Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

The Hero's Water of Takigakure is a rare treasure that enhances the chakra of its users. It has been carefully collected by successive leaders to consolidate their rule and prepare for wartime needs.

But in reality, this substance is simply the mucus secreted by Chongming when he emerged from his pupa into a beetle, containing a small amount of tailed beast power that is easily absorbed by the human body.

Therefore, after humans consume it, their chakra levels will be greatly enhanced, and their personality will become more aggressive and irritable.

"You mean, you want Mako to drink the Hero's Water?"

Kakuzu frowned deeply as he watched Uchiha Gin pull a gourd filled with an unknown liquid from the scroll they had just exchanged.

"This stuff has serious side effects, are you sure?"

As a subordinate once highly valued by the leader of the ninja clan of the Land of Waterfall, how could Kakuzu not know the terrifying side effects of the Hero's Water?

After ordinary people take it, their chakra will increase several times in a short period of time, but over time, their bodies will rapidly deteriorate. At best, they will fall into a coma; at worst, their meridians will be completely severed, leaving them a cripple.

"That's because they drank too much. Who wouldn't be dizzy from drinking straight down like that?"

Uchiha Gin shook the viscous Hero's Elixir in his hand and explained,

"Hero's Water is originally a non-toxic and harmless tonic. The so-called side effects are just because their physical condition is too poor and they drink too much, so they are too weak to tolerate the tonic."

Mako is currently in a state of physical weakness and urgently needs high-quality tonics to nourish her body; this Hero's Water is naturally the best choice.

However, even the Thousand Hands Clan's formidable physique cannot meet the requirements for drinking it directly without side effects.

"So, according to your opinion?"

"Mix this stuff with any Honey Ice Cream drink at a ratio of 1:100, three times a day, and it will effectively relieve her condition."

"ha?"

Kakuzu and Shinka were both taken aback when they heard the prescription. They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with suspicion.

"Really?" o(*^▽^*)┛

Upon hearing this, Mako's eyes lit up, and she excitedly raised her hand to ask further.

"It's packaged, but remember, without Honey Ice Cream as a catalyst, the effect might be greatly reduced~"

Uchiha Gin spoke with such conviction that Kakuzu frowned deeply, his mind racing with calculations.

Three cups of Honey Ice Cream a day!

Even a dignified lord wouldn't dare to spend like this, would he?

"Thank you so much, Kamen Rider Decade! Our Mako is saved!"

Driven by his eagerness to save his wife, Shenhuo didn't have many other thoughts. With a look of relief, he stepped forward, intending to take the special medicine from Uchiha Gin's hands.

"Forehead?"

Before his hand could even touch the gourd containing the Hero's Water, Shenhuo saw a blur before his eyes, and the gourd vanished into Uchiha Gin's palm.

"Didn't you hear me? This thing isn't free!"

Seeing the completely bewildered Shenhuo, Uchiha Gin crossed his legs and gently shook his finger.

Although Gin Uchiha usually portrays himself as a philanthropist, he has never claimed to be a charity ambassador in front of anyone.

Remember this: Free, heartfelt affection is cheaper than grass.

"How much."

Businessmen are always clear-headed.

"That depends on how much your daughter values ​​you."

"Waaaaah"

Despite his icy exterior, Kakuzu wept silently. He carefully cradled the recovered storage scroll in his hands, numbly approaching the deeply moved Mako, and gently placed the life-saving medicine into her palm.

"Thank you, Father~"

Looking at Kakuzu, who had become penniless since the last moment, and feeling the deep fatherly love he received, Mako bit her lip, her eyes filled with tears.

"Phew~ It's alright. As long as you and your baby are safe, I'm willing to pay any price."

Kakuzu, whose face was cleaner than his beard, softened at the sight of Mako weeping with joy. He chose to keep his sorrow to himself, instead adopting a nonchalant expression and waving his hand dismissively.

"Father, I will pay you back the money I borrowed as soon as possible."

Shenhuo, standing nearby, leaned closer, speaking with conviction, but his eyes betrayed a deep lack of confidence.

