Facing the Demigod of the Ninja World (Part One, Second Update)

"That brat's Ninjutsu— "

Tsunade felt a sense of unease watching Kakashi use Chidori against the enemy.

The old man had mentioned to her before that Kakashi had good talent and that he might be recruited into the Anbu after the war.

But Tsunade felt something was off about the whole thing.

The reason it's called the "Anbu" is because it's secretive and leaves no trace.

Kakashi's striking white hair, coupled with the Sharingan in his left eye, makes him instantly recognizable to any ninja who has fought him.

What's the difference between throwing someone like that into the Anbu and hanging a sign that says "I'm Kakashi"?

But now is not the time to think about these things.

Tsunade noticed that the Iwagakure were gradually emerging from the cave.

Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears!

The Iwagakure Ninja the gate slammed his hands on the ground, and several sharp rock spears burst forth from beneath Qingyu and the others' feet.

Qingyu swayed, dodging the rock spear beneath her feet.

Kakashi, however, swung his sword backhand, purple arcs of electricity spreading across his White Fang Short Sword, severing the rock spear that was thrusting at him.

Stones flew everywhere, and before they even hit the ground, more figures emerged from the depths of the cave.

Wind Release: Surging Breakthrough!

"Water Release: Water Wave Bullet!"

In an instant, wind blades and water waves poured towards the cave entrance, carving scratches into the rocks on the cave walls, while the water flowed onto the ground, mixing with the rainwater and making the entire cave entrance muddy.

The Three-Tomoe in Qingyu's pupils moved slightly.

These guys had previously used Earth Release to disguise themselves as Iwagakure Ninja, but now that they were cornered, they tore off their disguises and used their true Ninjutsu.

This decisiveness in switching gears on the spot, this perfect teamwork, and that ruthless killing intent all prove one thing.

These are the carefully cultivated elites from the Root.

"Qingyu, move aside."

Tsunade's voice came from behind.

Qingyu understood and stepped aside.

Tsunade closed her eyes, raised her right leg high, and jumped into the air.

She slammed her foot into the ground.

Heaven Kick of Pain!

Boom!

The entire ground shattered with a deafening roar, centered on Tsunade's jade-like foot.

The massive cracks spread like a spiderweb, carrying mud, water, and rubble, sending several Root ninjas who rushed up staggering.

The pebbles rained down on them like bullets, carrying terrifying kinetic energy amplified by their Strength of a Hundred.

Qingyu followed closely behind.

His figure flickered on the shattered earth.

At the same time, the Chakra in his body gathered at the soles of his feet and converged towards the Chakra points that manage the "gates" within his body.

"Five Gates —Open!"

Green steam billowed from Qingyu's body.

Qingyu stepped onto the ground, creating a small crater beneath his foot.

The next second, his body appeared in front of a Root ninja.

Strength of a Hundred!

Qingyu threw a punch.

The Root ninja only had time to cross his arms in front of his chest, attempting to use Earth Release to harden his skin and defend himself.

But this defense couldn't even last a second against the combined power of Strength of a Hundred and the Eight Inner Gates Formation.

Boom!

The air was blasted by this punch, creating a white shockwave that sent the Root ninja flying backward in Setsuna.

His arms were twisted, and he crashed into the rock wall deep inside the cave, shattering rocks and spraying blood mist out together.

The shockwave's residual force knocked several Root ninjas to the ground, and even their released Wind Release and Water Release were dispersed in mid-air by the shockwave.

"What----!"

"What is this force?!"

The Root ninjas looked horrified.

They had long heard of Qingyu's reputation, knowing that this brat was a monster who had even killed two Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. But hearing about it and seeing it with their own eyes were two completely different things.

"Don't panic, attack together!"

The leading Root Jonin.

This is Danzo's mission, and we cannot afford to fail!

Before he could finish speaking, Qingyu had already appeared behind him.

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

A thin line shot out from Qingyu's mouth, cutting through the air like a laser.

The head of that Jonin Root, along with half of his shoulder, was cleanly severed by the line of water.

His body remained in the hand Hand Seals posture, but due to inertia, he took two steps forward and then collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Qingyu turned around, and the Tomoe in her Sharingan slowly rotated.

It's difficult to use Ninjutsu with the Eight Gates.

Qingyu pondered to herself.

He felt that his Ninjutsu was only about two-fifths as powerful as it used to be.

However, it's enough to kill these ninjas.

