A few minutes later.
Shimoku wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, enduring the backlash.
He carefully resheathed the K'unwu Divine Sword, wearing a satisfied expression.
After that recent trial, he'd more or less figured out the other two abilities of this divine sword.
Extremely overbearing—but awesome!
However, at his current level, he still couldn't fully master it, nor could he use it continuously for long periods. It would have to remain as his trump card.
Thus, suppressing the surging energy within his body and sheathing the divine sword, Shimoku began cataloging tonight's loot.
The nine Nine-Gates Ninjutsu techniques he had previously exchanged went without saying.
Then there was that outrageously lucky "Ten-Turn Gacha."
It had granted Shimoku the following items:
3 Chakra Recovery Pills;
2 Intermediate Healing Pills;
2 Intermediate Spatial Scrolls;
1 Basic Healing Pill;
1 scroll containing an S-class Space-Time Ninjutsu technique—the Flying Thunder God Technique;
1 Divine Artifact, the Dragon-Weaving Blade;
[Current Balance: 340 coins]
Finally,
Shimoku spent another 300 coins upgrading his chakra limit by 3 ranks, boosting his total chakra reserves to 9 ranks.
Leaving him with only a pitiful 40 coins remaining.
Coins just don't last long!
He thought that with nearly eight thousand coins, he'd finally struck it rich.
Yet somehow, just like that, he was broke again—as if he'd come full circle—back to nothing...
Of course, tonight's impressive haul still left him feeling quite reassured.
All things considered,
Shimoku confirmed that, even without using the Mangekyō Sharingan, he was now fully capable of facing his former self.
And if he used the Mangekyō Sharingan, his overall power would increase at least threefold—or even more!
Even against the current Five Kage, he would most likely emerge victorious!
...
After organizing everything, Shimoku sat cross-legged in the room, calming his mind and meditating.
Gradually restoring his chakra.
Before long, midnight struck—12:00 AM.
Shimoku's chakra had now fully replenished to its peak.
"Terumi."
A quiet call.
Moments later, a figure dashed into the room, kneeling respectfully on one knee before Shimoku.
"Master, I'm here!"
"I plan to be away for a while. The earliest return is two days, latest five days."
"During my absence, you will hold your ground here. Turn away all guests and decline any meetings. Say I'm immersed in researching new Ninjutsu techniques and strengthening myself."
"While I'm away, I'll leave behind a summoning beast. Should anything serious happen to the village, especially in case of invasion, immediately have 'Mooncake' perform the Reverse Summoning to recall me!"
"As you command!"
Terumi Uchiha nodded firmly in acceptance.
Although somewhat curious about why the young heir to the clan was leaving at such a time,
he assumed it must be something important.
Besides, should anything go wrong,
the young master could instantly reverse-summon him back via the summoning beast.
Therefore, safety wasn't an immediate concern.
His job was simply to fulfill his duty and carry out his mission accordingly!
...
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Shimoku quickly formed the hand seals.
With a loud puff of smoke—
a small, adorable panda appeared inside the room.
"Mooncake, I'll need your help this time too!"
Mooncake helplessly waved his paws, already regretting having made that contract with the brat.
He was the third-in-command of the mighty 'Mao' beast clan!
How had he ended up becoming this brat's personal tool bear?
But in the end, tempted by twenty portions of fresh tender bamboo shoots,
he still "reluctantly" agreed to Shimoku's request, promising to lend his strength when danger arose.
...
With the village defense arrangements basically settled,
Shimoku leaped forward, darting out of his [Homura Hidden Village] under the cover of night.
He didn't want too many clansmen knowing about it.
After all, it would give the clanspeople more peace of mind if others believed he remained in the village.
Soon after leaving the village,
a shadowy figure gradually emerged in the distance—Orochimaru.
"You're right on time!"
"A request from Lord Shimoku? How could I possibly be late?"
Orochimaru twisted his slim waist and grinned sinisterly.
At the same moment,
his gaze was instantly drawn to the weapon hanging at Shimoku's waist.
Using his keen soul-perceiving senses,
even from this distance, that blade gave him a sensation of ultimate sharpness—as if his very soul would be ripped to shreds by just one touch.
"What an incredibly sharp aura!"
"Such a precious divine treasure exists in this world?"
Orochimaru exclaimed in admiration.
Even with all his vast knowledge, he still couldn't recognize what ancient prototype this divine sword originated from!
Yet he was absolutely certain—this was no ordinary weapon. There was a high chance it was actually a divine artifact!
"What? Want to test it against your Sword of Kusanagi?"
Shimoku sneered contemptuously, hand resting on his sword hilt as he asked directly.
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru felt even more startled.
He quickly shook his hands while wearing a slightly teasing smile to appease:
"No no... How could I dare compete with Lord Shimoku?"
"By the way, for this mission, are you going alone?"
"I thought you might bring several Uchiha guards along?"
Orochimaru said deliberately showing concern.
In his opinion, their upcoming mission to [Iwagakure] wouldn't go smoothly.
If Shimoku brought a couple of Uchiha guards with Sharingan activated, should they happen to die during the mission, he might get to collect one or two Sharingan eyes conveniently.
He had countless experiments ready to be carried out using the power of the Sharingan!
"No need. One man is sufficient!"
"And you should leave those people behind as well. Bringing too many useless ones will only affect my efficiency."
Shimoku shot a glance toward where Orochimaru's men were hiding, his blood-red Sharingan—its three tomoe swirling ominously in the darkness.
This frightened the Gang of Four hiding tens of meters behind Orochimaru—each one felt their spirit tremble and scalp tingle.
Given Shimoku's current power level,
those four Sound ninja were no different from chickens—he could wipe them all out without even opening his eyes.
Bringing such feeble company would only slow him down.
"Alright, whatever Lord Shimoku says!"
Orochimaru nodded in agreement.
Then quickly waved his hand to dismiss the Gang of Four behind him.
To be honest, compared to absolute strength, those young ninja apprentices of mine are still too inexperienced.
As for that improved version of the [Ninjutsu: Four-Corner Sealing Barrier], it still lacks some refinement.
Well then, I'll just let them stay behind at Otogakure.
...
After a brief encounter,
Shimoku and Orochimaru set off together, heading toward Iwagakure.
According to Shimoku's past life memories, this should be precisely the time when Danzo issues orders to Kabuto—who is undercover in Iwagakure—and the orphanage director traveling around as a wandering witch, Nonou Yakushi, forcing the two to turn against each other.
And Orochimaru's task assigned by Danzo is to eliminate the survivor, to prevent any information leaks.
Actually, whatever Danzo promised Orochimaru holds no interest for Shimoku.
What he truly cares about are Kabuto and Nonou Yakushi—these two exceptionally rare medical ninja.
Truth be told,
although Kabuto indeed becomes one of the major antagonist bosses later on,
at this point in time, he isn't truly evil. He's still an idealistic and naïve teenager who wants to save both the orphanage and its director.
His subsequent descent into darkness was purely due to accidentally killing the director and being utterly shattered by it.
Therefore, stopping this tragedy and recruiting these two rare medical ninja for his new Homura Hidden Village—now that would be worth the effort.
After all, being part of the Uchiha Clan—an Indra bloodline lineage—has never produced any yang attribute ninja,
let alone producing any medical ninja at all.
Naturally, Shimoku doesn't want to see an entire village so lacking that it doesn't even have a single medical clinic.
That would just be embarrassing...
Of course, rescuing people is serious business.
As for whether he could take a little detour during the rescue mission to pay Rock Hidden's treasury a visit and grab a few 'souvenirs' from the vault,
that's entirely another matter altogether.
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