[Naruto Grandfather] Chapter 131 - 135

Chapter 131

Uzumaki Chito chuckled softly at Neji’s words, shaking his head with a faint smile.

"Neji, you give Orochimaru far too much credit," he said. "He’s a brilliant mind, one even I acknowledge, but intelligence alone doesn’t dictate the course of this world. Strength—true strength—is the only currency of power here. And Orochimaru, for all his cunning, has chosen the wrong path."

Chito’s expression turned sharper, his presence growing heavier.

"No matter how smart a man is, a weakling cannot hope to stand against a god."

As he finished speaking, an immense, otherworldly pressure radiated from Chito. It was as if the very heavens were bowing before him.

The overwhelming force pressed down upon Neji and Lee with terrifying intensity. Their breaths grew shallow, their knees buckled, and a deep-seated fear gripped their hearts.

Even Lee, who had opened the seventh gate in the past, felt powerless, as though his strength was nothing more than a drop in the vast ocean of Chito’s might.

And then, as quickly as it appeared, the pressure vanished.

Neji and Lee collapsed to the ground, their bodies trembling as if they had survived a hurricane. The absence of the oppressive force left them gasping for air.

When they regained their composure, they realized Chito had disappeared.

Neji gazed skyward, his voice trembling with awe.

"Lord Chito’s power… it’s beyond comprehension," Neji murmured. "It feels endless, like standing in the middle of an infinite ocean with no shore in sight.

"It’s no wonder Orochimaru means nothing to him. To Lord Chito, Orochimaru must seem like an insect—one he could crush without effort."

Lee, who prided himself on the fruits of relentless hard work, remained silent for a long moment. His usual confidence wavered.

"Even if Sensei opened all eight gates," Lee muttered, "it wouldn’t be enough to match that kind of power. This… this is the domain of gods. Mortals like us cannot hope to reach it."

The two exchanged glances, a shared sense of reverence in their eyes.

At that moment, Might Guy and Kakashi approached, their conversation interrupted as they noticed the younger shinobi’s expressions.

"You two look like you’ve just seen a ghost," Might Guy remarked, his loud voice breaking the silence.

Neji and Lee quickly explained what had transpired, recounting their encounter with Chito’s overwhelming power.

As Kakashi listened, his normally lazy demeanor gave way to a rare seriousness.

"I understand now," Kakashi said quietly. "That’s why Lord Chito has instructed us to head to the capital of the Land of Fire.

"It’s not just about countering Orochimaru—it’s about cementing the reputation of Shin-Konoha as an undeniable power in the ninja world. We’re not just fighting for ourselves; we’re fighting to prove our strength to the world."

Might Guy nodded solemnly.

"True strength is forged through adversity," he said. "If we are to uphold Lord Chito’s vision, we must face these challenges head-on. Let’s prepare for battle!"

As the group prepared to leave for the Land of Fire capital, Kakashi couldn’t help but voice his concerns.

"If Orochimaru uses the Edo Tensei to summon the great kages of the past," he said, "we might be in for a battle unlike any we’ve faced before. The Edo Tensei is… unsettlingly powerful."

Hearing this, Neji and Lee tensed, while Might Guy clenched his fists in determination.

"Even so," Guy said firmly, "we’ll fight with everything we have. Lord Chito entrusted us with this mission, and we won’t let him down."

Kakashi sighed, stroking the ninja dog Obito cradled in his arms. The dog, with its sharp intelligence, barked sarcastically, but all Kakashi heard was an endearing "Woof."

"Thanks, Obito," Kakashi said with a smile. "I know you believe in us."

Lee and Neji exchanged incredulous glances, wondering what kind of bond Kakashi shared with the oddly expressive ninja dog.

With their resolve steeled, the group set out for the Land of Fire capital.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain, the Akatsuki convened under the leadership of Pain.

"My friends," Pain began, his voice resonating with authority, "the winds of war are upon us.

"Uzumaki Chito’s presence in the Land of Fire has set the stage for a confrontation that could change the course of this world. The Five Great Nations may join forces against him, and Orochimaru’s treachery only adds fuel to the fire.

"As the leader of the Akatsuki, I have decided to intervene—not for Uzumaki Chito, not for the nations, but for the sake of true peace.

Chapter 132

"Hahaha-hahaha-ha!!"

"It's here, it's finally here! God has heard my call, and he's summoned me!"

"Nagato, stop with the speeches! I can't wait to offer my pain and blood to God's glorious world!"