We still need to use Taijutsu more often; for Genin later when we have a higher level of proficiency and are in the Eight Gates state.

Qingyu pondered for a moment, then looked at the other Root ninjas.

The Root ninjas exchanged glances and made their judgment almost simultaneously. Three of them turned and ran deeper into the cave, attempting to escape through a pre-prepared escape route.

Tsunade looked at Qingyu's figure, which was wrapped in lightning and green steam, with a subtle expression.

Strength of a Hundred and the Eight Gates.

She taught Qingyu the Strength of a Hundred, but Qingyu learned the Eight Gates from Might Guy.

Both techniques are Taijutsu that put a tremendous strain on the body, especially the Eight Inner Gates, where opening each gate burns the body.

Ke Qingyu not only mastered the superhuman Strength of a Hundred she was taught, but could also combine it with the Eight Inner Gates without showing the slightest sign of strain.

Tsunade felt both proud and somewhat dazed.

"That brat has already gotten ahead of me."

She murmured to herself.

She didn't learn the Eight Gates.

As a medical-nin, she knew how heavy the burden this technique placed on the body was.

"Lady Tsunade, Qingyu- kun is amazing!"

Hyuga Ginka said from the side.

"That shockwave blasted through the moisture inside the cave."

"Normal."

Tsunade suppressed her inner turmoil and spoke.

Yahiko and the others caught up and were about to stop the few Root ninjas who had escaped when they discovered that the guys had already run into a small path deep inside the cave.

"Don't even think about running away!"

Yahiko shouted and led the Akatsuki members to surround them.

Two of the Root ninjas were stopped and entangled with the Akatsuki.

The remaining Root ninja, seeing himself surrounded, knew he couldn't escape.

He suddenly stopped and reached for his mouth.

"Not good!"

Yahiko Body Flicker Technique, but he was still a step too late.

The Root ninja suddenly bit down on what was stuck in his back teeth, and black liquid spilled out from between his teeth.

His body convulsed violently twice, then he fell straight down, black Utakata with a pungent odor gushing from his mouth.

Don't let him die!

Yahiko grabbed the man's face, trying to pry open his mouth, but it was too late.

The Root ninja's pupils dilated rapidly, and his body went limp.

"It's no use."

Qingyu knelt down and checked his pulse.

"The toxin had entered the bloodstream; he died on the spot."

"The trail has gone cold."

Idaten Kyūsuke stood aside, looking resentful.

He was filled with mixed emotions. He was extremely panicked after learning that Konan was missing.

Because Idaten Kyūsuke a crush on Konan, he had even mustered up the courage to confess his feelings to her. Although he was politely rejected, he never thought of giving up.

If anything were to happen to Konan, he would never forgive himself.

Now, the murderer who attacked Konan is right in front of them, yet he left no information behind.

"Not necessarily."

Qingyu open the corpse and used Chakra to probe into the other's jaw.

He quickly noticed something was wrong.

"Cursed Seal is etched on his tongue."

He said.

The crowd gathered around.

Qingyu turned the corpse's tongue inside out, revealing the black marks underneath.

Yahiko and the others looked at each other, not recognizing the Cursed Seal.

Qingyu didn't speak, but looked at Tsunade.

Tsunade walked over, and after just one glance, her face turned ashen.

This is the "Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal."

Tsunade said coldly, her brown-gold eyes filled with anger.

What exactly is Danzo trying to do?

Tsunade clenched her fist.

The "Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal" is a unique Cursed Seal of Konoha's Root, and only ninjas under Shimura Danzō would have this mark engraved on them.

Once captured or attempting to leak information, the Cursed Seal will activate, rendering the person unable to speak or even causing death.

What this means couldn't be clearer.

These ninjas disguised Iwagakure were all Shimura Danzō's men.

Shimura Danzō actually sent people to kidnap Konan from the Akatsuki.

Qingyu stored all the corpses into the sealing scroll.

Let's go check on Konan first.

He said that, then turned and walked deeper into the cave.

Seeing this, Yahiko and the others decided to go check on Konan's safety first.

Deep inside the cave, Konan was bound to a stone pillar with ropes.

Her hands were tied behind her back, and she was in a semi-conscious state.

"Konan!"

Yahiko saw Konan's appearance, his face showed both shock and pain.

Qingyu stepped forward, first checking her pulse and pupils, then gently pressing her forehead with "Mystical Palm Technique".

