Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 170 Controlled with Ease, Backup Key

The backyard of the Kikyō Pavilion. This area has been transformed into a small training ground.

The surrounding area was surrounded by various barriers, prohibiting unauthorized personnel from approaching.

Sosuke passed through the barrier.

Inside was a dense little forest.

But this forest is strange.

The trees were not arranged naturally, as if they had been forcibly brought into existence by some force. In the center of the forest sat a person.

Misa Hayama.

She sat cross-legged with her eyes closed.

Around her, countless vines swayed slowly in the air like living snakes.

These vines are not green, but a deep brown, covered with sharp barbs.

"call----"

Mesa is practicing the "Thunder Breath" breathing technique.

This was something Sosuke suggested she practice. Although she didn't learn about bioelectric stimulation, high-oxygen breathing helped to calm the heat generated by the interstitial cells.

"You're here?"

Misha didn't open her eyes, but the vines parted automatically, making way for her.

"My perception has become stronger."

Sosuke walked up to her.

In the vision of her left snake eye, the amount of chakra within Misa's body had reached a terrifying level.

The green light representing Senju's life force had completely stabilized and formed a vortex-shaped core in her dantian.

"How's it going?" Sosuke asked.

Misa opened her eyes.

Deep within her pupils, there was a faint ring of green lines.

"not bad."

She raised her hand.

The ground shook.

A huge tree burst from the ground in an instant, and in the blink of an eye, it twisted and deformed, transforming into a thick wooden shield.

"Wood Release·Wood Spindle Wall."

Immediately afterwards, her hand seal changed.

The wooden shield exploded, turning into countless sharp wooden spikes that shot out in all directions.

"Wood Release: Cutting Technique"

Boom!

The surrounding rocks were riddled with holes from the splinters.

"While it can't yet achieve the scale of the First Hokage's 'Adventure of a World of Trees,' this power is already sufficient for localized battles."

Mesa clenched her fist.

"Moreover, the side effects are getting smaller and smaller."

"Thanks to Gentle Fist."

She practices Gentle Fist every day. This incredible ancient martial art has allowed her to successfully tame the beast within her.

"Very good. Then, let's have a sparring session."

He raised his right hand.

At the fingertips, a stream of silvery water is spinning at high speed.

That was water-sand cutting mixed with nano silver powder.

"OK."

Misa clapped her hands.

"Wood Release: Thorn Killing Technique!"

Rumble.

Countless thorny vines sprouted from the ground, like a group of predatory pythons, coiling towards Sosuke from all directions.

It is extremely fast and carries tremendous power.

Sosuke's left eye felt slightly warm under the eye patch.

The snake's thermal imaging captured the nodes of chakra flow inside the vines.

"Too straightforward."

Sosuke said softly.

He waved his right hand.

Sizzle—! !!

A silver streak of water cut through the air.

It didn't sweep across a wide area, but rather cut precisely to specific points.

Puff, puff, puff.

Several of the thickest main vines were neatly cut. The cuts were smooth.

"So sharp."

Misa's eyes narrowed.

Her Wood Release technique was as hard as rock. But against that water line, it was as fragile as paper.

"But the wood can never be completely cut down."

Mesa forms hand seals.

"Wood Release: Tree Binding for Eternal Burial!"

The broken vines did not wither; instead, even denser branches sprouted from the break.

They wove themselves into a huge net, which covered everything.

This is a comprehensive attack. No matter how sharp the waterline is, it can't cut through this entire forest.

Sousuke smiled.

"Perfect, let's try that one."

His left hand trembled.

A dozen or so talismans were thrown out, mixed in with the water.

"Water Release: Flowing Waves Funeral!"

The high-pressure water flow suddenly dispersed, transforming into gentle ripples that met the wooden net.

The water seeped into the gaps in the vines, and along with the talismans, it was affixed to the main stem of the vines.

"Um?"

Misa noticed something was wrong.

"burst."

Sosuke snapped his fingers.

Boom boom boom!

The detonating tags attached to the base of the vines were detonated simultaneously.

