Chapter 98: Izayoi's Bounty
Land of Rain, Hidden Rain Village.
"Wood Release ninja, a mysterious person with a second Rinnegan..."
Tendo Pain looked at the photo and information Konan handed him, his expressionless face unchanging. "It seems that to become a true god, one must pass the trials arranged by fate."
"No matter who it is, they cannot stop me from achieving peace!"
Unlike Tendo Pain's chuunibyou,
Obito Uchiha and Black/White Zetsu were heavy-hearted.
"First that mysterious person, and now a legitimate Wood Release ninja! Why are accidents suddenly popping up one after another lately?!"
Obito Uchiha looked at Izayoi's information, his emotions somewhat agitated, "It was already letting this brat live after the Nine-Tails' attack. For him to have this level of Wood Release power at this age, it's clearly not a recent awakening. How could he have endured it? Doesn't he know the importance of Wood Release? As long as he revealed it, Konoha would definitely pour all their resources into nurturing him!"
If Izayoi had revealed Wood Release earlier, he would have dealt with this threat while annihilating the Uchiha clan.
But now...
Five nature transformations, a more advanced Rasengan, plus flight and Wood Release.
Unless he succeeded in a sneak attack, even Obito Uchiha couldn't deal with the opponent.
Especially the ability to fly, which was the type Obito Uchiha least wanted to encounter.
"Do you think... he might be that mysterious person?" White Zetsu suddenly spoke the truth.
But he was met with Obito Uchiha's question, "Can the Rinnegan revert to its normal state?"
White Zetsu immediately shut up.
Of course, it could, provided the Rinnegan was evolved by oneself.
Black Zetsu thought to himself, also feeling that Izayoi couldn't possibly be the mysterious person.
If Izayoi was the mysterious person and also possessed the Rinnegan, it would mean that before graduating, he had achieved the unification of Yin and Yang that Madara Uchiha only accomplished near his death, which was impossible.
The unification of Yin and Yang required one to be a reincarnation of Asura or Indra, then develop the Sage's Body or Sharingan to its peak, and then obtain a source of ultimate Yang or Yin power, merging the two to slowly derive the power of all creation.
Each of these conditions was hellishly difficult and would take a long time.
Black Zetsu had spent a full millennium to create the second Rinnegan.
How could a brat who had just graduated accomplish that?
Even if Izayoi's Rinnegan was transplanted, he should be like Nagato in his youth, unable to unleash the power of the Rinnegan yet.
Moreover, a transplanted Rinnegan couldn't revert to its normal state.
If Izayoi was a descendant of the Moon lineage, secretly sent to Konoha, his hair would definitely be white, and his eyes would also be Byakugan.
Clearly, Izayoi didn't fit a single characteristic.
He was just a lucky one, the bloodline left behind by Hashirama Senju, the most outstanding reincarnation of Asura in all generations, which, after decades of accumulation, unexpectedly gave birth to a Wood Release ninja.
This Wood Release ninja's future achievements in Wood Release would definitely not compare to Hashirama Senju, who possessed the Sage's Body.
But coincidentally, this Senju brat also inherited Tobirama Senju's ninjutsu talent.
At this age, he had already mastered so many nature transformations and developed the ultimate techniques of Storm Release and Dust Release.
Once he received Konoha's full cultivation, he might even become the second Tobirama Senju in terms of ninjutsu.
Also a major threat to the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan!
Thinking of this, Black Zetsu subconsciously cursed inwardly.
And it had to be at this time...
Damn Hagoromo and Hamura, you two unfilial sons have been dead for so many years, yet you still bring me so much trouble!
Black Zetsu's grievances were unknown to anyone.
After Izayoi's information spread throughout the ninja world, a bounty appeared for him on the black market.
The bounty amount was as high as—180 million ryo.
Asuma Sarutobi, an elite Jonin, a member of the Guardian Twelve, and the son of the Hokage, only had a bounty of 35 million ryo on the black market.
But a brat who had just graduated was being offered 180 million ryo, directly topping the black market's bounty list.
From this, it could be seen how much the person behind the scenes feared Wood Release and how much they were willing to spend.
Izayoi was completely unaware of this.
If he knew, he would definitely show the same disdainful smile as Sasuke.
Poor bastards! This little bit of money can't even buy the land for my new house. Who are you looking down on?
At the same time, it could also be seen that ninjas, as tools, were truly worthless.
Even those who possessed a bloodline limit that could pacify the chaotic world were no exception.
...
While Izayoi was teaching Sasuke Uchiha the training method for the Super Hurricane Consecutive Spheres, he used Storm Release: Judgment to control the power and cut down trees.
It took a full two days to clear all the towering trees from the Uchiha compound and the Naka River area.
