Chapter 157: This Is the One
"Gurgle, gurgle…"
A cute little chubby figure slowly separated from Gengetsu Hozuki's body. This was Steaming Danger Tyranny—an explosive clone, oil on the outside and water within!
"Die!"
The adorable chibi-like Gengetsu moved at astonishing speed. Even with both modes enhancing him, Li Jiexuan couldn't widen the gap. With a light swing of its sharp arm blade, dozens of trees were sliced clean in half…
Whether in strength or speed, it far surpassed what had been shown in the anime. The difference between an Edo Tensei body and a living one had already been proven with the Gold and Silver Brothers!
As the oil-and-water chubby figure continued swelling larger and larger, Li Jiexuan shook his head lightly. "The Second Mizukage is definitely no simple opponent…"
But—
With a smile, Li Jiexuan took out his drawing board. In just a few seconds, a freezing blizzard descended, covering the entire valley. Manipulating the weather was child's play for Kurama Yakumo's talent!
The blizzard prevented Steaming Danger Tyranny's heat from rising further. The explosive cycle of alternating hot and cold was broken…
"What's going on?"
Gengetsu was on the verge of losing his mind. He couldn't understand why a clear blue sky had suddenly turned into a raging snowstorm!
"You've lost."
Standing before Gengetsu, Li Jiexuan sneered coldly. "As agreed, you must immediately withdraw the Mist shinobi from the front lines and stop the war with Konoha!"
"…"
After a moment of silence, Gengetsu burst into hearty laughter. "That's right. I lost. Young people these days are really something!"
Unexpectedly, Gengetsu accepted his defeat with complete composure and stated that he would withdraw the Mist forces from the battlefield.
However, not everyone was so magnanimous…
"Damn it, Lord Mizukage actually lost!"
"What do we do now?"
"No matter what, we can't let this brat return to Konoha—otherwise the Hidden Mist will be utterly humiliated!"
Whispers spread throughout the crowd. Li Jiexuan could feel numerous hostile gazes. However, if Deidara could infiltrate the Sand Village alone and abduct Gaara, then Li Jiexuan was confident he could leave the Hidden Mist safely after defeating Gengetsu!
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The gathered Mist shinobi were restless, ready to pounce at any moment and tear Li Jiexuan apart.
Yet at this critical juncture, Gengetsu smiled and beckoned to Li Jiexuan. "It's been a long time since I've lost so thoroughly. Want to grab a drink?"
"Of course!"
Knowing Gengetsu was helping him out of a tight spot, Li Jiexuan naturally didn't refuse.
Ten minutes later, staring at the milky-white liquid in his cup, Li Jiexuan couldn't help but grin. "But… why is it milk?"
"Hahaha!"
Gengetsu laughed loudly. "Kids aren't allowed to drink alcohol!"
That night, both host and guest enjoyed themselves thoroughly. When the gathering ended, Gengetsu collapsed in front of Li Jiexuan and whispered, "Kid, get out of here quickly. My subordinates won't let you go."
Hearing this, Li Jiexuan smiled faintly and turned back toward his guest room. Of course he knew they wouldn't let him go…
But simply running away wasn't his style!
Peace negotiation mission complete: Reward—one Kage-level treasure chest, 10,000 points.
Defeat Gengetsu mission complete: Reward—one Kage-level treasure chest, 5,000 points.
"Open the chests!"
Beginner Random Experience Scroll.
Beginner Random Experience Scroll.
Kaguya's footcloth.
Taking out the strip of cloth that seemed to still carry a faint unpleasant odor, Li Jiexuan fell silent. What a bizarre thing to pull from a chest…
Setting that aside—
"Ding. Two identical items detected. Fusion available!"
"The experience scrolls?" Li Jiexuan frowned. He had always received beginner-level experience scrolls, which had puzzled him. It seemed the change lay here…
"Fuse!"
The two dull Beginner Random Experience Scrolls melted into twin pools of silver liquid, then slowly solidified into a metallic scroll shimmering with silver light: Intermediate Naruto Experience Scroll.
From beginner to intermediate—what exactly had changed?
Li Jiexuan slowly unfurled the scroll. Strangely, instead of being pulled directly into another spacetime, a series of vivid scenes appeared before him.
The Scroll of Zabuza and Haku.
The Scroll of Orochimaru's Invasion of Konoha.
The entire narrative of Naruto unfolded across the scroll. The farthest storyline Li Jiexuan had reached marked the boundary—everything beyond that point was dim, while everything before it shone brightly…
It seemed the illuminated sections could be freely selected, while the dim portions gave no response no matter how he touched them. The Intermediate Experience Scroll granted a certain degree of choice!
"So where should I go? Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha? Or the storyline of the Star Ninja Village?" Li Jiexuan hesitated for a moment before his eyes lit up. "Got it. This is the one!"
"Ding…"
The scroll emitted a faint glow, enveloping Li Jiexuan within it…