The shockwave from the explosion tore through the wooden netting, sending countless pieces of wood scattering everywhere.

The smoke and dust cleared.

Sosuke remained standing in the same spot, not even the hem of his clothes was ruffled.

"What amazing skill."

Misa looked at the mess on the ground and exclaimed in admiration.

As an elite Jonin, she immediately recognized the practicality and power of Sousuke's technique.

"What's this technique called?"

"Water Release: Flowing Wave Funeral. Not yet fully developed."

Misa was somewhat surprised. Such a powerful technique hadn't been fully developed yet?

However, she didn't ask any more questions. She glanced at the fragments of explosive talismans on the ground. Just now, Sosuke had thrown out at least thirty or forty thousand taels of silver. She knew that this kind of technique wasn't suitable for her.

Sosuke handed her a towel.

"Your control has improved a lot. If you had increased your chakra to break through the blast wave just now, I might have been injured."

"I won't do that."

Misa wiped her sweat.

"We are sparring, not fighting."

Sosuke looked at her. This woman possessed astonishing self-discipline.

Not doing that—it's easier said than done, but the Senju clan's vitality endowed her with a vast amount of Yang Release chakra, which is often difficult to control precisely in battle.

Therefore, the Senju clan's fighting style is typically characterized by wide, sweeping attacks. Only a select few can control their movements with ease.

Hashirama was, Tobirama was, Tsunade was, and Misa was too. They all used their iron will to rein in their power.

"Oh, right."

Misa hung the towel around her neck, her eyes slightly darting around.

"The interest on last month's loan—I might have to wait a few days."

"What's wrong? Mission not going well?"

"No, the mission is complete."

Misa was somewhat helpless.

"But—during my mission, I rescued a village of refugees. Later, I used all the bounty to buy them food."

This is her weakness.

Despite their cold exterior, they still retain a certain excess of kindness within them. Or rather, the "love" of the Senju clan.

Sosuke did not laugh at her.

He took out an account book from his pocket and turned to a page.

"It's okay."

He made a mark on it.

"The interest is waived. Consider it my donation to your good deed."

"you?"

Meisha looked at the unscrupulous businessman with some surprise.

Don't misunderstand.

Sosuke closed the ledger and turned to walk into the house.

"Those refugees who ate your food will remember your kindness. And you are a member of the Takaya Trading Company."

"Reputation is also an asset."

Misa watched his retreating figure, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Stubborn guy."

night.

A light drizzle began to fall from the sky again.

Sousuke opened a black umbrella and refused Ryoma's offer to escort him.

"I have to go somewhere else."

-

He walked alone in the rain.

The destination is Konoha Hospital.

Sosuke glanced at his pocket watch. It was nine o'clock at night.

He walked into the hospital lobby.

The lights in the operating room at the end of the corridor finally went out.

The door opened.

Tsunade strode out, looking annoyed.

"I'm exhausted!"

She paused when she saw Sosuke waiting on the bench, and a mocking smile appeared on her face.

"Oh, the big boss is here to pick someone up?"

"Lady Tsunade."

Sosuke stood up and handed him a sake bottle.

"This is a gift for you."

Tsunade snatched the sake bottle, opened it, and smelled it.

"It's the same old routine again. Alright, you're changing inside, hurry up and get on with it, don't loiter around in front of me."

Tsunade waved and walked away, humming a little tune as she drank.

Sosuke walked to the door of the locker room and waited.

A moment later, the door opened.

Nono came out.

She took off her surgical gown and white coat and changed back into a simple shirt.

Her face was pale, clearly due to chakra depletion. Her golden hair was disheveled and draped over her shoulders.

She smiled gently when she saw Sosuke.

"Mr. Sosuke—have you been waiting long?"

"Just arrived."

Sosuke reached out and took the medical kit from her hand.

"It's heavy. From now on, have your assistant carry these kinds of things."

"It contains my personal notes; I don't trust anyone else to do it."

Nono smiled.

The two walked out of the hospital.

It's still raining outside, and it's a bit cold.

Sosuke opened the black umbrella.

Are you cold?

"A little."

