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Fortunately, the Konoha guards didn't sustain any injuries. After a check-up, those ninjas who fainted showed no signs of harm.
It seems the other party harbored no ill intentions, but their identity still raises suspicions.
Especially in the current tense atmosphere of Konoha, an unknown figure appearing out of nowhere is unsettling.
Right now, Konoha couldn't even confirm whether Itachi and Kisame have left the village.
"Did anyone see that man coming out of Ryujiro's house?"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade, after that man came out, Ryujiro-san also left."
Listening to the Anbu ninja's report, Tsunade furrowed her brows.
What is this troublemaker up to, making contact with an unknown individual at such a tense time?
Carrying a big sword...
It seems he's also a swordsman. The Anbu ninja mentioned that the person's aura resembles Ryujiro's.
Could Ryujiro's extraordinary swordsmanship be related to this person?
Well, it's better to call Ryujiro and ask.
After about fifteen minutes, Ryujiro arrived at the Hokage's office.
But when Tsunade and Shizune saw Ryujiro, they were momentarily taken aback.
Is this Ryujiro?
The Ryujiro standing before them now seemed like a completely different person. The square-framed glasses perched on his nose exuded a scholarly aura.
The sharpness that used to emanate from him was nowhere to be seen. Now, Ryujiro gave off the impression of a weak scholar, devoid of any strength.
A person's appearance can change, but one's aura is developed over time.
But the Ryujiro now seems completely different from before, both in appearance and demeanor.
And that smile on his face made Tsunade extremely uncomfortable. While that smile was warm, the stark contrast in Ryujiro's eyes left her feeling uneasy.
But Shizune, on the other hand, couldn't resist the charm emanating from Ryujiro now. Her eyes were fixed on him, a faint blush on her face.
This Ryujiro seemed to exude a mature charm.
"Ryujiro, what are you up to now?" Tsunade asked in a deep voice.
"Nothing much, just changing my appearance, it's good to try a new look once in a while," Ryujiro replied casually.
Tsunade couldn't shake off the feeling of dread despite his smile.
Am I overthinking?
Ryujiro now feels familiar to her, like the early days of Orochimaru.
Can a person's aura really change so fast?
"Anyway, let's get back on business."
"Explain about the man who came out of your house. That man doesn't sound like an ordinary person. What's your relationship with him?" Tsunade asked, her gaze intense.
"That's my master. He's the one who taught me swordsmanship," Ryujiro said, sitting on the couch and taking a sip of the tea on the table, smiling faintly.
"All my sword skills are from him."
Tsunade's eyes widened.
Ryujiro's master?
Thinking about it, Ryujiro's swordsmanship is indeed different from what they know. Even the samurai of the Land of Iron can't match Ryujiro's flying slashes.
"You were taught by that man?"
"Yes."
"Hokage-sama, if you're worried that my master has ill intentions, those who tried to stop him would've been dead long ago."
"And..."
"My master's swordsmanship is no less than mine. His slashes can cut through mountains."
What!
Tsunade slammed the table, losing her composure.
Just like Ryujiro's strength, capable of wielding flying slashes comparable to S-rank jutsu. When did such a terrifying figure emerge in the ninja world?
"Which village is your master from?" Tsunade asked sharply.
If Ryujiro's master is a ninja from another village or even an enemy of Konoha, then even if Ryujiro hasn't committed any treasonous acts, he would still be suspected of colluding with the enemy.
Ryujiro shook his head. "My master is not a ninja. He belongs to no faction; he's a wanderer."
"A wanderer?"
Such a powerful figure chooses to be a wanderer?
Neither Tsunade nor anyone in the Five Great Nations or the ninja world has heard of the name Mihawk.
Perhaps, as Ryujiro said, his master is just a wanderer who enjoys traveling and adventuring.
"Alright, alright, I won't get anything out of you. Remember to report to Anbu tomorrow," Tsunade said impatiently, waving her hand.
After Ryujiro left the office, Tsunade looked at Shizune and said, "Did that brat changed his swords?"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
"Tsk, this brat, he is really unpredictable."
---
Back at the Hyuga house, everyone looked at the unfamiliar Ryujiro with strange eyes.
Is this still the Ryujiro they know?
This scholarly demeanor is completely different from the Ryujiro they knew.
