296-300

*Chapter 296: Beruho’s Ambitions*

Hema and his companions fled quickly. They weren't rookies—they’d once worked security for the Great Daimyo and then moved on to shady underground operations. So, they had plenty of both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in making a quick escape, with Teme, a sensory ninja, assisting from the sidelines.

The pursuit squad dispatched by Kisame couldn’t even catch a glimpse of their shadows. They were led astray by the illusions Hema had set up, veering off course entirely and eventually, with no leads, returned to the village empty-handed to announce their failure.

Thus, Mizukage Fifth’s letter was sent with Suigetsu as he boarded a ferry bound for the Land of Fire.

---

*Konoha Village*

Recently, Sougen had been incredibly busy. Rumors of the Fifth Hokage’s blindness had somehow spread throughout the village, despite attempts by the Konoha Police and Anbu to track the source. But each of the three suspected leaks had already been found as headless corpses, making it impossible to extract information—unless someone summoned their souls from the afterlife. Sougen suspected that it was Uchiha Obito, that lunatic, but it remained a guess without concrete evidence.

The problem wasn’t just about the leak itself; it was about how to handle the ensuing complications. The Hokage was the leader and backbone of the village—a figure in whom the villagers had unwavering trust. This reputation had been built over fifty years of Konoha’s history.

Now, rumors were circulating about a conspiracy by the Hokage’s assistant to harm the Fifth. Although the Police Department quickly suppressed these rumors, they wouldn’t end until the source of chaos and fear—Obito—was dealt with.

Honestly, the best solution would be for Choza Akimichi to step down and for Sougen to rightfully become the Sixth Hokage, resolving these issues overnight. However, Choza hadn’t shown any intent to step down, and Sougen couldn’t exactly push him.

Choza had always treated Sougen fairly, handing over his powers temporarily whenever he fell ill, indicating his trust. Pushing him aside would feel dishonorable. Besides, the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka families were Konoha’s pillars. Especially with the intelligent Nara clan involved, turning them against him was the last thing Sougen wanted.

For now, the only option was to handle issues as they came, waiting for the day when Choza would willingly step down. Of course, they couldn’t wait indefinitely; Sougen was confident the Nara clan would help Choza make the wisest choice soon enough.

While Sougen was busy managing the rumors, intelligence arrived from both the Cloud and Stone Villages. Soon after, envoys from the two villages appeared, respectful and polite in his presence.

However, they weren’t without ulterior motives. First, they requested to send Anbu operatives into the Land of Fire to pursue Hema and his team. When Sougen flatly refused, they insisted Konoha assist in a rescue mission. Their persistence and attempts to offload responsibility onto Konoha were clear acts of manipulation.

Sougen felt no obligation for Hema’s actions and dismissed both groups from his office without ceremony. But they shamelessly went to the Akimichi clan's compound, begging to meet with the Fifth Hokage, leaving Sougen speechless. As Kumo and Iwa’s official envoys, he couldn’t exactly expel them from Konoha, however tempting it was.

“But what are Hema and his people planning?” Sougen wondered, frowning at the latest intelligence report. “Storm Release, Lava Release—are they collecting kekkei genkai? Isn’t the Spider clan’s forbidden technique enough for him?”

He couldn’t help but consider the possibility after Hema had previously seized the Spider clan’s forbidden jutsu.

“What could he be aiming for? Kekkei genkai aren’t like forbidden techniques; they’re much harder to steal. Is he banking on the next generation?” Sougen muttered. “It doesn’t make sense—they’re only abducting men.”

“Sir, urgent report from the eastern border patrol: Suigetsu has returned,” Kabuto said, barging into Sougen’s office.

“So?” Sougen replied dryly, glancing at his high-strung assistant. “Am I supposed to meet him at the gate?”

“Sir, this is serious. Suigetsu didn’t just return as the deputy head of the Joint Search Division—he brought a letter from the Fifth Mizukage herself. According to him, Kiri was also attacked by Hema’s group, and a Kiri ninja with the Vapor Release kekkei genkai was kidnapped.”

“Even Kiri was attacked? Hema’s already stirred up Cloud and Stone, and now the Mist. If we count Konoha, he’s basically set himself against the whole ninja world. But why?”

Sougen’s expression turned grim. If it had just been the Cloud and Stone incidents, he’d have been annoyed but mainly with the bothersome Cloud and Stone envoys. Pursuing Hema wasn’t new—they’d been doing it for years. Yet, as cunning as Hema was, he’d always managed to slip away, avoiding capture by hiding in small neighboring countries or simply by dumb luck.

“Suigetsu hinted that Kiri suspects Hema’s targets may include us and Suna as well,” Kabuto said softly.

“Three kekkei genkai aren’t enough? What a huge appetite!” Sougen tapped his fingers on the table. “So, Kabuto, what’s your take? Does Hema really have the guts to go after us?”

“Uncertain, sir. We don’t know his true intentions. While I doubt Hema would challenge you openly, it’s possible he’d take stealthier actions. His ambition, after all, is to leave only the daimyo’s jewel standing in the Land of Fire. Destroying Konoha might be his ultimate goal.”

“‘Prepare for the worst,’ huh? So, you’re suggesting I order my clansmen to stay within the village?”

Sougen scoffed. Currently, Konoha had only two clans with a stable kekkei genkai line—the Hyuga’s Byakugan and the Uchiha’s Sharingan. The Senju Wood Release had only one surviving member in Anbu, and even he wasn’t technically a Senju. Similarly, the Kurama clan’s [Five Senses Control] bloodline had only one living descendant, Yakumo.

Counting it all up, it looked like the Uchiha’s Sharingan would be the easiest target, given that Byakugan was only valuable from the main Hyuga family. Both Wood Release and Five Senses Control had so few inheritors that finding them would be challenging. Only the Uchiha clan had enough members, each one easily identified.

Not that just anyone could handle a Sharingan anyway.

Kakashi’s own Sharingan often left him drained, his chakra rarely enough to sustain it.

“Better to be cautious than sorry. Besides, let’s not forget the surveillance incident with Fujiwara and Yakumo—they may be connected to all this. Yakumo awakened the Kurama clan’s kekkei genkai, and the Hyuga clan leader’s eldest daughter is also in the Academy. Something about this situation feels connected, somehow.”

Are these two matters related?

Sougen frowned in thought for a few moments, then shook his head. While Kabuto’s theory wasn’t without merit, it relied heavily on conjecture. Still, the old saying held true: better to be prepared than regretful. As clan leader, his duty was to protect his people.

