The moon was nothing like he imagined!

That night, in the Land of Waves, at the Gato stronghold.

In order to liquidate and take over Gato's assets, Tōka decided to stay here for one night, and the happiest of them all was the money-grubbing Kakuzu!

"Can you stop laughing? It's giving me nightmares!" Tōka picked at her ear with her little finger, glaring at Kakuzu who was still counting money.

"You're too young, you don't understand!" Kakuzu ignored Tōka's "rudeness" and was completely absorbed in the joy of counting money.

Too young? This is unacceptable!

How can you tell a man he's still young?

"You only have one night. How much you can control depends on your abilities." Sensing Tōka's anger, Black Zetsu immediately stepped in to save the day.

With just one sentence, the two men's attention was shifted to money. Kakuzu really liked money; he loved making money and even more so, counting it.

Tōka also likes money, but he prefers spending it.

On the surface, the Gato Enterprises operates a shipping company, but in reality, it uses armed groups such as thugs or ninjas to smuggle drugs and various contraband.

Moreover, they enjoy seizing other countries and businesses; they are an evil group.

That said, Gato is genuinely rich.

The cash reserves in the Land of Waves alone amount to billions!

Glancing at Kakuzu, who was actually using Earth Grudge Fear to count money, Tōka gave him a thumbs up in his heart.

When it comes to who counts money the fastest, Kakuzu is second to none!

"Black Zetsu, come with me." Tōka beckoned to Black Zetsu, then got up and walked towards the balcony.

Gazing at the cool moonlight, the night wind felt a bit chilly.

Black Zetsu followed Tōka to the balcony and looked up at the sky, a place that was forbidden to him.

And this mission...

"Black Zetsu, do me a favor." Tōka's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Black Zetsu's thoughts.

"What is it?" Black Zetsu asked in a deep voice, assuming it was about the upcoming Moon Mission Plan, his tone becoming serious.

"Find a White Zetsu and use the Object Transformation. I still have a use for Gato's identity." Tōka turned around and said in a low voice.

"Gato? What use is that guy now?" Black Zetsu asked, puzzled.

"Gato has a lot of money. Even if you only have one night, or even a whole day, Kakuzu can only control a small fraction of it."

Tōka curled the corners of her lips into Fox- like smile.

"Why not use a little money to make a Kage-level completely devoted to you?"

Kakuzu a tiny fraction of the money is taken, the rest still ends up in his pocket, doesn't it?

A hint of surprise flashed in Black Zetsu's eyes. No wonder they're from the same mother! They even manage to scheme against those around them. They have a bright future ahead of them!

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it!" Black Zetsu grinned slyly and then disappeared into the floorboards.

A cold front swept in from the north through the dense Forest.

As winter approaches, even the air becomes cold, and you can exhale white mist with every breath.

The entire earth was covered with a layer of silver frost, filled with a chilly atmosphere.

Within the Land of Fire, Tōka and his group of four traversed a dense Forest and arrived at a massive hill, where rivers leaped and Mountain Stream down into the Forest below.

The earth is covered with a dense Forest, which is divided by rivers.

"The rest depends on White Zetsu." Tōka stood on the high ground, looking down at the passage connecting to the moon. He only vaguely remembered that it was in this area.

Tōka didn't know the exact location, and he wasn't a perception-type.

"Understood." Black Zetsu replied, then sank into the earth. In order to revive his Mom as soon as possible, he also joined the search for the passage.

Sensing that Black Zetsu's aura had faded away, Kakuzu sat down against a Big Tree.

After excitedly counting money all night, Kakuzu actually feeling a bit tired now...

"Do we need to do anything? Are we just going to wait like this?" Hiruko's voice rang out. Sasori was the kind of guy who didn't like waiting for others or being waited for.

Tōka could tell from Scorpion's impatient tone that he had no other choice.

What else can you do but wait? Why don't you go and fight Kakuzu?

Tōka glanced at Kakuzu, pursed his lips, but ultimately didn't say it aloud.

A cold front from the north swept across the land, plunging everything into a deathly slumber, when suddenly Pure White snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

A cold wind howled past, whipping the three of them's Coat into a loud rustling sound.

"It's snowing? The year is almost over!" A sharp glint suddenly flashed in Tōka's eyes, then disappeared into the depths of his dark eyes.

The end of winter snow brings spring, and the arrival of spring heralds a new year.

And next year, when the winter snow ends...

That was the Year 48 of Konoha!

