Hokage's lounge.
"Lord Su Zheng, what did you want to tell me?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked from the sofa.
Su Zheng rose to his feet and looked at the Hokage portraits on the wall. For some reason, he felt a little sentimental. At last, this world has something to do with me!
"Oh! It's like this. I wanted to tell Lord Hokage that Tsunade is in our Land of Rain. She's already my woman!"
Buzz!
Hiruzen's hand froze as he held his pipe. After a long pause, he said, "Is that so? I hope Lord Su Zheng will treat Tsunade well. She is Konoha's princess!"
A smile spread across Su Zheng's face. "Of course. I'll definitely cherish Tsunade properly. If there's a chance in the future, Lord Hokage is welcome to visit my Land of Rain!"
Hiruzen nodded. "Since you're Tsunade's man, you can be considered Konoha's son-in-law. Naturally, you're welcome!"
"Good. Then I'll take my leave, sir!" Su Zheng turned and left.
After thinking for a long time, Hiruzen decided to tell Jiraiya and Orochimaru after all, lest they keep worrying.
"Sensei, why did you summon us?" Jiraiya asked.
Hiruzen looked at his two disciples. He was quite satisfied with Jiraiya's progress. He had mastered sage techniques, and even his disciple was extremely talented.
"It's like this. Tsunade is already Lord Su Zheng's woman, so you should stop thinking about her. I want to send the two of you to the Land of Rain to investigate. What do you think?"
Boom! It was like a bolt of lightning had struck their heads. Orochimaru muttered, "Tsunade has joined with that lord... so that was it!"
Jiraiya stood there in a daze. After hearing that Tsunade had become Su Zheng's woman, he could not hear anything else. He said in disbelief, "That's impossible! Tsunade doesn't even know him. How could she suddenly be with him?"
Hiruzen did not understand it either, but it was a fact. "Stop dwelling on this. I want to send you there under the pretext of 'visiting Tsunade' to investigate. What do you think?"
Orochimaru directly refused. Ever since witnessing Jiraiya's power, he had decided to sever his former emotional ties. Pursuing the truth of this world was his greatest goal!
Jiraiya's eyes darkened as she lowered her head in silence. Hiruzen understood what they meant, dismissed them, and began pondering in secret.
Inside Mountain River Space.
Su Zheng had a feeling that his Yin-Yang Release and Six Paths power would soon reveal themselves. His Rinnegan had not existed for long, but these recent battles had accelerated the emergence of those powers.
If he gained Yin-Yang Release, the first thing he would do would definitely be to alter his body. There was no need to change his appearance, but...
As for future Identity Vests, things would become even easier. He could change his appearance at will and even separate part of his spirit. Wasn't that far stronger than Shisui's "Body Flicker Technique"? This was a real body...
Looking at Karenka in his arms, her face flushed red, he found her truly pitiful and lovely.
Land of Water, Kirigakure.
Because it was far from the mainland and separated by a vast ocean, Kirigakure rarely became involved in major wars. Even when it did, no enemy would invade the Land of Water. Naturally, the place was extremely stable.
Yet that stability also brought limitations. After the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, died, power passed to the Third Mizukage, Kondo Ryu. Externally, he pursued isolationism; internally, he enforced cruel battles of life and death while beginning to cultivate the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Overall, it was still fairly good. Though cruel, it had not yet reached the level of the "Bloody Mist Village" during Yagura's era. At this time, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were only around thirteen years old, having been born around Konoha Year 25.
Whoosh!
As Su Zheng traveled forward, he was enveloped by a massive expanse of dense fog. He knew that the Third Mizukage, Kondo Ryu, had arrived. As for why they were not fighting directly inside Kirigakure with Flying Thunder God, but instead on the sea...
It could only be said that this place gave the other side an advantage. How could the strong temper themselves if they were always too cautious?
"Your Excellency is Su Zheng of the Land of Rain, correct? Why have you come to my Kirigakure?" Kondo Ryu's voice sounded out.
Su Zheng smiled faintly. "Lord Mizukage knows me too?"
