Futsu-no-Mitama, also known as Furu-no-Ken, was the sword wielded by Takemikazuchi.
Along with the Totsuka Blade and Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, it was known as one of the three great swords of the age of myths.
The A-rank Storm Release technique Kazama Kaguya had developed was named after it to symbolize its overwhelming attack power and the sharpness to cleave through all things.
It was still only his first, somewhat unrefined use of the technique.
The mountain was split apart by a single strike.
A Sword of the Thunder God nearly a kilometer long descended from the sky with unstoppable force.
There was no earth-shattering explosion, no blinding light.
As the exquisitely condensed beam of light swept past, the mountain was sliced from top to bottom like butter under a hot knife, leaving a sword-shaped gash that reached all the way underground.
The tip of the gash was barely a hundred meters from Kurenai Yuhi and the others.
When the terrifying blade of light came crashing down, it moved so fast that they all thought they were about to be split in half.
Their terror left them unable to even try to run.
Once the dust settled, they could clearly see the roughly meter-wide gash and the smooth, even cliff faces on either side.
If they had been a little closer...
"Whimper..."
The Ninja Dog on Inuzuka Tsume's head was the first to wet itself.
It let out a terrified whine, tucked its tail between its legs, and trembled all over as a trickle of urine dripped through Inuzuka Tsume's hair.
The sharp stench flooded her nostrils.
Inuzuka Tsume stood frozen, her face showing not only shock but also deep humiliation at being peed on.
"Gulp..."
Gekko Hayate couldn't help swallowing. His hand trembled around the hilt of his sword, and his eyes were filled with fear and relief.
"The mountain was split apart? That sword... It's terrifying. How can such power exist?"
As a Special Jōnin skilled in Konoha-style Swordsmanship and Dance of the Crescent Moon, Gekko Hayate's eye for sword techniques was unquestionably first-rate.
In his eyes, that strike had been utterly lacking in technique. But in the face of absolute power, every skill seemed pale and insignificant.
He had never imagined that the nearly kilometer-long beam of light was actually a ninjutsu created by a shinobi.
In the past, he had pursued refined technique.
But now, his convictions were wavering.
If I used that sword to perform Dance of the Crescent Moon...
A flash of longing for power crossed his eyes.
Beside him, Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma stared wide-eyed at the figure hovering in the distance.
Their hands had instinctively clasped together, fingers entwined, their faces slightly pale.
They stayed on their guard, struggling to suppress their fear. When they met each other's gaze, both looked shaken and worried.
Just then, the Jonin from Takigakure turned and ran without a word.
The sound of the Body Flicker Technique tearing through the air made Kurenai Yuhi part her lips. In the end, she made the same choice.
"That man's beyond us. Let's get out of here while he hasn't made a move."
She decided to abandon the mission and used the Body Flicker Technique to leave with Inuzuka Tsume and Gekko Hayate.
Asuma lagged half a step behind, staying back to cover them.
He was an Elite Jonin, the Third Hokage's son, and Kurenai Yuhi's lover. No one was better suited for the job.
In the distance, Kazama Kaguya watched the group flee from above, but paid them no mind.
"People from Konoha and Takigakure? A little warning should keep things quiet for the next few months."
While developing his ninjutsu these past few days, he had long since noticed people watching from afar.
The Ninja World was divided into territories, and this place was no exception.
But after seeing the power of Futsu-no-Mitama today, they had surely been left with a deep impression. As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't lost his mind, he shouldn't send anyone here again.
Hovering in midair, he held the lightning-patterned blade of light and turned to look in the other direction.
"Teacher Kisame, what do you think of my A-rank Storm Release?"
Kisame Hoshigaki couldn't fly, so he looked up at the boy in the sky and praised him. "Very impressive. Its attack power is far beyond what you'd expect from an A-rank technique. Once you learn more ninjutsu and incorporate them into it, it'll definitely reach S-rank."
As he spoke, a hint of eagerness flickered in his eyes.
"Storm Release: Futsu-no-Mitama? The Sword of the Thunder God, huh? I'd love to see how it measures up against my Great Shark Bullet. Would your sword cleave through my shark, or would my shark swallow your sword?"
Land of Fields, Otogakure.
After receiving a warning from Danzo a couple of days ago, Orochimaru had been in a terrible mood.
His experiments in Eternal Life required the support of a great deal of precision medical equipment.
In particular, he had recently obtained an exceptionally rare experimental subject.
The individual had been born with the Sage Transformation Physique and could absorb Natural Energy without assistance.
The Cursed Mark on his body contained immense Natural Energy, capable of enhancing a person's combat power in every way.
Orochimaru had recently been trying to study those naturally occurring Cursed Marks.
Such research required exceptionally precise instruments, so he had specially ordered an extra batch from Danzo.
But just as the delivery date was approaching, Danzo had unexpectedly sent him both a warning and notice of a price increase.
The equipment was already extremely expensive, and the sudden 30% increase had left Orochimaru short on funds.
"Kazama Kaguya, what on earth did you do in Konoha to make Danzo so furious?"
He had immediately begun gathering intelligence on recent events in Konoha. But after looking into it, he found that apart from the Branch Family Head of the Hyuga Clan committing suicide, nothing much had happened.
Still, he couldn't believe that a minor incident would make Danzo warn him and raise the price by 30% as punishment.
"Something must have happened in Konoha behind the scenes."
Orochimaru was certain of it.
After thinking it over, he began writing an intelligence scroll. Then he bit his finger and performed the Summoning Jutsu.
A cloud of smoke flashed, and a crimson snake appeared.
"Hiss... Lord Orochimaru?" The Red Snake was surprised to be summoned by Orochimaru.
Orochimaru tossed it the scroll. "Take a letter to Kazama Kaguya. Tell him I expect adequate compensation from him for my losses."
The Red Snake wasn't surprised. It swallowed the scroll and vanished in a puff of smoke.
With the aid of a blood contract, a Summoned Beast could locate its summoner, just as a summoner could call a Summoned Beast at any time. It was a relationship built on mutual trust.
More than that, a Summoned Beast could perform the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to summon its summoner.
However, the Reverse Summoning Jutsu had many restrictions and required extensive preparation. Most importantly, the Summoned Beast had to be capable of performing Hand Seals to use ninjutsu.
Among the Summoned Beast clans, only the toads of Mount Myōboku and the King Kong Ape Demon clan could do this.
Unless the members of the Ryūchi Cave clan trained until they could transform their bodies, they had no fingers and couldn't perform Hand Seals to use ninjutsu.
Watching the Red Snake return to Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru glanced at the six young members of the Kaguya Clan training outside and gave a sinister smile.
"Since you've delayed my development of Living Corpse Reincarnation, I might as well put you through some proper training first. After all, Kazama Kaguya did say I only had to make sure you didn't die."
He used the Body Flicker Technique to leave. Before long, the sounds of wailing and shrieking rang out from outside.
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