"Hahahaha!"

Hidan interrupted Nagato mid-sentence, roaring with wild excitement upon hearing that Uzumaki Chito had summoned them to the capital of the Land of Fire for war.

Nagato's expression darkened as he glared at Hidan, who had rudely cut him off. His fury flared—Hidan's blatant disrespect and disregard were infuriating.

In the past, Nagato wouldn’t have hesitated. Immortal or not, Hidan would have felt the crushing power of the Shinra Tensei, shattering his body to pieces.

But now—

Nagato let out a frustrated sigh as he observed Hidan, whose body exuded a faint, ominous black aura born from his frenzied excitement.

This black aura was Hidan's newfound power after converting to Uzumaki Chito’s teachings. It was a manifestation of the evil god’s might—a convergence of the world's darkest thoughts and malevolent energy.

Anyone who came into contact with this power would fall into a horrifying illusion, comparable in potency to the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Victims would descend into madness, ultimately drained of their life force.

Moreover, this malevolent energy granted Hidan complete immunity to genjutsu. Even Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan and its Tsukuyomi could not penetrate the black aura protecting his mind.

Combined with Hidan’s immortal body, bolstered by Uzumaki Chito’s blessings, he had transformed from one of the weakest members of the Akatsuki into a formidable combatant—able to hold his own against Nagato and, to some extent, even restrain Uchiha Itachi.

After all, Itachi’s strength lay primarily in his mastery of genjutsu, a tool rendered useless against Hidan’s cursed protection.

Nagato knew better than to underestimate him. The humiliation of being interrupted was one thing, but being defeated in battle after making a move would be far worse.

And—

Nagato glanced at Hidan, who now looked utterly unhinged, with madness gleaming in his eyes. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

The fearless fear the crazed, and the crazed fear those who court death.

Guided by his grandpa's teachings, Nagato had glimpsed the dawn of peace. To risk everything by confronting Hidan now would be a waste of effort and time.

After a tense silence, Nagato finally relented. With a cold snort, he said, "Move out."

The impatient Hidan immediately erupted into action. A whirlwind of black energy surrounded him as he took off like a demon from ancient mythology, charging toward the Land of Fire’s capital with unstoppable momentum.

Behind him, Nagato, Konan, Sasori, Deidara, Kisame, and Uchiha Itachi followed using their own unique methods of travel.

The seven Akatsuki members moved openly, leaving the hidden confines of the Rain Country and stepping boldly into the light of day.

It didn’t take long for intelligence networks in neighboring nations to detect their movements.

"Sunagakure's S-Class rogue ninja—Sasori!"

"Iwagakure's S-Class rogue ninja—Deidara!"

"The infamous wielder of the Samehada from Kirigakure—the rogue ninja Kisame Hoshigaki!"

"Konohagakure’s S-Class rogue ninja—Uchiha Itachi!"

"How could a small country like the Amegakure harbor so many dangerous traitors? What are they planning?"

Leaders of the major ninja villages reacted with alarm and unease upon receiving the reports.

Analyzing the group's unhidden trail, intelligence teams quickly pieced together their destination.

"They’re converging on the Land of Fire’s capital!"

When Jiraiya of Konoha learned of this, an ominous feeling crept over him.

These were the very individuals he had been investigating—a shadowy organization of powerful shinobi who had claimed control of the Amegakure, defeating even the demigod Hanzō of the Salamander.

Moreover, there were long-standing rumors linking the Amegakure to Shin-Konoha. From the start, the first settlers of Shin-Konoha had been transported through Amegakure territory.

Back then, under the leadership of the Third Hokage, Konoha had sent numerous ninja teams—along with those from other villages—to intercept and sabotage these efforts.

While the Amegakure and Shin-Konoha publicly maintained that their relationship was merely contractual, no one believed such an obvious lie.

To the rest of the world, the Amegakure was an ally of Shin-Konoha.

Ordinarily, this would have been inconsequential. Even at its height, the Amegakure was little more than a border country reliant on Hanzō’s leadership to hold its ground.

But now, the world was faced with something far more terrifying:

The Akatsuki—a gathering of S-Class rogue shinobi, each more dangerous than the last.

Their strength was immeasurable. If there were ranks beyond S-Class, each of these individuals would qualify. In terms of raw power, any one of them was comparable to a Kage.

And seven such individuals moving together?

It was a force unparalleled—a threat no one could ignore.

Panic spread like wildfire among the five great nations.

