Naruto: IHCS Ch. 145

Nagato and Aoki slept soundly.

Shiratori lay on the tatami, examining the two techniques he had just activated.

[Copy Technique Template]
[Todo Aoi - Boogie Woogie: UNLOCKED]

[Copy Technique Template]
[Yoshino Junpei - Shikigami Summoning (Moon Dregs: UNLOCKED]

Boogie Woogie was an extremely powerful and tactically versatile technique, its strength depended largely on the user's imagination, combat intellect, and teamwork.

He considered his own combat intellect to be fairly decent.

After all, his physical age was still young, as he gained more battle experience, his combat intelligence would only continue to grow.

The activation condition for Boogie Woogie was very simple, a clap of the hands.

Through clapping, one could swap the positions of two objects imbued with cursed energy. But now that he was in the shinobi world, cursed energy had become chakra, so he could swap the positions of two chakra-bearing entities.

The targets of exchange were broad: they could be the user himself, allies, enemies, even an enemy's attack, since attacks usually carried chakra.

The limitation was clear: the target must contain chakra. That meant he couldn't swap ordinary objects or normal people without chakra.

In essence, this technique didn't deal direct damage, it instantly rearranged the battlefield, creating ideal conditions for dealing damage.

The moment he activated it, countless tactical applications flashed through his mind.

This technique was downright devious.

In a sense, it could even serve as a form of absolute defense.

As for Junpei's Shikigami Summoning, it was also a unique and highly promising technique, unfortunately, Junpei had died too early, before its full potential could be shown.

What was known was that Junpei's shikigami was a jellyfish named Moon Dregs. Moon Dregs' tentacles secreted a potent anesthetic venom and could also release a much more lethal corrosive toxin.

Not only that, Moon Dregs could also divide into multiple clones.

These clones had physical form and could intercept or attack targets, mainly used to confuse enemies or defend. The main body could envelop the summoner, forming a defensive barrier, and even allow short bursts of high-speed movement using the jellyfish's buoyant motion.

The jellyfish combined offense, defense, control, and mobility into one, truly an all-purpose technique.

He was very satisfied with both techniques he had obtained this time.

After finishing his inspection, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep contentedly.

---

Kazekage's office.

The air was heavy.

A massive strategic map was spread across the stone desk before the current Kazekage.

Miniature flags representing both enemy and allied forces were arranged in a complex pattern across its surface.

The Kazekage sat at the table, facing several village elders and key advisors.

He wore the white cloak of the Kazekage, emanating a pressure as solid and imposing as a mountain.

"The situation is already clear. Konoha's White Fang has led their ninjas to break through the Kikyo Mountain defensive line. Our supply routes are severely threatened, and frontline morale is plummeting. Ordinary reinforcements and remote commands can no longer reverse the tide."

He raised his head. His eyes swept across every person present.

"Therefore... I've decided, I will depart immediately and personally lead the frontlines."

The room fell into a deathly silence.

The elders and advisors exchanged shocked glances, but none spoke at once.

Chiyo sat expressionless, lifting her eyelids slightly to look at the Kazekage.

"Kazekage-sama," Ebizō's voice was calm but heavy, "please reconsider."

The Kazekage met his gaze.

"I know what you're going to say. But this is the most effective, and the only, way to swiftly boost morale and turn the situation around. I must go."

"No, Kazekage-sama, you misunderstand me."

Ebizō leaned forward slightly.

"Your presence on the front lines would indeed inspire our forces, and you might even achieve a crushing victory in a localized battle. But... You are the Kazekage, the core that binds our people together. As long as you remain in the village, even if the front temporarily falters, our home will stay stable, our people's hearts will not waver. But if you personally go to the battlefield... The front lines are unpredictable, anything can happen in an instant. Even with your immense strength, who can guarantee absolute safety? Konoha is cunning and deceitful, they will surely set countless traps and focus all their power on you alone. If anything were to happen to you..."

His words struck everyone in the office.

"Then Suna would be leaderless, morale would collapse, and the consequences would be unimaginable! We might face a defeat ten times worse than now! Because you are the Kazekage, your safety is no longer just your own concern. For the sake of the village as a whole, please remain here. As for the front, we can dispatch more elite units and activate contingency plans."

"Ebizō!"

The Kazekage slammed the table and rose to his feet.

"Look at the map! Look at all the outposts we've lost! Konoha has gone too far, this war concerns Suna's very survival and dignity! Precisely because I am the Kazekage, I must stand in the most dangerous place! My power exists to protect this village!"

Chiyo's gaze rested on the Kazekage's face.

When did he become so hot-blooded and impulsive...?

"Kazekage-sama..."

