69novels Chapter 140 Follow-up and Ability Introduction
Chapter 140 Follow-up and Ability Introduction
Chapter 140 Follow-up and Ability Introduction
Looking out the window of the Hokage's office at the growing crowds on the street, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flashed with anxiety.
The two discussed the matter all night without reaching a conclusion, which made them feel deeply frustrated and began to doubt whether they had a complete grasp of Konoha.
However, the most crucial thing right now is to immediately send people to control the spread of rumors.
"Now it's up to you to do your job." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo beside him and said in a deep voice, after all, he was the one who caused this mess.
"I will do my best," Danzo replied simply before leaving the Hokage's office to assign the next tasks.
The unified will of the leadership has led to an unprecedented increase in the efficiency of Konoha as a machine.
The Root, the Dark Guard, and even the Security Department all received orders: anyone discussing rumors would be warned the first time, arrested the second time. Anyone found deliberately spreading rumors would be arrested immediately, and killed if they resisted.
Under such a strict order, when Taiyi finished his training at home and stepped onto the street, he immediately felt that the street was much cleaner than before. The chaotic atmosphere of the previous days was gone.
However, Taichi was also glad that he and Kakashi had decided yesterday not to take any further action; otherwise, given the current level of enforcement, it was hard to guarantee that they wouldn't slip up.
In that short period of time, Taiyi felt at least four pairs of eyes sweeping over him, intentionally or unintentionally.
Taichi and Kakashi returned to their normal lives, but the aftershocks of this incident still lingered in Konoha.
The roots and the shadows were frantically sniffing, questioning, and monitoring everywhere, like a hornet's nest had been stirred up, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack, and they ultimately found nothing.
The shadow clones disappeared cleanly and efficiently, and Taiichi and the other two ceased all activity afterward, completely cutting off the trail. In the end, the Root and the Dark Branch could only classify the incident as the meddling of an "unknown force."
As time passed and with strong official suppression, the controversies surrounding Sakumo Hatake, the secrets surrounding Elder Danzo, and even the various rumors involving the Hokage gradually subsided and dissipated amidst the villagers' numbness and the solemn atmosphere. Life returned to a superficial calm.
Taichi's life returned to its long-lost rhythm: his daily taijutsu and swordsmanship training, which began without fail, leaving his clothes soaked with sweat; then he would go to the training ground to train with Yohei and Saori in a small group; in the afternoons he would either go to Konoha Hospital or study ninjutsu at home; in the evenings he would read books or visit the children at the orphanage.
During mission time, I would carry out B-level and even A-level missions with everyone. Days passed by in this routine and stability, with a sense of peace after the storm.
The only difference was with Sakumo Hatake. This "White Fang of Konoha," renowned throughout the ninja world, did not return to his past high-risk missions after the storm subsided.
Sakumo Hatake unexpectedly submitted an application to become a regular Jonin instructor. The Hokage Building quickly approved the application.
When Taichi learned of the situation from Kakashi, Sakumo-senpai had already taken over the new genin squad.
Kakashi's tone carried a hint of emotion and a barely perceptible sense of relief: "Father—he seemed very calm. He said things are good now, he doesn't have to carry such a heavy burden anymore. Mentoring newcomers is troublesome, but seeing the mistakes and growth of young people is more meaningful to him."
It was as if an invisible burden had been lifted from Sakumo's shoulders, allowing him to pour his life's work into guiding the next generation. He would occasionally appear at the training grounds to instruct those inexperienced genin. His figure remained upright, his blade still sharp, but his brows now held a touch more gentleness.
Taichi listened silently, and seeing the relaxation in Kakashi's eyes due to his father's change in mindset, he also felt a little relieved.
Senior Sakumo has found his own peace and new responsibilities, which is probably the best outcome for his family after this ordeal.
The incident seemed to have passed peacefully, but anyone with discerning eyes in Konoha could see the trickery involved and guess what kind of people had the means and audacity to do it.
A sense of discontent was building up in everyone's hearts; today it was Shuo Mao, tomorrow it could be them.
Moreover, the rumors that later appeared about Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi, although they were quickly quelled, ultimately left a thorn in everyone's heart, pricking you from time to time, making it unforgettable.
Time flows like water, never changing according to human will, surging forward. The major and minor events that occur in the ninja world are nothing more than a few ripples on this long river, quickly fading away silently under its immense power.
Time flew by and it was springtime in Konoha year 46. Spring thunder rumbled and all things began to revive, but the warm spring breeze failed to dispel the heavy gloom hanging over the ninja world.
On the contrary, with the arrival of the new year, the situation across the continent was like a taut bowstring, revealing an increasingly ominous silence and oppressive friction.
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What began as a covert contest has now escalated into overt military mobilization and border standoffs. As if by prior agreement, all countries have simultaneously reinforced their border military forces.
