Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations <<
----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 68: Organization and Arrangements, Land of Birds
...
Inside the room, an empty test tube sat on the table. In a paper bowl to the side, a pale blue liquid was being held. Under Alex's guidance, Konan once again skillfully went through the process of fusing with the Ice Release bloodline. After confirming there were no issues, he returned control of her body to her and floated out from her chest.
[How does it feel?]
Konan opened her eyes and paused for a moment. "I feel... a lot less warm. My body feels cool."
It was the peak of summer. Even though the Ankoru Vantian was high in the sky, it was still warm inside, though considerably cooler than the ground.
Alex pressed against Konan's cheek: [Fusing with Ice Release, putting aside combat power, brings quite a few conveniences to daily life. At the very least, you won't have to fear the summer heat anymore, Konan. And you can have chilled fruit whenever you want.]
Konan chuckled. "It is indeed convenient. Flying under the sun in the summer used to be incredibly hot. I won't have to endure that anymore." She sensed her body's condition and an ice kunai formed in her palm. "My chakra has increased quite a bit again, but..."
"Even after fusing three bloodlines, there's still no qualitative change? Is the level of Super Kage really that difficult to reach?" She had been with Nagato for a long time and was very familiar with the power and presence exclusive to a Super Kage. She did not possess that now.
Alex mused, explaining: [Super Kage is a qualitative change. It can't be reached by simply stacking chakra and bloodlines. Take the Tailed Beasts, for example. The Nine-Tails' chakra is practically endless, but it's only at the Kage level, not Super Kage. The three bloodlines in your body are currently just increasing your chakra and your options for fighting. They can't help you break through to Super Kage yet.]
He couldn't accurately describe what the Super Kage level was. But looking at the few Super Kages in the history of the ninja world, they all had one of a few things:
• Hashirama Senju's Wood Release
• Madara Uchiha's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan
• Nagato's Rinnegan
• Naruto's Sage Mode
Konan possessed none of these. She looked at Alex. "Super Kage is just one stage. We have a much broader goal, and we will achieve it sooner or later."
[Indeed. So there's no need to rush.]
Konan suddenly hugged Alex, who was floating in mid-air, and said in a strange tone, "Next, you can properly experience my unique Ice Release." As she spoke, she strode toward the bathroom, not forgetting to pick up those blush-inducing clothes she had bought in the capital of the Land of Grass.
...
The next morning, Alex woke up leisurely in that familiar, soft place. It had an extra hint of coolness compared to before, making it even more comfortable. He floated up unsteadily, his gaze falling on Konan, who was dressed in a stunning outfit. Last night, he had thoroughly experienced what it meant to be "ice-skinned and jade-boned." Ice Release... was truly magical.
Konan then got up and smiled. "Alex, are you satisfied?"
Ahem... Alex coughed silently. [Satisfied. Extremely satisfied.]
Then, under his burning gaze, Konan changed her clothes without reservation. During the process, Alex's "white threads" naturally provided their assistance. Another wave of white billows surged.
After washing up, Konan opened the door, with Alex flying beside her. As expected, Kameda was once again waiting outside the door.
"Good morning, Lady Konan."
Konan gave a plain nod and walked ahead. Kameda followed behind. "Lady Konan, breakfast is ready. Since the deck is still under renovation, please proceed to the first-floor dining hall."
"What's the status of the renovation?"
"The main trench on the deck is complete, and they are now laying the turf and planting trees. My subordinates are showing incredible enthusiasm for the renovation. It's estimated to be completed early, by tonight."
Konan nodded and asked no more. The two walked quietly to the dining hall. Honoka and Ryūzetsu were already waiting at the table.
"Good morning, Lady Konan." They both stood up to greet her as she arrived.
Konan nodded in acknowledgment and took the head seat. Kameda immediately rushed to bring the prepared breakfast from the kitchen.
He introduced it, saying, "These are all ingredients procured yesterday from the capital of the Land of Grass. Only nobles and daimyō can afford them."
