Chapter 98: Five Shadows Meeting: Chu Yang Made a Fortune [100k Updates Complete, All Support Appreciated]

CEO of Stark Industries—Tony Stark is back!

This eye-catching headline was published early this morning on major American newspapers beloved by the public, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

New York erupted in shock!

Countless people had assumed Tony Stark would die in that barren wasteland; the moment the news broke, Stark Industries’ stock, which had been plummeting for days, surged uncontrollably. As Tony Stark’s car arrived at Stark Industries’ headquarters, the flashbulbs never stopped firing.

They were just one red carpet away from laying one down.

The scene was as fiery as any Hollywood star-studded premiere.

As Tony stepped out, Obadiah Stane rushed forward with a beaming smile.

His joy looked greater than that of everyone else combined.

“Welcome back, Tony. Do Itachi have any idea how worried I’ve been these past weeks?”

Hearing Obadiah’s concerned greeting, Tony smirked with contempt.

Thanks to Chu Yang and Happy’s warnings, he now knew this man who had watched him grow up was the mastermind behind his kidnapping by terrorists.

Yet now, this man wore a face full of genuine warmth!

Just thinking of the trust he’d placed in him made Tony feel sick—he shoved away Obadiah’s hand, meant to help him.

“I can walk myself, Stane.”

Tony glanced at him once, then walked past without hesitation.

Happy followed closely behind.

Obadiah was caught off guard—he never expected Tony to react this way.

His face instantly darkened; he lowered his head and trailed behind.

He could no longer control his expression, and could only try to avoid drawing the reporters’ attention.

Fortunately, wherever Tony Stark went, cameras and flashes immediately swarmed to him.

“He looks pretty angry, Miss Potts.”

“Yang, it really was Mr. Stane...”

“If Itachi don’t believe me, during the press conference, I can accompany Itachi to his office to find evidence—he won’t be back anytime soon.”

“Good!”

Pepper desperately wanted to confirm whether Obadiah was truly the mastermind behind the kidnapping.

For that, she needed concrete proof.

More and more reporters arrived, surrounding the press conference entrance so tightly not even a needle could slip through.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Pepper and Chu Yang slipped away toward Obadiah’s office.

As CEO’s assistant, Pepper could move freely throughout the entire building—even entering Obadiah’s office raised no suspicion.

Especially now, when most people’s attention was fixed on Tony.

The two entered the office effortlessly; Pepper expertly powered on the desk computer and began searching files.

She opened a video that looked slightly odd.

Moments later, her pupils shrank sharply.

The video recorded the entire kidnapping of Tony, even showing Obadiah meeting with the terrorist leader.

Pepper took a deep breath, pulled a USB drive from her bag, and prepared to copy the incriminating evidence.

At that moment, Chu Yang sensed movement outside the room and activated Kenbunshoku Haki, locking onto a stranger’s shadow.

Chu Yang surged forward like a hunting cheetah.

The man outside didn’t react in time; only when Chu Yang was right before him did he instinctively throw a punch.

But his speed was far too slow before Chu Yang.

Chu Yang seized the man’s joint.

Crack! Crack! Two sharp snaps echoed—the man’s arm went limp, then Chu Yang twisted it and slammed it against the wall.

Thud! The force made the man feel as if a bear had smashed him into the wall—he nearly passed out.

The man gritted his teeth and whispered, “This must be a misunderstanding—I have no ill intentions.”

“Tsk. Every villain in the movies says that.”

Chu Yang tightened his grip further.

Sneaking behind someone and claiming Itachi’re not a bad guy—who’d believe that? “Oh my god, kids today are so well-fed—only sixteen and already this strong.”

“Sounds like Itachi know me pretty well?”

Chu Yang narrowed his eyes; a long-dormant aura of killing intent surfaced as his hand slowly reached toward the man’s occiput.

Whooosh! A sharp rush of air exploded to Chu Yang’s right.

A short-haired woman in tactical gear suddenly appeared beside him; while his right arm was pinned against the man, she kicked his waist with lethal precision.

