After a Moment, Minato Namikaze Arrived

A moment later, Minato Namikaze arrived.

He went further ahead, exploring another area, before reaching this region.

Seeing that they were all safe and sound, Minato immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

What happened?

"Is that so..."

Kyohiko explained the situation.

Kakashi had already summoned Ninja Hound, and the group talked as they walked.

suddenly.

"The smell of blood is so strong!"

Andre sniffed, then suddenly looked up at the upwind side.

It was on the mountainside, and the wind blew in from the valley entrance beside it.

Climbing up, they found only a small village. All the houses had collapsed, blood was splattered everywhere, and the entire village was stained red with blood. But strangely...

There were no bodies.

Where is the body?

"Follow me!"

Andre sprinted forward.

Inside a Cave, corpses were everywhere, many of them torn to pieces.

Before they even entered, a strong stench of blood rushed out, and apart from Minato Namikaze and Andre, who were veterans of many battles, the faces of the others all looked rather grim.

It's too strong!

Inside the Cave, many bloodstains had dried, and in the dark corners, the severed limbs and broken bones were particularly horrifying, making it a veritable hell on earth.

"Vomit!"

Might Guy, who had only "participated" in the murders so far, couldn't hold on any longer.

He gagged to the side.

Fortunately, everyone had been eating Military Ration Pill these past few days and hadn't eaten any real food. He only vomited some acidic fluid, nothing else, so he wasn't in too much of a mess.

The entire Cave was filled with rotting corpses and flesh.

Go further in.

"Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer! I don't want to kill you! I don't want to!"

"Ah! I've killed someone!"

"No, I didn't kill him..."

A low murmur came from inside; the voice was incoherent and sounded completely irrational.

Minato Namikaze frowned slightly and made a wary gesture.

Something's strange!

Kyohiko was now certain that the other party was likely a naturally born Sage Body similar to Jugo, but it was still unclear whether the surrounding corpses were killed by the other party.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed abruptly.

Immediately, a terrifying surge of Chakra erupted from the Cave, followed by a strange, fleshy hand that grew wildly and shot out with a "whoosh".

Getting started with Minato Namikaze Rasengan.

but.

Despite being attacked with Rasengan, and with flesh and blood flying everywhere, the opponent's hand grew and regenerated wildly, its offensive undiminished.

What a madman!

"Walk!"

Everyone quickly retreated from the Cave, but strangely, a mournful wail came from Cave after they Cave.

The man did not chase after them.

this...

"Senior, it seems he's not the type to indiscriminately kill innocent people. He might not have killed the villagers."

Kyohiko said in a low voice.

Kai looked at him in surprise and asked, "Why?"

He admitted that the other person didn't chase after him, which seemed to suggest they still had some sense, but when they completely lost their minds, they might not be able to control themselves.

"Trajectory of movements?"

"There are also corpses. Although I only caught a glimpse of them, the flesh and bones in the cave are missing. If he killed someone, where did all the bones and flesh go? Were they all eaten?"

Kyohiko explained his reasons.

certainly.

It could also be used in the cell regeneration technique for "Sage Body".

only.

He couldn't possibly know such information at the moment, so "eating" is the most reasonable deduction.

Might Guy was utterly shocked, but what surprised him most wasn't Kyohiko's reasoning, but rather...

Can you tell the amount of meat and bones?

"Don't be so surprised, these are just basic facts about the human body."

"That's utterly lacking in common sense!"

Kakashi said coldly.

Not only him, but Minato Namikaze and Kakashi were also visibly shocked, as if they were looking at a superman or a monster.

Can you tell that thing at a glance?

Even Minato Namikaze, a veteran of many battles, had never heard of such an ability.

After the initial shock subsided, Minato Namikaze came to his senses.

Kyohiko studied Medical Ninjutsu and must have researched it; it's not impossible that he knows about it.

but.

While human body shape and skeletal structure are indeed relatively basic medical knowledge, it's still quite abnormal to be able to spot problems at a glance!

The question is, what should we do?

Kakashi looked at the two Jonin.

Minato composed himself and asked, "Kyohiko, what do you think?"

"We need to lure him out so we can gather more information and then deal with him strategically. Ideally, we should subdue him and see what's going on... Then we can use the Mystical Palm Technique?"

"No need. I know a little about Sealing Technique. You guys create an opportunity for me, and I'll seal him."

After finishing his Minato Namikaze instantly headed into the Cave.

The next moment, a roar erupted from inside.

Following closely behind, Minato Namikaze's figure flashed like a yellow lightning bolt, rushing out of the Cave, followed by a strangely shaped figure with fierce eyes.

His hands grew to enormous size, looking like two hammers.

Bang!

A muffled thud.

The ground was cracked by a single punch, which looked incredibly powerful.

Minato Namikaze retreated.

