Currently unable to use his Byakugan or Wind Release, Yang Release had become Hyuga Yu's primary means of dealing with enemies.
However, it was glaringly obvious that this attribute—the absolute pinnacle of the shinobi world, considered high-end tech even in the Ōtsutsuki world—was unbelievably difficult to develop.
Even though he had taken a shortcut by relying on his Tenseigan chakra, Hyuga Yu's development of Yang Release was still less than one percent. Optimistically speaking, he had a vast amount of room to grow. Realistically, however, it was impossible for him to make any further progress in Yang Release in the short term.
The power of Yang Release paired with Hyuga Yu's current stats was enough to ensure he could roam the shinobi world safely and without worry, but the flaws were also glaring. When dealing with Kakuzu, Yu had only succeeded in subduing him through the mutual connection of Earth Grudge Fear, which was a victory based entirely on a mechanical counter.
Under normal circumstances, if Yang Release: Organic Mutual Consumption failed to hit the enemy, Hyuga Yu would be left passively taking hits. Therefore, he needed to quickly forge a brand-new tactical system to face his foes.
To rapidly increase his strength in a short time, the fastest method for Hyuga Yu was to unlock the basic capabilities of his Tenseigan chakra in other elemental natures. Fortuitously, the appearance of Earth Grudge Fear provided a method akin to riding a rocket on a fast track. By utilizing the heart-stealing ability of Earth Grudge Fear, he could entirely bypass the tedious, years-long traditional process of mastering chakra nature and shape transformations, directly allowing his body to acquire the chakra nature corresponding to the stolen heart.
Then, by utilizing a high-level, macro-perspective mastery over this chakra nature, he could reverse-engineer his proficiency in basic elemental chakra application, thereby rapidly activating new abilities of his Tenseigan chakra.
Of course, aside from Earth Grudge Fear, Hyuga Yu was not without other means—for instance, "Shadow Clone Technique!"
After asking Kakuzu for guidance on this basic ninjutsu, it took Hyuga Yu only half an hour to master the B-rank Shadow Clone Technique. At this point, after several rounds of evolution and transformation, his massive, Grade-9 level chakra was more than enough to support him creating multiple clones to train simultaneously.
After completing this step, Hyuga Yu borrowed some money from Kakuzu to rent the entire inn. He split off seven shadow clones, using his ability to divide his mind seven ways to simultaneously allocate focus to each clone. Each clone took on a different task, researching and developing the newly obtained Fire Release chakra from seven distinct angles by utilizing the Fire Release chakra control granted by Earth Grudge Fear.
Dividing his mind seven ways ensured that each of his clones could operate exactly like Hyuga Yu himself, utilizing a developed brain capacity far beyond normal humans to perform ultra-high-speed Fire Release training with abilities like "photographic memory" and "reading ten lines at a glance."
In this way, stacking the five cheats of Tenseigan chakra, Earth Grudge Fear, the Shadow Clone Technique, a seven-way divided mind, and a superhuman brain capacity, Hyuga Yu's training speed was like riding a rocket, skyrocketing upward.
This training efficiency was even greater than the future Naruto's use of thousands of Multi-Shadow Clones to slice a waterfall during his Wind Release training. He wouldn't be like Naruto, letting thousands of himself obsess over the exact same problem and mindlessly run into a brick wall. Instead, he deepened his understanding of Fire Release from seven completely different directions, rapidly taking notes, communicating with each other, confirming their findings, and finally comparing them against the answers provided by Earth Grudge Fear's Fire Release heart. This constantly optimized Hyuga Yu's understanding of Fire Release, even surpassing ordinary shinobi's comprehension of Fire Release nature transformation in certain aspects!
Soon, amidst this intense training, the floor of the inn unknowingly became piled high with scratch paper written on by the seven Hyuga Yus.
If a shinobi highly skilled in Fire Release were to come here, pick up, and integrate these notes, they would discover that it was shockingly a peerless Fire Release manual that started from zero and rapidly advanced Fire Release training to the pinnacle of the world!
