Chapter 597: Sage Art of the Three Great Holy Lands
Iwagakure didn't publicize the breach of Turtle Island, but with Kumo survivors slipping through the net, the news slowly spread a few days later.
The first to react was Kirigakure.
During the war two years ago, Kiri had emptied their village, scattering their ninja and civilians.
Hearing about the raid on Turtle Island, Kiri repeated their old trick, disbanding the village again.
Unlike the temporary measure last time, Kiri was clearly planning for a protracted war.
They divided the village into dozens of small branches scattered across the Land of Water.
Each branch was garrisoned by hundreds or thousands of ninja, with civilians dispersed among them.
Even the Ninja Academy was split up and scattered.
In short, they weren't putting all their eggs in one basket.
Kiri knew Kumo had mastered Edo Tensei, yet Kumo was still destroyed even with the help of their predecessors. Kiri didn't think they were much stronger than Kumo.
Furthermore, Kiri's high command went into deep hiding. Iwa's intelligence ninja couldn't find their hideouts.
Because of Obito Uchiha, Kiri's reserves had been almost exhausted.
But precisely because they had no reserves left, they could resort to such a desperate, "bare-bones" strategy.
Ishiro had indeed considered a surprise attack on Kirigakure, but hearing this intel, he had to abandon the idea.
Ishiro was currently busy digesting the gains from Turtle Island.
One of the biggest gains was the Sage's Tools. Their specific functions would need to be tested by Iwa's specialists.
The second gain was the souls of the eight reanimated ninja. Or rather, nine, as Ishiro had also reanimated Killer B and sealed him into the Reaper.
As usual, Ishiro recorded all the jutsu they knew.
He also copied the description of Mount Myōboku's Sage Art from Jiraiya.
Jiraiya was only a beginner who couldn't even use Sage Mode properly, so what he wrote was similar to what Ishiro knew from the original story—nothing new.
However, Ishiro learned about the terrifying depth of Mount Myōboku's foundation from Jiraiya.
This solidified Ishiro's decision not to provoke the Three Great Holy Lands just yet.
Aside from Jiraiya, Kinkaku and Ginkaku provided the most help.
Ishiro extracted the Nine-Tails chakra from their bodies.
Then, with the help of the Gedo Mazo fragment, he incubated a Mini-Nine-Tails.
With the help of Little Saiken, Little Chōmei, and the others, Ishiro soon obtained the chakra of Little Kurama.
Feeling the Nine-Tails chakra swirling around him, Ishiro muttered to himself, "Only the Three-Tails left. I wonder what effect gathering all nine mini-Bijuu will have."
Returning from his thoughts, Ishiro tested the power of the Nine-Tails chakra.
He quickly realized it was special.
He had tested the chakra of the One-Tail through Eight-Tails (except the Three-Tails).
He hadn't found much difference in their power levels.
But the Nine-Tails was different. Even though Little Kurama had little chakra, Ishiro felt the boost it provided far exceeded the others.
It felt like... the other Bijuu were defective products, and only the Nine-Tails was complete.
Ishiro tested it and felt that in terms of raw power, Nine-Tails chakra wasn't inferior to Sage chakra.
And its regenerative ability was equally terrifying.
Konoha had recalled all its ninja to the village and hadn't let them out yet. Since Ishiro couldn't attack Konoha directly, he couldn't do much about them.
He was focused on rapidly seizing mission shares in the Land of Fire and laying groundwork there.
As a result, Ishiro had a lot of paperwork to handle these days.
One day, while sitting in his office processing documents, Ishiro suddenly felt the light dim.
He turned and saw someone standing outside the window. It was Riori Uzumaki.
Ishiro thought she needed something, so he stood up to open the window and ask.
But then, he saw countless Rioris scattered as far as the eye could see.
Ishiro was dumbfounded. It was normal for Riori to use Shadow Clones, but there were too many. She had never made this many before.
Before he could figure out what was happening, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
What was Riori doing? Forming seals? Seals for the Great Dragon Fire Technique?
All these Rioris, spread throughout the village, casting Great Dragon Fire together? What was she trying to do? Burn the village down?
Ishiro shivered, rushed out the window, flew into the air, and roared, "Riori Uzumaki! Stop this instant!"
"If you dare cast that jutsu, I'll make you learn one hundred jutsu at once!"
Ishiro's voice, amplified by chakra, spread across the entire village.
Whether they heard the order or were scared by the threat, the Riori clones stopped their seals and looked up at Ishiro blankly.
Seeing them stop, Ishiro breathed a sigh of relief. "Dispel the Shadow Clones! Now!"
Riori hesitated, but obeyed.
She probably couldn't tell which one was the original herself. So, all the Rioris formed the release seal together.
The next moment, the clones vanished in puffs of smoke. Ishiro used his Mind's Eye and quickly found the remaining Riori in front of a ramen shop.
He flew down. Her attention had already shifted; she was staring hungrily at the steaming ramen inside. Ishiro felt a mix of anger and amusement.
He grabbed her by the back of her collar and flew her to a training ground.
Riori looked away from the ramen, realized what happened, twisted her head to look at Ishiro, and asked, "Ishiro-sensei, do you want ramen too?"
