belamy20

206-210

Added 2025-05-27 17:12:20 +0000 UTC

Chapter 206: Stealing the Show – Suppressing the Raikage

By the time she gasped in alarm—

The phantom figure was already upon Yoru, its fist wrapped in crackling lightning, aimed squarely at his skull.

"Too late!" The Kage all thought the same.

Yet in that instant—a flash of steel.

A deafening clang erupted, followed by a shockwave that shattered the floor beneath them. When the dust settled, the attacker was revealed: The Fourth Raikage, his face twisted with murderous fury.

But what stunned the onlookers was this—Yoru had blocked the Raikage’s punch head-on.

Since when did this slender frame harbor such monstrous strength?

"Kzzzt—!"

Sparks flew as their clash intensified, the air vibrating with each collision.

"Raikage-sama, I don’t recall offending you recently." Yoru’s voice was icy calm. "Care to explain this… assassination attempt?"

Even as he spoke, his hands blurred through seals—a Genjutsu, unleashed in a single glare.

But the Raikage dodged.

In a burst of lightning, he reappeared at Yoru’s flank, roaring:

"Raiton: Lariat—!"

His guillotine chop streaked faster than light itself—far swifter than half a year ago.

Yet Yoru didn’t flinch.

Instead, he swung his sword.

"Arrogant—!" The Kage nearly scoffed.

Until the blade cleaved through the Raikage’s Lightning Armor, biting deep into his palm.

The Raikage grimaced but refused to yield. With a thunderous step, he closed the gap, elbow cocked for another strike:

"Raiton: Liger Bomb!"

The impact was apocalyptic—a detonation of raw voltage that made even the other Kage tense.

The Raikage wasn’t just strong. He was a force of nature.

But Yoru retreated, hands already weaving another technique:

"Raiton: Raging Thunder Tiger!"

"ROAR—!"

A snarling beast of lightning erupted from his palms, slamming into the Raikage with enough force to blast him through two solid walls.

Before the Raikage could recover, Yoru inhaled sharply—his cheeks bulging—then spat:

"Suiton: Water Severing Wave!"

A razor-thin jet of water, no wider than a finger, lanced forward. It pierced the rubble like wet paper before drilling clean through the Raikage’s shoulder.

"Guh—!"

The Raikage staggered, his famed armor useless. A fist-sized hole now wept crimson down his arm.

The room fell silent.

Even Mei Terumī felt a chill. He’s gotten stronger. Much stronger.

This wasn’t some nameless grunt. This was the Raikage—and Yoru had crushed him like an afterthought.

"Yoru—!!"

The Raikage refused to concede, veins bulging as he prepared to charge again—

Until a tentacle lashed out, yanking him back.

"Brother, enough."

A deep, rhythmic voice cut through the tension.

The crowd turned to see a broad-shouldered man adorned with swords—Killer B, the Eight-Tails’ Jinchūriki.

"Bee, let go! I’ll kill him! For our fallen—!"

"Nah, nah. You here for peace, dumbass. Plus—" B’s voice dropped. "You can’t win."

The truth stabbed deeper than any blade.

The Raikage’s teeth ground loud enough to hear, lightning crackling in futile rage. But finally—he relented.

His glare, however, promised vengeance.

"Now, Raikage-sama." Yoru leveled his sword. "Explain yourself. Or shall I carve the answer from your ribs?"

"Hmph. Don’t play dumb." The Raikage’s voice dripped venom. "You hired the Akatsuki to attack Kumo. My people died. You think I’d let that slide?"

"War has no room for mercy." Yoru sheathed his blade, smirking. "Blame your own weakness. Or better yet—take it up with the Akatsuki. Oh wait…" He tilted his head. "You’d lose to them too."

A collective inhale.

Cruel? Maybe. But true.

"Mark my words," the Raikage growled. "I’ll burn Kiri to the ground."

He stormed to his seat, then rounded on the Third Hokage.