In the process, Hyuga Yu quickly digested the core mechanics of Fire Release, rapidly mastering advanced skills such as "Chakra-to-Flame Conversion," "Chakra Fuel Control," "Combustion, Density, and Temperature Deformation of the Fire Attribute," "Precise Control of Shape Transformation Combined with Nature Transformation," "Fusion of Fire Release with Other Natures," "Exploration of the Advanced Fire Release Form: Blaze Release," "Combining Flame Structuring with Spiritual Power," "Fire Release Hand Sign Simplification," and various other high-level techniques...
A Fire Release Chakra Mode, distinct from the Wind Release Chakra Mode, was being rapidly developed by Hyuga Yu.
Furthermore, the progress of the project to combine the Fire Release factor with the Caged Bird chakra to give birth to Fire Release Tenseigan Chakra was also being pushed forward at an extremely frantic pace by Hyuga Yu.
A terrifying ultimate Tenseigan-side Fire Release, which took embryonic form after completing the nature and shape transformations of Fire Release: Blazing Sun Fire, was also taking shape bit by bit during this process...
While Hyuga Yu was training frantically, Kakuzu stared at his empty wallet on one hand and his cheap boss's exaggerated training method on the other. Shock involuntarily pooled in his eyes, feeling as though his worldview as a traditional shinobi had been completely overturned...
He had never imagined that a shinobi could use this kind of "stepping on your left foot with your right foot" method to boost training efficiency to such an exaggerated degree. Almost visible to the naked eye, within a single day, his cheap boss went from knowing absolutely nothing about Fire Release to rapidly reaching a level equal to Kakuzu's own, and even...
He was about to overtake him entirely!
Looking at such a crazy Heavenly Ninja, this crazy Hyuga Yu, Kakuzu couldn't understand it, yet he couldn't help but wonder—
He is already this strong. Looking across the entire shinobi world, there are barely any figures left who can be called his opponents. But, but why is he still so obsessed with becoming stronger?
Is he afraid?
That Heavenly Ninja, who is already nearly as powerful as the God of Shinobi—what on earth is he afraid of?
What is the difference between the world seen through the Heavenly Ninja's blazing golden eyes and the world he sees himself?
And why, just by watching Hyuga Yu constantly forge ahead, did a sense of urgency, like a noose tightening around his throat, inexplicably well up in the depths of Kakuzu's heart...
As well as a feeling that had long since died out in his youth—like an ant trying to shake a giant tree, the feeling he had when facing that God of Shinobi...
Resentment?
Outside the messy room, Kakuzu stuffed his empty wallet back into his pocket, his eyes filled with a dazed look as he muttered to himself, "That's right... only a shinobi like this can naturally reach the heights of the God of Shinobi!"
"And as for me, have I been idle for too many years?"
While Hyuga Yu was undergoing arduous and frantic training in order to capture Hiruko, on the other side, in a desert wasteland in the western part of the Land of Rivers, close to the Land of Wind...
Inside Hiruko's secret laboratory.
Two panting figures stood on opposite sides of the spacious laboratory, facing off against each other.
The laboratory floor was littered with various kunai, shuriken, poisoned senbon, shredded puppet fragments, huge craters, spiderweb-like cracks, and... a massive amount of Iron Sand.
Yet strangely, even though it looked as if it had been ravaged by the aftershocks of a battle akin to an eighth-degree gale, the jars, bottles, and various expensive second-hand cutting-edge equipment on the lab benches on both sides were completely unscathed.
With a grave expression, Hiruko stared at the handsome, red-haired youth across from him whose hood had been shredded and whose face was bruised and battered. Darkening his face, Hiruko demanded, "Who on earth are you?!"
"This kind of Puppet Mastery is practically close to the height of the Second Kazekage, Shamon! You are definitely no nobody. State your name!"
"Humph!" The bruised, red-haired youth glared venomously at Hiruko, who was beaten bloody and whose body looked as though it were about to burst apart. Narrowing his eyes, he sneered, "What a powerful body. A shinobi possessing four Kekkei Genkai... This is the first time I've ever seen one, and the first time I've been pushed to this extent by someone."
