Chapter 59: Hell Valley
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Konan asked, "Hell Valley? I've never heard of such a place before."
Naruto smiled. "That's because it's one of Kumogakure's most closely guarded secrets. I only learned about it after I became Hokage in my previous life."
"Extremely hot, extremely cold—the climate there is brutally harsh, an absolute nightmare even for shinobi. But it's also the perfect place to temper one's body. Only the Raikage or their chosen successors have the privilege of training there. If you can endure its conditions, a single day of training there is said to be worth a hundred days elsewhere."
Konan was intrigued. "A place like that must have an extraordinary origin. Was it naturally formed? I can't imagine any shinobi creating such a unique location."
Naruto shook his head. "It wasn't natural. It was the handiwork of a disciple of the Sage of Six Paths during the era of Ninshū."
Konan's curiosity deepened. "A disciple of the Sage of Six Paths? During the era of Ninshū?"
Naruto's gaze turned solemn. "The Land of Lightning, where Kumogakure is located, has deep ties to the legacy of Ninshū and the Sage of Six Paths. His descendants once flourished there."
"As a result, several ninja tools that belonged to the Sage were inherited by Kumogakure. Even the infamous Gold and Silver Brothers, who brought shame to Kumogakure, carried not only the blood of the Yotsuki Clan but also traces of Uzumaki lineage. I discovered this truth while researching the Uzumaki family tree."
"It's not just Hell Valley. There's also the Falls of Truth on Turtle Island, a sacred place for inner reflection, which is also under Kumogakure's control. I once trained there to master Kurama's power."
Konan looked worried. "So, does this mean you'll have to clash with Kumogakure again? Let me accompany you."
Naruto shook his head with a smile. "There's no need. Hell Valley isn't located within Kumogakure but rather in the Land of Lightning. I know its location. In my previous life as Hokage, I was invited there once."
"The environment there is so extreme that even I could only endure it by activating Kurama's chakra mode. It's not a place suitable for you, Konan-nee. Let me handle this alone."
"Of course, to prevent any unexpected situations, I'll leave a Shadow Clone behind to stay in Amegakure. It'll be just like I'm still in the village."
Hearing this, Konan finally felt somewhat reassured. She reminded him, "Alright, but be careful in everything you do."
---
*Land of Lightning*
Using the Flying Raijin Jutsu, Naruto arrived in the Land of Lightning. After a night of trekking, he reached the forest outside Hell Valley at dawn.
As a critical location for Kumogakure, Hell Valley was naturally heavily guarded.
Naruto didn't act rashly. Instead, he activated Sage Mode to scout and assess the positions of the Kumogakure guards.
Among the guards were, of course, sensory ninja, but Naruto's current position was outside their sensory range.
Huff.
Naruto stood up, his body enveloped in purple lightning. Taking a deep breath, he transformed into a streak of purple light and shot toward the valley's depths.
Swish!
A flash of purple light zipped past the Kumogakure guards.
"Did something just pass by?"
"No way. It must've been your imagination."
"I checked with my sensory abilities—there's no one here!"
"See? Who else besides Lord Raikage could move that fast? And our Raikage is currently training in Hell Valley!"
"Let's keep patrolling!"
---
Passing through a dense fog, Naruto's surroundings changed. He had entered Hell Valley.
The valley was surrounded by towering mountains, with only a narrow path leading further in.
The sky appeared as if shrouded in volcanic ash, casting a chaotic and oppressive atmosphere.
The intense heat distorted the air, making everything appear blurry.
Recalling his previous visit, Naruto couldn't help but smile. "It's just like when I came here last time. Except back then, I was invited. Now, I'm here uninvited."
He began walking along the only path.
The deeper he ventured into Hell Valley, the harsher the environment became.
After about half an hour, he arrived at a large training platform built into the mountainside.
"One step at a time. I'll start by adapting here."
Swish!
Naruto leapt onto the platform and slightly reduced the intensity of the lightning covering his body.
The effects were immediate. Beads of sweat began pouring from his pores as he clenched his eyes shut, forcing himself to endure.
