The sea breeze carried a salty tang as it beat against the ship. The Hyuga Clan vessel cut through the waves, heading for Mist Island, near the border of the Land of Water. Su Ye stood at the bow, his Rinne Sharingan quietly turning. Its pale-purple power pierced the layers of mist, revealing the island's faint outline. A light-blue chakra barrier enveloped the entire island, its surface traced with the distinctive sealing runes of the Uzumaki Clan.
"We'll reach the shore in three miles." Sasuke held the Six Paths Secret Record, running his finger over its yellowed pages. "According to the records, the sealing barrier around Mist Island was laid by the Uzumaki Clan's first patriarch. Anyone without the bloodline who tries to force their way in will be struck by the sealing power." Naruto walked over to the railing, pale-gold chakra gathering in his palm. The Uzumaki Clan's crest appeared faintly within it. "Don't worry. With me here, we'll definitely open the entrance."
Half an hour later, the ship docked at a rocky beach on the island's edge. The three stepped onto the damp reef, and pale-blue light suddenly flared beneath their feet. Countless runes surged from the cracks in the rocks, spreading from their ankles across their bodies. "This is an entry-level Uzumaki Clan restriction. It's used to identify bloodlines." Su Ye quickly circulated his Rinnegan power, temporarily keeping the runes at bay. "Naruto, release your bloodline power. Now."
Naruto immediately poured chakra into the ground. Gold and blue chakra intertwined, like two streams flowing into the earth. The runes on the reef instantly surged to life and flew toward the island's center. The barrier that had enveloped the whole island slowly opened a gap, revealing a passage formed from glowing patterns. "Let's go." Su Ye stepped into the passage first, with Sasuke and Naruto close behind.
At the end of the passage lay a dense forest. Every tree was pale blue, and sealing runes covered the leaves. The moment the three entered the forest, the trees around them shook violently, and countless vines lashed toward them like venomous snakes. "A trigger-activated sealing trap!" Sasuke quickly drew the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword. Crimson-gold flames incinerated the vines. "The sealing power has strengthened them. Ordinary attacks won't work."
Pale-purple light flickered in Su Ye's eyes as he saw the sealing nodes at the vines' roots. "Strike the blue runes at their roots!" Naruto immediately formed a Tailed Beast Bomb. The golden chakra sphere struck the runes with pinpoint accuracy. The vines instantly withered and crumbled to ash. The three pressed on, encountering one trap after another: sealing pits that suddenly opened beneath them, enormous rune-covered boulders dropping from the treetops, and Chakra Threads hidden in the grass. They overcame them all with the insight of the Rinne Sharingan and the explosive power of Nine-Tails Chakra.
Beyond the forest, a vast ruin came into view. It was built of pale-blue stone, and the Uzumaki Clan crest was carved above the main entrance, with a line of ancient writing beneath it. Sasuke stepped forward and brushed his fingers over the words. The Six Paths Secret Record suddenly glowed red. "This is writing from the Sage of Six Paths' era. It translates as, 'Source of Sealing, Beginning of Protection.'"
Naruto placed his palm against the crest and poured chakra into it. The crest slowly turned, and the main entrance opened with a thunderous rumble, releasing a wave of ancient, powerful chakra. The three entered the ruin and found a long corridor, its walls covered in murals. Su Ye stopped to study them. The first mural depicted the Sage of Six Paths holding a staff, standing beside a woman dressed in Uzumaki Clan robes. A massive sealing array lay before them. The second showed members of the Uzumaki Clan building the ruin on the island and embedding a blue-glowing stone in its center. The final mural was covered in black mist. Through it, they could just make out countless shadows attacking the ruin.
"These murals must record the history of the Uzumaki Clan and the Sage of Six Paths." Sasuke frowned. "The last mural was damaged. It seems the remnants of the Shadow of the Ancient God came here long ago." Naruto reached out to touch the mural, but the moment his fingertip brushed the black mist, it transformed into a claw and lunged for his face. Su Ye acted swiftly, slicing through it with a blade of pale-purple chakra. "Careful. The mist still carries traces of dark power."
