Chapter 71

Everyone was still puzzled about what the Konoha Six Styles entailed, particularly because Might Duy was the only one seen practicing it for the last few weeks. Just as curiosity mounted regarding Ryan's decision, Might Duy demonstrated the Konoha Six Styles to everyone, leaving them utterly astonished.

"Hey, is this Taijutsu?" someone exclaimed.

"Wow, I didn't see any chakra usage. It's purely a physical might!" another remarked.

"Despite not using chakra, Taijutsu is incredible, isn't it?"

"Is this really considered Taijutsu?"

As they watched Duy perform the six forms, including the Body Flicker Technique-like "Shave," the B-level ninjutsu-like "Rankyaku," and the mesmerizing "moonwalk" that seemed capable of flight, disbelief was etched on everyone's faces.

To witness such extraordinary physical techniques that relied solely on the body without chakra was unprecedented. Recognizing the stunned expressions, Duy welcomed the opportunity and earnestly asked, "What do you see now?"

"It's the Taijutsu created by Hokage-sama!"

"It's the Konoha Six Styles! Now we know why Master Hokage called us here!"

Duy's words only heightened their surprise. No one had anticipated that Master Hokage had crafted such a formidable physical skill. Recalling what Hokage-sama had mentioned before they arrived, all eyes turned to Might Duy, burning with eagerness.

"Can we also learn the Konoha Six Styles?"

"Please teach us!"

"We're determined to study hard!"

In an instant, the entire ninja school echoed with enthusiastic voices. Everyone stared at Might Duy with unwavering determination—anyone who failed to learn such a potent physical art would be considered a fool.

Observing the fervor, Might Duy promptly commenced his teachings, with Guy naturally joining in to assist and guide. Soon, a wave of Konoha Six Styles training swept through the ninja school. Meanwhile, Ryan personally instructed Minato, Sakumo, and others in mastering the Marine Six Styles.

A few days later, while Orochimaru was engrossed in his experiments, he chanced upon a glimpse of the Konoha Six Styles and instantly became captivated. After careful observation, Orochimaru visited Ryan's office.

"It's amazing!" Orochimaru exclaimed. "To create such an exquisite taijutsu training method, Mr. Ryan has achieved the pinnacle of body control."

Ryan, facing Orochimaru's praise, promptly handed over the training method for the Marine Six Styles. "Take it; I know you don't have time to attend the ninja school. This is for you!"

Upon receiving the training method, Orochimaru's face lit up with a familiar smile. In their interactions since being left in Konoha by Ryan, this direct and efficient exchange was their way of communicating.

Not only Orochimaru but Tsunade and Jiraiya also sought the training method. After all, this remarkable physical technique was created by Ryan himself, and it was an opportunity they couldn't afford to miss.

As time flew by, two months quickly passed. The first group of ninjas trained by Might Duy successfully made their debut, exhibiting mastery of the Konoha Six Styles. Ryan, visiting the ninja school for the first time, beheld the energetic and determined faces of the newly graduated shinobi. A satisfied smile spread across his face—it seemed that their efforts over the past three months had finally yielded results.

"Duy, you've done an excellent job," Ryan commended.

"This is my duty, Hokage-sama," Might Duy humbly replied, his emotions stirred by Ryan's praise.

Simultaneously, Ryan entrusted this batch of graduated ninjas, most of whom he had personally sent to the ninja school, to Might Duy. These young ninjas represented the future of Konoha and needed to be nurtured from an early age.

By mastering the Marine Six Styles from childhood, the future shinobi of Konoha would possess superior physical prowess compared to other ninja villages. Even the Cloud Shinobi Village with its Lightning Style Taijutsu wouldn't stand a chance against the Konoha shinobi.

Just when everything seemed to be going well, several Uchiha clan members returned to Konoha to report the completion of their mission. Accompanied by Uchiha Fugaku, the clan patriarch, they were swiftly brought to Ryan's office.

"Master Hokage, the mission has been successfully completed!" one of them announced.