As the warm medical Chakra was infused, Konan's eyelids trembled, and she slowly opened them.

"Where am I?!"

Her voice was weak, and her gaze was unfocused as she looked at the people in front of her until she recognized Yahiko and Qingyu, at which point her pupils gradually focused.

"Qingyu?"

"You've been kidnapped. This is a cave."

As Qingyu spoke, he held her wrist and continued to channel Chakra to help her recover.

Kidnapping?

Konan frowned, memories flooding back.

"When I was leading a patrol, several ninjas suddenly rushed out from the shadows, we were scattered, and then—"

Konan felt a little confused, but after she cleared her head, she continued, "Then I was under Genjutsu, and when I woke up, I was here."

"They are from the Root."

Qingyu said.

"The Root?"

A hint of confusion flashed in Konan's eyes.

"They are ninjas from Konoha."

Qingyu did not hide anything.

He had to take the initiative to clarify this matter, because the Akatsuki would find out sooner or later.

"However, this was an unauthorized action by Shimura Danzō; the Lord Hokage was unaware of it, and it has nothing to do with Konoha."

Qingyu explained.

This was Shimura Danzō's private action and does not represent the official stance of Konoha.

"Konoha's attitude towards Akatsuki remains unchanged."

Konan was silent for a moment, then nodded gently.

She believed in Qingyu.

If Konoha truly intended to deal with Akatsuki, Qingyu wouldn't be here today, much less bring Tsunade to rescue people.

"Don't think about these things for now."

Qingyu handed her the Antidote.

"Hanzō could come at any time."

Why do you say that?

Yahiko asked a question.

"There must have been some kind of agreement between Shimura Danzō and Hanzō."

Qingyu stood up and looked at the rain outside the cave.

"The cooperation between Konoha and Akatsuki is the worst news for Hanzō. Shimura Danzō is going against the Hanzō and will inevitably use Hanzo to eliminate Akatsuki. Therefore, the current peace outside will not last long."

Qingyu said.

Upon hearing this, Yahiko was first taken aback, then his expression turned grim.

He wasn't stupid to begin with, and after Qingyu pointed it out, all the doubts came together.

"Hanzō— "

"Yes, he'll come."

Qingyu took out another batch of Antidote from his Ninja Tool Pouch and distributed them to Hyuga Ginka, Tsunade, Kakashi, and the Akatsuki members present.

"These Antidote can resist Hanzō's poisonous mist to some extent, but it's not enough. Hanzō's toxins are very special and require..."

More targeted medications.

"Leave this to me."

Tsunade spoke.

She looked at the Antidote Qingyu had given her and smelled it.

That kid did a pretty good job.

Tsunade thought to herself.

However, it's still a bit lacking when it comes to dealing with Hanzo of the Salamander's poison.

But with her around, the situation is different.

Back then, even when she teamed up with Jiraiya and Orochimaru, they were still defeated by Hanzō.

She had personally experienced the terror of the Hanzō Poison Mist.

"I'll prepare an optimized version of the Antidote."

"That's good."

Qingyu nodded.

With Tsunade around, they had no worries about the antidote.

This time, they may very well have to face the so-called "Demigod of the Ninja World" head-on.

"Hanzo of the Salamander isn't at his peak anymore, so there shouldn't be any major problems."

Qingyu considered the lineup and felt that the advantage was on their side.

Even if something unexpected happens, there's still Nagato as a backup.

Nagato can defeat Hanzo of the Salamander simply by using the power of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Of course, the cost will be to further drain Nagato's vitality.

But Qingyu felt that it shouldn't come to that.

After all, his strength has increased significantly compared to the past.

On the other side.

Amegakure, a hidden underground place.

Shimura Danzō -Hanzo of the Salamander, by Shimura Danzo et al.

Not long after, footsteps came from the entrance.

Hanzo of the Salamander walked in.

He stood at the entrance of the stone chamber, his sharp gaze Shimura Danzō.

"Danzo, your breathing is disordered."

Hanzo of the Salamander, spoke softly.

Shimura Danzō snorted coldly.

"Things have changed; Tsunade, Qingyu, and the others are here."

"Qingyu?"

Hanzo of the Salamander, frowned.

This is different from what Shimura Danzō initially said.

"Is he the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in the Land of Whirlpools?"

"Um."

Shimura Danzō.

Hanzō's gaze immediately turned suspicious.

He stared at Shimura Danzō and slowly began to approach.

