Konoha: Gu Master

Shinho walked forward slowly.

Mui lay in a pool of blood, his face pale as he weakly struggled. The severity of his injuries left him immobile.

What Mui didn't realize was that he was alive only because Shinho had deliberately held back.

"Attack! Save Lord Mui!"

The head warden suppressed his fear and gave the order.

A volley of ninja tools filled the air, hurtling toward Shinho.

Body Flicker Technique!

Sasuke appeared in front of Shinho, shielding him.

With a series of hand seals, Sasuke inhaled deeply.

The air distorted, and the temperature rose as his chakra transformed into raging flames.

Roar!

The flames took the shape of a massive dragon, roaring as it surged forward, engulfing the incoming ninja tools and continuing to charge.

Water Style: Water Formation Wall!

Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!

The guards hastily formed defenses, walls of water and earth rising alternately to block the fire dragon.

Kusagakure was not known for its original jutsu but had a reputation for adapting and integrating techniques from other ninja villages.

Sasuke remained impassive as he drew his Lightning Fire Sword.

Electricity crackled across the blade as his body accelerated in an instant.

The seven barriers of water and earth were neatly bisected in a single motion.

The clean cuts left smooth, glassy surfaces behind.

Sasuke appeared like a phantom among the guards, his Lightning Fire Sword glowing brilliantly in the dim light.

"This... this is impossible!"

The guards instinctively backed away, their faces filled with terror.

Though Sasuke appeared to be a mere genin, his overwhelming prowess had surpassed even the average jonin.

"Let me help!"

Karin quickly formed hand seals.

Snap!

Six golden chains tore through the air, encircling the guards from both sides.

The guards reacted swiftly, drawing kunai to intercept the chains.

Clang, clang, clang!

The kunai struck the chains, producing crisp sounds. However, the chains remained unscathed, while the kunai became chipped and dull.

Before the guards could recover, the chains had already ensnared them.

Sasuke twirled his sword hilt, moving like lightning among the bound guards.

He refrained from killing, using the pommel to knock each guard unconscious.

One by one, the guards collapsed to the ground, the area soon strewn with bodies.

Seeing this, Karin retracted her chains.

"What... what do you want?"

Mui weakly raised his head, his voice trembling.

All his guards were incapacitated, leaving his fate entirely in their hands.

What baffled him was why this was happening. He didn't recognize Shinho or his companions and had no idea what had prompted the attack.

"Sasuke."

Shinho ignored Mui and called out calmly.

Mui held the key to activating the Box of Ultimate Bliss, so he couldn't be killed.

In theory, cooperation would be the logical approach, but Shinho saw no need for that.

Sasuke's Sharingan was more than sufficient for the task.

As for Mui, his wish to resurrect his son Muku was futile.

Once Mui witnessed the true nature of the Box of Ultimate Bliss, he would understand.

Shinho wasn't heartless, he might have even granted Mui some assistance. But he doubted Mui would appreciate the outcome.

"Sharingan?"

Mui's eyes widened in horror. "You're from Konoha? What you're doing violates—"

His words cut off abruptly as his body froze.

Weakened by his injuries, Mui couldn't resist the illusion cast by Sasuke's three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Sasuke, I'll leave this to you."

Shinho issued instructions. "Find out the location of the Box of Ultimate Bliss and the activation method. We're heading to Kusagakure."

Chisori took a deep breath.

After so many years, she would finally return to Kusagakure.

Karin glanced at her mother, concern evident in her eyes.

"I'm fine," Chisori reassured her, gripping her hand. "I'm just happy."

"Chisori-san," Shinho addressed her. "Did you finish the list?"

Chisori nodded and handed him a scroll.

Shinho unrolled it, revealing nineteen names written within. It was Chisori's list of those who had wronged her.

"Let's go."

He stored the scroll and led the group out of Hozuki Castle.

…

The castle was located within the borders of the Land of Grass, not far from Kusagakure.

Along the way, Chisori explained Kusagakure's current situation.

The village had split into two factions over the rights to the Box of Ultimate Bliss: the Fruits of Grass, who supported using the box, and the Flowers of Grass faction, who opposed it.

In the Naruto: Blood Prison movie, which detailed the events of Hozuki Castle, there was a legend:

Kusagakure had once opened the Box of Ultimate Bliss, nearly conquering the ninja world. However, the cost was devastating, leaving the village on the brink of destruction.

Since then, the Fruits of Grass advocated using the box, while the Flowers of Grass faction staunchly opposed it.

In that movie, Ryūzetsu, the female lead, was part of the Flowers of Grass faction.

