Chapter 76: Black Flash—Famous Throughout the Shinobi World
"Well? Did it work?"
In the forest, the Legendary Sannin caught up with Yoru—who'd used Lightning Release chakra to accelerate his Body Flicker. Orochimaru immediately questioned, eyes full of expectation.
"Don't know. Too dark to see clearly, can't sense it either."
Saying this, Yoru's lips curved slightly upward, meaningfully: "Maybe it worked, maybe not. But one thing's certain... it definitely didn't escape unscathed."
He'd used Purple for the first time, unable to perfectly control Space-Time chakra capacity. His final teleport warning the Legendary Sannin left Yoru panicked, focused solely on survival and escape.
After all, without Space-Time chakra, Yoru's true strength was merely a veteran chunin who—even exhausting all regular chakra—could barely execute one Fire Release: Rasengan.
Like Obito Uchiha becoming dependent on intangibility, Yoru suddenly losing this invincible protective shell temporarily stripped his confidence.
Now calm, Yoru first conducted self-criticism: can't show off like that anymore, or "Gojo becomes Uchiha"—which would be ridiculous.
In a sense, Gojo wasn't that different from Uchiha anyway—could wear the red nose anytime.
As for why Hanzo hadn't pursued, Yoru drew conclusions—three possibilities:
First, his sensory abilities hadn't reached Mito Uzumaki or the Three Great Sages' level—couldn't detect Space-Time chakra within Yoru's body.
That ultimate technique Purple consumed mostly Space-Time chakra—nearly draining both natural reserves and Yin Seal storage.
Regular chakra consumed less than half.
In Hanzo's perception, Yoru's chakra could fire another Purple.
The second possibility resembled the first.
No one knew Yoru's Flying Thunder God consumed not ordinary chakra but invisible Space-Time chakra.
In Hanzo's eyes, Yoru's chakra allowed multiple Flying Thunder God uses. Pursuit would be meaningless.
However, Yoru favored the final possibility: Hanzo or the salamander got hurt!
Though Purple's energy orb hadn't struck the salamander directly, the latter's inability to cancel Summoning Technique and return indicated spatial ripple effects.
And those spatial ripples weren't decorative.
That was what made even Uchiha Madara cry out in canon... spatial distortion!
Merely being within distortion range bent even the Six Paths staff.
The instant the salamander liquified, water and rock were already drawn into spatial ripples, touching the energy orb and vanishing into nothingness.
Unless the salamander's Body Flicker was also teleportation, something definitely got torn by distorted space.
If Water Body Flicker could escape distorted space, Uchiha Madara wouldn't have nearly been kicked into the finale—even though the energy sphere's spatial distortion hadn't reached Night Guy's intensity.
Just uncertain whether the salamander got hurt or Hanzo did.
Realizing success, Yoru inevitably felt regret.
Unfortunately that Purple wasn't complete form. Neither regular nor Space-Time chakra capacity met requirements—only compressed to marble-sized energy sphere creating unimpressive spatial distortion area.
With sufficient energy, it would be a super-high-speed artificial black hole. Forget instant death on contact—merely approaching would draw victims into intense spatial ripples. Before even nearing the black hole, bodies would bend severely, crushed into blood mist.
The Legendary Sannin didn't know that meteor was merely a super ultimate technique's prototype.
Seeing Yoru's confidence, Jiraiya sighed slightly: "If you truly inflicted massive damage on the salamander, you'll achieve what the entire shinobi world couldn't."
"Then your fame would far exceed ours." Tsunade nodded in agreement.
"?"
A question mark appeared above Yoru's head.
Rather than hoping that strike killed the salamander, you think merely injuring it brings glory? Isn't that lacking ambition?
Remembering the Legendary Sannin's "loser title" was actually considered honorable by all shinobi, Yoru suddenly realized—due to canon's preconceptions, he'd underestimated this era's Hanzo.
Being granted a title by this period's Hanzo wasn't just great honor.
Even killing aged Hanzo brought massive glory.
Pain's Six Paths killed the shinobi world's Demigod, thus daring to proclaim himself god, looking down on everyone—believing no one could oppose him.
Hanzo wasn't merely the shinobi world's pinnacle but countless shinobi's faith.
"Orochimaru-sama! Tsunade-sama! Jiraiya-sama! Bad news!"
The four returned to the central tower-like border base.
Before Yoru could find a quiet place to recover chakra, a protective suit-wearing man appeared via Body Flicker before them.
