Regardless, Ye Chen and Jiraiya had successfully slipped into the Land of Rain.
Over on the other side, however, the situation was far more complicated.
The Master of Open Stratagems wanted to persuade the elite fighters to lend a hand and stand against Hozuki Castle Prison together.
However, the elite fighters came from different ninja villages.
Getting them to maintain order together was one thing, but getting them to risk their lives against a powerful enemy was rather more difficult.
The Master of Open Stratagems spent ages trying to persuade them, but most of the elite fighters gave no definite answer.
They were all watching one another, waiting to see who would step forward and be the "first to take the plunge"...
The elite fighters from the various ninja villages also knew that their poor performance during the earlier event would inevitably earn them punishment when they returned.
They also wanted to use this opportunity to "make up for their failures."
However, with no one taking the lead, it was a different situation altogether.
After making the rounds with his people and failing to get the answer he wanted, the Master of Open Stratagems could only turn to Konoha's "protagonist team."
Although these youngsters were only Genin, surviving multiple battles already showed that their strength was nothing to scoff at.
Besides, the youngsters led by Naruto Uzumaki genuinely wanted to go to Hozuki Castle Prison to rescue people.
Their "comrades" had been captured.
How could these hot-blooded, reckless youngsters possibly stand by and do nothing?
After the Master of Open Stratagems explained the situation, Naruto Uzumaki and the others had been the first to respond.
However, considering their strength "mediocre," the Master of Open Stratagems had not brought them straight into his team.
After making the rounds and coming away