It goes without saying that even though Little Pepper can be pretty hot-headed, she's actually really dependable. After pulling Anya aside, she actually taught him all the sealing techniques she knew.
But Anya frowned because the effectiveness of these sealing techniques fell far below his expectations, completely failing to meet what he had hoped for. For example, the simplest Kongo Sealing Method — although he learned it — when he tested it on Little Pepper, it was neither painful nor effective at all, completely unable to restrict her.
Out of curiosity, he asked Little Pepper to test it on himself.
Then came the tragedy. Using Kongo Sealing together with her chakra, Little Pepper ended up sealing him so tightly that he couldn't even move. He quickly backed down and apologized before finally getting released.
Seeing this, Little Pepper proudly said, "See? I told you our clan's sealing techniques can only fully manifest through our own constitution and chakra. Even if others learn them, the effects will still be poor."
Her words suddenly reminded Anya of something. In the anime, after Sasuke killed Orochimaru, he rescued a woman from the Uzumaki clan. Every time he got injured, biting her once could heal him instantly — truly a miracle cure. Anya had no idea where Orochimaru had found her either.
Thinking about this, Anya's gaze toward Little Pepper changed slightly.
Naturally, White Fang naturally noticed the sudden change in Anya's eyes. He felt uneasy and nervously asked, "W-what are you planning to do?"
Realizing his gaze had frightened her, Anya immediately switched to a bright, sunny smile, using a friendly voice to say, "Well, Kushina... since we're classmates and all, could I bite you just once? Only once, I promise."
"Ahhh!" Little Pepper screamed and immediately darted away while shouting, "Master White Fang, come out quick! Your student's gone crazy; he wants to eat people!"
Watching this scene unfold, Anya sighed without chasing her. Given Minato's connection, naturally he couldn't force anything. Seems like he'd have to find another member of the Uzumaki clan later for experimentation instead. Although, the probability remains slim.
At that moment, White Fang approached and asked, "What did you say to her that scared her so badly?"
Anya sat cross-legged on the ground, appearing extremely troubled as he replied, "The sealing technique, although learned, is too weak. So I thought I'd just bite her once to figure out why it wasn't working right."
Upon hearing this, White Fang fiercely smacked Anya on the forehead.
"Ow!" Anya cried out in pain, immediately developing a big bump.
Still furious, White Fang said, "Drop your obsession with collecting jutsu. When you can withstand three sword strikes from me, I'll leave you alone to learn whatever messy jutsu you want."
Knowing better than to argue, Anya quickly nodded back, saying, "Okay."
Of course, White Fang didn't believe him at all, snorting coldly, "Starting now, your squad is disbanded. These few days you'll train your swordsmanship inside the sealing barrier until the war ends — then you may come out."
"Ahh."
Anya was momentarily stunned. To be honest, he had already experienced the benefits of this squad. Minato and Dan Kato naturally needed no introduction, but even Kushina, whom he looked down upon, turned out to be a hidden expert. A team like this could complete missions with incredible efficiency.
White Fang finished speaking without acknowledging Anya and shouted toward the distance: "Kushina, is the sealing barrier ready?"
Kushina's voice came from afar: "Lord White Fang, it's already done."
Realizing that White Fang had his best interest at heart, Anya didn't resist. He got up and started walking toward the barrier.
When Kushina saw Anya about to step into the barrier, she had just begun to relax when suddenly Anya grinned and turned back, saying: "Hey Kushina, I was wondering... If you get injured on the battlefield in the future, could you save some of that blood for me?"
Upon hearing this, Kushina first froze in shock, then her anger overwhelmed her previous fear. She lifted her foot and kicked Anya straight inside, shouting loudly: "You little shorty, you freak! Don't ever come out again!"
Inside the barrier, Anya began seriously reflecting on his recent cultivation and training. Ever since mastering the [Sword Art: Draw Technique], he had spent much less time practicing swordsmanship. White Fang clearly noticed this. Recalling what happened in the anime, Kakashi became a jonin at the age of twelve, a true child prodigy. However, even after more than ten years, he had only advanced from jonin to elite jonin. When facing Orochimaru for the first time, he couldn't resist at all. Clearly, after obtaining the Sharingan, he had become distracted, learning too many miscellaneous ninjutsu techniques, consuming massive amounts of energy, which caused his strength to stagnate.
Understanding this point made Anya awaken to reality—he really had been too distracted recently, causing his swordsmanship to stall. Against regular jonin it was fine, but against elite jonin like Kitsuchi, he was completely helpless. If they truly engaged in a prolonged life-and-death battle, the person likely to die would be himself.
Anya exhaled a heavy breath, drew his tanto, and naturally began practicing the thirteen fundamental forms of swordsmanship. In this era of war, a single second could mean the difference between life and death; there wouldn't be time to use various ninjutsu techniques. Therefore, swordsmanship would be his foundation for survival. Clarifying this thought, Anya's eyes became firm with determination.
At the Hidden Stone Village, Tsuchikage looked at Kitsuchi with helpless eyes and said, "You're telling me the ninja who attacked our village was from the Hidden Cloud Village?"
Kitsuchi, filled with indignation, replied: "Yes, he admitted it himself, wearing the forehead protector from Hidden Cloud on his head. He used Lightning Release and escaped toward Hidden Cloud Village. Is there any doubt about it?"
"Did he admit it himself?" After pondering silently for a moment, Tsuchikage's eyes flickered with realization as he continued: "That Hidden Cloud ninja attracted your attention upfront while sending others behind you, going through so much trouble just to destroy an office that held no strategic significance—it's obviously trying to provoke us. In my opinion, he's very likely someone sent by Konoha to stir up trouble."
Tsuchikage truly deserved being called a calculating leader; within such a short period of time, from limited clues alone, he had already guessed the truth.
Kitsuchi said, his face turning crimson, "Father, that's impossible. Since you don't believe me, I'll go right now with a team to Kumogakure to get some answers."
Without waiting for the Tsuchikage's permission, he spun around and marched toward Kumogakure with an enraged squad that had been waiting by the door.
The Tsuchikage let out a sigh at this sight, well aware that his son's personality was as stubborn as a rock, impossible to persuade. He could only turn to Akatsuchi, his trusted officer standing beside him, saying, "Go issue my order: have all our ninja on the frontlines retreat immediately. Pay attention to withdraw in squad formations without being detected by Konoha. Also, set traps and place Explosive Tags along the retreat route."
"Yes." After replying affirmatively, Akatsuchi hesitated briefly instead of leaving immediately.
"Do you have something to say?" the Tsuchikage asked, puzzled.
Akatsuchi spoke honestly, "What about Roshi? Aren't you going to chase him back?"
Hearing this name, the vertically challenged Tsuchikage instantly flew into a rage, his nose practically twisting from anger. He bellowed, "Never mention that idiot's name in front of me ever again! From now on, our Hidden Stone Village has no such person. Got it?"
"Okay, understood."
Seeing the old goat was furious, Akatsuchi quickly scurried away.
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