Holding two scrolls marked with "seal" characters, he handed both to Orochimaru, expression grave: "Messages arrived from Danzo-sama and Sakumo-sama's positions. Earth and Wind Country combat forces are simultaneously attempting infiltration from River-Rain Country border and Rain-Grass Country border into our Fire Country."
"Danzo-sama and Sakumo-sama already led combat forces to intercept. These are classified reports transmitted by my clan brother."
The Legendary Sannin's expressions changed. Orochimaru hurriedly opened the scrolls.
Yoru raised an eyebrow, thinking Wind and Earth Countries chose their timing well.
Though not yet among leadership, as an excellent cultural studies student, Yoru knew border bases functioned as signal towers.
These had the best technology equipment and barriers, representing one of Fire Country's strongest defensive lines.
All commands and intelligence transmitted from and received here.
Forces deployed in layers around border bases, rotating shifts when calm, rapidly responding when incidents occurred elsewhere with continuous reinforcement arrivals.
Even with Fire Country's vast western territory lacking defensive walls, few foreign shinobi infiltrated in large numbers.
The few rats successfully infiltrating couldn't cause significant disturbance.
But now, with Hanzo's presence leaving only minimal base personnel, commands and intelligence couldn't achieve fastest transmission and reception.
This defensive line had torn open massive gaps—the best invasion opportunity.
Wind and Earth Countries hadn't wasted Hanzo's gifted timing.
Just unexpectedly, Konoha had already prepared countermeasures.
Yoru didn't know what caused canon's three-front war.
This three-front war clearly resulted from his butterfly effect.
'Three-front war after just months—pace is pretty fast! With my variable present, who knows how many years this'll last? Will it trigger bigger butterfly effects?' Yoru thought, unconcerned internally.
Those he cared about numbered just a few.
They either didn't need to participate or possessed powerful strength requiring no worry.
Yoru—status still merely genin—didn't need to lead shinobi squads.
Only when requiring Flying Thunder God would he participate as special operations member.
For extremely dangerous missions, he could even use Hiruzen's granted privilege to refuse execution.
Strategic deployment and planning remained these adults' and leadership's business.
He didn't want, and temporarily couldn't, participate.
Thus Yoru didn't stay to hear the Legendary Sannin's discussion. Prepared to find some quiet place recovering chakra, then fulfill his promise.
The Legendary Sannin didn't mind Yoru's departure. Their attention focused on two classified report scrolls.
"Just as you said, Orochimaru—that little old man Onoki's target was never Rain Country but our Fire Country."
"Very normal. You've already experienced Hanzo's strength and deterrence up close. Given the choice, any great nation wouldn't want to antagonize such a powerful existence over these small gains." Orochimaru spoke flatly. "Haven't you noticed even Sunagakure—whom Hanzo declared war on—also chose to set aside hatred and attack us?"
Tsunade examined the classified report from Hatake Sakumo's position, expression somewhat worried: "Wind Country's leaders are Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law. Should warn Sakumo-senpai to be careful of these two."
"Being able to develop antidote formula in just three months—Chiyo's medical abilities aside, her poison mastery absolutely ranks second in the shinobi world after Hanzo."
"Her son and daughter-in-law might have inherited her poison techniques, possessing unknown lethal toxins."
"Not just Sakumo-senpai—also warn Danzo-sama." Orochimaru smiled coldly. "Confirming we're their target makes things easier. We just need to contract battle lines, maintain triangular formation, have reconnaissance teams, support forces, and ANBU monitor front and rear defenses. If they dare infiltrate, we annihilate them."
"After several rounds, their only choice becomes open battle with us!"
"Earth and Wind Countries have extremely harsh terrain—supply transportation speed and difficulty far exceed ours. For supplies, they either slowly await transportation or must raid Rain, River, or Grass Countries."
"Given Grass and River Countries' terrain, plus our agreement with Kusagakure between Five Great Villages and Grass Village, their best choice remains only Rain Country."
"Since it's the three great nations' intersection, since they initiated war—let Rain Country become this war's main battlefield!"
Realizing this multinational conflict—accurately the Second Shinobi World War—was unavoidable, Tsunade spoke decisively: "You two excel at warfare. Make decisions with Sarutobi-sensei. I'll travel between Shikkotsu Forest and the laboratory recently, possibly returning to Konoha. If you need help, notify me in advance."
"Thank you for your hard work, Tsunade."
