The journey back to the village, Qingyu vs. Yahiko

However, this 100% increase in toxin resistance directly doubled Qingyu's toxin resistance.

Now, even without taking the Antidote, he feels much less pressured by Hanzo of the Salamander's poison.

Furthermore, Chiyo of Sunagakure is also skilled in using Poison Techniques.

After Qingyu's resistance to poison is enhanced, Chiyo's threat to Qingyu will also decrease.

"Alright, kid, go back now."

Tsunade noticed that Qingyu kept his head down, seemingly lost in thought, and assumed he was exhausted.

Tsunade then removed Qingyu's hand from her waist and instead supported Qingyu.

Qingyu looked up, met Tsunade's somewhat worried expression, smiled, and said, "Then I'll have to trouble the kind and beautiful Sister Tsunade to take me back."

"What time is it? Stop being so glib."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

Qingyu let Tsunade support her.

The Seventh Gate, plus the "Daytime Tiger" skill, does indeed consume a significant amount of resources.

However, if you use "Sage Mode," you can recover very quickly.

Soon, members of the Akatsuki arrived and led Qingyu and the others to a nearby, still intact building to rest.

In the Land of Rain, most houses are built on higher slopes, mainly made of stone and wood, with many water pipes in the walls.

They were put in a room, and members of the Akatsuki brought them clean water and food, and thoughtfully lit a fire.

The Kakkō illuminated the dim room, casting the shadows of several people onto the mottled stone wall, which flickered with the dancing flames.

Qingyu sat down against the wall, deactivating her "Sage Mode".

"Aren't you going to stop using 'Sage Mode', Lord Qingyu?"

"I asked, "the Slug inquired.

"No."

Qingyu shook her head.

He has mostly recovered from his injuries and now only needs to eat some Military Ration Pill to replenish his strength.

Kakashi and Hyuga Ginka stood guard near the door, vigilantly watching for any movement outside.

Although Hanzō is dead, no one can guarantee that some reckless individual won't attack in the dead of night.

"Qingyu."

Tsunade suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

Qingyu kept her eyes closed.

"In the future, let's try to use these moves less often."

"Tsunade said."

Before Qingyu used the Seventh Gate, Tsunade thought it would take at least several years to reach that level.

However, since Qingyu can now barely use the Seventh Gate, Tsunade feels it's necessary to give Qingyu more reminders.

As a former princess of the Tsunade Clan, Tsunade actually has a very broad perspective.

At the same time, she also knew that the last door would emit red steam.

But the user can also die.

However, no one has ever been able to cultivate to this level, so the Eighth Gate is even considered a non-existent gate.

"Don't worry, Sister Tsunade, I know what I'm doing."

Qingyu said.

He certainly wouldn't be so foolish as to open Gate of Death.

Unless Qingyu's recovery ability is so strong that he can ignore the side effects of opening the Gate of Death, he will not even consider using the Gate of Death.

Under normal circumstances, Seventh Gate are sufficient for Qingyu's use.

Moreover, the "Eight Inner Gates" is only one of Qingyu's techniques, not the whole set.

On the other side.

In a secluded cave on the Land of Rain border.

Shimura Danzō waited anxiously for news, his eyes filled with a sinister glint.

His Root ninjas were relaying messages to Hanzō's confidants, inquiring about the latest intelligence.

Still no news?

He asked in a deep voice.

"Danzo, it seems the battlefield over there—"

As soon as one of the Root ninjas spoke, another ninja responsible for reconnaissance slipped into the cave entrance and knelt on one knee.

Danzo!

"Explain."

Shimura Danzō looked at him.

"Hanzō —Lord Hanzō— "

What's wrong with him?

Shimura Danzō's heart sank.

He suddenly felt uneasy.

Lord Hanzō has fallen in battle!

The Root ninja finally spoke.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have thought it was a bit of a pipe dream.

The Root organization did not directly participate in the battle; they merely watched from a distance.

"What!"

Shimura Danzō froze on the spot.

"Was it Nagato's Rinnegan that made the move?"

He asked almost instinctively.

In his view, the only thing capable of killing Hanzo of the Salamander, besides Nagato's eyes which were suspected to have been passed down from the Sage of Six Paths, was none other than Nagato's eyes.

"No----"

The Root ninja shook his head.

"It's Qingyu."

"It's Qingyu again!"

Upon hearing this, Shimura Danzō clenched his fist.

The evil Uchiha.

He's really ruined his plans time and time again!

He finally understood how Teacher Tobirama -sensei felt back then.

Damn it, these Uchiha are no good!

Shimura Danzō felt that his life had been full of misfortunes ever since Qingyu was born.

This plan was also disrupted by Qingyu.

With Hanzō dead, the Land of Rain will be leaderless.

The Amegakure interior will also descend into chaos, with infighting and power struggles raging.

If the Akatsuki seizes the opportunity to grow stronger, especially given the existing good relationship Qingyu and the Akatsuki...

How did he kill Hanzō?

Suppressing his anger, Shimura Danzō continued to press for answers.

