Konoha: I, Uchiha, am brimming with positive energy

Chapter 81 Sand Village Movements and New Abilities (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

"Orochimaru, why are you asking this?"

Jiraiya paused for a moment, then, seeing Orochimaru's serious expression, he had no choice but to tell him, "Yes, I do. I originally intended to keep it as a trump card to surprise you all, but I didn't expect you already knew. Orochimaru, how did you know about Sage Mode?"

"Idiot, do you think only Mount Myōboku has Sage Mode? Shikkotsu Forest has it too!"

After putting down her wine glass, Tsunade chuckled and said that her grandfather knew Sage Mode, and her second grandfather had even studied Sage Mode, but he hadn't mastered it.

Sage techniques might be a secret to others, but to the Senju clan, they are not mysterious at all.

"As expected, Shikkotsu Forest has it too. I wonder what the differences are between the Sage Techniques of the three great sacred lands. Jiraiya, are the Sage Techniques of Mount Myōboku difficult to learn?"

After Orochimaru finished speaking, he asked Jiraiya, who sighed upon hearing this, and then said to Orochimaru...

"I have studied immortal arts for ten years, and I can only barely control them now. Moreover, I need the help of the immortals of Mount Myōboku. Without the help of Mount Myōboku, I am afraid I will never learn immortal arts in my entire life."

Recalling the lessons he learned when he was learning immortal techniques, Jiraiya felt a chill run down his spine.

Not only did they have to eat insects, but they were also beaten with sticks every day and thrown from heights.

Even now, he can only barely control Sage Mode, and he can't use it in actual combat on his own, because the enemy won't wait for him to gather Sage Chakra in a few minutes.

He needs the help of two great immortals to quickly enter immortal mode.

Jiraiya asked, "Orochimaru, do you want to learn Sage Mode?"

"The Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave is also very difficult. I haven't been through the trials of Ryuchi Cave, so I can't learn it yet."

Orochimaru didn't hide anything from Jiraiya; he wanted to find out the risks of training in Sage Mode and then prepare a response. He believed that any technique could be mastered, but it just required time and research.

"The immortal techniques of Shikkotsu Forest are very dangerous, almost equivalent to soaking oneself in the acid of a slug. Although it's not quite that exaggerated, without strong regenerative abilities, it's impossible to successfully cultivate the immortal techniques of Shikkotsu Forest."

Tsunade didn't hold back on these methods; in her opinion, apart from her grandfather, no one in Shikkotsu Forest could successfully cultivate the Sage Techniques.

"My second grandfather researched it for a long time, but in the end he gave up. Without my grandfather's physique, it would be impossible to cultivate the immortal techniques of the Wet Bone Forest."

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya said, "The Sage Techniques of Mount Myōboku are relatively simple. Although they are a bit difficult, as long as there is a sage to help, one can always succeed in mastering them."

The greatest danger of the Sage Arts of Mount Myōboku is being corrupted by natural energy. However, Mount Myōboku has a staff that can unleash natural energy. But whether you can get a sage to help you cultivate depends on your relationship with Mount Myōboku.

"Is that so? Thank you."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru raised his wine glass and clinked it with his. He had gained a lot today, learning about the dangers of natural energy. He would make time to visit Ryuchi Cave when he had some free time.

If Jiraiya could successfully cultivate, there's no reason why he couldn't.

"Orochimaru, you didn't learn Sage Mode from Uchiha Yoichi, did you?"

Jiraiya suddenly asked, in his memory Orochimaru didn't know about Sage Mode before, if he did know and was interested, he would have asked long ago; and recently, the only one who could be associated with Ryuchi Cave was Uchiha Yoichi.

"That's right. Manda said I wasn't a contractor of Ryuchi Cave, so I went to ask Yang Yi for advice, and he didn't hide anything from me."

He also revealed a lot about the risks of the Dragon Cave Immortal Technique, telling him that these were no less than an A-level forbidden technique.

Jiraiya took a sip of sake, sighed, and said, "That brat... I always felt he wasn't easy to get along with, and he doesn't have a very good temper either."

Tsunade asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"During the last mission."

Jiraiya told Tsunade and Orochimaru what happened during the mission.

However, Orochimaru shook his head and said, "If I were leading the team, I would have someone take him back to the village for interrogation."

Jiraiya exclaimed in surprise, "That's a bit much, Orochimaru. He just has an unpleasant way of speaking."

"Heh~"

Tsunade scoffed, then said disdainfully to Jiraiya, "Are you an idiot? Orochimaru mentioned that ninja who harbors resentment towards the Uchiha brat. What's the point of keeping someone like that around? To hold a grudge against a meritorious person?"

"Even though the Uchiha brat isn't exactly likable, at least he completed his mission well. What did the other person do? How could he even say something like killing his comrade?!"

