Side Quest

At night, Senba sat by the campfire, his fingers flying as chakra flowed through his body along a fixed path.

This was a small technique for practicing hand seal speed. One had to know that each hand seal had a unique chakra circulation path, and when combined with different combinations and chakra fluctuation requirements, it would form tens of thousands of ninjutsu.

If chakra wasn't circulated and only hand seals were performed, one would fail in actual combat due to the different speeds of chakra circulation and finger sealing. In severe cases, it could even backfire.

However, if one released ninjutsu every time, they might as well be a ninja like Kisame Hoshigaki. Otherwise, they would quickly learn what it felt like to be drained.

This technique was quite common in Konoha, but Senba's method was more complex because the common hand seal techniques originated from the Senju clan.

They were still within the Land of Fire, so Senba, who was on night watch, didn't need to be too tense. While practicing hand seals, his mind was contemplating the information brought back by Tsuki and Iruka at noon.

Miss Mei had long, reddish-brown hair that covered her right eye, and a stunningly beautiful face that occasionally appeared.

Combined with the caravan that passed through the Land of Grass, Senba had a rough idea of what had happened.

He guessed that the movement of the Senju clan members in Kusagakure had alerted Kirigakure. Even if Obito controlled the Fourth Mizukage.

But after this incident, everyone wanted to see Kirigakure's reaction.

Unless Obito and Black Zetsu wanted Kirigakure to become a target in everyone's eyes, they had to send someone to investigate. This would give everyone an explanation.

In this way, Mei Terumi's fate took a different path, which in turn changed Haku's life trajectory.

This was for the best. Compared to the stereotypical characters in the later stages of the story, Senba felt pity for the tragic figure Haku in the early stages. Such a person shouldn't have followed Zabuza in his wandering life.

Thinking about the incident in Kusagakure, Senba couldn't help but think of that mother and daughter. Their fate had also been changed by him. Indeed, he hated tragedies.

Thinking of this, Senba couldn't help but smile. He was about to take a break, but the next second he stood up, his gaze falling on the opposite side of the campfire.

A Konoha Anbu member, dressed in a black combat suit, wearing a crow mask, and carrying a ninja sword on his back, was quietly watching him and Genma Shiranui, who had just appeared.

The reason he could directly determine that the other party was a Konoha Anbu was the fleeting flash of red light from behind the crow mask, which was the best proof.

Looking at the other party's slightly taller figure, Senba guessed that there should be a "dango nose" behind the mask. But why had the other party appeared here?

He should have gone with the Third Hokage to meet the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. Senba was a little confused and looked at Teacher Genma beside him.

The bright moonlight shone on the three of them through the gaps in the trees. Silence fell for a moment.

"Kana, why aren't you asleep so late?"

Uzumaki Kana, sitting under the eaves with her knees hugged to her chest, was admiring the beautiful moonlight. Having been imprisoned, she hadn't seen the light for a long time.

It wasn't until Grandpa Senju Yunhua walked up to her and spoke that she was startled and quickly stood up.

Senju Yunhua looked at her right arm, which was covered in scars from her sudden movement. The crisscrossing tooth marks were very striking against her fair skin.

Feeling guilty towards Lady Mito Uzumaki, a hint of remorse flashed in Senju Yunhua's eyes. If it weren't for the young Senba, this child's fate would have been unimaginable.

"Kana, we're leaving for Konoha tomorrow. We'll encounter some people on the way. You and Karin must maintain your sealing jutsu. Combined with your hair already turning black, there shouldn't be a problem."

Senju Yunhua thought of Hiruzen Sarutobi's sharp eyes and still felt a bit worried. But now, they had to face it. If necessary, he would give up his old life.

Hearing Grandpa Yunhua's words, Uzumaki Kana thought of her daughter and nodded vigorously. For Karin and this hard-won freedom.

After Senju Yunhua gently comforted Uzumaki Kana, he was about to leave when she called out to him again.

"Grandpa Yunhua, is my benefactor also in Konoha? What kind of person is he?"

Hearing Uzumaki Kana's question, Senju Yunhua recalled that after his sister's reminder, he realized that beneath that boy's obedient appearance lay such deep thoughts. He said meaningfully:

"Of course, he's a quick-witted young fellow. Kana, you should be careful."

Then, under Uzumaki Kana's confused gaze, he shook his head and left.

Although she didn't understand the deeper meaning of Grandpa Yunhua's words, her gratitude towards the benefactor who had brought her out of the abyss was beyond words.

Opening the partition door, Kana gently tucked the quilt back over her daughter's kicking legs. Looking at Karin's small face, which no longer held any fear, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Karin, we've really escaped the abyss."

Suppressed sobs echoed intermittently under the bright moonlight, while Karin, sleeping soundly in her bed, was completely unaffected.

Meanwhile, Senba, who had been described as quick-witted, felt uneasy as he watched Shisui, who had handed the Hokage's order to Teacher Genma and then silently disappeared.

However, his Body Flicker Technique was indeed impressive. He truly lived up to his future title of Body Flicker Shisui.

"Senba, go wake up Tsuki and Iruka. We have an affiliated mission."

Genma Shiranui said with a slight frown after reading the order in his hand. Dealing with the Anbu was not a good thing. The nature of the Anbu was to live in danger.

A moment later, Genma Shiranui looked at the three youngsters in front of him and began to explain the meaning of an affiliated mission.

"In Konoha, the Anbu are those who wear masks. There have always been two groups, and they rarely meet."

"However, the Hokage's order in their hands is one way to make the two cooperate. I cannot reveal the content, but we need to meet him in the Land of Rivers within a month. If it exceeds a month, the mission will be automatically canceled."

"Our main mission usually doesn't exceed half a month. After that, we will be stationed in the Land of Rivers to await his return. The mission level will depend on the situation when we meet him."

"This is one form of an affiliated mission. When the Hokage's order appears, the surrounding Konoha ninja must cooperate unconditionally."

"So, you all need to train harder to prevent intense battles."

Looking at Teacher Genma's serious expression, Senba also became vigilant. Shisui, a genius who died young, managed to make a name for himself in just a few years.

This could only mean that the quality of his mission completion far surpassed others. It was a case of high risk, high reward. It seemed the Slug Lord would be useful this time.

He was grateful to Grandma Momoka and Teacher Tsunade for giving him many life-saving methods. This greatly increased the safety not only for himself but also for Tsuki and Iruka.

Thinking of this, Senba's hands unconsciously began to form seals again. Practicing before battle is always beneficial.