Infiltrating the Amegakure Building (Seeking Collection, Seeking Recommendation)

Tsunade let out a long breath, reaching a decision as her expression firmed.

She continued to tap a secret code onto Yusuke's hand: Let's head to the rendezvous point with the other four first.

Yusuke understood her intent and, choosing not to argue, sighed and followed behind Tsunade.

Once the pair found their first tavern to rest in, Tsunade stepped out quickly to relay the intelligence.

Yusuke ordered some snacks, eating while contemplating the subsequent steps.

Tsunade has made up her mind to act. The worst-case scenario is that Hanzo the Salamander hasn't departed for the Land of Iron yet.

Engaging that demigod is clearly not a wise move.

Perhaps...

His expression was hesitant, struggling to make a choice.

Less than an hour later, Tsunade returned through the wind and rain. She sat down before Yusuke, looking somewhat exhausted, and grabbed the teacup in front of her to take a sip.

"It's cold outside, isn't it?"

Yusuke asked softly, reaching out to take Tsunade's other small, icy hand in his.

To any outsider, they looked like a loving couple.

Yusuke: How did it go?

Tsunade: The intel has been passed on. We've agreed to move at two in the morning.

She took another sip of tea, looking at the man before her with a gentle expression.

Tsunade: I received information from them—Hanzo the Salamander is not in Amegakure. No one knows where he went.

Upon hearing this, the heart Yusuke had been holding finally settled, and he felt the surrounding atmosphere soften considerably.

Aside from Hanzo, there were no other ninjas in Amegakure worth mentioning.

Since this boss of the Second Shinobi World War—who would later become famous for his poison and for defeating the Sannin—was absent, this mission shouldn't pose much of a problem.

Time trickled by slowly until it was finally time for the night operation.

Six figures wearing hoods and masks moved swiftly through the buildings of Amegakure, closing in on a structure in the center of the village.

The perimeter security of the Amegakure Building was very lax; it seemed that after Hanzo's departure, the guards had grown lazy, yawning as they chatted about mundane daily life.

The six hid in the trees, carefully observing the patrol routes.

Number 2 urged them impatiently: "Captain, let's move."

During this mission, he hadn't performed up to the expected standard, and returning to the village without significant merit would be poor, which made him appear somewhat agitated.

Just as Tsunade was about to give the order, a voice interrupted them.

"Wait a little longer. I keep feeling like something isn't right."

Number 2, also a sensory ninja, had long since perceived that Yusuke's strength was only that of a Chunin.

"Number 6, it's normal for a Chunin like you to be afraid, but you shouldn't let your cowardice affect the entire mission."

Although Yusuke, as Number 6, was the captain's partner, he couldn't help but snap back.

Tsunade frowned, waving her hand to stop Number 2 from speaking further. She asked in a low voice: "What did you discover?"

Yusuke furrowed his brows. Through his sensory ninjutsu, he had roughly probed the situation inside the Amegakure Building.

There were only two patrol squads totaling ten ninjas inside; everything looked perfectly natural.

Yet, a sense of crisis lingered in his heart, refusing to dissipate.

Yusuke said helplessly: "I haven't discovered anything, but it just feels wrong."

Number 2 curled his lip, but unlike the brainless teammates in other stories, he didn't fixate on Yusuke to pick a fight.

In the dangerous environment of a mission, anyone who dared to expose themselves was a fool.

"Captain, perhaps Number 6 has been under too much mental strain these past few days and his senses are off. The opportunity is rare—let's move."

Number 2 continued to urge.

Rumble— A muffled clap of thunder echoed in the sky, and the rain began to intensify.

Tsunade let out a long breath and said: "Number 2 and Number 5, take out the guards on the left. Number 3 and Number 4, take out the guards on the right. Once the task is complete, stand guard."

"I will infiltrate the Amegakure Building with Number 6. Move out."

The six figures vanished quickly into the brush, using the sound of the rain as cover, and soon reached their designated locations.

The other four were all Jonin, while these patrol ninjas were at most Chunin level; they dealt with them effortlessly, taking them all down in just a few moves.

Tsunade and Yusuke then quickly entered the Amegakure Building.

The interior of the building was dark and unlit, like a beast with its maw wide open, waiting for prey to enter.

The two moved swiftly through the first-floor lobby, their eyes scanning the nameplates on the various rooms.

Unlike Tsunade, who was searching for the scroll room, Yusuke's hands swept rapidly across the doors.

Tsunade noticed Yusuke's actions and, seeing the paper charms appearing, did not stop him.

After searching the first floor, just as they were preparing to head upstairs, his reflexes allowed him to spot a scrap of white paper talisman beneath the staircase in the flash of lightning. Yusuke's internal alarm bells rang instantly.

"Watch out!" he shouted, lunging forward to tackle Tsunade to the ground.

A deafening boom erupted, shattering the staircase into splinters that rained down through the air.

Had it not been for Yusuke's quick reaction, the two of them would have been blown to dust.

"Very impressive reaction speed, though that is all it amounts to."

A low voice drifted over, sounding muffled as if filtered through a mask.

A surge of chakra emanated with his voice, cracking the surrounding walls.

Tsunade and Yusuke felt a heavy pressure descend upon them.

Rumbling thunder cracked once more, the flickering light illuminating the figure leaping down from the second floor.

Yusuke and Tsunade quickly rose to their feet, putting distance between themselves and their opponent.

"Hanzo the Salamander!"

Yusuke called out the man's name directly.

"Interesting, but there is no need for futile struggles; you are already surrounded."

"Cooperate, and I might grant you a quick death."

No sooner had Hanzo finished speaking than a large number of ninjas rushed into the room on the first floor, leaving Tsunade and Yusuke trapped like the filling of a dumpling.

The two stood back-to-back, guarding against the surrounding enemies, while one hand behind their backs frantically signaled in code.

"So it was a sealing talisman that masked chakra fluctuations? No wonder I didn't sense it."

Yusuke maintained a relaxed expression.

"Stubborn to the end!"

Such stalling tactics were truly childish in the eyes of an old veteran like Hanzo, and he had run out of patience.

However, just as he prepared to step forward and finish them off, Yusuke let out a shout: "Hah!"

The talismans Yusuke had posted upon entering the building ignited instantly, and a ninja in the hallway sensed that something was wrong.

"It's an explosive tag, get out of the way!" he shrieked.

Boom! The sound of the explosion rang out once more.

The commotion was even louder than before, as these explosive tags represented the majority of his worldly possessions.

"Go!"

Yusuke growled, and the two took advantage of the blast's aftermath to sprint toward the doorway.

Hanzo's eyes widened in fury; he had spent his life hunting hawks, only to be pecked in the eye by a sparrow in his old age.

"Where do you think you're running!" he roared, using the Body Flicker Technique to give chase.

Tsunade glanced back, noting the opponent's truly astonishing speed.

She let out a sharp cry, ripped the wooden door off its frame, and hurled it violently behind her.

A clear ringing of steel sounded as Hanzo the Salamander swung his kusarigama, cleaving the incoming door in two.

He then whipped the weighted chain end forward, aiming it straight for the center of Yusuke's back.