An extremely vicious and cunning angle—if this were an ordinary person, the kick might have crippled them.

Chu Yang lifted the man up and held him in front of himself as a shield.

The short-haired woman’s eyes widened—she hadn’t expected Chu Yang to be this strong.

He’d lifted a full-grown man so easily.

With no choice, she forcibly retracted her power and redirected the kick toward the wall.

Crack! A fine crack split the wall.

The woman’s face flushed red; she instinctively rose onto her toes—clearly injured.

“Hehehe, calm down—I told Itachi, it’s a misunderstanding!”

The man shouted at Chu Yang.

Pepper emerged from the room, having gathered the incriminating evidence.

She saw Chu Yang holding up a middle-aged stranger.

“What’s going on?” Pepper was baffled—she’d only heard noise outside, never imagining Chu Yang had already started fighting.

“Miss Potts, please make him put me down—I’m a government agent, not a corporate spy!” the man hurriedly explained.

“FBI?” Pepper gasped and immediately told Chu Yang to set the man down.

Chu Yang glanced at the man’s receding hairline and suddenly understood.

He let him go.

“I used to work there—but not anymore,” the man adjusted his suit. “My current department is the Strategic Homeland Defense, Attack, and Logistics Directorate.”

Pepper stared at him blankly.

“It’s a mouthful, I know,” the man chuckled awkwardly. “Anyway, I’m Phil Coulson. I’d like to learn about Tony Stark’s experience in Afghanistan.”

That’s right—the man who nearly got killed by Chu Yang was Phil Coulson, a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and a pivotal figure who would later shine in the Battle of New York.

Chu Yang asked the short-haired woman: “Who is she?”

Coulson replied: “She’s my colleague, Agent Hill.”

Pepper asked anxiously: “This agent looks like she’s in a lot of pain.”

Hill stood straight, her face rigid.

After her concern, seeing the woman’s striking figure, Pepper immediately frowned: “Is she here to learn about Tony too?”

Coulson quickly waved his hands, pointing at Chu Yang: “She’s here to learn about him...”

Chu Yang: “???”

Chu Yang hadn’t expected Nick Fury to take notice of him.

But it made sense—Tony hadn’t yet developed a true Iron Man suit.

Only after defeating Obadiah’s Iron Monger would Tony catch Nick Fury’s attention.

But Hill wasn’t here because Nick Fury wanted to recruit Chu Yang into the Avengers.

She wanted him to join S.H.I.E.L.D. as an agent.

With Chu Yang’s current abilities, he wasn’t yet a piece Nick Fury needed for the Avengers puzzle.

“That’s too dangerous, Agent Hill—I have zero interest in becoming an agent,” Chu Yang rejected S.H.I.E.L.D.’s offer without hesitation.

Come on—he was already earning ten times the salary at Stark Industries.

Could S.H.I.E.L.D. even match that?

Fighting to the death without even decent insurance! “Aren’t Itachi going to reconsider?” Hill’s face darkened—whether from foot pain or being rejected, it was unclear.

“Agent, I don’t care which department Itachi’re from,” Pepper stepped in front of Chu Yang, glaring at Hill with solemn warning: “I must remind Itachi—employing a minor is illegal.”

Hill coldly replied: “If Itachi know it’s illegal, why let him work at Stark Industries?”

“First, Yang doesn’t work here—he’s a beneficiary of the Stark Foundation. We are his legal guardians.”

Pepper spoke firmly: “Second, I will never let him become some mysterious agent.”

Coulson stepped forward to mediate as tensions escalated: “Miss Potts, we’re only making a suggestion—we’re not forcing him to join us.”

“Itachi know he’s not an ordinary boy. We fear he might misuse his power—he needs guidance.”

“Don’t Itachi agree?”

Hearing Coulson’s explanation, Pepper’s expression softened slightly, but she remained adamant: “Thank Itachi for your concern, but guiding Yang to do the right thing is our responsibility.”

