[Yearly sign-in successful. You received 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 the Sage of Six Paths had used to revive his dying younger brother, Otsutsuki Hamura? The legendary treasure of the Land of Toads?
Since it was filled with Senjutsu Chakra, it could easily restore life to the gravely wounded. There was only one in Mount Myoboku, one of the Land of Toads' three great sacred 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 would never make its way beyond the Land of Toads.
"So this is Natural Energy. This is Sage Mode?"
The sights inside Ryūchi Cave grew ever clearer. The mist floating in the air, the tobacco burning in the White Snake Sage's pipe, and every move made by the three Divine Hime—all were plain to Uchiha Hanazuki's eyes.
Time passed second by second. When the dark purple markings reached the corners of his eyes, the White Snake Sage and the three Divine Hime finally withdrew their fangs and looked at the figure before them. He showed no signs of turning into a snake; only dark purple markings surrounded his eyes. Their gazes were filled with shock.
"How is this possible? The White Snake Sage and the three of us gave him most of our Natural Energy, and that was only enough to let him barely enter perfect Sage Mode? Just how much chakra does he have?"
"Phew. So you've finally entered the perfect Sage state? Uchiha brat, you're welcome to visit Ryūchi Cave again..."
Bang! Uchiha Hanazuki vanished from Ryūchi Cave. The three Divine Hime looked disappointed and couldn't help drawing in a deep breath.
"He's leaving just like that? I'd love to keep him here. This long-forgotten urge and appetite have me practically drooling..."
Ichikishimahime's eyes grew sultry. Her small, adorable form was enough to stir any man's desire—if one ignored her sharp fangs and flickering serpentine tongue.
"One or two of you, and you just had to go and act like this. That Uchiha brat has a bewitching charm, almost like a monster's, and such control over Natural Energy..."
"I haven't encountered such a unique human in over a thousand years. You lot, if you're going to get in heat, go outside. Don't let that scent into my home."
The three Divine Hime lowered their heads and left, though they secretly grumbled to themselves.
If you hadn't brought such an alluring boy to Ryūchi Cave, how would you have stirred an urge that hadn't surfaced in nearly a thousand years? Honestly...
While one story unfolded, another was taking place.
Inside Training Ground 3, Konoha, Land of Fire.
The white mist dispersed. Before Hanazuki could even reflect on his unexpected journey, Black Nine-Tails dragged him into his inner world in the blink of an eye.
"Brat, how does it feel to get stronger? I never expected this world to have energy besides chakra. Natural Energy, huh? It's quite similar to the Senjutsu used by the Sage of Six Paths."
Black Nine-Tails was brimming with excitement. Its fur stood on end, and its sturdy frame made its overwhelming joy plain to see.
"Didn't I already ask you if you could sense Natural Energy? Do you believe me now? Tch, stupid fox..."
"Ah! You little brat! Are you looking for a fight?"
The fox's sharp claws swiped through him, but the Hanazuki before it faded away like a passing cloud.
"I've got things to do, so 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 a tremendous secret."
"Once most of the battlefields 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 a grave and uncertain look.
"Uchiha brat, after getting this so-called Sage Mode, have your eyes, which were gradually losing their light, improved as well?"
"You're getting more and more troublesome. Survive the battlefield first, and then we'll talk. I'll probably die after you do, but it won't be easy to convince me, you know. Hahahaha!"
Inside Training Ground 3, Hanazuki glanced at Black Nine-Tails, who was laughing like a mad Uchiha. His mouth twitched. He was the Uchiha, so why was Black Nine-Tails better at going crazy than he was?
"Forget it. I didn't expect to spend more than twenty days in Ryūchi Cave. I almost celebrated the New Year over there..."
He wandered aimlessly through the streets. The bustle and the playful laughter of young men and women made Hanazuki feel a little 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, left him feeling wistful.
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 Iwa Ninja cross the border and head for the Land of Fire's frontier. They could only endure the humiliation.
"Damn it! Are we really just going to watch those Iwa Ninja bastards rampage through the Land of Grass?"
A Grass Ninja lying in wait in the shadows clenched his teeth, his face filled with humiliation.
"What can we do? The Land of Earth is one of the Five Great Nations. We small countries, forced to survive in the cracks between them, are powerless."
"We should preserve the Grass Ninja's strength. We can't let our precious ninja die in a meaningless place like this. The commoners can be abandoned if necessary."
"You know how much it costs to train a ninja compared to those defenseless civilians."
The Grass Ninja commander barked at them. He watched the backs of the more than a thousand Iwa Ninja with envy and jealousy, but above all, hatred and resentment.
"Fight, then! Fight! All of you, die on the battlefield! Every war leaves the people of small countries wishing they were dead. One day, the gods will punish you!"
At the same time, as more than a thousand Iwagakure ninja crossed the Land of Grass's border, the Konoha Anbu stationed nearby to handle intelligence rushed back to Konoha and delivered the urgent report to the Third Hokage and the advisors.
In the Hokage's office, the Konoha F4 had gathered. Their faces were all unusually grim.
"That bastard Ōnoki of Both Scales sent ten thousand ninja to surround the Third Raikage and took the opportunity to attack the Land of Wind. Was that not enough? Now he's coming for the Land of Fire too?"
Danzo lowered his eyes. With Konoha's current numbers, it would be hard to fight another great nation at the same time. Even small-scale skirmishes were enough to be a headache, let alone more than a thousand Iwagakure ninja.
"At this point, whether a war begins is no longer something Konoha can decide on its own. Since Ōnoki chose to strike, Konoha can't just let itself be slaughtered."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was icy, and the killing intent and resolve in it made Danzo wary. 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..."
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