Orochimaru and Jiraiya knew Tsunade faced greater pressure.
Once Rain Country became the main battlefield, Hanzo was an unavoidable existence.
Without antidote formula and production line, they'd be extremely passive.
"Don't worry. Mere salamander poison—I'll handle it quickly!" Tsunade displayed a confident, beautiful smile that made Jiraiya's heart race.
The Legendary Sannin began their respective tasks.
Despite being nighttime, they had much to accomplish.
Tsunade needed to organize items plundered from Amegakure, then research antidote components and formulation.
Even with Shadow Clone and Senju clan's powerful stamina support, developing complete formula required time.
Orochimaru and Jiraiya reported tonight's events to Hiruzen concisely while organizing combat forces on standby in forest zones.
With the "signal tower" not yet reactivated, they could only use classified report scrolls for communication, tracking that side's battle situation while preparing for immediate support.
Unlike One Piece's straightforward confrontations, Naruto world wars could last years because they fought intelligence wars.
First collect intelligence, then formulate combat plans. Only upon controlling rhythm with absolute certainty would they eliminate opponents decisively.
When large numbers of shinobi clashed face-to-face, either determining staged victory or one side reached desperate straits.
Wind and Earth Countries' infiltrations were merely probing.
If Fire Country hadn't reacted, probing would become reality.
Since Fire Country reacted, they naturally wouldn't foolishly fight on enemy home turf without intelligence advantage.
After all, not everyone was Hanzo of the Salamander.
However, for the near future, Fire Country would face exhausting defensive battles.
War signals had been issued. The situation was no longer Rain vs Wind Country but four-nation conflict.
Superficially, Konoha fought on three fronts—simultaneously facing Rain, Wind, and Earth Countries' assaults.
But the other three nations weren't allied.
Rain Country needed vigilance not just toward Fire Country but Wind Country they'd declared war on, plus Earth Country that previously raided them—also three-front warfare.
Wind and Earth Countries fared better—only requiring simultaneous vigilance toward Fire and Rain Countries.
The conflict's first night was assassins' carnival.
Tonight, countless shinobi would lose heads due to lacking enemy intelligence.
Countless powerful shinobi would die to simple, cheap traps and weapons worth mere hundreds or thousands of ryo through momentary carelessness despite mortal flesh.
This night could be called "First Strike Night."
Also this night, a portrait, a name, a title, intelligence... quietly spread from Amegakure, rapidly transmitting to surrounding three great nations, then via summoning beasts throughout the entire shinobi world.
The portrait wasn't crude ink drawing but vivid color painting nearly photographic in realism.
Depicted was a youth's appearance and attire—white short hair, ice-blue eyes, handsome features, plus black jacket and pants.
More critically, he held a golden laser sword in one hand, the other reverse-gripping a kunai engraved with special seals.
Though seeing this seal design for the first time, finding it somewhat unique, everyone knew what it represented.
Because beside the figure, text prominently declared: **[Black Flash · Gojo Yoru · Flying Thunder God User]**
This wasn't a portrait—this was a movie promotional poster!
Unfortunately, Fubuki Kakuyoku—stage name Kazahana Koyuki—probably hadn't been born yet, her debut still many years away.
Otherwise seeing this poster, she might want Yoru as her male lead.
This promotional poster-like portrait, through Amegakure's external propaganda, made Yoru famous throughout the shinobi world.
Amegakure's external propaganda roughly stated:
Hanzo-sama went to Fire Country's border because Konoha's Flying Thunder God user infiltrated Amegakure, stealing precious items. He went to retrieve them.
Not only did Konoha shinobi not return them, they ambushed him on the road, then crossed borders into Rain Country, surrounding their great Hanzo-sama.
That Flying Thunder God user executed an unprecedented technique, injuring Hanzo-sama's salamander. Now Hanzo-sama couldn't summon his summoning beast, could only fight alone.
Even so, Amegakure declared war on Fire Country.
Though an enemy, Hanzo-sama gave extremely high evaluation to this rising star Black Flash: "His speed and attacks flash like black lightning. Without prior intelligence, even I suffered considerable losses. As Konoha's secretly cultivated ace, I must admit—perhaps the shinobi world's future belongs to him!"
"What sinister methods—is he trying to destroy Yoru through praise, or deliberately baiting enemies?"
The portrait quickly reached Orochimaru and Jiraiya. The latter immediately identified Hanzo's tactics.
