Yomi Castle, Shogun’s Residence, outer court.
Compared to the inner court, the layout of the outer court was far more complex and tightly planned. Almost every building carried some military function.
Rather than a residence, it was more accurate to call it a massive military fortress.
Training Ground No. 1.
“Earth Style: Iron Skin!”
Kakuzu’s powerful voice rang through the air.
Under the enhancement of Earth Style ninjutsu, his right arm rapidly darkened, becoming harder than steel.
While providing defensive power, it also granted tremendous destructive force.
Clang!
A samurai sword struck Kakuzu’s blackened arm, producing a fierce metallic collision.
Around the surface of the incoming sword, an incredibly sharp layer of tangible chakra flowed at high speed like a raging current.
Because that tangible chakra moved along the blade at such astonishing speed, it created violent friction with the air, producing a faint, grating screech.
After using Earth Style, Kakuzu’s right arm had become far harder than steel. Although he successfully blocked the samurai sword’s attack, a deep cut was still carved into his arm.
Yet that deep wound did not last long. It began healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The one wielding the samurai sword and fighting Kakuzu was a man in his thirties with long hair tied into a single ponytail: Kurobei.
He was the leader of the Land of Night’s samurai, one of the shogun’s right-hand men, a warrior who erupted with terrifying battle instincts the moment he stepped onto the battlefield.
During the war that founded the Land of Night, he had been a terrifying presence whose slaughter was second only to Yayoi’s.
In terms of killing efficiency, even Kakuzu, a ninja, felt somewhat inferior.
In raw strength, Kurobei was also a powerful opponent Kakuzu had always wanted to surpass.
Kurobei has gotten even stronger at chakra infusion. As expected, close combat was the wrong choice. When fighting him, the best method is to kite him from range and never let him get close...
After finishing that thought, Kakuzu quickly retreated, preparing to open up a safe distance.
However, Kurobei clung to him like a shadow. The moment Kakuzu began to move, Kurobei suddenly flashed in front of him, reversed his grip on the sword, and thrust the tip fiercely toward Kakuzu’s body.
With no other choice, Kakuzu used Iron Skin again, refining a large amount of chakra in one breath and hardening the area about to be pierced.
Clang!
He blocked Kurobei’s attack again. A wound was stabbed into his body. Then water splashed beneath his feet as he quickly broke away from Kurobei.
After using Water Body Flicker, Kakuzu’s speed became more than a level faster than before.
Once his body landed, he formed hand seals quickly, then slammed both hands onto the ground.
“Earth Style: Rupturing Earth Palm!”
The ground tore open. Chunks of rock either sank downward or rose upward, forming uneven terrain in an instant.
Kurobei, who was charging toward Kakuzu, was obstructed for a moment by the sudden change in terrain. Then he swung his samurai sword, carving a cold arc of tangible sword energy through the air and sending it slashing toward Kakuzu at astonishing speed.
The flying sword energy roared like a beast. The wind pressure it carried made Kakuzu’s clothes snap loudly.
The wind pressure that arrived with the sword energy also had a suppressive force. It was meant to lock down the enemy’s body and make movement difficult.
It was not ninjutsu, but by controlling the flow of air with tangible sword energy, it produced an immobilizing effect similar to the Paralysis Jutsu.
“Earth Style: Mud Wall!”
Realizing the danger, Kakuzu immediately released powerful chakra, dispersing the intense wind pressure that arrived before the sword energy.
Then his hands rapidly formed seals, and his palms struck the ground as he cast an Earth Style jutsu.
A towering earthen wall, one meter thick, rose from the ground in front of Kakuzu.
Boom!
The sword energy released from Kurobei’s samurai sword struck the tall earth wall, leaving a deep scar several meters long. The instant it triggered an explosion, a large amount of dust sprayed outward, rolling up a thick cloud.
The sword mark stretched from the wall down into the ground, reaching half a meter deep. It was shocking to look at.
“Good thing I used extra chakra to cast Mud Wall. Otherwise...”
An ordinary Mud Wall was less than half a meter thick. With the power of the sword energy Kurobei had released, even if it could not match a full-power slash at close range, it would still be enough to split apart an ordinary earth wall made by Earth Style.
Because Kakuzu had considered this, he had refined more chakra and reinforced the wall’s thickness.
“In that case, I’ll use the ninjutsu I stole recently.”
“Water Style: Tengu Cannon!”
Kakuzu’s battle awareness and experience were not to be underestimated. As if he already knew Kurobei would appear on his right, he formed hand seals, opened his mouth, and fired a water sphere less than twenty centimeters in diameter to the right.
Kurobei, who had attacked from that side, suddenly widened his eyes. The keen perception he had honed between life and death made him instantly dodge to the side, abandoning the idea of cutting the water sphere apart with his sword.
Although it looked no different from an ordinary water sphere, and its size could not compare at all to the fireball released by Great Fireball Jutsu, the samurai’s instincts told him that if he recklessly cut it, something dangerous would happen.
Sure enough, boom!
