In the world of Naruto, the absorption of natural energy is divided into different schools.
The mainstream schools are the training methods of Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave.
The former uses toad oil to enhance the skin's sensitivity to natural energy. The latter involves being directly bitten by the Great White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave to inject natural energy.
Although the methods differ, the logic is the same,
To make humans, who are not naturally sensitive to natural energy and cannot perceive it on their own, passively come into contact with natural energy.
After becoming familiar with the fluctuations of natural energy, they discard the auxiliary toad oil and achieve autonomous absorption of natural energy, entering Sage Mode.
But Ryosuke did not need the guided process.
Because Ripple breathing technique is inherently a power that uses breathing to create resonance between the body and the outside world.
After advancing to Second Stage Ripple, Ryosuke had mastered various transformations, such as manipulating water flow, producing high temperatures, and enhancing the effectiveness of metal tools, all of which already involved using Ripple to affect nature.
As long as he slightly adjusted the frequency of Ripple, Ryosuke could absorb natural power.
"…Then doesn't that mean, Brother Ryosuke, you can enter Sage Mode?!" Sasuke said in shock.
Ryosuke shook his head, "You forgot, I don't have chakra. But…"
He took a deep breath.
Zzzz!
A mountain-blown-colored Ripple surged in his palm.
It was stronger than before. Power, speed, and reflexes had all slightly improved.
Moreover, Ryosuke produced a sensation of being "connected" with all things in the world.
He could "touch" the breathing of all things.
Not only that, Ryosuke vaguely felt that something subtle was occurring in his body, something inexplicable, unnameable, a change happening at the cellular level, even deeper.
Ryosuke didn't know whether this change was good or bad.
But at least, he didn't turn into a stone man.
Seeing Sasuke's envious little eyes, Ryosuke smiled and said, "Don't rush. Once I become proficient, I'll definitely let you master it too."
Sasuke nodded hard.
———
Kimimaro crossed his arms.
Jūgo was holding his head, crying bitterly.
If not for the severed limbs and bloodied remains all over the ground, and the bloody meat paste on his body, one would have thought he was the victim.
"It was me who killed them… It's all because of me… I'm sorry…" Jūgo cried in a low voice.
As a mentally ill patient with dual personalities, the Jūgo who had regained conscience fell into deep self-blame.
He suddenly turned around, his bloodstained large hands grabbing Kimimaro's shoulders.
"Take me back. Lock me up. I really don't want to kill anyone again."
Kimimaro didn't care that his snowy white long robe was stained with foul blood. He held out a handkerchief, "Wipe yourself."
"Please! Lock me up!"
Kimimaro remained unmoved. "Wipe yourself."
He and Jūgo were close friends. Their friendship was unquestionable.
If it were any other request, Kimimaro would've certainly agreed. But this, was the one thing he couldn't allow.
Because letting Jūgo out to kill was an order from Lord Orochimaru.
"Jūgo's blood during calm periods, I've already examined it. Kimimaro, take him to kill. I need to conduct a double-blind experiment."
Kimimaro didn't understand what a "double-blind experiment" was, but since it was Lord Orochimaru's command, he would carry it out unconditionally,
even if the price was his close friend's suffering.
As for the commoners who died?
They lost their lives, yes, but Jūgo suffered greatly from killing them, so this… isn't it even?
Besides making Jūgo kill continuously to boost the power of the Cursed Seal, Kimimaro also had a second mission.
Five figures appeared.
They wore black clothes and black pants, no forehead protectors. Their faces were covered with snowy white masks, one could not tell which village they came from.
But looking through the holes in the masks, one could see pairs of indifferent, dead, emotionless eyes.
Ninjas from the Root Organization.
Judging by their movements, all five were jonin level.
This was Kimimaro's second mission.
In recent years, all the great ninja villages were strengthening their power. Danzo naturally wanted to enhance Konoha's power, so, he needed money.
But the Daimyō of the Land of Fire was unwilling to allocate military funds.
To make the Daimyō recognize Konoha's importance, Danzo and Orochimaru cooperated, deliberately staging massacres and unrest, to blackmail the Daimyō into providing more financial support.
In other words, raising bandits to increase their own worth.
On another front, there were too many bounty hunters within the Land of Fire.