"Assassins love creating smokescreens. Let's see if anyone's reckless enough to test it." Orochimaru smiled coldly.
With Hanzo's strength, even without the salamander, he remained at the shinobi world's pinnacle.
Without human wave tactics, fighting him in that year-round rainy country—probably only the Five Kage could contend.
Jiraiya displayed a schadenfreude smile: "He sacrificed his own reputation to praise that kid. Looks like that meteor probably worked."
"This also means he wants Yoru dead more than anyone." Orochimaru spoke gravely. "He sacrificed his reputation mainly warning the two surrounding nations—except salamander injury, all intelligence is true."
"Maybe even salamander injury intelligence is true."
"In the Rain Night battle, numerous reconnaissance and ANBU members probably noticed that meteor. Hanzo doesn't want them wasting time investigating, directly identifying the target."
"He wants Yoru to help attract Onoki and Third Kazekage's attention."
Speaking thus, Orochimaru's gaze deepened: "If so, salamander injury intelligence becomes even more credible. That shinobi world's deadliest poison creature probably suffered serious harm."
"For us, this is good news—buys Tsunade more development time."
Jiraiya examined the portrait again, marveling: "Really handsome. Worthy of white hair like this great one—has several points of my elegance. Whoever drew this, really want to commission novel cover art!"
"Since you write novels, propaganda warfare writing's yours."
"Eh—no way?!"
Jiraiya looked shocked, hastily explaining: "I just write novels, don't understand political statements—"
Seeing Orochimaru's lips curve, Jiraiya immediately reacted, shouting: "Damn you, Orochimaru, tricking me again! Want to fight?"
"Fight here? Dare you? Tsunade's laboratory is two floors up."
"Uh..."
Jiraiya instantly deflated.
"Flying Thunder God user—real or fake?"
Chiyo examined the portrait, eyes full of doubt: "That old man with breathing tube has such proud personality. He'd sacrifice his reputation praising an enemy nation's junior? Isn't this false information?"
"Definitely Amegakure's external propaganda."
Ebizo's expression appeared extremely grave.
As poison technique rivals, Chiyo quickly guessed Hanzo's thoughts, grinding teeth: "Even during daytime—or earlier—he already knew Konoha had a new Flying Thunder God user, yet kept it hidden until we attacked Fire Country before publicizing. He predicted Kazekage's decision from the start. That old man with breathing tube is truly sinister!"
Ebizo remained silent long before chuckling: "Perhaps this isn't bad. At least we're not most urgent."
Chiyo's expression froze, then smiled: "True. That old man Hanzo would rather sacrifice reputation to destroy this junior through praise—really suffered considerable losses. If the salamander truly got injured, that'd be good."
"Perhaps true, but no one dares gamble. Stakes are too high." Ebizo sighed, eyes full of regret.
As one of Five Great Nations, suddenly having a small nation declare war, then getting beaten down by one person—saying Sunagakure had no temper was impossible.
Just that national power didn't permit willfulness.
"Doesn't matter. Rain Country was never our target anyway." Chiyo's eyes seemed to burn with flames. "This chaotic situation is an unprecedented opportunity. We just need to await timing, then pierce through White Fang's defensive line, bite off a huge chunk of Fire Country, completely occupy River Country buffer zone. From then on... offense and defense reverse."
Ebizo—also not yet aged—was equally full of fighting spirit.
"Flying Thunder God Technique, white hair, yet surnamed Gojo?"
Onoki leaned back in his chair, also holding Yoru's portrait, murmuring: "Could it be Senju clan integrated into Konoha, coincidentally descended from Second Hokage's line, inheriting his talent?"
"Father, a variable appeared. Do we still follow the original plan?" Young Kitsuchi's face finally showed worry.
"Fear what?" Onoki snapped. "Brat, remember one thing—no technique in this world is perfect. Even the God of Shinobi's Wood Release that pacified the chaotic era faced opposition from Mangekyo Sharingan."
"If Flying Thunder God were invincible, Second Hokage wouldn't have perished on the battlefield."
Staring intently at the portrait's youth, Onoki spoke meaningfully: "The most worrying first-strike kill was already erased by that shinobi world Demigod sacrificing his reputation. We can't disappoint that temporary ally."
Recalling his youth being humiliated by Uchiha Madara, Onoki's eyes darkened somewhat: "Let this old man teach this youngster a lesson."
The Black Flash wave didn't just provoke various reactions but made predetermined history increasingly deviate.
***
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