Chapter 90 Death is the Best "Tonic" (Seeking First Subscription)
In early January of Konoha Year 49, no war broke out on the front lines, and the ninjas of the Five Great Nations seemed to be celebrating the New Year.
The former site of Uzushio Village in the eastern part of the Land of Fire was a base established by Konoha Ninja to defend against Kirigakure.
Since there had been no conflict in the past two years, the number of personnel dispatched was not large, which conveniently allowed Shu Furukawa to investigate Madara Uchiha's stronghold.
In the dead of night, a figure suddenly appeared. Shu Furukawa, dressed in a black overcoat, blended seamlessly into the darkness. Standing amidst the rubble, Hand Seals, sensed the surroundings, and frowned, muttering, " Katsuyu, I couldn't detect White Zetsu Chakra."
"Can you sense the aura of the God Tree?"
After a clump of liquid appeared on its shoulder, the Katsuyu wriggled twice, then shook its tentacles and softly replied, "Lord Xiu, there is indeed the aura of the God Tree, but it's not on that island in the sea."
In the pitch-black night, Shu Furukawa subconsciously looked eastward, towards Kirigakure. Due to the " Bloody Mist " policy, he had received very little news from Kirigakure in recent years. "Does Kirigakure still have remnants of the God Tree's Root?"
"Or did Madara Uchiha' plant' White Zetsu over there?"
Shu Furukawa muttered to himself, recalling Kirigakure had been manipulated for many years.
"Lord Xiu, the God Tree originally stood on that land, but later the land shattered, and the terrain changed."
"The energy contained in that area is different from that in the Land of Fire. Most of it has dissipated, but I can still sense the residual energy."
The Katsuyu's soft, sweet voice carried a hint of nostalgia. Shu Furukawa's expression was strange; he detected a trace of "hometown" in the voice. "So, the residual energy affected the humans living there, causing them to mutate into several Kekkei Genkai?"
"The scenario that Master Xiu predicted is possible. Although humans are fragile beings, there are many more possibilities."
"Going there to cultivate should be a good choice. I've assimilated the roots of the divine tree that remained in Shikkotsu Forest, and the tree's energy has long since disappeared."
Furukawa Osamu nodded slightly at the suggestion of the live slug. The trees of Konoha and the roots of the divine tree in Shikkotsu Forest were mixed with other energies, and he had not yet collected any real remains of the divine tree.
"It seems there won't be much to be gained tonight. I'll have to send the spirit back to the Land of Iron to continue its search."
Shu Furukawa suddenly fell silent halfway through his sentence, then focused all his senses on sensing. The Katsuyu silently resonated with him again, and with the blessing of Sage Mode, the sensory information was rapidly transmitted in his brain.
Upon discovering that ninjas had landed, and realizing they might be Kirigakure Ninja, Shu Furukawa decided to launch a preemptive strike, targeting the southeast direction, which happened to be the weakest point in Konoha's defenses.
"Call out!"
Shu Furukawa transformed into a black shadow and sped towards his target. Although his eyesight was largely impaired in the darkness, his exceptional senses made the target still clearly "visible."
On the other side, the Kirigakure Ninja had just landed on the coastline were in a sorry state. Not only was most of their armor torn off, but they were also bleeding from their thighs and abdomens.
The girl's long, reddish-brown hair was a mess, and as she climbed the hill using both hands and feet, the masked Kirigakure Ninja caught up from behind.
"Hmm..."
The girl groaned in pain, her strength completely depleted, making it difficult to even refine her Chakra. As she entered the forest, she was about to fight to the death when suddenly a dark figure intercepted the pursuing ninja.
"Who are you...?"
The ninja wearing the Kirigakure Mask drew his long sword to parry. As he spoke, sparks flew as the Shuriken clashed with the long sword, and at the same time, a tremendous force came from his wrist.
"Well..."
With a scream, the Kirigakure Ninja suffered a massive wound on his chest, and collapsed silently after blood splattered everywhere.
The girl heard a few screams, then the woods fell silent. As the shadow reappeared, she could only shuffle backward in fear.
"Let's leave here first. You seem to know this area very well. Lead the way."
The girl could only grit her teeth and try to find her way through the pain. When the two arrived at a pile of rubble, Shu Furukawa saw her lift her camouflage to reveal a hole and spoke again, "Looks like this isn't your first time here. I didn't expect the Kirigakure Ninja to have infiltrated this area so thoroughly."
