Amber Purifying Pot

That strike let Dodai see the power Sora possessed.

He also saw the resentment and fury Sora had accumulated over the years.

This anger could only be fully unleashed through blood and death, through slaughter and victory!

Compared to an arena, the battlefield was a far better place for Sora!

"Release!"

As chakra flowed in, a cloud of white smoke drifted forth, and a sealing vessel resembling a kimchi jar appeared before Sora.

"This is...!"

At the sight of the object, Samui's pupils suddenly contracted. Still shaken by Sora's bloody and violent methods from before, she stared in shock.

"The Amber Purifying Pot?!"

That was right.

This thing that looked like a kimchi jar or a foot-washing bucket...

Was one of the Sage of Six Paths' five great ninja tools from long ago.

The ultimate ninja tool said to seal anything as long as it answered its call.

The Amber Purifying Pot!

As direct descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, Sora's clan had always possessed the five great ninja tools passed down by the Sage.

Back then, Gold Horn and Silver Horn had relied on the power of the Sage's ninja tools, along with the Nine-Tails' power within themselves, to forcefully cripple the Second Hokage and the Second Raikage!

Yet it was also that battle that caused four of the five Sage ninja tools to vanish.

Only this Amber Purifying Pot remained, collected by the Third Raikage.

To Sora, the Eight-Tails was more like an unresolved knot in his heart. He also knew perfectly well that Hidden Cloud's higher-ups would never hand it over to him.

But he had never expected those old fools to be willing to pay such a price just to have Dodai persuade him!

"The Amber Purifying Pot..."

Sora's palm gently stroked the sealing lid of the Amber Purifying Pot. He could clearly sense the residual tailed beast chakra inside.

Even if ten thousand years passed, he would never forget that aura.

That day, it was this very chakra that had taken everything he possessed from him!

Besides that object, there was also a very ordinary little hat.

It was a little hat with animal ears, the kind often worn by young children.

But the instant he saw it, Sora's reaction was even greater than when he saw the Amber Purifying Pot!

His hands clutched the little hat tightly, but fearing that he might crease or damage it, he quickly became exceedingly careful.

The violent fluctuation of emotions made Samui curious and confused. Was this still the gladiator who killed without batting an eye and threw punches without hesitation?

Sora held the hat in his hands for a long while before suddenly speaking.

"What's the mission?"

"What?"

Dodai froze, then was overwhelmed with joy.

He swiftly pulled a mission scroll from the ninja tool pouch at his waist.

Sora accepted the scroll and, somewhat awkwardly, opened it using Hidden Cloud's special method.

[Order Yozuki Sora to proceed to the Thunder-Rock Battlefield and reinforce the Third Raikage. Inflict the greatest possible damage upon Hidden Stone's formation, tear open their defensive line, draw the attention of Hidden Stone's reinforcements, and ensure that the Third Raikage can rendezvous with the frontline main force. Signed: Raikage Advisory Council. Mission Rank: S]

"The unit led by Troy is in grave danger. Hidden Stone has deployed at least three thousand ninja."

"The Third has already headed to the battlefield, but the situation still doesn't look promising."

"More and more Hidden Stone ninja are arriving. Even the ninja originally stationed at the borders with the Lands of Wind and Fire have been mobilized by Onoki of the Two Scales."

"We need you to intercept that force!"

While Sora read through the mission, Dodai rapidly relayed the intelligence.

Some of that intelligence was information even Samui had not known.

After hearing Dodai's words, Samui was the first to drastically change expression, terror filling her face.

She knew the situation at the front was dire, but she had not expected it to be this bad.

With such a reckless investment of forces, Onoki of the Two Scales was determined to swallow Hidden Cloud's main force in one bite!

"You really think highly of me."

Sora put away the scroll and let out a scornful laugh. "There are at least several thousand Hidden Stone ninja pulled back from the Wind and Fire borders. You want me to fight several thousand people alone? What am I, the Sage of Six Paths?"

"I know how difficult this mission is, but at this stage, we can only rely on you."

"Only your madness—only you when you're mad—might be able to pull this off!"

Dodai understood all too well just how difficult this mission was.

In a sense, it was practically a suicide mission.

Even if Sora's combat strength was unmatched and he successfully drew Hidden Stone's attention, facing over a thousand Stone ninja would surely see him torn to pieces.

Yet that fleeting glimpse just now had shown Dodai something different.

The strength of his former disciple seemed to have become even more terrifying and formidable after ten years of refinement.

If it was you, you could definitely do it!

"During the mission, you will have the highest authority to mobilize the front lines, second only to Lord Raikage!"

"Aren't you afraid I'll tear those companions of yours to shreds first?"

Sora asked teasingly.

"You won't."

Dodai shook his head. "Although this village has disappointed you beyond measure, it still holds far too much..."

"Enough."

Sora cut Dodai off, his gaze settling directly on Samui.

"I'm taking this little lady. I'll leave things here to you, Teacher Dodai. You understand what I mean, right?"

"W-what?"

"...Don't worry. I'll take care of everything here for you."

Samui had not reacted at all, while Dodai forced out a somewhat strained smile. "Go, Samui. Sora has not returned to Hidden Cloud in a long time. He needs your help and guidance."

"This..."

Samui lightly bit her red lip.

Being intelligent, she understood Dodai's unspoken meaning. She also finally understood why the higher-ups had sent her here with Dodai.

As one of the most outstanding members of Hidden Cloud's younger generation, Samui possessed not only exceptional talent as a ninja, but had also been a beauty since childhood.

Because of its geographical location, most people in Hidden Cloud had brown skin, but Samui was exceptionally fair.

And though she was only fourteen, her voluptuous figure was already beginning to show.

Delicate features, fair skin, and an ample bosom.

The three combined together.

Not only was she breathtakingly beautiful in Hidden Cloud, but even across the entire ninja world, Samui would be considered an exceptionally rare beauty.

Yet Samui had never cared much about her appearance. She even had no interest whatsoever in feminine hobbies such as makeup and flower arranging, devoting all her thoughts to ninja training and various fields of knowledge.

Samui had originally thought she was assigned this mission alongside Dodai because of her calm personality and meticulous mind.

But now, it seemed...

The things she cared about least had instead become her greatest assets for carrying out this mission.

"I understand."

After only a moment of hesitation, Samui gave a slight nod and walked to Sora's side.

"I will follow you, Lord Blood Wrist."

"At least you have some sense."

Sora grinned. "But first, get those thoughts out of your head."

"As weak as you are, and without a bloodline limit, you are neither qualified to bear my children nor capable of enduring my whipping and playthings."

"?"

Her fists clenched.

But Sora had no interest in what Samui was thinking. He strode out of the room.

Samui pursed her lips and hurried after him.

The mission had been issued. As a ninja, mission orders were absolute.

Even if the mission meant sending her to her death, she could not refuse.

That was the basic quality a qualified ninja should possess.