He considered limiting his clan members' movement altogether, but a gentler approach would be to ban them from going out alone.

“We’ll address this once I get home.”

Sougen didn’t plan to issue any commands in his capacity as an advisor to the Hokage; such clan matters were easier to manage through his authority as clan leader.

“Meanwhile, Kabuto, check in with the Anbu about this. Ask them to pay more attention—it's been too long with too little progress. And for the Joint Tracking Division... let's leave that until Getsumaru is back.”

Konoha’s and Kirigakure’s rogue ninja tracking division also held the authority to pursue rogue ninjas.

Homma was already on their wanted list.

With Getsumaru absent, however, the Mist side held little influence, and Ringo Ameyuri’s fiery disposition was ill-suited for coordination. It was best to wait for Getsumaru’s return to save face for their allies.

“Understood,” Kabuto replied obediently.

——

Deep within Mt. Miro.

Homma and his companions moved swiftly. While Getsumaru made his way toward Konoha from the Fire Country’s port, Homma had already arrived with his captured prey. He tossed the still-unconscious Kirigakure ninja at Hiruho’s feet.

“Boil Release, delivered.”

“You work faster than I expected, Homma.”

Hiruho studied Homma carefully.

He’d estimated it would take Homma two years to capture the targets, given that hunting specific shinobi demanded more than strength—intelligence gathering alone posed a monumental challenge.

But Homma had returned with prisoners from Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure in less than three months. He seemed to know each village’s ins and outs. Was someone backing him, or had Homma planned this so far in advance that he’d planted informants in these villages?

The answer, however, didn’t matter to Hiruho. What mattered was that with Storm Release, Lava Release, and Boil Release collected—along with White Zetsu’s Wood Release—he could finally attempt the Goryōshin no Jutsu to merge these powers within himself and then aim for a fifth kekkei genkai.

His ultimate goal: the Sharingan.

Unlike Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure, Konoha held both greater strength and a personal history for him. As a rogue ninja from Konoha, he harbored complex feelings toward his former village. Deep down, he longed to return openly, making his former comrades look up to him for a change.

No more sneaking around, no more fleeing.

“The sooner we wrap this up, the sooner we’re safe. Don’t forget our deal.”

“Relax. Your issue just requires time, not any insurmountable breakthrough. At this pace, I’ll have it resolved by year’s end, and you’ll be free to wield your power without fear.”

“I hope that day comes soon,” Homma replied, glancing around the cold, desolate laboratory. “Anything else you need me for? If not, I’ll get some rest.”

“Leave the rest to me. Just don’t forget to schedule regular blood tests! Aside from that, do as you please—train, go out, whatever suits you. By the way, Homma, did you make a detour to Mt. Sumiryu?”

“I didn’t forget. If anyone tracks me, they’d stop there first before making it here,” Homma replied steadily.

Mt. Sumiryu, on the Fire and Iron Country border, bore a striking resemblance to Mt. Miro, making it a perfect decoy. This rabbit hole provided an extra layer of protection for Homma against any skilled trackers.

Hiruho was free to focus on the Goryōshin no Jutsu.

“Good,” Hiruho replied with a pleasant smile.

Seeing no further tasks, Homma turned to leave the lab and get some rest. Nearly three months of relentless travel had exhausted him, and he’d even lost one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja along the way. With nothing pressing, he could finally afford to take a well-deserved break.

As the lab door closed behind him, Hiruho’s grin grew wider. Activating a hidden mechanism, he picked up the unconscious Kirigakure ninja and slipped through a secret door to his underground laboratory.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 297: I Have a Feeling I’ll Win Today!*

Konoha Village, Akimichi Clan Grounds.

“Shikaku, still no sign of Tsunade?”

Akimichi Torifu sat cross-legged on the veranda facing east, basking in the warmth of the morning sun. Losing his sight initially brought him significant inconvenience, but as a seasoned shinobi, he had quickly adjusted. After familiarizing himself with his surroundings, he found he could get around without much assistance.

“It’s my failing,”

Nara Shikaku, seated beside him, wore an expression of frustration and resignation.

“What does that have to do with you? Don’t take this burden on yourself. Last time, it took us ages to track down Tsunade… If she wanted to escape, the ANBU wouldn’t be able to keep tabs on her. Or do you think I’ve gone senile and can’t understand this?”

“... I overthought it, Lord Hokage.”

“I told you, don’t take on unnecessary blame, Shikaku! And in my home, let’s skip the formalities; there’s no one else here.” Torifu sighed deeply. The Nara clan were all known for their intelligence, but sometimes they were too aware of the obstacles ahead and ended up lacking some ambition, often choosing to play supporting roles.

“Let’s leave that aside. What do you think of the rumors circulating in the village?”

“You mean the one about you being targeted by the Hokage’s assistant?”

“What else? Are there more rumors flying around?”

“There are plenty. Ever since word spread about your temporary blindness, there’s been an explosion of gossip. Some say it’s poison from a Sand Village spy; others blame remnants of ROOT, and some even believe you’re pretending to test people’s loyalty. The Hokage’s assistant rumor just happened to be the first one.”

“Pretending to be ill? People with such vivid imaginations should try writing novels!”

Torifu was speechless.

These wild rumors were absurd, and he was astonished that people believed them. The ANBU and the Police Force had recently apprehended quite a few rumor-spreaders—some were under genjutsu, others had been bribed, and some actually believed the rumors and spread them on their own.

“What about the ANBU and Police Force? Why aren’t they handling this?”

“They started controlling it right from the beginning. But… there are so many people in the village; it’s like a game of whack-a-mole. We catch one source, and another pops up.”

“So unless we address the root cause, this problem won’t go away?”

Torifu sighed.

“Torifu-sama?” Shikaku noticed something off. Addressing the root cause… rumors about the Hokage assistant began only because Torifu, as the Fifth Hokage, had lost his vision and his ability to fully carry out his duties. Shikaku understood the implications all too well.

“You’ve figured it out, haven’t you?”

Torifu lifted his face to the sun and murmured, “This can’t keep dragging on. The longer it goes on, the worse it gets. Even if we find Tsunade, it might not change much. So I think… it may be time to bring this to an end.”

“...”

Shikaku was speechless.

Logically, he knew Torifu was right—this was a matter that should be addressed swiftly. Delaying would only hurt the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance and potentially the family’s standing in the village. Still, he thought it was better not to comment.

