256-260

Chapter 256: Nakama Shouta vs. Mitarou  

The crowd stared at Sakishime Yoshiko in disbelief.  

Just a month ago, she’d been that shy, gentle girl—how had Yoru’s training turned her into such a cunning fighter?  

"Enough. Focus on the match—honestly, you two are hopeless."  

Natsume Yuuki, ever the composed leader, reined in her squad with a sigh. The two immediately straightened up, attention snapping back to the arena.  

This round featured the captain of Squad 4 against a member of Squad 3.  

"You’ve trained your Squad 4 well. They’re already above the average shinobi level for most villages," Yoru remarked.  

"Not as well as you’ve trained those three monsters in Squad 2," Yugito countered, her gaze flicking to Yuuki’s team. "Unless I’m wrong, they could hold their own against special jōnin-level opponents already."  

"Close enough. Once they refine their ninjutsu, taijutsu, and combat styles further, they’ll be even stronger," Yoru confirmed casually.  

A collective gasp rippled through the spectators.  

Hold their own against special jōnin?  

After just one month as genin?  

Unthinkable!  

Before this, only Yoru himself had been that monstrous.  

Shinobi growth typically slowed drastically at higher levels. Even prodigies who graduated with chūnin-level skills needed at least half a year of brutal combat to reach special jōnin tier. Yet Yuuki’s squad had already crossed that threshold.  

Their potential was clear: future legends, rivaling even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.  

Then again—with Yoru as their instructor, was it really surprising?  

When it came to sparring partners, no one in the shinobi world could match him. Even Kage-level fighters were mere playthings in his hands.  

The current match was objectively skilled—but after the adrenaline rush of the first two battles, the audience’s enthusiasm had waned.  

Nothing could top that initial high.  

Eventually, after a hard-fought clash, Squad 4’s member narrowly lost.  

"Next match!"  

The referee’s voice cut through the murmurs as new combatants stepped forward.  

"Squad 3 wins!"  

"Squad 5 wins!"  

"Squad 9 wins!"  

...  

By noon, only two matches remained.  

And when the next pair was announced, the crowd erupted.  

Mitarou vs. Nakama Shouta!  

If Mitarou lost, Squad 1’s reputation would be in tatters—a fact clear from the grim tension on his face.  

"Didn’t expect to face you. Thought I’d missed my chance," Shouta said, his usual goofiness replaced by razor-edged focus the moment he entered the arena.  

"You’re strong. So give me everything you’ve got—let’s make this fight worth it!" He licked his lips, eyes gleaming with predatory intensity.  

"I intend to," Mitarou replied, shoulders tight.  

Yoru had already acknowledged Squad 2’s strength. Mitarou knew the odds were against him—but like Shouta said, all that mattered was the fight itself.  

"Then here I come!"  

The moment the referee signaled "Start!", Mitarou stomped the ground.  

"Doton: Doka no Jutsu (Earth Release: Earthen Armor)!"  

CRACK!  

Stone plates erupted from the earth, encasing his body in a jagged exoskeleton. He charged like a battering ram.  

Shouta’s grin widened.  

"Hah! So we’re the same type! Perfect—this’ll be fun!"  

He dodged back, then—  

"Raiton: Raigeki Yoroi (Lightning Release: Lightning Strike Armor)!"  

Electricity exploded around him, so violent it made Kurokawa’s earlier techniques seem tame. The sheer potency forced Kurokawa to tense—proof that Shouta’s lightning surpassed his own.  

BOOM!  

Their fists collided.  

The shockwave tore apart the ground beneath them. Shouta’s lightning surged outward, hurling debris into the air—and sending Mitarou skidding back with a grunt.  

"Whoa!"  

The audience roared. Already at a disadvantage?  

"C’mon, you’ve got more than that!" Shouta lunged forward, fist crackling.  

THUD!  

Mitarou barely blocked in time. Lightning naturally countered earth, and Shouta’s raw power outmatched his. The impact sent him flying.  