"Of course. These past few days, you challenged the Kage of every major nation and made a name that shook the world. How could Kirigakure possibly fail to notice you?"
"Speak. What exactly did you come here for?" a cold voice asked.
Su Zheng really wanted to laugh. Why did someone always have to ask about his purpose? Wasn't it simple? He just wanted to fight and improve his strength. Did they really refuse to believe that?
Su Zheng could not be bothered to explain. He teased, "Defeat me, and I'll tell you!"
Kondo Ryu did not waste words. He formed hand seals with both hands. "Ice Style: Shuriken!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Countless condensed Ice Crystal Shuriken came whistling toward him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
They all struck Su Zheng's Chakra Armor. Kondo Ryu found it strange. No one had ever directly endured this technique with their body before. It seemed Su Zheng had some kind of protective armor.
"Ice Style: Super Giant Shuriken!"
They were the same shuriken, only larger, more numerous, and more powerful. Yet they were completely useless against Su Zheng.
"Is that all the strength you have?" Su Zheng asked, losing interest.
"Wind Style: Tornado Hurricane!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A powerful hurricane arose and dispersed the dense fog. Su Zheng also shattered the incoming Ice Crystal Shuriken.
Kondo Ryu finally saw what Su Zheng's protective gear was: a set of blue Chakra Armor.
"If that's all the strength you have, then die!" Su Zheng charged forward at high speed.
Boom! The newly formed Ice Wall was smashed apart by Su Zheng's fist, and Kondo Ryu was sent flying backward.
"His attack power and defense are both too strong. I can't keep probing him!" Kondo Ryu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
He formed hand seals and slapped the water's surface. "Ice Style: Ice Spikes!"
"Ice Style: Crystal Hexagonal Pillars!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Numerous ice pillars appeared from thin air over the water, lifting Su Zheng high into the air. A gigantic hexagonal ice pillar above was poised to strike...
Crack! Crack! Su Zheng raised his hand and shattered the ultra-dense ice pillars. Looking at the charging Third Mizukage, he was overjoyed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Armor made of ice condensed from ultra-pure water continuously collided with Su Zheng's Chakra Armor.
Bang! Kondo Ryu's armor shattered on impact. At the same time, an enormous ice giant suddenly appeared beneath Su Zheng and swallowed him whole.
Kondo Ryu considered his options. His Kekkei Genkai was Ice Style. Against a Kage-level ninja, ice of this intensity should have been enough.
He had not expected Su Zheng to be such a monster. In Su Zheng's hands, ice was as fragile as nothing. What exactly was that blue armor?
Splash! In only a few seconds, the ice giant was smashed apart. "There's no time to think. I'll use that move directly!"
Kondo Ryu formed hand seals. "Water Style: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
"Ice Style: Ice Prison!"
Crash! Crash! Crash! The water rapidly formed a massive sphere around Su Zheng. At the same time, Kondo Ryu frantically poured Chakra into it, and the water sphere swiftly became a colossal ball of ice.
Boom! It struck the sea, raising enormous waves before rapidly sinking to the seabed...
That should do it, right? Kondo Ryu thought silently. He had used this technique to subdue the Three-Tails before!
Rumble! Huge bubbles rose from the sea's surface, like the bottom of a boiling pot!
Bang! Su Zheng burst out of the water, white steam winding around his body as powerful shockwaves sent ripples spreading outward.
That astonishing aura made Kondo Ryu not dare lower his guard in the slightest. He immediately used his strongest killing move—"Ice Style: Ice Age!"
Bone-piercing cold radiated from Kondo Ryu's body. In an instant, it froze the boiling sea surface, directly condensing it into thick, solid ice that gave off waves of chilling air!
"Ice Style: Eight Trigrams Eight Directions Formation: Crystal Ice Palace!"
Crack! Crack! Crack! Within a radius of five kilometers, rising ice pillars connected with one another, completely isolating the outside world and creating this ultimate frozen domain!
"Hahaha! Now that's more like it!" Su Zheng laughed wildly.
