Chapter 156: Acquiring the Lightning Release Chakra Mode
Konoha Village Camp.
"Tsunade-sama, I just checked. Ay, Killer B, and the others have all retreated back to the Land of Lightning."
Minato walked into the command tent and stated directly.
"They're not fighting anymore?"
Tsunade was stunned, then speculated. "It seems Kumogakure doesn't want to fight a war on two fronts."
"That must be it," Minato confirmed with a nod, then asked, "What should we do?"
"This is a secret message from the Old Man."
Tsunade gave a faint smile and pulled out a slip of paper.
Minato stepped forward, took it curiously, and glanced at it, his face immediately showing surprise.
The slip contained only one sentence: Sunagakure's Pakura has departed and will arrive in Konoha within the next few days.
"Is Sunagakure seeking an alliance with us?" Minato handed the note back to Tsunade and asked.
"It's not entirely clear yet."
Tsunade shook her head. "It's either an alliance or they are requesting passage."
There were only four routes from Kumogakure to Sunagakure, and vice-versa.
The fastest route, without a doubt, was passing through the Land of Fire.
"I'll return to Konoha tomorrow. You will be in charge here."
Tsunade continued.
"Understood."
Minato was not surprised.
With Kumogakure's retreat, the pressure on Konoha had significantly decreased.
The Land of Frost no longer required so many ninja stationed there; they could revert to their previous numbers.
After all, the consumption of ninja resources was high, and it was best to conserve when possible.
Tsunade walked out of the command tent, where Hoshikawa , Kakashi, and the others were chatting nearby.
Since the Cloud ninja had withdrawn, their mission was temporarily on hold.
"Hoshikawa ."
Tsunade walked up to them and announced, "Prepare yourselves. You'll be returning to Konoha with me tomorrow."
"That's great!"
Kurenai Yuhi jumped up happily.
Having not returned to Konoha for an entire month, she was impatient to get back.
Though Rin Nohara said nothing, the smile on her face revealed her good mood.
"Congratulations."
Kakashi Hatake spoke up.
"Thank you."
Hoshikawa replied with a smile.
Had something happened back in Kumogakure?
However, his Shadow Clone hadn't dissolved, which meant it was safe.
"Then when will you all be back?"
Obito Uchiha was the only one who didn't look happy.
"That depends on the village's arrangement," Rin said with a smile. "Maybe we'll see each other again soon."
"That's right!"
Obito cheered up. "Then we'll go on missions together again!"
Time passed quickly during the journey.
Two days later, Hoshikawa 's Shadow Clone finally arrived at Kumogakure.
Unlike Konoha, the Village Hidden in the Clouds was situated high upon towering peaks, shrouded in mist and clouds, with the faint sound of thunder rumbling in the distance.
"Stop!"
A sharp gust of wind rushed toward him.
What appeared before Hoshikawa was a humanoid cat claw.
It was a slender, pale-skinned right hand, but sharp, elongated claws protruded from its fingertips.
Its owner was a tall, firm-bodied young woman with light brown hair braided into a single rope.
"Yugito!"
Mabui quickly shouted. "Don't attack!"
"Aren't you the great genius? Why didn't you dodge?"
Yugito Nii asked, her face full of dissatisfaction.
"Didn't you notice? I'm just a Shadow Clone, little wildcat."
A smile appeared on Hoshikawa 's face.
"Who are you calling a 'little wildcat'?" Yugito's eyes widened, her expression furious. "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"
"You wouldn't dare."
Hoshikawa shook his head.
"Bastard!"
Yugito instinctively started to swipe but finally halted her movement.
She truly wouldn't dare.
If she killed Hoshikawa , the Third Raikage would die with him.
Samui blinked, surprised.
In her memory, Hoshikawa was normally gentle and not this aggressively provoking.
"Yugito," Mabui stepped forward, pulling the woman closer. "The Raikage-sama is waiting for us."
She knew Yugito Nii was proud and arrogant, so she had to invoke the Third Raikage's name.
"…"
Yugito glared at Hoshikawa and scoffed. "What kind of genius is this? Nothing special!"
"Little wildcat, if you want a fight, I can oblige."
Hoshikawa spoke calmly. "After I've finished the treatment."
"Fine!"
Yugito's eyes lit up. "Since you're a Shadow Clone, I won't take advantage of you. I'll only use half my chakra when we fight!"
"…"
Samui looked on, wanting to speak but holding back.
Only using half her chakra meant Yugito would not use her Tailed Beast's power.
Though it might be presumptuous, Samui felt that Hoshikawa would win.
"Let's go."
Hoshikawa pulled his hood down slightly and continued forward.
Led by Mabui, he soon reached the Third Raikage, who was lying in bed.
Hoshikawa stepped closer and undid the bandages around the Raikage's abdomen.
A slash wound was revealed.
It must have been inflicted by a blade from a puppet.
Unlike an ordinary cut, the wound was a sinister black, emitting a putrid stench.
Hoshikawa reached out, wrapping a drop of the Raikage's blood in chakra.
After a slight sensing, he confirmed it was indeed the poison of Chiyo, but an upgraded version of the toxins used during the Second Great Shinobi War.
No wonder Kumogakure's medical ninja couldn't find a solution.
Hoshikawa was confident enough to say that besides Tsunade, he was the only one who could detoxify it.
"Can you heal him?" Ay asked impatiently.
"Yes."
Hoshikawa nodded. "You all need to leave. I need to perform surgery."
"We will stay." Ay slightly frowned and insisted.
"You must leave."
Hoshikawa looked him in the eye.
"You!"
Ay's face immediately darkened with displeasure.
"Ay-sama," Mabui shook her head at him. "Let's step out."
"…"
Ay turned and left.
"Ay-sama is anxious to save his father. Please do not take offense," Mabui said, bowing slightly before exiting the room.
Two hours later, the door was opened.
"The Raikage-sama is fine now," Hoshikawa announced steadily, meeting the gazes of everyone present.
"You may enter."
The weak voice of the Third Raikage sounded from inside.
"Raikage-sama."
Samui, Mabui, and Yugito Nii exclaimed in unison.
"Father."
Ay walked forward, and after confirming his father was out of danger, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hoshikawa did very well this time."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the Third Raikage looked at Hoshikawa and asked, "What reward do you desire?"
"The Lightning Release Chakra Mode (Raiton no Yoroi)."
Hoshikawa stated his request without hesitation.
"Impossible!"
Ay instantly refused. "That is a secret technique that can only be practiced by the Raikage lineage!"
"Hoshikawa , the Lightning Release Chakra Mode is quite special. Perhaps you could choose something else," Mabui advised.
"The Raikage-sama still has residual toxins and will need two more days of medication to fully recover."
Hoshikawa asked calmly. "How about I only look at the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training method for two days?"
He had expected Kumogakure's reluctance, so his stance was firm.
"How dare you!"
Yugito Nii glared at him. "Do you even know what you're doing?"
Ay also watched him, radiating murderous intent.
Samui pursed her lips, her expression conflicted.
"Raikage-sama is fair in judgment and reward. What is your decision?" Hoshikawa asked with a smile.
"I regret letting you go to Konoha more and more."
The Third Raikage stared at him, sighed, and finally spoke.
"I have not betrayed Kumogakure," Hoshikawa replied, speaking slowly and deliberately. "I merely wish to receive the reward I am due."
"I accept your condition."
The Third Raikage remained silent for a moment before agreeing.
(End of Chapter)
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