Three months later, a large group of rogue ninja advanced toward Sunagakure Village!
"This is impossible! How could Sunagakure Village's strength improve so drastically in such a short time?"
"Not sure! It seems their village has received a distinguished guest!"
Behind the rogue ninja, Sasori, a tall and imposing figure, watched silently as Gaara unleashed a Rasengan.
Even he felt a twinge of unease...
Meanwhile.
Something huge happened today in Kumo Village, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure!
When their leaders woke up this morning, they found a shuriken embedded right into their bedposts, carrying with it a letter—an invitation.
Otogakure is being founded!
Come to Hot Spring Valley for discussions!
This was both a provocation and a demonstration of strength!
To silently plant a shuriken right by their beds meant facing an extremely terrifying expert—killing them would be as easy as flipping a hand!
The entire Naruto world was thrown into unease!
It wasn't only these major villages receiving letters—some lesser-known minor villages were contacted too, though their invitations arrived more peacefully, sent through regular mail.
In Kumo Village.
Raikage's Office.
"Raikage-sama, what do you think? This guy is so arrogant! Should we go there with some people?" Karui asked.
"No need, Karui. If he's capable enough to plant a shuriken right on my bedpost, it won't matter how many people you bring." Raikage A calmly thought for a moment.
In the end, he still decided to rise and go.
At the same time in Kirigakure.
Terumi Mei felt her thoughts drift slightly.
She had also received the letter—though unlike Raikage's, hers had a heart-shaped mark on it.
"Now that's an interesting person."
Smiling faintly, she quickly gathered her team.
Tsuchikage's forces had already set off too.
Tsuchikage, the old man, was a stubborn person. Since someone had the gall to provoke him directly, he certainly couldn't ignore this Otogakure leader.
As for Otogakure, the name sounded a little familiar.
In this world, Orochimaru had already founded Otogakure, though it was merely a small village that barely left an impression. However, starting today, this name would soon be known among all ninja!
Ye Liang left Sunagakure Village together with Kaguya Hime.
A month ago, they had arrived at Hot Spring Valley—a small country, yet possessing a natural safeguard:
[Immortal Xieshen].
The Immortal Xieshen Cult was based here in Hot Spring Valley. Ye Liang planned that if he truly lost to the Kaguya Clan, he could always rely on Immortal Xieshen to escape.
Since both came from the Third Civilization, there was a possibility that Immortal Xieshen had a way to resist the Kaguya Clan.
However, that was his last resort.
Immortal Xieshen himself wasn't someone good; unless Ye Liang had one hundred percent certainty, he'd never dare provoke him.
Now seated at Otogakure's center.
This past month, he had been building Otogakure.
Currently, the mission hall and most residential buildings had been completed.
There was already one commercial street, though since they hadn't recruited many villagers yet, it remained quite empty. But it was enough—once the population grew, more shops would naturally follow.
"Ye, do you really think anyone will come?"
Kaguya looked at Ye Liang with confusion. Although she had been sealed away for centuries, that didn't mean she lacked social awareness.
How could an unknown ninja village possibly attract any recruits!
"Don't worry, people will show up," Ye Liang said, patting Kaguya's shoulder.
Konoha had already sent word ahead.
Gaara was still quelling a rebellion! However, he had received a full month of personal training from Ye Liang and had grown significantly stronger. He should arrive soon enough.
As for the other three great ninja villages.
The shuriken engraved on the bedpost!
They wouldn't dare not come!
"Hmph," Kaguya Hime nodded, her expression carrying a touch of tenderness as she looked at Ye Liang. "Thank you, Ye Liang."
"Thank me? For what?" Ye Liang was taken aback.
"I know you established this ninja village to help me resist the Kaguya Clan. It must have been quite troublesome for you."
Ye Liang smiled slightly and shook his head. "You're overthinking it. Regardless of whether the Kaguya Clan's target is you, I would have eventually crossed paths with them anyway. Helping you is essentially helping myself."
"But you did it for me!"
Here we go. When a woman starts getting emotional, logic goes out the window.
Ye Liang felt somewhat helpless.
After enjoying a few blissfully shameless days with Kaguya, the first guests finally arrived.
It was Team 7 from the Hidden Leaf Village!
Naruto rushed in holding Sasuke's hand.
"Teacher Ye Liang! We've come to see you!"
Sasuke approached as well. "Teacher Ye Liang! Come out already, we've missed you dearly."
They were at the village square near the entrance. Ye Liang had heard their voices from far away. After asking Kaguya to change into more appropriate attire earlier, he now casually walked out to greet them.
"Long time no see!"
He hadn't arrived yet, but his voice reached them first.
Despite still being hundreds of meters away, everyone clearly heard Ye Liang's deep voice, as if he were speaking directly in their ears.
Naruto's face lit up with joy. Then he saw Ye Liang approaching from the distance.
"He's gotten even stronger again!"
Kakashi said quietly beside him.
The last time he saw Ye Liang was when they were developing the Yomi Pearl. Back then, Ye Liang had felt like an immovable mountain.
Now he seemed like a wandering traveler, elusive and intangible.
The overwhelming pressure was gone, replaced by a presence that was now unfathomable.
"You've all grown quite a bit," Ye Liang said as he approached. Sakura and Hinata immediately rushed toward him. This time, it wasn't just Team 7 - several younger ninja who had received Ye Liang's guidance before also came along.
"Where are Hashirama and the others? Why didn't they come?"
"They're following behind. We wanted to see you so badly that we travelled nonstop day and night to get here."
"Hmph, thoughtful of you," Ye Liang praised them, then turned his gaze toward Hinata. "How's your taijutsu coming along?"
"Chen Baojun has been very dedicated in teaching me. I've already mastered the Leaf Dragon God and several other techniques."
Beside her, Naruto showed a hint of jealousy. "Hmph! Teacher didn't teach me much. Hinata has already become the strongest among us."
Sasuke and the others also showed fleeting jealous expressions.
Ye Liang quickly laughed it off.
"Don't worry, after today, all of your powers will increase exponentially!"
At that moment.
Ye Liang felt a faint chill from behind.
"Ye Liang, what's going on with these two young ladies?" Kaguya Hime's voice suddenly came from behind. Not only was her tone icy cold, but the air around them turned cold as well.
Everyone looked at the white-haired beauty in confusion, and Ye Liang's heart sank.
As expected.
What had to come finally came.
"This is my wife," Ye Liang turned around and introduced Kaguya Hime. Sakura immediately let go of his hand.
Back then, when she helped Hinata rescue Ye Liang, she had already recognized her own feelings.
But... Master!
Hinata flashed a hint of sadness before finally withdrawing her arm with a distant look. "You already have a wife, Master."
An awkward silence settled over the scene.
Surprisingly, the two guys from Team 7 started whistling under Kakashi's lead, as if waiting for the fireworks.
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