Chapter 307: Peace or War—It's All Up to You!
At this moment—
On the city wall, looking at the group standing in front of the Four-Tails, shielding Uchiha Ci behind them, Terumi Mei and Hozuki Mangetsu fell into silence.
The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.
First, there was this red-eyed young man, who not only had a different aura from everyone else but also seemed incredibly strong.
Then, there were the infamous Sasori and Kakuzu, whose reputations were known throughout the entire ninja world.
And finally—three more mysterious, unexpected guests had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Hozuki Mangetsu, who had just started to step forward, froze mid-motion. The muscles at the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
If he jumped down, he'd become a rogue ninja.
But seriously, who in their right mind would want to become a rogue ninja?
However, if he didn't jump down—well, he'd already said all those grandiose words just moments ago…
Meanwhile, Terumi Mei also wore a stiff expression as she observed the unfolding situation below. Her gaze landed on Uchiha Ci, who stood behind the group with a bewildered look on his face.
She had long known that this guy possessed a unique kind of charisma—one that could endlessly attract people with different aspirations to run alongside him toward some absurd, unrealistic dream.
Hidan, Shinno, and even she herself had been proof of that.
Later, she even heard that Orochimaru—the very Sannin who once attacked them and nearly skinned this guy alive—had actually taken him in as a disciple.
But now—
It had only been two months since she last saw him, and somehow, like bamboo shoots after a rainstorm, an entire group of unfamiliar yet formidable individuals had sprouted around him!
Seriously, this was just too much!
Just how was he roping in so many powerful people?!
And more importantly—
Watching the way these individuals occasionally glanced at Uchiha Ci, the subtle emotions in their eyes that went beyond ordinary friendship—Terumi Mei suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
Her chest tightened, and it was as if a giant gong was clanging inside her head—DONG! DONG! DONG!
If this kept up—
If this kept up any longer—
If a man who had such an irresistible pull on everyone—regardless of gender or age—was allowed to roam freely across the ninja world…
She dreaded to imagine just how many infatuated followers would start flocking around him!
Dangerous!
Even in this dire moment, Terumi Mei couldn't help but be consumed by these thoughts.
She even hallucinated for a brief moment, seeing an ominous red warning sign rising above her head—
And then, a vision appeared before her eyes:
All the renowned beauties, actresses, and noble ladies of the ninja world surrounding Uchiha Ci, striking seductive poses—
While that idiot, blushing furiously, had his chin lifted by some brazen woman, laughing foolishly in the midst of a swarm of admirers.
Oysters! Oysters!
Get lost, all of you!!!
I was here first!
At that thought—
Terumi Mei stiffly turned her head, staring at Hozuki Mangetsu, whose foot was still hovering midair, uncertain whether to step forward or not.
Then, in a slow, deliberate voice, she spoke:
"We're already here, aren't we?"
Hozuki Mangetsu's heart skipped a beat.
"Wait, I don't think the situation is quite—"
Before he could finish, Terumi Mei's gentle smile twitched with a visible vein popping on her forehead as she sweetly cut him off:
"Mangetsu~"
"…Just think of it as doing this for the village."
She smiled as she lightly pressed a hand against Mangetsu's back—
And gave him a little push.
WHOOSH!
—
At this moment—
Right after the three mysterious individuals spoke, another agile figure suddenly leaped down from the city wall.
With signature short white hair, a Kirigakure forehead protector marked with four water ripples, a broad, bandage-wrapped sword slung over his shoulder, and sharp, handsome features with a single canine tooth peeking from his mouth—
It was none other than the prodigy of the Mist, the so-called Miracle Child—
The genius who could skillfully wield all Seven Ninja Swords—
Hozuki Mangetsu!
Seeing this, A's expression darkened as he turned to the newcomer and snapped,
"You from the Mist! What are you here for?!"
However, Hozuki Mangetsu completely ignored him.
In truth, after fighting Uchiha Ci twice and getting tricked both times, he had absolutely no interest in any more pre-battle chit-chat.
The moment he landed, he reached for the bandages wrapped around Hiramekarei and slowly began to unwrap them. His single visible eye narrowed dangerously as he locked onto A and Bee.
His stance made his intentions perfectly clear.
Seeing this, the young A felt his heart sink even further. He was growing numb at this point.
