Konoha: Gu Master

"What kind of jutsu is this?"

Fu couldn't help but exclaim, "No wonder Chief Shibuki is so worried about the Akatsuki."

Kiba tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Well, this is awkward..."

Clearly, Hidan wasn't just filler material for the Akatsuki. But Kiba himself felt like he was. It was a sad realization.

"Shinho!!!"

Hidan glared at him with a crazed intensity. "You can't kill me! You're destined to become a sacrifice to Lord Jashin!"

"Is that so?"

Shinho pondered for a moment before waving his hand.

Heavenly Cascade of Light!

Three Gu activated simultaneously.

A flood of radiant light formed a river and poured over Hidan.

"AAAHHHH!"

Hidan's screams filled the air.

Unlike Sasori, who had Hiruko's sturdy shell to protect him, Hidan's immortality was bound to his flesh.

Although he was immortal, his body was still composed of flesh and blood.

The moment the radiant river touched him, his skin melted, followed by his muscles.

In the blink of an eye, only his skeletal remains were left—yet he was still moving.

"This is insane!"

Kiba's jaw dropped. "Is he even human anymore?"

Yamato and the others were similarly stunned, rendered speechless by the surreal sight.

In this moment, their impression of the Akatsuki deepened. Powerful and bizarre.

But soon, their thoughts shifted.

Shinho, on the other hand, was deep in thought.

Hidan's immortality was linked to Jashin.

Coupled with mentions of the so-called Shinigami, it was clear the ninja world had a mythological system underlying it.

However, as the original series didn't delve into these details, Shinho could only speculate.

Looking at Hidan, Shinho considered using another Heavenly Cascade of Light to shatter his bones completely.

If Hidan's remains were reduced to invisible particles of dust scattered across the world, even his immortality wouldn't save him.

But then, Shinho recalled the Turn Gold Gu.

The Gu's effect was to rob its target of life and turn them into solid gold upon impact.

As Gu were fragments of Dao and manifestations of the world's essence, they could be seen as representing the rules of reality.

So what would happen when this rule-based power clashed with Hidan's immortality?

Would Jashin's will prevail, or would the rules of the world, imposed by his Gu dominate?

Shinho raised his hand.

A golden light shot forth.

Hidan, now reduced to a skeletal form and barely able to move, was struck directly.

The dazzling golden hue began to spread from the point of contact.

"W-what is this?"

Hidan's voice quivered as he felt his life slipping away.

Realization dawned on him, and terror filled his expression.

"Lord Jashin!"

Hidan screamed in despair. "No! Are you abandoning me—"

His voice abruptly ceased as his entire body turned into solid gold.

"Looks like Jashin isn't all that," Shinho said with a faint smile.

Kiba hesitated to speak.

Honestly, the problem wasn't Jashin—it was Shinho being ridiculously overpowered.

From Kiba's perspective, even immortality seemed horrifyingly strong.

"That was amazing!"

Fu's eyes sparkled with excitement, as if she had been the one to defeat Hidan.

Yamato pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

If it had been him, the best he could have done was restrain Hidan with Wood Release. Killing him? That would've been Impossible.

[Achievement Unlocked: "Even Monsters Die"]

[Reward Acquired: Plague Zombie Gu.]

[Plague Zombie Gu: Rank Five Gu, Transformation Path. Using it transforms the user into one of the six types of Flying Zombies—the Plague Zombie.]

Shinho raised an eyebrow.

This was his fifth Flying Zombie Gu. Now he was only one short of completing the set.

He had a feeling he'd finish the collection before Nagato arrived at Konoha to "deliver his message."

Shinho walked over and collected the golden skeleton.

If not for his concerns about inflation, he might have used the Turn Gold Gu to mint gold and make a fortune.

Still, there were times when it proved useful—like now.

After Hidan's defeat, no further obstacles appeared.

It was as if Kakuzu had never been there to begin with.

…

Amegakure

The rain fell relentlessly, as if it would never cease.

Kakuzu frowned. He disliked such weather.

Walking through the downpour, he arrived at Amegakure's tallest structure.

Ascending to the rooftop, he found himself before the figure of Deva Path pain.

"Leader," Kakuzu said in his usual calm tone. "We failed to capture the Seven-Tails. We encountered Shinho, and Hidan was eliminated."

His words carried no emotional weight.

After all, every partner Kakuzu had ever been paired with before Hidan had been killed by Kakuzu himself—and sold for profit.

