Infinite Anime [237-238] (Patreon)

Chapter 237: I Can Heal Your Leg

"This is so embarrassing—how could we let Gusion-kun take on a high-risk mission alone?"

Orochimaru said politely, without flatly refusing.

"Kumogakure can't hold me anyway, you know that, Orochimaru. I'm just going to take a look; I might not even make a move. Pain also said if I can't win, I can retreat."

Gusion smiled. "Orochimaru, hurry up and help me research the First Hokage's cells."

In his eyes, Orochimaru was his researcher. He had no intention of letting him slack off.

If Orochimaru failed to produce results before his stay ended, his hidden quest would be for nothing.

"Then be careful, Gusion-kun. I'll have results very soon."

Orochimaru's smile was cold and slithery.

After they finished talking, Orochimaru dove into the lab, while Gusion went to find Zabuza.

"Zabuza, we've got a job."

Gusion called out to Zabuza, who was helping Haku train with throwing weapons. When Orochimaru wasn't teaching Haku to develop his kekkei genkai, Zabuza handled taijutsu and shurikenjutsu.

"Lord Calamity, what do you need me to do?"

Zabuza was already prepared to sell himself completely. As long as Gusion could help him achieve his goal, he had no qualms about working for him. Murder and arson—he could do it all.

"You're in luck. There's been a change in Kirigakure. I'm sending you back to become Mizukage."

Gusion grinned, leaving Zabuza stunned.

It took Zabuza several seconds to react. "Lord Calamity? What happened in Kirigakure?"

"The Fourth Mizukage seems to have had an accident. The Organization wants us to capture him. Once the Fourth Mizukage falls, won't that be your chance?"

Gusion said. Although the Deva Path hadn't spelled it out, he suspected Yagura had been released from genjutsu, which was why they were suddenly in such a hurry to hunt him down.

"From what you're saying… the Akatsuki is going to attack Kirigakure?!"

Zabuza's voice rose several notches. He did intend to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage and take the seat himself, but he didn't want to destroy his own village.

"Don't get so worked up. The one officially in charge is Orochimaru, Jūzō Biwa, and he's not capable of facing Yagura. He'll probably just observe."

Gusion said, "In the end, the one who'll actually do the work is me."

Zabuza let out a breath. Hearing that it was Gusion, he knew there was room to negotiate. They could minimize Kirigakure's losses.

Seeing Zabuza's expression shift under the bandages, Gusion asked seriously, "Zabuza, how's your acting?"

"Acting?"

Zabuza blinked. "What's my acting got to do with anything?"

"Everything."

Gusion said, exasperated. He'd always thought he wasn't that bright, but in these derivative worlds, his IQ seemed to rise—purely by contrast.

He stared into Zabuza's eyes. "Zabuza, you don't actually think that just because you're a missing-nin, once the Fourth Mizukage dies, you can just take over, right?"

"I had high prestige in the village back then. I led the uprising…"

Zabuza trailed off. He suddenly realized he'd left Kirigakure for two years. There were probably new power-brokers already in place. The person closest to the Mizukage's seat had never been him.

Besides, as far as he knew, there was still a powerful member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen who hadn't defected—Kisame Hoshigaki, a terrifying opponent.

"Figured it out? My intel channel tells me that the one with the greatest prestige and clout in Kirigakure right now is a woman named Mei Terumi. She's got two kekkei genkai, frightening strength, and sharp political instincts. What are you, a missing-nin, going to fight her with?"

Gusion's soul-baring question left Zabuza silent.

After a long moment, Zabuza asked, "Lord Calamity, what do you think I should do?"

Gusion's expression grew solemn. "Zabuza, I want you to become the hero who saves Kirigakure."

Zabuza: "Huh?"

…

Dawn broke, and the morning glow washed the distant ridgelines.

Verdant peaks floated in and out amid mountain mist, as if carved by nature's uncanny hands into ever-shifting scrolls. The sigh of pines and the clear birdsong lent the morning a spark of life.

At the foot of the mountain, smoke rose from a tiny village, twining with the mist for a hazy, mysterious tableau.

Sunlight spilled through rents in the clouds, dappled across the face of a traveler at the village entrance.