Around Konoha, Sunagakure had already begun to significantly increase its troops along the border last year, replacing the previously sparse surveillance outposts with sturdy outpost fortifications.
Organized Sand Ninja units frequently appeared in the desert, and the activities of the Puppet Master units also increased significantly.
This year, large numbers of Sunagakure troops have appeared within the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Rivers has not made any statement about any of this.
At the same time, the Land of Lightning, a village known throughout the ninja world for its warlike nature, also displayed its domineering attitude by simultaneously sending additional ninja troops to the borders of the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, leaving people confused about their specific intentions.
Although the Land of Earth was relatively restrained, it had to take corresponding precautions as the number of border troops from various countries increased. But all the villages knew that this was a clever wolf, and given the opportunity, he wouldn't hesitate to pounce and bite them hard.
As an independent island nation, the Land of Water rarely participated in the two previous Shinobi World Wars, but this time they have been very active. The Hidden Mist Village can be seen in the waters near the Land of Fire.
Konoha, under immense pressure, was forced into full alert. The rumors of Konoha in 45 had created widespread panic, and although nearly half a year had passed, the shadow still lingered in people's hearts.
Faced with ninjas from other countries eyeing them covetously from all sides, the Hokage Building had no choice but to withdraw more ninjas from the mission schedule, especially experienced Jonin and Chunin squads, and send them to the borders of various countries.
As a well-established team, Team 8 also had to face the village's latest arrangements. Yamaguchi Seisuke, an experienced and combat-oriented Jonin, had been transferred out of the team and was assigned to be a vanguard by the village.
The remaining members of Team 8 have now been assigned a newly promoted Chunin to form a brand new squad, with Taichi as the captain.
Since the beginning of the year, tasks such as infiltration, spying, and sabotage, which are rarely seen in normal times, have been continuously assigned to various teams under the village's arrangement. Prices in the village have changed three times a day, and the atmosphere is not as peaceful as before. The air is filled with anxiety and unease as a major battle is about to begin.
Faced with this increasingly tense situation, Taiyi dared not slacken his training. After all, in this chaotic world, only by becoming strong could he truly protect those he cared about.
The morning sunlight of spring slanted across the training ground at home, illuminating the boy wielding a short sword. Combined with the golden flames flowing from the blade, the whole scene appeared solemn and magnificent.
Of course, the scene would be even more beautiful if you ignored the rocks and mounds that were being targeted.
With a single diagonal slash, the rock in front of him was instantly broken in two, the cross-section revealing a molten dark red color.
Taiyi's current moves can sever a target in two with a single strike if the target has no special protection.
As the battle neared its end, Taiyi unleashed a devastating sword strike, the blazing flames transforming into sword energy that slashed across everything in its path. Wherever the fiery sword energy passed, mounds, rocks, and targets were all sliced in half. The remaining force of the sword energy continued unabated, rushing into the distance until it was finally stopped by the protective barrier at the edge of the arena.
This is also Taiyi's proudest achievement during this period. After half a year of hard work, the protective barrier around the training ground is no longer as fragile as it used to be.
The current barrier cannot be broken in a short time unless Taiyi attacks with all his might, which allows Taiyi to train at home more recklessly.
The biggest gain during this period was the complete perfection of the Cremation Technique. With Chakra control reaching Lv10, the last shortcoming of the Cremation Technique was finally made up. After such a long period of practice, Taiyi can now finally turn his whole body into flames.
Standing in the center of the training field, with a thought, Taiyi's entire body, starting from the extremities, gradually transformed into drifting flames. These flames then collapsed and concentrated, leaving behind only a bright golden flame that was both intensely blazing and exceptionally solid!
This flame was completely different from the leaping and lightness of ordinary flames; instead, it seemed to flow like water, circulating repeatedly from bottom to top.
He floated in mid-air, gradually extending limbs and a head from a ball, finally returning to human form. When he opened his eyes, his original eyes now resembled two sparkling rubies.
Experiencing a feeling completely different from usual, even though I have transformed many times, each time is still so novel.
In his flame state, Taiichi's vision is not purely that of a normal person; it is superimposed with a layer of thermal vision. This makes everything appear as a red and blue background. The higher the temperature, the redder and brighter the color; the lower the temperature, the bluer and darker the color.
In this completely flame-like state, Taiyi is more like a flame that can float in the air. However, Taiyi can only float slowly at the moment, and the defect is still very serious.
To overcome this difficulty, Taiyi currently feels that he must reach a higher level of chakra control, enabling him to freely switch between other chakra attributes while in flame form.
With his right hand outstretched and grasping, a chakra blade formed from condensed flames appeared in Taiichi's hand. Unlike the Flame Blade, which requires a physical sword, this blade was formed entirely from chakra. Currently, it can only be used in this state, and it is this state's powerful enhancement to Fire Release that gives Taiichi this ability.