“OK! OK!”

Coulson raised both hands, nodding rapidly.

Pepper didn’t waste more words with them; before Obadiah returned, she quickly led Chu Yang away.

Hill and Coulson didn’t stop them—they had no confidence they could defeat Chu Yang.

“I really don’t like that woman!”

From my perspective, Itachi two are actually very similar.

I know that’s why I don’t like it.

If this were a movie, the screenwriter would make Itachi two best friends.

Shut up, Coulson!

Coulson shrugged and then fell silent, truly closing his mouth.

Hill rolled her eyes and said, “That boy’s combat skills are better than I expected...”

Coulson said gravely, “His counter-surveillance ability is also strong. I was cautious enough when approaching them, yet he still spotted me immediately.”

“I didn’t even see his movement—he subdued me in an instant,” Hill said helplessly. “This report will only make Fury even more interested in the boy.”

Coulson shook his head. “Next time, let him come to us.”

On the other side, the press conference had already erupted in chaos, for just moments ago, Tony Stark had publicly announced the permanent shutdown of Stark Industries’ weapons division.

This was Stark Industries’ most profitable division! Obadiah sat beside Tony, staring at him in stunned silence.

After a long while, his inner rage exploded like a volcano.

But even so, reason kept telling him to stay calm. Tony had thrown a verbal bomb, letting it stir up a storm, then walked out of the press conference without looking back.

Soon after, Obadiah stood up and addressed all the reporters present: “Tony was just emotionally shaken by his experience in Afghanistan. When he comes to his senses, he’ll realize he made a ridiculous joke—please don’t take it seriously.”

After speaking, he ignored the reporters' follow-up questions and quickly left the scene.

He headed after Tony’s departure.

But Tony, now aware of all the truth, had no intention of calmly speaking with Obadiah. “Stanley, what do I need to explain to Itachi? This corporation is called Stark Industries—founded by my father—and I am its master!”

Tony nearly lost control, roaring at Obadiah and instantly silencing him. Happy stepped forward, whispered a few words into Tony’s ear, and gradually calmed him down.

“I’m sorry. I just escaped a terrorist base—my emotions aren’t stable yet.”

After Tony’s apology, Obadiah snapped back to reality.

He gently patted Tony’s shoulder and soothed him: “It’s fine. I understand. Let’s discuss this again when Itachi’re feeling better.”

Then, under Obadiah’s watchful gaze, Tony and Happy whispered to each other as they quickly left.

“Pepper already got the evidence, right?”

“Yes. Not just footage of your kidnapping, but also his negotiations with the terrorists.”

“I should’ve punched him right then and there.”

“If Itachi want, I can do it for Itachi.”

Tony stopped walking, looked at Happy’s fat frame, thought for a moment, then said, “Not a bad idea—but objectively speaking, Itachi might not be able to beat him.”

Happy’s expression suddenly turned mournful.

…………

The four met at Tony’s mansion, where Pepper handed Tony the USB drive.

They watched it again in the living room.

Tony, furious, grabbed a vase from the table and prepared to smash it.

Fortunately, Pepper snatched it away swiftly.

“That was the one Itachi bought at the California art exhibition—worth half a million dollars!”

“Just a few hundred thousand? Give it to me—I’m smashing it today, no matter what!”

……

Obadiah returned to his office.

He began to sense Tony’s attitude was off—and a bad premonition stirred within him.

His instinct told him Tony had learned the truth.

Whether it was intuition or not, Obadiah refused to sit idle.

He called every board member except Tony, preparing to remove Tony as CEO and expel him from the board.

But Obadiah hadn’t realized Tony already possessed all his criminal evidence—no matter how many calls he made, it would all be futile.

The next day.

Obadiah didn’t wait for the board members—he was met instead by a large team of FBI agents.

“Tony!!!”

Before Obadiah could even build Iron Monger to challenge Iron Man, he was arrested amid hysterical screams.

…………

The Naruto world.

