinate the Kazekage?" "Damn it! Use smoke bombs and attack together. Even if a few of us die, we have to kill this brat. Letting him meet the Kazekage like this would be a disgrace!" "Wait! Don''t rush in. This could just be a clone!" ... The middle-aged Sand ninja eventually held the others back. He red at Shichi. "I don''t know what your goal is, but the Kazekage isn''t someone you can meet whenever you want!" "Oh?" Shichi''s eyes narrowed, and he grabbed a prisoner who seemed about his age. With a swift motion, he cut the prisoner''s wrist with a kunai, and blood began to flow. Shichi''s expression turned cold. "It seems you don''t understandI''m not negotiating." "If you don''t follow my demands, you''ll watch them bleed to death, one by one." The Sand ninja paled, and suddenly, one of them threw a kunai at him. "Die, brat!" The middle-aged Sand ninja''s expression changed, but it was toote to stop the attack. Shichi sneered. He easily caught the kunai and, with even greater speed, infused it with Wind Release chakra and threw it back. Thud! It hit the attacker right in the forehead. The Sand ninja fell, eyes wide open. "So fast..." The remaining Sand ninja were stunned, too afraid to make any sudden moves. The middle-aged Sand ninja gritted his teeth and shouted, "Maki, go back and inform the Kazekage immediately!" Maki nodded quicklyshe didn''t want to see hisrades die here. Hearing the name "Maki," Shichi nced over with some surprise, not recognizing her at first. Just then, a cold voice echoed through the air. "There''s no need. The Kazekage already knows." The Sand ninja parted, revealing a tall figure approaching Shichi. An old acquaintance! Shichi chuckled. "Pakura, we meet again!" "So it really is you!" Pakura scoffed, though she was deeply shocked inside. She hadn''t expected that the one who, along with the Yellow sh, had caused them so much trouble before was now the same person Iwa had ced a bounty onShichi Hoshita. Her intuition back then had been right. It must have been this brat watching her from the shadows, just like in the Land of Rivers! "The Kazekage is on his way. Can you stop this now?" Pakura asked. Shichi nodded, sounding almost cheerful. "For an old acquaintance? Of course, no problem." With that, he gently held the prisoner''s wrist, and a green healing glow appeared from his hand. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 111: The Strongest Kazekage in History!

Chapter 111: Chapter 111: The Strongest Kazekage in History! [Bonus Chapter]

"This guy actually knows medical ninjutsu..." "Lady Pakura knows him..." "Yeah, it''s from that mission in the Land of Rivers. This kid is very dangerous, don''t let your guard down!" "Is the Kazekage reallying?" "Should weunch a sneak attack? Use smoke bombs and genjutsu together. We just need a few seconds." "Absolutely don''t do that! He''s too fast!" The one exining was Madai, who had also fought Shichi before. He was also Maki''s father. At that moment, Maki was frozen in ce. Someone who was roughly her age was already a dangerous figure, someone her father had warned her about! "This guy..." Maki, standing quietly among the Sand ninja, stared at Shichi, vowing to remember this personthe one who so effortlessly toyed with herrades. One day, Maki swore, she would surpass this man and pay him back in kind... She clenched her fists, making a silent oath to himself. ... Shichi, however, paid no attention to Maki anymore. Why bother with Maki when Pakura was around? "Pakura, you''ve be even more beautiful over the years!" Shichi was letting himself looseafter all, this was just a shadow clone. Pakura was briefly stunned, then her face turned cold. Was this brat flirting with her? "You should worry more about how you''ll get out of this situation," she said icily. Shichi, unconcerned, replied, "Simple. Once I get what I want, it''ll all be over." Pakura frowned. "Aren''t you afraid of sparking a war between our viges? Of being punished by Konoha?" Shichi scoffed. "A war, just from this?" "If it happens, then it was inevitable." "And Pakura, don''t keep bringing up war so casually. If you''re not careful, you''ll lose your respect for it." "War has always been a terrifying thing..." One of the Sand ninja couldn''t hold back his anger. "Then why are you doing this if you know it''s so terrible?" "Release them immediately, and we''ll let you leave unharmed!" Shichi shrugged. "Sorry, but I''m just a shadow clone." "And besides..." Looking at Pakura, Shichi smirked. "Rasa must''ve already gone after my real body, hasn''t he?" The Sand ninja weren''t without sensory ninjas, after all. Pakura snorted. "Since you know that, you should understand that you''re in the Land of Wind. You can''t escape from here." Shichi''s gaze sharpened, then he smiled. "We''ll see about that... He''s here!" The Third Kazekage had arrived! "Kazekage-sama!" ... As the respectful voices echoed, the crowd parted, and the Third Kazekage, renowned as the strongest Kazekage in history, walked forward. "Shichi Hoshita... you''re the one who wanted to see me?" The Third Kazekage looked at Shichi. Shichi nodded. "Third Kazekage, you must already know my purpose, right?" The Third Kazekage paused, then nodded in realization. "So that''s what this is about... I see. What''s your connection to him?" Shichi sighed inwardly and replied, "I''m friends with his son, and he once taught me swordsmanship. He''s like a mentor to me." "I see." The Third Kazekage nodded slightly, then said directly, "Yes, you''vee to the right person." "Konoha''s White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, was indeed killed by me." "However, as a shinobi, he should have already understood this would happen." Shichi remained expressionless and gave a slight nod. "Of course." "Then, Third Kazekage, have you made your peace with what''s toe?" The Kazekage''s gaze instantly sharpened. "Oh?" "Are you here to assassinate me?" "Although I must admit, you''re quite exceptional. Most ninja at your age, even me, could not have achieved as much as you have." "But you''re still not enough!" Shichi nodded again. "That may be true, but who''s to say unless we try?" "You don''t mind my challenge, do you, Kazekage-sama?" The Third Kazekage replied, "Young boy, I admire your courage, and I''ll indulge you." "But first, release them!" Shichi stepped back. "Of course." Pakura immediately gestured, and several Sand shinobi rushed forward to rescue the hostages. Madai, after checking on the captives, eximed in surprise, "He''s skilled in sealing techniques too! Get them back to the vige at once and let the sealing squad handle it!" Ahead, after his subordinates were freed, the Third Kazekage raised his hand, forming a clone without needing to make hand signs. "This is just your shadow clone, right? In that case, I''ll use a clone too." The Third Kazekage carried himself with grace. But Shichi couldn''t help but think to himself: Isn''t this how Sasori of the Red Sand will kill you in the future? Still, that didn''t matter now. This was an excellent opportunityeven if it was just a clone. It was time to witness the power of a Kage! Shichi''s focus sharpened, and he fully concentrated on the battle. Zing! The Anbu sword on his back and the Totsuka de at his waist were drawn simultaneously. Sizzle! Blue lightning crackled over his body. Boom! Boom! The ground beneath his feet exploded as stones and sand scattered. All of this happened in an instant. The moment his twin des were unsheathed, Shichi was enveloped in lightning, his feet blooming like a lotus as he shot forward like a bullet. "So fast!" Madai''s pupils dted. "This guy... He''s much faster than before. I can''t keep up at all." On the other side, even Pakura looked shocked. Even the Third Kazekage was a bit surprised. "That speed isn''t far off from Konoha''s White Fang." Up ahead. Without needing to form seals, the Kazekage''s clone summoned iron sand, which shot forward like a dense rain of needles, filling the sky and targeting Shichi. Shichi, charging forward, leaped into the air, unleashing five or six zing white fireballs that rained down on the clone. Pakura''s expression changed. "His fire-style jutsu... rivals my scorch release? How is that possible?" Boom! Boom! One by one, the fireballs exploded, but they were all blocked by shields formed from the iron sand. However, Shichi had already appeared behind the Third Kazekage''s clone. The Totsuka de, glowing blue, cut through the iron sand, while the katana thrust toward the clone''s back. At thest moment, the iron sand on the clone''s back gathered and solidified, stopping the de, which had been reinforced by Shichi''s Blue me Sky de technique, from piercing through. But the iron sand forming senbon (needles) was already shooting toward him. Shichi''s figure vanished, reappearing tounch an attack from a different direction. The Sand ninja, including Pakura and Madai, were stunned. "He''s too fast!" They could only catch a glimpse of Shichi''s form the moment he attacked. At all other times, they saw only shes of lightning and afterimages. "This guy... he''s grown so much, so quickly," Madai broke into a cold sweat. "If I faced an opponent like him, I''d have to use long-range,rge-scale jutsu. If he got close, I''d be cut down before I could even react." "His strength has already surpassed that of an ordinary jnin." Madai made his assessment. Pakura, watching closely, also found herself sweating. Her eyes struggled to keep up with Shichi''s movements. "With that kind of attack, I''d be forced to defend constantly. I couldn''t counter like the Kazekage does." "His fire release is even hotter than my scorch release... This guy is a freak!" The Third Kazekage, observing the battle, also had a change of heart. He had to admit, he had underestimated this brat from Konoha. And apparently, the 30 million ry bounty from Iwagakure had also underestimated him. "Who would have thought that after the death of Konoha''s White Fang, someone with even greater potential would appear." At that moment, the Third Kazekage''s murderous intent red. But unfortunately, this was only a shadow clone. Even so, he silently gave thanks. "Good thing Rasa led the team to pursue him, otherwise..." Meanwhile, Shichi was also realizing how tough the Third Kazekage was. His iron sand defense was incredibly strong, and since it was a kekkei genkai (bloodline limit), he didn''t need hand seals to attack, making his strikes fast, with a broad area of effect, limiting Shichi''s speed advantage. Even though Shichi hadn''t used techniques like me Dragon''s Breath, Inferno Lotus, Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, or Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken, if he couldn''t create an opening in the Third Kazekage''s defense, even with his real body in Wind Style Chakra Mode, he wouldn''t be able to break through. If it were a real fight between their actual bodies, the Kazekage would likely widen the distance, giving himself more time to react. "No wonder they call him the strongest Kazekage in history..." Shichi now truly understood the power of a Kage. Although both used ma release, Rasa, whom he had fought earlier, was nowhere near this level. But after so many years, Rasa had likely made considerable progress. Who knew if he had developed his own Gold Dust techniques by now? Continuous attacks drained Shichi''s chakra rapidly, and seeing that he couldn''t break through the Kazekage''s clone''s defense, he suddenly retreated, plunging his twin des into the ground. "Inferno Lotus, open!" The earth cracked as fissures spread rapidly, encircling the Kazekage''s clone. Momentster, columns of fire erupted from the cracks, blooming like lotus petals. However, due to his chakra being depleted, the mes were merely orange this time. But they were infused with wind release. As the lotus bloomed, the resulting explosion wasn''t just a normal fiery stit was apanied by petal-like des of me. However, just as Shichi was about to unleash this move, the Kazekage''s clone had already started setting up a defense. Iron sand spread beneath his feet, preventing the mes from engulfing him. Around him, the iron sand formed a circr shield, and he even condensed it into a massive iron block that smashed into the exploding lotus, preventing it from creating a sealed-off, zing inferno. Without that enclosed space, the mes couldn''t fully envelop the area and choke out the oxygen. Otherwise, while the iron sand defense could block the explosion, theck of air and the scorching heat would have harmed the shadow clone. As expected of the Third Kazekage! Shichi sighed inwardly, then stood up. "Kazekage-sama, I''ve learned much from this battle..." With that, his figure burst into a puff of smoke. The Third Kazekage dispelled his own clone and then told Pakura and the others, "For any future missions, if you encounter him, you have permission to retreat." The Sand ninja around him were visibly shaken but remained silent. With that kind of strength, they truly couldn''t handle him alone. After a moment of uneasy silence, Pakura spoke up. "Kazekage-sama, what about Rasa?" The Third Kazekage shook his head. "It''s toote. But Rasa is simr to me in style; he''ll be fine." ... Unexpectedly for the Third Kazekage and Pakura, the group led by Rasa, who were pursuing Shichi''s true body, had not managed to catch up with him. Although they had sensory ninjas with them, the target had already gone beyond their range. On the ground, there were no traces left by Shichi at all. Despite his frustration, Rasa had no choice but to admit they hadpletely lost track. "What a troublesome guy..." Rasa frowned. "Captain, what should we do now?" a Sand ninja asked. With no signs to follow, it was impossible to continue tracking him. Rasa could only say, "The mission has failed, retreat!" ... Under the night sky, Shichinded by the edge of a small oasis, not far from where a crow was drinking water. cing his fingers on the ground to sense his surroundings for a moment, Shichi smiled. "Looks like they''ve retreated..." Sitting down, he took out a sealing scroll, retrieving solider pills and a mixture of salt and sugar water to replenish his energy. Just as Shichi finished storing away the scroll, the memories from his shadow clone flooded back. "I actually fought the Third Kazekage, though it was only a shadow clone..." Shichi was surprised, as he hadn''t nned on engaging with the Third Kazekage before he left. However, his shadow clone had done quite well. "The Kazekage''s strength is truly impressive. His abilities are well-rounded, excelling in both offense and defense, and he''s equally strong in singlebat and crowd control." "His attack speed isn''t slow either, and he canunch attacks in overwhelming volumes." "For Sasori of the Red Sand to kill him with puppets, it must have involved a surprise attack and poison to have any chance of sess." "After all, iron sand is a natural counter to puppets..." As Shichi absorbed the memories from his shadow clone, he frowned. "Sakumo-senpai was indeed killed by the Third Kazekage... The Kazekage shouldn''t have any reason to lie, but I doubt that''s the whole story." "That puppeteer... could it be..." Shichi''s eyes widened in shock. "Sasori of the Red Sand?" The Third Kazekage working together with Sasori? Is that even possible? Shichi thought carefully. "I remember Chiyo mentioning that Sasori attempted to assassinate the Third Kazekage three times, and all of them failed." "At this point, he must have already left Sunagakure... Sasori should be about four or five years older than me and Kakashi, around the same age as Shinnosuke. Right now, he should be around fourteen or fifteen years old..." "Sasori''s motive for assassinating the Kazekagewanting him as a puppetstems from the death of his parents, who were killed during the Second Shinobi War while the Third was in power. And the person responsible for killing his parents, Konoha''s White Fang, died before he had a chance to get his revenge." Shichi took a deep breath. "So, by changing White Fang''s fate, did I also change Sasori''s?" "Has Sasori already left Sunagakure?" Thinking about this, Shichi briefly considered, "Should I infiltrate Sunagakure again to investigate Sasori?" But then he quickly dismissed the idea. "Forget it..." Sunagakure would definitely be on high alert now, and it would be far too dangerous, even for a shadow clone. "I don''t need to personally go to Sunagakure to gather intel on Sasori. Konoha likely has spies there as well. Just obtaining information on Sasori shouldn''t be a problem." After resting enough, Shichi stood up and headed towards the rendezvous point he had previously agreed on with Minato and the others. ... The next morning, at the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers, Shichi, who had rested for two hours atop a small hill, suddenly opened his eyes. They''ve finally arrived! Soon, Minato and the group appeared in Shichi''s sight, and he quickly leaped down the hill. Seeing Shichi unharmed, Minato finally let out a sigh of relief. Obito, unable to contain his curiosity, immediately asked, "Shichi, how did things go on your side? We couldn''t find any useful information at all!" Shichi nodded silently, then looked over at Kakashi. Rin''s gaze was filled with concern as she looked at Kakashi. Kakashi, however, had alreadyposed himself, and when Shichi looked at him, he calmly said, "This is a shinobi''s duty. I''m prepared." Hearing this, Shichi said, "Sakumo-senpai has passed away. I confirmed it from the Third Kazekage." The Third Kazekage! Everyone was shocked. Minato said in a serious tone, "The strongest Kazekage in history, with the Ma Release Kekkei Genkai, capable of controlling iron sand... He definitely has the strength to defeat Sakumo-senpai." Yhi Shiwei sighed. "I didn''t expect the Third Kazekage to personally get involved." It was rare for a vige''s Kage to personally participate in a mission, except in Kumo, where the Raikage often took action. In most other viges, the Kage rarely left the vige. After all, a Kage represented the pinnacle of a vige''s strength. If a Kage had to personally take action, how dire must the situation have been? At this moment, Kakashi was in a daze, silent tears streaming down his face. Although he had mentally prepared himself for his father''s death, now that he had received confirmation, he couldn''t help but break down. "Kakashi..." Rin''s heart was full of worry, but she didn''t know how tofort him. Even Obito, who often argued with Kakashi, was at a loss for words seeing him like this. It was the first time he had seen the usually arrogant Kakashi in such a state. Earlier too, it was the first time he had seen Kakashi, normally so cool andposed, acting so anxious. For some reason, Obito felt an unfamiliar sense of frustration, an overwhelming feeling of... helplessness. Looking at Kakashi, then at Minato and the others, Obito couldn''t stand the heavy atmosphere any longer. He blurted out, "Since... since we know who the culprit is, can''t we avenge him?" Avenge him? Yhi Shiwei and Kaku Inuzuka exchanged nces but remained silent. Minato patted Obito on the shoulder and said, "It''s not that simple. He''s the Kazekage of Sunagakure." "Infiltrating Sunagakure and killing their Kage would be incredibly difficult." "And even if the Third Kazekage left the vige, he''d still have guards with him." "Taking down someone like him isn''t something a single squad can achieve." Shichi then turned to Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, there''s another piece of information." Kakashi quickly wiped away his tears and looked at Shichi. Shichi continued, "I infiltrated Sunagakure and spent almost a month gathering intel on the Third Kazekage''s movements, especially whether he had been involved in any missions with Chiyo. The information shows that he hasn''t." "He''s mostly been operating within the Land of Wind, apanied only by his personal guards." Minato pondered for a moment before saying, "So the puppeteer who apanied the Third Kazekage wasn''t Chiyo." "That makes sense. With the Third Kazekage present, a puppeteer wouldn''t be as crucial." "After all, Chiyo isn''t the only high-level puppeteer in Sunagakure." Shichi nodded. "You''re right, Minato-sensei. But the key point is about Sakumo-senpai''s body." "I suspect the Third Kazekage was hiding something." Obito immediately asked, "So... can we retrieve Sakumo-senpai''s body from Sunagakure?" Shichi shook his head. "That''s not possible, and I don''t believe the body is even in Sunagakure." Everyone looked puzzled. Obito asked, "Shichi, what exactly do you mean?" Minato then asked, "Shichi, how did you get this information from the Third Kazekage?" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 112: A Person Worthy of Respect!

Chapter 112: Chapter 112: A Person Worthy of Respect!

After hearing Shichi recount the process of infiltrating Sunagakure and threatening the Kazekage, everyone fell into stunned silence. Uchiha Obito was dumbfounded. "That actually worked?" Using a hostage to threaten the Kazekagesuch a provocative actionweren''t they worried about igniting a war between the two viges? Namikaze Minato, however, keenly picked up on something, swiftly shifting the topic away from the matter of Hatake Sakumo''s corpse. So, after the initial shock, Namikaze Minato said, "Alright everyone, since the mission isplete, let''s take a short break and then head back to the vige immediately." Yhi Shiwei and Inuzuka Kaku looked toward Shichi Hoshita. Although they were familiar with Namikaze Minato, Shichi was now their captain. Shichi smoothly agreed and nodded. During the rest break, Shichi pulled Kakashi aside to discuss Lightning Release techniques, hoping to divert his attention. The effect was quite good. Moreover, Shichi noticed a change in Kakashi. Revenge! He didn''t offer clichd advice like "don''t be consumed by hatred." Hatred could be a source of strength, helping Kakashi''s innate talent explode, leading to rapid progress. As long as Kakashi didn''t fall too deeply into the abyss. Once the Third Kazekage was dead, Kakashi would naturally be freed from it. That time wouldn''t be too far off. "If Sasori of the Red Sand doesn''t assassinate the Third Kazekage, what if someone else did?" "Besides, Kakashi''s potential won''t fall short of the Third Kazekage..." Shichi had great confidence in Kakashi''s talent. Still, learning about Hatake Sakumo''s death from the mouth of the Third Kazekage left him deeply unsettled. It wasn''t just because of Sakumo''s guidanceit was the looming feeling of fate. Yet Shichi refused to believe in fate. If fate existed, he wouldn''t have appeared in this world. Moreover, he had no intention of bing like Jiraiya, driven by some inevitable destiny. ... Two hourster, Shichi and the others set off back to Konoha. Passing through the Land of Rivers and into the Land of Fire, they arrived at Konoha by the next day. Upon returning to Konoha, Shichi immediately received some news from Sarutobi Shinnosuke. "Forty million?" Shichi hadn''t expected his bounty to rise so quickly, now matching Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s. The Third Kazekage sure was stingy. Sarutobi Shinnosuke chuckled, "Shichi, it seems like only Kirigakure hasn''t witnessed your prowess yet, but I''m sure they''ve heard your name by now." Both Iwagakure and Sunagakure had ced bounties on him one after the other, and Shichi was one of Konoha''s rare geniuses. Kirigakure had likely been gathering information for a while; by now, it was inevitable. Shichi sighed, "Captain, you know meI''m not a fan of fighting. I prefer training quietly. Peace in the shinobi world would be ideal." Sarutobi Shinnosuke shook his head helplessly and then paused; they had reached the Hokage''s office. Ending their small talk, Shichi knocked and entered to report the details of their mission to Sarutobi Hiruzen. Namikaze Minato had already given a report, but only from his own perspective. Shichi, however, downyed thebat details, focusing more on the intelligence he had gathered and his spections. Sarutobi Hiruzen, smoking his pipe with a thoughtful expression, sighed after listening, "I didn''t expect the Third Kazekage to get involved personally..." "Also, Shichi, you suspect that Sakumo''s body might be used to create a puppet?" Shichi nodded. After a moment of contemtion, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "I''ll pass that information along. For now, don''t let Kakashi know about the possibility of his father''s body being used as a puppet." Shichi nodded, "Understood!" Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "Shichi, your next task will be to carry out secret research on Tailed Beast chakra. Officially, you''ll be stationed at the Konoha Hospital." Shichi immediately epted the mission, "Understood!" This arrangement suited him perfectly. Plus, as a Special Medical Jonin, it was only natural for him to return to Konoha Hospital. Of course, this didn''t mean he was leaving the ANBU entirely. However, his way of doing things didn''t exactly align with the style of the ANBU. After leaving the Hokage building, Shichi stretchedzily. "Time to go home and soak in the bath!" After days of eating sand, what he craved most right now was a hot bath. At home, Yakushi Nono and Asuka were both out, so Shichi rxed in the bathtub, quietly reflecting on his training. After mastering the Lightning Release Body Flicker and obtaining the "Body Flicker Expert" tag, he had begun training in the Flying Thunder God technique. The "Renowned/Famous" tag was almostplete, with just Kirigakure left to check off. He was close to acquiring the "Transformation Master" tag. The "Medical Master" tag depended on Orochimaru''s progress. The "Devourer" tag was tied to the researching of the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails cells. As for "Clone Master" and "Substitution Master," both were linked to his research on the Eight-Tails, which would be a primary focus of his uing experiments. "Sensory Master" and "Sealing Master" would require the development of new ninjutsu. Of course, there was also the "Earth Release Expert" tag, which he was about to unlock, and once he mastered all five elemental releases, he would obtain the "Ninjutsu Professor" tag. "Looks like I''ll be just as busy as ever..." Shichi thought. "Aside from innate talent and physical enhancements, the Flying Thunder God technique is currently the only one that can directly raise mybat potential." "The other abilities will just make me more well-rounded..." "But even though the tags like Ninjutsu Expert, Ninjutsu Master, and Ninjutsu Professor don''t involve Kekkei Genkai, they will allow me to reach heights in nature and shape transformations that ordinary people can''t." "These are the foundation and confidence I need to develop a Kekkei Genkai!" As he thought about this, a red Four-Tails chakra began to swirl around him. Lava Release might be the Kekkei Genkai he could master the fastest. This was because he could sense it directly through the Four-Tails'' chakra. After a while, Shichi stood up, cleaned himself off, and headed out. On his way to Konoha Hospital, he stopped by to have a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen. Ichiraku Teuchi sure was young back then! After finishing his meal, Shichi strolled down the street, sending out several Shadow Clones. Some to train in Earth Release, others to work on the Lightning Body Flicker, some for transformation techniques, others to head to Orochimaru''sb, and some even to the Forest of Death to y with Shiro. Everything was neatly arranged. Arriving at Konoha Hospital, Shichi found Shizune, who was organizing medical files. "Hey, Shichi?" Shizune looked pleasantly surprised when she saw him. "Is your missionplete?" Shichi nodded with a smile. "Yes, it went smoothly. I''ll be back here for a while." "Really?" Shizune was even more thrilled. "That''s wonderful!" Shichi smiled and nodded, then asked, "How''s the progress with the Yin Seal?" Shizune''s face fell slightly. "It''s so difficult. The chakra control requirements are incredibly high." Shichi gently patted her head andforted her, "It''s okay. Chakra control can be trained over time. I''ll be here to help you." Hearing this, Shizune''s face brightened again, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Mm!!" Shichi then helped Shizune organize the medical files as they chatted about recent happenings. For instance, Tsunade had been digging through a room full of scrolls, many of which had been left behind by the First and Second Hokage. Shizune also mentioned some old research notes on Hashirama cells. Although the research on Hashirama''s cells, overseen by Sarutobi Hiruzen years ago, hadn''t been sessful, it wasn''t without some breakthroughs. Before they knew it, the afternoon had passed. After work, Shichi and Shizune went to a training ground where their group of friends often gathered. There, they found Kakashi and Might Guy engaged in a taijutsu duel. "Guy is amazing!" Shizune couldn''t help but praise him. Shichi nodded in agreement. He knew Shizune wasn''t just praising Guy''s taijutsu skills but also his sheer determination. However, it was clear that even Might Guy wasn''t always cheerful and optimistic. When the duel ended and both he and Kakashiy on the ground, Shichi and Shizune approached, just in time to hear Guy''s slightly dejected voice: "Kakashi, do you think I''ll be a genin forever?" His father had been a genin his whole life. Now, it was hard for Guy to even find people willing to go on missions with him. Most of his tasks were the kind that fresh academy graduates took on. Guy''s relentless training had yielded significant results, allowing him to enter the academy and graduate as a genin. In terms of taijutsu, he was among the best in his age group and held his own against Kakashi in their duels. But that was as far as it went. Lately, Guy, whose talent in ninjutsu wascking, had started to feel like he was seeing his own future through his father''s life. Kakashi listened to Guy''s words and couldn''t help but think of his own father. He spoke up, "Uncle Duy''s strength may not have been great, and now he''s only doing those small, unnoticed missions, but... in the end, he raised you into who you are today." "Guy, haven''t you already surpassed him?" Might Guy was stunned. Kakashi looked at the setting sun and said, "Uncle Duy is the sunset, and you are the sunrise." "You''ve already achieved in your youth what Uncle Duy spent his whole life working toward. You are his continuation." "Guy, do you think twenty years from now, you''ll still be the same as you are today?" "In twenty years, your descendants will probably be even more exceptional than you are now." "Maybe that''s Uncle Duy''s Will of Fire..." Might Guy froze, and before he knew it, tears streamed down his face. "I understand now..." "Hard work is never wasted!" "My father''s hard work continues through me!" "He may be the sunset, and his youth may be fading, but my youth is also his youth!" "So, the will passed down through generations will never fade, and the fiery youth will never cool down!" At this point, Shichi chimed in, "Guy, Ipletely agree with what you said!" "When the dayes that you are renowned throughout the ninja world, Uncle Duy will be proud of you!" "And when, twenty years from now, your descendants are famous throughout the ninja world, you''ll be proud of them too!" "Likewise, you will be a role model for your descendants, and just as you look up to Uncle Duy, they will look up to you!" "Uncle Duy is a man worthy of respect, and the fact that he was only a genin doesn''t change that." Shichi''s words werepletely sincere. It wasn''t because he knew that Might Duy had hidden strength. It was because Might Duy, as a father, was someone truly worthy of admiration. In this regard, failures like Fugaku Uchiha and Rasa had to be mentioned as examples of bad parenting. Kakashi and Might Guy had noticed Shichi''s arrival long ago but didn''t mind his presence. Upon hearing Shichi''s voice, Might Guy instantly jumped to his feet, wiped away his tears, and was back at full strength. "Shichi! Let''s have a youthful and passionate duel!" "Even though I know I''m not your match, isn''t this a form of willpower too?" "Knowing it''s impossible and still doing it, maybe that''s the greatest form of courage!" Shichi gave him a thumbs up. "Then let''s begin!" Shizune quickly stepped back, watching in amazement as Guy''s spirit seemedpletely transformed. She couldn''t help but exim, "That kind of... determination is really admirable." Kakashi appeared beside her and said, "That might be Guy''s greatest strength." He hadforted Guy, but he himself hadn''t fully recovered yet. Guy''s ability to adjust his mentalitythis talent was truly... exceptional! ... As expected, Might Guy lost the fight. After an intense battle, an exhausted Might Guyy on the ground resting, while Shichi nced at Kakashi and Shizune, both of whom were busy with their own training. Suddenly, he suggested, "Guy, why not create your own unique taijutsu techniques?" "Huh?" "Your own taijutsu techniques?" Might Guy, unsure of himself, propped himself up and asked hesitantly, "Is that really possible?" "I''m still just a genin!" Shichi smiled. "I developed my own ninjutsu when I was a genin." "Kakashi isn''t a jonin yet either, but he''s already developed techniques that are far beyond jonin-level difficulty." "Remember, everyone is different. There''s a technique suited for each person, and that includes taijutsu." "Your habits, the way you unleash your strengtheverything is unique to you." Might Guy thought about this and felt it made perfect sense. He immediately became fired up again. "Shichi, you''re right!" "My father once said that surpassing others isn''t something to be proud of. Only when you surpass your current self is it true greatness!" "Then it''s settled! From today onward, I will develop my own taijutsu techniques!" But soon after, Might Guy scratched his head in confusion. "But where do I even start?" Shichi smiled and suggested, "How about starting with the way you unleash your strength, or your attack techniques?" "For example, how can a sidekick be more powerful, with greater explosive force?" "Or how can you observe your opponent to predict their movements to some extent?" "Or when facing an enemy you can''t get close enough to physically strike, how could you transmit your strength over a distance?" One suggestion after another made Might Guy''s eyes light up, and he gave Shichi a big thumbs-up with his trademark grin. "You never disappoint, Shichi!" ... That night, in his study. Shichi frowned as he continued to study the half of the technique he had copied from the Totsuka de. It was a path that could lead to Sage Mode! The most important part was that, based on what he had learned so far, this technique had the potential to store and seal natural energy. And it was clear that Mount Myoboku couldn''t achieve this. Otherwise, Jiraiya wouldn''t have needed to rely on the fusion with the two Great Sage Toads toplete Sage Mode. And his teacher, Minato Namikaze, wouldn''t have said, "I''m not very good at Sage Mode," only to enter it immediately afterward. It was clearly due to the Yin Nine-Tails. "Unfortunately, this technique is severely iplete..." Shichi massaged his temples and thought, "My foundation is stillcking." "I need to strengthen my knowledge of seals and curse marks." Putting away the scroll, Shichi decided to head to Tsunade''s ce tomorrow. There were plenty of resources there! And if Tsunade didn''t have what he needed, she could always call for it from the Hokage building. That would be much more convenient than him going through Sarutobi Shinnosuke for authorization. Besides... Working with a partner makes everything easier, doesn''t it? (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 113: Chidori Body Flicker!

Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Chidori Body Flicker!

The next day, Shichi first went to the Konoha Hospital with Yakushi Non and the others. After leaving a shadow clone there, his real body headed to Tsunade''s ce. As expected, scrolls were scattered everywhere, filled with densely packed symbols and seals. At that moment, Tsunade was frowning at a particr scroll, seemingly stuck on a difficult problem. Shichi didn''t interrupt her. Instead, he began tidying up the scattered scrolls, categorizing them, and delving into his own research. Tsunade nced up at him, then returned to her thoughts. However, without a clear solution, she quickly gave up and looked toward Shichi. "Hey, what are you studying?" Without looking up, Shichi replied, "Anything that interests meseals, curse marks, jutsus... these are all precious knowledge left by those who came before us." Tsunade snorted, "So you''re using your memory pce to copy them?" Shichi smiled, looking up. "It''s just thanks to my exceptional memory. Lady Tsunade, you don''t mind, do you?" Then he asked, "Are you stuck on something, Lady Tsunade?" "Why not discuss it with me?" Tsunade pouted pridefully, but then nodded, unable to resist. Shichi immediately walked over, sat beside her, and leaned in to look at the content on the scroll. Before long, the two were deep in discussion. ... Meanwhile, in a forest, Shichi''s shadow clone was surrounded by crackling electricity, gradually delving into the fine art of cellr activation using Lightning Release. This was meticulous work! Kakashi''s Chidori Stream was a technique where he released Lightning Release chakra through certain points in his body, covering himself in electric currents that both activated his cells, boosting speed, and provided offensive and defensive capabilities. However, Shichi''s approach was to release chakra through every single point in his body, much like the members of the Hyuga n. This was something most ninjas were unable to achieve. The easiest ces to release chakra were the hands, feet, and throat. That''s why ninjas mostmonly used their hands and throats to release ninjutsu. Previously, Shichi could only unleash his Fire Lotus from his feet. One reason was his limited chakra reserves, and the other was the extreme difficulty of releasing chakra from all over the body. This was also where the Strength of a Hundred Technique''s brilliance came into y. Thanks to this, Shichi could take his version of the Chidori Stream even further, delving deeper into cellr activation. Suddenly, the lightning around Shichi dissipated. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he muttered, "There are many in the Cloud Vige who have mastered Lightning Release, but in reality, only the Raikages have perfected it." "Is this technique considered a secret jutsu? It doesn''t seem like it..." "For the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, the entire body must emit Lightning Release chakra to deeply activate the cells, including the nerve cells. This grants superior reflexes and speed, while forming a powerful Lightning Armor with incredible defense." "If the Third and Fourth Raikages had this level of chakra control, their Lightning Armor shouldn''t look like it does now. In my previous fight with A, it was clear that his control over his Lightning Release chakra wasn''t as precise as my control over Fire and Wind Releases." "So... do they rely on their strong bodies to recklessly release it?" "A powerful physique and vast chakra reserves must be the prerequisites for this technique." "Judging by the training difficulty, it might actually only be a B-rank technique?" Shichi''s shadow clone chuckled. "In that case, it seems I don''t need to be so cautious with my control over lightning chakra anymore." "My physical abilities have improved in all areas, plus my recovery ability has been enhanced twice, and my resistance to injury and illness has improved once." "Although without the Yin Seal to support it, I don''t have enough chakra to form a Lightning Release Chakra Mode like the Raikage''s, but I only need to activate part of my cells." "After all, my neural reflexes are fast enough... and my goal is just to increase speed." "In that case, highly activating the cells in my limbs should be enough, right?" At that moment, Shichi''s shadow clone felt like a genius. He had simplified what was originally a veryplex issue. "Well then, let''s give it a try!" Shichi sped his hands together, and the chakra from Lightning Release surged through his limbs. In the next moment, his arms and legs were enveloped in a dense blue electric light, and soon, the lightning spread to his entire body. But the very next moment, there was a loud bang, and the shadow clone exploded. ... At Tsunade''s house, Shichi was engaged in a heated discussion, exchanging sharp words with her, when he suddenly paused. Tsunade, deeply immersed in their debate, stopped and immediately frowned. "What''s the matter?" Shichi gave an awkward smile. "One of my training shadow clones ran into a problem." He had thought there would be some breakthrough, but... well, maybe he was being a bit too clever. Still... Shichi asked, "Lady Tsunade, do you know much about the Lightning Release Chakra Mode from the Hidden Cloud Vige?" "Lightning Release Chakra Mode?" "You''re studying that technique?" Tsunade was surprised, then said, "Don''t waste your time." "That technique is B-rank in difficulty, but the entry barrier is extremely high." "The Raikage lineage is naturally gifted with powerful bodies and vast chakra reserves." "To achieve that level, one must continuously activate cells throughout the entire body. It''s not simple and requires releasing chakra from every point in the body." "That''s something only the Hyuga n in Konoha can do." "Without the Byakugan, the Raikage lineage found the simplest way to achieve this." Shichi added, "A crude methodusing their strong bodies to ignore the pain." Tsunade nodded, "Exactly." "In the ninja world, techniques that aren''t too difficult but are still incredibly powerful usuallye with high barriers to entry." Shichi nodded, realizing that his shadow clone''s earlier analysis hadn''t been wrong. The idea was good, but a little off course. It wasn''t that the shadow clone was foolishits task was simply to develop the Lightning Body Flicker. As for how to fight, that was the real body''s job. While the shadow clone''s thinking had been slightly misguided, the overall direction was still correct. Tsunade looked at Shichi and asked, "Are you trying to use the Strength of a Hundred Technique as a foundation to train the Lightning Release Chakra Mode?" "Although it solves the issue of chakra and the problem of rapidly activating cells throughout the body, your body isn''t strong enough to endure the intense nature transformation of Lightning Release." Shichi nodded, acknowledging that his body wasn''t strong enough. Even though his physique had been enhanced several times and he hadn''t cked on basic training, in such a short time, it was impossible to match the physical strength of the Raikage lineage. Even for the Raikage lineage, their strength didn''te naturally; it was developed through decades of relentless training. The strength Tsunade referred to was clearly a gifted kind of strength. However, using the Strength of a Hundred Technique to assist in training the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, like he did with the Fire Release Chakra Mode? Shichi dismissed that idea. Maybe it would be worth trying to master the full Lightning Release Chakra Mode in the future, but for now, it wasn''t necessary. Using the Lightning Release Chakra Mode would make it impossible to use other jutsu, just as when he used the Fire Release Chakra Mode, he couldn''t use anything outside of Fire and Wind Release. Even with the Strength of a Hundred, it would take an incredibly long time to even approach the level of the Third Raikage, let alone the current A''s level. That wouldn''t align with Shichi''s goal of quickly raising hisbat power in the short term. And this was only assuming his body could handle the improvement in Lightning Release. "Lady Tsunade, my goal isn''t the full Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but rather the Lightning Body Flicker." Shichi exined. "Lightning Body Flicker?" Tsunade was puzzled. "If I recall correctly, your Fire Body Flicker is already incredibly fast, and you''ve even managed to use both Fire and Wind Release techniques simultaneously." "Even if you develop the Lightning Body Flicker, you wouldn''t be able tobine it with your strongest jutsu so far. You''d have topletely shift to the Lightning Release path." As Tsunade spoke, she began to realize something. "Are you nning to activate only parts of your body with high-intensity Lightning Release?" "For example, your arms and legs?" Shichi nodded and smiled, "My neural reflexes are already fast, but my physical responsespecifically my arms and legsstill isn''t quick enough." "I need faster attack speed and higher frequency." "So, I n to channel my chakra through my meridian system and split it into two parts. One part will activate the cells in my arms and legs with high intensity, enhancing muscle reaction speed and strength." "The other part of the chakra will continue flowing through, all the way to my hands and feet, so I can still use the Fire Body Flicker and retain explosive power, as well as maintain the ability to use Fire and Wind Release techniques." Tsunade''s expression grew serious. "That approach seems to have no issues on the surface." "Even without the Yin Seal''s chakra, your own reserves are enough to support this in regrbat." "However, your n does present one unavoidable problem." "You''ll need to maintain three different chakra nature transformations at the same time. That''s not just a matter of chakra controlit''s a question of whether your mind can handle it!" In the ninja world, it''s already rare for someone to use two different types of jutsu simultaneously. Being able tobine techniques by oneself, and at the same time, not in sequence like the Third Hokage, was a different level entirely. Possessing that ability was essentially the foundation for developing a Kekkei Genkai. After all, Kekkei Genkai requires the simultaneous use of two nature transformations to create a new one. Shichi had naturally considered this, and he smiled. "I think my mind can handle it." Tsunade stared at him, bluntly calling him out. "Didn''t you pass out for two days before New Year''s from mental exhaustion?" Shichi coughed awkwardly, "That was just an ident." Tsunade didn''t seem convinced but stood up and said, "Well, in that case, let''s test it right here!" With that, she started walking outside. Shichi quickly got up and followed her into the courtyard. Tsunade crossed her arms and said, "Begin!" Though she clearly cared, she wore a stern expression! Shichi felt a small thrill of satisfaction but quickly reined in his emotions, activating his 2x focus ability. That should be enough... Shichi lowered his gaze, gathering his focus. In the instant he opened his eyes, the sound of chirping birds filled the air, and intense electric light erupted from his arms and legs, wrapping around his entire body. However, in this state, only his arms and legs were undergoing high-intensity cellr activation. The rest of his body was merely channeling electricity, simr to when Kakashi used Chidori, just incidental. Still, beads of sweat appeared on Shichi''s forehead. The violent surge of Lightning Release chakra caused sharp pain in both his arms and legs. Focus x4! His face, slightly twisted in pain, rxed as Shichi''s hands wed into position, and a dragon''s head materialized. Fire Release wasn''t a problem, and his movements weren''t any slower. Dismissing the dragon''s head, Shichi reached into his ninja tool pouch and pulled out two kunai. In the next moment, both Fire and Wind Release chakra flowed into the kunai, creating a stream of blue mes around them. At that moment, Shichi could feel the mental strain, pressure bearing down on him. But it was still within manageable limits. Meanwhile, Tsunade, who was watching and ready to step in for medical assistance if needed, was utterly shocked. "This guy is... a monster!" Releasing the jutsu, Shichi couldn''t help but breathe heavily. He wiped the sweat from his brow, and the pain in his arms and legs persisted. However, as he activated medical ninjutsu, the pain quickly subsided. Without a doubt, the Lightning Body Flicker technique wasplete! Now, all that remained was to continuously practice and condition his body to adapt to this high-intensity cellr activation. "Good thing my physique is strong enough. Otherwise, I might not have been able to handle it..." Shichi breathed a sigh of relief. This new technique... I''ll call it Chidori Body Flicker! With the Body Flicker technique perfected, Shichi was in a great mood and smiled. "Lady Tsunade, shall we continue our earlier research?" Tsunade frowned, "Are you sure your mind and body are okay?" Shichi thumped his chest confidently. "Don''t worry! I''m very tough!" Tsunade rxed, though she pouted. "You little brat!" With that, she turned and headed back inside. Watching Tsunade''s twin blonde ponytails sway as she walked, Shichi suddenly had the urge to tug on one. But he didn''t dare. --- At Orochimaru''s Laboratory. Shichi''s shadow clone, holding the experimental n in his hand, turned to Orochimaru and asked, "Orochimaru-sama, are you sure you want to proceed with this kind of modification?" Orochimaru chuckled, "Why? Don''t you approve of this experiment, Shichi-kun?" Shichi shook his head. "Of course not. The idea is incredibly bold." "But after such a modification, it would be hard to say if you could still be considered human." Orochimaru smiled. "That''s precisely what I desire." "Tailed beasts are limited by their mental will, and we shinobi are limited by our bodies, which is why I focus on modifying the body." "This soft-body transformation is merely the simplest attemptjust addressing one of the weaknesses of the human form." Orochimaru sighed, "The human body is too fragile, with too many ws. A bit of poison, a thrown shuriken, a kunai, or even a punch could be fatal." He then smiled again. "Snakes, especially the white-scaled snake, have many advantages." "For example, their ability to shed their skin and be reborn, or to effortlessly dissipate force." Finally, Orochimaru''s eyes gleamed as he looked at Shichi. "Shichi-kun, are you interested in joining me?" "My intuition tells me that your body is even more suited for this than mine!" Shichi felt a chill run down his spine and immediately declined. "That''s not the path I want to follow." "My goal is chakrathe chakra formed by the fusion of spiritual energy and physical energy. It naturally holds the key to immortality!" Orochimaru looked slightly disappointed but then smiled. "Well, let''s see which path proves to be the right one!" Shichi nodded. "I also look forward to seeing your sess, Orochimaru-Sama. I''ll do everything I can to support you!" He could hardly wait for Orochimaru toplete his soft-body transformation, so he could finally obtain the Medical Master tag. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 114: Flying Thunder God Technique!

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Flying Thunder God Technique!

Starting from May 24th, Shichi sent a shadow clone to assist Tsunade, while his main body focused entirely on mastering the Chidori Body Flicker. Through intense training, he pushed his body to adapt to this high-level lightning-style cellr activation. At the same time, he worked to integrate the Chidori Body Flicker into his usualbat system, further enhancing his overall battle strength. Time flew by, and by July, the Chnin exams had arrived once again. Might Guy, Uchiha Obito, Kurenai Yhi, and others participated in the exams. However, this time, Shichi did not serve as an examiner. He was fully upied with developing medical ninjutsu under Tsunade, studying seals and cursed marks, learning space-time ninjutsu, practicing earth-style techniques, analyzing natural energy jutsu, and of course, continuing his Chidori Body Flicker training. Every day was packed, leaving him with barely any time to catch his breath. ... In a clearing near the Forest of Death, Shichi, surrounded by crackling lightning, was sparring with Shisui. Both werepeting with their respective body flicker techniques. One moved at lightning speed, asionally bursting with a loud crackle, the speed of his flickering movements rapidly increasing as lightning coursed through his body. The other flickered unpredictably, his figure darting around and splitting into countless afterimages. The two pursued each other, neither gaining the upper hand for quite some time. Shisui was shocked that Shichi could simultaneously use three different body flicker techniques, while Shichi was amazed by the evolution brought to Shisui by his three-tomoe Sharingan. Shichi had originally thought that he had surpassed Shisui in body flicker techniques, but it was clear now that Shisui had been improving all along as well. He had his system, but Shisui had his Sharingan. As expected from someone renowned across the ninja world for their mastery of the Body Flicker! Shichi secretly praised him. After a brief exchange, both stopped and exchanged smiles. Shisui chuckled, "Shichi, having you as apanion really keeps me on my toes!" Shichi proudly replied, "That''s what makes us good friends!" Shisui nodded in agreement and then asked, "So, how''s your genjutsu traininging along, Shichi?" Shichi hesitated, hiding his confidence, "Give me some time, Shisui. I think you''ll be satisfied when you test it." "Alright, it''s a deal!" After that, Shisui''s body split into a flock of crows, pping their wings as they dispersed into the sky. Shichi froze for a moment, then smiled. "As expected of Shisui!" He hadn''t even noticed that Shisui had been using the Crow Clone Technique. As the crows flew off into the distance, Shichi sat down, his eyes closing in thought. In the area near Tag Tree in his mind, Shichi''s figure appeared. He activated the tag [Body Flicker Expert]! With a single thought, the leaves on the Tag Tree turned green. Body Flicker technique talent increased by 100%, cellr activation increased by 100%, and the ability to perform any body flicker technique without hand signs. The moment the tag''s effects took hold, Shichi felt a jolt of electricity surge through his body, even his brain seemed to flicker like static, as if his mind and consciousness were glowing, spreading through every cell in his body in an instant. When everything returned to normal, Shichi immediately sensed the changes in his body. Cellr activation! Unlike lightning-style cellr activation, which was temporary or required long-term training to gradually improve, this change had doubled his cellr activation in just a short time! Of course, it still didn''t match the effects of the Chidori Body Flicker. Currently, the cellr activation in his arms and legs from the Chidori Body Flicker had already reached an astounding tenfold increase. But the key difference was that the effect of the tag was permanent. Since May, Shichi had been training his Chidori Body Flicker, using lightning-style chakra to activate his cells. However, the permanent improvement in his arms and legs was only about 1%, and the further he progressed, the harder it would be to enhance. Feeling the vibrant energy coursing through every cell in his body, Shichi couldn''t help but exim in delight, "This feels amazing!" "This sensation is truly addictive!" After standing up and moving around to test his body, Shichi realized that the activation of his cells not only increased his reaction speed but also unleashed his physical potential, significantly improving his stamina. Moreover... "My Yang Release seems to have gotten stronger..." Shichi tested it multiple times and finally confirmed it wasn''t just his imagination. "My vitality has increased." Shichi thought of Asuka. "So, there''s a clear difference between this cellr activation and lightning-style activation." He carefullypared his body before and after the changes. "Lightning-style cellr activation, with long-term training, can also lead to some permanent enhancement, but the effects are too subtle, which is why I never noticed much improvement." "But the Raikage n''s formidable physical prowess and enormous chakra reserves, aside from natural talent, likely owe a great deal to the Lightning Release Chakra Mode." "After all, cellr activation increases cellr vitality, which enhances the body''s energy and life force." "The cells of Hashirama Senju are particrly terrifying in this regard..." Thinking of this, Shichi came to a frightening conclusion. The short-term, high-intensity cellr activation from Lightning Release Chakra Mode might not evenpare to Hashirama''s normal state. Of course, with the added speed boost from lightning-style chakra, it wasn''t all bad. No wonder Hashirama could fight Uchiha Madara with his Sharingan on equal footing in his base form! "So, the key to Hashirama''s ability to heal without hand signs might lie in his highly activated cells." Shichi spected further, "Because of this high level of activation, the cells regenerate automatically when damaged, dividing and healing without conscious control. It''s an instinctive reaction, or perhaps a subconscious one, requiring no active management." "However, it might also be impossible to actively control." "Unless one can freely regte their cellr activation." "The difficulty in transnting Hashirama''s cells probably stems from this. Once his cells encounter life force, they consume it like crazy and start dividing uncontrobly. Most people simply can''t handle it." Shichi made several hypotheses, then thought to himself, "It seems I''ll need to ess some of the experimental data on Hashirama cells." Tsunade had some information, though she had always been extremely cautious about it, despite drawing some knowledge from those experiments. As a result, Shichi hadn''t had the chance to ess it yet. Perhaps after studying the data on Hashirama''s cells, he could confirm his theories. Still, when it came to research on Hashirama''s cells, Orochimaru was the foremost authority. He wondered if Yamato had emerged yet... Gathering his thoughts, Shichi returned to his focus on the Flying Thunder God technique. Now, he had two options: either directly train in the Flying Thunder God technique, or use this year''s "sh of Insight" moment to develop a space-time ninjutsu and first unlock the tag [Envoy of Space-Time]. He could even unlock [Ninjutsu Professor], stacking his talents before training further. However... Shichi didn''t want to wait any longer. He would tackle everything at once! Master the Flying Thunder God and then scatter marks all over the world, maximizing his sense of security. "That''s it, it''s decided..." Shichi made his decision. And it just so happened that his teacher, Minato Namikaze, was home these past two days. ... The next day, instead of sending a shadow clone to Minato Namikaze''s house to research the Reaper Death Seal, Shichi went in person. Seeing him, both Minato and Kushina were a little surprised. "It seems today is going to be a little different!" Kushina teased yfully. Minato, however, saw through it all and smiled. "Looks like you''re finally ready to officially train in the Flying Thunder God Technique, huh?" "You''re starting muchter than I expected." Kushina chuckled at Minato''sment. "Minato, if I remember correctly, you started learning this technique around Shichi''s age, right?" Minato nodded, a nostalgic look on his face. "Yes, after I received a reward from Lord Third for a certain event, I chose to learn this technique." Shichi guessed it was probably the time Minato saved Kushina. "Shichi, wait just a moment." Minato turned and went into another room, returning quickly with a scroll in hand, which he handed to Shichi. "Here, this is the Flying Thunder God Technique scroll I prepared for you." "It took me two years to fully master it, but with your talent, you''ll definitely do it faster than I did!" Shichi epted the scroll and smiled. "Thank you, Sensei. I''ll try my best to surpass you and be faster." "Hahaha..." Kushinaughed heartily, wrapping her arm around Shichi''s shoulder. "That''s the spirit!" "Keep it up, Shichi! I believe you can surpass Minato!" Minato stood to the side, smiling warmly. After chatting for a bit, Minato said, "Alright, Shichi, let''s begin your training!" "I still have two days off, so if you have any questions, I can help!" Shichi nodded and immediately opened the scroll. Kushina went to the side to continue her own research on sealing techniques. She wasn''t about to let herself fall too far behind! Meanwhile, Shichi focused intently on reading the Flying Thunder God Technique''s contents, soon inwardly eximing, "As expected of a technique even Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn''t master, it''s really difficult." Among space-time ninjutsu, the summoning jutsu is considered the most basic and simple. Even someone like Might Guy, who has little talent for ninjutsu, can learn it. Nextes sealing scroll-type techniques, which, because they incorporate sealing jutsu, are upgraded to B-rank difficulty. After that are things like summoning tags, also B-rank, whichbine summoning jutsu and sealing scrolls, refined into a single tag. Moving up from there is the The Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, also created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, which is an A-rank, highly difficult space-time ninjutsu. While learning these four techniques, Shichi clearly felt the increasing difficulty, but also the foundational ovep among them. The summoning jutsu serves as the basis for the other three techniques. Especially the The Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags technique, which involves infinitely summoning explosive tags for continuous detonations. Summoning, or the ability to summon objects, is the core foundation. As Shichi now studied the basic principles of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he was grateful he had first mastered summoning, sealing scrolls, summoning tags, and the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags. This foundation greatly lowered the difficulty of his entry into the Flying Thunder God Technique. If he had started without any prior knowledge, he would''ve beenpletely lost. But now... Well, it wasn''t that hard! In principle, the most basic form of the Flying Thunder God Technique involves the user teleporting instantly by linking to their own chakra, making it a space-time ninjutsu that also falls under the body flicker category. The user''s chakra serves as the link, and once detected, they can instantly teleport to it. However, because chakra doesn''tst long in a location, it requires sealing to preserve it. Thus, the Flying Thunder God Technique''s form was created. By leaving the Flying Thunder God form on a kunai, the user can teleport to that kunai, as long as they can sense the form containing their chakra. Of course, the form can be ced on other things, like rocks or trees, as well. Another variation involves cing the Flying Thunder God form on a target. Once sensed, the user can instantly teleport to that person''s side. Just from this basic principle, Shichi could already see elements of summoning and reverse summoning jutsu. Of course, the difficulty is far, far higher. The summoning jutsu establishes a connection between two parties using a summoning scroll that bears both of their chakra signatures and blood markings. Through the summoning and reverse summoning techniques, either party can call the other, crossing vast distances. Summoning and reverse summoning rely on this chakra and blood connection to summon the other party. In the case of the Flying Thunder God Technique, the user senses their own chakra and moves to where it is. In a way, it''s like summoning yourself to the ce where your chakra is marked. Or, more urately, sensing the chakra form and activating the technique to summon yourself to that location! Shichi''s eyes gleamed as his mind raced. "If we set aside practicalbat for a moment, the greatest challenges of the Flying Thunder God Technique lie in the form and sensing ability." "The form is the key to whether teleportation can ur. And without the ability to sense it, the technique can''t be activated." "Once those two points are resolved, mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique is just a matter of time." "But in battle, you''d also need extraordinary reflexes and spatial awareness to avoid teleporting straight into danger." For instance, if you leave the form on your enemy and teleport to them, you might end up behind them, to their left or right, or, worse, right in front of them and on the receiving end of their weapon. After reviewing the principles and Minato''s annotations, Shichi had a clear understanding. Next, he looked at the Flying Thunder God form. It wasn''t just the characters on Minato''s kunai; this was the original, much moreplex formposed of sealing symbols. "As expected, it involves sealing jutsu..." One look was enough for Shichi to determine that mastering this form would require a solid foundation in sealing techniques, or a natural talent for it. Back when Minato trained, he might not have known much about sealing jutsu, but his talent in that area was undeniable! "Although I haven''t unlocked the ''Sealing Master'' tag, my talent in this field is notcking." Shichi felt confident. Both Kushina and Minato had praised his aptitude for sealing jutsu, saying it rivaled Minato''s own. As for sensing, he had already mastered the Sensory Jutsu, gained the ''Sensory Expert'' tag, and enhanced his mental focus and awareness. "So, the next step is to master thisplex form..." Shichi felt a surge of motivation. Seeing this, Minato smiled and asked, "Shichi, how''s it going? Any difficulties so far?" Shichi looked up and smiled. "Not yet. I understand the principles well enough, and while the form isplex, thanks to my foundation in sealing techniques and experience creating summoning scrolls, I haven''t hit any roadblocks yet." Minato nodded with a smile. "As I expected, your talent in this area is exceptional." "Keep at it!" Minato thought to himself, "At this rate, Shichi will likely master this form in less than a year and a half." "Maybe even less. After all, he has excellent sealing jutsu skills and can create summoning scrolls on his own." "This is really going to be exciting to watch!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 115: Body Modification and Prodigy!

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Body Modification and Prodigy!

"Shichi!" While studying the Flying Thunder God Technique in his study, Shichi looked up and out the window. It was Sarutobi Shinonosuke in his Anbu attire. Shichi stood up immediately and opened the window to step outside. "This is the intel you requested about Sunagakure." Shinonosuke handed him a rolled-up piece of paper. Shichi''s thoughts quickly shifted away from the Flying Thunder God as he took the paper and unrolled it to read. "As expected..." Shichi''s expression darkened. Already familiar with the intel, Sarutobi Shinonosuke asked, "So, do you think this person conspired with the Third Kazekage to kill Sakumo-senpai?" Sasori of the Red Sand! The genius puppet master from Sunagakure''s puppet corps! Yes, Sasori might have been a genius, but he wasn''t famous in Sunagakure for hisbat prowess or puppet maniption, which was why Konoha had little information on him. He had never fought any Konoha shinobi before, so he wasn''t on their radar. Shichi nodded. "This guy''s parents were killed by Sakumo-senpai in thest Great Ninja War." Sarutobi Shinonosuke, still doubtful, added, "Even so, the intel says he attempted to assassinate the Kazekage three times and has defected from Sunagakure. He clearly sees the Third Kazekage as an enemywould he really team up with him?" Shichi shook his head. "I can''t be sure. It''s just a suspicion." Then he asked, "What does the Third Hokage think?" Sarutobi replied, "Tracking down Sasori of the Red Sand has been very difficult." Shichi nodded in understanding. "Got it." Sarutobi, knowing Shichi''s daring nature despite his calm exterior, cautioned, "Shichi, I know you have a deep gratitude toward Sakumo-senpai for his guidance, but the Kazekage isn''t an easy target to assassinate." "You''re strong, but the Third Kazekage''s abilities are well-rounded, both offensively and defensively. It won''t be easy." Shichi was fully aware of the gap between him and the Third Kazekage, so he smiled, "Don''t worry, Captain. I''m not recklessI value my life too much." Behind his mask, Sarutobi couldn''t help but think, "You might not be reckless, but you sure love to stir up trouble!" With that, the conversation ended. Sarutobi handed Shichi another piece of intel. "This one''s for Danzo." Shichi took it, and Sarutobi disappeared. Back in his study, Shichi nced at the second piece of intel and raised an eyebrow. The "Pseudo-Tailed Beast Jinchriki Project"? "Through Orochimaru, Danzo must have learned about my ability to control the power of the Four-Tails. This n... how interesting." Shichi chuckled. It was clearly a probe into Danzo''s ambitions, but Shichi didn''t mind. He casually burned the paper and returned to studying the Flying Thunder God Technique. A month had passed, and he still hadn''t fully mastered the Flying Thunder God seal. It was, admittedly, a bit challenging. --- At the Experimental Base Watching Orochimaru unwrap his bandages and slowly dress himself, Shichi was startled inwardly. "As expected, although his chakra''s essence hasn''t changed, the feeling he gives off is entirely different." At this moment, Shichi could sense that Orochimaru''s chakra had be colder and even carried a faint snake-like quality. And this was just the first experiment. Orochimaru moved his body slightly, clearly satisfied, and smiled at Shichi. "Shichi-kun, you''ve mastered Tsunade''s monstrous strength, haven''t you?" Shichi nodded. "Are you asking me to use that strength to attack you?" Orochimaru grinned. "It''s the best way to test this, after all." Shichi had no objections. The two left the experimental base and went to a nearby open area. "Be careful, Orochimaru-sama!" With a burst of chakra, Shichi''s figure shot forward. Boom! The ground caved in as Shichi''s fist created arge crater, and in the next instant, he twisted his body andunched another attack toward Orochimaru. This time, he moved even faster, reaching Orochimaru just as hended. Engaging in close-quartersbat, each of Shichi''s punchesnded with incredible force, forcing even Orochimaru, who wasn''t weak in taijutsu, to retreat. However, Shichi noticed that some of his power was being deflected, making it hard to deliver full-force blows. Clearly, Orochimaru''s body modification had worked well. Crack! Orochimaru''s jaw was dislocated by a punch from Shichi, sending him flying. Shichi didn''t follow up with another attack. Orochimaru got up, calmly repositioned his jaw, and said with a smile, "Looks like it''s not quite there yet." "How did it feel, Shichi-kun?" Shichi seriously responded, "Your ability to deflect force was impressive, but at the level of bone impact, it''s still ineffective." Orochimaru nodded. "Let''s schedule the next experiment for a month from now." He seemed pleased with the results. After all, body modification was only one part of his overall nmerely a foundation. His ultimate goal was to achieve a form akin to the White Phosphorus Snake, with shedding and regeneration abilities. Researching the power of tailed beasts and Hashirama''s cells was all part of that objective. It was a goal he hadn''t shared with Shichi. However, as Shichi followed Orochimaru back to the base, hepared what he knew of Orochimaru''s final form. Clearly, the Living Corpse Reincarnation and Shed Skin Rebirth techniques were two entirely different forbidden jutsu. This body modification was only the most basic level of transformation. Orochimaru''s ultimate goal was to be the White Phosphorus Snake... No, perhaps even the Eight-Headed Serpent! "No wonder, despite being one of the Sannin, Orochimaru, though highly respected in Konoha, is never truly admired by the people." Shichi thought to himself, "It''s not just Orochimaru''s personality that''s the issue. As his modifications progress, he''s bing more cold-blooded, gradually giving off an inhuman, terrifying aura." No one would choose someone so cold and fearsome to be Hokage! And this fear wasn''t merely because of his strength. ... Root Base Danzo''s expression darkened as he reviewed the intel Shichi had submitted. "It seems this isn''t just about preparing the Nine-Tails Jinchriki to harness the power of the Nine-Tails. They''re also nning to select suitable candidates from the Anbu to create pseudo-Jinchriki as weapons?" He found the idea quite tempting. In fact, after learning from Orochimaru that Shichi had mastered the power of the Four-Tails, Danzo had entertained the same thoughts as Hiruzen Sarutobi. However, for now, all avable resources were focused on the experiments involving Hashirama''s cells. Still, looking at Hiruzen''s n, Danzo silently clenched his teeth, deciding that the Root would initiate a simr project. When it came to mental fortitude, the cold and ruthless Root had an unparalleled advantage! "This n should be executed by the Root!" Danzo thought to himself with a cold sneer. As for whether the n was genuine or not, he had no doubts. He knew his oldrade too well. As Sarutobi aged, his temperament had grown softer. After the heavy losses in the previous Hashirama cell experiments, Hiruzen was reluctant to reopen such risky projects. But if there was a proven sess story, Danzo believed Hiruzen wouldn''t hesitate to use it. The only issue was funding... After some thought, Danzo decided that the Root would take on a few more assignments involving coups in smaller nations. This would not only bring in money but also divert the attention and resources of the Iwa-nin, further entangling them. --- Shichi wasn''t concerned with Danzo''s reaction to the intel. Danzo wouldn''te looking for him anyway; he''d most likely coborate with Orochimaru. In any case, with the sudden progress in the researching of Four-Tails and Eight-Tails cells, Shichi was reaping plenty of benefits. Not having to spend his own money while getting things done his way felt quite satisfying. When you''re busy, time flies without you even noticing. With the cool autumn breeze blowing, Shichi and Shizune took a walk together after lunch. Meanwhile, his shadow clones'' memories fed back to him, and there was some movement in the Tag Tree. But Shichi didn''t check it right away, choosing instead to focus on chatting andughing with Shizune. After walking for a while, they sat down on a bench by the roadside. Suddenly, Shizune gestured toward their heights, saying, "Shichi, it seems like you''ve grown a lot taller these past few months!" Shichi had noticed it too, and he chuckled. "That''s because I''m almost grown up." Shizune remarked, "At this rate, you''ll probably be around 1.8 meters tall!" Shichi teased, "What, you don''t like me being that tall?" Shizune blushed instantly. "No... of course not." Shichi gently took her soft hand and yed with it, while Shizune leaned her head on his shoulder. With a dreamy tone, she softly asked, "Shichi, what do you think our future will be like?" Shichi smiled and replied, "We''ll be very happy, of course." "We''ll be incredibly strong!" "And we''ll have lots of children." "Elevenwhat do you think?" Shizune looked up, her face flushed. "Eleven... isn''t that a bit too many?" "And why eleven?" Shichi teased her further, "Then let''s make it twelve! We can divide them into three squads, that way no one will dare bully them!" Shizune couldn''t help butugh. "That''s ridiculous!" ... The daydreams of young boys and girls are always filled with unimaginable things. After the lunch break, Shichi and Shizune returned to Konoha Hospital. Following a round of patient checkups, Shichi went back to his office, his attention shifting to the Tag Tree. [Earth Release Expert] unlocked! With that, the set of Five Release Experts wasplete! Beneath the Tag Tree, Shichi gazed at the five glowing leaves representing the five elemental releases. As the tree swayed, a higher branch revealed a grayish-white leaf shimmering with red light. This signaled that the tag [Ninjutsu Professor] was an advanced red-tier tag, superior to the blue ones. Unlock! Shichi immediately chose to unlock it, and the leaf was engulfed in a brilliant red glow, radiating vibrantly. Ninjutsu talent increased by 100%, chakra nature transformation talent increased by 100%, chakra shape transformation talent increased by 100%, physical constitution improved by 100%. Is there anything left that could stop you aside from Kekkei Genkai? The answer: none! A wave of warmth surged through his body as Shichi felt his physical strength significantly improve. At the same time, the lingering doubts about the Flying Thunder God Technique, which had been troubling him for some time, suddenly cleared up as his mind raced. "As expected, it''s always good to have a cheat!" Shichi chuckled to himself. This time, his overall ninjutsu talent had been upgraded across the board, which naturally included body flicker techniques and space-time ninjutsu. Additionally, the improvements in chakra nature and shape transformations covered a wide range of abilities. "This will speed up my progress in genjutsu too." Shichi was quite satisfied with this boost. Although it wasn''t an immediate surge in power, the long-term effects would be substantial. "Huh?" Suddenly, the Tag Tree moved again. Above [Ninjutsu Professor], a new tag leaf appeared. Tag: [Prodigy] Condition to Obtain: [Genius] + [Pioneer] + [Ninjutsu Professor] + [Taijutsu Expert] + [Ninja Tool Expert] + [Kenjutsu Expert] + [Body Flicker Expert] + [Clone Expert] + [Substitution Expert] + [Transformation Expert] + [Genjutsu Expert] + [Sealing Expert] + [Space-Time Envoy] + [Medical Expert] + [Sensory Expert] = Prodigy Tag Effect: 10x thought processing speed, 100% increasedprehension, 100% increased physical constitution. In the field of learning, you are already a god, and as a god, there is nothing you cannot master. If it''s in front of you, there''s nothing you can''t learn! Reading the description, Shichi froze. "Well, well, a super-synthesized tag." But the effects were immensely powerful. The doubling of his physical constitution was impressive, but the real highlight was the 10x thought processing speed and doubledprehension. Previously, hisprehension had been enhanced by the [Konoha Genius] tag, but that was only a 50% increase. Now, it was doubled, andprehension applied to far more areas than just ninjutsu. While ninjutsu talent covered only the area of ninjutsu,prehension affected every aspect of learning. The most important part was the final effect. "Prodigy"as the name suggestedmeant a god in the field of learning. A god is omnipotent, and there''s nothing they can''t learn. With this tag, if something existed, it meant he could master it. This included Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tta, and Kekkei Mra! Shichi couldn''t help but lick his lips. This was truly tempting. And acquiring this synthesized tag wasn''t too far off for him. At the moment, he onlycked the [Genjutsu Expert] and [Space-Time Envoy] tags. Once he mastered the Flying Thunder God, he could unlock [Space-Time Envoy]. As for [Genjutsu Expert], he still needed to master techniques like Binding Illusion and Temple of Nirvana to the required proficiency level. The Binding Illusion, much like the Body Flicker Technique, was a genjutsu that also referred to a ss of techniquesspecifically, binding-type illusions. For example, Mount Myboku''s Toad Confrontation Chant and Uchiha Itachi''s Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique. These techniques had a simr effectlike sleep paralysis, where the victim''s mind remained conscious, but their body was immobilized. The strength of these illusions varied, depending on the user''s skill. Even though Orochimaru was a top-tier genjutsu user, he was easily defeated by a much younger Uchiha Itachi. The Binding Illusion technique given by Danzo was ranked B-level, and in terms of difficulty, it was easier to learn than A-level techniques like Bringer-of-Darkness Technique and Temple of Nirvana, a sleep-inducing illusion. "Almost there... almost..." Shichi refocused. Even if this tag only made him a god of learning, it was still incredibly impressive. If something were ced in front of him, there would be no way he couldn''t learn it. Many people, even with the answer right in front of them, still wouldn''t understand it. Shichi had experienced that feeling before. "This year, I should be able to unlock [Genjutsu Expert]. Now, should I use ''sh of Insight'' to master the Flying Thunder God? With some preparation, 10 minutes should be enough." Shichi pondered. "But even without ''sh of Insight,'' I''m confident I''ll master itjust might take a bit more time." So, should he use "sh of Insight"? With proper preparation, "sh of Insight" was more than enough for him to develop an S-rank jutsu and unlock a master-level tag. Knock knock! Suddenly, a knocking sound snapped Shichi out of his thoughts. Shizune''s voice followed, "Shichi, a seriously injured patient just arrived, and Lady Nono wants you toe quickly!" "Coming!" Shichi immediately stood up and left, quickly heading to the hospital room with Shizune. Huh? Seeing the patient on the bed, Shichi paused in surprise. This is... a young Hayate Gekk? Looking toward the hospital director, Nono Yakushi, who was reviewing Gekk''s medical records, Shichi quickly asked, "Director, what''s wrong with this child?" Nono replied, "Lung disease. The exact cause is still unclear, but his lungs have already begun irreversible fibrosis." "It''s suspected to be rted to the awakening of a Kekkei Genkai, but further evaluation is needed to confirm." Lung fibrosis? Kekkei Genkai? Could it be a Kekkei Genkai illness? Transparent Escape Technique? One thought after another shed through Shichi''s mind. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 116: Transparent Escape and Hashirama Cells!

Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Transparent Escape and Hashirama Cells! [Bonus Chapter]

Shichi withdrew his gaze from Hayate Gekk and turned to the middle-aged man beside him. Hayate''s father, Kagami Gekk, hurriedly exined, "Jonin Shichi, Hayate''s coughing and difficulty breathing were triggered by the awakening of our family''s Transparent Escape Kekkei Genkai. However, there''s no history of such symptoms in our n." Kagami''s face grew somber as he continued, "Then again, it''s been a long time since anyone in our n has awakened a Kekkei Genkai." He bowed deeply at a ny-degree angle, his voice emotional, "Please, I beg yousave Hayate! The Gekk n will be forever grateful!" Shichi quickly responded, "Please, no need to bow like that, and don''t worry too much. No matter the situation, we will do our best!" At that moment, Nono finished her initial treatment and said, "For now, his condition has been stabilized." "However, whether or not this is a case of Kekkei Genkai disease still requires a series of tests." She added, "The fibrotic parts of Hayate''s lungs cannot be healed. They''ll have to be surgically removed, and we''ll use the Healing Regeneration Jutsu to regrow the missing parts." "If it''s not rted to Kekkei Genkai disease, the surgery should resolve the problempletely." "But if it is Kekkei Genkai disease..." Nono''s expression grew more serious. Kekkei Genkai diseasea challenging issue in the ninja world. It was rare, of course, since Kekkei Genkai abilities themselves were quite umon. Hearing this, Shichi quickly said, "Let''s wait until we determine whether it''s Kekkei Genkai disease or not." "I''ll go prepare for the surgery. The tests can be conducted concurrently by the other staff." Nono nodded. "That''s the n." With Tsunade absent, Nono was the most skilled medical ninja at Konoha Hospital. She led the procedure, with herself, Asuka, and Shichi, alongside Shizune as the assistant, performing the surgery on Hayate Gekk. Meanwhile, another senior medical ninja and their team collected biopsy samples from Hayate during the preparation phase. They collected samples of blood, spinal fluid, and from the fibrotic lung tissue. The final biopsy required a Chakra Scalpel and the Delicate Extraction Technique, both of which could only be performed by medical ninjas at the jnin level or higher. Of course, traditional methodsbined with medical ninjutsu could also be used to perform an open-chest biopsy. ... With amand from Nono, everyone quickly sprang into action, and Kagami Gekk, as a family member, was escorted out of the room. After Shichipleted the preoperative preparations, he noticed that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had arrived. It suddenly clickedHayate Gekk must still be a student at the Ninja Academy, looking around six or seven years old. A ninja academy student awakening a Kekkei Genkai was a significant event. Whether as the academy''s principal or the Hokage, Hiruzen''s presence here made perfect sense. "Lord Third Hokage!" Shichi stepped forward to greet him. Hiruzen, already briefed on the situation, nodded and said, "Hayate is in your hands now; do your best!" Shichi replied firmly, "Rest assured, Lord Third, we will do everything we can." At that moment, the door to the room opened, and the biopsy samples were all collected. Shichi and the others immediately wheeled Hayate Gekk into the operating room. However, this operating room was not filled with machines. Aside from a stone bed in the center, the room was mostly empty. Yet, the seals drawn on the floor made it clear that this was no ordinary room. cing Hayate on the stone bed surrounded by seals, Shichi carefully removed Hayate''s shirt and quickly drew a series of seals on his chest. These seals, along with the ones on the floor, were designed to aid in the Healing Regeneration Jutsu that would be usedter. Once the seals were drawn, and everything was ready, Nono and Asuka positioned themselves at the two formation points near Hayate''s head, while Shichi stood next to the stone tform. cing his left hand on the seal on Hayate''s chest, a green light began to glow, enveloping Hayate''s entire torso. Then, Shichi raised his right hand, channeling chakra to form a Chakra Scalpel. Suddenly, he paused and looked over at Shizune, "Shizune, you''ll handle the Delicate Extraction Technique!" "Eh?" Shizune hesitated. "Can I do it?" Nono Yakushi smiled reassuringly, "Don''t worry, with Shichi here, everything will be fine." "Understood!" Shizune nodded, her face serious, and stepped forward. Until now, she had only practiced the Delicate Extraction Technique on small animals. Seeing that Shizune was ready, Shichimanded, "Let''s begin!" Without further dy, his Chakra Scalpel entered Hayate''s chest. The scalpel didn''t harm any of Hayate''s other tissuesonly when it reached the fibrotic area did it show its sharpness. This was the brilliance of the Chakra Scalpel. Kabuto Yakushi had once used this technique to sever Tsunade''s diaphragm, causing her breathing difficulties, though her body remained unscathed. However, this was a medical procedure, not a battle, so Shichi carefully cut away a small portion of Hayate''s fibrotic lung tissue. Shizune immediately used the Delicate Extraction Technique, encasing the removed tissue in a chakra bubble and slowly pulling it out of the body. At the same time, Nono activated the formation, and with Asuka''s help, used the Healing Regeneration Jutsu to regenerate the removed lung tissue through cell division. No external medium, such as hair, was needed due to Asuka''s powerful Yang Release chakra and the small size of the excised tissue, along with the natural stem cells present in the lungs. They repeated the processcutting, extracting, and healing. First the left lung, then the right. Thankfully, the fibrotic areas were not extensive, and with Asuka''s powerful chakra support, the surgery proceeded without interruptions, taking only half an hour toplete. However, Shizune was thoroughly exhausted, and Shichi had to help her out of the operating room. "You did an excellent job," Shichi praised as they sat down to rest. "You''ve mastered the technique." Shizune, though tired, smiled with relief and pride. Meanwhile, Hayate was transferred back to his room, where numerous medical devices were hooked up to monitor his condition. After resting for about half an hour, Shichi and Shizune returned to the room. The biopsy results were in. Shichi took one of the reports, his expression growing serious as he looked at Kagami Gekk. "It seems the likelihood of this being Kekkei Genkai disease is very high." Nono and another medical ninja, Oushou, nodded in agreement. Oushou exined, "From our observations, even after the surgery, Hayate''s lungs are showing signs of deterioration, though at a very slow rate." "However, it''s clear that using his Kekkei Genkai will elerate this process." Lung fibrosis is irreversible, and the only treatment is the procedure they had just performed. Nono Yakushi added, "The most concerning issue is his agehe''s still very young, which will affect his development." Kagami''s face darkened with worry. "Will this prevent Hayate from bing a ninja, Lady Nono?" "No." Shichi responded, cing the report down. "His physical abilities will be somewhat limited, and the respiratory issues will impact him inbat." "But the most important problem is that we can''t fully resolve this." "Every time we remove the fibrotic tissue, it will grow back, and this repeated cycle will take a toll on his life." "Our current rmendation is to minimize the use of his Kekkei Genkai to slow down the progression." Kagami looked devastated. "Is there no way topletely cure this?" Shichi shook his head. "The exact mechanisms of Kekkei Genkai disease are still not fully understood, but from what we can see, it''s caused by gic mutations and defects in his immune system." While Shichi had some ideas about treating the immune system, the deeper issuey in the gic mutations caused by the Kekkei Genkai itself. So, they were back to square one. Calming his thoughts, Shichi reassured, "Don''t lose hope, Uncle Kagami. Hayate is still young. There''s plenty of time to find a solution." "And for now, it won''t stop him from bing a ninja." "In fact, awakening his Kekkei Genkai, even without using its full power, will still give Hayate an edge." Just then, Hayate''s eyelids fluttered, and he opened his eyes. His vision was blurry at first, but after a moment, he focused and saw Shichi standing beside him. His eyes lit up with excitement, "Shichi!" Shichi was his idol, after all! But then, Hayate remembered his condition before he lost consciousness. With a warm smile, Shichi greeted him, "Hello, Hayate!" Hayate looked around at everyone, especially his father''s worried face, and his expression fell. "Senpai, does this mean I can''t be a ninja anymore?" Shichi smiled reassuringly, "That''s not true." "Although there are some minor issues, nothing will stop you from bing a ninja right now." Hayate''s spirits lifted instantly. "Really?" "Father, is what Shichi Senpai said true?" Kagami, havingposed himself, nodded. "Of course! Shichi is a medical jnin, after all." "That''s great!" Hayate finally rxed, his fears melting away. Shichi then said, "Well, Hayate, how about you try out your Kekkei Genkai for us?" "Alright!" Hayate nodded eagerly and focused inward to activate his power. Soon, Hayate Gekk''s figure vanished from everyone''s sight. Not only that, but even his presence disappearedpletely. However, he was still detectable through Shichi''s Listening Technique, and more than that... Suddenly, Shichi''s eyes ignited with blue mes. Heat Vision! "The body''s heat radiation hasn''t disappeared..." Through his Heat Vision, Shichi could see the now transparent Hayate Gekk. Lying on the bed, Hayate also sensed Shichi''s gaze. Seeing those bright blue, fiery eyes, he was taken aback. "Is this... some kind of djutsu kekkei genkai that Shichi-senpai possesses?" "I''ve never heard of Shichi-senpai having a kekkei genkai..." Shichi deactivated his Heat Vision and said, "Alright, Hayate, you can stop the technique now." Hayate immediately dispelled the technique, but then he suddenly felt his breathing bebored. He quickly patted his chest in concern. Meanwhile, Nono and Oushou were closely watching the monitor, which showed that the condition in Hayate''s lungs had indeed worsened with the use of his kekkei genkai. It was now certainHayate had Kekkei Disease. Gasping for air, Hayate finally caught his breath and, panicking, asked, "Shichi-senpai, what''s happening to me?" Shichi reassured him, "Your kekkei genkai puts a lot of strain on your lungs, so you need to use its power with caution." "Also, make sure to train and strengthen your lung capacity." With that, Shichi, Nono, and Oushou left the room and headed to the office. Once there, Shichi asked, "Oushou-senpai, with all your experience, have you encountered Kekkei Disease before?" Oushou, a cold and stern woman in her forties, replied, "I haven''t encountered Kekkei Disease directly, unless you count the Uchiha n." The Uchiha... Shichi shook his head. Then he thought of the Kurama n. Like the Gekk n, the Kurama n had also gone many years without anyone awakening their kekkei genkai. "I wonder if Yakumo Kurama has been born yet. Would her condition also count as Kekkei Disease?" Shichi''s thoughts wandered. Meanwhile, Nono and Oushou continued discussing Hayate Gekk''s case, searching for ways to slow the progression of his disease. As for aplete cure, that was still unrealistic. Even with their advanced medical techniques, they were not yet able to fix gic mutations. Listening to their discussion, Shichi''s mind turned to Hashirama Cells. If Hayate Gekk could handle them, Hashirama Cells might be a solution. Aside from Hashirama Cells... Shichi thought for a moment and then considered Orochimaru''s human modification techniques. "If there''s no way to solve the root cause of Kekkei Disease, then maybe it''s time to treat the symptoms instead..." Shichi shifted his thinking. Perhaps using Orochimaru''s methods to modify Hayate''s body, strengthening his lungs or even recing their function, could be a viable option. However, such a drastic method required careful consideration, especially since he would need to get approval from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to maintain political correctness. "If I submit a report, I''ll need to prepare thoroughly. Hmm... I''ll wait until Orochimaru''s soft body modifications areplete before proceeding." After making up his mind, Shichi turned to Nono and Oushou, saying, "Director, Oushou-senpai, I think I should pay Lady Tsunade a visit." Nono Yakushi and Oushou both nodded in agreement, as they had already considered this idea. When it came to medical expertise, Tsunade was still the best in Konoha. ... After leaving Konoha Hospital, Shichi arrived at Tsunade''s home. One of his shadow clones was still there, and when she saw both of them, Tsunade couldn''t help but be surprised. "Shichi, is something wrong?" Tsunade asked. After dispelling his shadow clone, Shichi sat down and exined Hayate Gekk''s situation. Tsunade shook her head after hearing the exnation. "There''s no way to cure Kekkei Disease. What you''ve been doing is already the best approach." Shichi wasn''t disappointed by this response. Instead, he said, "I actually came to ask about the vige''s research on the First Hokage''s cells." Tsunade frowned. "Are you nning to use that to solve the boy''s problem?" Shichi shook his head. "I haven''t seen the research yet, but I know that the First Hokage''s cells aren''t something an ordinary person can handle." "The reason I need to review the First Hokage''s cell research is rted to a medical ninjutsu we''re developing." "If we want to achieve rapid healing, the quickest way is through cell metabolism and division." Tsunade nodded. This aligned with current research on how to elerate cellr metabolism and division. Shichi continued, "During my training with the Lightning Release Body Flicker, I noticed that lightning-style chakra can permanently enhance cellr activity." Tsunade nodded again. "Yes, that''s true. The Raikage''s physical strength is partly due to that kind of training." Shichi shifted the conversation. "Lady Tsunade, you''re also aware of Asuka''s special condition, right?" "Her body has an incredible healing ability and can even replenish chakra, which fundamentally stems from her strong Yang Release." "However, Yang Release can manifest in different ways. For example, Asuka can replenish stamina and heal others, but she can''t heal herself." "There are stories about the First Hokage having extraordinary self-healing abilities. My theory is that his cells are so active they can divide automatically when injuredwithout requiring any conscious control or hand seals." Shichi likened Hashirama''s cells to some highly reactive elements, needing only a small stimulus to trigger a powerful reaction. This wasn''t just a wild guess but a hypothesis based on his own experience with increasing cellr activity, the effects of tailed beast chakra on cells, and his observations of Asuka''s unique constitution. If only he had his ownb, Shichi would conduct further research on Asuka''s cells. After pondering Shichi''s words, Tsunade got up, retrieved a scroll, and handed it to him. "Take a look." "Your theory is correct. My grandfather''s cells do have incredible vitality. That''s why none of the previous experiments seededno one could withstand the power." "Not only did they fail to acquire Wood Release, but they were consumed by the power of my grandfather''s cells." Shichi nodded silently and began reviewing the research. By the time he finished reading, night had fallen. Shizune had returned from Konoha Hospital and was preparing dinner. Exhaling deeply, Shichi smiled. Hashirama''s cells indeed possessed remarkable vitality. Once transnted, they would infinitely replicate by consuming the host''s life force. This process was uncontroble, and the eventual result was the overwhelming resurgence of Wood Release, causing the host to sprout a tree. The host would essentially be fertilizer! Tsunade nced at Shichi. "So, what do you think? Any ideas?" Shichi nodded. "The essence of highly active cells is strong life force, much like how energetic children are always so lively." "However, powerful life force doesn''t only manifest in hyperactive cellsit can also have a more reserved form, like Asuka''s." "Just like people''s personalitiessome are energetic and bouncing around, while others, like my sister, are more reserved." Tsunade nodded again. Shichi continued, "Another core aspect of strong life force is the strength of Yang Release." "Yin Release techniques can create form from nothing, while Yang Release represents the energy of the body. Yang Release techniques can breathe life into that form." "In the current shinobi world, the pinnacle of Yin Release is Susanoo, which perfectly embodies the concept of creating form from nothing." "As for the pinnacle of Yang Release, it''s Hashirama Senju. His Wood Release shows the essence of Yang Releasebreathing life into form." "Hashirama infused life into his Wood Release!" Based on his current knowledge and avable information, Shichi realized this might be the reason Yamato''s Wood Release could neverpare to Hashirama''s. Yamato had inherited the kekkei genkai of Wood Release, but he didn''t have the immense Yang Release power of Hashirama''s cells. This might also be why Yamato survived the experimentshe didn''t acquire the overwhelming Yang Release power that Hashirama possessed. In other words, Wood Release''s true strength wasn''t due to the technique itself, but to the fact that Hashirama, with his immense Yang Release ability, wielded it. Wood Release and Hashirama were a perfect match! This gave the impression that Wood Release was an incredibly powerful kekkei genkaior perhaps, even a kekkei tta (advanced bloodline limit). Shichi''s thoughts raced, aided by his unique perspective and key insights. Yin and Yang areplementary forces. So why did Hiruzen Sarutobi''s experiments with Hashirama''s cells fail? Because Hashirama was dead! His cells, or rather the power they embodied, had lost the bnce with Yin Release. As a result, the cells went out of control when transnted into others. Why couldn''t anyone resist this imbnce? Shichi believed the problem was insufficient mental strength, or more specifically, ack of Yin Release power. This was why early sessful transnts always involved the Sharingan. The Sharingan represented strong Yin Release. Especially at the Mangeky Sharingan level. That''s why Obito Uchiha could perfectly control Hashirama''s cells, while Danzo, who only had a Sharingan with three tomoe, couldn''t. In fact, Danzo''s body was eventually overwhelmed, as the Yin Release power of three tomoe wasn''t enough to bnce Hashirama''s cells. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 117: A Showdown of Genjutsu with Shisui! [Bonus Chapter!]

Chapter 117: Chapter 117: A Showdown of Genjutsu with Shisui! [Bonus Chapter!]

Though it takes a long time to exin, with Shichi Hoshita''s rapid thought process, these ideas shed through his mind in an instant. He continued to speak to Tsunade, analyzing, "Lady Tsunade, I believe the reason why the Hashirama cell experiments failed is because those cells are dead." Tsunade frowned, "What do you mean?" Shichi smiled, "Theyck the mental energy that once controlled them." "Lady Tsunade, humans are made up of both physical and spiritualponents." "Chakra is formed from thebination of physical strength and spiritual energy." Tsunade seemed to catch on, "So you''re saying that without a strong enough spiritual will to suppress my grandfather''s power, it''s impossible to seed?" Shichi nodded, "Exactly." "Alternatively, you could strip away the First Hokage''s Yang Release power and only keep the Wood Release." "But if you do that, the Wood Release would just be an ordinary kekkei genkai. Without the First Hokage''s immense Yang Release, it wouldn''t have the power to bring peace to an era of chaos." "Of course, this is all just my theory." "To prove it, we''d need to conduct experiments, but that''s not something we need to focus on right now." Shichi refrained from mentioning the Sharingan, even though Tsunade could be trusted to keep such secrets. Tsunade nodded thoughtfully and said, "Thest time we tried, the losses were too great. The old man won''t agree to further experiments." "And besides, it really is dangerous." Shichi chuckled, "That''s why we should focus on what we actually need." "Cellr activation!" "For the S-rank medical ninjutsu we need, I believe the breakthrough lies in enhancing cellr activity!" "On one hand, we''d raise the activity of cells to the point where they can divide automatically when injured. On the other hand, Yang Release would provide the energy needed for that cell division." "Of course, this is still just my theory." "We''ll need to conduct cell experiments to see if boosting cellr activity to a certain level works as I''ve described." "If it turns out to be true, we''ll have a clear direction for developing the technique, and it''ll be much easier from there." Based on the current information and resources, Tsunade couldn''t find any ws in Shichi''s hypothesis. With her decisive nature, she immediately made a decision: "Let''s start with that approach tomorrow." "For now..." "Let''s eat!" "Shizune, bring out my sake!" ... After having dinner with Tsunade and Shizune, Shichi finally returned home. Non was still at Konoha Hospital, so only Asuka was home. The two chatted for a bit, and then Asuka left for the hospital with a bento, while Shichi washed up and headed to his study to continue working on the Flying Thunder God Technique. Thanks to the boost from the Ninjutsu Professor tag, his progress had be much smoother. Before he knew it, both Non and Asuka had returned, and it was nearly 10 p.m. Reluctantly, Shichi ended his studies and went to sleep peacefully. ... In the following days, Shichi became even busier. Between the experiments with Tsunade, experiments with Orochimaru, the Flying Thunder God technique, genjutsu, and transformation jutsu... luckily, he had his shadow clones. Even delegating the study of the Flying Thunder God to his clones didn''t hinder his progress. ... Time swiftly moved forward to December of Konoha Year 43. Just stepping out from Orochimaru''sb, Shichi paused, a smile blooming on his face as he silently rejoiced, "Finally unlocked!" [Genjutsu Expert] Activate! Genjutsu proficiency increased by 100%, mental willpower enhanced by 100%, and the ability to cast genjutsu without hand seals! Say hello to even stronger mental fortitude! "Let''s see if Shisui''s around, I can test my genjutsu resistance." Shichi secretly nned as he headed home, all the while contemting the best use of this year''s "sh of Insight" ability. The Flying Thunder God Technique was nearlyplete. Even if he didn''t use Flying Thunder God, Shichi was confident he could master it this year. So, he was reluctant to use his "sh of Insight" on the Flying Thunder God. Should he use it on the medical ninjutsu he was developing with Tsunade? That project was progressing well, but they hadn''t yetpleted the experiments on cellr activation. After all, reaching the level of Hashirama''s cells wasn''t easy. Or maybe he should use it on Lava Release, the kekkei genkai? There was also his research on the Eight-Tails. He had made significant strides in all these areas. Besides that, there were options like sealing techniques or genjutsu... but his preparation in those areas wasn''t sufficient yet. When Shichi finally returned home, he hadn''t made a decision. A crow flew off toward Shisui''s house and quickly returned. As luck would have it, Shisui was home. With that, a flock of crows took flight. Soon, above Konoha, two flocks of crows merged and flew together toward the Forest of Death. Near the Forest of Death, the two flocks of crows descended, each coalescing into Shichi and Shisui. "Shichi, it seems your genjutsu skills have improved significantly," Shisui said with a smile. "Just a little," Shichi responded modestly, "But I''ll need you to test just how much." "In that case, I won''t hold back," Shisui said, his smile fading though his demeanor remained warm. Shichi''s eyes narrowed, "Bring it on!" "Here I go..." With that, Shisui''s eyes transformed, the three-tomoe Sharingan spinning, red light shing. In the next instant, Shisui found himself bound to a tree while Shichi''s body dissolved into a swarm of crows, flying away. However, Shichi didn''t reappear from the tree trunk; hepletely vanished from Shisui''s sight. "As expected, this is so you, Shichi," Shisui remarked, not overly surprised. As Shichi''s formerrade, Shisui knew that Shichi was highly skilled in both chakra nature and shape maniption, enabling him to master techniques quickly and streamline hand seals. Once fully mastered, Shichi could often perform jutsu without any seals at all. This secret was known only to closerades; anyone else who knew had likely already perished. Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change! Shisui activated his Sharingan genjutsu. The technique binding him vanished instantly, but to his surprise, it didn''t rebound onto Shichi. Moreover, Shisui realized he was still trapped within a genjutsu. The red glow in Shisui''s eyes intensified, and the surrounding space-time began to tear apart like a curtain under his power, revealing the true world once again. Shichi reappeared in Shisui''s sight, floating in mid-air. At the same time, numerous ck feathers began to drift down from the sky. Shisui''s vision immediately began to blur. Temple of Nirvana Technique! The tomoe in Shisui''s eyes spun, and he used Mirror Heaven and Earth Change once more. The ck feathers vanished, and Shichi''s form in the air seemed to be torn apart, transforming into a flock of crows that swooped down, enveloping Shisui. "Shichi''s genjutsu skills haven''t just increased; his resistance to genjutsu has grown as well..." After using Mirror Heaven and Earth Change twice, Shisui was now certain of Shichi''s formidable resistance to genjutsu. The red glow in Shisui''s eyes flickered as the attacking crows dispersed one by one. This too was a genjutsu, not Shichi''s crow clones. Shisui turned around, and through his Sharingan vision, Shichi''s figure appeared, distorted. Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique! Just after casting his Bringer of Darkness Technique, Shichi was instantly immobilized! "You didn''t even use your Sharingan..." Shichi was caught without making eye contact with Shisui, and Shisui hadn''t open his Mangeky Sharingan either. However, it wasn''t a rule that the Uchiha n always had to use their Sharingan to cast genjutsu. Even when genjutsu was cast through the Sharingan, direct eye contact wasn''t always required. For instance, with Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change. "Wait a minute..." Suddenly, a thought struck Shichi. Looking at Shisui, who had lost his vision and was enveloped in darkness, Shichi smiled and asked, "Shisui, did you cast this genjutsu on me from the very beginning?" Blind and shrouded in darkness, Shisui smiled, "You''re sharp!" "So, Shichi, don''t getcent just because this is a sparring match." With that, Shisui formed a seal and dispelled Shichi''s Bringer of Darkness Technique. This technique was especially effective against the Uchiha n, particrly those who heavily relied on their Sharingan. But once freed from the Bringer of Darkness, Shisui immediately noticed that Shichi had also broken free from the Shackling Stakes Technique. This time, Shisui was genuinely astonished. When cast with the Sharingan, this technique was incredibly powerful. Even fellow Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan struggled to break free in such a short time. "Incredible!" Shisui couldn''t help but be moved. Shichi, however, shook his head. "In a real battle, that time would have been more than enough to kill me several times over." Shisui smiled, "But in the shinobi world, genjutsu of such potency is extremely rare." He spoke with absolute confidence! And Shichi found itpletely justified. Even without the Sharingan, Shisui''s genjutsu abilities were already remarkable. Shichi could tell just from the training notes Shisui had given him. The fact that Shichi had been able to avoid having Shisui''s Mirror Heaven and Earth Change reflect genjutsu back onto him was not just because of his own resistance and talent in genjutsu, but also due to Shisui''s training. It had given him a deeper understanding of genjutsu. In a way, Shisui had be his genjutsu teacher. After an unassuming exchange of genjutsu, Shichi had truly witnessed Shisui''s immense skill in this area. Had it not been a test, he would have been defeated instantly at the start. Being able to use the Sharingan to silently perform the transcription seal is truly amazing! And in this sparring match, Shisui had been mostly defensive, onlyunching one real attack toward the end. The test was over. The two sat cross-legged on the ground, discussing their insights into genjutsu. In truth, it was mostly Shichi asking questions, with Shisui providing answers. With his recently enhanced talent, Shichi quickly grasped the concepts and mastered them almost instantly. --- Elsewhere, back home. Shichi used a summoning technique to call forth the white tiger from the Forest of Death. The once small and adorable white tiger had grown significantly, now possessing the aura of a true king of the forest. However, in front of Shichi, it was still just a big cat. After ying with it for a while, Shichi fed the white tiger a special medicine, then infused it with chakra. But unlike before, where he had used chakra without any elemental nature, this time he infused it with Wind Release chakra. This was something Shichi had started doing back in April of this year. Around that time, the white tiger had naturally developed its own chakra, bing a true ninja beast. As the saying goes, "Clouds follow the dragon, wind follows the tiger." Shichi believed that Wind Release would be a perfect match for Shiro. After sending the tiger back to the Forest of Death, Shichi returned to his study. There, his shadow clone was still working on mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique. Shichi didn''t bother with that, instead pulling out a different scroll. It was the iplete technique rted to natural energy from the Totsuka de. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 118: Transformation Master, Power of the Tailed Beasts

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Transformation Master, Power of the Tailed Beasts

Before he knew it, the sky had darkened, and Shichi Hoshita''s crow clones dispelled, their memories flowing back to him. In his study, Shichi shifted his gaze away from the technique form on the scroll. "What an incredible binding technique... and the Transcription Seal too." He recalled his genjutsu duel with Shisui Uchiha. Without a doubt, one''s mental strength and willpower y a crucial role in resisting genjutsuwhat could be described as genjutsu resistance. This conclusiones from understanding the principles behind genjutsu. Let''s set aside techniques like Tsukuyomi, Infinite Tsukuyomi, Izanagi, and Izanami for now. Regr genjutsu works by disrupting the target''s chakra flow to interfere with their five senses. Genjutsu cast without the Sharingan can be broken by correcting the disrupted chakra flow. Moreover, it''s important to note that when someone''s chakra is in an intense, raging state, it bes extremely difficult for genjutsu to take hold. For example, back in the Hidden Hot Water Vige, when facing A in his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Chihiro''s genjutsu was practically useless. The reason was that in this state, A''s chakra system was so powerful and violent that Chihiro''s genjutsu couldn''t affect it. Beyond the future Fourth Raikage A''s Lightning Release Chakra Mode, those with immense mental strength, willpower, or extraordinary chakra control also have strong genjutsu resistance. These individuals possess such fine control over their own chakra that regr genjutsu has difficulty disrupting itor if disrupted, they can instantly correct it without even needing to form hand seals. Shichi, with his talents in ninjutsu and genjutsu, and his chakra control abilities, is among the very best in the shinobi world. His mental strength and willpower are even more impressive. Without such traits, he wouldn''t have been able to master the Fire Release Chakra Mode. Thus, he can easily dispel normal genjutsu, and often prevent his chakra flow from being disrupted in the first ce. But Sharingan-based genjutsu is quite different from regr genjutsu. Though it simrly disrupts chakra flow, the Sharingan uses eye contact to cast its illusions. Since the eyes are often referred to as the window to the soul, the Sharingan''s genjutsu can directly invade the mind through the eyes, attacking from within. This makes it subtle and difficult to detecteven Jinchriki can fall prey to it, though they can break free rtively quickly. For example, when the Fourth Raikage A was caught in Uchiha Madara''s genjutsu, it bypassed his powerful and violent chakra system through his eyes. In Shichi''s understanding, regr ninjutsu attacks a shinobi''s chakra system from the outside, while the Sharingan attacks from within. The difference in effectiveness is clear. "And, the Sharingan can directly target a person''s mind." Today, Shichi had truly experienced the power of the Sharingan''s genjutsu. Shisui''s Shackling Stakes Technique, which he had set as a trap using the Transcription Seal, directly targeted the mind of Shichi''s crow clone. It pinned the clone''s mental energy, rendering it unable to control its body. This was much more direct and effective than merely disrupting chakra flow to achieve control. "Orochimaru must''ve been one-shotted by Itachi''s technique in a simr way." As he pondered, Shichi also thought of Tsukuyomi. That Mangeky Sharingan technique targets the mind as well, but on an even more terrifying level. The fact that Kakashi endured the mental torture without breaking down showed that his willpower was incredibly strong. "That brat Itachi was ruthless, even to his former superior..." Shichi couldn''t help but gripe, but he also wonderedif Tsukuyomi were used on him right now... After carefully evaluating, Shichi realized that, in his current state, he wouldn''t be able to break free from Tsukuyomi as he had done with Shisui''s Shackling Stakes Technique. The two techniques were simply not on the same level. "Shackling Stakes only pinned my mind once, momentarily." Shichi reflected, "But Tsukuyomi creates an entire mental space, where Uchiha Itachi has absolute control as the master, while Kakashi had only his mental strength to resist, without being able to use chakra." "This is clearly an asymmetric fight, so even with my mental strength and willpower, it would be impossible to shatter the mental space of Tsukuyomi." He couldn''t help but thinkhow could he counter it? After all, it''s unrealistic to assume he could avoid eye contact with Sharingan users forever. And there were Uchiha like Shisui, whose Mangeky Sharingan genjutsu abilities had already surpassed the need for eye contact. Could the only solution really be to continuously enhance his mental strength and willpower? Shichi wasn''t convinced. If that were the case, techniques like Tsukuyomi and Kotoamatsukami would be unbeatable. Not to mention Infinite Tsukuyomi. "Infinite Tsukuyomi..." As Shichi was lost in thought, he heard some noise outside. It was Non Yakushi and Asuka returning. Shichi gathered his thoughts, stood up, and walked out of his study. ... Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had gone by. One afternoon, while Shichi was climbing a cliff with weights strapped to him, he suddenly heard Might Guy shouting. Looking down, Shichi saw Guy at the base of the cliff, iling his arms wildly, looking extremely excited. With onest push, Shichi reached the top of the cliff. He then swiftly descended by running along the cliff face, his body parallel to the ground. Upon reaching the bottom, he looked at the ted Guy and asked, "Guy! What''s got you so excited?" Guy, still waving his arms in excitement, eximed, "A taijutsu master!" "Shichi, we have a taijutsu master here in Konoha!" Shichi was confused. A taijutsu master? Could there be a taijutsu master in Konoha even more skilled than Guy''s father or the future Might Guy himself? Shichi had no recollection of such a figure. Guy, still animated, continued, "Shichi, this person is amazing!" "How about we go and ask him for guidance together?" Curious and intrigued, Shichi and Might Guy left their training ground and headed toward the ce Guy mentioned. From a distance, they spotted two people. One was a middle-aged man, short and stocky, with a mustache and wearing sunsses. The other was a sturdy-looking young man, and the two of them were sparring. At a nce, it was clear that the man with sunsses had incredible skill in taijutsu. Shichi was quietly amazedhe had never heard of such a person in Konoha before. Could this man be another unknown like Guy''s mentor? As Shichi and Guy approached, the two sparring men noticed them and immediately stopped. "Apologies for interrupting, sir!" Shichi quickly bowed in respect, and Guy followed suit. The man with sunsses nced at them and said, "This is a public ce; there''s no need to apologize." "However, since you''re here now, we''ll move somewhere else." With that, he turned to leave, gesturing for the young man with him to follow. Guy quickly bowed again and apologized, "I''m really sorry, sir! I only came over because I saw your incredible taijutsu and wanted to learn from you." Shichi added, "Guy is also a taijutsu practitioner, and he holds great respect for your skills, sir." "Of course, I too have a deep interest in taijutsu, which is why we intruded today. May I ask your name, sir? I would like to formally apologize in the future." The man with sunsses shook his head. "No need to apologize. As for my name... just call me Chen." "Now, we need to get back to our training." Before they could say anything else, Shichi pulled Guy back. "Master Chen, we won''t disturb you any further!" With that, Shichi and Guy left. Guy, looking puzzled, asked, "Shichi, aren''t we going to ask that master for guidance?" Shichi shook his head. "Master Chen already has a student, and it''s clear he doesn''t wish to take on any more. It''s best we don''t bother him." Guy looked disappointed and regretful. "Shichi, I saw one of his moves earlierit was definitely on the level of a secret technique!" Shichi patted Guy on the shoulder and smiled. "Guy, you have to believe in yourself. You can create your own secret techniques too!" "Besides, I noticed that Master Chen wasn''t wearing a Konoha forehead protector. He might not even be part of our vige." "But Guy, what exactly did you see in that taijutsu technique?" Guy scratched his head, embarrassed. "I... I only saw a dragon!" A dragon? Shichi''s eyes narrowed as a faint memory surfaced. The Leaf Dragon God! Could it be that the technique was a taijutsu secret art? Shichi pondered, "So, Guy, that dragon was formed purely by physical strength?" Guy nodded firmly. "Yeah, it definitely wasn''t created by chakra." After hearing this, Shichi spected, "Then it must have been created by manipting the air with pure physical force." "To control the air outside your body with just your own powerthat''s definitely a secret technique-level ability!" As he spoke, Shichi nced back at the spot where Master Chen and his student were. What an extraordinary person. However, he was slightly disappointed that his system didn''t trigger the Taijutsu Master tag. ... Back at the cliff, Shichi and Might Guy resumed their respective training. This afternoon, it was just the two of them. With everyone graduating and more missions piling up, it became increasingly difficult to gather for group training with Kakashi and the others. But personal training is inherently a solitary path. The realpetition isn''t with others, but with oneself. As Shichi''s physical strength continued to improve, his training constantly pushed beyond previous limits. These days, whenever he wasn''t out on missions, he would regrly train with weights, especially during physical exercises. Training without weights would simply take too long to unlock his potential. As the sun set, Shichi, after parting ways with Guy, began to wonder if he should incorporate the Lightning Release Chakra Mode into his training to tap into his body''s potential through the power of lightning. "But the physique of the Raikage isn''t exactly stylish..." Shichi thought to himself with mild disdain. ... When he got home, he fed his pet crows, then his white tiger, and afterward, soaked in a bath while recalling all of his shadow clones. As soon as he absorbed the memories of the clone practicing the Transformation Jutsu, his heart leapt with joy. Finally, the conditions were met. The Tag System had activated. Shichi immediately activated the tag, and it became effective at once. In an instant, he experienced a flood of understanding, as if a veil had been lifted from his mind. With a mere thought, Shichi transformed into a grass carp and sshed into the bath, swimming around. Due to his experience handling fish frequently, Shichi had long since been able to transform into a fish and swim in water. But this time, it was entirely different. Now, he possessed the ability to breathe underwater like a real fish. This was something he had never been able to do before. "Amazing!" After transforming back into a human, Shichi couldn''t help but exim in admiration. Immediately, another thought crossed his mind: "What would happen if I transformed into a tailed beast?" "Would I gain vast amounts of chakra? Probably not..." Without hesitation, Shichi got out of the bath, dressed, informed Asuka that he was stepping out, and hurried out the door. Before long, he arrived at a secluded spot in Konoha. After using a listening technique to ensure no one was around, he activated the Transformation Jutsu. With a loud puff, a massive figure appeared on the grass. The Four-Tails! "Just as I thought..." Shichi didn''t feel any change in his chakra reserves. However, he did feel a new power surging within him. Lava Release! "Excellent!" Grinning, Shichi reverted back to his human form, causing the Lava Release ability to disappear. But there wasn''t an ounce of disappointment. Because by transforming into the Four-Tails, he found it much easier to sense and control the Lava Release than when he had to rely on the Four-Tails'' chakra. Before, he had to draw out the Lava Release power from the Four-Tails'' chakra. Now, by bing the Four-Tails himself, he could directly harness the Lava Release power, making learning and mastering it infinitely easier. "This is an unexpected surprise!" Shichi wanted to burst intoughter. The Transformation Master tag was far more powerful than any other master tag he had unlocked, and it was well worth the four or five years it took to achieve. Calming himself down, Shichi transformed into the Four-Tails once more. Inside his belly, the Four-Tails'' chakra formed a small version of the tailed beast itself, its eyes wide with shock. "This brat..." "What''s going on?" "How is this possible?" The Four-Tails couldn''tprehend how this kid could transform into it, possessing the same Lava Release and chakra nature as itself. How was this even possible? "Hey, brat, how are you doing this?" The Four-Tails couldn''t help but shout. But Shichi ignored it, fully focused on the power of Lava Release. Now, the Four-Tails sealed within him was nothing more than a glorified battery. After about half an hour, Shichi finished his training, ready to head home for dinner. But he paused, his mind racing. "Tailed beasts can restore their strength by absorbing natural energy. This is an innate talent for them..." Shichi''s heart began pounding with excitement. He had to try! In his Four-Tails form, Shichi sped his hands together, focusing to the extreme, and let instinct guide him. Sure enough, he soon sensed a flow of energy. His perception expanded outward, and the amount of energy he felt grew immense, as if he were submerged in an infinite ocean. This energy flowed into his body, absorbed and converted into physical stamina. His strength quickly recovered, and by controlling this energy, it was transformed into the unique chakra of the Four-Tails! "The speed of this recovery is unbelievable..." "I wonder, could I store the Four-Tails'' chakra?" With a thought, Shichi directed the refined chakra into the Eight Trigrams Seal in his belly. It worked! Gurgle, gurgle! The Yin Seal on his abdomen rapidly filled up. The Four-Tails could only stare in stunned disbelief as chakra identical to its own, yet beyond its control, poured into Shichi''s seal. Its mind was utterly blown. Shichi, satisfied with the experiment, stopped and returned home, though his thoughts were still racing. "By transforming into a tailed beast, I can harness its power and absorb natural energy." "In this state, it''s much easier to master the bloodline limits of each tailed beast and eventually learn how to sense natural energy." "However, absorbing natural energy now could still be risky... I need to research and practice more." Shichi quietly pondered, "Sage Mode is different from a tailed beast''s ability. The tailed beasts convert natural energy into stamina, which is then turned into chakra, much like how the God Tree absorbs natural energy to produce chakra fruits." "But Sage Mode is a bnce of natural energy, stamina, and spiritual energy..." Suddenly, Shichi thought of the form inscribed on the Tostuka sword. "Looks like this year''s ''sh of Insight'' has found its target..." ... When Shichi returned home, Non had alreadye back from the Konoha Hospital, and Asuka had finished preparing dinner. As the family sat down to eat, Non remembered Shichi mentioning his idea to establish a research base. She said, "Shichi, why don''t we propose building the base under the name of Konoha Hospital?" Shichi chuckled, "That could work. I doubt Lord Third Hokage would refuse." "But I have an even better n." Asuka, intrigued, asked, "What''s the n?" "It''s a secret!" Shichi replied mysteriously. "You''ll find out soon enough." If Konoha funded the research base alone, it wouldn''t be ideal. They needed a secondary investor, and the Daimy of the Land of Fire would be a perfect candidate. Researching the power of the tailed beasts and developing tailed beast weaponshow could the Daimy resist? Would Hiruzen Sarutobi object? Why would he, if the Daimy was willing to fund a research base for Konoha? ... After dinner, Shichi left a shadow clone to continue practicing the Flying Thunder God Technique while he went out to further explore the power of Lava Release. When he finished his training around 9 PM, he couldn''t help but nce in the direction of his teacher Minato Namikaze''s home. He had to admit, he was beginning to eye the Nine-Tails. "Each tailed beast has unique powers, and the more tails, the closer they are to the Ten-Tails'' strength." As he walked, Shichi thought to himself, "The Nine-Tails is closest to the Ten-Tails and provides the mostprehensive boost to a shinobi." "The Four-Tails'' chakra enhances Lava Release, Earth Release, and Fire Release, and it has some healing capabilities, but it''s nowhere near as powerful as the Nine-Tails." "Naruto''s Yang Nine-Tails chakra can even boost Wood Release... If my theory is correct, the Nine-Tails'' power could act as a substitute for Hashirama''s Yang Release, giving ordinary Wood Release the same strength as Hashirama''s." "In other words, the Yang Nine-Tails chakra could infuse Wood Release with life." "The One-Tail''s Ma Release and sealing abilities, the Two-Tails'' Fire Release, the Three-Tails'' Water Release..." "It looks like I''ll need to collect chakra from all the tailed beasts. By transforming into them, I can better understand their powers!" "Maybe even..." Shichi suddenly had a wild idea. What if he created nine miniature tailed beasts inside himself? And then somehow transformed into the God Tree... Could that lead to an understanding of the root power of the God Tree or even the Ten-Tails? (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 119: Displaying the Bijuu Sealing Mark, Target: Kazekage!

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: Disying the Bijuu Sealing Mark, Target: Kazekage! [Bonus Chapter]

The allure of the God Tree and the Ten Tails was incredibly strong. Even after returning home, Shichi continued to ponder the feasibility of it. Since he wasn''t aiming to be the Jinchriki of the Ten Tails, the risks didn''t seem too high for now. tsutsuki Kaguya wouldn''t be able to possess him either. The only real challenge was transforming into the God Tree or the Ten Tails. With his [Transformation Master] tag, Shichi had acquired the instincts and nature of the creatures he transformed into, but the prerequisite was being sufficiently familiar with themthis was essential to performing the Transformation Technique properly. Lying in bed, Shichi gradually gathered his thoughts, "The God Tree is still a distant goal, but I need to start collecting the chakra of the nine Tailed Beasts." "Especially the power of the Nine-Tails..." ... The next day, Shichi personally went to the Tenka Store to meet Tenka. He wasn''t there to see a beauty, but to ce an order. He was confident in his progress with the Flying Thunder God Technique and was close to mastering it. Naturally, he needed to prepare a batch of custom-made kunai, specifically designed to carry the Flying Thunder God mark. Besides the kunai, there was also special paper to carry the Flying Thunder God seal, simr to the material used for explosive tags and scrolls. Hearing Shichi''s request, Tenka was startled, "A thousand kunai and special paper? Shichi, is the Shinobi World about to break out in war?" Shichi smiled and shook his head, "No, it''s not for war. I need them for training a ninjutsu." Tenka breathed a sigh of relief and then smiled, nodding, "No problem." "When do you need them? I''ll have them rushed!" Shichi thought for a moment, "Three days." "I''lle back in three days to pick them up." Tenka replied, "Got it. We already have the special paper in stock, so I''ll give you that first." After receiving the paper, Shichi chatted with Tenka for a while longer before paying and leaving. Tenka, not one to be overly formal, epted the payment without hesitation. Gifts were gifts, but business was business! ... December 28, Year 43 of the Konoha Calendar. Inside his study. Shichi looked at the lotus seal left on his desk, exhaled deeply, and a broad smile spread across his face. It was finally done! Before turning 11, he hadpleted the training for the Flying Thunder God Technique and mastered its marking form. From the moment he started learning, it had taken him less than half a year. Standing up, Shichi stepped out of his study and into the courtyard. He effortlessly sensed the Flying Thunder God mark he had left behind, and with just a thought, he instantly appeared, squatting on his desk. "Cool!" Shichi was in an even better mood now. Unless it was some kind of plot armor or world-destroying event, he could now escape from almost anything. Of course, the key was to ce his marks all over the world! Jumping off the desk, Shichi grabbed his Totsuka de and the specially crafted kunai from Tenka, wrapping their handles with the special paper. Then, he applied the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving his unique lotus mark on them. "I should leave a mark on the Director, Asuka, and Shizune as well." As Shichi thought this, his hands kept moving. He stored the Flying Thunder God scroll, picked up another scroll, and left the house. At his teacher Minato Namikaze''s home. Uzumaki Kushina, who opened the door, was momentarily surprised to see him. "Shichi, isn''t your shadow clone here?" Shichi waved the scroll in his hand, "I''m here to return something." Seeing the scroll, Kushina immediately understood, but she was still shocked. "Shichi, don''t tell me... you''ve alreadypleted the Flying Thunder God Technique?" Shichi smiled and nodded, "I''ve mastered the Flying Thunder God form. I''ve got the basics down." "This..." "This is unbelievable!" Although Kushina had always thought Shichi was exceptionally talented and might even master the Flying Thunder God faster than Minato, she hadn''t expected it to happen this quickly. Not lingering long at his teacher''s house, Shichi then made his way to the Hokage Tower, where Sarutobi Shinnosuke announced his arrival, and he met with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Smoking his pipe and reading thepleted n in front of him, Hiruzen looked up and asked, "So, Danz has already started the pseudo-Jinchriki project?" Shichi nodded, "Although Danz-sama doesn''t trust me, it''s clear from the situation in theb." "This might also be Orochimaru-sama''s way of informing me, indirectly." Hiruzen nodded, recalling Shichi''s earlier maniptions. He couldn''t help but ask, "Do you think the Daimy will approve this n?" Shichi replied seriously, "As long as the Daimy sees results, he won''t refuse." "And I am one of those results." "In the future, once we have more candidates, we can send them to the Daimy as undercover agents for a period of time." Surrounded by smoke, Hiruzen''s face twitched slightly, but he nodded, "Alright, we''ll proceed with your n." The n Shichi had submitted was thorough, and there was no reason to reject something that only benefited Konoha. "Understood. I will do my best." After a pause, Shichi added, "Hokage-sama, aside from this matter, I would also like to request permission to freely enter and leave the vige." "Because I''ve recentlypleted my training in the Flying Thunder God Technique." What? Hiruzen almost dropped his pipe. Quickly steadying himself, Hiruzen regained hisposure and asked, "If I recall, you haven''t been training in this technique for long, have you?" Shichi quickly replied, "Thanks to Minato-sensei''s guidance, it went quite smoothly." For a moment, Hiruzen didn''t know what to say. It should have been a moment of great joy, but for some reason, there was a hint of frustration. Back then, Minato had taken two years to master the technique, which Hiruzen already found remarkable. And now Shichi... six months... After a few deep puffs, Hiruzen nodded, "Very well, go find Shinnosuke for the formalities." "But be cautious when outside the vige. Remember, Suna, Iwa, and Kumo have all set their sights on you." Shichi gratefully replied, "Understood. Thank you, Third Hokage-sama, I will be careful!" ... After leaving the Hokage office and receiving his travel permit from Shinnosuke, Shichi departed the Hokage Tower under Shinnosuke''s astonished gaze and picked up his custom kunai from the Tenka Store. Upon returning home, Shichi began marking his kunai with the Flying Thunder God seal. However, this process consumed a considerable amount of chakra, and even with the ability to transform into the Four-Tails to quickly recover through natural energy, it wouldn''t bepleted in just a day or two. For now, preparing about 50 kunai seemed sufficient to him. The act of continuously marking the kunai was also a process of further mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique. Of course, this alone wasn''t enough to meet the requirements for the [Space-Time Envoy] tag. So, that tag couldn''t be activated yet. But Shichi no longer felt so anxious. With the New Year approaching, he didn''t rush to leave the vige. Besides, he still had to use the "sh of Insight." December 31, Year 43 of Konoha. In the Study. Shichi got ready, activating the Yin Seal on his forehead, and initiated the Hundred Healing Jutsu, enveloping his head with chakra while fully focusing his mind. He pushed his cognitive speed to the max! Not far away, Asuka felt a bit nervous, prepared to intervene at any moment, despite Shichi assuring her that everything would be fine. "sh of Insight, activate!" Shichi lowered his gaze and began brainstorming. Ten minutes might seem short, but under Shichi''s elerated thought process, it stretched out into something much longer. As time trickled by, five minutester, beads of sweat began to form on Shichi''s forehead. After eight minutes, he suddenly opened his eyes wide, picked up a brush, and rapidly wrote on the nk scroll he had prepared earlier. Tadpole-like symbols quickly materialized, forming a jutsu form. When the ten minutes were up and the effect of "sh of Insight" faded, Shichi stopped writing just in time. Asuka rushed forward, anxiously asking, "Shichi, how did it go?" Shichi wiped the sweat from his brow, retracted the Hundred Healing Jutsu and the Yin Seal, and smiled, "No problems at all." Asuka sighed in relief and then looked at the intricate jutsu form on the scroll, asking, "Shichi, is this... a sealing jutsu?" Shichi shook his head and replied with a grin, "No, it''s a curse mark form!" "A curse mark?" Asuka scrutinized it closely, but theplex symbols made her dizzy, and she quickly gave up,ughing, "Shichi, this curse mark must be very powerful, right?" Shichi took a moment to exin the concept of natural energy before continuing, "This curse mark allows one to draw natural energy from the environment to amplify the power of Fire Release." "Roughly... several times, even dozens of times, hmm?" "Dozens of times?" Asuka was astonished. "Unfortunately, it only amplifies Fire Release and can''t store natural energy like the Totsuka de." Shichi sighed inwardly, feeling a hint of regret. However,pleting a full curse mark from a partially iplete form was still quite an achievement. The natural energy within the Totsuka de could only be used for sword techniques. But this new curse mark could amplify all his Fire Release jutsu, including Fire Release Chakra Modes. Once he mastered Lava Release, it should also be amplifiable. Moreover, unlike Orochimaru''s Cursed Seal Technique, this one resembled the chakra of the Tailed Beasts. "Asuka, what do you think we should call this curse mark?" Looking at his masterpiece, Shichi eagerly asked. Asuka thought for a moment and then smiled, "How about ''Bijuu Sealing Mark''?" "With such a powerful amplification, Shichi, your Fire Release is already incredibly strong. No one should be able topare, right?" "Bijuu Sealing Mark..." Shichi knew exactly what that name represented. It represented the Fire God! (T/N: I don''t know how, but maybe does in Chinese name so whatever, just stop your brain and read!) In different parts of the Shinobi World, this Fire God had various names. Such as the God of Fire, Kagutsuchi! Yes, just like Uchiha Sasuke''s Mangeky Sharingan technique, ze Release: Kagutsuchi! Thinking about it, Shichi smiled and said, "Then it''s settled!" "Bijuu Sealing Mark!" Saying this, he ced his hand on the form inscribed on the scroll. In the next moment, a blue light illuminated, and the symbols on the scroll came to life, rapidly crawling up Shichi''s right hand, then along his arm until they converged at his brow, forming a blue me mark shaped like two tomoe. Asuka couldn''t help but exim in awe, "So cool!" ... During dinner that night, Shichi exined to Nono and Asuka that he would be leaving the vige for a while to further train the Flying Thunder God Technique. Nono nodded with a smile, "Shichi, be sure to stay safe, and..." She then looked at the eager Asuka and said, "Take Asuka with you!" Asuka immediately nodded enthusiastically, looking at Shichi with longing. Shichi instantly understood that Nono had seen through his intention to leave the vige for more than just training the Flying Thunder God Technique, and he nodded, "Alright!" Asuka immediately shouted in excitement, "Yay!" A night passed, and Year 44 of Konoha arrived. This New Year was the mostfortable one for Shichi. Because the harvest before the New Year had been immense. Starting on the fourth day of the New Year, Shichi continued to visit Minato, Tsunade, and others to pay his respects and inform them of his ns to leave the vige. He set the date for January 10, Year 44 of Konoha. In the blink of an eye, the day of departure arrived. As usual, he did his morning training. After breakfast, Shichi was fully armed and set off with Asuka under Nono''s watchful eyes. However, just as they stepped outside, they saw Minato appear before them. "Looks like I caught you just in time!" Minato smiled and handed Shichi a long sword, saying, "While the Anbu''s ninjat is good, it''s still not as great as a chakra de." "This Kusanagi Sword is perfect for you!" The Kusanagi Sword was something Shichi had received from the Daimy of the Land of Fire during his first visit; it was said to possess the power to manipte the earth, although Minato hadn''t felt that power when he tried it. Even so, it was still a superior quality swordpared to an ordinary chakra de. This time, Shichi didn''t refuse like he hadst time. He epted it with gratitude, bowing slightly, "Thank you, Sensei. I''ll ept it without hesitation!" Minato looked at Shichi with gentle eyes, reminding him, "Stay safe!" Shichi nodded earnestly, "Don''t worry, Sensei. I will!" Minato nodded, then smiled, "Alright, I''ll take my leave. Kakashi and the others are still waiting for me!" With that, he vanished. Shichi nced at the sword hilt, wrapped with special paper, and couldn''t help but smile: Minato-sensei is still as thoughtful as ever! Grasping the sword hilt, the lotus patterns subtly appeared on its surface. "Let''s go!" ncing back at Nono, Shichi called out softly, then leaped into the air. Asuka turned to wave goodbye to Nono, who was watching them, before she jumped to follow him. ... After sessfully leaving Konoha Vige, Shichi found a nearby spot to leave a Flying Thunder God kunai, embedding it in a stone, with only the handle visible. At this distance, he could easily sense the Flying Thunder God markers he had ced within Konoha. There was one in his study, one on Yakushi Non, and one on Shizune. After leaving the kunai, Shichi continued his journey with Asuka, heading towards the Land of Wind. Since they weren''t in a rush, they reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers on the second day. Along the way, Shichi ced five more Flying Thunder God kunai throughout the Land of Fire. After resting overnight at the border, the two crossed into the Land of Rivers the next day and entered the Land of Wind by that evening. Throughout their journey, a flock of crows followed them from a distance. Having experience from his previous visit to the Land of Wind and the ability to transform into a bird, Shichi had no trouble navigating, and they didn''t get lost. However, Shichi''s goal wasn''t Sunagakure, and he didn''t approach the vige recklessly. Instead, he left Flying Thunder God markers or kunai around the surrounding oases and towns near Sunagakure. Once the preparations wereplete, Shichi and Asuka withdrew from the Land of Wind, disguised themselves as traveling merchants, and settled in a mid-sized town in the Land of Rivers, where they opened a small general store, giving the appearance of having tired from their travels and choosing to settle down. Asuka managed the store while Shichi focused on training, using shadow clones and crows to monitor the areas around Sunagakure. He wasn''t sure if Sasori of the Red Sand would attempt to assassinate the Third Kazekage again. But from the intelligence he had gathered earlier, the Third Kazekage often left the vige to explore within the Land of Wind, possibly searching for iron mines, having had sess with such endeavors in the Land of Rivers. Time passed as Shichi continued his training and surveince. Before long, Shichi''s 11th birthday arrived. That afternoon, Asuka trimmed his hair and remarked with a smile, "Shichi, without realizing it, you''ve grown taller than Non!" Shichi sighed, "Well, I''ve grown a year older, so of course, I''ve grown taller!" Indeed, over the past year, he had grown much faster than before. Yakushi Non was only about 155 centimeters tall, and Shichi was now 160 centimeters, just a few centimeters shorter than Asuka. Growing taller was a good thing, though the only downside was that he could no longer act spoiled around Non like before. Yes, it was time to change their dynamic! Shichi decided to fully embrace his mature persona and be the solid pir of the household. ... That evening, though it was just the two of them, Asuka prepared a grand birthday feast for him. There was longevity noodles, a birthday cake, and all of Shichi''s favorite dishes, filling the table. Halfway through the meal, Shichi suddenly paused, then smiled, "It seems today is my lucky day!" Asuka blinked, then quickly caught on, "Something happening in the Land of Wind?" Shichi nodded and stood up, "The Kazekage is on the move!" Though Asuka was a bit disappointed they couldn''t finish the meal, she smiled and said, "We''ve already had the longevity noodles and birthday cake, so your birthday celebration isplete. Let''s go, time to move!" She quickly began packing their things. Five minutester, they were fully equipped and vanished from the room in a sh. ... In the Land of Wind, within an abandoned outpost near Sunagakure. Amidst the ruined walls, Shichi and Asuka suddenly appeared. Shichi immediately sent out a shadow clone, transforming it into a hawk that flew off into the night sky. About ten minutester, Shichi received the clone''s memories and raised an eyebrow. Asuka quickly asked, "Shichi, what''s the situation?" "Are there many people with the Kazekage?" Shichi shook his head, "The Kazekage is alone." Earlier, Shichi''s clone had detected the Kazekage leaving Sunagakure with his guard and stopping at a nearby oasis, but now, the Kazekage was moving alone away from the town. Asuka was shocked, "What... how could this be?" "Shichi, could this be a trap?" Shichi understood her concern and smiled, "A trap won''t work on us." "Come on, let''s see what the Kazekage is up to." With that, they moved out, Asuka quickly following behind. The two sped through the desert, but Shichi maintained a cautious distance, keeping the Kazekage in sight. About half an hourter, using aerial reconnaissance, Shichi saw the Third Kazekage entering an abandoned town. The most crucial detailthere was another humanoid heat signature in the ruins. "Sasori of the Red Sand?" Shichi spected. He hadn''t met Sasori before and didn''t have any of his chakra information, so he couldn''t identify him through his listening technique, nor could he discern his appearance through thermal vision. But regardless of who the Kazekage was meeting, this was a perfect opportunity to eliminate him! Whether they could kill him or not was uncertain. But they had to try! Shichi removed his hooded cloak and handed it to Asuka, saying, "Asuka, you''ll stay back and provide cover for me." "If the Kazekage''s guards show up or if any other shinobi approach, fire a signal re to warn me!" Asuka nodded but then quickly added, "There are two people with the Kazekage, and anyone important enough to meet the Kazekage won''t be easy to handle." "How about leaving a shadow clone for guard duty while I go in and assist you?" Shichi shook his head, "I won''t reveal my true identity for now, so you shouldn''t approach the battlefield either." He thought for a moment and added, "Once I activate my Fire Release Chakra Mode, then you can join in." Asuka nodded firmly, "Understood!" With the n set, Shichi leaped into the air, transforming into an eagle and soaring out of Asuka''s sight. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 120: Third Kazekage vs. Sasori of the Red Sand!

Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Third Kazekage vs. Sasori of the Red Sand!

In an abandoned town, half-buried by wind and sand, Shichi had already transformed into a rattlesnake, silently lurking in the shadows. A rattlesnake in the desertpletely inconspicuous. At this moment, the Third Kazekage was just meeting with the other person Shichi had detected. "Kazekage-sama, you''re quite slow, making me wait this long... You know, I hate waiting the most," said a voice with mild annoyance. The Third Kazekage remained indifferent to Sasori''s words, responding calmly, "What''s so urgent about this meeting?" "You should be preparing to take action against that person," Sasori replied, his voice tinged with amusement from under his ck cloak. "As expected of a heartless leader..." "Even puppets need rest and recement of worn-out parts. You should know that I''ve just helped you eliminate a few small nations that proposed cutting down the vige''s budget." The Third Kazekage remained emotionless. "That was the price you paid for me pardoning your crime of attempting to assassinate the Kazekage!" "Enough with the small talk," he continued, "What''s the real reason you''ve called me here today?" With a softugh, Sasori replied, "I want to show you my masterpiece!" "Trust me, it''ll be invaluable for building a stronger puppet army in Sunagakure." The Kazekage scoffed, already knowing what Sasori was referring to. "Your human puppets?" "That''s forbidden in the ninja world. You''re only tolerated because you''re a rogue ninja!" Sunagakure developing human puppets would inevitably provoke attacks from the other major viges, and even the smaller ninja viges would join in. Despite the superiority of human puppets, which could retain the chakra nature and abilities of the deceased, no individual threat could outweigh the danger of provoking an entire vige, especially one of the Five Great Nations. Sasori took out a scroll, still smiling. "Isn''t developing Jinchriki cruel enough? Isn''t waging war cruel enough? Using enemy bodies to create puppetsnow that''s resourceful!" "Kazekage, you''re too soft!" As his words trailed off, Sasori unsealed the scroll, and a puppet emerged. The Third Kazekage looked on, unsurprised. "You turned Konoha''s White Fang into a puppet? If Konoha finds out, you''re as good as dead!" Sasori remained unfazed. "Are they really going to invade the Land of Wind?" "Will the Third Hokage personallye for me?" He didn''t care about the others. After all, he had attempted to assassinate the Kazekage three times and still escaped, not solely because the Kazekage had held back. The Kazekage underestimated him! As these thoughts crossed his mind, Sasori''s eyes sharpened beneath his hood, and his fingers twitched. ng! The White Fang puppet charged forward swiftly, a sharp de shooting out from its right arm, crackling with electricity. "As expected, you still haven''t given up!" The Third Kazekage sneered as he quickly retreated, sending Iron Sand flying at Sasori. Having survived three assassination attempts from Sasori, he was always prepared, even though Sasori''s abilities were perfectly countered by his. Just as the puppet lunged, it suddenly fell from midair. But the moment it hit the ground, a chain shot out from its left hand, wrapping around the Kazekage''s left leg as he was retreating. "Even Iron Sand can''tpletely neutralize a puppet''s abilities in one strike!" "Kazekage-sama should be familiar with the White Fang''s powers, right?" Sasori chuckled. The Third Kazekage''s expression darkened. Just as he was about to break free from the chain, a surge of electricity coursed through him. It''s Konoha''s White Fang''s Lightning Style! Thest time they fought, he had already experienced it! However, since he had that experience, how could he not have a countermeasure prepared? His skin was coated with ayer of Iron Sand, which indeed couldn''t defend against Lightning Style directly. But he could make sure that this Iron Sand defenseyer stayed a certain distance from his skin, allowing the electricity to be conducted away. The Third Kazekage''s reaction was lightning-fast. Though his body was surrounded by electric light, he only felt a slight numbness and hadn''t lost his ability to fightpletely. "Impressive, as expected from the strongest Kazekage!" Watching the Iron Sand gradually form into a massive sword, Sasori of the Red Sand couldn''t help but admire. But it was clear that the Third Kazekage''s control over the Iron Sand wasn''t what it used to bemuch slower. And this was exactly what Sasori had anticipated! Boom! Another sealing scroll was unsealed, and ten more puppet soldiers shot out. Two of them charged at the Iron Sand sword, five positioned themselves around the Third Kazekage, and chains shot out, wrapping around his body. Before the Iron Sand could reach them, the puppets activated their mechanisms, driving thick iron stakes into the ground, locking them in ce. This terrain had been carefully selected by Sasorithe ground wasn''t yet covered by windblown sand, so the stakes could secure firmly, preventing the Third Kazekage from flying away using Ma Release. The remaining three puppets defended Sasori from the Third Kazekage''s attacks. Bang! Bang! Bang! One by one, the puppets were smashed to pieces by the Iron Sand. Even though they were human puppets, in front of the Third Kazekage, they were as fragile as paper. But Sasori didn''t care. Avoiding the Kazekage''s strikes, he pulled out another sealing scrollten more puppets emerged. Each one had been crafted from the ninja Sasori had killed while carrying out the secret missions assigned by the Third Kazekage to destroy small nations. At this moment, the Third Kazekage severed Sasori''s chakra strings that controlled the White Fang puppet, causing the Lightning Style effect to dissipate instantly. Yet Sasori remained unfazed. His ten new puppets spun into action, spreading out around the battlefield, releasing thick clouds of poison gas that quickly enveloped the Kazekage. "Kazekage-sama, I''ve spent years preparing for this day!" "You bastard!" The Third Kazekage''s expression finally changed. The paralysis from the Lightning Style was quickly wearing off, and his control over the Iron Sand was returningbut it was toote. He wasn''t afraid of the poisonous weapons, but he couldn''t stop himself from breathing. In their previous encounters, Sasori had primarily relied on poison to injure him. But with his speed, the poison had never been able to reach him. Now, however... he was trapped! Yet neither of the twobatants noticed the rattlesnake, with only its head peeking out, quietly watching them. What a spectacle! It was truly thrilling! Shichi almost wanted to apud. Indeed, no one knows you better than your enemy! Sometimes, they understand you even better than you know yourself! Sasori had thoroughly studied the Third Kazekage, especially after those three assassination attempts. The Third Kazekage, on the other hand, was too proud and underestimated Sasori. Though his cautious nature kept him wary of the traitorous Sasori, he still looked down on him. For someone who had tried to assassinate him three times, he continued to use himeven if it was like using a broken chamber pot. But a broken pot smells awful! One day, it might just stink enough to suffocate you! And now, the Third Kazekage had fallen into Sasori''s trap. He had unknowingly stuck his head into the chamber pot while sleeping. First, Sasori used Lightning Style to slightly limit his abilities, then he restricted his movement, and finally, poisoned him! Sasori''s core strategy was always centered around poison. Taking all of this in, Shichi knew he had to learn from thisa dead enemy is the best and most lovable kind! Seeing the Third Kazekage trapped in the poison gas, along with the rapidly spreading fumes, Shichi could no longer stay hidden. He immediately transformed back from the rattlesnake into his original form, and in a split second, transformed again. The speed was so fast there was barely any pause, and he had turned from a rattlesnake into Roshi! p! Shichi pped his hands together, and the Four-Tails'' chakra red around him, enveloping his entire body, before quickly morphing into ava armor. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 121: Time for the Kazekage to Depart!

Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Time for the Kazekage to Depart! [Bonus Chapter]

Before Sasori of the Red Sand or the Third Kazekage could even react, Shichi had already transformed into the Four-Tails Jinchriki from Iwagakure. Today, even if the real Four-Tails Jinchriki had arrived, Shichi would still be the Four-Tails Jinchriki! "What?!" Sasori was utterly shocked by Shichi''s sudden appearance, never expecting that someone else had been lying in wait here. Moreover... "This guy... Lava Release... Is he Iwagakure''s Four-Tails Jinchriki?" Sasori''s mind was shaken. Meanwhile, Shichi''s body split into two, both clones shooting out simultaneously. One clone rushed toward the Third Kazekage, who was still shrouded in poisonous gas, while his main body charged straight at Sasori. Without any hesitation, Sasori severed the chakra threads controlling his ten poison-spewing puppets, letting them fall to the ground, and quickly pulled out another sealing scroll. Boom! Boom! Boom! Ten more human puppets appeared. But Shichi had already closed the distance. "This guy is too fast..." Sasori''s fingers moved, sending the ten puppets into action to attack. In the next moment, however, a series of explosions rang out as each puppet was blown apart, their parts scattering in all directions. Sasori leaped backward, his pupils dting in shock. The puppets he prided himself on, the ten puppets he had just summoned, were all destroyed in an instant. His defenses had beenpletely breached. Boom! Shichi reached Sasori, grabbing him by the neck and mming him violently into the ground. The burns on his neck, coupled with the brutal impact, made Sasori spit out blood. The intense pain clouded his mind, and he found himself dizzy and disoriented, unable to think clearly as cries of agony escaped his mouth. This was the first time Sasori had ever suffered such an injury! Despite capturing Sasori, Shichi didn''t kill him immediately. As soon as his hand left Sasori''s neck, the Flying Thunder God mark quietly appeared on Sasori''s body. Afterward, Shichi deactivated his Lava Release Chakra Mode and immediately used the Five Elements Seal and Limbs Restriction Seal on Sasori. Only afterpleting these seals did Shichi turn his attention to his clone. On the other side, even though the Third Kazekage was still enveloped in poison gas, Sasori had given up control of his ten puppets due to Shichi''s sudden attack. The paralysis from the Lightning Style was gradually wearing off, and the Third Kazekage dispersed the toxic fumes with a Wind Style jutsu. Shichi''s clone emerged from the dissipating poison cloud and unleashed a barrage of moltenva fireballs from his mouth. Boom! Boom! Boom! The fireballs were blocked by a shield formed of Iron Sand. Shichi''s clone blinked in and out of existence, shing through the air as he charged toward the Third Kazekage, delivering a powerful punch. Bam! The Third Kazekage''s body was sent hurtling from the sky, crashing into the ground with enough force to create a massive crater. The impact was so powerful that the puppets Sasori had used to restrain the Kazekage were now thrown off and scattered. After subduing Sasori, Shichi turned just in time to witness the Third Kazekage being punched from the air into the ground by his clone. In mid-air, the clone deactivated his Lava Release Chakra Mode and raised his right hand. With a high-pitched whirring sound, a Wind Style: Rasenshuriken quickly took shape. Immediately after, Lava Release energy flowed into it, transforming the core of the Wind Style Rasenshuriken into a vortex of rapidly spinning magma. During his nearly three months in the Land of Rivers, Shichi hadn''t just been enjoying his time alone with Asuka. Lava Release: Rasenshuriken! The clone in mid-air swung his arm, hurling the Lava Release Rasenshuriken toward therge crater below. At that moment, the Third Kazekage had just climbed out of the pit. His body was protected by ayer of Iron Sand covered in cracks, and the spot where Shichi''s clone had struck him was burned through, leaving a gaping hole in his clothing and searing his flesh. The area was charred ck. The immense force had even made him cough up blood. Now, seeing the attack flying toward him from the sky, the Kazekage realized at oncethis person wasn''t the real Four-Tails Jinchriki. But there was no time to think about it. A massive amount of Iron Sand gathered, and the Third Kazekage manipted it to form arge Iron Sand Sphere, fully encasing himself within. In the next moment, the Lava Release: Rasenshuriken collided with the Iron Wall, slicing through it, with the power of moltenva expanding outward, illuminating the night. Before Shichi''s eyes, the Iron Sand Sphere was quickly engulfed by theva''s power, followed by a raging storm sweeping across the battlefield. A massive earthen wall rose up from the ground, blocking the storm. As the storm subsided, Shichi leapt onto the wall, looking ahead at the magma-filled crater. The clone in the air disappeared with a puff of smoke. "Even after all that, he''s still alive... Truly the strongest Kazekage!" Shichi was somewhat surprised as he watched the Third Kazekage, stepping on an Iron Sand tform, slowly walking out of the crater. However, the Third Kazekage now looked ragged, his clothes in tatters, and his body covered in injuriessome charred, others looking like they had been sliced by sharp des. "I never expected that the ninja world would produce someone like you, who can control the chakra of the Four-Tails and use such powerful Wind Release. You''re certainly no ordinary individual, are you?" The Third Kazekage''s eyes locked onto his opponent. He had been so close... so close to death! If it weren''t for his mastery of Wind Release, that powerfulbination of Wind and Lava Release might have crippled him. It had been a very long time since he had been this desperate. Not even when facing Konoha''s White Fang had he been pushed this far. So, who was this person? But no matter who he was, it was impossible for him to be the Four-Tails Jinchriki from Iwagakure! Looking at the hovering Third Kazekage, Shichi released his Transformation Jutsu. The Third Kazekage''s pupils dted in shock. "It''s you?!" "It''s me," Shichi replied with a light smile. "Kazekage-sama, we meet again." The Third Kazekage stared at him. "It seems Iwagakure put a bounty on your head because of the Four-Tails." "You''re surprisingly young for someone so dangerous!" "So, you''ve been targeting me for some time now... Is it for revenge on Konoha''s White Fang?" Shichi nodded calmly. "That''s right." "Kazekage-sama, as you once said, a ninja must be prepared to die at any moment." "I assume you''re ready as well?" "Then, Kazekage-sama, it''s time for you to depart." As soon as he finished speaking, chains shot out like venomous snakes. These were the same chains Sasori had used earlier to bind the Third Kazekage, now reversed and controlled using Maic Release chakra. Boom! Boom! Boom! The earthen wall shattered into pieces. But before the chains could reach him, Shichi had already disappeared from the wall. With the Totsuka de and the Kusanagi Sword in hand, Shichi''s limbs crackled with electricity, while fire lotus petals bloomed under his feet. His body moved like lightning, and in an instant, he shed through the chains that the Third Kazekage had manipted like writhing iron snakes. Next, Shichi''s Totsuka de, now engulfed in azure-blue mes, was flung from his right hand, directly targeting the airborne Third Kazekage. This was the enhanced Blue me Vacuum sh, a technique Shichi had named "Blue me: Second Style," boosted by the natural energy within the sword,bining extreme heat with the powerful cutting force of Wind Release. It tore through the Third Kazekage''s threeyer Iron Wall before being stopped by the fourthyer. It wasn''t that the Third Kazekage didn''t want to summon a single, thicker shield to block the attack, but he was too weakened at this point. He had expended too much chakra earlier, trying to defend against Shichi''s clone, causing even his Iron Sand defense to dissipate. He couldn''t even form the Iron Sand wings that would allow him to fly swiftly through the air. Moreover, Shichi''s speed was too great. The Kazekage hadn''t retreated immediately because his body was too weakened, and he had tried to stall for time by talking at length. After recovering somewhat, heunched a sneak attack using the techniques he had initially prepared for Sasori. At a moment like this, killing his enemy by any means necessary was far more important than maintaining the dignity of a Kazekage. Thus, without hesitation, the Third Kazekage chose tounch a surprise attack. But the sneak attack failed, and while he managed to block the Totsuka de, the chains that Shichi had cut were now silently dissolving into Iron Sand and reformed into countless iron beads, sealing off all of Shichi''s escape routes before shooting out at him. This was the Third Kazekage''s second attack! Had he been at full strength, he could haveunched this offensive while maintaining his defense simultaneously. "No matter how fast you are, you can''t possibly avoid" The Third Kazekage''s words froze in his throat because Shichi had vanished again. Before the Iron Shield that had blocked the Totsuka de, Shichi reappeared, his right hand gripping the hilt of the sword. In that instant, his body was enveloped in a blue chakra cloak. Fire Release: Chakra Mode! Immediately afterward, the Bijuu Sealing Mark activated! The natural energy enhanced the chakra cloak, turning the lotus patterns on it a vibrant purple. Shichi could feel that the temperature of his chakra cloak had risen even higher! Although it took some time to exin, both the Fire Release Chakra Mode and the Bijuu Sealing Mark activated in an instant. Next, lotus-shaped mes bloomed on the de of the Totsuka Sword, and the massive Iron Shield in front of him exploded into fragments. "This guy..." The Third Kazekage''s pupils widened, and he quickly tried to retreat, using the Iron Sand under his feet to fly away. But suddenly, a fire engulfed his entire bodyabination of blue mes with purple markings. Fire Style: Firing Biscuit Jutsu! The attack was so sudden, and the enhanced Fire Release was so devastating, that the Third Kazekage screamed in agony. His Iron Sand defenses failed to protect him, and the sand beneath his feet crumbled, causing him to fall from the sky like a burning torch. However, the Third Kazekage, known as the strongest of his generation, managed to regain control despite the excruciating pain. His chakra surged, using Wind Release to blow away the mes that had engulfed him. Landing on the desert sands, the Third Kazekage''s robes were now burned and fused to his charred skin. His appearance was almost unrecognizable. Panting heavily from the intense pain, his body was still enveloped in chakra, protecting his scorched flesh and preparing to defend against another attack from Shichi. At this moment, he could only hope that his personal guard would detect the battle and arrive in time. But Shichi didn''t follow up with another Firing Biscuit Jutsu. Instead, with the Totsuka de mped in his mouth, he began throwing kunai one after another. The Third Kazekage flickered to dodge, but his movements were far slower and less agile than before. Just as a kunai flew past the Third Kazekage, Shichi''s figure vanished from the air, suddenly appearing at the Kazekage''s side. "This is... the same Body Flicker Technique as Konoha''s Yellow sh!" In the corner of his eye, the Third Kazekage caught sight of Shichi. The thought shed through his mind, but in the next instant, Shichi had already pierced through the hastily formed Iron Sand barrier with his Kusanagi Sword, breaking through the Wind Release chakra that had erupted around the Kazekage''s body and then impaling his head. The strongest Kazekage in history, dead. Shichinded on his feet and pulled out the Kusanagi Sword, deactivating his Fire Release: Chakra Mode. Exhaling deeply, he looked at the fallen body of the Third Kazekage, his emotions somewhat conflicted. There was no sense of aplishment in defeating such a powerful enemy, because it had been a sneak attack. Nor did he feel the thrill of revenge. His feelings toward Hatake Sakumo weren''t as deep as those of Nono Yakushi or Minato Namikaze. Sheathing his sword, Shichi turned and looked back. Asuka had arrived. "Shichi, the Kazekage''s guard squad is heading this way!" Asukanded swiftly and informed him. Shichi immediately responded, "Pick up the kunai, we need to retreat right now!" Asuka nodded and quickly began retrieving the Flying Thunder God kunai. Meanwhile, Shichi took out a scroll and sealed the Kazekage''s corpse within it. ... At that moment, Sasori of the Red Sand was watching Shichi clean up the battlefield in utter shock. "This guy... he''s younger than I am." "The power of the Four-Tails, that Fire Release, and Wind Release... he actually killed the Third Kazekage with ease." "A guy from Konoha..." Thinking back to his own defeat, Sasori couldn''t help but recall Konoha''s White Fang. "Is this guy a student of the White Fang?" "Back then, my parents were probably defeated by the White Fang just like me, weren''t they?" ... After packing away the Third Kazekage''s body, Shichi also stored the puppet made from Hatake Sakumo''s corpse. By this time, Asuka had gathered all the kunai. With one hand, Shichi lifted Sasori, while his right hand grabbed Asuka''s, and the three of them vanished from the scene. By the time the Kazekage''s guard squad arrived, the only thing left, aside from the aftermath of the battle, were scattered puppet fragments. "This power... it''s a tailed beast!" "The Lava Release of the Four-Tails from Iwagakure... but why would the Jinchriki be here?" "And these puppets... has Sasori of the Red Sand allied with Iwagakure?" "Damn it!" "Where''s Kazekage-sama?" "Search quickly!" ... The power of a tailed beast and the puppets were too conspicuous, which is why Shichi only retrieved his Flying Thunder God kunai and didn''t bother cleaning up the battlefield. For Sunagakure, this was bound to be a restless night. ... Land of Rivers, at a general store. Shichi returned with Asuka and Sasori. After handing over his equipment to Asuka, Shichi grabbed Sasori and took him to the woodshed. "An impressive Space-Time Ninjutsu..." Sasori spoke first, seeming to have alreadye to terms with life and death. Looking at Shichi, who was younger than him, Sasori asked, "So, are you a student of Konoha''s White Fang?" Shichi shook his head. "No, just a junior who was once guided by him." Sasori was briefly stunned, thenughed. "In the end, it''s all about revenge." "My parents were killed by Konoha''s White Fang, and he was killed by me. Now, I''m about to die at your hands. It all makes sense." "However, since you kept me alive, I assume you want some information from me?" "But you didn''t preserve the Third Kazekage, so it''s not information about Sunagakure that you want." Shichi nodded calmly. "That''s right." "I''m not particrly interested in information about Sunagakure, nor is it my goal." "I kept you alive because I want to knowhow did Konoha''s White Fang die?" "With his strength, even if it was you and the Kazekage, it wouldn''t have been easy to stop him if he wanted to escape, right?" "And, how was he ambushed while on a solo mission?" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 122: The True Culprit Behind the Third Ninja World War!

Chapter 122: Chapter 122: The True Culprit Behind the Third Ninja World War!

"So that''s how it was." Hearing Shichi Hoshita''s question, Sasori of the Red Sand scoffed, but also sighed. "It seems every vige has its own dirty, ugly secrets!" "However, no one in Konoha leaked any information to me." "It''s just that Konoha''s White Fang''s mission happened to directly conflict with the one I was carrying out." Shichi asked, "The mission you were executingeliminating those who wanted to cut Sunagakure''s funding?" Sasori chuckled, "Seems you''ve heard about it. Yes, that''s right." "Konoha''s goal was clearto weaken Sunagakure by reducing its funding." "Heh, I guess your actions this time didn''t get approval from Konoha''s higher-ups." "I have to admit, you''re just as bold as I am." Shichi, unimpressed, replied, "I''m not as bold as youdaring to assassinate the Kazekage." Sasori, as if it were natural, responded, "Because of his poor decisions, my parents died at the hands of Konoha''s White Fang. Killing him was only right." Returning to the previous topic, Sasori continued, "Konoha''s White Fang was indeed incredibly powerful. Once I realized he wasing, I immediately decided to join forces with the Kazekage. On my own, there was no way I could take him down." "After all, he was Konoha''s White Fang!" Sasori''s voice grew slightly somber, but he quickly resumed his usual tone and smiled. "Also, killing White Fang provided me with an opportunity to further evaluate the Third Kazekage, to gain just a little more of his trust and lower his guard." "In the end, my decision was entirely correct." "His speed was just like yoursmy puppets werepletely useless against him." "But fortunately, I had the Kazekage. Even though White Fang''s Lightning Release was able to counter the Kazekage''s Ma Release, there were two of us, and we were in the Land of Wind." "With our preparations in ce, we were able to slow down White Fang enough that he couldn''t escape." "I have to admit, White Fang''s strength was terrifying. Even the Third Kazekage was left a bit embarrassedhe almost got away." As he spoke, Sasori''s grin grew even wider. "After that battle, I was more certain than ever that I could kill the Third Kazekage." "So, I took White Fang''s body and turned him into a puppet." "As expected, he became the perfect weapon against the Third Kazekage." "If not for your intervention, I would''ve killed the Kazekage by now, turned him into an art piece, and added him to my most prized collection!" By the end, Sasori''s tone carried a hint of regret. But Shichi realized that Sasori''s regret wasn''t about failing to kill the Kazekage for revengeit was about not being able to turn him into a valuable puppet. He really isn''t a normal person! With his questions answered, Shichi asked Sasori, "Do you have anything else you want to say?" Sasori''s expression softened as he thought of his parents. In the Pure Land, he would be reunited with them, wouldn''t he? He wouldn''t have to wait any longer, right? With that, Sasori smiled and closed his eyes. "Do it." Shichi immediately activated his ninjutsu. Temple of Nirvana Technique! Seeing how cooperative Sasori was, Shichi didn''t mind granting him a peaceful death. After putting Sasori into a deep sleep, Shichi stepped forward and twisted his neck with a clean snapno pain at all. Incineration Technique! Sasori''s body was set aze, quickly burning down to a pile of ashes. Swamp of the Underworld! A small swamp appeared where the ashesy, swirling as it swallowed Sasori''s remains. Complete destruction! Shichi had considered bringing Sasori back to Konoha alive, to extract his puppet-making techniques. However, taking Sasori back posed too many risks, and those techniques weren''t worth it to him. As for the Third Kazekage''s body... Shichi fell into deep thought. His initial n was to bring the Kazekage''s body back to Konoha for Ma Release research. After all, he was going to establish his own research base, so there was no risk of information leaking. The Kazekage''s body was too valuable to waste. "Even though I can more easily obtain Ma Release chakra from the One-Tail, the Kazekage''s body is key to studying the Bloodline Limit itself." "The Third Kazekage''s corpse is far more valuable than Sasori, so I''ll keep it." "Konoha will likely suspect I was behind this, but as long as I don''t admit it, I''ll be fine." Having made his decision, Shichi left the woodshed and found Asuka had reheated the food. He couldn''t help butugh. Asuka smiled. "We''ve been busy all night. I''m a little hungry!" Shichi sat down and chuckled. "Let''s eat and rest, then tomorrow we''ll head back to the Land of Fire." The Kazekage had disappeared, and it involved the Four-Tails Jinchriki from Iwagakure. The ninja world was bound to descend into chaos. Perhaps the Third Ninja World War was about to begin! "The culprit behind the Third Ninja World War?" Shichi murmured to himself. ... The next day, Shichi and Asuka left the Land of Rivers and returned to the Land of Fire. However, they didn''t go straight back to Konoha but instead detoured to the Daimyo''s pce. He was going there to secure investment! Meanwhile, after a night of brewing turmoil, Sunagakure was in a frenzy. Numerous Sand shinobi began searching the entire Land of Wind for any trace of the Kazekage, while also expanding their search for the rogue ninja Sasori of the Red Sand. Simultaneously, Sunagakure activated all of its spies stationed in the Land of Earth,unching a full-scale investigation into the Four-Tails Jinchriki. That evening, Shichi secretly met with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. After a friendly and cordial discussion, Shichi presented a nslightly different from the one he had shown to Hiruzen Sarutobito the Daimyo. Inside the document, there was no mention of the Four-Tails or Eight-Tails, only references to tailed beasts as weapons. The Daimyo read carefully and was visibly excited. He asked, "Shichi, how confident are you in this experiment?" With full confidence, Shichi smiled and replied, "You should know the Third Hokage''s character. He wouldn''t proceed with such an experiment unless he was absolutely certain." "Danzo''s side has already seen sess." "What?" The Daimyo was startled but quickly picked up on a key point. "It seems there''s a rift between the Hokage and Danzo!" Shichi smiled, "Danzo is highly ambitious and a strong proponent of war." The Daimyo understood and promptly said, "In that case, proceed with the n!" Shichi immediately responded, "I won''t let you down, Daimyo-sama!" The next day, after leaving a Flying Thunder God mark at the Daimyo''s residence, Shichi set off with Asuka back to Konoha, carrying the initial investment of 100 million ryo given by the Daimyo. As expected from the Daimyotruly generous! ... In Konoha Vige, at the Hokage''s office, Danzo entered and, without preamble, said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Hiruzen, was the Third Kazekage taken down by Shichi Hoshita?" Sarutobi, puffing on his pipe, calmly replied, "It wasn''t Shichi. Shichi was acting on my orders and went to the Daimyo''s pce." "Besides, it''s not yet confirmed if the Third Kazekage is missing or even dead." "Sunagakure is currently tracking the rogue ninja Sasori of the Red Sand, as well as the Four-Tails Jinchriki from Iwagakure, who has been colluding with Sasori." "You already know that Sasori previously ughtered many small countries in the Land of Wind, and that''s why Sakumo Hatake lost his life." The Land of Wind is vast, but it''s mostly a desert or and of oases. Apart from the fertile coastal regions in the south, most of the oases are like miniature countries, ruled by various lords. While they all respect the Daimyo of the Land of Wind, in reality, they function like independent nations, only smaller in size. Although the other viges hadn''t yet noticed the Kazekage''s disappearance or possible death, both Hiruzen and Danzo had keenly grasped the truth. Even though they found it hard to believe that Shichi could take down the Kazekage, the timing was too coincidental. Sasori just so happened to be colluding with Iwagakure''s Four-Tails Jinchriki, and Sasori was very likely one of the culprits behind Sakumo Hatake''s death. For Hiruzen Sarutobi, no matter what, Konoha absolutely could not be implicated in this. But for Danzo, this was an excellent opportunity. Seeing that Hiruzen refused to admit anything, Danzo didn''t push further. He would question Shichi himself once he returned. For now, the timing was the most critical factor. "Hiruzen, if the Kazekage really was killed by Sasori and the Four-Tails Jinchriki, Sunagakure will definitely dere war on Iwagakure. This is our chance!" Danzo''s voice rang out, firm and determined. "This is our opportunity to take control of the Land of Rivers!" "When Iwagakure and Sunagakure begin fighting, we can seize the chance to invade the Land of Rivers. We should start preparing for war now." Hiruzen replied in a serious tone, "If we prepare for war now, it will draw attention, and it will alert all the other viges." "Don''t forget, besides the Sand and Stone viges, we also have to consider the Cloud and Mist viges!" "Furthermore, the situation with the Sand Vige is still unclear. We should wait for things to be clearer before making any decisions." Danzo, frustrated, retorted angrily, "Hiruzen, you''ll regret missing this opportunity!" But Hiruzen was unmoved. "What the vige needs right now isn''t war, but stability, so that the young shinobi can grow in peace." Danzo scoffed, "Hiruzen, you''ve changed!" "Don''t forget, we grew up in war." "War is the best training ground for a shinobi!" Hiruzen lowered his gaze, unwilling to argue further. "Danzo, this conversation ends here. Don''t act recklessly." "And don''t forget, I am the Hokage!" Danzo clenched his fists in silent fury. "You''ll regret this!" Bang! With that, Danzo stormed out, mming the door behind him. Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed in frustration, then his thoughts drifted back to Shichi. If Shichi had indeed been responsible for this, it would be a truly astonishing feat. Moreover, as long as the truth didn''te to light, it would be beneficial for Konoha. If Sunagakure and Iwagakure went to war, Konoha could remain neutral, free to handle matters at its own pace. In fact, knowing the nature of the Raikage of the Cloud Vige, he might seize the opportunity to invade Iwagakure. And as for the Mist Vige, in this situation, they would likely refrain from attacking Konoha and would instead focus on invading the Land of Wind. This scenario would unquestionably be the most favorable for Konoha! Too bad Danzo was blinded by his desire for power. ... In Iwagakure, inside the Tsuchikage''s office. The Third Tsuchikage, noki, looked at his son and said, "So, are you absolutely certain that Rshi couldn''t have possibly infiltrated the Land of Wind and worked with that brat Sasori of the Red Sand?" Kitsuchi nodded firmly, "Yes! Ever since that incident, Rshi has been in seclusion for intense training." "Moreover, there have been guards watching him. It''s impossible for Rshi to have left for such a long time without anyone noticing." Upon hearing this, noki grew angry, "So, Sunagakure did this on purposethey''re using this as an excuse to start a war?" Kitsuchi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sunagakure''s actions are too significant. It doesn''t seem like they''re faking it." noki frowned, "What are you trying to say?" Kitsuchi replied, "There is indeed someone using a power identical to Rshi''s." "Lava Release?" noki fell into deep thought. He recalled that Kumogakure also had a Lava Release user, but their power differed from Rshi''s. At that moment, Kitsuchi added, "It wasn''t just Lava Release; there was also the power of a tailed beast!" noki immediately straightened his small frame, his expression bing serious. "Are you saying someone has stolen the power of the Four-Tails?" "Was it that brat from Konoha?" "How is that even possible?" "It took Rshi ten years to gradually master the power of the tailed beast." Kitsuchi said, "It might not necessarily be Shichi Hoshita. It''s also possible that someone in the past acquired the power of the Four-Tails." "After all, tailed beasts are unique. You know as well as I do that their powers can multiply and be preserved for a very long time." "No matter the case, I believe we must prepare for war." noki nodded, his tone serious. "Then notify the others, and let''s hold a meeting." Soon after, the leaders of Iwagakure gathered and swiftly reached a consensus. First, prepare for war! Second, be on guard against an attack from Sunagakure and, if necessary, strike first to seize the initiative! ... Meanwhile, in the Land of Wind, inside Sunagakure''s council room, another meeting was taking ce. "The Third Kazekage was incredibly powerful. There''s no way he could''ve been killed just like that!" "That''s right! The Kazekage had the strength to suppress a tailed beast!" "But now, there''s no trace of the Third Kazekage anywhere!" "Should we appoint an acting Kazekage for the time being?" ... The Sunagakure Jnin present murmured amongst themselves during the meeting. Chiyo, surveying everyone, sighed before speaking, "The most important thing right now is to find the Kazekage, whether he is dead or alive." With that, her statement settled the debate. ... In Konoha, Shichi returned from the Daimyo''s residence just before lunchtime and immediately reported to the Hokage''s office. After thoroughly exining the situation regarding his discussion with the Daimyo, Shichi heard Hiruzen Sarutobi ask, "Shichi, how did your training go this time?" Understanding the deeper meaning behind the question, Shichi promptly replied, "Very smoothly. I can now use the Flying Thunder God technique in realbat." Hiruzen Sarutobi understood as well but couldn''t help being quietly astonished, despite already having prepared himself mentally. After all, the target was one of the vige Kagea Kage known as the strongest Kazekage in history. In the past, Hiruzen had even fought the Third Kazekage, so he had a decent understanding of his power. Yet now, that Kage had fallen to an 11-year-old boy... Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi remain silent, Shichi could guess that the Hokage was secretly in shock. Killing a Kage from one of the five great viges at the age of 11 was indeed extraordinary. Butpared to Uchiha Itachi, Shichi didn''t think it was that big of a deal. Although he couldn''t remember the exact timeline, Shichi estimated that Uchiha Itachi must have awakened his Mangeky Sharingan at around 11 or 12 years old. Afterward, with the assistance of Uchiha Obito, he wiped out the Uchiha n and joined the Akatsuki. Shortly after that, he even took down Orochimaru in seconds! At that time, Itachi was probably only around 13 or 14 years old. Of course, all of this was still hidden within Shichi''s memory and hadn''t happened yet. ... After a brief moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke, "You''ve worked hard. Now, focus on preparing for the research facility." He didn''t ask for any more details, and Shichi, in turn, had no intention of reporting on them. Both of them understood each other perfectly. (End of Chapter) ??? There is a poll on my Patreon for a new story, so make sure to Vote! The poll is open till 1st November! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 123: This Guy Has a Record!

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: This Guy Has a Record!

After leaving the Hokage building, Shichi let out a long breath and headed towards Konoha Hospital. However, halfway there, two Root shinobi stopped him, leading him to a meeting with Danz. "Did you kill the Third Kazekage?" Danz asked bluntly, causing the three Root members behind him to quietly react in shock. Shichi, however, feigned surprise and replied, "The Third Kazekage is dead?" "Why does Danz-sama believe it was me?" "I was on a mission to the Daimy''s residence, regarding the tailed beast weapon n." Danz frowned, his attention shifting. "Tailed beast weapon? The Daimy?" Shichi continued, "That''s what I wanted to report. The Third Hokage has already secured the Daimy''s support, along with additional funding." Secured the Daimy''s support! How did he manage that? Danz suddenly felt inspired. But if he approached the Daimy, it would be akin to betraying the Third Hokageand possibly even Konoha itself. Yet, if Hiruzen could do it, why couldn''t he? Danz quietly contemted, "I wouldn''t be truly cooperating with the Daimy, just securing a bit of funding..." After quickly making his decision, Danz said, "Given the current situation, this is the perfect time to prepare for war and reim the interests of the Land of Rivers. What do you think, Shichi Hoshita?" Shichi pretended to consider it for a moment before replying, "You''re right, Danz-sama, but this doesn''t align with the Third Hokage''s strategy." Hearing this, Danz felt a bit more at ease, but then Shichi quickly added, "However, what we think doesn''t matter. What''s important is the decision of the Third Hokage!" "Danz-sama, after all, you''re not the Hokage!" Danz''s expression instantly darkened, a surge of resentment boiling within him. Once again, memories of narrowly losing the Hokage title resurfaced. "If I had been just a step quicker back then... If I were Hokage now, Konoha would be far more powerful!" "Damn it..." At that moment, a sinister thought sprouted in Danz''s mindhe would have to remove Hiruzen from the position of Hokage. But at the same time, he knew how difficult that would be. Hiruzen Sarutobi had both the respect and the strength necessary to hold his position. "If that''s the case, then I''ll wait in the shadows... Hiruzen''s weakness will inevitably catch up to him, and when that timees, I''ll have my chance." With this in mind, Danz began pondering another issue. If Hiruzen were to step down, who would be the best candidate for Hokage? Or rather, who would benefit him the most? Orochimaru! Danz quickly settled on a candidate. ... Although the storm inside Danz''s mindsted only a moment, he nced at the seemingly respectful Shichi and said, "If a Jnin council is held, I expect your support." Shichi nodded and smiled, "Of course, Danz-sama, as long as you can provide me with what I need." Danz wasn''t surprised. "What do you need this time?" Shichi smiled innocently, "Hashirama cells." Danz''s pupils contracted slightly, his heart pounding twice, but he remainedposed as he asked, "Hashirama cells?" "That''s a forbidden experiment in the vige. What do you need them for?" Shichi replied, "Lady Tsunade and I are developing a medical forbidden jutsu. The data from thest experiment wasn''t sufficient, so I''d like to observe the Hashirama cells and conduct some small experiments." "If this is too difficult, I can ask Lady Tsunade to request permission from the Third Hokage." At the mention of Tsunade''s name, Danz immediately responded, "No need, I''ll get you the Hashirama cells." Shichi immediately shed a "sincere" smile, "Thank you so much, Danz-sama!" "Remember your promise!" With that, Danz turned and left with his men. Shichi watched him go, smirking internally. "Danz, you were once the guardian of Konoha''s darkness, but in the future, you will be the one to rot its roots." Not only did Shichi intend to kill Danz, but he also nned to turn him into Konoha''s greatest viin. ... Shichi didn''t stay long at Konoha Hospital. The reason he came was simply to reassure Non Yakushi and Shizune that he was safe. After leaving the hospital, he sent a shadow clone home while heading to Tsunade''s residence himself. Tsunade, still engrossed in her work developing a medical forbidden jutsu, was surprised when Shichi appeared. "When did you get back?" she asked. Shichi sat down across from her. "Just now. So, shouldn''t you be really touched right now, Lady Tsunade?" Tsunade smirked. "You probably went to the old man first, then Konoha Hospital, right?" Shichi wasn''t the least bit embarrassed at being caught. "I went to the Hokage first to report my mission, so naturally, you are second in my heart, Lady Tsunade." "ttery will get you nowhere!" Tsunade didn''t buy into his sweet talk. "Get back to work and continue the research!" Shichi immediately got serious. "Lady Tsunade, I think it''s necessary for us to study the First Hokage''s cells." Tsunade frowned. Shichi continued, "I''m not trying to research Wood Release. Without the powerful life force of Yang Release, Wood Release isn''t stronger than other Kekkei Genkai." "What we need to extract from the First Hokage''s cells is the secret behind their extreme cellr activation!" "That''s exactly where our research has stalled." "If we can crack that secret, the jutsu we''re working on will advance by leaps and bounds, without any further obstacles." Tsunade was clearly tempted. "The old man...?" Shichi joked, "All you have to do is barge into the Hokage''s office and smash his desk!" Tsunade''s face immediately darkened, and her fists clenched. "You brat..." Sensing danger, Shichi quickly switched to a more serious tone. "If you and I apply together, the Third Hokage will approve." "Also, I just asked Danz for the First Hokage''s cells, and he agreed!" Tsunade''s anger subsided instantly. "Danz?" "That guy... why would you ask him for my grandfather''s cells?" Shichi smiled. "I''m a double agent now. He wants me to support his n to attack Sunagakure at the Jnin council." Tsunade''s face twisted in disgust upon hearing this. Shichi said, "I thought it might be a tough request for him, but he agreed without hesitation." Tsunade wasn''t surprised. "Danz was a staunch supporter of those experiments back then. He didn''t want to stop them, but the old man shut it down after too many lives were lost. It''s no surprise he kept some of Grandfather''s cells." Shichi nodded, dropping the subject without revealing Danz and Orochimaru''s ongoing research on Hashirama''s cells. Exposing it now wouldn''t hurt Danz. It would only antagonize Orochimaru. Better to wait until they made progress, then steal it and infuriate Danz. "Yamato should be out there by now, right?" Shichi spected. Tsunade, having made up her mind, stood up. "Come with me to the Hokage''s office!" Shichi shook his head. "You can go by yourself. I already sent a shadow clone to report my deal with Danz to the Third Hokage." Tsunade snorted, "You sly fox!" ... On the other side of town, Shichi''s shadow clone returned home, entered the study, and wrote down the details of his deal with Danz. He then had a crow deliver the message to Sarutobi Shinnosuke. Of course, just like with Tsunade, Shichi didn''t mention anything about Danz conducting research on Hashirama''s cells. Meanwhile, in the Hokage''s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi read the note and couldn''t help but wonder, "Did Shichi sense something?" At that moment, Sarutobi Shinnosuke emerged from the ground. "Lord Third, Lady Tsunade is here!" Hiruzen sighed, already anticipating a headache. "Let her in." Sarutobi Shinnosuke opened the door, and Tsunade stormed in. Before she could say anything, Hiruzen preempted her. "Shichi has already reported to me about researching the First Hokage''s cells. The research can proceed, but it must be closely monitored." "And absolutely no human experimentation." Tsunade, no longer as aggressive as when she arrived, nodded seriously. "Understood." Hiruzen added, "Also, Tsunade, keep a close eye on Shichi. You mustn''t let him try to merge with the First Hokage''s cells." He wasn''t worried about Shichi trying to obtain Wood Release. Rather, he feared Shichi might risk his life developing medical ninjutsu. This guy has a record! Tsunade looked confused. Hiruzen exined how Shichi had recklessly attempted to merge with the Four-Tails'' chakra, leaving Tsunade stunned. She hadn''t known about that. With a solemn expression, Tsunade assured him, "Don''t worry, I''ll keep an eye on him!" (End of Chapter) ??? There is a poll on my Patreon for a new story, so make sure to Vote! The poll is open till 1st November! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 124: The Deal!

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: The Deal! [Bonus Chapter]

Shichi Hoshita, still enjoying the results of Tsunade''s hard work over the past few days, had no idea that he had now be a key subject of surveince. Lunch was spent with Tsunade and Shizune, who had returned from Konoha Hospital. In the afternoon, Shichi and Tsunade began nning the construction of the experimental base. They discussed site selection, equipment procurement, and medicine supplieshandling all aspects of the n. Luckily, neither Shichi nor Tsunade were beginners, so the process was smooth and efficient without any chaos. By the time the nning was done in the afternoon, Shichi returned home, only to find Tenka there as well. "Tenka-san!" Shichi greeted her with a smile. Tenka, who had been chatting with Asuka, stood up immediately. "Shichi!" "Here, this is for you. Be sure to be there on time!" Shichi took what she handed him and saw that it was an invitation. It turned out that Tenka''s sister was finally holding her formal wedding, scheduled for three dayster. Shichi waved the invitation in his hand with a grin. "Don''t worry, I''ll definitely be there on time!" "Alright, it''s a promise then," Tenka replied before waving goodbye to Asuka. "I''ll be off now!" After seeing Tenka out the door, Shichi and Asuka started preparing dinner together, as Non Yakushi would being home for dinner that evening. What Shichi didn''t expect, however, was that when Non returnedter, she brought a cake and even personally made him a bowl of longevity noodles, giving him a surprise birthday celebration. The dinner was filled withughter and joy. Afterward, they all cleaned up together, and then Non and Asuka went out for a walk while Shichi headed to his study. It was time for him to review his training. He had already mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, so the next step was to keep honing it. Techniques like the Flying Thunder God sh and Guiding Thunder were all advanced uses based on the Flying Thunder God Form. As for the tags [Medical Master], [Clone Master], and [Substitution Master], there was no rush. One involved Orochimaru''s soft body modification, and the other involved the Eight-Tailsboth key areas of experimentation that Shichi nned to focus on. He gazed at his skill tree, where multiple "Master" tags were disyed: [Earth Release Master], [Lightning Release Master], [Water Release Master], [Sensory Master], [Genjutsu Master], and [Sealing Master]. The requirements for these Master tags were consistent: either create five A-rank jutsu or develop an S-rank jutsu. Shichi was already very experienced in jutsu development. S-rank jutsu were especially challenging because they often required a high degree of mastery in both nature transformation and shape maniption. While not an absolute rule, S-rank jutsu were known for their exceptional power and effectiveness. "I have too many A-rank jutsu already. One S-rank for each Master title should be enough," Shichi thought to himself. "For Earth Release... I''ll focus on defense. With Lightning Release, Wind Release, and Fire Release for offense, my physical defenses are stillcking." "S-rank Water Release..." Shichi scratched his head. While shape maniption with water was rtively easier, nature transformation... he had no clear ideas yet. As for Lightning Release, Kakashi was already working on developing the Chidori, so Shichi didn''t n to go down that path. He figured he''d just trade for it once Kakashi perfected it. Combined with the Flying Thunder God, it could be even more effective than the Rasengan in terms of lethality. So, what path should he take instead? "An all-around Lightning Release Armor? The Lightning Chakra Mode used by the Cloud Ninja is too rough. I have strong enough chakra control to refine it into something more precise." Thinking about it, Shichi shook his head, dismissing the idea. Instead, a famous technique popped into his mind: Railgun! (Electromaic gun!) Although it has "ma" in its name, it wouldn''t necessarily require Ma Release. Or perhaps, with an electric field, a maic field could naturally form, thereby incorporating both electricity and maism. Controlling electricity to create a maic fieldnow that would be an S-rank challenge, worthy of pursuit. Excited by the thought, Shichi mused, "Most Lightning Release jutsu rely on high current for damage. But if I want to create a railgun, I''ll need a super-high voltage Lightning Release." "Would that count as a nature transformation of Lightning Release?" The concept of voltage wasn''t thatplicatedit referred to the potential difference or electric potential, measuring the energy difference created by varying charges in an electrostatic field. Of course, voltage was usually applied in electrical circuits. Shichi decided he''d stick with calling it "voltage" for simplicity. He made up his mind: Railgun would be his next goal for Lightning Release development! Perhaps, once he mastered this jutsu, he might even gain some insights into Ma Release. Next on his list was sensory ninjutsu. "The Kagura''s Mind Eye belongs to chakra sensing. Heat vision could be considered visual sensing..." Shichi hesitated, wondering if it would be easier to develop one type of sensory jutsu in each category, or if he should aim for something moreprehensive. "Or maybe I could create a more all-epassing sensory jutsu?" His thoughts returned to the Mind''s Eye of Kagura. Perhaps he could build on this foundation. For instance, Malice Sensing! Through understanding the essence of chakra, especially aftering into contact with tailed beast chakra, the principle behind Naruto''s ability to sense malice in his Nine-Tails Mode wasn''t too difficult to grasp. Just as Shichi had once discussed with Orochimaru. Chakra is thebination of spiritual and physical energy, meaning that a person''s chakra naturally carries their own mental will. That''s why the Sage of Six Paths viewed chakra as a force capable of allowing people tomunicate on a spiritual level. In fact, changes in both the body and mind can cause one''s chakra to manifest differently. Shichi had a clear example of this in front of him: Orochimaru! As Orochimaru''s soft body modification progressed, the feeling Shichi got from Orochimaru''s chakra continued to change. Then there was the Uchiha n. Uchiha Shisui was an exception. But for many other Uchiha n members, as their Sharingan evolved, their chakra also changed. ording to Karin''s sensory abilities, Naruto''s chakra felt warm, whereas Uchiha Sasuke''s chakra, especially after unlocking the Mangeky Sharingan, felt increasingly cold and ominous. And the most obvious example was the chakra of the tailed beasts, which everyone could feel was inherently evil. Of course, sensing malice from chakra alone was extremely difficult. Unlike the tailed beasts, most people naturally hide their malicious intent. "Additionally, the potential of the Mind''s Eye of Kagura is vast. Beyond malice sensing, it could even evolve toward reading people''s thoughts and consciousness." "Of course, that would be incredibly difficult, but transforming it into a technique that can hear thoughts from miles away isn''t impossible... At that point, the name ''Mind''s Eye'' would be fully justified." Lastly, there were genjutsu and sealing techniques. Shichi had alreadye up with some ideas for genjutsu, particrly developing one based on the concept of a Memory Pce, potentially creating a genjutsu simr to the Tsukuyomi. But when thinking of genjutsu, it was hard not to also think of the Uchiha n''s Mangeky Sharingan. "Spiritual techniques... like Spirit Transformation." Shichi thought of the technique mastered by Tsunade''s former lover and mused, "In fact, the current state of the Sage of Six Paths is likely an advanced form of the Spirit Transformation Technique." "Spirit Transformation condenses the mind into a spirit body, carrying chakra. In essence, this so-called spirit body is actually a soul." "The Dead Demon Consuming Seal can trap souls, and the Rinnegan can extract them as well." As his thoughts wandered, Shichi suddenly had an idea. Could he seal someone else''s soul within his Memory Pce? Once the idea struck him, it grew rapidly, like weeds. When he unlocks the [Sealing Master] tag, he would be able to solidify a sealing technique as his own bloodline limit, simr to the Adamantine Sealing Chains. Thus, developing sealing techniques was crucial for Shichi. Reining in his thoughts, Shichi decided to first master the Spirit Transformation Technique, followed by the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Both of these techniques dealt with souls, making them extremely important to him. As for the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, he had already spent considerable time researching it with Uzumaki Kushina, and Minato Namikaze had also contributed. They were confident in their ability to perform the technique when needed. However, using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal wasn''t Shichi''s true goal. After all, it was a one-time-use technique. "The priority for developing techniques next will be sealing jutsu, genjutsu, and Earth Release defense techniques, in that order. The rest cer." With his n set, Shichi nced at the time. It was still early! So, he decided to start by fully mastering the Lava Release Kekkei Genkai. Previously, in the Land of Rivers, he had be proficient at using Four-Tails'' chakra to wield Lava Release, but that was borrowing Four-Tails'' power, not truly mastering the Lava Release bloodline limit for himself. As for the Four-Tails Jinchriki, Roshi had already managed tobine fire and earth release to create his own Lava Release Kekkei Genkai. Lava Release = Fire Release + Earth Release! Shichi''s expertise in Fire Release had already reached a high level. After unlocking the [Ninjutsu Professor] tag, he was even able to perform ordinary fire jutsu with intense blue mes due to their extreme heat. Although he hadn''t yet unlocked the [Earth Release Master] tag, his talents and insights, bolstered by the tags [Konoha Genius], [Earth Release Expert], and [Ninjutsu Professor], were already impressive. The night passed uneventfully. The next day, Shichi went to the Hokage Tower to meet with Sarutobi Shinnosuke to acquire the Spirit Transformation Technique. "The Spirit Transformation Technique... That''s the jutsu mastered by Dan-senpai," Sarutobi Shinnosuke remarked, puzzled. "Shichi, this technique seems pretty useless for someone like you." Considering how strong Shichi already was, he didn''t really need a technique like Spirit Transformation, which had significant weaknesses. Shichi smiled honestly, "Captain, I''m not studying this technique forbat, but because it involves the mind and soul, which are fundamental to both the body and chakra." "Besides, I want this technique because I''ve been studying a forbidden jutsu with Minato-sensei that also deals with soul sealing. But the cost of that technique is too high, and I don''t like it." Sarutobi Shinnosuke chuckled wryly, "Shichi, only you would say something like that." "Wait a moment. I''ll go copy it for you." Shichi nodded, "Thanks, Captain." Sarutobi Shinnosuke waved dismissively and headed out the door. As Shichi waited quietly, he realized that the candid exnation he''d just given was not only for Sarutobi Shinnosuke but also for Hiruzen Sarutobi. This was key to earning Hiruzen''s trust, despite Shichi''s many hidden agendas, such as his intentions toward the Hokage''s advisor, Danzo Shimura, and Root. Shichi always presented himself as loyal to the Third Hokage and Konoha, and he was sincere in his care for his friends and family. Coupled with his close ties to Minato Namikaze, Uzumaki Kushina, Tsunade, and Jiraiya''s approval... Who could be more loyal to Konoha than him? ... Sarutobi Shinnosuke soon returned with a scroll. After receiving the Spirit Transformation Technique, Shichi left the Hokage Tower, dividing the task between his Shadow Clonesone clone took the scroll home to study, while the real Shichi headed to Orochimaru''s research base. Along the way, he also sent another Shadow Clone to Tsunade to begin construction on a new research facility. Theb was located within the vige of Konoha, and aside from hiring some local architects, they also brought in several Konoha ninjas proficient in Earth Release. Unfortunately, they didn''t have Wood Release, otherwise,bining Wood and Earth would make constructing an underground base much easier. ... At Orochimaru''s research basetwo months since hisst visitShichi once again sensed a change in Orochimaru. The soft body modifications had progressed even further! While cleaning hisb equipment, Orochimaru nced at Shichi and smiled, "Shichi-kun always brings surprises!" Shichi smiled back, "You''re too kind, Orochimaru-sama!" After finishing up, Orochimaru asked, "Shichi-kun, how about we make another deal?" Shichi immediately knew that Orochimaru was interested in researching the Third Kazekage''s bloodline limit. After a brief thought, he asked, "What would Orochimaru-sama offer in exchange?" "Research data on Hashirama''s cells," Orochimaru said with a smile. "Of course, not the version you''re already aware of, but thetest research from Danzo." Shichi couldn''t help butugh, "Orochimaru-sama, you must know I''ll have to report this to the Third Hokage, right?" Orochimaru nodded without concern, "Of course, but the experiment has already failed." Failed? So that means Yamatoor Codename Tenzo,''must have already been created. But had they really abandoned research on Hashirama''s cells? Shichi didn''t believe it. He clearly remembered that Danzo had also imnted Hashirama''s cells, managing to bnce them with his three-tomoe Sharingan. Danzo''s arm was most likely the result of Orochimaru''s handiwork. After some careful consideration, Shichi agreed, "Only for the cells." Orochimaru smiled, "Deal." The transaction was made! Orochimaru wiped his hands and left briefly, returning with arge scroll. It had clearly been prepared in advance, and Orochimaru was confident that Shichi wouldn''t refuse the deal. Without hesitation, Shichi took the scroll and opened itnot to check its authenticity, but to see how far Orochimaru had progressed in his research on Hashirama''s cells. Orochimaru''s data was very thorough,plete with an overview and table of contents. Just by ncing at these two sections, Shichi already had a good idea of the extent of Orochimaru''s research. It was now clear that Yamato''s survival was not just due to luck or his unique constitution but also thanks to Orochimaru''s deep understanding of Hashirama''s cells. Orochimaru had made some subtle adjustments to the cells, reducing their dominancepared to the initial experiment. This adjustment essentially involved reducing the activity of Hashirama''s cells. "Impressive as always, Snake Bastard!" Shichi thought to himself. Orochimaru, with a smile, asked, "What do you think, Shichi-kun?" Shichi was happy to engage in discussion, "What Lady Tsunade and I are researching aligns with your treatment of Hashirama''s cells, Orochimaru-sama." "You''ve reduced the activity of Hashirama''s cells, while Tsunade-sama and I are looking for a way to rapidly enhance cell activity, in order to develop powerful medical ninjutsu." Although Orochimaru wasn''t particrly interested in medical ninjutsu, he admired Shichi''s thinking and remarked, "That is indeed a correct approach. The reason Hashirama''s cells are so difficult to transnt is due to their overwhelming activity, which requires an enormous amount of energy to sustain." "Most people simply can''t handle that level of power." "Even though I''ve weakened the cells'' activity, they''re still nearly impossible for an ordinary ninja to integrate." "The First Hokage''s strength is truly unattainable." At that moment, Shichi could see the burning passion in Orochimaru''s eyes. After some thought, Shichi said, "I think Orochimaru-sama should definitely continue down this path." "But only in rtion to Wood Release." Orochimaru seemed intrigued, "Oh? Are you suggesting that I separate the powerful vitality of Hashirama''s cells from Wood Release, Shichi-kun?" Shichi nodded, "Because no one can withstand it." "Of course, ording to my predictions, without that powerful life force, Wood Release would just be another ordinary bloodline limit, unlikely to reach the same level as the First Hokage." Orochimaru nodded, feeling somewhat disappointed. He wasn''t interested in just Wood Release, or rather, not a weakened version of it. For him,pletely removing the vitality of Hashirama''s cells would make them lose their value for research. (End of Chapter) ??? There is a poll on my Patreon for a new story, so make sure to Vote! The poll is open till 1st November! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 125: Magic - Memory Palace!

Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Magic - Memory Pce!

After making a deal with Orochimaru, Shuichi became increasingly busy, not caring at all about the tense international situation outside caused by him. Strength is fundamental! A few dayster, Minato''s team finally returned to the vige. After learning the news from Kushina Uzumaki, Shuichi immediately brought a scroll to Kakashi''s house. Kakashi, with his hair still wet, was surprised to see Shuichi: "Shuichi, do you have something important?" "Let''s talk inside!" Shuichi went straight in, and Kakashi closed the door behind him, wiping his hair with a towel. Unrolling the scroll, with a "poof" sound, Shuichi unsealed it, revealing a puppet. Thud! Kakashi''s towel fell to the ground as he stared at the puppet in shock. Shuichi stood up and said, "I retrieved this from Sasori of the Red Sand, a rogue ninja from Sunagakure." "ording to Sasori, he and the Third Kazekage ambushed Sakumo-senpai while he was on a mission." Kakashi, with reddened eyes, said, "Thank you, Shuichi!" Shuichi patted Kakashi''s shoulder and then left. After leaving Kakashi''s house, Shuichi walked leisurely: "Even great generals may die on the battlefield. My strength might have surpassed Sakumo-senpai''s now, but I''m far from invincible!" "And life is limited." "There''s also the director, Asuka, Shizune, and others. One day, we''ll all have to experience the separation of life and death." "A human''s life of several decades is too short..." Shuichi''s gaze and steps became more determined and powerful: "Invincible!" "Immortality!" ... The appointed time with Tenka arrived in the blink of an eye. Shuichi put on a suit and came to Tenka''s home. Tenka, already dressed in a kimono, was waiting. Seeing Shuichi arrive, she immediately came forward to hold him, looking him over carefully, then smiled with her eyes: "Shuichi has really grown up!" Indeed, in the past year, Shuichi had shot up in height, already reaching nearly 1.6 meters. "Tenka-san, I''m already 11 years old!" Shuichi emphasized. Tenka covered her mouth andughed softly: "I know, our Shuichi is already a Jonin, a person who can stand on his own!" "Alright, let''s go in together." "Today, you''re my escort!" Saying this, Tenka pulled Shuichi into the mansion. At this time, many guests had already arrived, many of whom were ninja from the Hidden Leaf Vige. Naturally, they couldn''t help but greet Shuichi, this medical jonin, drawing the scrutiny of many merchants. Seeing Tenka apanying him like a young wife, they couldn''t help but whisper among themselves. "Such a young jonin?" "The name sounds familiar!" "Of course it''s familiar, he''s the youngest jonin in the history of the Konoha!" "And he''s also an outstanding medical ninja, I heard he''s Lady Tsunade''s disciple!" "Speaking of which, is he going to be with the second daughter of the family?" "It looks that way, but isn''t he a bit too young?" "If it were me, I''d be willing. At such a young age, he''s already achieved so much. He might even be Hokage in the future. I''ve heard he''s highly regarded by the Third Hokage!" ... Hearing the discussions around him, Shuichi felt helpless. He''s only 11 years old, what a bunch of beasts! Beside him, Miss Tenka covered her mouth and giggled, then blew into Shuichi''s ear: "Shuichi, you need to grow up quickly!" Shuichi immediately turned his head, his lips brushing against Tenka''s soft lips, then he snorted lightly: "Tenka-san, you''re mine now!" Tenka was stunned for a moment, then her face flushed red. Around them, many exmations of surprise were heard. Pulling Shuichi to a quiet ce, Tenka, red-faced but serious, asked: "Shuichi, I''m serious, you know!" Shuichi was equally serious: "So am I!" Tenka poked Shuichi''s forehead with her finger: "I knows you have a little girlfriend, you know!" Shuichi said earnestly: "Tenka-san, in the future I''m going to be a figure greater than the Daimyo or the Hokage, like an emperor of ancient times. Naturally, I can have multiple wives!" Tenka heard this and widened her eyes: "Where did you hear that from?" Shuichi pretended to be arrogant: "I''ve been to the Daimyo''s pce many times already." Tenka burst outughing, not angry at Shuichi''s words, but instead said with a smile: "Alright, as long as you... well, be greater than the Hokage, I can can satisfy you!" Damn temptress, actually seducing a child! Shuichi decided he would definitely have to teach Tenka a lesson in the future: "Tenka-san, my memory is the best." Tenka smiled and extended her right pinky: "Want to make a pinky promise?" Shuichi immediately rolled his eyes: "I''m 11, not 3!" Tenka burst intoughter, her body shaking with mirth. ... Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was already April. In the study, Shuichi raised one hand, and in the next moment, his spirit gathered into one, wrapping around the chakra within his body and leaving his physical form. Spirit Transformation Technique! Shuichi looked down and saw his physical body, then easily passed through the wall and out of the study. It wasn''t difficult to master the Spirit Transformation Technique in less than a month. After touring around the house, Shuichi returned to his physical body, opened his eyes, and pondered carefully: "The spiritual concentration is indeed simr to manifesting my spiritual body under the tag tree." "Moreover, this feeling is also simr to being in the mental world. The difference is that the Spirit Transformation Technique is aplete spiritual will, which can be called the soul, while both the spiritual body and the spiritual body + chakra in the mental world are only partial." "So, can I make the spirit body exist within the body for a long time, still controlling the physical body while merging chakra with the spirit body? This way, I might have the power to resist genjutsu like Tsukuyomi..." Thinking of this, Shuichi immediately tried to gather his spirit and a part of his internal chakra, just like when performing the Spirit Transformation Technique to condense the spirit body, but instead of leaving the body, he manifested it under the tag tree. It worked! Shuichi''s spirit body appeared under the tag tree, feelingpletely different from before, possessing a sense of substantial power. However... Shuichi quickly discovered that he had lost control of his body. "It seems this won''t work..." Shuichi frowned, thinking to himself: "It seems I can''t gather all of my spiritual will together. I should separate it, just like performing the Shadow Clone Technique..." Thinking of this, he immediately dispelled the Spirit Transformation Technique, then sat at his desk and began to modify the technique. Meanwhile, Shuichi''s shadow clone had arrived at the Uzumaki n''s mask storage temple with Kushina Uzumaki, and ANBU members following far behind. There were many Uzumaki n masks here. Arriving in front of a wall full of masks, Shuichi carefully sensed for a moment before leaping up and taking down a mask with two horns: "This is it!" Kushina Uzumaki took it, carefully sensed it, and nodded with a smile: "Indeed, it has the same aura as the Dead Demon Consuming Seal." "Well then, let me first feel what kind of entity this Shinigami really is!" Shuichi took the mask back from Kushina and put it on, while Kushina watched with a serious expression. The moment Shuichi put on the mask, his form swayed involuntarily, his hair flying without wind. A power descended upon him, and faintly, an ancient and eerieugh could be heard. At this moment, Shuichi felt as if he was being possessed by a spirit. His mind connected with another powerful spiritual entity. Shuichi couldn''t sense the will of this powerful spiritual entity. It even felt as if his will at this moment was the will of the so-called Shinigami. "Just a clone?" "Or is it a sealing vessel in the name of the Shinigami?" Shuichi couldn''t understand for a moment and could only take off the mask. Kushina beside him quickly asked, "Shuichi, how was it?" Shuichi shook his head: "Indeed, this mask can be used to undo the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, but it still requires one''s life as the price." Kushina seemed a bit disappointed upon hearing this, but soon smiled again: "After all, it''s a forbidden technique that seals souls. It''s not that easy to break!" "But, does this Shinigami really exist?" Kushina looked at Shuichi curiously. Shuichi waved the mask in his hand: "I couldn''t sense it. It seems to be just a very powerful spirit body with strong sealing and binding power." Kushina took the mask again and examined it carefully. Not finding any obvious charm or technique, she smiled and said: "Never mind, let''s take it back and study it further!" Shuichi nodded, thinking to himself that his original body should have seeded by now, right? ... In the evening, all shadow clones were dispelled, and their memories fed back. After carefully sorting through the memories, Shuichi pondered silently: "Shinigami..." "Forget about the Shinigami, I just need to extract the essence from the Dead Demon Consuming Seal technique to create a jutsu that can pull out and seal an enemy''s soul." Both the Spirit Transformation Technique and the Dead Demon Consuming Seal were techniques thatid the foundation for him. As for the form of the technique, Shuichi leaned towards the form of the Adamantine Sealing Chains. Of course, he couldn''t practice the Adamantine Sealing Chains, but he only needed to make the sealing technique manifest in the form of chains, used to enter the enemy''s body and pull out their soul. Shuichi thought carefully: "To achieve this, besides the binding power of the seal, chakra control, and shape transformation ability, another extremely important factor is Yin Release nature transformation." Indeed, the Uzumaki n''s Adamantine Sealing Chains used the power of Yin Release. Only the power of Yin Release could shape substantial existences like the Adamantine Sealing Chains. Yang Release gives life force, while Yin Release shapes form. This is true for the Adamantine Sealing Chains, and also for the Mangekyo Sharingan''s Susanoo. Thinking about this, Shuichi couldn''t help but think of Obito Uchiha''s Yin-Yang Release technique, with simr chakra chains used to restrain Tailed Beasts, more effective than the Adamantine Sealing Chains. Especially the chakra chains emitted from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. "Is thebination of Yin and Yang the ultimate path?" Shuichi pinched the bridge of his nose, bringing his thoughts back. Step by step, first solve what''s in front of him. "So, I still need to develop an S-rank genjutsu!" Shuichi felt that his Yin Release nature transformation wasn''t strong enough yet. With the improvement of [Genjutsu Master], it should be sufficient. After deciding, Shuichi immediately left the study and came to the living room. "Asuka!" Shuichi said: "Come and help me test a genjutsu!" Asuka, who was researching sealing techniques, immediately stood up and said excitedly: "What kind of genjutsu?" "Will it be very scary?" Shuichi smiled and said: "Of course not." Asuka nodded: "Then let''s do it, I''m ready." "Here ites!" As Shuichi spoke, he had already activated the genjutsu. Magic - Memory Pce! In an instant, Asuka found herself no longer at home, but in front of the Leaf Ninja Academy. "Eh? Is that... Kakashi and Guy? No, at this age, it''s when they were still in the ninja academy?" Asuka was stunned for a moment as she saw Kakashi and Guy walking towards her. Soon, Kakashi and Guy walked up to her and politely greeted: "Asuka-san!" "Eh?" "Um..." Asuka hurriedly responded: "Hello!" At this time, another voice came from behind: "Asuka!" Asuka turned around and saw a young Shuichi: "Shuichi?" Shuichi nodded: "It''s me!" Asuka immediately smiled: "Is this created using the memory pce?" "Are these your past memories, Shuichi?" Shuichi nodded: "How does it feel?" Asuka looked around, even reaching out to touch a nearby tree, and smiled: "It feels very real." "Touch, smell, sound, vision are all deceived." "But I''m very aware that I''m in a genjutsu. I can feel my chakra, my mind isn''t constrained, my body isn''t fixed. It should be easy to break, right?" Shuichi nodded and smiled: "Indeed, because it only deceives the five senses. I casually cast it based on the memory pce." Hearing this, Asuka immediately smiled encouragingly: "This is already very impressive. Genjutsu itself is very difficult to practice, not to mention deceiving all five senses at once." "If used against an enemy on the battlefield, changing the scene to the current battlefield, the enemy wouldn''t easily notice, especially with your memory, Shuichi." Shuichi shook his head: "While that''s true, it''s not my goal." Asuka asked curiously: "Then what kind of genjutsu do you want to develop, Shuichi?" Shuichi pointed around and smiled: "A genjutsu where once youe here, you can''t leave." Asuka, not unfamiliar with genjutsu, immediately understood: "So, Shuichi, you want to pull the enemy''s spiritual will into your constructed memory pce?" "That should be very difficult, right?" Shuichi nodded: "You must first break through the enemy''s chakra cirction system." "So, how do you feel now, Asuka?" Asuka was stunned for a moment, not noticing anything different. Shuichi smiled: "Asuka, you can try to break the genjutsu." Asuka immediately raised her hands to form seals, but the surrounding scenery didn''t change. She was still in front of the ninja academy, and the Shuichi before her still looked five or six years old. Asuka eximed in surprise: "Shuichi, you just pulled my spiritual will into this illusory space." Shuichi nodded and exined: "Because you weren''t on guard and didn''t immediately dispel the genjutsu, it was very easy to invade your brain when your chakra was in chaos, making your spiritual will be part of this illusion, rather than just deceiving the five senses." "However, if it were an enemy, they naturally wouldn''t let me invade their brain so easily." Asuka roughly understood Shuichi''s approach and smiled: "So, Shuichi, you want to use two genjutsu consecutively with this memory pce scene. The first is to disrupt the enemy''s chakra cirction, and the second is to invade the brain on this basis, pulling the spiritual will into this illusion, or spiritual space?" Shuichi said helplessly: "This is also because I can''t directly break through or bypass the enemy''s chakra to directly attack their spiritual will." The Sharingan can directly attack internally through the eyes, but he didn''t have the Sharingan and hadn''t found a way yet. Of course, he also had an iparable advantage. That is, he didn''t need to form hand seals to activate genjutsu, allowing him to do it very quickly, making the enemy enter the next genjutsu before they couldplete the seals to break the previous one. (End of Chapter) ??? There is a poll on my Patreon for a new story, so make sure to Vote! The poll is open till 1st November! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 126: The Outbreak of the Shinobi World War!

Chapter 126: Chapter 126: The Outbreak of the Shinobi World War!

The development of genjutsu was indeed challenging, but Shichi had already devised a method to quickly disrupt the enemy''s chakra flow and directly assault their mental defenses. The breakthroughy in the Spirit Transformation Technique. Unfortunately, if he could get hold of the Yamanaka n''s Mind-Body Switch Technique, the process might be even faster. ... However, just as Shichi was busy like a little bee around Konoha, the situation in the Shinobi world was changing rapidly. In Iwagakure, at the Tsuchikage''s office, Kitsuchi entered with a heavy expression, holding a piece of intelligence, but there was also a trace of excitement in his demeanor. "Father, we have a very important piece of information!" Onoki raised his head upon hearing the voice, "Is it about the Sand Shinobi?" Kitsuchi nodded, "The Third Kazekage has gone missing!" "Hmm?" Onoki was momentarily stunned, then quickly flew up and took the report from Kitsuchi''s hand to examine it carefully. "The Kazekage has actually disappeared? No wonder the Sand Shinobi have been acting crazytely!" "So, the Kazekage might have been taken down by the very person Sunagakure is huntingthe rogue ninja known as Sasori of the Red Sand, and possibly by Roshi as well..." Onoki then asked his son, "Could Roshi really defeat the Kazekage?" Kitsuchi shook his head, "The Kazekage was capable of suppressing Tailed Beasts. There''s no way even a Jinchuriki could easily defeat him." "Father, are you saying... the Third Kazekage is already dead?" Onoki replied gravely, "Given the Third Kazekage''s strength, if he''s gone missing, there''s only one possibilityhe''s been killed." As an outsider, Onoki could see things more clearly than the people of Sunagakure. The people of Sunagakure still held on to the slim hope that the Third Kazekage was alive and continued searching for him under the pretext of hunting Sasori of the Red Sand. Moreover, just a few days ago, they had even sent a request demanding the return of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi. So... Onoki decisively dered, "Convene a full council meeting!" In less than half an hour, the decision to wage war against Sunagakure was unanimously approved. The reasoning was simple: Now was the perfect time to attack. Sunagakure''s defenses were stretched thin due to their ongoing search for the Third Kazekage. Additionally, if Iwagakure didn''t strike now, by the time Sunagakure epted the reality that their Kazekage was dead, they would undoubtedlyunch a counterattack to avenge him. With the order to begin the war issued, Iwagakure''s war machine quickly sprang into action. In less than half a day, a thousand-strong army of shinobi was assembled and began marching southward towards the Land of Wind. The speed of this mobilization was no coincidenceIwagakure had long been preparing for war. Either Sunagakure would attack them, or they would strike first. Iwagakure''s forces moved with undeniable speed. By the end of the day, they had entered the Land of Birds, eliminating or capturing every Sand Shinobi scouting team searching for the Third Kazekage. The following day, the Iwagakure forces crossed the Land of Birds andunched a surprise attack on the Land of Wind''s border guards, who were caughtpletely unprepared. The Sand Shinobi border defense, which resembled sandcastles built by children at the beach, crumbled instantly under the assault of the Iwagakure forces. ... May 12, Year 44 of Konoha. On the third day of Iwagakure''s invasion of Sunagakure, a meeting was taking ce in the conference room of the Hokage''s office in Konoha. Present were the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane. Danzo, more assertive than thest meeting, fixed his gaze on Hiruzen and dered, "The facts have proven it the Third Kazekage has been killed by Sasori of the Red Sand and Iwagakure''s Four-Tails Jinchuriki." "Iwagakure has already taken advantage of Sunagakure''s weakened defenses and entered the Land of Wind. Hiruzen, this is an ideal opportunity for us, whether against the Sand Shinobi or the Stone Shinobi!" "Iwagakure''s infiltration of the Land of Grass has be incredibly serious!" Homura and Koharu both nodded in agreement but remained silent, turning their attention to Hiruzen. Hiruzen calmly responded, "While Iwagakure has mobilized their forces, our intelligence suggests that their vanguard consists of no more than 1,500 troops." "Sunagakure was caught off guard due to the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, but they''re not weak." "If we engage in war now, whether we target Sunagakure or both Sunagakure and Iwagakure, Kumogakure will absolutely not sit idly by. They''ll seize the opportunity tounch their own attack." "And there''s also Kirigakure. If Kumogakure moves, Kirigakure won''t pass up the chance either, forcing us into a three-front war." "Danzo, we still haven''t fully recovered from thest Shinobi World War!" Upon hearing this, Homura and Koharu found Hiruzen''s reasoningpelling and nodded once more in agreement. Danzo felt frustratedthese two had supported him just moments ago, but now they were quickly siding with Hiruzen. Nevertheless, Danzo pressed on, refusing to give up. "If we don''t seize the advantage now, do you really think Kumogakure and Kirigakure won''t attack us?" "Even without the Third Kazekage''s death, all the major viges have been itching for war." "Iwagakure covets the Land of Grass, and Kumogakure has long wanted to swallow the smaller nations like the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Rice Fields." "Kirigakure also seeks to extend its influence onto the maind!" "Since war has already erupted, it will inevitably spread to the Land of Fire, because we hold the most resource-richnds!" Homura and Koharu considered his words, acknowledging there was some truth to them. Hiruzen, with a serious tone, said, "That may be true, but for us, theter we enter the war, the better our position will be." "The sooner we jump in, the more likely we are to face multi-frontbat, which will stretch our forces thin and put us at a high risk of defeat." After listening to this, Homura finally spoke up, "Hiruzen is right." "However, Hiruzen, Danzo also has a point. Even if we don''t enter the war immediately, we need to start making preparations." "Jiraiya is not in the vige. It''s time to call him back. The situation is on the brink of war." Koharu added, "We should begin reducing mission assignments to leave room for mobilizing forces at any moment." Hiruzen nodded. "I''ve already had Minato inform Jiraiya." He then turned to the visibly displeased Danzo and said, "Danzo, keep a close watch on the Land of Rain. It would be best if we could ally with Hanzo." Hiruzen thought it was time to give the hawkish Danzo something to focus on to keep him from causing too much trouble. Moreover... As Danzo remained silent, Hiruzen issued a warning, "And as for the First Hokage''s cell experiment, let it stop here. Don''t let Orochimaru continue." This was an issue Shichi had reportedst month, but Hiruzen had waited until now to bring it up. Danzo was taken aback, momentarily thinking Hiruzen had discovered the existence of "Kinoe." Homura and Koharu both frowned slightly but refrained from reprimanding him. Clenching his fist, Danzo replied in a low voice, "Understood." "I''ll personally lead a team to the Land of Rain." With that, the meeting came to an end. Danzo, who had entered brimming with confidence, left the meeting feeling humiliated. Returning to the Root base, Danzo still couldn''t shake his frustration. He went to the training grounds where he saw "Kinoe" practicing Mokuton (Wood Release). Seeing the sessful use of the technique finally eased some of his anger. This would be his trump card! After watching silently for a moment, Danzo turned and returned to the Root base to immediately begin making arrangements. Soon after, arge group of Root members gathered, and Danzo led them out of Konoha, heading straight for the Land of Rain. If he couldn''t act within the vige, he would seek opportunities in the Land of Rain! ... In the Hokage''s office, Hiruzen quickly received news that Danzo had left the vige, letting out a quiet sigh of relief. Danzo had been putting considerable pressure on him, especially since Danzo represented not just himselfthere were other factions in Konoha that supported war and stood behind Danzo. "War, huh..." Hiruzen sighed deeply. He truly didn''t want anotherrge-scale conflict. Thest Shinobi World War had taken a heavy toll, and Konoha had only just begun to recover. But Kakashi''s generation had not yet fully matured. If war broke out, especially a multi-front one, these young prodigies would inevitably be sent on the most dangerous missions. But thinking of Minato and Shichi, Hiruzen felt somewhatforted. And then there was Kakashianother talent who would one day stand on his own. Shisui Uchiha... One by one, the faces of these individuals shed through Hiruzen''s mind. ... At this moment, in an undergroundboratory at the back of Konoha Vige, Shichi let out a long breath as he looked at the fully arranged experimental equipment. "It''s finally done?" Tsunade, who had just finished a thorough check with Asuka and Shizune, also smiled. "Now we can officially begin the experiments." Previously, they had been conducting their research at the Konoha Hospital, but the cells of the First Hokage were far too unique, and with too many prying eyes around, it had be a hassle. Shichi nodded. "Then let''s get started!" With that, he, along with Asuka and Shizune, brought out several sealed scrolls. One by one, they released the seals and extracted the samples. Among the samples were Hashirama Senju''s cells, cells from the Third Kazekage, as well as cells from the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails, and even some from Hayate Gekk. After quickly preparing the experimental materials, Shichi and Tsunade began discussing their n. It was clear that the research on Hashirama''s cells would take priority. However, the research on tailed beast cells also had its own merit, particrly in developing medical ninjutsu. After all, the chakra of tailed beasts possessed significant healing properties. "Let''s handle it all at onceusing Shadow Clones!" Tsunade eximed energetically. Shichi couldn''t help but smirk. "Easy for her to sayI''m the one who''ll end up exhausted!" Still, being surrounded by beautiful women wasn''t such a bad deal. "Let''s get started!" Shichi waved his hand, and the work began. The hours flew by, and before they knew it, it was evening. On his way home, Shichi overheard some people discussing the war that had broken out between Iwagakure and Sunagakure. Asuka leaned in close to whisper in his ear, "Shichi, if we get found out, will we be hunted down by both the Sand and Stone Shinobi?" Shichi chuckled softly. "Don''t worry, we won''t be found out." If they were, it wouldn''t just be the Sand and Stone Shinobithey''d also have Kumogakure and Kirigakureing after them, eager to take advantage of the situation. That would be... exciting. Back home, as they were finishing dinner, Non Yakushi also brought up the Iwagakure and Sunagakure conflict. Being more informed than Asuka, she expressed her deeper concern. Her worry was that if the truth got out, would Konoha, under intense pressure, end up handing over the culprit? This was what weighed most heavily on Non Yakushi''s mind. Shichi, noticing her unease, took her hand to reassure her. "Don''t worry, there''s no evidence." "Even if they use me, there''s nothing they can do about it. After all, I know the Flying Thunder God Technique." The only thing that could possibly implicate him was the Third Kazekage''s cells in Orochimaru''s possession. However, with Orochimaru''s personality, he wasn''t likely to share that information with Danzo. Even if Danzo knew, he wouldn''t handle things that way, especially not when Shichi still provided benefits to him. If he really wanted to, Danzo could have already leaked information to the Sand and Stone Shinobi, forcing Konoha to hand someone over. Of course, all of Shichi''s confidence came from his strength. (End of Chapter) ??? There is a poll on my Patreon for a new story, so make sure to Vote! The poll is open till 1st November! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 127: Kekkei Genkai and Secret Ninjutsu!

Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Kekkei Genkai and Secret Ninjutsu!

After dinner, in the courtyard... Shichi stood in the center, his hands sped together, head lowered in focus. Inside his body, the chakra nature transformations of Fire and Earth were urring simultaneously, shing and blending with one another. This was different frombination ninjutsu. Combination ninjutsu involves enhancing each element to boost the power of the jutsu, while a Kekkei Genkai is when two chakra naturesbine to form apletely new naturesomething far moreplex and difficult to achieve. Even with the Lava Release from the Four-Tails as a reference, Shichi had been working tirelessly up until now. Of course, this wasn''t the only project he had been focusing on. Time passed unnoticed. Non Yakushi and Asuka, who had gone out, returned home, but neither of them disturbed Shichi. As they crossed the courtyard, however, Asuka let out a surprised gasp, turning toward Shichi. "What''s wrong?" Non Yakushi asked quickly. Asuka, filled with excitement, eximed, "Shichi has awakened a new power!" Non immediately understood. "Lava Release?" At that moment, moltenva chakra began to emanate from Shichi''s body, quickly enveloping him. It was the Lava Release Chakra Mode, creating a Lava Armor around him! "Finally, it''splete!" Shichi lowered his hands and smiled. This achievement had only been possible thanks to the Four-Tails'' Lava Release as a model. Otherwise, the difficulty of creating a Kekkei Genkai would have been even greaterfar more challenging than developing an S-rank forbidden jutsu. "As expected, Kekkei Genkai is fundamentally different from ordinary chakra nature transformations." "The Lava Release Chakra Mode... I don''t even need to rely on the Yin Seal or the Creation Rebirth technique. While it helps that my chakra reserves have significantly increased, it''s a fact that Kekkei Genkai powers are inherently easier to control." Shichi silently observed the changes. He could feel his body being affected by the Lava Release chakra. This sensation was different from when he had mastered Yang Release, Yin Release, or Lightning Release. There was something unique about this power. "Perhaps it''s because of the strength of the power, or maybe there''s another secret to it." "This energy is subtly soaking into my cells, imprinting itself into my very genes." Shichi pondered. "In fact, from a gic perspective, there''s no difference between Kekkei Genkai and ordinary chakra natures. I was born with Wind and Fire Release, inherited from my father and mother. Later, I gradually mastered several other nature transformations. In theory, my offspring could inherit these as well." "They might inherit one, or several, or even all of them." "And since Lava Release is a new nature transformation I''ve created, it too could be passed down to my descendants." Whether it was regr nature transformations or Kekkei Genkai, they could potentially be inherited by future generations. However, gic information can sometimes be lost, and gene expression may vary. "For example, the Uchiha n''s Sharingan requires a certain stimulus to activate. That''s a specific form of gene expression." "And there are some Uchiha who, despite experiencing such stimuli, never awaken their Sharinganthat''s a case of gic information being lost during inheritance." Shichi thought to himself that when the time came to have children, he would definitely have to prepare carefully. Only in his best condition could he ensure the highest likelihood of passing down his superior genes. Reining in his thoughts, Shichi dispersed the Lava Armor. Yet, inside his body, the Lava Release chakra continued to circte, flowing through every cell via the Creation Rebirth technique. This method was designed to elerate the adaptation of his body to the new power of Lava Release, helping him to master it more thoroughly and efficiently. The reason he had been able to manifest the Lava Release Chakra Mode and Lava Armor so quickly was that he had already be very familiar with Lava Release beforehand. It was like a ninja who wasn''t naturally attuned to Wind Release gradually mastering the nature transformation through trainingthey too would need time to be proficient and adept at its use. ... "Shichi, you''re amazing!" As Shichi finished his training, Asuka and Non Yakushi quickly approached him. Shichi turned around, not even trying to be modest. "Of course!" Non didn''t say anything, only smiling warmly, but in her heart, she was truly happy. The stronger Shichi became, the more secure their home would be. At this moment, Asuka asked, "Shichi, isn''t it said that Kekkei Genkai can''t be learned and can only be inherited through bloodline?" Shichi chuckled. "That statement isn''t exactly wrong." "Before I synthesized the nature transformation for Lava Release, I couldn''t learn any Lava Release jutsu." Asuka blinked in surprise. "Oh, so that''s how it works?" Shichi smiled and asked, "Can humans learn to fly like birds?" Asuka shook her head. Shichi continued, "But if you had wings like a bird, then you could learn to fly." Asuka seemed deep in thought, while Nonughed softly. "It''s simr to medical ninjutsu. Without first learning Yang Release nature transformation, you can''t learn medical ninjutsu." "Lava Release jutsu is the same. Without the Lava Release nature, it''s impossible to learn it." "Of course, it''s usually said that Kekkei Genkai can''t be acquired through learning because it''s a new nature formed from thebination of two chakra natures. For one person to use two nature transformations inbination is already extremely difficult, let alone synthesizing a brand-new nature. Very few people can achieve that." Shichi nodded in agreement. It''s like the Uchiha n''s Sharingan, famous for copying abilities. Why can''t it copy Kekkei Genkai or secret jutsu, the n-specific techniques? If you don''t have the nature transformation of the Kekkei Genkai, how could you perform the jutsu? Kekkei Genkai techniques rarely require hand signs, making them even harder to replicate. Then there are secret n techniques, like the Inuzuka n''sleaving everything else aside, you''d at least need a ninja dog first, right? And the Aburame n''s secret insect techniqueswithout the insects, what would you copy? In fact, even ordinary jutsu can''t be copied by Sharingan without the right chakra nature. If you don''t have the necessary chakra type, even if you know the hand signs and chakra flow, you still can''t use it. Otherwise, why is Kakashi the only one known as the Copy Ninja, despite so many Uchiha having three-tomoe Sharingan? The reason is simple: Kakashi has mastered so many chakra natures that he can use the jutsu he copies immediately. Also, intelligence ys a part. Discussing whether something can be learned without considering the threshold or intelligence is unreasonableand frankly, unfair. The three of them entered the house, and Asuka joked, "Shichi, does that mean you could learn my Adamantine Sealing Chains too?" "After all, you''re an expert in sealing techniques, and you''ve mastered Yin Release as well!" Shichi thought for a moment and cautiously replied, "If I understand the principles and have the right mindset, it shouldn''t be impossible." The Adamantine Sealing Chains were ranked A-rank in difficulty! Of course, A-rank techniques are already very challenging, surpassing the difficulty level for most Jnin. But secret n techniques, especially those involving unique bloodline traits, often had principles that even the users themselves couldn''t fully exin. Like Asuka herself. Her Adamantine Sealing Chains had been awakened through a stimulussomething that just burst out from within her. So, when the conversation turned to principles, Asuka felt a little embarrassed and quickly said, "I''ll ask Kushina tomorrowshe should know the details!" Non hesitated slightly and said, "Wouldn''t that be a bit intrusive? After all, it''s a n secret technique." Asuka shrugged it off. "The Land of Whirlpools and Uzushiogakure have been destroyed. Now it''s just me and Kushina left from the Uzumaki n. There might be others scattered around, but it''s not like we''re still a united n. There''s no point in keeping it secret anymore." Then she smiled again, adding, "Besides, Shichi is family to meand to Kushina too. She even taught you the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, which is a forbidden jutsu! She''s like a mentor to you, so she wouldn''t mind." Hearing this, Nonughed and nodded. "Then let''s give it a try!" Shichi, however, wasn''t as optimistic as Asuka, but he was somewhat hopeful. It wasn''t that he absolutely had to learn the Adamantine Sealing Chains, but by studying the technique, he could expand his own knowledge of sealing jutsu and perhapsy the foundation for creating his own unique sealing technique. ... After chatting for a while, the three of them washed up, and before they knew it, it was already 10 PM. Once they were in bed, Shichi Hoshita''s spiritual form manifested beneath the Tag Tree. When hepleted the Lava Release Kekkei Genkai, a new tag was triggered. Shichi looked up at the new tag leaf. Tag: [Kekkei Expert] Conditions to Obtain: Master at least 5 different Kekkei Genkai abilities. Effect: Increases physical attributes by 100%, mental strength by 100%, bodypatibility by 100%, and chakra nature transformation talent by 100%. Nature fusion now holds no secrets for youthe only thing holding you back is your body, your mind, and your wisdom. Just from reading the effects, this tag was clearly on a different level than his previous ones. This was at least on par with the [Ninjutsu Professor] tag. But mastering five different Kekkei Genkai? Without the powerful [Transformation Master] tag, Shichi would''ve found that idea daunting. "One-Tail''s Ma Release, Four-Tails'' Lava Release, Five-Tails'' Boil Release... I''ll need to further investigate the abilities of the other Tailed Beasts." After dispelling his spiritual form, Shichi quickly fell asleep. --- The next day, before heading to theb, Shichi used the Flying Thunder God technique to make a quick trip to the Land of Wind, leaving behind a shadow clone before returning to Konoha. The clone began to take the form of various birds in the Land of Wind, observing the progress of the war between the Sand and Stone ninjas. It also looked for opportunities to gather corpses for study. If he could find a Kekkei Genkai user, that would be even better. Additionally, the One-Tail of the Sand Vige was also on Shichi''s radar. --- When Shichi returned home that evening, he found Asuka looking a bit down, so much so that she didn''t even notice he hade back. With a quick guess at what was bothering her, Shichi sat beside her and gently asked, "Did Kushina-san also have trouble exining the principle behind the Adamantine Sealing Chains?" Asuka nodded, her spirits low. "Kushina said Lady Mito guided her in mastering the Adamantine Sealing Chains, but she couldn''t exin it clearly either." Shichi ced his arm around Asuka''s shoulders and smiled. "That''s normal. Even before the fall of the Land of Whirlpools, not everyone could master that sealing technique." "Besides, not every Uchiha can awaken the Sharingan, and they can''t really exin its principles either." "I couldn''t tell you how tobine two nature transformations to get Lava Releaseit''s not a matter of form or proportion." "I could only understand the Lava Release through directly feeling the power of the Four-Tails and slowly attempting it until it clicked." Some things are too mystical to be put into words. Seeing that Shichi wasn''t disappointed, Asuka felt a bit better, though she still couldn''t shake her feeling of frustration. Aftering to Konoha, Asuka had be much more outgoing, but due to her childhood in Kusagakure, she still had a gentle nature and cared deeply about the feelings of othersespecially those close to her. She had a strong need to feel useful. After thinking for a while, Shichi said, "Actually, there''s another way!" Asuka immediately perked up. "What is it?" Shichi smiled. "The mental world, of course!" "Don''t forget, chakra can link people''s minds, and in the mental world, you can exchange information through chakra as well." Uchiha Obito was able to lend his Sharingan to Kakashi after his death. In a world created by the chakra-linked mind, Asuka could potentially gain a more direct understanding of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, or even the Kagura Mind''s Eye. Though with the Listening Technique, there was no need to waste time on the Kagura Mind''s Eye. Remembering how Shichi had helped her awaken the Kagura Mind''s Eye and Adamantine Sealing Chains in the mental world before, Asuka''s eyes lit up. She eagerly said, "Shichi, let''s try it now!" Shichi chuckled helplessly. "Let''s eat dinner first." Hearing this, Asuka quickly got up. "Then let''s make dinner fast! Once Nones back, we can eat!" Shichiughed and followed her into the kitchen. After dinner, around seven o''clock, Asuka was already impatiently dragging Shichi into the study. Non, seeing this, smiled before heading out to Konoha Hospital. Much like her work at the orphanage, Non diligently sent most of her earnings back to support the orphanage, continuing to care for it in her own way. --- In the study. Shichi and Asuka sat across from each other, holding hands. Their chakras linked, and soon their minds connected, creating a mental world. "Shichi, what should I do?" Inside the mental world, Asuka asked. Shichi replied, "Let down all your defenses. I''ll take care of the rest." Asuka nodded firmly. "Got it!" "Alright, follow my lead." "Now, use the Adamantine Sealing Chains." Following his guidance, Asuka nodded. Soon, the sound of chains ttering echoed, and golden chains began emerging from her back. "Very good!" Shichi continued, "Now, my chakra will merge into yours. Don''t resist..." As he spoke, his chakra slowly infiltrated Asuka''s, fusing with her power. The chains began to dance, and ayer of blue mes appeared on them. But this was only the beginning of the fusion between Shichi''s and Asuka''s power. Layer byyer, Shichi''s chakra prated deeper, peeling back the outer shell of the Adamantine Sealing Chains to explore their secrets. This could only be done because Asuka had lowered her defenses. In this state, it was almost as if Shichi was reading the information hidden within Asuka''s chakra and brain, though it was limited to the knowledge of the Adamantine Sealing Chains. This was quite simr to how Shichi had studied Lava Release by tapping into the Four-Tails'' chakra. The difference was that Shichi had full control over the Four-Tails'' chakra, while Asuka''s power was not entirely his. She had merely allowed him to feel and study it. But now that they had reached this step, the next stage seemed entirely possible. (End of Chapter) ??? Should I do a Mass Upload?? Give me all your stones!! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 128: Time to Ramp Things Up!

Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Time to Ramp Things Up!

Land of Wind, Sand-Rock Battlefield. On the outskirts of a small oasis town, bodiesy scattered across the ground, while crows and vultures picked at the corpses. Among the scavengers, one crow stood outit was more selective and had a muchrger appetite. Any corpse this crow picked out would vanish instantly. After collecting three bodies, the crow, which was actually Shichi in disguise, noticed someone approaching. He and the other birds quickly pped their wings and soared into the night sky. The Stone Ninja hade to reim their dead! Earlier, they had been forced to retreat and couldn''t retrieve their fallenrades in time. Now, after the Sand Ninja had withdrawn into the oasis, they hade back to collect the bodies. "Damn scavengers!" The Stone Ninja cursed, with some even using the Earth Release: Stone Cannon technique to attack the flying crows and vultures. Shichi, still in crow form, was among the targets, but he easily evaded the ninjutsu. He cast a sharp nce over the Stone Ninja before flying away, and with a Flying Thunder God technique, he teleported to one of his underground bases. The ce he arrived at was an old ruin, likely buried by the sands of time. Shichi had repurposed it, using Earth Release to make some modifications, and then marked it with his Flying Thunder God seal, turning it into a temporary storage for the bodies. As a crow, he had used his talons to activate Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder to teleport the bodies here. In doing so, he not only collected corpses for research, but also honed his Flying Thunder God techniquea double win. After sealing the bodies in pre-prepared scrolls, Shichi finally sat down to rest, while contemting the current state of the Sand-Rock war. There was no doubt that, at the outset, the Stone Ninja had been like an unstoppable force, charging deep into the Land of Wind. This was because Sunagakure had spread its forces too thin in their pursuit of Sasori of the Red Sand, leaving their defenses weak. However, Sunagakure had since recovered and stabilized the situation. This quick turnaround was due to abination of factors. First, the terrain of the Land of Wind provided them with a natural advantage, allowing for a strong defense. Though the Land of Earth''s environment was harsh, it was nowhere near as severe as the Land of Wind. And second, the Sand Ninja were fighting with the resolve of a cornered army. Their greatest Kazekage had been assassinated, and not only did the Stone Ninja refuse to apologize or hand over the culprit, theyunched an invasion instead. How could the Sand Ninja let this stand? Because of this, in every battle Shichi had observed, the Sand Ninja fought with a desperate intensity, causing the Stone Ninja''s early momentum to falter, and their offensive to stall. "Unfortunately, neither the Four-Tails nor the One-Tail Jinchuriki have shown up," Shichi thought with some regret. Though he had obtained a piece of the Four-Tails'' flesh for research, both he and Orochimaru estimated it would only grow into one tail at most. Even the Eight-Tails could only regenerate a single horn, and anything beyond that was extremely difficult, if not impossible, to grow. "Stone Ninja..." Shichi''s thoughts began to stir. "The intensity of the conflict isn''t high enough yet. How else will they be forced to reveal their Jinchuriki?" "Plus, with the Great Ninja War looming, it''s only a matter of time before Konoha gets drawn in." "The more the Stone and Sand Ninja exhaust themselves now, the better it is for Konoha." To be honest, Shichi wasn''t impressed by either Hiruzen Sarutobi''s or Danzo''s strategies. Danzo was too aggressiveentering the war too early would put Konoha at a disadvantage. On the other hand, Hiruzen was too cautious and passive. What was needed right now was someone to stir up trouble! Recalling the Stone Ninja who had attacked him earlier, Shichi''s eyes sharpened, and a smile crept onto his face. "Let''s start with the Stone Ninja!" "It''s time to ramp up the intensity!" "First, I''ll head back to Konoha to replenish my chakra." "And I''ll bring the bodies back with mewouldn''t want them stolen." Shichi was still wary of ck Zetsu and White Zetsu. They were too good at hiding. After stowing the scrolls, Shichi''s figure vanished. ... The bodies were transported to the experimental base, and at the moment Shichi''s clone dispersed, he had just finished training with Asuka. It was already nearing 10 PM. After washing up and saying goodnight to Nono and Asuka, Shichi returned to his bedroom. He then released the seal on his abdomen, unleashing a massive amount of chakra, which he used to create two shadow clones. Since he nned to intervene in the war and intensify the conflict, it only made sense to deploy one clone to each side. However, the Stone Ninja had already grasped his chakra signature, and the Sand Ninja knew him well enoughespecially their sensory ninjasso caution was necessary. The best way to handle the situation would be to eliminate everyone who knew about him... The two shadow clones vanished from the room, while Shichiy down and peacefully went to sleep. --- Land of Wind, Underground Hideout. Shichi''s two shadow clones appeared. One stayed behind, while the other vanished once again using the Flying Thunder God technique. In the air, Shichi transformed into a crow and flew to the battlefield where he had previously gathered corpses. After circling for a moment, the crow descended and transformed into a moth. At the temporary Stone Ninja camp, tall walls stood guard, with the night watchmen either sitting atop the walls or hiding in the shadows. Inside the walls, several campfires burned, bringing warmth to the camp. A moth fluttering toward the fire didn''t raise any suspicion. The Stone Ninja on guard weren''t paying attention to the skyor to a simple moth. After all, while ninjas could use transformation techniques to be birds, they still couldn''t fly. Inside the camp, the resting Stone Ninja weren''t sitting by the fire; instead, they were in half-open, dome-like shelters made from Earth Release. The moth circled the campfire once before flying into one of the shelters. Inside were four Stone Ninjasan entire squad. Temple of Nirvana Technique! The four ninjas, who were half-asleep, were immediately plunged into a deep slumber. Yet Shichi didn''t strike right away. Instead, he flew out and entered other shelters, putting each group of Stone Ninjas into a deep hypnotic sleep. But soon, a problem arose. One of the Jonin, alert to the presence of the moth, woke up and resisted the Temple of Nirvana Technique. Before the Jonin could fully break the illusion and warn hisrades, Shichi cast another genjutsu. Binding Illusion! The Stone Jonin was paralyzed, unable to speak, though Shichi knew the bind wouldn''tst long. Realizing he couldn''t stay hidden any longer, Shichi transformed from a moth into the Sand Ninja. The Stone Jonin''s eyes widened as he struggled desperately to break free from the genjutsu''s hold. Buzz! Shichi raised his right hand, Wind Release chakra swirling around it. The high-speed flow of the wind chakra turned it into a deadly cutting tool. With a swift sh, the Stone Jonin, who had just broken free of the genjutsu, had his throat cut. Gurgle! The Jonin clutched his neck and copsed. However, the surge of chakra from Shichi''s attack alerted the Stone Ninjas outside on guard duty. "Who''s using ninjutsu?" One of the sentries on the wall snapped his head around, sniffed the air, and his expression changed dramatically. "This is bad!" "Enemy attack!" The sharp cry roused the other Stone Ninjas who hadn''t fallen under the genjutsu. At this point, Shichi had already transformed into a gust of wind and slipped out of the shelter. In the next moment, a powerful storm erupted from the center of the camp, sweeping outward in all directions. The ground had been hardened by the Stone Ninja, so there was no sand, but the campfires were extinguished, and the violent winds slowed the advance of the outside guards. Bringer of Darkness Technique! Instantly, all the awakened Stone Ninjas were robbed of their sight, plunged into total darkness. "Damn it, this isn''t a Sand Ninja techniqueit''s from Konoha!" An older Stone Jonin shouted. However, their usual methods for dispelling genjutsu weren''t working quickly enough, and none of the Stone Ninjas dared to cast any ninjutsu in the confusion. Amidst the darkness, Shichi inhaled sharply and then exhaled a series of razor-sharp wind des. Pshh! Ahhh! Blood sttered as screams pierced the night. One by one, the Stone Ninjas fell. Some barely managed to dodge the attacks, but it was only a matter of time. Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves! With a single technique, most of the lower-level Stone Ninjas were wiped out. After that, Shichi casually picked up a ninja de from the ground. Infusing it with Wind Release chakra, he charged at a nearby Stone Jonin. "Damn it,e at me!" the Jonin roared, his skin hardening as he gripped a kunai, relying on his hearing to counterattack. He nned to withstand Shichi''s strike and use the opening for a counterattack. Ordinary des couldn''t pierce his hardened skin, and even Wind Release-enhanced weapons might not deliver a fatal blow in one hit. Unfortunately for him, Shichi''s Wind Release skills were rare even in the ninja world. Not only did the Jonin fail to block the attack, but he also didn''t even get the chance to counter. In the darkness, Shichi moved like a phantom, cutting down the Stone Ninjas one by one amidst their screams and cries of terror. In no time, the entire Stone Ninja campboth those under hypnosis and those awakewas ughtered. After collecting the corpses of three Jonin, Shichi disappeared from the blood-soaked camp. --- At the same time, the Sand Ninja sensed something was wrong and sent out their scouting hawks. Soon, they arrived at the Stone Ninja camp, now littered with corpses, and exchanged confused nces. After inspecting the scene, they found that all the deaths were caused by Wind Release techniques. "It looks like reinforcements from the vige!" "It must be an elite Jonin squad!" "What incredible Wind Release abilities!" "Who could it be?" The Sand Ninjas whispered among themselves. The Sand Jonin discussed for a moment and concluded that reinforcements had been sent for a surprise attack. This was good news for themthe overwhelming pressure they''d been under instantly lifted, and they even nned tounch a counterattack the next day. --- Meanwhile, Shichi''s shadow clone returned to the hideout, where the other clone took over. Using a simr strategy, the second clone infiltrated another Stone Ninja camp, ughtering all the ninjas and taking a few more bodies. Although these were just two small battlefields, the impact was enormous. A gap appeared in the Stone Ninja''s defenses, causing them to struggle the next day. Eventually, their battle lines copsed, and they were forced to retreat. On the third day, Shichi noticed that Rasa had appeared on the battlefield. He immediately became cautious and stopped making any moves, instead transforming into a crow or vulture to silently observe the battlefield and his old rival, Rasa. This guy had undergone a significant transformation. He had abandoned the powerful Iron Sand technique of the Third Kazekage and was now using a much heavier Gold Dust technique. But in the Land of Wind, gold dust was indeed more suitable, providing better concealment in the desert. Rasa led the Sand Ninjas in a fierce counterattack, inflicting heavy losses on the Stone Ninjas, forcing them to retreat again and again. "Heroes are truly born of turbulent times," Shichi mused as he watched, silently impressed. ... In the Vige Hidden in the Leaves, at the research base. While studying the Eight-Tails, Shichi heard Tsunade''s voice and turned to look. Standing at the door, Tsunade said, "The ANBU are looking for you!" Shichi nodded, left a shadow clone to continue the work, and headed out of the research base, where Shinnosuke was already waiting outside. "Here, this is your Jnin application form, Shichi. Take it home, fill it out, and give it back to me," Shinnosuke handed Shichi a form. Jnin? Shichi took the form and asked, "Captain, my mission count is still far from enough, right?" To be promoted to Jnin, aside from sufficientbat ability, one also needed a significant number of missionspleted. Even counting the medical missions from Konoha Hospital, he thought he still didn''t qualify. Shinnosuke smiled and said, "That''s why you should take on more missions in theing days!" Hmm? Shichi sensed something unusual. Is this preparation for the war that might break out soon? Building up young prodigies to boost morale? At that moment, Shinnosuke pulled out a scroll and opened it. "These missions are more suited for someone like you, Shichi." Shichi nced at the scrollit was filled with intelligence-gathering missions. Targets: Iwa-nin, Suna-nin. Shichi almost suspected that the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had found out about his secret activities. But after thinking it over, probably not. Although Hiruzen had a bit of a voyeuristic tendency, it wouldn''t go as far as spying on him while he slept. These missions were likely assigned based on his abilities. Stealth skills! Understanding this, Shichi nodded and said, "Got it!" "By the way, should we intervene in the war between the Suna-nin and Iwa-nin?" Shinnosuke was startled. "Intervene?" "How?" Shichi smiled. "Of course, by intensifying the conflict, making them exhaust each other''s strength." "Even if they''re bound to fight us in the future, it''s better if their forces are as weakened as possible." Hearing this, Shinnosuke was intrigued and said seriously, "I''ll report this to Lord Third!" Shichi nodded and waved his hand as he turned to return to the research base. Shinnosuke stood in thought for a moment before vanishing. --- Hokage''s Office. After hearing his son''s report, Sarutobi Hiruzen fell into deep thought. Momentster, he looked up and asked, "What do you think of this proposal?" Shinnosuke replied honestly, "Ipletely agree with Shichi''s suggestion. While it carries some risk, the rewards far outweigh it." "Based on the past Great Ninja War, it''s only a matter of time before this war between the Suna-nin and Iwa-nin spills over to us." "Weakening both sides now, regardless of whether the war eventually reaches the Land of Fire, would only be beneficial for us." "This is an opportunity where the benefits outweigh the risksit''s entirely worth doing." Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully. Shinnosuke hesitated for a moment before adding with a wry smile, "Also, given Shichi''s personality, with his strong dislike for the Iwa-nin and Suna-nin, he might already be doing something about it." Hiruzen was momentarily taken aback before feeling a headacheing on. Minato is betterhe''s a genius, but at least he doesn''t cause trouble. Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and now Shichiall excellent, but none were easy to manage. Though Shichipleted his missions well, his unpredictable nature was a cause for concern! At that moment, Chihiro emerged from the ground. "Lord Third Hokage, intelligence from the Land of Rivers: Kirigakure hasunched an attack on the southeastern border of the Land of Wind!" Hiruzen''s eyes sharpened. "They''ve made their move!" Without further hesitation, he instructed Shinno, "Let Shichi handle it!" "Understood!" Shinnosuke nodded and disappeared. --- Later that afternoon, on his way home from the research base, Shichi ran into Shinnosuke again, immediately understanding that his proposal had likely been approved. After conveying the Third Hokage''s decision, Shinnosuke reminded him, "Focus on gathering intelligence. Don''t take unnecessary risks." Shichi smiled. "Don''t worry, Captain. You know meI''m very cautious." Shinnosuke chuckled bitterly. Cautious? Sure, but when things get crazy, no one could match him in recklessness! "I''m counting on you to attend my wedding with Chihiro!" "And when we have a kid, I''d like you to be their mentor!" Shinnosuke couldn''t help but admire him. "I don''t think there''s a better teacher of ninjutsu in all of Konoha than you." Hearing this, Shichiughed. "Then it''s settled!" "But don''t me me when the timees!" With that, Shichi disappeared. Shinnosuke stood there scratching his head, wondering what exactly Shichi meant by thatst remark. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 129: Looks Like It’s Still Not Strong Enough!

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Looks Like Its Still Not Strong Enough!

During dinner, Shichi casually mentioned that he would be leaving the vige for a mission. However, he didn''t reveal that he would be heading to a battlefield and reassured them that he''d being back frequently. As a result, Nono and Asuka didn''t seem overly worried. After dinner, he continued training with Asuka, focusing on understanding the power of the "Adamantine Sealing Chains" and exploring the secrets of this powerful sealing technique. Meanwhile, Shichi''s shadow clone ventured out again under the cover of night. This time, he disguised himself as an Iwa-nin, using the chakra of the Four-Tails to eliminate a small Suna-nin squad that was transporting supplies to the rear. Before dawn, Rasa, themander at the front lines, received the report, his expression growing serious. "Has the Four-Tails Jinchriki finally arrived? And he''s not showing up on the front lines." Ebiz remarked, "The Iwa-nin''s tactics are indeed tricky. With the power of the Four-Tails Jinchriki attacking our supply lines, it will be difficult for us to defend." "There''s no one here capable of dealing with him except you, Rasa, but you can''t leave the front." Rasa''s unique "Gold Dust" ninjutsu gave him immense control over the desert terrain, which was key to forcing the Iwa-nin to retreat on the battlefield. After thinking for a moment, Rasa said, "In that case, let''s send the One-Tail Jinchriki to the front as well." "With the Kirigakure forcesunching their own surprise attack, we can no longer divert any elite units to stop the Four-Tails Jinchriki." Ebiz nodded and immediately sent word via a ninja hawk. At the same time, at the Iwa-nin front-line headquarters, upon receiving the news about the Four-Tails Jinchriki, Commander Kkyo asked Kitsuchi, "Has the vige sent Roshi?" Kitsuchi shook his head. "If they had, he would have reported to you first, Commander." "That guy..." Kitsuchi''s expression darkened. "If it''s not Roshi, then it''s probably the one who impersonated him and killed the Third Kazekage with Sasori of the Red Sand!" Commander Kkyo''s face grew grim. "If that''s the case... Suna-nin will likely send the One-Tail Jinchriki to the battlefield as well." Kitsuchi''s face changed at this thought. Roshi could control the power of the tailed beast, but the One-Tail Jinchriki of Sunagakure had never been known to control his beast. If he were to go berserk at any moment, that would be terrifying. Even if the chaos affected both enemies and allies, Suna-nin would suffer toobut the ones to suffer first would surely be them. Kitsuchi sighed. "If that''s the case, we''ll have to fight a tailed beast with another tailed beast." Commander Kkyo immediately responded, "Then let''s report this to Lord Third Tsuchikage!" Kitsuchi nodded and quickly left to make the arrangements. Both Suna-nin and Iwa-nin moved swiftly. By the time Shichi''s main body arrived at the battlefield the next day from Konoha, he could already sense Roshi''s Four-Tails chakra. "Nicely done!" Retrieving the memories from his shadow clone, Shichi felt pleased. With this, the One-Tail Jinchriki should have arrived as well. "But..." Shichi nced toward the Iwa-nin forces, thinking to himself, "The Iwa-nin must have realized they''ve been tricked, but there''s nothing they can do." "At a time like this, Suna-nin won''t listen to reason. Any exnations will just seem like excuses." After creating two more shadow clones, Shichi''s figure vanished once again. He was heading to check out another of Suna-nin''s battlefronts. ... Kirigakure''s assault on Sunagakure came via anding at the bay, striking the southern part of the Land of Rivers and the southeastern coastal regions of the Land of Wind. Compared to the unexpected attack from Iwa-nin, Sunagakure had been somewhat prepared for the attack from Kirigakure. Pakura of the Scorch Release hadn''t appeared on the northern battlefield because she had been reassigned here to defend against Kirigakure after Iwa-nin''s initial attack. Of course, a more cynical interpretation would be that this reassignment was a way to suppress Pakura. Rasa was considered the top candidate for the Fourth Kazekage by Sunagakure''s leadership, and his performance certainly lived up to their expectations. However, Pakura, with her Scorch Release, was no slouch either. To safeguard the future of the vige, the higher-ups had decided not to ce Pakura on the same northern battlefield as Rasa, avoiding directpetition between the two. But talent like hers couldn''t be buried for long! In the form of a crow, Shichi circled above, his sharp eyes observing the battle between the Suna-nin and the Kiri-nin below. To be precise, his attention was focused on Pakura of the Scorch Release. While it''s true that Water Style counters Fire Style, Scorch Release, infused with Wind Style, was incredibly versatile and far more difficult to handle than standard Fire Style techniques. Suddenly, Shichi saw Pakura''s Scorch Release fireballs rapidly expand and spin, unleashing a terrifyingly hot windstorm that swept outward with a deafening explosion. "This must be the Extremely Steaming Murder..." "She didn''t have this move when we fought a few years ago." Shichi silently observed. "It seems this technique consumes a lot of chakra..." Below, numerous Kiri-nin were burned to ash, and both sides chose to withdraw after the intense battle. "It looks like Pakura is destined to shine on the Kirigakure battlefield, and her brutal methods will leave the Kiri-nin with a deep hatred and fear of her." Shichi descended and perched on a branch, scanning the corpses below while contemting the bigger picture: "The more intense the fighting gets, the greater the pressure on Sunagakure. Their desperation to end one conflict will only increase." "Undoubtedly, the only option will be an alliance with Kirigakure." "Due to the grudge over the Third Kazekage''s death, Suna-nin can''t ally with Iwa-nin, but with Kirigakure, they could form a mutually beneficial alliance... The Land of Rivers, and then the Land of Fire!" "So, after forming an alliance with Kirigakure, Sunagakure will drive back Iwa-nin with their victory, and inevitably, they''ll join Kirigakure inunching an attack on Konoha, starting from the Land of Rivers." Shichi mused over his role in the war, starting to feel like he was pulling the strings behind the scenes of the Third Great Ninja War. "Am I going to be a major viin in the future?" As he saw the Kiri-nining to collect the bodies, Shichi immediately pped his wings and flew off. After setting up a temporary base a little farther from the battlefield, Shichi left two shadow clones behind and then headed back to the Suna-Iwa battlefield. He had to see if there was a chance to obtain some of the One-Tail''s chakra. As always, even if he intended to raise the stakes for Suna, Iwa, and Kirigakure, he wouldn''t personally step onto the battlefieldhe would leave it to his shadow clones. And he avoided attacking the main battlefield directlythat would draw too much attention. Unfortunately, when Shichi returned to the Suna-Iwa battlefield, he discovered that both sides were exercising great restraint, not allowing their Jinchriki to take the field. "So cautious?" "Looks like the pressure isn''t enough yet!" ... At night, when both sides called for a ceasefire, Shichi sent out his shadow clone, once again transforming into Roshi. Using the Four-Tails'' chakra to form a Tailed Beast Cloak and conceal his own chakra, heunched a direct assault on Sunagakure''s medical camp in the rear. However, due to Chiyo''s presence, Shichi didn''t fight for long. He simply wreaked havoc on the camp before making a quick retreat, leaving the Suna-nin furious. The death of three medical-nin hit Chiyo especially hard, filling her with grief and rage. "Inform Rasa, he must contain the Four-Tails Jinchriki of Iwa-nin!" Chiyo gritted her teeth and barked the order. "Yes, Lady Chiyo!" A Suna-nin immediately took off, rushing to the front lines under cover of night. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 130: Too Strong, Must Be Sealed!

Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Too Strong, Must Be Sealed!

"The real show is about to begin!" The hawk circling above the confrontation between the Suna-nin and Iwa-nin had a gleam of amusement in its eyes. Of course, this hawk was none other than Shichi in disguise. In reality, there were other birds in the area, so he didn''t stand out. Down below on the battlefield, neither the main forces of Sunagakure nor Iwagakure had moved. Only two figures stepped forward from the crowd. The Four-Tails Jinchriki, Roshi of Iwagakure! And the One-Tail Jinchriki, Bunpuku of Sunagakure! This was Shichi Hoshita''s first time seeing the One-Tail''s Jinchriki, who turned out to be an old monk much older than Roshi. Shichi didn''t know much about this Bunpuku monk, but he had a deep impression of his disciple, Hichi, a monk renowned for his ability to control both the One-Tail and Seven-Tail Jinchriki. Hichi''s expertise in sealing techniques was quite advanced. As for the monk''s teachings, it seemed highly likely that Bunpuku had passed them on. "He possesses powerful sealing techniques and a considerable amount of chakra, which means Bunpuku can suppress the One-Tail." "Now, I wonder if he has control over the Tailed Beast like Roshi... I guess I''ll find out soon." Shichi watched with anticipation. Down below, Bunpuku and Roshi came to a halt. Roshi looked at the old monk and said, "Old monk, you should go back home and pray. This isn''t a ce for someone like you." With his palms pressed together and a serene expression, Bunpuku calmly replied, "You weren''t responsible forst night''s attack, were you?" "Please, depart from here. Neither vige will gain anything from this war, and continuing it will only result in losses for both sides." Roshi snorted. "Since you know it wasn''t me, you have even less reason to be here." "Old monk, I bet you still haven''t mastered the power of the Tailed Beast, have you?" "When the battle begins, you''ll end up attacking everyone indiscriminately, and that''s going to be a real disaster!" Bunpuku sighed deeply, his gaze lowering in contemtion. In the next moment, crimson chakra began to swirl around his body. Then, the massive form of the One-Tail Shukaku started to emerge, expanding rapidly as Bunpuku''s body disappeared within. "Finally free!" A piercing shriek rang out as Shukaku bellowed with excitement, "Atst, I''m out! I''m going to kill every single one of you!" Roshi''s expression darkened. "He actually released the One-Tailpletely!" Inside him, the Four-Tails spoke up. "In this state, you can''t beat him. Why don''t you let me handle this?" Roshi grunted. "Don''t underestimate me!" The Four-Tails chuckled. "Last time, you got beaten pretty badly by a kid." Roshi was furious. "That was because I was careless!" ... On the other side, Shukaku didn''t immediately focus on Roshi. Instead, he turned his gaze back toward the Suna-nin. This sent a wave of fear through the ranks of Sunagakure''s shinobi, and even Rasa''s face turned grim. "Is Bunpuku unable to suppress it anymore?" However, Shukaku then turned his head back and sneered. "Out of respect for the old monk, I''ll let you off this time!" "Four-Tails..." Shukaku looked at Roshi and immediatelyunched into taunting mode. "You pathetic monkey, such a sad sight!" "To think your power is being controlled by those wretched shinobi!" "Hah! Let me help you out by getting rid of that guy so you can finally be free!" Before he finished speaking, Shukaku raised his front paw and swiped it down toward Roshi. Roshi sped his hands together and instantly entered Lava Release Chakra Mode, his body covered in a moltenva armor. He unleashed a volley of massiveva balls from his mouth. However, a sudden surge of sand shot up, intercepting the attack. Boom! Shukaku''s massive paw struck a sand dune as Roshi narrowly evaded it with lightning-fast reflexes. In mid-air, he cast the Scorching Stream Rock Technique, hurling moltenva toward Shukaku. But Shukaku was ready. Pressing his left paw against his belly, he unleashed a massive wind bullet from his mouth. Theva balls couldn''t withstand the powerful wind st and were scattered instantly. The resultingbination of mes and wind created a terrifying firestorm, kicking up sand, igniting it, and sweeping across the battlefield, enveloping Roshi and the Iwa-nin behind him. Though Roshi''sva armor protected him from the burning sand, the force of the windstorm caused him to lose control of his movements. Meanwhile, the Iwa-nin quickly worked together to perform Earth Style, raising towering walls from the ground to block the iing firestorm and sand. On the other side, the Suna-nin were greatly encouraged. "This is the power of a Tailed Beast! Truly terrifying!" "Iwa''s Four-Tails Jinchriki doesn''t stand a chance against him!" "With this, we''ll definitely drive the Iwa-nin out!" ... The sandstorm passed, and Roshi mmed hard into the desert ground. Immediately, the surrounding sand surged up, constantly covering him, even though the intense heat from his body kept melting it. "If this keeps up, Shukaku will seal you!" The Four-Tails couldn''t help but warn him. Roshi''s body was instantly enveloped in Tailed Beast chakra. Tails quickly materialized behind him as he entered his half-beast transformation state. Boom! The sand exploded as Roshi, now in his Four-Tails form, shot into the sky, his speed drastically increasing. He dodged the waves of sand lunging at him and charged directly at Shukaku. Shukaku pressed his paw against his belly and spewed out a barrage of powerful wind bullets. Boom! Boom! Boom! Each wind bullet sted massive craters into the desert, whipping up terrifying sandstorms that swept toward the Iwa-nin. Seeing this, Rasa immediately issued an order: "The sealing squad and Jinchriki guard stay behind; everyone else, attack with me!" Taking advantage of the sandstorm enveloping the Iwa-nin, Rasamanded his forces to split into two, nking the Iwa-nin from both sides of the Tailed Beast battle. Meanwhile, Roshi, with his enhanced speed and agility, managed to evade each wave of attacks and quickly closed the distance to Shukaku. Suddenly, Shukaku opened his mouth, but this time, instead of wind bullets, he unleashed a barrage of high-speed sand pellets, shooting toward Roshi like bullets. Wind Release: Sand Buckshot! Such a dense attackit would be impossible for Roshi to dodge them all, and even Shichi, observing from the sky, doubted anyone could evade such a storm of projectiles. Take the hit or go underground? Shichi pondered. Below, Roshi made his choice. He burrowed into the sand, moving swiftly beneath the surface. "Die!" Shukaku shrieked, sending waves of sand crashing forward, pressing down with immense force to crush everything beneath it. Suddenly, stone pirs burst through the sand, spreading toward Shukaku. As they exploded, they sted the sand waves apart. Seeing this, Shichi realized that Roshi had indeed grown stronger since theirst battle. Back then, his arrogance had been his downfall. But now, Roshi had clearly improved. Roshi tunneled through the sand, emerging beneath Shukaku. In an instant, the sand copsed, revealing ake of moltenva. However, Shukaku had already noticed and leapt into the air, turning mid-flight to fire another massive wind bullet from his mouth. At the same time, Roshi, in his Four-Tails state, gathered a dark purple Tailed Beast Bomb andunched it. The Tailed Beast Bomb, the ultimate move of the Tailed Beasts, was immensely powerful. It tore through Shukaku''s three wind bullets and continued its relentless path toward him. Shukaku quickly raised his left paw, transforming it into a shield of sand. Boom! The deafening explosion and blinding sh momentarily caused Shichi to lose sight of the battlefield. When his vision cleared, he saw Shukaku back on the ground. Shukaku''s left paw was gone, but there were no other injuries, indicating that he had sessfully blocked the Tailed Beast Bomb. "That defense is incredible!" "And..." Shichi noticed that Shukaku''s paw was rapidly regenerating. A sand body! Shichi frowned inwardly. "It seems obtaining Shukaku''s chakra by getting a piece of his flesh won''t be possible. His body turns to sand the moment it''s separated from him." Troublesome! Below, Shukaku let out a roar of frustration, then turned toward the Suna-nin and Iwa-nin on the battlefield, grinning wickedly. "I''ll kill those guys first!" With that, Shukaku began to charge toward the Suna-Iwa battlefield. "Damn it!" Roshi cursed, immediately using all his speed to pursue Shukaku. However, waves of sand kept surging toward him, obstructing his path. "You idiot, you''ve fallen for that stinking tanuki''s trap!" the Four-Tails warned. Roshi''s eyes narrowed as he realized the sand around him was swirling, forming a terrifying sand vortex. The terrain was rising around him, trapping him. Can Tailed Beasts be this cunning? The Four-Tails is supposed to be so dumb! As Roshi tried to break free, the Four-Tails heard his thoughts and roared in anger, "You arrogant fool! You humans are the stupid ones!" "This time, you''re done for!" "That damn tanuki is definitely going to seal you!" ... The Four-Tails was quite eager to watch Roshi meet his doom. After all, if Roshi died, the Four-Tails would reincarnate and regain his freedom. However, the thought of losing to that foul-mouthed tanuki was just too humiliating! "You idiot, use that technique to break out of this cage!" the Four-Tails urged. Roshi, trapped by the sand, struggled but couldn''t break free. Instead, he sank deeper and deeper as the sand outside thickened. Finally, he took the Four-Tails'' advice and began gathering chakra for a Tailed Beast Bomb. But just then, a wave of sand coiled around his neck, locking him in ce. Although his Lava Release melted the sand almost instantly, more sand continuously poured in,yer uponyer, pressing down until Roshi in his half-Tailed Beast form waspletely buried. "As expected of a stupid monkey!" Shukakuughed. "You''re done for!" Shukaku turned around and pressed his ws into the ground, activating the curse marks on his body. The patterns spread and fused with the sand, formingyer uponyer of seals. Up in the sky, Shichi narrowed his eyes. "I forgot... those markings on Shukaku''s body are actually curse seals, representing sealing power." "Definitely worth studying!" Since getting Shukaku''s chakra wasn''t an option for now, Shichi focused on observing the intricate patterns of the seals. However, just as Shukakupleted the sealing, something felt off. His eyes narrowed. "Is that dumb monkey finallying out?" In the next moment, the towering sand dunes sealing Roshi suddenly exploded, and terrifying moltenva erupted from beneath. Following that, a massive ape crawled out! The Four-Tails, Son Goku! Shichi couldn''t help but think to himself, "The First Hokage was absolutely rightTailed Beasts are too powerful and should definitely be sealed away." Even without a Tailed Beast Bomb, Shukaku''s wind-based attacks could easily annihte an entire vige. Two creatures of such power could casually bring disaster to ordinary people. It''s no wonder Tailed Beasts are synonymous with cmity and evil. At this moment, Shukaku''s voice echoed from below, "Stupid monkey, you finally came out." "You should thank me! Without me, you''d still be buried under that sand!" "Why don''t we team up? We could wipe out the Iwa-nin and then kill your Jinchriki. That way, you''d be free." The Four-Tails, Son Goku, growled, "You dumb tanuki! There''s no way I''d lose to an idiot like you!" Shukaku snickered, "Don''t forget, this is my home turf!" Despite his tough words, Son Goku knew Shukaku was right. The desert was indeed Shukaku''s ideal battleground, and it was a major disadvantage for him. "I need to end this quickly!" With that thought, Son Goku charged toward Shukaku. A new round of fiercebat began. As Shichi observed the two Tailed Beasts battling below, his attention returned to the curse marks on Shukaku''s body. Unfortunately, he could only get a partial view of them. Time passed slowly. Shukaku clearly had the upper hand, but he couldn''tnd a decisive blow against Son Goku. Meanwhile, on the other side, the Iwa-nin had already chosen to retreat. The earlier sandstorm had given Suna-nin the upper hand, and the desert terrain prevented the Iwa-nin from utilizing their specialty of reshaping the battlefield to their advantage. As the Iwa-nin retreated, Son Goku also withdrew. "What a pitiful monkey!" Shukaku sneered. "Being controlled by a bunch of ninja!" Shukaku didn''t pursue,zily slumping down in the sand, his mouth as foul as ever. Son Goku roared in anger as he retreated, shouting, "Stinking tanuki! You''re no better off than me!" With the Four-Tails present, the Suna-nin didn''t give chase. Even after the Iwa-nin had retreated far away, they remained cautious and didn''t dare approach Shukaku. Rasa arrived at the sealing squad, giving them a serious look. "Be ready for my signal!" The members of the Suna sealing squad all nodded. "Yes, Lord Rasa!" Rasa, his face grim, watched Shukaku, prepared to act at any moment. Meanwhile, Shukaku waszily negotiating with Bunpuku, the monk who hosted his seal. "Hey, old monk, I drove the enemies away for you Suna-nin. Shouldn''t you let me stay out a bit longer?" Bunpuku, calm and gentle, replied, "Whether inside or outside, it''s the same for you. What I sense, you can sense as well." Shukaku grumbled, dissatisfied. "Hey, you''re no fun!" "Besides, with me here, that stupid monkey won''t daree back." Bunpuku simply smiled in silence, but his actions spoke for themselves. Shukaku felt a powerful force pulling him back into the seal and roared angrily, "Damn it! This seal came from me, and you''re better at using it than I am! How annoying!" Bunpuku smiled and said, "If you dedicated yourself to training like I do, you''d definitely do better than me!" With that, Shukaku disappeared. Once back inside the seal, Shukakuzily flopped down, snorting. "Even if you train hard, in a few years you''ll die, and I''ll still be here! You humans better not think too highly of yourselves." ... Seeing that Shukaku was sealed again, Rasa breathed a long sigh of relief. He then noticed a lone eagle flying away in the sky and muttered to himself, "A Konoha ninja beast, huh?" Up in the air, Shichi smirked as he flew away. "Looks like they noticed me." It would''ve been strange if they hadn''t. When the Tailed Beasts appeared, all the other birds fled in fear, leaving only his lone eagle circling overheadit was clearly suspicious. However, from that distance, they shouldn''t have been able to identify his true identity. Once he was far enough from the battlefield, there was a puff of smoke, and the eagle disappeared. In a more distant location, Shichi, seated cross-legged on a weathered rock pir, received his clone''s memories and thought to himself, "On the battlefield, both Suna and Iwa keep a close watch on their Jinchriki. It''s too difficult to make a move." "But the curse marks on Shukaku were an unexpected bonus. They''re definitely worth studying." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 131: A Puff of Monkey Fur, Countless Clones!

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: A Puff of Monkey Fur, Countless Clones!

After witnessing the grand battle between the Tailed Beasts, Shichi returned to Konoha, feeling quite satisfied. He organized the information he had gathered and sent it to the Hokage''s office via a crow, while he himself retreated to his study. There, he carefully transcribed the seal patterns of Shukaku onto a nk scroll. After studying the patterns for a while, a look of delight appeared on Shichi''s face. "This is a real treasure!" "These seal patterns canpletely form a set of talismans..." Shichi picked up pen and paper, beginning to analyze andbine Shukaku''s seal patterns, one by one creating talismans that he wrote onto the paper. Before he knew it, night had fallen. As Shichi put down his pen and examined the talismans he''d inscribed, he suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. "This is... simr to the Adamantine Sealing Chains'' effect?" "Not just that, there are traces of binding seals as well." Furrowing his brow, Shichi pondered, "The origin of the Tailed Beasts is the Divine Tree. The Uzumaki n''s sealing techniques trace back to the Sage of Six Paths, and further beyond that, to Kaguya tsutsuki and the Divine Tree." "When you think of it that way, it''s not so strange." "However,pared to Shukaku''s seal patterns, the sealing techniques I''ve learned, including the Adamantine Sealing Chains, all seem moreplex." "Shukaku''s patterns, on the other hand, give off a more... primitive feeling." So, is this power from the Sage of Six Paths, or does it still stem from the Divine Tree? Just as Shichi was lost in thought, he heard some noise from outside. Asuka and Non had returned. That evening, Shichi did not travel to the Land of Wind. Instead, he continued to study the power of the Adamantine Sealing Chains with Asuka. His new insights from Shukaku''s seal patternsplemented his understanding, leading to even more breakthroughs. But just as he was about to fall asleep at 10 PM, memories from one of his shadow clones suddenly flowed back to him, making him pauseand then smile. "Ah, of course! How could I have forgotten? Since shadow clones are physical entities, they too can absorb natural energy by transforming into a Tailed Beast to restore stamina and chakra." Shichi remembered that Naruto''s clones were able to recover stamina and chakra through medical treatment from Tsunade. Without hesitation, he created another shadow clone to send off to the Land of Wind, and then peacefully went to sleep. In the following days, Shichi himself shuttled back and forth between Konoha and the Land of Wind. However, he spent most of his time training in Konoha, while leaving the task of gathering intelligence to his shadow clones. Even the troublemaking was left to the clones. Additionally, after discovering that his shadow clones could restore stamina by transforming into Tailed Beasts and absorbing natural energy, Shichi''s main body didn''t need to travel as much. However, while ying the role of a disruptor, he couldn''t be as tant as before in impersonating the Four-Tails Jinchriki. Instead, his shadow clones simultaneously posed as Iwa, Suna, and Kiri ninja, creating chaos in non-primary battlefields and behind enemy lines. This only intensified the already heated conflict between the three factions. Resentment isn''t just an individual emotiongroups can harbor it too! Even though both Iwa and Suna, as well as Kiri, sensed that something was off, the chaotic nature of the battlefield made investigation difficult. And with Shichi''s clones never leaving any survivors, there was no evidence left behind. There was nothing to investigate, and no time to conduct a thorough search. Suna, in particr, found itself in a difficult position, as it was already strained fighting a war on two fronts. ... As the fierce battle between the three great ninja viges raged on, the tension across the entire shinobi world escted. Konoha began its preparations for war, bolstering the border defense forces both in the north and the west. Even Jiraiya, who had been traveling abroad, returned. The first thing he did was seek out Shichi for some "inspiration." After dealing with Jiraiya using various distractions like bunny girls and cat girls, Shichi immersed himself in his own training and research. Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, summer turned to fall, and the chill ofte autumn began to set in. Under the waterfall that he regrly trained beneath, created by his Earth and Water Release, Shichi stood with his entire body weighted down, swinging arge sword. This sword had been taken from the ANBU. It was the same type that the burly Akimichi Chgan once used, but in Shichi''s handsstanding just over 1.6 meters tallit appeared enormous. Yet under the waterfall, Shichi wielded it with ease and grace, without a hint of clumsiness. He had been training his physical potential with this de since June and had long since be ustomed to it. Under this intense training regimen, Shichi noticed a significant increase in his chakra capacity in a rtively short period. After half an hour of sword practice under the waterfall, Shichi sat cross-legged beneath the cascade, letting the water crash over him while watching Kakashi and Might Guy sparring nearby. It was rare for both of them to be free of missions. "Huh?" Shichi suddenly noticed that Kakashi was being overpowered. Not only that, but Might Guy''s speed and strength had noticeably increased. It had only been a short while since hest saw themhow had Guy improved so quickly? Had he removed his weights? Probably not. Could it be...? Shichi stood up and walked out of the water onto the shore. A momentter, Kakashi fell, defeated, while Might Guy knelt on one knee, gasping for breath, sweat pouring from him like rain. Shichi stepped forward and ced a hand on Guy''s shoulder, using the Strength of a Hundred Seal technique to inject chakra into Guy''s body, relieving his fatigue. With a smile, he said, "Guy, it looks like you''ve developed a secret technique of your own!" With his chakra replenished, Might Guy stood up, grinning, "You really can''t fool Shichi! This is a forbidden taijutsu technique my father passed down to me!" Shichi nced at Kakashi, who was still lying on the ground, panting, and nodded with a smile, "The results speak for themselves." Kakashi spoke up, "Hey, shouldn''t you help me recover too?" Without turning around, Shichi waved his hand dismissively, "Kakashi, you can recover on your own. I''m more interested in testing Guy''s forbidden technique." Might Guy exined, "This taijutsu is called the Eight Gates. It''s a technique that releases the limits on the body''s eight gates, greatly enhancing physical abilities." "Just now, I opened the First Gatethe Gate of Opening." Guy continued seriously, "This gate releases the brain''s restrictions on the body, allowing me to use 100% of my physical strength. However, ites at the cost of overloading the body''s energy, which is why my speed, strength, and stamina saw such a drastic increase." Shichi nodded, "The human body indeed has many hidden limits. For example, if the pain bes too intense, we pass out. Fainting is actually a form of protection from the brain." "And the same applies to chakra. Once we reach a certain threshold in chakra exhaustion, we also lose consciousness, as part of the body''s self-defense mechanism." Kakashi, now sitting up, listened intently, while Might Guy appeared to have an epiphany. Shichi continued, "That''s why the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu is ssified as forbiddenit bypasses the body''s natural limits, draining physical strength excessively, which can result in life-threatening chakra depletion." Kakashi stood up, "So, that''s the reason why the Eight Gates are also forbidden techniques." "By overriding the brain''s restrictions, excessive consumption of energy would lead directly to death, rather than simply passing out for self-preservation." Shichi nodded, then looked at Guy, "So, Guy, you need to be fully aware of your stamina." Guy nodded solemnly, "Don''t worry, my father warned me about this. That''s why I need to train even harder, so that my body can grow strong enough to handle opening more of the gates and the power they unleash." With a determined grin, Guy added, "With the Eight Gates, I''m confident I can be a Chnin this year!" Konoha held Chnin Exams twice a yearonce in July, and again around mid-November, which wasn''t too far off now. "Well then, I''ll be looking forward to it," Shichi said with a smile before his tone shifted, "But for now, why don''t you show me the power of the Eight Gates?" "I was just about to suggest that!" Fueled by passion, Might Guy opened the Gate of Opening again, his form blurring as he charged at Shichi, leaving afterimages in his wake. The taijutsu spar began, with Kakashi watching from the sidelines, analyzing the movements of both fighters. Meanwhile, Shichi was deep in thought. Not only had Guy''s speed and strength improved, but he could now execute techniques he couldn''t before. However, after assessing the situation, Shichi concluded that the Eight Gates were rather useless for him. Momentster, Guy copsed on the ground, exhausted yet content. "Shichi, you truly are my eternal rival!" Kakashi approached and asked, "Shichi, your stamina... it''s probably far greater than ours by now, isn''t it?" Shichi gave it some thought and replied, "Roughly... 26 times yours, I''d say." Kakashi broke into a cold sweat upon hearing that, while the downed Guy looked equally stunned. "Shichi, do you have some kind of special body? That''s... that''s just absurd!" Even Kakashi found it hard to believe. Shichi chuckled, "Maybe it''s just natural talent." In truth, based on his earlier estimates, his stamina should have been around 24 Kakashis. But after continuously doubling his physical prowess, eating Four-Tails meat, and further honing his potential, his chakra levels had now reached the equivalent of 26 Kakashis. Of course, thisparison was based on the current Kakashi. For his age, this amount of chakra was indeed quite outrageousfar surpassing the peak level of Non Yakushi. Even Asuka, who had massive chakra reserves and was approaching her peak as an adult, only had about 10 times Shichi''s capacity. It was far from the terrifying 30 times gap they once had. But it was clear that Asuka''s chakra reserves had grown significantly over the past few years. Seeing the expressions on both of their faces, Shichi smiled and said, "Hard work can also increase your stamina." "And there''s one more crucial factor." Kakashi and Guy both focused intently on Shichi. With a serious expression, Shichi dered, "You need to eat more!" Guy''s face lit up with understanding as he nodded earnestly, "I see! Looks like I''ll need to increase my meal portions from now on." "After all, Shichi was the champion of the first-ever eating contest, and no one''s broken his record yet!" With renewed determination, Guy looked at Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, let''s enter the eating contest again this year!" Kakashi nodded, taking Shichi''s advice seriously. He also resolved to start eating more. Perhaps he could even try training with weights and practicing under waterfalls. ... After their exchange, everyone resumed their respective training. Shichi returned to his spot under the waterfall, shifting his focus to the Tag Tree. Tag: Taijutsu Master Condition to Obtain: Create a forbidden taijutsu technique on par with the Eight Gates. Tag Effect: Physical strength +100%, Recovery speed +100%, Resistance to injuries +100%, Control over the body +100%. Looking at the newly triggered Taijutsu Master tag, Shichi didn''t know what to think. Creating a taijutsu techniqueparable to the Eight Gates... That was no easy feat. After all, Guy was able to kick around opponents at the level of the Six Paths with the Eight Gates! While different people would experience different results with the Eight Gates, it was clear the technique had immense potential. Shichi had initially assumed the requirement was to master the Eight Gates. If that had been the case, he would have trained in it, even if it was of little use to him, just for the benefits. But now... Shichi felt a bit overwhelmed. "Guess I''ll set it aside for now..." Reluctantly, Shichi shifted his gaze away. ... Time flew by, and November passed in the blink of an eye. Just as he predicted, Might Guy was finally promoted to Chunin. At the same time, Uchiha Obito once again failed the Chunin exam, and for the umpteenth time, was defeated by Guy. Shichi Hoshita, who had gone to spectate the match, couldn''t help but feel speechless. Obito clearly had decent strength. Among the graduates of his cohort, he was actually one of the better ones. But for some reason, Obito always seemed to fall apart at critical moments. This time, it was his stomach acting up. In the middle of his duel with Guy, Shichi could even hear his stomach rumbling. Looking at Obito, both frustrating and amusing at the same time, Shichi felt a growing sense of urgency. With the outbreak of the Great Ninja War, the preparations of Uchiha Madara who''s lying in wait with his tubes hooked up were advancing fast! And then there''s ck Zetsu and White Zetsu, who are likely out there actively searching for their targets. Unfortunately, Shichi had not been able to track down any trace of ck Zetsu or White Zetsu during his time in the Land of Wind. Maybe his sensory ninjutsu just wasn''t up to par! ... As time entered December of the 44th year of Konoha, the wars involving the Sand, Stone, and Mist viges started to shift. The Iwagakure forces had retreated to the borders of the Land of Wind. However, thanks to the change in terrain and the shortened supply lines, they managed to stabilize their position with the support of the Bird Country. Yet Rasa had indeed led the Sunagakure forces to push back the Iwagakure ninjas. On December 8th of Konoha''s 44th year, Rasa, backed by his great aplishments, officially became the Fourth Kazekage. At the same time, the battle between Sunagakure and Kirigakure had reached a stalemate. In his study, Shichi was sorting through thetest intelligence reports his shadow clones had gathered. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to include his analysis of the current situation. He predicted that next year, Sunagakure would likely seek peace talks with Kirigakure and form an alliance. Only by doing so would they be able to focus all their forces on fighting Iwagakure. This choice was also closely rted to how Rasa had ascended to power by defeating the Iwagakure forces. Given the current state of affairs, a reconciliation between Sunagakure and Iwagakure seemed much less likely. If Sunagakure and Kirigakure did form an alliance, they would sharemon interests and a united goal. In the end, Shichi rmended: "Reinforce the border of the Land of Rivers and remain vignt of Kirigakure!" After writing his analysis, he sent the report to the Hokage''s office via his messenger crow. Then, he returned his focus to his own training. December had arrived, and it was time to make use of his "sh of Insight." Technically, this ability could be used once a year, at any time. However, he had deliberately waited until December to ensure maximum preparation and efficiency, aiming to make the most of the 10 minutes of heightened productivity. But there were many problems to solve, and he needed to prioritize. "First, the sealing jutsu, especially the key point rted to souls... though that might be a bit tricky." "Next, sensory ninjutsu. I need to improve the Listening Technique and integrate malicious intent detection..." "And then there''s enhancing the Bijuu Sealing Mark. Currently, the seal only boosts Fire Release techniques, and it can''t store natural energy yet. While I''ve made progress on the energy storage, there''s been no breakthrough on expanding the range of amplification. Maybe I need to focus on absorbing natural energy from tailed beasts and converting it into stamina?" "Or, should I focus on improving the Bijuu Sealing Mark and attempt Sage Mode using the *Hundred Seals Technique?" Shichi mentally organized his thoughts. Further down the list was the development of the Tailed Clone Technique, which was connected to the Substitution Jutsu. Even further down were S-rank Earth Release defensive jutsu and techniques like the Electromaic Cannon for Lightning Release, which were lower in priority. After carefully reviewing his ns, Shichi was just about to head to the researchb when he received feedback from one of his shadow clones. "It worked atst!" Shichi''s face lit up with joy. The memory that had returned came from a clone working on the Eight-Tails research at theb. Afterbing through the clone''s feedback, Shichi had a revtion. "The key is in the cells..." The Tailed Clone Technique of the Eight-Tails involved using part of its body to form a clone, which made it undetectable even to the Sharingan. This concept was simr to the Wood Clone Technique of Hashirama Senju, which had a simrly high level of undetectability. The Wood Clone worked because it was infused with Hashirama''s life force the powerful Yang Release chakra. In essence, there were key simrities between the Tailed Clone Technique and the Wood Clone Technique. Using a living body part as a medium for creating clones wasn''t new to Shichi. His Crow Clone Technique operated on a simr principle. Thus, creating a clone using a part of his own body as a medium wasn''t particrly difficult for him. In fact, Shichi had previously tried using his own hair as a medium for clones. Unfortunately, the results weren''t as impressive. The deception wasn''t much better than his crow clones or shadow clones. What he hadn''t anticipated was that the real key was using living cells! As if a paper-thin barrier had finally been pierced, Shichi couldn''t help but feel a wave of regret at not realizing this sooner. After all, a strand of hair plucked from his head might not contain living cells. But if the hair still had its follicle attached, the results were entirely different. A small overlooked detail had cost him a lot of time. "At least the research on the Eight-Tails wasn''t in vain, especially regarding its regenerative abilities. The time wasn''t wasted." Comforting himself, Shichi pulled out a strand of hair with the follicle attached and used it as the medium for a clone. It posed no challenge for him. Poof! A clone appeared. Shichi examined it closely, then smiled with satisfaction. It was far more convincing than a shadow clone. This clone not only possessed his chakra but also his cells. Immediately, Shichi began testing the clone. First, he inflicted serious injuries, but the clone remained intact. Next, he dealt a lethal blow. The clone copsed but maintained its form for a while, only dispersing after its chakra could no longer sustain the life force within the cells. This made the clone far more useful as a substitution than any other clone techniques. Additionally, it shared the same deceptive properties as the Tailed Clone Technique. Staring at the strand of hair that had fallen to the ground, Shichi absentmindedly touched his own hair. "Good thing I''m a medical ninja and can regenerate my hair follicles. Otherwise, if I used this too much, I''d end up bald." "But it doesn''t have to be head hair. Any hair with a follicle would work." With that thought, Shichi couldn''t help but recall a certain all-powerful monkey. He chuckled. "A handful of monkey hair, and there''d be countless clones!" If he did the same... the image was too much to bear! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 132: Fire Nether Chains!

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Fire Nether Chains!

After Shichipleted his tests, the Tag Tree immediately reacted. His mental energy coalesced, and beneath the Tag Tree, he saw that both the tags [Clone Master] and [Substitution Master] were now ready to be activated. Activate! Shichi lit up the two leaves on the Tag Tree, and their effects immediately triggered. His mental strength increased by 100%, and as a Clone Master, there was now nothing in the world he couldn''t use for clones. Additionally, he could see through any clone jutsu with ease. His substitution technique aptitude also improved by 100%. By designating a specific body part for enhancement, he could boost its ability by 100%. As a Substitution Master, no one could deceive him with a substitution technique it would be child''s y for him to see through their tricks at a nce. The increase in mental power made Shichi feel a cool sensation in his brain, and even his mental projection felt noticeably stronger. Now, as for the ability to designate and enhance a specific body part by 100%... Shichi pondered: "The brain?" The Tag Tree responded immediately: Yes! "The torso?" No response. "The heart?" Yes. "...Uh, well, how about... down there?" Yes. (T/N: Bruh! -_-) ... So, which one should he choose? Shichi silently considered: "The brain, the heart, or... the kidneys..." "My thought processing speed, mental power, and willpower have all been increasing, which should be considered brain enhancements. Naturally, overall physical constitution improves with every upgrade." "If I enhance my brain, even without the protection of the Hundred Seals technique''s chakra, I could maintain a high level of focus all the time, making heightened concentration a normal state." "Meanwhile, the heart pumps blood throughout the body, providing energy to every part. A strong heart is essential for explosive power." "And then there are other organs, like the kidneys and spleen... every single one is crucial." It was a tough decision. After thinking it over for a while, Shichi finally chose to enhance his brain. This included both the cerebrum and cerebellum. In an instant, he felt a surge of energy through his brain, followed by a brief moment of nkness before his awareness returned. Shichi then pushed his thought-processing speed to its limit, starting by testing a focus level at twice his normal concentration. It was effortless. "Also, my body coordination feels even smoother..." With a flicker, Shichi moved into the courtyard to stretch and exercise his body. Four times concentration! Shichi felt a slight strain, but as soon as he used a small amount of chakra from the Hundred Seals technique to nourish his cells, that strain vanished. This wasn''t a full activation of the Yin Seal or the Hundred Seals technique, but rather a method simr to Tsunade''s way of maintaining her appearance and extending her lifespan. Shichi had never used this technique before because he was still growing and didn''t need it yet. Five times concentration! Shichi tested it out. "This seems to be the limit..." "However, I''d better avoid using the Hundred Seals technique regrly for now. My brain is still developing, at least until I turn 18." Shichi deactivated the Hundred Seals effect and reduced his focus to three times. This was a veryfortable state. In the past, Shichi could only maintain 100% concentration for extended periods. But now, even in this state, his thought-processing speed had increased to twice the normal rate. "Excellent, I''m much stronger now!" A bright smile spread across Shichi''s face as he made his way to Orochimaru''sboratory. ... Meanwhile, in the Hokage''s office... Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed the intelligence report Shichi had sent, along with his rmendations. The Hokage looked up at his son and asked, "Shinnosuke, what do you think of Shichi''s analysis and suggestions?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke responded sincerely, "Shichi''s insights and instincts have always been sharp. I believe his judgment ispletely urate." "The Mist''s assault on the Sand has met with resistance, and they haven''t gained much from it. They certainly won''t be satisfied with leaving things as they are. Meanwhile, the Fourth Kazekage needs to further cement his power and secure benefits for Sunagakure, which gives them a foundation for cooperation." Hiruzen nodded and sighed before giving his orders: "Then let''s quietly reinforce our forces. Additionally, dispatch more Anbu to the borders of the Land of Rivers, and also to the directions of the Land of Whirlpools and the southern Land of Tea." The most likely direction for the Mist to attack Konoha would bending on the east coast, especially through the Land of Whirlpools. The second most probable route would be from the south, through the penins where the Land of Tea was located. "Understood!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke immediately epted the task and left to make the arrangements. ... Time quickly flew by, and soon it was December 28th, with the New Year just around the corner. Just the day before, Shichi Hoshita''s shadow clone, stationed in the Land of Wind, reported back. After a tense standoff, the Sand Shinobi had begun secret talks with the Mist Shinobi. Upon receiving this intelligence, Shichi knew it wouldn''t be long before the Mist and Sand Shinobi would reach a ceasefire. After that, the Sand Shinobi would likely focus all their efforts to the north, either driving the Stone Shinobi out of the Wind Country''s borders orunching a counterattack on the Stone while teaming up with the Mist to strike Konoha. Everything was interconnected. Would the Stone Shinobi, who had long been eyeing the Land of Grass, sit back and watch if the Mist and Sand made a move? And what about the ever-aggressive Cloud Shinobi to the north, who had been lying in wait for so longcould they remain patient any longer? "The earliest prediction is by the second half of next year... Konoha will likely be forced into war," Shichi sighed. "Too bad Konoha doesn''t control the entire Fire Country. Otherwise, we could at least make a profit by selling supplies to the Mist, Sand, and Stone Shinobi before the war breaks out." "But at the end of the day, ninja vige battles are just mercenary wars supported by the great nations." Clearing his thoughts, Shichi wrote down the intelligence and had a crow deliver it to the Hokage''s office. Immediately after, he activated the Yin Seal on his forehead, allowing the Hundred Seals technique to envelop every brain cell with chakra. His state was fully unlocked. Maximum thought processing speed! Full concentration! "sh of Insight" activated! Ten minutes of "God Time" began. In his rapidly functioning brain, countless pieces of information surfacedall the knowledge Shichi had umted in the past. Under the influence of his enhancedprehension, this knowledge was reorganized, collided with each other, and sparked new ideas. Brilliant shes of insight appeared, lighting the way through the darkness. Many challenges that had stumped him before now became clear in an instant. Dead-end paths found new directions. What''s more, Shichi realized the more knowledge he had, the greater his gains in this state. Many details he hadn''t paid much attention to before, or had overlooked, now became the keys to solving problems and breaking through difficulties. Unfortunately, the time was too shortten minutes passed in a sh. Shichi opened his eyes, letting out a sigh of dissatisfaction. He hadn''t had enough yet! Reining in the Yin Seal and returning to his normal state, Shichi picked up a brush and started writing. The first thing he began drafting was a sealing techniquea seal that was a culmination of everything he had learned about sealing jutsu up to now. Unfortunately, his research on souls was stillcking and hadn''t yet reached his ultimate goal. Next, he worked on a moreplex form. This was an enhancement to the Bijju Sealing mark, a refinement of that curse mark. Afterpleting that, Shichi continued drawing, this time integrating the Hundred Seals technique into the form. Half an hourter, Shichi put down his brush and reviewed the array of seals on the scroll. He smiled and nodded in satisfaction. Although it wasn''t perfect, this progress was still impressive. "Alright, time to test out the sealing technique!" "Though it hasn''t reached S-rank yet, it should still be solid at A-rank." Shichi stood in the center of his study and pped his hands together, rapidly gathering chakraextracting 70% of his physical limit in chakra. His hair fluttered, and his clothes billowed. Then, a crackling sound echoed in the room. From Shichi''s back, deep blue chains began emerging from his body, segment by segment. Each segment of these deep blue chains flickered with a lighter shade of blue mes. ng! ng! The chains rattled, and the once slow-emerging chains suddenly elerated, extending rapidly. After the first chain, a second followed, then a third... until finally, a total of six chains appeared, and then they stopped. Huff! Huff! "Too... too chakra-consuming!" Shichi let his hands drop, gasping for air. At his current age, his chakra reserves were already impressive, yet even using this sealing technique was still strenuous. "The Adamantine Sealing Chains, which can restrict a Tailed Beast, really aren''t overrated..." After catching his breath, Shichi felt the power of the chains he had conjured and smiled with satisfaction. This sealing technique clearly had traces of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, borrowing from its form. However, its sealing power was different. He still hadn''t fully deciphered the Adamantine Sealing Chains from Asuka to unlock all its secrets as an A-rank technique. "I need to find a target to test this on..." Shichi''s gaze shifted toward the small Four-Tails sealed inside the Eight Trigrams Seal on his abdomen. It wasn''t muchbarely one tail''s worth of chakrabut it should be enough for a test. ng! ng! The chains retracted back into Shichi''s body, and in theke inside his Eight Trigrams Seal, blue chains wreathed in mes suddenly appeared. The resting Four-Tails jolted awake, opening its eyes in shock: "Sealing jutsu?" "Hey, kid! What are you up to?" The Four-Tails roared, raising its arms to grab the iing chains, but the chains moved like serpents, wrapping around it instead. In no time, the Four-Tails'' neck, torso, and legs were bound by the chains, lifting the beast up from theke of chakra. "Damn it!" The Four-Tails bellowed in fury. This position was too humiliating! Chakra surged from its body, but the beast quickly let out a howl of pain: "Damn... this sealing jutsu... it''s burning my chakra!" "No... it''s also burning my spirit!" At that moment, the Four-Tails found it not only immobilized but also unable to use its chakra. Whenever it tried, the chakra would ignite, dissipating while causing excruciating pain as its consciousness burned, making it impossible to control its chakra. "This brat''s sealing technique... I can sense Shukaku''s influence on it." "Could it be... he''s acquired Shukaku''s chakra as well?" The Four-Tails, now exhausted and terrified, lowered its head in defeat. Shichi observed the scene, nodding in satisfaction. It was still unclear how this techniquepared to the Adamantine Sealing Chains, but its restraining power was impressive. It perfectlyplemented his vast mastery of Fire Style! Of course, this wasn''t just a simple Fire Style technique, but like the Adamantine Sealing Chains, it was based on Yin Release. "So, what should I call it?" Retracting the chains from the Four-Tails, Shichi pondered. "Hmm... this sealing jutsu is still at an A-rank difficulty, not fullyplete yet, so I''ll consider the name forter." "For now... let''s call it Fire Nether Chains!" Shichi had already made up his mind. Once this sealing technique was fully developed, capable of extracting souls and splitting Tailed Beasts, reaching S-rank, he would establish it as his Bloodline Limit Sealing Technique! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 133: Backstab!

Chapter 133: Chapter 133: Backstab! [Bonus Chapter]

After testing the Fire Nether Chains sealing technique, Shichi shifted his attention to the Bijuu Sealing Mark. With a single thought, a brilliant blue light immediately burst forth from the center of his forehead. Tadpole-like symbols then emerged, spreading across his entire body, with the blue light at the center of his forehead as the origin. This was the first version of the Bijuu Sealing Mark, which, when activated, could absorb natural energy from the environment to amplify the power of Fire Release jutsu. The advanced version he now possessed also recreated the sealing technique from the Tostuka de, granting the ability to store natural energy. However, the seal could still only enhance Fire Release, without increasing the power of other types of jutsu. Nevertheless, Shichi was confident that with further research, he could develop a natural energy seal capable of enhancing all kinds of jutsu. Now, it was time to modify the Bijuu Sealing Mark on his own body. This wasn''t too difficult; the symbols could be formed entirely by chakra. As a result, the runes that appeared on his body swiftly shifted and transformed. New symbols emerged, integrating into the original seal. Once the new form waspleted, the symbols contracted, returning to his forehead, and the once-bright blue light faded away. Shichi could now feel natural energy flowing continuously into the seal, stopping only when the amount matched his chakra reserves. The speed of absorption was incredibly fast. "The power of a human is insignificantpared to the vast energy of nature. No wonder the tsutsuki n nts trees everywhere." After a moment of reflection, Shichi stowed away two scrolls, sealing them securely. "With the Fire Nether Chains, my abilities have be even more versatile, especially now that I have a method to subdue Tailed Beasts." "And the new Bijuu Sealing Mark raises my upperbat limits." For Shichi, his strongest ability remained his Fire Release techniques. In particr, developing the Fire Nether Chains allowed him to skillfully integrate the power of Yin Release into his Fire Release. This not only enhanced the strength of his Fire Release but also improved his ability to manipte its forms. ... The year 44 of Konoha passed quickly, and the 45th year arrived. This New Year, Yakushi Nono led Shichi and Asuka in celebrating at the orphanage. While Shichi was ying ninja games with the children, elsewhere, in Sunagakure, Pakura, fresh from the battlefield, was being hailed as a vige hero, receiving cheers and praise from all the vigers. At that moment, Pakura was bathed in supreme glory. However, as Pakura basked in the vigers'' admiration, within the Kazekage office, Sunagakure''s upper echelon was holding a high-level meeting. "The demands from Kirigakure for a ceasefire and alliance are outrageous! There''s no way we can agree to them!" "But the vige can''t handle an attack from two other viges simultaneously!" "How about we ask Konoha for aid?" "No way! If we do that, Konoha will demand concessions from the Land of Rivers, and we''ll end up being branded as traitors to our vige and the Land of Wind!" "Then how about negotiating with Iwa?" "The Third Kazekage was killed by Iwa! How can we make peace with the murderers?" "Besides, we''re already close to driving Iwa-nin out. We could even push into the Land of Birds next!" A heated argument broke out among the elderly Sunagakure jonin. Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, remained silent. Chiyo and her brother Ebiz were absent from the meeting, stationed at the frontlines to guard against sudden attacks from Iwa or Kiri-nin. After a long, fruitless debate, the Sunagakure leadership was unable to reach a consensus, and the first meeting ended without resolution. ... Konoha Year 45, January 12th. While Shichi was in his study working on improvements to the Spirit Transformation Technique, he suddenly looked up as Sarutobi Shinnosuke appeared outside his window, removing his mask. "Shichi, Lord Third Hokage has summoned you!" "Understood!" Shichi nodded, tidied up his things, and followed Shinnosuke to the Hokage''s office. When they arrived, not only was Hiruzen Sarutobi present, but also Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Jiraiya, who greeted Shichi with a yful wink. Ignoring Jiraiya''s usual antics, Shichi respectfully greeted the senior advisors. Hiruzen Sarutobi then spoke: "Shichi, based on the intelligence you provided, and the information gathered by the Anbu from Sunagakure, we''ve confirmed that Sunagakure is determined to negotiate peace with Kirigakure." "As such, we need to determine whether they n to ally with Kirigakure to attack us." "If they do intend to form such an alliance, we must disrupt it, buying more time for Konoha to prepare." At this, Jiraiya chimed in, "I''ll handle the infiltration. That''s my specialty, after all." Mitokado Homura shook his head. "Jiraiya, we need you to stay in Konoha to handle any unexpected situations." Hiruzen Sarutobi then turned to Shichi and asked, "Shichi, what do you think?" After a moment of thought, Shichi replied, "Since Sunagakure is nning to ally with Kirigakure, they''ll likely send someone to the Land of Water as an envoy, correct?" "In that case, we can tackle both tasks at once." "We should intercept Sunagakure''s envoy. Not only would we disrupt their alliance, but we could also extract information about Sunagakure''s future ns from the envoy." Utatane Koharu frowned. "Such an envoy would likely be a highly secretive individual. It won''t be easy to intercept them en route." Shichi smiled. "In that case, we''ll use a simpler method." "Keep track of everyone leaving Sunagakure." Koharu blinked in surprise. "Is that... even feasible?" As soon as she finished speaking, Shichi began filling the Hokage''s office with his Shadow Clones. Then, under their watchful eyes, one of Shichi''s clones opened a window, and they transformed into crows and hawks, flying out of the office, much to the astonishment of Koharu and Homura. However, Homura quickly regained hisposure and said to Hiruzen, "Given this, Hiruzen, I think Shichi''s suggestion is worth adopting. He''s also the most suitable candidate for the task." Koharu nodded in agreement. "I also heard Shichi is due to be promoted to jonin. I believe, once this mission ispleted, we can officially promote him." Homura immediately concurred. "I agree." After listening, Hiruzen turned to Shichi and said, "Shichi, this will be your final mission before bing a jonin!" Shichi solemnly responded, "Rest assured, Lord Hokage, I will do everything in my power toplete this mission!" "Then go make your preparations." Hiruzen nodded approvingly. Without dy, Shichi used the Flying Thunder God technique and disappeared. ... At home, Shichi was packing his things when Jiraiya suddenly appeared, leaning against the doorframe. "You seem pretty invested in this mission, huh?" Without turning around, Shichi responded, "If I be a jonin before March, I''ll be an 11-year-old jonin." "Plus, to fully master the Flying Thunder God Technique, I need realbat experience." Hearing Shichi mention the Flying Thunder God Technique, Jiraiya stroked his chin and said, "Speaking of which, maybe I should continue studying the Flying Thunder God as well. After all, I''m pretty talented myself!" Shichi couldn''t help but nce back with a grin. "Jiraiya-sama, don''t waste your time. Some things just can''t be learned. It''s not a matter of effortit''s about brains!" Jiraiya''s face immediately twitched in embarrassment. "You little brat, you''re really blunt, aren''t you?" Shichi continued packing. "Everyone has their strengths. If you asked me to write a book, I wouldn''t be able to match you, Jiraiya-sama." Jiraiya''s face lit up, and he burst intoughter. "Seems like you''ve got good judgment after all!" Then, looking a bit bashful, he added, "This mission of yours will probably take a while. How about giving me a bit of inspiration before you go?" Shichi barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Jiraiya-sama, be careful, or I might just tell Lady Tsunade." Jiraiya immediately adopted a serious expression. "Actually, I came here for a reason!" With that, he took the scroll off his back, ced it on the ground, and unrolled it. "Even though your crows and that white tiger of yours are quite well-trained, they still don''tpare to the sages of Mount Myboku." "Why don''t you go ahead and sign a contract with Mount Myboku? Minato mentioned it to me when I got back, but you know, gathering research materials takes time." Shichi hadn''t expected that he would be signing a contract with Mount Myboku. Should he sign it? Of course! Even if he didn''t need the Sage Mode from Mount Myboku, it was still a ce worth exploring. After thanking Jiraiya, Shichi expertly ced his chakra and blood handprint on the scroll. Jiraiya smiled. "Even though you have the Flying Thunder God, sometimes Reverse Summoning can be really useful too." "Call on them whenever you need to. Don''t hesitate!" With that, Jiraiya slung the scroll back over his shoulder, waved, and left casually. After watching Jiraiya leave, Shichi left a Shadow Clone behind, strapped on his scroll, and disappeared. ... In the southeastern mountains of the Land of Rivers, Shichi''s figure suddenly appeared. There was a Flying Thunder God mark left by one of his Shadow Clones on arge rock nearby. Sitting on the rock, Shichi gazed in the direction of the Kirigakure frontline base. Although he had told Koharu and the others he would use a "dumb" method, he didn''t actually n to do so. Two Shadow Clones were watching over Sunagakure, while two more were keeping an eye on the major ports. As soon as Pakura appeared, she wouldn''t escape his sensory abilities. Of course, things could change, and Pakura might not end up as Sunagakure''s sacrificial pawn. But no matter who Sunagakure sent for the negotiations, he''d be able to sense them. For Shichi, who had a bit of an "omniscient" view of the situation, this mission was rtively easy, so he felt quite rxed. "I''ll let my Shadow Clones handle it for now..." Shichi withdrew his gaze, unrolled the scroll, and resumed the interrupted research from earlier. Time quickly passed, and before he knew it, it was February. Shichi had only returned to Konoha once, beforeing back to continue his vigil. With this level of dedication, it would indeed be unreasonable not to promote him to jonin. "The youngest jonin, but the ''Tag Tree'' hasn''t shown any updates yet..." Feeling a bit disappointed, Shichi unstrapped his scroll and sat back down on therge rock. Suddenly, a flood of memories surged into the seal within his memory pce. "They''re finally here!" Shichi leaped to his feet. Pakura of the Scorch Release had appeared! Strapping on his scroll, Shichi leapt into the air, transforming into a hawk and soaring through the sky with a sharp cry, heading straight for a port in the southern part of the Land of Wind. Upon reaching the port, Shichi dispelled his transformation technique and touched the ground with his fingers, sensing the surroundings. "It''s definitely Pakura." "Alone... It seems the wheels of fate have begun to turn!" After confirming his target, Shichi altered his appearance and entered the port. However, he didn''t approach Pakura directly. Instead, he waited for her to hire a ship to sail out to sea. Once she had departed, he left the port, found a secluded spot along the coast, dismissed his other Shadow Clones, and then leaped into the water, transforming into a fish and swimming swiftly after her. Once deep in the sea, Shichi transformed again, this time into a shark. This transformation felt even more natural, and he quickly caught up to Pakura''s ship. From a distance, he followed her trail. To his surprise, Pakura switched ships three times, taking three full days before finally entering an area of inds under Kirigakure''s control. The route she took led out of the southeastern coast of the Land of Wind, then eastward around the penins that extended from the south of the Land of Fire, eventually reaching the Land of Water. Watching Pakura disembark and the ship sail away, Shichi finally came ashore. Transforming into a seabird, he flew into the mist-covered ind. ... Mist swirled thickly, with steep mountains rising on either side as Pakura walked forward slowly. "Lady Pakura of the Scorch Release!" Suddenly, a clear voice echoed out, causing Pakura to stop in her tracks, her eyes narrowing. Ahead of her, a figure emerged from the mist. It was a young ninja wearing the standard Kirigakure attire, his face full of a warm and cheerful smile. "I''m here to escort you!" "It''s truly an honor to meet you!" The young Mist ninja stepped closer to Pakura, still smiling. "In such heavy mist, you definitely need a guide, after all." Pakura nodded slightly. "Thank you for your trouble." "But once we pass through this gorge, I shouldn''t have any trouble finding my way, right?" The young ninja scratched the back of his head andughed. "That''s true!" As he spoke, he walked to Pakura''s side, gesturing with his hand. "Please, lead the way!" "Mm." Pakura nodded again and took a step forward. Thud! Pakura''s body suddenly froze, her eyes widening in shock. Behind her, the young Mist ninja had plunged a kunai into her back, the once-warm smile on his face now twisted into a cruel, vicious grin. "You..." Pakura slowly turned her head. "What are you doing?" "The pain of myrades who were killed by Sunagakure..." The young ninja shouted, "Now you''ll taste it too!" With those words, he pulled the kunai from her back. Pakura staggered forward. Suddenly, a group of Mist ninjas appeared on both sides of the gorge, sending a barrage of shuriken raining down, pinning Pakura to the ground. However, just as the Mist ninjas moved closer to Pakura, a figure suddenly appeared beside her. "Watch out! Enemy!" One of the Mist ninjas shouted in rm. But before the Mist ninjas on both sides of the gorge could react, two of Shichi Hoshita''s Shadow Clones, disguised as Sunagakure ninjas, descended from the sky. "Wind Style: Vacuum Serial Waves!" Sharp gusts of wind swept across both sides, tearing through the Mist ninjas. sh! sh! Screams echoed as blood sttered, and in the blink of an eye, severed limbs and bodies littered the ground. "Damn it, Sunagakure has no intention of negotiating!" "Kill that guy!" A few surviving Mist ninjas, having escaped using the Body Flicker Technique, shouted in fury. But Shichi didn''t intend to continue the fight. In one swift motion, he scooped up Pakura with one arm. In a sh, he grabbed the young Mist ninja who had stabbed Pakura and was preparing to weave hand signs for a jutsu. With a burst of strength, Shichi hurled the Mist ninja into the stone wall, knocking him out cold. As the ninjay unconscious, a Flying Thunder God mark silently appeared on his neck, then spread into a lotus-shaped seal at the back of his head, hidden beneath his hair. Just as quickly as he hade, Shichi vanished. The Mist ninjas had no time to counterattackShichi was already gone, disappearing so swiftly that even sensory ninjutsu couldn''t track him. "Damn it!" "Bastard!" The remaining Mist ninjas looked at the dismembered bodies of their fallenrades, their faces grim and filled with rage. What should have been a satisfying act of revenge had turned into the loss of morerades. "That guy... he probably wasn''t from Sunagakure." The Mist ninjas, having calmed down, quickly realized the gravity of the situation. "If he were from Sunagakure, there would have been no need to wait for us to kill Pakura before intervening." "Could it be the action of an individual from Sunagakure?" "Either way, we need to report this to Lord Mizukage immediately and let him decide!" (End of Chapter) ??? Are you Enjoying Mass Upload? Take this story to the top, or else forget Mass Uploads. I''m just going to upload one chap a day. Good Luck!! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 134: Remember, You Must Call Me Lord Shūichi!

Chapter 134: Chapter 134: Remember, You Must Call Me Lord Shichi!

In the Land of Rivers, inside a mountain cave, a flickering bonfire cast dancing shadows across the walls. Pakura, lying down, twitched her eyelids and slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry at first, and her mind felt sluggish. "Is this... the Pure Land?" As her sight cleared, Pakura instinctively followed the light. She turned her head and saw the fireand the figure sitting in front of it. ''Who is he? Why does he seem familiar...'' ''A fallenrade?'' "Comrade...!" Memories flooded back to Pakurashe recalled being stabbed in the back by a Mist ninja. Her heart immediately ached with sorrow. Her formerrades had betrayed her! Those people had used her as a bargaining chip, offering her to the Mist! Pakura wasn''t a fool. She quickly pieced it together. "You''re awake." Suddenly, a gentle voice rang out, startling Pakura. "Who... who are you?" "Is this the Pure Land?" Shichi couldn''t help butugh. "The Pure Land?" "There''s no way I''m going to a ce like that with you." Turning to look at her, Shichi smiled and said, "Pakura, long time no see!" Pakura''s eyes widened in shock. "You... Shichi Hoshita!" She was so agitated that she tried to move, but pain instantly surged through her body, making her head throb. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she looked at Shichi. "Did you save me?" Shichi stood up, poured a cup of his homemade salt-sugar water, and brought it to her lips. "Who else could it be?" "You think you''re dreaming?" "Drink upyou need to replenish your fluids." Pakura looked down at the bamboo cup in his hand. Shichi added, "Don''t worry, I haven''t used it. I made it just for you." "You''re lucky to have met a medical expert like me, or you''d already be dead." Pakura drank the water in one go and then stared at Shichi. "Why did you save me?" Shichi put down the cup and sat back by the fire. "There are many reasons." "First, you''re the envoy sent by Sunagakure to Kirigakure." "Even though you were betrayed, saving you might disrupt the alliance between Sunagakure and Kirigakure." "And even if it doesn''t, it could at least dy them a little." "Second, you hold quite a few secrets in that head of yours, especially about Sunagakure''s next moves." Pakura gave a bitter, mocking smile. "I knew it..." Shichi grinned and asked, "What, did you think I saved you out of pity?" "Or because of your beauty? I''m not that shallow." Pakura turned her head, staring nkly at the shadows dancing on the cave ceiling. "What do you want to know?" "After all, I''ve already been betrayed by them. How ridiculous for a so-called hero..." Shichi asked, "Is Sunagakure''s next move after the alliance with Kirigakure to attack the Land of Fire?" Pakura responded tly, "That''s correct." "But to be precise, they n to first join forces to take over the Land of Rivers, with Kirigakure iming the parts that once belonged to Konoha. After that, they''ll invade the Land of Fire together." "Though I don''t know the specifics of the n." "I''ve said what I needed to. You can kill me now..." Shichi shook his head. "How weak." Pakura spoke softly, "Do you n to use my hatred against them?" "I am filled with anger, but my hatred is for the higher-ups in the vige who sold me out, and for Kirigakure." Shichi stood and walked over to sit beside Pakura, lifting her chin with his hand. Their eyes met! Staring into Shichi''s sharp, domineering, and predatory gaze, Pakura suddenly felt intimidated. But with her chin held firmly in ce, she couldn''t pull away. Shichi leaned in, his voice low andmanding. "Pakura, I saved your life." "So, from this moment on, you belong to meyou are my property!" "Without my permission, you are not allowed to die." With that, Shichi released her chin. Pakura let out a small grunt of defiance and turned her head away. Shichi''s tone softened a bit. "Of course, I''m not someone who''s unreasonable with my subordinates." "Don''t worry, I won''t make you kill innocent people from Sunagakure. But when ites to those higher-ups, or enemies from other viges, you''ll have to follow my orders." With that, Shichi began to undo Pakura''s clothes. Startled, Pakura tried to move despite the intense pain. "What... are you doing?" "I''m a medical ninja." Shichi rified, "Besides, I''m not even twelve years old!" Hearing this, Pakura''s cold expression suddenly flushed red, and she stopped resisting. Shichi continued working on her injuries while remarking, "Plus, with all the wounds you had before, I''ve already seen everything." Pakura clenched her teeth. "You little brat..." Shichi''s sharp ears caught that, and heughed. "You should be calling me Lord Shichi!" Pakura gritted her teeth in silence. While treating her wounds, Shichi teased, "What''s the matter? The great Pakura of the Scorch Release, an elite jnin of Sunagakure, doesn''t appreciate being saved?" "Or do you think I''m not qualified to be your superior?" "You know I''m stronger than you, right?" That damned brat! Reluctantly, Pakura muttered, "Lord... Shichi..." A strange feeling of shame crept over her, especially since this guy was undoing her clothes. Shichi, hearing her reluctant voice, felt a wave of satisfaction. This feeling... indescribable! Could it be that this reluctance is what makes it so enjoyable? Realizing his thoughts were straying, Shichi quickly focused on treating her wounds. After a moment, he finished the treatment and draped his outer robe over Pakura. "You should be fully recovered in two or three days." "During that time, stay here. My Shadow Clones will take care of your food and water." Pakura was surprised. "You''re... leaving?" "Remember, you must call me Lord Shichi!" Shichi emphasized, then continued, "I have to return to Konoha." "Although my presence might slow down Sunagakure and Kirigakure''s ns, they could also decide to act sooner." After a brief pause, just as Shichi was about to exit the cave, Pakura finally spoke up. "I understand, Lord Shichi." Hearing this, Shichi turned back with a smile. "Good, keep it up!" ... After leaving the cave, Shichi created a Shadow Clone to stay behind before heading back to Konoha. --- In Sunagakure, in the Kazekage''s office, Rasa was startled upon hearing that Pakura''s body had been taken by a mysterious individual. He quickly asked his subordinates, "What did Kirigakure say?" "The messenger from the Mist Vige conveyed the Third Mizukage''s message. They believe it was another vige, most likely Konoha, that intervened." "So, the alliance remains unchanged." "However, the details of the n will likely need to be renegotiated." Upon hearing this, Rasa quietly let out a sigh of relief before asking, "Are you sure she''s dead?" The reporting Sand ninja quickly responded, "The Mist said that under those circumstances, there''s no way she could have survivedunless the one who intervened was Tsunade of Konoha!" Rasa was nowpletely reassured. "Go tell the Mist Vige messenger that I will send a new envoy to discuss the ns." "Yes, Kazekage-sama!" --- In Konoha, at the Hokage''s office. Shichi reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi the general details of how he saved Pakura of the Scorch Release from Sunagakure, as well as the intelligence he had gathered from her. Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn''t help but sigh. "I didn''t expect such a thing to happen." "It seems Sunagakure has made quite a significant sacrifice to secure an alliance with Kirigakure. They must be extremely determined!" After reflecting on the situation, Hiruzen asked, "Shichi, what do you think Sunagakure and Kirigakure will do next?" Shichi pondered and replied, "They''ll likely suspect it was us who intervened. While this might dy their alliance, it won''t stop it." "Additionally, even if they''re unsure whether Pakura is alive or dead, they''ll probably alter their original ns." "My take is that regarding the Land of Rivers, Sunagakure and Kirigakure will try to bypass us and make a direct strike into the Land of Fire, avoiding our surveince as much as possible." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slowly. "That does seem highly usible." "So, what do you n to do with Pakura?" Shichi responded, "For now, I''ll keep her working under me, but I won''t officially register her as part of Konoha''s forces to avoid giving Sunagakure any excuses." "Pakura is very powerful, and if ites to fighting the Mist, she''ll be a valuable asset." Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed that this was the best course of action for the time being. "Very well, I''ll leave her in your hands then." --- After leaving the Hokage''s office, Shichi stretched his armszily. Tomorrow, the Hokage''s office would officially announce his promotion to jnin, making him the youngest jnin in Konoha''s history! "First, I should head over to Konoha Hospital..." Shichi made his way to Konoha Hospital, where he wandered around, visiting Yakushi Non, Shizune, and others before heading out. Once he returned home and freshened up, Shichi went straight to his bedroom for a much-needed sleep. He hadn''t slept well in a while. When he woke up, it was already around three in the afternoon. Shichi headed out to stroll through the vige, stopping to buy some underwear for Pakura, along with several ck, backless outfits of different styles to suit her figure. With such a beautiful back, it deserved to be properly appreciated. ... After buying the clothes, Shichi returned to the Land of Rivers. When he dispelled his Shadow Clone and entered the cave, Pakura was sitting by the campfire, lost in thought. "Here, I bought you some clothes." Shichi ced the bag at Pakura''s feet. Startled, Pakura realized it was the real Shichi. "You... how are you back so quickly?" "Body Flicker Technique!" Shichi didn''t borate further. Pakura looked down and rummaged through the bag, growing more embarrassed. This guy, how could he know my size so well... "And everything''sce and backless... Does he have these kinds of tastes at such a young age?" Seeing Pakura''s expression, Shichi quickly exined, "Hey, I picked them out based on your style." Pakura turned her back to him. "Lord Shichi, I''m going to change." Shichi clicked his tongue and flickered out of the cave. Momentster, Pakura, now dressed in the new clothes, stepped outside the cave and was taken aback by the sight. "This is the southern part of the Land of Rivers, and... over there is the Mist Vige''s base?" Shichi nodded. "Exactly." Pakura looked at the boy, who was significantly shorter than her, and asked, "You''re far too bold. Kirigakure isn''t without sensor ninjas, you know!" Shichi chuckled lightly. "Don''t worry, it only looks close. It''s actually quite far." "Well? Do you feel like rushing over there?" Pakura scoffed, "I''m not foolish, nor am I blinded by hatred." That''s only because I saved your life! Shichi silently scoffed to himself. After a brief pause, Pakura asked, "So, what are your ns for me?" "Call me Lord Shichi!" Shichi corrected her again. Pakura clenched her teeth. "Lord Shichi, how do you n to handle me?" Shichi nodded in satisfaction. "Don''t worry, you won''t need to be one of Konoha''s people. You''re just my subordinate, and you''ll only follow my orders." "Once your wounds are fully healed, we''ll head back to the Land of Fire." "Before the Sand and Mist attack the Land of Fire, I''ll need you to go to the Daimyo''s mansion in the Land of Fire on my behalf." Pakura was startled. "The Land of Fire''s Daimyo, you..." Shichi smiled. "You guessed right. I''m a double agent for both the Daimyo and the Hokage." He handed Pakura the Yagakigami sword and continued, "This is the token." "Your mission is to secure material support from the Daimyo to help me establish an underground research base." Holding the Yagakigami sword, Pakura nodded. "Understood... Lord Shichi." --- In the blink of an eye, two days passed, and Pakura''s injuries had mostly healed. Shichi and Pakura left the Land of Rivers together. This time, he didn''t use the Flying Thunder God technique. By the second day, after they had entered the Land of Fire, Shichi handed Pakura a mask and a ck hooded robe, saying, "Let''s split up here." "I''ll find you in three days." Pakura nodded but hesitated for a moment before asking, "Aren''t you afraid I''ll run off?" Shichi confidently replied, "Without me, is there anyone in the ninja world who could treat you better than I do?" Of course, this was just a boast. His true confidence came from the Flying Thunder God seal. "Remember, you have to call me Lord Shichi!" Shichi emphasized once again. Pakura clenched her fists, feeling frustrated. This guy really knows how to ruin the mood. "Lord Shichi..." she said, reluctantly but obediently. Shichi nodded in approval. "Work hard. If you do well, there will be rewards." "And it won''t be something meaningless like the ''hero'' title the Fourth Kazekage gave you with no real benefit." With that, Shichi''s figure vanished. Pakura was silently fuming. That guy was clearly mocking me! Wait. Suddenly, her eyes narrowed. That Body Flicker Technique just now... was it the same as Konoha''s Yellow sh''s space-time ninjutsu? At such a young age... what a terrifying kid! But... being the subordinate of someone with such limitless potential doesn''t seem like a bad thing. Just hope this jerk doesn''t get himself killed too soon on the battlefield. I, Pakura of the Scorch Release, am not someone who forgets a debt of gratitude! With that thought, Pakura donned the mask and pulled up the hooded robe, then leaped toward the Daimyo''s mansion in the Land of Fire. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 135: A Pre-War Gift!

Chapter 135: Chapter 135: A Pre-War Gift!

In the Hokage''s office at the Leaf Vige. Shichi reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi about establishing a secret experimental base in coboration with the Daimyo. This was all part of the n. On the surface, the secret experimental base was for Shichi, acting as a spy, to steal Konoha''s research on tailed beasts and use it on subjects provided by the Daimyo. However, the sess of the experiments and whether the subjects would ultimately obey the Daimyo remained entirely within Shichi''s control. Naturally, Hiruzen Sarutobi was aware of all this. As a loyal subordinate, Shichi reported everything in a timely manner, as was expected. Hiruzen simply nodded, showing his acknowledgment. He trusted Shichipletely to handle this task. Then, Hiruzen spoke, "Shichi, the announcement of your promotion to Jnin has already been made. Go and collect your Jnin gear shortly." Shichi nodded, "Yes, Lord Hokage!" --- After leaving the Hokage''s office, every staff member he encountered smiled and greeted Shichi, or gave him respectful salutes. Their attitudes had shifted noticeably from before. When he stepped out of the Hokage Building, he saw four figures smiling at him. "Shichi!" It was Chihiro who called out, waving to him. The group consisted of Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Chihiro, Nara Satoshi, and Yamanaka Shinichi. No wonder Shichi hadn''t seen Shinnosuke inside the Hokage Building earlier. Shichi quickly walked over to them. "Shichi, congrattions on bing the youngest Jnin in Konoha''s history!" Nara Satoshi said with a smile. Yamanaka Shinichi chimed in, "Hey, since we all happen to be free today, how about we celebrate together?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke added, "The four of us are treating you today, Shichi. You can eat as much as you want!" Shichi grinned and said fiercely, "Then I won''t hold back today. I''m going to make sure to empty your wallets!" The group burst intoughter. --- Meanwhile, at Orochimaru''s experimental base. Danzo, having returned from the Land of Rain, watched as Orochimaru slowly busied himself with his work and said, "The war with the Sand and Mist is now inevitable. This time, themander for thebined Sand and Mist forces will be Koharu, but I''ve already discussed it with her. You will be leading the troops in the field." "As long as you win this war, I, along with Homura and Koharu, will support you as the next Hokage. There will be no obstacles." Orochimaru smiled. "Thank you very much, Danzo-sama." "But I imagine the Third Hokage won''t be stepping down anytime soon." Danzo replied sternly, "You don''t need to concern yourself with that." "With Hiruzen''s current weak policies, it''s only a matter of time before he makes a mistake." Orochimaru nodded, refraining from saying more. He was fully aware of Danzo''s immense ambition in supporting him to be Hokage, but Orochimaru was confident that once he became Hokage, he wouldn''t be under Danzo''s control. Still, people can sometimes be blindly overconfident! Orochimaru chuckled to himself. At that moment, Danzo asked, "How is the tailed beast researching along?" "Are we ready to proceed with human trials?" Orochimaru looked up. "Is Lord Danzo growing impatient?" "The power of the tailed beasts is no less than that of Hashirama''s cells." Danzo''s voice lowered, "With the Great War looming, now is when we need strength the most." "Besides, if Shichi can endure it, others can too." "If ites down to a contest of willpower, I''m certain that the ninja trained in Root would surpass Shichi Hoshita." Orochimaru, however, didn''t share that sentiment. If Root''s ninjas couldpare to Shichi, then it wouldn''t be him, but one of them who had be a Jnin before the age of 12. Still... Orochimaru considered for a moment and then nodded, "We can start with two test subjects. We have enough Four-Tails tissue ready." Danzo nodded in satisfaction. "I''ll send them over tomorrow." ... After the meal with Shinnosuke and the others, Shichi made his way to Konoha Hospital. However, just as he reached the entrance, he was suddenly grabbed by Might Guy. "Shichi,e with me quickly!" "Huh? What''s going on?" Confused, Shichi was dragged by Guy to another location. Pop! Colorful streamers rained down from above, and then Shizune, Kurenai Yuhi, Rin Nohara, Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, Ebisu, and others appeared one after another. "Shichi, congrattions on bing a Jnin!" Shizune handed him a bouquet of flowers. Shichi took the bouquet and smiled at everyone, "Thank you all, this is a wonderful surprise!" Ebisu, wearing his signature sunsses, said, "Shichi, you''re the first of our generation to be a Jnin. No one is likely to break your age record either!" Shichi looked over at Kakashi with a smile, "Kakashi might still have a chance." After all, Kakashi was younger than him by a bit, and he was less than a month away from turning 12. Kakashi shook his head, "The mission requirements for Jnin are too high; it''s hard toplete them in such a short time." Kurenai Yuhiughed, "No matter what, Kakashi, it''s only a matter of time before you be a Jnin too." "But today, let''s celebrate Shichi! Here, Shichi, this is my gift to you." Shichi quickly took the gift. "Thank you!" One by one, the others also presented their gifts. Shichi opened each gift on the spot, thanking them one by one. Rin Nohara gave a handmade medical kit, Kakashi offered notes on Lightning Release, Ebisu gifted his signature sunsses, Genma Shiranui gave custom senbon, Aoba Yamashiro presented homemade raven feed, and Obito Uchiha gifted a pair of goggles identical to his own. The most outrageous gift came from Might Guya green spandex suit, exactly like the one he was wearing. Shizune''s gift was a custom white scarf with a golden fire lotus design, which Shichi immediately asked her to tie around his neck. "Since everyone''s here, how about we all grab dinner togetherter tonight?" "For now, how about we find a snack shop?" Shichi suggested with a smile. Kurenai was the first to agree, and no one else objected, so the group moved to a nearby snack shop, eating and chatting. Before they knew it, the conversation turned to Sarutobi Asuma, who wasn''t present. Kurenai Yuhi expressed her concern, "Asuma is still at the Daimyo''s pce." Shizune immediately reassured her, "Being by the Daimyo''s side should make him safer, right?" Shichi smiled and said, "Don''t worry, Kurenai. Asuma is more than capable." "Plus, he''ll return to the vige eventually." Kurenai nodded. The conversation shifted again, and before they knew it, they were discussing the ongoing war between the Sand and the Mist. However, Uchiha Obito and the others didn''t seem to realize just how quickly the shadow of war was approaching them. --- Later that evening, after the meal, Shichi escorted Shizune home before heading to the experimental base. Tsunade was still busy working there. When she saw Shichi arrive, she briefly looked up and said, "Congrattions on bing a Jnin!" "A Jnin before the age of 12you''re the first one, huh." Shichi walked over to Tsunade and extended his right hand. Tsunade raised an eyebrow in confusion and looked up at him. Shichi smiled, "Since you''re congratting me, shouldn''t you be giving me a gift? Everyone else got me something." Tsunade turned around and looked at Shichi seriously, asking, "Is war about to break out?" Shichi nodded, "Yes, the Sand and Mist have already allied, and their next move will be to attack us." "Once the war begins, both the Stone and Cloud viges might get involved as well." Tsunade fell silent for a moment before unsping the ne around her neck and cing it on Shichi. "This was my grandfather''s... Don''t you dare die in the war, kid!" "A dead genius is useless!" Shichi was stunned. This ne... wasn''t it supposed to be cursed? What should he do now? But Tsunade had already gone back to her work. Shichi looked at her profile and then smiled. "Don''t forget, I know the Flying Thunder God Technique." Without lifting her head, Tsunade replied, "My granduncle knew that jutsu too." Shichi was instantly speechless. Damn it, did she have to be so harsh? Tsunade continued, "Anything can happen on the battlefield." "Don''t act impulsively. Don''t be carelessat any time!" "Don''t think your strength is enough to do whatever you want. You must have respect for war." Shichi grew serious and nodded, "Don''t worry, Tsunade. I''lle back safely. After all, our research isn''t finished yet." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 136: A New Squad, A Clash!

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: A New Squad, A sh!

After returning from the Land of Rivers, Shichi only rested for two days before getting busy again. His main task remained monitoring the Sand and Mist viges. On the surface, Sunagakure and Kirigakure appeared to be in a standoff, but behind the scenes, they were secretly plotting to invade the Land of Fire. Meanwhile, at the border of the Land of Wind and the Land of Birds, Sunagakure was locked in fiercebat with Iwagakure. Both sides had deployed their Jinchriki multiple times, allowing Shichi to continue studying the curse seal patterns on Shukaku, the One-Tail. From February to March, although Sunagakure managed to push the battle into the Land of Birds, they couldn''t advance any further. The war with Iwagakure had reached a stalemate. The intensity of the fighting between the two sides gradually lessened. As time moved into March, even the genin and chunin of Konoha could feel the change. Firstly, there was a significant increase in mission delegation. Missions that would typically not be given to chunin squads were now being assigned to them. Some ninja were given leave, while others were overwhelmed with a flood of tasks. Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, and their peers were among those extremely busy. Shichi quietly celebrated his 12th birthday in this increasingly tense atmosphere. Konoha Year 45, March 24th After returning to the vige from the Land of Rivers, Shichi went to the Hokage''s office. Once Shichi had finished his report, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Shichi, you no longer need to monitor the war between Iwagakure and Sunagakure. Root will take over that task." "From now on, you will leave the Anbu and serve as a Jnin squad leader." "Shichi, do you have any thoughts on the members of your squad?" Shichi thought for a moment and boldly replied, "Hokage-sama, I would like to have Uchiha Shisui, along with Asuka, and I''d like Pakura to be included as an auxiliary member." "Uchiha Shisui, huh..." Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly nodded. "No problem." "Shisui will report to you tomorrow." "Your next mission will be to monitor the Sunagakure-Kirigakure alliance and report their movements to the front lines in real time!" Shichi stood straight and responded, "Understood!" --- After leaving the Hokage''s building, Shichi returned home, removed his gear, and enjoyed a rxing bath. Only after that did he use the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport to the Daimyo''s mansion, where Pakura was overseeing the construction of the secretb. Pakura, already ustomed to his sudden appearances, asked, "Lord Shichi, is there something you need at this hour?" Shichi nodded. "Starting tomorrow, I will be leading a squad. You will be one of our auxiliary members." Beneath her mask, Pakura''s eyes sharpened. "Is the war about to start?" "It''sing soon." Shichi replied, "Leave theb to the Daimyo''s people for now. Head to the Land of Rivers and wait for me there." Pakura nodded slightly, "Understood, Lord Shichi." After giving his instructions to Pakura, Shichi didn''t linger and immediately returned to Konoha. --- The next morning. After finishing his early training, Shichi arrived at his home''s entrance, only to find Uchiha Shisui fully geared and waiting. "Shisui, you''re way too early!" Shichi greeted him with a smile. "Captain!" Shisui first saluted, then smiled, "It''s my first time meeting my new superior. Naturally, I wanted to be early to avoid leaving a bad impression." Shichi chuckled and invited him, "How about joining me for breakfast?" Shisui smiled back, "I''ve already eaten. I''ll wait for you at the vige gate." Shichi nodded, not pressing the matter. "Alright, that works." With a wave, Shisui smiled and turned to leave. Half an hourter, Non Yakushi watched as Shichi and Asuka departed, her heart heavy with concern, before heading towards Konoha Hospital. ... After meeting up with Uchiha Shisui at the vige gate, the three of themShichi, Shisui, and Asukaset out from the vige, heading straight toward the Land of Rivers. Along the way, Shichi and Shisui exchanged insights on genjutsu, with Asuka asionally chiming in, and they quickly grew familiar with one another. Due to the habits he developed in the Anbu, Shichi moved quickly, only resting for half an hour before they reached the border of the Land of Rivers by noon, where they met up with Pakura. Upon seeing Pakura, Asuka couldn''t help but scrutinize the well-built woman repeatedly. Shisui, on the other hand, merely gave her a nce before politely averting his gaze. Shichi introduced her, "This is Scorch. She specializes in Scorch Release." Shisui immediately smiled and introduced himself, "Hello, I''m Uchiha Shisui! I specialize in the Body Flicker Technique and genjutsu." Although he had already guessed her identity, Shisui didn''t ask any questions, despite his curiosity. Asuka followed with a smile, "Hello, I''m Asuka. I specialize in sealing techniques, medical ninjutsu, and sensory ninjutsu." Pakura, from behind her mask, nodded without speaking. Shichi had already said what needed to be said and had even given her a codename on his own. What a domineering superior! After introductions, Shichi exined, "Our mission is to monitor the forces of Kirigakure and Sunagakure. Reliable intel confirms that the two viges have formed an alliance and n to jointly invade the Land of Fire." Asuka couldn''t hide her surprise, "Weren''t they fighting fiercely justst year?" Shichi chuckled, "Their fighting was due to conflicting interests, and now they''ve allied for the same reasoninterests. Collective interests and individual interests are not the same." He nced briefly at Pakura beside him before continuing, "Since we''re on the front lines, we must be extra cautious." "Moreover, before they mobilize, they will likely send elite squads to target and harass our ninja teams in the Land of Rivers, hoping to prevent us from rying timely intelligence." "If they seed, it will allow them to advance rapidly and catch us off guard, despite us knowing they are preparing to strike." Shisui nodded thoughtfully, "In both individual battles between ninja andrge-scale warfare, intelligence is of utmost importance." "The Land of Fire''s border is too vast; we can''t spread our forces thin across the entire front. Doing so would leave gaps for them to easily exploit." "This is where intelligence bes crucial." The border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers is long, and on the surface, the forces of Sunagakure and Kirigakure appear to be confronting each other in the southern part of the Land of Rivers. Logically, their best route to invade the Land of Fire would be from the southern border, as it''s the shortest distance. That''s also why it''s one of the primary defensive focuses of Konoha, a direction they must defend. Shichi nodded and then asked, "Shisui, how do you think they will attack?" After a moment of thought, Shisui replied, "I don''t think they''ll focus on a single direction." "Even though they''ve allied, they''ve fought against each other before, so I suspect they will split into two separate forces." "Kirigakure will likely take the most direct route, attacking from the south, where the terrain''s moisture benefits their Water Release users." "As for the Sand ninja, their attack will be harder to predict. They''ll likely look for a weak point in our defenses and strike through the Land of Rivers with a surprise assault." Asuka, still puzzled, asked, "Even though the Mist and Sand ninja might not work well together, wouldn''t they still have a huge advantage if they attacked the same direction at once?" "After all, we can''t concentrate all our forces in the south, which would give them a significant advantage in the short term." Shisui smiled gently and replied, "That''s a possibility, but there''s one major issue:mand." "They don''t answer to the same leaders. Once the battle starts and the field bes chaotic, every ninja will be on high alert, and they won''t easily entrust their backs to someone they don''t trust." "As Shichi said, collective and individual wills differ. Although the Mist and Sand ninja have allied, there''s still hatred between them on a personal level." "In such a short time, they won''t be able to fully trust one another." Asuka gave him a thumbs-up in admiration, "Impressive!" Shisui smiled warmly and looked toward Shichi. Shichi added, "I agree with Shisui''s analysis." "Additionally, there''s the issue of distributing the spoils." "Before they attack, the Mist and Sand ninja will likely have already negotiated how to divide their gains, at least in the Land of Rivers. And clearly, the southern part of the Land of Rivers is more suitable for Kirigakure." Hearing this, Shisui and the others nodded in agreement. Shichi continued, "Monitoring the movements of the Kirigakure and Sunagakure forces is straightforward for me." "The real challenge lies in the intelligence war before they make their move." "The Land of Rivers has a narrow, elongated shape. Even though I''m fast, I can''t intercept all of their elite squads." "Of course, the four of us can''t handle that alone. We''re merely the first line of defense." "We''ll intercept some of their forces and send intel to the rear as quickly as possible. The forces behind us will handle the rest, making it difficult for the enemy to infiltrate our lines and gather urate intel." The team nodded in unison. Shichi then gave his orders, "We''ll split into two groups: Group AShisui and Scorch, you''ll handle the Mist ninja." "Group BAsuka and I will focus on the Sand ninja." The three of them responded together, "Understood!" Shichi then created two shadow clones, which transformed into eagles and soared into the sky. "I''ll ry the movements of the Mist and Sand forces in advance." Shisui silently admired Shichi''s transformation technique and then summoned a flock of crows with a hand sign, saying, "I can also assist in monitoring the enemy." Shichi nodded, "Then, Shisui, you''ll handle the Mist ninja." Shisui nodded in return, and the crows flew into the sky. The surveince mission had officially begun. For Shichi, simply observing was rtively easy. His shadow clones transformed into different bird speciesespecially eagles, whose sharp eyes allowed them to clearly see the Mist and Sand camps from high altitudes. ... Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Upon returning to Konoha, Shichi received news that the Sand ninja hadunched anotherrge-scale counterattack against the Stone ninja. However, as soon as he returned to the Land of Rivers, Asuka''s voice reached him: "Shichi, the Sand and Mist ninja are making a move!" "Oh?" Shichi followed Asuka''s gesture and looked up into the sky. It turned out that Sunagakure and Kirigakure had released flying ninja beasts to scatter the birds. "It seems we''ve been discoveredor are about to be," Shichi chuckled. His shadow clones, often transformed into birds, frequently led flocks of birds in the sky. Asuka quickly asked, "Shichi, does this mean they''re about to mobilize?" Shichi nodded, then smiled, "Well, let''s give them something to worry about first!" A battle erupted in the skies. Naturally, the flying ninja beasts from Sunagakure and Kirigakure were no match for the ones Shichi''s shadow clones had transformed into. For others, this might be a challenge, but Shichi didn''t need to perform hand seals to use ninjutsu. Even with ws instead of hands, hisbat ability wasn''t affected at all. Meanwhile, in the forest, standing on a high branch near the treetops, Uchiha Shisui watched the airborne ninja beast battle with a smile. "As expected of Shichi!" Not far away, Pakura was also observing, thinking to herself, No one would ever suspect that the flying ninja beasts are actually him in disguise, right? The fact that a ninja could transform into a bird and fly was already impressive and absurd enough, but to still be able to use ninjutsu in that formit was almost inhuman. If he can use ninjutsu in this form, it means he doesn''t need hand seals at all, Pakura thought. She remembered the battle years ago between Shichi''s shadow clone and the Third Kazekage''s shadow clone. Back then, Shichi still needed hand seals. So, he''s been hiding his true strength? ... At that moment, both the Mist and Sand ninja were dumbfounded as they watched their own flying ninja beasts fall from the sky. They had expected that some of the birds might belong to other viges, likely Konoha''s ninja beasts, which was the whole reason they had released their own flying beasts. But they never imagined that their opponent would be this formidable. "Dammit, it can even use Wind Release ninjutsu!" "When did Konoha get such powerful flying ninja beasts? I''ve never heard of this before!" "Quick, report to Lady Chiyo!" ... Despite this initial setback, the Mist and Sand ninja were not deterred. After all, flying ninja beasts weren''t invincible, and shadow clones could easily deceive them. Moreover, the dense forest terrain would also obstruct the view of the flying beasts. So, just half an hourter, Shichi''s shadow clones spotted Mist and Sand ninja squads beginning to mobilize. The Mist ninja were heading toward Shisui and his team, while the Sand ninja squad moved northward. After receiving this information from his clones, Shichi immediately sent a shadow clone to notify Shisui and Pakura, while he himself led Asuka north. ... "Captain, that ninja beast is still following us?" Hearing his subordinate''s voice, Madai looked up and thenmanded, "Use the Clone Technique!" The three squads quickly performed the Clone Technique, creating non-physical clones to try and confuse the flying ninja beast overhead. But they soon realized that it didn''t work at allthe beast still locked onto their real bodies with precision. "Damn it! If only we could bring that beast down!" a Sand ninja cursed aloud. Madai, however, remained calm. "Enter the forest!" The three Sand ninja squads immediately changed direction and dove into the woods. But the eagle flying above them now had its eyes zing with blue mes. Thermal vision! It continued to track them without fail. Seeing that they still couldn''t shake it off, Madai sighed in frustration, "What an incredible ninja beast!" "Use physical clones!" The Sand ninja squads quickly performed hand seals and created different types of clonesshadow clones, earth clones, and water clones. However, they soon realized that the flying ninja beast was still locked onto their real bodies. This sent chills down the spines of several Sand ninja. Madai ordered, "Ignore it." "Let it follow us. It''s perfectthis way, we''re keeping it distracted." Using physical clones to gather intelligence and infiltrate was one of the mostmon tactics anyway. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 137: The Enemy That Must Be Defeated!

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: The Enemy That Must Be Defeated!

In the forest, Madai led three squads forward at high speed. Their mission was to scout the defenses along Konoha''s borders to determine the direction of their attack. Whether this mission was carried out by clones or by their real bodies didn''t make much difference. Thus, even though a flying ninja beast was monitoring them from above, they paid little attention to it. This situation was actually ideal, as it could draw Konoha''s forces toward them while their clonespleted the mission unnoticed. So, regardless of which side was being watched by the enemy, it worked in their favor for now. "Captain, there are two people up ahead!" Suddenly, a sensory ninja spoke up. "Only two?" Madai quickly asked. The sensory ninja nodded. "I can only detect two different chakra signatures!" "Could it be that the ninja beast has just coincidentally locked onto our real bodies?" Madai wondered aloud. "Prepare for battle. Make it quick!" The Sand ninja responded in unison, "Understood!" Kunai in hand and ninja des drawn, they advanced with murderous intent. Soon, two figures appeared in the distance. Madai''s pupils suddenly dted, and his heart raced. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. "It''s that guy..." "We''re in big trouble!" He quickly ordered, "Stop!" The squads halted, and the others looked at Madai in confusion. With a grave expression, Madai warned, "Everyone, be cautious. That kid across from us is no ordinary opponent." "That guy once fought against the Third Kazekage and didn''t lose." The Sand ninja were immediately stunned upon hearing this, and they quickly realized who the figure ahead was. "Isn''t that the Konoha genius, Shichi Hoshita, who has a bounty on his head?" "No wonder he dares to intercept all three of our squads with just two people!" "But Madai, weren''t those battles with shadow clones back then?" one Sand jonin asked. Madai nodded. "True, but you should understand what that implies." "Plus, both the Fourth Kazekage and Pakura are wary of him." ... Seeing the Sand ninja halt, Shichi smiled. "Didn''t expect to run into old acquaintances." "Out of respect for our past dealings, why don''t you surrender?" A Sand jonin snorted in response. "What an arrogant brat. While I acknowledge your strength, making such a bold statement is a bit too much!" As soon as he finished speaking, the jonin threw a kunai, with an explosive tag attached. What intrigued Shichi the most, however, was that the jonin raised one hand vertically while his other hand formed a one-handed seal. A Sand ninja who can perform one-handed seals? Shichi was surprised but quickly remembered that Sunagakure''s average skill level was reputed to be the highest among the Five Great Shinobi Viges. Sunagakure had always followed the path of elite ninjas! Boom! The explosive tag detonated, shattering the kunai into pieces, which were set aze by the explosion. It was clear that the kunai was specially crafted, as ordinary ones wouldn''t have shattered so easily. At the same time, the Sand joninpleted his ninjutsu and exhaled, unleashing a fierce gust of wind. The wind fed the mes, creating a roaring firestorm that, along with the shards of kunai, swept toward Shichi and Asuka. Impressive ninjutsu! Shichi silently praised the attack before raising his right palm, facing it outward. Boom! A water pir surged from the ground in front of him, forming a powerful stream that collided with the oing firestorm. Rumble! A massive explosion followed, and thick steam billowed out in all directions. Shichi then clenched his fist, and zing white fireballs appeared in the air. They tore through the steam, hurtling toward the Sand ninja. "Iing!" Madai shouted. The three prepared Sand ninja immediately released Wind Release ninjutsu. But before their jutsu could fully form, Shichi exhaled, sending out a violent gust of wind that caused the fireballs to explode, expanding into a fierce white firestorm. The three Sand ninja''s Wind Release jutsu were quickly overwhelmed, and they were swallowed by the mes. Two of the jonin, excluding Madai, quickly moved into position to counter with their own Wind Release jutsu. Rumble! The intense sh of wind created a terrifying roar, and the mes shot out to both sides, setting the forest aze wherever they touched. "He''sing!" "So fast!" The sensory ninja quickly called out the warning. Madai''s eyes narrowed as he saw a streak of blue light rushing towards him. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth and exhaled. Wind Release: Thousand Faces Wind! A fierce storm of wind des mixed with the gale, enveloping the approaching Shichi Hoshita. At this moment, Shichi, who was in his Fire Release Chakra Mode, drew his Totsuka de. The moment the de left its sheath, a sharp blue light shot out, slicing the Thousand Faces Wind in half, creating a clear path through the storm. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Numerous shurikens wereunched towards Shichi, but just as the Sand ninja were about to unleash more jutsu, blue mes suddenly ignited on their bodies. Some screamed in agony, while others quickly dispelled the mes using Wind Release techniques. What surprised Shichi the most was that his old acquaintance, Madai, sensed the danger at thest moment and used the Body Flicker Technique to evade, causing Shichi''s me-based jutsu to miss. However, with the shurikens dodged, there was nothing left to obstruct Shichi''s path. The fastest-reacting jonin charged forward, drawing his de, which buzzed with Wind Release chakra. In an instant, the two figures crossed paths. There was no sound of shing metal. The intense heat surrounding Shichi distorted the light,bined with his high-speed movement, creating afterimages that caused the Sand jonin to miscalcte. His de hit nothing but air. Boom! Shichi''s left hand seized the jonin''s neck, mming him into the scorched ground. The ground cracked and sank, and the jonin''s agonized screams turned into muffled groans. At that moment, two more Sand ninja rushed forward. Shichi swung his left arm, hurling the burned jonin toward the oing ninjas. "Watch out!" one of them warned, catching hisrade while the other swung his sword, releasing a flurry of wind des toward Shichi. However, Shichi''s figure disappeared from his sight. A momentter, screams erupted from behind. The Sand ninja looked back in shock to find both of hispanions already down. Shichi didn''t bother with the remaining Sand ninja behind him, nor did he concern himself with the two who had bypassed him to target Asuka. His figure moved at lightning speed, heading straight for Madai. Madai was the only one left unscathed among the Sand ninja. At this moment, Madai stood in front of his burnedrades, forming hand seals as he shouted, "Retreat now!" Shichi''s mes were terrifying. In such a short time, they had inflicted severe burns. The remaining Sand ninja gritted their teeth through the pain and retreated, while Madaipleted his jutsu, exhaling a violent storm. Having witnessed Shichi''s techniques, Madai knew he couldn''t afford to engage in closebat. Meanwhile, the Sand ninja behind Shichi alsopleted his own jutsu, creating a two-pronged windstorm attack from the front and back. Rumble! However, the Shichi caught in the storm exploded into a puff of smoke. A clone! Where is the real one? Madai was shocked and immediately searched for Shichi''s location. Just then, hisrade opposite him let out a groan, and his body was pulled into the ground, leaving only his head above the surface. Shichi, who had deactivated his Fire Release Chakra Mode, emerged from the ground, electricity crackling across his body. Lightning Release: Earth Walk! As hisrade screamed in pain, watching the fast-approaching electric current, and with two others already bound by chains in the distance, Madai had no choice but to retreat. Shichi, who had activated his Chidori Body Flicker Technique, moved at lightning speed, resembling a flickering bolt of electricity. Simultaneously, blue sword lights shot out in all directions. Boom! Boom! Trees toppled one after another. Madai dodged frantically, unable to even form a jutsu to stop Shichi''s advance. He couldn''t afford a singlepse in concentration, as failure toplete his jutsu in time would result in him being sliced apart by Shichi''s deadly sword light. "This guy is far stronger than when he fought the Third Kazekage," Madai thought, cold sweat running down his back. He had a sinking feelingtoday, he wouldn''t make it out alive. "Forgive me, Maki..." His daughter''s face shed through his mind, and Madai''s eyes suddenly steeled with resolve. He stopped retreating, drew a kunai, and charged toward Shichi. He couldn''t run any longer. If he kept retreating, therades who had escaped earlier would surely die. Seeing Madai charge at him, Shichi raised an eyebrow slightly: Trading injury for injury, or life for life? Instead of indulging Madai''s desperate charge, Shichi suddenly inhaled and exhaled sharply, firingpressed air bullets. Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere! The attack came so unexpectedly that, despite Madai''s quick reflexes, he couldn''t avoid being hit. The Sphere tore through his left arm. Although not fatal, the injury was quickly followed by several razor-sharp air currents. Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves! Madai, lying on the ground, scrambled to his feet. Whoosh! Whoosh! The ground was carved with deep gashes, and Madai let out a pained scream as his left leg was sliced in two. Lying on the ground, Madai used his head to support himself, swiftly forming hand seals. But Shichi had already stopped in his tracks. Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld! A swirling mire appeared beneath Madai, slowly swallowing him up. Originally, Madai had nned to use a final deadly strike when Shichi approached, but he was now forced to twist his body and unleash hisst attack. Wind Release: Great Cast Net! Sharp,-like winds burst forth. But Shichi raised wall after wall of earth in front of him, one after another, deflecting the of wind. He then leaped onto the walls and gazed at Madai, whose body had been almost entirely consumed by the swamp, leaving only his eyes visible. "A shame you''re an enemy," Shichi said. The swamp engulfed Madai, and Shichi vanished from sight. ... Next to Asuka, Shichi reappeared, turning his gaze toward the two Sand ninja who were bound by Adamantine Sealing Chains. Asuka asked, "Shichi, what should we do with them?" Shichi created a shadow clone and said, "Have the clone escort them to the rear. We''ll keep pursuing the remaining Sand ninja." Asuka nodded, handed the prisoners over to the clone, and then set off with Shichi to continue their hunt for the fleeing Sand ninja. ... In the forest, a few burned Sand ninjas were still fleeing. Suddenly, one of the Sand ninja, a sensory type, nced back and gritted his teeth, shouting, "They''re catching up!" Behind them, blue shes of lightning asionally lit up. They''re too fast! "You guys go ahead, I''ll stay behind to cover our retreat!" One of the Sand ninja suddenly halted. Another immediately stopped as well. "We''ll do this together!" "No, it''s not your turn yet!" ... Five Sand ninja continued their retreat, with one staying behind to cover them. However, the one who stayed behind couldn''t even dy Shichi for a second. Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique! Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death! Two genjutsu were cast simultaneously from a distance. Shichi followed up with a sh, and thebined Fire and Wind Release-enhanced de effortlessly cut the still-ensnared Sand ninja in half. One after another, the Sand ninja stayed behind to cover theirrades, and one by one, they were forever left in the forest. Under such sacrifice, the sensory ninja finally managed to break out of the forest and dashed into the river, gliding swiftly across its surface. He was, after all, a Sand ninja proficient in Water Release! On the riverbank, Shichi stopped and chose not to pursue further. It''s important to let the Sand ninja know that Shichi is here! Meanwhile... On the other side, Uchiha Shisui wiped the neck of thest Mist ninja and then turned his gaze toward where Pakura was. Boom! Explosions echoed, and mes surged into the sky. Uchiha Shisui''s figure flickered, and momentster, he arrived at the battlefield. What he saw were withered trees and the corpses of desated enemies. "So this is Scorch Release... truly terrifying," Uchiha Shisui thought in shock. In the center of the battlefield, Pakura, panting slightly, turned around and asked, "Are you finished on your side?" Uchiha Shisui nodded and then gently advised, "It''s best not to use chakra-draining techniques too often. The Mist will likely send more elite squads soon." Pakura hesitated for a moment, then sincerely thanked him, "Thanks for the reminder. I''ll be careful." ... Sand Ninja Frontline Base. Upon receiving the news, Chiyo rushed to the medical camp as fast as she could, where she saw her subordinate wrapped up like a mummy, only his eyes visible. "How is he?" Chiyo asked the nearby medical ninja. The medic''s expression was grave. "Lady Chiyo, 80% of his skin has suffered severe burns. He probably won''t be able to expose his skin to the air ever again." Chiyo''s face darkened. "Was he the only one who made it back?" Jonin Feilian responded with a grim look, "Madai was covering the rear. Originally, there were five of them, but the enemy caught up... it seems he really was the only one to return." "That guy," Feilian added, "Ysha said it''s the same Konoha genius, Shichi Hoshita, who once fought the Third Kazekage." (T/N: Ysha is the name of that man that Shichi did not kill.) "They were only two peopleno, just one, really. Ysha said only Shichi made a move." Chiyo was astonished. "Just one man nearly wiped out three of our elite squads?" "Even with someone like Madai, an elite jonin among them!" Feilian nodded. "Though it''s hard to believe, Ysha has no reason to lie." "Lady Chiyo, ording to Ysha, this Shichi is an extremely dangerous individual, much like Konoha''s White Fang in the past. If we don''t eliminate him, we won''t be able to safely gather intel on Konoha''s positions near the Fire Country''s border." Chiyo nodded. "Only two of them... it seems the Third Hokage has great trust in his abilities." "Then we''ll need to increase our forces." "No matter how powerful two people are, they can''t cover the entire Land of Rivers." "Userge-scale forces to protect our elite squads during infiltration. If Shichi doesn''t retreat, we''ll ensure he never leaves." Feilian nodded immediately. "Understood, I''ll lead the team personally!" ... Neither the Mist nor the Sand ninja kept Shichi and his team waiting for long. In just one hour, both sides sent out reinforcements, with numbers reaching over a hundred. Behind theserge forces were elite infiltration squads. Shichi, monitoring from the sky, observed everything. Boom! A hawk exploded into a puff of smoke, while another flew into the forest,nding in front of Uchiha Shisui and Pakura before reverting to human form. "The Mist are mobilizing inrge numbers!" Shichi quickly reported. "There''s a hundred-strong force ahead, sent specifically to deal with us." "Behind them are four squads, likely responsible for infiltration." Uchiha Shisui and Pakura''s expressions immediately became grave. Shichi continued, "Shisui, Scorch, you two fall back and ry this intel to the rear. Prepare to ambush the Mist''s infiltration squads." "As for that hundred-strong unit, I can hold off a portion of them temporarily. The rest will likely split off to protect the infiltration squads and engage with you." Uchiha Shisui and Pakura both nodded in agreement. Shisui then asked, "Have the Sand ninja sent out a simr number of troops?" Shichi nodded. "A simr configuration. Don''t worry, the strategy this time is to interceptyer byyer, gradually wearing down their forces." "Understood!" With that, Uchiha Shisui and Pakura retreated immediately. Shichi watched them leave, then transformed into his Four-Tails form to begin recovering his chakra. His shadow clone would need to stall the Mist for quite some time. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 138: Warm-up Over, Blaze Release!

Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Warm-up Over, ze Release!

In the forest, Shichi Hoshita, who had been resting, opened his eyes. "As expected, they''ve dispatched arge number of shinobi." "Looking at this setup, you''d think they''re preparing for a massive assault!" Shichi stood up and called out to Asuka, who was on guard not far away, "Asuka, get ready to retreat!" "Huh?" Asuka was startled for a moment, then asked, "Did the Sand Shinobi mobilize inrge numbers?" Shichi nodded. "More than a hundred." "You and I will retreat separately, with a clone of mine taking the intel back. Have the others prepare to intercept the Sand infiltration squad." Asuka was shocked. "Shichi, are you going to face over a hundred Sand shinobi alone?" Shichi shook his head. "Of course not." "I''m just buying some time. Don''t forget, I can teleport to you with the Flying Thunder God anytime!" Realizing her earlier concern, Asuka nodded in agreement. Shichi immediately created a shadow clone to escort Asuka away. He then resumed his Four-Tails transformation to absorb natural energy and recover his stamina. Once replenished, he continued producing clones. A shadow clone, a lightning clone, an earth clone, and a water clone. The shadow clone transformed into a hawk to monitor the Sand shinobi, while the other three clones took flight, turning into various birds that dispersed into the surrounding forest. After setting everything up, Shichi quietly waited. Half an hourter, an eagle''s cry echoed from the sky. "They''re here!" Shichi''s eyes sharpened, and in the next instant, his figure disappeared. Momentster, at the forest''s edge, Shichi reappeared atop a tree. Outside, the Sand shinobi''s hundred-strong unit had alsoe to a halt. Seeing them, Shichi smirked. "A hundred shinobi... isn''t really that many." Across from him, seeing Shichi alone and still able to smile, Feilian, one of the Sand leaders, couldn''t help but frown. "Is this kid insane?" "No matter. We''ll clear this obstacle first!" With a wave of his hand, Feilian signaled. Immediately, ten Sand shinobi leaped forward, forming hand seals in unison. "Wind Release: Great Cast Net!" Rumble! A storm surged forward, creating a massive wind capable of shredding trees and bodies alike. With one jonin and nine chunin working together, the scale of the jutsu was terrifying. Feilian was confident that Shichi had no choice but to retreat. There was no way one person could block such a powerful Wind Release, even with fire techniquesbined. As the ten Sand shinobiunched their jutsu, two more teams nked from the sides to close in. However, standing on the branch, Shichi watched calmly. He didn''t move until the wind technique was right in front of himthen his figure vanished in an instant. The tree he had stood on was immediately shredded into pieces. "What?!" Feilian and many of the Sand shinobi were stunned. He dodged it? "Watch out, he''s above!" A sensor ninja in the group shouted a warning. The hawk that had been circling overhead, actually a transformed shadow clone, was now directly above the Sand shinobi. In the blink of an eye, Shichi teleported above them with the Flying Thunder God, diving headfirst towards them. Feilian looked up to see massive blue fireballs raining down and shouted, "Scatter!" Dozens of Sand shinobi hurriedly dispersed. Boom! A series of explosions erupted, sending plumes of dust and smoke rolling over the area, engulfing many of the scattered Sand shinobi. As he descended, Shichi flung his hands, releasing a barrage of Flying Thunder God kunai that rained down into the midst of the Sand forces, embedding themselves in the ground. As the dust from the explosions was swept away by Wind Release techniques, the sound of shuriken cutting through the air filled the battlefield. Numerous shuriken, some carrying explosive tags, wereunched towards Shichi. But just as quickly as he had appeared, Shichi vanished again. Feilian quickly realized something was wrong. This teleportation technique was just like the Yellow sh of the Leaf. "Be careful of his teleportation! Scatter, and stay away from those kunai!" Feilian shouted the warning, but it was already toote. Shichi''s figure appeared next to a Sand shinobi. The moment his Totsuka de was unsheathed, the enemy''s body was split in two. Zzzzz! Lightning crackled around his limbs, and the sharp sound of Chidori echoed through the battlefield. Shichi was cloaked in electricity, wielding the Yagakigami Sword, reimed from Pakura, in his left hand and the Totsuka de in his right. Both weapons were enveloped in a blue glow, the result of abined Fire-Wind Release, forming the Blue me Vacuum sh. This technique brought the searing heat of Fire Release and the devastating cutting power of Wind Release together. His figure flickered through the battlefield, sword and de dancing. In that moment, Shichi was like a blue butterfly gracefully weaving through the crowd, but his movements left behind only the sounds of horrific screams. Although the high temperature prevented blood from spraying, the battlefield was filled with the nauseating smell of burning flesh. "Damn it!" "This bastard!" "Kill him!" Watching theirrades fall one after another, the Sand shinobi were both terrified and enraged. Three of them rushed forward with swords in hand. But to Shichi, they moved too slowly. He easily cut down two of them before leaping into the air,nding with both feet on the shoulders of the third. With a crushing force, he broke the man''s legs underfoot. Just then, the sound of kunai cutting through the air came from behind him. A fiery lotus bloomed at Shichi''s feet as he shot upward, avoiding the attack. The Sand shinobi he had just stomped on exploded from the shoulders up, charred beyond recognition. As Shichi soared into the sky, evading kunaiced with explosive tags, a Wind Release jutsu swept toward him, attempting to trap him. His figure vanished again, reappearing near one of his Flying Thunder God kunai. However, the surrounding area was now clear of Sand shinobithey had all distanced themselves and even marked the kunai locations. The moment Shichi appeared, a barrage of shuriken flew toward him. Without hesitation, Shichi pulled the Flying Thunder God kunai from the ground and threw it. Just before being hit by the shuriken, he teleported again, reappearing next to a Sand shinobi. With his Totsuka de sheathed, Shichi grabbed the shinobi by the throat and hurled him into the crowd. An attack came from behind him once more. He vanished again, following the shinobi he had thrown, and appeared amidst the remaining Sand forces. Sword and de in hand, he shed through the group, severing limbs and spilling blood, as agonizing cries echoed all around. In a sh, several Sand shinobi were cut down. Boom! The roaring sound of air being torn apart came from all directions as Wind Release jutsu converged on him. Shichi quickly used the Flying Thunder God technique once more. This time, he reappeared in the sky next to the hawk formed by his shadow clone. As he descended, Shichi took a deep breath before releasing the Yin Seal at his forehead, activating the Strength of a Hundred technique. In an instant, a radiant blue light red from his forehead, rapidly spreading and enveloping his entire body. A massive amount of chakra surged forth, dark blue and translucent, covering his form like a divine robe with a high cor and lotus patterns. Bright blue mes flickered all around him. This was a new chakra mode born from the fusion of Yin Release and Fire Release, far more refined and tangible than his earlierbination of Fire and Wind Release. It allowed for greater control and mastery. This was no longer just a Fire Release Chakra Modethis was ze Release Chakra Mode! A fiery lotus bloomed beneath his feet, halting his descent, leaving Shichi hovering in midair, gazing down at the remaining Sand shinobi below. At that moment, Feilian looked at the field strewn with severed limbs and the expressions of fear and desperation on hisrades'' faces. The rage had vanished from their eyes, reced entirely by terror. Finally, he realized that Sunagakure had grossly underestimated this genius from Konoha. This man was even more terrifying than the Yellow sh of the Leaf! And at his age... was he even human? Or was he some kind of monster disguised as one? As an elite jonin of Sunagakure, even Feilian couldn''t help but entertain such thoughts. The remaining sixty or so Sand shinobi around them looked up at Shichi floating in the sky, their throats dry, instinctively swallowing in fear. At that moment, bathed in the distorted sunlight, Shichi appeared to them like the mythical god of fire. "This guy... he''s not human!" A Sand shinobi muttered, almost unconsciously. ... In the sky, with his sword and de already sheathed, Shichi looked down at the Sand shinobi and smiled. "That was just a warm-up. The real battle starts now." "So, are you ready?" "Of course, if youy down your weapons and surrender to me, this fight can end right here." ng! A Sand shinobi''s weapon suddenly hit the ground. Feilian immediately shouted, "Don''t listen to him!" "This guy only knows how to use space-time ninjutsu!" "No matter how powerful he is, his chakra is limited!" "If we work together, we can definitely defeat him!" Other Sand jonin began to echo his words. "Take him down! Avenge ourrades!" "Userge-scale Wind Release, don''t let him get close!" ... The Sand shinobi''s fighting spirit was returning. Shichi nodded with a smile. "Good!" This was the passion he was looking for! In the next moment, Shichi appeared beside a Flying Thunder God kunai embedded in the ground. Crack! The ground beneath his feet split open, five massive fissures rapidly extending outward, branching off like a tree growing new limbs, with blue mes illuminating the cracks from within. "Kill him!" "Attack together!" "This time, don''t let him escape!" The Sand shinobi roared, their spit flying as their faces twisted in rage. Shuriken and Wind Release jutsu surged toward Shichi, engulfing him. At that moment, it seemed like they didn''t notice Shichi making any moves to attack. They thought if they could take him out first, his attacks would be interrupted! Or... they''d settle for taking him down with them! ng! ng! The sound of chains echoed through the air as blue mes ignited. Dark blue chakra chains, burning with azure fire, shot out from Shichi''s back. The six Fire Nether Chains quickly formed a circr barrier, blocking all the iing attacks. Boom! Boom! Boom! From the cracks in the earth, pale blue fire pirs erupted. Some Sand shinobi, unable to evade, were instantly incinerated, reduced to nothing but skeletal remains that crumbled to the ground. Most strikingly, the mes at the perimeter formed a continuous wall of blue fire, like a high barrier, encircling all the Sand shinobi within. "Break through! Quickly!" Feilian spat out a barrage of wind des, slicing open a gap in the me wall. But before he could escape, the gap sealed itself almost instantly. Not far away, another Sand shinobi tried the same thing, but the mes engulfed him, turning him into a screaming human torch. Feilian then noticed something terrifyingon the me walls, on the pirs of fire, flower buds were starting to appear, blooming one after another. Since Wind Release hadn''t been infused into this attack, the blooming lotuses unleashed pure heat shockwaves. In an instant, the entire area enclosed by the fire wall became a chaotic, boiling mess. Time and space seemed to warp, and one by one, the Sand shinobi within were engulfed by the unbearable heat and the chaotic waves, exploding like fireworks. When the space inside could no longer contain the force, all the energy surged upward, forming a massive column of light, a hundred meters wide, shooting into the sky, piercing the clouds. It was visible even from dozens of miles away. Only then did the deafening roar of the explosion erupt, shaking the air! ze Release C Fire Prison Lotus! This time, Shichi had abandoned the method of channeling Fire Release chakra into the ground via his sword and de. And at the moment of the explosion, Shichi had already vanished from the center of the st, reappearing next to the hawk formed by his shadow clone high in the sky. At the same time... In the forest at the edge of the battlefield, White Zetsu''s face emerged from a tree trunk. Watching the blooming lotuses and the towering pir of light, he couldn''t help but voice his admiration, "Such beautiful ninjutsu... and such terrifying power!" "Ninjutsu like this is beyond what an ordinary shinobi can master, right?" "Is this guy really only 12 years old?" "I need to report this to Lord Madara as soon as possible. He''ll definitely be very interested." As White Zetsu''s face began to disappear, Shichi suddenly appeared in the forest, blue lotuses blooming all over his body. The lotuses exploded in waves, propelling him forward at high speed. Boom! Therge tree where White Zetsu had been hiding was destroyed with a single punch from Shichi. Crouching down, Shichi ced a finger on the ground and activated his Listening Technique. However, he found nothing. "Was it just my imagination?" Shichi muttered to himself, as if he was uncertain. In truth, he had clearly sensed White Zetsu''s presence, but he wasn''t using the Listening Techniquehe was using heat vision. The strange heat signatures had tipped him off, leading him to suspect White Zetsu and ck Zetsu. Unfortunately, the Flying Thunder God mark he had left in the forest was a bit too far away, and even with his speed pushed to the limit, he hadn''t been fast enough. But what Shichi didn''t know was that, deep underground, where White Zetsu had merged with the tree roots, he was trembling with fear. "This guy has terrifying instincts!" "Good thing I don''t sweat. Otherwise, I''d be drenched in cold sweat right now!" "I was only here to monitor that Uchiha genius, but it turns out there''s an unexpected prize." "With power like this, Lord Madara will definitely be interested!" With those thoughts, White Zetsu quickly began moving through the ground. ... Back at the Sunagakure base camp, Chiyo, just emerging from the medical tent, suddenly turned her head, her eyes locking onto the distant column of light piercing the sky. "That ce is..." Her expression shifted, a sense of dread welling up in her heart. Without hesitation, she hurried back to hermand post, dispatching three squads of shinobi to investigate. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 139: Unrivaled Below Kage-Level!

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Unrivaled Below Kage-Level!

Kirigakure Base Camp. The forty-somethingmander, Hozuki Shingetsu, stepped out of his tent after hearing themotion from his subordinates outside. He looked at the towering pir of light piercing the clouds in the distance, frowning. "It seems the Sand shinobi have encountered a powerful enemy. At this level, who could it be?" "Have the Sannin alle out?" "Or is it the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?" Hozuki Shingetsu nced in another direction. Fortunately, there were no major disturbances over there, which meant no significant enemies had been encountered. "It looks like Konoha is more wary of Sunagakure." Hozuki Shingetsu mused to himself, "It''s to be expected. The Third Hokage of Konoha isn''t a fool. He wouldn''t believe that our attack is focused on just this one front." "They probably see this as a feint." "All the better the more they underestimate us, the weaker their forces will be." ... On the Kirigakure front, deep in the thick forest. Blue electric light flickered, thunderous booms erupted asionally, and the air was filled with the sound of blood-curdling screams. Arge number of Kirigakure shinobi were pursuing Shichi, but one by one, they were being easily countered and killed by him using his extraordinary speed and formidable swordsmanship. Here, because it was a shadow clone, Shichi employed apletely different strategy from his real body. He only attacked once the Kirigakure forces had entered the forest, engaging in hit-and-run tactics, continuously wearing down their forces as he retreated through the dense trees. Boom! A torrent of water surged from behind, forcing Shichi tond and turn. A massive wall rose up in front of him, blocking the iing water flow. With a quick series of hand signs, Shichi spat out a high-speed water jet, instantly slicing two Kirigakure shinobi in half as they leapt over the wall. Ssh! The bodies of the two shinobi turned into water and copsed to the ground. From the swirling streams on either side, two more Kirigakure shinobi emerged, their hand signs alreadyplete. Tworge water dragons rose into the air and dove toward Shichi. p! Shichi brought his hands together, and the water vapor around him rapidly condensed, spinning at high speed. Two water dragons materialized, infused with the electricity coursing from his body. Water Release + Lightning Release: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet! Boom! The four water dragons collided, the water exploding in all directions, scattering electric sparks. The two Kirigakure shinobi who hadunched the attack immediately leaped backward, and the others standing in the trees hurled kunai wrapped in explosive tags. Before they could detonate, their bodies were suddenly engulfed in searing white mes. Fire Release C Firing Biscuit Jutsu. However, this wasn''t the first time Shichi had used this technique, and the Kirigakure shinobi quickly doused the mes with Water Release. But Shichi had already transformed into a streak of lightning, easily dodging the iing kunai. Two of the shinobi in the trees were just about to retreat when their bodies suddenly froze, eyes widening as they watched Shichi swiftly close in. With wind chakra flowing rapidly through his palms, Shichi swung his hands, and a fine line of blood erupted from the necks of the two Kirigakure shinobi. Shichi continued to flee, while the furious Kirigakure forces screamed and chased after him. Wind Release, Fire Release, Lightning Release, Water Release, Earth Release, and even GenjutsuShichi unleashed all the ninjutsu he had mastered, using them to their fullest potential in this battle. His incredible speed, terrifying reaction time, rapid execution of jutsu, and versatile abilities left the Kirigakure shinobi helpless, despite their overwhelming numbers. They simply couldn''t pin him down. And in this forest, Shichi also had the advantage of the terrain. Watching Shichi fleeing ahead, themander of the Kirigakure unit, Hozuki Metsuin, gritted his teeth in frustration. He had fought Shichi before, and if not for his Hydrification Technique, he would have been killed. Even so, the Lightning Release attacks had countered him. If not for the help of hisrades, he would''ve been dead by now. Now, he could only rely on the numerical advantage to continuously wear down Shichi''s chakra. "When we catch this guy, I''ll make sure he suffers the most excruciating water torture this world has ever known!" Hozuki Metsuin sneered inwardly. Just then, the light ahead brightened. The forest wasing to an end! Hozuki Metsuin''s eyes gleamed, and he immediately shouted, "Increase speed! Surround him! Don''t let him escape!" Shichi had already reached the edge of the forest. He suddenly stopped, standing on a tree branch. Bringing his hands together, the water vapor around him began to rapidly condense, swirling with electricity. In an instant, three massive water dragons, crackling with electricity, burst from the spinning vortex of water and surged toward the pursuing Kirigakure shinobi. "Scatter!" The shinobi in the lead didn''t have time to form hand signs, and the lightning-infused water dragons, each over ten meters in diameter, weren''t something a few explosive tags could deal with. The shinobi in the front scattered in all directions, while those following quickly formed hand signs, spitting out streams of water that rapidly expanded and shed with the three water dragons. Boom! Water sshed everywhere, the electric currents spreading through the deluge. The Kirigakure shinobi quickly leaped to the trees to avoid the electrified water. "This is the final wave... Let''s go!" Feeling his chakra almost depleted, Shichi took a deep breath and shot forward like a bullet, gliding at high speed across the surface of the water. Water Body Flicker! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! High-pressure water jets shot out, targeting the shinobi in the trees. Blood sprayed, limbs fell, and screams echoed through the forest. The Kirigakure shinobi in the trees began to counterattack as well, throwing ninja tools, detonating explosive tags, andunching ninjutsu, but all were swiftly evaded by Shichi, who skillfully glided over the water using Water Release. Moreover, the Water Severing Wave technique was slicing through the trees like a sickle cutting through wheat, causing them to copse. The shinobi standing atop the trees were forced to drop down as their footing disappeared. Zzzzzzzz! The sound of a thousand birds chirping echoed as lightning surged through Shichi''s limbs. With Chidori Body Flicker, he brought his hands together. From the water beneath him, countless droplets began to rise, infused with lightning as they shot toward the surrounding Kirigakure shinobi. Water Style: Heavens Convergence Lightning Strike! This technique was an enhancement of the Water Release: WaterCHeavens Convergence, incorporating Lightning Release to make the water droplets move faster and hit harder. Although Shichi had never specifically trained in the Heavens Convergence technique before, his mastery of chakra control and shape maniption made it easy for him to use it effectively. It was like a storm of torrential rain, pounding relentlessly. The sound of droplets piercing through the air echoed continuously. Those Kirigakure shinobi who couldn''t dodge in time fell to the ground convulsing from the electrical shock. Those hit in vital areas died instantly, while others who weren''t hit fatally still suffered paralysis, unable even to scream as they fell into the water. In the blink of an eye, over a dozen Kirigakure shinobi were down. At that moment, Hozuki Metsuin, who had dodged the Heavens Convergence Lightning Strike, noticed that the lightning around Shichi''s body had faded, and he was now standing still on the water. Immediately, he created a water clone, using the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind Shichi, raising his hand and pointing his index finger at the back of Shichi''s head. Water Gun Technique! A highly concentrated droplet of water formed at the tip of his finger, but Shichi turned and smiled at that moment. In the next instant, Shichi exploded into a mass of intense lightning, shooting out in all directions. Hozuki Metsuin''s water clone was immediately pierced by the lightning, dispersing into a stream of water. The Kirigakure shinobi who had fallen into the water moments before convulsed once more, smoke rising from their bodies as the electrical current swept through them. "Lightning Release Clone?" "No way, he was just using Water Release techniques!" "Could it be...a Shadow Clone?" "Find his real body, quick!" The Kirigakure shinobi shouted frantically. The sensory ninja, wide-eyed and swallowing nervously, stammered, "That...that guy is the real body." Hozuki Metsuin and the other shinobi froze. One of the Kirigakure shinobi asked in disbelief, "So, we''ve been fighting a Shadow Clone this entire time?" The sensory ninja''s voice trembled as they replied, "I...I''m afraid so." For a moment, silence fell over the group of dozens of Kirigakure shinobi, including Hozuki Metsuin. Hozuki Metsuin nced over the group, silently counting their numbers, and his heart sank. Forty-one! Forty-one dead or injured! And the opponent was just a Shadow Clone! This was... Hozuki Metsuin found it hard to ept. His thirty-plus years as a shinobi told him that this was impossible. It had to be that this Konoha brat had split off a Shadow Clone to distract them at some point, while the real body escaped, and they simply hadn''t noticed. Hozuki Metsuin took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration, and gave the order, "Start rescuing the injured, immediately!" The Kirigakure shinobi scattered to search for their survivingrades. After a moment of thought, Hozuki Metsuin spoke again, "Does anyone know who this guy is?" One shinobi replied, "Metsuin-sama, this guy is most likely Konoha''s prodigy, Shichi Hoshita." "The one who became a Chunin at six and a Jonin at eleven!" Hozuki Metsuin frowned. "It''s him?" He had heard of Shichi Hoshita before, but the person he just saw didn''t seem like an eleven-year-old. "It has to be Shichi Hoshita. There''s no one else around his age that fits!" "He''s even got a bounty from both Iwagakure and Sunagakure!" Hozuki Metsuin nodded, shouting, "Then remember this name!" "We''ll make sure he pays. He''ll answer for the lives of our fallenrades!" The Kirigakure shinobi responded in unison, rallying in anger. Hozuki Metsuin then gave another order, "Mizuyun, head back to the main camp immediately and report everything to Lord Shingetsu!" The young shinobi named Mizuyun promptly acknowledged the order and set off. ... At the Sunagakure main camp, upon hearing the report from the subordinate who had returned from investigating, Chiyo abruptly stood up. The other Sunagakure Jonin in the tent were equally shocked. "All... all of them are dead?" The Sunagakure shinobi who delivered the report had a pale face. "There were no survivors on the battlefield. All the bodies were severely mutted, likely from a terrifying Fire Release attack." "We did a rough count. Aside from the infiltration team, even Lord Feilian... they all perished." "And judging from the battle traces, it''s highly likely that only Shichi Hoshita was responsible." "And... he hasn''t even left the area." Chiyo clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. A hundred elite shinobi had beenpletely wiped out, and very likely by just one person. This was... Chiyo took a deep breath to calm herself and ordered, "Break camp immediately!" "The entire army will move!" The Jonin around her were startled. "Lady Chiyo, this..." Chiyo raised her hand to stop them from speaking and said in a low voice, "Our intentions are already clear." "And frankly, it''s no surprise. Konoha has long been prepared for this." "The issue now is, how many more troops will it take for us to cross the Land of Rivers and gather intelligence on Konoha''s border defenses?" "There is only one way forward: advance our entire army toward Konoha''s border, narrowing Konoha''s defensive depth." "Even if we''re engaging in an intelligence war, we need to reduce our losses." "It''s clear that Konoha intends to turn the Land of Rivers into ayered battlefield to weaken us." The other Sunagakure shinobi fell silent. Then one of them asked, "That guy, Shichi HoshitaLady Chiyo, are you not confident you can take him down with your puppet army?" Chiyo shot a cold nce at the speaker. "Even I cannot face an elite force of over a hundred shinobi ande out unscathed. Not even with the puppet army." "And do you think my puppet army could defeat the Third Kazekage?" The Sunagakure shinobi were stunned. They hadn''t expected Chiyo topare Shichi to the Third Kazekage, viewing him as someone on the same level. Chiyo then spoke sternly, "You must understandthis is Konoha''s youngest Jonin, the youngest in the entire shinobi world, and he has already surpassed the abilities of a typical shinobi." "Even Konoha''s White Fang didn''t have this level of power!" After saying this, Chiyo ordered, "Inform the Kirigakure forces of our decision. I suspect their losses won''t be small either." "We''ve all underestimated Konoha!" ... Deep in the forest, Shichi Hoshita, who had been resting, received feedback from his Shadow Clone''s memories. "With the support of the Yin Seal, I suppose I''ve already transcended the limits of an ordinary shinobi." "Without the chakra from the Yin Seal, I wouldn''t have been able to use the ze Release and Fire Release Chakra Mode. I wouldn''t have been able to fully unleash my abilities." "So ultimately, everythinges down to chakra and physical constitution..." "But even without the Yin Seal''s chakra, my ability to cast jutsu without hand signs and my overall skill set still put me at the level of an elite Joninacross all fields." Shichi assessed himself quietly. "In other words..." "I''m invincible below Kage level, and at Kage level, I can at least trade one for one?" Shichi couldn''t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. If he werepared to someone like Uchiha Itachi of the same age who had awakened the Mangeky Sharingan, he wouldn''t becking in any way. Even Itachi''s Susanoo wouldn''t pose much of a threat to him. Amaterasu would be troublesome, but the most dangerous thing was still Tsukuyomi. And he hadn''t even gone all out earlier. He hadn''t used the Bijju Sealing Mark, Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, me-Wind Rasenshuriken, or Lava Release: Rasenshuriken. "Not enough!" "It''s still not enough..." Shichi reined in his brief moment of satisfaction. If he didn''t set his sights on surpassing the Sage of Six Paths, or subduing Kaguya tsutsuki with a flip of his hand, then it wouldn''t be enough. His goal was the stars, the sea, and a grand future! And there was also Uchiha Madara, who liked to dance around on the battlefieldstill hooked up to life support somewhere, wasn''t he? Considering that Madara had managed to manipte Kirigakure to imnt the Three-Tails in Rin Nohara, along with a curse seal, it meant he was still capable of action. "Is he sustaining himself by wearing White Zetsu as a biological suit?" Shichi''s thoughts drifted far. At this point, Uchiha Madara was likely the only individual in the shinobi world that truly concerned him. Nagato''s Rinnegan was powerful, but he was still too young at this stage. Thinking about these formidable figures only fueled Shichi''s motivation. His current achievements were truly insignificant inparison. One day, when he could single-handedly take on the Allied Shinobi Forces like Madara, he''d consider that just barely good enough. And when he could capture tailed beasts as pets, that''s when he could start showing off. ... Pulling his thoughts back to the present, Shichi created a Shadow Clone and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to head toward Pakura and the others. The war was far from over! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 140: Eight Hundred Enemies? The Advantage is Mine!

Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Eight Hundred Enemies? The Advantage is Mine!

When Shichi Hoshita''s shadow clone arrived at Uchiha Shisui''s location, the battle had just ended. Uchiha Shisui and Pakura were unharmed, but the other Konoha squads that intercepted the Kirigakure forces had suffered casualties. At this moment, only a medical ninja was busy tending to the wounded. Shichi immediately stepped forward to help and said, "Kirigakure''s forces will be here soon. Shisui, Scorch, the two of you and I will stay behind to cover the retreat." "Understood!" Uchiha Shisui and Pakura nodded in agreement, then closed their eyes to rest. A Jonin from the Sarutobi n offered, "Shichi, let me stay behind too!" Shichi shook his head. "Kirigakure has more than 50 shinobi. We''re not here to stop them all, just to slow them down with strategic strikes." "You should pull back a bit and set up defensive positions to support us!" The Sarutobi Jonin nodded and refrained from saying more. Ten minutester, the wounded had been treated, and the Konoha squad of a dozen shinobi retreated, leaving only Shichi, Shisui, and Pakura behind. After waiting a while, Shisui''s crows flew back. "Shichi, Kirigakure is here!" Shisui''s voice was calm but firm. Sitting beneath a tree, Shichi stood up. Momentster, one by one, the Kirigakure shinobi appeared within sight. "That guy!" "It''s him!" "Is this the real one?" The Kirigakure shinobi halted, all eyes focused intently on Shichi Hoshita. Hzuki Metsuin, staring at Shichi, suddenly spoke. "Are you Shichi of Konoha?" Shichi smiled. "That''s me!" Metsuin''s gaze shifted to Pakura, who was wearing a mask. Despite the mask, he recognized his former opponent all too well. Especially after seeing the gruesome state of his fallenrades earlierit confirmed his suspicions. "Pakura of the Scorch Release... so it was you Konoha who saved her!" Hzuki Metsuin snorted coldly. Shichi chuckled softly. "You kill people, we save them. You''re the viins, we''re the heroes. That tone of yoursI don''t like it." Metsuin''s annoyance deepened. Considering Shichi''s strength, he gave a cold snort and waved his hand. "Retreat!" Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! The Kirigakure shinobi immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat. What the...? Shichi was ready for battle. Were the Kirigakure shinobi really this weak? "Chase them!" Shichi called out softly. Immediately, the sound of Chidori echoed through the air as lightning sparked from his limbs, enveloping his body in a glow. In an instant, he shot forward like a streak of lightning. Shisui followed closely behind, and his Body Flicker Technique was no slower than Shichi''s Chidori Flicker. Pakura, however, was a bit slower, falling to the back. The rearmost Kirigakure shinobi, including Hzuki Metsuin, suddenly turned and unleashed their attacks. Three of them spewed water streams from their mouths, creating massive waves that surged toward the trio. Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique! Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! Shisui and Shichi executed their jutsu in perfect sync, creating a fiery whirlwind that collided with the water waves. The resulting explosion sent mist billowing in all directions. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Shurikenced with explosive tags shot through the mist, detonating with thunderous sts. Shichi and the others dodged the explosions and rushed through the lingering mist, only to find themselves shrouded in a dense fog. Hiding in Mist Technique! The fog was so thick that visibility was reduced to less than two meters! "Be careful of Kirigakure''s Silent Killing Technique," Pakura warned. "Hzuki Metsuin is especially skilled at it!" Shisui suggested, "We can disperse the fog with Wind Release, right?" Pakura shook her head. "In theory, yes. But this is amon jutsu for Kirigakure, and the range of this fog is likely massive." Shisui nodded. "I see. It seems the enemy isn''t nning on retreating after all." "That''s not necessarily the case!" Shichi''s eyes ignited with blue mes, using his thermal vision. The fog had little effect on him. "Follow me!" With a softmand, Shichi moved swiftly, zipping past a hidden Kirigakure shinobi concealed behind a tree. The hidden shinobi silently attempted to strike from behind, but Shisui''s shuriken hit him with pinpoint uracy. However, the struck shinobi turned into a puddle of water as he hit the ground. "A clone!" "Three o''clock!" "Six o''clock!" "Eleven o''clock!" Shichi''s voice echoed through the mist, and shuriken flew toward him from every direction. He evaded each one with ease. Following his directions, Shisui and Pakura targeted the hidden Kirigakure shinobi, only to find they were all clones as well! Meanwhile, Hzuki Metsuin, hidden in a small pool of water, felt a chill run down his spine. "That guy... the Hiding in Mist Technique doesn''t work on him at all." In the earlier pursuit, the Hiding in Mist Technique hadn''t been used, so there had been no opportunity to test it. Just then, Shichi Hoshita''s figure flew right over Metsuin''s hiding spot. Metsuin was about tounch an attack, but he noticed the ground around him had turned into a swamp. "Damn, he found me!" Startled, Metsuin immediately revealed himself. But the next moment, his eyes met a pair of blood-red Sharingan. "Sharingan... oh no!" Metsuin instinctively tried to close his eyes, but he realized his body was no longer under his control. Genjutsu! Although his mind was still clear, Metsuin struggled with all his might to break free from the illusion. Shisui raised his de, but Shichi''s voice rang out, "Wait, he''s the real one!" Shisui paused, as did Pakura. The real one? All the others were clones, and yet themander had stayed behind with his true body. Was he that confident in his Silent Killing Technique? Shichi delivered a swift chop, knocking Metsuin unconscious. Then he applied the Five Elements Seal and Four-Limb Sealing Technique, ensuring Metsuin was tightly restrained. "No need to pursue. Shisui, Pakura, take the prisoner and retreat." Shichi was quite interested in Kirigakure''s Hydrification Technique. Shisui and Pakura nodded and immediately began withdrawing with the unconscious Metsuin. Shichi, however, stayed behindhe still needed to monitor Kirigakure''s movements. ... In the Rear, Kirigakure Main Camp At the Kirigakure main camp, Hzuki Shingetsu first received the intel sent back by Hzuki Metsuin, followed by intelligence shared by the Sunagakure forces. When Shingetsu first read Metsuin''s report, he found it hard to believe. It was surprising enough that Pakura had survived, but the fact that a mere shadow clone had managed to kill forty to fifty of their shinobi? That seemed impossible. However, afterparing the reports from Sunagakure, Shingetsu couldn''t help but feel grateful that Metsuin''s team had only encountered a clone. He quickly made his decision: "Send in the full force! Compress Konoha''s space!" As soon as Kirigakure and Sunagakure began to mobilize, Shichi sensed it. "Kirigakure has over a thousand troops, and Sunagakure... just over eight hundred..." After pondering for a moment, Shichi decided not to recall the three clones he had hidden in the forest. Instead, he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport near the Kirigakure forces, appearing beside one of his shadow clones. "What are you doing here?" the shadow clone asked in surprise. Shichi replied, "There are too many Kirigakure shinobi." He could easily imagine that once the battle started in earnest, Kirigakure wouldnd from the east and push directly into the Land of Fire. If the shinobi camps weren''t so dispersed during their march, he would have already rained down Rasenshuriken from above. But regardless, whether it was for his "Famous" tag or to weaken Kirigakure''s forces and ensure that people like Shizune and Nono Yakushi back in Konoha wouldn''t have to go to the battlefield, Shichi had to reduce Sunagakure and Kirigakure''s strength as much as possible. Sunagakure''s forces still had a longer route to travel, leaving time foryered ambushes. But the depth of Kirigakure''s advance was much shorter, giving them less time. Unsealing the Yin Seal on his forehead, followed by another seal on his abdomen, Shichi immediately performed the Shadow Clone Technique. In an instant, eight shadow clones appeared behind him. Each of these clones had nearly the same amount of chakra as Shichi''s original body. "I''m leaving this to you guys!" With those words, Shichi''s real body vanished. After his departure, the shadow clones quickly dispersed in all directions. --- At the Border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers Shichi appeared next to Pakura. "The real you?" Pakura asked. Shichi nodded. Uchiha Shisui asked, "Shichi, has the Kirigakure army mobilized?" Shichi nodded again. "Yes, they''ve moved. Sunagakure has mobilized as well." Sitting down, he transformed into a miniature version of the Four-Tails and began absorbing natural energy to replenish his stamina. At the same time, he asked, "Shisui, how many forces does the vige have here?" Seeing the strange form of Shichi, Shisui refrained from asking too much and replied, "Currently, just over five hundred." Five hundred? Shichi frowned inwardly. It seemed that additional reinforcements were still being held back, likely waiting to gauge Sunagakure and Kirigakure''s offensive before distributing more forces. "Who''s in charge here?" Shisui answered, "I asked. Advisor Koharu Utatane is overseeing things, but on the front lines, it should be Lord Orochimaru, one of the Sannin." Koharu Utatane and Orochimaru? What kind ofbination is that? Shichi was taken aback. He had expected either Jiraiya or Orochimaru to lead. Given that they were both in their thirties, they should be capable ofmandingrge forces by now. But it seemed he was wrong. The older generation still held sway. To be honest, Shichi had a natural distrust of Koharu. Knowing Orochimaru was in charge of frontline operations, however, put his mind at ease. Even though Shichi had turned into a mini Four-Tails, Shisui noticed the subtle changes in his expression and asked, "Shichi, you don''t seem to trust Lady Koharu very much." Shichi didn''t hide his thoughts from Shisui and replied, "That''s right, I don''t. While she was once the Second Hokage''s team member, she''s old now and has been away from the front lines for a long time." "But with Lord Orochimaru here, there''s no need to worry too much." In fact, during the Second Shinobi World War, both Koharu and Homura Mitokado had yed active roles, albeit in amand capacity. Shisui smiled, trying to reassure him. "You''re overthinking it, Shichi. Lady Koharu is a veteran who has survived two Shinobi World Wars. Her experience far exceeds ours." "I hope you''re right." Shichi sighed. He knew he had let his biases take over. But from his unique perspective, he couldn''t muster any goodwill toward Koharu, Homura, or Danzo. When you get old, you should just retire instead of meddling in everything. "Someone''sing!" Shisui suddenly said. Shichi reverted to his human form. Soon, a figure appeared from behind them. Upon seeing Shichi, the person''s face lit up with joy. "Lord Shichi, Lord Orochimaru has requested your presence." Shichi stood and nodded. "Got it." The Chunin who hade to deliver the message bowed and quickly turned to leave. Shisui said, "We''ll handle things here. You should head back right away." Shichi created a shadow clone and smiled. "A clone will suffice!" As he spoke, the clone disappeared. ... At the Border of the Land of Fire Sitting idly under a tree, Asuka suddenly perked up in surprise and joy. "Shichi!" "Asuka!" Shichi greeted her with a smile and said, "Come with me to the main camp!" Asuka quickly stood up. The two of them used the Body Flicker Technique and headed to the rear. After about half an hour, they arrived at themand headquarters. "Lord Shichi!" "Lord Shichi has returned!" "He''s so impressive at such a young age, it''s truly amazing!" "If it were me, I''d be happy if my son were even half as skilled as Lord Shichi!" ... Along the way, people continuously greeted Shichi with respect, and various discussions about him filled the air. Soon, they arrived in front of themander''s tent. The two Chnin guarding the entrance bowed quickly. One of them said, "Please wait a moment, Lord Shichi. I''ll go report to Lady Koharu." Shichi smiled and nodded slightly. In no time, the Chnin returned and gestured respectfully. "Lord Shichi, Lady Koharu will see you now!" Shichi nodded again and entered the tent alone. Upon entering, he nced around and saw not only Koharu Utatane and Orochimaru, but also several Jnin. After exchanging greetings, Koharu spoke. "Shichi, you''ve returned at just the right time. We were discussing our strategy against Sunagakure, and Orochimaru mentioned wanting to hear your thoughts, as you currently have the most insight into both Sunagakure and Kirigakure''s movements." Shichi''s gaze shifted to Orochimaru, who smiled back at him. After a brief nod of acknowledgment, Shichi began, "At the moment, both Sunagakure and Kirigakure''s infiltration squads have been dealt with. In addition, I eliminated a hundred-strong unit from Sunagakure and repelled Kirigakure''s vanguard. As a result, both Sunagakure and Kirigakure havemitted their full forces. It seems they''re attempting topress the depth of our intelligence operations." "Of course, it''s also possible that they''ll choose to focus their attack on a single point, especially Sunagakure." Shichi spoke calmly, but aside from Orochimaru, the other Jnin in the tent, including Koharu, were shocked. They were aware of the intelligence about the infiltration squads being neutralized. But theter achievements? Those were news to them. "Shichi, are you sure about this?" a Jnin from the Shimura n asked. Before Shichi could respond, Orochimaru chuckled and said, "There''s no need to doubt these aplishments. Shichi is more than capable." "Shichi, the border we share with the Land of Rivers is vast. Theoretically, Sunagakure could break through at any point, putting us in a very passive position as the defending side." "That''s why I want to hear your thoughts." Shichi was prepared and immediately replied, "Lady Koharu, Lord Orochimaru, in my opinion, the first thing we should do is turn defense into offense." "We know exactly where Sunagakure''s main forces are. We should strike them directly, crush their army, and then we can push forward into the Land of Rivers. By the time Sunagakure reinforcements arrive, we''ll have taken control of the region and can then confront them at the border of the Land of Wind." Koharu shook her head. "Our current forces are insufficient. Advancing recklessly could result in our supply lines being cut off." Shichi continued, "If Sunagakure intends to break through our lines and invade the Land of Fire, they will undoubtedly seek out our weak points." "In that case, we can prepare two or three weak points for them, but behind those weak points, we set up ambushes." "Whether they attack one of the weak points or all of them at once, we can reverse the situation and encircle them." The Shimura Jonin, Feiyan, who had previously questioned Shichi''s aplishments, immediately said, "Setting up such traps would require arge number of troops, but we simply don''t have enough forces right now." "If we spread ourselves too thin setting up three traps, and Sunagakure concentrates their strength on just one, those false traps could be real weaknesses!" Shichi ignored him and turned to Koharu. "Lady Koharu, how many troops do we have avable for our operations against Sunagakure?" Koharu replied, "Six hundred!" That meant Konoha''s total deployment on the Land of Rivers battlefield was just over a thousand. Sunagakure had just over eight hundred. Shichi felt confident. The advantage was his! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 141: I’ve Been Humble, Senior!

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Ive Been Humble, Senior!

"Six hundred people? That''s enough!" Shichi spoke steadily and confidently. "Sunagakure only has a little over eight hundred troops right now. I''ve already left behind some clones to harass them, so by the time they reach the border, their numbers won''t exceed 800." "Their troop movements can''t escape my detection, even at night!" "So, I''ll be able to anticipate their attack direction. While the warning time might be short, it should be enough!" "I''ll leave my clones at each ambush point." Shimura Feiyan frowned. "Shichi, although you''re strong, how much impact can a single clone have?" "Setting up three ambush points means that even if we split our forces into three, that''s only 200 men per point." "But clearly, we can''t do that. So, we''d be facing waves of Sunagakure''s forcespotentially all of themwith fewer troops." "If we don''t get reinforcements in time, the defensive line might copse!" Shichi turned to face Shimura Feiyan with a gentle smile. "My strength?" Before his words had even finished, Shichi vanished from his spot, reappearing instantly behind Shimura Feiyan. His right hand, coated with Wind Release chakra, was already resting against Feiyan''s neck. Shichi chuckled softly. "Did you see the strength of my clone?" So fast! The Jnin in the tent were silently astonished. None of them had reacted in time. Although they hadn''t been on guard, it was still incredibly impressive. The only one who managed to follow Shichi''s movement was Orochimaru. He had tracked Shichi''s motion but was still surprised. "It''s just a clone, and even I didn''t notice!" Koharu Utatane furrowed her brow, while Shimura Feiyan''s body stiffened, his expression sour. "Shichi Hoshita, what are you trying to do?" Shichi withdrew his hand and patted Feiyan''s shoulder. "My apologies, Senior, I was just demonstrating the strength of my clone." Grinding his teeth, Shimura Feiyan snapped, "You... Don''t think that just because you''ve be a Jnin at a young age, you can disrespect your seniors! Young people need to stay humble. If you act arrogant and show off, you''ll suffer for it eventually!" Shichi kept his gentle smile, his tone unchanged. "I''ve already been very humble, Senior. Besides, if young people don''t show off now, are they supposed to wait until they''re too old to fight and rely on seniority to act arrogant?" "Oh, and I forgot to mention: my clone previously eliminated over 40 Mist ninjas and captured Hzuki Metsuin." "Seems like Metsuin hasn''t been brought here yet." At these words, a chorus of astonished voices erupted. "Hzuki Metsuin?!" "You captured him?" "He''s a master of many of the Hzuki n''s secret techniques and Silent Killing. He gave us a lot of trouble during thest Great Ninja War!" "It looks like we''ve seriously underestimated Shichi''s strength!" "With this kind of power, the n to lure the enemy ispletely feasible." Several of the Jnin present began to speak up in agreement. Shimura Feiyan''s face darkened. Not a single person spoke up for him. And that brat, Shichi, was nothing like his teacher, Minato Namikaze! As Danzo had said, this kid was naturally evil and cunning! At that moment, Koharu turned to Orochimaru and asked, "Orochimaru, what do you think?" Orochimaru smiled and replied, "I would go with Shichi''s second n: lure the enemy into ambush and strike when the time is right." "Although weck the numbers, we have the advantage in intelligence, terrain, stamina, and even ninja tools." "Plus, when luring the enemy, we''ll actually have far more forces than Jnin Feiyan estimates. After all, we can use shadow clones and other techniques to deceive the enemy." Koharu decisively said, "In that case, I''ll leave the frontline arrangements to you, Orochimaru." Orochimaru immediately nodded. "Understood!" ... After the meeting ended, Shichi followed Orochimaru to a secluded spot. "Shichi, your power has grown so quickly!" Orochimaru said with admiration. Shichi humbly replied, "I''m still not on your level, Lord Orochimaru." Orochimaru smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "While weakening Sunagakure is important, we also can''t let them retreat to seek reinforcements." "You''re strong, but you can''t wipe them out in one blow, can you?" Shichi nodded, understanding Orochimaru''s point. He replied, "Don''t worry, Lord Orochimaru. I''ll control the pace of the battle, focusing on harassing and wearing them down." Orochimaru nodded approvingly with a smile. "Very good." ... After parting ways with Orochimaru, Shichi found Asuka and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring her back to his main body. The situation with Kirigakure and Konoha would likely escte into a battle soon, and Asuka''s medical ninjutsu would be essential. As Shichi released his clone and processed the memories, he couldn''t help but shake his head. "Is there ever a war without risk?" Especially when Konoha didn''t have a numerical advantage. If they had enough troops, who wouldn''t just charge in for an overwhelming victory? What''s more, Kirigakure had an evenrger force, and Konoha only had 500 soldiers to face them. This meant that if Kirigakure started fighting Konoha first, there would be no time to dy the situation with Sunagakure. For Konoha, either Sunagakure or Kirigakure had to be decisively dealt with first, so they could then focus all their forces on the other. It was clear that Sunagakure had fewer troops, and they were closer to the Land of Wind, meaning their reinforcements would arrive faster. Therefore, Sunagakure had to be crushed first. For a swift victory, taking risks was inevitable! "In that case, the strategy against Kirigakure can''t be the same as with Sunagakure." "We need to weaken their forces as much as possible, hit them hard, and make them afraid tounch a decisive attack!" "Even if they coordinate a joint assault with Sunagakureter, it''s still better than letting Kirigakure strike first." Shichi''s strategy became clearer. He wasn''t sure if Koharu or Orochimaru had considered this point. Even Orochimaru, who had confidence in him, likely hadn''t thought that Shichi could harass both Sunagakure and Kirigakure simultaneously. But the truth was, even with clones, the fatigue from continuous battles would eventually umte in his main body. "Good thing my recovery is strong..." Shichi silently felt relieved. ... "So, Metsuin is either captured by Konoha or dead without a trace?" Shingetsu''s face darkened. He hadn''t expected to hear such news after reuniting with the main force. Hzuki Metsuin was someone he had high hopes forthe next head of the Hzuki n, even with a chance topete for the position of Fourth Mizukage. And now... The Kirigakure ninja delivering the report kept his head low, not daring to respond. Shingetsu took a deep breath and said, "Keep moving. If you encounter this Shichi Hoshita, notify me immediately!" "I want to see just what this youngest Jnin of Konoha is capable of!" After a brief pause, the nearly thousand-strong Kirigakure force resumed their advance, spreading out in small squads over a range of several miles. They soon passed through the forest where so many of theirrades had fallen. After looting supplies from a few viges in the Land of Rivers, they continued forward. On the other side... Chiyo led the Sunagakure army to the site where the entire Feilian unit had been wiped out. After a brief stop to gather theirrades'' remains, the army entered the forest. Sunagakure''s sensory ninja quickly detected three targets with identical chakra signatures. Upon receiving the report, Chiyo immediately ordered, "That must be him. Surround them!" With themand given, Sunagakure squads swarmed into the forest. Deep within the forest, Shichi''s three clones had already revealed themselves. Lightning Clone, Earth Clone, and Water Clone! Soon, Sunagakure forces arrived, but stopped dozens of meters away, forming a crescent-shaped encirclement around Shichi''s clones. The front-line Sunagakure ninja simultaneously formed hand seals, then exhaled powerful gusts of air, which quickly turned into a roaring storm. As the storm tore through the area, sharp winds sliced through branches, and smaller trees were uprootedpletely. Earth Release: Multiple Earth-Style Walls! Layer uponyer of earthen walls rose up, forming a three-sided barrier that sessfully blocked the storm. After the storm subsided, there was a brief vacuum of time, during which the Sunagakure shinobi seized the opportunity to advance swiftly. Water Release: Water Colliding Wave! The water clone leapt onto the high wall, with water vapor swirling and rising around it. It then dived down, transforming into a rushing river aimed at the enemies in front. Almost simultaneously, lightning sparked without sound. In the vacuum of the storm, Chidorithe Lightning Clone shot out with even greater speed. Then came the Earth Clone. The Earth Clone provided defense, the Water Clone offered support, and the Lightning Clone executed high-speed assaults on the enemies. The battle had officially begun! However, it was clear that the Sunagakure shinobi had no intention of engaging in closebat just yet. Another storm began to brew. The Water Clone controlled the water flow, surging forward. More earth walls rose from the ground, while the Lightning Clone suddenly disappeared, reappearing behind the attacking Sunagakure forces. Screams filled the air as the lightning tore through their ranks, ricocheting among them. Chiyo, arriving from the rear, witnessed this scene and scoffed quietly: "A teleportation technique simr to the Yellow sh, is it?" She then shouted, "Be careful of his teleportation jutsuit''s likely space-time ninjutsu!" In an instant, all the Sunagakure shinobi were on high alert. Chiyo, however, remained calm andposed, continuously issuingmands and coordinating her squads, ensuring their attacks were relentless and well-coordinated. Even though Shichi''s clones moved around the forest using pre-ced Flying Thunder God markers, the Sunagakure shinobi were quick to react, setting upyers of encirclements. Boom! The Earth Clone was the first to be taken down. Next was the Water Clone! Finally, the fastest, the Lightning Clone, was destroyed. However, the entire processsted a full half hour. After receiving the casualty report, Chiyo remained silent for a long time. In just half an hour, thirty-three shinobi were dead or injured. And the opponent? Merely three clones! "Advance while avoiding the forest terrain as much as possible," Chiyo ordered after the long silence. While Chiyo was quiet, the other Sunagakure shinobi were not. Hearing the earlier news that a hundred-man unit had been wiped out by a single Konoha brat had dealt a huge blow to their morale. Now, although they had destroyed only three clones, it wasn''t as terrifying or unbeatable as they had imagined. "It''s a shame it was just his clones... If the real one hade, we could''ve killed him and avenged Lord Feilian!" "Exactly, his teleportation technique may be impressive, but with enough preparation, we can limit him!" "I heard that brat is only in his teens and already proficient in so many types of ninjutsu. How does someone train like that?" "Hmph, even if he''s a genius, what does it matter? A person can only use two types of jutsu at a time, and clones can be easily destroyed!" "True. No matter how talented he is, he can''tpare to the Fourth Kazekage or Lady Pakura, who had mastered Kekkei Genkai. It''s such a shame Lady Pakura was killed by those Iwagakure bastards!" "Don''t worry, the Fourth Kazekage will definitely avenge both the Third Kazekage and Lady Pakura!" ... Listening to the murmured conversations around her, Chiyo wasn''t as optimistic. Instead, her heart felt heavy. The technique that wiped out Feilian''s unit clearly surpassed conventional means. And the strength of those clones just nowaside from the difficulty of handling the Flying Thunder God, they were still within the bounds of normal abilities. This was definitely not the full power of that brat, Shichi Hoshita. At most, it was one-tenth of his true capability. "Such a threat... it might require Shukaku..." Chiyo considered this for a moment, then secretly instructed someone to leave. ... As Shichi received the memories from his defeated clones, he thought to himself, "As expected, even if a ninja is well-rounded, one person alone can''t handle arge, well-coordinated army." "And honestly, shadow clones are still more usefulthey can bring out more of the main body''s abilities." "Well then, I''ll switch to using shadow clones next..." Shichi immediately created four shadow clones. The clones took to the air, transforming into eagles as they headed toward the advancing Sunagakure forces. Layers of attacks followedconstant harassment, killing, and wearing down their morale and fighting spirit. As soon as his clones left, Shichi raised an eyebrow. The battle with Kirigakure had begun as well! One of his shadow clones had already been destroyed! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 142: Squad Battle!

Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Squad Battle!

After having experienced two of the Great Ninja Wars, this was the first time Hzuki Shingetsu witnessed someone using such arge number of shadow clones to charge into battle! The reason he deduced they were shadow clones wasn''t because of some extraordinary sensory ability or sharp vision. It was simply because only a madman would charge into a thousand-strong army with a group of shadow clones instead of their real body. Through the forest, over mountains, across ins, and over rivers... One after another, Shichi''s shadow clones charged at therge Kirigakure force with reckless abandon. And just like Sunagakure had done, the Kirigakure shinobi responded byunching group-based ninjutsu attacks, with a dozen or so shinobi unleashing Water Release together. However, Shichi''s clones suddenly took to the air, moving at high speed, then diving down into the crowd, countering Water Release with Fire Release. Using the mist created by the water as cover, they broke into closebat. For Shichi,rge-scale ninjutsu exchanges put him at a disadvantage. How could one person withstand a continuous barrage of jutsu from an entire group, even if he didn''t need to use hand signs to cast his techniques? Chakra depletion was still a problem. Breaking into the Kirigakure ranks for a chaotic melee was the most advantageous option. This allowed him to fully utilize his no-hand-sign ninjutsu, high-speed reflexes, and extreme velocity. Facing the Kirigakure forces, Shichi also disyed, for the first time, his ability to run through the air. This was something even Sunagakure hadn''t included in their intel, as they hadn''t fully grasped this capability of Shichi''s. Watching Shichi wreak havoc among his forces, Hzuki Shingetsu finally understood why Hzuki Metsuin and the others had been so utterly defeated. He was simply too fastnot just his physical speed, but his teleportation and jutsu casting speeds were unparalleled. Moreover, he had no apparent weaknesses. His abilities were so well-rounded that no single type of ninjutsu could effectively counter him. Having fought in two Great Ninja Wars, Hzuki Shingetsu had never encountered an opponent like this. "At such a young age... it''s terrifying!" "If we can''t take him down this time, this intel must be sent back to the vige..." Thinking this, Hzuki Shingetsu rushed forward, all while continuously issuing orders, directing squad after squad to encircle and attack Shichi. Though Kirigakure shinobi specialize in Water Release, not all of them are water-type users. Many also know Earth Release, Lightning Release, kenjutsu (sword techniques), and other ninjutsu, though Water Release is their strongest element. At this moment, he was deploying shinobi proficient in Earth Release, Lightning Release, and Wind Release to work together, aiming to seal off Shichi''s movement and decide the oue with overwhelming attacks. But the first attempt failed! Their attack missed as Shichi escaped using the Flying Thunder God technique, with the mark hidden on a Kirigakure shinobi that he had previously thrown away. The second time, Hzuki Shingetsu used a shadow clone as bait. It failed again! Shichi saw through the shadow clone and didn''t take the bait. The third time, they finally seeded. One of Shichi''s shadow clones was destroyed, but the Kirigakure shinobi acting as a closebat bait was severely injured in the process. With no time to assess the losses, Shingetsu immediately led his men to the other battlefronts to hunt down more of Shichi''s shadow clones. ... At the rear, one by one, the memories of the shadow clones began returning to Shichi. He organized these memories and analyzed the experience but also felt the fatigue steadily piling up. This was more exhausting than fighting in person! Moreover, when the clones were destroyed, the pain they felt was also transmitted back to him. The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique truly was a dangerous forbidden jutsu. The fact that the clones dispelled upon injury served as a form of protection for the original body. Shichi concluded that next time, when using shadow clones inrge battles, he would need to dispel them before unavoidable attacksnded. This would help reduce the mental strain on his real body. As time passed, all nine shadow clones were eventually destroyed, and night had already fallen. Half an hourter, Uchiha Shisui received feedback from his crow clone: "Shichi, the Mist ninja have set up camp." Now fully recovered, Shichi, back in human form, felt somewhat tired and remarked, "The Mist ninja will probablyunch arge-scale infiltration under the cover of darkness." Uchiha Shisui smiled and reassured him, "You can rest easy, Shichi. We''ll handle things tonight." "As much as you might want to carry the burden alone, war is not something one person can solve. You need to trust yourrades more." Asuka nodded in agreement: "Shisui is right. Even though it''s your clones doing the fighting, the fatigue and pain still get transferred back to you. You can seal away memories, but you can''t seal away those sensations." "Chakra may recover quickly, but physical and mental exhaustion takes more time," she added with a smile. "Shichi, we''re not your burden!" Though wearing a mask, Pakura also nodded in agreement. Shichi paused for a moment before smiling. "Got it!" "Then I''ll leave tonight to you all!" He truly did need the rest. His clones were still conducting harassing operations against the Sand shinobi. However... Looking over at Shisui and Pakura, Shichi said, "Shisui, I''ve developed a nature-based curse mark called the ''Bijuu Sealing Mark.'' It can enhance Fire Release using natural energy." "Natural energy?" Shisui asked, puzzled. It was his first time hearing about it. Not just himPakura looked equally intrigued. Shichi nodded. "Yes, natural energy is a type of energy that exists in the world, simr to chakra, like the air around us." Shisui nodded thoughtfully, then grinned. "Then I won''t be shy about using it!" Shichi continued, "I''ll also leave a Flying Thunder God mark within the curse seal, which will help us coordinate better during battle." Shisui nodded again. "Do I need to do anything?" Shichi smiled, "No, just stay still. I''ll ce the seal on the back of your neck, though it might hurt a little." Shisui immediately crouched down in front of Shichi, lowering his head. Shichi raised his right hand and pressed it onto the right side of Shisui''s neck. With a sizzling sound, as if branding flesh, Shisui felt a sharp, piercing pain. Sweat began to form on his forehead, but the pain quickly subsided. Soon after, he sensed a new energy within the curse mark, and this energy continued to grow. Shichi raised his hand and smiled. "It''s done. You can activate or deactivate the seal with a simple mentalmand." A blue lotus-shaped mark now adorned the right side of Shisui''s neck. Standing up, Shisui activated the Bijuu Sealing Mark. In an instant, the blue lotus mark began to glow, and blue patterns spread from his neck to his face. In moments, the blue lotus design covered Shisui''s entire neck and face. Seeing this, Shichi couldn''t help but feel a sense of familiarity. It reminded him of Orochimaru''s curse mark. Although both used natural energy, Orochimaru''s mark led to Sage Transformation, providing an all-around enhancement. While itcked safety, its overall functionality far surpassed that of the Bijuu Sealing Mark. Still, Shichi prioritized stability. Although his seal only boosted Fire Release, it was much easier to adapt to and didn''t require any prerequisites. If he wanted, Shichi could apply the curse mark to anyone. "This power is incredible!" Shisui eximed with admiration as he formed hand signs. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" A massive fireball burst from Shisui''s mouth, growing to an immense size. The brilliant white core and orange-red mes lit up the night sky, shooting forward and obliterating arge tree in an explosive burst. The intense heat sent waves of hot air rippling through the area, and even beneath her mask, Pakura''s expression showed surprise. "That''s so powerful!" She had seen Shisui''s Fire Release before, and while it was already strong, this was on a whole different level. The sheer scale and temperature of the fireball now rivaled her own Scorch Release. "This natural energy... It''s truly amazing!" Pakura couldn''t help but feel intrigued but also sighed quietly to herself. She was only a subordinate to Shichi, whereas Shisui was clearly more than thathe was a close friend. Those words they exchanged earlier weren''t something a mere subordinate would say. Shisui, too, was astonished. "This is unbelievable!" "My Fire Release is at least three times more powerful now!" Shichi smiled, nodding in approval. "Not bad." "Alright, Pakura, it''s your turn!" he said. Pakura was taken aback, almost unsure. "Me? Can I really...?" Shichi answered matter-of-factly, "Of course. Your Scorch Release is a fusion of Wind and Fire Release, so the curse mark''s Fire Release boost will naturally enhance your Scorch Release as well." Pakura quickly nodded. "Yes, Lord Shichi!" For the first time, she called him "Lord Shichi" withplete sincerity. She crouched in front of Shichi, exposing her neck. The firelight cast a beautiful glow on her elegant neck and the graceful curve of her back. Even Asuka couldn''t help but admire her beauty, her eyes lighting up as she whispered, "So beautiful..." Shichi, focused, pressed his right palm against the right side of Pakura''s neck, cing the Bijuu Sealing Mark. After enduring the pain, Pakura stood and bowed. "Thank you, Lord Shichi!" Shichi nodded. "Go ahead, try it." Pakura activated the curse mark. Blue lotus patterns spread across her neck and hands. She extended her arms, and two fireballs instantly formed in her palms. But unlike her previous fireballs, these were now blue on the inside and white on the outside. Pakura also noticed that her control over the Scorch Release fireballs had be much more precise. The two fireballs danced through the air, moving with greater speed and fluidity. Watching this, Shichi was reminded of the Scorch Release Chakra Mode. With the Bijuu Sealing Mark, Pakura should be able to develop the Scorch Release Chakra Mode, even without the Hundred Healings technique. That was the direction he''d always intended to explore. "Once you calm your mind and link your chakra, you should be able to fully awaken the power of Scorch Release, unlocking its full potential." This thought briefly crossed his mind as he smiled and said, "Alright, I''ll leave tonight to all of you!" Asuka raised her fist andughed, "Rest easy, Shichi!" Both Shisui and Pakura, now with their curse marks deactivated, nodded in agreement. Shichi then created two more shadow clones to monitor the movements of the Mist and Sand ninja. Sitting down by the campfire, he closed his eyes and quickly fell into a deep sleep. As his owl-shaped shadow clones soared into the sky, Shisui''s crows took flight once again. ... The night sky was dotted with stars, and the darkness was peaceful. Yet, the Mist and Sand Ninjaunched their operations simultaneously, like ghosts in the night, moving stealthily from different directions toward the borders of the Land of Fire. Both Chiyo and Shingetsu knew that despite the trouble Shichi Hoshita''s shadow clones caused them during the day, they understood the limitations of the Shadow Clone Jutsu. They knew that Shichi was only humanoverusing clones would cause fatigue to build up, and he couldn''t stay active indefinitely without rest. Not to mention, chakra was another limiting factor. Moreover, with the distance closing in, Shichi had less space to intercept them effectively. Both Chiyo and Shingetsu shared the same thought: they could take advantage of Shichi''s fatigue to locate him and surround him. However, they temporarily abandoned that idea. Firstly, finding Shichi''s real body wouldn''t be easy. Secondly, Shichi himself wasn''t the key to determining the oue of this war. At this point, he still wasn''t influential enough to decide the battle''s fate. ... In a forest. Asuka closed her eyes and focused, sensing her surroundings. "1, 2... 12 people. They''re fast. They''ll reach us in about three minutes." After finishing her sensory analysis, she signaled to Shisui and Pakura, who were hidden in the darkness. Momentster, both Shisui and Pakura noticed the movement. They wereing! Shisui already had several shurikens in hand. Just then, the leading Mist Ninja abruptly stopped and raised his hands, signaling to the others behind him. "They''ve realized we''re here..." Shisui was about to take the initiative to distract them, but Asuka moved even faster. With a metallic tter, three adamantine chains shot up from the ground, wrapping around three of the Mist Ninja who had justnded. "Careful!" "There are enemies!" "Damn it, it''s a sealing jutsu! I can''t move!" The Mist Ninja shouted. Without hesitation, Shisui flung his shurikens, each one striking the necks of the Mist Ninja bound by the chains. At the same time, Pakura also made her move,unching two fireballs. "They''re here!" "Be careful!" "Damn it! It''s Pakura of the Scorch Release! Use the Hiding in Mist Jutsu!" Shouts echoed as water surged up to extinguish the iing fireballs. Others threw kunai toward Asuka, who quickly dodged. Two Mist Ninja nked her, swinging their des, but in mid-air, they were pierced by the adamantine chains. Their chakra went out of control, and their bodies weakened as their swords fell to the ground. Another Mist Ninja began weaving hand signs to activate the Hiding in Mist Jutsu, sensing danger as his neck twisted. His eyes met a pair of blood-red Sharingan. "Sharingan..." That thought shed in his mind as he tried to retreat and cast his jutsu, but his body wouldn''t obey. In the next instant, his throat exploded in a spray of blood, silent in the night. Shisui swiftly dispatched the Mist Ninja with a single strike, not pausing as he moved toward the next. His left hand flicked, sending shurikens flying toward the kunai aimed at Asuka. The explosive tags on the kunai ignited, and with a boom, the area lit up. "Three-tomoe Sharingan!" The leading Mist Ninja''s eyes widened in horror as he yelled, "Retreat!" But in the next moment, he found himself frozen in ce. "Damn it... a paralysis jutsu!" The Mist Ninja trembled but couldn''t break free, and firelight now illuminated him. Boom! A water dragon collided with a fireball, creating a cloud of steam. One Mist Ninja dashed in, rescuing the paralyzed leader and retreating swiftly. The remaining Mist Ninja threw kunai with explosive tags to cover their escape. "Don''t chase them!" Shisui ordered, stopping Pakura and Asuka, who were ready to pursue. "The Mist Ninja are definitely making arge-scale move. Let''s go!" Receiving the intel from his crow clone, Shisui immediately led Pakura and Asuka to ambush another group of Mist Ninja. At the same time, on the other side, the Sand Ninja had once again encountered Shichi Hoshita''s shadow clones. But, just as Chiyo and Shingetsu had predicted, it was impossible for one person to lock them down entirely. However, Shichi''s shadow clones observed the movements of the Sand and Mist Ninjas from the sky and ryed the information to the Konoha forces in the rear. By the second half of the night, teams of Konoha Ninja, just like Shisui''s, began engaging with the Sand and Mist forces along the borders of the Land of Rivers, near the Land of Fire. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 143: A Decisive Battle!

Chapter 143: Chapter 143: A Decisive Battle!

That night, as therge-scale battle between Konoha and the Sand and Mist Ninja unfolded, it signaled that the Third Great Ninja War had entered a new phase. Both Kirigakure and Sunagakure hadunched simultaneous attacks on Konoha! Before dawn broke, Hanzo of Amegakure received the intelligence from his subordinates. "As expected, the war has erupted!" Hanzo snorted, "No wonder Konoha was so eager to form an alliance with me, even promising to help me quell the unrest in the Land of Rain." One of his subordinates quickly asked, "Lord Hanzo, should we ally with Konoha?" Hanzo replied indifferently, "No need!" "We won''t participate in this war." The current turmoil in the Land of Rain was caused by Konoha, Iwa, and Suna. Now that these major viges were fighting each other, why would he get involved? ... When Shichi opened his eyes, the sky was just beginning to brighten. He realized that he had fallen asleep while sitting and was now leaning against one of Asuka''s shadow clones. This also reassured him that Asuka''s real body was safe. "Asuka, how''s the battle going?" Shichi asked, stretching and feeling refreshed. Asuka responded, "The Mist and Sand Ninja have bothunchedrge-scale operations. The intelligence war has broken out fully. However, since it''s just the beginning, the battles haven''t been too intense. The Mist and Sand forces withdrew shortly after brief engagements." Shichi nodded at this. "Retreating after the first shit''s part of their intelligence gathering." "But I can imagine that the uing shes will be much fiercer." Once they find a weak spot in Konoha''s defenses, the Sand and Mist Ninja will eitherunch arge-scale assault into the Land of Fire or send elite teams to infiltrate and wreak havoc on Konoha''s supply lines and rear areas. Gathering no intelligence and recklessly sending troops into the Land of Fire would undoubtedly be a foolish move. After washing his face by the river, Shichi turned to Asuka and said, "Asuka, you guys should retreat and rest now." "Understood," Asuka nodded, and her figure dispersed. In less than 15 minutes, Uchiha Shisui and the others returned. After a sleepless night filled with battle and pursuit, the three of them were visibly exhausted. They hurriedly ate some soldier pills, drank some water, and immediately fell asleep. Meanwhile, Shichi formed hand seals, creating several shadow clones to continue executing the same tactics as the previous day. ... In the northern border of the Land of Wind, at the main Iwa front line headquarters: After listening to the report sent by Chiyo''s messenger, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, fell into deep thought. He was well aware of Shichi Hoshita, having fought against him before. Though he hadn''t personally witnessed Shichi''s battle with the Third Kazekage, he had heard a detailed ount of it from Madai. It was hard to believe that the young boy from back then had grown so strong, capable of killing elite shinobi like Madai and Feilian. "That guy was targeted by Iwa because of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki. He once defeated the Four-Tails Jinchuriki..." Rasa pondered, "Konoha''s White Fang, Sasori of the Red Sand... Could he be the one who killed the Third Kazekage?" He couldn''t help but make this startling hypothesis. After learning from captured Iwa Ninja that Shichi was targeted by Iwa due to his victory over the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Rasa had considered this possibility but quickly dismissed it. However, given Shichi''s current disy of strength, Rasa was forced to reconsider the theory. "Whether it''s him or not, anyone who can single-handedly wipe out Feilian''s entire battalion of a hundred is a threat. Besides myself, only the One-Tails can suppress him." Rasa quickly made up his mind and immediately issued orders to have Monk Bunpuku escorted to the Land of Rivers. As for Iwa''s forces... Rasa contemted, "We must settle the fight here quickly and move our forces to the Land of Rivers." "Even if we can''t invade the Land of Fire, we must take control of the Land of Rivers." He realized that extending their influence into the Land of Birds would be incredibly difficult. Although Iwa Ninja were inferior to the Sand Ninja in quality, their numbers were vast, and his army was now struggling to make any progress. "Perhaps..." A fleeting thought crossed Rasa''s mind about negotiating with Iwa, but he immediately dismissed the idea. Even if there were negotiations, Sunagakure could not be the one to initiate them! ... In the afternoon, at Iwagakure, in the Tsuchikage''s office, the vige''s high-ranking officials were engaged in a heated debate. Half an hour earlier, they had received intelligence that the Sand and Mist forces had engaged with Konoha. Onoki had immediately convened a high-level meeting. Unlike the swift consensus they reached on going to war with the Sand Vigest time, this time they were divided over whether tounch an attack on Konoha. "Though I hate to admit it, Konoha is indeed the strongest of the Five Great Ninja Viges." "Right now, even though Konoha is being attacked by both Sand and Mist, the forces they''vemitted aren''t substantial. It''s not the best time to strike." "That''s right. Konoha has already bolstered its forces at the border, indicating they''re prepared for us. We should gather more intelligence on Konoha''s forces before making a decision." "Or we could wait until Mist Ninja invade the Land of Fire from the east or until Kumogakure makes a move before we strike!" "But if we wait too long, we might miss our chance. Konoha''s strength is undeniable. If they repel Mist and Sand before we act, no one will be left to divide their forces." "Exactly. If we attack now, Sand and Mist will have to increase their forces, and even Kumogakure might join the fray." "We could even negotiate with the Sand Vige andunch a joint attack on the Land of Fire!" ... Listening to the heated arguments from both sides, Onoki furrowed his brows and gave a slight cough before speaking, "First, we need to gather more intelligence, especially on Konoha, the Sand, and Mist Ninja forces, as well as Hanzo''s stance in Amegakure." "Previous intelligence indicated that Konoha has been trying to win over Hanzo." Onoki''s words quickly brought an end to the debate, and the Iwa higher-ups nodded in agreement. With the decision made, Onoki''s orders were swiftly passed down, dispatching more Iwa Ninja squads straight to the Land of Rain. Meanwhile, due to geographical reasons, Kumogakure only received the news from their spies by evening. Unlike Onoki''s formal meeting, the Third Raikage merely consulted with Jonin such as Tutai before deciding to remain patient and wait for the right opportunity. Even though his heart was eager to start a war and seize benefits. ... In the Land of Rivers, at the Mist Ninja base, Hozuki Shingetsu wore a grim expression, feeling like his heart was bleeding. Despite having issued an order to retreat whenever encountering Shichi Hoshita, the losses continued to mount rapidly. Even retreating after encountering Shichi was difficult! But the worst part was that they were only fighting shadow clones. No matter how many forces he mobilized for a siege, it was pointless. From yesterday to today, they had already lost nearly 300 people. Shingetsu never expected one person to be capable of such devastation. "That damn brat..." Shingetsu cursed under his breath. He realized that his options were now severely limited. One option was to locate Shichi''s real body and concentrate his forces to eliminate him. However, new intel from the Sand Ninja revealed that this brat likely mastered some kind of space-time teleportation jutsu, making it almost impossible to corner him. The other option was to request reinforcements from the vige, strong enough to contain Shichi Hoshita. But the thought of asking for help because of a single brat... Shingetsu immediately rejected that idea. It would make him seem ipetent! After weighing all options, there seemed to be only one choice left. That was tounch a full-scale assault on the Land of Fire as soon as possible. Although the exact positioning of Konoha''s forces wasn''t clear, based on previous spy reports, Konoha''s total forces in the Land of Rivers didn''t exceed 1,500 troops. "As long as we can crush Konoha''s main force, Shichi won''t be able to do anything." "Focus our strength on breaking through one point..." Hozuki Shingetsu mused, "If Konoha''s forces are greater than mine, then I''ll employ infiltration tactics to destabilize their entire border defense. This would give Sunagakure the chance to break through both inside and out." This n was incredibly risky, especially given how vital Sand''s cooperation would be, particrly in such a disadvantageous position. "But Konoha''s forces won''t surpass mine. At most, they''ll be about equal." "As the attacking side, I hold the initiative!" Gazing at the map, Hozuki Shingetsu pped his palm against it, making up his mind. He wouldunch the full-scale assault on Konoha that very night! Immediately, Hozuki Shingetsu issued the order to recall all scattered Mist Ninja squads. ... Mist Ninja''s sudden movement was quickly noticed by one of Shichi''s shadow clones, and Shisui, Pakura, and Asuka reported the oddity to Shichi after retreating to his main body. This wasn''t just one or two small squads pulling back. Through his crow clones, they could see that many Mist Ninja squads, previously engaging Konoha''s forces, were suddenly retreating. After listening to their intel, Shichi didn''t make a hasty decision but waited quietly for feedback from his shadow clones. As time ticked by, towards the evening, one of the shadow clones monitoring the Mist Ninja dispelled, and its memories flowed back to Shichi. He couldn''t help but be taken aback. "Are they really that desperate?" His tactics had indeed been quite vexingdeploying shadow clones and, along with Asuka and the others, hunting down Mist Ninja everywhere. At times, his shadow clones had even brazenly blocked Mist Ninja right near their main camp. It was overly audacious! And now, the Mist Ninja had suddenly withdrawn all their forces, gathering them together for a full-on assault, seemingly caring little about Konoha''s defensive positions. After thinking for a moment, Shichi sent another shadow clone to monitor the Mist Ninja''s actions, then turned to Shisui and said, "Shisui, can you have your crow clones deliver this information to the rear?" "The Mist Ninja have suddenly concentrated all their forces. It looks like they''re preparing for a full-scale assault into the Land of Fire." Uchiha Shisui nodded, and not far away, a flock of resting crows immediately took flight. At the same time, at the Sand Ninja front-line headquarters, Chiyo received the news from the Mist Ninja and agreed to Hozuki Shingetsu''s n almost without hesitation. However, the exact coordination and timing of the attack would depend on the circumstances. Chiyo believed that even if the Mist Ninja began to lose ground, they could hold out for some time. It was a favorable n for them, so there was no reason to refuse. ... Uchiha Shisui quickly received feedback from his crow clone and ryed it to Shichi, who had transformed into a mini-version of the Four-Tails. "Shichi, Lord Orochimaru has begun gathering his forces, but he needs you to return for a moment." Shichi opened his eyes, slightly surprised. "Orochimaru is here?" Shisui nodded. "Yes, he happened to be patrolling nearby." Shichi transformed back into his human form. This time, instead of using a shadow clone, he teleported back directly using the Flying Thunder God technique. When he met Orochimaru, Shichi was surprised to hear him say, "Shichi-kun, how about you takemand of this battle?" Shichi shook his head. "Neither my rank nor my experience makes me suitable for that." Orochimaru responded seriously, "But your previous strategies were very effective, weren''t they?" "I need you to hold off the Mist Ninja!" "Now is not the time for a decisive battle with them." However, Shichi had a different perspective. "Lord Orochimaru, I actually think this is a great opportunity to crush the Mist Ninja''s main force." "The Mist Ninja have gathered all their troops for a full frontal assault. If I can get my Flying Thunder God kunai into their ranks, I can disrupt their formation." "Once their formation copses, you can lead Konoha''s forces in a charge, and the Mist Ninja will surely fall apart!" Orochimaru smiled. "It seems you''ve been hiding some of your true strength, Shichi-kun." Shichi replied earnestly, "The ninja world is a dangerous ce; it''s always good to have some means of survival." Orochimaru nodded in agreement and said, "Leave the task of cing the Flying Thunder God kunai to me!" Shichi immediately handed six kunai to Orochimaru. "It''s best to spread them out." Orochimaru nodded, taking the kunai. "Understood!" With that, Shichi left. He returned to Shisui and the others, and soon after, he received the feedback from his shadow clones. Without dy, Shichi led Shisui and the group to retreat, heading to rendezvous with Orochimaru''s forces. Two hourster. On the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers, the Mist Ninja army halted on a t in. On the other side of the border, a vast forest stood, where Konoha''s forces had also fully gathered. However, standing at the forest''s edge were only a few, including Shichi and Orochimaru, while the rest of Konoha''s ninja remained hidden within the trees. Orochimaru, observing the Mist Ninja''s preparations, turned to Shichi and asked, "Shichi-kun, are you sure it''s fine if the kunai aren''t ced at the center?" Shichi fixed his gaze on the Mist Ninja camp. "As long as they''re inside their formation, it will work!" Orochimaru nodded and asked again, "Then... are you ready?" Shichi smiled. "Of course!" "And please be prepared as well, Lord Orochimaru." As he spoke, a brilliant blue light shone from his forehead. Yin Seal, Release! Creation Rebirth: Strength of a Hundred Technique, Activate! In an instant, solid blue chakra enveloped Shichi''s entire body, forming a divine robe around him. "What... incredible chakra!" "What kind of jutsu is this?" "Shichi... he''s amazing!" ... Under the astonished gazes of those behind him, Shichi''s chakra cloak ignited with mes, adorned with lotus patterns. It was a Fire Release Chakra Mode, but it wasn''t just Fire Releaseit was abination of Fire and Wind Release. But Shichi wasn''t finished yet. After the Yin Seal on his forehead was released, the seal on his abdomen also unraveled. Boom! Boom! Two shadow clones, also d in Fire Release Chakra Mode, appeared on either side of Shichi. Meanwhile, in the Mist Ninja camp, after taking a soldier pill and drinking some water, Hozuki Shingetsu noticed the surge of chakra from Shichi and was shocked. "So this is his true power. Is this what he used against the Sand Ninja?" "However, Konoha has less than 500 troops. I still have the advantage!" Shingetsu remained steadfast in his resolve. ording to the sensory ninja, Konoha had only about 420 troops. But the Mist Ninja still had over 600. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 144: Fire, Wind, and ... Lava?!!

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Fire, Wind, and ... Lava?!!

"Huh?" "Is Konoha nning tounch an attack?" Hozuki Shingetsu was puzzled as he watched Shichi split into clones. At that moment, amotion broke out within the Mist Ninja army. "Watch out! Poisonous snakes are crawling out!" "Quick, kill them all!" ... At six different locations, poisonous snakes emerged, slithering around. The Mist Ninja were initially startled, but they quickly acted, easily taking down the snakes. "Why are there poisonous snakes here?" Shingetsu frowned and turned his head to look, then suddenly recalled a certain person from Konoha. "Orochimaru''s handiwork... this is bad!" He remembered the Sand Ninja''s mention of a space-time jutsu, and cold sweat drenched his back. Shingetsu turned toward the Konoha forces just in time to see Shichi disappear. "Lit" Before Shingetsu could finish his sentence, three Shichi Hoshitas appeared in the midst of the Mist Ninja army. One was at the left nk, another at the middle rear, and the third on the right nk. The appearance of Shichi stunned the surrounding Mist Ninja for a moment, followed by a series of frantic screams. "Watch out!" "It''s Shichi Hoshita!" "Kill him, now!" ... Despite the army being assembled together, the Mist Ninja''s formation was still rtively sparse. Shouting in fury, the Mist Ninja attacked, drawing the attention of others, which only caused further chaos. But Shichi''s movements were even quicker. The moment he appeared, two blue me dragon heads had already formed on his shoulders. As their mouths opened, a zing white light began to gather, and then a white beam shot forth. Dragon me Breath! Pew pew pew... Like skewers, the high-temperature beams pierced through one Mist Ninja after another until a water-style jutsu blocked it. In that instant, Shichi''s real body and his clones had already inflicted over thirty casualties on the Mist Ninja. At the same time, as the attack unfolded, chains whipped out from behind Shichi with a metallic tter. They moved like dragons and snakes, deflecting the iing shuriken, piercing through the Mist Ninja who had leapt forward, igniting them like torches. Their anguished screams filled the air before they were flung away. Boom! Water-style techniques erupted, and more Mist Ninja reacted,unching water dragons and massive torrents toward Shichi''s position. Shichi''s Fire Nether Chains retracted, burrowing into the ground and transforming into a barrier. Boom! Various water-style jutsus collided with the three barriers, causing steam to rise and rapidly spread. Inside the barrier, Shichi had already brought his hands together in a seal. At this point, Hozuki Shingetsu was drenched in sweat, shouting orders repeatedly: "Don''t panic!" "Spread out the formation!" "Encircle him heavily!" "Stay alert for Konoha''s forces!" If Konoha were to charge at this moment... Shingetsu continued to issuemands while keeping a watchful eye on the Konoha army. Thankfully, the opposing side didn''t seem to have any immediate intention of advancing. Was there some sort of hidden plot? A sense of unease welled up in Shingetsu''s heart. Meanwhile, on the Konoha side, many of the ninja had their eyes wide open, unable to stop gulping in disbelief. "He''s... just charging in by himself?" "Shichi... is incredible!" "But... are we just going to watch?" ... Even the ordinary Konoha ninjas, let alone the jnin, couldn''t help but voice their concern as they saw the Mist Ninja army fall into disarray. One jnin from the Sarutobi n, Sarutobi Shinichi, couldn''t hold back and asked, "Lord Orochimaru, are we just going to stand here? Isn''t this the best opportunity to strike?" Orochimaru, who was intently watching the Mist Ninja forces, his body tense, smiled when he heard Shinichi''s question. He spoke with a calm demeanor, "No need to rush, Shinichi. We haven''t reached the moment that Shichi and I agreed upon yet." Agreed upon? What agreement? The Konoha ninjas were all curious. Meanwhile, within the Mist Ninja army, in just a short amount of time, the Mist had surrounded Shichi, forming three concentric circles around him. No longer on the outskirts of the army, Shichi was nowpletely surrounded. As the water vapor dissipated, Shichi retracted his barrier. Immediately, water-style jutsu from all directions rushed at him. In response, fire lotus flowers bloomed on Shichi''s body,unching smaller, blue fireballseach about the size of a fistlike a barrage of blue lotus seeds. Each blue lotus seed collided with the iing water streams and exploded, blooming into blue petals of fire. This was a me-Wind Vacuum sh, abination of fire and wind-style techniques. The collision between fire and water created continuous booms, but some of Shichi''s Blue me Vacuum shes cut through the water, piercing the Mist Ninja. Boom boom boom! The blue lotus seeds wereunched one after another, continuously exploding, tearing apart the Mist Ninja''s encirclement. What was once a formation became a deadly sea of mes, filled with Mist Ninja''s anguished screams. At that moment, thebination of wind and fire had ovee the water-style jutsu! This was yet another improvement of Shichi''s Fire Prison Lotus. The intense collision between fire and water generated a thick mist, preventing the outeryer of Mist Ninja from seeing the battlefield clearly. They could only hear the terrifying screams of theirrades, filling them with fear. When the explosion and screams subsided, and the mist was blown away, a sharp screeching sound echoed through the Mist Ninja ranks. "What is that..." "That chakra... it''s overwhelming!" "Damn it!" The Mist Ninja stared in horror as Shichi raised a rapidly spinning, blinding wheel of light, resembling a giant windmill. Hozuki Shingetsu turned to look as well, muttering, "Wind-style... Fire-style... and... Lava-style... Damn it!" "Scatter!" "All units, use water-style jutsu!" Shingetsu shouted with all his might. Not only him, but other high-ranking Mist Ninja, including many jnin and chnin, also began barking orders, urging their forces to retreat and quickly form seals. The other Mist Ninja followed suit, using the fastest hand seals they knew to cast their water-style jutsu. Wind Release: Rasenshuriken! Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken! Lava Release: Rasenshuriken! Shichi''s real body used the Lava Release Rasenshuriken, while his two clones each used one of the other two variants. "If you''ve started a war... then first, feel the pain!" Shichi spoke, and then his clones dispersed. His real body vanished from the battlefield, reappearing next to Asuka. Immediately, Orochimaru and the Konoha ninjas witnessed two rapidly expanding orbs of light, one of which contained swirlingva. The brightness not only illuminated the night sky but was so intense that they had to avert their eyes. Under the light of these orbs, the hundreds of Mist Ninja appeared insignificant, swallowed in an instant by the zing radiance. "He''s... so strong!" "That kind of jutsu... it''s unbelievable!" "This level of power is beyond us... It''s like he''s on apletely different level!" "Gulp... Could Lord Shichi wipe out all the Mist Ninja by himself?" ... "Shichi-kun, you never cease to amaze me!" Orochimaru grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he watched the overwhelming disy of ninjutsu. "Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! This is the true allure of ninjutsu!" Shichi epted Orochimaru''s praise with a smile, reminding him, "A storm ising next." As his words fell, the massive orbs of light abruptly shrank, and a powerful wind swept through the area, apanied by pouring rain that drenched the Konoha ninjas. The rain wasn''t coldit was hot! On the other side of the battlefield, atop a hill covered in shrubs, Zetsu, half-buried in the ground, also gazed at the dazzling disy of light. "What an incredible jutsu!" "This guy, Shichi Hoshita... is he really that strong?" "They say he''s only twelve years old?" "What was I even doing when I was twelve?" Zetsu mused to himself, genuinely reflecting. At the forest''s edge, Orochimaru turned to Shichi and asked, "Shichi-kun, is it time to attack?" Shichi nodded. "Yes, it''s time." Without hesitation, Orochimaru raised his hand and ordered, "Charge!" He was the first to leap into action. Shichi followed, leading Uchiha Shisui and the others, and soon the Konoha ninjas, their blood boiling with excitement, rushed out of the forest and charged toward the Mist Ninja. But... weren''t the Mist Ninja already taken care of by Lord Shichi? ... The three Rasenshuriken had left behind a massive crater, filled with water like ake, with numerous Mist Ninjas floating on the surface, their condition uncertain. Not only inside the crater, but even outside, in the areas covered with pooled water, there were Mist Ninjas lying everywhere. Some of them appeared unharmed, while others were charred ck from head to toe. With a ssh, the liquified form of Hozuki Shingetsu emerged, his body gradually reforming. As he surveyed the battlefield strewn with bodies, his mind went nk for a moment. "Hmm?" "Ahh!" One by one, Mist Ninjas who had been knocked unconscious by the impact started waking up. Shingetsu finally snapped back to reality, almost weeping with relief. More and more Mist Ninjas began to rise to their feet, but when Shingetsu turned toward the Konoha forces, his expression changed. Konoha was charging! "Retreat! Retreat immediately!" "Withdraw toward the river!" Shingetsu shouted his orders. Even though more Mist Ninjas were getting up, it was clear that continuing to fight was impossible under these circumstances. And that Shichi Hoshita... With unwavering decisiveness, Shingetsu led over a hundred Mist Ninjas in retreat. Shichi and his group quickly caught up, and the Mist Ninjas who had just regained consciousness were struck down again by shuriken as soon as they rose. Without pausing, Orochimaru led part of the force in pursuit, while a smaller group of Konoha ninjas remained behind to clear the battlefield. Although the three Rasenshuriken had covered the entire Mist Ninja force, it was clear that not all had been killed. ... Watching the fleeing Mist Ninjas ahead, Shichi''s feet bloomed with fire lotuses, propelling him high into the sky. Under the watchful eyes of Orochimaru and the others, the lotus patterns on Shichi''s chakra cloak began toe alive. In an instant,yers of blue lotuses bloomed behind him. Boom! With a sonic boom, Shichi broke the sound barrier, trailing a long tail of me as he shot forward like a meteor, cutting through the night sky. "So fast!" The Konoha ninjas eximed in amazement. In mere moments, the fleeing Mist Ninjas looked up, only to see a streak of fire descending from the sky. Boom! Shichinded directly in front of them, blocking their path. He raised his hands, and two dragon heads materialized, one on each shoulder. Dragon me Breath! High-temperature beams shot out, piercing through the bodies of the Mist Ninjas, who screamed in agony as they fell. "Scatter and retreat!" Shingetsu dodged nimbly, forming hand seals, but before he couldplete his jutsu, the sound of something cutting through the air reached him. Shichi appeared right in front of him, gripping his throat with his right hand. Ssh! Shingetsu liquefied, his body copsing into a stream of water. At that moment, Shichi deactivated his fire-style chakra mode. Apanied by the chirping sound of a thousand birds, lightning surged from his body, crackling outward. Chidori! The electrified Shingetsu was instantly paralyzed, his liquified form solidifying like jelly. "Captain!" "Lord Shingetsu!" Several Mist Ninjas cried out, some of whom had already retreated but turned back upon seeing this. However, in the next moment, their advancing bodies copsed and rolled across the ground. Genjutsu C Binding Illusion! As he watched the remaining Mist Ninjas scatter in all directions, Shichi decided not to pursue them. With the leader captured, the rest could be left to Orochimaru and the others. By now, the rest of the Konoha forces had caught up. Some stayed with Orochimaru, while the others spread out to chase down the remaining Mist Ninjas. This battle was destined to end in the total annihtion of the Mist Ninja army. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 145: Power of Shukaku, Perfect Jinchūriki?

Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Power of Shukaku, Perfect Jinchriki?

"Shuichi-kun, how do you think we should deal with the Sand shinobi next?" Under the starry sky, with the evening breeze blowing, Orochimaru stood on a hilltop overlooking the busy Konoha shinobi below. He asked this question with a smile, clearly in a good mood after the annihtion of the Mist shinobi. Shichi responded with a question of his own, "Orochimaru-sama must already have a n, right?" Orochimaru chuckled, "How about we cut off the Sand shinobi''smunication, making them believe we''re still locked in battle with the Mist, while also drawing their forces to where we want them? What do you think?" Shichi nodded, genuinely impressed, "As expected of one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru-sama. I agree that this is the best approach. Even though we now have enough forces tounch a direct attack on the Sand shinobi, the casualties would be high." "By following the original n and luring the Sand shinobi into a trap, we can minimize our losses. With our increased numbers, we can handle things more smoothly." Orochimaru teased, "With how outstandingly you''re performing, Shichi-kun, as themander, I naturally want to make our victory even more impressive." "Then, I''ll leave the task of cutting off theirmunication to you." Shichi immediately epted, "Understood!" ... After parting ways with Orochimaru, Shichi returned to the forest where Asuka and the others were resting. "Shichi, Shisui made fish soup. Come have some!" Asuka called out with a smile. "It''s been a while since I had Shisui''s cooking," Shichi grinned, sitting down and taking the bamboo cup filled with fish soup from Asuka. He enjoyed it thoroughly. After eating, Uchiha Shisui asked, "Shichi, are we going to attack the Sand shinobi next?" Asuka added with a smile, "With our current forces, we could easily attack from both sides." Shichi nced at Pakura, who had been quiet, and shook his head, "Not just yet. Our next mission is to cut off the Sand shinobi''smunication with the now-defeated Mist shinobi." Then he turned to Pakura, "Scorch, return to the Land of Fire and prepare for the battle with the Mist shinobi." Pakura was momentarily surprised, but quickly nodded, "Understood, Lord Shichi!" She was about to get up when Shichi waved his hand, "Leave tomorrow morning." "Alright, everyone, get some rest." The group split up and retreated to their tents for the night. The night passed uneventfully, and by early morning, Shichi was feeling refreshed as he began his daily physical training. As always, he used Earth and Water Release to create a waterfall, under which he practiced wielding hisrge sworda custom-made weapon he kept sealed in his ninja tool scroll. After two hours of training, the Konoha camp had be bustling with activity. Asuka and Shisui were roasting rabbits and simmering fish soup. Just as Shichi finished his workout, Pakura appeared, "Lord Shichi, I''m heading out." "Alright," Shichi nodded. "Stop by the research base first. I''lle find youter." "Yes!" Pakura bowed respectfully and left. Shichi watched her go, a smile tugging at his lips. Good, she''s bing more obedient. ... After breakfast, Orochimaru led the army''s retreat. Some of the forces escorted the injured and the Mist shinobi prisoners back to Konoha, while the majority followed Orochimaru. Shichi sent out shadow clones to monitor the movements of the Sand shinobi. After finishing breakfast, he, Shisui, and Asuka, along with the shadow clones, began the task of cutting offmunication between the Sand shinobi and the no-longer-existing Mist forces. This mission was rtively easy. When the Sand shinobi saw Shichi, they turned and fled. If they had sensory ninja, they would detect Shichi''s chakra from a distance and immediately retreat. Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, two days had gone by. In the Sand shinobi''s main camp, Chiyo frowned. Two days had passed without anymunication from the Mist shinobi. That brat, Shichi Hoshita, hadn''te to harass them but had instead cut off theirmunication with the Mist forces. What exactly was going on? "Is Konoha in a critical situation?" Chiyo pondered, If it were truly that urgent, why would they leave someone like Shichi, even if it were only a shadow clone? "So, is the Mist in trouble?" "Has Konoha''s reinforcements arrived, or have they secretly gathered forces to eliminate the Mist first?" There were many possibilities. With no intelligenceing from the direction of the Land of Rain, Chiyo wasn''t sure whether Konoha had sent reinforcements. But there had been no unusual movements from the Konoha shinobi in the past two days. At that moment, a voice came from outside, "Chiyo-sama, there''s intelligence from the Land of Rain." Chiyo''s heart lifted, "Come in!" A young Sand shinobi brought in a scroll. Chiyo quickly scanned it. Konoha hasn''t sent reinforcements! "So, they must have redeployed their front-line forces?" Chiyo turned to the map. "Koharu Utatane wouldn''t have the guts for this. It must be the work of Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin. As expected of someone so young!" Though in her eyes, the thirty-something Orochimaru was still considered young. Despite having pieced together her theory, and after probing Konoha''s defenses over the past two days, Chiyo refrained fromunching an all-out attack. That night, Chiyo gave the order for a more aggressive assault, targeting the previously identified weak points in Konoha''s defenses. However, the attack was met with fierce resistance from Konoha shinobi, shattering their assumptions about those weak spots. Back in her brightly litmand tent, Chiyo listened to the reports from the front lines while studying the map. Her confidence in her theory only grew stronger. "Konoha''s flying ninja beasts have been monitoring our movements, so they can anticipate our attacks. Konoha must have a specialized unit that can quickly support these points, which is why the previously weak areas suddenly became so well-defended." As Chiyo analyzed the situation, a voice from outside interrupted her, this time brimming with excitement, "Chiyo-sama, the reinforcements from the vige have arrived!" Finally! Chiyo''s face lit up with joy as she stepped out of the tent, only to see her brother and the One-Tail Jinchriki, Bunpuku! Without dy, she summoned all the present jnin for a meeting. There was no need to wait any longer. ... By a river, Shichi raised an eyebrow as he received the memory feedback from his shadow clone: "The One-Tails'' Jinchriki has arrived!" "It seems the Sand Shinobi are preparing for an all-out attack!" Shichi stood up and turned to Shisui and Asuka, saying, "We need to return to the main camp. The Sand Shinobi are likely preparing for a full-scale assault!" Both of them were taken aback. Shisui quickly asked, "Shichi, did something change with the Sand Shinobi?" "Yes," Shichi nodded, "They''ve received reinforcements, including the One-Tails'' Jinchriki." With a light chuckle, he added, "They might have sent him just to deal with me." Asuka immediately tensed and said seriously, "I''ve heard the Tailed Beasts are terrifying. Shichi, I can help you with a sealing technique when the timees." "Of course!" Shichi responded with a smile. Shisui added, "My Sharingan mighte in handy too." "Don''t worry, I won''t leave you guys behind!" "Let''s go!" With that, Shichi leaped forward, leading the way. The three of them rushed toward the Konoha main camp at full speed, but Shichi left a few shadow clones behind to continue monitoring the Sand Shinobi. These clones could shift to airborne surveince once their interception role was no longer needed. Two hourster, the trio arrived back at the main camp on the Land of Fire side. By this time, Orochimaru and the others had already learned of the arrival of the Tailed Beast Jinchriki at the front lines. Naturally, Konoha wasn''t relying solely on Shichi to keep an eye on the Sand Shinobi; the Land of Wind''s direction was another key area of surveince. As soon as Shichi entered the tent, Koharu Utatane spoke up, "Shichi, you''vee at the right time. I assume you''re aware of the One-Tails'' Jinchriki arriving?" Shichi nodded, "Yes, I''ve encountered the One-Tails during the battle between the Sand and Stone Shinobi before, so I''m quite familiar with its chakra." "It seems likely that the Sand Shinobi willunch their main offensive today." Koharu nodded gravely, "The key issue is the Tailed Beast..." Jnin Sarutobi Shinichi asked, "Shichi, as someone who''s witnessed a battle between the One-Tails and Four-Tails, how strong are they?" Everyone in the tent turned their attention to Shichi. Most had never witnessed the power of a Tailed Beast firsthand. Apart from Shichi, only Koharu and Orochimaru had seen them in actionKoharu due to her vast experience, and Orochimaru, because he had once tried to ambush the Eight-Tails'' Jinchriki. After a brief pause, Shichi exined, "The Four-Tails'' Jinchriki is different from the One-Tails''. The Four-Tails'' Jinchriki has already mastered the Tailed Beast''s power and even gained the Lava Release Kekkei Genkai through it." "So, the Four-Tails'' Jinchriki typically fights using the Tailed Beast''s power, mainly employing Lava Release." "In general, there are three stages." Shichi went into detail: "The first stage is when the Jinchriki uses their own strength. The second is when they don the Tailed Beast''s cloak, using the One-Tail form while still in human shape." "The next step is partial Tailed Beast transformation, reaching the Four-Tails state. In this form, their speed and other abilities increase dramatically, and they can also use the Tailed Beast Bomb, an attack strong enough to destroy an entire town." "During thest battle with the One-Tails, the Four-Tails'' Jinchriki was forced to fully release the Four-Tails because he was losing, but that''s something non-perfect Jinchriki resort to as ast-ditch effort, and there''s a high risk of losing control. At that point, it''s the Tailed Beast itself fighting." Someone asked, "Shichi, how does this Tailed Beast Bombpare to the move you used a few days ago?" How could theypare? The power varies depending on how much chakra is put into the attack. Still, after a moment of thought, Shichi answered, "My technique is an S-rank forbidden jutsu, so with equal chakra, they should be about the same." "However, my chakra can''t bepared to a Tailed Beast''s, so against a Tailed Beast, the most crucial thing is sealing techniques." Koharu immediately said, "Shichi, you''ve trained in sealing jutsu with Minato''s team, right?" "Hmm?" Shichi nodded, "Indeed." "The One-Tails is different from the Four-Tails. The One-Tails'' Jinchriki, Bunpuku, doesn''t seem to have mastered the Tailed Beast''s power, yet he can still control the One-Tails." Orochimaru, who had been silent until now, asked, "Shichi-kun, what do you mean by that?" Shichi exined, "In thest battle, Bunpuku released the One-Tails directly, so he hasn''t mastered its power for his ownbat use." "But he has an extremely powerful sealing ability that can restrain the One-Tails and prevent it from going berserk and attacking the Sand Shinobi." "Additionally, aside from the Tailed Beast Bomb, the One-Tails'' Wind Release is incredibly strong." After thinking for a moment, Shichi added, "It''s probably on par with my own." The Jnin in the tent couldn''t help but smile wryly, while Shimura Feiyan''s face darkened. "This bratso full of himself!" Orochimaru remarked, "ording to Shichi-kun, ordinary shinobi shouldn''t get close to the Tailed Beast at all." Shichi nodded, "Yes, normal attacks are like scratches to a Tailed Beast." "Moreover, the One-Tails has formidable defense. Especially in the desert, its power is amplifiedit can manipte sand and even turn its own body into sand." "Last time, when the Four-Tails broke its front limb, the fallen limb turned into sand, and the One-Tails quickly regrew it." Everyone in the tent grew increasingly serious. Even Orochimaru felt a weight in the air. Though he had once taken down the Eight-Tails'' Jinchriki, he didn''t underestimate the power of the Tailed Beasts. In a direct confrontation, he had to admit he didn''t have many effective means to deal with such a massive force. One Tailed Beast Bomb could force you to either flee or rely on Rashmon to block it. As for summoning Manda, that snake couldn''t be counted on. "Well then, Shichi-kun, I''ll leave the One-Tails to you." Orochimaru said, "There isn''t a sealing squad avable right now, and it''s toote to request one from the vige." Shichi nodded, "No problem, Asuka also knows sealing jutsu." "But once the One-Tails appears, everyone needs to stay far away!" Koharu quickly added, "We''ll make sure that message gets out!" "Understood!" everyone responded. Shortly after, the meeting concluded, and everyone went about their tasks. Koharu led a group back to the medical camp, whilemand of the front lines was officially handed over to Orochimaru. Orochimaru efficiently organized the troops, showing his skill in leadership. The skirmishes along the Fire Country border appeared unchanged, but both Konoha and the Sand were preparing for arger conflict. As time passed, night fell. Shichi, Shisui, and Asuka waited quietly, while Shichi''s shadow clones in the form of hawks continued to monitor the Sand Shinobi from the skies. But as midnight approached, the Sand Shinobi remained inactive, just like the previous days. "Are they waiting for dawn tounch their attack?" Shichi frowned. Orochimaru quickly ordered the Konoha ninjas to rest in shiftsotherwise, they''d lose the advantage of striking after preparation. Both sides acted like everything was normal, yet continued to quietly prepare. ... As the moments before dawn arrived, the time when people are most exhausted, Shichi Hoshita, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them wide. "They''reing!" "Shisui!" he shouted as he stood up. "Go inform Lord Orochimaru. The Sand Shinobi are moving, target point 3!" "Understood!" Uchiha Shisui immediately used his Body Flicker Technique and vanished, while Shichi and Asuka headed straight for the front lines. Soon after, the Konoha forces stirred. The previously resting ninja quickly mobilized in their squads and began moving toward their assigned locations. Target point 3 was one of the three traps set by Orochimaru. Meanwhile, in the darkness, Chiyo, advancing at high speed, nced at the disappearing flying beast overhead but didn''t alter her course. The Sand Army, advancing rapidly, crossed the border between the two countries within half an hour and arrived at Konoha''s defensive line. Konoha''s defense was based around the vast forest, their most favorable battleground. ... Whistle! Whistle! As the Sand Shinobi approached, sharp whistles echoed through the forest. When the Sand forces charged across rivers into the forest, Konoha ninja began a tactical retreat. "Wind Style!" The leading Sand Jonin and Chunin shouted as the rear forces immediately began forming hand seals. Whoosh! Whoosh! In the darkness, the sound of projectiles cutting through the air arose. A barrage of shuriken wasunched, but the vanguard of the Sand forces intercepted them all. Then, they stepped aside, allowing thepleted Wind Style users to unleash a fierce gale, whipping forward with a thunderous roar. Within the forest, Konoha ninja took cover behind trees, but many of the traps set, especially the explosive tags, were destroyed by the wind. Most importantly, the st of wind temporarily thinned the air, rendering explosive tags ineffective. Although the forest favored Konoha, the Sand Shinobi had their own means to neutralize the traps. As soon as the windstorm subsided, the Sand Jonin and Chuninmanders ordered, "Move quickly!" The Sand forces pressed forward through the now rtively safe area, shing head-on with Konoha ninja as short-rangebat began. The Sand forces, bolstered by their numbers, advanced quickly. Konoha ninja fought while retreating, the sh of steel ringing through the forest, punctuated by the asional screams of the wounded. But as the Sand Shinobi pushed deeper, the resistance they encountered grew stronger. More and more Konoha ninja appeared from both nks. Boom! A Konoha ninja fell, only to explode into a cloud of smoke. "A clone?" A Sand ninja scoffed. The same scene yed out in the distance. At that moment, the sound of projectiles filled the air from the front and both sides. The Sand forces, on high alert, shouted, "Careful, Konoha isunching a counterattack!" To their surprise, however, what was thrown at them was not aimed directly at them, nor were they shuriken. Instead, strange egg-shaped objects flew through the air. Though unfamiliar, every Sand ninja knew these were likely some form of ninja tool. Almost instinctively, they began to distance themselves from the objects. Before they could react, the "eggs" explodedKonoha''s version of hand grenades. Whoosh! Whoosh! Countless tiny steel balls shot out like a storm, scattering in all directions. Stter! Stter! Blood sprayed as Sand ninja were hit, and their screams of agony filled the forest. Caught off guard, many were hit, some falling dead on the spot, riddled with holes, while others, less fortunate, were left writhing in pain on the ground. A few quick-moving Sand ninjas managed to avoid the attack with Body Flicker. "Don''t let those things get close!" The Sand forces warned each other, throwing shuriken to intercept the iing grenades or using Wind Style to blow them away. But just then, more grenades exploded underground and from the trees above, lighting up the night with shes of fire. Steel balls once again sprayed through the air. The grenades hidden underground were strung together with steel wire, designed to be triggered andunched into the air before exploding. However, many had lost their functionality due to the Sand''s earlier Wind Style, exploding beneath the ground with reduced power. But those set in the trees remained intact. These were aimed at the Sand''s advancing direction, their explosive force focused outward. These well-concealed traps caught even the more experienced Sand Jonin off guard, some of whom were too close to dodge the dense spray of steel balls and were turned into human sieves. Meanwhile, the Konoha ninja who had been fighting the Sand forces up close were also hitbut instead of being injured, they vanished into puffs of smoke. Clones! They were all clonesShadow Clones, Earth Clones, Water Clones. Realizing this, the Sand forces suddenly understood: they had walked into a trap! Amidst the shing explosions and the sight of theirrades falling like wheat, Chiyo''s face darkened as she issued orders for the forces to pull back and tighten their defenses. At the same time, she instructed those skilled in Fire Style to set the surrounding grass and trees aze to provide light. The darkness, which had once been their cover, had now be their enemy, aiding Konoha in thinning their ranks. The Sand forces deployed all sorts of defensive techniquesEarth Style to shield them, Wind Style to blow away iing grenades, and shuriken to destroy the explosive tags within the grenadesyet despite their efforts, more Sand shinobi fell to the relentless bombardment of steel balls. A few momentster, the explosions ceased. By the light of the fires, the Sand ninja could see arge number of Konoha ninja appearing ahead and on both sides. "Lady Chiyo, we''re...we''re surrounded!" the sensory ninja reported, sweat beading on his forehead. "At least 700 enemies!" Ebizo asked, "Is the rear blocked off by arge force of Konoha ninja?" The sensory ninja quickly replied, "There''s norge force behind us." Chiyo, however, remained calm. "There will be, but they haven''t shown themselves yet." "If we try to turn back now, we''ll walk right into an ambush. They''ll strike us from the nks and split our forces in two!" Ebizo nodded grimly. "Then our only option is to break through the enemy in front of us!" Chiyo agreed, her voice resolute. "Yes. We push forward, break through, and then redirect our attack to Konoha''s weak point." Ebizo turned to Bunpuku. "Let the One-Tail open a path." Chiyo also looked at Bunpuku expectantly. By now, the Konoha forces had begun to engage the Sand ninja on the front and nks, and the real battle had begun. Amidst the screams outside, Bunpuku sighed and nodded. "Understood." "I''ve already spoken to the One-Tail. Follow behind him closely." "However, after this battle, he''ll want to y with sand for a whole month." Chiyo quickly agreed. "No problem. I will personally speak with the Fourth about that. Of course, the Sealing Team will be there to keep watch." "Of course." Bunpuku leaped forward. "That monkhe''s the One-Tail''s Jinchriki!" "Retreat!" "Scatter!" At that moment, both the Sand ninja on the front lines and the Konoha forces on the nks quickly began to fall back. In front of the Sand forces, Shichi and Orochimaru also revealed themselves. "The One-Tail''s Jinchriki...just like the Eight-Tails Jinchriki from back then," Orochimaru muttered, his eyes fixed intently on Bunpuku as he moved to the forefront of the Sand forces, a smirk ying on his lips. "Shichi-kun, I imagine you''re eager to get your hands on the One-Tail''s chakra?" Shichi responded with a question, "And what about you, Lord Orochimaru? Aren''t you just as interested?" Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Then I suppose you''ll have to work hard for it, won''t you?" At that moment, Bunpuku spoke up, "Konoha shinobi, would you consider letting us pass?" Orochimaruughed. "As the invaders, making such a request is quite bold." "If you surrender, I can ask Lord Third Hokage to allow the Fourth Kazekage to ransom you back!" Before Bunpuku could respond, a Sand ninja shouted angrily, "Never!" "That''s right! Even if we die here, we will never surrender, especially since the battle isn''t over yet!" "Do you think you can stop the One-Tail''s power?" "Charge! Kill them all and avenge our fallenrades!" ... The Sand shinobi''s eyes turned bloodshot as they shouted and cursed. Orochimaru paid them no attention and retreated further. Without saying another word, Bunpuku lowered his gaze, and a surge of crimson chakra erupted from his body, transforming into a colossal figure. Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, had appeared! "This... is this a Tailed Beast?" "It''s enormous!" "That chakra is overwhelming! No wonder we were ordered to retreat!" ... One by one, the Konoha shinobi looked up in awe at Shukaku, who towered over even the tallest trees, swallowing nervously. It was huge! Especially in the dim light, it seemed even more terrifying. "Continue retreating!" Orochimarumanded. Almost simultaneously, Chiyo ordered the Sand shinobi to fall back as well. Shichi nced up at the roaring Shukaku and said to Shisui and Asuka behind him, "Shisui, Asuka, you should retreat for now as well." "Understood!" Without hesitation, Shisui and Asuka withdrew. In an instant, Shichi flickered and appeared on top of a tree. Even from here, he had to crane his neck to look up at the towering Shukaku. As the dawn light gradually broke through, the scene became clearer. "A little brat?" Shukaku looked down at Shichi, then nced at the Konoha shinobi hiding in the forest and chuckled, "There are quite a few of you. I should''ve stayed sealed for another month." Shichi entered Fire Release Chakra Mode, catching Shukaku''s attention. The beast''s eyes narrowed, "A mere human shinobi can reach this level? No wonder you dare to stand before me." "Very well, in that case... die!" Shukaku''s voice grew sharp as he pressed his left forelimb to his stomach and fired a massive wind bullet straight at Shichi. Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet! "Such a bad temper!" Shichi muttered as he drew his sword. As the Totsuka de unsheathed, a crescent-shaped blue sh shot out. Blue me Vacuum sh! The de of light collided with the wind bullet, causing a massive explosion that sent violent shockwaves in all directions. Orochimaru and the others took cover behind the trees to avoid the st. Shichi leaped into the air, his de surging with power, and in the blink of an eye, a giant sword tens of meters long materialized, shing down towards Shukaku. Blue me Waterfall de! Shukaku raised a w to block, but with a deft twist of his hands, Shichi redirected the massive de mid-swing, slicing cleanly through Shukaku''s right w. Boom! The enormous w crashed to the ground, turning into a pile of sand. "Damn it!" "I''m going to kill you!" Enraged, Shukakuunched a series of wind bullets at Shichi, who nimbly dodged each one while simultaneously releasing high-temperature rays from a dragon-shaped apparition on his shoulder. The rays scorched Shukaku''s body, but the beast quickly healed the charred holes, growing even more furious. Shukaku leaped into the air, unleashing more wind bullets from above. Shichi swung his sword, cutting through them. "Brat, I''ll kill them all first!" Shukaku sneered, aiming his wind bullets at the Konoha shinobi in the forest. But the Konoha shinobi worked together to block the attack. Meanwhile, Shichi appeared beside Shukaku, his Blue me Waterfall de shing toward the beast''s head. He wondered if Shukaku could regenerate even after being decapitated. Just as the massive sword came down, Shukaku''s w caught the de, followed by a quick Drilling Air Bullet fired directly at Shichi. The Blue me Waterfall de dissipated as Shichi raised his sword and palm, activating a sealing technique. The wind bullet vanished in front of him, only to explode violently in the distance, raising a fierce gale. Shichi then hurled the Totsuka de at Shukaku''s eye. Shukaku leapt backward, firing more Drilling Air Bullets in quick session. Shichi, now higher in the air, didn''t have to worry about hitting the Konoha forces below. Blue lotus flowers bloomed around him, allowing him to move swiftly while dodging Shukaku''s attacks and closing the distance. "Persistent brat!" Shukaku grumbled, as he gathered a massive amount of chakra in his mouth. A Tailed Beast Ball began to form and wasunched directly at the Konoha shinobi on the front lines. In an instant, the ball obliterated everything in its path. But Shichi hadpleted his Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, throwing it to intercept the attack. Boom! A brilliant sh of light erupted, like a miniature sun consuming the forest, followed by a devastating shockwave. The once dense forest was reduced to a barren wastnd with a massive crater at its center. Orochimaru ordered another retreat. Chiyo did the same, realizing things had spiraled out of control. She had thought Shukaku would be enough to deal with Shichi, but now it seemed less like a battle between a shinobi and a Tailed Beast, and more like a sh between two Tailed Beasts. In the air. After throwing one Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, Shichi quickly formed two more, hurling them one after the other at Shukaku. From earlier exchanges, he could tell that his Dragon me Breath and Blue me Waterfall de weren''t doing much against the beast. Boom! Boom! The Rasenshurikens collided with Shukaku''s wind bullets, creating destructive storms. For a moment, all the shinobi, both Konoha and Sand, were left in stunned silence. Shichi, encased in blooming blue lotus flowers, charged headlong into the storm, defying the violent winds. When the storm subsided, he threw several Flying Thunder God Kunai at Shukaku. Shukaku responded by spitting out a barrage of sand bullets instead of wind bullets. Swish! Shichi disappeared midair and reappeared beside the Totsuka de. The next moment, both Shichi and his de vanished. When Shichi reappeared, he was right in front of Shukaku, grabbing a Flying Thunder God Kunai. At that moment, Shukaku''s w was about to crush all the kunai, trying to prevent Shichi''s teleportation. Seeing Shichi appear, Shukaku''s eyes widened, his strength and speed suddenly surging. "Die!" With a loud ng, chains shot out from Shichi''s back, wrapping around Shukaku''s ws, head, body, legs, and tail. "You can''t move!" "What...?" Shukaku''s pupils dted in shock. "A sealing technique?!" "I can''t use my chakra... how is this possible?!" Shichi gritted his teeth, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "As expected of a full-power One-Tail. You''re on a whole other levelpared to the Four-Tails'' single tail." The chains from the Fire Nether Chains strained, making cracking sounds as if they could snap at any moment. Asuka, who had been watching from the back, immediately moved. "Shisui, let''s go!" Shisui followed closely as both rushed toward Shukaku. At the same time, Chiyo and the others, realizing the danger, shouted in rm. "Charge! We can''t let Konoha seal the One-Tail!" Chiyo ordered the Sand shinobi to attack. Orochimaru also gave themand to engage the Sand shinobi the moment Asuka and Shisui started moving. By now, the sun was fully up. From above, Konoha''s forces resembled three surging waves avoiding Shukaku, crashing into the Sand shinobi. The Sand forces, in contrast, formed a single stream, charging straight toward Shukaku. Quickly, the Sand shinobi were split in half by the Konoha forces, and those continuing to charge forward collided with Orochimaru''s group. Meanwhile, Shichi unlocked the seals on his stomach and heart that he had been holding back. His chakra surged as even more chains shot from his abdomen, piercing Shukaku''s body. Crimson chakra began to flow out of Shukaku, through the Fire Nether Chains, and into Shichi. He couldn''t drag Shukaku out all at once, so instead, he was slowly draining Shukaku''s chakra to weaken him. "Damn you!" Shukaku roared, trying to gather chakra for another Tailed Beast Ball, but the intense pain made it impossible. "Shukaku, lend me your power!" "I''ll handle his sealing technique!" Bunpuku''s voice echoed within Shukaku, who quickly agreed. "Fine!" Shichi frowned as he sensed another force inside Shukaku''s body. "Bunpuku?" "They''ve teamed up now... I suppose it''s to be expected." Shichi was slightly surprised but quickly came to terms with it. Shukaku was smart, and he had surrendered rather decisively. "This power... it''s also a sealing technique!" Shichi''s gaze sharpened as he saw ck runes linking together like a ck serpent crawling up his Fire Nether Chains, blocking the power of his sealing technique while continuing to entwine around it. Then, crimson chakra appeared on the ck runes, causing them to tighten immediately. Crack! Crack! The Fire Nether Chains started to fracture! "What an incredible Monk Bunpuku!" Shichi thought, astonished. He raised his right hand, and a Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken quickly formed. At that moment, the Fire Nether Chain shatteredpletely. Shichi flung the Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken and vanished, reappearing next to the just-arrived Asuka. Meanwhile, Shukaku blocked the Rasenshuriken with his left w, but it was destroyed in the process. "I''m going to kill you all!" Shukaku roared in fury,unching a Tailed Beast Bomb straight at Shichi and his twopanions. And as soon as heunched the first one, he started preparing another. Shichi snorted coldly, expanding the Flying Thunder God seal to swallow the Tailed Beast Bomb. On a mountain in the Land of Rivers, the Tailed Beast Bomb suddenly appeared and exploded, causing the entire peak to copse and disintegrate. As Shukaku was about to unleash a second Tailed Beast Bomb, a massive toad descended from the sky,nding on top of him. The Tailed Beast Bomb exploded in Shukaku''s mouth, and he let out a painful grunt. Gamabunta nced down. "This guy... Shukaku..." He quickly jumped up andnded with a thud behind Shichi and the other two. Bowing slightly, he said, "You''re Minato''s disciple, right?" "First time meeting, and it''s already this intense... Shukaku is no easy foe." Shichi quickly apologized, "Sorry for summoning you at such a tough time!" At that moment, golden chains burst from the ground, attempting to bind Shukaku. Uchiha Shisui also locked onto Shukaku with a genjutsu, but it was broken almost instantly. Simultaneously, ck rune-formed chains, tainted with scarlet chakra, shot out from Shukaku''s body, blocking Asuka''s Adamantine Sealing Chains. Shukaku then turned his head, preparing to fire an Air Bullet at Orochimaru''s group. Shichi appeared above Shukaku''s head in an instant, then vanished again, reappearing at the Land of Rivers'' border. Boom! The Air Bullet sted a massive hole in a mountain, causing the ground to shake violently. As Shukaku tried to catch Shichi with sand, Shichi disappeared from above Shukaku''s head and reappeared next to Asuka once again. "Gamabunta, can you help us stop Shukaku?" Shichi, Asuka, and Shisui stood atop Gamabunta''s head. "No problem!" Gamabunta replied, leaping into the air, then muttered, "But the heat from your chakra mode is a bit too much..." Shichi quickly dispelled his Fire Release Chakra Mode after hearing that. Fortunately, it hadn''t spread to Gamabunta''s body earlier. ... Gamabunta was incredibly fast. In no time, they intercepted the returning Shukaku in the Land of Rivers. Water and wind spheres expanded, transforming into a downpour. Shukaku stopped in his tracks, his gaze locked onto Gamabunta and Shichi. "You damn toad!" Gamabunta snorted coldly. "You wretched tanuki, looking all beaten up!" "Maybe today''s the day we take you down!" "Damn toad, let''s see you try!" Shukaku spat his threat, but hesitated to make the first move, his tail swaying cautiously. The opponents in front of him were no pushovers. Meanwhile, on the battlefield behind them, Chiyo decisively risked turning back to break through, only to be pursued by Orochimaru and the Konoha forces. After breaking through the border, three hundred Konoha ninja suddenly ambushed from the right, cutting off the Sand shinobi''s retreat. Chiyo gritted her teeth and sacrificed part of her forces to continue retreating with the rest. The One-Tail absolutely could not be captured! Orochimaru, leading some Konoha forces in pursuit, knew that while Shichi had the Flying Thunder God technique, he couldn''t allow Shichi''s team to face both the One-Tail and the retreating Sand shinobi alone. The chase continued as both sides neared the standoff between Shichi and Shukaku. Seeing that the One-Tail was unharmed, Chiyo sighed in relief. However, she didn''t dare get too close. Instead, she led her forces in a swift retreat to the west. At that moment, Shukaku moved,unching an Air Bullet at the pursuing Orochimaru and his forces. Shichi gathered another Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken and called out, "Gamabunta!" "Got it!" Gamabunta nodded slightly, then spat a Water Cannon to intercept the Air Bullet. Shukaku fired three more Air Bullets in quick session, forming a triangr attack to trap Gamabunta. At that moment, Shichi disappeared again, shing above Shukaku''s head and throwing down the Rasenshuriken before returning to Gamabunta''s side. Gamabunta shot another Water Cannon, blocking the first Air Bullet. Uchiha Shisui, having activated his cursed seal, unleashed a powerful Fireball, while Shichi used an Earth Dragon Bullet, stopping the second Air Bullet. The third was obliterated by Asuka''s Adamantine Chains. On the other side, a massive fireball enveloped Shukaku. Meanwhile, Chiyo and the retreating Sand shinobi halted at a distance. As the fierce light and heatwave receded, Shichi narrowed his eyes. The molten sand on Shukaku''s body had peeled away, revealing his undamaged form underneath, with even his previously destroyed limbs fully restored. "Is he really this tough?" "He seemed so much weaker in the original story..." Shichi frowned. "Is it because the Jinchriki has achieved perfect cooperation with the Tailed Beast, making him almost like a perfect Jinchriki?" If the Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken didn''t work, the Lava Release Rasenshuriken likely wouldn''t either. Even with a power boost from the cursed seal, Shukaku''s sand body would probably still block the attack. He''s just like Orochimaru, able to shed his skin... Tailed Beasts really are meant to be sealed away! (End of Chapter) T/N: 5.8k Words ?? ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 146: All Your Attacks Are Ineffective Against Me!

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: All Your Attacks Are Ineffective Against Me!

Standing on top of Gamabunta''s head, Asuka looked at Shukaku in the distance and suddenly suggested, "Shichi, why don''t you take me over there with you? Together, we can seal him!" Shichi shook his head, "Maybe we could have done it earlier, but now the One-Tail and its Jinchriki are cooperating, almost like a Perfect Jinchriki." Asuka immediately recalled the sealing technique that had previously blocked her Adamantine Sealing Chains. Uchiha Shisui suddenly spoke, "Shichi, what if I join in?" "Although Shukaku can quickly break free from a genjutsu due to the Jinchriki''s influence, if I use my Sharingan to infiltrate through Shukaku and affect the Jinchriki as well, we might be able to buy some time." Shichi was startled. This tactic was just like how Masked Obito had controlled the Fourth Mizukage. At that moment, the upper body of Bunpuku, the Jinchriki, slowly emerged from atop Shukaku. Shichi''s gaze sharpened. "This looks simr to Gaara''s situation, but it''s different... Right, in their current state, they are almost like a Perfect Jinchriki. They can fully share their power, so the Jinchriki doesn''t need to sleep to unleash Shukaku''s strength." With that thought, Shichi nodded, "Alright, let''s give it a try!" "Shisui, prioritize controlling the Jinchriki. That monk isn''t easy to deal with; his sealing techniques are powerful." Shisui nodded seriously. In the next moment, Shichi, Asuka, and Shisui simultaneously appeared above Shukaku''s head. "Die!" Shukaku roared, swiping its sharp ws down at them while its tailshed toward the trio. "Stay still!" In this critical moment, Asuka disyed a strengthpletely different from her usual gentle demeanor. Her Adamantine Chains shot out, wrapping around Shukaku''s tail. At the same time, Shichi''s Fire Nether Chains entwined Shukaku''s limbs, locking them in ce. Shisui''s eyes met with Bunpuku''s, and his Sharingan activated instantly. Bunpuku, who was about to use a sealing technique, froze in ce. "Damn Sharingan! Hey, old monk, wake up!" Shukaku shouted, but in the next moment, its voice was silenced as it too was caught in Shisui''s genjutsu. "Good!" Shichi smiled as three chains pierced into Shukaku''s body, rapidly extracting its chakra. Meanwhile, Chiyo shouted to Ebiz and the others, "Hold off the Konoha forces! I''m going to help the Jinchriki!" As she spoke, Chiyo leapt forward, pulling out a scroll and unraveling its seal as she sped toward Shukaku. In an instant, several puppets materialized around Chiyo. White Secret Technique: The Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets! These were the strongest puppets in Sunagakure, and possibly the entire ninja world. Chiyo manipted her ten puppets, sending them flying ahead toward Shukaku. Orochimaru, seeing this, also ordered the Konoha forces to attack the Sunagakure ninjas while summoning Manda. Standing on Manda''s head, he directed the massive snake to charge at Chiyo. Gamabunta, on the other hand, found himself unable to intervene. His jutsu were toorge in scale and could inadvertently harm Shichi and the others. Despite being unable to act, Gamabunta couldn''t help but feel amazed at how Shichi, Asuka, and Shisui had managed to subdue both Shukaku and the Jinchriki in such a short time. "These young ones... Are they really this strong?" "This disciple of Minato... seems even more powerful than his master!" "However..." Gamabunta''s gaze shifted toward Orochimaru and Manda. "That damned snake won''t make it in time..." Although Manda moved swiftly, Chiyo was already closer to Shukaku and reached it first. One of Chiyo''s female puppets wielding arge sword charged straight at Asuka, while three other puppets positioned themselves in a triangle formation, casting seals aimed at Shichi and the others. Two more puppetsone with a chain and the other with a sickledarted toward Shichi. Asuka, though focused on restraining Shukaku''s tail, still had strength to spare. She immediately extended three more chainsone blocked the sword-wielding puppet, and the other two intercepted the puppets attacking Shichi. Shisui had alreadypleted a seal, spitting out arge fireball toward the three puppets performing the jutsu. Three Jewels Suction Crushing! A fierce windstorm surged, creating a powerful suction force that enveloped Shichi and the others. It wasn''t just pulling them inchaotic air currents created a crushing wind pressure. Even Shisui''s fireball, enhanced by the Bijuu Sealing Mark/Bijuu Cursed Mark, was rapidly extinguished by the overwhelming force of the storm. Shichi and Asuka were anchored to Shukaku by their chains, preventing them from being pulled in, but Shisui struggled to maintain control of his body. "The puppeteer is the key!" Shisui strained to steady himself, his gaze fixed on Chiyo. However, just as he prepared to act, his view was blocked by one of Chiyo''s puppets. "Asuka!" Shichi called out, and Asuka immediately understood. She retracted the chain binding Shukaku''s tail and swiftly wrapped it around Shisui. In the next instant, the three of them vanished from Shukaku''s head and reappeared on top of Gamabunta. At that moment, Shisui grunted, clutching his right eye. "Shisui!" Shichi eximed in rm. "I''m fine!" Shisui waved his hand, "The Tailed Beast and the Jinchriki broke free of my control." "Die, you bastards!" Shukaku''s enraged voice roared as it unleashed an Air Bullet, but Gamabunta was already prepared and blocked it. "Don''t engage them directly; retreat to the Land of Wind. We''ll have the advantage there," Bunpuku advised. Shukaku grumbled in displeasure, but agreed, "Fine, let them live a little longer. Once we''re in the desert, we''ll bury them all!" With that, Shukaku leapt back, and Ebiz led the Sunagakure forces in retreat. Due to Shukaku''s presence, Orochimaru refrained from ordering an immediate pursuit. "I didn''t expect this... Bunpuku, the first Jinchriki of the One-Tail, is truly different." With a sigh, Shichi called out, "Gamabunta!" "Got it!" Gamabunta leapt into the air, chasing after Shukaku. However, the retreating Sunagakure ninjas suddenly stopped, turning to cast Wind Release jutsu to block Gamabunta''s pursuit. Shukaku also turned to attack. At that moment, Shukaku and the Sunagakure forces coordinated seamlessly, covering each other''s retreat. Even Shichi, Asuka, Shisui, and Orochimaru were taken aback by this disy. "Bunpuku..." Shichi thought to himself. "He''s the key." An idea shed in his mindto use the Flying Thunder God technique to teleport to Bunpuku and disable him, causing Sunagakure to temporarily lose control of their Tailed Beast. But he quickly dismissed the thought. Bunpuku and Shukaku were surely on guard, and Chiyo was also nearby. "I know almost nothing about this Bunpuku, except for his powerful sealing techniques." "But anyone who has suppressed the One-Tail for so many years must be formidable..." "Besides, even if we capture Shukaku now, Sarutobi Hiruzen would probably just return him to the Sunagakure. There''s no need to take the risk." With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Shichi chose not to strike. Instead, he and Orochimaru continued their pursuit, forcing the Sunagakure forces to keep retreating. After all, Shichi had already obtained a portion of Shukaku''s chakra, and that was enough for now. ... Konoha continued to pursue while the Sand shinobi retreated. From morning until noon, and then into the afternoon, the Sand shinobi finally withdrew into the Land of Wind. Shichi and his group stopped at the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind, where the two sides faced off once again. By this point, the number of Sand shinobi had dwindled to fewer than two hundred. Without a doubt, this was a crushing defeat for the Sunagakure! For Konoha, however, it was a major victory. Even though they hadn''tpletely annihted the Sunagakure forces, they had inflicted heavy losses on them with minimal casualties, and had driven the Sand shinobi entirely out of the Land of Rivers. Now, as long as they kept the Sunagakure forces out of the Land of Rivers, the daimy of the Land of Rivers, upon witnessing Konoha''s strength, would have no choice but to coborate with them and hand over all missions to Konoha. Not only that, but trade between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Fire would also increase, especially regarding the newly discovered iron mines. The daimy of the Land of Fire, as well as its nobles and ministers, would benefit from this as well. As a result, they would fully support Konoha, providing even more military funding. This was the hidden benefit beneath the surface of protecting their homnd. Standing atop Gamabunta''s head, Shichi couldn''t help but weigh the significance of this war. On the opposite side, Shukaku,zily basking in the sand and enjoying the sunlight, suddenly felt confident again. ring viciously at Shichi and his team, he shouted, "You damn toad!" "And that annoying brat with those disgusting red eyes,e over here and die already!" "I''ll bury all of you in the sand today!" Earlier, Shichi had drained some of Shukaku''s chakra, causing his body to shrink slightly, but now he had rapidly recovered. "You filthy, lowly tanuki!" Gamabunta retorted, gripping his de with one hand and full of sarcasm. "Haha, you were pretty pathetic just a moment ago!" "Damn toad! If it weren''t for that brat, I would''ve already killed you!" Shukaku roared. "Come over here if you dare! I''ll show you what real power is!" Shukaku extended his w, making a provocative gesture. Gamabunta narrowed his eyes and then nced upward at Shichi. "Shall we teach this mangy cat a lesson together?" It was clear that in this environment, Gamabunta would be at a disadvantage if he fought alone. Shichi smiled. "No need to get worked up over a defeated foe, Gamabunta." "If it hadn''t been for Chiyo, we would have already finished him off earlier." Hearing this, Shukaku was enraged. "You despicable brat!" "I''m going to make sure you suffer!" With that, he began gathering chakra in his mouth, forming a Tailed Beast Bomb. Shichi shook his head. "Shukaku, none of your attacks will work against me." As he spoke, Shichi raised his right hand, palm facing outward. Sealing symbols immediately spread out from his hand, and the Tailed Beast Bomb, which had been carving a path through the sand, slowly sank into a slightly distorted space. At that moment, Monk Bunpuku''s expression changed, and he immediately withdrew into Shukaku''s body. In the next instant, the Tailed Beast Bomb reappeared and crashed directly onto Shukaku''s own head. Boom! A blinding light enveloped Shukaku, leaving the Sand shinobi dumbfounded. At Chiyo''s urgentmand, they quickly retreated. Sure enough, a massive sandstorm soon swept across the battlefield. Watching the scene, Gamabunta raised a hand to shield his eyes and felt thoroughly satisfied. "Shukaku really is an idiot!" The Konoha shinobi also erupted in cheers. Orochimaru, squinting at Shichi''s tall figure, couldn''t help but feel a sense of anticipation. "At this age... the future really does look promising!" As the light from the explosion faded, Shukaku reemerged from the falling sand. Though his body had shrunk slightly, he was otherwise unharmed. "So, that''s the Sand Body, huh? How fascinating," Orochimaru murmured, licking his lips in excitement. ... "Damn it!" "Curse it all..." Shukaku groaned in pain, ring at Shichi with a mixture of dread and frustration. Bunpuku soon reappeared beside him. Shukakuined bitterly, "Why didn''t you warn me earlier?" Bunpuku didn''t argue, instead exining calmly, "That Shichi''s Body Flicker Technique is a space-time jutsu. He''s not just using kunai to teleport; he likely ced a mark on you earlier, and that mark is probably very difficult to remove." Shukaku''s pupils shrank. "You mean... that brat could appear on me anytime?" Bunpuku nodded. "That seems to be the case." "Damn it..." Shukaku grew agitated. "Is there no way to get rid of it?" Bunpuku remained calm. "You already shed your Sand Body once, but it clearly didn''t help." "This mark is likely simr to a summoning contract. Even if you die and are reborn with a new Jinchriki, the mark probably won''t go away." "So, be very cautious around that boy from now on. Don''t try using the same method against him again." Shukaku shifted his gaze toward Orochimaru and the other Konoha shinobi. "I see..." "I''m being watched? Hehe..." Sensing Shukaku''s gaze, Orochimaru exuded a cold, terrifying aura. Shukaku paused, feeling uneasy. "That guy... doesn''t feel like a regr ninja." "He''s like some disgusting snake!" "I really don''t like the way he looks at me." With that, Shukaku spat out apressed air bullet toward them. "Prepare Earth Release jutsu!" The Konoha jonin shouted in unison. Orochimaru, however, bit his thumbs and pressed his hands to the ground. Summoning Jutsu: Triple Rashmon! Three massive, ancient, and eerie gates rose from the earth, forming a barrier in front of Orochimaru. In the next moment, the air bullet struck, piercing through the first gate and exploding against the second, sending a violent shockwave rippling out to the sides. "Hmph, still not as strong as a Tailed Beast Bomb," Orochimarumented as he emerged from behind the gates. The other Konoha shinobi let out a collective sigh of relief. Shichi, however, wasn''t the least bit surprised. After all, the air bullet wasn''t a Tailed Beast Bomb. But Shichi couldn''t help but recall the legendary battle where Uchiha Madara''s Tailed Beast Bomb,bined with his Susanoo''s sword, obliterated the First Hokage''s Five Rashmon Gates. It was a sight reminiscent of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. "Gamabunta, I think it''s time for you to take a break," Shichi said, regaining his focus. Gamabunta nodded. "Call me anytime if you need me." With a puff of smoke, his massive form disappeared. Landing on the ground, Shichi nced toward the retreating Sand shinobi, then returned to Orochimaru''s side with Asuka and Shisui. "Orochimaru-sama, I think we should fall back a bit more," Shichi suggested. Orochimaru nodded. The power of the Tailed Beast was indeed rming. Keeping some distance would give them more time to react. Konoha withdrew, and the Sand shinobi also retreated once again. They aimed to regroup in the nearest town, as they had suffered significant losses. Even with Shukaku on their side, they were in no position to confront Konoha head-on at the moment. Although Shukaku was vengeful and reluctant, he understood that without the support of the Sand shinobi, he could be killed by Konoha''s forces. He had no choice but to return to Bunpuku''s body and retreat with them. Watching Shukaku disappear and the Sand forces withdraw, Shichi, along with Asuka and Shisui, followed Orochimaru back to their camp. At that moment, Orochimaru was writing a battle report. The situation needed to be conveyed to Koharu Utatane as soon as possible. There was no way this small force could hold off another Sand offensive. Supplies were also critically importantnot just food, but ninja tools as well. The continuous skirmishes had depleted their stock. Once Orochimaru finished writing, Shichi offered, "Shall I deliver it?" Orochimaru thought for a moment and replied, "Use a Shadow Clone." They couldn''t risk the Sand Vigeunching a surprise attack. ... (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 147: The Hero of Konoha!

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: The Hero of Konoha! [Bonus Chapter]

At the border of the Land of Fire, Koharu Utatane smiled so broadly that her face wrinkled after reading the report delivered by Shichi''s shadow clone. "As expected of one of the Sannin! And Shichi, your contributions have been immense as well!" Shichi humbly smiled and replied, "It''s all thanks to you, Lady Koharu, and Lord Orochimaru''s excellentmand." Koharu shook her head slightly. "No need to be modest. Shichi, your contributions are the greatest, and all the Konoha ninja have seen it with their own eyes." Monitoring the Sand and Mist ninja, nearly taking down the Mist ninja single-handedly, and facing off against the One-Tailed Beast from the Sand by himself... Those aplishments were not something that could be downyed. Even if she tried, no one would ept it! "The reinforcements are ready and can set off today," Koharu continued. "As for the logistics..." She thought for a moment. "We''ve recovered some of the ninja tools, and they will be sent along with the reinforcements. As for the remaining supplies, I''ve already requested additional provisions from the vige." "As for food and medical supplies, I will head to the Daimyo''s mansion in the Land of Rivers to personally request his assistance." "I''m sure the Daimyo will not refuse," she added with a hint of menace. Could he dare to say no? Although the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers had his own ninja guards and a group of samurai, they were no match for Konoha''s ninja. With the entire Land of Rivers under the shadow of Konoha''s military might, he had no choice but to cooperate. After making these arrangements, Koharu gave a final order. "That''s all. Go report to Orochimaru." "Understood!" Shichi nodded before his shadow clone dispersed into a puff of smoke. ... In a small town within the Land of Rivers, Shichi and Shisui emerged from a hot spring, both stretching and feeling rxed. Shisui, feeling much lighter, smiled and said, "Shichi, sneaking out like this might not set a good example." Shichizily replied, "I haven''t dyed any of our missions." "Shichi, when do you think this war will end?" Shisui suddenly asked. Shichi paused for a moment before shaking his head. "That''s not something we can decide. At least, not right now." Shisui sighed in agreement. "Yeah..." But then, his face brightened with a warm smile. "Still, if we work hard enough, we can make it happen, right? Just like you, Shichi. You quickly drove back both the Mist and Sand ninjas. Without you, many of ourrades might have fallen in this war." Shichi pped a hand on Shisui''s shoulder and smiled. "Different abilities bring different responsibilities." "Besides, it may be true that I''ve yed a significant role in this war, but everyone has contributed in their own way. Alone, I couldn''t have held off both the Mist and the Sand ninja." "With great poweres great responsibility, after all!" (T/N: Uncle Ben is that you?!) Thatst phrase was a bit clichsomething said for others'' benefit but not something he himself believed in wholeheartedly. Shichi didn''t aspire to be a saint. That was too exhausting. He''d rather leave the saintly duties to someone else! Shisui, however, seemed deeply touched by Shichi''s words, his eyes lighting up with admiration. "Shichi, your words are always so thought-provoking." "It''s hard to believe you''re younger than me." Shichi responded smoothly, "Age doesn''t matter when one has ambition!" "People need to have goals; otherwise, they''re no different from a dead fish." "But the first step is understanding your own limitsknowing what you''re capable of and not overestimating yourself. You can''t carry the weight of the world on your own." "We''re just human. Skilled ninja, yes, but our abilities have limits." Shisui seemed to reflect on this. "So that''s the true meaning of teamwork?" Shichi nodded with a knowing smile. "Don''t take on all the responsibility yourself. Do what you canthat''s the biggest contribution anyone can make." "For example, while I''m decent at genjutsu, I''m nowhere near as skilled as you. Controlling the One-Tailed Beast and its Jinchriki should be left to you, not me trying to force myself to do it." "I didn''t do well enough in that regard." Shisui immediately shook his head. "You''ve already done an amazing job, Shichi. You''re neither arrogant norcent, and you trust yourrades. You even reflect on your actions." "If I had your power, I''d probably think I could solve most of our problems on my own." Shichi, hearing this, silently shook his head. He simply knew more, had a bit more foresight, and carried a sense of caution. But in truth, wasn''t he always looking down at others, viewing the world and its people with a detached, almost god-like perspective? Shifting the conversation, Shichi asked, "Shisui, how did it feel to control both the One-Tail and the Jinchriki at the same time?" Shisui''s expression became serious. "It was incredibly stressful!" "The power of the Tailed Beast is immense, and that monk, Bunpuku, is also extremely strong." "Especially since his and Shukaku''s powers are interconnected." "But next time, I''m confident I can control one through the other more quickly. However, now that they understand the power of the Sharingan, they''ll break free even faster." "My Djutsu power isn''t strong enough..." Shichi''s eye twitched. Not strong enough? It''s already incredibly powerful! Controlling both a Tailed Beast and its Jinchriki with a three-tomoe Sharinganthat''s something no ordinary Uchiha could do. Whether it''s Uchiha Obito or Uchiha Madara, they only achieved that after awakening their Mangeky Sharingan. You couldn''t help but respect a true genjutsu specialist. At that moment, Shichi couldn''t help but imagine himself in Danz''s position. If he were Danz, he''d probably start plotting after learning about Shisui''s Mangeky Sharingan abilities. People entrenched in darkness oftencked a sense of security and trust, and Danz''s ambitions surged after the Fourth Hokage''s death. A power that could alter someone''s will? Who wouldn''t fear such a thing, unless they were supremely confident in themselves? ... Shichi pulled himself from his thoughts, casually wrapping an arm around Uchiha Shisui''s shoulder as heughed, "Shisui, your Djutsu power is already incredibly strong. Most people with a three-tomoe Sharingan wouldn''t be able to do what you do. It''s closely tied to your talent with genjutsu." Shisui nodded in agreement. "Exactly. A lot of Uchiha be too reliant on the innate power of the Sharingan, even though it''s undeniably powerful." "That''s also why many of our n members are held back," Shisui added thoughtfully. "Perhaps, as you said, many have be lost in the power of the Sharingan." Listening to Shisui, Shichi couldn''t help but think of Sasuke, one of the legendary "Laughing Heroes." Every time his strength surged and his confidence soared, he''d get beaten down shortly after. "By the way, Shichi, how''s that genjutsu technique you were developinging along?" Shisui asked. Shichi smiled. "Still needs a bit more work. I''ll let you try it once it''s ready." Shisui nodded seriously, smiling. "I''ll hold you to that." At that moment, Asuka finally emerged, her youthful energy radiating as she approached. "Sorry to keep you waiting!" Shichi grinned. "No worries, we were having a good conversation!" "Let''s head back," he said. The three of them started back toward the front-line camp, but before they arrived, Shichi''s shadow clone already sent back its memories. Once they returned to the camp, Shichi first reported to Orochimaru, then led Asuka and Shisui to a secluded valley a bit of a distance from the camp. This would be their temporary training ground. Since Shichi needed to transform into the Four-Tails and draw on natural energy to restore his chakra, doing so within the camp wasn''t ideal. Additionally, he needed to study the chakra of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast. Using Earth and Water Release techniques, Shichi created a waterfall, and then made several shadow clones to work on the Spirit Transformation Technique. Meanwhile, he himself sat beneath the waterfall, transforming into a mini version of the Four-Tails. Natural energy surged toward him, absorbed into his body to restore his physical strength, and he refined it into chakra, storing it in the Yin Seal. This was a much faster way to umte chakrapared to gorging on food. While his body focused on gathering energy, Shichi''s consciousness appeared within the Eight Trigrams Seal on his abdomen. In addition to the Four-Tails, there was now argeke formed from Shukaku''s chakra. Unlike the Four-Tails, this chakra didn''t contain Shukaku''s consciousness. That''s because Shichi had forcibly taken it, just like Naruto wrestled the Nine-Tails'' chakra from Kurama. The difference, though, was that this stolen One-Tail chakra wouldn''t regenerate, making it even more precious. As Shichi appeared, the Four-Tails opened his eyes and spoke in a deep voice, "I didn''t expect you to have stolen chakra from that fool Shukaku as well." "It''s a shame you couldn''t get his sand body, though. You can''t absorb his cells." Shichi was unbothered. "This is more than enough." The Four-Tails asked, "Are you trying to gain the power of Ma Release through Shukaku''s chakra?" Shichi smiled. "Shukaku''s power isn''t limited to just Ma Release. There''s also his sealing techniques." The Four-Tails snorted. "Shukaku''s sealing techniques are also based on Ma Release!" "Oh?" Shichi raised an eyebrow, surprised that the Four-Tails would reveal such important information. Meeting Shichi''s gaze, the Four-Tails continued, "Even though I''m sealed, I can still sense some things through your chakra." "It seems like you''re intentionally gathering the powers of the Tailed Beasts. This isn''t just about studying our abilities, is it?" Shichi was taken aback by the Four-Tails'' insight. As expected from a being made of pure chakrathe sensitivity to chakra was extraordinary. This only solidified Shichi''s resolve. The ability to sense malice wasn''t unique to the Nine-Tails. As long as someone mastered the essence of chakra, they could achieve the same. And perhaps even go further, sensing the thoughts and consciousness within chakra... particrly from entities like shadow clones, which had their own sense of awareness. Looking at the Four-Tails, Shichi smiled. "Son Goku, are you offering to help me?" The Four-Tails stared at him. "I have no such intention. I just want to know what your goal is." "I don''t sense any malice from you." No malice? Shichi chuckled and shook his head, choosing not to borate further. It wasn''t time yet. Stepping into theke of Shukaku''s chakra, Shichi focused intently on understanding the mysteries contained within. Time passed quickly, and by the next day, reinforcements from the Land of Fire began arriving at the front lines. Koharu Utatane also disyed her capabilities, bringing a shipment of supplies in the afternoon, boosting the soldiers'' morale. ... Konoha. As news from the front lines reached the vige, the tense atmosphere quickly dissipated. The streets and alleys buzzed with talk of Konoha''s victory, and the name on everyone''s lips was Shichi Hoshita. Even the children ying ninja games eagerlypeted to y the role of "Shichi Hoshita," the freshly crowned hero of Konoha. And this was only half a day after Hiruzen Sarutobi had deliberately spread the news. The results of the battle were simply too astonishing. Koharu Utatane had sent back word of both their victories over the Mist and Sand viges. When Hiruzen heard that the entire Mist ninja army had been wiped out, he could hardly believe it. After all, Konoha didn''t have a numerical advantage in that battle. It wasn''t that he didn''t want to send more reinforcements, but with the Stone Vige, the Cloud Vige, and even the Mist Vige threatening Konoha on all sides, the Land of Fire had be riddled with vulnerabilities. This was why he had long been reluctant to start a war. Being the wealthiest nation, the Land of Fire was always an attractive target for the other hidden viges. --- Konoha Hospital. "Non, you''re amazing, raising someone like Shichi!" "Non-senpai, when Shichi returns as a Jnin, can I follow him?" "Non, I''m so envious that you have such an incredible person like Shichi!" ... Colleagues and juniors alike approached Non Yakushi, constantly mentioning Shichi and showering him with praise and admiration. Non responded humbly with a smile, but deep down, she was filled with unease. To her, the position Shichi upiedalthough admired as a genius, a herowas also an extremely dangerous one. "With Asuka by his side and the Flying Thunder God technique, things shouldn''t get too bad..." Non silently reassured herself, while keeping aposed appearance as she continued her work. Because along with the news of victory, a wave of wounded soldiers had returned as well. Inside the hospital room, the Konoha ninja who saw Non enter greeted her respectfully: "Lady Non!" "We owe it all to the Shichi you trained!" "Indeed!" ... --- Research Base. Hearing the rapid footsteps outside, Tsunade, who had been deep in thought, frowned and looked up. Shizune hurriedly entered, causing Tsunade to scold her in annoyance, "Shizune, as a medical ninja, no matter the situation" Before Tsunade could finish, Shizune interrupted, her voice excited, "We''ve received news from the front lines!" "Hmm?" "What?" Tsunade froze. Shizune, brimming with excitement, continued, "It''s about the front linesShichi has be a hero of Konoha!" Tsunade''s heart pounded violently, her ears ringing, and her vision turned red. "You... Shichi... he...?" Too excited to notice Tsunade''s pale face, Shizune kept talking, "Shichi single-handedly defeated the Mist ninja! He almost captured the Sunagakure''s tailed beast too!" "Everyone outside is praising him now!" "He''s the top contributor in this battle!" Tsunade swallowed hard, her hearing slowly returning, the red haze fading from her vision, but her body wavered. Shizune, finally noticing Tsunade''s unsteady form, rushed forward to support her. "Lady Tsunade, are you alright?" Tsunade gradually regained herposure and shook her head. "I''m fine... just sat too long." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 148: Impact!

Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Impact!

After regaining herposure, Tsunade frowned as she listened to the news Shizune had brought. Unfortunately, the information was vague, as it had been released by the Hokage''s office. Tsunade immediately stood up. "I''m going to see the old man." Shizune hurried to follow. She had been extremely excited after hearing the news, but seeing Tsunade''s serious attitude now, she began to worry as well. When Tsunade arrived at the Hokage''s office, she found that Jiraiya, Koharu Utatane, and Danzo were also present. Upon seeing her, Jiraiya immediately smiled. "Rx, Shichi''s not hurt." "Gamabunta even said that his strength has surpassed his teacher, Minato." Tsunade nodded coldly, but inwardly she felt relieved. She then asked, "With the Mist suffering such heavy losses, they''ll probablyunch an immediate attack, right?" Koharu Utatane nodded. "Hiruzen has already decided to send reinforcements to the eastern front immediately. Both Jiraiya and I will head out shortly." Tsunade asked, "What about the direction of the Land of Rivers?" Hiruzen Sarutobi replied, "The Hidden Mist Vige is too far from there. After their army was wiped out, the chance of them attacking from that direction is extremely low." "As for the Hidden Sand Vige, the losses on the front lines were minimal. Our current forces are sufficient, and the Sand''s main strength is still focused in the north." Tsunade remained silent and asked no further questions. After the meeting ended, Jiraiya and Tsunade walked together down the street. "Don''t worry, Shichi''s strength is already incredible, and he has the Flying Thunder God technique," Jiraiya said with a smile, well aware of Tsunade''s concern. Tsunade huffed, "I was going to remind you to be careful and not die on the battlefield." Jiraiya burst outughing. "Tsunade, I''m the Toad Sage of Mount Myboku! Besides, the Hidden Mist doesn''t have a jinchriki that powerful." Afterughing, he suggested, "Let''s go grab a drink!" Tsunade nodded silently. --- Kirigakure, Mizukage Tower, Conference Room. The atmosphere was heavy. The news of the total annihtion of the army led by Hzuki Shingetsu was too shocking. Previously, when they had lost contact with Hzuki''s forces, there had been a sense of unease, but no one had expected this oue. Suddenly, a voice broke the silence: "Mizukage-sama, issue the order!" "Such disgrace can only be washed away with blood!" "The Kaguya n is willing to lead the charge!" The speaker was a middle-aged man, his expression brimming with excitement and bloodlust. His smile even carried a savage edge. The Kaguya n lived for battle, and now was the perfect time for them to shine. The head of the Hzuki n, Hzuki Kygetsu, spoke gravely: "The Kaguya n leader is right!" "Based on the intelligence we''ve received, it''s confirmed that the Scorch Release user, Pakura, was indeed rescued by Konoha!" The Hzuki n had suffered terribly this time, losing Hzuki Shingetsu, one of their key members, and Hzuki Metsuin, who had been groomed as the future n leader. The others in the meeting also voiced their support forunching an attack on Konoha, as it had been part of their original n, just moved up slightly. The Third Mizukage, who had kept his eyes downcast, finally opened them and looked at Hzuki Kygetsu and Kaguya Daisuke. "Very well, the Kaguya n and Hzuki n will be the vanguard, with Yagura leading the operation." "In addition, once the battle starts, send the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to infiltrate the Land of Fire and carry out a decapitation strike on Konoha''smand center." "If you encounter that Shichi Hoshita, focus all efforts on killing him!" "Send someone to the Sunagakure to gather intelligence on this Shichi Hoshita as quickly as possible." "Ry the order: ordinary ninjas are allowed to abandon their mission if they encounter Shichi Hoshita!" ... As the high-level meeting concluded, the news spread quickly. The entire force of over a thousand Mist Vige ninjas had been wiped out! This revtion sent shockwaves throughout the Hidden Mist Vige, but it also ignited an unprecedented surge of fighting spirit. Among the ninjamunity, the name Shichi Hoshita began circting rapidly. It was incredibly rare to issue amand allowing ordinary ninjas to abandon their missionsespecially concerning a 12-year-old boy. As the ninjas learned of this order, so did their families, and Shichi''s name continued to spread far and wide. --- At the same time, the Sunagakure was also thrown into turmoil. They had only just celebrated a defensive victory against the Hidden Stone, only to face such a devastating loss so soon after. Once again, the name Shichi Hoshita entered the minds of every Sand ninja. But unlike before, this time, Shichi''s name also began to spread among the general poption of the Sand Vige. A dayter, the Daimy of the Land of Wind received the battle report from the Hidden Sand and quickly took note of the name Shichi Hoshita. Meanwhile, in the Hidden Stone Vige, the Third Tsuchikage received the news eventer. Despite their efforts to gather intelligence, the details of the battle still came from Konoha. "Shichi Hoshita..." Onoki furrowed his brows. "It seems he''s very likely the one who dealt with the Third Kazekage!" He held two intelligence reports in his hands. One was from Konoha, of course, part of the "good news" that they had released publicly. After cross-referencing it with information gathered by his own intelligencework, he confirmed that Konoha hadn''t exaggerated the details. The second report came from the Hidden Sand Vige, or more precisely, from the Fourth Kazekage. It contained more precise information about Shichi Hoshita, even mentioning the use of Lava Release. Although Shichi hadn''t used Lava Release in front of the Sand ninjas, traces of its power had been left behind in his battle against the Mist. "Father, it seems the Sand ninjas are hinting at peace negotiations," said Kitsuchi. The report they had received from the Sand was clearly crafted with a purpose. Onoki scoffed lightly. "The Fourth Kazekage wouldn''t initiate peace talks with us." Kitsuchi hesitated for a moment before saying, "But this could be the right time to form an alliance with the Sand. The Mist will surelyunch arge-scale attack on the Land of Fire, and based on the intelligence we''ve gathered, the Cloud Vige is also preparing for war. Konoha has even reinforced their northern defenses." Onoki, however, remained calm. "It''s not enough." "We need the Sand to tie down more of Konoha''s forces. Pull our front lines back a little, so the Sand can free up more of their strength." He knew full well what the Fourth Kazekage wanted: for the Hidden Stone to propose peace first. But the disappearanceor deathof the Third Kazekage had nothing to do with them, so why should they be the ones to apologize? After thinking for a moment, Onoki asked, "If we were to wage war on the Land of Fire, where would be the best ce to strike?" Kitsuchi thought for a moment before replying, "The most suitable route would be through the Land of Grass!" "We need to catch Konoha off guard and seize the advantage before they can react. The Land of Rain is heavily defended by Konoha, but the Land of Grass, though allied with Konoha, is led by a leader who is much closer to us." "They won''t foolishly fight to the death for Konoha''s sake. So, we could take Konoha by surprise, swiftly passing through the Land of Grass tounch a sudden attack on the Land of Fire''s border and catch Konoha off guard!" "Moreover, attacking from the direction of the Land of Grass would give us the shortest supply lines." Onoki nodded slightly. "Go make the preparations." Kitsuchi''s expression immediately grew serious. "Understood!" --- Time flew by, and it was now May of the 45th year in Konoha. In the Land of Rivers, beneath a waterfall, Shichi opened his eyes with a look of joy. "I''ve finally mastered it!" Moments earlier, his Shadow Clone had dispelled, sending back memories of his research, and he had finally made progress with the Spirit Transformation Technique. In fact, he had already gotten some insights when he used ''sh of Insight'' during thest time, but the outbreak of war had left him with little time to focus on his studies. Now, as Konoha stood in a standoff with the Sunagakure, he had finally made a breakthrough. "Shisui!" Shichi stood up and walked out from under the waterfall. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 149: The Palace of Memories!

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: The Pce of Memories!

"Shichi!" Shisui, who had been meditating at the valley''s entrance, suddenly appeared in front of Shichi. However, as soon as their eyes met, Shisui immediately noticed something was off. At the very moment his gaze reflected Shichi, the three-tomoe Sharingan in his eyes activated, and he saw a surge of chakra light rushing toward him. "Genjutsu?" Just as the thought crossed Shisui''s mind, the surrounding scenery shifted. He found himself back in the Hidden Leaf Vige, standing atop a rooftop. "So, it is genjutsu..." Shisui scanned the surroundings. It looked exactly like the Hidden Leaf Vige he knew: "Is this the genjutsu Shichi has been developing?" "My Shackling Stakes Technique isn''t working at all here..." "And this ce... it''s far from simple." Shisui leapt down from the rooftop and onto a bustling street. The ce was lively, with peopleing and going. Cats and dogs roamed the alleys, children yed, people argued over prices, there was the scent of flowers in the air, the breeze brushed against his clotheseverything was so vivid. Even members of the Uchiha Police Force were patrolling the area. It all felt so real, and so familiar. Shisui observed carefully, but he couldn''t detect a single w. Sight, smell, touch, hearing... He even bought an apple and tasted it. The vor was as real as could be. "This goes far beyond the usual deception of the five senses." "Is this... a mental space?" A smile crept onto Shisui''s face. "Looks like Shichi''s developed quite an incredible genjutsu!" Suddenly, Shisui stopped in his tracks. In front of him, two ninja dressed as ANBU appeared out of nowhere. One of them spoke, "Uchiha Shisui, Lord Danzo wishes to see you." Shisui''s eyes narrowed. "Understood, lead the way." The two Root ninjas immediately leapt away, and Shisui followed, all the while thinking that this must be part of a memory Shichi had experienced before. Shichi had mentioned his conflict with Danzo in the past. Before long, they arrived at a secluded forest, where Shisui saw Danzo waiting. "Lord Danzo," Shisui greeted. Danzo looked at Shisui and said, "Uchiha Shisui, you are the only one in the Uchiha n who has transcended n loyalty." "You are also the most skilled in genjutsu. Join the Root." "The Root is where you belong. In the shadows, you can use your Sharingan to protect the Konoha." Shisui remained calm as he replied, "Lord Danzo, joining the Root requires the approval of the Third Hokage and the Uchiha n leader. I cannot agree to this here." His refusal was firm. On one hand, Shisui knew this was a genjutsu. On the other hand, even if it were real, he wouldn''t have been tempted. Every Uchiha knew that the one who harbored the most hostility toward their n within the vige leadership was Danzo. Shisui''s restraint in not addressing Danzo by name was due to his manners and the fact that he hadn''t yet been promoted to a Jonin. Once he reached that rank, he could speak to Danzo as an equal. Danzo''s eyes darkened. "The Third Hokage is a matter I will handle. As for Fugaku, I believe he will be more than willing." "You are aware, aren''t you, that the Konoha has its own Jinchriki?" "Your Sharingan can control both tailed beasts and Jinchriki, which makes it invaluable. The Root, as the Konoha''s shield in the shadows, must ensure the Jinchriki never loses control." "So,e... Join the Root." "Here, you can truly utilize your talents and prove that you''ve risen above mere n loyalty." Shisui frowned. Though he knew it was an illusion, the immersion felt increasingly real. Danzo and the others acted exactly as he remembereddown to their behaviors and chakra signatures. "Has Shichi''s genjutsu even managed to deceive my mental perception?" Shisui thought. With that, he once again refused, "The Jinchriki is under the protection of the Third Hokage. That''s all that needs to be said." Danzo''s face darkened even more. "How foolish!" "As an Uchiha, you don''t even understand how to properly use your own Sharingan." "In that case, I''ll take them from you myself!" As the words left Danzo''s mouth, he suddenly appeared in front of Shisui, his hand reaching for Shisui''s eyes. Shisui watched calmly as his Sharingan spun, freezing Danzo in ce. "As expected... these eyes can control both tailed beasts and Jinchriki," Danzo muttered, his body trembling but unable to break free. Just then, four other Root ninjas attacked. Shisui quickly retreated. But as he swiftly dealt with the four Root ninjas, Danzo suddenly reappeared. "What?!" Shisui was shocked, and the next moment, his jaw was struck, followed by a heavy blow to his face. His reaction speed plummeted. Danzo seized the opportunity and plucked Shisui''s right eye from its socket. "Ahhh!" Shisui cried out in pain, retreating into the forest. But soon, more Root ninjas emerged from the woods, a barrage of shuriken flying towards him. In that moment, Shisui had forgotten this was just a genjutsu. He instinctively used his Body Flicker Technique to dodge, rushing through the forest at full speed. After clearing some distance, he turned andunched a Fireball Jutsu to block the advancing Root ninjas. "Next... it''s the left eye..." Danzo''s voice came from behind him. Shisui spun around, only to see a deadly gust of wind rushing toward him. "Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!" Shisui leapt into the air to avoid the attack, and while airborne, he threw several shuriken in return. Danzo dodged to the side, shuriken appearing in his hand. He blew on them, imbuing them with razor-sharp Wind Release chakra, then hurled them at Uchiha Shisui in quick session. Fireball Jutsu! Shisui countered with another jutsu, preparing to use genjutsu again, but in the next moment, his vision plunged intoplete darkness. "Not good... It''s the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!" As soon as hended, Shisui felt a sharp pain radiating from his left eye. However, just as he thought he was about to be killed by Danzo, the intense pain suddenly lessened, and the roar of a waterfall echoed in his ears. Lowering his hand from his eye, Shisui looked up to see Shichi standing before him with a gentle smile. Shisui gasped for breath. "Shichi... That genjutsu just now... What was it?" Shichi smiled. "That was Demonic Realm: Pce of Memories, a mental space modeled after the Konoha Vige." "Since it''s based on my memories, the details are very intricate. But, on the surface, that doesn''t mean much, because the person under the genjutsu knows they''ve been caught in it." Shisui, now recovered, asked, "But the ninja inside it, the chakra, and the pain from the attacks even I couldn''t tell the difference." Shichi chuckled. "The chakra was real, but the sensations it provided were deceptive." "I can''t simte someone else''s chakra yet, but since I''m a sensory-type ninja, I can ovey my perceptions onto yours to create the illusion." Shisui pondered this. "So, that battle just now... Could you say it was real?" "Was that really you?" Shichi nodded. "In a sense, yes." "I was just mimicking their fighting styles." "Of course, breaking free from your Shackling Stakes Technique with the Izanagi that was an exception." He couldn''t use the Izanagi technique himself, after all. Understanding dawned on Shisui, and he gave a thumbs-up. "Impressive!" "A genjutsu like this would be incredibly difficult to break." He thought aloud, "To escape, one would have to break free mentally by defeating the version of you inside the illusion, right?" "But, as you said, the chakra is real, so it would be almost impossible to overpower you through sheer will!" Shichi shook his head. "Shisui, you''re underestimating the power of a person''s mental will." "Remember, chakra is formed from the fusion of spiritual and physical energy." "The body and spirit are one." "The power you used in the illusion wasn''t imaginary." "If someone''s willpower is strong enough, they can exhibit the same strength inside the illusion as they would in the real world." As he spoke, Shichi recalled the scene from the original story where Uchiha Obito lent Kakashi his Mangeky Sharingan even after his death. It had seemed absurd at first. But now, with a deeper understanding of chakra, it no longer felt so far-fetched. After all, Obito had reached the Six Paths level by then. He had once be the Ten-Tails Jinchriki, effectively reaching the level of the Sage of Six Paths. If the Sage could bestow power upon Naruto and Sasuke, it made sense that Obito could lend his Djutsu powers to Kakashi. Especially since Kakashi had previously possessed Obito''s Mangeky Sharingan, which provided a crucial foundation. Shisui listened in deep thought. Meanwhile, Shichi was also reflecting on the results of the experiment. Clearly, the genjutsu wasplete, but in terms of control, it couldn''t yetpare to Itachi Uchiha''s Tsukuyomi. Kakashi had beenpletely immobilized by the Tsukuyomi, unable to resist at all, and could only endure the torment. But genjutsu, in the end, was about control. Even one second of control was enough for someone with Shichi''s speed to kill the enemy seven or eight times over. Moreover, the Tag Tree had acknowledged this technique. An S-rank genjutsu! At this moment, Shisui asked, "Shichi, if I''m not mistaken, you invaded my mind through my eyes, right?" Shichi nodded. "That''s correct." "Of course, entering through the eyes isn''t the only way, but the eyes are the window to the soula shortcut, if you will." However, Shichi had learned a valuable lesson from Shisui: never attempt to invade an Uchiha''s mind, especially one with strong Djutsu powers. His earlier invasion had almost been blocked by Shisui''s Sharingan. This was because Shichi had used a spiritual clone to perform the invasion. The spiritual clone was an ability he had developed from the Spirit Transformation Technique, simr to creating a shadow clone while in a spirit state after using the technique. Currently, Shichi no longer needed to use the Spirit Transformation Technique before deploying the spiritual clone, otherwise, it would have been pointless for him. And it was precisely for this reason that the technique had only beenpleted today. The spiritual clone retained all the characteristics of a spirit, but with limited chakra. Like a shadow clone, it transmitted its experiences and memories back upon release. Thus, in the genjutsu, the Danzo and Root ninjas Shisui fought were actually Shichi''s spiritual clone, transformed into them. Shichi summarized, "While this genjutsu''s control isn''t as refined as Tsukuyomi, it doesn''t require direct eye contact to activate." "The invasion by the spiritual clone can''t be easily blocked by ordinary means." "In fact, without a Sharingan, Byakugan, or some other Djutsu, one wouldn''t even be able to see the spiritual body." That said, Shichi''s goal in developing this genjutsu wasn''t purely for offensive purposes. Part of it was to satisfy the requirements of his Tag, but more importantly, it was meant to counter simr genjutsu techniques. For example, Tsukuyomi. After finishing his exnation, Shichi said, "Shisui, could you do me a favor and use your Shackling Stakes Technique on me?" Shisui immediately caught on. "Shichi, the same mental attack method you just used can also be employed for defense or rather, to counter my invasion, right?" "As expected of Shisui!" Shichi gave a thumbs-up. "Exactly!" Shisui smiled. "You''d better be ready, then, because I''m going all out." As he spoke, his three-tomoe Sharingan spun to life once more. Their gazes met, and the `Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique` was activated. Within Shichi''s mental world, a spiritual clone was pinned down, unable to move. However, his main consciousness wasn''t restrained and could still control his body. Shisui sensed something odd. "This... Shichi, this feels like..." Shichi smiled. "Looks like it worked." Shisui felt a strange sensation. "Shichi, you''re already caught in the technique... A clone and a substitution?" Shichi nodded. "Exactly." "A spiritual clone, followed by a substitution." Shisui could only praise him. "Shichi, your mastery of clones, substitutions, and transformations is unparalleled." Shichi had taken the basic Three Substitution Jutsu and turned them into an art form. Just as Shichi was about to say something modest, Asuka leapt into the valley. "Shichi, Shisui, the Mist ninja areunching arge-scale invasion!" Both Shichi and Shisui''s expressions sharpened at the news. It had finally begun! Since the end ofst month, the Mist had been harassing the eastern coast of the Land of Fire. That was the start of the intelligence war, a prelude to theirrge-scale invasion. And now, the Mist were making their move. Shichi immediately asked, "Do we have any intel on the size of their forces?" Asuka stopped in front of him and nodded. "Lord Orochimaru said the Mist''s forces exceed 2,000. Most of them arending on the eastern coast, while another group is advancing from the southern penins,ing through the Land of Tea." Shisuimented, "Over 2,000clearly, the Mist are determined." That was a significant number, considering the Mist had already lost over a thousand shinobi in the Land of Rivers. And this was only the first wave. Shichi wasn''t surprised. "They''ll go crazy for revenge after losing so manyst time." "This is just the beginning." "Asuka, have the Sand increased their forces?" Asuka''s expression grew serious as she nodded. "ording to my sensory reports, the Sand now have over 1,000 troops on the front lines." Shichi frowned, but not because of the Sand''s numbers. He thought for a moment and then asked, "Have there been any reports about the war between the Stone and Sand?" "Yes, there have." Asuka smiled. "Lord Orochimaru anticipated you''d ask that." "The war between the Sand and Stone is still in a stalemate. There haven''t been anyrge-scale battles yet." Shichi''s eyes narrowed. "Are you worried that the Sand and Iwagakure might suddenly make peace?" Shisui analyzed, "Given the deep-seated conflict between the Sunagakure and Iwagakure, negotiating peace would be extremely difficult." "Although Shichi revealed his Lava Release power during the battle with the Mist, that''s not enough to clear the Iwagakure of suspicion for killing the Third Kazekage." "Not to mention the Iwa had already invaded the Land of Wind, and Suna''s hero, Pakura, who wielded Scorch Release, was openly known to have died at the hands of the Stone." "Even if the Fourth Kazekage wanted to negotiate, the entire Sunagakure would oppose it." Shichi nodded. "You''re right, Shisui. The Sunagakure won''t publicly suggest peace." "And the Iwa... well, the Third Tsuchikage is not an easy man to persuade." "They''ll never admit to being involved in the death of the Third Kazekage. To propose peace would be akin to admitting fault." "However..." Shichi''s tone shifted. "For both the Suna and the Iwa, continuing this war no longer holds much meaning." "The Iwa has nothing to gain, and it''s impossible for the Suna to take control of the Land of Birds. However, they''ve already achieved their goal of driving out the Iwa, and Rasa has used this to solidify his position as the Fourth Kazekage." "But now, they may have amon interest." Shisui and Asuka were both startled, eximing in unison, "The Land of Fire!" "Let''s move, we''re heading back!" Shichi quickly gathered his things, and along with Shisui and Asuka, hurried back to their main base. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 150: Biwa Jūzō, You’re Truly Brave!

Chapter 150: Chapter 150: Biwa Jz, You''re Truly Brave! [Bonus Chapter]

When Shichi entered themander''s tent, Orochimaru was leaning over a map, studying it. At this moment, Orochimaru was the truemander, no longer overshadowed by Koharu Utatane, who had been reassigned as the head of logistics, responsible for supplies andmunication with the Daimyo and nobles of the Land of Rivers. During this period, Shichi''s primary task was to keep an eye on Shukaku, the One-Tail, and monitor the movements of the Sunagakure. That was how he managed to have time to train beneath the waterfall. Hearing footsteps, Orochimaru looked up and smiled. "As expected, Shichi-kun, you''ve returned. Are you concerned about a possible coboration between the Sunagakure and Iwagakure?" Shichi nodded. "A public alliance is unlikely, but Rasa is a cunning individual. It''s not impossible that he''s reached some kind of covert understanding with the Third Tsuchikage." Orochimaru nodded with a smile. "It seems we think alike. So, Shichi-kun, how do you believe the Suna and Iwa will act?" Shichi nced down at the map and said, "If I were the Sunagakure, I wouldn''t send reinforcements to the current battlefield. It would be meaningless." He paused before adding, "It might sound arrogant, but with me here, their numbers wouldn''t matter much, even with Shukaku on their side." Orochimaru''s eyes gleamed with admiration as he chuckled. "No, Shichi-kun, you certainly have the ability." Ignoring Orochimaru''s gaze, Shichi continued, "So, if I were them, I''d open a new front, directly targeting the borders of the Land of Fire. Right now, the defenses there are... let''s just say, less than ideal." Orochimaru nodded. "It looks like the old man is in for some serious trouble." "And what about the Iwagakure?" Shichi''s gaze shifted to the map of the Land of Grass. "They''d pass through the Land of Grass and simrlyunch a surprise attack on the border." "The recent assassination of the Kusagakure leader during their mission was clearly the Iwa''s doing. The current leader of Kusagakure has a very different rtionship with the Iwagakure. Konoha would be foolish to expect Kusagakure to resist a Iwagakure invasion." Orochimaru agreed. "That''s true." Shichi looked up at Orochimaru. "Lord Orochimaru, you seem to have already made this analysis, yet it hasn''t been sent back to the vige." Orochimaru shook his head. "Because, for now, this analysis doesn''t hold much weight." Shichi thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement. Orochimaru continued, "Preparations have already been made at the Land of Grass''s border. Root is active in the Land of Rain, and it seems Amegakure won''t participate in this conflict. Additionally, the Land of Rain won''t be a primary battlefield this time." "As for Kusagakure, while they pose no immediate problem on the surface, their survival depends on bncing rtions with all the great viges." "So, the old man won''t make any rash moves." "However, we could consider deploying some reinforcements along the Sunagakure''s border." Shichi sighed. "That might be our only option." Orochimaru smiled. "Don''t worry too much. We still have time to react." "Though it''s true... the Third Hokage has gotten old. He''s no longer as decisive as he once was." Thatstment carried a deeper meaning, which Shichi immediately understood. He merely responded, "Perhaps his current circumstances are different." Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then let the topic drop, smiling. "Still, I''ll send our suggestions back to the vige. Let''s sign it together, shall we?" Shichi nodded. "Alright." Though this would create some trouble for Hiruzen Sarutobiter, every actiones with its consequences, and no one is exempt from that. After signing his name, Shichi took his leave and headed to the medical camp with Asuka. On the way, he activated the [Genjustu Master] tag. Genjustu mastery increased by 100%, mental fortitude improved by 100%, and Yin Release nature transformation enhanced by 100%. Except for Kekkei Genkai-based Illusions/Genjustus, no genjutsu could challenge you now. As the effect took hold, Shichi felt an immediate difference, especially in his mind. The boost to mental power and fortitude wasn''t new to him. Given his studies of the Spirit Transformation Technique and the Reaper Death Seal, his understanding in this area had already reached a new level. To put it simply, mental power refers to an increase in quantity, while mental fortitude represents an improvement in resilience. Feeling the newfound strength coursing through his body, Shichi''s spirits soared. The following days passed uneventfully. He continued working as a medical ninja, training, and asionally fighting Shukaku when it threw a tantrum. Tasks like monitoring Shukaku and keeping an eye on the Sand''s movements were left to his shadow clones. Before he knew it, it was already June. On the morning of June 12th, in the 45th year of Konoha, Shichi was at the medical camp detoxifying a wounded Konoha ninja when Shisui Uchiha rushed in. "Shichi, Lord Orochimaru is summoning you." Without turning around, Shichi nodded while continuing his work. A shadow clone appeared beside him and left with Shisui. Less than ten minutester, the clone''s memories returned to him just as he finished the surgery. Walking out of the tent, Shichi reviewed the clone''s memories and immediately frowned. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen! Hiruzen Sarutobi had summoned him back to the Land of Fire because the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had infiltrated deep into their territory, and no one had been able to stop them. Sarutobi Shinnosuke had led an elite ANBU squad to intercept them but returned injured. Aside from him and Chihiro, the entire squad had been wiped out. Shichi knew Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s strength well. He was a top-tier jonin, particrly skilled in ninjutsu, with mastery over five basic nature transformations and genjutsu,cking only in Yang Release. But the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were not to be underestimated, especially without intel on their specific swords. Shichi activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, instantly teleporting back to Orochimaru''s tent. Orochimaru said, "Your shadow clone should be enough to manage Shukaku. In most cases, it won''t be discovered." "If anything urgent happens, we''ll contact you." Shichi nodded. "Understood." Exiting the tent, Shichi approached Shisui. "Shisui, I''m leaving Asuka in your care." Shisui nodded solemnly. "Don''t worry!" "Besides, Asuka is strong herself and is mostly stationed at the medical camp." "But you be careful." Shichi patted Shisui''s shoulder and smiled. "I will." "Off I go!" With that, Shichi vanished. He teleported rapidly, moving from the western border of the Land of Rivers to a secret base near the Daimyo''s mansion in the Land of Fire in a single breath. The base had already beenpleted, and Pakura was stationed there. Seeing Shichi''s sudden arrival, she smiled. "Lord Shichi!" "Join me in taking down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!" Shichi spoke without waiting for Pakura''s response. He grabbed her hand, and the two disappeared from the base. ... On a mountain deep in the southeastern region of the Land of Fire, Shichi and Pakura appeared in a sh. "Lord Shichi, please take a moment to rest!" Pakura quickly spoke up, noticing the sweat on Shichi''s forehead. "No need," Shichi shook his head gently. The Yin Seal on his forehead fully released, and a circr blue light illuminated. Chakra surged throughout his body as he crouched down, touching the ground with his right hand. His sensing abilities swiftly expanded outward. Although he didn''t have specific knowledge of the chakra signatures of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, a group of seven shinobi with strong chakra was likely rare. In addition, he could search for Guy''s chakra signature. Of course, he wasn''t sure if Guy had already arrived on the battlefield or if he had encountered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen yet. After a moment, Shichi withdrew his hand. No luck in finding them. In the next instant, four shadow clones appeared, each heading in a different direction. Ten minutester, one clone''s memories returned. Shichi''s eyes lit up. "Found them!" Grabbing Pakura by the hand, the two vanished and reappeared at the location marked by his Flying Thunder God seal. This spot was about 10 kilometers from where Guy was located. "Pakura, I''m heading over first!" Shichi called out, his voice still hanging in the air as his bodyunched skyward. He instantly entered the Fire Release Chakra Mode, a chakra cloak forming around him. His hair billowed, andyers of blue lotus flowers bloomed on his body. With a roar, he rocketed forward like a blueet streaking through the sky. Momentster, in front of Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu, the ground cracked and debris flew with a thunderous boom as Shichi descended from the sky. The three of them shielded their faces with their hands, their eyes widening in shock at this sudden arrival. "Looks like I''m not toote!" Shichi chuckled. Amid the dust cloud, he reached out and tore through the surrounding smoke with a single pull. "Shichi!" Guy eximed in surprise, his excitement palpable. "What are you doing here?" Genma Shiranui''s face lit up with joy. "Whatever the reason, it looks like we won''t be dying today!" Ebisu wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Seems like we just dodged a major bullet." That was terrifying just now. "Guy, fall back with your team a bit," Shichi said with a small smile, turning slightly. On the opposite side, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had all fixed their eyes on Shichi. Even without Guy calling out his name, the sheer strength of his chakra was enough to make them wary. "So, this is the guy?" "ShichiKonoha''s Blue sh, it must be him." "Turns out he''s just a kid!" "Better not underestimate him, or today''s grand funeral won''t be for him but for us!" "Such powerful chakra. No wonder he wiped out Hozuki Shingetsu''s entire unit!" ... Although Biwa Jz and hisrades spoke casually, their expressions grew serious. Even though the boy in front of them appeared to be young, it was clear that he waspletely different from the three they had just fought. Once Guy and the others retreated, Shichi turned his gaze toward the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. All seven of them had distinct personalities, but he could only recall the names of three. There was Fuguki Suikazan, who had a technique simr to Jiraiya''s, able to fire off senbon-like needles from his hair. Shichi remembered him because of the "most honest man in the ninja world," Kisame Hoshigaki. Then there was Kurosuki Raiga, who wielded the dual thunder swords and was a Lightning Release expertShichi remembered him because of Naruto. And finally, Biwa Jz, whom he remembered because of his sheer bravery. After all, cutting through a Tailed Beast Bomb? Shichi was willing to call him the bravest man in the ninja world! Looking at the seven of them, Shichi chuckled and said, "Honestly, the swords you guys are holding are pretty nice. I like them." "So, I''ll be taking them!" Kurosuki Raiga gripped his swords tightly. "What an arrogant brat! I can''t wait to give you a grand funeral!" Biwa Jz raised his sword. "There''s a small chip in my de. I need it to drink some blood to repair itself." "And judging by your blood, it''s got excellent quality." The tension in the air spiked instantly, and the fight was on the verge of breaking out. Guy and his team stood nervously behind Shichi. But just then, both Shichi and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen turned their heads in unison. A green figure flew through the air andnded gracefully. "Finally made it!" Might Duy touched down lightly. Behind him, Guy''s eyes widened in shock. "Dad?" "What... what are you doing here?" Might Duy turned around and said, "I heard about the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and was worried you''d run into them, so I rushed over." Guy immediately responded, "But... Dad, you''re only a genin!" Hearing this, Shichi chuckled. "Guy, don''t underestimate someone''s strength just because of their rank." He then addressed Might Duy, "Uncle Duy, opening the Seventh Gate should be enough." Might Duy nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Shichi. If you hadn''te, I don''t know what would''ve happened to Guy and the others." Shichi waved it off. "Uncle Duy, no need to be so formal with me." "If you really want to thank me, just make sure to take down all of them. I like their swords. They''ll make excellent trophies." Might Duy nced at the seven shinobi across from them and nodded seriously. "They''re strong, but I''ll do my best." Shichi quickly added, "Uncle Duy, the Seventh Gate will be enough." Hearing this exchange, Biwa Jz and the others didn''t look pleased. "These two bastards aren''t even taking us seriously!" Jz, his temper rising, squinted his eyes and barked, "Strike first, Raiga!" Kurosuki Raiga crossed his twin des, his body crackling with electricity. At the tips of his swords, two lightning orbs formed. With a flick of his wrists, the orbs shot toward Shichi and Might Duy. At the same moment, Biwa Jz charged forward with his sword raised. "Scatter!" With a lightmand, Shichi vanished, and Might Duy leaped into the air. Boom! The lightning orbs exploded where they had just been standing, sparks flying in all directions. However, both Shichi and Duy were too fast, and even though the electrical st covered a wide area, neither was hit. Hovering mid-air, Shichi formed a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken in his hand, which he promptly hurled downward. Biwa Jz''s pupils contracted as he raised his sword and shouted, "Scatter!" The next moment, his sword, the Executioner''s de, shed with Shichi''s Rasenshuriken. Even Shichi was slightly shocked. You''re not dodging that? Jz, you really are brave! The rapidly spinning Rasenshuriken tore straight through the Executioner''s de, slicing it in two. At the same time, the jutsu lost its stability, and the Rasengan core exploded violently. Biwa Jz let out a grunt of pain as his Executioner''s de split in half. His body was sent flying, crashing through several trees before mming into the trunk of arge one with a thud. He slid to the ground, unable to move. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. "Damn... my ribs are broken." "My arm... most of the chakra pathways in my body have been severed. I can''t channel chakra anymore." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 151: Even the Mizukage Can’t Stop Me!

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Even the Mizukage Can''t Stop Me!

The Wind Release: Rasenshuriken continued to expand rapidly, but even without Biwa Jz''s warning, Kurosuki Raiga and the others had already sensed the danger. With such strong chakra, they weren''t blind to the threat. Each of them swiftly retreated, but the expanding energy sphere was just as fast. Realizing they were about to be consumed by the st, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen reacted quickly. Kurosuki Raiga crossed his twin des, lightning crackling violently as he collided with the approaching force. The resulting explosion sent him tumbling backward at even greater speed, using the impact to escape. Jinin Akebino, wielding the blunt sword Kabutowari, brought down his axe, followed by a powerful strike from his hammer. The tremendous force shed with the Rasenshuriken''s power, but like Raiga, he was knocked back by the shockwave. Kuriarare Kushimaru, the masked wielder of the Nuibari , had seemingly anticipated the attack. Wrapping his long wire around a tree, he used it to swiftly escape the explosion. Fuguki Suikazan, the slowest of the group, saw that he couldn''t escape in time. He immediately unsheathed the Samehada, still wrapped in bandages. As the bandages exploded away, Samehada unfurled, and with a fierce swing, it sliced through the expanding Rasenshuriken''s force. Jinpachi Munashi, wielding the explosive de Shibuki, unfurled a scroll covered with explosive tags. Boom! Boom! Boom! A series of explosions filled the air, their fiery light scattering the Rasenshuriken''s expanding energy. From the air, Shichi took in the scene. However, what surprised him the most was the swordsman he was least familiar withHzuki Mangetsu, who wielded the Hiramekarei, a pair of fan-like des stacked together. As the bandages flew off, the Hiramekarei released a powerful burst of chakra, forming a massive chakra orb. As it descended, it mmed down like a gigantic hammer forged from pure chakra. Boom! The expanding Rasenshuriken came to a sudden halt, and then exploded outward, unleashing a windstorm that swept across the battlefield. However, the storm caused little actual damage. "This guy must be the strongest of them..." Shichi''s gaze sharpened as the windstorm swirled. Taking advantage of the moment, he waved his hands, scattering a multitude of Flying Thunder God kunai across the battlefield. At that moment, Might Duy, having already opened the Seventh Gate, charged into the storm with immense force,unching a devastating kick at Jinin Akebino. Jinin Akebino retreated quickly, the storm tearing through the ground as dust and debris filled the air. He swung his axe at Duy with his right hand, followed by his hammer in his left. But Might Duy''s speed in the Seventh Gate far exceeded his expectations. In a sh, Duy had already appeared behind him. Jinin Akebino twisted his wrist, swinging his axe in a spin toward his back. Boom! In the next moment, Jinin Akebino was sent flying, crashing into a tree before copsing to the ground. Blood spurted from his mouth, and he couldn''t stand. His axe and hammery scattered on the ground. As the windstorm passed, a thick mist began to rise, quickly engulfing the battlefield. Hiding in the Mist Jutsu! Suddenly, a long needle shot up from the ground, aimed directly at Might Duy''s back. Unfortunately for Kuriarare Kushimaru, Shichi''s heat vision was unaffected by the mist. Drawing his sword, Shichiunched his Totsuka de, enveloped in blue mes, straight at Kushimaru''s sneak attack. "Thousand des!" Kurosuki Raiga shouted as thunder roared, lightning tearing through the mist, aimed directly at Shichi. In Shichi''s field of vision, the Hiramekarei''s chakra red up once again, extending outward like a massive chakra de. Swish! Shichi''s figure disappeared from the air, reappearing next to one of his Flying Thunder God kunai, only to be met by the Hiramekarei, which was already shing toward him with tremendous force. At the same time, Kuriarare Kushimaru gave up his attack on Might Duy and dodged the iing Totsuka de. Shichi disappeared once again, evading the strike from the Hiramekarei, and reappeared next to his sword. With a swift motion, he swung the de, unleashing a crescent-shaped Blue me Vacuum sh toward Kushimaru. But before it could hit, Hzuki Mangetsu, wielding the Hiramekarei, appeared in front of Kushimaru, deflecting the attack with his de. Boom! The Blue me Vacuum sh exploded, creating a fiery windstorm. Suddenly, from behind Shichi, the sound of countless senbon needles whistled through the air. It was Fuguki Suikazan''s Needle Senbon, flying at great speed and covering a wide area. But before they could hit, Shichi vanished once more. Meanwhile, Jinpachi Munashi, wielding the explosive de Shibuki, swung his sword, unfurling a scroll that surrounded Might Duy. Before the explosion could trigger, Might Duy leapt into the air. "You''re dead!" Jinpachi roared. As he swung his de, the unfurled scroll flew toward Might Duy, while lightning from above struck down. It was Kurosuki Raiga, continuing his support from a distance. Lightning struck Duy mid-air, causing his body to tense up from the shock. However, the scroll flying toward him was suddenly sliced in two by a blinding white beam of light. Jinpachi sensed the danger and dodged, but mid-dodge, his body was cleaved in half by the blinding light. "Perish!" Kurosuki Raiga shouted as lightning rained down like branches, targeting Shichi, who had just unleashed his ming dragon breath. Lightning was fast, but Shichi''s reaction was faster. Having dealt with Jinpachi, he disappeared before the lightning could strike. "Uncle Duy, are you alright?" Shichi appeared beside Might Duy. "I''m fine!" Duy shook his head. Although the lightning attack had paralyzed him momentarily, his Seventh Gate power had already helped him recover. Shichi ced a hand on Duy''s shoulder, leaving a Flying Thunder God mark before turning his gaze toward the remaining four enemies. Hzuki Mangetsu, Fuguki Suikazan, Kurosuki Raiga, and Kuriarare Kushimaru. Jz Biwa was crippled by the Rasenshuriken, Jinpachi Munashi was split in two by the me Dragon Breath, and Kuriarare Kushimaru was incapacitated by a single kick from Might Duy. Despite their losses, these were no weaklings. The coordination among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen was impable. Raiga Kurosuki''s Lightning Release provided both speed and wide-area attacks, Fuguki Suikazan was a closebat powerhouse with his swift and broad Needle Senbon, and Hozuki Mangetsu wielded the strongest de of all. Shichi estimated that even his standard Rasenshuriken would be cleaved in two by it. Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others really didn''t lose unjustly! On the other side, amidst the mist, the expressions of Hozuki Mangetsu and the remaining swordsmen were equally grim. All the way here, the only group that even remotely posed a challenge to them was that Konoha Anbu squad. Yet, they had still achieved victory. But now, after just a brief skirmish, they had already lost three members. Not only was the renowned Shichi absurdly strong, but even that scruffy-looking man was no ordinary fighter. "No wonder he''s called the Blue sh of Konoha!" "His speed... it''s even faster than lightning..." Raiga Kurosuki muttered, his gaze locked on Shichi Hoshita. Even through the thick mist, Shichi''s striking appearance couldn''t be concealed. "I''m getting more and more eager to prepare a grand funeral for you!" Despite the seriousness of the situation, Raiga''s excitement grew. "You''re worthy of a funeral that I wouldy down my life to prepare!" He quickly turned his head and shouted, "Mangetsu, seize the opportunity!" "This guy can teleport to his kunai. Just like the Yellow sh of Konoha, he''s mastered the Body Flicker Technique." Hozuki Mangetsu added, "And don''t forget about his sword..." Hearing Raiga''s words, Shichi couldn''t help but feel exasperated. "The Blue sh of Konoha... Can''t theye up with something new?" "Duy-senpai, you charge in when I give the signal!" Shichi called out to Might Duy. They hadn''t had much coordination up to this point. However, after that initial exchange, had a clear grasp of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen''s strength. Now... it was time to unleash their full power! "Duy-senpai, go!" With a shout, summoned his Totsuka de in his left hand, while blue lotus blossoms bloomed all over his body. In an instant, he shot forward like a bullet. "The burning spirit of youth, bloom!" Might Duy dered, his feet smashing into the ground as he followed right behind Shichi, rushing straight at Raiga Kurosuki. Boom! A barrage of lightning bolts rained down from the sky, targeting and Duy, but they dodged them with incredible speed. Shichi''s Totsuka de shed downward, its de glowing intensely as it cut toward Hozuki Mangetsu. Blue me Waterfall de! Mangetsu swung his sword in response, his de also glowing brightly. The two sword beams collided, exploding with a violent storm of energy. Just then, Fuguki Suikazan appeared at Shichi''s side, swinging his massive sword, Samehada. But in the next moment, Fuguki''s movements froze. Demonic Realm: Pce of Memories! In a sh Shichi, appeared beside Fuguki, his de sweeping across the swordsman''s neck. Dodging a flurry of needles, Shichi''s figure vanished once again. This time, he reappeared beside Might Duy. From his shoulder, two dragon heads shot out brilliant beams of light like giant scissors, splitting Raiga Kurosuki in two, who had been stunned by Duy''s kick and paralyzed by the lightning. Raiga Kurosuki, dead! Shichi and Duy disappeared again as both the long needles and twin des of the Hiramekareiunched simultaneous attacks. "This bastard... we can''t evennd a hit on him." Hozuki Mangetsu gritted his teeth, feeling despair for the first time. "It looks like our newly rising fame will end here," said Kuriarare Kushimaru, his face hidden behind a mask. "Mangetsu, retreat. I''ll hold them off." "Take the swords back to the vige. We can''t let the Seven Ninja Swords vanish." Mangetsu, who could summon all the des of the Seven Swordsmen, hesitated, but then nodded solemnly. "Understood!" With that, Mangetsu began to retreat. "I''ve already told you, all these swords are part of my collection. Not even the Mizukage could stop me from keeping them!" Shichi''s voice echoed as chains burst from the ground. As Mangetsu retreated, he swung his sword to fend off the approaching chains, but then he noticed that Kushimaru had frozen in ce. Demonic Realm: Pce of Memories! Might Duy flew in with a powerful sweeping kick, and the bound Kushimaru was sent flying like a ragdoll, his body lifeless as it crashed to the ground. With one kick, Kushimaru was dead. Duy charged again, appearing behind Mangetsu and sweeping out another kick. Swoosh! Mangetsu''s body liquefied. But just as this happened, fiery chains from the Fire Nether Chains wrapped around the Hiramekarei, and with a tug, ripped the weapon from Mangetsu''s grasp. Following up on his kick, Duy threw a punch with all his might, causing the liquefied Mangetsu to explode into a torrent of water. However, the water swiftly wrapped around Duy''s legs, ensnaring him. At that moment, Shichi, surrounded by crackling lightning after deactivating his Fire Release: Chakra Mode, reappeared. He rescued Duy, and then, without giving Mangetsu a chance to retreat, shed forward once again. His hand pierced into Mangetsu''s liquefied body, electrocuting him until he solidified into a jelly-like form. Shichi withdrew his hand and gently flicked his fingers, causing a lotus of mes to bloom from his fingertips. The jelly-like Mangetsu exploded in a burst of fire. "Even the Demonic RealmMemory Pce isn''t invincible. The liquefied Mangetsu and the lightning-armored Raiga were both immune to the spirit body invasion." "As expected, the Sharingan''s silent infiltration through eyes is still superior." Shichi sighed inwardly. The mist had now dissipated, and Pakura''s voice called out from the distance, "Lord Shichi, should we finish off these two?" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 152: Kikyo Pass!

Chapter 152: Chapter 152: Kikyo Pass!

Kuriarare Kushimaru had been severely injured by Might Duy''s kick and waspletely incapacitated, but to everyone''s surprise, Jz Biwa managed to recover a bit and started to crawl back up. Unfortunately for him, Pakura arrived and promptly dragged him back down. Shichi watched this scene, thought for a moment, and said, "Let''s keep him alive and send him back to Konoha for interrogation." Biwa Jz struggled, gritting his teeth. "Damn it!" Pakura immediately knocked him out with a swift chop to the neck. Shichi then summoned a shadow clone to heal both Biwa Jz and Kushimaru, ensuring they didn''t die. "Uncle Duy, are you alright?" Shichi asked as he approached Might Duy, who was kneeling on the ground, panting heavily. "I''m fine... just exhausted," Duy said, shaking his head with a tired but satisfied smile on his face. Shichi ced a hand on Duy''s shoulder, and Yang Release chakra flowed into his body, nourishing him. Meanwhile, Might Guy and the others had finally gotten a clear view of the battlefield and were left in shock. Deep craters of various sizes were everywhere, withrge swaths of charred earth. But the most shocking sight was the number of bodies scattered around. "This is... incredible!" Ebisu, who wore sunsses, couldn''t help but gulp. Shiranui Genma, chewing on a senbon needle, looked at the bodies andmented, "These guys were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the ones who tore through our defenses." "We''re on apletely different levelpared to Shichi now," Guy said, stunned as he took in the scene. He then rushed over to his father''s side, tears streaming down his face. "Dad!" Might Duy embraced his son, and the two of them started crying loudly together. Shichi awkwardly pulled his hand back, unsure of why they were crying. It didn''t seem like they were sad, nor was it a reaction to surviving a near-death experience... he didn''t get it. At that moment, Ebisu and Genma approached therge body of Fuguki Suikazan. Ebisu couldn''t resist poking the lifeless figure and turned to Genma. "Was this guy trapped in one of Shichi''s genjutsu?" Genma inspected the corpse closely and then pointed to a scorched mark on Fuguki''s neck. "No, I don''t think so. His neck''s been cut." Ebisu examined the wound and gulped again. "His neck was severed." They then moved over to the shattered remains of Hzuki Mangetsu. "What happened to this one?" Ebisu asked. Genma shook his head. Shichi walked over with a smile. "That''s due to the Hydrification Technique." "The Hzuki n from the Mist Vige can liquefy their bodies, making them nearly immune to physical attacks." Genma quickly understood. "So he was taken down by Lightning Release?" Shichi nodded. "The Hydrification Technique is weak against Lightning Release." "As for Fire Release, it depends on who''s stronger." Genma and Ebisu both nodded in agreement and then moved on to Kuriarare Kushimaru''s corpse. "Was this one killed by Uncle Duy?" Ebisu asked, finding it hard to believe as he nced at the father and son still crying in the distance. Due to the thick mist, they hadn''t witnessed the battle clearly. But the injuries on the body were clearly the result of pure taijutsu, something that didn''t quite match Shichi''s usual fighting style. Shichi, happy to give credit to Duy, nodded and exined, "Yes, it was Uncle Duy''s taijutsu technique." "The other guy was also severely injured by one of his kicks." Genma couldn''t help but exim, "That''s unbelievable." Shichi said, "Taijutsu training is extremely grueling. Uncle Duy has been working hard for twenty years, which led to his breakthrough today." Ebisu and Genma looked over at the crying father and son. It was hard for them to reconcile this Might Duy, whom they had always known as a perpetual genin, with the man who had just taken down members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. It was aplete upheaval of everything they thought they knew. Shichi then unstrapped arge scroll from his back and said, "Genma, Ebisu, help me gather the bodies." "Got it," the two of them replied, quickly moving to help collect the bodies so that Shichi could seal them into the scroll. Meanwhile, Shichi''s clone, after providing emergency treatment to the two prisoners, ced sealing jutsu on them. He used the Five Elements Seal and reinforced it with heavy limb seals. By this time, Guy and Might Duy had finished their "spiritual awakening," and Shichi could sense a new resolve from Guy. It was a determination unlike anything he had ever felt before. It really is important for people to have hope and a clear goal to strive toward, Shichi thought to himself. He then released his shadow clone and turned his gaze to the seven swords lying on the ground. "Do any of you want one?" Genma, Ebisu, and the others exchanged nces. Ebisu hesitated before saying, "Shichi, these are yours and Uncle Duy''s spoils of war." Duy quickly shook his head. "I was just assisting Shichi. These are all his." Shichi chuckled. "Even though I said I''d collect them, these swords need proper wielders to fully show their power." Genma stepped forward, picked up the Nuibari (Sewing Needle), tested it a few times, then shook his head. "Shichi, I still prefer my senbon needles." Guy picked up the broken Kubikiribch (Executioner''s de) and swung it a few times but soon put it down. "I''m more of a fists and feet kind of guy." Ebisu first tried the explosive de Shibuki, but he couldn''t handle it properly. Then, he switched to the blunt sword Kabutowari but nearly smashed his own foot, making everyoneugh. When he went to grab Samehada, the living sword, it immediately bit him, causing him to jump back in shock. "Shichi, this sword is alive?!" Shichiughed. "Yes, the Samehada is alive. It can absorb chakra, and it especially loves powerful chakra." As he spoke, Shichi released a surge of Four-Tails chakra, and the Samehada eagerly devoured it before slithering up his back like a pet, to the amazement of everyone. However, Shichi knew that Samehada would betray him in an instant if it sensed stronger chakra elsewhere. With that in mind, he removed the sword from his back and sealed it away. Shichi then turned his gaze to Pakura, who shook her head. "My fighting style is alreadyplete." Shichi didn''t push further. He sealed the remaining swords one by one into the scroll and stored it away. If none of them wanted the swords now, he could train others or find suitable wielderster. Maybe it would be nice to have his own Seven Ninja Swordsmen team under hismand someday. With everything packed up, Shichi said to Guy and the others, "Uncle Duy, Guy, take the prisoners back to Konoha and hand them over for interrogation." The four immediately straightened up. Duy nodded earnestly. "Don''t worry, Shichi. I will give everything I have to ensure they''re safely delivered to Konoha!" Shichi smiled. "With you around, Uncle Duy, it won''t be a problem." "Alright, let''s move out!" hemanded. The four nodded in unison before taking the scroll and prisoners, leaping into the distance. "Lord Shichi, where are we headed next?" Pakura asked. Without hesitation, Shichi replied, "I''ll leave a shadow clone to team up with you. The Suna battlefield still needs me." Pakura understood and was deeply moved. "Thank you, Lord Shichi." Shichi created a shadow clone and instructed, "Head over to Jiraiya''s camp. I''ll return to the Land of Rivers." With that, his body flickered and disappeared. As his real body vanished, the shadow clone suddenly turned to Pakura and said, "I just realized we have no idea where the Mist''s frontline base is." Behind her mask, Pakura froze in shock. Why does Lord Shichi''s shadow clone seem a little unreliable? ... When Shichi returned to the Land of Rivers, it was already evening. Orochimaru was still there, however. Seeing Shichi return, Orochimaru looked up and smiled, "You''re a bit slower than I expected." Shichi sat down across from Orochimaru, grabbed some grilled meat from the table, and stuffed it into his mouth. "Lord Orochimaru, rushing all the way for such a distant rescue is tiring, you know." "Flying Thunder God takes up a lot of chakra, and the Mist Vige''s Seven Ninja Swordsmen aren''t weak." Orochimaru''s interest was piqued. "Anything special about them?" Shichi thought for a moment. "Apart from one Hozuki n member, the people themselves weren''t anything special. But the swords? They were pretty remarkable." "One sword, the Great de Samehada, can absorb chakraeven tailed beast chakra." Orochimaru''s eyes gleamed with interest. "No wonder even Jiraiya found them troublesome." Shichi pulled out a sealing scroll and brought out Samehada for Orochimaru to examine, then asked, "Has the vige made any further ns?" While fiddling with Samehada, Orochimaru replied, "Besides sending reinforcements, there haven''t been any new developments." "So far, there''s no sign of coboration between the Sand and Stone Viges. The Anbu and the Root division haven''t uncovered any relevant information either." After finishing his meat, Shichi grabbed a drink and downed it in one go. "I have a feeling the Sand Vige is about to make a move." "They can''t afford to engage in a prolonged standoff with us. We can replenish our supplies from the Land of Rivers, but they can''t." "Lord Orochimaru, I suggest you secretly head to the Land of Fire''s border to prepare for a Sand Vige surprise attack." Orochimaru set Samehada aside, which quietly crawled back onto Shichi''s back. With a slightly surprised nce, Orochimaru remarked, "That''s certainly one way to approach it." Shichi added, "Of course, you could send Lady Koharu, but if the Sand Vige strikes, she might not be able to hold them off." Orochimaru chuckled, "Shichi-kun, don''t underestimate them." Shichi shook his head with a sigh. "It''s not underestimatingit''s a difference in mindset." After a moment of thought, Orochimaru smiled. "If the Sand Vige does make a move, you could use your Flying Thunder God to transport me there, no problem, right?" Shichi nodded. "That''s doable." "But I probably won''t be able to go in person. If that happens, the Sand Vige will likelyunch a feint here." He wasn''t yet confident in fully controlling Shukaku and Bunpuku. The power of the Fire Nether Chains wasn''t strong enough yet. And the Demonic Realm C Memory Pce would definitely not be able to hold Shukaku and Bunpuku together. Orochimaru grinned. "A clone will suffice. Flying Thunder God is fast enoughI can arrive ahead of time and make some preparations." Shichi asked, "But wouldn''t our forces be insufficient?" Orochimaru asked with a smile, "What do you think the Sand Vige''s goal would be if theyunch a surprise attack?" Shichi thought it over. "Their first step would still be the Land of Rivers." "Seems like their main target is us here..." "If they can divert our forces from the vige andunch a surprise attack on the border, they''d cause us to lose ground quickly." Orochimaru pointed at the map. "The Sand Vige would break through our border defenses, take up a defensive position, and only a small portion of their forces would be needed to hold off our reinforcements for a while." "That would free up another group to cut off our supply lines, leaving us trapped between two fronts." "Even with your strength, Shichi-kun, you wouldn''t be able to protect everyone. The chances of us being overwhelmed are high." "After that, the Sand Vige would concentrate their forces tounch another offensive on the Fire Country''s border, using the Land of Rivers as their supply base." Shichi nodded, his eyes falling on a red-circled spot on the map. "So, Lord Orochimaru, you n to hold the Sand Vige forces at this location?" Orochimaru smiled and nodded. "Exactly." "This is Kikyo Pass. There''s a fortress there, with terrain that''s easy to defend and hard to attack." "I''ll hold the Sand Vige forces here until reinforcements from the vige arrive." "As for you, Shichi, your task will be to stop Chiyo''s army and Shukaku." Kikyo Castle! Shichi suddenly realized and gave Orochimaru a thumbs-up. "As expected of Lord Orochimaru!" "Although it looks like my task is going to be quite heavy too." Orochimaruughed, "I trust in you, Shichi-kun." "Of course..." Orochimaru''s tone shifted, and his smile faded as fleeting images of various figures crossed his mind. "If it bes impossible to hold the line, don''t force it." "With your Flying Thunder God, you can retreat to Kikyo Castle at any time." Shichi nodded seriously. "I understand!" After chatting for a bit longer, Shichi finally left the tent. By now, the sky was filled with stars. Shichi exhaled deeply, feeling a bit of exhaustion. It wasn''t physicalrather, it was mental. All the fighting... He didn''t particrly enjoy it. Training and research were far more interesting to him. But, s, fate had other ns. "Shichi." Uchiha Shisui appeared, interrupting Shichi''s thoughts. With a friendly wave, the two headed toward the medical camp together. Shisui asked, "Shichi, you seem a bit worn out..." Shichi nodded. "I don''t like war." Shisui nodded back. "As you''ve said before, war isn''t something we can decide." "But there is one thing we can decide on: victory!" Shichi nodded, then asked, "Shisui, have you ever thought about how we could make this world free of war?" Shisui paused, then shook his head. "That''s a bit too far off. My priority is protecting the vige and my loved ones." "Ending war across the entire world... that seems almost impossible." "The First Hokage once managed it, though..." Shisui looked at Shichi and smiled. "Shichi, I think you can surpass the First Hokage. Maybe you''ll even be able to end the wars in the shinobi world." Shichi put his arm around Shisui''s shoulder andughed. "That''s not something I could do alone." "Even the First Hokage had many supporters." "I''ve heard that the First Hokage''s original intention in founding the Konoha Vige was to protect future generations, so kids wouldn''t have to go to war." "I feel the same. If there were no wars, I''d probably be enjoying academy life back in the vige, carefree and happy!" "To be honest, I don''t want my child to grow up like me. I want him to face these things when he''s readyor maybe never at all." Shisui was stunned, trying to imagine such a world, but found it difficult. After all, going to war upon graduation had be so ingrained. "If only things could be like that..." Shisui couldn''t help but dream, then he stopped and looked at Shichi seriously. "I believe you can make that happen, Shichi." "Of course, I''ll always be here to support you!" Shichi extended his hand. Shisui immediately reached out, and with a p, their hands met in a firm handshake. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 153: Extracting the One-Tail!

Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Extracting the One-Tail! [Bonus Chapter]

The endurance of the Sunagakure was far more astonishing than both Shichi and Orochimaru had anticipated. May and June passed in the blink of an eye. On the side of the Land of Rivers, the standoff between Konoha and the Sunagakure persisted, with both sides engaging in small skirmishes. The only notable disturbance was Shukaku''s eagerness to fightevery two days, it would challenge Shichi to a battle. Although neither could gain the upper hand, Shichi was more than happy to take the opportunity to observe Shukaku. asionally, he''d even siphon some of its chakra to replenish his own research needs. If it weren''t for the fact that he hadn''t yet perfected the Fire Nether Chains sealing technique, Shichi would have likely already attempted to split off a piece of the One-Tail. ... Meanwhile, the war between Konoha and the Kirigakure was still raging intensely. The annihtion of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had caused another massive upheaval in the Kirigakure. Without this deadly spearhead, the Mist found itself gradually pushed back on the battlefield of the Land of Fire, where they held no geographical advantage. Still, one had to admit that the Kirigakure was as tenacious as it was crazed. Take, for example, the Kaguya n. Orochimaru had once told Shichi while passing on information that the Kaguya n was full of war fanatics, bound to face extinction sooner orter. In the past two months, the Sunagakure hadunched tworge-scale offensives against the Iwagakure. Both failed. Afterward, Shichi noticed that both the Suna and Iwa had fallen into an eerie silence. It appeared they were conserving strength for an impending decisive battle, but Shichi had a gut feeling that the Fourth Kazekage and the Third Tsuchikage were nning something more sinister. On the night of July 18th, Year 45 of Konoha... Shichi, who was resting in the medical camp, suddenly opened his eyes and immediately appeared inside Orochimaru''s tent. "It seems the Sunagakure is making a move?" Orochimaru, noticing the drenched Shichi, asked with a serious expression. Shichi nodded gravely, "A group of elite Sand ninjas is rapidly advancing from the north to the east, numbering around 800." "This movement won''t escape the notice of the Iwagakure. It''s clearly intentional." Orochimaru nodded, "The Iwagakure needs the Sunagakure to further stretch our forces." "It seems the Iwagakure is about to act as well." Shichi added, "If the Iwagakure makes a move, the Kumogakure won''t be far behind." Orochimaru smiled, "Shichi, no need to overthink it. Let''s first focus on defeating the Sunagakure!" Shichi nodded and, without hesitation, unlocked the Yin Seal on his forehead, releasing a surge of chakra. Boom! An identical shadow clone appeared. Orochimaru said, "I''ll leave things here to you for now." "Lady Koharu should arrive by tomorrow at thetest." Shichi nodded. It was indeed a bit challenging for him tomand an army of a thousand. This wasn''t as simple as waving a hand and sending everyone charging forward. After Orochimaru left with the shadow clone, Shichi immediately sent a clone to inform Koharu and ordered Uchiha Shisui to gather the avable Konoha jnin under Orochimaru''smand. Half an hourter, six jnin without pressing duties arrived. Seeing Shichi seated in Orochimaru''s ce startled them. Without giving them a chance to question him, Shichi said directly, "A portion of the Sunagakure forces, who were battling the Iwagakure, are now heading straight for the Fire Country''s border. Lord Orochimaru left immediately to confront them." "I''ve already sent a shadow clone for Lady Koharu, who will arrive by tomorrow." "For tonight and tomorrow, until Lady Koharu arrives, please continue following Orochimaru''s arrangements, but remain on high alert." Hearing this, the jnin were startled. Sarutobi Shinichi was the first to speak, "Shichi, don''t worry, we will not let anything go wrong." Following him, the jnin from the Nara and Yamanaka ns, who were close to Shichi, also voiced their agreement. Only Shimura Feiyan remained silent. Though he was dissatisfied with Shichi taking charge, he nodded reluctantly in this situation. Shichi, satisfied, nodded back, "Very well. In that case, everyone, return to your posts." Sarutobi Shinichi and the others nodded, then took their leave. Once they were gone, Uchiha Shisui entered and asked, "Shichi, do you think the Sunagakure willunch arge-scale attack tonight?" Shichi shook his head, "If we don''t act, it''s unlikely they will." "But we still need to be prepared for anything." Shisui nodded, then said, "In that case, I''ll head to the frontlines." Shichi nodded, "Let''s go together!" "The Sunagakure will probably try to probe if I''m really here." The two headed to the frontlines, where the presence of Shichi''s real body instantly boosted the morale of the Konoha ninjas on guard. Feeling the shift in atmosphere, Shisui couldn''t help but think to himself, "Shichi has already be the heart of the Konoha ninjas." As his friend and teammate, Shisui felt proud of this. Meanwhile, on the other side, in the Land of Wind, a Sand ninja responsible for sensory duties opened his eyes behind a rock pir. "Another surge of Shichi''s chakrathis one is likely his real body." Another Sand ninja immediately said, "I''ll report to Lady Chiyo right away." It was difficult to discern shadow clones from the real body, even for those with chakra sensing abilities. And Shichi was particrly hard to identify. Chiyo soon received the report and said, "We''ll need the One-Tail to test if it''s really his body." She turned to Bunpuku and said, "I''m afraid we''ll need your help." "Every now and then, provoke him and start a battle to ensure Shichi''s real body stays here. We can''t let his true form appear near the Fire Country''s border." Chiyo knew full well that the Sunagakure''s movements were being monitored by Konoha. That flying ninja beast of theirs was too powerful. Therefore, she had to ensure Shichi''s real body remained on this front. As for his clones, there was nothing they could do about those. But the distance posed a challenge for chakra transmission to clones, which meant she could minimize their impact. Bunpuku nodded in agreement, and Shukaku, eager to y in the sand, was more than happy to have another go at teaching Shichi a lesson. ... One hour had passed since Orochimaru left. Suddenly, Shichi, who was resting on the frontlines, opened his eyes. "The One-Tail ising!" His shadow clone had sent back the memory. Without hesitation, he leapt into the air, his figure disappearing into the night. Beside him, Uchiha Shisui also stood up and whistled. In an instant, numerous Konoha ninjas hidden within the forest appeared. Sarutobi Shinichi approached Uchiha Shisui. "Shisui, are the Sand ninjas attacking?" Shisui shook his head. "No, the One-Tail is here." "They''re probably trying to confirm whether Shichi''s real body is still around." Sarutobi Shinichi frowned at this. "The forces at the Fire Country border are insufficient. At the speed of the Sand ninjas, they could reach it before reinforcements." As they spoke, Shukaku''s distinctive howl echoed from the distance: "Hahaha, brat! This time, I''m going to teach you a lesson!" One by one, the Konoha ninjas leapt into the trees, looking toward the source of the voice. Shukaku''s enormous figure was clearly visible, even in the darkness of the night. The moonlight was bright enough to make the sight even more pronounced. Sarutobi Shinichi and the others also saw Shichi floating in the air, already d in his signature blue chakra cloak. "Konoha''s Blue shit''s a fitting title!" Sarutobi Shinichi eximed in admiration. This nickname hadn''te from the Konoha ninjas; it was a title earned from the respect of their enemies. For Sarutobi Shinichi and the others, this was one of the greatest honors a ninja could receive! ... In the air, Shichi looked down at the roaring Shukaku and said calmly, "Shukaku, you''ve been saying the same thing for months now." "Honestly, if it weren''t for Monk Bunpuku, I would''ve sealed you long ago." He still held some respect for the elderly Bunpuku. On Shukaku''s head, Bunpuku saw right through Shichi''s provocation. "Shukaku, he''s trying to goad you." "Hmph! Does he think I can''t tell?" Shukaku scoffed. This pesky brat was underestimating him! Raising his massive paw, Shukaku pointed at Shichi from a distance and roared, "Bunpuku, let''s take him down together!" Before the words even finished, sand erupted from the ground, swirling like a dragon toward Shichi in the air. "It seems you''ve made some progress recently," Shichi remarked as he watched the sand dragon approach. In an instant, blue lotus flowers bloomed behind him, and with a sh, he drew his sword, slicing through the sand dragon with a blue de of chakra. Boom, boom, boom! Below him, more sand surged upward, trying to ensnare him. But Shichi moved through the air like a butterfly, weaving in and out with agility, making it impossible for Shukaku to catch him. "Damn it!" Shukaku growled in frustration. He opened his mouth wide and fired several wind bullets. Shichi effortlessly dodged them, then a Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken appeared in his left hand, the sharp screeching sound filling the air as he hurled it toward Shukaku. However, Shukaku merged several streams of sand into a massive barrier, blocking the shuriken. The intense glow lit up the night sky as a sandstorm erupted. Suddenly, Shichi ascended higher and darted behind Shukaku, where twin mes formed into a fiery dragon on his shoulders. They lunged forward like giant scissors, aimed to slice at Shukaku. Shukaku leaped into the air, spinning as he shot two more wind bullets before swinging his left w, forming a massive wave of sand bullets. At the same time, Bunpuku sped his hands together atop Shukaku''s head. "Sand Scatter Shot!" This time, the jinchriki and Shukaku worked together to execute the technique. Shichi dodged the wind bullets andnded on the ground. In front of him, a thick wall erupted from the earth, adorned with intricate lotus carvings. "Earth Release: Lotus Earth Flow Wall!" Kakashi carved dogs, but Shichi carved lotus flowers. As the wall blocked the sand scatter shot, a Quagmire Swamp formed beneath Shukaku. As soon as Shukakunded, the swamp began to envelop him. "Such a trivial technique won''t stop me!" Shukaku sneered before his expression twisted into a grin. "Got you, brat!" A surge of sand had grabbed hold of Shichi''s ankle and quickly climbed up, wrapping around him like ropes. Within moments, Shichi''s entire body was encased in sand. "Hahaha! Now, get buried!" Shukakuughed maniacally as wave upon wave of sand crashed down,yer afteryer, sealing the mass with sealing tags. But Bunpuku frowned and warned, "Be carefulthat''s not his real body. He''s behind you!" Sensing the danger, Shukaku immediately tried to turn around, but he was still trapped in the swamp. He couldn''t move fast enough. Behind him, Shichi, who had used his hair as a substitution clone, had already raised a Lava Release: Rasenshuriken in his hand, ready to strike. Direct hit! The Rasenshuriken spun furiously, enveloping Shukaku''s massive body in moltenva. "Damn it! I swear I''ll destroy you!" Shukaku roared in agony. From the rear, Chiyo''s eyes narrowed as she watched. "So, he really has mastered Lava Releasewithout any of the Four-Tails'' chakra." "This guy..." For a moment, Chiyo couldn''t be sure. Was the Lava Release used in the scene of the Third Kazekage''s disappearance and death caused by Shichi, or by the power of the Four-Tails? Even if Shichi had gained the Four-Tails'' power, could he have mastered Lava Release so quickly? ... The melted sand fell away, revealing a smaller version of Shukaku. Shichi had already closed in, and chains shot out from his back, binding Shukaku tightly. One of the chains even pierced into Shukaku''s body. "Damn it..." Just as Shukaku was about to turn around and Bunpuku was preparing to counter with a sealing technique, both of them suddenly froze. Their consciousnesses were pulled into a mental realm, and they found themselves inside the vige of Konoha. Demonic Realm C Pce of Memories! "This is Konoha Vige?" "It''s an illusion, Shukaku! Break the illusion quickly!" Bunpuku warned. Shukaku, however, looked around in confusion. "This isn''t like that Uchiha brat''s illusion. How do I break this?" From atop Shukaku''s head, Bunpuku examined the seemingly real Konoha Vige and said, "Chakra! Eliminate everyone who possesses chakra!" Shukaku grinned broadly. "Excellent!" "This method is right up my alley!" "Then I''ll destroy this Konoha Vige!" Shukaku''s eyes locked onto the Hokage Rock. At that moment, figures leapt toward them from all directionsKonoha ninjas. ... Outside the illusion, the Fire Nether Chains that bound Shukaku continued to burrow into his body. This was the first time Shichi had used Demonic Realm C Pce Memories on Shukaku and Bunpuku. Earlier, he hadn''t directly teleported to Shukaku using the Flying Thunder God technique because it would''ve been far too dangerous to appear right on top of him. Instead, Shichi had deliberately used the Lava Release: Rasenshuriken to weaken Shukaku''s strength, knowing full well it wouldn''t be enough to finish him off in one strike. Compared to the past, Shichi had indeed improved. He was now able topletely suppress both Shukaku and Bunpuku by himself. And now came the final stepextracting Shukaku from Bunpuku''s body! Shichi sped his hands together and pulled with all his might, using the Fire Nether Chains to drag Shukaku toward himself. Meanwhile, in the distance, Chiyo saw that Shukaku and Bunpuku had been restrained and immediately led her forces into battle. On the other side, Uchiha Shisui and hisrades also charged forward. Within the illusion, both Shukaku and Bunpuku could feel their physical bodies being disturbed. "That brat... He''s actually trying to pull me out of your body!" Shukaku roared. "Old monk, you better figure out where that kid''s real body is, or you''re dead meat!" Shukaku shouted as he effortlessly ughtered Konoha ninjas one by one. By now, Konoha Vigey inplete ruinsthe Hokage Rock had even copsed! Bunpuku, with his hands sped together, remained silent as he searched thoroughly, trying to locate the target. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. "I found him!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 154: Fierce Light!

Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Fierce Light!

Within the illusion, inside the Root base, Shichi, ying the role of Danzo, smiled. "Have they finally found me?" Apanied by a loud rumble, a massive figure descended from the sky, crashing through the Root base. Wherever it passed, bridges crumbled. Boom! Shukakunded, raising a paw to smash down. "Hiding here, and looking so ugly too!" "Die!" Shichi leapt into the air, ending his role-ying, and began battling Shukaku. He needed to buy time. But it was clear that tailed beasts were exceptional beings. Even in a mental space, Shukaku''s immense power was wreaking havoc, causing the entire Root base to copse. Whoosh! Shichi suddenly vanished, teleporting using the Flying Thunder God technique. Shukaku immediately gave chase, gathering a Tailed Beast Bomb in his mouth and firing it at the ground. The earth quaked, and the entire illusion began to copse. The spiritual body acting as the illusion''s vessel could no longer withstand the rampage of Shukaku''s overwhelming power. ... Under the night sky, Konoha and Sand shinobi shed on the battlefield, with Shukaku at the center. The Sand shinobi sought to free Shukaku, while Konoha fought to stop them. Meanwhile, behind Shukaku, Shichi, who had already pulled a third of Shukaku out of Bunpuku, sighed. "What a pity..." The illusion had been broken! Shukaku and Bunpuku both woke up. At the same time, Chiyo had managed to break through Uchiha Shisui''s defenses, allowing two Sand shinobi to rush in. Seeing this, Shichi acted decisively. A shadow clone appeared beside him, summoning the Yagakigami Sword. Blue me Waterfall de! A massive blue de materialized, and just as Bunpuku was about to pull Shukaku back, Shichi sliced down, severing the third of Shukaku that had been pulled out. The enormous chakra, wrapped in Fire Nether Chains, was absorbed into Shichi''s body. As he sealed it, he cast another genjustu on Shukaku and Bunpuku. Binding Jutsu! Both Bunpuku and the tanuki were frozen in ce. But the effectsted less than a second before they broke free. Still, Shichi hadpleted the sealing, and his ninjutsu burst forth in rapid session. Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld! Lightning Release: Sixteen Pir Bind! First, he trapped Shukaku''s now smaller form in the swamp again, followed by stone pirs rising from the ground, surrounded by crackling electricity that formed a field of lightning. This alone wasn''t enough to stop Shukaku''s sand-based body. But then came the Firing Biscuit Jutsu. Intense blue mes emerged, enveloping Shukaku and finally restraining him. Shichi then sprang into action, as fast as lightning, knocking away the two approaching Sand shinobi and blowing a retreat whistle. The Konoha ninjas retreated like a tide, fighting as they fell back. Shichi created some clones to assist, and alongside Uchiha Shisui, they held the rear. After Chiyo and the Sand shinobi surrounded Shukaku, they didn''t pursue. Shichi''s strength was extraordinary; without Shukaku, they didn''t dare to challenge him head-on. Carrying their wounded and the bodies of fallenrades, the Konoha forces sessfully retreated back to the Land of Rivers. Shichi halted, giving orders. "Immediately take the injured to the medical team. The rest, follow the n for shifts and rest." "The Sand shinobi won''t stop provoking us just to hold my real body here." Sarutobi Shinichi and the others nodded. "Understood!" Everyone swiftly vanished into the forest. Shichi turned to Uchiha Shisui, who had stayed behind. "Shisui, you should rest too." "Restore your strength, so we can face Shukaku together next time." Shisui smiled and replied, "Got it!" With that, Shisui disappeared in a sh. Shichi leaped up and sat on the treetop, gazing toward the Sand shinobi''s direction. His spiritual body, however, was already inside the Eight Trigrams Seal on his abdomen. The little Four-Tails saw him appear and spoke up, "It looks like it won''t be long before you capture that Shukaku guy." Shichi, staring at the massive chakra of Shukaku, smiled. "I have no intention of capturing Shukaku." The little Four-Tails pondered this. Shichi ignored him, continuing to focus on the power contained within Shukaku''s chakra. ... Kikyo Mountain, Kikyo Castle. This castle in the Land of Rivers originally belonged to a noble, but it had since be a military fortress for Konoha. After Shichi''s shadow clone met up with Orochimaru at the Land of Fire border to takemand, they quickly headed here. However, Konoha''s forces only numbered about 300 ninja. Fortunately, upon arriving at Kikyo Castle, Shichi immediately summoned Gamabunta and sent a message to Konoha through Mount Myoboku''s toads, requesting reinforcements. This method was even faster than if he had returned to Konoha himself. After all, Shichi couldn''t teleport directly to the vige, while Mount Myoboku had a direct passage to Konoha. If his teacher, Minato Namikaze, were in the vige, he could have simply performed a reverse summoning and then canceled it immediately. Orochimaru busied himself organizing the troops and setting up defenses. Meanwhile, Shichi found a secluded spot, transformed into a miniature Four-Tails form, and began recovering his chakra. With Konoha''s limited forces, he clearly couldn''t let the transformation fade. They had to hold out until Konoha''s reinforcements arrived. However, it was apparent that the Sand''s elite forces would arrive before Konoha''s reinforcements. The distance from the Sand''s northern battlefield to Kikyo Mountain was much shorter than from Konoha to Kikyo Mountain. Even if Konoha rushed their forces overnight, they would still only arrive after dawn tomorrow. The Sand''s 800 ninja versus Konoha''s 300a significant advantage! Time passed slowly. At 3 a.m., Ebiz led the elite Sand forces to the base of the mountain. The vanguard squad had already scouted Konoha''s troop movements. After receiving the report, Ebiz furrowed his brows. "Kikyo Mountain, huh?" "That ce is easy to defend and hard to attack..." A Sand Jonin beside him remarked, "Even so, we have enough numbers." "Konoha only has 300 people." Just then, a figure swiftly arrived in front of Ebiz and reported, "We detected Konoha''s Blue sh chakra in Kikyo Castle!" The surrounding Sand ninja were startled. But Ebiz, having already anticipated this, calmly said, "Rx, it''s just a shadow clone of Shichi Hoshita." "With Shukaku holding his real body in check, he can''t be here." He nced at the dimly lit Kikyo Castle in the distance andmanded, "Begin the attack in half an hour!" ... Inside Kikyo Castle, Orochimaru and Shichi stood on the rooftop, overlooking the gathering Sand forces. Orochimaru chuckled, "Less than three times the numbers, and the Fourth Kazekage didn''t evene in person. They''re underestimating you, Shichi-kun." Shichi replied calmly, "While shadow clones can indeed replicate all of the real body''s abilities, it''s not the same in practice." "My shadow clone can''t use the Fire Release Chakra Mode, and Lava Release Chakra Mode isn''t my forte. It''s still within normal expectations, so the Fourth Kazekage doesn''t need toe himself." "Moreover, he wouldn''t dare leave his position." If the Fourth Kazekage left, the Third Tsuchikage could order an Iwa-nin counteroffensive. At present, the Suna and Iwa hadn''t formally allied. Shichi nced toward the Land of Earth and said, "Once our war with the Sand reaches a stalemate, Iwa-nin will likely take action." Orochimaru nodded, unconcerned. "Don''t worry too much. Though the old man''s be more cautious, that just means he has enough strength to handle it." Shichi withdrew his gaze and nodded slowly. Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye. The Sand ninja reached the foot of the mountain and attacked from all sides without hesitation. Under the cover of night, the battle erupted! From the rooftop, Shichi watched the charging Sand shinobi. Lightning erupted from his limbs, apanied by the chirping of a thousand birds. Lightning surged across his body. With a standard sword in his right hand and a kunai in his left, Shichi shot down from the rooftop in a sh of lightning, leaving a trail of scorched earth in his wake. "Be careful, Konoha''s Blue sh is here!" "It''s just a shadow clone! Use Wind Release to limit his speed!" "Prepare the puppet weapons!" ... Seeing the lightning approaching, the Sand ninja immediately sent their elite to surround Shichi. However, after killing three Sand shinobi in quick session, Shichi vanished, reappearing elsewhere to rescue a Konoha ninja and sending the Sand forces flying. With effortless control over Earth Release, Wind Release, Lightning Release, Fire Release, Water Release, and Genjutsu, wherever Shichi went, the Sand ninja quickly crumbled. The Sand ninja had no way to set a proper ambush. They couldn''t predict where Shichi would appear. Though his shadow clone didn''t carry many Flying Thunder God kunai, every Konoha ninja acted as his marker. He could appear beside any of them, unleashing a barrage of ninjutsu that halted the Sand''s advance. This was the tactic Shichi and Orochimaru had agreed upon beforehand. Rescue and dismantle the Sand''s offensive! Though the Rasenshuriken was powerful, it consumed too much chakra. Even with this shadow clone, Shichi couldn''t wipe out all of the Sand forces. The Sand shinobi, unlike the Mist ninja from before, weren''t gathered together. They had turned the entire Kikyo Mountain into a battlefield, attacking the castle from all directions. Given the situation, sustained conventional ninjutsu was the best choice. Half an hourter, the Sand ninja''s fierce assault retreated like a tide. Shichi halted, panting heavily. His chakra was nearly depleted! If the fight continued, he wouldn''t be able to keep going. Though the battle had onlysted thirty minutes, his output had been overwhelming. After briefly greeting Orochimaru, Shichi disappeared, heading to a secret chamber where he transformed into the miniature Four-Tails to recover chakra. But before half an hour passed, the Sandunched another attack. This time, Orochimaru himself joined the fray, summoning Manda. The Sand ninja responded by summoning tworge creaturesa scorpion and a burrowing sandwormto hold Manda at bay. Shichi continued to dart across the battlefield, extinguishing fires and halting the Sand''s relentless assault. On the mountainside, Ebiz''s face darkened as he watched the flickering blue lightning. "Though it''s only a shadow clone, with spatial ninjutsu, Shichi Hoshita''s clones could keeping from over there..." Ebiz felt a deep sense of helplessness. There was nothing he could do about Konoha''s Blue shhis teleportation technique was impossible to counter. Initially confident that his 800 troops would overwhelm Konoha''s forces, Ebiz now foresaw failure. After thinking for a moment, Ebiz dispatched someone to the northern battlefield in the Land of Wind. They had to request reinforcements, or this strategic assault would fail. Time continued to pass. The Sand ninjaunched one fierce attack after another. By dawn, they had already assaulted the castle six times. At 6 a.m., the first wave of Konoha reinforcements finally arrived. Upon detecting them, Ebiz immediately sent 200 men to intercept the 100 reinforcements from Konoha. But seeing Shichi casually walking through the air, Ebiz reconsidered. He feared that sending 200 men would be like throwing dumplings to a dogthere would be no return. Thus, the 100 reinforcements were smoothly escorted into Kikyo Castle by Shichi. However, Shichi was not pleased, as the reinforcements included Yakushi Non and Shizune, members of the medical corps. Non and Shizune, on the other hand, were overjoyed to see Shichi. Their worries vanished upon his appearance. But there was no time for conversation, as the battlefield was filled with wounded, even Orochimaru had been injured. So Non and Shizune immediately got to work, too busy to rest. "People are really double-standard..." Shichi muttered to himself, watching the two work tirelessly, before heading off to recover his chakra. The Sand''s attacks wouldn''t stop just because 100 reinforcements had arrived. In fact, they might be even more frenzied. ... On the western side of the Land of Rivers, just as Shichi had predicted, Shukaku was still eager for battle despite taking a severe beating. Now, an additional helper had joined ShukakuChiyo! Shichi brought Uchiha Shisui along and summoned Gamabunta to continue sparring with Shukaku and his allies. They fought three rounds throughout the night, with neither side gaining the upper hand. At 7 AM, Koharu Utatane finally arrived and took overmand, allowing Shichi to focus entirely on dealing with Shukaku. Meanwhile, in the northern part of the Land of Wind, the Fourth Kazekage received Ebiz''s plea for reinforcements and fell silent. Eight hundred troops were already the limit of what he could afford to allocate. Any further reduction in manpower would weaken his position. "It seems I''ll have to recruit more forces from the vige..." The Fourth Kazekage quickly made his decision. Even at this stage of the war, Sunagakure''s full military potential hadn''t been fully tapped. He sent the order back to Sunagakure via a flying ninja beast. That afternoon, 600 reinforcements left the vige, headed straight for the Kikyo Mountain battlefield. However, by this time, Konoha had already sent three waves of reinforcements. The arrival of these fresh troops made it impossible for Ebiz to quickly seize Kikyo Mountain. The next day, Sunagakure''s reinforcements arrived, boosting their total fighting force to over a thousand. At the same time, the number of Konoha ninjas within Kikyo Castle, capable of fighting, had grown to over 700. With Shichi Hoshita''s shadow clone acting as a firefighting unit, the two sides reached a stalemate. What was meant to be a quick victory had now inevitably turned into a protracted war. ... In Iwagakure, within the Tsuchikage''s office, noki was deep in thought as he reviewed thetest intelligence. The current situation presented a prime opportunity for Iwa to take action. Suna''s movements had prompted Konoha to repeatedly send more troops to the front. Rough estimates indicated that Konoha had alreadymitted over 3,000 soldiers due to the wars with Kirigakure and Sunagakure. After a moment''s consideration, noki rose to his feet. He decided to personally head south to meet the young Fourth Kazekage face to face. ... At the border between the Land of Birds and the Land of Wind. Under the cover of night, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, met with the Third Tsuchikage, noki, across the national boundary. "Fourth Kazekage, I have already ordered my army to withdraw," noki began. Rasa responded promptly, "I''ve also ordered my troops to retreat." "However, if Iwa dares to provoke us again, Sunagakure willmit its full force to battle." noki remained unfazed by the threat and said calmly, "Iwa fears no one." "Fourth Kazekage, you should focus on investigating the death of the Third Kazekage." "Of course, it''s already quite obvious who was responsible." Rasa remained indifferent. "That''s none of your concern, Tsuchikage." ... Though the meeting between the Fourth Kazekage and the Third Tsuchikage wasn''t exactly amicable, they reached a mutual understanding. That same night, both armies began their respective retreats. At the western border of the Land of Rivers, Shichi had just finished another fight with Shukaku when he received the memories of his shadow clone and immediately sensed something was off. With both Suna and Iwa withdrawing their forces, a major problem was now headed straight for Konoha. "Shisui, I need you to report to Lady Koharu immediately. Let her know that both Suna and Iwa have retreated." Shichi spoke to Uchiha Shisui, who had just sat down to rest. "What?" Shisui was shocked. His expression quickly turned serious as he nodded. "Understood!" In the blink of an eye, Shisui disappeared. Shichi rubbed his temples. He had been using the Strength of a Hundred Seal for the past few days, keeping every cell in his body active with small amounts of chakra, even during nonbat periods, to relieve fatigue. But mental exhaustion was far more difficult to alleviate. "I''m so tempted to just raid their headquarters directly..." A fierce glint shed in Shichi''s eyes. This constant back-and-forth was getting on his nerves. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 155: One-Tail, Successfully Captured!

Chapter 155: Chapter 155: One-Tail, Sessfully Captured!

Inside the tent, Sarutobi Shinichi and the others listened to Koharu Utatane''s report, all wearing grave expressions. The fact that the Sand ninja were retreating from the north clearly meant they weren''t returning to Sunagakure. The most likely scenario was that they were heading in their direction. "Lady Koharu, can we request reinforcements from the vige?" a Jnin asked. Koharu shook her head, "There''s no time." "If the Sand ninja areing straight from the north, we won''t be able to wait for reinforcements from the vige." Shimura Feiyan spoke up, "Shichi''s skills are exceptional. Perhaps he could intercept the Sand ninja forces on their way south, just like he did with the Mist ninja." Koharu nced at Shimura Feiyan, "Shichi is strong, but even he has limits." "If he leaves, who will handle the One-Tail?" Shimura Feiyan immediately responded, "Shichi has a vast amount of chakra. Even though his clones aren''t as powerful as his real self, they could at least keep the One-Tail upied for a while, right?" "If we retreat first, we wouldn''t be a burden to Shichi." Sarutobi Shinichi''s face changed, "You want Shichi to stay behind and cover our retreat by himself?" "That''s impossible!" "Shichi''s chakra reserves may berge, but they''re not infinite." "Handling Shukaku, covering the rear, and attacking the Sand ninja reinforcements? He''d exhaust himself!" The other Jnin all looked at Shimura Feiyan with displeased expressions. Shimura Feiyan quickly defended himself, "We wouldn''t even be able to get close in a fight against a tailed beast. To him, we''re actually a burden." Koharu frowned and cut him off, "Enough." "I''ve already decidedretreat!" "We''ll head to Kikyo Castle to regroup with Orochimaru." Koharu then turned to Uchiha Shisui, who was representing Shichi. "Shisui, go inform Shichi that he only needs to stall the One-Tail." "Once we''ve retreated a safe distance, he should immediately fall back and join us." Uchiha Shisui sighed in relief and quickly nodded, "Understood, Lady Koharu!" He promptly turned and left. Under arge tree at the border, Shichi listened to Shisui''s report and couldn''t help but smile. "They''ve chosen their path to destruction!" He sent a shadow clone, transformed into an eagle, soaring into the sky, and then said, "Though we''re from the same vige and call each other rades,'' not everyone is worthy of that trust." "The most important thing is to understand your own abilities, and when ites to taking action, it''s crucial to understand others." "The greatest danger isn''t a powerful opponent, but the rades'' who drag you down!" There''s nothing more dangerous than ipetent teammates, no matter how capable the enemies are. Shichi chuckled. Uchiha Shisui agreed wholeheartedly but still tried to offer reassurance. "Shichi, Lady Koharu and the other Jnin are on your side." Shichi didn''t seem convinced, smiling, "Shisui, you should retreat with them." Shisui quickly protested, "I should stay behind to support you!" Shichi shook his head, "No need. I can retreat faster using the Flying Thunder God." "Besides, I''m not nning to fight Shukaku or even the Fourth Kazekage head-on." He smiled mischievously, "I intend to use a more peaceful and harmonious approach to ensure the Kazekage doesn''t participate in this war." Shisui was puzzled, "Wait... You''re nning to negotiate?" "But that''s something only Lord Hokage can authorize, right?" When he thought of peace, negotiation was the only thing that came to mind. Shichi turned to Shisui, still smiling, "You can''t achieve peace with just words. It''s been that way since old times." "Without sufficient strength to back you up, no one will listen to your soft-spoken reasoning." "If your fists aren''t strong enough, your argument will be weak too." He drew his Totsuka de. "The truth is always found at the edge of a de!" "Shisui, the First Hokage was able to end the Warring States period because he had enough power to make the other viges sit down and negotiate." "Because he was strong enough, he was able to capture all the tailed beasts and distribute them to maintain the bnce of power in the ninja world." "So, Shisui, keep working hard!" "Our current strength is still far from enough." Uchiha Shisui nodded solemnly, "I understand..." He started to walk away but turned back with a smile, "Shichi, I can feel my Djutsu power growing. I promise I won''t hold you back." With that, Shisui disappeared. Shichi was momentarily stunned. "Djutsu power is growing?" Could it be... Shichi hesitated for a moment. "Is he about to awaken the Mangeky Sharingan?" Honestly, he wasn''t well-versed in the specifics of the Sharingan. Most of his understanding came from a "God''s-eye perspective" (AKA Watching Anime or Reading Manga Xd) and his own knowledge of chakra fundamentals. Bloodline limits often stemmed from the fusion of two different chakra natures. So, what chakra nature fusion creates the Sharingan? Based on what he knew, Shichi believed it to be abination of Yin Release and Yang Release. And Yin Release likely yed the dominant role! For example, Scorch Release is primarily Fire Release, with Wind Release as a secondary. Lava Release is mainly Fire Release, with Earth Release as the secondary. This primary and secondary distinction isn''t about chakra ratios but about the dominant chakra nature disyed. The Sharingan, while known for its genjutsu, also enhances physical abilities, especially at the Mangeky level, where its powers vary greatly. So, the only reasonable exnation is Yin Releasebined with Yang Release! And since Yin Release is the mainponent, the activation and enhancement of the Sharingan''s tomoe levels are closely tied to one''s mental state. Strong emotional stimtion triggers chakra changes, causing a transformation in the optic nerves and eyes. Shichi had met several members of the Uchiha n, including those with three tomoe. Most of them, especially the three-tomoe users, had chakra that felt cold and dark. There were only two exceptions he knew of. One was Uchiha Shisui, and the other was Uchiha Yu, whom he had met before. Shisui''s chakra gave Shichi a warm, radiant feelingveryfortable. Yu''s chakra was simr to Shisui''s but more intense, with an undercurrent of obsession. "Mental changes... don''t necessarily stem from negative emotions. The Uchiha typically awaken their eyes through negative stimuli because positive emotions likely don''t reach the threshold required for activationor for the Mangeky''s awakening." "After all, loss tends to leave a deeper impact." "But this still needs further observation, especially in Shisui''s case... maybe I can do some research." Clearing his thoughts, Shichi turned his gaze toward the Land of Wind, silently waiting. An hourter, the Konoha ninjas finished packing and began their orderly retreat. Chiyo quickly received word and immediately understood, "It seems the Fourth Kazekage has already led the troops south." "Lady Chiyo, should we pursue?" a Sand Jnin asked. Chiyo didn''t answer right away and instead asked the sensory ninja, "Where is Shichi Hoshita?" The sensory ninja quickly replied, "Lady Chiyo, he''s still near the border. It seems like he''s preparing to cover the retreat by himself." Chiyo frowned at this. One of the Sand Jnin remarked, "Even if he''s strong, it''s not realistic for him to cover the retreat alone, right?" "Could Konoha be pretending to retreat?" After a brief moment of contemtion, Chiyo decided to pursue them. In fact, she had no choice but to chase them down. If the Konoha ninjas here regrouped with those at Kikyo Mountain, Ebiz''s position would be in jeopardy. The order was given, and the Sand ninja quickly packed up and moved out. ... Beneath the tree on the border, Shichi stood tall, observing the massive form of Shukaku in the distance, with Chiyo still atop its head. On both sides, Sand Shinobi split into two groups, heading towards the Land of Rivers. Shichi paid no attention to the ordinary Sand Shinobi, as he did not possess the resolve of the Third Raikage, who once single-handedly blocked ten thousand Iwa Shinobi. Soon, the Sand Shinobi crossed the border. Shichi nced at them, and then a Fire Style clone appeared beside him. In the next moment, the Fire Style clone vanished and reappeared above Shukaku''s head. Both Chiyo and Shukaku, along with Bunpuku, were already familiar with this technique and had prepared for it. However, this time, Shichi''s intent was entirely different from previous encounters. The Fire Style clone above Shukaku''s head transformed into a fire lotus and exploded. A wave of scorching heat spread out, with vacuum des of fire petals scattering in all directions. This unexpected attack caught them off guard, as Shichi had never used this move in his previous battles with Shukaku. Seizing the moment of distraction caused by the exploding Fire Style clone, Shichi appeared behind Shukaku. Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld! The sand beneath Shukaku, and even under Shichi himself, turned into a swamp. Then, a fire lotus bloomed beneath his feet. Suspended above the swamp, Shichi instantly activated the Yin Seal on his forehead, abdomen, and chest. Simultaneously, his Bijuu Sealing Mark also activated, and the lotus patterns on his chakra cloak were dyed purple. The mes flickering on his body took on a faint purple hue. Boom! Boom! Boom! Three shadow clones appeared beside him. Whoosh! Fire Nether Chains roared through the air. Two shadow clones moved simultaneouslyone binding Shukaku''s limbs, tail, and head with chains, and the other piercing Shukaku''s body. The third shadow clone stood guard nearby. At that moment, Chiyo sent her puppets charging towards him. Earlier, Shukaku had used sand to block the explosion, so the Fire Style clone''s self-destruction hadn''t harmed her. With a cold snort, Shichi threw a Binding Jutsu at her. Chiyo''s body stiffened, and she, along with her uncontrolled puppets, fell from Shukaku''s back. The nearby shadow clone quickly entangled her with a Fire Nether Chain. Just then, Bunpuku activated a sealing technique, but Shichi used Spirit Transformation Jutsu in response. His spirit left his body and entered Shukaku. Demonic Realm: Pce of Memories! In an instant, both Shukaku''s and Bunpuku''s consciousnesses were pulled into the illusion. Bunpuku furrowed his brow. "Shukaku, this illusion is different from the previous ones..." Shukaku also looked serious. "It''s stronger than before!" "This guy... huh?" He turned his head and saw a blue me streaking towards them like a shooting star. "This guy isn''t dodging?" Shukaku stared at Shichi, who had stopped in ce. Hovering in the air, Shichi gazed down at Shukaku and Bunpuku, smiling. "You two should be able to feel it, right?" "This time, I''m giving it my all. So, you better put in your best effort as well." "Otherwise..." His smile faded as he said seriously, "Monk Bunpuku, you will die." "And Shukaku, you will be my captive!" Shukaku immediately reacted, lifting his paw and firing a barrage of sand bullets in all directions. "Shukaku, I''ve told you, none of your attacks will work on me." Shichi chuckled. "The game begins now!" With that, he disappeared, leaving Shukaku''s attacks to hit nothing but air. Meanwhile, outside the illusion, Shichi''s shadow clones continued pulling Shukaku''s power out. Previously, Shichi had handled this personally. However, the spirit-based Demonic Realm: Pce of Memories wasn''t enough to trap Shukaku and Bunpuku for long, so this time, Shichi altered his strategy and unleashed his full strength. One shadow clone restrained Shukaku, another was responsible for drawing out Shukaku''s power, while the third guarded the area. Shichi''s true body, using the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, engaged Shukaku and Bunpuku directly within the illusion. This allowed him to maintain control over them for a longer period, but it was also extremely dangerous, as his real body had no protection during the process. The previous master of the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, Kato Dan, had died after his spirit left his body and his defenseless body was attacked by enemies. Therefore, Shichi had taken all necessary precautions, unleashing his full power and leaving strong shadow clones to protect his real body. Moreover, with the other Sand Shinobi off pursuing the retreating Konoha forces, there was no interference for now. However, just as Shichi''s clones were gradually pulling Shukaku''s power out, a head popped up from a distant rock pir. "It''s over! This is the end for Shukaku!" White Zetsu wailed, "This blue sh of Konoha is truly impressive! He actually came up with a method like this to deal with Shukaku. Amazing!" "But too bad Madara doesn''t care about the intel I gather!" White Zetsu muttered to himself,ughing, "Still, if Shukaku gets captured, maybe Madara will finally take an interest?" "After all, anyone capable of capturing a Tailed Beast is a force to be reckoned withand this guy''s so young, too." "Speaking of which, at this age, Madara wasn''t as strong as this kid, was he?" "Ha, I better not mention that to Madara, though. If he gets mad, he''s scary enough to melt me down and remake me!" ... Shichi, deeply focused on his task, didn''t notice that someone was spying on him. Five minutester, half of Shukaku had already been pulled out. Inside the illusion, Shukaku grew more and more frantic, rampaging through the mock version of Konoha. Unfortunately for him, this illusion space was far more stable than any before. As half of Shukaku''s power was extracted, the process began elerating. Three minutester, Shukaku let out a furious, unwilling roar inside the illusion: "Damn brat, one day I''ll make sure you pay for this..." Before he could finish his threat, Shukaku''s form vanished like a dream dissipating, leaving only Bunpuku standing alone. Unlike Shukaku''s rage, Bunpuku remained calm. Looking at Shichi, he spoke serenely, "I didn''t expect this day toe so soon." "You are truly remarkable, young friend." "But from now on, please treat Shukaku kindly." "Though he possesses great, destructive power, he''s not evil by nature." Shichi looked at the peaceful Bunpuku and nodded. "Don''t worry, senpai. I''ll make sure to train him well." Bunpuku chuckled at this. In the next moment, his body also faded away. ... As his spirit returned to his body, Shichi opened his eyes. Bunpuku was now seated with his hands sped in prayer, head bowed, sinking bit by bit into the swamp beneath him. With Shukaku extracted, Bunpuku''s life as a Jinchriki hade to an end. Shichi sighed as he nced at the bound Shukaku, restrained by two of his shadow clones with the Fire Nether Chains. "Damn brat, you actually...!" Shukaku red at Shichi with pure hatred. Shichi remained expressionless. "For Bunpuku-senpai, this is a form of release." It was a shameless thing to say, but Shichi didn''t care about Shukaku''s resentment. Chains shot out from his abdomen, wrapping around Shukaku. With the help of the shadow clones, Shukaku''s massive form was pulled into Shichi''s body. Ssshhh! Smoke rose from his abdomen as Shukaku''s tailed beast chakra, highly corrosive, made Shichi grit his teeth in pain. Fire Nether Chains! Eight Trigrams Seal! First, Shukaku was tightly bound, then locked inside an iron cage,pletely sealing his power and leaving him unable to use any chakra. Shukaku, the One-Tailcaptured sessfully! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 156: Lord Kazekage, You Don’t Want To...

Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Lord Kazekage, You Don''t Want To...

After sealing the One-Tail, Shichi dispelled all his shadow clones and turned his gaze toward Chiyo. He first stored away her puppets. As for Chiyo herself... Shichi nced northward, a smile forming on his lips. He deactivated his Fire Release Chakra Mode, sealed Chiyo, and then carried her back to the Land of Rivers. There, he sat down to rest in the forest. "Hmm?" Chiyo slowly regained consciousness, and upon seeing Shichi sitting calmly, her expression shifted immediately. "Bunpuku and Shukaku..." Shichi opened his eyes. "The oue is already obvious." "How... how is this possible?" Chiyo found it hard to ept. Shichi turned his head slightly to look at her, his voice calm: "There''s nothing impossible about it." "Years ago, the First Hokage divided the Tailed Beasts among the viges, and now I''m simply reiming what''s rightfully ours." Chiyo''s eyes darkened, shocked, as she warned, "Do you realize what the consequences of this will be?" "You''re disrupting the bnce of the shinobi world!" Shichi couldn''t help butugh. "Chiyo-senpai, may I ask how many wars have broken out since the death of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju?" Without waiting for her to answer, Shichi answered his own question: "Including the current one, this is the third." "Even disregarding the present, weren''t the previous two wars farrger in scale than any during the Warring States period?" "Ever since the death of the First Hokage, the so-called bnce of the shinobi world has been shattered." "And the Tailed Beasts have long since be nothing more than tools of war for the great viges." Chiyo looked at Shichi and asked in a low voice, "So, do you want to return the world to the Warring States period?" Shichi chuckled. "Senpai, you give me too much credit. I don''t have such grand ambitions." "From my perspective, you''re the invaders, and I''m merely defending myself. That''s all." "Besides, I despise war." "Senpai, you should rememberI''m only twelve years old." "That''s why I want to end this war as quickly as possible." Shichi''s words were a mix of truth and lies, but Chiyo remained silent, realizing how young Shichi truly was. After a brief pause, Chiyo asked, "What exactly do you intend to do?" "Stealing the vige''s One-Tailthere''s no way peace can follow." "Do you n to use me as a hostage, like you threatened the Third before, to pressure the Fourth Kazekage?" "Your n won''t work. My life isn''t worth the oue of this war." Shichi smiled. "While you are indeed my hostage, you''re only one of them." "On your own, you may not be able to threaten the Fourth Kazekage, but what about the entire Sunagakure?" Chiyo''s heart trembled at the suggestion but then quickly calmed down. "You can''t do that." Shichi gave a yful grin. "You witnessed my battle with Shukaku." "I possess the means to counter a Tailed Beast Ball. Now, how many in the Sunagakure can withstand such a technique?" "With the One-Tail in my possession, only the Fourth Kazekage could oppose me. But even then, he''d only have an advantage in the desert." Chiyo immediately understood: "So you n to hold off the Fourth Kazekage?" "Do you think Konoha can secure a quick victory with only the Fourth Kazekage standing in the way?" Shichi shook his head. "Do you think the Fourth Kazekage can face me alone?" "He''s not enough!" "I can move freely in the air, and I can draw on the One-Tail''s chakra for my own use." "Can the Kazekage oust me?" At that moment, Shichi appeared supremely confident. Once again, Chiyo fell silent. Although she didn''t want to admit it, this young boy standing before her was already on par with the Kage of the major viges. Ordinary shinobi stood no chance against him. Shichi said no more, closing his eyes as he quietly recovered his chakra, drawing on the One-Tail''s chakra through the Eight Trigrams Seal to restore his stamina. He could easily handle sealing a small Four-Tails and still use the Yin Seal on his abdomen. But with a fully captured One-Tail, things were different. Still, it didn''t matter. With the One-Tail acting as a massive chakra reserve and with the Yin Seals on both his forehead and chest, while not at the level of someone like Hashirama Senju, it was more than enough for his current needs. Time passed slowly. Around 4 AM, Shichi opened his eyes again. His shadow clones had returned their memories the Fourth Kazekage was approaching with his army. Shichi stood up, knocked Chiyo unconscious, and picked her up. He ascended into the sky, lotuses forming beneath his feet as he moved to meet the approaching forces of the Fourth Kazekage. ... As the Fourth Kazekage marched with his army, his brow furrowed suddenly. He stopped in his tracks and raised his hand. The Sand Ninja army behind him immediately halted as well, turning their eyes toward the figure walking through the air. "Is that...?" "Konoha''s Blue sh!" "That brat, Shichi Hoshita!" Shouts of surprise rippled through the Sand Ninjas. Sharp-eyed ones soon noticed the figure Shichi was holding, and their eyes widened. "That''s... Lady Chiyo!" "He captured Lady Chiyo!" In an instant, a wave of shock surged through the army, causing an uproar. The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, narrowed his eyes, hiding his anger. "This guy..." Shichi soon arrived in front of the Sand Ninja army, smiling as he addressed Rasa and the crowd of shinobi. "Good evening, Lord Kazekage!" "Didn''t expect you''d already be the Kazekage since thest time we met." Rasa red at Shichi. "I also didn''t expect that the kid from back then would reach this level." "Release Chiyo. Whatever your conditions are, we can negotiate." Shichi chuckled and asked, "How about a retreat?" Rasa''s expression darkened. "You know that''s impossible." Shichi nodded. "Of course I know." "That''s why one Chiyo as a hostage isn''t enough." "So, Lord Kazekage, how about the entire Sunagakure as a hostage?" At this, a Sand Ninja shouted angrily, "What nonsense is this brat spouting?" "Release Lady Chiyo right now, or we won''t let you get away with this!" Shichi''s gaze shifted toward the Sand Ninja who spoke, his face turning cold. "I was speaking with the Kazekage. Who gave you the right to interrupt?" "You don''t know your ce!" As soon as the words left his mouth, a scream erupted. The surrounding Sand Ninja were horrified to see theirrade engulfed in terrifying blue mes. Although the fire was quickly extinguished with a Wind Release technique, the ninja''s skin had already suffered severe burns. Suddenly, waves of golden sand shot into the air, attempting to capture Shichi, but he easily dodged. Hovering high above, Shichi looked down at Rasa. "Lord Kazekage, I suppose I should show you a glimpse of my power." With that, he raised his right hand. Chakra began to condense and expand, apanied by a sharp, piercing sound. Then, he infused it with Fire Release chakra. Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken! "The sheer amount of chakra..." "This must be the technique from the intelone that can rival the power of a Tailed Beast!" The Sand Ninja jonin were visibly shaken, and they quickly ordered their subordinates to prepare Wind Release techniques. In the air, Shichi swung his arm,unching the Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken diagonally toward the Sand Ninja army below. Under the jonin''smand, the Sand Ninja responded: Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! Wind Release: Net! Wind Release: Great Wind Net! Wind Release: Sickle Weasel! A massive storm of wind techniques converged, but to the Sand Ninjas'' horror, Shichi''s Rasenshuriken easily sliced through the winds,pletely unaffected. Competing with Wind Release? The Rasenshuriken was the pinnacle of Wind Release nature transformation! Realizing this, Rasa immediately shouted, "Use kunai and explosive tags!" The Sand Ninja quickly threw kunaiced with explosive tags into the air toward the Rasenshuriken. Boom! The series of explosions shook the Rasenshuriken, destabilizing it and causing it to expand in midair. A blinding light formed a sphere, surging toward the Sand Ninja army. Rasa quickly raised his hands, and massive waves of gold dust shot upward, forming a protective shield. At the same time, the Sand Ninja proficient in Earth Release raised walls of stone around the perimeter. However, as the brilliant light engulfed the area, the walls began to crack and crumble. Soon, the Rasenshuriken''s power shed with Rasa''s gold dust, cutting through it with the wind''s force and melting it with fire. Molten gold dripped to the ground as Rasa struggled to maintain the defense, constantly reinforcing it with more gold dust. "Thebination of Wind and Fire nature transformations... this guy is terrifying." Rasa felt a heavy weight in his heart. The attack hadn''t even directly hit, and yet it was this powerful. If itnded a direct blow, it would be far more devastating. "This brat said he''d use the entire vige as hostage... Does that mean he ns to unleash this jutsu on the vige?" "I can''t let that happen!" Rasa withdrew the gold dust and looked up at Shichi, but he felt a sense of helplessness. At this distance, there was no way tounch a sneak attack. "And there''s Shukaku... could it be..." Rasa felt overwhelmed by the situation. "This bastard!" "Lord Kazekage, you''ve seen it for yourself." Shichi grinned. "If I release this jutsu in the Sunagakure, it would be quite the spectacle, don''t you think?" "You bastard!" "Absolutely not!" "This brat has to be stopped!" "Lord Kazekage, kill him!" ... The Sand Ninjas were seething with rage. Their families, loved ones, and children were all in the Sunagakure. If such a technique were unleashed, the casualties would be devastating, and ordinary ninjutsu would stand no chance of stopping it. The magnitude of the potential disaster was unimaginable! One by one, the Sand Ninjas red at Shichi with bloodshot eyes, as if they wanted to tear him apart. Shichi remainedpletely calm. He enjoyed thiswatching people hate him to the core, yet being powerless to do anything about it. By now, Rasa fully understood that Shichi was using this tactic to hold him and all the Sand Ninjas behind him at bay. "Shichi Hoshita, you have the One-Tail too, don''t you?" Rasa asked. Shichi nodded honestly. "The One-Tail was originally assigned to the Sunagakure by the First Hokage. Now that the Sand Vige has dered war on Konoha, it''s only reasonable for me to reim it." Rasa''s heart sank. He had lost any leverage he might have had over Shichi. This brat had him in a chokehold! The Sand Ninjas ground their teeth in fury, but there was nothing they could do. At that moment, Shichi tossed Chiyo from the air and turned toward the Sand Vige. "Lord Kazekage, you don''t want the Sunagakure to turn into a wastnd, do you?" Rasa used his gold dust to catch Chiyo and handed her over to the ninjas behind him, his eyes still locked on Shichi''s retreating figure. Chiyo quickly regained consciousness, but immediately shouted, "Stay away from me! Shichi left some chakra inside me, it could explode at any moment." The Sand Ninjas recoiled in fear and stepped back, their anger directed at Shichi as he slowly walked toward the vige. "Lord Kazekage, what should we do now?" "Yeah, are we really just going to let that bastard do whatever he wants?" One after another, the Sand Ninjas spoke up. Rasa responded in a deep voice, "For the sake of the vige, everyone will return with me!" "As for Kikyo Mountain, I trust they can handle it!" The Sand Ninjas fell silent. At this point, there was no other option. So, the leading Sand Ninjas followed behind Shichi, making their way back toward the Sunagakure. Chiyo,gging at the rear, couldn''t help but nce back. In the morning sunlight, she looked at Shichi''s figure, which seemed almost inhuman, and felt a wave of bewilderment. ... On the path of Konoha''s retreat, Asuka couldn''t help but turn back, her face full of worry. "Shisui, are you sure Shichi won''t do something reckless?" Uchiha Shisui smiled gently. "Don''t worry, he knows what he''s doing." "Besides, whether here or in the vige, there are still people he can''t let go of." "You know how powerful the Flying Thunder God Technique is, right? No one can stop him." Asuka silently nodded, though the worry in her heart still lingered. As the sun rose higher, Kikyo Mountain came into view. Konoha''s forward troops had already started engaging with the Sand Ninjas who had surrounded the mountain. However, Koharu Utatane had received a message from Orochimaru and did not lead her forces to attack Kikyo Castle directly. Instead, they set up camp along the border of the Land of Fire, establishing defensive lines and forming a mutual support position with Orochimaru''s forces inside Kikyo Castle. This strategy not only provided internal and external protection but also ensured the security of their supply routes. Half an hourter, the Sand Ninja reinforcements arrived, leveling the bnce of forces once again, leading to a temporary standoff. ... Outside the Sunagakure, at a Sand Ninja outpost, Shichi brazenly took over the area and retrieved supplies, including nutrient water and soldier pills, from his sealing scroll. Meanwhile, in the skies above the vige, a hawk, which was actually one of Shichi''s shadow clones, circled overhead, watching the Sand Ninjas as they set up "anti-aircraft weapons." They were just heavy crossbows. But to Shichi, they were hardly worth worrying about. ... After a simple breakfast, Shichi considered his options and sent out a shadow clone to leave quietly. He needed to keep a close eye on the Sunagakure to ensure that the Kazekage couldn''t leave and that the Sand Vige lost all support in the ongoing war. But he also needed to keep tabs on the Stone Ninjas. In fact, Shichi nned to ambush them at Kannabi Bridge. He figured that the Stone Ninjas had likely stationed forces near the border to keep an eye on Kannabi Bridge. But infiltrating the area wouldn''t be particrly difficult for Shichi. "First, I''ll scout the area. If an opportunity arises, I''ll nt explosive tags and sever their supply lines at the right time." Shichi silently plotted. Destroying Kannabi Bridge now wouldn''t have much impact. He needed to wait until the Stone Ninjas deployed their forces, entered the Land of Grass, and made Kannabi Bridge a crucial supply routethen it would have real strategic value! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 157: Is the Intel Fake?

Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Is the Intel Fake? [Bonus Chapter]

Konoha Vige, Hokage''s Office. Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he read the intelligence report from the frontlines, feeling a throbbing at his temples. That kid, Shichi Hoshita, was just too capable! He single-handedly held off the Fourth Kazekage and his thousand-strong ninja force, preventing any reinforcements from reaching the Sand Ninjas at Kikyo Mountain. This was undoubtedly a very good thing. However, the fact that he had taken the One-Tail and sealed it inside himself was a huge problem. It wasn''t just about the Sunagakurethere were still three other major ninja viges. Shichi would be the target of everyone! But returning the beast... If the Tailed Beast was extracted, Shichi would be dead for sure! Putting down the report, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the map, his gazending on Kikyo Mountain, which was circled in red. This war must be won quickly! Making up his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Shinnosuke Sarutobi to send reinforcements to the Kikyo Mountain front once again. ... Land of Earth, Iwagakure, Tsuchikage''s Office. It had taken a full three days for the Iwa Ninjas to confirm the intel and deliver it to noki. Reading through the report, noki found it hard to believe: "That brat who defeated Rshihe''s holding the Kazekage and his forces trapped in the vige all by himself?" Although Kitsuchi also found it unbelievable, the intel had been repeatedly verified under his orders, so he could only nod reluctantly. "That''s exactly the case." "We don''t know the full details yet, but Konoha''s Blue sh, Shichi Hoshita, is indeed outside the Sunagakure." "Originally, after leading his army south, the Fourth Kazekage was supposed to crush Konoha''s forces on the western front of the Land of Rivers, but he suddenly returned to the vige instead." "The most important detail... The One-Tail has disappeared from the battlefield and hasn''t been seen since." noki frowned, "The One-Tail has vanished... Is there a problem with the Jinchriki?" "Even if that were the case, there''s no reason for the Kazekage to remain in the vige instead of sending reinforcements to the frontlines. Konoha has already mobilized more troops." "It seems like this is really because of that Shichi... that kid..." noki looked up at his son. "Do we have any more information about this kid?" Kitsuchi shook his head. "Aside from a few previous encounters, we haven''t had any direct confrontations with him. At that time, although he was already strong, he wasn''t at this outrageous level." "If we want more detailed intel, we''ll have to gather it from the Sand or Mist Ninjas." noki immediatelymanded, "Then focus all efforts on obtaining information about that kid. If necessary, negotiate directly with the Hidden Sand and Hidden Mist to exchange intel." Kitsuchi nodded solemnly and then asked, "Konoha has already begun reinforcing Kikyo Mountain. This is the perfect opportunity for us. Shouldn''t weunch an attack?" noki remainedposed. "We need to secure intelligence on Shichi as soon as possible." "A person like that on the battlefield could change the course of the war." "We must gather enough intel on him to n a proper countermeasure." Kitsuchi nodded. "I''ll do everything I can to gather information on that guy." ... Time passed, and before long, it was August. Shichi had almost settled outside the Sunagakure. He left his shadow clones to keep watch while he quietly trained and studied at the outpost. Inside him, the bored Shukaku argued and bickered with Son Gok, the Four-Tails, every day. Shichi paid them no mind, instead focusing on meditating andprehending Shukaku''s power. He had already touched upon the power of Ma Release. In addition, he delved deeper into the study of the seals and symbols on Shukaku''s body, gradually strengthening the sealing power of his Fire Nether Chains. It was a pity that Monk Bunpuku had died after the Tailed Beast extraction. Otherwise, Shichi could have studied his sealing techniques to add to his own arsenal. "The soul..." Shichi furrowed his brow. "I''m stillcking in my research on the soul..." "Where else can I find ninjutsu rted to souls to study?" "When I get back, I''ll have to search thoroughly, maybe check the Scroll of Seals. Or perhaps I should study the Edo Tensei..." "The technique that summons the souls of the dead from the Pure Landit not only involves space-time, but also the soul." With his current achievements, even Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn''t have the nerve to refuse him ess to the Edo Tensei. Besides, Shichi had always maintained a good reputation, and his research was always transparent. While Shichi continued his training, back in the Sunagakure, Rasa convened yet another meeting. Kikyo Mountain was in a dire situation. Konoha''s reinforcements were arriving in waves, and the Sand Ninjas were now surrounded by Konoha''s forces. In fact, this was just one of many high-level meetings held recently, all aimed at finding a solution to the massive problem outside their vige. Unfortunately, despite the heated debates, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had yet toe up with any good strategies. "If only Pakura were still here..." Someone suddenly sighed. Immediately, another person retorted, "There''s no point in bringing that up. Even Pakura wouldn''t be able to handle that guy." "And ording to intel from the Mist Ninjas, it''s very likely that Pakura was saved by Shichi himself." ... The well-ordered meeting quickly devolved into a chaotic marketce. Rasa frowned and nced at the silent Chiyo. Chiyo, sensing Rasa''s gaze, lowered her head and then opened her eyes to speak, "The Kazekage has no choice but topromise for the sake of the vige. Since that''s the case, why not coborate with forces outside the vige?" The room instantly fell silent, and someone soon asked, "Does Lady Chiyo mean we should join forces with the Mist Ninjas to take down Shichi Hoshita?" "But even the Mist Ninjas would need the Third Mizukage himself toe, wouldn''t they?" "The Hidden Mist doesn''t have a Jinchriki controlling a Tailed Beast." Someone else chimed in, "And with Shichi''s Body Flicker Technique, we have no way to deal with him." Chiyo calmly replied, "Not the Hidden Mist. The Iwa Ninjas." "We will trade Shichi''s intel with Iwa... They''ve waited long enough; the Iwa Ninjas should be growing restless." "If Iwa deploys their forces, the pressure at Kikyo Mountain will greatly lessen." "Also, Iwa''s Four-Tails Jinchriki is capable of controlling the Tailed Beast''s power. While it''s said he lost to Shichi once, a Jinchriki is still a major threat to Konoha." "In that case, Shichi will likely be drawn away to deal with Iwa''s Jinchriki." Rasa scanned the room and asked, "Does anyone have a better idea?" The room remained silent. Rasa immediately made the decision, "Then it''s settled!" "Iwa is our enemy, and so is Konoha, but Konoha is in a more desperate position." "Moreover, sending Shichi to fight Iwa will weaken them as well." "The best scenario is for both sides to suffer heavy losses." This reasoning eased the difort some of the Sunagakure high-ups were feeling, and they all nodded in agreement. That same night. In the Tsuchikage''s office, noki frowned as he reviewed the intelligence on Shichi Hoshita. A powerfulbination of Wind and Fire Release techniques,parable to a Tailed Beast Bomb. Flight capabilities. A Shunshin no Jutsu inherited from the Yellow sh of Konoha. Powerful sealing techniques! Strong genjutsu, even surpassing the Uchiha n''s Three-Tomoe Sharingan, capable of controlling both a Tailed Beast and a Jinchriki for a period of time. Lava Release Kekkei Genkai. Extremely fast jutsu execution. Mastery of Wind, Lightning, Fire, Water, Earth Release, genjutsu, and medical ninjutsu. This... this intel has to be fake, right? noki looked up at his son, Kitsuchi, his eyes full of doubt: "You''re telling me this kid is 12 years old?" "Isn''t this thebined power of the Third Hokage and Minato Namikaze?" Kitsuchi sighed at his father''s expression. "As unbelievable as it seems, it''s true." "The Sand Ninjas need us to send troops to relieve their pressure." "And this guy... he actually took the One-Tail from the Sand Ninjas. They''ve revealed that their Jinchriki had already mastered the Tailed Beast''s full power." "Dad, you know what that means. Even Rshi couldn''t manage that. It''s the same as the perfect Jinchriki from the Hidden Cloud." "Dad, should we still deploy our forces?" noki''s expression grew serious. "That kid..." "It seems the Hidden Sand wants us to deal with this troublesome opponent for them!" "But... he''s neither Hashirama Senju nor Madara Uchiha!" noki''s expression returned to normal. "Deploy the troops." "But Rshi will need a team with him." "And make sure there''s a ninja proficient in genjutsu!" As one of the Five Great Ninja Viges, how could they be scared off by a single kid? Besides, that kid is still stuck over at the Sunagakure! The Sunagakure wants to use Iwagakure to lure Shichi away, but noki knew the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, too well. With Konoha already gaining the upper hand at Kikyo Mountain, there was no way they''d let their efforts go to waste. And that was Iwagakure''s chance! Even if they had to draw Shichi away, it would only happen after they had thoroughly defeated the Hidden Sand. ... With noki''smand, Iwagakure''s war machine roared into action that night, orders rapidly passed down through the ranks. The Iwa ninja, who had been prepared for this moment, moved with remarkable speed. That very night, troops were dispatched from the vige to rendezvous with the border forces. All of this was seen by Shichi''s flying ninja beast, which was actually one of his shadow clones. In August of Konoha Year 45, Iwa finally made their move! Outside Sunagakure, Shichi received the memories from his clone and let out a breath of relief. Finally, they''vee! He couldn''t remember the exact timing of Iwa''s original offensive, but he knew that the Battle of Kannabi Bridge was the year Kakashi became a jnin, and Uchiha Obito finally became a chnin. It had to be after September of Konoha Year 45 because Kakashi''s birthday was in September. But now, with his presence, everything had changed. "Kakashi should be about to be a jnin by now, right?" Shichi mused. His teacher, Minato Namikaze''s team, was still involved in various missions, especially in intelligence exchanges with the smaller ninja viges. This was another front in the ongoing war. "Kannabi Bridge... heh!" Shichi chuckled coldly. Let them send their forces! I''ll blow them to pieces! He ced his hand on the ground, spreading a sealing form. A toad appeared. It wasn''t Gamabunta, but a messenger toad. After passing the intel to the toad, Shichi created another shadow clone, transforming it into a hawk and sending it off toward the Land of Grass. He then nced at the shadowed Sunagakure, contemting for a moment before creating yet another clone to head toward the vige. As he approached, a piercing rm sounded from within Sunagakure, and numerous figures appeared on the rooftops, watching Shichi warily. At the same time,rge crossbows were rolled out. At that moment, Shichi felt like a viin. "Rx, I''m just a clone," he said with a lightugh as he hovered in the air. A Suna jnin frowned and asked, "Shichi Hoshita, what do you want?" Shichi replied seriously, "I came to have tea with your Kazekage. What, I''m not wee?" "Should I leave?" "Haven''t you lifted the curse mark on Chiyo yet?" "If that curse mark explodes, it will be quite a spectacle." "Like fireworksan explosion of pure art." Hearing this, the Suna ninja gritted their teeth in frustration. This bastard spoke of such a deadly matter with ease and amusement, as if it were nothing! "Stand down!" The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, appeared. Most of the Suna ninjas withdrew, though several jnin remained behind. Shichi grinned, "Lord Kazekage, what I have to say is confidential. Isn''t it inappropriate to discuss it here?" "Besides, this is just a clone; I doubt I could harm you, Lord Kazekage." Rasa''s eyes narrowed, and he turned, "Follow me." The remaining Suna jnin were startled, but they had no choice but to follow as well. Soon, Shichi and Rasa arrived in the Kazekage''s office. Shichi looked around before casually taking a seat. Rasa, seated across from him, said, "Speak." Shichi nonchntly began, "Iwa has deployed its forces. Do you think I''ll be reassigned?" Rasa remained expressionless. Shichi continued, "It seems, Lord Kazekage, that you don''t fully understand the Third Hokage." "While the glory of his past may have dimmed, he''s still the Third Hokage. Konoha is on the verge of victory over Sunagakuredo you really think he''ll let that slip away?" "As for Iwa, I believe you''ve forgotten who my teacher is!" Rasa responded tly, "At the very least, Konoha''s forces will be stretched thin due to Iwa''s involvement." "Moreover, with Iwa making a move, the Cloud Ninjas won''t be far behind." "You may have the One-Tail, but the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails aren''t in your hands." "And I''ve heard that the Eight-Tails Jinchriki is a perfect Jinchriki." Shichi nodded, "That''s true." "But that won''t change Sunagakure''s fate." "Lord Kazekage, if Sunagakure loses this war, will the Daimy of the Land of Wind be pleased?" "Sunagakure''s position will only grow more precarious. After all, you''ve lost the benefits of the Land of Rivers, and that''s a serious blow to the Daimy." "In the past, Sunagakure was considered the second-strongest among the Five Great Ninja Viges. But after this war, starting with you, Lord Kazekage, it will be the weakest." "With declining finances and resources, you won''t be able to train more elite ninja. Sunagakure will only grow weaker, and the weaker it bes, the less support it will receive." "Do you really want Sunagakure to be the worst under your leadership?" "The worst Kazekage in history?" Rasa''s eye twitched, and he suddenly asked, "Were you the one who killed the Third Kazekage?" Shichi nodded, "Yes." "So, Lord Kazekage, you should thank me." Rasa was surprised at how easily Shichi admitted it. Shichi smiled, "The Third Kazekage and Sasori of the Red Sand teamed up to kill Sakumo-senpai. I killed them both to avenge him. It''s only natural." "Just as Sasori wanted to kill Sakumo-senpai and assassinate the Third Kazekage to avenge his parents." Rasa was shocked. "Sasori of the Red Sand..." Shichi nodded, "Yes, it was Sasori who assassinated the Third Kazekage. But their strength wasn''t enough, so I killed them." Rasa stared at Shichi, "Aren''t you afraid that Sunagakure will continue to target Konoha for revenge over the Third Kazekage?" Shichiughed and shook his head, "You''re the Fourth, not the Third." "The Third is dead, and the time for revenge has passed. Sending thousands to die for one person is foolish." "Unless Sunagakure can kill me!" "But looking at the current state of the ninja world, Sunagakure doesn''t have many options." "Right now is actually a great opportunity to invade the Land of Birds." Shichi persuaded, "Lord Kazekage, the Land of Rivers was the achievement of the Third Kazekage, but the Land of Birds could be yours." He stood up to leave but then paused and turned back, speaking meaningfully, "The battle at Kikyo Mountain should be wrapping up soon." "The decisions you make before and after that result will make a big difference." "Also, I suspect the Cloud Ninjas will invade the Land of Earth. Opportunities like this are fleeting." As Shichi left, Rasa fell into deep thought. He wasn''t sure whether Shichi''s words were his own or came from the Third Hokage. But even if it was just the former, Shichi''s strength was undeniable and influential within Konoha. Most importantly, the benefits Shichi had mentioned werepelling. (End of Chapter) T/N: If there are any mistakes in the uing 3-4 Chapters, Please do Tell and I will Fix it. I''m not feeling well but I wanted to give you guys some extra Chapters on the weekend. ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 158: I’ll Eat the Meat, You Can Have the Pot!

Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Ill Eat the Meat, You Can Have the Pot!

Though it was alreadyte at night, the Hokage''s office remained brightly lit. Sarutobi Hiruzen had been stationed there constantly during this period. Since Minato Namikaze was in the vige, the intelligence transmitted by the messenger toad reached Sarutobi Hiruzen very quickly. Even though more information had yet to arrive, the mere fact that Iwa had already deployed its forces was enough to catch Hiruzen''s attention. He immediately issued orders, dispatching an Anbu squad to the borders of the Land of Grass to alert the border defense forces and to inform Kusagakure to be on guard against a potential Iwa ambush. Although Kusagakure had always yed a bncing act among the great viges, and their recent ties with Iwa had be especially close, Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that Kusagakure would never allow Iwa to invade freely. If they did, Kusagakure itself would cease to exist, which was a core interest of their vige. This situation waspletely different from the Land of Rivers, which no longer had a shinobi vige due to the loss of Amegakure. Therefore, despite earlier warnings from Shichi and Orochimaru, Hiruzen still believed that even if Iwa deployed its forces, crossing the Land of Grass wouldn''t be easy for them, meaning there was still time to mobilize reinforcements. This was why he had dared to divert troops to Kikyo Mountain multiple times before. It was all a matter of strategic interests! After issuing several more orders, Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked his pipe, his thoughts drifting toward the Land of Rain. Aside from the Land of Grass, the Land of Rain was another point of concern for him. Fortunately, Danzo was there. With the Root division in ce, it wouldn''t be easy for Iwa tounch a surprise attack on the Fire Country''s border through the Land of Rain. Hiruzen''s thoughts quickly shifted to the Cloud Ninjas. Once Iwa went to war, Konoha''s forces would be severely stretched, and the Cloud Ninjas would definitely be unable to resist taking action. He stood up and walked to the map, his eyes scanning across it until theynded on Kikyo Mountain. "The Sand Ninjas..." Hiruzen''s expression darkened. He worried that the Cloud Ninjas might attack before the battle at Kikyo Mountain concluded, which would be extremely dangerous. As for Shichi Hoshita... After much deliberation, Hiruzen sighed, still unable to decide whether to recall him. If Shichi left, the Sand Ninjas would receive reinforcements, and the situation at Kikyo Mountain could change drastically. "Shinnosuke, Minato hasn''t left yet, has he?" Hiruzen asked. Sarutobi Shinnosuke appeared immediately, "No, Minato is still here, worried that Shichi might send more intelligence." Hiruzen sighed, "They''ve worked hard." "Have Minato send a message to Shichi, asking him to propose peace talks with the Sand on my behalf. I will dispatch an official delegation to Sunagakure." Shinnosuke was taken aback, "At this moment... ording to Shichi''s previous intel, Iwa''s quick deployment is partly due to the Sand. Sunagakure will likely demand unreasonable terms." "If we can just hold on a little longer, once the battle at Kikyo Mountain is won, we can immediately reinforce the Land of Grass." Hiruzen shook his head, "But the losses would be too great." "And then there''s the Cloud Ninjas. Their movements will only be more aggressive." "To face attacks from four ninja viges simultaneously... just go!" Shinnosuke sighed inwardly. Though he didn''t fully agree with this strategy, he understood his father''s difficult position and nodded before leaving. He found Minato and carefully ryed Hiruzen''s orders and considerations. Minato nodded seriously, "I''ll have Mount Myoboku notify Shichi immediately. With Shichi''s keen perception, this shouldn''t be a difficult task for him." Shinnosuke, however, smiled bitterly, "I''m afraid Shichi won''t act as the Third Hokage expects." Minato paused for a moment, then reassured him, "Don''t worry, Shichi will handle such an important matter with care." "Alright, I''ll take care of it." Shinnosuke nodded, watching Minato depart. Minato went to a secluded location and immediately summoned Gamabunta, instructing him to deliver the message to Shichi Hoshita. After nodding in agreement, Gamabunta dispelled the summoning and returned to Mount Myoboku, where he immediately used reverse summoning. Outside Sunagakure, Shichi suddenly disappeared with a puff of smoke. When he reappeared, he found himself in the vastly differentndscape of Mount Myoboku. Shichi stood in Mount Myoboku for the first time, surveying his surroundings before turning to the massive Gamabunta in front of him. "Gamabunta, it seems Minato-sensei has some news." Gamabunta nodded. "ording to Minato, the Third Hokage wants you to propose peace talks with the Fourth Kazekage." Shichi chuckled. "I understand. Why not summon Minato-sensei here as well?" "Uh... sure, I can do that." With that, Gamabunta pressed his forelimbs together and performed the Reverse Summoning Technique. In an instant, Minato Namikaze appeared next to Shichi. "Shichi!" Minato turned, smiling at his student, then held his hand up to gesture. "You''ve grown quite a bit taller!" Shichiughed happily. "Minato-sensei, it''s been almost six months since west saw each other." "Yes, it has," Minato nodded in agreement, a hint of emotion in his voice. "You''ve worked hard." "So, I assume you already know about the Third Hokage''s orders?" Shichi nodded, his smile fading as he got serious. "Actually, after I received news of Iwa''s movements, I went to meet with the Fourth Kazekage. I used the Land of Birds as bait to lure him into sending troops north and forming an alliance with Konoha." Minato was stunned. "But... Iwa and Suna must have made some kind of secret agreement, right?" Shichi smirked. "Minato-sensei, don''t forget. In the eyes of most Sand shinobi, the disappearanceor deathof the Third Kazekage is linked to Iwa''s Four-Tails Jinchuriki." "Moreover, Iwa has actively attacked the Land of Wind." "Additionally, Pakura, hailed as a hero in Sunagakure for her Scorch Release, was killed by Iwa shinobi." "Of course, these aren''t the most important factors. What matters most is that securing control over the Land of Birds would be credited to the Fourth Kazekage, whereas the conquest of the Land of Rivers was the legacy of the Third Kazekage." "Given the current situation, Suna is doomed to lose the battle of Kikyo Mountain, whether or not Iwa and Kumo send additional forces." "In order to protect hisrades and exact revenge on Iwa, the Fourth Kazekage''s reputation will rise even further. If he secures the Land of Birds, the majority of the Sand shinobi will forget about the Third Kazekage and hail the Fourth Kazekage as the strongest Kazekage in history." Minato furrowed his brows, pondering deeply before finally nodding. "Your analysis makes a lot of sense, Shichi, but..." Looking gravely at his talented student, Minato said seriously, "If we pursue peace talks, Suna will undoubtedly make demands, and the One-Tails will be part of those negotiations." "Shichi, you know what happens if a tailed beast is extracted." Shichi nodded with a smile. "Of course, Minato-sensei, I''m fully aware." "We can return the One-Tails to Suna, but not immediately." "We need to keep it for three years. Let''s say we''ll safeguard it for them during that time." Minato looked puzzled. "Shichi, you..." Shichi exined, "Minato-sensei, you know that Kushina-san and I have been researching the Reaper Death Seal, a technique that can seal souls." "I''ve also mastered the Spiritualization Technique, which allows me to transform my spirit into a tangible form, carrying chakra to attack enemies from within." "I''ve studied the Uzumaki n''s Adamantine Sealing Chains, and from that, I created my own sealing techniquethe Fire Nether Chain. My original goal, however, was to develop a sealing technique capable of sealing souls." "A soul-sealing technique..." Minato''s expression shifted slightly. "Shichi, are you nning to... split the tailed beasts?" Gamabunta, who had been quietly listening, was shocked. He looked down at Shichi with a wary gaze. "Minato''s disciple is quite terrifying... not only incredibly talented but with such bold ideaseven daring to split the tailed beasts..." Shichi nodded confidently. "That''s right. I n to split the tailed beasts." "The power of a tailed beast is too overwhelming." "Kushina-san wants to control the Nine-Tails, maybe even tame it. To do that, the Nine-Tails must first be weakened." Though Shichi kept his true intentions hidden, he had indeed nned to split the Nine-Tails to help Kushina forcibly master the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Minato, however, was filled with both gratitude and concern. "Shichi, I''ve also mastered the Reaper Death Seal, but sealing a soul is extremely difficult." "The Reaper Death Seal relies on the power of that fearsome Shinigami... are you sure you can develop a technique like that without side effects within three years?" Shichiughed. "Minato-sensei, you should have more faith in me. After all, I''m best at developing jutsu." "I''ve already created a Spiritual Clone Technique based on the Spirit Transformation Technique, so I''ve taken the first step." "I''m confident I can do it in three years. But I''ll need you to request some additional soul-rted techniques from the Third Hokage when you return to Konoha." Minato chuckled wryly but then nodded seriously. "I''ll do everything I can to make that happen." "As for the alliance with Suna, I''ll also petition the Third Hokage about it." "Be careful in Sunagakure, Shichi." With that, Minato nodded to both Shichi and Gamabunta, and then disappeared from sight. Shichi, too, left Mount Myoboku shortly after. Though he was intrigued by the ce, now was not the time for exploration. Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen faced a sleepless night. Despite his age, he hadn''t lost his decisiveness, and after some thought, he approved Shichi Hoshita''s proposal. After Shichi reached a preliminary agreement with the Fourth Kazekage, a delegation would be sent to finalize the peace talks and alliance. ... Outside Sunagakure, Shichi calmly waited after receiving a response from Gamabunta. He knew that the Fourth Kazekage was probably unable to sleep at this moment as well. In fact, the Fourth Kazekage was currently in a meeting. The abruptness of the situation had caught many of the higher-ups in Sunagakure off guard. Chiyo was the first to speak up, "I support the Fourth!" Since Rasa had convened this meeting, his stance was already quite clear. Chiyo''s support wasn''t because of the "ticking time bomb" curse mark within her body or out of concern for her brother, who was fighting at Kikyo Mountain. Her decision was entirely based on the interests of Sunagakure. However, there were those who disagreed. "Konoha proposed this alliance because Iwa has deployed troops. They''re in deep trouble. If we hold our ground, Konoha will suffer a major defeat, and we might even reim the Land of Rivers." Chiyo immediately countered, "We can''t wait that long! The forces at Kikyo Mountain are on the verge of copse." "There are over two thousand troops there, and more than half of them are our elite." "You should know that if we lose them, it will take us at least a decade to recover." "Besides, since we''re talking about a peace agreement, we can also aim for some gainslike getting back the One-Tails!" The dissenting Sunagakure shinobi responded, "That''s impossible!" "Getting back the One-Tails would mean Shichi Hoshita''s certain death. Konoha would never agree to such a demand." Chiyo shot back, "Then we should demand part of the Land of Rivers'' benefits in return!" This was her true objective. It was also part of Rasa''s n. Once the arguments had mostly subsided, Rasa firmly dered, "I''ve decided to negotiate peace with Konoha." "Chiyo, you will negotiate with Shichi Hoshita." "Our terms are the return of the One-Tails, part of the Land of Rivers, and ourrades at Kikyo Castle." Chiyo nodded immediately. "Understood!" Without wasting any time, she got up and left the room, heading straight outside the vige. ... "You got here pretty quickly..." Shichi smiled as he stood at his base. A short whileter, Chiyo appeared in his line of sight and entered the base. "Shichi Hoshita, you know why I''m here," Chiyo began bluntly. "So, what are Konoha''s terms for peace and an alliance?" Shichi shook his head. "It''s not that Konoha wants an alliance. I''ve simply offered you the chance for one." "If you don''t agree, it''s no concern of mine. Konoha won''t lose this warat most, we''ll suffer more casualties." "But the other viges will lose even more because I have a strong sense of revenge." Chiyo frowned. This kid was far more difficult to deal with than she had anticipated. Shichi continued, "The choice before Sunagakure is simple. Cooperate with Konoha, and maintain the appearance of a standoff at Kikyo Mountain." "As soon as we engage Iwa on the Fire Nation''s border, you''ll move your forces north." "The troops at Kikyo Mountain will head north to cut off Iwa''s retreat, while your main force moves into the Land of Birds." "Tell me, do you think Kumo will also attack Iwa at that point?" Chiyo frowned again but reluctantly nodded. "But the effort we put in doesn''t match the benefits. Our vige''s shinobi won''t ept such an oue easily." Having lost the upper hand, Chiyo had no choice but to make a strong demand. "We can support Konoha''s military actions and form an alliance, but Konoha must return the benefits of the Land of Rivers that rightfully belong to Sunagakure." "And secondly, the One-Tails must be returned!" Shichi shook his head. "Returning the Land of Rivers is out of the question. That was the price you paid for attacking Konoha!" "As for the One-Tails... it can be returned to you." Chiyo was stunned and stared at Shichi,pletely taken aback. She even wondered if he had lost his mind. But Shichi continued, "There''s no problem returning the One-Tails, but not immediately. You''ll have to wait three years." Chiyo''s eyes narrowed. In an instant, she saw through Shichi''s intentions. He nned to stall for time and renegeter! Shichi smiled. "Rest assured, I won''t go back on my word. I''m well aware that extracting a tailed beast would be fatal. But don''t forget, I''m also a medical ninja." His approach was calctedtelling people what they wanted to hear. Why fight to the death with Sunagakure and Iwa when he could pit them against each other instead? After splitting the One-Tails, if Madara Uchiha came looking for troubleter, let him deal with Sunagakure''s Jinchuriki first! Shichi would take the power, but leave the consequences to them! Still in shock at Shichi''s unexpected moves, Chiyo finally spoke after a moment of contemtion. "I''ll report everything you said to the Kazekage as it is." With that, she turned to leave. Shichi added with a smile, "To show my sincerity, I''ll remove the curse mark." He raised a single hand, and Chiyo immediately felt the chakra inside her dissipate. She paused for a moment, then quickly disappeared. Shichi quietly watched her leave, thinking: Go fight Iwa with all you''ve got! And perhaps... he could use Sunagakure to eliminate Kusagakure as well? If Kusagakure allowed Iwa to march through, there would be no need for such an unruly subordinate to exist. Destroy Kusagakure and divide the spoils of the Land of Grass. Of course, this would leave Konoha with no buffer between it and Iwa''s forces. So, why not install a more obedient regime in Kusagakure instead? One sinister idea after another began to take root in Shichi Hoshita''s mind. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 159: Pulled My Back!

Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Pulled My Back!

In the Kazekage''s office, Rasa fell into deep thought after hearing Chiyo''s report. "They''re actually willing to return the One-Tails?" After a moment, Rasa raised his eyes and asked, "Chiyo, do you think Shichi is trustworthy?" Chiyo pondered before replying, "Shichi is no ordinary person. Not only is he incredibly strong, but he''s also a medical ninja." "Some of his jutsu clearly don''te from Konoha''s typical teachings; it''s highly likely that he invented them himself." "And there''s his Lava Release Kekkei Genkai... Konoha has never had such a Kekkei Genkai. The most usible exnation is that he gained the Four-Tails'' chakra and developed it from there." "The Third Kazekage took over a decade of research to master Ma Release!" "Extracting a tailed beast would certainly be fatal, but medical ninjutsu might indeed solve that problem." "After all, I''ve also thought about injecting life into puppets... While I haven''t seeded yet, I''ve made some progress." Rasa was slightly taken aback, then nodded. "Alright, agree to the alliance." "Chiyo, you will represent me in meeting with Shichi Hoshita, then head to Kikyo Mountain. I''ll leave the situation there to you." Chiyo nodded. "Understood!" ... At the base, after hearing Chiyo''s words, Shichi nodded with a smile. "Very good!" He stood up, stretching his back. "Finally, I can leave this ce." "I''ll go notify everyone of the ceasefire. You should head out as soon as possible!" "Of course, for now, we need to keep up appearances and maintain the standoff to confuse Iwa." "As for the Kazekage''s attack, personally, I think the best time would be when Kumo moves against Iwa." After leaving a shadow clone behind tomunicate with the Kazekage, Shichi''s figure vanished from Chiyo''s sight. Without wasting any time, Chiyo, along with a small squad of Suna-nin, headed straight for the Land of Rivers. ... At Kikyo Castle on the eastern border of the Land of Rivers, Shichi appeared beside his shadow clone, which was recovering its chakra. "It seems my mission isplete..." The shadow clone opened its eyes and immediately dispelled itself without transforming. Though the memories were sealed away, the exhaustion still weighed heavily on Shichi''s body, especially mentally. "Using shadow clones for extended periods is definitely not a good idea..." He massaged his temples. Fortunately, the Strength of a Hundred Seal was continuously nurturing his brain cells with chakra. But even that wasn''t foolproof. After a brief rest, Shichi used the Body Flicker Technique to arrive outside Orochimaru''s office. "Shichi-kun,e in," Orochimaru''s voice called from within. Shichi stepped in and said, "Orochimaru-sama, it''s time to stop the fighting." Looking over a map, Orochimaru raised his head in mild surprise. "The old man wants peace talks?" Shichi nodded. "I''ve already negotiated with the Fourth Kazekage." Orochimaru squinted his eyes. "This is your real body?" "And you actually agreed to the talks?" "Didn''t Sunagakure demand the return of the One-Tails?" Orochimaru was skeptical. Shichi smiled. "As long as the benefits are enough, nothing is impossible." "Suna agreed to join us in attacking Iwa. The Fourth Kazekage wants to im benefits in the Land of Birds, preserve his forces at Kikyo Mountain, and, of course, retrieve the One-Tails. That''s a tempting offer." "And all we have to give up is the One-Tails. I''m confident we can return it in three years." Orochimaru chuckled in understanding. "I never doubted your abilities, Shichi-kun." "This deal is certainly a good one. I thought we''d have to give up our interests in the Land of Rivers as well!" Shichi shook his head. "Giving up the Land of Rivers would mean all therades who died in battle did so in vain." Besides, he held the upper hand. Why give up so much? If Sunagakure wanted more, they could try taking it from Iwa. The opportunity had been given. If they couldn''t seize it, it would be their own ipetence. Orochimaru nodded in agreement. "In that case, we''ll cease hostilities for now and maintain the standoff." "For Sunagakure, it''s best if you go there yourself." Shichi nodded, then left the office. With a few quick flickers, he arrived at the front lines. The Suna-nin hidden in the darkness were on high alert, and upon seeing Shichi, they couldn''t help but break into cold sweats. Shichi paused. "Bring Ebiz out." A momentter, Ebiz appeared. "What business do you have with me?" Shichi stepped forward, and though Ebiz nervously swallowed, he managed to maintain hisposure. However, the other Suna-nin behind him were on edge, ready to form seals for ninjutsu at any moment. Standing in front of Ebiz, Shichi said quietly, "Konoha and Sunagakure have reached an agreement to form an alliance. From now on, we will cease fighting and maintain a standoff to deceive Iwa." "Additionally, Lady Chiyo is already on her way." Ebiz was stunned. Shichi finished speaking and turned to leave. It took Ebiz a while to recover. Is this a trick? No, that''s impossible. Sunagakure no longer had the strength to attack anyway. Back at Kikyo Castle, Shichi first reported to Orochimaru, then headed over to the medical camp. It waste at night, but Yakushi Nono, Asuka, and Shizune were still hard at work. Asuka was the first to react, delighted. "Shichi, is this your real body?" Shichi smiled and nodded. "Of course." "That''s great!" Asuka, overwhelmed with joy, rushed forward and hugged Shichi. Yakushi Nono smiled, her worries finally easing. It wasn''t until Asuka blushed and let go of Shichi that Shizune stepped up,paring heights. "Shichi, you''ve grown taller again." Shichi''s shadow clone had remained the same, but his real body had clearly grown, making the difference more noticeable. "Well, it has been a while!" Shichi chuckled, then said, "Alright, let''s treat the patients first." Asuka and Shizune both nodded eagerly, and everyone got back to work. Meanwhile, back at Sunagakure''smand tent, Ebiz and the Suna-nin were silent, caught between disbelief, relief, and uncertaintya mix of emotions running high. The night felt both short and endless. As dawn broke, Shichi and the medical team finally finished their tasks for the time being. After cleaning the surgical tools, Shichi smiled. "Time to rest. The war''s over, for now." Shizune blinked in surprise. "Eh? Has Sunagakure been defeated?" Shichi shook his head. "That''s a secret for now." "Let''s go!" He grabbed Shizune by the hand and led her out of the tent. Then, finding Yakushi Nono and Asuka, he pulled them away from their work as well to get some rest. Unexpectedly, all three of them shared the same room. Shichi hadn''t noticed this earlier with his shadow clone. Not caring much, Shichi flopped down and immediately went to sleep. Yakushi Nono gave him a yful scold but didn''t kick him out. Instead, she arranged for Asuka and Shizune to sleep on either side of Shichi, while she slept next to Asuka. Blushing, Shizune held onto one of Shichi''s arms, her eyes closed but her longshes trembling. ... Shichi slept soundly and contentedly, while Chiyo, having worked tirelessly through the night, had to push through her exhaustion to make various arrangements on the Sand Vige''s side. First, she needed to ry the Fourth Kazekage''s orders, ensuring that each Jonin understood the purpose and significance of the vige''s peace talks. Next, she had to arrange the defensive lines in a proper manner. However... While Shichi''s main body was resting, his shadow clones were still working hard. By dawn, the first vanguard of 300 Rock Ninjas had already reached the border between the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass. After just an hour of rest, they entered the Land of Grass. At the same time, a second wave of 500 Rock Ninjas had set out from the vige. All of this information was swiftly sent back to Konoha by Shichi''s shadow clones, using themunication toads from Mount Myboku. Meanwhile, in the Cloud Vige. Early in the morning, the Third Raikage was pacing back and forth in excitement, unable to sit still. He knew that if he stopped pacing, he might not be able to resistunching an attack right away, though his adviser and his secretary both advised waiting a little longer. The Rock Ninjas had only just begun their mobilization and hadn''t yet engaged Konoha. They suggested that the optimal moment to strike would be when both Konoha and the Rock Ninjas had fullymitted their forces in battle, increasing their numbers in a drawn-out conflict. Time ticked by. Shichi''s main body remained at Kiky Mountain, continuing his work as a medical ninja, but his shadow clones were constantly on the move, keeping a close eye on the Rock Ninjas and Cloud Ninjas alike. The Rock Ninjas had a solid grasp of blitzkrieg tactics. On that same day, they swiftly crossed through the small Land of Grass andunched a surprise attack on the Fire Country''s border. With that, the Rock Ninjas and Konoha officially entered into war! Shichi was not at all surprised, especially since the Rock Ninjas'' movements were being carefully monitored by his shadow clones. However, for Sarutobi Hiruzen, it was a significant blow. Even though he had Shichi''s intelligence to rely on, moving troops took time, and Konoha couldn''t react as quickly as the Rock Ninjas. The Rock Ninjasunched one wave of attacks after another. By the second day, their forces had crossed the Land of Grass and grown to over a thousand soldiers, while Konoha could only send 200 reinforcements from the vige, bringing the total to just 500 whenbined with the 300 soldiers already defending the border. If Konoha hadn''t already secured a ceasefire with the Sand Vige, this defensive line would have been overrun by the Rock Ninjas! Thus, on the second day of the Rock Ninjas'' assault on the Fire Country''s border, Orochimaru led his army north. Meanwhile, Koharu Utatane, acting as Konoha''s representative, had already set out for the Sand Vige the previous day. After Shichi and his team headed north, the Sand Ninjas, under the leadership of Chiyo and Ebiz, also moved northward to cut off the Rock Ninjas'' retreat. The situation was changing rapidly, leaving everyone scrambling to keep up. By evening, Onoki received the news and jumped to his feet in shock. "What?" Crack! His body stiffened, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Damn it, I threw my back out! His son, Kitsuchi, didn''t notice and assumed his father was merely stunned by the news. He quickly reported, "The front lines have already copsed. We''re tangled in battle with both the Sand and Leaf Ninjas within the Land of Grass." "Father, we need to send reinforcements immediately to break through their blockade." Onoki gritted his teeth. "The Sand Ninjas... Fourth Kazekage, damn it!" "Mobilize the troops immediately!" "And notify the southern forces to be on guard against any surprise attacks from the Sand Ninjas!" "Also, Shichihe''s probably on the battlefield as well, right?" Kitsuchi nodded. "Yes, though we haven''t confirmed if it''s his main body or a shadow clone." "But the chances of it being his main body are high." Onoki''s face darkened. "Whether it''s his main body or a clone, send Rshi to deal with him." Kitsuchi quickly left to make the necessary arrangements. Onoki sat down, massaging his aching back, but he couldn''t wrap his head around why the Sand Vige had allied with Konoha at this critical moment. The One-Tail was taken by Konoha. Could it be they promised to return it? But if they do return it, that would spell the end for Shichi! Could it really be that they had no choice but topromise after being cornered by that Shichi at their vige gates? ... The Cloud Ninjas received the intelligenceter than the Rock Ninjas, and the Third Raikage was just as stunned by the sudden turn of events. He asked, "Tsuchidai, why have the Sand Ninjas suddenly allied with Konoha?" Tsuchidai shook his head. "We don''t have any concrete information yet, but it''s already a fact." The Third Raikage nodded and quickly made a decision. "Tsuchidai, apany the A-B Combo in attacking Konoha from the south. I will personally lead an assault on the Land of Earth." Tsuchidai was startled and hurriedly said, "Third Raikage-sama, there''s no need for you to personally take action, is there?" "The Rock Ninjas are in significant trouble, but their forces haven''t been heavily depleted yet." "Konoha, on the other hand, though they''ve allied with the Sand Vige, is still struggling with a shortage of troops." "Wouldn''t it be better to attack the Fire Country first? We could overrun the Land of Rice Fields or even the Land of the Moon, and force Konoha to relinquish some of their territory in the Fire Country." At this moment, the Third Raikage was calm andposed as he replied, "The Rock Ninjas may not have suffered heavy losses yet, but with the Sand Ninjas now allied with Konoha, the Sand will undoubtedly strike again in the Land of Birds." "You will proceed with the assault on the Fire Country. That is an order!" Tsuchidai had no choice but to obey. He wasn''t against attacking the Land of Earth, but he was firmly opposed to the Third Raikage personally leading the assault. ... August 15, Year 45 of the Konoha Calendar. On the fifth day of the Rock Ninja''s invasion of the Fire Country, the Cloud Ninjas moved south, heading straight for the Fire Country. At this point, all five major ninja viges were now embroiled in the war. The Land of Grass, serving as the main battlefield, had descended into utter chaos. Neither the entire Land of Grass nor even the Grass Ninja Vige was a safe ce anymore. The Grass Ninja Vige was now facing a difficult choice. Should they support the Rock Ninjas, or should they side with Konoha and the Sand Ninjas to fight against them? Sitting on the fence? Shichi wouldn''t allow it. Of course, he would never admit that he had subtly influenced the Sand Vige to shift the battlefield toward the Grass Ninja Vige. In truth, even without his intervention, the entire Land of Grass would inevitably be a battlefield. The Rock Ninjas, now temporarily at a disadvantage, had no choice but to use the terrain of the Land of Grass to expand the battlefield and gain more strategic depth. ... Deep within the Land of Grass, on a low mountain, Shichi stood alongside Asuka and Uchiha Shisui. On the opposite side stood Rshi, the Jinchriki of the Four-Tails, apanied by a squad of Rock Ninjas. The moment their enemies met, their eyes zed with fury. Rshi''s gaze locked onto Shichi, who had grown much taller since theirst encounter. Battle lust surged within him. Inside him, the Four-Tails, Son Gok, opened his eyes and spoke, "This guy... He holds my power!" Son Gok had sensed it! Rshi snorted internally. "So it was himst time... That means he was the one who killed the Third Kazekage, huh?" "Damn it, pretending to be me." "But wouldn''t it be interesting if the Sand Ninjas found out it was him who killed their Third Kazekage?" Son Gok mocked, "Do you really think the higher-ups in the Sand Vige don''t already know?" Rshi had no response. Son Gok continued, "I also sense the presence of Shukaku. Heh, you''d better be careful. I wouldn''t mind switching hosts." "But you''re as good as dead!" Rshi''s face darkened. Although he had control over the Four-Tails'' power, he wasn''t a perfect Jinchriki. His state was more akin to Naruto''s early use of the Nine-Tails'' chakra mode, where he forcibly drew on the Four-Tails'' power. Suppressing his irritation, Rshi barked, "Hey, do you really want to share a space with that lunatic One Tails?" "We''ve been together for so long, after all." Son Gok responded indifferently, "If I share a space with Shukaku, at least I can insult him whenever I want!" Rshi was too irritated to continue arguing with him. He had initially hoped to use the tension between him and Shukaku to convince Son Gok to cooperate, but now that n was ruined. This damned ape, no backbone at all! Nevertheless... Rshi''s eyes focused sharply on Shichi across from him, his gaze fierce and ruthless. "I''m not that old monk, Bunpuku. If you underestimate me, you''ll regret it..." (End of Chapter) New Marvel Fic is Out, Checkout My Profile!! ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 160: The Third Hokage’s Micro-Management, Capturing the Four-Tails!

Chapter 160: Chapter 160: The Third Hokages Micro-Management, Capturing the Four-Tails! [Bonus Chapter]

[Bonus Chapter] ////////////////////// Konoha Vige, Hokage''s Office. Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the map in deep thought. Although the alliance with Sunagakure had greatly eased the strain on Konoha''s military forces, the pressure from Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure''s attacks remained immense. Especially with Kumogakure recently joining the fray. Their morale was high, and their forces were overwhelming. Konoha''s defenses had been repeatedly breached, forcing a steady retreat. "We must end one of these battlefronts as soon as possible..." Sarutobi''s gaze settled on the Land of Grass. Currently, Konoha and Sunagakure held a clear advantage in that region. At the onset, Iwagakure''s forces hadunched a surprise attack on the Fire Nation''s border, but they had been surrounded. With the arrival of 1,000 reinforcements from Iwagakure, the forces of all three factions were now entangled in a fierce battle, causing the war to expand further. "Kannabi Bridge..." Sarutobi''s eyes fixed on a critical location previously mentioned by Shichi Hoshita. It was a strategic stronghold held by Iwagakure that needed to be destroyed as part of the n. If Kannabi Bridge was destroyed, it would severely weaken Iwagakure''s war potential, as it would disrupt their supply routes. However, the presence of Sunagakure made Hiruzen Sarutobi sigh inwardly. As allies, even though he wanted to swiftly end the conflict with Iwagakure, Sunagakure might not share the same urgency. And the frontlines with Kirigakure were already stretched too thin, making that conflict even more challenging. But they had to try! After a long period of deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke: "Seeker!" "Yes, Lord Third Hokage!" The masked figure of Chihiro appeared in the office. Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered, "Inform Minato and Kakashi toe see me." "Understood!" Chihiro nodded and left. A short whileter, Minato Namikaze and Kakashi arrived at the Hokage''s office. Without preamble, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Minato, I need you to head to the Kirigakure battlefield. Assist Jiraiya and the others inpletely crushing Kirigakure, forcing them into negotiations and withdrawal." Minato instantly understood Sarutobi''s intent. This was a move to end one battlefront so Konoha could focus on the other two. "Understood. I will give it my all," Minato responded earnestly with a firm nod. Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, you will lead a team as a jonin. Your mission is to head to the Land of Grass, avoid the main battlefront, and work with Shichi''s clone to destroy the crucial supply route at Kannabi Bridge, held by Iwagakure." Kakashi was momentarily stunned, not expecting to be separated from his mentor Minato and lead a team on his own. Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Kakashi, do you have the confidence to lead a team andplete this mission on your own?" Minato nced at Kakashi with slight concern, but since Kakashi had already achieved the rank of jonin at the age of just under twelve, it was only natural for him to handle such responsibilities. Kakashi quickly regained hisposure and responded, "Rest assured, Lord Third Hokage. I willplete the mission." Hiruzen smiled and nodded. "Be careful. Shichi will be the main force in this mission." "Lead your team to the forward camp and meet up with Shichi. Follow his instructions." Kakashi nodded without hesitation, "Understood, Lord Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in approval. "Go, then!" ... Outside the Hokage building, Minato turned to Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, this is your first time leading a team, so be extra cautious." Minato smiled to himself as he spoke, "But since you''ve already developed the Chidori technique, you should be fine." Kakashi nodded confidently. "Don''t worry, Sensei. I''ll get it done." Minato nodded and added, "Make sure to bring Obito and Rin back safely too." Kakashi froze for a moment before nodding seriously. "Alright then, I''ll go make my preparations." "Kakashi, good luck!" After giving Kakashi a final pat on the shoulder, Minato''s figure disappeared. Kakashi immediately created a shadow clone to notify Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara, then returned home to pack his things. Half an hourter, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin met at the vige gate. "Let''s move out!" Kakashi gave the order. Obito blinked in surprise and asked, "Aren''t we waiting for Minato-sensei?" Without looking back, Kakashi replied, "I''m the captain for this mission. Hurry up and follow!" Obito was momentarily taken aback, then pouted, muttering under his breath, "This guy is so full of himself!" "Come on, Obito! Let''s go!" Rin giggled, tugging Obito along as she leaped forward to catch up with Kakashi. Obito quickly followed, though he was clearly still a bit disgruntled. ... Land of Grass By Shichi''s side, Asuka asked, "Shichi, are we also going to take the Four-Tails from this guy?" Shichi nodded. "If possible, of course." Having already taken the One-Tail, adding the Four-Tails wouldn''t be a problem. Besides, to be honest, Roshi and the Four-Tails weren''t necessarily stronger than the One-Tail and Bunpuku. It wasn''t that Roshi and the Four-Tailscked power, but their level of coordination was far inferior to that of the One-Tail and Bunpuku. "There should be a genjutsu expert near Roshi. Shisui, you''ll need to handle themter," Shichi instructed. "Asuka, you''ll assist me in controlling the Four-Tails." Asuka and Uchiha Shisui both nodded in agreement. "Alright then, time to go all out!" A blue light illuminated Shichi''s forehead, and at the same time, the Yin Seal on his chest activated, instantly entering the Fire Release Chakra Mode. Then, the dazzling light of the Bijuu sealing Mark bloomed as purple lotus flowers appeared on the surface of his chakra cloak. Beside him, Uchiha Shisui also activated his Bijuu Sealing Mark, his face marked with blue lotus patterns, and his three-tomoe Sharingan spinning into action. Across from them, Roshi narrowed his eyes. "Here theye!" "And there''s an Uchiha too!" The three Iwagakure shinobi beside him also wore grim expressions. "This is troublesome... a three-tomoe Uchiha, and a genjutsu master to boot!" Sensing danger, the genjutsu specialist, Tobu Wataru, spoke up, "You two keep those two upied. I''ll help Roshi fend off Shichi''s genjutsu!" The other two jonin nodded in unison. At that moment, Roshi immediately transformed into his Four-Tails state and shouted, "Wataru, get on my shoulder!" "Understood!" Tobu Wataru leaped up,nding on the Four-Tails'' massive shoulder. Meanwhile, Shichi had already created two shadow clones, and in the next instant, heunched his ninjutsu. Inferno Lotus! A blue me suddenly ignited on all of them, including the transformed Four-Tails and Roshi. However, the Four-Tails'' Lava Release easily dispelled the mes, and the three Iwagakure jonin, being seasoned veterans, sensed the danger in time. Although they didn''t use Body Flicker to evade, they all substituted with Earth Clones to escape the attack. Shichi didn''t mind, his real body now hurtling through the air, with the blooming lotus flowers elerating him as he charged toward the transformed Roshi. At the same time, Uchiha Shisui vanished from his original spot, but Shichi''s two shadow clones and Asuka remained where they were, unmoved. The Four-Tails-possessed Roshi opened his mouth,unching a barrage of massiveva balls, but Shichi deftly dodged them. Immediately after, the Four-Tails'' long tails shot forward like spears, aiming to skewer the rapidly approaching Shichi. Although fast, Shichi was equally agile, dodging each strike while closing the distance to Roshi. At that moment, Tobu Wataru on the Four-Tails'' shoulder finished weaving hand seals. He spat out a stream of stone bullets that rapidly expanded and elerated, hurtling toward Shichi. Rock Cannon! Like a graceful butterfly, Shichi danced around the projectiles, avoiding each one. Just then, the Four-Tails'' arms, coated in moltenva, mmed together in an attempt to crush him. Boom! Molten rock exploded in all directions, and shockwaves rippled through the air. The Four-Tails'' palms struck nothing as Shichi soared upward, flinging several Flying Thunder God Kunai in midair. Whizz, whizz, whizz! The Four-Tails'' tailsshed out, swatting away the kunai. Meanwhile, Tobu Wataru finished casting a genjutsu on Shichi, but to his shock, there was no reaction. "How is that possible?" Tobu Wataru was stunned. In the next moment, darkness enveloped his vision. As he tried to form hand seals to dispel the genjutsu, his body froze. "Paralysis... so strong!" Tobu Wataru struggled, realizing just how powerful this genjutsu was. "Damn it... even his basic genjutsu is this overwhelming!" He naturally assumed the technique used amid such intensebat was an ordinary genjutsu. And it was, technically speakingjust the basic Binding Jutsu. However, Shichi had already mastered the Genjustu Master tag! While Shichi effortlessly dealt with this minor nuisance, his two shadow clones simultaneously teleported to the Flying Thunder God Kunai. Before the Four-Tails'' tails could strike, they unleashed chains of Fire Nether Chains, which shot from their backs, binding the Four-Tails'' tails. "You won''t seed!" Roshi roared as he triggered his Lava Release, melting the surrounding terrain into magma while pressing his palms down. Bind! Shichi cast the Binding Jutsu, momentarily freezing the Four-Tails in ce. However, this basic genjutsu couldn''t fully restrain a Tailed Beast in its transformed state, and the Four-Tails quickly broke free using its immense chakra. But that brief moment was all Shichi needed. He appeared above the Four-Tails, sping his hands together. Spiritualization Jutsu! Shichi''s spirit left his body, and in the instant the Four-Tails broke free from the Binding Jutsu, he pulled both Roshi and the Four-Tails into a genjutsu world. Demon Realm: Pce of Memories! The Four-Tails frozepletely, and Shichi''s two shadow clones swiftly secured its body with the Fire Nether Chains, starting the process of extracting its power. At the same time, Asuka, who had been waiting, rushed forward as soon as Shichi used the Spiritualization Jutsu. The two Iwagakure jonin, who had been battling Uchiha Shisui, were shocked to see that Roshi had been subdued so quickly. Even Tobu Wataru, their genjutsu expert, had barely put up a fight, leaving them utterly rmed. One of them immediately turned to rush to Roshi''s aid. "Your opponent is me!" Uchiha Shisui shouted, his movements blurring as he split into several clones, surrounding the two Iwagakure shinobi. Meanwhile, Asuka reached the top of the Four-Tails'' head and activated the Adamantine Sealing Chains, binding Tobu Wataru and locking down the Four-Tails with four chains. In terms of raw chakra, the Four-Tails far exceeded the One-Tail. After Asuka sessfully restrained the Four-Tails, Shichi''s two shadow clones began working together to extract its power. Although Roshi was easier to handle than Bunpuku and the One-Tail, stealing the Four-Tails itself was proving much more difficult. From a distance, on the trunk of arge tree, a face emerged from the bark. White Zetsu stared at the colossal form of the Four-Tails and muttered, "It''s over! It''s over!" "The Four-Tails is about to be taken by this Shichi Hoshita too!" "I told them to take this kid seriously, but Madara didn''t care." "He said something about how it would be easier to catch the Tailed Beasts if they were all gathered in one ce." White Zetsu grumbled on, "But really, if he''s going to stuff two of these massive creatures into his body, won''t he explode?" "What about eating? How does he even eat?" "Does that mean he won''t need to eat, like me?" "If he doesn''t need to eat, does that mean he doesn''t need to... you know, poop?" "What does pooping even feel like, anyway?" ... Shichi focused entirely on subduing the Four-Tails, with no attention left to spare for his surroundings. Meanwhile, although Asuka was periodically using her sensory abilities, she failed to detect the presence of White Zetsu, who had merged with the nearby trees. After all, her sensory technique, Kagura''s Mind Eye, was based on chakra detection. On the other side of the battlefield, Uchiha Shisui had swiftly dealt with his two opponents. He immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to teleport onto the Four-Tails and eliminate Tobu, the genjutsu specialist who had been under control. The lurking threat was nowpletely neutralized. ... At the Konoha frontline headquarters on the borders of the Land of Grass. Kakashi and his team arrived and were first greeted by theirmanding officer, Orochimaru. "Kannabi Bridge?" Orochimaru eyed Kakashi and said, "I had expected Minato toe here personally." Kakashi quickly exined, "Minato Sensei has gone to the Mist battlefield." Orochimaru nodded, asking no further questions. "Shichi is currently on the front lines, dealing with the Four-Tails jinchriki, though he left a clone behind in the medical unit." "This mission is incredibly dangerous. Iwagakure must realize how important Kannabi Bridge is, so they''ll likely have elite jnin defending it." "But to be honest, you should trust in Shichi''s abilities." Kakashi, however, wasn''t swayed by a few words, not even by someone like Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-sama, we will assist Shichi inpleting this mission," Kakashi stated firmly. Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Very well then, head to the medical unit." After bowing, Kakashi left the tent, apanied by Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin. They soon arrived at the medical camp, where they found Shichi. Seeing the three of them, Shichi couldn''t help but be momentarily distracted. The butterfly effects had already stirred quite the stormhow had things returned to this point again? Moreover, even though Kannabi Bridge was heavily guarded, his main body had long made preparations. "Shichi?" Kakashi called out. Shichi snapped back to reality and, after a brief thought, said, "Kakashi, Obito, the two of you should head north along the border and cross into the Land of Grass from the Land of Waterfalls before proceeding to Kannabi Bridge." Kakashi nodded. Obito quickly interjected, "What about Rin?" Shichi turned to Nohara Rin. "Rin will stay in the medical unitthere are many injured people here." Rin nced at Kakashi before nodding. "Understood!" She then turned to Kakashi and Obito, saying, "Be careful, you two. Work together, okay?" Obito nodded earnestly, while Kakashi also nodded, though he added, "As long as he doesn''t slow me down, we''ll be fine." Obito''s fists clenched instantly. "Damn it, Kakashi, you arrogant jerk! I won''t hold you back." Rin chided softly, "Kakashi!" With that bit of banter over, Kakashi turned and said, "Let''s go." Obito, fighting back the urge to cry, smiled at Rin and waved. "Don''t worry, Rin! We''llplete the mission!" "Wait a second!" Shichi suddenly called out, stepping forward and cing a Flying Thunder God seal on both Kakashi and Obito. "This way, my clone will be able to sense you," he exined. Both Kakashi and Obito nodded before setting off. As he watched the two of them disappear into the forest, Shichi turned to Rin and said, "Don''t worry. They''re more than capable." He wasn''t nning to y the babysitter rolenot by a long shot. If Madara Uchiha had truly set his sights on Obito, then unless Obito stayed locked away indoors, or Madara and ck Zetsu were taken down, there was no solving that problem. And even if Obito was the chosen pawn, Rin''s fate was still difficult to alter. However, perhaps he could nt a seed ahead of time. That said, was Madara really dead set on Obito as his only option? ... As Kakashi and his team embarked on their path to growth, Shichi gradually pulled the Four-Tails out from within Rshi. Inside the genjutsu realm, despite his tough exterior, both Rshi and the Four-Tails were desperately trying to break free from the illusion. But when it came to countering genjutsu, they were even worse off than the One-Tail and its jinchriki, Bunpuku. After nearly an hour of struggle, Shichi finally extracted the Four-Tails from Rshi''s body. "Damn it... I can''t believe I actually..." Rshi copsed to the ground, unwilling to ept his defeat. "Shisui!" Shichi called. Handing the sealing scroll to Uchiha Shisui, Shichi summoned chains from his abdomen. Theyshed out, binding the Four-Tails that had been restrained by his clone and Asuka, and began pulling it into his body. Without a jinchriki host, the Memory Pce genjutsu was enough topletely subdue the Four-Tails, leaving it powerless to resist. Sizzle! With the burning sensation of chakra coursing through his body, the Four-Tails was fully sealed within his abdomen, merging with the small version of itself already inside. Just like with the One-Tail, the process involved heavy chains, followed by a reinforced cage to imprison the beastpletely. (End of Chapter) Checkout New Marvel Story, Visit My Profile!! ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 161: The Transformation of Kakashi and Uchiha Obito!

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: The Transformation of Kakashi and Uchiha Obito!

After subduing the Four-Tails, Shichi let out a long breath, though he could also feel the weight settling into his body. Four tails was indeed much more powerful than just one! This wasn''t aboutbat strength, but rather the sheer quantity of chakra. The amount of chakra from the One-Tail was roughlyparable to Asuka''s, which was about nine times Shichi''s current chakra reserves. But when Shichi estimated the upper limit of the Four-Tails'' chakra, it was around forty times his own. Astounding!!! One could only imagine how terrifying the chakra reserves of the Nine-Tails, with all nine of its tails, would be. And as for the Ten-Tails... This is why, looking to the future, the path forward still lies in mastering natural energy. But first, he had to increase his own chakra capacity! "However, as my physique continues to improve, my chakra limit should soon match or even exceed that of the One-Tail, reaching the level of a tailed beast." "At that level, the amount of chakra would ce me on par with only a select few in the current shinobi worldlike the Third Raikage, the future Fourth Raikage, Sage Mode Jiraiya, Nagato, or Uzumaki Kushina." As Shichi pondered this, he continued to limate himself to the Four-Tails'' power. The Fire Nether Chains he used prevented both the Four-Tails and One-Tail from essing their own chakra while simultaneously siphoning off their chakra. This chakra was filtered through the Eight Trigrams Sealing system, bing a source of stamina for Shichi. This system was simr to how tailed beasts could absorb natural energy to replenish their strength. Now, Shichi had two massive chakra batteriesmore than enough for most situations! With the One-Tail and Four-Tails within him, he''d rarely run out of chakra. However, Shichi remained fully aware of one thing: the tailed beasts were still external powers. His body''s strength needed continual improvement and further excavation. His ultimate goal was the level of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama! Right now, he was still two or three major physical upgrades away from reaching that level. It truly made one appreciate the terrifying power of the First Hokage. ... "Let''s move!" After taking a moment to adjust, Shichi epted the scroll from Uchiha Shisui''s hands. "Shichi, shouldn''t you take a break first?" Asuka asked with concern, and Shisui nodded in agreement. Shichi smiled. "The sealing technique is strong enough, and my body will adapt quickly. Don''t worry." The three of them set out, and about 20 minutester, they encountered a small squad of Iwa-nin. "It''s Konoha''s Blue sh!" "What''s he doing here? Isn''t Rshi supposed to be dealing with him?" ... The Iwa-nin stared wide-eyed at Shichi, cold sweat pouring down their faces. "Retreat!" The leading Iwa jnin immediately ordered a retreat, mming his hands to the ground to rapidly reshape the terrain in front of them. At the same time, he reced himself with an earth clone, while his real body escaped underground. Seeing this, Shisui couldn''t help butugh. "Shichi, it seems just showing up is enough to defeat the Iwa-nin." Shichi chuckled. "If only it were that easy." "Let''s chase them!" The three leaped forward, quickening their pace. As Shichi''s presence spread, news of the Four-Tails jinchriki Rshi''s defeat also swiftly circted among the Iwa forces. At the same time... Kakashi, who had detoured north and crossed into the Land of Grass from the Land of Waterfalls, suddenly halted. He raised his hand, signaling Obito to stop as well. "Is there an enemy nearby?" Obito looked around but found nothing. Hidden underground, the Iwa-nin Majoji smirked to himself. "Just two kids? How underwhelming. Still, for them to detect me... maybe they''re not entirely ipetent." Though Kakashi wasn''t a sensory ninja, he had an exceptionally keen sense of smell and was skilled at observing traces. He snorted lightly, "Be careful. If you start crying in fear, I won''t be saving you." A direct hit to the heart! Obito bristled, about to retort, when Kakashi''s hand erupted in lightning, apanied by the loud chirping of birds. "So... so much chakra!" "This technique..." Obito was stunned, having never seen Kakashi use this move before. "I''m going in. Stay alert." With another reminder, Kakashi leaped forward, the area around him crackling with explosions as he moved at lightning speed. Seeing this, Majoji was equally shocked. "So fast... this guy is no joke... but neither am I!" Whoosh whoosh whoosh! A barrage of shuriken flew out. Surrounded by electric currents, Kakashi moved swiftly, kunai in hand, deflecting the iing shuriken with ease. Only then did Obito snap out of his daze, quickly pulling out his own shuriken and throwing them to intercept. ng ng ng! Every kunai Majoji had thrown was blocked by Obito''s projectiles. In a few blinks of an eye, Kakashi had already dodged the frontal attack from Majoji''s clone and appeared behind it, swiftly dispatching the clone. Poof! The clone dispersed. "As expected, just a clone." "Next!" Kakashi continued his assault, his incredible speed allowing him to eliminate Majoji''s clones one by one. "Die!" The real Majoji appeared, de in hand, charging toward him. Obito''s eyes widened as he watched. In a split second, the electrical currents surrounding Kakashi expanded outward, paralyzing Majoji''s movements and slowing his speed. Kakashi sidestepped the iing strike, circled around, and drove his right hand through Majoji''s chest, piercing his heart. The Chidori required speed to deliver a powerful blow, but Kakashi''s perfected Raikirithe lightning cutterdidn''t. In this case, he used Chidori first, followed by Raikiri to maximize its lethality. The strength of Raikiri was greater, but he couldn''t instantly activate it. However, his Chidori had already reached the point where no hand signs were needed. ... Kakashi withdrew his hand, and Majoji copsed to the ground. Uchiha Obito stepped forward, still in shock. The fight just now was something he couldn''t have managed at all. "Hurry up," Kakashi barked after taking a couple of breaths. Obito quickly followed suit. The two moved through the dense mushroom forest, then waded through a stream. Suddenly, Kakashi stopped again, raising his hand in a signal. Obito tensed up, "Are there more enemies?" "Where?" Just as he wondered, several bamboo tubes shot down from above. Reacting swiftly, Obito formed hand seals and released a massive burst of mes, burning the falling bamboo projectiles and sending them crashing into the water, causing a spray of droplets. "Watch out!" Kakashi shouted as he drew his de andunched himself toward the Iwa-nin emerging from the bamboo thicket. ng ng ng! The two shed mid-air, exchanging blows. Obito looked up, only to feel a sudden sharp pain in his neck as his body went limp. At that moment, Kakashinded and called out, "Obito!" "We''re taking him with us!" An Iwa-nin named Daishi chuckled, then he and another Iwa-nin, Hiwa, leaped away with Obito in tow. "Damn it!" Kakashi gritted his teeth. "My father always said, ''Never abandon yourrades''... Even if he''s a crybaby, I can''t just leave him behind." Determined, Kakashi took off in pursuit of the Iwa-nin. ... "That brat''s actually chasing us," Daishi noted, ncing back. Hiwa added, "That sword... It looks like the one Konoha''s White Fang used. Could he be the son of the White Fang?" "In that case, no need to hold back." "I''ll stay behind to deal with him. You focus on getting the information out of this kid." Daishi halted, and Hiwa stopped as well, turning back to caution him, "Don''t underestimate him. It seems Majoji might already be dead." Just then, a sh of lightning appeared behind them. Both Iwa-nin were startled, "So fast!" Daishi quickly made hand seals and vanished from sight, while Hiwa sensed danger and released Obito before leaping away. ng! The sound of metal shing rang out, and sparks flew. Kakashi appeared, retrieving the unconscious Obito and retreating a short distance. Meanwhile, his Lightning Clone was already engaging Hiwa, but there was still the other enemy skilled in concealment. "Obito!" Kakashi stayed alert, on guard. "This guy''s even managed to erase his scent. I''ll have to rely on sound and air movement." Suddenly, his ears twitched. In a sh, Kakashi turned, swinging his de, White Fang. sh! Blood sttered, some of itnding on the unconscious Obito''s face. A gash appeared on Daishi''s chest as hended on a tree branch, his expression dark. "This brat is no pushover... I''ll have to take my time." With that, his body faded into invisibility once again. At the same time, Kakashi''s Lightning Clone finally exploded, the shockwave sending Hiwa to the ground, screaming in agony. "Now''s my chance!" Kakashi dashed forward as Obito slowly began to regain consciousness. He opened his eyes just in time to see Kakashi moving to finish off the downed Hiwa, only to suddenly turn and parry another attack. ng! More blood sttered, and Kakashi grimaced as he staggered back to Obito''s side. A long cut ran across Kakashi''s left abdomen, blood soaking his clothes. "Kakashi!" Obito cried out, quickly getting up to support him. "Go... You''re no match for him." Kakashi clutched his wound, eyes locked on Daishi, who had just reappeared. Daishi had one kunai blocking Kakashi''s de and had inflicted the wound with another. Clearly, he had nned to strike when Kakashi was distracted by the downed Iwa-nin. "No..." Obito shook his head, gritting his teeth. "I won''t abandon arade!" Kakashi, enduring the pain, argued, "But if you stay, we''ll both die!" Tears streamed down Obito''s face as he bit his lip. "Even if I die, I won''t be a coward! I''m a Uchiha!" On the other side, Daishi turned his gaze to both of them, "Sharp instincts for a brat... As expected of the White Fang''s son." "But this is where it ends for you." With those words, he vanished again. Kakashi shouted, "Go now! If the other one recovers, you''re done for!" "And don''t tell me your eyes are tearing up from dust again!" Obito didn''t respond. He stood, wiped his tears behind his goggles, and gripped his kunai tightly. "I won''t bring shame to the Uchiha name!" "Die!" With a sudden turn, Obito thrust his kunai forward with both hands. "How... how is this possible?" Daishi reappeared, looking down at Obito''s kunai. Obito raised his head, revealing crimson eyesthe fully formed two-tomoe Sharingan. "A... Sharingan!" Daishi muttered in disbelief. Obito pulled the kunai out and, with a swift motion, shed across Daishi''s neck. Thud! Therge body copsed to the ground. Obito turned to look at Kakashi. "These eyes..." Kakashi gasped, "You awakened your Sharingan!" Obito nodded, "Kakashi, now it''s my turn to protect you!" Kakashi took a deep breath. "Then let''s take this chance to finish off that other enemy!" "But be careful, he''s already recovered." Obito nodded and charged toward the fallen Hiwa. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Several shuriken flew forward, followed by Obito quickly forming hand seals. Hiwa, who had barely recovered, narrowly dodged the shuriken as he leaped to his feet. Although he had regained some of his strength, his body wasn''t as nimble as before. Avoiding Obito''s Great Fireball Technique once more, Hiwa found himself face-to-face with Obito. Both wielding weaponsHiwa with his dual swords, Obito with his dual kunaithey engaged in a furious exchange. ng ng ng! As they fought, the weakened Hiwa retreated, thinking to himself, "This Sharingan... he''spletely different from before... This kid..." ... At the same time, high above Kannabi Bridge, one of Shichi''s shadow clones, transformed into a hawk, suddenly sensed something. "Kakashi and Obito?" "What are they doing here?" "I can''t sense Rin''s chakrashe''s probably been left back at the main medical camp," the shadow clone deduced. Without waiting any longer, it dispelled its transformation mid-air, plummeting toward the ground at high speed. To cushion the descent, lotus petals bloomed beneath its feet at intervals, softening the fall. "Above us!" "Watch out!" "It''s Konoha''s Blue sh!" The Iwa-nin''s voices echoed in rm. Thanks to intel previously obtained from Sunagakure, they had been keeping an eye on any airborne threats. They were aware that Shichi possessed abilities simr to their own Third Tsuchikage, capable of aerial assaults. Thus, when Shichi descended to a certain height, the Iwa-nin detected him. Figures appeared from hidden positions on both ends of the bridge, as well as on its surface. "That guy''s been watching us all along, waiting until our supplies were almost here before making his move..." The Iwa-nin squad leader''s expression darkened as he gave orders: "Everyone, prepare defensive jutsu! We must protect this bridge at all costs until the supplies are safely delivered to the Land of Grass." "Understood!" The Iwa-nin responded in unison and quickly formed hand seals. At the ends of the bridge, they created semi-circr earth domes to shield the bridge, though they could only cover part of it. Meanwhile, below the bridge, more Iwa-ninbined their Earth Release techniques to raise thick stone walls on both sides, nearly touching the bridge. On the bridge itself, others used their chakra to transform earth into mud, which expanded and solidified into towering walls along the bridge surface. One by one, the Iwa-nin leaped onto these walls and used Earth Release to create sharp stone spikes, crisscrossing the high walls with deadly defenses. Additional spikes jutted upward from the walls, making the area even more treacherous. Witnessing this, Shichi couldn''t help but admire the Iwa-nin''s skill in defensive techniques. Moreover, intelligence was truly crucial. Had they not obtained the intel from the Sand, the Iwa-nin wouldn''t have been able to prepare such an borate defense, even if they had anticipated an attack. Opening his palm, Shichi summoned a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, which immediately began to glow with the power of Lava Release. "Lava Release: Rasenshuriken!" With a flick of his arm, the spinning Lava-infused shuriken flew downward at high speed. "He''s attacking!" "Get ready!" "We can''t let that jutsu explode near us!" The Iwa-ninmander shouted, urging his already exhaustedrades to eat soldier pills and push their chakra to the limit. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Dragon!" Multiple stone dragons soared into the sky, colliding with the falling Rasenshuriken. Crack! Crack! One by one, the stone dragons shattered. But there were enough of them. They charged forward, eventually destabilizing the Rasenshuriken. Theva core in the center exploded, forming a massive orb of molten light that engulfed the stone dragons. Momentster, a scorching windstorm swept through the area. The Iwa-nin raised their hands to shield their faces but still squinted upward, trying to see what was happening in the sky. When the roaring explosion subsided, the dust suddenly parted, and the Iwa-nin''s eyes widened in horror. Another Lava Release: Rasenshuriken was falling, this time directly toward Kannabi Bridge. "That bastard..." "There''s no time!" The Iwa-ninmander gritted his teeth and reluctantly gave the order, "Scatter!" They had no choice but to rely on the defenses they had built earlier. Soon enough, the Rasenshuriken struck the side of Kannabi Bridge, first hitting the long, sharp stone spikes extending from the earth walls. But under the Rasenshuriken''s relentless spinning, the spikes were ground to dust, shattering into pieces. "Damn it, we can''t stop it!" "Is that really the real Shichi?" "Wasn''t Lord Roshi supposed to be keeping him busy?" The Iwa-nin looked on in despair, realizing that their defenses were utterly ineffective against the jutsu. As the Rasenshuriken finally crashed into the walls, it detonated in a massive explosion. The molten core expanded rapidly, consuming the walls and the bridge itself. Boom! A deafening roar echoed across the sky, the blinding light outshining the sun. Not far away, within the borders of the Land of Grass, Kakashi and Uchiha Obito, who had just finished dealing with their own enemies, looked up toward Kannabi Bridge. "Kakashi, did you feel that?" Obito asked, excited. Kakashi, his face pale, nodded slightly, "It should be Shichi making his move." Obito grinned, "Looks like our mission isplete." He turned his attention back to the task at hand, speeding up his work to bandage Kakashi''s wounded abdomen. "Good thing Rin gave you this medical kit. Otherwise, we''d be in trouble." "If Rin were here, she''d be able to treat your injury even better." Kakashi fell silent for a moment, then said, "Thank you, Obito." Obito, finishing the bandage, scoffed, "Don''t look down on me anymore!" "Though, I admit, you are stronger than me. If it weren''t for you... you saved me first, then I saved you. So, we''re even." After all, it was hisck of strength that had led to him getting captured by the Iwa-nin, resulting in Kakashi''s injury. But Obito raised his chin proudly, "Kakashi, I''ve awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan now. Soon, I''ll catch up to you!" Kakashi nodded seriously, "I''ll be waiting." The two locked eyes, their rivalry as intense as ever, but now with a deeper bond. Before long, they looked away, and Obito asked, "Kakashi, what should we do next?" "Are we going to regroup with Shichi?" "What about your injury? Is it okay?" Kakashi gritted his teeth and forced himself to his feet, "I''m fine." "Let''s go meet up with Shichi!" (End of Chapter) ??? Checkout My New Story If You''re Interested In Marvel, Visit My Profile! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 35+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 162: That Bastard, Third Raikage!

Chapter 162: Chapter 162: That Bastard, Third Raikage! [Bonus Chapter]

At Kannabi Bridge. The Lava Release: Rasenshuriken melted two-thirds of the bridge, leaving a massive gap in the middle, as if a giant beast had taken a bite out of it. It had to be said, the Iwa-nin''s defenses were somewhat effective. They managed to prevent Shichi''s jutsu from fully achieving its intended impact. However, taking advantage of the ensuing chaos, Shichi swiftly pierced through the defenses from above, descending to the underside of the bridge before the Iwa-nin could react to the explosion of his Rasenshuriken. "Stop him!" "Don''t let him destroy the bridgepletely!" The Iwa-nin shouted as they rushed toward Shichi. The bridge was still salvageable with some Earth Release techniques to patch it up. Shichi''s figure flickered, and as hended on one of the bridge''s pirs, he pped his hand down, summoning an explosive tag. This wasn''t one he carried on him; it was summoned directly through a summoning technique. One Iwa-nin spotted the explosive tag and immediately formed hand seals, releasing a gust of wind to blow it away. But Shichi swiftly dodged, and before long, a series of explosive tags began appearing in rapid session around the first one. The first tag had already started to detonate, setting off a chain reaction. Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags! A series of explosions unfolded, shattering one of the bridge pirs. The shockwaves collided with the gust of wind, sending debris flying in all directions. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Numerous attacks whistled through the air, sealing off all of Shichi''s possible escape routes. Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Kakashi and Obito appeared at the edge of the Land of Grass. "It''s Shichi!" "He''s surrounded!" Obito eximed in shock. "Let''s go help him!" Kakashi shouted. He was just about to leap forward when the pain in his abdomen red up, causing him to stumble. Obito quickly supported him, "You stay here! I''ll go help Shichi!" "No need!" Shichi''s voice suddenly rang in their ears as his figure appeared next to Kakashi. Back at the bridge, all of the Iwa-nin''s attacks had missed their target. "There he is!" "Konoha''s reinforcements have arrived!" "Chase them!" The Iwa-nin shouted, immediately using Body Flicker Techniques to pursue them. Watching the approaching Iwa-nin, Shichi calmly instructed, "Obito, take Kakashi and retreat. I''m just a shadow clone." "And retrace your steps!" Obito quickly nodded, "Got it!" He then supported Kakashi as they retreated. Shichi nced back at the two of them, a small smile forming on his face. It seemed like something had happened between themsomething he wasn''t aware of. There was a noticeable change in their dynamic. Turning back to face the Iwa-nin, Shichi began to retreat slowly, leading them further away. His chakra was running low now, and the best strategy was to draw the Iwa-nin''s attention away, ensuring they wouldn''t pursue Kakashi and Obito. Meanwhile... On the frontlines, after Shichi''s appearance, the Iwa-nin squads began retreating, continuously regrouping. Their depth of defense against the Konoha-Suna alliance was steadily copsing. However, when it came to tactical coordination, the Iwa-nin were still quite skilled. Despite being forced to retreat, they used terrain maniption to slow down Konoha and Sand''s advances. Even though they were retreating, they hadn''tpletely broken down. The only time they were utterly helpless was when facing Shichi and the team under hismand. No matter how strong their defenses were, they were nothing in front of Shichi. ... That night, Konoha and Sand withdrew their forces after the day''s battle. Shichi also received a message from Orochimaru, summoning him back to the main camp. "The leader of Kusagakure is dead. The new leader is Mugen. They''vepletely aligned with us and will be joining our efforts against Iwa," Orochimaru said bluntly as Shichi entered. Shichi nodded. He wasn''t surprised. Kusagakure had no other choice. If they sided with Iwa, Shichi would be the first to wipe them out. Still, Mugen bing the new leader of Kusagakure? Interesting! But Shichi didn''t dwell on it and asked, "Orochimaru-sama, I assume that''s not the only reason you called me back?" Orochimaru nodded, "Of course." "You''ve already dealt with the Four-Tails. ording to the old man''s orders, you''re needed on the front lines at the Kumo battlefield." Shichi asked, "What about Minato-sensei?" Orochimaru replied, "He''s still on the Mist battlefield for now." Shichi nodded, "Understood. I''ll set off tomorrow." The situation in the Land of Grass was already decided. Unless Onoki personally intervened or mobilized five to six, or even seven to eight thousand more troops, there was no way Iwa could hold the Land of Grass. However, Hiruzen Sarutobi''s decision to transfer him might not be solely for dealing with the A-B Combo. It''s likely also intended to avoid a direct confrontation between him and the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki. At that moment, Orochimaru asked, "Shichi-kun, do you think the old man will negotiate with Iwa-nin?" Shichi thought for a moment, then shook his head, "It depends on how things go with the Kumo and Kirigakure fronts." "If he negotiates with Iwa alone, it would be a betrayal of our ally, Suna." "If there''s to be peace talks, it must be done alongside Suna. We need to wait until they''ve advanced into the Land of Birds, forcing Iwa to concede part of its interests there." "A win-win situation will ensure the alliancests." Of course, Shichi didn''t say the other part of his thoughts: If Suna doesn''t get a share of the spoils, how can they be expected to help us biteter? Orochimaru, however, caught on to this underlying meaning, chuckling, "Suna is like a wolf. You not only need enough strength to keep them in check but also have to throw them a bone to keep them satisfied." "Shichi-kun, you''d make an excellent beast tamer." Shichi shook his head, "Training a single summoned beast is exhausting enough. That''s something the Hokage should be thinking about." "Orochimaru-sama, I''ll head to the medical team now." Orochimaru nodded, watching Shichi leave, but also silently reflecting on the deeper meaning behind his words. Little did Shichi know, his casual remark had sparked a deeper contemtion in Orochimaru. But since Hiruzen Sarutobi had sent him to the Kumo front, there was no need to overthink it. Arriving at the medical unit, Shichi first found Kakashi. "Shichi!" Seeing him, both Obito and Kakashi greeted him warmly. Shichi smiled and asked, "How are your injuries?" Kakashi replied, "No major issues, nothing vital was hit." Uchiha Obito grinned, adding, "It was handled personally by Lady Non, so there''s no problem at all." Shichi nodded and, looking at Obito, smiled and congratted him, "Obito, congrattions on awakening your Sharingan!" Obito scratched his head in slight embarrassment, "You noticed, huh?" He had been trying to think of how to show off his new ability. Shichi chuckled, "I''m a sensory ninja. Of course, I can sense that your chakra is different now." "Huh?" Obito was taken aback, "My chakra is different?" Shichi nodded and gave a brief exnation, "Awakening the Sharingan usually happens when someone experiences emotional trauma, causing a mutation in their chakra, which then alters their optic nerves and eyes. That''s how the Sharingan and its tomoe evolve." "Think of it as a form of yin release nature transformation." Obito, looking puzzled, asked, "Shichi, why does it seem like you understand the Sharingan better than the Uchiha?" Even Kakashi was curious. Shichi shook his head, "It''s not that I understand the Sharingan better than the Uchiha. I just have a deeper understanding of nature transformations." "Besides, don''t forget, Shisui is my teammate, and he''s already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan." Obito nodded in realization, "Ah, that makes sense. Shisui is indeed incrediblehe''s a genius well-known within the n." Patting Obito on the shoulder, Shichi smiled, "You''re not bad either, Obito. Keep it up." "And Kakashi, take care of your injuries. I''m heading to the Kumo front soon." "Kumo?" Both of them were startled. Kakashi asked, "Does that mean we''ve already won here?" Shichi shook his head, "We''ve gained the upper hand, but it''s not over yet." "Don''t worry. I''m sure Minato-sensei will be here soon as well." Without further exnation, Shichi waved goodbye and left. He still had to say farewell to Non Yakushi and the others. As Shichi departed, Obito suddenly asked, "Kakashi, do you think I''ll ever be as strong as Shichi? I heard he captured Iwa''s Four-Tails!" He hadn''t known what a Tailed Beast was before, but now he understood. Kakashi thought seriously for a moment before replying, "First, try to surpass Uchiha Shisui." Obito snorted, "I''ll surpass you first, you smug jerk!" "Kakashi, now that I''ve awakened my Sharingan, I''m not the same. If you don''t step up, you''ll be my defeated rival in no time." Kakashi shot back sarcastically, "I heard genjutsu is the most powerful aspect of the Sharingan. Maybe work on mastering that first." Obito''s face immediately fell. He was notoriously terrible at genjutsu! So, from the Academy until now, he had focused on perfecting the Fireball Jutsu and taijutsu. "Who said the Sharingan has to be used for genjutsu?" Obito retorted, "The Sharingan has incredible insight, allowing you to see through enemy movements and even their chakra flow." "Hmph, smug Kakashi, you don''t understand the true power of the Sharingan." ... Night fell over Iwagakure, but the Tsuchikage''s office remained brightly lit. Onoki''s face was grim. Not only had the Kannabi Bridge been destroyed, but the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi, was also missing. Considering what had happened to the One-Tail, it wasn''t hard to guessRoshi had likely been taken down by that brat, Hoshita Shichi. In other words, Iwagakure had lost the Four-Tails! This was something Onoki found hard to ept. To him, the Four-Tails was far stronger than the One-Tail. And Roshi''s control over the Tailed Beast''s power was far superior to Sunagakure''s Jinchuriki. Despite preparing in advance based on the information they had on Hoshita Shichi, the result was still the same as what happened with Suna. "Send word to the front lines. Tomorrow, I''ll go there in person!" Onoki decided after a brief moment of contemtion. Kitsuchi opened his mouth, but couldn''t find the words to dissuade his father. He nodded, turning to make the necessary arrangements. ... Morning arrived quickly. As Shichi set out for the Kumo battlefield, Onoki also prepared to depart, apanied by his son, Kitsuchi. However, just as they stepped out of the Tsuchikage building, an Iwa-nin suddenly appeared, blocking their path. "Tsuchikage-sama, an urgent situation has arisen at the border. The Third Raikage of Kumogakure himself is leading a surprise attack with an army. It seems they''ve already breached our front lines." Both Onoki and Kitsuchi were stunned. The Third Raikage personally leading an assault? Has he gone mad? Moreover, Kumo was still fighting Konohawhy would they choose this moment to attack Iwa? "Damn it..." Onoki gritted his teeth, "That bastard Raikage... he chose this moment to..." Kitsuchi struggled to understand, "Why would the Third Raikage attack us now? Could it be they''re trying to seize the resources of the small nations like the Land of Frost, Land of Rice, or Land of the Moon?" Onoki snorted coldly, "These battle-hungry fools... their ambitions are boundless. That''s the only exnation." "They see us being squeezed by both Suna and Konoha and think they can take advantage." With that, he turned and headed back to the Tsuchikage building, issuing orders along the way: "Kitsuchi, you go to the Land of Grass immediately. Have them fall back to defend our borders." "As for the Land of Birds, be on guard against Suna. The moment Kumo moves, the Fourth Kazekage won''t be able to resist the temptation." "If the situation bes untenable, retreat for now!" Kitsuchi nodded without hesitation and quickly set out. Meanwhile, Onoki returned to his office, issuing a series of mobilization orders to gather his forces. "That fool Raikage dares to invade the Land of Earth... I''ll make sure he regrets it!" Onoki stared at the map, continuously directing his troops. ... While Konoha and Suna were securing one victory after another in the Land of Grass, the name of Konoha''s "Yellow sh" spread like wildfire on the Kirigakure battlefield. Namikaze Minato dashed from one battlefield to another, leaving the Mist-nin inplete disarray wherever he went. They simply couldn''t stop him. No one could. The Flying Thunder God Technique wasn''t something that could be countered by merely avoiding the Flying Thunder God kunai. And Namikaze Minato''s mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique was far more refined than Hoshita Shichi''s. Just by tossing a kunai, Minato could dominate the battlefield! No one could be on guard against the Flying Thunder God kunai all the time, and even without it, Minato''s Body Flicker Technique was top-tier. In just one day, the Mist-nin lines were broken three timesan efficiency far beyond what Shichi''s shadow clones could achieve. Previously, Shichi''s shadow clones, along with Pakura, had been harassing the Mist-nin, preventing their advance and forcing them to retreat repeatedly. Eventually, Yagura Karatachi himself led an elite squad to specifically target Shichi''s shadow clones and Pakura, managing to hold them off. However, Shichi couldn''t maintain his shadow clones for too long, especially from such a great distance, so he had already dispelled them. Now that Namikaze Minato had arrived, the situation changed drastically. Even Yagura, a master of Water Release, could only retreat in defeat, suffering heavy losses among his elite forces. In just three days, the Mist-nin were forced to retreat over and over. On the eastern front, they were driven off the maind entirely, while on the southern front, they retreated into smaller nations like the Land of Tea, beingpletely expelled from the Land of Fire. ... As the situation across the ninja world shifted, Shichi, along with Shisui and Asuka, took a day and a half to travel directly from the Land of Grass to the Kumo front in the northern part of the Land of Fire. After resting in the rear for a night, the trio arrived at the front lines the next morning. "Shichi-sama, you''re finally here!" "Lord Shichi!" "This is great! Now that Lord Shichi is here, the Kumo-nin won''t be able to act so arrogantly!" ... Shichi''s arrival caused a wave of excitement among the Konoha forces, boosting their morale instantly. Although it had been a long time since Shichi had returned to the vige, news of his achievements on the front lines had continuously reached Konoha, inspiring everyone. Recently, his fame had even surpassed that of renownedmanders like Jiraiya and Orochimaru, with many Konoha ninjas seeing him as the strongest contender for the position of Fifth Hokage. Some even believed that calls for him to be named the Fourth Hokage might arise. At this moment, themander of the Kumo front was the veteran Konoha Jonin, Mimura Yamakaze. He had originally been in charge of the defense on the western border of the Land of Fire, but after Orochimaru led his troops north, Yamakaze had been reassigned to the Kumo front. Thus, he was no stranger to Hoshita Shichi. (End of Chapter) ??? Checkout My New Marvel Fic, Visit Profile! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 35+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 163: For the Advancement of Medical Technology Across the Shinobi World!

Chapter 163: Chapter 163: For the Advancement of Medical Technology Across the Shinobi World!

After listening to Mimura Yamakaze''s report on the situation at the Cloud Shinobi battlefield, Shichi had a good grasp of Kumogakure''s strategic objectives. Their goal was clearly the smaller nations in the northern region of the Land of Fire, such as the Land of Fields and the Land of the Moon, which usuallymissioned their tasks to Konoha. Of course, Kumogakure''s ambitions didn''t stop there; they also aimed to take a bite out of the Land of Fire itself. However, Konoha''s resistance had been fierce. Despite retreating into their own territory, they had sessfully repelled three waves of intense attacks from Kumogakure, forcing a stalemate in the war. ording to intelligence, during this deadlock, Kumogakure was actively engaging with the daimyos of these small nations, trying to establish an effective sphere of influence. It was clear that Kumogakure, even if unable to grab a chunk of the Land of Fire, intended to first devour these smaller nations to satiate themselves. The greatest headache for Konoha in this war was undoubtedly the "AB Combo"Killer B and A. One was a Jinchriki, the other a powerful lightning-style ninja with beast-level chakra. This duo was just as frustrating for Konoha as Shichi and Minato Namikaze were for Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakurealmost impossible to deal with. Only through sheer numbers and impable coordination could they be contained, but at great cost. Whether it was Killer B''s reputation or the deadly speed of A in his Lightning Chakra Mode, both were well-earned. Having understood this, Shichi spoke up, "Yamakaze-senpai, leave the AB Combo to me. I''ve crossed paths with them before back at the Hot Springs Vige." Mimura Yamakaze nodded but cautioned, "The Third Hokage specifically transferred you from the Grass Shinobi battlefield for this task. However, even if you have the chance to capture the Eight-Tails, don''t do it." "That''s a directive from the Third Hokage." "If you were to capture the Eight-Tails, after already taking down the Four-Tails, both you and the vige would be under immense pressure." Shichiughed. "Senpai, taking down the Eight-Tails isn''t easy. After all, he''s guarded by a Raikage candidate." In terms of raw chakra, the Eight-Tails was second only to the Nine-Tails. Moreover, capturing it was not just about strength; the Eight-Tails'' ability to sever its own tails and escape made it incredibly hard to pin down. Not to mention, there was also the future Fourth Raikage, who could rival the speed of the Flying Thunder God technique. Still, if the opportunity arose, Shichi wouldn''t hesitate to seize the Eight-Tails. As for the pressure, he could always return half of the beast and use it to negotiate something from Kumogakure. "Shichi, two powerful chakra sources are approaching!" Asuka suddenly warned. Shichi immediately activated his Sensory Technique and smiled, "The AB Combo is here!" Just as he spoke, a signal whistle rang out ahead. It was a warning from the Konoha ninja on the front lines. "They''re really here!" Mimura Yamakaze leapt forward. "Let''s go!" Shichi and his twopanions quickly followed. Momentster, at the front lines, Shichi saw his old foes. "That guy from the Hot Springs Vige..." Killer B''s eyes narrowed from behind his sunsses, while A locked onto Shichi. "You''re the Blue sh of Konoha, Shichi Hoshita?" Shichi nodded slightly. "We meet again." "The Eight-Tails Jinchriki, Killer B, and A, son of the Third Raikage." Inside Killer B''s mind, the Eight-Tails, Gyki, warned him, "B, be cautious of this one. He''s even more dangerous thanst time." "And I sense strong maliceing from him." Killer B nodded. "Word is, he captured Sunagakure''s One-Tail. Maybe he''s here because he also got Iwagakure''s Four-Tails?" "Can you sense the One-Tail and Four-Tails?" asked Killer B. "I can''t. The seals block me from sensing them, but be careful nheless," replied Gyki. This was the Eight-Tails'' instinctive warning. Meanwhile, A, recalling their previous defeat, was filled with fighting spirit. "Everyone, stay back! This guy is ours!" Killer B, in his usual rhythm, chimed in, "Shichi Hoshita, this time Big Bro and I will take you down, fool! You fool!" Shichi chuckled. "Funny, that''s exactly what I was going to say." As he finished speaking, Shichi''s right hand brushed against his tool pouch, and a barrage of Flying Thunder God kunai scattered in all directions. In response, A''s body was instantly engulfed in a fierce lightning aura, transforming into a moving bolt of electricity. However, unlike thest time Shichi had seen him at the Hot Springs Vige, A now wore cylindrical bracers on both arms. His new look matched exactly how Shichi remembered him. In a split second, Shichi''s limbs crackled with electricity, and the chirping of Chidori filled the air as lightning enveloped his entire body. At that moment, both the Konoha and Kumogakure ninja were stunned. Especially the Kumogakure shinobiShichi''s current form looked almost identical to the Lightning Chakra Mode. "So, you''ve mastered Lightning Style too." "Let''s see who''s faster!" A sneered before charging at Shichi like a lightning bolt. Shichi flicked his wrist,unching a Flying Thunder God kunai infused with Wind and Fire Chakra. A tilted his head slightly, effortlessly dodging it. But in the next instant, Shichi vanished from A''s sight, reappearing behind him with the Totsuka de shing down. A was startled. At the same moment, Killer B made his move, silently extending an octopus tail toward Shichi, only for it to be bound by a Chain erupting from the ground. It was Asuka. Next to her, Uchiha Shisui had already activated his Sharingan and cast a Genjutsu on Killer B. "B!" Inside Killer B''s mind, Gyki smacked him on the head, waking him up from the illusion. Shisui was inwardly shocked. "As expected of a perfect Jinchrikithe reaction speed is incredible. I couldn''t control both him and the Eight-Tails at once." "And the Eight-Tails'' power is way too strong." Previously, Shisui had barely managed to control the One-Tail and its host. But with Killer B and the Eight-Tails, he found it impossible to dominate both simultaneously. However, even the brief distraction caused by Asuka and Shisui was enough to rob A of his support. Boom! A''s massive body was sent flying, but he quickly rebounded, shing back to the Kumogakure side in a few blinks. Still, unseen by the Konoha shinobi, a charred sh mark now marred A''s back. The Kumogakure ninja behind him widened their eyes in shock. "He... he injured A in a single strike!" "That''s abination of Wind and Fire Style... This guy is using both Wind and Lightning Style simultaneously!" "No wonder Raikage-sama issued the order to retreat at the sight of him!" ... A Kumogakure ninja shouted, "A, should we retreat?" A responded in a deep voice, "No need. This small injury is nothing." "I''ve figured out his tricks!" He then asked Killer B, "B, are you alright?" Killer B''s eyes locked onto Asuka, and he nodded. "Sealing techniques and Sharingan, fool! Idiot! They''re specifically designed to deal with me!" "But that''s nothing for the great Killer B, Jinchriki of the Eight-Tails, fool! You Idiot!" As he spoke, his octopus tail gave a powerful tug, snapping the Adamantine Sealing Chains. Asuka was startled. "This guy... No wonder he''s a perfect Jinchriki. The power of the Eight-Tails is far greater than the Four-Tails and the One-Tail." Uchiha Shisui added, "They''re also highly skilled in countering the Sharingan. Truly troublesome opponents!" Confirming that Killer B was unharmed, Amanded, "B, be careful of those two. I''ll take care of Shichi!" His eyes scanned the Flying Thunder God kunai scattered around. "He can teleport to wherever these kunai are?" "Then, as long as I keep an eye on these ces, avoid his kunai and the de in his hand, I should be fine." "Let''s see whose attacks are faster and more precise!" With that thought, A let out a light shout and charged toward Shichi again. Shichi remained still, waiting until A was right in front of him before tossing the Flying Thunder God kunai from his left hand. In a sh, Shichi disappeared, reappearing atop a tree, then flickered again. But A had anticipated this, turning quickly, raising his left arm to block Shichi''s Totsuka de with his bracer, while swinging his right fist at Shichi in a brutal counterattack. It was a clear move of mutual destruction, or even a sacrifice of his hand to take down his opponent. At the same time, Killer B attacked again, all eight of his octopus tailsshing out. Asuka''s Adamantine Sealing Chains managed to bind seven of them, but one tail still shot straight toward Shichi. With his Genjutsu ineffective, Uchiha Shisui activated his curse seal and unleashed a massive Fireball Jutsu at A. Whoosh! Shichi vanished, causing Killer B''s attack to miss. The moment Shichi disappeared, A spun around, swinging his right arm with full force. With a loud boom, his strike collided with Shisui''s Fireball Jutsu, shattering it and sending mes scattering in all directions. A immediately shifted his focus and charged toward Shichi, who had reappeared atop another tree. This time, Shichi switched to his Fire Style Chakra Mode, as he had no advantage against A in terms of Lightning Style. Blue me Waterfall de! Shichi swung his sword down, unleashing a massive energy sh. This attack caught A off guard. He quickly raised both arms to block. Boom! The shockwave surged, and A was forced to his knees as the force of the sh drove his legs into the ground. However, his Lightning Chakra Armor and bracers managed to withstand the attack. Before Killer B''s octopus tails could reach him, Shichi vanished again, reappearing to the side. A dragon''s head appeared on his shoulder, firing twin beams of energy. me Dragon''s Breath! Crash! Killer B snapped two of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, using one tail to shield A and another to strike at Shichi. At the same time, three Shisuis appeared around Killer Bone on each side and one behind, each poised to stab with a short de. But suddenly, all three paused. Because Killer B had positioned three of his own des in front of themone in each hand and the third held by an octopus tail, hovering just behind one of Shisui''s clones. "Go ahead, stab me!" Killer B said coldly. "This is war. I''m prepared for anything!" Uchiha Shisui couldn''t help but admire him. "As expected of Killer B!" In the next instant, Shisui''s clones vanished, and he flickered back to Asuka''s side. Shichi also dodged Killer B''s tail and returned to Konoha''s ranks. On the other side, the octopus tail that Killer B had used to shield A had been severed by Shichi''s me Dragon Breath. But it was this very act that allowed A to avoid being hit by the me Dragon''s Breath. In this second sh, the AB Combo once again fell into a disadvantage. Shichi''s squadvictory! ... "These three are really troublesome, fool! you Idiot!" Killer B eximed, sweat forming on his forehead. His sense of pain was linked with the Eight-Tails, so having a tail severed felt almost as painful as losing a leg. A retreated and asked, "B, how are you holding up?" Killer B, still full of fighting spirit, replied, "Big bro, I''m totally fine." "But it looks like we''ll have to go all out against these three!" Just then, a voice called out from the Kumogakure side. A Cloud ninja shouted, "A, B, Raikage-sama has ordered us to retreat!" A was reluctant but shouted back, "Got it!" He red at Shichi Hoshita. "If you ever dare to target the Eight-Tails, I won''t let you off!" Shichi''s gaze sharpened. "Anyone who dares to target Konoha, I won''t let off either." "So, you''d better retreat. Otherwise, I won''t mind killing a few more people." "To be honest, as a medical ninja, I''m actually in need of more bodies for research." "After all, it''s highly hical to kill people just for research purposes." "But taking down invaders? Now that''s just making good use of waste." These words made A''s fury explode. "This bastard... damn it!" Killer B snorted, "You''re really shameless, fool! Idiot!" Shichi chuckled lightly. "I''m just thinking of the advancement of medical technology for the entire ninja world." "Of course, as the donors of those corpses, Kumogakure will deserve some credit as well!" A, now thoroughly enraged, shouted, "You evil brat, I''m taking you down right now!" "B!" With thatmand, A charged again. As A rushed toward him, Shichi''s Fire Nether Chains activated, bursting from the ground and grabbing hold of A as he sped forward. At the same time, with a swift movement and the rattling sound of chains, Shichi''s Totsuka de shed toward A. Uchiha Shisui and Asuka also moved into action. Shisuiunched a Genjutsu followed by a powerful Fireball Jutsu, while Asuka used her Adamantine Sealing Chains. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Killer B''s tails, coated in Tailed Beast Chakra, shot out in response. Explosions erupted, and chains snapped. A was sent flying backward, wrapped in one of Killer B''s tails,nding in arge crater where he had stood moments before. Shichi''s attack missed its mark, and he immediately retreated. "Not bad for the future Fourth Raikage..." Shichi thought to himself. Despite his Fire Nether Chains, A had managed to break free in that brief moment. Still, that short amount of time had been enough. Unfortunately, even with Asuka and Uchiha Shisui teaming up, they hadn''t been able topletely hold back Killer B, who had pulled A out of danger at thest moment. Shichi had been targeting A first because his speed was too overwhelming. Even with Shisui''s three-tomoe Sharingan, he couldn''t keep up. Asuka alsocked the battle experience needed to control A, making it impossible for them to deal with Killer B while A was still in the fight. "Big bro, these three are too tough to handle. Let''s retreat for now!" Killer B suggested. A, having narrowly escaped defeat again, nodded in agreement and led the Kumogakure forces in retreat. As they withdrew, the Konoha ninjas erupted in smiles. "As expected of the Blue sh! Hepletely suppressed the AB Combo." "What an incredible battle!" "Kumogakure won''t be acting so arrogant now!" "Exactly! We''re definitely winning this war!" "Speaking of which, once Minato-sensei arrives, the Yellow sh and the Blue sh together should be enough to deal with the AB Combo, right?" The Konoha ninjas chatted among themselves, their morale soaring. Shichi turned to Mimura Yamakaze. "Senpai, we can advance our front lines now." Mimura Yamakaze nodded and remarked, "The Third Hokage was right to send you here!" Just Shichi''s small three-man squad was enough to stand in for a hundred Konoha ninjas. ... In Sunagakure, inside the Kazekage''s office. Shichi''s shadow clone once again met with the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, getting straight to the point. "The Cloud ninjas have already invaded the Land of Earth, and... the Third Raikage himself is leading the attack." "Kazekage-sama, this is the best opportunity for Sunagakure!" With that, Shichi''s shadow clone dispersed in a puff of smoke. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 35+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 164: Danzō Makes Trouble, Hiruzen Takes the Blame!

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Danz Makes Trouble, Hiruzen Takes the me!

At the end of August in the 45th year of Konoha, the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure personally led his troops north, once again invading the Land of Birds. Almost at the same time that the Sand shinobi invaded the Land of Birds, Namikaze Minato arrived at the Land of Grass from the Land of Fire. By then, Iwa-nin had already retreated from the Land of Grass and set up defenses at the ruined Kannabi Bridge. They used the natural barrier of the massive gorge around the bridge to defend, blocking the Konoha-Sand-Grass alliance from advancing further. It had to be said that the Iwa-nin, led by their elitemander Higashi Shibito, were formidable, making it difficult for even Orochimaru and Chiyo to break through their defenses. In arge tent, Konoha''s Orochimaru, Sunagakure''s Chiyo and Ebiz, and the Grass shinobi leader Muway held a three-way meeting. The recently arrived Namikaze Minato was also present. Chiyo suggested, "Since the Iwa-nin''s defense, aided by the natural terrain, is hard to break through, why not change our approach and attack from the direction of the Land of Rain?" Orochimaru nodded slightly, "The Land of Rain is indeed an option. The battlefield has already extended into the Land of Rain." "However, we must also keep the Iwa-nin forces tied down here, or the situation will not change." The Grass shinobi, Muway, quickly added, "Iwa-nin''s strength hasn''t been greatly diminished yet. With the power of our vige alone, we can''t hold them off." Facing Iwa-nin alone would be a disaster for them, as Iwa-nin had a deep hatred for them after being dragged into this war. Orochimaru and Chiyo both understood this. Orochimaru said, "Konoha''s main forces will continue to hold the Iwa-nin here in the Land of Grass, while splitting off a part of our forces to nk them from the Land of Rain." "As for Sunagakure, I believe you can move directly through the Land of Rain into the Land of Earth, to attack the Iwa-nin in the direction of the Land of Birds, putting pressure on them." Chiyo nodded. That was her n as well. What she feared most was Konoha interfering in the Land of Birds. Hearing Orochimaru''s words put her at ease, and she said, "Then it''s settled. We''ll leave the Iwa-nin here to Konoha and the Grass shinobi!" "With the Raikage putting immense pressure on Iwa-nin, we might be able to force the Tsuchikage to surrender." Orochimaru chuckled, "Given the Third Tsuchikage''s personality, that will be difficult." "Unless the Third Raikage forces him tomit the majority of his forces." Ebiz added, "noki has a stubborn and hard-headed temper. He might use peace talks to stall for time." Chiyo snorted, "Then we''ll make sure he has no choice but to surrender!" Orochimaru agreed, "It''s best if Sunagakure captures the Land of Birds before Iwa-nin can deal with the Raikage''s invasion." Chiyo nodded seriously, "We will." With all three sides in agreement, the meeting ended. After seeing Chiyo and the others off, Orochimaru and Namikaze Minato returned to their tent. Minato asked directly, "What''s our next move?" Orochimaru responded, "We''ll break through the Iwa-nin defenses." "Force them into peace talks, even if just to buy time." "Iwa-nin needs time, and we also need to redirect some of our forces to the Cloud-nin battlefield." "Although Shichi-kun is there, he can only hold off the AB Combo. If we want topletely expel the Cloud-nin from the Land of Fire, or even drive them out of the smaller nations like the Land of Rice Fields, that small force won''t be enough." Minato nodded, understanding Orochimaru''s strategy. "Then let''sunch the attack tomorrow!" "Once we get close enough, just throw the kunai, and leave the rest to me!" Orochimaruughed, "Then we''ll leave it to you, Minato." Minato smiled in return and said, "Also, thank you for taking care of Shichi before." "I didn''t take care of him." Orochimaru was blunt, "Shichi-kun''s strength might already surpass yours as his teacher." "But he now has two Tailed Beasts. Minato, you''d better be prepared." These words carried a heavy meaning. Minato understood and nodded solemnly. "I''ll be careful." "With me, Jiraiya-sensei, Tsunade-senpai, and you, we should be fine." Orochimaru smiled yfully, "Minato, don''t forget, I''m still part of Root." Minato replied, "But you''re also the Third Hokage''s disciple, and one of the Legendary Sannin." "You and Shichi arerades who work well together." After saying that, Minato bowed slightly, "I''ll go prepare now." As Minato''s figure disappeared into the distance, Orochimaru chuckled to himself, "Unknowingly, Shichi-kun has already woven a vast web within Konoha!" "At this rate, it seems there''s no one better suited to be the Fifth Hokage than him." He then turned his gaze towards Konoha, as if his eyes could prate the tent and see all the way to the Hokage Tower. "Has the old man already made up his mind?" ... The night passed swiftly. The next day, at Kannabi Bridge, across the copsed structure, the Konoha-Grass shinobi alliance faced off against the Iwa-nin. Konoha had gathered not only Orochimaru and Namikaze Minato, but also powerful Jnin like Uchiha Fugaku and Hyga Hiashi, who had rushed over from the Mist-nin battlefield alongside Minato. Their goal was topletely crush the current Iwa-nin forces, forcing them into peace talks, so they could redirect more resources to the Cloud-nin threat. "Earth Style!" Orochimaru shouted the order. Immediately, Konoha and Grass shinobi who could use Earth Style jumped into the gorge, quickly forming hand seals. "Earth Style: Multiple Earth Flow Walls!" Rumble! Severalrge earth walls rose up from the ground, continuously growing in height. At the same time, the Iwa-nin on the other side threw a barrage of weapons at the Konoha and Grass shinobi below,unching a high-ground assault. Konoha and Grass shinobi on their side also retaliated, either standing on the gorge''s edge or jumping into the gorge to intercept and block the Iwa-nin''s attacks. The Earth Flow Walls served as a springboard for their movements. Soon, the strategy began to show results. Minato shouted, "Everyone, just throw the kunai and sh bombs as far into the Iwa-nin ranks as you can! Leave the rest to me!" Orochimaru quickly ordered, "Do as Minato says." "Move out!" Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Konoha shinobi, using the Body Flicker Technique, advanced across the Earth Flow Walls. Led by Uchiha Fugaku, Hyga Hiashi, and other Jnin, along with Orochimaru himself providing cover, they approached the Iwa-nin. Once close enough, they threw kunai marked with the Flying Thunder God seal, along with sh bombs, deep into the Iwa-nin ranks. As the sh bombs exploded with blinding light, Namikaze Minato''s figure instantly vanished. "Ah!" "Scatter!" "It''s Konoha''s Yellow sh!" ... At that moment, Namikaze Minato flickered continuously among the Iwa-nin, and with each appearance, a scream would ring out as another Iwa-nin fell. Finally, the Konoha shinobi understood how Minato had earned the title "Yellow sh"! In just a few moments, Minato single-handedly broke through the Iwa-nin defense line, allowing arge number of Konoha and Grass shinobi to charge across to the other side. The already undermanned Iwa-nin forces quickly crumbled. Despite his reluctance, themander, Higashi Shibito, had no choice but to order a retreat. However, Orochimaru didn''t order a relentless pursuit. Instead, he seized the defensive position that the Iwa-nin had built, turning it into his own stronghold. The Grass shinobi also swiftly brought up the people and supplies they had prepared in advance and began the reconstruction of Kannabi Bridge. Orochimaru nned to station a small force here, along with the Grass shinobi, to hold the line, preventing an Iwa-nin counterattack while using it as a logistics route. This position would also serve as the fallback point for Konoha shinobi engaged in battle against Iwa-nin in the Land of Earth. This strategy would shorten their frontlines and save manpower. Along with support from Root in the Land of Rain, it could free up one to two thousand troops to reinforce the Cloud-nin battlefield. While Konoha and the Grass shinobi were expanding their gains, the Sand-nin were also making rapid progress. In terms of overall strength, the Sand-nin were already superior to the Iwa-nin, and with a numerical advantage, the Iwa-nin were steadily pushed back. Of course, this was partly because the Iwa-nin weren''t putting up fierce resistance. When noki issued his orders, he had little confidence in holding onto the Land of Birds. In the blink of an eye, September arrived. The Sand-ninpletely expelled the Iwa-nin from the Land of Birds, pushing into the Land of Earth and even linking up their battlefield with Konoha''s. However, despite the favorable situation, both Konoha and the Sand-nin simultaneously paused their advance to press for peace talks. --- Iwagakure, Tsuchikage''s Office. noki''s face was grim as he looked at the two peace proposals his son, Kitsuchi, had brought back. These weren''t peace proposals; they were outright threats! "Those bastards... damn it!" noki gritted his teeth. Konoha and the Suna were taking advantage of their situation. Kitsuchi, full of frustration, said, "Father, under the current circumstances, we might have no choice but to agree to a temporary peace." "We need to concentrate our forces on dealing with the Cloud first, or things will get even worse." The Third Raikage had personally led an army into the Land of Earth, creating a huge problem. It had already shaken the Land of Earth''s daimyo''s support for Iwagakure. noki snorted coldly, "Then you will represent me in the peace talks!" "Make Konoha withdraw back to the Land of Fire, and the Suna leave the Land of Birds!" Kitsuchi was taken aback but quickly understood. It was just a stalling tactic to buy time during the negotiations. "I understand!" Kitsuchi nodded and left. noki then turned his gaze to the map, where several red lines marked the movements of the Third Raikage. They crisscrossed in every direction, as if the Raikage was treating the Land of Earth like his personal yground. This had caused severe damage to the Land of Earth, which was also the reason for the daimyo''s growing dissatisfaction. "If they don''t want to leave, then they''ll stay here forever!" noki''s eyes gleamed with malice. He was determined to set a trap, ensuring the Cloud ninjas couldn''t escape. --- While the Iwa-nin battlefield was seeing continuous victories, on the Cloud-nin front, Shichi was relentlessly engaging the AB Combo alongside Shisui and Asuka. However, after their first encounter, the AB Combo had gained a new ally: Dodai, the Lava Release user. Now it was a three-on-three fight! Dodai''s experience, the unique properties of Lava Release, and his quick casting speed made Shichi and Shisui both take notice and feel the pressure. With the addition of Dodai, the advantage they once had quickly vanished. Nevertheless, by keeping the AB Combo upied, Konoha''s frontline stabilizedpletely. With reinforcements continuously arriving, Konoha''s strength only grew stronger. Meanwhile, Shichi kept seeking out the AB Combo for daily confrontationsnot just to keep them tied down but also to sharpen his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique. Facing such powerful opponents greatly elerated his progress with the technique, far more than fighting weaker opponents ever could. As time passed, mid-September arrived. Konoha organized its first counteroffensive, forcing the Cloud-nin to retreat again. At the same time... As the negotiations between Konoha, the Suna, and the Iwa entered a new stage, Namikaze Minato returned to Konoha for a brief rest, bringing Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin with him. They weren''t the only onesmany Konoha shinobi who had originally fought against the Sand-nin and Mist-nin, over a thousand in total, returned to Konoha for recovery and to prepare for reinforcements on the Cloud-nin battlefield. ... Inside the Hokage Building''s conference room. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane were all present. Danzo''s expression was grim as he spoke firmly, "Even if we proceed with peace talks with the Iwa, we absolutely cannot give up the benefits we''ve already gained. Otherwise, the deaths of the shinobi who fought for the vige will be meaningless." "We are now in a position of absolute superiority. There is no need for us to make any concessions to the Iwa." "As for the Four-Tails, I absolutely refuse to return it to the Iwa!" Koharu Utatane added, "Hiruzen, maybe we should reconsider. Previously, we agreed to return the One-Tail to the Suna to gain their support, but this time, there''s no reason for us topromise with the Iwa." Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could respond, Danzo interrupted, "In my opinion, we shouldn''t have returned the One-Tail to the Suna either." "Shichi may have imed that he can safely extract the Tailed Beasts in three years without dying, but what if something goes wrong?" "Hiruzen, do we really want to risk losing such an exceptional talent?" At this moment, Danzo seemed to havepletely forgotten that he once called Shichi a ''naturally evil brat'' in front of Hiruzen. "And if Shichi seeds, then there''s even less reason to return the Tailed Beasts." Danzo''s words came with passionate conviction as he continued, "With the One-Tail and the Four-Tails in our hands, we could experiment and create perfect jinchriki." "If we seed, the vige will gain two powerful forces. Even if we face a simr crisis in the future, we wouldn''t be so vulnerable." As a staunch follower of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, Danzo had always supported Tobirama''s belief that the Tailed Beasts should never have been distributed to other viges. In Danzo''s mind, such powerful assets should be securely controlled by Konoha alone. If Konoha had all nine Tailed Beasts, so what if they were surrounded by the other four Great Shinobi Viges? Hearing Danzo''s words, both Homura and Koharu were deeply tempted. Even a jinchriki like Roshi, with his imperfect control over the Four-Tails, was still a formidable force. Though Konoha possessed the strongest of the Tailed Beasts, the Nine-Tails, its immense power made it difficult to control, rendering much of its strength unusable. By contrast, the One-Tail and the Four-Tails were far more manageable. Sensing his two old friends'' wavering hearts, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly. He didn''t mention that it was Shichi who had initially proposed returning the One-Tail, instead silently shouldering the responsibility himself. But his voice was firm, "Holding onto too many Tailed Beasts will only invite attacks from other viges. Even if we control the One-Tail and the Four-Tails, we cannot withstand abined assault from the other four Great Shinobi Viges." "Even Takigakure would feel threatened and might join them." "Even if we could fend off such an attack, how many of our shinobi would we have to sacrifice?" "How many children would we have to send to the battlefield?" "A war like that would be utterly meaningless." Danzo nced at Hiruzen. He knew that once a decision had been made, his old friend would not change his mind. Still, he pressed on, "Shichi is also favored by the daimyo. If we lose him because of this decision..." Hiruzen interrupted with a deep, resolute voice, "I, as the Hokage, will take full responsibility for all consequences." "Moreover, once we repel the Cloud, I will step down from my position as Hokage!" Danzo''s heart leapt with joy at these words, though his face betrayed no sign of it. Homura and Koharu, however, were shocked. Koharu quickly said, "Hiruzen, you don''t need to go that far!" Hiruzen sighed, "We''re all getting older. It''s time for the younger generation to take over." Hearing this, both Homura and Koharu fell silent. Yes, they were indeed getting old. This war had made it all too clear, and it was indeed time for them to step down. Homura spoke, "Since you''ve already made your decision, let''s leave it at that." "But as for the next Hokage, we''ll need to carefully consider the candidate." Hiruzen nodded, "Don''t worry, I''ve already given it some thought." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 35+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 165: The Battle for the Eight-Tails!

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: The Battle for the Eight-Tails!

After Danzo and his group left, Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Hokage office. After a moment of contemtion, he spoke, "Shinnosuke, summon Minato for me." "Understood!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s voice came from outside the door. A momentter, Minato Namikaze knocked and entered, "Lord Third Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly and said, "Iwagakure is already gathering heavy forces, and it''s only a matter of time before Kumogakure retreats, so I will expedite the peace talks." Minato nodded in understanding. Sarutobi continued, "Because of this, I n to use the Four-Tails as a bargaining chip for the negotiations with the Iwa-nin." This was within Minato''s expectations, but he still asked, "Will it be handed over as soon as the peace is agreed upon?" Hiruzen Sarutobi replied, "That depends on the oue of the negotiations." "However, to end the war quickly, some concessions are inevitable. Since we already have the One-Tail, releasing the Four-Tails shouldn''t have any negative impact on Shuichi." "When you reach the Kumogakure battlefield, you''ll need to exin this to Shuichi and hope he understands the vige''s predicament." Minato nodded. "I understand." Hiruzen then added, "There''s something else you need to prepare for, Minato." "Once the war is over, I will step down as Hokage. At that time, I will nominate you to the Daimy to be the Fourth Hokage." Minato was taken aback, "Lord Third Hokage, you''re still in your prime. There''s no need to step down so soon!" Hiruzen Sarutobi, at 54, was indeed not considered particrly old. The Third Tsuchikage and Third Mizukage were both older than him. Hiruzen smiled slightly, "You performed excellently in this war and have grown enough." "Moreover, when the vige fails to gain benefits, the Hokage must take responsibility." "Besides, while I''m still not too old to act, I can guide you in your early days as Hokage, ensuring a smooth transition." "This matter is settled. Be prepared, Minato!" Minato solemnly nodded, "Yes, I understand!" ... After leaving the Hokage building, Minato walked slowly. After the brief excitement subsided, he calmed down and thought deeply, "It seems Danzo put pressure on the Third Hokage. Is he using the return of the tailed beasts as an excuse?" "Come to think of it, it was Shuichi who first proposed returning the tailed beasts to Sunagakure..." Minato frowned slightly, "If Shuichi can''t solve the problem within three years, we''ll have to find another way." "I must make preparations in advance." "The Tailed Beast experiments..." ... Three days passed in a sh. After enjoying a brief time of peace at home with Kushina Uzumaki, Minato once again set out on his journey. This time, he didn''t bring Kakashi and his team, but instead led a portion of the reinforcements northward. As for Kakashi''s team, they continued under Kakashi''s leadership, heading south to fight against the Mist-nin. On the Kumogakure battlefield. "Minato-sensei!" Seeing Minato, Shuichi''s face lit up with joy. "Shuichi, you''ve grown a little taller." Minato smiled as he approached Shuichi and then asked, "How''s the battle going?" Shuichi responded, "We''re slightly ahead, but due to ack of manpower, we can''t push further." Minato saw through the situation, "Shuichi, you haven''t shown your full strength yet, have you?" "If your main body is holding off the A-Bbo, there shouldn''t be anyone capable of stopping your clones, right?" Shuichi smiled, "Sensei, you''re underestimating the A-Bbo. Plus, they''ve added a Lava Release user, who can transform chakra into rubber. His defense is formidable, whether against Lightning, Fire, or Wind styles." Minato remained unfazed and asked, "Shuichi, are you nning to capture the Eight-Tails?" Shuichi''s expression grew serious, "It''s nearly impossible, but I still have to try." "Even if we have to return it in the end." Minato nodded, speaking with determination, "Leave thatpetitive son of the Third Raikage to me!" Shuichi grinned, "That was exactly my intention!" ... An Hour Later As Shuichi appeared on the front lines, the A-B Combo and Dodai quickly showed up as well. Everyone had gotten used to these encounters over time. However, today was clearly different. Namikaze Minato immediately waved his hand, scattering numerous Flying Thunder God kunai across the battlefield. The Cloud-nin were all too familiar with this fighting style. Dodai''s eyes narrowed instantly, "That hair color... could it be..." Not only him, but the other Cloud-nin also noticed it. "That teleportation technique... Could it be Konoha''s Yellow sh?" "Dodai, we''re in trouble now." "Should we retreat?" Dodai looked serious as he addressed A, "A, we should pull back for now. The person next to Shuichi must be his teacher, Namikaze Minato, the Yellow sh who also uses that teleportation technique." A''s gazended on Namikaze Minato. "The same teleportation technique... This is the guy who single-handedlypleted the mission to reim the Nine-Tails back then." "Now I definitely have to face him, and it''s best to settle things once and for all." Killer B chimed in, "Don''t worry, with Big Bro and me here, there won''t be any issues! Fool! You fool!" Even if they couldn''t win, they wouldn''t let their morale drop. The A-B Combo had never run from a fight since their debut. Besides, they had be fully ustomed to this teleportation technique over time. A thenmanded, "Dodai, take some people and stall that Uchiha and the troublesome woman." Dodai nodded reluctantly. "Now... Charge!" Electricity crackled around A''s body as he rushed straight toward Namikaze Minato. As he moved, Shuichi activated his Fire Release Chakra Mode. His body soared into the air, purple lotus flowers blooming around him as he cut through the sky, aiming directly at the Eight-Tails, Killer B. At the same time, Uchiha Shisui and Asuka also rushed forward. Dodai immediately led two Cloud-nin to intercept them. Meanwhile, other Konoha and Cloud ninjas engaged in battle, all subconsciously steering clear of the center of the battlefield. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! A series of chakra-covered tailsshed out toward Shuichi like spears, attempting to pierce him. Shuichi, with his full strength unleashed, danced through the air like a blue-violet butterfly, deftly avoiding the tails. Then, he activated his technique, Fire Nether Chains. ng, ng! Chains shot out, coiling around the iling tails, binding them tightly. The Tailed Beast Chakra on the tails began to crumble and dissipate bit by bit. At this moment, Killer B had already entered a partial Tailed Beast form. He opened his mouth and fired a Tailed Beast Bomb straight at the airborne Shuichi. Shuichi raised his left hand, and a sealing form spread outward from his palm. As the Tailed Beast Bomb reached him, space around it warped, and the bomb vanished without a trace. "B, this guy is hiding more power! As I suspected, both the One-Tail and Four-Tails are inside him. He''s even more dangerous than before!" Gyki, the Eight-Tails, bellowed in warning. This was a move that Shuichi had never revealed before. "I get it!" "But I won''t let him seed. Those chains won''t be enough to bind me, ya fool!" Killer B roared, pulling with all his might, yanking Shuichi toward him, determined to crush him. Just as Shuichi transferred the Tailed Beast Bomb, he created two shadow clones. One shadow clone used the Fire Nether Chains to bind Gyki''s tails, while the other clone shot toward Killer B. Just as Killer B was about to strike the clone with his massive, Tailed Beast-enhanced hand, the Fire Nether Chains activated again, binding his limbs and head. "Damn it!" Killer B found himself unable to move. "Leave it to me!" Gyki immediately took control, opening his mouth as another Tailed Beast Bomb quickly formed, aimed directly at Shuichi. At the same time, his immense strength surged, causing the chains binding him to rattle as if they might break at any moment. "As expected of the Eight-Tails." Shuichi''s true body appeared next to his shadow clones. Raising his hand, he once again transferred the Tailed Beast Bomb. In an instant, he appeared on top of Gyki''s head. Spirit Transformation Jutsu! Demonic Realm C Pce of Memories! Both the struggling Eight-Tails and Killer B were instantly drawn into an illusion. This genjutsu was another ability Shuichi had kept hidden all this time. Unlike Iwa-nin, the Cloud-nin had not received any intelligence from Sunagakure about Shuichi. They believed he relied on sealing chains to capture Tailed Beasts. But in reality, the key to Shuichi''s sess in capturing the One-Tail and Four-Tails was his genjutsu. With both Gyki and Killer B under his control, Shuichi''s two shadow clones immediately began extracting the Eight-Tails'' chakra. However, the Eight-Tails'' chakra was much stronger than that of the Four-Tails, making the extraction process far more difficult. On the other side of the battlefield, A and Dodai were shocked to see Killer B being controlled. They immediately tried to abandon their current fights and rush to help. "A, your opponent is me!" Namikaze Minato''s figure appeared in front of A, thrusting a Rasengan toward him. A crossed his arms to block it. Boom! A was sent flying, but after rolling on the ground a few times, he quickly got back up and charged toward Killer B again. Swish! Namikaze Minato once again appeared in front of him, blocking his path. "Damn it..." A furiously charged again. ... On the Other Side Meanwhile, Dodai was also anxious but managed to stayposed, using his Lava Release to hold his ground against Uchiha Shisui. In contrast, another Cloud-nin had already been defeated by Asuka, who immediately made her way to the top of the Eight-Tails and used the Adamantine Sealing Chains to bind it, allowing Shuichi''s shadow clones to fully focus on extracting the Eight-Tails'' chakra. Time passed bit by bit. The chakra of the Eight-Tails was being drawn out little by little, while A remained unable to break through Namikaze Minato''s blockade, and Dodai couldn''t ovee Uchiha Shisui either. Unfortunately, less than 15 minutester, Cloud-nin reinforcements arrived. Atop the Eight-Tails, Shuichi opened his eyes and said to Asuka, "Retreat!" Asuka nodded and immediately withdrew the Adamantine Sealing Chains before pulling back. Shuichi then created clones to intercept the iing Cloud-nin while leaping down from the Eight-Tails, joining his shadow clones in the struggle for control. Momentster, the Eight-Tails and Killer B finally broke free from Shuichi''s spirit clone''s illusion, regaining control of their bodies. At that point, Shuichi had only managed to extract one-fifth of the Eight-Tails'' chakra. "I''m not that easy to deal with, you fool, idiot!" Killer B struggled fiercely, but even so, Shuichi continued to pull the Eight-Tails'' chakra out bit by bit. The Eight-Tails, however, was still bound by the Fire Nether Chains, making it difficult to unleash its full power. "B, I''ll use that move. Be ready to break free from his seal!" The Eight-Tails bellowed. Killer B nodded instantly, "Got it!" In the next moment, the chakra that Shuichi had been extracting snapped, and what he pulled into his body was just an octopus tentacle instead. Substitution with a Severed Tail! Roar! The Eight-Tails let out a thunderous roar, shattering the chains. Shuichi immediately vanished, reappearing beside Asuka. Almost simultaneously, Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Shisui also withdrew. The other Konoha and Cloud-nin halted their engagements as well, each side retreating to face off from a distance. A shed over to Killer B''s side, "B, are you alright?" Having reverted from his Tailed Beast state, Killer B was panting heavily, "I''m fine, big bro." "That guy tried to take Eight-O, but he didn''t seed, you fool, idiot!" Dodai, with a grave expression, remarked, "I didn''t expect his genjutsu to be even stronger than that Uchiha''s." Because of his previous experience dealing with the Uchiha, he had managed to avoid falling under Uchiha Shisui''s genjutsu. However, he couldn''t break Shisui''s teleportation technique either. "No wonder he managed to capture both the One-Tail and the Four-Tails. That kind ofbination is just too strong." Dodai sighed in frustration before calling out, "A, we should retreat!" This time, A nodded without hesitation. Although he waspetitive and eager for revenge, he knew continuing would risk Killer B losing the Eight-Tails. "Retreat!" A led the Cloud-nin in retreat, and Shuichi''s team didn''t pursue. Namikaze Minato, looking a bit tired, approached Shuichi and asked, "Shuichi, how did it go?" Shuichi shook his head, "To fully extract the Eight-Tails, I would need at least one or two hours of uninterrupted time." His Spirit Transformation Jutsu was enough to trap Killer B and the Eight-Tails in an illusion, but extracting the Eight-Tails'' chakra required a lengthy process. He estimated that even an hour wouldn''t be enough, as the Eight-Tails'' chakra was far too immense. Namikaze Minato nodded, "It seems we won''t be able to capture it." "With the situation as it is, the Cloud-nin won''t allow the Eight-Tails'' jinchuriki to act alone anymore." Shuichi agreed but wasn''t disappointed. There would be future opportunities. This time, extracting one-fifth of the Eight-Tails'' chakra was still quite an achievement. Although it didn''t contain the Eight-Tails'' consciousness and would be consumed once used, it was enough for research purposes. Plus, the experimental base was still nurturing the horn of the Eight-Tails, and this chakra could be used to feed it. ... In the following days, Shuichi''s team was tasked with holding back the A-B Combo, while Namikaze Minato led the Konoha forces in a full-scale counteroffensive, achieving sessive victories. Without the A-B Combo, the Cloud-nin had no one who could stand up to Namikaze Minato. Additionally, reinforcements from Konoha kept arriving, gradually replenishing Konoha''s depleted forces. Time flew by, and it was now November of the 45th year of Konoha. In the Land of the Moon, Shuichi, who had just finished a major battle, was resting with his eyes closed when Namikaze Minato suddenly appeared. "Shuichi, the Third Raikage has died in the Land of Earth!" Shuichi opened his eyes, unsurprised. However, Uchiha Shisui beside him was shocked, and Asuka couldn''t help but exim, "The Third Raikage is dead?" Namikaze Minato nodded, "Iwagakure took advantage of the peace talks between us and Sunagakure to gather arge force. The exact details are still unclear, but the Third Raikage is indeed dead. This information came from Iwagakure, but we''ve also confirmed it with the Cloud-nin." Asuka said, "The Third Raikage''s son is already incredibly powerful, with chakra reserves rivaling that of a Tailed Beast. The Third Raikage must have been even stronger, so how could he have died in the Land of Earth? It''s unbelievable." "Could it be that the Third Tsuchikage made a move?" Namikaze Minato couldn''t answer that, as Konoha had yet to receive concrete intelligence. Uchiha Shisui then asked, "Minato-sensei, does this mean the Cloud-nin will retreat?" Namikaze Minato shook his head, "The Cloud-nin have long decided on a sessor, so there won''t be any internal conflict. They won''t retreat anytime soon." "But in retaliation, their next target will likely be Iwagakure." Shuichi inquired, "Since Iwagakure took down the Third Raikage, I assume the war in the Land of Grass won''t be ending anytime soon either?" Namikaze Minato nodded but reassured him, "Don''t worry. While it won''t end quickly, the oue won''t change." "It''s already incredibly difficult for Iwagakure to restore the situation to what it was before. But Shuichi, you should be prepared to lose the Four-Tails." Shuichi nodded, "Don''t worry, Minato-sensei, I understand." In fact, this suited him perfectly. (End of Chapter) ??? Checkout My New Marvel Fiction, Visit My Profile!! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 35+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 166: Coveted Eyes!