On the training ground, a small mountain used to simulate real combat was struck by the water sphere. The instant it was hit, it triggered a loud explosion.
A large amount of dust and thick smoke scattered, almost filling the entire training ground.
The terrifying shockwave tore up the ground and swept away boulders, rolling outward in every direction.
Some small flying stones even struck Kurobei’s body, making a rustling sound.
When the smoke and dust dispersed, Kurobei barely opened his eyes and immediately drew in a breath of cold air.
The solid mountain, originally more than thirty meters tall, now had a hemispherical crater over ten meters wide carved into it, as if someone had gouged out a massive chunk.
The core area that had taken the direct hit had been blasted into powder, drifting through the air.
That astonishing destructive force made it hard to imagine that it had come from a water sphere less than twenty centimeters wide.
With just a little more power, the entire small mountain would have collapsed.
And the cause of all this was an ordinary-looking water sphere whose appearance and power were completely mismatched.
This Water Style jutsu was far too deceptive.
“Kakuzu, you bastard. Were you trying to kill me with such a dangerous move?”
Cold sweat appeared on Kurobei’s face, and lingering fear filled his heart.
If his instincts had not been sharp, he might really have fallen to that attack.
With his body tempered through countless battles, he would not have died, but lying in the hospital for at least half a month was easy to imagine. If things went badly, the bones in both arms he used to wield his sword might have been seriously cracked.
“Uh, sorry, sorry. I didn’t control the power of that jutsu well.”
Kakuzu laughed awkwardly. He had not expected that after refining a large amount of chakra to use this move, its power would rise to this level. Even he had been startled.
Two months ago, through Earth Grudge Fear, he had finally obtained his first heart.
The other party had been a ninja who had fled into the Land of Night. His Tengu Cannon had caused Kakuzu a great deal of trouble.
In the end, Kakuzu had relied on the advantage of having more chakra, dragging the opponent out until he was exhausted before barely subduing him.
Then, through Earth Grudge Fear’s blood-vessel-like tendrils, Kakuzu had taken the other party’s heart. At the same time, he obtained this Tengu Cannon jutsu, which had greatly tempted him.
Its power did not disappoint him. Even Kurobei, a powerful samurai who could casually cut apart ninjutsu, did not dare take this attack head-on.
Against large summons with thick skin and tough flesh, this Water Style jutsu could also inflict tremendous damage.
And because Yayoi had modified Earth Grudge Fear’s performance, even stolen ninjutsu could be used directly by Kakuzu’s main body. He did not need to release a separate body before using the stolen jutsu.
“Forget it. I’m done. That Water Style jutsu of yours is too powerful. I don’t want to end up covered in injuries.”
Kurobei sheathed his samurai sword and decided to end the fight.
The corners of Kakuzu’s mouth curved beneath his mask. Clearly, he had seen through Kurobei’s true hesitation.
After all, if the fight continued, Kakuzu had the higher chance of winning.
Not to mention, he had not yet used Earth Grudge Fear’s tendrils to assist in combat.
Otherwise, with the interference of Earth Grudge Fear’s tendrils combined with that Water Style jutsu, Kurobei would absolutely fail to dodge if caught off guard.
Next, as long as I obtain three more hearts, I can bring Earth Grudge Fear’s power to its limit. I’m looking forward to that.
Having finally surpassed Kurobei, Kakuzu stopped in a good mood.
After this, he needed to pay attention to ninja who used powerful Lightning Style, Wind Style, and Fire Style.
As long as he obtained their hearts, he would be able to steal their jutsus and freely use all five chakra natures.
Once he reached that point, perhaps he could even try challenging a tailed beast.
“Speaking of which, Kakuzu, you really have grown fast. It has only been a year, and you’ve already caught up to me.”
Kurobei sighed with emotion.
In past sparring matches, Kakuzu had never beaten him once.
A year ago, he and Kakuzu had sparred as well. The result went without saying. Kakuzu had been chased around and cut down by him, unable to find any chance to cast ninjutsu.
Yet he had not expected the other party to improve so drastically within a single year and surpass him in one breath.
Not only ninjutsu, even his taijutsu had undergone a qualitative change.
In the past, even when Kakuzu used Water Body Flicker, Kurobei had still pursued him into a miserable state.
As for the battle just now, if it had continued, Kurobei would undoubtedly have lost.
“However, that jutsu from earlier wasn’t yours, was it?”
Kurobei paused, his gaze carrying a hint of inquiry.
Although it sounded like a question, Kurobei had clearly confirmed something.
“You can tell?”
Kakuzu was slightly surprised.
“I know your level in Water Style. That Water Style jutsu just now doesn’t look like something you could develop, especially in such a short time. After all, what you’re best at is Earth Style.”
Although he was not a ninja, Kurobei’s eye for combat was sharper than many ninja’s.
To train the water-nature chakra transformation to the level of power shown earlier, at a normal training speed, Kakuzu would need at least another two or three years before he could touch that standard.
“...”
Kakuzu fell silent.
That was the truth. Although his talent was excellent, a Water Style jutsu of that level was indeed not something that could be casually developed.
