Great Fire Fish Jutsu

After settling Uzumaki Kana, Kato Osamu quietly left Kusagakure.

"Underground Bounty Office has actually put a 100 million tael bounty on me. Mist Shinobi is truly wealthy and powerful; no wonder it's an old, established nation..."

Just think about it, and you'll realize that apart from the Mist Shinobi, probably no one else hates you so much. However, it's unlikely that anyone will be able to claim the bounty of 100 million taels.

"The revenue of the Land of Grass will be considered part of it; if there's a deficit..."

"Snort..."

Kato Osamu slowly walked towards Konoha's camp, making no attempt to conceal himself as he pondered his next move.

Madara Uchiha's plans, his research into Yin–Yang Release, the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave, the power of the Tailed Beasts —he still has much to do.

"It's time to leave Konoha..."

As they drew closer to Konoha's camp, Kato Osamu's gaze held a complex expression as he looked at the large tent that was now almost within reach.

Even setting aside the fact that his biggest backer Orochimaru, is also preparing to leave Konoha, even with his current strength, he no longer needs to fear Konoha.

Moreover, having killed the Mizukage, his return to Konoha will likely bring more trouble than fortune...

No one in power would tolerate the existence of a force that is not under their control, especially since he already had no good impression of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As he drew closer to the camp, countless figures sped by in Kato Osamu's senses, seemingly relaying information of his arrival back to the camp. His pace remained unhurried, though a hint of melancholy crept into his eyes.

He sensed a familiar, sinister aura mixed in with it—it was the scent of Root ninjas...

"Danzo, huh...?"

"I hope you don't die too soon..."

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Kato Osamu's eyes, but he also understood that Danzo was not so easy to kill. If he were to strike, it would have to be a fatal blow. This kind of venomous snake lurking in the shadows was the most disgusting kind of enemy.

It's a pity I had a chance back then, but I wasn't good enough to seize it...

He knew why Danzo had relentlessly pursued him, but he was no longer someone who could be easily manipulated.

As the Root ninja disappeared from his senses, Kato Osamu sneered and entered Konoha's camp.

"Kato Osamu...?"

"You're here really early..."

Just as Kato Osamu was being checked by the ninjas at the camp gate, a Genin approached him with a complicated look and told him that Kato Osamu Jiraiya ordered him to come see him immediately.

The Flying Thunder God Technique is truly the fastest in the Shinobi World. As soon as the battle between the Stone Shinobi and Cloud Shinobi ended, Minato Namikaze immediately rushed to the Sand Shinobi Battlefield to assist Tsunade in dealing with the overwhelming Sand Shinobi.

Currently, only Jiraiya is stationed on the battlefield in Stone Shinobi.

Upon receiving news of Kato Osamu's arrival, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. The great battle had already ended, yet he had only just arrived. What was this disciple of Orochimaru, his own teammate, thinking?

As if recalling the unspoken but already subtle atmosphere between him and Orochimaru, Jiraiya sighed softly, put down the scroll in his hand, and turned his gaze toward the entrance of the camp.

"Come in..."

As Jiraiya scrutinized the boy who entered the tent, his eyes Jiraiya glazed over. He had met Kato Osamu a few times in his younger days, but the young Kato Osamu of that time was completely different from the one he knew now.

Although their appearances are different, the aura he exudes is remarkably similar to that of Orochimaru from back then...

His expression was calm, and he seemed to carry a somewhat murderous aura. His eyes were bright, yet there was an inescapable frostiness in them. He also seemed to be a man who rarely smiled, pondering secrets he never shared with anyone.

"You..."

"Never mind..."

She wanted to reprimand him for his delay, but for some reason, the words wouldn't come out. Her eyes held a hint of guilt, and after a moment of silence, she slowly spoke again.

"If you're avoiding Minato Namikaze because of Orochimaru, there's really no need for that..."

"The ninjas of Konoha, no matter the final outcome, will always be trustworthy brothers on the battlefield..."

"You are Orochimaru's disciple, so you're practically my disciple too, and you're also considered a fellow disciple of Minato Namikaze..."

Jiraiya was very strong, on par with Orochimaru. There were only the two of them in the tent. Kato Osamu looked at Jiraiya with a calm expression, seemingly not listening to his words, and just nodded slightly in a perfunctory manner.

"Is Orochimaru's coldness contagious?"

Seemingly thinking of his teammate, who was unyielding and as cold as ice, Jiraiya rolled his eyes and waved his hand, seemingly having given up hope on Kato Osamu's silence.

"Minato Namikaze left for the Sand Shinobi Battlefield this morning and should have arrived by now. You should set off too and get to the Sand Shinobi Battlefield as soon as possible to support Minato Namikaze..."