The aura that Ryujiro used to exude was like a sharp sword, intimidating.
But now, whether from his appearance or his demeanor, Ryujiro seems like a weak scholar.
"Ryujiro-kun?" Hinata looked at Ryujiro before her in a daze.
This feeling is so strange...
But it's only been one night; why has Ryujiro-kun's entire demeanor changed?
However, after a while, Hinata confirmed that the Ryujiro before her is still the Ryujiro-kun she knew.
Although his aura has changed, he is undoubtedly the Ryujiro-kun she admires.
Ryujiro's change sparked discussions in the Hyuga house. Even Hinata's father, Hiashi, was taken aback when he saw Ryujiro.
A person's aura is hard to change. What has Ryujiro experienced overnight?
Although Ryujiro's aura has changed, his strength is still recognized by the public.
With the new template, Ryujiro needs to retrain and learn the most basic combat methods of a shinigami.
Hakuda, Kido, Zanjutsu, and Hoho.
Let's not mention Zanjutsu; Ryujiro's swordsmanship is already unparalleled. What Ryujiro needs to focus on now are Hoho and Kido.
Hoho is completely different from Shunpo. Shunpo cannot be used frequently, while Hoho allows for continuous use and is faster and more versatile in movement.
Ryujiro understands the power of Kido. Compared to ninjutsu, Kido is much stronger, especially Bakudo, which can seal opponents in another dimension without incantation.
What Ryujiro needs to do now is to control his spiritual pressure, gather souls to awaken the Hogyoku sleeping within him.
Once the Hogyoku is awakened, Ryujiro will evolve to a higher dimension being!.
Once again, the familiar training ground greeted Ryujiro. Beneath the cliff and the waterfall, Ryujiro sat atop a rock.
The falling water seemed to be blocked by an invisible barrier; none of it touched Ryujiro. It appeared as if something diverted the flow of the waterfall, preventing it from reaching him.
Thanks to his gradual mastery of spiritual pressure control, the waterfall's flow was influenced by his spiritual pressure and didn't touch him at all.
[Character Template: Sosuke Aizen]
[Character Unlock Progress: 3%]
[Hogyoku Status: Dormant]
To activate the Hogyoku, souls must be collected.
Currently, Ryujiro hasn't started collecting souls yet. However, he heard that many enemy ninjas had infiltrated the village recently, probing Konoha's defenses.
Those guys...
They would serve as nourishment for the Hogyoku.
Standing up, Ryujiro's figure disappeared from the rock and reappeared on solid ground. He extended his fingers towards a piece of spirit stone, controlling the vast spiritual power within him.
Swish!
An invisible shockwave shot from Ryujiro's fingertips, punching a hole the size of a coin through the rock. Then, a dazzling lightning bolt completely shattered the rock.
Rock, 'What a scumbag! He climbs on me, trains on me and then destroys me. Simply outrageous!'
Currently, Ryujiro could proficiently use two Kidō spells: Sai and Byakurai. Both spells didn't require chanting and were quite powerful.
The power of Byakurai was more terrifying than a typical A-rank ninjutsu.
Of course, if Ryujiro could fully control his immense spiritual power, the Byakurai release might rival an S-rank ninjutsu.
The power of Kidō depended on the spiritual power and strength of the caster.
Aizen had easily defeated a fellow captain Komamura Sajin, by abandoning chanting and using Hadō #90, Kurohitsugi.
Despite discarding the chant, Kurohitsugi only unleashed a third of its original power, which showcased Aizen's terrifying strength.
Even without the Hogyoku, Aizen's strength far surpassed that of the other captains. The only one Aizen feared was Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.
However, in his later stages of evolution, Aizen no longer regarded Yamamoto a very big threat.
Reiatsu.
It's indeed not easy to control.
It's about time to report to the Anbu.
"That brat is late again!"
Inside the Hokage's office, Anbu members gathered, waiting for their captain, Ryujiro. Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, was furious. That kid promised to be punctual, yet he hadn't shown up yet.
How disrespectful.
But even if Ryujiro lacked discipline, Tsunade couldn't do much. After all, he wasn't someone easily controlled.
A few minutes later, Ryujiro arrived at the Hokage's office.
Tsunade glared at him darkly. "Brat, do you even know what time it is?"
Ryujiro didn't care about Tsunade's anger and smiled faintly. "Apologies, Hokage-sama. I was busy with my training and lost track of time."
