Chapter 160: Danzō Shimura's Move (1&2 Update)
After lunch, Tsunade informed Pakura, then decisively took Hoshikawa and left.
Major affairs like forming an alliance between two Hidden Villages wouldn't be resolved in a hurry; negotiations usually dragged on for days.
Given her personality, she certainly wasn't going to waste her time waiting.
"Wanna hit the casino?" Tsunade turned to Hoshikawa and asked.
"No, I need to train," Hoshikawa shook his head.
"Don't you get tired?"
Tsunade reached out and rubbed his head. "You were on a mission in the Land of Frost for a month. You should take a few days to rest properly."
"I've already rested for two days," Hoshikawa replied, looking at Tsunade, who was now close by.
As he grew taller, she had to get much closer and sometimes even stand on her tiptoes to pat his head.
Hoshikawa often took advantage of these moments to openly admire her.
Skin so fair and ample, auto-aim can't be turned off.
"No rush," Tsunade said with a confident smile. "War won't break out for at least half a month, so you can relax without worry!"
Hoshikawa thought for a moment and understood.
Sunagakure and Konoha needed time to formalize the alliance, mobilize ninja, and prepare logistics.
Kumogakure was in the same boat; the Third Raikage needed time to recover, and they needed time to finalize war preparations.
All things considered, it would indeed take about half a month.
Of course, this assumed Iwagakure and Kirigakure wouldn't stir up trouble.
"Let's go!"
Tsunade didn't wait for Hoshikawa 's answer. She grabbed his hand and started walking towards the casino.
She took a few steps before realizing the problem.
Many passersby were looking at them with subtle expressions.
Tsunade thought about it—walking hand-in-hand with Hoshikawa down the main street, looking happy, certainly invited misunderstandings.
She instinctively tried to let go, but found her hand wasn't released.
"What's wrong?" Hoshikawa still held her hand.
"Nothing," Tsunade shook her head, driving away the strange emotion.
As for what others thought, given her personality, she naturally didn't care.
Once they reached the casino, Tsunade smoothly settled down at a gambling table.
Hoshikawa breathed in the faint scent drifting from her and closed his eyes.
He was used to doing his own thing while Tsunade gambled.
Today, he was studying the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Since receiving the memory of the Shadow Clone, he'd spent the last few days absorbing the information.
The ultimate goal of studying Earth Release was the Wood Release, but that was a time-consuming process.
In contrast, the Lightning Release Chakra Mode was closer and offered a quicker power boost.
The only hassle was that its characteristics were too obvious, making it impossible to use openly.
But it was excellent for self-preservation.
When faced with a life-or-death crisis, who cared about their spy identity?
Hoshikawa soon discovered a problem.
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode itself wasn't difficult; in the original story, its learning difficulty was rated B-rank.
But easy learning didn't mean it was simple. Its true difficulty lay in body strength.
To fully unleash the power of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, one needed an exceptionally strong body.
Why was it that, despite its B-rank learning difficulty, only the Third and Fourth Raikage could use it in the entire Kumogakure?
The reason was the inherent strength of their bodies.
Fortunately, the training method clearly outlined how to increase physical strength.
First, continuous daily exercise.
Second, deepening the activation of Lightning Release chakra.
Hoshikawa opened his eyes and saw Tsunade excitedly counting her money.
He couldn't help but smile.
This woman was truly obsessed with money.
Hoshikawa thought again. Obsessed with money wasn't quite right, as Tsunade was generally generous.
She probably just enjoyed the thrill of gambling itself.
Hoshikawa collected his thoughts and considered his training plan.
He didn't need to change anything; he'd just stick to his old routine.
The good news was that he wouldn't have to wear the green spandex this time.
Might Guy wasn't currently in the village.
Hopefully, I don't run into Might Duy.
Dusk arrived.
Tsunade left the casino, feeling completely satisfied.
She had gambled all day and was thoroughly thrilled.
Especially in the afternoon, after Hoshikawa joined her, her luck turned, and she won back all the money she had lost that morning.
"See you tomorrow, Sensei."
Hoshikawa said goodbye to Tsunade and headed home.
He opened the door and saw Kurenai Yuhi sitting on the sofa, holding a stick of three-color dango.
"When did you buy the dango?" Hoshikawa walked over and asked casually.
"This afternoon." Kurenai smiled brightly. "Too bad you weren't here."
"By the sound of it, did something happen this afternoon?"
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow, sat down next to her, and asked.
"Rin and I went shopping this afternoon."
Kurenai asked with a mysterious look. "Guess who we ran into?"
