Chapter 81: The Ancient Tomb (Patreon)

Kumogakure, the Raikage's office.

Thump… thump…

The Fourth Raikage's thick fingers drummed on the desk. The dull sound made the atmosphere feel oppressive. His gaze first swept over the ancient fragments of various shapes and materials on the table, then lifted to look at Mabui and several senior Special Jōnin with research and academic backgrounds.

"You want me to send Yugito to that godforsaken place again... based on these scraps?"

Ay frowned but didn't immediately lose his temper. He asked, "Tell me, what exactly have you found?"

Not long ago, after Samui's team returned from the Land of Hot Water, they reported everything they had seen to the Fourth Raikage, which naturally included the unfathomably deep chasm. Upon hearing Samui's description, the Raikage's first reaction was that this couldn't have been caused by Konoha. The terrifying power required to alter the landscape to such an extent was simply not something ordinary ninja could achieve. It was more likely that some other entity had emerged and casually slaughtered both the Konoha and their Kumogakure teams.

On Mabui's advice, the Fourth Raikage made the same choice as Hiruzen Sarutobi: sending another team to investigate.

Originally, Hatake Kakashi had set out several days earlier than Kumogakure. Even with a detour to the Land of Rain for intelligence gathering, he should normally have arrived before Kumogakure's team. But no one expected Kakashi's entire team to be wiped out in Amegakure. Returning to Konoha with a severely injured Yamato for treatment ended up giving the slower Kumogakure team the opportunity to explore the depths of the chasm first.

According to that team, they saw the existence of an underground palace but were blocked by a door. And when one of them tried to push it open...

Remembering the desiccated corpse that had been drained of flesh and blood, a shadow of gloom passed through the Raikage's eyes. Merely touching that so-called door had drained the person's chakra within a second, and within two seconds, all flesh and blood were sucked dry.

That was a living, breathing Special Jōnin. Not killed by an enemy, but dying at a door. The bizarre death was utterly chilling. And now these researchers, lost in their academics, actually wanted him to send the Two-Tails Jinchūriki back there?

He had sent Yugito Nii to the Land of Hot Water to flank and ambush the Konoha base. He couldn't possibly send her back to that inexplicable, godforsaken place.

"Lord Raikage, we have indeed discovered something."

A bespectacled middle-aged ninja stepped forward, his voice grave. "Although the previous team couldn't enter the underground palace, we deciphered the text they transcribed."

Hearing this, Ay was momentarily taken aback. "You mean the text they transcribed from the stele outside the underground palace?"

"Yes," the bespectacled ninja nodded. "We discovered that the underground palace is, in fact, a tomb."

"The tomb's occupant is a kin of the Sage of the Six Paths, a being who survived from the era of the Ninja Sect, or perhaps even an earlier time."

"?"

The Fourth Raikage's eyes widened like brass bells, a completely baffled expression on his face as he stared at the man before him.

Kin of the Sage of the Six Paths? The Ninja Sect era? Survived? Tomb?

He knew the meaning of each word, but why did he not understand them when combined? Leaving aside the question of who the Sage's kin might be... why would a person who is supposedly still alive have a tomb?

"Before explaining, I need to confirm one point with you first." The middle-aged ninja adjusted his glasses, speaking calmly. "Lord Raikage, do you believe the Sage of the Six Paths and the Ninja Sect truly existed?"

Ay frowned, then finally nodded.

Although the Treasured Tools, Kōkinjō, Benihisago, Shichiseiken, and Bashōsen, were gone, one of the Six Paths Tools, the Kohaku no Jōhei (Amber Purifying Pot), was still in Kumogakure's possession. In terms of historical heritage and depth, apart from countries like the Land of Demons that had preserved traditions, probably only Kumogakure and Konoha in the entire shinobi world had retained some degree of historical knowledge.

After all, as early as the Warring States period, the Uchiha clan had contact with the Land of Lightning. At that time, the Uchiha clan was responsible for overseeing the Chinoike clan of the Land of Lightning. That was an event even older than the conflict between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, proving the Land of Lightning's existence likely predated even the Warring States period.

But just like Kinkaku and Ginkaku, who claimed descent from the Sage of the Six Paths, they only knew of the Sage and the Ninja Sect's existence. They were completely ignorant of the Sage's surname or name, let alone the existence and origins of the Ōtsutsuki clan.

But now, things were different.

"The text was extremely difficult to decipher," the middle-aged ninja continued. "But by combining some ancient texts and frequently recurring characters, we pieced together some fragmented information."

"Information?" Ay leaned forward slightly in his chair. "What information?"

