Konoha's Mission Master

Without hesitation, Yakumo clicked "buy".

Two "Grandmaster-level Breakthrough Scrolls"

Gold coins: 34700 → 8700.

Fine stone, quantity ten.

Gold coins: 700.

Yakumo leaped off the roof, went to the bathroom for a quick shower, and felt the changes that the Wood Release: Secret Technique brought to his body.

Life within it becomes even stronger.

A completely new change is brewing within it.

Yakumo speculated that after reaching the Grandmaster level of the Wood Release Secret Manual…

Your body will undergo a completely new evolution.

The Wood Release Technique was originally an ordinary ninjutsu, but after being enhanced by a unique talent, it unexpectedly developed a magical ability that could influence the enhancement of the body.

"I'm really just an ordinary little genius."

Before going to sleep, Yakumo amplified the power of Fuma.

When all ten essence stones are used up, the amplification reaches 223%!

The blade of the demon-slaying sword became even sharper.

Of course, this is not just an increase in sharpness.

After the demon-subduing transmission...

The power of Yakumo's chakra will also increase by 223%!

The newly upgraded Demon Subduer has been placed in the Glory Sword Box.

Yakumo, however, was itching to spar with Mundo in the arena.

However, he also knew that with his current strength, he was no match for Mundo, and entering the arena now would only be a waste of gold coins.

Yakumo finally suppressed his fighting spirit.

Turn over and fall asleep.

After all, the next day... was the time to go out of the village for sightseeing.

The following day, under Yakumo's guidance.

The three left Konoha Village and headed to Blackrock Castle.

Blackrock City is located in the western part of the Land of Fire, a region with a relatively poor economy. This is why bandits are rampant in the vicinity of Blackrock City, and nearly one in ten merchant caravans that travel there survive.

In this trip, the three will spend a month traveling between the six major cities of the Land of Fire, finally arriving at their destination, Black Rock Castle, and then departing from Black Rock Castle to return to Konoha Village via a different route.

This trip... will last a total of two months.

The three of them trekked through mountains and rivers.

Finally, at the end of January, the three arrived in Blackrock City.

Inside the inn, Yakumo spread out a map.

There are two bandit groups of about a hundred men each in the east and west directions of Blackrock City. Although these two strongholds have some local skirmishes, they are united against external forces and prevent other bandits from establishing themselves in Blackrock City.

The two mountain strongholds controlled two trade routes.

They've made a fortune over the years.

But the number of merchants who died at their hands was already close to five thousand…

"These two mountain strongholds are Qianxue's test targets."

Yakumo drew circles on the ground with a pen.

At the same time, specific tasks were assigned. Since Yougu Qianxue chose to become a ninja, he would inevitably have to be accompanied by killing.

As a master, all Yakumo could do was to create a relatively safe training environment. The two mountain strongholds to the east and west of Black Rock City were the training grounds that Yakumo chose for Yukotsu Chiyuki.

“I had my shadow clone explore the area a few nights ago.”

"Each of these two strongholds is guarded by two Jonin, who are two rogue ninjas from Iwagakure. Of course, if they attack you, I will help you deal with them... All the other enemies are the targets of your trial."

"Yes, sir! I will do everything in my power to complete the mission!"

You Gu Qianxue stared at the map and said firmly.

The bedroom was somewhat quiet.

Yukotsuki studied the map while also reviewing the detailed information provided by Yakumo, feeling confident about the upcoming trials.

That night, Yukotsu Chiyuki decided to carry out the mission.

The three changed into their night clothes and set off under cover of darkness.

The target is the western part of Blackrock City... a mountain stronghold.

One Jonin, one Chunin, and five Genin.

What remains are nearly a hundred cannon fodder, used for attrition purposes.

The candidates are not fixed from year to year.

It happens almost every few days...

Old faces disappear, new faces emerge.

At the foot of the mountain, Yakumo and Mori Masako hid in the shadows.

As Yougu Qianxue drew closer and closer to the mountain stronghold, the mountain village was revealed.

Their footsteps were light, like a night owl moving silently.

Yakumo's two years of dedicated guidance.

And six months of physical revitalization.

A profound manual of swordsmanship.

Although Yukotsu Chiyuki never attended a ninja academy, her current combat strength is enough to deal with Chunin-level enemies.

This trial is not difficult, as long as he gets used to killing.

"I'll go up to protect him, so you don't need to go up."

Yakumo said to Mori Masako.

At the same time, two shadow clones were left in the dark.

He is responsible for protecting Masako Mori.

It's better to be prepared.

Yakumo followed behind Yukotsu Chiyuki, her movements as elusive as a ghost.

With his intangible perception spreading, the locations of the bandits in the mountain stronghold were imprinted in Yakumo's mind, as clear and transparent as chess pieces on a chessboard.

Yukotsu Chiyuki is infiltrating using the method taught by Yakumo: as long as all the hidden sentries are eliminated, it's as if she's never been exposed...

On the way there, the bandits and robbers were dealt with by Yakumo's shadow clones.

The current Yougu Qianxue is still a boy who has never seen blood.

Dark clouds obscured the moonlight.

Yu Gu Qianxue gripped the short blade and suddenly unleashed her full power.

The bloodline flashed and disappeared in an instant, followed by two swift strikes.

The two sentries were quickly dealt with without making a sound. It should be noted that the two had very little chakra, but they were tall, strong, and had the strength to take on three people at once.

However, it was unable to react at all to You Gu Qianxue's hands.

"Decisive and swift, without holding back."

Yakumo commented in a low voice from behind. With his eyesight, he could naturally see that after taking down the two, Yukotsu Chiyuki's expression did not change at all. It was as if he had instantly adapted to killing, or rather... there was no process of adapting at all. He was born with the ability to take lives.

"The gates of slaughter... are wide open."

In Yakumo's eyes, Yukotsu Chiyuki blended into the night as swiftly as a cunning rabbit, making no sound... and soon the location of the second sentry post was determined.

Following the same method, the two were dealt with almost instantly.

The swordsmanship taught by Yakumo was completely transformed into the killing techniques of Yukotsu Chiyuki, until all the hidden sentries were completely eliminated.

Yougu Qianxue entered the belly of the mountain stronghold.

Without stopping, they immediately began killing from the outer rooms.

The faint smell of blood was spreading.

In the center of the mountain stronghold.

The bandit leader's wooden door was pushed open instantly... It was a short, middle-aged man with thick limbs.

Because of his appearance, he was often ridiculed by his fellow villagers in Iwagakure, and eventually, anger consumed his reason.

During one operation... he ambushed his former companions who had mocked him, and completely betrayed Iwagakure.

He became king near Blackrock City.

From that moment on, everyone looked at him with only fear and respect.

From that moment on, no one dared to laugh at his height again!

But tonight.

He smelled a faint scent of blood in the air.

This taste reminded him of his past memories.

That was during the Ninja World War, which I participated in more than a decade ago.

Countless corpses piled up like mountains, and the stench of blood lingered for a long time.

He casually killed the woman who was serving him.

Even if this woman is beautiful enough, he still likes her...