"Mui."
Natsuki snapped out of his thoughts, looked at Mui who was still in a daze, and asked. "Do you now believe what I said before?"
Mui opened his mouth, hesitated to speak, not knowing what to say.
He had heard the legend of the Box of Ultimate Bliss since he was a child, and his lifelong dream had been to open it.
But now that he had discovered the true nature of the Box of Ultimate Bliss, his dream had become a joke, completely meaningless.
Not only him, but the years of struggle within Kusagakure were also rendered pointless.
There were two major factions within Kusagakure: the Grass Fruit and the Grass Flower.
The two factions were incompatible, and even the leadership of the village rotated between them.
The reason these two factions formed was related to the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
The Grass Fruit advocated opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss to rule the ninja world using its power.
The Grass Flower believed the exact opposite, thinking the legend of the Box of Ultimate Bliss might not be true and opposing the proactive provocation of war.
After all, Kusagakure was just a small hidden village.
If the legend of the Box of Ultimate Bliss turned out to be false, or not as powerful as claimed, they would definitely be annihilated by the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Mui sighed inwardly.
He belonged to the Grass Fruit faction.
But now it seemed the Grass Flower faction was correct.
"The matter of the Box of Ultimate Bliss is in the past."
Natsuki reminded him. "Your next mission is to become the leader of Kusagakure."
"Yes, Lord Natsuki."
Mui remained silent for a moment before replying.
He had accepted his fate.
His dream was shattered, and he was being controlled. He could only obey Natsuki's orders.
Thinking about it carefully, becoming the leader of Kusagakure wasn't a bad outcome.
"Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, after you three return, each of you write a proposal."
Natsuki instructed. "The proposal should detail how the Akatsuki organization can help Mui become the leader of Kusagakure."
As for Hyo-onna, there was no need.
Her role was the steward of the Akatsuki organization, managing the Infinity Castle, or the Akatsuki organization's secret base.
Moreover, she joined later and hadn't attended many of the classes.
Natsuki had previously combined his knowledge from his past life to teach Yahiko and the other two many lessons about organizations.
"Yes, Natsuki-sensei."
The three answered in unison.
Among them, Yahiko was particularly excited.
After being established for so long, the Akatsuki organization finally had a chance to show its capabilities.
Natsuki smiled and looked at the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Now, how to deal with this Box of Ultimate Bliss had become a problem.
He stepped forward, raised his hand, and placed it on the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
As chakra poured into it, he thought to himself, just as expected.
With Satori's death, all the chakra within the Box of Ultimate Bliss had also drained away.
The Box of Ultimate Bliss had become an empty box.
Perhaps leaving it for a few hundred or a thousand years could give birth to a second Satori, but that was too long to be meaningful.
A thought crossed Natsuki's mind, and he came up with a use for it.
Leaving aside everything else about the Box of Ultimate Bliss, its material was top-tier in terms of sturdiness.
In the original work, Uzumaki Naruto and the others couldn't do anything to it, and ultimately had to sink it to the bottom of the sea along with Satori to seal it.
He wanted to use the material of the Box of Ultimate Bliss to forge a bow.
A bow wouldn't use too much material, and the rest could be forged into arrows or other ninja tools.
The bows Natsuki currently used were all projected.
In reality, they were just ordinary bows with nothing special about them.
The arrows he used were also projected, and their special qualities depended on what kind of sword he projected them as.
Using Projection Magecraft for arrows was fine.
After all, he could project the Sword of the Thunder God and other blades.
But for the bow, he really should find a special one.
This way, the power would be even greater.
The Kikyo template's Sacred Arrow required killing five Jonin from a long distance.
Having a good bow would make completing the mission much easier.
The only problem was whether the Box of Ultimate Bliss could be dismantled.
Natsuki thought for a moment and decided to take it back to Konoha.
He'd let Granny Cat figure out a way.
Natsuki raised his hand and opened an Air Door.
After inputting enough chakra, he anchored his destination to the alternate dimension in his room, the Infinity Castle.
Natsuki pushed the Box of Ultimate Bliss inside.
After temporarily storing it, he walked back out.
"Mui, return to Hozuki Castle and wait for our notification."
Natsuki opened another Air Door.
"Yes, Lord Natsuki."
