Leaving, Parting Ways

Departure, Parting Ways (Updated 5/5)

Shunren used Qing to transmit false information to the Mist Ninja, focusing their attention on searching the southern border of the Land of Water. Since the Land of Wind could be reached by sea to the south, the Mist Ninja did not suspect anything.

In reality, Shunren and Pakura's escape route was to the northern part of the Land of Water.

Nothing unexpected happened after that; they easily bypassed the scattered regular patrols of the Mist Ninja and arrived at a seaport in the northern part of the Land of Water.

Looking out at the boundless sea, once they reached the ocean, they were truly free to roam as the sky, and the Mist Ninja would never be able to catch them again.

However, after barely escaping death, Pakura's face did not show joy. Instead, his orange eyes revealed sadness and confusion.

Yes, after escaping the Land of Water, where will she go?

"Shunren, where do you plan to go after this?"

"First, go to the border of the Land of Lightning, then proceed along the Land of Hot Water into the Land of Fire."

Pakura's eyes flickered slightly, then he said, "Shunren, are you still going back to Konoha?"

"Of course," Shunren said calmly, his face expressionless. "My spoils haven't been obtained yet!"

By now, Shunren naturally understood that this mission was a double-edged sword plan by the Konoha High Command: to disrupt the alliance between Sand Ninja and Mist Ninja, and at the same time, to use Mist Ninja to eliminate him. As for the "White Fang Blade Technique," it was merely bait thrown out by the other side.

Shunren hadn't fully considered this point either. Come to think of it, why would the Konoha High Command, who had always regarded him as a thorn in their side, actually teach him a profound martial art like the "White Fang Blade Technique"? It's just that Shunren knew there was a trap involved, but he still couldn't resist the temptation.

In his view, as long as he could successfully complete the mission and return to Konoha, the Konoha High Command would be unable to renege on their promise, and they would not be able to directly take action against Shunren on the surface. After all, the entire Uchiha Clan was behind Shunren, and unless Konoha intended to break ties with the Uchiha Clan, Konoha would obviously not seek trouble at this crucial stage of the war.

Pakura stared blankly at him and said softly, "Shunren... Sometimes, I even wonder if you're some old man who used forbidden magic to turn into a child."

After observing him for some time, Pakura realized that this ten-year-old boy, in both his way of thinking and his manner of doing things, exuded an astonishing maturity and composure. During their escape from the Land of Water, Pakura even unknowingly began to rely on Shunren and obeyed his plans without question.

However, as it turned out, most of Shunren's plan was correct, which was the key to their escape.

"Pakura, what about you? What are your plans for the future?" The two of them had been through life-and-death battles and had also faced desperate situations together, which had created a strange bond between them. At the same time, without realizing it, they had also begun to call each other by their first names.

"I don't know either..." Pakura shook her head. In short, after this incident, she couldn't return to the Sand Ninja. "I think I'll probably travel around a bit."

In this era of war, all sorts of Gyuki emerge everywhere, making solo travel an unwise choice. However, given Pakura's strength, she fears nothing. Even if she encounters an army, if she can't defeat them, won't she just run away?

"Is that so... Then I wish you a safe journey." Shunren said with a smile.

"Hey!" Pakura's gloomy expression vanished, and he said calmly, "If outsiders heard you, a Konoha Ninja, giving me your blessing, they'd laugh their heads off!"

"Pretty much, this art style is not bad either." Shunren extended his palm to him.

Pakura reached out and shook his hand without hesitation.

Their palms were pressed tightly together.

No need for further explanation; everything is understood without words.

Thus, Shunren and Pakura parted ways.

The Land of Hot Water is located on the border between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire, serving as a buffer zone between the major powers. In the past, there was a Yugakure Village here, but decades ago, with the end of the war, the Yugakure gradually disappeared. Now, with the war reignited and under the watchful eyes of the major powers, Hot Water Ninja cannot be rebuilt. As a replacement ninja organization, the Cloud Ninja and Konoha have taken over this role.

Although the Land of Hot Water is a small country ruled by a large one, it is itself a nation rich in natural resources. It is famous for its many hot springs and is a recognized tourist destination in the Shinobi World. Even the daimyo of the Five Great Nations often come here for vacation. Perhaps it is because of this that Konoha and Cloud Ninja dare not set up the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water.

Therefore, despite the chaos of war in the Shinobi World and the fact that the Land of Hot Water was located at the border of major powers, it miraculously escaped the ravages of war, remaining a paradise on earth.

"Splash~"

Immersed in the warm spring water, Shunren felt all the fatigue from the past few days of fleeing for his life vanish.

Shunren clenched his hand, which had become even stronger, a gleam of joy flashing in his eyes. He muttered to himself, "It seems this life-or-death battle in the Mist Ninja wasn't entirely without its rewards."

At this moment, he could clearly feel that the Chakra stored in his meridians had increased significantly in both quality and quantity. At this rate, it would probably be long before he was a match for anyone below the Quasi-Kage!

In this way, they were not far from achieving Shunren's fundamental goal.

Shunren's first goal is to reach the strength of Quasi-Kage. In his view, only by reaching this level will the higher-ups of Konoha take him seriously and be wary of him. In that case, Konoha will not dare to touch him casually.

Of course, that's not enough. Only when Shunren truly reaches the Kage Level of strength will he have the power to speak on equal Konoha High Command leadership. Finally, to truly disregard the orders of the ninja village, one needs to reach the Kage Level of Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade.

Thinking this through, Shunren adjusted his mindset, realizing that it was far from time to be complacent.

"Hmm!?" Noticing someone by the hot spring wall, Shunren couldn't help but wonder, "Which shameless person is spying on me in the hot spring this time?"

Is this plot development related to Jiraiya? But that doesn't make sense either; Jiraiya's spying skills are superb, he wouldn't use such a clumsy method.

Shunren subconsciously sank his body into the hot spring, and at the same time, he made a hole in the edge of the hot spring.

Unexpectedly, what came into view were two naked little girls...