Interestingly, while most of the Naruto movie heroines had romantic inclinations toward Naruto Uzumaki, Ryūzetsu was an exception.

Her affections were directed toward Muku, Mui's son.

Now that Mui had been captured, Shinho wondered if Ryūzetsu would make an appearance.

Kusagakure, Leader's Office

While the leaders of the Five Great Nations held the title of Kage, Kusagakure's leader did not share this honor.

The Kusagakure leader was seated in his office, reviewing documents. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

He looked up, frowning.

The door swung open, but no one was there.

Who dared to toy with him?

The door closed again.

"Who's there?"

His instincts screamed danger as he shot to his feet, his eyes scanning the room.

However, the office was small, offering no place for anyone to hide.

Shinho stood directly in front of him, a faint smile on his face.

The Stealth Scale Gu's effects were exceptional, especially against ordinary Jonin-level opponents.

Moreover, in the ninja world, there was a vast disparity between the standards for jonin of the Five Great Nations and those of smaller villages.

With few exceptions, most jonin from smaller villages were comparable to chunin or special jonin of the great villages.

Shinho slowly raised his hand.

The Kusagakure leader finally sensed the danger, but it was too late.

Jade Wind Wheel Gu!

Green cyclones materialized, swirling around Shinho's arms and dramatically enhancing his speed.

In the blink of an eye, Shinho's hand grasped the leader's throat, cutting off his air supply.

The leader's eyes bulged as terror overtook him.

"If you want to live, don't shout," Shinho said calmly.

The leader nodded desperately, a plea for mercy etched across his face.

"Summon them," Shinho said, releasing his grip.

The leader coughed violently, greedily inhaling air as he stared at Shinho, heart pounding.

He briefly considered a counterattack but dismissed the thought. Failure would mean certain death.

Resigned, he opened a scroll. Seeing the list of familiar names, his heart stirred.

The nineteen individuals listed were Kusagakure's core strength, including the four high-ranking officials.

If they united against this intruder, surely they could win.

"I'll summon them immediately," the leader said as he moved toward the door.

"Just stand by the entrance," Shinho said, placing a hand on the leader's shoulder. "My patience is limited. I could kill you all, but I prefer not to indulge in unnecessary slaughter."

The leader didn't believe him.

Who could take down an entire village alone? What did this man think he was, one of the Five Kage?

But under the current circumstances, the leader had no choice but to comply.

He opened the door, called over a Kusagakure ninja, and relayed his orders.

When the door closed again, the leader cautiously asked, "What grudge do you have with Kusagakure?"

Despite racking his brain, he couldn't recall ever encountering Shinho before.

The reason was simple, Shinho had altered his appearance using the Blue Face Gu.

A Hokage taking action in Kusagakure could easily be used by the other great villages.

In extreme cases, the other four great ninja villages might unite under the guise of seeking justice to attack Konoha.

"It's not me who holds a grudge against you."

Shinho shook his head.

"It's us," Chisori's voice echoed in the Kusagakure leader's ears.

He turned instinctively and froze upon seeing her distinctive red hair.

"Chisori? You disappeared years ago!"

The leader blurted out.

Years ago, Shinho had hired Konan to safely escort Chisori and Karin away from Kusagakure.

Their departure had been so discreet that none of Kusagakure's ninja noticed.

Later, when their absence was discovered, a search yielded no results, and the village ultimately gave up.

"You didn't die?!"

The leader's expression darkened.

"We were lucky to have been rescued," Chisori said, her gaze briefly meeting Shinho's.

The identity of their savior was evident.

"You've returned for revenge?"

The leader's heart sank as he recalled the list of names from earlier.

"Exactly!"

Chisori's face twisted in hatred.

"Kusagakure saved you!"

The leader argued, his tone indignant. "Without us, you'd be dead already!"

"Saved us?"

Chisori sneered coldly. "You know exactly what you did to me."

"That was your duty!"

The leader retorted, righteous indignation lacing his voice. "We couldn't support you for free! Don't be ungrateful, Chisori!"

Chisori laughed bitterly, a sound laced with pain and fury.

She didn't argue further.

Adamantine Sealing Chains!

Chisori's eyes grew cold as her hands formed seals. Golden chains shot forward with incredible speed.

The leader reacted swiftly.

Earth Style: Earth Wall!

A wall of earth rose before him, but the chains pierced through it effortlessly.

Fear flooded the leader's heart.

How had Chisori become this powerful in just a few years?

He opened his mouth to call for help, but his body suddenly froze.

Immobilization Gu!

A soft squelch echoed through the room as the chains impaled him.

Blood splattered everywhere.