"Gh—!"  

He rolled to his feet just as Shouta closed in again, a lightning-wreathed kick aimed at his ribs.  

CRASH!  

Debris sprayed as Mitarou barely parried, hands already flying through seals.  

"Doton: Doron Shō (Earth Release: Earth-Style Spears)!"  

The arena floor erupted into jagged spikes, lancing toward Shouta—  

But he was faster.  

Weaving through the forest of stone, he formed another seal mid-dodge.  

"Raiton: Kangekiha (Lightning Release: Shockwave)!"  

Lightning flooded the arena in a tidal wave, detonating against walls and earth alike. The sheer precision made spectators’ scalps prickle.  

"Doton: Doryūheki (Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall)!"  

Mitarou’s barrier barely withstood the onslaught.  

Chapter 257: Undoubtedly First Place  

"A wall like this won’t stop me!"  

With a thunderous roar, Nakamura Shōta charged at the Doryūheki (Earth-Style Wall). Like the god of lightning, his fist—wreathed in crackling energy—slammed into the earthen barrier.  

Boom!  

A dull crash echoed as the wall shattered under the impact, exploding into debris.  

Mitaro barely managed to leap back, shielding his head from the flying rubble—  

"Looks like I win."  

Shōta was already in front of him, seizing him by the collar and slamming him against the remains of the wall.  

Cough!  

Even with Shōta holding back, the force knocked the breath from Mitaro’s lungs, blood spilling from his lips.  

"I… lose," Mitaro admitted bitterly, his voice heavy with defeat.  

"Match over! Team Two wins!"  

"Next match: Yuta vs. Nakamura Shōta!" the proctor announced.  

Yuta—the "lucky" one who’d drawn a bye—had coasted to the finals without lifting a finger. But his luck ran out here. His opponent? Shōta.  

"I forfeit," Yuta said with a strained smile.  

Losing to Shōta wasn’t shameful. After all, Yuta was the weakest of this year’s twenty-seven graduates. Against anyone else, he stood no chance. Better to bow out now than humiliate himself.  

"Then we proceed to the third round: the individual championship!" the proctor declared. "This will be a擂台 (擂台, raijū—tournament-style) format. First challenger: Shikimi Yoshiko!"  

"Ugh, what a pain," Yoshiko sighed, stepping onto the platform. "Taking on everyone at once? That’s too much work."  

Yet once she was in position… no one moved to challenge her. The other students exchanged uneasy glances, none willing to be the first to test her.  

"Fine, I’ll go."  

When no one else stepped forward, Natsume Yuki entered the ring. The crowd buzzed with excitement—a clash between Team Two’s own? This’ll be good!  

But Yoshiko had other plans.  

"I forfeit."  

Just like that, Yuki became the new(champion-in-waiting).  

And now? No one dared challenge her.  

"You’ve got to be kidding me," someone muttered. "Even Kurokawa lost to her. We’d just be walking into a slaughter."  

"If no one challenges within three minutes, Natsume Yuki wins by default," the proctor warned.  

Silence.  

And so, Yuki claimed the individual championship without another fight. Team Two also swept the group division—no other squad even tried to face them.  

Shōta looked disappointed. Yoru, their instructor, sighed inwardly. Maybe I trained them too well. This whole competition turned into Team Two’s showcase.  

(Not that he’d ever admit it.)  

But one thing was certain: no one would ever question Yoru’s teaching methods again.  

After all, the proof was right in front of them. How else could these three have gotten so strong?  

Soon, whispers spread—what’s his secret? Everyone wanted to dissect Yoru’s training regimen.  

Next Day: Training Grounds 

"First, congratulations," Yoru said, scanning the trio. "This victory is yours. You’ve earned it."  

"Now, I’ll be… disappearing for a while," he continued. "A jōnin will take over your missions. For training, follow the scrolls I’ve prepared—they detail everything."  