"The Daimyo of the Land of Water has been eliminated. The culprit responsible is undoubtedly a Kirigakure ninja!"

As Uchiha reported, a glimmer of light sparked in Ryan's eyes. He inquired, "You didn't reveal your whereabouts, did you?"

"No, Hokage-sama!" they replied in unison.

Satisfied with their response, Ryan nodded. Now that the Daimyo of the Land of Water was killed and the culprit was a Kirigakure ninja, he anticipated that the news would cause chaos throughout the ninja world. It reminded him that his appearance had postponed the third Ninja World War, and now he would be the one to instigate it.

With this realization, Ryan promptly sought out Sakumo and dispatched Anbu to spread the news about the Land of Water. It was crucial to disseminate this information quickly throughout the ninja world.

"Minato, inform the families! Be prepared for battle at any time! Notify the Sannin and ensure proper storage of war supplies. They should be ready to lead the army to the front lines whenever required!"

One by one, Ryan's orders were relayed.

In the village of Konoha, swift action ensued. The massive village came to life as various departments diligently prepared for the impending war. Tsunade's medical department, Orochimaru's research department, and Jiraiya's Spy department joined forces to make necessary arrangements.

Although the war had not yet begun, the entire village of Konoha unquestioningly followed Ryan's orders. The execution rate within Konoha was surprisingly high.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Water, disbelief and outrage filled the air.

"Who the hell?!"

"There's no way the Daimyo was killed by a Kirigakure ninja!"

"This is absolutely ridiculous!"

Upon hearing the news of the Daimyo's demise, the Third Mizukage experienced a rare moment of happiness. After all, the Daimyo had subjected the entire country of water to six months of oppressive rule. However, this joy was short-lived as it was revealed that the murderer hailed from Kirigakure.

While the assassination of the Daimyo pleased the Third Mizukage, the involvement of Kirigakure ruined the situation. Such an act of killing the Daimyo set an unfavorable precedent for Kirigakure.

Just as the Third Mizukage pondered his next move, news arrived from the ninja world. Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and the Cloud Shinobi Village simultaneously issued declarations of war. The audacity of Kirigakure attacking the Daimyo was intolerable.

The Daimyos of the three countries jointly condemned the act and called upon their respective ninja villages to send troops to the Land of Water. Consequently, all three nations dispatched their forces.

The Third Mizukage was momentarily flustered. While Kirigakure had been wrongly blamed for the assassination, the simultaneous arrival of troops from three powerful countries left him at a loss for explanations. He understood the need to block the initial wave of attacks to maintain any chance of negotiation.

"Quick! Pass down the order! Gather all supplies! Assemble the army!" he commanded urgently.

Kirigakure swiftly began mobilizing its forces, mirroring the chaos that consumed the entire ninja world. At this critical moment, the strongest village, Konohagakure, issued a statement through Fourth Hokage Ryan.

"Kirigakure has flagrantly assassinated the Daimyo, an act I will never condone! Together with the three other nations, we will send troops to Kirigakure!"

Upon receiving this statement, the Third Mizukage, seated helplessly in his chair, was struck by shock. He sat in a daze, struggling to process the information. Initially, the Third Mizukage had been somewhat relieved when he received news of the assassination, as he believed that Konoha's involvement had been avoided. But with Ryan's announcement, Kirigakure's fate was sealed.

Following Konoha's declaration, the Third Ninja War officially commenced, with the Four Great Nations converging on the Land of Water. This sudden outbreak of war left Uchiha Madara, hidden in the hillside cemetery, puzzled.

" Who is pulling the strings behind the scenes? The current state of the ninja world is becoming increasingly distorted!" he murmured.

Even Black Zetsu, the bearer of the news, found himself lost in contemplation. It was clear that someone else was manipulating the situation, orchestrating events to disrupt his carefully laid plans. He had intended to initiate the war himself as part of his grand scheme, but now everything had been thrown into disarray.

As they both sank into silence, the bustling Konoha Village assembled a large army at its entrance. To everyone's surprise, the Hokage had personally provided the leader of the army with a substantial amount of money.

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