Scorch Release shinobi Pakura.
Due to hER prolonged activity on the Kirigakure battlefield, She had earned their deep resentment. Now that Sunagakure had sent a request for peace—even though Kirigakure had already lost the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—they made this demand with the confidence that their strength still far surpassed that of Sunagakure.
Logically speaking, as a shinobi with a kekkei genkai, Pakura should have been protected by the village.
But after the Sunagakure leadership heard Kirigakure's terms, they all fell silent.
The long-standing value system instilled by Sunagakure made these higher-ups begin to reassess Pakura's worth.
Scorch Release users were indeed rare—but compared to gaining control over the Land of Plenty, they were insignificant.
Exchanging Pakura's life for a ceasefire with Kirigakure would allow Sunagakure to ally with Kumogakure and attack Konoha together—
Feasible.
The decision was made almost simultaneously among the upper ranks.
Especially Rasa himself—he had long resolved to sell out Pakura. He just hadn't said it outright, considering the opinions of the other elders.
If they could truly seize the Land from Konoha, he would go down in history as the greatest Kazekage of Sunagakure, the one who finally freed the village from poverty.
"I agree."
Sensing the atmosphere had reached its peak, one high-ranking official—who had previously pledged loyalty to Rasa—was the first to speak.
Once there was a first, a second and third naturally followed.
Soon, all the high-level officials had passed the resolution: they would agree to the exchange—Pakura for peace with Kirigakure.
...
"Senjutsu: Ice Release: Wind Spirit!"
As Takeshi channeled his energy, countless ice crystals condensed and gathered into the shape of a massive giant.
The details gradually formed. Empowered by senjutsu chakra and a tremendous amount of life energy, a colossal Gundam that Takeshi could control in battle took full shape.
Of course, this wouldn't have been possible without Isobu's help.
[Isobu: Instead of wasting chakra to create this giant lump, wouldn't it be more efficient to just go into Tailed Beast Mode?]
In the mental space, Takeshi raised his head proudly.
"You just don't get it, Isobu. Piloting a Gundam is a man's romance!"
"Sturdy, invincible, the strongest!"
"Crush, shatter, glorious cheers!"
[Isobu: ...Ugh, such an annoying brat.]
Isobu scratched his belly and decided to let this little guy do as he pleased.
[Isobu, actually... I want to try another jutsu...]
Sensing that his Sage Mode still had some time left, Takeshi pleaded with a hopeful tone.
[Isobu: ...Fine, fine.]
[Mua~ I love you the most, Isobu!]
Another surge of powerful chakra erupted from within. Takeshi clenched his fists. Under Slug's confused gaze, he slapped his hands together and pressed them to the ground.
"Senjutsu: Ice Release: Grand Ice Funeral!"
As Takeshi finished chanting the final syllable of the technique, a thick layer of ice spread across the ground, with his hands at the center.
Soon, a sizable portion of land within the Shikkotsu Forest was completely frozen over.
But it didn't end there.
As the first skeletal hand reached out from beneath the ice, skeletons made of solid ice began to emerge one after another.
With Sage Mode active, Takeshi could control these skeletons to attack any target he chose.
However, once Sage Mode ended, not only would he be able to create fewer skeletons, his control over them would become far less precise.
Time was almost up.
As the markings on his face began to fade, the enormous Wind Spirit and the large number of skeletons started to vanish.
"Ara, is time up already? Also, this skeleton-summoning jutsu isn't very graceful, is it?"
Peeking out from Takeshi's collar, Slug commented on the scene before it.
"Well, I think it looks pretty cool."
Takeshi shook his head, then asked Slug,
"Katsuyu-sama, how long did I last this time?"
Slug wiggled her tiny antennae and began to count seriously.
"Hmm... let me see. One, two, three... Wow! Amazing, little Takeshi—you lasted over ten minutes this time!"
Over ten minutes, huh? Still too short for proper combat.
Even though he could enter the state quickly, it was meaningless if he couldn't maintain it.
But he had a trick up his sleeve!
The Crown Prince of Naruto wrold had once invented a very clever way to sustain power—perfect for Takeshi to borrow and make use of!
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
...
Kakashi had been promoted to jōnin.
It had nothing to do with his Hokage father.
Back during the Third Great Ninja War, his achievements had already earned him the right to be a proud jōnin of Konoha.
It's just that—
Kakashi knew full well: a team couldn't have two jōnin.
Since Takeshi, their team leader, had disappeared without notice, and Team 7 was now little more than a name, Kakashi reluctantly accepted the promotion.
"Kakashi!"
Rin's voice called out from behind. Kakashi turned his dead-fish eyes and saw her bright, cheerful smile.
"Congratulations on becoming a jōnin!"
As she spoke, Rin pulled out a custom medical kit she had prepared from her pouch.
"Thanks."
Kakashi replied flatly, reaching out to accept the gift.
"Obito hasn't come back either?"
Unsure of what else to say, Kakashi brought up Obito.
That's right—after Takeshi, the second powerhouse of Team 7, Obito, had also run off with Jiraiya to who knows where.
The once "mighty" Team 7 had suddenly become a comedy duo of Kakashi and Rin.
"Yeah. Not even a word from him."
Speaking of Obito, Rin could only sigh.
That guy hadn't sent a single message since leaving with Jiraiya. Just like Takeshi—completely vanished.
If those two didn't come back soon—
As Kakashi was grumbling internally—
"Yo, Kakashi! Interested in a youthful battle where we sweat it out?!"
Guy's passionate shout rang out, making Kakashi roll his eyes immediately.
If Takeshi didn't return soon, he was going to lose his mind dealing with this green-clad idiot!
Watching Guy draw a circle on the ground with a sweeping kick, Kakashi just wanted to walk away.
"Sorry, Guy. I'm busy right now. No time for your... competition."
As he was about to body flicker away, a strong hand clapped down on his shoulder.
"Well, well... isn't this the newly promoted Jōnin Hatake Kakashi? In such a hurry to leave—where to?"
The scent of tobacco filled the air. Sarutobi Asuma, already sprouting a bit of stubble despite his age, appeared beside Kakashi with a cigarette in his mouth and a smirk on his face.
"Asuma..."
Seeing him, the black lines on Kakashi's face deepened.
This smoking punk—couldn't he just stay away for once?!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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