Land of Rain, rocky mountain area.
Yahiko stood on the shore of what was once a vast flatland but now a huge lake. His vision, slightly blurred by the drizzle, seemed to replay the battle scene from last year.
He was happily practicing the Water Body Flicker Technique with Hanzo-sensei, full of joy from receiving praise from his childhood idol.
Barring any accidents, he would slowly take over the rule of Amegakure in the future, continuing to protect Amegakure and the Land of Rain in place of his aging teacher. Using powerful Water Release and Fire Release Ninjutsu, as well as the Salamander known as the number one poisonous creature in the Ninja World, he would deter the three surrounding countries, preventing them from turning the Land of Rain into the main battlefield of the three major powers.
This was what Hanzo-sensei hoped to see, and also Yahiko's goal.
But now, everything was ruined.
Hanzo-sensei died, and his dream died too.
Throwing a bouquet of white chrysanthemums into the lake, Yahiko's face was covered with water droplets, indistinguishable between rain and tears.
He murmured expressionlessly: "Knowing only to cry after tasting pain solves nothing. Only by standing at the pinnacle of the world and conquering it will there be no more pain and tragedy. Hanzo-sensei, rest in peace. I will realize the ideal you didn't complete, save this country that is always crying, and let those people feel our pain and understand the pain of small countries."
Turning around and pulling up his hood, Yahiko's face covered with burn scars and his eyes were filled with coldness: "If the Demigod of the Ninja World can't do it, then become a true god."
At this moment, a voice sounded in Yahiko's mind: "Yahiko, where are we going next?"
The speaker was Tobi.
If one had X-ray vision, they would find that the white substance on Yahiko's body was actually Tobi's armor.
Unlike ordinary covering, Tobi's possession was similar to Black Zetsu's possession. He could communicate mentally, take over the host's body control, or give up control, allowing the "host" to use his power.
Yahiko, wearing Tobi's armor, only felt his power was so strong, as if omnipotent.
It was this unprecedented power that made him declare such a statement.
"I'm going to reclaim Amegakure first."
Yahiko's calm words were like going out to buy groceries.
In fact, reclaiming Amegakure was even easier than buying groceries.
"...Yahiko-sama!"
When Yahiko returned to the Amegakure tower riding the Salamander, without needing to make an example of anyone, Sakawa, who was temporarily managing Amegakure in Hanzo's stead, immediately returned power.
"Thank you for your hard work during this time, Mr. Sakawa." Yahiko was very polite to Sakawa.
"It was you who worked hard, Yahiko-sama."
Looking at Yahiko, whose face was covered with burn scars and whose eyes had become completely different from last year, Sakawa's eyes misted up, and his voice choked.
Without needing to speak, he knew Hanzo-sama wasn't coming back.
Inside the tower, Yahiko sat in Hanzo the Salamander's seat, looking at Sakawa in front of him and asking: "Mr. Sakawa, did you encounter any trouble during this time?"
"No, except for me and a ninja squad that was imprisoned, no one knows that Hanzo-sama and Yahiko-sama were missing." Sakawa replied, "In the past half year, I have been acting according to Hanzo-sama's will, only strengthening the tower's barrier. The explanation to the patrol team was that Hanzo-sama took you to the summoning world for secret special training, Yahiko-sama."
"Mr. Sakawa, you did very well."
Yahiko was full of praise for Sakawa's actions. Looking at the other party's tear-stained face, he said faintly: "I believe you have already guessed that Hanzo-sensei won't be coming back. So, Mr. Sakawa, do you support me taking over Amegakure's regime?"
"Of course."
Sakawa knelt on one knee and said respectfully: "Yahiko-sama, you are Hanzo-sama's only disciple and the second contractor of the Salamander. Whether in terms of talent, identity, or strategic deterrence, you are the best candidate to take over Amegakure."
"Whether it's me, the Rain ninja army, or the villagers, we will all be your supporters."
"I will clear all obstacles for you!"
Yahiko nodded with satisfaction: "Very good. Next, I'll trouble you to assist my clone. My main body has something to do and needs to go out for a while."
After speaking, Sakawa saw Yahiko's body covered by the black robe suddenly wriggle violently.
Then a thick tree branch extended from Yahiko's body.
After the branch fell off, it didn't fall to the ground but stood up and began to change, first into a human silhouette, then flesh and clothes, and finally color.
