The Mizukage and Tsuchikage Fall! A Deal for Kekkei Tōta!

Morning.

Within the Temple of Fire, the morning bell rang melodiously.

Lin Hai wandered aimlessly through the temple.

All around him stood grand, ancient buildings, along with stone statues of furious-eyed Wisdom Kings and Venerables, emanating an air of solemn majesty.

Before he knew it, he arrived outside a Buddhist hall.

The elderly abbot who had saved him was leading numerous monks in their morning prayers.

Lin Hai did not disturb them. Instead, he sat on the steps outside the hall and quietly listened to the monks chanting sutras.

Because of his business dealings in his previous life, Lin Hai had often paid respects to Lord Guan and worshipped bodhisattvas, so he had picked up bits and pieces of Buddhist scriptures over time.

But he had rarely encountered any truly eminent monks.

There were too many fake monks in society putting up one thing and selling another, leaving him with more than a few prejudices against Buddhism.

Yet this Temple of Fire was entirely different.

The monks' chanting was perfectly synchronized, rising and falling in rhythm until it gradually formed Sanskrit hymns as beautiful as heavenly music.

As Lin Hai listened, the nerves that had been taut for days miraculously relaxed.

Leaning against a door pillar, he actually fell into a deep sleep.

"Young benefactor? Young benefactor!"

A gentle voice sounded beside his ear.

Lin Hai abruptly opened his eyes and found the elderly abbot standing beside him, smiling kindly.

His face immediately reddened. He hurriedly got to his feet and apologized repeatedly.

"I'm terribly sorry, Master! I actually fell asleep outside the Buddhist hall. What a grave disrespect!"

The elderly abbot smiled and shook his head. "Amitabha."

"This old monk has been ordained for over fifty years. There have been no fewer than ten thousand, if not eight thousand, people who have fallen asleep inside or outside this Buddhist hall. Young benefactor, there is no need to dwell on it."

"So long as one holds Buddha in one's heart, one may attain Buddhahood anywhere. Sometimes, being overly fixated on appearances only clouds the heart."

Konoha, Hokage's Office.

"Reporting to the Hokage!"

An ANBU agent knelt on one knee, his voice urgent.

"The latest top-secret intelligence! The Second Mizukage of the Land of Water perished alongside the Second Tsuchikage on the battlefield in the Land of Hot Springs several days ago!"

"Takigakure Village's Takikage was also jointly killed by Kumogakure's Gold and Silver!"

"At present, the remnants of Iwagakure and Takigakure, led by the Second Tsuchikage's disciple Ōnoki, have fully withdrawn from the Land of Hot Springs!"

"What?!"

The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, shot to his feet and slammed his palm against the desk, his eyes filled with shock.

"The Second Tsuchikage and Second Mizukage died together? Has the information been confirmed?!"

The ANBU agent respectfully replied, "The intelligence has been verified."

"Kumogakure and Kirigakure's allied forces launched an all-out assault on Iwagakure and Takigakure."

"Gold and Silver led Kumogakure in a frontal breakthrough; the Second Raikage's disciple led elite forces to cut off the enemy's retreat; meanwhile, the Second Mizukage personally led Kirigakure in an advance through the center."

"The Second Tsuchikage and the Second Mizukage clashed in the central army. The two Kage-level powerhouses fought for three days and three nights before ultimately perishing together!"

"As for the Takikage, he could not withstand Gold and Silver's relentless bombardment on the front lines and died on the spot!"

Tobirama sank back into his chair, a tempest raging within his heart.

"Two supreme powerhouses from opposite ends of the world, fallen together just like that..."

Tobirama murmured, "It seems the turning point of the great ninja war has arrived. The fighting in the Land of Whirlpools should also be brought to an end."

"As for that so-called Takikage... losing to those two monsters, Gold and Silver, who possess the Nine-Tails' chakra, was not an unjust defeat. After all, even I cannot say for certain that I could defeat those brothers!"

Tobirama composed himself and decisively issued an order.

"Immediately send orders to the Konoha forces stationed in the Land of Whirlpools. Command them to launch a full counterattack and reclaim the lost territory of the Land of Whirlpools!"

"I will personally lead a team there within ten days and bring this war to an end!"

"Yes!" The ANBU agent accepted the order.

Just as the ANBU agent was about to withdraw, Tobirama suddenly looked toward a dark corner of the office and asked in a deep voice, "Where is Uchiha Linhai now?"

Another ANBU voice came from the shadows.

"Lord Linhai disappeared for roughly half a month while searching for the Uchiha Ruins."

"Afterward, we discovered traces of him at the Temple of Fire. It has been confirmed that he is currently recuperating there."

