https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-122-In-This-World-What-Good-Is-Just-Being-Strong-/12832178/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-124-Zero-Cost-Purchase-and-Allied-Fruits-/12832181/
Chapter 123: Codename 'Zhu Rong'
Chapter 123: Codename 'Zhu Rong'
A figure cloaked in black and wearing a bone mask appeared before Hyuga Aotsuki.
Fortunately, she had been forewarned, or she would have been terrified.
Byakugan, the ultimate eye technique!
While the Byakugan might not boost combat power as much as the Sharingan, its additional abilities are strategically invaluable.
Especially its reconnaissance capabilities, which are essential to the Hidden Leaf Village.
Even the branch family members can see over a few hundred meters with 'X-ray vision.'
Who could resist that?
Thanks to the Byakugan, the Hidden Leaf Village has a significant strategic advantage.
But even those Byakugan are nothing compared to Aotsuki's.
With such a massive advantage, it's no wonder she can easily monitor the Sand shinobi.
"Tomohira?"
Aotsuki looked at the figure before her, Uchiha Tomohira, with curiosity.
Though the bone mask had undergone significant changes, making it impossible to see through with the Byakugan and bearing the unfamiliar words 'Zhu Rong,' she could still confirm his identity.
"Call me... Zhu Rong!"
A mysterious, ethereal voice echoed from beneath the bone mask.
Yes, Tomohira had given himself a codename.
After donning the 'Shell Organization' disguise, he couldn't use his real name and opted for a codename instead.
The Akatsuki's codenames were quite inspirational.
He wouldn't copy them entirely, though. Hyuga Aotsuki had already borrowed the names of 'Shinra Tensei' and 'Bansho Tenin,' and if he copied their codenames too, he feared Nagato might travel through time to confront him.
So, for the Shell Organization, he chose the 'Twelve Ancestral Spirits' as codenames.
Compared to the Akatsuki's eclectic mix of names, like 'Suzaku' (Vermilion Bird) and 'Byakko' (White Tiger), his were more uniform and symbolically significant.
For example, Zhu Rong, the 'Fire God,' was a fitting title for Tomohira, whose strongest jutsu is Fire Release.
He also used sealing techniques to modify his mask and cloak.
Altering his voice, eliminating his scent, changing his height, and enhancing durability—sealing techniques made it all possible.
The enhanced durability ensured that the mask and cloak wouldn't break during battle.
If they did, it would mean the user wasn't strong enough to keep them intact, no matter how strong the defense.
Sealing techniques were incredibly versatile!
However, their power came with an equally terrifying learning curve.
Even with the aid of a clarity potion, Tomohira could only slowly digest the sealing knowledge, hoping to catch up to Uzumaki Kyuukaku.
"From now on, you are 'Ru Shou'!"
Tomohira handed Aotsuki a bone mask and cloak with the characters 'Ru Shou' inscribed on them.
Even if she didn't recognize the characters, they looked cool.
Aotsuki quickly changed into the outfit, transforming into a nearly identical figure to Tomohira, except for the different characters on the mask.
Her voice, scent, and even her build had changed.
In short, once you wore the Shell Organization's uniform, enemies couldn't recognize you from your appearance.
Tomohira wouldn't be like the Akatsuki, who acted so openly despite being the masterminds.
He preferred a low profile and mystery.
That was his style.
However, while the organization should be low-key, their actions needed to be bold.
This mission to meet the Sand shinobi was bound to attract attention.
"Lead the way, we're going to meet the 'good Samaritan'!"
Tomohira gestured for Aotsuki to lead.
The night was pitch black, with no moonlight to guide them.
But the darkness posed no obstacle to Aotsuki. She led Tomohira, effortlessly dodging patrol squads and traps as if they were in their own camp.
It was truly monstrous!
Even other Kage-level shinobi couldn't match her level of expertise.
The Byakugan's auxiliary abilities were genuinely powerful.
It wasn't the Byakugan that was weak; it was the Hyuga clan.
They moved through the camp as if it were empty.
Their target was the main tent.
At that moment, the main tent at the center of the Sand shinobi camp was brightly lit and bustling with activity.
"We can't hold on any longer. If the Rock shinobi don't send reinforcements, we'll have to retreat!"
