Sudden Mission

His conversation with Orochimaru had naturally not been a spur-of-the-moment idea by Kagura.

After that day's battle, he had keenly sensed the trace of desire hidden in Orochimaru's eyes whenever he looked at him.

Thinking about Orochimaru's obsession with the Sharingan in the original work, he naturally understood what that desire represented.

But their time together over the years had made him feel that Orochimaru was not evil by nature, so he had deliberately initiated this conversation.

It could also be considered an attempt to save his friend.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

During those two days, Hiruzen Sarutobi had barely appeared before them.

Orochimaru seemed to have received permission and spent every day visiting the local Ninja Academy.

He only returned at night, looking thoroughly satisfied.

As for Jiraiya, he had become even crazier.

According to him, he had found many rare novels here that did not exist in Konoha's Rare Book Collection.

But whether due to a lack of money or because he could not carry so many books back with him, Jiraiya ultimately decided to stay in the bookstore and read as many books as possible.

Thus, he was practically stuck in the bookstore all day, to the point that he did not even return to the inn at night.

And Kagura, who had been left behind, could only awkwardly face the furious Tsunade alone.

Although he tried to soothe her anger by buying gifts or making conversation, it clearly had little effect.

Today, the reunited Team 7 gathered at the docks.

A large basket of bundled books had appeared on Jiraiya's back, while Orochimaru held a scroll and occasionally recorded something on it.

Only Tsunade turned her head to look elsewhere, standing far away from Kagura.

Seeing that Tsunade was obviously sulking, Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat puzzled, but he merely assumed she was throwing a childish tantrum and paid it no mind.

After returning to the mainland by ship, the group began heading toward the Outskirts of Konohagakure.

Although Fuchuan's Footsteps had not been slow on the way there, there was still a vast difference between him and these ninjas.

On the return journey, the group traveled at full sprint the entire way.

Several Black Shadows continuously darted through the towering Trees in the forest.

The journey that had originally taken three days took them only one day this time, and they arrived at the Outskirts of Konohagakure.

After estimating the Remaining distance in his heart, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and glanced at the Scorching Sun hanging overhead.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his Right Hand, signaling the group to stop.

As several Black Shadows flashed past, four figures suddenly appeared behind him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said:

"From here, it will take roughly another two hours to reach the village. Find somewhere shaded, eat something, then set off again."

After everyone nodded, they landed directly on the ground and began resting where they were.

After rummaging through his Backpack, Kagura pulled out a piece of pastry.

It was a pastry he had bought in the Land of Whirlpools two days ago, a rare treat made from honey, rice cake, and red beans.

While retaining its pleasant taste, it could also be preserved for a Long Time.

So before leaving, Kagura had deliberately bought several pieces to serve as Rations along the way.

Looking at the last piece of pastry in his hand, Kagura thought for a moment before offering it to Tsunade across from him.

"This is really delicious. Want to try it?"

"Humph!"

Hearing that, Tsunade turned her head away and Responded angrily:

"Who wants to eat your food? You should save it for that older sister of yours in the Land of Whirlpools!"

This Little Pepper...

Did she really need to stay angry for so Long Time?

Kagura thought helplessly.

Orochimaru and Jiraiya were eating their own Rations while watching the two of them with great interest.

They looked as though they were enjoying a show.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he had already grown accustomed to this situation over the past two days.

Other than sighing that youth was wonderful, he had no further thoughts on the matter.

Seeing this situation, Kagura could only silently eat the pastry himself.

After drinking some water, he leaned against a Tree Trunk and half-closed his Eyes to rest.

Suddenly, the System's Voice rang out in his mind.

"Ding!

Emergency Mission triggered!

Mission Option One: Successfully escape from 'Kinkaku.'

Mission Reward: Randomly draw and master one ninjutsu.

(The ninjutsu will be guaranteed to be A-Rank or above.)

Mission Option Two: Successfully kill 'Kinkaku.'

Mission Reward: Randomly draw and master one ninjutsu.

