Land of Fire.
Konoha.
The night was deep.
That night, Hanfu had been exhausted by the time he and Mei Terumi finally fell asleep in each other's arms.
Mei Terumi rested her head in the crook of his arm. Her touch was delicate, and he couldn't get enough of it.
Hanfu sighed contentedly and slowly closed his eyes.
Suddenly, the Ryūmyaku in his mind began to throb rapidly, jolting Hanfu wide awake.
One, two, three...
The Ryūmyaku throbbed eight times in all.
Gyuki?
Had Yuki Kanpyo received some intel about Gyuki and was trying to contact him?
Hanfu carefully withdrew his arm, quietly formed Hand Seals, and created a Shadow Clone. Then, with a speed that left no room for error, he punched it and made it burst.
The Shadow Clone's memories immediately flooded into Yuki Kanpyo's mind.
So that was it...
Having learned of Namikaze Minato's plan, Yuki Kanpyo's lips curled into a strange smile beneath his Ice Crystal Mask.
"What are you spacing out for?" Hidan suddenly turned around and stared at him with a hostile look. "Hurry up! The sooner we reach the Land of Lightning, the sooner I can offer some sacrifices to Lord Jashin. Otherwise, I'll have to offer you up instead!"
Yuki Kanpyo wasn't angry. He smiled faintly. "Got it. Let's go."
"Is this guy sick?" Hidan stared at him in disbelief. The man had never let anyone get the better of him before.
As Hidan watched Yuki Kanpyo walk farther and farther ahead, an inexplicable gloom settled over him.
Elsewhere.
Nagato and Konan were together.
"Nagato, why did Gyuki return to Kumogakure out of nowhere?" Konan asked hesitantly. "I'm worried this is a trap set by Konoha and Kumogakure."
"Don't worry. Even if it is a trap, all we'll lose is the