Naruto: The Age of Ninja Swords Begins in Kumogakure

Chapter 304 Taking the Blame

"You really joined Kumogakure?"

After the terrifying person had gone far away, the Third Hoshikage finally breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Natsumi beside him, his gaze finally settling on the headband.

"I've seen a lot during the years I've been away, and I've discovered that Hoshigakure is very small, so small that any renowned powerhouse from outside could easily destroy it."

Xia Rixing couldn't help but sigh that Xingren Village was too small. Even among the many small ninja villages, it didn't rank much. The only thing that was worth mentioning, the Peacock Technique, had serious side effects.

Are there many strong individuals like him in Kumogakure?

As he watched the figure being led away into the distance, the Third Hoshikage's fear remained unabated.

The feeling he just experienced was terrifying. He didn't know how he mustered the courage to approach that person and speak to them. Even now, thinking about it still sends shivers down his spine.

If it happened again, he might not dare to come over.

Only by facing such a person directly can one understand that their strength far exceeds one's own comprehension.

"There are many who can rival him."

Xia Rixing didn't go into too much detail; some things had to be kept secret.

Even so, the Third Hoshikage turned pale upon hearing this.

"Third Hokage, you probably haven't been to the Five Great Ninja Villages, otherwise you wouldn't have earned the title of Kage."

Turning her head to look at the Third Hokage, Xia Rixing now thought that their Hoshigakure was indeed quite ridiculous. Their strength was far inferior to the Five Great Ninja Villages, yet they considered themselves no weaker than the Five Great Ninja Villages, and their leader even called himself a Kage. How laughable was that?

The Third Hokage remained silent. He had indeed never been to the Five Great Ninja Villages; he had only briefly traveled around the ninja world.

"Let's cancel the name of the shadow. It will not only bring disaster to the village, but also cause some people in the village to have the wrong perception."

Compared to the Five Great Ninja Villages, this village is far inferior, and you don't possess Kage-level strength; you are unworthy of that title.

Xia Rixing didn't want the village to continue like this. Just like before, a group of Chunin and a special Jonin dared to surround and kill a super strong person. They were really courting death.

I was the only one left standing there. If it weren't for me, that bastard would probably have wiped out the entire Star Ninja Village.

The same applies to other powerful individuals; if a Kage-level expert were to fight in a village, the entire village would be destroyed.

"Is this your reason for secretly stealing the treasure and going to seek refuge with Kumogakure?"

The Third Hoshikage finally spoke, his heart filled with some anger.

In her previous letter, Xia Ri revealed the truth behind the theft of the treasure. She discovered the side effects of using meteorites for cultivation, and then secretly stole the star. Under the guise of going out to search for the star, she took the hidden star and went to join the Hidden Cloud Village. Now she is a member of the Hidden Cloud Village.

Although he was aware of the dangers of using stars for cultivation, Xia Ri's approach was even worse.

"Isn't that reason enough?"

Xia Rixing retorted with a question, even unleashing her own chakra to force the Third Hoshikage to retreat repeatedly, though she was actually quite frustrated inside.

It was Lord Tsuchida who suggested that she admit to stealing the meteorite. Kumogakure itself didn't care about such things, since the entire ninja world knew about Kumogakure's style. The key was that they couldn't let the meteorite incident cause the Star Village and Kumogakure to become enemies.

The Star Village is too weak. If they really anger the Cloud Village, they can easily wipe this place out by sending just a Kage-level ninja.

The Third Hoshikage, who had to retreat several steps before regaining his footing, was shocked. He had thought that only the person before him was strong, but he hadn't expected that Natsumi also possessed terrifying strength. The sheer amount of chakra she unleashed made him feel pressured, and her strength far exceeded his own.

Is Kumogakure really that powerful?

"This is a battle scene from the final battle of the last Shinobi World War. Take a close look. There's not much I can do for the village right now. You're well aware of the dangers of the meteorite. If we continue to train using it, it will only ruin the village's future. I want to take this opportunity to open up a new path for the village."

Seeing that the Third Hoshikage remained silent, Natsumi Hoshi formed hand seals and used genjutsu to transmit the record of the Battle of Kikyo Mountain from the last Shinobi World War.

Although she wasn't skilled in illusion magic, she could still use simple illusions.