Sudden!

Tōka was taken aback, because he sensed Black Zetsu's aura rapidly approaching. Had he found the passage so quickly?

The thought had barely crossed his mind when a Pitcher Plant sprouted from beside Tōka's feet.

"Come with me," Black Zetsu said in a low voice, his half-exposed body sinking back into the ground.

Tōka locked onto Black Zetsu's aura and immediately leaped out.

Sasori and Kakuzu reacted quickly as well; they couldn't detect Black Zetsu's presence, but they could see Tōka's location.

Whoosh!

The two gathered their strength and leaped high, disappearing into the depths of the Mountain Stream in a few bounds.

Tōka and his group passed through a huge Waterfall. The rushing water was deafening, and white snowflakes fell and adorned the Valley.

Falling snowflakes and splashing Waterfall intertwine, creating a truly captivating sight.

There is a cave deep in the Valley...

Upon entering, a strange character is carved on the ceiling of the cave.

"The 'A' in the character for 'nin' means 'beginning,' so it really must be here!" Tōka smiled, surprised by how simple it was!

"What kind of water is this? It's bluish-green?" Scorpion was very cautious, and carefully extended Hiruko's scorpion tail to probe into the water.

"It won't get wet?"

"Interesting!" Kakuzu sneered, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

The emerald green Pool wasn't large, only about a hundred square meters in size, but it was very deep, a passage connecting to the moon!

The radiant Green Light illuminated the small cave and reflected on the faces of the four people. Tōka stood silently in place, looking down through the Pool.

But nothing could be seen clearly, only blurry outlines...

The other three turned their gazes to Tōka, seemingly waiting for him to make a decision.

"Come on, don't stray too far from me!" Tōka glanced at Kakuzu and Scorpion with a smile, then jumped into the emerald green Pool.

"What do you mean by 'too far apart'?" Kakuzu was slightly taken aback, then shouted loudly.

His voice seemed unable to reach the water, while Tōka's figure disappeared deeper and deeper into the depths.

Kakuzu's face darkened. "Damn it, he can't even speak clearly!"

Thump!

Hiruko plunged headfirst into the Pool, splashing water half a foot high, all of which landed beside Kakuzu.

Even though he wouldn't get wet, Kakuzu was still extremely annoyed to be soaked in water!

"What, aren't you going down?" Kakuzu snorted coldly, preparing to follow, but saw that Black Zetsu was staring straight at the Pool without making any move.

"I'll stay here and guard this place." Black Zetsu glanced at Kakuzu, unwilling to say more.

He had no desire to go to the moon; the moon was a taboo subject for Black Zetsu!

That place seals the Ten-Tails' Original Body, and it's also where Otsutsuki Kaguya was sealed, even though the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path has already been summoned.

But Black Zetsu will absolutely never set foot on the moon!

"Playing tricks!" Kakuzu leaped into the emerald green Pool with a Kakuzu, a burst of Wind Release chakra erupting from beneath his feet.

A massive shockwave erupted, and Kakuzu's body shot out like a cannonball.

Since Tōka had deliberately reminded him, Kakuzu wouldn't be foolish enough to intentionally distance himself from Tōka.

Tōka, Sasori, Kakuzu quickly crossed the upper emerald Pool and entered the Genjutsu World that connects the moon and the earth!

Countless Utakata floated in the spatial passage, and everywhere you looked, there were also earthen balls extending deeper into the space.

"Memory Cage, what an interesting Genjutsu! If we were to combine it with the Six Harmonies Divine Technique to improve it, it might have unexpected effects!"

Tōka glanced at Sasori and Kakuzu, who had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Can puppets also be affected by Genjutsu? Scorpion's Regeneration Core seems to be part of his physical body.

Chakra gathered in his palm, and with a flick of his Yin Release, he injected Hiruko into Sasori's Regeneration Core.

Under the impact of the immense spiritual power, the illusion collapsed instantly, and Scorpion regained consciousness.

"As for Kakuzu..." With five hearts, he should be able to wake up easily after realizing he's been hit by Genjutsu, right?

Just as Tōka was about to wake Kakuzu had his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

"I told you not to stray too far from me, you're under Genjutsu, aren't you?"

Tōka spoke without batting an eye, in fact, he hadn't activated the Six Harmonies Divine Technique to protect Scorpion and Kakuzu beforehand.

Once they pass through the upper emerald Pool and enter the Genjutsu space connecting the passage, Sasori and Kakuzu will immediately fall into the illusion.