"Your village’s traitor—Orochimaru—stole our shinobi’s bodies. Explain. "

The Third Hokage—frailer now, his back slightly hunched—met the Raikage’s gaze.

"If we locate him… you’ll have your justice."

His milky eyes shifted to Yoru.

"And you. Kakashi’s Sharingan. Return it. "

Behind him, Kakashi stared daggers. It had taken him three months to relearn combat without the stolen eye.

"Return it?" Yoru crossed his arms. "Respectfully, Hokage-sama—no."

"Had I planned to, I’d have demanded more than three million ryō for your ransom. But we both know your worth."

A pause. Then, softer:

"The war’s over. The dead are buried. Digging graves now… won’t change a thing."

Chapter 207: Dividing the Spoils

"Hmph. How arrogant. Is this Kirigakure’s attitude, Mizukage?"

Ōnoki’s voice cut in, dripping with sarcasm. His expression was stiff as he continued, "If this is how you negotiate, then there’s nothing left to discuss. With such a domineering approach, it’s obvious we’d be the ones getting screwed."

"Agreed."

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, nodded in alignment, subtly siding with the Tsuchikage. Resting his chin on his hand, he added, "If the Mizukage truly wants to negotiate, she should return what rightfully belongs to Konoha. Or… does Kirigakure really believe it can take on the four great villages alone?"

A blatant threat.

The atmosphere in the room instantly tensed. The Land of Waves’ mediator broke into a cold sweat but didn’t dare intervene.

"Seems like the last beating wasn’t painful enough, Kazekage-sama. Have you forgotten how miserably you lost?" Yoru smirked from behind Mei. "Besides, it was Iwagakure who crushed you—not me. And do you really trust a scheming old fox like the Tsuchikage? Don’t come crying when he backstabs you."

Ōnoki and Rasa’s faces darkened.

"Enough." The Raikage’s voice rumbled like thunder. "I didn’t come here to listen to your squabbling. Mizukage, since you called this summit, act like a proper host." His glare swept across the room. "I have blood debts with every one of you. So don’t expect me to side with anyone."

Then, his gaze locked onto Rasa. "And Kazekage, your puppet master, Sasori of the Red Sand, stole the corpses of our Kumo-nin. You owe me an explanation."

Rasa’s expression soured. Damn it. His attempt to pressure Yoru had backfired spectacularly—now the Raikage was turning on him instead.

Mei, unfazed, smoothly redirected the conversation. "Since the Raikage prefers action over words, let’s begin." She slid a document across the table. "Here’s my proposal. Review it. If there are no objections, sign it, and we’ll proceed."

Ōnoki scanned the terms and scoffed. "Such audacity, Mizukage. You’ll choke on your own greed."

The other Kage frowned—clearly, Mei’s terms were unacceptable.

"What do the daimyo think?" Mei turned to the five feudal lords, her tone light.

In the past, daimyo never attended Kage summits. They ruled from the shadows, treating shinobi as mere tools. But now? They had no choice but to sit as equals—lest their own Kage overthrow them, just as Kirigakure had done.

The Land of Fire’s daimyo spoke first, lips tight. "This proposal is unrealistic. We reject it."

The others nodded in agreement.

Mei merely smiled. "Then let’s negotiate. Isn’t that why we’re here?"

What followed was a brutal tug-of-war over power and resources. Arguments erupted, fists slammed tables, and curses flew like kunai. The room teetered on the edge of violence—a pack of wolves fighting over the same carcass.

The World Watches

Beyond the summit walls, the entire shinobi world held its breath. The new order would reshape their futures.

"Who could’ve imagined Hashirama’s system would collapse after just 56 years?"

"Kirigakure was hiding its fangs all along. Their rise is unstoppable now."

Whispers of awe and anxiety spread. The world braced for change.