After drinking from the old well, Gusion walked into the mountains and connected to the Raikage's secure line.

"Got any new intel?"

The Raikage's voice came through. Maybe the distance was shorter—the sound was much clearer.

"I've got major intel—this concerns the very survival of Kumogakure. I'm in a good mood today, so how about I give you one for free."

Gusion said as he wandered along the ridges. "The Akatsuki has begun collecting Tailed Beasts."

"That intel is valuable, but I already know the Akatsuki is after the Tailed Beasts. I've tightened security. So that one doesn't count."

The Fourth Raikage said.

"Raikage, that's a bit stingy, isn't it? Do that, and you'll make me want to wipe Kumogakure off the map."

Gusion sneered. "The intel I hold—and my current attitude—can determine Kumogakure's trajectory in the shinobi world. I don't bluff. Think carefully about your answer."

Silence on the other end of the communication tag. "Use summoning. I'll send you a secret art."

Gusion's mood improved. "That's more like it."

He then performed a summoning and received a legendary-grade secret technique scroll. "Raikage, you're a bit tight-fisted. For something like this, you'd need to send ten to match what this intel is worth."

"Don't push it!"

The Raikage's voice carried anger.

"I'm at Yugito Nii's training grounds right now. Choose your next words carefully."

Gusion's voice went cold. "You could expose my identity to the Akatsuki—but I'll grab Yugito to prove it."

The Raikage fell silent immediately. A moment later, Gusion heard a crash of smashed objects—clearly the Raikage venting.

The Raikage knew how terrifying Gusion's strength was. One-on-one, with his leg not at full capacity, he might not be Gusion's match anymore. He'd need to coordinate with Killer Bee for a chance.

If Yugito Nii encountered Gusion alone in the field, it would be a death sentence.

With one sentence, Gusion had his hand on Kumogakure's throat. The Raikage had to tamp down his anger and speak properly. "Use summoning."

Gusion smiled and, after summoning, found that the Raikage had sent three more scrolls—epic-grade this time. Among them was the Lightning Release Shadow Clone Technique, which he found genuinely useful.

"All right. Now we can trade amicably."

Gusion said with a smile. "This time I was sent to capture the Two-Tails. Be grateful. If it hadn't been me, your village's Two-Tails would already have a new owner. I'm giving you a chance to come surround me—hurry up."

"What do you mean?"

In his office, the Raikage frowned, having trouble reading Gusion's play.

"You want me to do nothing and just go back to report? If I don't put on a show, how am I supposed to keep undercover and keep feeding Kumogakure intel?"

Gusion explained. "By the way, I heard your leg isn't doing so well. True?"

Mentioning this made the Raikage's temper flare instantly. He wanted to shout, You're the one who cut it off!

Because of the severed leg, even after reattachment, there was a flaw. He no longer had the world's fastest speed, which had even dented his standing in the village.

"If you've got a death wish, you don't have to go to all this trouble. Bee and I are already on the way."

The Raikage's voice was low.

"Oh, don't get me wrong—I've no interest in getting jumped two-on-one by you and the Eight-Tails again. I'm saying I can heal your leg."

Gusion said. With his newly mastered Sage Mode, he wouldn't be afraid even if the Raikage and Killer Bee attacked together—especially since the Raikage's leg meant he could no longer absolutely dominate in speed.

But cutting down the Raikage and Killer Bee outright would yield too little. In this mission world, high-tier NPCs might drop treasure chests, but the odds were low—or so Gusion reckoned.

"What did you say? I don't recall you being a medical shinobi."

The Raikage said suspiciously. He felt Gusion was becoming more unfamiliar by the day.

"Believe it or don't. If you want your leg fixed, bring the Lightning Release Chakra Mode secret technique."

Gusion ended the call—and a visitor stepped out of the mist toward him.

"That cloak—is he Akatsuki…"

The newcomer first saw Gusion's cloud-and-red-flame cloak through the heavy fog. Drawing closer, her eyes filled with hatred. "It's you—the Calamity who injured the Raikage!"

"Your sensory ability is good. But I suggest you don't fight me."

