Chapter 46: Kakuzu's Pursuit, Shangri-La Testing, and Nawaki's First Love
After inwardly cursing Danzō thoroughly, Naraku began reflecting on his current forging materials.
The only A-grade weapons he could currently forge were Stone Mask, Demon Manifestation [Devil's Essence], and Eternal Adamantine Tree.
Once forged, the Stone Mask could turn someone into a vampire like Dio—but Naraku didn't want to perfectly replicate the JoJo world's Stone Mask. He was thinking: what if he incorporated materials rich in Yin Release chakra into the Stone Mask? Would the resulting vampires have more mythical traits instead of just physical enhancement and rapid regeneration from the original?
Or perhaps fuse a secret technique similar to the Demon Bud Technique with the Stone Mask. That way, each successive owner's blood and abilities could be stored within the Stone Mask—creating an infinitely evolving Stone Mask. In the end, through continuous evolution, maybe the wearer could become a perfect ultimate lifeform without needing the "Red Stone of Aja"!
The Demon Bud Technique was developed by Hiruko—the same generation as Jiraiya and Orochimaru. Naraku wasn't sure if he had already created it, or how to acquire it. All of this required careful planning.
Demon Manifestation [Devil's Essence] required the super dangerous species Ice Demon Beast. Naraku felt this super dangerous species might be extremely powerful—possibly even tailed-beast level. Think of the super dangerous species in Akame ga Kill!, especially the Northern Dragon with its 15-kilometer-long body. That creature could produce an unbreakable Teigu just from its body hair.
So a Teigu made from just a bit of its blood—Demon Manifestation [Devil's Essence]—probably wouldn't be weak either. Naraku wasn't certain whether Muramasa's curse poison could affect it.
But he also thought: Demon Manifestation [Devil's Essence] only needed Ice Demon Beast blood to be made, yet he felt unwilling to settle for that. A Teigu made solely from a super dangerous species' blood definitely wouldn't be as strong as one made from the complete creature. If he used the whole super dangerous species, the Teigu's strength might approach S-grade—its power rivaling the Freeze-Freeze Fruit. That was his complete vision.
The Eternal Adamantine Tree needed no explanation. Naraku had searched for a long time without finding a way to forge it—the material was simply too terrifying.
He planned to use the Eternal Adamantine Tree as the base, add some ordinary dangerous species and other materials, and forge a sword. With the Eternal Adamantine Tree as the sword's skeleton, even if all the outer metal was cut away, the blade would never break!
This forging method was essentially giving the Eternal Adamantine Tree an external armor shell without strong inherent power. Later, with suitable techniques and materials, he could completely dismantle and reforge the outer materials!
With his current forging level, Naraku quickly thought of two candidates: Poison Dragon Beast and Wood Beast. Both dangerous species suited the Eternal Adamantine Tree's properties well.
But since he was already using Wood Beast—why not add Hashirama cells?
Naraku shook his head. Too many ideas was also a sin. If he kept thinking like this, there would be no need to forge anything—there would always be a high-spec upgrade path for every item.
It was like a friend advising on buying a car: you originally wanted a Wuling, but in the end they convince you to buy a sports car.
While Naraku was agonizing over choices, on the other side Kakuzu had already arrived at the Earth Country black market for Nawaki's bounty.
Hagane Ritsuo looked at the black market's self-proclaimed strongest bounty hunter standing before him: a Takigakure headband with a slash across it, face covered by a mask, body draped in a long robe—looking very mysterious.
With a skeptical tone, Hagane Ritsuo asked: "Can you really guarantee one person can kill Senju Nawaki?"
If not for wanting the bounty quickly, Kakuzu wouldn't even bother meeting this Iwa ninja. But for the sake of his beloved money, Kakuzu forced himself to reply coldly: "I've taken plenty of 70 million ryō heads. If you don't trust me, go find someone else!" Kakuzu had his own pride as a legendary bounty hunter.
Hagane Ritsuo thought for a moment. If Kakuzu failed the mission, they wouldn't pay anyway. Plus, Kakuzu's track record was indeed impressive.
So he found a safe corner and began discussing the battle plan with Kakuzu: "Tomorrow, our people will draw Orochimaru's unit away. Then you and I will go eliminate Konoha's logistics unit. Of course, your main target is Senju Nawaki!"
Kakuzu stubbornly countered: "70 million ryō is only for Senju Nawaki's head and weapon. If you want me to kill others, you need to pay extra!"
Hagane Ritsuo knew the rules of bounty hunters and nodded in agreement. Thus, their cooperation was officially established.
In truth, Hagane Ritsuo had initially wanted to seek revenge directly against Orochimaru. But he still hadn't figured out a way to deal with Orochimaru's Kirikabe Ichimonji. So for now, he could only kill Orochimaru's disciple first! Kamizuki! I will definitely avenge you. Orochimaru—we will fight to the death!
...
The next day, as a logistics squad leader, Nawaki was helping his comrades with work. Although Nawaki didn't know medical ninjutsu, carrying equipment and taking care of the wounded was no problem for him.
During this time, Nawaki fully demonstrated initiative and actively integrated with the group. At least in the logistics department, he had become familiar faces with everyone.
Nawaki himself felt quite pleased—he believed he had earned everyone's recognition, bringing him one step closer to becoming Hokage!
Of course, that was just what he thought.
Miya (美伢子), now a medical ninja under Nawaki's command, had some complaints about her younger superior and wasn't polite about it: "Squad Leader Nawaki, can you be a little more careful when carrying the equipment? You don't need to go so fast!"
Nawaki scratched his head and smiled sheepishly: "Miya, I'll definitely be more careful next time!"
Hearing "next time" again, Miya could only roll her eyes at him.
Afterward, Miya continued using healing ninjutsu on the wounded lying on the beds.
At that moment, Nawaki dazedly watched Miya as she treated the injured. His gaze was involuntarily drawn to her.
He stared at Miya's silky smooth golden hair, sunlight shining on it and giving off a faint glow.
Beneath that golden hair was a delicate face—fine skin radiating healthy luster, straight nose bridge, lips slightly upturned in a gentle smile.
At first, Miya didn't realize she had become the focus of Nawaki's gaze. She concentrated on treating the wounded, green chakra light continuously flickering between her hands, injecting vitality into the injured.
However, when she finished the treatment and let out a light breath, she suddenly felt a gaze fixed on her.
She had intended to pretend she didn't notice and turn around only after Nawaki realized it himself. But who would have thought this kid would stare so openly—like he'd never seen a woman before.
It could only be said that a young boy's affection was really hard to hide—or rather, he didn't even try to hide it.
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