Tobirama frowned slightly. "The Temple of Fire? The inheritance grounds of Sage Clan's Talent?"

"Why would a child his age go there to become a monk? Haven't you investigated the reason?"

The ANBU agent reported, "According to the Temple of Fire's monks, Lord Linhai was seriously wounded and unconscious at the temple gates. They rescued him and brought him inside."

"Seriously wounded?!" Tobirama's gaze sharpened. "Did you find out who he fought?"

"You once ordered us not to disturb Lord Linhai, so we did not reveal ourselves to question him."

Tobirama sighed. "Forget it."

"Immediately take my transfer order to the Temple of Fire. Order Linhai to set out today and proceed to the Land of Whirlpools to join me!"

"As you command!"

Within the Temple of Fire.

"Young benefactor, have you grown accustomed to living in the temple these past few months?" The elderly abbot looked at Lin Hai with a kind smile.

Lin Hai nodded with a wry smile.

"Thank you for taking me in, Master. My time at the Temple of Fire has indeed dispelled much of the hostility in my heart."

"Of course, I would be even happier if you stopped bringing up shaving my head and becoming a monk."

Lin Hai was helpless as well.

Over the past few months, whenever he had nothing to do, he had told the elderly abbot stories based on the half-understood Buddhist teachings and Zen riddles he had read online in his previous life.

And the result was quite something—the old monk had been utterly amazed.

He insisted that Lin Hai was the reincarnation of an arhat with profound spiritual roots, determined to take him as a disciple and persuade him to enter monastic life.

What kind of joke is this? I'm a man who wants to get married and have kids!

Lin Hai complained wildly in his heart.

Tsunade seems pretty great! Sure, she has a bad temper and loves gambling, but her figure is absolutely incredible! How could I possibly become a monk!

The elderly abbot seemed to see through Lin Hai's thoughts and sighed.

"Benefactor, the demonic obstruction within your heart has only been temporarily suppressed by the Buddhist teachings. It has not been eradicated."

"If you are willing to enter the Buddhist path and devote yourself to cultivating the Dharma, you may completely eliminate your inner demons and attain true freedom. Otherwise, you may one day be in danger of falling into demonic madness."

Lin Hai could not help asking, "Master, you've said I've fallen into demonic madness ever since the first day I came here. What exactly do you mean?"

"Why do you only ever tell me half of it and refuse to explain it in detail?"

The elderly abbot shook his head and pressed his palms together. "It cannot be spoken. It cannot be spoken."

"The Uchiha Clan bears too heavy a destiny, and the karma involved is too great. If this poor monk reveals heavenly secrets here, I fear it will bring a catastrophic disaster upon the Temple of Fire."

That same "cannot be spoken" again!

Lin Hai rolled his eyes.

His eyes shifted as he changed the subject.

"Master, since you say I possess profound spiritual roots, could you teach me the Temple of Fire's sacred treasure—the Sage Clan's Talent?"

The elderly abbot smiled like an old fox. "If young benefactor is willing to shave his head and become a monk, then not only will I teach you the cultivation methods for Sage Clan's Talent, even this old monk's position as abbot of the Temple of Fire will be yours someday!"

"Sorry to bother you! Goodbye!"

Lin Hai immediately stood up and waved his hands repeatedly. "I'd better go back to being a Konoha ninja!"

At that moment, a young novice monk ran into the room and reported.

"Abbot, there is a Konoha ninja outside the temple gates. He says he has brought the Second Hokage's written order and wishes to see Benefactor Lin Hai."

The elderly abbot looked at Lin Hai and smiled meaningfully. "It seems the opportunity for young benefactor to leave the temple has arrived."

Outside the temple gates.

"Chunin Uchiha Linhai, receive your orders!"

"By order of the Hokage, you are to depart immediately for the Land of Whirlpools front and join him there!"

The ANBU agent handed Lin Hai an order bearing the Hokage's great seal.

Lin Hai accepted the order, confirmed that it was genuine, and said, "Please wait a moment. Allow me to bid farewell to the abbot."

The ANBU agent nodded.

Lin Hai returned to the abbot's meditation room and respectfully bowed.

"Thank you, Master, for taking me in and teaching me these past few months. I am about to depart for the battlefield, so I have come to bid you farewell."

The elderly abbot returned the gesture with a smile. "Benefactor, defending the homeland and protecting the people is great merit. However, this old monk will say the same thing again: the gates of the Temple of Fire will always remain open to you."

Before leaving, Lin Hai was still somewhat unwilling to give up, so he asked once more.