Huh?
He actually apologized?
Tsunade's anger softened slightly, realizing that being too harsh on Ryujiro, who had arrived, would make her seem petty as a Hokage.
"Alright, since you're here, you officially assume the position of Anbu captain."
The Anbu members, behind their masks, looked at Ryujiro with respect evident in their eyes.
Although Ryujiro looked a few years younger than them, they knew he was the hero who single-handedly saved Konoha, slaying the Sand Village's Jonin and repelling a tailed beast.
Some admired Ryujiro, yearning for his formidable strength.
Among them was one person Ryujiro was very familiar with.
Yamato.
Ryujiro hadn't expected Yamato to join the Anbu as well. Would Yamato still act as the substitute leader for Team 7 in the future?
The changes in the ninja world were beyond Ryujiro's anticipation.
Whether it was the plot or the timeline, everything had changed. Since everything had changed, the events he knew wouldn't necessarily unfold according to the original story.
Sasuke was still in Konoha, though he hadn't interacted with Itachi yet. Naruto was still training under Jiraiya.
After learning each other's codenames, Tsunade informed the Anbu team that their mission was to monitor Danzo Shimura.
Although Danzo's Root had disbanded, his personality wouldn't allow him to sit idly by. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Tsunade needed to know every move Danzo made.
Monitor Danzo.
Ryujiro pondered as he left the Hokage's office.
Danzo wouldn't simply give up. He had an obsessive desire for the Hokage position and power.
Though his initial intentions were for Konoha's sake, after numerous changes and encounters with Orochimaru, Danzo's heart had changed.
He was willing to do anything to ascend to the position he had dreamt of.
Monitoring Danzo was not something ordinary Anbu members could handle. However, Danzo probably wouldn't dare to do anything risky if it were Ryujiro.
He didn't have much time to monitor Danzo anyway.
His shadow clones could handle the daily missions. He had more important things to do.
-----
The borders of the Land of Fire.
After Konoha suffered heavy losses in the Chunin Exams, the other major countries began to stir. In the eyes of the other countries, the Land of Fire had always been a tempting target.
The Land of Fire, with its advantageous geographical location and abundant resources, remained far stronger than the other four great nations despite many wars.
This wasn't only due to its geographical location but also because of its powerful ninja population and influence.
In the Second and Third Great Ninja War, the four great nations convened a joint meeting and formed a united force to attack the Land of Fire.
Now, with the demise of the Third Hokage, these countries had nefarious intentions once again.
However, they dared not act rashly after the Sand and Sound Villages jointly invaded Konoha and still lost.
Konoha now possessed a swordsman more formidable than the White Fang, who had single-handedly defeated a tailed beast during the jinchuriki's rampage.
Such splendid achievements made the major nations uneasy.
At the border, as ninja from enemy nations attempted to infiltrate, the quiet, serene forest was devoid of any sound except for the blossoming blood flowers.
Ryujiro, like a quiet shinigami, mercilessly harvested the lives of these ninja.
.
The entire dense forest fell into an eerie silence, as Ryujiro's figure leaped from one position to another, leaving behind afterimages each time he moved.
Iwa ninjas, Suna ninjas, Kumo ninjas, and ninjas from other countries—all of them lurked along the borders of Konoha, ready to infiltrate during the periods of changing guards.
However, in front of Ryujiro, they lost consciousness in an instant upon seeing him, without even knowing what happened.
The Kyoka Suigetsu completely dominated the opponent's five senses, making them believe completely in what their master wished regarding a specific object's appearance, form, quality, texture, and even scent.
Even if they saw Ryujiro, the Ryujiro they saw before their eyes was nothing but an illusion.
The real Ryujiro maneuvered behind them, unnoticed by these ninjas.
After absorbing these souls, the Hogyoku finally showed a slight stir, though it was just a faint one.
Awakening the Hogyoku was not a simple task, especially since the quality of the souls of these enemy ninjas was not perfect.
Each soul was different, and souls of inferior quality couldn't compare to a perfect one, even if absorbed.
The silent forest seemed like a forbidden place announcing death.
Many ninjas sensed something amiss. When they emerged from their hiding spots and saw the scene before them, they were terrified.
One Iwa ninja, who had never seen such a bloody scene before, turned pale and began retching against a tree.