He smiled. "I’ve laid your foundation. Now, it’s up to you to refine your skills, patch weaknesses, and develop your own fighting styles."  

"When we meet again, I expect to see your individuality shining through. But remember—growth takes time. Don’t rush."  

Yuki frowned. "Where are you going? You sound like you’re giving a farewell speech!"  

Thunk!  

Yoru flicked her forehead. "Must you jinx me?"  

"I’m leaving because Ameyuri Ringo’s condition has worsened," he explained. "I need to gather medicinal ingredients. But this was expected. Here—" He tossed them each a scroll (black, white, blue, labeled with their names). "Study them. Share insights if you want. Grow stronger."  

With that, he vanished—  

—replaced by a masked Anbu.  

"Call me Tenjin," the man said, removing his mask. Sharp features, calm eyes. "I’ll oversee your missions and training."  

The trio stiffened.  

Tenjin wasn’t just any Anbu.  

He was a squad captain, trusted by the Mizukage himself—a veteran whose reputation even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen respected. More importantly…  

He was Yoru’s former captain.  

Practically their grand-teacher.  

Yuki bowed immediately. "Captain!"  

(Of course, Yoru had considered this. Anyone else, and the trio might’ve resisted. But Tenjin? His authority was unquestionable.)  

"No need for formality," Tenjin said, though his tone remained cool. "Stick to Yoru’s methods. But if you hit a wall… ask. I’ll help if I can."  

Despite his stern demeanor, there was warmth beneath. And for Yuki—who’d grown up on stories of him—it felt like meeting a legend.  

Chapter 258: Dragon Vein Power – Journey to a Bygone Era  

"Yes, Sensei!"  

Look at that—his way of addressing her had changed in an instant.  

…  

Back to Yoru’s side!  

"Is everything prepared?"  

Terumi Mei looked at Yoru, who had appeared before her, and asked.  

"All set. Then, I’ll be on my way!"  

With a quick reply, Yoru took the travel permit from Mei and left Kirigakure.  

However, news of his departure quickly spread, leaving many in shock.  

Why did Yoru leave so suddenly? Does this mean he’s no longer training Amekawa Yuuhi and the others?  

For a moment, many saw this as their chance to surpass Yuuhi’s group.  

In their eyes, without Yoru’s guidance, the trio’s progress would inevitably stagnate. They never believed Tenjin had any real teaching ability.  

But what they didn’t know was that even without Yoru, Amekawa Yuuhi and the others wouldn’t stop improving.  

Yoru had already solidified their foundations. Now, all they needed was to reinforce those basics while steadily advancing. Even self-study would keep them moving forward—let alone with the training plans Yoru had left behind.  

He had already paved a solid path for their future.  

Of course, word of Yoru’s departure also spread across the shinobi world.  

Reactions varied, but one thing was certain—everyone was on edge.  

There was no helping it. Every move this man made could shake the world.  

After all, Kirigakure and the Land of Water had grown so powerful that even the Land of Fire felt uneasy. The influence of Kirigakure’s Seisui Trading Company could be seen everywhere.  

No one knew what Yoru’s next move would be.  

…  

Land of Wind – Ruins of Ryūgamine (Dragon Peak)  

Yoru arrived without alerting a soul.  

Well… except for one Sunagakure shinobi named Hyakuso, who died with wide, unblinking eyes.  

In the original timeline, this man—Hyakuso—would have used the Dragon Vein’s power to travel back in time, taking control of Ryūgamine under the alias Anrokusan. His plan? To mass-produce puppets and conquer the shinobi world using the Dragon Vein’s energy.  

Of course, he would’ve eventually been stopped by Naruto and his team, alongside a young Namikaze Minato, who had been sent on a mission to Ryūgamine in the past.  

But that was the original story. Here, Hyakuso had no future.  

After all, he had the misfortune of crossing paths with Yoru—and worse, trying to kill him.  

"Dragon Vein—activate!"  

Yoru located the seal that Minato had placed years ago and broke it.  