A New Era Dawns

Two days later, the summit concluded. A new hierarchy was born:

One Supreme Power (Konoha)

One Dominant Force (Kirigakure)

Multiple Major Powers (Iwa, Suna, Kumo)

As the defeated parties, Konoha, Suna, and Iwa ceded territory and resources to Kirigakure. The Land of Water expanded its maritime domain by 100 square kilometers and absorbed two minor nations—barren lands, but strategic footholds.

Most critically, the summit redefined the balance of power:

Daimyo retained economic control.

Kage commanded military might.

Neither could interfere in the other’s domain.

No longer would daimyo appoint Kage. No longer would villages kneel for funding. Violations would trigger sanctions—enforced by the collective.

The Land of Lightning’s trade ports were rebranded "Special Economic Zones," their privileges intact.

The world dubbed this transformation…

The "Miracle of the New Age."

From the very next day, the shinobi world began evolving at a breakneck pace. The undercurrents of chaos stilled—those who hesitated missed their chance. Those who adapted raced to secure their place in the new order.

For better or worse…

The era of revolution had arrived.

Chapter 208: Visiting Orochimaru

The reason for this situation lay in the "Joint Agreement" established after the Five Kage Summit, which clearly stated:

"In cases where a nation’s daimyō has not committed any clear misconduct or moral failings, no private armed force may infringe upon their sovereign status. The position of the daimyō is sacred and inviolable!"

"Any who violate this agreement shall face united retaliation from the Five Great Nations!"

With such a declaration, who wouldn’t be intimidated?

Not even the Five Great Nations themselves dared to defy this pact—let alone the smaller countries.

So, while those who failed to act sighed in regret over their missed opportunity, those who succeeded celebrated, relieved that everything had been settled.

The age of shinobi forcibly seizing power was over.

Of course, for the general public, this change meant little.

Their daily lives remained largely unaffected.

Still, they could sense a shift in the demeanor of the shinobi.

Gone was their former caution—now, they carried themselves with newfound confidence.

Naturally, to prevent shinobi from growing arrogant or overstepping their bounds, the Joint Agreement also included strict provisions:

"Shinobi must maintain proper conduct when dealing with employers. Any breach of decorum will be met with severe punishment from their respective village!"

"Furthermore, civilians retain the right to supervise and report misconduct."

"If a shinobi or team receives excessive complaints, their village will investigate."

"If verified, penalties will be imposed based on the severity of the offense."

Of course, to prevent false reports, the agreement also outlined consequences for those who abused this oversight system.

And so, a new era began in the 56th year of Konoha’s calendar.

After the Summit – Kirigakure

"Ugh, I’m exhausted. Arguing with people is such a pain."

Returning from the Five Kage Summit, Mei Terumī slumped into the Mizukage’s seat, her face drained.

"It won’t always be this hectic, sis. Maybe you should recruit a few advisors to help manage things."

"A leader who can’t delegate isn’t much of a leader."

Standing behind her, Yoru massaged her shoulders as he spoke.

"Only you could make laziness sound so noble."

Mei shot him an exasperated look—but she did take his advice to heart.

"By the way… are you really planning to research Wood Release?"

"That’s forbidden power. If anything goes wrong, you could end up paying a heavy price."

Her expression turned serious as she studied him.

Yoru had, of course, kept no secrets from Mei about his interest in Mokuton.

"No harm in trying. Who knows? Maybe I’ll succeed."

He shrugged.

"And how do you plan to research it? Kirigakure has no experts in that field—not even basic experience. Where do you even start?"

"We’ll find someone who knows what they’re doing. No rush—it’s not like we have to begin immediately."

Mei pressed further: "What about implanting a Sharingan in Kimimaro? His Kekkei Genkai illness is already worsening his body. Can he handle the strain of such a powerful dōjutsu?"

"Then I’ll just have to cure his illness first."

"It’s not incurable. Lady Kurai said that with the right treatment, he could go decades without a relapse."

Mei nodded slightly, conceding the point.