"Danzo, you said you wanted to cooperate with me to eliminate the Akatsuki. Now that the Sannin of Konoha have arrived, is this also your doing? Could this be a trap set by Konoha to lure me out and then wipe me out in one fell swoop?"

He squinted at Shimura Danzō.

Shimura Danzō had already guessed that the old fox would be suspicious.

"This was an accident."

"Shimura Danzō said."

"Tsunade's arrival here is indeed unexpected, but she's just a defeated opponent from back then. The Sannin were defeated by you even when they joined forces. Now that only she has come, do you think she can pose a threat to you?"

Upon hearing Hanzō, Hanzo's wariness did not lessen much, but he did not press further.

"Once we take care of them all, no one will know about your plan anymore. As for Qingyu —no matter how popular he is, he's just a kid in his teens. Can he compare to the Sannin of yesteryear?"

Shimura Danzō looked at Hanzō and continued.

He said this partly to reassure Hanzō, and partly to encourage himself.

Qingyu is indeed troublesome, but Hanzō is no pushover either.

Shimura Danzō glanced at Hanzō.

This old fellow has been living a life of seclusion in the Land of Rain for years, and has lost his former arrogance. But if he's willing to make a move, that poisonous fog will be enough to bring down the vast majority of ninjas.

"The Akatsuki now knows they're being watched. If we don't act now, they'll definitely move their base. If we miss this opportunity, we might never find such a good chance again."

"Shimura Danzō said."

Hanzō was silent for a moment, then gave a meaningful smile.

"Danzo, you seem even more eager to eliminate them than I am."

Shimura Danzō did not deny it.

Hanzō wasn't stupid; he could naturally see that Shimura Danzō wanted to use someone else to do his dirty work.

"I need to make some preparations."

Hanzō turned around, his black robe billowing behind him.

"Alright, I'll have the Root ninjas cooperate with you."

"No need."

Hanzō raised his hand.

"Amegakure has its Amegakure methods. Your people going there will only make things worse. Wait for my people to make the first move, and then you can finish them off from the shadows."

"Can."

Shimura Danzō.

His eyes were filled with a chilling coldness.

Among this group, Tsunade and Qingyu are the biggest variables.

If they die here, the loss to Konoha will be enough to Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart.

By then, Orochimaru will have no rivals left.

Outside the cave, the rain had stopped.

The sky remained a hazy gray, with thick clouds pressing down overhead, as if another storm could strike at any moment.

Tsunade sat in the cave, spreading her medical kit on a flat rock, and quickly prepared Antidote.

Qingyu acts as Tsunade's assistant, occasionally tying her Tsunade.

"Hanzō's poison mainly diffuses through the air. Once inhaled, it quickly paralyzes the respiratory system, followed by the limbs. Ordinary Antidote can only delay the onset of the poison; to completely resist it, something that Cell Activation must be added."

Tsunade prepared the ingredients while explaining in a low voice.

Qingyu nodded and made a mental note of it.

These are all valuable experiences.

"Sister Tsunade, what release method does he usually use?"

"He'll be using Fire Release or Wind Release, bringing poisonous mist with him. The most terrifying thing is his summoned Ibuse; its breath is itself highly poisonous."

Tsunade frowned as she said this.

"Back then Jiraiya and the others were knocked out by the poisonous mist of the Ibuse. If I hadn't prepared the antidote in time, the Sannin would probably have died there."

"Tsunade said."

Actually, she wasn't very mature when she was in person.

These improvements were all derived from post-mortem analysis.

Upon hearing this, Qingyu made up her mind.

Hanzō himself is not scary; what's scary is the poison.

Once the poison problem is solved, Hanzō is just an ordinary Kage Level ninja.

This is precisely Qingyu's advantage.

He possesses multiple resistance traits, such as [Explosion Resistance]. Although he is not resistant to toxins, he has strong regenerative abilities.

In addition, in "Sage Mode," the infusion of Natural Energy greatly increases the body's rate of toxin metabolism.

"I just wonder if it's possible for a poison resistance trait to awaken in my trait panel."

Qingyu pondered to herself.

"Alright."

Tsunade divided the prepared medicine into several small bottles, then stood up and walked to Yahiko and the others.

"Each of you take one bottle of these Antidote. Drink them first. The effects will last for two to three hours and will resist most poisons."

The paralyzing effect of Ibuse toxin.

The Akatsuki members accepted them one by one.