Whirlpool Country (Third Update)

"The destination of this mission is Whirlpool Country. Recently, Mist Ninja have been extremely active around the Whirlpool Ruins, constantly searching for the secret techniques that were scattered throughout Whirlpool Country back then. So, this mission has two objectives."

Sarutobi Kazuhara cast an almost imperceptible glance at Uzumaki Gengetsu before continuing, "First, interfere with the Mist Ninja's operations. Second, beat them to it and find the things Whirlpool Country left behind!"

"Whirlpool Country..."

Kanzuki Chiba was somewhat confused. She had not even been born when Whirlpool Country was destroyed. Uchiha Shinsui explained, "Whirlpool Country was an ally of Konoha. Because they excelled at Sealing Technique, their country was destroyed during the Second Shinobi World War!"

Uchiha Shinsui turned to Uzumaki Gengetsu. "Gengetsu, you should be a survivor of Whirlpool Country, right?"

"Mm... But to be precise, I'm from the Uzumaki Clan!"

Gengetsu nodded with a smile.

"Ah?"

Kanzuki Chiba cried out, then asked, "Then do you know Sealing Technique, Gengetsu?"

Gengetsu put on airs and stroked his chin. "Well, I know a little. Just a little!"

Uchiha Shinsui secretly curled his lip, while Sarutobi Kazuhara was inwardly speechless. He cut in, "This time, we'll be facing Mist Ninja, so you must be careful. The Mist Ninja's training system is extremely brutal. Even Genin have already drawn blood before they officially carry out missions, so you must never underestimate any ninja!"

"Yes, Kazuhara-sensei!"

Gengetsu and the other two immediately turned serious.

"Of course, there's no need to worry too much. We aren't the only squad carrying out this mission!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara suddenly burst out laughing.

Gengetsu and the other two were all speechless. Was that supposed to be funny?

The night passed without incident. At daybreak, they continued onward and soon entered Whirlpool Country, forming a combat formation. Sarutobi Kazuhara took the lead. Uzumaki Gengetsu and Uchiha Shinsui were in the middle, one on each side, while Kanzuki Chiba brought up the rear.

Half an hour later, Sarutobi Kazuhara made a hand signal. Uzumaki Gengetsu and the other two immediately slowed down, then plunged into a clump of grass.

"This is the place..."

Sarutobi Kazuhara took out a map and checked it before pushing aside the grass to look out. Several hundred meters away lay a ruined residential area. It was clear that quite a few people had once lived there.

"Stay here and keep watch. I'll scout ahead first!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara spoke as he rose to dash out, but Uzumaki Gengetsu grabbed him. "Kazuhara-sensei, I think we can use my Hidden Mist Technique to sense the area!"

"Not a bad idea!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara's eyes lit up, and he immediately agreed. In the end, the team had not worked together long enough. Otherwise, with his experience as a Jonin, he should have had Uzumaki Gengetsu use the Hidden Mist Technique to scout from the start.

Although using the technique would alert the enemy, if there were enemies beneath the cover of the Hidden Mist Technique, they would still hold the advantage. It was safer and more manageable than sending someone deep in alone to scout.

Pressing his palms together, Gengetsu opened his mouth and exhaled. Thick mist rapidly spread outward, quickly enveloping the residential area several hundred meters away. After sensing carefully, Gengetsu said in a low voice, "It's safe for now!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara nodded. "Move!"

The four of them simultaneously used the Body Flicker Technique to enter the residential area. Rather than searching immediately, Gengetsu formed hand seals. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Gengetsu spun in place, blowing away the thick mist surrounding them. It spread farther while becoming thin enough to be overlooked unless one paid close attention.

What a thoughtful kid!

Sarutobi Kazuhara watched silently, unable to help sighing inwardly.

The four split up and began searching. After investigating three ruined buildings in succession without finding anything, Gengetsu said, "It seems the people who lived here were ordinary civilians of Whirlpool Country!"

Suddenly, Kanzuki Chiba cried out from nearby. Gengetsu's expression changed, and power erupted beneath his feet as his figure vanished.

"What happened?"