Kyohiko immediately followed, Hand Seals with one hand, and then spitting out a stream of water from his mouth.

The water gathered together, forming a stream.

The Water Wave!

but.

This Water Wave incorporates a compression property, ejecting the water stream at a certain high pressure. Although it is not as powerful as Senju Tobirama's Water Severing Wave, its impact is still much stronger than that of an ordinary Water Wave.

Laugh!

The water flow cuts through the skin, causing blood to trickle out, while simultaneously, the water jets rapidly impact the other person's face.

The monster roared, and one of its hands grew wildly to enormous size, blocking the flow of water.

Kakashi was surprised.

Kyohiko's Ninjutsu was unrestrained, each move aimed at a fatal vital point, not at all like someone trying to capture their opponent alive.

Since that's the case, I won't hold back anymore!

Kakashi rushed forward quickly.

At the last second, he drew his sword and slashed out.

The White Fang Blade trembled slightly, and the hand was instantly severed. But the next moment, the opponent roared, and Kakashi was astonished to see the opponent's other hand transform into a claw, grabbing him directly.

At the same time.

Might Guy quickly changed position and "whoosh" rushed in front of Kakashi, kicking the giant claw hard.

Seeing that the other party remained unmoved...

He immediately opened the "Gate of Opening," pulled out two Kunai, and with all his might slashed at the opponent's claws, the Kunai piercing deep inside.

The strange man immediately cried out in pain and released Kakashi.

Kakashi was so shocked that he broke out in a cold sweat.

Without Kai Huoli's help,

At the same time, Kyohiko Body Flicker Technique forward, already behind him, and placed his hands on the other's head, continuously pouring in the Senjutsu Chakra.

Seeing that the other party was drowsy, the chaotic and terrifying Chakra erupted once again!

"Aww!"

A roar.

Just as he was about to go berserk, Minato Namikaze had already completed the Hand Seals.

The Four Symbols Seal!

The mark was placed on the other person, and the next moment, the terrifying monster slowly shrank, transforming into the appearance of an ordinary human, who was not very old, looking to be about twenty years old.

The other person looked dazed, and then an expression of extreme pain appeared on their face.

"Don't rush to panic."

Kyohiko maintained the Mystical Palm Technique, but had moved it away from the opponent's head and returned it to the opponent's hand.

His hand was severed when he grew to gigantic size, but after it regenerated, it only had a deep wound.

The Kunai still stuck in his hand.

Pulling it out, two more bloody holes appeared.

He recovered quickly after being treated with the Mystical Palm Technique.

"May I have your name?"

"Kurokawa, my name is Kurokawa."

The other party was a little confused by Kyohiko's answer, but still answered truthfully.

Kyohiko continued, "In that state just now, were you able to control yourself? Or, do you have any memory of what happened after you went crazy?"

"I remember, but... some things I don't remember very clearly."

Kurokawa answered painfully.

Kyohiko nodded, his gaze sweeping over the clothes on his body before turning to Minato Namikaze.

"Senior, his clothes are clean, and there's no blood on his face. I don't think it's that kind of situation..."

"Okay, you ask."

Minato Namikaze had originally intended to ask, but seeing Kyohiko's methodical and unperturbed demeanor, he was happy to let him do it.

Kyohiko nodded, then turned and asked, "Do you have the ability to absorb flesh and blood?"

"Absorb flesh and blood?"

Kurokawa thought for a long time, then shook his head blankly, "I don't think so, what's wrong?"

"Then there's no need for you to rush to take the blame upon yourself. Firstly, your memory is incomplete, and secondly, the cave lacks a lot of flesh and bones. Unless you have the ability to absorb flesh and blood, it's unrealistic to eat that much in just a few days."

Kyohiko remained calm and composed.

Even Minato Namikaze remained silent at this moment, refraining from interrupting.

So professional!

Having no medical background, they were completely bewildered, unable to get a word in edgewise.

"But they..."

Kurokawa was bewildered.

Didn't he kill himself?

How come all the villagers are dead!

"What I mean is, it's not certain yet. Don't rush to panic. Otherwise, if someone else did it and you take the blame, it will actually hinder our efforts to find the culprit."

Kyohiko walked into the Cave.

The cave was in chaos.

Rotting flesh, decaying bones, and...

An intact corpse.

Kyohiko glanced at it and found it hard to look directly at.

That's terrible!

This was nothing short of hell on earth; one can only imagine what kind of experiments were conducted here.

He became increasingly convinced.

Sasori of the Red Sands must have stayed here for a while.

"Kakashi."

"Good."

Needless to say, Kakashi had already summoned Andre, asking this Ninja Hound to help search for clues.

The strong stench of blood almost made it faint.

but.

"Andre, take a sniff. Is there any medicine or a scent that only ninjas would have here?"

"Good!"