Mui said, then walked into the Air Door.
"Let's go, we're returning to the metropolis of the Land of Rain."
After closing the Air Door to Hozuki Castle, Natsuki opened an Air Door to the metropolis of the Land of Rain.
They took a boat to get here because he had never been to Hozuki Castle.
Going back wasn't as troublesome. He could just use the Door-Door Fruit directly.
He had to admit, the Door-Door Fruit was incredibly convenient.
The group returned to the metropolis of the Land of Rain.
"You three hurry up and write your proposals."
Natsuki reminded them. "When the time comes, we will base our actions on the best-written proposal."
"Yes, Natsuki-sensei."
Hearing this, the three were instantly filled with fighting spirit.
Even Nagato and Konan, who weren't particularly interested in this matter, were motivated.
Because they wanted to prove to Natsuki that they were the best.
Although they had a great relationship with each other, in terms of status, Natsuki was ranked number one in their hearts.
It couldn't be helped. Natsuki was too good to them.
Not only did he provide them with a comfortable life, but he also taught them various ninjutsu and secret jutsu.
Natsuki smiled.
He wouldn't intervene in Mui becoming the leader of Kusagakure. He'd just let Yahiko and the others handle it.
With the help of Chino, Hyo-onna, Fuushin, and even Kakuzu, this matter could definitely be accomplished.
Yahiko and the others worked quickly.
A week later, the three proposals were written.
"Konan's proposal is the most detailed."
Natsuki evaluated after reading them. "But Nagato and Yahiko's proposals are also good. The main steps are about the same."
Hearing this, Konan immediately smiled.
Yahiko and Nagato felt a bit of regret.
If they had known, they would have written more detailed proposals too.
"I'll leave the rest to you."
Natsuki paused and said. "But don't neglect your training."
"Yes, Natsuki-sensei."
The three quickly replied.
Natsuki didn't stay long, returning to Konoha the next day.
After awakening the Angra Mainyu template, he had more ninjutsu to learn again.
Yin Healing Wound Destruction, Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, and Dead Demon Consuming Seal were either A-rank or S-rank, all highly difficult.
Coupled with the previous Four Red Yang Formation and Impure World Reincarnation, he simply wouldn't be able to learn them all without a year or two.
Mid-July.
Natsuki, who was handling work in his office, heard a knock on the door.
He put down the document in his hand and looked up.
The door opened, and the Anbu Vice Commander, Zo, walked in.
"Lord Natsuki."
Zo bowed slightly and said. "Lord Hokage wants you to go to his office."
Natsuki raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled.
But he didn't ask any more questions, stood up, and left the Anbu base.
He quickly arrived at the Hokage's office and walked in after receiving permission.
"Natsuki."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a chuckle. "I called you over because there's a matter I want to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
Natsuki asked curiously.
Mainly because Sarutobi Hiruzen rarely used the word "discuss."
"It's July now, and the first semester of the Ninja Academy has just ended."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and said. "We have a little genius who can't wait to apply for early graduation."
"Is it Kakashi?"
A thought crossed Natsuki's mind, and he asked.
In the original work, Hatake Kakashi entered the academy at five and graduated at five.
In other words, he spent less than a year in the Ninja Academy.
"That's him."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and said.
"What are Lord Hokage's thoughts? Do you agree to his early graduation?"
Natsuki asked again.
"I feel he doesn't need to graduate so early, but his attitude is quite firm, and it's hard for me to forcibly refuse."
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused and said. "It's just that he's too young and too talented, making it difficult to find a suitable ninja squad for him."
Natsuki nodded slightly, indicating he understood.
Hatake Kakashi was only five years old. He simply didn't have teammates his own age.
But he was also a genius, so he couldn't just be stuffed into any ninja squad. He had to be placed in a powerful ninja squad.
However, such ninja squads rarely lacked members.
Wait!
Natsuki suddenly thought of something.
Did Sarutobi Hiruzen want to stuff Hatake Kakashi into their squad?
"At Kakashi's age, he should focus on learning more ninjutsu."
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued. "I want him to temporarily join your and Minato's squads."
"Minato?"
Natsuki was somewhat surprised.
He guessed right, but only half right. He didn't expect it to involve Namikaze Minato's squad as well.