"Master, is becoming a monk truly the only way to learn the Sage Clan's Talent senjutsu?"

The elderly abbot gave a profound smile. "The time has not yet come."

"Benefactor, when fate arrives, everything will fall naturally into place. Do not force it."

Helpless, Lin Hai could only turn and leave.

Land of Lightning, Kumogakure's Raikage Building.

"My lord, the major clans within the country that opposed you and advocated peace have all been purged!"

A white-haired, burly man respectfully reported to the Second Raikage.

"However, there are still a few diehards who have voiced considerable criticism of your iron-blooded methods. Shall we deal with them too?"

The Second Raikage burst into laughter. "No matter!"

"They are merely a few homeless dogs barking wildly. They cannot stir up any real trouble. I'll deal with them whenever I'm in a bad mood!"

"I never expected that bastard Mizukage to perish alongside the Tsuchikage! Hahahaha, the heavens are truly helping me!"

Fanatical ambition flashed through the Raikage's eyes.

"In this war, the Land of Lightning has not only preserved ninety percent of its combat strength, but our homeland has not suffered the slightest impact!"

"Now it is Kumogakure's turn to dominate the ninja world! Where have the remnants of Iwagakure and Takigakure fled?"

The white-haired man replied, "Iwagakure and Takigakure have roughly eight thousand surviving troops left. They have fully withdrawn from the Land of Hot Springs and are fleeing in defeat toward the Land of Waterfalls."

The Second Raikage slammed his palm against the desk, his presence terrifying.

"Transmit my order!"

"I will mobilize another five thousand Kumogakure elites and personally lead them!"

"Together with the six thousand troops already at the front, we will spare no cost to leave all eight thousand remnants in the Land of Waterfalls!"

Land of Whirlpools, Konoha Frontline Camp.

"What? Iwagakure is asking us for help?!"

Tobirama Senju looked at the bedraggled Iwagakure envoy before him, his brows tightly furrowed.

The Iwagakure envoy knelt on one knee, his expression anxious.

"Lord Hokage! Seven days ago, the Second Raikage personally led five thousand fresh troops into the battlefield. Together with Kumogakure's six thousand front-line troops, they have formed an encirclement around us!"

"Our army has suffered heavy casualties! Lord Ōnoki, the new Tsuchikage, begs our ally Konoha to dispatch reinforcements immediately!"

Tobirama tapped his fingers against the table, rapidly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

After a moment, he said in a low voice, "Go back and tell that brat Ōnoki. I hear the Second Tsuchikage Mu's Kekkei Tōta is quite exquisite."

"Have him compile every piece of research material and every cultivation insight regarding Kekkei Tōta, then present them with both hands!"

"As soon as the goods arrive, Konoha's reinforcements will arrive immediately!"

The Iwagakure envoy froze, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Lord Hokage! Shouldn't Konoha dispatch troops immediately?!"

"We are allied nations! How can you take advantage of our crisis at a time like this..."

"Watch your words!"

Tobirama sneered as his powerful aura instantly bore down on the envoy.

"I will lead troops to save you, but not now!"

"If you did not hear me clearly just now, I will say it again: hand over all information on Kekkei Tōta! Not one scrap may be missing!"

"Otherwise, wait for your entire army to be wiped out!"

Intimidated by Tobirama's imposing presence, the Iwagakure envoy dared not voice his anger. He could only storm out of the camp with a belly full of resentment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched from the side in utter confusion and asked, "Teacher, what do you want the Kekkei Tōta information for?"

"As far as I remember, Konoha doesn't seem to have any ninjas born with three chakra natures, does it?"

(At present, only Hashirama and Tobirama knew that Lin Hai possessed three chakra natures.)

Tobirama glared at him irritably and kicked Hiruzen in the backside.

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask!"

"Get your ass out to scout Kirigakure's movements around the perimeter of the camp!"

"If you can't find the location of Kirigakure's main force, don't come back!"

After driving Hiruzen away, Tobirama rubbed his throbbing temples and roared frantically in his heart.

Would I tell you that I was threatened by that little bastard from the Uchiha clan?!

Using a pile of useless junk information to make that brat keep his mouth shut and settle the gambling debt he owes at the same time is an absolute bargain!

Tsunade, that damned girl, is a hopeless spendthrift too!

She's still so young, yet she lost eighty million ryo in a single year! She's going to empty Konoha's treasury!

The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju—the lion of the ninja world who was decisive and ruthless on the battlefield—was now gritting his teeth and muttering to himself.

If the princess of our Senju Clan becomes Hokage someday... Konoha will be finished sooner or later!

This is giving me such a headache!