Agony unlike anything he'd known gripped the leader as he stared at Chisori with resentment. His vision dimmed, and he slipped into darkness.

The chains retracted, and the Kusagakure leader crumpled into a pool of blood.

Chisori gazed down at his lifeless body, her face a mix of anguish and hatred before gradually settling into calm.

She turned her eyes to Shinho, her expression breaking into a radiant smile.

Shinho blinked in surprise.

Her smile seemed almost sacred, carrying an indescribable emotion within.

Just then, footsteps echoed outside the door.

Shinho waved his hand, and nearby curtains flew across the room, draping over the leader's corpse.

Blue Face Gu!

His appearance shifted rapidly, taking on the guise of the Kusagakure leader.

"Kill everyone except the four high-ranking officials I've mentioned," Shinho instructed. "I'll lure them outside the village before engaging."

"Understood."

Chisori answered softly.

"Me too!" Karin chimed in defiantly.

Chisori chuckled, ruffling her daughter's hair affectionately.

Even in moments like this, Karin was eager to compete.

Shinho opened the door.

"Leader," the Kusagakure ninja waiting outside bowed deeply.

Only the four high-ranking officials remained still, their expressions hidden behind their respective animal-themed masks.

"Leader, why did you summon us?"

Monkey-mask asked bluntly.

"I've just received word that Hozuki Castle has been attacked."

Shinho's voice was heavy with urgency. "I suspect the enemy's objective is the Box of Ultimate Bliss."

"What?!"

Monkey-mask's tone was filled with alarm.

"We must act immediately!" Ox-mask reacted quickly.

As staunch Supporters of utilizing the Box of Ultimate Bliss, the four high-ranking officials had eagerly collaborated with Mui in the past.

The possibility of the box falling into enemy hands naturally unsettled them.

"Let's go!"

Shinho leapt onto a nearby rooftop and began running toward the outskirts of the village.

The four officials followed without hesitation.

Soon, the group had exited Kusagakure.

"Leader," Monkey-mask asked thoughtfully, "who are the attackers?"

Shinho came to an abrupt stop.

"Leader?"

Confusion spread across the officials' faces.

Suddenly, the air grew thick with chakra as golden chains emerged from all directions.

"Ambush!" Monkey-mask shouted.

Caught off guard, the Kusagakure ninja hastily formed seals.

Water Style, Fire Style, Earth Style, Lightning Style.

An array of elemental jutsu erupted in response.

The techniques were a chaotic mixture, characterising Kusagakure's lack of original jutsu.

"Ah!"

A ninja on the outer edge failed to react in time and was impaled by the chains.

While the Adamantine Sealing Chains were primarily a sealing technique, raw strength of the chains made them deadly weapons.

The unfortunate ninja let out a pained scream before collapsing lifelessly.

Shinho frowned.

The Kusagakure ninja's layered jutsu slowed the chains, blocking their advance.

He had an idea.

Immobilization Gu!

He targeted the ninja closest to Chisori.

Midway through forming seals, the ninja froze abruptly.

Chisori's eyes lit up, and six kunai flew from her hands, striking true to it's target.

"I…"

The ninja attempted to speak, but it was too late.

Shinho repeated the process, rapidly reducing Kusagakure's numbers.

"Something's wrong!"

Monkey-mask's gaze darted around, his suspicion growing.

His eyes landed on Shinho, and his breath hitched.

Everyone was using jutsu to protect themselves, why wasn't their leader doing the same?

"You're not our leader!" he roared, his expression shifting to one of fury.

Shinho ignored him and used another Immobilization Gu.

"Damn you!" Goat-mask redirected his attack, launching a massive fireball at Shinho.

"You're surprisingly good at copying techniques," Shinho remarked coolly.

Frost Moon Gu!

A ghostly blue crescent shot forward, slicing through the fireball before hitting Goat-mask.

Frost enveloped his body, freezing him in place.

Immobilization Gu!

Horse-mask was next to be immobilized just as he prepared to counterattack.

"Die!"

Ox-mask appeared behind Shinho, wielding a water blade formed from his chakra.

The blade struck Shinho's back, and Ox-mask smirked.

But his grin vanished when he realized the blade had stopped cold against Shinho's body, unable to even nick his skin.

Shinho spun and delivered a powerful backhanded slap.

The force sent his mask flying, his face swelling as he landed on the ground in a daze.

Cries of pain echoed through the battlefield until silence reigned.

Of the Kusagakure forces, only the four high-ranking officials remained conscious, their bodies restrained by Shinho's abilities. 

The rest lay dead at the hands of Chisori and Karin.

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