As the mountain range in southern Rain Country—responsible for blocking moisture from moving southward—was about to enter the blasting phase, Hyuga Soushu accepted an invitation and traveled a great distance to attend the initiation ceremony for the concentrated explosion. He came to witness this historic moment alongside Uchiha Shikata, Sanshouo Hanzo, and others.
But it wasn't his attendance at the event that drew attention—it was Soushu's arrival in the south that ignited rampant speculation among outsiders. This time, he had directly brought nearly one hundred personal guard ninjas from Herb Country into Rain Country, crossing through its territory before finally arriving in the southern region.
Judging purely by the route, his journey southward had been far longer than returning westward from Rain Country after passing through Fire Country. Precisely because of this detour, many found it suspicious and began making wild guesses.
It was no secret that Rain Ninja Village's Sanshouo Hanzo had personally gone to Hakone Prefecture city to hold talks and reached major cooperation agreements with two prestigious ninja clans, thereby gaining massive resource support. Both Konoha and Sunagakure, as well as Iwagakure, were fully aware of this fact.
Yet what surprised them was how quickly these two sides had achieved such a high degree of mutual trust—so much so that they allowed troop movements across national borders. Such a situation was highly unusual.
Before Soushu rose to power, he had served on the battlefield in Rain Country and earned promotion to jonin rank due to his achievements, thus beginning his legendary rise. Moreover, during the final stages of the Second Great Ninja War, the allied forces of Rain Ninja Village and Iwagakure had engaged in fierce battles against border forces commanded by Soushu and Hatake Sakumo along Rain Country's frontier. Both sides had suffered heavy losses, but overall, the result remained inconclusive.
Therefore, considering past enmities and grudges, Rain Ninja Village and Soushu's faction were essentially bitter enemies. That made their sudden reconciliation utterly shocking.
This complete reversal in Rain Ninja Village's stance left both Sunagakure and Iwagakure feeling deeply uneasy.
After all, as a buffer nation, Rain Country not only could swiftly penetrate into the heartlands of Wind and Earth Countries, assisting clan capital corporations' ninja forces in launching pincer attacks on those two nations, but also cut directly into Bird Country, severing communication between the two great powers—and effectively nullifying their geographical advantages.
Thus, upon receiving intelligence regarding Soushu's cross-border movement southward, the Third Kazekage immediately canceled the Suna forces' offensive buildup in southern Bird Country and shifted to defense—to signal to Iwagakure its desire to de-escalate.
Equally alarmed, Iwagakure responded similarly, withdrawing some of its ninja forces from within Bird Country and constructing defensive lines along the border regions shared with Earth Country and Rain Country.
In an instant, the thick clouds of war that had loomed heavily over western Ninja World transformed into an ominous gloom, allowing fleeting peace to finally return.
When Soushu arrived, the cluster explosive tags arranged by the Uchiha Clan had already been completely placed into artillery holes throughout the target mountainous area designated for destruction.
"Everything is ready. We respectfully ask Lord Soushu to initiate the detonation!"
Uchiha Shikata modestly offered Hyuga Soushu the opportunity to activate the cluster explosion technique.
"Clan Leader Shikata, you flatter me. Let us begin together."
Hyuga Soushu naturally had no intention of taking all the credit for himself. He turned to Sanshouo Hanzo and said, "Please join us as well, Mr. Hanzo. After all, this is a historic turning point for the Land of Rain. Your presence is needed to witness it."
"It concerned everyone's shared interests."
Sanshouo Hanzo did not bother with false modesty or refusal and immediately followed closely behind.
The three simultaneously placed their hands on the already prepared jutsu formation and injected chakra into it at the same time.
As red conducting lights flickered, several seconds later, a deep yet awe-inspiring explosion echoed from distant mountains.
The natural barrier that originally separated the Lands of Rain and Rivers first trembled at the surface due to concentrated explosive tags detonating. Then vegetation, soil, and rock layers crumbled one after another, accompanied by thick smoke blotting out the skies.
Although sparks scattered by the explosive tags reached extremely high temperatures, they merely charred the plants rolling down with the mudslide, failing to ignite them completely. Affected by the terrain, the resulting mudslide surpassed even a tsunami in scale and began surging toward the Land of Rivers.
"In the future, the Land of Rivers will no longer suffer from water scarcity. Instead, benefiting from the rich soil deposits brought by the mudslide, its land quality will significantly improve."
