Raikage A told Mufasa the key points and techniques of Ninjutsu.
Mufasa quickly began to understand what the essence of Ninjutsu truly was.
Nintaijutsu, as the Raikage explained, was the fusion of chakra-based elemental techniques and raw physical combat.
The key point boiled down to a single concept: on the verge of release, but restrained.
Ninjutsu required chakra to be molded, condensed, and held back—restrained at the edge of release while binding it to the body.
That balance created a state of power ready to explode yet perfectly under control.
Mastery was everything. Fail to control the elemental flow, and it would simply disperse into the air.
At the same time, the body itself had to be strong enough to withstand and bind the elemental energy.
Through years of experimentation, the shinobi of the Hidden Cloud developed their own refined methods and techniques.
Raikage A revealed only the crucial points to Mufasa, emphasizing the binding process.
Mufasa nodded, quickly piecing the puzzle together. Physical strength was never a problem for him—his body was already honed like tempered steel.
He decided to test the method using Star Release. Channeling chakra, he wrapped luminous energy around his body, letting it expand and swell.
A radiant giant of light took form around him, towering and majestic.
If he wished, he could swap the nature of the energy—turning the form into fire, water, or even ice, shaping giants of pure element at will.
Once the principle was mastered, the possibilities seemed endless.
Mufasa stood within the luminous colossus.
From a distance, it resembled a Susanoo, but stripped of the spectral armor's true might.
This was not the Susanoo—merely a vast shell of chakra energy. Still, it was impressive.
He mused aloud. "Maybe with the Star Ring, I can twist this into something more interesting… Or perhaps pass it down to the younger shinobi of the village."
For him personally, though, it felt like child's play. At his current level, few things could still push his strength further.
Perhaps exploration in the realm of the soul, or unlocking deeper mysteries of chakra itself, would bring real progress.
After experimenting for a while, Mufasa dispersed the giant. The brilliance faded, leaving the Raikage staring in wide-eyed disbelief.
"You mastered it instantly?" Raikage A's voice cracked with shock.
Mufasa tilted his head, confused. "Was that supposed to be difficult?"
The Raikage gave a helpless chuckle and shook his head.
His earlier attempt to impress had backfired spectacularly.
Internally, his respect for Mufasa shot to new heights.
With his pride a little bruised, the Raikage returned to his desk. But instead of sulking, he suddenly leaned forward, eyes sharp with ambition.
"Kazekage," he said, using Mufasa's title, "let's join forces and rule the shinobi world together."
The words struck Mufasa like a lightning bolt. "You're serious?!"
The Raikage's expression was grave. "From what I've seen, there are only two true titans in this world—you and me."
Outside, thunder rumbled, as if echoing his declaration.
But Mufasa's will was unshaken. He didn't flinch.
The Raikage pressed on. "Our villages stand in the northeast and southwest. Together, we could strike from both ends—east and west—crushing the other nations before they could react. With that, we'd unify the ninja world."
A dangerous gleam lit his eyes. "What do you say?"
Mufasa narrowed his gaze. "And how would we divide the world afterward?"
"By territory, of course," Raikage A replied confidently. "Whichever land your Sand shinobi secure will be yours. But hesitate, and my forces will seize everything."
Mufasa was reminded of the ancient days of Hashirama and Madara, when overwhelming power had briefly forced the world to imagine peace.
Power brought fear, and fear stifled illusions.
The Land of Lightning had always been one of the most formidable nations. Beneath the surface of the so-called unity after the Fourth Great Shinobi War, ambition never truly died.
Shinobi might smile in public councils, but behind closed doors, schemes brewed endlessly.
After witnessing Mufasa's sheer ability, the Raikage could no longer deny it—this was a man worthy of alliance.
So, with conviction burning in his voice, he extended his hand: "Together, we will conquer the world."
Mufasa wrinkled his nose, his sharp eyes narrowing as he shook his head slowly.