During this time, Hinata and Karin contributed the most.
Sasuke Uchiha's Chidori hadn't even cut down a towering tree that required more than ten people to encircle before his chakra was exhausted, becoming weak at a young age.
On the other hand, Karin and Hinata, who had initially mastered the Strength of a Hundred Seal, treated these large trees as sandbags for practicing their punches. Their massive chakra reserves and astonishing endurance allowed them to break dozens of large trees a day, which greatly demoralized Sasuke Uchiha.
During these two days, the Konoha 11 also came to visit one after another.
After all, Izayoi's fame had become too great in these two days, surpassing even the popularity of celebrities.
"Izayoi, you're something else! You actually hid it so deep!"
"Yeah, yeah, I thought I misheard the name at first, but it really was you!"
"A descendant of the Senju clan, the legendary bloodline limit of Wood Release, you're really something. You have to treat us to dinner."
"..."
Forced to treat them, Izayoi had to hold a banquet at Sasuke Uchiha's house to entertain these 'good-for-nothing friends'.
Fortunately, these guys were somewhat loyal. After eating and drinking their fill, they also helped Izayoi cut down trees, although apart from Naruto Uzumaki, the others' efforts were negligible.
Naruto Uzumaki, who used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and Rasengan combination to help the most, was secretly rewarded by Izayoi with a ninjutsu scroll, which was an attack-type—Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere.
This ninjutsu's position in the five elements was equivalent to the Uchiha clan's Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique, still within the scope of low-level ninjutsu and very common.
Even so, it moved Naruto Uzumaki to tears.
After all, even Wind Release: Great Breakthrough was something Kakashi Hatake was only willing to teach him after he persistently pestered him.
After that, that guy said one Wind Release: Great Breakthrough was enough for him and never taught Naruto any higher-level Wind Release techniques again.
If it weren't for learning the Rasengan from the Pervy Sage, Naruto Uzumaki would still only know the Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
But just coming over to repay Izayoi, who often treated them, he was so generous as to give him a ninjutsu scroll.
As expected of the third person after Grandpa Third and Iruka-sensei to acknowledge this great me, and also the opponent this great me acknowledges and is truly convinced by. Naruto Uzumaki left happily like a child who had received a beloved toy.
...
"This is too ridiculous. It took two days to clear such a small amount of trees."
Sitting on the veranda, Karin wiped the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief and exclaimed, "It's hard to imagine what a spectacular scene Izayoi-kun's Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees would be if released on the battlefield."
"Mmm-hmm..." Hinata nodded in deep agreement.
Although she hadn't seen it that day, the logging of the past two days had made her realize why the elders had been so enthusiastic towards her recently, constantly asking her about Izayoi, and even teasing or hinting that she should announce her relationship with Izayoi as soon as possible.
Wood Release was truly too powerful! At the same time, Hinata's heart was also filled with a secret joy.
The elders had acknowledged Izayoi, and her father wouldn't object. She could now completely confess to Izayoi, and there would be no more obstacles between them.
However, after being interrupted by Izayoi last time, Hinata had lost the courage to speak up again.
She was truly too timid.
"Wood Release: Four Pillar Prison Technique!"
On the other side, Izayoi, having seen off the Konoha 11, also used Wood Release: Three Rooms and a Living Room Technique to repair the Uchiha compound that had been destroyed by the Advent of a World of Flowering Trees.
In the future, Konoha might expand in this direction, and the land would be worth a fortune. Izayoi couldn't bring himself to damage his little brother's property.
After restoring the compound, Izayoi said to the indifferent Sasuke Uchiha, "Go back and pack your things. We'll leave in a bit."
"Okay!" Sasuke Uchiha's eyes lit up, and he immediately used Body Flicker Technique to return and pack.
Izayoi also went to inform the two girls.
"Eh! Izayoi-kun, are you going out with Sasuke-kun?" Karin looked around, somewhat timidly, "Then I'll stay at Hinata's house for this time. When will you be back?"
"Not sure for now. It might be two or three days if it's fast, or maybe more than a week if it's slow," Izayoi said with a smile, instructing, "You two need to train harder in the future. Otherwise, when we come back this time, Sasuke's strength might leave you far behind."
"...Okay!"
The two girls were slightly stunned, then looked at each other and nodded vigorously at Izayoi.
"Hinata, if you have time, help me supervise the construction. I'm afraid something might go wrong without someone watching, delaying the completion of the new house," Izayoi added.
"Leave it to me, Izayoi-kun," Hinata said with a gentle smile and a nod.
After chatting with the girls for a few more words, Izayoi also went back to his room to get his things, then went to the Naka River first before taking Sasuke Uchiha to get his departure permit, heading straight for the Land of Rice Fields.
