Chapter 205: Storm Style, Honoka! (Third update, seeking subscriptions and monthly passes)
With Nagato joining, Sarutobi Asuma gained not only a key subordinate but also a bit more certainty about the future.
Of course, his role as the mastermind behind the scenes also increased considerably.
"When everything is revealed, I imagine Black Zetsu and Uchiha Madara's expressions will be quite entertaining!"
Under the Sage Tree, Sarutobi Asuma chuckled lightly.
Ultimately, he was a man who disliked trouble.
He didn't want to disrupt his current life.
From his own perspective, he didn't care at all whether the Ninja World was unified or at peace.
All he cared about were the people around him.
The reason he was doing all this was, in the end, to acquire the capital for further advancement.
"The Ōtsutsuki Clan, who could create so many God Trees and the Ten-Tails, won't be that simple!"
Sarutobi Asuma murmured to himself.
Fighting Nagato today had been quite easy, not only because he was stronger.
But also due to the advantage in intelligence.
Secondly, Nagato's development of the Rinnegan still had room for improvement.
However, since they weren't his own eyes, it was difficult to achieve a stronger level.
He felt a sense of slight disappointment.
As he was thinking, a surge of memories flooded his mind.
It was the memories fed back by the Shadow Clones upon their dissolution, along with training experience.
"I didn't expect Storm Style to be completed first."
Sarutobi Asuma smiled.
He now possessed another Kekkei Genkai.
Storm Style, formed by the fusion of Water Style and Lightning Style Chakra Nature Transformation.
Conversely, the Genjutsu-based Kekkei Genkai he intended to develop was not yet complete.
"I need to work harder; I can't be surpassed by my Shadow Clones."
Sarutobi Asuma lowered his gaze and continued to train.
Time flew by, seasons changed from spring to summer.
One day.
A Shadow Clone from Summoning Island sent back information, indicating that a problem had arisen on the island.
From the moment he discovered this place for researching summoning beasts, Sarutobi Asuma had informed Namikaze Minato and allowed Konoha to procure some summoning beasts from Summoning Island.
Therefore, Sarutobi Asuma placed considerable importance on this research facility.
After all, it wasn't researching humans, so there were no moral or ethical constraints.
With a single Flying Thunder God Technique, Sarutobi Asuma instantly arrived on Summoning Island.
He recalled his Shadow Clone and proceeded directly to the airspace above the island's volcano.
Terrifying roars echoed from below.
"The Chakra fluctuations are quite significant. It seems they've researched a powerful summoning beast but can't control it."
Sarutobi Asuma descended and entered the volcano.
Meanwhile, within the experimental base in the mountainside.
A colossal summoning beast, resembling a giant silkworm with four limbs and two tentacles on its abdomen, was roaring.
"This thing is out of control, damn it!"
"Honoka, quickly, seal it!"
The researchers shouted repeatedly.
Honoka, with her red hair and also a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, was currently exerting all her effort to perform a Fūinjutsu.
Runes formed chains that swept towards the roaring summoning beast, binding and controlling it.
But the summoning beast could still move.
"It's no use!"
"I can't seal it at all!"
Honoka looked up as the summoning beast slowly raised its head, its tentacles rapidly lengthening and expanding, meeting her gaze. A sense of mortal terror washed over her.
"Help!"
"Someone, save me!"
Honoka cried out in terror internally.
Upon entering, Sarutobi Asuma saw the scene and immediately flashed forward, appearing in front of Honoka.
He reached out his right hand, gathering lightning to form a pale purple lightsaber, which he casually swung, severing the summoning beast's tentacles.
Sage Art – Storm Style – Light Sword!
Immediately after, the purple light blade in Sarutobi Asuma's hand shattered, transforming into slender light needles that whizzed through the summoning beast's massive body, impaling it. It was pinned, unable to move despite its roars.
Sage Art – Storm Style – Lightning Needle!
In reality, both of these techniques were extensions of Chidori Spear and Chidori Senbon.
However, using Sage Art with Storm Style made their power more than a hundred times greater.
Honoka's eyes widened as she watched Sarutobi Asuma descend like a savior. She couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief and collapsed, "Thank goodness, I'm saved!"
The other researchers also sighed in relief, still shaken.
Using Genjutsu to put the summoning beast to sleep, Sarutobi Asuma retracted his Adamantine Sealing Chains and turned around.
"Thank you for your assistance, may I know who you are..."
The person in charge, Kawadai, stepped forward, his face full of gratitude. However, he didn't see any insignia of a ninja village on Sarutobi Asuma.
"I am from Konoha, Sarutobi Asuma!"
Sarutobi Asuma stated.
"What?"
"Sarutobi Asuma, the Ninja Demigod!"
"I never imagined I'd be saved by a Ninja Demigod!"
"This is incredibly lucky!"
...
Exclamations followed one after another.
Kawadai trembled and quickly said, "Thank you for your help, Asuma-sama. We are very grateful. Otherwise, all of us would probably have been eaten by that ultimate summoning beast!"
Sarutobi Asuma waved his hand and said, "I was just looking to see if there were any summoning beasts worth purchasing, and I happened to encounter this situation."
"However, it seems you're in quite a bit of trouble."
Kawadai chuckled sheepishly, wiped his sweat, and asked cautiously, "Asuma-sama, what do you think of that summoning beast just now?"
"Even though it has only just been gestured, it has already shown astonishing potential. Even Honoka's Fūinjutsu couldn't seal it."
"Of course, this is as our repayment to you."
Sarutobi Asuma didn't answer but looked at Honoka, a girl who looked about his age.
Honoka lowered her head shyly.
Sarutobi Asuma withdrew his gaze and smiled at Kawadai, "How about you all come work for me from now on?"
"I can provide you with more funding and more research materials."
"Most importantly, I can offer you absolute protection!"
Kawadai, Honoka, and the others were stunned into silence.
Sarutobi Asuma's words were clearly unexpected.
Looking at Sarutobi Asuma's gentle smile, Kawadai snapped back to reality and readily agreed, "Of course, there's no problem with that!"
"With a powerful individual like you supporting us, we won't have any worries!"
Honoka also quickly chimed in, "I am also willing to contribute my efforts for Asuma-sama!"
The remaining people exchanged glances before nodding in unison.
"Very good!"
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled and nodded, "Dispose of this defective product, and then you can start preparing to relocate!"
"There is a place that is more suitable for you to demonstrate your abilities!"
Kawadai immediately bowed, "Yes, Asuma-sama!"
Sarutobi Asuma looked at Honoka again, "Your Fūinjutsu is a bit lacking. Come with me!"
Honoka blushed and quickly nodded, "Yes, Asuma-sama!"
Leaving a Shadow Clone to secure Summoning Island, Sarutobi Asuma left with Honoka.
Under the Sage Tree.
Honoka looked at the surrounding scenery, which resembled a fairyland, and was stunned, "This... where is this?"
"Konoha!"
"My training ground, the Sage Domain!"
Sarutobi Asuma said.
"Sage... Sage Domain?"
Honoka exclaimed in amazement, "Truly astonishing!"
Just then, Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune walked in from outside, side by side. Upon seeing the woman next to Sarutobi Asuma, they couldn't help but pause.
Shizune whispered, "That hair color, could she be from the same clan as Kushina-nee-chan?"
"I'm afraid so!"
Yūhi Kurenai nodded and added, "Asuma, that guy seems to have a bit of a collecting habit!"
"Huh?"
Shizune was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh, "It does seem... quite true!"
-----------
Machine Translation by: beta.randomtranslator.com
Read 1400+ original & fanfic translations and Translate for Free at: www.randomtranslator.com