CH 17: Relations

For Isshiki, the motivation for training his Daikokuten has gone down. He had even started to doubt if it was possible.

For the past year nothing has worked so far, while his Sukunahikona had also decreased in progress, as if something previously a part of him had taken that power with it.

He is even starting to feel as if his Unnamed Eye is weakening.

But regardless, he has now found a possible answer to his biggest dilemma, and that is the Sage Regions.

In the series, the Sage Regions were described as pocket dimensions independent from that of the universe where Natural Energy is at its highest concentration.

It was never mentioned why this is the case, but Isshiki had an educated guess regarding it. He thinks that it has something to do with the concept of the 'Natural Energy' itself.

Now the word 'Natural Energy' is highly self-explanatory, it is the energy emanated by the planet itself, especially a planet with life.

It was described as an energy superior to that of Chakra, as the latter has always been defined as akin to a diluted version of the former, or for better words, a purer version of Chakra.

But other than that, there was no more other explanations as to how Natural Energy forms, the only things stated in the series were as to how it is used by the lifeforms either bound or inhabiting near it. Nothing in the department of how it is produced or created.

And so for the past weeks, Isshiki searched his mindscape library for answers, in short, he started a full on research with limited knowledge.

Isshiki knows that it is pretty ineffective to start a research when one barely has any source of information. He is also aware that in this period, only Kaguya, the inhabitants of the Sage Regions, and possibly other unknown entities similar to the Black Angels like Satori are aware of the existence of this energy.

And he knows that two of those three options are absolutely a no-go for him with his current strength, except for the second one. But that is when a new dilemma arises, on how to find a way to Reverse Summon himself to those sage regions, and that is precisely the reason why he needs to atleast have an idea on where to find those sage regions.

Because just like Minato does it with his Flying Thunder God Technique----In order to go somewhere, you need to have an idea of where it is.

And that is his top priority, to find and pinpoint the sources of this Natural Energy so that he can have an idea on where to find the Sage Regions.

-----

"And that is it for this simple negotiations, please follow the guards for the way out"

Mina adjourned the discussions and politely asked the Village Chieftain to leave.

Hearing this, the Chieftain could barely hold his smile and politeness, especially with the ridiculously unfair end of the deal where he is in.

But he knew better not to break character, especially being in front of the ghostly-looking humanoid glaring at him from right beside Mina.

And so, with a bit of an expression of dissatisfaction by forcefully standing up from his seating position, he spoke with an unnatural smile.

"Truly a simple negotiations Lady Mina, of course I am also glad to have made a deal with the rulers of the powerful Kurotsuchi Village!"

He blabbered with fake enthusiasm.

Seeing this, Isshiki could only narrow his eyes further as he gazed at the poor human right in front of him. To which the other flinched in fear after witnessing how the former's expression darkened.

"I- I will go now, it's a pleasure to do business with you Kurashijin! Farewell!"

The panting Chieftain hurriedly exited the room, leaving it in silence.

-A/N: 'Kuro' means black, while 'Ashi' means feet or footed, and as for 'Jin' it is used as a noun to generalize a group of humans. This results to 'Kurashijin', which means Black-Footed People, people who strove to climb up the revered highest mountains of Kurotsuchi to set up a village nestled between its harsh valleys, which then resulted in them being admired by people for their perseverance. -

"Isshiki-sama! I know that you probably read his mind and got offended by something he thought about us, but please could you not scare our neighbors away?"

Mina scolded in annoyance, to which the other ignored blatantly.

This made Mina swell up in fury.

"Isshiki-sama!"

She yelled.

Seeing this, Isshiki finally found his rationality and apologized.

"Okay, I'm sorry, It was just that he really did say something extremely offensive.."

Isshiki tried to reason.

Hearing his apology, Mina calmed down with a smile.

"I know Isshiki-sama, it doesn't take mind-reading powers to know that person's train of thought"

She retorted politely.

(Wow, this girl really have some nerve to talk back to me...)

The Ōtsutsuki in hiding popped a vein on his forehead.

"But I do pity that man for him being on the bad end of the deal, Jigen-sama formulated such an unfair deal on him"

"Especially the part where we were able to gain up to 70% of their trade networks just for some slip up that was probably schemed by the one and only Jigen-sama again"

Mina said with a wry smile.

"Well, it was their fault for not seeing through Jigen's elaborate lie, declaring a war against a powerful nearby tribe just for some stupid underproved accusation of that tribe stealing from them"

"If it weren't for us intervening and mediating that village and that tribe's failing diplomacy, then maybe that village would've been wiped out, such poor residents under a stupid ruler.."

Isshiki mused in sarcasm.

"But then again, it is partially our fault as to why they were in that situation.. hehe, that bastard Jigen really surprises me sometimes"

He further mused and complimented.

Mina saw this and only smiled warmly.

"But that tribe... I have seen some humans who are naturally powerful in terms of physique, but that usually shows on their stature and size though.....As for that tribe, how are they so physically overpowering despite having an average amount of trained muscles?"

Isshiki raised a curious question, to which Mina also wondered about.

"They can lift rocks with just their fingers, such intimidating people"

"Those humans could be said to be somewhat similar..... to you Isshiki-sama... "

The both of them looked at each other eye to eye as they pondered.

"And those orange hair, I feel like I've seen them somewhere.."

Isshiki stroke his chin while pondering.

"From what I know Isshiki-sama, That tribe is named the 'Hinode' tribe, people say that they are a tribal clan who migrated from the south. They got their tribe name because people thought that their hair color was unique"

Mina spoke.

(The 'Sunrise' Tribe? what a majestic name for barbarian-looking people)

Isshiki continued pondering.

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Author's End Note: Guys I am sorry for the slow upload, it's currently the start of my school year so I've been extremely busy. But I'll still try my best with the uploads, though with reduced word count.

Please support me if you want me to continue!