“Five years is neither too long nor too short… Compared to the Fourth, I’ve been pretty lucky…”

As Torifu spoke, a clan member arrived to announce the arrival of the Hokage’s assistant, who was accompanied by Hozuki Mangetsu, the vice-chief of the Search Division.

“Lord Hokage, you look much better than before.”

Under Akimichi Chōza’s guidance, Sozen arrived on the veranda and greeted the Hokage.

“Do I? Haha! I feel alright, though my vision still hasn’t returned,” Torifu laughed heartily and waved off Sozen’s attempts at reassurance. “I know you’re going to say something comforting again, but I’ve heard enough of that lately. Let’s get straight to the point!”

As Hokage, he knew that Hozuki Mangetsu had returned with a letter from the Fifth Mizukage but was unaware of the specifics.

Most people focused only on the non-Uchiha joining the reformed Police Force, missing the subtle placement of skilled Uchiha in strategic positions like the Border Guard. Now, Uchiha members could be seen throughout the village’s institutions, except the ANBU.

“Remember the trouble with the Cloud and Stone Village envoys a few days ago?”

Following Torifu’s lead, Sozen got straight to the point.

“I heard it was lively at the gate that day. Shame I couldn’t see it myself. So, it’s connected to that?”

“A Boil Release ninja from Mist Village was taken by Kazama and others.”

“Even Mist?”

Torifu frowned.

When Sozen first mentioned the Cloud and Stone Village incident, Torifu had a hunch. But hearing that Mist had encountered the same situation surprised him. His intuition detected hidden threats stirring in the shadows.

“Mangetsu,”

Sozen called.

Mangetsu handed the Mizukage’s letter to Shikaku, who opened and read it aloud. The letter, though not long, was dense with content. It explained that a Boil Release ninja from Mist had been ambushed and speculated that Kazama and his allies might have a larger plot. The letter requested Konoha’s assistance to jointly pursue them.

After reading, Shikaku furrowed his brow even deeper.

He felt an intense disdain toward Hema, someone who was hell-bent on destroying the Leaf Village, as well as a healthy dose of caution. Setting aside recent troubles, just the thought of this matter alone made him wary. His sharp intellect easily picked up on the dangerous presence lurking in the shadows.

"Lord Hokage?"

He spoke softly, looking at Akimichi Torifu who was silently basking in the sunlight.

Since there were others present, it was natural to address him with respect and formality.

"Sougen-kun, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

After a brief silence, Torifu finally spoke, not rushing to express his own views but instead asking for Sougen’s opinion.

"Do what needs to be done. Although I'd love nothing more than to slap down this pest once and for all, the issue is that he’s been impossible to locate, so... we’ll just have to give it our best shot. We can send personnel from either the Anbu or the Joint Investigation Division to track Hema and see if we can catch their trail."

"And what about the Cloud and Stone Villages?"

"Why bother with them? Unless we have solid evidence that Hema and his group are hiding in the Land of Earth or the Land of Lightning, we shouldn’t waste time on them. Let them do as they please." Sougen responded with clear indifference, showing no regard for the other villages.

"Well then... as usual, I’ll leave this matter to you, Sougen-kun." Akimichi Torifu said, repeating words he’d already uttered countless times before. He sighed softly as if he wanted to say more, but in the end, he stopped there.

"I will do my utmost."

Sougen wasn't surprised by this result. However, Torifu’s hesitant manner at the end intrigued him; his intuition told him this might be good news—perhaps the moment he’d been waiting for all along. Since Torifu chose to keep quiet, Sougen couldn’t force him to speak, yet this still felt like a promising sign.

Maybe soon, he’d be able to drop the word "assistant."

...

After Sougen and Hozuki Mangetsu took their leave, the veranda fell silent for another two minutes. Finally, Shikaku Nara couldn’t hold back and asked, "Lord Hokage, have you made a decision?" He couldn’t help but notice Torifu’s moment of hesitation earlier.

"Yes! I can’t delay any longer, though it’s a pity I couldn’t say it this time." Torifu sighed, clenching his fists, revealing the depth of his resolve.

"..."

Shikaku opened his mouth but remained silent, his gaze falling on Torifu’s gray hair. He decided to keep quiet, sitting quietly beside the aging elder to enjoy the sunlight.

---

The Land of Fire, being the leader among the Five Great Nations, was not only densely populated and resource-rich but also home to several gambling hotspots famous throughout the shinobi world, such as Tanzaku Street, Hyakuhana Avenue, and Hyakuhana King Street, where gamblers from various lands could be seen.

Hyakuhana King Street derived its name from the nearby "Hyakuhana King Academy," an academy established by a local lord to train professional gamblers. Over its 40-year history, the academy has become the heart of the bustling Hyakuhana King Street.

In comparison, Tanzaku Street attracted most of the gamblers within the Land of Fire, Hyakuhana Avenue lured in gamblers from the western regions and neighboring countries like the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers, while Hyakuhana King Street, located at the foot of Mount Sumiru, was a frequent destination for gamblers from northern countries like the Land of Iron, the Land of Fields, and the Land of Hot Water.

Today, someone new had arrived at the foot of Mount Sumiru.

"Lady Tsunade, w-we’re out of money!"

The speaker, a young woman with short black hair and a delicate face, clutched a small bundle close to her chest, tears brimming in her eyes as she looked at the busty blonde beauty beside her, resembling a pitiful victim.

"Quit whining, Shizune! Didn't we make a good haul just yesterday? Let’s get moving!"

"But, but, that was our food and lodging money! If we lose it, we’ll have to sleep outside tonight!"

"Relax, I have a good feeling we’re definitely going to win big today." Tsunade, granddaughter of the First Hokage and one of the Legendary Sannin, declared with full confidence.

Except—

Her words seemed to lack conviction.

Shizune looked like she was on the verge of tears. Tsunade always said this, but Shizune had never seen her actually win. The money they made from treating patients wasn’t enough to make them wealthy, but it was more than enough for the best inns and meals.

Unfortunately, Tsunade always gambled away every cent, and sometimes even ended up in debt, forcing them to borrow money and accumulate quite a sizable debt.

Four years ago, the Nara clan invited Tsunade back to the village to treat the Fifth Hokage and cleared her debts. However... in just four years, Tsunade had once again managed to amass a huge debt, frequently using transformation jutsu to evade her creditors.

In the end, Shizune, as usual, had no choice but to follow Tsunade into the bustling Hyakuhana King Street, a place where brightly lit casinos operated even in broad daylight, her bundle of money feeling increasingly like it no longer belonged to her.

