Departure

"Haha, it's alright. The main battlefields against the Sand Ninja are in parts of the northern borders of the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers. This time, I'm going to the southern border of the Land of Rivers to fill the gaps in the patrol teams there..." At this point, Tenzan paused, revealing a smug smile, before continuing, "In other words, we basically won't be engaging in direct combat with the enemy."

Indeed, compared to the Land of Rain's frontline troops with their high mortality rates, the battle lines near the Land of Rivers were much more peaceful. The Sand Village's offensive focus was not there; at most, small groups of spies would move around, resulting in small-scale skirmishes.

Tenzan's smugness is understandable; choosing a safer mission over fighting on the front lines in the Land of Rain is only natural.

"But... in that case, it's hard to gain any battle merits. If you follow the proper path, it will take a long time to become Chunin. Well... of course, it's also possible to Genin for life, and that happens quite often."

With a cold smile in her eyes, Katsuki naturally straightened her back and reached out to smooth out the fine wrinkles on her vest.

Show off!

Naked boasting!

The method was simple and crude, but the results were excellent!

The lazy kimono-clad boy's face turned pale; judging from Katsuki's expression, it was truly indescribable...

"I... I'm so awful!"

His teeth were grinding together, his eyes were twitching uncontrollably, and Tenzan felt as if something inside him had shattered.

"Katsuki, what are you so smug about? Shut up! It's just getting promoted Chunin, how hard can it be?"

A sudden kick came from behind, deceiving him completely. He stumbled forward, but fortunately, he had mastered control of his body and managed to regain his balance by manipulating the muscles in his waist and legs.

Turning back to look at the fuming Kushina, Katsuki's eyes twitched. The area covered by the firepower was too large; if she hadn't been careful, she might have accidentally triggered the ammunition depot next to her, causing it to explode!

Tenzan left quickly, and judging from his expression as he left, it was highly likely that he wouldn't be able to go to the Land of Rivers; they would probably meet in the Land of Rain instead.

"Hey, what nonsense are you talking about? What if Tenzan really goes to the Land of Rain?"

Kushina glared at Katsuki.

"Eh? Fine, I'll go. A ninja shouldn't be out on the battlefield, right?" Katsuki shrugged, looking completely innocent.

"You······"

Kushina was speechless, her eyebrows drooping, and her hands shot out like lightning. Swift, steady, accurate, and ruthless, she used all four essential techniques to grab Katsuki's ear and start twisting it.

"Sister, I was wrong, I was wrong, I know I was wrong! Please have mercy, please have mercy!!!"

······

Rubbing her reddened ears, Katsuki followed behind Kushina and asked, "Sis, how did you do that kick? I didn't even notice you kicked me like that."

"Hmph, want to know?"

When asked what she was proud of, Kushina tossed her head back, her delicate nose twitching, and immediately forgot about what had just happened. She glanced at Katsuki with a smug look.

"Hey, don't think you're the only one cultivating at home Tenten. I haven't been idle either. My Mind's Eye of the Kagura has improved again. Not only can I sense things, but now I can also hide my own aura in reverse. It's a very useful skill. How about it, are you envious?"

Kushina's explanation was simple, but Katsuki was astonished.

Mind's Eye of the Kagura is Secret Technique unique to the Uzumaki Clan. Katsuki knows firsthand how difficult it is to master. Even with the help of the Hito Hito no Mi, he has only mastered the power of Mind's Eye of the Kagura to perceive things. Conversely, he has no clue how to hide his own aura.

"Yeah, I'm envious."

Katsuki honestly expressed her feelings.

"Since you're envious, go back and cultivate diligently."

The siblings laughed and joked as they headed home.

"Time to go!"

"Um!"

"I didn't expect everyone to be here so early."

The cemetery is where Konoha buried the ninjas who died fighting for the village. Everyone who sleeps here risked their lives for the village, giving their all. After their sacrifice, they were buried here so that future generations could come and pay their respects.

Ninomiya Hao's grave is also located in a corner of the park, occupying a small area.

The stone tombstone was polished smooth as a mirror, and engraved with Ninomiya Hao's name. Below the name was Konoha's mark. Bouquets of flowers, white chrysanthemums, yellow chrysanthemums, and white lilies were placed in front of the tombstone.

"If you don't come early, you'll be late for the assembly and will be punished."

Minato clapped his hands, bowed, and started talking to Kushina.

Kushina and Katsuki, Otoha and Otome, Minato and Tenzan, the six of them rushed over early in the morning, just before the meeting time. The sky was still dark and the dew on the grass was heavy. Loud insect chirping could be heard in the cemetery.

Tenzan ultimately didn't go to the Land of Rivers. Instead, he used the power of the Hyuga Clan and, like Katsuki and the others, went to the Land of Rain. Given his willingness to give up a safer mission and choose a more dangerous one instead, his application was quickly approved.

"Minato, do you know who our new mentor is?"

Kushina opened her mouth and asked.

"It's not clear yet. The order only said that our new instructor is on the front lines in the Land of Rain, and someone will come to pick us up when we arrive... You should have received the order too, right?" Minato stepped down from the tombstone and stood next to Kushina, looking at her with a questioning gaze.

"I was wondering if you knew anything behind the scenes or anything," Kushina replied casually.

"Uh... I think your information network is probably better than mine!"

Minato shook his head with a wry smile.

"Alright, we've prayed enough, let's hurry up and go, it's almost time, or we'll miss our chance." Katsuki looked at the eastern sky, where a beautiful orange-red hue had quietly taken over a corner of the sky and was continuing to expand.

"Let's go, let's go!"

Otoha stretched and walked out first.

The six people split into three groups: Minato, Otoha, and Kushina were together; Katsuki and Otome Tenzan alone. After leaving the cemetery, they headed towards their respective destinations without saying another word. They had already said everything that needed to be said before.

The people who came to pay their respects to Ninomiya Hao today did so spontaneously, and it was a coincidence that we gathered together.

"You're going to the battlefield, are you nervous, Otome?" Katsuki turned her head to look at the girl.

"... Why should I be nervous? It's just killing people, right? As long as I'm careful not to get hacked to pieces, that's fine, isn't it?"

Although there were three questions in one sentence, Otome's tone remained completely flat, leaving Katsuki speechless.

"Well, that's true. We're just going to kill people, that's all, that's all..."