A moment later, the three Hidden Mist shinobi reached Karatachi Yagura.
The notification rang in Shien's ears once more.
[ Ding! A detected, transformative change to the fate of the plot character "Mei Terumi" has achieved the World's Third-Tier Feedback! ] [ Reward issued: Mei Terumi's Ninjutsu Control Techniques, Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique ×1, 1:1 Chakra Replication (Mei Terumi's current state) ] [ Ding! A detected, major change to the fate of the plot character "Ao" has achieved the World's Second-Tier Feedback! ] [ Reward issued: Ao's Reconnaissance Techniques, Water Release: Water Barrier ]
He focused for a moment. It was Mei Terumi and Ao?
Ao had only recently acquired the Byakugan and was still young. Mei Terumi was only twenty-one.
Mei Terumi looked anxious. Seeing Shien there, she seemed about to lean in and whisper into Karatachi Yagura's ear.
Yagura frowned and raised his weapon to block her. He didn't like people whispering in his ear.
(Mei Terumi was 174 centimeters tall, while Yagura was only 143. Picture it for yourself.)
"He's an ally. Just say it."
The situation was urgent, so Mei Terumi had no choice but to explain:
"Pakura is badly injured and on the run. They're still chasing her."
"We also found Suikazan Fuguki's trail..."
"We don't have enough people."
"We can only choose one: save Pakura or kill Suikazan Fuguki."
Karatachi Yagura frowned. He was certainly inclined to kill Suikazan Fuguki. After all, the enemy had a lot of people, and he'd need to send more of his own men to reduce their casualties.
But Pakura's life was just as important...
"Looks like you're short on people. I'll go check on Pakura."
Shien was taken aback. How had Hidden Sand's Pakura gotten dragged into this?
He had to get involved!
A windfall had practically fallen from the sky—or rather, a fortune!
Time was short, and Karatachi Yagura wasn't one to dither.
"In that case, sorry for the trouble. Ao, show Shien Uchiha and the others the way."
Yagura emphasized the word "Uchiha," making sure Ao understood how important Shien was.
"Yes, I understand, Mizukage-sama."
"Come with me!" There was no time to waste when someone needed rescuing. Ao gestured for Shien and Akabane to follow him south.
Meanwhile, Karatachi Yagura and the others headed east, led by Mei Terumi.
Though the Land of Water was surrounded by sea on all sides, its terrain featured many mountains.
Anyone who hadn't been here before would find it hard to believe the temperature could vary so much.
When Shien and Akabane had crossed the sea, it had been over twenty degrees. Now it was only a few.
They followed Ao through valleys and woods at high speed.
"How did something happening to you Hidden Mist end up involving Hidden Sand?"
As the three raced along, Shien asked Ao.
Ao might not have explained if it were something else, but Shien might be able to help—and clear their Mizukage's name—so he answered without hesitation:
"Our Hidden Mist and Hidden Sand have been fighting on and off for years..."
Shien listened carefully. It wasn't all that complicated.
An elder with secret ties to Hidden Sand's leadership had struck a dirty deal with Fourth Kazekage Rasa in exchange for Hidden Sand's support for Suikazan Fuguki's rise to power.
—Under the pretext of "supporting the Hidden Mist," they would lure Hidden Sand's hero, Scorch Release user Pakura, to the border.
Then the Hidden Mist Cipher Corps would ambush and kill her, offering her death as a "pledge of loyalty" while framing the current Mizukage and further undermining Yagura's rule.
Meanwhile, Pakura was already highly respected. Once she was dead, no one would be left to threaten Rasa's position as Kazekage.
A win-win!
Of course, a sacrificial pawn like Pakura could simply be discarded.
Political struggles had never lacked for victims.
"...So, whether or not we can save Pakura, please help clear our Mizukage's name if the need arises."
Shien's lips curled into a smile. "Don't worry. I'll save Pakura. Otherwise, it'll be hard for you Hidden Mist to shake off the blame."
Ao nodded, taking Shien's words as reassurance.
In truth, Shien really would do everything he could. It wasn't just to earn Hidden Mist a favor; the tempting "system rewards" in his mind were beckoning to him, too.
As he raced after Ao, he directed part of his attention inward.
He began claiming the rewards one by one.
First came the sword techniques. The essence of the Hidden Mist's swordsmanship lay in stealth, efficiency, and killing with a single strike, though each swordsman had a distinct style.
Mangetsu's swordsmanship was broad and powerful. With Hiramekarei's properties and his formidable physique, his attacks were full of strength.
Ringo Ameyuri's swordsmanship was as fast as lightning. Combining it with Lightning Release, she pursued the utmost speed and penetration.
Zabuza's Silent Killing Technique, meanwhile, focused on concealing his presence and using the environment. It was sinister and deadly.
The various methods of generating force, linking footwork, and judging the right moment collided and blended in his mind, instantly elevating his understanding of swordsmanship to another level.
Next came the ninjutsu he could use once each: Mystical Palm Technique, Water Gun Technique, Water Mirror Technique, Water Dragon Bullet, Great Exploding Water Shockwave, and Water Barrier.
There was also the Kekkei Genkai technique Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique, Mei Terumi's signature move.
His only Chakra nature was Fire. He was weak in all the others.
But now, impersonating a Hidden Mist shinobi would be a breeze.
The greatest improvement came in his Chakra reserves!
Hozuki Mangetsu, Karatachi Yagura, and Mei Terumi were all elite shinobi, especially Yagura, the Mizukage, whose Chakra reserves were exceptionally vast.
The system replicated and infused all three shinobi's Chakra in their "current state" at once. Shien felt the Chakra inside him, previously flowing as steadily as a stream, surge like a mighty river. It roared through him, swelling against his pathways—a sign of his strength overflowing.
His already enormous Chakra reserves had instantly evolved into Chakra-ton reserves!
He'd struck it rich in one go!
The only downside was that Yagura's Chakra replication included only his own, not the Three-Tails'. What a shame.
Last came Ao's reconnaissance and observation skills.
How to track someone using faint traces left in the environment, quickly identify lingering Chakra, and predict an enemy's likely route...
These practical insights merged into his awareness. It felt as if his "vision" had been wiped clean, sharpening his perception of his surroundings and making it more analytical.
All of this might sound like a lot, but under the system's influence, it happened in the instant his thoughts turned.
Shien took a deep breath, feeling better than ever.
"I've found their trail!"
Ao called out in a low voice and formed Hand Seals. The eyepatch over his right eye flipped open.
The veins around his eye bulged!
It was the Byakugan taken from the Hyuga Main Family on the battlefield!
"Pakura's still alive. Hurry!"
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