Chapter 300 - 293: Fire and Yang

The Land of Tea.

Footsteps sounded in an enclosed corridor. A young woman pushed open a door, she found the room’s occupant sitting alone, drinking. Her face was slightly flushed, and she gazed boredly at the pond outside on the other side.

It was already morning, and warm sunlight streamed in from outside, dispelling the shadows in the room.

"Tsunade-sama, you can’t drink so early in the morning." Shizune said as she walked into the room holding a pink piglet, a deep resentment in her eyes as she looked at Tsunade drinking.

"What’s the matter? Why don’t you take this fine morning to relax yourself? You’re really boring, Shizune." Tsunade ignored Shizune’s admonishment as she took a sip from her cup. It seemed more like indulgence than real drinking.

Seeing the tense silence, Shizune sighed as well. Perhaps she had heard some disturbing rumors and was indulging herself because of that. Were the recent unfortunate events in Konoha weighing on her? Or the situation in the Land of Demons? Maybe both.

"The past is over. Tsunade-sama, you must look forward to the future." Shizune said worriedly.

"Don’t worry, I haven’t fallen so far as to need comfort from a little girl." Tsunade waved hand, clearly not taking Shizune’s words to heart. But the sake seemed to have taken on a bitter taste in her mouth.

Shizune had no choice but to sit to the side, setting the piglet down as she began tidying up the room. As she was organizing things, the door on the other side of the enclosed corridor opened. Tsunade and Shizune looked up subconsciously to see an older man with white hair entering.

"As expected, here you are, Tsunade. It’s been a long time." After seeing Tsunade, he greeted her with a smile.

"Jiraiya-sama?" Shizune was slightly taken aback. She hadn’t expected they would encounter Jiraiya at this time.

Tsunade just snorted softly. She wasn’t surprised Jiraiya had discovered her whereabouts. While she could evade the eyes and ears of the Anbu, Jiraiya’s information gathering skills were formidable. Avoiding detection by him was no simple feat.

"Aren’t you supposed to be wandering around the world, writing your smutty novels? Why are you seeking me out?" Tsunade asked suspiciously.

"What’s wrong with rekindling an old love?" Jiraiya rubned his chin as he ogled Tsunade’s chest lasciviously.

"If you’re eager to die, just say so." Tsunade narrowed her eyes, feeling very unhappy.

"Cough!"

For as long as Jiraiya could remember, Tsunade had never treated him with gentleness or respect. How was he any worse than Dan? When it came to understanding women, no one in the world surpassed his skills.

"Let’s set novels aside for the moment. I came to ask you something." Jiraiya said as he made himself comfortable on the seat across from Tsunade as if he belonged there instead of an outsider. He casually took a cup then poured himself some sake and proceeded to drink with her.

"Something? What do you want to know? If it concerns the village, don’t bother. I’ve been gone a long time and I’m ignorant of such Mighters." Tsunade said, her gaze slightly unfocused and her demeanor vaguely muzzy.

Jiraiya also fell silent, then he sighed. "Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with the village."

"Then what merits bringing you here in person? Did Sarutobi-sensei put you up to this?"

Jiraiya shook his head.

"No, this visit is solely because I wished it. Sarutobi-sensei has no involvement."

"Very well, tell me what you want then." Tsunade gently swirled her cup. Her cheeks were flushed and she seemed a little drunk.

"How much do you know about Chiba Shiraishi?" Jiraiya asked.

At his question, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy and oppressive.

Shizune held her breath while her piglet trembled next to her, made skittish by Tsunade’s powerful aura. But Jiraiya didn’t back down either, matching Tsunade’s gaze steadily.

"He is no longer a ninja of Konoha, but an enemy." Jiraiya stated plainly.

Tsunade pondered for a moment, then gave Jiraiya a piercing look.

"It seems there are secret machinations at play back in the village."

"That’s because..."

"Forget it, it’s none of my business. Even if you inform me, I cannot take action with you. As for information on Chiba Shiraishi, I already reported everything I knew to Sarutobi-sensei long ago. Since he has made a decision...why didn’t he share the intel with you as well?"

"That’s not it... Of course I’m aware of that information. And I know he knows Sage Mode as well. I was merely wondering if you could restrain the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu forest to prevent her from participating in the upcoming battle." .

The Slug Sage was the sole ruler of Shikkotsu forest, an ancient being, much like the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku. The slugs Tsunade had summoned in the past were but fragments of the Slug Sage’s power. Harnessing the complete Slug Sage was beyond Tsunade’s capabilities. Even so, the Slug Sage’s abilities on the battlefield were formidable. Summoned beasts capable of healing were exceptionally rare in their world.