Because of these hyena-like guys, Konoha was getting fewer commissions. The Daimyō and financial groups had more choices. So, Danzo decided to take the opportunity to kill off a batch of bounty hunters.
Five Root jonin.
Jūgo, who possessed Cursed Seal powers, and Kimimaro, who had the kekkei genkai Shikotsumyaku.
This was a trap targeting bounty hunters.
"Can we end it now?" Kimimaro asked.
The Root ninja held two heads in his hands, bounty hunters who had tracked them.
Along the way, they had massacred six villages. If it was for Orochimaru's experiment, it was about time to return.
"Not yet."
The Root ninja said coldly, "I haven't received Lord Danzo's order."
That meant, the Daimyō was still watching, still hesitating.
As long as the Daimyō didn't approve the funds, they would have to keep killing.
Kimimaro said, "Then let's move on."
The group departed, suddenly, the crying stopped.
Kimimaro turned to look.
The tears on Jūgo's face were gone. His eyes were cold. He extended one finger and pointed toward the boundless sky.
———
The image froze.
Ryosuke shook the photo paper. Everyone leaned in, staring into Jūgo's cold gaze.
Jiraiya raised his eyebrows, "Whoa! That pose, that expression… quite arrogant!"
Ryosuke didn't expect the other side to sense Hermit Purple's surveillance. Seems like he really has some skills.
Ryosuke used the same technique again, summoning Hermit Purple to draw out more detail from the photo.
Because Kimimaro and the others had already walked some distance, the photo only captured Jūgo and the piles of corpses.
"Camellia Box Village."
Jiraiya pointed to the clothing on the corpses, "This village is known for its chrysanthemum tea. They also embroider chrysanthemums on their clothes. It's about a day's travel from here."
Having a local was convenient. Otherwise, even if Ryosuke contacted Hayato Kamihara, considering carrier pigeon travel time, every piece of intel they'd get would be delayed.
Considering the wounded in Hope Village, Ryosuke decided to split up.
Ryosuke, Jiraiya, and Sasuke would go search for the wanted criminals.
Among them, Ryosuke and Sasuke would act openly.
Jiraiya would hide in the shadows, so that if Orochimaru noticed him, he wouldn't run away and hide.
The rest, Rei, Mayuri, Haku, and Takeshi stayed behind to care for the wounded.
After buying out all the instant film in the camera store, Ryosuke's group of three set out to pursue the killers.
Along the way, they did not sleep or rest. Everyone knew that even a delay of an hour or two might lead to the innocent death of an entire village.
Jiraiya thought Ryosuke and Sasuke would complain.
Unexpectedly, even the youngest Sasuke gritted his teeth and pressed on. Later, even Jiraiya couldn't bear to watch.
"Let's take a break."
Sasuke stayed silent for a long time, then said, "I don't want to see another clan extermination."
He smiled at Jiraiya. A free, easygoing smile.
"Unlucky guys like me… the fewer, the better."
After saying that, he once again activated Ripple and ran forward.
Jiraiya was moved. The fire that had been burning in his heart condensed into one sentence, 'F*** Danzo.'
Ryosuke continuously summoned Hermit Purple, spitting out photos, adjusting their tracking route.
Finally, at the edge of his vision, Ryosuke saw two figures, one tall and one short. There were already many corpses on the ground, and numerous wounded let out cries of despair.
'Found them!'
"Hermit Purple!"
Hermit Purple appeared instantly. Ryosuke threw the Great Ruin Blade to it and leaped.
"Ora!"
Hermit Purple roared angrily, swung the Great Ruin Blade, and smashed it against Ryosuke's foot mid-air.
A massive force transferred through. Ryosuke, like a missile, let out a loud sonic boom, he had broken the sound barrier with just his body, flying faster than sound.
Hermit Purple again threw the Great Ruin Blade.
It landed perfectly into Ryosuke's hand. Ripple of mountain-blown color infused the blade, and the back of the blade emitted a hissing golden aura.
Great blade, golden airflow, terrifying physique… these features were too obvious.
"Ryosuke!"
Kimimaro's indifferent eyes changed for the first time.
He recalled Ryosuke's past battle records, trying to think of countermeasures. Yet the brain that prided itself on calmness, in the face of the demon-like man attacking, went completely blank.
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