Mizukage's Pokémon Ninja Scroll

Chapter 494 Could it be him again?

The next morning.

The heavy snow that had been falling in the Land of Iron for days finally came to a halt, and thick snow covered all the buildings.

The soft morning sunlight broke through the clouds and slowly poured down, dyeing this white world with a layer of golden glow.

Early riser Jianchuan Ju, dressed in plain clothes, sat cross-legged in the courtyard with her eyes slightly closed.

A gentle breeze blew, and a few snowflakes drifted down onto her shoulders, but this did not diminish Jianchuan Ju's feeling of the omnipresent natural energy in the air.

Ever since he drew the "Origin of the Sea" trait and mastered the "Water Release: Sage Mode", he has been quite interested in the so-called natural energy of the ninja world.

Failure to master the sage arts of Mount Myōboku will turn a person into a toad statue. Successful mastery of the sage arts of Ryūchi Cave will indeed give one some characteristics of a snake transforming into a dragon. It seems that the immortals of the three holy lands have achieved longevity through the practice of sage arts.

Despite being born with a celestial body, Jugo possesses the strange ability to freely change his physical form, and he can even become violent and murderous when he cannot control natural energy.

His "Water Release: Sage Mode," which incorporates the "Origin Sea," also grants him the ability to manipulate water flow and even control celestial phenomena.

Togepi can unleash all Pokémon moves with a mere flick of its finger.

Although both are Sage Arts created from the combination of natural energy and chakra, they exhibit completely different, almost omnipotent power.

It's hard not to associate this with things like "spiritual energy" or "magical elements" from legends of her past life.

However, things in legends are ultimately too ethereal and unrealistic.

The natural energy and sage techniques in the ninja world are not as harmless as gentle and obedient little lambs.

Even Tachibana Kanagawa, who had already mastered the "Water Release: Sage Mode," did not dare to try it too recklessly.

He could only cautiously explore and test the boundaries of "Water Release: Sage Mode" in order to improve himself further.

At present, all he can do is to give some ice-attribute moves a boost from 'Sage Art' energy.

However, its effectiveness and controllability are still somewhat different from those of a simple "Water Release: Sage Technique".

There's no need to elaborate on the system's lottery system now.

Tachibana Kanagawa's own training goal is to use water-style chakra as a guide to try to combine "White Release" with "Sage Mode" and see if he can create a "White Release Sage Mode".

Although, this matter still needs to be addressed gradually.

But it's just right now.

The Land of Iron, with its perpetually snow-covered environment, is the perfect place for Kanagawa Tachibana to experience a different kind of nature.

Jianchuan Ju estimates that if the so-called "White Escape Sage Mode" can really be achieved, his own strength should be greatly enhanced once again.

"Well, my current strength seems sufficient for now."

"But... the White Sage Mode... it should be even cooler, right?"

Just as Jianchuan Ju was smugly boasting to himself in the yard.

Mei Terumi suddenly appeared beside him in an instant, and respectfully reminded him in a low voice.

"Lord Mizukage, Lord Mifune has come to request an audience with you."

Hearing Mei Terumi's respectful tone, Tachibana Kenkawa wasn't surprised at all.

Mei Terumi isn't Zabuza.

This is, after all, someone else's territory, and Mei Terumi is quite considerate of appearances for Tachibana Kenkawa.

Upon hearing this, Jianchuan Ju stopped her cultivation, stood up from the snow, patted the snow off her clothes, and then asked.

"Lord Mifune has come in person?"

"That's right, the person has arrived and is waiting for you outside."

After thinking for a moment, Jianchuan Ju decided not to change her clothes and walked directly into the living room of the house in her light white dress.

However, upon seeing Mifune, Tachibana Kenkawa almost burst out laughing, which was rather unkind.

The general of the Land of Iron, who was full of vigor yesterday, has become quite haggard in just one night.

His face was slightly pale, his eyes were bloodshot, and the beard he had carefully groomed before now looked somewhat unkempt.

Logically speaking, given the physical condition of an excellent samurai like Mifune, even if he hadn't slept all night, he shouldn't have looked this haggard.

Clearly, his current state was not just due to physical exhaustion.

Upon seeing Tachibana Kenkawa approach, Mifune quickly stood up and politely bowed.

After receiving a return gift from Jianchuan Ju, he didn't continue with formalities and spoke directly.

"Lord Mizukage, the location where you were attacked yesterday has been found. The samurai we sent out have also contacted the other Kage, and they have all promised to rush to the venue as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Tachibana Kanagawa looked at Mifune's haggard appearance with some curiosity.

After thinking for a moment, I decided to ask directly.

"In that case, I presume the Kage are all doing well. Why does Lord Mifune appear so exhausted?"

The so-called attack was just a ploy by Tachibana Kenkawa to muddy the waters.

Moreover, the existence of the sealing incantation is enough to prove that this matter has little to do with the Land of Iron. Given Mifune's status and shrewdness as the general of the Land of Iron, such a small matter should not have caused him to be so exhausted.

However, Mifune let out a long, helpless sigh upon hearing Tachibana's question.

"The samurai who went to search for the Kage have sent back an urgent report: nothing has happened to the other three Kage, but..."

After saying "but," Mifune seemed to hesitate for a moment, but eventually continued speaking.

"However, the Raikage replied that during their departure from the Land of Lightning, they were also attacked by what appeared to be Konoha ninjas, and the news has already reached Kumogakure."

"At present, the army of Cloud Shadow Village has been mobilized and is heading to the border battlefield of the Land of Fire."

"Lord Raikage means that you are still willing to come to the talks, but only to demand an explanation from Konoha. If an agreement cannot be reached, I fear the Cloud Village army..."

Upon hearing this, Jianchuan Ju raised an eyebrow slightly.

Even Mei Terumi, standing to the side, subconsciously glanced at Tachibana Kenkawa beside her after hearing Mifune's answer.

After all, she was also very clear about what the so-called "attack" was all about.

"There really was an attack? And the Cloud Village actually sent reinforcements to the front lines like that?"

Various thoughts flashed through Jianchuan Ju's mind.

For a time, they couldn't figure out the reason behind it.

"Given Minato's personality, since he's prepared for the Five Kage Summit, he certainly wouldn't provoke Kumogakure at this time."

"That Hiruzen Sarutobi guy is most likely eager for a ceasefire and negotiations to happen as soon as possible. This opportunity to leverage the support of the other ninja villages to pressure Kumogakure is already the best possible situation for Konoha."

"The Fourth Hokage, A, is known throughout the ninja world for his explosive temper. To provoke him before the talks is just asking for trouble."

Tachibana Kanagawa simply couldn't understand why Konoha would launch a surprise attack on the Raikage who had come to attend the meeting at such a time.

"Could it be that radical Danzo again, pulling the strings behind the scenes?"

(End of this chapter)