All the money Shenhuo has ever seen in his entire life is less than the tip of the iceberg that Kakuzu just pulled out. If he really wanted to pay it back, he would have to work day and night for hundreds of years to pay it off.

"Hmph~ I'm happy to spend money on my daughter."

"Thank you so much."

It's fine if you don't have to pay it back~

"But as the child's father, you should take responsibility and sign it for me."

Just as Shenhuo was secretly rejoicing, Kakuzu, expressionless, pulled out an IOU with ink still wet on it, covered with an endless string of zeros that made one's head spin.

"what!"

"Um?"

"I'll sign! I'll sign!"

With a glare from the corner of the blanket, Shenhuo instantly submitted, signing his name on this indenture that he could never repay in several lifetimes, his face filled with bitterness.

Hehe~

As Mako looked at the two most important men in her life, her smile grew even gentler.

"Today is a good day~"

After happily counting the gold coins that had practically exploded in the prison, Uchiha Gin sighed, remarking that with the year-end approaching, he had finally earned a considerable sum of money, allowing him to enjoy the New Year in peace.

Having witnessed the entire exchange between Uchiha Gin, Kakuzu, and the others, Tobirama Senju's expression was extremely complex.

"How did that bounty hunter get so much money?"

His gaze fell on the mountain of suitcases, and he began to doubt whether his career as a ninja could be considered successful.

According to Tobirama Senju's intelligence, Kakuzu had only been a rogue ninja and a bounty hunter for a little over a decade, yet he was able to accumulate such terrifying wealth through legal means.

He had worked diligently as a ninja for so many years, only to end up with nothing. Not only did he fail to earn enough for retirement, but he also caused a massive famine in the village that had yet to be discovered.

"Is being a bounty hunter really that lucrative?"

Thinking that Kakuzu was merely reaping the benefits of the times, Tobirama Senju, who also wanted to make a fortune, pondered for a moment and immediately decided to go back, put on a disguise, and enter the business to make a killing off him.

However, what Tobirama Senju didn't know was that Kakuzu had saved up this money through frugality, refurbishing junk, and other means, not simply through bounties from the black market.

"Mako, why don't you try it and see how it goes?"

He carefully dissolved a drop of Hero's Water into the milk tea he had just bought, shook it, and then looked at his wife with anticipation.

"Glug~ Glug~"

As Mako inhaled the drug rapidly, Kakuzu and his companion, their faces filled with trepidation, held their breath and waited for its effects to take hold.

"Hoo~ I vaguely remember!"

Smacking her lips and holding the empty cup, Mako looked like she hadn't had enough, and her pale face visibly regained a healthy rosy hue.

"I feel great, my body is warm and cozy, and my stomach isn't growling anymore~"

Feeling a surge of joy at his newfound energy, Mako slammed his fist on the floor of the spectator stands.

"Boom!"

With a loud bang, everyone craned their necks in curiosity. When they saw that Mako's fair fist had smashed a large crater in the hard ground, they all stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

"My strength has returned; this milk tea really works!"

"Shouldn't it be the medicine that works?"

"They're the same; neither can be dispensed with."

Mako patted the dust off the back of her hand and happily half-closed her eyes.

"Who exactly is this woman?"

Seeing the power of Mako's punch, Tobirama Senju remained outwardly calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

If he wasn't mistaken, the opponent had just used the Thousand Hands Clan's most proficient skill, Super Strength.

That head of smooth, black hair could definitely not belong to their cousins, the Uzumaki clan. However, after recalling the existing Senju clan members, Tobirama Senju did not find any similar clan members.

"Teacher, we know both of them."

Just as Tobirama Senju was racking his brains trying to figure it out, Uchiha Kagami, with a gentle expression, whispered among the F6 guarding him.

"You two know each other?"

Looking at his most trusted disciple with suspicion, Tobirama Senju, who didn't believe the honest and simple-minded curly-haired Uchiha Kagami would lie, gestured for him to continue.

