Chapter 191: Land Of Lightning, Valley Of Hell
Eastern coast of the Land of Water.
The sky was an oppressive lead gray, with heavy clouds hanging low, as if ready to pour down cold rain at any moment.
The biting sea wind howled over the steep cliffs.
Below the cliffs, raging waves crashed violently against jagged reefs, shattering into countless foams.
At the top of the cliffs, four figures stood motionless in the howling wind.
Kado wrapped his expensive mink coat tightly around himself, his short, fat body shivering slightly in the wind.
He was now raising his right hand, staring intently at a tiny black engraving on the back of his hand, like a complex tattoo.
His lips moved silently, as if whispering something to the mark, his eyes showing a trace of barely perceptible reverence.
The sight seemed somewhat strange to onlookers.
Miyashiro En stood a bit farther away, his striking white hair disheveled in the gale, his wide brown coat flapping loudly.
The unique diamond-shaped sunglasses on his face covered the upper half, making his expression unclear, but his slightly tilted head showed strong curiosity about Kado’s actions.
Kisame Hoshigaki stood like a rock beside Miyashiro En, his Kirigakure headband with a deep mark tied to his forehead, his shark-like face expressionless.
Kakuzu was in a completely different state, paying little attention to Miyashiro En’s curiosity.
His ink-green pupils coldly scanned every corner around the cliffs, every shadow of every rock.
His body, covered in suture lines, was slightly tense, his wide sleeves moving without wind, as if countless dangerous tentacles were coiled inside, ready to counter any possible threat.
“No need to be tense.” Kakuzu’s low, hoarse voice broke the monotony of the wind; he didn’t turn back, but it was clearly directed at the curious Miyashiro En and Kisame Hoshigaki.
“This is a unique communication method within the organization. Even thousands of miles apart, information can be transmitted in an instant.” His explanation was brief and direct, with a habitual indifference, yet revealing the organization’s extraordinary means.
Upon hearing this, Miyashiro En’s gaze hidden behind the sunglasses seemed to flicker.
His interest in this mysterious “organization” grew even stronger due to this extraordinary contact method.
Shortly after Kakuzu finished speaking!
A figure stepped out from behind Kado without warning!
The newcomer wore a wide black robe, sleeves billowing in the gale, face covered by a white three-eyed fox mask, revealing only a pair of eyes that seemed to pierce through everything.
At the moment of his appearance, the howling wind around seemed to pause for an instant, an indescribable invisible oppression instantly enveloping the entire cliff top.
“Lord Shura!” Kado immediately lowered his hand, bowing respectfully, his tone filled with heartfelt reverence.
Kakuzu also relaxed his vigilant posture, nodding slightly in greeting, a flash of recognition for absolute power deep in his ink-green pupils.
Kisame Hoshigaki’s shark eyes narrowed slightly, sizing up this Shura with whom he had “met once before,” saying nothing, but his tense posture indicated the immense pressure from the other, he nodded slightly as a greeting.
Miyashiro En’s reaction was even more obvious.
The instant Menma appeared, he instinctively stepped back half a pace, his brows seemingly furrowed tightly behind the diamond-shaped sunglasses.
“Space-Time Ninjutsu…?”
He had never seen such a eerie movement, nor felt such a condensed and powerful aura, like a village’s Kage.
Miyashiro En carefully examined this mysterious organization leader, from the strange mask to the steady posture, trying to capture any bit of information.
At the same time, recalling Shura’s rumors in the Ninja World.
Menma’s gaze swept over everyone like substance, finally settling on Miyashiro En.
The line of sight under the mask seemed to penetrate the diamond-shaped sunglasses, seeing the hidden Blood Dragon Eye.
His heart stirred slightly; the Miyashiro En before him was much younger than the man in the last few episodes of Shippuden who slaughtered his clan after his wife was forced to death by clan members and became a merchant with his daughter, calm between the brows but not yet with the detachment and ease of over a decade later.
Then, Menma’s gaze turned to Kisame Hoshigaki, with a trace of probing.
“You…” His voice came through the mask, low and steady, emotionless: “How did you become friends?”
The question seemed abrupt.
Miyashiro En smiled upon hearing it.
“I didn’t expect the rumored Ninja World Shura to have moments of curiosity.” Miyashiro En spoke first.
His voice carried through the howling wind with a unique magnetism: “Mr. Kisame, though his appearance… well, doesn’t look like a good person,”
Miyashiro En paused, looking at Kisame’s shark face, seemingly choosing his words, his tone without offense but with a strange sincerity: “But in reality, he is someone with his own principles and bottom line. In a place like Kirigakure, such people… are rare.”
His affirmation of Kisame’s character was evident.
Kisame Hoshigaki let out a low, thunder-like grunt, accepting Miyashiro En’s evaluation.
He added in his hoarse voice: “Your guidance let me confirm some truths; from then on, I have no one trustworthy left in Kirigakure. Inside and outside the village, those who want my life for the bounty are everywhere.”
Kisame Hoshigaki glanced at Miyashiro En: “I needed a few safe bases, and someone to provide necessary supplies and intelligence. I found him outside the village.”
“He was a lone wandering ninja at the time, with connections, and… didn’t care much about my identity. We’ve cooperated a few times; he helped me evade pursuits and provided supplies. I still owe him a considerable commission.”
Kisame’s words were straightforward, explaining the connection built on survival needs and limited trust.
Menma listened quietly, his eyes under the mask thoughtful.
Miyashiro En’s current identity and state matched the future trajectory he knew.
This should be the period before his wife was persecuted to death by clan members, when he operated as a wandering merchant and ninja, keeping a low profile.