The Ninja Hound quickly got to work.

Minato Namikaze glanced around, then said thoughtfully, "You suspect it was done by ninjas?"

"It might be a scorpion."

Kyohiko, on the other hand, was more certain.

"Scorpion."

Minato Namikaze frowned, his eyes flashing with anger.

If it really was Sasori of the Red Sands who did it, he would definitely catch and kill the other party!

A few seconds later, Andre sniffed around in the corner, then turned back. "There's a peculiar herbal scent here, probably some kind of poison, but I don't know exactly what it is."

"Ahh!"

Suddenly, a scream came from another corner.

Everyone rushed over immediately.

There lay Might Guy sprawled on the ground. In the small cave in front of him, a girl stood motionless, but her body seemed alive and did not appear to be decayed.

Kyohiko walked over, observed for a while, and then sighed, "They must have used medication to keep her body the same."

Then, he mentioned it.

It's very light.

"It's empty, what's the point of this?"

"If it's a scorpion, it might be Puppet Technique, using people as puppets. But these are just ordinary people!"

Minato Namikaze gritted his teeth.

He only wanted to complete the mission, and even the Third Hokage said that it wasn't necessary to complete it, as long as he did his best.

But now...

"Sasori of the Red Sands, I must kill him!"

Scorpion's actions were truly excessive in angering such a kind person.

"If it's Human Puppet Technique, is it possible that his attack on Hizashi- senpai was for his Kekkei Genkai?"

Kyohiko steered the conversation toward "Kekkei Genkai".

Minato Namikaze, "That's possible. He might be researching Human Puppet that retain their Kekkei Genkai. No, if that's the case, why would Sasori..."

He suddenly looked at Kurokawa.

For this special physical condition?!

Minato Namikaze realized that Sasori must have heard some information from somewhere, which was why he came to this village.

Kurokawa stared blankly at the girl, his eyes filled with tears of blood, his aura chaotic, showing a faint tendency to break the seal and go berserk again.

"Sister! Sister!"

"Calm down! Otherwise, you might lose your sister's health."

"I, I..."

He calmed down a bit and rushed over to hug the girl.

Kyohiko was silent for a moment, then said, "Let's go out first and let them stay a little longer."

"Um."

Minato Namikaze responded with a low, guttural sound.

Guy and Kakashi were also not in high spirits, especially Guy, whose face was now pale, clearly frightened by what had just happened.

The girl suddenly floated out...

He thought it was a ghost!

Once outside, Minato's face looked terrible; the usually cheerful man couldn't manage a smile at all.

Sasori of the Red Sands.

Human Puppet research!

That's outrageous! We must kill this guy!

"Captain, judging from the situation here, he shouldn't have left for more than a few days."

"Um."

Minato's eyes darkened. "Catch up and kill them!"

After a long while, the weeping man silently emerged from the Cave.

He looked at Minato Namikaze, then at Kyohiko, Guy, and Kakashi.

"I remember now, I remember everything!"

"The people who killed the villagers were a terrifying bunch! No, wait, it seems like it was just one person..."

Kurokawa's speech was incoherent.

He said this while clutching his hair in distress.

"I didn't see him, I don't know."

"That's the Puppet Technique of Sunagakure. By combining certain Ninjutsu, they can make puppets look like humans, making them indistinguishable to ordinary people."

Kyohiko stepped forward. "Furthermore, we suspect the other party is Sasori of the Red Sands. Killing the people of your village might be part of their research into Human Puppet Technique. Does your sister have a similar condition?"

"Special?"

"They're prone to going crazy."

Minato Namikaze said.

Kurokawa shook his head. "No, my sister doesn't, but I... I don't know why. I do it sometimes, but before, if I couldn't help it, I would run out of the village and go to places the villagers don't go."

No wonder he wasn't arrested!

Everyone immediately understood.

Sasori came all the way here, but unexpectedly found no one there. With Konoha Ninja wandering around, he had no choice but to leave.

"Please help me get revenge! I want revenge! Untie me..."

Kurokawa's eyes were filled with pleading.

This was the only power he could rely on.

Minato Namikaze, "You can't control this power, and Sasori of the Red Sands is skilled in poison and Puppet Technique, so your abilities won't be of much use to him."

"We are Konoha Ninja, and we were tracking Sasori of the Red Sands when we unexpectedly discovered you."

Kyohiko explained.

Kurokawa froze, then couldn't help but shed tears.

"Will you help me get revenge?"

"Right."

Kyohiko nodded.

Kurokawa knelt down with a thud and repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude.

"Get up! Get up!"

Minato immediately helped him up.

"I am from the Land of Rivers. Is it possible for me to become a ninja of your Konoha? I want to have power, to protect those I want to protect, and to kill the ninjas of Sunagakure!"

A deep hatred flashed in Kurokawa's eyes.

