The warm scent of the Land of Hot Springs still seemed to linger faintly in the air, but the sight of Jiraiya's disheartened figure and the noisy red-light district had long faded behind them.
Ryo's group had left that land of indulgence and intoxication behind, beginning their journey northward.
Next destination: the Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
"We're finally leaving." Tsunade stretched, the sunlight casting a warm golden sheen over her blonde hair.
She glanced back at the fading outline of the Hot Springs behind them, her tone carrying a trace of relief not easily noticed. Jiraiya's state in the end had been… irritating.
Kushina excitedly pulled Mikoto's hand. Her red hair bounced with her movements. "The Land of Lightning! I heard the mountains there pierce the skies and thunder roars all the time! Mikoto, isn't that just your style?"
Mikoto smiled gently, her black eyes filled with curiosity. "Yes, that's what the books say. It's very different from Konoha."
Ryo walked beside them, his expression calm.
His eyes gazed toward the layered mountains in the north.
He had already ruled out the Wind and Earth countries with their endless sand and barren terrain from his travel plans. If this was a vacation, there was no need to suffer unnecessarily.
"Kumogakure… We're traveling openly. They wouldn't dare detain us, right?" Kushina voiced her concern.
She wasn't afraid of conflict but didn't want their relaxing trip to turn into a battle.
"Unlikely," Ryo replied, his tone steady. "This isn't wartime. We're tourists, not spies. Kumo doesn't have a justifiable reason to detain us. If they really want to cause trouble…" He paused, a glint of sharpness flashing through his eyes. "They'd have to be capable of keeping us first."
Tsunade smirked at his words. "Hmph, well said. A might be worth our time, but the rest…" She didn't finish, but the pride of one of the Legendary Sannin spoke for itself.
Kushina's strength had already reached true Kage-level. Mikoto could be considered an elite jōnin.
And with Ryo present... Kumo would be hard-pressed to hold them, even if they tried.
Not to mention, Ryo had mastered Flying Thunder God. He could come and go as he pleased.
Kushina nodded firmly, fully trusting Ryo's judgment.
Mikoto silently tightened her grip on Ryo's hand, conveying her quiet trust.
Ryo's gaze shifted further north.
Now that he thought about it, this would be his second time entering Kumo territory.
The first was during an infiltration mission with Orochimaru, when they had released the Eight Tails… That mission led to the death of the former jinchūriki of Kumo and severe losses, indirectly triggering the war between Kumo and Iwa.
Luckily, that mission had been top secret. Only Konoha's upper echelon knew about it. Ryo's identity had never been exposed.
Otherwise, this "vacation" would instantly turn into an "invasion."
After a long trek, the unique towering peaks of the Land of Lightning came into view, occasional lightning bolts cutting across the sky.
As they stepped onto the main road leading into Kumogakure, the scene before them confirmed Ryo's speculation.
The village had long recovered from its past wounds.
Towering structures built into the mountains glinted with cold steel under the sun, showcasing Kumo's distinctive style.
The streets bustled with people, not only shinobi wearing Kumo forehead protectors but also many merchants and tourists.
Voices hawking wares, bargaining, and visitors exclaiming wove into a lively, energetic atmosphere.
The air carried a mix of metal, leather, and a local spice scent.
"So many people." Kushina looked around in wonder. The buildings and atmosphere were completely different from Konoha, and it all felt novel.
"Mm, looks like they've recovered well," Tsunade observed the crowd, instinctively assessing their health as a medical expert. The scene indeed reflected prosperity.
With no mission burdening her, her mood was visibly relaxed.
The four of them, in terms of appearance and aura, were too outstanding to go unnoticed.
Especially Tsunade, with her iconic blonde hair and unmatched mature beauty, and Ryo, with his striking red hair and calm yet sharp presence. Together, they were impossible to ignore.
They had barely entered the village before word spread like wildfire to the heart of the village.
Kumo Gorge, Raikage's Office.
Behind the heavy desk sat a man built like a fortress — the Third Raikage, A.
He was listening to a report.
"Raikage-sama, confirmed. It's Tsunade-hime of Konoha, and... 'Konoha's Asura,' Kamiyama Ryo. They've entered the village. They appear to be ordinary tourists." A Kumo Anbu knelt on one knee, eyes sharp.