Yugao's voice echoed through the tent.
The main tent was currently the site of intense negotiations.
The talks had dragged on due to the significant disagreements.
In the center of the main tent stood a long wooden table. At the head of the table sat Chiyo, with Hiruzen to her left, followed by Roshi and Yura. On the right side sat several Rock shinobi, each wearing red headbands and brown armor.
Clearly, the two sides of the negotiation were the Sand shinobi and the Rock shinobi.
Chiyo, with her formidable strength and abilities, naturally dominated the meeting, especially since this was the Sand shinobi's military camp.
"It's impossible. Our last contingent suffered heavy losses, while your Sand shinobi only lost a quarter of their forces. Are you asking us to send more troops to be your cannon fodder?"
The Rock shinobi representative argued their case, clearly unwilling to send more reinforcements due to the high casualties.
In reality, it was impossible for them to send more reinforcements, but they wanted the Sand shinobi to believe that if the conditions were right, the Rock shinobi would send more troops, to keep their morale and fighting spirit up.
The Sand shinobi, on the other hand, though they would never back down, wanted the Rock shinobi to think they might retreat at any moment, to extract more benefits from the negotiations.
It was a classic game of deception.
Both sides employed countless tactics.
The urgency to reach a conclusion stemmed from the news of Konoha's newly formed shinobi army.
If the Southwest shinobi army and this new force attacked simultaneously...
Thus, it was no wonder the Sand shinobi and the Rock shinobi representative continued their negotiations late into the night, as they needed to reach a decision immediately.
Just as the debate was heating up, with both sides on the verge of drawing their kunai, they suddenly paused and turned their attention to the entrance, where the tent flap had been lifted.
Two figures entered, one after the other, putting everyone on high alert.
It wasn't an overreaction; the two intruders were shrouded in black cloaks and wore bone masks with strange inscriptions (Chinese characters).
Their appearance was far from reassuring, so the reaction was understandable.
At the entrance of the tent, two Sand shinobi guards lay unconscious.
"Who are you!"
Chiyo demanded, her voice sharp, as she began preparing her poisons.
With the Karasu puppet damaged and under repair, poison was her strongest weapon.
In terms of poison, she was undoubtedly a T0-level expert in the shinobi world, even surpassing Orochimaru.
"No need to be nervous," Tohei said calmly, leading Hyuga Seigetsu into the tent, "We're not good guys!"
This reassurance only made everyone more tense.
They were curious about the intruders, otherwise, they would have attacked without hesitation.
Of course, they also wanted to buy time.
This was the Sand shinobi camp, after all.
Once someone noticed something was amiss, they would surround the tent, leaving the intruders with no escape.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
Hiruzen, the Sand shinobi's strategist, tried to divert the intruders' attention.
He knew Chiyo was preparing her poisons, so all he needed to do was buy time.
"If I said we were just passing by, you wouldn't believe me, so I'm here to make a deal," Tohei said, his gaze fixed on Chiyo, "A win-win deal!"
Chiyo, realizing her small actions had been noticed but not exposed, played along, "Who are you, and what deal do you propose?"
As the highest-ranking person present, she would make the decision.
"We are the 'Shell' organization, a group dedicated to love and justice. We have information about the Konoha shinobi army that will be worth your while!"
Tohei didn't beat around the bush.
As for 'love and justice,' it could be summed up as 'fun.'
He didn't want to see the two armies slowly probing each other; he wanted to see bloodshed.
"And what would the Sand shinobi have to pay for this?"
Chiyo, undeterred by the unexpected offer, asked about the cost.
There was no such thing as a free lunch, and if there were, it would come with a hidden price tag that would need to be paid back eventually.
"Puppet techniques and ten billion ryo in resources!"
Tohei made an exorbitant demand.
"Out of the question!" Chiyo immediately rejected, "Puppet techniques cannot be used as a bargaining chip!"
For the Sand shinobi, puppet techniques were their cornerstone and could not be traded, no matter the price.
As for the money, she wasn't concerned.
They had already plundered a vast amount of resources and were not short on funds.
If they could repel the Konoha shinobi army, they could acquire whatever they needed.
Upon hearing her firm refusal, Tohei revealed his true conditions.
(End of Chapter)
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