In the Mizukage's office of the Hidden Mist Village.
The Third Mizukage sat in his chair with his eyes closed.
Standing before him were the renowned Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
However, the current Seven Ninja Swordsmen were somewhat different from those in
the original work.
The reason was that Natsuki had killed Akebino Jinin.
It happened during the joint attack by the Hidden Mist and Hidden Cloud Villages
on the Uzumaki Clan.
Three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had participated.
Akebino Jinin died, while Suikazan Fuguki and Kuriarare Kushimaru were captured.
Ultimately, the Hidden Mist Village exchanged for Suikazan Fuguki and Kuriarare
Kushimaru's return, but at a significant cost.
This included Samehada.
Losing Samehada meant the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were short one sword.
But the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were a highly iconic elite ninja group of the
Hidden Mist Village.
If they were disbanded just like that, it would cause instability within the
village.
Because the status of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen in the Hidden Mist Village was
not inferior to that of the Sannin in Konoha Village; they were absolutely
considered higher-ups.
After some thought, the Third Mizukage decided to have Karatachi Yagura join
them, replacing Akebino Jinin.
Karatachi Yagura was an outstanding figure among the younger generation of the
Hidden Mist Village.
In terms of strength and talent, he was significantly stronger than Suikazan
Fuguki and the others.
In the original work, he eventually became the Fourth Mizukage.
Karatachi Yagura excelled in Water Release and staff techniques, wielding a
coral staff as his ninja tool.
Although the coral staff wasn't a ninja sword, at least they didn't need to find
a second Samehada.
"It's only been five months since the New Year, and the Kuja Pirates have
already successfully pulled off fifteen robberies."
The Third Mizukage slowly spoke, "Our Hidden Mist Village has also sacrificed
fifteen ninja squads, including two Jonin."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen exchanged glances, all understanding why they had been
called here.
"Lord Mizukage."
Suikazan Fuguki stepped forward and said, "I volunteer to deal with these Kuja
Pirates."
He had been captured by Konoha Village before, so he was constantly looking for
ways to earn merit.
After all, remaining one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen after being released had
drawn considerable criticism from many people.
"The Daimyo of the Land of Water has sent me a message, ordering the Hidden Mist
Village to annihilate the Kuja Pirates within this month."
The Third Mizukage looked at Suikazan Fuguki and said, "You and Biwa Juzo will
go together. Do not disappoint me."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were the elite of the elite.
Furthermore, the strength displayed by the Kuja Pirates so far wasn't
particularly strong; most of their members were Chunin.
The reason they were so hard to catch was because their movements were erratic.
This was mainly thanks to the snakes of the Ryuchi Cave. They could be
omnipresent like White Zetsu, allowing them to evade danger in advance.
After the three Snake Princesses learned Natsuki's Concealment Barrier, the Kuja
Pirates became even more elusive.
Assigning this to Suikazan Fuguki was because he was also the Anbu Commander,
accustomed to executing covert missions year-round.
With Anbu assistance, the Third Mizukage believed the Kuja Pirates would
inevitably be found.
"Yes, Lord Mizukage."
Suikazan Fuguki and Biwa Juzo hurriedly responded.
"Dismissed."
The Third Mizukage waved his hand and said.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen bowed slightly, turned, and left.
"When do we set off?"
Upon exiting the Mizukage's office, Biwa Juzo asked impatiently.
"We haven't determined the exact location of the Kuja Pirates yet."
Suikazan Fuguki said very calmly, "We need to wait at least half a month."
"That long?"
Biwa Juzo frowned and asked.
"The Kuja Pirates are not simple. We only have one chance."
Suikazan Fuguki said without changing his expression, "If we are too hasty, we
will only alert them."
"Don't forget we only have one month."
Biwa Juzo reminded him, "If it takes longer than a month, Lord Mizukage
definitely won't make things easy for us."
"Don't worry, we will find them within the designated time."
Suikazan Fuguki said in a calm tone.
Time reached mid-June.
Ever since the Hidden Rain Village changed hands, Natsuki's main activity during
this period had been training.
Although he was a Hokage Secretary and the Anbu Commander, there wasn't much
work that actually required his personal attention.
After all, he had subordinates.
The Anbu went without saying; he could command them all.
In the Hokage Secretary Department, he had the help of Uchiha Mikoto, Namikaze
Minato, and Nara Shikaku.
Especially Uchiha Mikoto, who frequently helped him out.
Natsuki felt she wasn't a Hokage Secretary, but his secretary.
No, more accurately, his maid.
