Strongest Hidden Mist Village [139]

Among the Shinigami's technologies, there existed a unique substance known as Garganta's Senkaimon. This substance could open dimensional spaces, sealing matter within a dimension. In a way, it was a technological version of Kamui.

And now, the pitch-black dimensional space was illuminated by the Ryūmyaku's energy, surging skyward. The sheer vastness of this energy left even Yoru, who had witnessed various forms of 'infinite energy,' in awe.

"What an inconceivable power."

The energy intensity within the Ryūmyaku completely surpassed that of the Tailed Beasts, easily comparable to the Sage Miroku.

However, unlike the Sage Power, which integrated four distinct power, the Ryūmyaku's energy was incredibly pure and unique.

This energy wasn't merely chakra; it seemed to exist somewhere between chakra and natural energy.

It possessed both the stability of chakra and the intensity of natural energy—truly a perfect energy source, combining chakra and natural energy then specially purified!

Yoru even doubted if such energy could genuinely be born naturally. But if this power had appeared through external intervention, then who in this world could have accomplished such a feat and sealed it deep beneath the Land of Wind?

The Six Paths Sage?

Or perhaps...

The God Tree...?

"BOOM!!"

The massive Ryūmyaku energy condensed in mid-air, actually forming a hundred-meter-long purple dragon. The giant dragon danced and roared.

Thankfully, it didn't possess intelligence like a Tailed Beast; it was merely a pure energy aggregation, so it posed no great threat to Yoru.

"No matter how you came into being, you will now serve me!"

Yoru flicked his wrist, pulling out a miniature sealing gourd. Clasping his hands together, the miniature gourd suddenly expanded until it was as tall as a man before stabilizing.

"Absorb!"

Removing the cap of the sealing gourd, Yoru let out a low command. As he did so, a flash of light shimmered from the gourd's opening.

Immediately after, dense sealing formulas spread across the opening of the sealing gourd, slowly widening like a gaping maw, unleashing an unimaginably terrifying suction force towards the dancing Ryūmyaku!

"Come on!"

Just as he had once used a sealing gourd to devour the Land of Snow's chakra, Yoru was doing the same thing now. However, compared to the Land of Snow's chakra, the Ryūmyaku far surpassed it in both quantity and quality of chakra.

In just a few moments, Yoru's sealing gourd felt as if it were about to burst.

"Truly worthy of the Ryūmyaku's power... Condense!"

Yoru sighed inwardly, forming hand signs again.

The sealing gourd trembled, its entire volume immediately growing larger. And as it continuously absorbed the Ryūmyaku's power, the gourd continued to expand.

Several minutes later, the gourd was tens of meters tall, resembling a towering building. The surface of the sealing gourd also became as thin as paper; one could even see the vast energy surging within it.

After all, this sealing gourd wasn't like the Six Paths Sage's tools of legend, such as the Benihisago (Crimson Gourd) or the Kohaku no Jōhei (Amber Purification Jar).

This was merely a sealing vessel Yoru had crafted himself. To achieve this level of performance meant its quality was exceptional, combined with Yoru's immensely powerful sealing techniques.

Fortunately, while the sealing gourd was nearing its limit, the Ryūmyaku's power had also become significantly weaker. The surrounding hurricane died down, as if its seemingly infinite energy was nearing depletion.

"Hum..."

As the last bit of Ryūmyaku's power was swallowed by the sealing gourd, the environment within the dimensional space returned to dead silence.

Yoru's hands formed seals once more at that moment. The massive, building-sized sealing gourd trembled slightly, and the sealing formulas on its surface rapidly writhed.

Under the activation of the sealing jutsu, the enormous sealing gourd began to contract, shrinking little by little.

However, compared to the original tiny gourd, which was like a small bell charm, the sealing gourd was now still about the size of a basketball.

"With this, the power of those guys in Hueco Mundo can double."

Yoru gently stroked the sealing gourd, a slight smile playing on his lips. The reason he set his sights on the Ryūmyaku was out of necessity.

With the concurrent development of Shinigami Tranformation, Hueco Mundo, and Quincy powers in the Hidden Mist, coupled with the Hidden Mist Duel Tower being a major chakra consumer, Yoru's demand for energy was ever-increasing.

Even with the Impure World Reincarnation labor force and the Land of Snow's chakra, it still wasn't enough. Especially for Hueco Mundo.

