Chapter 62: 62 - What Binds Us
The first battle between Konoha and Kumo in the Land of Hot Water ended with Konoha's victory.
Of the roughly 800 Kumo ninjas stationed in Yu, not a single one survived. On Konoha's side, over a hundred ninjas were lost.
From the perspective of Konoha's forces, this result felt like a loss. After all, they held a significant numerical advantage.
However, Konoha's ninjas held a deep respect for the Kumo ninjas' willingness to sacrifice themselves in battle.
This attitude contrasted sharply with the other two adversaries from the Third Great Ninja War.
Most of the ninjas in this unit had never fought Kumo ninjas before; they had only heard of their reputation.
The Uchiha and Hyūga clans had fought against Kiri during the last war and still vividly recalled the Kiri ninja's behavior toward the war's end. To put it bluntly: when winning, they were as fierce as wolves, but when losing, they were more pathetic than rats.
The Sarutobi clan, on the other hand, had fought against Suna in the last war and remembered their behavior well.
They started as a mighty eagle, soaring over mountains. Then, when they faltered, what they expected to be an 'Eagle's Last Strike' turned into a full-on surrender.
Although Suna ended the war early for various reasons, this didn't stop them from becoming a laughingstock alongside Kiri during the Third Great Ninja War.
Konoha and Kumo emerged as the twin powerhouses of the shinobi world through this conflict, each following distinct paths to dominance.
The war began with Kumo's offensive against Suna, resulting in the latter's defeat. Suna then allied with their former opponent Kumo to challenge Konoha, who successfully repelled their combined assault.
While Konoha was engaged with these forces, Iwa and Kiri launched an opportunistic ambush, yet Konoha prevailed on both fronts. Kiri's brief participation in the war ended there with their decisive defeat.
Kumo then turned their attention to Iwa, while Suna switched allegiances to join Konoha.
In the war's final phase, Iwa managed to reclaim some pride by defeating this new alliance, though it wasn't enough to alter the war's outcome.
The accumulated victories and demonstrated strength settled the new order: Konoha and Kumo stood together in the top tier, followed by Iwa in the second, while Suna and Kiri's performances relegated them to the bottom rank.
For this reason, Konoha's ninjas acknowledged Kumo's strength. After today's battle, everyone agreed that their reputation was well-deserved.
The Uchiha clan, long confined within the village, sought to reassert their title as the strongest clan in the shinobi world. The Kumo ninjas were the perfect opponents to prove their strength.
The Sarutobi clan hoped to reclaim glory by collecting the heads of Kumo ninjas, aiming to rise again within Konoha's ninja society. They were tired of being belittled by the Uchiha, who mocked them as a clan of office-bound tea drinkers with more bark than bite.
The Hyūga clan's goal was simpler: they wanted to demonstrate the value of the Byakugan in protecting the village, ensuring continued support and recognition during the Fourth Hokage's era.
Fame was less important to them than the survival of their clan.
After all, both their Byakugan and the Uchiha's Sharingan had unique advantages.
The Byakugan could see through decisive factors like hidden traps, while the Sharingan could compel enemies into predictable behaviors. Working together harmoniously was always the better option.
With varied motivations, the three clans sent news of their victory back to Konoha, cleaned the battlefield, collected spoils, and began repairing Yu.
They awaited reinforcements from the main forces.
Despite the allure of Yu's famous hot springs, no one dared to indulge after witnessing the fate of the Kumo ninjas.
Intelligence revealed that the 800 Kumo ninjas they had defeated were merely an advance force sent to secure Yu.
The main force of the Kumo ninja vanguard was still sweeping through the Land of Hot Water.
They could arrive at Yu at any moment.
Thus, Konoha's forces remained vigilant even after their victory.
---
"Please, use our inns. It's the least we can do," the village elder offered, bowing deeply to Hizashi. "Each one can house thirty people comfortably."
"We appreciate the offer," Hizashi replied, "but my men will need to maintain combat readiness."
A younger innkeeper stepped forward, his clothes still dusty from the recent fighting. "If I may, shinobi-san? The rooms overlook main strategic points. The eastern wing faces the valley approach, and the western wing has a clear view of the mountain pass."
Hizashi's stern expression softened slightly. "You understand our concerns well."
"We've lived with ninja long enough to know the ways of war," the elder added. "The buildings are designed with quick access to rooftops, and each room has at least two exits."
An Uchiha jonin who had been listening nearby turned to Hizashi. "Better than sleeping in the open. Tired shinobi make mistakes."
"The hot springs are still off-limits," Hizashi stated firmly, looking at both the villagers and his troops. Several ninja tried to hide their disappointment.
"Of course, of course," the elder nodded quickly. "But we can at least offer proper beds and hot meals. Our cooks are already preparing dinner."
"Speaking of which," the innkeeper added, "we have storage rooms full of preserved food. Should help with your supplies."
Hizashi surveyed the village, watching as locals and ninja worked side by side to clear debris and repair buildings. Some Yu ninja were already setting up defensive positions alongside Konoha forces.