"Lady Tsunade, perhaps we should first find a place to stay!"

Watching Tsunade contemplating which casino to enter, Shizune made one last, desperate attempt to delay the inevitable.

"Shizune, you’re too fussy. The inns aren’t going anywhere, we can find one tonight."

But casinos don’t have legs either!

Shizune screamed internally.

Then—

Reluctantly, she trailed after Tsunade, step by step, into the most luxuriously decorated casino ahead.

Behind them, Mount Sumiru towered silently, watching over the vibrant bustle at its foot.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 298: The Investigation Unit Attacked by Strange Hounds*

"Are we sure this is the place?"

"I can’t say for certain it’s the target’s base, but I can confirm that the target definitely went into the mountain. The scent traces tell me that much."

"So, we’ve got no choice but to go in and take a look, huh?"

"... Haa..."

"What should we do? Split up, or go together?"

At the base of Mount Sumiru, near the entrance of a mountain trail not far from the Hundred Flowers District, Konoha ninjas had gathered, gazing up at the towering mountain that stands on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Iron. Two vice-captains from the Konoha-Kirigakure joint investigation team, Kakashi Hatake and Mangetsu Hozuki, were discussing their next move.

Their presence here was straightforward; after Mangetsu brought back information on Homma and his group's attack on the Mist ninjas, the Konoha village had finally recognized Homma, a defector of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, as a threat.

With the Fifth Hokage unable to handle the task, it was entrusted to Munenori, who quickly assembled an investigative team to track down Homma and his accomplices. Alongside the two vice-captains were Itachi Uchiha, Kimimaro Kaguya, Ameyuri Ringo, and two specialized tracking teams from the Anbu Black Ops. These tracking teams were only here for that purpose—not for battle.

This means that:

The combat duties fell to Kakashi Hatake, Mangetsu Hozuki, Itachi Uchiha, Kimimaro Kaguya, Chisao Uchiha, and Ameyuri Ringo.

The team may not have many members, but they’re highly skilled.

They’re all elite Jonin, and each is among the best in their field. The youngest, Kimimaro Kaguya, is just fourteen but already one of the most proficient taijutsu users in Konoha. Apart from the Blue Beast himself, few would dare claim they could face him in a hand-to-hand fight.

To be honest, this lineup would be more than enough to conquer a small nation.

"Splitting up is too dangerous. Homma… that man won’t be easy to deal with. Kakashi, you’ve seen the intel on the Tsuchigumo clan’s forbidden techniques; if we’re not careful and get hit, we’d all be done for. Better to stay cautious," Mangetsu warned, shaking his head.

"Then we go all in?" Kakashi looked up, gazing at the formidable mountain before them, seeking confirmation.

Mount Sumiru lies on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Iron, with a highway passing along its base. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a popular spot. The mountain lacks any remarkable scenery or ancient legends, and its constant cold mist, a product of the two nations’ contrasting climates, makes it a place few people, even ninjas, would bother visiting without a reason.

"Let’s go in, comb through the mountain, and see if this really is their hideout."

"Whatever. I just want to get in a fight already."

"My Thunder Blade Fang can’t wait to feast."

"Fine by me."

"Whatever. Doesn’t matter!"

The team voiced their agreement, with no objections. All of them were skilled and bold, especially the battle-hungry duo of Chisao Uchiha and Ameyuri Ringo. Without Kakashi and Mangetsu holding them back, they’d have already charged up the mountain.

"So, Kakashi-sensei, what about us?" a captain from one of the Anbu tracking teams asked in a low voice.

"You all stay here and wait for us to return," Kakashi replied, checking his tool pouch.

These two tracking teams couldn’t be risked on the mountain. It was better to keep them here; if they find Homma’s base, then the teams can be called in for further investigation.

While talking, Mangetsu formed a hand seal and performed the Water Clone Jutsu. Three water clones appeared by his side and started to climb a narrow, animal-beaten path up the mountain.

The Water Clone Jutsu is one of the least chakra-intensive physical clone techniques, making it an excellent choice for reconnaissance. It may not be as versatile as Shadow Clones in transmitting information, but it’s still useful for probing for danger. If a threat is detected, they can then use a Shadow Clone to gather more specific intel.

Additionally, with his Hydrification Jutsu, it would take more than a typical attack to harm him.

Seeing Mangetsu take on the dangerous role of scout, Itachi decided not to contest it. His red Sharingan eyes faded back to black, saving chakra for later.

He moved to the back, preparing to bring up the rear as the team proceeded. Mangetsu led the way, followed by Kakashi, with Chisao Uchiha and Ameyuri Ringo in the center, and Kimimaro Kaguya and Itachi Uchiha covering the rear.

And so, the group ventured into the remote, mist-covered Mount Sumiru.

The fog gradually thickened.

“... Hah... hah... The temperature is dropping fast!”

After only ten minutes of climbing, Kakashi felt the impact of the cold, as did everyone else. With the fog intensifying around them, the heat drained from their bodies at an accelerated rate.

Of course, this wasn’t enough to make things difficult for them just yet.

However, if the conditions worsened as they continued deeper, it would become a serious problem.

Rubbing his hands together, Kakashi looked around cautiously.

Since they were wary of traps, they hadn't moved at full speed, but with their skills, they'd made it deep into the heart of Mount Sumiru. Any semblance of a path was long gone, and now they were weaving through a stone forest of jagged rocks that jutted up like wolf’s teeth.

A faint, chilly mist obscured their vision—not so thick they couldn’t see their hands in front of their faces, but just enough that they could only make out details within five or six meters.

At that moment:

Bang!

A loud crash echoed from up ahead, like something heavy and solid slamming into the ground.

“Careful, my water clones just got taken out,” Suigetsu said, stopping in his tracks and staring intently into the misty space in front of them. Just as he finished speaking, four steel-gray crossbows shot out of the fog, speeding toward them.

“Crossbows?”

Kakashi’s head snapped up at the strange noise. He lifted his forehead protector to reveal a crimson Sharingan, spotting the crossbows’ trajectory instantly. He could easily dodge them if he wanted to.

But…

Behind him were Uchiha Mae and Ringo Ameyuri. If he dodged, they’d face something even more dangerous from behind. These two were relentless combat fanatics, and they never held back, making their moves as extreme as possible.

After a brief pause of thought, Kakashi chose to deflect the two crossbows headed his way with a swift swing of his kunai.