Uchiha Shikata said with feeling, "This is also the very first peaceful usage of explosive tags!"
"Explosive tags aren't just deadly weapons for battlefields; they're equally top-tier tools for mine excavation."
Hyuga Soushu briefly chimed in before shifting the conversation to another key topic. "Mr. Hanzo, when do you plan to start the construction of the canal project for the Land of Rain?"
"Whenever you say the word!"
With the Hengduan Mountains just blasted open, creating a mountain pass, rainfall in the area where everyone stood immediately showed slight weakening. An emotional complexity surged within Sanshouo Hanzo—partly awe over the achievement blending natural forces with ninja power, partly profound hope for the Land of Rain's destiny undergoing a crucial shift.
The Land of Rain had long suffered excessive flooding. If they could obtain a region with relatively less rainfall and better conditions for farming, it would be entirely beneficial without any drawbacks.
As for whether this action might cause significant climate changes, that was not a concern for people of this generation. After all, both ordinary citizens and Rain ninjas currently only cared about how to survive and attain basic sustenance.
"Only by focusing benefits can one concentrate strength to achieve greatness," stated Hyuga Soushu.
Sanshouo Hanzo fell into deep thought.
This was essentially Soushu personally offering an olive branch.
Inside the Great Sage's sleeping quarters atop Mount Myoboku, the Great Toad Sage had originally been sitting in tranquil meditation when he suddenly stirred dramatically.
This time his movement was so intense that Elder Shima, who was guarding outside the palace, sensed the disturbance immediately.
"Great Sage!"
Noticing the unusual activity inside the hall, Elder Shima rushed in without hesitation.
The first thing it saw was the grand eternal lamp that had once hung beneath the palace ceiling—now shattered on the ground. Shards lay scattered across the floor, flames flickering wildly amidst the wreckage. Once radiant, only a chaotic tangle of shattered light and wavering flame remained.
"This..."
Elder Shima truly felt shaken.
This ever-burning lamp was used by Senior Toad Sage to stabilize his willpower and foresee the future. Now that the lamp had fallen, it meant—
"I'm fine."
Senior Toad Sage's voice promptly dispelled Elder Shima's worries.
"Then please allow me to clean this up, if I may."
Relieved, Elder Shima slightly bowed and began tidying the wreckage.
Senior Toad Sage remained silent, his gaze empty, appearing half-awake and dazed.
At that moment, Senior Fukasaku also hurried over. Seeing the broken pieces of the eternal lamp on the floor, he too was startled.
But this time, unlike his usual sharp-tongued self, Senior Fukasaku didn't question anything—he simply started helping his wife clean the floor in silence.
"The path of time has already sunk into thick mist. I can no longer see its end clearly. But one thing is certain: far ahead, a vicious blaze and bloodshed are spreading rapidly."
Senior Toad Sage's words echoed through the palace like a dreamlike murmur.
"Great Sage..."
Senior Fukasaku didn't know how to respond. Instinctively, he asked, "What if we just replace it with another lamp?"
The eternal lamp in Mount Myoboku's palace hall was no stranger to damage.
In ancient times, their bitter enemy—the Ryuchi Cave's Seer Sage—once breached Mount Myoboku's outer defenses and engaged Senior Toad Sage in fierce battle. Their fight's aftershocks left the entire Mount Myoboku severely scarred, suffering immense damage. From this harrowing experience, during Mount Myoboku's rebirth, the Ninja Frogs took early precautions, meticulously preparing various emergency supplies—including spare eternal lamps and other key items—for emergency use.
"No need."
Senior Toad Sage slightly shook his head and sighed deeply, "I can no longer see the end of the time path anymore!"
"This..."
Both Senior Fukasaku and Elder Shima trembled, disbelief weighing heavily upon them.
The Ninja Frog clan of Mount Myoboku managed to rise above countless Summoned Beasts clans and emerge as a true power, surviving Kaguya's world-destroying catastrophe and entering the ranks of the Three Holy Places precisely because of Senior Toad Sage's profound wisdom and ability to foresee the future. That precise foresight had always allowed Mount Myoboku to make wise decisions amid countless crises, successfully guiding the clan away from danger and toward prosperity.
But if they were to lose sight of the future from now on, then what would become of Mount Myoboku?