After all, a normal Hokage Secretary wouldn't provide services like brewing tea
and peeling mandarin oranges.
Having a large amount of time for training also allowed Natsuki to unlock two
abilities of the Kikyo template.
One was Dimensional Seal.
Its unlock condition was to develop a new Door-Door Fruit ability or learn a
space-time ninjutsu.
Natsuki chose the former.
He developed a new ability called Banishment Arrow, which was what he had
envisioned earlier in the Hidden Rain Village leader's building.
The other was Open the Gates of Hell.
Its unlock condition was to learn the Impure World Reincarnation.
How should he put it?
The Impure World Reincarnation Natsuki learned was unmodified, so its effect was
average.
The summoned ninjas would have strength far inferior to when they were alive.
For Natsuki, it wasn't of much use.
But it wasn't completely useless either.
He could reincarnate some enemies and have them work for free.
For example, the Akatsuki Organization needed these free employees.
Besides that, there was this Open the Gates of Hell ability.
It could open the door to the Pure Land.
Natsuki's first thought after unlocking it was to give it a try.
But ultimately, he suppressed the urge.
Because the Pure Land had a senior resident: the Sage of Six Paths, Otsutsuki
Hagoromo.
When a ninja died normally, their soul would go to the Pure Land.
Once they went to the Pure Land, they couldn't return to the ninja world.
However, there are always exceptions to everything.
For example, the Impure World Reincarnation.
But the Sage of Six Paths was a different case entirely.
He was too powerful, so powerful that even without a physical body, he could
freely enter and exit the Pure Land relying solely on his soul and chakra.
In the original work, he even personally delivered power-ups to Uchiha Sasuke
and Uzumaki Naruto.
Although Natsuki's current strength was already formidable, against the Sage of
Six Paths, it was still hard to say.
For safety's sake, he decided not to open the gates to the Pure Land for the
time being.
However, the Pure Land was indeed a great resource.
It contained countless souls, especially those of powerhouses, who would still
possess formidable combat power if summoned.
Most importantly, if one mastered the Pure Land, they would achieve an
alternative form of immortality.
Natsuki looked thoughtful.
He always felt this was a trap set by the Sage of Six Paths for Otsutsuki
Kaguya.
Even if Otsutsuki Kaguya broke free, he could still rely on the Pure Land to
seal her again.
Besides that, within the Pure Land, the Sage of Six Paths could live on forever.
Judging from the original work, the Pure Land did indeed play a significant
role.
Having learned the Impure World Reincarnation and developed a new Door-Door
Fruit ability, the only ninjutsu Natsuki had left to learn was the Dead Demon
Consuming Seal.
At most, he could add the Ryuchi Cave senjutsu.
After careful consideration, Natsuki decided to learn the Spirit Transformation
Technique.
A long time ago, he had used his merits to exchange for the Spirit
Transformation Technique from Konoha Village, but he had never learned it.
Now that he had Hatake Kakashi's talent, he could give it a try.
After all, he had even learned the Impure World Reincarnation.
Because the Dead Demon Consuming Seal was a Fuinjutsu, it was somewhat more
difficult.
But he had already grasped the basics, so learning it was only a matter of time.
The Spirit Transformation Technique was very special.
Perhaps learning it could trigger a character template related to souls.
Just then, Natsuki felt a summoning force.
It was obviously from the three Snake Princesses.
He immediately stopped resisting and, in the blink of an eye, arrived on the
ship where the Kuja Pirates were located.
"What is it?"
Natsuki glanced at Tagorihime and sat down on the sofa.
Tagitsuhime and Ichikishimahime, as usual, ran over to give him a massage.
"The Hidden Mist Village Anbu have their eyes on us."
Tagorihime replied, "Although they haven't discovered us yet, it's only a matter
of time."
"It seems you've put too much pressure on the Land of Water and the Hidden Mist
Village."
Hearing this, Natsuki didn't find it surprising.
He had already anticipated this happening.
In fact, he was looking forward to it.
Because if things went as expected, after dealing with the Hidden Mist Village's
targeting, the Kuja Pirates could make a name for themselves.
He could also unlock the Hancock template's Love-Love Fruit.
"Who from the Hidden Mist Village is in charge of this?"
Natsuki asked again.
"It's Suikazan Fuguki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
Tagorihime explained, "I had the snakes of the Ryuchi Cave counter-track them
and saw Hidden Mist Village Anbu ninjas meeting with him."
"The snakes of the Ryuchi Cave are indeed very useful."
