Chapter 79: Land of Rain, Conspiracy! (Seeking Subscription!)
February 16th, Year 45 of Konoha.
In front of the waterfall.
Watching Sarutobi Asuma tread through the air, Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune's eyes widened.
They were well aware that Sarutobi Asuma possessed the ability to fly, but he clearly wasn't using Wind Release Chakra Mode, nor Scorch Release Chakra Mode.
They hadn't even sensed Wind Release Chakra or Scorching Style Chakra.
"Asuma, how... how did you do that?"
"Is this the new method of Chakra Control training you were talking about?"
After Sarutobi Asuma landed, Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune quickly inquired.
"Yes, a new training method!"
Sarutobi Asuma quite enjoyed being surrounded by two beautiful women, looking at him with admiration and reverence.
"I call this training method 'wind stepping,' though technically it should be 'air stepping'..."
Sarutobi Asuma explained in detail to the two women.
The more he explained, the more shocked Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune became.
Could this really be done?
Yes, it could.
Both theoretically and practically.
Over the past few days, Sarutobi Asuma had managed to walk steadily in the air without needing to use Wind Release Chakra.
Although he couldn't run yet, his progress was significant.
For instance, his Chakra Control skill, which had been stagnant, had improved by 8% during these few days of training.
It was now Level 11 Chakra Control (Extraction, Manipulation / 70%), very close to Level 12.
The biggest improvement, however, was in Wind Body Flicker Technique and Physical Body Flicker Technique.
The former is now Level 6 Wind Body Flicker Technique with 45% proficiency, and the latter is Level 6 Physical Body Flicker Technique with 95% proficiency.
This was even though Sarutobi Asuma hadn't focused on improving his use of Wind Body Flicker Technique.
As for Physical Body Flicker Technique, it wasn't purely Taijutsu; it also utilized Chakra.
In other words, this was a common Body Flicker Technique in the ninja world, using Chakra bursts to enhance human movement speed.
Now, Sarutobi Asuma could remain airborne for extended periods even in his normal state, leading to astonishing improvements in Physical Body Flicker Technique.
And this wasn't his limit yet.
It was a pity that Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune hadn't even completed the task of ascending the reversing waterfall.
However, Sarutobi Asuma was confident that once he mastered it through practice, summarized the techniques, and reached Level 7 Chakra Control, he would be able to achieve temporary hovering and the skill of leveraging air for support.
Treading through the air in the future would at least be on par with the Six Paths level.
The reason Sarutobi Asuma could achieve this in just a few days was because he already possessed Level 11 Chakra Control.
"Take your time, we have ten years to train and improve, and we will eventually succeed."
Sarutobi Asuma comforted them.
If he hadn't been able to allocate points, such training would undoubtedly have taken a decade.
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune nodded in unison, then trained even more diligently and harder.
Whether as Sarutobi Asuma's companions or lovers, they didn't want to be left far behind by him, to the point where they couldn't even see his back.
Sarutobi Asuma was also dedicated to teaching the two women, holding nothing back.
While his main body was training here, he had not neglected his research into Ninjutsu.
A Shadow Clone was studying under Tsunade.
Another Shadow Clone at home was studying the data obtained from Orochimaru.
And a Shadow Clone from the Sarutobi Clan was also learning Ninjutsu.
Although many Ninjutsu might not be directly useful to Sarutobi Asuma, they could provide him with experience points for leveling up.
At the same time.
The peace talks and alliance between Konoha and the Sand Ninja were steadily progressing.
By the end of February, both sides had fully withdrawn their frontline forces and simultaneously reinforced the direction of the Stone Ninja.
Suddenly, the Land of Rain became extremely volatile.
Before the battle even began, Sand Ninja and Konoha Ninja began engaging in probing skirmishes with Stone Ninja in the Land of Rain, Land of Birds, and Land of Grass, exchanging intelligence.
Konoha's clashes with Mist Ninja also continued, albeit on a smaller scale.
The Mist Ninja forces were dispersed, launching surprise attacks across Konoha's long coastline and penetrating deep into the Land of Fire's interior.
One infiltrates, one counter-infiltrates.
As for the Cloud Ninja, a village that values strength, they were surprisingly patient. Although restless, they remained in the reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering phase.
Even so, Konoha had to station troops to the north, guarding against any potential surprise attacks from the Cloud Ninja.
This placed an immense logistical strain on Konoha.
Konoha, Year 45, March 15th.