Senior Fukasaku swallowed hard, trying to calm himself down.
Still, both of his frog legs shivered uncontrollably.
"Bring Jiraiya here. There are some matters I must speak with him about."
After a long while, Senior Toad Sage finally spoke softly.
"At once."
Senior Fukasaku and Elder Shima immediately bowed in salute.
After maintaining a respectful bow for nearly ten minutes, the two finally began slowly retreating and exited the royal chamber when it became clear Elder Toad Sage had no further instructions.
"Old man," Elder Shima couldn't help but ask.
"Don't ask, don't even speak!" Senior Fukasaku cut off his wife's question with a serious tone. "Before Great Sage announces his next plan, do not speak of anything to outsiders or take any action!"
"Alright fine!" Though usually quick to quarrel with Fukasaku, Elder Shima ultimately chose to heed her husband's words—especially when facing matters that could possibly reshape their Holy Place.
"What a troubled year this has been..."
Fukasaku sighed heavily, his once-straightened posture now visibly slumping forward.
"This is strange indeed." Madara Uchiha, standing within the Mizukage Building of Hidden Mist Village located in Land of Water, slowly withdrew his gaze from distant skies toward a blackish puddle-like creature at his feet.
"Why did White Zetsu turn black after modification? Did it fail?" Frowning deeply, Madara was genuinely puzzled.
Ever since he had driven away Master Genzu and the other visitors, his Puppet Third Mizukage had effectively become a powerless figurehead. As a result, control over the Hidden Mist Village fell into the hands of the Mist Elder Faction, led by Master Genzu, while the officially recognized leader, the Third Mizukage, found himself unable to implement policies beyond the Mizukage Building.
But Madara cared little about such trivialities. He held complete contempt for these power struggles, considering them completely without value. If it hadn't been necessary to test and refine these specially-modified combat-ready White Zetsu, Madara would have personally slaughtered every member of the Mist Elder faction long ago.
The issue arose right after his first success—the creation of a battle-ready White Zetsu he named Tobi. The second attempt produced this absurd mistake.
Originally supposed to remain white, this White Zetsu unexpectedly melted into a living puddle under Madara's activation jutsu instead of developing properly, which looked extremely bizarre.
Even Madara himself wondered briefly whether a momentary distraction caused by that mysterious sense of being watched might have resulted in improper modification.
"Lord Madara."
Just as Madara prepared to dispose of this failed creation, the dark puddle suddenly quivered. More shockingly, it spoke with a voice almost identical to Madara's own.
"Huh?"
Madara showed visible surprise.
"Lord Madara, please issue your command!" This entity seemed unusually intelligent, and its speech and manner reminded Madara of someone familiar.
"You are…?"
Madara narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"I am a manifestation of your memory," the dark puddle answered respectfully.
"Is that so…" Madara remained noncommittal.
However, after briefly closing his eyes to examine through Chakra perception, he discovered unmistakably his own Chakra thoroughly saturating this puddle-like mass, slightly easing his suspicions.
However, Madara Uchiha, known for his suspicious nature, casually asked about a few small incidents from his childhood. Surprisingly, this puddle of black slime immediately answered accurately, recalling events with more detail than Madara remembered them himself.
"In that case, you may go now!"
Thus, Madara Uchiha temporarily stopped pressing further.
"Lord Madara, please bestow a name upon me!"
The black slime kept its respectful tone as always.
"Since your body is black, I'll simply call you Black Zetsu."
Madara could not be bothered to think up an elaborate name and casually decided.
"Honored one, I shall be Black Zetsu, your memory clone!"
Black Zetsu squirmed happily in gratitude.
"Besides memories, what other abilities do you have?"
Madara questioned.
He had no interest in keeping a freeloader around—not even his own memory clone.
"I can spiritually possess others."
As he spoke, the black slime suddenly jumped up with a splat, attaching itself onto a nearby White Zetsu who was merely watching curiously.
Instantly, the possessed White Zetsu trembled all over until it transformed into an entirely new being—half black and half white.
"Lord Madara, I not only can use all of White Zetsu's abilities, but also merge their bodies to achieve stronger concealment and [Kagero]!"
"A rather decent reconnaissance tool after all," Madara remarked expressionlessly.
He reined in his killing intent just enough before turning away, ready to experiment on the remaining White Zetsu.
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