After Uchiha Madara successfully sealed the nine Tailed Beasts, Hashirama Senju summoned the Uzumaki clan’s sealing experts for follow-up procedures.

The nine Tailed Beasts were to be taken to the Land of Lightning for the Five Kage Summit to be distributed; Madara’s seal could only hold temporarily, not ensure long-term stability.

It wasn’t so much a seal as an act of sheer power through his Sharingan, temporarily restraining these mighty beasts.

Many from the Uzumaki clan arrived—the scene was grand, their procession stretching from street to alley.

Chu Yang stood atop a rooftop, silently gazing at the spectacle.

At that moment, Chu Yang realized...

These weren’t merely a few sealing experts.

Among them must be the one destined to become the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki—Uzumaki Mito—the woman chosen to become Hashirama Senju’s wife.

“Hashirama’s wife is inside that carriage.”

Madara appeared beside Chu Yang without warning, his voice heavy with melancholy.

Tsk tsk—anyone would think the old man had just been dumped.

“Through this marriage, the two great clans’ bond will be solidified. Only on this foundation can Hashirama Senju agree to let an Uzumaki become the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki.”

As he spoke, Uchiha Madara fixed his gaze sharply on Chu Yang.

“I understand what Itachi mean,” Chu Yang coughed lightly, speaking cautiously. “It’s my master who’s marrying—not me. Why are Itachi staring at me?”

Uchiha Madara’s lips curled slightly, offering no further explanation—he had already decided Chu Yang would become a son-in-law of the Uchiha clan.

But which daughter should he marry to him? Chu Yang’s status was uniquely special.

Unless Hashirama’s future child surpassed Chu Yang’s talent by a vast margin, the leadership of the Senju clan would inevitably fall to Chu Yang.

But could the Senju clan even produce a descendant more talented than Chu Yang?

Uchiha Madara found that impossible.

What kind of absurd fate would it take for such a thing to happen?

Considering Chu Yang’s rising prestige in the village, his future as either Hokage or Senju clan head was all but certain.

A girl from an ordinary Uchiha household clearly had no right to marry Chu Yang.

After much thought...

“Only my child—or Nagato’s child—could possibly marry him...”

Uchiha Madara, frowning, reached this conclusion.

He had never once considered marriage—but now, to secure the stability between the two clans, he seemed forced into it.

“Madara-sama, I just heard Itachi mention marriage? Who’s getting married?”

Chu Yang couldn’t help retorting: “Seeing my master marry means Itachi have to marry too? What kind of mindset is that?”

Uchiha Madara glared at him.

Chu Yang clicked his tongue, fell silent—he suddenly realized he’d spoken out of turn.

Uchiha Madara snorted, and in the next instant vanished before Chu Yang’s eyes.

“What did I ever do to him?” Chu Yang was baffled, his interest in watching the spectacle gone.

The arrival of the Uzumaki clan made Konoha bustling all day.

Villagers everywhere were discussing the event.

The next day.

Inside the Senju clan’s estate.

The Uzumaki elders were performing the permanent seal of the Nine-Tails into Uzumaki Mito’s body.

Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara stood guard beside them.

With such a formidable presence, no fool would dare interrupt.

The only one likely to cause trouble had already been permanently confined within Chu Yang’s Soul Palace.

When the sealing was completed successfully, Hashirama Senju finally exhaled in relief.

The deed was done.

“Now we’ll need Itachi to travel to the Land of Lightning.”

Uzumaki Mito must accompany the other Tailed Beasts to the Land of Lightning to confirm her status as the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki before the Five Kage.

If she didn’t go, the other villages would suspect Konoha was hiding the Nine-Tails—and conflict over it would be inevitable.

Uzumaki Mito nodded lightly—it was an agreement already settled, and she wasn’t surprised.

“As for the escort for the Tailed Beasts...” Hashirama Senju naturally turned to Uchiha Madara. “See them all the way—would Itachi mind making the journey again?”

Uchiha Madara nodded.

