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Chapter 18 — Journey to the Sky Ninja Village, and… Amaru?
"Shinnō?" Konan frowned slightly. That name sounded familiar.
Over the years, Akatsuki had collected information on many shinobi, using it to screen potential members for the organization. Shinnō, a renowned physician who roamed the ninja world healing the sick, was one such figure who had gained some reputation.
She had once ordered someone to investigate him, only to find that while he possessed some skill in medical ninjutsu, his overall strength was mediocre. After that, she hadn't paid him much attention.
"Alex, will this man's medical ninjutsu really be of any use to you?" Konan asked curiously.
From what she knew, Shinnō treated only ordinary civilians. Though he was regarded as a miracle doctor among common folk, the medical ninjutsu he had displayed wasn't even on par with Konoha's average medic-nin—let alone Tsunade, the foremost medical ninja in the world.
[Shinnō is not as simple as he appears.] Alex shook his head, floating before her.
[He was once the leader of Soragakure, the Sky Ninja Village. Using his identity as a traveling doctor, he gathered intelligence throughout the shinobi world and developed a powerful technique called Dark Medical Ninjutsu.]
"Dark Medical Ninjutsu?" Konan repeated, hearing of it for the first time.
[Yes. That technique grants Shinnō an incredible level of physical vitality and regeneration. His understanding of cellular structure and life force is exactly the knowledge I need.]
Alex then briefly explained to her the details about Soragakure and Shinnō.
Once upon a time, Soragakure had dared to provoke Konoha. The result was their complete annihilation. Shinnō had barely escaped with his life, and ever since, he had been strengthening himself and his hidden followers in the shadows, preparing for revenge.
Alex wasn't sure whether the events involving Shinnō's Flying Fortress had already taken place in this timeline. If they had, he would have to search the fortress that now rested beneath the sea. If not—then it was better to find Shinnō directly and take what he needed.
As for why he didn't choose Konoha… Alex turned his gaze toward the distant Land of Fire and silently shook his head.
Even if Konoha had been devastated and Tsunade was still unconscious from overexertion, the village still had plenty of elite fighters. Naruto, Kakashi, Might Guy… the risk of infiltrating a heavily guarded Konoha just to obtain medical ninjutsu was far too great.
Especially with Might Guy around.
If he saw the culprit behind the village's destruction daring to show up and steal ninjutsu, he might just explode in fury, open all Eight Gates, and deliver one of his reality-breaking kicks.
The thought of that terrifying strike made Alex shudder slightly. No one at his current level could withstand it.
"I didn't think Shinnō was hiding that deeply…" Konan murmured, then nodded. "In that case, we'll depart immediately."
She grasped Alex gently, shifted her flight path, and soared toward the ruins of Soragakure.
---
After flying the entire day, night finally began to fall as Konan reached the region near the Sky Ninja Village.
From high above, Alex shook his small paper wings and spoke to her.
[Konan, it's already late. Let's stop in that village below for the night—eat something and restore your chakra.]
Konan gradually came to a halt, looking toward the distant horizon.
Under the fading sunlight, she could see the remains of Soragakure—collapsed buildings overgrown with weeds and vines. The ruins looked ancient and lifeless, with no trace of human activity.
"Alex, are you sure Shinnō's followers are still in this desolate place?"
[If he's still alive, he'll be nearby.]
Alex was confident. Shinnō and the surviving Sky Ninja wouldn't be foolish enough to live in the open ruins. They were likely hidden within the Flying Fortress, waiting for the right time to act.
Konan gave the ruins one last glance before descending toward the forest below.
When she emerged from the trees, she had already used the Transformation Jutsu to disguise herself, then walked toward the nearby settlement—the closest village to Soragakure's remains.
It was larger than expected, with hundreds of homes scattered across the valley.
Konan scanned the area carefully. Finding no signs of danger, she stepped into the village.
A red-haired youth approached her. "Sir, it's already dark. Are you also here to stay the night?"
The voice was neutral, carrying a hint of caution. The youth's skin had a faint reddish-brown hue, and strands of crimson hair peeked out from under a cap that covered half the head.
Amaru?
At a closer look, Alex immediately recognized her. Not a boy, but a girl—the very same who appeared in the Naruto: Shippuden the Movie – Bonds as Shinnō's disciple.
Still dressed in her tomboyish disguise, her face was soft and innocent, untouched by hardship. That alone confirmed Shinnō was still alive.
Konan studied her carefully. The girl barely reached her chest in height. There was chakra within her, but weak—below that of a chūnin.
Disguised as a rough-voiced middle-aged man, Konan nodded and said, "It's already dark. I got lost and was hoping to rest in your village for the night."
"Lost?" Amaru raised an eyebrow. "You got lost and ended up here too?"
Too?
That single word caught Konan's attention.
This mountain village was so remote that almost no travelers ever passed through. And now, others had come before her using the same excuse of being 'lost'?
Alex noticed it as well. Could someone else have arrived ahead of us? Are they after Soragakure too?
It couldn't be Naruto or anyone from Konoha—at this point, they'd be busy rebuilding their village.
Seeing Konan's calm and silent demeanor, Amaru didn't push further. "Follow me," she said, turning toward the village interior.
Konan followed her through winding paths until they stopped at a two-story house in a corner of the village. It looked old and somewhat dilapidated.
"Those three travelers who got lost earlier are staying on the first floor," Amaru said, pointing upward. "You can take the second floor."
Her eyes narrowed sharply. "But let me warn you—don't cause trouble in our village! At sunrise tomorrow, I'll personally lead you all out of the mountains."
Then she added, "Go on inside. I'll bring water and food later."
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and left, her fiery hair disappearing into the night.
Konan stood silently in the small courtyard, watching her vanish, before entering the old house.
As she passed by the first-floor hallway, a single sheet of white paper slipped silently from her sleeve.
It darkened to match the floor and slid under one of the doors without a sound.
The moment Konan and Amaru entered the house, she had sensed it—a faint probing sensation brushing over her body. Subtle, nearly imperceptible.
Had she not been an Akatsuki elite, she would have missed it entirely.
The source of that chakra pulse came from the very room she had just walked past.