Although she sometimes wanted to beat up that Uchiha brat, she would never let someone who harbored resentment towards their teammates get away with it!

Seeing that his two companions were against him, Jiraiya had no choice but to surrender and say, "Alright, alright, let's talk about something else."

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Konoha and the Land of Fire reaped huge profits in the Land of Rivers, but Sunagakure and the Land of Wind suffered heavy losses.

Originally, they wanted to gain more profits, but not only did they fail to achieve their goal, they also failed to retain their original share and were even implicated in an assassination plot against the daimyo of the River Country.

Now, the daimyo of the Land of Wind is not only angry, but also distrusts the Sand Village, feeling that the Sand Village dared to assassinate a daimyo without the daimyo's instructions.

Even a small country with a powerful name is not acceptable!

However, these things are no longer important to Sunagakure. What matters most is that their Third Kazekage has gone missing, and they have learned from Konoha ninjas that their Third Kazekage was likely killed by ninjas from their own village.

It sounds like a ridiculous joke, but the fact that they couldn't find the Third Kazekage despite the entire village's efforts, coupled with Sasori's sudden disappearance, made them somewhat suspicious.

At the high-level meeting of the Sand Village, Chiyo's expression was rather unpleasant. She looked around at the high-ranking members of the meeting, but no one spoke.

"You...you don't actually believe the Konoha ninja's provocations, do you? My grandson is only a teenager, how could he possibly kill the Third Kazekage!"

The last sentence was almost an angry shout; Chiyo would not allow dirty water to be splashed on her only grandson.

"Furthermore, Konoha claims this is for the sake of the Land of River. We should target Konoha and not listen to their provocations."

"Elder Chiyo!"

A high-ranking Sand Village official suddenly spoke up, interrupting Chiyo and silencing the meeting room. He continued, "Where is Sasori? Why did he suddenly leave the village?"

This question can't be avoided: why did they leave the village for so long in the first place? This already counts as desertion!

Another high-ranking Sand Village official spoke up, "Although Sasori is young, his strength is enough to make him a Jonin, and no one would disagree. Moreover, I've heard that no one in the village can cure the poison he makes, not even Elder Chiyo. Is that true?"

Chiyo, her face grim, said, "What are you bastards trying to say?"

"Alright, everyone, stop arguing amongst yourselves and let's deal with the village matters first."

Rasa spoke up to stop the argument. He was a disciple of the Third Kazekage and the only ninja in Sunagakure who had mastered Magnet Release.

"Let's get down to business. I don't believe the Konoha ninjas' words either. Let's continue searching for the Third Kazekage, and at the same time, send some people to find Sasori. Before the Third Kazekage returns, I think we need to choose someone to lead the village."

"You'll take on that role, Rasa."

Almost simultaneously, Ebizo spoke up after Rasa finished speaking, saying, "You were originally a candidate for Kazekage. With the Third Hokage absent, it's only right that you take over managing the village." No one in the Sand Village leadership objected, and Rasa, as a candidate for Kazekage, sat in the Kazekage's office.

Rasa was not without rivals in Sunagakure; the Sunagakure hero, Pakura, put considerable pressure on him.

If he didn't know Magnet Release, and if he weren't a disciple of the Third Kazekage, he really wouldn't have much confidence competing with Pakura.

The Sand Village and the Hidden Mist Village are old enemies, but Pakura has been invincible in the war against the Hidden Mist Village. The title of Sand Village Hero is earned by winning many battles.

Furthermore, Yekura also possesses the Scorching Release Kekkei Genkai, making her quite formidable.

Fortunately, Rasa managed to take the position of Kazekage through a high-level meeting of the Sand Village. Although he was only a substitute, he would become the Fourth Kazekage if the Third Kazekage did not return.

As for whether the Third Kazekage can be found, the Sand Village's higher-ups already believe that the Third Kazekage has perished.

If nothing had happened, how could it be that the village's shadow hadn't returned to the village or sent any messages for months?

Rasa didn't have an easy time after taking the position of Kazekage; Sunagakure left him with a mess.

The number of missions assigned by the Land of Rivers has been reduced, the number of missions assigned by the Land of Winds has been reduced, the profits earned outside have decreased, and the Hidden Mist Village has been causing trouble. In short, if no changes are made, the Hidden Sand Village will decline within a few years.

After much deliberation, Rasa convened another meeting of the Sand Village's high-ranking officials shortly afterward and stated his thoughts: "Prepare for war! We must defeat Konoha to reclaim all the lost gains!"

Few of the other high-ranking members of the Sand Village opposed it; in the current state of the Sand Village, only war could save the village.

With fewer missions assigned and Fengying missing, morale in the village is low. Only a resounding victory can restore the mission share and boost morale.