Natsuki praised.
"Master, I am even more useful."
Tagitsuhime suddenly grabbed his wrist.
Before Natsuki could react, she pressed his hand against her chest.
The soft sensation made him momentarily stunned.
"What are you doing?"
Seeing this, Ichikishimahime immediately flew out from behind Natsuki, lunging
at Tagitsuhime.
Tagitsuhime had no choice but to dodge.
Natsuki withdrew his hand, thinking to himself that the Ryuchi Cave's Sage Art:
Transformation was indeed impressive; it felt incredibly realistic.
"Quiet."
Tagorihime immediately said, "What kind of behavior is this, fighting in front
of Master?"
Tagitsuhime and Ichikishimahime instantly stopped.
Natsuki raised an eyebrow.
He actually found it quite amusing to see a legal loli and a young woman
wrestling together.
"Back to business."
Natsuki coughed lightly and said, "Given the capabilities of the Hidden Mist
Village Anbu, they will most likely find our base very soon."
"Do... do we need to relocate?"
Tagorihime's mouth twitched as she asked.
Because she saw Ichikishimahime and Tagitsuhime run up to Natsuki again.
Each of them grabbed one of his hands and placed it against their chests to
"keep warm."
"We will relocate, but not now."
Natsuki glanced at Ichikishimahime and said.
Too ordinary, it didn't even evoke any distracting thoughts in him.
"We can beat them at their own game."
Natsuki thought for a moment and said, "When they surround our base, I will open
an Air Door and let you leave."
"As expected of Master!"
Ichikishimahime said enthusiastically, "Then we can counter-surround them and
kill them all in one fell swoop!"
Whenever it involved killing people, she was very excited.
Or rather, all three of them were very excited.
After all, they weren't human and had no feelings towards humans.
"That's my idea, but there's no need to cause unnecessary casualties. Just the
four of us staying behind will be enough."
Natsuki nodded slightly and added, "You guys can go look for a new base during
this time."
"Yes, Master."
Tagorihime immediately complied.
"Don't choose an island."
Natsuki suddenly thought of something and said, "Choose a small country."
He was preparing to unlock Conqueror's Haki.
Its unlock condition was to liberate the slaves of the Land of Water.
But what should be done with these slaves after they were rescued?
He couldn't possibly bring them back to Konoha Village.
The best method was to find a small country in this sea area.
Then, let this group of slaves settle down and live there peacefully.
As for the benefits, there were some.
This small country could, like the Akatsuki Organization's orphanage, provide
him with a steady stream of subordinates.
Besides that, he could also send slaves with ninja potential to live in the
Hidden Rain Village.
After all, the Hidden Rain Village was currently very short of ninjas.
He could actually send this group of slaves to the Land of Rain.
But it would be too obvious.
The Land of Water and the Hidden Mist Village would know about it the day after
he sent them.
When that time came, the Hidden Mist Village might just directly attack the
Hidden Rain Village, which would be a net loss.
At least for now, the Hidden Rain Village temporarily lacked the ability to
contend with the Hidden Mist Village, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
What the Hidden Rain Village and the Land of Rain needed right now was
development.
Taking advantage of the time before the Third Great Ninja War broke out, they
needed to improve their overall strength as much as possible.
"Notify me when it's confirmed."
Natsuki stood up, withdrew his hands from Ichikishimahime and Tagitsuhime's
embrace, opened an Air Door, and returned to Konoha Village.
Less than three days later, he was again summoned to the Kuja Pirates' ship by
the Reverse Summoning Jutsu.
"Master."
Tagorihime handed him a scroll and said, "We all agree that the Land of Sea is a
good choice."
Natsuki immediately felt the name of this country was somewhat familiar.
He recalled for a moment and found it was related to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru had conducted mermaid experiments on Kikai Island in the Land of Sea.
Simply put, it was to give humans the ability to breathe underwater.
The purpose of this experiment was to establish an underwater ninja force.
It was also on Kikai Island in the Land of Sea that Mitarashi Anko was given the
Heaven Cursed Seal.
But now, the mermaid experiments definitely no longer existed.
After all, as Hokage, Orochimaru had no need to run off to the Land of Sea to
conduct experiments.
However, from another perspective, it proved that the Land of Sea, a small
country, was located in a very remote area.
Orochimaru definitely conducted experiments here so as not to be discovered.
Natsuki opened the scroll and began reading.
It was a map of the Land of Sea.
The Land of Sea was an archipelago nation, mainly consisting of four islands.