At the same time, all their leaders reached the same grim conclusion.

"We need an emergency Five Kage Summit. Immediately."

Chapter 133

The Five Kage Summit was hastily convened in the Land of Iron. The urgency of the situation left no time to notify Mifune, the leader of the samurai, in advance.

This unannounced gathering sparked outrage among the samurai of the Land of Iron.

"This is an affront to our sovereignty!" one samurai fumed.

"Mifune, these ninja have gone too far!" roared Iai Okisuke, Mifune’s second-in-command. "Today, they hold their Five Kage Summit on our land without so much as a word of respect. Tomorrow, what’s to stop them from marching an army of shinobi to destroy us outright?"

He continued, his voice filled with indignation, "Have they forgotten that not long ago, we samurai were their greatest and only rivals?"

Behind Okisuke, a group of elite samurai stood with similarly furious expressions, their silence a testament to their agreement.

Mifune observed the anger simmering in his men, a trace of helplessness flickering in his eyes. If he had the choice, he would have expressed his own anger toward the Five Kage's blatant disregard.

But—

He couldn't.

"Enough!" Mifune’s sharp tone silenced the room.

"You're no longer children. Don’t you understand that against true power, anger means nothing?"

He paused, his voice steady and commanding. "The ninja possess strength far beyond that of the Land of Iron. Against a single shinobi village, we might hold our ground with sheer will. But against all five great villages united, what chance do we stand?"

Mifune’s gaze swept the room, his words hammering home the grim reality. "And now, with the rise of this Shin-Konoha, tensions among the great nations are at their peak. If we so much as voice our displeasure, the Five Kage could easily turn their combined might against us. Do you understand what that would mean?"

Okisuke fell silent, his anger extinguished. He knew Mifune spoke the truth.

The samurai were relics of an era long past, overshadowed by the rise of ninjutsu and chakra. Despite their efforts to master chakra, they lacked access to the ninja’s most critical tools—jutsu.

Without jutsu, even the strongest samurai could only rival an elite ninja at best. Against shinobi from the great villages, they were powerless.

Okisuke remembered a tale that had once spread terror among the samurai. During the Third Raikage's reign, even after losing an arm to Uzumaki Chito, the Raikage had fought for three days and three nights against Iwa shinobi, slaying thousands.

The Land of Iron, with its eight thousand samurai, bordered the Land of Lightning. The implication was clear: the Raikage, in his prime, could annihilate their entire country given enough time.

Faced with the combined strength of the five great nations, what could the Land of Iron possibly do?

A bitter smile crossed Okisuke’s face, and despair seeped into his voice. "Are we to let them trample our land without consequence?"

Mifune closed his eyes, his stillness akin to that of a statue. Minutes passed in silence, thick with tension.

When he finally spoke, his voice was resolute.

"Of course not. We are samurai. We shed blood with honor. We do not bow to these despicable shinobi."

His words reignited a flicker of hope among his men.

"But patience is necessary. We endure now so that one day, we may rise with dignity."

Okisuke’s eyes briefly lit up, though doubt lingered. "Can we truly achieve that? Can we rise again?"

Mifune’s gaze was unwavering as he answered. "Yes, we can. Because we are not alone."

The samurai exchanged puzzled glances, uncertain of what their leader meant.

"Not alone?" Okisuke repeated, his brow furrowing. "Who could possibly aid us?"

Mifune allowed himself a faint smile, his expression tinged with nostalgia.

"You’ve likely heard of our ally, though perhaps you don’t know the full story. I speak of Uzumaki Chito, the force behind Shin-Konoha."

The room grew silent as Mifune continued, his voice steeped in memory.

"When I was young, Konoha was still in its infancy, born of the efforts of Uzumaki Chito, Senju Hashirama, and Uchiha Madara."

"To establish their fledgling village’s strength, Konoha sent Madara and Chito on missions to demonstrate their power to neighboring nations. The Land of Iron was among those visited by Uzumaki Chito."

Mifune’s gaze grew distant, as though reliving the moment.

"Unlike Uchiha Madara, who used ninjutsu to dominate other nations, Uzumaki Chito chose a different path with us. He respected our ways and tested his strength through swordsmanship, challenging the samurai of the Land of Iron directly."

This revelation stunned Okisuke and the others. They had never heard such a tale.

"Who won?" one of the samurai asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

Chapter 134

The samurai of the Land of Iron looked at Mifune expectantly, their hearts brimming with hope. They longed to hear of a victory by their ancestors over the ninja god who now commanded the world's attention—Uzumaki Chito.