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Coveted Eyes! [Bonus Chapter]

The day after receiving news of the Third Raikage''s death, the Cloud Vige forces retreated once again. However, Konoha did not pursue them; instead, they also received orders to withdraw, pulling back from the Land of the Moon to within the borders of the Land of Fire. Along with the retreat order came a summon for Shichi Hoshita and Minato Namikaze to return to the vige. Shichi wasn''t surprised by this. With the AB duo withdrawing from the front lines, there was no need for him and his teacher, Minato, to stay at the Cloud battlefield. Their power was now surplus. On the way back to the vige, Minato suddenly revealed to Shichi, "Shichi, after the war ends, I might take over as the Fourth Hokage." Seeing that Shichi didn''t show any sign of surprise, Minato couldn''t help but remark, "It seems you predicted this a long time ago? You''re as sharp as ever!" Shichi smiled. "At this point, no one in Konoha is more suited for the position than you, sensei." Curious, Minato asked, "Why do you think that?" "Sure, Jiraiya-sensei and Lady Tsunade are out of the question, but what about Orochimaru? He seems quite capable too, right?" Shichi shook his head. "Orochimaru is too fixated on his research into ninjutsu. You must have sensed that his chakra has changed, haven''t you?" Minato nodded. "It''s true. He no longer feels... human." Shichi hit the nail on the head. "Someone who has lost their moralpass in pursuit of forbidden ninjutsu would be a terrifying Hokage. It would send the vige spiraling into chaos, toward an unknown future. "Besides, Orochimaru has Danzo behind him. The Third Hokage knows better than anyone how dangerous Danzo istoo aggressive and ruthless, both internally and externally." "If those two joined forces, who knows what horrors Konoha would face. And, Orochimaru isn''t someone who can be controlled easily. He might not even want to be Hokage." Minato pondered over this and then asked, "Shichi, what do you think should be done about Orochimaru?" After considering, Shichi replied, "Sensei, are you aware that Danzo and Orochimaru have been experimenting with the First Hokage''s cells?" Minato''s expression turned serious. "I''ve had some suspicions, but most of it I figured out from you." Shichi nodded. "We don''t know all the details yet, and Orochimaru ims the experiment failed. But there''s no doubtit must have involved human experimentation." "If they used Root as the base for their experiments, there wouldn''t be enough enemy shinobi for such tests. And after theirst failure, Orochimaru would definitely try something different." "Based on intel I''ve gathered in the Anbu, they''ve likely been targeting vigers nearby, including children." Minato''s face darkened. "If the experiment failed, then those people..." Shichi said nothing, but his silence was answer enough. "Human experimentation often ends that way. That''s why I''ve never used the power of tailed beasts or the First Hokage''s cells lightly." "Still, there''s no denying that Orochimaru has made incredible advancements in his research on the First Hokage''s cells. The failure may have been bad luck." "The issue isn''t the research itself but the methods and theck of oversight." Hearing this, Minato understood Shichi''s stance. Shichi then changed the subject. "Sensei, are you familiar with the Gekk n?" Minato was quick to catch on. "You''re talking about Hayate Gekk, who awakened the Transperent Escape Kekkei Genkai but is now suffering from a hereditary bloodline illness, right?" Shichi nodded. "Exactly. Even recing his lungs can''t fully cure him, which means he''ll need constant transnts. But there aren''t enough lungs to go around." "However, the First Hokage''s cells might be the solution. While they won''t cure himpletely, they could allow him to live normally." "Controlling the First Hokage''s cells is extremely difficult, but Orochimaru''s research has made what seemed impossible a reality." When Hayate''s bloodline illness first arose, Shichi''s initial thought was body modification, an idea that stemmed from Orochimaru. His second thought was to use the First Hokage''s cells. Of course, it wasn''t a matter of simply transnting the cells into Hayate, as his body couldn''t handle them. Unless... he also received a pair of Sharingan. Instead of directly transnting the cells, Shichi nned to weaken them and blend them with Hayate''s cells, then use that mixture to cultivate and clone a pair of lungs tailored for Hayate. Orochimaru had made great strides in weakening the First Hokage''s cells, and his cloning technology was unmatched in the shinobi world. It wasn''t called "cloning" now, though. The term was "cell cultivation." Examples of this were the Eight-Tails horn and the Four-Tails'' tail currently being cultivated. Minato didn''t fully understand the science behind these experiments, so Shichi exined it in simple terms, including the First Hokage cell research he was conducting with Tsunade. Shichi wasn''t defending Orochimaru but trying to secure support from the future Fourth Hokage. Minato smiled. "Don''t worry, if the Third Hokage approves it, I won''t oppose it either." "If you can develop the kind of technology you''re talking aboutcloning organs, or even limbsthen many shinobi who have lost body parts can return to active duty." Shichi nodded. "Exactly. It could also cure many illnesses." Minato then asked, "Do you think that body modification you mentioned could really help Hayate?" Shichi replied cautiously, "It can only solve part of the problem, giving him an alternate way to breathe and enhancing his lung function." He had in mind using Orochimaru''s soft-body modification techniques, but it was still just a rough concept, not fully fleshed out yet. Still, Shichi had learned a lot from Orochimaru, and he was confident he could modify Hayate''s body. The two of them continued their discussion as they made their way back to Konoha. After meeting with Hiruzen Sarutobi outside the Hokage office, Minato smiled and said, "Shichi, I really hope all your idease to fruition." "It looks like I''ll need to work even harder now!" Feigning seriousness, Shichi replied, "Then, sensei, I''m counting on you to make it happen!" Minato chuckled, patting Shichi on the shoulder. "Don''t forget to visit Kushina. She''s been missing you." "And I''ve also brought the ninjutsu you asked for; it''s at my house." Shichi quickly said, "I''ll visit Kushina-san tomorrow." Minato nodded and vanished. Shichi also headed home, eager to return after being away for so long. It had been over half a year since he''dst been home! ... Inside Orochimaru''sboratory, he calmly tended to his experimental equipment while listening to Danzo''s words. "Hiruzen stepping down is inevitable. When the timees, I will propose you as the Fourth Hokage during my meeting with the Daimyo," Danzo said. "However, besides gaining the Daimyo''s approval, you''ll also need to win the Jnin vote." "Make sure to move around and build rtionships during this time, especially with Jiraiya and Tsunade." Orochimaru chuckled softly after hearing this. "I shouldn''t have any strongpetitors, should I?" "Minato is too young." Danzo cautioned, "Don''t get overconfident. Once you secure the Hokage position, your research into forbidden jutsu and your experiments will face no more obstacles." Orochimaru wasn''t a child; he knew that even as Hokage, he couldn''t do whatever he pleased. But Danzo was right about one thing: the vast collection of forbidden jutsu Konoha had in its possession. At the moment, he could only sneak peeks at them. If he became Hokage, there would be no restrictions. After finishing with his equipment, Orochimaru suddenly shifted the topic, smiling. "I''vee up with a new idea for suppressing the power of the First Hokage''s cells." Danzo immediately stopped his rambling, his eyes locking onto Orochimaru. "What idea?" "Does it involve more test subjects?" Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Not this time. It''s different." "You must be quite familiar with the Sharingan, right?" Danzo''s eyes narrowed. "The Sharingan?" "You mean the Uchiha n?" Orochimaru nodded. "The First Hokage possessed immense Yang Release power, and I believe that the only thing capable of suppressing the power of his cells might be a Kekkei Genkai like the Sharingan." "In fact, it was Shichi who reminded me of this, prompting me to focus on spiritual energy, which led me to notice the Uchiha n''s Sharingan." During the battle at the Iwa battlefield, many Uchiha who had been transferred from the Mist frontlines had fought. Orochimaru had observed several of them. He had even witnessed the evolution of the Uchiha''s Sharingan firsthand. The sinister chakra that came with it left a deep impression on him. Danzo frowned. "The Sharingan of the Uchiha n isn''t just about Yin Release." Though Danzo coveted the Uchiha''s eyes himselfhe even had one imnted in his own bodyhe found the idea ofbining the First Hokage''s cells with the Uchiha''s eyes somewhat far-fetched. He even suspected Orochimaru was simply interested in obtaining the Uchiha''s eyes for his own purposes through Danzo. But Orochimaru, confident as ever, replied, "You''re right. The Sharingan is more than just Yin Release, but it is primarily driven by Yin Releaseor, more precisely, by spiritual energy." "You haven''t forgotten Shichi''s theory, have you?" "Besides, the essence of chakra is spiritual energy controlling the physical body!" Danzo was persuaded, nodding in agreement. "I understand. I''ll prepare the materials you need." Orochimaru nodded, adding a reminder. "Make sure to collect samples from all stages of development." Danzo nodded once more, then turned to leave theboratory. But as he reached the door, he paused and turned back. "Put more effort into securing the Hokage position. Don''t take it lightly!" Orochimaru responded calmly, "Don''t worry, I understand." ... After a long, rxing bath, Shichi feltpletely refreshed, like he hade back to life. At that moment, Asuka was already busy in the kitchen. As he dried his hair, Shichi leaned against the doorframe, watching Asukawho was wearing a floral dress and an apronmoving about. He smiled and said, "It''s been such a long time since I had a meal cooked by you, Asuka. This time, I''m going to eat until I''m full." Asuka turned around with a bright smile, "Then I''ll make extra!" "Why don''t you go call Director Non back so we can all eat together?" Non Yakushi and Shizune had also returned from the frontlines, and Shichi could sense their chakra nearby. After chatting with Asuka for a bit, Shichi took a walk around Konoha Hospital. He arranged with Non and Shizune to have dinner together, then made his way to theboratory. Sure enough, Tsunade was there. However, when she looked up and saw Shichiwho had grown taller than herTsunade froze for a moment: When did this brat get so tall? Seeing Tsunade''s expression, Shichi couldn''t help but feel smug. "Lady Tsunade, what''s the matter? Don''t recognize me?" Tsunade snorted coldly and retorted sarcastically, "I thought you''d have died on the battlefield by now, always showing off like that!" Shichi stepped beside her and swung the ne around his neck. "I''ve got your blessing, Lady Tsunade. How could I die so easily on the battlefield?" Tsunade nced at the ne, her expression still cold. "I heard you''re supposed to return the tailed beast. That means you''re still bound to die." "Three yearsisn''t your confidence a little too high?" "Making promises you haven''t even fulfilled yet?" Shichi, brimming with confidence, replied, "It probably won''t even take three years!" "I''ve already mastered the Spirit Transformation Technique, and I''ve developed the Spiritual Clone Technique based on it." "On top of that, I''ve learned the Shiki Fjin sealing technique and created a new sealing jutsu, the Fire Nether Chains." "Now, all that''s left is refining the technique to seal souls, and I''ll be able to split the tailed beasts." Tsunade listened, frowning. Shichi continued, "And, worst-case scenario, even if I can''t perfect the sealing jutsu, I have a backup n." "Surely, you haven''t forgotten about the Eight-Tails'' horn we''re developing, right?" "By imnting the horn, it''ll be enough to keep me alive after the tailed beast is extracted." Of course, he wasn''t about to tell her that he nned to eat the Eight-Tails'' hornit sounded a bit too strange. Tsunade rxed slightly and snorted, "As long as you know what you''re doing." Shichi grinned and changed the subject, "How''s the research on the First Hokage''s cells going?" Tsunade smiled a little. "It''s going well. That guy Orochimaru has made significant progress." "I''ve managed to weaken my grandfather''s cells'' activity, but it''s still tricky for us to replicate the process." Shichi encouraged her, "Once you''ve taken this step, you''re not far from sess." Tsunade nodded. "The earlier experimental data has already been organized. You can pick it up yourself." "I''ve also preserved the cultivated samples. You know where to find them." Shichi nodded and left theb, but instead of going straight to the data on Hashirama''s cells, he headed to the Tailed Beast Cell Cultivation Chamber. This was where they were cultivating the Four-Tails'' tail and the Eight-Tails'' horn. With Orochimaru''s previous research as a foundation, the Eight-Tails'' horn had already grown to the height of a person. The Four-Tails'' tail, meanwhile, was as long as an arm. Shichi muttered to himself, "At this point, I don''t need to eat it all, do I?" Previously, when they hadn''t captured the Four-Tails, he had thought about eating an entire tail to boost the chakra capacity of his miniature Four-Tails. However, now that the parts had been cultivated, they wouldn''t go to waste. Parts of the tailed beasts'' bodies were incredibly useful for experiments. Like for cloning experimentsor more specifically, targeted cloning! With that thought, Shichi retrieved the Eight-Tails'' horn from the cultivation container and infused it with his Eight-Tails chakra. As expected, the horn quickly absorbed the chakra and began to grow rapidly. By the time about one-tenth of his chakra had been drained, the horn finally stopped growing, having reached itsplete form. "Hmm, maybe I''ll sneak inter tonight to eat it..." "Actually, why not just eat a bit now?" Shichi unsheathed the Totsuka de and sliced off a small piece from the tip of the Eight-Tails'' horn. After putting away his sword, he opened his mouth, stretched his jaw a bit, then closed his eyes and took a bite. Crunch! Huh? It wasn''t as bad as he''d expected. Not bad at all! (End of Chapter) ??? Patreon Just Started Giving Membership as ''Gift'', so yeah Giveaway it it! I''m not sure how I should proceed with this. Maybe select 3 Random people from the top 30 powerstones ranking? Of course when this story will be in top 5 in PS ranking!! I will be posting 2/3 chaps a day next week, make sure to give me all the stones!! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 35+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 167: Ten-Tails Jinchūriki? Not Even a Dog Would Want That!

Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Ten-Tails Jinchriki? Not Even a Dog Would Want That!

The horn of the Eight-Tails crunched crisply! In just a few quick bites, Shichi had chewed it up and swallowed it. Immediately, the Tag System reacted. Tag: [Devourer] Condition to Obtain: Consume the flesh of both the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails. Effect: Physical attributes enhanced by 100%, bodypatibility enhanced by 100%, digestion ability enhanced by 100%, recovery ability enhanced by 100%. You can even digest tailed beastswhat can''t you eat? Without hesitation, Shichi activated the tag. With his physical strength boosted, his chakra reserves increased as well. Soon after, warmth spread throughout his body, and Shichi could feel the horn of the Eight-Tails slowly being digested inside him. This was a different sensation from when he had consumed the flesh of the Four-Tails earlier. "What''s happening...?" A slight change crossed Shichi''s expression as he felt his body transforming. Or more precisely, it was the power of the Eight-Tails merging with his physical form. "So, this is what bodypatibility feels like?" Shichi spected to himself: "I ate the horn of the Eight-Tails, and instead of it simply turning into chakra like the flesh of the Four-Tails did, I''m actually digesting it." Momentster, he felt a surge of chakra from his body. It was the Eight-Tails'' chakra! However, this chakra didn''te from any seal on his abdomenit came directly from his own body. Carefully sensing it, Shichi quickly came to a conclusion: "It seems I''ve now inherited the gic traits of the Eight-Tails..." "So, Gold and Silver Brothers must have been in the same situation as I am now." "This is the power of bodypatibility, huh?" Shichi was pleased but quickly frowned. Not all of his chakra had transformed into the Eight-Tails'' chakra; instead, it seemed like he had gained a new nature transformation, simr to a Kekkei Genkai, but this power clearly had a limit. Gurgle, gurgle! The tailed beast chakra around his body became denser, and a tail emerged from behind him. "Only one tail... feels like it''s not enough." Shichi''s gaze shifted back to the remaining horn of the Eight-Tails. Should I just eat the whole thing? Yes, eat it! He grabbed his knife, slicing off more pieces of the horn, stuffing them into his mouth, and chewing wildly. Crunch, crunch, crunch... The sound echoed through the quietboratory like a mouse sneaking a meal. Shichi ate quickly, feeling his entire body grow warmer, especially his stomach, which now felt like a cozy little furnace. At this point, his incredible digestion abilities really shone through. Burp... Unable to help himself, Shichi let out a satisfied burp, realizing he was down to thest piece. "What are you doing?" Tsunade''s voice suddenly rang out. Shichi jumped in surprise, turning to see Tsunade standing at the door, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "You... your mouth," she pointed. Quickly wiping his mouth, Shichi casually exined, "I was just really hungry, so I had a little snack." Tsunade didn''t think much of it, nodding in acknowledgment. However, her eyes soonnded on the ss jar, noticing the horn of the Eight-Tails was missing. Seeing this, Shichi hurried to exin, "Earlier, I extracted some chakra from the Eight-Tails during the battle with the Cloud shinobi, so I used it to grow the horn to full maturity and then sealed it within myself." Tsunade didn''t seem suspicious, but asked, "Did you leave behind any samples of the Eight-Tails'' cells?" Shichi quickly raised thest piece of the horn in his hand: "Of course!" Tsunade still felt something was off, but she couldn''t put her finger on it, so she nodded and turned to leave. Shichi exhaled a sigh of relief and ced the final piece of the horn back into the ss jar. He really should continue to cultivate itnot for eating anymore, but for future experiments. Afterward, Shichi checked his condition again, feeling the Eight-Tails'' chakra re up around him, and behind him, tails began to form one by one. Six tails! "This is my limit..." Shichi withdrew the Eight-Tails'' chakra and quickly noticed something: "It seems like I wasn''t affected by the malice of the tailed beast''s chakra at all." "Then..." Without hesitation, Shichi undid the seal that had been holding back the Eight-Tails'' chakra. Immediately, the chakra surged out, only to be rapidly absorbed back into his body, fusing seamlessly with the part of him that had inherited the Eight-Tails'' genes. The malice from the tailed beast chakra didn''t affect him in the slightest. "Am I now half-Eight-Tails?" A smile of satisfaction spread across Shichi''s face. "This bodypatibility is amazing." "If I could eat all the nine tailed beasts and gather all their genes, my body would be something extraordinary, wouldn''t it?" "A mini Ten-Tails?" "But... how do I eat the sand from the One-Tail?" "Do I... eat his sand?" Shichi pondered this problem with some frustration. Next up, the Four-Tails! He looked toward another ss jar containing a tail from the Four-Tails. "I''ll fully cultivate it first and eat itter. I should save some room for Asuka''s cooking when I get home." With that, he took out the Four-Tails'' tail and, using its chakra, rapidly elerated its growth until it was fully formed, then sealed it away again. Shichi left theboratory and began reviewing the research materials Tsunade hadpiled during her recent studies. Unknowingly, evening arrived. Shichi set the documents aside and called for Tsunade to head home with him. When they got home, Yakushi Nono and Shizune were already there, helping in the kitchen. The meal was nearly ready, and it was an impressive feast. Tsunade, without any hesitation, grabbed arge shrimp to snack on while reaching for some sake. Shizune immediately scolded her, "Tsunade-sama, you haven''t washed your hands yet!" Tsunade waved it off, "Don''t worry, I washed them earlier at theb." Momentster, everyone sat down, and the meal officially began. They ate, chatted, andughed together, the atmosphere warm and cheerful. Shichi relished this peaceful moment. The mealsted for about an hour before it concluded. Tsunade, now slightly tipsy, was helped away by Shizune. Yakushi Nono and Asuka busied themselves with cleaning up while Shichi stepped outside. The evening breeze brushed through his hair, adding to the sense of contentment. He walked through the bustling streets, feeling the warmth of the city lights. The harshness of war felt like a distant illusion. After strolling through the lively market, Shichi used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to theboratory. He pulled out the Four-Tails'' tail but hesitated for a moment, unsure where to start. Hmm... First, shave off the fur. Then, skin it. Next, slice it. After having raw octopus earlier, now it was time for some raw monkey tail. Oh? Surprisingly, the texture''s not bad. One slice after another, Shichi ate faster and faster, his stomach quickly heating up. As before, he left only one slice for cultivation and devoured the rest of the Four-Tails'' tailpletely. A zing power surged through his body, and Shichi could distinctly feel his Lava Release abilities strengthening. Once the fusion was nearlyplete, he activated the Four-Tails'' power within him. Tailed beast chakra enveloped his body, and two tails emerged behind him. A maximum of two tailsnot bad. But Shichi was quite satisfied. He quickly assessed his body, specifically his chakra reserves. 0.25 Shukaku! In other words, the current Shukaku had about four times his chakra. Before acquiring the [Devourer] tag and consuming the flesh of the tailed beasts, Shukaku had about nine times his chakra. And this calction didn''t even factor in the Four-Tails'' chakra in his two-tail state, or the Eight-Tails'' chakra in his six-tail state. If you included those... "My chakra is already greater than Shukaku''s..." Shichi roughly estimated, "It''s probably on par with the Four-Tails." Of course, this didn''t take into ount the Yin Seal on his forehead and heart, nor the sealed One-Tail, Four-Tails, and the now-depleted Eight-Tails'' chakra. Shichi couldn''t help but feel ecstatic. Even though having a massive amount of chakra doesn''t necessarily make someone strong... Chakra is still the foundation of strength! At this point, Shichi could finally say he was a tailless tailed beastessentially a humanoid tailed beast! And, he was still not even 13 years old! Even if his physical condition couldn''t improve further from now, as he continued to train, grow, and refine his chakra, his reserves would only increase with time. By the time he reached adulthood,pared to someone like Kakashi, his chakra would be hundreds of times greater. He might not be able topare to Nine-Tails or Hashirama Senju, but he would definitely be able to look down on the entire ninja world. "Ten-Tails Jinchriki?" "Not even a dog would want that!" Shichi''s confidence surged. Of course, all of this was thanks to the [Devourer] tag! .... Deep underground, in the Mountain Graveyard. White Zetsu returned from the outside, seemingly having discovered something significant. In an exaggerated tone, it addressed the elderly Uchiha Madara, "Madara-sama, this time I''ve obtained some very, very important information." Madara didn''t even lift his eyelids. "Is it about that kid, Shichi again?" "Did he capture the Eight-Tails?" White Zetsu awkwardly chuckled. "Well... no, not that." "This time, it''s about your n, Madara-sama." "It seems like someone has their eyes on the Uchiha n''s Sharingan. Konoha''s Root division is collecting them!" "And, the person you have in mind has caught the attention of that guy, Danz!" Madara finally opened his eyes, showing some interest. "Oh?" "Who is it?" White Zetsu immediately responded, "It''s Uchiha Y!" Madara thought for a moment and then said, "Go help him. Let him understand the true nature of this world." White Zetsu nodded and then curiously asked, "Madara-sama, what if he doesn''t awaken the Mangeky Sharingan?" Madara nced at White Zetsu. "Then he''s all yours." White Zetsu beamed, "Madara-sama, you''re so generous." Madara, tired of White Zetsu''s chatter, closed his eyes once again. White Zetsu murmured with another swirling Zetsu for a while before finally leaving the cave. ... On the Iwa-nin battlefield. After repelling the invasion of Kumogakure, Iwagakure became even more aggressive in negotiations, leading to a further deterioration of the war with Konoha and Sunagakure. Battles raged across the borders of the Land of Birds, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Rain. The three factions waged small-scale skirmishes while pretending to negotiate. Iwagakure sought to reim its interests in the Land of Birds, and not only demanded the return of the Four-Tails from Konoha, but also Shichi''s life aspensation for their losses. Meanwhile, under the darkened sky, many ninja were engaged in viciousbat. In the Land of Rain, heavy rain poured down. Uchiha Y was fleeing in desperation, the crimson glow of his Sharingan standing out in the darkness. "Damn it..." "These bastards aren''t even Iwa-nin!" Y gritted his teeth. His team had been ambushed, and everyone else had been killed. He was the only one to break through. Although his pursuers wore Iwa-nin attire, their fighting style waspletely different. Whoosh, whoosh! The sound of projectiles cutting through the air filled the surroundings. Two "Iwa-nin" blocked Y''s path, while two more closed in from behind. He was surrounded! "It seems I''ll have to fight to the death... and take down everyst one of these bastards, to honor my fallenrades..." Y gripped his kunai tightly. At that moment, White Zetsu emerged from the ground. "What a spectacle!" Both Uchiha Y and the "Iwa-nin" were startled, immediately going on guard as they stared at White Zetsu. "Who are you?" one of the "Iwa-nin" shouted. "Me?" White Zetsu scratched his chin, deep in thought, before suddenlying to a realization. "Ah, my apologies! I''m not actually human!" "Because, you see, I''m a noble artificial human!" "By the way, do you guys know what an artificial human is?" The "Iwa-nin" and Uchiha Y exchanged confused nces. "Kill him too!" the "Iwa-nin" leadermanded. But in the next instant, their chakra began rapidly draining, as a White Zetsu clone sprouted from their bodies, wrapping around them. "What the hell is this?!" "Damn it! My chakra is being sucked away!" Spore Technique! Uchiha Y stared in shock at the scene unfolding before him. White Zetsu quickly urged him, "Hey, hurry up and finish them off!" "Oh, and don''t forget to leave one alive!" Y''s eyes shed, and without hesitation, he made his move. Thud, thud, thud! Three of the "Iwa-nin" copsed to the ground, while thest one was caught under Y''s genjutsu. White Zetsu approached him and said, "I assume you don''t need my help from here?" "Interrogating them with genjutsu is what the Uchiha do best!" Y red at White Zetsu, his voice cold as he demanded, "Who the hell are you?" White Zetsu spread his hands, "I''ve already told you, I''m an artificial human!" "A superior life form that doesn''t need to eat or poop!" He then pointed to the "Iwa-nin" trapped in genjutsu. "Hey, don''t you want to know who they really are?" "It''s going to be quite interesting." Y took a deep breath and stepped forward to begin the interrogation. However, just as the "Iwa-nin" was about to reveal the secret under hypnosis, his entire body suddenly froze, unable to move any further, not even under the influence of the genjutsu. "What?!" Y was taken aback. White Zetsu curiously stepped closer, pried open the "Iwa-nin"''s mouth, and pulled out his tongue. "Wow, looks like there''s a curse mark on him!" "By the way, do you recognize this curse mark?" White Zetsu stepped aside, looking at Y. Y''s face darkened, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He didn''t recognize the curse mark itself, but he already knew the answer. It was the Curse of the Root Tongue Eradication Seal from Konoha''s Root division! He had never seen it firsthand before, but had heard of it. This kind of effect, where even the Sharingan''s hypnosis doesn''t work, confirmed his suspicions. "Damn it..." Y gritted his teeth. "Those bastards... why?" "Why would they attack their own allies?" White Zetsu smirked knowingly. "Maybe you pissed them off?" "Or perhaps you''re carrying information they want?" Y instinctively shook his head. White Zetsu continued, "Then, do you have anything particrly valuable on you?" Y hesitated. "My... Sharingan?" White Zetsu sighed. "It''s already pretty obvious." "By the way, if they''re hunting you down, you''re probably not the only one, right?" Y''s eyes widened in rm. "Damn it, I need to report this to the n leader immediately!" White Zetsu grabbed Y by the arm. "Hey, there''s no way you can make it back like this." "Before you even reach your n leader, they''ll probably kill you, don''t you think?" Y scoffed, "Even if Root is powerful, they can''t control everything." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 35+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 168: Soul Imprisonment!

Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Soul Imprisonment!

"Root, huh!" "That''s part of Konoha''s Anbu, and their leader is said to be none other than Danzo, the second most powerful figure in Konoha!" White Zetsu feigned surprise, "But this kind of behaviorhunting downrades to steal their Kekkei Genkaiwouldn''t be so bold without the Hokage''s permission, right?" "I''ve been observing for a while now, and you''re not the only one being hunted." "Quite a few Uchiha have died in battle, and their eyes have been secretly taken as well." "If that''s the case, your top priority should be rescuing your nsmen, don''t you think?" "But Root''s power is immense, and you stand no chance against them." Uchiha Y''s face turned ashen, and he barked, "Then take me to them right now!" White Zetsu nodded eagerly, "Of course I can." "But... you''re marching to your death, you know!" Y resolutely replied, "I can''t just stand by and watch my nsmen be killed and have their eyes taken." "Then follow me!" White Zetsu grinned. "And don''t resist." As he spoke, White Zetsu retracted his spore clones, then ced a hand on Y''s shoulder, enveloping his entire body swiftly. "What is this...?" Y was both shocked and wary. "What are you?" White Zetsu chuckled softly, "Rx, I have no ill intentions toward you." "I''m simply following my master''s orders to help you!" As White Zetsu spoke, Y felt his body lift off the groundor rather, White Zetsu was controlling him. "Master?" Y asked in shock. "Who is your master?" White Zetsu smiled. "You''ll find out soon enough." A momentter, White Zetsu led Y to the corpse of an Uchiha. The eye sockets were empty. "Toote, unfortunately." White Zetsu sighed. "Damn it, has Root gone insane?" Y seethed with fury, his Sharingan shing red but showing no signs of further awakening. White Zetsu, a bit disappointed, then guided Y to more Uchiha corpses. They appeared to have been killed by Iwa-nin, but all of their eyes had been gouged out. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Suddenly, several figures appeared. More than a dozen Root ninjas surrounded Y. "You''re all Root shinobi. Who gave you the order?" Y roared in anger. "Looks like the intel''s beenpromised!" "We must take him down!" Without hesitation, the Root ninjas attacked. But White Zetsu had already used Spore Technique, and one by one, White Zetsu clones emerged from the Root ninjas, sapping their chakra. However, the elite Root operatives weren''t pushovers, each employing various techniques to counter. "Die!" Y roared, fighting desperately. The sound of shing metal, explosions, and agonized screams echoed through the rain-soaked battlefield. Momentster, all the Root ninjasy defeated, but Y, injured, was down on one knee. White Zetsu''s clones disposed of the Root corpses and returned, injecting chakra into Y''s body to heal his wounds. "Too bad, none of them had Sharingan. It seems there are more out there." White Zetsu suggested, "You should leave this ce quickly. You''re no match for them." Y stood up, his expression cold. "Take me to your master!" White Zetsu looked pleased. "So, you''ve made up your mind?" Y nodded coldly. "You''re right. I can''t fight Root alone." "And Root can easily im that my nsmen were killed by Iwa-nin, while they were merely retrieving the Sharingan." "Danzo has always harbored hostility toward the Uchiha." "So, I want to borrow your master''s strength to fight against him." White Zetsu nodded. "Then follow me." He controlled Y''s body, leading him north, into the Land of Grass, through a cave, deep into the Tomb of the Mountains, where they finally met Uchiha Madara. Y hadn''t expected White Zetsu''s master to be such an elderly man. "You... sir..." For a moment, Y didn''t know what to say. Could such an old man help him fight Danzo? Madara lifted his gaze, noticing Y''s three-tomoe Sharingan, then nced at White Zetsu. White Zetsu shrugged helplessly, "I thought the situation was intense enough, but Y still didn''t awaken." Madara, expressionless, stared at Y. His eyes immediately transformed into the three-tomoe Sharingan. "I... am Uchiha Madara!" Y was stunned. "Uchiha... Madara?" "That''s impossible!" "He... he died a long time ago!" Y couldn''t believe it. Madara remained calm, "Can''t believe it?" "No matter." With that, he activated a genjutsu. Caught off guard, Y''s mind was overwhelmed, and he was instantly controlled without any resistance. "Leave him to you." Madara turned to White Zetsu. "Keep an eye on the other one. That one should have more potential." White Zetsu was skeptical. "Madara-sama, it''s not that I doubt your judgment, but that guy looks pretty clueless." "Even though he awakened with two-tomoe Sharingan, to be honest, he''s far inferior to Uchiha Shisui, the genius of the Uchiha n." "Why not choose Uchiha Shisui?" Madara didn''t exin. "Just do it." "Alright!" White Zetsu sighed, then wrapped Y, leaving only his eyes visible. He donned a ck hooded robe and a mask before setting out. ... In Konoha Vige, afterpleting his early morning training, Shichi sent a clone to the experimental base and carried a batch of snacks, specially prepared by Asuka, to visit his teacher, Minato Namikaze. "Shichi!" "I knew it was you!" Opening the door was Kushina Uzumaki, smiling brightly. She gestured to his height, saying, "Minato mentioned it, but I didn''t believe it. You''re almost as tall as me now!" "Hey, what kind of special food did you eat?" Kushina pinched Shichi''s cheek, then poked his arm, squeezing his bones with curiosity. Shichi pondered seriously for a moment before responding, "It might be because... I ate tailed beast meat?" Kushina froze for a moment, then asked seriously, "Really?" Shichi nodded,pletely serious. "Of course." "The horn of the Eight-Tails is crispy, and the tail of the Four-Tails has a nice texture." Kushina snorted, "Yeah right, I don''t believe your nonsense." "Come on in!" She pulled Shichi inside, continuing, "Minato went out on a mission. He mentioned you''d being by today." While talking, she took the snacks Shichi brought and began to eat them, then brought out her own "Kushina-style" snacks for him. "Just got back and already has a mission? Lord Third Hokage sure doesn''t give him a break, does he?" Shichi grumbled. Kushina gave a thumbs-up and then handed Shichi a scroll that Minato had left for him. "Here, this is something Minato left for you. It''s a technique rted to souls, but it includes forbidden jutsu, so be careful when practicing." "By the way, are you really confident aboutpleting that technique you mentioned within three years?" Kushina looked at Shichi with some concern. Shichi patted his chest confidently. "Don''t worry, Kushina-san! I''m a genius when ites to developing jutsu!" "My Fire Nether Chain may not be as strong as your Adamantine Sealing Chains, but it''s not bad either!" "I''m just one step away frompleting it." Kushina immediately encouraged him, "Keep it up! I''ll help you too!" Shichi nodded and opened the scroll. The first technique made his eyes widen. Soul Imprisonment Technique! "So it''s this technique..." Shichi recalled that it was something the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had once used on Uchiha Sasuke. "Soul Imprisonment... is this the precursor to the Impure World Reincarnation technique?" Shichi wondered as he unrolled the scrollpletely. Impure World Reincarnation! Shichi was shocked to see that even this jutsu had been included. Kushina nced at the technique and gasped in shock, "No wonder Minato told you to be cautiousit actually requires a living person as a sacrifice!" Shichi chuckled, "We''re only studying the soul-rted parts of it." Kushina nodded in agreement, "That makes sense." She then became eager, "Well, let''s get started quickly then!" Shichi nodded, and the two immediately began researching the Soul Imprisonment Technique. After a while, Shichi rubbed his chin and said, "This technique doesn''t seem that hard, actually." Kushina looked puzzled, "Is that so?" Why did it seemplicated to her? Shichi thought for a moment and reassured her, "It''s probably because I''ve already practiced the Spiritual Transformation Technique. That jutsu allows the soul to carry chakra outside of the body." Kushina believed him. For the next few days, Shichi was constantly moving between Minato''s home, Konoha Hospital, and the experimental base. However, one day, he suddenly received a message from Orochimaru, and his real body headed to Orochimaru''s experimental base. "Is this about continuing the soft body modification?" Shichi asked upon seeing Orochimaru. Orochimaru shook his head, "The soft body modification isn''t ready yet. This time, I wanted to share an exciting new result with you." "A new result?" Shichi''s curiosity was piqued. "I''d love to see it." Orochimaru smiled, "I''ve found a way to bnce the power of Hashirama''s cells." Shichi was stunned, "Bnce the power of Hashirama''s cells?" "What method?" Orochimaru smiled slyly, "Thanks to your previous analysis, Shichi-kun, I realized that the powerful Yang Release energy within Hashirama''s cells can only be controlled by an equally strong mental energy." "And in terms of mental power, nothing is more suitable than the Uchiha n''s Sharingan." Sharingan! As expected... Shichi sighed inwardly. He had deliberately avoided information rted to this topic before, but it seemed like it hade to him regardless. No surpriseit was Bastard Snake Orochimaru, after all. Even without his involvement, Orochimaru had still managed to figure out the connection between Hashirama''s cells and the Sharingan, uncovering more secrets along the way. But was this really about sharing a new discovery? As Shichi pondered further, he realized that Orochimaru likely had a deeper motive. Was the revtion about obtaining a Sharingan for research a deliberate move? But wouldn''t that be giving away leverage? Was this aimed at Danzo? In an instant, Shichi''s mind raced through numerous possibilities, though none of his thoughts showed on his face. Instead, he carefully considered and responded, "From what we know about how the Sharingan is awakened and advanced, it''s clear that it''s primarily driven by mental energy. The Sharingan''s genjutsu abilities are also incredibly strong, which indicates that Yin Release must be very powerful." "Just as the five basic elements counter each other, perhaps Yin and Yang also bnce each other out." "However, Hashirama''s cells are immensely powerful. I doubt that an ordinary Sharingan could suppress them, wouldn''t you agree, Orochimaru-sama?" Orochimaru nodded. "You''re right." "It''s not so much about suppression, but even maintaining bnce would require a Sharingan with at least three tomoe." "But you, Shichi-kun, have a unique constitution, and your mental strength is strong enough to suppress a tailed beast. Your mastery of genjutsu is on par with Uchiha Shisui''s, who possesses a three-tomoe Sharingan. Your affinity for Yin Release is likely better than mine." "That''s why I believe you''re even more suitable than someone with a three-tomoe Sharingan." "If it were you, I''m confident you could fully inherit the First Hokage''s power!" Although Shichi had a lot of confidence in himself, he shook his head. "If I were to consider this, I would first seek Tsunade-sama''s approval." Orochimaru, knowing Tsunade well, smiled. "If it''s you, she wouldn''t object, not if it''s for the vige." But Shichi still shook his head. "I prefer to gain power through understanding its essence, rather than simply transnting the First Hokage''s cells." "Besides, Lord Hashirama''s body had its own limitations. If his Yang Release power were so overwhelming, he wouldn''t have died so early." Orochimaru paused, then nodded in agreement, though he couldn''t hide his disappointment. In his eyes, Shichi was the perfect test subject. During his experimentsbining the Sharingan and Hashirama''s cells, he had discovered some intriguing things, but hecked a suitable host. And Shichi, Orochimaru believed, was the ideal vessel capable of harnessing both the power of Hashirama''s cells and the Sharingan. ... As Shichi left Orochimaru''sb, he furrowed his brow in thought. Thebination of Sharingan and Hashirama''s cells meant that Danzo''s power would soon increase. But that wasn''t the real issue. The problemy in the position he was in now. Shisui was his friend, the Fourth Hokage was his teacher, and to the Third Hokage, he was a loyal subordinate. "Snake Bastard sure knows how to throw me into a dilemma..." "Damn it, if I were an Uchiha, I''d rebel too!" Shichi cursed inwardly as he used the Body Flicker technique to appear at the Hokage Tower. "Are you here to see Lord Third Hokage?" A masked figure named Chihiro appeared. Shichi nodded and asked, "Has the captain gone on a mission?" Chihiro nodded back. "Yes, he''s gone to Iwagakure." "Wait here, I''ll inform the Hokage." With that, Chihiro disappeared. A momentter, Shichi knocked and entered the Hokage''s office, getting straight to the point. "Lord Third Hokage, Orochimaru-sama specifically informed me today that the Root division has been hunting down Uchiha n members, seizing their Sharingan for experiments involving the First Hokage''s cells." Shichi had principleshis character couldn''t break! "What?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was shocked and quickly asked, "Does anyone else know about this?" Shichi responded honestly, "Not that I know of for now, but I haven''t told anyone else yet." "However, this matter will inevitablye to light. The Sharingan can bnce the power of the First Hokage''s cells, and the Root is likely to weaponize this. It''s only a matter of time before it''s exposed." "Moreover, this definitely involves more than just one Uchiha. This will cause distrust among other bloodline ns and even families that rely on secret jutsu." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath to calm himself. He had already considered these things, which was why he had reacted so strongly. "That damn Danzo..." Sarutobi couldn''t help but curse, yet he knew he had no choice but to clean up Danzo''s mess. This information absolutely couldn''t get out. If it did, Konoha would be thrown into chaos. Especially since the Uchiha were still fighting on the front lines! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 35+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 169: Uchiha Madara Makes a Move!

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Uchiha Madara Makes a Move!

"Shichi, for now, don''t reveal this matter to anyone." Hiruzen Sarutobi''s expression was grim. "This involves the front lines and must be handled with caution." If it weren''t wartime, this wouldn''t be such a delicate issue. Shichi looked up at Hiruzen and said, "Handling it this way is unwise. The rtionship between the Uchiha and the vige might deteriorate further." "Moreover, Orochimaru-sama probably had deeper intentions in revealing this information to me." Hiruzen nodded. "I will give orders regarding Danzo." Hearing this, Shichi couldn''t help but feel disappointed, even though he had already expected this oue beforeing. Sadly, Hiruzen no longer had the decisiveness he once had. Danzo''s actions, which could destroy the very foundation of Konoha, were enough to ruin his reputation and bring him to a disgraceful end! ... After leaving the Hokage Tower, Shichi felt a sense of calm. It was better that Hiruzen wasn''t punishing Danzo now. In the future, Shichi could take Danzo down openly, ensuring hisplete disgrace and downfall. If things were suppressed now, it would be easier to settle scorester. Exposing it now, only to have Danzo face minor consequences, would make it harder to take action in the future. Let the situation simmer for a while longer! ... Not long after Shichi left, Hiruzen Sarutobi, apanied by four ANBU ninjas, arrived at the Root headquarters. Danzo, upon hearing the news, felt a moment of panic, but quickly calmed down, putting away his documents before strolling out. "Hiruzen, what brings you here?" "Is there an important mission?" Danzo appeared rxed and at ease. Hiruzen, however, got straight to the point. "The experiments involving Hashirama''s cells and the Sharinganstop them!" Cold sweat instantly broke out on Danzo''s forehead. Hiruzen''s tone was stern. "Are you trying to cause a copse on the front lines and tear Konoha apart from within?" Danzo opened his mouth to speak but couldn''t find any way to refute the usation. "Hand over the documents," Hiruzenmanded. "Recently, Iwagakure has been making bold moves in the Land of Rain. You''ll personally lead the operations there." Danzo nodded. "Understood." Hiruzen gave a slight nod before turning to leave. However, Chihiro and the other three ANBU stayed behind, confiscating the documents Danzo had just started reviewing but hadn''t finished. Watching the ANBU leave, Danzo''s expression darkened. "Orochimaru was too careless." "And that wicked brat, Shichi, how infuriating..." Danzo had once seen Shichi as a useful pawn, but now, his fists clenched in anger. After calming down, Danzo left the Root base and headed to Orochimaru''sb. The experiments may have stopped, but the results must still be used! "Though it''s a bit risky right now, protecting Konoha makes it all worthwhile!" Danzo''s steps grew firmer, and his back straightened with resolve. The Uchiha''s sacrifice was justified! As part of the vige, their sacrifice was necessary! ... Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed since Shichi returned to Konoha. The Third Shinobi War was still ongoing, but its scale had reduced significantly. During his time in the vige, Shichi frequently heard people discussing the impressive achievements of his teacher, Minato Namikaze. One day, Minato repelled an Iwa shinobi offensive. A few dayster, he pushed back an attack from the Kirigakure forces. Soon after that, he thwarted the resurgence of the duo known as the "A-B Combo." Both Minato''s aplishments and his reputation were soaring at an incredible pace. Meanwhile, Shichi was enjoying a leisurely lifestyle, spending his days training, researching jutsu, and conducting experiments. One day, while modifying small animals in Orochimaru''sb, Shichi noticed a new person by Orochimaru''s side. "Shichi-kun, this is Anko Mitarashi. I''ve just taken her on as my student," Orochimaru said with a smile, introducing the small girl next to him. Anko bowed politely, "Shichi-senpai, I am Anko Mitarashi. Please take care of me." Shichi smiled warmly and nodded, "Hello, feel free to ask me anything if you ever need help." Anko''s eyes lit up with excitement. "Thank you, Shichi-senpai!" With that, they were formally introduced. "Shichi-kun, carry on with your work," Orochimaru said as he led Anko away. Anko waved back at Shichi, who smiled and waved in return. "She''s so adorable!" Shichi thought to himself. "It looks like Hayate Gekk and the others are probably close to graduating too," he mused, before turning back to modifying the animals. His thoughts, however, remained on Hayate. "His talent with kenjutsu isn''t bad... which sword would suit him best?" "If I modify his body to add a set of gills, maybe he could use Samehada?" "But with his sickly appearance, it doesn''t seem like a good match... Samehada might reject him." ... At home, in his study. Unbeknownst to Shichi, his clone had met Anko and was now thinking of transforming Hayate Gekk into one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. At that moment, Shichi was working on refining his "Fire Nether Chains" sealing technique. Thanks to the Soul Imprisonment Technique, he hadpletely mastered it. The new form was written on a scroll, and after scrutinizing it several times, Shichi nodded in satisfaction. It was time to test its effectiveness. The initial version of Fire Nether Chains had the effects of burning one''s spirit and igniting their chakra. Now, with the added soul-binding feature, its restraining power would be significantly enhanced. Of course, Soul Imprisonment had many uses. For instance, it could bind the soul of a freshly deceased person, keeping it within the body and buying time for medical treatment. This was the same technique Tobirama Senju had used on Uchiha Sasuke. Snap! Shichi pped his hands together and lowered his gaze. Inside his abdomen, within the Eight Trigrams Seal, the Fire Nether Chains binding Shukaku and Son Gok shattered and dissolved simultaneously. Shukaku and Son Gok blinked in confusion before exchanging nces. Then they both let out a thunderous roar, unleashing massive amounts of chakra that crashed against the surrounding iron bars. The iron bars represented the Eight Trigrams Seal. It remained unshaken, solid as ever. "Use a Tailed Beast Bomb!" Son Gok roared. Though they usually bickered, the two tailed beasts decided to cooperate to break free from the seal. Shukaku said nothing and immediately began gathering chakra in his mouth. Son Gok followed suit, condensing his own Tailed Beast Bomb. However, just as they were about tounch their attack, several chains appeared, piercing through the forming Tailed Beast Bombs. The massive chakra spheres dissipated in a shockwave, sting outward. "Curse that brat!" Shukaku snarled, as chains wrapped around his neck and limbs, rendering his entire body immobile. "This seal... it''s be even stronger!" Son Gok, now simrly bound, could feel it too. "The binding power is even greater. Shukaku, you idiot, he must have studied the curse marks on you." "You possess sealing abilities, yet you let a mere kid trap you like this? What a useless fool!" Shukaku flew into a rage. "You stupid monkey! If you had cooperated with your Jinchriki earlier, you wouldn''t be stuck here either!" Son Gok sneered, "Being trapped here isn''t much different from being sealed inside some other human." Shukaku smirked, "I bet you felt it just nowthe presence of that Eight-Tails fool as well as your own chakra in that body." Son Gok fell silent. He had indeed sensed it. When the seal weakened and their chakra red, it had disturbed the Eight Trigrams Seal, allowing them to detect the situation outside the seal. Laying low, Son Gok calmed himself. "Shukaku, don''t you think this guy seems very familiar with us?" "Hmm?" Shukaku paused for a moment, thinking it over, and then nodded. "But it''s not that surprising. Konoha has information on all the tailed beasts." Son Gok snorted. "Given what you sensed, doesn''t it remind you of something else?" Shukaku''s eyes narrowed, and he nodded slowly. "But it doesn''t quite feel the same. This kid''s body is extraordinary, capable of housing both your power and the Eight-Tails''." "If not for my sand body, he might have taken my power too." "So, he might not know the real secret." Son Gok added, "Still, if a Jinchriki has their tailed beast extracted, they die." "Which is why I said he''s different." ... Shichi didn''t bother with the conversation between Son Gok and Shukaku. He had improved the Fire Nether Chains significantly, but it still wasn''t enough. What he sought was a technique with the sealing and soul-extracting power of the Reaper Death Seal. If he could perfect it, it wouldn''t just allow him to divide tailed beastsit would also serve as a deadly weapon against the tsutsuki n. For now, his goal was to be as prepared as possible, so that when inspiration struck, he could maximize the benefits. ... Graveyard of the Mountains. After receiving continuous intelligence from White Zetsu, and learning that the Kirigakure''s repeated offensives had been thwarted, Madara Uchiha decided the time was right. Slowly and shakily, he stood up. "Madara-sama, are you heading out?" Zetsu approached with keen awareness. Madara nodded slightly, "The time hase." What would follow would be a grand spectacle, orchestrated by him to create a new life for someone. Zetsu moved forward, wrapping Madara in his bio-armor. Without Zetsu''s assistance, in his current frail state, Madara would not be able to move freely. Although White Zetsu had already taken control of Uchiha Y, it was not enough to manipte Kirigakure and bend them to Madara''s will. d in the bio-armor of Zetsu, Madara took a step forward, and the tubes attached to the back of his head disconnected with a sharp pull. "Notify the others to be ready," he ordered as he walked out. In the cave, White Zetsu immediately received themand and burrowed into the ground to ry the message to the Zetsu who controlled Uchiha Y. --- Two dayster. Madara arrived at Kirigakure and effortlessly controlled one of its high-ranking officials with genjutsu. The next day, a high-level meeting was held in Kirigakure, as usual, to discuss how to counterattack Konoha. Kirigakure had suffered heavy losses at the hands of Konoha, and no one was willing to let it go. They believed that as Konoha was still embroiled in battles with Iwa and Kumo, now was the best chance tounch a sessful counteroffensive. If Konoha managed to reach a peace agreement with Iwa, the opportunity would disappear. Unfortunately, despite the heated arguments in the meeting room, no one coulde up with a viable strategy. Facing both Shichi and Minato seemed like an unsolvable problem. Should they send the aging Third Mizukage? But the death of the Third Raikage in the Land of Earth was a sobering warning! "Why not use a tailed beast?" the Kirigakure official controlled by Madara suddenly proposed. The room fell silent. Then someone hesitantly asked, "The Three-Tails?" "Would that even work?" "That Shichi already captured the One-Tail and Four-Tails. It''s said he almost caught the Eight-Tails as well." The Kirigakure official, still under Madara''s control, calmly exined, "Capture a Konoha ninja, imnt the Three-Tails into them, and control them with a curse mark. At the right moment, we can release the seal and let the Three-Tails rampage." "It could either break through Konoha''s defenses... or we could directly control the Konoha ninja to detonate the Three-Tails inside Konoha, teaching them a painful lesson." "We could even use this to demand the return of the Seven Ninja Swords, or even have them hand over Shichi to us for punishment, just like they did with Pakura of the Scorch Release." The suggestion was met with nods of agreement from several people. However, one person objected, "This n seems viable, but wouldn''t we lose the Three-Tails in the process?" Before the controlled official could respond, someone else countered, "We could prepare a curse mark in advance. Once the Jinchriki dies and the Three-Tails is extracted, we can simply take some time to recapture it." "If Konoha doesn''t want us to use the Six-Tails against them in the same way, they''ll return the ninja swords and hand over Shichi and Pakura." The Third Mizukage, who had been sitting quietly with his eyes closed, finally spoke, "It''s settled then." He turned to the official who had first made the suggestion. "Yma, you and the Anbu will handle this matter." The Kirigakure official under Madara''s control immediately nodded, "Understood!" --- "Shichi!" Chihiro''s figure appeared at the window. Inside the study, Shichi looked up with a smile. "Chihiro-san, what''s the matter?" Chihiro quickly replied, "A critical mission. The Mist has brought the Three-Tails to the southern battlefield and seems to be nning to release it." Shichi raised an eyebrow at the news and walked over to the window. "Where''s Minato-sensei?" Chihiro quickly exined, "Minato-senpai is still in the Land of Rain. The Five-Tails has appeared on the Iwa front." Shichi frowned slightly. "The Five-Tails... If I remember correctly, the Jinchriki of the Five-Tails from Iwa is still quite young, right?" Chihiro nodded. "ording to intel, they should be a year or two younger than you." Shichi nodded, "Got it. I''ll leave right away." "Thank you for handling this!" Chihiro said before disappearing. Shichi returned to his desk, looking at the iplete jutsu forms scattered about. He sighed softly. Barely a month of peace. "But... has Madara made his move?" Shichi muttered to himself before swiftly packing up his scrolls and gear. Leaving behind a shadow clone, he disappeared from Konoha Vige. --- At the southern border of the Land of Fire, in a forest. Pakura''s eyes snapped open as she sensed someone approaching. She turned and smiled in surprise. "Lord Shichi, what brings you here?" Seeing Pakura still wearing her mask, Shichi smiled. "I heard that Kirigakure deployed a tailed beast, so I came to check it out." Pakura nodded. "A few days ago, I sensed the presence of a tailed beast, but Kirigakure hasn''t released it yet. I''m not sure what they''re waiting for." "Could it be they''re trying to lure you here?" Shichi shook his head, "I doubt it." "You go inform themander. I''ll deal with the tailed beast from Kirigakure." Pakura quickly responded, "Lord Shichi, please let me apany you!" "There''s no need. Just do as I said." With that, Shichi vanished. Pakura stood there feeling a sense of loss. Without Shichi by her side, she felt lonely, unable to fully integrate into the Konoha forceslike a wandering soul on the battlefield. Steeling herself, Pakura performed the Body Flicker Technique to carry out the task Shichi had assigned her. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 170: First Battle with Madara Uchiha!

Chapter 170: Chapter 170: First Battle with Madara Uchiha!

On the coastline, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were desperately fleeing. Behind them, a group of masked Kirigakure shinobi pursued them relentlessly. Obito nced back anxiously, shouting, "Kakashi, they''re catching up to us!" "If this keeps up, we''ll be overtaken." "I''ll stay behind to hold them off. You take Rin and go ahead." Kakashi looked back at the pursuing Mist ninjas and replied calmly, "You won''t be able to hold them off." "I''ll stay behind. You two go and find reinforcements!" Rin turned back, "Kakashi..." "There''s no need to argue," Kakashi said firmly. "I''m the strongest here, so I''m the best choice to hold them off." "I''m the only one who can hold them back until you bring reinforcements." They had ventured deep into Mist-controlled territory on this penins to rescue Rin, who had been captured by Kirigakure. Obito didn''t want to leave Kakashi alone, but he had to protect Rin. If no one stayed behind to cover them and they were surrounded, the weakest of them, Rin, would be the first to fall. "Obito..." Kakashi added, "Take care of Rin!" Gritting his teeth, Obito nodded, "I understand. I''ll keep her safe!" "Rin!" He grabbed Rin''s hand and picked up the pace. Meanwhile, Kakashi stopped in his tracks. The sound of chirping birds filled the air as blue lightning crackled around him. He drew his sword and dashed forward! Kakashi charged toward the pursuing Mist shinobi. The enemy split up, with some attacking Kakashi while others continued after Obito and Rin. Kakashi managed to take down three of them before he turned to pursue the ones chasing Obito and Rin, engaging them in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Lightning crackled over Kakashi''s body as he swung his White Fang short sword, using his speed and reflexes to cut down the Mist shinobi. But there were too many of them, and they were elite members of the Mist''s special tactical forces. Kakashi alone couldn''t hold off so many. "Damn, there''s no way to stop them all at once." "Obito, you''d better..." Anxiety and fear gnawed at him. Though Obito''s powers had grown with his newly awakened two-tomoe Sharingan, he was still far from the level of a jnin. --- Meanwhile, Obito quickly realized that the Mist shinobi were catching up. "Damn, there''s no way we''re getting away!" Grinding his teeth, Obito reached into his pouch, flinging several shuriken that struck two of the Mist shinobi. But there were more of them, and they were starting to close in from both sides. "Rin, go ahead!" Obito stopped, clutching his kunai, and prepared to charge at the Mist shinobi. Rin also stopped, feeling the terrifying power within her that was beyond her control. She looked into the distance, unable to see anything: "Kakashi..." In the next moment, she spun around and suddenly stepped between Obito and the Mist shinobi. "Rin!" Obito was shocked. Thud! Rin threw herself into Obito''s arms, driving his kunai directly into her own heart with perfect precision. "Obito..." Blood gushed from Rin''s mouth as she looked at him. Obito''s eyes widened. He instinctively stepped back, releasing the blood-covered kunai. "Obito..." Rin staggered, then copsed toward him. Obito quickly caught her shoulders, barely able to breathe. "Kakashi... protect..." Obito''s pupils contracted, his heart pounding fiercely, the tomoe in his eyes spinning into a new pattern. In that instant, Rin''s body lost all strength and slumped into his arms. "No..." Obito opened his mouth but couldn''t make a sound. His blood-soaked hands slipped through her body. Thud! Rin''s body fell to the ground. "Damn, she managed to do it!" "The n failed!" "We must retrieve the Three-Tails before she dies!" The Mist shinobi shouted in shock, realizing Rin had used Obito''s hand to end her own life. A group of Mist shinobi rushed toward Obito and Rin. Obito looked up at the oing enemies, and suddenly, the entire world seemed bathed in bloodas if everything had been dyed red by Rin''s blood. "Rin!" "You damn bastards..." "Die!" Obito let out a bestial roar, releasing a cold and overwhelming chakra that split the earth beneath him as he shot forward. In an instant, he collided with a Mist shinobi. The shinobi''s sword sliced through Obito''s body, but before he could react, Obito turned and punched him, sending him flying. Then two more Mist shinobi dropped down from above, piercing Obito''s body with their desbut no blood flowed from him. Obito leaped up, kicking both of them away, then grabbed a katana from the ground and hurled it. The de struck through the two Mist shinobi he had just kicked. Boom! A torrent of water surged forward, but Obito remained unaffected as the water passed harmlessly through him. "What''s going on?" "We can''t even hit him!" "Damn it..." "Surround him! Retrieve the Three-Tails!" "Ahhh!" ... A one-sided ughter unfolded. In his extreme rage, Uchiha Obito, though unaware he had awakened his Mangeky Sharingan, instinctively used its unique powers. He weaved through the Mist shinobi effortlessly, cutting down each one with ease. Meanwhile, Nohara Rin, lying on the ground, still had a faint consciousness. She could hear the screams of the Mist ninjas and felt her life quickly slipping away. In that moment, memories of all the beautiful moments she''d experienced shed through her mind. "Kakashi..." Rin opened her mouth, but blood filled her throat, silencing her. --- In less than a minute, all the Mist shinobi had fallen by Obito''s hand. Obito returned to Rin''s side, reaching out to hold her, only to find his arms empty. "Rin..." He stood there, frozen. Just then, a dark-robed figure emerged from the forest. "She can''t be saved. Come with me." White Zetsu, controlling Uchiha Y, walked over to Obito''s side. Obito turned his head in a daze, muttering, "I... I killed Rin..." White Zetsu shook his head, "No!" "It wasn''t you who killed her!" "It was this wed world!" "It was war!" "As long as war exists, even if she survived today, she''d still die tomorrow." "All these tragediese from war!" White Zetsu opened his arms toward Obito, "Come with me!" "I''ll introduce you to someone who can help you create a world without war." Obito''s eyes gradually focused, "A world without war..." He turned to look at Rin, lying in a pool of blood, "Rin, I''ll create a world where you exist!" "But first, I''ll fulfill yourst wishes." Whoosh! Obito disappeared. Momentster, he returned with the unconscious Kakashi, cing him beside Rin. Reaching out to touch Rin''s face, he noticed his blood-stained hands and recoiled as though burned. "Let''s go. Take me to this person you mentioned." Obito stood up, speaking coldly to White Zetsu, "If he can''t do what you im, I''ll kill every single one of you!" White Zetsu responded confidently, "You can rest assured of that!" After onest look at Rin, Obito followed White Zetsu and vanished into the forest. Less than a minuteter, Shichi appeared beside Kakashi. "Am I toote?" Shichi''s gaze sharpened as he looked at the blood-soaked Rin and Kakashi. "No, not yet!" He knelt beside Rin and immediately activated the Soul Imprisonment Technique to hold her soul in ce. He quickly assessed her injuries. Her heart had been pierced, but fortunately, no major arteries were severed, nor was the entire heart destroyed. However, her condition was dire; she was already in shock, her breathing nearly stopped, and only a faint heartbeat remained. Shichi immediately created three shadow clones: one began performing artificial respiration, another used a chakra scalpel to cut through Rin''s clothing, opening her chest and manually stabilizing her heart, while the third ced his hands on her chest, using Yang Release chakra to heal the wound around the kunai in her heart as quickly as possible. Hmm? Shichi''s head shot up, a massive fireball reflected in his eyes. Boom! A torrent of water erupted from the ground, colliding with the fireball and creating a cloud of steam that spread across the area. Almost simultaneously, Rin''s heart burst, but Shichi''s clone swiftly vanished, taking both Rin and Kakashi away. Standing tall, Shichi waved his hand, parting the mist, and saw a figure in a ck cloak. Uchiha Madara? Shichi''s gaze locked onto the masked figure opposite him. He had never seen Uchiha Madara nor had he encountered White Zetsu, so he couldn''t rely on chakra sensing alone to identify them. However, he could still detect the drastically altered chakra of Obito and sensed an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar chakra signature near Obito. Did White Zetsu possess someone or disguise himself as a Konoha shinobi? If so, then this person before him must be Uchiha Madara! Attempting a surprise attack? "Though I don''t know how you took Uchiha Obito away... your schemes won''t seed." Shichi feigned ignorance of Madara''s true identity. Uchiha Madara looked at Shichi and said calmly, "Are you so confident because you''ve never failed?" "Well, today will be your first failure!" As soon as the words left his mouth, fierce blue mes ignited around Madara. However, this technique did not harm Madara in the slightest. A dense blue chakra emerged around him, forming a half-bodied skeletal structure. Susanoo! Boom! Susanoo raised its fist, striking toward Shichi from a distance. Rumble! The ground exploded, and Shichi barely managed to dodge using Body Flicker. As hended, a surge of mes rolled toward him. Water Release C Water Formation Wall! Water swirled around Shichi, shing with the oing mes in a great burst of steam. In the next instant, Susanoo''s hand broke through the steam and water barrier, grabbing Shichi. Ssh! Shichi dissolved into a puddle of water. Water Clone! Shichi''s real body appeared in mid-air, with his Totsuka de expanding. Blue me Vacuum sh! This was a powerful debining Fire and Wind Release, more concentrated and much stronger than the original Blue me Sky de. He shed down fiercely, striking Susanoo''s skull. Crack! Susanoo''s skull fractured, shattering with a thunderous impact, and the de''s light sliced downward. Boom! The energy de struck the ground, carving a charred trench. But Madara dodged the strike with Body Flicker at thest second. Just as hended, Shichi''s Wind Release: Rasenshuriken came whistling down from above. Dense chakra erupted from Madara''s body, and Susanoo appeared againthis time not as a skeleton but with muscle and tissue, resembling a fully formed humanoid. Boom! Susanoo raised a powerful fist, colliding with the Rasenshuriken in a zing explosion that shone like a newborn sun. "As expected of Susanoo..." Shichi narrowed his eyes. As the light faded, the sound of air splitting filled the air as a series of blue magatama came flying toward him. Yasaka Magatama! Shichi flickered, dodging the magatama whileunching another jutsu. Earth Release C Swamp of the Underworld! The ground beneath Madara turned to a swirling mire, pulling his body downward. "Using jutsu without hand seals?" Madara, sinking slowly, chuckled with mild interest. Meanwhile, Shichi had activated his Fire Release Chakra Mode along with his Bijuu Sealing Mark, diving down with another sh. This time, the de''s glow turned purple as he struck Susanoo''s head once again, shattering it. ng! Chains shot out, plunging into the mire. Shichi knew that a mere Earth Release wouldn''t hold Madara. Sure enough, a blue arm emerged from the swamp, grabbing a chain and yanking it, snapping it. Boom! A massive blue figure rose from the mire, only to be quickly ensnared by Shichi''s Fire Nether Chains wrapping around its limbs, torso, and neck. Shichi sheathed his de and formed two Rasenshuriken, one in each hand. Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken! Lava Release Rasenshuriken! On his shoulder, a dragon''s head appeared, charging a blue sphere, then sting it out as a blue-violet beam. Dragon me Breath! Two beams streaked toward Madara''s head in Susanoo. At that moment, Susanoo transformed once more, now d in crow-headed armor resembling a cloak. With a mighty swing, it shattered the Fire Nether Chains and deflected the Dragon me Breath. Crack! Susanoo drew its sword, slicing through the remaining chains with ease. Perfect Susanoo! Seeing the towering entity before him, Shichi smirked slightly. Compared to that, his Fire Release and ze Release Chakra Modes were indeed insignificant. Shichi swung both arms,unching the Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken and Lava Release Rasenshuriken. "You''re the second person to force me into this form!" With a casual swing, Madara effortlessly deflected both of Shichi''s Rasenshuriken, causing them to explode in mid-air. (End of Chapter) ??? Checkout my new Marvel story, Visit My Profile! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 171: So What if You’re Cheating?

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: So What if Youre Cheating?

With the Totsuka de in one hand and the Yagakigami Sword in the other, Shichi''s des shone blue-violet, extending into enormous swords. Blue lotus mes bloomed around him as he flew through the air, striking at Madara''s Susanoo with both swords. Madara''s Susanoo wielded dual swords and scabbards, effectively giving it four des. However, Susanoo''s massive size made it less agilepared to Shichi''s Fire Release Chakra Mode. Each strike shattered Susanoo''s armor, but Susanoo''s regeneration was astonishing. Even with the enhancement from Shichi''s Bijuu Sealing Mark, his Blue me Vacuum sh still couldn''tpletely breach Susanoo''s full-body defense in a single hit. "Among ordinary shinobi, this ability would indeed stand out." Madara''s Sharingan spun, tracking Shichi''s swift movements. Suddenly, with a precise sh, he struck Shichi dead-on. Shichi crossed his swords defensively, but the Blue me Vacuum sh shattered, and he was sent flying by Susanoo''s force. In an instant, a barrage of magatama came hurling at him. Yasaka Magatama! With a swift move, Shichi''s Fire Nether Chains materialized, coiling and pping the magatama out of the way like writhing dragons. At that moment, Susanoo''s twin des crossed, shing down as if to tear the sky itself. Chains spread out like the legs of a spider, forming a circr, purple-blue barrier. Boom! Susanoo''s twin des crashed against the barrier in a brilliant burst of light before shattering it, sending Shichi flying backward from the shockwave. Madara raised his arm, and Susanoo threw a massive de, piercing straight through Shichi''s body. Boom! Shichi''s form exploded into a wisp of hair, scattering in the wind. High above, the real Shichi appeared, shing down and deflecting Susanoo''s massive sword, which crashed into the ocean with a roar. Immediately, four shadow clones appeared around him, their Fire Nether Chainsshing out. Susanoo''s four arms moved to defend, but the sheer number of chains began to bind it tightly. Shichi''s hands gathered two Rasenshuriken, each shimmering with different energies. Ma Release Rasenshuriken! Lava Release Rasenshuriken! Heunched the shuriken one after the other. Inside Susanoo, Madara raised an eyebrow. "No wonder you captured the One-Tail and Four-Tails; your power truly surpasses that of a Kage!" As the Rasenshuriken approached, Susanoo exerted its strength, yanking on the Fire Nether Chains. Shichi''s clones immediately released the chains to avoid getting pulled in and blocking the Rasenshuriken themselves. Now free of the chains, Susanoo raised a de to block the iing Ma Release Rasenshuriken. Boom! The shuriken exploded, unleashing a powerful maic force that engulfed Susanoo entirely. "Hm?" "The Ma Release of the One-Tail? Not bad." Madara sensed his control over Susanoo faltering. Before he could recover, the second Lava Release Rasenshuriken crashed into Susanoo''s de, shattering it. Theva power surged, spinning violently, and even the full-body Susanoo began to disintegrate piece by piece. "This is turning into a bit of a problem, Madara-sama!" Zetsu''s voice chimed in. "This barely counts as a warm-up..." Madara leaped backward, slipping out of Susanoo. Just then, Shichi appeared directly overhead, sweeping down with a Dragon me Breath that cut Madara''s body in two. An instantter, Madara''s bisected body dissipated like an illusion. "So what if you''re cheating?" Seeing Madara unharmed below, Shichi''s eye twitched. All that effort... for nothing! Danzo''s Izanagi, granted by Hashirama''s cells, could negate all damage for sixty seconds with a single Sharingan. Uchiha Obito, with Hashirama cells, could extend this to five minutes. So what about Uchiha Madara? Surely, his duration wasn''t any less than Obito''s. What''s the point of fighting him? Even sealing jutsu isn''t effective against him. ... From below, Madara looked up at Shichi, floating in the sky. "Though you''re far from Hashirama''s level, reaching this point at your age is indeed impressive." "Madara-sama," Zetsu reminded, "time is running out." Madara ignored Zetsu, locking eyes with Shichi as his remaining Sharingan spun, casting genjutsu. It didn''t work. "Seems White Zetsu wasn''t exaggerating with his intel!" Madara smirked, his interest in the young shinobi growing. "Unfortunately, I''m out of time..." Madara chuckled, "but there will be other chances." "Maybe you''ll even grow to Hashirama''s level. That would be worth my full attention." Madara turned and leapt into the forest, vanishing from sight. High above, Shichi watched him go without trying to stop him. There was no stopping Madara if he wanted to leave. Madara wasn''t an ordinary powerhouse, and he was very familiar with the Flying Thunder God Technique, able to move just as swiftly as Shichi. That''s why Shichi hadn''t tried to approach Madara using Flying Thunder Godhe wasn''t about to end up like Tobirama, struck down in an instant. The ck rods created by Yin-Yang Release don''t just work on Edo Tensei; they''d immobilize him too, and without backup, that would be dangerous. "As I am now, I can''t defeat Uchiha Madara, even in his aged state with White Zetsu armor." "Even if I tried to oust him, I''m not sure I''d win." "And if I can''t seal his soul, ousting him is meaningless anyway." Shichi sighed inwardly. Edo Tensei? He would never use it! "Uchiha Madara beneath me?" Shichi dispelled his clones, energizing himself. "With the hacks of the Sharingan and Rinnegan, I''ve still got a long way to go..." "But I''m not even thirteen yet. Someday, I''ll take down Madara!" Landing, Shichi nced in the direction where Obito had disappeared, deep in thought. Should he intercept Uchiha Obito? "From what I can tell, Madara manipted the Mist Vige''s policy, imnted the Three-Tails into Rin, and orchestrated everything." "Rin ultimately chose to die by Obito''s kunai?" Shichi hadn''t witnessed it himself but could deduce it from the wound on Rin. "Someone he loved died by his own hand..." Shichi shook his head, doubting he could convince Obito. Even if he revealed everything he knew, whether Obito would believe it was another matter. Unless... he could bring Rin back to life. But... Shichi''s face darkened. That guy Madara had no sense of honor. In the end, he made sure Rin''s heartpletely exploded. Swoosh! Deactivating Fire Release Chakra Mode, Shichi''s form vanished. ... With a quick series of Flying Raijin teleports, Shuichi returned to Konoha in one breath, appearing directly at Konoha Hospital. Inside, Rin Noharay connected to multiple tubes, her blood cirction and breathing barely sustained by the machines. Her heart, however, was entirely gone. Despite thebined efforts of his shadow clone, Yakushi Nono, and the medical Jonin in the hospital, no one had found a way to regrow her heart before her other organs failed. Shuichi''s shadow clone had returned to Konoha with Rin and Kakashi as quickly as possible, but they hadn''t teleported directly. They had paused several times along the way to keep her stabilized. The fact that she was still alive was a testament to the speed they managed. Soul Imprisonment Technique had kept Rin''s spirit tethered to her body; otherwise, the moment her heart was destroyed, her soul would have departed for the Pure Land. Assessing the situation, Shuichi furrowed his brow. "Shuichi, I..." Asuka hesitated, trying to find words. Shuichi shook his head. "Your chakra isn''t enough to heal this kind of injury. This isn''t just damaged organs; her heart is entirely gone." He turned to Yakushi Nono. "Director, how much longer can she hold on?" Yakushi Nono''s forehead glistened with sweat. "No more than five minutes." Nodding, Shuichi walked out of the room. Outside waited Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kushina Uzumaki, Tsunade, and Shizune. When they saw him, all eyes immediately turned to him. "Shuichi, what happened? And Obito...?" Without preamble, Shuichi exined, "Third Hokage, I was a bit toote. Obito was taken away." Kushina jumped in. "By the Mist Ninja?" Shuichi shook his head. "No, not by the Mist. Obito killed them all; I think he even saved Kakashi." Everyone was stunned. Without borating further, Shuichi said, "Third Hokage, Lady Tsunade, there''s only one way to save Rin now: we need cells from the First Hokage." He exined, "Rin''s heart was cursed to explode just when I was about to heal her." Hiruzen''s expression darkened. "So that''s how it happened..." Tsunade looked troubled. "Our research is nowhere near ready. Even weakened, Grandfather''s cells are still too much for an ordinary person to handle." "She''s no ordinary person now. Mist imnted the Three-Tails inside her," Shuichi pointed out. He nced at Hiruzen. "Third Hokage, I believe Danzo should have a few Sharingan in his possession. We could imnt a pair in Rin to help suppress the First Hokage''s cells as we transnt them." Shuichi''s n was Rin''s only hope. Heart transnts were impractical under such time constraints, and while Sharingan imnts could work almost immediately, the same couldn''t be said for hearts. Hiruzen took a brief moment before nodding. "If that''s our only option, then proceed." "Yes, Lord Third," Shuichi replied, creating a shadow clone. The clone went to Tsunade''sb to retrieve the weakened Hashirama cells she''d cultivated, while Shuichi himself headed to the Hokage''s office for the Sharingan Danzo had surrendered. Unfortunately, they were only two-tomoe Sharingan; the three-tomoe were likely reserved for Danzo''s own use. With the Hashirama cells and Sharingan in hand, Shuichi returned to Konoha Hospital and immediately began the surgery. The eye transnts were straightforward, but the Hashirama cell transnt was extremely risky. As the cells were imnted, Asuka gasped. "It''s growing so fast!" Rin''s heart was regenerating at an astonishing pace, something they hadn''t been able to achieve with medical ninjutsu alone. But soon, things took a dangerous turn. "Shuichi, Rin''s own cells are being consumed by the First Hokage''s cells!" Yakushi Nono warned, her voice tense. "The two-tomoe Sharingan isn''t strong enough to control them." "I see it," Shuichi replied. "Asuka, please use Adamantine Sealing Chains to control the spread of the Hashirama cells." Asuka nodded. Chains shot out from her back, wrapping around Rin to limit the expansion of the Hashirama cells. Shuichi pressed his hand on Rin''s abdomen, releasing the Three-Tails from its seal. A flood of crimson chakra burst out, apanied by a roar as the Three-Tails'' head emerged. But Shuichi promptly shoved it back. Fire Nether Chains! Eight Trigrams Seal! The Three-Tails was forced back into a seal, and its chakra was redirected to support Rin, helping her fight against the Hashirama cells. Yet, even weakened Hashirama cellsbined with the power of the Two-Tomoe Sharingan and the Three-Tails seemed insufficient topletely suppress the cells. "Shuichi, we can''t hold it all back," Asuka''s voice trembled. "The First Hokage''s cells are overwhelmingly strong." Shuichi frowned, understanding that Rin''s unconscious state was a significant part of the problem. With her heart restored, he pressed his hand on her corbone, leaving a Bijuu Sealing Mark on her. Through this curse mark, he directed his chakra to resist the Hashirama cells. Simultaneously, he cast the genjutsu, Pce of Memories, sending his spiritual body inside her mind tomunicate with Rin''s soul, urging her to regain control over her body and resist the Hashirama cells with her own will. To further strengthen her, Shuichi cast Fire Nether Chains, embedding chains into her body to restrain the growth of the Hashirama cells. After severalplex efforts, the rapid spread of the cells finally subsided. Everyone let out a breath of relief. Yakushi Nono checked Rin''s vitals and reported, "All organs and her circtory system are stable now." "Rin likely won''t be able to continue as a shinobi," she added. Shuichi nodded. His Fire Nether Chains had sealed off her ability to use chakra. If she did, the Hashirama cells would have ess to that energy as well. "Hm?" Shuichi''s brows furrowed. (End of Chapter) ??? Make sure to Give your all powerstones for continues uploads! I just did a mass release on Patreon - Read Up to Chapter 215 There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 172: The Third Pair of Mangekyo!

Chapter 172: Chapter 172: The Third Pair of Mangekyo!

Seeing Shuichi''s furrowed brow, Asuka quickly asked, "Shuichi, what''s wrong?" Looking at Rin Nohara''s face, Shuichi sighed. "Rin says she can''t control her body." Asuka was shocked. "How could that happen? Is it because of your sealing technique?" Yakushi Nono dismissed this idea. "It''s not the sealit''s brain damage!" Shuichi nodded in agreement. "The Fire Nether Chain doesn''t affect her ability to control her own body. The First Hokage''s cells only invaded part of her body and didn''t spread to her head, so they shouldn''t prevent her from waking up." Asuka nodded thoughtfully. "Which likely means that her brain damage from the previous heart failure wasn''t healed by the Hashirama cells." Shuichi nodded again. Yakushi Nono had finished her preliminary examination of Rin''s brain and reported with a serious expression, "It is indeed extensive brain damage, with arge area of dead brain cells." Although they had done their best to sustain oxygen and blood flow within her body, brain damage was almost unavoidable. "This is a bit troublesome..." Shuichi sighed. Dead brain cells aren''t easy to treatnot even for someone like Tsunade. Yakushi Nono offered somefort. "We''ve already done an incredible job saving her. For most, it would have been impossible." Asuka nodded in agreement. Nono concluded, "For the brain damage, we''ll have to proceed very slowly." "That''s all we can do," Shuichi agreed. He used his spiritual clone to inform Rin of the situation and then turned to leave the room. ... Outside the hospital room, everyone''s gaze fell on Shuichi as he exited. Kakashi, now awake, was among those waiting. Shuichi exined, "Her heart has recovered, but it isn''t strong enough to withstand the First Hokage''s cells. For now, we''ve sealed it. However, due to the heart injury, she has sustained brain damage, with a significant area of dead brain cells. At this point, Rin can''t wake up or control her body." Kakashi stood frozen, then anxiously asked, "Shuichi, will she stay like this forever?" Tsunade responded, "Brain damage was anticipatedit was unavoidable with that level of injury. As for the dead brain cells, it''s not untreatable; it''s just very challenging. We''ll need to slowly rece the damaged cells and allow new ones to grow. It''s a delicate process and will take considerable time." "However, as long as her other organs are stable, her life is not in danger." "Kakashi, there''s no need to worry so much." "To reach this point is already a miracle," she added. Shuichi ced a reassuring hand on Kakashi''s shoulder. "Don''t worry; Rin will wake up. Her consciousness is actually intact." "When she''s moved to a standard ward, you''ll be able to connect with her through chakra andmunicate." Kakashi nodded, though he looked as though he had more to say. Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up. "Shuichi, Tsunade,e to my office together." Shuichi nodded but left behind a shadow clone just in case. ... Hokage''s Office Tsunade stood with her arms crossed, frowning. "Old man, why did you call us here?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Shuichi and said, "Shuichi, it seemed like you left some things unsaid earlier. If Obito wasn''t taken by the Mist ninja, then who was it?" Shuichi pondered for a moment. "I don''t know who it is yet, but whoever controlled Rin had immense power." "The most critical point is that this person possessed a Sharingan with three tomoe." Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "A Sharingan? From the Uchiha n, perhaps?" "The strongest among them should be the n head, Fugaku Uchiha. But, he shouldn''t be capable of challenging you, right?" Hiruzen fell into deep thought, worried that the Uchiha n might have discovered Danzo''s actions. But it seemed unlikely. Shuichi continued, "Although he had a three-tomoe Sharingan, the genjutsu he used was beyond anything I know." "I even split his body in two, but both halves vanished, and then he reappeared,pletely unharmedas if what I attacked was a mere illusion." "My genjutsu abilities don''t reach that level, though..." "And as a consequence, he lost sight in one of his three-tomoe Sharingan." "But that isn''t the main point." "The real issue is another powerone that rivals, or may even surpass, my numerous Rasenshuriken." Both Hiruzen and Tsunade were taken aback. Shuichi didn''t directly mention the name "Susanoo" but instead described its appearance. Hiruzen''s face immediately changed. "It can''t be..." Tsunade quickly asked, "Old man, do you know what that ability is?" Hiruzen nodded, his voice grave. "It''s the Uchiha n''s most powerful technique! It surpasses the three-tomoe Sharingan. It''s a Mangekyo Sharingan ability, called Susanoo!" "Years ago, Uchiha Madara used this very technique to battle the First Hokage." Tsunade frowned. "To my knowledge, no Uchiha has had a Mangekyo Sharingan since Madara, right? Where did this persone from?" "Could it be that some Uchiha are hiding their power? No... that doesn''t seem right..." Hiruzen''s gaze grew somber. "There must be more to this. It may have no connection to the Uchiha n in the vige." Shuichi feigned realization. "Mangekyo... So that means Obito has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan as well!" Tsunade was stunned. "How could that be?" "Last I remember, that kid had just awakened the double-tomoe in the Land of Grass, right?" Shuichi responded, "Tsunade-sama, don''t underestimate Obito. Although he''s naturally kind-hearted and has his timid side, he''s not without talent." "And you know the requirements for awakening and advancing the Sharingan." "Based on my assessment, Rin was captured by the Mist ninja and had the Three-Tails forcibly imnted into her. They intended for her to return to the vige with the Three-Tails and unleash it there." "But it''s clear this was all part of a greater plot." "While Kakashi and Obito rescued Rin, Kakashi stayed behind to cover them. But he couldn''t handle so many Mist ninja alone, so Obito and Rin were caught up again." "Rin''s heart was sealed with a curse mark, preventing her from taking her own life. So, to protect the vige from the Three-Tails, she chose to die by Obito''s kunai." "From what I observed, Obito had feelings for Rin. To see a cherished friend, and his loved one, die at his own handthat shock could have triggered his Mangekyo Sharingan, which exins why he was able to take out all the Mist ninja and put Kakashi under hypnosis." "That''s not something achievable with just a three-tomoe Sharingan." Hiruzen nodded. "So, the one wielding the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan must be targeting Obito." Shuichi nodded. "From the current information, it seems to be about Obito." "He likely left willingly, though I suspect his character has changed drastically by now." Tsunade''s face grew grave. "So, there are now two peopleparable to Madara?" Shuichi shook his head. "It''s more than thatthere''s something else I discovered." "The person who controlled the curse mark... he has the power of the First Hokage''s cells!" "What?" Tsunade and Hiruzen eximed simultaneously. Tsunade''s face flushed with fury. "That damn Orochimaru..." Hiruzen''s mind jumped to Danzo, but he quickly dismissed the thought. He knew Danzo wellDanzo wouldn''t have taken this approach. "No, it''s not Orochimaru..." Shuichi said. "That person''s mastery of the First Hokage''s cells exceeds even Orochimaru''s." Tsunade''s face darkened. "Then who could it be?" "Who else in the ninja world understands my grandfather''s cells so well?" "Also, what''s his motive?" "Setting up Obito to awaken his Sharingan yet not taking his eyes immediately... what''s the goal?" Shuichi shook his head as if clueless. Hiruzen then thought of the Nine-Tails, his tone turning grave. "Shuichi, we may need to elerate the Tailed Beast n, ensuring that Kushina fully masters the Nine-Tails'' power as soon as possible." Feigning innocence, Shuichi asked, "Is it because of the Nine-Tails?" Hiruzen exined, "The Mangekyo Sharingan can control the Nine-Tails. Long ago, Uchiha Madara used his Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails in his battle with the First Hokage." "With two Mangekyo Sharingan wielders and that resurrection-reversing genjutsu you mentioned, we can''t afford to be unprepared." Tsunade suggested, "Since Rin''s alive, perhaps we can still reach Obito." "If we can, maybe we''ll gain some intelligence." Hiruzen replied, "But we must also prepare for the worst." "I''ll have Minato pulled back from the front lines." "And Shuichi, you need to be ready. To end the war with the Stone ninja swiftly, we may have to return the Four-Tails." Shuichi nodded, then hesitated purposefully. "And the Uchiha n..." "I suspect that the person I encountered is collecting three-tomoe Sharingan." Hiruzen pondered this for a moment before saying, "Shuichi, you should be the one tomunicate this to them. You''re friends with both Shisui and Obito; it may go over better that way." Tsunade scoffed at this remark. It all came down to trust issues on both sides. Ignoring Tsunade''s expression, Hiruzen asked Shuichi, "When you left a shadow clone behind just now, was it for a specific reason?" Shuichi nodded. "The enemy''s intel-gathering and infiltration abilities are strong. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have been able to manipte the Mist ninja so easily." "It reminded me of when I sensed someone watching during our battle with the Sand ninja in the Land of Rivers." Hiruzen felt a chill. "I''ll have the barrier team and sensory ninja conduct a thorough search immediately!" Shuichi shook his head. "Standard sensory techniques may not suffice; otherwise, Asuka''s Kagura Mind''s Eye would have detected them." "Minato-sensei and I aren''tcking in sensory abilities either." Hiruzen''s expression grew even heavier. Tsunade also wore a serious look. "For now, let''s leave it at that," Hiruzen said, sounding weary. ... Outside the Hokage''s office, Shichi suddenly turned to Tsunade and said, "Lady Tsunade, it seems we need to speed up our research." Tsunade frowned. "That''s easier said than done." Shichi chuckled, then asked seriously, "Lady Tsunade, what do you think of me merging with the First Hokage''s cells?" Tsunade froze, then, after a brief silence, shook her head. "It''s too dangerous. And it shouldn''t be your risk to take. Above you, there''s the old man, there''s Danzo and others like Jiraiya and Minato. You don''t need to shoulder so much pressure. Right now, you can already take down that mysterious person, and in ten years, he won''t stand a chance." Shichiughed heartily at this, then added, "Directly merging with the First Hokage''s cells wouldn''t suit my style anyway. What we need is to understand the essence of those cellsand take it a step further." With his system, he was brimming with confidence. "Lady Tsunade, I''ll see you tonight at theb!" he said, disappearing in an instant. Tsunade stood there a moment, then muttered with a smirk, "Brat, talking big like it''s all that easy." ... In the Uchiha n''s district, Shichi sensed Shisui''s chakra and instantly used the Flying Thunder God technique to appear next to him. Shisui was feeding some crows and, sensing Shichi''s presence, smiled without turning around. "Shichi, what brings you here?" "An important matter," Shichi replied. "I''m here under orders from the Third Hokage and need you to introduce me to n Leader Fugaku." Shisui turned serious, setting aside his bird feed. "Understood. Wait here; I''ll be back shortly." A momentter, Shisui returned and led Shichi to Fugaku Uchiha''s residence, where they noticed a small figure in the hallway. "Shichi, this is the n Leader''s son, Itachi," Shisui introduced with a smile. Hearing them, Itachi looked up, beaming. "Brother Shisui!" he called, running over on his little legs. Shisui knelt and poked Itachi''s forehead gently. "I need to speak with your father now, so I''ll y with youter, okay? And this is my friend, Shichi Hoshita. You can call him Brother Shichi!" Itachi bowed politely, "Brother Shichi, I am Itachi Uchiha!" Shichi smiled and ruffled Itachi''s head. "Nice to meet you, Itachi. I''m Shichi Hoshita." At that moment, Mikoto Uchiha appeared, nodding politely to Shichi. "Itachi, don''t bother your father''s guest!" "Yes, Mother!" Itachi said, bowing quickly to Shichi and Shisui before scurrying off. After exchanging greetings with Mikoto, Shichi followed Shisui into the guest room to meet Fugaku Uchiha. Once they were seated, Fugaku asked, "Shichi, is there a message from the Third Hokage?" Shichi replied, "It''s not so much a message as a matter involving Obito." "Obito?" Both Fugaku and Shisui looked surprised, their expressions darkening. "Shichi, does this mean... has Obito...?" "No, Obito should be alright," Shichi rified. "But his squad was ambushed by the Mist shinobi on the southern front. Rin Nohara was killed, and Obito is missing. Based on the scene, it seems Rin died by Obito''s hand, triggering his Mangeky Sharingan." Fugaku and Shisui both froze in shock. "Does this mean Obito defected?" Fugaku asked, his tone growing grim. "No," Shichi shook his head. "Rin had the Three-Tails sealed within her by Mist shinobi to wreak havoc in the vige. She chose to die at Obito''s hand to protect it. There''s more to this, thoughwhen I arrived at the battlefield, I was ambushed by a mysterious person. He had a three-tomoe Sharingan but also used the Mangeky''s Susano''o." Shisui eximed in shock, "What?" Fugaku, meanwhile, felt a chill run down his back, wondering if Shichi was testing him. But this matter... could it mean suspicion of an Uchiha traitor? Shichi observed Fugaku''s wary expression, continuing, "The figure disyed the three-tomoe Sharingan initially. When I cut him down, his body vanished like an illusion, and he reappeared somewhere else, though his eye had gone blind." Realizing this was important n knowledge, Fugaku knew he couldn''t conceal it. "This sounds like our n''s forbidden technique, Izanagia genjutsu that rewrites reality, at the cost of losing an eye''s sight permanently." Shichi feigned amazement. "Izanagi... I didn''t expect such an ultimate illusion to exist! It seems my deduction was right." "So," Shichi continued, "I came not only to verify some information but also to warn you, n Leader Fugaku. Someone is stealing the three-tomoe Sharingan from the Uchiha n. And now they have two pairs of Mangeky, with Obito willingly joining this person." Fugaku nodded gravely. "Understood. Thank you, Shichi." "No need to thank me, n Leader. Besides, I''m friends with Shisui, and the Uchiha are part of our vige." Fugaku spoke with conviction, "The Uchiha will find this mystery person and bring Obito back! Lately, many Sharingan have been lost on the Stone battlefieldnow it seems they weren''t taken by the Stone but by this mysterious individual. One of our three-tomoe bearers, Uchiha Yu, has also gone missing, and his body hasn''t been recovered." Uchiha Yu? Shichi''s eyes narrowed. "So that exins it... The chakra I sensed back then had felt familiar." He suspected that White Zetsu had interfered with his sensory abilities, preventing him from identifying Uchiha Yu immediately. "Then, was it Uchiha Yu who awakened the Mangeky and defected?" Fugaku thought carefully, assuming the mystery figure to be Yu. But Shichi countered, "No, it seems Yu left with Obito. The one who fought me was someone else. His chakra felt entirely unfamiliarnot from anyone in the vige." This statement allowed Fugaku to rx slightly, contemting aloud, "Could it be an Uchiha remnant from outside the vige?" "No matter who it is, they mean us harm," Shichi replied. "n Leader Fugaku, please stay vignt!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 173: A Flaw, Die Again!

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: A w, Die Again!

"Three pairs of Mangeky... even just two pairs could cause the top brass of Konoha to howl like dogs." Leaving the Uchiha district, Shichi felt a bit speechless. It seemed that people with selfish perspectives could never truly understand the expansive mindset of those who acted out of a "greater love." "But it appears the Third Hokage is unaware of Izanagi, while Danzo somehow obtained knowledge of this techniqueespecially before the Uchiha n massacre," Shichi thought, frowning. Thinking of that old fox Danzo, Shichi suddenly felt he could understand the Second Hokage and Danzo''s attitude toward the Uchiha n. Each Uchiha was like a ticking time bomb, ready to darken and explode with insane power at any moment. Without a force as overwhelming as Hashirama''s, it was hard not to be fearful. The more he learned about the Uchiha, the deeper that fear ranenough to make one wish to eliminate them. It was, after all, the safest and simplest solution. Then, his thoughts drifted to Uchiha Obito. If there was no way to bring him back... Two Kamui, plus Hashirama''s cells and Susano''o... Shichi couldn''t help but feel a headacheing on. He surmised that Madara must have used the excuse of imnting Hashirama''s cells to ce a curse seal on Obito''s heart to keep him under control. Luckily, Rin hadn''t died! "Would Madara send White Zetsu to kill Rin?" "The more one does, the more mistakes they make..." In this moment, even Shichi himself sensed the intense shift of the future. His very existence, his every action, was changing the future he knew. To be honest, it was a little unnerving. "Everyone''s using cheats, huh?" "Then let''s see whose cheat is stronger, and whosests longer!" Shichi vanished, reappearing at the Konoha Hospital. Although it was just a standard ward, there were ANBU guards stationed outside. Once his shadow clone dispersed, Shichi saw Kakashi sitting by the bed, head lowered, deep in thought. Shichi didn''t disturb him. "Kakashi... hopefully, he won''t end up single for life," Shichi thought with a smirk, then turned to leave. A single hair fell from him, drifting onto a flower bed, transforming into a hidden pebble. Leaving the hospital, Shichi nced at the darkening sky and returned home. Asuka was busy in the kitchen. After a quick wash, Shichi leaned against the door, watching her quietly, his mind swirling with various thoughts. Would Asuka die in battle someday? Would Non Yakushi be a target for ck Zetsu or White Zetsu? Shizune... A sense of unease washed over him, like a creeping paranoia. "I need to advance the Bijuu Sealing Mark further..." Collecting himself, Shichi focused back on his training. Sufficient strength was the only guarantee of safety. And then there was Susano''o to deal with. Should he create a giant avatar too? "Lava Release could work... Once I get the ''Medical Master'' Tag, my Yang Release skills should be close to the First Hokage''s level." "With the ''Prodigy'' Tag, unlocking the mysteries of Hashirama''s cells will only be a matter of time." "And then there''s the unique Uzumaki body..." Shichi nced at Asuka''s graceful profile. "No, or rather, Asuka''s special physique, specifically." Hashirama Senju''s Sage Body had a passive healing ability, requiring no hand signs and able to regenerate from any injury. In terms of cellr characteristics, Hashirama''s cells disyed extreme vitalityself-dividing, rapidly regenerating, but also notoriously difficult to control. You could even say that Hashirama''s cells are overactivated. This could be viewed as a disy of Yang Release''s properties. Meanwhile, Asuka''s unique body, like Karin''s, also showed extraordinary healing properties, albeit in a different form. Inparison, Hashirama''s Sage Body was more of a passive, self-healing system. Even for self-healing, Asuka would need someone to bite her to activate it. Furthermore, Hashirama''s healing was exclusive to his own body; it couldn''t be transferred, and few could handle his cells after a transnt. Asuka''s special body, however, could heal others and even replenish chakra. Although he hadn''t yet begun a formal study of Asuka''s cells, Shichi already had a good understanding of them. Asuka''s cellr activity also far exceeded the norm, butpared to Hashirama, hers could be seen as more inert. One was passive; the other, active. One was overly activated, while the other was highly controlled. This was why Shichi believed Hashirama''s Sage Body had its limitations. Combining the best of bothHashirama''s cells and Asuka''s bodymight result in a truly perfect Sage Body, capable of self-healing, healing others, andplete control. But all this was still just a theory. He would need to conduct in-depth research to confirm it, which was also why he''d been working on setting up his ownb. ... The Mountain Graveyard Following White Zetsu to the Mountain Graveyard, Obito Uchiha came face to face with the frail, tube-connected, elderly figure of Madara Uchiha. Turning to White Zetsu, Obito activated his Mangeky Sharingan. "Are you kidding me?" "Of course not!" White Zetsu grinned. "This is your ancestor, Madara Uchiha!" "Madara Uchiha?" Obito looked back at the old man, who seemed barely clinging to life, and frowned. "Madara Uchiha should be long dead by now. He was from the same era as the First Hokage!" Madara''s eyes opened, revealing the three-tomoe Sharingan. He had returned a bit ahead of Obito and had reced his previously lost eye, now fully restored. Genjutsu activated! Obito''s consciousness was immediately pulled into a mental realm. "Even though it''s only three-tomoe, his eye power is stronger than mine!" Obito thought, rmed as he stared at the elderly man with a deep sense of wariness. At that moment, Madara''s aged form morphed into his prime. "Whether or not I am Madara Uchiha hardly matters, does it?" Obito nodded. "You''re right, it doesn''t matter who you are. What I want is a way to create a new world." "As you wish." Madara gestured, shifting the surrounding scenery. "But first, you need to understand the secrets of the Uchiha n. This knowledge will help you harness your power and solidify your goal." "Of course, you could learn this from the Sage of Six Paths'' tablet in the Uchiha Naka Shrine. But with your current eye power, you won''t be able to decipher the full contents." From Madara''s lips poured a long talethe Sage of Six Paths, the Sharingan, the Mangeky, the Rinnegan, and... the Infinite Tsukuyomi! Obito''s eyes lit up at the mention of Infinite Tsukuyomi. "So, as long as we gather the nine-tailed beasts and seal them in the Gedo Statue, I can use the Rinnegan to activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi?" Madara nodded. "Yes, I call it the Eye of the Moon n." Obito remarked, "The First Hokage is dead. With your strength and the Rinnegan, capturing the nine tailed beasts shouldn''t be an issue, right?" Madara replied, "Unlocking the Rinnegan was extremely taxing. You see the state I''m in." "I need to be revived at my peak to control the power of the Ten Tails fully." "And don''t underestimate the power of the Five Great Nations. If you want to create a new world, you''ll have to dismantle their established order." "You''ll be going up against the entire Shinobi World!" "You may have good eye power, but you''ve only recently unlocked your Mangeky. You haven''t yet achieved its Eternal state, as I mentioned before, and you must have felt the strain on your eyes." Obito instinctively touched his eyes, feeling the toll his Mangeky abilities had taken. Madara continued, "Therefore, you''ll need to transnt Hashirama''s cells next. Only then can you eliminate the side effects of using the Mangeky Sharingan, avoiding blindness." --- Outside of this mental realm, White Zetsu, controlling the body of Uchiha Y, received intel from the other White Zetsu outside. ncing at Obito, who had his eyes closed, he said to Madara, "Lord Madara, I have some bad news." "That girl, Rin Nohara, isn''t dead. Though she''s in poor condition, Konoha''s medical capabilities will likely restore her eventually." Madara raised an eyebrow. "Descendant of Hashirama? Impressive resilience." White Zetsu chuckled. "Actually, you guessed wrong. It was that guy, Shichi Hoshita, who probably used Hashirama''s cells." "Thisplicates things!" "Konoha has already ced that girl under strict protection." If Rin didn''t die, would Obito still pursue the Eye of the Moon n? Madara frowned slightly. That boy, whom he hadn''t paid much attention to, was now a w in his n. Madara suddenly asked, "You must have nted spores on her before, right?" White Zetsu praised him, "Of course, Lord Madara!" "Unfortunately, the intel indicates that Shichi has put powerful seals on Rin. My spores can''t activate." "While I could infiltrate her as a unique artificial being, Shichi is clever enough to prepare countermeasures, so failure is likely." Madara responded calmly, "Then give it a try." "Approach as a Hidden Mist shinobi." White Zetsu nodded. "Understood!" He then directed Uchiha Y''s body out of the area. Spiral Zetsu remarked, "Lord Madara, while no one knows your identity, and no one can guess the Eye of the Moon n, not dealing with Shichi is a serious w, isn''t it?" "If Shichi meets Obito and tells him the truth, Obito could slip from our control." Madara knew this. Shichi Hoshita''s existence, and Madara''s failure to eliminate him, had indeed created a w in his n. The perfect time to eliminate Shichi would have been when both Minato and Shichi were unavable. But that was unlikely, as Hidden Mist was already reaching its breaking point. Madara had anticipated Shichi''s arrival, which led to their previous sh. "I underestimated that boy... but it''s no matter." Madara chuckled to himself, then added indifferently, "She isn''t crucial. Just a pawn." "And even Obito, as suited as he is, is still just a useful piece." "Since he''s a piece, he can be reced at any time." "If the n fails, then just inform him of this ''good news.''" Spiral Zetsu chuckled, knowing Madara''s nature well. "Quite unfortunate. It seems we''ll need to keep searching for other candidates." Madara replied, "No need." To find another with potential like Obito''s would likely take another ten years, if not longer. But he couldn''t wait that long. And besides, Nagato''s timing was also almost ripe. --- After dinner, Shichi left a shadow clone at home to continue studying the Reanimation Jutsu. Upon leaving, he sent another shadow clone to the Mist battlefield, where Pakura was, while his real body headed to the experimental base. First, he would focus on researching Hashirama''s cells and then Asuka''s cells. The night passed without event. The next morning, after early training, Shichi went to the Konoha Hospital to check on Rin Nohara, where he spotted Kakashi standing in the hallway outside her room. Walking up beside him, Shichi asked, "You''vepleted Chidorido you have a n for the next stage of your training?" Kakashi shook his head, then asked, "Obito... did he defect?" Shichi chuckled, "Kakashi, you know him better than I do." "Not defected, but Rin''s situation has dealt him a heavy blow, so he was probably deceived by someone." "Besides, your recent ambush by Mist shinobi had traces of maniption, but not by the Mist." "This was a scheme specifically targeting Obito." Kakashi, shaken, said, "Shichi, I remember you..." Shichi raised his hand to interrupt, "The key is not just finding Obito but changing his mindset." "Don''t worry. The vige won''t give up on him." At that moment, Minato Namikaze appeared in the hallway, and both greeted him respectfully, "Minato Sensei!" Minato quickly approached them. "How is Rin doing?" Shichi replied, "Her condition has stabilized, and with smooth follow-up treatment, she should fully recover." With that, the three entered Rin''s hospital room. The room was divided into an outer section, guarded by two Anbu shinobi, and an inner section where Rin was, watched over by a kunoichi. By Rin''s bedside, Shichi and Kakashi recounted the events to Minato, who sighed after listening, then reassured Kakashi, "Don''t worry, Kakashi. The vige will bring Obito back." "Shichi, who do you think the mysterious person you fought was?" Shichi''s expression darkened, "Madara Uchiha!" Kakashi was stunned. "How is that possible? He should have died long ago." Shichi responded, "It''s certainly an astonishing guess because Madara is from such a distant past." "But anyone who can unlock the Mangeky and still use the Uchiha n''s forbidden techniques must haveplete knowledge of the Uchiha legacy." "It would be nearly impossible for an outsider with diluted Uchiha blood, and since they''re not part of the Uchiha in the vige, the likelihood that it''s Madara is high." Minato added, "Is it because of that ultimate genjutsu?" "It''s possible he could have used it to deceive the First Hokage in the Battle of the Valley of the End. And acquiring the First Hokage''s cells from that battle wouldn''t be surprising." "But regardless, we must be extremely cautious. The Mangeky Sharingan isn''t something ordinary shinobi can contend with." Shichi nodded, then said, "I''m actually quite worried about Obito''s current state." Minato immediately picked up on it. "Is it because Rin is still alive?" Shichi nodded. "It''s not just about Rin''s life or death; my intervention has also disrupted the mysterious man''s n." "The enemy didn''t take Obito''s eye, indicating they intended to manipte him using Rin''s death." "So, I n to have Rin ''die'' again!" Minato frowned, "That''ll be difficult to conceal from the enemy, given their extensive intelligence-gathering abilities and stealth." Shichi smiled, "I''m fairly confident about this." He stepped forward, plucking a strand of hair from Rin''s head with the follicle still attached. As it hit the ground, it transformed into a duplicate of Rin. Minato''s eyes widened in surprise. "It even has the same chakra signature!" Shichi nodded, "Because it uses Rin''s own cells." Minato nodded in agreement, "If that''s the case, then it should work." "Now, let''s see if the enemy will show up." Shichi felt reasonably confident about this. To Madara Uchiha, Obito was an incredibly valuable pawn. In fact, there was likely no other suitable candidate within the current Uchiha n. Even ten years down the line, they wouldn''t find someone like him. While Itachi Uchiha was ruthless enough to annihte his entire n, he wouldn''t be as easily manipted as Obito. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 174: Obito’s Choice!

Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Obitos Choice!

With the n in motion, Shichi used his clone to rece Rin Nohara in the hospital bed. Meanwhile, the real Rin was transported by Shichi to a securedb via Flying Thunder God, where the defenses were far more reliable than any group of Anbu. Shichi had set up numerous seals and barriers, making it impossible for White Zetsu or ck Zetsu to infiltrate unnoticed. Watching Shichi disguised as Rin lying in the hospital bed, Kakashi asked eagerly, "Minato-sensei, Shichi, what can I do to help?" Shichi replied with a smile, "Of course, Kakashi. You need toe here every day until you''re called away on a mission." With a mischievous glint in his eye, Shichi nodded, and Kakashi earnestly agreed, "Understood." For the next three days, all was calm. Meanwhile, in the southern Fire Country battlefield, the presence of Shichi''s clone turned the tide, and the Mist Ninjas, unable to hold out any longer, withdrew from the penins, retreating across the sea. The Konoha-Mist battle had reached a temporary ceasefire. On the fourth day after setting the n, Kakashi received orders to join Guy and the others in reinforcing the Land of Grass. On the sixth day, a medical ninja entered Rin''s room to replenish her nutrients, and the Anbu guarding the room went through the routine of checking the medication and verifying the ninja''s identity through the mask. But as they locked eyes, a Sharingan appeared, and the Anbu instantly froze. "Hey, what''s going on?" The other Anbu stationed outside frowned. White Zetsu turned his gaze, catching the other Anbu in his Sharingan trap, subduing him in an instant. The female ninja on guard inside noticed immediately. "Who''s there?" Just as she was about to draw her de, spores that had been nted on her the previous day swiftly absorbed her chakra, growing rapidly and binding her arms, mouth, and nose. ng! Her de fell to the floor. White Zetsu walked over to Rin''s bed, sighing, "Poor thing..." He picked up her de, swung it, and cut through "Rin''s" body in one swift motion, sttering blood across the room. "You''re dead meat!" Shichi''s voice boomed, and with a crash, the disguised White Zetsu was sent flying, bleeding from his eyes as he was thrown through the hospital wall. Before he could hit the ground, Shichi was already upon him, gripping his throat and mming him to the floor. Crack! The ground split open and sank under the impact. White Zetsu gave a wry smile. "As expected of someone so fast... I didn''t even have time to activate Izanagi." Luckily, he''d nned for this. In the next instant, White Zetsu vanished and reappeared outside the Konoha Hospital, now disguised as a Mist Ninja. But as he leapt forward, Shichi appeared beside him, swung his de, and cut his body in two. "Quite impressive! Looks like this time''s the end for me!" White Zetsu''s expression was exaggeratedly desperate as he realized that even Izanagi wouldn''t remove the Flying Thunder God mark Shichi had left on him. Over and over, White Zetsu was in by Shichi''s shadow clones lying in wait around the hospital, only to revive and try to escape further outside the vige. Themotion quickly drew the attention of Anbu led by Chihiro, who, stunned by the sight, could only follow closely. Konoha''s police force arrived as well, simrly astounded as they joined the chase. Uchiha Fugaku and Shisui arrived shortly afterward, watching as the Mist Ninja, over and over, was killed and revived. Shisui leaned in, asking, "n Leader, is that...?" Fugaku''s face darkened, "Izanagi!" "This Mist Ninja not only obtained a Three-Tomoe Sharingan but also knows one of our n''s forbidden techniques." Fugaku was at a loss. How had the forbidden Izanagi technique, known only to a select few within the n, spread outside? Even among those with Three-Tomoe, not everyone was privy to such secrets, specifically to avoid infighting within the n as in the past. ... The battle quickly moved outside Konoha. "Seems like shaking them off won''t be easy!" Upon his next revival, White Zetsu still maintained his casual tone, though this time, after being critically injured by Shichi, he didn''t regenerate fully, and his Mist Ninja form died on the spot. But unfortunately for him, Shichi had been watching closely. Picking up the "Mist Ninja''s" body, Shichi handed it over to Chihiro, who had caught up. "Seal this corpse, Chihiro." "Understood!" Chihiro took the body and immediately set about sealing it, then had her subordinates secure it in a sealing scroll. With a poof, Shichi dispelled his clone. His true self, at theb, teleported to Shisui''s side via Flying Thunder God. Infusing chakra into the ground, Shichi expanded his perception across thend, quickly pinpointing his target. With a smirk, he said, "Found you!" "Shisui, head back!" The moment he spoke, Shichi took to the skies, activating his Fire Release Chakra Mode. Blue lotuses bloomed across his body as he shot forward, creating shockwaves as he sped through the air. "Incredible speed!" Fugaku gasped. It was his first time witnessing Shichi in this state, flying at astonishing speed. Other Anbu and Uchiha ninjas around couldn''t hide their amazement either. Flying at such speedshe truly was the "Blue sh of Konoha!" ... Deep in the forest, White Zetsu, controlling Uchiha Yu, was dashing westward when he sensed an extraordinary speed approaching. With a rush of wind and a crash, Shichinded from above, sending a fierce gust through the area. White Zetsu, prepared to escape, released Uchiha Yu, vanishing underground. But chains soon tore through the earth, missing by mere seconds. Shichi frowned. White Zetsu''s swift retreat made capturing him with his Fire Nether Chains a challenge. He turned to examine Uchiha Yu, whoy on the ground, frail and lifeless. "All chakra''s been drained... only one eye left, and it''s blinded." Shichi sighed. The previous White Zetsu had a single Three-Tomoe Sharingan, likely transnted, while the other White Zetsu, who''d possessed Uchiha Yu, had used a Transfer Seal to ce Izanagi within the transnted eye, activating it when necessary. Though it cost a Sharingan, they''d gained intelligence on the Flying Thunder God. "I wonder if White Zetsu knows I left a Flying Thunder God mark on Obito..." Pondering this, Shichi deactivated his Fire Release Chakra Mode and teleported back to Shisui''s side, bringing Uchiha Yu''s body with him. "n Leader Fugaku, the one controlling Yu has drained his chakra." Shichiid Uchiha Yu''s body before Fugaku. Seeing Yu''s blinded and empty eye sockets, Fugaku''s mix of rage and sorrow was tempered by relief. Yu hadn''t defected or betrayed themhe was a victim. Fugaku bowed deeply to Shichi. "Thank you, Shichi. The Uchiha n is in your debt." "No need for thanks, n Leader Fugaku," Shichi replied humbly. With a nod to Shisui, Shichi said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I''ll take my leave." With that, he disappeared. ... Hokage''s Office When Shichi arrived, both Chihiro and his teacher, Minato Namikaze, were already there. After giving a quick rundown of the situation, Shichi turned to Chihiro. Without dy, Chihiro unlocked a sealing scroll and retrieved the corpse from earlier. Shichi stepped forward, raised his right hand, and a fiery chain shot from his palm, piercing through the corpse on the ground. In an instant, the corpse reverted to its original forma White Zetsu, bearing a single, blind Sharingan. Hiruzen Sarutobi''s gaze sharpened. "Is this its true form?" Shichi nodded gravely. "It''s almost entirelyposed of cells from the First Hokage." "What?" "How is that even possible?" Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze were shocked. Shichi knew well that it was Madara Uchiha who, using the Rinnegan and the Gedo Statue, had cultivated this clone using Hashirama''s cells. These White Zetsu were distinct from those who had been sacrificed to the God Tree by Kaguya tsutsuki. Still, Shichi feigned ignorance and shook his head. "I''m not sure how it was created, but it''s an invaluable research asset for us." Hiruzen made a swift decision. "Then I''ll leave it to you and Tsunade." Shichi nodded, promptly taking the corpse back to theb. After all, a fresh specimen was best! --- Laboratory In theb, Tsunade examined the bloodless corpse as she dissected it. She frowned. "This doesn''t seem human at all." Shichi agreed. "Indeed, it resembles a nt more than anything else." "But without a doubt, it represents a direction for cultivating the First Hokage''s cells." "These nt-like cells are remarkably stable, and most importantly, they can fuse with human bodies." Shichi continued dissecting with efficient precision, slicing various samples and handing them to Tsunade. "See if we can culture it. If sessful, we might be able to use it to grow limbs and organs for transnt." "Additionally, its regenerative abilities are incredible." Tsunade nodded, diving into her work. Shichi deployed several shadow clones to assist her. He had long wanted to capture a White Zetsu for study, perhaps even use one as a sacrificial catalyst to summon the spirits of Hashirama and Tobirama to assist them. However, catching a White Zetsu in these circumstances was no small feat. --- Mountain Graveyard White Zetsu returned to the hideout as fast as possible. "Lord Madara, although wepleted the mission, we lost arade and a pair of Three-Tomoe Sharingan." White Zetsu reported, "That Shichi''s Flying Thunder God is insanely fast; there was no chance of escape." "However, this may ultimately be of limited use." "Shichi managed to secure one of our bodies, so he''ll likely uncover some secrets. Disguising ourselves as Mist shinobi doesn''t seem effective anymore." "It appears we''re leaking more information than we''re gaining!" Madara Uchiha''s expression remained unchanged. "If that''s the case, then you haven''t truly seeded in your mission." "Konoha had prepared for this. It seems that the person we killed was a decoy." White Zetsu was taken aback. "Is that possible?" "They even managed to fool us?" Madara offered no confirmation, his gaze fixed instead on Uchiha Obito, lying on a bed nearby. At the moment, Obito was connected to tubes, with a White Zetsu covering his body. The Zetsu''s cells were gradually integrating with Obito''s. "If that''s how it is, then let''s give him some good news," Madara ordered. White Zetsu shrugged. "This could get a bit tricky." Madara Uchiha was confident, though; even if Obito hesitated, he had contingencies in ce, albeit not as ideal. --- Through the connection with the Gedo Statue, Madara Uchiha appeared in Obito''s mindscape. "I have some surprising news: that girl, Rin, is still alive." "What?" Obito''s face lit up, a mix of shock and joy. Madara continued, "You still have a choice to make." "You can return to Konoha, back to your previous life." "Or you can choose to stay here and help me achieve the Eye of the Moon n." "Right now, you''re like I once was. Do you stay with Konoha, or sever ties with the past to create a new world, a world without war and suffering?" As he saw Obito''s conflicted expression, Madara pushed further. "So, what will you choose?" "Will you return to a cycle of endless war, watching friends die and suffer, or will you choose a different path?" Obito''s forehead beaded with sweat. To sever ties with his past, to be like Madara Uchiha meant betraying Konoha, fighting against his formerrades, and saying a final farewell to Rin. But if he returned to Konoha, what would Madara do to him? Obito wasn''t na?ve. Seeing through Obito''s thoughts, Madara remarked, "It seems youck the resolve to create a new world." "When the transnt isplete, you''re free to leave." "However, remember, as long as this ninja war endures, that girl, Rin, will inevitably die in it." "When I was young, I couldn''t protect my brother. And right now, you don''t have the power to protect the ones you care about: not Rin, nor any of your friends." Obito''s mind was wracked with inner turmoil, and once again, the image of Rin lying lifeless in a pool of blood rose in his mind. The sensation of driving his kunai into Rin''s heart seized him, gripping every nerve. In this mindscape, Obito''s hand began to tremble. The suffocating pain of taking Rin''s life with his own hands engulfed him once more. But in his heart, Rin''s gentle smile, the faces of Kakashi, Minato, Kushina, Shichi, and others flickered one by one. In that moment, Obito''s inner being and mind seemed to be torn by an overwhelming force. Yet, a voice deep within him continued to cry out: Go back, find Rin! Go back, find Rin! Go back, find Rin! ... Amid Obito''s mental shouts, he suddenly looked up at Madara Uchiha. "I want to go back!" "Back to Rin''s side, to protect her!" Madara nodded slightly. "Very well." With that, Madara''s form vanished. Realizing something was wrong, Obito tried to wake up and regain control of his body immediately. --- "It seems I chose the right person after all," Madara remarked, satisfied. He then called, "White Zetsu!" The White Zetsu covering Obito''s body responded, "Understood!" The Spiral Zetsu responsible for transnting Hashirama''s cells swiftly enveloped Obito''s entire body, leaving only his right eye exposed. Obito opened his eyes at this point but found he couldn''t control his body, nor could he activate his Mangekyo Sharingan. Not only was he restrained by White Zetsu, but the Gedo Statue''s influence was also holding him, which was the real issue. "Madara, what are you nning?" Obito demanded. "Fulfilling my promiseto send you back to Konoha," Madara replied calmly. "Of course, in a new form and with a different identity." Release Obito? Impossible. Obito''s Mangekyo Sharingan alone was a rare assetthere was no way Madara would allow it to aid an enemy. Obito''s body lifted against his will and floated to Madara''s side. Madara stood up, cing his hand on Obito''s right shoulder. Instantly, a ck substance spread over the right half of Obito''s body. Madara said, "This ck Zetsu represents my will. It will join White Zetsu in controlling Obito to collect the Tailed Beasts ording to my n until my resurrection." The Spiral Zetsu on Obito''s body voiced some hesitation, "Lord Madara, isn''t this a bit risky? We aren''t exactlybat specialists." "Still, I must say you chose well; controlling Uchiha Obito isn''t easy." Knowing he''d need to work aler, ck Zetsu chimed in, "Indeed." Madara responded, "I''ve already taught him the Six Paths and Yin-Yang Release techniques, which you''ll be able to use in controlling him. Nagato will handle the Tailed Beasts'' collection." "However, to ensure everything goes smoothly, I''ll ce a genjutsu on him and separate his Mangekyo Sharingan." "You...you''re all monsters!" Obito gasped, finally realizing he had fallen into the hands of ruthless foes. As Madara reached toward him, Obito tried with all his might to use Kamui, but it was futile. ck and White Zetsu suppressed him entirely, leaving him helpless as Madara pried out his left eye, and he let out an agonized scream. Soon, the imnted Hashirama cells in Obito''s body began healing the wound, dulling the pain. He watched as Madara embedded his left eye into a one-eyed White Zetsu, gritting his teeth in frustration. "Curse you... I won''t let you win." Obito attempted to end his own life, only to discover his body waspletely paralyzed. Not only were his Sharingan abilities inessible, but he couldn''t even bite his tongue. The seal Madara had ced on him was identical to the one he''d put on Rin''s heart while Obito was unconscious from the cell transnts. "Don''t even think about resisting. Your power is nothing to me." Madara stared into Obito''s remaining Sharingan and activated a genjutsu. Obito''s consciousness grew hazy and was swiftly subdued by ck and White Zetsu, who now had full control of his body. In that moment, Obito became entirely a puppet for ck and White Zetsu. Although the two Mangekyo Sharingan were separated, White Zetsu''s unique ability allowed him to merge, meaning that the one-eyed White Zetsu could attach to Obito anytime, enabling him to wield both Mangekyo powers to their fullest. Havingpleted his preparations, Madara resumed his seat and instructed ck and White Zetsu, "Proceed as nned. Bring Nagato into the fold. I''ll wait here." He wanted to ensure Nagato''s allegiance before moving forward. While White Zetsu could be scatterbrained, Madara trusted ck Zetsu, as it was the embodiment of his will. This was the final contingency Madara had created for his resurrection. "Understood, Lord Madara. Don''t worry; we are proud creations. We won''t disappoint you." White Zetsu replied with a carefree tone. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 175: Division of the Tailed Beasts!

Chapter 175: Chapter 175: Division of the Tailed Beasts!

Konoha, December of the 45th Year. Inside the Fire Daimyo''s mansion, within a secret experimental facility. As Shichi packed up his equipment, he looked over at Pakura, who had taken off her mask, her smooth, bare back exposed. He asked, "Are you really noting back to Konoha to celebrate the New Year with me?" Pakura shook her head. "Someone has to stay here to keep things secure. Besides, the daimyo already selected the necessary personnel." As a former Suna ninja, going to Konoha would be awkwardespecially now that Konoha and Sunagakure had formed an alliance. Seeing her reluctance, Shichi didn''t push further, nodding, "You could also start scouting for some new talent to train." Pakura nodded. "Yes, Lord Shichi!" After putting everything away, Shichi stepped forward and embraced her, gently stroking her smooth back. He whispered softly in her ear, "Wait patiently until I grow up, alright?" A jolt ran through Pakura''s body, but she instinctively replied, "Yes, Lord Shichi!" In the next moment, her cheeks turned bright red, and she froze in ce. Shichi chuckled and then disappeared. As Pakura snapped out of it, she couldn''t help but grit her teeth. "That shameless little brat..." She cursed him under her breath, yet couldn''t shake a strange, unsettling feeling rising within her, filling her with embarrassment. --- Back in Konoha, Shichi returned home with a serious air. After admiring Asuka''s busy figure in the kitchen, he made his way to the study, focusing his attention on his "Tag Tree." The [Space-Time Envoy] tag was finally ready to be activated. With a sh, the tag''s effect was triggered: Space-Time Talent increased by 100%, Physical Attributes increased by 100% (after all, one needs a robust physique to endure long-distance space-time travel). A warm sensation spread through his body, and Shichi felt his physical capabilities surge once again. But his gaze lingered on the Tag Tree. A new grayish-white tag leaf had appeared. Tag: Lord of Space-Time Condition to Obtain: Develop at least one S-rank space-time ninjutsu. Tag Effect: Space-Time Talent +100%, Mental Strength +100%, Nerve Reaction Speed +100%, Physical Attributes +100%; as the Lord of Space-Time, traversing space and time is second nature to you. Another space-time tag, and it looked incredibly powerful! But an S-rank space-time jutsu... Shichi scratched his head. Forget it. For now, he''d check out the other long-awaited tag: [Prodigy]! Since he had just activated [Envoy of Space-Time], he could finally light up this heavyweight tag too. With eager anticipation, Shichi chose to activate it. Tag Effect: Thought Processing Speed x10, Comprehension +100%, Physical Attributes +100%; in the realm of knowledge, you are a god. And as a god, there is nothing you can''t master! Whatever appears before you, you will understand! A wave of warmth flowed through him, and Shichi had be ustomed to the tingling sensation that came with physical enhancement. He opened his eyes and retrieved the Edo Tensei scroll. "Hm?" "Seems pretty simple!" "And I could even incorporate my Fire Nether Chains to enhance the binding power, which would eliminate the need for Hashirama cells." Shichi felt his mental rity soar, not only with Edo Tensei but across all areas. The Prodigy tag may have focused on mastery, but theprehension boost was tangible and undeniable. Comprehension wasn''t limited to knowledge alone. Studying was also a foundation for innovation. With a solid foundation, it was possible to build a skyscraper. This was why Shichi always prepared thoroughly before using his "sh of Insight" ability. Innovation couldn''t be built on thin air! "Ma Release from the One-Tail isn''t too difficult either." "Hmm, manipting electric currents to create an electric field and then resonating with a maic field... It seems electromaic power isn''t that hard to understand." Thoughts whirred through Shichi''s mind at lightning speed. Without the Hundred Healings Jutsu''s chakra protection, his brain might''ve started to smoke from the strain. A momentter, he reined in his thoughts and slowed his processing speed. "My foundation still isn''t deep enough, nor is my knowledge broad enough." "The Scroll of Seals..." Shichi looked toward the Hokage''s building. Once his teacher, Minato, became Hokage, he nned to go through the Scroll of Seals. "And as for the ns... I wonder if there''s a way to negotiate for ess to their secret techniques. Though, it might be challenging since they''re fundamental to each n''s survival." Shichi''s ambitions were growing. He wasn''t interested in the ns that used insects or dogs, but the Yamanaka''s Mind Transfer, the Nara''s Shadow Techniques, and the Akimichi''s Yang Release were of high research value, promising potential in Yin and Yang Release. "Of course, it''s not like I need to trade. As long as I understand the basic principles, learning them wouldn''t be hard... especially since I already have a Shadow Technique." Shichi pondered. Meanwhile, inside their seals, Shukaku lifted his head, "Hey, monkey! Did you feel that?" Son Goku raised his head with a grim look. "This guy... His seal''s power just increased!" Shukaku replied, "His strength suddenly surged. He might be close to matching me now." "Is this guy even human?" "He''s aplete freakan absolute monster!" Due to the double-sealing, they couldn''t sense everything outside clearly, but they could still feel some of Shichi''s presence. This recent spike in power and the enhanced seal were impossible to ignore. --- As the New Year approached, even the war had slowed down. But Shichi was busier than ever, only attending one gathering with Kakashi and Guy. Thanks to the Prodigy tag, his research on White Zetsu and Hashirama''s cells was progressing rapidly. Apart from his regr physical training, he spent most of his time in theb. --- In the Land of Rain. Danzo stared in shock at the massive figure that appeared before him. "That''s..." As the colossal figure vanished, he instantly used the Body Flicker Technique to approach, only to see a red-haired youth with peculiar ripple-patterned eyes. "Those eyes... could they be..." Danzo''s pupils shrank. "The legendary Rinnegan?" At that moment, Nagato, tasked with holding the rear, fended off the Root ninja disguised as Iwa shinobi, then retreated swiftly. Danzo raised his hand, signaling his team to halt. The towering statue had given him an overwhelming sense of dread. "This Akatsuki organization..." Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Is that why Jiraiya took them as his disciples? Because of the Rinnegan?" He couldn''t deny that the Rinnegan felt far more powerful than the Three Tomoe Sharingan. "This matter requires careful nning!" Thoughts raced through Danzo''s mind, and then hemanded, "Return to Konoha!" ... On a bare, deste mountain peak, ck Zetsu and White Zetsu watched the sh between the Akatsuki and Konoha shinobis. "Just as expected from a descendant of the Uzumaki and Senju ns. He even managed to summon the Gedo Statue!" White Zetsu chuckled, "With this, I''m feeling much more confident about collecting the Tailed Beasts." "But, it seems like Nagato doesn''tpletely trust us," he continued, "And, for this Akatsuki group, that Yahiko guy is actually the central figure." With a dark expression, ck Zetsu said, "Then we''ll just have to make him the next Rin Nohara." "This Danzo is ambitious; he''s even gone as far as to transnt Hashirama''s cells and a Sharingan. Now that he''s seen the Rinnegan, he might be useful to us." Nearby, White Zetsu, now calling himself "Tobi" and possessing Uchiha Obito''s left eye, added, "Then we''ll need to pick the perfect timing. This time, we can''t let Shichi interfere." White Zetsu grinned, "Shichi probably isn''t focusing on us right now, right?" ck Zetsu replied, "Not necessarily." "ording to the information you gathered, Shichi and Danzo have their own conflict." "He''d probably love to take him down, wouldn''t he?" "And don''t forget, Shichi has looked into Akatsuki before. The Rinnegan might not bepletely hidden from him." Tobiughed, "Then I''ll just have to keep him upied when the timees!" "He does have quite a few people he cares about!" "But I can''t be careless. That guy''s reactions are incredibly fast; a single eye alone is too slow." ck Zetsu thought for a moment and, erring on the side of caution, said, "When the timees, the two of you shouldbine forces." "In this case, it''s not like we''ll need to fight." In his mind, a n was already forming. --- Meanwhile, in Konoha''s experimentalb. Shichi sneezed unexpectedly. "Could it be that Pakura''s thinking of me?" Just then, a hand pressed against his forehead. "Are you catching a cold, Shichi?" Shizune asked with a look of concern. Shichi thought it over seriously. "Maybe it''s because you were secretly thinking about me, Shizune?" Shizune''s cheeks flushed instantly. Tsunade, watching this, was visibly annoyed. These two brats, showing off their affection right in front of herhow irritating! "Shizune, go fetch that culture solution!" Tsunade ordered, putting Shizune immediately to work. Shichi quickly created a shadow clone to help and smiled at Tsunade, "Lady Tsunade, are you...jealous?" Tsunade scoffed, "Brat!" "Stay away from that pervert Jiraiya. If I ever catch you peeping at the hot springs with him, I''ll kill you!" Recently, Jiraiya had returned to the vige, and of course, he hadn''t given up his old habits; justst time, she''d caught him peeping at the hot springs. Shichi replied earnestly, "You know me, TsunadeI''m not that kind of guy." "Besides, none of those girls out there canpare to you, Lady Tsunade. They''re all in and ordinary." Tsunade, though secretly pleased, still kept a cold expression. She nced at Shizune, busy in theb, and snorted, "You little pervert, you''re no better either!" "Don''t think I''m unaware of your twisted thoughts. If you dare mess with Shizune, hmph..." Her threatcked real conviction. With a face of mock sadness, Shichi said, "Tsunade, I just want to protect you all so we can always be together." "Don''t be so cheesy!" Tsunade replied, expressionless. "That won''t work on me." "And besides, you should call me Lady Tsunade!" Shichi protested confidently, "But I''m a jonin now, Tsunade!" Without even looking at him, Tsunade retorted, "You''re still just a brat!" "But Tsunade, I''m taller than you!" She shot him a side nce, "And you''re still just a kid!" Shichi grinned, "But Tsunade, I''m going to grow up, you know!" All just big talk! Hmph, she was only teasing him now because he was still young. But in the future... heh! As they bantered and worked, life in theb didn''t feel so dull. --- Before they knew it, it was already nearing New Year''sDecember 29th of Konoha Year 45. In his study. Shichi began organizing the challenges he nned to tackle. First, he had prepared extensively for his sealing jutsu studies. Next was Yang Release, or more specifically, his research on Hashirama cells. After that, there was Ma Release. Shichi figured he wouldn''t need to waste any "sh of Insight" time on it; he could learn it quickly from the One-Tail. Then there was the Bijuu Sealing Marka project he''d been researching for some time. Currently, the Bijuu Sealing Mark was limited to enhancing Fire Release only. But what Shichi aimed for was aprehensive enhancement, even reaching a Tailed Beast-like state, where he could use natural energy to replenish his stamina, much like a Tailed Beast does. However, he had no leads on that yet. He needed further research on Tailed Beast cells and would likely have to try transforming into a Tailed Beast to feel his way through that state and learn from it. With the Prodigy tag active, there was nothing he couldn''t learn, as long as he could uncover its secrets. The only challenge was the time needed to extract those secrets. ... After carefully going over his ns, Shichi activated his heightened mental processing and focus, then initiated his "sh of Insight." At that moment, he transcended. All previous issues he''d encountered in advancing the Fire Nether Chains were now trivial. His knowledge of the Spiritualization Technique, Soul Binding, Edo Tensei, Reaper Death Seal, the curse mark on Shukaku, along with his insights into the nature of chakra, mental power, and spiritual willeverything now served as foundational resources, blending and evolving into something new. Before he knew it, five minutes had passed. With a swift motion, Shichi pped his hands together, and from his back erupted thick chainsdistinct from his previous Fire Nether Chains. Now, they glowed purple with blue mes spiraling around them. After refining the Fire Nether Chains further, Shichi didn''t immediately test them on the Four-Tails or Shukaku sealed within him. Instead, he focused on his next objective. With his heightened mental processing, ten minutes felt long. But for Shichi, it was never long enoughthere were still too many problems left to solve. When his "sh of Insight" finally ended, Shichi opened his eyes, exhaling deeply. He touched his warm forehead, feeling the mental exhaustion setting in. While high-speed thinking and intense focus increased the efficiency of "sh of Insight," it also took a toll on his mind and body. Fortunately, with his physique nearly on par with the One-Tail, and his mental resilience bolstered by the Hundred Healings Technique, which circted chakra through each brain cell, he only felt slightly overheatednothing serious. After sshing some water on his face, Shichi returned to his study and pulled out a nk scroll. First up was documenting the new, improved Fire Nether Chains. However, before writing, he paused and smirked to himself, "Better test the results firstthough I doubt there''ll be any issues." With that thought, he lowered his gaze. Simultaneously, within the Eight Trigrams Seal, the Fire Nether Chains binding the Four-Tails and Shukaku vanished. "What''s going on?" The two Tailed Beasts looked at each other, startled. But unlike before, they didn''t seize the chance to unleash their power against the seal, as they''de to respect Shichi''s strength. "Could this mean something''s wrong with him?" The Four-Tails tried to gauge Shichi''s condition by sensing its power leaking outward. Just then, chains shot up from the ground, binding them once more. "Hm?" "Something''s differentthe seal has strengthened again, and..." The Four-Tails looked shocked. "My mental consciousness is fully restrained. This guy..." With a clearer understanding of the seal, Shukaku muttered, "It''s specifically targeting mental, or rather, spiritual energies." "That brat''s up to no good!" As he finished, two chains pierced into Shukaku and the Four-Tails. The next moment, the chains pulled tight. The Four-Tails roared, "Damn it, he''s trying to separate us!" Shukaku bellowed, "Kid, what exactly are you doing?" Shichi appeared outside the iron cages with a smile. "Obviously, I''m here to save you." "If the nine Tailed Beastsbine, you''ll form the Ten-Tails, right?" What?! Both Shukaku and the Four-Tails were stunned, momentarily forgetting to struggle. "You...how do you know about the Ten-Tails?" "Who...who are you really?" Shukaku and the Four-Tails were clearly shaken. And in the next moment, Shichi used the Fire Nether Chains to draw their souls from their bodies. Unlike humans, Tailed Beasts are pure chakra entities; their mental consciousness and chakra are inseparable. Extracting their souls was essentially splitting their power in half. But for now, this was just a trial. Shichi quickly released them, allowing them to fuse back together. "Hey, how do you know about the Ten-Tails?" the Four-Tails demanded. Dispersing the Fire Nether Chains from the Tailed Beasts, Shichi replied calmly, "The Sage of Six Paths left quite a lot behind. It''s not so hard to find out." "And here''s another bit of newsthe legendary Rinnegan of the Sage has reappeared in the shinobi world." "That''s why I need to separate your powers. Otherwise, for me, it''d bepletely pointless." Shukaku and the Four-Tails fell silent, though Shichi didn''t expect a few words would make them willingly be his allies. "I n to return half of you to Iwagakure and Sunagakure. If you don''t want to be captured by the Rinnegan''s wielder, it''d be wise to get along with your new jinchuriki." Shichi added with a wry smile, "Though honestly, that probably won''t stop you from eventually getting captured." Hearing this, Shukaku snorted, "Hey, don''t underestimate us!" Shichi shook his head, "Shukaku, don''t bluff. Even at your full strength, you''re no match for me, let alone the Rinnegan." "Of course, you''re free to ignore what I''m saying." "But time will prove it." With that, Shichi''s figure faded from sight. After a moment''s silence, the Four-Tails asked, "Shukaku, do you believe him?" Shukaku slumped to the ground. "If he knows about the Ten-Tails and says the Rinnegan has reappeared, he''s probably right." "Hey, Monkey, you haven''t forgotten what the old Sage told us, have you?" The Four-Tails huffed, "Of course not. It seems that prophecy was about the Ten-Tails, wasn''t it?" "That could spell trouble...so, should we help him?" After a thoughtful pause, Shukaku sighed, "This guy doesn''t even need our consent to use our power. It makes no difference." "We''ll wait and see. We still have time." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 176: Creation Rebirth, Sage Mode!

Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Creation Rebirth, Sage Mode!

For Shichi, this was just a minor aplishment, hardly worth dwelling on. With a few strokes of his pen, he recorded the form for his new Fire Nether Chains and then stored it away. This would be a valuable asset for the the future. Afterward, his attention turned to the Tag Tree. The new Fire Nether Chains had been recognized by the Tag Tree as an S-rank sealing technique, which meant he could now activate the Sealing Master tag. As the tag leaf was filled with a red glow, its effects came into y: sealing and curse mark talent increased by 100%, thought processing speed increased by 100%, and the ability to crystallize a sealing technique into a kekkei genkai with no barriers to learning any non-bloodline-based sealing or curse marks. "A red tag... So, even Master-level tags can have different ranks!" Shichi was overjoyed. Currently, the strongest tag on his Tag Tree was Prodigy, his only golden tag so far. But solidifying a sealing technique as a kekkei genkai was astonishing in itself. Without hesitation, Shichi chose the Fire Nether Chains, his own S-rank sealing technique. Immediately, intense pain seared through his body. It felt like every cell was being branded by fire. And he could feel his chakra transforming into symbols, forming the Fire Nether Chains form,pacted a thousand times over and forced directly into his genes. "So intense..." Shichi couldn''t help but suck in a cold breath. This was nothing like his previous experience of learning Lava Release, where the power permeated gradually, quietly making itself known. But once the pain faded, Shichi realized a benefit. By crystallizing the Fire Nether Chains as a kekkei genkai, the Tag Tree had perfected the information, something he couldn''t achieve on his own. This meant that his descendants would inherit the Fire Nether Chains as close to his own level as possible. And future generations would also have a higher chance of awakening it. After all, gic information can lose its integrity through generations. Of course, for Shichi himself, having the Fire Nether Chains as a bloodline limit wouldn''t enhance his strength directly. "Even so, the Fire Nether Chains have not yet reached their full potential. There''s still room for growth." Shichi had high hopes for this sealing technique. Currently, the Fire Nether Chains were based on Fire Release and Yin Release. He had considered integrating Yang Release to further enhance its sealing power, aiming to make it Yin-Yang Release. One day, it might even rival the Six Paths Chibaku Tensei. Of course, that goal was still a ways off. Putting that thought aside, Shichi continued sorting through histest achievements. Second goal: Yang Release. With a p of his hands, Shichi was suddenly surrounded by a brilliant green chakra glow. Instantly, the vitality in each of his cells surged, and his life force skyrocketed. One times... two times... three times! At three times the normal level, he reached his limit. He then released his hands, pulled out a kunai, and sliced his arm. The wound opened immediately. But before any blood could flow, it healed in an instant. "Not badit''s not as good as the First Hokage, but it''s certainly on par with the lower White Zetsu." Nodding in satisfaction, Shichi deactivated the technique. This time, he had used only his own chakra, as his chakra level had already reached the level of a Tailed Beast, eliminating the need for Yin Seal support. The drawback was that, once activated, the technique''s healing became uncontroble. Even minor injuries would trigger rapid cell division and elerated healing, risking overuse. This technique''s effect was simr to Tsunade''s original Creation Rebirth. "I''ll call it Creation Rebirth, then!" Not putting much thought into naming, Shichi began drafting the technique on a nk scroll. He intended to give this to Tsunade. However, he added the Hundred Healings technique to the scroll''s form. This was not just because Tsunade and otherscked sufficient chakra; even Shichi himself wouldbine it with the Yin Seal in future use. Once he finished writing the form, Shichi paused and continued writing down his future thoughts and directions for the technique. The healing effect of Creation Rebirth was beyond question, but Shichi saw some shorings. First, it only worked on himself. Second, itcked control. Moving forward, Shichi aimed to enhance cell vitalityor, rather, the power of Yang Releaseto reach or even surpass Hashirama''s level. Second, he wanted to study Asuka''s cells to refine Creation Rebirth, making it controble and allowing it to heal others. Finally, he hoped to make these enhancements permanent, forming a bloodline limit. After finishing, another thought struck him: "Making these effects permanent is actually achievable for me since my body is already as strong as a Tailed Beast, with Yang Release properties meeting the requirements for self-healing without seals." "It''s Tsunade and the others who would struggle. Both Tsunade and the director have sufficient talent, with mastery over the Hundred Healings Technique and the Yin Seal, so they can use Creation Rebirth without issue, but solidifying it as a bloodline would be out of their reach." "Then there''s Shizune. She doesn''t have Tsunade or the director''s talent. Forget about solidifying it; I''m not even sure if she can master it." "To enhance their physical capabilities without transnting Hashirama''s cells, there may only be one path left." The Bijuu Sealing mark! Or, in other words, Sage Transformation! The fire-based enhancement he named Bijuu Sealing mark might need a different name if adapted to boost cell vitality. "Combining the Natural Curse Mark, Hundred Healings, Yin Seal, and Creation Rebirth..." As he pondered, Shichi stored the scroll for Creation Rebirth and pulled out another nk scroll to start writing. He''d only spent three minutes on Creation Rebirth, so the remaining three minutes didn''t allow him to reach his ideal goal with the Bijuu Sealing mark, but it was progress. He had managed to outline a basic form. Quickly, hepleted the form. Shichi thenid the scroll out on the floor and sat in the center of the form. With a p of his hands, Shichi closed his eyes, bringing his focus to its peak, and then activated the form on the scroll. The next moment, Shichi felt an immense flow of natural energy surging into his body, merging with every cell, transforming into a powerful life force that rapidly boosted his cell activitysurpassing the effects of Creation Rebirth in an instant, reaching four times his usual baseline! Moreover, he sensed a substantial increase in his strength, physical resilience, and reaction speed. This far outperformed Creation Rebirth in that regard. The Amplification of Yang Release! However, this formcked the ability to store natural energy. But Shichi was confident that he could merge it with the Bijuu Sealing mark. Disabling the technique, Shichi stood and stored the scroll. "Still needs a step-by-step refinement." "But I should also try out Sage Mode myself." Putting the scroll away, Shichi stood in the center of his study, closed his eyes, and easily sensed the vast natural energy all around him. Immediately, he began to absorb arge amount of natural energy,bining it with his own spiritual and physical energy in a 1:1:1 ratio, refining it into Sage Chakra. Sage Mode, activated in an instant! Opening his eyes, Shichi picked up a mirror to check, and sure enough, there was no sage mark on his face. His chakra control was so refined that the Sage Chakra caused no visible effects on his body. Just as he could fully activate the Hundred Healings Technique without developing curse mark patterns on his skin, Shichi noted with satisfaction, "From an enhancement standpoint, Sage Mode is undoubtedly superior to the Bijuu Sealing mark." "Especially in sensory rangeit surpasses my Listening technique, andbining them makes it even more remarkable, not only broadening the perception field but also making it more precise." "However, Sage Mode relies on absorbing natural energy in one go to refine it into Sage Chakra, and once it''s exhausted, I have to reabsorb, which can be dangerous duringbat." "The Bijuu Sealing mark, however, can store natural energy and sustain itself continuously." "When using Fire Release Chakra Mode, ze Release Chakra Mode, or Lava Release kekkei genkai, the Bijuu Sealing mark still outperforms Sage Mode." Of course, for Shichi, the two techniques didn''t conflict. "So, I should keep optimizing the Bijuu Sealing mark to enhance itprehensively, making itparable to Sage Mode. This way, it would be like Sage Mode in curse-mark form, allowing me to maintain it for extended periodsup until my own stamina is depleted." With that in mind, Shichi gathered his things and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport directly to the research base. In an office at that moment, Tsunade was frowning as she examined recent experimental data. Shichi stepped forward and handed her a scroll. Tsunade looked up, frowning. "What''s this?" Shichi grinned. "An S-rank medical ninjutsupleted!" Tsunade froze, then eximed in shock, "How... is that possible?" "How did you finish so quickly?" Shichi raised his chin smugly. "Now you see how amazing I am?" "Take a look. Paired with the Yin Seal and the Hundred Healings Technique, you shouldn''t have any trouble using it." "Of course, it''s not perfect yet; once activated, the self-healing is uncontroble." Tsunade hurriedly took the scroll, and as she reviewed it, her shock only grew. "You... you really managed to pull it off." "But you just said yesterday that you still had a bit left toplete." Shichi nodded, "I did. So today, Ipleted that bit." Tsunade gave him an exasperated look, then blinked in surprise. "It requires only one hand seal?" Shichi chuckled, "That seal is for your use." Tsunade clenched her fist, tempted to punch him. "You really have a way of getting on my nerves with that attitude." Shichi sighed, "One must recognize reality; certain gaps are inevitable." Tsunade gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to throw a punch. After nearly half an hour, Tsunade finally put down the scroll. "It''s extremely well-crafted and more than enough for our use." With that, Tsunade stood up. Instantly, the Yin Seal symbol on her forehead lit up, followed by the Hundred Healings Technique''s curse markings spreading across her body, and she formed the hand seal. Ninja Art: Creation Rebirth! "The vitality is on par with White Zetsu cells, though it still falls short of my grandfather''s cells, but it''s enough to handle most injuries," Tsunade observed. Shichi replied, "Our research still has to continue, like making this technique usable on others." "And also, finding a way to control self-healing." The first part, in fact, he had a rough solution for: merging it with the Yang Release natural energy amplification form he had recentlypleted. Clearly, the curse mark is best suited for those close to me. Tsunade nodded and, after deactivating the jutsu, asked, "Do you have any ideas on solidifying cellr activation?" Shichi replied, "Once Yang Release''s nature transformation is strong enough, it can be solidified, but it also requires sufficient energy, meaning a strong enough physique and chakra reserves." Tsunade understood instantly. "Yes, that makes sense." Shichi added, "Of course, there''s one more way." "You must know about Sage Mode, right, Tsunade?" She nodded. "Of course." "Shikkotsu Forest has a Sage Art inheritance, but I never mastered it." Mentioning Shikkotsu Forest, Tsunade continued, "Shichi, you should make time to form a summoning contract with Shikkotsu Forest." Shichi thought for a moment, then replied, "It''s better if Shizune and Asuka handle that." "I''ll focus onbat, and you all can handle the healing." Tsunade didn''t insist and nodded in agreement. "That works." Shichi steered the conversation back. "You already know about the Bijuu Sealing mark. I''ve managed to develop a new jutsu form that can further amplify Yang Release." "We could use the Hundred Healings Technique to link the Yin Seal and curse mark, solidifying cell activationessentially enhancing your current state with my curse mark." "Though it may not reach the full level of Creation Rebirth, the effect will still be impressive." Currently, Tsunade''s chakra is subtly nurturing her cells to slow down aging and maintain her physical state. "Is that so?" Tsunade was intrigued. "With that curse mark''s amplification, the effect should be promising. When do you think you can finish developing it?" Shichi felt a bit speechless. When ites to beauty and youth, women seem to have zero resistanceespecially older ones! Of course, he dared not voice this thought, lest he get punched. "It shouldn''t be too difficult," he assured, then promised, "After New Year''s, definitely before my birthday." "Speaking of which, Tsunade, what do you n to get me for my birthday?" Tsunade''s expression shifted instantly. "Why would I get you a gift?" Shichi pouted, "Stingy!" She nced at the ne Shichi wore. That ne was her most cherished possession, and this brat was still so greedy! Birthdays weren''t that important for a shinobi, anyway. "Tsunade, you have hemophobia, don''t you?" Shichi suddenly asked. Tsunade replied, "Did Shizune tell you?" Shichi shook his head. "Just a guess." "That''s probably why you''ve avoided the battlefield, unable to even work as a medical ninja in the Konoha Hospital or on the frontlines." Tsunade remained silent. Shichi continued, "I might have a way to cure you." Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "What method?" "It''s not a physical condition, after all." Shichi nodded. "I know that, of course. As for the method, I''ll keep it under wraps for nowsaying it out loud might lessen its impact." "All you have to do is decide whether or not to let me try." Tsunade was quiet for a moment before saying, "If you want to try, go ahead. Just don''t get your hopes up." Shichi grinned. "Don''t worry; I''m not that fragile." "Alright then, it''s decided." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 177: Tsunade’s Custom Tsukuyomi!

Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Tsunades Custom Tsukuyomi!

Thest day of Konoha Year 45. On a cliff, after an intense sparring session, Shichi and Kakashi sat side-by-side on the ground, watching the sunset. Not far away, under a waterfall created by Shichi, Guy was training hard, wielding nunchaku and shouting passionately. "Shichi, do you have any advice on my training direction?" Kakashi asked after catching his breath. Shichi drained his salty glucose water and replied, "Your Lightning Style skills are already exceptional in the shinobi world. With Chidori, Chidori Current, Raikiri, and the Hatake swordsmanship, you have a very solidbat framework." Kakashi nodded. Shichi continued, "You clearly have talent in Lightning Release. Since you''ve mastered Chidori and Raikiri, you can develop other Lightning Style techniques tailored to you to diversify your offensive and defensive options." "Of course, that''s secondary and won''t increase your maximumbat power." "Kakashi, you know about my Fire Release Chakra Mode, right? And how the Cloud ninjas have their Lightning Release Chakra Mode. The way I raised my power ceiling was through the Fire Release Chakra Mode." "So, are you suggesting I train in the Lightning Release Chakra Mode?" Kakashi asked. Shichi grinned. "Kakashi, do you know what my first hurdle was when training in the Fire Release Chakra Mode?" Kakashi thought it over. "Both Fire and Lightning Release are notoriously hard to control. Actually, Fire Release is likely harder, requiring immense chakra control, even for a medical ninja." Shichi shook his head. "No." "It was chakra quantity." Kakashi was taken aback. "That... how is that possible?" He remembered Shichi''s chakra being almost terrifyingly vast. Shichi smiled. "I didn''t start with such massive chakra reserves." He tapped the blue mark glowing on his forehead, indicating the Yin Seal mark. "I learned this sealing technique from Lady Tsunade, specifically for chakra storage." "Of course, the chakra control issue you mentioned was also a challenge." "So, Lady Tsunade and I coborated on the development of the Hundred Healings Technique, specifically to support chakra distribution and control." "Only then did I manage to create the Fire Release Chakra Mode." Kakashi couldn''t help but be impressed. "I see... all that effort behind the scenes is truly admirable." Shichi noddedhe might have certain advantages, but he certainly worked hard too! "Take the Fourth Raikage, for example. His chakra reserves are at Tailed Beast levels." "That''s one foundation of his Lightning Release Chakra Mode''s power. The other is his physical strength, which can withstand the destructive nature of Lightning Release." Kakashi nodded in agreement, having experienced how cellr activation can boost reaction time through his Chidori Current. Shichi continued, "The Raikage''s Lightning Release Chakra Mode is only B-rank in difficulty. With your knowledge of Lightning Release and chakra control, it wouldn''t be a problem for you." "But right now, youck the physical durability to endure that kind of energy. It would take a decade of gradual training, and that''s assuming you have enough chakra to sustain it." "I once considered training in the Lightning Release Chakra Mode but gave it up due to physical limitations. So instead, I developed Chidori Body Flicker based on your Chidori." Standing up, Shichi activated the Chidori technique, lightning enveloping his limbs and then spreading across his entire body. "I created this movement technique topensate for myck of attack speed," he exined to Kakashi. "My neural response speed is high, but my limbs couldn''t keep up, so with Chidori Body Flicker, I can quicken my reflexes without affecting my ability to use other jutsu." Kakashi listened thoughtfully. He knew Shichi wasn''t boasting about his achievements but showing him a path to growth. "Of course, now that I''ve grown stronger, I can use the Lightning Release Chakra Mode as well," Shichi said as he activated it. Lightning chakra flooded his body, forming an armor-likeyer, flickering with electricity. With his current physical prowess, he no longer needed years of training to handle it. "Incredible chakra!" Kakashi was still awestruck seeing the Lightning Release Chakra Mode for the second time. Shichi deactivated it and smiled. "Kakashi, with your current physique and chakra, a technique-centered approach suits you best." "Your swordsmanshipbined with Lightning Release will be potent. At the very least, it won''t be any weaker than Sakumo-senpai''s. I''m confident of that." "Regarding the direction of Lightning Release in the shinobi world, the Lightning Release Chakra Mode is probably the pinnacle." But clearly, the path wasn''t feasible for Kakashi due to his limited chakra reserves. While having vast chakra didn''t necessarily make someone a strong ninja, it was still a foundational asset for achieving strength. Kakashi understood this deeply now, especially seeing how Shichi''s abilities were all built upon hisrge chakra reserves. Shichi added, "By the way,bining Lightning Release with Flying Thunder God would be an excellent option." "Lightning Release''s cellr activation will improve your reaction time, making it easier to use Flying Thunder God." Kakashi nodded, now considering training in the Flying Thunder God Technique. "As for your chakra issue... I might have a solution," Shichi said with a smile. Kakashi looked at him, surprised. "Besides the Yin Seal, is there another way?" "One word," Shichi said slowly. "Tailed Beast." Kakashi''s eyes narrowed. "You mean the one inside Rin?" Shichi nodded. "I''m not suggesting you be a Jinchriki." "Rather, I propose that you acquire a portion of the Tailed Beast''s chakra. While it wouldn''t be as potent as a true Jinchriki, it could significantly boost your chakra." "But, of course, this approach is very risky. Tailed Beast chakra isn''t easy to control. One mistake, and you might be consumed by the Tailed Beast''s malice and go berserk." Kakashi was silent for a moment, then looked up at Shichi with firm resolve. "Shichi, I''m willing to take that risk!" Shichi shook his head. "There''s no need to rush your decision. Consult with Minato-sensei first." Kakashi immediately agreed. Shichi smiled again. "Kakashi, don''t let your talent go to waste." "Apart from Lightning Release, you should master other jutsu as well. That way, you can handle any situation and won''t be easily countered by an enemy." "Mastery and focus, then breadth and refinement." This was Shichi''s own philosophy. Of course, it was also a path that only a true genius could follow. ... The Last Day of Konoha Year 45 Passes, and the New Year Begins On the second day of the New Year, Shichi visited the orphanage with Non Yakushi and Asuka. Due to the ongoing war, many new orphans had arrived theresome were the children of Konoha ninjas who had fallen, while others had lost their families due to the ravages of war. After three days at the orphanage and another two days visiting his seniors for New Year''s greetings, Shichi finally arrived at the research base on January 7th, Konoha Year 46. And there he found Tsunade, fast asleep, drooling. Tsk! What kind of daydreaming was this? Shichi approached, studying her intently. This was a rare opportunity. Tsunade, don''t me me for taking advantage of the situation! He cast a genjutsu. Demonic Realm C Pce of Memories! ... It was unclear how much time had passed before Tsunade slowly woke up, only to find Shichi across from her, smirking. She quickly wiped her mouth, feigning nonchnce. "When did you get here, you rascal?" "Been here a while," Shichi replied with a yful smile. "You looked like you were having a nice dream. Was it a good one?" "Did it have me in it?" he teased. Tsunade rolled her eyes, scoffing, "Brat!" Ugh!!! Fine, not going to embarrass myself further. Just wait till I''m older... Shichi changed the subject, "Tsunade, starting today, I''ll begin researching Asuka''s cells." "Regarding the First Hokage''s cells, I need you to continue your work. One application we''re exploring is merging them with White Zetsu''s cells to try and cultivate targeted growth. I''ll get Hayate''s consent to use his cells to see if we can grow a pair of lungs for transnt, which might alleviate his Kekkei Genkai disease." Tsunade quickly entered research mode, nodding. "That''s the n, then!" As time passed... In June of Konoha Year 46, Konoha, the Sand Vige, and Iwa reached an initial ceasefire agreement. Konoha would return the Four-Tails, while the Sand and Iwa would divide the resources of Land of Bird. In August, Shichi extracted the Four-Tails'' chakra and returned half of it to Iwa. By September of the same year, the One-Tail was prematurely returned to the Sand Vige. However, the war across the shinobi world was far from over. Mist Shinobi continued their assaults along the coast of the Land of Fire, while the Cloud ninjas fought battles against Iwa and Konoha alike. Finally, in December, Tsunade''s research on the cells of the First Hokage made a breakthrough. Bybining Hayate''s cells with White Zetsu''s and the First''s cells, they sessfully cultivated a pair of lungs. Just before the New Year, the surgery seeded, giving Hayate a new lease on life. Although his Kekkei Genkai disease couldn''t be curedpletely, the First''s cells in his new lungs would stave off the illness''s encroachment for a time. Based on their month-long observation, they estimated the lungs would remain effective for over ten years before signs of fibrosis might reappear. March 18, Konoha Year 47 C Kakashi''s Tailed Beast Experiment at the Lab "Isn''t this his first live experiment? Is it a bit premature?" Tsunade asked with a frown. "Kakashi''s body is still maturing." Shichi smiled. "It''s not the first, actually." "To be precise, this is the third." "The first was Kinkaku and Ginkaku of the Cloud Vige. They gained Nine-Tails chakra after consuming parts of its flesh." "The second was me. After eating part of the Four-Tails'' flesh, I acquired Four-Tails chakra and gained the Lava Release." Tsunade shook her head, "But Kakashi is different from you. You have the strength to suppress the Tailed Beast''s power." Shichi looked at Kakashi in theb, preparing for the procedure. "Don''t underestimate Kakashi, Tsunade. He''s also mastered sealing techniques." "Besides, I''ve had him experience Tailed Beast chakra several times before this, exposing him to its malevolent intent so he could learn to counter it." "This experiment wasn''t started on a whim." Tsunade stopped objecting and asked instead, "If Kakashi seeds, will he be the first?" Shichi nodded. "Indeed. But it''s foreseeable that very few will ever be able to control Tailed Beast chakra." Soon, the preparations wereplete. Kakashi sat in the center of a sealing formation, and a shadow clone of Shichi handed him a tray holding slices of the Eight-Tails'' horn. This had been cultivated for the experiment. Under Shichi and Tsunade''s watchful eyes, Kakashi began eating the slices, one by one. Soon, red Tailed Beast chakra surged around him. "What powerful chakra!" Tsunade gasped, "And it''s incredibly violent." In theb, Kakashi''s body started trembling uncontrobly as the Tailed Beast chakra assaulted him, flooding him with pain. Worse yet, the chakra''s malevolence kept bombarding his mind, testing his mental resilience. Quickly, Kakashi couldn''t continue eating and was forced to fully engage with the Eight-Tails'' chakra, shing with its hostile will. If he seeded in subduing it, he''d gain control over the Eight-Tails'' chakra. How much he could control would depend on his own constitution. Inside theb, Shichi''s shadow clone stood ready. If Kakashi faltered, he''d immediately activate the sealing formation. As time passed, an hour slipped by. Kakashi''s pained expression finally began to soften. Tsunade sensed it as well. The once-violent Tailed Beast chakra had calmed down. "Did he seed?" Shichi smiled, "It appears so!" Inside theb, tails began to materialize behind Kakashi as the Tailed Beast chakra condensed. One tail... two tails... Reaching the limit of two-tails! Shichi nodded approvingly, "Not bad at all!" ... Under Tsunade''s Witness, the Tailed Beast Weapon Project Achieves Initial Sess As Konoha Year 47 arrived, research on Asuka''s cells also reached a breakthrough. Shichi and Tsunade, working together, managed to fuse the First Hokage''s cells with Asuka''s by using White Zetsu''s cells as a buffer. This reduced the hyperactive nature of the First''s cells without diminishing their Yang Release capabilities. This development confirmed Shichi''s prior hypothesis: the First''s cells and Asuka''s cells could indeedplement each other. ... By the end of Konoha Year 47, after repeated persuasion from Shichi, Tsunade finally agreed to undergo a transnt of the fused cells from the First and Asuka. When she awoke from the procedure, it was already Konoha Year 48, and Shichi shared some unexpected news: Kushina Uzumaki was pregnant! On this day, Jiraiya returned to Konoha and invited Tsunade out for a drink. When they arrived at the tavern, she was surprised to find Orochimaru there as well. "Tsunade, I see... Looks like Shichi-kun''s research has made great strides recently," Orochimaru remarked with a knowing smile. He could see the difference in her right away. He was far too familiar with the power of the First Hokage''s cells. Tsunade sat down, grabbing Orochimaru''s untouched cup and downing it. "You''re bing less human yourself, Orochimaru." Orochimaru merely smirked. Then Tsunade turned to Jiraiya, who seemed a bit down. "Hey, what''s wrong with you?" Jiraiya took a sip, sighing. "I heard... the three kids I trained back thenapparently, they''re dead." Tsunade blinked in surprise. "You mean those three from the Land of Rain?" She scoffed slightly, "Wasn''t that bound to happen?" "They became ninja; it was only a matter of time before someone killed them." Jiraiya was indignant, "Hey, Tsunade, I''m grieving here! You could at leastfort me a littlea hug, maybe?" Tsunade rolled her eyes. "You never should have stayed to teach them ninjutsu in the first ce." "Trying to end wars through peaceful meanstoo na?ve!" "Instead of moping, maybe you should focus more on Minato. Kushina is pregnant." She then looked at Orochimaru. "Seems like Minato is about to surpass you in your little rivalry." Orochimaru chuckled mildly. "A bit embarrassing to be bested by a younger generation, but if it leads to change, it''s worth it." Tsunade, recalling what she''d heard from Shichi, added, "Just be wary of Danzo. He has plenty of leverage against you." Orochimaru gave a sly grin. "Tsunade, you and Shichi-kun seem more in sync than ever." Jiraiya perked up in shock. "Tsunade, you haven''t started pursuing younger boys, have you?" Humiliated, Tsunade''s fury burst forth. "Go to hell!" Boom! Jiraiya was sent flying, crashing through the tavern wall and disappearing from sight. With a deadly re, Tsunade turned to the grinning Orochimaru. "Don''t look at me like that. It''s disgusting!" "Oh, but Shichi-kun is already 15, you know." Before Tsunade could retort, Orochimaru vanished. Meanwhile, Jiraiya, stuck in the shattered wall, coughed up blood. "Four ribs broken... Tsunade''s gotten even stronger; a single strike..." By the time he pulled himself free and reentered the tavern, Tsunade had already finished her drink and left without paying. "Honestly... terrible friends..." Seeing the server waiting for him to cover the tab, Jiraiya was despondent. Seekingfort only to get beaten up and saddled with the bill... After paying, Jiraiya stepped outside and sighed. Nagato and the others were dead. Even the wielder of the Rinnegan... not fated to change things? ... Konoha Year 48, October 10 As Tsunade worked at the research base, she suddenly looked up. "What''s going on?" The ground was trembling violently. "Wait..." Her expression changed, and using the Body Flicker Technique, she appeared outside the base, where she spotted an enormous creature in Konoha''s core. "That''s..." "The Nine-Tails!" Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately rushed toward the battle. Halfway there, her pace slowed. "Lady Tsunade!" Shizune came sprinting toward her, holding a person covered in blood. "Please, Lady Tsunade, we have to transnt the First''s cells into Shichi... he..." Her voice broke, and tears streamed down her face. Tsunade froze, staring at the person in Shizune''s armsShichi Hoshita, his chest pierced through, arms gone, blood everywhere. Even the ne she''d given him was stained red. "No... how can this be?" "He has Creation Rebirth..." Her entire body shook with terror as memories of her dead lover, Dan, and her brother''s broken body shed in her mind. "Lady Tsunade!" "You''re the only one who can save him now!" Shizune was sobbing. "Shichi was critically injured by a space-time jutsu..." "I..." Tsunade took a shaky step forward, reaching out. Blood from Shichi''s severed arm dripped onto her hand. It was still warm. A shudder ran through her. "Damn it..." Tsunade, you''re the most powerful medical ninja in Konoha. You''re a Senju... Clenching her teeth, she took Shichi from Shizune''s arms. Shichi''s eyes fluttered open, and he gave her a faint smile. "Tsunade... looks like I can''t keep my promise to protect you all forever." "Please... take care of Non, Asuka, and Pakura for me..." Tsunade choked back tears, snapping, "Take care of your own lovers yourself!" "And don''t think I''m going to let you die!" "I''m Tsunade, the world''s best medical ninja!" Without another word, she carried him at full speed back to theb. Her poise and confidence returned as she directed Shizune to assist with the First Hokage cell transnt procedure. Once the operation wasplete and Shichi''s life was saved, Tsunade received the tragic news from Jiraiya: The Third Hokage had died. He''d used the Reaper Death Seal to contain the Nine-Tails. Three dayster, Minato Namikaze would be inaugurated as the Fourth Hokage. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 178: Mysterious and Cool Kakashi!

Chapter 178: Chapter 178: Mysterious and Cool Kakashi!

After hearing Jiraiya''s words, Tsunade fell silent. A momentter, she finally replied, "Being Hokage often leads to this kind of fateit''s something you get used to." "Who was the enemy?" Jiraiya responded, "The mysterious person who previously took Uchiha Obito, suspected to be Uchiha Madara!" Tsunade''s gaze sharpened. "Jiraiya, stop chasing after that elusive ''destiny'' of yours. Just stay focused. That guy will show up again." She paused and added, "And when he does, don''t let it end up costing the Fourth as well..." With that, Tsunade turned and waved him off, saying, "I understand. I''ll be there when the timees. Right now, I need to rest." Entering her quarters, Tsunade quickly drifted into a deep sleep, finally free of the weight she''d been carrying. ... Inside the illusion, years passed, but in reality, only a few minutes had gone by. Her eyelids trembled, and Tsunade slowly opened her eyes, still drowsy and drooling a bitonly to find a smiling face right in front of her. "Shichi?" "What are you doing here...?" Tsunade murmured, still half-asleep. But then she snapped to attention, startled. "Your body hasn''t fully recovered yetwhy are you wandering around..." She cut herself off mid-sentence, realizing something was wrong. The boy in front of her looked taller and older than she remembered, and this wasn''t her resting room! Focusing on Shichi Hoshita, Tsunade''s eyes narrowed. "That was... an illusion, wasn''t it?" Shichi blinked innocently. "Tsunade, what are you talking about?" "Did you have a dream? I could hear you calling my name nonstop!" Tsunade blushed, gritting her teeth. "It''s definitely because of something you did, you little rascal... You''re dead meat!" With a kick, she smashed arge crater into the ground. Shichi jumped back, startled. "Hold on! This is the research base!" "And don''t you want to check if your hemophobia is really gone?" Tsunade stopped in her tracks, frowning as she recalled the dreamlike scenario she''d just experienced. Shichi took out a kunai, made a small cut on his hand, and flicked droplets of blood toward her before it healed. Tsunade instinctively dodged, but to her surprise, she felt no symptoms of hemophobia. As the wound closed, Shichi grinned. "Seems like you''re cured." "Good thing it was a psychological issue, huh?" The method he''d used was certainly targeted for her specific problem. If it had been physiological, he clearly wouldn''t have taken such a risky approach. As Tsunadended, she hesitated, frowning. "Your genjutsu... I didn''t detect any ws at all. How did you pull that off?" Shichi grinned mysteriously. "That''s ssified." There was no way he was going to admit to her that he''d set up a scenario in the genjutsu that involved role-ying. If he did, she''d probably chase him through three districts. The consequences would be... severe. "Well, now that you''re healed, I''ll get back to my work." With a casual wave, Shichi vanished. Tsunade opened her mouth to call after him, but stopped herself. The illusion had felt too real, and since she couldn''t pinpoint the mechanics of Shichi''s technique, she couldn''t dismiss the idea that it might have tapped into some deeper reflections within her mind. ... In anotherb, Shichi didn''t immediately get back to work. Instead, his attention turned to his Tag Tree. A new tag had just arrived. Tag: [PUA Expert] Requirement: Sessfully PUA at least three people. Effect: Talk no Jutsu effectiveness +100%, Mental Willpower +100%. Looking at the new tag, Shichi''s expression instantly changed. This was nder! Libel! The Tag Tree was making outrageous usations! All he''d done was cure Tsunade''s phobia and help Pakura avoid being consumed by hatred, and now itbeled him a "PUA." Too much! Although... the boost to persuasion skills and the doubled mental resilience were admittedly tempting. "Guess I need to PUA three targets to fully activate it..." Sighing inwardly, Shichi focused himself again, shaking his head. "The Tag Tree''s turning me into more of a freak every day..." "Better focus on research and training..." Refocusing, he retrieved a sample of Asuka''s blood he''d prepared earlier and began his study. ... Meanwhile, in his usual training ground, Shichi''s Shadow Clone was practicing Ma Release when Kakashi approached him. "Shichi, I''ve decided to start training in the Flying Thunder God Technique. Do you have any tips?" "Minato-sensei said you mastered it in under six monthsfaster than he did." Shichi opened his eyes and smiled. "It''s true I mastered it in under six months, but what Minato-sensei probably didn''t mention is that I was already skilled in sealing techniques, along with several other space-time ninjutsu." "Also, I had solid grasp of sensory ninjutsuthose were all part of my preparation." Kakashi nodded. "I see. No wonder Minato-sensei told me to ask youhe must have known your background." "By the way, Shichi, about the Tailed Beast ChakraI''ve decided to give it a try." Shichi nodded thoughtfully. "I''ll report this to the Third Hokage. When everything''s ready, I''ll reach out to you." "Understood. I''ll head out, then." With that, Kakashi departed. Watching Kakashi leave, Shichi thought to himself, Kakashi should be able to master the Flying Thunder God Technique, but reaching the level where he can use it as seamlessly in battle as Minato-sensei and I... that''ll be tough. Even with his Lightning de technique, Kakashi''s reflexes might not be fast enough. That said, the Flying Thunder God would still be useful for him. After all, it''s a space-time ninjutsu! And as for the Tailed Beast Chakra... Shichi was curious to see how far Kakashi could go without the Sharingan. Would he still live up to his reputation as "Copy Ninja Kakashi," the legendary "Kakashi of the Sharingan"? ... A full day went by in the blink of an eye. After receiving the feedback from his shadow clone, Shichi finished his daily training and headed to the Hokage''s office. Even though he had the authority to proceed with the tailed beast experiment on his own, it was still necessary to inform the Hokage formally. Once he left the Hokage Building, Shichi sent a shadow clone to Kakashi''s ce while he returned home. In the kitchen, Asuka was already preparing dinner. After freshening up, Shichi entered the kitchen, where Asuka looked at him with a hint of frustration. "Shichi, it''s so hard to improve the Adamantine Sealing Chains; I can''t find any breakthroughs at all!" Shichi had previously suggested that she integrate the power to seal souls into her Adamantine Sealing Chains. Unfortunately, he had overestimated Asuka''s ability; several days had passed, and she still hadn''t found any progress. Seeing her struggling expression, Shichi smiled and said, "If that''s the case, I''ll develop a separate sealing technique for binding souls first. Once you''ve mastered it, then you can try integrating it into your Adamantine Sealing Chains." Asuka''s eyes lit up at the idea, nodding eagerly. "That could work! Thanks, Shichi!" At that moment, Non Yakushi''s voice called out, "Asuka, that''s not the right mindset for training!" "You''re depending too much on Shichi." Hearing this, Asuka stuck her tongue out yfully, quickly replying, "It''s just that I''m not very good at it, Non-senpai!" Non entered the kitchen, shooed Shichi out of the way, and joined Asuka in preparing dinner. Shichi lingered at the kitchen door, watching the two busy themselves while they chatted casually. After dinner, he left a shadow clone in the study to continue working while he himself used the Flying Thunder God technique to teleport to a research base near the Land of Fire''s Daimyo''s pce. When Shichi arrived, Pakura promptly reported, "Lord Shichi, the ninja selected by the Daimyo has arrived. Do you want to meet them?" "Will send a shadow clone; we''ll continue with our training." Shichi sent a clone to handle the matter and joined Pakura in the training room. They sat facing each other, holding hands, their chakras linked together. Shichi was using a mind-link technique to help him understand the secrets of Pakura''s Scorch Release. It wasn''t the first time he''d trained this way with Pakura, but this was the first session since unlocking the "Prodigy" Tag, and the efficiency had noticeably increased. Before they knew it, it was nearly 10 p.m. Reluctantly ending the training, Shichi said to Pakura, "Your chakra reserves may not be high, but with the help of the Bijuu Sealing Mark, you''ll have enough to sustain the Scorch Release Chakra Mode." "From now on, focus all your efforts on mastering this mode to maximize your Scorch Release power and enhance yourbat effectiveness." Pakura nodded. "Rest assured, Lord Shichi. I''ll do my best." Shichi couldn''t resist throwing in a little PUA technique: "If you don''t give it your all, I''ll end up leaving you far behind." "You don''t want to be an irrelevant subordinate, do you?" Pakura''s expression turned resolute. "I won''t disappoint you, Lord Shichi. I will master the Scorch Release Chakra Mode!" Satisfied, Shichi nodded. "My Fire Release Chakra Mode incorporates Wind Release, so it should serve as a good reference for you." "Additionally, I''ll teach you several techniques: Fire Clone, Lotus Inferno, me Dragon Breath, and the Fiery Lotus Steps. When performed with Scorch Release, they''ll be even more powerful. Scorch Release''s properties should also enable you to fly once you master its chakra mode. The Fiery Lotus Steps will enhance your speed and agility in the air." Though difficult to master, these techniques would be easier with a Kekkei Genkai. Pakura, eager for the new jutsu, promised, "I won''t let you down, Lord Shichi!" "I''ll be watching." With that, Shichi vanished. --- The following day... Shichi brought Kakashi to the experimental base. Seeing Kakashi, Tsunade blinked in surprise. "Is this for the tailed beast experiment?" Shichi nodded. "Yes. We''ll begin by letting Kakashi gradually limate to the tailed beast''s chakra." Tsunade, recalling the experience from the Genjutsu world, merely nodded. "Be careful. Take it slow; don''t rush things." Shichi grinned. "Rx, Tsunade. I''m not one to rush." Tsunade nodded and walked away. Kakashi, however, looked intrigued. "Shichi... you and Lady Tsunade...?" Shichi tilted his head with a grin. "Kakashi, what do you think about me courting Tsunade?" Despite his suspicions, hearing Shichi say it so bluntly left Kakashi momentarily speechless. "You idiot! Do you have a death wish?" Tsunade''s voice suddenly echoed. Shichi instantly grabbed Kakashi, and they teleported into a room shielded by seals and barriers. Kakashi, finallyposed, chuckled. "You''re really something, Shichi. Bold, to say the least." Shichi scoffed. "Kakashi, this is a trait you should learn from me. If you like someone, be bold about it! Only by facing your desires head-on can you avoid being controlled by them." "This also applies to facing tailed beast chakra. The so-called malice of a tailed beast is nothing more than an intensification of negative emotions." Kakashi listened intently as Shichi''s expression grew more serious. "Everyone has desires, both good and bad." "No matter how righteous or optimistic someone is, they always carry some negativity deep inside. The tailed beast chakra''s malice amplifies these negative parts." "So first, you must confront this, or even if your body endures, you''ll lose your mind to it and be unable to control the tailed beast''s power." "Human desire must be controlled; if left unchecked, it''ll overwhelm you. But suppressing it constantly only makes the bacsh stronger." "Face it. Control it. Direct it. Dissolve it. Master it..." Shichi paused, then continued, "A ninja''s chakrabines both spiritual and physical energy. Its strength depends not only on your body but also here" he pointed to his head, "and here." He pointed to Kakashi''s heart. "Spirit and mind." "Your thoughts and your willpower." Kakashi reflected deeply. Shichi added, "Kakashi, if you want to reunite with Obito or protect those you hold dear, you must first strengthen your spirit, your thoughts, and your heart." "This is essential for breaking through your limits. Otherwise, you''ll always be constrained by your body." From his research, this was the closest he''de to understanding chakra''s rtionship with the human body. "I''ll remember that." Kakashi nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Shichi." Shichi chuckled, "If you want to thank me, be my kid''s teacher one day!" Kakashi readily agreed, "Absolutely." After a brief pause, he added seriously, "But, with whom will this kid be? Shizune, Lady Tsunade, or Asuka-san?" Shichi burst outughing. "You sly Kakashi! Acting all serious, but secretly you''ve got jokes! Next time we treat Rin, I''ll expose your true self." "No wonder you wear that mask all the time!" Kakashi almost rolled his eyes when he heard this. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 179: Scorch Release, Electric Fields, and Diamond!

Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Scorch Release, Electric Fields, and Diamond!

After some banter, Shuichi had Kakashi sit cross-legged in the center of the formation, then carefully infused a portion of Eight-Tails chakra into Kakashi''s body. The experiment officially began! However, Shuichi didn''t stay for long himself; after three minutes, seeing that Kakashi was still holding on, he left a shadow clone to watch over him and quickly disappeared with the Body Flicker Jutsu. Meanwhile, at the experimental facility in the Daimyo''spound, Shuichi''s shadow clone was also conducting tests. The Daimyo''s selected ninja, however, were clearly no match for Kakashi. Out of the six candidates, not one managed to hold out beyond three minutes before losing control to the Tailed Beast chakra and going berserk. Shuichi hadn''t expected much from them. If Tailed Beast chakra was that easy to master, Jinchuriki would have no use at all. He swapped in new candidates. As for the failed subjects, Shuichi didn''t return them to the Daimyo. Instead, he kept them as extra hands for Pakura. Back on Kakashi''s side, he endured a solid ten minutes during his first attempt. Each day, Kakashi would test himself once, enduring longer each time. Though it became increasingly difficult, his resilience proved truly extraordinary. Time passed, and it was already March 4th, Konoha''s 46th year, Shuichi Hoshita''s 13th birthday. Since everyone was here, Shuichi held a casual dinner party in his courtyard. Along with friends like Kakashi, Kurenai, Guy, Shisui, and Sarutobi Shinnosuke, older figures such as Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and even the legendary Sannin were all present. Of course, Tenka came too. After giving him her gift, she pulled Shuichi aside to whisper, "My, Shuichi, you''ve gotten taller again!" "Oh, and here''s some happy news: my elder sister is pregnant!" Shuichi''s face lit up. "Please send my congrattions to your Sister! When the baby arrives, I''ll visit to celebrate." Tenka blinked yfully at Shuichi, "And?" Shuichi blinked back, "And what?" She pinched his cheek, "A present, of course! That''s going to be your future nephew!" Putting on a mock-serious look, Shuichi said, "But I''m only thirteen, Tenka-san; you''re far too mischievous!" Tenkaughed, gave him a quick peck on the forehead, and teased, "Oh, you''re spoken for already, Shuichi-kun. A genius like you won''t slip through my fingers. The kids we''d have are sure to be prodigies!" Shuichi widened his eyes, "Tenka-san, that''s heartbreaking; am I only good enough for the children?" Sheughed again, "It''s also because you''re amazing, Shuichi." "And..." she leaned closer, whispering in his ear, her breath warm against his skin, "I won''t force you to make it official, either." "So, grow up soon; I''ll be waiting!" Despicable! Seducing a thirteen-year-old boy? Far too mischievous! Shuichi decided he''d have to rein her in someday, firmly disciplining her to keep her out of trouble. But for now... With a raised chin, he dered proudly, "Tenka-san, I''m a serious person." She chuckled and nodded, "Oh yes, Shuichi-kun, a true gentlemanno wonder so many girls adore you." "Speaking of which," she continued, "When your nephew is born, I''d like you to be his teacher." Shuichi thoughtfully stroked his chin as though in deep contemtion, then, under her hopeful gaze, nodded slowly. "But only because it''s you asking, Tenka-san." She smiled, her eyes practically sparkling. ... The dinner was lively and joyful, though a few familiar faces were missing. Rin Nohara was still bedridden, Obito Uchiha was MIA, and Sarutobi Asuma was stationed in the Daimyo''s pce. At 9 p.m., as the dinner ended, Shuichi saw each guest out one by one. --- The next day. In his training ground, Shuichi sat with his hands sped, eyes lowered in concentration as the wind and fire chakras within him collided and fused repeatedly. Gradually, a new form of power emerged. A new nature transformationScorch Release! After months of nightly training with Pakura, plus his pre-existing mastery over Wind and Fire, and his simultaneous use of the two chakra natures in his Fire Release Chakra Mode, he had finally mastered it today. It was the third Kekkei Genkai he could call his own. Lava Release, Fire Nether Chains, and now Scorch Release! Rising to his feet, Shuichi''s form was soon encased in a blue chakra cloak adorned with delicate purple lotus blossoms. Slowly, he lifted off the ground. The Scorch Release Chakra Mode! Although it resembled his Fire Release Chakra Mode in form, the power within was vastly different. It was noticeably stronger. Without the assistance of the Bijuu Sealing Mark, the lotus patterns shone a striking purple. Furthermore, as Shuichi had previously spected, this new mode also granted him a limited ability to hover in midair. However, upon closer inspection, Shuichi realized that the hovering ability was quite slow and not particrly agile. On the other hand, using Fiery Lotus Steps felt even easier in this mode than in the Fire Release Chakra Mode, with noticeably better results. "Still, this mode doesn''t drastically enhance mybat power." Shuichi mused, "The power of a jutsu depends on not only nature and shape transformation but most importantly on the chakra output." "With nature transformation, there''s no question. Scorch Release''s attack power when using me Dragon Breath or Rasenshuriken will definitely surpass the previousbination of Fire and Wind." "As for shape transformation, this Scorch Release Chakra Mode is more solid than before, but it still doesn''tpare to the standard set by Susanoo." Susanoo was indeed the pinnacle of form, representing an extreme that was hard to rival. Although size doesn''t always equate to strength, somethingrger is certainly not weak! "So, I''ll still have to try creating a ''Gundam'' of sorts." "It may not be something I rely on, but it''s certainly something I need." "Against something as formidable as Susanoo, matching its power seems like the best way to counter it." Shuichi had already formted the next step for his development or, at the very least, the direction to attempt. If he were to create a ''Gundam,'' Scorch Release seemed like a viable foundation for shaping it. But it wasn''t just Scorch Release; Lava Release could also be molded into a ''Gundam.'' In fact, from the perspective of shape transformation, Lava Release might even be better suited. Whilebining Wind and Fire makes it easier to mold, it still falls short of Lava Release in terms of structural integrity. "For defense, Lava Armor definitely outperforms Scorch Chakra Mode. But for offense, Scorch Release has the edge. In terms of raw power, though, Lava Style is superior..." Shuichi pondered, "And it doesn''t seem too challenging tobine Lava and Scorch Release." His Fire Release Chakra Mode alreadybined both Fire and Wind, while his ze Release Chakra Mode was a blend of Fire and Yin. Combining two chakra natures was already second nature to him, and handling three would be a manageable challenge. Quickly forming a n, Shuichi split into two shadow clones to begin the development immediately. "Next after Scorch will be Ma Styleit''s almost ready..." This reminded him of the Eight-Tails'' ink. Could that be categorized under Water Release? Once he mastered Ma Style, could he evolve it into Electromaic Release by adding an electric charge? Shuichi then recalled possible advanced Kekkei Genkai like Wood Style, Storm Style... "It''s clear I''ll need to acquire ''Earth Release Master,'' ''Water Release Master,'' and ''Lightning Release Master'' to build a solid foundation." Shuichi rubbed his forehead thoughtfully, "An electromaic railgun would likely be considered a Kekkei Genkai jutsu, separate from standard Lightning Release." "For an S-rank Lightning jutsu, Kirin could work, but it''s too situational." "Wait... My thinking doesn''t have to be confined to the Shinobi world''s concepts; a railgun operates through electromaism, while pure Lightning Release generates electric currents and fields..." Shuichi''s eyes brightened. "An electric field!" "Yes, an electric field!" "A high-energy particle beamor, to be precise, a stream of charged particles!" "Creating this technique could establish a foundation in electric fields, and once I learn Ma Release from the One-Tail, I canbine it further to master Electromaic Release." A satisfied smile spread across Shuichi''s face. His path with Lightning Release was now clear. Which left only Water and Earth Release. S-rank techniques often reach extremes in both nature and shape transformations. Take Water Release''s Severing Wave, for instance, which achieves a high degree of shape transformation. Though not technically S-rank, it approaches that level. For Earth Release, noki''s Light-Weight Rock Technique exemplifies pure nature transformation. Though Shuichi had no experience with Light-Weight Rock Technique, from what he understood, they worked by altering an object''s density. Since the affected object didn''t change in volume, it was the density that changed. For Earth Release, nature transformations could also involve hardening or softening. For example, jutsu that harden the terrain, or softening jutsu like Swamp of the Underworld or y-based techniques. "For Water Release transformations... I need to broaden my thinking. Water Release isn''t limited to just water; it epasses liquids in general." "If the Eight-Tails'' ink isn''t a Kekkei Genkai, it''s Water Release." With his eyes closed, Shuichi dove into his memory, extracting every bit of useful knowledge. Soon, he had new ideas. Heavy Water! A dense variant of water, in which neither nts nor animals could survive. Royal Water! A highly corrosive yellow liquid that could dissolve metals like titanium and gold. Shuichi recalled the production process of the former but couldn''t fully remember thetter, so he''d need to conduct some tests. Once he analyzed each substance and understood its nature, he''d be able to recreate them through chakra-based transformations. Both of these would be far more potent than regr water. As for Earth Release In terms of hardness, the first thing that came to mind was the hardest natural stone: diamond! Diamond was even harder than steel. "If my nature transformation goal is hardness, diamond would be the ultimate choice." With his thoughts expanded, Shuichi saw the possibilities open up, realizing diamond''s remarkable characteristics. Its extreme hardness, high melting point, and non-conductivity were all major advantages. The fact that it didn''t conduct electricity could even counter the idea that Lightning Release always trumps Earth Release. So really, all these supposed "counters" bnce each other out! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 180: The Nine-Tails!

