Traveling with Monsters

Qi did not care about Hotaru's plight.

Because beyond solving the issue of Oboro's insufficient chakra, Qi had more important matters to attend to. Hotaru's situation seemed far too trivial in comparison.

These past few days, Qi had been on a roll, with good fortune following one after another.

However, this was also the result of Qi choosing the right direction and putting in the effort.

Any trial heaven gives you comes with a corresponding opportunity; the reason you feel the bitterness is likely because you always passively accept the trials without ever discovering or seizing the opportunities.

Qi felt that the Third Hokage's targeting was a trial sent by heaven.

It was precisely because of the Third Hokage's targeting that he became determined to increase his own strength, which led him to research the correct way to use the Sharingan—this was his turning point.

The subsequent successful awakening of Oboro's eyes and the ensuing chain reaction were a double blessing for Qi.

Back then, the "deification movement" Qi conducted to verify his theories about the Sharingan had brought mythological stories to those around him and the surrounding people.

Mysterious and profound things are always widely spread by everyone.

In this world devoid of myths, the history of Japanese legends spread rapidly once popularized, inevitably involving tales of yokai.

Izanagi and Izanami had also proven that the Sharingan did not require the Mangekyo to channel the power of gods; ordinary eyes could do it too.

There are always lucky ones in the world; sometimes, they just lack the key.

Qi looked at the two ordinary Uchiha chunin lucky ones before him, then thought of his own pathetic self, and his heart was filled with helplessness.

I am truly not the protagonist template; I have neither talent nor enough luck.

These two people before him were the additional byproducts of the Mangekyo awakening and the connection to the divine.

"Speak, what is the situation with you two?"

Johnny Uchiha, who hailed from the Iga clan, laid his blade horizontally before him.

[Johnny Uchiha, Ninjutsu B, Taijutsu B+, Genjutsu C]

"My lord, this is my sword, Dojigiri Yasutsuna. A warrior ancestor once used this blade to slay the evil demon Shuten-doji. I stroked this sword day and night, fantasizing that one day I, too, could become a hero who slays evil demons. Then, I was granted the power of the Shuten-doji Six Paths."

Qi nodded. Shuten-doji, also known as Rokudomaru, was categorized among the eight million gods; it was not unreasonable for such a great yokai to grant abilities just like those orthodox gods. It was normal that he could use it even with only two tomoe.

After all, it wasn't a proper god, just a great yokai—much like the Huang Daxian worshipped in Shamanism.

He just didn't know if this ocular technique was unique, if it could be popularized, what the ability was, or how powerful it might be.

"The power, how great is it?"

Seeing the lord inquire, Johnny scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

"It doesn't seem that great. It's a composite ninjutsu that can exhale a large area of sake mist. Using Fire Style to ignite it can cause wide-range damage. The damage isn't high, but those covered in the sake mist are affected for a long time, and the range is quite large."

"How large?" Qi pressed.

"Burning down our Uchiha clan's compound in Konoha would be no problem!"

Johnny's expression was firm, as if he had been wanting to do exactly that for a long time.

Qi nodded, thinking to himself what kind of people he had under his command—why were they always thinking about burning down their own home?

Could it be that his departure had caused everyone to develop a prejudice against the Uchiha clan?

He wasn't sure; he would observe further. This certainly wasn't his intention.

Qi looked toward Joseph Uchiha.

"And you? What have you awakened?"

<strong>[Joseph Uchiha, Ninjutsu C, Taijutsu A-, Genjutsu C]</strong>

Joseph looked rather cool; he sniffled and answered Qi.

"My lord, my companion blade is Kogarasumaru. Legend has it that a black bird brought a tachi to the Emperor, claiming to be a messenger from Ise Grand Shrine before flying away, leaving the tachi behind. This bird was the Yatagarasu, and the sword 'Kogarasumaru' was named for this."

Qi felt this subordinate was annoying; he was reciting the very stories Qi had told, as if they were gospel.

Moreover, the story of this replica sword was something he had forced together just to sell it for a good price. Why was he using it so solemnly to fool him?

Did they not know that he was the author of these stories? Was it because it wasn't first-hand dissemination that the source had been obscured?

"You don't need to tell me that; just tell me what you awakened."

Joseph nodded, his expression remaining cool, wearing sunglasses even in the house in broad daylight.

"My ability is called Tengu-Killer."

Hearing this name, Qi thought about it and felt it made sense. The Great Tengu, Emperor Sutoku, was killed by the warrior Taira no Kiyomori, who possessed the Kogarasumaru. Therefore, it was normal for Joseph, who was obsessed with the Kogarasumaru, to awaken the Tengu-Killer.

"What is the use of the ability?"

