After entering the territory of Hidden Hot Springs Village, the number of bandits and robbers rapidly dwindled.
Although Hidden Hot Springs Village had voluntarily reduced its military forces, 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 their journey there.
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 and soak for a while. For Taijutsu ninja like us, hot spring therapy not only relaxes the muscles, but can also heal some of the hidden injuries in the body."
Might Guy's eyes lit up, but he was still somewhat worried. "Teacher Hizashi, won't this be too slack? We haven't even started the mission yet."
Hizashi smiled. "Balancing work and rest is part of training. Don't keep yourself wound too tightly."
Shizune asked, "What about you, Teacher Hizashi?"
Hizashi said, "I'll go meet the person who issued the mission first. I'll come over afterward."
"Is that really okay?" Shizune felt a little guilty. The few of them would be enjoying the hot springs while Teacher Hizashi handled the mission handover alone.
Setsuna smiled. "It would actually be worse if we went with him. We know our own strength, but the people of Hidden Hot Springs Village don't. If they saw that a team assigned an A-rank mission included several children, they might think Konoha was deliberately slighting them."
"Oh, I guess that's true." Might Guy suddenly understood. Looking at Setsuna, who stood half a head taller than Teacher Hizashi, he could not help saying enviously, "I want to grow taller soon too. Then I can look as dependable 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 now?"
"We're going to..." Setsuna looked around, then suddenly let out a surprised sound. "Huh? They're here too?"
"Huh? Who?" Might Guy was completely baffled.
"It's the team led by Senior Minato Namikaze. Come on, let's go say hello." Setsuna led the two of them toward the entrance of a hot spring inn.
Might Guy indeed spotted the few people standing at the entrance and shouted excitedly, "It's my destined rival, White-Haired Kakashi!"
Hearing the nickname Might Guy had assigned him on his own, Kakashi immediately twitched awkwardly.
"Big Brother Setsuna, Guy, Shizune!" Obito Uchiha waved frantically from the side, looking extremely excited.
After the group met and exchanged a few pleasantries, Setsuna asked, "Obito, why are you all in Hot Water Country too?"
Obito boasted proudly, "We took on a B-rank escort mission. What about you, Big Brother Setsuna?"
"We came out on an A-rank mission," Might Guy explained.
"An A-rank mission!" Obito staggered back a step as though sunlight had stabbed his eyes. "You've already started taking A-rank missions? Kakashi, it must all be because you've been holding us back!"
Kakashi gave him a speechless look. "You'd better have at least a little self-awareness."
Just as the two were about to start arguing again, a well-fed middle-aged man dressed like a merchant beside them exclaimed, "Taking on 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 the Land of Frost, but he said the Land of Frost is freezing cold, so he invited us to soak in the hot springs before we entered it. He's a super nice guy!" Obito said carelessly.
"Haha, it's only proper." Kaz laughed heartily. "You all have it much harder than I do. An A-rank mission must be quite difficult, right?"
"It's not too bad. We're mainly here to eliminate 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 heard that the ninja in that cult are all lunatics who feel no pain at all. Some monsters even enjoy pain."
As he spoke, he waved his hand with a deliberately guarded expression. "There might be some of them nearby, so we'd better not talk about it. Let's go soak in the hot springs."
Not long afterward, Hizashi and Minato Namikaze came looking for them. Apparently, they had also run into each other on the way.
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 about all sorts of things, thoroughly relaxed.
"Now that I think about it, it's strange. Hot Water Country has such a warm, pleasant climate, yet the neighboring Land of Frost is battered by icy winds and frost. Two countries so close together have such vastly different climates," Hizashi said in wonder.
Kaz smiled. "I've heard one explanation. Legend says that a Shinigami's sword called Frost's Sorrow is embedded in the land of the 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 instead?
Minato Namikaze smiled and shook his head. "I've never heard of any Shinigami possessing such a divine weapon."
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal 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 when soaking in water can I feel the meaning of life."
Setsuna looked to his side and unconsciously raised an eyebrow. That man's attire... he seemed to be Raiga Kurosuki of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?
Setsuna still remembered him somewhat. After all, he was one of the three lucky ones who survived the Eight Gates. He could sit at the same table as Madara Uchiha.
He just did not know why a ninja from Hidden Mist had appeared here.
Setsuna could not be bothered to think too much about it. In any case, he and Might Guy were on the same team now. If they encountered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen during the Third Shinobi War just as in the original timeline, then the tragic Seven Ninja Swordsmen could only blame their bad luck.
The anticipated conflict never erupted, and they spent their time in the hot springs peacefully.
After finishing their soak, Minato Namikaze's team set off for the Land of Frost. Hizashi did not forget to remind them, "The Land of Frost borders the Land of Lightning, so be careful. Those barbarians are the most unreasonable people around."
"Mm, I'll be careful." Minato Namikaze's expression was solemn. 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's group off, Hizashi said, "All right, it's time for us to carry out our mission as well. I've already learned the location of the Jashin Cult's stronghold from the village chief."
"Huh? You found their stronghold that easily?" Setsuna was somewhat surprised.
Shizune looked worried. "Could it be a trap?"
"Probably not." Hizashi hesitated before saying, "I also asked other villagers. They said that stronghold had existed for a long time and was not established recently. It's just that their doctrine has become increasingly extreme over the past few years."
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