Gusion looked Yugito Nii over. As a jinchūriki, her attributes were excellent. With a Tailed Beast transformation she'd be stronger—but in terms of actual combat, Yugito herself wasn't impressive.

Boom—

Clearly, Yugito was not one for words. She was prideful, yet gentle with her villagers. In her eyes, Gusion—who had cut off the Raikage's leg—was unforgivable.

Without a word, she launched a Fire Rat Jade at Gusion the moment they met.

Gusion sprang back and landed on a rocky peak, looking down at Yugito. "The Raikage keeps secrets well."

Unlike Killer Bee, Yugito wasn't the Raikage's confidante, so she hadn't been told that Gusion was an undercover asset.

Seeing Gusion dodge so easily, Yugito realized he wasn't someone she could handle lightly. Remembering the Raikage had suffered at his hands, she didn't dare hesitate and immediately entered Tailed Beast Mode.

The Raikage had warned her recently that the Akatsuki's goal was Tailed Beasts, and to beware those in black cloaks embroidered with red clouds. In her view, Gusion had definitely come to capture her.

Watching Yugito become the Two-Tails Matatabi, Gusion clicked his tongue. Kumogakure really did mass-produce quality jinchūriki.

It was probably thanks to the Waterfall of Truth and Killer Bee's guidance. Yugito could control her Tailed Beast well and coexist with it. The smoothness of her voluntary transformation said it all.

But he'd read in the dragon formula in his personal space that Yugito wasn't a perfect jinchūriki. He suspected that so-called perfection was tied to overall strength.

Someone who could be captured easily by the Immortal Duo wouldn't count as perfect. In high-tier fights, her personal combat power wasn't up to par.

In Matatabi's form, Yugito's agility soared. She sprinted and leapt through the mountains, closing on Gusion. Cat claws slashed down.

Clang—

The blade at Gusion's waist, Mazuko, slid half out of its sheath and parried from the side. Sparks flew and the shockwave swept the mist away.

Yugito's first strike failed. Instinct screaming danger, she retreated at once, watching Gusion warily.

Gusion hadn't retreated half a step under her attack. Only cracks spread beneath his feet through the rock. He grinned, showing white teeth. "Since you came at me first, beating you half to death… is fair game, right?"

In that instant, Yugito felt her fur stand on end.

Chapter 238: Huh? I'm Fighting the Mizukage?

Rumble—

The mountains quaked as chunks of rock blasted outward. A peak collapsed under a Tailed Beast Bomb.

The commotion stunned nearby villagers. They thought a natural disaster was coming.

But after the mountain fell, there were no more large shocks, and panic gradually subsided.

Wind swept the sea of clouds, carrying off the dust. Rain fell from the sky, dousing the nascent wildfires.

On a rocky height, Gusion sat on a boulder. Not far away lay Yugito, unconscious.

Rain pattered on Yugito's pale face, soaking her tea-brown hair and lending her a tragic beauty.

Her face was bloodless, her breathing faint—her chakra signature almost nonexistent.

Shff—shff—

Two figures dropped onto the ridge. Seeing the unconscious Yugito, the Fourth Raikage couldn't hide the anger on his face. "Calamity, you—!"

"Keep it down. She attacked first. I already held back."

Gusion lounged lazily against the boulder. "Unless… what you wanted to see was a corpse?"

Killer Bee crouched to examine Yugito, relieved to find she wasn't dead—then frowned.

Yugito's internal chakra felt far too weak—abnormally so. As a jinchūriki, even on the verge of death she should still radiate enormous chakra.

Tailed Beasts were weapons because their chakra reserves were absurd compared to humans. In a normal fight, you couldn't run them dry.

But Bee sensed that Matatabi inside Yugito was also feeble, as if its chakra had been drained. It might take a long time to recover.

"Yo yo, we rushed over at top speed—only to find Yugito down and beat. Her chakra I can't even read—what kind of trick is this feat—"

Even in a serious moment, Bee kept his rap cadence, though his gaze on Gusion was wary.

The Raikage frowned at Bee's words. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing much. Just making a lively Tailed Beast settle down."