Two Chunin-level Iwa ninjas were also pale, their faces frozen as they stared at the corpses on the ground, their bones chilled.
What exactly happened...
It's impossible for so many people to be killed without making any noise.
This place is too eerie. Could it be that Konoha has already planted Anbu here to watch?
"Hey! There's something wrong with this place. Let's hurry back to the village."
However, when the Iwa ninja looked at his companion, his expression turned extremely frightened almost in the next second, as if he had seen the most terrifying thing in the world.
Frozen in place, the Iwa ninja, almost immediately had a look of extreme horror on his face.
A trickle of blood appeared at his neck, and his head slowly tilted and slid down, his eyes wide with anger and dissatisfaction towards his fellow ninja.
Why!
The enemy is right in front of them, why wasn't his comrade attacking!
The Iwa ninja, whose senses were manipulated, had no idea what was happening. Watching Kun fall into a pool of blood, he was terrified to the core.
When he tried to locate the subordinate ninja, he only saw another body lying in a pool of blood.
"Aaaah!"
"What... what exactly happened!"
The Iwa ninja screamed in despair, wanting to escape the borders of the Land of Fire at all costs. But at this moment, a cold voice sounded behind him.
"Hadō #4, Byakurai!"
A dazzling lightning burst from Ryujiro's fingertips. The thunderous roar made the fleeing Iwa ninja even more terrified.
The white lightning mercilessly swept towards the Iwa ninja, giving him no chance to form seals.
With a scream, the Iwa ninja fell from the sky, his body seeming scorched all over.
The Iwa ninja's soul entered the Hogyoku within Ryujiro's body.
Ninjas from various villages lurking along the borders of the Land of Fire were basically wiped out by Ryujiro. Within Ryujiro's perception, there was no trace of any other ninja.
More than a hundred souls had been absorbed by the Hogyoku.
And at this moment, there was finally a slight stir within the Hogyoku within Ryujiro's body.
This feeling!
Ryujiro's expression changed immediately, as an immense spiritual pressure erupted uncontrollably from him, instantly causing everyone within the Land of Fire to feel a tremendous pressure.
And this pressure made it impossible for anyone to get up. Even Jonins, under the influence of this spiritual pressure, felt as if a huge mountain was pressing down on their backs.
"Boom!"
The soaring spiritual pressure turned into a brilliant blue pillar of light, piercing through the sky and stirring up the clouds. The immense pressure made the ninjas unable to comprehend.
The surrounding dense forest was instantly submerged under the terrifying spiritual pressure, and the forests along the borders of the Land of Fire seemed to vanish in an instant under the power of spiritual pressure, leaving behind a bald, barren area.
When Konoha's ninjas arrived, everyone was shocked by the sight before them.
There were corpses of Iwa ninjas, Kumo ninjas, Suna ninjas, and ninjas from enemy countries everywhere.
Moreover, the dense forest had turned into a flat ground, with even the grass being upturned, leaving behind only bare yellow soil.
"Hey! Report the situation here to the Hokage-sama immediately."
The Jonin's expression was extremely grave. Although they were enemy ninjas, the casualties were too many. Several major nations might take this opportunity to challenge Konoha.
The balance of power in the shinobi world had been completely disrupted.
-------------------------------------
At this time, Ryujiro was at home, holding a gem-like spherical object in his hand.
The dazzling light emanating from it contained a power beyond human comprehension, and the radiance circulating within the Hogyoku reflected a different future for Ryujiro and others.
The true power of the Hogyoku was to manifest what the heart desired according to one's own wishes but required the strength to realize those desires.
What Ryujiro desired was a power surpassing everything in this world.
A power that surpassed the entire world, a terrifying power even more than that of the Otsutsuki clan.
The power he desired was the power to change the rules of the world, to control everything in the world.
He understood the importance of power. He needed unmatched strength, fearless in any situation.
Although the Hogyoku had awakened now, it had not completely fused with Ryujiro.
At this stage, according to the self-consciousness of the Hogyoku, Ryujiro was not enough to be its master.
But at the same time, the Hogyoku was also part of Ryujiro's body.
As long as Ryujiro's strength reached the point where Hogyoku thought he was qualified to be its master, then Ryujiro would evolve into a higher dimension being.
"Does the spiritual pressure released just now only belong to me?"