"Your squad often goes out on missions with three people, and so does Minato's squad."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled helplessly and said. "With Kakashi joining, it would be just right."
The reason Natsuki's squad often had three people was because Tsunade was lazy.
The reason Namikaze Minato's squad often had three people was because Jiraiya was out gathering material and looking for the Child of Prophecy every day.
Natsuki thought about it carefully, and there was indeed nothing wrong with Sarutobi Hiruzen's arrangement.
Nawaki was quite enthusiastic about doing missions.
But Yakushi Nonou was a medical ninja and had to work at Konoha Hospital.
Natsuki was the Anbu Commander and also had to work, plus he had to manage the development of the Akatsuki organization.
This resulted in their squad rarely going out on missions.
Nawaki and Hatake Kakashi could join Namikaze Minato's squad to make a full five-man team for missions.
Of course, as Sarutobi Hiruzen said, Hatake Kakashi's main task at this age was to learn ninjutsu.
And Natsuki, Nawaki, and Namikaze Minato could all teach him.
Especially Natsuki, who knew all seven nature transformations.
In a sense, he was even more suited to be Hatake Kakashi's Jonin instructor than Namikaze Minato.
"I have no objections."
Natsuki snapped out of his thoughts and said.
"I asked Minato yesterday, and he also agreed."
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile. "Next weekend is the final exam for this semester. You and Minato will go see him then."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Natsuki nodded.
With the matter discussed, he turned and left the Hokage's office.
Just as he was about to return to the Anbu base, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
If an Eyeball Clone created by Blood Demon Art: Eyeball Clone was destroyed, he would be able to sense it.
Utilizing this characteristic, he specifically placed two Eyeball Clones in the metropolis of the Land of Rain.
And now, the Eyeball Clone he left with Kakuzu had been crushed.
Natsuki went to a secluded corner without hesitation and opened an Air Door.
After inputting enough chakra, he walked in.
When he walked out, he arrived in his office at the Dawn Company in the metropolis of the Land of Rain.
Natsuki quickly went to Kakuzu's office.
"I just received intelligence that Pakura was attacked by unknown individuals, fled with severe injuries, and is currently missing."
Kakuzu got straight to the point.
"The ninjas capable of severely injuring Pakura are most likely Rasa and Reki."
Natsuki narrowed his eyes and said.
"I think so too."
Kakuzu nodded and said.
"Where was Pakura attacked?"
Natsuki didn't dare to delay and asked immediately.
If Rasa and Reki found her first, Pakura would definitely not be able to escape.
Even if they didn't find her, with severe injuries, the possibility of her dying was very high.
In short, he had to find her first.
"Near the underground transport pipeline she was responsible for."
Kakuzu then took out a map and said. "Right here."
This map showed the transport pipelines laid since the start of the rainwater business.
Natsuki took one look, then turned and left.
He first opened an Air Door to Sunagakure, and then rushed toward the transport pipeline.
Upon arriving at the location, he raised both hands, and a massive amount of blood surged out, landing on the ground and turning into dense eyeballs.
At first glance, it was quite terrifying.
The Eyeball Clones scattered in all directions.
Natsuki formed hand seals and used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
If he still couldn't find Pakura with all this, then he could only say she was unlucky.
Natsuki flew into mid-air, activated Clairvoyance and electromagnetic wave sensing, and began his search.
An oasis somewhere in the desert of the Land of Wind.
Pakura stumbled, fell to the ground, and rolled into the river.
The river water was immediately dyed red, the color spreading outward.
Is this the end?
Pakura lay in the water, her gaze looking up at the sky.
Her hair spread out in the river, and her clothes were soaked.
The water rippled gently, washing over her snow-white skin.
Pakura could feel her back pressed against the river water, bringing a chilling sensation but also increasing the stinging pain.
However, on the other hand, it kept her awake so she wouldn't faint.
Pakura recalled what had happened earlier.
She had been inspecting the safety of the transport pipeline as usual.
Just then, two ninjas disguised as her subordinates launched a lethal attack on her.
She naturally wouldn't fear ordinary ninjas.
But she immediately realized that these two ninjas were Rasa and Reki.
Caught off guard, she suffered severe injuries.
Rasa pierced her abdomen with a Magnet Release: Gold Dust spear.
