Chapter 496: Speed ​​Pass Grass Ninja

Aside from meals and necessary sleep, Muzuki and the others were basically on the move.

Under high-speed marching, they quickly entered the Land of Grass and arrived near Grass Ninja Village.

“There’s no warning barrier, we can infiltrate directly,” Shibi Aburame reported to Muzuki after retrieving his Detecting Bugs.

The Aburame Clan’s secret techniques had a jack-of-all-trades feel; as long as they raised enough insects, they could not only fight but also had excellent auxiliary abilities like reconnaissance.

This was within Muzuki’s expectations; in Hokage, Sealing Technique and barrier techniques were inseparable.

Basically, only the Great Ninja Villages could afford large barriers capable of enveloping an entire Village; small Ninja Villages at most mastered some specialized Sealing Technique.

One must know that these so-called Villages in the Ninja World were actually city-sized.

To construct such a large-scale barrier not only required Sealing Technique masters, but not just one or two; it needed a specialized Sealing Squad to complete, which ordinary Ninja Villages couldn’t assemble.

Since there was no barrier, Muzuki directly led the disguised group to infiltrate Grass Ninja Village.

Muzuki didn’t immediately start investigating; instead, he led his team members to a hotel and rented a few rooms to serve as the rendezvous point for this mission.

“Next, we’ll proceed according to the original plan,” Muzuki ordered Shibi Aburame and the others.

Muzuki had already arranged the specific action plan on the way.

Shibi Aburame, Nara Suzaku, and Kosuke Maruboshi nodded, then disguised themselves as normal people and walked out of the hotel one by one.

Their team, including Muzuki, had a total of eight people. For an infiltration investigation, a team of this size certainly couldn’t act together, as too many people would easily expose their whereabouts.

Therefore, Muzuki divided them into three groups for investigation: he, the most capable, was one group; his four disciples were another group; and the remaining Nara Suzaku, Kosuke Maruboshi, and others formed the last group.

Muzuki fully considered the safety of his team members; each group had the ability to safely retreat if exposed.

As for himself, it went without saying; with his current true strength, for an ordinary Ninja Village like Grass Ninja Village, he could come and go as he pleased.

Kakashi’s group, Kakashi, Shisui, and Obito, all had the combat power of a Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist-level when fully unleashed. Together, they were like a Ninja Swordsmen Trio, though not sustainable.

Adding Rin Nohara, who as a medical Ninja also had the combat power of a normal Jonin, Kakashi and his team could retreat even if they couldn’t win, as long as they weren’t surrounded by hundreds or thousands of Ninja.

Kosuke Maruboshi’s group had two elite Jonin, and Shibi Aburame was also an all-rounder. The weaker Nara Suzaku was stronger than an average Jonin and could serve as the team’s brain. The overall strength of the group was sufficient to execute an S-rank Mission.

“If you’re exposed, try to make as much noise as possible. That way, I’ll come to resolve the problem immediately,” Muzuki took out a Flying Thunder God Kunai and handed it to Kakashi.

On the surface, this was an investigation mission, but the personnel configuration for the mission clearly indicated that investigation was absolutely not the main focus.

Including Kosuke Maruboshi, who was a Genin in name but a Jonin in reality, their mission’s configuration was eight Jonin. Among them, Muzuki was a renowned powerhouse in the Ninja World. With such a personnel configuration, let alone investigating Grass Ninja Village, killing all of Grass Ninja Village’s high-ranking officials would be no problem.

Therefore, Muzuki didn’t care if Kakashi and the others could find any information; he would take action anyway.

“I will prioritize everyone’s safety,” Kakashi said, taking the Flying Thunder God Kunai and nodding in assurance.

In Kakashi’s mind, a comrade’s life was higher than the mission. If there was danger, he would prioritize ensuring Obito and the others’ survival rather than completing the mission.

“Everyone is a Jonin, why is Kakashi the leader?” Obito asked, somewhat puzzled.

Kakashi had been the vice-captain and commander on the battlefield before, and now that they were splitting into groups, Kakashi was the leader again. Obito also wanted to be the boss for once and command Kakashi.

“Shisui, if you were to choose someone to be the leader, who would you choose?” Muzuki didn’t answer Obito’s question but asked Shisui instead.

“Kakashi, I guess,” Shisui thought for a moment and replied.

Kakashi had proven his abilities through many missions; he indeed had the skill to lead a team.

As for Obito, Shisui felt that a position requiring too much thought was not suitable for the current Obito.

“Rin, how would you choose?” Muzuki continued to ask Rin Nohara.

Rin Nohara felt Obito’s expectant gaze, and finally, with a look of reluctance, she spoke her mind, “I feel that the more experienced Kakashi is more suitable.”

