Red sand dust

Naruto Village in mid-August is the hottest time of the year.

For the Suna ninja who worked hard every day to build the village, the obvious threat was not the prying eyes of ninjas from other villages, but the miasma and various mosquitoes that brought diseases.

The residents of the Country of Wind who have just arrived have indeed suffered a lot during this period.

The endless desert of the Kingdom of Wind is not only a barren home for human beings, but also very difficult for various birds, animals, insects and fish to survive.

Naruto Village is different. It still maintains a tropical rainforest landscape close to the sea.

Ninjas with extraordinary strength have truly amazing mobility. In half a year, the entire Naruto Village garrison and the ground along both sides of the canal have been completely transformed.

After having dinner on the "Manta Ray" and doing some activities, the ship docked.

It wasn't long before the sun set, and Naruto Village, which was already quite large, was still busy.

Daimaru took a look at the large and small ships queuing up to pass the lock, and made a rough estimate. There were nearly forty or fifty ships, and all of them should be able to pass before dawn unless the number continued to increase.

"Working late at night has almost become the norm. We are short of manpower, so we can only let the ninjas take over the battle and hire some ordinary people to help with the general affairs."

After holding on cautiously for a long time, the support finally arrived, and Leman breathed a sigh of relief.

After slowly looking through the report in his hand, and roughly understanding the basic situation, Daimaru nodded with satisfaction.

"Thank you for your hard work! Next, I will hand over the work. You have two weeks of vacation. Have a good rest..."

"Thank you for your understanding, Commander. I wonder what my next task will be?"

Among the three captains of the air combat force, Yuno leads a group of people who are stationed in Konoha Village and are under the command of the Gravel Jonin to support the "Rescue Team"; Yemu is in charge of the training base and is often deployed to complete emergency tasks; the most experienced Leman is in charge of Naruto Village and assists in the management of Awaji Village. She directly controls the maritime transportation lines, including the Grand Canal.

As the two affiliated villages are on the right track, it is inevitable to put talents in more important positions, and daily management should be left to subordinates.

"Go and garrison at Kikyo Mountain Castle. The manpower of the three teams will be under your command to assist the Konoha ninjas in controlling the northern communication lines."

Daimaru didn't hide anything.

Although war has not been directly declared on the Country of Rain, some preparations must be made in advance to guard the borders of the Country of Grass and the Country of Rain. It is also a strategic location that the Suna Ninja and the Konoha Ninja have fought for for decades - Kikyo Mountain Castle. A fortress with no room for error.

Leman, who is proficient in chakra range perception, is the most reliable "radar" for air combat troops. In conjunction with the "telescope" night vision, it can basically ensure that there will be no defense loopholes.

The "sniper team" has been put on the agenda, and as expected, Nara Shikaku became the first captain. The Suna ninja did not hesitate and asked Yomu to lead a large group of air combat troops to join, and cooperate with individual Hyuga clan members or Aburame clan insect users, Coverage and investigation is no problem, and the operation to wipe out countless rebellious ninjas in the ninja world is about to begin.

"That's fine, then I won't bother you!"

Leman left with a solemn salute, and the office returned to peace.

After thinking for a while, Daimaru took out a letter from the drawer and read it carefully again. After finding no problems, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Should we start!" 』

The content of the letter was not mysterious. The sender was Jiraiya, whom he had an agreement with before. He sent an invitation to Daimaru to assist him, meet at the Tea Country in mid-October, and unlock the Eight Trigrams seal on Uzumaki Naruto.

Strictly speaking, it just broke a hole in the seal so that Uzumaki Naruto could borrow more Nine-Tails chakra.

And this also increases the possibility of Kyuubi's escape.

In order to ensure nothing goes wrong, it is not surprising that Jiraiya decided to let Daimaru lead the battle.

And now, Uzumaki Naruto and Jiraiya are still traveling in the northern part of the Land of Fire, not too far from the place where Daimaru and Uchiha Itachi compete for the Three-Tailed Isora.

If Orochimaru's base hadn't moved too far away, the distance between them was quite close.

"Perhaps Jiraiya stayed there on purpose and was looking for Orochimaru!" 』

After thinking about it for a while, Daimaru could understand Jiraiya's thoughts.

Even if teammates who have been together for decades defect, their relationship will not disappear.

Mid-October, this time seems to be well thought out.

