In the heavens, dark clouds gathered, and bursts of lightning erupted.
The next second, a brilliant white lightning bolt suddenly burst from the sky, like a pale dragon splitting the heavens, striking the island not far ahead.
Even separated by a wide sea trench, they could still hear the intense thunder and the roar of the waves.
Haku's expression was solemn.
"Mr. Zabuza, should we go take a look?"
"Wait a little longer."
Zabuza's expression remained calm.
Haku was silent for a moment, then asked, "Then what about that just now—"
"I'm not sure."
Zabuza shook his head.
He couldn't see through that person's background either.
His Hidden Mist Technique was stronger than Zabuza's own, yet he also knew the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu—
What could one conclude from that?
His skills were too diverse!
He frowned, waited for a moment, and then formed hand seals to move forward.
Wisps of mist began to spread outward.
Using Chakra to walk on water, they directly crossed the trench and reached the path on the opposite shore.
Upon getting closer, he finally saw the situation.
The lightning from earlier had blasted a large crater into a certain spot on the coast, and in the center, a corpse had been reduced almost to charcoal.
All around, fires started by the lightning were eroding the seaside forest, but other than that, no one else was there.
He summoned his courage and walked toward the large crater ahead.
Reaching it, Haku crouched down, looking at the corpse that was nearly split in two, quietly searching for anything that might prove an identity.
After a moment, he pulled out a piece of iron.
"Mr. Zabuza, this is—"
"A Hidden Mist Village forehead protector."
Zabuza answered.
He crouched down and pieced the body together.
To be honest—
Haku couldn't recognize it at all.
Zabuza observed for a while and said, "Raiga Kurosuki."
Although he hadn't been of the same generation as the man, after taking over the kubikiribocho, he had carefully read through the other's files.
This corpse was most likely Raiga.
Of course.
There could be exceptions, but considering the lightning from before, he felt it was unlikely—
"This guy really liked Lightning Burial."
"However, the Lightning Burial just now was probably executed by the opponent—there were two people in total; they know Raiga very well, and they know me very well too."
Zabuza's expression was grave.
Two people: one to block him and Haku, and the other to kill Raiga alone, and in a nearly overwhelming fashion.
With such strength and methods, yet they didn't have any killing intent toward him.
What exactly was the goal of these guys?
He frowned.
The next second, Zabuza suddenly looked at Haku beside him, his eyes pausing slightly.
Perhaps—
Their target was Haku?
Zabuza's brow furrowed tightly, and he remained silent.
Haku looked up at Zabuza with a look of hope: "Should we bury him?"
Perhaps, Haku would be better off following them.
Hearing this, Zabuza paused for a few seconds before nodding slightly: "Very well."
On the distant sea.
"My Lord, we're not killing him?"
"It's not time yet."
Masahiko answered indifferently.
He looked at the sea ahead and said, "Ice Release is a good Bloodline Limit, and that child's life has been quite miserable—but if Zabuza is still alive, it's impossible for him to be used by me."
"Oh, I see."
Ranmaru understood and no longer dwelled on the topic.
He looked toward the south, somewhat hesitant.
Masahiko glanced down and smiled: "Want to go to Hidden Forest Village?"
"Can we?"
Ranmaru's eyes were filled with hope.
"Let's go."
Inside the Illusion Forest of Hidden Forest Village.
Jugo sat in the forest, quietly feeling the so-called Nature Energy.
Nearby, Iron Palm held an iron staff, looking eager to try it out.
Further away from them—
—
Karin stayed far away, ready to intervene and provide rescue at any time.
A moment later.
Boom!
A terrifying commotion erupted within the forest.
After a while, the chaos subsided, but Iron Palm had also disappeared from the spot for some reason.
Karin walked forward.
"How tragic!"
She whispered to herself.
Jugo had been beaten black and blue, his body covered in bruises, looking nothing like a human.
To be safe—
She formed hand seals and first summoned Iron Palm back.
Only then did Karin use her jutsu to treat Jugo.
Iron Palm looked at Jugo and couldn't help but bare its teeth: "This kid, his control over Nature Energy hasn't improved at all, but his strength is getting greater by the day!"
"Lord Iron Palm, how about we talk to the Master and just forget it?"
Karin said softly, "I'm afraid if he keeps practicing, even you won't be able to control him."
"Nonsense!"
Iron Palm shouted angrily, "I can't hold him down?"
However.
The next second, it rubbed its waist: "Let's forget it for today, I'm a bit tired."
Sage Body—
It was truly eye-opening.
Iron Palm stroked its chin.
After a moment, it suddenly slapped its head: "Right, the Reverse Summoning Jutsu, I almost forgot!"
"Ah?"
Karin was stunned for a second, then realized.
Quickly—
Together, they formed the technique formula.
Reverse Summoning Jutsu!
In just a moment, Masahiko and Ranmaru were summoned over.
Ranmaru looked around and then said joyfully, "Sister Karin!"
"Ranmaru? You're here too!"
Karin was happy at first, but then she couldn't help but worry, "Then wouldn't Grandma be all alone?"
"Grandma adopted some more children, she's very busy right now."
Ranmaru answered.
He pulled Karin along, chatteringly talking about recent events.
The two of them naturally went to the side to chat.
Masahiko looked down at the unconscious Jugo and asked, "Is there any progress?"
"I guess so?"
Iron Palm scratched its head, "His constitution is very special; he can automatically absorb Nature Energy. According to the elders, he only needs to practice controlling the absorption of Nature Energy."
"Hmm."
Masahiko nodded.
Iron Palm said, "So, I've been teaching him how to sense and control—"
It recounted the recent situation in detail.
Masahiko thought for a moment and suddenly asked, "Does your clan have the Amphibian Technique?"
"Amphibian Technique?"
Iron Palm was bewildered, "What's that?"
"It's a method of joint technique application that allows you to fuse with him, so that you can control the Nature Energy."
Masahiko explained the function of the Amphibian Technique.
This group of pandas from Mizong Valley had very few inheritances; one couldn't expect them to be like Mount Myōboku.
He considered for a moment and said, "Perhaps the Nature Energy in the Illusion Forest is too dense. If there's no Amphibian Technique, we could also try outside."
Sage training definitely couldn't be neglected.
But—
If Jugo's Nature Energy could be controlled, even just a little bit, his value would skyrocket.
Iron Palm scratched its head: "I haven't heard of the Amphibian Technique. I'll ask Elders Lie Jiu and Shuiyun later."
"Hmm."
Outside Konoha, Tazuna was panting heavily, running while looking back as if enemies were chasing him.
Having fled all the way to where he could see the gates of Konoha—
He stumbled and fell to the ground.
Behind him, a dark shadow quietly disappeared, no longer pursuing.
Tazuna scrambled and crawled all the way to a spot not far from Konoha before finally stopping, his heart still pounding.
Saved!
Tazuna gasped for air, feeling that even the air of Konoha was sweet and free, and the sky was exceptionally blue—
He smiled, climbed up, and walked into the gates of Konoha.
>