A Blank Expanse

In the world of Naruto, the absorption of natural energy is divided into different schools of thought.

The mainstream methods are the training modes of Mount Myoboku and Ryūchi Cave.

The former uses toad oil to heighten the skin's perception of natural power, while the latter involves being bitten directly by the Great Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave to have natural energy injected into the body.

Though the methods differ, the logic remains the same—

To allow humans who are insensitive to natural energy and unable to perceive it autonomously to come into passive contact with it.

Once familiar with the fluctuations of natural energy, one discards the auxiliary toad oil to achieve autonomous absorption and enter Sage Mode.

However, Lin Qing does not need a guided process.

Because Ripple Qigong is, by its very nature, a power that uses breathing to make the body resonate with the outside world.

The many variations Lin Qing mastered after stepping into the second stage of Ripple—such as manipulating water currents, generating high heat, and enhancing the effects of metal objects—are already ways of using the Ripple to influence nature.

By simply adjusting the frequency of his Ripple, Lin Qing can absorb the power of nature.

"...Doesn't that mean, Brother Qing, you can enter Sage Mode?!"

Sasuke said, startled.

Lin Qing shook his head: "You forget, I don't have chakra, but..."

He took a breath.

Zzzzt—

The Sunlight Yellow Ripple surged in his palm.

Stronger than ever before, his power, speed, and reflexes were all slightly enhanced, and Lin Qing developed a sensation of being "connected" to all things in the world.

He could "touch" the breath of all things.

Not only that, but Lin Qing also vaguely sensed some subtle, indescribable changes occurring deep within his cells.

Lin Qing did not know if this change was good or bad.

But at least he hadn't turned into a stone statue.

Seeing Sasuke's envious gaze, Lin Qing smiled and said: "Don't be impatient. Once I have mastered it, I will definitely help you grasp it as well."

Sasuke nodded vigorously.

Kimimaro stood with his arms crossed.

Jugo was clutching his head and weeping bitterly; if not for the severed limbs scattered across the ground and the blood and gore covering his body, one would think he was the victim.

"It was me who killed them... it's all because of me... I'm sorry..."

Jugo sobbed in a low voice.

As a man with a dual-personality disorder, Jugo fell into deep self-reproach once his conscience returned.

He turned abruptly, his blood-stained hands gripping Kimimaro's shoulders.

"Take me back, lock me up, I really don't want to kill anyone anymore."

Kimimaro did not care that his snow-white robe was being soaked by the foul-smelling blood, and instead handed over a towel: "Wipe yourself off."

"I'm begging you! Lock me up!"

Kimimaro remained unmoved.

"Wipe yourself off."

He and Jugo were best friends, and their friendship was beyond doubt.

If it were any other request, Kimimaro would certainly have satisfied Jugo, but this one was impossible.

Because letting Jugo out to slaughter was the order of Lord Orochimaru.

"I have already examined the blood of Jugo during his calm periods. Kimimaro, take him to kill; I need to conduct a two-way control experiment."

Kimimaro did not understand what a "two-way control experiment" was, but since it was the order of Lord Orochimaru, he would complete it unconditionally, even if the price was the suffering of his best friend.

As for the ordinary people who died?

Although they had lost their lives, Jugo, who killed them, was trapped in agony, so...

Didn't that make things even?

Besides forcing Jugo to constantly commit slaughter to increase the power of the Cursed Seal, Kimimaro had another task.

Five figures appeared.

They wore black clothes and trousers, lacked forehead protectors, and had snow-white masks on their faces. It was impossible to tell which village these ninjas belonged to, but through the hollows of their masks, one could see pairs of cold, dead, and emotionless eyes.

Ninjas from Root.

Judging by their movements, all five were Jonin.

This was Kimimaro's second task.

In recent years, all major ninja villages have been bolstering their strength, and Danzo naturally wanted to increase the power of Konoha, so...

He needed money.

However, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire refused to approve the military budget.

To make the Daimyo realize the importance of Konoha, Danzo collaborated with Orochimaru to deliberately manufacture massacres and chaos, using these as leverage to coerce the Daimyo into providing more financial support.

In other words, he was fostering enemies to secure his own importance.

On the other hand, there were simply too many bounty hunters within the borders of the Land of Fire.

Because of these hyena-like individuals, the number of missions Konoha could receive had dwindled, and the Daimyo and wealthy conglomerates had more options to choose from; thus, Danzo planned to take this opportunity to slaughter a batch of bounty hunters.