"As a collection piece, you are now qualified to know your master's name—"
The red-haired youth paused, curling his lips into a smirk as he slowly pulled open his black robe. His hand gripped the final scroll hanging from his waist, and he laughed coldly as he announced his name: "Sasori."
"Sasori of the Red Sand!"
Hearing this, Hiruko's gaze focused, staring at Sasori's overly young face. "I see. You are that grandson of Sunagakure's Elder Chiyo."
"Furthermore..." Hiruko stared at the special puppet beside Sasori, which was being manipulated as easily as his own arm. "The Third Kazekage who went missing from the Hidden Sand Village was actually killed by you!"
At this thought, Hiruko swept a dark look over Sasori, instantly giving rise to the intention to retreat.
With his four Kekkei Genkai, he should have held the upper hand in a battle against Sasori. However, his Steel Release was countered by the Third Kazekage puppet Sasori controlled, and his Swift Release struggled to break through Sasori's Hiruko puppet, which was constantly firing a massive amount of AoE ninja tools like a hedgehog. Also, Sasori had surrounded himself with all sorts of lethal, tripwire-activated poisonous traps; every time Hiruko successfully closed in and was about to kill Sasori, he was forced back by these traps.
This guy's level of trickiness was practically like a mini-Hyuga Yu!
Most importantly, he had been beaten half to death by Hyuga Yu not long ago. His Chimera body was on the verge of forcing itself apart, making his execution of various Kekkei Genkai a beat slower. In a battle between Kage-level shinobi, being a beat slower meant having an almost fatal flaw.
Meanwhile, Sasori, who originally thought victory was assured, was also staring at Hiruko with a dark expression. Hiruko's four Kekkei Genkai were ridiculously strong: Swift Release constantly broke through his Hiruko puppet's defenses, Dark Release could directly absorb his Fire Release sealing scrolls, and Storm Release swatted away large quantities of hidden weapons launched at him. If this man hadn't been carrying prior injuries, the Third Kazekage puppet's impact on his Steel Release wouldn't have been this pronounced.
This time... he had almost capsized in a shallow ditch, nearly beaten to death by this unknown nobody hiding in the Land of Rivers. Most importantly, Sasori had absolutely no way to intercept Hiruko, who possessed Swift Release. The opponent could leave whenever he wanted and fight whenever he wanted. Even if he drove the man away now and forcibly seized this base, the subsequent trouble would likely be endless.
If they continued fighting, the gains wouldn't match the price that needed to be paid at all.
With this thought, Sasori suddenly straightened his body, manipulating the Third Kazekage puppet to return behind him. Then, quickly switching his expression, he lightly rested his hand on his final scroll behind his back while calmly glancing at the confronting Hiruko. He spoke indifferently, "The Second Shamon, and that old hag... You actually know so much. It seems your age doesn't match your appearance."
Hearing this, Hiruko frowned but maintained his combat stance, barking coldly, "What do you mean?"
"Let's put a stop to this for now."
Sasori suddenly spoke, abruptly changing the subject. He looked at Hiruko with a gaze full of disdain mixed with a hint of recognition. "Although killing you would be a simple matter as long as I use this final scroll..."
"...you have barely managed to prove yourself through this clash. Therefore, I have decided to give you an opportunity."
Hiruko became even more vigilant. "An opportunity?"
Sasori said calmly, "Did you know that yesterday, Konoha's Heavenly Ninja, who mediated the civil war in the Land of Rain, set out from the Hidden Rain Village and headed straight for the Land of Rivers?"
Hearing this, Hiruko's eyes instantly flickered as he looked at Sasori with some surprise. "You want to make a move on the Heavenly Ninja?"
Sasori didn't deny it, only stating calmly, "In terms of offense, I already have the Third Kazekage. However, puppet materials that possess speed, strength, and an indestructible, powerful defense to perfect my tactical system are exceedingly rare."
"In the current shinobi world, there are only two shinobi best suited to become part of my collection!"
"The Fourth Raikage, A, and... Konoha's Heavenly Ninja."