As for the battle record, it was created by Tamura Hao and others who handed over fragments of their memories to Uchiha Chiri for editing and synthesis, forming an educational video that was placed in the ninja academy.

Without saying anything more, Xia Rixing glanced at the unconscious people around her, shook her head, and stepped into the village.

The main purpose of this trip back was to take some children to Kumogakure to receive an education and see the real world, so that they would not remain ignorant and narrow-minded in the village, lest they provoke the wrong people and bring disaster upon the village.

In addition, the goal is to provide the village with a proper training system, at least one that allows people to become Jonin, thus making up for the problems caused by the lack of meteorites and the Peacock Technique.

Leaving aside Xia Rixing and the stunned Third Hoshikage, on the other side, Tamura Hao and Hotaru were having a pleasant conversation. Tamura Hao even gifted Hotaru a small bottle of Water of Life, allowing Hotaru to restore his damaged meridians and acupoints, enabling him to train his chakra again and further repair his body that had been eroded by star energy.

Although Xia Rixing managed to draw out the chakra from Yinghuo's body by stabbing her, her corrupted body could not be repaired. Afterwards, she was only treated at the hospital with stitches and a preliminary healing with palm magic before being discharged and running away.

This deep-seated erosion cannot be cured by the medical expertise of the Star Ninja Village, so Karura specially prepared a bottle of the Water of Life and asked Tamura Hao to bring it.

Hotaru, who was having a pleasant conversation with Tamura Hiroshi, was startled when his ex-girlfriend arrived. He immediately lowered his head and stopped talking, just like a mouse seeing a cat.

"I told you you went too far last time, look how scared you scared them."

Seeing Xia Rixing walk over and sit down with a cold face, Tamura Hao couldn't help but make a comment.

"I'd rather stab you than him."

He glared at her unhappily. He had indeed acted impulsively back then, mistaking Firefly for that bastard and accidentally poking her a bit too much.

"Then you need to improve further, otherwise you won't be able to get anywhere even if you want to."

Tamura Hao appeared quite casual. Xia Rixing's talent was indeed excellent, and he had worked very hard in his training over the past few years, now he was a double S-level powerhouse.

Meanwhile, the firefly next to him was sweating profusely, and he couldn't understand what Xia Ri had gone through all these years, and why she always wanted to stab people.

A short while later, the Third Hoshikage arrived, his attitude becoming even more respectful.

"Your Excellency Hao, how many children does your village plan to enroll in our school?"

"This matter is under Xia Ri's jurisdiction."

Tamura Hao looked at Natsumi Hoshino. He was only there to act as a bodyguard; his real target was the Land of Demons, and he didn't know much about the recruitment process.

"We will take ten children aged six to ten with us. They will join the Ninja Elementary School and graduate at the age of twelve. After that, they will have two choices: first, they can return to Hoshigakure and bring back our Kumogakure's elementary school textbooks."

Second, they can enter the junior ninja academy to receive a higher level of education.

Xia Rixing briefly explained her recruitment plan, believing it would benefit Xingren Village. She believed that even if only one child returned, it would bring new ideas and an educational system to the village.

It is difficult to change the minds of adults, but children's minds are much easier to guide, and children also represent the future.

Ideally, a ninja academy should be established, which would continuously change the mindset of the village's young people and provide a proper training system.

That's right, there is no ninja academy in Xingnin Village, mainly because the population is too small, and the number of ninjas is only a little over a hundred, with very few reaching the Jonin level. It is far inferior to the Five Great Ninja Villages.

Xia Rixing wasn't looking down on the village; rather, she wanted the village to face reality so that the future would be safer.

"A beginner ninja academy?"

The Third Hoshikage expressed a hint of doubt. He had heard Hotaru's report, but Hotaru's intelligence was limited, and she didn't know much about the junior ninja academy.

After glancing at someone, Xia Rixing explained, "In our Hidden Cloud Village, the Ninja Academy is divided into Ninja Elementary School, which is responsible for teaching some basic common sense and basic skills, such as some taijutsu and simple ninjutsu."

Children who graduate from ninja elementary school generally have the strength of a genin, and some outstanding ones can even have the strength of a chunin or jonin.

