In the end, Konoha could only issue a stern warning to World Weekly and hastily close the matter.
After receiving the warning, World Weekly did quiet down for a while, but only for a little over half a month.
Then it once again displayed the spirit of journalists who don't fear death.
After all, this time, a newspaper from your own Land of Fire reported it first, and we're just following up, surely you can't find any major fault with that?
As for the slightly excessive amount of detail… that could only be credited to Mr. Peter Parker being too capable.
The newspaper then proceeded to praise Shinichi Higashino from head to toe, calling him a genius unseen in a century in the history of ninja medicine and describing the medical scroll as a revolutionary invention capable of changing the nature of warfare.
Then, in the lower half of the front page, the article abruptly shifted focus.
With an equally eye-catching headline and no less space devoted to it, it turned its attention to the upcoming National Swordsmanship Tournament in the Land of Iron's capital, and to samurai Isshin of Ashina Style, who had once made a future strongest in the Shinobi World pact with Shinichi Higashino in Konoha's arena.
In an extremely emotional passage, the article revisited the sensational public match held in Konoha's arena last October: "At that time, master Isshin of the Land of Iron defeated numerous Konoha experts single-handedly, yet stopped only before Shinichi Higashino."
"That duel ultimately ended in a draw, with both sides acknowledging one another and jointly establishing a pact to become the strongest in the Shinobi World in the future."
"From that moment onward, the two names became intertwined like threads of fate, impossible to separate."
The article then shifted topics again and reported in detail on the upcoming National Swordsmanship Tournament.
As one of the favorites to win the championship, Isshin's record of challenging dojos and defeating masters one after another was heavily emphasized.
The article finally declared: "One who tempers his edge with blood on the battlefields of the Shinobi World, burns away powerful enemies in the form of Crimson Flame Kings, and will one day rule the world with fire, the Crimson Flame Shinichi!"
"One who sharpens his heart through the sword amid the snow-covered landscapes and dojos of the Land of Iron, points directly toward the summit with a sword that breaks ten thousand techniques, and will one day stand proudly atop all samurai, the Sword Emperor Isshin!"
"The paths these two take toward strength are completely different, yet they resemble reflections on opposite sides of the same mirror. Their clash is no longer merely a contest between two geniuses, but will become the most complete interpretation of the word 'strongest' in this era."
"The Crimson Flame Shinichi and the Sword Emperor Isshin, which of the two is truly the strongest in the Shinobi World of this era?"
"We eagerly await the answer!"
"Sword Emperor Isshin?"
Inside a simple inn room, Isshin tossed the newspaper onto the table and said with disgust: "What kind of ridiculous title is that?"
Couldn't they come up with something more decent and imposing?
Isshin complained helplessly.
Forget it, the more outrageous the newspaper's writing was, the faster recognition would spread.
Once the efficiency of upgrading his talents arrived, who cared what title they used?
Thinking of this, Isshin stopped dwelling on it, flipped the newspaper over, and casually left it on the table.
...
Five days later, late at night.
At the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire.
The heavy darkness of night shrouded the entire coastline in deep gray gloom.
Far out at sea, waves rose and fell, their sounds low and muffled.
And within that vast darkness, countless black figures were stepping across the waves, silently approaching the shore.
The shadows were densely packed and stretched endlessly.
At a rough glance, there were no fewer than ten thousand of them.
The entire force resembled ghosts emerging from the depths of the sea, carrying an oppressive aura of an approaching storm amid their eerie silence.
Leading them was none other than Yagura Karatachi.
Taking the lead, he stepped onto the soft beach first.
With a flick of his wrist, the long staff with a hooked tip strapped to his back was already in his hand.
After stopping, he swept his sharp gaze across the surroundings and quickly formed several hand signals.
The next moment, dozens of black figures separated from the main force and shot off in all directions.
These were elite members of the reconnaissance units, responsible for scouting enemy positions, searching for traps, and securing critical high ground to eliminate blind spots for the advancing main force.
Immediately afterward, rows upon rows of figures passed by Yagura's side and rushed forward in complete silence.
These were the elite assault troops, all experts in combat and rapid breakthroughs.
Meanwhile, Yagura himself continued leading the main force, which resembled a massive dark cloud, steadily advancing forward.
Their target was the headquarters of Konoha's southeastern army group, Rinkai City.
"Yagura-sama."
A short while later, two figures rapidly returned from ahead and knelt on one knee.
"We advanced all the way forward and found no trace of Konoha ninja. Even upon reaching Rinkai City, there were no defenders in sight. The city gates stand wide open, and the city is completely dark. We found the situation suspicious and did not dare enter rashly, so we returned to report."
Not good! It's a trap!
Hearing this, Yagura's heart tightened abruptly, and he immediately ordered: "Send the command! Have the fourth, fifth, and sixth battalions retreat immediately! Maintain a safe distance from the city ahead! No reckless advance is permitted!"
"Also! The entire army will immediately switch to defensive formation on the spot! Set up sentry posts in all directions, one every fifty meters, with double-layer rotations! Without my order, no one is to advance another step!"
"Reconnaissance units! Expand the search radius! Investigate the city outskirts, nearby villages, the forests on both sides, and even the coastline behind us! I want everything checked thoroughly!"
Lure the enemy deep inside? Ambushes on both flanks? Underground Explosive Tags arrays? Is Konoha trying to blow us all to the heavens?
Or… is Shinichi hiding somewhere with an army, waiting for them to enter the city?
And then…
The more Yagura thought about it, the more something felt wrong.
His expression grew increasingly grave.
A moment later...
"Report! No discoveries in the region north of the city."
"Report! No traces of Konoha ninja activity in the region west of the city."
"Report! All surrounding villages are completely empty. The villagers have already evacuated in advance, and everything inside the houses has been cleaned out thoroughly."
"Report! The city is pitch black. No signs of any defending forces have been observed from outside the city."
A conspiracy! There was definitely a conspiracy!
Yagura's brows knitted tightly together before he spoke again: "Scout again! Do not enter the city. Find high ground outside the city and sweep the city with sensory Ninjutsu. Check for any hidden chakra fluctuations!"
The reconnaissance squad accepted the order and departed.
A short while later, they returned.
"Report! No chakra fluctuations detected. There are no signs of any ninja hiding inside the city."
A heaven-shaking conspiracy!
Yagura's expression darkened as he continued: "Scout again! Circle the city and check the outside of the walls for traps, signs of Explosive Tags, or hidden Barrier ninjutsu!"