Ishiro didn't answer. He put her down, intending to ask what happened, but then he shut his mouth.
Because Riori's aura was unstable. She had clearly just advanced.
Ishiro's mouth twitched. This silly girl became a Quasi-Kage?
Ishiro never thought Riori had the intelligence to become Kage-level. He thought her limit was using her massive chakra and Multi-Shadow Clones to play a Kage-level role on the battlefield.
So he hadn't guided her much recently.
Who knew that after being left alone for so long, she would grow on her own!
While Ishiro was thinking, many people arrived at the training ground.
Clearly, Riori's stunt had scared them too.
Neji-kun, Shion, and Haku arrived together.
Ishiro nodded to everyone, said a few words, and prepared to punish Riori.
Reasoning with this silly girl was useless. Only a memorable punishment would make her remember what she could and couldn't do.
Ikura and the others, seeing Ishiro had the situation under control, dispersed. They couldn't handle Riori anyway. But Neji-kun's group stayed.
Seeing Ishiro's questioning look, Neji-kun said awkwardly, "Riori-sensei was sparring with us just now."
"She lost five matches in a row, and then in a fit of anger, she created all those clones."
It turned out Riori had been playing with the younger generation at Kitsuchi's house.
"Playing" meant fighting. But in her spars, she only won two matches and lost five.
She beat Kurotsuchi and Karin.
But she lost to the three Kage-level ninja (Neji, Haku, Shion), plus Sakura-chan and Yakumo Kurama.
Sakura and Yakumo both used genjutsu, easily defeating her before she could use Shadow Clones.
Ishiro glared at the three of them. So you guys are the culprits!
But at least he knew why Riori advanced.
This battle-obsessed girl, after losing five times in a row to people younger than her, couldn't accept reality and leveled up out of anger.
Ishiro didn't know whether to laugh or be angry. He thought for a moment, looked at Riori, and said, "Riori, come here. Sensei is going to teach you a jutsu."
Riori instinctively tried to back away, but Ishiro grabbed her collar again.
He lifted her up and said to Neji-kun's group, "You three come too. Neji, Haku, you two will train with her."
Shion asked quickly, "Ishiro-sensei, what about me? Do I train with Riori-sensei too?"
"You don't need to train," Ishiro said. "You're responsible for helping them train."
"Oh," Shion said, curious about what they were going to learn.
What Ishiro wanted them to learn was, naturally, Sage Art.
Riori was simple-minded (pure), which made her suitable for Sage Art.
Haku had a tranquil personality, also suitable. Neji had excellent chakra control and the Giant Tenseigan's help, providing a shortcut.
As for Shion, the Priestess cultivation system was different from a ninja's; she didn't need Sage Art.
Riori struggled all the way, but it was futile. When Ishiro brought her to the Sage Art training grounds outside the village, she looked at him with teary eyes, hoping he would soften.
But Ishiro ignored her look and handed the four of them over to the staff.
He gave Neji, Haku, and Shion a detailed explanation of Sage Art theory, then left.
Konoha Village.
Sasuke's fusion of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan took longer than Kakashi expected.
When Kakashi learned of the attack on Turtle Island and Kiri's dispersion strategy, he began to worry about his own village.
Kumo had so many Edo Tensei summons, yet they didn't last a day before being wiped out. What about Konoha?
Although Naruto-kun, Sasuke, and Hinata had improved greatly, Kakashi was still uneasy.
Coincidentally, Naruto-kun came to bother him again, complaining about bias.
So Kakashi asked, "Naruto, when you were at Mount Myōboku, did the Sages teach you Sage Art?"
"Sage Art?" Naruto asked, confused. "What's that?"
Kakashi paused, then explained, "Sage Art is a type of jutsu that can enhance a ninja's strength."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Can it make me stronger? Awesome! I want to learn Sage Art!"
"I agree to let you learn it," Kakashi said. "But you have to ask Mount Myōboku if they can teach Sasuke and Hinata as well."
"No problem! I'll ask right now!"
Naruto, always quick to act, contacted the toads and reverse-summoned himself to Mount Myōboku.
The next day, Naruto returned to Konoha, looking ashamed. "Kakashi-sensei... Fukasaku-sama said I can learn Sage Art, but the others can't."
"I argued with Fukasaku-sama and Shima-sama for a long time, but they wouldn't agree."
Kakashi patted Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto, don't blame yourself. Since Mount Myōboku agreed to teach you, go and train hard."
"But Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said anxiously, "what about Sasuke and Hinata?"
"Don't worry," Kakashi said. "I'll arrange for them to train at the other two Holy Lands."
Naruto, not being very bright, accepted this immediately.
After Naruto left for Mount Myōboku, Kakashi sent someone to find Tsunade, then went to see her personally.
Tsunade didn't hide from Kakashi, but she still refused to return to Konoha.
However, when Kakashi proposed sending Sasuke and Hinata to Shikkotsu Forest (Wetbone Forest) to learn Sage Art, Tsunade hesitated.
Konoha had wronged the Senju clan, and wronged Tsunade, so she would rather watch Konoha fall than return.
