Chapter 484: Attacking Konoha’s Strongest Taijutsu

“Before we decide whether to cooperate, I hope everyone can consider one question,” Muzuki said.

“That is the Shinobi Sect’s most important mission at this stage.”

The atmosphere became very quiet, and all the Ninja were thinking about the question Muzuki had posed.

“The most important mission, to do better on the basis of the ancient Shinobi Sect, and bring about eternal peace in the Ninja World?” Yahiko thought of the Shinobi Sect’s ultimate dream.

The Shinobi Sect’s ultimate dream was the greatest dream Yahiko had ever heard of.

To create a world of peace, where all people live equally, understand each other, and have no hatred.

Yahiko shook his head; while the ultimate dream was grand and inspiring, it was somewhat unrealistic in the present. Too many problems needed to be solved, and it was not a goal that could be achieved in a short time.

As time passed, people gradually began to communicate in low voices.

“The current mission can’t possibly be to overthrow the Daimyo, can it? That would make the Land of Rain even more chaotic.”

As more and more people communicated, the volume gradually increased.

“Nagato, why don’t you share your thoughts?” Muzuki spoke again, calling on Nagato.

Nagato slowly stood up, his expression somewhat hesitant.

He felt that Muzuki should have asked Yahiko to speak instead; Yahiko was much better than him in this regard.

When Nagato looked at Muzuki’s encouraging expression, he took a deep breath, and most of the hesitation on his face receded. He could not let Muzuki’s expectations down.

“I believe the Shinobi Sect’s most important mission at this stage is to restore peace to the Land of Rain,” Nagato first stated his conclusion.

“The current Land of Rain is incredibly chaotic due to various reasons, and this chaotic environment has become fertile ground for Ninja Organization of all sizes.

These Ninja Organization further complicate the Land of Rain’s environment, making it a mixed bag. Coupled with the activities of Ninja from various Great Ninja Village, the people of the Land of Rain live in constant unease every day, which is tragic for a country.” Nagato then began to explain his reasons.

“Orderly handling of the domestic Ninja Organization, expelling all foreign Ninja engaging in Ninja activities from the Land of Rain, and eliminating the rampant rogue Ninja—only by clearing these elements that cause chaos in the Land of Rain can the Land of Rain restore true peace, and only then can the Shinobi Sect continue to advance.”

After speaking a long passage in one breath, Nagato cautiously observed his surroundings, especially the expressions of Muzuki and Yahiko.

This was truly Nagato speaking from the heart; it was precisely because his parents died in the war that he understood how important and rare peace was for the Land of Rain.

Yahiko clapped enthusiastically for Nagato, “Nagato, you spoke so well! The most urgent task is to restore peace; everything else can be put aside for now.”

Yahiko also thought the same, though there would be some differences in the specific content compared to Nagato.

The other Ninja followed Yahiko in clapping, agreeing with Nagato’s statement.

“The Land of Rain has been chaotic for too long; everyone yearns for peace. If we can bring peace to the Land of Rain, our Shinobi Sect will surely gain great support.”

Muzuki nodded, “We must take one step at a time. We cannot forget our ultimate goal, but we must also consider the practical reality. Restoring peace to the Land of Rain is what we should be doing most at this stage.”

Muzuki also did not know how that ultimate goal could be achieved, so he was not thinking too complexly right now. He would first do what was within his power.

Hearing that Muzuki also approved, Nagato could not help but reveal a slight smile and sat down.

Once the goal was clear, the question of whether to cooperate with Amegakure could be transformed into one: can the Shinobi Sect cooperate with Amegakure to bring peace to the Land of Rain?

Most of the Shinobi Sect’s Ninja were people from the Land of Rain who grew up there. Although they sometimes complained about Lord Hanzo’s inaction, no one would deny the role of Amegakure in the Land of Rain.

Without Amegakure, the Land of Rain would definitely be several times more chaotic than it is now.

There were indeed countries in the Ninja World that could maintain peace without Ninja power, but the Land of Rain could never become such a country because it bordered three major nations and was a rare strategic location.

“Amegakure has many Rain Ninja, and our Ninja Village has strong individuals like Sōsuke. If the Shinobi Sect can truly cooperate with Amegakure, it might form a force that even the Great Nations would not underestimate.” A Shinobi Sect Ninja realized this was indeed feasible.

At that time, the warring Great Nations would be wary of the Land of Rain’s power and would not easily provoke it, allowing them to seize the opportunity to solve a series of domestic problems.

“If Amegakure genuinely cooperates with us, the Land of Rain’s strength will reach an unprecedented peak.” Yahiko gradually leaned towards cooperation.

Although he had nearly died at Lord Hanzo’s hands, for a greater dream, Yahiko could set aside past grievances and cooperate with Lord Hanzo.