Chapter 180: Chapter 180: The Nine-Tails!

Having determined various directions, Shuichi entered another busy phase. Each shadow clone focused on one direction, freeing Shuichi to concentrate his efforts on researching Hashirama cells and Asuka''s cells. Time passed, and March of Konoha''s 46th year quickly ended. The negotiations between Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure continued. Unwilling to concede, Iwagakure kept engaging in small skirmishes in the Lands of Rain and Birds. With the arrival of April, the intensity of the war began to increase once more, and figures like Kakashi and Guy returned to the battlefield. Meanwhile, Shuichi, keeping a close eye on the Land of Rain, received more and more intelligence on the Akatsuki from Sarutobi Shinnosuke. Yahiko and hispanions were bing increasingly active, their reputation spreading widely across the Land of Rain. Yet Shuichi knew a dramatic shift was looming for the Akatsuki. One day, while researching at Orochimaru''s experimental base, Shuichi was suddenly notified by Orochimaru that Danzo wanted to meet him. "I understand. Let him wait a bit," Shuichi replied nonchntly. Orochimaru didn''t mind and asked with a smile, "How is your research on Hashirama''s cells going? It looks like you really have no intention of imnting them." Without looking up, Shuichi replied, "To gain the power of Hashirama''s cells, imntation isn''t necessarily required." Orochimaru''s eyes narrowed as he felt a sudden surge of vitality from Shuichi''s cellsa vitality strikingly simr to Hashirama''s. Though it couldn''t quite match Hashirama''s cells, it was the most potent life force he''d seen besides them, surpassing even the Eight-Tails. "As expected of Shuichi-kun..." Orochimaru''s gaze was intense. "You achieved this purely through Yang Release?" Shuichi nodded. "Yes." "Of course, it requires a vast chakra reserve, which depends on a strong physical foundation." "Indeed, the nature transformation originates in the mind and is manifested physically." Orochimaru couldn''t help but praise, "Shuichi-kun, your understanding of chakra and jutsu''s essence is astonishing!" Even knowing the secret, Orochimaru''s chakra reserves wouldn''t suffice. Among the Sannin, Jiraiya had thergest chakra reserve, followed by Tsunade, with Orochimaru at the bottom. Shuichi''s words, though, proved invaluable to him. Thus, even though Shuichi hadn''t asked, Orochimaru proactively added, "Shuichi-kun, Danzo has fused Hashirama cells with a Sharingan bearing three tomoe. His strength is formidable." Shuichi smiled, "Thanks for the warning. I''m quite looking forward to it." ... "You''rete!" Danzo frowned at the bted arrival of Shuichi. Shuichi chuckled, "I''m extremely busy. Coming and going as I pleasewhat, do you think I''m Hokage?" Danzo''s face darkened. However, he knew that Shuichi was no longer the child he once was; his strength could now rival the tailed beasts. Shuichi''s extensive connections within Konoha also made him untouchable. Suppressing his anger, Danzo took on a cooperative tone and asked, "What''s the progress on your research with the tailed beasts?" "Rest assured; I''ll provide you with equivalent intelligence in exchange." Shuichi nodded with satisfaction. "This is what a partnership should look like!" "The experiments in the Daimyo''s territory were all unsessful. The theory remains intact, but finding suitable individuals is extremely rare." Shuichi shared his information. "However, Kakashi''s experiments show promising results." "As it stands now, he is the most likely candidate to wield the power of a tailed beast." Danzo''s gaze sharpened. "Kakashi, huh..." Shuichi looked at him. "Why, are you interested in Kakashi?" "Seems all your Root experiments failed." "Clearly, you haven''t grasped the concept of spiritual will yet!" "A killing machine without emotions doesn''t equate to strong willpower." "On the contrary, they''re even more fragile than ordinary people!" Danzo''s expression soured. "So you knew this all along?" Shuichi nodded honestly. "Of course. The theory originated from me." In front of an old man, Shuichi saw no need for deception. Danzo, however, could only seethe internally, wishing he could use his Sharingan to obliterate the smug young man before him! "Alright, I''ve given my information," Shuichi said with a smile. "Now it''s your turn." "All research data on the Sharingan and Hashirama cells. I know you handed Hokage a diluted version." Cursing Orochimaru in his heart, Danzo outwardly remainedposed and nodded. "No problem." "And if you need a Sharingan, I can also provide one." Shuichi, however, remained unmoved. "That won''t be necessary." "I prefer to obtain power on my own!" He wasn''t foolish enough to let Danzo hold something over him. When he transnted a Sharingan into Rin Nohara, it had been approved by the Third Hokage, so the responsibility ultimately rested with the Third. Additionally, with Obito Uchiha''s involvement, even the Uchiha n''s reaction was tempered. However, if Shuichi himself transnted a Sharingan, especially a three-tomoe Sharingan, it might harm his friendship with Shisui. Besides, a mere three-tomoe Sharingan was hardly of use beyond Izanagi or Izanami. If he truly wanted a Sharingan, he''d bring the Divine Tree and unlock the Rinnegan directly, gaining both the Rinnegan and Sharingan powers. After gathering the data he needed, Shuichi turned and headed to the Hokage Tower. In the Hokage''s office... Handing the data to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shuichi said, "It appears that Root''s experiments have mostly failed, as expected." "Danzo, however, has already gained the power of Hashirama''s cells and the Sharingan. If the Sharingan bes public knowledge, it could deepen the rift between the Uchiha and the vige." Hiruzen was used to Shuichi''s relentless scrutiny of Danzo. But at the moment, he couldn''t act against Danzo; he needed him to handle certain matters. Shuichi understood this well. A chamber pot may smell foul, but it''s quite useful when neededkeeps one''s hands clean. Unfortunately, Hiruzen''s hold over Danzo was weakening. "I will personally discuss this with Fugaku," Hiruzen decided with a sigh, feeling the frustration of having to clean up Danzo''s mess. Shuichi wasn''t surprised by Hiruzen''s decision, so he simply added, "Lord Hokage, I require the First Hokage''s Wood Release techniques." Hiruzen''s eyes sharpened. "Shuichi, are you nning to transnt Hashirama''s cells?" Shuichi shook his head. "No, I intend to create Wood Release myself bybining Earth and Water Release." "Wood Release is merely one of many Kekkei Genkai. The true strength behind the First Hokage''s Wood Releasey in his immense Yang Release power." Hiruzen nodded in understanding. "I see." "Then Shinnosuke will escort you to the Scroll of Seals to copy the Wood Release techniques." ... Upon leaving the Hokage Tower, Shichi now held a scroll containing all the Mokuton techniques. Studying Hashirama''s cells alongside Mokuton techniques, and with the boosts of the [Prodigy] Tag, he didn''t need to imnt Hashirama''s cells to gain Mokuton abilities. Whether his Mokuton could match the First Hokage''s depended on his Yang Release mastery. Although Shichi''s Yang Release was not as strong as the First''s, in Sage Mode or Curse Mark state, he could rival the First''s base form. Additionally, his research on Hashirama''s cells continued, and with the [Prodigy] Tag''s boost, acquiring knowledge from his studies to catch up with the First was merely a matter of time. Back home, Shichi created shadow clones to delve into the Mokuton techniques, then summoned a flock of crows and cast the Crow Clone Technique, sending them towards the Land of Rain. With Akatsuki bing increasingly active and Danzo likely ready to make his own moves, Shichi sensed that a new act in this drama was about to unfold. He had no desire or means to stop it. In fact, the day''s events spurred him to revise his previous nsDanzo was just too dangerous to let live. After sending off the crows, Shichi headed to visit his mentor, Minato Namikaze. "Oh, Shichi?" Kushina Uzumaki greeted him at the door. "Kakashi says you''ve been quite busytely!" As Kushina led Shichi to the study, Minato looked up from studying the [Soul Sealing Seal] Shichi had given him and smiled, "Shichi, perfect timing! I could use your insight on something." Shichi stepped forward, smiling, "If you first learn the Spirit Transformation and Soul Binding techniques, it''ll make it easier." The Soul Sealing Seal, which Shichi had developed to help Asuka better utilize her Adamantine Chains, allowed for soul-binding capabilities as a separate technique. "Too much trouble; better to seed all at once," interjected Kushina casually. Shichi didn''t hold back, "That''s just you beingzy, Kushina-san!" Kushinaughed, "Hey, it''s all about working smarter, not harder." After answering Minato''s question, Shichi asked, "So, how''s your progress with the Rasengan, or even the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken?" Minato and Kushina exchanged a nce, their expressions growing serious. "I''mfortable with the Rasengan," Kushina said. "But I can''t manage to throw the Rasenshuriken." Minato nodded. "I''ve run into the same issue. But with my Flying Thunder God Technique, throwing isn''t really necessary." "That should be fine then," Shichi replied. "The main concern is resisting the malice of the Nine-Tailsits negative energy is overpowering, but..." Looking at Minato and Kushina, Shichi grinned. "I trust you both to handle it!" Kushinaughed, clenching her fist with determination. "Of course! I''m fully confident!" "Now then..." Shichi asked, "Sensei, have you decided where the other half of the Nine-Tails will be sealed?" Minato answered, "We''ll seal it in you." "I''ve discussed it with the Third Hokage. Though we could give half to the Sand or Stone viges, we need to be prepared in case they discover it. Keeping half in you prepares us for anything unexpected." This arrangement suited Shichi perfectly, and he nodded. "Then it''s settled. Starting today, Kushina-san can start sparring with the Nine-Tails'' chakra." Seeing them look a little tense, Shichiughed. "We''ll take it step by stepfirst split the Nine-Tails, then adapt to its chakra, and finally, show it who''s boss!" Kushina''s eyes lit up, her fist clenched in excitement. "Oh, I''ve been waiting to teach that beast a lesson!" The Nine-Tails had been far from tame in her, frequently stirring trouble. Without the strength of her predecessor, Mito Uzumaki, she couldn''t fully suppress it. It would be her pleasure to put it in its ceand avenge Minato forst time, no less! --- With the decision made, Shichi and Minato set out to prepare. They chose a secluded forested area in the mountains of Konoha, building a small cabin and erecting a barrier for extra security. Although they were confident in subduing the Nine-Tails, they took every precaution. Three dayster, preparations wereplete. Outside the barrier, Sarutobi Shinnosuke led a team alongside Shichi''s shadow clone, holding watch. Inside the cabin, Shichi and Kushina sat facing each other, while Minato held her hand, channeling chakra to form a mental connection. With a soft, metallic clink, fiery chains extended from Shichi''s abdomen, snaking forward. He called out, "Kushina-san, release the seal!" "Understood!" Kushina nodded firmly, lowering her gaze. In the next instant, the outermost Eight Trigrams Seal on her abdomen was lifted. With a loud whir, Shichi''s ming chains shot forward, burrowing into Kushina''s abdomen and pushing through the seal''s gateway. Atst, Shichiid eyes on the Nine-Tails. Hmm? It seemed a bit... subdued. It was nothing like the unruly fox locked inside Naruto in the future; this one was pinned midair. Beyond the chains, stakes pierced its body and tails, rendering it immobileevidence of Konoha''s or possibly even Hashirama''s sealing techniques. "Looks like nobody could handle this going forward..." Shichi mused thoughtfully. At that moment, Kushina and Minato''s forms appeared beside him. Suspended in midair, the Nine-Tails red down at them, growling, "Cursed humans..." Roar! With a thunderous howl, it whipped up a furious gale, causing their hair and clothing to whip wildly. Shielding her face, Kushina cast Shichi a worried nce. "Shichi, are you sure? This thing''s power is overwhelming!" Shichi nodded solemnly; indeed, the Nine-Tails'' strength was unmatched. In terms of sheer power, especially chakra volume, even Shukaku or the Four and Eight-Tails paled inparison. Moreover, Shichi could sense the distinct potency of the Nine-Tails'' chakra. It wasn''t just the quantity; it was the qualitychakra of unparalleled essence. "No wonder it''s the tailed beast closest to the Ten-Tails..." Shichi thought in awe, before saying with resolve, "Since we''re here, we have to give it a try." "Kushina-san, unleash the seal!" "Sensei, I''ll be relying on you in a moment." Minato nodded solemnly. Kushina raised her hand decisively. "Let''s begin!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 181: Sincerity is the Ultimate Move!

Chapter 181: Chapter 181: Sincerity is the Ultimate Move!

"Release!" With a single hand raised, Kushina Uzumaki unlocked the Nine-Tails'' seal. Instantly, the chains binding the Nine-Tails snapped and vanished. In that moment, the Nine-Tails let out a powerful roar, unleashing its enormous chakra. The crimson chakra, like moltenva, swiftly engulfed the remaining remnants of the seal, corroding it with intense energy. The Nine-Tails freed one of its ws from the wooden stakes, then pulled out the stakes lodged in its abdomen and tails. Boom! The massive form of the Nine-Tailsnded on the ground, its fierce gaze locking onto Shichi and his two allies. A momentter, the air crackled as its tails lunged toward the three like giant spears. But in an instant, a series of adamantine chains shot up from the ground, binding the Nine-Tails'' tails, limbs, and body tightly. Gritting her teeth, Kushina Uzumaki exerted all her strength to restrain the beast, the adamantine chains pulling taut with a sharp, creaking sound. "Kushina, your strength is still not enough!" the Nine-Tails snarled. Kushina scoffed, "Nine-Tails, I''m not afraid of you anymore!" At that moment, Shichi shouted, "Minato-sensei!" "Understood!" Having prepared himself, Minato Namikaze entered Sage Mode, his form flickering and reappearing above the Nine-Tails. In his hand, a colossal Rasengan began to expand. The Nine-Tails looked up, opening its mouth to gather a Tailed Beast Bomb. Reacting instantly, a set of fiery chains shot from Shichi''s back, coiling around the Nine-Tails'' body and snapping shut over its mouth, forcibly halting the Tailed Beast Bomb from forming. In the next moment, the massive Rasengan crashed down. Boom! The Nine-Tails copsed under Minato''s strike, pinned to the ground. At the same time, a thick chain surged from Shichi''s abdomen, piercing into the Nine-Tails. "You..." The Nine-Tails looked at Shichi in shock. Its chakra was severely disrupted, preventing it from gathering energy, and an unshakable feeling of dread overcame it. Grasping the chain extending from his abdomen, Shichi gave it a powerful pull. "A soul-sealing technique..." the Nine-Tails growled, struggling. "You won''t seed!" "Behave yourself!" Kushinamanded sharply, pulling with all her strength against the Nine-Tails. Meanwhile, a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken took form in Minato''s hand. The instant he released it, Minato disappeared from the Nine-Tails'' back. Boom! The Rasenshuriken expanded upon impact, its powerful attack leaving the Nine-Tails unable to resist Shichi and Kushina any longer. The Nine-Tails was astounded. The young brat it had once injured severely now possessed such power. "Curse it..." Caught in the Rasenshuriken''s assault, the Nine-Tails was immobilized. Seizing the moment, Shichi extracted the Nine-Tails'' soul, dividing it into two halves. With the Nine-Tails now split, Shichi''s Fire Nether chains released its Yang half and wrapped firmly around the Yin half instead. "Sensei, prepare for the re-seal!" Shichi called out immediately. Minato nodded beside Kushina. "Don''t worry, everything''s ready." Shichi nodded back, then with a puff, vanished. However, the fireher chains did not disappear; instead, they tightened further, dragging the Yin half of the Nine-Tails away. Outside Kushina''s body. Shichi leaped up, the fireher chains pulling taut, forcibly extracting the Yin half of the Nine-Tails from Kushina''s body. The beast''s form rapidly expanded, its mouth opening in a furious roar, "You wretched brat, how dare you...!" "Calm down!" Shichi replied firmly, his body glowing with the Eight-Tails'' chakra. Six tails appeared, extending quickly to bind the Yin half of the Nine-Tails even tighter. "The Eight-Tails..." The Nine-Tails was shocked once more. At the same time, Shichi himself was amazed at the unique nature of the tailed beasts. He extracted the Nine-Tails'' soul, splitting it into two halves. However, when the Yin half of the Nine-Tails was pulled from Kushina Uzumaki''s body, it spontaneously regenerated into a tangible form with flesh and blood. Immediately, Shichi created a shadow clone. The clone drew its sword, leaping into the air with the sealing scroll that Shichi had prepared. With a fierce sh, empowered by the shining Bijuu Mark, the clone''s Blue me Vacuum SLash severed one of the Nine-Tails'' tails. "You bastard..." the Yin Nine-Tails growled, filled with rage. Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, who had justpleted the re-sealing, were equally stunned by the sight. "Shichi, what are you doing?" Kushina asked curiously. sping his hands together, Shichi smiled, "Researching the Nine-Tails'' cells." With that, he tugged the chains, pulling the Nine-Tails back into his body. Sizzle The powerful chakra of the Nine-Tails began to corrode his flesh, making Shichi frown as a numbness spread across his abdomen. Fortunately, his strong constitution allowed him to re-lock the Eight Trigrams Seal quickly, causing the difort to fade. Exhaling, Shichi grinned, "Perfectly done!" Kushina smiled, "With only half of the Nine-Tails left, it''s much easier on me now!" With only half of the Nine-Tails'' power, she could fully restrain it, meaning she wouldn''t have to worry about it causing trouble inside her anymore. Receiving the sealing scroll from his clone, Shichi dispelled the shadow clone and said, "Next up is mastering the Nine-Tails'' chakra." "When the timees, we''ll work just like we did today." "I''ll handle restraining the Nine-Tails, Minato-sensei will attack, and Kushina-san, you can seize its chakra." "With ourbined strength, this step should be manageable." "The main issue is the malice within the Nine-Tails'' chakra; that part is up to you, Kushina-san." Kushina nodded firmly, raising her fist. "Don''t worry, I won''t let you down!" Shichi added with a grin, "Minato-sensei''s support is crucial as well." Minato nodded, understanding exactly what Shichi meant. In the process of extracting the Nine-Tails'' chakra, he would be responsible for the offensive, and when confronting the chakra''s malice, he''d provide Kushina with mental support. "Shichi, what about you?" Minato asked, "Will you need our help?" Shichi grinned, baring his teeth, "I can handle it myself. Compared to the Nine-Tails, I''m much more ferocious!" "No way!" Kushinaughed, wrapping an arm around Shichi''s shoulders. "Our Shichi is the best; how else could he have so many girls interested in him?" Shichi''s face flushed with embarrassment, quickly ncing to Minato for help. Scratching his head, Minatoughed awkwardly, "We''ve been at it for so long, everyone must be tired. Let''s head back for dinner and pick up training tomorrow." Shichi raised his hand eagerly, "Agreed! I''m starving. That Nine-Tails sure is exhausting!" With her attention redirected, Kushina released Shichi and immediately began nning what dishes to make. ... Back home, Shichi, Minato, and Kushina prepared dinner together, while Sarutobi Shinnosuke handled the mission report. In the Hokage''s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed in relief upon hearing the news. Dividing the Nine-Tails not only reduced its threat but also prevented unexpected mishaps. Even if one Jinchuriki encountered trouble, the other would still be there. Based on Shichi''s previous performance, even if he didn''t achieve perfect control as a Jinchuriki, mastering the Nine-Tails'' power shouldn''t be a problem. This way, Konoha would gain genuine tailed-beastbat strength. If Kushina also mastered the Nine-Tails'' power with Shichi''s help, Konoha would face no fear from challenges by other ninja viges. At that moment, Hiruzen felt a heavy weight lift off his shoulders, the pressure from the mysterious Mangekyo Sharingan user easing significantly. Everything was progressing in a positive direction. Reflecting on this, Hiruzen resolved to send Minato to the frontlines once Kushina had control over the Nine-Tails'' power. Iwa has been unpredictable and resentful, and he didn''t want a prolonged standoff. The war needed to end swiftly. The decision was not out of weakness. Konoha''s current strategic gains were already substantial. Capturing the Land of Rivers had been enough. Further expansion would provoke a life-or-death struggle with Iwagakure and Kumogakure. But Konoha''s strength wasn''t sufficient for that yet. "It''s time to leave things to Minato..." Hiruzen mused quietly. With age came more considerations, and his own ambitions had be difficult to pursue. ... After lunch, Shichi left the Namikaze household and headed directly to the secluded training chamber in the experimental base where Kakashi had previously trained. Sitting cross-legged, Shichi lowered his gaze. In the next moment, his spiritual chakra form appeared within the Eight Trigrams Seal. Inside were three iron cages, each housing a different tailed beast: the Yin Nine-Tails, the One-Tail, and the Four-Tails. The three tailed beasts, who had been bickering, immediately stopped and looked over at Shichi. Shukaku and the Four-Tails were already ustomed to him and looked at him with calm eyes. However, the Yin Nine-Tails, recently imprisoned, red menacingly, his tailsshing about as if poised to strike at any moment. Unfazed, Shichi said calmly, "Kurama, wee to your new home. I''m sure you''lle to like it here." The Yin Nine-Tails'' eyes narrowed. "You little brat, you actually know my name." He turned to Shukaku and the Four-Tails. "Did one of you tell him my name?" Shukaku, loungingzily, snorted, "Stupid fox, as if we''d bother." "But I''ll say thisthis guy knows a lot." The Four-Tails looked at Shichi and said, "You even captured this stupid fox. Looks like you''re nning to gather all the tailed beasts ahead of time?" The Yin Nine-Tails looked at him, shocked. To this, Shichi smiled, "I already mentionedst time, I only n to keep half of each of youto prepare for the Ten-Tails'' return." The Yin Nine-Tails looked stunned, turning to the One-Tail and Four-Tails, "Did you tell him about that, too?" Shukaku snorted, "Shut up, you stupid fox. He figured it out himself." The Nine-Tails red at Shichi. "Who...exactly are you?" With a sly smile, Shichi replied, "Someone who knows fate." "And someone who resists fate." All three tailed beasts frowned. Then Shichi asked, "Are you aware of the stone tablet left by the Sage of the Six Paths?" The Four-Tails replied, "We don''t know anything about a stone tablet." Shichi exined, "It''s a stone tablet in the Uchiha n, created by the Sage of the Six Paths himself." "The Uchiha are descendants of the Sage''s elder son, Indra." "The tablet is kept with the Uchiha to this day, and only those with Sharingan can decipher its contents. The stronger the Djutsu power, the more one can see." The Yin Nine-Tails grumbled, "So, you learned about the Ten-Tails from that tablet?" Instead of answering, Shichi continued, "The tablet says that by gathering all nine tailed beasts to form the Ten-Tails'' Jinchuriki, one can cast the ultimate genjutsu, the Infinite Tsukuyomi, which traps everyone in a dream world, creating a world without war." At this, all three tailed beasts bristled. The Nine-Tails growled, "There''s no way the old man would leave such a thing." The Four-Tails added, gravely, "That''s nothing like his ideals. Trapping everyone in a dream world? Ridiculous!" People called the tailed beasts evil, but he felt that idea was far more sinister. Shukaku sneered, "That tablet was definitely not left by the old man." "The Uchiha... It must have been Indra, right? That guy was no easy character to deal with." The Yin Nine-Tails thought of Madara Uchiha and snorted, "The Uchiha are inherently evil." Looking at the three tailed beasts, Shichi said, "Regardless of who left the tablet, the part about the Ten-Tails is urate, and someone has already started to act on the tablet''s instructions." "Which makes all of you targets." "Of course, I''m not capturing you to protect you out of pitythat would be hypocritical." "The truth is, I can''t counter the Rinnegan''s power, and I don''t want to be trapped in some illusion and live a fake life." "So, in a way, we''re on the same side... as long as you trust me." "But if you don''t trust me, that''s fine too. Just stay here quietly and don''t get in my way." Sincerity was the ultimate weapon, and the three tailed beasts fell silent. With a thought, Shichi loosened the Fire Nether Chains binding them and said, "Shukaku, Son Goku, consider what I said." "Sometimes, resisting may not change anything. But if we don''t resist, then nothing will change for sure." Neither Shukaku nor the Four-Tails responded. The Nine-Tails, however, sneered, "Don''t think that makes us willing to cooperate or lend you our power." Shichi chuckled, "Kurama, I don''t need your cooperation or your permission to use your powerI''ll just take it myself." The Yin Nine-Tails'' eyes burned with fury. "Without those two helping you, you''re no match for me!" Shichi raised an eyebrow. "Then let''s see." With that, he waved his hand, opening the iron gate confining the Nine-Tails. In the next moment, the Nine-Tails'' chakra surged out like a tidal wave, crashing toward Shichi. Raising his hand, Shichi enveloped his palm in a blue de aura, which extended outward, cleaving the oing chakra wave with a resounding sh. Boom, boom, boom! Three shadow clones appeared by Shichi''s side. Meanwhile, in the other two cages, the Four-Tails chuckled, "Hey, Roon Dog, how long do you think the Nine-Tails can hold up?" Shukaku scoffed, "One minute. If hests longer than that, I''ll admit that stupid fox is stronger than me." The Four-Tailsughed, "Thirty secondshe''s only got half his strength." Hearing their wager, the Yin Nine-Tails roared in irritation, "You useless fools! You underestimate me just because I''m only half strength!" (End of Chapter) Chapter 182: Nine-Tails Chakra Mode!

Chapter 182: Chapter 182: Nine-Tails Chakra Mode!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! As they spoke, several of Yin Kurama''s tails whipped out, and a Tailed Beast Bomb quickly began to form in his mouth. ng! The Fire Nether Chains emerged from the ground in response to Shichi''s will, wrapping tightly around Yin Kurama''s limbs, torso, and every tail. Then, in a sh, Shichi appeared above the Nine-Tails'' head, his entire body surrounded by crackling lightninghe had activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Boom! With a powerful punch, he smashed Kurama''s head into the ground, dispersing the Tailed Beast Bomb entirely. By this point, Shichi''s three shadow clones hadpleted their jutsu: Scorch Release: Rasenshuriken! Lava Release: Rasenshuriken! Ma Release: Rasenshuriken! "What...?" Yin Kurama looked on in shock. "Kurama, did I forget to mention? Although I''m a student of Minato-sensei, I was the one who developed the Rasenshuriken technique!" With that, Shichi disappeared from the top of the Nine-Tails'' head. The next moment, the Ma Release: Rasenshuriken whirled toward Kurama, striking him and unleashing maic energy that paralyzed him entirely. Following this, the Lava Release and Scorch Release Rasenshurikens hit him, shattering his defenses and causing his chakra to pour out. Seizing the opportunity, Shichi pulled hard, draining Kurama''s chakra. Seeing this, Shukaku huffed, "This guy''s gotten even stronger!" "But damn, the fox is really having it rough!" --- "Damn it..." Kurama was furious, watching as Shichi easily siphoned away his chakra. He had clearly underestimated him. "But don''t think you can just take my power that easily!" Kurama sneered, and a wave of malice surged through his chakra toward Shichi. Yet, he quickly realized that his malice had no effect on Shichi at all. "How... is this possible?" Kurama was stunned. Seeing Kurama''s reaction, the Four-Tails, recalling his own previous experience with Shichi, felt somewhat consoled and remarked, "Kurama, don''t waste your energy. This guy has a mind like no other." "He''s unusually clear-headed and can face the entirety of himself, good and bad." "If we''re talking about malice, this guy has plenty of it buried in his heartno less than us." Shukaku roared withughter, taunting, "Stupid fox, you''re pathetic! You couldn''t evenst thirty seconds, and you call yourself the strongest tailed beast." Kurama''s anger surged. "You two idiots! Shouldn''t we be working together to take this guy down?" Still lying therezily, Shukaku replied, "I have no interest in teaming up with an arrogant blowhard like you." "Besides, taking him down just means someone else will seal us in their gut. If we be part of the Ten-Tails, we''re in real trouble. This ce isn''t so bad." The Four-Tails added, "You''ll get used to it, Kurama." "If what this guy says is true, you''ll understandit''s safer here." "There''s no way we can resist the power of the Sharingan and the Rinnegan!" Kurama fumed in frustration. These two had no fighting spirit! At this point, the effects of the Rasenshurikens had worn off, and the Nine-Tails, now regaining control, immediately stopped leaking his chakra. Even so, he had grown visibly thinner. Observing this, Shichi couldn''t help but be impressed. "As expected of the strongest tailed beast. Even with just half of him, his chakra is greater than the entirety of the Eight-Tails''." When he had extracted chakra from Shukaku, it had shrunk him, while Kurama had only slimmed down. Furthermore, this chakra he had just stolen was far greater than what Shukaku and the Four-Tails had in theirplete forms. It was clear just how massive the chakra reserves of the full Nine-Tails would be. Of course, this was raw powerchakra alone. It didn''t guarantee absolute strength, though in terms of battle, Kurama was indeed likely the strongest among the tailed beasts. And from Kurama''s power, Shichi could gauge how absurdly strong Hashirama Senju must have been. "It''s pretty clear now that, as a whole, the Nine-Tails'' power surpasses thebined power of all other eight tailed beasts." Shichi reflected, "Right now, I''m about on par with Shukaku. If I keep training, I''ll probably be on the same level as the Four-Tails once I reach adulthood." "But there''s still a long way to go to catch up to Kurama. I need to keep improving my physique!" "With a few more boosts, I could reach the Nine-Tails'' level in no time." "Plus, consuming the flesh of tailed beasts could also strengthen my body..." With his bodypatibility trait and the [Devourer] tag, Shichi had opened up a world of new possibilities. He re-sealed Yin Kurama without furtherment and disappeared. --- In the Sealed Chamber, Shichi Opened His Eyes. In the next instant, a golden Nine-Tails Chakra cloak enveloped his body. Nine-Tails Chakra Mode! Shichi rose to his feet, examining himself. Around his cor were six tomoe markings, while a ck curse seal extended from his torso down to each hand and shoulder. Further down, a spiral pattern resembling an inverted bell adorned his abdomen, symbolizing the Eight Trigrams Seal. This was where the Nine-Tails'' chakra flowed from, and the ck seal lines represented the chakra pathways. It was identical to the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode he remembered Naruto using. "Truly impressive!" After inspecting himself, Shichi focused on feeling the power of this form. "It''s on par with Sage Mode, yet different from other tailed beast forms." "The Nine-Tails'' chakra really is distinct from the other tailed beasts." Shichi began to contemte. He typically had two ways to use Shukaku, Four-Tails, and Eight-Tails'' chakra. First, he could convert it into his own stamina via the Eight Trigrams Seal, replenishing his chakra. Second, he could use it directly to perform jutsu, with tailed beast chakra functioning as such. But the Nine-Tails'' chakra was different! "The Nine-Tails chakra I absorbed has seamlessly integrated with my own chakra, making it as easy to control as if it were mine, yet retaining the quality of Nine-Tails'' chakra." "My chakra quality is already high, but it''s still not at Nine-Tails'' level; that difference enhances all aspects of my abilities." "The strength of the tailed beasts lies not only in their immense chakra but in the unique quality of that chakra!" Shichi''s understanding deepened further. "From One-Tail to Nine-Tails, the more tails, the closer they get to Ten-Tails'' power." "And the Ten-Tails'' power originates from natural energy." "That''s why Nine-Tails Chakra Mode isparable to Sage Mode; the former harmonizes with my chakra, while thetter fuses natural energy with my physical and spiritual power. Different paths, simr results." With a solemn expression, Shichi reflected, "So, natural energy is truly the ultimate path." "The way of the Sage... the Sage himself!" "The path of the Sage could even reach, or surpass, the Ten-Tails." "But even to be someone like Gamamaru or the Snake Sage, relying solely on Sage Mode isn''t enough." Though no clear pathy before him, Shichi had two potential directions. The first was to leverage his physicalpatibility, strengthening his body toward that of a tailed beast by consuming tailed beast flesh and gaining the ability to absorb natural energy directly to recover stamina. Previously, he had relied on transformation jutsu to take on a tailed beast form for this. The second was Sage Transformation! That is, directly absorbing natural energy into his cells, rather than merely refining it into Senjutsu chakra. However, just by its nature, Sage Mode couldn''t extend lifespan. At this thought, Shichi considered, "Maybe I should meet Gamamaru..." But he quickly dismissed the idea. "No rush. No need to hurry." "Though Jgohe should be born around this time, right?" --- After much contemtion, Shichi deactivated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. He differed from Naruto; when Naruto used the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Kurama would absorb his chakra whenever he wasn''t actively using his own chakra. But Shichi had the Fire Nether Chains restraining Kurama even more tightly, sealing Yin Kurama''s very mind and consciousness, so there was no chance for him to absorb Shichi''s chakra. Thispletely avoided the one weakness of Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Such was the strength of advanced sealing jutsu! Naturally, this didn''t interfere with Shichi''s use of Sage Mode, let alone his Bijuu Mark. "My current strength," he mused, "should fall somewhere between Naruto''s Sage of the Six Paths Mode and Nine-Tails Chakra Mode." "As for actualbat power... hard to say." Battle strength isn''t simply a matter of chakra reserves; otherwise, he, Minato-sensei, and Kushina wouldn''t have struggled against the Nine-Tails. Exiting the chamber, Shichi entered a specializedb for cultivating tailed beast cells, took out the Nine-Tails'' severed tail from a scroll, and began the process. First, he sliced a portion for cell cultivation. Then plucked some fur. And finally, ate it raw! Crunch! Crunch! Hm, it''s quite chewy. With three quick bites, he swallowed it all, feeling his entire body ignite like a furnace. Shichi returned to the sealed chamber, and soon, boom! the Nine-Tails chakra burst from within him, covering him in a shroud of crimson chakra as waves of malice washed over him. Unperturbed, Shichi calmly observed as his body adapted, bit by bit, to the Nine-Tails'' power, gradually merging with it. In other words, he was harmonizing with the Nine-Tails'' genes! The process took far longer than when he had consumed the flesh of the Eight-Tails or the Four-Tails. By the time hepleted the fusion, night had fallen outside. As the merging concluded, the tailed beast chakra surrounding Shichi shifted, and the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode re-emerged. "Bodypatibility is truly a blessing!" Shichi felt immense satisfaction. It was a wholly different experience from Kinkaku and Ginkaku; they too had consumed the Nine-Tails'' flesh, yet they had failed to achieve the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Meanwhile, in the seal, Yin Kurama sensed Shichi''s transformation, shocked beyond words. "This guy... how?" "He actually managed to fully integrate and adapt to my power." The Four-Tails, by now unsurprised,mented, "Don''t be too shocked. His constitution is like no other; he''s already mastered the powers of me and the Eight-Tails using the same method." "If it weren''t for Shukaku''s sand body, he''d have managed that, too." "So, when he said he preferred power he could control freely, he meant it." Yin Kurama fell silent, reluctantly acknowledging that Shichi was unlike any ninja he''d ever known. --- Deactivating Nine-Tails Chakra Mode once more, Shichi stretched his body: "My physical strength has improved again, and this boost is even greater than when I consumed the flesh of the Eight-Tails or the Four-Tails." "This is practically more astonishing than a 100% boost to my physique!" Shichi was both surprised and delighted. To match the Nine-Tails, even surpass itseemed only a matter of time! Filled with excitement, he left the chamber, and in the hallway, he spotted Tsunade stretching, her graceful curves a sight to behold. Sensing his gaze, Tsunade turned. "Oh, you''re here too?" Shichi stepped forward. "Running some experiments with the Nine-Tails." "The Nine-Tails!" Tsunade''s eyes sharpened. "Has it been split already?" Shichi grinned. "Yes, everything went smoothly." "We can now study the cells of the Nine-Tails. Its vitality rivals that of the First Hokage!" Intrigued, Tsunade decided to drop by and take a look after dinner. The two left theb, walking under the starlight to the bustling streets of Konoha. Shichi invited her, "How about dinner at my ce? I''ll call for Shizune." Tsunade firmly shook her head. "Too impolite without prior notice." "Besides, Shizune has probably eaten by now." Shichi thought for a moment. "Next time, then!" Tsunade hesitated slightly, knowing that Non Yakushi and Asuka''s cooking was truly superb. But...she nced at Shichi, gave a faint huff, then waved her hand and entered a nearby ce to eat. "We''ll see about next time!" Failure! Shichi chuckled and instantly teleported home. The smell of delicious food filled the air, and the dining table was set with an array of dishes. "Nothing beats the feeling of being home..." Shichi felt genuinely happy. At that moment, Asuka peeked her head out of the kitchen, smiling. "Shichi, wash up and get ready for dinner! There''s just onest soup left!" "At yourmand!" Shichiughed, went to wash his hands, and by the time he returned, Asuka and Non had finished preparing the final soup. The bountiful, heartwarming dinner began. --- Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain. Inside a cave, White Zetsu (Tobi) emerged from the ground, turning to ck Zetsu and White Zetsu with a grin. "The time hase. Danzo from Konoha is currently negotiating with Hanzo. It seems Hanzo has been swayed by Danzo and intends to eliminate the Akatsuki." The White Zetsu controlling Uchiha Obito chuckled. "This will make things a lot easier for us." The other half, ck Zetsu, cautioned, "Don''t be toocent. Shichi has been keeping a close eye on this ce." White Zetsu Tobi rubbed his chin. "Is he nning to snatch the Rinnegan?" "If so, and he disregards the lives of others, stopping him may be quite difficult!" "That Flying Thunder God Technique of his is truly a headache." ck Zetsu was confident. "This is the difference between a ninja and us." "Besides, Shichi might not even be after the Rinneganhis target could be Danzo." "Of course, we should still prepare for all possibilities." White Zetsu Tobi chuckled, "In that case, how about I head to Konoha and snatch someone close to him?" White Zetsu nodded, "You could try, but be careful. Don''t let Shichi leave a Flying Thunder God mark on you. Not even Izanagi can erase that." White Zetsu Tobi nodded, full of confidence. "Don''t worry, I''ll use a clone or my spore technique. He won''t even notice!" ck Zetsu added, "Then let''s split up." "If things go south, we''ll join forces to stall Shichi. We cannot allow him to interfere here." (End of Chapter) Chapter 183: The God of Shinobi!

Chapter 183: Chapter 183: The God of Shinobi!

Konoha Vige. After dinner, Shichi returned to his study to continue refining the Bijuu Mark. He intended not only to incorporate the enhancements from Yang Release but also to integrate the Strength of a Hundred Technique. The night passed uneventfully. The next morning, Shichi sent a clone to assist Kushina Uzumaki in her training, while he himself teleported to the Hokage Rock, surveying all of Konoha from above. Then he activated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, followed by entering Sage Mode. Instantly, Shichi''s perception expanded to cover the entirety of Konoha. Natural Sensory Perception + Malice Detection! "As expected, there are White Zetsus here... and they''re full of malice toward me. So, they''ve noticed I''m keeping tabs on the Akatsuki!" Shichi smiled, then his gaze sharpened. "Spore Technique!" "So, they intend to prevent me from interfering with the Akatsuki?" Just then, a voice appeared beside him. It was Sarutobi Shinnosuke, staring at Shichi in astonishment. "This power, Shichiis it the Nine-Tails?" Shichi nodded. "Captain, there are enemies infiltrating Konoha!" "What?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s expression beneath his mask changed drastically. "Where? I haven''t sensed anything!" "Could it be... likest time?" Shichi nodded. "They''re using an extremely covert technique that can mimic chakra." "In fact, even I can''t detect it in my normal state once it''s embedded within another person." Sarutobi Shinnosuke said grimly, "Understood. Shichi, you takemand!" Shichi epted without hesitation. "Captain, take the Anbu and alert n Leader Fugaku to bring the police force and prepare sealing tags." "Coordinate with Konoha Hospital, the Interrogation Division, and the Intelligence Division..." Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded, sending two shadow clones to ry the orders. Momentster, the clones dispelled, returning their memories to him. Sarutobi Shinnosuke reported, "Shichi, preparations areplete!" Bam, Bam, Bam... A series of shadow clones appeared, darting off in all directions. Sarutobi Shinnosuke quickly used the Body Flicker Technique to follow one of the clones. Meanwhile, Shichi teleported directly to Konoha Hospital, arriving beside Shizune. "Shichi?" Shizune was surprised. "Come with me." Shichi took Shizune''s hand and teleported multiple times, finally bringing Yakushi Nono, Asuka, and Shizune to a training ground outside the hospital, where an Anbu squad led by Chihiro was already waiting. cing a chakra-enhanced hand on the trio, Shichi infused them with Sage Chakra. Instantly, several White Zetsus emerged from the three, each of them hosting four. "What are these things?" Asuka, Shizune, and Chihiro felt a chill run down their spines. Meanwhile, the White Zetsus were staring at Shichi in utter shock. "How... how did you know?" "I know far more than you do." With a light chuckle, Shichi summoned Fire Nether Chains to bind each White Zetsu. Asuka swiftly activated her Adamantine Sealing Chains, securing the four White Zetsus from within her body and forcibly extracting them. Chihiro and the other Anbu members moved in, sealing each White Zetsu with sealing tags. Simultaneously, Shichi''s shadow clones appeared throughout Konoha, capturing White Zetsus disguised as Konoha shinobi or ordinary civilians. As with Asuka, they extracted hidden White Zetsus from within and bound them with seals. When all the White Zetsus were gathered, there were as many as sixteen of them. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado arrived soon after. "Are they from the same origin as the one who killed Rin Nohara?" Koharu asked. Only a few people knew that Rin Nohara was still alive. "Yes." Shichi nodded and exined briefly, "They are replicas made from the First Hokage''s cells." "They have extremely powerful intelligence capabilities. For now, it appears they can mimic others'' chakra, hide within people, and are incredibly hard to detect; ordinary chakra perception can''t sense them." "To detect them, one must either possess the First Hokage''s cells, use Nine-Tails Chakra Mode with malice detection, or activate Sage Mode." "And to force them out from within a host, you need Sage Chakra." Everyone was stunned. Homura Mitokado observed Shichi in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. "So, Shichi, you now have malice detection, like Lady Mito?" Shichi nodded, then turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Third Hokage, these creatures would be ideal for experiments on the First Hokage''s cells and for research in medical ninjutsu." Hiruzen nodded in agreement. "I''ll leave all of this to you and Tsunade." "Are there any more enemies like these still lurking in Konoha?" Shichi chuckled. "No more of these, but there are quite a few spies harboring malice towards me." Hiruzen blinked, then said, "Mark out the spies for Anbu to handle, Shichi." Exposing spies without immediate capture often yields better results. Shichi nodded, leaving a shadow clone behind. He then led Shizune and the others to transport the White Zetsus to theb facility. --- Meanwhile. On the Hokage Rock, White Zetsu Tobi emerged from the ground. "This is bad, really bad!" "They''ve captured all of us at once. That Shichi really is a menacehe''s already figured out how to counter us!" "This is a serious problem!" "Looks like it won''t be so easy to spy on Konoha from now on!" ... Inside theb, Shichi, still in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode, suddenly turned his gaze towards the Hokage Rock before disappearing, reappearing instantly at the rock. Whoosh, whoosh! Fire Nether Chains shot forth, aiming straight at the White Zetsu known as Tobi, half-buried in the ground. "So, I was found after all..." White Zetsu Tobi activated his Mangeky Sharingan, distorting space to pull himself into a separate dimension. "Kamui!" Shichi frowned. Even though this White Zetsu wore a ck cloak and mask, he could tell it wasn''t Obito Uchiha. "So, it seems Rin''s staged death didn''t fool Madara after all. In other words, Obito''s other eye has been transnted onto this White Zetsu." Shichi scowled. "Did Madara really entrust the Eye of the Moon n to beings like ck Zetsu and White Zetsu, whom he considered wed?" "Then again, ck Zetsu is actually more dependable than Obito..." "So, is Obito now fully under ck and White Zetsu''s control?" "Dividing the eyeswas that to better manipte Obito?" With countless theories swirling in his mind, Shichi grew increasingly wary, even considering the possibility of acquiring the Kamui eye. "But it would be incredibly challenging. White Zetsus mayckbat awareness and are slow to reactpared to me, but with ck Zetsu''s cunning, he''ll surely be on guard... and then there''s Izanagi!" Shichi felt a bit frustrated. There''s no way to directly counter this technique, although he was confident he could deal with it now. However, adding in the transfer seal and Izanagi, alongside Kamui, would make seizing the eye nearly impossible. "I can''t exactly ce Caged Bird Seals on every Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan, can I?" "Over the years, plenty of Uchiha with three-tomoe eyes have died... I wonder if Madara''s been stockpiling those eyes." Shichi recalled that after the Uchiha n Massacre in the original story, the three-tomoe Sharingan eyes were split between Danzo and Obito. Given the quantity, there seemed to be a surplus of them. The collection of three-tomoe Sharingan eyes Obito held likely included those Madara had kept from his own time. After all, Madara transnted his Rinnegan to Nagato, so he would need spare eyes. "I wonder if Madara''s finally unhooked himself from the machine..." Shichi felt that the future was bing increasingly unpredictable. Meanwhile, it was clear that conspiracies had already engulfed the Akatsuki in the Land of Rain, and tragedy was on the horizon. "But then..." "Maybe it''s time for me to start making my moves on the board?" Shichi cast his gaze in the direction of the Land of Rain. There was little point in preventing Yahiko''s death. In fact, Yahiko''s death and Nagato''s descent into darkness were part of what Shichi needed. "The Akatsuki collecting the Tailed Beasts gives me a chance to strike." "And the Ten-Tails... I need the Ten-Tails to appear for a clean resolution." Though he had no desire to be the Ten-Tails'' Jinchriki, Shichi needed to study it. And since he wanted to avoid bing a target, using the Akatsuki''s efforts to his advantage seemed the ideal path. There was also the looming threat of ck Zetsu and Kaguya Otsutsuki... Reflecting on all this, Shichi chuckled to himself. "Indeed, with more power, my thoughts have shifted." "Looks like I''ll be ying the part of the mastermind from now on." "So, there''s no need to meddle in unnecessary affairs." "Focus on strengthening myself; only then can I face any threat without fear and protect my vulnerabilities." Retracting his gaze, Shichi deactivated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode, heading straight home. Theb was in good hands with his clones and Tsunade handling things. Now, he needed to focus on updating the Bijuu Mark and then apply it to Yakushi Nono and the others for added security. --- Graveyard of Mountains. White Zetsu Tobi returned here, dramatically reporting to Madara Uchiha and ck Zetsu, "Regrettably, the n failed!" "That Shichi has grown even stronger; he''s actually mastered the Nine-Tails'' power." Madara''s eyes opened as he listened. "Mastered the Nine-Tails... simr to Mito Uzumaki back then?" "It seems he''s found all the sleeper agents you left behind." White Zetsu Tobi nodded. "As expected of Lord Madara; you seem well-informed about Shichi Hoshita''s capabilities." Madara replied, "That''s the Nine-Tails'' unique abilityto sense malice." "One can conceal their outward malice, but the heart''s intentions cannot be deceived." White Zetsu Tobi understood. "I see! No wonder even the Spore Technique failed!" "So, what now?" ck Zetsu interjected, "No need to overreact." "After this, Shichi will likely hesitate to leave Konoha." "As for the Akatsuki members, you''ve already nted spores on them; they''re just pawns. No need to worry. If we merge and approach Konoha, Shichi won''t dare act." At that moment, another White Zetsu emerged from the wall, shouting, "Good news! Shichi Hoshita''s crow has vanished!" "And Hanzo has already made his move!" Madara said, "Go then!" "Bring Nagato to me when the time is right." ck Zetsu immediately directed Obito to activate Kamui, causing him to disappear. White Zetsu Tobi sank into the ground, moving by earth-travel technique. ... In Konoha Vige, within his study, Shichi felt a rush of energy as he received the memories from his crow clone: "It''s finally started!" Konan had just been ordered captured by Hanz. Shichi stepped outside into the courtyard, raised his hand, and spread a technique across the area, summoning his flock of crows back from the Land of Rain. Then, he created a shadow clone, who vanished instantly with the Flying Thunder God technique. One shadow clone would be enough to handle Danzo. --- Land of Rain. As Shichi''s shadow clone arrived, having transformed into a hawk, he witnessed Yahiko''s death at the hands of Nagato''s kunai. "So, this is just like when it was Rin and Obito back then..." Scanning the area, Shichi quickly spotted a cloaked figure watching from nearby. Almost simultaneously, the cloaked figure looked up, noticing the hawk circling high above. "Shichi''s summoned creature?" "If we intervene now, we might dy him just long enough for Tobi to finish, and then we could merge, maybe even trap him in an alternate dimension," White Zetsu suggested. "Shichi isn''t so easily handled," ck Zetsu replied, less optimistic. "But it doesn''t look like he intends to interfere, so maybe he isn''t here for the Rinnegan." White Zetsu paused. "You think he''s after Danzo instead?" "Interesting!" "From what we gathered, there''s definitely a deep grudge between Shichi and Danzo. Could he actually be here to take advantage and eliminate Danzo?" At that moment, the Gedo Statue appeared. Both their attentions shifted immediately to Nagato. Above them, Shichi also focused on the Gedo Statue, watching as chakra dragons emerged and effortlessly consumed the souls of Root ninjas and Rain shinobi alike. That efficiency made his own fireher chains locks look like a beginner''s tool. "Danzo, your attempt to escape is rather pathetic..." Mocking Danzo under his breath, Shichi flew off. Meanwhile, below, after driving off Hanz and Danzo, the nowme Nagato dismissed the Gedo Statue and, along with Konan, retreated with Yahiko''s body. However, on their way back to base, they discovered that the rest of the Akatsuki members had also been killed. Once they returned to their base, they fell silent as they faced Yahiko''s body. Just when things seemed to be improving, they had suddenly plummeted into despair. "It seems peace and mutual understanding are impossible; peaceful methods are nothing more than a beautiful dream," Nagato muttered, looking up with a hardened expression. A grief-stricken Konan whispered, "Nagato, you..." With a stony face, Nagato dered, "I will fulfill Yahiko''s vision!" "When others make us suffer, the only way to avoid conflict is to make the perpetrators shed the same tears, to understand our pain. Only then can peace be achieved!" "I''ll use these eyes to make those who start wars feel the same pain!" "I will be the God of Shinobi!" Watching the change in Nagato, Konan trembled. This wasn''t what she wanted to see, but with Yahiko gone, all the beauty of their past had been destroyed. With tears falling, Konan nodded. "I support you!" "But... what do we do now?" "Your legs..." Nagato was about to respond when he looked to the side. A distortion in space and time appeared, and the cloaked figure emerged. "It''s you!" Konan was startled, quickly moving to Nagato''s side, fully on guard. ck Zetsu ignored her, addressing Nagato. "It seems you''ve finally seen this world for what it truly is." "However, while you possess the Rinnegan, achieving your goals alone would still be difficult." "You need our support!" "We can heal your legs; we can help you unlock the full potential of these Six Paths eyes." "We can help you create a world without war!" "And that, too, is our mission!" Konan immediately shouted, "Nagato, don''t trust them! We can manage this ourselves" "Konan!" Nagato interrupted her. He was well aware that this figure, unwilling to reveal their true face, was not to be trusted, but he could also make full use of them. From this day forward, he would abandon all he once cherished, using any means necessary to reach his goal. Once he mastered the full power of the Rinnegan, bing the God of Shinobi, even Madara Uchiha would be a pawn for fulfilling Yahiko''s dream. Facing the cloaked figure, Nagato said, "You im to be Madara Uchiha''s emissary; in that case, show me the real Madara Uchiha!" ck Zetsu replied immediately, "As you wish." "Then, please don''t resist." With that, he stepped forward, using Kamui to pull Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko''s body into the Kamui dimension. --- At the same time, Danzo, who was trying to escape back to Konoha, was intercepted by Shichi, who descended from the sky. (End of Chapter) ??? Guys, where is your powerstones, man!! Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 184: The Death of Danzo!

Chapter 184: Chapter 184: The Death of Danzo!

"Shichi, what are you doing here?" Danzo''s face darkened. Shichi didn''t hide his intentions. He looked calmly at Danzo and said, "I''m here to kill you, of course!" "To kill me?" Danzo''s gaze sharpened. "Are you nning to betray the vige?" Shichi chuckled. "Killing you means betraying the vige?" "Danzo, you''re overestimating your importance!" "But if we''re talking about betrayal, shouldn''t that title belong to you?" "You''ve been undermining the Third Hokage''s strategic ns. How do you exin that, Danzo?" Danzo scoffed. "Shichi, do you really agree withpromising with the Iwa-nin?" "Are you willing to hand over the Four-Tails so easily?" "You should be on my side!" Shichi remained calm. "What I think doesn''t matter. What matters is the Third Hokage''s decision." "The Hokage''s will is our will." "Danzo, this isn''t the first time you''ve defied the Third Hokage''s orders." "And killingrades... that''s an unforgivable crime. The Third may have spared you out of respect for the past, but you used this issue ofpromise with Iwa-nin to try and push him out of power for your own ambitions." Danzo roared in anger, "Everything I do is for the vige!" "As leader of the Root, I safeguard the core of Konoha from the shadows. It''s my duty topensate for the Hokage''s weaknesses, to do what he cannot!" Shichi''s voice boomed, "Wrong!" "For Konoha, there is only one willthe will of the Hokage!" "The Root''s purpose is to carry the vige''s darkness so that the Hokage can stand in the light." "It''s not to oppose the Hokage in the name of the vige''s interests!" "And what about stealing the Sharingan from the Uchiha n? Was that to protect Konoha too?" "They wererades, fighting for the vige on the front lines!" Danzo''s tone grew cold. "The Uchiha n is always on the verge of rebellion, harboring dangerous ambitions. Weakening them was a policy set by the Second Hokage; I''m simply carrying on his will." "As for you, Shichi, it seems you''ve grown too close to the Uchiha, letting this naturally evil n influence you." "There''s still time for you to turn back. Otherwise, I''ll be forced to handle you in the vige''s name, even if it means losing two valuable assets!" Shichi smirked. "Now that''s more like it!" "There''s no point in arguing; a hundred reasons won''t sway my resolve to kill you." "From the moment you tried to threaten me through the orphanage, I wanted you dead!" "I''ve waited so long for today..." "So, Danzo, if you have anyst words, say them now, and I''ll deliver them urately. This is in recognition of the service you once provided the vige." Danzo''s pupils contracted. "You''re an evil brat by nature!" "I should''ve eliminated you back then!" Shichi nodded. "Yes, you should regret that." "But now, you should thank me." "I originally nned to wait until Minato-sensei became the Fourth Hokage, so I could expose your crimes to ruin your reputation before killing you." "Killing you now is letting you off easy." A cold gleam shed in Danzo''s eyes as he ordered, "Kill him!" The remaining six Root shinobi lunged forward, but before they could perform any jutsu, each one copsed suddenly. Shichi shook his head. "Too weak!" Genjutsu! Danzo retreated instantly, forming hand seals. Wind Style: Vacuum Serial Waves! Crackle! Electric light surged around Shichi, forming a Lightning Armor. He became a streak of light, tearing through Danzo''s Vacuum Serial Waves and closing the distance instantly. "So fast!" Danzo''s heart raced, unable to react in time before Shichi''s hand thrust through his chest. Shichi withdrew his hand, and Danzo''s body copsed to the groundonly to vanish. Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere! Whoosh! The vacuum projectiles shot towards Shichi, but he dodged them with ease. In Lightning Chakra Mode, his speed was unmatched, save for the Flying Thunder God technique. "Too fast!" Danzo''s gaze darkened. He stomped on the ground, causing it to crack, then blew dust and smoke to obscure his surroundings. "This tactic is useless against me!" Shichi pierced Danzo''s chest again, now using Fire Release Chakra Mode. Once again, the corpse disappeared. Danzo reappeared in the distance, unwrapping the bandages from his head and right arm. His right eye revealed a three-tomoe Sharingan, and his pale right arm was embedded with three additional Sharingan. Biting his finger, Danzo formed a seal. Summoning Jutsu! A giant summoned creature, the Baku, appeared and began to inhale ferociously, drawing Shichi toward its gaping mouth. But Shichi didn''t even bother using his Rasenshuriken. One burst of fire sent the Baku screaming before it vanished with a poof. Meanwhile, Danzo seized the opportunity to create two shadow clones, attacking from three directions simultaneously. Wind Style: Vacuum Serial Waves! Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere! Yet Shichi didn''t move, as walls of earth rose up around him. But Danzo''s Wind Style was fierce, piercing through each wall in session. Shichi, however, had already vanished, descending from above with a heavy impact, half-burying Danzo in the ground as he coughed up blood. "Danzo, none of your tricks work on me." "Even Izanagi with the Sharingan is useless!" Shichi stated calmly. "Hiruzen will never forgive you!" Danzo roared, only to disappear once more. Upon reviving this time, Danzo didn''t attempt to continue fighting. Instead, he turned to flee. Even with three Sharingan remaining, Danzo no longer held any confidence in victory. Boom! Just as he tried to move, Danzo was mmed into the ground by Shichi, who had appeared in a sh. "In front of me, you don''t even have a chance to escape!" Danzo died once more. And then revived, once again. But to Shichi''s surprise, this time Danzo didn''t flee. Instead, he tore open his clothing, exposing his still-muscr chest. "Shichi Hoshita, one day, you''ll bring harm to the vige. Today, I''ll seal you away with me!" A ck curse mark appeared as Danzo activated the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing technique, ck ink-like sealing power expanding outward into a spherical shape. Unfortunately for him, the sealing was far too slow for Shichi. With a light step, Shichi lifted into the air, effortlessly dodging it. Reviving once more, Danzo looked at the airborne Shichi with a sense of unprecedented despair. At this moment, he realized he didn''t even have the power to take this "evil brat" down with him. "I''ll have to wait for the right moment to restrain him with the curse mark the instant he attacks, and then seal him..." Danzo strategized. However, Shichi in the air had no intention of closing in. Instead, he raised his hand, rapidly forming a Wind-Fire Rasenshuriken and flung it at him. Danzo''s face twisted as he was struck, dying once more in the ensuing storm. Reviving, he immediately tried to escape again. As Shichinded, he noticed Danzo''s feet hit the ground, only for his entire body to start sinking. Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld! Following this, Danzo let out a pained scream as blue mes ignited on his body. Fire Style: Firing Biscuit Jutsu! He died again and revived again. One by one, each Sharingan closed, until all were exhausted. Once all the Sharingan had shut, Danzo could no longer suppress the cells in his arm cultivated from Hashirama''s DNA. His arm started to mutate, giving rise to arge tree. After severing his own arm, Danzo, panting heavily, red up at Shichi, who gazed down upon him. "Damn brat... I never thought I''d die by the hands of one of my own." "But, Shichi, you won''t be able to keep my death hidden." Shichi chuckled lightly. "Who said I''d keep it hidden?" "I''ll report every detail of your death to the Third Hokage." "So, anything else you want to say?" Danzo froze, as despair, terror, unwillingness, and regret twisted his face into a hideous expression. "Seems like there''s nothing..." A dragon''s head materialized over Shichi''s shoulder, and two intense white beams shot out, slicing through Danzo and leaving his body cleaved in two. This time, Danzo was truly dead. Shichinded, looking at Danzo''s fallen corpse with an overwhelming sense of relief, feeling a freedom he''d never known. From today, he wouldn''t have to worry about being stabbed in the back in Konoha! "It seems this was definitely the right decision." "Though Danzo''s strength was hardly noteworthy, someone like him was atent threat. Any threat, big or small, must be eliminated." "This settles a grudge that''s been simmering for years!" One word: Satisfying! ... "Lord Danzo!" "Shichi actually killed Lord Danzo!" "Is this guy insane?" ... Several Root ninja had broken free from the genjutsu, staring at Danzo''s corpse in shock and confusion. He was truly dead, and they could feel the curse marks on their bodies had vanished. Shichi exhaled a sigh and then turned to face the Root ninja. "Take Danzo''s body back to Konoha and report to the Third Hokage. Exin everything that happened here in full detail." He chose not to kill them. First, it wasn''t necessarykilling them would only weaken his own influence. Second, he needed witnesses. He needed someone who could recount the events to Hiruzen Sarutobi from a neutral perspective. And, the things he said to Danzo would reach Hiruzen without him needing to repeat them himself. Was it wrong to kill Danzo? Should Danzo not have died? If it were anyone else, the grass on his grave would already be waist-high by now! ... The Root ninja looked at Shichi, uncertain whether to obey. Shichi red at them coldly. "The Root is also part of the Anbu. Your highest leader is the Hokage, not Danzo!" "Remember, you are ninja of Konoha, Anbu of Konoha, Root of Konohanot Danzo''s soldiers!" The Root ninja, awed by Shichi''s presence, quickly nodded. "Yes!" Shichi gave a slight nod. "Go!" The Root ninja exchanged nces, then bowed toward Shichi before heading back to Konoha with Danzo''s body. Meanwhile, Shichi activated Sage Mode, quickly expanding his sensing. "Nagato and Konan''s chakra signatures have vanished..." Shichi frowned. "Uchiha Madara hasn''t pulled the plug yet. Are they meeting with Madara?" "If so, then this would mean that Madara has entirely abandoned Obito and ns to use Nagato to gather the Tailed Beasts and carry out the Eye of the Monn n directly." "But Madara would clearly see how deeply Nagato is influenced by Yahiko... so he''ll likely withhold the full details of the Eye of the Moon n, instead crafting a version that aligns with Nagato''s goals." "Gather Tailed Beasts, resurrect Madara, wage war, experience pain, seek mutual understanding, achieve peace." "Gather Tailed Beasts, resurrect Madara, wage war, Infinite Tsukuyomi, achieve world peace." "Gather Tailed Beasts, resurrect Madara, wage war, Infinite Tsukuyomi, resurrect his ''mother.''" Shichi considered all the possibilities and then smiled. "So, which version will the real Madara go with?" ... Back in Konoha, Shichi, busy in his study, paused briefly as he received the memories from his clone, then refocused on the sealing techniques in the scroll. The moment Danzo had died, he became history. As for dealing with the aftermath... There was no need. His clone had already taken care of it. Hiruzen wouldn''t move against him, Koharu and Homura were powerless to do so, and the Shimura n wouldn''t dare. For Shichi, his true enemies from now on were ck Zetsu, Uchiha Madara, Kaguya tsutsuki, and the tsutsuki n! Compared to these opponents, Danzo was utterly insignificantnot even worth being called an ant. However, while Danzo''s death didn''t concern Shichi, its impact on Konoha, especially on Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, was profound. The following day, the Root ninja returned to Konoha, heading straight to the Hokage''s office to report. In the Hokage''s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi shot to his feet in shock upon hearing the report of Danzo''s death. "What?" The Root ninja who was reporting bowed his head. "Third Hokage, Lord Danzo was intercepted and killed by Shichi Hoshita on his way back to Konoha." Cold sweat ran down Hiruzen''s back. He knew Shichi held deep hostility toward Danzo, but he hadn''t expected him to take such a bold action. Danzo was, after all, the head of Root, an advisor to the Hokage! If this got out, while most in the vige might dismiss it, Koharu, Homura, and the entire Shimura n would be infuriated. Hiruzen took a few long puffs of his pipe, his mind racing on how best to resolve this situation. He knew he couldn''t let anything happen to Shichi or force him to leave the vigesuch a loss would be something Konoha couldn''t bear. But after considering all possibilities, Hiruzen realized that neither Koharu, Homura, nor the Shimura n could shake Shichi''s current standing. Unless he, as Hokage, ordered it. In a sh of insight, Hiruzen calmed down. After sitting down again, he spoke gravely, "Report every detail of the incident." "Yes, sir!" The Root ninja began recounting everything in detail, from Shichi''s interception to every word exchanged between him and Danzo. Listening, Hiruzen could only sigh inwardly. Any previous inclination to me Shichi had been reced by resignation and a faint smile. After the report concluded, Hiruzen pondered briefly before saying, "Shinnosuke, go summon Shichi." "Understood!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke responded and immediately set off to find Shichi. (End of Chapter) Chapter 185: You Think I’m Creating False Intel?

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: You Think I''m Creating False Intel?

"Finally, it''s done!" In his study, Shichi looked at the newly crafted seal on the scroll with joy. It was an upgraded version of the Bijuu Sealing Mark, now enhanced with Yang Release and the Hundred Healings Technique. The reason for incorporating the Hundred Healings Technique was itsplexity, which had proven challenging for Shizune, who had yet to master it. Moreover, neither the Yin Seal nor the Hundred Healings Technique had been mastered by Asuka. While this wasn''t a huge problem, given that she had chakra reserves on par with a Tailed Beast, the Hundred Healings Technique served another purposeit allowed one to transfer their chakra to others. Asuka''s chakra had incredible healing properties, rivaling Creation Rebirth. Using the Hundred Healings Technique could further amplify Asuka''s healing abilities. No hand signs, no medical ninjutsu were neededjust chakra transfer! ... Deactivating the Hundred Healings Technique and the Bijuu Sealing Mark, Shichi sped his hands together. Chakra surged from his palms, and ck tadpole-like symbols spread up his arms, extending throughout his body before converging at his forehead to form a purple lotus mark that quickly faded away. He silently observed its effects. The Hundred Healings Technique now connected the new seal, the Yin Seal, and his physical body, using a minimal amount of chakra to nourish every cell and keep them in an active state. This not only helped maintain youthfulness, longevity, and reduced fatigue, but with the amplification of natural energy, even a slight amount of chakra granted him some self-healing ability. Additionally, Shichi felt that the gicponents he held from the Nine-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Four-Tails were now especially active. "It looks like there will be unexpected benefits, though it''ll take time to fully validate." "For now, this will be more than enough." Feeling satisfied, Shichi deactivated the sealpletely. In his everyday state, he didn''t need his chakra nurturing every cell, as it could interfere with his physical growth. This differed from someone like Tsunade, who was in her thirties and used the technique continuously. While Shichi had mastered Sage Mode, which provided aprehensive boost and appeared far stronger than any seal, he still found the seal useful. This was because the seal had a capability Sage Modecked: it could automatically absorb and store natural energy. "So, what should I call this new seal?" Shichi began to feel a bit conflicted. Currently, the new seal could boost both Fire Release and Yang Release and also integrated the Hundred Healings Technique. "The Seal of Yang?" "The Seal of Life?" Just as Shichi was thinking, the voice of Sarutobi Shinnosuke called out, "Shichi!" He turned to see Shinnosuke, masked, gesturing from the window. Without hesitation, Shichi put away the scroll and headed out. Shinnosuke''s visit wasn''t unexpected. As they walked toward the Hokage''s office, Shinnosuke seemed hesitant to speak. Danzo''s death had shocked him deeply, especially knowing it was Shichi who had killed him. In truth, a part of him felt a sense of satisfaction. However, he also harbored concerns for Shichi. Shichi chuckled lightly. "Don''t worry, Captain. It''ll be fine." "Danzo''s actions warranted death; anyone else would have died seven or eight times by now." Shinnosuke shook his head. "Danzo may have deserved it, but this could still have repercussions for you." "You shouldn''t have exposed yourself like this." He knew that with Shichi''s abilities, he could have killed without anyone knowing. Shichi replied, "Danzo is different from the Third Kazekage." When he had dealt with the Third Kazekage, he''d done everything possible to conceal it, to avoid dragging Konoha into a war. But with Danzo, it was different. Keeping it a secret would only turn into a potential weakness, making his actions appear underhanded. Killing Danzo openly, iming it was for the Hokage, the Will of Fire, and the vige, would still upset some, but the unstoppable momentum would drown out any opposition. Shichi was no longer alone. Tsunade, Jiraiya, and even Orochimaru would support him; the Sannin were all on his side. He also had his teacher, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails'' jinchriki, as allies. Not to mention that he himself was a jinchriki, possessing three Tailed Beasts. In terms ofbat power, who in Konoha could say they were stronger than him? Koharu, Homura, and the Shimura njust how many forces did they have? As for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shichi felt he was the least of his concerns. His reputation had remained solid for nearly ten years, unwavering. And Hiruzen would undoubtedly weigh the situation from the vige''s best interests. Danzo was deadso be it. He was nothing more than a useful, yet filthy, tool that could be reced. Would bonds ofpanionship matter more than the vige''s well-being? Or, to put it more bluntly, did Danzo''s value evene close to that of Shichi Hoshita? ... Shinnosuke, seeing Shichi''s unwavering confidence, felt somewhat reassured. "Don''t worry; Chihiro and I will support you with everything we''ve got!" Shichi smiled. "Then there''s really nothing to worry about!" Soon, the two arrived at the Hokage''s office. When Shichi knocked and entered, he noticed that Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were present as well. It seemed news of Danzo''s death and the turmoil in Root had reached them. As Shichi entered, sharp gazes from Koharu and Homura fixed on him immediately. Koharu wasted no time. "Shichi Hoshita, why did you kill Danzo?" "He was an advisor to the Hokage!" Ignoring her barking, Shichi respectfully greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Third Hokage-sama." Hiruzen nodded slightly, taking a puff of his pipe before posing a single question: "Why did you choose to kill Danzo now?" Hiruzen was well aware of Shichi''s hostility toward Danzo; Shichi had never hidden his desire to take Danzo down, showing it openly and even aggressively. Such fervor was entirely understandable at his age! Shichi nced at a Root ninja standing nearby. "I take it the recent events in the Land of Rain haven''t yet been reported to the Third Hokage?" Hiruzen''s eyes darkened. "Danzo''s trip to the Land of Rain... was he nning to ally with Hanzo?" Shichi nodded. "Yes, but it wasn''t rted to Iwa-nin." "It was connected to the Akatsuki." Homura spoke up. "The Akatsuki? That ninja group in the Land of Rain recently gaining fame for promoting peace? I heard the leader was even taught by Jiraiya." Shichi nodded again. "That''s correct." "Originally, Hanzo had nned to ept the Akatsuki and join forces with them to end the war." "But Danzo convinced Hanzo to change his mind and ambushed one of the Akatsuki''s leaders, using it as leverage to eliminate Yahiko, one of the leader of the Akatsuki." "And his goal..." Shichi looked pointedly at the Root ninja. Despite the mask, the Root ninja, under the scrutiny of four intense gazes, couldn''t help but break out in a cold sweat and reluctantly confessed, "Lord Danzo''s goal... was to take out the Akatsuki to halt their push for peace talks." Hiruzen sighed internally, as he had already guessed as much. Danzo had always opposed negotiations. After all, with both Shichi and Minato in Konoha, two formidable fighters, why should they be the ones to back down and settle for negotiations? Such was Danzo''s upromising stance! At this, Shichi let out a disdainful snort. "Perhaps there''s even more to it?" "Danzo likely didn''t mention that he had an additional goalthe Rinnegan of one of Akatsuki''s leaders, Nagato. It''s said to be one of the three Great Djutsu and the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths!" Koharu gasped. "The legendary Rinnegan truly exists?" Hiruzen nodded. "Jiraiya mentioned this to me some time agothere indeed is a Rinnegan." Homura looked at Shichi. "Did Danzo seed?" Shichi shook his head. "He came close... but ultimately, no." Previously, Nagato had been cautious of the Rinnegan''s power, yet the escting chaos had driven him to gradually master its abilities. He had summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path more than once already. Shichi''s expression grew solemn. "The power of the Rinnegan, as it currently stands, is certainly not weakerperhaps even strongerthan Susano''o, the ability granted by the Uchiha''s Mangeky Sharingan." Recalling the events from the previous day, the Root ninja shuddered. "Shichi-sama is right. The creature summoned by that man killed dozens of our Root ninjas and Ame-nin in an instant." What?! The faces of Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura changed. Shichi continued, "That jutsu drained the souls directly. Even my Fire Nether Chains technique can''t do that." If he were dealing with a simr group of people and unleashed his full power, he might be able to pull out dozens of souls simultaneously with the Fire Nether Chains. However, it was clear that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path wasn''t showing its full potential. Koharu asked, "You were there at the time, weren''t you, Shichi?" "With your skills, couldn''t you have managed a sneak attack to deal with the Rinnegan user?" Shichi chuckled coldly. "I''ll give you some good news." "That mysterious force behind the Uchiha Obito incident was also there, and Obito himself was lurking nearby. It''s now confirmed that Uchiha Obito is being controlled." Homura shook his head in disbelief. "That''s impossible!" "Based on everything we know, Obito has unlocked his Mangeky Sharingan. His djutsu should be strong enough to control Tailed Beasts, just like Madara Uchiha did. How could he be under anyone else''s control?" Shichi shot a frosty nce at Homura, asking coldly, "Do you think I''m fabricating false information?" Feeling the intense pressure emanating from Shichi, cold sweat immediately beaded on Homura''s forehead. Hiruzen quickly intervened. "Shichi, Homura didn''t mean that." "Besides, the person you fought also had a Mangeky Sharingan. Given that Obito only recently awakened his, plus the use of cloned cells from the First Hokage, controlling Obito is not out of the question." "Then, Shichi, are you saying that the current holder of the Rinnegan has already joined forces with that mysterious group?" Shichi shook his head. "It''s uncertain for now, but the signs are clear." "Therefore, we must prepare for retaliation from someone wielding the Rinnegan." "It wouldn''t be too much to consider him on par with Madara Uchiha himself." Hiruzen''s expression darkened, the gravity of the threat weighing heavily on him. Cold sweat broke out on Homura Mitokado''s and Koharu Utatane''s foreheads. Uchiha Madara! The Battle of the Valley of the End might feel like ancient history to Shichi Hoshita, but for them, it was fresh. They knew very well the fearsome power of Madara Uchiha. Their vignce toward the Uchiha n stemmed from more than just Second Hokage Tobirama Senju''s teachings. In that moment, thoughts of Danzo''s death were entirely forgotten. Koharu wanted to ask Shichi if he was truly capable of confronting such a formidable enemy, but the words caught in her throat. Madara Uchiha had used the Nine-Tails as his mount, after all! And currently, Shichi had only half of the Nine-Tails'' power and wasn''t even a perfect jinchuriki. The entire Hokage office grew oppressively tense. Meanwhile, Shichi couldn''t help but chuckle to himself internally. The Rinnegan was indeed powerful, but at this stage, Nagato couldn''t yet unleash its full potential. Madara, a shadow of his former self, had longed to regain his strength; once he "took control" of Nagato, he''d likely disconnect his support immediately. So, for the foreseeable future, the real threaty in Uchiha Obito''s eyes that can use Kamui. After a few moments, Hiruzen had the Root ninja dismissed and then asked, "Shichi, what do you suggest we do?" Shichi thought for a moment. "Currently, we know too little about the enemy." "First, their exact intentions in manipting Obito are unclear. Could it really just be for his Mangeky Sharingan?" "Shisui is much more gifted and capable than Obito, after all." "Secondly, while it''s been spected that the mysterious figure might be Madara Uchiha, if Madara were alive today, he''d be extremely old. Even with cells from the First Hokage, he would be greatly weakened." "So, there isn''t much we can do for now." "Our priority should be to protect the Nine-Tails and strengthen our forces." "I''ll use my sensory abilities daily to monitor the entire vige in case of enemy infiltration." "And as for the Uchiha, keep a close eye on those with the three-tomoe Sharingan. Danzo once possessed four three-tomoe Sharingan and even used the ultimate genjutsu, Izanagi." The three advisors were momentarily speechless. It was a lot to process, and the implications were overwhelming. After contemting for a while, Hiruzen said, "Let''s leave it at that for now. Shichi, you may go about your duties." Shichi nodded, bowed, and vanished. Once he was gone, Koharu seemed to recall Danzo and asked Hiruzen, "Are we just going to let the matter of Danzo rest?" Homura looked as if he wanted to say something as well, but Hiruzen''s voice cut in first, firm and low. "Danzo went too far." "However, we will announce that he died in service to the vige." Homura held back his words and instead asked, "Then what will happen to Root?" "Konoha still needs a Root in the shadows to guard the vige." Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke. "For now, Anbu will take temporary charge of Root. The choice of a permanent leader can wait until the next Hokage assumes office." He had no intention of entrusting Root to Koharu or Homura. Koharu was simply unsuited for the role, while Homura... Hiruzen didn''t want to repeat past mistakes or burden the next Hokage with a future problem. And deep down, he also wished to spare Homura. After all, everyone harbors ambition, and although Homura mightck Danzo''s stubbornness, self-centeredness, or grand ambitions, he was not immune to resting on hisurels. Hiruzen understood well that Shichi''s elimination of Danzo wasn''t solely personal; it was also an act for the vige and the will of the Hokage. It carried a subtle political foresightremoving an obstacle for the next Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Shichi''s political acumen had always been evident to him. With all factors taken into ount, this was the oue they had reached today. Thus, Hiruzen wished to prevent Homura from following the same path as Danzo. Ending this matter here was the best choice. More importantly, they needed to be vignt against potential threats! (End of Chapter) Chapter 186: Nagato and Uchiha Madara!

Chapter 186: Chapter 186: Nagato and Uchiha Madara!

In the mountain graveyard, deep within an underground base... As Nagato and Konan arrived, the first thing they noticed was the familiar Gedo Statue, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, leaving both of them visibly shocked. How could the Gedo Statue, summoned by the Rinnegan, be here? "Nagato, we meet again!" A voice called outit was Uchiha Madara''s. Only then did Nagato and Konan see an elderly figure sitting in a chair just beneath the statue. "So, you''re Uchiha Madara?" Nagato frowned. "Whether you are or not, I don''t believe we''ve met before." Madara replied calmly, "True, you haven''t seen me before, but when you awakened the Rinnegan upon the death of your parents at the hands of Konoha''s shinobi, I sensed it." "Since then, I have been watching you." The Nagato standing before him had been hardened by Yahiko''s death, and Madara''s words left himrgely unmoved. Konan asked, "Then, what''s your connection to the Gedo Statue?" Nagato noticed the tubes linking Madara to the Gedo Statue and inquired, "Could it be that you also have the Rinnegan and can summon it?" Madara replied, "I am merely its guardian." With that, Madara began his carefully crafted story. "The Rinnegan, the eyes of the Sage of the Six Paths, possess the power to create and destroy worlds." "But what you may not know is that the Sage of the Six Paths also had the Eyes of the Sagethe Sharingan of the Uchiha n." Nagato and Konan were stunned. Konan couldn''t help but ask, "Are you suggesting the Uchiha n descends from the Sage of the Six Paths? Why don''t they inherit the Rinnegan, then?" Instead of answering, Madara continued, "After founding the ninja world and the ninja creed, the Sage had two descendants. The elder son, Indra, inherited the Sage''s Eyes, the Sharingan." "And the younger son, Asura, inherited the Sage''s body." "The Uchiha n descends from Indra, while the Senju n descends from Asura." "In addition, the Uzumaki n, symbolizing longevity, are blood rtives of the Senju, allying and intermarrying through generations as fellow descendants of Asura." "Your red hair, Nagato, is the mark of the Uzumaki. In fact, you carry thebined bloodlines of the Senju and Uzumaki, giving you the purest Asura blood." Konan asked, "So, did Asura also inherit the Rinnegan from the Sage of the Six Paths?" Madara avoided the question, instead asking, "You''ve heard of the Battle at the Valley of the End, haven''t you?" Nagato nodded. "The ultimate battle between Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, ending with Madara''s death and Hashirama''s victoryor so it''s said." "Then, if you are Madara, how are you alive?" White Zetsu, or Tobi, chuckled, "Thanks to the ultimate illusion of the Sharingan: Izanagi, a technique that sacrifices light to transform anything unfavorableeven deathinto mere illusion. It''s a technique that can defy death." "Of course, the price is steep, as it requires sacrificing one of the Sharingan." Madara went on, "Since you know about the Battle at the Valley of the End, you should also know something of the history that ended the Warring States Period, right?" Nagato answered seriously, "Our teacher, Jiraiya of Konoha, told us about it." "That battle marked the beginning of the Konoha Vige with the alliance between Senju and Uchiha, ending the Warring States era and establishing the one-nation-one-vige system." "Later, Hashirama distributed the tailed beasts to maintain the bnce among the major viges." "Correct," Madara said calmly. "But as you can see, Hashirama''s approach hasn''t brought peace to the ninja world." "That was one of the reasons I left Konoha." "If Hashirama had listened to me, unifying all tailed beasts and subduing all ninja viges, the current wars among the Five Great Shinobi Nations wouldn''t exist." Nagato and Konan were silent. If Madara''s words were true, then by possessing all the tailed beasts, no single vige would stand a chance, essentially preventing any war. "Then, what was the more important reason you left Konoha?" Nagato was beginning to believe this man might really be the legendary Shinobi, Uchiha Madara. However, this did not mean he trusted him. But for Madara, this was all as he expected. He responded to Nagato''s question, "Because of a stone tablet!" "A stone tablet left by the Sage of the Six Paths, safeguarded by the Uchiha for generations, which only the Sharingan can decipher." "The higher the Sharingan''s grade, the more information it reveals. After I transnted my fallen brother''s eyes to gain the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, I uncovered a massive secret." "The Rinnegan, and the Gedo Statue." "The Gedo Statue can contain the nine tailed beasts, bing the ultimate weapon, and the Rinnegan can control this weapon." "It was through this that the Sage of the Six Paths created the ninja world!" "And so, I stole the Nine-Tails in that battle. Although I lost, and only survived thanks to Izanagi, I learned the Six Paths and Yin-Yang techniques left by the Sage from the stone tablet. With them, I summoned the Gedo Statue, awaiting the one with the Rinnegan to appear." Madara looked at Nagato. "However, you appeared a bitte. I''m now forced to rely on the Gedo Statue to sustain myself, and have crafted these iplete forms to act on my behalf in the ninja world." "That tablet is still enshrined at the Naka Shrine of the Uchiha n. If you wish to see it yourself, I can lend you my Mangekyo Sharingan." He wasn''t worried about Nagato seeing it; he had already instructed ck Zetsu to alter the tablet''s contents. Of course, the Mangekyo would be Uchiha Obito''s pair. Madara believed this was a wless story. "No need to check. I believe you." Nagato then asked, "So, what are you nning to do?" "In your current state, assisting me doesn''t seem possible." Madara replied, "Indeed." "So, I n to pass down the Six Paths and Yin-Yang techniques to you before departing." "After that, ck Zetsu and White Zetsu will execute my will, assisting you in collecting the tailed beasts." "When you have gathered them all, you can use the Rinnegan''s Rinne Tensei Technique to resurrect me." "While using Rinne Tensei now would cost you your life, once you have all the tailed beasts, your Rinnegan will gain its true, creation-level power. Then, reviving me will merely cost a trivial amount of chakra." "With my strength restored to its peak, we will together establish a new world order, creating a world without war!" "So, Nagato, do you agree to join me?" Madara''s eyes locked onto Nagato''s. Konan also looked at Nagato, concern in her gaze. After the betrayals of Hanz and Yahiko''s tragic death, Konan didn''t fully trust Madara in her heart. However, after a moment''s consideration, Nagato nodded. "Of course." "I do need someone to help me." Konan opened her mouth as if to speak, but then fell silent. Madara nodded. "Very well!" "Next, I''ll teach you techniques to help you master the Rinnegan." "In addition, White Zetsu will rece your legs, infusing Hashirama''s cells to enhance your bloodline and bring out the Rinnegan''s power further." He nced at Konan. "Of course, she can stay by your side during the procedure." Konan exhaled, visibly relieved. Nagato nodded silently. He trusted Konan. Nagatoy on the wooden table as Madara activated his Sharingan, pulling Nagato''s consciousness into a genjutsu, where he began imparting the Six Paths and Yin-Yang techniques. Meanwhile, outside, ck and White Zetsu reced Nagato''s legs, fusing him with the cultivated White Zetsu cells from Hashirama. Performing the surgery was a spiraling White Zetsu connected to the Gedo Statue through cables. Unbeknownst to Konan, this White Zetsu was directly controlled by Madara through the Gedo Statue. While embedding Hashirama''s cells, he also ced a curse seal on Nagato''s heart. ... Konoha Vige. Just as Shichi returned home, he found Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki at his door. Kushina''s face was filled with concern. "Shichi, are you really sure about this?" With a confident smile, Shichi replied, "Of course! After all, I''m also a Jinchriki of the Nine-Tails now!" Minato, however, looked cautious. "It''s still a bit reckless." Kushina nodded in agreement. "Shichi, it would''ve been safer to act after Minato officially became the Fourth Hokage." Minato could only respond with a wry smile. Switching the topic, Shichi went on to brief them on recent developments, finally adding with a serious tone, "Minato Sensei, we should be ready for potential attacks at any moment." Hearing this, both Minato and Kushina grew tense. Kushina then asked, "Shichi, is there any hope to save Obito?" Shichi couldn''t make any promises. "Hard to say for now. We''ll need to see what kind of Mangeky Sharingan abilities Obito has." "I marked him with the Flying Thunder God, but there may only be one chance." "We shouldn''t let anyone know about this unless we''re absolutely certain." Minato nodded in agreement. "Shichi''s right. If the enemy discovers the Flying Thunder God mark, they might give up on Obito altogether and take his eyes instead." Shichi then asked, "By the way, Sensei, is Jiraiya-sama currently in Konoha?" Minato immediately understood. "You''re thinking of contacting Nagato through Jiraiya-sensei?" "Just a trial run," Shichi exined. "Recruiting Nagato and his group probably isn''t feasible." "Plus, just in case, I''ll go with Jiraiya-sensei when the timees." Minato nodded. "Understood." "Jiraiya-sensei is currently in the Land of Grass. I''ll notify him." Shichi nodded in return. "There''s no rush on that for now. What''s important is that Kushina-san''s training to control the Nine-Tails progresses quickly." "Sadly, achieving perfect control as a Jinchriki is no easy feat." Hearing this, Kushina couldn''t help but grumble, "That damned Nine-Tails!" Then, with a determined smile, hands on her hips, she said, "But don''t worry, Shichi, I''ll master the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode soon enough." "Once we team up with Minato, we won''t even fear the Rinnegan!" Admirable confidence! Shichi thought for a moment, though. Nagato, in his current weakened state, wouldn''t be difficult to handle. ... After seeing off Minato and Kushina, Shichi checked the time. It was almost noon, so he headed to Konoha Hospital to have lunch with Non Yakushi, Asuka, and Shizune. By now, news of Danzo''s death had spread, and many shinobi were discussing it. The public was told that Danzo died in service to the vige, not the truththat Shichi had killed him for betraying the Hokage and murderingrades. As soon as they met up, Asuka whispered excitedly to Shichi, "Shichi, Danzo is finally dead!" Shichi smiled and nodded. "I heard the news, too." Non, with her sharp hearing, gently scolded, "Asuka, don''t spread rumors." Asuka quickly closed her mouth, pretending to be serious. Shizune, however, leaned over to Shichi and asked quietly, "Shichi, do you know how Danzo died?" Asuka''s ears perked up instantly. Shichi chuckled and winked. Clever as she was, Shizune got the hint, her eyes widening as she sped her hands over her mouth to avoid eximing. Non looked at Shichi with some concern. "Shichi, you..." Shichi quickly reassured her, "Don''t worry, it''s all taken care of. There won''t be any problems." Once they were seated for lunch, Shichi shifted the conversation. "I have some good news! I''vepleted a new curse mark. Now, I just need to figure out a name for it." The three of them couldn''t help but smile. Asuka cheerfully suggested, "Why not call it the Super Bijuu Sealing Mark, just like you named the previous mark with Tails Beast inspiration! That way, you won''t need to stress over naming it." Shichi, however, thought of Momoshiki tsutsuki''s Rinnegan abilityan eye power that could absorb and amplify an enemy''s jutsu before returning it. At this point, Shizune proposed, "Since it''s Shichi''s original creation and it''ll keep evolving, why not call it the Star Curse Mark?" "The Star Curse Mark..." Shichi pondered it and then his eyes lit up. Asuka quickly added, "We could use divine names for curse marks that amplify different types of jutsu, and the main one could be the Star Curse Mark, representing Shichi!" "Someday, Shichi could even surpass the First Hokage and be a new God of Shinobia Star God!" Shizune nodded enthusiastically. Non simply smiled as she watched the conversation unfold. "Then it''s settledthe Star Curse Mark!" "For amplifying Yang Release, we can use the Yang Curse Mark." (T/N: Have some good names?) Shichi made his decision. While the name might sound a bit audacious now, given continuous development, it could be justified in time. Just then, their ordered bowls of udon arrived. Non smiled warmly, "Alright, decision''s made. Let''s dig in!" Meanwhile, as Shichi enjoyed his lunch... In the underground base below the Grave of the Mountains... After half a day, Nagato''s legs were finally reced, with additional White Zetsu cells grafted into his body. Meanwhile, in an illusionary realm, Madara Uchiha hadpleted the transfer of his ninjutsu knowledge. "Now, go and capture all nine Tailed Beasts, then revive me." With that, Madara disconnected himself from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, slumping over and gradually drawing hisst breath. Nagato and Konan silently watched, and after Madara died, Nagato turned to White Zetsu. "White Zetsu, take us back to Amegakure." "As you wish!" White Zetsu, controlling Obito, activated Kamui to transport them both back to Amegakure. As he looked upon Yahiko''s body, Nagato said, "Next, I''ll create the Six Paths puppets. ck Zetsu, White Zetsu, I''ll need you both to find suitable bodies." White Zetsu smiled. "Of course, no problem." Nagato added, "And we need to keep an eye on the Nine-Tails." "The seal is weakest during childbirthour best chance to capture a Tailed Beast." White Zetsu chuckled. "There''s no word yet of a pregnant Nine-Tails Jinchriki, but it''s bound to happen sooner orter." "We''re on it; these things are right up our alley." While Konoha was now aware of their presence, White Zetsu was confident that with Obito''s Kamui, infiltrating Konoha to gather intel wouldn''t be a big issue. They''d just have to be more cautious. As White Zetsu finished, he and ck Zetsu disappeared into a space-time distortion. Konan looked at Nagato. "Nagato, can we really trust them?" Nagato replied indifferently, "It''s just mutual exploitation." "During the cell transnt, Madara left a curse mark on me." Konan was startled. "What?" Nagato reassured her. "Nothing to worry about. It''s not difficult to removejust not the right time yet." Konan nodded and looked at Yahiko''s body, her expression forlorn. "To gather the Tailed Beasts, we''ll have to go against Konoha and Jiraiya-sensei." Nagato was silent for a moment, then said resolutely, "It''s a necessary sacrifice on the road to peace." "Jiraiya-sensei seeks peace, too. We''re just on different paths. He won''t me us for this." "Besides, Yahiko''s death is tied to Konoha. They should experience the pain we endured, so they''ll fear war and desire peace." Nagato took onest look at Yahiko''s body before turning away. "Let''s go. We need to find a new base." "When I gain better control over the Rinnegan, I''ll start by dealing with our traitors." Konan silently nodded and followed. Once, she had followed Yahiko, adopting his dreams as her own. But now, she would follow Nagato, helping him realize Yahiko''s idealseven if it meant standing against her former sensei. "Yahiko, please watch over us from the Pure Land and witness the day we make it happen!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 187: Twin Ponytails in Flight!

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Twin Ponytails in Flight!

After lunch, Shichi dropped Nono and the others off at the Konoha Hospital, then used the Flying Thunder God technique to teleport to Orochimaru''s research base. Anko was also there. Seeing Shichi''s sudden appearance, Orochimaru smiled and told Anko, "Go continue your training. Next time, I''ll be assessing your progress!" "Yes, Sensei!" Anko nodded respectfully, then greeted Shichi. "Hello, Shichi-senpai!" "Hello, Anko!" Shichi responded with a smile. Once Anko had left, Orochimaru remarked, "Shichi-kun, you''ve done something truly shocking again!" As a former Root member, Orochimaru had his own sources and was aware of recent events. Shichi responded calmly, "Just felt like the right time." "So, what are your next ns?" he asked. Orochimaru chuckled. "Danzo and I only had a professional arrangement, nothing more. As for the Hokage positionwhoever holds it doesn''t matter as long as my research remains undisturbed. But I''m curious... how strong were Danzo''s Sharingan?" Shichi thought for a moment and then humbly replied, "Mediocre, at best." "For Danzo, the Sharingan were just disposable tools. He couldn''t evenst a full minute." Apparently, Danzo''s Izanagi couldn''t sustain itself for even one minute, evidence that Orochimaru''s technology was still far from perfect. Orochimaru nodded seriously and smiled. "Seems further improvement is needed." With a meaningful look, Shichi added, "The Sharingan is difficult for non-Uchiha to master, even with the cells of the First Hokage." Orochimaru extended his tongue thoughtfully. "Aren''t you curious about the power within the Sharingan? Don''t you want to obtain it yourself?" "The Sharingan''s allure is undeniable. In theory, through the integration of elemental transformations, one could replicate such Kekkei Genkai. But sacrificing Konoharades for that? Not worth it." Orochimaru''s eyes widened in surprise. "Using elemental fusion... that''s quite the confidence! But the Sharingan isn''t so easily replicated." Shichi nodded in agreement. "True, thebination of Yin and Yang Release, especially when Yin is dominant, is incredibly difficult. Yin and Yang Releases are some of chakra''s most fundamental powers. The Hyuga n''s Byakugan falls into a simr category. In theory, with mastery over chakra''s essence, one could recreate any Kekkei Genkai." "But that''s provided one possesses the secrets of these bloodlines," Orochimaru said. "That''s the real challenge, making Kekkei Genkai inherently unlearnable and passed only through lineage." "And not everyone is as talented as you, Shichi-kun." Shichi had to admit, if it weren''t for his "Prodigy" Tag, he wouldn''t have dared to im he could eventually unlock the secrets of the Sharingan. Orochimaru then said, "Now that Danzo is dead, are you interested in examining the Sharingan research?" Shichi raised a brow. "What would you want in exchange?" Orochimaru smiled. "Your cells, Shichi-kun. What do you say?" Shichi shook his head. "I''m not particrly fond of being someone''s research subject." Orochimaru looked disappointed but quickly adjusted. "Then how about exchanging it for the research you and Tsunade have done on the First Hokage''s cells?" Shichi agreed instantly. The research he and Tsunade conducted focused on enhancing cellr vitality through Yang Release, not transntation. However, with Orochimaru''s skills, it was still likely he''d gain some insights from it. Regardless, it was a worthwhile deal. Seeing that Shichi epted, Orochimaru smiled. "Follow me, then." Leading the way, they left theboratory. As they walked, Shichi asked, "Your body modification technique must be nearingpletion, right?" Orochimaru nodded. "Indeed, it''s nearly done. Why, are you still interested?" Shichi chuckled, "While I''m not keen on modifying myself, it could be useful for others." He went on to describe Hayate Gekk''s condition. Orochimaru found this intriguing. "A gill-based breathing system, not a bad idea. But that alone won''t suffice. Leeches, earthworms, and certain amphibians can breathe through their skin, which may be more suitable for Hayate''s case." "I once studied these creatures. I could provide my notes for free if you''re interested, Shichi-kun." "Thanks a lot," Shichi replied, not hesitating in the slightest. Engrossed in discussion, they soon arrived at anotherb. This location was more hiddenwhere Orochimaru had been conducting research on the Sharingan and Hashirama''s cells for Danzo. Inside, Shichi found six pairs of Sharingan staring back at him. Three pairs of double tomoe, and three pairs of single tomoe. Additionally, there were Uchiha n corpses. It was uncertain whether these were killed by the Root or were simply gathered from the battlefield by them. However, Orochimaru''s primary focus was researching the mysteries between the Sharingan and Hashirama''s cells, so he hadn''t delved deeply into the full potential of the Sharingan itself. In fact, without being able to study a living Uchiha, uncovering the Sharingan''s true potential would be nearly impossible. After all, a deceased bodycks two essential elements of chakra. Nheless, the data and findings here were still of immense value to Shichi, greatly enriching his knowledge base. Orochimaru, watching Shichi skim through the documents, smiled. "If you need these, Shichi-kun, you can take them with you." Shichi shook his head. "It''s better if we leave these for the Anbu to handle." Then he asked, "Since you wanted to study the Sharingan, did you ever try coborating with the Uchiha n?" Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "It seems Shichi-kun doesn''t fully understand the Uchiha n." "Their inherent pride would never allow anyone to experiment on them." "Besides, the Sharingan is the cornerstone of their strength. Why would they ever allow it to be researched?" Shichi thought about it and realized this was indeed true, so he didn''t pursue the matter further. By evening, Shichi and Orochimaru left theb, having arranged to assist Orochimaru with his final soft body modification experiment. After parting ways, Shichi let out a quiet sigh. Based on today''s discussion, it was clear that Orochimaru would inevitably leave Konoha. For the path Orochimaru intended to take, arge number of living test subjects would be necessary, and Konoha would ultimately be a constraint for him. "Such a pity..." Shichi sighed to himself. Orochimaru''s talents were undeniable, and having someone like him around would make gaining new Tags significantly easier. "But there should still be chances for trade in the future to obtain more research." Shichi temporarily set aside these thoughts and returned home. At that time, not only were Nono Yakushi and Asuka there, but Shizune and Tsunade as well. Once the five of them had finished dinner, Shichi brought the four women to his study. Sitting down on the carpet, he said, "Even though none of you specialize in Fire Release, it''s best to use the full version of the Star Seal. This way, Shizune and Asuka can bypass the arduous training required for the Strength of a Hundred Technique and the Yin Seal." Tsunade spoke up immediately, "Then let''s get started already. We understand all of this." Everyone was used to Tsunade''s impatience by now. Nono smiled gently and said, "Shichi, let''s start with Lady Tsunade." Shichi nodded and turned to Tsunade. "This may cause some intense pain. Please bear with it." Tsunade nodded. "Understood." Shichi positioned himself behind her. Looking at Tsunade''s smooth, alluring neck, he couldn''t help but recall Orochimaru''s somewhat...entric way of applying seals. In that moment, Shichi had a sudden moment of understanding. Steadying himself, he kept his gaze forward, pressing his right hand onto the back of her neck, releasing a unique chakra. Tsunade winced slightly as the intense pain hit her, but it was short-lived. "It''s done!" Shichi lifted his hand. Sensing the change, Tsunade immediately tried to activate the seal. In an instant, lotus-like patterns spread from her neck up to her face, and her pupils shifted to a vivid purple, shaped like stars. Seeing this, Asuka eximed, "Shichi, the seal''s pattern looks different fromst time." Shichi wasn''t surprised. "The seal originates from me, so it naturally reflects my spiritual intent. The lotus patterns and the current form are influenced by that." "Oh, I see," Asuka said with understanding. Tsunade, still adjusting to the new power, remarked, "This truly provides an incredible boost. Just by linking it with the Strength of a Hundred Technique in my normal state, the effect has doubled." With that, she formed a seal and fully unleashed her Yin Seal, activating the Strength of a Hundred Technique. As the seal patterns spread, immense chakra surged forth, causing Tsunade''s twin ponytails to lift into the air as though carried by an unseen wind, making Shichi''s hands itch to join in. Meanwhile, Tsunade could feel her cells undergoing a high degree of activation. "With this enhancement, my cellr vitality is now on par with Grandfather''s." "The natural energy boost is amazingno wonder Jiraiya always boasts about Sage Mode." Shichi smiled. "The reason the Tailed Beasts are so powerful isn''t just their vast chakra reserves, but the sheer potency of their chakra." Tsunade retracted her technique, then asked, "So, is that why you want to integrate Tailed Beast genes?" Shichi nodded. "Compared to the boundless natural energy in the world, the human body is very limited." "Alright, next is Director Nono." With that, Shichi moved behind Nono Yakushi and applied the Star Seal to her as well. After her came Shizune, and finally Asuka. Now all four women had the Star Seal, allowing them to harness something akin to Sage Mode in Fire Release and Yang Release. They could activate it instantly, without needing to concentrate on absorbing natural energy. After receiving her Star Seal, Asuka immediately said, "Shichi, let me try transferring my power to you." Shichi sat down as Asuka moved behind him, cing her hands on his shoulders before activating her seal. Once more, the lotus-like patterns appeared, and her pupils turned into purple star shapes. Under her control, ck lotus patterns traveled from her arms onto Shichi''s body. Suddenly, Shichi felt Asuka''s unique chakra entering his body. This chakra was familiar to him, but it had transformed tremendouslypared to before the seal. It had be much stronger! Sensing this immense life force, Tsunade remarked, "This vitality far surpasses even my grandfather''s." Shichi nodded in agreement. However, it only exceeded Hashirama''s vitality in his normal state. If Hashirama were to enter Sage Mode, Asuka would still fall short byparison. (End of Chapter) Chapter 188: Stubbornness and a Taste for Victory!

Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Stubbornness and a Taste for Victory!

With all four of them marked by the Star Seal, Shichi breathed a quiet sigh of relief and advised, "Keep the seal in a low-activation state. This way, your chakra will continuously nourish all your cells, making it impossible for White Zetsu to infiltrate your bodies without detection." He added, "But Shizune..." Tsunade reassured, "Rx, it won''t affect her development at all." Well, if anyone could speak with authority on the matter, it would certainly be Tsunade. Shichi nodded and then chuckled, "So, does everyone have a training n moving forward?" Asuka replied with a smile, "I''ll be focusing on the Soul-Sealing Seal and the Adamantine Sealing Chains." Those alone would take her years, if not much longer. After all, she wasn''t Shichi Hoshita, with that ''tag tree hack'' advantage of his! Shichi then looked toward Non Yakushi. "I''ll be working on the Creation Rebirth Technique. It''s quite a challenge for me," Non replied. With the Star Seal, she could now safely attempt the Creation Rebirth Technique. When Shichi turned to Shizune, she winced, "I''ll be working on the Healing Regeneration, Lady Tsunade''s monstrous strength, and Creation Rebirth." Shichi quickly volunteered, "I''ll practice the strength training with you! I''ve already mastered it; it''s not difficult." Tsunade scoffed, "Don''t use your standards to judge others. Your talent onlyes along once a century." "Thanks for thepliment," Shichi replied with a smile. "And what about you, Lady Tsunade?" Tsunade stretched. "I''ll be continuing my research. The Creation Rebirth Technique still has its limits and those weaknesses you mentioned." As he mulled it over, Shichi observed, "Apart from Shizune''s strength training, it seems like none of you have specific ns to developbat skills." Asuka tilted her head, "The Soul-Sealing Seal and Adamantine Chains kind of count, don''t they?" "And we''re medical ninjas," Tsunade noted. "With Creation Rebirth and the Healing Regeneration, we can break the rules usually imposed on medical ninjas. Asuka and Non, you should also master strength training. After all, Shichi can''t protect you all the time." Both Asuka and Non nodded in agreement. "Lady Tsunade is right." Shichi, considering this, added, "Enhanced strength is certainly effective, especially with the seal''s boost. But even though we''d have power, the speed might still fall short. It''s useful in regrbat, but it''s not enough against something like Susano''o." Tsunade frowned at this. "Ordinary jutsu has no power against Susano''o-level forces, regardless." Shichi nodded, then said with a grin, "That''s why I n to develop an S-rank taijutsu technique that works with the Star Seal!" "One built on Yang Release nature transformation," he exined. Shizune gasped, "Shichi, isn''t Might Duy''s Eight Gates the only S-rank forbidden taijutsu in existence?" Tsunade added, "That''s true. There''s nothing else of that caliber in the ninja world, as taijutsu isn''t mainstream, and the requirements are even higher than for other S-rank techniques." Might Duy''s legendary moment was well known; he was now a special jonin of the vige. If it weren''t for his low mission count, he likely would have be a full jonin already. The Eight Gates technique had gained fame as a result, familiar to many Konoha shinobi. Shichi exined, "That''s exactly why I want to develop a taijutsu based on Yang Release. This willplement the skills you''re all best at." It didn''t matter if others could use it; as long as Shizune and the others could, that was enough. And with this new technique, Shichi could also unlock the Taijutsu Master tag, further enhancing his own physical prowessa win-win situation! While he hadn''t had any ideas about taijutsu development before, now he did. Curious, Shizune asked, "So, Shichi, a taijutsu technique based on Yang Releasewill it involve cellr activation?" Shichi raised his thumb. "Exactly!" "Cellr activation can be approached in various ways. Right now, Creation Rebirth mainly enhances vitality, cellr regeneration, and secondarily, strength," he borated. "Lightning Release activation boosts strength, speed across the board, and even nerve response timeespecially speed." "Then, if we base it on Yang Release, what direction should we take? Any ideas?" The women all fell silent, thinking it over. After a while, Tsunade proposed, "As medical ninjas, our strengths lie in not only Yang Release nature transformation but also our precise chakra control." "Enhanced strength also relies on fine chakra control for explosive power." "As a self-protection measure, we should retain the essence of our role as medics, not just aim for rawbat strength." Non agreed, adding, "We''re still medical ninjas. We need the ability to protect ourselves but not to be the first to jump intobat. Preserving ourrades'' lives and battle strength is our primary duty." Shichi nodded thoughtfully, "It''s challenging, but I like a challenge." "Then it''s settled! We''ll develop an S-rank taijutsu technique tailored for medical ninjas, a forbidden jutsu to protect ourselves and our teammates in critical moments when they''re too weak to fight." Eagerly, Shizune asked, "Do you need us to help with anything?" Shichi smiled, "Not for now, but when I do, I''ll call everyone together." And with that, the decision was made. It was still early, so Non Yakushi, Shizune, and Asuka went off to the Konoha Hospital, while Shichi and Tsunade teleported directly to theirb base. As they busied themselves, Shichi brought up a new topic with Tsunade: "I''m nning to try Orochimaru''s approach and perform a slight body modification on Hayate Gekk, creating an additional respiratory system, like gill and skin-based breathing." "This way, even if we can''tpletely cure his condition, at least it won''t affect hisbat capabilities." Tsunade frowned a bit. "Body modification? Orochimaru is barely human anymore." Shichiughed. "Don''t worry, this is a minor adjustment, just an added respiratory system." "The primary treatment will involve blending Hayate''s cells with White Zetsu''s cells." Tsunade nodded. "As long as Hayate doesn''t mind, go ahead." "It seems you''ve picked up quite a bit from Orochimaru." Shichi immediately boasted, "Of course! You know me, Tsunade. I''m always keen to learn." This made Tsunade recall something, and she chuckled dryly. "I heard Jiraiya asked you to illustrate his new book." Shichi''s face stiffened as he cursed Jiraiya''s big mouth internally, before quickly replying, "No way! I''d never agree to something so... trivial." "You know how busy I am with all these shadow clones training in different areas." Tsunade considered this and nodded, looking pleased. "That unreliable Jiraiya, you''re better off keeping your distance." Shichi nodded fervently. "You''re absolutely right, Tsunade! Jiraiya''s... lecherous tendencies are a disgrace to the ninjamunity, to be honest." Hearing him speak so seriously, Tsunade said, "It''s not that severe; it''s just that you''re still very young." Wait, so it''s okay once I''m older? Shichi thought to himself, giving a solemn nod. "Don''t worry, Tsunade. I''ll remainmitted at least until adulthood." Tsunade nced at him, slightly puzzled, as though something sounded off. Shichi quickly changed the subject, "Tsunade, have you heard of the Slug Sage''s state?" "What do you mean?" Tsunade asked, curious. "I mean, the Slug Sage doesn''t seem to be constantly in Sage Mode, right?" "Oh, that," Tsunade replied. "Yes, you''re right." "Strictly speaking, it''s not Sage Mode. The Slug Sage''s body has absorbed natural energy for so long that it''s practically transformed, so they don''t need to control it consciously anymore." "For the Slug Sage, it''s as natural as breathing, aplete instinct." Shichi raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" "If that''s the case, couldn''t you also attain this ''sage state'' by maintaining a constant flow of sage chakra to nourish your cells?" Tsunade nodded. "Theoretically, yes, but it would take an extremely long time. My chakra isn''t close to the Slug Sage''s, even with the Yin Seal." Shichi pondered. "But if you used three Yin Seals at once, your chakra would reach tailed-beast levels. I guess the Slug Sage is far more powerful than I realized." "Absolutely," Tsunade agreed. "If you visited Shikkotsu Forest, you''d see that all the slugs there are part of the Slug Sage itself. Even if I unsealed all my Yin Seals, I could only summon a fifth of the Slug Sage''s main body." "Even the Slug Sage reportedly took a thousand years of training to reach its current power." "Though the Yin Seal holds a lot of chakra, it''s nowhere near enough for that level of transformation. Our lifespans aren''t long enough." Deep in thought, Shichi murmured, "Is that so?" "Seems I''ll need another method to be a true sage faster." Tsunade paused her work to caution him seriously, "You''re still young and have plenty of time. There''s no need to rush." "Besides, bing a sage is extremely dangerous. You''ve seen how easy it is to lose control and be consumed by natural energy, merging with nature itself." Shichi responded without hesitation, "Of course, I''m not in a hurry. But Tsunade, you''re already over thirty, and Non is also nearly thirty." "While the Regeneration Technique helps maintain cellr activity and dys aging, it''s limited if chakra reserves are exhausted." "Tsunade, surely you don''t want to suddenly look like an olddy thirty years from now, right?" Tsunade''s face instantly darkened as she gripped a scalpel, her voice cold. "Are you implying I''m old?" Shichi looked up, startled. Oh no, wrong move... In a sh of inspiration, Shichi seriously dered, "Tsunade, you''re way too self-conscious!" "Your beauty is captivating even to a young boy like me!" Tsunade scoffed and resumed her work, mumbling, "What does a kid like you know about a woman''s charm?" Seeing her focused on the supplies at hand, Shichi decided it was better to avoid further trouble and satisfy his wit some other time. Next Morning: Training Review After the morning training session, Shichi recalled all his shadow clones to check the progress across various training tasks. "Hm?" He frowned, "It seems Earth Release alone can''t achieve diamond-hardness." "A crystal structure... Crystal Release?" "Does it require abination of Earth and Fire Release?" "Looks like I''ll need to find a new approach for developing an S-rank Earth Release jutsu. Still, this research was usefulif I can master Crystal Release, that would be impressive too." "But as for an S-rank Earth Release jutsu, what direction should I take?" Lost in thought, Shichi pondered deeply. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 189: Lap Pillow!

Chapter 189: Chapter 189: Lap Pillow!

"High density, high flexibility, high hardness... the most basic and singr properties for maniption." After some thought, Shichi used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport to his usual training spot. In the next moment, a wall rose up before him. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall." This was a fundamental Earth Release jutsu, and for Shichi, the casting was simple: channeling chakra into the ground to raise a wall. Then, he cast the jutsu again, this time raising a wall behind him as well. But this wall was noticeably different from the one in front of him. It was more refined, sturdier, and even adorned with a lotus pattern. This wall showcased a further refinement in both form and elemental properties. Turning to his right, Shichi opened his mouth, and a stream of mud poured out, instantly expanding with a loud boom into a towering wall. This was another method of Earth Release, simr to Water Release, where pure chakra alone could generate an element, useful when the terraincked soil. Shichi observed the three walls he''d created. After a brief pause, he jumped onto one, exhaled again, and a stream of pitch-ck mud fell, forming a solid ck wall with a thunderous impact. This was a wall formed of carbon. Frowning, Shichi continued to cast Earth Release, raising one wall after another. Granite walls, adamantine walls! Yes, Shichi had just created an incredibly tough adamantine-like stoneessentially a diamond. But not the sparkling, crystalline diamond. Diamonds are a form of adamantine, but not all adamantine is diamond. After consecutively creating walls of varying strengths, Shichi concluded, "It''s not that Earth Release can''t create diamonds; it''s that my current mastery over elemental maniption and form maniption isn''t sufficient." "In this case, Fire Release could be used as a catalyst to create Crystal Release, producing pure diamonds with remarkable hardness." Then, Shichi thought about Dust Release: "Dust Release allows for molecr maniption. If I master Dust Release, it means I could actually form carbon nanotubes for enhanced defense." "Carbon nanotubes are even stronger than diamonds, with incredible flexibility and tolerance to high temperatures..." "Elemental maniption... I see." At that moment, Shichi''s understanding of elemental maniption deepened. For the conventional five nature transformations, with enough mastery, Earth Release could generate any mineral or rock, and Water Release could create any liquid substance. But without sufficient nature maniption,bining other elemental transformations is necessary to achieve a specific goal. Beyond single nature transformations, there are bloodline limits thatbine two elements, then the three-element Bloodline Elimination, and finally, the Bloodline Network that epasses all elements. (T/N: Kekkei Genkai < Kekkei Tta < Kekkei Mra) This is remarkably simr to scientific technology. A single technique alone doesn''t allow humans to harness maic fields; it requires more sophisticated techniques to control this force. It''s the same with ninjutsu. A single nature transformation isn''t enough to generate maic fields or harness maic force, so additional transformations are necessary to aplish this. Pure diamonds are one thing. Moreplex carbon nanotubes are another. Take Electromaic Release, for example. ording to Shichi''s understanding, Lightning Release could create an electric field by controlling currents, which in turn would generate a maic field. In theory, Lightning Release could be used to master Maic Release. But clearly, single Lightning Release nature transformation could only handle the electric field, unable to bridge to the maic field, let alone unify them into an electromaic field. This was something Shichi had experienced firsthand while developing his Lightning Release electric field. Thanks to his mastery of the Listening Technique, his clone had vividly sensed the electric field generated by flowing currents, but even with his current skill, he couldn''t fully control both electric and maic fields using just Lightning Release. To control Electromaic Release, in addition to mastering the Lightning Release electric field, one must also master Ma Release, a bloodline limit. Together, these would produce Electromaic Release, a Kekkei Tta. "However, the most unique nature transformations are Yin and Yang." "The fusion of these two theoretically allows for any other nature transformation." The first thing Shichi thought of was the Sharingan. The varied Mangeky abilities stem from thebination of Yin and Yang. Beyond the Sharingan, there''s also the Rinnegan and Tenseigan. "So now, I need to go back to basics." "For Earth Release nature transformation, if I aim solely for hardness, the pinnacle would be diamond hardness. Jutsu like Earth Spear and hardening techniques used by Iwagakure ninja or some elite jnin can achieve this, but further improvement requires advancing form maniption." "Like the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken." Shichi pondered, "Structure...?" "A honeb structure... a hexagonal honeb design indeed enhances force resistance." "Let''s test this. If I can''t achieve S-rank, I''ll settle for creating five A-rank Earth Release techniques." After deciding, Shichi immediately created a shadow clone. The shadow clone used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport to the Forest of Death; he wanted to find a honeb to study its structure. With Earth Release temporarily resolved, Shichi resumed checking the progress of his other training. The development of the Lightning Release electric field was going well, with no insurmountable obstacles in sight. The Heavy Water technique for Water Release had been created through experiments, with the next step involving chakra-based production. However, the heavy water created in experiments seemed less potent than expected; perhaps aqua regia would be more powerful. Ma Release was also close at hand. Achieving all this would bring him to three bloodline limits, only two short ofpleting his Tags. The S-rank sensory jutsu had shown little progress. Integrating malice detection into his Listening Technique was proving difficult without the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Oh, studying the Hzuki n had been fruitful; he was close to mastering the Hydrification Technique. ... After going through each area of his training progress, Shichi created multiple shadow clones to continue working on various tasks separately. On the Hokage Rock, Shichi appeared, immediately entering Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode, extending his sensory field over all of Konoha. Nothing unusual. Exiting Sage Mode, Shichi left a clone in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode to study malice detection, while he used Flying Thunder God to arrive at the experimental base near the Daimy''s residence. "Lord Shichi!" Pakura soon appeared by Shichi''s side. "You''ve managed things well." After taking a quick tour, Shichi nodded in satisfaction. Pakura reported, "The Daimy has approved the second group of ninja for experiments, though this time there''s something different." "Oh?" Shichi raised an eyebrow. "What''s different? Don''t tell me he''s sending his personal bodyguard ninja?" Pakura nodded. "Exactly." Shichi stopped in his tracks and looked at Pakura. "Asuma Sarutobi is among them?" Pakura nodded again. "Yes, along with Asuma Sarutobi, there''s also someone named Sora, a monk from the Fire Temple." Two future elite jnin, huh! The Daimy of the Land of Fire was certainly making wise choices! Shichi''s expression turned a bit amused. If the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, found out, would he secretly curse his rebellious son? Compared to the well-behaved Konohamaru, Asuma Sarutobi had indeed be quite the rebel. Then again, he was also passionate and had aspirations. Asuma hadn''t returned to Konoha in quite some time. Shichi wondered if he''d changed. Noticing Shichi''s expression, Pakura said, "Asuma Sarutobi is the son of the Third Hokage. The Third Hokage probably wouldn''t approve of him taking part in these dangerous experiments, right?" Shichi chuckled. "If Asuma was obedient, he wouldn''t have be a personal ninja for the Daimy, would he?" "Go ahead and call them in," he instructed. Pakura nodded, immediately creating a clone to pass on the order. On their way to the lounge, Shichi watched as Pakura gracefully prepared tea and asked, "How''s the development of the Scorch Release Chakra Mode?" After setting the tea in front of Shichi, Pakura took two steps back, and her body was immediately cloaked in Scorch Release energy. "It looks like it''s starting to take shape," Shichimented. "But it still needs improvement and better control; it seems your chakra control ability needs more work." Pakura''s Scorch Release Chakra Mode wasn''t on par with the Tailed Beast Cloak of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, nor did it even match Shichi''s Fire Release Chakra Mode. Rather than forming an actual ''cloak,'' it resembled the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. "Achieving your level is no easy feat, Lord Shichi." Pakura acknowledged her limitations but then added confidently, "But with time, it''s only a matter of time." She knew she had made significant progresstely. Shichi nodded and then asked, "What about when you activate your curse seal?" At his prompt, Pakura activated her curse seal. With lotus patterns spreading across her body, her Scorch Release energy immediatelypressed and solidified, finally taking the form of an actual chakra cloak. This effect was simr to how Sage Mode enabled Naruto to throw the otherwise unstable Rasenshuriken. Natural energy brings more than just a boost in jutsu power; it also enhances control. The Nine-Tails Chakra, being the closest to the power of the Ten-Tails, had simr effects. After discussing her progress with Pakura for about half an hour, Asuma Sarutobi and Sora arrived. "Asuma!" Shichi greeted the more mature-looking Asuma Sarutobi with a smile. Asuma walked up, extending his arms for a hug, then grinned, "It''s been a long time! You''ve made quite the name for yourself across the ninja world." He then gestured to the bald monk beside him. "Shichi, this is my friend Sora, whom I met at the Daimy''s residence. He''s from the Fire Temple." Sora bowed immediately. "Lord Shichi!" Shichi smiled and said, "No need to call me ''Lord.'' Just call me Shichi, like Asuma does." Sora quickly replied, "Then I''ll do as you say." Once seated, Shichi looked at Asuma and remarked, "Asuma, you seem to have changed quite a bit." Asuma nodded. "Yeah, I''ve seen a lot around the Daimy''s residence and other ces in the Land of Fire." He sighed, "Looking back, I realize some of my old views were pretty naive." Shichi dismissed it lightly. "That''s only natural, isn''t it?" "Back then, we were just kids. Being naive is expected." Asuma gave a wry smile. "You were different, Shichi." Shichi teased, "That''s just because I graduated early. By the way, it''s been a while since you''ve seen Kurenai, hasn''t it?" With a slightly embarrassed smile, Asuma replied, "Well, not that long. She happened to pass by the Daimy''s residence on a mission recently." Shichi couldn''t help but give Asuma a thumbs-up in response. Asuma quickly changed the topic, "I heard Obito went missing?" Shichi''s expression grew serious, and he nodded. "Yes, he encountered someone formidable." Asuma''s face hardened. "If even you consider them strong, they must be quite the opponent." "How''s Kakashi doing?" he asked. Shichi didn''t hold back. "He''s doing well. He''s training harder than ever. Right now, he''s in the Land of Grass." "He, like me, has joined the Tailed Beast Weapon Program." Shichi continued, "Asuma, have you made up your mind? Controlling Tailed Beast Chakra isn''t easy." Asuma nodded firmly. "I''ve decided, Shichi. Don''t worryI won''t push myself recklessly." Shichi nodded and then turned to Sora. Sora responded immediately, "I''ve made up my mind as well. Harnessing a dark power for a righteous purpose is worth the risk." Seeing their determination, Shichi stood up. "In that case, follow me!" They headed to theboratory, which was equipped with protective sealing jutsu to create a barrier and containment field. Shichi had Asuma and Sora sit cross-legged in the center of their respective seals, then injected them each with a portion of malevolent One-Tails Chakra. "So this is Tailed Beast Chakra...so strong!" As the raw One-Tails Chakra surged within them, Asuma and Sora both furrowed their brows, their bodies wracked with intense pain. But before they could even get ustomed to the agony, the malevolent energy within the chakra began to attack their minds. Outside theb, Shichi and Pakura observed them through the ss. "Lord Shichi, do you think they can seed?" Pakura asked. Shichi withdrew his gaze and replied, "They both have potential, but no one can say for certain if they''ll seed." Minute by minute passed. After seven minutes, Sora started nearing the brink of losing control. With a thought, Shichi activated the seal beneath Sora, chains emerging to bind him as the One-Tails Chakra was extracted from his body. Regaining rity, Sora copsed onto his hands, gasping and drenched in sweat. "What a dark power...no wonder others failed before us." He turned to see Asuma still enveloped in the Tailed Beast Chakra and smiled. "As expected of Asuma." However, at the ten-minute mark, Asuma also reached his limit. Shichi swiftly terminated the process. Once they had both left theb, he asked, "Now that you''ve experienced Tailed Beast Chakra, do you want to continue?" Asuma and Sora exchanged a look and nodded resolutely. Shichi said, "Chakra can link two people''s minds. To resist the malice of Tailed Beast Chakra, the most crucial element is spiritual strength, or willpower." "This is the first and most important step. If you can''t resist the Tailed Beast Chakra''s malice, then even if you obtain it, you''ll lose control and be nothing but a beast." Asuma and Sora nodded in unison. "Understood. We''ll keep working hard." Shichi nodded in approval and reminded them, "The next experiment will be in a week. I hope to see progress by then." They nodded and took their leave. Just before leaving, Asuma suddenly asked, "Shichi, how long can Kakashist now?" Shichi smiled. "Thirty minutes!" "That''s about the same as you on your first attempt." Hearing this, Asuma felt a renewed surge of motivation. Shichi could tell that while Asuma had matured a lot, he still retained his tenacious spirit. What he didn''t mention, however, was that Kakashi was using the Eight-Tails'' Chakra, which was far more potent than that of the One-Tails. ... Back in the lounge, Shichi sat down, took a sip of tea, and patted the seat beside him for Pakura. Pakura hesitated briefly before sitting down. Shichi then shifted his position, resting his head on Pakura''sp. "Sofortable!" Pakura blushed, but Shichi couldn''t see her reaction. Before she could say anything, he continued, "Let''s begin training. I''ll continue teaching you ninjutsu." As he spoke, Shichi held out his hand. Pakura instinctively took his hand. Their chakras connected, and they entered the realm of each other''s consciousness. And there, they found themselves in the samep pillow position. Shichi could sense Pakura''s shyness and slight nervousness, but he pretended not to notice. Standing up, he said, "Focus now. Today, I''m going to teach you a powerful move that can stand against the Tailed Beast BombScorch Release: Rasenshuriken!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 190: Return to the Land of Rain

Chapter 190: Chapter 190: Return to the Land of Rain

A littlep pillow is nice for a while, but having ap pillow foreverso soft and cozywould be perfect. After finishing their ninjutsu training, the exhausted Shichi naturally drifted off to sleep, restingfortably on Pakura''sp. Pakura lowered her gaze to look at Shichi''s face, aplex emotion flickering in her eyes. "What a strange guy..." Gifted beyond belief, his power and strength were so incredible that others could only look up in awe or fear. He could be assertive, even domineering, yet he was warm-hearted and sincere, showing trust even to someone who had once been his enemy. Maybe it was confidence in his own abilities, or maybe it was something else. Pakura''s cheeks grew slightly warm as she thought, "Such a little flirt!" But there was no hint of irritation in her expression. Reaching out, she gently brushed her fingers across Shichi''s face, which was graced with a peaceful smile. Memories of her people in the Sand Vige flitted through her mind. She couldn''t return to that ce she both loved and hated. And the person resting in front of her was now the only one she could depend on and trust. If this little flirt were a few years older, perhaps she''d take the initiative herself to pursue him! A rare blush spread across Pakura''s usually stoic face. Most of the time, it was easy to forget Shichi''s age, but when she really thought about it, she couldn''t avoid it. "This little brat..." Unable to resist, Pakura pinched Shichi''s cheeks and smiled. There was no way she''d have dared do this if he were awake. Pinching his left cheek, then the right, she found it surprisingly fun! "Hey, you''re going to ruin my handsome face with all that pinching." Shichi''s voice suddenly broke the silence. Pakura jumped in surprise, like a thief caught red-handed, momentarily at a loss. Shichi opened his eyes, looking up at her with a yful smile. Pakuraposed herself after a moment, regaining her poised, confident demeanor. In a calm tone, she said, "Lord Shichi, I was simply helping you rx." Such a poor excuse! Even her ears felt hot, but she kept her face expressionless, feigning calm. "Oh, so that''s what it was..." Shichi smirked, shifting his body to face her, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. "Then how about helping with my shoulders and back too?" Pakura''s body froze at his sudden closeness, his warm breath against her abdomen sparking a tingling sensation that coursed through her. "Um... Lord Shichi, I..." For a moment, Pakura waspletely flustered, feeling both exasperated and amused. In this position, how was she supposed to massage his shoulders or back? This little flirt was obviously teasing her. And with his warm breath so close, she found herself pressing her legs together without thinking. Taking in her unique scent, Shichi felt the tension in her body. He suddenly sat up, still holding her waist, and leaned close to her ear. "Pakura, will you be mine?" Pakura''s mind went nk. She''d sensed Shichi''s feelings before, but she hadn''t expected him to be so bold right now. "Um... Lord Shichi, you''re still so young." Realizing what she''d just said, she quickly tried to exin. In ancient times, he''d already be married with kids by now! And even now, Shichi had the strength to decimate entire forces. But Shichi justughed at her words. "Oh, so it''s my age that bothers you? Sounds like you''ve already got some ideas of your own!" "Th-That''s definitely not it." Pakura tried to argue, but it sounded weak even to her own ears. Still trying to put up a front! Noticing her flushed earlobes, Shichi seized his chance. Pakura''s body went rigid, letting out a small gasp, her gaze turning dazed as her mind went nk. "Lord Shichi, he really is..." "What am I going to do? I''m losing control..." "Somehow, he''s always there in my thoughts, and it''s so troubling..." "But his age...am I being too much?" Just then, Shichi''s voice cut through her thoughts. "Pakura, turn around." Dazed, Pakura turned to face him. Without missing a beat, Shichi went on the offensive, deploying his special technique. Sword StyleWitty Lips and Silver Tongue! Pakura responded with her own defensive jutsu, Earth ReleaseTooth Wall Technique. Unfortunately, the difference in their strength was too great, and her defenses soon crumbled under the relentless assault of Shichi''s Witty Lips and Silver Tongue Technique. Determined to win her over, Shichi deployed his secret moveSilver Tongue Enchantment Technique. And the effects were astounding, sparking a bond as unbreakable as a finely woven thread. Pakura couldn''t resist any longer and ultimately surrendered to Shichi, offering him her "spoils of war." Naturally, Shichi didn''t hold back and epted all the spoils with pleasure. The fruits tasted great, and he was satisfied, but he wanted even more spoils. "Lord Shichi, that ce is too dangerous... you shouldn''t go..." "If I''m the lord, then you''ll have to listen to me, of course." Pakura avoided Shichi''s gaze, turning her head to the side, but she nodded slightly. "Yes." "And don''t forget to call me Lord Shichi." "Uh... yes, Lord Shichi." The morning passed quickly. After a satisfying lunch at the experimental base with Pakura, Shichi returned to Konoha in the afternoon. Though it was tempting to enjoy her warmth, Shichi knew that true power was essential to protect everything. Training couldn''t be neglected. So, he spent the entire afternoon in theb, studying Asuka''s cells. Later, after his usual afternoon training, Shichi stopped by the Hokage''s office to report Asuma Sarutobi''s participation in his experiments to Hiruzen Sarutobi. As expected, Hiruzen simply nodded, acknowledging it without objection. Instead, he added, "Shichi, please take care of Asuma." Shichi smiled. "You can count on me, Lord Third. Asuma has grown a lot; he won''t disappoint you." Hiruzen could only sigh inwardly, hoping Shichi''s words would prove true. Time flew by as Shichi stayed busy, and before he knew it, July arrived. Returning from Pakura''s side, Shichi had just immersed himself in his experiments when a memory from one of his Shadow Clones returned. "It finally worked!" After processing the memory, Shichi''s face lit up with joy. Kushina Uzumaki had finally mastered the Nine-Tails'' power, achieving the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Setting aside his tools, Shichi used Flying Thunder God to teleport to where Kushina was training, arriving just in time to see her sparring with Minato Namikaze on the grass. Without using Flying Thunder God, Minato was at a disadvantageKushina outmatched him in both strength and speed. Sensing Shichi''s arrival, Kushina, now fired up, shouted, "Shichi, you join in too!" Even before her words finished, Kushina spun around and lunged at Shichi. Boom! Fist and palm collided, sending a shockwave through the air as Shichi''s feet left the ground and he was knocked backward. "Shichi, without the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, you''re no match for me!" Laughing, Kushina chased after him. "Not necessarily," Shichi replied. With that, he activated his cells'' regenerative abilities and unleashed his superhuman strength. Though he was pushed back again, the effect wasn''t as severe as before. However, even with the regenerative boost, he stillgged behind the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode in speed. So, on the third exchange, Shichi directly activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Finally, he was able to go toe-to-toe with Kushina in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Shichi knew that, realistically, the Lightning Release Chakra Mode wasn''t quite on par with the Nine-Tails Chakra Modeit was his exceptional reflexes and foundational strength that allowed him to keep up. Even Kushina was surprised. "I didn''t know the Lightning Release Chakra Mode could be so powerful!" Minato, who was watching from the sidelines, chuckled. "Kushina, it''s not just the modeit''s Shichi himself." "Didn''t you notice? Even in his normal state, Shichi''s reaction speed is almost as good as yours." Realizing this, Kushina focused her gaze on Shichi, who was deftly fending off her attacks. She shouted, "Shichi, why don''t you activate your Nine-Tails Chakra Mode too!" Dodging her kick effortlessly, Shichi grinned. "Then you''d better be ready." With those words, he activated his own Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, disappearing from Kushina''s sight. "So fast!" Kushina turned, only to be hit by a powerful kick that sent her flying. Now, she found herselfpletely overwhelmed, forced into a defensive position. Watching, Minato couldn''t help but marvel. "It''s like Sage Modeenhancing one''s abilities based on their foundation. The Nine-Tails'' power is trulyparable to Sage Mode." Meanwhile, deep within Kushina, the Yang Nine-Tails smirked. "Losing despite having the same power? What an idiot." Kushina gritted her teeth at the taunt, pushing herself to tap further into her potential. Shichi raised an eyebrow, maintaining his pressure. He hadn''t even been using his full strength just yet. After a while, Kushina pulled back, looking a bit disheartened. "I really can''tpete with you, Shichi!" "And that dumb fox even mocked me!" Deactivating his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Shichiughed. "It''s because, in my normal state, I''m already much stronger than you, so the same mode amplifies me differently." "As for the Nine-Tails, let''s team up next time and teach him a lesson." Kushina, always cheerful and optimistic,ughed heartily with her hands on her hips. "Sounds good to me!" "Though, in this mode, I should be the third-strongest in the vige, right?" At this, Shichi nced at Minato. Minato smiled and replied, "That''s right." "The Third Hokage is first, Shichi second, Kushina you''re third, and I''m fourth!" Delighted, Kushina pumped her fist. "Now that I can sense malice too, I''ll take over the task of guarding against that White Zetsu intruder!" Shichi quickly deferred. "I''ll leave that to Minato-sensei." Kushina then turned her gaze to Minato, her expression suggesting that he''d better agree. With no other option, Minato nodded. "I''ll arrange for the Anbu to support you." Kushina beamed. "That''s more like it." From that day on, Shichi gained an additional responsibility: bing Kushina Uzumaki''s sparring partner. With the powerful Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, only Shichi in all of Konoha was strong enough to serve as a sparring partner. Even Minato Namikaze, in his normal state, couldn''t manage it. Two weeks flew by. Once again, Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Minato to the battlefield, this time intending to leverage Minato''s reputation topletely crush Iwa''s hopes and force them to ept peace talks, finally ending the long-drawn war. Sure enough, within three days, news of a major victory at the front lines came back. A few dayster, Shichi received word from Shinnosuke that peace talks between Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure had resumed. On July 28, in the 46th year of Konoha, Minato returned from the front lines. Shichi, enjoying Pakura''spany at the Daimyo''s mansion, received the memory feedback from his Shadow Clone and immediately rushed back to Konoha. "Jiraiya-sensei has already gone to the Land of Rain?" Upon hearing this from his teacher Minato, Shichi frowned instinctively and said, "Sensei, I''ll head to the Land of Rain right away and join up with Jiraiya-sensei." Minato nodded. "I''ll be counting on you, Shichi. If there''s any fighting, fall back immediately." He maintained a respectful wariness regarding the Rinnegan, prioritizing Shichi and Jiraiya''s safety above all. "I understand!" Shichi nodded, and in the next instant, his figure disappeared. Before long, he arrived in the misty, rain-drenched Land of Rain and activated Sage Mode, expanding his sensory range. "Found him!" Disabling Sage Mode, Shichi vanished once more. Momentster, Shichi entered a small town in the Land of Rain, finding himself in an izakaya where Jiraiya was bantering with a bar hostess. "Shichi, I knew you''d track me downe over here!" Jiraiya, unfazed by Shichi''s arrival, raised a slightly tipsy hand and waved him over. Taking a seat opposite Jiraiya, Shichi quipped, "Looks like I came too early and interrupted your fun." Jiraiya chuckled. "No, no, you''re right on time." The heavily made-up hostess smiled as she poured Shichi a drink. "Thanks, but I don''t drink," Shichi politely declined with a slight smile. Jiraiyaughed, "He''s still underageno drinking for him." The hostess seemed surprised. "This young man doesn''t look it at all!" Indeed, Shichi''s height and aura didn''t seem like that of a typical 13-year-old. Jiraiya raised an eyebrow at the ever-serious Shichi. "Shichi, shall I introduce you to ady as well?" Still satisfied from his time with Pakura, Shichi confidently refused. Besides, could anyone herepare to Pakura and the others? Clearly, Jiraiya was truly famished. After a brief while, Jiraiya and Shichi left the izakaya and entered a secluded alley. "Shichi, did you sense anything?" At this moment, Jiraiya''s yful demeanor vanished. Though he wore a smile, his gaze was serious, fixed on a tall tower in the distance. Following his gaze, Shichi asked, "Is Nagato there?" Jiraiya replied, "Not entirely sure. His chakra feels different from before." "Is that so?" Shichi infused chakra into the ground beneath his feet, activating the Listening Technique, and quickly expanded his sensory field. He soon locked onto a faintly familiar chakra, his eyes narrowing. "So that''s how it is. The situation seems... quite tricky." Jiraiya turned to Shichi. "What''s the situation?" Releasing the Listening Technique, Shichi replied, "I suspect it''s rted to the First Hokage''s cells." Hearing this, Jiraiya sighed with a touch of resignation. "Seems we''re facing the most difficult scenario." "So, Shichi, what''s the n?" "How about I scout ahead, while you provide backup from the outside?" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 191: Almighty Push!

Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Almighty Push! [Bonus Chapter]

"Let''s go together," Shichi shook his head. "He''s likely already sensed us." The Rinnegan is no small threat, even if it''s not an original. Now that Nagato possesses Hashirama''s cells, it likely means he''s struck a deal with Uchiha Madara. In other words, due to Shichi''s presence, Madara might have seen Obito''s n as iplete and opted to use Nagato instead, altering a key part. Shichi wasn''t sure yet, and everything would need to wait until he met Nagato. "Alright," Jiraiya nodded, smiling. "Seems like you don''t fully trust me, huh?" Shichi shook his head. "It''s not like that." "It''s just that going alone is too risky. We''re dealing with the Rinnegan here." Jiraiya''s smile faded as he recalled something. "True enough." "Let''s go, then." Adjusting the shoulder strap of his scroll, Jiraiya stepped into the rain, with Shichi following close behind. ... In a towering structure, Nagato emerged from the shadows and walked over to Konan, who was staring at the rain outside. "Jiraiya-sensei has arrived." Konan''s expression turnedplex. "Did hee because he heard about Yahiko''s death?" Nagato didn''t respond, his gaze fixed on the rain. "There''s another person with himsomeone with even stronger chakra than Jiraiya-sensei." Konan''s eyes narrowed. "Not many in Konoha match that description. It must be the one White Zetsu informed us about: Shichi Hoshita." "Technically, he''s one of our formerrades, too." "So, has our coboration with Uchiha Madara been exposed?" Nagato reached out, letting the rain fall into his hand. "We''ll know soon enough." Konan looked at Nagato, whose face remained expressionless, and asked, "What are you nning?" "Prepare for battle, Konan." With that, Nagato turned and disappeared back into the shadows. Konan''s eyes showed a glimmer of sorrow, but she quickly steeled herself and followed Nagato. Beneath the tower, Shichi and Jiraiya entered through an opening. The tower, constructed from a maze of thick pipes, was a unique architectural style suited to the constant rain of the Land of Rain. After moving through a passageway, Shichi and Jiraiya reached the second level and stopped. "Nagato!" Jiraiya smiled, then looked toward Konan, who had stepped out behind him. "The little girl from back then has grown into a beautiful woman!" Konan regarded Jiraiya and said, "Jiraiya-sensei, you''re just the same as ever." Jiraiya chuckled proudly. "Of course, I''m still the Toad Sage!" But then his smile faded as he continued, "Yahiko''s not here, so it seems the information was correct." Nagato spoke. "So, Jiraiya-sensei, have youe to confirm Yahiko''s death?" Jiraiya''s gaze sharpened, but he replied with a smile. "Nagato, you''ve changed from before." Nagato replied coldly, "Naturally. People grow and change." "And this is all thanks to Konoha." "I heard that Danzo is dead. What a pity." Jiraiya sighed, "Guessing it''s no use trying to reason here, but still..." Before he could finish, Nagato interrupted him. "Jiraiya-sensei, if you''re here to exin, don''t bother." "If you came to see us, then you''re wee." Jiraiya frowned slightly. "I''m not here to exin, but I don''t want you and Konan to make the wrong choices." Nagato''s calm voice rose with intensity. "Jiraiya-sensei, we''re grown now. We''ve experienced much, learned much, and have chosen our own path." "We tried to walk the road you advocated, but the oue was clearYahiko died because of it. We were betrayed, and Akatsuki was reduced to just Konan and me." "So now, we''ve chosen a different path." "This is the path Yahiko once envisioned." "So please, Jiraiya-sensei, don''t try to stop us." Hearing this, Jiraiya''s heart sank. It was evident that words alone couldn''t sway Nagato and Konan. Shichi, who had been observing, then interjected, "I have to agree with thateveryone has their own path and their own choices." "Expecting someone else to walk the road you chose isn''t exactly responsible." Jiraiya''s face dropped slightly; this guy Shichi was actually undermining him! Shichi continued, "We''re not here to persuade you or exin anything." "After all, Yahiko''s death really did involve that scumbag Danzo." "Actually, I''m here today to make a deal with the Akatsuki." Nagato''s gazended on Shichi. "A deal?" "What kind of deal?" Shichi smiled. "Information." "I''ve done extensive research on Hashirama cells, so I can sense them in you." "This sensation is familiar. I once encountered a mysterious enemy with the same situationhe also had the Mangeky Sharingan." "One of my friends was taken by him, and another friend had a cursed seal imnted directly in his heart by that man." Hearing this, Konan''s expression changed, but Nagato remained impassive. "So, what exactly do you want to trade?" "The identity of that man," Shichi replied. Nagato asked, "What do you have to offer in return?" "Your previous information won''t cut it." Shichi smiled again. "That depends on what you need." "Since we''re technically formerrades, I''m willing to amodate as much as possible." At that moment, Konan asked, "I heard you killed Danzo?" Shichi nodded. "Yes." "On the very day Yahiko died." At this moment, he seemed like apletely transparent person, spilling information without restraint. "My summoning creature was observing Danzo from above that day, so I know exactly what went down." Curious, Nagato also asked, "Why did you kill him?" Shichi sighed. "There are plenty of reasons to kill Danzo." "Some of them involve secrets of the vige that I can''t disclose, but I can tell you my personal reason." "My reason is simple: Danzo threatened me back when I was still a student at the ninja academy." "His very existence also endangered those I swore to protect, so I took him out." Jiraiya, standing to the side, held his head in exasperation. Nagato, however, nodded. "I see. You did the right thing." Shichi chuckled, "I swore years ago that I''d kill Danzo someday. I waited until this year, until I had the strength and the opportunity, and when I did, I didn''t hesitate." Nagato then revealed, "That man is Uchiha Madara." Jiraiya''s heart sank at those words. "So it''s him..." "A figure from that era, still aliveit''s truly hard to believe." Nagato looked at Shichi, intrigued. "You don''t seem surprised." Shichi nodded. "There aren''t many Uchiha who could awaken the Mangeky Sharingan, let alone someone outside the vige who also possesses forbidden Uchiha techniques. It wasn''t hard to guess." "When you eliminate the impossible, no matter how improbable, the remaining answer must be the truth." Jiraiya spoke in a serious tone, "Nagato, allying with Uchiha Madara hides immense danger. Working with him won''t end well." Nagato replied calmly, "I disagree, Jiraiya-sensei." "Partnering with Madara feels far safer than working with someone like Hanz." Jiraiya understood the deeper meaning behind these words and couldn''t refute him. Compared to Jiraiya, Shichi had a better understanding of Nagato''s perspective, so he wasn''t trying to dissuade him. Instead, he seized the chance to sow a bit of doubt while rifying the nature of Nagato and Madara''s alliance. Now that he''d gathered most of the information, he asked, "So, Nagato, what information do you want?" Nagato replied, "I already asked." "Now, Jiraiya-sensei, what do you n to do next?" Jiraiya looked at Nagato and Konan, memories of the past shing through his mind. They''repletely different now. War has changed so much, too much! "Of course, I''m here to lead you back to the right path!" Jiraiya dered. "The right path?" Nagato challenged. "What is the right path?" "The one you''re following, Jiraiya-sensei?" "But hasn''t Konoha always been at war with the other viges?" "We, who''ve fought for peace, were struck down by despicable means. The path we''ve chosen nowes after deeply contemting life and death." "Jiraiya-sensei, what exactly is this ''right path'' you speak of?" "And isn''t it a bitte for you toe and say this now?" "So if we''re not on the ''right path,'' what do you n to do, Jiraiya-sensei? Treat us as enemies and eliminate us?" Jiraiya furrowed his brows. "Nagato, you''re too extreme!" Nagato shook his head. "No, Jiraiya-sensei, it''s you who can''t understand our pain. That''s why your words sound so empty." "You want us to understand others, but has anyone ever tried to understand us?" "Jiraiya-sensei, Danzo is dead, but Hanz isn''t. Can you understand the pain of losing arade? The hatred of losing someone dear? Can you go and kill Hanz for us?" "If you can''t..." Nagato''s gaze locked onto Shichi. "Perhaps once you''ve lost arade, you''ll understand." Jiraiya sighed, "It looks like we need to test how much you''ve learned since we parted." "Shichi, step back!" Shichi didn''t move. "It would be wise not to underestimate the power of the Rinnegan." No one knew just how much mastery Nagato now held over the Rinnegan, but his legs were intact, and with the addition of Hashirama cells, they couldn''t take him lightly. If he had received Uchiha Madara''s teachings like Obito, that would make things even more troublesome. In the past, Nagato had mastered all six chakra nature transformations in just three years under Jiraiya''s guidance. At this moment, Nagato raised his hand. "To be honest, I''m quite interested in seeing Jiraiya-sensei''s strength." This movement... Shichi immediately shed forward, positioning himself in front of Jiraiya. With a fierce sound, chains shot out from all sides, forming a semi-circr barrier that enclosed both Shichi and Jiraiya. At the same moment, Nagato''s technique activated. Shinra Tensei! A powerful force exploded, crashing into Shichi''s barrier. The impact created a roaring shockwave, but the barrier held. It actually blocked it! Nagato was slightly surprised. No wonder both ck Zetsu and White Zetsu had marked him as a priority. Inside the barrier, a masked figure in a ck cloak rose from the ground behind Jiraiya, warping the space around him. "What?" Jiraiya was shocked, but he couldn''t counter with any ninjutsu in time. Just then, a chakra hand gripped Jiraiya''s shoulder. In the next instant, Shichi and Jiraiya vanished from the spot. White Zetsu, who was controlling Obito,ughed with slight disappointment, "What a shame. Just a little closer, and we would have seeded!" ck Zetsu replied, "One eye isn''t enough to keep up the pace." "Of course, if we''d opened up the barrier, the Rinnegan''s power would have overwhelmed them easily." White Zetsu shrugged, "Don''t me meNagato moved too fast for us to coordinate!" ... Inside a cave outside a small town, Shichi appeared with Jiraiya copsing beside him. "Shichi, was that masked guy really Uchiha Madara?" Jiraiya asked, getting up with a grave expression. Shichi shook his head. "No." "It was Obito." Jiraiya frowned. "Uchiha Obito... that technique, his Mangeky Sharingan?" "Incredible. I didn''t even sense him getting close." Shichi took the chance to share some intel. "He phased right through my barrier. That sensation was definitely a space-time jutsu." "Plus, it looks like Obito ispletely under enemy control." Jiraiya nodded, then gave a rxed smile. "That was a close call!" "We were almost taken out by them." "But it seems this trip wasn''t for nothing!" "Given what we''ve seen, facing abo like that without a space-time technique like the Flying Thunder God would be extremely challenging." One opponent for distraction, while Obito''s controller attacked from the shadowsmost ninjas wouldn''t stand a chance. Shichi nodded in agreement. "It''s certainly a tough situation, especially since we don''t fully understand Obito''s Mangeky abilities." "And there''s still Nagato''s Rinnegan powers." Jiraiya considered this and said, "The next step is to focus on gathering intel in these areas." "Sigh... if we end up as enemies down the road, then that''s simply unavoidable." Shichi reminded him, "Gathering information is crucial, but it''s best not to act alone." "Hmm... I''ll take care of the intelligence gathering myself." "With the Flying Thunder God technique, even if I can''t defeat them together, I''ll have an easier time escaping." That way, there''ll be no question about the intel''s reliability. Jiraiya thought for a moment and had to nod. Then, with augh, he said, "Looks like I might be falling behind the times!" Shichi chuckled. "That doesn''t sound like the Jiraiya the Toad Sage I know." Jiraiyaughed heartily, then spoke more seriously, "Seems like I''ll need to train diligently too, or else the talented next generation might just leave me behind!" (End of Chapter) ??? Tag List Updated, Do Check If you wants Spoilers.. Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 30+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 192: The Secret of the Eternal Mangekyō!

Chapter 192: Chapter 192: The Secret of the Eternal Mangeky!

Back in Konoha, Shichi and Jiraiya went straight to see Hiruzen Sarutobi to report on their mission to the Land of Rain. "Obito, huh..." Upon hearing about the space-time jutsu, Hiruzen couldn''t help but feel a headacheing on. The Shinobi World is filled with various secret and forbidden techniques, each more unusual than thest, making intelligence crucial. Among these techniques, space-time jutsu is one of the hardest to handleknowing about it isn''t enough to defeat it. "If they joined forces to capture the Nine-Tails..." Hiruzen voiced his biggest concern. Jiraiya smiled. "No need to worry too much about that." "With Minato and Shichi on our side to counter space-time jutsu, and us Sannin to take on the Rinnegan, we should manage." Shichi was not as optimistic as Jiraiya. The Sannin versus the Rinnegan? Even disregarding Nagato''s recent power boost, the original Nagato alone would be difficult for the Sannin to defeat. The Rinnegan''s powers are just too overpowered. After some thought, Shichi said, "I''ll find an appropriate chance to deal with Obito." "And I''ll work on gathering intel about Nagato''s Rinnegan as quickly as possible." Although he had a general idea of the Rinnegan''s capabilities, things seemed different now, and it was necessary to understand Nagato''s mastery of it. Hiruzen reminded him, "Don''t forget there''s still Uchiha Madara to consider." "If Nagato was telling the truth, Madara is still alive and retains formidable strength." But Shichi replied, "Lord Third, I''m not too worried about Uchiha Madara." "Even if he has the First Hokage''s cells, he''s still very old." "Besides, why would Madara orchestrate things to manipte Obito and mislead Nagato?" "Given his legendary power back in the daymatching even the First Hokageif his goal was to capture the Nine-Tails or destroy Konoha, it shouldn''t be too difficult for him." Hiruzen and Jiraiya fell silent in thought. If Tobirama were still around, it might make sense for Madara to be wary of the Flying Thunder God technique. But with Tobirama gone, Hiruzen knew that although he was powerful, he couldn''t match the legendary Madara. "So, Shichi, are you suggesting that Madara''s physical condition may not be ideal?" Hiruzen continued, "I remember some details from when Madara left the vige. ording to the Second Hokage, it was partly due to a dispute over the Hokage title and partly due to ideological conflicts with the First Hokage." "He wanted to crush the other shinobi viges by force. Unfortunately for him, no one wanted to go back to those chaotic timesnot even the Uchiha n supported his vision." Jiraiya added, "Nagato''s current vision is quite simr to Madara''susing force and war to make people suffer, hoping that fear will end future conflicts." He sighed. "That''s likely the reason Nagato and Madara could work together." Then Jiraiya''s expression turned serious. "With the current situation, even with Nagato''s Rinnegan, it would be impossible to take on all five shinobi viges." "So they must be aiming to acquire even greater power... the tailed beasts?" Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "That does seem to be the only answer." "Even though we don''t fully understand the Rinnegan''s capabilities, we know the Mangeky Sharingan can control tailed beasts." "And now, with Madara and Obito, they have two pairs of Mangeky Sharingan." Hearing their analysis, Shichi nearly apuded but instead decided to guide them further: "If I were Madara, already over a hundred years old, with unfinished ambitions..." "I would want to borrow a few more centuries from fate!" Hiruzen and Jiraiya froze. Then Jiraiya, wide-eyed, eximed, "The Rinneganlegend has it that it''s the Sage of Six Paths'' eye technique, with the power to create and destroy worlds... Shichi, are you saying that Madara intends to use Nagato''s Rinnegan to restore himself to his prime?" Shichi''s hypothesis was bold and spective, but after careful consideration, both Hiruzen and Jiraiya found it surprisingly usible. Whether the Rinnegan could revive someone was beyond their knowledge. If the Sharingan could have an ultimate illusion like Izanagi, then the Rinneganknown to have the power to create and destroy worldsmight indeed hold such potential. Not to mention, reviving people wasn''t unheard of in the shinobi world. For instance, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, developed the Impure World Reincarnation technique, which could be considered a type of resurrection. Hiruzen maintained his calm and said, "For now, this is all spection. We need solid intel to confirm it." "Kushina has Minato with her. Shichi, you should assemble your team as well." "Any missions you take should be conducted as a team." Despite Shichi''s mastery of the Flying Thunder God technique, Hiruzen still felt it was safer to operate in a team, especially since their enemies also had space-time jutsu. Shichi nodded in agreement. Having a coordinated team would indeed be advantageous. Of course, this n would be even better once Uchiha Shisui awakened his Mangeky Sharingan. ... As they exited the Hokage''s office, Jiraiya stretchedzily and then grinned mischievously. "Hey, Shichi, how about we hit the hot springs together?" Shichi declined without hesitation. Why go to the hot springs when he could head to Daimyo Mansion and visit Pakura? After all, he hadn''t yet appreciated the beauty of her elegant back! Besides, the situation with Nagato was giving him a sense of urgency. He distinctly remembered how, even in his reanimated state, Nagato almost single-handedly fought Naruto in Nine-Tails mode and Killer Bee. From the current situation, it seemed highly likely that Uchiha Madara had taught Nagato several jutsu, and with Hashirama''s cells enhancing his control over the Rinnegan, Nagato was bound to be even more powerful. "Well, if that''s the case, I''m all fired up!" Waving goodbye to Jiraiya, Shichi vanished in a sh. Jiraiya chuckled ruefully. "Young people these days really don''t know how to enjoy themselves, but..." Thinking about Nagato, along with Madara and Obito with their Mangeky Sharingan, Jiraiya sighed. "It seems I''ll have to put in some serious effort, too!" "Might be time to head to Mount Myoboku for training." With a pang of regret, Jiraiya let go of his n for ''fieldwork.'' ... Time passed swiftly, and before long, it was December. Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure finally signed a peace treaty, marking the official end of the war among the three major viges. Konoha''s shinobi began to return from the frontlines, and Kakashi resumed his research on tailed beast experiments. Meanwhile, Uchiha Fugaku also returned from the battlefield, bringing along his young son, Uchiha Itachi. This guy was something elseItachi hadn''t even turned four, and Fugaku had already taken him to the frontlines. The day after Fugaku''s return, Shichi, led by Shisui, paid him a visit. "What? Uchiha Madara isn''t dead?" Usually calm andposed, Uchiha Fugaku was visibly shaken upon hearing Shichi''s intel. "This... how is that possible?" "He was from the same era as the First Hokage. Even if he used Izanagi to escape death at the Valley of the End, by now he should..." Shichi exined, "It''s hard to believe, but it''s true." "He''s obtained cells from the First Hokage." Fugaku regained hisposure. "So, our enemy is Uchiha Madara." Shichi nodded. "That''s correct." "Currently, we believe that Madara has already died once. He ns to use the Rinnegan to resurrect himself in his prime state." "Though it''s only a theory, it''s highly probable." "His maniption of Obito is likely part of his resurrection n, which is why I came to the Uchiha n todayto find some answers." Fugaku pondered Shichi''s information for a while before responding, "There''s very little recorded about Madara in the Uchiha n. He left almost nothing behind." Shichi looked at him and said, "Madara''s sudden departure from the vige must have had a reason." "And I''m sure that reason lies within the Uchiha n itself." "You understand what I''m getting at, don''t you, n Leader Fugaku?" "After all, you''re someone who has also awakened the Mangeky Sharingan!" Shisui looked shocked, and Fugaku''s expression grew tense as cold sweat broke out on his back. "Shichi, as expected, you are the vige''s strongestnothing escapes your notice." Shichi smiled. "It''s because I have a deep understanding of chakra and am a sensory ninja. I can sense that your chakra has changed, n Leader Fugaku." "This is also a characteristic change that urs when the Sharingan evolves. It''s something few can avoid, and it''s connected to the method of awakening." "Rest assured, I have no interest in uncovering the secrets of the Sharingan, nor do I covet its power. I''m confident that I can achieve my own unique bloodline limit as powerful as the Sharingan." Fugaku nodded. "I believe you, Shichi. You have the strength to rival even Madara." "The reason I kept the Mangeky hidden is because of its special nature. I trust you can understand that." Shichi nodded in understanding and said, "I''ve already taken care of Danzo." Both Fugaku and Shisui were stunned. "Shichi, you" Shisui started to speak with concern. Shichi raised a hand to interrupt. "Don''t worry, Shisui. The Third Hokage is aware of it." "So, I hope you understand, n Leader Fugaku. Not everyone is like Danzo." "Whether it''s me or Minato-sensei, we both fully support the First Hokage''s ideals." "I heard you even took Itachi with you to the battlefield this time?" A faint smile crossed Fugaku''s face, and he nodded. "Yes, as the son of the n leader, he has to shoulder greater responsibilities from a young age." Shichi smiled. "I have high hopes for Itachi''s future. If possible, I''d like to rmend him for the Anbu." Fugaku was taken aback, but then joy lit up his face. Although Shichi was currently just a regr Jnin in Konoha, his position was uniquely special. From what Uchiha Fugaku had inferred from their conversation, it was clear to him that Minato Namikaze''s ascension to the Fourth Hokage was now an unchangeable reality. With Shichi''s strength, it was merely a matter of time before he would take on the role of the Fifth Hokage. Therefore, Shichi''s promise carried significant weight. Fugaku, who had long sought a closer alliance with Konoha''s core leadership, had always been kept at arm''s length due to the antagonism from people like Danzo. Now, Shichi''s hints couldn''t have been clearer. After a moment''s thought, Fugaku shared, "If there''s anything rted to Madara''s departure, it would have to be that one artifact." "The stone tablet left by the Sage of the Six Paths, which lies within our n''s Naka Shrine." Shisui was surprised. "n Leader, that tablet doesn''t seem to hold any particrly special information." Fugaku replied solemnly, "That''s because, Shisui, you haven''t awakened the Mangeky Sharingan." "The higher the level of the Sharingan, the more content it reveals." "What I can currently see is the method to advance from the Mangeky Sharingan to the Eternal Mangeky Sharingan." Shichi feigned contemtion. "So that means Madara''s Mangeky had already reached the Eternal stage." Fugaku nodded. "It should be so." "Overusing an ordinary Mangeky leads to blindness." Shichi yed along, "Is that so?" "It seems that''s due to ack of Yang Release power." This remark left both Fugaku and Shisui momentarily stunned. Shichi exined, "From the perspective of chakra nature, the Sharingan is primarily Yin Release-based, formed through abination of Yin and Yang Release." "Yin Release is representative of spiritual power, while Yang Release represents physical energy." "I arrived at this conclusion by analyzing the Sharingan''s awakening process, its evolution, and the ocr jutsu it grants." Fugaku considered this deeply and finally praised, "Shichi, your achievements are indeed no ident." "The method inscribed on the tablet to attain the Eternal Mangeky involves transnting the Mangeky of a direct blood rtive to gain evesting visual power." Shisui''s expression changed. "n Leader, that''s incredibly harsh. Wouldn''t that mean having to kill one''s closest kin?" Fugaku fell silent, then sighed. "That''s why the Sharingan is often called the ''cursed eyes.''" Shichi reflected, "The crucial factor may not be the eyes themselves but the chakra that flows through them." "The activation of the Sharingan, as well as its evolution, all stem from changes in chakra. This unique chakra alters the nervous system, resulting in the eye''s awakening and advancement." "In theory, as long as one has sufficient physical and spiritual power, it may not be necessary to transnt eyes to achieve the Eternal Mangeky." Shichi based this hypothesis on two examples. The first was Indra, the Sage of the Six Paths'' son. The second was Obito, who had imnted Hashirama''s cells. The so-called ''eternal eyes'' simply prevent irreversible damage to the eyes that leads to blindness. Even with frequent use, the only cost is chakra. Moreover, it also grants the full-body Susano''o. Although Shichi didn''t know much about Indra, he was familiar with Obito, who frequently used Kamui without suffering the limitations of a typical Mangeky. Theplete Susano''o also manifested when hebined his two eyes to lend power to Kakashi. Obito''s talent was indisputable, and he was mentally resilient enough to withstand the torment of the Ten-Tails'' consciousness. With Hashirama''s cells, he bnced both Yin and Yang. However, at present, Shichi''s ideas were still theoretical. Theories are one thing; individual differences are vast. Thus, Shichi didn''t bring up Hashirama''s cells, choosing to stop short. It wasn''t the right time yet. If he ever tested the Eternal Mangeky on the Uchiha n, Fugaku would not be his choice due to his unpredictability. Everything would wait until Shisui awakened his eyes. Today''s conversation served two purposes: toy the groundwork for future information and to build mutual trust through a certain level of openness. Shichi represented Konoha''s future leadership, while Fugaku embodied the Uchiha n as a whole. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! I Upload 2 Chaps/Day There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 193: With Prodigy Tag In My Hands—The World is Mine!

Chapter 193: Chapter 193: With Prodigy Tag In My HandsThe World is Mine!

After leaving Uchiha Fugaku''s residence, Shichi followed Shisui to his home, where they began feeding the crows. "Shichi, the Eye That Reflects the Heart, the Cursed Eye of the Sage... is there a way to break this curse?" Shisui''s expression wasplex. "If we exin it ording to your chakra nature theory, then theoretically, there''s no need for extreme trauma to awaken the eye or evolve the Sharingan, right?" Shichi smiled, "Shisui, aren''t you proof of that yourself?" "I can sense the subtle changes in your chakra, even if it''s progressing slowly." "The reason the Sharingan is called the ''Eye That Reflects the Heart'' is because it''s driven by the mind." Shisui touched his right eye thoughtfully. "Indeed, my visual powers are gradually increasingas long as I keep my will and conviction strong." Shichi mused, "Inducing chakra shifts in the brain through intense emotional stimuli to awaken the eye or enhance its power is essentially a shortcut." "Bloodline Limits are said to be inherited traits that can''t be attained through training." "But that might not entirely be the case. A Bloodline Limit is a new chakra nature, born from the fusion of two different chakra natures. Theoretically, any ninja who masters and fuses the same natures might be able to unlock a simr Bloodline Limit." "For example, the Third Kazekage from Sunagakure developed his Ma Release after studying the One-Tail''s abilities." "The Fourth-Tails'' Jinchriki, Roshi, learned Lava Release from the Four-Tails. Simrly, I learned Lava Release from it too." "Bloodline Limits can''t generally be learned because they require specific chakra nature fusions." Shichi had previously shared this theory, based on the chakra nature transformation principles. Even the Sharingan''s copying abilities follow these rules. That is, even if you can copy a jutsu, you still need the necessary chakra nature to use it. Shisui fell into deep thought. Shichi continued, "Of course, even if two people fuse the same natures, the resulting Bloodline Limit can vary." "Take Lava Release..." Even among those who can use Lava Release, there are differences. The Four-Tails uses one kind, Kurotsuchi of Iwagakure uses a cement-based version, and Dodai of Kumogakure has a rubber variant. After illustrating his point, Shichi changed the topic. "Shisui, you''re familiar with the Byakugan of the Hyga n, right?" Shisui nodded, "Of course. It''s one of the Three Great Djutsu." Shichi then asked, "What do you think the Byakugan''s chakra nature fusion involves?" Shisui pondered. "From what we know, it seems to be primarily Yang Release... with the other nature possibly being Yin Release?" Shichi smiled. "It''s very likely." "Yang and Yin Release, with Yang as the primary force." "I believe that''s also why the members of the Hyga n are almost universally able to awaken the Byakugan." "Compared to Yin Release, or spiritual cultivation and transformation, strengthening the physical bodyYang Releaseis rtively straightforward." Shichi remembered that Indra was born with the Three Tomoe Sharingan. He only unlocked the Mangeky after killing someone who trusted him. Of course, some of these theories had already been proven, while others remained spective. The Sharingan and Byakugan are undeniably unique. Or, rather, Yin and Yang Release are unique in that they seem able to easily integrate with other chakra natures, creatingplex Bloodline Limits. If he wanted to test this theory... Shichi scattered the bird feed in his hand. "Shisui, if you manage to awaken the Mangeky, it''ll show that one''s natural spiritual strength alone is enough to awaken it without traumatic experiences." "Likewise, achieving a new eye state should be possible without trauma." "Oh, and I also learned Scorch Release from Pakura." Shisui was both shocked and delighted. "How did you manage that, Shichi?" While learning Bloodline Limits from tailed beasts had been done before, Shichi''s aplishment of learning one from another person was unheard of. "If it''s possible to learn Bloodline Limits from tailed beasts, it''s naturally possible to learn them from other shinobi too. The key lies in the fusion of chakra natures!" What Shichi didn''t mention was that he also had an edge. If the theory was sound, then any limitation could only mean one thing: Ack of intelligence! With enough intelligence, the Third Hokage had seeded. Even without inheriting it, the Fourth Hokage had seeded as well. Tracing back the Sharingan''s origins, it leads to the Ten-Tails or the God Tree, and one could even go further. The Byakugan, which was introduced to the ninja world by Kaguya tsutsuki, came from the tsutsuki lineage. Tracing it back would lead to the first tsutsuki who possessed the Byakugan. How did he obtain it? Was he born with it? Or did he create it himself? ... In response to Shisui Uchiha''s question, Shichi ced a hand on his shoulder, and in the next moment, both of their consciousnesses entered a mental world formed by chakra. "Shisui, you know that chakra can connect two people''s minds, right?" Shichi said with a smile. "That''s how I learned Scorch Release from Pakura." "Also, the Fire Nether Chains sealing technique I developed came from studying Asuka''s Adamantine Sealing Chains using the same method." "This mental world formed by chakra allows for the simplest and most effectivemunication." Looking around, Shisui asked, "So, Shichi, does that mean you could also learn the Sharingan from me?" Shichi shook his head. "I''m not entirely sure." "Theoretically, it should be possible based on what I''ve learned so far, but theory is theory. Whether it actually works depends on the individual''s intelligence." "And, I have to admit, both the Sharingan and the Byakugan are rather unique among Bloodline Limits." Shisui replied, "Is it because of Yang and Yin Release?" Shichi nodded in agreement. Shisui smiled, meeting Shichi''s gaze. "Well, Shichi, why not give it a try?" "Let''s see if you can learn it! If you can, it might mean that the Uchiha n could finally free itself from its curse." Seeing Shisui''s calm but determined expression, Shichi nodded. "We can give it a try, though it might take some time." Shisui chuckled, "ording to you, we''re still young, aren''t we?" Shichi burst outughing. "True! I''m not even 14 yet!" With the power of the Prodigy Tag at his fingertips, he wasn''t afraid of failing to learn anything. What mattered was whether the opportunity was right in front of him. He dared to study tailed beasts, so why not the Sharingan too? From that day forward, Shichi added another subject to his training and studies. Even so, the Sharingan wasn''t his top priority. Based on what he had discovered, the Sharingan was still far less useful than Yang Release or Wood Release. So, apart from working on developing his high-powered constructs, Shichi''s main focus remained on researching Hashirama''s cells and Asuka''s cells. The development of other techniques would be handled by his shadow clones. ... As the year-end approached, Shichi received a summons from Sarutobi Shinnosuke and made his way to the Hokage''s office. After exchanging greetings, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Shichi, we''vee to an agreement with Iwagakure. In January, they''ll send envoys to Konoha to reim the Four-Tails." "Also, I''ve reached an agreement with Sunagakure to return the One-Tail to them in February." "So, be prepared." Shichi wasn''t surprised. This arrangement fit perfectly with Hiruzen''s character, so he nodded and replied, "Understood. I''ll make sure the vige keeps its word." Better to let someone else take the me, after all. Then, he added, "Lord Third, for the security of the tailed beasts, I''ll personally escort them back to avoid any unexpected incidents that could cause misunderstandings." Hiruzen nodded. "That''s a thoughtful approach. In that case, you''ll lead the team that will escort the envoy out of the vige." After discussing this, Hiruzen asked, "How is the tailed beast experiment progressing?" Shichi smiled. "The requirements for the ninja involved are high, but so far, it''s progressing smoothly." "I''m ready to proceed with the final stage for Kakashi right after the New Year, though how much he can control depends on him." "As for Asuma, it''s been concluded that he''s unsuitable due to his strong resistance to the tailed beast chakra." "Surprisingly, Asuma seems to be doing well. With his mental strength, he should be able to suppress the tailed beast''s malice, although how much power he''ll harness depends on his constitution." Hiruzen nodded and asked, "What about the Three-Tails?" Shichi considered. "We still need to release half of the Three-Tails." "And my suggestion is to exile the Three-Tails and let Kirigakure be informed." Hiruzen picked up on the strategy immediately. "Is this to draw out Obito?" Shichi nodded. "Yes, that''s part of it." "The previous n with Rin''s faked death has ws from Madara Uchiha''s perspective, but if the tailed beast reappears in the wild, it would imply that the Jinchriki died." "I survived the extraction thanks to the Nine-Tails chakra I received from Kushina-sanor even due to portions of other tailed beast chakra, preserved through seals to keep me alive." "By releasing some hints, we can keep my ability to separate tailed beast chakra a secret for now." "If Rin is truly considered dead, Obito might retain some value to Madara, sparing him from being killed for his eyes." "That could give me a chance to bring him back." Hiruzen nodded. "Then let''s proceed with that n." He had always seen potential in Obito. If he could bring back an Uchiha like Obito, who would reject Madara and embody the true Will of Fire, then with both Shisui and Obito, the Uchiha n would no longer be a threat. .... After leaving the Hokage Tower, Shichi went directly to the research facility to find Tsunade. "Tsunade, how''s Rin doing?" Shichi asked. Since Tsunade had recovered from her hemophobia, she had taken over Rin Nohara''s treatment. Besides the initial treatments, they were now using a blend of Rin''s cells and White Zetsu cells, along with the chakra from the Three-Tails. This approach not only elerated Rin''s recovery but also prevented any potential aftereffects. Without looking up, Tsunade responded, "The progress is good. Why?" Shichi exined, "I''m nning to divide the Three-Tails and release half of it." Tsunade paused and turned to him, "Is that so?" "So, are you waiting for Rin''s recovery before you divide it?" Shichi thought it over, "Not necessarily." "I''ll first see if I can get the Three-Tails to cooperate." Then, with a smile, he invited her, "Tsunade, let''s have a meal together for New Year''s and stay upte to celebrate!" Tsunade turned away with a shrug. "If Shizune has no objections, I''m fine with it. Just don''t make it a hassle." Shichi immediately agreed, "Then it''s settled." ... Leaving there, Shichi went to the resting area, sat down, and closed his eyes as his spiritual form appeared within the Eight Trigrams Seal. "Shukaku, Son Gokuyou''re both aware of what''s happening, right?" Shichi asked. Shukaku yawned indifferently, looking unconcerned. Kurama gave him a cold stare, while the Four-Tails responded, "You want us to cooperate with you?" "To be honest, you haven''t exactly been friendly to us!" Shichi chuckled, "That''s because I never intended to be a Jinchriki." "So I have no need to appease you." "But you also have to admitI don''t see you as monsters; I speak to you as I would to anyone else." "To me, you''re intelligent beings, just like me, only with a different form." "Isn''t that the fairest and most respectful way to treat you?" "If you''re willing to open up, to connect minds through chakra, we could even be friends and understand each other." Yin Kurama suddenly interjected, "But you consumed our flesh and blood!" "Humans don''t consume the flesh and blood of their own kind." Shichi gave Yin Kurama a look, as if addressing a simpleton. "I regard you as equals, but I don''t consider you my kin." He then performed a transformation jutsu, turning into a Nine-Tails, and asked, "Kurama, would you consider me one of your kind?" "You''ve eaten humans before, haven''t you?" "When enemies sh, it''s perfectly normal to kill each other in the Shinobi World." Returning to his human form, Shichi continued, "Friendship isn''t one-sidedit has to go both ways." "My being here isn''t to convince you by any means." "Whether or not you choose to cooperate, I''m still going to split you apart to prepare for the Ten-Tails." "You''ve seen the Rinnegan before, and you likely understand its true power better than I do." "And the Ten-Tails... I don''t yet know exactly what it is, but I assume that when it arrives, you''ll all lose your individual consciousness." The three Tailed Beasts fell silent. Even a proud creature like the Nine-Tails couldn''t deny the terrifying power of the Rinnegan. Forget the Rinneganeven Madara Uchiha''s Mangeky Sharingan was enough to overpower them. After a moment, Yin Kurama sneered, "What''s in it for us if we cooperate with you?" "You think you can resist the Rinnegan?" "Even with only half of yourself, the Ten-Tails isn''t something you can handle." Shichi calmly replied, "If you don''t try, you''re certain to vanish. Cooperation gives you a sliver of hope." "No one else in the Shinobi World is more suited to this than me right now." "Our alliance is built on mutual benefita win-win!" "If you need some kind of assurance, or for me to make a promise..." After a pause, Shichi dered, "Once the Ten-Tails is dealt with, I''ll let you decide whether to stay or go. How about that?" Yin Kurama sneered, "Kid, we''re not that easy to fool!" "If all our chakra is extracted, you''ll die, you know!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 194: Cooperation with the Tailed Beasts, and Obito Wakes Up!

Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Cooperation with the Tailed Beasts, and Obito Wakes Up! [Bonus Chapter]

"You stupid fox!" Shukaku seized the opportunity to taunt gleefully, "This guy has obtained the abilities of the Eight-Tails. Even if he hadn''t, as long as he captures that dumb bull and splits it in two, there''d be no issue." Yin Kurama growled in embarrassment, "Shut up, you smelly tanuki!" Shichi chuckled as he watched. "Shukaku''s right. Most people would die if a tailed beast were extracted, but I won''t." "Even if half of you ends up inside someone else, my promise still stands." Yin Kurama pressed, "But what if you die? I don''t believe you can beat the Ten-Tails!" Shichi sighed at Kurama, "It seems, Kurama, that you don''t understand my potential." "I''m not even 14 yet!" "I''m about to learn Ma Release from Shukaku, I''ve mastered Lava Release from Son Goku, and I''ve acquired the Eight-Tails'' technique to shed tail as a substitute." "Not to mention I''ve mastered Scorch Release... and even Wood Release is only a matter of time for me." "Oh, and I''ve already mastered Sage Mode too." "Honestly, I wonderat my age, how did the Sage of Six Pathspare?" Thatst line sounded rather arrogant. But Yin Kurama fell silent. Son Gokumented, "It''s easy to forget how young you are." "As for the Sage of Six Paths at thirteen... we wouldn''t know. We were created after that." Shichi feigned amazement, "The power of the Rinnegan, I suppose. Truly impressive!" Then, he shifted his tone. "However, anyone capable of creating you could also destroy you and break your supposed immortality." The three tailed beasts didn''t look pleased. Before the Rinnegan''s appearance, even being sealed wasn''t a big deal to them. But the Rinnegan, along with the Ten-Tails, posed a genuine existential threat. "Alright, I''ll cooperate with you," Shukaku finally agreed, though he added, "But if my next Jinchriki from the Sand Vige doesn''t earn my respect, I won''t be so amodating." Son Goku chimed in, "Shukaku is right. The quality of Jinchriki varies." "That guy Roshi was hardly anything special." "Besides, most Jinchriki approach us with mistrust." Shichi chuckled and reassured them, "That''s perfectly natural." "Your power would make anyone cautious." "Even among humans, friendships aren''t a given, and people still guard against each other." "From the looks of things, the Sand and Stone Viges might choose young Jinchriki. Haven''t you thought about influencing and mentoring them?" "Your long lives have probably never seen anything like that. Could be interesting, no?" The three tailed beasts froze in surprise. Mentoring? It... actually sounded kind of intriguing? But then Shukakuined, "That sounds like a lot of work, though." "Even if they''re young, Jinchriki rarely trust us." Shichi replied, "Of course, it''s not simple." "But Jinchriki are isted by the power they hold, often feared and distanced by others." "And with you inside them, you''d naturally be closer to them." "All you need to do is hide your fierce side and treat them as your own... well, like a pet, maybe." "Teach them the right principles, train them in jutsu, let them grow under your guidance." "Just imaginewhen Jinchriki of different tailed beasts gather someday, you''ll feel a real sense of aplishment!" Shukaku and Son Goku exchanged nces. It did... sound kind of fun. It seemed like a hassle, but with time to spare, raising a Jinchriki to act ording to their wishes and deal with those who despised them... didn''t sound so bad. Then Shichi warned, "But don''t let your malevolence influence them." "Otherwise, I''ll take back my promise." Yin Kurama sneered, "Hey, smelly tanuki, dead monkey, you''re not really going along with him, are you?" "He''s just using you to train humans for their ninja." Shichi shot back, "Kurama, you''re mistaken." "It should be mutual growth!" Shukaku immediately taunted, "This fox is only salty because he never got the chance! Both his Jinchriki have been able to suppress him!" Yin Kurama exploded, "Smelly tanuki, if it wasn''t for that idiot woman''s link to Namikaze Minato, I''d have crushed her ages ago!" And he conveniently ignored Shichi. Watching Yin Kurama fuming, Shichi said, "Kurama, if you want, I can find a young Jinchriki for you as well. That way, you can teach and guide him as you like." Yin Kurama scoffed, "Like I''d fall for that!" Shichi ignored him and instead turned to Shukaku and Son Goku. "Prepare yourselves for separation." "And if you can learn jutsu, I''ll even teach you the Eight-Tails'' tail-shedding technique. This way, if your chakra is extracted, you might still keep your Jinchriki alive." "I''ll also ce Flying Thunder God markers on you." Shukaku and Son Goku both nodded in agreement. Before leaving, Shichi asked, "Shukaku, you can control your sand body, right?" Shukaku bristled defensively, "You''re not nning on eating my flesh, are you?" Shichi admitted, "I am." "With my unique physique, I''m curious if gathering the power of all nine tailed beasts without being a Jinchriki could counter the Ten-Tails." Yin Kurama interjected, "Don''t kid yourselfit''s impossible." "Ourbined power is still far inferior to the Ten-Tails." "You''d only have fragments of our power, so it''s even more futile." Shichi chuckled, "Same as always: until you try, you can''t know if it''s possible." "You only find out by doing it." "Just like the Nine Tails, your strength should theoretically be the greatest based on the number of tails." Before he could finish, Shukaku interjected, "Power is one thing, strength is another." "This fox dares to call himself the strongest?" Yin Kurama red at Shukaku, "Even with half my power, I could still beat you, you smelly tanuki!" Shukaku perked upzily, "Why don''t we test that right now?" Yin Kurama immediately shouted at Shichi, "Hey, lift the seal! I''ll show this big-mouthed tanuki his ce!" Shichi chuckled, shaking his head, and said, "I''ll leave a clone to teach you jutsu. I hope you pick it up." "Oh, and help me persuade the Three-Tails too." Four-Tails nced at the quarreling Nine-Tails and One-Tail, then said, "We''ll try, but we can''t guarantee the others will listen." Shichi wasn''t bothered. "Do your best." For him, cooperation from the tailed beasts was ideala bonus, really. But if they didn''t cooperate, it wouldn''t hinder his ns; he''d still use their power... or even consume their flesh. Except Shukaku''s, of course! That guy''s sand body would just turn into sand once separated from his main form. ... After establishing a preliminary cooperation with the One-Tail and Four-Tail, Shichi promptly went to Rin Nohara''s hospital room, giving the Tailed Beasts a chance to connect. The Three-Tails was surprisingly cooperative, agreeing without hesitation. After all, cooperating with Shichi didn''t really harm the Tailed Beasts; and if they didn''t work with him, the current situation wouldn''t improve anyway. Seeing the Three-Tails agree, Shichi divided the beast into two halves: he absorbed the Yin Three-Tails into himself, while leaving the Yang Three-Tails with Rin. Then he arranged for the Three-Tails to interact with Rin. Shichi was confident that with Rin''s gentle nature, she would soon earn the approval of the Yang Three-Tails. In the meantime, this also presented Rin with an opportunity to learn some water-based techniques from the Three-Tails. --- After splitting the Three-Tails, Shichi used the Flying Thunder God technique to leave Konoha, heading south. During his earlier battles with Kirigakure, he had strategically left several Flying Thunder God kunai and markers across the southern part of the Land of Fire. Now, he could easily teleport there. The war between Konoha and Kirigakure wasn''t over yet. Althoughrge-scale battles had ceased, smaller skirmishes still broke out along the borders. Shichi, having reached the penins, soon sensed a Kirigakure squad nearby. Not far from them, he found a sizableke. Standing by the shore, he lifted the seal, releasing the Yin Three-Tails. "Isobu, endure it for a bit; this might hurt," Shichi cautioned. The Yin Three-Tails nodded. "Understood." With that, Shichi leapt into the air, drew his Totsuka de, and shed down, cutting off a portion of the Three-Tails'' tail. Despite being prepared, the Three-Tails let out a howl of pain. Impressive acting! Shichi thought to himself,nding beside the Three-Tails and sealing the severed tail in a scroll. He then tended to the wound on the Three-Tails'' tail, though he knew it would heal quickly given its regenerative abilities. After marking the Three-Tails with his Flying Thunder God seal, Shichi informed it, "The Kirigakure shinobi areing. I''ll take my leave." The Three-Tails replied, "If I do end up under the Rinnegan''s control, I trust you''ll keep your promise." Shichi nodded seriously. "Of course." "If I don''t survive the fight against the Ten-Tails, I''ll pass the responsibility on to the next generation." With that, Shichi vanished, and the Three-Tails submerged itself in theke. Not long after, the Kirigakure squad arrived, investigating the area and spotting the Three-Tails. "Spring, report to the Mizukage immediately! We''ve found the Three-Tails!" the Kirigakure team leader instructed, struggling to contain his excitement. --- Back in Konoha, Shichi began processing the tail he had retrieved from the Three-Tails. He first preserved a sample for research. Then, he sliced off scales, added seasonings, and cut thin slices. Sashimiit''s actually pretty good! His body warmed as the Three-Tails'' chakra coursed through him, causing a chakra tail to materialize behind him. But Shichi wasn''t focused on chakra quantity; he was interested in enhancing his physical constitution. This was his real goal. "Stronger than the Four-Tails. I wonder how itpares to the Five-Tails?" He smiled, realizing that if he could consume all nine Tailed Beasts, his own base power might soon rival that of the Nine-Tails. Training and research continued as nned. Meanwhile, three dayster, Yagura arrived with a team to capture and seal the Three-Tails. In the surrounding forest by theke, White Zetsu and Tobi watched from hiding. Observing Kirigakure''s efforts to capture the Three-Tails, Tobi remarked with a grin, "So, the Three-Tails ended up here. Looks like Rin Nohara, the Jinchriki, must have died after all!" "What a surprise." "But it''s actually good news for us. If the Three-Tails were in Konoha, capturing it would have been much more difficult." "And that Uchiha brat, Obitohe''ll definitely react when he hears about this, right?" Sinking into the ground, White Zetsu quickly returned to meet ck Zetsu in the Land of Rain. After sharing the news, ck Zetsu remarked, "They must have tried using Hashirama''s cells to save Rin back then." White Zetsu replied, "Even our cells aren''t easily tolerated by most. It seems Shichi didn''t realize that the Sharingan can suppress the power of Hashirama''s cells." White Zetsu Tobi added with a chuckle, "If he had done that, he wouldn''t be much different from Danzo." But ck Zetsu dismissed this, focusing on the positive, "Either way, this benefits us." Tobi wondered, "So, when Obito hears this news, will he join us to fulfill the Eye of the Moon n?" ck Zetsu cautioned, "It''s not that simple." "Still, for the time being, he might serve as a useful pawn." White Zetsu suggested, "Then let''s let him wake up and see how he reacts." Having suppressed Obito''s consciousness until now, they eased their control, allowing him to wake. "What are you all trying to do?" Obito demanded, filled with rage. White Zetsu replied, "Sorry, Obito, but you know too much. We couldn''t just let you return to Konoha." "But we have some unfortunate news." "Rin Nohara really did die this time!" Obito scoffed, "I''m not falling for your tricks again!" ck Zetsu exined, "The girl had the Three-Tails sealed inside her by Kirigakure. That''s why she chose to die by your hand." "But Shichi Hoshita tried to save her. At first, it seemed to seed, but the Three-Tails has resurfaced, meaning the Jinchriki is dead." "A Tailed Beast only returns to the natural world upon the death of its Jinchriki." Tobi added, "Based on our assessment, Shichi must have used Hashirama''s cells to save Rin." "Only a Sharingan wielder can harness Hashirama''s cells, which is why you, Obito, were able to suppress and wield their power." "Clearly, Konoha didn''t know to use the Sharingan as a suppressant." Obito clenched his fists. "Shichi didn''t know the Sharingan could suppress Hashirama''s cells." ck Zetsu corrected him, "Actually, Konoha was aware. Danzo imnted both Hashirama''s cells and Sharingan in himself, ughtering countless of your kin to do so." "And it was Shichi who reported this to the Third Hokage." "Danzo waster killed by Shichi. If you don''t believe me, we can show you his corpse, still bearing the Sharingan scars." Obito''s anger and grief surged. "Even so, Shichi didn''t sacrifice anyone to save Rin; there''s no me there." Zetsu Tobi mocked, "So noble of you, Obito. Madara must have misjudged you." "However, we regret to inform you..." "Danzo didn''t just have one Sharingan. Even if Konoha took only one, it would have been enough to save Rin." Obito froze. Tobi grinned, pressing further, "So, Obito, what''s your choice?" "Are you still thinking of returning to Konoha?" "We won''t stop you. After all, Madara promised as much, and even though he''s gone, we''ll honor his word." "Of course, we''d also wee you to join us in creating a great new world!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 | 2 Chaps/Day Upload Rate | ??? Chapter 195: Electric Fields and Magnetic Fields!

Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Electric Fields and Maic Fields!

"Finally finished?" In his study, Shichi paused as he sorted through his jutsu notes, a smile spreading across his face. His Shadow Clone''s feedback signaled that he had finally mastered Ma Release. And that wasn''t all. With the New Year approaching, it was a double victory. Another Shadow Clone had just mastered the Electric Field. In other words, he could now use Lightning Release to create a stable electric field reliably. His next step would be developing new jutsu based on this electric field. Of course, even just controlling an electric field was rated as an A-level difficulty in his Tag System. The strength of the electric field force depended on the amount of chakra output and the specific nature of the Lightning Release. The electric field itself is a vector, with both direction and magnitude. Releasing an electric field has abined offensive and defensive capability, simr to the Chidori Current. However, the electric field''s range is broader and moreprehensive, with no blind spots whatsoever. On the offensive side, the range was equally impressive; any enemy entering the field would be struck by a high-voltage current. "Now, aside from my Fire Nether Chains, I''ve mastered three Kekkei Genkai: Lava Release, Scorch Release, and Ma Release. Just two more to go." Setting aside his notes, Shichi headed to a clearing outside the Forest of Death. This open space was perfect for testing jutsu. Of course, Shichi wasn''t here to test a jutsu but to explore his control over electric and maic fields. Mastering Ma Release didn''t automatically mean mastering maic fields. The Ma Release he learned from Shukaku merely involved maizing chakra. The Third Kazekage used it to control iron sand, while the Fourth Kazekage now focused on controlling gold dust. Additionally, a Ma Release user in the Cloud Vige could maize weapons or enemies, making projectiles auto-track their target using maic attraction. So, whether it was the Third or Fourth Kazekage or the Cloud Vige Ma Release user, they only controlled the basic maism. This limitation was why they couldn''t manipte enemy weapons. Now, Shichi''s Ma Release was more advanced than the Third and Fourth Kazekage, but he still hadn''t reached full maic field control. However, thanks to his Listening Technique, he could sense maic fields very clearly. If he hadn''t mastered the electric field, Shichi would have needed to gradually use Ma Release to control the maic field step by step. Just like he did when controlling the electric field with Lightning Release. Yet, electric and maic fields are intimately linked. Since Shichi had already taken the initial steps to master electric fields, he believed he could pursue both fields simultaneously, allowing one toplement the other. After all, electric and maic fields are simply different manifestations of the same phenomenon: a moving electric field generates a maic field, and a changing maic field creates an electric field. Together, they form a unified electromaic field. Standing in the clearing, Shichi sped his hands together. In the next instant, electric currents surged outward from his body, enveloping him in a state reminiscent of the Lightning Chakra Mode. But unlike that technique, arcs of electricity wrapped around him, and the orderly movement of electric charges created a vortex-like electric field around him. As he manipted the charge movements, adjusting the electric currents, the electric field shifted ordingly. This transformation or movement led to the appearance of a maic field. Shichi could now distinctly sense the maic field''s existence. Then he activated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode, enhancing his control over the electric field and the Ma Release he had just mastered. Now, Shichi attempted to simultaneously control the electric field and maic forces, aiming to manipte the resulting maic field and merge the two. This fusion meant uniting the properties of Lightning Release and Ma Release to form an electromaic property transformation. But it was far from simple. Not only did he fail to unify the electric and maic fields, but the two powers spiraled out of control, distorting the air, light, and even space around him. Explosive sts echoed out, waves of energy surged in all directions, and terrifying high-voltage currents scorched the ground to ash wherever they touched. Splurt! Shichi coughed up blood. He had sustained internal injuries. It felt like an overwhelming, chaotic force had nearly torn him apart. Thankfully, his quick reflexes and the protection of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode prevented the worst. The Mitotic Regeneration kicked in, swiftly healing his internal injuries. Shichi sighed to himself, "As expected, it''s not that simple." "Electromaic force is the second strongest of the four fundamental forces. Uniting electric and maic fields is far harder than I imagined." "It seems I need to further improve my control over electric fields and Ma Release... Ideally, I should master the maic field using Ma Release alone before attempting a full unification." Better to leave this to Shadow Clones. Testing this in person is far too dangerous! Even with just that brief attempt, Shichi had sensed the terrifying power of the electromaic force. This also reminded him of the Rinnegan''s Universal Pull. It likely harnessed gravitational force. And then there''sary Devastation, which also seems to involve gravitational maniption. Meanwhile, Almighty Push seemed more like a repulsive force. ... Leaving two Shadow Clones to further explore and improve their mastery of the electric and maic fields, Shichi returned to his study. He still had to prepare for his uing "sh of Insight." There were only two days left until the end of Konoha Year 46. Organizing his notes, reviewing his nshe was so absorbed that time flew by, and soon, evening had arrived. The aroma of food drifted in from outside. Stretching as he rose, Shichi left the study and spotted Asuka busily preparing dinner. As soon as she saw him, Asuka beamed. "Shichi, wash up and get ready for dinner!" Washing his hands, Shichi called out, "Where''s the Director?" Asuka replied, "Non is still at the hospital and won''t be back for dinner. I''ll bring her a bentoter, and one for Shizune too." "Oh, and Shichi, you can take Tsunade''s portion to theb base, okay?" Tsunade had developed quite a habit of freeloading at Shichi''s ce. "Alright." After washing his hands, Shichi joined Asuka in the kitchen, watching her as she bustled about, feeling his heart stir. Asuka had be more and more graceful. "me it all on Pakura... she''s the one who got to enjoy this first..." Shichi thought, silently shifting the responsibility. Asuka sensed his intense gaze and turned around, blinking. "Shichi, you..." Shichi moved behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder with a soft chuckle. "Asuka, will you stay with me forever?" Blushing, Asuka replied gently yet firmly, "Of course." Shichi caressed her lower abdomen, murmuring, "And will you be mine someday?" Asuka stammered slightly, "W-Well, Shichi, you shouldn''t be thinking about... that kind of thing right now; it could affect your health." Shichi burst outughing. "Oh, Asuka, it seems you''re the one with your mind in the gutter! I didn''t say anything like that." Asuka''s face turned scarlet, her body softening in his arms with embarrassment. Suddenly, she turned around, stood on tiptoe, and quickly pecked him on the lips. Flushing, she whispered, "Let''s wait until your birthday, okay?" With their foreheads gently pressed together, Shichi smiled warmly. "Then give me a very special gift for my birthday. What do you say?" Asuka asked, "What kind of gift?" He whispered, "How about a child?" Her eyes sparkled, and she nodded, her face bright red. "Okay." "Oh no, the soup is boiling over!" Asuka quickly left his embrace to check the soup, flustered and bustling once again, while Shichi watched her with a deep sense of contentment. Anyone who dared disrupt this would have to go through him first! --- After a cozy dinner, Shichi and Asuka delivered bento boxes to the hospital and then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring Tsunade''s portion to theb. As soon as he entered, Tsunade turned with a scowl. "Hey, you''re way too slow! I''m starving over here!" Shichi nced at Tsunade''s well-stocked food supply and couldn''t help feeling it was a bit wasteful. However, he replied with a helpless smile, "You know, Tsunade, it''s not like you''re so busy that you can''te over to eat." Snatching the bento, Tsunade retorted confidently, "If someone''s bringing it to me, why waste time?" Shichi sighed. "It''s Shizune''s fault for spoiling you!" Already devouring her meal, Tsunade muttered through bites, "Stop being so stingy. Besides, Shizune isn''t an adult yet, so don''t hog her all to yourself." Shichi''s eyes widened in protest. "Hey, that''s totally unfair! You''re the one always keeping Shizune from me! Otherwise, we''d be living together by now." Tsunade nced at him sternly. "It''s for your own good." "Non and Asuka spoil you way too much." Shichi huffed, "You can still interfere for now, but when we''re adults, you''ll be all alone." "No one will be there to cook, clean, or bring you food." Tsunade paused, considering this seriously. "In that case, I''ll just keep Shizune with me. After all, you already have Asuka." Shichi shot her a sly smile and, eyeing her food supplies, replied, "Well, I have a win-win solution for that. Why don''t you marry me, too? I don''t mind your age." Tsunade froze, and then an angry roar filled theb. "Go to hell, you brat!" Too bad for her, with his Flying Thunder God Technique, Shichi was already out of range. "That little pest! Just like Jiraiya, always causing trouble!" Tsunade fumed, looking down at her clenched fist. She looked at her supplies, grumbling, "As if I didn''t notice where his eyes were wandering." "Hmph, I''ll make sure Shizune sees his true colors." Tsunade was determined to teach him a lessonhe was getting far too cheeky. ... After escaping from Tsunade, Shichi didn''t go home; instead, he went straight to the research base at the Daimy''s residence. Pakura happened to be eating there as well. Looking at her meala nd, watery brothShichi remarked disapprovingly, "This is way too low in nutrition." "How abouting back to Konoha with me the day after tomorrow?" Pakura looked up, surprised. "Lord Shichi, wouldn''t that be inappropriate?" Shichi teased, "Afraid of getting caught sneaking a treat?" Normallyposed, Pakura''s face flushed with embarrassment. "That''s not what I meant," she murmured, slightly annoyed. Dropping the teasing tone, Shichi reassured her, "Don''t worry, no one will mind." "It must be lonely for you here by yourself." "Alright, it''s settled. I''m your Lord Shichi, after all; you have to listen to me." With a resigned nod, Pakura couldn''t help but feel a warm happiness spreading within her. At that moment, she felt herself being lifted off the groundShichi had picked her up. "Time to give you some ''nutritional'' support." Instinctively, Pakura wrapped her arms around his neck, confused. "What kind of nutrition?" In a sh, Shichi carried her to the bedroom, where he skillfully began employing his familiar secret techniques. The relentless onught left Pakura utterly defenseless. With a shift in position, Shichi loosened her hair and initiated a newly developed technique, causing a cascade of sensations that reverberated through her entire body. A long whileter. Completely drained, Pakuray limply to the side. Meanwhile, Shichi, in a rare state of serene rity, decided it was time to activate his "sh of Insight." The Strength of a Hundred Seal, activate! Processing speedmaximum! Focusmaximum! sh of Insight, activate! Knowledge began to converge in Shichi''s mind as he attempted to innovate with his unparalleled, short-term insight. Time passed minute by minute. Six minutester, Pakura had recovered and noticed Shichi deep in thought. She didn''t disturb him but found herself gently touching her abdomen. Content. It''s said that people absorbed in their work, whether men or women, possess a unique allure. Watching Shichi''s profile, Pakura felt herself growing captivated. But ten minutes was all too brief. Even for Shichi, with his heightened mental agility, it was nowhere near enough. Especially with each problem requiring increasingly intricate insights; even a year''s preparation sometimes wouldn''t suffice. "Ah..." As the "sh of Insight" came to an end, Shichi sighed and opened his eyes. Though he had made some progress, it still fell short of his expectations. Pakura, brought out of her daze by his sigh, quickly sat up. "Lord Shichi, is something wrong?" "While my Yang Release has advanced, I still need a few more elements to fully harmonize it with Asuka''s unique bloodline." Slightly unsatisfied, Shichi then broke into a smile. "But I''ve made significant progress on the Star Seal. Not only does it now enhance Wind Release, but it also provides self-healing capabilities without requiring any hand signs when activated." He turned to Pakura, now serious. "Pakura, let''s start by adjusting your seal." "Yes, Lord Shichi," Pakura responded instinctively. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 196: Capture the Four-Tails!

Chapter 196: Chapter 196: Capture the Four-Tails!

An hour and a halfter, Shichi finished upgrading Pakura''s curse seal. Pakura, after a hearty, nutritious meal, looked at Shichi with an odd expression. For someone so young, just where did he learn all these secret techniques? After freshening up, Shichi looked at the radiant Pakura and suggested, "Let''s go back to Konoha right now!" Pakura hesitated. "Lord Shichi, isn''t it a bit rushed?" Shichi reached out and pinched her cheek, "I''ve already spoken to the Director and the others about itthey''re very weing." Without giving her a chance to protest further, Shichi left a shadow clone behind and whisked Pakura away from the research base. Konoha Vige. Once they arrived back at his house, Shichi immediately created a shadow clone to report their return to Sarutobi Shinnosuke. It was nearly ten o''clock by then. Not long after they returned, Yakushi Non and Asuka also arrived together. They were momentarily surprised to see Pakura but then smiled and greeted her. "Pakura, I presume? I''m Yakushi Non." Asuka waved and smiled, "Pakura, it''s been a while." Seeing their warmth, Pakura felt a sense of relief. She quickly bowed in greeting. "Non-senpai, I am Pakura!" Non stepped forward with a kind smile, "No need to call me ''senpai.'' Like Asuka, you can call me Non, or just Director, like Shichi does." Pakura replied quickly, "Okay, ...Non." She knew how highly Shichi regarded Non, so she treated her with deep respect. As Asuka was already acquainted with Pakura, she sensed her shyness and quickly led her to her room, saying, "You''ll be sharing a room with me tonight. I hope you don''t mind." Pakura nced at Shichi, then let herself be led away. "Not at all, thank you." As the two entered the room, Non came over to Shichi with a slightly helpless smile. "Will Shizune be alright with this?" Though Non herself was inexperienced, she was perceptive enough to see the dynamics. Shichi shamelessly held Non''s arm, "As long as you''re okay with it, Director." Non shook her head, speaking softly, "I don''t mind, but..." Shichi quickly reassured her, "Don''t worry, Director. Shizune is fine with it." Non sighed, "I really can''t do anything with you." Shichiughed, "Who could resist my charm?" "I''m aiming to establish a great n; having only Shizune and Asuka isn''t enough!" Non gave him a reproachful look, "If Lady Tsunade finds out, she''ll definitelye after you." Shichi winked, "Tsunade can''t beat me anymore." Non shook her head with a wry smile and cautioned, "Shichi, you shouldn''t overindulge. Even though you''re already very strong, you''re still young." Shichi nodded sincerely, almost as if swearing an oath. After everyone had finished washing up, Shichi also upgraded the curse seals on Non and Asuka. He made sure his people always received the best. The Next Day. In the morning, Shichi headed to the Konoha Hospital to upgrade Shizune''s curse seal, then made his way to the research base. Tsunade still looked irritated, but Shichi quickly distracted her with his recent findings from the day before. "It seems that the intensity of chakra nature transformations is also linked to chakra reserves." After testing it out, Tsunade frowned, "I feel like I''ve hit my limit; there''s no way to advance further." Shichi hesitated before offering, "There is a way to significantly boost your chakra reserves and even gain strong Yang Release abilities." Tsunade pondered for a moment, "I''ll consider it." Not pressing further, Shichi changed the topic, "Let''s update your curse seal." "I made some improvements yesterdaynow, when the seal is activated, it can heal without hand signs, and the effect is even stronger than before." "It also enhances Wind Release abilities." With that, Shichi moved behind Tsunade and grasped her ponytail. "Enhancing Wind Release doesn''t benefit me much," Tsunademented but didn''t resist. Typical stubbornness! After upgrading her seal, Shichi went off to continue his own work. Time passed quickly, and soon, thest day of Konoha Year 46 arrived, with the New Year just around the corner. That evening, Shichi''s house was bustling like never before. In attendance were Yakushi Non, Asuka, Pakura, Shizune, Tsunade, and Miss Tenka, who had unexpectedly dropped by and refused to leave. However, with so many people around, there were also some challenges; Shichi found himself running errands for thedies, practically ying the role of an attendant. Especially Tsunade, who seemed to be intentionally giving him a hard time, hoping to exhaust him. Luckily, he had shadow clones to help, preventing Tsunade from fully seeding. Meanwhile... At the cemetery, a cloaked figure appeared in front of Rin Nohara''s false grave. Possessed by ck Zetsu and White Zetsu, Obito Uchiha looked utterly deste. After standing in silence for a long while, Obito spoke hoarsely, "I''ll join you." White Zetsu responded immediately, "Now that''s the right choice." ck Zetsu''s deep voice added, "This twisted world, gued by endless warseven if Rin hadn''t died and you two married, would you want your children sent to the battlefield at seven or eight?" "Ninjas are a cursed existence!" "If we don''t create a new world, tragedy will persist. You''re neither the first nor the only one, Obito." Obito replied quietly, "I know." "That''s why I''ll work with you." --- At the research base, by Rin Nohara''s bedside, Kakashi was holding her hand, linking their minds through chakra. However, this wasn''t a private momentIsobu, the Yang Three-Tails, was also present. Watching Kakashi, who had already mastered Water Release nature transformation, and a visibly awkward and apologetic Rin, Isobu could only sigh, turning away. "Let this kid teach you; I''ll go take a nap." Feeling embarrassed, Rin quickly bowed, "Thank you, Isobu." The Yang Three-Tails waved its tail before vanishing. Rin turned back to Kakashi, smiling, "Let''s continue, Kakashi!" Kakashi nodded, letting Rin hold his hand. In the mindscape, after opening their hearts, no thoughts could remain hidden. "Kakashi, once I''m fully recovered, let''s find Obito together!" Rin looked at Kakashi with wide eyes, allowing no avoidance. "He''ll bless us!" Meeting her gaze, Kakashi gripped her hand firmly and nodded, "Alright!" ... Shichi had no idea Kakashi was already falling for Rin Nohara''s charms. Meanwhile, he was enjoying his time surrounded by two beauties, Shizune on his left and Asuka on his right, the picture of envy. Around nine o''clock, they finally headed back home. Tsunade, struck by a sudden urge to y, suggested a card game to wee the New Year, so Shichi quickly introduced a new gameKonoha''s version of Fight the Landlord! Seven yers took turns, with a twist: losers didn''t have to pay but instead had to stick notes on their faces. Within an hour, Tsunade was down to just her two visible eyes. Shichi felt a hint of regretit would''ve been more fun if he could have upped the stakes to clothes. The night passed in joyful chaos, and Konoha''s 47th year arrived. Shichi''s yearly routine began as usual. He spent three days at the orphanage with Non Yakushi, Asuka, and Pakura, followed by visits to the homes of Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Might Duy, and other respected figures. As New Year''s festivities gradually faded, Shichi resumed his training and research. Then, one day, he received an urgent notification from Sarutobi Shinnosuke: it was time to separate the Four-Tails! The Anbu had prepared a containment vessel, arge wooden tub covered in intricate sealing symbols, at the former Root base. Shichi nced at it and shook his head. "We won''t be needing this," he announced. The Sealing Team members looked at him in confusion. Shichi chuckled, "I''ve be friends with the Four-Tails. No seal required." One team member swallowed hard. "Lord Shichi... you''re not joking, are you?" "Of course not," he replied and then proceeded to extract the Yin aspect of the Four-Tails from his Eight Trigrams Seal. As the enormous form of the Four-Tails emerged, the Sealing Team members stood frozen in awe. The Yin Four-Tails lowered its gaze at the anxious shinobi below, then nodded toward Shichi. "Some of the things you said made sense," it muttered. Shichi grinned. "Stay here for a few days, and when Iwa''s team arrives, we''ll ce you in the container for transport. I''ll personally escort you back to Iwagakure to prevent any ambushes along the way." The Four-Tails agreed, and after Shichi marked it with a Flying Thunder God seal, he dismissed the Sealing Team, who quickly retreated. On January 16th, Konoha''s representatives weed the Iwa delegation, led by noki''s son, the burly young Kitsuchi. As Shichi observed the towering, decidedly unattractive man, he couldn''t help but wonder how Kitsuchi could possibly father the elegant Kurotsuchi one day. Perhaps her mother had remarkable genes. Once discussions between Kitsuchi and Minato concluded, Shichi chimed in, "After the Four-Tails handoff, I''ll personally escort your group back to Iwagakure." Iwa Jonin Sumashi replied, "There''s no need, my lord. We''re fully prepared to handle this ourselves." Kitsuchi nodded in agreement, albeit politely. "We appreciate the offer, but we''vee prepared." Shichi shook his head. "It''s in your best interest. I''ll let you in on somethingMadara Uchiha, the so-called Demon of the Ninja World, has reappeared." The Iwa shinobi stared in shock. After a long pause, Kitsuchi stammered, "You''re... you''re serious? Madara... he should be long dead by now, shouldn''t he? And at his age" Shichi fixed his gaze on Kitsuchi. "It''s hard to believe, but as noki''s son, you should be aware of certain secrets, like Susanoo. I''ve personally encountered him, fought him, andter confirmed my findings." Kitsuchi''s expression turned grave, while a low murmur circted among the Iwa shinobi. "He can''t be trying to scare us, can he?" one whispered. Sumashi barked, "Silence!" Realizing the severity of the situation, Kitsuchi nodded decisively. "Then we''ll dly ept your escort." The next day, Shichi handed over the sealed Yin Four-Tails in its wooden container for inspection before their departure. He, along with Shisui Uchiha, Asuka, and Pakura, joined the Iwa team as they began their journey westward, swiftly moving through dense forests. Unbeknownst to them, Obito Uchiha and White Zetsu followed from the shadows. "Such a shame," White Zetsu muttered. "With Shichi around, the chances of sess are slim." Still fused with Obito, ck Zetsu replied, "No matter. With the Four-Tails back in Iwa, it actually bes easier for us to retrieve itter. We''ll just have to go in order anyway." Obito mused, "So when the timees, Shichi will also likely escort the One-Tail back to Suna." White Zetsu murmured, "Exactly. For now, we''ll continue gathering intel. Once Nagato fully masters the Rinnegan, we can gather a stronger team and capture the Tailed Beasts in quick session. It''s the most efficient approach." ck Zetsu issued instructions, "Stay on the Four-Tails, Tobi. Keep an eye out for Iwa''s next Jinchriki candidate." White Zetsu Tobi sank into the earth with a wave. "Leave it to me. This is what I do best." ... As they were traveling, Shichi nced back. Just as he expectedthere they were! He had Sage Mode active, enhancing his senses. "Shichi, what''s wrong?" asked Shisui from his left. Shichi turned to him and replied, "Shisui, let Kitsuchi and his team knowwe''re being followed. Tell them to stay alert." Shisui nodded immediately and sped ahead to inform the Iwa nin. Hearing this, Kitsuchi and the others tensed up and quickly shifted into abat formation. However, they reached the border of the Land of Fire without any attack urring, which allowed Kitsuchi and Sumashi to rx slightly. After resting for an hour, the group continued on, crossing into the Land of Grass, then heading towards the Land of Earth. By the time they reached the Land of Earth, Kitsuchi fully rxed. At the border, a hundred-strong squad was waiting to receive them. At this point, Kitsuchi politely declined further escort from Shichi and his team, bowing in gratitude. "Thank you. Since we need to protect the Four-Tails, we''ll have to part ways here and won''t be able to host you further." Shichi nodded slightly. "In that case, we''ll take our leave. But a word of cautiondon''t let your guard down." Kitsuchi, still respectful, nodded. "We won''t." With that, Shichi led Asuka and the others back, crossing Kannabi Bridge and entering the Land of Grass. Meanwhile, Kitsuchi''s group rested for only an hour before setting off again under the moonlight toward Iwagakure. Watching from a barren hilltop, White Zetsu''s head emerged, grinning as he observed the Iwa forces. "Who would have thought they''d actually refuse further escort from Shichi Hoshita?" "What a tempting opportunity this is!" With that, White Zetsu used Kamui to transport himself into the Kamui dimension. When he re-emerged, he was at Obito''s side, excitedly sharing the news. "I have a very, very good update. Shichi and the Iwa ninja have separated!" "Now, it''s just over a hundred Iwa shinobi escorting the Four-Tails." "So, shall we make a move?" ck Zetsu responded immediately, "Of course we can''t pass up an opportunity like this." "Although the Tailed Beasts need to be sealed in sequence, capturing the Four-Tails now would allow us to control it with the Sharingan, turning it into a Summoning Beasta great asset." Without hesitation, Obito decided, "Then let''s move!" He activated Kamui, now with partial control over his body. However, ck Zetsu and White Zetsu still hadn''t fully trusted him, so they remained attached to his body. ... In the Land of Grass, Shichi suddenly stopped. "Right here," he said. The other three halted as well, with Shisui asking, "Shichi, do you think Madara Uchiha will strike?" Shichi looked toward the Land of Earth. "The Four-Tails isn''t sealed inside a Jinchriki right now. It''s a perfect opportunity." "With the Sharingan, they could control it instantly, turning it to their side. Over a hundred Iwa shinobiwhat do they matter?" Shichi didn''t know if Madara had "unplugged" yet, but Obito''s Mangekyo alone would be enough. Wearing her mask, Pakura remarked, "Those Iwa shinobi didn''t trust us." Shichi chuckled, "They don''t need to trust us now." The Iwa shinobi would end up taking the me, and he couldn''t let Nagato and his team capture the Four-Tails too quickly. Especially the fact that he could split the Tailed Beaststhis information couldn''t be revealed just yet. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 197: Obito’s Susanoo, and Shūichi’s Celestial God of Stars!

Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Obitos Susanoo, and Shichi''s Celestial God of Stars!

Land of Earth Kitsuchi was leading his team, protecting the Four-Tails, when suddenly a figure in a ck cloak and mask appeared atop a bare rock pir ahead. "Good evening, everyone!" "Who are you?" shouted Kitsuchi, signaling for his team to halt and spread out on alert, while using sensory jutsu to scan for other enemies nearby. Indeed, this Iwa unit was exceptionally elite. "Who am I, you ask?" White Zetsu Tobi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Should I really tell you? I mean, it doesn''t matter if my identity is exposed, but...wouldn''t that make this mask pointless?" Kitsuchi''s face darkened. "Take him down!" Swish, swish, swish! Iron bullets shot towards White Zetsu Tobi, but he quickly sank into the rock pir and disappeared. "He''spletely gone, can''t sense him at all," reported one of the Iwa sensory ninjas. "No other enemies detected nearby either." "Could he have just fled?" muttered Jonin Sumashi. "Stay on guard; don''t get careless." But no sooner had he spoken than White Zetsu Tobi appeared on their left. "Hey, I''m over here!" A squad of Iwa ninja lunged at him, but White Zetsu Tobi once again sank underground, only to reappear on their right momentster. Sumashi shouted, "Watch the ground! This guy has some remarkable Earth Release jutsu." White Zetsu Tobi eximed, "Oh no, you figured it out! Guess I can''t keep ying around." Dodging another round of attacks, White Zetsu Tobiunched his jutsu. Spore Technique! Instantly, white spores sprouted on the Iwa ninja surrounding the Four-Tails'' sealed barrel, enveloping themKitsuchi and Sumashi includedand began draining their chakra. "He''s been preparing this jutsu all along!" Kitsuchi''s pupils contracted. He immediately used Earth Release: Hardening Technique, spitting out sticky y that formed a rock figure, which grabbed the spores off his body and devoured them. Sumashi also countered with a simr Earth Release jutsu. But just then, next to the barrel holding the Four-Tails, space twisted, and Obito Uchiha, in his ck cloak and mask, appeared. Obito reached for the barrel, activating Kamui. However, at that moment, the barrel suddenly shot upwards, lifted by a rock pir that disrupted Obito''s Kamui. Sumashi appeared behind Obito, his arm covered in rock, swinging it down with force. Boom! The ground caved in, but Sumashi was shockedhis attack had passed right through Obito''s body. Kitsuchi, who had quickly reimed the barrel, saw this and shouted, "Protect the Four-Tails and retreat!" He handed the barrel to another Iwa Jonin. At that moment, Obito kicked Sumashi aside, and a faint blue chakra appeared around him. The skeletal frame of Susanoo began forming around Obito, followed by muscles and tendons. "This guy..." "Susanoo!" Kitsuchi''s eyes widened. "Uchiha... Madara!" Susanoo swung its arm, sending the Iwa ninja who had just escaped the Spore Technique flying with agonized cries. Kitsuchi dodged andnded next to Sumashi. The two shared a nce and pressed their hands to the ground. Earth Release - Mountain Stone Technique! They worked together to summon two semi-spherical masses of rock as tall as Susanoo''s shoulders, closing in to crush Susanoo between them. Boom! Susanoo stretched out its arms to hold back the rocks. Gritting his teeth, Kitsuchi held steady, while Sumashi leapt high into the air. From above, he performed the Fist Rock Technique, smashing down on Susanoo''s head. Crack! Susanoo''s head fractured, and its arms shattered first, followed by the entire structure copsing under the pressure of the Mountain Stone Technique. Sumashinded next to Kitsuchi. "Did we finish him?" Kitsuchi was about to reply when he suddenly froze. The cloaked figure emerged from the rubble, unharmed. Just then, the roar of the Four-Tails echoed across the field. The two turned and saw the Four-Tails, freed from its seal, emerging from the barrel. White Zetsu Tobi had remotely used Kamui to create a small opening in the seal. The Four-Tails, now unbound, fixed its gaze on Obito. Obito met its stare, raising his hand. As the Four-Tails prepared to strike, its eyes suddenly transformed into the pattern of the Sharingan, its consciousness suppressed by the genjutsu. "Cursed Sharingan..." it muttered, reluctantly sumbing. "This is bad!" Kitsuchi and Sumashi broke out in cold sweat. ... Land of Grass As soon as Obito''s Susanoo appeared in the Land of Earth, Shichi, who had been waiting, suddenly opened his eyes wide. "It''s here!" Standing up, Shichi looked in the direction of the Land of Earth. Asuka closed her eyes to sense it. "This chakra... it feels a bit familiar." "It''s Obito," Shichi replied. Shisui''s three-tomoe Sharingan spun into view. "Obito... So, is it true, as you suspected, Shichi? Madara Uchiha hasn''t appeared, which might mean he''s already dead, and Obito is carrying out his ns?" Shichi activated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. "We''ll know soon enough." Just then, Asuka announced, "Shichi, the Four-Tails has appeared!" Shichi nodded, his expression firm. "Prepare for battle!" Shisui and the others all nodded in unison. In the next moment, the four of them disappeared from where they stood. They reappeared on top of the Four-Tails. With a whoosh, thick chains shot out from Asuka''s back, binding the Four-Tails as it roared and swung its tail. "Things just got troublesomeShichi and his team have arrived!" White Zetsu Tobi, seeing them, eximed in surprise. The White Zetsu attached to Obito said, "It looks like we won''t be able to capture it this time. This guy has acquired the Nine-Tails'' power. Let''s retreat!" Obito replied, "If I go all out, it''s not impossible." ck Zetsu responded, "Then try it!" With that, both Zetsu entities allowed Obito to take full control of his body, treating this as a test. They could still take control if he tried anything risky. Obito''s chakra red up, and Susanoo appeared around him once more. This time, it wasn''t just a skeleton or muscr form; it had armor as well, though it only covered the upper body. Despite being iplete, the Susanoo manifested twin des in its hands. "So, this is the Susanoo of the Mangekyou Sharingan..." Shisui, witnessing a full Susanoo for the first time, shed in front of the Four-Tails and spun his Sharingan, dispelling the genjutsu controlling the beast. As consciousness returned, the Four-Tails spoke, "Thank you." "Shichi, it seems you were right about everything," Shisui said. The Four-Tails added, "The ninja world has be incredibly dangerous. Beware of another figure out there." Leaving a shadow clone behind, Shichi rose into the sky. As he activated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, intricate purple lotus patterns appeared. With each step, he created lotus flowers in the air, finally stopping mid-air, meeting Obito''s masked gaze. Shichi formed hand seals. "Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!" "Watch your footing!" ck Zetsu warned Obito. But Obito was already analyzing Shichi''s use of hand seals with suspicion. Given Shichi''s proficiency, he rarely needed more than two seals for any jutsu. Even for a Shadow Clone Technique, he usually skipped hand seals entirely. That he used them now suggested something unusual. Memorizing Shichi''s hand seal sequence, Obito nced down at the mud beginning to pull Susanoo down and scoffed. "A jutsu like this is useless against Susanoo!" In response, Susanoo evolved further, sprouting legs, and Obito appeared on its forehead. Despite the vast reach of Shichi''s Swamp of the Underworld, enhanced by Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode, Susanoo merely pressed its hands on the ground and lifted itself out of the swamp. It leaped into the air, drawing its chakra des and swinging them at Shichi. Purple lotus patterns bloomed as Shichi deftly evaded the chakra des. Forming seals once more, he unleashedva fireballs that exploded upon Susanoo, cracking its surface. White Zetsu gasped, "The Nine-Tails'' chakra is amplifying his jutsu!" With a deafening crash, Susanoonded, and Obito saw two chakra arms extending from Shichi''s body above him. With a buzzing sound, multiple Rasenshuriken manifested, infused with various chakra natures. "Sage Art: Scorch Release Rasenshuriken, Sage Art: Lava Release Rasenshuriken, Sage Art: Ma Release Rasenshuriken!" "What a monstrous amount of chakra..." Kitsuchi, watching from a distance, said, "We have to retreat from here!" As the Iwa Shinobi fell back, Shichi unleashed three Rasenshuriken in session. In response, Obito''s Susanoo materialized fourrge, ck shuriken. He threw them to counter Shichi''s Rasenshuriken, using Kamui to absorb the explosions just as they were about to detonate. One remaining shuriken flew toward the Four-Tails. Above the Four-Tails, Shichi''s clone raised his hand, projecting a ck sigil to intercept it. "Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder!" The two spatial techniques collided, and the ck shuriken passed through only to meet Shisui''s Great Fireball Technique head-on, canceling each other out. For now, they were evenly matched. But within Susanoo, Obito paused as he deciphered Shichi''s coded message in the hand seals. "Rin...fake death...escape...spy?" Could Rin really still be alive? Or was this another trick? What about the Three-Tails? For a moment, Obito was overwhelmed with conflicting thoughts, his heart wrenched. "Such troublesome space-time ninjutsu..." White Zetsu sighed. Obito refocused, saying, "This is only the beginning. Besides, I only have one eye..." ck Zetsu replied, "Don''t worry; once you''re fully with us, that eye will be yours again. The stronger you be, the better for us." Obito gave a curt nod. "Understood." Just then, Shichinded, pping his hands together. Outside of his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, a purple chakra rapidly expanded around him, forming a massive figure no less powerful than Obito''s Susanoo. It was Shichi''s new creation: Celestial God of Stars a massive three-headed, six-armed giant. Enhanced by Scorch Release and Sage Mode, and further amplified by Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, this towering figure had a head sculpted in Shichi''s likeness, with two fierce dragon heads on either side. In stunned silence, even Obito, the Iwa Shinobi, and Shichi''s own team watched as he revealed this new form. Asuka, eyes wide with pride and amazement, whispered, "Incredible!" Shisui, both astonished and delighted, muttered, "When did Shichi develop this? It''s almost like a Susanoo!" The Iwa Shinobi, watching from a safe distance, could only gape, swallowing hard. "This... this kind of power... it''s not even from this world!" "What a terrifying enemy. Only the Third Tsuchikage could ever handle someone like that..." .. With a heavy expression, Kitsuchi remarked, "To have such power at this age... he''s practically a monster." Sumashi nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Uchiha Obito, though momentarily shocked, sneered with feigned arrogance, "It''s just for show. How could it possiblypare to the true power of Susanoo?" As he spoke, Susanoo took a step forward, causing the earth to tremble, and swung its arms, wielding two massive chakra des aimed at Shuichi''s celestial construct, the God of Stars. In response, Shuichi''s God of Stars raised an arm on each side, summoning two zing purple chakra des, formed from his Scorch Style, with the base technique of Blue me Vacuum sh. ng! The four des shed, releasing a violent shockwave. Next, Susanoo''s two additional arms clenched into fists and struck forward. The God of Stars countered with two fists of its own, resulting in another thunderous collision. Boom! Blinding light and fierce gales erupted, forcing Shisui, Asuka, and others to raise their hands to shield themselves from the impact. Then, the God of Stars'' third pair of hands moved, manifesting two Scorch Release Rasenshuriken, which it smashed down toward Susanoo''s face. Crack! Crack! Under Obito''s stunned gaze, his Susanoo began to fracture and shatter rapidly. The Rasenshuriken exploded in full force, engulfing him in searing light and overwhelming energy. ... From atop the Four-Tails, Uchiha Shisui squinted his eyes. "Is it over? Did that take out Obito? ...No, Shuichi knows better. That wouldn''t be enough. Obito''s Mangekyo Sharingan technique involves space-time maniption." Sure enough, as the light faded and the storm settled, Shisui could see Uchiha Obito standing unscathed atop a rock pir. (End of Chapter) The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 198: Could This Be the Work of the Sharingan’s Genjutsu?

Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Could This Be the Work of the Sharingan''s Genjutsu?

"It seems we failed," said White Zetsu''s clone, Tobi, emerging slowly from a stone pir. "It''s impressive that this brat developed a powerparable to Susanoo on his own!" ck Zetsu, however, understood the situation better. "Obito''s Susanoo hasn''t reached its full potential." "And don''t underestimate the power of the Nine-Tails that Shichi possesses. The Nine-Tails'' power is nothing to scoff at," ck Zetsu added. "Given the situation, capturing the Four-Tails won''t be possible. Let''s retreat." Uchiha Obito nodded and then activated Kamui, absorbing himself into his own dimension. White Zetsu''s clone, Tobi, sank back into the stone pir, vanishing into the earth. Shichi didn''t attempt to stop them, dispelling his Star God technique as he watched Obito and his allies retreat. "Possessed by both ck and White Zetsu... it seems Obito was fully under their control." "Now, with Rin''s staged death, he might have regained some control over his body?" Shichi had refrained from directly interacting with Uchiha Obito, sensing that something was off about his condition. He wasn''t entirely sure if his secret signal had been understood. After all, Obito was known to struggle with theoretical lessons. Still, the darkness within him seemed to amplify his strength tenfold; Obito wasn''t a fool. "With the current situation, Obito likely won''t gain ck Zetsu''s full trust, so arranging a private meeting would be difficult." "But if he''s only under White Zetsu''s influence, I might have a chance tounch a surprise attack." As Shichi pondered, Shisui and the others dismounted from the Four-Tails, with Kitsuchi and Sumashi of Iwagakure bringing their team forward. "Lord Shichi, thank you all for your assistance," Kitsuchi said, bowing respectfully. If not for Shichi''s team arriving when they did, they would have not only lost the Four-Tails but suffered heavy casualties. Shichi nodded slightly. "Let''s prioritize saving the wounded." "Asuka." Asuka nodded. "Understood." She and a shadow clone of Shichi, created earlier, went to assist in healing Iwagakure''s injured. Kitsuchi expressed his gratitude again, then nced at the Four-Tails nearby and asked, "Lord Shichi, it seems you have a good rtionship with the Four-Tails?" Shichi nodded. "Indeed, we get along well. He even has a nameSon Goku." "We share amon enemy." Suma''s face grew serious. "Uchiha Madara?" "He''s after the Tailed Beastsall of them?" Shichi did not rify that it was Obito rather than Madara. He simply nodded. "It appears so, for now." "More concrete intel is still beyond our reach." There was only so much information they could reveal. Each of the other four great viges had their own interests, and any talks of alliances now would be wasted effort. Shichi had no intention of helping the other viges only for ck Zetsu to take advantage of the situation. Unless he gained the power to sweep them all aside, he would prefer using ck Zetsu and Nagato to divert the other viges'' attention. This strategy would buy him time and reduce pressure on Konoha. With the wounded tended to, they set up camp, and Kitsuchi quickly sent a messenger to Iwagakure to report. His earlier confidence with a hundred elites was gone; even with ten thousand now, he didn''t feel secure. Having fought alongside the Third Raikage before, Kitsuchi found this recent battle brief but far more terrifying than anything with the Raikage. Kitsuchi felt that only his father''s presence would provide the necessary sense of security. And with the threat of Uchiha Madara, even the Tsuchikage''s involvement was warranted. Besides the threat of Madara, the rtionship between Konoha and the Four-Tails also made Kitsuchi uneasy. Upon receiving the urgent report in the middle of the night, noki, the Tsuchikage, climbed out of bed, almost doubting his hearing. "Uchiha Madara?" noki''s brow furrowed deeply. "Are you sure it was him?" "It was someone wearing a mask, so we can''t confirm, but Lord Kitsuchi said the Susanoo was unmistakable." "Moreover, Konoha originally provided the intel on Uchiha Madara." "His target was the Four-Tails, and it seems they''ve shed with Konoha before." noki''s expression grew somber. "I see. So Konoha is deducing Madara''s identity from the presence of Susanoo?" "However..." After some thought, he concluded that Madara''s reappearance was indeed the most usible exnation. Unless this was all orchestrated by Konoha, but there seemed little point in that. The reporting Iwagakure ninja continued, "Lord Tsuchikage, Shichi and the Four-Tails seem to share an unusual bond." "They seem to panions." noki''s frown deepened. "Companions?" The ninja nodded. "Yes, ording to Shichi, it''s because they have amon enemy. The masked Uchiha seems to be after more than just the Four-Tails." noki pondered, "Returning the Four-Tails was not only about ending the war, but also to share the burden?" "So, it seems Madara is truly still alive?" He knew all too well the weight of Uchiha Madara''s presence. Back then, Madara had effortlessly... Unpleasant memories surfaced, and noki let out a cold snort. "But I''m not the same as I was back then..." Calming himself, noki said, "You may go rest. I''ll personally handle the response." "Yes!" The Iwagakure ninja who had reported the situation withdrew, while noki proceeded to issue a series of orders. First, he ordered a secret increase in protection for Han, the Jinchriki of the Five-Tails, and temporarily restricted any travel outside the vige. Secondly, he arranged for reinforcements to depart immediately to rendezvous with Kitsuchi and his team. Although he appreciated Konoha''s efforts, the Four-Tails was Iwagakure''s responsibility, and they would be the ones to protect it! After a quick breakfast at dawn, noki finally set out with two of his personal guards, flying toward the rendezvous point. ... In the barrenndscape, Shichi was in conversation with the Four-Tails when he suddenly looked up toward the sky. noki! The Third Tsuchikage hade in person! It seemed this mission wasing to an end. "It''s the Third Tsuchikage!" Shisui appeared beside Shichi, and momentster, Asuka and Pakura joined him. Pakura looked at the figure descending from the sky and remarked, "I''ve heard the Third Tsuchikage possesses the only known Kekkei Tta in the shinobi world." Asukamented, "A Kekkei Tta,bining three chakra naturesfar moreplex than a Kekkei Genkai. I wonder how powerful it is?" Shisui chuckled. "Strength lies in the person, not in the ability itself." "The Third Hokage had neither a Kekkei Genkai nor a Kekkei Tta, yet he was the strongest Hokage." Shichi nodded in agreement. The Third was indeed the strongest Hokage. The previous Hokages wielded Wood Style and Water Style in their respective eras. noki soonnded in front of Shichi''s team, and Kitsuchi stepped forward, preparing to introduce them. But before he could, noki addressed Shichi directly: "No need for introductions. The Blue sh of KonohaI''ve known of you for quite some time." Shichi smiled. "Lord Tsuchikage, your name has long echoed in my ears as well." However, the warmer Shichi''s smile, the more noki sensed his cunning. Still, this was no time for hostility, so he masked his thoughts and asked, "Are you certain that was Uchiha Madara?" "Men from that era should already be buried in the ground." Shichi replied, "Mangeky Sharingan, Susanoo... no one elsees to mind other than the Madara of legend." "Of course, I''ve never met Madara myself, so I can''t be certain." "But I''ve heard you''ve witnessed Madara firsthand. If you encounter him again, you might be able to confirm his identity." "Regardless of who he is, this individual is extremely dangerous and clearly has his eyes on the Tailed Beasts." After saying this, Shichi made his move to depart. "Since you''re here personally, Lord Tsuchikage, I trust the Four-Tails will be safe. We''ll take our leave and report back." noki frowned. He had hoped to extract more information, but he had no grounds to keep Shichi and his team. He nodded and replied, "As you wish. Extend my regards to the Third Hokage." "I will!" Shichi then turned to the Four-Tails. "I hope the next time we meet, you''re well." The Four-Tails replied, "And I hope you don''t die too soon." Shichi chuckled, "Thank you for the blessing." After nodding toward noki and the others, Shichi and his team took off. noki watched them leave, feeling unsettled. The Four-Tails had only been gone a short time, yet it seemed to have been "trained" to this extent? noki shifted his gaze back to the Four-Tails. The Four-Tails looked down at noki, and for a moment, they stared each other down. Kitsuchi whispered, "Should we seal it?" They had brought the sealing vessel, after all. noki felt a bit out of his depththis was the first time he''d encountered such a cooperative Tailed Beast. Then the Four-Tails spoke, "You''d better choose a decent, smaller Jinchriki, or I won''t be so amodating." Kitsuchi: (o)... It was the first time a Tailed Beast had made a demand like this. noki replied sternly, "Of course, we''ll choose the most qualified candidate." The Four-Tails nodded. "Then bring out the sealing vessel!" At noki''s signal, the sealing squad from Iwagakure watched in disbelief as the Four-Tails entered the vessel willingly. This... was the easiest Tailed Beast sealing in history! Kitsuchi whispered to his father, "Has this guy been caught in a Sharingan genjutsu?" noki, well-versed in the Sharingan, replied, "If it were Sharingan genjutsu, you''d see its distinctive patterns in his eyes." "There''s more going on here than we understand. It''s clear we need to be careful when selecting the next Jinchriki." "Let''s hope the next Jinchriki can fully control the Tailed Beast''s power. Then perhaps we can gain some valuable intel from the Four-Tails." ... On the way back to Konoha, Shichi was contemting the sight of noki descending with his guards. "It seems I should develop the technique to alter the density of matter to master the Lightweight Boulder Jutsu. It would make travel far easier." noki could not only fly himself but also carry others along with him. It was far more convenient and didn''t even require constant chakra expenditure. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 199: The Lava Giant and Kakashi’s Transformation!

Chapter 199: Chapter 199: The Lava Giant and Kakashis Transformation!

"Shichi, was that flight ability of the Third Tsuchikage just now from a Kekkei Tta?" On the road, Asuka asked curiously. Shichi snapped back to attention and smiled, "Not at all." "It''s actually an Earth Release nature transformation." Asuka looked surprised. "Earth Release?" "Earth Release can make you fly?" Shichi nodded. "By altering the density of matter, changing the mass without changing the volume, it allows him to fly." "The Scorch Release Chakra Mode can also enable flight, primarily due to Fire and Wind Release. Although different from the Third Tsuchikage''s technique, it achieves a simr effect." "It works by heating the air, creating a difference in air density, which generates lift." Shisui and Pakura understood immediately, but Asuka looked at Shichi with admirationthis was beyond her knowledge base. Shisui and Pakura, having received traditional shinobi training, had a better foundation, while Asuka was mostly self-taught. Even for Shisui and Pakura, though, they couldn''t know everything outside their expertise. Moreover, noki''s Lightweight Boulder Jutsu was a unique Earth Release skill, with no other Iwagakure shinobi mastering it so far. This shows how challenging this form of Earth Release transformation was to learn. After all, Kitsuchi himself was an expert in Earth Release and noki''s own son, so it was clearly not a matter of simply being taught but of being able to learn it. ... Once they entered the Land of Grass, Shichi used Flying Thunder God to teleport himself and his threepanions across the entire country, reaching the Fire Country border. After a brief rest, he teleported repeatedly, returning directly to Konoha in one go. After dismissing Shisui and the others, Shichi went first to the Hokage Building to report to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and then went to his teacher Minato Namikaze''s home. "So rescuing Obito is extremely difficult right now?" Hearing the situation, Kushina frowned. Shichi nodded. "The clone of the First Hokage is unique and has merged with Obito." "Especially since First Hokage cells were imnted in Obito as well. He''s probably under a curse mark like Rin was, which controls him." "Additionally, there''s another individual associated with Obito, but we have no intel on him whatsoever." "Plus, Obito''s eyes were separatedone eye imnted in another clone of the First Hokage. This was likely done to weaken Obito''s ocr power, making him easier to control." Minato nodded thoughtfully. "That being the case, we really can''t act rashly." "We only have one chance, and if it fails, Obito might be discarded." Shichi shared the same sentiment. Kushina sighed, worried. "But Obito hardly took his studies seriously; I doubt he''ll understand your hints, right?" Minatoughed. "Obito is smarter than he seems. Don''t worry, he''ll figure it out." Kushina still looked worried. "I just hope Obito doesn''t get too caught up with those people and do something irreversible." Minato was silent; this was indeed a concern. After all, Obito had been through so much in such a short time, and his entire outlook had changed, making it impossible to predict his actions. Shichi reassured them with a smile. "Don''t worry. Once we expose Uchiha Madara''s scheme, we can turn him back." If Obito still wouldn''t turn back after learning that Rin''s death was a setup, then he''d have to be dealt with. But Shichi believed that possibility was extremely slim. Minato also smiled,forting Kushina. "Shichi is right, and we should trust in Obito''s abilities as well!" Kushina sighed, then smiled. "You''re right!" "Though Obito can be unreliable, he does pull through when it counts!" ... After leaving Minato''s home, Shichi stretched and teleported to an open area near the Forest of Death. He activated the Scorch Release Chakra Mode, covering his body in a blue aura that ignited with fierce mes, and lotus patterns dotted the chakra cloak. Since he wasn''t using Sage Mode or curse marks, there were no purple me patterns, making it look simr to his initial Fire Release Chakra Mode, though more refined. Then, Shichi ramped up his chakra output, causing the Scorch Release mode to expand and form a three-headed, six-armed giant. This was his God of Stars formed purely from Scorch Release Chakra Mode, without Yin Release, Sage Mode, or Nine-Tails Chakra. "Based on yesterday''s battle, this form''s offensive power aside, its defense is likely inferior to even the skeletal form of Susanoo, with its only advantage being its high-temperature shield." "But to match Susanoo... maybe Scorch Release nature transformation isn''t ideal for that." Shichi pondered. Without Yin Release, Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, or Sage Mode, his God of Stars could hardly stand up to Obito''s Susanoo. Not to mention the perfected Susanoo. Scorch Release''s inherent nature felt light and insubstantial. "Maybe I should base it on Yin Release... with Scorch Release as the outeryer?" Shichi adjusted his thinking, setting aside his previous shadow clone techniques. He dispelled the God of Stars and exited Scorch Release Chakra Mode. p! Shichi pressed his hands together, and in the next moment, a rich blue chakra aura surged around him. This was pure chakra with no nature transformation applied. Next, bones started forming as he used Yin Release to shape them. First, the spine appeared, followed by the sternum, ribs, and skull, then clusters of muscles. At this point, Shichi already felt an immense mental strain. "Pure Yin Release nature and shape transformations are indeed extremely challenging..." Frowning, Shichi realized there was no way he could mold this into the level of Susanoo. No wonder every Uchiha who unlocked the Mangeky Sharingan had some degree of mental instability. He rxed his hands, and the chakra around him quickly dissipated. "I''ll have to stick to the previous approach ofbining multiple nature transformations." Refocusing, Shichi sped his hands together again, causing the ground to quake beneath him as a giant rock figure emerged. Standing over ten meters tall, this three-headed, six-armed stone giant had lotus patterns on its surface and looked like it was carved from ck marble. As it fully formed, cracks appeared along the lotus patterns, and hotva started flowing from within. This was the Lava Giant he had developed using the Lava Release Kekkei Genkai! He hadn''t used this against Susanoo before because,pared to Scorch Release, its attack methods were somewhat limited andcked the sharpness of Scorch Release. However, in terms of raw strength, even without Nine-Tails Chakra or Sage Mode, it surpassed the Scorch Release mode. Moreover, this form was rtively easier to maintain. Atop the Lava Giant, Shichi activated Scorch Release Chakra Mode, enveloping himself in a blue me aura. He spread it downward, covering the entire Lava Giant in ayer of zing blue me armor. With a thought, hemanded the Lava Giant to raise all six of its arms, instantly forming blue Scorch Release des in each hand. "With both Scorch Release and Lava Release Kekkei Genkai, I have the power I need and solid attack potential, but... I can''t fly, at least for now." Shichi considered, "And I can''t fully protect myself either." This felt simr to the Wood Golem Jutsu, albeit stronger than the Third Tsuchikage''s rock golem. Boom! Boom! The new God of Stars took a step, making the ground tremble, and Shichi frowned slightly. "Mobility has dropped significantly too." Without flexibility, this form would likely get sliced in half by a single strike from Susanoo. It seemed like he couldn''t have both power and agility. Dispersing his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, Shichi leaped down from the Lava Giant. Without his chakra to sustain it, theva inside the giant cooled rapidly, and it soon copsed into a pile of rubble. Emerging from the dust, Shichi sighed inwardly, "Susanoo still has its undeniable advantages." "Bnced offense and defense, flight capability, flexibility, and it doesn''t interfere with other jutsu." "So, the best approach still needs pure chakra as a base, shaped with Yin Release..." As he was mulling over this, a surge of memories entered his mind. Shichi checkedit was feedback from his shadow clone at the research base. "Kakashi..." Raising an eyebrow, Shichi set aside his work on the giant and teleported to Kakashi''s room in the base. "Shichi!" Sensing Shichi''s arrival, Kakashi opened his eyes and got up. "Kakashi, are you sure you''re ready?" Shichi asked again to confirm. Kakashi nodded seriously. "Yes, I believe I am." Shichi nodded back. "I''ll make the preparations." A momentter, Shichi returned, carrying a tray. Kakashi looked at it, a bit puzzled. "What''s this?" With a mischievous grin, Shichi replied, "Slices of the Eight-Tails'' horn, and, well, slices of the Eight-Tails'' tentacles." "You just eat them like sashimi." The tentacle piece was from a battle with Killer B, collected after one was severed. Under his mask, Kakashi''s face twitched. "Raw?" Shichi retorted, "Would cooking it help?" "Rx, it tastes fine. I''ve tried it before." "Plus, this isb-grown, perfectly clean." Kakashi looked at Shichi, wondering if he was being yed with. "Shouldn''t it be an injection of tailed beast chakra?" Shichi nodded. "That''s also possible. But eating it is a form of assimtiona way to wrestle for control of the tailed beast''s power." "Alternatively, there''s the more civilized approach of imnting tailed beast cells into your body." Kabuto had used this method on a former Jinchriki with Edo Tensei. "Let''s get started then!" Clenching his teeth, Kakashi sat in the center of the sealing array, took up a scalpel, and began eating piece after piece of the "sashimi." Hmm? The taste was... surprisingly good. Crunch. Uh... but the slimy texture of the tentacle was harder to stomach. Kakashi nearly gagged, but he forced himself to keep eating. Soon, he felt a burning sensation in his stomach, and then the familiar, agonizing feeling of tailed beast chakra invading his system. The Eight-Tails chakra surged from within, intensifying with each wave. Besides the intense pain from the tailed beast chakra corroding him, Kakashi felt a new agony as if his body were being torn apart. Once he finished eating everything, he couldn''t even hold onto the scalpel, dropping it as he let out muffled groans of pain. Shichi took a few steps back, putting away the scalpel, and called out, "Kakashi, right now it''s like you''re fighting the Eight-Tailsa mindless version of it." "From here, either you consume the Eight-Tails, or it consumes you!" Kakashi didn''t have any special advantages or physicalpatibility, so it was highly likely he''d experience something simr to a Hashirama cell transnt. This could mean Kakashi''s body might gradually mutate into a mindless version of the Eight-Tails. Fortunately, unlike Hashirama cells, this wouldn''t lead to explosive cellr growth and wouldn''t make him sprout into a tree. Of course, with Shichi monitoring the experiment closely, if Kakashi couldn''t handle it, he would immediately intervene, suppressing and extracting the Eight-Tails'' power. Thus, the risk of death or losing control was minimized. As time passed, Kakashi, who had been sitting cross-legged, copsed to the ground. A scarlet chakra tail emerged from his lower back, gradually turning into blood and flesh, morphing into an octopus tail. In addition, bulges began forming on Kakashi''s body as his bones and muscles seemed to be transforming, slowly shifting him toward the Eight-Tails'' form. Shichi had never witnessed anything like this before. Having cheats sure makes a difference! Clink! Fire Nether Chains appeared, ready for Shichi to intervene and halt the experiment if needed. He wasn''t like Orochimaru, who could ignore the life of his test subjects for the sake of science. "Sh...Shichi, I can still go on!" Kakashi suddenly raised his head, rasping hoarsely. Shichi nodded slightly. "I understand. I won''t step in unless absolutely necessary." Lowering his head, Kakashi focused all his strength on wrestling with the Eight-Tails'' power. Time dragged on. As night began to fall, Tsunade appeared in the doorway, frowning at Kakashi, who was writhing in pain. "Did you go through the same thing back then?" Shichi shook his head. "My body has a natural tolerance, and my chakra is much stronger. Even the Eight-Tails is manageable for me." "Kakashi''s strength is far below mine, so he has to rely solely on his mental willpower to defeat the mindless Eight-Tails'' force." "That''s why I first had him face the malevolent tailed beast chakra." "Confronting the malice is the first step. Only by oveing it can he even try to control the beast''s power." Tsunade nodded. "This is different from a Jinchrikithey have the benefit of a sealing technique." Indeed, it was. Also, Kakashi was only dealing with a small portion of the Eight-Tails'' tissue. Suddenly, Shichi''s gaze sharpened, and he smiled slightly. "Looks like it''s going to work." Kakashi, who was almost fully transforming into the Eight-Tails, quickly began returning to normal, his body now cloaked only in tailed beast chakra. Huff! Huff! Kakashiy on the ground, breathing heavily. At this moment, he could feel the immense power within him, though he was utterly exhausted mentally. But... this power was incredible. Steadying himself, Kakashi stood up, looking over at Shichi. "Thank you, Shichi!" Shichi smiled. "Congrattions, Kakashi!" "Now, let''s test the limits of how many tails'' worth of power you can handle." After greeting Tsunade, Kakashi nodded and began channeling the tailed beast''s power. Chakra tails started forming around him. Three tails! "That''s the limit..." Kakashi said, looking a bit weary. Tsunade added, "For you, this is already very impressive." "In terms of chakra alone, this might beparable to the One-Tail." Shichi nodded. "More or less." "Chakra is the foundation, butbat strength needs to be judged separately." "And remember, Kakashi, you won''t be fighting solely with tailed beast powers." "You''ll need time to make this power your own, adapting it to the ninjutsu you excel at." "Though the tailed beast''s power does amplify your abilities across the board." Kakashi nodded. "Understood." "The purpose of gaining tailed beast power is topensate for myck of chakra and physical endurance, not just to wield it for raw power." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 200: Sand Body, and Yamato!

Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Sand Body, and Yamato! [Bonus Chapter]

Kakashi hadn''t forgotten his original goal, nor was he seduced by the power of the tailed beast. He clearly understood that what he needed was to build a solid foundation and elevate his potential, not to chase immediate power. Seeing the tailed beast chakra covering Kakashi, Shichi suddenly smiled and said, "I have a sword that would suit you well." With that, he summoned therge de, Samehada. Tsunade nced over andmented, "One of the Seven Swords of the Hidden Mist?" "Yep," Shichi nodded. "Samehada has its own spirit, so you could even consider it alive." "I originally intended to give it to Rin." Tsunade and Kakashi looked surprised. "Rin?" They nced at Samehada, then imagined the petite Rin wielding itaically mismatched sight. Shichi exined with a smile, "Samehada has a special bond with the Three-Tails, as it once followed Isobu. It has a liking for tailed beast chakra." "Basically, it''s a bit of a parasite." Samehada seemed to understand this remark and bent its handle to give Shichi a thump. Unfazed, Shichi kicked it away without hesitation. Kakashi instinctively caught it, but as soon as he did, the Eight-Tails chakra around him disappeared. "It can absorb chakra!" Kakashi eximed, surprised. Before long, all of his Eight-Tails chakra had been devoured by Samehada. Shichi exined, "That''s Samehada''s abilityit can absorb chakra." "This means it can counter certain ninjutsu as well." "Of course, among the Seven Ninja Swords, there''s another one that might suit you." He then summoned the twin des, Kiba. "These are excellent for lightning-based jutsu." "However, they might not be ideal for your White Fang swordsmanship." Kiba, originally wielded by Raiga Kurosuki of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, was more of a ninjutsu-based weapon than a closebat one. Kakashi nced between Samehada and the Kiba des, then shook his head. "Samehada should be left for Rin, and these twin des don''t suit me either. My White Fang short sword is all I need." Hearing that Kakashi didn''t want it, Samehada, unwilling to let go, quickly spat the chakra it had absorbed back at Kakashi. Kakashi was taken aback. Shichiughed, "You can feel it, right?" "The chakra processed by Samehada is even easier to use than regr tailed beast chakra." Unlike the Nine-Tails chakra, which can harmonize for any user, other tailed beast chakra isn''t as adaptive. For instance, Kakashi''s Eight-Tails chakra, covering his body, was merely a temporary state of borrowed power. In contrast, Shichi''s Nine-Tails chakra mode was indistinguishable from his own chakra, only with extraordinary quality. Kisame was famously called the Tailed Beast without a Tail, and much of that reputation was due to Samehada. Yet Kakashi shook his head again, saying, "Borrowing the Eight-Tails chakra is more than enough for me." Shichi sighed. It seemed that, despite having the Seven Ninja Swords on hand, no one wanted them. Seeing his frustration, Tsunade chuckled, "Kakashi already has his own fighting style. You should look for someone new to train." epting the reluctant Samehada, Shichi shrugged. "Alright, I''ll see if Rin wants it when she wakes up." Rin with Samehada? Now that would be quite a sight. ... Time flew by, and it was now February of Konoha''s 47th year. A delegation from the Sand Vige arrived in Konoha, led personally by Chiyo. Back at the old Root base, Shichi divided the One-Tail, storing the Yin portion here and even cutting off a portion of its tail as a keepsake. Shukaku, enduring the pain, growled, "Hey, remember your promise. If you go back on it, I''ll bring the Jinchriki and attack Konoha." Shichi smiled. "I''m a man of my word, no need to worry." "Just rest here for a day, and tomorrow you''ll be sent back to the Land of Wind." Shukaku yawned andy downzily. "The Land of Wind is a lot better than this creepy ce. No sunlight here at all." "True, it''s a bit gloomy," Shichi replied absentmindedly. After marking Shukaku''s tail with a Flying Thunder God seal, he waved and left. Outside, Shichi found Sarutobi Shinnosuke waiting, which piqued his curiosity. "Captain, does the Third Hokage have a message for me?" Masked, Shinnosuke smiled, "Well, since Scorch has returned to the Daimy''s side, we''ve assigned you a new teammate." "Yamato!" A slightly shorter Anbu member stepped forward, removed his mask, and bowed. "Shichi-senpai, I''m Yamato!" Looks like there would always be a house avable on future missions. "Nice to meet you. Just call me Shichi or Captain," he said, nodding warmly before looking at Shinnosuke as if unfamiliar with Yamato. Shinnosuke exined, "Yamato is a former Root operative and possesses the First Hokage''s Wood Release." "Wood Release, I see." Shichi feigned surprise. He had almost forgotten about Yamato, having avoided Root matters since Danzo''s death. "Alright then, Yamato, meet here at 8 a.m. tomorrow." "Yes, Captain!" Yamato nodded quickly. After setting the time, Shichi turned to Shinnosuke. "I''ll head over to theb then." Shinnosuke nodded. Patting Yamato on the shoulder, Shichi''s figure vanished. ... At theb, Shuichi unseals a scroll, setting aside a small portion of Shukaku''s tail as a sample for cell cultivation. He then proceeds to slice and consume the rest. "Why does this still feel like eating sand?" he mutters, chewing through what feels like soft, sandy meat. Frowning, Shuichi swiftly swallows and waits for his body to digest. The reaction is much weaker than when he consumed parts of the Nine-Tails or Eight-Tails, but as his body finally processes it, Shuichi''s eyes light up. He draws his de and, with one swift motion, cuts off his left hand. A soft pop sounds as his hand detaches at the wrist. Instead of bleeding, the severed hand turns into a pile of sand. Almost instantly, he channels chakra, and his hand regenerates as if untouched. A Sand Body! Eating Shukaku''s flesh has unexpectedly granted him the ability to turn his body into sanda power he didn''t gain from the Nine-Tails, Eight-Tails, or even Four-Tails. "Seems there''s some randomness to this..." Shuichi muses, feeling more eager than ever to unlock the [Medical Master] tag. With this, his body''spatibility would further increase, possibly sparking new changes. "Hopefully, Orochimaru isn''t taking too long to finish preparations." After tidying up, Shuichi turns his focus toparing Hashirama and Asuka''s cells in his ongoing research. --- The next day, Shuichi meets with Asuka, Shisui, and Yamato outside the Root base. "Yamato, wielder of Wood Release," Shuichi introduces him to the group. "Hello, I''m Shisui Uchiha. I specialize in Fire Release, genjutsu, kenjutsu, and Body Flicker," Shisui greets with a slight nod. Yamato bows quickly. "It''s an honor to meet you, Shisui-senpai. I''ve heard of your prowess even during my time in the ANBU." Next, Asuka steps forward, smiling. "Hello, I''m Asuka Uzumaki, skilled in medical ninjutsu, sealing techniques, and sensory abilities." Yamato bows again. "It''s nice to meet you, Asuka-senpai!" Introductions done, Shuichi says, "I''ll go retrieve Shukaku. Wait here." In a blink, he vanishes, only to return momentster with a small tanuki perched on his shoulder. "Shukaku''s so tiny now?" Asuka says in surprise, wide-eyed at the adorable creature. Shukaku res. "Woman, never underestimate a Tailed Beast''s power!" Unfazed by his grumpy tone, Shuichi pats Shukaku''s head with a grin. "Alright, let''s go meet the Sand delegation." The group heads out and soon joins Chiyo and her team of Sand shinobi. Seeing the miniaturized Shukaku, Chiyo is taken aback. "No sealing needed, then?" Shuichiments with a nce at therge sealing vessela golden cauldronthe Sand team had brought. Chiyo turns to Shukaku. "Shukaku, are you...?" Shukaku jumps to her shoulder, looking pleased. "Let''s go. It''s been ages since I''ve felt the sun on my sand!" "Alright, let''s move out," Chiyo replies, deciding against the seal for now. With the Sand shinobi leading the way, Shuichi''s group follows. Shuichi, ever-cautious, notices there''s no sign of anyone trailing them, but Asuka still scans with her sensory skills every so often. "When I wrap up my Yang Release research, I''ll definitely pick up some of White Zetsu''s abilities," Shuichi thinks to himself. White Zetsu mayck strength, but his utility skillstransformation, underground movement, hiding, chakra absorption, even healingare invaluable. Setting off before nine in the morning, the group reaches the Fire Country''s border by afternoon and stops to rest. Yamato selects an empty area and quickly forms hand seals. "Wood Release: Four-Pir House Technique!" Under the surprised eyes of the Sand shinobi, Asuka, and Shisui, arge wooden house materializes,plete with two stories. "Wood Release...can also be used to build houses?" Asuka murmurs, still in awe. Yamato chuckles sheepishly. "Just a small trick of mine." Shuichi pats Yamato on the shoulder approvingly. "This is a great skill. From now on, you''re in charge of our amodations." On the other side, Chiyo''s gaze sharpens. "Is that... Wood Release?" "Leaf Vige has managed to revive the First Hokage''s secret technique!" Chiyo''s heart grows heavier. Having a strong ally in times of war was beneficial, but with Konoha''s current strength, Suna felt dwarfed. First, White Fang, then Yellow sh, now a Blue sh, and now a Wood Release user? "We must hurry and find a suitable Jinchriki," she sighs inwardly. Even if a perfect Jinchriki wouldn''t be enough to challenge Shuichi, it would give them more confidence. Soon, everyone settles into Yamato''s wilderness vi. It''s undeniably morefortable than a tent. The Sand shinobi take turns on watch, while Shuichi and Asuka share a room. Whisperingte into the night, Asuka eventually falls asleep in Shuichi''s arms. With a gentle kiss, Shuichi also closes his eyes. A single strand of his hair falls, morphing into a small moth that flutters out the window. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 201: Temari, Transformation Complete!

Chapter 201: Chapter 201: Temari, Transformation Complete!

The night passed without incident. The next morning, after a quick meal of ration pills, Shichi and his team set off again, heading swiftly towards Sunagakure in the Land of Wind. The journey was somewhat monotonous, filled with nothing but wind and sand, andscape no one enjoyed. Shukaku, on the other hand, was thrilled, but he wasn''t exactly human. Fortunately, no unexpected events urred, and the team managed to reach Sunagakure just before sunset. Compared to Iwagakure, Sunagakure, as an ally, showed much more courtesy, even warmly weing Shichi and his group of four, despite once being on opposing sides. After freshening up, Shichi was about to take Asuka on a tour of Sunagakure when he overheard someone speaking with Uchiha Shisui outside. Curious, he stepped out. "Shisui, who is this?" Shichi asked. The visitor was a young man who, before Shisui could respond, bowed and said, "Lord Shichi, I am Yashamaru, here on behalf of Lord Kazekage to invite you all to join him for dinner." Yashamaru? Gaara''s uncle? Wait a second, Temari should have been born by now, right? Shichi''s thoughts jumped around briefly before he smiled and replied, "Since it''s an invitation from Lord Kazekage himself, we''d be honored. Please, lead the way." Calling Asuka and Yamato, the four of them followed Yashamaru to the Kazekage''s residence. "Yashamaru!" A young voice echoed in the hallway, and Shichi and the others looked up to see a little girl running toward them. Yashamaru stepped forward quickly and said, "Temari, show some respect. These are honored guests of the Kazekage." Seeing young Temari, a smile appeared in Shichi''s eyes. Temari slowed her steps, her curious gaze scanning Shichi''s group without a hint of fear. Pulling her close, Yashamaru turned back with a smile and exined, "This is Lord Kazekage''s eldest daughter, Temari." "Temari, this is the famous ''Blue sh of Konoha.'' You should call him senapi." Temari blinked herrge eyes and looked up. "Shichi-senpai, I know who you are." Shichi knelt down to her level, smiling, "Oh? How do you know about me?" Temari replied without hesitation, "Because you''ve killed a lot of people from our vige." Yashamaru broke into a cold sweat, hurriedly interjecting, "Lord Shichi, I apologize. Temari, she..." But Shichi raised his hand to stop him, smiling. "She isn''t wrong." "We were once enemies. Many from Konoha have fallen to Sunagakure''s ninjas, just as many from Sunagakure have fallen to my hands." This was directed both at Yashamaru and at Temari. "So, Temari, do you wish to avenge them?" Shichi asked the young girl before him. Temari nodded emphatically, herrge eyes looking up at him with determination. "When I grow up, I''ll surpass you and then defeat you!" Shichi gave her a thumbs-up. "Good! That''s exactly what I''d expect from the Kazekage''s daughter." "So, I''ll be waiting for the day you challenge me. How about that?" Temari blinked in surprise. "Really?" Shichi reached into his tool pouch and handed her a special kunai marked with the Flying Thunder God technique. "Here, take this as a gift. When you''re older, bring it and challenge me." Fearless, despite Yashamaru''s frantic attempts to signal her otherwise, Temari took Shichi''s kunai, holding it tightly as she replied seriously, "Then you better wait. I''ll bring this with me one day to find you!" Shichi straightened up,ughing. "Then you''d better train hard, because I''m quite powerful!" Temari looked up at him, her head tilted. "Even stronger than my dad?" Shichi ruffled her hair, smiling. "You''ll have to ask your father that." Temari sniffed, proudly dering, "Of course my dad''s stronger. He''s the Kazekage!" "Temari, don''t be rude." This time, the speaker wasn''t Yashamaru, but a woman with short, gentle features and arge, rounded belly. Yashamaru introduced her quickly, "This is Lady Karura, the Kazekage''s wife." Shichi smiled and greeted her. "Lady Karura, a pleasure to meet you!" Asuka and the others greeted her in turn. Karura returned the greetings with a smile, pulling Temari to her side. "Temari was a bit out of line. I hope you''ll forgive her." Shichi nced at Temari, smiling, "Actually, I think Temari is wonderful. She''ll grow into an outstanding kunoichi." "Thank you for the kind words," Karura replied, then noticed the kunai in Temari''s hand. "But isn''t this gift a bit extravagant?" Shichi chuckled. "It''s just a regr kunai, nothing too valuable." Temari, however, was already holding onto the kunai tightly. Karura could only sigh quietly, conceding as she changed the subject. "In any case, thank you for your generosity. Please,e this way; dinner is ready." ... The dinner gathering was intimate, consisting only of Shichi''s group and the Kazekage''s family. In addition to Temari, there was also Kankuro. Unlike his bold sister, young Kankuro was far shyer, looking timid and reserved. "So it seems Gaara will indeed be the host of Shukaku. I wonder how that roon will end up influencing him." "This should be interesting..." After dinner, Shichi nced at Karura''s round belly. It looked like she was almost due. ... After leaving the Kazekage''s building, Shichi and his team strolled through the Sand Vige, taking in the night market that was quite different from what they were used to in Konoha. Once they returned to their lodgings, they washed up and retired to their rooms to rest. In the quiet darkness, Asuka wrapped her arms around Shichi and whispered softly, "Shichi, do you really like kids?" Shichi was startled. "Why do you ask?" Asuka chuckled. "I noticed you were incredibly patient with little Temari, and you kept ncing at the Kazekage''s wife''s belly." Shichi was taken aback. "Was it that obvious?" Hopefully, they don''t think I''m a weirdo... Asuka smiled gently. "Well, I was focused on you the whole time." Shichi inhaled her light fragrance and said, "Then, Asuka, you should be ready, too." Asuka nodded softly. "Mm!" ... After a peaceful night, Shichi bid farewell to Rasa the next morning, and he and his squad departed from the Sand Vige. Meanwhile, Rasa quickly convened a high-level meeting where he finalized a decision: his unborn son would be the new jinchriki. In fact, he had discussed this n with Chiyo the previous evening. ... Elsewhere, as they trekked through the desert, Shichi suddenly asked, "What do you all think about nting trees in the desert?" "Trees in the desert?" Asuka looked around at the endless sand and replied, "Without water, that seems impossible." Shisui was quick to catch on. "Are you thinking of using Yamato''s Wood Release?" Yamato looked stunned. "Well... even with Wood Release, I doubt it could cover an area this vast." The Land of Wind is evenrger than the Land of Fire and is predominantly desert. Shichi smiled. "Of course, Wood Release alone wouldn''t be enough. Even if it were the First Hokage''s Wood Release, it still wouldn''t suffice." "Trees would die without water." "But the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers have a wealth of water resourcesso much that you could say it''s almost too much in the Land of Rain." Everyone nodded in agreement. Anyone who''s been to the Land of Rain knows it rains constantly, making it a rather peculiar ce. Its rivers crisscross thend, with onerge river flowing southward through the Land of Rivers and eventually reaching the sea. "Oh, Shichi, do you think it''s possible to divert water from the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers into the Land of Wind?" Asuka asked curiously. Shisui looked thoughtful, beginning to sense a hint of Shichi''s ambition. After all, Shichi had once shared his vision with him. Yamato added, "Even if we redirected water, wouldn''t it evaporate quickly in the desert?" Shichi nodded. "That''s why simply redirecting water isn''t enough." "We would need measures to control wind and sand, using vegetation to stabilize the dunes and prevent erosion." Shisui agreed, "So, Wood Release would indeed be essential." Shichi nodded. "And not just Wood Release; Earth Release would be required, too, to create windbreaks and construct channels." "This kind of work goes beyond the battlefield. It requires coboration on a massive scale." Yamato looked dazed. "But... is that even possible?" Wood Release for trees, Earth Release for ditches... it almost sounded like a fantasy. Shichi grinned. "It wouldn''t be easy, of course." "This would be a monumental project." "And right now, the Land of Wind couldn''t aplish it on its own." Shisui added, "It would require the unification of the Lands of Rain, Rivers, and Wind." "We''d need many Earth Release users. We could do without Wood Release if we increased manpower for nting vegetation." "As Shichi said, it''s a challenging featbut also one of great significance." Shisui appeared calm, but inside, he was thrilled. Right now, the Land of Wind was under the Sand Vige''s control, but if Shichi could unify the entire ninja world, he wouldy the foundation to aplish this vision. Transforming the Land of Wind, turning the desert into green insjust imagining it was exhrating. However, Asuka and Yamato couldn''t quite grasp the impact of such an endeavor. Shichi didn''t borate further. After traversing the endless desert and resting briefly at a small oasis, he used Flying Thunder God to instantly transport everyone to the Land of Rivers. They then proceeded from the Land of Rivers at a regr pace, arriving back at Konoha by nightfall. After washing up and eating dinner, Shichi was about to head to the researchb when he received feedback from one of his shadow clones. Creating heavy water through Chakra maniption wasn''t a problem, but aqua regia proved far more challenging. Much like the earlier attempt to synthesize diamonds, the difficultyy in the properties. Achieving the highly corrosive nature of aqua regia purely through Water Release was incredibly challenging. ording to the clone''s analysis, Earth Release had to bebined to achieve it. The clone''s training had also shown that, while heavy water enhanced Water Release jutsu, the increase in power wasn''t as significant as anticipated. At the very least, it hadn''t reached S-rank in effectiveness. In other words, using heavy water with the Water Severing Wave jutsu enhanced its potency, but the difficulty level hadn''t yet reached S-rank. Both its elemental transformation and form maniption still fell short. Of course, heavy water could still serve as the basis for a series of powerful A-rank Water Release techniques. By mastering five of these, he could attain the Water Release Master tag. As Shichi sat in his study, he pondered his options. There was still one possible direction in elemental transformation: superheavy water(tritiated water). He didn''t know much about it, but superheavy water was nearly nonexistent in nature and required special methods to produce. It was uncertain whether superheavy water could even be achieved through Water Release. And its one notable characteristic he knew of was radioactivity. Superheavy water contained tritium, which is one of the elements used in fusion reactions. "Alright, then, I''ll split this into two paths: developing new jutsu with heavy water, like a heavy water armor technique... Hmm, perhaps incorporating the Hydrification Technique." "With heavy water, I could create a colossal water clone that might circumvent Lightning Release''s usual advantage." With that in mind, Shichi immediately summoned two shadow clones to start experimenting. ... Time flew by, and in a blink, March arrived. Shichi''s 14th birthday came right on schedule. Unfortunately, due to a message from Non Yakushi, seemingly a representative of the "Great Harmonizer," Shichi had to postpone his n for Asuka to have a child. By the end of the month, Shichi finally received the awaited notification from Orochimaru to assist with the final step of his body modification. When Shichi arrived at theb via Flying Thunder God, Orochimaru was already prepared. Seeing him, Orochimaru smirked, "Aren''t you going to give it a try, Shichi?" Shichi shook his head. "I think the Hydrification Technique offers better advantages." Orochimaru''s eyes gleamed. "So, you''re confident about obtaining the Hydrification Technique?" Previously, Shichi had captured Hzuki Chiba, a member of the Hzuki n, who was currently an experimental subject. Orochimaru had acquired some of Chiba''s cells for his research, but no major breakthroughs hade yet. The Hzuki n''s Hydrification Technique had be akin to a bloodline limit, and even after extracting Chiba''s memories, the training method for this skill remained elusive. It was simr to how Asuka and Kushina could use the Adamantine Sealing Chains without fully understanding their underlying mechanics. Like the Sage Body, it had be a unique physical trait. "I am reasonably confident," Shichi admitted. In truth, now that he possessed the Sand Body, the Hydrification Technique wasn''t essential for him. Still, it was worth researchingnot only for the Water Release Master tag but also to benefit the future of the n. After a brief conversation, Orochimaru summoned a shadow clone and then climbed onto the operating table himself. Now, Orochimaru''s shadow clone would perform the surgery, with Shichi assisting. Shichi couldn''t help but be impressed by Orochimaru''s courage. Only he would dare operate on himself with such boldness. If the shadow clone malfunctioned like Naruto''s often did, things could end badly. The surgery began. This operation focused on reconstructing Orochimaru''s bones and internal organs. It meant that Orochimaru would be even less human. On the outside, he''d still appear human, but inside, he would be more akin to a snake. The transformation didn''t involve recing bones or organs but involved cellr and marrow grafting, altering him gradually on a gic level. This exined why the preparations had been so extensive. Numerous techniques were needed to harmonize Orochimaru''s genes with those of a snake. Additionally, the white phosphorous snake genes required enhancement. The knowledge applied here was vast, including research on Hashirama''s cells and the Eight-Tails. Thus, what appeared to be a simple body modification actually incorporated numerous breakthroughs. Assisting Orochimaru in this operation was a tremendous learning experience for Shichi. And this body modification was only a foundational step. The final result, the Yamata no Orochi form, would beparable to a Tailed Beast. Time slipped by gradually. This operation took an unusually long time,sting a full three days from start to finish. After stitching Orochimaru''s body back together with the shadow clone, Shichi noticed how rapidly his wounds were healing. Although it couldn''t match the Creation Rebirth technique, it was still impressive. Within five minutes of the surgery''s end, Orochimaru was able to step off the operating table, stretch his neck, and smile. "Not bad at all. Much better than expected." Shichi washed his hands and smiled back. "At this rate, you''re looking less and less like a human." Orochimaru didn''t mind in the slightest. "The human body holds immense secrets, but unlocking them is exceedingly difficult. Some alterations are necessary." "Moreover, every individual is different, with unique traits and qualities. It''s only practical to bnce strengths and weaknesses." "You once mentioned that the body restricts our spirit, so I need to enable the body to contain even more." Shichi nodded. "That''s definitely one way to approach it." In truth, his approach and Orochimaru''s were simr. Orochimaru experimented with white phosphorous snakes, Tailed Beasts, Hashirama''s cells, various bloodline limits, and unique constitutions to transform himself. Meanwhile, Shichi, through his own "modifications," enhanced his physicalpatibility, acquiring Tailed Beast genes and gradually transforming into a human form of a Tailed Beast. (End of Chapter) Chapter 202: Astonishing Transformation, Tsunade’s Loss!

Chapter 202: Chapter 202: Astonishing Transformation, Tsunades Loss! [Bonus Chapter]

After returning from theb, Shichi washed up, then sat in his study, focusing intently on his Tag Tree. The Medical Master tag was now ready to be activated. Without hesitation, Shichi activated it. As the leaves on the Tag Tree glowed with blue light, the tag''s effects immediately took hold. Medical ninjutsu talent increased by 100%, chakra control improved by 100%, and physicalpatibility boosted by 100%. Besides Bloodline Limits, is there any medical technique that could still challenge you?none whatsoever! At this stage, a 100% boost was incredible for Shichi. The enhanced talent for medical ninjutsu covered a broad range, including his ability with Yang Release. Furthermore, improved chakra control wasn''t limited to medical ninjutsu. Many high-level jutsus also required precise chakra maniption. However, what interested Shichi the most was the increase in physicalpatibility. Previously, this enhancement allowed him to rapidly integrate Tailed Beast chakra. Now... Shichi closed his eyes to feel it. He sensed the chakra from the One-Tail within him slowly dissolving. But it wasn''t vanishing! Instead, it was merging with him on an even deeper level. Boom! His chakra erupted involuntarily, blue chakra enveloping himnot the crimson aura of the Tailed Beast. When he first gained the physicalpatibility to harness Tailed Beast power, his connection was not unlike Kakashi''s Sharingan. But Shichi, unlike Kakashi, had an easier time absorbing the Tailed Beast''s energy due to hispatibility. While assimting Shukaku''s power, he had even gained the Sand Body. Now, however, the One-Tail''s energy was no longer an external "card" but had fully integrated into Shichi''s gic makeup. At that moment, Shichi felt his chakra quality soar to new heights. Among the nine Tailed Beasts, those with more tails possess chakra more akin to that of the Ten-Tails, with the Nine-Tails having the highest chakra quality. A Tailed Beast''s power doesn''t just increase a jinchriki''s overall abilitiesit''s all about the quality of chakra, with sheer quantity being secondary. This chakra quality isn''t about nature transformation; it''s about raw, unaltered energy. In terms of Wind Release, Shichi was already the strongest in the shinobi world, capable of Wind Release jutsus that rival Shukaku''s. However, before this, Shichi''s chakra quality couldn''t match Shukaku''s. With this improvement, Shichi''s Wind Release would now surpass Shukaku''s. Just as in the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode or Sage Mode, he could now exceed Shukaku''s power. The boosts from the Tailed Beast and Sage Modes lie in this very chakra quality. With higher-quality chakra in its base form, any nature transformation will produce even more powerful results. Shichi''s physical enhancements had raised his chakra reserves to Tailed Beast levels, but his chakra quality still fell short of theirs. Now, with this further boost to physicalpatibility, he had fully absorbed Shukaku''s power, raising his own chakra quality. After the One-Tail came the Three-Tails, and Shichi''s chakra surged again, the blue aura around him intensifying. Next, he absorbed the Four-Tails, then the Eight-Tails, each assimted in session. This enhancement brought Shichi waves of euphoria. Both his mind and body felt transformed, as if he''d undergone an evolution beyond chakra alone. However, just as Shichi anticipated absorbing the Nine-Tails'' energy and gaining chakra on par with it, the transformation abruptly halted. It felt like he''d been riding a wave, only for it to vanish suddenly, leaving him unfulfilled. With a frown, Shichi muttered, "Even with two boosts, it''s still not enough to fully assimte the Nine-Tails?" The previous boost to hispatibility came from the Devourer tag, but that tag had no follow-ups. As for the Master-level tag, there had been no upgrades beyond it so far. Was Master the limit? Couldn''t it evolve to something like Grandmaster? Or maybe a God of Fire Release or God of Wind Release? Regrettably, there was no reaction from the Tag Tree. Shichi couldn''t help feeling a pang of disappointment. Ah, human ambition never ends! He contained the vast chakra radiating from him and vanished in a blur. Outside the Hidden Leaf Vige. Shichi appeared, stretching and loosening his muscles. His eyes fell on a boulder nearby, taller than a person. Swish! With the simplest Body Flicker, Shichi shed to the boulder, clenching his fist and mming it down. Boom! The massive rock shattered, fragments flying as dust billowed into the air. More importantly, Shichi hadn''t used any chakra with that punch; it was purely physical strength. He looked at his hand and saw no signs of damage. That punch didn''t even cause him pain. This was only the beginning. Shichi could feel his body had grown immensely powerful. This wasn''t a simple enhancement from a tag-induced physical upgrade. Flesh and blood were still flesh and blood. But now, Shichi felt as if he had truly be a human Tailed Beast. Even without chakra, his physical strength was astonishing. After all, taijutsu isn''t entirely devoid of chakra. ... "Looks like I need to find someone to spar with." Gazing at the shattered rocks around him, Shichi felt unsatisfied. He couldn''t fully test his new physical prowess. "Tsunade it is..." With a Body Flicker, he returned to the Leaf Vige and made his way to theb. Upon seeing him, Tsunade nced up. "Done with whatever you were up to with Orochimaru?" Shichi nodded. "Yep, it''s finally over." "And I even made a bit of progress." "Say, Tsunade, how about I give you a shot to actuallynd a punch on me this time?" Tsunade turned and looked at him with a ''you must be crazy'' expression. Shichi, as if daring fate, added, "Rx, I won''t use Flying Thunder God. Just taijutsu, no fancy moves." "And if I win... you owe me a kiss." He tapped his lips for emphasis. Tsunade''s eyebrow twitched in irritation, just about ready to explode, when Shichi quickly added, "If I lose, I''ll let you handle me however you want and follow your orders to the letter." Tsunade''s face lit up with an aura of pure menace. "I can use Strength of a Hundred?" "Of course, as long as it''s taijutsu." Tsunade snorted, "Aren''t you afraid I''ll end up killing you?" "Don''t tell me you''ve already developed that forbidden taijutsu technique you mentioned?" Shichi shook his head. "Not yet, still working on that one." "So, Tsunade, up for it or not?" Tsunade stood up, smirking coldly. "Just don''t regret it if I end up burying you!" Shichi chuckled, then, with a swift motion, wrapped his arm around her waist. Before she couldsh out, he teleported them away with the Flying Thunder God. They appeared on a clearing outside the Forest of Death. "Die!" With a furious yell, Tsunade''s punch mmed into the ground, creating a crater and sending dust billowing. Even without chakra enhancements, Shichi''s reflexes were sharp enough that he easily dodged her blow. Tsunade sliced through the dust cloud, spotting him about ten meters away. With a crunch, she pushed off the ground andunched herself at Shichi. They exchanged rapid blows, leaving a trail of craters in the ground with each impact. Tsunade''s strikes were relentless. Ever since Shichi had pushed her back into training, and especially after oveing her hemophobia, Tsunade had been in peak form, often sparring with Shizune to keep sharp. Yet, speed was still her weak point, and she hadn''t been able tond a hit on Shichi. "Hey, you little perv, are you just going to dodge?" Tsunade growled, aiming a fierce straight punch. This time, Shichi didn''t evade. Instead, he raised his hand and caught her fist with a loud p. Tsunade''s eyes widened. "He''s... not even using chakra..." Before she could react, Shichi threw her, chuckling, "Tsunade, here Ie!" In an instant, he appeared right in front of her. "So fast!" Tsunade instinctively crossed her arms to block his punch. Boom! The force from his blow sent her skidding back, carving a long trench in the ground before she could stabilize herself. "What strength..." She nced at her tingling, bruised arms in shock. "He''s like a monster!" "Could it be something like what Orochimaru did?" "No, his chakra hasn''t changed." "What''s going on?" A thousand questions ran through her mind. Although it had been a while since theyst fought, this sheer, unenhanced physical strength was beyond human. "Is it... research on the Tailed Beasts?" Tsunade wondered silently. "Spacing out in a fight isn''t a good idea." Shichi''s voice snapped her back to the present as he appeared at her side, swinging a powerful kick. Caught off guard, Tsunade barely had time to raise her arm to block before she was sent flying, tumbling across the ground. She recovered quickly, springing up andunching a devastating downward kick at the iing Shichi. Their fists and feet collided, sting the air apart with shockwaves, and their immense power gouged craters into the ground with every impact. Tsunade was losing ground, sweat breaking out on her forehead. In her base state, she hadpletely fallen behind. The worst part? Shichi hadn''t even used chakra to amplify his strength yet. He hadn''t tapped into the monster strength technique he''d learned from her eitherotherwise... With another kick from Shichi sending her flying, Tsunade formed hand seals, and a pattern of markings appeared on her forehead. Strength of a Hundred Seal activated! Though she didn''t fully release the Yin Seal, she boosted her monster strength and activated cellr regeneration to improve her reflexes. "I need to take him down in one go, or else..." A fierce glint shone in her eyes as her embarrassment surged, and with a burst of speed many times faster than before, she charged at Shichi. Boom, boom, boom! In her berserk mode, Shichi was almost reminded of the Tsunade who once fought against the Susanoo. Ouch! After exchanging a punch with her, Shichi finally felt pain and was sent flying backward. Thud, thud, thud! With her first hitnded, Tsunade didn''t hold back, her fists and kicks raining down on Shichi, who was flung through the air like a sandbag. But just as Tsunade aimed a kick to m him down to the ground, Shichi grabbed her ankle mid-air. "Tsunade, now I''m getting serious!" With a grin, he unleashed his chakra, tossed her aside, and immediately followed up, his fists raining down like a storm. Now he was also in a state of cellr regeneration, using chakra to amplify his strength and speed, nearly matching Tsunade''s state. The difference? Tsunade relied on the Strength of a Hundred Seal, while he did not. "This guy''s chakra..." As she struggled to block his attacks, Tsunade was shocked at the intensity of Shichi''s chakra. Boom! With a powerful strike, Shichi knocked Tsunade out of the air, mming her into the ground, creating arge crater. Pain surged through her bones as if they were shattering, nearly making her cough up blood. "This brat..." Gritting her teeth, Tsunade''s Yin Seal glowed as she fully released it. The pain and numbness faded, and she sprang up, her power and speed even greater. Now she was in her all-out mode, holding nothing back! With this level of power, even Susanoo wouldn''t stand a chance. Seeing her power-up, Shichi also focused, a blue aura of chakra enveloping him as he activated his cellr regeneration to its absolute limit. And this put him beyond Tsunade''s all-out power. Though they shared the same Yang Release proficiency, Shichi''s physique enhancements, his chakra quality, now rivaling that of the Eight-Tails, and his [Medical Master] tag''s abilities gave him an edge. Tsunade, even in her fully powered-up state, was soon overpowered. After hitting her back several times, Shichi used his speed to appear behind her, locking her legs with his, gripping her wrists, and crossing her arms under her neck. Now Tsunade waspletely immobilized. "Tsunade, you lost!" Shichi chuckled. Tsunade struggled twice, but even a chakra burst couldn''t free her. Finally, she let out a frustrated huff. "Fine, I lost. Now let go!" Shichi released her, and Tsunade immediately stood up. "I never agreed to any bets, though." Shichi was stunned. What a sly move! She''d sworn she''d never go back on her word! Turning, Tsunade walked away. Shichi brushed the dust off himself and was about to speak, but suddenly, she was back in front of him, lips brushing his before disappearing again. Shichi couldn''t help butugh, immediately chasing after her. Tsunade acted as if nothing had happened, her face impassive. "Your boostdid ite from the Tailed Beasts'' power?" Shichi nodded. "My physique changed after absorbing the Tailed Beast chakra, enhancing not just my body but also my chakra quality." "But I haven''t fully integrated the Nine-Tails'' power." Tsunade''s eyes widened. "Fully integrated... So you''re like a human Tailed Beast now?" Shichi thought for a moment. "Almost, though I''m obviously missing the size." Then heughed. "Looks like I''ve left you in the dust, Tsunade." Tsunade''s astonishment faded into a scoff. "Don''t get cocky. I''ll develop an even stronger jutsu." She was fired up! "The next time my new technique''s ready, I''ll be the one to crush you!" With that, she sped up. Shichi called after her, "Then let''s see whose new technique is stronger. And next time, let''s make another bet!" "You''ll lose for sure..." Tsunade''s figure vanished from sight. Shichi didn''t chase her. Instead, he activated his sensory jutsu, pinpointing Guy''s chakra, then vanished from his spot. He wanted to see how the Eight Gates technique would affect his current physique. Plus, he needed to draw inspiration from it to develop a new Yang Release taijutsu forbidden jutsu! (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 203: The Power of the Eight Gates, A Secret Technique!

Chapter 203: Chapter 203: The Power of the Eight Gates, A Secret Technique!

"Great Whirlwind!" When Shichi arrived, he saw Guy training beneath a waterfall he had created earlier, sweeping his leg to disrupt the torrent of water. Shichi silently watched Guy as he trained tirelessly under the pounding water, each shout filled with energy and seeming exhaustionless. Without the Tag Tree, Shichi knew he would struggle to reach this level of dedication. The hardest battle is always against oneself. cking,ziness, indulgence... Watching Guy train, Shichi reflected on himself. After a while, Guy, thoroughly exhausted,y copsed in the pool, allowing the waterfall to crash down on him. Shichi stepped forward and lifted him from the water. "Guy, this is really hard on your body." A weary Guy looked up with a smile. "Don''t worry, I''m plenty strong." "The hot-blooded mes of youth won''t be extinguished by a little water!" Shichi chuckled, channeling chakra into Guy''s body to reinvigorate him. He smiled and said, "Guy, I''m here to learn the Eight Gates technique from you." Guy blinked in surprise. "Shichi, are you nning to take the path of taijutsu?" Shichi shook his head. "Not exactly. I want to draw inspiration from the Eight Gates to develop a taijutsu technique tailored for medical ninjas." "Ah, I see!" Guy nodded in understanding, then smiled. "Of course, no problem at all." "With your talent and physical strength, Shichi, I''m sure it''ll be a breeze." "Then let''s get started." Guy''s expression grew serious as he began exining the key principles of the Eight Gates to Shichi. The core of the Eight Gates lies in the eight internal gates that regte the body''s limits. Guy pressed his finger to Shichi''s body, pinpointing the location of each gate. First is the Gate of Opening, then the Gate of Healing. These two critical points are in the brain, forming the foundation of the technique. The Gate of Opening removes the mental limiters, which is necessary to open any subsequent gates. The second gate, the Gate of Healing, removes the body''s fatigue limit. Guy exined carefully and meticulously. With his understanding, Shichi quickly located the Gates of Opening and Healing. With his forehead veins slightly bulging, Shichi easily opened the first two gates. Seeing Shichi open the gates so effortlessly, Guy gave him a thumbs-up. "Knew you''d do it with ease!" "Now, the third gate: the Gate of Life!" "Once you reach this gate, chakra and physical power will surge dramatically, enhancing speed and strength." Guy pointed to a spot at the center of Shichi''s arms, just below the throat. "This is the Gate of Life." "The Gate of Life!" Shichi quickly locked onto it, and with his chakra, he opened it without difficulty. Boom! A powerful rush of energy erupted, engulfing Shichi in a dense green aura of chakra. "Incredible!" Guy eximed, "Shichi, you''re stronger than both me and my dad!" "That''s Shichi for you!" "Looks like I''ve been cking on my trainingtely!" Guy, who never mes others, always sees room for his own improvement. Shichiughed. "Then you''ll have to push even harder, Guy!" Guy grinned. "Only sweat won''t betray you; you said that yourself, Shichi." "Exactly." Shichi nodded. "On the right path, we''ll never be let down." "Please continue!" Guy nodded. "I''ve only reached the sixth gate myself, but I believe you''ll surpass me, Shichi." He was genuinely excited. Shichi divided his attention, listening to Guy''s instructions while observing the changes in his body. The term "Gate of Life" was fitting, as this gate seemed to unleash raw life force. This exined the green chakra glow, simr to the color used in medical jutsu. Seeing this and knowing the ultimate oue of fully opening the Eight Gates, it became clear that the essence of this technique was to burn one''s own life force for extraordinary power. Opening the Gate of Opening and Gate of Healing removes brain and body limits, preventing self-preservation from kicking in. A momentter, Shichi unlocked the fourth gate, the Gate of Pain. Guy exined gravely, "Reaching this stage puts real strain on the body." Shichi nodded, feeling it out. "It''s true, though not too much for me." This state, he realized, was stronger than when he had fully activated his cells in the fight against Tsunade. In other words, with the fourth gate opened, he was now strong enough to overwhelm even Tsunade in her fully-powered mode. And it also meant he could crush a flesh-form Susanoo in this state. Obviously, neither Might Duy nor Guy could reach this level. This was the unique trait of the Eight Gates. The stronger one''s body, the more power they can harness from the technique, with different results for each user. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Shichi moved, breaking the sound barrier as he cut through the air. In this state, his speed easily surpassed the speed of sound. During his battles with Kirigakure and Sunagakure, he had to go all out to achieve this. Back in front of Guy, he heard Guy exim in admiration, "Shichi, you''re stronger at the fourth gate than my dad was at the seventh gate." "Truly surpassing the teacher!" Shichi grinned. "Let''s continue, Guy." Guy nodded, resuming his instruction. The fifth gate, the Gate of Limit, marked the point where each additional gate would bring a significant boost in power. When Shichi unlocked the Fifth Gate, his aura zed even brighter, and the ground beneath him cracked, lifting stones into the air. Guy, eyes wide, could barely believe it; Shichi''s Fifth Gate power surpassed even his Sixth Gate, possibly his Seventh. Shichi pushed on, opening the Sixth and then the Seventh Gates. With a thunderous st, the aura around him turned blue, his body radiating a searing heat that even Guy had to retreat from, his skin nicked by the cutting winds. At this level, Shichi finally felt the toll, as his life force drained visibly with each second. Floating above the ground, Shichi noticed that the chakra here was explosive and uncontroble, fusing with his body rather than flowing through his chakra pathways. Even with his advanced chakra control as a Medical Master, this raging chakra defied order. Reflecting, Shichi thought, "To create a Yin Release Taijutsu, I need to channel power in a controble way, unlike the explosive force of the Eight Gates." Right now, the strength of his Seventh Gate already matched or even surpassed theplete Nine-Tails. Testing his power, Shichi clenched his fist,pressing the air around it until it shattered. Running at extreme speed, he reached supersonic levels that, before, required him to unleash his full strength. Shichi''s heart raced with excitement. "The Seventh Gate''s strength may not twist space like Might Guy, but under the Sage of Six Paths... no one would outrun me." Mastering the Eight Gates was partly his countermeasure against the Rinnegan, which could absorb nearly all ninjutsu, even Sage Jutsu. This, however, required physical strikes, making the Eight Gates an ultimate trump card he could unleash if needed. Satisfied, Shichi closed the Seventh Gate,nding on solid ground, though fatigue and emptiness rushed over him. However, his recovery was swift, aided by his remarkable physicality and the steady chakra from his tailed beast seal. Nheless, the pain lingered, prompting him to initiate his Star Cursed Seal. Instantly, powerful Yang energy flowed through him, nourishing his cells and rapidly healing his wounds. Shichi mused, "If I''m forced to open all Eight Gates in a do-or-die situation, the Star Cursed Seal won''t be much help. It relies on my own strength as a prerequisite." Having his eighth gate location marked, Shichi then consulted with Guy on devising techniques for use after fully unlocking the Eight Gates. Great power requires skillful technique to fully unleash its potential, making refined moves essential. Guy had already developed techniques for the earlier gates of the Eight Gates, so Shichi was primarily there to help him polish and refine these techniques, like the Front Lotus and Reverse Lotus. For Guy, these two moves could be effectively used up to the Fourth Gate. However, by the Fifth Gate, with the massive increase in power, these techniques started to fall short. Shichi himself found that even with the Third Gate open, the Front and Reverse Lotus didn''t quite meet his needs. After perfecting these moves, Shichi remarked, "For closebat, standard taijutsu moves along with these techniques should be enough." "But when we reach the Fifth Gate, we''ll need something with even more power to take on stronger enemies." Guy nodded, agreeing. "Especially when facing targets that are hard to get close to, or when dealing withrge-scale opponents." Scratching his head, Guy added, "Those are weak spots for us taijutsu users." Shichi nodded thoughtfully. "With the Eight Gates open, chakra bes too wild. Ninjutsu is out of the question, and even channeling chakra onto weapons is challenging." "So we need to explore how to harness power from our fists and kicks alone to extend our range and hit the enemy from a distance." Then he asked, "Guy, the wounds on your skin just nowwere those cuts caused by airflow?" Guy nodded, then paused, suddenly excited. "Airflow? Shichi, are you saying we could use airflow?" Shichi nodded, reminding him, "Remember the taijutsu master from before, the one with the dragon technique?" Guy''s eyes lit up. "I remember! You once analyzed that technique, suggesting that dragon was formed through air maniption." "So, we could also use airflow to attack enemies from afar." Excited, Guy immediately activated the Eight Gates, opening them up to the Fifth Gate. His body radiated a green chakra aura as he began to throw punches and kicks, creating powerful gusts that sent debris flying around. Watching closely, Shichi guided, "Guy, speed up your punches and try to control the air itself with your strength." Guy then stood in ce, swinging his fists at high speed until the air seemed to explode. Suddenly, bright mes sparkedcreated by the intense friction as his fists cut through the air at high speed. Stopping, Guy looked at Shichi, thrilled. "Shichi, those mes just now!" Shichi nodded, calling out, "That was air friction igniting, but it''s still not enough." "You need topress the air with each punch, so when it rubs against the surrounding air, it ignites. Thispressed air could travel far from your body, and the mes generated by its friction would be hotter and deadlier." Guy nodded eagerly and began to experiment. But as Shichi had anticipated, achieving this wasn''t easy. Watching Guy develop this technique, Shichi also found himself contemting. The formation of Morning Peacock was a natural oue of this method, but it wouldn''t be enough for Shichi. If he engaged in Eight Gatesbat, it would likely be against someone with the Rinnegan, so Morning Peacock wouldn''t cut it. Observing Guy''s technique, Shichi was reminded of Rankyaku from One Piecea simr air-slicing technique achieved through rapid, powerful kicks to create wind des. And there was also the air cannon concept. Might Guy''s ultimate move, Evening Elephant, could be considered an air cannona technique based onpressing air to create a high-velocity shockwave. Essentially, it was simr to Rankyaku, as both techniques used air for attacks, though executed in different styles. "When ites to long-range, powerful taijutsu attacks, air is the only, and best, medium." Shichi continued to ponder how to refine air maniption to unleash even more fearsome attacks. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 204: The Fourth Hokage Arrives!

Chapter 204: Chapter 204: The Fourth Hokage Arrives!

Time always flies when you''re busy. While Shichi was deep in hisb, experimenting with human modifications on White Zetsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Nara Shikaku were being escorted by an Anbu squad led by Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro as they departed Konoha for the Daimy''s pce. The journey was surprisingly peaceful, with no assassins foolish enough to ambush them. After all, none of themHiruzen, Koharu, or Homurawere so old that they couldn''t fight anymore. Together, the three of them still had a formidable presence. They arrived at the Daimy''s pce without any issues. Waiting to receive them were not only ministers of the Daimy''s court but also the Daimy''s personal guards. When Hiruzen''s gaze fell on his long-unseen son, he noticed a distinct change in his demeanor. "Hopefully, it''s a good change..." Hiruzen thought to himself, though his face remained impassive. The group was promptly led into the main hall for the meeting, where Hiruzen and the others entered while Shinnosuke and the other guards stayed outside. By one of the pirs, Shinnosuke removed his mask, smiling at his brother. "Looks like you''ve gotten a lot stronger!" Sarutobi Asuma smiled sheepishly. "Compared to Shichi and Kakashi, I''m stillgging quite a bit." Shinnosuke patted Asuma''s shoulder. "Shichi once said something wise: the person we need to defeat most isn''t othersit''s ourselves." "Your goal should be to surpass your own limits, not topete with Shichi or Kakashi." "Everyone is different. Shichi is uniquehis abilities have surpassed anyone in the vige, even Father and the soon-to-be Fourth Hokage." "Kakashi, on the other hand, has endured a lot and lost a lot. It''s by constantly surpassing himself that he''s reached his current level." Hearing this, Asuma nodded solemnly. Shinnosuke chuckled, "I heard from Shichi that you''ve made great progress in the Tailed Beast experiment. How''s it going?" Asuma scratched his head, "Well... I''ve made progress, but controlling the Tailed Beast''s power is still incredibly difficult." "Oh, by the way, has Kakashi seeded yet?" He had resisted asking Shichi about it before. "Indeed," Shinnosuke confirmed with a nod. "You''re doing your bestthat''s what counts. The Tailed Beast''s power is just a foundation; what really matters is your own strength." He tapped Asuma''s forehead and chest. "Here... and here." "Everyone has their own path. Only by walking your own can you stand on your own someday." Asuma nodded in understanding. "I get it." Then Shinnosuke suddenly shifted the topic. "Did you hear about how Shichi took down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and captured their swords?" Asuma nodded. "I heard a bit about it. Why?" Shinnosuke grinned. "Are you interested in wielding one of the swords?" "Shichi''s looking for users for them!" Asuma looked confused. "Seven swords... but, I use Wind Style, so I don''t think any of them would suit me for closebat." Shinnosukeughed, leaving Asuma puzzled. "Shichi hasn''t found a single suitable wielder for any of the swords yet." When Asuma heard this, he was shocked. "That... That can''t be, right?" Those seven swords once tore through Konoha''s defenses. And now, no one wants them? Are they joking? Shinnosuke thought for a moment. "I think the people Shichi approached are probably like youthey already have their own styles." "After all, those seven swords aren''t simple weapons; each one has its own unique properties." ... While the Sarutobi brothers were reminiscing outside, the discussion in the meeting room turned to a critical topic. The Daimy, upon hearing of Hiruzen''s decision to step down, feigned surprise. "At your age, Hiruzen, aren''t you still capable of leading?" "Even with the concessions made during thest war, isn''t Danzo already dead?" In truth, the Daimy was thrilled that the "old man" would finally be stepping down. A new Hokage would be much easier to manipte. Whether it was Minato Namikaze or Orochimaru, both were better options than Hiruzen. Though Hiruzen appeared lenient, he had fortified Konoha like an iron wall. With Shichi''s help, the Daimy had only recently managed to create a breach. Of course, he wanted to continue until he could fully dismantle Konoha''s authority and eliminate the position of Hokage altogether. Hiruzen, however, showed no sign of backtracking, saying firmly, "In the recent war, I made many mistakes. It''s time to hand the future over to the younger generation." The Daimy nodded in agreement, deciding not to press further, as he didn''t want to give Hiruzen a chance to change his mind. "If that''s the case, then who will be the sessor?" As he said this, he cast his gaze around the room. To his left sat his ministers and nobles, while to his right were Konoha''s representatives. The Konoha side remained silent, deferring to Hiruzen''s judgment. Meanwhile, the nobles and ministers began to murmur among themselves. "Shouldn''t it be Orochimaru?" "After all, he made significant contributions in thest war." "As one of the Sannin and a disciple of the Third Hokage, he''s definitely a suitable candidate." ... Although Danzo is dead, his PR campaign was well-prepared in advance. The Daimy hid most of his face behind a fan, with one eye observing the Konoha delegation. As much as he hated to admit it, the Daimy''s government had no real authority over Konoha''s personnel decisions. Although he had invited Nara Shikaku as an advisor, Shikaku would never side with the Daimy''s interests. Thus, the choice of the next Hokage was ultimately up to Hiruzen Sarutobi. The opinions of Konoha''s Jnin were the next priority, while the Daimy''s side was merely a formality. Hiruzen, calm as always, listened to the discussions before slowly announcing, "For the next generation, Namikaze Minato is an excellent choice!" Feigning curiosity, the Daimy asked, "Namikaze Minato?" A minister quickly added, "The Yellow sh of Konohahe''s also Shichi''s teacher, the Blue sh." The Daimy acted as if he had just realized, "Ah, so it''s him." "He seems quite young, doesn''t he?" Koharu Utatane rified, "He''s a disciple of Jiraiya, one of the Sannin." The Daimy nodded, "So he''s Jiraiya''s student and a grand-disciple of the Third Hokage! That''s fine, then." ... And so, the decision was settled. As long as Minato passed the Jnin vote and secured the support of all Konoha''s Jnin, he would officially be the Fourth Hokage. And it was clear that there would be no obstacles. On May 2, Year 47 of Konoha, Shichi was summoned from his experimental base by Shizune to attend the Jnin meeting. All avable Jnin in Konoha were required to attend, with the exception of the Anbu Jnin. When Shichi arrived, the gathering was already crowded. Even Tsunade had arrived early, and to his surprise, so had Jiraiya, who was usually hard to pin down. Only Orochimaru was absent from the Sannin, having left the vige with Anko the previous month. Among the attendees were also Kakashi, Uchiha Shisui, and others. "Shichi-kun!" "Jnin Shichi!" ... As soon as he appeared, greetings flooded in. "n Leader Fugaku!" "n Leader Hiashi!" "Shikaku-senpai!" ... Shichi returned each greeting courteously, then moved over to Tsunade and Jiraiya after saying hello to Kakashi. "Why are you here so early?" Shichi asked curiously. "And Tsunade, why didn''t you call me?" Tsunade replied calmly, "I wasn''t at the experimental base." "Recently, Hayate has been using Transparency Escape too often, so Non asked me to help treat him." Shichi raised an eyebrow at this. Just then, a wave of voices signaled that his teacher, Namikaze Minato, had arrived. Shichi immediately raised a hand in greeting. Minato, much like Shichi, greeted everyone warmly as he made his way over and called Kakashi over to join them. They all chatted casually until Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura arrived, at which point the conversations quieted down. Then came the Jnin votea simple process. "Those in favor of Namikaze Minato as the Fourth Hokage, raise your hands." Shichi scanned the room and saw that no one withheld their vote. It was unanimous. "Then, on May 6, we will hold the session ceremony," Hiruzen finally dered. After the vote, Shichi and a few others gathered at a tavern. However, only Jiraiya and Tsunade drank; Minato didn''t drink, and both Shichi and Kakashi were still underage. Jiraiya sighed, "It''s a shame that Orochimaru isn''t here." Tsunade gave him a side-eye. "He was a candidate, after all." Jiraiyaughed, "There''s no shame in losing to Minato!" "After all, Minato is my disciple!" Shichi chuckled, "And he''s my teacher!" Minato could only smile awkwardly. Tsunade looked tempted to punch them both for their shamelessness. After a bit of lighthearted chatter, Jiraiya spoke up, "Minato, after your inauguration ceremony, I''ll be leaving the vige." Before Minato could respond, Tsunade frowned, "Going off again to find your so-called ''Child of Prophecy''?" Jiraiya answered seriously, "I also want to gather intelligence, to see if Madara Uchiha is really dead or simply hiding." The group fell silent, frowning, and Minato said, "It''s too dangerous for you to go alone." "From what happenedst time, Nagato isn''t likely to show mercy to you." Shichi quickly chimed in, "Jiraiya-sensei, you should stay in Mount Myboku and master Sage Mode first." "Leave the intelligence gathering to me." "And finding Madara Uchiha isn''t urgent right now. Even if we found him, we couldn''t take him down alone." "Just dealing with Nagato and the controlled Obito would be more than you could handle." Then Shichi turned to Minato and asked, "Sensei, you can activate Sage Mode instantly, right?" Minato humbly replied, "Yes, but I can only maintain it for about two minutes." Alright, his duration was indeed short. But Jiraiya''s prep time was ridiculously long. In the original story, if Nagato hadunched all six Paths from the start, he''d have defeated Jiraiya before he could even prepare. Jiraiya, however, wasn''t embarrassed at all, smiling as he said, "Even if my Sage Mode takes time to activate, I can sustain it for a long time with the help of two Sage Toads." Tsunade mocked mercilessly, "In a real fight, especially when surrounded, no one will wait for you to finish your prep." "Besides, Konoha is more important now." "Madara Uchiha will surelye for the Nine-Tails." Jiraiya sighed, "Alright, it seems my opportunities for gathering material are limited." Minato smiled, "In that case, Jiraiya-sensei, you and Tsunade should serve as Hokage advisors too!" Jiraiya quickly declined, "Minato, I need time to train in Sage Mode. I don''t have time for that." Though he couldn''t gather intel abroad, he could still roam around Konoha. Being an advisor would be too much trouble; it would take away all his writing time. Tsunade also declined immediately, "Advising is too much work; I''ll stay in Konoha Hospital." Minato looked helplessly at Shichi. Shichi shrugged with a smile, "Being an advisor is just a title." "When there''s important work, everyone will be involved in the discussion." "I think, Minato-sensei, you should recruit a few secretaries to help. Otherwise, I fear you won''t even have time to go home after you take office." Jiraiyaughed heartily, giving Shichi a thumbs-up. "Minato, better not hire any female secretaries, or Kushina might not let youe home at all!" Everyone burst intoughter at that. ... May 6, Year 47 of Konoha. In front of the Hokage Building, a massive crowd had gathered. Amidst a chorus of cheers, on the rooftop, Namikaze Minato, dressed in the Hokage''s ceremonial robe, epted the Hokage hat from Hiruzen Sarutobi at the age of just 23. The youngest Hokage in history was born! The Fourth Hokage has arrived! In the crowd, Shichi looked up at the Hokage Rock and thought, "I hope fate can change..." "No, it definitely will!" ... After the ceremony, Shichi went to the Hokage''s office, where he found Uzumaki Kushina dressed in her ninja attire. He smiled and said, "Congrattions, Kushina-san, on achieving your goal!" Kushina looked puzzled. "Huh?" "Shouldn''t you be congratting Minato?" Shichi winked at the couple. "I clearly remember you once saying, ''I''m going to be the woman of the Hokage!''" "Now that Minato-sensei has be Hokage, your goal has been fulfilled." Kushinaughed, hands on her hips. "I suppose you''re right!" "Then again, Shichi, I seem to remember you saying something like, ''I''m going to be the man of the Hokage!''" Kushina teased him mischievously. Niceeback! Shichi quickly changed the subject. "Sensei, I''m nning to perform some modifications on Hayate Gekk." They''d discussed this before, so Minato asked, "Is the technique fully developed?" Shichi nodded. "The gill-based breathing system is stableI''ve already tested it on White Zetsu." "The skin-based breathing system still needs work; I''ll need more time to perfect it." "For now, starting with the gill-breathing setup for Hayate should work well. I can also create a specialized breathing mask for him, which should greatly ease his condition, especially without impacting hisbat abilities." If his research on the skin-breathing system were more advanced, Shichi would rece Hayate''s respiratory system entirely. Rest assured, it won''t resemble a toad''s! Minato, fully confident in Shichi, nodded and asked, "And what about the Gekk n''s opinion?" Hayate''s support was a givenShichi wouldn''t havee if he hadn''t already asked him. The key was the Gekk n''s approval. Shichi smiled, "No issues there. I spoke to Hayate''s father myself." Minatoughed and said, "Then there''s no problem. Go ahead." Shichi nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped, turning to Kushina, who was busy reviewing paperwork. He grinned and said, "Kushina-san, make sure to get Sensei a few more assistants. Otherwise, he might not make it home in the evenings." With that, Shichi immediately teleported away with Flying Thunder God. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 205: A Different Hayate, the Dark Guardian!

Chapter 205: Chapter 205: A Different Hayate, the Dark Guardian!

The newly appointed Hokage, Namikaze Minato, was extremely busy. Though Konoha might seem like a small vige, there was no shortage of work. Plus, there was no transition period. Previously, Minato had simply followed orders,pleting missions as a jnin. Now, as the Fourth Hokage, he had countless responsibilities to sort through and understand. Watching Shichi dart off quickly, Minato sighed in mild frustration, "I actually wanted to talk to him about taking over the Root division." Kushina chuckled, "You can tell him next time, but my guess is that Shichi will definitely refuse." Minato was intrigued. "Why do you think that?" "He shouldn''t refuse," Minato mused. Kushina smiled. "It''s not that he''d reject taking over Root, but he wouldn''t want it to operate the same way it did before." "He doesn''t want Konoha to end up like before, with Root holding so much unchecked power, which only created internal conflicts within the vige." Minato nodded in agreement. "I intend to reform Root as well." "After all, the original purpose of Root was really just an extension of the Anbu, created to train talent for the Anbu." He didn''t borate further, as this was partly the Third Hokage''s responsibility. Although the formation of Root had unique historical reasons. For instance, when the Second Hokage fell in battle, Hiruzen Sarutobi, barely in his thirties, needed powerful allies to support him. Or, perhaps, because Hiruzen strove too much for the image of light, he needed a "dark glove" to handle the vige''s covert affairs. Regardless of the reason, for a Hokage to allow an organization like Root to develop unchecked could be considered apse in responsibility. Kushina understood Minato''s implication and asked, "So, do you want Shichi to help train talent for the Anbu?" Minato nodded. Kushina organized her paperwork and smiled, "Shichi really would be perfect for that." "He''s mastered all five nature releases, as well as medical ninjutsu, genjutsu, and sealing techniqueshe''d make an excellent teacher." "Besides, Shichi wouldn''t need to spend too much time on it; he could use shadow clones." With that, she volunteered, "Let me handle assigning this task to him!" Minato chuckled, "Then I''ll leave it to you, Kushina." ... Upon leaving the Hokage''s office, Shichi headed straight back to theb. Hayate Gekk was already waiting there, along with Asuka, Shichi''s assistant. As soon as Shichi arrived, Hayate stood up, nervously asking, "Senpai, did the Fourth Hokage approve it?" "Of course," Shichi replied with a smile. "It''s just a minor surgery with no major risks." Hayate let out a sigh of relief. His hereditary illness had been tormenting him for a long time. The Transparent Escape Technique was excellent for gathering intelligence. As a ninja, he couldn''t resist using such an ability, especially since it gave him the advantage of gathering intel before a fight. But this came with consequenceshis lung deterioration had elerated, leading to breathing issues and a host of other problems, including dark circles under his eyes at such a young age. Desperate for a change, Hayate had agreed to Shichi''s proposal of body modification without hesitation. His n, the Gekk family, also hadn''t hesitated. As a once-prestigious family, they were determined to seize any opportunity to support a rare bloodline user. "Let''s get started!" Shichi patted Hayate on the shoulder. Preparations began. After a busy half hour, Hayatey on the operating table like a fish on disy. Scrolls engraved with sealing techniques covered his forehead and abdomen, while the entire operating table was lined with additional sealing patterns and connected equipment to sustain Hayate''s body functions. After Asuka administered anesthesia, Shichi started the surgery. Adding gills was a rtively simple procedure. But it was more than just a small operationit involved integrating a secondary respiratory system to alleviate the strain on Hayate''s lungs. The procedurested until three in the afternoon. Once the operation was over, Asuka ced her hands on Hayate''s shoulders and activated her Star God Seal. In an instant, the healing marks associated with the Strength of a Hundred Seal spread from her to Hayate. Chakra surged into him, rapidly closing his surgical wounds. The Strength of a Hundred Technique wasn''t typically meant for healing others, but Asuka''s unique chakra had natural healing properties, allowing her to heal others through the seal. After removing the seals, Hayate slowly regained consciousness and immediately noticed something unusual. He felt extremely dry and slightly short of breath. Shichi handed Hayate his shirt and exined, "This is normal. Now, focus and try not to breathe through your gills." "The gill system extracts oxygen from water, sending it into your bloodstream. Although there''s moisture in the air, it''s too dry for you to rely on it right now." "So, you''ll still need to use your lungs for breathing." Nodding, Hayate focused and soon mastered the ability to switch between breathing methods. It felt fascinating. At that moment, Asuka handed him a ck breathing mask designed to cover his mouth, nose, and both sides of his neck. (T/N: Why I''m getting Viper(Valorant) chills here xd) "This custom gill breathing mask is designed to work by dissolving air into water so that you can extract oxygen from it seamlessly," she exined, passing the mask to Hayate. Hayate touched the sides of his neck, wondering if he now looked like a fish. Amused, Asuka asked, "Want to check a mirror? It actually looks pretty cool." In fact, Hayate''s gills looked like three clean, thin shes on each side of his face. Watching him, Shichi couldn''t help but think Hayate now resembled Kisame. Blushing slightly, Hayate replied hastily, "Appearance doesn''t really matter to me; I just need time to adjust." He quickly put on the mask and resumed gill breathing. His eyes lit upit felt amazing. This setup wouldn''t interfere withbat at all. Hayate leapt from the table, activating his Transparent Escape Technique, and vanished from Shichi and Asuka''s sight, his body and aura both concealed. Shichi sensed the chakra fluctuations, realizing that while Transparent Escape could erase physical presence and aura, it couldn''t entirely mask chakra signals, meaning it wouldn''t evade chakra-based detection. This prompted him to wonder, Could this technique hide from the Sharingan or Byakugan? He recalled that Iwagakure also had a jnin with a simr stealth technique and that Nagato''s chameleon summon could be invisible, though with even greater effectiveness. "Hayate, can Transparent Escape not erase chakra fluctuations?" Shichi asked. Hayate reappeared, somewhat embarrassed. "The strain on my body limits how deeply I can develop it. Currently, it only hides my form and aura." Shichi understood and reassured him, "This transformation was sessful. When you''re ready for the next stage, we''ll do further modifications so you won''t need the mask and can breathe underwater." Hayate beamed with joy and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Shichi and Asuka!" Shichi continued, "But keep in mind, this doesn''t cure your condition. While it''ll prevent your bloodline ability from harming you too severely, your lungs will still deteriorate over time. We can''t be sure if it might eventually affect other organs." "So, your lungs will still need regr treatment." Hayate nodded solemnly. "Understood." ... After escorting Hayate out of theb, Asuka returned and asked, "Shichi, could Hashirama cells or White Zetsu cells possibly cure Hayate''s condition?" Shichi shook his head. "There''s no way to know right now." "The exact cause of bloodline illnesses is still unclear. The leading theory is that the bloodline limits trigger gic abnormalities." "As for whether Hashirama cells or White Zetsu cells could heal itwe''d need further tests." Then he chuckled. "Even if they don''t cure it, they should be able to counteract the negative effects of Transparent Escape for a long while." Since Hashirama cells could neutralize the Mangeky''s blinding drawback, Transparent Escape should be no problemas long as Hayate''s body could handle it, even the imperfect White Zetsu cells. "Let''s go home and leave the experiments to my shadow clones," Shichi said, tidying up and leaving a shadow clone behind before heading home with Asuka. As for Tsunade, she was at the Konoha Hospital, taking over and nning to expand the medical ninja program. Her goal was to have some academy graduates split into a medical training program, where they would either join medical teams or bebat medics. For now, this was only a n. Before that could happen, Minato had to sort through all of Konoha''s internal matters, as any new project needed fundingespecially training shinobi, and even more so for medical ninjas. Just after taking office, Minato still needed time to fully assume his new responsibilities. ... The next day, Shichi was stopped on his way home after morning training by Kushina Uzumaki. "Shichi, I have a favor to ask," Kushina said with a bright smile. Seeing her expression, Shichi felt a bit nervous. "Uh, this isn''t anything difficult, is it?" "Of course not!" Kushina replied cheerfully. "I''d like you to take over the Root Division." Shichi looked puzzled. "But hasn''t Root already been fully integrated into the Anbu?" "Root was originally part of the Anbu, meant to train talent for it," Kushina exined. "Onlyter... well, you know how things changed." "Anbu needs a steady source of talent, especially since Minato just took over as Hokage. As his student, you should lend him a hand," she added. Shichi nodded, understanding now. "So, you want Root to function again as a training ground for Anbu candidates?" "Exactly. No issues with that, right?" Shichi thought for a moment. "That should be fine." Kushina didn''t seem surprised and then asked, "Do you have any ideas for talent training?" Shichi considered it. "It really depends on how Minato-sensei wants to position Root as a training base. In the past, Root''s training mainly helped standard shinobi adapt to the Anbu''s style of operations. While there was some strength development, it was more about conditioning for their tasks in the shadows." "So, in my view, Root could function almost like a second ninja academybut a special one meant for those who are already shinobi," he continued. "Training in the Anbu''s operating style doesn''t require too much time. What matters more is developing strength. We could select potential candidates, train them in Root, then move the best to Anbu. Eventually, some could even rise to be team leaders and the like." p! p! Kushina pped, smiling happily. "I knew you''d be perfect for this!" Shichi chuckled. "That was probably the original intention behind Root... So, we don''t need a formal leader for Root. We could mimic the current Anbu setup, splitting it into two main sections that report directly to the Hokage." "One branch would focus on strength development, and the other on tactical field training," he exined. "They could alternate." Kushina pped again. "It''s settled, then. Later,e by the Hokage''s office. I''ll prepare a list so you can choose candidates." She patted Shichi''s shoulder encouragingly. "Don''t worry, with shadow clones, teaching will be a breeze." With that, Kushina waved and left in a sh. Watching her go, Shichi sighed. "Looks like my schedule just got a lot busier... Well, that''s what happens when you''re the Hokage''s student." Wait... what''s that? He noticed something unusual with his mental ''Tag Tree.'' Sure enough, a new tag had appeared. Tag: Dark Guardian Condition to Obtain: Reestablish Konoha''s Root Division and be a guardian of both Konoha and the Shinobi World. Effects: +100% Talk-no-Jutsu, +100% Luck, and gain the Shadow Release Kekkei Genkai. What''s going on? Shichi was perplexed. "Is this tag system expecting me to take on Danzo''s role?" Restoring Root for Konoha was one thing, but being a "protector in the shadows" for the whole shinobi world? Did that mean he''d have to wait until he defeated Kaguya Otsutsuki before fully unlocking this? "But this Shadow Release Kekkei Genkai sounds interesting," Shichi thought, intrigued. Shadow Release seemed like an upgraded version of the Nara n''s shadow techniques. For now, he''d take things one step at a time. There was no way he was going to be another Danzo. After returning home, he freshened up and had breakfast with Nono Yakushi and the others before using Body Flicker to go directly to the Hokage building. Upon knocking and entering the Hokage''s office, Shichi was greeted by the sight of towering piles of paperwork. In addition to Minato''s desk, there was now a second one to the left, piled high with documents as wellit seemed Kushina had her hands full too, though she wasn''t in the office at the moment. "For a leader of a military organization, there''s sure a lot of office work," Shichi thought to himself with a smirk. "Shichi, Kushina already briefed me. Just follow the n you discussed. Later, bring a formal proposal if you have time," Minato said, smiling as he handed over a file. Shichi took the file and nced through it. The list was divided into three sections: former Root members, Hokage''s personal Anbu members, and a selection of chunin and jonin from outside the Anbu. Scanning the list, Shichi quickly noted that this was just a partial roster of the Hokage''s Anbu forceonly four teams, or sixteen people in total. It seemed most Anbu members were still working under Hiruzen Sarutobi''s authority. That was fine, though. Authority needed time to transition; the vige couldn''t just pause its operations for a power handover. For example, he noticed that Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro were listed among the Anbu members reporting to Hiruzen. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 206: The New Root, Devil Training!

Chapter 206: Chapter 206: The New Root, Devil Training! [Bonus Chapter]

After thoroughly reviewing and memorizing the entire roster, Shichi finally looked up and said, "Sensei, for the reestablishment of Root, I won''t need too many people for the part I''ll be handling." "Apart from myself, I only need Ryma Aburame, Aki Nara, Rui Akimichi, and Yano Yamanaka." These four were all former members of Root, reflecting Danzo''s reach in Konoha. Minato was about to ask if that would be too few but then smiled thoughtfully. "Alright, let''s go with them for now. If you need more, we''ll addter." "So, for the team leads who''ll be handling the hands-on training missions, do you have any rmendations?" Minato asked. Shichi thought for a moment. "They shoulde from Anbu, be familiar with its operations, and have enough field experience to manage independently. I think Shinnosuke-senpai would be a great fit for the role." Minato nodded; Shinnosuke was also his choice for this position. From every angle, he was a solid pick. "Then let''s appoint Shinnosuke as the leader of Root''s field training division," Minato concluded. Then he smiled. "Your first training group will consist of the ones marked in red." Shichi grinned. "Sensei''s personal guard squad, right?" He''d already noticed the names: Genma Shiranui, Iwashi Tatami, and Raid Namiashi. All were currently chunin, a couple of years older than him. Minato nodded. "Yes, I''ve been too busy to mentor them much myself, so I''ll have to rely on you." "Also, go ahead and teach them Flying Raijinsee if they can manage it." Shichi nodded eagerly. "Don''t worry, Sensei. I''ll give it my best." Minato considered for a moment, then added, "Yamato, Shisui, and Asuka should also join you in Root." "And regarding the jutsu in the Scroll of Seals..." Minato stood up, pulling out a thick scroll and handing it to Shichi. "Aside from the more dangerous forbidden jutsu, I''ve made copies of the other techniques. You''re in charge of theseteach them as you see fit to the Root trainees." "Just draft some guidelinester when you have time," he added. As Shichi epted the scroll, he couldn''t help but sigh, "It''s really starting to feel like a lot of responsibility..." Minato chuckled. "You could always make Asuka your secretary!" "And didn''t you say, ''With great poweres great responsibility?''" Another well-aimed boomerang of wisdom, thrown right back at him. Taking Minato''s advice to heart, Shichi smiled and said, "Sensei, I''d like to request one more person for my team." Minato raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Who?" "Tenka!" Shichi mentioned a name Minato hadn''t expected, looking slightly bemused. Quickly, Shichi added, "Sensei, I''m only doing this for work-rted reasons." Minatoughed. "If she''s willing, I have no objections." ... Upon leaving the Hokage''s office, Shichi immediately sent out a few clones to gather the team while he went ahead to the original Root base to handle the transition. This ce held a lot of secrets. Although many records had been moved, there were still valuable items here, guarded by a few remaining Root members. After the transition, these guards left. "Things have really changed..." Shichi thought as he looked around at the familiar surroundings. Starting today, half of this ce belonged to him. After taking a full tour to reacquaint himself with the base, he ced the scroll of jutsu in a secluded chamber within the innermost part of the Root base, securing it with a seal. When he came back out, Uchiha Shisui, Yamato, and Asuka had already arrived. "Yamato, take Shisui and Asuka around to get familiar with the ce," Shichi said with a smile. "From today on, this is our workce." Asuka was surprised. "Shichi, is Root being reestablished?" Shichi nodded, "Yes, but I''m only handling the special training. You could say I''m acting as an instructor." Shisui added, "Root''s original purpose was to train elite operatives for Anbu." Just then, four figures appeared: Ryma Aburame, Aki Nara, Rui Akimichi, and Yano Yamanakaall former Root members, habitually wearing masks. They gathered in front of Shichi and bowed in unison. "Lord Shichi!" Shichi nodded slightly. "Take off your masks. We''re not operating under mission cover right now, so there''s no need to conceal our identities." "Yes, Lord Shichi," they responded, removing their masks. After sending Yamato off with Shisui and Asuka to explore the area, Shichi turned to Ryma and the others. "You four know this ce best. Where would be a good area for conducting sses?" After a brief pause, Aki Nara responded, "Do you need space for practical training, my lord?" Shichi replied, "We''ll be covering both theory and practicals, including jutsu demonstrations." Aki quickly answered, "There''s no suitable indoor area for live demonstrations, but there are several training grounds around the base that we could use. For theory sses, rooms 11, 13, and 17 can each hold around 30 to 40 people, which should be sufficient." With a n forming, Shichi asked about Root''s original training methods. Previously, his Root training only covered Anbu-style mission execution. There had been no enhancement training for personal abilities. "Root training is split into two categories," Ryma exined. "The first is pure mission-based training, which you experienced before. The second is skill-based specialization, which Danzo personally supervised for talents in certain jutsu types, often dealing with secret or forbidden techniques." "There''s also routine jutsu instruction andbat training, more of a standard regimen," Ryma continued. Specialization in secret or forbidden techniques was notoriously brutal. Thinking of Sai''s experiences, Shichi understood the harshness involved. Ryma added, "Aside from training, everyone also had to adapt to Anbubat styles by taking on missions, with Danzo''s ultimate goal being the suppression of emotion, making operatives into weapons for Konoha''s shadows." Shichi shook his head, remarking, "Suppressing emotions? Humans can''t be truly emotionless; it''s just a temporary repression." "Chakra is abination of mental and physical energy, and emotions are part of that mental strength. In fact, a person''s spiritual will significantly influences chakra strength," he exined. "The human body has limits, but the spirit has limitless potential." Looking at the four, Shichi continued, "Since you each have n jutsu, your training in Root was tailored by Danzo, correct?" The four nodded in unisonRoot had forged them into emotionless, mission-focused operatives. Shichi decided not to change their outlooks abruptly, as habits formed over years were not easily reshaped. He instructed Yano Yamanaka, "Go to the Hokage''s office and bring over Genma Shiranui, Raid Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami. They''re the Fourth Hokage''s guard and the first group for our training." "Understood, Lord Shichi!" Yano bowed before swiftly leaving. Turning back to the others, Shichi led the remaining three into the depths of the Root base to room 11, where they regrouped with Shisui and the others. Shortly after, Yano returned with Genma and the other guards. As the three addressed him as "Lord Shichi," he acknowledged them with a nod. Friendships aside, roles were roles. Turning to Raid, Shichi conjured the Executioner''s de, handing it to him. "If you''re using a sword, give this a try." "This is one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mistthe Executioner''s de. It has the ability to absorb blood to regenerate itself and is an unbreakable chakra weapon." Raid''s hand sank as he epted the sword, surprised. "It''s... so heavy!" Shichi smirked, "Take your time getting used to it." "Now, the three of you, choose a specialization: any nature transformation, genjutsu, kenjutsu, or even medical ninjutsu, though I doubt anyone will pick that," Shichi said with a teasing grin. Genma chuckled in admiration, "As expected of Shichi, the Blue sh of Konoha!" Raid was the first to decide. "I choose kenjutsu!" Genma followed. "Wind Style!" Iwashi chosest. "Genjutsu!" Shichi nodded. "Shisui, you''ll be responsible for Iwashi''s training." "Train him starting with Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death, and gradually work up to Temple of Nirvana Technique. Mastering the Temple of Nirvana Technique will be the target." The Temple of Nirvana was an A-rank genjutsu that could hypnotize a group. Although easily resisted by stronger chunin, mastering it required a solid grasp of genjutsu, which would allow Shichi to teach Iwashi the Bringer-of-Darkness Genjutsu, another powerful A-rank illusion. "Got it!" Shisui responded. Shichi set a time frame. "You have three months." "What?!" Everyone was stunned, and Iwashi began to sweat. Even Shisui questioned, "Shichi, isn''t that too short?" Shichi smiled. "No need for mastery; just learn the techniques. Besides, I''ll make additional arrangements. The main goal is a foundational understanding of genjutsu." Even learning the basics within three months would be challenging, but that was the reality of Root''s intense training. "This training is what I call ''devil training,'' so prepare yourselves," Shichi added with a smile. "Besides, you''re all chunin now. If you can''t reach at least special jonin level after this, you won''t qualify as the Hokage''s guard." "Opportunities like this are rare. Push yourselves to the limit and unleash every bit of potential you have." Feeling the weight of his words, Genma, Raid, and Iwashi replied in unison, "Understood!" Pleased, Shichi gave the signal, "Shisui, you may begin." Shisui nodded and led Iwashi to a separate room where genjutsu could be trained indoors. After they left, Shichi looked to Raid, who had chosen kenjutsu. He turned to Rui Akimichi and instructed, "Train Raid in technique and reflex speed, Rui." Rui nodded, "Yes, Lord Shichi!" and promptly led Raid to the training groundan area where he could also apply his expertise in kenjutsu. ... Finally, Shichi turned to Genma. "You should already have a basic grasp of wind release chakra maniption, right?" Genma nodded. "I do, though it''s pretty basic. I''m not exactly skilled at it yet." Shichi chuckled. "No worriesthat''s where Ie in." He turned to Asuka and the others, "You can all go now." With that, Asuka and Yamato left the room. After they departed, Shichi used the genjutsu technique Demon Realm: Pce of Memories, pulling Genma into an illusion. Suddenly, they found themselves in a forest. "This... is this Flying Thunder God?" Genma looked around in awe. Shichi smiled, "No, this is genjutsu." "This is an illusion." Genma was stunned. "What? It feels so real..." He could feel the breeze, smell the flowers and trees... Shichi asked, "Genma, you''ve had dreams before, right?" Genma nodded. "Of course." Shichi continued, "During sleep, the mind operates much faster than when awake." "That''s why dreams can seem tost a long time, even though they''re only a few minutes." Genma understood immediately. "So, this genjutsu works simrly." "Got it." Shichi nodded, "Just as you think." "But dreams can leave you tired the next day." "So, dreaming does drain mental energy." "However, here, training in this illusion is like training with shadow clonesit won''t leave you exhausted." "Given enough chakra, shadow clone training would be an ideal way to umte experience quickly." "But for now, genjutsu will have to do." Of course, only genjutsu like the Demon Realm: Pce of Memories could simte the effects of shadow clones in training. Especially since Shichi possessed Nine-Tails chakra, which Genma''s spirit was now infused with, blending seamlessly with his own chakra. "Alright, training begins now. Genma, use your wind release to attack me. Let''s test its strength." "Understood!" Genma nodded, forming hand signs and taking a deep breath. He exhaled, cheeks puffed, and a gale surged toward Shichi. Shichi simply waved his hand, and the approaching whirlwind was torn apart, scattering. Genma''s eyes twitched. "That strength is outrageous..." Shichi evaluated, "Your wind release is... well, pretty basic." "Looks like we''ll start from the fundamentals." He caught a falling leaf and exined, "The power of a jutsu mainly depends on its nature transformation and chakra output." "With a set amount of chakra, increasing jutsu power requires improving both nature transformation and form transformation." "We''ll skip form transformation for now. For nature transformation..." As he spoke, Genma saw the leaf in Shichi''s fingers split in two. "This is your first task." "For wind release, the nature transformation focuses on flow, thinness, and sharpness." "Your goal is to use wind release chakra to cut through this leaf." Genma nodded, but then his expression changed. "My chakra..." He felt his chakra levels had increased significantly. Shichi smiled. "Feel it?" "You know the shadow clone technique, right?" "Start with five clones and train together." "Oh, do you need me to teach you the shadow clone technique?" Genma quickly replied, "I already know it." Shichi nodded, "Good. Let''s begin!" The extra chakra was, of course, from Shichi. (End of Chapter) ??? Like it ? Add to library! Want more Chapters ? Give Power Stones! Support me ? Join Patreon ! /RedX43 - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! ??? Chapter 207: Pregnant!

Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Pregnant!

When ites to who has the best talent in the ninja world... let''s narrow it down to ninjutsu talent specifically! Shichi believes it has to be the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Just look at the number of jutsus he developed: Shadow Clone Technique, Multi-Shadow Clone Technique, The Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, Water Severing Wave, Edo Tensei, Flying Thunder God Technique... Even among his contemporaries, the mightiest Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju couldn''t match his skill in this area. In his own generation, without relying on any "cheat" powers, Shichi believes there''s no doubt that Kakashi Hatake stands in a league of his own in terms of talent. Even someone as aplished as Asuma Sarutobi falls quite short inparison. Asuma is second to Kakashi. Others like Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, and Shizune all possess specialized talents, but none are as well-rounded as Kakashi. Even Uchiha Obito ranks rtively high purely in terms of raw talent among his peers. For older shinobi like Genma Shiranui and his tworades, who are two or three years older than him and Kakashi, Shichi would rate them as upper-middle-tier talent-wise. After all, in the original series, Genma Shiranui and Raid Namiashi be Special Jonin, while Iwashi Tatami remains a Chunin. Of course, Special Jonin and Chunin aren''t to be underestimated. Even in the great Hidden Viges, Chunin are the backbone of the forces, while Jonin and Special Jonin are leaders capable of taking on critical missions. They''re fewer in number, while Genin are the majority. Returning to wind release... The first two people thate to Shichi Hoshita''s mind are Danzo and Naruto. Danzo''s wind release mastery is undoubtedly at the elite Jonin level, if not master-level. As for Naruto... Frankly, Shichi finds him hard to evaluate. If Naruto were exceptionally talented, he would be able to handle the Clone Technique effortlessly. Yet he learns the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique in a very short time and even develops the iplete S-rank Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. Looking at his Clone Technique and Multi-Shadow Clone Technique use, Naruto''s chakra control is actually quite poor, with rather weak fundamentals in every area. It''s truly puzzling! Of course, this isn''t due to the influence of the Nine-Tails. Shichi knows very well that the Eight Trigrams Seal fully contains the half of the Nine-Tails within Naruto, with no interference to Naruto himself. Otherwise, Naruto would have dark circles like Gaara. In fact, the Eight Trigrams Seal benefits Naruto immensely, converting the Nine-Tails'' chakra into his own. Even at twelve years old, he has an astonishing amount of chakra. Naruto''s own chakra alone is about four times that of Kakashi, but with the Nine-Tails'' chakra included, it''s over a hundred times Kakashi''s. Returning to Genma Shiranui... Shichi believes that anyone who can learn part of the Flying Thunder God Technique in just two years is undoubtedly smart. With Genma already having a foundation in wind release, he''s decided to give him a bit of a boost. While Genma might not reach Naruto''s level with the Rasenshuriken, he should be able to split a waterfall with wind release within a short period. If not, it would mean Minato-sensei''s judgment of people was...cking. Shichi is already prepared to shift the me. If Genma can''t learn, it''s not because of his teaching but because Minato-sensei didn''t pick the right student. --- Inside the genjutsu, time passed slowly. With five shadow clones plus his original self, making six Genmas in total, he managed to cut a leaf in half with wind chakra only by sunset. Once the clones dispersed, Genma copsed to the ground, utterly drained and ready to pass out. "Not bad." Shichi appeared, dispelling the genjutsu. Upon returning to reality, Genma''s exhaustion hit him even harder, his brain foggy, eyelids heavy. "Get some sleep." With that, Genma promptly fell into a deep slumber. Shichi then left the Root base, heading to the training ground where Raid Namiashi was. At that moment, Raid was still sparring with Akimichi Rui, struggling as he swung an unfamiliar broadsword, looking rather clumsy under Rui''s loudmands. Inside the illusion, it had seemed as though Genma had trained for an entire day, but in reality, only about ten minutes had passed. After Raid had worn himself out, Shichi finally appeared, cing a hand on his shoulder and infusing him with chakra. The exhaustion vanished as his chakra reserves replenished. "Continue!" Shichi took a step back. "Yes, sir!" Raid picked up the sword once again and resumed the sparring. Shichi observed, offering pointers as he watched, correcting Raid''s technique. Even Rui gained insights from his instructions. By repeatedly replenishing their stamina and chakra, and after Rui''s energy waspletely drained, Shichi sent in a shadow clone to spar with Raid, pushing him to his mental and physical limits. This intense trainingsted until noon. By the end, Raid felt every cell in his body aching, his mind turned to mush. "Rui, take him back to the base. Let him eat and sleep; wake him at 3 p.m. for more training." Shichi instructed. "Yes, sir!" Rui nodded, hefting Raid back to the Root base, silently pitying the man on his shoulder. Such a brutal regimenit was insane. Unlike the old Root training under Danzo, which emphasized emotional numbness, Shichi Hoshita''s methods targeted the body and mind in equal measure. From that day on, Genma and hisrades began to feel the true weight of the word "devil" that Shichi had casually thrown around. Training, eating, eating, training, sleeping, and then more training and eating. Their days became a relentless cycle of pushing their mental and physical limits, leaving no time for thoughts outside of survival. ... For Shichi, matters at the Root base weren''t particrly busy. After all, he was just supervising others'' training, not doing it himself. In fact, aside from the first day, he sent his shadow clones to oversee things on the other days. Shichi continued his own training instead. After all, shadow clones can''t solve everything in trainingwhen ites to taijutsu, for instance, real experience is essential. Meanwhile, Kakashi had been recruited by Minato Namikaze into his personal Anbu unit. Even though Konoha and Iwagakure had already reached a peace agreement to end the war, Konoha hadn''t reached any such truce with Kumogakure or Kirigakure. Though there were norge-scale battles, skirmishes continued between the viges. With the support of tailed-beast chakra and an improved physical constitution, Kakashi made rapid progress in lightning-release techniques. His sharp Raikiri and exceptional speed helped him quickly establish his reputation in the Anbu and gain renown even among other viges. Just like that, three months passed. At the entrance of the Root base, Tenka saw off Genma Shiranui and his twopanions with a smile, saying, "This is where we part! Doe again sometime!" She said this out of sheer habit. Even walking them out was a habit Tenka had picked up from managing shops. After all, Genma and hisrades knew their way out of Root. But faced with Tenka''s polite farewell, the three could only thank her awkwardly and hurriedly take their leave. Watching them leave, Tenka couldn''t help but admire, "No wonder the Fourth Hokage has high expectations of these threethey''re truly capable." Once out of Root''s territory, Genma and the others slowed down, letting out a collective sigh of relief. "It''s finally over!" "Yes!" "Waitwas it really only three months? Why does it feel like three years?" Reflecting on their experiences, Iwashi felt like he was emerging from a dream, half-expecting it might all still be some kind of genjutsu. "It was definitely three months, but in the genjutsu training, it felt like we spent three years in there," Genma remarked, still in a bit of a daze, shaken by Shichi''s methods. Training within a genjutsu... it was simply... unimaginable. "He''s definitely on another level," he thought to himself in awe. Raid spoke up, "So, let''s start training with the Flying Thunder God Technique next!" Genma and Iwashi immediately nodded. "Yes, it''s something the Fourth Hokage entrusted to us. We have to master it quickly." Besides, after training so intensively with wind release and genjutsu, they were starting to feel sick of it. Their progress had been tremendous, but if they had to go through it all again... could they even survive it? --- The three made their way from the Root base to the Hokage Tower, where they happened to meet some familiar faces in the lobbyAoba Yamashiro, Might Guy, and Ebisu. "Genma! Long time no see!" Aoba, wearing his signature sunsses, greeted them with a smile. "So, you''re finally out of Root. How was it?" "Um..." The three nced at each other before Raid replied, "It was... interesting. Shichi''s special training at Root ispletely different from before. If you get the chance, you should definitely try it." Raid''s tone was so serious that it caught Guy''s interest. His eyes sparkled as he eagerly said, "Did Shichie up with another unique training method?" "Next time, I''m definitely going to ask the Fourth Hokage to let me join the Anbu!" Aoba and Ebisu exchanged resigned looks. Ebisu then turned to Genma and the others, saying, "It seems like you three have made significant progress. We should spar together sometime." The three exchanged nces, looking rather excited. "Hey, you three are back!" A voice called out, and they all turned to see Kushina Uzumaki carrying a stack of documents. "Lady Kushina!" All six of them greeted her respectfully, and Genma quickly stepped forward to take the documents from her. "Yes, our three-month special training has finished, so we''re here to report back." Kushina looked them over, nodding approvingly with a smile. "You all look much sharper than before. Looks like Shichi''s special training is paying off!" "Alright, you came back at the perfect time. With you here, my workload just got a lot lighter." After all, a Hokage guard was often just another word for "secretary." --- After a wave and a few words of farewell, Genma, Raid, and Iwashi left the Hokage Tower. Aoba Yamashiro remarked, "Did you notice anything different about those three?" "Different?" Guy scratched his head in confusion. "They got a bit taller?" Aoba looked over at Ebisu. Ebisu thought seriously for a moment. "Yes, actually. When they mentioned sparring earlier, I felt a hint of danger." This was purely Ebisu''s well-honed shinobi intuition. Aoba nodded. "Seems like those three have made considerable improvements. Let''s finish our mission, then check in with them when we return." ... At the Root base, Tenka brought a file into Shichi''s office, saying, "Shichi, here''s the evaluation for Genma Shiranui and his two teammates." Shichi, who was studying a new technique, looked up, took the file, and skimmed through it. "They all reached the level of Special Jonin. Seems like it was effective." Tenka chuckled. "After the torture your shadow clones put them through, if they hadn''t reached that level, it''d be a bit disappointing." "Genma has the highest talent, followed by Raid, then Iwashi with slightly less potential." "And of the techniques you taught them, Genma mastered the most; Iwashi still hasn''t managed the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique." Setting down the file, Shichi smiled. "That''s quite impressive already." "Both techniques are A-rank, but the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique is actually harder to learn than the Temple of Nirvana." Tenka suddenly grew serious and said, "But not everyone can handle such intense trainingtwo people have already given up." "The illusion realm was too realistic for them, and they''ve started to lose the ability to distinguish reality from the illusion." Shichi frowned slightly. "Looks like we should lower the training intensity a bit." "If they want to quit, let them. Have Asuka treat them and send them back to the Hokage Tower." Genma and his team were only the first batch to enter special training at Root; others had been sent in session afterward. Some were Root members undergoing retraining, while others were selected by Minato Namikaze. Shichi had anticipated the potential side effects of using the Pce of Memories for training, so he had been gradually adjusting the intensity based on each individual''s resilience. After signing the document, he handed it to Tenka. "Could you take this to the Hokage''s office, please?" "Also, let Minato-sensei know I''ll be heading to the Land of Rain." Tenka''s smile faded. "Is it about the Rinnegan?" Since bing Shichi''s assistant, she''d be aware of more secrets. "Yes." Shichi nodded slightly. "Just gathering intel." "Don''t worryI won''t be in any danger." He quickly scribbled something on a piece of paper, handing it along with the file to Tenka. "Well, alright." "Of course I believe in you, but you know I can''t help worrying a little." She looked at Shichi with a yful gaze. "After all, I''ve waited a long time for you, so don''t keep me waiting in vain." Shichi smirked. Leaning close, he whispered in her ear, "I''ll be back soon." With that, his figure disappeared. Tenka felt a slight tremble as he left; Shichi had yfully nipped her earlobe, which just happened to be her weak spot. Leaning against the desk, she blushed andughed to herself. "The little guy''s all grown up now!" --- Land of Rain, just outside Amegakure. Shichi stood high above the ground, with a crow clone by his side that dispersed with a puff of smoke. Of course, to any observer, it would look as if he had simply dismissed a summoning. Since his brief encounter with Nagato, Shichi had kept his eyes on the Land of Rain. It was nearly September now, and Uchiha Mikoto was pregnant, which likely meant that Madara had finally cut ties with his survival. But today''s visit wasn''t because of Mikoto''s pregnancythere was something else. Hanzo was dead, and although the outside world was unaware, Amegakure had a new leader. Clearly, Nagato was progressing faster than in the original storyline. Without making much noise, he had managed to kill Hanzo and take control of Amegakure. Shichi felt it was time to assess the situation. When a jinchriki gives birth, their seal weakens, and he was certain that ck Zetsu would not miss such an opportunity. Thus, Shichi couldn''t ignore the possibility that Nagato might also show up in Konoha to aid in capturing the Nine-Tails. --- Arriving over Amegakure, Shichi finally descended,nding atop a tall tower. Inside a central tower in the vige, Nagato looked at the six new puppets he had just created. He turned to Konan and said, "Konan, I''ll be leaving Amegakure to you and the Animal Path for now." "We can''t let the outside world find out Hanzo is dead just yet." The Animal Path puppet was made from Hanzo''s corpse. Konan nodded in understanding. "I''ll handle it." At that moment, White Zetsu''s clone, Tobi, appeared. "That guy, Shichi Hoshita, is here. Looks like he''s figured out Hanzo''s fate." Nagato stood up. "Then we''ll get rid of him." White Zetsu Tobi chuckled. "I''d be delighted to help with that." "But I still think it''s safer to wait until the other White Zetsu units arrive; after all, that guy knows the Flying Thunder God technique, which makes capturing him very difficult." Nagato started toward the door. "Then hurry up." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 208: Dual Kamui!!

Chapter 208: Chapter 208: Dual Kamui!!

Under the curtain of rain, Shichi stood in his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, not a drop of rain touching him. After waiting a moment, his gaze sharpened. He''s here! Nagato was floating toward him. Shichi turned and began walking southward out of Amegakure, leaving lotus-like imprints with each step. Nagato followed behind, his gaze fixed on Shichi''s back. He couldn''t help but admit that this man was a genius. Such techniques were beyond his own reach. "Butpared to the Rinnegan, this is nothing," Nagato thought, discarding any admiration he felt. Since Shichi was his enemy, there was no need for mercy. Although they were about to fight, the two of them had a silent agreement not to sh within Amegakure. One after the other, they left the vige and arrived above a vastke south of Amegakure. Thiske fed into a great river that flowed south into the Land of Rivers, eventually reaching the sea. Standing on the vastke''s surface, which stretched like a miniature ocean, they faced each other from dozens of meters apart. This was their second encounter. Thest time, they had only exchanged one brief move before Shichi escaped with Jiraiya due to White Zetsu Tobi''s sudden appearance. It wasn''t fearat that time, Shichi simply saw Jiraiya as a burden. It wasn''t that he looked down on Jiraiya; it was that Jiraiya had no way to counter techniques like Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push) or Bansh Ten''in (Universal Pull). Nagato had changed from the one in Shichi''s memory. With Hashirama''s cells now enhancing him, would Shinra Tensei still require a five-second cooldown? This was his real body, not the Deva Path puppet that required chakra from the Outer Path. It would have been easier if it were just Nagato, but there was also the Kamui Sharingan to consider. And now... the Kamui user was likely lurking, waiting for the right moment. Tobi... Shichi needed to be ready for a full-on assault. Their eyes met, and both saw the battle intent within each other. In the next instant, Nagato raised his hand, and at almost the same moment, Shichi activated his jutsu. Fire Style: Firing Biscuit Jutsu It was an ordinary Fire Release technique, but in Shichi''s hands, enhanced by his powerful nature transformation, it became a deadly force. The azure-blue mes emitted a terrifying heat capable of melting steel in an instant. Nagato, however, was well-prepared with intelligence on Shichi. The moment the blue mes appeared, he obliterated them with a powerful repulsive force. Shinra Tensei! But right after he deflected the mes, a rain of shimmering light descended toward him. Each kunai was cloaked in Scorch Release energy. Multi Shadow Shuriken Clone Jutsu! The kunai were crafted from chakra metal, a gift from Tenka. Nagato lifted his hand and unleashed another Shinra Tensei, the repulsive force scattering the kunai. Soon, even the real kunai were repelled. Bansh Ten''in! Right after Shinra Tensei, Nagato used Universal Pull to try to seize control of Shichi''s body. But Shichi vanished from his original position, reappearing near the repelled kunai, catching it effortlessly. Almost simultaneously, a jet of water surged from beneath Nagato, attempting to pull him into theke. Theke exploded as Nagato leaped into the air, only to be met by an iing me Dragon Breath. This time, instead of using Shinra Tensei, Nagato glided across theke''s surface at high speed, evading the dragon-like me streams with serpent-like agility. Seizing an opening, he hurled a ck rod directly at Shichi. This was a ck rod crafted through Yin-Yang Release! Shichi was casting his jutsu too quickly, without any hand seals. This was a slight deviation from the intel White Zetsu had provided, though not by much. Nagato needed to disrupt Shichi''s technique casting. After throwing the ck rod, Nagato dodged two more beams of light and then sped his hands together. With a thunderous roar, twin columns of water surged upward, pincer-attacking Shichi from both sides. Shichi effortlessly dodged the ck rod, then drew his sword and threw it straight at Nagato. Nagato didn''t use Shinra Tensei this time; instead, he sidestepped the attack, his full attention on the de. As expected, Shichi appeared. Bansh Ten''in! Nagato precisely targeted Shichi, who was clutching the Totsuka de, and pulled him toward him, rendering Shichi unable to control his movement. However, this didn''t prevent Shichi from using his jutsu. Firing Biscuit Jutsu, Dragon me Breath! "Shinra Tensei!" Nagato roared. This time, he unleashed a charged st, obliterating the mes and searing rays, sending Shichi flying from the sheer force. Boom! The airborne Shichi suddenly burst apart. "A Shadow Clone!" Nagato was caught off guard, then heard a sharp whistling sound. Shichi, engulfed in a blue lotus aura, was diving toward him with a long de in hand. There was no time to form hand seals, and Shinra Tensei was in cooldown. At that moment, Tobiwearing the Akatsuki robe with the me cloud pattern and a maskemerged from theke, Mangeky Sharingan activated, his gaze locking onto Shichi. Space-time began to warp around Shichi''s figure. Kamui! In that instant, as Shichi shed down at Nagato, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, teleporting to the Totsuka de that had been deflected by Shinra Tensei, and grasped it with his left hand. But behind Shichi, another figure in the Akatsuki cloak with a tiger-patterned mask appeared, emerging from the space-time distortion. Forming hand seals, this masked figure unleashed a spiraling me that roared toward Shichi like a dragon. Fire Style: Explosion Storm! Whether it was White Zetsu and Tobi, or Uchiha Obito, who had been lurking the entire time, had finally arrived. At this moment, Uchiha Obito attacked from behind, while Zetsu Tobi refocused on Shichi. A pincer attack. Boom! Shichi burst upward in a series of blue lotus flowers, breaking the sound barrier. Not only did Uchiha Obito''s jutsu miss, but Zetsu Tobi also temporarily lost his lock on Shichi, eximing, "Incredible speed!" However, Nagato widened his eyes, raising his hand toward the sky: "Bansh Ten''in!" Shichi''s ascent came to a halt as he was forcibly drawn toward Nagato. Caught! At the same time, a mechanical arm sprouted from Nagato''s shoulder, its fingers twitching to reveal a barrage of missiles aimed at Shichi. "Even the Asura Path, huh?" "So, he''s almost fully mastered the Six Paths abilities?" Though immobilized, Shichi''s shoulder-mounted dragon heads fired rapid streams of me, incinerating the iing missiles. Then his expression shifted. Space-time was warping again, and rapidly. Zetsu Tobi and Uchiha Obito had fusedDual Kamui was in y. But in the next instant, their lock failed, and Shichi vanished. Seeing Shichi''s disappearance, Uchiha Obito let out a sigh of relief. He hadn''t held back in the slightest, even using his newly developed Explosion Storm jutsu. He''d also put everything into Dual Kamui after the merge. With ck Zetsu and Zetsu Tobi both watching him, Obito dared not hold back for fear of losing control over his body again. In a crucial moment, this bit of control could prove invaluable. After all, Shichi''s proposal to have him act as a spy had given him an idea. He, too, wished to end this era of chaos. He, too, wanted to create a world without war. Only then could Rin be safe from harm. ... In a cave in the Land of Rain, Shichi reappeared. Deactivating Scorch Release Chakra Mode, he gritted his teeth as he tended to the wound on his left shoulder. A vortex-like gap remained on his shoulder, as if a chunk of flesh had vanished, exposing bone beneath. Under the power of Creation Rebirth, new tissue began to regrow rapidly. "As expected of Dual Kamui... took a chunk of me in such a short span," Shichi mused. But he had learned a bit more about his opponents. If he nned to seize the Nine-Tails during Naruto''s birth, he''d need to be well-prepared in advance. "Dual Kamui..." Shichi pondered, "Whether Obito has understood my intentions to act as a spy, or if he''s decided to follow Uchiha Madara, I need to secure one of those Kamui eyes first." Whether Obito was controlled, trusted, or something else altogether Securing one of the Kamui eyes would benefit both himself and Konoha, ensuring an addedyer of security. After freeing Obito, he could always return the Kamui eye. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 209: The Seal of Life!

Chapter 209: Chapter 209: The Seal of Life!

"But I definitely can''t sit around waiting for Nagato and his people toe for the Nine-Tails." "Fighting in Konoha would only hold me back." Once his wound healed, Shichi stepped to the mouth of the cave, gazing toward the misty, rain-soaked vige of Amegakure in the distance. "With the Seventh Gate open, Nagato wouldn''t stand a chance." After the recent exchange, Shichi was certain that at full strength, Nagato couldn''t be a true match. Under the Seventh Gate, his power surpasses that of the Nine-Tails, allowing him to counter Nagato''s strongest Shinra Tensei head-on. As for Chibaku Tensei, it wouldn''t pose much threat either. He wouldn''t even have to wait for Nagato to strikehis speed alone would allow him to bring Nagato down. And that''s in a one-on-one battle. Even if ck Zetsu, White Zetsu, and Uchiha Obito were to join in, splitting his forces with Shadow Clones to keep them upied, the oue would likely remain unchanged. "Yet I''m still not strong enough to crush the entire shinobi world." "And right now, I don''t have a way topletely destroy Kaguya tsutsuki. Even capturing ck Zetsu is difficult." Shichi sighed to himself, "Without ck Zetsu gone, its ''Rescue Mother n'' will never end." "So, letting Nagato gather the Tailed Beasts, stirring up the four Great Ninja Viges, reviving Uchiha Madara to lure out Kaguya tsutsukithat''s the safest approach." "In the meantime, I need to disrupt Nagato''s progress in collecting the Tailed Beasts, depending on my own improvements." "So, my next move is to intimidate Nagato''s forces, forcing them to acknowledge my power and stay away from Konoha, targeting the other four Ninja Viges instead." Shichi''s thoughts flowed and eventually solidified: "Wait a bit longer... until my techniques are fully developed, to be sure." "As for Kamui Sharingan... White Zetsu!" He''d left a Flying Thunder God mark on Obito, but to seize a Kamui eye, the best target would still be White Zetsu in the mask. In terms of strength, it shouldn''t be too difficult. The key is Izanagi. That''s why he hadn''t acted sooner. "But even if it means sacrificing one Kamui, I''ll reduce some of their threats!" Having made his decision, Shichi left a Shadow Clone to continue watching Amegakure, then vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique. ... In Amegakure, inside a tall tower Nagato was reflecting on the recent battle, thinking, "He doesn''t need hand signs to activate his jutsusuch a technique is almost on par with the Rinnegan''s ocr abilities." "The Six Paths Puppets are indeed necessary." "But ordinary methods still can''t subdue him; such troublesome space-time jutsu." Nagato frowned. Given the current situation, he thought that even Chibaku Tensei might not be able to seal Shichi in one move. "Unless the battlefield is Konoha... where he would have no reason to escape." Nagato''s gaze turned cold. ... In the Hokage Office, Konoha Vige Seeing Kushina Uzumaki looking a bit uneasy, Minato Namikaze reassured her, "Don''t worry. Shichi has a good sense of thingshe won''t act recklessly." Truthfully, he was a bit concerned himself but didn''t let it show. Kushina sighed. "That guy... even if he went to gather intel, he should''ve taken Shisui and the others with him!" Minato knew that Shichi''s so-called "intel gathering" likely meant a direct confrontationa battle to learn more about the Rinnegan through firsthand experience. Taking others along would just make retreat more difficult. Whenforting her didn''t help, Minato turned back to his work. He knew that if nothing went wrong, his student would return soon enough. Sure enough, in less than two hours, Shichi appeared in the Hokage office. "Shichi, you''re back!" Kushina eximed, her voice filled with relief. Minato looked up, and, upon seeing Shichi safe and sound, a smile spread across his face as well. But then his gaze focused sharply on the torn fabric on Shichi''s shoulder. Kushina noticed as well, gasping, "Were you hurt?" "A minor injury," Shichi replied nonchntly. "Obito''s eye technique is indeed formidable." Kushina''s eyes widened. "Obito... how is he?" Not wanting to worry them, Shichi said, "It seems he''s gained a measure of trust from the enemy, though he stillcks freedom." "His left eye''s ability can activate from a distance, distorting space-time to teleport an enemyor a part of them." "And with both eyes, the technique''s speed increases." "The right eye has a simr ability, but it appears to work at close range for simr spatial attacks." Minato murmured, "This sounds far more troublesome than expected." Shichi nodded. "Which is why, next time, I n to seize one of those Sharingan." "Even if I can''t, I''ll force them to use Izanagi to consume one." Kushina was taken aback, "But what about Obito..." Minato made a decisive call, "If it''s possible, then do it. I believe Obito would understand." Kushina nodded reluctantly. Emotionally, her loyalty leaned toward Shichi, standing right here with them. Minato then turned to Shichi, "What about the Rinnegan?" Shichi exined, "So far, I''ve observed three abilities." "The first is a repulsive force that can repel anythingninjutsu, weapons, you name it." "The second is an attractive force that can draw in enemies." "The third ability involves physical transformation, creating a third arm with mechanisms capable of firing tracking missiles." Kushina gasped, "So no ninjutsu works against him?" Shichi chuckled. "There''s no such thing as a perfect ability. If too much force is released at once, there''s a cooldown." "For now, this cooldown seems to be around three seconds." Minato''s expression turned serious. "Three seconds isn''t much of a window." Shichi continued, "The repulsive force is so strong that even a Sage Art Wind Release: Rasenshuriken wouldn''t get close." "Going forward, I''ll continue testing the Rinnegan''s capabilities through battles, then deliver a single overwhelming blow to keep Nagato in check." "At the very least, I can''t allow him to make trouble when the Nine-Tails'' seal weakens." Kushina paused, "The seal weakening?" "Hmm, does the Eight Trigrams Seal weaken over time?" Shichi grinned. "Sensei knows about that." "That''s all for nowI''ll head out." "Oh, by the way, Sensei, Nagato has taken control of Amegakure. Hanzo is likely... gone." With that, Shichi slipped out of the office. ... In the days that followed, Shichi''s routine returned to normal, filled with training, experiments, and research. Unlike before, though, he now made monthly trips to the Land of Rain to sh with Nagato. Both sides probed each other''s abilities, gathering intelligence. Time passed quickly, and soon the end of December arrivedthe eve of Konoha''s 48th year. That day, Shichi activated "sh of Insight" once again. The ten-minute duration felt increasingly insufficient, as if even a year''s umtion wasn''t quite enough. Thankfully, his "cheats" were strong enough to make those ten minutes worthwhile. "Yang Release has improved again, now on par with Hashirama''s cells. It''s just that I still need more data to fully understand Asuka''s unique physique..." Sensing the highly activated cells within his body and his vast vitality, Shichi felt an unusual hunger. It wasn''t true hunger, but a primal urge arising from his highly activated cells, brimming with life. After taking a moment to adjust, Shichi brought his hands together. The star seal on his forehead red with dazzling light, and the curse mark spread across his entire body. The tadpole-like symbols writhed, shifting subtly. The star seal had evolved once again. This time, it didn''t just enhance Yin and Lightning techniques but also connected with Shichi''s Yin Seal, fusing natural energy with the Yin Seal''s chakra, creating Sage Chakra that permeated every cell in his body through the Strength of a Hundred Seal. Of course, this was only possible because he possessed the Yin Seal. Without it, the mark would draw from his own chakra to synthesize Sage Chakra, as it stored natural energy. This modification was something Shichi had crafted specifically for Guy to counter the Eight Gates'' harmful side effects. Unfortunately, his understanding of Yang Release wasn''t yet advanced enough to ensure survival if all Eight Gates were fully opened. "Combining this with Asuka''s Yang Release could make it feasible..." Shichi spected. Once the mark was fully altered, the Sage Chakra quietly nourished every cell in his body. "This feels amazing!" Shichi couldn''t help but smile. This subtle chakra regtion was simr to Tsunade''s state at present. But Shichi wasn''t after eternal youthhe aimed to sustain a continuous Sage Mode, striving toward the standards of the Sages from the Three Great Sanctuaries. By allowing his cells to be immersed in Sage Chakra over an extended period, he hoped to gradually transform his body. The added characteristic of the Tailed Beasts'' nature was especially noticeable, and Shichi could feel the difference. "At this rate, I may not need to be a Tailed Beast. I could absorb natural energy directly, like they do." "Or perhaps if I fully merge with all Nine Tailed Beasts..." Shichi felt a faint intuition. If he achieved that, he''d be a true human Tailed Beast. ... Afterpleting the modification of the Curse Seal, Shichi got up and headed to where Guy was training. Under the waterfall, Guy was practicing as usual, with Might Duy cheering him on nearby. Shichi walked over with a smile, and Duy noticed him, greeting him cheerfully, "Shichi, are you here to train too?" "No, I came specifically to find Guy and Uncle Duy," Shichi replied with a grin. Duy was taken aback and immediately asked, "Is there a mission?" Given Shichi''s status, Duy assumed he must have an important task for them. Hearing the voices, Guy jumped out from under the waterfall with anticipation. "Shichi, did the Fourth Hokage approve my application to join the Anbu?" he asked eagerly. Shichi couldn''t help butugh. Guy had applied to join the Anbu several times to team up with Kakashi, but his overly passionate personality kept holding him backnobody dared let him into Anbu! Actually, Guy wasn''t the only one applying to Anbutely. The root of this surge in interest was the impressive strength that Genma Shiranui and his squad had unintentionally disyed in a sparring session with Ebisu''s team. Almost everyone in Root had shown remarkable progress, but Genma and his two teammates had improved the most, especially Genma''s Wind Release techniques and Raid''s newly acquired sword, the Executioner''s de. "It''s not about Anbu," Shichi exined. "It''s something to do with the Eight Gates. I''ve created a special Curse Seal that helps restore your body after using the Eight Gates." "Think of it as my New Year''s gift for you and Uncle Duy," he added with a smile. This was also a way to show his appreciation for Guy teaching him the Eight Gates so selflessly. Guy''s eyes widened. "Shichi, you''re amazing! You even managed to figure this out!" Duy immediately bowed deeply. "Thank you so much, Shichi!" Shichi sidestepped politely and smiled, "No need to be so formal, Uncle Duy. Guy taught me a lot about training, and we even developed some new taijutsu moves together." "Alright, let''s test out the Curse Seal," he said. Guy quickly asked, "So, what do I need to do?" Shichi replied, "Just stay still. It might hurt a bit, but I''ll handle the rest." Guy nodded seriously, standing as still as a statue. Shichi ced his hand on Guy''s bare chest. Sizzle~ With a faint sizzling sound, Shichi''s Sage Chakra seeped into Guy''s body. The Curse Seal pattern unfurled from his heart and spread throughout his body. When the seal was fully formed, Shichi withdrew his hand. Now, a purple lotus pattern rested over Guy''s heart. Guy could feel his body changing and eximed, "It''s absorbing my chakra!" Shichi nodded. "That''s right. This Curse Seal absorbs some of your unused chakra andbines it with natural energy to form Sage Chakra. When you open the Eight Gates, especially the Seventh Gate, you can activate this seal to recover your stamina." "It can also be used to heal injuries if needed. I call it the Seal of Life!" Although it wasn''t yet perfected, Shichi was confident he could refine it to the point that even with all Eight Gates opened, it could help save a life. Not only was it meant for Guy, but also for himself. Guy was fired up. "I''m opening the Seventh Gate to test it out!" Duy gasped. "Guy, that''s pushing yourself too far right now." But Guy grinned, showing his determination. "I trust Shichi!" Shichi also felt confident. "While it won''t eliminate all damage from the Eight Gates, it should be fine for the Seventh Gate. Don''t worry, Uncle Duy." Reassured, Duy nodded. Guy clenched his fists, lowered his stance, and began. "Open!" One by one, the internal gates released, and with a boom, green energy enveloped his body. But he didn''t stop there. After catching his breath briefly, he crouched down and braced himself. "Seventh Gateopen!" Boom! The ground cracked as blue energy exploded around Guy''s body. But after just a few moments, Guy had to close the gate and copsed, panting heavily, his face contorted in pain. "Guy! Use your mind to connect with the Curse Seal to activate it!" Shichi shouted. "Got it!" Guy replied, his voice weak. He immediately activated the seal. In an instant, purple patterns spread from his heart, unfurling like a blooming lotus across his body. A warm energy flooded him, quickly washing away his fatigue and pain, and he leaped to his feet with renewed energy. "This is incredible!" he shouted, unable to hide his excitement, bouncing around energetically. Shichi chuckled, "The longer you let the seal umte, the better it will work." Duy watched, deeply moved, and bowed to Shichi once more. "Thank you, Shichi. With this seal, Guy will be able to go furtherfar beyond anything I could achieve. Thank you!" (End of Chapter) Chapter 210: Pregnant Again, Tiger Cannon!

Chapter 210: Chapter 210: Pregnant Again, Tiger Cannon! [Bonus Chapter]

A fresh start to the new year, and with the young Hokage in power, Konoha is bustling with renewed energy. Year 48 of Konoha quietly arrives. Returning from the orphanage with Non Yakushi and the others, Shichi receives a piece of news. Kushina Uzumaki is pregnant! This means, if things don''t change, the countdown to the Nine-Tails'' rampage has begun. Feeling a sense of urgency, Shichi heads to Amegakure soon after the New Year hype fadesand has a sparring match with Nagato. Nagato has grown stronger! Returning to Konoha from Amegakure, Shichi suddenly smiles to himself. "Having a strong opponent isn''t so bad." The training continues! Meanwhile... In the Hokage''s office, Minato Namikaze speaks to Kakashi, who just entered after knocking. "Kushina is pregnant, so I''ll need you to take on the responsibility of protecting her in secret until the baby is born." Kakashi hesitates for a moment, then quickly responds, "Congrattions, Sensei, on bing a father!" Minato smiles and nods, "Yes, so I''ll be counting on you for this." Kakashi nods solemnly, "Understood!" He already knew Kushina was the Nine-Tails'' jinchriki. Though he wasn''t certain that childbirth could weaken the seal, he knew that pregnancy, even for a jinchriki, would make her vulnerable. And there was also... Obito. This thought brings a hint of worry to Kakashi. Seeing through Kakashi''s concerns, Minato reassures him with a smile, "Don''t worry, everything will be fine." ... "Training can''t stop..." As he leaves the Hokage Building, Kakashi nces up at the soft sunlight, then creates four shadow clones to continue training, before heading to Minato''s home to begin his mission. Time slips by, and soon it''s March. Shichi has quietly turned fifteen. He now stands at 178 centimetersalmost indistinguishable from a grown adult. This year, however, he spends his birthday inside the researchb. The reason? His research on Asuka''s cells has finally achieved significant progress. ... "Are you nning to transnt it into White Zetsu next?" Looking at a fleshy mass resembling White Zetsu''s swollen form, Tsunade frowns. This isn''t just pure White Zetsu cell cultivationit''s a mix of Asuka''s cells harmonized with tailed beast chakra. It looks like White Zetsu, but even Tsunade can sense there''s something distinctly different about it. Shichi shakes his head. "Of course not." "We''ll start with smaller animals first; White Zetsu should be fine. The key is seeing how ordinary beings react. White Zetsu isn''t exactly a typical lifeform." White Zetsu is ideal for experimentation; every human modification Shichi attempts goes through White Zetsu first. "Then let''s start with mice!" Tsunade rolls up her sleeves. Shichi nods, leaving Tsunade to work while he heads to the Forest of Death to catch some animals. Chimpanzees, ck bears... soon enough, theb has a dozen types ofrge animals. When Shichi returns to theb, Tsunade has alreadypleted the first cell transnt on ab mouse. Watching the mouse scurry around in the ss box, Shichi smiles, "It seems there''s no immediate risk." Tsunade nods slightly. "Alright, let''s continue!" She grabs the mouse, and with a quick slice, severs its tail. Both watch closely, but the mouse''s tail doesn''t regenerate. Tsunade frowns. "It seems the regenerative ability from my grandfather''s cells ispletely suppressed." Shichi nods. "Though, the mouse does seem a bit agitated." Tsunade observes for a moment. "Let''s see how the other animals react." The transnts continue. Now Shichi begins transnting into therge animals he brought from the Forest of Death, cing each in a cage for observation. Roar! Howl! One by one, the animals wake up, all showing signs of increased agitation. The experiments continue. Shichi and Tsunade left wounds on each of the animals, then observed their reactions. No signs of self-healing. "Hm?" Suddenly, Shichi let out a sound of surprise. Tsunade immediately turned to look and saw that the chimpanzee was licking its wound. Most importantly, the wound was healing. Tsunade''s eyes lit up. "It''s instinctively tapping into the power within its cells!" Shichi smiled and nodded. "It seems so." "Activating its self-healing ability on its own." Asuka''s powers were unique. She couldn''t self-heal unless she bit herself, as if activating a switch. Shichi believed this was not due to Asuka''s physical traits but tied to her childhood experiences. This ''switch'' was artificial, an effect of her past traumaalmost a psychological condition. The cells of Hashirama are passively regenerative, whereas Asuka''s cells are actively regenerative. For the next few days, Shichi and Tsunade stayed at the research base, observing the animals. Gradually, the animals settled down from their initial restlessness. Three dayster, Tsunade said, "We''re ready to move to the next phase." Shichi thought for a moment. "Let''s hold off a little." "I''ll try with my summoning beast first." "A summoning beast?" Tsunade asked, puzzled. Shichi raised his hand, and with a poof, arge white tiger appeared. The once tiny cub had grown into a king of the forest, stretching over five meters long. "Lord Shichi!" The tiger, Shiro, affectionately nuzzled Shichi with its massive head. Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Is this the summoning beast you had back then? It can talk now?" Shichi chuckled, "I fed it chakra and some medical herbs persistently for eight or nine years." Tsunade nodded, "Seems you were lucky." Indeed, not all summoning beasts could develop speech and human-like intelligence through feeding alone. Otherwise, intelligent summoning beasts would be everywhere. Shichi patted Shiro''s head. "Greet her. This is Tsunade, Konoha''s strongest female ninja and medical ninja." Shiro quickly greeted her, "Lady Tsunade, I''m Shiro. I''ve often heard Lord Shichi mention you." Tsunade nodded slightly, then asked, "Shichi, are you sure about transnting it?" To her, Shiro was one of thema priority over enemies. Shichi, however, felt confident. "The previous experiments show there shouldn''t be issues; it''s just a matter of effectiveness." With that, Tsunade relented and nodded. "Alright, let''s proceed!" The second round of testing began, this time with the summoning beast, Shiro. The procedure was simple and took less than half an hour. In the empty, seal-covered room, Shiro regained consciousness. Shichi immediately asked, "How do you feel?" Shiro first let out a low growl, shook his head, then spoke with excitement, "Lord Shichi, I feel incredibly powerfulI want to fight!" Just like the other animals, Shiro exhibited restlessness after awakening. However, being intelligent, he could restrain himself, although he was eager to get out and y. "No rush, let''s test your healing ability first." With a snap of his fingers, Shichi sent a wind de toward Shiro''s leg, leaving a small cut. Outside, Tsunade observed Shiro''s wound through the ss. Unlike the other animals, Shiro could speak and control chakra. "Shiro, try to tap into that new power inside you," Shichi prompted. Shiro nodded, and soon, the wound on his leg healed rapidly. "Amazing!" Shiro growled happily, then said excitedly, "Lord Shichi, I feel like I can use that technique now!" But Shichi wasn''t in a hurry. "Shiro, why do you feel so excited?" Shiro sharpened his ws and thought for a moment, "Because the energy inside me feels incredibly strong, like I''ve been sleeping for ages and just want to get out and explore." Life thrives on movement, life pulses with energy. Shichi pondered. Shiro''s description wasn''t entirely clear, but it was far better than those of mute animals. At this moment, Tsunade said, "This shows that Hashirama''s cell power was indeed suppressed, but notpletely." "While cellr regeneration is contained, the boost in power still impacts the mental state." The body and mind are tightly interconnected, like yin and yang influencing one another. The Uchiha''s Sharingan affects chakra through mental influence, and chakra in turn impacts the physical body. In this case, however, it''s clearly the physical transformation that''s affecting the mind. The influence seems minor, but if they''re going to transnt it into a personespecially one of their ownthey need to improve it further. "Let''s go, let''s test Shiro''s abilities outside." With Shichi, Tsunade, and the white tiger, Shiro, they left theb and moved to an open field nearby. Standing about seven or eight meters away, Shichi gestured to Shiro to make the first move. "Lord Shichi, be careful!" Shiro warned, letting out a low growl. Immediately, a whirlwind formed around him. Tsunade watched as the intense, almost tangible wind currents created razor-sharp vacuum des. "This ability is already on par with a jnin''s." The swirling wind surged toward Shichi under Shiro''s control. But such an attack posed no threat to Shichi. With a simple wave of his hand, he split the wind in two. From the very beginning, Shichi had never summoned Shiro forbat. He''d been too weak for that. Though Shiro could use Wind Release, his power was barely at the level of a chnin, making him more suited as a ymate for future children. But now... Looking at Shiro, Shichi chuckled. "That''s still not quite enough." Without replying, Shiro opened his mouth wide, condensing chakra inside. Boom! The air exploded as a massive wind sphere shot out of Shiro''s mouth. Wind Release: Tiger Cannon! This was a jutsu Shiro had created based on Shichi''s guidance, simr in essence to the Vacuum Great Sphere and Shukaku''s Drilling Air Bullet. He''d struggled to perform it before, but now, with the cell transnt, he was able to unleash it with ease. Shichi''s eyes gleamed. "You''ve captured a bit of Shukaku''s style." As he spoke, Shichi raised his hand, cutting down with a wind chakra-coated palm, emitting a resonant hum. Boom! He split the Tiger Cannon in half with a single strike, sending powerful gusts rolling to either side. The force whipped Tsunade''s cloak and sent her ponytail flying as she watched from the sidelines. Shiro was left in shock, seeing his ultimate move cleaved in two. But Shichi was quite pleased and asked with a smile, "Anything else?" "Can you tap into any other powers?" Shiro scratched his head with a paw. "I don''t think so." Tsunade thought for a moment. "Perhaps he''d need to train like Yamato to unlock it." "However, without the ability to form hand signs, it''s going to be difficult for him to learn such techniques." Shichi nodded in agreement. The reason Shiro could use Wind Release was likely due to Shichi''s years of conditioning him with Wind Release chakra. But developing Wood Release would be extremely challenging. After all, Shiro isn''t human. Nevertheless, Shichi was satisfied and smiled. "This is already excellent progress." "That Wind Release jutsu you just usedmost jnin can''t even pull that off." Shiro had a unique advantage with hisrge mouth, able topress andunch powerful wind spheres. "Head back to the Forest of Death, but try not to cause too much of a stir," Shichi advised. After dismissing Shiro''s summoning, he turned to Tsunade. "Let''s proceed with further adjustments." Tsunade nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation. If they could stabilize this further, the results would solve countless issues, especially with ess to White Zetsu''s capabilities. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 211: The Fate of Samehada and a Warning for Nagato!