(The ninjutsu will be guaranteed to be S-Rank or above.)

Only one of the two mission options may be completed. They cannot be repeated."

After clearly hearing the mission details in his mind, Kagura shot to his feet in shock.

Who was Kinkaku?

He was a legendary figure who had influenced the course of the entire Shinobi World!

Especially for Konoha ninja—even students at the Ninja Academy had heard that name.

During the later stages of the First Shinobi World War, not long before the present day, Kumogakure began to split internally into the War Faction and the Peace Faction.

The Peace Faction, led by the Second Raikage, decided to cease hostilities with Konoha and form an alliance.

At the alliance ceremony, the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers led their subordinates in a sudden coup d'état, killing the Second Raikage on the spot and wounding the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

Konoha's forces took the opportunity to flee the scene amid the chaos, only to be pursued by an Elite Force led by the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers.

At the critical moment, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, tested everyone's Big Picture View and Action Capability before going alone to lure away the enemy and cover the squad's retreat.

Unfortunately, facing opponents far greater in number, Senju Tobirama was ultimately defeated.

Not long afterward, the severely wounded Senju Tobirama perished.

In that battle, all twenty members of the Elite Force led by Kinkaku and Ginkaku were wiped out.

The two brothers also suffered grave injuries in that battle, but they did not die.

Later, A—the disciple of the Second Raikage, who had died at the hands of Kinkaku and Ginkaku—

After taking office as the Third Raikage, he resolved to avenge his master and bring the brothers' heads to his master's funeral.

Already severely wounded from their previous battle with Senju Tobirama, Kinkaku and Ginkaku were ultimately unable to withstand the pursuit of the man hailed as the "Strongest Spear," bringing their legendary lives to an end.

As information about the two brothers rapidly flashed through his mind, Kagura's face quickly turned pale.

Though he did not know what accident had occurred for Kinkaku, who should have died at the hands of the Third Raikage, to appear on Konoha's outskirts—

This was not the time to investigate it. Kagura was desperately considering the possibility of escape.

It was not that he lacked confidence in Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him; the enemy's strength was simply too far beyond the norm.

As one of the brothers known together as the Two Lights of the Clouds, Kinkaku was far stronger than what had been shown in the anime's plot.

He possessed Tailed Beast level Chakra to begin with, but even more terrifying was the brothers' savage nature.

After once being swallowed by the Nine-Tails, they had actually started eating the Nine-Tails' flesh from inside its stomach.

In the end, even the Nine-Tails could only choose to spit them out and spare the two brothers.

They had thus gained the Nine-Tails' power through misfortune, even becoming capable of using the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Transformation form.

Most importantly, they also possessed the Five Great Tools passed down by the Sage of Six Paths.

Each of those ninja tools had the power to influence an entire war.

Thus, according to the records of the original plot, even when facing the severely wounded brothers, the Third Raikage could only achieve final victory through a Sneak Attack.

A Kage-level Strong Person who had once stood above the Five Kage was truly not someone the current Hiruzen Sarutobi could handle.

Seeing Kagura's strange behavior, Hiruzen Sarutobi Looked Over at him in confusion.

But before he could speak, his expression suddenly changed, and he immediately stood up as well.

With a grave expression, he stared fixedly at the forest ahead.

Seeing this situation, The Other Three exchanged confused glances.

Then, several seconds later, even the three of them sensed an indescribable danger coming from ahead.

Everyone quickly assumed defensive stances, staring at the forest ahead with terrified expressions.

Although it was already noon, the depths of the forest ahead remained shrouded in darkness, like a black hole from the abyss staring back at them.

As a violent wind Blew Past, a terrifying pressure swept over them from ahead.

Facing that pressure, Kagura and others felt as though they were at sea, enduring the onslaught of a storm.

Just as Tsunade felt she was about to collapse, a hoarse voice laced with madness finally came from ahead:

"Oh?

Looks like I've run into an Acquaintance..."