"Hmph! You seem to know this place very well?" Kakuzu said sarcastically, staring at Tōka.

"Once the Genjutsu is dispelled, the Genjutsu Passage will be the safest place." Tōka ignored Kakuzu's taunts and waited until he retrieved his belongings...

Kakuzu was the first one to be dealt with!!

Scorpion remained silent, following Tōka like a shadow. He had a feeling that this mission would overturn his worldview!

I don't know why, but when I'm with Tōka, I feel a kind of heart palpitation deep in my soul.

He was just a Chunin, yet he inspired genuine fear in others.

He believed he wasn't the only one who felt this way. After glancing at Kakuzu, Sasori lowered his head slightly to keep a low profile.

Whoosh whoosh!!

Three dark figures leaped across the spherical mud concretions, swiftly passing through the Genjutsu Passage and arriving before a pool of azure water.

The view still couldn't penetrate the water curtain; everything in the water was completely distorted.

"Be careful, you might step on a landmine if you're unlucky!" Tōka glanced at Kakuzu teasingly, then dashed into the water curtain.

Thump!

A splash of Ice Blue water, more than half a foot high, erupted.

This time, the Pool was still small, even smaller than the previous turquoise Pool, and it was surrounded by Ice Blue bubbles.

A faint glow illuminated the cave, emanating from the Ice Blue crystals.

The cave's outer layer was covered with a mixture of Rock and soil, which wasn't very sturdy; Tōka's fist could easily punch a large crater in it.

"This must be the cave where they create Genjutsu Utakata," Sasori analyzed, using Hiruko's scorpion tail to curl up a piece of Ice Blue crystal.

"Who cares what kind of place it is? Wouldn't it be better to leave this place first?" Even the usually calm and Kakuzu became impatient first.

He sensed an ominous aura approaching nearby.

Tōka opened her mouth, Mirai speak, she was speechless.

A deafening roar!

A huge, blue crab emerged from the soil. Its two claws were very asymmetrical, and its body was covered in red patterns.

Like vibrant, enchanting flowers imprinted on his body, this guy was clearly the monster guarding the entrance!

The crab came on fiercely, opening its mouth to spew out a large mouthful of Ice Blue water towards the three of them.

The water was filled with countless Utakata, and the other two people besides Tōka would fall into an illusion if they got even a little bit on it.

Sasori's ten fingers moved in rapid succession, shooting out Chakra Threads that Hiruko in mid-air.

Kakuzu, who had been holding back his anger with nowhere to vent it, Kakuzu narrowed his eyes and unleashed a chilling killing intent!

Buzz!

The seal is formed, and chakra gathers to its fullest extent!

Fire Release: Head Hunter!

"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"

Wind and Fire Combination Ninjutsu!

The raging fire illuminated the entire cave as if it were daytime, and the scorching flames instantly engulfed the Ice Blue water.

"Tsk... Braised crab, so pitiful." Tōka, who was upside down on top, flipped down and looked pitifully at the crab that had been cooked directly.

After passing through the last boulders of the passage, a golden sun appeared before us at the exit, its bright light gentle yet not glaring.

Tōka, Xie, Kakuzu stood on the reef, with the azure ocean below.

Strangely, an island floats where the sea meets the sky.

"A fake sun? Looks like we've reached our destination." Tōka knew that the island wasn't actually floating in the sky; rather, it was just a distortion of vision that made it appear to be in the sky.

An unpleasant stillness, as if the world were devoid of any living beings.

The sea, which seemed so close, was actually very far away; one had to cross a large, dark, yellow Forest to reach it.

The creaking sound of the puppet's joints moving echoed incessantly.

"Poison Scorpion, can't you be quiet for once?" Kakuzu frowned impatiently and coldly reprimanded.

Scorpion's eyes darkened, Hiruko's tail began to twitch even more frequently.

A vein bulged on Kakuzu, and his right arm had already been petrified using Earth Release.

Sudden!

Tōka's voice broke the tense atmosphere between the two.

We've arrived!

Upon hearing the sound, the two immediately turned their heads and caught a glimpse of a corner deep in the woods, resembling the corner of a man-made house.

Tōka's body sank, and with a burst of energy, he leaped high into the air, standing atop a treetop and gazing into the distance...

Finally found it!!

A village built by the Hamura's Descendants!

Over the centuries, the desolate village has long been covered by vegetation, and is filled with a lifeless and desolate atmosphere.