The Hollow experiments had shown a clear stagnation in research, or rather, stagnation in evolution. Fallen souls devoured each other to become Hollows, and Hollows devoured each other to become Gillian-class Menos Grande, or even higher-ranked Hollows.

But the Hollows in Hueco Mundo weren't growing and evolving as planned. Even when Gillian fought and devoured each other, the resulting species was still Gillian, not the envisioned Adjuchas (Intermediate Great Hollow).

Yoru, Hiromi, and others studied this in detail and finally discovered the crucial factor: lack of energy!

It was similar to Shinigami transformation. During the process of Shinigami transformation, soul energy combined with natural energy, then integrated with Shinigami power, allowing the soul to complete its Shinigami transformation.

Natural energy played a significant auxiliary role in this process; it was both the energy source for Shinigami transformation and a key component of the Shinigami body.

Similarly, while Hollows grew by devouring souls, they also required vast amounts of natural energy as an energy source.

Low-tier Hollows could complete their evolution using only soul energy, but to break through to higher-tier existences, soul energy alone was far from sufficient. At this point, additional energy was needed.

Moreover, various experiments required energy sources, leaving Yoru with no choice but to continue searching for vast energy bodies in the ninja world.

Besides personally coming to the Land of Wind to seek the Ryūmyaku, he also sent Yagura Karatachi, Captain of the Thirteenth Division, to the Hoshigakure in the Land of Bears to seek out the meteorite, the "Star."

Hoshigakure's overall combat strength wasn't high. While the Mysterious Peacock Method was excellent in functionality, its practical combat utility wasn't particularly strong; its only notable feature was flight. For Yagura, taking over Hoshigakure would be effortless.

"It seems quite lively outside."

Yoru put away the sealing gourd containing the Ryūmyaku, his form gradually taking shape as he emerged from the dimensional space. The moment he appeared, several shinobi were already standing before him.

They were Hidden Sand shinobi.

Six Hidden Sand jōnin completely surrounded Yoru in a three-by-three squad formation. Yet, none of them attacked; instead, they stared cautiously at Yoru, who hovered in mid-air.

Flight. This ability was extremely rare in the ninja world; The number of ninjacapable of flight could be counted on one hand, and each of them was an elite from their respective villages, possessing overwhelming strength!

"Did you steal the Ryūmyaku?!"

The leading Hidden Sand jōnin's eyes were fixed on Yoru, his expression stern as he sharply demanded, "Surrender now and cease resistance, or don't blame us for resorting to force!"

Yoru didn't respond. Instead, his eyes shifted to another direction.

Beneath the yellow sands, he could clearly sense several more presences. Though most of them had little chakra, one stood out—a very unique aura that bore an inexplicable connection to the Ryūmyaku sealed in Yoru's hand.

Interesting. The moment they realized the Ryūmyaku, they immediately called Hidden Sand Village's help.

"Attack!"

Seeing Yoru remain silent and utterly indifferent, the Hidden Sand jōnin didn't hesitate. He gave the order to attack, his hands already forming seals before the words even left his mouth.

"Fire Style: Blazing Vortex!"

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

"Wind Style: Great Tornado!"

"Puppet Performance!"

The roaring flames, carried by the strong winds and tornadoes, instantly transformed into a fiery vortex, its power multiplying several times over.

Meanwhile, two puppet masters simultaneously summoned their puppets. The wooden puppet automatons spewed poisonous mist, instantly tinging the fiery vortex with a venomous purple hue!

Yoru's expression remained calm, his Mangekyō Sharingan spinning behind his pure white mask.

"Kamui!"

The space before him suddenly twisted. All the incoming attacks struck this distorted space. The fiery vortex, imbued with potent poison, was directly warped and vanished.

"Wha—what?!"

"How is this possible!"

"Space-Time Ninjutsu?"

The bizarre sight left the Hidden Sand elites utterly bewildered. The leading Hidden Sand jōnin, who had performed the Fire Style, was even more shocked.

Based on his intuition, he knew this individual before him might be very strong. After all, facing multiple opponents while calmly hovering in mid-air, just his presence exuded the aura of a powerful warrior.

But he never expected this person to be this strong. Not only could he fly, but he also wielded Space-Time Ninjutsu!

"Everyone, be careful, this—"

"Splat!"