It seemed the wheels of fate had not yet turned to the cruelest moment, and the Blood Pond Clan had not yet been exterminated.
“The organization can help you rescue your wife and daughter.” The white three-eyed fox mask lifted slightly, looking at Miyashiro En standing with Kisame Hoshigaki.
Miyashiro En’s expression didn’t relax, pushing up his glasses frame with one finger: “Then, what is the cost?”
This was the legendary Ninja World Shura, a top strong practitioner who came and went freely in Konohagakure and Cloud Village!
To enlist such a strong practitioner, Miyashiro En was prepared to pay the cost.
“You don’t need to pay a cost.” The white three-eyed fox mask shook its head: “I’m interested in the Blood Pond Clan’s bloodline limit.”
Under the mask, Three-Tomoe Sharingan and red eye activated simultaneously, massive eye power staring straight at Miyashiro En, making the other feel a shiver, his Blood Dragon Eye instinctively opening under the sunglasses.
“I see…” Miyashiro En felt the eye power from two different bloodline limits, even more shocked while understanding the cost.
It was the entire Blood Pond Clan!
“Kado.” Menma’s voice interrupted the howling wind.
“Yes, Lord!” Kado responded immediately.
“Lead the fleet to turn toward the southern coast of the Land of Lightning and stand by. Be careful to conceal your tracks, don’t attract unnecessary attention.” Menma’s command was concise and clear.
“Yes!” Kado accepted respectfully.
“The rest.” Menma’s gaze swept over Kakuzu, Kisame, and Miyashiro En: “Follow me to Hell Valley in the Land of Lightning.”
Before his words finished, he had already turned, facing the vast, surging sea without hesitation, stepping out to the cliff edge!
His figure didn’t fall, but landed steadily on the turbulent sea surface below!
The moment his black boot touched the sea surface, an invisible chakra membrane formed instantly, steadily supporting the raging seawater, as if walking on flat ground.
He stood steadily on the undulating waves like this, black robe flapping in the sea wind, striding over the waves.
Kakuzu glanced at Miyashiro En and Kisame Hoshigaki, snorted coldly, leaped off the cliff, feet coated with chakra, landing steadily on the sea surface, creating a small ripple.
Kisame Hoshigaki jumped down right after, landing exceptionally steady on the sea.
Miyashiro En leaped last, his movements with a unique lightness, landing almost silently on the sea, showing impressive chakra control.
The four moved like four black silhouettes, ignoring the raging sea wind and surging giant waves, speeding toward the Land of Lightning at a speed beyond reason.
One day later, southern Land of Lightning.
The terrain here was completely different from the fertile coastal plains, presenting a desolate and barren scene.
The land showed a sickly gray-brown, vegetation sparse, only low thorny bushes and drought-resistant shrubs growing stubbornly.
The air was filled with a faint sulfur smell and an indescribable oppressive feeling.
Before them, a massive canyon, as if split open by a god’s giant axe, lay across the earth.
The steep, nearly vertical ochre-red rock walls on both sides of the canyon were covered in wind-eroded marks, like dried, solidified blood.
The valley bottom was deep and dark, faintly showing jagged strange rocks and a dry riverbed.
Barren, desolate, dead silent—that was the main theme here.
Menma’s group appeared silently on a towering rock ridge outside the canyon.
The sea journey left few traces on them; Kakuzu remained cold and vigilant, Kisame scanned the surroundings warily, Miyashiro En’s sunglasses reflected the dim valley light.
“This is Hell Valley, where the Blood Pond Clan has been imprisoned for generations.” Miyashiro En’s expression was melancholic, as if recalling some unpleasant past.
Menma stood at the forefront, not rushing into the canyon.
He slowly closed his eyes, powerful perception spreading like invisible tides from him, silently covering the entire Hell Valley and surrounding areas.
Kagura Shingan!
The desolate dead silence inside the canyon, the magma flow deep in the rock layers.
And at the canyon entrance on both sides, two deliberately suppressed, deeply hidden chakra fluctuations that still existed like faint fireflies in the night!
Two Cloud Village ninjas!
They lurked in rock crevices near the canyon entrance, their auras almost blending with the surroundings, clearly dark sentries monitoring Hell Valley’s activity.
Menma’s eyes suddenly opened, precisely piercing through hundreds of meters of distance and rock obstacles like two cold swords, instantly locking onto one lurking Cloud ninja!
That Cloud ninja was leisurely staring toward the valley mouth.
Suddenly, a chill as if stared at by a beast seized that Cloud ninja’s heart!
He felt his blood seem to freeze in that instant, a chill soaking him from head to toe!
His body hair stood on end instantly, cold sweat surging out like a waterfall, soaking his inner lining clothes, icy sweat flowing down his spine, bringing waves of shivers.
This tangible terrifying gaze lasted only an instant.
Menma’s gaze shifted away, as if casually glancing over an insignificant stone.
The instant the pressure vanished, that Cloud Village ninja gasped as if just pulled from drowning water, lungs burning with pain.
The immense fear completely crushed his nerves; he no longer cared about the lurking mission or his companion equally frozen beside him, scrambling out of the hiding crevice, fleeing desperately toward Cloud Village on all fours!
His movements were clumsy and full of post-trauma terror, just wanting to escape quickly.
His companion also snapped awake, following closely, their panicked figures soon disappearing at the barren plain’s end.
Menma seemed not to see the two fleeing figures, unconcerned about their possible reporting.
He withdrew his gaze, turned calmly, and said two words to the three behind him:
“Let’s go.”