Inside the ice palace was a vast expanse of white. It was not merely reflected light, but also the cold that permeated the place. Every Ice Wall was ten meters thick, and the temperature inside had fallen below minus fifty degrees Celsius...
Kondo Ryu's face was pale as he said, "You're the first person to force me to use this move!"
"Then I'm truly honored!" Su Zheng chuckled. "Seven-Day Breathing Method: Fourth Activation!" Scorching mist instantly rose around his body.
"Then come!" Kondo Ryu, having re-formed his ice armor, charged forward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The more they fought, the more Su Zheng felt that something was wrong. The strength of the other man's ice had increased by more than one level, and his complexion had turned rosy as well!
Su Zheng observed carefully and discovered that the other man's ice armor was extremely pure, a nearly pure white that barely absorbed any light. In contrast, his own Chakra was being depleted ten times faster than outside...
"This must be the ability of his domain. It not only absorbs the opponent's Chakra for its own use, but also drastically increases the armor's strength!"
"Since that's the case, then I'll grant your wish!" Su Zheng knocked Kondo Ryu back. "Seven-Day Breathing Method: Fifth Activation!"
The violent white steam grew even denser, evaporating the surrounding walls of the domain and creating vast amounts of water...
"Come on!" Su Zheng moved through the water at missile-like speed. The moment Kondo Ryu's armor touched the white steam, it had already thinned by a layer.
Boom! A powerful tremor spread out, and Kondo Ryu hurriedly dodged the supreme blow.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
Crack! Crack! This vast world of ice crystals was shattered by a single punch!
The thick ice walls across the sea's surface, along with the crystal ice maze, were swallowed by the waves. Ring after ring of turbulent ripples spread outward. Dark clouds filled the sky as surging currents churned the seabed upside down!
Kondo Ryu trembled all over as he looked at Su Zheng standing not far away. "You truly are strong. This is my final technique. If you survive it, I'll willingly admit defeat!"
"Good!" Su Zheng stood proudly.
Kondo Ryu rapidly formed hand seals, then finally slapped the sea's surface. "Water Style Secret Technique: Reeds Field Burial!"
Rumble! Rumble!
Beneath the sea, monstrous currents formed a vortex around Su Zheng and dragged him rapidly downward...
This technique used the chaotic currents of the sea to force its target into a cage deep beneath the ocean, at a depth of two thousand meters. There was simply no way to survive!
Boom! After the sea had churned for a full quarter of an hour, it finally calmed. Kondo Ryu looked at the tranquil surface, his heart equally calm.
"Su Zheng, dying beneath this technique can be considered a fitting end for you!"
On the seabed thousands of meters down, Su Zheng was bound by the currents. That terrifying pressure continuously bore down on him. Even the armor that had held out for a quarter of an hour was already covered in cracks...
Su Zheng's face had turned bright red from holding his breath. The oxygen in his body was rapidly dwindling, his movements had nearly stopped, and his consciousness gradually blurred...
"No, I can't fall here!" The blue screen in his mind pulled him back to reality.
This place was the best possible location to train the Seven-Day Breathing Method!
He sent his remaining oxygen into his heart. Thump! Thump! Thump! His swollen heart began beating faster. "Seven-Day Breathing Method: Sixth Activation!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Oxygen from the seawater continuously rushed into him. The surroundings were deathly silent, yet vitality returned!
Duang!
White steam erupted, piercing straight into the heavens!
The sea surface exploded open, forming a spiraling passage as Su Zheng shot out!
He pursued the Mizukage, Kondo Ryu, who had already gone far away, and caught up with him in an instant!
Seeing white ribbons winding around Su Zheng's body, Kondo Ryu understood that his opponent had grown stronger still. He bowed and said, "Lord Su Zheng, you have won. Is there anything you need me to do?"
Su Zheng rubbed his chin and smiled. "Well, not right now. But when you're given a choice in the future, you'd better seize the opportunity!"
Kondo Ryu was somewhat confused, but he still nodded in agreement. When he turned around, Su Zheng had already vanished.
In less than half a day, news spread through the Land of Water that "Su Zheng fought the Third Mizukage and survived," shocking the entire world!
Before you continue