As for the other two crossbows, Suigetsu simply batted them away with a swipe of his dual swords.

“So heavy!” Kakashi exclaimed, surprised.

The force of the crossbows was strong enough to leave his arms tingling slightly.

“What… what are these things? Dogs?” His attention shifted to a creature emerging from the mist—a monstrous hound, clad in bone armor with crossbows mounted on its shoulders.

“Seems like it,” Suigetsu replied, looking uncertain as he took in the creatures in front of him.

“Yeah, probably dogs, but clearly modified. Looks like we found the right place,” Uchiha Itachi said from the back of the group. The monster hounds had formed a circle around them and used the mist as cover, surrounding them without anyone realizing.

“Modified creatures? I didn’t expect they’d have this kind of technology… Homma and his group are up to something big.”

Kakashi quickly realized how dangerous these things were.

The crossbow attack just now hadn’t been an issue for him, but for regular Chunin, these creatures could pose a serious threat. If the number of these monster hounds grew beyond control, it’d be a nightmare.

“Kakashi, can we attack now?”

Not everyone thought as much as Kakashi. Uchiha Chiyo, for example, never bothered with such things. No matter the trouble, her solution was always to slash at it. If one slash wasn’t enough, she’d make more.

“Go ahead!”

Kakashi hesitated, then realized now wasn’t the time to overthink. Taking down these monster hounds was the top priority; everything else could wait.

Uchiha Style: Tempest of Heaven

Uchiha Chiyo, having held back for a while, unleashed six lightning-fast slashes.

Enhanced by her Kusanagi blade, named Vacuum Blade, her sharp strikes instantly shredded six monster hounds. The bone armor, which seemed sturdy, offered little resistance—splitting apart like decaying wood. Even the stone pillars behind the hounds bore deep slash marks.

Either driven by the scent of blood or controlled by someone in the background, the monster hounds, which had merely surrounded them, suddenly began to roar, unleashing a rain of crossbow bolts from every direction.

The battle had begun.

“Good thing we didn’t bring everyone up here.”

Kakashi, having used the Body Replacement Jutsu to dodge, wiped a bead of sweat from his brow as he watched his stand-in log get torn apart by crossbow bolts. If he’d brought the two ANBU squads, things would have been a lot more complicated.

The ANBU wasn’t just an assassination unit anymore. Under the Third Hokage, the ANBU had become a vast force with a wide array of talents—some very useful for situations like this, especially those skilled in tracking.

Lightning Style: Giant Serpent Star

Ringo Ameyuri swung her Thunder Swords, releasing a powerful surge of lightning that obliterated any hound in her path. The destruction was so intense it even made Kakashi, also skilled in lightning-style techniques, pause. Ameyuri’s approach to lightning techniques differed from his; he focused on efficiency, while she clearly aimed for maximum destructive force.

“Has she gotten stronger?” Suigetsu mused, slicing through a hound’s head with his dual swords as he watched the flashing lightning. It seemed Ameyuri had become even stronger in just the three months they’d been apart.

That destructive force… he couldn’t help but envy it.

His clan’s Hydrification Jutsu was strong in survivability but lacked sheer power, unless one could master the techniques left by the Second Mizukage. However, as much as he was revered as a prodigy with the swords, he seemed less favored by his ancestors; he’d yet to master those techniques.

The thought always left him a bit frustrated.

“Hey, Suigetsu, focus!” Kakashi called out.

“Right, sorry. Got a bit distracted.”

Suigetsu shook off his thoughts and continued clearing the hounds. The Blood Mist Swordsmanship from the Village Hidden in the Mist was on full display, mowing down the hounds like weeds.

And he wasn’t the only one taking down foes. Apart from Kakashi, who was holding back, everyone else was focused on wiping out the hounds. Uchiha Chiyo and Ringo Ameyuri, the two battle enthusiasts, viewed combat as pure enjoyment.

Then there were Uchiha Itachi and Kimimaro.

Itachi combined the Uchiha throwing technique with fire-style jutsu, efficiently dispatching hounds, though he was still a bit slower than Kimimaro.

The Kaguya clan, famed in the Warring States period for awakening the Shikotsumyaku, were known as living weapons of slaughter.

Now, the title of “weapon of slaughter” was clearly earned.

Kimimaro had removed his shirt, revealing sharp, pale bones protruding from his body like a spiked white hedgehog, a killing machine leaving a trail of mangled hounds behind him, all without a scratch on himself.

The battle had erupted suddenly and ended just as abruptly.

“That’s the last one.”

Kakashi, who’d mostly held back, dispatched the final hound.

The stone forest was littered with the bodies of monster hounds, and the red blood stained the ground while the chilly mist still hung, absorbing the warmth from the living and the dead alike.

“All done?” Suigetsu crouched on a stone pillar, cautiously scanning the area, though his vision was limited by the mist.

“Yeah, looks like we got them all,” Itachi confirmed.

Though the Sharingan didn’t enhance distance vision, it could pierce through the mist somewhat. After checking around, he found no more live hounds, but—

“Kakashi, Suigetsu, I think we should head north!” Itachi suggested.

“North?” Suigetsu asked, confused.

“These creatures likely came from the north. There are a lot of footprints in the moss over there.”

*Chapter 299: Tsunade Finds Money!!!*

Under the green moss on the northern stone pillar, there were indeed many footprints. The footprints, based on their direction, clearly indicated that those strange dogs were no natural creatures of the ninja world. They had come from the north. After a short rest, the group continued moving forward, following the remaining footprints and other subtle signs that pointed the way.

The dense fog remained a persistent annoyance.

However—

After following those faint traces for some distance, the surroundings gradually changed. The ground underfoot became smooth and orderly, and the rows of cedar trees around them appeared unnaturally arranged, almost as if someone had planted them that way on purpose. They stopped in their tracks when they saw a massive, intricately carved stone gate blocking their path, with a grand stone palace standing proudly behind it.

“...Hey, who would build a palace in this creepy place?” Kakashi muttered to himself as he gazed up at the massive gate engraved with celestial patterns.

“Probably someone... or some people who wouldn’t want to be seen,” murmured Suigetsu, scanning the surroundings.

“By the way, this place is technically part of the Land of Fire, right? Doesn’t the border patrol come through here?”

“Well…” Kakashi replied, drawing out his tone with a sigh. “Across the mountain, there’s the Land of Iron.”

