Wood Style Obtained

"...Lin Cheng! Do you really have to be so over-the-top? This is a four-man mission!"

After a moment of silence, Kakashi's mouth twitched, and he complained.

"I don't like surprises! It's better to just crush them outright!"

Shrugging, Lin Cheng grabbed the other man and headed directly toward the border.

"Let's go! Isn't the second half of the mission to bring him back, dead or alive?"

"...Tenzō! Let's move!"

"Oh—right!"

Snapping out of his daze, Tenzō hurriedly caught up to the other three.

The group then crossed the border between the two nations, heading into the territory of the Land of Wind.

After traveling for an entire day, night fell.

Surveying the desolate, uninhabited surroundings, Kakashi nodded at Tenzō.

Tenzō immediately understood what Kakashi meant.

"Wood Style! Four-Pillar Prison Technique!"

As Tenzō completed the jutsu, a house that had been buried underground instantly emerged from the yellow sand beneath their feet.

Only a small section of the wall remained exposed above the sand, with the rest buried deep beneath it.

"Everyone, come in and rest!"

With that, Tenzō opened the door and stepped inside first.

Lin Cheng and the others followed closely behind, entering the room and shutting the door behind them.

"I have to say, this jutsu of Tenzō's is really convenient!"

Sitting on the wooden floor, Lin Cheng nodded in appreciation.

"It is! That's why every time I go on a mission with Tenzō, we always have a comfortable place to rest!"

Kakashi nodded, agreeing with Lin Cheng's sentiment.

"It's nothing! It's Lin Cheng who truly earns my admiration!

The target, who was supposed to be a real handful, was instantly killed by Lin Cheng!"

Shaking his head, the stoic Tenzō was clearly more envious of Lin Cheng's strength.

Off to the side, Kimimaro, who had been silent the whole time, stuck his tongue out in his mind.

He knew that this jutsu of Tenzō's had surely been pilfered by his older brother as well.

Thinking about how his brother had learned so many techniques but couldn't use them due to certain concerns, Kimimaro felt a secret pang of sadness for him.

Sigh... where else could you find a younger brother who thinks of his older brother like this? Truly excellent!

The night passed without incident. At dawn, after eating breakfast, the four of them set out once again on their journey deep into the Land of Wind.

Facing the wind and sand, the four traveled for nearly seven days until they finally neared the hidden village of the Land of Wind!

Sunagakure!

Upon receiving word that the ninja from their ally, Konoha, had returned with the corpse of the village's rogue ninja, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, actually left the village to greet them personally!

"Greetings, Lord Kazekage!"

"Konoha's finest! You have worked hard! To capture this village's rogue ninja and return him—you four must be the elite of Konoha!

Since you have some time, why not spar with me?"

"This... Lord Kazekage! Our mission is complete, so we cannot linger! As for a spar, we must decline!"

Sensing that something was wrong, Kakashi refused without a moment's hesitation.

"Such a unique silver-gray hair color... it reminds me of someone from your village! Sakumo Hatake!

I imagine you must be related to him!"

"Thank you for the compliment, Fourth Kazekage! You speak of my father, but he passed away many years ago!

There is no need to bring it up.

Furthermore, our mission is complete, and we must take our leave!"

Hearing the desire to retreat in Kakashi's words, a flash of killing intent flickered in the eyes of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.

"Since the mission is complete, there is no harm in staying a while longer!

A quick spar to let me witness the style of Sakumo Hatake's successor—surely that isn't too much to ask?

If you are worried that I, Rasa, would be bullying the young, you may all four attack at once!

I believe Konoha's ninja are not cowards who fear death! Besides, this is merely a friendly spar!"

In every word, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, made it clear that he held Konoha in little regard.