"Very well," he decided. "We'll accept your hospitality. Arrange the rotations. I want three shifts, full perimeter coverage."
"Already on it, Hizashi-sama," a Hyūga jonin said.
---
During rest time, Masashi eagerly unwrapped his proverbial loot.
He considered himself incredibly lucky.
In his first battle, he encountered someone adept at using Lightning Release chakra—and even got a head as a trophy.
He felt that the nickname "Konoha's Lucky Hand" suited him better. It had such a pleasant ring to it, full of auspicious meaning.
Unfortunately, nicknames were always given by enemies, leaving him with little say. Thinking about the ridiculous moniker given to him by the Kiri ninjas irked him a bit, though luckily, it hadn't spread to the mainland.
White Ghost? Who comes up with these names?
Knock, knock…
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing Pakura.
Masashi smiled. He had noticed her actions during the battle.
At first, she seemed hesitant, but she soon adapted and coordinated well with the others.
"How was your first battle as a Konoha ninja?" he asked.
"Not bad." Pakura looked at him, feeling conflicted. She observed his relaxed posture, the way he seemed completely at ease despite the recent battle.
She watched as he organized the scrolls on his desk. One scroll caught her eye—detailed notes on temperature manipulation.
So he's still refining it.
"That jutsu you used in the battle..." she started, then paused.
"Ah, that." Masashi looked up with a slight smile. "You recognized it, of course."
"You've mastered it completely." When he had first approached her about learning Scorch Release, she had laughed.
No one in Suna had ever managed to replicate it.
"Thanks to your guidance," Masashi replied smoothly. And my own capabilities, of course.
Not only had he succeeded, but he was now using it nearly as effectively as she was.
To be fair, he had shared plenty of techniques with her, making it seem like a fair exchange.
However, Pakura noticed her position in Konoha had become increasingly awkward.
People often came to her with comments like, "Masashi is off drinking tea again."
What did his tea drinking have to do with her? And wasn't drinking tea normal? It wasn't like he was drinking sake.
Wait, even if he were drinking sake, it still wouldn't matter to her.
Logically, Pakura understood that having such a connection might benefit her, but she had never considered this kind of relationship back in Suna.
She wasn't naive anymore, nor did she view such matters through a childish lens.
Masashi, as a partner, was undoubtedly the dream of many women: strong, capable, and kind-hearted.
But she was Suna's hero, and the number of men she had killed with her Scorch Release was uncountable.
What man would be interested in someone like her?
Who wouldn't fear being incinerated by her technique in their sleep?
Moreover, she was older than him—by five years.
Pakura, despite never having been in a relationship, felt she understood men well.
They all shared one trait: staying true to their original aspirations.
Even on their deathbeds, they'd still prefer 18-year-old girls.
She suddenly felt her mood take a downturn. Why am I even thinking about this? There's a war to fight.
Although Pakura's reason for seeking him out was unclear, Masashi still sat with her for a good chat.
"You seem troubled," he observed, noting the slight tension in her shoulders. "Settling into the clan well enough?"
"The clan has been... accommodating. Your relatives are quite different from what I expected."
Of course they are. We're not the monsters Suna painted us as. Masashi kept his expression neutral.
He was pleased to see that Pakura was gradually settling into her new role and becoming accustomed to her current identity.
By Uchiha clan standards, her strength was impressive.
The power of her Scorch Release lay in its "untouchable" nature, and avoiding contact in a ninja battle was exceedingly difficult.
Her contribution to the clan's combat strength made Masashi quite proud.
He was truly a man who worried tirelessly about his clan.
Pakura, however, seemed preoccupied, though it wasn't unusual for a young woman to have concerns.
After comforting her and saying goodbye, Masashi reviewed his notes on Scorch Release before returning to his Lightning Release Chakra Mode research.
"The chakra distribution is similar to the Hyūga's technique," one of his clones noted, "but the application is completely different."
Yes, and that's exactly what makes it fascinating, Masashi thought, examining the scrolls spread before him.
It was indeed a useful technique, though... It wasn't exactly user-friendly.
The issue wasn't his mastery of lightning nature transformation but rather the nature of the technique itself.
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode was classified as a B-rank jutsu, on par with the difficulty of the Majestic Demolisher Flame.
However, while the chakra control required was comparable, the overall difficulty of mastering the Lightning Release Chakra Mode was far higher than that of the Majestic Demolisher Flame.
The technique involved releasing chakra continuously from the entire body while applying lightning nature transformation. This not only heightened physical vitality but also turned the lightning into a kind of armor.
And this aspect was the most challenging part of the technique.
To continuously release chakra from all the body's chakra points, a ninja needed a robust physique capable of handling the strain. This also required an enormous amount of chakra.
At first glance, it seemed that the only requirement was having plenty of chakra. However, the real problem lay in the rarity of individuals in the shinobi world who could release chakra from all their chakra points simultaneously.