It wasn’t that the Leaf Village ninja lacked vigilance; it was just that the Land of Iron, being the only permanent neutral nation in the ninja world, had kept a strict adherence to past agreements with the shinobi. During the Second Great Ninja War, they only fought the Rain Village because of provocation, even then only defending themselves when Rain declared war.

Thanks to the honorable conduct of the Land of Iron’s samurai, when Leaf Village troops were spread thin during the Third Great Ninja War, they had to reduce their patrol range. The border regions, like Sumiru Mountain adjacent to the Land of Iron, were completely abandoned. Later, it proved beneficial, as the Land of Iron maintained its neutral stance, refusing requests from Stone and Cloud Village to pass through and strike deep into the Land of Fire.

Both times, the Land of Iron had stood firm, threatening anyone who dared cross its borders with all-out resistance.

Since the end of the Third Great Ninja War, the Border Guard has continued to focus on high-priority areas, leaving remote places like Sumiru Mountain unpatrolled. So, no one had discovered that a magnificent palace had been built here.

“A permanent neutral nation, huh?” Suigetsu shrugged.

Living on the coast, the Mist Village had rarely intervened on the mainland since the era of the Second Mizukage, mainly skirmishing with the Leaf, Sand, or Cloud Villages. Their knowledge of the Land of Iron came mostly from reports.

Kakashi added, “Right, the Land of Iron stays neutral, so there’s barely any guard presence in the Sumiru area, making it easy to exploit. If only…” He trailed off, realizing that having known this wouldn’t have made a difference.

The Land of Fire has seen too much conflict.

There are never enough Leaf ninjas. The Border Guard always lacks personnel, and even now, they’re stretched thin.

“Yeah, well, once we’re back, I’ll file a report about it. There are probably other spots like Sumiru Mountain, neglected and hiding who knows what,” Kakashi thought, realizing this situation likely wasn’t unique to Sumiru. Who knew what other hidden threats lay in forgotten places?

“Let’s worry about that after we get back. Kakashi, we’ve got company!”

“Again?”

Kakashi flexed his fingers, and his kunai spun like a butterfly as he glanced upward. Odd-looking giant birds had broken through the clouds, entering their view. “Are those… birds?”

“If they’re flying, what else could they be? Wait—something’s falling from them!”

Right as the words left his mouth, feathers rained down like a storm.

Luckily, with their skills, dodging the barrage of feathers wasn’t a problem.

“Hold on.”

Itachi’s Sharingan flashed red as he saw traces of chakra embedded within the feathers—patterns that were strikingly familiar, similar to the explosive tags his clan created and sold. These weren’t feathers; they were bombs.

“Watch out! These feathers are explosive!”

As he spoke, Chisao had already grabbed Yugao and moved her aside. Being an Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan herself, her perceptive abilities weren’t far behind Itachi’s, the clan’s rising star, so she, too, had sensed something off with the feathers.

But with Itachi there, there was no need for her to say anything.

True to form, Itachi warned them as soon as he noticed the threat. Although Kakashi also had a Sharingan, it wasn’t an original, so he was a step behind Itachi and Chisao. Still, his movements were just as quick as he dodged the incoming feathers.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Explosions reverberated through the mountain, and the intense flames dispersed the surrounding cold mist. The cleared view revealed more clearly the thirty or forty strange birds circling overhead.

“Birds that drop bombs?”

Suigetsu squinted at the birds in the sky, feeling a headache coming on.

Flying creatures… what a hassle! None of them were particularly skilled at aerial combat. In fact, ninja capable of aerial battles were extremely rare, and even within the Leaf Village, there weren’t many who could fly.

Although there existed the technique Super Beast Scroll, which could theoretically be taught to anyone, it required a combination of the yang chakra nature and a decent level of artistic skill. While the Uchiha clan’s prodigies could use the Sharingan to copy artistic techniques, the nature of yang chakra eliminated 99.9% of them as potential users.

Even Madara himself had needed the support of the shark-skin sword Samehada to enhance his yang chakra mastery before he could learn Super Beast Scroll.

In any case, these strange birds were indeed a troublesome foe for Kakashi and the others.

And, unfortunately, their troubles didn’t end there.

Swoosh!

With a flash of speed, Kimimaro’s bone sword struck out, piercing a strange, blue-scaled snake that had been slithering down the nearby rock wall.

“There are snakes!”

He shouted, alerting the rest of the group.

However...

When he was about to discard the pierced, monstrous blue-scaled snake, it suddenly split along the wound, dividing into two, and lunged at Kimimaro again.

"Splitting? Regenerating?"

Kimimaro raised his eyebrows slightly.

With a flick of his bone blade, he sliced through the two snakes with lightning speed, cutting them into segments. The pieces on the ground, however, did not die. They continued writhing, pulling back together and reassembling into four blue-scaled snakes, then launched a third assault on Kimimaro.

What on earth is this creature?

Kimimaro frowned.

Someone else might have been terrified by the relentless regeneration of these blue-scaled monsters, but for Kimimaro... He used to show a range of expressions when he was younger; he looked amusingly annoyed when angry. However, whether it was in his nature or an influence from Uchiha Itachi, as he grew, he became increasingly composed.

Now, he’d become an expressionless person, seemingly immune to fear, with a face as cold as the perpetually frozen northern peaks of the Land of Snow.

These endlessly regenerating blue-scaled snakes didn’t faze him.

"Itachi, switch up. These creatures aren’t affected much by taijutsu." Kimimaro stepped back with calm precision, switching places with Uchiha Itachi. These creatures weren’t attacking from all sides but coming from one direction.

On the other side, Uchiha Itachi was dealing with a batch of monster dogs equipped with crossbows on their shoulders, which he had already thinned out.

When it came to handling these monster dogs, Kimimaro was even more efficient than Uchiha Itachi.

As Itachi and Kimimaro cooperated seamlessly to clear out the creatures, Ringo Ameyuri and Uchiha Chizuru took on the airborne monsters. Suigetsu Hozuki overlooked one fact: while none of them could fly, it didn’t mean they lacked effective countermeasures.

Uchiha Chizuru unleashed wind blades that tore through the air, splitting the monstrous birds mid-flight with her deadly sword and wind combination technique. Suigetsu couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

However, what surprised him the most was Ameyuri.

“Damn… Ameyuri, your lightning technique has really advanced, huh?” Suigetsu remarked, watching the vast, ominous cloud layer above roll with flashes of lightning. The deafening thunder made his ears ring.

This was quite the impressive sight!

“Ameyuri’s strong,” Chizuru commented curtly, glancing at Suigetsu.

