The two of them changed into different outfits and even put on makeup to completely hide their identities.
Although henshin no jutsu (Transformation Technique) was more convenient, it was hard to maintain for long periods. Makeup was simpler for a trip like this.
In truth, Natsuki was more concerned about being recognized. He didn't think of himself as particularly famous, but someone might have seen his face in a wanted poster or sketch. It was better to be cautious.
Once they entered the Land of Ryōshō, the difference in the local atmosphere was obvious.
This country revered physical strength. Men and women alike were fierce, and there was a subtle tension between the sexes.
With his lean build, Natsuki looked like a "weakling" to many of them.
Of course, those who judged him by appearance would be in for a surprise — under his clothes, Natsuki's physique was nothing but muscle, something only he and TenTen knew well.
After several days of travel, they finally reached the coast of the Land of Snow. From there, they chartered a boat to a remote stretch of islands, then used Badora the hawk to reach the main area they'd targeted.
It had taken nearly half a day, and the hawk was exhausted. Natsuki promised to feed it quality venison later.
TenTen, though a little disappointed at not finding anything yet, dragged Natsuki along to keep searching.
They focused on caves, reasoning that if the Gold and Silver Brothers had died, they would have chosen a place to hide their bodies — perhaps even entomb themselves.
They combed through several caves with no luck. Not a single sign of the brothers — not even a useful clue. But TenTen, stubborn and determined, refused to give up.
She gave Natsuki a quick kiss as self-motivation, then went right back to searching.
"Natsuki, there's a cave up ahead. Let's spend the night there. Heehee… alone in a cave with your future wife, hmm?"
TenTen was actually trying to keep things lively so Natsuki wouldn't get bored. In truth, she didn't mind teasing him — their relationship was already that close.
She pulled him into the cave. The moment she lit her lantern, her eyes widened — there were two skeletons inside, and these skeletons had something unusual with them.
One thick rope.
One giant gourd.
One feather fan.
One sword shaped like a flat paddle.
TenTen's breathing quickened. She gripped Natsuki's hand, voice trembling.
"N-Natsuki… are these the Six Paths' ninja tools? Could these skeletons be the Gold and Silver Brothers? Did we… find them?"
Natsuki's smile widened. "No doubt about it. These are the Benihisago (Crimson Gourd), Shichiseiken (Seven Star Sword), Bashōsen (Banana Palm Fan), and Kōkinjō (Golden Canopy Rope) — four of the treasures left by the Rikudō Sennin (Sage of Six Paths). And now… they're yours."
TenTen could hardly believe it. After all that fruitless searching, they had been about to settle in for the night — only to stumble upon the jackpot.
Natsuki was certain it wasn't luck. TenTen was fated to possess the Six Paths' treasures. Why else had she once picked up the Banana Palm Fan in battle? Why else could she use it when others couldn't?
No need to guess — destiny had prepared these for her.
TenTen crouched down and picked up the fan first. Ever since her encounter with the treasure during the war, she had felt a strange connection to it. Just as before, when she held it now, she felt that she could wield it naturally.
Natsuki patted her twin buns with a grin. "Don't just stand there in awe. Either seal them away or start testing them."
"Let's test them!"
She quickly sealed away the Crimson Gourd, Seven Star Sword, and Golden Canopy Rope, keeping the Banana Palm Fan in her hands. Then she stepped outside the cave and swung it.
A gust of wind roared out, powerful enough to blast apart the cliffside.
Natsuki explained, "The Banana Palm Fan lets you use all five chakra natures without having an affinity for them. Its attack power is terrifying — but it drains chakra quickly. It's the same reason I told you once you had the Six Paths' tools, you could stand beside me in battle. With your chakra batteries, you could easily use it multiple times in a fight."
TenTen's eyes sparkled. "No wonder you said that! It's incredible!"
Natsuki chuckled. "Exactly. Most people would collapse after one or two uses, but with your chakra reserves and batteries, you can treat this as your ace-in-the-hole — something you pull out to end fights decisively."
She nodded firmly. "I'll just keep increasing my chakra and charging the batteries whenever I can."
"What about the other three?" she asked, unsealing the Seven Star Sword, Crimson Gourd, and Golden Canopy Rope again. The moment she held them, she instinctively knew how to use them — a natural talent for ninja tool mastery.
"I've heard a bit," Natsuki said. "The Golden Canopy Rope draws out a victim's kotodama — their most-used word or phrase. The Seven Star Sword records it, and if they say that word again, the Crimson Gourd will suck them inside and seal them away.
It sounds complicated, but against someone who doesn't know the tools' abilities, it's deadly. Even if they do know, it's still very hard to avoid."
TenTen's smile widened as she imagined the possibilities. "Then I'll keep their abilities secret for now. That way, the enemy will never see it coming."
Natsuki nodded. "Even if the secret leaks, they can still fall for it. The only real counter is to know exactly what the kotodama is — and in a fight, that's nearly impossible to track perfectly."
(End of Chapter)
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