If the Kyuubi loses control, it will inevitably cause serious injuries to one party. Including the time to recuperate, it will also leave behind the method of teaching Uzumaki Naruto how to manipulate the Kyuubi chakra after breaking the seal.

It is estimated that at the turn of spring and summer next year, the master and apprentice will return to Konoha Village.

Think carefully, if there is anything else to do, it is best to complete it in this short half year, otherwise there will be no time.

Moreover, this time is still an ideal state. It is impossible to say whether it really lasted such a long time. After all, the current development is very different from the "plot" in memory.

…

It was late at night, training during the day was very hard, and he had to practice absorbing natural energy before going to bed. Uchiha Sasuke's days were quite fulfilling.

The boy who was sleeping with his sword in his arms seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep, but tonight, it was obviously a little different.

Daimaru, who had not been in contact for a while, once again sneaked into Sasuke Uchiha's soul. Looking at the spiritual sea that was much wider than before, he had a general understanding of the strength of the owner of this body.

"I know you feel it. This is a rare opportunity. Do you want to talk?"

After the words fell, like a colorful ocean, a figure rose up, it was the cold-faced boy-Uchiha Sasuke.

"Sure enough, I have become a lot stronger, especially my illusion ability. I can already use it. The Sharingan is indeed the most powerful blood successor in the ninja world, which is enviable..."

"What are you asking me to do? The terms of the contract are currently being implemented, and I have no intention of violating it for the time being! If you want to reach another deal, it won't be as easy as before!"

The vengeful boy who had not been seen for more than half a year and who had become much stronger, had lost sight of many things. Without a secret technique like the Immortal Mode Cultivation Method, it was basically impossible to get benefits from him.

"Don't get me wrong, the relationship between us should be clear and clear. Mutual benefit is the basis, and there is no conflict of interest..."

Daimaru said with a smile,

"Of course, if you include the fight we had two years ago, there was indeed a dispute..."

"That's what you said?"

"Don't be impatient!"

Daimaru waved his hand, and the surrounding scenery changed accordingly. The radiant spiritual reflection disappeared, and the spiritual sea turned into a large, white, square room with two chairs in the center.

"Sit down and let's talk slowly!"

Uchiha Sasuke frowned, thinking that it was very impolite to tamper with him in his own mind. He was capable of resisting, but seeing that Daimaru didn't seem to do anything unnecessary, there should be no malice.

The two sat opposite each other, and Daimaru asked with a smile:

"With all due respect, how likely do you think you are to be able to bite Orochimaru back now?"

"About 30%..."

After thinking for a moment, Uchiha Sasuke replied seriously,

"One year later, 80%!"

"So confident!"

Daimaru shook his head slightly.

"Do you think there's a problem? Are you looking down on me too much? Sharingan's ability to increase Yinjutsu's power is far beyond your imagination..."

"You are wrong. My understanding of the Sharingan's potential is far beyond the strongest state you imagined. Even so, the possibility of you defeating Orochimaru now is infinitely close to zero. According to your current situation The progress of cultivation will be barely 10% after one year, no more!"

In his memory, Orochimaru had been seriously injured for more than three years, unable to exert his strength and retreating instead of advancing.

Things were different now. Orochimaru, who had recovered his soul cut open by the Death Blade early and had recovered from his injuries, had plenty of time to research stronger powers.

Uchiha Sasuke is extremely talented and his Sharingan is very powerful. Could it be that Orochimaru is inferior?

At this level of ninja, who is not a genius?

Uchiha Sasuke is making progress, and Orochimaru is not idle either.

"How can it be?"

Uchiha Sasuke didn't believe it, thinking that Daimaru was being alarmist.

"How should I say it so that you can understand!"

After pondering for a while, Daimaru said,

"I told you the information about the strength comparison of high-level ninjas, but I haven't experienced it myself. Some misunderstandings are normal."

The eloquent Daimaru didn't seem to be lying. Uchiha Sasuke still had basic judgment. In three years, he had gone through Orochimaru's journey of more than forty years. No matter how arrogant he was, he would not think like this. .

Seeing that the boy opposite didn't speak, Daimaru continued to explain:

"If you cannot activate the Mangekyou Sharingan, the possibility of defeating Orochimaru in his full state on your own is extremely small, but..."

"There is something in my body that can be the key to a comeback, and this..."

Uchiha Sasuke said bluntly,

"Is this why you went to great lengths to get in touch with me and sneak into the depths of my soul several times?"

“It’s fun to communicate with smart people, there’s no need to explain yourself!”