"Teacher, do you remember many years ago, when Chief Sarutobi led a few of us to a small town to carry out a B-rank mission?"

When Uchiha Kagami mentioned this incident, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, who were standing nearby, both showed expressions of lingering fear.

"The one where the mission failed?"

Tobirama Senju still had some recollection of Sarutobi Sasuke, an elite Jonin, failing in a B-rank mission.

"That's right, that couple was the target of our mission back then. They defected from the Land of Grass to our side."

The three members of the Uchiha clan, who heard Shinka recount the past events firsthand, still cannot forget the terrifying appearance of Shinko at that time.

Danzo, in particular, couldn't help but subconsciously shrink his buttocks when he looked at Shinji.

"From the Land of Grass, huh? Oh well."

Upon hearing this, Tobirama Senju frowned and immediately abandoned the idea of ​​investigating Mako's background, deciding to investigate it later.

"Look! Another knightly duel is about to be decided!"

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, Chiyo, who had been keeping a close eye on the battlefield, suddenly announced the results of the match in the audience.

Upon hearing the live broadcast, everyone in the stands simultaneously put down what they were doing and craned their necks to look at the island where the match was taking place.

In one corner of the island, a crystal-clear mountain peak appeared out of nowhere. On the top of the icy mountain, which exudes a chilling aura, stood a figure.

The blue turtle knight, wielding a long spear, manipulated the snowflake-shaped spells at the spear tip, firing sharp ice spears at the red potato leaping and jumping in the sky.

"Whoosh~ Whoosh~"

The endless stream of ice spears left Onoki somewhat overwhelmed, unable to retaliate. He could only rely on the flight effect of the Weighted Rock Technique and Katsura's amazing defense to fight a guerrilla war.

"Snap!"

Distracted for a moment, the ice spear grazed past Onoki's ribs. Although it didn't hit him directly, the sheer coldness of the ice release froze his kidney to a solid state.

"This is putting us in a very passive position."

He covered the kidneys with his hands, and the scorching Lava Release power began to take effect, instantly thawing the freshly frozen kidneys. Fortunately, Onoki managed to control them and prevent them from being turned into grilled kidneys.

"Huff~ Huff~ Huff~"

The sudden change from hot to cold made Onoki break out in a cold sweat. With his brows furrowed, he considered how to fight the turtle knight below, who was both offensive and defensive.

Although Onoki is the rider with more tails, the Four-Tails' Lava Release is not afraid of Ice Release, not to mention he also possesses the Dust Release as a trump card.

However, he ultimately lost due to his lack of experience. Facing the renowned Katsura, who had been famous for many years, his defeat was only a matter of time.

"Little potato, if you can't come up with anything new, you might as well leave!"

With the Three-Tails providing an inexhaustible supply of chakra, Katsura's Ice Release techniques were incredibly satisfying. Transformed into a cannon, he looked at the panting Onoki with a mocking expression.

"snort!"

Floating in the air, Onoki snorted coldly, remaining silent. After frowning and pondering for a moment, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes.

He clapped his hands together and charged towards Gui in a diving posture, while scorching lava surged behind him, instantly enveloping his short body.

[Lava Release Chakra Mode]

"Once I've taken care of you, you little potato, I'll go support my senior brother."

Looking at Onoki, who was covered in lava, Katsura spoke arrogantly, but a hint of seriousness appeared in his eyes. His hand gripping the spear tightened slightly, assuming a throwing stance, and his arm began to gather strength.

"Don't even think about it!"

If he lost, his teacher would be attacked from both sides. With this in mind, Onoki no longer hesitated. He raised his fist and frantically compressed the Four-Tails' Lava Release power. The lava at his fist became increasingly scorching hot.

"A needle at the bottom of the sea!"

Feeling the intense heat rushing towards him, Katsura's eyes narrowed, and several thick ice shields blocked Onoki's path.

"Bang!"

"Bang! Bang!"

However, accompanied by a series of shattering sounds, Onoki, with unstoppable momentum, pierced through all the obstacles in his path, and his fist, the size of a sandbag, was about to land on Katsura's face.

