After resting and recovering, Kai, Spiral Zetsu, and Yūyū continued their journey toward the border of the Land of Water.
Along the way, Kai kept thinking about the Mangekyō Sharingan and the Susanoo divine artifacts.
Everyone knew that continued use of the Mangekyō Sharingan would eventually lead to its deterioration, with blindness being the final result.
In the original story, Obito frequently used Kamui without going blind because he borrowed the power of Hashirama’s cells to strengthen his body’s vitality, offsetting the side effects of the Mangekyō.
But Obito ultimately possessed only one Mangekyō Sharingan.
He couldn’t use both eyes simultaneously to activate Susanoo, much less make use of Susanoo’s divine artifacts.
That was the fundamental reason Obito hadn’t gone blind.
“I didn’t expect the Susanoo divine artifacts to consume such an enormous amount of ocular power.”
Kai rested a hand against his eye socket.
“If I use them too frequently, even with Hashirama’s cells, I could still risk going blind…”
Not every Susanoo could give birth to divine artifacts.
As far as Kai knew, even the reincarnations of Indra—Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Sasuke—were unable to wield the power of Susanoo’s divine artifacts.
Could it be…
That among the Uchiha, it is actually those who aren’t reincarnations of Indra who can give birth to divine artifacts?
Take Uchiha Itachi, for example.
His Susanoo possesses three great divine artifacts—the Totsuka Blade, Yata Mirror, and Yasaka Magatama.
It has offense, defense, and both close- and long-range capabilities, while even possessing its own sealing technique.
But Itachi didn’t possess the power of Hashirama’s cells.
To control the power of those divine artifacts, he had to pay an enormous price.
He became seriously ill at a young age and eventually had to rely on medication just to prolong his life.
“I’ll obtain the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan sooner or later.”
“So the risk of blindness isn’t really a concern for me.”
“But…”
Tap.
Kai stopped on the trunk of a tree.
His gaze became deep and contemplative.
“The Mangekyō Sharingan of Shisui, which I need to create the Eternal Mangekyō, is still developing.”
“Until he awakens it, I can’t afford to become completely blind.”
“So I should use the Susanoo divine artifacts as little as possible…”
“At least until I obtain the Eternal Mangekyō.”
“Kai, are you all right?”
Spiral Zetsu asked with concern.
“Is this another side effect from using the divine artifact?”
“I’m fine.”
“Let’s keep moving.”
The Hidden Mist didn’t send any further pursuers.
After the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and even the Mizukage had fallen one after another, even the Bloody Mist must have been intimidated.
They probably only wanted this walking disaster called Kai to leave the Land of Water as quickly as possible.
And so, another two days and two nights passed.
Kai and the other two finally left the territory of the Land of Water and entered the Land of Lightning.
The Land of Lightning was famous for its towering mountains that reached into the clouds and the thunderous roars that constantly echoed through the land.
That was where it got its name.
Rivers flowing through the central mountain range carved out a winding coastline where they reached the sea.
The country was also home to numerous hot spring regions.
Its shinobi village was Kumogakure, the Hidden Cloud Village.
Kumogakure possessed two Jinchūriki—the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails.
It was a militant shinobi village that placed great emphasis on swordsmanship and physical combat.
To strengthen the nation’s power, it also devoted itself to studying the ninjutsu and ninja tools of other countries.
In the original story, Kumogakure had carried out quite a few ruthless schemes.
Starting with the Kinkaku Force, which even led to the death of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
They had also attempted to get their hands on Konoha’s Nine-Tails.
Unfortunately for them, their plan was ruined by the efforts of a single man—
The Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze.
Later…
They set their sights on the Byakugan of Konoha’s prestigious Hyūga clan.
They even sent shinobi to abduct the young heiress of the Hyūga main family, Hinata Hyūga.
Although that plan also ended in failure, it ultimately resulted in the death of Hizashi Hyūga, father of the young Neji.
It twisted Neji’s personality at such a young age and intensified the conflict between the Hyūga main and branch families.
Heh.
They would never have imagined that one day, a hand of plunder would reach right over their own heads.
And this time, the one coming wasn’t Sasuke— that fledgling “hawk.”
It was Kai— this “Asura.”
He would never make the same mistake Sasuke once had.
Sasuke had nearly been wiped out by Killer B, only managing to take away one octopus tentacle in the end.