"You... you know I'm Kirigakure Ninja? Why did you save me?"
The girl clutched her wound and questioned in a low voice, but Shu Furukawa chuckled mockingly, "Because you're too weak. Your body can only forcibly refine Chakra one more time. If you continue fighting, you'll only die."
The cave contained only some medical supplies and Military Ration Pill, along with some scrolls, ninja tools, and candles for lighting.
The girl wanted to take some medicine immediately, but her body was dominated by fear. Helplessly watching Shu Furukawa flip through the scrolls, she finally blacked out and fainted.
At the locations marked in the lower scroll by Shu Furukawa, Kirigakure quietly established several supply points without Konoha noticing.
The Katsuyu looked curiously at the unconscious, bleeding girl and suddenly spoke up, "Lord Xiu, she should possess Kekkei Genkai; her cell activity far surpasses that of an ordinary ninja."
Shu Furukawa had originally planned to let the girl fend for herself and replenish his energy while Collection was at it, but upon hearing the reminder, he curiously began to examine the girl's body.
Mei Terumi thought she was going to the Pure Land, but before she lost consciousness, she saw the cold look in the eyes of the man in black, a look of indifference towards life.
She didn't know how much time had passed, but her body was no longer cold, and she gradually regained her strength. Mei Terumi struggled to open her eyes and then saw her profile in the Kakkō.
Shu Furukawa turned his head and found the girl staring straight at him. He reminded her impatiently, "You shouldn't have suffered any brain damage. It's only been an hour. You haven't suddenly lost your memory, have you?"
"I... I'm sorry, I..."
Mei Terumi subconsciously tidied her messy long hair, then realized how disheveled she looked. Suddenly, she clutched her lower abdomen, her face flushed, and she lowered her head in silence.
" The Kirigakure Village is still implementing the old Bloody Mist Policy. Haven't you questioned the Third Mizukage's decisions?"
"The village lacks commissions; it only needs elites. Lord Mizukage hasn't done anything wrong."
Mei Terumi stopped looking at Shu Furukawa and just muttered her explanation. Noticing her heart racing, she couldn't help but steal a few more glances.
Since completing the Strength of a Hundred Seal, Shu Furukawa's demeanor has changed drastically. Although he is used to girls' gazes, this is the first time he has encountered such indiscriminate stares. "I have healed your injuries. As payment, your body temporarily belongs to me."
"My spirit can sense your location, your life or death at any time, and can also transmit information to cause your spiritual body to collapse within your physical body."
"I need your help to survive in the Kirigakure. If you complete the mission, you will regain your freedom."
Mei Terumi was startled by the voice in her mind and froze on the spot. Handsome men were nice, but they were nothing compared to freedom. Seeing Shu Furukawa get up to leave, she hurriedly chased after him, asking, "What do you intend to do to the village?!"
" Mei Terumi, I just enjoy witnessing death; it's the best tonic."
The voice of Shu Furukawa echoed in her mind again. Mei Terumi hurriedly ran towards the entrance of the cave, peering around to look for any trace of him in the darkness.
While using the Flying Thunder God to return to the western region of the Land of Fire, Shu Furukawa, while training his ninjutsu, asked Katsuyu, " The Spirit Transformation Technique can transmit information and energy, and it can also cause the opponent's spiritual body to collapse."
"But the ninjutsu scrolls don't record anything about sensing memories or influencing the opponent's will? Am I imagining things?"
"Because Master Xiu uses Senjutsu Chakra to control the spirit, and the spirit is composed of a higher level of energy, it will naturally affect the other party."
The Katsuyu, resonating within, responded in a soft, sweet voice. Sensing Shu Furukawa's emotions, it cheerfully added, "This is also how I control my split forms. Ordinary Chakra can only summon a portion of my will; once it returns, it is overwritten by my main body."
"Only with Master Xiu can you be my alter ego, my kindred spirit. I will help you grow!"
Mei Terumi, huddled in the stronghold, was being chased by her fellow villagers and had her body controlled. It was a nightmare for her.
Just thinking about Shu Furukawa's appearance Mei Terumi cover her face, a thought inexplicably forming in her mind, "Is this a way of staying by my side forever?"