The Third Raikage set down his documents, tapping the desk with his thick fingers. A dull thud echoed in the room.
Standing beside him were two others. One was a tall, muscular young man with dark skin and light yellow mohawk-like hair — his son, the future Fourth Raikage, A.
His gaze was sharp and filled with fiery ambition. Upon hearing Ryo's name, his brows furrowed and his fists clenched tightly.
The other was a calm-looking middle-aged man with glasses, the Raikage's advisor, Dodai.
"Kamiyama Ryo... Konoha's Asura," the Third Raikage muttered, his voice low.
He was no simple brute like outsiders thought.
Strength was the foundation, but to hold the title of Kage required sharp wits and a deep sense of timing.
He was domineering and decisive, a charismatic leader, but also a shrewd strategist.
"Father! Konoha's people dare walk into Kumo openly? Especially that Kamiyama Ryo!" A couldn't hold back, his voice loud and defiant. "Konoha's Asura? He's just some famous kid! Let me go test him!"
That competitive spirit common among peers burned in his chest. Ryo had become famous young, earning the title Konoha's Asura, and A couldn't accept that.
"Shut up, A!" the Third Raikage barked. His immense presence silenced his son instantly. Though his face still showed defiance, he dared not speak further.
He looked at Dodai. Dodai nodded slightly, understanding the Raikage's intent.
"They came in openly as tourists, not as spies. They haven't shown any hostile intent."
The Raikage spoke slowly, his gaze deep. "As one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, we must act with dignity. If we can't even tolerate a few guests, the entire shinobi world will mock us. It would make us look small, fearful of Konoha."
He stood up. His massive figure filled the room's corner.
"So, we meet them head-on."
Dodai adjusted his glasses. "Raikage-sama appearing in person demonstrates our village's grace and... allows close observation. Especially that Ryo. And we must also deliver a warning. If they cause trouble here, the consequences would be severe."
He subtly pointed out the deeper purpose — diplomacy, with deterrence.
"Well said." The Third Raikage nodded and picked up his Kage hat. "A, Dodai, come with me. And you—control that temper. Now is not the time to fight."
A grunted in response, though his eyes stayed locked on the door. It was as if Ryo was already standing there.
He was itching to see just how strong that so-called Asura really was.
At that moment, Ryo's group was strolling down a bustling commercial street.
Kushina and Mikoto browsed local ores and ninja tools.
Tsunade was speaking to a vendor, interested in a local medicinal herb.
Ryo stood slightly behind them, casually scanning the surroundings, secretly evaluating defenses and exit routes.
Suddenly, the crowd stirred.
An overwhelming presence surged forward. The noise abruptly died down as everyone instinctively looked toward the source with awe.
The Third Raikage approached with heavy, steady steps. His towering figure cast a long shadow.
Under the hat, his stern face radiated natural authority.
Following half a step behind him were A, eyes locked onto Ryo, and the calm Dodai.
Several elite Kumo jōnin flanked them as guards.
"They're here," Ryo said calmly.
Tsunade stopped talking, stood upright, her relaxed smile fading.
Kushina and Mikoto immediately moved closer, alert.
The Raikage stopped a few meters in front of them. His shadow loomed.
His sharp gaze swept across the group and fixed on Ryo.
"Tsunade-hime of Konoha. Kamiyama Ryo, the Asura of Konoha. And your companions... Welcome to Kumogakure." He nodded slightly, his voice unreadable yet weighty. "Since you've come from afar, it's only right I greet you personally."
Tsunade stepped forward half a step, her tone calm and unyielding. "Raikage-sama greeting us is unexpected. We're only here to travel and admire the scenery. Sorry to trouble you." She emphasized their role as "tourists."
"Travel?" A snorted, his voice sharp. His eyes pierced at Ryo. "Konoha elites come to enemy territory for sightseeing? How generous of you."
Ryo finally looked away from the surroundings, meeting A's eyes.
His gaze was deep, utterly unshaken by the provocation. That calmness, without even acknowledging A's aggression, made A feel a suffocating sense of humiliation. His fists clenched tighter.
The Third Raikage didn't stop his son's words. His silence was already a message.
He stared at Ryo and continued in a booming voice. "Kumogakure welcomes all who come with goodwill. If you're here to travel, then enjoy the Land of Lightning's beauty. However…"
His tone suddenly shifted. A heavy pressure exploded from his body, like a tangible thunderstorm. The air thickened. Some civilians even began to stagger back, short of breath.
