"At this critical moment, you happened to arrive at the Grass Village. Perhaps it's fate," Yokokawa Tsutomu said, smiling at the unconscious Uzumaki Karei.
If it weren't for Uzumaki Karei, he might not have had time to open the Box of Bliss before the Grass Flower found out.
At that point, to protect what he had already achieved, he would have been forced into an internal conflict with the Grass Flower, forcing them to surrender. The result now is much better.
"Karei, is it? I'll remember that name. Thank you for your contribution to the Grass Village and the Land of Grass," Yokokawa Tsutomu activated the Secret Technique, beginning to sacrifice the Chakra within Karei's body.
Feeling the Chakra inside the Box of Bliss rapidly growing stronger, Yokokawa Tsutomu was elated, even thinking if he had a granddaughter in the future, he could name her Karei, as a thank-you for Karei's contribution to the Grass Ninja, even though it wasn't voluntary.
"Already found it so quickly?" Yokokawa Tsutomu was somewhat surprised, feeling the arrangements around the underground base being triggered.
Despite his secrecy measures being so thorough, to be found so quickly by the Grass Flower—should it be said that this is indeed his lifelong rival?
Yokokawa Tsutomu increased the speed of the sacrifice and prepared to directly feed Uzumaki Karei entirely to the Box of Bliss.
"Impermanence, go intercept them for a moment. This is a crucial time, and I don't want to be disturbed," Yokokawa Tsutomu said to Impermanence.
Now at the most important step, Yokokawa Tsutomu didn't want any surprises.
But something shocking and confusing happened to Yokokawa Tsutomu; Impermanence seemed not to hear his command, not even glancing at him, continuously assessing the Box of Bliss.
"Impermanence!" Yokokawa Tsutomu thought Impermanence was bewitched, shouted loudly.
He never expected Impermanence to betray him; after all, Impermanence was his successor, and his interests were Impermanence's interests. It seemed impossible for Impermanence to betray him, right?
Impermanence turned to look at Yokokawa Tsutomu, then nodded and walked on.
Just as Yokokawa Tsutomu relaxed and continued to sacrifice Uzumaki Karei.
Bam!
Impermanence suddenly punched Yokokawa Tsutomu, sending him flying as they passed by.
Yokokawa Tsutomu, sent flying, slammed into the hard Box of Bliss.
His gaze at Impermanence was filled with anger and confusion; he didn't understand why Impermanence betrayed him at this moment.
Whether from a benefits perspective or emotionally, he couldn't find a reason for Impermanence's betrayal.
The only barely explainable reason was that he misjudged Impermanence's loyalty to the Grass Ninja, who had an overwhelming desire to achieve a dream.
After giving Yokokawa Tsutomu a punch, Mokgetsu did not continue the attack but instead treated Uzumaki Karei.
If Yokokawa Tsutomu continued the sacrifice, it might adversely affect Uzumaki Karei's body.
Mokgetsu's action left Yokokawa Tsutomu even more bewildered; instead of killing him after betrayal, he turned to heal Uzumaki Karei.
An absurd thought crossed Yokokawa Tsutomu's mind: Impermanence fell in love with Uzumaki Karei at first sight and couldn't bear to see her die, hence the betrayal.
Yokokawa Tsutomu was speechless, feeling that no matter the reason, he misjudged by choosing such a successor.
"Impermanence, how can you betray the leader! Your current strength and status are all due to the leader's cultivation," a nearby Grass Ninja couldn't help but curse.
If his Chakra hadn't been exhausted, even if he couldn't win, he'd risk his life against someone as treacherous as Impermanence.
More Grass Ninjas didn't even have the strength to curse, only able to glare at Mokgetsu with angry eyes.
Out of all the Grass Ninjas present, Yokokawa Tsutomu granted Impermanence the privilege of not needing to input Chakra, but Impermanence betrayed regardless.
Mokgetsu was indifferent; they were scolding Impermanence, what did that have to do with Mokgetsu?
Seeing this, Yokokawa Tsutomu silently input all his Chakra into the Box of Bliss to complete the last missing bit.
Now wasn't the time to overthink. As long as the Box of Bliss could be opened, everything would improve.
Whether it was Ryuhi, who opposed him, or Impermanence, who betrayed him, he'd have many options to deal with them then.
Boom!!
Upon absorbing enough Chakra to activate, the Box of Bliss erupted with exceedingly powerful Chakra, sending an energy pillar straight through the underground base's ceiling and piercing the clouds.
Already near the base, Kakashi and others quickened their steps, and upon witnessing this, Ryuhi and other Grass Flower members rushed over.
"Box of Bliss, open," Yokokawa Tsutomu stood before the Box of Bliss, cautiously watching Mokgetsu, and conveyed his intention to the Box of Bliss through the sacrificial connection.
Rumble!!
With the roaring sound, the enormous, long-sealed box began to shake, some parts of the human face mask fell, the mouth stretched open like a demon revealing a wide maw, and the darkness inside was too deep to see any light.
Yokokawa Tsutomu couldn't see the scenery inside from its opening, although it appeared to be a relatively large box, it felt like there was a boundless dark world inside.
"Make me strong, extremely strong!" Yokokawa Tsutomu said in a deep voice.
This was a plan he had in mind for a long time; he wanted to be strong, stronger than the Ninja Master Sosuke, who defeated Half-God Hanzo, so that the Grass Village and the Land of Grass could develop safely under his protection.
Yokokawa Tsutomu didn't know how to use the Box of Bliss, but once opened, he had an instinctive feeling that this was how you used the box, that the box had consciousness.
As the person who opened the box, the Box of Bliss would fulfill his wish.
Hoo-hoo!!
Suddenly, a massive suction came from inside the Box of Bliss, pulling the nearest Yokokawa Tsutomu right in.
Mokgetsu, holding Uzumaki Karei, stepped back slightly, then sensed his Flying Thunder God Mark. It was inside the Box of Bliss, not losing the sense like it did with Uzumaki Naruto that time.
PS: Today's 5k, feels like pushing harder tomorrow to reach 8k shouldn't be an issue.