"Konan is currently recruiting new members in the Land of Fire and will be unavailable for a while," Pain said without turning, "For the next two days, you'll join Itachi and Kisame on a mission to Kumogakure."

Aside from Konoha, Kumogakure was the most troublesome of the Hidden Villages.

It had not one but two Jinchuriki: Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, and Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

Both were perfect Jinchuriki, capable of unleashing overwhelming power.

Especially Killer Bee, his Eight-Tails was second only to the Nine-Tails in strength.

Pain didn't trust Itachi and Kisame to handle the mission alone.

As for Hidan's death, it didn't matter to him.

To Pain—or rather, to Nagato—the members of the Akatsuki were merely tools to make the ninja world experience pain.

"Understood."

A glimmer of excitement appeared in Kakuzu's eyes.

The heads of Yugito and Killer Bee would fetch a high price.

…

Three Days Earlier

At Konoha's gates:

"Ugh!" Naruto Uzumaki groaned in frustration, "Why is Kakashi-sensei late again?"

Sasuke frowned.

He had lost his patience long ago.

Of course, his irritation stemmed mainly from his disdain for this escort mission.

Meanwhile, Karin stood silently, visibly unenthusiastic.

This mission was another one without Shinho, which made it feel utterly dull for her.

A few minutes later, two figures appeared before them.

Alongside Kakashi was a middle-aged man dressed in a traditional kimono.

"This is our client, Asama Sandayu," Kakashi introduced.

"There's no time for introductions," Sandayu interrupted, "We must find Princess Koyuki Kazahana immediately!"

"Huh?" Naruto blinked in confusion. "That famous actress is missing? What are we supposed to do? What if we can't complete the mission?"

"Calm down, Naruto," Kakashi said calmly, "Karin, can you locate her, she should be nearby."

"Understood," Karin replied, closing her eyes.

Activating Mind's Eye of the Kagura, she quickly pinpointed Kazahana's location.

"She's near Konoha's hot springs," Karin said.

"Great!" Sandayu let out a sigh of relief, "Konoha's ninja are so reliable. Let's go find her now."

"I'll handle it," Sasuke interjected, disappearing before anyone could respond.

"Don't worry, Sandayu. Sasuke will be fine on his won.

Kakashi said leisurely.

…

Near the Konoha Hot Springs

Fujikaze Yukie, or rather Princess Koyuki Kazahana, looked around warily.

The next second, she was startled.

"A Kid?" She glared at Sasuke, who had suddenly appeared to block her path, "What's your deal?"

"I was hired by Asama Sandayu to—" Sasuke began to explain, but Koyuki immediately turned and started running.

"Tell him I'll never return to the Land of Snow, not even if I die!" she shouted as her voice faded into the distance.

Years ago, after Dotō Kazahana had usurped her father's throne and killed him, she was left with deep Trauma. As a result, she had developed a strong aversion to anything related to the Land of Snow.

Body Flicker Technique!

Sasuke appeared in front of Koyuki in an instant.

"Move aside!" she shouted angrily, but her expression quickly went blank.

All she could see was a pair of crimson Sharingan eyes.

Sasuke didn't care about her past or her reasons. He simply wanted to finish the mission quickly so he could move on to something more challenging.

At Konoha's Gate

"What's... her deal?"

Asama Sandayu had barely opened his mouth to speak when he noticed something off about Koyuki, who was walking toward them.

"I put her under a genjutsu," Sasuke said expressionlessly, "She tried to escape."

"Let's board the ship first," Asama Sandayu said after a moment's hesitation.

He was well aware of Koyuki's resistance, but at this point, the only solution was to get her on the ship.

Traveling to the Land of Snow by sea would prevent her from running away since she couldn't swim the distance.

Team 7 had no objections. As ninja, they were bound to follow their employer's directives during missions.

The group traveled to the port by the Fire Country's coast and boarded the ship.

Sasuke released Koyuki from his genjutsu, and an argument immediately broke out between her and Sandayu, but it wasn't Team 7's concern.

The ship itself belonged to the production team of "The Adventures of Princess Gale", and it was filled with actors and filming equipment.

Sasuke, entirely uninterested, spent all his time in his cabin, except for meals.

Meanwhile, Naruto Uzumaki and Karin were brimming with excitement, even asking the director if they could appear in a cameo role.

Koyuki, resigned to her fate, threw herself into the filming.

…

The Next Day

While passing by an iceberg, Karin suddenly said, "There are three ninja on that iceberg."

