Kirigakure's Plan and Barbecue

The small boat sped forward under the strenuous rowing of the four people. The Lookout Island behind them gradually shrank in their sight, eventually disappearing between the sea and the sky.

It wasn't until the outline of land reappeared that the tense atmosphere on the boat eased slightly.

"Good thing you were quick-witted, kid, otherwise this would have been really troublesome," Jiraiya said, still shaken. "I didn't expect you to know Water Release."

Sen casually replied, "Just picked it up."

He changed the subject, looking at the rough sea behind them, and asked, "That Lookout Island, are we just giving up on it?"

"Temporarily," Jiraiya, who was rowing, explained. "Kirigakure's strength has always been mediocre. They even sent out such young Jonin this time. They must have known Konoha was fighting with other ninja villages, which is why they dared to take advantage of the situation.

When we're free, we can take it back anytime."

He paused and added, "Your first official mission, although there were some unexpected events, it was ultimately completed successfully. After we return, I'll give you all a long break to rest well for a few days."

Hearing the word "break," the motivation of the three rowing increased even further.

The life-and-death battle they had just experienced was the first time they had truly seen blood. Thinking back now, they still felt a lingering fear.

Only Sen frowned, secretly regretting it.

What a good opportunity it was. If only he could have killed a few more Mist Ninja, adding to the great cause of Uchiha's revitalization.

At the same time they landed, on another island shrouded in mist.

Suikazan Fuguki, with the help of Samehada, limped out of the waves, heavily wounded.

This island was clearly within Konoha's control, yet dozens of Mist Ninja were already waiting there.

"Suikazan Fuguki, where is your squad?" a tall, thin figure stood on a large rock, his voice sharp and cold, like a needle prick.

Hearing this voice, Suikazan Fuguki's hand clutching Samehada trembled involuntarily.

He looked up. The person was wearing a mask, had long yellow hair, and was playing with a needle-like weapon in his hand—Nuibari.

It was Kushimaru Kuriarare!

The way he played with Nuibari was clearly a prelude to murder!

"Kushimaru Kuriarare, Nuibari isn't meant for teammates," another, more steady voice sounded from the darkness, seemingly displeased with Kushimaru Kuriarare's actions.

"The island battle hasn't ended yet, he's still useful. Everything will be decided by the Mizukage once we return to the village."

Kushimaru Kuriarare spun Nuibari in his hand a few times before finally putting it away, his tone laced with unwillingness. "Yes, Juzo... Captain."

Suikazan Fuguki had just breathed a sigh of relief when a tall figure carrying Kubikiribōchō emerged from the shadows. It was another of the future Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Juzo Biwa.

"So many people died, what about the intel?" Juzo Biwa's voice carried a hint of weariness and annoyance.

"The enemy was a small squad, the Jonin was Jiraiya, with white hair. The other three..." Suikazan Fuguki dared not hide anything and quickly recounted the battle situation.

He expected a harsh scolding, but Juzo Biwa merely nodded. "It wasn't a complete waste; at least you gathered intel for us."

Kushimaru Kuriarare asked, "Was that the mission requested by Shimura Danzo?"

Suikazan Fuguki was bewildered. When did their village get involved with Konoha's high command?

Seeing their confusion, Juzo Biwa casually explained, "Konoha's Shimura Danzo gave us a secret mission: kill that black-haired kid named Uchiha Sen.

As for the other two, cripple them and send them back to Konoha.

The Mizukage's intention is to play along, inform the other side that Danzo paid us to slaughter their comrades, thereby creating some chaos within Konoha.

For us, this is a plan that kills two birds with one stone."

Suikazan Fuguki's teeth gnashed, his eyes filled with malice and unwillingness. "Captain Juzo, what do we do next?"

He knew that if he couldn't make up for his mistakes, a punishment more severe than death awaited him!

Juzo Biwa swung Kubikiribōchō on his back as if it were a toy, saying, "We'll start by taking this island. Konoha's reinforcement troops will be here soon.

That Uchiha Sen kid will definitely be among them. When the time comes, we'll coordinate with our main forces and retake all the islands in one go."

A bloodthirsty glint flashed in his eyes. "Prepare yourselves. Tonight, we act."

The Mist Ninja immediately bowed their heads in assent. "Yes!"

At this moment, Sen was unaware that a deadly trap had been set for him.

He just wanted to take advantage of the rare holiday to rest.

The beach beneath his feet was the border of Konoha, and the security was quite good. Many ninja came here to relax after missions.

Team Seven had also set up camp here, preparing for a seafood barbecue party.

Sen was in charge of making the secret garlic sauce, Minato was responsible for preparing the seafood and starting the fire, and Kushina...

was in charge of sneaking food.

Soon, the garlic sauce in the pot sizzled, and its rich aroma wafted out.

"Sen, we're the same age, why do you know how to do everything?" Minato, sitting by the side tending to the charcoal fire on the grill, asked, swallowing his saliva.

"Probably learned it in a dream in my past life," Sen said, tapping Kushina's head as she was about to sneak a bite.

"It's getting late, go call Teacher Jiraiya and Senior Orochimaru to come eat."

Kushina covered her head, stuck out her tongue, and darted away.

More than ten minutes later, everyone had arrived. Even Orochimaru and his subordinates were drawn in by the aroma.

"Eat as much as you want, it's rare to have a break."

With Chef Sen giving the word, no one could hold back any longer. They all started eating, and for a while, sounds of admiration rose one after another.

"Sen, you're amazing! This seafood was a bit fishy originally, I could never get used to it, but the way you prepared it not only masked the fishiness but made it even more delicious!"

"Yeah, and this cooking method too, Sen, you're a genius!"

Jiraiya listened to everyone's praise and felt proud as well. "It seems your kid really did a good job. They're not calling you 'kid' anymore, they're calling you by your name."

Sen laughed heartily and said, "You should thank Minato. He's the one who caught all these crabs, lobsters, and oysters. He got so tanned, his skin darkened considerably."

Minato, who was eating a lobster, looked up and glared resentfully at Sen.

Seeing his dark face, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Minato, your nickname better not become something like "Black Flash" from now on.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Sen brought out an even larger grill, on which were placed many sliced, long, white pieces of meat.

He poured on some minced garlic sauce, and soon, an enticing meaty aroma once again filled the air.

"Come, come, everyone guess what kind of meat this is?"

Several ninjas gathered around, pointing and saying:

"It looks like the loin meat of some kind of sea fish, maybe a conger eel."

"Whatever it is, I'm trying it first!" A ninja picked up a piece and chewed. "Strange, it's a bit like chicken, but more tender and smooth. The bones are very fine, and it's grilled to a nice char. Delicious!"

Kushina saw this and picked up a piece, popping it into her mouth. As soon as she finished one, she immediately grabbed another, asking indistinctly, "Sen, what kind of meat is this? It doesn't look like eel, it's so long."

Sen shook his head, thinking: Kushina, eating everything will only harm you!

He looked at Orochimaru and called out in a low voice, "Orochimaru, guess what this is?"

Orochimaru put down his wine cup and walked to the grill.

Looking at the meat with almost no fat, a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes.

He first gave Sen a helpless look, then picked up a slice and savored it carefully.

"Average."

After saying that, he expressionlessly picked up a second piece and put it in his mouth.

"Senior Orochimaru, what exactly is this?" Kushina pressed.

After eating the third piece, Orochimaru said in his unique, hoarse voice, "It's that soft thing that wriggles everywhere. Anyway, it tastes good."

He concluded with a touch of malice, "Eat more, you'll like it."