The flaw in the Tsuchi-e no Jutsu!
After burying Karin's mother, the two left the Land of Grass, a place that had caused Karin so much sorrow.
Heading south, this time there was only one destination: to Konoha to bring back Tōka's last disciple.
The Land of Fire, the most fertile country in the world, is undoubtedly the number one country in terms of population, food, and national strength.
The land is covered by dense Forest, with towering Big Tree everywhere you look; the Land of Fire is enveloped in a vibrant vegetation.
In a low-lying Valley, four ninjas wearing Konoha Forehead Protector quickly crossed the mountain path.
"That's rare. It's been so hard to see you these past few years, and you actually volunteered for this mission?" Kai, dressed in Green Skin, patted Tōka on the shoulder and laughed loudly.
"I feel like my body's getting rusty, so I came out to stretch my legs," Tōka said with a forced smile, though he himself couldn't see how fake his smile was.
Kai didn't mind; he was happy that Tōka was able to get out and about this time.
The team also includes two Chunin: Matsushita Kazuko, Medical Ninja and Sensor Ninja, and Miyahara Shūto, a ninja with both fire and earth attributes.
Guy was the Jonin the team this time, and the mission involving an Elite Squad was naturally not ordinary.
Moreover, the team is well-equipped with Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Medical Ninja skills.
"Captain, there's a village ahead!" Sensor Ninja Matsushita Kazuko stood on a treetop, pointing to a place outside the Valley.
"This should be the location of our mission objective, Ōtani Village," Kai said with a serious expression.
Kai always takes tasks seriously.
This mission is not so simple; it involves capturing a Rogue Ninja from the Land of Water is hiding in Ōtani Village. His strength has been preliminarily determined to be that of Jonin.
It is highly likely that he has already reached the level of Elite Jonin.
"Everyone stay hidden. I'll leave the sensing to you, Kazuko." Kai gestured, and Tōka and Miyahara Shūto, who were resting, immediately stood up.
The four prepared for an impending battle and quickly approached Ōtani Village.
Ōtani Village is surrounded by a river, and there is only one narrow path in and out of the village. The path is surrounded by a bamboo forest, making it an ideal place to set traps and ambush those entering or leaving.
Upon arriving at the edge of the bamboo grove, Tōka rushed in first, like a novice.
"Be careful when burying..." Kai opened his mouth, but only managed to utter half a sentence.
With a deafening roar, a Mushroom Cloud shot into the sky, and gray smoke spread and enveloped the entire forest.
The three stared blankly at the spot where a black shadow resembled a crashing plane, trailing a long, black, smoky tail as it arced through the air.
Call out...
With a splash, it plunged into the river.
"Tōka!!" Kai shouted and was about to rush over when a cold voice suddenly rang in his ears.
Yin-Chou-Shen-Mao-Zi-Hai-You-Chou-Wu-Xu-Yin-Xu-Yin-Si-Chou-Shen-Mao!
A dark figure stood on the river, his hands flashing as he left a trail of afterimages!
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
With a low shout, a torrent surged into the sky, the river churned, and a massive wave swept in, overwhelming everything.
It was like the giant hand of the sea god slamming down on the small bamboo grove.
"Retreat!" Miyahara Shūto shouted, grabbing Matsushita Kazuko, and leaped high to quickly retreat.
Kai wanted to rush towards the spot where Tōka had fallen, but the water that filled the screen rushed towards him, forcing even him to dodge.
This retreat completely cut Tōka out of sight.
In a Forest not far from Ōtani Village, Tōka leisurely led Karin toward Ōtani Village.
The puppet of the Tsuchi-e no Jutsu was deliberately left in Konoha by Tōka so that he could easily enter Konoha without any trouble.
Several years later, it finally came in handy.
"Our people are just ahead, let's speed up!" Tōka suddenly smiled, and before Karin could react, she was pulled into the Void.
The surrounding scenery One Flash, and the two of them were already in the north of Ōtani Village.
A splash of water rose from the river, and a dark figure emerged from the water, revealing a face exactly like Tōka's!
"Huh? Two teachers?" Karin looked at Tōka with a blank expression, then at the puppet, and then back at Tōka.
However, something was different; the teacher who climbed out of the river seemed a little small...
Moreover, there was no Pure White Diamond Mark on his forehead.
Thump!
Tōka tapped Karin on the head and instructed her sternly, "Don't do such silly things, you're my disciple!"
"Yes..." Karin replied, her voice trailing off, though only she knew how much of it she actually understood.
"The Tsuchi-e no Jutsu - Release!" With a movement of his hand seals, Tōka released the Tsuchi-e no Jutsu.
This puppet is no longer needed...
Before Karin's astonished eyes, Tōka's skin, soaking wet, cracked open, and then he collapsed to the ground with a thud.