Nono shrank her neck.

The next second, a warm arm wrapped around her shoulder. Sosuke pulled her closer to him.

Nono's body stiffened slightly, but she quickly softened and obediently leaned against his side.

They were very close. They could hear each other's heartbeats and smell each other's scent.

Sousuke smelled of metal and talisman paper, while Nono smelled of herbs.

"Did the surgery go well today?" Sosuke asked.

"It went very smoothly. Lady Tsunade's skills are truly amazing—I've learned a lot."

"You've helped her a lot too."

Sosuke turned his head to look at her profile.

"Without your meticulous operation, Tsunade, with her fiery temper, would probably have smashed the operating table long ago."

Nono chuckled.

"Please don't say that about Lady Tsunade—although she can be quite impatient at times."

As the rain began to fall, the two walked slowly, chatting and laughing.

Finally, we arrived at the orphanage.

The children were already asleep, and the whole building was quiet.

The two tiptoed upstairs and arrived at the dean's office.

Closing the door shuts out the wind and rain.

It's warm inside.

"I'll go pour you some tea."

Just as Nono was about to turn around, Sosuke grabbed her hand.

"No."

Sosuke looked at her, his eyes deep and focused.

"I'm not thirsty."

Nonou's heart skipped a beat.

She understood that look. It was the look one gives a woman.

Sosuke doesn't seem to be planning to sleep on that narrow recliner tonight.

"Mr. Sosuke————"

Her voice trembled slightly, and her cheeks quickly flushed.

"Miss Kaori, she—"

"She knows."

Sosuke interrupted her.

He took a step forward, and the distance between them decreased to zero.

"She knows I'm not going home tonight."

Nonou lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling.

As a former Root agent, she was used to hiding her emotions and living behind a mask.

But in front of Sosuke, she found herself with nowhere to hide.

This man had long seen through her disguise, and he had also seen through her desire.

Longing to be needed, longing to be protected, longing for a harbor to dock in after a life of wandering.

"I----"

Nono raised her head, the gentle smile in her eyes fading slightly.

"I'm actually... a lot of trouble."

"I am the director of the orphanage, carrying the future of so many children on my shoulders. I am also a former member of Root, and Danzo is still watching me—"

"Being with me will be a lot of a burden for you."

Sosuke reached out and gently stroked her cheek.

"I never find it troublesome to acquire the assets I'm interested in."

"and----"

"The heavier the burden, the higher the value."

"Nonou, I not only invested in the orphanage, I also invested in you."

"Now, I want to make additional investment."

"I want to extend this period—to a lifetime."

A layer of mist appeared in Nono's eyes.

All reason, restraint, and concerns crumbled completely in the face of this incredibly affectionate love confession.

She was no longer the composed "walking witch." Now, she was simply a woman who was loved.

"You are really—too cunning."

She closed her eyes and stood on tiptoe.

She took the initiative to kiss Sosuke's lips.

That night, Sosuke did not sleep on the recliner.

The single bed was a bit cramped, but it was unusually warm.

The sound of rain outside the window became the best lullaby.

The next morning.

When Sosuke woke up, the person next to him was empty.

He got dressed, went downstairs, and went to the kitchen.

Nono is cooking porridge.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around.

The blush on her face hadn't completely faded, but her eyes held a touch of mature feminine gentleness.

"Good morning."

She ladled out a bowl of porridge and handed it to Sosuke.

"I added lily bulbs and lotus seeds today to help clear heat."

Sosuke took the porridge and took a sip.

"It tastes great."

He looked at Nono.

"From now on, you don't need to get up so early. Sleep a little longer."

"I'm used to it."

Nono smiled.

"Besides, I'd like you to have breakfast before you leave."

The two finished their breakfast in the morning light.

Before leaving, Sosuke took a key out of his pocket.

"What is this?" Nonou asked.

"The spare key to the Kikyo Pavilion."

Sosuke placed the key in her palm.

"Although it's nice to live here, if you want a change of scenery, there's another place that's your home too."

Nono gripped the key tightly.

"I will go."

She said softly.