"Hmm...that’s impossible." Tsunade replied after a moment’s thought, flat out denying she could do it.

While she had a cordial relationship with the Katsuyu, but the sage was also a summon beast who respected contracts. By contracting with Shiraishi, she had agreed to fight on his behalf. And as the Katsuyu’s friend, Tsunade would respect her autonomy, even if Tsunade personally detested the man the sage intended to help.

"Is there truly no way for you to interfere?" Jiraiya was clearly reluctant to accept this.

"If it can’t be done, then it can’t. Don’t ask me to meddle with Katsuyu’s will. She would kill you herself in that case." Tsunade stated plainly. Her words were not threats, but statements of fact.

While she had never seen the Katsuyu enraged before, Tsunade harbored no doubts that a millennia-old beast’s fury would be a terrifying spectacle. Jiraiya’s request clearly violated the Katsuyu’s principles as a summoned ally.

Jiraiya sighed helplessly. Weakening their opponents as much as possible before major battles was important. As the summoner contracted with the Three Great Summoning Grounds, he understood full well Shikkotsu Sage’s fearsome capabilities even in a reduced state. He could scarcely fathom the extent of her power at full strength.

"Since that’s the case, there’s no other way around it." Jiraiya said, rising to his feet. Unable to gain Tsunade’s aid, he had no choice but to meet this head-on with the forces already at his disposal.

"Leaving already?" Tsunade was a little disappointed to lose her sole drinking companion.

"Time is running out, we need to take action as soon as possible." Jiraiya replied as he walked out of the room.

"Try not to die." Tsunade suddenly called after him.

Jiraiya paused and looked back over his shoulder, flashing Tsunade a bright grin. "No need to look so gloomy! I’m one of the Legendary Sannin after all, i won’t be defeated so easily. And when the younger ones stray down the wrong path, it is the elders’ duty to steer them right again."

Tsunade took another sip of wine as she watched Jiraiya’s retreating back, then shifted her gaze outside to the pond once more. "That idiot is just as naively optimistic as ever... Defection means cutting ties. Like with Orochimaru, the past offers no hold on them now..."

Shizune had listened quietly to their exchange, puzzlement writ across her features. "Well.. Tsunade-sama, about Jiraiya-sama... are you going to do something?"

"Who knows? And I don’t care what he’s going to do either." Tsunade’s drunken voice ringing through the room.

...

Konoha, in a forest outside the main entrance.

A gathering of renowned Konoha ninjas unfolded one after another.

"Guy, this mission is important, don’t dare to give up midway!"

The young man, sporting a thick, black mane styled in a distinctive bowl cut, promptly gave a thumbs up, his gleaming white teeth on display.

"Don’t worry, Father, failure isn’t an option for the power of YOUTH!!"

"Guy!"

"Father!"

After their words, father and son embraced, tears of excitement flowing, exuding youthful enthusiasm.

"...Could you both please be quiet?"

Sarutobi Takashi was vexed, observing this lively father-son duo. Should he call them fools or jokers? They were on the brink of embarking on important, top-secret S-raml missions, and there was no time to waste on humor and complaints.

"I’m sorry, Captain; please continue your explanation." Dai, seemingly aware of his and his son’s antics, scratched his head in embarrassment.

Takashi refrained from criticism, instead, casting a glance at everyone in front of him.

In addition to Might Dai and his son, there were ninjas from the major clans, alongside ninjas from Anbu and Root.

Takashi, the head of Anbu, his wife Masaki, the deputy minister, were the two deputy commanders of the S-rank mission team this time.

The overall commander was Jiraiya, already taking action ahead of them.

At this moment, they needed to head to the Land of Wind, likely faster than Jiraiya.

Because of thr minimal information they had about the Land of Demons, infiltrating the country to eliminate the three targets was unrealistic. They could only collaborate with Suna, utilizing their power to create a secure combat environment.

Hence, the primary battlefield would be in the Land of Wind.

Penetrating deep into the enemy lines was excessively risky; discovery equaled mission failure. They had only one opportunity.

"Let me emphasize that this S-rank mission is of utmost importance—success is the only option, and failure is unacceptable. A failed mission could bring great danger to Konoha, tarnishing our reputation worldwide... So, please give it your all. Like all of you, I am prepared to face death."

