In Naruto, build the strongest Hidden Mist Village.

Chapter 173 Tsunade's Experiences: The Giant Ship That Cuts Through the Wind and Waves
"Yes, I am Lord Orochimaru's subordinate."

"Kabuto Yakushi."

Kabuto Yakushi pushed up his glasses and looked at the densely packed Konoha ninjas in front of him. No matter how calm and indifferent he was by nature, he still had some complicated emotions in the face of this scene.

Unexpectedly, it only took one night.

Overnight, the sword that had been hanging over his head, Shimura Danzo, was dead, and the roots of Konoha were uprooted, leaving it no longer a cohesive unit.

Konoha, which was once an insurmountable mountain in his eyes, was reduced to the mortal realm overnight. If it weren't for Kirigakure's intervention, the country would have been almost destroyed by now.

However, his unwilling and forced joining of Kirigakure, and his forced becoming Orochimaru's assistant, actually granted him the right to speak on equal terms with these previously insurmountable mountains.

The pharmacist straightened his back.

Now, he represents Lord Orochimaru.

Similarly, it represents Kaguya Naoki.

Unconsciously, a sense of superiority emanated from him.

Having been in a high position for so long, how could Tsunade, who has a keen eye for people's hearts, not have noticed?

"Kabuto Yakushi."

That arrogant expression...

Tsunade frowned inwardly.

This kind of contemptuous disdain from ninjas from a powerful nation towards a small country was something only Konoha had in the past.

As the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, she experienced Konoha's golden age and was naturally familiar with this feeling.

Therefore, she felt genuine resistance and disgust.

They didn't want Konoha ninjas to come to this territory and be subjected to such contempt.

However, just as Jiraiya said.

The times have changed.

No matter how hard they try, they can't stop the wheel of Konoha's complete fusion.

Under the overwhelming current, even if Tsunade wanted to stop it, she would only be crushed to pieces.

It's just a bitter pill to swallow, only those who know it.

Tsunade's face darkened, and Kakashi Hatake noticed it all.

He didn't want this journey to be fraught with unexpected twists and turns.

He just wanted to see Rin and Obito as soon as possible.

Kakashi Hatake took a step forward, and Itachi Uchiha also stepped forward.

The two exchanged a glance, and Itachi Uchiha stopped, letting Kakashi take the initiative to stand at the front.

"So, Kirigakure ninja, Kirigakure didn't send you to take a look at our Konoha ninja, did they?"

"of course not."

Kabuto concealed the complexity in his eyes.

"However, since we're going on a tour, how can we do it without the ninjas from Kirigakure accompanying us?"

"I am a tour guide."

Despite hearing an unfamiliar term from the pharmacist, they were still able to easily understand it all, being as clever as they were.

Everyone couldn't help but look forward to the journey once again.

What changes have occurred within the Hidden Mist Sect that have made them so powerful?

Everyone wanted to know the answer, including Tsunade.

"In that case, lead the way."

Kabuto nodded slightly, and the Konoha group followed him to a rather large port.

Here, one could see not only the small boats that used to sail with the Hidden Mist, but also enormous warships.

The ninjas from the Konoha Ninja Academy gasped in surprise upon seeing the massive ships.

Being inland, even when they saw ships, they only traveled along rivers.

Where have I ever seen such a giant ship, capable of sailing across the vast ocean?
but.

This move would only make the children gasp in surprise, rather than making Kakashi and the other Jonin and Chunin too astonished.

These people all remained indifferent.

As one of Konoha's main targets in the past, how could Kirigakure not understand Kirigakure's water transport system?

In the past, even when the fog was at its thickest, there were large ships like this.

Although it is still slightly inferior to these other ships, Kirigakure has grown considerably after all.
So what if the ship is bigger and taller?
Just as Tsunade and the others began to look around at the scenery, the children cheered once again.

The ship started moving!
Look, which one is the fastest!
Aside from Kabuto Yakushi, the children were surrounded by Konoha ninjas, so they remained relaxed and didn't hesitate to express their inner emotions.

Tsunade listened to the children's shouts and looked up.

Just as the sun was about to set, on the distant horizon filled with golden light and rosy clouds, a massive ship was cutting through the water!

Shining with golden light, it was divided in two.

From a distance, it looked as if a giant ship was splitting the entire sea, no, the entire sun.

Such a magnificent view, no wonder, wait!

Tsunade's eyes narrowed.

