"Not enough!"
Just the little power he had gathered wasn't nearly enough to confront Konoha. Hema understood this clearly. He knew many people scoffed at his ideas, dismissing them as impossible, calling him delusional or reckless, believing that taking on Konoha was akin to committing suicide. But he didn't care about others' opinions. He stayed true to his ideals, resolute even if it meant breaking his bones in the process. And now, with forbidden techniques under his control, if he couldn't gain support from these people while they were alive, then he would simply make them contribute to his cause after they were dead.
After fleeing the Daimyo's estate, he first found a place to settle and help heal Kohomaru. During this recovery period, Hema took the chance to test out the forbidden technique he had learned to build his strength, first targeting small rogue ninja groups that no one cared about, and then moving on to practice with minor ninja families.
Through these battles, he confirmed that the forbidden technique was indeed usable, but it still fell short. Its numerous flaws prevented it from being a decisive weapon. His plan, revised dozens of times, still lacked a surefire way to guarantee victory. Konoha's strength lay not only in the vast, ever-growing army of ninja clans and civilians but also in its elite warriors.
One of those elites was currently in the Daimyo's estate. Over the last month, this man had taken down more than twenty skilled ninjas from across the Land of Fire, earning him the title of "Blaze Demon." Hema may have left the Daimyo's estate, but he still had ways to receive intelligence from there. So, after learning about Uchiha Munen's recent actions, he was silent for a long time, realizing he was no match for this man as he was now. If he wanted to contend with a monster like that and emerge victorious, he needed much more power.
For this, he had set his sights on the forbidden techniques of the Tsuchigumo Clan.
Earlier, he had read about the Tsuchigumo Clan's forbidden technique in a book from the Daimyo's secret archives. He saw records of how the clan's practitioner, Eki no Gyōsha, had used the forbidden technique to wipe out an entire town. The sheer scale of destruction was unparalleled among forbidden techniques. This was the power he needed.
Since defecting, he had been plotting a way to seize this forbidden art. While gathering intelligence, he learned that Eki no Gyōsha had left the clan's guarded base on Mount Katsuragi with just a servant and a young girl, heading toward the Daimyo's estate. Hema knew this was his chance. The Tsuchigumo clan was ancient, with hundreds of years of history, and their base was filled with layers of barriers and traps. But with Eki no Gyōsha away from that fortress, he could intercept him and gain the forbidden technique.
"Hey, Hema, are we just gonna wait around like this?"
Kohomaru grumbled impatiently. After being confined to a hospital for over a month, he was eager to draw blood with his cherished blade rather than wait in an abandoned village 20 kilometers from the Daimyo's estate.
"If you want to die, go ahead and run to the Daimyo's estate."
Hema, sitting cross-legged on the porch, didn't even glance at him as he spoke, focused on honing his mental strength.
"Kohomaru, don't be reckless! Going to the Daimyo's estate now would be suicide," Kamazuke scolded.
There was a monster lurking there, making it dangerous even to get close, lest they be spotted and unable to escape.
"Ugh, so boring," muttered Kohomaru, stomping off into the nearby forest to hunt animals.
Everyone else knew Kohomaru well enough by now to ignore him. They had been comrades long enough to understand his nature. Kamazuke had already spoken up, so no one else felt the need to worry. Instead, they focused on their training, preparing for the mission ahead. The abandoned village was close enough to receive intelligence from the Daimyo's estate quickly, and they planned to strike once Eki no Gyōsha left.
Of course, they had to ensure they didn't attract the attention of the "Blaze Demon" terrorizing the estate. They would intercept Eki no Gyōsha far from the Daimyo's reach, but not before he returned to the clan's stronghold on Mount Katsuragi, where various ambush spots awaited.
As Kohomaru disappeared into the forest, Kamazuke sighed, glancing at Hema, who was still in meditation. Then his gaze shifted to Tenmoku, who was refining his sensory technique, encircled by crackling lightning, and then to Mizuko, concocting poisons. Kamazuke himself was squatting and standing repeatedly, a heavy stone on his back, honing his physical strength.
"Going against Konoha... What a tough task this is," he thought.
Although they had yet to clash with Konoha directly, an unspoken pressure already weighed on all of them, even the battle-hungry Kohomaru.
Meanwhile, in the Daimyo's estate, Eki no Gyōsha had been staying for about a week, mostly to let his granddaughter explore the bustling city and broaden her horizons beyond the isolated Mount Katsuragi.
Seeing her curiosity only solidified his desire to send her to the Konoha Ninja Academy. Eki no Gyōsha didn't want her confined to the clan's mountain. She wasn't a rare genius who could flourish under any condition; she needed a good environment to thrive.