Mabui, who had been silent, stepped forward and handed a scroll to the Fourth Raikage. Ay frowned as he opened it, his eyes scanning the contents.

[The Ōtsutsuki Clan, descendants of foreign stars beyond the heavens, their forms differ from ordinary mortals, with horns upon their foreheads. The clan distinguishes between Main and Branch Houses...]

[They revere the "Kāma" as a secret technique of reincarnation. Even if their bodies perish and forms are extinguished, they can reside within a "Vessel." Even if they die and their forms are destroyed, they can be reborn through the "Vessel"...]

[Our clan views the universe as a garden, dispatching clan members to traverse the stars. They always travel in pairs of Main and Branch. They choose fertile planets. One feeds the "Ten-Tails," their flesh and blood transforming into the "Divine Tree." The other guards for a thousand years, awaiting the fruit's ripening before returning...]

[I have been in this world for a thousand years. I have developed compassion for its living beings, and I am unwilling to sacrifice my Branch House comrade ■■. Therefore, I did not plant the "Ten-Tails." Using this world's natural energy, I established another method. However, my prolonged absence has already aroused the Main House's suspicion...]

[The Branch House member Kaguya, under orders from the Main House, pursued me alongside the Main House member ■■. I fought ■■ to a mutual standstill. However, Kaguya, fearing death, betrayed the clan, secretly striking both me and Isshiki, monopolizing the "Divine Tree." At that time, she proclaimed herself the Rabbit Goddess, giving birth to two sons, Hagoromo and Hamura. Later, she was sealed by her two sons within ■■. Her son Hagoromo proclaimed himself the Sage of Six Paths...]

[Although I survived, my condition is precarious, hanging by a thread. I fear I may not have time for reincarnation. Therefore, I built this tomb myself, imprisoning myself here. When this tomb sees the light of day once more, the world shall know my name...]

Without a doubt, Hyūga Kumokawa had once again fabricated a historical secret, two parts false and eight parts truth, seamlessly inserting his own existence into the fabric of actual history.

If that were all, to the current Fourth Raikage, it would merely be a bizarre and fantastical legend. But Hyūga Kumokawa didn't stop at describing the Ōtsutsuki clan from beyond this world. He also calmly described his own acts of using the Divine Tree to render other worlds barren and briefly mentioned some of his actions hiding behind the civilization of the shinobi world for a millennium.

For example, casually planting herbs under the alias "Jofuku." Or feeding a turtle with natural energy, collecting some peculiar plants and animals... Or unintentionally dripping a bit of his blood, causing a valley to be filled with miasma, barren of all life, lamenting the weakness of this world's humans... Or discarding the Tenkū no Hoko (Heavenly Spear) he forged, even casually imparting forging techniques to a craftsman...

Hyūga Kumokawa wasn't worried about exposing himself with these writings because these so-called legends were already a mix of truth and fabrication. The specific truths had long been lost to the currents of history.

As the saying goes, words spoken by those with power and authority become established truths, no matter how bizarre. The essence of humanity is to admire strength. Unless Isshiki Ōtsutsuki personally jumped out to deny it—after all, even the Sage of the Six Paths hadn't lived through that era.

So the more the Fourth Raikage read, the more he felt an inexplicable sense of dread. He looked up somewhat stiffly at the middle-aged ninja before him.

"That 'Jofuku'..."

"The Jofuku Forest on the border of the Land of Fire. The 'Jofuku Flower' that is said to cure all illnesses," the middle-aged ninja replied calmly.

"That turtle... and the plants and animals..." the Fourth Raikage spoke again.

"That is precisely the 'Island Turtle' we use as a mobile fortress and that Lord Killer B uses as a training ground," the middle-aged ninja's tone was also heavy.

The Island Turtle (Genbu). Even before Kumogakure or the Land of Lightning were established, that massive green turtle, large as an island, already existed. It hosted everything from fierce beasts to rare birds and exotic animals, a paradise for flora and fauna.

"Then... that miasma-filled valley... the so-called 'Heavenly Spear'..." Ay's voice was slightly hoarse as he continued asking. "And that craftsman who was taught the forging techniques..."

"The valley is the Hell Valley once used to exile and imprison the Chinoike clan. The 'Heavenly Spear' is the legendary Tenkū no Hoko in the Land of Sound, said to be created by the gods of antiquity." The middle-aged ninja answered cautiously. "As for the craftsman, we speculate it is most likely 'Kiyomori,' the legendary founder of the Land of Craftsmen, said to be able to create 'Reincarnation Ninja Tools.'"

"..."

An intangible chill seemed to sweep through the room.

The entire office fell into a deathly silence. After a long silence, the Fourth Raikage licked his dry lips and spoke.

