Chapter 39: Team Formed, Hard Battle Against Shinnō!
Upon hearing Mei Terumi say she was coming too, Tsukasa was momentarily stunned.
Though confident, he wasn't foolish. He naturally didn't assume that Mei Terumi, a prodigy from Kirigakure, would be like his younger brother Hidan—captivated by his ideals and impulsively wanting to tag along.
During this period, Kirigakure was engaged in a small-scale conflict with Sunagakure, which had lost its Third Kazekage.
It was also during this time that Rasa and Pakura were achieving their legendary feats in the competition for the Fourth Kazekage position.
Furthermore, Kirigakure, with its deep-seated hostility toward Iwagakure, was about to launch a naval assault that would precipitate the Battle of Kannabi Bridge—a confrontation that nearly silenced Kirigakure's influence during the Third Shinobi World War.
Strangely, during this tumultuous period, Mei Terumi, a genius of Kirigakure, was neither in her village nor on the battlefield. Instead, she had appeared incognito in the Land of Hot Water.
Moreover, she seemed to have her sights set on the Jashin Cult, hoping to gain something from investigating them.
Tsukasa frowned slightly as he studied Mei Terumi, sensing subtle undercurrents beneath the already chaotic situation in the Land of Hot Water.
Meeting Tsukasa's gaze, Mei Terumi blushed slightly and quickly turned her head away, explaining defensively:
"What are you staring at?"
"Don't get the wrong idea. I've been targeting the Jashin Cult longer than you have, and I have objectives I must accomplish."
Mei Terumi's tone darkened, a solemn shadow flickering in her emerald eyes.
"I need to find someone."
"If I don't find him, my village might be in serious danger."
Tsukasa pondered for a moment, but due to incomplete information, he couldn't determine who Mei Terumi was searching for.
However, this matter was clearly complex—far beyond what a weak genin like himself could handle. Even pulling off his insurance scheme would be challenging enough.
And his little brother Hidan was like adhesive tape, impossible to shake off. With Mei Terumi present, perhaps she could help keep an eye on the kid.
Tsukasa possessed his Absolute Encirclement Formation technique, so he wasn't afraid that Mei Terumi would interfere with his final battle.
All he had to do was shout, "Welcome to the ultimate showdown!"
Then, with a slam of his hands on the ground, he'd activate the barrier to separate his teammates and face the enemy alone.
Then, as the enemy stared in horror, he'd unleash the forbidden Fire Release Chakra Mode!
Even the Sage of Six Paths couldn't save him then!
Tsukasa thought cheerfully, replaying the scenario in his mind.
No matter how he looked at it, it was a guaranteed death.
With this thought, Tsukasa sized up the two of them before nodding helplessly.
"Alright, let's go together then."
Hidan and Mei Terumi exchanged glances, each unable to suppress a slight smile.
But then, a calm voice called out from behind:
"Since you're all going, why not count me in as well?"
The three turned in surprise, and Hidan exclaimed:
"Shinnō-san?"
The voice belonged to none other than Shinnō, who had remained so quiet throughout that his presence had been almost forgotten.
"I'm also a medical ninja, so I should be able to contribute."
Shinnō, wearing a brown hooded cloak over a light-colored robe, walked slowly forward from the shadows, his eyes calm and his tone measured.
Tsukasa immediately narrowed his eyes, observing Shinnō with a slightly cold expression.
The leader of the Sky Ninja Village, who had disguised himself as a wandering doctor in the shinobi world, had been following them—clearly with ulterior motives.
As a doctor, there was no logical reason for him to be driven out of the village, yet he still followed the three of them out. More precisely, he had followed Hidan.
There was definitely a hidden agenda, and Tsukasa would never believe otherwise.
"I'm sorry, Shinnō-san. I'm very grateful that you treated my injuries, but the Jashin Cult headquarters is no peaceful place. For your safety, you should stay behind."
Tsukasa decisively refused.
"Uchiha Tsukasa, correct?" Shinnō frowned slightly and exhaled slowly.
"You don't need to be so suspicious. We have no conflict, and I pose no threat to you."
He glanced at Mei Terumi beside them and said calmly:
"Just like this young lady, I also have objectives I must complete."
"All I need is some data to verify my research results. No matter what you do, I won't interfere—I'll only observe from the sidelines."