Most ninjas could only release chakra from specific points, such as the hands and feet, at a given time. This applied even to the direct descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, such as the Senju and Uchiha clans.
The one exception in Konoha was the Hyūga clan.
The Hyūga's understanding and control over chakra points were unparalleled in the shinobi world. They could not only enhance chakra flow through the points but also control its release.
This ability allowed them to release chakra from their entire body, which was the foundation for techniques like the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven.
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode of Kumo required a similar full-body chakra release, akin to the Eight Gates Formation, though it was not as extreme.
However, it also came with risks.
Releasing chakra from the entire body required exceptional physical vitality, and the process itself was painful. Without a strong body, it was essentially self-harm.
Only those fully committed to physical training could hope to use this technique effectively. Even then, mastering it to a high level was incredibly difficult.
Take, for example, the Kumo jonin whom Masashi had killed.
He had used the Lightning Release Chakra Mode but had been crushed by Masashi's Sage Art: Mighty Hand Transformation.
He had to admit that while the Lightning Release Chakra Mode appeared powerful, it was useless to him.
The chakra amount required for this mode could instead be used to conjure a massive technique, making it far more cost-effective.
Still, the chakra utilization method itself was worth studying.
Kakashi's Chidori was essentially a partial application of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Chidori, however, focused more on the nature transformation of chakra. Using the same amount of chakra, Chidori's nature transformation was more refined. In today's shinobi world, Chidori represented the pinnacle of lightning nature transformation.
But when it came to the combination of lightning and physical combat, the Lightning Release Chakra Mode of Kumo was far superior. Its chakra release method was more advanced, and its execution speed was quicker.
Nominally classified as a B-rank technique, it offered unique insights into chakra usage.
For instance, the Lightning Body Flicker, a high-speed movement technique, was perfected through this method.
Masashi, however, didn't need to reach Kumo's extreme standards. He could simply release chakra from his feet, making his Lightning Body Flicker as effective as the Flying Thunder God.
Realizing this, he was satisfied, his mind bursting with new ideas.
He retracted his earlier judgment: this technique wasn't useless; it was excellent.
Once he fully grasped its principles, he could use them to optimize other jutsu.
In high spirits, he decided to seize this opportunity to train intensively. Once he mastered the principles, he would apply them to gain real insights.
---
For the next few days, he immersed himself in relentless practice.
As usual, he summoned ten shadow clones to assist him.
"Even during war preparation..." a passing Hyūga member muttered, shaking his head.
"The Uchiha never cease to surprise."
Anyone passing by his room would hear constant rumbling noises.
The Uchiha clan members were accustomed to this, but the Sarutobi and Hyūga clans were curious.
It was rare to see someone training so intensely during a war.
"What if an enemy attacks and he has no chakra left?" A young Sarutobi asked his senior.
"That's why he has guards posted," the senior replied, nodding toward the subtle chakra signatures around Masashi's quarters.
Pakura was also unfazed. She had already witnessed Masashi's intense training regime since coming to Konoha.
However, there were times when she couldn't find him at night. Once, when she wanted to chat, she searched the tea houses in the northern district but couldn't locate him.
Whenever she asked about him, people just smiled mysteriously.
It was so strange.
But considering that he had saved her life, and she didn't feel close to anyone else, Pakura decided to move her room next to his.
Time flew by, and days passed since the battle at Yu ended. Kumo's army was still nowhere to be seen. Despite multiple search missions, the Konoha ninjas stationed in Yu found no traces of them.
It was as if the Kumo ninjas had vanished.
No one believed they had retreated. Anyone could tell they were preparing for something big.
As time went on, the atmosphere in the Land of Hot Water grew heavier.
After several more days, Masashi finally broke his cycle of eating, training, and sleeping. He opened his door, his hair standing on end comically.
There were also scars on his skin, red marks where lightning had burned through his defenses.
Pakura thought he must have gone overboard. With a major battle looming, he had left himself in such a state.
"What have you done to yourself?" she asked bluntly.
Masashi was taken aback but then smiled. "It's nothing, just some surface wounds. I can fix them quickly with medical ninjutsu."
Having someone express concern felt nice. With his usual companions like Tetsuka absent, he had been feeling a bit lonely.
"What if the enemy attacks? Will you have time to recover?" Pakura retorted coldly.
"That's what you're here for," Masashi replied with a small smile.
He was aware that she had moved next to him and was quietly grateful.
Good deeds did bring rewards. He gained another friend in the shinobi world.
"Masashi, I'm alive because of you, and that's why I decided to come to Konoha. You remember that, right?" Her expression remained neutral.
"Of course. It was a good decision. Konoha is much better than Suna," Masashi nodded.
"I'm not a Konoha ninja, nor a citizen of the Land of Fire. I'm no longer a Suna kunoichi either," Pakura said. "My life was saved by you, so you're the only person I can trust. In other words…"
She said flatly, "If you die, I will probably die too. If you expect me to serve the Uchiha clan, then please live a little longer."
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