By the time Gengetsu arrived, Sarutobi Kazuhara and Uchiha Shinsui were already there.

"A very nice discovery!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara said with a smile.

Gengetsu stepped forward and first glanced at Kanzuki Chiba. This girl only looked quiet and gentle. She was always making a fuss.

"Eh, this is the Four Symbols Sealing!"

Gengetsu could not help exclaiming when he saw the talisman on the wall. It really was a fine discovery.

"Mm, it's the Four Symbols Sealing. Gengetsu, you should be able to undo it, right?"

Sarutobi Kazuhara asked.

Gengetsu nodded. "I can!"

"That's amazing!"

Kanzuki Chiba exclaimed.

Sarutobi Kazuhara warned, "Be careful. We don't know what's sealed here. There may be traps as well!"

"Understood!"

Gengetsu's expression turned solemn. He did not lower his guard in the slightest as he stepped forward. Meanwhile, Sarutobi Kazuhara and the other two formed hand seals, preparing ninjutsu to deal with whatever might happen.

"Four Symbols Sealing, release!"

Planting his feet firmly, Gengetsu formed hand seals with both hands. The talisman on the wall immediately lit up. Then, with a rumble, the wall collapsed. Amid the rolling dust, sharp whistling sounds tore through the air.

"Watch out!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara shouted as he pressed both hands to the ground. A wall rose up, while Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba on either side attacked at the same time. The former threw Kunai, while the latter used Water Disruption Wave, grabbing Uzumaki Gengetsu with a stream of water and pulling him backward.

First came a rapid series of metallic clanks, followed by the dull thuds of sharp weapons embedding themselves in the wall.

Gengetsu landed and secretly let out a breath of relief. Good thing my companions were nearby. Otherwise, that really would have been dangerous. I need to watch out for traps like this in the future. I can't get killed by a trap like Nawaki!

"Thank you, Chiba!"

Gengetsu thanked Kanzuki Chiba.

Kanzuki Chiba immediately revealed a gentle smile. "No need to thank me. We're companions."

"It's safe!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara spoke from the front. The two walked over and saw that a hole had appeared where the seal had been. Stairs led down into darkness, clearly leading to an underground chamber.

"There's airflow. We can go down. Gengetsu, come with me. Shinsui, Chiba, stay outside and keep watch!"

"Yes, Kazuhara-sensei!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara and Gengetsu took glowing light sticks from their backpacks and entered the underground passage together.

"It seems this really was once a place where the Uzumaki Clan lived!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara said. Uzumaki symbols lined both sides of the passage, full of the clan's distinctive style.

Both of them moved slowly, since they did not know whether there were more traps ahead. However, the rest of the way went smoothly, and they soon reached the underground chamber.

The chamber was not small, and its walls were covered in talismans. There was a bookshelf on each side, filled with scrolls and books. Directly opposite the entrance were a desk and chair, seemingly a workbench.

"This place is surrounded by Sealing Technique. It can't be sensed, and it can't be entered from underground. The entrance seal has to be undone before anyone can enter. It seems the owner of this place was no ordinary person!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara looked at the floor and could not help marveling. It turned out that the ground was covered in talismans as well.

"This should have been where the owner researched Sealing Technique!"

Gengetsu walked over to the huge wooden table. Scattered across it were drafts, all related to Sealing Technique.

In the original story, Orochimaru thoroughly deciphered the Dead Demon Consuming Seal through the materials left behind by the Uzumaki Clan. Although the Uzumaki Clan was nearly exterminated, the Sealing Technique they left behind influenced the entire Shinobi World...

Sighing inwardly, he went to the bookshelves and flipped through the scrolls and books. They were all related to Sealing Technique, but none contained records of any specific sealing techniques, leaving Gengetsu somewhat disappointed.

"Still, these materials will be a tremendous help in improving my understanding of Sealing Technique!"

Putting his thoughts aside, Gengetsu and Sarutobi Kazuhara began packing up the materials.

"Hm? Someone's coming!"

Gengetsu suddenly paused. "Kazuhara-sensei, three people—one Jonin and two Chunin!"

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