Ebizō wanted to persuade him further, his face already showing a pleading expression. "Your safety..."

"My safety is one with Suna's victory! If I cannot lead the village to victory, then what meaning is there in hiding inside it? My decision is made. After I leave, the village's administration and defenses will be entrusted to you and Chiyo. I trust completely in your abilities and experience. Guard Suna well, so that I can fight without worry."

Seeing the unshakable resolve in the Kazekage's eyes, Ebizō knew that no amount of words could change this young and powerful leader's decision.

He opened his mouth, but in the end, all his words turned into a long, heavy sigh.

"Please, Kazekage-sama, take every precaution. The village cannot be without you."

The Kazekage nodded silently, saying no more. His gaze dropped back to the strategic map on the table. His sharp eyes flashed with a cold gleam.

The White Fang of Konoha...

He was eager to test his new body against that man.

Let's see which was stronger, the famous White Fang, or this new body wielding the Magnet Release.

"Pass down my order. Prepare immediately. In one hour, I will personally depart toward Kikyō Pass. Inform the frontline command, I will arrive directly at the front lines."

After speaking, he strode toward the door, each step firm and powerful.

Everyone in the office watched his departing back in silence.

Only after his figure disappeared did Ebizō withdraw his gaze. Turning toward his sister, worry flickered in his eyes.

The matter of Akasuna had already spread throughout the village.

Chiyo glanced at him, saw the concern in his eyes, and gave a small laugh.

"Ebizō, we've weathered countless storms. There's nothing we haven't seen in this life. Don't worry about me."

She turned and left the Kazekage's office.

Watching her departing figure, Ebizō sighed deeply.

The more indifferent his sister tried to appear, the more worried he became.

---

At Aomine's Hideout, a misty rain filled the air.

Raindrops dripped from the eaves, forming fine curtains of water.

Yahiko stood under the shabby roof, gazing into the distant horizon beyond the hideout.

Rain soaked his orange hair, a few damp strands clinging to his forehead, but he seemed not to notice.

He was looking toward the Land of Grass.

"I've heard things are getting worse over there... I wonder how they're doing," he spoke softly.

Konan, sitting nearby, was folding a paper bird. Her fingers moved deftly among the folds of paper.

At Yahiko's words, her hands paused for a moment before resuming the final steps. The paper bird spread its wings in her palm, as if ready to fly away at any moment.

"They chose the path they felt they had to take," she said gently, placing the paper bird on the windowsill before looking up at Yahiko. "And we have our own mission to fulfill."

Half a month ago, when Konan and Yahiko awoke to find only the two of them left in the room, they instantly understood everything.

Both had left letters behind.

Shiratori had departed for the Land of Grass while they were still asleep.

Nagato had secretly followed after him.

Only Yahiko and Konan remained at the hideout.

Konan had cried bitterly that day, but soon, she composed herself.

She still remembered what Shiratori had said.

"We can't betray their trust."

Her words reignited the fire in Yahiko's eyes. He turned to face her, passion blazing within him.

"We'll make Akatsuki take root in the Land of Rain. When they return, they'll see a stronger, greater Akatsuki than ever before!"

Konan smiled faintly, folding another paper bird and nodding toward him.

Over the past half-month, they hadn't wasted a single day.

At dawn each morning, they trained relentlessly, pushing their limits.

They knew, they didn't possess Nagato's gifted eyes, nor Shiratori's cursed power and natural talent.

So they had to work harder, much harder.

If they could become stronger, they could one day go to the Land of Grass and fight alongside them.

They didn't want to be left behind again. They wanted to stand as equals, strong ninjas, just like them.

"Yo, what big plans are you two plotting again?"

A teasing voice came from behind Yahiko.

Kojiro strolled through the rain, leaning lazily against the doorframe.

Raindrops trickled from the brim of his straw hat.

"Just discussing how to bring more people into Akatsuki," Yahiko replied.

Aomine's Hideout had finally found its rhythm. Kojiro had no interest in administration, he preferred to travel across the Land of Rain, seeking like-minded comrades instead.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Sounds a lot more fun than sitting around here all day."

A week later, after entrusting the hideout to Muramasa and Genraku, the three of them set out.

For once, the rain had stopped. The night sky revealed a field of long-hidden stars, their light sprinkling the road before them as they left the hideout behind.

Yahiko gazed ahead.

"We'll spread the light of peace across the Land of Rain, and across the entire shinobi world. When Nagato and Shiratori return, they'll see a new, stronger Akatsuki!"

Konan looked back at the hideout.

"We'll come back," she promised softly. "And when we do, we'll bring many more kindred souls with us. Akatsuki will bloom across the Land of Rain, and throughout the shinobi world."