"Hmph~"

At this moment, Gui, who had been gathering his strength for a long time, finally waited for the best opportunity. He swung his spear...

"Boom!"

The rapidly moving spear emitted a piercing sonic boom, and in the blink of an eye, its sharp tip was embedded in Onoki's fist, which was covered in lava.

"Buzzing."

They then engaged in a grappling match. Onoki could feel a chilling coldness emanating from his fist, but the pain was quickly ignored by his resolve.

"Ah! Not enough, I want more!"

With a loud shout, the driver frantically extracted the Lava Release power from the Four-Tails.

The Four-Tails in Onoki's mind shook its loose chains, a disdainful smile creeping across its狰狞 (zhengning - ferocious/hideous) mouth.

"Little potato, aren't you afraid of stuffing yourself to death? Since you want it, I'll give you it all!"

"boom!!!"

Lava erupted from his body once more, and with the Four-Tails' "affectionate" support, Onoki's Lava Release power was maximized.

"This kid's got good resilience; he'll probably live a long time."

Seeing Onoki unleash his full power, Katsura raised an eyebrow in slight surprise; the stamina Onoki displayed was somewhat unexpected.

"Let's get through this first."

Seeing his spear tremble in the distance, Gui knew his attack was about to be broken, but there was no panic on his face.

Taking a few steps back, the blue turtle knight assumed a charging stance, pushing off with his feet, and sparkling ice flowers bloomed beneath his feet.

Katsura suddenly leaped into the air, hugging his knees and bending them, transforming into a perfectly round sphere. He then began to spin rapidly, heading at an incredible speed towards Onoki in mid-air.

"That is?"

Onoki, who had never seen such a bizarre scene before, was taken aback. However, before he could think further, Katsura, who was rapidly rolling through the air, was already close to him.

"Is the wig meant to cosplay a rolling wheel?"

Curiously observing the two combatants, Uchiha Gin stroked his chin, noticing that Katsura's move did indeed seem somewhat familiar.

"Shadow Caress!"

Using the centrifugal force generated by the rapid rolling, Katsura released his arms from holding onto Onoki's legs just before they were close.

He assumed a forward kicking stance, delivering a powerful kick that struck the end of the spear he had thrown.

"clatter!"

The balance of power was instantly broken. Onoki endured the excruciating pain in his fist, gritted his teeth, and focused his Lava Release power into a single point. A dazzling golden flame shone, followed by an explosion.

"Boom!"

The scorching waves generated by the collision of hot and cold air surged into the air, instantly covering the entire sky above the island.

The knights who were engaged in battle stopped what they were doing at the same time and activated their senses to find out who the final victor would be.

"Pat~"

A short, red figure fell from a great height and crashed heavily onto the hard ground. Fortunately, the transformation had not yet ended, otherwise the fall would have broken his back.

Did Onoki lose?

Mu, who was confronting Hozuki Gengetsu, dared not be easily distracted. Looking at his disciple who had been smashed to the ground, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.

Onoki's defeat means he will soon be facing two opponents in a one-on-one situation.

"clatter!"

Immediately afterwards, another figure fell from the water vapor in the air. The blue knight, after landing safely, stumbled and almost lost his balance.

"Huff~ Huff~"

Gasping for breath, Gui looked down at her slightly trembling calves, a fleeting glimmer of hope in her eyes.

That was a close call. If that little potato had been allowed to grow for a few more years, he might have been the one who fell to the ground.

But now, he is the winner.

"Only those who can survive are true geniuses."

Katsura staggered to Onoki, who was not far away. Seeing that Onoki was only slightly heaving in and out of the room, Katsura smiled triumphantly and reached out to pull off Onoki's belt.

"Dust Escape."

Just as Gui was about to reap the rewards of his victory, a hoarse voice suddenly rang in his ears, making his hair stand on end and alarm bells ring in his mind. He quickly got up and retreated, preparing to create distance.

"The Technique of Stripping Away the Primal Realm"

However, it was too late. A dazzling beam of light suddenly shone, heading straight for the blue turtle knight's face.