An hour later, the climate abruptly changed. The scorching heat was replaced by bone-chilling cold. The sudden shifts between extreme heat and cold were unpredictable and could cause an ordinary shinobi's heart to rupture.
Naruto surveyed his surroundings and created multiple Shadow Clones. To avoid overexertion, he limited himself to a hundred clones this time.
Thus began a grueling day and night of training.
When the Shadow Clones were dispelled, Naruto took a deep breath and attempted to completely deactivate the lightning surrounding his body.
Without the protection of the purple lightning chakra, Naruto found that he could now adapt to the valley's environment. Satisfied, he smiled. "Good. Time to go deeper."
Leaving a Flying Raijin mark on the training platform, he leapt forward and continued.
Whenever he felt his body reaching its limit, he reactivated the Lightning Release Chakra Mode for protection. Upon reaching the next training platform, he repeated the process.
Step by step, Naruto steadily advanced deeper into Hell Valley.
He knew that the true essence of Hell Valley lay in its innermost forbidden zone.
His goal was to train in that forbidden zone.
---
It took Naruto ten full days to reach the edge of the forbidden zone.
That night, within the forbidden zone of Hell Valley, the Fourth Raikage, A, was shirtless, vigorously striking a wooden pillar.
This wooden pillar, known as the Heavenly Thunder Pillar, was one of the sacred training tools of the forbidden zone. It was said to be indestructible, capable of withstanding any blow.
Moreover, with each strike, depending on the force, a corresponding bolt of lightning would descend from the heavens, striking the trainee!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each punch and kick was accompanied by thunderous roars.
Such an intense and brutal training method was monstrous, to say the least.
"Uzumaki Naruto!! I'll crush you into pulp!!!"
Sweating profusely, the Raikage delivered a devastating punch.
Rumble! Rumble!
A massive lightning bolt descended, creating a crater where the Raikage stood.
After the lightning strike, the damaged ground automatically repaired itself.
Huff, huff, huff. Catching his breath, the Raikage grabbed a towel to wipe his sweat-drenched muscles. Tossing the towel aside, he prepared to continue his training.
"Hmm!?" As he turned, his eyes widened in shock. A familiar figure was sitting on the steps behind him, gazing at him calmly.
Naruto smiled. "Yo, we meet again, Raikage."
The Raikage's hair bristled in fury. "How are you here!!!?"
Naruto said, "Why not? Hell Valley isn't part of Kumogakure."
The Raikage roared, "That's not what I mean! How did you make it here unscathed!!!?"
"Well, that's a long story." Naruto stood up leisurely. "But I'm not here to pick a fight. How about this: you train in the northern area, and I'll stay out of your way. Deal?"
Crackle!
Lightning enveloped the Raikage's entire body.
"Are you kidding me? I'll send you straight to hell!!!"
Boom!!!
The Raikage charged forward like a thunderbolt.
Naruto didn't dodge or use Shinra Tensei.
Thud!!!
He blocked the Raikage's strike with his arm.
Crack! Crack!
The sheer force of the blow caused the ground beneath Naruto's feet to fracture.
The Raikage was momentarily surprised by Naruto's physical resilience but pressed on, grabbing Naruto's shoulders with both hands.
"Gotcha! You're finished now!!"
Crackle! Crackle!
Lightning surged from the Raikage's body as he roared, lifting Naruto overhead and slamming him down with all his might.
"RAITON: LIGER BOMB!!!"
BOOM!!!
Lightning exploded, shattering the stone steps and sending cracks rippling outward.
No shinobi had ever survived the Liger Bomb.
The Raikage assumed Naruto would be no exception.
Crackle! Crackle!
But suddenly, a surge of purple lightning erupted from the crater.
"What!?"
The Raikage was stunned as Naruto, now cloaked in purple lightning, grabbed his shoulders and lifted him overhead.
"This move is pretty good! Packs quite a punch!"
Crackle! Crackle!
With a triumphant shout, Naruto increased his purple lightning and slammed the Raikage into the ground.
"RAITON: THUNDERING IMPACT!!!"