"Shisui and the others?" Hoshikawa guessed.
Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Might Guy were currently in the Land of Frost, so running into them was impossible.
The highest probability was Shisui Uchiha, Asuma Sarutobi, and Shizune.
"Congratulations... you guessed wrong!" Kurenai's lips curled up triumphantly.
"Who was it then?" Hoshikawa couldn't help but poke her cheek.
"It was Anko Mitarashi."
Kurenai paused slightly, holding up the dango. "Want some?"
"I'll have one."
Hoshikawa took the dango stick and bit off a piece.
"Anko was quite enthusiastic," Kurenai pointed to the dango. "She paid for this."
"You should eat less of these high-calorie dango," Hoshikawa handed the stick back to her. "To avoid getting fat."
"How can a ninja get fat?" Kurenai asked, confused.
"You'll get fat if you eat enough," Hoshikawa offered an example. "Like the Akimichi clan."
"Who eats enough dango to reach that point?"
Kurenai shook her head, taking a small bite of the dango.
Suddenly, she realized something. Her heartbeat quickened, and her cheeks felt warm.
Eating the same stick of dango was quite intimate.
Strange.
They used to share food all the time.
"You never know." Hoshikawa 's mind flashed to Anko's later, slightly rounder form, and he couldn't help but smile wryly.
"I certainly won't!"
Kurenai glanced at him. "I need to maintain my figure!"
"Your figure is definitely nice," Hoshikawa looked her up and down.
"Pervert!"
Kurenai's face flushed, and she glared at him fiercely.
"Pervert, how?"
Hoshikawa said earnestly. "I was complimenting you."
"I don't believe you!"
Kurenai shuffled backward, crossing her legs, and pulling at her collar protectively, as if guarding against a thief.
Hoshikawa glanced at her.
Her legs were slender and fair, her small feet rosy and white, her skin looking perfectly flawless and youthful.
"What are you planning to do tomorrow?" Hoshikawa cleared his throat and asked.
"Training."
Kurenai's attention shifted, her eyes lighting up. "Do you have a plan?"
"I do."
Hoshikawa met her gaze, knowing she might misunderstand. "I plan to focus entirely on taijutsu for a while."
"Taijutsu?" Kurenai looked surprised.
"Mhm."
Hoshikawa explained. "It'll be similar to before—all kinds of physical training."
Kurenai immediately looked disappointed.
She wouldn't be able to train with him like before, as she needed to dedicate her time to genjutsu and water release.
"It's fine."
Hoshikawa reached out and rubbed her head. "I'm not training all day."
"Hmph."
Kurenai pouted. "Don't touch my head."
"Then what should I touch?" Hoshikawa asked reflexively.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized the problem.
"Pervert!"
Kurenai's face instantly turned bright red.
She scrambled to her feet, stomped on Hoshikawa 's foot with her bare sole, jumped off the sofa, and rushed away.
"Why is she insulting me again?" Hoshikawa patted his thigh.
Kurenai had just stomped on his right leg.
The Morning After
"Here."
At the breakfast table, Kurenai handed him a glass of milk with a stern expression.
"Thanks." Hoshikawa couldn't help but smile.
"What are you laughing at?" Kurenai glared at him. "Drink it, or give it back."
"If you gave it to me, I'll definitely drink it."
Hoshikawa picked up the milk and took two sips.
"That's more like it." Kurenai subconsciously smiled.
"I wonder when Uncle Shinku will be back." Hoshikawa put down the milk and bit into a piece of bread.
"In a couple of days, I think," Kurenai said casually.
After breakfast, Hoshikawa strolled out the door.
He walked along the streets and eventually arrived at the First Training Ground on the edge of Konoha.
Just as Hoshikawa was about to start his run, he saw a familiar green figure, and his expression instantly became stiff.
"Hoshikawa !"
Might Duy appeared before him in a flash. "Want to train together?"
"..."
Hoshikawa sighed inwardly and nodded.
"Come on! Youth must be lived to the fullest!"
Might Duy magically pulled out a green spandex suit.
"Next time, definitely!" Hoshikawa turned and ran.
"You can't leave any regrets in your youth!"
Might Duy froze for two seconds, then chased after him.
A spirited chase immediately ensued.
The morning quickly passed.
Hoshikawa slumped onto the ground, panting heavily.
He looked at Might Duy, who was still not giving up, and felt a headache coming on.
"Uncle Duy," Hoshikawa had an idea. "How about I tell you about Guy's adventures?"
Might Duy instantly threw the green spandex idea to the back of his mind and looked at him with great anticipation.
