Chapter 204:
Land of Fire, Temple.
If Konohagakure was considered the safest place in the Land of Fire, then the second safest would undoubtedly be this temple.
Ever since the news of the Wind Daimyō's death broke, the Fire Daimyō and Tentō had stayed within the temple, under its protection.
"Boruto didn't come?"
A clear expression of disappointment appeared on Tentō's face. Ever since leaving the Hidden Leaf, he had been looking forward to reuniting with Boruto.
In the village, the person he was closest to was, without a doubt, Boruto.
"Boruto had other matters to attend to. That's why he couldn't come."
Sarada offered a brief explanation.
"Without Boruto, this trip is going to feel a lot duller."
Meanwhile, on the other side, Sasuke—team leader, expert on Light and Shadow Stones, the Jar Merchant, the temple's abbot, and the Fire Daimyō—were all observing the Fire Light and Shadow Stone in front of them.
In the dimly lit room, the crimson glow from the Light and Shadow Stone cast a warm hue on their faces, creating a sense of cozy comfort.
"To think the Wind Daimyō would meet such a fate…"
The Fire Daimyō sighed in sorrow, clearly feeling a "when the rabbit dies, the fox mourns" kind of empathy.
"As a nation's leader, it's not all about privilege and enjoyment. Like it or not, the ability beasts will never let you go."
"About that—please, if this negotiation does fall apart, I ask that you protect my son."
"You don't need to ask. We were going to do that anyway," Sasuke replied bluntly.
Even though the Fire Daimyō had mentally prepared for this, he still felt a bit displeased at the tone.
"In any case, we'll do everything we can to ensure both your lives. Please rest assured about that."
Although the Jar Merchant didn't add the usual "sir" of respect, the Fire Daimyō didn't seem to mind. After all, the man was from Hydra. Although Hydra had long since fallen from grace, they were once S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top rival.
"Then I thank you."
"No matter how many times I see it, it still feels surreal. It's incredible. But this warm and cozy feeling... it's definitely real," the temple abbot exclaimed in wonder.
"There's more to it than that," Sasuke said, activating his Rinnegan. "I can see the immense fire-element energy flowing inside it."
"After all, Light and Shadow Stones date back to before the era of shinobi, before the Five Great Nations were even founded."
Due to how ancient this history was, there were no precise records, and many versions circulated among the people. If someone had previously told the Fire Daimyō that the Five Nations were founded because of a stone, he never would have believed them.
But now—he did. Because this wasn't just any ordinary stone. He had witnessed the Flame Dragon Armor his son summoned with his own eyes.
The power the armor displayed was enough to defeat several jōnin who attacked together.
Granted, those jōnin had held back out of concern for Tentō's identity. But then again, Tentō hadn't used his full strength either.
"To think my ancestors once saved the shinobi world…"
"The past history of the Light and Shadow Stones doesn't matter," Sasuke coldly interrupted the Fire Daimyō's emotional moment, his gaze fixed on the fiery glow radiating from the stone. "What matters more than their history is what the Light and Shadow Stones can do now—for peace in the shinobi world. The Ōtsutsuki clan, the ability beasts… how many powerful races are still out there in the universe, undiscovered? The shinobi world isn't safe. Our enemies won't wait for us to be ready. Disaster could strike at any moment."
Sasuke had always been a pragmatist. After all, he was once the man who defected from the village in pursuit of power.
He understood the power of the Light and Shadow Stones well—after all, even Yemu was wary of them.
But then Sasuke thought of Tentō.
Though Tentō had studied under him in Konoha for a time, to be honest, he didn't have much talent for combat.
Thanks to the exceptional performance of the Flame Dragon Armor, he might have an edge against unsuspecting jōnin, but when facing ability beasts—it simply wasn't enough.
A flicker of something flashed in Sasuke's eyes. If he remembered correctly, the Jar Merchant had once mentioned a commonly misunderstood fact.
It wasn't that only the children of the daimyōs could summon Light and Shadow Armor with the Light and Shadow Stones—but rather, only those who were recognized by the stone could summon it. It just so happened that daimyō heirs were more likely to be recognized than the average person.
Sasuke might not care for the daimyōs, but he wasn't stupid. Having to use the Light and Shadow Stone himself to summon armor would be a last resort.
"The history of the Light and Shadow Stones may not be entirely meaningless. Maybe we can learn how the daimyōs' ancestors once used the Light and Shadow Armor to repel the ability beasts," the Jar Merchant offered diplomatically. "For example, according to Hydra's records, the ones who repelled the ability beasts weren't the five known Light and Shadow Armors… but a sixth."
"There's a sixth Light and Shadow Armor?!"
This was the first time Sasuke had heard of such a thing.
"So that means this sixth armor must be even more powerful than the first five!"
The Fire Daimyō exclaimed in shock.
"Hydra didn't have much information on it, just one thing—the armor's name," the Jar Merchant paused and said slowly, "Imperial Armor."
Just the name alone made the other three instinctively hold their breath.
What an awe-inspiring name.
After a brief silence, Sasuke finally said, "It looks like our top priority is to uncover intelligence on this sixth Light and Shadow Armor. If I'm right, that armor is the key to repelling the ability beast race."
Even Sasuke couldn't bring himself to speak the name "Imperial Armor," so overwhelmed was he by its sheer presence.
The Jar Merchant nodded with satisfaction. "While we investigate the Imperial Armor, we should also continue gathering the other armored warriors. I have a feeling that once all five are assembled, the truth about the Imperial Armor will naturally come to light."