Takashi asserted with determination. He knew the mission’s extreme danger; facing three unknown, formidable foes, he was ready to sacrifice at any moment. As the Hokage’s eldest son and Anbu’s minister, he had reason to stand shoulder to shoulder with his comrades in life and death.

"Yes!" They all responded earnestly.

Later, Dai inquired, "So, what is the content of the S-raml mission? We only received the transfer order and don’t know the mission content..."

Due to the need for secrecy, the selected Konoha ninjas only received orders to perform an S-rank mission. The mission’s details were top-secret and couldn’t be disclosed.

"Uchiha Ruri, Hyuga Ayane, Chiba Shiraishi... Our mission is to travel to the Land of Wind, assist Suma to eliminate these three S-rank rogue ninjas posing a threat to Konoha’s safety." Takashi revealed in a low voice.

The others, although slightly surprised, nodded after considering some factors. The village’s decisions no longer surprised them. They had also heard about the news about the Land of Demons.

Only Guy trembled subtly, his fists clenched, his expression growing solemn.

Dai noticed and patted Kai’s shoulder, offering a silent comfort.

"If there are no issues, let’s set off immediately. I will brief you on the way, providing information about them. I trust you’ll keep them in mind." Takashi concluded. He nodded to Masaki beside him, and both vanished from the spot.

The rest followed suit, disappearing one by one, closely trailing, heading toward the Land of Wind.

.....

"Is this the list of reinforcements Konoha is going to send to the Land of Wind? It’s more challenging than expected."

Sitting across from Shiraishi, Ayane casually folded her hands, examining the list on the table between them, a slight frown on her face.

"Indeed, none of them are ordinary ninjas. It would be very difficult to fight them alone." Shiraishi acknowledged Ayane’s perspective.

Konoha planned to dispatch these individuals to support the Land of Wind, emphasizing Konoha’s unwavering determination to eliminate the threat posed by the three of them.

Was it due to guilt over the Uchiha clan’s affairs or concern that the rise of the Land of Demons would further isolate Konoha internationally, placing them in a more precarious situation? These could be the considerations of Konoha’s council.

Faced with these existences that coulc threaten Konoha’s safety with their malice, these individuals would employ any means to eliminate the danger at its source.

The Uchiha served as a perfect example.

"Are you and Ruri ready?"

After heading to the Land of Winds, they would not only have to contend with Konoha’s reinforcements but also thousands of Suna ninjas, including the elite jonin led by the Fourth Kazekage. The threat from Sunagakute couldn’t be ignored.

The Land of Demons doesn’t yet possess the power to conquer the Land of Wind entirely. Given the vast territory of the Land of Wind, if their goal was to eliminate them, it wasn’t impossible, but managing such a vast territory afterward would pose challenges.

The foundational structure of the Land of Wind hasn’t been firmly established.

At that time, other countries might exploit the vacuum, and internal reactionary forces within the Land of Wind could hinder their rule, dragging the Land of Demons into a quagmire of endless wars.

The population of the Land of Demons hasn’t reached such levels yet. Even with continuous encouragement of fertility, it would take several years to see results.

Shiraishi pondered for a moment and said, "Tu needs to maintain the internal inspection system inside here. The desert environment isn’t a conducive environment for Soryu, and Raimei is stationed at Hoshigakute to ensure the supply line remains intact... The only ones who can accompany me are the other four clones Shadow, Kosei, Ameyu, and Enjin. As for the outcome... we’ll only know after the fight."

"I thought you were quite sure. Would you like me to go with you? Have Rin and Obito take temporary charge. As your disciples, they should be qualified for such a job." Ayane suggested.

Shiraishi shook his head, saying, "No, you are here to ensure that the situation is safe. I’m not 100% sure, but 70% to 80% confidence remains. After all, it’s impossible to cover every contingency every time. This time, we’re take a calculated risk."

"This really doesn’t seem like your style."

"Occasionally, accidents happen. At this point, we can’t retreat even if we want to. From the Land of Lightning’s reply, Kumogakure has been appeased, but the level of appeasement is still uncertain. We still need to be on guard against Iwagakure... There’s no one more suitable than you to stay here."

Because during the third ninja war, Ayane and Iwagakure had direct cooperation. Iwagakure knew Ayane’s capabilities. As long as she was present, Iwa wouldn’t dare to act recklessly.

Kumo was also the same.

Ayane had repeatedly suppressed their Raikage head-on, exerting a strong deterrent effect. With assistance from Rin and Obito, guarding the Land of Demons shouldn’t pose major problems.

After all, it was impractical to devote all their power to the Land of Wind; they had to leave some behind, otherwise, the Land of Demons might fall into security risk.

