Shin was unsure what the letter said, but the genjutsu he used on Moko had been simple and ordinary.
"The illusion reflects her inner desires," Shin explained, still puzzled.
"Her desires…?" Ye Zi glanced at the letter in his hand, his expression darkening. Knowing Moko's personality, it wasn't hard to guess what had unfolded.
Now that the 100 million ryō had been delivered through Shin, no explanation would clear up whatever misunderstanding the letter might contain.
Lightning crackled in Ye Zi's palm as chakra surged through his arm. The letter burned to ash in an instant.
Brushing the ashes aside, Ye Zi rubbed his temples. Forget it. Since the money was already in hand, the rest didn't matter. He wouldn't need to bother Moko again in the future.
"Is there a problem, Lord Ye Zi?" Shin asked, eyeing the ashes curiously.
"No, you've done well," Ye Zi said, shaking his head. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him, and he asked, "You mentioned earlier that Moko's guards are weak?"
"They are very weak," Shin confirmed with a nod.
Ye Zi pondered for a moment before saying, "Pick another five to protect her."
Though Ye Zi didn't particularly dislike Moko, he had extracted a significant amount of money from her in the past, money that had proven incredibly useful. Sending her ten highly skilled guards in return seemed fair. Besides, the selected youths would benefit from a comfortable life under Moko's protection.
"Understood." Shin nodded. As always, he would carry out Ye Zi's orders without question.
"Also, this money is to be used for purchasing ninja tools. You and Kotoe are familiar with the children's needs, so compile a list quickly and have Fish handle the procurement," Ye Zi instructed.
The money acquired from Moko would primarily be used to buy ninja tools for the children at the base. Any remaining funds would be reserved for future expenses.
"I'll get to it right away. Anything else?" Shin asked.
"That's all. Go ahead."
With a nod, Shin took the sealed scroll containing the 100 million ryō and left to find Kotoe.
Left alone in the room, Ye Zi gazed at the closed door and murmured to himself, "Now it's just a matter of waiting…"
Waiting for Orochimaru's research results, waiting for the children to grow stronger, waiting for the appointed time…
Ye Zi stood and headed toward the base's exit.
With the immediate matters settled, he would dedicate the remaining time to preparation. Even if less than a year wasn't much, consistent training would still yield results.
Moving forward with a clear goal was vastly different from wandering aimlessly. The wheels set in motion by Ye Zi continued to roll forward, determined and unstoppable.
Among those affected by Ye Zi's actions were several individuals in Konoha.
Two months had passed since the incident. The reconstruction of the Eastern District was complete, transforming it into a massive park. The centerpiece was a large artificial lake that spanned the entire area.
For Konoha's shinobi, seeing the lake inevitably brought memories of that fateful day, the intense battles and the powerful man who left an indelible mark on their minds.
Guy had taken two weeks to recover physically, but even after regaining his strength, he didn't immediately resume training due to a deep emotional slump.
It was an unusual sight, one that worried his companions, especially Kurenai. She understood Guy's feelings and often visited him with Asuma and others to encourage him to bounce back.
Fortunately, Guy's low spirits didn't last long. Within half a month, he returned to his usual self. However, the lethargic Guy during those weeks had left a deep impression on those around him, it was an image they wouldn't soon forget.
The contrast was stark. It was hard to imagine the boundlessly energetic Guy in such a lifeless state.
When he resumed training, Guy's regimen reached an alarming intensity, far exceeding the rigorous schedule Ye Zi had once set for himself.
Back in Konoha, Ye Zi had trained for months on just four hours of sleep a day, dedicating every other moment to practice. Yet even that seemed modest compared to Guy's current efforts.
This extreme level of physical training was unprecedented. It alarmed not only Kakashi and others but also caught the attention of Minato and Kushina.
They admired Guy's talent and dedication to taijutsu but were concerned that his fervent pursuit of strength might harm his body. They considered advising him to scale back.
However, upon seeing the unwavering focus and determination in Guy's expression during training, they hesitated.
How could anyone stop someone so single-mindedly immersed in their efforts?
Inspired by Guy's resolve, Kurenai began training in taijutsu herself while seeking her father, Shinku Yuhi, for special genjutsu lessons.
Neither she nor Guy wanted to experience that overwhelming sense of helplessness ever again.
In the Forest of Death, training continued…
A young man with white hair, wielding a short blade, stood face-to-face with seven or eight massive bears.
The young man was none other than Kakashi. With Minato's permission, he was conducting combat training in the Forest of Death.
Wind and lightning chakra swirled around his short blade.
Kakashi's eyes moved swiftly, taking in the positions of the seven or eight giant bears surrounding him in an instant.
Then, he moved.
His blade flashed through the air, carving out arcs of brilliant light that swept across the necks of the bears.
The roars of the massive bears came to an abrupt halt. Their enormous bodies shuddered before slowly collapsing to the ground.
Each thunderous crash of their bodies sent up clouds of dust.
The fallen bears bore no visible wounds on their necks, and there was no blood. None were killed, they had merely lost consciousness.
Kakashi withdrew the chakra from his short blade but did not sheath it. After a brief glance at the unconscious bears around him, he turned and headed in another direction.
He had used the back of his blade to strike the bears, and the amount of chakra infused into the blade was carefully controlled to ensure it wouldn't cause fatal injuries.
.....
In the forest near the training ground:
"Haah!"
A sharp shout rang out, followed by an explosive sound and a cry of pain.
Obito crawled out from a bush, lifting his right hand to inspect his palm, which was charred and unrecognizable. He winced slightly from the pain.
"Damn it, still not working."
He gritted his teeth and muttered to himself, then took a few steps forward into a clearing to continue testing his new jutsu.
Stretching out his right hand, he quickly formed a chakra sphere in his palm.
It was the Rasengan.
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Currently on Chapter 516 - He Who Domineered