"It is said that— the Seventh Gate of the Eight Inner Gates was opened."

The Root ninja reported the truth.

"Eight Inner Gates - Seventh Gate - "

Shimura Danzō frowned.

He thought the "Eight Inner Gates was only for those idiots, those Taijutsu ninjas with no talent who could only rely on hard work to train.

Last time at the old site of the Land of Whirlpools, Might Duy and his son used the Eight Inner Gates to kill two Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Shimura Danzō had sent people to investigate the origin of that technique.

Shimura Danzō also came to understand its extraordinary nature.

However, in Shimura Danzō's view, those powers were more theoretical.

Because no one can hit it.

As it turns out, Qingyu has also opened the Seventh Gate.

From this perspective, the legendary Eighth Gate might not be impossible.

Shimura Danzō was both shocked and furious.

But he quickly suppressed these emotions.

Hanzo of the Salamander's death is a foregone conclusion, and nothing he says can change that.

The most important thing now is to return to Konoha immediately and meet Sarutobi Hiruzen before Tsunade does.

"Withdraw."

"Shimura Danzō said coldly."

"Let's go now."

"Yes!"

The Root ninjas responded in unison.

Before leaving, Shimura Danzō in the direction of the Akatsuki.

"The inherently evil Uchiha —one day, I will personally—"

Graveyard of Mountains.

Madara Uchiha shifted his position, leaning back in the wooden chair.

"The Seventh Gate?----"

He rested his chin on his hand, his tone slightly playful.

He had actually seen similar techniques during the Warring States Era.

It was Forbidden Jutsu passed down from a family specializing in Taijutsu, which opened eight Chakra points in the human body, exchanging life force for a brief but extreme burst of power.

Among them, some can emit red steam.

But the price was that the ninja burned himself out on the battlefield, the woman took the child and fled to a distant land, and the family withered away.

"Qingyu must be made to use this technique less often."

Madara Uchiha frowned.

The first Seventh Gate are fine; with Qingyu's physique and the Senju Clan bloodline, she can recover after a period of rest at most.

But the Eighth Gate is different.

Once the Gate of Death is opened, it's not just the flesh and meridians that are burning.

That can really kill people.

"White Zetsu."

He suddenly spoke.

"Lord Madara, I'm here."

A White Zetsu emerged from the wall, its spiral-patterned face bearing the same ambiguous, half-smiling expression as always.

"From now on, any intelligence involving Qingyu should be sent to me immediately, especially information about his use of the Eight Inner Gates."

o

"Understood, Lord Madara."

White Zetsu agreed and merged back into the wall.

Madara Uchiha withdrew his gaze and looked back at the outside world that the White Zetsu were continuously transmitting.

The rain outside gradually subsided and then stopped by evening.

Numerous footsteps and voices could be heard outside; it was the Akatsuki members returning after cleaning up the battlefield.

"Lord Qingyu, are you feeling better?"

Yahiko spoke.

After Qingyu defeated Hanzo of the Salamander, Yahiko always used honorifics when speaking to Qingyu.

In Yahiko's eyes, Qingyu was no less than someone who had saved everyone's lives.

At this moment, he was covered in mud and blood, but he was in good spirits.

Behind him were Konan, Nagato, and several key members of the Akatsuki.

"It's all better now."

Qingyu said.

Then he asked, "Has the battlefield been mostly cleared?"

"Right."

Yahiko nodded.

"We also captured quite a few scattered Amegakure Ninja on the outskirts, and they are all willing to surrender now. Some have even volunteered to join the Akatsuki."

Isn't this a good thing?

Qingyu said.

"That's a good thing."

Yahiko nodded vigorously.

"It all happened so suddenly, I still feel like I'm dreaming."

"There may be more of these dreams later."

Qingyu shook her head.

Now that Hanzo of the Salamander dead, the ninjas who previously hesitated to join the Akatsuki due to Amegakure's influence will also come.

"Hanzō is dead. The Land of Rain be in chaos for a while. This chaos is an opportunity for you. However, if you cannot control the situation in a short time, the scattered Amegakure forces will regroup, and then it won't just be one Hanzō who dies."

Yahiko's expression hardened; he knew that Qingyu was right.

"I see."

He said solemnly.

Qingyu nodded, and then revealed her true intentions.

"Yahiko, before I leave, I'd like to have a spar with you."

"Me?"

Yahiko was taken aback, then showed a surprised expression.

"Lord Qingyu, your injuries haven't healed yet? And with your strength, I'm afraid—"

"He's almost fully recovered."

Qingyu interrupted him.

"It's just a friendly spar, not a life-or-death battle. It's a good opportunity to warm up."

"This----"

Yahiko hesitated for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Tsunade.

"This kid recovers quickly, don't worry."

"Tsunade said."

She hadn't expected that "Medical Ninjutsu enhanced by Sage Mode" would be so useful.

Even Tsunade wanted to learn it, but unfortunately she didn't have the talent.

"If you're really injured, I'll treat you."

