Ten Consecutive Jonin, Approaching Us Is...

Due to the nature of his top-secret mission, Kakashi chose to take a detour toward the southwestern region of the Land of Fire.

According to intelligence, Tsunade and Shizune were currently staying in Tanzaku Town, known throughout the ninja world as a "money pit." It went without saying what she was doing there.

The reputation of Konoha's "gambling, drinking, and womanizing" had long since spread across the ninja world.

Tanzaku City's Tanzaku Town was the Las Vegas of the Hokage world.

It was filled with entertainment centers, casinos, hot spring inns, and izakayas, making it a "forbidden zone" for ninjas.

The three ninja prohibitions were: abstain from lust, abstain from alcohol, and abstain from gambling.

Tanzaku Town strongly supported these "three prohibitions," thus becoming the Land of Fire's city of freedom. It was listed as a "Cultural Heritage of the Land of Fire" and was one of the international cities the nation heavily promoted.

Tsunade appearing there was perfectly logical.

Kazuhiko was currently following behind Kakashi, leaping across treetops and advancing rapidly.

Since bidding farewell to Guy, the two had remained silent, save for the occasional brief exchange regarding their route.

The current Kakashi only displayed a range of emotions when facing Guy; he had not yet become the gentle mentor who appeared lazy, spent his days clutching Icha Icha Paradise, and loved to show up late or slack off.

Therefore, even if Kazuhiko wanted to strike up a conversation, he would receive no response from Kakashi.

In the eyes of the other man, completing the mission assigned by the Hokage was the only thing that mattered.

Soon, the sun set and the night grew heavy.

Only then did the two stop to rest beside a secluded mountain stream.

After Kakashi vigilantly cleared the area of any potential threats, he leaned against a tree trunk and closed his eyes to rest.

Kazuhiko found a large, flat rock, took out a tent, and set up camp to prepare for the night.

He had come out this time with a bodyguard and a contingency plan, so his mood was relaxed.

"Kakashi, I've set up a separate tent for you as well. Don't stand on ceremony."

Kakashi opened his eyes, gave a simple "hmph," and closed them once more.

Seeing that he didn't want to chat, Kazuhiko decisively chose to rest.

To gain Kakashi's favor, Guy would have to be present at the same time.

Otherwise, given the man's current withdrawn personality, being too proactive would just be like pressing a hot face against a cold butt—a recipe for awkwardness.

After eating some dry rations, Kazuhiko crawled into his tent, his nerves instantly buzzing with excitement.

"With all my talent!"

"With my astonishing perseverance!"

"With my heaven-defying wisdom!"

"With my invincible aptitude!"

"Kamui Mangekyo, come to me!"

As the shouts in his heart poured out, the pages of Deep Blue shimmered with flowing, light-like entries, shining with a dazzling mix of blue, green, and purple light.

Was it another day of being a "non-chief" (unlucky player)?

Even with this ten-pull of Jonin-level entries, Kazuhiko still didn't see any golden light.

[Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (Green) -- Converted: Basic Wind Style Chakra Nature Transformation (Green)]

The Wind Release ninjutsu entry had directly converted into the corresponding chakra nature transformation!

Kazuhiko raised an eyebrow, immediately equipped the entry, and attempted to fuse it.

[Equipped Entry: Basic Fire Style Chakra Nature Transformation (Green)]

[Equipped Entry: Basic Wind Style Chakra Nature Transformation (Green)]

Nothing happened.

"So, they can't be fused?"

Kekkei Genkai related to elemental release could be developed through the combination of two chakra nature transformations to create new techniques.

For example, the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release, or the Mizukage Mei Terumi's Lava Release and Boil Release, were all developed and mastered through their own efforts.

Therefore, after obtaining the entries for both Wind and Fire chakra natures, Kazuhiko had immediately attempted to fuse them into a [Scorch Release] entry.

But the ideal was plump, while reality was skeletal.

Basic chakra nature transformations clearly could not fuse into a Kekkei Genkai.

Kazuhiko extended his palm, and a faint wisp of wind-attribute chakra began to swirl around his fingertips.

"Because I don't possess wind-attribute chakra, the Wind Release ninjutsu entry converted directly, prioritizing giving me the corresponding chakra attribute."

Of the five elemental releases, Kazuhiko was born with only the fire attribute.

The fire attribute was also the chakra attribute naturally possessed by ninjas of the Uchiha clan.

As for the Yin-attribute chakra corresponding to the Sharingan, it was hidden within the bloodline and generally did not manifest directly in most people.

Rather, it is only after an Uchiha awakens the Sharingan that they possess this chakra attribute.

Kazuhiko guessed that it was precisely because he was born with both Yin and Yang that the two types of chakra restrained and canceled each other out, causing his predecessor to remain a genin for eternity, unable to awaken the Sharingan even when on the verge of death.

[Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet (Green) -- Converted: Earth Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation Basic (Green)]

Fire, Wind, and Earth attributes have already arrived; what is next?

[Lightning Release: Lightning Clone (Blue) -- Converted: Lightning Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation Perfect (Blue)]

The blue entry made Kazuhiko's eyes light up.

But when he saw clearly that it was the Lightning Clone being converted into the corresponding chakra nature transformation, he felt somewhat devastated.

"Why convert the blue entry! My Lightning Clone!"

The Lightning Clone could not only mimic the main body's movements in battle but also release high-intensity electrical currents upon dissipating, paralyzing enemies or even causing explosive damage.

Compared to the corresponding Water Clone or Shadow Clone, it was far superior in terms of practicality.

Pairing Phantom Body Flicker with Lightning Clone—the combat visuals would be nothing short of beautiful.

When an enemy was besieged by Kazuhiko's multiple Phantom Body Flickers, the Lightning Clone hidden among them would transform into a human bomb, shouting "Art is an explosion"—pray tell, which ninja could defend against that?

"This wave is a massive loss..."

[Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique (Blue) -- Converted: Water Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation Perfect (Blue)]

"Water Dragon Bullet..."

Kazuhiko felt no heartache for the Water Dragon Bullet.

In his ranking of ninjutsu, this technique belonged at the very bottom.

It wasn't even fit to tie the Lightning Clone's shoes.

Looking at the two perfect chakra nature transformation entries, Kazuhiko suddenly thought of something.

"Could it be?"

He had no time to mourn the loss of his Lightning Clone and immediately equipped the two entries.

[Equipped Entry: Lightning Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation Perfect (Blue)]

[Equipped Entry: Water Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation Perfect (Blue)]

The moment the equipment was successful, Deep Blue transmitted a familiar fluctuation—

[Equipping similar entries, merging...]

"The Kekkei Genkai produced by combining Lightning and Water is..."

Kazuhiko's breathing began to quicken.

"Am I about to obtain my first Kekkei Genkai?"

For the Uchiha, the Sharingan is merely a dojutsu and does not count as a Kekkei Genkai.

[Entry fusion successful--]

[Kekkei Genkai: Storm Release (Light Purple)]

[Description: A Kekkei Genkai generated by the simultaneous mixing of Lightning and Water attribute chakra. It can create black lightning that can be guided freely, combining the destructive power of the Lightning attribute with the ability to control electricity like flowing water, changing its direction and form.]

Storm Release, the top-tier Kekkei Genkai of Kumogakure.

Darui became the Fifth Raikage relying on Storm Release; its power goes without saying.

Was the Lightning Clone such an amazing ninjutsu?

Kazuhiko felt it was actually just average.

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