"No!"
"No, that feeling... It's like two forces colliding. One of them seems to be a power unique to me."
My own spiritual pressure?
Ryujiro knew that character templates weren't just about imitation. He even had the qualifications to surpass the original's strength.
When the progress of the Aizen template reached one hundred percent, did that mean he could awaken his own Zanpakuto?
That power indeed brought Ryujiro a sense of familiarity, a power unique to himself.
Looking at the Kyoka Suigetsu at his waist, Ryujiro couldn't help but fall into contemplation.
Perhaps one day, the Kyoka Suigetsu would disappear, and he would possess a Zanpakuto of his own!.
.
"What did you say?"
"The bodies of ninjas from other major villages are all over the border of Konoha?!"
Tsunade's expression changed dramatically, her voice so loud that even people outside in the corridor could hear.
Ninja from the four major villages infiltrated the border of Konoha, and Tsunade couldn't possibly be unaware of this.
The reason they hadn't taken action yet was because Konoha couldn't afford any more trouble at the moment. They needed to recuperate and rebuild their strength.
If the four major countries were to launch another joint attack on Konoha and the Land of Fire, Tsunade couldn't be sure if they could withstand such torment anymore.
This was troublesome. If the four major countries used this as a pretext to attack the Land of Fire and Konoha again, it would likely lead to the outbreak of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
"How did those people die?"
A hint of fear flashed in the eyes of the Chunin, his voice trembling as he spoke, "Hokage-sama, the enemy ninjas all had their heads severed!"
"What did you say?!"
Tsunade's widened eyes betrayed her fear. Such a cruel method—severing the heads of all enemy ninjas—was horrifying.
Who could have done this?
Ryujiro?
That brat couldn't possibly do this. He was with the members of the Anbu.
Could it be him?
Tsunade suddenly remembered Ryujiro's master, who had left Konoha not long ago. Could those people have provoked him?
But at that time, the sudden immense pressure, that intimidation as if it originated from the soul, even Tsunade herself couldn't help but tremble because of it.
The shinobi world was becoming increasingly unstable.
A few days later, Ryujiro gradually gained control over the spiritual pressure within him, but he was still somewhat unfamiliar with using Kido.
Of course, Shunpo and Hakuda, he had already mastered them.
And now, Ryujiro's strength far surpasses that of a super Kage level ninja.
However, he had not yet reached the level of the Six Paths. The reason for this was because the Zanpakuto could sever souls.
The Zanpakuto itself was built from the prototype of the soul. It was only natural that it could sever souls.
But Ryujiro had considered something: if the Hogyoku absorbed Chakra or Kekkei Genkai along with it, would it give birth to a new power, transferring the Kekkei Genkai and integrating it into Ryujiro's body?
The Hogyoku itself was filled with unknown possibilities. With self-awareness, it could judge whether it could absorb something.
---
Ryujiro emerged from the Hyuga house dressed in Anbu attire. After talking to Hinata, his figure suddenly disappeared.
That...
It didn't seem like the Body Flicker Jutsu.
Hiashi thought as he watched Ryujiro leaving.
The surveillance on Danzo's team was temporarily suspended today. The reason was that the envoys and ninjas from the Sand Village had arrived in Konoha for negotiations.
Inside the village, there was naturally strong opposition.
After all, the Sand and the Sound Village had jointly invaded Konoha, causing many villages in Konoha to be destroyed and many people to die.
Their children and husbands had all died at the hands of the Sand and the Sound ninjas.
They wished to kill these ninjas.
However, even if the villagers were opposed, the village leaders still intended to negotiate with the Sand Village.
Konoha couldn't afford any more trouble, and the current situation was extremely unstable. If a war were to break out, Tsunade couldn't predict how Konoha would fare.
Ryujiro and Tsunade arrived together in the capital of the Land of Fire for the negotiations.
The Sand brought three Jonin, and leading the negotiations was the advisor of the Sunagakure , Elder Chiyo.
Chiyo had long stopped interfering in the affairs of the Sunagakure, but the current situation of the Land of Wind forced her to intervene.
She hadn't expected the Land of Wind to face such a situation today, and she had no idea about the invasion of Konoha by Sunagakure.
But what shocked her the most was that a Jinchuriki had been defeated by a shinobi from Konoha, and even Baki had died at his hands.