Afterwards, they will be promoted to the junior ninja academy to receive higher-level ninja education, including C-rank and B-rank ninjutsu and secret techniques, which is still a six-year program.

The ninja elementary school and junior ninja academy together last for twelve years and are compulsory education. Every child in Kumogakure with chakra talent must complete these courses.

There are also higher-level intermediate and advanced ninja academies, which require sufficient talent and academic performance, as well as the guarantee of high-ranking officials in the village.

If the children I take away this time are outstanding enough, I will become their guarantor and give them the opportunity to enter the intermediate ninja academy, or even the advanced ninja academy, for further study.

Graduating from a junior ninja academy guarantees at least Jonin-level strength, while graduating from a mid-level ninja academy guarantees at least Kage-level strength, and the strength of graduates from senior ninja academies is immeasurable.

The Third Hoshikage fell silent; the offer sounded both shocking and tempting.

The mere fact that they could bring back teaching materials was irresistible, not to mention the elementary ninja academy and the intermediate and advanced academies that followed.

Although Xia Ri betrayed the village, she grew up there after all; this is Xia Ri's hometown, so she must still have some feelings for it. This matter is probably true.

"I need to discuss this with the villagers and select a suitable child. I will give you an answer tomorrow."

In the summer, you could take Prince Hao for a stroll around the area; we have quite a few beautiful sights to see here.

After some thought, the Third Star Shadow finally decided to do it. After all, it was just a matter of selecting ten talented children to go, so there wasn't much of a loss.

"A child's talent and learning ability are the foundation for determining whether they can attend intermediate or advanced ninja academies."

After giving a final reminder, Xia Rixing got up and left.

Tamura Hao got up and followed. He was quite interested in the Star Ninja Village, especially the poisonous gas canyon on the border of the Bear Country.

"Firefly, what do you think of what Summer just said?"

After the two left, the Third Hoshikage looked at Hotaru, who had remained silent.

Although Hotaru recounted all the information she had obtained from Kumogakure upon her return, she still knew more about the village.

"Kumakushi Village is the second strongest ninja village after Konoha among the five great ninja villages in the ninja world. It has a complete education system, and the children who come out of the ninja elementary school and junior ninja academy are much stronger than the children in our village."

I've heard a lot about the intermediate academy; only Jonin can get in. The advanced academy is more mysterious, with no information leaking out, but the curriculum there is undoubtedly much more. If the children from our village could go there, they would surely become Kage-level ninjas.

Firefly first expressed her opinion on the Ninja Academy, then hesitated for a moment before saying, "Although Xia Ri stole the treasure back then with selfish motives, she also didn't want the village's children to suffer like we did, or even die tragically."

Now that such a great opportunity has been brought to the village, they certainly don't have any bad intentions. Our Star Ninja Village also needs to seize this opportunity to transform ourselves.

Compared to a truly great ninja village like Kumogakure, we are far too weak.

He lived in the Hidden Cloud Village for a period of time and not only experienced its prosperity but also its power, which was far beyond what the Hidden Star Village could compare to.

The Third Hoshikage remained silent, lost in thought.

Leaving aside the two who were pondering and exchanging ideas, on the other side, Tamura Hao followed Natsumi Hoshi and strolled around the Star Ninja Village.

As for not going into the village, after all, the previous outbreak had frightened the villagers quite a bit, and there was no need to go and scare them again.

Rather than wandering around the village, Tamura Hiroshi prefers to look at the surrounding scenery.

The old man was right; there are indeed many nice scenic spots around here.

After wandering around for a while, they soon arrived at the edge of a large pit, where there was a wooden house at the bottom.

"Is this where the meteorite landed?"

Looking at the large crater, Tamura Hiroshi realized that this must be the landing point of that meteorite from back then.

Looking at the wooden house, Xia Rixing couldn't help but recall the days when she cultivated here.

"Two hundred years ago, a meteorite fell. Some people followed the movement and discovered the meteorite. They gradually mastered the power of the meteorite and used it as the foundation to create the Peacock Magic."

Back in the chaotic Warring States period, the village's ancestors used this as a foundation to gather a group of ninjas from the Land of Bears and gradually formed a ninja village. After the ninja village era began, the leader at that time called himself the Hoshikage, also known as the First Hoshikage.