Chapter 211: Chapter 211: The Fate of Samehada and a Warning for Nagato!

Time quickly moved to May. Hayate Gekk arrived at the experimental base once again. This time, unlike the nervousness he felt during hisst visit, he was mostly filled with curiosity. However, before he could see much, Asuka led him into an operating room, where hey down on the surgical table. She efficiently prepared the setup, arranged the medical seals, and administered anesthesia. By the time Shichi arrived from Tsunade''s side, everything was ready. After a quick inspection, Shichi nodded. "Let''s begin!" The Transformation Begins! This time, the goal was to modify the skin on Hayate''s upper body to give him the ability to breathe through his skin. Naturally, this transformation went beyond just the skin; theplexity of the procedure surpassed even that of the gill-breathing system from before. The process was so intricate that Tsunade came in halfway through to assist. Despite all their efforts, the surgery began at 9 a.m. and only concluded at 9 p.m. The meal brought by Nono Yakushi had long gone cold by the time they finished. After waking from the anesthesia, Hayate, now more experienced than during hisst surgery, quickly adapted to the new breathing method without Shichi''s prompting. "Senpai, this feels amazing!" he eximed. "And I feel like this kind of breathing method is especially suited for my Transparent Escape!" Hayate was both surprised and thrilled. Shichi nodded with a smile. "Good to hear." Then, he asked, "I heard you applied to join the ANBU?" Hayate nodded. "Yes, Senpai. Genma and the others have improved so much, so I want to join the Root for special training too." Under Shichi and Sarutobi Shinnosuke''s leadership, Root''s reputation had transformed within just a few months. Those whopleted training thereor even those who washed outwere all speaking highly of it. Everyone was saying that skipping the Root training meant giving up the greatest chance to be a jnin, or even an special jnin. Hayate believed it! So after reaching chnin rank, he applied immediately, though he still hadn''t received a response. Now that Shichi was asking about it, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of eager anticipation. Seeing Hayate''s expectant expression, Shichi gave a warm smile. "Since you''ve applied, you''d better be prepared." "Root training is extremely harsh." Those whoe out of Root are no ordinary people! Hayate, still innocent and unaware of the danger, was instantly fired up. "Don''t worry, Senpai! I won''t let you or the Fourth Hokage down!" Shichi patted Hayate''s shoulder. "Give it your all!" "Come on, let''s go eat." ... Within three days, Hayate received his notification to report to Root for special training. This meant that unless he withdrew during training, was killed in action under Shinnosuke, or voluntarily quit, he was set to join the elite ANBU directly under the Fourth Hokage. Currently, in Konoha, due to the transitional period between old and new leadership, some of the ANBU were still under Hiruzen Sarutobi''smand. However, this number was gradually decreasing. With time, former Root members and ANBU personnel were also re-entering Root to undergo Shichi''s training program. ... Under Tenka''s guidance, Hayate Gekk arrived at Shichi''s office in Root. However, the one seated there was only a shadow clone of Shichi. "Lord Shichi!" Hayate bowed in greeting, acknowledging Shichi''s rank by altering his form of address without hesitation. Shichi nodded slightly with a smile. "Hayate, which area do you intend to focus on developing?" "Fire Release, Wind Release, Lightning Release, Water Release, Earth Release...or perhaps genjutsu, kenjutsu...?" This was a question Shichi posed to everyone entering Root''s special trainingjnin included. Further training to train special or elite jnin-level fighters required an even greater level of potential, sometimes even power akin to that of a Tailed Beast. But Shichi and Minato were cautious. Unlike Danzo, they valued people''s lives and didn''t engage in reckless experiments. In fact, Minato believed that Shichi''s curse marks were more reliable and could potentially be applied more widely than Tailed Beast power. Without any hesitation, Hayate responded, "Lord Shichi, I choose kenjutsu!" Root was no longer as secretive as it once was, especially within the training division led by Shichi. Although the training methods weren''t disclosed, everyone knew about the development choice they''d need to make. Shichi and Minato had subtly allowed this information to spread, ensuring those joining ANBU would be prepared. Shichi wasn''t surprised by Hayate''s response, but he nced at his records and noted, "You''ve already mastered Water Release nature transformation?" Hayate nodded. "Yes, Lord Shichi, though I''m still not very proficient." "As for ninjutsu, I''m actually better suited to genjutsu." He had a talent for ninjutsu, but his true passiony in kenjutsu. It was also a way to bnce his weaknesses, like his stamina issues. Kakashi might seem perpetually fatigued, but in reality, his stamina wasn''tcking. After considering for a moment, Shichi said, "If you''re interested, you might want to continue developing your Water Release." Not fully grasping the reason, Hayate still replied without hesitation, "Please include Water Release in this training, Lord Shichi!" "With my skin-breathing ability, my body can handle a heavier load now." Looking at the young Hayate, particrly the faint gill marks on his face, Shichi couldn''t help but think of Kisame Hoshigaki. Creating a Konoha-enhanced version of "Kisame" sounded intriguing. Hayate was talented, with his only limitation being his constitution. The gill and skin breathing adaptations would ensure his condition wouldn''t deteriorate due to lung issues, though his physical strength was still limited. But with further studies on Hashirama''s cells and Asuka''s cells, Shichi felt confident this issue could be resolved and Hayate''s physical abilities even enhanced. And paired with the sword Samehada... now that would be impressive. "Then, I''ll look forward to it!" Shichi extended his hand, and with a gesture, summoned the giant sword Samehada. He tossed it to Hayate. "This is one of the Seven Swords of the Mist, known as Samehada. It can absorb others'' chakra, including chakra from ninjutsu." "Whether you can wield it effectively is up to you." Hayate caught Samehada, his eyes shining with excitement. He''d heard of the Seven Swords of the Mist, and he already had known oneExecutioner''s de. "Lord Shichi, I won''t let you down!" Shichi smirked. I hope you can handle it. .. On this day, Hayate Gekk''s three-month special training officially began. He assumed his kenjutsu training would focus on wielding the great sword Samehada, but he quickly realized he was mistaken. It was actually dual des, one long and one short. The first kenjutsu technique he would train was one he''d already been practicing: the Dance of the Crescent Moon. To Shichi''s surprise, Hayate''s resilience surpassed that of Genma Shiranui and the others, and his talent in ninjutsu was also stronger than Genma''s. Time passed bit by bit. In a blink, a month had gone by. In an illusory realm, Shichi watched Hayate battling an image of Raid and nodded slightly. Hayate hadpletely mastered the Dance of the Crescent Moon. As for Raid, he was just an illusion formed from Shichi''s memory, manifested by his chakra. In pure kenjutsubat, the two were evenly matched. Considering that Hayate was nearly five years younger than Raidat only twelve years oldthis was quite a feat. As the battle ended and Raid faded away, Shichi appeared before Hayate. "Lord Shichi!" Hayate greeted him respectfully. Shichi nodded slightly. "You''ve mastered the Dance of the Crescent Moon well. Next, you''ll need to focus on timing in battlesomething that requires extensive practical experience." "You''re progressing faster than I expected." Hayate responded with modesty, "It''s thanks to your excellent teaching, Lord Shichi." "So, is it time to start training in Water Release?" Shichi shook his head. "You''ve already learned Water Release nature transformation; there''s no rush for Water Release ninjutsu. You''re not quite ready yet." "Next, you''ll focus on Fire Release." Fire Release? Hayate was surprised. It wasn''t his natural chakra affinity, so while he could learn it, it would be more difficultpared to Water Release. In fact, this wasn''t part of Shichi''s original n. Hayate''s progress had led him to change his mind. "The next technique I''ll teach you is an advanced form of the Dance of the Crescent Moon, or rather, an ultimate kenjutsu I developed based on it, incorporating Fire Release." Shichi exined, "This technique is called the Dance of the Triple Sun!" With that, he leaped back, unsheathing a katana. Two shadow clones appeared on either side, and their des were suddenly cloaked in fiery orange mes. The three Shichis charged forward, the intense heat warping the air and light. Even though Hayate was familiar with the Dance of the Crescent Moon, he couldn''t keep track of their des, as the heat distorted his vision. The three Shichis truly looked like three zing suns charging toward him. "Impressive as always, Lord Shichi..." Hayate marveled, then quickly assumed the stance of the Dance of the Crescent Moon and leaped forward. Three against three! Yet only the sound of shing metal rang out. One of Hayate''s clones had luckily intercepted Shichi''s de, but that was pure chance. His true self and the other clone both missed their mark, leaving Shichi''s de resting against his neck. Shichi withdrew his sword and dispelled the clones, exining, "This technique uses Fire Release to enhance the sword. The stronger the Fire Release, the more powerful the added effect." "The fire''s heat warps light and air, making it harder for enemies to track your movements. Additionally, you can use genjutsu to further disorient your opponent." "Moreover, there''s an advanced version of this technique thatbines both Wind and Fire Release. With both chakra types covering the de, they circte rapidly along it like flowing water, imbuing the sword with both searing heat and the slicing power of wind." "Hayate, if you can master the basics of Fire Release and the required chakra form within a month, I''ll teach you the secrets of Wind Release as well." Hayate''s eyes widened with excitement, momentarily forgetting to use skin breathing, so he began breathing heavily through his mouth and nose. He then shouted with determination, "Lord Shichi, I''ll definitelyplete it!" A month in the real world would be more than that within the training illusion. Meanwhile... At the training grounds outside the Forest of Death... Shichi, a bit worn out, wore a satisfied smile. Finally, he had seeded! Around him, the ground was filled with craters of various sizesall marks left from developing his taijutsu techniques. He had finallypleted the technique for opening the seventh gate. "It''s June now, and with the due date around October, it''s about time to deal with Nagato...and ck Zetsu." With his Star God Curse Mark activated, the fatigue washed away. Shichi used the Flying Thunder God technique and returned home immediately. Two days passed in a sh. After a full recovery, Shichi arrived at the Hokage''s office early in the morning. His first words upon seeing Minato were, "Sensei, I''m nning to try and capture one of Obito''s eyes, and while I''m at it, I''ll give Nagato a little warning. He needs to understand he''s not yet qualified to go after the Nine-Tails." (End of Chapter) Chapter 212: Chibaku Tensei!

Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Chibaku Tensei! [Bonus Chapter]

Upon hearing Shichi''s n, Minato Namikaze''s expression turned serious. He didn''t object, but he asked, "Are you going alone again?" Shichi nodded. "Quick and efficient." "Besides, in a battle at this level, even regr jnin wouldn''t be able to intervene." "Shisui is still not quite there yet." Asuka''s Adamantine Sealing Chains were powerful, but he didn''t want to risk her safety. Minato thought for a moment and said, "Don''t you need someone to contain Obito?" "Or maybe take Kakashi with you?" "He''s learned the Flying Thunder God Technique to a basic level. Although he can''t use it as fluidly forbat yet, he should be able to help you keep Obito upied." Shichi considered it and asked, "But what about Kakashi''smitment with Kushina-san?" Minato chuckled, "You won''t be gone too long. Besides, sending a shadow clone to help Kushina with her sealing studies could work too." Shichi smiled and nodded, "Alright, let''s do that." Minato then advised, "No need to rush, Shichi. You''re still very young." Shichi understood and readily agreed. He had no intention of risking his life. ... Leaving the Hokage''s building, Shichi teleported directly to Minato''s home. He had a Flying Thunder God mark there, so he appeared right beside Kakashi. "Shichi, what brings you here?" Kakashi, wearing his mask, looked surprised. "There''s a special mission for you toe with me," Shichi replied. Kakashi was startled. "What mission? But here..." "I''ll leave a shadow clone here," Shichi assured him. "We''ll be back soon." As he spoke, he created a shadow clone that went off to chat with Kushina. "Let''s go!" Without further exnation, Shichi grabbed Kakashi, and they disappeared. Outside Amegakure in the Land of Rain, inside a cave, Shichi and Kakashi appeared. "This is...the Land of Rain!" Kakashi recognized it instantly as he saw the downpour outside. Shichi nodded, looking out at Amegakure. "Kushina-san is nearing her due date. During childbirth, her seal will weakenthat''ll be the perfect time to target the Nine-Tails." "And since we''re in Konoha... if a fight breaks out in Konoha, the damage will be immense." "So I need to take preemptive action to deter Nagato and the one controlling Obito from making a move." Kakashi removed his mask and stepped beside Shichi. "So, my role is to keep Obito upied?" Shichi nodded. "Sensei should''ve given you the intel, right?" Kakashi nodded. Each time Shichi had faced Nagato and his group, he''d reported his findings to Minato, including information on the Rinnegan''s abilities and the powers of Kamui. "Obito''s eye power is split into two parts, often kept separate. But when he fights me, he fuses them, making his speed even faster." Shichi paused, adding, "Enough to somewhat threaten me." Kamui wasn''t much of a threat to him, but taking down Kamui''s wielder was no easy feat. Shichi then reminded, "Also, be wary of the ultimate genjutsu of the Sharingan, Izanagi." "This technique can turn any adverse situation into an illusion, reversing death itself." "The cost is the blindness of the Sharingan used, but Madara Uchiha likely has a stockpile of Sharingan with three tomoe." "Plus, they can seal jutsu into both eyes beforehand." Kakashi, rmed, nodded solemnly. "Got it." "As for Obito''s state right now..." Kakashi began. Shichi answered, "He''s only partially controlled, so Kakashi, your performance needs to be convincing." "Remember, in his mind, Rin is dead." Kakashi nodded. Shichi ced a mark on Kakashi''s shoulder and said, "ce a mark on me as well." Kakashi pressed his hand onto Shichi''s shoulder, marking him. "Let''s go!" The two dashed into the rain together. ... In a tall tower in Amegakure, a White Zetsu emerged from the ground before Nagato and Konan. "Shichi Hoshita is here?" Nagato asked out of habit. They''d been fighting regrly for a while now, to the point it felt strange if they didn''t sh at least once a month. Under these circumstances, he''d indeed improved more quickly. The pressure from Shichi had been intense. White Zetsu chuckled. "It''s definitely Shichi Hoshita, but this time he''s not alone. He brought Konoha''s White Fang''s son, Namikaze Minato''s other student, Hatake Kakashi." "Looks like this time it''s serious. I''ve already informed ck Zetsu and the others." Konan quickly offered, "I''ll go hold off Hatake Kakashi!" Nagato immediately refused. "No need." Standing up, he continued, "Shichi Hoshita is strong, but he''s not yet capable of defeating the Rinnegan." "As for Kakashi, I''ll leave him to Tobi." Konan frowned, then asked, "Should we bring the Six Paths?" Nagato shook his head. "No, save them for the time when we seize the Nine-Tails." Shichi was too powerful; even with ck Zetsu and Tobi, they would have difficulty capturing the Nine-Tails without his involvement. ... In the Northern Mountains of Amegakure The two sides faced off. Shichi and Kakashi vs. Nagato, Obito (with ck Zetsu and White Zetsu), and White Zetsu''s Tobi persona. Activating his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, Shichi hovered in midair, releasing an immense amount of chakra that formed the imposing figure of the Six-Armed Star God. This form was familiar to Obito and ck Zetsu, but it was Nagato''s first time seeing it. An intense, high-pitched whirring sound filled the air as four Scorch Release Rasenshuriken formed around Shichi. Nagato''s eyes narrowed, sensing that this battle was different from their previous encounters. This time, Shichi was starting with his most powerful techniques. Whirrrrr... The arms of the Star God hurled the Scorch Release Rasenshuriken one after another, each aiming for Nagato, Obito, and White Zetsu Tobi. "Impressive technique, but it won''t work on me!" Tobi remarked in his usual rxed tone as he activated Kamui, phasing through the Rasenshuriken just before they reached him. Kakashi watched in surprise. "To be able to warp away such attacks so quicklyit''s on par with the Flying Thunder God in terms of speed." Moreover, Kakashi couldn''t discern where Tobi had sent the Rasenshuriken. Turning his gaze toward Obito, Kakashi noticed that Obito hadn''t taken any defensive or evasive actions, letting the Scorch Release Rasenshuriken pass through him harmlessly before they detonated into expanding spheres of light. "What...?" Kakashi''s eyes widened as he saw the Rasenshuriken pass through Obito''s body without any effect, only to explode afterward. His attention then shifted to Nagato. Shinra Tensei! Raising his hand, Nagato repelled the first Rasenshuriken and the one covering Obito with an invisible force. The former was dispersed before it could explode, and thetter was blown away immediately after detonatingleaving Obito entirely unharmed. Then, under Kakashi''s astonished gaze, Nagato reached out and caught the second Rasenshuriken, absorbing it until it disappeared without a trace. "This ability... can absorb ninjutsu." "And Obito''s power... it nullifies attacksanother time-space jutsu, perhaps?" Kakashi analyzed, frowning at these unfamiliar powers. Shichi, hovering above, pretended to frown in confusion as he descended to face Nagato. "The Rinnegan... even able to absorb ninjutsu, impressive. But..." As he spoke, the ground shook violently. In the eyes of Nagato and the others, a massive stone golem resembling a granite sculpture rose from the earth, cracks forming as moltenva began to flow from within. The Star God - Lava Giant Golem! Boom! Boom! Boom! The ground trembled as the Lava Golem strode forward, its massive fistunching toward Nagato with brutal force. This was Shichi''s first time unleashing this attack against Nagato. BOOM! The ground exploded as Nagato dodged the punch, but he found himself airborne, just as the enormous jaws of ava dragonemerging from the Lava Golemsnapped toward him, ready to engulf him in fiery magma. This golem and the dragon weren''t creations of pure chakra; they were formed by controlling the earth through chakra. The Rinnegan couldn''t absorb them. Shinra Tensei! Nagato unleashed his repulsive force, shattering the dragon''s head and using the momentum to evade the Golem''s terrifying fist. On the other side, Kakashi, seeing Shichi''s serious efforts, immediately attacked as well, hurling a kunai toward Obito. The kunai passed through Obito''s body, and at that moment, White Zetsu Tobi emerged from the ground, blocking Kakashi''s path. "Your opponent is me!" But in the next moment, Shichi appeared beside Kakashi, and almost simultaneously, Kakashi vanished, reappearing behind Obito and grabbing his marked Flying Thunder God kunai. Zzzzzzz! With the sound of Chidori, lightning chakra surged through Kakashi''s limbs, enveloping him in lightning as he emitted a fierce electric current. Obito and both Zetsu were caught off guardnone had expected Kakashi to have secretly mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. Although his attack speed was slower than Shichi''s or Minato''s, it was still highly threatening. Originally intending to go after Shichi, Obito immediately shifted to his intangibility to dodge Kakashi''s lightning attack. Beyond Obito, White Zetsu Tobi sensed danger as Shichi approached, attempting to retreat into the ground. But Shichi was already prepared, moving with incredible speed. Before Tobi could fully submerge, Shichi had grabbed him by the neck. "I''m done for!" shed through Tobi''s mind. In the next instant, his mask shattered, and his Sharingan was snatched from its socket. However, Tobi''s body soon disappeared, reappearing hundreds of meters away. Izanagi! White Zetsu Tobi had embedded this technique within his Sharingan through a preset sealing technique. But no sooner had he reappeared than Shichi shadowed him, grabbing his neck and reaching for his eye once again. This time, Tobi didn''t immediately activate Izanagi''s effect. Instead, he chuckled, "You can''t steal this eye from me; it''s impossible." Shichi replied coldly, "Then I''ll make it disappear forever." With those words, he squeezed the life out of White Zetsu Tobi. White Zetsu Tobi is crushed. Yet, he resurrects again. This time, only his head emerges, shouting, "Hey, someone stop him, or this eye will be lost for good!" Obito, entangled with Kakashi, surges with chakra, manifesting Susanoo''s skeletal structure, and punches Kakashi. Kakashi vanishes, reappearing with Shichi behind Tobi again, seizing his eye once more. Obito''s Susanoo quickly forms into aplete humanoid shape, conjuring a chakra de, and shes down fiercely. Meanwhile... On the other side of the battlefield, Nagato charges up, using Shinra Tensei to counter the Lava Giant''s fist, shattering it entirely. But Shichi''s shadow clone remains intact, using countless handseal-free ninjutsu and Flying Thunder God techniques to restrain Nagato. With the main body dodging Susanoo''s attacks using Flying Thunder God, Shichi creates another clone, activating Sage Mode. Empowered, the clonesunch God of Star and Lava Giant once again, pressuring Susanoo. Kakashi watches the two giants sh, drawing his de. He leaps in, charging it with electricity, and plunges it into Susanoo''s back. Crack! Susanoo fractures, and Kakashi channels even more of the Eight-Tails chakra, pushing the White Fang short de deeper. Alongside Shichi''s attack, Susanoo copses, its armor shattering. At this, White Zetsu Tobi begins to panic. His n was for Obito to hold off Shichi and Kakashi, allowing him to use Kamui to retreat into the Kamui dimension. But now, he''s only managed to hide underground. As long as Shichi isn''t pinned down, he can''t safely reappear on the battlefield. Yet... Just as White Zetsu Tobi thinks he''s safe underground, a powerful force pulls him out. Earth Release - Opening Earth Rising Excavation! Shichi, well-aware of White Zetsu''s abilities, had prepared for this. Knowing that Izanagi''s duration would allow Tobi temporary escape underground, he was also aware that Kamui wasn''t an option at the moment. Flying through the air, White Zetsu Tobiughs wildly, "I guess this is the end, huh?!" Shichi''s first jutsu isn''t Flying Thunder God, though. It''s genjutsu. Under its effects, Shichi appears behind White Zetsu Tobi. Grabbing him by the neck, he takes his eye, destroying the chance for Izanagi. Meanwhile, Obito, under ck and White Zetsu''s guidance, unleashes his full power. Despite the loss of one eye, his Susanoo takes on a full humanoid form, resembling a fearsome tengu with armor. The power is overwhelming. Though Kakashi unleashes Eight-Tails'' power, he''s forced to retreat with Flying Thunder God, joining Shichi''s clone in pinning down Nagato. So far, Nagato has yet to use his trump card. Obito''s Susanoo smashes Shichi''s Star God. But then, two clones appeara Star God and a Lava Giant, surrounding Susanoo. Meanwhile, White Zetsu Tobi''s Izanagi had reached its time limit. As Shichiunches him skyward, neck held, Sharingan seized, White Zetsu Tobi chuckles bitterly, "Seems this eye''s a waste after all." However, when he attempts to use Izanagi again, nothing happens. Shocked, he stares in disbelief. "What''s going on?" it gasps, "Why isn''t Izanagi activating?" Obito, back on the ground after shattering both giants, nces upward. "Genjutsu?" ck Zetsu scowls, "That idiot Tobi is under Shichi''s genjutsu, thinking he activated Izanagi when he hasn''t." White Zetsu mutters, "Now that he''s lost one eye to Shichi, it''ll be hard to recover it." Obito replies coldly, "That''s your own fault." "Though losing an eye doesn''t stop me from using Susanoo." "And perhaps he''s deliberately weakening us." His gaze shifts to Nagato. Seeing Shichi seize an eye, Nagato''s aura shifts as he finally gathers enough chakra, stretching his hands wide. Shinra Tensei! A powerful repulsive force erupts. Shichi''s shadow clone''s Star God disintegrates immediately, forcing the clone and Kakashi to use Flying Thunder God to retreat, reappearing beside the airborne Shichi. The Scorch Release fades as the clone catches Kakashi, who passes the sealed White Zetsu Tobi to the main Shichi. "Leave now, I..." Shichi begins, but Nagato shouts, "I''ll use that move! Take back the eye now!" As he speaks, he activates Bansho Ten''in, drawing Shichi''s group toward him. Shichi summons Star God again, but Obito hurls a chakra de, piercing it. Yet in that brief moment, Shichi''s clone and Kakashi vanish with the stolen Sharingan and White Zetsu Tobi. Snap! Nagato sps his hands, lowering his gaze. ary Devastation!" But instead of forming a small ck sphere, he directly targets the spot where Shichi''s Star God was destroyed. Boulders from the crumbled Lava Giant shoot skyward, pummeling Shichi. "Haaa!" Nagato roars, his eyes zing as thend quakes, splitting and copsing as massive stones rise, mming into Shichi to form an enormous stone sphere. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 213: "Konan, You Don’t Want Nagato To..."

Chapter 213: "Konan, You Dont Want Nagato To..."

"So, this is the ultimate power of the Rinnegan?" Watching as the ground and mountains copsed, converging towards the sky, Uchiha Obito couldn''t help but feel rmed. ck Zetsu remarked, "This is only a fraction of the Rinnegan''s power." White Zetsu curiously asked, "By the way, do you think this is enough to seal Shichi?" Uchiha Obito, sharing the same curiosity, felt a tinge of unease in his heart. ck Zetsu, though unsure himself, confidently replied, "Even space-time ninjutsu isn''tpletely unstoppable. If the sealing power of Chibaku Tensei is strong enough, it should render him incapable of escaping." The Six Paths Chibaku Tensei had even sealed their mother, Kaguya tsutsuki. Naturally, it could nullify the Flying Thunder God technique. However, much would depend on how fully Nagato could wield the Rinnegan''s power. --- Inside the Chibaku Tensei, Shichi''s expression was a mix of surprise and understanding. If the Six Paths Chibaku Tensei could seal Kaguya herself, it was unsurprising that it could nullify the Flying Thunder God technique. "This sealing power is indeed far stronger than the Fire Nether Chains. Even the Flying Thunder God can''t break free." "But... this isn''t enough to contain me!" Nine-Tails Chakra Mode: Activate! Sage Mode: Activate! One after the other, the two modes were initiated. Theirbined power erupted as Shichi went all out. Lightning, Wind, Fire, Water, Earth, Ma, Scorch, Lavaevery element and kekkei genkai he possessed exploded outward. He forcefully shattered the binding power of the Chibaku Tensei. Next, the Fire Nether Chains whistled out. Enhanced by the two modes, it pierced through the invisible binding force of the Chibaku Tensei, burrowing into the increasingly denseyers of earth and stone. --- On the ground, Nagato, who had lowered his hands and was slightly panting, suddenly looked up sharply. "He actually broke free..." Nagato had be increasingly adept at wielding the Rinnegan''s power. Previously uncertain about sealing Shichi, he had grown confidentonly to see his ultimate technique shattered so easily. "Is he hiding his strength as well?" Nagato spected silently. Above, the massive sphere of stone in the sky began to crack, fissures spreading across its surface until it shattered into countless fragments. The sealing power disintegrated, and the stones that had been rising fell to the ground with a thunderous crash. Shichi, having deactivated his two modes, plummeted from the sky,nding with a loud boom that sent dust billowing into the air. White Zetsu couldn''t help butment, "It seems the odds of reiming that eye have greatly diminished." "What about Tobi? If he''s captured alive, won''t our n be exposed?" ck Zetsu remained unconcerned. "Tobi only knows part of the n. Besides, with the Five Great Shinobi Viges in opposition, it won''t be easy for them to unite against us." "They''d never ally unless absolutely necessary. This gives us ample opportunity to pick them off one by one and reim the Tailed Beasts. Though the Nine-Tails might prove troublesome." Uchiha Obito, having withdrawn his Susanoo, replied, "If we''ve gathered the other eight Tailed Beasts, reviving Uchiha Madara shouldn''t be an issue, right?" ck Zetsu agreed. "That''s what I believe as well." At that moment, Shichi waved his hand, dispersing the lingering dust. Looking at Nagato, he grinned. "The Rinnegan truly deserves its reputation as the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths. You almost managed to seal meeven the Flying Thunder God technique failed." "But this level of power... it''s still not quite enough." "Nagato, if this is the best you''ve got, then I''m afraid you''ll struggle to make your mark in the ninja world." Hearing Shichi''s arrogant words, Nagato''s gaze darkened. Deep down, he had already resolved to summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Even though the Demonic Statue was an empty shell, it should be enough to protect himself, albeit unlikely to harm Shichi. At that moment, Shichi turned his gaze towards Uchiha Obito, his expression icy. "The techniques left by Madara, a clone created with Hashirama''s cellslet me give you some advice: release Obito. Otherwise, things won''t end well for you." Uchiha Obito remained silent. ck Zetsu retorted, "Shichi, don''t overestimate yourself. You can''t possibly defeat us." "Your strength may be unparalleled in the ninja world, but you''re just one man." "Oh? Are you threatening me?" Shichi''s eyes grew colder. "Thest person who tried to threaten me was Danzo, and I already took care of him." "Looks like you need a more profound lesson... The Rinnegan, huh? I think I might be interested in those eyes myself." As his words fell, Shichi activated the Eight Gates. A tremendous burst of chakra enveloped him, his entire body shrouded in green light. White Zetsu immediately warned, "That''s Konoha''s forbidden taijutsu technique. Even a lowly genin can gain the strength to rival a Kage with it!" ck Zetsu urged Uchiha Obito, "You mustn''t let him seize the Rinnegan!" "I understand." Uchiha Obito responded calmly, reactivating his Susanoo. By this time, Shichi had already opened the Seventh Gate, his body now cloaked in blue light. The sheer scale of his chakra was so overwhelming that even Nagato was left in awe. "This guy''s power... it''spletely surpassed mine." Nagato, who already possessed astonishing chakra reserves, amplified further by Hashirama''s cells, found himself astonished by Shichi''s strength. At this moment, Nagato had no choice but to admit that Shichi''s unleashed powerpletely surpassed his own. As Shichi opened the Seventh Gate, his figure disappeared from sight. "So fast!" Nagato turned his head, seeing Shichi reappear behind Susanoo. "This speed is almost on par with the Flying Thunder God!" Uchiha Obito and the others were equally stunned by Shichi''s speed. Before anyone could react, Shichi had already struck Susanoo from behind with a fierce punch. Crack! Boom! Susanoo shattered under Shichi''s raw power. "What?!" Nagato was utterly shocked. He understood Susanoo''s strength well. Under normal circumstances, unless he summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, he wouldn''t be able to ovee it. But now, it had been destroyed outright! Uchiha Obito, ck Zetsu, and White Zetsu were equally astonished. ck Zetsu and White Zetsu, in particr, knew some details about the Eight Gates. Still, Shichi''s disy was beyond theirprehension. Although this wasn''t a Perfect Susanoo, this level of power was akin to Uchiha Madara''s strength when he battled Hashirama Senju in the past. This meant that Shichi''s current power rivaled that of Hashiramathe legendary God of Shinobi. Could a new, younger God of Shinobi be emerging? Obito, whose Susanoo had been shattered by a single punch, felt a chill run down his spine. Without hesitation, he activated Kamui to phase through the attack. In that moment, he even forgot about maintaining his spy persona, reacting purely out of self-preservation. Shichi''s next punch hit nothing but air, leaving a massive crater on the ground. Bansh Ten''in! Nagato seized the opportunity to pull Shichi towards him. However, in the blink of an eye, Shichi appeared directly in front of Nagato. Shinra Tensei! Nagato unleashed a burst of repulsive force, but Shichi countered it with a single raised hand. The two invisible forces collided, creating a deafening roar and stirring up waves of earth. Nagato was sent flying backward. "To think he could block it like that..." Nagato steadied himself, shocked, only to sense Shichi''s presence behind him. Shinra Tensei! Nagato unleashed another repulsion, but Shichi''s punch came down simultaneously. Boom! The air seemed to explode as Nagato was sent flying again, tumbling across the ground like a rag doll. Blood seeped from Nagato''s nose and mouth as he stabilized himself, lifting his hands tounch another Shinra Tensei at the approaching Shichi. This time, Shichi responded with a devastating kick. The sheer forcepressed the air, creating a razor-sharp vacuum sh. Rankyaku! The two forces shed. The invisible repulsion of Shinra Tensei was sliced apart by the razor-sharp Rankyaku. The sh hurtled toward Nagato, threatening to cleave him in two. Susanoo reappeared just in time, shielding Nagato with its massive hand. However, the Rankyaku still managed to sever Susanoo''s hand, forcing Nagato to roll aside to avoid the lethal sh. The attack left a deep, bottomless gouge in the ground. While protecting Nagato, Susanoo counterattacked, mming a massive fist toward Shichi. Boom! The ground copsed into a massive crater. Shichi easily dodged the attack, stepping into the air and appearing above Susanoo''s head. With a swift kick, multiple Rankyaku shes rained down, shattering Susanoo''s head and causing the entire construct to copse once more. Obito, again phasing with Kamui, avoided the attack. At this moment, Nagato distanced himself from the ruined Susanoo. Pressing one hand to the ground, he shouted: "Ged Maz!" Half of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path emerged behind Nagato. Unlike before, this time it didn''t embed ck rods into Nagato''s body, thanks to Madara''s teachings, which allowed Nagato greater control over the statue. Roar! The Demonic Statue roared, breaking its chains as its arms extended toward Shichi. "Too slow!" Shichi smirked and effortlessly evaded the attack. He eyed the Demonic Statue with undisguised interest. "Could I take a piece of this thing for myself?" The Demonic Statue was the husk of the Ten-Tails, essentially the Shinju itself. "Naruto''s Lava Release Rasenshuriken could cut through the Shinju''s main body. My Rankyaku should do the same!" Leaping into the air, Shichi prepared to strike. However, before he could attack, Obito appeared beside Nagato and pulled him into the Kamui dimension. "Running away?" Shichi immediately swung his leg, unleashing a high-speed Rankyaku aimed at the Demonic Statue''s arm. In the next moment, Obito phased himself into the Kamui dimension, and with a puff of smoke, the Demonic Statue disappeared. But one of its arms remained behind. The Demonic Statue''s arm! As Shichinded, he deactivated the Seventh Gate and activated the Star God Curse Mark to recover. tter! The Fire Nether Chains shot out, wrapping around and sealing the Demonic Statue''s arm. "What a pleasant surprise!" Shichi grinned broadly. His initial goal had been to seize the Kamui eye and teach Nagato a lessonjust enough to deter him from targeting Konoha and redirect his attention elsewhere. Unexpectedly, the Demonic Statue had appeared, and he had managed to sever one of its arms. Licking his lips as he eyed the arm, Shichi was tempted. What a maniac! Suppressing his desire, Shichi took out a sealing scroll from his pack. Using a smaller secondary scroll, he sealed the Demonic Statue''s arm inside. With that done, Shichi tucked the scroll away, turned toward Amegakure, and disappeared from sight. --- In the Rain Vige, atop the high tower, Konan gazed northward, monitoring the situation. While she couldn''t see clearly, she could infer the general oue based on themotion. As the noise subsided, Konan frowned slightly. "Is it over?" "Even using that technique... did they manage to deal with the enemy?" Although Shichi had disyed incredible abilities, she found it hard to believe that Nagato, with the power of the Rinnegan, could lose. Especially since Nagato''s strength had been steadily increasing, along with his mastery of the Rinnegan, growing stronger with each passing day. "Were you waiting for me?" Suddenly, a voice came from behind her. Konan''s body stiffened as she immediately leaped into the air, turning mid-flight. Paper wings unfolded, keeping her afloat. "Who''s there?" Suspended in the air, Shichi stood with his Scorch Release Chakra Mode activated. Fire Nether Chains surged forth, effortlessly binding the struggling Konan. "You... where is Nagato?" Konan''s expression changed drastically as she stared at Shichi. Shichi gently pulled Konan down to the tower and deactivated his Scorch Release Chakra Mode. Standing before her, he looked down at the woman who was only five or six years older than him. "Rx, Nagato isn''t dead yet." Konan secretly breathed a sigh of relief but gritted her teeth. "What do you want?" Shichi grabbed her chin, locking eyes with her. "You know, we''re technically formerrades. Unfortunately, fate has set us on different paths." "To be honest, I admire you all greatly and sympathize with your experiences." Konan scoffed coldly. "Don''t try to manipte me with words to make me betray Nagato." Shichi released her chin,ughing softly. "You''re mistaken." "The reason I''m here today isn''t to kill you or make you betray Nagato or extract information from you." "Honestly, I already know far more than you do." "The Rinnegan, Madara Uchiha... and even ck Zetsu." Konan frowned. "What are you talking about?" Shichi said calmly, "You''ve been coborating with Uchiha Madara to use his power for your ns, haven''t you?" "Unfortunately, you don''t realize that everything you''re doing is within Madara''s calctions." "The death of Yahiko? Danz and Hanz were the culprits, but Madara also yed a part. All the members of Akatsuki who fell were killed by people under Madara''s influence." "Of course, this is all in the past now." Konan fell silent, then asked, "Why didn''t you mention this intelligence thest time?" Shichi smiled. "You didn''t ask." "Out of camaraderie, let me give you one more critical piece of information: Nagato''s Rinnegan isn''t his." Konan''s eyes widened. "Impossible!" "That''s absolutely impossible!" "He already had those eyes when I met him!" Shichi said lightly, "Perhaps Madara told you that Nagato has Uzumaki and Senju bloodlines, making him a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths." "More precisely, a descendant of Asura, the Sage''s younger son." Konan was stunned. "You... How do you know this? Is it because of the Senju n?" Shichi didn''t answer directly but continued. "Madara might have also mentioned the stone tablet left behind by the Sage of Six Paths that the Uchiha n guards, right?" "But I''m certain he didn''t tell you that the contents of that tablet were tampered with." "The Rinnegan... Hah. How could it manifest without first awakening the Mangeky Sharingan?" This statement was a mix of truth and lies, but it left Konan''s mind in chaos. "This... How is that possible?" Shichi exined further, "You know I''m a highly skilled medical ninja, don''t you? I''ve conducted extensive research on Hashirama cells and Sharingan as well." "When Madara fought the First Hokage, Hashirama, he faked his death and escaped. During that battle, he obtained a piece of Hashirama''s flesh and grafted it onto himself." "The Uchiha are descendants of Indra, the Sage''s elder son, and the Senju are descendants of Asura. When these two powers merged, the Rinnegan awakened." Konan''s pupils shrank. "This kind of thing... You..." Shichi said tly, "Konoha has been researching Hashirama cells and the Sharingan for years. Danz himself had both imnted and was defeated by me." "As harsh as it sounds, Nagato''s Rinnegan belongs to Madara, which is why Nagato can''t fully control its power." Konan was thoroughly shaken. "If that''s true, why would Madara give the Rinnegan to Nagato?" Shichi replied, "Nagato has met Madara, hasn''t he? You''ve seen his frail statepletely dependent on the clone bodies cultivated from Hashirama''s cells." "Awakening the Rinnegan is far more difficult than awakening the Mangeky Sharingan. By the time Madara obtained the Rinnegan, he was already old." "So, your n likely includes a step to resurrect Madara, doesn''t it?" "And that''s why the Rinnegan ended up with Nagato. Additionally, Nagato''s Uzumaki and Senju heritage made his body capable of bearing its power." Konan struggled to believe it, but deep down, she felt the logic aligned too well. Shichi''s voice turned cold. "Nagato is nothing more than a pawn to Madaraa tool for his resurrection." "You know about the person ck Zetsu and White Zetsu are controlling, right? That Uchiha, my former friendUchiha Obito. The Mangeky Sharingan he possesses awakened due to the death of someone dear to him, Rin Nohara." "And yes, I fought Madara the day Rin died." Konan was startled. "That Sharingan isn''t Madara''s?" Shichi countered, "If it were, why would they be separated? Using them together would unleash their full power, wouldn''t it?" "The Sharingan were divided to better control Obito." He then asked, "Nagato''s heart also bears a cursed seal left by Madara, doesn''t it?" "Myte friend, Obito, lost Rin because of such a sealit forced her to choose death at his hands." Konan stared at him. "If all this is true, are you trying to make us betray Madara and help you save Obito?" Shichi shook his head. "Obito''s abilities are too tricky to counter. "I''m sharing this information because... my goal aligns with yours." Konan was stunned. "What?" "Your goal... isn''t it the same as Jiraiya-sensei''s?" Shichi smirked. "You mean achieving peace through mutual understanding and resolving conflict?" "That''s too naive." "If I kill Nagato now, will you understand me?" "Of course not." "Did Nagato understand the pain of those he killed? No." "Without overwhelming strength, how can you make others listen to reason?" He continued, "Your original Akatsuki failed because itcked sufficient power. If you had enough strength, you could''ve swept through the Land of Rain, intimidating the Five Great Nations into submission." Konan fell silent, unable to discern the truth in his words. Shichi carried on. "I may not know your exact n, but I can guess: you aim to use the Tailed Beasts'' power to end war among nations." Konan replied, "We want the Five Great Nations to experience the pain of war first..." Shichi interrupted, "Haven''t they already suffered enough pain? "From the Warring States Period until nowover a thousand years of strife. Has it stopped? No." Shaking his head, Shichi feigned disappointment. "Your vision is still too small. It''s no better than the First Hokage''s approach." Konan scowled. "Then what do you suggest?" Shichi''s eyes burned with intensity. "It''s simple. Conquer the other viges. Subdue the other nations. Unite the Shinobi World under one vige, one nation!" "When that happens, do you think war will persist?" Konan froze, unable to fathom this perspective. She stared at Shichi, realizing he might be even more extreme than they were. "Share this with Nagato." With that, Shichi moved behind Konan, pressing her neck to leave a Flying Thunder God mark. Konan snapped back. "What are you doing?" Shichi smiled. "A Flying Thunder God markit can''t be removed." "Konan, you don''t want Nagato to be another Yahiko, do you?" "Think carefully about everything I''ve said. If you don''t, you''ll only end up as Madara''s discarded pawns." After finishing his words, Shichi''s figure vanished, and the Fire Nether Chains binding Konan dispersed immediately. Konan staggered, copsing to her knees on the tower''s roof, gasping for air. "If... if everything that guy said is true, then Nagato..." Her heart trembled. Nagato was already the only family she had left in this worldher sole reliance. Gritting her teeth, Konan stood up. With her paper transforming into wings, she flew toward the central high tower of the Rain Vige. Regardless of whether what he said was true or not, she had to tell Nagato everything. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 214: The God of Shinobi!

Chapter 214: The God of Shinobi! [Bonus Chapter]

Konan returned to the high tower she shared with Nagato, waiting for a full hour before Uchiha Obito finally arrived with Nagato. This dy was because White Zetsu had confirmed that Shichi had already left. Nagato was clearly displeased. As soon as he saw Konan, he asked, "Konan, did that Shichi do anything to you?" Konan nced at Uchiha Obito, cloaked and masked, and replied, "That man left a Flying Thunder God mark on me." White Zetsu immediately spoke up, "That''s going to be troublesome. As far as I know, there''s no way to remove that mark." "This means Shichi can appear beside you at any moment to ambush us." "The only solution is" Before he could finish, Nagato shot him a cold re. "That n doesn''t necessarily require you." White Zetsu hurriedlyughed, "It was just a joke, no need to take it seriously!" After eyeing White Zetsu''s probing response, ck Zetsu interjected, "Shichi didn''t kill Konan but left a Flying Thunder God mark instead. It''s likely he wants to sow discord among us." "While the mark is indeed a problem, it doesn''t mean we can''t use it against Shichi." "Shichi''s strength exceeded our expectations. It seems we''ll need to alter our original n to capture the Nine-Tails." "In this situation, working together is our best chance to seed." White Zetsu quickly added, "I don''t think we''re out of options just yet." "The Nine-Tails Jinchriki is pregnant. If we attack Konoha, we can use the entire vige as leverage, leaving Shichi and the Fourth Hokage unable to fight at full strength." "If we use Konoha as a distraction, we''ll have the opportunity to seize the Nine-Tails." "With the Nine-Tails in our possession, we''ll have a better chance against Shichi." Nagato responded calmly, "Then proceed with the n to gather intelligence and confirm the Nine-Tails Jinchriki''s delivery date." "When the timees, I''ll use the Six Paths Puppets to hold them off and buy us enough time." ck Zetsu nodded. "If that''s the case, it''s worth a try." With that, Obito activated Kamui and left. Nagato and Konan returned to the depths of the tower, to the area where the Six Paths Puppets were created. They activated the barrier set up in the chamber. "Konan, speak." Nagato had already sensed that there were things Konan hadn''t said earlier. After a brief silence, Konan ryed everything Shichi had told her. Nagato''s expression shifted multiple times as he listened, eventually closing his eyes. When Konan finished, she looked at Nagato with deep concern and asked, "Nagato, do you think what that man said is true?" Nagato didn''t answer immediately. He silently pondered and analyzed the intelligence Shichi had provided. After a long pause, he opened his eyes. "Does it matter whether it''s true or not?" "Our rtionship with Uchiha Madara was always one of mutual exploitation." "The curse mark on my heart isn''t difficult to deal with. Once we''ve gathered all nine Tailed Beasts, whether or not to resurrect Uchiha Madara will be entirely my decision." Konan quickly responded, "But Uchiha Madara wouldn''t overlook that possibility. He didn''t truly trust us; that''s why he ced the curse mark on you." "That Uchiha Obito, controlled by ck Zetsu and White Zetsu, is likely his contingency n against us." "Furthermore, if the Rinnegan really belongs to Uchiha Madara, there''s a chance he left something hidden within those eyes as well." "N-Nagato, these eyes..." Nagato raised a hand, cutting her off. "I won''t give up these eyes or this power." "Besides, we can''t fully trust Shichi either." "However, his method of ending wars is indeed better than our n." "Once we''ve collected all nine Tailed Beasts and created the ultimate weapon, the Ten-Tails, we''llunch a war against the Five Great Shinobi Viges and their nations, wiping them out in one decisive stroke." "Once the Five Great Shinobi Viges are eliminated, the remaining viges and nations will naturally surrender." "At that point, we can establish a world without war!" Konan asked, "So, should we still interact with Shichi?" "He left a Flying Thunder God mark on me. He''s bound to return." She couldn''t shake the memory of Shichi''s gaze, which had made her feel like prey under the watchful eyes of a predator. Nagato thought of Shichi''s strength, feeling an immense pressure in his heart, though he didn''t show it. With Yahiko gone, the burden fell entirely on him. "If we can cooperate with Uchiha Madara, why not Shichi?" Nagato said calmly, "As long as the goal is achieved, the process doesn''t matter." He had already suffered greatly under Hanz''s betrayal, which had led to Yahiko''s death. Thus, he wouldn''t fully trust Uchiha Madara, nor would he trust Shichipletely. He was no longer the na?ve, crying boy he once was. Still, the information Shichi provided was just as shocking to him as it had been to Konan. The Rinnegan belonged to Uchiha Madara. If that were true... Nagato''s gaze turned icy. "Even if it was his before, it belongs to me now." ... Outside Amegakure, Inside a Mountain Cave Shichi''s figure appeared, gazing out toward Amegakure from a distance. The reason he revealed so much to Konan was intentional, meant to subtly manipte and create discord. Of course, he didn''t expect Nagato to immediately fall for his words or pledge allegiance to him. After Yahiko''s death, Nagato''s trust in outsiders was nearly nonexistent. However, the information Shichi shared was sufficient to further erode the fragile trust between Nagato and Uchiha Madara. "Besides, Nagato probably won''t refuse a chance to cooperate with me..." Shichi chuckled softly to himself. There was still timeno need to rush. Once Nagato suffers another major setback, he''ll fall in line. "Time to head home!" Stretchingzily, Shichi''s figure vanished once more. --- Konoha, Hokage''s Office When Shichi arrived, Kakashi was already in the room with Minato. "Kakashi, what do you think about the ability of Obito''s right eye?" Shichi asked. Minato also turned his attention to Kakashi, who had already analyzed it. "It''s a space-time ninjutsu," Kakashi replied promptly. "It appears to make his body intangible, evading all attacks. But since it''s space-time rted, he''s likely temporarily transferring his body to another dimension, creating the illusion of intangibility." Shichi nodded. "Obito''s eyes work like this: the right eye transfers objects it touches to the other dimension, while the left eye can transfer objects from a distance. Both eyes can also transport the user into the dimension simultaneously." Kakashi''s expression grew grave. "One for close-range, one for long-rangeoffensive and defensive capabilitiesbined. If he has both eyes..." Minato immediately recalled the time Shichi had been injured. He was well aware of Shichi''s speed, and yet he had still been wounded. This demonstrated the immense power of Obito''s eye abilities, reinforcing the importance of their current n to retrieve his eye. "Shichi, what do you n to do with Obito''s eye once we get it?" Minato asked. Shichi smiled. "How about giving it to Rin?" "Obito would probably be thrilled with that," he added with a smirk. Kakashi''s eyes lit up. "With the Mangeky Sharingan, the First Hokage''s cells could be effectively suppressed. That means Rin could be revived immediately, right?" Shichi nodded. Though Kamui was powerful, he had no intention of using it himself. His priority was to see if he could learn to awaken the Sharingan from Shisui first. If he seeded... Minato, after some thought, nodded. "Then we''ll transnt it to Rin." As Shichi had pointed out, Obito would likely be more than willing to ept this oue. Still, considering theplicated rtionships between Obito, Kakashi, and Rin, Minato couldn''t help but feel a twinge of helplessness. --- At this moment, Shichi shifted his focus back to Minato and offered a suggestion. "Sensei, during Lady Kushina''s delivery, you''ll need to take extensive precautions." "The Rinnegan''s sealing techniques are incredibly powerful. Even the Flying Thunder God technique could be rendered ineffective." "Moreover, if that technique is deployed, it could destroy all of Konoha." Both Minato and Kakashi''s expressions darkened at his words. Shichi continued, "The safest location is Mount Myboku." "When the timees, have Lady Kushina deliver the baby there." "Meanwhile, evacuate the vigers into the shelters in advance. If they dare to attack, then we fight." Minato pondered for a moment before nodding. "We''ll proceed as nned. When the timees, we''ll send Kushina to Mount Myboku ahead of her due date." --- Outside the Hokage Building Shichi left the Hokage building and headed to the experimental facility with Kakashi. Inside, White Zetsu''s clone, Tobi, had been sealed and isted. Taking Obito''s Sharingan and Rin Nohara''s original eye, Shichi and Kakashi entered Rin''s chamber. Transnting eyes was a trivial task for Shichi. After recing both of Rin''s eyes, Shichi immediately released the seal that had been suppressing her. With the power of the Mangeky Sharingan to suppress it, the Hashirama cells no longer multiplied uncontrobly. Instead, they began to heal Rin''s bodypletely. As expected, once the seal was removed, the Hashirama cells spread throughout Rin''s body, but instead of rampant proliferation, they worked to repair the damage in her brain. Dead brain cells were reced inrge quantities. An hourter, Rin slowly regained consciousness. At first, her vision was blurry, but as it cleared, she froze in surpriseshe could feel a distinct change in her left eye. Shichi exined, "Your left eye has been reced with Obito''s Mangeky Sharingan. Your right eye is your original one, reimnted." "With the Hashirama cells, the strain from the Sharingan shouldn''t be too overwhelming. However, you''ll need to learn to control this eye. Even if you can''t deactivate it entirely, you must be able to switch between the regr three-tomoe Sharingan and the Mangeky form at will." Rin nodded and, with Kakashi''s help, stood up. "Thank you, Shichi." Shichi replied, "The Sharingan is difficult to master. You''ll need time to adapt." "Also, for the sake of secrecy regarding Obito, you''ll likely need to stay at the Root facility or here at the experimental base for now." With the Sharingan and the Hashirama cells affecting her chakra, Rin would undoubtedly attract attention. Wearing a mask would help maintain her anonymity. "I understand," Rin said. "I''ll stay at the experimental base and assist you and Lady Tsunade." Shichi nodded. "Alright, you two can talk. I''ll be off." With that, he vanished. --- Personal Laboratory Inside his privateb, Shichi unsealed a scroll to retrieve the severed arm of the Gedo Statue. After examining it briefly, he scraped off some material and ced it under a microscope for observation. "The cells have nt-like characteristics, but they''re not exactly the same. The cellr structure is moreplex than human cells, with incredible vitalityeven more than the Nine-Tails..." After some analysis, Shichi returned his attention to the Gedo Statue''s arm. Contemting for a moment, he touched it and injected chakra from the One-Tail. The vast chakra vanished without a trace, as though absorbed. Shichi frowned and was about to try another tailed beast''s chakra when the arm suddenly began to change. The severed arm transformed into a tree root and emitted a powerful suction, actively absorbing Shichi''s chakra. Quickly withdrawing his hand, Shichi observed the now-root-like arm. It showed no further reaction and appeared to be an ordinary, rigid piece of wood. "Perhaps it requires chakra from all nine tailed beasts to activate further?" "Could this root be used to create a miniature God Tree or even a small Ten-Tails?" Shichi fell into deep thought. "I''ll need to experiment by injecting chakra from each tailed beast to see if there''s any reaction." For now, Shichi decided not to "consume" it. His body still couldn''t fully process even the chakra of the Nine-Tails. Consuming part of the Ten-Tails would likely causeplications, posing significant risks. He sealed the root of the God Tree for further study. Then, Shichi shifted his focus to the tag tree in his mind. A new tag had been triggered: Tag: God of Shinobi Condition to Obtain: Gain universal recognition in the ninja world, bing the next "God of Shinobi" after Hashirama Senju. Effect: Increases luck by 100% and grants the Sage Body of Hashirama Senju. "Wow," Shichi murmured, surprised by the tag. The title God of Shinobi? How did Hashirama earn it? Rubbing his chin, Shichi mused, "So... I need to dominate the other four great ninja viges?" "Well, Suna shouldn''t need much convincing, right?" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 215: The Revival of the Evil God!

Chapter 215: The Revival of the Evil God!

Leaving the experimental base and passing through a forest, Shichi saw Kakashi sparring with Rin. After being bedridden for so long, even with regr care, it was impossible for Rin to recover her full strength immediately after waking up. Walking was manageable, but regainingbat readiness required constant training. Shichi quietly observed from a distance, stepping forward only when Rin took a break. "Looks like you''re recovering well." Rin smiled brightly. "Thanks to the First Hokage''s cells, my body is even stronger than before. Recovery has been really quick." Shichi immediately summoned a peculiar-looking de and handed it to her. "Here. I originally nned to give you Samehada since you have the Three-Tails, but this pair of swords, Hiramekarei, suits you better." Rin stared at the uniquely shaped weapon in surprise. "This... isn''t it too extravagant for me?" Shichi chuckled. "Rin, you''re no ordinary medical-nin anymore. You''re the Three-Tails'' jinchriki." "Hiramekarei can store chakra and release it explosively during battle, unleashing tremendous power. It''s a perfect match for you." "As for training with the des... let Kakashi help you with that." Rin nced at Kakashi, who gave her a slight nod. "A medical-nin with strongbat abilities can cover a team''s weaknesses." Encouraged, Rin epted Hiramekarei with determination. "I''ll work hard to master it." Shichi smiled. "When Obitoes back, you three might be the strongest squad in the ninja world." Rin beamed happily but responded modestly, "That''s an exaggeration, Shichi." After chatting for a while, Kakashi said, "Shichi, can you escort Rin to the Root base? I need to return to my mission." "Sure, let''s go." The three set off together. --- At the Root Base On the way, they parted waysKakashi returned to relieve Shichi''s clone, while Shichi brought Rin to the Root base. There, Rin donned a ck hooded cloak and a mask, with Hiramekarei strapped to her back. Even if she stood face-to-face with Uchiha Obito, he probably wouldn''t recognize her. Seeing Rin''s new look, Shichi grinned. "Rin, why not give yourself a codename?" "A codename?" Rin thought for a moment before answering, "Let''s go with ''Karei,'' after Hiramekarei!" (T/N: Both hirame and karei are Japanese names for species of flounder. The flounders with their eyes on the left side of their body are called hirame (G, ƽĿ, Ŀ~), while those with their eyes on the right side are called karei (l). Befitting its name, Hiramekarei is shaped like these fish.) "Sounds good." Turning to Tenka, Shichi said, "Tenka, I''ll leave Karei in your care." Tenka smiled warmly. "Don''t worry. I''ll take good care of her." Leaving Rin with Tenka, Shichi departed swiftly. --- Two Months Later At the Root base, Shichi reviewed a report on Hayate Gekk submitted by Tenka. Sitting elegantly in a figure-hugging cheongsam, Tenka smiled. "Hayate Gekk might be the most outstanding performer since the reestablishment of Root, don''t you think?" Shichi nodded. "Indeed. Hayate''s talent in ninjutsu has exceeded my expectations." "In such a short time, he''s mastered two nature transformationsFire and Wind. Combined with his previous proficiency in Yin Release for genjutsu and Water Release, that''s four nature transformations. While he''s only proficient with Fire and Wind, that alone is at a jnin level." Tenkaughed softly. "That''s thanks to your excellent teaching, Shichi." After signing the report, Shichi instructed, "Have Karei deliver this to the Hokage''s office. Also, please bring Hayate Gekk to me." Tenka nodded, took the report, and sashayed out. --- Soon, Hayate entered, carrying a massive de that seemed disproportionate to his slender frame. "Lord Shichi!" Shichi nodded slightly. "I''ve reviewed your evaluation report. An A-grade. It''s the highest rating since the reestablishment of Root." Hayate''s face lit up with excitement, and he quickly said, "It''s all thanks to your guidance, Lord Shichi." Shichi replied indifferently, "This is an excellent result, but remember, the ninja world has many powerful individuals. Continue striving to improve." Straightening his posture, Hayate responded, "Yes, Lord Shichi!" Shichi continued, "In recognition of your achievements, I have a cursed seal for you. It''s called the Star God Seal, which enhances Fire and Wind Release ninjutsu. The degree of enhancement depends on your own capabilities, ranging from several times to dozens of times." "However, as the seal is linked to my chakra, it essentially acts as a marker. You''ve heard of the Flying Thunder God Technique, haven''t you?" Hayate''s eyes widened in astonishment but quickly steadied himself. "Lord Shichi, I''d like to receive the cursed seal." Unsurprised, Shichi ced the seal on Hayate. Hayate became the first person, aside from notable figures like Non Yakushi, to receive a cursed sealalbeit an initial version that only boosted Fire and Wind Releases. Activating the cursed seal granted a pseudo-Sage Mode, significantly enhancing ninjutsu potency andpensating for Hayate''s limited chakra reserves. After the seal wasplete, Shichi instructed, "The cursed seal won''t appear in your records, but when reporting to the Fourth Hokage, you''ll need to disclose it to him." "Yes, Lord Shichi!" Hayate bowed deeply before leaving. --- Outside the Root base, Hayate paused and nced back. "What an incredible training experience. Lord Shichi''s methods are godlike. No wonder everyone who''s been here says it''s worth it." He clenched his fists. "When Yugao bes a chnin, I''ll make sure she gets a spot for special training too." With that, he leapt toward the Hokage building at full speed. --- At the Hokage office, Hayate soon met Minato Namikaze. After reading the detailed report submitted by the Root training division, Minato listened to Hayate''s verbal report with a calm expression and nodded slightly. "I understand about the cursed seal. Keep it confidential." "Rest for two days, then officially join the Anbu." Hayate, brimming with energy, responded, "Lord Fourth Hokage, I''m ready to join the Anbu and take on missions immediately." Minato studied Hayate''s determination and, after a moment''s thought, nodded. "Very well. Genma, escort Hayate to the Anbu and hand him over to Wind." Genma Shiranui appeared. "Understood!" --- Following Genma to the Anbu base, Hayate was asked to choose a codename. After some thought, he said, "Samehada." Genma nced at the massive de on Hayate''s back and chuckled. "That sword is said to be one of the most difficult to wield." Taking his Anbu gear and mask, Hayate smiled wryly. "Samehada is demanding, but Lord Shichi has tamed it for me. It''s quite obedient now." Genmaughed lightly. "Tamed, huh? More like it''s been taught a lesson." The two quickly arrived at a changing room where three others were already preparing for their mission. "Wind, this is Gekk Hayate. He''s just transferred over from the Root division, rated A-level. I''ll leave him in your hands," said Shiranui Genma as he introduced Hayate. Sarutobi Bof and the other two team members immediately focused their attention on Hayate with curiosity. They were seasoned ANBU operatives who had been transferred from the Sarutobi Hiruzen era. Although they hadn''t undergone Root''s new special training, the revamped division''s reputation preceded it. "As far as I know, he''s the first one to achieve an A-level rating, isn''t he?" Sarutobi Bof asked. Genma nodded. "Indeed, he''s gained Shichi''s trust." With that, Genma left. Bof turned back to Hayate. "Introduce yourself." Hayate nodded. "Codename: Samehada. Bloodline Limit: Transparent Escape. Proficient in kenjutsu, wind release, fire release; somewhat skilled in water release and genjutsu." One of the team members eximed, "As expected from a Root-trained elite!" "My codename is Puppet. I specialize in kenjutsu and earth release," the member said. Bof and the remaining member also introduced themselves. After a brief exchange, Bof said, "Get ready. We''re moving out soon." --- *10 minutester* The four-member team left Konoha and headed north. As they traveled, Bof, their leader, briefed them on the mission: "Our target is the Land of Hot Water. The cult of Jashin is experiencing a resurgence there, and we''re tasked with eliminating its followers." Puppet raised a brow. "Jashin cult? I thought they were eradicated?" "Wasn''t the Hidden Hot Water Vige established after defeating the cult? Is it bad enough now to require outside assistance?" Bof exined, "The Hot Water Vige is no longer what it once was. Some of their own shinobi have been corrupted by Jashin''s power, stealing sealed forbidden energy. As a result, the cult has re-emerged in the Land of Hot Water." "Our job is to assist the vige in wiping out these cultists. Be mentally prepared." The three team members replied in unison, "Understood!" --- The next day, the team arrived at the Hidden Hot Water Vige. Under the guidance of a vige shinobi, they reached the outskirts of a small settlement. About twenty Hot Water Vige shinobi were already stationed there, keeping a close watch on the activity inside the vige. Standing atop a mountain overlooking the vige, Hayate and his team observed the central square, which was crowded with people. "What are they doing?" Hayate asked. The Hot Water Vige jonin replied grimly, "Performing a Jashin ritual." He handed Bof a pair of binocrs. Bof looked through them and was immediately rmed. "The vigers..." The jonin''s face was dark. "They''ve all be Jashin cultists." Bof frowned beneath his mask. "Even the children and elderly?" The jonin gritted his teeth. "Last night, we infiltrated the vige to try to rescue the residents. But they betrayed us. The people on the altar about to be sacrificed are ourrades." Hayate was shocked. "Are these people insane?" Bof lowered the binocrs. "It seems so." "Prepare for a direct assault. If we dy, they''llplete their blood sacrifice." The jonin quickly added, "We''ll handle rescuing the prisoners. You focus on dealing with the cultists. Those lunatics havepletely lost their minds, so kill them all to avoid a repeat ofst night." Hayate was taken abackwere they really going to kill even the children? But as someone trained forbat, he held his tongue and looked to his captain for instructions. Bof said, "Focus on the rescue first." "Besides, we''re only a four-man team. It''s impossible to eliminate everyone." The jonin nodded. "We''ll send two teams to assist you." "But the cult leader must be eliminated. He''s the one who stole Jashin''s power and has already killed three of our jonin." Bof nodded and handed the binocrs to Puppet. "That man on the altar is the primary target." "Be cautious of his Jashin abilities. ording to Shichi''s intel, do not let him obtain even a drop of your blood, or you''ll be cursed and killed." The three members shivered at the warning and nodded solemnly. "Move out!" At Bof''smand, the team descended the mountain and charged toward the vige. In the vige square, a middle-aged man shouting praises to "Lord Jashin" suddenly turned, spotting the approaching team. His face twisted into a cruel and excited grin. "Finally!" "Konoha''s ANBU, huh?" "It seems Lord Jashin will soon have more sacrifices!" The cult leader turned back to his followers and shouted, "Lord Jashin has responded! He demands more sacrifices! He will grant us greater powerimmortality itself!" "So, join me! Capture the intruders and offer them to Lord Jashin!" The gathered cultistsninjas, samurai, and ordinary vigersgrew even more frenzied, loudly chanting "Lord Jashin" as they charged toward the Hidden Hot Water Vige shinobi stationed on the perimeter. Meanwhile, the cult leader, nked by six Hot Water Vige chunin who had joined the cult, advanced toward Hayate''s team. "Samehada!" At Bof''smand, Hayate stopped and raised a hand. In an instant, he disappeared. "Hmm? One of them vanished..." The cult leader sneered. "Trying to rescue the prisoners?" "Heh, there''s a surprise waiting for you." However, Hayate had no intention of rescuing anyone. ording to the n, saving the captives was the Hidden Hot Water Vige''s responsibility. Their first objective was to eliminate the cult leader. The confrontation began. Sarutobi Bof and his two teammates fought head-on, while Gekk Hayate, holding his sword, stealthily approached from behind the enemy, suddenly appearing and effortlessly eliminating one opponent. Hayate immediately disappeared again after the kill. The cult leader of Jashin was stunned. "He didn''t go to save anyone... He even hid his presence." "But this won''t be a problem for me!" He was still a sensor ninja, after all! Seeing another subordinate fall, the Jashin cult leader quickly used a water clone to distract Sarutobi Bof, then leaped out of the battlefield. He plunged his scythe into the ground and rapidlypleted hand seals. "Die!" The Jashin cult leader spat out water, which surged and mmed into one of his subordinates. At nearly the same moment, Gekk Hayate appeared and attacked that very same subordinate. Water Release: Exploding Water Collide Wave! "Samehada, watch out!" Bof shouted a warning. Having just eliminated an enemy, Hayate looked at the approaching torrent of water and realized it was toote to dodge. He immediately drew hisrge sword, Samehada, from his back. The bandages came undone, and Samehada immediately expanded. With his right hand abandoning his katana, Hayate swiftly wielded Samehada with both hands and cleaved downward with immense force. Boom! The raging water was cleaved in two by the swollen de of Samehada. But right after, a scythe came screaming from the right. It was the Jashin cult leader, emerging from the water on the right side. ng! Hayate swung Samehada in his right hand, deflecting the scythe''s strike. The two engaged in a rapid exchange of blows on the water''s surface, the sound of shing metal ringing in the air. "This kid''s swordsmanship isn''t bad..." The Jashin cult leader thought to himself, surprised. He performed a flip and quickly retreated while making hand seals. Hayate reversed Samehada, and the sword''s mouth opened, revealing rows of sharp teeth, from which two desone long, one shortwere ejected. He drew the long de, retracted Samehada, and with a single hand seal, Hayate summoned two shadow clones, one on each side of him. Almost instantly, an orange-red me appeared on the de. Star God Seal activated. The orange-red glow shifted to a blinding white light. The three Hayates charged forward simultaneously, their images leaving behind distorted afterimages in the air due to the intense heat and the brilliant white light emanating from the des. At that moment, the Jashin cult leaderpleted his hand seals. Streams of water, like water serpents, slithered through the water, heading straight for Hayate. The cult leader followed closely behind, wielding his scythe. The Jashin cult leader aimed to trap Hayate in his water serpents while attacking him with the scythe. Hayate, seemingly oblivious to the water serpents below, attacked from three different angles to surround the cult leader. The Jashin cult leader shed his scythe to destroy one of Hayate''s clones, but when he struck at the second clone, the distortion of the light caused by the intense heat made him miss. The clone''s sword pierced his heart. With a cruel grin, the Jashin cult leader caught the hot de with his left hand and blocked Hayate''s real body''s attack with his scythe. Immediately afterward, water snakes wrapped around Hayate''s two remaining clones. Boom! The shadow clone was effortlessly destroyed in a single coil of water. As the cult leader raised his scythe to strike down Hayate''s real body, the water constricting around him suddenly exploded. Hayate swung his de, and with a sh of intense white light, the sword severed the cult leader''s right arm before slicing through his neck. The scythe fell from his severed arm, and the cult leader''s head remained on his neck, still shocked as he managed to speak: "How could you escape my water serpents?" This was his prideful, self-created water technique, B-rank difficulty. Hayate said nothing, but he was astonished by the sight in front of him. Despite his neck beingpletely severed, the cult leader was still alive and able to speak. So, this is the power of Jashin? As for breaking free of the water serpent technique, it was purely the result of Samehada''s abilities. The Jashin cult leader''s water technique was based on using his own chakra to create water, which Samehada effortlessly absorbed and neutralized, causing the technique to copse. "Samehada, how''s it going?" Bof, having taken care of the clones, approached. "This guy''s neck was cut off, and he''s still talking. He hasn''t died," Hayate replied. Even though they had the intel, Bof was still stunned. "So this is what Shichi meant by ''immortality''? Truly amazing." The Jashin cult leader roared, "You dare offend Lord Jashin? You''re all dead!" "Ha-ha-ha! You can''t kill me! I''ve been blessed by Lord Jashin!" Hayate casually swiped his sword, sending the cult leader''s head flying. "Captain, what now? This guy won''t really revive, will he?" Bof thought for a moment. "Leave a clone to watch him. Once the battle is over, we''ll take him back to Konoha and hand him over to the Fourth Hokage for disposal." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 216: Lord Daimyō, Let’s Join Forces for Greatness Once More!

Chapter 216: Lord Daimy, Lets Join Forces for Greatness Once More!

Fire Country Daimy''s Residence C Experimental Base Shichi and Pakura stood side by side, facing Sarutobi Asuma. Shichi asked gravely, "Asuma, are you sure you want to take the final step?" "Although you''ve managed to endure the malice of the Tailed Beast Chakra, mastering it still poses immense danger." "Kakashi seeded, yes, but he also faced the risk of severe physical mutations back then." Sarutobi Asuma nodded seriously. "I''ve thought this through carefully." "Besides, this is a direct mission from the Daimy." With a faint smile, he added, "And with you here, Shichi, I believe even if I fail, I should still have a good chance of staying alive." Shichi chuckled wryly. "I figured you wouldn''t give up." "Alright then, go in and prepare." Asuma nodded and entered the stone chamber, while Shichi turned to Pakura and said, "Bring over the prepared Shukaku sample." Pakura nodded and left to retrieve it. A momentter, she returned with a tray and entered the stone chamber alongside Shichi. "Asuma, eat this Shukaku flesh." Shichi handed the tray to Asuma, warning him, "Once you eat it, you''ll not only have to withstand the malice of the Tailed Beast but also endure the corrosive effect of its flesh." "This will be a battlea war." "You must ovee the malice of the Tailed Beast and the erosion of its flesh to truly gain the power of the Shukaku." Asuma nodded and began eating the Shukaku''s flesh without hesitation. It felt grainy, an odd texture. But soon, Asuma had no time to worry about the taste. A searing heat surged through his body, followed immediately by intense pain. Gritting his teeth, he finished the flesh in one go, then closed his eyes as scarlet Tailed Beast Chakra quickly enveloped him. Shichi and Pakura silently watched as Asuma''s body began to mutate, his hands transforming into ws resembling Shukaku''s. Kakashi had gone through this same process, so Shichi refrained from intervening immediately. Asuma and the power of Shukaku began an intense tug-of-war. Time ticked by. Suddenly, Shichi frowned, and Pakura couldn''t help but speak. "It seems he''s unable to suppress the Tailed Beast''s power any longer." Asuma''s physical mutations worsened, showing no signs of recovery. His body seemed on the verge of copse. Whoosh! A fiery spectral chain shot out from Shichi''s body, coiling around Asuma and extracting the Tailed Beast Chakra from him. The chain continued siphoning until every trace of the Shukaku''s power was drained from Asuma''s body, after which it dissipated. Huff! Huff! Asuma gasped for air, feeling as though he had narrowly escaped death. "Sorry... I failed..." He gave a bitter smile, disappointment evident in his eyes. Shichi shook his head. "If it were that easy to seed, there wouldn''t be so few who can master Tailed Beast powers." "Keep in mind, even Jinchriki have the advantage of sealing techniques." Asuma nodded but knew these were words of constion. After all, Jinchriki faceplete Tailed Beasts, whereas he was only dealing with fragments of Tailed Beast flesh. Even so, Asuma wasn''t the type to wallow in failure. He quickly regained his spirits and said, "I''ll work even harder moving forward." Shichi encouraged him, "We have plenty of time. Keep it up." "Take a break, and we''ll head back to the Daimy''s residence together. I have a meeting with the Daimy anyway." This time, Shichi''s main body hade personally due to the Daimy''s summons. ... Half an Hour Later Shichi met with the Daimy of the Land of Fire, who now appeared quite aged. After a few pleasantries, the Daimy asked directly, "Jnin Shichi, how did Asuma''s experiment turn out?" "It failed." Shichi exined, "Mastering the power of a Tailed Beast is incredibly difficult. All of Danzo''s previous experiments ended in failure." "To date, aside from me, only Kakashi has seeded in Konoha." The Daimy frowned slightly. "Kakashi... I think I''ve heard that name before. Is he the son of the White Fang?" Shichi nodded. "Yes, and he''s also my teacherone of the Fourth Hokage''s disciples." The Daimy nodded in understanding. "I see. It seems the Fourth Hokage has a keen eye for talent." "Now then, Jnin Shichi, about the promise you made to me back thencan you fulfill it now?" "Not only are you a Jnin, but also the Fourth Hokage''s disciple, head of Root, and responsible for training ANBU talent." "Creating a personal ninja guard for me shouldn''t be a problem, correct?" So this is what it''s about! Shichi had anticipated this. After all, the Daimy had been investing in him for nearly ten years, pouring billions into his efforts. It was only natural for him to seek returns now. To have an investor who waited ten years before asking for resultswhere else could you find such a great backer? Without hesitation, Shichi confidently replied, "If the Daimy wishes it, I can certainly deliver." "But may I ask, does the Daimy want me to train the ninja you''ve recruited, or should we start training from scratch, as Konoha does?" The Daimy frowned. "What''s the difference between the two?" Of course, he knew the difference. Training existing recruits is faster. Training from scratch takes years, and he might not live to see them mature. But the Daimy wanted to see how Shichi would respond. Shichi replied earnestly, "The superficial difference is this: "The first method is quick but has a lower ceiling, and the recruits may not be entirely loyal to you." "The second method is slowerrequiring at least six yearsbut has a higher ceiling and ensures absolute loyalty to the Daimy-sama." He then asked, "Surely the Daimy knows the history of Konoha''s founding?" The Daimy nodded. "Of course." "Back then, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, united the Senju and Uchiha ns and coborated with other ninja ns to establish the Hidden Leaf Vige with my father''s support." "It was then that the chaotic Warring States era came to an end." Shichi smiled and continued, "After founding Konoha, the Second Hokage established the Konoha Ninja Academy." The Daimy seemed to be deep in thought. Shichi went on, "You can think of the ninja you recruit as being like the ns that supported Konoha''s founding." "And the ninjas trained from scratch as those who came from the Ninja Academy, part of the Second Hokage''s vision to create a systematic training process." "Of course," Shichi added, "if I may be frank, the ninja you recruit won''tpare to Konoha''s shinobi." "After all, they''re merely hired hands andck true loyalty." "If the Daimy truly wants to make asting impact, you must establish something akin to the Second Hokage''s Ninja Academya ce to train your own loyal forces." The Daimy furrowed his brow. "So, you''re suggesting I choose thetter option." Shichi shook his head. "No, Daimy-sama, you should choose both." "Until the forces entirely under your control are fully trained, you''ll need disposable assets to tide you over." "Of course, to avoid interference from Konoha, you shouldn''t openly establish a ninja academy." "Instead, you should secretly build a ninja training basesomething like..." After a brief pause, Shichi pretended to contemte before saying, "Something like Danzo''s Root during his era." "While leading Root, Danzo ostensibly trained talent for the ANBU. But in reality, he was secretly gathering a significant number of forces for his own purposes." The Daimy smiled. "I see." Then, shifting his tone, he said, "Shichi, as the Fourth Hokage''s disciple, and with your strength, I imagine you''re in line to be the next Hokage." Shichi chuckled. "Without the Daimy''s support, Konoha cannot sustain itself. It would crumble and revert to the Warring States era of n wars." "Is the Hokage the most important figure in the Land of Fire?" "No, it''s the Daimy!" This struck a chord with the Daimy, leaving him pleased and significantly reducing his suspicions about Shichi. Shichi observed the Daimy''s expression, smiling inwardly before continuing, "If I were to simply be the Fifth Hokage, I''d be no different from the Hokage of the past. That wouldn''t surpass the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, who ushered in a new era." "Daimy-sama, my ambition is far greater than just bing the Fifth Hokage." The Daimy''s heart skipped a beat as he fixed his gaze on Shichi. "Then what is your ambition?" Instead of answering, Shichi asked, "And what about your ambition, Daimy-sama?" "Is it merely to gain control over Konoha?" "If that''s all, then there''s no need to create your own ninja forces. It would be meaningless." The Daimy''s voice turned solemn. "Then, Shichi, what do you think would be meaningful?" Shichi''s eyes gleamed with intensity. "It would be for Daimy-sama to annex other nationsconquering the Five Great Nations and even the smaller onesto be the supreme ruler of this world. At that point, you would no longer just be a Daimy but the true master of this world. You should be called the Emperor!" The Emperor?! The Daimy muttered the word to himself, his breathing quickening slightly. As the ruler of a nation, who wouldn''t harbor grander ambitions? After all, the Land of Fire wasn''t always this vast. Its territory expanded step by step during the Warring States period, until Senju Hashirama ended that chaotic era and the power of the Great Nations reached a bnce. After calming himself, the Daimy regarded Shichi with a serious expression. "Conquering other nations would be extremely difficult, wouldn''t it?" "Even if Senju Hashirama were resurrected, it might still be impossible." Shichi smiled confidently. "But I can surpass Senju Hashirama!" The Daimy hesitated upon hearing this. Surpass Hashirama? Is that even possible? He''s the God of Shinobi, recognized by the entire ninja world! Shichi chuckled. "Daimy-sama, I''m currently 15 years old. A few years ago, I killed the Third Kazekage." The Daimy was shocked. "You killed the Third Kazekage?" Shichi nodded. "Indeed." "I did it to avenge Konoha''s White Fang. This was once a secret, but it no longer is. Even the Fourth Kazekage knows that I was the one who killed the Third Kazekage." "At 15, I''m already far beyond what Senju Hashirama was at the same age." "Daimy-sama, if you fully support me, I will eliminate the other ninja viges for you." "Then, annexing other nations would be unopposed." "At that time, I will be the new God of Shinobi, and you will be the supreme Emperor!" The Daimy''s heart raced with excitement. The vision Shichi painted was grand and tantalizing. Anyone with even a shred of ambition couldn''t help but be moved. But then, the Daimy recalled his age and calmed himself. "How long will it take for you to achieve this ambition?" Shichi understood the Daimy''s concern and responded with unshakable confidence. "No more than twenty years!" Twenty years! The Daimy''s heart reignited with fervor. That was a timeframe he could wait for! Still, the Daimy tempered his excitement, his tone cool. "Shichi, prove yourself then!" "If you can demonstrate that you can surpass Senju Hashirama, I will support you with everything I have!" Shichi epted with a smile. "Then, Daimy-sama, how about defeating the Third Mizukage?" The Daimy nodded. "That will do!" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 217: Convincing Minato, Borrowing Strength to Lay the Foundation!

Chapter 217: Convincing Minato, Borrowing Strength to Lay the Foundation!

On this rare day, Kushina Uzumaki came to the Hokage''s office to apany Minato Namikaze at work. It just so happened that Shichi returned from his meeting with the Daimy. Hearing Shichi''s ount, Kushina''s eyes widened. "Shichi, the Daimy doesn''t actually believe you, does he?" Shichi chuckled. "Such a tempting offer is hard to resist." Kushina thoughtfully rubbed her chin. "But... if anyone really analyzes it, they''ll see it''s impossible to achieve, right?" "Shichi, you''re incredibly strong, but even someone as powerful as the Third Raikage eventually died in battle." "There''s no way Konoha, even with Suna on our side, could defeat the other ninja viges. It''s just not feasible." Minato Namikaze, too, pondered the possibility. Unlike Kushina, Minato had a clear understanding of Shichi''s strength. As his teacher, he knew that Shichi far outssed the Kage of the Five Great Nations. It was reminiscent of the days when Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara stood leagues above the rest. Whether Shichi could rival Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, remained uncertainbut at just 15 years old, his potential was extraordinary. After a moment of thought, Minato asked seriously, "Shichi, are you just stalling the Daimy, or do you genuinely intend to pursue this?" Kushina blinked in surprise, turning to stare at her husband in shock. Shichi set aside his smile, his tone earnest. "Sensei, I genuinely have such aspirations." "I want to eliminate the other ninja viges, unify all shinobi, and end the endless cycle of war in the ninja world." "I graduated at six and went to the battlefield." "n Leader Fugaku even brought his four-year-old son to the front lines." "Shinobi wield power, and the viges are violent organizations, but this shouldn''t be the way things are." "The First Hokage founded the ninja viges to end the Warring States era and prevent children from dying on the battlefield." "The Second Hokage established the ninja academy to systematically train shinobi from ages six to twelve, and that, too, wasn''t meant to send young children to war." "The power of shinobi should not only be for war or killing, not even for mere self-defense." Minato and Kushina fell into a heavy silence. As expectant parents, they couldn''t bear the thought of their child stepping onto the battlefield during an age meant for joy and love, tainting their innocence with blood. Shichi continued, "Since the First Hokage''s death, we''ve had three Great Ninja Wars." "Each war has beenrger and crueler than the n conflicts of the Warring States era." "These wars ur roughly a decade apart." "So, when will the next war be? And the one after that?" "Will my descendants die in these wars?" "Even if one day they must give their lives to protect the vige, I don''t want them to die as children, before they''ve grown strong. That kind of death is far too cheap." Kushina lowered her head, stroking her rounded belly, feeling the life growing within her. Memories of her own childhood came flooding backthe discement and pain caused by war were all too vivid. "Shichi, I support you!" Kushina suddenly said, her eyes red with emotion. Minato sighed and went to her side, wrapping her in his arms. He looked at Shichi and said, "If you can end the wars and create a peaceful ninja world, that would truly be ideal." "However, even with your strength, Shichi, this won''t be easy." "No matter how strong you are, you can''t take on tens of thousands of shinobi from the other viges simultaneously." "And Konoha alone couldn''t withstand such an all-out assault." Minato''s tone was sober. "If starting a war results in more of Konoha''s children dying, it would go against your very ideals." Shichi nodded in agreement. "Sensei, you''re absolutely right." "That''s why I''m not rushing things and told the Daimy I need twenty years." "Even twenty years from now, I''ll only be 35. I have absolute confidence that I''ll surpass the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara by then." Minato nodded. "I have faith in you, Shichi." "But our most immediate enemy is Uchiha Madara and his n for resurrection." Shichi smiled. "Of course, Sensei. I have no intention of letting Madara reap any benefits." Minato let out a breath of relief, grateful that Shichi wasn''t acting recklessly. After some thought, Minato suggested, "Perhaps we can leverage Madara''s collection of the Tailed Beasts to unite the other ninja viges. This could bring them together without triggering a full-scale war." Kushina''s eyes lit up at the idea, and she nodded repeatedly. But Shichi shook his head. "Sensei, while having amon, powerful enemy might unite the viges temporarily, it would only be for their own interests." "None of the great viges trust one another." "The moment the enemy is defeated, the alliance would crumble." "No vige would willingly relinquish power or merge with another." Minato and Kushina fell silent again. They Are Not Naive ! Shichi asked, "Sensei, if that day trulyes, would you dare to dissolve Konoha and fully merge it with Iwagakure?" "Would you trust noki with your loyal subordinates?" "Would he, fearing the possibility of Konoha''s resurgence, suppress or even eliminate you, the Hokage who willingly gave up power?" "By the same token, the other viges would harbor simr fears." Minato smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Shichi, you''re right. I didn''t think this through enough." Shichi quicklyforted him. "It''s not that you didn''t think enough, Sensei. You just don''t want anotherrge-scale war to break out." Kushina frowned and asked, "So, Shichi, are you saying that unifying all the shinobi must involve war?" Shichi nodded solemnly. "To change the structure of the world and alter the fate of the shinobi world, bloodshed is inevitable." "We are bound to infringe upon some people''s interests, and they will never willingly relinquish those interests." "Therefore, we must sweep those destined to be left behind by history into its dustbin." "Of course,rge-scale war isn''t the only means, but we must be prepared for it." Minato nodded and then asked, "So, Shichi, what''s your n?" Shichi replied, "I don''t have a detailed n yet, but two core principles are clear." "One: strengthen ourselves. Two: weaken our enemies." Kushina smiled at that. "Minato, it seems we don''t need to think too much about your sessor anymore." Minato chuckled, then pondered aloud, "Shichi, are you nning to use Uchiha Madara and Nagato to weaken the other viges?" "However, that approaches with risks." "If Madara and his group grow too strong, we might not be able to stop them, and the losses could be catastrophic." Shichi nodded in agreement. "That''s true." "That''s why it''s essential to strike the right bnce." "We must ensure Nagato doesn''t collect all the Tailed Beasts. At the very least, we should split them up beforehand." Kushina asked, "Shichi, you already have the Nine-Tails, Four-Tails, Three-Tails, and One-Tail. How do you n to divide the other Tailed Beasts without provoking the other viges and triggering a war?" Shichi thought for a moment. "Since we''re still at war with Kumo and Kiri, and I''ve already assured the Daimy, my next stop will naturally be Kirigakure." "The Six-Tails is there." "If they sealed the Three-Tails into Rin''s body, then finding and releasing the Six-Tails as retaliation would be entirely justified." "And I can use this opportunity to pressure Kirigakure into ending the war." Kushina looked worried. "Shichi, wouldn''t it be too dangerous for you to go alone?" Shichi smiled. "If I go alone, I can advance and retreat as I please. Even if I don''t seed, I can easily withdraw." "The same applies to Kumo''s Two-Tails and Eight-Tails." "My infiltration skills are something they cannot counter." Minato pondered for a moment before nodding. "That does seem feasible." "Moreover, since you''ve already convinced the One-Tail, Three-Tails, and Four-Tails, you can leverage them to persuade the Two-Tails, Six-Tails, and Eight-Tails while concealing your true intentions about splitting the Tailed Beasts." "As for the Five-Tails and Seven-Tails, we can look for other opportunities." "Once the wars are over, we can recover and focus our attention on Uchiha Madara." This was clearly an endorsement of Shichi''s n. Shichi then added another suggestion. "As for Nagato''s side, I believe we should send in a spy to monitor their every move." Minato nodded slightly. "That''s indeed an option, but infiltrating them will be challenging and will require the right timing." "Let''s keep this matter in mind." "So, Shichi, when do you n to act against Kiri and Kumo?" "The vige needs to prepare as well." Shichi nced at Kushina and smiled. "We''ll wait until Kushina-san gives birth!" "Then it''s settled." Minato returned to his desk and asked, "Regarding the Daimy''s n to train shinobi, what are your thoughts, Shichi?" Shichi grinned. "Borrowing strength to build our own." "It''s difficult to get the Daimy to invest more in Konoha, but he''ll spare no expense in training his own ninja." "If they''re entrusted to me for training, then it''s only logical that they follow my orders, right?" "After all, the Daimy won''t truly have the means tomand those shinobi." Of course, the details wouldn''t be so straightforward. The Daimy wasn''t foolish; even if he fully trusted Shichi, he wouldn''t hand over everything to him. But Shichi was confident he could control the forces the Daimy aimed to train. ... Shichi stayed in the Hokage''s office until evening before leaving. Just as he returned home and was about to enter his study, the memories of one of his shadow clones surged back to him. His face lit up with joy as he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport directly to Shisui Uchiha''s house. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 218: Let’s Try Kotoamatsukami!

Chapter 218: Chapter 218: Let''s Try Kotoamatsukami!

"Shisui!" Shichi appeared beside Shisui, who was feeding his crows. "Shichi," Shisui greeted him warmly, turning with a gentle smile. "I can feel a powerful surge stirring within me. I sense it''s about to awaken." Shichi''s eyes lit up with excitement. "It seems that awakening and evolving the Sharingan doesn''t necessarily require emotional trauma. The key lies in mental strength and spiritual resolve." Shisui nodded in agreement. Though his Mangeky Sharingan hadn''t awakened yet, the sensation was undeniable. The awakening of his eyes felt vivid and imminent. After finishing with the crows, the two returned indoors and sat down. Shichi detailed the preliminary n he had just discussed with Minato Namikaze. As Shisui listened, his eyes gleamed brighter and brighter. Usually calm andposed, he couldn''t help but grow increasingly enthusiastic. Previously, Shichi had shared his grand ambitions with him, but they hadcked a concrete n. Now, there was a clear outline, and it even had the Fourth Hokage''s support. "Shichi, I believe you can do it!" Shisui dered confidently. Shichi corrected him with a smile, "Not just me, Shisuiwe can do it!" Shisui nodded firmly and extended his hand. p! Shichi grasped Shisui''s hand, and their chakras connected. At that moment, Shichi clearly felt Shisui''s powerful spiritual energy. It surged through his mind, generating a unique Yin chakra that affected his optic nerves and eyes. The next moment, Shichi saw Shisui lower his gaze. When he raised his eyes again, blood trickled down his face, and the tomoe in his Sharingan spun rapidly before forming a new pattern. The Mangeky Sharingan had awakened! Shichi was genuinely happy for Shisui. "Shisui, congrattions! Not only did you awaken the Mangeky, but you''ve also forged an unprecedented path for the Uchiha." This made Shichi ponder the origins of the Uchiha n''s eye evolution. Was it all due to ck Zetsu? Indra was born with the three-tomoe Sharingan, and ck Zetsu guided the awakening of the Mangeky. Even the Uchiha n''s stone tablet, which detailed the methods for evolving the Sharingan, had been altered by ck Zetsu. Could it be that the current methods for awakening and evolving the Sharingan were a deliberate misdirection by ck Zetsu? Shisui wiped away the blood and smiled. "It''s all thanks to your theories, Shichi. They gave me the confidence I needed." "I only provided some spective analysis," Shichi said modestly, looking at Shisui with eager anticipation. "This is the Uchiha''s third pair of Mangeky. I''ve already experienced Obito''s ocr powers. What''s your Mangeky ability, Shisui?" "The Sharingan is said to reflect the heart, and its abilities often align with the wielder''s deepest desires or strengths." Could it still be Kotoamatsukami? Shichi was curious. Shisui smiled knowingly. "Why don''t you guess, Shichi?" Shichi chuckled. "Shisui, you excel at genjutsu, so I''m guessing at least one of your abilities is genjutsu." Shisui nodded and stopped teasing. "Both of my eyes are genjutsu-based." As expected, it was Kotoamatsukami! Shichi silently confirmed his suspicion. "Obito''s Mangeky abilities are both rted to space-time ninjutsu, though each eye has a different variation. What about yours?" Shisui exined, "My Mangeky Sharingan''s ability is called Kotoamatsukami." "My left eye can permanently and irreversibly alter a person''s will in a single instance. My right eye, on the other hand, can silently infiltrate an enemy''s mind, manipting their thoughts and making them act ording to my will without them realizing it." "Moreover, my ocr powers bypass a major weakness of the Sharingan." "As you know, using Sharingan-based genjutsu usually requires direct eye contact with the target. Kotoamatsukami doesn''t." Even though he had anticipated it, hearing Shisui''s exnation left Shichi in awe. "What an incredible genjutsu!" "A technique like this far surpasses my own Pce of Memories." Shisui chuckled. "Shichi, you''re selling yourself short." "Besides, didn''t you once say that no jutsu is perfect?" "My Kotoamatsukami has its ws, just as your Demonic Realm: Pce of Memories does." "The left eye''s ability, while instant and permanent, has its limits. Though I haven''t tested it in battle, I can sense that the chakra consumption is enormous." "The right eye''s ability, if discovered, can be countered by the target, breaking free from the genjutsu." "And besides, Kotoamatsukami probably wouldn''t work on you, Shichi." Shichiughed. "Shisui, that''s because you told me how it works." If he hadn''t known, and Shisui hadunched a surprise attack, the silent infiltration might have gone unnoticed, leaving him unable to counter in time with his Spirit Clone Technique. Standing up, Shichi said, "Shisui, let''s go test your Mangeky abilities right now!" Shisui quickly stood, confused. "Do you mean we''re going to Kirigakure right now?" "No." Shichi grinned. "We''re going to test it on Uchiha Madara''s ''First Hokage knockoff''!" "You mean White ZetsuTobi?" "Yes! His brain is packed withplex sealing techniques, making it nearly impossible for the interrogation squad to extract any intel. But Kotoamatsukami might bypass those seals." Shisui readily agreed. "No problem." Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Shichi teleported himself and Shisui to the holding cell where White Zetsu Tobi was confined. The moment White Zetsu saw Shichi, he perked up. "So, you''ve finally figured out how to deal with me, huh?" "Took you long enough! I''ve been so bored sitting here all by myself." "Sure, I''m technically an artificial being, but I still have feelings, you know. Loneliness is a real thing!" "Say, couldn''t you at least lock me up with the other White Zetsu clones? At least then I''d have someone to chat with about what it feels like to poop." Shisui was dumbfounded. Shichi, however, just smiledhe was used to this nonsense. "Actually, I have found a new way to deal with you." Truth be told, Shichi could simply extract White Zetsu Tobi''s soul, bypassing the seals entirely. But Tobi, being one of the more unique Aloe-White Zetsu variants, had a certain value he wasn''t eager to discard. Not all White Zetsu were created equal. The ten or so clones they''d captured before were merely offshoots of this specialized White Zetsu. By gaining control of Tobi, not only could they acquire a powerful asset, but they could also infiltrate the Akatsuki organization. ... "Is it him?" White Zetsu-Tobi nced at Uchiha Shisui. He clearly recognized him, having monitored Shisui in the past. "Are you nning to use the Sharingan?" White Zetsu-Tobi spoke with confidence. "That won''t be enough, even if it''s a Mangeky Sharingan..." Then he paused, staring at Shisui. "You actually awakened the Mangeky? Impressiveno wonder I had my eye on you as a genius!" Shisui was taken aback. "You''ve been monitoring me?" White Zetsu-Tobi chuckled. "Of course. I know a lot about the Uchiha n." Shisui''s eyes narrowed. "So, you chose Obito?" White Zetsu-Tobi smiled but didn''t answer. Shichi stepped in, saying, "Shisui, use Kotoamatsukami on him." "But first, activate your curse mark to reduce the strain." Shisui''s curse mark was a newly developed Star God Curse Mark, capable of amplifying both Yin and Yang Release. "Understood!" Shisui nodded, his Mangeky Sharingan emerging. White Zetsu-Tobi watched with interest. "So it''s trueyou''ve awakened the Mangeky. Kotoamatsukami, is it? A genjutsu-type eye technique, perhaps?" "Unfortunately, it won''t work on me." Shisui remained calm. "We''ll see." With that, he activated the curse mark. Lotus-like patterns spread across his face from his neck. Locking eyes with White Zetsu-Tobi, Shisui unleashed his Mangeky''s power. Kotoamatsukami! White Zetsu-Tobi froze briefly before his expression shifted to shock. "Your eye technique... it bypassed the seal left by Madara Uchiha! And that was a Rinnegan-level seal!" It worked? Shichi focused his gaze on Shisui, who was clutching his eye. "Shisui, how''s your eye?" Shisui lowered his hand, smiling. "Thanks to the curse mark, there''s only a slight sting. The chakra expenditure wasn''t too severe either. "However, altering someone''s will consumes a massive amount of chakra and ocr power. Even with the curse mark, my eyes will take two to three years to fully recover." Two to three years. Shichi recalled that, in the original storyline, Shisui''s left eye required over a decade to recover unless bolstered by Hashirama''s cells. Still, imnting Hashirama''s cells required proper procedure and approval. He''d need to report this to Minato-sensei and also inform Tsunade out of respect. With these thoughts in mind, Shichi said, "Two or three years isn''t too long. If you transnt Hashirama''s cells, it could resolve the issue permanently. You''d also be free to use your Mangeky abilities without worrying about going blind." Shisui nodded. "Based on your earlier analysis, if my Yang Releaseor physical strengthbes strong enough, I could potentially evolve my Mangeky into an Eternal Mangeky on my own." Shichi agreed. "Exactly. Still, imnting Hashirama''s cells won''t hinder your exploration of Yang Release. I''ll handle the arrangements with our teacher." Turning to White Zetsu-Tobi, Shichi asked, "Tobi, you mentioned earlier that the seal in your brain originates from the Rinnegan?" Tobi immediately fawned, "As expected of you, Lord Shichi, your insights are unparalleled." "That''s correctit''s a Rinnegan-based seal. After all, Nagato''s Rinnegan originally belonged to my former master, Madara Uchiha!" Shisui''s expression shifted. "What? That''s impossible!" Tobiughed. "Hard to believe, isn''t it? But it''s the truth. Since I''ve beenpelled by your Mangeky, lying is impossible for meunless the information I have is incorrect to begin with." Shichi interjected thoughtfully, "It''s likely true. "From what we''ve deduced, during the battle at the Valley of the End, Madara used Izanagi to deceive Hashirama and Tobirama, obtaining Hashirama''s flesh and gaining his power." "Does this mean Madara''s actions were premeditated?" Tobi eagerly chimed in, "Precisely, Lord Shichi! Madara will regret not valuing someone as brilliant as you earlier!" "If my information is urate, the battle at the Valley of the End was part of Madara''s n all along." "The goal was to acquire Hashirama''s flesh and gain his power. The Uchiha n''s tablet mentions a method to evolve the Eternal Mangeky further: bybining the Uchiha n''s Mangeky Sharingan with the Senju n''s Sage Body, one can gain the power of All-Creation and awaken the Rinnegan!" (End of Chapter) ### EXTRA ### The Kotoamatsukami (e, literally meaning: Distinguished Heavenly Gods) are a group of five Shint gods that appeared at the beginning of the universe. When the Heavens and Earth were created, three of these gods came down from the Takamagahara (ԭ, literally meaning: High Heavenly ins) as so-called ''single gods'' (, hitorigami): gods that did not appear as a husband-wife duo. These three gods are called the ''Three Gods of Creation'' (컯, Zka no Sanshin) and were: Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-Kami (֮), the supreme god. Takamimusuhi-no-Kami (bz), the god of conquest and rule. Kamimusuhi-no-Kami (bz), the god of birth. After them, when thend was formed and sea was rising to the surface, two more gods appeared: Umashiashikabihikoji-no-Kami (Ħ־˹XȹW) Ame-no-Tokotachi-no-Kami (֮) These five gods have a special ce among the Heavenly Gods (, Amatsukami), hence their name: Distinguished Heavenly Gods (e). After them came the ''Seven Generations of the Age of Gods'' (ߴ, Kamiyo Nanayo), thest of which were Izanagi and Izanami, who were responsible for creating the Japanese archipgo. ### Trivia ### Unlike most Sharingan-based genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami does not seem to require eye contact, as demonstrated by how Danz cast it on Mifune without apparently removing the bandages that covered his right eye. During the Five Kage Summit, the Fifth Mizukagemented that she could not help but conclude that there was a connection between this technique and the power that controlled Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage. ... ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 ??? Chapter 219: False Peace, Infiltration, Life Ignition!

Chapter 219: Chapter 219: False Peace, Infiltration, Life Ignition!

"The Mangeky Sharinganbined with the Sage Body can awaken the Rinnegan..." Uchiha Shisui was stunned by this revtion. But he quickly responded, "Wait, Shichi, didn''t Obito also obtain the First Hokage''s cells?" Shichi nodded, turning his gaze to White Zetsu, Tobi. "It''s likely not just the Mangeky Sharingan and Sage Body, right?" White Zetsu Tobi, ever the sycophant, began to tter: "As expected of Lord Shichi" "Speak inly!" Shichi snapped. White Zetsu Tobi immediately straightened up. "The key to awakening the Rinnegan isn''t just the Mangeky Sharingan and the Senju''s power. It''s the chakra of Indra and Ashura, the reincarnations of the Sage of Six Paths'' sons." "Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama just so happened to be the reincarnations of Indra and Ashura. When their powersbined, Madara awakened the Rinnegan." "However, Madara was already quite old when he achieved this, so he transnted his Rinnegan into Nagato, using Nagato''sbined Senju and Uzumaki lineage to wield the eyes and gather the Tailed Beasts." "And the ultimate goal, of course, was to resurrect Uchiha Madara, restore him to his prime, and acquire the power of the Ten-Tails, the fusion of the Nine Tailed Beasts with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path." "Lord Shichi has already seen the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. That''s the husk of the Ten-Tails." White Zetsu Tobi spilled the information in one breath. "The method for awakening the Rinnegan is actually recorded on the Uchiha n''s stone tablet. Once someone achieves the Eternal Mangeky Sharingan, they can read it." "Of course, the contents of the tablet were altered by Madara with ck Zetsu''s help." Uchiha Shisui, though shaken, forced himself to remain calm and asked urgently, "So, what is Madara''s ultimate goal?" "Reviving himself should be achievable now, right? Does he need the Ten-Tails'' power to aplish it?" White Zetsu Tobi chuckled. "Not at all." "Madara has a n called the Eye of the Moon n." "After his resurrection, he intends to be the Ten-Tails'' Jinchriki and cast an ultimate genjutsu on all humanity in the Shinobi WorldInfinite Tsukuyomi!" "It''s a genjutsu that traps everyone in a dream, thereby ending all wars and creating a world without conflict." Hearing this, Uchiha Shisui was dumbfounded. Infinite Tsukuyomia dream for all humanity? The thought sent shivers down his spine. But Shichi sneered. "Peace within a dream?" "That''s nothing more than a false peace." "Madara can''t even see through this illusion." White Zetsu Tobi chuckled lightly. "Perhaps it''s because the stone tablet was left behind by the Sage of Six Paths." "Though it''s not polite to criticize a former master, to be honest, Madara wasn''t as smart as you, Lord Shichi." "This isn''t ttery. At your current age, Madara wasn''t as capable as you." Uchiha Shisui had regained hisposure and couldn''t help butugh. "I agree with Tobi on this point." "While the Sage of Six Paths is a legendary ancestor of shinobi, his words shouldn''t be taken as absolute." "Moreover, since Madara had ck Zetsu alter the stone tablet, its contents can''t be entirely trusted." "After all, it''s hard to imagine the Sage of Six Paths leaving behind something like that." "And if the Sage of Six Paths had the Rinnegan, he should have created peace in the dream long ago. Are we already trapped in Infinite Tsukuyomi?" Shichi shuddered at the eerie thought. At that moment, Shisui asked, "Shichi, since we now know Madara''s entire n, shouldn''t we devise a counter-strategy?" "The key lies with the Ten-Tails. We must stop them from gathering the Nine Tailed Beasts." Shichi shook his head. "That''s easier said than done." "If we tried to gather the Tailed Beasts first, it would inevitably lead to war with the other viges. They wouldn''t trust us easily." "So, the best course of action is to divide the Tailed Beasts in advance, just like before." "Divide the Tailed Beasts?" White Zetsu Tobi was surprised. "Could it be that Nohara Rin didn''t actually die? And that the Nine-Tails'' power Lord Shichi obtained wasn''t from its Jinchriki, but from splitting the Nine-Tails?" Shichi ignored Tobi and addressed Shisui. "Shisui, after discussing with Sensei, we''ve decided to act under the guise of ending the war. We''ll take this opportunity to target Kirigakure and Kumogakure, split the Two-Tails, Six-Tails, and Eight-Tails, and convince the Tailed Beasts to cooperate with us." "Furthermore, since Madara used Nagato to collect the Tailed Beasts for his resurrection, we can use their actions as a pretext to weaken the other viges." Shisui nodded but expressed his concern. "The real worry is if Madara resurrects and gains control of at least half of the Tailed Beasts. Can we defeat him?" "After all, he has the Rinnegan." Shichi smiled. "Of the eight Tailed Beasts, we hold half, and we have full control over the Nine-Tails. That gives us an advantage." "As for the Rinnegan... Shisui, trust me." White Zetsu Tobi chimed in, "Lord Shichi is right. In the previous battle, you already defeated Nagato, a Rinnegan wielder." "Although Nagato couldn''t fully harness the Rinnegan''s power, Lord Shichi didn''t even use his full strengthhe only opened seven gates of the Eight Gates Technique." Uchiha Shisui ignored Tobi, but reassured by Shichi''s words, smiled. "You''re right, Shichi. It''s too early to judge the oue without fighting first." "Besides, we already have the upper hand in intelligence for now." Shichi nodded. "We''ll stick to the n Sensei and I discussed." "Shisui, when the timees, you''ll act alongside me." Shisui immediately nodded. "Understood!" Shichi turned to White Zetsu Tobi. "Do you have intelligence on the Jinchriki?" Tobi grinned. "Of course! That''s my specialty." "The Six-Tails'' Jinchriki in Kirigakure is a boy named Utakata, just ten years old. He''s heavily guarded." "The Two-Tails'' Jinchriki in Kumogakure is a girl named Nii Yugito. She''s two or three years younger than you, Lord Shichi, and also well-protected." "But naturally, for someone like you, none of this will be a problem." Shisui raised a question. "If you already have information on the Tailed Beasts, why haven''t you acted yet?" "Madara has also fought Shichi before, and his strength is formidable." Tobi exined, "That''s because sealing the Tailed Beasts must be done in order of their tailsfrom the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails." "Madara, who relies on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to sustain his life, doesn''t have the strength to collect all nine beasts in one go. The strength of the Five Great Shinobi Viges cannot be underestimated." Shisui pondered for a moment. "That does make sense. If the viges became alert, Madara would face theirbined forces." Shichi then addressed Tobi. "Can your clones integrate into the existing intelligencework without being detected?" Tobi responded in an exaggerated tone, "You want me to act as a spy, Lord Shichi? What a brilliant idea! This is definitely feasible." "However, I''ll need chakra to produce clones." "And to avoid detection, it''s best to rece an existing member of the intelligencework." Shichi nodded, formting a n. He then turned to Shisui. "That''s it for today, Shisui." "I''ll arrange for the transntation of the First Hokage''s cells as soon as possible." Shisui nodded in agreement. --- After escorting Shisui home, Shichi returned to the experimental base. He introduced White Zetsu Tobi to Tsunade, appointing Tobi as the base''s caretaker. Later, after having dinner with Yakushi Non and others at home, Shichi left Konoha with Tobi. --- In a forest outside Konoha, Shichi asked, "Finding your formerpanions shouldn''t be too hard, right?" Tobi nodded confidently. "Of course. There should be White Zetsu hiding nearby. The Nine-Tails has always been a high priority." Shichi instructed, "In that case, find one you think is suitable and rece them." "Start with one, then proceed step by step to rece more." Tobi couldn''t help but praise, "Lord Shichi, I truly believe you have what it takes to defeat Uchiha Madara!" Shichi sighed at Tobi''s endless ttery. "Just get to work!" "Understood!" Tobi eximed enthusiastically. He inserted his hand into the trunk of arge tree. Shortly after, he smiled. "Lord Shichi, I''ve found the target." Shichi nodded. "Use the Spore Technique on me. I''ll use my chakra to help them grow." Tobi chuckled. "I never thought this technique could be used like this." Activating Sage Mode, Shichi sensed the presence of four White Zetsu spores growing inside him. The spores quickly absorbed his chakra and grew rapidly, emerging from his body. Tobi, apanied by the four clones, burrowed underground and soon brought back another White Zetsu. --- "Tobi! You''ve betrayed us?" The captured White Zetsu was horrified upon seeing Shichi. He couldn''tprehend why their leader, Tobi, would betray them. Tobi shrugged with an apologetic smile. "I''m sorry. This isn''t by choice. The Mangeky Sharingan''s abilities are irresistible." Turning to Shichi, he quickly added, "Of course, Lord Shichi, I''m absolutely willing to follow you!" Shichi rolled his eyes. "Enough talk! Get to work!" Tobi quickly got to business. The four clones swarmed the captured White Zetsu, devouring and assimting him. One of the clones then submerged into the ground, recing the devoured Zetsu and infiltrating the Akatsuki''s intelligencework. --- Shichi and Tobi repeated this process, recing three more White Zetsu before returning to the experimental base in Konoha. Finding Tsunade absent, Shichi headed to Konoha Hospital, but she wasn''t there either. When Shichi arrived at the Senju n''s ancestral home, he saw Tsunade deep in thought, surrounded by scattered scrolls. Looking up and seeing Shichi visiting sote at night, Tsunade frowned in confusion. "What are you doing here?" "Of course, I came to see our dear Lady Tsunade," Shichi teased with a grin. Tsunade''s face immediately darkened, her fists clenching tightly. Sensing her impending outburst, Shichi quickly changed the subject. "Shisui has awakened the Mangeky Sharingan." "What?" Tsunade froze, then eximed in shock, "The Mangeky Sharingan? How did that happen?" Shichi smiled. "It happened naturallyor you could say it was through the power of love. After a long umtion of positive emotions, it reached a tipping point and awakened." Tsunade was stunned. "That''s possible?" "I thought Uchiha awakening and advancing their Sharingan required intense negative emotional stimtion." Shichi shook his head. "You remember the theory I mentioned before about Yin-Yang Release and the bnce between mental and physical energy, right?" "The Sharingan is a Kekkei Genkai thatbines Yin Release and Yang Release, with Yin Release as the primaryponent. Strong mental stimtionessentially powerful spiritual energycauses chakra to change, and this change is the essence of Yin Release." Tsunade thought for a moment. "So, for the Uchiha n, awakening and advancing the Sharingan can be achieved by umting sufficient mental energy alone." Shichi nodded. "Shisui has already proven this. Using negative emotional stimuli to awaken or advance the Sharingan is essentially a shortcut." Tsunade nodded thoughtfully before asking, "So, you''re here to request the transntation of my grandfather''s cells for Shisui?" Shichi nodded again. "That''s right. Or, to be precise, White Zetsu cells." Tsunade replied, "I have no objections, but you''ll need to discuss this with the Fourth Hokage." "Of course," Shichi agreed, then nced at the scattered scrolls. "What are you researching?" Tsunade snorted lightly. "Techniques suited for medical ninjutsu practitioners." "Have you made any progress?" Shichi smiled confidently. "Yes, I have." "It''s based on training with the Eight Gates technique." "By enhancing cellr activity?" Tsunade frowned slightly. "Like the Lightning Release Chakra Mode''s heightened activity?" The Creation Rebirth technique also enhanced cellr activity, allowing cells to rapidly divide and regenerate for fast healing. However, the Lightning Release method differed, focusing on physical strength and heightened reflexes. Shichi exined, "The essence of the Eight Gates is to release the body''s natural restraints and push its potential to the limit, up to the eighth gate, where life force burns." "However, this method produces uncontroble power and requires extraordinary endurance and physical strength to handle. Itcks precision and isn''t suitable for medical ninjutsu practitioners." "So, I thought of a gentler approach..." Taking a deep breath, Shichi suddenly let out a resounding boom. Green mes burst forth from his body, enveloping him entirely. He appeared as though he were on fire, consumed by an emerald ze. Tsunade''s pupils constricted sharply as she stared in shock. "This feeling... It''s as if your very life is burning!" (End of Chapter) Chapter 220: Reanimation Jutsu—The Immortal Body!

Chapter 220: Chapter 220: Reanimation JutsuThe Immortal Body! [Bonus Chapter]

"It truly is burning life!" Shichi exined, "Or rather, it''s burning Yang Release chakra." "Life thrives on motion, and burning is the most intense form of motion." "In this state, the cells are highly activated, granting not only remarkable self-healing but also incredible reflexes and strength." "Most importantly, while burning appears wild and destructive, it can still be precisely controlled, preserving the advantages of medical ninjutsu." As he spoke, Shichi extended his hand, and under Tsunade''s watchful gaze, green mes converged in his palm, forming a de of fire. He stepped forward, and the me de brushed against Tsunade. Hiss! A sizzle sounded as Tsunade''s body ignited. She eximed in shock, "My cells are actually burning!" Watching the green mes slowly consume Tsunade''s body, Shichi smiled. "This is another characteristic of the me of Lifeit can ignite the life force of any living being." Tsunade frowned, then red her chakra, causing the mes to explode and extinguish instantly. She smirked. "Seems it''s pretty easy to put out too!" Shichi chuckled, dispersing the me de in his hand. The green mes surrounding him vanished as well. "The difficulty of mastering this technique is only C-rank. I think most medical ninja would find it manageable." "And therger their chakra reserves, the greater the boost in strength." "The state I demonstrated just now is roughly equivalent to opening the third gate of the Eight Gates." "From a closebat perspective, with a bit of training, this would make a medical ninja stand out among Chnin. For most medical ninja, that''s more than sufficient." Tsunade''s eyes widened. "C-rank difficulty? Then it can indeed be taught to all medical ninja." "Having Chnin-level closebat abilities would be enough to save their lives in critical momentsand maybe even turn the tide of battle." "What do you call this technique?" Shichi thought for a moment. "How about... Breath of me? What do you think?" "I only just developed it, and this is still its most basic form." "This technique was inspired by the Eight Gates and also incorporates my earlier work with the Fire Nether Chains." The Fire Nether Chains, a sealing jutsu, could burn chakra, dpose it, and scorch the spirit. The Breath of me, on the other hand, burns a person''s life forceor more urately, their physical energy. It can ignite the opponent''s chakra, thereby causing their cells to burn. Tsunade smirked. "Your naming skills really do take after the Fourth Hokage." She added sarcastically, "Why not call it Hymn of Life?" Shichi resisted the urge to roll his eyes and replied, "Alright, how about Breath of me: Hymn of Life? Best of both worlds." Tsunade gave up on the naming debate, too tired to waste more time. "Once I''ve mastered it, I''ll introduce it to the medical unit. You should record the full details of the technique." Shichi nodded and quickly wrote down the training method on a nk scroll. Rising to leave, he grinned. "Tsunade, looks like I''m one step ahead of you. Don''t forget our bet!" Tsunade''s eyebrows twitched, her knuckles cracking ominously, but before she could explode, Shichi had already disappeared. "That little brat!" Tsunade gritted her teeth. "I''m not losing to you!" --- Back home, Shichi sat in his study, but his consciousness entered the sealed space within his abdomen. "Kurama, you heard about the Rinnegan and the Eye of the Moon n, didn''t you?" he said to Yin Kurama. Yin Kurama remained silent. The Four-Tails spoke up instead. "Shichi, if Konohaunched a full-scale attack, wouldn''t they be able to seize the Rinnegan?" Shukaku agreed. "Destroying the Rinnegan would leave Uchiha Madara with no way to resurrect." "And if the Gedo Statue is sealed, he won''t be able to re-seal us either." Yin Kurama scoffed. "You two idiots. The problem isn''t just the Rinnegan." "Even if those Rinnegan are destroyed, another pair could eventually appear." "The key lies in Indra and Asura''s reincarnated chakra. If you really want to solve the issue, you''d need to wipe out the Uchiha, Senju, and Uzumaki bloodlines entirely." Shukaku sneered. "Stupid fox, do you think Indra and Asura''s chakra is guaranteed to reincarnate only within those three ns?" "Their bloodlines might not even be limited to them." "Besides, aren''t you still sealed right now?" Kurama was left speechless, his pride forcing him into silence. Shichi, watching the exchange, decided to ignore Yin Kurama. Turning to Shukaku and the Four-Tails, he said, "I''ll be splitting the Two-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Six-Tails soon. When the timees, I''ll need your help tomunicate with them." Shukaku and the Four-Tails nodded in unison. "No problem. For now, we share amon enemy." Shukaku added, "By splitting the other tailed beasts and ensuring this dumb fox doesn''t get captured, reviving the Ten-Tails will be almost impossible." Yin Kurama red at Shukaku, looking like he wanted nothing more than to pummel him. --- The next morning, Shichi arrived at the Hokage''s office. Before he could speak, Minato Namikaze said, "Shichi, you came at the perfect time. Hayate and his team returned from the Land of Hot Water and brought back a peculiar individual." "Apparently, even after being decapitated, the person could still talk. Unfortunately, they suddenly died on the way back." Shichi raised an eyebrow. "A forbidden jutsu of the Jashin cult?" Minato nodded. "It seems so. The Anbu conducted examinationsst night but found nothing unusual. The body appears no different from an ordinary corpse." Shichi''s interest was piqued. "Send it to the research base. Let''s see if we can uncover anything." Minato agreed, then asked, "You''re here so earlydo you have something urgent to discuss?" Shichi nodded. "Shisui has awakened the Mangeky Sharingan. I want to transnt cells from the First Hokage into him." Minato was initially stunned but then delighted. "That''s fantastic news! This will significantly enhance our strength against Uchiha Madara." Shichi smiled. "Indeed. Shisui''s ocr abilities are extraordinary." "He can silently and effortlessly alter a person''s will without even direct eye contact. I call it the strongest genjutsu." "We tested it yesterday by turning White Zetsu, who was using Obito''s former eye, to our side. We''ve gathered some astonishing intel." --- After hearing about the Rinnegan and the Eye of the Moon n, Minato''s expression turned grave. "I didn''t expect such a terrifying scheme to be in motion." "If Madarapletes this, the entire ninja world will be utterly destroyed." Shichi nodded, feigning worry. "Sensei, what concerns me more is the possibility that there''s something even more dangerous hidden behind the Eye of the Moon n." "Madara altered the Uchiha stone tablet to deceive Nagato, but even the original records of a technique like Infinite Tsukuyomi feel unsettling." Minato pondered. "Our current intel is too limited for further spection. For now, we should focus on stopping the Eye of the Moon n." "As for Shisui''s transnt, I approve." Shichi nodded, leaving the matter at that. --- Leaving the Hokage building, Shichi immediately sought out Shisui Uchiha and took him to the research base to proceed with the cell transnt. With Hashirama''s cells, Shisui''s Kotoamatsukami could reach its full potential. Otherwise, a years-long cooldown period for each use would render it far less practical. While Shichi''s main body focused on the transnt, a clone worked alongside Tsunade to examine the corpse Hayate''s team had brought back. "It doesn''t seem any different from a normal body," Tsunade remarked, frowning. "Did it really speak after being decapitated?" Shichi nodded. "It should be true. The Hidden Hot Water Vige was built around the Jashin cult. Back when I was in the Anbu, I took part in missions to protect the cult''s forbidden techniques. Even Kumo once attempted to seize them." Carefully dissecting the corpse, Shichi used various techniques to search for traces of a curse seal. Unfortunately, there was nothing. As Tsunade had noted, the body appearedpletely ordinary. Frowning, Shichi said, "There''s one more method we can try." Tsunade was curious. "What method?" "Edo Tensei." Shichi gazed at the corpse. "Summon this person''s soul from the Pure Land and bind it to a vessel." Tsunade''s expression shifted slightly. "You''re nning to use White Zetsu as the vessel?" Shichi nodded. "Tsunade, if you ever wanted to see Nawaki or Dan again..." Tsunade froze, her head lowering slightly as a struggle yed across her face. Shichi waited quietly, thinking to himself, The cautious side of me should''ve tested her earlier. After a long silence, Tsunade suddenly raised her head and said, "Forget it. Even if they were summoned, it wouldn''t be true resurrection." "If they''re already in the Pure Land, let them rest in peace." "Besides, there''s no need to waste a high-quality research subject like White Zetsu." Shichi smiled. "It''s your decision to make." Tsunade shot him a sideways nce. "You''re testing me, aren''t you?" Shichi quickly denied it. "Of course not! It just happened to cross my mind." He swiftly changed the subject. "This individual''s sudden death suggests their forbidden technique was iplete." "Is Jashin truly divine power, or just a forbidden jutsu developed by ninja?" Tsunade snorted. "It''s definitely some twisted technique devised by the Jashin cult." Shichi shook his head. "Jutsu itself isn''t inherently good or evil; it depends on how it''s used." "The Second Hokage only created Edo Tensei toplement the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags technique." To rival the power of the Ten-Tails Jinchrikior even the likes of Kaguya tsutsukihe knew he had to seize every opportunity. Shichi remarked that Hidan''s immortal body was quite impressive. Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Do whatever you want!" Hearing this, Shichi immediately left the room and returned with a White Zetsu. After preparing the seals and ensuring everything was in ce, Shichi stood under Tsunade''s watchful gaze and formed a single hand seal. "Summoning Jutsu: Reanimation!" The White Zetsu, bound by the fireher chains, was quickly covered in dust. Amid agonized screams, its body twisted and transformed, taking on the appearance of another person. Watching this, Tsunade frowned deeply, silently grateful she had resisted the temptation earlier and hadn''t agreed to revive Nawaki or Dan in such a manner. The revived Jashin cult leader slowly opened his eyes and immediately burst into manicughter. "Ha ha ha! I''ve seeded! Truly, Lord Jashin has chosen me and granted me immortality!" His gaze fell on Shichi, then shifted to Tsunade and the surrounding environment. Licking his lips, he sneered, "So, this is Konoha''s corpse research facility?" "Ha, I didn''t expect that I''d be able to offer a sacrifice to Lord Jashin so soon after waking up!" Before he could act, the Jashin cult leader''s body suddenly froze, and his expression changed drastically. "What''s happening to my body?" Shichi chuckled. "If you think it was Jashin who brought you back, I''m afraid you''re mistaken. In your eyes, I''m the so-called Lord Jashin, Kogami Kohai." "You?" The cult leader, Kogami Kohai, widened his eyes in disbelief as he stared at Shichi. "What did you do to me? Why can''t I move?" Shichi replied calmly, "Because you''re already dead. I''ve merely brought you back from the Pure Land." "So, tell mewhat exactly is this so-called Jashin''s power?" Although shocked, Kogami quickly sneered. "If you want immortality, you must first offer a sacrifice to Lord Jashin. Kill that woman, and I''ll tell you everything." Shichi sighed and shook his head. "It seems you still don''t understand your situation." He formed a single hand seal, and Kogami''s eyes went nk. Compelled by Shichi''s control, he spilled everything he knew. After hearing the details, Tsunade scoffed coldly. "As expected, just another group of evil people conducting forbidden experiments at the cost of countless lives." Shichi nodded. "Jashin is nothing more than a fabricated deity used to manipte people." "Tsunade, could you bring me a scroll?" Tsunadeplied, retrieving a nk scroll and some ink from a nearby cab. Under Shichi''s control, Kogami meticulously replicated the curse seal on the scroll. Shichi and Tsunade stood side by side, examining its contents. "It''s definitely a wicked jutsu!" Tsunade dered. "This kind of technique must never be used!" The scroll''s contents detailed that the more people one killed, the stronger the curse power granted by the so-called Death God. This power conferred immortality, and by using blood as a medium, one could curse others. However, Shichi noticed that the scroll''s contents were ipleteor, perhaps, the technique itself was an unfinished and wed forbidden jutsu. Tsunade''s stern voice interrupted his thoughts. "I mean it! Don''t even think about using it!" Shichi smiled. "I''m not interested in the jutsu itselfI''m interested in its essence." "This so-called curse power actually links the user''s soul to the target''s through their blood." "And this immortality seems to be maintained by anchoring the soul." Tsunade frowned. "Normally, once someone''s head is cut off, they die, and their soul naturally enters the Pure Land." Shichi grinned. "Have you forgotten the Second Hokage''s soul-binding jutsu?" "It was the same technique I used to anchor Rin''s soul to her body temporarily, allowing her to survive until the transnt of the First Hokage''s cells." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 45+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 USE THIS CODE FOR 25% FLAT DISCOUNT: E7475 APPLY AFTER UTC 6.30p ??? Chapter 221: The Legend of Immortality and the Day of Delivery!

Chapter 221: Chapter 221: The Legend of Immortality and the Day of Delivery!

"Soul binding..." Tsunade stared at the jutsu form, lost in thought. Meanwhile, Shichi flicked his fingers, sending a sharp burst of energy that severed Kogami Kohai''s left arm. Tsunade looked up, puzzled by his actions. Pointing at Kogami Kohai''s regenerating arm, Shichi exined, "This is also a form of immortality." "And it shares a striking resemnce to Jashin''s version of immortalitythey''re both rooted in the soul." Although Tsunade hadn''t studied the Edo Tensei technique in detail, based on her observations and Kogami Kohai''s descriptions, she could see the simrities between the two. In fact, in terms of effectiveness, Edo Tensei''s immortality seemed even more astonishing. However, Tsunade raised a critical question: "The more people you kill, the more sacrifices you make, the stronger the curse bes. That means the technique''s power grows toowhy is that?" Shichi pondered this. "It''s likely tied to faith in Jashin." "And faith is a manifestation of spirit, which originates from the soul." "The greater the fanaticism toward Jashin, the stronger the faith. This mental transformation would lead to changes in the soul." Tsunade''s eyes narrowed. "Simr to the Uchiha n''s Sharingan?" Shichi nodded, gazing at the jutsu form on the scroll. After a brief moment of thought, he began refining it. --- In anotherboratory... Shichi, who had just finished assisting Asuka with Uchiha Shisui''s transnt of Hashirama cells, suddenly froze. The Tag Tree stirred again. Looking closely, he saw a new tag leaf had appeared on the tree. Tag: Legend of Immortality Conditions to Obtain: Perfect a forbidden technique for immortalitysoul undying, body indestructible. Tag Effects: Physical constitution +100%, mental power +100%, bodilypatibility +100%. Allows selection of any body-rted jutsu as a Kekkei Genkai (physical type). What a reward! Shichi was both shocked and thrilled, quickly realizing this tag must have been triggered by his research into Jashin''s immortality. However, he wasn''t entirely sure what his clone had aplished so far. ncing at Shisui, who had yet to wake up, Shichi left White Zetsu (Tobi) to keep watch and headed over to the clone''s location with Asuka. Hearing footsteps, Tsunade turned around, surprised. "Why are you here?" Shichi nced at his focused clone and smiled. "I''m curious about Jashin''s power." "Looks like you''ve gained a lot." Tsunade shook her head. "That depends on your clone." "Now that you''re here, I don''t need to stay. This isn''t my area of interest." "Asuka, let''s go." With that, Tsunade turned to leave. Asuka winked at Shichi before following her out. --- Shichi walked over to the scroll his clone was working on. After a brief examination, he immediately recognized the train of thought his clone was pursuingdrawing on knowledge from Edo Tensei to refine Jashin''s immortality. "However, simply building on the original framework won''t achieve something as robust as the Edo Tensei body... After all, the Edo Tensei body isn''t a true flesh-and-blood vessel." Shichi reflected to himself, "At most, refining the original technique would result in something akin to Hidan''s condition." "His body could be reduced to fragments without dying, but for me, that''s practically useless." "Hidan was dismembered by Shikamaru and couldn''t reattach his body parts on his own. Without assistance, staying alive is no different from being dead." "That''s the greatest weakness and w of Hidan''s immortality." Shichi remembered that Hidan often relied on Kakuzu to stitch him back together to regain functionality. "It''s clear that his regeneration isn''t true cellr regeneration or proliferation." "Soul undying, body indestructible... I need to redesign the framework of immortality based on the soul as its foundation." "For example, incorporating the power of Yang Release..." --- Unknowingly, an hour passed as the clone finallypleted an initial refinement of the immortality technique. Shichi severed ties with his clone after extracting its memories and promptly canceled the Edo Tensei jutsu. Kogami Kohai had outlived his usefulness; his limited abilities no longer interested Shichi. Carrying the scroll, Shichi headed to where White Zetsu clones were detained. Selecting one, he performed the newly refined Immortality Jutsu, imprinting a curse seal on the clone. Onceplete, he drew the Totsuka de and swiftly decapitated the White Zetsu. The clone''s head rolled across the floor a few times before its voice rang out: "Huh? I didn''t die?" Shichi picked up the head and pressed it back onto the body. The wound healed automatically, the neck reattaching seamlesslyan innate regenerative ability of White Zetsu. Shocked, the White Zetsu twisted its neck experimentally. "What''s going on? Did that curse seal just make me immortal?" Smiling faintly, Shichi didn''t answer. Instead, he decapitated the White Zetsu again. This time, he left the head separated, cing it on theb table while the body remained nearby. The clone''s incessant chatter filled the room. --- Three dayster... Despite being decapitated, the White Zetsu still hadn''t died and continued to babble non-stop. However, the Tag Tree did not recognize this as a sess. Watching the scene, Asuka couldn''t help but remark, "It''s amazing, but with the body severed, there''s no way to control it. Without help, even if it''s alive, it''s essentially useless." Tsunade nodded in agreement and turned to Shichi. "Can''t it reach the level of Edo Tensei?" Shichi shook his head. "The Edo Tensei body is actually created by transforming the sacrificial body into a reanimated vessel." He mused aloud, "To allow control over separated body parts, the solution likely lies in the soul rather than the physical body." The word soul sparked a realization for Shichihis self-developed Spiritual Clone Jutsu! With a new direction in mind, Shichi reassembled the White Zetsu''s body and head. Then he instructed Uchiha Shisui, now recovered from his Hashirama cell transnt, to cast Kotoamatsukami on the immortal White Zetsu. Thus, another assistant joined the experimental base: Immortal White Zetsu, alongside White Zetsu Tobi. --- A New Chapter in Konohagakure ... Time flew by amidst training and research. Before long, it was October of the 48th year of Konoha''s calendar, and Kushina Uzumaki''s due date was near. On this day, Shichi Hoshita, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Jiraiya visited Minato Namikaze''s home. Hiruzen''s wife, Biwako Sarutobi, and Asuka were already there, helping prepare for the move. "Sensei, just apany Kushina-san to Mount Myboku," Shichi said to Minato and Kushina. "If Kushina-san isn''t in Konoha, Nagato''s group won''t dare to act rashly based on their intelligence." Even if ck Zetsu and his allies hadn''t received information, Shichi would make sure they did. He had briefly considered setting a trap by impersonating Kushina to lure the enemy but decided it wasn''t worth the effort. "You''re right, Shichi," Jiraiya agreed with a grin. "Leave everything here to us." He had even put aside his travels to return for this. Hiruzen added, "If we show a defensive stance, it should deter them. And even if they attack, with our preparations, we can handle it." With Uchiha Shisui activating his Mangeky Sharingan, Kakashi mastering the Flying Thunder God, and Orochimaru back in the vige alongside the three legendary Sannin, Hiruzen was confident. Minato bowed in gratitude. "Thank you all. This is such a burden to ce on you." He felt uneasy leaving the vige as Hokage, but Kushina wasn''t just his wifeshe was also the Nine-Tails'' jinchriki. --- Once everything was set, Minato summoned a messenger toad from Mount Myboku with a prepared summoning scroll. After handing over the scroll, the toad performed a reverse summoning, transporting Minato to Mount Myboku. Shichi immediately unfurled a scroll as Asuka and Biwako Sarutobi supported Kushina onto it. Since none of the three had a summoning contract with Mount Myboku, they couldn''t use reverse summoning to follow Minato. To ensure the safe transport, a new summoning scroll was specially crafted. By connecting two summoning scrolls, Minato Namikaze could summon the trio to Mount Myboku from his location. Three minutester, Kushina Uzumaki and herpanions vanished in a puff of smoke as they stood on the scroll. Jiraiya turned to Shichi and asked, "Shichi, do you think Nagato and his group will show up?" Shichi pondered for a moment before replying, "If they''re confident in defeating me, they mighte, hoping to force us into revealing Lady Kushina''s whereabouts. However, based on the intelligence White Zetsu (Tobi) provided, the tailed beasts need to be sealed in order, starting with the One-Tail. To avoid alerting other ninja viges, they''re unlikely to make a direct attack." Jiraiya grinned. "So that means Nagato and his group won''te." Shichi shook his head. "It''s not an absolute certainty." Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "Jiraiya, let''s just wait patiently for Minato and the others to return." He knew his restless student all too well. "Regardless, we must remain vignt," Hiruzen reminded them firmly. Both Shichi and Jiraiya nodded in unison. "Understood!" --- At Amegakure Inside a tall tower, a White Zetsu emerged from the floor, addressing ck Zetsu, Nagato, and the others waiting for intel. "I have unfortunate news: the Nine-Tails jinchriki has disappeared." Konan frowned. "Disappeared? What do you mean? Was she shielded by a barrier?" White Zetsu shook his head. "No, she left Konoha entirely." ck Zetsu remarked, "It seems they anticipated we''d act during the jinchriki''sbor and prepared in advance to relocate her." Nagato''s expression darkened, but then a thought seemed to strike him. "I see... it must be that ce." Konan hesitated before asking, "You mean Mount Myboku?" Nagato nodded. "That''s the only ce that offers absolute safety, one we cannot reach." The White Zetsu attached to Obito chuckled. "Mount Myboku, one of the Three Great Sage Lands? Nagato, you were Jiraiya''s students. Don''t you know how to ess that ce?" Nagato replied calmly, "We never signed a summoning contract with Mount Myboku and have never been there. Even if we knew the way, it''s far more dangerous than Konoha itself." The spiraled White Zetsu sighed and chuckled. "It seems the Nine-Tails will have to be capturedst." Nagato dered, "If that''s the case, we''ll focus on gathering intel and recruiting more powerful allies. When the timees, we''ll capture the tailed beasts swiftly, one by one." He continued, "For now, we need to stay under the radar. Using Amegakure as cover, we can avoid provoking Konoha into uniting with other viges against us." The White Zetsu who had delivered the report smirked. "Speaking of recruits, I do have a potential candidate in mind." Nagato frowned. "We need strong allies, not just anyone." White Zetsu grinned. "Oh, don''t worryhe meets your criteria. After all, he once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and possesses immortality." (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 50+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 (Upload 2 chaps per day) Limited CHRISTMAS Offer: Use code E7475 for 25% off! ??? Chapter 222: The Sleeping Konan, and Naruto!

Chapter 222: Chapter 222: The Sleeping Konan, and Naruto!

Night covered the earth as the familiar lights of Konoha Vige seemed unusually dark and cold tonight. On the Hokage Rock, Shichi stood with his Sage Mode activated, his robes fluttering in the night breeze. Suddenly, a figure appeared beside him. Jiraiya smiled and said, "Looks like they really aren''ting." Shichi nodded slightly. Even though he knew Nagato''s decision, he had still followed through with the n to relocate the vigers to shelters. At the very least, it served as a useful drill. Gazing down at the quiet vige, Jiraiya asked, "If Nagato learns the truth about the Rinnegan and the Eye of the Moon n, do you think he might turn back?" Shichi shook his head. "That would be highly unlikely." "He doesn''t trust usor Uchiha Madara, for that matter." "So, whether they know about the Eye of the Moon n or not doesn''t really change much for Nagato and his group. It''s clear they don''t intend to follow Madara''s path to the end either." Jiraiya sighed, exasperated. "What a pain." "By the way, are you really nning to deal with the other ninja viges?" Shichi replied with a question of his own, "Do you have a better solution, sensei?" "I won''t pin my hopes on mutual understanding among people." "The pain people experience isn''t the same." "Their ambitions and desires aren''t the same either." "The differences between people are sometimes greater than the differences between a person and a pig." Jiraiya grimaced. "A person and a pig... isn''t that a bit much?" Shichi chuckled lightly, then said, "Sensei, I''m heading to Amegakure to talk with Nagato." "There might still be room for cooperation between us." With that, his figure disappeared. Jiraiya shouted, "Hey, take me with you!" "This kid really doesn''t respect his elders!" Left alone, Jiraiya grumbled to himself before letting out a long sigh. "The future really does belong to the younger generation." "The Child of Prophecy... Nagato has certainly brought significant change to the shinobi world." "And Shichi... The Great Toad Sage''s vision didn''t even include him. Could it be because of an early demise?" Scratching his chin, Jiraiya muttered, "What a headache!" --- At Amegakure, in the core tower, inside Konan''s bedroom, Shichi appeared silently by her bedside. Asleep already? Shichi looked at Konan, whoy there like a sleeping beauty, feeling a bit awkward. Of all times, why is she sleeping so early today? Should I just leave? Avoiding looking directly at her, Shichi decided to maintain an air of mystery. He took a few steps back and sat at her vanity, keeping his gaze elsewhere. Perhaps sensing his presence, Konan suddenly awoke with a start. "Who''s there?" Her sharp voice rang out as she abruptly sat up. Her robe slipped, revealing her bare shoulder. At the same time, sheets of paper flew into the air, quickly folding into high-speed shuriken. Shichi smirked and teased, "For a ninja, your vignce is a bitcking, Konan." "It''s you!" Konan frowned as the paper shuriken fell to the ground. Pulling her robe tightly around her, she said, "Barging into a woman''s room like this shows a seriousck of manners and decency." Shichi, unfazed, grinned and replied, "Apologies. My parents died in the war when I was young. I grew up in an orphanage, raised by a kind woman who taught me many things." "But I joined the ninja academy at five, graduated as a genin at six, and became a chnin in the same year... Besides, as an enemy, I think I''ve already been quite gentlemanly." "I was admiring you with the utmost respect, after all." When he was in the orphanage, Shichi had already disyed a mature and persistent personality, pestering Non Yakushi into teaching him ninja skills. It was how he managed to get into the academy. As for character development... Being a reincarnator, his values were already firmly set. But the extreme nature of the shinobi world had drawn out his darker side. Shichi concluded that if he had developed some twisted tendencies, it was entirely the fault of this twisted world. Yes, absolutely! Konan, however, showed no sympathy or empathy for Shichi''s past and replied coldly, "Then you should be thankful you weren''t born in the Land of Rain." Shichi nodded. "Indeed." "A war-torn nation... The fact that you three survived at all is thanks to Uchiha Madara''s Rinnegan." "Of course, I''m not denying your own efforts. But from the moment you met Nagato, your fates were already being manipted by someone else." Konan frowned but remained silent. Shichi continued, "You''re aware that White Zetsu, the one called Tobi, has been captured by me, right?" "From him, I''ve learned some shocking truths." "I''m now certain that Nagato''s Rinnegan came from Uchiha Madara. It was transnted into him when he was just a child." "And there''s moreinformation about Madara''s so-called Eye of the Moon n." Konan asked, "What is the Eye of the Moon n?" Shichi smirked. "Collect all the Tailed Beasts, be the Ten-Tails Jinchriki, and then use the Rinnegan to cast an ultimate genjutsu called Infinite Tsukuyomi on all of humanity." "This genjutsu would trap everyone in an eternal dream. Madara''s version of peace is built on that illusion." Konan''s expression shifted. "What?" Shichi sighed. "In other words, if Madara seeds, we''ll all be forced to live only in a dream world." "Which means that as long as Madara isn''t resurrected and doesn''t reim the Rinnegan, his n is impossible." Nagato''s voice suddenly interjected as he entered the room. "You underestimate me," he said calmly. Shichi''s gaze finally shifted away from Konan andnded on Nagato. "With your current power, you can''t achieve that." "Not to mention, your intelligence isn''t sufficient either." Nagato replied confidently, "I''ve already found a way to nullify the cursed seal inside me. Without the ability to control me, not even ck Zetsu or White Zetsu can manipte me the way they do Uchiha Obito." Shichi chuckled. "A method to nullify the cursed seal... You''re not the first one to have that seal imnted." "I believe I mentioned this to Konan before. My friend Rin was in the same situation as you. She chose to die by herrade''s hand to prevent the Three-Tails from rampaging in her vige." "But that was all part of Madara''s n. Her death directly triggered Obito''s awakening of the Mangeky Sharingan." "Originally, Obito was meant to impersonate Madara and oversee your collection of the Tailed Beasts. But I disrupted that n, forcing ck Zetsu and White Zetsu to manipte Obito instead." "And before Obito, there was another Uchiha manipted in the same way..." Looking at Nagato, Shichi asked, "So, is your solution simr to Rin''s sacrifice?" "And how do you know that isn''t part of Madara''s n as well?" Nagato frowned, while Konan immediately asked, "If we destroy the cursed seal and the Rinnegan, wouldn''t that make Madara''s resurrection impossible?" Shichi stood up slowly and gazed at Nagato''s Rinnegan. "Why don''t we test that theory right now?" Nagato''s expression darkened, and his gaze grew dangerous. "It''s not the time yet." Konan''s paper shuriken rose again, spinning defensively. Shichi sighed and sat back down. "Then you''re walking straight into Madara''s trap." "But that''s just human nature... That old fox Madara certainly understands people deeply." Nagato countered, "You overestimate Madara. He''s already dead." Shichi smiled. "Do you know who I fear the most?" Konan replied, "Isn''t it Uchiha Madara?" Shichi shook his head. "No, it''s that ck Zetsu." "ck Zetsu?" Nagato and Konan both frowned. Shichi nodded. "That guy is Madara''s true contingency n, isn''t he?" Nagato asked, "Is it because he can control Uchiha Obito?" "Do you think he could control me at a critical moment?" "Even though I haven''t fully mastered the power of these eyes, their strength far surpasses the Mangeky Sharingan, don''t you think?" Shichiughed lightly. "That''s not necessarily the case." He was certain ck Zetsu was holding back deliberately. If Obito, with only one Rinnegan, could be controlled, Nagato wouldn''t stand a chance against ck Zetsu''s schemes. Even Madara was outyed by ck Zetsu, let alone Nagato. "You can''t guard against someone like him forever, no matter how vignt you are. He''ll find a way." For this reason, Shichi had decided to let ck Zetsu''s "save mother" n seedonly to deal with him afterward and eliminate any future threats. Otherwise, with ck Zetsu alive, how could Shichi feel at ease starting a family and building his n? Even destroying the Rinnegan wasn''t foolproof. Madara had survived far too long, and ck Zetsu even longer. Madara, who knew how to break the Edo Tensei, could easily use it himself. If he couldn''t, ck Zetsu surely couldand White Zetsu could assist him as well. Killing Nagato, resurrecting Madara with Edo Tensei, and then using the Rinne Rebirth... It wasn''t impossible. As Orochimaru once said, Tobirama Senju really shouldn''t have developed the Edo Tensei in the first ce. Shichi gathered his thoughts and addressed the two before him. "It seems convincing you both to join me is out of the question." Nagato was blunt. "You cannot make us trust you unconditionally." "Right now, we only believe in our own strength." Shichi smiled and nodded. "Understandable." "After all, I also believe in my own sess, which is why I''m inviting you to join me, rather than me joining you." "That said, Nagato, it looks like you''ve changed your original n to unify all the ninja viges and nations as well?" "If that''s the case, we share amon goal, which can serve as the foundation for our cooperation." Konan interjected, "Are you suggesting we work together to deal with Uchiha Madara and the major ninja viges first, and then settle the score between us afterward?" Shichi nodded. "Exactly." "The foundation of Amegakure is too shallow." "Defeating a single ninja vige and annexing it are two entirely different levels of difficulty." "We aim for peacea better ninja worldnot the destruction of this one." "Thus, a final confrontation limited to just me and Nagato would be the best way forward." Nagato responded confidently, "Once I''ve mastered the power of the Ten-Tails, you won''t stand a chance against me." "In that case, why not join us now?" Shichi chuckled. "Not necessarily." "My greatest advantage is my youth." "So, what do you say, Nagato? Let''s work together first." "In the end, when ites to a decisive battle, if you win, I''ll be your greatest ally in building a new ninja world." "If I win, you''ll naturally be part of my forces." "That is... if you even make it to that final battle, Nagato." Nagato''s tone remained cold. "People from the major ninja viges tend to look down on others." "Shichi Hoshita, you''re far too arrogant." "Still, I''ll agree to cooperate." "Now, how do you propose we coborate? Is it just information sharing?" Shichi stood up and stretched. "You''ll need to recruit talent to gather the Tailed Beasts, won''t you?" "When the timees, Konan can recruit me, though I''ll appear under a different identity." Konan looked to Nagato for confirmation. Nagato gave a slight nod. Konan then said, "Very well. I''ll handle the contact going forward." "But do refrain from showing up suddenly when we''re restingit''s incredibly rude." Shichi grinned. "My apologies. I assumed tonight might be a sleepless night for you both!" "By the way, Konan, you are quite captivating." "Well, that''s all for today. I''ll be taking my leave now. No need to see me out." With that, he vanished. "This guy... He''s so frivolous!" Konan bit her lip in frustration and muttered to Nagato, "It was the right choice not to pick him. He doesn''t seem like someone capable of aplishing great things." Nagato was silent for a moment before replying, "But he is someone worth envying." Konan froze for a second, caught off guard. Nagato turned away. "However, one day, we can be like him... no, even better." "Konan, you don''t have to bear so much on your shoulders. You can pursue your own happiness." Konan fell silent. As Nagato walked out the door, she finally spoke. "My happiness... is fulfilling Yahiko''s dream!" If it were possible, she wished she could return to the days when they trained under Jiraiya. Those had been the happiest days of her life. Even if Yahiko''s dream were fulfilled, such days might never return. Shey down and closed her eyes, but tears silently escaped. --- In Konoha, atop the Hokage Rock, Shichi appeared. By this time, Jiraiya was no longer present. The once-quiet vige was bustling with activity, as the citizens returned from the shelters. Shichi also sensed the chakras of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. Whoosh! Shichi disappeared, reappearing momentster in his teacher Minato''s home. "Shichi!" Minato greeted him warmly. Stepping forward, Shichi noticed Kushina leaning against the bed, looking a bit tired but smiling as she gazed at the baby in the nearby crib. Kushina spotted Shichi and waved him over. "Shichi,e take a look at Naruto!" Naruto. That was the name they had already chosen. Shichi approached, reaching out to poke Naruto''s cheek. Heughed. "What a shame. He didn''t inherit your red hair, Kushina-san." Kushina burst outughing, then said, "Minato''s hair color is pretty nice too, don''t you think?" (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 50+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 (Upload 2 chaps per day) Limited CHRISTMAS Offer: Use code E7475 for 25% off! ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 223: Don’t Worry, They Wouldn’t Dare!

Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Don''t Worry, They Wouldnt Dare!

Looking at baby Naruto, Shichi couldn''t help but let his thoughts wander. The wheels of fate had already shifted. What would Naruto''s future hold now? After all, there was no Nine-Tails anymore. In terms of physical constitution, Naruto hadn''t inherited much from the Uzumaki n. Of course, it wasn''t insignificant either. With his potential, having four chakra reserves by his teenage years wouldn''t be any worse than Minato or Jiraiya. Without the "Tailed Beast buff," it would alle down to his wits. Oh, he''s got quite the grip! Naruto, still with his eyes shut, clutched Shichi''s finger tightly. Minato chuckled. "When Naruto grows up, we''ll have him apprentice under you, Shichi. You''re currently the best teacher in Konoha." Kushina immediately nodded in agreement. "Exactly!" "He doesn''t even need to be as strong as you. Even one-tenth of your ability would be more than enough." Shichi replied earnestly, "I''m very strict, you know." "But, Naruto should inherit his father''s talent, right?" Minatoughed. "That''s something we''ll have to wait and see." "He inherited my hair color and eye color, so who''s to say he won''t inherit Kushina''s talent instead?" Kushina''s tone turned yful but sharp. "And what''s wrong with my talent?" Shichi and Minato exchanged a quick nce and immediately chimed in unison: "Of course not, Kushina-san is a sealing master!" "Kushina, you mastered the Rasengan faster than even Jiraiya-sensei. On top of that, you''ve perfected the Rasenshuriken technique!" Hearing this, Kushina nodded in satisfaction but then humbly added, "It''s not as impressive as you two make it sound." Her tone then shifted, filled with hope and imagination. "Still, if Minato and I guide him well while he''s young, andter Shichi trains him, I''m sure he''ll surpass Minato someday." Shichi nodded in agreement, not doubting it for a second. Even without the Nine-Tails buff, there was still the Sage of Six Paths buff. Asura''s chakra reincarnationnow that''s a game-changer. ... Returning from Minato Namikaze''s House When Shichi returned from his teacher Minato Namikaze''s home, he found that Non Yakushi and Asuka were still awake. They had prepared ate-night snack and were waiting for him. Asuka quickly approached and asked, "Shichi, everything''s fine now, right?" Shichi nodded. "Yes, everything is fine." Kushina''s recovery was swift, and despite the Nine-Tails'' tough exterior, its attitude had softened significantly. Not only did the Yin Nine-Tails inside him stop resisting the use of its chakra, but the Yang Nine-Tails within Kushina was simrly cooperative. This made the childbirth unusually smooth. Under such conditions, even a one-eyed Obito Uchiha would be powerless. He couldn''t even get close to Kushina. After all, the Kamui ability couldn''t attack while phasing, and the Adamantine Sealing Chains, which were both an offensive and defensive seal, rendered Obito helpless. Not to mention, there was also the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. "Since everything is fine, eat yourte-night snack quickly and get some rest," Non Yakushi said gently, smiling. Asuka eagerlydled a bowl of seafood porridge for Shichi. "Here, this was specially made by Non!" "Thank you!" Shichi sat down, epted the bowl, and the three of them enjoyed a warm and cozyte-night meal together. After the meal, they strolled in the courtyard under the night breeze, chatting leisurely. "Naruto is so adorable," Asuka said with a hint of envy in her tone. "He''s sure to inherit the Fourth Hokage''s talent." Shichi immediately grinned. "In the future, Asuka should have one toono, make it two!" "A son to inherit me, and a daughter to inherit you." Asuka''s cheeks turned red, and she nodded expectantly. "Mm!" Non Yakushi chuckled softly, her expression tinged with a bit of helplessness. "But only after Shichi bes an adult," she added firmly, her tone slightly rigid in matters like this. Shichi sighed and yfully winked at Asuka, who looked back at him with a pitiful expression. Half an hourter, everyone returned to their rooms to sleep. Lying on his bed, Shichi couldn''t fall asleep. His thoughts wandered to the Sage of Six Paths Mode. Naruto had activated a form stronger than Fox Mode after receiving the chakra of the Sage of Six Paths. But what was the essence of this so-called Sage of Six Paths Mode? This question intrigued Shichi the most. Given his current physique, opening all Eight Gates might not be weaker than Naruto''s Sage of Six Paths Mode. Perhaps, once his body improved further, fully opening the Eight Gates could even rival the Sage of Six Paths himself. However, relying on such a desperate technique was inherently inferior to the Sage of Six Paths Modeor the Sage of Six Paths himself. "Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode amplify ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu so effectively because of the quality of chakra, more than just the sheer amount of it." "Then, the chakra essence of the Sage of Six Paths Modeor that of the Sage of Six Paths himselfmust be..." Shichi pondered deeply. "The power of the Ten-Tails should be the strongestor that of Kaguya tsutsuki." "The Sage of Six Paths gained the ability to challenge Kaguya only after mastering Sage Mode." "Later, he even became the first Jinchriki of the Ten-Tails. So, in terms of chakra quality, he wouldn''t be weaker than the Ten-Tails." The Ten-Tails! Shichi felt an urge to consume it. Currently, the quality of his chakra was at the level of the Eight-Tails. With Sage Mode activated, it could rival the Nine-Tails. Nine-Tails Chakra Modebined with Sage Mode was an even greater enhancement. If he could obtain the [Legend of Immortality] Tag, digesting the Ten-Tails might be uncertain, but the Nine-Tails would definitely be within his grasp. At that point, his chakra quality would match the Nine-Tails, and the quantity would naturally continue to grow with his physical development and enhanced physique. "Once I''ve absorbed all nine Tailed Beasts, along with the physique enhancements I''ve umted, my chakra reserves should rival the Nine-Tails." "However,pared to the Ten-Tails or the Sage of Six Paths, I''d still fall short." To reach the level of the Sage of Six Pathsor even Kaguya tsutsukiwithout bing the Ten-Tails'' Jinchriki, Shichi could only think of one path: the Sage Route. Only the vast power of natural energy could sustain such strength. "A Sage... That means the Star God Curse Mark must be continuously optimized." Shichi had an even more ambitious goal. He aimed to be a being akin to the Tailed Beastsor the Ten-Tails itselfcapable of living by relying solely on natural energy. Only then would his physical body cease to be a limitation. Otherwise, he might follow in the footsteps of the Sage of Six Paths, ultimately abandoning the physical form and existing only as a spiritual entity. ... Time swiftly passed, and November arrived, bringing colder weather. In a massive clearing outside the Forest of Death, two towering figures were engaged in fiercebat. On the forest''s edge, Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado stood watching the battle unfold. For Koharu and Homura, this was their first time witnessing Shisui Uchiha''s Susanoo. Their expressions betrayed shockif not for the different color, they might have mistaken it for Madara Uchiha''s. "Fourth Hokage, is it really safe to let the Uchiha n grow this powerful?" Koharu asked worriedly. "That Susanoo is practically indistinguishable from the one Madara used to wield." Homura added with concern, "From the looks of it, Shuichi seems to be at a disadvantage. This is exactly why we advised against imnting Hashirama''s cells into Shisui. After all, he''s still an Uchiha!" Both turned their gazes toward Hiruzen, hoping the old man would join them in persuading Minato. Hiruzen, however, puffed on his pipe, appearing oblivious to their cues. Instead, he asked Minato, "Fourth Hokage, hasn''t Shuichi used his full strength yet?" Minato smiled calmly. "Shuichi is only using derivative techniques from his Scorch Release Chakra Mode. These are part of his Star God series. He hasn''t activated either Sage Mode or the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode yet." Just as Minato finished speaking, the ground trembled violently. All four turned their attention to see a massive rock giant rising from the earth. Its body cracked open, revealing rivers of moltenva coursing through it. Now, two giants began attacking Shisui''s green Susanoo. Minato exined, "That''s the Lava Giant. It boasts incredible strength and defense." "In reality, Shuichi is helping Shisui improve his Mangeky Sharingan abilities," Hiruzen added, ncing briefly at Koharu and Homura. "Shisui has inherited Kagami''s Will of Fire. He won''t be a problem." Hiruzen didn''t mention that with Hashirama''s cells already imnted, there was no point in revisiting this issue. What could they do? Sever Shisui''s arm and remove the imnt? Moreover, suppressing the Uchiha n was no longer realistic. He was well aware that Fugaku Uchiha had also awakened the Mangeky Sharingan. The Uchiha n had returned to its peak strength. Yet Hiruzen wasn''t overly worried. With Minato, Kushina, and Shuichi in Konoha, the Uchiha would remain under control. Especially Shuichistill so young yet already brimming with potential. Hiruzen believed that as long as Shuichi was alive, the Uchiha would never pose a threat. Instead, they would be one of Konoha''s greatest assets. Koharu and Homura fell silent upon hearing this. The two couldn''t help but feel that Konoha had changed too much recently. Since Danzo''s death, they had been swiftly marginalized, their influence waning rapidly. Now, it seemed their only role was to live out their days in quiet retirement. Times had changed. Koharu and Homura exchanged nces and sighed inwardly. In the past, Hiruzen would consult them on major matters. Now, Minato discussed such issues only with Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shuichi. It was as if Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shuichi had reced them entirely. A thunderous roar snapped them out of their thoughts. Their eyes widened as Shisui''s green Susanoo formed an enormous spiraling spear, piercing through Shuichi''s Lava Giant in one strike. Shisui''s Susanoo was now just a step away from achieving its perfect forma result of improving his powers for a month after the cell imntation. Soon after, the Scorch Release Giant, enhanced with Fire Release, was also defeated with a single blow. Without the support of Nine-Tails Chakra Mode or Sage Mode, Shuichi''s Star God series techniques were no match for this stage of Shisui''s Susanoo. The battle concluded. Shuichi and Shisui approached the four spectators. After exchanging greetings, Shuichi smiled and proposed, "Koharu-senpai, Homura-senpai, why note to the Root division and help train Konoha''s future talents?" Join Root and work under you? Koharu and Homura immediately declined with excuses. Shuichi wasn''t surprised. He suggested again, "Alternatively, you could teach the Will of Fire at the Ninja Academy, passing your experience to the next generation of Konoha." "Moreover, I think both of you should considerpiling your training and mission experiences into books. Such works would be priceless treasures for Konoha, ensuring your wisdom is passed down for generations." The idea of teaching at the Academy intrigued Koharu and Homura. After all, Hiruzen still oversaw the Academy, and Minato hadn''t shown any intent to reim that responsibility. Stripping Hiruzen of all his duties would not only seem heavy-handed but waste valuable resources. However, the proposal topile their knowledge into books gave them pause. Homura voiced a concern: "If we create such books, wouldn''t it be easy for enemy viges to acquire them?" Koharu nodded in agreement. Minato smiled reassuringly. "That''s a valid concern. How about teaching directly at the Academy instead?" "I''ve already discussed with Hiruzen expanding the Academy curriculum. Students will spend more years there, learning more in-depth knowledge and skills." Koharu and Homura agreed to this suggestion. Hiruzen then changed the topic, asking, "Shuichi, when do you n to act against the Mist?" "Tomorrow," Shuichi replied decisively. Minato nced at Shisui. "Will it just be the two of you?" Shuichi chuckled. "Sensei, two of us should be enough, don''t you think? We''re not trying to take over Kirigakurejust spar with the Third Mizukage and discuss ending the war." Minato still offered a word of caution: "Be careful and don''t underestimate them." Koharu added, "And mind your actionsdon''t provoke another full-scale war." Shuichi nced at Koharu and smirked. "Don''t worry, senpai. They wouldn''t dare." Koharu was left speechless by his arrogance. Yet recalling Hiruzen''s earlierments, if Shuichi could indeed suppress Shisui, then his strength might rivalor even surpassthat of Madara Uchiha in his prime. Back then, even the Second Tsuchikage had been defeated by Madara. --- After the observation ended, Shuichi returned home with Shisui. Standing on the veranda, they fed the crows together. "Shuichi, are you ready to awaken the Sharingan?" Shisui asked. Shuichi shook his head. "Not quite yet. My original body might master Wood Release first, though." Yes, this was merely his Shadow Clone. Neither Minato nor Hiruzen had realized that the one sparring with Shisui earlier was only a clone. His research into the Sharingan still needed more work. Shisui scattered the bird feed with a smile. "Then you''d better hurry. I''ve been looking forward to seeing you awaken the Sharingan. If that happens, the n leader will make up his mind." Shuichi immediately understood. "You mean Itachi?" Shisui nodded with a grin. "Itachi has incredible potentialeven greater than mine." "I hope he can pave a better path for the n." Shuichiughed. "With such praise from you, I''m looking forward to training him in Root." Shisui''s voice brimmed with confidence. "Itachi won''t disappoint you." The two then sat indoors, palms joined, chakra intertwining. Through this mental connection, Shuichi studied and unraveled the secrets of the Sharingan from Shisui. Thanks to his Prodigy tag, once the mysteries wereid bare, Shuichi could master them effortlessly. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 50+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 (Upload 2 chaps per day) Limited CHRISTMAS Offer: Use code E7475 for 25% off! ??? Chapter 224: Takemikazuchi’s Lightning Beam, Here for Peace!

Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Takemikazuchi''s Lightning Beam, Here for Peace!

While his shadow clone diligently worked on analyzing and learning the mysteries of the Sharingana powerful Kekkei GenkaiShichi Hoshita, immersed in the vast ocean of knowledge within his study, was suddenly jolted awake. The memories from his shadow clone had just returned. Shichi''s face lit up with joy. It turned out that the S-rank Lightning Release technique had finally been perfected. Immediately following this breakthrough, the Tag Tree stirred and acknowledged the feat. Shichi directed his attention to the Tag Tree and chose to activate the tag [Lightning Release Master]. Tag Effect: Enhances Lightning Release talent by 100%, improves Chakra nature transformation and shape maniption for Lightning Release by 100%, and eliminates any learning obstacles for all non-Kekkei Genkai Lightning Release techniques and secret arts. --- Whoosh! Shichi''s figure vanished from the study and reappeared outside the Forest of Death. This area had long be his designated experimental ground for new jutsu. Crackle! With the crackling of electricity erupting from his body, Shichi manipted the lightning, forming an electric field. As he refined the Lightning Release nature transformation, the originally blue electricity quickly shifted in color, eventually turning a vivid purple. Purple Lightning! This was the result of the enhancements brought by the [Lightning Release Master] tag. Shichi''s Lightning Release skills were already on par with the Fourth Raikage. Now, with the tag''s boost, he underwent a dramatic transformation. Surrounded by purple lightning, Shichi raised his right hand, forming a two-fingered de. Purple lightning converged at his fingertips, condensing into a deep violet hue. In an instant, a beam of purple light shot from his fingers, piercing through a massive boulder left behind by his Lava Giant over 100 meters away. Shichi then swept his arm horizontally. The purple beam sliced through the air, severing the boulder cleanly in half with a thunderous roar before it crumbled to the ground. This was a high-energy, electrified particle beam, created within the surrounding electric field! Its offensive method resembled the Dragon me Breath, but under identical conditions, Shichi was certain this attack was far more powerful. Only the Dragon me Breath, bolstered by Scorch Release, could match its destructive force. "Developing the electric field was definitely the right decision," Shichi thought with delight. This wasn''t just about gaining a new S-rank Lightning Release technique; the knowledge and experience gained during its development wouldy the foundation for future advancements. Possibilities like Electromaic Release and Railguns now seemed within reach. "It''s time to give this move a name," Shichi muttered, scratching his head. Naming techniques had never been his forte. After some thought, he settled on: Takemikazuchi''s Lightning Beam! (T/N: Takemikazuchi is a god of thunder and swords in Japanese mythology.) "Next, I need to improve the Lightning Release Chakra Mode further," he mused. "The Cloud Shinobi''s Lightning Release Chakra Mode is too crude. Now that I''ve mastered the electric field, I can construct a more improved Lightning Armor for enhanced defense." Satisfied with his progress, Shichi left the task to a shadow clone and leisurely returned home. --- By evening, as the shadow clone training with Shisui was dispelled, Shichi organized the returned memories. "For us, the key is to unravel the essence of the Sharingan. Learning it shouldn''t be too difficult." Meanwhile, the analysis of the Hashirama Cells was nearingpletion, and Wood Release was within reach. Considering the mission scheduled for tomorrow, Shichi decided to equip the Undying Body for additional assurance. Confidence was one thing, but having a few extra trump cards wouldn''t hurt. Information on the Third Mizukage was scarce, so it was better to err on the side of caution. --- November 8, Konoha Year 48 After breakfast, Shichi slung a scroll onto his back and headed to Shisui''s house. Shisui, already prepared, carried his usual short sword. "Let''s go!" With a sh of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Shichi and Shisui disappeared together. The two appeared on the core ind of the Land of Water in a matter of moments, with their arrival marked by none other than Immortal White Zetsu. It was just past eight in the morning, and a dense mist nketed the ind. "Lord Shichi," White Zetsu remarked, "don''t you think we''re a bit early?" "If we show up now, the impact won''t be as dramatic." Shichi replied casually, "Then take us to the Six-Tails Jinchriki first. Let''s handle the important business before meeting the Third Mizukage." White Zetsu nodded. "As you wish. Please wait a moment." With that, it sank into the ground, speeding toward Kirigakure. --- Shichi turned to Shisui and asked, "Do you think we''re bullying the Third Mizukage a bit too much?" "After all, he''s an old man." Shisui chuckled. "But he is the Third Mizukage. His seniority far surpasses that of the Third Hokage." Both the Third Mizukage and the Third Tsuchikage were older than Hiruzen Sarutobi. In particr, the Third Mizukage had served as a bodyguard to the First Mizukage during the Five Kage Summit in Hashirama Senju''s era. Shichi nodded. "You''re right." "The Third Mizukage is probably the strongest Water Release user in the shinobi world right now." "And we''re not just up against the Mizukage; there''s the entire vige of Kirigakure to contend with." The Kaguya n''s Shikotsumyaku(Dead Bone Pulse), the Yuki n''s Ice Release, the Hzuki n''s Hydrification TechniqueKirigakure was by no means weak. --- After a short wait, Shichi used his Listening Technique to sense that White Zetsu had stabilized in a specific location, indicating he had reached the target. Compared to the earlier maic-field-based Listening Technique, the current version had integrated the power of Ma Release, granting Shichi even more detailed and powerful sensory capabilities. Originally, the technique relied on Chakra perception, but now, thanks to Ma Release, Shichi could distinguish individuals based on variations in their personal maic fields. This allowed him to sense even ordinary humans with precision. --- Having confirmed White Zetsu''s position, Shichi didn''t immediately teleport. Instead, he continued to observe. Jinchriki often had seals that suppressed their Tailed Beast''s Chakra, making it difficult for sensory shinobi to detect them. However, Shichi, being highly familiar with the nature of Jinchriki, knew one key detail: Because of the Tailed Beast sealed within them, a Jinchriki''s maic field would differ significantly from that of an ordinary person. "Three guards, and the fourth presence is the Six-Tails Jinchriki," Shichi exined to Shisui afterpleting his scan. "To avoid alerting Kirigakure, we need to subdue the three guards instantly." Once preparations wereplete, Shichi teleported with Shisui into a heavily guarded courtyard within Kirigakure. --- "Who''s there?!" The three masked Kirigakure shinobi guarding the Jinchriki immediately surrounded Shichi and Shisui. But the next moment, all three froze, unable to speak or move. Two fell to Shisui''s genjutsu, and thest was subdued by Shichi''s. Beneath arge tree in the courtyard, a boy leaning against the trunk opened his eyes. White Zetsu emerged from the ground. "This is the Six-Tails Jinchriki, Utakata!" "Konoha shinobi?" Utakata asked, his gaze fixed on the trio. "You''vee for the Six-Tails inside me?" "No," Shichi replied with a light smile. "We''vee to change your fate." --- Utakata scoffed, his Tailed Beast Chakra beginning to surgeonly for his body to suddenly be unresponsive. ng! Fire Nether Chains appeared, binding Utakata and piercing through his body, breaking Kirigakure''s seal. The next moment, Shichi transported himself, Shukaku, and the Four-Tails into Utakata''s sealed space, where they came face-to-face with the Six-Tails, Saiken. "Shukaku? And Son Gok? What are you two doing here?" Saiken asked in surprise. "This is a long story..." the Four-Tails began, only to be interrupted by Shukaku. "Let''s keep it short." "The Rinnegan has appeared. That Uchiha Madara wannabe is trying to resurrect the Ten-Tails. You know what that means, don''t you, Saiken?" Saiken''s gaze shifted to Shichi. "I see." "So you''ve decided to ally with him?" The Four-Tails nodded. "Exactly. He''s the best candidate right nowstrong enough to protect us and capable of separating us to prevent the Rinnegan''s wielder from capturing us all at once." "Of course, he''s also promised to grant us freedom in the future." Saiken hesitated. "I see. And since he''s a Konoha shinobi, does that mean Kurama is with him too?" Shukaku snorted. "Of course! That guy got beaten badly. He''s agreed to the n but is too proud to admit it outright." "Not that it matters if you agree or not," Shukaku added. "Shichi will just divide you anyway." Saiken frowned. "If he''s capable of separating us, why not gather all the Tailed Beasts now?" Shichi interjected, "Allow me to answer that." "Right now, the Tailed Beasts are scattered across different viges. Sure, I could forcibly collect you all, but that would trigger a war and unite the other viges against Konoha, which would only benefit Uchiha Madara." "Moreover, I have no desire to be the Ten-Tails Jinchriki." "If I don''t be the Ten-Tails Jinchriki, I can safely release you and still survive. But if I be the Ten-Tails host, survival isn''t guaranteed." Shukaku added, "This guy wants to gain our power another way." "So be prepared to have part of your tail cut off and eaten by him." Saiken''s eyes widened. "He can digest our flesh and blood?" The Four-Tails nodded. "Indeed. He''s the first person we''ve ever encountered who can do so." "That''s also why we believe he''s the one who can help us fight against the Rinnegan''s wielder." After a moment of silence, Saiken finally said, "If that''s the case, it seems I don''t have much of a choice." "Do it." --- Convincing Saiken was surprisingly easy. Shichi immediately divided the Six-Tails, sealing the Yin Saiken into himself while marking the Yang Saiken with the Flying Thunder God seal. --- "We''ve been discovered," Shichi said, sensing Kirigakure shinobi rapidly approaching. It was evident that the leaking Chakra from the Six-Tails was the cause. "Shisui, let''s go. Find an open area where we can wait for the Third Mizukage," Shichi said as he and Shisui vanished in a sh. White Zetsu grumbled, "Lord Shichi sure is ying favorites!" before sinking into the ground. Momentster, the Kirigakure shinobi arrived at the scene. Upon discovering the guards incapacitated by genjutsu, they were shocked and immediately reported the incident. --- In a forest near Kirigakure, Shichi and Shisui waited for less than two minutes before the Third Mizukage arrived, nked by arge group of masked Kirigakure shinobi. They surrounded the two intruders. "Shichi of Konoha," the Third Mizukage said with a grim expression. "Why have youe here?" Although the Six-Tails Jinchriki and the Tailed Beast were unharmed, the Mizukage didn''t believe their visit was simply a casual inspection. Shichi smiled warmly. "Lord Mizukage, I have two reasons for this visit. First, I came for the Six-Tails'' Chakra, which I''ve already obtained." "Second, I wish to fight you, Lord Mizukage, so that Kirigakure can recognize true strength and end this meaningless war." Such arrogance! Yet, the Third Mizukage remained calm. "As expected of Konoha''s Blue sh. You remind me of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchihabrave enough to challenge an entire shinobi vige on your own. But whether you possess their strength remains to be seen." At his words, a Kirigakure shinobi standing on a tree branch raised one hand in a signal. In an instant, thick mist rolled in, enveloping the area so densely that even allies standing close could no longer see each other. This mist, infused with Chakra, disrupted the senses of even skilled Chakra sensors. At that moment, even Shisui''s Sharingan was hindered. --- Silently, four Kirigakure shinobi emerged from the mist, attacking Shichi and Shisui from all sides with des poised to strike. "The Silent Killing Technique... too slow," Shichi remarked calmly. Before he even finished speaking, he threw two quick punches, sending two of the attackers flying backward, their fate uncertain. Meanwhile, Shisui deftly subdued the shinobi in front of him with his Sharingan. At the same time, a skeletal hand of his Susanoo materialized, grabbing the shinobi behind him and crushing him instantly. p! Shichi brought his hands together, creating a whirlwind of air around himself and Shisui. The powerful vortex expanded outward, sweeping away the dense mist and clearing the area in moments. The mist dissipated entirely, and the Kirigakure shinobi who had been charging at them were caught in the tornado, their screams echoing as they were hurled into the distance. --- With the Hiding in Mist Technique broken, Shichi looked at the Third Mizukage and spoke: "Lord Mizukage, we came here for peace. We don''t want unnecessary casualties, so there''s no need to send these men to their deaths." "Of course, if you insist on testing my ability to destroy an entire vige, I''m happy to provide a demonstration." --- Intimidation isn''t about being politeit''s about demonstrating power. Despite iming he didn''t want bloodshed, Shichi showed no mercy. Entering his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, Shichiunched himself into the sky. At the same time, Shisui swiftly retreated. "That''s the power of Scorch Release!" "He''s mastered this Kekkei Genkai too?" "Lord Mizukage, this guybines Wind and Fire Release into an S-rank jutsu capable of leveling this entire forest!" "And now, with Scorch Release, his destructive power will be even greater!" Several Kirigakure shinobi shouted warnings, clearly well-informed about Shichi''s abilities. --- Having faced Shichi''s clones on the battlefield, many Kirigakure shinobi had witnessed his Fire Release Chakra Mode firsthand. His reputation was not unknown. However, the Third Mizukage said nothing. He knew more about Shichi than his subordinates did. Looking up through the gaps in the tree branches, he saw a glowing ring of light forming in Shichi''s hands. The deafening hum that followed only deepened his unease. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 50+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 (Upload 2 chaps per day) Limited CHRISTMAS Offer: Use code E7475 for 25% off! ??? Chapter 225: Mei Terumi!

Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Mei Terumi!

"This is the technique that annihted our entire squads, isn''t it?" The Third Mizukage muttered to himself. Forming hand seals, the moisture in the air condensed around him, swelling into a massive water dragon. Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu! The water dragon surged skyward, while in the air, Shichi''s Scorch Release: Rasenshuriken screamed downward like a fieryet. The colossal water dragon opened its gaping maw and swallowed the descending Rasenshuriken whole. In the next instant, the Rasenshuriken expanded explosively, tearing apart the massive water dragon. With a deafening roar, a torrential, searing rain descended from the heavens, drenching Uchiha Shisui and the Mist ninja below. The entire forest trembled under the downpour. "As expected of the Third Mizukage. Even Shichi''s technique was countered with conventional ninjutsu," Shisui thought, deeply impressed. In the sky, Shichi silently acknowledged his opponent''s skill. Withdrawing his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, he stood aloft on a fiery lotus blooming beneath his feet. Stretching out both hands, Shichi formed two new Rasenshuriken, each crackling with distinct chakra natures: Scorch Release: Rasenshuriken! Lava Release: Rasenshuriken! He hurled both shuriken down one after another. On the ground, the Third Mizukage thrust both hands forward. Spiraling water streams coalesced into two water mirrors that reflected the iing Rasenshuriken. Identical Rasenshuriken emerged from the mirrors and shot skyward to meet their originals. Water Style: Water Mirror Jutsu! The four Rasenshuriken collided midair above the forest, resulting in a massive explosion. Dazzling light illuminated the sky as the powers of Scorch and Lava Release expanded outward, scorching and melting everything in their path. Shisui retreated swiftly to the forest''s edge, activating his partial Susanoo, which manifested as skeletal armor shielding him from the fiery tempest. On the opposite side, the Third Mizukage and his subordinates also withdrew from the forest. The Mist ninja raised walls of water through Water Style techniques, fending off the oing inferno. At this moment, reinforcements from Kirigakure arrived. They stood in stunned silence at the destruction before them, their gazes inevitably drawn to the lone figure in the sky. "The Blue sh of Konoha!" "That''s Shichi Hoshita!" "How arrogantto charge into our vige like this with only two people!" ... Themotion spread among the Mist ninja. Among the neers was Yagura, a skilled Water Style user who had previously crossed des with Shichi on the battlefield. "The Six-Tails'' Jinchriki was attacked. Is this guy here for the Six-Tails? Could he be seeking revenge over that incident?" Yagura spected, his brows furrowing. A middle-aged Mist ninja barked, "Come with me to take down the other one! Don''t let him escape!" A dozen Mist ninja immediately sprang into action, heading toward Shisui. Yagura turned his gaze and immediately recognized him. "That''s... Uchiha Shisui, the Body Flicker Ninja." Though wary of Shisui''s strength, Yagura quickly refocused on the greater threatShichi in the sky. He knew this man''s prowess well and shouted, "Mei Terumi! Be ready to assist the Third Mizukage at any moment!" "Understood!" A very young Mei Terumi nodded, her gaze locking onto the figure above. "Is he nning to take on all of us alone?" Shichi''s voice cut through the tension. "The Water Mirror Jutsuquite impressive. But... how will you counter this?" Scorching chakra once again engulfed Shichi, surging outward as he transformed into a massive, three-headed, six-armed Scorch Release Giant Avatar. Raising its six arms, six Rasenshuriken formed almost instantaneously. "This level of chakra... It''s no different from a tailed beast!" Mei Terumi broke out in a cold sweat. Behind her, Ao shouted, "Everyone, prepare Water Style jutsu!" Even as his words echoed, Shichi hurled the six Rasenshuriken. Water Style: Water Mirror Jutsu! The Third Mizukage and Yagura each managed to replicate a single Rasenshuriken, but Shichi''s attacks came from increasingly unpredictable angles, evading full countermeasures. Mei Terumi swiftlypleted her hand seals, unleashing a water dragon that shot skyward. Meanwhile, Ao and numerous Mist ninja executed Water Style: Water Pir, sending towering streams of water into the air. The first four Rasenshuriken detonated in sequence, their blinding brilliance resembling miniature suns erupting in the sky. Mei Terumi''s water dragon shattered as the third Rasenshuriken exploded. The Third Mizukage and Yagura continuously wove hand seals. Yagura exhaled torrents of water, which the Mizukage shaped into three massive water dragons that rose to meet the onught. The fourth and fifth Rasenshuriken erupted, their radiance and heat intensifying as they expanded. The Mist ninja''s defenses crumbled under the relentless force. Just then, more Mist reinforcements arrived, led by an elder. Three individuals from the Hzuki n melded into water, swelling into enormous forms to confront the surging Scorch Release energy. Among them was Hzuki Kuj, the n leader. Shichi''s sixth Rasenshuriken collided with one of the water-transformed Hzuki members, unleashing yet another cataclysmic explosion. At this moment, the terrifying Scorch Release storm engulfed all the Mist ninja, including Uchiha Shisui. Floating in the sky, Shichi remained unconcerned about Shisui. His gaze shifted to other parts of Kirigakure, where more and more ninja leapt forward to join the fray. Perfect. This was exactly what he wantedhis name spreading far and wide. Though Shichi''s fame had already reached the major ninja viges, it wasn''t yet at the level where every great nation knew his name. The elusive [Renowned Across Nations/Famous] tag still hadn''t been unlocked. But conquering Kirigakure, followed by Kumogakure, and defeating both the Third Mizukage and the Fourth Raikage in session? That should do it, right? As he pondered this, the storm below finally subsided. Mist ninjay scattered on the groundsome lifeless, others groaning in agony, and many reduced to charred corpses. Members of the Hzuki n had been reduced to gtinous puddles in the water. The number of those still standing was pitifully small. Shichi''s keen eyes quickly locked onto a familiar figureMei Terumi! Fifteen or sixteen years old, Mei Terumi was far from the alluring woman Shichi remembered, but her potential was already unmistakable. His gaze swept over her briefly beforending on the Third Mizukage. The towering Scorch Release Avatar around Shichi shrank back into his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, and he slowly descended to the ground. "Lord Mizukage, I believe I''ve demonstrated my abilities well enough," he said calmly. "Whether this war continues or ends is entirely up to you." The Third Mizukage, his robes scorched and his arm trembling from burns, red at Shichi. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined being pushed to such a state by someone so young. At this point, surrender seemed like the only option. Even if they unleashed a tailed beast, the oue would likely be no better... The Third Mizukage couldn''t help but sigh. "I never thought Konoha would produce another like Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha." Shichinded gracefully, offering a modest smile. "You tter me, Lord Mizukage. Compared to the First Hokage, I still have a ways to go." Hearing this, Mei Terumi clenched her teeth. "What a shameless guy... But still, to possess this kind of power, even Lord Third Mizukage is no match for him. If it were just me, even with two kekkei genkai, I wouldn''t stand a chance." Shichi''s dominance in aerialbat gave him a nearly insurmountable advantage. However, as she watched himnd, a wave of unwillingness surged through Mei Terumi. She called out resolutely, "Lord Mizukage! Yagura-senpai! We''re not done yet!" "Even if we are to end this war and negotiate peace, it cannot be under these circumstances!" Yagura immediately understood her intentto prevent Shichi from regaining the sky and to disrupt his ability to use those devastating techniques. Paired with Mei Terumi''s kekkei genkai, they might just have a chance to defeat him. In other words, they needed a coordinated feint by him and the Third Mizukage to create an opening for Mei Terumi. Shichi turned his gaze toward her as soon as she spoke. "Mei Terumi, the wielder of two kekkei genkai. I know you, and I respect your talent. However, right now..." Before he could finish, Shichi vanished. So fast! The Third Mizukage, Yagura, and Ao all froze in shock. When they spotted Shichi again, he was already behind Mei Terumi. "You''re still far from ready, you know?" Shichi whispered into her ear with a faint chuckle. Mei Terumi''s body went rigid, cold sweat rolling down her back as she swallowed nervously. "His speed... I couldn''t react at all." Patting her on the shoulder, Shichi quietly inscribed a Flying Thunder God seal onto the back of her neck. "I admire you, Mei Terumi. Why note with me to Konoha? You''d have far greater opportunities there." "There''s probably no one left here who can teach you anything." Arrogant! Incredibly arrogant! The nearby Mist ninja stared in wide-eyed disbelief. Even Uchiha Shisui felt this was going a bit much. Observing Mei Terumi''s features, physique, and temperament, he couldn''t help but specte: "Is Shichi... interested in her?" He knew his friend had a slight tendency toward, well, appreciating beauty. The Third Mizukage''s expression remained stoic, but fury burned in his eyes. Shichi stepped around Mei Terumi, approaching the Mizukage with a polite smile. "My apologies, Lord Mizukage. I have a habit of cherishing talent when I see it." "Oh, by the way, that eye of his," he added, ncing at Ao, "is from Konoha''s Hyga n, isn''t it?" Ao''s heart sank as he retorted, "It''s a precious trophy acquired in battle!" Shichi chuckled. "Well then, now you all might be my trophies." "Perhaps even the entire Kirigakure vige." "So, will you choose peace... or war? And maybe throw in that Byakugan?" He fixed his gaze on the Third Mizukage as he said this. Behind him, Mei Terumi clenched her teeth in frustration. "This arrogant bastard..." The Mizukage also locked eyes with Shichi. "We haven''t yet settled this fight." The moment he finished speaking, the Third Mizukage vanished, lunging at Shichi with incredible speed. This time, he opted for closebat over ninjutsu. In an instant, the Third Mizukage closed the distance, appearing right before Shichi. Streams of water coiled around his fist as he struck fiercely. Despite his age, the Third Mizukage''s speed remained astonishing. However, to Shichi''s eyes, it was still far too slow. Smack! Shichi caught the Mizukage''s wrist and, with a loud crash, mmed him into the ground. The Third Mizukage coughed up blood as Shichi raised his arm and flung him into the air. The dragon heads on Shichi''s shoulders unleashed twin beams of scorching energyDragon me Breath! The Mizukage, still mid-air, was left with two gaping holes punched clean through his torso. "Lord Third Mizukage!" Yagura, Ao, and others cried out in rm. Yagura leapt into the air to catch the Mizukage. At that moment, Mei Terumiunched her attack. She opened her mouth, unleashing a torrent of grayish-white acidic fluid aimed at Shichi. But before it could reach him, Shichi appeared behind her in a sh. With a casual chop, he knocked her unconscious. Ao, who had been poised to coordinate with Mei Terumi, froze in ce, unable to move. As for the remaining Mist ninja, they were blocked by a towering half-body Susanoo summoned by Shisui. Green magatama projectiles flew out, cutting down scores of Mist ninja in an instant. The Third Mizukage, supported by Yagura, coughed violently but was still alive despite his severe injuries. Suppressing his humiliation, he dered, "Kirigakure surrenders!" "Ao, give him the Byakugan!" The Mizukage had seen Shisui''s Susanoo and knew there was no way to win without sacrificing everything. Shichi and Shisui reminded him of the legendary Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. In fact, Shichi''s threat might be even greater. That aerial attack, powered by chakra rivaling a tailed beast''s, could easily obliterate Kirigakure. There was no way to withstand it. "Yes, Lord Mizukage!" Ao obeyed without hesitation. Although he was reluctant, he released the sealing technique and removed the Byakugan. Shichi epted it with satisfaction. "Very well. Lord Mizukage, please send a delegation to Konoha to sign a ceasefire agreement." With that, he turned and walked away. Shisui dismissed his Susanoo and followed. The Mist ninja could only watch as the two disappeared into the distance. "Get Lord Mizukage and the others treated immediately!" Yagura issued orders. "Ao, take some men and keep an eye on Shichi and hispanion. But do not approach or engage." Ao nodded. "Understood!" --- On the way back, Shisui asked, "Shichi, won''t what we just did make Kirigakure hate us even more?" "Will this affect our ns for the future?" Shichi shook his head slightly. "Right now, we''re still enemies with Kirigakure. Showing mercy to enemies is irresponsible to our own vige." "As for future ns, this won''t be a problem." "During the Warring States Period, many ns in Konoha had been enemies. But when faced with a powerfulmon foe, grudges can be set aside." "Besides, I was already holding back a lot today. Nagato and his group won''t be so polite in the future." "And in this world, the most striking thing is contrast." Shisui nodded in agreement, then hesitated before asking, "Shichi, you seem to think highly of Mei Terumi, don''t you?" Shichi chuckled. "I think she''ll be the Fifth Mizukage someday." "Shisui, if I were to court her and form an alliance through marriage, wouldn''t it make taking control of Kirigakure a lot easier?" Shisui was left dumbfounded, utterly unsure of how to respond. Shichiughed heartily, ignoring the Mist ninja tailing them as he teleported away with Shisui. (End of Chapter) ??? Support me on Patreon - Read Up to 50+ Advanced Chapters There! /RedX43 (Upload 2 chaps per day) Limited CHRISTMAS Offer: Use code E7475 for 25% off! ??? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!