Obito’s face instantly turned ashen. Rin Nohara’s words just now dealt him a greater blow than not being able to become the leader.

Rin Nohara herself said he was inferior to Kakashi. Could it be because Rin Nohara thought Kakashi was more powerful? Obito couldn’t help but start overthinking.

“No, Rin said it’s because the hateful Kakashi is more experienced, and the hateful Kakashi indeed became a Ninja much earlier than us,” Obito comforted himself.

Muzuki patted Obito’s shoulder before leaving. “To become a leader, Obito, you still need to learn more knowledge.”

Muzuki had deliberately asked Rin Nohara just now. He understood Obito so well; how could he not know how much of a blow Rin Nohara’s negation would deal to Obito?

To become Hokage, one couldn’t rely solely on passion. Even Naruto, who saved the Ninja World in the original work, had to put effort into studying to become the Seventh Hokage.

Although Obito constantly shouted about becoming Hokage now, he was indeed lacking in ability. He couldn’t just rely on Kakashi’s assistance after taking office; he had to have some capabilities himself.

“Learning to be a leader,” Obito silently repeated Muzuki’s words, and his mind couldn’t help but recall Rin Nohara’s answer just now.

Although he was someone who disliked reading, at this moment, Obito decided that after the mission, he would intensely read and recharge.

Because he had just thought of a terrifying possibility.

His dream was to become Hokage, and Muzuki said that he currently lacked the ability to be a leader, which meant there was a possibility that Kakashi would become Hokage, and he would be rejected.

The thought of Rin Nohara contacting him to celebrate Kakashi becoming Hokage sent Obito’s blood pressure soaring, and his Sharingan was on the verge of activating. This was truly too painful.

For him, this pain even surpassed the hell of two months of continuous test-taking.

“Don’t just stand there dumbfounded. With your meager abilities, not only will you be my subordinate on this mission, but you’ll be my subordinate for life. Just obediently listen to me,” Kakashi said with a slight smirk.

With that, Kakashi walked out first.

“You inherently evil, hateful white-haired menace, once I learn how to lead people, I’ll definitely order you around fiercely!” Faced with such arrogant Kakashi, Obito, whose status was temporarily inferior, didn’t dare to retort and secretly held a grudge in his heart.

…

After leaving the hotel, Muzuki left a Shadow Clone to secretly protect Kakashi’s group, while his main body began investigating Grass Ninja Village.

Muzuki’s investigation method was simple and crude: directly activate his Byakugan and walk a circle around Grass Ninja Village.

Muzuki originally wanted to find Grass Ninja’s Anbu base and then search for information, but his Byakugan unexpectedly discovered a suspicious underground base belonging to Grass Ninja.

Actually, the base itself wasn’t suspicious; what was suspicious was the things inside the base.

Muzuki saw a Chakra that could be described as eerie.

Of course, it was only eerie; Muzuki didn’t feel much threat from it.

Curious, Muzuki walked to the vicinity of Grass Ninja’s underground research base, preparing to enter the research base to examine the situation closely.

【Name: Wu Chang】

【Chakra: 31200】

【Skills: Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Mastery: 2300/15000), Fire Release: Heavenly Prison (Mastery), Fire Release: Grand Fire Heavenly Prison (Mastery)…】

Before infiltrating, Muzuki used his Appraisal skill to glance at the panel of the only Ninja in the base.

After confirming that none of Wu Chang’s skills would pose a threat to him, Muzuki directly used Earth Release to infiltrate the underground base.

“Who’s there?” Wu Chang, who had been staring at the paradise box, sensed something was wrong.

“Fire Release: Heavenly Prison Fire Sword!”

Wu Chang condensed Chakra in his hand and used the Grass Ninja secret technique Fire Release, wielding a fire sword and heading straight for the direction of the disturbance.

“Invading with such low-level methods, get out…”

When Wu Chang swung his fire sword at the intruder, his eyes widened, and fine sweat profusely secreted from his forehead. The intruder in front of him had disappeared.

Whoosh!

Bang!

Muzuki appeared like a ghost from behind Wu Chang and knocked him unconscious with a single blow.

Losing the Chakra’s maintenance, the fire sword in Wu Chang’s hand disappeared, and he directly fell to the ground.

Muzuki, having dealt with Wu Chang, looked with interest at the huge box in the base that was emitting an eerie aura.

With his current strength, instantly defeating a Jonin like Wu Chang was only to be expected; there was nothing to be particularly concerned about.

“paradise box?” Muzuki looked at the eerie box, and a few memories gradually came back to him.

If his memory wasn’t mistaken, this box was rumored to have the ability to grant wishes.