Reki manipulated two puppets, leaving gashes on her arms and legs.
The most fatal part was that the puppet blades were poisoned.
Although Pakura took an antidote in time, Reki had anticipated this, so he used a new poison.
Her antidote only worked half as well as it should have.
Fortunately, her strength was not inferior to Rasa and Reki's.
In a life-or-death moment, she unleashed immense potential, and coupled with her other subordinates rushing over to help, she barely managed to escape.
But Pakura knew this was temporary.
Her injuries were too severe. She couldn't survive.
Pakura sighed.
Hate? She certainly did, but she felt more desolation.
Sunagakure had completely disappointed her.
"How truly miserable."
A familiar voice rang out.
Pakura subconsciously turned her head and saw Natsuki.
She was momentarily stunned.
"How... how are you here?"
Pakura endured the pain and asked, puzzled.
"I heard you were attacked, so I came over to take a look. I didn't expect to actually find you."
Natsuki said with a smile. "It seems your luck is very good."
"You can't save me."
Pakura was slightly taken aback, shook her head, and said. "Even if Tsunade were here, she couldn't save me."
Natsuki subconsciously looked her over.
In her soaked state, she had no sense of beauty. She was covered in flowing blood.
The most terrifying part was her abdomen, a bloody mess where even her internal organs were visible.
Besides that, her arms and legs had festering wounds from the poison.
"Tsunade-sensei indeed couldn't save you, but I can."
Natsuki crouched down and said.
"You can save me? Im... impossible."
After Pakura spoke, she coughed up blood again.
"Nothing is impossible."
Natsuki wiped the blood from her soft lips with his finger and said. "It just depends on what price you are willing to pay."
"What... what other price can I pay?"
Pakura looked at him, suddenly thought of something, and asked. "Did you leak the locations of the transport pipelines?"
"Very smart."
Natsuki admitted.
"You..."
Pakura coughed violently.
More blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.
"What's there to be surprised about?"
Natsuki smiled faintly and said. "We were enemies to begin with."
"Then... then why... why are you saving me?"
Pakura asked, puzzled.
"Because very soon, we won't be enemies."
Natsuki extended his hand, and a drop of blood emerged, pressing against Pakura's forehead.
Given Pakura's status and strength, she naturally deserved to be an Upper Rank of the Twelve Kizuki.
Coupled with her severe injuries, Natsuki gave her extra blood.
Pakura immediately noticed the changes in her body.
Her severely injured and weakened body was rapidly recovering and strengthening.
But this wasn't enough. Natsuki took out a Curse Antidote.
He pried open her mouth and poured it in.
Mystical Palm Technique!
Natsuki reached out and placed his hand on her abdomen.
Pakura had two fatal injuries.
One was the poison, and the other was her abdomen.
Now that the poison was cured, only the abdomen remained.
Under normal circumstances, even after curing the poison, it would be difficult to save her because the abdominal wound was too severe.
But now it was different. The Blood Curse was rapidly transforming her from a human into a demon.
The fatal injuries were no longer as fatal.
Coupled with Natsuki's Mystical Palm Technique, he successfully saved her life.
Before Pakura could recover from the shock of coming back to life, she received the information from the Blood Curse.
Only then did she understand what Natsuki meant by his previous words.
They were indeed no longer enemies. She was now dominated by Natsuki.
[Name: Pakura]
[Race: Human, Demon]
[Ability 1: Half-Demonification — UNLOCKED]
[Effect: Half-human, half-demon. Increases attack, speed, and regeneration capabilities]
[Unlock Condition: Self-comprehension]
[Ability 2: Full Demonification — LOCKED]
[Effect: Completely transforms into a demon. Attack, speed, and regeneration capabilities are further increased, but consumption is greater]
[Unlock Condition: Self-comprehension]
[Ability 3: Blood Demon Art: Hollow Cry, God's Departure — LOCKED]
[Effect: Manipulates one's own flesh and bones to attack]
[Unlock Condition: Self-comprehension]
[Note: After unlocking, you will also obtain this Blood Demon Art]
Natsuki couldn't help but be surprised after reading it.
The effect of this Blood Demon Art: Hollow Cry, God's Departure looked very similar to the Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku.
Moreover, Shikotsumyaku could only control bones, while this could also control flesh.
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