Chapter 261: The Winds Rise, The Clouds Roll
Yotsuki Dana's coma was placed under a gag order by the Third Raikage. Although their departure had caused a massive commotion, upon returning to the village, everyone kept their mouths shut.
The Third Raikage decided not to send Dana to the standard Ninja Hospital. Instead, he was sent directly to the research base specializing in biological and medical studies, where the equipment was more advanced, and the personnel were more skilled.
A group of research and medical ninja, waiting at the entrance, immediately began their examination upon receiving him.
"What is this?!!"
"Dana-sama seems to be clutching something in his hand?"
"Can we pry it open?"
"Is this a lump of flesh and blood? It's still active? Seal it up first; it might belong to Dana-sama's enemy."
"Such a strange thing."
After a series of examinations, Dana's physical condition was declared stable with no threat to his life. However, his brain was in a deep coma, while the chakra around his spine was abnormally active.
Nagato, who had been brought to the Cloud Village, provided significant help. He even generously demonstrated Chibaku Tensei once more. Although the stone sphere he created was only about 30 meters in diameter given his current level, it provided valuable data for the researchers.
As for more detailed information, Nagato was still exploring his own abilities and couldn't offer definitive answers. He had come with questions of his own, hoping to find answers in Kumogakure.
And so, the entire laboratory bustled for a day, but they failed to wake Dana.
He looked fine, but no one could say if he would wake up in the next second or sleep forever.
This situation resembled another person who had been lying in the base for years (Tsunade).
The biggest problem lay in the abnormal chakra activity around Dana's spine. It was unconsciously refining and consuming chakra, while also absorbing some kind of energy from the outside world—speculated to be Natural Energy.
This meant Dana couldn't just lie in bed like a normal patient. His body was consuming vast amounts of energy and needed substantial nutrients.
Thus, Yotsuki Dana was placed inside a giant glass tank filled with green liquid, wearing an oxygen mask.
This tank was a prototype restoration device not yet in mass production. The liquid was infused with the power of the "Life Return Jutsu" (regeneration technique), continuously supplying energy to the person inside.
The visual style was quite eerie, making the Third Raikage's eyes sting.
How is this any different from a specimen jar...?
"How long until Yoshitoki can return?"
The secretary replied, "Master Yoshitoki is... in the Land of Demons (Oni no Kuni). It's a long journey; he probably won't be fast..."
When Yoshitoki left, he took a golden slug provided by the village, so contacting him wasn't hard. But he had run all the way to the Land of Demons, a region even further than the Land of Wind, practically outside the conventional ninja world map.
After sitting in the lab for most of the day, the Third Raikage forced himself to return to his duties. As the Kage, his workload was heavy, and the village needed him to stabilize morale.
"Raikage-sama, that boy Nagato wants to see you."
"Let him in."
Land of Fire, The Capital.
In a palace even more luxurious than Asuka Castle, the Fire Daimyo wore a large fan headdress, his cloudy old eyes seemingly unfocused.
"Shohei... Since the new Thunder Daimyo ascended, the Land of Fire only sent a monetary gift. Thinking about it now, that seems inappropriate. In my name, go to Asuka Castle. See how the situation is there and if they need any assistance."
Below him, a man in his thirties stood respectfully, eyes downcast, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
However, a moment later, the Fire Daimyo coughed twice, urging him. The man finally sighed, unable to resist.
"Father, nobles and officials across the Land of Lightning are restless. Going now... I fear..."
"No matter. I have already asked Konoha to assign some ninja as your guards to accompany you."
The Fire Daimyo interrupted Prince Shohei, but the prince seemed unwilling to give up.
"Taking Konoha ninja into the Land of Lightning... isn't that a bit sensitive given the current timing?"
The Fire Daimyo's cloudy eyes shifted slightly, looking at his son. "Daimyo estate personnel traveling with their country's ninja is customary. Even the Cloud Village shouldn't interfere with matters of the Daimyo's court. Do you understand? That is the most important thing."
Shohei could only bow his head and accept the order.
".....Understood."
"Good. The Konoha ninja should have arrived. Depart tomorrow."
Shohei looked up, trying to confirm something in the Daimyo's eyes, but saw nothing. He took a deep breath and left to carry out the order.
Prince Shohei left the hall with a heavy heart. Although he had heard some rumors recently, he didn't expect this trouble to land on his head.
Walking through the corridors with a worried mind, Shohei soon met the waiting Konoha ninja.
A blond teenager nodded. "Prince Shohei, I am Konoha Jonin Minato Namikaze, ordered to lead the team protecting your safety."
Shohei glanced at him, surprised by his youth, but nodded. "I understand. However, departure is tomorrow morning. You may rest for now. We will meet at the North Gate tomorrow."
Without waiting for Minato's response, he hurried away again.
Minato looked at his retreating back thoughtfully.
"Minato, that guy is so stuck-up," his teammate Tsume Inuzuka remarked.
Beside her, the ninken Kuromaru, who had learned to speak, chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
The other member of the team was Hizashi Hyuga, Tsume's partner during the war. Although he was older than Minato, Minato was the team leader.
"Before coming, I asked my clan brother in the Twelve Guardian Ninja. This Prince Shohei is considered capable among the Daimyo's children, but because his mother was of low birth, he isn't favored."
Minato nodded. "This mission seems simple, but there are hidden circumstances the village might not know about. Before leaving, Hokage-sama instructed us to act according to the situation."
Tsume worried, "Regardless, we are entering the Land of Lightning... I hope this Prince Shohei doesn't cause trouble or conflict with Cloud ninja."
Kuromaru: "Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
In escort missions, the biggest headache besides encountering strong enemies was uncooperative clients. Being in enemy territory meant any trouble could cost them a layer of skin, if not their lives.
The three rested at an inn for the night and waited at the North Gate the next morning.
The reportedly capable Prince Shohei didn't display the usual bad habits of nobility. He arrived on time with a dozen attendants. When passing the three ninja, he lifted the carriage curtain to exchange pleasantries, behaving very politely.
Minato and his team naturally began their escort duty. Although young, they were experienced. With the Byakugan and ninja dogs, they weren't afraid of surprises.
Moreover, the job was easier than expected. Prince Shohei seemed focused solely on traveling, rarely leaving the carriage, and didn't throw any tantrums relying on his status.
However, due to the carriage carrying gifts from the Fire Daimyo, their speed was slow.
The journey was uneventful for several days. They followed the main road to the border. Crossing here would lead them into the Land of Hot Water.
The Land of Hot Water was essentially the Cloud's backyard now. A checkpoint had been set up on the main road. Seeing people dressed as ninja approaching, Cloud personnel came forward. Although the group flew the banner of the Fire Daimyo, they were still questioned briefly.
In past years, or anywhere else in the ninja world, ninja villages wouldn't question a convoy flying a Daimyo's banner, regardless of origin. The Cloud's interrogation highlighted the changed relationship between the Thunder Daimyo and the Cloud.
After clarifying their intent, the Cloud ninja asked curiously:
"Is there some kind of banquet? Recently, several princes from the Land of Earth and Land of Wind have appeared at the border. Holding a banquet in the Land of Lightning right now isn't a good idea."
Minato heard this and felt a chill in his heart. He looked back at Prince Shohei, whose face had also turned ugly.
"As expected, there are hidden circumstances the village doesn't know about..."
The three Konoha ninja exchanged glances.
Kuromaru: "Yeah, yeah, yeah!"