Konohagakure, inside Lin Mu's home.
His home was small, but everything was neatly arranged, giving it a fresh, welcoming feel.
Lin Mu sat cross-legged on his bed, refining his chakra.
Yet he seemed rather distracted.
What exactly went wrong?
Lin Mu kept turning the question over in his mind.
Why hasn't the completion notification for this special mission appeared?
Special mission: Foil Orochimaru's plot and save Tsunade.
Tsunade had already returned to the village and become the Fifth Hokage, so why was the mission still incomplete? What was going on?
Lin Mu was starting to lose his composure.
At first, he hadn't paid much attention, assuming it was merely a delay in the system.
But even a delay shouldn't have left him without any news for over half a month, should it?
Where exactly is the problem?
Thinking about it was giving Lin Mu a headache. Finally, he sighed.
"Forget it. I'll let things take their course."
Things would work themselves out when the time came. He must have overlooked some detail, but there was no point getting anxious now.
Even if he did, there was nothing he could do about it.
Sensing his own growing irritation, Lin Mu exhaled, slowly closed his eyes, and felt the natural energy around him.
These little blue sprites were lively and nimble, each with its own distinct character, as though they possessed minds of their own.
They surrounded Lin Mu's body and spirit, dancing with joy.
Absorb!
At his mental command, the natural energy around him seemed to be drawn toward him, pouring steadily into his body.
Soon, strange black markings appeared on Lin Mu's face, giving him an eerie air.
Something's wrong!
It felt wrong.
Activating his sage body this time felt different from before.
The difference was subtle, but