The three continued on. At the end of the corridor was a circular hall. A pale-blue stone floated in its center, sealing runes shifting across its surface. It was the Uzumaki Sealing Stone. But just as Su Ye prepared to step forward and take it, black flames ignited around the hall. Dozens of black chains shot out from the fire and hurtled toward them.
"I knew you'd come." A cold voice came from the flames as a man in a black cloak slowly emerged. A mask covered his face, marked with the emblem of the Shadow of the Ancient God. "Su Ye, Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki. Your luck has run out." Sasuke gripped the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword, crimson-gold flames blazing along its blade. "You remnants again. We beat you at the Hyuga Clan Compound last time, and you're still asking to die."
The man sneered and formed hand seals. The black flames instantly became countless fireballs, hurtling toward the three. "Those flames can devour chakra. Don't let them hit you!" Su Ye used Space-Time Ninjutsu to teleport himself, Sasuke, and Naruto to the other side of the hall. Naruto entered Nine-Tails Mode, his golden chakra condensing into a Tailed Beast Bomb that he hurled at the man. But the man didn't dodge. Black chains formed a barrier in front of him, and the Tailed Beast Bomb vanished the moment it struck.
"How is that possible?" Naruto stared wide-eyed. "My Tailed Beast Bomb was absorbed!" The man slowly removed his mask, revealing a face covered in black markings. "I am the Black Flame Envoy, servant of the Shadow of the Ancient God. I command Black Flame Chains that can devour all chakra. Today, I'll take the Uzumaki Sealing Stone and turn all three of you into fuel for the darkness."
The Black Flame Envoy swept his hands outward, sending countless black chains toward the Uzumaki Sealing Stone at the center of the hall. Su Ye immediately circulated his Rinnegan power, raising a pale-purple barrier in front of the stone. The chains struck the barrier with a shrill screech. Ripples spread across its surface as it began to corrode. "Sasuke, use the Flame Shadow Tracking Mirror!" Su Ye shouted, pouring more of his Rinnegan power into the barrier.
Sasuke quickly pulled out the Flame Shadow Tracking Mirror. Its bronze surface glowed red, and a streak of crimson-gold flame shot from it, striking the black chains. The flames and chains collided with a sizzling hiss as the black mist around the chains began to dissipate. "The Bloodline Treasure really can counter dark power!" A glimmer of delight flashed in Sasuke's eyes as he continued channeling the flames.
Naruto took the opportunity to circle behind the Black Flame Envoy. Golden chakra formed into claws as he struck at the man's back. But the Black Flame Envoy had been ready. Black chains shot up from the ground and wrapped around Naruto's ankles. "Naruto!" Su Ye started to rush to his aid, but the Black Flame Envoy used the chains to fling Naruto into the hall's wall. Naruto slammed into it, spitting blood as the Nine-Tails Chakra within him instantly fell into disarray.
The Black Flame Envoy sneered and turned his attention to Su Ye. "Now it's your turn." Countless black chains hurtled toward Su Ye, their dark flames roaring. Su Ye used the Rinne Sharingan to read their trajectories, repeatedly teleporting with Space-Time Ninjutsu. But the chains clung to him like a curse, never letting up. Just as one was about to strike him, Sasuke suddenly hurled the Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword. Its crimson-gold flames formed a blade that severed the incoming chain.
"Su Ye, get the Sealing Stone! I'll handle this!" Sasuke shouted, unleashing the golden Power of the Fire Seed. Crimson-gold flames enveloped him. A flicker of apprehension crossed the Black Flame Envoy's eyes. "The golden Fire Seed... I didn't expect you to have mastered that power." He formed hand seals, weaving black flames and chains into a gigantic black-flame beast that charged at Sasuke.
Su Ye seized the chance and rushed toward the center of the hall, pouring his Rinnegan power into the Uzumaki Sealing Stone. The stone suddenly burst into dazzling blue light. Countless sealing runes surged out of it and spread in every direction. The Black Flame Envoy sensed the sealing power, and his face changed. "This is bad!" He tried to stop Su Ye, but Sasuke held him off. Crimson-gold flames clashed with the black fire, and the entire hall shook violently.
