"Rude."
Su Mu fanned himself and said indifferently, "How can a storyteller engage in fighting and killing?"
Uchiha Itachi let out a cold laugh, "Then don't blame me for being impolite?"
"If you can withstand the Amaterasu in my eyes, I will admit defeat..."
Su Mu yawned boredly, "You mentioning Amaterasu reminds me of another story."
"Fiercely burning, filling the sky with blazing light; grandly imposing, turning the land red."
"The wicked have long understood the call of the Samadhi, forever guarding the West with their name."
"The pilgrim, though walking in fire, cannot be found; the Dragon King's rain cannot extinguish it."
"Its name is Samadhi True Fire."
Uchiha Itachi chuckled again upon hearing this, "Fire?"
"To bear the word 'fire' is to be touched by mortal dust."
"Is the Samadhi True Fire in your story perhaps more powerful than my Amaterasu?"
The two met each other's gaze.
The air instantly solidified.
A trickle of blood slowly flowed from Uchiha Itachi's right eye.
"Amaterasu!"
Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan focused on Su Mu, and black flames surged forth like a tide.
Su Mu calmly waved his folding fan, muttering, "Heavenly fire, earthly fire, Samadhi True Fire!"
Instantly, flames as red as blood were slowly exhaled from Su Mu's mouth.
The moment the Samadhi True Fire appeared, everyone in Konohagakure felt an intense heat.
Unlike Uchiha Itachi's Amaterasu.
Su Mu's Samadhi True Fire was purer.
The surging flames gradually spread, and Uchiha Itachi's brow furrowed slightly.
The black flames of Amaterasu were quickly engulfed and covered by the Samadhi True Fire.
A beam of fire shot up into the sky. Within Su Mu's Samadhi True Fire, there were phoenixes and dragons.
The crowd applauded excitedly, finding the sight even more thrilling than listening to a story.
"This Master Su is truly extraordinary."
"That single ball of flame could burn down the entire ninja world's battlefield..."
Shikaku Nara watched Su Mu's retreating back and sighed softly.
"I... lost..."
Uchiha Itachi shook his head bitterly and then turned to leave.
He knew he had no chance against Su Mu. Rather than waiting endlessly for news of Sasuke, it was better to face him directly.
"Wait a moment, I have something to give you."
Su Mu suddenly called out to Uchiha Itachi and took a box from his embrace.
Uchiha Itachi blinked in surprise, "You know what I'm going to do?"
Su Mu did not speak, but nodded slightly, then handed the box to Uchiha Itachi.
Uchiha Itachi took the box and felt that its contents had some weight. He gently juggled it, and it felt like a piece of iron.
"Give Sasuke some time. Perhaps he will come to his senses?"
"If he truly doesn't understand you, then go find him yourself."
"Living in the present, for a mere Sasuke, is truly not worth it. The contents of this box will give you the answer."
With that, Su Mu turned and left.
Uchiha Itachi's heart stirred as he watched Su Mu's retreating figure.
Su Mu knew that Sasuke was going to Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru now had entered the righteous path, cultivating Qi, and would no longer harbor thoughts about Sasuke's body.
At the same time, Orochimaru would likely guide Sasuke onto the righteous path.
If Sasuke truly remained unenlightened, then the contents of the box would provide Uchiha Itachi with a new answer.
"Let's go, Kisame."
Uchiha Itachi put the box away and put on his bell cloak.
In the surrounding jungle.
Intelligence ninjas dispatched by the Four Great Nations had witnessed everything before them.
After Su Mu left, they hurried back to their respective countries to report on the battle.
Land of Lightning, Cloud Village.
"What! A single flame repelled Uchiha Itachi?!"
"He's an S-rank fugitive in the ninja world!"
"Su Mu, a mere storyteller, is this strong!"
In the Raikage's building, an intelligence ninja recounted the events.
Samui, standing nearby, showed a surprised expression.
Ayi, the Raikage, leaned back on the sofa and nodded slowly. His expression suddenly turned grave, "Someone like this does not belong to any of the Five Great Nations' villages, and is extremely dangerous to the ninja world."
"But, Lord Raikage, he didn't seem to do anything excessive..." Samui surprisingly began to speak in defense of Su Mu.
This made Darui, who was present, somewhat jealous.
Ever since she had gone to the teahouse to listen to stories last time, Samui had developed a good impression of Su Mu.
However, as a ninja, she had to find a partner who was stronger than herself.
But after hearing the intelligence about Su Mu today, her desire for Su Mu finally bloomed like a nascent flower.
"Not doing anything doesn't mean he won't. Samui, you need to be rational. His strength far surpasses that of an Akatsuki S-rank fugitive!"
Darui said with ill intent.
The Raikage recalled the battle that had occurred in Duan Shan Street.
The Akatsuki organization had definitely had a chance to capture the One-Tails Shukaku, and even the Nine-Tails.
Naruto's rampages had put considerable pressure on the Konoha ninjas.
The leader of the Akatsuki himself had appeared, indicating they were well-prepared.
And at that crucial moment, the Nine-Tails had suddenly vanished. Before that, Tsunade and Jiraiya had seemed to have gone to the teahouse...
"Could it be... because of Su Mu..."
While Samui and Darui were still bickering, Mabui entered, holding a document.
"Lord Raikage, I have gathered all the recent information on Su Mu."
"Hmm, have you obtained any valuable information?" the Raikage asked slowly.
Mabui nodded slightly, "Do you remember Su Mu's previous book, 'Eternal Longevity'?"
The Raikage stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Yes, when watching the battle in Duan Shan Street, Yugito Nii showed it to me."
"I specifically investigated the events described within. Orochimaru's recent actions all strongly indicate one thing: cultivation seems to be real..."
Mabui stated, word by word.
Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned.
The Raikage carefully recalled Orochimaru flying with a sword, casually pointing, and countless mystical swords descending from the sky.
Wasn't this exactly like the cultivators described in the stories?
Everyone simultaneously gasped. If this were true, then diligently cultivating chakra and taijutsu every day would simply be a waste of time.
"Lord Raikage, think about it. Orochimaru is also an S-rank fugitive, and his cruelty is no less than that of the Uchiha clan exterminator Itachi."
"Furthermore, 'Eternal Longevity' also states that Qi Refinement cultivators can gain endless lifespan by absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth to raise their level."
Mabui's words finally allowed the Raikage to see the story behind it all.
"In other words, Orochimaru has already achieved eternal life..."
The Raikage closed his eyes and slowly exhaled, "If that is the case..."
"Do everything you can to win Su Mu over! If the Land of Lightning can obtain this person..."
"The future... is limitless!"