In less than three seconds, this branch became exactly like Yahiko.
"Th... th... this..."
Witnessing this scene with his own eyes, Sakawa was so shocked he couldn't speak.
It took an unknown amount of time for him to recover. Then he looked at Yahiko with fervent eyes, asking with a trembling and respectful voice: "Yahiko-sama, could it be that you..."
Before he could say the rest, Yahiko nodded slightly: "Just as you think, Mr. Sakawa. My Wood Clone will cooperate with you to reclaim power. I hope when my main body returns, Amegakure will be my Amegakure."
"Yes, your subordinate will definitely complete the mission."
Sakawa lowered his head, his tone not only full of respect but also more forceful than before.
If Sakawa was respectful to Yahiko before because he was Hanzo the Salamander's disciple, exceptionally talented, survived implanting a poison sac years ago, possessing the ability to ignore poison and release poison...
He was also the second existence in Amegakure capable of summoning the Salamander. Even if Hanzo the Salamander died, Amegakure could maintain powerful strategic deterrence.
As long as his Water Body Flicker Technique reached the pinnacle of the Ninja World, Yahiko had a high probability of becoming the new Demigod of the Ninja World, keeping Amegakure and the Land of Rain free from enemy harassment for decades to come.
Amegakure couldn't do without Yahiko and needed Yahiko.
This was why Sakawa was willing to return power and maintained respect for Yahiko.
But now, the sadness in Sakawa's heart due to Hanzo the Salamander's death was replaced by huge ecstasy.
In his heart, Yahiko's status instantly surpassed Hanzo the Salamander.
Because... Yahiko became a Wood Release ninja!
Just like Gojo Yoru's Space-Time Kekkei Genkai was known to everyone in the Ninja World, whether on land or overseas, whether ninjas or commoners, adults or children.
Before the Space-Time Kekkei Genkai, Wood Release that pacified chaotic times was such an existence.
Even if Sakawa hadn't seen Wood Release, even if he wasn't born before the First Hokage died, he knew Wood Release and how powerful this Kekkei Genkai was.
That was the power to pacify chaotic times!
After the God of Shinobi, the second Wood Release ninja finally appeared, and he was the hope of their Amegakure.
A new Demigod of the Ninja World?
No, their Amegakure would have a god surpassing the Demigod in the future!
"Go summon all Jonin for a meeting, Mr. Sakawa."
"Yes."
When Sakawa raised his head, Yahiko's main body had disappeared, leaving only the Wood Clone whose aura was astonishing even as a clone.
Yahiko, skilled in Water Release, had a Chakra-ton constitution. Being able to withstand the poison sac and Hashirama cells towards death meant his Yang Release vitality was exceptionally amazing.
The transformation brought by living towards death twice, along with a decent amount of Hashirama cells and White Zetsu's healing, made him a more perfect Wood Release experimental subject than Yamato even without wearing Tobi's armor.
Wearing Tobi's armor, receiving Tobi's full cooperation, and with Uchiha Madara's teaching for half a year, Yahiko's current strength was indeed terrifyingly strong.
...
Three days later.
Land of Swamps. As a country adjacent to the Land of Demons, its landscape was equivalent to the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers.
The Land of Demons was full of forest areas, while the Land of Swamps had vast undeveloped natural landscapes and continuous mountain ranges.
Looking from the Land of Demons, one would see a range of mountains.
Looking from the Land of Swamps, one would see dense vegetation.
Just like the towns and villages in the Land of Rivers were mountain towns and mountain villages built on mountains or at the foot of mountains.
The towns and villages in the Land of Swamps were the same.
And like the Land of Demons, its geographical location was very remote, with rugged roads difficult to travel, extremely backward.
This country had no ninjas; weapons were still bows and spears.
For some shady forces, such a country with remote location, backward development, and no military base was very suitable as a secret base and branch base.
At 11:00 AM, a red-haired boy carrying a suitcase suddenly walked out of a toilet in a mountain town in the Land of Swamps.
The boy was 1.58 meters tall, with long red hair covering the right half of his face. His handsome face still showed a little childishness, indicating he had passed the early childhood stage and entered the mid-to-late adolescence stage.
The red-haired boy wore a dark red coat matching his hair color and black trousers. The left half of his face not covered by bangs revealed a very special eye. Except for the pupil being black, the other areas were purple, with ripples of black circles.