“Chu Yang should come too. Brother hasn’t seen Itachi in a long time—he must miss Itachi.”

Hashirama Senju smiled warmly at Chu Yang.

“Understood.”

Chu Yang outwardly accepted the order cheerfully, but inwardly grumbled—whenever Uchiha Madara was involved in any important mission, he always made sure Chu Yang came along.

While distrusting Madara Uchiha, Tobirama Senju did not want Madara to know he distrusted him.

Therefore, Chu Yang was the perfect cover.

Tobirama Senju could sense Madara Uchiha’s favoritism toward Chu Yang.

……

After a night’s rest, the three of them, accompanied by several Anbu squads, set out for the Land of Lightning.

Some members of the Uzumaki clan’s sealing specialists traveled with them.

To reach the Land of Lightning, they had to pass through two small nations: the Land of Soup and the Land of Frost.

These two nations lay along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.

Due to their strategic location, Chu Yang and his party had to follow formal diplomatic procedures to pass through the Land of Soup and the Land of Frost.

With the Five Kage Summit ongoing, any conflict within the Land of Soup or the Land of Lightning would be seen by the neighboring Land of Lightning as an act of provocation.

Moving slowly was fine anyway—this scenery appealed not only to Chu Yang, but even to Madara Uchiha, a man utterly indifferent to beauty, who would pause to admire it.

The Land of Soup possessed a stunning natural environment, and in times of peace, many ordinary people came here to travel.

Amid this atmosphere, the Soup Village gradually abandoned its martial ambitions, becoming an anomaly among the ninja villages.

Of course, that was a matter of many years later.

At present, the Land of Soup, despite its beautiful scenery, still had a fiercely combative Soup Village.

Five days later, Chu Yang and his party finally entered the Land of Lightning.

By ninja standards, this was an exceptionally slow pace.

The Five Kage, having received advance word,

had all grown anxious—except Hashirama Senju.

Chu Yang and his party arrived directly in the summit chamber, accompanied by Uzumaki Mito and numerous sealed Tailed Beasts.

The overwhelming pressure from eight Tailed Beasts plus a Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails constantly proclaimed the might of the Hidden Leaf Village.

Madara Uchiha did not even greet anyone; he walked straight to the head seat at the conference table.

No one dared question his actions—they knew this man was utterly unlike Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage.

They could afford to be slightly rude or arrogant before Hashirama Senju.

Hashirama’s nature meant he would not hold it against them.

But if they did the same before Madara Uchiha,

they would face a bloody battle. That was the fundamental difference between the two.

“Hashirama, why are Itachi still standing? Don’t Itachi have important matters to decide?” Madara Uchiha said.

Hashirama Senju smiled faintly and sat down in the main seat beside Madara.

“Shall we now discuss the distribution of the Tailed Beasts?”

After Hashirama sat, the other Kage took their seats in turn. Among them, the Mizukage, Byakuren, noticed one chair was missing.

Madara Uchiha had pushed it aside.

The atmosphere suddenly grew awkward.

At once, Chu Yang, quick-witted, used Wood Release to craft a wooden chair.

“Thank Itachi,” Byakuren nodded slightly and sat down.

“Was that Wood Release just now?”

Raikage A turned to Hashirama Senju, his expression incredulous.

After the Hidden Leaf Village’s founding, Chu Yang had spent his time teaching at the academy, so his reputation remained confined within the village; little news of him reached the outside world.

“Hahaha, Yang is my student.”

Hashirama Senju laughed heartily, clearly proud—having a genius like Chu Yang as a student gave him every reason to be.

Hashirama’s unreserved attitude made everyone present realize Chu Yang’s standing in his heart.

“A good teacher naturally produces a good student,” said Mizukage Byakuren, sitting on the chair Chu Yang had made, his earlier awkwardness vanished, replaced by a smile.

Kazekage Retsudō’s gaze shifted between Chu Yang and Madara Uchiha.

