Sakama Mine was a high-quality mining site located in the northern part of the Land of Hot Water, near the border with the Land of Rice Fields.
Aside from producing high-quality iron ore and copper ore, it also contained fairly large associated reserves of precious metals such as gold and silver.
Most importantly, chakra metal could occasionally be mined from the depths of the mine.
Makoto had once tried to look for research materials on this metal within the shinobi world, but there was very little. Even now, the people of the shinobi world still had not figured out exactly how chakra metal was formed.
It was named chakra metal simply because it showed extraordinary affinity toward chakra, but Makoto had tested it before, and this thing was equally compatible with natural energy.
After all, chakra was brought by the Ōtsutsuki Clan and only had a history of a little over a thousand years. Even counting the Ōtsutsuki God, it would not be especially ancient. Natural energy, however, had existed on this planet ever since life first appeared, making it far older.
But no matter what, chakra metal had always been enormously valuable, far beyond gold and silver. A piece the size of a fist was enough to make someone rich and let them live a life of luxury.
Unlike the Earth of Makoto's previous life, much of the shinobi world's technology was actually built on the foundation of the extraordinary energy known as chakra.
The main use of chakra metal was not for making weapons. That was actually a waste, and ordinary shinobi could not afford it anyway.
Its true value was reflected in shinobi technology, where adding it to various instruments and experiments could produce miraculous qualitative changes.
For a long time, this mine had been jointly operated by the official authorities of the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water. Of course, the Land of Fire took the larger share of the profits.
With the Land of Hot Water's scale and shinobi strength, there was no way it could keep hold of this place on its own.
After the Third Shinobi World War began, the area fell into chaos due to the war cutting off the battlefield routes. Not only did Iwagakure and Kumogakure plunder benefits from here, but quite a few illegal miners were also active throughout the region, trying their luck.
These illegal miners were not interested in metals like iron, copper, or silver. They were determined to go deep into the mine tunnels in search of gold. Of course, if they could dig up a piece of chakra metal, that would mean striking it rich, enough to live the rest of their lives without worrying about food or clothing.
Last year, after a chaotic melee among Konoha, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure came to an end, this place returned to the Land of Fire's control. At the same time, the authorities once again entrusted Konoha with stationing shinobi here to drive off the illegal miners and restore order to the mine's production.
But this place was simply too fat a piece of meat. There were always people skilled at smash-and-grab tactics who could not resist taking a bite.
...
Makoto, who was training in the forest, was enjoying the freedom of flight he had only recently mastered.
Suddenly, his passive perception noticed someone entering this area.
With a thought, his body swiftly turned in midair and accelerated toward the target.
A Konoha chūnin had just entered the forest when he saw a living person suddenly appear before him, floating in midair as though gravity did not exist.
Yet he was not at all flustered by this bizarre sight. Instead, his eyes were filled with envy.
Who would not want to fly freely? If he could do what the person before him—or the legendary Tsuchikage—could do, he would wake up laughing even in his dreams.
"You came to find me, didn't you?"
The Konoha chūnin replied respectfully, "Yes, Makoto-sama. We've finally found you. Headquarters has an urgent mission that requires your help."
In the shinobi world, strength was status. Makoto had already established a powerful image among Konoha's people through battle.
Even though this ninja held the same rank of chūnin and was much older, he was still willing to address Makoto as "-sama."
This was not something Makoto had demanded. These shinobi had added the honorific of their own accord.
The people of this world harbored a deep mixture of envy and fear toward the strong.
"Did something happen?"
"The personnel stationed at Sakama Mine sent a request for help. Kumogakure is very likely preparing to attack the place."
"Could it be that they found some kind of treasure?"
"The intelligence says that a small chakra metal-rich zone was discovered inside the mine. According to the illegal miners we caught, some of them took ore to trade with Kumogakure. The news has already leaked, so those bastards will definitely come to seize it."
The only thing that could make Kumogakure move was chakra metal of this level of value.
This time, very few illegal miners sold their goods on the black market, because once they got a large sum of money, it was easy for someone to rob them.
The illegal miners active in the mining area managed by Konoha would trade with the other four great shinobi villages. Likewise, Konoha would also purchase chakra metal ore stolen from the mines under the other villages' control.
Everyone did it this way. No one had the right to criticize anyone else.
"Alright, I understand."
"Headquarters has already sent people to reinforce them, but just to be safe, they hope Makoto-sama can also rush over. Here is the map of the mine tunnels."
After taking the map, Makoto immediately accelerated and flew toward the mine.