The "Lady Kurai" Yoru mentioned was Kirigakure’s top medical-nin—a woman once hunted by Water Country’s nobility before Yoru took control and recruited her.

He was confident more talents would emerge in time.

A New Normal

Life gradually settled back into routine.

Kirigakure continued to thrive, growing ever more prosperous.

Ameyuri Ringo and Kimimaro were both admitted to the medical ward for treatment, while ANBU teams scoured the lands for the herbs needed to cure them.

Good news would surely come—eventually.

Yet, amid this peace…

Far to the northeast of Fire Country, in a small nation called Rice Country…

A man named Orochimaru had arrived.

There, he established a new force—Otogakure, the Village Hidden in Sound.

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"So Orochimaru left Akatsuki? Guess it’s time to pay him a visit."

If there was one man in the world who understood Mokuton better than anyone, it was Orochimaru.

"The Snake Sage holds the key to forbidden knowledge."

That wasn’t just an empty saying.

"You’re seriously planning to meet Orochimaru? That man is dangerous!"

Mei’s face tightened with worry the moment Yoru brought it up.

Just the name Orochimaru was enough to unsettle people.

He was, without question, one of the most treacherous figures in the shinobi world.

"Relax, sis. Orochimaru’s no match for me. Besides, I’m just going to exchange some… technical insights."

Yoru flashed a confident grin.

"Even if you’re strong now, you can’t let your guard down. Understand?"

"Yeah, yeah."

With a dismissive wave, he set off for Rice Country.

Rice Country

A lawless land teeming with rogue shinobi, bandits, and mercenaries.

Yet none dared target Yoru—unless they had a death wish.

The common folk lived meager lives, scraping by on what little they could farm.

The suffering he witnessed along the way reminded him of an old saying:

"Better to be a dog in peaceful times than a man in chaos."

As one man, he could only save so many.

True change would require ruling Rice Country—something impossible for now.

Besides, he wasn’t here to play hero.

He had business to attend to.

Unlike most visitors, Yoru made no effort to hide his presence.

He’d even crossed paths with Konoha-nin in Fire Country, causing quite a stir.

No doubt Orochimaru—ever the master of intelligence—already knew he was coming.

"Halt. State your business."

Just as he neared Orochimaru’s hideout, a sharp-tongued woman blocked his path.

"Guren, right?"

Yoru smirked, arms crossed.

"The man behind you already knows why I’m here. Take me to him."

The "man" in question, of course, was Orochimaru.

"Hmph. If you want to see Lord Orochimaru, prove you’re worth his time first!"

Guren’s eyes flashed with challenge as she prepared to strike.

Chapter 209: Extorting Orochimaru

“I’d advise you not to move recklessly.”

In an instant, Yoru—who had been standing far away just a moment ago—was already behind Guren, his blade pressed against her neck as he smirked.

“Orochimaru, enjoying the show from the shadows? Come out.”

Yoru glanced past Guren, his voice cool.

“Heh heh… As expected of the man they call White Flash. Your speed is truly astonishing.”

Orochimaru emerged from the rocky cliffside, draped in his white robes, his lips curled into a wary smile.

And of course, he had to be wary. What was Yoru doing here, paying him a sudden visit? For Orochimaru, who had only recently defected from the Akatsuki, every unexpected visitor was a potential assassin.

After all, wasn’t Yoru on good terms with the Akatsuki?

“Relax. I’m not here to hunt you down—I’ve got better things to do.”

Yoru sheathed his sword. “I came to discuss something with you.”

“So, Orochimaru… Not going to invite me into your hideout?”

Orochimaru’s eyes narrowed, studying Yoru for a long moment before finally grinning. “By all means.”

Still, his gaze never left Yoru, ready for any sudden attack.

“Relax. I’ve got no interest in you, Orochimaru.”

Yoru chuckled at Orochimaru’s wariness.

But Orochimaru wasn’t about to let his guard down. Who knew if Yoru was telling the truth?

