Chapter 60

[750 Power Stones Reached!!! Next Is 900!! Let's Goo! (If reached I'll upload it tomorrow as I'm going to bed... Good night!~)

Caw~~~

The cry of an eagle echoed through the skies.

In the Valley of the End.

After teaching Samui ninjutsu, Gensou watched her leave, visibly moved. He then rested in the valley for two days before a messenger eagle from the Hagoromo clan arrived.

Gensou extended his arm.

With a rush of wind and the beating of wings, a nearly half-meter-long messenger eagle swiftly descended, landing accurately on his arm.

"So, they've found something already?"

Gensou removed the small scroll tied to the eagle's leg and unlocked it with the Hagoromo clan's specific hand sign.

Sure enough, the intelligence on Shinnō had been gathered and sent promptly.

"In the Land of Fire? Seems it's not too far. Let's get this done quickly, then perhaps there'll be a little surprise in Konoha."

Gensou released the messenger eagle and vanished from the Valley of the Gods.

At the same time.

In Konoha Village.

The smoke of battle had cleared from this resilient village.

All the debris was cleared, and the collapsed buildings were rebuilt. The streets and alleys buzzed with activity once more.

Everything looked just as it did before the Chunin Exams.

But appearances can be deceiving.

Some things, and some people, had quietly changed within.

In Konoha Hospital.

After returning from the Land of Tea, Sasuke and Naruto, both recovering from injuries, couldn't hold back and ended up in a rooftop duel.

Although Kakashi interrupted them at the last moment, after comparing the damage caused by Chidori and Rasengan, Sasuke, full of confidence, was about to leave.

But when he turned around and saw the back of the reservoir, devastated by Naruto's Rasengan, his smug expression froze.

Crack!

Sasuke clenched his fist, his face darkening.

"Naruto..."

When did Naruto become so strong?

He had always been the dead last in everyone's eyes, while Sasuke was the recognized genius.

But what had happened recently? Naruto had defeated the rampaging Gaara; he had defeated Aoi with the Sword of the Thunder God; and in their recent fight, if Kakashi hadn't intervened... The more Sasuke thought about it, the tighter he clenched his fist.

Why was Naruto progressing so quickly?

In contrast, it seemed he had been standing still.

"Looks like the rumors are true. The only survivor of the renowned Uchiha clan is the one with the worst potential!"

Aoi's words echoed in Sasuke's mind.

And that man!

"You are weak... why are you so weak? Because your hatred isn't strong enough."

Recalling his recent encounter with Itachi, he felt as powerless as he did at seven years old.

He couldn't go on like this!

"Even Naruto has caught up to me! If I keep standing still, how can I ever kill Itachi!"

"This ninja game... it's time to end it!"

Sasuke looked towards the village outskirts, finally deciding.

On a desolate path, the white-haired Shinnō, leaning on a cane and carrying a medicine box, walked alone.

For years, he traveled through various countries, ostensibly to heal people, but in reality, seeking forbidden techniques to control the Zero-Tails.

Shinnō didn't worry about his identity being exposed, as the Air Ninja had long vanished from people's minds.

His high reputation as a healer across the ninja world kept troubles at bay.

But today, he clearly hadn't checked his fortune.

"Shinnō?"

Seeing the stranger blocking his path, Shinnō's brow furrowed slightly, though he maintained his usual kindly demeanor.

"Young man, are you here for treatment? Tell me your symptoms."

Since this person knew his name, they likely knew his profession.

Shinnō assumed this was another person seeking his renowned medical skills.

"Illness? I am indeed sick."

The stranger, Gensou, nodded.

"But rather than relying on others for treatment, I'd prefer to heal myself."

Gensou didn't want the deceitful Shinnō to leave something malicious in his body during treatment.

Every profession has its expertise.

If a doctor intentionally leaves something behind during treatment, it's hard for the patient to detect.

So, Gensou would rather learn medical ninjutsu himself to ensure his treatment was foolproof.

Gensou straightforwardly said, "Hand over all your medical ninjutsu, and I'll reward you accordingly, leader of the Air Ninja."

"I'm just an ordinary person. What medical ninjutsu could I possibly know... Wait! What did you just say?"

Shinnō's face changed drastically.

Habitually claiming he was an ordinary person, it took him a few seconds to realize.

Leader of the Air Ninja?

His identity was exposed?

Shinnō could hardly believe it.

But looking into Gensou's calm, unchanging eyes, he knew any denial was useless.

"Foolish young man, isn't it better to live a good life?"

Shinnō sighed.

Dropping his façade, his face twisted into a snarl, he glared at Gensou.

"You want to learn my medical ninjutsu? You think you can threaten me with the Air Ninja?"

"Foolish! Arrogant! Greedy!"

"I'll send you to meet the Shinigami!"

Ripping off his outer clothing, Shinnō revealed a surprisingly muscular body for his age.

Seeing Shinnō's sudden transformation, Gensou sighed as well.

"Foolish old man, why can't you just talk it out? I gave you a chance. And by the way, I've met the Shinigami, no need for a second time."

Met the Shinigami?

Shinnō, now in his true form, thought Gensou was out of his mind.

Without further words, he yelled confidently,

"Foolish young man, do you know what I've been doing in the fifty years since the fall of the Land of Sky?"

"Do you know what fifty years means?"

Gensou tilted his head slightly, thought for a moment, then spread his hands and answered,

"A nap?"

"Facing death and still being cheeky!"

Infuriated, Shinnō quickly formed hand seals.

"Forbidden Medical Ninjutsu: Body Activation!"

In an instant, his muscles swelled.

Transformed into a small giant, Shinnō charged at Gensou with tremendous speed, the ground shaking with each step.

"Die! You little rat!"

One minute later.

"Stop! I surrender!"

Once confident and formidable, Shinnō now retreated in utter defeat, his face bruised and swollen, waving a white flag and begging for mercy.

Not a single wrinkle on his clothes, Gensou watched and sighed,

"You wouldn't listen to reason, forcing me to act."

"Why is it so hard for people to have a peaceful transaction?"

"The world... is truly difficult."

(End of Chapter)