Yahiko gave a wry smile.

He wasn't actually afraid of getting hurt, but he felt that after Qingyu had just finished fighting Hanzō, it would be inappropriate for him, as the leader of Akatsuki, to go up and make a move.

The hands looked rather disorganized.

"Oh well."

Yahiko finally nodded.

"Please guide me, Lord Qingyu."

The group arrived at a relatively open space outside the house.

The ground was soft from last night's rain, and it made a slapping sound when you stepped on it.

Qingyu and Yahiko stood facing each other, with their respective companions standing behind them.

"The rules are simple: whoever falls down first or gives up wins."

Qingyu said.

"I won't show any mercy."

Yahiko took a deep breath and began to Hand Seals.

Water Release: Water Chaos!

Yahiko made the first move.

Chakra gushed from his mouth, transforming into a thick stream of water that rapidly spread across the muddy ground, forming a wave that rushed towards Qingyu.

This was just a tentative start.

However, Yahiko's Chakra reserves were already quite high, and even such a simple Ninjutsu would be considered incredibly powerful among ordinary ninjas.

Qingyu stood still, without moving.

The moment the wave crashed in front of him, his body suddenly transformed into a bolt of lightning.

A deep blue arc of electricity exploded in the water, darting through the waves like a snake, reaching right in front of Yahiko.

Lightning Style: Lightning Body Flicker!

Yahiko's pupils contracted.

"Water Release: Water Wall Technique!"

Yahiko reacted extremely quickly, clapping his hands together, and a circular wall of water rose from beneath his feet.

Qingyu re-formed from the lightning and threw a punch.

Boom!

The water wall was punched through, splashing water everywhere.

Using the collapse of the water wall as cover, Yahiko retreated several meters and Hand Seals once more.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!

A thick water jet shot out from his palm and lunged towards Qingyu.

Qingyu used Body Flicker Technique again, activating his Sharingan.

Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!

Several Water Bullet leaped out of the puddles on the ground and pounced on Qingyu one after another.

Qingyu didn't dodge this time.

He raised his right hand, and the Chakra within him transformed into Water Release, which he released forward as well.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!

An even larger water dragon formed in front of Qingyu, roaring out and colliding violently with the Water Bullet.

In an instant, water splashed everywhere.

In the end, Qingyu's Water Dragon overwhelmingly defeated all of Yahiko's Ninjutsu.

"So strong."

Idaten Kyūsuke stood at a distance, watching in utter astonishment.

Having followed Yahiko for so long, this was the first time he had ever seen someone directly suppress Yahiko in terms of Water Release.

"Qingyu's Water Release has improved again since last time."

Konan seemed lost in thought.

Nagato stood beside her, his Rinnegan constantly watching the two on the battlefield.

Yahiko was hit head-on by Qingyu's water dragon, and was sent flying backward, rolling twice on the muddy ground before barely managing to regain his balance.

"It's not over yet!"

Yahiko climbed out of the mud and quickly Hand Seals.

Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!

He transformed a large amount of Chakra within his body into a flood, which poured towards Qingyu like a small waterfall.

"That's right, Yahiko."

"Water Release · Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

Qingyu also used Water Release.

This time, he no longer controlled the amount of Chakra he released.

A torrent of water gushed from his body, like a flood bursting its banks, colliding head-on with Yahiko's "Great Waterfall Technique".

In the blink of an eye, this low-lying area of Land of Rain has become a battlefield where two streams of water are locked in a standoff.

Yahiko gritted his teeth, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

He had used his Water Release to its limit, but he still couldn't shake Qingyu's offensive.

I surrender.

Panting, Yahiko knelt on the water and spoke first.

Upon hearing this, Qingyu slowly withdrew his Chakra.

The water gradually calmed down, revealing the whitened ground that had been washed away.

"Well played."

Qingyu walked over and extended her hand to Yahiko.

Yahiko looked up at him, hesitated for a moment, and then grasped his hand.

[Collectible Trait Detected: Will of the Land of Rain]

[C-Rank Trait: Will of the Land of Rain]

[Effect: Water Release Ninjutsu is 60% more powerful and consumes 20% less Chakra in rainy conditions.]

[Synthesis: Mastering three new Water Release Ninjutsu in the Land of Rain will upgrade this trait to a higher level.]

Qingyu's eyes twitched slightly as she added this trait to her panel.

This trait actually appeared on Yahiko?

Is he truly a man with the makings of a leader?

Qingyu pondered to herself.

If Yahiko hadn't died young, Nagato would have continued to regard Yahiko as their leader.

No member of the Akatsuki would object.

If this continues, Yahiko might actually be able to unify the Land of Rain and become a new major power.

Of course, Yahiko dies in the original story.

But Yahiko survived.

For a moment, Qingyu was also curious about how far Yahiko could go.

After all, this will also be an advantage for him.

As for Nagato ----

Qingyu glanced at Nagato again.

Because of his parents, Nagato was more prejudiced against Konoha than Yahiko and Konan.

Because his parents were truly killed by Konoha Ninja.