"If necessary, I can also help treat your injuries."
"So there's no need to be so wary of me."
Finally, Shinnō's expression remained calm, though a hint of threat colored his tone as he spoke in a low voice:
"Besides, if I want to follow, mere words won't stop me."
"Want to test that?"
[Shinnō is showing contempt and even attempting to provoke you.]
Tsukasa's eyes suddenly darkened. Without another word, he reached out and snatched Mei Terumi's ninja tool pouch from her waist, pulled out a kunai, and hurled it directly at Shinnō's face.
Then, with a sweep of his leg, he kicked up a cloud of dust toward Shinnō.
Using the dust as cover, Tsukasa lowered his stance and darted sideways, the kunai spinning into an elegant flower pattern between his fingers.
Tsukasa gripped the beautiful yet deadly blade in a reverse grip and thrust it toward Shinnō's temple.
The kunai strike, the dust screen, and the flanking maneuver landed almost simultaneously.
Even an ordinary jōnin would barely have time to react to such a swift, coordinated assault.
A crisis erupted in an instant!
Hidan and Mei Terumi were stunned, their eyes filled with shock. They had never expected Tsukasa to strike so decisively at the doctor who had treated him.
However, facing this combination attack, Shinnō simply shook his head as a surge of chakra suddenly exploded from his body.
Forbidden Technique: Physical Regeneration.
Forbidden Technique: Eight Gates Release: Gate of View, Open!
Then he tilted his head, dodging the incoming kunai with minimal movement, raised his right hand, and snapped his fingers.
CRACK!
A sonic boom echoed from his fingertips! A devastating gust of wind pressure lashed out!
Tsukasa felt like he'd been struck by a massive hammer, instantly sending him flying backward.
A notification flashed before his eyes.
[Ding!]
[You bravely challenged the leader of the Sky Ninja Village, Shinnō. You acquired a random technique from him: Forbidden Technique - Physical Regeneration (Mastered, S-Rank, Incomplete)]
[Your Heart of Steel level has increased.]
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Tsukasa bounced across the ground several times, carving a long furrow in the earth.
"Gah! Ugh!" He coughed up a mouthful of blood, feeling as if his internal organs had been displaced.
Compared to the current top-tier ninja warriors, he was still far too inexperienced.
However, before Tsukasa could fully recover, a large hand had already pressed against his chest, emitting a brilliant green light. It slowly repositioned Tsukasa's displaced organs and healed his ruptured tissues.
This was the Mystical Palm Technique, an advanced medical ninjutsu.
Tsukasa was speechless.
Old man, if you want to hit me, just finish me off properly, okay?
Beating me up and then healing me—what's even the point?
He looked at Shinnō, whose expression remained as calm as if nothing had happened, and asked in frustration:
"Why?"
"Why?" Shinnō raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Why don't you kill me? Why do you keep saving me?" Tsukasa stared at him intently, his eyes flashing with suspicion.
"Would you care if an ant tried to punch you?" Shinnō shook his head.
Then he sighed, speaking in a slightly grave tone:
"If I had to explain... it's probably because seeing you reminds me of something."
"I also have a home I want to return to but can't."
"Is that so?"
Tsukasa knew he was referring to the Sky Ninja Village, destroyed by Konoha years ago.
It was precisely because of the destruction of his homeland that this man was so obsessed with gathering power and seeking revenge against Konoha.
Tsukasa exhaled and slapped Shinnō's hand away, stopping him from continuing the treatment.
He glared at him fiercely, a dangerous smile crossing his face.
"I'll believe you for now."
"But if you dare attack them from behind, I'll make you die miserably!"
"Trust me—I mean what I say."
Forbidden Technique: Physical Regeneration. This technique, similar to Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal, continuously heals injuries as they're sustained. However, unlike the Yin Seal which consumes stored chakra, this technique consumes life force directly.
Hence its classification as a forbidden technique.
With this technique combined with Fire Release Chakra Mode, Tsukasa estimated it would give him approximately five extra seconds of combat time.
Five seconds. With that near-divine power, it would be more than enough to break through the Jashin Cult's defenses, destroy their leadership, and complete his mission.
"Heh." Shinnō said nothing, dismissing it as merely harsh words from an injured youth.
End of Chapter 39
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