Chapter 359: Something's Wrong
Status Update
Skill Sword Jutsu
Current Level LV6
Experience Points 400,000 / 600,000
"It's already level six. Could I be a once-in-a-millennium sword prodigy?" Masahiko smiled and shook his head.
It had been more than half a month since everyone returned from the ruins of the Land of That. The guard Tatewaki, whom Masahiko had saved from the ruins, became Kimimaro's basic sword instructor (he originally only planned to teach Shu). Masahiko, having nothing to do, also followed along and practiced. Half a month passed, and his Sword Jutsu rose to level six.
Weighing the wooden sword in his hand, Masahiko shook his head and tossed it aside. Level six Sword Jutsu was enough to guide Kimimaro after leaving the Land of Iron. There was no need to spend more energy on it; he felt Sword Jutsu didn't really suit him.
Not far to Masahiko's left, Karin and Haku were having an interesting sparring session. Around Karin were dozens of ice mirrors, and in her hands was enough clay to be used only three times. In other words, she only had three chances to bomb Haku out...
This was a bit like the reward for clearing certain game dungeons in Masahiko's previous life, giving you many cards to flip, and you only know if the front of the card is a 'good thing' after flipping it.
Although Karin had the 'cheat' Mind's Eye of the Kagura, Haku was the game GM and could instantly swap the contents of two cards. After three card flips, the wins and losses were basically fifty-fifty... The two children were thus addicted to this 'lottery' game, unable to extricate themselves.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" After three consecutive explosions, Haku's figure appeared behind Karin. This time, Karin lost.
Masahiko pondered slightly and took a few steps forward. "Karin, think about how Deidara looks. Saying something every time you throw explosive clay can distract the opponent."
Karin was stunned. "Art is an explosion? That's so stupid, Great Elder."
Masahiko shook his head repeatedly. "No, no, no, you could say... 'This lady is gonna bomb you to death'?"
Karin rolled her eyes and went to get three more portions of clay. "Haku, ignore the Great Elder. Let's continue, I'll definitely bomb you out this time!"
"Hehe." Masahiko smiled. "Just now when you threw the clay, your face literally said 'This lady is gonna bomb you to death'. Since you don't want to shout it out, keep your expression calmer. It's the clay exploding; your own expression doesn't need to be so ferocious like you're going to eat someone."
"I know, I know. Come on, Haku, put all your mirrors out." Karin gave a perfunctory reply, high spirits showing her addiction to flipping cards.
Seeing Haku and Karin start a new round of the game, Masahiko shook his head and walked away.
The Arrival of Akatsuki
Kimimaro's training never required Masahiko to worry, so he strolled toward the exit of the Land of Iron General's Residence's sword training ground.
"More than half a month and no news. It seems that guy who took the Rinnegan most likely won't come back. We can basically confirm that he was deliberately targeting the Land of That." Masahiko shook his head and sighed. "I don't know how their ancestors offended Kaguya, to actually have such courage. Could it be they saw she was pretty and went up to harass her..."
Masahiko even somewhat suspected that the so-called multiple destructions and reconstructions of the Land of That were Black Zetsu deliberately torturing them. This time, someone else destroyed the country, and they were finally 'completely freed'.
Just as he walked out of the training ground, Masahiko ran into the hurrying samurai Okisuke.
"Senior, I was just looking for you." Okisuke spoke rapidly. "That Akatsuki organization you mentioned before has arrived. A man and a woman. They are currently talking with General Mifune."
"Oh?" Masahiko's expression shifted. He slightly released his sensory abilities and sure enough, sensed the chakra of Yahiko and Ameyuri Ringo.
"They arrived quite fast."
Location: General's Residence, Main Hall
Present: Masahiko, Yahiko, Ameyuri Ringo, Mifune
Inside the main hall of the General's Residence, Masahiko saw the two. Yahiko still had that passionate look for peace, currently persuading Mifune to let the Land of Iron join the Akatsuki Peace Plan. Ameyuri Ringo, on the other hand, was looking around in boredom. She accidentally caught a glimpse of Masahiko pushing the door and entering. At that moment... her eyes almost fell out of their sockets.
"Are you that pleasantly surprised to see me? Better watch your teeth carefully," Masahiko smiled.
Hearing his voice, Yahiko turned around, also with a surprised face. "Senior, why are you here?"
"Hmm... guess?" Masahiko raised an eyebrow.
Yahiko: "..."
Mifune stood up, gave Masahiko a samurai bow, and turned to face Yahiko. "I have already learned of your philosophy of peace from Senior. There's no need to elaborate. But there is one thing I want to hear the truth from you about: was Lord Hanzo's corpse handed over to the puppet master by you as a reward?"
Yahiko was startled and looked at Masahiko. Masahiko smiled and spread his hands.
"So this old geezer specially ran to the Land of Iron to make things difficult for us?" Ameyuri Ringo muttered softly.
Yahiko took a deep breath. "General Mifune, it is true that I handed over Hanzo of the Salamander's corpse to Sasori of the Red Sand. He brought too much pain to the Land of Rain over the years..."
Mifune frowned deeply. "Regardless of what he did in life, his corpse should not be desecrated!"
Yahiko shook his head. "I believe his sins cannot be expiated by mere death."
A Secret Exchange
Masahiko watched the argument from the sidelines for a while, finding it rather boring. Just as he was about to interrupt, he saw Ameyuri Ringo looking at him, her eyes darting sideways repeatedly.
"What? Don't want your eyes either?"
Ameyuri Ringo: "..."
She almost shattered a mouthful of jagged teeth.
Seeing her expression, Masahiko finally remembered that this person seemed to be his spy. Could it be she had something to tell him?
So his voice sounded directly in Ameyuri Ringo's ear: "Knock, knock, knock."
Ameyuri Ringo: ???
"You don't even understand the secret signal, what use are you? Come find me at the third watch."
Ameyuri Ringo's face was extremely dark. She gritted her teeth and said, "Old geezer, where is the restroom?"
Yahiko paused his speech, slightly turned his head to check on Ameyuri Ringo, and turned to Mifune. "Lord General, could I trouble you to send someone to take my companion to the restroom."
"No need, I also want to go," Masahiko said with a smile.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Senior."
Masahiko glared. "What are you looking at? Let's go, Great Ancestor will personally show you the way."
The two walked out of the main hall one after the other. Masahiko turned his head and said, "Speak if you have something to say. To think you still remember my kindness, I thought you had long considered yourself Yahiko's person."
"Really, thank you so much for your kindness." Ameyuri Ringo grinned sinisterly, then quickly hid her teeth...
"Don't be afraid, I won't hit you."
Ameyuri Ringo paused, changing the subject. "Old geezer, didn't you feel that the brat Yahiko is acting a bit off?"
"Call me old geezer again and I'll shatter your mouthful of teeth. Be polite. Either call me Great Ancestor or Senior, calling them together is even better." Masahiko's eyes showed a fierce light. "What's wrong with him?"
Ameyuri Ringo gritted her teeth again. Grinding her teeth often gave her great dental health.
"He's always very enthusiastic when in front of you, but at other times, his expression becomes strange when you're mentioned. It was like this in the Hidden Stone Village before. Facing the oppression of those two great nations, he refused to ask for your help again."
Masahiko remained silent for a moment, then sighed and nodded. "I understand."
☆☆☆
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