Chapter 467: Simulation Ends, Sun Breathing Method Modified
[It felt like an attack that could crush an enemy through sheer pressure alone. In an instant, several Cloud shinobi in front of you were blown tumbling by that aura, some even collapsing with a thud and fainting on the spot. Though you were momentarily shaken as well, the impact on you was minimal overall.]
[Your eyes locked onto each other, and without hesitation you lunged forward. Activating the Transparent World, you tightened your grip on your sword, the force of it instantly setting the blade ablaze. The other you drew a single-handed sword at the same moment and charged straight at you.]
[You immediately unleashed the Thirteenth Form of the Sun Breathing. In a flash, you began from the First Form—Round Dance—swinging a flaming arc of a slash forward, then continued seamlessly through each form all the way to the Twelfth Form—Flame Dance—as the battle erupted between you and your counterpart.]
[Your opponent was also a master of the sword and seemed to possess an ability similar to the Transparent World. The Transparent World was the pinnacle of perception—allowing you to see through a living body, discern its weaknesses, and perceive movements as slow thanks to heightened sensory clarity.]
[Even so, you found yourself slightly suppressed. Within only a few exchanges you were already at a disadvantage. Even when you swung your burning crimson blade—the "Scarlet Sword"—he often countered with his weapon shrouded in black and crimson currents. At times he even drew a concealed firearm from his coat and fired straight at you.]
[What was even more unbelievable was that his sword seemed able to alter the weather itself—gusting winds and sudden rainstorms fell upon you continuously, affecting you alone from start to finish.]
[You had never experienced anything like this. Though you failed to protect those you cared about in your original world, though you never fulfilled your duties and considered yourself worthless in every regard—on the battlefield, this was the first time you had encountered such a formidable foe.]
[In the end, the sudden clash produced no victor. Instead, the entire battlefield was nearly destroyed by the shockwaves of your fight. Though you were at a disadvantage, you had not lost.]
[Returning to the Cloud Village afterward, you couldn't help sinking into deep thought. The other you you encountered today confirmed your suspicion—this ninja war indeed held special meaning for you. If nothing went wrong, the conflict between the Cloud Village and the Stone Village was essentially a battle between you and your other self. Only one of you could survive.]
[You disliked pointless fighting and didn't fear death, but that didn't mean you were willing to place your life and death in someone else's hands. For the first time, you began actively seeking a path to greater strength.]
[During the following period, you met Yugito Nii, the jinchūriki of the Two-Tails, and Killer B, the jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails, and traded blows with them several times. And you freely taught both of them the Sun Breathing method.]
[As in your original world, ordinary people without your physique could not withstand the strain of the Sun Breathing method, which gave birth to the derived "Water," "Thunder," "Flame," "Stone," and "Wind" foundational styles. The powerful figures of the Cloud Village were the same. While guiding them as they developed new breathing styles based on the Sun Breathing method, you unexpectedly fused chakra with the breathing techniques.]
[Their resulting styles resembled Thunder Breathing, but within them you found clues that helped you improve the Sun Breathing method. You began your research in earnest.]
[You sensed this was your best opportunity to ascend to a new level.]
[From September to November of Year 38, you and the other you engaged in three or four more battles, but still no outcome was decided. Though you improved significantly, he mastered many new ninjutsu techniques as well. With both of you possessing an ability similar to the Transparent World, it was extremely difficult to land a decisive blow on each other.]
[But a stronger opponent brought out a stronger you. By April of Year 39, you had intuitively mastered A's ultimate technique—Lightning Release: Lightning God Armor—the form representing his full power. When used, his hair would stand completely on end, and the power of Lightning Release would reach its maximum. (You learned the secret Lightning-Country taijutsu: Lightning Release: Thunder God Battle Armor.)]
[Then, after intermittent seclusion and constant research, aided by a stroke of inspiration, you finally completed your improved Sun Breathing method. It retained the Sun Breathing's overwhelming destructive power while incorporating the astonishing speed and piercing force of lightning-nature chakra. You named it Sun Breathing: Modified. (You obtained the skill: Sun Breathing: Modified.)]
[In May of Year 39, news arrived that the "Demi-God" Hanzo, after successfully suppressing the Leaf's elite trio—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade—was killed by another sword-wielder from the Leaf. Meanwhile, on another battlefield, the Mist Village—long entirely isolated from other nations—unexpectedly conquered the Sand Village, astonishing even the Third Raikage A.]
[In June of Year 39, when you encountered the other you again, you finally gained the upper hand. During this battle, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki B, the Two-Tails' jinchūriki Yugito, and the Third Raikage all joined in, defeating the Four-Tails' jinchūriki Roshi and the Third Tsuchikage Onoki. You also forced the other you into a desperate position and were just about to win.]
[At that moment, the Mist Village suddenly joined the fray, led by the Fourth Mizukage Yagura. Then you saw the third you—dressed in golden armor, riding a radiant vessel of gold and emerald. The instant he saw you, countless blades and heroic treasures rained down from the sky.]
[You died. The simulation ended.]
Summary:
Though powerful, you unexpectedly became the first casualty of this war, struck down in an ambush. A surprising end, to be sure. In confrontations like this, temperament matters just as much as strength. As for your impact… you accomplished little before your abrupt death—so little that lasting influence was nearly impossible.
If anything, you became the founder and originator of breathing techniques in this world. At the very least, the Cloud Village will remember you.
As for the final victor, that remains secret. But the one who killed you was not the last one standing.
Evaluation: D+
World Exploration: 32%
Since exploration exceeded 30%, you received 15 traversal coins.
Due to your relatively minor influence on world history, you received an additional 25 traversal coins.
[Your alignment has shifted: Lawful Neutral → Lawful Good.]
[Simulation complete. Please make your choice promptly.]
[Option One: Randomly obtain three skills or specialties acquired during your traversal.]
[Option Two: Randomly draw three items acquired during your traversal.]
Zhou Ning: …
He just died like that? For a moment he truly wanted to run the simulation again—he was furious!
This was probably the third time he'd gotten a D rating. This map was by far the most unfair, the most brutal he had ever faced—he was wiped out in moments.
In his view, this version of Yoriichi wasn't weak at all. In fact, he was extremely strong. Though his rating was D, his personality, potential for growth, and his overall performance were all top-tier. But the tragedy lay in the map's vicious mechanics.
As a purple-grade card, he faced the Lord of the Seven-Seas Zhou Ning and someone who, judging by the description, was basically on the level of Gilgamesh. And even Gilgamesh didn't survive to the end. The outcome was clear the moment he entered. Out of all his cards, fewer than five could handle a situation like this, and Yoriichi certainly wasn't one of them.
He could only say: he didn't lose unjustly—but he still refused to accept it.
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