White Rose

The ninja uniform on the kid had a faint Uchiha clan crest pattern. It seemed he was from the Uchiha Clan. Of the other two kids, one looked a lot like Gray Fang, and the other, the red-haired one, was clearly from the Hyuga Clan.

"They look like Konoha ninjas. That's right."

Jiraiya grudgingly admitted, "That's right, I am Jiraiya."

"Senior Jiraiya, what brings you to the Land of Hot Water?" Shiyu asked.

Jiraiya cautiously looked around and said, "This isn't a place to talk. Let's find a decent place to chat!"

The four of them entered an izakaya and went into a private room.

Jiraiya picked up his sake cup, already a bit tipsy. It was hard to tell he was there for serious business.

"I can't believe the old geezer took new disciples? That's really rare!"

"Since you're the Third Old Man's disciple, then you are indeed my junior. You're Genin, right? Why are you in this place? Where's your Jonin leader?" Jiraiya asked, also confused. Ninjas of this level wouldn't normally be on missions in other countries.

"He went to investigate elsewhere. We're also here to complete a mission," Hinata Kurenai said.

"And you? Senior Jiraiya?" Shiyu asked.

"I'm similar to you. I'm also on a mission, but this one is S-rank."

"S-rank." Kakashi Nao swallowed. S-rank missions were still out of reach for him.

"Hmm? A kid from the Hatake clan? Don't get discouraged! When you reach my age, you might be able to complete S-rank missions with ease!" Jiraiya comforted him. Then, looking at Shiyu, he said, "Young man, my mission seems to be stalled for now. How about you? Would you be willing to disclose your mission?"

After ensuring absolute information security around them, Shiyu revealed the purpose of his trip.

"You mean you're looking for classified information? And searching for a place called White Rose?" Jiraiya immediately became serious.

"Yes, Senior Jiraiya, do you know anything?" Shiyu asked.

"Do you remember that hot spring inn on Rose Street?" Jiraiya suddenly asked.

"You mean!?" Shiyu asked.

"That inn's name is White Rose!"

"Ah!" All three of them understood.

"In that case, let's hurry to White Rose!" Nao said.

"You might be recognized. How about I try?" Jiraiya thought for a moment and then said, "That doesn't seem appropriate either. After all, even you recognized me. They might also see through my handsome and dashing Jiraiya's true appearance."

Hmph, they all think Jiraiya is too narcissistic.

"Let's transform into this!" Shiyu instantly took on the appearance of that rogue Kumogakure ninja. "This is a ninja who died fighting us. They definitely won't be suspicious if I look like this!"

"Excellent! Your brain really works well," Jiraiya said. "In that case, you go! The three of us will provide backup from behind!"

Shiyu agreed and walked towards the White Rose hot spring inn.

Jiraiya and the other two quietly followed behind.

In a short while, Shiyu arrived at White Rose.

It was the same alluring and sexy woman. Upon seeing Shiyu, her expression changed slightly. "You're here?"

"Mm," Shiyu nodded.

"Have you dealt with all the Konoha rats?"

"Dealt with them!" Shiyu replied.

"In that case, come in!" The woman didn't seem suspicious and directly let Shiyu enter White Rose.

The woman immediately led Shiyu inside. Then, a group of burly men arrived at the entrance, guarding it solemnly. Jiraiya and the others could only observe the situation from outside.

"Shiyu, will it be dangerous?" Kurenai asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, he's very smart. If there's any danger, he'll notify us, and we'll rush in immediately."

After Shiyu entered the inn, the woman led him further inside, to a place that resembled a study. The woman pulled a book outwards.

"Creak." A mechanical sound.

A very hidden secret door appeared.

"Let's go~" the woman said, licking her lips with a sinister charm.

"Mm," Shiyu naturally walked inside. Taking this opportunity, Shiyu activated the White Rinnegan, intending to observe his surroundings. However, he saw a scene that Shiyu could hardly imagine.

"This is? Teacher Hyuga!?" Shiyu saw Hyuga and Noguchi deep inside. They seemed to have been captured.

This isn't right. Could this be a trap? Shiyu felt uneasy but decided to proceed further inside.

"Heh heh, I have good news for you," the woman suddenly said.

"Tell me," Shiyu replied.

"We dealt with a little rat for you." The woman looked at Shiyu as if testing him.

"Oh? Was it that Konoha Jonin? That guy's taijutsu is decent. He escaped with Noguchi," Shiyu quickly covered.

"Oh? I see. I almost thought you were the enemy," the alluring woman shook her head. "Keep following me. I'll take you to see the Great Cult Master. Although you lost your target, fortunately, they seem to have followed you to the Land of Hot Water and were looking for our location everywhere. As a result, they were easily captured by the Great Cult Master."

Shiyu seemed to understand. The white roses were merely the entrance to the enemy's main camp, and Hizashi Hyuga and Noguchi must have had their identities exposed, which was why they were captured by the so-called Great Cult Master.

After walking through the secret passage for a short while, Shiyu finally arrived at the place where Hizashi Hyuga and Noguchi were held captive. The moment Hizashi and Noguchi saw the Kumogakure rogue ninja, they understood.

"One of us!" Hizashi Hyuga whispered to Noguchi beside him. Noguchi also understood.

"Great Cult Master, another one has arrived," the alluring woman said respectfully.

"Alright. You may go!" The person called the Great Cult Master had his back to Shiyu, so Shiyu couldn't see his face.

"Lord Evil God! Another enemy from the Gakin Cult has arrived," the Great Cult Master shouted fervently, raising both hands.

"We have another experimental subject from the Uchiha Clan! This is truly wonderful!"

"Where are your companions, Uchiha brat!"

Shiyu's heart trembled: My identity is exposed?!

"Gakin Cult? Lord Evil God Cult?! This is Akatsuki's Third Unit—the same evil cult organization Hidan joined! So the organization that tried so hard to obtain the Land of Artisans' Meteorite Iron was them!!!"