It was not Senju Kenyu's first time leaving Konoha, but it was his first time traveling alone to a distant country on a mission.
The Land of Demons lay southeast of Konoha, roughly five days away at full speed. But this was a long-term mission. Even if everything went smoothly, he would need at least a year before he could return to the village.
Precisely because they took so long, missions like these were assigned to individual Jōnin, never to ninja squads.
In other words, he would have no chance to return for the New Year of Konoha Year 34.
Senju Touka, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and many clansmen close to Kenyu all came to see him off.
Jiraiya stepped forward and embraced Kenyu, patting his shoulder. "Take care!"
"Yeah. You too."
And so, under everyone's watching eyes, Senju Kenyu turned and left Konoha through the main gate.
No one knew that a vast web of conspiracy had already blocked every road ahead of him.
This journey would be the final flourish of his illustrious career. When he returned someday, rogue ninja, violator of taboos-one label or another would inevitably be pinned on him.
Elsewhere, at a side gate of Konoha.
Once he sensed that Kenyu had departed, Dan Katō faithfully began carrying out the secret mission the Hokage had entrusted to him.
Thanks to the Soul Transformation Jutsu, he had ample room to maneuver. He would maintain a distance of roughly three kilometers from Senju Kenyu, keeping him under continuous surveillance without exposing himself.
Every day afterward, he would use the summoning parrots trained by Konoha's Anbu to send his surveillance reports directly to Toji.
Apart from Toji, Konoha could function normally without anyone.
Senju Kenyu's departure caused no ripples in Konoha.
Apart from Toji, no one noticed the burden of