Of course, that was just a rumor. In reality, this box wasn’t that powerful, at least according to its performance in the plot, it wasn’t that powerful.

Wishes couldn’t be granted, but it could turn people sealed inside into a monster called “Satori.”

Satori’s strength in the plot wasn’t very strong either. Aside from its ability to see through the hearts of those in fear, its performance was relatively ordinary. Naruto’s Rasenshuriken was enough to severely wound it.

Muzuki estimated that if he used his full power, he could probably kill it directly with No Thought Strike.

Muzuki walked to the paradise box, condensed Chakra on his fingertip, and poked the paradise box.

In the plot, this box was very hard. Naruto’s Rasenshuriken could severely wound Satori, but it didn’t leave a scratch on the box.

Bang!

With a loud bang, Muzuki’s finger, which could easily pierce rock, poked the paradise box but couldn’t even leave a white mark.

Muzuki’s expression didn’t change. He continued to condense Chakra, and dark Armament Haki enveloped his finger. Muzuki swung his finger again.

The result remained unchanged; he couldn’t leave a mark on the paradise box.

Then Muzuki took out Enma, infused a large amount of Chakra into Enma, then added a hint of Armament Haki to Enma’s blade, and finally swung it at the paradise box.

The paradise box shook violently, and eerie Chakra surged. A white scratch was left where Enma struck it.

Muzuki’s thought of taking out the Rokudo Shakujo faded. The paradise box wasn’t indestructible; it was just extremely hard.

If he took out the Rokudo Shakujo and attacked with full force, the paradise box might truly be shattered by him.

This was something that had never happened in the original work. Muzuki didn’t know whether breaking the box would result in Satori being completely free or annihilated. He wouldn’t act so rashly before understanding the situation.

Muzuki put away Enma and once again activated his Byakugan to observe the paradise box up close.

Although his Byakugan had an extremely long range, the details visible from afar and up close were different. Up close, he could see more thoroughly, and deeper.

“This box feels like it has a Sealing Technique applied to it,” Muzuki observed the paradise box and discovered something.

The paradise box didn’t seem like the nest of that eerie aura; instead, it was like a cage that imprisoned it.

Then Muzuki created a Shadow Clone and had the Shadow Clone transmit Chakra into the paradise box.

Muzuki discovered something even more interesting.

The Sealing Technique within the paradise box was very peculiar. Normal Sealing Technique, no matter how powerful, would weaken over time.

This Sealing Technique of the paradise box was different. Muzuki discovered that this Sealing Technique had an inexplicable connection with the eerie aura within it. When he inputted Chakra into the paradise box, the eerie aura absorbed the Chakra and grew stronger, and the seal also suddenly strengthened.

Combining the known information, Muzuki believed that the paradise box should be the work of the Six Paths Sage.

As the most legitimate inheritor of Uzumaki Sealing Technique, Muzuki had never seen a Sealing Technique within the Uzumaki Sealing Technique system that could achieve similar effects.

With the existence of the paradise box’s Sealing Technique, no matter how much Chakra the eerie aura inside the box absorbed, its main body could never escape, because the stronger it became, the stronger the seal also became.

“Is its essence something similar to a Jashin?” Muzuki showed a thoughtful expression.

In the Ninja World, besides aliens like Ōtsutsuki, there were also some strange existences, such as the Jashin that caused Hidan’s immortality.

Muzuki believed that Satori, sealed within the paradise box, must have caused some destruction in the Ninja World and was then packaged by the Six Paths Sage into the paradise box.

After tinkering with the paradise box for a while, Muzuki shifted his gaze to the unconscious Wu Chang.

Muzuki used his Transformation skill to transform into Inoichi Yamanaka, squatted down, placed his palm on Wu Chang’s head, and activated the Yamanaka Clan’s secret technique.

Given Wu Chang’s strength, his status in Grass Ninja Village should be quite high, and he might have the information Muzuki wanted.

Everything Wu Chang had experienced recently flashed through Muzuki’s mind.

“Iwagakure, cooperation to intensify the war, opening the paradise box to make Land of Grass great again…”

The cooperation meeting between Grass Ninja and Iwagakure, the Leader of Grass Ninja Village’s plan, the divergence between Grass Core and Grass Flower, all the secrets of Grass Ninja Village were revealed to Muzuki through Wu Chang’s memories.

“Indeed, Transformation is a useful skill,” Muzuki sighed in his heart after reviewing the memories.

Transformation was quite troublesome when actually used in combat because Transformation itself consumed a lot of Chakra, and the number of times abilities could be used was limited. But when applied in other aspects, it was truly convenient, making Muzuki truly all-rounder.