Guren, too, watched Yoru like a hawk, ready to intervene if he made any move against Orochimaru.

Inside Orochimaru’s Lab

“Now then, what’s your real purpose here?”

Orochimaru spoke up as Yoru casually examined the lab’s equipment and specimens. There were very few in the shinobi world who could put Orochimaru this on edge.

In response, Yoru pulled out a scroll and slid it across the table.

“Open it. You’ll understand.”

Orochimaru frowned but undid the seal. The moment he saw its contents, his eyes widened in surprise.

“You… actually—”

His tongue flicked out in excitement. “My, my… To think the White Flash would dare tread this path. Such ambition.”

Yoru leaned back, his tone almost flippant. “Why not?”

“You were the one who helped Danzō create Yamato, weren’t you? If a coward like him could meddle with this power, why can’t I? I’m just… curious about Wood Style.”

Orochimaru: “Then why come to me? Why not research it yourself? Why reveal such secrets to an outsider?”

Yoru smirked. “Because no one in the entire shinobi world understands Wood Style better than you. Trading with you is the most efficient option—why waste time?”

Orochimaru let out a dark chuckle. “Clever. But I refuse. Nothing in this world comes for free.”

Yoru stroked his chin, utterly confident. “Oh? You think you have a choice?”

“Rumor has it the Akatsuki’s hunting you down. What if I leaked your location… and made sure they never lost your trail? That’d be… inconvenient, no?”

Orochimaru’s expression turned icy, his killing intent sharpening. “That would be… unwise for both of us.”

“Then make the smart choice. Don’t force my hand.”

Yoru crossed his legs, watching Orochimaru with amusement.

Orochimaru: “This is extortion. Do you really think I’ll just submit?”

“Of course not. As compensation, I’ll give you a hundred death row prisoners for your experiments—and keep your hideout a secret. All I want in return are your Wood Style research notes.”

“Quite the bargain, don’t you think?”

Yoru flashed a grin.

“Orochimaru, let’s be real—half the shinobi world wants you dead. The Akatsuki isn’t your only problem.”

“Didn’t you steal corpses from Kumogakure? The Fourth Raikage’s desperate to find you.”

“Oh, and on my way here, I ran into some Konoha shinobi sniffing around. Luckily for you, I diverted them… sent them off on a wild goose chase.”

“See? I’m being very generous here.”

Orochimaru nearly choked on his own rage.

Generous?! This was outright robbery! A hundred prisoners in exchange for his Wood Style research? The two weren’t even comparable!

In all his years, he’d never met someone as strong yet as shameless as Yoru. Where was the dignity of a true warrior?

“…Heh. Very well. I accept your terms.”

Swallowing his fury, Orochimaru conceded. For now, he had no choice.

“Smart man.”

Yoru’s smile widened.

Then—gag—Orochimaru vomited up a black scroll and handed it over.

Yoru’s eye twitched. “…You have got to be kidding me. That’s disgusting.”

Suppressing his revulsion, he took the saliva-coated scroll, verified its contents, and left without another word.

The moment Yoru was gone, Orochimaru ordered his subordinates:

“Pack up. We’re moving.”

He couldn’t trust Yoru to keep his word. Better to disappear—again.

Meanwhile, the shinobi world buzzed with speculation:

Why had Yoru visited the Land of Rice?

A man like him didn’t travel for no reason. But with no leads and Orochimaru’s secrecy, all they had were theories.

“Could the new Otogakure be a front for Kirigakure?”

The timing was suspicious—Otogakure’s founding, followed by Yoru’s arrival.

When Yoru heard the rumors, he let them spread.

If others wanted to weave a cover story for him? Perfect.

It hid his real motive—extorting Orochimaru for Wood Style secrets.

Sure, it’d make the other villages wary of Kiri… but so what?

They’d always been wary.

Chapter 210: A Mad Plan—I Will Become the King of the Shinobi World

Just as Yoru was on his way back, he found himself ambushed.

