Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Sage Technique, Itachi's Whereabouts, and Heading to Kirigakure
Three months later, the news of Sasuke sealing Orochimaru spread throughout the ninja world, and the Ryūnosuke Society he founded began to leave the Land of Iron.
Nowadays, Uchiha Sasuke's name is well-known across the ninja world. Many believe that Uchiha Sasuke is the next Uchiha Madara, a formidable figure who might change the future of the ninja world!
Tsuchikage Ōnoki sneered at this notion. Having witnessed Uchiha Madara's power firsthand, Ōnoki believed that while Uchiha Sasuke was strong, he was still far from Madara's level.
Raikage didn't believe in anything but his own speed and strength. Meanwhile, the powerful kunoichi Mei Terumi, who had not yet become Mizukage, showed a strong interest in this young powerhouse, particularly in Sasuke's potential as he matured.
During this period, the Sand Village was in the process of electing a new Kazekage. Gaara was a leading candidate, but there were many voices of opposition. Even if Gaara were elected, the internal opposition would be enough to give him a headache for a while.
Hokage Tsunade felt a twinge of sadness. Orochimaru had been a childhood companion, but he had strayed down a dark path, and being sealed by Sasuke was a fitting end for him.
Sasuke, however, was uninterested in these accolades. He had only one goal from the beginning: to become stronger and ultimately exact revenge on Itachi.
In the wilderness of the Land of Iron, Sasuke practiced his Sage Techniques.
"Sage Art: Fire Style: Great Fireball!"
Boom!
The massive fireball covered nearly 100 meters, turning the wilderness into a blazing sea of fire.
Suigetsu was awestruck. "Amazing, Sasuke! This kind of Fire Style is beyond human capability!"
Sasuke, accustomed to Suigetsu's thoughtless remarks, merely glanced at him and said nothing. For three months, Sasuke had been diligently practicing Sage Techniques. Now, he had made significant progress, and his strength had greatly increased once again.
[Chakra amount: 120,000 microcal (Super Kage Level, 1st Stage)]
His chakra reserves had reached the Super Kage Level, enough to handle most battles.
[Entries: ■■ (Unknown), Ryūnosuke Sage Art (Color ★☆☆☆☆), Ten Tails (Color ★☆☆, progress: 4/9), Sage God Body (Gold ★★★★★), Sage Curse Seal (Gold ★★★★★), Mangekyō Sharingan (Gold ★★★☆☆)...]
With two color entries and a host of gold entries, Sasuke's foundation was unparalleled in the ninja world. His trump cards included not only the Mangekyō Sharingan but also the Sage Curse Seal and the Ryūnosuke Sage Technique. Among them, the strongest was the Ryūnosuke Sage Technique.
The Ryūnosuke Sage Technique involved three aspects: Sage Mode, Sage Technique Chakra, and Sage Technique types. Entering Sage Mode was the basic premise. In Sage Mode, a pair of dragon horns grew on his head, perhaps the origin of the Ryūnosuke Sage Technique's name.
Only in Sage Mode could he condense Sage Technique Chakra, and only with Sage Technique Chakra could he perform Sage Techniques.
In other words, the speed of entering Sage Mode, the speed of condensing Sage Technique Chakra, and the types of Sage Techniques mastered were all crucial factors affecting the Ryūnosuke Sage Technique's combat effectiveness.
Sasuke believed there was still a long way to go to fully unleash the Ryūnosuke Sage Technique's power. However, entering Sage Mode in 10 seconds was sufficient for the current stage.
Sasuke refocused his thoughts. "Suigetsu, any recent information?"
"I almost forgot. I went to Konoha to investigate and found that the leader of the Root is a one-eyed bandaged man named Danzo..."
"That's all?"
Suigetsu made an exaggerated expression. "Isn't that enough?"
Sasuke remained expressionless. He knew Suigetsu liked to draw attention this way.
Sure enough, Suigetsu continued, "Tsk, I thought I could see Sasuke angry."
