Preparation 1/5 [Seeking Collection!]

Inside Otogakure, Jun Tianlin left Orochimaru's cold, damp room and returned once more to his own quarters.

Sitting on the wide bed, Jun Tianlin toyed with the Black Scroll in his hands, a smile playing on his lips.

"Oh, so this is the special technique to enter and exit Konoha. Orochimaru even included some extra information for me. I should take a good look and memorize it carefully; it wouldn't do to have any flaws exposed once I arrive in Konoha."

With these words, Jun Tianlin opened the Black Scroll, his deep black pupils darting across the surface, committing every piece of information to memory.

"Hoo."

Exhaling a breath of stale air, Jun Tianlin raised his hand and placed the Black Scroll onto the candle stand on the table. As the flames rose, the scroll slowly turned to ash.

"Heh, since I'm going to Konoha, I can't afford to leave any traces. Being hunted by a village as massive as Konoha wouldn't be fun at all. Therefore, it's best to destroy this scroll containing the entry technique and other intel before I head out."

With a hint of eeriness and infinite wisdom in his eyes, Jun Tianlin wore a cunning expression, much like a fox that had escaped a hunter's pursuit countless times, and let out a soft chuckle.

"Well, that's enough for today. I haven't had a proper rest since I rushed back to Otogakure from Rouge Town. I'll have a comfortable sleep tonight and leave for Konoha tomorrow."

"Ah~ mm."

As the words left his lips, Jun Tianlin stretched his arms wide, let out a lazy groan, and flopped onto the bed. Sinking into the soft, comfortable mattress, he slowly drifted into a sweet dream.

Early the next morning, Jun Tianlin woke up on his own and tidied his room until it was spotless, smiling with satisfaction.

"Mm, who would have thought? Not only can I fight, but I'm also a master of housework. I cleaned this room in such a short time—honestly, I'm starting to admire myself."

After a brief moment of narcissism, Jun Tianlin composed himself and slowly turned his gaze toward the table in front of him.

"Since I'm heading to Konoha, I can't take this Ninja Tool Pouch that has followed me through training and combat. If I bring this along and it gets discovered, my entire trip to Konoha will be ruined. For the sake of the Uchiha Clan and my grand plan, I cannot take anything that might potentially expose my identity.

Hm? Right, it's decided. Since I can't take most of these things, I might as well leave everything behind in Otogakure. I don't really need these auxiliary items anyway; even if a fight breaks out, I still have Shikotsumyaku, so there's no need to worry.

However, while I don't need these items, money... that's a real problem. The fifty thousand ryo I had has been mostly spent over this past month, and there's only two or three thousand left. Trying to live well in Konoha with such a pittance is asking too much! It looks like I have no choice but to pay Orochimaru another visit."

Looking at his nearly empty wallet, Jun Tianlin's expression shifted, followed by a helpless sigh as he gently rested his right hand on his forehead.

What the hell is this?