"There's no room for two lions on the same peak," he said calmly, his voice carrying the weight of old battles. "If it were only our two clans ruling the shinobi world, conflict would be inevitable."
"No doubt," Raikage Ai muttered, arms crossed, the lightning in his presence crackling faintly. He clearly agreed.
"So what's your angle, Mufasa?"
Mufasa's expression hardened, his tone thoughtful yet firm. "A triangle is more stable than a line. We need a third power alongside our two villages. That way, each faction keeps the others in check, preventing rash moves."
Ai rubbed his chin, considering. "Not a bad thought. But which village should take that role?"
Mufasa raised a finger. "Not enough. A lone third party could be swallowed up by you or me, or worse—swayed into allegiance with one side. That would spark a Fifth Great Ninja War without question."
Ai frowned, thunderclouds forming in his mind. "Then what's your solution?"
"We need more than one fallback," Mufasa explained. "Two additional alternatives at least. If the third crumbles, we rely on a fourth or fifth to preserve balance. On top of that, buffer zones must exist between every faction. Barriers of safety, so none of us can lunge at the other without warning."
His eyes gleamed as he leaned closer. "What do you think, Raikage?"
A blinked, momentarily thrown off. His head spun trying to keep up with Mufasa's web of strategy. "Uh… yeah. Good. Very good."
Darui, standing nearby, groaned under his breath.
"Unbelievable…" He covered his face with his palm, already sensing where this would end.
But A finally caught up, realization dawning.
The five great villages, each a pillar, with neutral lands serving as buffers—that was the very system already in place in the shinobi world.
Mufasa was just painting the picture anew.
With a snarl, Ai slammed his foot against the table. The wood cracked, shattering into splinters. His voice roared like a storm. "Kazekage—no, Mufasa! You dare mock me with schemes I already know?"
Mufasa lifted his hands with a shrug. "Brother, weren't you the one who tried to play games with me first? You talk of conquering the shinobi world. Tell me, what good comes of it?"
That gave Ai pause. His towering frame stilled, his expression blanking for a heartbeat. What good did come from conquering? The answer should have been obvious… yet nothing rolled off his tongue.
Mufasa tilted his head, sly amusement dancing in his eyes. "See? You can't even put it into words." He leaned back, smirking. "Let me spell it out: free food, free lodging, maybe some false glory. Beyond that? What else?"
Ai bristled. "The Land of Lightning would thrive! My people would share in the spoils!"
Mufasa's eyes rolled so hard Darui nearly laughed. "Really? How many would benefit? The rich remain rich, the poor stay poor. Your 'spoils' would turn villagers into nothing more than fodder for your wars. Don't mistake greed for glory."
He jabbed a finger toward Ai. "Even if I let you gorge yourself, how much can you eat? Ten meals a day? Your stomach has limits. Even if you sleep on silken sheets, how much rest can you truly take before time itself strips it away? In the end, old age leaves you with nothing but tears and dust."
Mufasa's words carried a strange, heavy calm. "A man's life is a glass of water, a bowl of rice, a bed to lie in, and soil to return to. Everything else is excess. Waste."
Ai froze, utterly bewildered. The storm of ambition in his chest dimmed under the weight of the simple truth.
If Mufasa was right, then conquest was nothing more than vanity—pointless vanity.
Mufasa smirked inwardly.
He was spinning the Raikage around in circles, weaving philosophy like a genjutsu. Muscles and brute strength couldn't resist subtle words.
While Ai wrestled with confusion, Mufasa rested in the knowledge that his strategy was working.
If everyone simply learned to rest, to live… the world wouldn't need another war.
Ai blinked again, realization dawning like lightning.
His voice boomed, half in anger, half in disbelief. "Fool! You say all this, but you're the very one building weapons, hoarding wealth, scheming in shadows! You claim to despise excess, yet you chase it more than anyone!"
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Word count: 1423
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