Su Ye gripped the Sealing Stone. Its blue light intertwined with the Rinnegan power in his body and the red glow of the Flame Shadow Tracking Mirror, forming a pillar of light in three colors. The beam shot toward the black-flame beast, instantly destroying it. The Black Flame Envoy was badly wounded and spat out a mouthful of black blood. "You... don't get cocky. Lord Shadow of the Ancient God is about to revive. The Shinobi World... will be swallowed by darkness!" With that, he turned into a cloud of black mist and vanished from the hall.
Sasuke put away his flames, went to Naruto, and helped him up. "Are you all right?" Naruto shook his head and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "I'm fine. I've just used up a lot of chakra." Su Ye joined them and handed the Uzumaki Sealing Stone to Naruto. "You have Uzumaki blood. You're the best person to keep it safe." Naruto took the stone and drew it into his body. Golden and blue chakra intertwined, forming a protective film.
The three left the hall and retraced their steps. On the way, Sasuke opened the Six Paths Secret Record again. New writing appeared on its pages: "The fourth Bloodline Treasure, the Thunder God Pearl of the Thunder Clan, is hidden in Cloud Thunder Gorge in the Land of Lightning. According to the records, the Thunder Clan has guarded the Thunder God Pearl for generations. To obtain it, you must pass the Thunder God Trial."
Su Ye nodded, a glint flashing in his Rinne Sharingan. "The Thunder Clan is fierce by nature and has long been at odds with Konoha. Passing their trial won't be easy." Naruto grinned and clenched his fist. "No matter how hard it is, we can overcome it. We made it through the Byakugan trial and the traps in the ruins, didn't we?"
The three returned to the ship, and the Hyuga sailors immediately raised sail, heading for the Land of Lightning. Su Ye stood at the bow, gazing at the distant storm clouds. The Land of Lightning was shrouded in storms year-round, and Cloud Thunder Gorge lay at their very center. The Thunder Clan guarded it, but unknown dangers awaited them there as well.
Along the way, Naruto tried to assimilate the Uzumaki Sealing Stone. His golden chakra gradually merged with its blue chakra, greatly enhancing his sensory abilities. "I can sense a powerful Lightning Release Chakra in the Land of Lightning. It must be the Thunder God Pearl. And the remnants of the Shadow of the Ancient God are heading there too."
Sasuke placed the Flame Shadow Tracking Mirror beside the Uzumaki Sealing Stone. Their light intertwined, and more information appeared in the Six Paths Secret Record. "The Thunder God Trial has three stages, testing strength, speed, and willpower. The Thunder Clan chief, Thunder Fang, is one of the Shinobi World's top Lightning Release ninjas. He's not to be underestimated."
Su Ye closed his eyes and circulated his Rinnegan power, sensing the chakra signatures throughout the Shinobi World. "The Shadow of the Ancient God is growing stronger. We must gather the Bloodline Treasures as quickly as possible. Once we have the Thunder God Pearl, only the final one—the Earth Crystal of the Earth Clan—will remain." The three exchanged glances, determination shining in every eye.
The ship passed through the storm clouds, and the outline of the Land of Lightning gradually came into view. In the distance, Cloud Thunder Gorge towered into the sky, countless bolts of lightning intertwining above the gorge to form a massive net. Su Ye knew a new challenge was about to begin, and this time they would face one of the most powerful clans in the Shinobi World: the Thunder Clan.
When the ship docked at a port in the Land of Lightning, three shinobi in Lightning Ninja uniforms were already waiting. The one in front held a lightning blade, his gaze as sharp as a knife. "Konoha shinobi, why have you entered the territory of the Land of Lightning?" Sasuke stepped forward and took out the Six Paths Secret Record. "We've come for the Thunder God Pearl. We want to take the Thunder God Trial." The Lightning Ninja's expression changed at the words "Thunder God Pearl." "The Thunder God Pearl is a treasure of the Thunder Clan. How dare outsiders lay hands on it! If you want to take the trial, you'll have to get past us first!" As soon as he finished speaking, all three Lightning Ninja unleashed Lightning Release, sending countless bolts toward the trio.
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