Strengthening and Tracking

A moment later, the three Hidden Mist ninja arrived at Karatachi Yagura's side.

A notification sound rang in Shien's ears once again.

[Ding! Detected a disruptive change to the fate of the plot character "Mei Terumi," world feedback reached the third tier!]

[Rewards issued: Mei Terumi's ninjutsu control techniques, Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique x1, 1:1 Chakra Replication (Mei Terumi's current state)]

[Ding! Detected a significant change to the fate of the plot character "Ao," world feedback reached the second tier!]

[Rewards issued: Ao's reconnaissance techniques, Water Release: Water Barrier]

He focused slightly. It was actually Mei Terumi and Ao?

Ao had only recently installed the Byakugan and was still very young, while Mei Terumi was only twenty-one.

Mei Terumi looked somewhat anxious. Seeing Shien standing there, she leaned in as if to whisper into Karatachi Yagura's ear.

Karatachi Yagura frowned and raised his weapon to block her; he did not like others whispering in his ear.

(Mei Terumi is 174cm, Yagura is only 143cm; imagine the scene yourself.)

"He is an ally, speak plainly."

The situation was urgent, so Mei Terumi had no choice but to say:

"Pakura is heavily injured and on the run; they are still hunting her down."

"Additionally, we have picked up the trail of Suikazan Fuguki..."

"We don't have enough manpower right now."

"Saving Pakura or killing Suikazan Fuguki—we can only choose one."

Karatachi Yagura frowned. He was certainly inclined to kill Suikazan Fuguki; after all, the enemy had many people, and he needed more men to reduce casualties.

But Pakura's life was equally important...

"It seems you are short on hands. I'll make the trip to Pakura's side."

When Shien heard this, he thought, Good heavens, how did Pakura of the Hidden Sand get dragged into this?

He had to get involved!

This was a windfall—no, a godsend.

Time waited for no one, and Karatachi Yagura was not a man to dither:

"Since that is the case, then I will trouble you. Ao, lead Uchiha Shien and his companion."

When he said the words "Uchiha," Karatachi Yagura emphasized the pronunciation, letting Ao understand the importance of the other party.

"Yes, I understand, Mizukage-sama."

"The two of you, follow me!" Saving lives was like fighting a fire. Ao gestured with his hand and led Shien and Akabane toward the south.

Karatachi Yagura and the others, led by Mei Terumi, headed east.

Although the Land of Water was surrounded by the sea, it still possessed many mountainous terrains.

If one had never been here, one could not believe that the temperature difference could be so drastic.

When Shien and Akabane had crossed the sea, it was over twenty degrees, but here, it was only a few degrees.

They followed Ao of the Hidden Mist, weaving through the valleys and forests at high speed.

"How did your Hidden Mist affairs end up involving the Hidden Sand?"

As the three of them sped along, Shien asked Ao.

If it were another matter, Ao might not have spoken, but since this matter might require Shien's help and clarification, he explained without hesitation:

"Our Hidden Mist and the Hidden Sand have been fighting intermittently for years..."

Shien listened carefully, and it wasn't complicated:

An elder with secret ties to the upper echelons of Sunagakure had struck a dirty deal with the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, in exchange for certain support from the Sand after Suikazan Fuguki took power.

—Under the guise of "supporting the Hidden Mist," they lured the Sand's hero, the Scorch Release user Pakura, to the border.

Then, the Hidden Mist Cipher Corps would surround and kill her, using it as a "tribute" while framing the current Mizukage to further destabilize Yagura's rule.

On the other side, Pakura's reputation was already very high; as long as she died, no one would threaten Rasa's position as Kazekage.

It could be called a win-win!

Of course, a sacrificial pawn like Pakura was expendable.

In political struggles, there was never a shortage of sacrifices.

"...So, regardless of whether Pakura can be saved, if there is a need in the future, please help us clarify this for the Mizukage."

The corner of Shien's mouth curled up: "Don't worry, I will definitely save Pakura. Otherwise, this black pot won't be easy for you Hidden Mist to shake off."

Ao nodded, assuming Shien was just comforting him.

In reality, Shien would indeed go all out. This was not just to earn a favor from the Hidden Mist, but because the tempting "system rewards" in his mind were beckoning him.

While following Ao at high speed, he sank part of his attention into his mind.

He began to claim the various rewards in order.

First was the swordsmanship. The essence of Hidden Mist sword techniques lay in concealment, efficiency, and one-hit kills, but each person's style was vastly different:

Hozuki Mangetsu's swordsmanship was bold and unrestrained, full of power thanks to the characteristics of Hiramekarei and his formidable physique;

Ringo Ameyuri's sword style was as fast as lightning, combined with Lightning Release to pursue extreme speed and penetration;

And Zabuza's Silent Killing Technique focused on masking one's presence and utilizing the environment, making it treacherous and lethal.

Various techniques for exerting force, footwork transitions, and timing seized his mind, colliding and merging, instantly elevating his understanding of the blade to a new level.

Next were the various trial ninjutsu: Mystical Palm Technique, Water Gun Technique, Water Mirror Technique, Water Dragon Bullet, Great Exploding Water Shockwave, and Water Barrier—all of these were one-time uses.

There was also the Kekkei Genkai, Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique, which was Mei Terumi's signature skill.

His own chakra affinity was only Fire; everything else was a weakness.

But now, posing as a Hidden Mist ninja would be a breeze.

The biggest improvement was in his chakra volume!

Hozuki Mangetsu, Karatachi Yagura, and Mei Terumi could all be called elites, especially Yagura as the Mizukage, whose chakra reserves were extremely vast.

The system replicated and infused the "current state" chakra of these individuals all at once. Shien felt the chakra that had previously flowed steadily like a stream within his body suddenly surge like a river, turbulent and magnificent! His meridians faintly felt a sense of distension—a sign of being filled with power.

Shien's already massive chakra reserves instantly evolved into "ton-level" chakra!

It was a total windfall!

It was just a pity that Yagura's chakra only included his own, not counting the Three-Tails.

Finally, there were Ao's reconnaissance and observation skills.

How to track using subtle traces in the environment, how to quickly distinguish residual chakra, how to predict the enemy's possible route of action...

These experiential insights merged into his consciousness, making him feel as if his "perspective" had been wiped clean, his perception of his surroundings becoming sharper and more analytical.

All of this took a long time to describe, but under the system's influence, it was merely the passing of a single thought.

Shien took a deep breath, feeling better than ever before.

"Found their trail!!"

Ao gave a low shout, formed hand seals, and flipped open the eyepatch on his right eye.

Veins bulged around his eye socket!

It was the Byakugan of the Hyuga main branch, captured on the battlefield!

"Pakura is still alive, hurry!"