https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-59-The-Clan-Leader-s-Leisure-Time/12553255/
Chapter 60: A Momentary Nap?
Chapter 60: A Momentary Nap?
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The shrill cry of a hawk pierced the vast skies.
Deep within the Valley of Divine Ruins...
After imparting his knowledge of ninjutsu to Sami, who was deeply touched and left, Yu Yi Xuan Yue rested for two days. Then, a messenger hawk from the Featherclad Clan appeared once more.
Yu Yi Xuan Yue extended his arm.
Amidst the howling winds, a hawk with a wingspan of about half a meter descended swiftly and landed precisely on his outstretched arm.
"So soon?" Yu Yi Xuan Yue murmured, "Have they already found a lead?"
He untied the tiny scroll from the hawk's leg, using a specific hand seal unique to the Featherclad Clan to unravel its contents.
As expected, the Featherclad Clan had promptly gathered and delivered intelligence on Shen Nong.
"He's within the borders of the Fire Country? It doesn't seem too far from here. Let's make this quick; there might be a little surprise waiting for us in Konoha afterward."
Yu Yi Xuan Yue released the messenger hawk, and with a flash of his figure, he vanished from the Valley of Divine Ruins.
At the same time, in the Village of Konoha...
The smoke of battle had long since dissipated from this resilient village, which boasted an astonishing ability to recover.
The rubble and debris had been cleared away, all collapsed buildings rebuilt, and the bustling streets once again teemed with life.
Everything appeared just as it had been before the Chunin Exams.
But it was only on the surface.
Some things had changed, and some people had quietly transformed within.
At the Konoha Hospital...
After returning from the Tea Country, Sasuke and Naruto, who were both hospitalized there, finally gave in to their competitive spirits and faced off on the hospital's rooftop.
Just as they were about to unleash their final techniques—the Chidori and the Rasengan—their clash was interrupted by Kakashi. However, as Sasuke surveyed the destruction caused by their incomplete techniques, he couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence.
But then, he turned to see the back of the reservoir, which had been struck by Naruto's Rasengan, now completely in ruins. Sasuke's proud smile froze on his face.
Crack!
Sasuke clenched his fists, his eyelids drooping as a somber expression settled on his face.
"Naruto..."
When had Naruto become so strong?
Sasuke recalled how everyone had always viewed Naruto as the dead-last failure, while he, Sasuke, had been acknowledged as a genius.
But what had happened during this period? It was Naruto who defeated the rampaging Gaara; it was Naruto who bested Midoriko Aoi, wielder of the Raijin Sword; and just now, if Kakashi hadn't intervened...
The more Sasuke thought about it, the tighter he clenched his fists.
Why was Naruto progressing so quickly, while he, Sasuke, seemed to be standing still?
"So, the rumors are true," Sasuke muttered to himself, recalling Midoriko's words. "The sole survivor of Konoha's prestigious Uchiha clan is also the one with the worst talent."
And that man...
"You are weak," a voice echoed in Sasuke's memory. "Why are you so weak? Your hatred is not strong enough."
Sasuke remembered his encounter with Itachi, how he had been as powerless as he was at the age of seven, unable to resist.
"I can't continue like this!" Sasuke declared. "Even Naruto has caught up to me! If I stay stagnant, how can I ever hope to kill Itachi?"
"It's time to end this game of ninjas!"
With a determined gaze, Sasuke turned his eyes toward the village's outskirts.
On a desolate path, the white-haired Shen Nong walked with the aid of a cane, carrying a medicine box on his back.
Over the years, he had traveled across the various countries of the ninja world, ostensibly to heal and save people, but his true purpose was to search for a forbidden technique that could control the Zero-Tails.
Shen Nong wasn't concerned about his identity being exposed, as to outsiders, the once-legendary Empty Ninja no longer existed.
He was revered as a savior by many, and his reputation was enough to keep trouble at bay.
However, today seemed to be an exception.
Since he knew his name, then he should also be aware of his profession.
Shennong assumed that the man before him, like many others, had heard of his reputation and was seeking medical treatment.
"Illness? Indeed, I am ill," came the reply from none other than Yu Yi Xuan Yue.
Yu Yi Xuan Yue nodded, "However, instead of seeking treatment from others, I prefer to treat myself."
He had no desire to let this seemingly benevolent yet sinister man treat him, fearing that Shennong might secretly do something underhanded to his body.
After all, medicine was a specialized field.
If a doctor truly intended to leave something behind in a patient's body, it would be extremely difficult for the patient to discover it.
Thus, Yu Yi Xuan Yue preferred to learn medical ninjutsu himself, ensuring a foolproof treatment process.
Getting straight to the point, Yu Yi Xuan Yue said, "Hand over all your medical ninjutsu, and I will give you a satisfactory reward, Leader of the Empty Ninja."
"I'm just an ordinary person, what do I know of medical ninjutsu... Wait, what did you call me?" Shennong's expression suddenly changed.
He had been about to explain, as was his habit, that he was just an ordinary person, but within seconds, he realized what had happened.
'Empty Ninja Leader?'
'Has my identity been exposed?' Shennong couldn't believe it.
But looking into Yu Yi Xuan Yue's calm eyes, which showed not a hint of fluctuation, he knew that whatever he said now would be futile.
"You ignorant young man, why can't you just live peacefully?" Shennong sighed.
Then, without maintaining his pretense any longer, he abruptly tore off his facade of benevolence, revealing his true nature as his face contorted with malevolence, "You want to learn my medical ninjutsu? You think you can threaten me with the Empty Ninja?"
"Foolish! Arrogant! Greedy!"
"I'll send you straight to meet the Grim Reaper!"
With that, Shennong ripped off his outer garment, revealing a body that was incongruously robust for his age.
Seeing Shennong's sudden change in attitude, Yu Yi Xuan Yue also sighed, "Stubborn old man, why can't you just talk things through? I gave you a chance, but you didn't take it. Also, I've already met the Grim Reaper, no need for a reunion."
'Met the Grim Reaper?'
Shennong, now in his ripped state, thought Yu Yi Xuan Yue was delusional.
Without further ado, confident in his strength, he bellowed, "Short-lived young man, since you know about the Empty Ninja, do you know what I've been doing these past fifty years since the destruction of the Country of Empty?"
"Do you know what these fifty years signify?"
Yu Yi Xuan Yue tilted his head slightly, pondering the question seriously before replying with a shrug, "A momentary nap?"
"Still defiant even at death's door!" Shennong roared in anger as he swiftly formed a series of hand seals.
"Medical Forbidden Technique: Flesh Activation!"
In an instant, his muscles swelled, and his body transformed into that of a miniature giant.
Shennong took a mighty step forward, the ground shaking violently beneath his feet as he swiftly and powerfully swung at Yu Yi Xuan Yue, "Go to your death, little mouse!"
One minute later...
"Stop hitting me!! I admit defeat!!!"
Shennong, who had approached the situation with such confidence and grandeur, now found himself retreating in a pitiful state, his face bruised and swollen as he waved the white flag and begged for mercy.
Looking at Shennong's miserable state, Yu Yi Xuan Yue, whose clothes remained immaculate without a single wrinkle, shook his head and sighed, "You wouldn't listen to reason, forcing me to take matters into my own hands."
"Must peaceful transactions between people be so difficult?"
"What a harsh world we live in!"
(End of Chapter)
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