[Annual sign-in successful. You have obtained the method for making the Sage's Talisman... The new year begins!]
The method for making the Sage's Talisman? Wasn't that the treasure of the Land of Toads, the one the Sage of Six Paths used to revive his critically wounded younger brother, Otsutsuki Hamura? It was said to be a priceless treasure.
Because it was filled with Senjutsu Chakra, it could easily restore vitality to the gravely wounded. There was only one in all of the Land of Toads, at Mount Myoboku, one of the three great training grounds.
About a thousand years had passed. Who knew whether they could make a second one? Most likely they couldn't, and even if they could, it wouldn't find its way beyond the Land of Toads.
"So this is Natural Energy. This is Sage Mode?"
The scene inside Ryūchi Cave grew clearer and clearer. The dense mist floating in the air, the tobacco burning in the White Snake Sage's pipe, and the every movement of the Three Divine Princesses all lay plainly within Uchiha Hanazuki's sight.
As the seconds ticked by, the dark purple eye markings stretched to the corners of his eyes. Only then did the White Snake Sage and the Three Divine Princesses withdraw their fangs and look at the figure, who showed no signs of transforming into a snake and had only dark purple markings around his eyes. Their eyes brimmed with shock.
"How is this possible? The White Snake Sage and the three of us gave him most of our Natural Energy, and that only barely let him enter perfect Sage Mode? Just how much chakra does he have?"
"Phew, so he finally entered the perfect Sage state? Uchiha brat, born with a gift for Sage Mode, you're welcome to visit Ryūchi Cave again..."
Bang! Uchiha Hanazuki vanished from Ryūchi Cave. The Three Divine Princesses looked disappointed and couldn't help taking a deep breath.
"He's just leaving like that? It's been so long since I felt this urge and appetite. He's got my mouth watering..."
Ichikishimahime's eyes were alluring. Her petite, adorable appearance was enough to stir any man's desire—if one overlooked her sharp fangs and the flick of her serpent's tongue.
"Every time, the same thing happens. That Uchiha brat has such an almost monstrous charm, and such control over Natural Energy..."
"I haven't met a human this unique in over a thousand years. You lot, if you're going to get all worked up, get out of my home. Don't let that scent linger here."
The Three Divine Princesses lowered their heads obediently and turned to leave, though they secretly grumbled to themselves.
If you hadn't brought such an attractive boy to Ryūchi Cave, you wouldn't have stirred up an urge that hadn't surfaced in nearly a thousand years. Honestly...
While one flower bloomed, another branch bore fruit.
At the Third Training Ground in Konoha, Land of Fire.
The white mist dissipated. Before Hanazuki could even reflect on his unexpected journey, Black Nine-Tails dragged him into his inner world in an instant.
"Brat, how does it feel to be stronger? I didn't think this world had energy besides chakra. Natural Energy, huh? It's quite similar to the Senjutsu used by the Sage of Six Paths."
Black Nine-Tails' eyes were filled with excitement. Its fur stood on end, and its massive frame made its wild joy plain to see.
"Didn't I tell you ages ago? I asked if you could sense Natural Energy. Believe me now? Hmph, stupid fox..."
"Ah! You little punk! You want to fight me?"
The fox's sharp claws slashed through the air, but Hanazuki's figure faded away like a passing cloud.
"I've got things to do. I don't have time to play with you. I don't know what's inside your belly, but judging by how much Natural Energy it can absorb, it must be some incredible secret."
"Once most of the battlefronts in the Third Shinobi World War have quieted down, I want to hear the truth, Kurama..."
His voice lingered in the air. Black Nine-Tails' lazy expression slowly faded, replaced at last by solemnity and doubt.
"Uchiha brat, after gaining this so-called Sage Mode, have your eyes, which were gradually losing their sight, improved?"
"You're getting harder and harder to deal with. We'll talk after you survive the battlefield. I'll probably die when you do, but convincing me won't be easy, hahahahaha!"
At the Third Training Ground, Hanazuki glanced at Black Nine-Tails, who was laughing maniacally like a Uchiha, and the corner of his mouth twitched. He was the Uchiha, so why was Black Nine-Tails better at going crazy than he was?
"Forget it. I never expected to spend more than twenty days in Ryūchi Cave. I nearly celebrated the New Year over there..."
He wandered aimlessly down the street. The bustle all around him and the young men and women playing and laughing made Hanazuki feel slightly dazed. He almost forgot that they were still at war.
The aroma of meat in the air, along with the smoky scent of fireworks and firecrackers, filled him with a vague sense of loss.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Grass, a small country bordering the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth.
The local Grass Ninja could only tremble as they watched a vast force of more than a thousand Iwagakure Ninja cross the border and head toward the Land of Fire's frontier, swallowing their humiliation.
"Damn it! Are we really just going to watch those Iwagakure bastards run rampant through the Land of Grass?"
A Grass Ninja lying low in the shadows clenched his teeth, his face twisted with humiliation.
"What can we do? The Land of Earth is one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. We small countries, forced to survive in the cracks, are powerless."
"We should preserve the Grass Ninja's strength for now. We can't let precious ninja die in a meaningless place like this. As for the civilians, we'll have to abandon them."
"You know perfectly well how much it costs to train a ninja, compared to those powerless peasants."
The leading Grass Ninja jonin barked at them. He watched the backs of the thousand Iwagakure Ninja with envy and jealousy, but above all, with hatred and resentment.
"Go on, fight! All of you, die on the battlefield! Every war leaves our small country's people worse off than dead. One day, the gods will make you pay!"
At the same time, as more than a thousand Iwagakure Ninja crossed the border into the Land of Grass, Konoha Anbu stationed along the frontier and assigned to intelligence hurried back to Konoha. They delivered the urgent report to the Third Hokage and the other advisers.
Inside the Hokage Office, the Konoha F4 had gathered, and all of them wore troubled expressions.
"That Ōnoki of Both Scales has sent ten thousand ninja to surround the Third Raikage, and taken advantage of the opportunity to attack the Land of Wind. Wasn't that enough? Now he's coming for the Land of Fire too?"
Danzo lowered his eyes. With Konoha's current numbers, it would be difficult to wage war against the other great countries at the same time. Even small-scale clashes were enough to give them a headache, let alone more than a thousand Iwagakure Ninja.
"At this point, whether a war begins isn't something Konoha can decide by itself. Since Ōnoki has chosen to make a move, Konoha can't just let itself be slaughtered."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was icy. The killing intent and resolve in his eyes put Danzo on guard. It seemed his old friend and rival hadn't forgotten the ruthlessness he'd shown on the battlefield.
"Summon the Konoha Ninja. Everyone, prepare for war. Also, send for Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Hanazuki..."