So many years had passed since Konoha had produced a genius even more terrifying than the White Fang. Konoha truly was the pool of geniuses.
Why were gods so favorably disposed towards Konoha? Was Konoha their own child?!
Although the Hidden Sand was one of the Five Great Villages, its overall strength couldn't compare to the other four.
"Long time no see, Elder Chiyo. They actually invited you out."
Tsunade looked at Chiyo with some surprise.
Chiyo looked at Tsunade and couldn't help but feel that time had passed too quickly. The girl she once knew had become the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.
At the same time, she was worried about the future of their Land of Wind. The Hidden Sand really had no one available now.
Even an old fart like her was being asked to come out and support the facade.
"I didn't expect that the little girl from back then would become the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."
Chiyo said softly.
"Well then, let the negotiations begin."
This negotiation was undoubtedly about confirming the losses on both sides.
Although the Hidden Sand was in the wrong, they knew that Konoha was currently weakened and wouldn't dare to do anything to them.
So they didn't acknowledge their own mistakes at all, and even wanted Konoha to compensate for their losses.
Sand Village still underestimated Tsunade's strength. Perhaps Hiruzen would grit his teeth and agree to the Hidden Sand's conditions for the sake of the greater good.
But Tsunade was different. Tsunade, with her fiery temper, wouldn't allow anyone to step on her.
Moreover, she was now the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.
"Elder Chiyo, your demands are absurd!"
"After invading Konoha with Orochimaru, you still want Konoha to compensate for the losses? I think you people from the Sunagakure are shameless!"
Tsunade angrily stared at the group from the Hidden Sand.
"Fifth Hokage, please mind your words!"
"Ha!, my words?"
"If you want me to speak nicely, then you should put away your shameless face."
"I don't think you really want to negotiate properly."
"If you don't want to negotiate, then let's go to war!"
When Tsunade said this, the expression of everyone present in the room changed.
Especially Koharu who immediately turned to Tsuande and yelled.
"Tsunade! What are you saying!"
Konoha couldn't afford a war now. It wasn't that Konoha's strength was inferior to the Sand village, but once the two villages went to war, other villages would inevitably intervene.
By then, it was very likely that the Fourth Shinobi World War would erupt, and Konoha had always been the object of desire for other villages.
Once other villages joined forces to invade Konoha again, Koharu wasn't sure if Konoha could withstand it like it had in previous wars.
.
Konoha now was not as strong as before, lacking the capital to go through another Ninja World War.
Tsunade couldn't risk destroying the entire village in a moment of impulse. She couldn't afford to drag the whole of Konoha into war, even if it meant risking her position as the Fifth Hokage.
"Elder Koharu, the Sand Shinobi have already attacked us. Are you still going to help them recover their losses?" Tsunade said with a cold smirk.
"Tsunade, you!" Turning red with embarrassment and anger, Koharu glared at Tsunade.
She didn't expect Tsunade to completely ignore her position, no matter what she was still a Hokage advisor.
The Sand Shinobi exchanged glances. They dared to be so aggressive because they knew Konoha was currently in decline.
They also viewed Tsunade as a newly appointed Fifth Hokage.
They thought being assertive could suppress Tsunade's arrogance, but Tsunade's sudden slap on the table and cold laughter showed otherwise.
"If Sand Village wants to negotiate properly, then put away your petty attitudes. Don't think that just because Konoha is currently weakened, you can intimidate us!" Tsunade declared.
"What power does your Sand Village have to negotiate compensation with us, Konoha?"
"If anyone's compensating, it'll be your Sand Village!"
"Tsunade!" Koharu angrily stared at Tsunade.
But Tsunade paid no attention to Koharu. These higher-ups of Konoha had grown accustomed to peaceful days, thinking that avoiding war was the best course of action.
It was because of their weak nature that the Sand Village dared to ally with Orochimaru and attack Konoha.
If Konoha had been more assertive, even with a hundred times more courage, the Sand Village might not have dared.
Now that she had taken on the position of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade was determined to eradicate the village's weak leadership mentality.
Compromising was futile; only strong power could deter enemies.
Ryujiro couldn't help but look at Tsunade with newfound respect. Tsunade's assertiveness surpassed his expectations.
It seemed Tsunade had fully adapted to her role as the Fifth Hokage. Konoha needed a more assertive leader to thrive.