He whispered to Kakashi beside him.

"Isn't this ship going a bit too fast?"

"too fast."

Kakashi snapped out of his daze and looked over. Although his tone remained calm, it didn't mean he was completely at ease.

That ship was ridiculously fast.

It's the wind!

Tsunade received an affirmative answer, observed carefully for a moment, and then, realizing the sails were fully agitated, she had a sudden realization.

It wasn't some strange, black technology; it was just due to the weather.

Is it the weather?
Tsunade stretched out her hand, testing the wind in the air.

No ripples.

The air was not circulating rapidly.

Is it because it's on the sea?
She stared intently at the ripples in the sea, her brow furrowing.

Shouldn't.

There are only small ripples; there's no way there could be a strong wind!

So, where did the wind on that ship come from?

Not only that.

If this ship can be mass-produced, the speed at which the Hidden Mist Village can transport troops will far exceed their expectations.

Perhaps it won't even take a day to transport all the troops here!
Tsunade gritted her teeth slightly, and soon, the ships on the sea gave her the answer.

Perhaps it was peak season, or perhaps it was simply a display for them; in any case, countless ships were cutting through the waves on the sea, a truly magnificent sight.

Tsunade was silent.

She could tell that the gap between Konoha and Kirigakure was huge.

I thought it only appeared in Kaguya Naoki.

In terms of troop strength, Konoha could absolutely crush them!
It's not just because of the Misty Hidden Army's elite troop policy, but more importantly because of the natural barrier of the ocean.

As long as this natural barrier exists, the speed at which Kirigakure can transport troops will not be fast. With troop transport restricted, it will be difficult for Kirigakure's army to gain a numerical advantage on this continent.

They have no quantitative advantage, and their qualitative advantage is very weak or non-existent.

Their forces in Konoha will definitely have an absolute advantage on this continent!

However, judging from the current situation, the Hidden Mist ninjas may be able to reach the Land of Fire from the Hidden Mist faster than the Konoha ninjas can reach the front lines.

The so-called argument of advantages can be put aside for the time being.

"Everyone, let's go."

Kabuto Yakushi waited until he had looked everyone over before speaking.

His original mission was simply to bring these Konoha ninjas to Kirigakure.

However, now that I am a Hidden Mist Ninja, it is not difficult for me to appropriately demonstrate the power of the Hidden Mist Kage.

He was extremely pleased.

"Are we going to take one of those sailing ships?" Kabuto nodded slightly.

Tsunade also perked up.

Now that Konoha has reached this point and I have taken on the role of leader, I can no longer be lazy as before. I must work hard and record what I see and hear.

With that thought in mind, Tsunade boarded the warship. After settling the various ninjas and children, she was about to secretly investigate.

However, they discovered that several Hidden Mist ninjas, whose chakra reserves were not very high, suddenly walked up to the sailing warship.

Form a mudra with your hands and exhale gently.

The entire giant ship suddenly gained unparalleled propulsion and rushed towards Kirigakure at high speed.

This is the secret to the warship's rapid flight!

Using the Wind Release technique of Wind Release ninjas, the entire warship was propelled forward at high speed!
It should be noted that although the Wind Release technique of Wind Release ninjas is not particularly destructive.

However, if it is only used to propel sails, the terrifying propulsive force is quite astonishing!
They definitely won't last long.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to gauge the limits of these Wind Release ninjas.

However, it wasn't long before she discovered that, theoretically, these ninjas could propel the warship indefinitely.

the reason is simple.

She quickly learned the Wind Release techniques of these ninjas.

They then quickly analyzed the principle behind this wind escape technique.

It stripped away all the chaotic destructive power of the Wind Release technique and transformed it entirely into propulsion!

It's important to understand that the reason Wind Release was so powerful in the past was primarily due to the chaotic and disordered chakra within it. Now that it has become a Wind Release ninjutsu, it naturally doesn't require as much energy expenditure.

If it's a regular Jonin, they can even exhale and recover simultaneously, acting as a perpetual motion machine.

Why is Kirigakure so wealthy and powerful that they would allow these ninjas to come here to engage in this kind of activity?

Tsunade was very puzzled.

However, after taking a closer look, she quickly realized what was going on.

The ninjas in front of me who are used to propel the ship are either disabled or too weak.

That kind of weak talent, the kind of talent that even becoming a genin is a luxury, is more than suitable for this kind of work.

but.

Can ninjas have jobs other than fighting and killing?