Gusion said flatly. After dropping Yugito, he'd used his Soul-Devourer Ring to wildly siphon Matatabi.

He had to admit—Tailed Beast energy was prime-quality exotic fuel. After draining the Two-Tails, his Soul-Devourer Ring upgraded to epic-grade. Its true-damage effect rose again, making his offense even more brutal.

"Are you alone?"

The Raikage glanced around and exchanged a look with Bee. They hadn't brought other shinobi, figuring that against someone like Gusion, numbers were useless—you needed elites, or you'd just become his charging batteries.

The Raikage also knew Akatsuki typically worked in pairs, so he feared Gusion's partner might be lurking nearby.

"Don't bother looking. It's just me. An undercover op like this—how could I bring a teammate?"

Gusion stood. "So, did you bring what I asked for?"

The Raikage hesitated, also scanning for any medical shinobi Gusion might have brought—he hadn't seen anyone. Did Gusion actually know medical ninjutsu himself?

"I have it. How do you prove you can heal?"

The Raikage said. He might weigh pros and cons when trading the Lightning Release Chakra Mode for unknown intel.

But when it came to his leg, he wasn't going to quibble. Restore peak combat power first—everything else could wait.

Otherwise, with his leg hobbled, even capturing Gusion later would be difficult.

"That's easy."

Gusion walked toward Yugito. Bee instinctively blocked him.

"Move. Don't get in the way. If I wanted her dead, I could have done it already."

Gusion said.

Bee looked to the Raikage for approval. When the Raikage nodded, he stepped aside.

Gusion bent, grabbed Yugito by the collar, and hauled her up. His other hand searched at her chest. The radiance of restoration flared, healing the blade wound that had pierced her torso.

Then his hand moved over her body, sealing and mending her external and internal injuries with speed and efficiency that made the Raikage and Bee click their tongues in amazement.

Gusion's medical ninjutsu was unlike anything they'd seen—fast, efficient, and with superb results.

The chest wound he'd made left not a trace. Her fair skin was flawless, as if she'd never been cut.

When he finished, Gusion casually tossed Yugito back to the ground. "I rarely treat people for free. You've seen the results. Raikage—do you want yours fixed or not?"

The Raikage pondered a few seconds. "Heal me first. Then I'll give you the scroll."

Gusion laughed. "Do I look stupid to you? If I fix your leg and you refuse to pay, then what—team up with your brother to kill me? I'd be taking a loss."

"If I give you the scroll and you don't treat me? Or you fail?"

The Raikage countered. "How do I know?"

"Don't lump me in with people who don't keep their word. If I don't fix you, you can start the fight right here. If I wanted to fight you, why go to all this trouble?"

Gusion held out his hand. "The secret art."

After thinking it over, the Raikage reluctantly formed a seal and used a summoning to fetch the scroll.

Gusion was surprised. Anyone who said the Fourth Raikage was a brainless bruiser—he'd take issue with them.

The Raikage hadn't brought the goods on his person. Even if Gusion killed him, he wouldn't get what he wanted. 

Smart.

Gusion accepted the scroll, used his appraisal ability to confirm it, then stowed it.

"Lie down on that rock. And tell your bro to keep his distance. He's got that 'itching to kill me' look."

Gusion said.

The Raikage hesitated, then said, "Bee, carry Yugito and fall back a bit."

He also felt that killing Gusion now wouldn't benefit them. They still had a shared interest. Gusion hadn't killed Yugito—no reason to kill him.

Once the Raikage lay down, Gusion placed his hand on the leg he'd once severed. Naturally, he knew exactly how to treat it.

The Radiance of Restoration lit, and the Raikage felt a tingling at the old break, followed by the comfort of clear, flowing blood.

In just seven or eight seconds, the stiffness in his leg vanished completely. It felt almost exactly like the original.

Before he could marvel at Gusion's miraculous medical ninjutsu, Gusion's next words made him tense.

"Raikage, I could've easily killed you just now."

Gusion smiled, then stepped back. "But I keep my word. If I say I'll heal your leg, I won't pull any tricks."

He looked at Bee, who was hurrying back. "Hey—fire an Eight-Tails Tailed Beast Bomb over here. I need something to show when I report in."

