Chapter 240: Uchiha Madara's Undying Wish to Destroy Konoha
After a month of familiarization and practice, Masahiko's Space Ninjutsu finally had a breakthrough. He could successfully mobilize a portion of his chakra without interference.
The Bagua Space occupied the position of the Gate of Shock (Jingmen) in Masahiko's body, which was a crucial pathway for chakra circulation. Fortunately, it only occupied a point, not the exact center. Masahiko spent the month researching chakra control and finally found a way to make his chakra bypass that point during circulation.
However, even now, Masahiko couldn't mobilize a large amount of chakra at once. Only flight and some basic elemental jutsu were problem-free.
Aside from that, Masahiko's spatial displacement had become more proficient. After entering the space, he could basically reappear quickly within fifty meters. If not for a tiny pause when entering and exiting the space, it would be even stronger than the Flying Thunder God Technique without kunai. However, Masahiko ultimately didn't find the ability to make parts of his body intangible like Obito, which left him a bit unwilling to accept.
"Greed knows no bounds. This was already an unexpected harvest." Masahiko mocked himself. Besides gaining a spatial ability, his chakra control, which he thought was already impeccable, had improved again. Once he fully mastered the spatial ability, he might even catch up to Tsunade in medical ninjutsu.
"It's time to compete for the title of Slug Princess... no, Slug Prince... Slug Emperor Emeritus!" Masahiko strode towards Konoha.
"Elder Masahiko!" The two gatekeeper ninjas actually still hadn't changed; the war didn't affect their work.
Masahiko waved his hand in greeting. "I'm going to find Hiruzen!"
He had set off from the Land of Whirlpools at the end of November and only arrived in Konoha at the beginning of Konoha Year 44. Taking just over a month—he really got lost on the path of life.
On the streets of Konoha, there was still a lingering atmosphere of New Year celebrations, proving that the war basically hadn't affected the civilians of Konoha.
Masahiko took a special detour to the Senju clan grounds to sense the chakra inside.
"Kushina is there, Mikoto is there. Are Nawaki and Tsunade not there?" Masahiko nodded, not too surprised. Nawaki finally got his wish to go to the battlefield. With his current strength, Masahiko basically didn't need to worry about him.
Without going in to say hello, Masahiko went directly to the Hokage Building.
In front of the building, Masahiko met someone he hadn't seen in a long time, Hiashi Hyūga, who could be considered half a disciple of Masahiko.
Hiashi looked indignant. Seeing Masahiko, his expression softened slightly as he came over to greet him.
"What's wrong, Hiashi?"
"Teacher... go ask the Third Hokage!" Hiashi still addressed Masahiko as Teacher, but he wasn't polite about Hiruzen at all. After saying one sentence, he had no interest in continuing the conversation and turned to leave directly.
"What is this about?" Masahiko muttered, shook his head, and walked into the Hokage Building.
The number of Anbu inside the building had noticeably decreased, with only two or three around. The people at the mission assignment desk were also absent; during wartime, civilians rarely came to issue missions.
However, reaching the top floor, Masahiko found both Hiruzen and Danzo there.
Before they could speak, Masahiko smiled. "Both of you are here. Seems the advantage in the war isn't small. I guess I came for nothing."
"Elder Masahiko, you're finally here!" Hiruzen didn't pick up on that but looked anxious.
"Where have you been for over a month? Your two disciples said you set off first."
Masahiko was startled. He didn't expect Nagato and Konan to come to Konoha looking for him.
"Where are they?"
Hiruzen hesitated, so Danzo spoke up. "They said you told them to go to the battlefield for training. They should be in the Land of Rain now."
Masahiko's face twitched. These two brats, so bold...
He glanced at the two again. "You didn't instigate this, did you?"
Hiruzen shook his head repeatedly. "Your disciples Nanako Uzumaki and Kento Uzumaki led them there."
"Those two... aren't young anymore. No wonder you guys are so relaxed; you used my disciples as coolies?"
"How would we dare? We simply couldn't get away. Inside Konoha..." As Hiruzen spoke, he sighed.
"Creating suspense again. Tell me what happened. I just saw Hiashi, and he was quite angry."
"It's a long story..."
"Danzo, you tell it!" Masahiko glared. Hiruzen was getting more long-winded with age.
"Elder Hizashi died in the war against the Mist Village." Danzo was concise.
"Hiashi's father? Then why isn't he seeking revenge instead of staying in Konoha arguing with you guys?"
Hiruzen smiled bitterly. "The Mist Village retreated. They sent a letter explaining that the Third Mizukage was controlled by an unknown ninja before, and the attack on Konoha was his sole decision. They will compensate for all losses Konoha suffered."
"According to intelligence, they are indeed selecting the Fourth Mizukage," Danzo added.
"Controlled?" Masahiko felt it was strange for the Mist Village to bypass the Land of Whirlpools to attack Konoha. They were too bold. It was probably the work of Akatsuki again.
"Uchiha Madara's wish to destroy our Konoha is undying!" Danzo said hatefully.
Masahiko's expression turned strange. Madara was taking the blame innocently, all because Masahiko said he fought Madara again in Roran last time.
"Elder Masahiko, could we trouble you to make a trip to the Mist Village?" Hiruzen asked.
Masahiko sighed inwardly. He wanted to go, but right now he couldn't even fly steadily... Space Ninjutsu would take at least a few more months of practice.
"You're just letting it go like this? Not helping the Hyūga seek revenge?" Masahiko changed the subject. "Hiruzen, this isn't good. If Danzo died there, you wouldn't be enduring it like this."
Danzo's old face turned completely black, and Hiruzen was speechless for a long while.
"Right now, Konoha's main combat power is in the Land of Rain. And if Uchiha Madara is also in the Mist Village, we probably..."
"Madara? He must be 80 now. He isn't me. If he still had power, would he use such methods?" Masahiko didn't explain, simply letting Madara take the blame to the end.
Hiruzen still shook his head. "Now the Hyūga refuse to participate in the war. We only have a slight advantage in the Land of Rain, and the Rock Village (Iwagakure) is also stirring. I'm afraid we can't deploy more manpower."
"The entire Hyūga clan isn't participating?" Masahiko was shocked. Is this a revolt? He thought only Hiashi stayed in Konoha.
Hiruzen hesitated, then shook his head. "Before Elder Hizashi died, he only managed to destroy one Byakugan. The other one was taken by the Mist Village."
"Is that so?"
This time Masahiko understood. This was the first time a Byakugan had been leaked, no wonder the Hyūga clan was so dissatisfied.
"In the original story, the Mist Village did indeed have a Byakugan. What was that ninja's name? That follower of Mei Terumi... Ao." Masahiko thought to himself.
"We hope that when you go to the Mist Village, you can also help retrieve this Byakugan," Hiruzen continued.
Masahiko shook his head. "I won't go for now. Maybe in two months. You know, for men of age, there's always a time every year when it's not suitable to make a move, right?"
Understand what? Right about what?
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you