A Tailed Beast deserted the village

Just then, a teasing voice rang out. "What, from the look of things, did you lose?"

Anyo quickly recognized the voice and said irritably, "Little Chili Pepper, try fighting him yourself and you'll understand. He's as stubborn and tough as a rock."

Minato and the other two stepped out of the shadows together. With Minato bringing them along, they were certainly fast.

Dan Katō stepped forward and asked, "Do we need to stop him?"

"No." With a hint of sympathy, Anyo watched the figure retreating into the distance. "With him there, Iwagakure will be even more certain the attackers came from Kumogakure. When that happens, even if the Tsuchikage feels something is wrong, public outrage won't leave him much room to think it over."

Seeing his expression, Kushina pulled Minato aside and whispered, "Look at that short-haired brat. He looks like a bad egg. You should spend less time with him from now on."

With their abilities, everyone naturally heard Kushina's words loud and clear. Minato looked embarrassed, while Dan Katō looked at the two of them in confusion, wondering if there was some conflict between them.

Anyo was rather speechless and could not be bothered to argue with her. "Let's go. The mission's complete. Time to head back."

After all, if he was not mistaken, White Fang's duel should already have begun.

Before they even approached the fighting, a scorching heat already filled the air, and bursts of furious roars and bellows came from ahead.

They hurriedly picked up their pace and saw a group of Konoha Ninja maintaining a barrier around the perimeter. The center of the two combatants' battle had already become a huge expanse of lava. Their fighting had reduced the vast forest to ruins, with magma and sword marks covering the ground. One glance was enough to tell how fierce the battle had been.

"Strange. Why aren't there any Iwagakure Ninja? It's all our people." Anyo surveyed the surroundings, privately puzzled.

The two in the center had already reached the final stage of their battle. Roshi had undergone Complete Tailed Beast Transformation, with four enormous tails rising behind him and his body enveloped in a dark red Chakra Cloak. A massive flame took shape in his mouth. This strike undoubtedly covered every one of White Fang's escape routes.

"Scorch Style: Hellfire!"

The enormous volcano surged toward White Fang like a river pouring backward. White Fang Short Sword shone with dazzling silver light, and he merged with his blade, splitting the long river of flames in two like an arrow.

The remaining blade light tore through Roshi's Chakra Cloak as well. A young, heavily bearded man dressed in purple with his hair in a ponytail emerged in his true form and crashed heavily to the ground. His chest heaved as he panted, without a shred of strength left to stand.

White Fang came before him, short sword in hand.

Without a word, Roshi calmly closed his eyes and awaited death.

Instead, White Fang sheathed his blade and pulled him to his feet.

Roshi looked at White Fang in confusion. "What are you doing?"

White Fang smiled and patted his shoulder. "We agreed beforehand that this would be a fair duel, not a fight to the death. Besides, you saved my life yesterday. That was a thoroughly satisfying fight. Thank you."

Roshi excitedly clasped White Fang's hand. "Looks like I was right to save you yesterday. You're a real man! Hahaha!"

After their fight, the two actually felt a sense of mutual respect.

White Fang called out, "The outcome is decided. Release the barrier!"

The surrounding Konoha Ninja released the barrier and spontaneously left Roshi a path toward Iwagakure.

Roshi laughed heartily. "I'm not going back. I came here behind that old man's back in the first place. I don't like that fellow. Let today's fight with you count as repayment for what the village has done for me. From now on, I'll wander the world. If fate allows, we'll meet again."

With that, Roshi actually walked in the opposite direction from Iwagakure without looking back.

Seeing this, White Fang waved a hand, and the Konoha Ninja vanished from their positions. Anyo came running out with the others, grinning as he flattered him. "You were magnificent, Teacher! That last slash was stunning. If your aim had been a little more precise, it would've been perfect."

White Fang saw right through Anyo's little scheme and said evenly, "You want to ask why I didn't kill him outright, don't you?"

Anyo nodded. "After all, we didn't know beforehand that he'd desert his village. A Perfect Jinchuriki has Kage Level combat strength. He's too great a threat on the battlefield."

"Killing him would be pointless. Someone would retrieve the tailed beast." White Fang glanced up at the sky, almost imperceptibly.

Anyo immediately understood and could not help remarking, "You're the teacher for a reason. Your student was shortsighted."

"How did the mission go?"

Anyo smiled confidently. "Within two days, the Iwagakure Ninja here will withdraw."

"Good." White Fang's spirits lifted. Truthfully, if not for Iwagakure's internal strife, he would have been under immense pressure in this battle. The flying Tsuchikage alone would have been difficult to deal with.

Since Anyo had completed his mission, White Fang ordered, "For the next two days, I'll cover you. Eliminate as many of their Ninja as possible."

"All right." They were all brimming with enthusiasm.

"Wait," Dan Katō interrupted. "Anyo, you should sit this out. Your swordsmanship is too distinctive. If you're recognized, all our efforts will have been for nothing."

Realizing he was right, Anyo nodded regretfully.

White Fang then looked at Little Chili Pepper. "You're Kushina Uzumaki, aren't you?"

Little Chili Pepper flushed and said excitedly, "Lord White Fang, you actually know me!"

But White Fang's next words made her face fall. "I do. You're still a Genin, aren't you? You can't take part this time either."

"What? Why? I'm part of Konoha too. I want to fight!" Little Chili Pepper was deeply indignant.

White Fang patiently explained, "This is a pursuit operation. Only Ninja ranked Chunin or higher may participate. You've completed an S-rank mission this time, so you'll be able to advance to Chunin when you return to the village. There's no need to rush into this particular battle."

"All right." Little Chili Pepper walked over to Minato and reminded him, "Be careful."

Minato gave her a heartwarming smile. "Don't worry. I'll definitely return victorious."

After Minato and Dan Katō left, Anyo said to Little Chili Pepper, "Hey, I've brought you out here now. Isn't it time you kept your promise? Of course, it's fine if you won't honor it. I won't argue with a woman."

"Hmph! Who said I wouldn't honor it? I'll teach you, but don't blame me if you're too stupid to learn." Little Chili Pepper spoke angrily, then rolled up her sleeves, grabbed Anyo by his sleeve, and dragged him aside.

Watching this, White Fang could only sigh helplessly. He knew his student's old habit had resurfaced: whenever he saw powerful ninjutsu, he wanted to learn it. This time, he had probably set his sights on the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu. Still, he trusted Anyo to know his limits, so he did not stop him.