A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-Cain
-Goha21
-Splendid
-Varun Madhu
-Mp Gaming
-Aziz Makda
-SATIONAS
-Gonzalo Sumalavia
-Sethos
-Klip
-JWolf
-kevin williams
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
The blinding white light that dyed the heavens and earth pure reached its peak intensity, and only then did the deafening chain of explosions finally erupt.
The golden barrier Kaito had erected began to expand, forcing him to continuously draw upon the energy of the earth's Ryūmyaku to sustain it.
After what felt like an eternity, the intense light gradually faded, and the explosions ceased. Everyone slowly opened their eyes again.
Kaito stomped his foot once more, and the massive golden barrier began to dissipate.
The interior of the barrier was now a scene of utter devastation. The forest had completely vanished, replaced by a colossal crater. The ground had turned to scorched earth, still emitting faint wisps of white smoke.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Kaito crouched down, looking mockingly at the three battered boys lying on the ground.
"Enjoy yourselves? You three really have no regard for your lives, huh?"
"Ahahaha..."
Naruto grinned foolishly.
"..."
Neji closed his eyes and remained motionless, pretending to be dead.
"Hmph."
Sasuke turned his head away, refusing to let Kaito see his dirt-streaked face.
"Heh."
Kaito chuckled lightly and stood up, beckoning to Sakura, who was hesitating not far away.
"Sakura, right? Come over and treat them."
"Yes!"
Sakura's eyes lit up, and she immediately dashed toward Sasuke with clear determination.
"Sasuke."
She crouched down and extended her hands, putting on a serious expression.
"Let me heal you."
"Hey! Sakura, you're being way too biased! I'm right here too!"
Naruto complained loudly.
"Just wait!"
Sakura shot him a glare before turning back to Sasuke with a radiant smile.
"Sasuke, I'll heal you right away!"
"Move aside!!"
Karin suddenly appeared, shoving Sakura away with force. She rolled up her sleeve and pressed her wrist to Sasuke's mouth.
"Sasuke, let me handle this."
She smirked triumphantly at Sakura.
"After all, I'm your actual teammate!"
What about me?
Neji silently stared at Karin.
Karin ignored Neji completely and pushed her wrist closer.
"Hurry up, Sasuke!"
Damn it!!!
Sakura glared furiously at Karin, her fists clenched.
This red-haired freak dares to ruin my moment!
She was about to reclaim her spot when Sasuke glanced at Naruto and Neji and spoke.
"Sakura, go check on Naruto first. Karin can handle me and Neji."
"Yeah, my ability is way faster than medical ninjutsu anyway!"
Karin shot Sakura another challenging look before offering her other wrist to Neji.
Consider yourself lucky, bastard!
She muttered internally.
If it weren't for the sake of crushing this flat-chested brute, I wouldn't even bother with you!
Sasuke and Neji each bit down on one of Karin's wrists, and their injuries visibly healed at an astonishing speed.
"Ahh..."
Karin's face flushed red as she let out a shameless moan, her gaze lingering on Sasuke with infatuation.
"Th-this... th-this is..."
Sakura stared in disbelief, her words failing her in her rage.
"Th-this is... is... is... utterly shameless!!!"
"Sakura..."
Naruto weakly raised his hand.
"Don't forget about me..."
Sakura took a deep breath, exhaling twin streams of air from her nose as she barely suppressed her violent impulses. Resigning herself to the situation, she turned and began treating Naruto's injuries, deciding it was better not to witness the spectacle behind her.
"Huh?"
Minato blinked in confusion at the unfolding "drama."
"So Sakura likes Sasuke?"
You only just noticed?!
Kaito and Kushina gave him identical looks.
"Ahaha..."
Minato laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
"My mistake. But..."
He glanced at Karin before turning to Kushina.
"That red-haired girl... her abilities... Could she be from your clan?"
"She is indeed a surviving member of the Uzumaki clan," Kaito confirmed. "And she has awakened the Adamantine Sealing Chains."
"Really?!" Kushina's face brightened with joy. "That's wonderful!"
She now looked at Karin with newfound affection.
"What an adorable girl," she cooed, cupping her cheeks. "No wonder I felt such a strong connection to her the moment I saw her!"
Farther away, beneath a tree, Ino and Tenten watched Sakura's back with pity.
"Ah... she's completely lost this round, hasn't she?"
Ino wiped away nonexistent tears from the corners of her eyes.
"So pitiful!"
"Total defeat," Tenten deadpanned. "Whether it's enthusiasm or ninjutsu, she's been completely outmatched."
"You two..."
Shikamaru, who had just walked over, broke out in a cold sweat.
"This isn't right," Shino suddenly materialized like a ghost, pushing up his sunglasses with a solemn expression. "If you ask why, it's because Sakura is already pitiful enough. As her friends, you shouldn't openly pity her like this. Otherwise, she would truly be... too pitiful."
"Huh?!"
The others stared at him in disbelief.
What kind of logic is that?!
Is your pity somehow superior?!
"My apologies."
Realizing his misstep, Shino silently retreated.
"..."
Kaito shook his head, having no intention of getting involved in the teenagers' convoluted discussions. Instead, he quietly walked away with Minato.
Kushina stayed behind, eager to get to know Karin better.
The two men strolled through another part of the forest, still untouched by destruction.
"Earlier, I sensed the Kage from the other four villages secretly gathering," Kaito shared.
"They must be feeling uneasy."
Minato could empathize with their concerns.
"Naturally," Kaito sighed. "They're worried about whether I harbor ambitions to conquer the world."
"Is that so?"
Minato suddenly stopped and looked directly into Kaito's eyes.
"Do you have such ambitions, Kaito?"
"Hm?"
Kaito blinked before breaking into a smile.
"I've thought about it for a second or two, but then I immediately dismissed it because it seemed like too much trouble."
"That's what I figured."
Minato resumed walking.
"It's hard to imagine you having any interest in ruling over others."
"True," Kaito nodded. "After all, I'm just an ordinary, unremarkable onmyoji."
Minato chuckled. "I, for one, am looking forward to the day I become the Flash Warrior, guardian of the stars, traversing the void."
"That day won't be far off," Kaito assured him.
The two exchanged a glance and laughed.
Once their laughter subsided, Minato spoke again.
"There's one more thing."
"Oh?" Kaito motioned for him to continue.
"I remember you once said," Minato's expression turned serious, "that if we reclaim the planet's essence stolen by the Divine Tree, the world can be restored—even the deserts of the Land of Wind could become fertile land."
"That will be my most crucial bargaining chip in tomorrow's negotiations."
Kaito smiled mysteriously.
"Sounds like you've already secured an unbeatable position for tomorrow."
Minato felt a wave of relief wash over him.
*****
T/N: Use this code "POLARIS" on my p@treon for 30%