Dodai and the surrounding jōnin tensed.
A's muscles flexed, chakra surging, ready to strike.
"…We hope our guests respect Kumo's rules. Travel as tourists, and do not... overstep your bounds." The Raikage's gaze sharpened as it locked onto Ryo. "Kumogakure is not a place where anyone can come and go freely. If I find anyone with ill intent..."
He didn't finish, but the threat was clear. A warning — make a move here, and they'd pay dearly.
The intense pressure caused Kushina and Mikoto to feel a crushing weight, like an invisible boulder on their backs.
Kushina grit her teeth as her chakra instinctively surged to defend.
Mikoto's face paled slightly, but her gaze remained firm. She didn't retreat.
Tsunade's brow furrowed. Her chakra began to rise faintly, shielding the two girls behind her and subtly clashing with the Raikage's aura.
In this moment of escalating tension.
Ryo, the primary target of the Raikage's pressure, finally moved.
He didn't release chakra, nor did he assume any defensive stance.
He simply lifted his eyelids slightly. In the depths of his eyes, an unseen force stirred.
Boom—
No roaring blast. No wild surge of chakra.
But centered on Ryo, a pressure beyond words erupted like a tidal wave.
It didn't crush the body, but struck directly at the mind and soul.
Conqueror's Haki.
Several nearby Kumo chūnin instantly turned pale. Their eyes rolled back and they collapsed without a sound.
It was as if their souls had been slammed by a hammer.
The nearby civilians dropped like wheat under a sickle.
They felt a fear so primal and overwhelming that their minds shut down completely.
Even the elite Kumo jōnin, including Dodai, trembled violently.
It felt like they were drowning in an icy ocean. A fear that struck from within left their bodies frozen and soaked with sweat.
They stared at Ryo in horror, as if seeing him for the first time. What kind of power was this?
A, standing closest, took the brunt.
His mental defenses were smashed like glass. He staggered, face flushing, veins bulging, eyes wide in disbelief and pain.
He barely stayed standing. His fighting spirit was replaced with shock.
Even the Third Raikage swayed, blue lightning flickering across his skin as his body reacted instinctively.
His stone-like expression cracked. His sharp gaze widened as he stared at Ryo in disbelief.
Ryo's gaze remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
He looked at the stunned Raikage and the shaken A.
"Raikage-sama, as I said, we're just here for tourism."
"I heard your warning."
"As for numbers, they mean nothing to me."
"And about coming and going..." His eyes swept over the fallen shinobi and strained jōnin, then back to the Raikage. "If I want to leave, you can't stop me."
Each sentence slammed into the Raikage's heart like a hammer.
The last one, coldly stating a fact — with Flying Thunder God and his spiritual pressure, Kumo couldn't contain him. A fight would cost too much.
The street fell silent.
Civilians unconscious. Shinobi frozen. Kushina and Mikoto visibly tense (though Ryo spared them from the pressure), Tsunade focused. A standoff — the Raikage stunned, A speechless, Ryo composed.
The Raikage's face twitched.
He exhaled, withdrawing his pressure, regaining composure.
He gave Ryo a deep look, filled with shock, caution, and scrutiny.
Finally, he spoke.
"Fine. Remember your words, Kamiyama Ryo."
"Kumogakure welcomes… 'tourists'."
"Dodai, clean this up." He pointed at the unconscious crowd and looked at his son, still glaring at Ryo. "A, let's go."
He said no more, turned, and walked off. The hat's shadow covered his complex expression.
He had to reassess the threat of "Konoha's Asura."
Dodai began organizing cleanup, casting one last wary glance at Ryo before following.
A stood frozen. He glanced at his father, then whipped his head toward Ryo.
Ryo's calm gaze passed over him without weight, neither dismissive nor impressed. Like looking through air.
That "complete disregard" stung worse than mockery.
Just now, he could barely stand.
Same generation? He didn't even qualify to be looked at properly?
"Kamiyama Ryo..." A growled, teeth grinding, fists white, frustration clashing with rising resolve.
He stomped, cracking the stone beneath him, then turned and ran off, burning with desire to surpass.
The street slowly regained movement.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)