Another Quasi-Kage

After a long while, Kisame Hoshigaki finished treating his wounds and then ate some more food.

Then Yichen said, "Alright, now that you know my identity, let me tell you my purpose."

Kisame Hoshigaki's gaze sharpened, then he looked at Yichen with a serious expression.

Yichen slowly said, "I want to change the Ninja World."

"I don't know when it started, but this world has been filled with war. And there have been many people like me who have wanted to change this world."

"Those who are far removed are only legends, but there is a recent example: Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage of Konoha."

"Hashirama Senju believed that once the Ninja World was no longer centered around clans, there would be no more wars, so they established ninja villages. But unfortunately, it now seems that their idea was definitely wrong."

"While there are no longer life-or-death conflicts between ninja clans, the wars between ninja villages have become much larger and involve a wider range of areas."

"Now, the Ninja World has reached a point where change is needed again. I want to change the Ninja World, I want to abolish the ninja village system. I want to build a unified new world, without national borders and without conflicts between ninja villages."

"However, my strength is not yet sufficient to overthrow the existing ninja village system, nor is it sufficient to foster mutual understanding among ninjas."

"So I came to Kirigakure. I took a liking to you. I need you to join us and stand by my side when I launch the war to change the Ninja World in the future."

Kisame Hoshigaki smiled but didn't reply; these words couldn't sway him.

Yichen didn't mind and continued, "Kisame Hoshigaki, do you know why I chose you?"

Kisame Hoshigaki was taken aback. Indeed, although he was arrogant and confident in his talent, in terms of fame, he was far inferior to the geniuses of the Terumi Clan and Hozuki Clan.

He never imagined that he would one day be able to control Kirigakure. The furthest point in his vision was where Suikazan Fuguki was standing.

The most valuable thing he saw was the Samehada. He never considered Yichen had said about the future of the Ninja World.

Sensing Kisame Hoshigaki's questioning gaze, Yichen said, "Have you ever thought about what a ninja is, why ninjas exist, and what the meaning of their existence is?"

Kisame Hoshigaki's body jolted violently; this time, the emotional turmoil was far greater than when Yichen had seen through his Transformation Jutsu.

"For the mission, you killed your comrades and the girl who loved you. That girl was also someone you loved, wasn't she?" Yichen said calmly.

Kisame Hoshigaki took a deep breath and said, "It seems the Lord Tsuchikage has conducted a thorough investigation into me. I just wonder how the Lord Tsuchikage intends to persuade me to pledge my allegiance to you?"

Yichen shook his head and said, "You're wrong. I don't need your loyalty. We're cooperating. I'll clear the fog for you and show you the way to the future."

"And you, all you need to do is keep walking firmly toward the end of that road."

Kisame Hoshigaki stared intently into Yichen's eyes and said, "Then please, Lord Tsuchikage, show me the way."

Yichen didn't speak directly. Instead, he looked around and pointed to a cliff, saying, "Let's sit down there and talk. This topic isn't suitable for the current atmosphere."

After saying that, Yichen flew over first, leaving his back to Kisame Hoshigaki.

Kisame Hoshigaki watched Yichen's retreating figure, assessed his physical condition, and felt that this might be the best time to make his move tonight.

If it were Kisame Hoshigaki from the beginning, he might have been ready to go all out. But now, Kisame Hoshigaki's deepest doubts have been stirred up, and he is hesitant.

After staring at Yichen's back for a long time, Yichen Kisame Hoshigaki finally followed him to his side.

With his back to Kisame Hoshigaki, Yichen smiled slightly. His Mind's Eye to sense things made no difference whether he was facing or turning his back to the enemy. Yichen did this simply to understand Kisame Hoshigaki's mental state.

"Originally, being a ninja was just a profession, no different from being a chef or a doctor." Yichen slowly spoke after Kisame Hoshigaki sat down.

"But unlike other professions, ninjas possess Chakra, Chakra is a very mysterious thing. It not only changes the ninja's power but also endows them with many incredible abilities."

"For example, ninjas can use Chakra to cast Water Release to summon water, and use Chakra to cast Fire Release fire. Of course, they can also use these abilities granted by Chakra to kill people."

"The wonder of Chakra makes ninjas extraordinary, and also makes them stand out from other professions."

"To understand the meaning of a ninja's existence, one must understand the true essence of Chakra. Kisame Hoshigaki, have you ever heard of Senjutsu?"

Kisame Hoshigaki nodded and said, "I've heard of it. The Lord Tsuchikage knows Senjutsu, and the First Hokage of Konoha knew Senjutsu too."

Yichen smiled and said, "Hashirama Senju is exceptionally talented. His Senjutsu is incredibly powerful and perfect. Although I also know Senjutsu, there are many limitations to Senjutsu use. Therefore, I cannot demonstrate Senjutsu to you today."

"Senjutsu are actually Ninjutsu performed using a more special type of Chakra. Because Senjutsu Chakra, Senjutsu are also more powerful."