There was matsutake, caviar, charcoal-grilled cod, top-grade white rice, and more. There were no less than ten dishes, all exquisitely plated and fragrant. Kameda had spent a massive amount of money yesterday, but it was only a tenth of the funds in the account. He couldn't help but be inwardly astonished at Lady Konan's wealth. This much money was more than the entire operating budget of any of the great shinobi villages. Where did it all come from...
"Let's eat." Konan was the first to pick up her chopsticks. Honoka and Ryūzetsu immediately followed. As for Kameda... he stood to the side like a ghost, waiting to be summoned.
After the meal, Kameda efficiently cleared the table and served herbal tea and fruit.
Konan looked at him. "Kameda, I remember your chakra nature is Earth, correct?"
"Yes, Lady Konan. Your subordinate only has one chakra nature. Most of the original Sky Ninja also only have one." It couldn't be helped. A small, ruined ninja village that was always hiding in the shadows naturally couldn't produce many talented ninja. Their strength would likely remain at the genin level for their entire lives, existing as cannon fodder. Kameda had trained hard in his youth and possessed the strength of a chunin, which was why Shinnō had entrusted him with the important position of deputy.
Konan took a scroll from her sleeve and handed it to Kameda. "This storage scroll contains many conventional Wind, Earth, and Water ninjutsu, including quite a few A-rank and B-rank jutsu. Take it back and train well. Also, set a standard. Let them exchange meritorious service for the ninjutsu they want to learn."
"In addition, wages need to be paid. Formulate a plan and bring it to me for review."
She had prepared this long ago. For an organization to develop healthily and grow strong, it must have appropriate rewards and punishments, and the rules must be well-established. Konan didn't want to worry about these things. After these days of observation, Kameda had already passed her and Alex's secret evaluation. He was a steward-type talent, capable of handling these tedious tasks.
"Yes!" Kameda took the scroll, extremely excited. "Lady Konan, I guarantee I will complete the tasks you've given me beautifully!" He knew what this meant. He had finally earned more of Lady Konan's trust and could be entrusted with important responsibilities.
Konan looked at Ryūzetsu, who was wearing an Akatsuki robe. "Ryūzetsu, you once served in the Village Hidden in the Grass's Anbu. From now on, you will work with Kameda to train some reconnaissance personnel."
Every Sky Ninja could fly, making them rare talents for reconnaissance. Now that she didn't have White Zetsu's intelligence network, she needed to rebuild her own, or at least understand the general movements of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
"Yes, Lady Konan."
"Since the Village Hidden in the Grass once detected Karin's location, where in the Land of Birds do you predict she and Sasuke Uchiha are right now?"
Ryūzetsu pondered for a moment before answering, "The Taka team all had close ties to Orochimaru. I predict they are likely in one of Orochimaru's bases in the Land of Birds." She took out a map. "These are the locations of all of Orochimaru's bases within the Land of Birds. As long as we search them one by one, we should be able to confirm their location quickly."
Ever since Orochimaru's death, the Village Hidden in the Grass had dispatched a large number of personnel to the Land of Birds to find Karin's location. They had essentially mastered the positions of all of Orochimaru's abandoned bases.
"Good!" Konan nodded and gave an order to Kameda. "After the deck is complete, head to the Land of Birds tonight!"
Kameda stood straight. "Yes!" he replied loudly.
...
Meanwhile. In the Land of Birds, inside an underground base. The sound of footsteps, tap, tap, tap, echoed in the dim hall, along with the infatuated, fervent voice of a fangirl.
"Sasuke, your injuries from the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki haven't fully healed yet! To make sure there are no lasting problems, you should suck... me... more!"
"Shut up!" Sasuke Uchiha stopped and glared back at Karin. A red light flashed in his eyes, his voice cold.
"Ahhh! Sasuke, you yelled at me again!" Karin wrung her hands, her hands on her face, in a total daze. "What do I do... a fierce Sasuke is so cool too! I can't... He's so cool, I love it, I..."