At this point, Jiraiya slightly raised his eyes to look at Kato Osamu, seemingly lost in thought.

"Oh, by the way, take your three little subordinates with you..."

"Yes!"

Kato Osamu glanced at Jiraiya quietly left the tent.

He understood that Jiraiya a staunch inheritor of the Will of Fire, the most capable subordinate of the Third Hokage, and even slightly higher in status than Orochimaru, if not for his lack of interest in Hokage and some issues with his conduct.

He will likely have even more supporters...

However, he and Minato Namikaze, and Kato Osamu and Orochimaru, seemed to be born on different paths. Even if they walked together for a time, they could never become true friends.

"With three subordinates?"

Thinking of Jiraiya's words, Kato Osamu couldn't help but think of Orochimaru.

Perhaps, even those who grew up together, those considered by others to be the closest teammates, have never truly understood what their so-called closest teammates are truly pursuing...

"Not everyone values the position of Hokage as much as they do..."

Not far from the Konoha camp, a small river flows gently, its waters tinkling. The banks are covered with lush forests, but there seems to be a clearing that has been artificially created.

Accompanied by the sound of flowing water and the whistling of wind, a girl with purple hair and delicate features practiced her swordsmanship, gripping a long sword.

Sweat dripped down her face, but Uzuki Yugao seemed oblivious, continuing to practice her swordsmanship.

On the other side, Iruka rapidly Hand Seals, his face turning red as he strained. Chakra surged into his throat, and he exhaled softly, sending out a small fireball. Following the small fireball was another, slightly smaller fireball. The two fireballs burned in the air before gradually dissipating.

In the distance, Itachi Uchiha's gaze was fixed on Iruka's face, seemingly waiting for a third fireball, but nothing came; only a wisp of smoke slowly rose from Iruka's throat.

Fire Release: Flame Meteor!

Whether it was the temperature of the flames or a touch of shame, Iruka's face flushed red as Hand Seals again, but this time he failed to release even a single fireball.

"Itachi..., this..."

"This Ninjutsu is too difficult..."

"It's not difficult..."

Without any obvious expression on his face, Itachi Uchiha quickly Hand Seals, took a deep breath, and released a series of fireballs from his mouth.

Like a flaming fortress, a continuous stream of fireballs the size of heads crashed into the river, sending up thick fog.

"I... I will try my best..."

Perhaps due to excessive Chakra consumption, Iruka's face had become somewhat pale. He glanced at Itachi Uchiha beside him, then at Uzuki Yugao Itachi, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

He leaves early and returns late every day, spending his time on missions and cultivating. It's not that he's not working hard; in fact, he's exhausted all his efforts, but he's still far behind them, and the gap is only widening...

Even though he set aside his pride and knew that the Ninjutsu of powerful clans wouldn't be easily taught, he still begged Itachi to teach him Fire Release, but he still struggled to achieve anything...

"Iruka... you've mastered the Fireball Jutsu! That's fantastic!"

Uzuki Yugao had already sheathed her sword at some point. She walked to Iruka's side, patted his shoulder, and her sweat, carrying the unique scent of a young girl, entered Iruka's nostrils. His face flushed slightly, but he couldn't hide his frustration.

"Hey, don't be so discouraged. At least... it's great for grilling fish..."

Thinking of his own fireball, which was less than a tenth the size of Itachi's, Iruka glanced at the smiling Uzuki Yugao beside him, unsure of what to say...

"Grilled fish, young man!"

"Don't worry, Iruka, with this Fireball Jutsu Grilled Fish technique, you're practically guaranteed to become the Logistics Department Minister soon!"

Uzuki Yugao's rather serious expression made Iruka's face darken. He glared at Uzuki Yugao fiercely, but didn't say anything more.

"Grilled fish! Today I'll show you Lord Iruka's Great Fire Fish Jutsu!"

With a chuckle, Uzuki Yugao followed behind Iruka, involuntarily swallowing hard; she quite admired Iruka's culinary skills.

A moment later, wisps of smoke rose from the fire, and the three of them sat cross-legged around the campfire, their eyes filled with anticipation as they watched the delicious food sizzling in the flames.

With the war over, everyone seemed to relax and enjoy a few rare days of peace.

"How leisurely, a bunch of kids..."

With a sound, a large sword flew in from nowhere, like a streak of light. Before Iruka and Uzuki Yugao could react, their heads were instantly sent flying into the air...

With disbelief in his eyes, he fell into the flames, staring at Itachi Uchiha stood there dumbfounded.

Itachi Uchiha's eyes widened, turning crimson in an instant...