The reason Joseph was so evasive was that he feared Qi would ask about the ability; after all, his power was somewhat off-putting.

It was especially off-putting to important figures, let alone when he was facing Lord Qi, to whom he had pledged his loyalty. He didn't want the lord to misunderstand, but since the lord was pressing him, he couldn't hide it.

"The ability is 'Gekokujo'—the higher the status and the stronger the strength of the person compared to me, the greater the power I can unleash."

Qi was pleasantly surprised; this was a good ability.

Before the Great Tengu died, he bit his tongue and wrote in his own blood: "This sutra will lead me to become the Great Demon King of Japan; from now on, the people shall become the rulers, and the rulers shall become the people, and there shall be no peace forever!" The curse indeed provided the legitimacy for the "Gekokujo" (the low overcoming the high).

This is simply a sharp weapon for a low-tier horse to take on a high-tier horse, with a real chance of victory.

The more someone lacks the virtue to match their position, the greater the intensity.

For instance, if someone has mediocre strength but occupies a high position, wouldn't Joseph be invincible against them?

"Have you tested it?"

Seeing that Lord Qi was not annoyed by his ability, Joseph relaxed.

"Yes, I sparred with Lord Tenshen. I lost, but I managed to hold my own for a while."

Qi nodded in approval.

To fight a Mangekyo with two tomoe, and without the opponent holding back, even Sasuke couldn't achieve that.

This was already quite impressive.

No, it could even be called very strong.

One must realize that without this ability, Joseph wouldn't even be worth Tenshen drawing his blade for, yet now he could trade blows with him.

If he ran into that fraud of a demigod, Hanzo of the Salamander, he might just hack him to pieces.

No, Joseph still needs to be strengthened further.

I'll have the two of them guard the gate in a while. Isn't it said that the greater the gap in status and strength, the greater the power?

I'll give Joseph a position with high benefits but low status; it might have a miraculous effect.

The two, who were busy showing off their merits to Lord Qi, had no idea that their fate of being demoted and given a raise had already been decided.

Well, Johnny is a bit at a loss, but they are brothers, after all.

Two people guarding the gate—one responsible for duels, the other for group brawls.

Not bad!

Seeing that Lord Qi only nodded, the two felt they couldn't miss this opportunity to show off before their lord.

"My Lord, the power of this ocular jutsu isn't great, but that's not what's important. Look at this."

Qi was somewhat surprised. They called this "not great"? Were they trying to defy the heavens? As it turned out, he had indeed underestimated them.

The two exerted their strength, and a suit of armor enveloped them both.

Qi was greatly shocked.

"Majestic Attire Susanoo?"

Indeed, the two looked as if they had summoned a Susanoo, only the scale was different.

If a Susanoo is a Gundam, then these two were merely wearing exoskeletal armor.

"No, My Lord, this is called Fear Armor. It's far inferior to Lord Tenshen's Susanoo, but it can enhance our own strength. At the very least, once we put this on, ordinary blades and kunai are useless against us. Only ninjutsu can harm us, and even then, the damage is significantly reduced."

Qi's eyes lit up. Coach, I want to learn this.

This was too awesome. Not everyone has the chance to awaken a Mangekyo, but if even a Chunin can do this, couldn't it be popularized?

His subordinates would all reach the level of Chunin or higher sooner or later. When that time comes, if Oboro isn't short on chakra, she can cast a silence, and his subordinates in Fear Armor could just slaughter the enemy.

Just thinking about it made him drool.

"Can everyone use this? Is it like Susanoo, a popularized jutsu of the Mangekyo?"

"Not everyone can, but as long as they have obtained mythical treasures related to yokai, they have awakened it to some degree. The difference is just a hurdle; it won't take long for them to master it completely."

This left Qi confused. He knew those treasures better than anyone—they were all fakes he had crafted for commercial value. How could they have such effects?

It wasn't scientific.

But it was very theological.

Since it was beneficial to him, he stopped dwelling on it and continued to ask.

"How many guys like this are there?"

"After we awakened, everyone traded the points they'd saved over the last two years with Koga for weapons. Now, basically all the Chunin can do it."

Hearing this, Qi excitedly clapped his hands together.

A Chunin with high-power ninjutsu and the ability to strengthen themselves in battle—isn't that just a Special Jonin?

Dozens of Special Jonin, and very capable ones at that, plus twenty elites among the Jonin.

And they were all growing rapidly. If I were to go crazy, who wouldn't be afraid?

I'll just ask one thing: who else is there?

Qi felt that with this lineup, if he were to risk his life against Madara, even Madara would probably be afraid.

Three Gundams leading a hundred mechs—even if it doesn't kill you, it'll scare you to death.