That afternoon, a sudden storm gathered over the Daimyo's estate. The fierce winds shook the trees, and heavy rain poured down within a radius of ten kilometers. But summer rainstorms were quick to come and go, and the downpour soon stopped.
"Elder Tsuchigumo, are we still going out this afternoon?"
In the tea room with doors open to the courtyard, Sougen was having a leisurely conversation over tea with the "Walker of Service."
Although the "Walker of Service" was too old and frail to spar, it didn't prevent him from engaging in a bit of verbal exchange. Naturally, he wasn't about to disclose the forbidden and secret techniques passed down through generations of his clan.
However, he was willing to share his personal insights on the training of Yang and Yin Release.
Their clan's secret technique, known as the "Word-Binding Technique," was quite peculiar. While fundamentally a Yin Release, it involved Yang Release and the five chakra nature transformations, making it a complex and profound art.
The Walker of Service was not the type to be overly rigid or unadaptable. Being older than the history of the Leaf Village, he understood the importance of maintaining a good relationship with the Hokage's advisors, especially as he was planning to send his granddaughter, Hotaru Tsuchigumo, to the Leaf's Ninja Academy. Without revealing the core secrets of his clan's techniques, he shared as much of his lifetime insights on Yang and Yin Release as he could.
On days he felt well, he would even demonstrate the "Word-Binding Technique" a few times, allowing Sougen to learn a great deal.
"I'm not going out; even though the rain stopped, the wind is still strong. The doctor advised me to take it easy with these old bones. If possible, I'd like to look after Hotaru for a bit longer." The Walker of Service held a rough clay teacup, savoring the warmth of the tea.
"Staying in is fine. If all goes as expected, you may even see some excitement later."
"Oh? Are you going to spar with someone today?"
The Walker of Service asked with interest. Recently, he, his granddaughter Hotaru Tsuchigumo, and their retainer Tonbei had been staying in the Leaf Village's guest quarters and had witnessed Sougen spar with some of the Fire Country's most renowned ninjas three times in just one week.
"Daikoku."
Sougen took a sip of tea and replied.
"Daikoku… that monk from the Twelve Guardian Ninja? If I recall, he's from the Fire Temple?" Although the Walker of Service had stayed in Mount Katsuragi for years without venturing out, he still kept up with the outside world. The Twelve Guardian Ninja, promoted by the Fire Daimyo, was a prominent title known even to him.
Even if he hadn't known before, the recent conflict within the Twelve Guardian Ninja, where four members died, six defected, and only two remained, had made the group's turmoil known far and wide.
"Yes, I agreed to a spar with him this afternoon."
While Sougen hadn't been the one to initiate, he had no reason to refuse when Daikoku personally sought him out. The Fire Temple was a close ally of the Leaf, and Daikoku's arrival in the village to deliver intelligence and request reinforcements demonstrated his loyalty to the Leaf. Yet, Sougen could hardly turn down the chance to experience the Fire Temple's unique Sage talents in person.
"The Fire Temple, huh!" The Walker of Service's face softened with a look of nostalgia.
The elderly often have many rich memories that are easily triggered by mentions of certain places or names. Clearly, he had some past connection with the Fire Temple.
"Have you had the chance to see the Fire Temple's Sealed Iron Wall?"
"I've heard of it, but I haven't seen it yet."
The Sealed Iron Wall of the Fire Temple was famed as an impenetrable barrier, considered a "notable landmark" of the Fire Country. Every year, people traveled to the Fire Temple, hoping to break through this iron wall and make a name for themselves.
Of course, so far, no one had managed to do so.
"If you get a chance, you should visit. The Sealed Iron Wall is quite fascinating, and the Sage talents of the Fire Temple are equally intriguing. Though our clan's forbidden techniques cannot be passed on, they share the same foundation as the Fire Temple's Sage talents. With your skills, you might gain something valuable from studying them."
Since this conversation involved his clan's forbidden techniques, the Walker of Service spoke somewhat vaguely.
Yet Sougen understood his meaning.
The Walker of Service was suggesting that his clan's forbidden techniques and the Fire Temple's Sage talents shared a common basis, hinting at the manipulation of natural energy. This could be considered a rudimentary form of Sage Arts or an alternate manifestation of them.
"One day, I will definitely visit the Fire Temple."
Sougen replied with a smile.
Sage Arts were also an essential part of his future plans. Although he hadn't begun Sage Arts training, as he hadn't yet found a method to master them, the three great sage regions were elusive, and he wasn't keen on asking Jiraiya for guidance unless absolutely necessary. Until then, he could explore other possibilities—like the Sage talents of the Fire Temple.
Just then, Hayate Gekkou hurried over, announcing Daikoku's arrival.