He could not understand why Madara Uchiha was traveling with Hashirama Senju’s student—and why this student could use Wood Release, potentially becoming a second Hashirama Senju.

If it were him, he would have found a way to eliminate the student en route.

Such a prodigy posed a grave threat to his own clan.

Yet Madara Uchiha got along remarkably well with this boy named Senju Yang.

“The relationship between the Senju and Uchiha clans seems tighter than rumors suggest.”

After much thought, Retsudō reached a conclusion.

Even after Hashirama Senju’s death, the major families within the Hidden Leaf Village would remain relatively stable.

For other ninja villages, this was not good news.

The Hidden Leaf Village’s stability and prosperity meant…

They would continue to be suppressed for decades, even a century.

Thinking of this, Kazekage Retsudō’s expression grew increasingly gloomy.

At this point, the others had begun discussing how to distribute the Tailed Beasts.

Although money was the medium,

the Tailed Beasts were strategic weapons that could not be bought—so “distribution” was a more accurate term.

In truth, everyone knew that if Hashirama Senju truly sought to dominate the ninja world, the Hidden Leaf Village’s current strength, combined with nine Tailed Beasts, could crush them effortlessly.

Each Kage was trying to secure the weakest Tailed Beast for their nation.

Though no official strength ranking existed for the Tailed Beasts, it was undeniable that more tails meant more chakra.

The Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails was now an irreversible fact, so the Eight-Tails became the focal point of contention among the four Kage.

The four exchanged sharp words, refusing to yield an inch.

Their once-proud ninja villages were now described as pitifully weak, as if without this Eight-Tails, their nations would collapse instantly.

Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha exchanged a glance.

Both had smiles in their eyes.

This scene had been foreseen by Chu Yang long before the Tailed Beast capture operation began.

He had even prepared a detailed distribution plan.

As the four remained deadlocked, Hashirama Senju spoke slowly: “I have an idea. Let me propose it.”

The room fell silent.

All four Kage fixed their gazes on Hashirama Senju, tense and alert.

Their earlier bickering had been meant solely for Hashirama Senju’s ears—he was the one who would ultimately decide everything.

“The Sunagakure receives the One-Tail and the Six-Tail; the Iwagakure receives the Two-Tail and the Five-Tail; the Kirigakure receives the Three-Tail and the Four-Tail; the Kumogakure receives the Eight-Tail; and all other minor ninja villages collectively hold the Seven-Tail, represented by the Land of Iron, forming an alliance.”

After Hashirama spoke, the other four Kage began whispering among themselves.

They nodded frequently, clearly approving of the proposal.

Tsuchikage Ishikawa could not help exclaiming: “To have minor villages jointly hold the Seven-Tail—Hashirama-sama’s magnanimity is truly astonishing.”

Raikage A sighed: “I never considered this. I’m ashamed.”

Hashirama Senju smiled: “Actually, Yang suggested this distribution long ago—I’m merely repeating what he said.”

Mizukage Byakuren stared in surprise at Chu Yang, standing by the door.

The other three Kage also turned to look.

Their bodyguards—the next-generation Kage of their respective villages—were watching him too.

This young man’s ideas directly influenced Hashirama Senju!

“Gentlemen, if Itachi have any further objections, now is the time to voice them…” Madara Uchiha seemed in good spirits, a rare smile on his face—but his gaze remained intensely oppressive.

He swept his eyes across the room and said coldly: “If anyone raises objections later, it will be considered an act of provocation!”

The four Kage stiffened. “I agree.”

Raikage A nodded first. Though Kumogakure received one fewer Tailed Beast than others, they gained the strongest after the Nine-Tails—the Eight-Tail. A clear win.

“I agree.”

“I agree.”

“I agree.”

The Kazekage, Tsuchikage, and Mizukage nodded in succession.

Hashirama Senju nodded in satisfaction and laughed loudly: “May the Five Great Nations never again have conflict. May peace endure forever.”

A smile appeared on every face in the room.

With distribution settled, it was now the Hidden Leaf Village’s turn to claim its due compensation.