Hoshikawa then recounted all the missions he had performed with Might Guy over the past month.
"Waaaaah! That's wonderful!"
Might Duy's body shook, and tears streamed down his face.
"...?"
Hoshikawa suddenly had a bad premonition.
He got up as fast as possible and backed away, successfully avoiding Might Duy's dramatic crying embrace.
"Guy's youth is finally being realized!"
Might Duy couldn't hide his excitement, clenching his fists. "I can't lose! I'll run an extra thousand laps today!"
Hoshikawa 's face turned pale.
An extra thousand laps? That would literally kill him!
Learning the Eight Gates
Night fell.
Hoshikawa lay on the ground, completely motionless.
The excessive training had exhausted him both physically and mentally.
But it wasn't without rewards.
For instance, he discovered that the B-rank talent 'Healing Without Seals' (Muin Chiyu) could actually treat the damage caused by intense training.
In other words, he could literally train himself to death and recover.
"Your body is really amazing," Might Duy sat next to him, also covered in sweat.
"Still a long way from catching up to you, Uncle Duy," Hoshikawa said weakly.
"You mentioned you have about half a month for training this time?" Might Duy suddenly remembered.
"Mhm," Hoshikawa replied casually.
"Then why don't you learn the Eight Gates Formation (Hachimon Tonkō)?" Might Duy said excitedly. "I think you could actually learn it!"
"Me?"
Hoshikawa was stunned, asking instinctively, "I can learn the Eight Gates in half a month?"
"Of course not," Might Duy shook his head. "But you could try to learn the first three Gates."
"That works."
Hoshikawa sat up, not standing on ceremony. "Thank you, Uncle Duy."
The first three Gates of the Eight Gates Formation were within the safe zone, having no severe side effects, and could be used purely as amplification jutsu.
In the original story, Kakashi Hatake learned the Eight Gates, even if he could only open the First Gate.
The remaining five Gates had too many side effects; there was no need to learn them.
Moreover, opening them meant losing control of chakra, which would mean he might be unable to use any ninjutsu other than taijutsu.
"It's nothing," Might Duy said, showing his sparkling white teeth. "I believe you will surely inherit the Will of Youth!"
"..."
Hoshikawa lay back down.
My youth involves schoolgirls with long, white legs running around the campus.
A week passed, and April arrived.
Konoha successfully formed an alliance with Sunagakure, granting them access to their territory and promising to send troops to assist at crucial moments.
It had to be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shikaku Nara were cunning old foxes.
Hoshikawa had originally assumed Konoha and Sunagakure would form a united shinobi army to jointly attack Kumogakure.
Instead, Sunagakure would face Kumogakure alone, with Konoha only providing help.
In addition to the alliance, the struggle for the Kazekage title in Sunagakure temporarily came to an end.
Since Rasa was severely injured and war was imminent, Pakura was appointed Temporary Kazekage upon Chiyo's suggestion, making her responsible for commanding the front lines.
Hoshikawa 's earlier guess had become reality.
Though it didn't much concern him.
"The First Gate of the Eight Gates Formation is called the Gate of Opening (Kaimon)."
Might Duy shed his usual eccentric demeanor and spoke seriously. "The Gate of Opening releases the limiter on the brain, allowing the body's full capabilities to be utilized one hundred percent."
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow.
Normally, humans were rarely able to exert their full strength.
There was a classic line from his previous life: I once punched through steel plating in a state of extreme fury.
Opening the Gate of Opening was equivalent to permanently maintaining that state of extreme fury, allowing one to unleash maximum strength at any time.
For taijutsu specialists, this was a massive cheat.
For non-taijutsu ninja, the boost was less impressive, especially since opening the Gate of Opening consumed a significant amount of the body's resources.
At the Akatsuki hideout in the Land of Rain, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan gathered together.
"What do you make of this letter?" Yahiko asked, holding a letter sent by Hanzō.
The letter's content was simple: Hanzō claimed that conflict between Amegakure and the Akatsuki would only lead to mutual destruction, and he proposed cooperation to jointly build the Land of Rain.
"Hanzō killed so many of our members—we can't let this go!" Nagato frowned.
"But I truly don't want the Land of Rain to sink further into the mire of war," Yahiko looked troubled and conflicted.
They founded the Akatsuki for peace.
Now that an opportunity for peace had presented itself, he was unwilling to abandon it.
"It's a shame Jiraiya-sensei left, or we could ask for his opinion." Yahiko rubbed his forehead.
"Why don't we notify Konoha?" Konan suddenly suggested.
(End of Chapter)
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