Chapter 79: Stolen Moments of Leisure
After a few days, Kawakaze and his party entered the territory of the Land of Grass. The landscape here was vastly different from that of the Land of Waterfalls. While there weren't as many waterfalls, the area was filled with vast grasslands, true to the name of the Land of Grass.
Kawakaze recalled that the Land of Grass lacked formidable ninjas and primarily survived by selling information about the major nations. They often resorted to capturing ninjas from other nations to steal their Ninjutsu, which severely harmed the interests of those nations.
Because of this, in the original story, the country was nearly destroyed by the Kaguya Clan, and Karin's mother was used as a medical tool during the war—eaten alive.
The Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku also had a powerful Kekkei Genkai capable of evolving into the All-Killing Ash Bones.
Orochimaru's interest in Kimimaro as his first choice for reincarnation was proof of the power of this Kekkei Genkai. Unfortunately, Kimimaro's early death due to the Kekkei Genkai Disease ended that potential. Kawakaze speculated that combining the power of the Six Paths with Shikotsumyaku could lead to the All-Killing Ash Bones' evolution.
However, now wasn't the time to search for the Kaguya Clan. Still, he resolved not to let go of the opportunity to acquire this ability if it ever presented itself. The All-Killing Ash Bones were a fearsome technique of certain death—anyone struck would disintegrate into ashes, the destruction starting at the wound and spreading through their entire body.
"I guess we're here. The main force hasn't arrived yet," Kawakaze said, estimating that it would take another two or three days for them to catch up. Most of their time had been spent traveling, and the capture of the Seven-Tails had gone remarkably smoothly.
"Then we'll wait in town," Tsunade said. After all the roughing it they'd endured recently, she was already feeling unwell.
"Good, I want a big meal," Nawaki's voice called out from behind, despite being quite far from the rest of the group.
"Sensei, I'm fine," Minato chimed in, following closely behind. However, it was Nawaki who had earned the most credit during their recent missions. Minato wasn't one to compete for recognition, though.
"Okay, you two brats," Kawakaze said with a smile, his gaze shifting to Tsunade, who was flying diagonally above him. His eager eyes gave him away—these past few days had been hard on him.