The scraps of Waste Paper visibly faded away, revealing an unfamiliar face.
Dead people don't seem so scary anymore.
Tōka looked into the distance and saw that the Kirigakure Ninja Rogue Ninja from the Mist Village were very strong; they could at least fight against Elite Jonin on the river.
The Great Waterfall Technique covered the bamboo grove with water from the river, creating an artificial Lake. Fighting on the water, the Kirigakure Ninja and the rogue Rogue Ninja gained the upper hand.
Guy and the two Chunin were immediately engaged in a fierce battle.
"Can you sense anything?" Tōka glanced at Karin and asked, wondering if the little girl had awakened her Mind's Eye of the Kagura ability yet.
"Perception?" Karin stared blankly at Tōka, seemingly unable to understand what her teacher was saying.
"It seems we still have a long way to go!" Tōka sighed, turned to look at the Battlefield, and remained silent about what had just happened.
Karin pouted and tugged at Tōka's sleeve unhappily.
After leaving the paper house, they traveled south to the Land of Land of Fire, where they experienced the Land of Fire customs and culture. Karin also emerged from the shadow of losing her mother.
She regained her childlike personality, becoming innocent, lively, and full of curiosity about everything.
Because she now has a teacher she can rely on...
Boom!!
Suddenly, a terrifying burst of chakra erupted.
"Sixth Gate, the Gate of View, open!" Kai stomped his foot on the ground, crushing the hard earth into powder, and dark cracks spread wildly in all directions.
Using the force of the rebound, his body leaped into the air in a flash.
"Morning Peacock!"
Kai's body froze in mid-air, his hands waving wildly, leaving a blur of afterimages in front of him.
Unleash a super-fast series of Straight Punch, and launch long-range attacks using the numerous fireballs created by the friction between the super-fast Straight Punch and the air.
"Water Release · Water Wall!"
The strength of the rogue Rogue Ninja from the Kirigakure Ninja is beyond doubt, and their ability to adapt to battle is extremely strong. They immediately clasped their hands together, and their chakra surged out wildly.
The surrounding waters converged, forming a comprehensive water curtain.
Countless scorching fireballs hurtled towards the water curtain...
Boom boom boom!!
The powerful Water Wall crumbled like tofu under the impact of the fireballs generated by the heavy punches, melting away like ice and snow exposed to sunlight.
In an instant, the Water Release defensive Jutsu Formula shattered.
Fireballs rained down on the Kirigakure Ninja Rogue Ninja, causing his body to convulse irregularly, twitching like he was having an epileptic seizure on the river.
"Tsk... that's some seriously overpowered Taijutsu." Tōka narrowed his eyes, secretly wondering if he could block Kai if he opened the Eight Gates...
The Six Harmonies Divine Technique can perfectly dodge one Night Guy...
What about the second shot?
"Is Karin waiting for me here, or coming with me?" Tōka shook his head, clearing his mind of all his thoughts, and patted Karin's head as he asked.
"Follow the teacher!" Karin said firmly, even gripping Tōka's clothes tightly and refusing to let go.
"Let's go then." Tōka glanced pitifully at the coat; it was a favorite piece of clothing, but she probably couldn't wear it...
Buzz!
The Void rippled and flickered, and Tōka and Karin appeared mysteriously near Kai's squad.
"Who goes there?!" Sensor Ninja Matsushita Kazuko immediately noticed the appearance of Tōka and Karin, and drew her Kunai guard.
"Sensor Ninja?" Tōka slowly walked out of the forest, his gaze falling on a black-haired girl in a women's combat suit.
Although Tōka did not deliberately conceal his aura, it was difficult for ordinary people to notice him due to the Six Harmonies Divine Technique.
Rustling...
Tōka and Karin strolled out, and when the light illuminated their faces, Kai jumped up and down with joy.
"It's Tōka! That's wonderful!" he exclaimed, overjoyed.
He knew Tōka couldn't possibly die so easily, not from a small trap. In any case, he just hoped she would come back safe and sound.
Matsushita Kazuko's attention, however, was drawn to the small red head behind Tōka.
"Hey~, what an adorable little girl!" Matsushita Kazuko darted behind Tōka and grabbed Karin!
"So soft and fragrant~, so comfortable!" Matsushita Kazuko hugged Karin tightly, refusing to let go, looking as happy as if she had received a new toy, even happier than if she had seen Tōka return alive.
Kai took a slight breath and then stepped forward to look Tōka up and down.
The Explosive Tag trap in the bamboo grove made such a huge commotion...
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Tōka removed Kai's claws from his body. Kai, who had just fought a fierce battle, was covered in sweat.