Bee looked to the Raikage, uncertain.

The Raikage gave Gusion a complicated look. The more he saw, the less he understood this "Calamity." His instincts said Gusion was telling the truth.

In that moment, if Gusion had suddenly slashed or blasted him with that bloodline-limit lightning, he might really have died.

Why? Just because the Calamity kept his promises? Or… was he entertaining the thought of joining Kumogakure?

"Bee. Do it."

The Raikage said.

Bee didn't hesitate. He entered Tailed Beast Mode, condensed a massive black Tailed Beast Bomb, and fired it to Gusion's flank.

The high-energy sphere roared past Gusion, slammed into the mountains beyond, and set off a deafening quake. Two peaks vanished.

Amid the rain of stone and the gale, Gusion's cloak billowed. He turned and walked into the clouds.

…

After Gusion left the mountains of Kumogakure, a figure emerged from the shattered terrain. With fern-like collars at his neck, it was Zetsu, Akatsuki's intelligence-gatherer.

Surveying the battlefield where the very landscape had been altered, White Zetsu sighed. "Calamity really stirred things up. Too bad he didn't catch the Two-Tails."

"That's to be expected. The Raikage and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki were both there. The fact that he got out in one piece is already impressive."

Black Zetsu said. "Looks like Pain will have to fetch the Two-Tails himself."

"Why didn't Orochimaru go with Calamity? If he had…"

White Zetsu mused. Their two voices traded off from half a face each—eerie to any outsider.

"That Orochimaru needs a little knock on the head. The Organization doesn't keep freeloaders."

Black Zetsu said thoughtfully.

…

Elsewhere, after finishing in the Land of Lightning, Gusion headed south, crossing the sea toward Kirigakure.

He had no idea Nagato had sent Zetsu to investigate. By luck, he avoided being caught trading with the Raikage.

Right now, he just wanted to reach Kirigakure and be onstage when the curtains rose.

He'd been in this world for a while. The early setup was complete. It was time to start pushing.

Kirigakure, Kumogakure, Konohagakure, Sunagakure—all would be drawn into his chain plan. As for the Land of Earth, he hadn't yet found a way to farm exploration value there, but once the world's overall pattern shifted, a Great Nation like the Land of Earth couldn't stay out of it.

…

Land of Water, outside Kirigakure's border.

The woods were hazy. Miasma and fog entwined, and venomous insects ran rampant.

Ordinary folk would never come to this quiet place—yet it reverberated now with the roar of battle.

"Wind Style: Typhoon Sweep."

A steady voice sounded in the forest, and a cyclone tore through, scouring away the fog and miasma. Trees toppled, exposing the hidden shinobi.

Jūzō Biwa sprang back, swinging his blade to knock aside a shuriken from afar.

Sweat beaded his brow as he stared at the short-statured man ahead, feeling suffocating pressure.

He and his teammate had been sent to infiltrate near Kirigakure and gather intel, but somehow their cover was blown. The Fourth Mizukage found them and attacked immediately.

As Mizukage and a perfect jinchūriki, Yagura's power was no joke. In a single exchange, he crushed Jūzō's teammate beneath Coral Palm.

When he died, his body was covered in coral—no longer human, a hideous end.

As an old hand from the Mizukage's camp, Jūzō knew how terrifying Yagura was. He ran without hesitation. But Yagura neither forgave nor gave him a chance to explain, chasing him into this miasmic swampwood.

"Jūzō, you shouldn't have joined the Akatsuki after you defected."

Yagura's voice was low as he walked toward Jūzō with steady steps. "I could have spared you."

Yagura knew his sins were heavy. He could understand those who defected or even tried to kill him. But as a traditional Kage, he still believed in the old creed: If the lord commands you to die, a vassal cannot refuse.

He had been brutal and unjust—that was his fault. But defecting because you couldn't take it—that was also wrong.

Even if he could accept the Seven Swordsmen's defection, he could not accept defectors joining the Akatsuki he hated most.

Staring at the steadily approaching Mizukage, sweat streamed down Jūzō's forehead. He desperately wanted to say it again: "Huh? Me—fight the Mizukage?"