"Senjutsu Chakra has more uses than regular Chakra. For example, Senjutsu can extend a ninja's lifespan. Extending lifespan is one of the amazing functions of Chakra. If you can understand the principles behind it, you can master Senjutsu and become Sage yourself."

"You may not be familiar with Senjutsu, but you're certainly familiar with Kekkei Genkai. A typical Kekkei Genkai is formed by the Chakra Fusion natures."

As he spoke, Yichen used the Porcelain Release: "This is the Porcelain Release I developed, Kekkei Genkai obtained by fusing water and earth attributes."

"You know, after unlocking my Kekkei Genkai, I can clearly feel my life essence changing; I'm evolving towards a higher level. Of course, this change isn't significant."

"Beyond Kekkei Genkai, there's Kekkei Tōta, but I won't demonstrate that."

"What I want to tell you is that if you want to understand what a ninja is and the meaning of their existence, then you must explore the mysteries of Chakra. Only when you have a sufficient understanding of Chakra can you understand the meaning of a ninja."

Seeing Kisame Hoshigaki thoughtful, Yichen said, "Your level is still too low. You can't guess the function of Chakra without understanding it. Let me tell you about Chakra from my perspective."

"Chakra is the key to higher levels of life, the bridge connecting all life. Chakra can enhance ourselves while also deepening mutual understanding."

"All ninjas' Chakra originates from the same source; theoretically, Chakra can transmit one ninja's insights to another."

"This is also one of my methods for achieving peace. I can't do it now, but I believe that one day I will be able to."

"At that time, I can use my Chakra to convey my understanding of peace to all ninjas in the Ninja World, so that everyone can understand each other, put aside their conflicts, and achieve true peace."

"Unifying the Ninja World is my process; my goal is to get all the ninjas in the Ninja World to reach a consensus."

"Kisame Hoshigaki, want to understand the questions in your heart? It's simple, go and pursue the essence of Chakra, explore the secrets hidden within Chakra."

"But I have no bloodline limit, and I don't know any Senjutsu," Kisame Hoshigaki said, looking at his hands.

"Haha, whether it's Senjutsu or Bloodline Limit, it's just a process, this is my path. You can completely understand a single attribute of Chakra and walk your own path. Although the processes of the two paths are different, the results will definitely be the same," Yichen said with a smile.

Kisame Hoshigaki looked at his hands and muttered to himself, "A single-attribute Chakra, Water Release? Have I thoroughly understood Water Release Chakra?"

"What is Chakra? What is Water Release Chakra? Why do I have Water Release Chakra? How can I thoroughly study Water Release Chakra?" Kisame Hoshigaki fell into deep thought.

Unbeknownst to him, Yichen looked at him with surprise.

Yichen was prepared for Kisame Hoshigaki to become a Quasi-Kage; that was the purpose of all the things he said to Kisame Hoshigaki.

Yichen was becoming increasingly adept at manipulating the fragile heartstrings of lost youths. The words he spoke to Kisame Hoshigaki were specifically designed for him.

Yichen first set an example for Kisame Hoshigaki by demonstrating the wonders of Senjutsu Chakra, Kekkei Genkai Chakra, and Kekkei Tōta Chakra. Then he lured Kisame Hoshigaki to find the answer to the question that had been nagging at him.

As expected, Kisame Hoshigaki, guided by Yichen, gained some insight and completed his transformation.

However, Yichen did not expect that Kisame Hoshigaki's transformation would give people such a drastic feeling.

This is probably the advantage of Chakra; Kisame Hoshigaki will definitely spend much less time at the level of a quasi-Kage than Yichen did back then.

For Chakra, who had very little Yichen, his strength barely changed when he first became a Quasi-Kage. It also takes a very long time to go from Quasi-Kage to Kage Level.

However, for Chakra Kisame Hoshigaki is so abundant that it may never be fully depleted, this change will significantly enhance his strength. Moreover, he will quickly rise from Quasi-Kage to Kage Level, just like Nagato did back then.

After a long while, when the rising sun leaped above the horizon, Kisame Hoshigaki finally came to his senses.

Looking at the rising sun on the horizon, Kisame took a deep breath. Then he said, "Lord Tsuchikage, I understand, but I will not become a puppet as you wish. If you want to kill me, you'd better do it while I am still weak."

Yichen smiled, then stood up and said, "You've only found your own Ninja Way now. Your strength may have improved, but do you know how to become the Mizukage? Do you know how to govern the village after becoming the Mizukage?"

"If you want to break free from my control, wait until you learn how to handle these things. Now, obediently come back to Kirigakure with me."

"Remember, you were ambushed by Konoha ninja. Suikazan Fuguki stayed behind to cover your retreat."

"You charged out of the enemy's encirclement with the Samehada, and then, despite being severely wounded, you fought back and killed them. Afterwards, fearing there might be other enemies, you hid to recuperate."

"You didn't know you were safe until I— the Third Mizukage's direct Anbu, Kiyoshi—found you. Do you understand?"

Kisame grinned and said, "I doubt anyone would believe a description of Lord Suigetsukage like that."

Yichen said, "That doesn't matter. What's important is that you protected Samehada and killed the enemy. You are a hero."