At that time, the village was still fully engaged in researching the power of meteorites and the Peacock Technique, believing that these two things could lead the village to become like the Five Great Ninja Villages, or even surpass them.

Many people sacrificed their lives for this, and the Peacock Magic Method was gradually perfected.

Our generation was still using meteorites for cultivation, which crippled many people and caused many children to collapse from the strain.

The theft of the stars back then might have been a good thing for this village.

Initially, Xia Rixing also hated the person who stole Xingxing and went out to search for him. After confirming that Xingxing's disappearance was related to Kumogakure, she also hated him.

But after understanding the many hidden dangers of stellar energy, I actually felt fortunate.

While the energy of stars can alter a person's chakra and greatly enhance the effects of form transformation, it can also erode the body.

Even if one's physical attributes are excellent, one cannot live for very long.

Judging from the extent of the initial erosion, it would be difficult for him to live past forty.

The fireflies' corrosive effects are even more profound; they might not even live past thirty.

Losing the star is a good thing for the ninja village as a whole, and this time the Star Ninja Village has also been compensated, so I can finally feel at peace.

"Hey, that's a restricted area, don't wander in."

Just as she was feeling sentimental, she suddenly realized that someone had already gone to the cabin and even pushed the door open and went inside, which made Xia Ri very unhappy.

Did you hear what I just said?

"This specimen is quite well made. I'd like to take it back and use it as a display piece, is that alright?"

Tamura Hao picked up the claw-like support on the small altar and played with it. It was originally used to hold meteorites, and it had a pretty nice design.

"Whatever!"

Xia Rixing, who followed her in, rolled her eyes in annoyance. Then she looked around and saw the dust on the ground and the cobwebs everywhere. She could tell that no one had cleaned this place for a long time.

That makes sense, though. This place existed because of the meteorite, and now that the meteorite has been stolen, it has naturally lost its meaning.

"Why did you build this place in such a huge pit? Drainage is a problem; what if it gets clogged one day?"

Tamura Hao couldn't understand why the Star Ninja Village insisted on building houses here to store meteorites and for training; this was really not a good place.

This huge crater alone is difficult to deal with, considering that the rainfall in the Bear Country is quite high.

This is just as ridiculous as the way Konoha was rebuilt in the crater in the future; it's truly incomprehensible how those people think.

"You don't need to worry about it!"

She rolled her eyes again. This bastard's brain was sometimes hard to understand, and he would always say some inexplicable things.

"Do you want to go to the Land of Demons?"

Suddenly, Xia Rixing asked a question, guessing that this guy's purpose in coming here was not simple, and that coming to Xingren Village was probably just a side trip.

How did you know?

Tamura Hiroshi was surprised; he hadn't told anyone this before.

"Upon your arrival, you immediately looked west, and then looked west three more times. To the west of the Bear Country lies the Demon Country, a very mysterious place, said to be inhabited by a priestess who controls mysterious powers."

Now that you're here, you certainly won't miss out on those legendary sights.

Xia Rixing's aloof explanation reveals that she is a seasoned ninja with meticulous observation and analytical skills.

"I want to go and see for myself."

Seeing that he had indeed been seen through, Tamura Hao did not hide anything. The lineage of priestesses in the Land of Demons was quite amazing, comparable to the lineage of the Loulan Queen who could control the power of the dragon vein.

Moreover, he possesses the ability to foresee the future, which is a time-related power. He needs someone like this to help him decipher the time power within the dragon vein.

"Why?"

Just as they were about to say something, they suddenly looked in a certain direction as if they had a premonition, and Xia Rixing also looked over there.

A tall, short-haired woman darted out of the woods and stopped at the edge of the crater. She sized up the two people standing at the door of the cabin and quickly identified one of them.

"Was that your chakra that was released earlier?"

"This kind of headband!"

Tamura Hao was also sizing up the girl who had suddenly appeared, and finally his gaze fell on the pattern on her headband.

Although part of it was covered by her hair, you could still tell that it was a flower pattern.

He had read the information on all the ninja villages in the ninja world, and the headband pattern was naturally a key part of it. He had seen this pattern before; it belonged to a very special ninja village, and it had even appeared in the Naruto anime in his previous life.

(End of this chapter)