But before he could process Mangetsu's stance, his gaze was drawn to the three unknown figures before him.
The hooded individual at the front slowly reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing short orange hair, a four-vertical-line forehead protector of Amegakure, and a resolute expression.
Standing in front of Uchiha Ci, he extended his hand in a protective stance, his attitude unmistakable.
"Son of the Raikage, stand down."
"Today, we will not allow you to harm him."
A's eyes narrowed as he recognized the man.
"You're… Yahiko, the leader of that 'Akatsuki' organization in the Land of Rain?"
During the Third Shinobi War, after Jiraiya left Amegakure, Yahiko led the formation of the first generation of Akatsuki, dedicated to achieving peace through dialogue. Over time, the organization grew, making a name for itself in the war-ravaged Land of Rain.
Now that Akatsuki had expanded, its existence had caught the attention of the major factions in the ninja world.
At the very least—A had some intelligence on Yahiko himself.
He frowned and pointed directly at Uchiha Ci.
"And what's your connection with this guy?"
"Why are you protecting someone so utterly defiant and treacherous?"
"Do you even realize the sheer absurdity of what you're doing?"
Yet—
Faced with A's accusations, Yahiko didn't waver.
He took a firm step forward, placed a hand over his chest, and spoke with unwavering determination:
"I understand."
"Precisely because I understand—I know that we absolutely cannot let the one who will change the ninja world fall here!"
A took a deep breath, his voice turning cold.
"I know about you. You and your organization have always fought to free the Land of Rain from war. As naive as your methods may be, I've never personally held any hostility toward you."
"But—"
"By protecting him, by shielding a criminal who will be wanted by all five Great Nations—"
"Have you considered what consequences this will bring to your country? Your village? You?"
A's face darkened as he issued a grave warning:
"You will bring war upon yourselves."
At these words, Konan and Nagato tensed instinctively, their eyes sharpening beneath their hoods.
But Yahiko—
Yahiko's expression twisted with fury, his sharp gaze burning with righteous indignation.
"War?!"
"Is that so? So this is your so-called justice?"
"As a great nation, as the protagonist of this era, you can speak such words so indifferently? You can mercilessly trample upon small nations without a shred of guilt? You can turn a blind eye to thousands of miles of barren land, to the horrors of parents eating their own children just to survive?"
"But—"
"Are you the only ones who have the right to define peace and justice?"
"The young shinobi of the Hot Water Nation, who sought vengeance after suffering under your oppression—did his wave of assassinations still fail to awaken you?"
"Is that it?!"
"I see now!"
Yahiko's gaze turned icy as he reversed his grip on the massive sword on his back, swinging it between both hands and pointing it at the A-B Duo.
"If you cannot understand another's pain, then you will never truly understand them. And even if you could, without remorse, there can be no reconciliation."
"You feel no regret at all!"
"And so, someone must teach you what it means to repent!"
"Nagato, Konan—prepare for battle!"
With Yahiko's stern command, Konan and Nagato immediately lowered their stances, readying themselves for combat.
Then—
His gaze locked onto the younger A, his voice cold and unwavering.
"At this moment,"
"Son of the Raikage, if you refuse to step aside, then you will die here!"
"Peace or war—it all hinges on your decision!"
At that moment, Young A's face darkened as he scanned the formidable group before him—
Hōzuki Mangetsu, Sasori of the Red Sand, Kakuzu, Nagato, Yahiko, Konan—
And behind them, Mei Terumi watching from the city walls, as well as Uchiha Ci standing atop the Four-Tails' shoulder.
Nine of them in total.
Young A's palms grew clammy. He clenched his sweaty fists tightly.
He was hot-blooded by nature, preferring straightforward and decisive action—
But he wasn't stupid!
Facing such a lineup… if someone told him they were here to hunt his father, he might just believe it!
If Killer B were in peak condition, A might still have the confidence to test the waters against them. But B had already been critically wounded twice by Uchiha Ci. Just being able to move was a struggle for him now.
The two of them were absolutely no match for this many people!
However—
This was his home. This was the capital of the Land of Lightning. Retreat? That was impossible!
Yet, at that very moment—
The sky suddenly flashed, and in an instant, a streak of white lightning struck down!
Amidst the lightning, a scroll fell directly in front of the A-B Duo.
