Of course, this tranquility did not belong to the Bone-Eater's Well in the shrine.
"The Shikon Jewel... I smell it... the scent... it's the scent of the Shikon Jewel!"
From the Bone-Eater's Well, a distant, low voice intermittently drifted over from the other side...
"..."
The shadow of flames.
Deep within a forest not far from Konoha Village, an eagle circled overhead, its sharp gaze constantly watching every movement below.
Rustle, rustle...
Beside the trees in the forest, a rope continuously swayed within a patch of bushes. The trembling of the brush kept shifting, like an arrow shooting forward, with a turquoise snake at its base.
Whoosh...
From the sky, the eagle spotted the green snake. It immediately let out a loud cry, abruptly spread its wings, and dove fiercely downward, its sharp talons radiating a suffocating danger.
Whoosh!
The eagle swept through the forest, sending leaves flying!
As the eagle dove, it was like a raging storm. The airflow stirred up by its descent swept away the leaves from several trees.
The eagle ignored the tender green leaves flying around it. All it saw was the emerald-green snake in its eyes.
Whoosh...
When the eagle descended to less than three meters away, it let out another piercing cry, its talons poised.
Just then...
When the eagle was less than two meters from the green snake, it pounced. A flash of purple light suddenly appeared, but it lasted only an instant. Before the eagle could even react, the purple light vanished.
However, that was not the important part. Though the purple light had disappeared, a person suddenly appeared in the previously empty space after it faded!
The man wore casual clothes, his expression somewhat stiff, as though he had yet to react.
"This place... this is... huh?"
The man was