After the banquet, all the women went inside to play cards and chat, while all the men gathered outside, drinking fragrant tea and listening to Ryun speak.
"Everyone, although the world is now settled and there is peace everywhere, this does not mean we can put away our swords and spears and rest easy from now on. Enemies from beyond the sky still exist. Your training must not be neglected."
Those present here were basically considered invincible masters anywhere in the ninja world. With the pressure and competition gone, some among the ninjas had already begun to show signs of slacking off in their training, and their strength was regressing.
"Of course, everyone who can sit here is considered one of our own. I do not expect every single one of you to be proactive and ambitious."
Some people did not have particularly great talent for training. Their strength could only reach the Kage level in their lifetime. For people like this, Ryun did not force them to strive harder.
"Boss, when are those enemies from beyond the sky you mentioned actually going to come? I haven't experienced a proper fight in so long, I feel like my body is rusting," Deidara couldn't help but ask.
Hearing this, Ryun smiled helplessly. "If they really come, you still won't be able to fight them. Have you forgotten about that Otsutsuki from last time?"
He subtly brought up the incident where the entire Akatsuki organization was crushed by Otsutsuki Isshiki.
"..."
The Akatsuki members fell silent. If every enemy from beyond the sky had strength on par with Otsutsuki Isshiki, then none of them here really had the qualification to take the field.
"Boss, I haven't neglected my training. I've been thinking about redeeming myself the whole time," Deidara said with a serious face.
As he grew older, Deidara's strength and chakra had significantly improved. But if he really faced an Otsutsuki, this strength still wouldn't be enough.
"My training hasn't been neglected either," Kisame Hoshigaki couldn't help but speak up as well.
"And me," many others chimed in.
Hearing this, Ryun smiled and nodded towards them, showing acknowledgment and respect. But he still revealed some harsh realities to them.
"The Otsutsuki clan possesses an ability called 'Karma'. This ability can absorb ninjutsu and chakra of any energy form, just like the abilities of the Rinnegan."
He spread open one palm and released wind, lightning, water, and fire. Then he extended another palm and absorbed all the wind, lightning, water, and fire. This scene genuinely shocked everyone.
"So we can only rely on taijutsu and genjutsu," Kakuzu couldn't help but ask. He felt that this Otsutsuki clan completely countered ninja like him.
"The Rinnegan can ignore most genjutsu. The Byakugan can see through taijutsu movements and weaknesses. And those of the Otsutsuki clan basically all possess both the Byakugan and the Rinnegan."
As soon as Ryun said this, sounds of gasps could be heard from the crowd.
"Ninjutsu and genjutsu are basically useless. Their taijutsu is countered by the Byakugan. How are we supposed to fight," a feeling of powerlessness rose in many hearts.
"I don't care about any Otsutsuki. If they dare come, I will offer them all to Lord Jashin," Hidan declared arrogantly, raising his head.
"Give it a rest. With your paltry skills, even touching them would be a struggle," Deidara couldn't help but strike back.
"Bastard. Who are you calling paltry," Hidan was so angry he almost threw his cup.
"Ahem. Little Deidara is stating facts, Hidan. Your taijutsu really does need improvement. The taijutsu level of an elite jonin truly cannot touch even a single hair of the enemy," Ryun coughed lightly and said.
Hearing this, Hidan's expression darkened. He looked very displeased but ultimately did not refute it.
"Hidan, starting tomorrow, you will follow Guy in taijutsu training. Strive to improve your taijutsu level," Ryun gave him an order.
Hearing this, Hidan curled his lip, responding somewhat indifferently.
"Be serious. I have high hopes for you. I have included you in my plans for confronting the Otsutsuki. If you don't take it seriously, then forget it," Ryun said with a stern face.
"!!!"
Hidan clearly did not expect Ryun to think so highly of him. Hearing these words, he quickly nodded and stated he would properly enhance his taijutsu.
After making this promise, he couldn't help but look provocatively at Deidara.
"Tch."
Seeing this, Deidara curled his lip. Feeling unhappy, he also couldn't help but ask.
"Boss, I can contribute against the Otsutsuki too. You must have counted me in, right?"
Deidara felt his clay bomb ability was not countered by the Otsutsuki clan. This might be his perfect chance to shine.
He thought he was special. Maybe in the future, he would be the only one in the entire ninja world who could fight side by side with the boss to protect the world. Thinking of this, Deidara couldn't stop trembling with excitement.
'So my art is not destruction, but protection,' Deidara felt his art had been completely elevated. He seemed to have grasped the true meaning of art.
"No."
A cold voice abruptly cut off Deidara's fantasy.
"Yeah, yeah. Against the Otsutsuki, who else but m..." Deidara instinctively began to speak, but suddenly his face completely stiffened.
"Nani?" Deidara thought he misheard.
"I did not count you in. Although your strength is not countered by the Otsutsuki clan, your survival ability is too weak. You could be killed with one careless mistake. So," Ryun shook his head, explaining why he did not include Deidara.
"Boss, how can you look down on me like this," Deidara said, looking very hurt, his face flushed red.
"Hahaha."
Hidan finally couldn't hold back his laughter. He found Deidara's flushed face absolutely hilarious.
"Bastard. What are you laughing at? Come out and fight me one on one," Deidara suddenly stood up and yelled at Hidan, his eyes full of fury.
He never expected the boss to include the useless Hidan but exclude himself, even though he was much stronger than Hidan.
"Haha... uh."
Hidan originally wanted to continue mocking Deidara with his laughter, but suddenly he felt an extremely terrifying death stare.
"!!!"
A pair of terrifying purple eyes full of tomoes were quietly staring at him. For a moment, Hidan felt his breath catch, his heart pounding uncontrollably, and his laughter abruptly stopped.
At this moment, it wasn't just Hidan. Everyone else, upon seeing those densely packed, unnerving tomoes in Ryun's eyes, couldn't help but feel panicked, their legs weak, and their scalps tingling.
These Nine Tomoe Rinnegan were terrifying just to look at.
Let alone being stared at by them.
The main reason Ryun usually kept his Nine Tomoe Rinnegan closed was to avoid frightening his wives, children, and elders. Because these eyes had nothing to do with being pleasant to look at. They represented absolute power.
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