“I know! Ameyuri’s a genius; it’s just…we haven’t worked together in a while. I didn’t expect her to improve this much,” Suigetsu sighed. Though they were both from Kirigakure, he rarely needed to act as Deputy Chief in the Intelligence Division.

More often than not, it was Chizuru and Ameyuri teaming up, and they could handle most problems on their own.

And it looked like that was the case here too.

With Ameyuri going all out, the monster birds fell like rain under the relentless strikes of lightning. Even the ground-based monster dogs and snakes couldn’t escape the devastating bolts.

---

Miroko Mountain, secret lab in the palace depths.

“Oh? Discovered the third beast pen?” Inside a tank resembling a bed, a child of about seven or eight lay submerged in thick, green liquid, with only his nose and eyes exposed.

“They’re moving faster than I expected. But…it’s already too late.”

“Konoha, just wait! Soon, I’ll be back!”

His delighted laughter echoed through the lab. Having successfully taken four bloodline limits with the Gimyaku technique, his mood was beyond elated. The strange, white creature Homma had brought with the Wood Release bloodline brought him tremendous delight. He not only gained the Wood Release but also a “vessel” beyond his initial expectations.

Lying in the tank, Hiruko felt his life force steadily replenishing, filling with nutrients.

Fortunately, he had used an abundant configuration for the nutrient solution.

Otherwise, his initial calculations would have left him starving in this new body, but now he was content. Even the likely destruction of the third beast pen on Sumiru Mountain couldn’t sour his mood.

"Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru! Soon! I’ll catch up to you, and then…surpass you all!"

---

On Hundred Flowers Street, in the casino called Nishidoin,

A young, attractive dealer gracefully escorted the high-rolling “Big Spender” out of the casino. Though she was gorgeous and enviable, she was somewhat unhappy, watching the guest who lived up to her name as a “Big Spender” leave after losing so much money — an excellent commission for the dealer!

Tsunade walked out of the casino in low spirits.

Beside her, Shizune held her pet pig Tonton, looking tearful.

They’d lost again — completely cleaned out.

Not a penny left.

In fact, they owed a significant debt to the de facto ruler of Hundred Flowers Street, the lord of the nearby areas — the head of the Jabami family. Tsunade had sought out a loan after losing all her cash the previous day, and the rather eerie head of the Jabami family had lent her the money without hesitation.

Shizune wasn’t surprised by this.

After all, Tsunade was the granddaughter of the First Hokage and the last of the Senju clan.

Not to mention, as the most skilled medical ninja in the world, the noble families of the Fire Country were more than willing to lend her money — the more, the better, ideally without repayment.

Shizune was only worried because they had no money left and would likely have to sleep outdoors tonight.

After all, Tsunade never asked the same person for a loan twice in the same place.

Just as Shizune was despairing—

“What’s this?”

Tsunade bent down to pick up a coin from the roadside.

“Huh?!”

Shizune was stunned. “Tsunade-sama actually picked up money? No way!” Could this really be happening? This had to be a joke, right?

But,

Strangely, even though she’d found money, Tsunade didn’t look happy.

Holding the coin, a slight frown crossed her face, and a hint of dread stirred within her.

Then—

“A monster!!!”

Screams erupted down the street.

Chaos spread through Hundred Flowers Street like a domino effect. Standing in the street, Tsunade and Shizune watched as a pale, armored, winged creature with a horn, four legs, and two tails approached the street.

“It’s a monster! Tsunade-sama, let’s run! It’s really a monster!”

Shizune screamed in terror.

But—

Tsunade didn’t move, her brow furrowing deeply as a strange sense of familiarity stirred within her upon seeing the creature.

*Chapter 300: Doctor and Patient*

A monster that felt oddly familiar?

Tsunade didn’t pay the crazed creature any mind. She stood motionless at the entrance of the casino, flipping through her memories, searching the depths of her mind for the faint sense of familiarity. Then—

The dusty images buried deep in her memories were brushed clean, resurfacing vividly.

A hidden underground lab, heaps of documents on a cluttered desk, hideous creatures caged like experiments, and... the familiar figures of Jiraiya and Orochimaru standing beside her.

"Ugh, it brings back unpleasant memories," Tsunade muttered, cracking her knuckles with the sharp sound of popping joints.

The monster before her... she had indeed seen it before. But it wasn’t a living creature back then—she’d only seen its design on a blueprint. Long ago, when the Sannin were still together, the Third Hokage had tasked them with capturing a former friend who’d resorted to forbidden jutsu for power. Though that friend wasn’t their equal in strength, his sense of danger was incredibly sharp.

Their mission failed, and all they found were remnants of research and failed experimental creatures. Tsunade had seen a sketch almost identical to this creature in those records; this couldn’t be a mere coincidence.

“Burial Hoo! Thought you’d died ages ago,” Tsunade sighed, gathering her chakra into her feet. In a flash, she launched herself like a cannonball toward the incoming creature. As it opened its mouth to bite her, Tsunade’s fist struck its skull with full force.

*BAM! CRACK!*

The sounds of impact and cracking bone mingled, impossible to tell which came first.

Even after years away from the battlefield, Tsunade’s skills hadn’t dulled. As a medical ninja, she’d kept herself in peak condition; her monstrous strength that once terrorized the Sand, Cloud, Stone, and Mist villages hadn’t waned. With a single punch, she shattered the monster’s skull, the fragments embedding into its brain, snuffing out its life.

The corpse dropped heavily onto the cobblestone street, leaving a crater upon impact.

“Lady Tsunade, are you all right?” Shizune hurried to her side, concerned.

“What could happen? Shizune, clean this mess up and find someone from the Hoozuki family to handle it... wait.” Tsunade’s voice trailed off as she sensed several intense killing intents rapidly approaching.

This kind of bloodlust? Connected to Burial Hoo?

Tsunade leapt onto a nearby rooftop to meet the incoming threat. She normally wouldn’t get involved in such matters, but this wasn’t a typical situation.

She wasn’t well acquainted with Burial Hoo, though Jiraiya and Orochimaru were. Yet, having recalled him, she couldn’t just walk away.

To her surprise, she didn’t find the faded figure from her memories but instead encountered a white-haired Mist ninja, a young Uchiha, and another boy with white hair—all familiar faces.

“Lady Tsunade?” Uchiha Itachi paused and bowed respectfully.

“Lady Tsunade, good day!” Kimimaro greeted politely as well.

“Itachi? Kimimaro? And a Hoozuki kid?” Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the three.

