What Does Finding Uchiha Sen Have to Do with Me, Natsu?

"Whew. I don't know what's going on, but being able to leave the Hidden Leaf Village is quite lucky."

Zabuza Momochi looked back at Konoha's gates and could not help sighing. It could not be helped—when you were under someone else's roof, you had to bow your head. Although Uchiha Sen had his back, he still did not feel at ease. Only outside Konoha could he experience this feeling.

Compared to Zabuza Momochi, Uchiha Sen seemed somewhat restless. Looking at the world outside, he always felt it was not as comfortable as home, and he kept complaining to Haku beside him.

"Haku, can't we dawdle for another couple of days before heading out? I haven't even finished watching my cartoons..."

"And it's not as comfortable outside as it is at home. Did you bring my favorite big bed and sofa?"

Zabuza Momochi's worldview was shattered once again. This was the first time he had seen anyone bring a bed and sofa along while carrying out a mission...

[ Ding! Detected that the host has left the Hidden Leaf Village. Automatically abandoning the Konoha Crush Plan mission. Current mission completion progress: one star. Reward issued: jonin chakra. ]

At the Root base within the Hidden Leaf Village.

"Tenzō, take a squad of Root members and ambush Uchiha Sen's group of three. If necessary, eliminate them completely. These are portraits of all the members of the ANBU squad Uchiha Sen belongs to. Deal with the other two as you see fit, but bring Uchiha Sen back unharmed if possible."

Within the dark base, Shimura Danzō sat high above as he issued his orders. In his eyes, this was the best possible outcome. Anything that could threaten the Hidden Leaf Village should be erased.

Everything I do is for the Hidden Leaf Village. Hiruzen, in the end, you are still too softhearted.

Shimura Danzō thought to himself.

The sun was high in the sky.

The group set up camp on the spot. Looking at the map, Zabuza Momochi fell into deep thought...

At their current pace, it seemed they would need at least a month to reach the Land of Iron...

There was no helping it. Uchiha Sen had actually gotten temperamental. He had barely walked for any length of time all morning before clamoring to rest on the spot...

Zabuza did not understand what kind of cartoon could be so captivating...

I haven't watched it either. How would I know...

Perhaps only Yuki Haku could understand Uchiha Sen's thoughts. After all, he was merely a tool...

And right now, he was using Fire Release to roast beef for the young master...

Hmm! Something was wrong!

That was right. Although this mission posed little danger and the Third Hokage had assigned them an ordinary reconnaissance mission, Zabuza Momochi, having spent many years in the trade, still did not let down his guard. He constantly used his exceptional sensory abilities to scout the surroundings.

"We have a tail!"

Zabuza Momochi discovered that, ten minutes earlier, a squad had begun following behind them and was stubbornly sticking to them. Something was very wrong.

Before Uchiha Sen, a blue display panel issued a prompt.

[ Ding! Detected a small force approaching with hostile intent. ]

[ System scanning: Name: Tenzō; Position: Root squad leader; Strength: jonin; Danger level: 5 ]

"Haku, something's wrong."

Zabuza Momochi gave the warning immediately. Having spent so much time together, he knew Uchiha Sen was not exactly reliable—sometimes he worked, sometimes he did not.

"Hm?"

Yuki Haku was still somewhat weaker than Zabuza. In his moment of panic, a group of ninjas wearing hawk-faced masks appeared before them.

"I presume you are the ANBU squad led by Uchiha Sen."

Tenzō's voice held no emotion.

"Leaf Village ninja?"

Zabuza froze.

"You're looking for Uchiha Sen. What does that have to do with me, Natsu?"

Uchiha Sen stood with his hands on his hips and spoke with unparalleled arrogance.

???

What the hell?

Tenzō froze, Zabuza froze, and Haku laughed.