"How credible is it?"

A brief stillness filled the room. Everyone exchanged glances. Finally, another elderly man with a sharp, capable face stepped forward.

"Lord Raikage, ever since deciphering the meaning of these texts, we have gone to the places mentioned on the stele and begun collecting ancient texts and artifacts we previously paid little attention to."

He took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly as he answered. "On ancient texts and artifacts from different periods, we indeed found scattered references to terms like 'Divine Tree,' 'Rabbit Goddess,' 'Hagoromo,' and others."

"I dare to stake the honor and reputation of generations of my family, who have studied shinobi world history, on this: those ancient texts and artifacts are absolutely from different periods and are not human forgeries."

If there were only the transcribed text from the stele, one could perhaps dismiss it with "a single piece of evidence is not conclusive." But having other ancient texts and artifacts with scattered references to verify it significantly increased the credibility of the text on the stele.

"..."

The Fourth Raikage fell into another prolonged silence—or more accurately, prolonged shock and disbelief. He looked down at the deciphered text. His feeling now was completely different from the first time. All that remained was a bone-chilling awe and fear.

These were words written across a timescale far exceeding the rise and fall of human history in the shinobi world—across millennia, or even longer. Behind those dark, lost, unknown legends and histories, the lingering shadow of that existence flickered intermittently, so vast it seemed to run through and overshadow the entire history of shinobi civilization. A being from beyond the stars who viewed the universe as a garden, fed on planets, transcended life and death... and the terrifying power of a single drop of blood rendering a land barren...

Even terms like "deity" or "sage" could not fully describe the vastness of such power and authority. The heart-palpitating sense of ancient weight from the unknown, which even the torrent of a thousand years of history could not completely wash away, could still be felt through these fragmented words.

"So you're saying..."

After a long silence, the Fourth Raikage murmured slowly and heavily, "...that underground palace was left behind by a being more powerful than the Sage of the Six Paths?"

"What could be inside that palace?"

"Ancient secrets?"

"Or, perhaps, divine artifacts he forged?"

"Or even... the inheritance of his techniques?"

"Or maybe... the remains he left after his 'death'?"

His voice grew deeper and more forceful with each question, each word striking the hearts of those present like a heavy hammer. By the end, the Fourth Raikage's eyes had become unfathomably deep. An unrestrainable aura rose from within him, making the very air in the room feel heavy.

"Send the message."

He hesitated no longer, speaking word by word. "Tell Yugito Nii that the plan to ambush Konoha is temporarily on hold. No matter what it takes, she must open that door..."

"No! That's not enough!"

Before he could finish, the Fourth Raikage abruptly stood up. His tall figure cast a massive shadow. Lightning Release chakra unconsciously surged around him, filling the air with faint arcs of electricity.

Crack! Crack!

The sound of knuckles cracking came from his tightly clenched fists. His voice was heavy. "I'll go myself."

Mabui, always cautious, opened her mouth to speak but found no words of dissuasion. In the eyes of Ay, and indeed the entire Kumogakure, the fundamental reason they lost to Konoha in the First, Second, and Third Great Ninja Wars was not because Kumogakure ninja were less talented than Konoha's, nor could it be because they were less united. It was simply because they lacked Konoha's depth of ninjutsu heritage!

This had almost become an obsession for all of Kumogakure. That's why Kumogakure secretly bullied the weak and outnumbered others everywhere to seize ninjutsu. If that underground palace truly concealed the inheritance left by such a being... forget whether it was secret techniques or ninjutsu—even treasures like the Six Paths Tools would be enough to stir their hearts! It was a possibility that could change Kumogakure's future!

"Mabui." The Fourth Raikage turned to look at Mabui, his expression solemn as he instructed, "Have Killer B guard the village well. Not a single word of what happened here today must leak out!"

As he spoke, no one noticed the flicker in the eyes of one person standing behind the bespectacled ninja.

"Yes, Lord Raikage. Please rest assured," Mabui lowered her head slightly in acknowledgment. "And you must also..."

BOOM!!

Before she could finish, the Fourth Raikage turned and, with a single punch, shattered the wall. He leaped out and jumped straight down.

Mabui looked up at the sound, staring at the large hole in the wall and the crushed desk. She couldn't help but raise a hand to cover her face, the corner of her mouth twitching with helplessness.

"...Sigh!"

A moment later, Mabui let out a long breath. While anticipation rose in her heart, an inexplicable unease also welled up. But she quickly forced this feeling aside, her expression returning to calm.

With the Raikage personally taking action, along with Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, nothing unexpected should happen.

"I hope... everything goes smoothly," she murmured, watching the streak of lightning vanish into the distance.