Before the Hidden Sand jōnin could finish his shocked warning to his comrades, a pure white bolt of lightning pierced through his heart.

Realizing too late, he looked up—only to see the raised finger of the man before him, and his comrades collapsing around him.

"This!"

The Queen of Rōran, hidden in the shadows, instinctively covered her mouth, her face filled with terror. Instantly killing six jōnin—what kind of monstrous power was this?!

No, I mustn't make a sound. I'll die, absolutely die!

But in the blink of an eye, the man in front of her had vanished. Before the Queen of Rōran could even react, a cold voice spoke from behind.

"You are the Queen of Rōran?"

"You, you!" Sāra froze in place. Suddenly, a unique short blade appeared in her hand, and she fiercely swung it backward.

But such a sluggish attack, how could it possibly work?

Yoru easily grabbed Sāra's wrist, while his other hand caught the special kunai-short blade that could channel chakra.

Seeing the Hidden Leaf symbol on it, Yoru's lips curled into a mocking smile: "A Hidden Leaf chakra blade, how interesting.

The Hidden Leaf merely came to eliminate a potential threat, carried out a mission, and conveniently took away your prosperity, yet you hold them so dearly in your heart."

"Why aren't your citizens here? Did Minato Namikaze take them to live in the Hidden Leaf with him?"

"You!"

Yoru's words brought a clear look of astonishment to Sāra's face. The queen of the ancient country of Rōran bit her lip. "Who... who exactly are you? How do you know all that happened back then?"

"That's not important, is it?"

Yoru's gaze fell on Sāra, appraising her from head to toe, letting out a clicking sound.

"Clothes full of patches, hands covered in calluses, multiple internal injuries, and even a bit of malnutrition... Honestly, your physical condition isn't what one would expect from a queen."

"With your current health, I doubt you'll live past thirty."

"Without the Ryūmyaku's energy, without the resources of Rōran as a kingdom, and with no power yourself, you're trying to lead your people to survive in this endless desert."

Yoru shook his head, a hint of pity appearing on his face. "To be honest, I don't want to say much to a queen with so little sense, but I truly feel deep down that the people of Rōran ruled by you are quite pathetic."

"Enough!"

The Queen of Rōran growled, "Although Rōran became ruins in the war, everyone is living well!"

"Really well, huh."

Yoru scoffed.

"Alright, I'm too lazy to talk more with someone as brainless as you; I'd hate to lose intelligence. I originally just planned to take the Ryūmyaku and leave to study it thoroughly, but since you're here, you might as well come with me."

"Wha—what?!"

The Queen of Rōran, Sāra, looked up in bewilderment, thinking she had misheard.

But the moment she raised her head, the entire world seemed to distort around her.

As Yoru removed and sealed the White Zetsu spores parasitic on Sāra, he asked, "How many Rōran survivors are there now?"

"Eighty-three people."

Sāra spoke softly, her tone calm, completely unlike her hostile demeanor moments before.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. A whole kingdom, in just a few years, reduced to only eighty-three people."

Kind-hearted Lord Yoru couldn't bear to see such displaced, suffering people.

Yoru shook his head.

Everyone, come to my Hidden Mist!

Following Sāra's directions, they vanished from the spot.

Meanwhile, as Yoru took Sāra and the Rōran survivors, using the power of the Garganta's Senkaimon to directly leave the Land of Wind and head towards the Land of Water...

Obito and Zetsu, who had been observing Mangetsu Hōzuki's negotiations with the Hidden Sand elders for half the day, finally received the news that the Ryūmyaku's seal had been broken and the Ryūmyaku stolen.

"How can this be?! The Ryūmyaku has been stolen?!"

Listening to the infomation relayed by Zetsu, Obito's ugly face beneath his mask almost twisted into a knot as he roared at Zetsu beside him, "Who did this?!"

"I, I don't know... The Queen of Rōran and the Rōran survivors have all vanished, and the parasitic spores have been cleared."

White Zetsu stammered.

Obito's face was ashen. He hadn't expected the Ryūmyaku to be stolen. The Ryūmyaku's power was extremely unique; apart from the Queen of Rōran, ordinary people couldn't control it at all. Moreover, the seal left by Minato Namikaze was incredibly strong; even he would have trouble breaking it.