Sasuke, bored and restless, immediately leapt from the ship.

"Wait for me, Sasuke!"

Naruto, a step behind, could only watch as Sasuke disappeared from view.

"There's no need," Sasuke said, drawing his Lightning-Flame Sword, "I can handle this myself."

Asama's face froze.

He knew exactly who the attacking ninja were—Dotō Kazahana's subordinates.

They had been discovered.

Kakashi cast a glance at him, already suspecting that something was amiss with the mission.

On the iceberg, three ninja appeared, each wearing heavy Chakra Armor.

"A kid found us?"

Rouga Nadare sneered. "Fubuki, take care of him."

"Understood."

Fubuki Kakuyoku, with her pink, spiked hair, took to the air, forming hand seals mid-flight.

Ice Release: Swallow Blizzard!

The air filled with snowflakes that transformed into razor-sharp projectiles.

Sasuke merely glanced at her with a calm expression.

Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!

Fubuki suddenly found herself plunged into darkness, trapped in a genjutsu. Her body felt as if iron stakes were driven into it from all sides.

Terror flashed across her face, but before she could react, the illusion broke.

She fell from the sky and hit the ground, dying on impact.

"What just happened?!"

Rouga Nadare froze, his expression turning to horror. "He's an Uchiha!"

Sasuke's lips curled into a faint smile as lightning flickered around his body. He charged toward Rouga Nadare and Mizore Fuyukuma at incredible speed.

"Don't look into his eyes!"

Nadare quickly warned his companion as he formed hand seals.

Ice Release: One-Horned White Whale!

The surrounding ice and snow coalesced into a massive white whale under Nadare's chakra control.

Sasuke lightly leapt onto the whale's head and sprang into the air.

As he descended, he locked onto Nadare and threw his next attack.

Chidori Sharp Spear!

The high-pitched sound of birds chirping echoed as a spear of lightning pierced Nadare's head.

Sasuke didn't know the exact function of the Chakra Armor, but he guessed that its protection didn't extend to the head. 

No need to overthink unnecessary stuff.

"Damn you!"

Mizore Fuyukuma roared, his hands forming seals.

"Too slow."

Sasuke shook his head.

As he landed, his Lightning-Flame Sword flashed, engulfing Fuyukuma in brilliant light.

His body collapsed backward.

..

Sasuke returned to the ship and immediately sensed a change in the atmosphere.

"Sandayu! It seems you withheld some critical details about the mission!"

Kakashi was visibly displeased. "I'm calling off this mission!"

"Wait! I'll pay more!"

Asama Sandayu panicked. "If you take down Dotō Kazahana, this will be an S-rank mission!"

"What's going on?"

Sasuke suddenly remembered their mission in the Land of Waves.

Could there be another powerful enemy ahead? He couldn't help but feel excited.

"It's like this," Naruto explained quickly.

The mission had shifted from an escort mission to assisting the princess in reclaiming her throne.

"Dotō Kazahana. Is he strong?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Very strong!"

Asama Sandayu spoke with a grave expression. "He developed Chakra Armor that greatly enhances ninjutsu power and provides formidable defense."

Chakra Armor?

Was that the equipment those three ninja were wearing?

Sasuke fell into thought.

"This isn't proper protocol," Kakashi said, shaking his head.

In the Land of Waves, he had continued the mission only after receiving Tsunade's authorization.

But now... Wait.

Kakashi recalled a scroll Shinho had given him before the mission.

He pulled it out and read through it, his expression turning blank.

How did Shinho know Asama Sandayu would withhold mission details?

Not only that, Shinho had instructed them to bring back the Chakra Armor, train, and airships from the Land of Snow to Konoha.

Foresight?

Kakashi silently closed the scroll, suppressing his confusion.

"Continuing the mission isn't impossible, but there's one condition," Kakashi said.

"Name it! I'll agree to anything!" Sandayu said eagerly.

"Very well."

Kakashi put away the scroll and turned to Sasuke, Naruto, and Karin. "This is per Shinho's instructions."

"Let's go," Sasuke said, a sense of anticipation rising within him.

If this was Shinho's plan, it wouldn't be simple.

…

After two days of sailing, they arrived in the Land of Snow.

Asama Sandayu led them to meet the loyalists of the late King Sōsetsu Kazahana.

Inside a mining cave, a group of ragged individuals stood by the sides of a mining train, holding pickaxes and shovels.

Kakashi and the others fell silent.

What use were these people?

Were they here to serve as cannon fodder?

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