"Lord Shigure, are you certain we don't need more squads escorting you?"
Early morning mist still clung to the port when Shigure arrived, only to find Ao and several elites waiting anxiously behind him.
Shigure sighed in mild exasperation.
"Didn't I tell you all not to follow?"
Their expressions didn't budge.
Every one of them looked at him with determined — and worried — eyes.
Shigure raised a hand dismissively.
"Relax. Kumogakure is not a den of wolves. They're not going to attack us the moment we arrive."
Ao nodded, but the unease in his eyes didn't fade.
"In that case, at least allow another squad to lie in wait outside Kumogakure — a precaution…"
Shigure shook his head.
"No need."
He glanced toward Kuji and Ameyuri Ringo, signaling it was time to depart.
The others tried to insist further, but Shigure cut them off:
"I already assigned your responsibilities. Stick to the plan. I'll handle everything else when I return."
With that, the seawater surged beneath his feet — rising, spiraling — before taking the form of a massive Water Dragon.
Rather than fly using the Flying Nimbus, Shigure chose this method deliberately:
To let Kumogakure witness Kirigakure's strength the moment he arrived.
He stepped onto the dragon's head while Kuji and Ringo positioned themselves mid-body.
The towering water construct roared forward, gliding across the ocean with immense speed.
Mist billowed upward, droplets shimmering like scattered pearls in the sunlight.
The Mist shinobi watching from afar were stunned.
"Using the Water Dragon Bullet Technique… for flight!?"
"That's… impossible!"
"Lord Shigure's control over Water Release is insane!"
To weaponize a high-level offensive jutsu as a mode of long-range travel — it was unprecedented.
Shigure's figure vanished quickly over the horizon.
The Hidden Cloud likely expected Shigure to arrive tomorrow.
But at this pace…
He would reach Kumogakure today.
They would have no time to prepare for his arrival — a subtle psychological blow delivered before negotiations even began.
Ao couldn't help but smile faintly.
Only under Lord Shigure could we face Kumogakure on equal footing…
Over the Sea — On the Water Dragon's Head
Shigure estimated they would arrive by noon.
He decided to use the travel time efficiently — checking his skill bar.
His passive slots were currently:
1️⃣ Sage Art
2️⃣ Shikotsumyaku
3️⃣ Fire Release
4️⃣ Lightning Release
5️⃣ Wind Release
6️⃣ Earth Release
7️⃣ Light Release
His Sage mastery had reached an astonishing level — Natural Energy conversion smooth and nearly instantaneous.
His Shikotsumyaku was evolving too, his bones strengthening with every passing day.
The four basic nature transformations were catching up.
They still lagged behind his unrivaled Water Release, but not by much.
He lifted a hand.
Four thin threads of chakra spun outward —
🔥 One turned to flame.
💨 One became a ribbon of wind.
⚡ One crackled with lightning.
🌍 One condensed into a razor edge of hardened earth.
His elemental command was advancing rapidly — as was his Light Release.
His destructive force now required only a flick of a finger.
No need to change the elemental slots for now. All five chakra natures require continued improvement — and Light Release remains crucial.
As for Sage Art — although at its peak — further rapid growth seemed impossible.
Still considering adjustments, he heard the voice of the Great Sage within him:
[Great Sage: Recommendation — Replace current ocular ability with Fiery Red Eyes. Enhancement through passive skill slot will significantly increase ocular power.]
He grinned.
"Perfect. Once I fully inherit Shisui's abilities… activating my Mangekyō will require immense ocular strength."
He issued the command:
"Passive Slot One — Replace with Fiery Red Eyes."
Then he checked the rest of the Great Sage's calculations.
[Great Sage: Three Kekkei Genkai completed —
Explosion Release, Lava Release, Scorch Release.
Confirm acquisition?]
"Accept."
Three powerful fusion nature transformations integrated into his chakra system at once — a sensation unlike any he had felt before.
He opened his eyes —
And instantly understood them.
Mastery of every known Kekkei Genkai was no longer a distant ambition.
It was now simply…inevitable.
Once he acquired all of them — he would forge techniques beyond anything the shinobi world had ever imagined.
Not for power — but for creation.
The ocean wind rushed around him as the Water Dragon surged forward.
Kumogakure… let's see what game you're playing.
Explosion Release, Scorch Release, and Lava Release—
each was a devastating Kekkei Genkai capable of reshaping battlefields.
If Shigure did not already possess the far more advanced Light Release, he might have chosen one of those three as his primary offensive power.
"Lord Shigure!"
"We're nearing the Land of Lightning!"
Kuji's voice sounded from behind him, interrupting Shigure's focus on his newly acquired abilities.
Shigure lifted his gaze.
A vast mountainous island was coming into view—its jagged peaks rising sharply into the clouds.
Kumogakure.
The hidden stronghold of the Land of Lightning.
Even from thousands of meters away, the entire village was within the range of his chakra perception.
As expected…
No welcoming party.
No escort.
No formal reception.
Exactly as Kumogakure intended.
A slight smirk tugged at Shigure's lips.
So they wanted to test him.
"Hold on tight."
He planted his foot more firmly upon the Water Dragon's head.
"I'm picking up the pace."
In the next instant—
🌊💥
The Water Dragon's body swelled, doubling in mass, its jaws parting in a thunderous roar.
Mist exploded outward and the seawater beneath them churned violently.
Then—
FWOOSH!
The colossal serpentine wave-beast launched forward at terrifying speed, cutting across the ocean like a blue-white comet headed straight for Kumogakure's cliffs.
This arrival…
Would not go unnoticed.
...
TN:
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