Young A froze momentarily before quickly picking up the scroll, which had been delivered by the Heavenly Transmission Technique.
Unrolling it, he immediately recognized the hastily written, urgent message—
[Turtle Island under attack by Orochimaru—proceed to reinforce immediately!]
A's expression shifted drastically. That was his father, the Third Raikage's handwriting!
But at the same time, a heavy weight seemed to lift from his chest.
"B, we're leaving!"
Meanwhile—
As everyone's attention remained on the A-B Duo,
What was Uchiha Ci doing?
He was 'rock climbing.'
Well, not exactly. More accurately, he was 'tailed beast climbing.'
At this moment, he was gripping onto the fur of the Four-Tails, stealthily making his way down its back while no one was watching.
His movements were awkward—
Like a caterpillar inching its way downward, gritting his teeth against the wind, pausing with every step.
The backlash from his new Sage Mode had left his body gradually weakening, sinking into extreme exhaustion—
And that exhaustion was still increasing.
Yet—
Even in this state of total powerlessness,
Just as he was halfway down the Four-Tails' back, Uchiha Ci suddenly noticed something quite interesting.
With his mutated eyes, he could clearly see—
The natural energy he had drained was slowly recovering over time.
And the newly formed natural energy, upon touching his body,
Was instinctively drawn into it.
It was like muscle growth—
Only by breaking them down first could they become stronger.
Stripped of all his strength, left with only natural energy to rely on,
Having pushed it to its absolute limit—
It was as if his very body craved that power.
At this moment, his body—much like Jūgo, whom Orochimaru would later discover—
Had transformed into a 'postnatal Sage Body' capable of naturally absorbing Senjutsu chakra.
And unlike Jūgo, who would lose control in environments with high natural energy,
His body—one that had endured, conquered, and forcibly suppressed Senjutsu chakra—
Now fused with it seamlessly, like water blending with milk.
His physical strength was continuously, steadily increasing.
Some unique abilities—
Or rather, abilities akin to inborn talents—
Seemed to be unlocking from deep within his genetic potential!
[You have acquired a new talent: Sage Transformation (Postnatal, S).]
[Accompanying talent: Sage Transformation—You are gradually awakening various abilities of Sage Mode.]
[Cellular Purge, Cellular Absorption, Lotus Barrage, Cleaving Burst Strike]
[Based on the talent: Sage Transformation, you have gained a new talent: Natural Communion (A, Beginner).]
Line after line of notifications flashed before his eyes.
Uchiha Ci's gaze sharpened slightly.
Sage Transformation—
Even within the Jūgo Clan, this was an extremely rare ability, appearing only in Jūgo himself.
This talent not only provided a host of formidable abilities, but also came with a severe drawback—
So much so that Jūgo, even without knowing any ninjutsu, could reach Kage-level strength purely through it.
And yet—
Through a series of reckless experiments on his own body,
Uchiha Ci had forcefully developed it himself!
Moreover, his body composition was unique. The usual drawbacks of Sage Transformation didn't seem to affect him.
And with the Sharingan—
This power could be completely mastered.
For a fleeting moment, he felt a warmth, as if sitting before a fireplace.
Then—
The natural energy, autonomously drawn in by his body, finally fused with his cells.
And then—
Uchiha Ci's expression twisted in an instant.
It was as if countless needles were piercing into his body—
Those threads of natural energy, transforming into countless stabbing needles—
Ripping through his meridians, rupturing his blood vessels,
Tearing apart his muscles, fibers, bones, and tendons.
As if breaking everything apart—
Only to reconstruct it anew!
A surge of unbearable agony crashed over him!
Even with Uchiha Ci's level of willpower—the kind that could joke around even while being disemboweled—
He couldn't withstand this pain.
In an instant, his senses were completely overwhelmed.
And then—
Everything went black.
His fingers loosened from the Four-Tails' fur.
He plummeted—
Falling, falling, falling…
That sinking sensation—
For a brief moment, it reminded him of that helplessness when he had fallen into Hell Valley just days ago.
His mind wavered, his face twisted in pain.
Until—
"Ci!!"
A clear, urgent, and gentle voice drew near.
Uchiha Ci felt himself fall into a warm embrace.
Amidst the endless darkness, it was as if a light had found him.
[Ding!]
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