As descendants of warriors overshadowed by the dominance of ninjas, the samurai often carried a deep sense of inadequacy.

Even the most skilled among them, those whose strength rivaled elite jōnin, approached encounters with even mid-level ninjas cautiously, wary of the unpredictable and mysterious nature of ninjutsu.

In this climate of self-doubt, the idea of their ancestors achieving victory against someone like Uzumaki Chito became a powerful beacon of hope.

Seeing their expectant expressions, Mifune let out a quiet, helpless sigh.

He understood their feelings all too well. When he had first heard the story from his master, he had held similar hopes.

Back then, Uzumaki Chito had not yet achieved the godlike status he held today, but even so, Mifune had yearned for a different outcome to the tale.

However, as the leader of the samurai, Mifune recognized the danger of relying on external validation.

Samurai were meant to be one with the sword. Their strength lay in their sincerity and belief in their own blade. With unwavering conviction, they could cut through even the toughest iron with mortal steel.

But if a samurai doubted their sword, relying on others to affirm their worth, it signified the decline of their path.

"The samurai of the Land of Iron cannot afford to remain silent any longer," Mifune thought, his resolve hardening.

Taking a deep breath, he broke the silence. "Uzumaki Chito won."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Mifune continued, his voice steady, "Though he had no prior experience with swordsmanship, Uzumaki Chito’s exceptional talent allowed him to grasp our techniques during the battle. Using the very skills of the samurai, he secured a decisive victory, earning the respect and submission of the Iron Country’s leader at the time."

As Mifune finished speaking, a wave of disappointment washed over the gathered samurai. Their hope had been dashed, leaving behind an aching sense of loss.

Yet, despite their initial despair, they could not deny the magnitude of Uzumaki Chito’s power. This was the man who had forced the Five Kage to convene in fear.

Gradually, they steadied themselves, pushing aside their disheartenment. Even so, the air remained thick with an unshakable gloom.

Breaking the silence, Okisuke voiced a lingering question. "If we lost, why do you call Uzumaki Chito a helper?"

Mifune paused, his expression softening into one of quiet admiration.

"Though we were defeated," he began, "Lord Uzumaki Chito believed he had won as a samurai, using the swordsmanship of the Land of Iron. In his eyes, there were no losers in that contest."

Mifune’s gaze grew distant, his tone tinged with reverence. "But for the sake of ending the chaos of war, he had to claim victory and subdue the Land of Iron. Even so, he felt a debt to us, and so he made a solemn promise.

"He vowed that the descendants of the Land of Iron could one day seek his aid in a matter of their choosing. As long as it did not go against his principles, he would fulfill this promise to the best of his ability."

The weight of Mifune's words hung in the room. Slowly, the samurai's eyes began to brighten, like stars piercing the dark night sky.

Tears welled in some of their eyes as the realization struck them.

"We still have Uzumaki Chito’s promise!" one of them exclaimed, voice trembling with emotion.

"This is incredible!" another shouted, overwhelmed with hope.

"We can finally hold our heads high in this world!"

Even Mifune, who was known for his composed demeanor, felt a surge of emotion as he observed his men.

These were warriors who had endured countless trials and hardships to attain greatness. They were men who could face death without flinching, yet here they stood, openly weeping.

The sight spoke volumes about the weight of their struggles and the years of suppressed frustration they had carried.

However, the moment was abruptly interrupted by Okisuke, who barked, "Enough! A samurai should not display such weakness!"

He turned to the rest of the group, his voice firm. "Even if we have Uzumaki Chito’s promise, it is ultimately we who must stand tall.”

"No matter how noble his intentions, Lord Uzumaki Chito cannot protect the Land of Iron forever. The true strength to rise must come from within."

Okisuke’s words hit home, and the room fell silent once more.

He was right. While Uzumaki Chito’s promise could shield them temporarily, such protection would not last indefinitely.

A year, five years, perhaps even a decade—beyond that, they would once again face the cold reality of their place in the ninja-dominated world.

"What are we to do, then?" one samurai asked, despair creeping into his voice. "Is it our fate as samurai to forever live under the shadow of ninjas?"

At that moment, Mifune’s voice cut through the growing despair like a blade.

"No!" he declared, his eyes flashing with steely determination.

Chapter 135

Mifune's voice rang out, resolute and commanding. The long beard on his chin trembled with the intensity of his conviction as he addressed the samurai before him.