A single strike could leave such a crater in a solid mountain more than thirty meters tall. The core impact point had even been blasted into powder. Even a tailed beast taking that attack head-on would feel pain and let out a muffled grunt.
“This is a forbidden jutsu Yayoi-sama gave me. That Water Style jutsu from earlier was something I took from someone else.”
In the end, Kakuzu still offered a brief explanation.
As for more information, it was inconvenient for Kakuzu to reveal it.
It was not that he distrusted Kurobei, his colleague. Rather, this was simply what ninja were like.
The secrets of ninjutsu sometimes could not be fully revealed even to allies.
Not to guard against allies, but to prevent intelligence from leaking out.
“I see. Then it’s not strange. Yayoi-sama really does always pull out odd things that can make people stronger. But a forbidden jutsu... are you really all right?”
Kurobei looked at Kakuzu with concern.
A forbidden jutsu, while granting power, inevitably carried tremendous risks. Sometimes, it could even endanger one’s life.
“So far, there haven’t been any negative reactions. Barring accidents, this forbidden jutsu is highly compatible with me.”
Although he said that, Kakuzu’s tone still carried a trace of caution.
He had personally experienced how powerful Earth Grudge Fear was. Using jutsus stolen from others felt no different from using jutsus he had trained himself, and the effects were even better.
Through practice, he could even make those jutsus stronger. They were not fixed forever.
As for the risks, although none had appeared yet, Kakuzu remained constantly alert for the backlash that a forbidden jutsu could bring at any time.
“I really envy you ninja. Even if I wanted to use something like that, I couldn’t... sigh.”
Kurobei suddenly sighed.
If one could become a ninja, who would choose to become a samurai?
Samurai, essentially, were half-finished products left behind by those who could not become ninja.
When he was young, he too had dreamed of becoming a great ninja.
Unfortunately, his talent for ninjutsu and genjutsu was too poor. Although Yayoi had taught him some beginner-level ninjutsu, he had still been completely lost, unable to understand the principles behind ninjutsu and genjutsu.
In the end, he simply chose to walk one path to the end, constantly tempering his chakra and swordsmanship.
He wanted to prove that even if he could not become a ninja, with only taijutsu and swordsmanship, he could still become a powerful warrior who inspired fear and respect.
Kakuzu did not respond. Comforting him now would only be like reopening this friend’s old wound.
“So this is where you two are. Perfect. Saves me the trouble of looking for you one by one.”
A voice silently appeared in the training ground.
“Yayoi-sama!”
Kakuzu and Kurobei followed the source of the voice and suddenly turned their heads toward the distance, surprise appearing on their faces.
Yayoi was dressed in traveling ninja clothes, with a black coat printed with red spider lily patterns worn over them.
Beside him followed a young female ninja. It was Kichō.
Like Yayoi, she had shed her usual elegant and beautiful kimono and changed into a light-purple ninja outfit for travel.
Her blue ninja pants were bound with white leg wraps. The cuffs reached a little below her knees, and on her feet were black, low-heeled, strapped ninja shoes, making her figure look slightly taller.
Although compared to Yayoi beside her, her body still seemed petite and delicate.
“Yayoi-sama, are you heading out?”
Kakuzu and Kurobei grew curious.
In their impression, ever since taking the Land of Night, aside from special circumstances, Yayoi rarely traveled. Most of the year, he stayed in the tenshu pavilion of the Shogun’s Residence.
“There has been some trouble near the border adjoining the Land of Grass. I’m going to handle it. How about it? Do you two want to come with me?”
Yayoi issued an invitation.
Irori had returned to Yomi Castle a few days ago. During the time he was absent, Irori would serve as acting shogun of the Shogun’s Residence.
So even if he was away, Yayoi was not worried that anything unexpected would happen there.
If necessary, he and Irori could also use Summoning Jutsu or Reverse Summoning Jutsu to support each other.
“Oh, it’s been a long time since we acted together. The last time was several years ago, wasn’t it?”
Kakuzu became interested. Yayoi’s words reminded him of an earlier period.
Although Kurobei was also very tempted by this proposal, he suddenly thought of something and helplessly shook his head.
“Sorry, Yayoi-sama. You know my boy was just born. I can’t leave right now.”
That was right. As the leader of the Land of Night’s samurai, once the situation in the Land of Night stabilized, Kurobei had married a young and beautiful woman a little over a year ago.
Yayoi naturally knew about this. At the time, he and Kakuzu had attended Kurobei’s wedding and personally sent a gift to show the importance he placed on Kurobei.
“Then there’s no helping it. By the way, have you chosen a name for your son?”
Yayoi sounded regretful, then casually asked.
He knew that Kurobei’s wife had given birth to a son a few days ago. He had not personally visited, but he had sent a gift: a samurai sword forged entirely from special chakra metal.
A gentle light flashed in Kurobei’s eyes, and a smile appeared on his face without him realizing it.
“It’s already been chosen, Yayoi-sama. Mifune. That child’s name is Mifune. I have a feeling that one day, he might become an excellent samurai who surpasses even me.”