A surge of immense chakra erupted like a tidal wave, activating the array beneath his feet.  

Then, a terrifying gravitational force erupted from the Dragon Vein’s core, sucking Yoru inside.  

"I wonder… what era will I end up in?"  

Just before vanishing from the present, that thought crossed his mind.  

Unbeknownst to him, a group of Sunagakure shinobi arrived shortly after.  

Finding Hyakuso’s corpse and the broken Dragon Vein seal—with clear signs of someone having entered it—they were stunned. They immediately reported the incident to their superiors.  

Kazekage Rasa took the matter seriously, dispatching Elder Chiyo to investigate and reseal the Dragon Vein.  

"This place… carries that man’s presence."  

The moment Chiyo stepped into the raging chakra field, her eyes narrowed.  

"That man? Who do you mean, Lady Chiyo?" an ANBU member asked.  

A cold glint flashed in Chiyo’s aged eyes.  

"Shirogane Yoru—the White Flash."  

"Hiss—!"  

The ANBU collectively sucked in a sharp breath, faces pale with shock.  

Why was that madman here?! 

What was his goal?! 

Was the Land of Wind in danger? Would Sunagakure be dragged into chaos?  

In that instant, countless thoughts raced through their minds.  

And Chiyo was no exception.  

"Enough. Return and inform the Kazekage. Tell him to prepare for heightened alert."  

Then, with a glance at Hyakuso’s lifeless body, she added coldly:  

"Take him back too. He nearly stole Sunagakure’s puppet techniques."  

The ANBU nodded and swiftly complied.  

Upon receiving Chiyo’s report, Rasa wasted no time. Anything involving Yoru demanded immediate caution.  

Of course, he didn’t realize his precautions were pointless.  

Yoru was already long gone—sent into the past.  

Yoru’s Side  

"Where… is this?"  

Surveying the barren landscape before him, Yoru frowned. His first task was clear: determine his location and the current era.  

Only then could he properly search for the Blood Sun Flower.  

Activating a sensory array, he soon detected signs of human activity.  

…  

"Hey, have you heard? Uchiha Madara left Konoha!"  

"What?! Seriously? That’s great news!"  

"Don’t celebrate yet. Even without Madara, Konoha still has Senju Hashirama. That village is packed with monsters—we’d be fools to pick a fight."  

As Yoru approached the settlement, snippets of conversation reached his ears.  

His expression tightened.  

So, Uchiha Madara has just left Konoha…  

That meant he’d traveled back nearly 60 years—to the early days of the hidden villages.  

"Excuse me, could you tell me where this is?"  

He stepped forward politely, but the moment the group noticed him, their demeanors shifted.  

Instantly, they surrounded him, hostility radiating from their stances.  

"You’re not from Sunagakure. Who are you? A spy? Speak now, or we won’t hold back!"  

The leader’s gaze was razor-sharp. The others rested hands on their weapons, ready to strike at his command.  

"Near Sunagakure in the Land of Wind… I see."  

Yoru nodded, now understanding his location.  

At least he hadn’t been dumped in some random wasteland.  

But—  

His calm assessment only infuriated the leader further.  

"Arrogant brat! Seize him!"  

With a roar, the man lunged. His comrades followed suit, their movements fierce.  

Their skill might not have surpassed future Suna shinobi, but their ferocity?  

Unmatched.  

Every inch of them screamed killing intent.  

Chapter 259: A Bit Overconfident  

"Lightning Release: Gratitude Wave!"  

Yoru had no intention of killing these men—he still needed information about the Blood Sunflower.  

So, he deliberately weakened the lightning’s intensity.  

Otherwise, they’d be dead in an instant.  

Even so, the sheer voltage was too much for them. Screams tore through the air as their bodies convulsed, collapsing one after another.  

"I’m looking for the Blood Sunflower. Care to tell me where it is?"  

Yoru crouched beside the leader, his tone polite.  