Sensing Karin's pitiful gaze, a Repulsive Force erupted from Tōka's body, blasting Matsushita Kazuko away.
Then, he grabbed Karin and pulled her to his side.
"Tōka, why do I feel..." Kai scratched the back of his head awkwardly, belatedly looking at Tōka.
Something feels different...
Karin Tōka to Matsushita Kazuko and exclaimed in surprise, "How come you've grown taller? And prettier too?"
Upon hearing this, Tōka's expression changed slightly. The Puppet Tsuchi-e no Jutsu was created several years ago, and that thing wouldn't change over time.
As long as the chakra within the puppet exists, it will continue to exist.
But Tōka will grow taller and bigger, and Tōka deliberately ignored Matsushita Kazuko's last sentence.
I was careless! I haven't shown up in Konoha for so long that I almost forgot about the loopholes in the Tsuchi-e no Jutsu.
Tōka narrowed his eyes slightly, quickly scanned the information recorded by the puppet, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The puppets rarely appear in public in Konoha, and this mission was also carried out in secret.
In other words, only the three people in front of them have seen the puppet Tōka in his appearance from several years ago.
"Is that so? It's very simple!" A strange smile appeared on Tōka's lips, One Flash of Ice Blue light appeared in his eyes.
"What's so simple?" Kai was confused by Tōka's words.
"It's nothing!" Tōka's eyes narrowed, and his powerful spiritual energy materialized and impacted Kai's brain.
Buzz!
Like a resounding bell, Kai's eyes rolled back and he fell into a deep sleep.
Upon witnessing this scene, Miyahara Shūto Matsushita Kazuko were taken aback, then drew their Kunai wary expressions.
"What are you doing? Are you going to betray the village?" Miyahara Shūto shouted sharply, secretly giving Matsushita Kazuko a wink.
"Betray the village? I have never belonged to Konoha!" Tōka slowly raised his hand, his five fingers spread, and a crystal clear green ball of light condensed in his palm.
"Run!"
Seeing this, Miyahara Shūto's face darkened, Matsushita Kazuko.
Immediately afterwards, he gripped the Kunai tightly, his body sank, and he unleashed his power, transforming into a black shadow that rushed straight towards Tōka Ge.
"Run?" Tōka's brow twitched, and an Ice Blue halo flickered in his dark eyes, which had completely transformed into the Tenseigan.
Buzz!
The chakra stagnates, and a terrifying Attractive Force suddenly erupts, affecting both Miyahara Shūto is charging forward Matsushita Kazuko who is turning to flee.
The two of them paused for a moment, then shot towards Tōka like arrows.
The short ten-step distance passed in the blink of an eye. Tōka's eyes darkened, and the two people who had come flying through the air were strangely still and floating in front of him.
Tōka stretched out his arm and pushed the green ball of light in his palm into Matsushita Kazuko's chest.
Thump!
The force controlling Matsushita Kazuko, and she sat down heavily on the ground, staring blankly ahead, like a soulless doll.
"One done!" Tōka thought to himself, and another shimmering green orb of light appeared in his palm. He then flicked his finger.
The green ball pierced straight into Miyahara Shūto's chest, and the same scene happened to Miyahara Shūto!
One of the abilities contained within the Reincarnation Eye technique is the ability to wirelessly control puppets!
The controlled puppets possess self-awareness, and their number and scale of manipulation far surpass those of the Performance of a Hundred Puppets.
It can also control the mind and actions of others, and obtain information from their minds.
The two are only Chunin. After Tōka successfully infiltrates Konoha this time, he can easily kill them during the mission at any opportunity.
"As for Kai..."
Jonin Konoha, the one who mastered the Eight Inner Gates...
Tōka hesitated, not only because of Kai's identity, but also because Kai was the only friend he truly acknowledged.
Perseverance is the only path to success; this is Tōka's way of the ninja!
Guy, lacking in Ninjutsu Genjutsu, relied entirely on Taijutsu to reach the pinnacle of the Ninja World, even surpassing the Five Kage, and was hailed by Six Paths Madara as the strongest Taijutsu user...
"Kai should be easy to fool, right..."
The thought One Flash through his mind, Tōka used his will to control Miyahara Shūto to carry the unconscious Kai to his feet and slowly walk out of the small bamboo forest that had been flooded.
Karin followed Tōka with an adoring look on her face, her starry eyes seemingly unable to get enough of him. She clutched Tōka's clothes tightly with one hand and covered her pounding chest with the other.
The teacher is amazing, and so beautiful too! She's so kind and always has a smile on her face...
If...
If...
Oh dear, that was just a hypothetical situation...
Just as Karin was letting her imagination run wild and dreaming about the Mirai, the group of five headed towards Konoha, deep within the Land of Fire. 19646