With a casual wave of his hand, the released fiery blade energy nearly destroyed the protective barrier.
Startled, Taiyi quickly withdrew his power. After all, the current barrier was indeed sturdy, but if it were destroyed, it would cost a lot of money!
After exiting the flame form, Taiyi slowly returned to his physical body. This is the biggest drawback of the cremation technique; a complete transformation takes too long.
However, the original purpose of this technique has been achieved; Taiyi no longer has any vital organs. If you stab him, no matter where you hit him, as long as it doesn't kill him instantly, he can instantly recover through the transformation of flames.
It can be said that Taiyi at this point is practically immortal, and his ability to survive on the battlefield is already top-notch.
Taiyi looked at his panel, deciding to do his necessary training for the day.
Name: Matsushita Taichi Occupation: Chunin Lv4 (183/600)
Talent: Diligence can compensate for lack of talent, academic star, highly effective. Age: 10 years old. Physique: 24 (1/5).
Power: 23
Agility: 23 (1 point increased by training)
Spirit: 27
Chakra: 25000 (24500)
Attribute points: 23
Skill points: 23
Fire attribute transformation Lv11 (1923/3000)
Wind attribute change level 10 (1112/2000)
Water property change Lv9 (376/1600)
Earth attribute property change Lv6 (203/1000)
Lightning attribute change level 6 (158/1000)
Yang attribute property change Lv8 (1056/1400)
Yin attribute property change Lv6 (931/1000)
Chakra Form Transformation Lv9 (725/1600)
Chakra Control Lv10 (1857/2000)
技能：进阶体术Lv4（831/5000），进阶冥想Lv3（3154/4000），进阶刀术Lv4（1456/5000）
Derivative Skill: Blade Stance (Guardian) Power +5% A sword strike made for protection, with greater power. The sword stance is infused with the intent of protection, giving the enemy a sense of indestructibility. Super Strength Lv7 (820/1000)
Evaluation: The war is about to begin, and you are fully prepared. Now, young man, let yourself go!
This annoying comment finally spoke like a human being. Taiyi felt that as long as he wasn't deliberately courting death or trapped and unable to escape, it would be difficult for him to die even if he wanted to.
After finishing his daily tasks, Taiyi packed up his supplies and headed to the mission hall. Today was the day the team would receive a mission.
The village is now shrouded in the shadow of war, and there is a severe shortage of manpower everywhere.
The team no longer had much time to rest. Often, after finishing one mission and resting for a day, they would immediately start another mission.
The entire village was like a giant war machine, silently accelerating its operation!
Upon arriving at the mission hall, the rest of the team members were already present: Uchiha Yohei, Furukawa Saori, and their new teammate, Kaze Sei.
He Fengxu was the only one left in his previous squad. He had just been promoted to Chunin for his merits and was a typical ninja who was forcibly promoted during the war.
He is the oldest in Taiichi's team, four years older than Yohei and Saori. However, he is the weakest among them.
He was well aware of his situation. Firstly, he had joined later, and secondly, his strength was indeed lacking. Therefore, he rarely spoke and always followed Taiyi's advice.
The team has been working together for almost three months, so Taiyi is preparing to take on a challenging mission to hone his skills.
When the group arrived at the mission location, Taiyi immediately picked up the A-level mission sheet and started reading it.
Yangping and Saori, standing nearby, were eager to try it out, looking like they had been itching to get started for a while.
Meanwhile, Kaze looked nervous and was about to stop Taiichi from being too radical, but seeing the expressions of the two veteran team members, she decided not to say anything more.
Previously, in order to take care of the new team members, Taiyi only accepted some B-level missions, firstly to allow them to get used to each other, and secondly to understand the new team members' abilities.
But in reality, not to mention Taiichi's current strength, Yangping also has the strength of a Jonin.
This squad can definitely be considered an elite squad.
With just a few glances, a mission was launched into Taiichi's eye: to eliminate foreign ninjas who had entered the Land of Fire.
Taiyi readily accepted the mission, for no other reason than that it offered both an opponent and a degree of freedom.
Upon receiving the mission scroll, the four members of the team immediately checked it out.
The mission is simple and clear: the village has discovered that a large number of foreign ninjas have entered the Land of Fire, disrupting our supply lines and even attacking some small towns. The team's mission is to eliminate all foreign ninjas they encounter!
After reviewing the mission details, Fengxu was somewhat puzzled. "Isn't 'all ninjas' too general? What if there are ninjas who are simply carrying out a mission? Should we kill them too?"
Taiyi glanced at Kazeko. This guy has been a ninja for so many years, how could he still ask such a childish question?
Just as he was about to answer, Yang Ping preemptively gave the answer: "We're operating behind the battlefield. What kind of good person could be showing up here at this time? And even if he is, he can only blame himself. After all, war is no joke!"