But the slugs of Shikkotsu Forest hadn't betrayed her. She felt it was necessary to find a new contractor for the forest.
She couldn't let the connection between Shikkotsu Forest and ninja end with her.
"Give me their blood," Tsunade said. "I'll show it to the Slug Sage. If the Sage agrees, then it's fine."
Kakashi was overjoyed. There was hope. Using the Flying Thunder God, he made the round trip quickly.
Watching Kakashi teleport back and forth, Tsunade felt a pang of nostalgia. She remembered her granduncle, Tobirama Senju. He had no children and had been very good to her.
Soon, Kakashi returned with fresh blood from Sasuke and Hinata.
Tsunade used a summoning jutsu to send the samples to Shikkotsu Forest.
The answer came quickly.
"The Slug Sage is willing to sign a contract with Hinata Hyūga and teach her Sage Art," Tsunade told Kakashi.
Kakashi's eyes lit up. Hinata was set. That was good.
But what about Sasuke?
With a heavy heart, Kakashi took the scroll from Tsunade, returned to Konoha, and gave it to Hinata.
Hinata signed her name and was soon reverse-summoned to Shikkotsu Forest, just like Naruto.
Hanabi watched her sister leave, reluctant but silent. She knew her sister had changed a lot for her sake.
Her sister wanted to become strong! And the motivation was mostly her.
Kakashi didn't look at Hanabi. He sat alone in thought for a long time, then used the Flying Thunder God to go to the Land of Whirlpools.
Land of Whirlpools, Snake Pit Village.
When Orochimaru heard the Seventh Hokage had come to see him, he was surprised.
He left his underground lab and went to the surface entrance. "Does the Hokage have business at my Snake Pit?"
Kakashi said firmly, "Leader Orochimaru, I want to make a deal."
Orochimaru quickly ran through possibilities in his mind. Since the Joint Chunin Exam, Konoha and the Snake Pit had no contact. He couldn't think of anything worth Kakashi coming personally.
"Please, speak," Orochimaru said.
Kakashi relaxed slightly. The tone suggested cooperation was possible.
"I want Sasuke to train in Sage Art at Ryūchi Cave!"
Orochimaru's eyes flashed. Such a gift delivered right to my door?
He had guessed there was a Sage behind Sasuke, and suspected Ishiro had benefited from the Sage.
Wanting to emulate Ishiro, Orochimaru had sent the Sound Four to lure Sasuke, but that had failed.
He hadn't found another chance. And now Kakashi was delivering Sasuke to him?
A trap? Or a probe?
Orochimaru considered the possibilities, then decided to fish for information.
"Hokage-dono, our relationship isn't that good, is it?"
"What price can the Hokage pay for such a thing?"
Kakashi didn't hesitate. He had prepared the terms. "Intelligence on several of Iwa's powerhouses."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered. He didn't think Kakashi would try to fool him with generic intel.
"What level of strength?"
Kakashi took a deep breath. "No less than mine. No less than the Tsuchikage's!"
Orochimaru paused. The Tsuchikage's level? And several of them?
He stared at Kakashi with his snake-like pupils. "Are you joking, Hokage?"
Kakashi didn't explain, just meeting his gaze calmly.
A few seconds later, Orochimaru spoke again. "That alone isn't enough. I want Byakugan. A large number of Byakugan!"
He believed Kakashi, but he wanted more.
"Impossible!" Kakashi refused flatly. "The Hyūga clan is part of Konoha!"
Orochimaru's body shifted, transforming into Hiashi Hyūga. "Hokage, I control the Caged Bird Seal!"
His meaning was clear: If you don't agree, I will remotely kill every branch family member one by one!
Kakashi's eyes narrowed, emitting a dangerous aura.
But Orochimaru was unmoved, staring back calmly with Hiashi's Byakugan.
After a moment, Kakashi finished his internal struggle. "Fine!"
He threw a scroll to Orochimaru containing detailed intel on Neji, Sōkai, and speculations on Izumi's strength.
Orochimaru smiled. "Excellent. I hope our cooperation is pleasant."
"I'll be waiting here for Sasuke's arrival."
With that, Orochimaru sank into the ground.
Kakashi stood silently at the entrance for a while before leaving.
Back in Konoha, Kakashi sent the ninja back out on missions.
However, after assigning the missions, he personally delivered a list of Hyūga clan members on duty to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was satisfied with the list. He hadn't expected Kakashi to kidnap the Hyūga himself.
A few days later, almost every Hyūga branch member on a mission was ambushed by Orochimaru.
Snake Pit Village, Underground Lab.
As agreed, Orochimaru had Sasuke write his name on the Ryūchi Cave contract.
When Sasuke vanished, heading for Ryūchi Cave...
Orochimaru dropped his playful expression. He spoke to the empty lab. "Sage of Six Paths... please show yourself."
The lab remained eerily silent.
But Orochimaru wasn't anxious. He waited quietly.
A long time later, a figure appeared in front of him, and a sigh reached his ears.
Orochimaru's mouth curved into an exaggerated grin, and he laughed soundlessly.
(End of Chapter)