Before Hashirama Senju departed, Tobirama Senju had already prepared the price list and entrusted it to Uchiha Izuna to execute—no further effort was needed.

Just as Chu Yang assumed the transaction would proceed smoothly, Madara Uchiha suddenly changed the terms.

He demanded that each ninja village not only pay an appropriate sum of money, but also surrender a powerful ninjutsu in exchange.

At this, all four Kage turned pale.

Even Chu Yang was startled. “Madara…” Hashirama Senju rose in shock—Madara had not consulted him on this decision.

“Brother, this demand is not in Tobirama Senju’s plan…” Uchiha Izuna hurried to Madara’s side and whispered a plea.

Madara Uchiha ignored them and continued: “In exchange, I will offer one of my own secret techniques.”

Hearing Madara Uchiha would offer a secret technique as well, the Kage’s expressions immediately eased.

The four of them whispered among themselves for a while, then finally nodded in agreement to the request.

Madara Uchiha smiled knowingly and pointed at Chu Yang: “Kid, if Itachi want any ninjutsu, go ask them!”

Chu Yang: “???”

Again this young man! All four Kage thought the same thought simultaneously.

He had done nothing substantial, yet he had become the center of the meeting several times.

Forcing these pivotal figures to shift their attention to him again and again!

“Brother?”

Uchiha Izuna looked at Uchiha Madara in surprise, but after thinking it over, he found it perfectly reasonable—he himself greatly admired Chu Yang.

“Hah! Madara, Itachi’ll spoil him like this!” Hashirama Senju walked slowly up to Chu Yang and patted his shoulder. “Go on! If Madara says so, there must be a reason.”

Chu Yang nodded, then fell into deep thought.

If he had to name one secret technique he wanted most, it was undoubtedly the Second Tsuchikage Mu’s [Dust Release].

This ninjutsu was a bloodline limit beyond kekkei genkai—the strongest offensive technique Chu Yang knew.

But unfortunately, given its importance, even if Ishikawa agreed, Mu would never consent.

Without exaggeration, it was the Hidden Stone Village’s ultimate technique, no less strategic than a Tailed Beast.

It was the key power determining whether the next Tsuchikage could deter other villages.

From another angle, even if the Hidden Stone Village agreed, without Mu’s personal guidance, Chu Yang dared not attempt training solely from written notes.

A bloodline limit combining three distinct nature transformations.

Harder to master than kekkei genkai, with an unacceptably high failure rate.

Better to settle for the [Light-Heavy Rock Technique].

Though less valuable than Dust Release, with Chu Yang’s and Tobirama Senju’s research abilities, they could fully analyze its principles to uncover similar secret techniques.

For example, the [Super Heavy Rock Technique].

One for many—guaranteed profit.

Chu Yang was very interested in the Hidden Sand Village’s [Puppet Technique] and [Sand Manipulation].

Among them, [Sand Manipulation] was the ninjutsu he most desired.

But [Sand Manipulation] was developed by the Second Kazekage Shimon only after obtaining the One-Tail, Shukaku; now, he knew only the [Puppet Technique].

Chu Yang could only choose this one.

The Hidden Mist Village specialized in Water Release, but Chu Yang’s master, Tobirama Senju, was equally skilled in Water Release—possibly even stronger than Mizukage Byakuren.

If Chu Yang wanted to learn Water Release, he could simply ask Tobirama Senju directly.

None of the Hidden Mist Village’s ninjutsu held much appeal for Chu Yang.

The only one he truly coveted was the Second Mizukage Gakurei’s [Steamy Danger Explosion].

This technique could cycle infinitely; when used properly, it was a battlefield killer, and combined with Wood Release, Chu Yang could hold off an entire ninja army alone.

Chu Yang had a little ulterior motive.

To master this technique, he must first learn Gakurei’s other secret skill: Water Release—Oil Transformation.

It was like buying one, getting one free—rounding down, Gakurei was completely scammed.

