Chapter 292: The Sword of Raijin, Futsunomitama!
Chapter 292: The Sword of Raijin, Futsunomitama!
The thick clouds in the sky shifted from white to red, then gradually faded as the red glow receded.
At the same time, the city known as Yunming City slowly sank into the embrace of night.
Beneath the vast and dark sky, birds flapped their wings, landing on a telephone pole, tilting their heads as they observed the desolate streets below.
And—
A group of people swiftly moving across those streets.
Uchiha Ci, Namikaze Minato, Terumī Mei, and Hōzuki Mangetsu.
In this stifling, silent, and even somewhat oppressive atmosphere, it felt as though the night wind was burning with intense flames.
A long-awaited reunion. A fated confrontation. A decisive moment of life and death. A pivotal event on the verge of unfolding.
No one spoke.
Yet everyone wanted to speak.
But they were shinobi—shinobi who ran for their respective "greater causes."
And a shinobi must endure their own emotions.
Even Uchiha Ci couldn't help but sigh. Shimura Danzō had truly orchestrated a masterful play.
Even with his eyes closed, through his [Mind's Eye], he could still perceive—
Beside him, Hōzuki Mangetsu, baring his sharp tiger-like fangs, his single purple eye locked onto him with a fierce gaze suppressed with battle intent. His hand rubbed against the broad blade of Hiramekarei, like an old man thirsting to undo a beauty's dress—his battle spirit and killing intent surging uncontrollably!
On the other side, the once carefree and spirited beauty had lost her usual composure. Every so often, she would turn back to look at his face, gazing at his tightly shut eyes, hesitating to speak, her delicate expression heartbreakingly full of concern.
Seeing the person who had unknowingly carved a place in his heart so worried, Uchiha Ci wished he could stop, pull her into a tight embrace, open his eyes, and tell her in the most carefree tone:
"I'm fine. Look—these eyes are still as beautiful as ever~"
But he couldn't.
Because of Kakashi, the moment these eyes opened now, they would unleash a deadly dōjutsu!
And more important than fighting, explaining, or laying bare the truth—
Was stopping the dear friend ahead, whose face bore a smile, yet whose smile was so painfully repressed, from making this meaningless sacrifice.
In this night that grew ever darker and quieter—
No one spoke, yet everyone seemed to have said so much.
Until—
"Crack."
The sound of a footstep crushing stone rang out.
The four of them arrived before a towering peak, not far from the inner city gates.
Before them stood a massive vermillion gate, slightly ajar, flanked by two colossal statues of divine guardians wielding spears and greatswords in menacing postures.
Soon—
A voice drifted out from within.
Dignified, yet lacking in confidence. Grand, yet dull and lifeless.
"Are you the ones here for an audience?"
"Then, let Konoha's envoy enter first."
"I wish to meet you personally!"
Hearing this voice, Namikaze Minato's expression grew serious, and he took a deep breath.
His face carried the solemnity of a martyr, and then, with unwavering resolve, he strode forward toward the vast inner courtyard.
Shinobi existed to protect.
That was Namikaze Minato's "greater cause."
Shimura Danzō's manipulations had merely opened a door to this path, but the one who had truly chosen to step forward was Minato himself.
Because he understood—
As long as the shinobi system existed, true peace and order could never be established.
And the very root of the shinobi system's existence lay in its foundation as a system of mercenaries.
This system restricted shinobi from developing in other directions, forcing them to become nothing more than pawns of those in power, mere killing machines.
How could tools of death ever create love?
The perpetuation of hatred, the forging of unbreakable chains—this was their predetermined fate.
But now, Namikaze Minato would act upon his will.
Taking advantage of the breach unexpectedly opened by Uchiha Ci, he would become the first to sacrifice himself in the rewriting of the shinobi system!
He would assassinate the daimyō—but not just the man sitting in that seat!
He would also sever the aristocracy, shatter their prestige, and cut down their authority!
And beyond that, he would push forward the one person he recognized, the one who could see all this clearly—Uchiha Ci.
He would let this young friend stand in the light!
Accept everything he left behind.
Protect Kushina. Protect everyone in the village.
Bridge the rift between the Uchiha and the village.
Unite this tightly bound force.
And ultimately—
Become Hokage.
To establish a true shinobi era.
An era of freedom!
And he, Namikaze Minato, would remain in the darkness, silently guarding it all.
Of course, if Kushina wouldn't call him an idiot, that would be even better!!
As these thoughts ran through Minato's mind, he unconsciously stepped through the great gates.
Yet—
"Ci, why are you following me?"
Minato was surprised to see Uchiha Ci trailing closely behind.
"Are you an old man? Why are you nagging so much?"
Uchiha Ci raised a brow, snorted coldly, and spoke concisely:
"Can't I see you off?"
Hearing this, warmth spread through Minato's heart, and he smiled helplessly.
He had only asked out of concern, fearing an ambush from the daimyō's son.
Not that he was afraid—
But Uchiha Ci, having lost his Sharingan and the Tailed Beast, was no longer as powerful as before.
Still, after thinking it over, he decided to let Ci come along.
After all, with his Flying Thunder God Technique, even if he encountered an opponent as formidable as the Third Raikage, he could at least ensure Ci's safe retreat!
Through the vermillion gate, past the water pavilion—
The two resolutely made their way forward in the night.
They soon arrived at a grand palace-style hall.
Inside, seated in the central throne, was a pale-skinned young man, his eyes faintly tinged with apprehension.
This was none other than Ryūzōji Sugiya—son of the daimyō of the Land of Lightning, the young lord of the Land of Lightning!
To his left and right stood rows of samurai, hands on their sword hilts, eyes sharp with vigilance as they watched the two approaching figures.
Uchiha Ci frowned slightly.
With his enhanced [Mind's Eye], he could sense—
There were others hidden behind the palace's veiled beams.
And not just a few.
All of them had chakra.
It seemed this young lord of the Land of Lightning was quite the insecure person.
Neither side spoke as Minato and Ci advanced—
Until finally, the daimyō's son, Ryūzōji Sugiya, scrutinized them carefully.
His gaze skimmed past Uchiha Ci—who, despite also being quite handsome, was just an ordinary-looking black-haired youth, shorter than Minato, seemingly blind, and resembling a mere attendant.
Instead, his eyes locked onto the strikingly handsome Namikaze Minato.
The moment he saw that signature golden hair, a breath of relief escaped his lips, and then he curiously asked:
"You—are you Namikaze Minato, the shinobi known as the 'Yellow Flash'?"
Minato, facing this foreign prince, remained neither servile nor overbearing. He bowed slightly and answered:
"Yes, young lord."
Ryūzōji Sugiya's expression lit up with excitement.
"I have read your conditions, and I have no objections."
"However, I have heard that you are very strong?"
"How strong are you?"
—And so, the young lord of the Land of Lightning, with an excited gleam in his eyes, waved a hand and declared:
"Bring forth the heirloom of the Land of Lightning!"
"I shall bestow upon Lord Minato—"
"The legendary divine weapon—"
"The Sword of Raijin, Futsunomitama!"