While the five great ninja villages were consolidating their strength, dispatching personnel, and reallocating supplies, Naruto, deceived by the Konoha group, set out for the Land of Lightning to carry out that S-rank mission that existed only in vague rumors.
The ninja world had nearly reached the point where every rustle of wind and cry of a crane put everyone on guard.
Then, at that moment.
Three figures abruptly appeared within the Land of Rivers. All wore white robes. The one in front was a short man, while the two behind him wore respectful expressions. It was obvious at a glance that they were his subordinates. Yet one of them, despite his respectful demeanor, could not suppress the terror in his eyes, as though the man before him were some horrifying being.
"Hmph, what a filthy place. I really don't know why that guy chose this place!" the short man snorted, his face full of disgust as he spoke disdainfully.
"Still, I can sense that thing's presence! Ah, how wonderful! Go. Bring someone back. I want to know what's going on here!"
"Yes!"
The most burly of the three stirred slightly, and with a flicker of his body, vanished.
Not long afterward, the burly man returned, carrying a severely injured and unconscious Konoha ninja in one hand.
The leader walked over to the Konoha ninja. Expressionless, he extended a hand and pressed it against the ninja's head.
"Ahhhhhhh!" The Konoha ninja suddenly screamed in agony, struggling violently all over. Yet under the man's restraint, he could not move at all.
Before long, his body stopped struggling, leaving only faint spasms.
"Heh heh, so that's how it is. Then I'll wait a little longer. There are some matters I need to deal with first. I wonder what expression that woman will