Chapter 128: Too Bad Naruto and Sakura Aren't Here
Chapter 128: Too Bad Naruto and Sakura Aren't Here
At this moment, under the influence of the forbidden technique, even though her body was already overwhelmed, Hotaru forced herself to turn her head and look at Hagoromo Gengetsu behind her, ensuring she hadn't misheard.
"Master, can... can I really?"
"Yes, release Fury of Heaven."
Hagoromo Gengetsu nodded again.
Although the longer Fury of Heaven accumulates, the more powerful it becomes, Hagoromo Gengetsu wasn't interested in using it for destruction. The process of Fury of Heaven gathering chakra and natural energy was more worthy of study.
Even if Hotaru hadn't mentioned it, Hagoromo Gengetsu would have her release Fury of Heaven soon. Starting over a few times would speed up his research considerably.
After receiving a clear answer, Hotaru sighed in relief but kindly reminded, "Master, please step back a bit. Fury of Heaven is very powerful."
"You're kind-hearted."
Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at Hotaru, accepted her goodwill, and flashed back a hundred meters away.
Seeing this, Hotaru no longer hesitated and decisively unleashed Fury of Heaven.
In an instant, a dazzling white light pierced the sky.
Centered on Hotaru, violent energy waves composed of chakra and natural energy burst out from the black pearl, sweeping in all directions.
Boom!!!
Deafening explosions erupted.
Within a fifty-meter radius, everything tangible instantly turned to nothingness.
"In such a short time, it can cause such destructive power. The forbidden technique that once destroyed a town is indeed not to be underestimated."
Outside the explosion range, Hagoromo Gengetsu calmly observed everything, commenting.
"However, the energy released is not the expected Sage chakra. The chakra and natural energy in the black pearl merely coexist without fusing in proportion. The release process seems more like a deliberate collision of chakra and natural energy to produce stronger destructive force."
"Even so, understanding the principle that allows chakra and natural energy to gather peacefully without harming the user is a significant gain."
The difficulty in Sage Mode training lies in the proportional fusion of natural energy and body chakra.
Previously, the process from absorbing natural energy to fusing it with chakra couldn't be paused.
From the Fury of Heaven technique and the black pearl, Hagoromo Gengetsu saw the opportunity for chakra and natural energy to coexist temporarily.
This made him thoughtful.
As the blinding light faded, Hotaru stood at the edge of the newly formed crater, supporting her knees, panting from exhaustion.
Hagoromo Gengetsu approached, took out a secret medicine, and handed it to Hotaru, saying, "Take this to relieve your fatigue and increase your chakra."
Hotaru, knowing the value of the secret medicine, quickly waved her hand to refuse. She wasn't worried about being poisoned; after all, if he wanted to harm her, he would've done it already. It was just her nature.
But under Hagoromo Gengetsu's insistence, she eventually took it.
As expected.
In a short time, Hotaru felt her fatigue fading and her chakra increasing noticeably.
Happy, Hotaru was about to thank Hagoromo Gengetsu, who was unlike the previous bad people she encountered and even made her feel safe.
Hagoromo Gengetsu spoke, "Since your body has recovered, let's continue with Fury of Heaven."
Hotaru's smile froze instantly.
"...Ah?"
Suddenly, she realized she had greatly misunderstood Hagoromo Gengetsu.
The commotion caused by Fury of Heaven was not small.
Approaching Katsuragi Mountain, Kakashi and his team noticed a white pillar of light rising into the sky in the distance.
"It seems the battle at Katsuragi Mountain isn't over yet," Kakashi sighed in relief.
Fortunately, in tracking Sasuke and his companion, they found their path aligned with Katsuragi Mountain where the Tsuchigumo clan resided.
This meant the attackers were Sasuke and his companion, and they didn't need to split up.
Kakashi's team sped up.
Soon, they emerged from the forest into the open area at the base of Katsuragi Mountain.
"Be careful, there are many traps here," Hinata warned, using her Byakugan to see all the traps.
With Hinata and Neji leading, Kakashi's team quickly and safely approached Katsuragi Mountain.
"They're coming?"
Atop Katsuragi Mountain, Sasuke noticed the familiar faces approaching and glanced back at the ongoing Fury of Heaven behind him.
He placed his right hand on his sword's hilt, looked back at Kakashi's team, and said coldly, "No one will take another step forward."
Kakashi's team swiftly climbed Katsuragi Mountain.
As they reached the summit, about to rush to the site of Fury of Heaven, several shurikens clashed in the air, shooting at them from sharp angles, forcing them to stop.
"This throwing style..."
With his headband raised to reveal his Sharingan, Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he drew a kunai, deflecting the incoming shurikens.
Then he looked towards a nearby building.
On the rooftop of the traditional Japanese house, Sasuke, in his Uchiha blue kimono, looked down at them with his three-tomoe Sharingan, his expression cold.
"It's been a while, Sasuke," Kakashi said with a sigh.
Unfortunately, Naruto and Sakura weren't here.
Otherwise, this moment would echo with the shout of "Sasuke" throughout Katsuragi Mountain.
Sasuke glanced at Kakashi without any change in expression and said shortly, "Leave."
Hearing this, Kiba scoffed, "Sasuke is still as annoying as ever."
Although not as close as Team 7, they were still classmates. Kiba had hoped to catch up with Sasuke, but seeing his attitude unchanged, he felt disappointed.
"Even so, we were comrades once. We must bring Sasuke back!" Lee said enthusiastically, giving a thumbs-up and flashing his teeth, "Right, Neji?"
Having faced many hardships trying to retrieve Sasuke last time, Lee was determined to seize this new opportunity.
Neji, who had been in the previous mission to bring Sasuke back, nodded silently.
He had little personal connection with Sasuke, but he was committed to fulfilling the mission.
Not only for himself but also for Lady Hinata.
Neji glanced at Hinata.
Hinata, thinking of Naruto's relentless pursuit of Sasuke and his unwavering resolve, looked determined.
For Naruto, she had to bring Sasuke back!
Therefore.
"Sasuke, come back to the village with us. If not, I'll have to break your limbs and take you back," Kakashi said, gripping his kunai and giving Sasuke a final ultimatum.