Chapter 244: Sail Across the Ocean and Dry‑You‑to‑Death

Water Country, Kirigakure Village.

Waves pounded Haikou, and the damp sea breeze carried a salty, fishy scent.

Second Generation Water Shadow Guideng Huanyue stood on the deck, his robes rustling in the sea wind.

He toyed with the freshly delivered Intelligence Scroll in his hand, a exaggerated grin spreading across his mouth.

"Well done!" he burst into loud laughter, startling a flock of seagulls, "That bastard businessman who funded Iwagakure Village is finally dead."

Because of the businessman's backing, Iwagakure Village had ample funds to wage a war of attrition against Kirigakure Village.

Such a thing was intolerable for Water Shadow Guideng Huanyue, so he issued assassination missions for the businessman to all nations.

He wanted other villages to kill the businessman…

Although the reward was high, few took the mission.

He had lost hope about it, but the mission was suddenly completed.

Someone managed to kill the businessman despite heavy guard, far beyond his expectations.

Whoever completed it, it was tremendous news for Kirigakure Village.

"That Earth Shadow bastard must be fuming now, right?"

On the deck, dozens of elite Iwa‑nin had gathered, ready to depart.

Guideng Huanyue naturally would not let this once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years chance slip away…

After learning the news, he immediately decided to lead troops himself to Earth Country to strike the Second Tsuchikage.

He would use the chance to defeat Iwagakure Village and kill that Earth Shadow bastard.

It is well known that the Ninja World is round.

Guideng Huanyue only needed to sail around the Ninja World, allowing his forces to arrive unnoticed at the Earth Nation Rear Coast.

That Second Tsuchikage guy would never have expected them to appear behind Earth Country.

At that time, by coordinating with the front‑line troops, they could surprise and heavily damage the Iwagakure forces.

There was also a high probability of killing that Earth Shadow bastard.

A rear ambush, a killing blow.

"Heh heh heh, I'm so clever," Guideng Huanyue couldn't help but lift the corner of his mouth, proudly pulling out a comb to style his slicked‑back hair.

The plan was flawless!

"Water Shadow Lord, all preparations are complete," a Jonin knelt on one knee and reported respectfully.

Guideng Huanyue nodded with satisfaction, then swept his hand—

"Depart! Destination: Earth Nation Rear Coast!"

The ship slowly left the harbor, heading toward the distant sea.

Guideng Huanyue stood on the deck, eagerly anticipating how to give the Second Tsuchikage a "surprise."

"Sail across the ocean and dry‑you‑to‑death!"

Thinking that in a few days they'd reach Earth Country's coast, he couldn't help but laugh out loud, as if he already saw the Earth Shadow being killed by his own hand.

…………

Iwagakure Village, Earth Shadow Office.

The Intelligence Scroll in the hands of Second Tsuchikage Mu instantly shattered, dust scattering from his fingertips.

He stood by the office window, his bandage‑wrapped face obscuring his expression, but the eyes that showed were terrifyingly cold.

"All dead?" his voice was low and hoarse, "Not a single one escaped back?"

The Iwa‑nin kneeling on the ground broke cold sweat on his forehead, his voice tightening: "Yes… there wasn't a single survivor on site, not even a chance to send a distress signal."

Mu turned slowly, and the room's temperature seemed to drop suddenly.

The batch of ninja he dispatched were elite among elites—

Six Jonin, twelve Special Jonin, and the rest were also skilled scouts and assassins.

These men were not only guards protecting the businessman's safety, but also the blades he used to covertly control commerce and siphon war funds.

And now, that blade is broken.

Such a thing happened.

He didn't even know who broke the blade…

"Where are the bodies?" Mu asked coldly.

"All were burned to ash; only the traces of the fight and…" the reporting Iwa‑nin hesitated, "a large amount of Fire Release residue."

"Who exactly?" Mu murmured softly.

To silently kill everyone could not be a single person; it must have been an organized, premeditated operation.

Even he could not kill that many; some would inevitably slip through.

In the Ninja World, only two could silently kill so many ninja—

They are Senju Hashirama and Madara Uchiha, but both have long been dead.

So it could not have been them!

Since it couldn't be Hashirama and Madara, the only answer left is his rival—Second Generation Water Shadow Guideng Huanyue.

If anyone in the Ninja World would target Iwagakure Village, it would undoubtedly be Kirigakure Village's Guideng Huanyue.

"Guideng Huanyue…" Mu's eyes narrowed, "you relentless madman!"

He slammed a fist onto the desk, instantly etching fine cracks across its surface.

Mu took a deep breath, suppressing the fury within.

"Send the orders, put the whole army on alert," his voice regained calm, but his murderous intent grew, "Watch every move of Kirigakure Village."

"Also, dispatch a reconnaissance squad; I need to know the Water Shadow's current location."

He felt an uneasy feeling inside, perhaps Guideng Huanyue was again plotting something bad.

The Iwa-nin, ordered to retreat, steps down.

He stood alone by the window, gazing at the towering rock mountains in the distance.

His gaze was shadowy, and the corner of his mouth beneath the bandage curled into a cold smile.

"Guideng Huanyue, never let me encounter you!"

"Otherwise I'll make you know the horror of Dust Release!"

…………

"Madara Uchiha, Lian Ye, you're back."

Inside a cave in Fire Country, Senju Hashirama lay on a wooden bed, his face pale, and smiled at the two who entered.

Madara Uchiha frowned at the sight; after two days, Hashirama's condition not only hadn't improved, but had worsened.

"Uncle Hashirama, are you alright?" Lian Ye's face showed concern.

Senju Hashirama's condition is off; his body can't continue to deteriorate as before, can it?

This time he cannot make Hashirama's light return.

After all, his body has never improved; it has only stopped further worsening.

Now it seems his illness is gradually beginning to worsen.

Perhaps it won't be long before Hashirama's oil runs out and his lamp goes out.

He was able to hold on for two years; that already qualifies as a medical miracle.

Since Madara Uchiha's transplantation of Zhuan Cells can awaken the Rinnegan, could the reverse—Hashirama transplanting Madara's cells— make his body improve?

Lian Ye thought this in his heart: if possible, he naturally does not want Senju Hashirama to die just like that.

Without Hashirama, no one can restrain Madara Uchiha.

As he pondered the feasibility of his speculation, Madara Uchiha's deep voice came.

"Kid, go make a meal."

Lian Ye nodded and began to start a fire and cook in the cave.

And Madara Uchiha's gaze remained fixed on Hashirama, his thoughts unknown.

After a long silence, Madara Uchiha suddenly said, "Hashirama, I will make you see with your own eyes the day of Ninja World Peace."

……

……

ps: Today the capitalist boss didn't exploit me, I was home by 5:30, I have time for the third watch, hehe…