Most of the Shinobi Sect Ninja gradually leaned towards cooperation.

They did not like Lord Hanzo, but they yearned for the Land of Rain to return to peace.

Kakuzu’s expression remained unchanged. In fact, he believed the focus of this matter was not on the Rain Ninja, but on Iwagakure as the persuader.

However, Kakuzu believed that old fox Sōsuke would certainly not overlook this key point, so he was not in a hurry to speak.

“Personally, I think cooperation with Amegakure is possible, but there is one prerequisite and one key point,” Muzuki began to state his view.

“The prerequisite for cooperation is equal cooperation. We need an equal status with Amegakure. Amegakure must recognize the legitimacy of the Shinobi Sect.”

Muzuki saw through Iwagakure’s intentions. To make the Land of Rain a force against Konoha, Iwagakure would certainly be willing to pay a price.

Lord Hanzo, who was in a difficult position, also needed to ease relations with the Shinobi Sect, and he was also willing to pay a certain price.

As long as the Shinobi Sect was willing to agree to cooperate, and as long as the demands were not outrageously excessive, Iwagakure and Rain Ninja would try every means to fulfill them.

This was a rare opportunity for the Shinobi Sect. Even as a semi-official organization, the Shinobi Sect’s future actions would be more convenient.

“The key point of cooperation is that this is a phased cooperation, and it can only be phased cooperation. A truly peaceful Land of Rain does not need Amegakure and the Shinobi Sect to coexist!”

For the Shinobi Sect, Rain Ninja were a potential target for recruitment, but Amegakure must perish.

The reason the Shinobi Sect needed to cooperate with Amegakure was because the current Amegakure was beneficial for peace. However, once the Shinobi Sect’s Ninja power developed, the coexistence of two major Ninja forces would become a hidden danger to peace.

“Tsk, as expected, they have ulterior motives.” Kakuzu revealed an expression of ‘I knew it’.

He did not believe that Muzuki would simply let go of Amegakure, which had almost destroyed the Shinobi Sect.

Muzuki said it was cooperation with Amegakure, but in reality, it was a delaying tactic. Before their strength was sufficient, they would get along well, but once their strength was enough, they would directly destroy Amegakure.

“If that’s the case, then cooperation has great potential.” Ikechou also believed Muzuki’s idea was perfect.

The current Shinobi Sect has strong high-level combatants, but in other aspects, it is just an ordinary medium-sized Ninja Organization. Such a Shinobi Sect is not qualified to replace Amegakure in maintaining peace in the Land of Rain.

After all, no matter how strong Muzuki and the others were, they could not act as a thousand Ninja alone. A sufficient number of low and mid-level Ninja were very important for national stability.

When the final vote was taken, most of the Ninja supported cooperation.

After confirming their decision to cooperate, Muzuki informed Kitsuchi of the Shinobi Sect’s demands.

Cooperation was possible, but the Shinobi Sect and Amegakure would have an equal relationship, where no one could order anyone else, and everything had to be discussed. At the same time, Amegakure had to recognize the legitimacy of the Shinobi Sect in the Land of Rain, rather than just as an ordinary Ninja Organization.

“These are very reasonable demands. I will truthfully tell Lord Hanzo,” Kitsuchi thought with delight.

He was not afraid of Muzuki making demands; he was only afraid that the Shinobi Sect had no intention of cooperating at all, which would truly make things impossible to proceed.

Once the Shinobi Sect and Amegakure reached peace, Iwagakure would then use a small trick to create the illusion that Konoha Ninja were targeting the Land of Rain. At that time, with new and old grudges combined, there would be no doubt that the Rain Ninja would fight Konoha.

Kitsuchi then quickly rushed back to Amegakure’s leader’s office and delivered the good news to Lord Hanzo.

“Sōsuke has understood your difficulties, Lord Hanzo, and expressed willingness to cooperate, only making a few small demands,” Kitsuchi told Lord Hanzo about Muzuki’s demands.

After listening, Lord Hanzo’s face darkened. Are these small demands?

A Ninja Organization of over a hundred people not only wanted to be on equal footing with Amegakure but also wanted a status similar to an official Ninja Village in the Land of Rain.

Actually, the former was not a big deal for Lord Hanzo; he could decide that himself.

After all, even if the cooperation treaty did not state equality, the Shinobi Sect’s Ninja would not listen to him, and the Rain Ninja would not obey Sōsuke.

But the latter was different. Lord Hanzo had to discuss this with the Rain Country Daimyo, and it would also leave hidden dangers.

“This is a serious matter. I need to discuss it with the Daimyo.” Lord Hanzo ultimately decided to agree to the Shinobi Sect’s proposal.