"boom!"

Without any reversal, the attack struck Katsura directly in the head; the power of Dust Release's disintegration technique was astonishing.

He could clearly sense that Dust Release had taken away his most important possession. Gui's mind began to replay the first half of his life like a revolving lantern. As the light faded, he lay back stiffly with smoke rising from his head.

"Katsura!"

This time, Ghost Lantern Illusion Moon was anxious, but no matter what, Wu's aura kept locking onto him, so he could only watch helplessly as his junior brother collapsed, smoking.

"hehe."

After unleashing his final attack with all his might, Onoki's red armor began to dissipate, revealing his slightly smug face and a satisfied smile on his bleeding lips.

He ultimately did not disappoint his teacher's expectations.

"Little Mustache, stop looking. No one can survive under the power of Dust Escape."

After Katsura collapsed, Hozuki Gengetsu kept craning his neck to look in that direction, unwilling to give up. Seeing this, Mu naturally wouldn't miss the chance to provoke his old rival.

"Damn it! Wig, I'll avenge you!"

How could Hozuki Gengetsu not know the power of Dust Release? He himself had taken a hit from the opponent's Dust Release back then, and if he hadn't survived thanks to the Water Transformation Technique, he would have been dead long ago.

Gui wasn't as lucky as him; the Snow Clan doesn't have any secret techniques for saving their lives.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!"

Just as Hozuki Gengetsu was mourning his junior brother, a shrill scream rang out, so loud that it echoed throughout the entire battlefield for a long time.

Not only were the sounds loud, but the desolation and sorrow conveyed in the cries were so intense that they almost brought tears to the eyes of the heartbroken listeners.

"Let me see, who's screaming so pitifully?"

Even Uchiha Gin, who was watching the battle, was moved by the desolation of the scream. He couldn't help but wipe away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes and stared wide-eyed in the direction of the sound.

"No...impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could you still be alive after taking my Dust Release technique?!"

Onoki, who had been lying on the ground lost in his own world, stared in disbelief as the fallen blue knight struggled to his feet, his voice trembling with astonishment.

It's important to understand that his all-out Dust Release technique just now wasn't a weakened version where Kakuzu gave everyone a treat; it was a genuine Primal World Decomposition Technique, the kind that would be reduced to dust upon contact.

"Waaaaah"

The blue knight, who had stood up, bent over, his hands covering his head as if searching for something on the ground, his mournful roar never ceasing.

Oh no, teacher, I'm so sorry!

Onoki closed his eyes in despair. He couldn't believe he couldn't even manage a one-for-one exchange. How could he face his hometown folks? Let the enemy send him to the Pure Land!

It's gone. It's gone.

A demonic murmur echoed in his ears. Onoki, who hadn't received the finishing blow, opened his eyes in confusion, only to find the resurrected blue knight clutching his head, looking like a madman. Mustering his courage, he spoke up...

"Kill me or torture me, it's up to you. Stop playing tricks!"

"It's all your fault!"

The Blue Knight paused upon hearing Onoki's voice, then slowly turned his head.

"Huh? That's so flashy."

Blinded by a flash of light, Onoki instinctively looked away, but the fear in his heart inexplicably lessened. Turning back to the blue knight, who looked as if he had lost his parents, he cautiously began to speak.

"Um... I really didn't mean to shoot there~"

"You little potato! I'm going to kill you!"

Only then did everyone realize that Gui, who had escaped death, had not paid no price; on the contrary, he had paid a price comparable to his life.

"Tch, that's it. Iwagakure and Kirigakure will never have another chance to negotiate peace in this lifetime~"

Looking at Katsura's shiny, reflective scalp, Uchiha Gin sighed inwardly, expressing concern for the future relationship between the two villages.

"Katsura! You're not dead!"

The happiest person about Katsura's resurrection was none other than Hozuki Gengetsu, who, overjoyed, shouted in an extremely loud voice,

"Hey! So what if you lost your hair? Once I win, I'll have a top-quality wig custom-made for you!" (End of Chapter)