Five Jonin from the Root organization.

Jugo, who possessed the power of the Cursed Seal.

And Kimimaro, who possessed the Kekkei Genkai, Shikotsumyaku.

This was a trap set specifically for the bounty hunters.

"Can we finish now?" Kimimaro asked.

The Root ninja held two heads in his hands—they belonged to the bounty hunters who had tracked them down.

They had slaughtered six villages along the way; if this was for Lord Orochimaru's comparative experiments, it was about time they returned.

"Not yet."

The Root ninja said coldly, "I have not yet received orders from Lord Danzo."

This meant the Daimyo was still watching and hesitating.

As long as the Daimyo did not nod and approve the funds, they would have to keep killing.

Kimimaro said, "Then let's go."

The group departed, and suddenly, the crying stopped.

Kimimaro turned his head to look.

The tear tracks on Jugo's face had vanished; his eyes were cold as he extended a finger, pointing toward the vast sky.

The image froze.

Lin Qing shook the photograph.

Everyone gathered around, locking eyes with Jugo's cold gaze in the picture.

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow: "Ho! That gesture, that look... quite arrogant, isn't it!"

Lin Qing hadn't expected the target to detect the surveillance of Hermit Purple; it seemed they truly had some skill. Lin Qing repeated his previous tactic, summoning Star Platinum once more to extract detailed information from the photo.

Because Kimimaro and the others had traveled some distance, the photo only captured Jugo and the corpses littering the ground.

"White Box Village."

Jiraiya pointed to the clothing on the corpses: "This village is famous for its chrysanthemum tea, and they have chrysanthemums embroidered on their clothes. It's about a day's journey from here."

Having a local was convenient; otherwise, even if Lin Qing contacted Hayato Kamihara, considering the time it took for carrier pigeons to travel, every piece of information would be delayed.

Considering the wounded at Hope Village, Lin Qing decided to split up.

Lin Qing, Jiraiya, and Sasuke would go to hunt the wanted criminals.

Lin Qing and Sasuke would be in the open, while Jiraiya would hide in the shadows, lest Orochimaru see him and intentionally go into hiding.

The remaining Xiaotao, Mayuri, Haku, and Amber would stay behind to care for the injured.

After buying out every Polaroid in the camera shop, the three of them set off to track the killers.

They traveled without sleep or rest; everyone knew that the hour or two spent resting or sleeping could mean another village of innocent people meeting a tragic end.

Jiraiya had expected the two youths to complain, but he hadn't expected even the youngest, Sasuke, to grit his teeth and persevere. Eventually, even Jiraiya couldn't bear to watch anymore.

"Let's take a break."

Sasuke remained silent for a long time before saying, "I don't want to see any more clan massacres happen."

He smiled at Jiraiya, a free-spirited expression.

"There should be fewer unlucky bastards like me."

After saying this, he stimulated his Ripple once more and ran forward.

Jiraiya was moved, and the fire burning in his heart condensed into a single sentence:

"Fuck Danzo."

Lin Qing continuously summoned Hermit Purple, spitting out photos to adjust their tracking path.

Finally, at the edge of his vision, Lin Qing saw two figures—one tall and one short. There were already many corpses on the ground, and numerous wounded survivors were letting out desperate wails.

Found them!

"Star Platinum!"

Star Platinum appeared abruptly. Lin Qing tossed the Blade of Ruin to it and leaped forward.

"Ora!"

Star Platinum let out a furious roar, swinging the Blade of Ruin in a wide arc to strike the soles of Lin Qing's feet as he leaped into the air.

A colossal force was transmitted through the impact, and Lin Qing was sent flying like a missile; with a sharp boom that tore through the air, he actually broke the sound barrier, creating a sonic boom with his physical body alone.

Star Platinum threw the Blade of Ruin once more.

It landed perfectly in Lin Qing's grasp, and as he channeled the Sunlight Yellow Ripple into the blade, the back of the sword erupted with a hissing golden aura.

The great blade, the golden airflow, the terrifying physical prowess...

These characteristics were far too distinct.

"Lin Qing!"

For the first time, the indifferent look in Kimimaro's eyes shifted.

He recalled Lin Qing's past combat records, desperately searching for a way to counter him, only to find that his mind—which he had always prided on being calm—was, in the face of the man charging toward him like a demon, nothing but...

A complete blank!