Daimaru smiled while stroking his palms,

"You are right, the power hidden in your body is almost the pinnacle of the ninja world, but..."

After a pause, Daimaru chuckled:

"With your own strength, if you want to detect and utilize this power, your strength must be strong to a certain extent. A basic standard is to open the Mangekyo Sharingan..."

The topic came back again. If there was a Mangekyo Sharingan, Uchiha Sasuke wouldn't be in such a difficult situation.

"If this power is activated, can I be stronger than Uchiha Itachi?"

Compared to Orochimaru, revenge is what Uchiha Sasuke never dares to forget.

"With the Mangekyo Sharingan and it, even if you face Uchiha Itachi in his prime, you have a pretty good chance of winning..."

Anyway, Daimaru didn't lie. As for the revenge target being seriously ill and dying, that was force majeure and had nothing to do with Daimaru.

Daimaru said with a toothy smile:

"I can't help you open the Mangekyou Sharingan. You can only rely on yourself. However, there is another way to activate the power in your body, and that is to cultivate into Sage Mode!"

Only when you are strong to a certain extent can you withstand the power of reincarnated chakra.

"It's a kind of inheritance, a kind of brand. It's not very powerful in itself, but it's a seed that can make you make a leap forward if you're strong enough. Of course, it all depends on you. It's all up to you. Cake can also kill people, right?"

"Sage mode?"

His physical fitness is a bit poor and his chakra content is insufficient. Even though he has reached an extremely high level of perception, absorption and manipulation of natural energy, the lack of basic conditions still makes Uchiha Sasuke realize that if he wants to cultivate into the sage mode, he must rely on If you try to figure it out by yourself, you will definitely not be able to do it in a short time.

If you really want to force yourself, you must seek external help.

"With your wisdom, you must have understood what I said! That's right..."

Daimaru said bluntly,

"I've taken a fancy to the power in your body! Don't get me wrong, I don't want to take it away. In fact, I already have another backup, but I can't find a way to use it, or..."

Taking a deep breath, Daimaru sighed:

"Eligibility for use..."

"Bloodline?"

The revengeful boy's eyes lit up, and he instantly understood what Daimaru meant.

"That's my problem. I taught you how to practice the Immortal Mode. The moment you gain that leaping power, and the veins that resonate with 'that power', I need to make a copy of it..."

After a moment of silence to digest Daimaru's words, Uchiha Sasuke suddenly asked:

"Is it just for today's request that you come into contact with me and even teach me the Immortal Mode cultivation method?"

"You overestimated me. I didn't think so much at that time, but looking back now, the seeds I planted at the beginning have almost come to fruition, so..."

Daimaru gave him a "you know" look and didn't say any more.

There was another long silence.

Paying the risk of exposure of unknown power, or even the leakage of bloodline characteristics, to cultivate into immortal mode, and to activate more powerful hidden abilities, it seems that there is nothing wrong with this transaction, but...

All this can be accomplished on the premise that what Daimaru said is true and at the same time, no tricks are used in actual operations.

Now, I don't know how many "back doors" Daimaru has opened in my body, and I am full of loopholes. I have been learning genjutsu for several months, and I can barely sense the existence of Daimaru, but I still can't counterattack, so I pretend to be confident. In fact, he is fierce in appearance and soft in heart.

In front of the forerunner Daimaru, Uchiha Sasuke still has to compromise a little bit now.

"I need to think about it!"

"waiting for your good news!"

Daimaru didn't expect that such a big matter could be settled in just one consultation, so he readily gave the other party time.

"I'll come back next time. I hope everyone gets what they want. In addition, I'll give you some free information. Your teammate Uzumaki Naruto seems not too far away from your current hiding place..."

"The Avengers don't need teammates!"

Uchiha Sasuke, who spoke coldly, did not give Daimaru a chance to continue.

"It's up to you, but..."

The figure began to dim, and Daimaru, who was about to leave, said leisurely,

"I just want to tell you that there is another option waiting for you! For you, killing Uzumaki Naruto is the most promising way to open the Mangekyo Sharingan. If you can't do it, come to me. ,otherwise……"

The rest of the words were inaudible, but the characteristics of the spiritual sea allowed Uchiha Sasuke to still hear the other party's meaning clearly.

After a long silence, Uchiha Sasuke smiled to himself.

"A cursed power? I didn't take action back then, and I won't go back now. Even if it's a different path from that man, I still have to prove that I'm stronger than him!"