"Tsunade-sama is right. You have no right to negotiate terms," Ryujiro's cold voice echoed in the meeting room.
"Outrageous! Who do you think you are? Just a mere Anbu ninja."
"Is this how the Hokage manages her subordinates?"
The Sand Village delegates stared disapprovingly at Ryujiro, even Koharu's expression darkened.
Was this Anbu ninja out of his mind? This was a negotiation between two countries; he, as a mere Anbu ninja, had no right to intervene.
Tsunade scanned the faces of the Sand Shinobi with a cold gaze and said.
"He does have the right to speak. It seems you all have forgotten the pain you suffered, forgotten who defeated you back then!"
When Ryujiro removed his mask, all the ninjas who had fled from Konoha drew in a sharp breath, fearfully avoiding the face they didn't want to remember.
"Elder Chiyo! It's him! He's the one from Konoha, the genius swordsman who defeated Gaara." Koharu's eyes widened in shock.
Koharu had heard rumors before, but she never expected Ryujiro to be this young. Konoha had produced a monster even more terrifying than Haku.
But why?
Koharu frowned. Ryujiro didn't exude the sharpness she expected; instead, he seemed like a refined scholar.
But often, such people were the most dangerous.
Having the power to defeat tailed beasts and yet disguising oneself as a seemingly weak ninja, this kind of nature was the most frightening.
Chiyo's gaze became solemn.
Tsunade actually recruited such a person into Anbu. This Hokage was indeed not to be underestimated.
"Do you really have the right to say such things? But aren't you afraid that your words will affect the relationship between our two villages?" Ryujiro sneered.
"Did you consider the relationship between our two villages when you launched the sneak attack?"
Chiyo fell silent.
"Even if Konoha is weakened, your village is still the weakest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages."
"Negotiate terms? You're not even worthy." Tsunade looked at Ryujiro with some appreciation. This kid was indeed promising.
The faces of the Sand Village delegation turned extremely ugly. Konoha was too assertive.
Their assertiveness caught them off guard. This negotiation was supposed to be their home ground, but Konoha's strength made them feel somewhat helpless.
"Ryujiro, Tsunade!" Koharu was still worried about the worsening relations between the Land of Wind and Land of Fire.
She was worried that Konoha would not be able to sustain its national strength until the end of the war.
But she didn't realize that powerful ninja villages were never judged by their overall national strength.
If they had enough high-end combat power to influence the entire war situation, that was enough.
Moreover, Ryujiro didn't mind if war broke out, he wanted more souls for Hogyoku .
"Escort the Hokage advisor down. This negotiation doesn't need the Hokage advisor present," Tsunade said coldly.
Koharu looked at Tsunade in disbelief as she was forcibly taken away by Anbu.
Chiyo and the sand shinobi broke out in cold sweats. How would they handle this situation now?
With both Tsunade and Ryujiro present, the pressure on the sand village side was undoubtedly the greatest.
Just then, ninjas from the sand village entered, whispered something in Chiyo's ear, and then their expressions changed rapidly, glaring coldly at Tsunade.
"Fifth Hokage."
"What a clever move."
"All the ninjas that were sent to spy near the Land of Fire have died."
"You've angered several ninja villages at once. Aren't you afraid of another Ninja World War?"
If it was a deadlock just now, their situation was now revitalized, and they could even use this as a reason to pressure and intimidate Konoha.
Tsunade inwardly thought it wasn't good.
The sand village ninjas had found out about the situation near the Land of Fire border.
Ryujiro looked at the Sand Village and Chiyo with a deep gaze, and in an instant, a terrifying aura swept through the entire meeting room like a landslide and tsunami.
Except for Konoha's ninjas, the Sand Village ninjas and Chiyo all felt as if they were carrying a weighty mountain on their shoulders.
Ryujiro looked at the sand village ninjas impassively.
"It seems you still haven't understood the situation. You never had the power for equal dialogue in negotiation from the beginning."
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[ Here is an extra chapter for you all, hope you enjoy it. Also thank you everyone for reading and supporting this story, means a lot to me. ]
Chiyo and the Sand Ninja bent over in horror, their souls struck by such terrifying pressure that it felt as if their very essence was being attacked, not just their bodies.
Tsunade gazed in awe at Ryujiro's dependable yet domineering figure.
