Outside the Equipment Storage on the top floor of Angkor Fortress.
After dealing with the leader of the Sky Ninja Village, Hiruko lightly wiped the blood off his blade, his gaze cold and detached.
His voice was calm yet firm: "Originally, we were just here to take something. If you had stayed quiet, no one would have been hurt. But since you insisted on seeking death, I had no choice but to oblige."
With a disdainful snort, he turned towards the end of the corridor where the elevator was located and abruptly swung his arm, launching the black knife from his grasp.
"Whoosh—"
The black blade spun through the air, leaving a flowing shadow as it tore into the elevator doors, accurately slicing through the lifting mechanism.
With a booming sound, the now-unanchored elevator plummeted to the ground, causing the entire main building to tremble.
"There, now there won't be any idiots coming to their own demise."
Hiruko clapped his hands together in satisfaction, but when he turned around, he found his two companions staring at him in shock, their expressions almost incredulous.
"What are you doing?" Orochimaru couldn't hold back, asking first.
"Destroying the lift, of course! Now, no one can rush in here and disturb us. Having wave after wave of them is driving me crazy," Hiruko replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Nian facepalmed in frustration, sighing, "Have you not considered that those Sky Ninjas… can fly?"
"Ah…" Hiruko suddenly slapped his forehead, his expression one of astonishment.
"And also…" Orochimaru's tone was neither happy nor sad, "We're on the top floor. If you destroy the elevator, how do we plan to get down?"
Hiruko blinked, quickly picking up a set of Mechanical Wings from the ground. "But we have these, don't we?"
"Right, you're really clever. I almost want to praise you," Orochimaru's voice was flat and sarcastic. "So, tell me, how the hell do these flying ninja tools work?"
"I don't know!"
"Ugh…" Nian sighed again, his Sharingan glowing faintly. The bespectacled technician from before shivered and stood up like a zombie.
"Just tell us the simplest way to use these flying ninja tools…"
Moments later.
"Oh ho ho ho ho!!!"
With a deafening crash, a large hole exploded open in the wall of the uppermost building, and three figures came tumbling out at odd angles.
All three were equipped with Mechanical Wings, leaving swirling white trails in their wake. Though they were clumsily careening through the air, one could vaguely see that their destination was to escape Angkor Fortress.
Under the moonlight, they resembled three drunken bees, swaying chaotically.
"Hiruko! I really owe you one from my past life!"
"Orochimaru, if you have the energy to criticize me, you should focus on controlling your flying wings and catch up with me first! Hahaha!"
"These flying ninja tools aren't as easy to handle as they seem. If they only have this much capability, we'll probably be targets against the Third Kazekage!"
"Don't worry! I've calculated the time of this year's solar eclipse, and we have three months left to practice with these mechanical wings until we can control them effortlessly!"
"Watch where you're going, Hiruko! You're about to crash!"
Outside the Equipment Storage, a heavy silence loomed.
Suddenly, Shinno's upper body twitched slightly, and moments later, his entire upper half began to tremble.
Following that, as the tremors intensified, the sound of a heart pounding echoed strongly. The body that had been cold began to slowly warm, and red flesh buds emerged from the wounds of the severed torso, writhing and pulsating.
The scene was bizarre; the flesh buds at both ends of his body seemed to have a conscious will, extending outward like countless tiny tentacles, attempting to intertwine and connect before slowly merging, reattaching his upper body to his lower half.
As flesh sealed and bones reconnected, cells rapidly divided, and steam began to escape from the wounds. After three to five minutes, a brand new Shinno stood up.
He gasped for air, his face pale, a gruesome scar crossing his abdomen, deep enough to reveal bone.
He leaned against the wall, staggering towards the end of the corridor where a large hole had been blasted open, letting in the crisp and cold air, rejuvenating him slightly.
He raised his head, gazing out into the night sky, his eyes filled with deep apprehension as he watched three shadows getting smaller and smaller until they disappeared from view.
"Could it be… they are from Konoha?"
Clenching his fist slowly, the horrific wound on his abdomen was visibly healing at a speed that could be seen with the naked eye.
"Damn Konoha, I will remember this grudge! I, Shinno… will never let you go!"
...
Meanwhile, at noon in the Whirlpool Village, a training ground by the shoreline.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
A youth was firmly rooted in a horse stance, wearing a bare-chested training outfit, as he pounded his fists against a wooden post, drenched in sweat.
He had a youthful face, with dark red hair slightly disheveled, strands clinging to his pale cheeks from the sweat. His expression was focused; even though the knuckles of his fists were already stained with blood, he seemed oblivious.
A gentle breeze rustled the palm leaves.
The boy continued to concentrate on his training, unaware of the figure in black that had quietly approached behind him.
"Training your muscles and practicing taijutsu is certainly a monotonous way to improve, but it's not suited for you."
A clear voice rang from behind. The boy was startled and quickly turned around.
It was a distinguished man, tall and slender with flowing black hair. He was extraordinarily handsome, and his clear eyes resembled a tranquil pond. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the boy with a smile in his gaze.
"Since you possess the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan, you shouldn't waste such a good talent. Studying sealing techniques is the way to go," the man said softly. "Nagato."
"Benefactor! It's you, Senior Kamihane!" Nagato's eyes widened in disbelief.
Kamihane smiled gently, his gaze drifting. "Nagato, how old are you this year?"
"Um, benefactor, I'm seven years old." He pressed his lips together, feeling his response sounded too stiff, and added, "It's been five years since we returned to the Whirlpool Clan."
"Seven years, huh…" Kamihane's gaze became distant, the clear blue sky reflecting in his warm pupils. "Back when I was your age, I could already contend with the Shadows…"
"Your actions should be as such, benefactor," Nagato nodded earnestly, not surprised.
After witnessing Kamihane's complete Susanoo firsthand, he gained a clear understanding of this powerhouse of the ninja world. The towering figure seemed like a martial god descending, forever etched in his young heart. That rainy night from five years ago was still vividly fresh in his memory.
Kamihane looked at him, his dark eyes shimmering. "I merely benefit from my bloodline. This is a shortcut to rapid strength; you are lucky to have this shortcut as well."
"A shortcut…" Nagato echoed softly.
"Tell me, Nagato," Kamihane smiled faintly, his black hair dancing in the wind, "why do you want to become strong?"
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