Upon hearing Minato Namikaze hesitated for a moment.

Seeing this, Kyohiko immediately replied, "Your situation is special, and you should be aware of that yourself."

"Yes, I understand..."

Kurokawa's eyes darkened.

He is prone to outbursts of rage.

In such a situation, staying in a village would be like being a ticking time bomb.

Kyohiko laughed and said, "Don't worry, although your power is very strong, it's not necessarily without a way to break it. Look at how you're sealed right now, aren't you?"

"So... you mean I can go?"

Kurokawa's tone was agitated.

Minato Namikaze nodded. "Given your situation, we can consider taking you back to the village, but we can't guarantee you'll become a ninja, and you might not even gain your freedom."

"It's alright, this is for the best. I don't want to hurt innocent people. At least if I go to Konoha, you'll have the ability to lock me up."

Kurokawa's tone was full of remorse.

Obviously.

Over the past two decades, he has not been as harmless as he claims, and may have hurt others as well.

"Then, Konoha welcomes you!"

Minato Namikaze reached out his hand.

Kurokawa paused for a second, then grabbed Minato's hand and stood up.

At that moment, Kyohiko heard a notification.

He glanced at it without making a sound.

[Under your guidance, a special elite who was born with the ability to "Sage Transformation" has volunteered to join Konoha.]

[Reward: Hearing Enhancement]

Um?

Auditory enhancement?

However, Kyohiko did not experience any improvement in his hearing; it seemed to be much the same as before.

Etc!

Kyohiko examines his memories.

really.

A Chakra technique appeared in his mind--

Enhance your hearing with Chakra!

According to my memory, this ability requires extremely precise Chakra control; otherwise, one can only be born with Sage Transformation like Kurokawa and use the power of Sage Transformation to directly enhance their ears.

Precise Chakra control...

That should be enough!

A thought struck him, and he secretly refined his Chakra, carefully controlling and gathering it in his ears. Gradually, he heard more and clearer sounds.

Kyohiko even seemed to hear the sounds of birds and beasts.

Although I don't understand the meaning, I can still discern the emotion from the voice.

Is this also part of hearing enhancement?

If the amount of Chakra is increased...

Never mind!

The head area is a place where a small change can have far-reaching consequences; Kyohiko dared not court death.

This ability is likely a byproduct of Sage Transformation.

but.

Since he hasn't achieved Sage Transformation, he needs extremely high Chakra control.

fine...

Kyohiko manipulated his hearing and felt as if a new world had suddenly opened up to him after his hearing was enhanced.

Magic!

On the other side, Kurokawa buried the villagers, with only his younger sister, who was outwardly healthy, having a tombstone.

His eyes dimmed.

Minato Namikaze glanced down at the village below and asked, "Do you want to go back and take a look?"

"No need, let's go."

Kurokawa gritted his teeth and looked away.

If we don't take revenge, all the villagers died in vain; there's no point in going back to the village!

"Let's go then."

Minato Namikaze nodded.

Although Kurokawa didn't know Sasori of the Red Sands's whereabouts, he knew where people were around. If Sasori of the Red Sands wanted to continue his research on Human Puppet, he would definitely target ninjas.

so.

Go wherever there are many ninjas!

Having a local friend makes things much easier.

In the meantime, Kyohiko tried listening to the sound many times and finally mastered the use of this hearing enhancement method, understanding its limits.

Simply Chakra to enhance hearing only expands the range of hearing and allows one to hear animal emotions, but it doesn't allow one to understand the meaning of those animal sounds.

That ability might require Curse Mark to master.

If you lean against a tree or the ground, you can hear sounds from a greater distance.

Even so, with enhanced hearing...

On the third day, on a mountain by a lake in the northern part of the Land of Rivers, adjacent to the Land of Rain, Kyohiko heard unusual sounds.

"We hear sounds of fighting over there, should we go check it out?"

Kyohiko pressed himself against the tree trunk, then pointed to the mountain in the northwest.

Minato Namikaze glanced into the distance, then exclaimed in shock, "You can hear us from that far away?"

"I used a little trick to improve my hearing."

Kyohiko nodded.

Minato Namikaze blinked and said, "Use Chakra? Are you crazy! That's dangerous; you could easily go deaf!"

"It's considered a success so far, and it's also greatly helped the investigation. By the way, have you notified Shikaku and the others yet?"

Kyohiko smiled and changed the subject.

"We've notified them. They're not far from us; they should catch up in a few minutes at most."

Should we head that way first?

"Alright, if it's Sasori... just kill him! Anyway, he's missing-nin from Sunagakure, so even if we kill him, Sunagakure can't say anything."

Minato Namikaze.

Kyohiko suddenly said, "Shouldn't he thank us?"

"missing-nin like Sasori is of a pretty high rank..."

Sorry, this chapter is late.