This familiar feeling, the mysterious pressure that once pervaded the entire Land of Fire came from Ryujiro.
Just how many secrets does this kid conceal? Even Tsunade couldn't help but be lost in awe at the sight of Ryujiro's dominance.
"Is Konoha trying to go against the entire ninja world?"
Chiyo bowed her head in humiliation, feeling an endless fury burning in her chest.
She was the elder of Sunagakure after all!
How could she bow her head in front of a mere brat?
"Does your sand village really think so highly of itself?"
"Representing the entire ninja world?"
"It's simply a big joke."
"If I just swing my blade, all of you will die here!"
As the words fell, a cold glint flashed in Ryujiro's eyes, and his whole being erupted with intense killing intent and a terrifying spiritual pressure like an abyss.
Chiyo looked at Ryujiro in horror.
Is this kid really planning to leave them here?
"Ryujiro, don't go too far."
Previously, Tsunade's dominance was just a deterrent to the Sand Village.
If they really went to war with the Sand Village, it would only benefit the other ninja villages, and Leaf Village wouldn't gain a single advantage, or even might suffer the most severe losses.
"Tsunad-sama, trust me, as long as I'm here, Leaf Village will always be the number one ninja village!"
Tsunade's face darkened.
This kid!
Ryujiro exuded a chilling aura, his elegant scholarly demeanor transforming in an instant as if the present Ryujiro had become a proud king standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world.
Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Ryujiro, Tsunade's fear of him deepened.
What kind of monster has been born in Leaf Village?
"Sand ninjas, it's time for you to make amends."
"You're just like fish on the chopping block."
Chiyo raised her head in anger.
Even though she had countless unwillingness in her heart, she was sure that if they said one more word, this kid in front of her would mercilessly swing his blade.
Even if they wanted revenge later, they wouldn't have the strength for it. Now, Chiyo was the only Kage-level ninja in the Sand Village.
Under Ryujiro's pressure, the Sand ninjas finally lowered their heads. Each of them was filled with hatred towards Ryujiro.
Today's encounter was undoubtedly the most humiliating experience of their lives.
That feeling of powerlessness, being pressed down on the head, made each of them wish they could find a hole to hide in.
After a brief negotiation, the Sand Village representative angrily looked at Ryujiro and Tsunade.
"Isn't Konoha's demand too excessive!"
Konoha actually wanted the Sand Village to compensate for all the losses they caused before, and even hold an apology meeting to apologize to all the villagers in Konoha Village.
This negotiation was completely against Sand Village.
Tsunade also looked at Ryujiro with some concern.
She thought she was already dominant enough, but she didn't expect this kid to be even more dominant than her.
"You can disagree, but consider the consequences yourselves."
The killing intent pervaded the air.
Chiyo looked at Ryujiro with a cold gaze.
Is this boy really that young?
The psychological qualities he displayed were even more cunning than those of veteran Jonin, especially that unknown pressure. Chiyo was sure it definitely stemmed from the soul.
He not only has such terrifying swordsmanship but also possesses some soul-influencing bloodline limit?
Chiyo gritted her teeth and glanced at the Sand ninjas behind her, who were full of grief and indignation.
Under pressure, they could only endure for a while. Soon, Konoha Village, you will pay the price for your arrogance.
This kid, I must personally end him!
Chiyo forcefully suppressed the killing intent on her body and, gritting her teeth, reluctantly said, "Okay, we agree."
Tsunade widened her eyes in surprise at Chiyo.
Really agreed?
Did Ryujiro really bring them that much pressure?
Tsunade had never experienced the influence of spiritual pressure on the soul.
That kind of pressure was different from the aura and power felt; it was the true fear that stemmed from the soul.
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A few days later, Konoha Village stirred up a storm.
The Sand Village promised to compensate for all the damage they caused to Konoha and hold a public apology meeting for Konoha residents.
Kakashi and the other Jonin felt as if they were dreaming when they heard this news.
Konoha's strength was not weak, but they were concerned about the increasing instability in the village in recent years and feared that other major villages might take advantage of it.
This was the first time they knew that Konoha's high level had actually taken such a strong side.
Not only that, but after some time, Tsunade announced shocking news that stunned everyone.
That was, Ryujiro was officially appointed as the assistant to the Hokage!.
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