"As long as we defeat every ninja who seeks to oppress us, we samurai will not fall to where we are now," he declared, his eyes burning with determination. "So, we shall ally with Shin-Konoha and stand against the Five Great Ninja Villages!"

The declaration sent shockwaves through the gathered samurai.

To oppose the Five Great Ninja Villages directly?

The very idea was daunting, almost unthinkable. These were the same villages that had dominated the world for decades, their power solidified through three successive ninja wars.

Every samurai in the room, including Mifune himself, had grown up under the shadow of this system, their experiences shaped by the strength and ruthlessness of the ninja.

"This is too dangerous, Mifune!" one of the samurai protested, his voice trembling. "We’re talking about the Five Great Ninja Villages! If something goes wrong, we’ll be completely annihilated!"

Others, though silent, wore expressions of agreement.

Mifune opened his mouth to respond, prepared to rally his men, but his instincts suddenly flared. He sensed an unnatural disturbance nearby. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and slashed in a single fluid motion.

A radiant arc of light sliced through the air, gleaming like a silver crescent moon, leaving no room for the enemy to react.

Startled, a ninja from the Land of Earth, who had been hiding underground with a camouflage jutsu, was forced to abandon his cover. Rolling clumsily onto the surface, he narrowly avoided the deadly strike.

The ninja was a burly figure with dark yellow skin, a square face, and two sharp, sickle-like blue markings on his cheeks that gave him a menacing appearance.

Half-squatting, his hands forming a defensive seal, the Iwa ninja stared at Mifune with wary eyes.

"As expected of the last shining glory of the samurai," he said with a grudging respect. "The Land of Iron’s General, Mifune.”

"It’s said your sword strikes before the enemy can even act, leaving no time for seals or counterattacks. Now I see that your reputation is well-earned—I nearly lost my life to your blade."

Mifune’s expression remained impassive, his gaze cold and unrelenting. While the praise was true, he wasn’t in the mood to entertain flattery.

His mind churned with frustration.

Although he had already resolved to align with Shin-Konoha and sever ties with the Five Great Ninja Villages, his plan had been to gather intelligence during the Five Kage Summit.

Afterward, he intended to discreetly act, ensuring the safety of the samurai and minimizing unnecessary losses.

But now, with this Iwa ninja’s appearance, his carefully laid plans had been thrown into disarray.

The very thought sent a surge of boiling rage through him, his hands trembling as his grip tightened around his blade. Images of bloodshed filled his mind—his own, Okisuke’s, and those of the samurai both present and absent.

"You bastard from Iwa Village," he hissed, his voice filled with venom. "You dare spy on us? You’re as good as dead!"

In the next instant, his blade moved again, its silver arc more dazzling than before.

Iai Slash.

The strike was as beautiful as it was deadly, faster than the eye could follow, leaving no opportunity for counterattacks.

However, the Iwa ninja was no ordinary opponent. Prepared this time, he executed a swift defensive jutsu.

"Earth Style: Water-Cutting Stone Technique!"

As Mifune’s blade descended, the ninja vanished into the ground, his body sinking as though it were water. Only his head remained visible, a smug expression on his face as he spoke.

"Defying the Five Great Ninja Villages—should I call it ambition or sheer stupidity?" he mocked.

"Still, I can respect your resolve. To show my appreciation, I’ll ensure you face my full power in the coming hunt. It’s the least I can do for a samurai as strong-willed as you."

With that, the ninja sank completely into the earth, his voice lingering.

"Goodbye."

The room fell silent, tension hanging thick in the air.

A samurai quickly knelt, pressing his ear to the ground to detect the ninja’s movements. After a few moments, he rose, shaking his head in frustration.

"He’s already a mile away," the samurai reported grimly. "We can’t catch him."

Mifune’s face grew pale. The worst-case scenario had come to pass.

"Everyone, listen!" he commanded, his voice firm despite the despair clawing at his heart. "Divide into four squads and scatter!

"No matter what happens, at least one team must escape the pursuit of the Five Great Ninja Villages and make it to Shin-Konoha.”

"Only then can the samurai way survive. Only then can our legacy live on!"

His words struck deep, and a heavy silence enveloped the room.

One by one, the samurai stepped forward, drawing their swords in a solemn gesture of farewell. They raised their blades high in salute to Mifune and their comrades, the weight of their shared resolve evident in their expressions.

Then, without a word, they turned and began their journey, heading southeast with unwavering determination.