Tsunade was slightly taken aback.

He couldn't help but scrutinize these Hidden Mist ninjas.

On their faces, there was impatience from working for a long time, and also fatigue from working for a long time.

It lacks the familiar chilling, bloody, and cold atmosphere characteristic of ninjas.

Doesn't it give you that ninja vibe?
Tsunade was a smart person and quickly figured out what this meant.

Heart moved.

She couldn't help but recall the decisions many people had made in the past.

He resolutely decided to join the Uchiha clan of Kirigakure.

After Konoha was almost beyond saving, Jiraiya decided with a relaxed attitude to follow Kirigakure into a new era.

There was also the disciple of Jiraiya who was with Kaguya Naoki.

And Orochimaru.

Furthermore, there is now proof of the power of the Hidden Mist.

Tsunade became increasingly curious about Kirigakure on the other side of the sea.

She really wanted to know what the Hidden Mist Village was like.

She began to observe everything on the road more carefully.

Not only her, but most of the ninjas from Konoha fell into an odd silence.

Those children were simple-minded; the mere appearance of the Hidden Mist ninja caused a pervasive sense of tension in their hearts, making it difficult for them to speak.

The adults, though their feelings were somewhat complicated, were ultimately just shocked by what they were seeing.

Because the serpent head who delivered Orochimaru's information scroll appeared on this ship and was communicating quite familiarly with that guy from the Ming Cult, Kabuto, who was likely Orochimaru's assistant or disciple.

Not long ago, Orochimaru, whom they respected immensely, not only joined Kirigakure but also warmly accepted disciples there, settling down in Kirigakure with a clear conscience—no, with complete peace of mind.

This kind of internal shock was really hard for them to bear.

They couldn't help but turn their gaze to some ninjas with Byakugan, these guys who had clearly already pledged allegiance to Kaguya Naoki.

Also, the Uchiha.

These guys are eager to join Kaguya Naoki's side as soon as possible.

However, they soon had no time to deal with the matter.

Because, after receiving the scroll, Kabuto Yakushi quickly stood up and walked to Itachi Uchiha's side.

The pharmacist smiled and handed over the scroll.

"Mr. Itachi Uchiha, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, this is a gift from Lord Orochimaru. Please accept it."

"Lord Orochimaru, we've been looking forward to your arrival for a long time."

Uchiha Itachi suddenly swayed, and seeing the ulterior motive in Yakushi Kabuto's eyes, a chill ran down his spine.

Orochimaru's actions were no secret in Konoha.

He has incredibly high expectations of me?
Uchiha Itachi silently suppressed his expectations.

Is it coveting, yearning?
No, no.

Itachi Uchiha quickly suppressed these thoughts.

He's one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, how could he possibly be used as a test subject by Orochimaru?

It's impossible no matter how you look at it.

Nevertheless, Itachi Uchiha roused himself and began to ponder how to deal with Orochimaru.

"You little brat."

Tsunade's sudden words interrupted Itachi's thoughts, and he looked over.

Tsunade was frowning as she looked at Kabuto Yakushi.

"Don't think you can easily threaten the ninjas of Konoha, you bastard! If you continue like this, don't think that just because you're in Kirigakure's territory I won't dare to lay a hand on you, you bastard!"

Kabuto swallowed hard.

He knew that Tsunade might actually do it.

but.

Although he can't retaliate with his fists, he can still use other methods to break this guy's defenses.

Kabuto touched his glasses frame slightly.

"Lady Tsunade, I never expected to see you like this after leaving Konoha for several years. I really miss you."

"Konoha?"

Tsunade did indeed ask a question.

"Yes, Konoha, the hometown I miss so much."

"Are you a Konoha ninja?"

"of course."

"Are you a ninja who was bewitched by Orochimaru and sent to Kirigakure?"

"No."

"Then who are you?"

"I simply joined Kirigakure voluntarily after lying low there for a long time."

Tsunade was silent.

Meanwhile, some of the ninjas in Konoha became even more silent.

They weren't unaware that Kirigakure had ulterior motives from the very beginning, nor did they fail to strengthen their defenses through various bonds and concerns before setting off.

However, when Kabuto Yakushi, a former Konoha ninja, openly appeared before them and casually revealed that he had voluntarily joined Kirigakure, they still felt a deep sense of oppression and unease.

Could they also be tempted to defect to that place?

Probably, no.

(End of this chapter)