"Bunpuku's condition is probably not very good. If we are to start a war, we need to prepare a Jinchūriki to replace him."

A high-ranking Sand Village official in charge of guarding the Jinchūriki said, "After the war, Bunpuku's lifespan may reach its limit. If the Jinchūriki is not prepared in advance, then we will have to wait several years to recapture Shukaku."

Are there any suitable candidates in the village?

"The Third Generation Lord mentioned it once, but later... no one was selected."

Rasa said, "Let's select suitable personnel as soon as possible. However, Bunpuku should be able to hold out for a while, and we won't use Jinchuriki right away. In short, let's prepare for war as soon as possible."

"Understood."

After the order was given, the Sand Village mobilized, including Chiyo.

Although she was very saddened by her grandson's situation and worried that Sasori had indeed killed the Third Kazekage, the Sand Village was preparing for war, so Chiyo had no choice but to focus her energy on village affairs.

Although Chiyo is a puppeteer, she also knows medical ninjutsu and is excellent at making poisons; in foreign wars, she is responsible for both medical care and providing poisons to the front lines.

The Sand Village is a notorious poison-using village. During the last Shinobi World War, apart from Tsunade of Konoha, no other ninja village could deal with the Sand Village's poisons.

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【Divine Tongue】: Your tongue has been endowed with divine power. Massaging someone with your tongue can make them feel as if they have entered a fairyland. People who have been massaged by your tongue will speak their true feelings within three seconds.

"???"

When Uchiha Yoichi saw the new ability, his face was almost covered with question marks.

When he first saw the name of the ability, he thought it would be the God's Tongue from the Aphrodisiac series, but what is this thing called tongue massage?

Although massaging with your tongue might make the other person open up, what's the point?

How many female ninjas would he be willing to interrogate?

"I'd like to use it, but who could I use it on?"

Uchiha Yoichi put the ability out of his mind. He had already gained a lot from the previous abilities, and he didn't believe that he would be lucky forever. He would just wait a month and see if the ability would be refreshed next time.

Whoosh!

A rattling sound of chains suddenly came from behind. Uchiha Yang instinctively turned his head, then his hand crackled with lightning as he swiftly grabbed the chain across his face.

However, the chains gleamed with golden light, and the lightning in Uchiha Yangyi's hand quickly disappeared after touching the chains, his palm was also wrapped in layers of golden chains.

"Mina, you've awakened the Vajra Seal?"

Uchiha Yoichi looked at the chains wrapped around his hands in surprise and asked in astonishment.

The Uzumaki clan's bloodline seal was indeed powerful. He felt that the flow of chakra in his arm had almost stopped, becoming extremely sluggish and difficult to control. If the Vajra Seal were to wrap around his body, Uchiha Yoichi would probably become an ordinary person.

"Yang Yi, who just awakened today."

Uzumaki Mina happily skipped over and said, then unlocked the Vajra chain on Uchiha Yoichi's hand.

"I consulted Kushina last time, and after she taught me some techniques, I was able to use them successfully. I thought I wouldn't be able to awaken this ability."

After speaking, Mina Uzumaki came to Yoichi Uchiha's side and lowered her head slightly.

After waiting for nearly ten seconds, Uchiha Yoichi finally reacted, stroked Uzumaki Mina's red hair, and praised, "Well done, Mina. Once you master this ability, ordinary Jonin won't be able to hurt you at all."

The Vajra Seal can also unleash the Vajra Barrier. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi found the Vajra Barrier, which Kushina, in her weakened state, troublesome.

Mina asked expectantly, "Yoichi-sama, can I go on missions with you now?"

After thinking for a moment, Uchiha Yoichi realized that he was planning to take on more missions and make a name for himself in the ninja world, so bringing Uzumaki Mina along would be a good option.

With medical ninjutsu, sensory ninjutsu, the Vajra Seal, and the ability to summon Geiz, Mina Uzumaki now possesses considerable self-defense capabilities and can also heal injuries, making her an excellent ally.

Uchiha Yoichi said, "Okay, then tell Tsunade tomorrow, and we'll go pick up the mission the day after tomorrow."

Practicing forbidden techniques outside the village doesn't require the same level of caution as inside. For a long time to come, Uchiha Yoichi planned to make a name for himself in the ninja world through missions.

Although it takes four people to form a complete mission team, Uchiha Yoichi can ask the Second Elder to find two clansmen to be nominally in the team but not to go on missions. Only he and Uzumaki Mina will carry out the missions. That will do.

Uchiha Yoichi has already mastered the basics of the Flying Thunder God Technique in terms of perception, and he can now sense chakra.

It is indeed quite easy for Yin Release ninjas to learn this kind of ninjutsu, but this is only the beginning. There are still many steps to go before they can skillfully use the Flying Thunder God Technique in battle.

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(End of this chapter)