Five days later
North of the Land of Wind
In the vast sea of sand, the Desert Boat uses the sand as water, breaking through the sand to come.
Shino stood at the bow of the ship, releasing a large number of insects, and began practicing his secret technique alone, controlling hundreds of mutated Kikaichū around him.
These insects vary in color and shape; some burn with flames during battle, while others release lightning, and some have even mutated into insects capable of various spells.
On the deck, Hongshi was both controlling the Desert Boat forward and teaching Temari training methods.
" Shino's bugs are disgusting, let's go to the stern."
In five days, Temari witnessed Hongshi's vast knowledge and unprecedented insights, greatly enhancing her understanding of Ninjutsu and making significant progress in Chakra control.
Hongshi condensed sand into a fan identical to the Great Sickle Weasel Fan: " Temari- chan, your Wind Release combined with the Great Sickle Weasel Fan increases both the power and range of the Wind Release, but your control over the nature transformation of the Wind Release is a complete mess."
Temari hasn't formally started training in nature transformation yet, but as one of the Kazekage's guards, she's begun to learn about it. "You mean Kazuma- sensei's Wind Blade?"
" Wind Release: Fan Wind," Hongshi didn't answer. He stood at the stern, waving his sand fan. A huge gust of air followed, whipping up a large amount of yellow sand that blotted out the sky. "This is just ordinary Wind Release."
Temari: "(°ー°) You call this normal?"
Hongshi retracted the sand fan. " The Ninjutsu used this way has a large range, but it doesn't have much destructive power. If Baki added wind-attribute nature transformation, the wind could be condensed into one place to form a huge and sharp Wind Blade. However, it doesn't necessarily have to be like Kazuma's; what suits you best is the best."
Temari seemed to understand. "So, I first decide on the form of my technique, and then decide which direction the nature of the change should develop, right?"
Hongshi nodded. "My talent is limited; I can't master the nature transformations of all seven escape techniques. Therefore, the path you take from now on is up to you."
After saying that, Temari fell into deep thought, then seemed to have thought of something, and slowly walked to the stern of the ship, opening her Great Sickle Weasel Fan: "Then, let's try this!"
Shino of the ship, also became interested and turned to watch what kind of technique Temari was about to use.
" Wind Release: Twin Scythes!"
The Great Sickle Weasel Fan swung out fiercely, and a tornado appeared. However, unlike before, with the participation of yellow sand, it could be clearly seen that there was another tornado rotating in the opposite direction inside the outer tornado.
There didn't seem to be much change, but Hongshi noticed something. "Oh! I see. The first level of the Sickle Weasel Technique, turning blowing into suction, pulls the enemy in, and then uses the opposing rotations of the two tornadoes to double the power. You're pretty good, Temari."
Shino said calmly, "If we add the sharpness or rotation of Wind Release nature transformation, it might very well become a B-rank Ninjutsu."
Temari put away her Great Sickle Weasel Fan and stuck out her tongue. "Just a sudden thought."
Looking at the endless expanse of yellow sand around them, Shino said, "We should be there soon."
Hongshi and Temari straightened up and looked ahead. The scene that had been empty except for yellow sand gradually faded away, and what came into view were small, heavily weathered hills.
The Desert Boat drew ever closer, sailing into the weathered forest.
Temari, being from the Land of Wind, knew the terrain here very well. "In another hour, we'll reach the border of the Land of Bears."
Temari pointed to the largest weathered rock in the distance. "There's someone there, it's so glaring."
On the weathered rock sat a bald man, his body gleaming blindingly in the blazing sun.
The bald man wore the distinctive colorful paper haori worn by the Thirteen Nuclear Guardian Pillars, with a wooden cane standing beside him. His long white beard was meticulously groomed and tied with a purple ribbon to prevent it from being ruffled by the wind and sand.
It was none other than the strongest of the Thirteen Nuclear Guardian Pillars, Mizumoto Hōryūsai, who opened his eyes upon sensing the approach of the Desert Boat: "It's finally here."
Shino Temari, "Judging from his strange samurai attire, it must be him."
"Call out."
Before he could finish speaking, Hōryūsai had already used his Body Flicker Technique to appear on the Desert Boat, squinting his eyes. "You're too slow."
Shino said, "We encountered a sandstorm halfway through our journey and had to stop for a day."
Temari suddenly noticed something amiss. "Hey, you don't look like you're even an adult yet, why are you pretending to be an old person!"
Hongshi laughed, "Not bad, not bad, really cool!"
Although Hōryūsai was dressed as an old man, it was easy to tell from his voice and skin that he was still a child.
Hōryūsai sighed, "Ah, Nuclear Shadow Heying's wicked sense of humor. By the way, you can just call Hōryūsai. Although we haven't met in the Land of Rivers, Elder Kairyū often talks about you."
"Your Nuclear Shadow are way too outrageous! Although the costumes are really good-looking."
Shino asked, "Are you the strongest of the Thirteen Nuclear Guardian Pillars?"
Hōryūsai sighed, "You heard it from that guy Kyōai, right? Actually, the strength of the Thirteen Nuclear Guardian Pillars is about equal; each has its own strengths."
After confirming Hōryūsai's identity, Temari stopped chatting and said, "Alright, let's talk about the battle plan."
Hōryūsai nodded and said, "I arrived here four days ago and conducted a preliminary reconnaissance."
Temari asked, "Oh? Did you discover something?"
Hōryūsai pointed to the northern lands of the Land of Bears: "On the border between the two countries, there are not only Star Ninja, but also ninjas disguised as Star Ninja. In order not to alert them, I did not conduct any further reconnaissance."
Temari startled. "You mean, other countries are stirring up trouble here?"
Hōryūsai shrugged. "I have no idea about that."
Shino had been silent until now, finally spoke up, " Hoshigakure is just a small ninja village. If there were any ninjas in disguise, they would be recognized immediately. I suspect that Star Ninja has already allied with others to test Sunagakure."
Temari's expression was very serious, and she vaguely sensed that this was no accident. "I must inform Gaara first."
Hōryūsai continued, "Furthermore, both of your Sand Ninja reconnaissance teams have been wiped out."
"What! That's a reconnaissance team composed of Jonin!"
Shino remained calm. "Let's not rush. I think we should confirm things first. Maybe they're just mercenaries hired by Hoshigakure? After all, no matter how arrogant they are, they wouldn't be foolish enough to challenge Sunagakure head-on."
Hōryūsai stroked his beard. "Hmm, Shino is right. In this situation, mercenaries are the best option. If they are outmatched and captured, Hoshigakure can claim that someone is trying to sow discord between Star Ninja and Sand Ninja."
Hongshi: "(°ー°) Why make such a fuss? Just get through it!"
After hearing what Shino said, Temari suppressed the urge to use her Ninja Hawk to transmit information, "Alright then."
Hōryūsai pointed in a direction. " Hongshi, head in this direction. There's a Star Ninja squad over there. Shall we take them out as an appetizer?"
Temari: "By the way, why do you Thirteen Nuclear Guardian Pillars always have your eyes closed, yet you can still see so clearly!"
Hōryūsai chuckled, "Because we all have eyes and partners that see through everything in the world."
Shino: "Tch, do you think you're Jinchūriki?"
The Lord God: "You actually guessed right."
With a change of hand seal in Hongshi's hand, the Desert Boat changed direction and continued its journey.