After closing his eyes and sensing the natural energy within him again, Mirai raised an eyebrow.
"No wonder Jūgo becomes irritable and bloodthirsty after absorbing too much natural energy. This primordial force truly is far too volatile."
Compared to the chakra drawn from a human body, natural energy was like a feral beast, wild and difficult to control.
With a thought, Mirai allowed the rampant natural energy to surge wildly through his body, trying to reshape it. However, his physical resilience was leagues beyond that of even tailed beasts. Such a small amount of natural energy was insignificant to him.
"Natural energy is too chaotic to be directly used in battle," he murmured. "It's better to combine it with chakra to create Sage Chakra."
After roughly analyzing the changes in his body, Mirai suppressed the natural energy within him. With his robust constitution, he had no worries of losing control like Jūgo.
"Next, I just need to master Sage Mode," he mused. Mirai estimated that his Sage Mode would not be inferior to Hashirama Senju's.
The combination of the Uzumaki clan's body reinforcing his flesh, the Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku strengthening his bones, his natural affinity for natural energy, and Yin Release chakra...
"If I acquire Yang Release in the future," he thought with growing excitement, "my body might evolve into the Perfect Sage Body—powerful and without any weaknesses!"
As Mirai prepared to leave, he suddenly heard faint bird calls nearby.
He paused, confused for a moment. The sensation was difficult to describe, but he realized he could understand the meaning of those chirps.
"Right, Jūgo could communicate with animals..." he muttered, intrigued.
While this ability didn't significantly enhance his power, it was undeniably fascinating. Talking to animals would be a unique experience—and who knows? It might even be useful for charming women.
On a small island surrounded by the sea, a chilly breeze carried the scent of salt, lifting the strands of Pakura's hair.
"Ugh…" Pakura furrowed her brows slightly.
After being accustomed to the scorching deserts of Sunagakure, this cool environment felt unnatural to her.
"I should've worn warmer clothes," she grumbled softly.
After waiting for what felt like forever, Pakura began to grow impatient. The spy she was supposed to meet was now nearly fifteen minutes late.
Suddenly, shadows flickered in the darkness. In the blink of an eye, dozens of Kirigakure shinobi wearing Mist headbands emerged, encircling Pakura.
Seeing this, Pakura's expression changed drastically.
Damn it. She had been ambushed.
Just as she prepared to fight to the death, the leader of the Mist-nin spoke softly: "Pakura, wielder of Scorch Release. In Sunagakure, your renown and strength are second only to the Kazekage himself..."
"Rasa has truly given us an unexpected gift."
Pakura's face darkened. "What do you mean by that?"
The Mist-nin leader sneered, "The dying have no need for answers. Attack!"
At his command, the Kirigakure shinobi launched their assault.
It was clear this was no ordinary ambush. The Mist-nin had prepared meticulously for Pakura, dispatching only elite shinobi.
Despite her best efforts, Pakura quickly found herself overwhelmed.
"Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder"
Pakura conjured several fiery spheres, instantly incinerating the nearby Mist-nin into desiccated corpses. But the sheer number of enemies made her efforts seem insignificant.
Explosions from countless Explosive Tags echoed around her, forcing Pakura to her knees. Her breathing was labored, and her arms trembled as blood seeped from her wounds.
The Mist-nin pressed their advantage, bombarding her with kunai and shuriken. Pakura struggled to defend herself with Scorch Release, Wind Release, and Substitution Jutsu, but her injuries and the island's isolation left her with no means of escape.
Finally, her strength gave out.
Thud!
Pakura collapsed, her body pierced by countless blades. As she lay on the ground, her eyes filled with regret and despair.
Am I really going to die here?
As her life ebbed away, the words of the Mist-nin leader echoed in her mind—"Rasa has truly given us an unexpected gift."
Pakura clenched her fist weakly. Images of Uchiha Mirai flashed through her mind.
Back during the Third Shinobi War, Uchiha Mirai had warned her that she would eventually become a pawn in political machinations. At the time, she had dismissed his words as petty manipulation.
But now, she couldn't help but wonder...
Was this Rasa's doing?
Her consciousness fading, Pakura gritted her teeth and reached into her pouch for a special kunai. She poured the last of her chakra into it.
Before she uncovered the truth, she refused to die here.
Mirai, playing cards with Mikoto and Konan, suddenly sensed a faint signal from one of his Flying Thunder God Technique marks.
"The Land of Water?" he murmured, glancing in that direction.
He had only given those special kunai to a handful of people. At this time, there was only one person who could be in Kirigakure.
Pakura.
Realizing the situation, Mirai quickened his play. His formidable card skills left Mikoto and Konan utterly defeated and speechless.
As he placed his final card down, Mirai stood and changed into his battle attire.
"I need to step out for a bit," he said casually before disappearing in a flash.
Pakura's kunai dimmed as the last of her chakra drained away.
Despair filled her heart. What was I thinking?
This is a remote island in the Land of Water, far from Konoha. Even if Mirai senses this, by the time he arrives, I'll already be dead.
She sighed. So this is my fate...
Her vision blurred as the Mist-nin approached, kunai raised to finish her off. Pakura closed her eyes, ready to embrace death.
But just as the blades were about to strike, a tall, imposing figure appeared before her out of nowhere.
Her eyes snapped open in disbelief.
"Uchiha Mirai!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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