A Chance Encounter in Hot Water Country

After entering the bounds of Hidden Hot Springs Village, the number of bandits and robbers rapidly dwindled.

Although Hidden Hot Springs Village had voluntarily reduced its military strength, it was still the ninja institution of Hot Water Country. No matter how far it had declined, it remained overwhelmingly powerful compared to ordinary people.

"Wow, it's so lively!" Shizune clapped her little hands happily, temporarily forgetting the unpleasantness of the journey here.

As if worried that Setsuna might say something shocking again, Hizashi hurriedly said, "It's rare for us to visit Hidden Hot Springs Village. You can find a hot spring inn and have a soak. For taijutsu ninja like us, soaking in hot springs can not only relax our muscles, but also heal some of the hidden injuries in our bodies."

Might Guy's eyes lit up, but he was still somewhat concerned. "Hizashi-sensei, wouldn't we be slacking off too much? We haven't even started the mission yet."

Hizashi smiled. "Balancing work and rest is part of training. Don't keep yourself wound too tight."

Shizune asked, "What about you, Hizashi-sensei?"

"I'll meet with the mission client first, then I'll come over."

"Is this really okay?" Shizune felt a little guilty. The few of them would be enjoying a nice hot spring while Hizashi-sensei handled the mission handover alone.

Setsuna smiled. "It would be worse if we went along. We know our own strength, but the people of Hidden Hot Springs Village don't. If they see several children in a team that accepted an A-rank mission, they might think Konoha is deliberately brushing them off."

"Oh, that does seem right." Might Guy suddenly understood. Looking at Setsuna, who was half a head taller than Hizashi-sensei, he could not help but say enviously, "I want to grow taller soon too. Then I can look as reliable as you, Big Brother Setsuna."

After Hizashi left, Might Guy and Shizune gathered around Setsuna and asked, "Big Brother Setsuna, which hot spring are we going to?"

"We're going to..." Setsuna looked around, then suddenly gave a surprised "Huh." "They're here too?"

"Huh? Who?" Might Guy was completely confused.

"It's the class Minato-senpai leads. Come on, let's go say hello." Setsuna led the two toward the entrance of a hot spring inn.

Might Guy soon spotted the people standing at the entrance as well and shouted excitedly, "It's my destined rival, White-Haired Kakashi!"

Hearing the nickname Might Guy had arbitrarily given him, Kakashi immediately twitched in embarrassment.

"Big Brother Setsuna, Guy, Shizune!" Obito Uchiha waved wildly from the side, looking extremely excited.

After they met and exchanged a few pleasantries, Setsuna asked, "Obito, why are you all in Hot Water Country too?"

Obito Uchiha proudly bragged, "We accepted a B-rank escort mission. What about you, Big Brother Setsuna?"

"We accepted an A-rank mission," Might Guy explained.

"An A-rank mission!" Obito Uchiha staggered back a step as if the sunlight had stabbed his eyes. "You're already taking A-rank missions? Kakashi, it must be because you've been holding us back!"

Kakashi gave him a speechless look. "You'd better have some self-awareness."

Just as the two were about to start arguing again, a portly middle-aged man dressed like a merchant at their side exclaimed, "You're able to take A-rank missions at such a young age? That's truly impressive."

Setsuna asked, "And this is?"

"Uncle Kaz is the person we're escorting on this mission. We were originally supposed to escort him to Land of Frost, but Uncle Kaz said Land of Frost is freezing cold, so he invited us to soak in hot springs before we entered it. He's an amazingly good person!" Obito Uchiha said carelessly.

"Haha, it's only proper." Kaz laughed heartily. "You children have it much harder than I do. An A-rank mission must be quite difficult, right?"

"It's all right. We're mainly eliminating an organization called the Jashin Cult." Might Guy spoke too bluntly, not giving Setsuna time to remind him about the confidentiality rules.

"The Jashin Cult?" Kaz's expression changed. Lowering his voice, he said, "You must be careful. I've heard the ninja in that cult are all lunatics. They don't feel pain at all, and some monsters even enjoy it."

As he spoke, he waved his hand with an air of secrecy. "There might be some of them nearby, so we shouldn't talk about it. Let's go soak in the hot springs."

Not long afterward, Hizashi and Minato Namikaze found them. Apparently, they had run into each other on the way as well.

Shizune and Rin went to the women's bath, while Setsuna and the others soaked in the hot spring on the other side. They chatted freely, feeling thoroughly relaxed.

"Come to think of it, it's strange. Hot Water Country has such a warm and pleasant climate, yet neighboring Land of Frost is ravaged by freezing winds and frost. Two countries so close together have such vastly different climates." Hizashi spoke in amazement.

Kaz smiled. "I've heard one explanation. Legend says that a sword of the Shinigami called Frost's Sorrow is embedded in the earth of Land of Frost, which is why its climate is so bitterly cold."

Setsuna was rather speechless. Frost's Sorrow? Why not say the sword was called Frostmourne?

Minato Namikaze smiled and shook his head. "I've never heard of any Shinigami possessing such a divine weapon."

The Dead Demon Consuming Seal had originated from the Uzumaki Clan. When it came to understanding the "Shinigami," he was perhaps second only to Kushina. The Shinigami clearly used a short blade.

At that moment, water splashed beside Setsuna, followed by a groan. "Only by soaking in water can one feel the meaning of life."

Setsuna looked to his side and unconsciously raised an eyebrow. That man's attire seemed to belong to Raiga Kurosuki of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?

Setsuna still remembered him somewhat. After all, he was one of the three lucky survivors of the Eight Gates, qualified to sit at the same table as Madara Uchiha.

He just did not know why a ninja from Hidden Mist Village had appeared here.

Setsuna could not be bothered to think too much about it. Anyway, Might Guy was now on the same team as him. If they encountered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen during the Third Great Ninja War just as in the original timeline, then the Tragic Seven could only blame their bad luck.

The conflict he had expected did not erupt. Everyone spent this time at the hot springs peacefully.

After soaking in the hot springs, Minato Namikaze's team set off for Land of Frost. Hizashi did not forget to remind them, "Land of Frost is close to Land of Lightning, so be careful. Those barbarians are the most unreasonable people around."

"Mm, I'll be careful." Minato Namikaze's expression was grave. He had not forgotten that Hidden Cloud Village still blamed him for the deaths of those three invading ninja.

Although Hidden Cloud Village had made no moves for nearly a year, they still could not afford to let down their guard.

After seeing Minato Namikaze and the others off, Hizashi said, "All right, we should carry out our mission too. I've already learned the location of the Jashin Cult's base from the village chief."

"Huh? We found their base that easily?" Setsuna was somewhat surprised.

Shizune was a little worried. "Could it be a trap?"

"Probably not." Hizashi spoke hesitantly. "I also asked other villagers. They said that base had existed for a long time and was not established recently. It's just that their doctrines have become increasingly extreme in recent years."