Hell Valley

"Has something changed about Nagato? Or has his leg been healed?"

Naraku reviewed his understanding of the Six Paths of Pain in his mind, and then made inferences based on Orochimaru's information.

After a while, he put away the information about Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru really knows how to talk a good game. He's clearly acting out of his own ambition, but he makes it sound like he's doing it for Konoha."

Orochimaru's information was somewhat helpful to Naraku, and Naraku also admired Orochimaru's rhetoric in embellishing his actions.

Bang! Bang!

A knock sounded on the door, Tsunade got up and opened it.

"Sir, here is your order of food and drinks."

Two servants entered the room carrying trays and placed sake and food on the coffee table.

"Please enjoy your meal, both of you."

After the two servants delivered the meal, they bowed slightly and turned to leave.

"Oh, sake, hahaha, it's been so long since I've had a good drink."

Tsunade sat back on the cushion, picked up the sake bottle, poured herself a full cup, and then drank it all in one gulp.

"Ha, the sake here is surprisingly good."

After Tsunade finished it in one gulp, she let out a satisfied sound, followed by some excited praise.

Tsunade, who enjoys drinking, is an expert in alcohol tasting.

Hearing Tsunade's comments, Naraku smiled knowingly, picked up the drink Tsunade had poured for him, and took a small sip.

"It's indeed delicious, but while it's wonderful for us as a couple to drink together, it seems to be lacking something... What could enhance the enjoyment of the wine?"

Drinking alone is a bit boring. Although Tsunade, they are an old married couple, and they've already had their fun in the hot spring. Naraku isn't in the mood for that.

Tsunade hearing Naraku's words, Tsunade's previously cheerful expression vanished, and she said coldly:

"To liven things up? How would you like it? How about we have the boss summon a few dancers to entertain you?"

"Okay, okay!"

Hearing that Tsunade was so perceptive, Naraku's face lit up with an excited smile and he immediately agreed. But as soon as he finished speaking, he noticed that Tsunade's tone seemed a little off, so he glanced at Tsunade.

Upon seeing this, Naraku immediately realized something was amiss and changed his words:

"No, no."

Naraku waved his hands repeatedly and explained:

"I've always been a devout follower of spiritual disciplines and busy with official duties; I never touch these things, so how could I possibly appreciate them? Really. Please don't say things like that next time; it disrupts your meditation."

After Naraku finished speaking, he picked up his wine glass somewhat guiltily and took a big gulp.

"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you."

Tsunade snorted coldly, not responding to the conversation. After pouring Naraku's sake cup, she filled her own and drank it all in one gulp.

"Ah, the drinks from the Land of Hot Water are truly wonderful, they have a unique flavor."

Tsunade swallowed the wine, and two blushes appeared on her cheeks; she seemed to be in a very good mood.

Naraku didn't respond, but picked up the sake bottle and poured sake for Tsunade. Although Tsunade tried to act like a virtuous wife and loving mother, in real life she was actually a bit careless and easygoing.

"A balance between work and rest is the key to life. Let's finish this pot of wine and rest. Tomorrow we're going to visit the Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water."

Seeing Tsunade's somewhat dazed expression after drinking, Naraku spoke gently.

"Hmm, my husband, it's late, hehe."

"Huh? What are you going to do? We were just in the hot spring..."

Naraku was horrified as he watched Tsunade pounce on him.

The next day

At the entrance to Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water, a massive aerial fortress descends to the ground.

Naraku piloted the Konoha Sky Carrier and surveyed the valley from above, discovering that the entire valley was surrounded by a barrier before landing at the valley entrance.

After the Konoha Sky Carrier landed safely, the Fourth Hokage Naraku emerged from the space carrier with a dozen or so attendants.

"A barrier has been erected over the entire valley; it seems the only way in is through the Daimon."

Behind Naraku, Tsunade whispered to Naraku, "Tsunade was very interested in the stories I heard about the Uchiha and the Chinoike Clan last night."

Unexpectedly, a family with Kekkei Genkai of Dōjutsu was being imprisoned in the valley of this Land of Hot Water.

As Naraku and his group carefully examined the sealed Daimon at the entrance to Hell Valley, several figures jumped down from the Daimon's defensive tower and hurried towards Naraku.

"Lord Hokage!" X8

The visitor was none other than Sarutobi Ryusei, the captain of the task force that had been on a long-term surveillance mission in the Land of Hot Water.

The Hell Valley mission in the Land of Hot Water is a long-term mission that has been going on for nearly a hundred years. Originally, it was monitored and imprisoned by the Uchiha Clan. After the establishment of Konoha, the resources of various ninja clans were integrated into the Konoha Ninja Village organization.

However, this mission in the Hell Valley of the Land of Hot Water somehow ended up being monitored by the Sarutobi Clan.

Naraku patted Sarutobi Seishin's shoulder and said gently in a soft voice:

"Sarutobi Ryusei, thank you for your hard work. Open the barrier. The Chinoike Clan has been imprisoned for a hundred years. Their past grievances and sins have been redeemed during this time. They can be released now."

"Huh? This..."

Sarutobi Ryusei was somewhat surprised. This mission to imprison the Chinoike Clan was issued by the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning. Although he didn't know why the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning hated the Chinoike Clan so much, he still sent the mission commission every year without fail.

The Sarutobi Clan has been receiving payments from the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning for almost twenty years, and they have grown quite plump and strong.

I heard that the former Third Hokage put a lot of effort into obtaining this long-term mission.

Naraku the Jonin Sarutobi Ryusei's hesitant posture, Naraku frowned slightly, about to lose his temper. Before Naraku exert pressure, Uchiha Tekka behind him spoke up, sternly rebuking him:

"Are you deaf?! Hurry up and activate the barrier?!"

Only after being reprimanded by Uchiha Tekka did Sarutobi Ryusei realize what was happening.

"Hi!"

Sarutobi Ryusei strode back to the city Daimon, quickly Hand Seals. In about thirty seconds, he completed approximately one hundred seals before placing his hands on the Daimon.

To put it bluntly, the Third Hokage is outdated, and the Fourth Hokage is in power now. If we displease the Fourth Hokage, it won't just be a matter of this Land of Lightning mission; the entire Sarutobi Clan could be in deep trouble.

"Open!"

Sarutobi Ryusei quickly completed the Hand Seals, and with a shout, the Daimon slowly opened under his control.

Sarutobi Ryusei has been on surveillance missions in Hell Valley for five years now. Although it's already the Fourth Hokage era in the village, the Sarutobi Clan is still basking in the glory of the Third Hokage.

Realizing that his hesitation had displeased the Hokage, Sarutobi Ryusei worked very hard to open the barrier, hoping to win back some of the Hokage's favor.

Being a ninja in Kimura Village and being targeted by the Hokage, the highest leader of Konoha, means there's really no one who can protect you.

"Lord Hokage! The barrier has been opened!"

Sarutobi Hoshino wiped his sweat. As a Jonin considerable strength, opening a gap in the barrier single-handedly was quite an achievement.

"Hmm, you opened the barrier all by yourself... Sarutobi Ryusei, your strength is not bad."

Seeing how hard Sarutobi Ryusei was working, Naraku's impression of him changed a little.

"Come with me."

Naraku gave his instructions and, together with his retinue and the ninja guarding Hell Valley, entered the valley.