Kikai Island, Taro Island, Jiro Island, and Kikai Island. (Note: The raw text
repeats Kikai Island. It should probably be another island name, but I will
translate it as written in the raw.)
Among them, Kikai Island was the main island.
This country had no ninjas; it was just a simple small country.
Most importantly, it was also far from the Hidden Mist Village.
"The Land of Sea is indeed a good place."
Natsuki nodded and said, "We'll choose this place."
"I'll have Tagitsuhime control the Daimyo of the Land of Sea."
Tagorihime immediately said.
Among the three Snake Princesses, Tagitsuhime was the most skilled in genjutsu,
so she was the most suitable for this task.
Natsuki had experienced it firsthand when he took the trial of the three Snake
Princesses.
But the Daimyo of the Land of Sea was just an ordinary person, unlike him who
could dispel genjutsu.
Of course, Tagorihime's genjutsu wasn't bad either.
But she had to stay with the Kuja Pirates to guard against a Hidden Mist Village
attack.
"After robbing the next merchant ship, you guys return to the Kuja Pirates'
base."
Natsuki said with a smile on his face, "The Hidden Mist Village will most likely
be unable to hold back and make a move against you."
"Yes, Master."
Tagorihime nodded.
Late June.
The isolated island where the Kuja Pirates' base was located.
Ten kilometers away, there was a very small island that looked like a giant
stone platform.
Inside were many bizarre stones eroded by the seawater.
At this moment, Suikazan Fuguki and Biwa Juzo were standing among the stones.
With them were four Anbu squads, totaling sixteen people, including two Jonin
and two Special Jonin.
Such a composition was already capable of fighting a small-scale encounter
battle.
After all, ninjas who could join the Anbu were all elites.
And there were also two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
The reason for bringing such a composition was a decision made by Suikazan
Fuguki after his investigation during this period.
The Kuja Pirates had a total of thirty-three ninjas.
But only five could be called Jonin, two of which were Special Jonin.
The other crew members were Chunin and Genin.
In other words, only the three Snake Princesses were Jonin.
The three Snake Princesses rarely fought, which gave Suikazan Fuguki a very
eerie feeling.
But he had never seen the three Snake Princesses, so he didn't pay too much
attention to it.
The reason was simple.
He had an impression of all the named powerhouses in the entire ninja world.
And the three Snake Princesses were not among them.
Because past contractors of the Ryuchi Cave couldn't summon the three Snake
Princesses.
Natsuki was an exception.
"All the crew members of the Kuja Pirates have boarded the island."
An Anbu ninja approached from a distance and appeared before Suikazan Fuguki and
Biwa Juzo.
"We'll board the island as soon as it gets dark."
Suikazan Fuguki nodded and said, "The four Anbu squads will board the island
from four directions. Not a single person can be allowed to escape."
"Yes!"
The crowd answered in unison.
The night deepened.
Suikazan Fuguki, who had been standing in place for a long time, abruptly leaped
up.
Biwa Juzo and the four Anbu squads hurriedly followed.
Upon getting close, Suikazan Fuguki waved his hand.
The four Anbu squads immediately scattered, boarding the island from different
directions.
"Let's go."
Suikazan Fuguki went straight onto the island, running towards the Kuja Pirates'
base.
Biwa Juzo smiled sinisterly and gripped the Kubikiribocho on his back.
Suikazan Fuguki's previous weapon was Samehada.
But because he was captured, Samehada fell into Nawaki's hands.
After returning to the Hidden Mist Village, he took over Akebino Jinin's
Kabutowari.
In a sense, Kabutowari and Samehada were similar, both being heavy ninja tools.
Coupled with Suikazan Fuguki's formidable strength, he quickly adapted to it.
Right at this moment, inside the Kuja Pirates' base, an Air Door opened.
The members of the Kuja Pirates walked into it one after another, heading to the
Land of Sea.
Ultimately, only the three Snake Princesses and Natsuki remained.
"I'll leave the four Hidden Mist Village Anbu squads to you."
Natsuki instructed, "I will deal with Suikazan Fuguki and Biwa Juzo."
"Yes, Master."
The three Snake Princesses turned and left.
Natsuki stood in place and waited.
He had no intention of hiding his identity; anyway, Suikazan Fuguki and Biwa
Juzo couldn't possibly leave here alive.
The sound of wind breaking rang out.
Suikazan Fuguki and Biwa Juzo landed.
The moment they saw Natsuki, both of their hearts jolted.
What's going on?
Why is Natsuki here?
Could this be a Konoha Village trap?
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