Hearing Sasori's boastful words, Hiruko couldn't help but sneer, casting a disdainful glance at the Third Kazekage behind Sasori. In terms of offense?
The Heavenly Ninja's Wind Release destructive power is way more impressive than your ragged Third Kazekage puppet!
The Third Kazekage's Magnet Release hits me and at most scrapes off a layer of skin, but when the Heavenly Ninja's giant azure Wind Release sword came crashing down, if he hadn't missed slightly back then, it really would have claimed my life!
However, Hiruko didn't rush to reject Sasori's proposal. While warily keeping an eye on the final scroll Sasori held, guessing what Sasori's trump card could be, he immediately thought that right now, he happened to lack a partner as well!
Something must have happened to the Heavenly Ninja, causing him to lose his Wind Release and Byakugan, severely crippling his combat power. That was why he needed to hire that S-rank rogue ninja from Takigakure as a bodyguard. As long as Sasori could help him delay Kakuzu, he could capture such a weakened Heavenly Ninja!
Then, he would force the "ultimate ratio for the Chimera Technique" out of that Hyuga brat's mouth, completely perfecting the flaws of the Chimera Technique to grant himself true immortality, unify the Five Great Shinobi Nations, and become the ruler of the world!
From then on, no one would ever look down on him again!
The so-called Legendary Sannin—that fool Jiraiya, the arrogant Orochimaru, the short-tempered Tsunade...
Humph, in the future, they would only be fit to look up at his back!
Just thinking about it made him a little excited!
With these thoughts, Hiruko's expression remained unchanged as he coldly inquired of Sasori, "Heh, you want to capture the Heavenly Ninja, Hyuga Yu?"
"Then do you know what they came to the Land of Rivers to do?"
Sasori sneered, yet spoke with absolute certainty, "On the surface, the Heavenly Ninja mediated the civil war in the Land of Rain, forcing Hanzo to flee and pushing the Akatsuki organization into power. But in reality, he must have provoked Iwagakure behind Hanzo because of this. He likely caught wind of something, so he proactively left the Land of Rain to lay low in the Land of Rivers. At the same time, he intends to rendezvous with his subordinates from Konoha's Foundation to prepare to fight his way back into the Land of Rain, vying for leverage in the peace talks with Iwagakure on April 1st."
"Otherwise, what else could he be doing in this remote Land of Rivers?"
He could also be here to hunt me down!
Hiruko couldn't help but retort internally, but soon, he felt that Sasori of the Red Sand's reasoning made quite a lot of sense. As a shinobi from the same generation as the Sannin, Hiruko was highly confident in his stealth methods. Sasori before him was merely an anomaly. If it weren't for the fact that the other party possessed astounding intelligence, roamed the Land of Rivers year-round, and he himself had been forced to leave too many flaws during his last escape from Hyuga Yu, this guy would likely never have found his hiding place. If that was true for Sasori of the Red Sand, it was even more so for Hyuga Yu, who had never set foot in the Land of Rivers before!
Thinking up to this point, Hiruko's eyes rolled as his attitude softened slightly. Looking at Sasori, he asked with a cold laugh, "You mean you want me to join forces with you?"
"How could I possibly trust you? Furthermore, what good does hunting down the Heavenly Ninja do for me?"
Sasori also stared back at Hiruko, sneering, "Stop pretending!"
"The bounty hunter who attacked the Heavenly Ninja in the Land of Hot Springs last time was you, wasn't it?"
"It was precisely by following the tracks you left during your escape that I found this place, so..."
Sasori curled his lips, stating with absolute certainty word by word, "...you must definitely have designs on the Heavenly Ninja as well!"
"!" Hiruko's gaze couldn't help but narrow once more as he looked at Sasori.
Observing the change in Hiruko's expression, Sasori let out an even colder smile, wearing a look that clearly said "everything is under my control" as he spoke calmly to Hiruko, "Listen—"
"I have a plan that will absolutely beat that Konoha Heavenly Ninja to his knees, begging for mercy. I just need you to cooperate with me..."
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