Kaguya and Danzo's Warning

Futsu-no-Ken, also known as Furu-no-Ken, is the companion sword of Takemikazuchi.

It is counted among the three great divine swords of the mythological era, alongside the Totsuka Blade and Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.

This A-rank Storm Release technique, developed by Kazama Kaguya and named after it, symbolizes immense destructive power and the sharpness to cleave through anything.

This was merely the first, immature use of it.

A mountain was split in half with a single sword strike.

The nearly kilometer-long Sword of the Thunder God descended from the heavens with overwhelming force.

There was no violent explosion, no dazzling light.

As the intensely condensed beam of light sliced through, the mountain was cleaved from top to bottom as if by a hot knife through butter, leaving a gash that reached deep into the earth.

The tip of the sword mark was only a hundred meters away from Kurenai Yuhi and her companions.

When the terrifying sword light fell, it was so swift that they all thought they would be sliced in half.

Their bodies were frozen in terror, making it impossible to even attempt to flee.

After everything settled, they could clearly see the meter-wide sword mark and the smooth, sheer mountain walls on either side.

If they had been even a little closer...

"Wuwuwu..."

The ninja dog on Inuzuka Tsume's head was the first to wet itself out of fear.

It whimpered in terror, tucked its tail, trembled all over, and a trickle of urine dripped down from Inuzuka Tsume's hair.

The foul stench filled their nostrils.

Inuzuka Tsume's body went rigid. Her face showed not only shock but also the deep humiliation and shame of being peed on by a dog.

"Gulp..."

Gekko Hayate couldn't help but swallow, his hand gripping his longsword trembling, his eyes filled with terror and relief.

"The mountain... was split? That sword... it's too terrifying. How can such power exist?"

As a special Jonin skilled in Konoha-style Swordsmanship and the Dance of the Crescent Moon, Gekko Hayate's appreciation for swordsmanship was undoubtedly top-notch.

In his eyes, the attack just now lacked any technical skill, but in the face of absolute power, all techniques seemed pale and powerless.

He had never imagined that the nearly kilometer-long beam sword was actually a ninjutsu created by a ninja.

Previously, he pursued exquisite techniques.

But now, his pursuit was shaken.

"If I were to wield this sword and perform the Dance of the Crescent Moon..."

A flicker of desire for power flashed in his eyes.

Beside him, Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma also stared with wide eyes, fixated on the figure hovering in mid-air in the distance.

Their hands unconsciously clasped together, fingers intertwined, their faces a little pale.

They remained vigilant, trying to suppress the fear in their hearts. After exchanging a glance, they both felt lingering dread and worry.

Just then, a Jonin from Takigakure turned and fled without a word.

The sound of the Body Flicker Technique tearing through the air made Kurenai Yuhi open her mouth, but she ultimately made the same choice.

"That person is not someone we can afford to provoke. Let's leave while he's not attacking."

She made the decision to abandon the mission, taking Inuzuka Tsume and Gekko Hayate with her as they used the Body Flicker Technique to depart.

Asuma followed a beat later, responsible for covering their retreat.

He was an elite Jonin, the Third Hokage's son, and Kurenai Yuhi's lover, making him the most suitable for the task.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Kazama Kaguya, looking down from above, saw the fleeing group but paid them no mind.

"People from Konoha and Takigakure? Giving them a warning should keep things quiet for a few months."

He had noticed people observing from a distance while he was developing his ninjutsu these past few days.

The entire ninja world had its territories, and this place was no exception.

However, borrowing the power of Futsu-no-Ken today should have left a deep impression on everyone. If Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't out of his mind, he wouldn't send anyone here again.

He floated in mid-air, holding a light sword with flowing lightning patterns, and turned his gaze to another direction.

"Teacher Kisame, how was my A-rank Storm Release?"

Kisame Hoshigaki, lacking the ability to fly, looked up at the youth in the sky and praised, "Very good. Its destructive power far exceeds A-rank. Once you learn more ninjutsu and integrate them, it will definitely be promoted to S-rank."

As he spoke, a hint of eagerness appeared in his eyes.

"Storm Release: Futsu-no-Ken? Sword of the Thunder God? I'm really curious, compared to my Great Shark Bullet, will your sword cleave my sharks, or will my sharks swallow your sword?"

Land of Fields, Otogakure.

After receiving a warning from Danzo these past two days, Orochimaru's mood turned extremely sour.

His Eternal Life experiment required the assistance of many sophisticated medical instruments.

Recently, in particular, he had just acquired a very rare experimental subject.

It was a rare individual born with the Sage Transformation Physique who could autonomously absorb natural energy.

The cursed marks on that person contained extremely powerful natural energy, capable of enhancing a person's combat power in all aspects.

He had recently been trying to find ways to research those innate cursed marks.

This kind of research required the assistance of very delicate instruments, and he had specifically custom-ordered a batch from Danzo.

But he hadn't expected that, with the delivery date approaching, he would receive a warning and a price increase notice from Danzo in advance.

These items were already expensive, and now the price had inexplicably increased by 30%, putting Orochimaru in a financial bind.

"Kazama Kaguya, what exactly did you do in Konoha to make Danzo so furious?"

He immediately began gathering intelligence on Konoha, but after a thorough investigation, he found nothing significant besides the suicide of a Branch Family Head from the Hyuga Clan.

However, for Danzo to warn him and increase the price by 30% as a penalty, he didn't believe it would be a minor matter.

"Something must have happened in Konoha behind the scenes."

Orochimaru was very certain.

After some thought, he began writing an intelligence scroll, then bit his finger and began using Summoning Jutsu.

A puff of smoke appeared, revealing a crimson snake.

"Hiss... Lord Orochimaru?" The Red Snake was very surprised to be summoned by Orochimaru.

Orochimaru threw the intelligence scroll to the Red Snake and said, "Go deliver a letter to Kazama Kaguya and tell him that my losses need to be adequately compensated by him."

The Red Snake showed no surprise, swallowed the scroll in one gulp, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Summoned Beasts can locate their contractors through blood pacts, just as contractors can summon their Summoned Beasts at any time; it is a relationship of mutual trust.

Furthermore, Summoned Beasts can perform Reverse Summoning Jutsu to summon their contractors.

However, this Reverse Summoning Jutsu has many limitations and requires a lot of preparation. Crucially, it requires the Summoned Beast to be able to form hand seals to perform Ninjutsu.

Among all the Summoned Beast clans, only the Toads of Mount Myōboku and the King Kong Ape Demon clan can do this; others cannot.

The Ryūchi Cave clan, unless they cultivate to the point of being able to transform their bodies, cannot form hand seals to perform Ninjutsu because they lack fingers.

Watching the Red Snake return to Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru looked at the six Kaguya Clan youths training outside and said with a sinister smile:

"Since you've delayed my development of Living Corpse Reincarnation, I'll train you properly first. After all, Kazama Kaguya did say that as long as you don't kill them, it's fine."

He disappeared in a flash, and shortly after, the sounds of wailing and howling could be heard from outside.