Under these circumstances, while Obito and Zetsu had perfect control over the Hidden Sand Village, they hadn't given much thought to guarding the Ryūmyaku. Instead, they focused more on the Gelel Stone, which could be easily extracted.

However, this didn't mean the Ryūmyaku wasn't important. Both Obito and Black/White Zetsu knew full well the immense power of the Ryūmyaku. But no one expected that now not only was the Ryūmyaku gone, but even the Queen of Rōran and her survivors had vanished!

"Could it be the Hidden Leaf's doing?"

Obito asked in a low voice. Before Zetsu could speak, he answered himself.

"Minato Namikaze's seal isn't that easy to break. The only ones who could steal the Ryūmyaku so quickly are those guys from the Hidden Leaf."

"No, not necessarily... Zetsu, find them for me! Unless it's the Flying Thunder God, they couldn't have left the Land of Wind this quickly!"

"Understood."

Zetsu sank into the ground and departed. Obito's eyes glowed red.

The next moment, a jōnin burst into the meeting room, his expression anxious, reporting something to Rasa.

Rasa, who had just been smiling and discussing various matters with Mangetsu Hōzuki, instantly changed his expression. He didn't even have time to bid farewell to Mangetsu Hōzuki before he exited from the meeting room, leaving behind a group of bewildered individuals.

"This..."

"Uh, my deepest apologies, esteemed envoy." Chiyo quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over. "The Fourth Kazekage must have urgent matters to attend to. The basis of our Hidden Sand and your Hidden Mist's cooperation has been set; the finer details can certainly be handled by Ebizo and me."

"Is that so? Very well then."

Mangetsu Hōzuki nodded. "Chiyo-sama, do you think the ownership of this river channel resembles your dear grandson, Sasori of the Red Sand...?"

"..."

The meeting in the room continued, but Rasa had already left the Hidden Sand Village, rapidly traversing through the Land of Wind. Simultaneously, his hand rested on his tightly shut right eye, but his expression grew increasingly grim.

Moments later, he stood still. Behind him, space warped, and Obito materialized from it, while Zetsu emerged from the sand.

"Well, any leads?"

Zetsu shook his head. His spore clones hadn't found any unusual traces.

Obito's expression was equally grim. He had controlled the Fourth Kazekage, using Eye of Sand to scout and scan the desert within dozens of miles, yet found no useful clues.

Even with the constant sandstorms of the Land of Wind, which made it easy to conceal movements and signs of life, it was still hard to believe that both Zetsu and Rasa's Eye of Sand had found absolutely nothing.

The three arrived at the ruined Ryūmyaku sealing grounds. The bodies of the six Hidden Sand shinobi had long vanished, but residual chakra still lingered in the air.

"To quietly steal the Ryūmyaku, break Minato Namikaze's seal, and directly withdraw from the Land of Wind... I can't think of a second person who could do it, besides him." Obito Uchiha's expression was incredibly complex, the blood-red Three-Tomoe Sharingan behind his spiral mask spinning.

"I just didn't expect that, compared to the Third Hokage who barely left his office, that guy, even as a Hokage, would run off to an enemy country to do something like this."

"It seems the Hidden Leaf is currently weakened to an unimaginable degree."

"What should we do next?" Zetsu asked in a low voice.

"Keep a close eye on the Hidden Leaf, a deadly close eye!" Obito's low voice emanated from beneath his mask. "The moment the Hidden Leaf shows any sign of using the Ryūmyaku's power, expose it immediately, then use the Hidden Sand to push for the Fourth Great Ninja War!"

Zetsu nodded. White Zetsu suddenly spoke, "What if they never use it?"

"That's normal too. After all, the Ryūmyaku's power is tied to the Queen of Rōran; even if they steal the Ryūmyaku, using it won't be easy."

"However, we can also use this opportunity to discern the Hidden Leaf's current combat strength. After all, the most important and most powerful of the Tailed Beasts, the Nine-Tails, is within the Hidden Leaf."

Obito spoke slowly, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan beneath his spiral mask growing even more blood-red, as if stained with fresh blood.

"The Third Great Ninja War just ended not long ago, and Orochimaru has defected. The entire Hidden Leaf is currently at its most vulnerable in terms of combat strength."

"Moreover, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki is pregnant—her combat effectiveness has plummeted to the point of being negligible."

"If the timing's right... there's no reason we shouldn't reclaim the Nine-Tails first..."