Chapter 67: Uninvited Guests
That afternoon.
Moonlight Island, Eastern Sea.
A ship bearing the symbol of Kirigakure sailed slowly across the calm waters. Along both sides of the deck, several shinobi stood on alert, their eyes scanning the surface of the sea as if expecting something to emerge.
Their wariness was well-founded—Konoha's amphibious unit had caused them significant trouble over the past few weeks.
Suddenly, a voice from the deck broke the silence.
"Look ahead! There's an island!"
The Kirigakure ninja turned to see an island in the distance. While it was still far off, its silhouette was unmistakable.
"What's the name of the island up ahead?" asked the leading jōnin, Yumura Ki.
Hearing the question, a ninja pulled out a map and studied it closely. After a moment, he replied, "Captain, it's not marked on the map."
Yumura Ki frowned but said nothing.
Although they were using the latest and most accurate nautical charts, this region of the sea was rarely explored. It wasn't unusual for smaller or uncharted islands to exist.
"Should we approach the island?" another ninja asked.
"Let's check it out," Yumura Ki said after a brief pause.
The ship adjusted its course and increased speed, heading directly toward the island now known as Moonlight Island.
---
Meanwhile.
Moonlight Island, Central Peak.
In his training chamber, Baishi exhaled deeply, relief flashing across his face.
"Finally, I've leveled up."
"System, show me my current stats."
A semi-transparent screen appeared before him:
---
[Status Panel]
Host: Baishi
Age: 10 / 70 → 71↑
Basic Attributes:
Strength: 73.6 → 84.2↑
Agility: 74.1 → 85.3↑
Constitution: 74.9 → 86.1↑
Intelligence: 73.8 → 85.6↑
Chakra: 60.5 → 96.1↑
Special Enhancements:
Spatial Perception Enhancement: VII (0.1%) → VII (13.5%)↑
Chakra Affinity: Water: VI (7.8%) / Earth: VI (8.5%) / Lightning: V (0.1%)
Regeneration: V (81.7%) → VI (4.7%)↑
Mental Resistance: V (89.5%) → VI (1.2%)↑
Wood Release: V (50.5%) → VI (0.1%)↑
Poison Resistance: IV (78.3%) → V (43.5%)↑
Heat Resistance: IV (0.1%) → V (23.6%)↑
Sensory Enhancement: IV (61.3%) → IV (92.5%)↑
Cold Resistance: IV (43.2%)
Energy-Absorbing Skin: III (31.5%) → IV (38.5%)↑
Cellular Adaptability: III (0.1%)
---
Without the "accelerated buff" effect and needing to balance his efforts across multiple enhancements, Baishi had only recently managed to raise Wood Release to level VI.
Extending his index finger, he summoned a thin vine from its tip. In moments, it grew into a small sapling.
Although this advancement mainly boosted his potential, Baishi could already sense the improvement—his control over Wood Release was smoother and required less effort.
"I can't wait to see what this can do once I fully tap into its potential," he murmured.
The vine retracted into his hand, and Baishi reviewed his progress on the panel.
In nearly four months of hard work, his four basic attributes had each increased by around 11 points, pushing them past the 80-point threshold.
The improvements in his stats extended his maximum lifespan by another year, while Mental Resistance advanced to level VI. Though Sensory Enhancement hadn't quite leveled up, it was now on the brink.
Thanks to the harsh conditions of the volcanic chamber beneath Moonlight Island, his Heat Resistance skyrocketed from IV (0.1%) to V (23.6%), with room to grow further.
Poison Resistance, though upgraded to level V, had slowed since Baishi had already become immune to most toxins.
His Energy-Absorbing Skin advanced steadily to level IV, while his Regeneration, which had been on the cusp of leveling up, finally broke through to level VI.
With nearly 100 points in Chakra, Baishi felt invincible—almost as if he possessed an immortal body.
Of course, he knew this was an illusion. A critical injury to a vital area would still kill him.
Yet, for non-fatal wounds, his Regeneration was near miraculous. He had once tested it by stabbing his arm with a kunai, and within minutes, the wound had fully healed.
"Not bad. Let's keep pushing. Maybe one day I'll truly achieve immortality."
He closed the panel and habitually extended his senses across the island.
Immediately, he sensed something was wrong.
Several unfamiliar chakra signatures were present on the island—shinobi, no doubt.
Whether they were from Kirigakure, Kumogakure, or Konoha, their presence was unwelcome.
Baishi's face darkened.
After a moment of thought, he donned his equipment and activated Flying Thunder God to teleport closer to the disturbance.
---
A Few Minutes Earlier.
Before the ship had fully docked, Yumura Ki issued orders.
"Team Aoki and Team Yosuke will stay on the ship. The rest of you, follow me ashore!"
Leading the charge, Yumura Ki dashed across the water toward Moonlight Island.
About twenty Kirigakure shinobi followed closely behind.
Upon reaching the shore, one ninja whispered, "Captain, there are people on this island!"
Yumura Ki signaled for the group to approach cautiously. Following his subordinate's gaze, he spotted several wooden huts nestled within the forest. They were primitive but clearly occupied.
"Captain, could this be a Konoha base?" one ninja asked in a hushed tone.
Frowning, Yumura Ki replied, "Unclear. Stay alert."
The team advanced carefully toward the huts.
---
Elsewhere on the island, several frightened pirates had been rounded up and surrounded by the Kirigakure shinobi.
The atmosphere was tense and silent until one of the ninjas approached Yumura Ki.
"Captain, the area's been searched. No other inhabitants detected."
"Understood." Yumura Ki nodded. He turned to the pirates and asked coldly, "Who are you?"
Faced with the intimidating shinobi, the pirates didn't dare to stay silent. They quickly confessed their identities.
"Pirates?"
Yumura Ki studied them closely and found their claim credible.
When they had apprehended the group, it had been surprisingly easy—far too easy if these were Konoha shinobi.
The same thought occurred to the rest of the team.
But for Baishi, who was watching everything unfold from the shadows, the situation was anything but simple.
(End of Chapter)
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