Naruto: Under the Banner of the Clans

Following the master into the building, Akeno mentally prepared for any eventuality.

The master was clearly not a malicious person who would try to harm or kill them to get what he wanted.

But in case he was mistaken, Akeno thought of all the countermeasures to protect his disciples and escape alive.

Having reached the level of Organ Fortification, he was only one level below Fang Qin. But even with chakra at his disposal, Akeno did not think he could fight him, let alone defeat him.

The gap between the fifth and sixth levels was usually insurmountable.

At the fourth level, Bone Reinforcement, the cultivator acquired much stronger bones, nourished by Qi. At this level, the bones could emit explosive sounds with each action of the cultivator.

At the fifth level, Organ Fortification, the cultivator had more resilient organs capable of circulating blood faster through the body. Here, the cultivator could operate their organs at a completely different level, resulting in a drum-like sound from the heart.

But at the sixth level, Muscle Purification, the entire body, including bones, organs, and muscles, was finally forged by Qi to become stronger. Unlike previous levels where only a part of the body was reinforced, leaving others vulnerable and thus limiting overall performance, the complete transformation of the body now allowed its full potential to be used in combat without any weaknesses.

Muscles became denser and more powerful, enabling rapid and explosive movements, significantly increasing physical strength. Cultivators at this level could feel their energy and endurance multiplied, making them much more formidable in battle.

The strength of a sixth-level cultivator was more than three times that of someone at the fifth level.

Thus, for Akeno, who had not finished learning and perfecting the chakra techniques that others had taught him, it was impossible to defeat Fang Qin.

Finally reaching his quarters, Fang Qin and Akeno entered the room, which was devoid of any luxury.

With just a bed, a table, a chair, and a few tools, the room was extremely neutral.

The six ninjas were all in meditation, continuing to cultivate and gather Qi in their bodies.

"It's very impressive," Fang Qin suddenly said. "Your young friends have already opened more than five meridians each. It seems it won't be long before they reach the realm of Qi Condensation."

Akeno, standing aside, could also see their cultivation level with his spiritual sense. "Indeed, it looks like the tribulations allowed them to open their meridians by drawing on its energy."

The six youths, meanwhile, listened intently to the master and Akeno while continuing to cultivate. This was a chance they could not miss, and they needed to use the remaining energy of the lightning to open their meridians.

The tribulation lightning was made up of powerful natural Qi and was both an enemy and an ally to cultivators.

Either one died from the lightning, or one advanced further thanks to it.

Without a strong enough foundation, it was extremely difficult to pass the tribulation, which is why it was important to consolidate one's cultivation at each level, each step of this long and perilous journey.

"Akeno, how about you tell me about them now?" Fang Qin asked curiously.

Everyone has their secrets, especially in this world. But unlike before, Fang Qin could no longer turn a blind eye to these youths because the mayor was now in the equation.

Seeing Akeno's hesitation, Fang Qin did not make it difficult and explained calmly. "Akeno, you need to know that the mayor thinks I have finally overcome my bottleneck. But he has doubts. I can lie for a while, but the truth will come out sooner or later. We can only prepare.

As long as the mayor believes it was me who passed the tribulations, everything will be fine. We could even turn this into a good thing for us. But if he finds out the truth, these children will be in great danger. Even here."

Although it was natural to ask for the truth after receiving help from the branch master, it was impossible for Akeno to reveal that they came from another world.

Anything but that.

Clearing his throat, Akeno looked at Fang Qin with great seriousness. "As you can guess, these children are not simple... I'm afraid I can't reveal much about them. The tribulations were an unexpected accident but in a way justifiable."

"How so?" Fang Qin asked.

Sighing, Akeno continued. "Each of these young children comes from a clan that has never touched Qi..."

Listening intently to Akeno's words, Fang Qin also paid attention to his heartbeat, micro-expressions, and other signs that might reveal a lie.

"Even if no member of their clan has been a cultivator, that doesn't justify the tribulation..."

"No, when I say they have never touched Qi, I mean they have never lived in an environment where Qi was present. Their bodies were not made to receive Qi, in any way," Akeno clarified.

Not noticing any behavior indicating the slightest lie, Fang Qin stroked his beard, wondering about the origins of these clans.

Qi is everywhere; it constitutes life, the vital energy of everything.

To his knowledge, there could not be a natural place without Qi.

So where did these children come from, and what were their clans?

Looking again at the children on the floor meditating, he felt a mysterious mist enveloping their origins.

Like a secret that would change the course of history.

"Can you tell me where they come from?" Fang Qin asked.

"I'm afraid not, I'm sorry..." Akeno replied, not hiding his reluctance.

"Will I regret helping them?" Fang Qin then asked.

Looking deeply at the master, then at the children, Akeno no longer hesitated. "No. I think you will be proud."

Not hiding his smile, Fang Qin continued to stroke his beard fervently. "Ho ho ho! Proud? I hope you're not wrong," he said, a deep look betting on a gamble he was about to take.

...

Returning to his tower in the middle of the city, the mayor no longer displayed the fake smile he had shown before Fang Qin.

Seeing his face, the servants who saw him shivered in fear.

His expression showed suppressed hatred, anger, and disgust.

Entering his apartments, all the furniture in the room shattered under a violent release of his Qi.

"That damn bastard! I will kill him with my own hands!"

The floor under his feet trembled, spider web-like cracks spreading across the floor and walls, with him at the center.

The entire tower shook under his aura, and several servants could not withstand it and lost their balance, crushed and terrified by the mayor's rage.

"He says he wants to stay here! That half-dead old man. This is my city!"

"Aaaaaaah!"

Only after an entire hour did the screams and calm return to the tower. Several servants had succumbed to the mayor's anger and the Qi released recklessly.

Servants who would be replaced by tomorrow...

"The raven! Come here!" the mayor shouted in his apartments, loud enough for those on the floor below to hear.

After about ten seconds of waiting, a man dressed in black, his face hidden under a hood, entered the disordered room. "Well, it seems you're angry," he said sarcastically.

"For your own good, I suggest you don't play games today," the mayor warned in a dark and threatening tone.

"Very well, I understand. So, what do you want from us?" he asked.

Taking his time to look him in the eyes, the mayor displayed a grim face. "I think you understand, you saw the lightning as well as I did. You will need to slow down your activities.

If Fang Qin has indeed broken through to the level of Qi and Body Harmony, then he will have the ability to gather all the clues leading to you, then to me.

And now, if he has indeed reached this level, his sect will start to really listen to him, and I will not be able to do anything to stop that."

Listening attentively, the man nodded, understanding the situation. "Don't worry, we will slow down our operations and double our precautions.

That said, I presume that having reached this level, Fang Qin will return to Glory City?"

With his fist clenched and hatred on the mayor's face, the man in black felt a deep killing intent rise from his being. "He has decided to stay here," the mayor said.

"For how long?"

"Indefinitely!" spat the mayor.

"Indeed, that will complicate things..."