"I’d love to know where you got the courage to try and kill me."

"Do you really think your half-baked skills are enough to succeed?"

His voice was calm as he faced the twelve figures before him.

"Hmph. Don’t overestimate yourself, Yoru. You’re not invincible."

The leader sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance. "You’re nothing without Kirigakure backing you up. Just a thirteen-year-old brat riding on exaggerated rumors!"

Yoru chuckled. "If you doubt my strength, why not test it yourself?"

"Fine. Let’s see what you’re really made of!"

"DIE!"

The group lunged at him in unison.

"Raiton: Raija Engan!" (Lightning Release: Thunder Serpent)

A crackling bolt of lightning shot toward Yoru, but he dodged effortlessly. Meanwhile, the others flanked him from both sides.

Yet something felt… off.

Their chakra signatures were strange—like living beings, yet not quite. Their life forces were faint, almost artificial.

And a few of them even gave him a faint sense of danger.

BOOM!

Yoru handled them with ease. But just as he broke free from their encirclement, the leader grinned—a smirk of triumph.

"Ryūdoku no Jutsu!" (Dragon Venom Technique)

In sync, the other eleven began forming hand seals. Then—

Their bodies shattered.

Blackened blood droplets sprayed into the air, instantly vaporizing into a sickly-sweet mist.

Yoru caught a whiff—and immediately felt dizzy.

Poison?!

He leaped back, but—

"Trying to run? Dream on!"

"Second Brother! Third Brother! Hold him down!"

The sea beneath Yoru erupted. Two massive, barbed tentacles shot up, coiling around his limbs.

He couldn’t afford to be trapped—not with that toxic fog creeping closer.

Slashing through the tentacles, he tried to retreat—

But more surged forward, their hooked spikes glinting.

"What’s wrong, Yoru? Not so tough now, huh?"

The leader cackled as he formed another seal. The poison mist expanded, swallowing both Yoru and himself.

Yoru held his breath, but the momentary hesitation cost him.

The tentacles were upon him—

"HAHAHA! The ‘White Flash’ is finished!"

Black venom-arrows materialized within the mist, poised to strike.

Trapped. No escape.

A certain kill.

—Or so the attacker thought.

SHOOM!

Yoru vanished, reappearing far outside the toxic cloud.

"WHAT?!"

The leader’s eyes bulged. His hands flew into another seal—

And suddenly, Yoru’s body locked up.

Green veins spiderwebbed across his skin. His muscles refused to obey.

What the—?!

"Confused?" The man grinned. "My venom doesn’t just poison—it lets me control you."

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"Second Brother! Third Brother! FINISH HIM!"

SHINK! SHINK!

Two shadowy figures burst from the waves, their bladed limbs piercing straight through Yoru’s chest.

"YES! One step closer to our plan!"

The leader pumped his fist, ecstatic.

"So much for the ‘Strongest in the Shinobi World.’ Pathetic."

"But no matter. Your body will carry my venom back to Kirigakure… and soon, the entire village will be my puppets!"

"Slowly, steadily—I’ll spread my control. Until the entire shinobi world bows to me!"

His name was Masai, from the tiny, fog-shrouded nation of Ting Country—a land of thunder-wracked seas and barely a thousand inhabitants, all devoted to forbidden research.

And he was their finest.

After learning of Yoru’s influence, he’d conceived Operation Scalpel:

Use Yoru as a carrier for his neurotoxin, Ryūdoku, to infiltrate Kirigakure…

Then use the village as a stepping stone to conquer the world.

"If a thirteen-year-old can shake the shinobi world… why can’t I?"

Masai was certain he’d succeed.

For insurance, he’d brought his two brothers—

Madmen who’d surgically altered themselves into sea monsters.

And now… victory was his.

"Brother… we did it!"

Two grotesque heads emerged from the waves, grinning wildly.

"Of course! With me leading, failure was never an option!" Masai crowed.