Then there was the Hidden Lightning Village…

The ninjutsu that stood out in this village was undoubtedly the Third Raikage A’s [Lightning Release Armor] and [One-Point Piercing Hand].

These two techniques were known as the “Strongest Shield” and the “Strongest Spear.”

[One-Point Piercing Hand] was impossible to learn—it was the Third Raikage’s ultimate technique, and the Third Raikage was still a child.

As for [Lightning Release Armor], it was merely a B-rank technique; its proper name was [Lightning Release Chakra Mode].

In the Hidden Lightning Village, anyone who met the conditions could learn it, though results varied by individual.

In the Third Raikage’s hands, it was truly the “Strongest Shield.”

In others’ hands, it was unremarkable—hence its B-rank.

If Chu Yang proposed this technique as a trade, the Hidden Lightning Village would likely think him a fool.

So, [Lightning Release Armor] could only serve as a bonus.

With his thoughts clarified, Chu Yang presented his demands to each of the four Kage in turn.

The three techniques: [Light-Heavy Rock Technique], [Puppet Technique], and [Steamy Danger Explosion], plus a personal written record on Lightning Release, to be authored by Raikage A himself.

Of the four demands, three had nothing to do with the current Kage—they pointed instead to their successors.

Not only did the other Kage stare in astonishment.

Even Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju looked curious.

How did this man know such confidential information?

Had the Anbu Black Ops infiltrated this deeply?

All four Kage tensed, but still nodded in agreement.

Uchiha Madara’s lips curled into a smile.

Just from their reactions, he knew Chu Yang had made an extremely profitable deal.

Thus, the purpose of the Five Kage Summit had been achieved—perfectly concluded.

Everyone departed satisfied, having obtained what they wanted.

Chu Yang himself hadn’t expected that, of all people, he was the one who walked away with the greatest gains.

The two Uchiha brothers gathered together, whispering about something.

On the way back, Uchiha Izuna watched Chu Yang with a piercing gaze.

Of course, not with malice.

Though Chu Yang felt uneasy, he still smiled warmly—he owed Madara a great favor.

It made him feel guilty continuing to take advantage of the Uchiha clan…

Chu Yang decided that after returning, he would adjust his strategy—otherwise, his conscience would not rest.

Even more awkward than Chu Yang was Hashirama Senju.

The usually bold head of the Senju clan, faced with his new bride, became inexplicably shy.

His hesitant glances, wanting to look but daring not to, made Chu Yang burst out laughing.

Such an amusing scene—he must tell his master about it when they returned! “Hashirama, after we return, I plan to get married too—what do Itachi think?”

Uchiha Madara appeared silently beside Hashirama Senju, startling him—Hashirama had been entirely focused on his bride.

“What?” Hashirama stared, incredulous. “Itachi, a block of wood, actually want to get married?”

“Objectively speaking, Itachi’re the block of wood,” Uchiha Madara glanced at him. “I made this decision only because it benefits the Uchiha clan.”

Hashirama understood, nodding. “That does suit your character.”

“Do Itachi have someone in mind?”

“In mind? That’s meaningless—as long as she’s suitable for the Uchiha clan.”

“Huh? Itachi’ll marry someone Itachi don’t like?”

“Then do Itachi like this woman named Uzumaki Mito?”

“Uh… hehehe.”

Seeing Hashirama scratch his head and grin foolishly, Uchiha Madara got his answer, his eyes softening with amusement. “I’ll take your opinion into account.”

Moments later.

Once Uchiha Madara had walked away, Chu Yang crept up to Hashirama Senju and whispered: “Master, what were Itachi and Madara talking about just now?”

Hashirama waved him off like shooing a fly. “Don’t meddle in things beyond your years! Itachi wouldn’t understand anyway—go away.”

Not getting an answer, Chu Yang felt miserable.

He kept feeling the two Uchiha brothers were looking at him strangely—as if hiding some secret.

The group traveled five more days before finally seeing the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village.

(End of Chapter)