But the answer was predictable: "Hah! Keep dreaming!" the man spat, fury burning in his eyes.  

"What a shame."  

A swift chop to the neck knocked him unconscious. Yoru moved to the next Sand shinobi, repeating the question.  

"Not a chance! You won’t get a word out of me!"  

Again, refusal.  

Yoru wasn’t worried. Someone would crack.  

One by one, he interrogated them—until finally, the fifteenth man broke.  

"Hmph. Wise choice."  

Yoru pulled his blood-stained blade free from the man’s arm.  

"Traitor!"  

"You bastard!"  

The other Sand ninjas roared in outrage, but Yoru couldn’t care less.  

"So, the Blood Sunflower is in Sunagakure itself? Perfect."  

He rubbed his chin, smirking. "I’m sure they’ll be happy to hand one over."  

With that, he set off.  

Sunagakure 

The village was peaceful, blissfully unaware of the storm about to hit.  

Even the First Kazekage would’ve been stunned. Who besides Hashirama and Madara could possess such monstrous power?  

And when that power arrived at their doorstep, reality itself seemed to waver.  

Sunagakure Outskirts – The Canyon Pass  

"Mind letting me through? I just need a Blood Sunflower. Name your price."  

Yoru’s voice was calm, almost friendly.  

"Get lost, brat! Count yourself lucky we’re giving you three seconds to scram!"  

The Sand shinobi sneered, arrogance dripping from every word.  

"Pfft. Want in? Easy." Another grinned, pointing at a stray dog. "Kneel. Bark three times. Maybe we’ll consider it—if you sound convincing enough!"  

"Enough talk!" A third licked his lips, eyes gleaming with greed. "Look at that pretty face. The black market would pay a fortune for him!"  

"Oho! Now that’s an idea!"  

"Who’s grabbing him? This brat’s practically begging to be caught!"  

The first man chuckled, cracking his knuckles.  

"My idea, my prize!" The greedy ninja leaped down, poison-tipped needles glinting in his hand. "Kid, blame your bad luck. Make sure to entertain your buyers!"  

He lunged—  

"Too slow."  

Yoru’s voice came from behind him.  

The man’s pupils shrank.  

Slick!  

A blade pierced his chest before he could react.  

"Ghk—!"  

Blood gushed as his body stiffened, life fading from his eyes.  

"Selling me to the black market? Bold idea." Yoru yanked the sword free, smiling coldly. "Just a bit… overconfident."  

"You little—! You dare attack Sunagakure’s shinobi?!"  

The remaining guards exploded in rage.  

"Attack?" Yoru scoffed. "You started this."  

He didn’t wait for them to strike.  

Slash!  

Slash!  

One stroke, one corpse. None could even graze him.  

Blood painted the sand, yet not a single drop stained Yoru’s clothes.  

"ENEMY ATTACK!"  

"ALERT! ALERT!"  

Sirens wailed across the village.  

"Halt!"  

A swarm of Sand ninjas flooded the streets, kunai drawn.  

Yoru didn’t stop walking.  

"Lightning Release: Gratitude Wave."  

BZZZT—CRACK!  

The sky itself seemed to split as lightning engulfed the street.  

"AAAAARGH!"  

Bodies dropped like flies.  

At Yoru’s level, only a Kage could hope to last more than a second.  

Two seconds. That’s all it took.  

The Sand’s finest lay twitching on the ground—alive, but defeated.  

Yoru wasn’t here for slaughter.  

But the sight still froze the arriving Anbu in terror.  

What kind of monster…?  

"Inform your Kazekage," Yoru said, sheathing his blade. "I’ve come for a Blood Sunflower. I’ll make it worth his while."  

Chapter 260: Resorting to Force  

"Who are you? Why are you here? Is blood sun flower really all you came for?"  

Speak of the devil—emerging from behind the ANBU members, the First Kazekage, Retto, stood before Yoru.  

A man with an ordinary face but undeniable authority, his presence was icy and suffocating.  