It had been so humiliating that even Obito had lost face in front of the other Akatsuki members.
Near the border of the Land of Lightning—
Bang!
“Ah!”
A lone Kumogakure shinobi was slammed hard against a tree.
“Damn it…”
He grimaced in pain as he looked at the masked man walking toward him.
“Where is the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B?”
Kai asked coldly.
The Kumogakure shinobi gasped for breath.
He raised his head and sneered.
“Heh.”
“A shinobi of Kumogakure would never betray his comrades!”
“Hmm.”
“I’ll give you that.”
“You people are good at sticking together.”
“That certainly makes it easier to plunder the resources of other countries.”
“You!”
The Kumogakure shinobi retorted angrily.
“Say whatever you want.”
“Kumogakure shinobi will never bow to brute force!”
Kai grabbed the man’s head and lifted him into the air.
Behind the mask, his Sharingan stared coldly into the man’s eyes.
“Is that so…?”
“But the fear in your eyes has already betrayed your heart.”
“!”
The Kumogakure shinobi’s eyes flickered uneasily.
His body began trembling.
“And fear…”
“Gives people an opening.”
Kai’s icy voice fell.
His Sharingan emitted a cold glow.
Genjutsu: Sharingan!
Thud!
The Kumogakure shinobi’s eyes widened.
Then the light disappeared from them.
His expression became vacant.
“Cloud-Leaping Gorge…”
“Training…”
Kai casually tossed the man aside.
The corner of his mouth lifted.
“Cloud-Leaping Gorge…”
“Fate really is interesting.”
Behind him, Spiral Zetsu glanced at the Kumogakure shinobi lying on the ground, foaming at the mouth and twitching violently.
Just an ordinary genjutsu completely destroyed the mind of a Jonin.
After using the divine artifact, Kai’s ocular power has truly increased across the board.
If it had been Obito instead of Kai, he probably would’ve needed several more years to reach this level of ocular power.
In the original story, Obito once infiltrated the Hidden Mist Village and used his Sharingan’s genjutsu to control Yagura, who was already the Perfect Three-Tails Jinchūriki at that point.
But that happened roughly ten years later than the current period.
In other words—
Putting Dual Kamui aside, Kai had already left Obito far behind.
The Following Evening — Cloud-Leaping Gorge
“Such blinding light~”
“Is it already evening~?”
“You stupid guy~”
“You damn guy~”
“I’ve been training since morning, my stomach’s empty~”
“I, the great rapper, have decided on tonight’s dinner~”
“Sukiyaki, YEAH~!”
A dark-skinned young man wearing black sunglasses came out from the inner chamber while singing bizarre rap and dancing with exaggerated movements.
It was Killer B.
He looked down.
On the platform below stood three unfamiliar people.
At the front was a masked man.
Kai.
“Hm?”
Killer B leaped down and landed in front of the three.
“Finally.”
“I’ve met you.”
“The ninja world’s greatest entertainer.”
Kai looked at him and spoke casually.
“Greatest… entertainer?”
Killer B tilted his head in confusion.
Of course, he had no idea what Kai meant.
But he was accustomed to chasing rhymes.
He immediately began dancing and gesturing.
“You say who’s the greatest entertainer~?
You’re the greatest entertainer~!
Your whole family’s the greatest entertainer~!
Cabbage plus asparagus~
Then add some worm grass~!
Tonight I’ll eat deep-fried entertainer~!
OH!
Stupid guy~
Damn guy~
WEEEEE~~~~!”
At the end, Killer B raised a finger toward the sky and struck an absolutely ridiculous pose.
Even Spiral Zetsu, who was famous for being a complete clown himself, couldn’t help muttering,
“This guy’s got shit in his brain…”
“YO~! YO!”
“Rather than letting you say I’ve got shit in my brain~”
“I’d rather go take a shit myself!~”
“You bastard who looks like ‘light soy sauce paper’~”
“You piece of dog shit~”
“Stupid guy~!”
“Damn guy!~”
“YO~!”
Spiral Zetsu turned toward Kai.
“Kai, can I join the fight?”
“Hold yourself back for now.”
“This guy is my prey.”
A battle-hungry smile slowly curved beneath Kai’s mask.
Nearly seven days of traveling.
Nearly seven days of crossing countries and mountains.
Finally…
Finally, he was going to fight a Tailed Beast!