Sarutobi Asuma heard news about the Akatsuki organization.
This organization had become famous.
Because they attempted to negotiate with Konoha, the Sand Ninja, and the Stone Ninja to end the war.
"Ideals are beautiful, but reality is cruel."
Upon hearing about the Akatsuki, Sarutobi Asuma merely sighed and continued his research and studies.
March 22nd.
After over a month of rest, Sarutobi Asuma finally received a mission: escorting supplies to the Land of Rain.
The Akatsuki's appeal ultimately failed to bring about a ceasefire between the three sides.
Konoha had already opened a battlefield in the Land of Rain, fighting against the Stone Ninja alongside the Sand Ninja.
Land of Rain.
"What miserable weather!"
In front of a cave, Shizune tidied her sticky clothes.
Heavy rain poured outside.
At this time of year, the rain was cold and unpleasant, certainly not good weather for traveling.
But complaints aside, Shizune efficiently entered the cave with the others, settled the supplies, and started several bonfires.
The rain continued outside, and the sky grew darker.
At the cave entrance, Sarutobi Asuma frowned, "Looks like we'll have to spend the night here!"
An hour later, nightfall arrived, but the rain showed no signs of stopping.
Inside the cave, most people were already resting.
Sarutobi Asuma sat cross-legged by the cave entrance, occasional arcs of electricity flickering around him.
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the entrance.
"Lord Asuma, ninjas are approaching!"
It was Hyuga Ryūkō, a ninja of the Hyuga Clan on watch.
Sarutobi Asuma opened his eyes and stood up, "How many?"
"I've only detected fifty so far!"
Hyuga Ryūkō reported.
"Wake everyone up and prepare for battle."
Sarutobi Asuma ordered.
He was the captain of this team, consisting of four squads, totaling 15 people.
As Hyuga Ryūkō went to rouse the others, Sarutobi Asuma stepped out of the cave.
The heavy rain quickly soaked his clothes, but he paid it no mind, his senses rapidly expanding.
Indeed, there were 50 people!
Thirty in front, twenty behind.
Sarutobi Asuma immediately created three Shadow Clones.
One headed towards the mountaintop, and the other two circled around from the left and right flanks.
By this time, Yūhi Kurenai and the others from inside the cave had already emerged.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Whistling sounds arose as a barrage of kunai and shuriken flew towards them.
Boom!
Sarutobi Asuma unleashed a whirlwind, sweeping away the shuriken and the kunai, which were equipped with explosive tags.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosive tags were detonated by the enemies in the rain, sending blasts of air in all directions.
As the air currents dispersed, a Konoha Jonin shouted a warning, "Careful, they're here!"
The words had barely fallen when figures emerged from the dark, rain-swept curtain, closing in, and unleashing ninjutsu first.
Whether it was surging waves or rain arrows… all of them were Water Style ninjutsu.
ROAR!!!
Dragon roars pierced the sky as white-eyed golden dragons surged from Sarutobi Asuma's body, meeting the enemy's Water Style ninjutsu.
Fire Style – White Eye Golden Dragon!
With continuous roars, the fire dragons tore through all the Water Style ninjutsu they encountered. The terrifying heat evaporated the water ninjutsu and rainwater, forming surging steam that scattered in all directions.
"Charge!"
Sarutobi Asuma shouted. Before his voice even fell, he had vanished, transforming into a streak of purple lightning.
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune followed closely, charging out. The two cooperated, one using genjutsu for interference, the other releasing poison needles, poison gas, or engaging in close combat with chakra scalpels.
Screams and roars were enveloped by the rain.
"It's Konoha's Purple Flash!"
"Damn it, why is he here?"
Suddenly, someone recognized Sarutobi Asuma's identity.
Sarutobi Asuma's killing speed was simply too fast.
"Retreat, retreat quickly!"
Someone yelled, but then immediately clutched his neck, eyes wide with shock, before falling with his body severed.
The battle lasted less than two minutes before the attacking enemies collapsed and scattered in a panicked retreat.
"Don't pursue!"
Sarutobi Asuma ordered.
A moment later, all the Konoha ninja gathered at the cave entrance.
Some were injured, but fortunately, no one had died.
Sarutobi Asuma handed the captive in his hand to Yūhi Kurenai. "Kurenai, confirm his identity!"
These individuals all wore headbands from the Land of Rain, but Sarutobi Asuma harbored doubts.
"Understood!"
Yūhi Kurenai nodded and went with Shizune to interrogate the captive.
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