That's right, the person Izayoi had in mind to give Sasuke Uchiha the injection was Orochimaru.
To be precise, it was Orochimaru's knowledge and Kabuto Yakushi's practical skills.
Although Izayoi had the Medical Genius keyword, he hadn't actually studied medicine.
Despite being very certain that there would be no problems with Sasuke Uchiha's Hashirama cell transplant, and even if problems did arise, he could use Wood Release to absorb that extremely destructive power.
However, a self-taught doctor could never compare to a professional.
Moreover, Orochimaru also possessed the summoning scroll for the Ryuchi Cave. Izayoi could not only get it to enhance Sasuke Uchiha's strength.
If Tsunade and the Slug Sage both disagreed with Hinata signing a contract with Shikkotsu Forest, there was also the Ryuchi Cave as an option.
If Izayoi wanted to learn Sage Mode in the future, he could also choose from the Three Great Sage Lands.
He had to make a trip to Orochimaru's place.
Halfway through the journey, Sasuke Uchiha also realized what was happening and couldn't help but stare at Izayoi with wide eyes, "Land of Rice Fields? The person you're taking me to see... it wouldn't be Orochimaru, would it?!"
"You got it right."
"Are you crazy?" Sasuke Uchiha said in disbelief, "You know that guy is after my Sharingan, yet you're sending me to his doorstep? Aren't you afraid we won't be able to escape?"
"Don't worry, he's not the same Orochimaru from the Forest of Death," Izayoi comforted him, explaining, "During the Chunin Exams, the Third Hokage sealed the souls in his arms. Now he can't use any of his ninjutsu, and his body is on the verge of collapse. It's his weakest moment."
"The village will soon extract this information from the brains of those corpses. By then, the village will definitely retaliate, and it will be difficult for us to find Orochimaru again."
Izayoi looked at Sasuke Uchiha and smiled confidently, "Besides, don't you trust my strength? Would I bring you here if I wasn't sure?"
Hearing this, Sasuke Uchiha couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
It wasn't that he was cowardly, but it was only October now, just three months after that exam in the Forest of Death.
The memory of being so terrified by Orochimaru's killing intent that he vomited on the spot was still vivid in his mind.
Little did he know that with his current genjutsu eye abilities, even if Orochimaru still had the use of his arms, he wouldn't be able to easily capture him.
The Land of Rice Fields was one of the neighboring countries to the north of the Land of Fire.
Starting from Konoha, they only needed to pass through a dense forest and grassland area, passing through the Valley of the End, which was blasted out by the God of Shinobi's Wood Release ultimate technique, to reach the Land of Rice Fields.
A Genin using full-speed Body Flicker Technique wouldn't even need a day.
Izayoi and Sasuke Uchiha, using lightning release chakra to enhance their speed, arrived in the Land of Rice Fields in just half a day.
Izayoi knew Orochimaru's location very well.
It wasn't something he found on the way. After Orochimaru left Konoha, the Shadow Clone responsible for protecting Ranmaru secretly followed him, witnessing Orochimaru return to his underground base from across half the Land of Fire.
He hadn't immediately killed Danzo Shimura back then, also for the sake of Hashirama cells.
The latter was to enhance Sasuke Uchiha's strength and increase his own drop rate.
Boom—
Izayoi punched the ground, and terrifying chakra erupted, immediately blasting out an entrance leading to the underground base.
Immediately, Izayoi led Sasuke Uchiha inside.
They hadn't walked far when a group of Sound ninjas appeared in the corridor.
Seeing this, Izayoi smiled at Sasuke Uchiha, "Here's a test for you. Take care of these guys and then come find me."
After speaking, Izayoi's body disappeared as if by teleportation.
The Sound ninjas in front all felt a gust of wind brush past them.
Sasuke Uchiha, who had already activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, looked as if he had seen something unbelievable, his expression slightly changing as he said, "Lightning Release nature transformation and Wind Release nature transformation... this guy Izayoi..."
Inside was lightning release chakra-stimulated cells, and outside was wind release nature transformation wrapping his entire body, reducing air resistance. Sasuke Uchiha hadn't expected high-speed movement to be used like this.
But soon, Sasuke Uchiha curled the corners of his mouth, good at, "I saw it. Once I learn Wind Release nature transformation, it'll be mine!"
His body turned into a gust of wind, and like a flash of lightning, Izayoi passed through corridor after corridor, quickly appearing in a dimly lit room.
"Yo... long time no see, Orochimaru-sama."
Looking at Orochimaru, whose whole body was wrapped in bandages, his body on the verge of collapse, with blood seeping from countless pores, Izayoi raised his hand and greeted him with a warm attitude.
(End of this chapter)
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