Such eyes made the boy's gaze very渗人 (scary/creepy). When he showed a cold expression, an invisible aura would burst from his eyes, making ordinary people with poor psychological quality, and even ninjas with Chakra, uncontrollably weak in the knees.
This was food chain suppression, a high-dimensional strike brought by dimensional difference.
Even if this high-dimensional power was transplanted.
This red-haired boy was Nagato, who was already thirteen years old.
When he came out of the toilet, Nagato's aura was terrifying. Even ordinary people could see he was not to be trifled with, making way repeatedly.
When Nagato walked out of the mountain town, his gaze swept around and finally settled on a tree. The cold aura instantly dissipated, and a smile appeared on his expressionless face.
One second he was standing at the entrance of the town, the next he appeared in front of the tree, lifting the suitcase in his hand, smiling: "Konan-sama, the bounty has been exchanged."
Konan, who was leaning against the big tree with her hands in her pockets resting, slowly opened her amber eyes. On her exquisite and beautiful face, which had also shed its childishness, a cold and glamorous smile appeared: "Sorry to trouble you to go to such a dirty place again, Nagato."
"This is what I should do."
Nagato looked up at the sky, then at Konan who was a bit taller than him, asking, "Konan-sama, should we rest here for a day?"
"No need. I don't like being watched, nor do I want to involve innocent civilians if forced to." Konan shook her head and left with her hands in her pockets.
It was this angelic kindness and charisma that made Nagato, whose strength was no less than hers, willing to be her appendage.
If not for this kindness, Nagato would have died back then.
Protecting this angel who was both a teacher and a sister was Nagato's motivation to become stronger.
Looking at Konan's back, Nagato hurriedly followed, walking side by side with her.
Seven years passed, and the little girl who became a war orphan due to the Iwa ninja attack was unrecognizable, except for her hair and eye color remaining unchanged.
Brainwashing-like three meals a day with balanced and sufficient nutrition, sleeping early and waking up early, exercising and reading to improve physical and spiritual energy... Gojo Yoru's mother-like supervision turned Konan into an incredibly disciplined beautiful girl.
Konan, who already had excellent Yang Release constitution, was only thirteen this year but had grown to 1.65 meters, five centimeters taller than Hinata in Shippuden.
Although her figure couldn't compare to Hinata in Shippuden, she was on the same level as Yamanaka Ino in Shippuden, possessing the ability to establish a "New Luen Wo."
However, except for Gojo Yoru who often came to meet Konan in the spiritual world, no one knew about such a figure.
Because Konan also liked to imitate Gojo Yoru's dressing style.
Gojo Yoru wore a black coat, so she wore a blue coat; Gojo Yoru wore a long robe, so she wore a long robe.
The loose blue coat hid Konan's figure. The action of putting her hands in the coat pockets added a trace of coolness to her cold and glamorous temperament.
Especially since her purple hair wasn't grown long, still a short hairstyle. If she had a lollipop in her mouth, she would look exactly like a delinquent girl, a spiritual sister version of the Naruto world.
Just such a delinquent girl made countless wanted rogue ninjas and missing-nin with bounties in the black market tremble with fear.
Because this delinquent girl was the famous bounty hunter in the black market—"Angel" Konan.
A rare flying type ninja in the Ninja World, possessing the Paper Release Hiden technique that matched perfectly with explosive tag manufacturing technology, able to bomb any target from the sky. Combined with Wind Release of amazing range, she could focus on one point or bomb a large area.
Moreover, her paper was like the Adamantine Sealing Chains of the Uzumaki descendant in Konoha's strongest duo, able to cast Sealing Jutsu from a distance.
Just being stuck by paper containing Chakra, that piece of paper could turn into a Sealing Jutsu. If the person stuck didn't know how to break the Sealing Jutsu, they would be instantly defeated.
And under this angel, there was an all-around Ninjutsu red-haired thug, making this combination, like Konoha's strongest duo, the recognized strongest bounty hunter combination in the black market and the Ninja World.
Even Kakuzu, who had been famous for a long time and was recognized as the number one bounty hunter many years ago, was overshadowed by the prestige of the two rising stars.
However, in these few years, Mr. Kakuzu hadn't sought them out, perhaps because they didn't have bounties.
<><><><><<><><><><<><><><><<><><><><
Read advane Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo246
~ Evey 150 PS = Bonus Chapter
~ ush the Story forward with your [Power Stones]