Because whether they acknowledged the Shinobi Sect or not, the Shinobi Sect was there. If they could improve their relationship with the Shinobi Sect through cooperation, the outcome might be different.

…

Konoha.

On the Training Ground, Might Guy was excitedly warming up, while Teacher Chen, across from him, was reading a book.

Having no immediate rivals in disciple infighting, Might Guy had set his instructor, Teacher Chen, as his next target to defeat.

Although Teacher Chen’s Taijutsu was not truly the strongest in Konoha, he was considered among the strongest Taijutsu users in Konoha. If he could defeat Teacher Chen, Might Guy believed he would have taken a big step on his path to becoming the strongest.

“Genma, do you think Guy has a chance to win?” Shiranui Genma could not help but ask Ebisu next to him.

On the East Bank Battlefield, the sight of Might Guy furiously opening the Gate of Limit and using Rock Breathing Chakra Mode to fight four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was still vivid. So, even though his opponent was Teacher Chen, known as Konoha’s strongest Taijutsu user, Shiranui Genma believed Might Guy was not without a chance.

Ebisu pushed up the sunglasses on his nose, “Hard to say. Teacher Chen has incredibly rich Taijutsu experience. If they truly fight, Guy might not gain any advantage.”

Although Might Guy was truly strong, Ebisu still felt that the experienced Teacher Chen would win.

“If he really wins, that would be amazing! Wouldn’t he be able to claim the title of strongest Taijutsu user from Teacher Chen?” Shiranui Genma once again felt the disparity in the world.

Among the seven-person squad from the East Bank Battlefield back then, only they were still Chunin.

Clap.

Seeing Might Guy finish his warm-up, Teacher Chen closed his book, put it away, and adopted a combat stance.

“Guy, you are already a Jonin. I won’t hold back when we fight,” Teacher Chen reminded him.

Teacher Chen was actually quite emotional. From the bell-taking test, Teacher Chen could see Might Guy’s Taijutsu talent and knew that Might Guy would surpass him and go further on the path of Taijutsu.

But Teacher Chen did not expect Might Guy to progress so quickly. At just eleven years old, Might Guy already had the strength to challenge him.

“A battle of youth must be fought with all your might!” Might Guy said with a bright white-toothed smile, giving Teacher Chen a thumbs-up.

Teacher Chen also smiled. With such a disciple, he was truly proud.

“Begin!” Ebisu shouted after seeing both of them ready.

“Eight Gates, Fifth Gate, Gate of Limit, Open!” Facing Teacher Chen, Might Guy dared not be careless in the slightest and directly entered the Fifth Gate of the Eight Gates.

Might Guy was very aware of Teacher Chen’s strength: powerful physique, masterful Taijutsu. Without using the Eight Gates, he had no right to exchange blows with Teacher Chen.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Both unleashed Chakra simultaneously and darted out, moving incredibly fast.

The two figures quickly intertwined, their hooks and hand chops colliding. Immediately after, both retreated together, unleashing whirlwind kicks.

Bang! Bang!!

Their fists and feet constantly collided, fierce as a squall, and the airflow generated by the collisions made the leaves on the treetops rustle loudly.

Shiranui Genma and Ebisu could not see their movements at all. Just when they thought they had caught a movement, a closer look revealed it was an afterimage.

“As expected of Teacher Chen!” Might Guy laughed heartily, feeling the burning pain from several parts of his body.

On the surface, they seemed evenly matched, but in reality, Might Guy was at a disadvantage because he had not been able to touch Teacher Chen, while Teacher Chen had struck his body several times.

Fighting Teacher Chen reminded Might Guy of his first battle with Transparent World Kakashi. His attacks were all seen through, and he was almost only able to take a beating.

The only difference between the two was the method: Kakashi saw through attacks using his Transparent World ability, while Teacher Chen relied on decades of Taijutsu training accumulation.

Might Guy knew he could not continue like this; he had to use his trump card.

Might Guy silently closed the Fifth Gate, then focused his breathing to the extreme, entering the Rock Breathing Chakra Mode state.

As soon as Rock Breathing Chakra Mode was activated, Might Guy’s aura immediately surged rapidly, and his physical strength and speed also increased swiftly.

Teacher Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he began to gather more Chakra.

Whoosh!

Might Guy moved so fast that he seemed like a green streak shooting towards Teacher Chen.

Bang!

Teacher Chen steadily caught the punch Might Guy threw with his palm.

This level was still within his manageable range.

Whoosh! Whoosh!!

The impact generated by the clash of fist and palm pushed both their hair backward. Teacher Chen gripped Might Guy’s fist and flung him away.

“Leaf Dragon God!”

Might Guy, who had been sent flying, grabbed a branch, landed steadily, and then gathered a large amount of Chakra to unleash the signature Taijutsu that had made Teacher Chen famous in Konoha.