Naruto: Kurotsuchi Mayuri

"Souls!"

Rasa gave an answer that surprised no one.

"A large number of souls, or the souls of powerful individuals! The stronger the ninja, the more souls the mask absorbs and accumulates. The faster the mask can evolve and grow."

What Rasa didn't mention was that the body of ninjas with Kekkei Genkai were also part of the mask's "diet." 

However, the masks didn't truly consume their flesh. Instead, they absorbed the ninja's blood and devoured their abilities.

"In other words, their evolution has already begun!"

Chiyo glanced outside the tent. She seemed to catch the faint scent of blood in the air and feel the oppressive atmosphere of despair.

"Do we have intel on how many masks the Cloud ninjas possess?" Chiyo turned her gaze to Rasa.

"Three!" Rasa responded without hesitation. "But that was the number reported earlier. We can't be sure if they've hidden additional masks."

Chiyo's tense expression eased slightly.

Three.

They had four.

From a numbers standpoint, they could use their masks to create four powerful mutated entities.

"But the three masks on their side are far stronger than the ones we control. Especially the 'First.' Every time it appears, it spells defeat for the Sand ninjas."

Rasa glanced cautiously at Chiyo, forcing himself to continue.

"The 'First' is indeed difficult to handle. It's already as dangerous as a Tailed Beast," Pakura added from the side.

That monster, slaughtering indiscriminately on the battlefield, had become a nightmare for every Sand ninja who had witnessed its horrors. The mere mention of its name made at least half the jonin in the tent look visibly uneasy.

"Let's go over the intel. If it shows up again, I might be the one to face it," Chiyo said, her sharp eyes scanning the group. She sighed inwardly at their reactions.

If possible, she truly wished she could spend her later years peacefully with her grandson. But her grandson Sasori hadn't returned to the village for a very long time, nor had there been any news of him. It was just like the disappearance of the Third Kazekage—still no trace or word to this day.

Her duties and responsibilities weighed her down, making it impossible for her to even send someone to search for her grandson.

"As far as we know, the masks and their powers vary just like the Tailed Beasts. A mask's power grows based on the strength of the ninja it consumes.

Generally speaking, the first ninja to wear a mask will simply have their own abilities and strength enhanced. But the more souls the mask devours, the more users it bonds with, the mask eventually evolves to produce powers akin to a ninja's Kekkei Genkai.

Kumogakure possesses three masks: One, Two, and Four. Of these, Mask One represents ultimate defense, survival, and destruction.

It's said that the first person to wear Mask One was a Steel Release ninja from Kumo named Monim. Because of that, its defensive capabilities are the strongest among all the masks!

Its skin, often called 'steel skin,' can block all thrown ninja tools and even resist most Wind Release techniques.

Even if its defenses are breached and it suffers injuries, its powerful vitality allows it to heal rapidly.

It possesses terrifying strength, capable of causing wide-scale damage akin to a jutsu with pure physical force. Once it charges into a group, even a Jonin might not survive.

The scariest part is that it can improve its powers by devouring more. The last time it appeared, it not only had its incredible defense, rapid regeneration, and overwhelming strength but had also gained enhanced speed and the ability to conceal itself.

It's like an immortal monster wandering the battlefield. Unless the mask is removed or the wearer's body burns out and collapses, it turns the battlefield into a meat grinder."

Rasa spoke slowly.

"What about sealing jutsu?" Chiyo frowned and asked, "Isn't sealing the best way to deal with such a troublesome enemy?"

Chiyo's frustration was evident. From Rasa's words alone, she could tell how problematic this enemy was. It was like dealing with a Tailed Beast. 

Every village that controlled a Tailed Beast knew the best way to handle them wasn't to exhaust themselves trying to kill it but to seal it away whenever possible.

"Our sealing squad has suffered heavy losses," Rasa replied. "Without the ability to restrain the enemy, they can't get close enough to prepare the seal. We must conserve the strength of the sealing squad for other major threats."

Chiyo fell silent for a moment. She already knew what Rasa meant by "other major threats."

The Tailed Beasts!

Whether it's the Jinchuriki of the Cloud Village or the Sand Village, they always need the sealing team's presence. If the Jinchuriki loses control, the sealing team has to step in and try to seal the tailed beast.

Right now, the war between the Cloud and Sand Village has reached a critical point. Without outside interference, it's highly likely—almost certain—that both sides will release their tailed beasts for the final battle.

Thinking of their own Jinchuriki, Chiyo couldn't help but glance over at the elderly man in the corner, his eyes closed as if unaware of everything happening around him.

Even at such a critical moment for the village, Bunpuku still refuses to release the tailed beast's power to fight for the village.

What's even more unusual is that Bunpuku shows none of the violent tendencies or hatred toward the village that most Jinchuriki have. Even though the village has imprisoned him, he remains calm and unbothered.

For a Jinchuriki, Bunpuku is truly an anomaly.

He's strong, and he can control the tailed beast well enough to prevent it from breaking through the imperfect seal, yet he acts as though the tailed beast doesn't even exist.

But now that the situation is dire, if Bunpuku continues to be so stubborn, they may have no choice but to forcibly release the tailed beast.

"Your choice is right. I said too much," Chiyo shook her head.

"What about Iwa? We've held off the Cloud Village forces for them. When will they do their part?"

At Chiyo's question, Rasa paused for a moment before answering, "Iwa has already fought the Cloud Village multiple times. Ōnoki wants to deal with the Cloud Village once and for all."

"Once and for all?" Chiyo furrowed her brows. As one of the oldest surviving leaders of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Ōnoki was undoubtedly someone who had to be taken seriously.

Having fought alongside Iwa, Chiyo knew that Ōnoki, that stubborn and tough old man, wouldn't say something like that unless he had a plan.

"Yes, according to what Iwa's told us, Ōnoki has mobilized almost all their shinobi. They plan to surround the Cloud Village and, with our help, eliminate their forces."

When Rasa heard this plan, he was both shocked and invigorated. In truth, the only reason he had been able to hold out so long against the fierce attacks from the Third Raikage and the Cloud forces was due to Iwa's crucial support.

Rasa wasn't unaware of what Ōnoki was trying to do. Essentially, Ōnoki wanted to drain the Cloud Village's strength, and hopefully, have both the Cloud and Sand forces weaken each other. Then, Iwa would step in and take advantage of the situation.

By then, Iwa could seize the most benefits while the already heavily damaged Sand Village would be unable to compete.

And once Iwa goes to war with Konoha, the Sand Village, as Konoha's ally, would be unable to provide any assistance.

"But no matter what, if Onoki can really do what he says, at least the current dire situation in Sunagakure can be resolved."

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