...
Headquarters was not all that far from the mine.
By the time Makoto was getting close, he could already see that battle had broken out below. Konoha and Kumogakure shinobi were tangled together, slaughtering each other.
The Konoha side was being led by Hyūga Hizashi. After receiving intelligence on Kumogakure, Nara Suzaku had not only kept Makoto, this expert, behind to hold the line, but had also requested additional reinforcements from the village.
As everyone knew, Kumogakure shinobi mostly specialized in close-range taijutsu combat, and the Gentle Fist of the Hyūga Clan was particularly effective against them. So old brother Hizashi had led a group of branch family shinobi and become the main force of the reinforcements.
Across the vast battlefield, Kumogakure clearly outnumbered Konoha.
Makoto lowered his flying altitude and, from above, continuously fired Wind Release: Finger Gun with both hands, picking off Kumogakure shinobi one by one.
Only a very small number of experts, relying on their keen instinct for danger, were able to dodge in advance. Most were hit in a single strike.
If it struck a vital point, they died on the spot. If it missed a vital point, they would still lose half their life.
The moment they saw this signature attack, the Kumogakure shinobi panicked and all raised their movement speed, afraid of being the next unlucky one.
"It's that Konoha devil!"
"Quick, move faster! Don't stop!"
Over the course of the several clashes he had taken part in recently, Makoto had left an indelible nightmare in his enemies' minds. At the same time, his name had become known to everyone within Kumogakure.
The Kumogakure shinobi were not afraid of death, but they were all afraid of this vicious wheelchair salesman. No one wanted to spend the rest of their life with only their head still able to move.
After flying to the center of the battlefield, Makoto landed, drew his family short blade, and unleashed the Shadowless Sword repeatedly, swiftly cutting down the circle of Kumogakure shinobi surrounding Hyūga Hizashi and the others.
Gentle Fist was the bane of Kumogakure's taijutsu, and, unfortunately for them, Makoto's Wind Release was much the same—an almost perfect counter to Lightning Release ninjutsu.
Hizashi took the chance to breathe in relief, but then shouted, "Makoto, don't worry about us! Hurry and support the people inside the mine!"
"Hizashi-senpai, are you sure?"
"Don't worry. We don't take these guys seriously. The mission comes first."
"Alright. Then be careful."
Makoto did not hesitate. He flew toward the mine again, dealing with a few Kumogakure shinobi along the way. Unfortunately, both sides were all tangled together. Reality was not a game; there was no option to turn off friendly fire.
Otherwise, he could have thrown down a few Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and guaranteed those bandit bastards the ride of their lives.
...
When he arrived above the mine, Makoto saw an enormous open-pit mining site below. Not far away stood a large cluster of buildings, which was the factory district.
Because the shinobi world's transportation capacity was so poor, mining and smelting were integrated here, and only refined metal ingots were produced.
At this moment, the factory district was completely deserted. Since shinobi battle had broken out, all the ordinary people had hidden themselves away. The threat shinobi posed to ordinary people was far too great, and the workers had long since understood that.
Makoto did not stop there and continued flying north toward the outer mountain region.
The actual incident had taken place inside a mine tunnel even farther away.
The history of illegal mining here was much older than the construction of the open-pit mine. No one knew how many years ago it had started, but generation after generation of illegal miners had dug private tunnels into the mountain in search of wealth.
These people had no interest in the iron and copper ore that could be found everywhere. They specialized in digging deep into the mountain and underground in search of high-value targets like gold and chakra metal.
Now, after countless years, even the illegal miners themselves no longer knew exactly how many tunnels existed throughout this vast area.
Many of the mountains and underground regions were riddled with dense, complicated mine passages. Even shinobi could get lost inside if they were not careful.
The Konoha shinobi stationed here were not primarily responsible for protecting the mine workers. Their main duty was to patrol the surrounding area daily, capturing and suppressing the illegal miners who were everywhere.
Using the map sent out by the Konoha shinobi stationed here, Makoto landed beside a low rocky hill.
The temperature in this area was abnormal, with little snow and dark stone exposed everywhere.
At the base of the rocky hill was a concealed tunnel entrance. It was not especially wide, but it was enough for an adult to pass through, and Makoto could enter even more easily.
Dry grass grew thick around the entrance, making it obvious that this was not a freshly dug tunnel, but an old mine passage from many years ago.
The ground was covered in traces. The Konoha shinobi stationed here had entered through this route, and after inspecting the area, Makoto confirmed that after they had gone in, another group had followed them inside.
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