"Suigetsu, if you don't say it, I will be really angry!"
Suigetsu scratched his head. "Well, our people also found out... Itachi had contact with Danzo during his time in the Anbu, and Danzo has always been hostile to the Uchiha clan. So..."
Sasuke concluded, "So, Itachi's extermination of the clan is likely related to Danzo."
Itachi once claimed that he slaughtered the clan to test his own capacity. Hmph, that reason could only fool children. Sasuke didn't believe this absurd statement. There must be something hidden on the night of the massacre!
Suigetsu was smug. "As expected of Sasuke, you're only a little worse than me."
Sasuke praised, "Suigetsu, you did a good job. I'll trouble you with the follow-up investigation."
Suigetsu was unmotivated. "Eh, I'm so tired, I don't want to go. By the way, I need to ask for leave to go back to Kirigakure..."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Suigetsu was a Kirigakure ninja, but he hadn't returned in almost two years. There must be a special reason for him to do so now.
"Give me a reason."
Suigetsu spread his hands. "Okay, okay, I heard that Kirigakure redeemed the Executioner's Blade from Konoha, so I plan to take it away!"
Sasuke suddenly realized. Suigetsu was born into the Hozuki clan of Kirigakure, which had deep ties to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Since childhood, Suigetsu had been fascinated by swords, especially the Executioner's Blade, and swore to one day claim it!
Suigetsu's eyes were determined. "Sasuke, whether you agree or not, I must go and take the Executioner's Blade!"
Sasuke naturally wouldn't stop him.
Suddenly, Karin sent information. "Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi's whereabouts were found in Kirigakure!"
Sasuke's eyes filled with murderous intent. "Itachi, you finally showed up!"
Suigetsu was overjoyed. "Sasuke, let's go to Kirigakure together. With your help, the Executioner's Blade will be within reach!"
"Who cares about you? Handle your own business."
"Hey, why is this, Sasuke? You're so heartless..."
Half a month later, at the border between the Land of Water and the Land of Fire, Kakashi threw a scroll to Ao and turned to leave. Ao received the scroll containing the Executioner's Blade and quickly returned.
Suddenly, Ao's expression changed. "There are enemies, and there are two! They're coming so fast, I can't avoid them..."
Ao wore a black eye patch over his right eye, but it wasn't due to poor eyesight. In fact, the eye patch concealed a Byakugan!
Swoosh!
Sasuke and Suigetsu appeared.
Ao stared at Suigetsu. "I know you, the prodigy of the Hozuki clan—Suigetsu Hozuki. It's rumored you abandoned the village and joined the Ryūnosuke Society..."
Suigetsu interrupted, "Nonsense, I've always been a Kirigakure ninja!"
Sasuke said, "Suigetsu, don't waste time."
Suigetsu reassured him, "Sasuke, don't worry, I won't delay your revenge on Uchiha Itachi."
Ao was shocked. "What, you're Uchiha Sasuke, the young genius who single-handedly defeated Orochimaru?"
Sasuke closed his eyes to rest, not obliged to answer Ao's question.
Ao's face was grim. What an arrogant boy!
Suigetsu jumped in front of Ao. "Hey, hand over the Executioner's Blade."
Ao was displeased. "The Seven Ninja Swords are the village's treasures, and only the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are qualified to own them."
Suigetsu was impatient. "Sooner or later, I'll become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, so hurry up and hand it over. Don't force me to take it!"
Ao was responsible for bringing the ninja swords back to Kirigakure. How could he give up because of Suigetsu's words? A fight broke out after a disagreement.
Soon, Suigetsu's strength overwhelmed Ao, who couldn't even lift his head.
Sasuke secretly praised him. Not bad, Suigetsu is almost as powerful as a Kage.
Suddenly, Chojuro appeared. He and Mei Terumi happened to be passing by on a mission. On the other side, Kakashi noticed the sound of fighting and rushed over to check the situation just in case.