“Lady Tsunade, you’re here!” Suigetsu scratched his head, clearly uneasy. It wasn’t the Sannin title that unnerved him; rather, he was face-to-face with the doctor who’d saved his life. He couldn’t help but feel tense. Without her, he’d likely be nothing but bones buried six feet under.

It wasn’t just him. Itachi and Kimimaro, Tsunade’s former patients, were also present, each greeting her respectfully despite Kimimaro’s normally reserved demeanor.

“What are you three doing together?” Tsunade sighed inwardly.

What was this, the “Terminal Trio”?

Four years ago, at the request of the Nara family, Tsunade returned to treat Akimichi Torifu. On the way, she encountered Itachi and Kimimaro. Noticing Itachi’s rare, complex illness, which could easily become fatal if left untreated, she’d taken an interest and studied it while treating Torifu.

However, before she could cure Itachi, Kimimaro fell ill with the Kaguya clan’s inherited disease, something she’d only read about in ancient texts.

To complicate matters further, Itachi and Kimimaro were members of the Konoha-Mist Defection Task Force. One day, a delegation arrived to visit them, led by Hoozuki Suigetsu. Upon examination, she found yet another hidden illness.

So, the three ended up under her care. Without her, none of them would have survived past twenty.

“Uh, Lady Tsunade, we’re here chasing that monster,” Suigetsu admitted.

“You’re chasing that creature?” Tsunade blinked, eyeing the former patients before her. “What’s going on? Explain.”

“Uh…”

Suigetsu hesitated. This mission, ordered as an S-rank classified operation, was strictly confidential. Even for comrades, details weren’t to be shared unless absolutely necessary. But standing before him was Tsunade—this couldn’t be judged by ordinary rules, could it?

Beside him, Itachi and Kimimaro remained silent, knowing that with Suigetsu present, they wouldn’t have to explain. Not speaking would save them the trouble.

“Still keeping secrets?” Tsunade guessed instantly, familiar with Konoha’s protocols. Though the rules might have evolved over time, they weren’t abolished entirely.

“Honestly, I’ve encountered this monster before, so… spill it.”

“Right!” Suigetsu instantly complied.

Since Tsunade clearly knew more, confidentiality no longer applied. Besides, there was no chance Tsunade would lie about something like this. And even if she did, what could they do? Not even the captain would reprimand him over this!

Within two minutes, Suigetsu spilled everything.

Just earlier, in the Sumiryu Mountains, as Ringo Ameyuri unleashed a lightning attack on the creatures, the monsters merged into a single giant beast. Of the three resulting creatures, Ringo’s lightning took down one, and Uchiha Chisato’s wind blades destroyed another. The third fled toward Hananou Street. Suigetsu, Itachi, and Kimimaro pursued it here, only to find Tsunade had already taken it down.

“Twelve Guardian Ninja… Homa?”

Tsunade furrowed her brow.

She’d thought this connected to Burial Hoo, but Suigetsu’s account didn’t mention him at all. Instead, they spoke of Homa, a figure she’d never heard of, who had apparently assaulted the Mist, Cloud, and Stone villages, abducting those with Kekkei Genkai… how bold!

But...

It all seemed unrelated to Burial Hoo.

Had she not seen this unnaturally formed creature, she might have dismissed her suspicions. But her instincts warned her otherwise.

“This doesn’t add up. Homa… there’s something off here,” she muttered, piecing together the clues. So many possibilities arose, but none led to a solid conclusion.

“Lady Tsunade, have you encountered Homa before?” Suigetsu ventured cautiously..

“Before you mentioned him, I’d never heard the name Kazuuma. I know about the Twelve Guardian Ninja, but Kazuuma… that’s a first for me.” Tsunade glanced at Mangetsu Hozuki with a serious expression and said, “However, I have seen that kind of creature elsewhere—I’m not lying about that. As far as I know, those creatures shouldn’t have anything to do with this Kazuuma… Anyway, based on what you just said, you’re heading back to the mountains to investigate, right?”

“Yes, Kakashi and the others are still waiting for us in the mountains.”

“Alright, I’m going with you.”

“Huh? Um…”

“Is there a problem?”

“…Fine!”

Mangetsu Hozuki agreed readily.

After all, from Tsunade’s tone, it seemed like she might indeed be connected to their mission somehow. Plus… if Tsunade insisted on joining them, he couldn’t exactly refuse, could he? It’s not like he could just knock her out—and besides, he probably couldn’t even if he tried. Even if he could, if he did lay a hand on her, he’d have endless troubles waiting for him afterward.

So, from the moment she spoke up, he had no real choice but to accept.

“You guys go pack up—the body is an important piece of evidence,” Tsunade said, seizing command without hesitation.

“Itachi, Kimimaro, move quickly.”

Deputy Captain Hozuki followed her lead, exercising his authority.

The two young men had no choice but to follow orders and prepare the massive body… but with something that big, it didn’t seem possible to fit it all into a single sealing scroll without dismembering it a bit. After all, the space inside a sealing scroll is limited.

The creature’s arrival and defeat happened so suddenly.

The townspeople fleeing hadn’t even gotten the news yet and were still frantically escaping along Baikou Street. As for those who had stayed behind, or hadn’t managed to run in time, they began cheering when they saw the creature was down, though no one dared approach its body.

Besides,

Shizune was still guarding the creature’s corpse.

Tsunade had sensed the killing intent and rushed off, but Shizune stayed behind to guard the body, preventing anyone from approaching. As a skilled medical ninja, she could see at a glance that the creature’s body had all sorts of twisted signs—this was definitely not a normal life form.

Who knew if the corpse might carry some unknown danger.

Until—

Itachi Uchiha and Kimimaro arrived.

Shizune recognized both of them.

With Tsunade’s phobia of blood, she hadn’t been able to perform surgeries for some time, so Shizune handled all the bloodier treatments. When it came to treating Mangetsu Hozuki, Itachi Uchiha, and Kimimaro back then, Shizune had performed all of their surgeries.

“Itachi, Kimimaro, you two?”

“Lady Tsunade sent us to deal with this,” Itachi explained briefly, cutting off any questions Shizune might have had.

Then, cradling her pink pet pig, Shizune quickly found Tsunade. “Lady Tsunade, this is…”

“Shizune, hurry up and get ready—we’re going into the mountains.”

“What? What?!”

Shizune was stunned.

What did she mean by ‘going into the mountains’?

“Hurry, I’ll explain on the way. Just get ready quickly.”

(End of Chapter)