"As for Konoha... Among those on this list, Jiraiya and Might Dai would be thr most challenging to deal with."

The former is one of Konoha’s Sannin, and his strength must have improved significantly since before. The latter specializes in Taijutsu, having mastered a forbidden taijutsu. Once this jutsu was employed, his strength becomes extremely terrifying, potentially even more challenging than Jiraiya.

"Are you sure you can deal with the two of them?"

"It might be a bit challenging for the two of us. Might Dai’s taijutsu after opening the eight gates will make it more difficult for me. Also, I’m not particularly skilled in dealing with pure taijutsu."

"Then you need to be fully prepared."

"Certainly."

Shiraishi stood up from the seat, glanced at the sky outside the window; it was already past noon.

"It’s about time i set off. I’ll leave the task of guarding the country to you. I’ll go to the Land of Wind to meet with Ruri."

"Don’t worry, leave it to me; there won’t be any problems here."

Ayane recognized the importance of her mission, so she didn’t insist on accompanying Shiraishi. The opponents they faced this time were formidable, and she hoped there would be no surprises.

Considering Shiraishi’s current situation, Ayane felt that her concerns might be excessive. Anyway, they weren’t the same people they were more than ten years ago. Konoha knew too little about them, providing them with a certain intelligence advantage.

.....

White lines appeared on a transparent wall, and then a door opened from the void.

Shiraishi walked into it.

He saw a group of staff, sitting in front of computers, or standing aside, taking out pens with make records of something..There were also some technicians in white coats surrounding a humanoid machine, using various tools to repair and tidy it up, cleaning the dust off of it.

After Shiraishi entered, the humanoid machine started beeping. The huge red gem on its chest flickered like a warning light, preventing unrelated people from approaching.

Noticing Shiraishi’s arrival, the technicians stopped their maintenance work and stood aside respectfully.

"Shiraishi-sama."

"How’s the situation? I’ll be going to the Land of Wind." Shiraishi asked.

"Destroyer 001 has been fully charged, the fusion is perfect. The three modes of attack, flight, and defense can also be switched intact. The chakra transfer and transformation functions are also working well, and everything is going smoothly." A technician answered.

"Thank you for your hard work." Shiraishi smiled.

In the mechanical ear holes of the humanoid machine, a scorching white airflow suddenly gushed out, and its body trembled slightly. The cables plugged into its waist were pulled out by its mechanical arm, and every step it took made the floor creak. With a heavy body, heavy as a hill, it walked no slower than an average person - just very clumsily.

Its torso was round with a huge red gem inlaid on its chest, like a core source containing high-density chakra. It had no neck - a semi-circular metal head directly attached to the round torso. With its slender, flexible mechanical limbs, it looked somewhat naive.

The whole body was flame red, but the color was dark. The joints were still silvery white with metallic texture, showing very precise inner mechanisms.

The white steam in its ear holes reappeared as it stood upright in front of Shiraishi, stopping and bowing very humanely to show supreme respect and admiration for its creator.

Destroyer 001 had a tall body, and Shiraishi only reached the position of the red gem on its chest.

"It seems to be operating properly, having changed to a better body." Shiraishi remarked with satisfaction.

The red gem flickered again with beeping sounds in response.

"I see, I came to take you along." Shiraishi said. He could feel the joy in Destroyer 001’s heart.

Shiraishi smiled slightly, turned around, and walked ahead with Destroyer 001 following loyally like a guardian, protecting its creator’s back and not allowing anyone to invade.

Outside the institute, two figures were already waiting for him. A black-haired girl in Miko outfit with ring-shaped pupils swirling in inorganic colors and an expressionless face. Beside her was a white-haired boy, eyes half-closed drowsily with a listless aura. In his hands he held a long spear wrapped in white bandages, only exposing the red tip. The bandages were painted with densely packed, living eyeballs.

Despite their arrival, the boy simply dozed on, blowing bubbles in his nostrils.

"Now with everyone is here, let’s go to the Land of the Wind." Shiraishi stated. Destroyer 001 immediately ejected gradient red exhaust from behind, floating in mid-air. Shiraishi jumped up slightly, easily landing on its back.

Ameyu nodded, hugging the dozing boy. Surrounded by wind, they floated upwards. Upon reaching a certain height, the boy finally woke with a scream, suddenly alert. He vigorously squeezed the Ameyu’s arm causing visible annoyance.

’Hes so troublesome.. I really want to throw him away’ Ameyu grumbled inwardly.