Action

Whether driven by emotional impulse or rational judgment, Yuzhen could not stand by and watch his clansmen in distress.

This wasn't just about his personal thoughts, likes, dislikes, or will; it was also tied to the collective consciousness of everyone.

Although Yuzhen had dropped the surname "Hagane," it didn't mean he could sever the blood ties between his clansmen, nor did he intend to.

The changes were only superficial; deep down, things remained the same. A person's essence couldn't be altered by a few words.

Even though Yuzhen and the others had received a distress message from Hagane Chihori, it didn't signify that only one person was in trouble. This could very well be a plea for help from several, or even a dozen, clansmen.

After hearing Yuzhen's decision to launch a rescue, although the clansmen around him maintained stern expressions, Yuzhen could distinctly feel an atmosphere of relief.

"A rescue is certainly imperative. But as usual, I'll be going alone this time."

He raised a hand to stop those who wanted to object and continued, "I can move more freely on my own. If any problems arise, I can advance or retreat. If too many people are involved, it'll be harder to maneuver."

Frankly, the strength of everyone present was insufficient to support such a complex mission involving reconnaissance, infiltration, and rescue.

The word "burden" was unpleasant, but if everyone went together, the difficulties they would bring would likely outweigh the help they could offer.

"So... considering the complexity of the rescue mission, I'll go ahead to scout the situation first. You all prepare for action. If I need support, I'll notify you as soon as possible."

Yuzhen rephrased it in a way that was easier for them to accept.

"If the Captain goes alone and encounters an emergency, with no one to back him up... the consequences are unimaginable," someone said.

Yuzhen performed another "punching through a tree with bare hands" demonstration. "Unless I encounter an impenetrable Sealing Jutsu, it's hard for me to get trapped."

The action was quite convincing.

It seemed this was the only way; the others couldn't change Yuzhen's mind.

Some couldn't help but sigh inwardly, wishing that the Senju ninja were still around. Perhaps they could have offered some assistance.

"It's decided then. I'll conduct the initial reconnaissance. And considering the urgency, we should act sooner rather than later," Yuzhen stated.

Although he didn't plan for everyone to participate in the actual rescue, Yuzhen had to give them some sense of involvement and anticipation.

Everyone was working towards rescuing their clansmen, and everyone should receive corresponding "contribution points." Otherwise, if some worked while others just watched, what would that make them?

The clansmen weighed equally in everyone's heart.

In fact, whether in his previous phase as pure cannon fodder or his current phase as high-level cannon fodder, Yuzhen wasn't accustomed to cooperating with others. He was more familiar with solo combat.

Yuzhen made some arrangements for the camp, then organized his Ninja Tools, packed his Ration Pills, and set off... Thanks to the Sarutobi Clan's contribution, Yuzhen wasn't lacking in weapons and wartime supplies.

Over the past month or two, his strength had undergone a period of rapid growth.

For him now, his strength was severely lacking when compared to those above, but more than enough when compared to those below.

He wasn't great at fighting, but he could definitely run very fast.

After leaving the camp and passing through the forest to the outside world, Yuzhen didn't recklessly rush at full speed.

From this point on, combat could occur at any moment, so he had to maintain his Chakra levels.

To avoid detection, he draped a tattered blanket over himself, concealing the Ninja Tools hanging from his waist. This made him look less like a ninja and more like a pioneer of modern art or a classical refugee.

It took about three days for Yuzhen to reach the coordinates indicated in the distress message. It was a seemingly ordinary small town.

It was hidden in the hazy morning mist. As far as Yuzhen could see, the buildings, varying in height and style, were dilapidated, and the people living in the town seemed listless.

There seemed to be no problem; in most parts of the Ninja World, most people lived in such conditions.

If geographically divided according to later eras, this area should be at the junction of the Land of Fire, Land of Rivers, and Land of Rain, a notorious "no man's land."

After observing for a while, Yuzhen found nothing amiss and stepped into the town.

Upon entering, he immediately noticed something unusual.

Logically, in a secluded town like this, when a stranger suddenly appeared, others should look at him with caution and scrutiny. However, the people here seemed accustomed to his presence as an outsider.

Although Yuzhen's attire was common, his face was definitely unfamiliar.

"Something is indeed unusual..."

After circling the town's main crossroad, Yuzhen sensed a watchful gaze.

Could there really be clansmen hidden or imprisoned in a place like this? Yuzhen couldn't get an answer for the moment. His only clue was that coordinate, so he had to start his search from this small town.

After another round, Yuzhen subtly picked a money pouch from someone who appeared to be well-off... For ordinary people, ninjas were professional thieves, highly skilled in theft.

This was the first time in months that Yuzhen had touched money.

At this time, the currency unit in the Ninja World was still "Ryo," but unlike the paper money of the Ninja Village era, the chaotic times favored metal currency, minted by the Daimyo of different regions.

The purchasing power of metal currency was, of course, different from paper money.

Yuzhen opened the money pouch. Inside were about five gold coins. The coins looked very much like the "Koban" from the Edo period he knew.

Its front was marked with the denomination "One Ryo." Yuzhen casually weighed it, feeling that the gold coin weighed around 15 grams.

The "One Ryo" of the Ninja Village era was pegged at 10 yen, but it was clear that the current "One Ryo" was worth much more—it was a large denomination currency.

Yuzhen did a rough calculation, and the purchasing power of "one Ryo" gold coin was definitely no less than 5,000 yuan.

After finding the money, he came to an inn in the town center.

He had already observed that this was the only inn in this small town.

Yuzhen walked into the inn and saw a thin middle-aged man sitting behind the counter facing the entrance. So he walked up to the counter, placed a gold coin directly on the counter, and said:

"I'll stay for now, and I'll pay more if it's not enough."

The innkeeper picked up the gold coin, examined it under the light from the entrance, then breathed on it and wiped it vigorously with his sleeve before saying:

"Onoshishi mint, pure gold... enough for you to stay until the end of time."

As he spoke, he hid the gold coin in his sleeve and tossed a set of keys to Yuzhen.

Yuzhen raised an eyebrow. He realized this person was not simple, as he hadn't clearly seen the action of him hiding the gold coin. Could this innkeeper be a hidden master?

He didn't rashly inquire about his clansmen with the man. He had just arrived and should act with caution.

Afterward, Yuzhen took the keys and went to a room on the second floor of the inn.

After closing the door tightly, he carefully inspected the room. Once he confirmed there was nothing unusual, he finally let his guard down slightly.

Next, Yuzhen prepared to observe this small town patiently.

As long as there was a problem here, it would eventually reveal itself. Sooner or later, Yuzhen was sure to catch onto anything amiss.