"Probably comparable to the Third Hokage in his prime," Yoru mused.  

"I am Yoru Kawara. A dear friend of mine is gravely ill and requires a blood sun flower to survive. I heard Sunagakure possesses one, so I’ve come to request it. I’m prepared to offer generous compensation."  

Yoru spoke politely, but his eyes never left Retto.  

In the original timeline, Retto barely made an appearance—just a tiny panel in the final chapters.  

Yet, according to lore, he was the founder of Suna’s puppet arts, the creator of the White Secret Technique and Chikamatsu’s Ten Puppets, later inherited and perfected by Chiyo.  

Speaking of Chiyo—Yoru’s gaze flickered to an 11-year-old girl beside Retto.  

"So this is young Chiyo? Huh. She’s actually pretty cute—like a proper little loli."  

"You claim you only want the flower?" Retto’s voice was sharp. "Then why attack my men? If you seek a favor, where is your sincerity? You can’t expect us to hand it over after you’ve caused chaos!"  

Backed by his shinobi and hardened by the Warring States era, Retto showed no fear. Only killing intent.  

"Oh? No sincerity?" Yoru grinned. "Then what would satisfy you? Should I kneel and beg? Sorry, but that’s not happening."  

A grizzled elder roared, "Arrogant brat! Let me test your skills!"  

Like a panther, he lunged, blade flashing—  

"Die!"  

When Yoru didn’t move, the elder smirked. "Frozen in fear? Don’t worry, my sword is quick. You won’t feel a thing."  

But his blade sliced empty air.  

"Too slow."  

Yoru vanished. A voice shouted—"Behind you—!"  

SLASH!  

A white blade erupted from the elder’s chest.  

"I didn’t want to kill anyone." Yoru yanked his sword free as the man collapsed. "But if you refuse to talk properly… I’ll just force my way through."  

Crackling blue lightning erupted around him.  

The pressure was suffocating.  

Retto’s face paled. "Blue lightning?! A Kekkei Genkai?!"  

"All units—*attack! This is an S-rank threat! Go all out!"*  

He couldn’t let Yoru take the initiative. That aura was monstrous.  

"Ganging up on me?" Yoru’s lightning flared brighter. "Fine. Show me what Suna’s really made of."  

BOOM!  

He blurred—  

"Where is he?!" Retto spun, scanning frantically.  

"AHHH—!"  

An explosion. Screams.  

A streak of lightning. No body.  

"Impossible! How is he this fast?!"  

Retto abandoned all hesitation. Two scrolls unfurled—  

*"Chikamatsu’s Ten Puppets: Release!"*  

CRASH!  

Another flash. More screams. The earth quaked as shinobi flew like ragdolls.  

"GAH—!"  

"CRUNCH!"  

"MY ARM—!"  

Yoru tore through Suna’s forces like a storm. Bones shattered. Bodies crumpled.  

Unstoppable.  

"YOU BASTARD!!" Retto’s eyes burned.  

He couldn’t keep up, let alone counterattack.  

"Formation! Trap him! Suna won’t be disgraced like this!!"  

At his command, the grunts retreated.  

Six elite jōnin took their place—  

*"Barrier Art: Six Sun Flame Seal!"*  

A crimson hexagon engulfed the battlefield, sealing Yoru inside.  

"Now, let’s see you rely on speed!" Retto exhaled. "Special Jōnin and above—*with me!"*  

Chūnin were useless here. They’d just die.  

"YES, SIR!"  

Nearly 400 shinobi answered.  

A force far beyond what Suna would have in the future.  

If Rasa had this many elites, he’d have laughed in his sleep—and never allied with Orochimaru for the Konoha Crush.  

This? This was Konoha-level strength.  

In any village:  

• Chūnin were the backbone.  

• Special Jōnin/Jōnin were rare—maybe 300-400 total.  

• Elite Jōnin? A dozen was impressive.  

• Kage-level? A dream for most.  

• Beyond Kage? Myth.