Please Don't Look at Me Like That (Going Premium After Midnight)

The three Konoha Anbu who were rushing back at that moment were wearing animal masks, so their facial expressions were not visible. However, their short, rapid breathing revealed that they were anything but calm.

It was all because of the words that Miya asked them to deliver to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

War supplies worth 100 million.

They wouldn't care how Miya obtained such a large quantity of supplies or what price he paid.

All they knew was the importance of this batch of supplies to Konoha at this moment.

Because war, besides being a bloody battle and a contest of strength, is also a bottomless pit of money.

As members of Konoha, and as members of the Anbu, Hiruzen Sarutobi's handpicked subordinates, their loyalty to Konoha is absolutely beyond question.

"Hurry back to the village and report the situation to the Lord Third."

"Yes."

At the command of the leading Anbu Ninja, the two men beside him quickly responded with "Yes, sir!"

Because they all know why.

Three days later.

Miya crossed the border and returned to the Land of Fire. He is heading towards Kikyo Mountain, where the front-line command post for the battle between Konoha and Sunagakure is located.

Miya had already sensed the smell of gunpowder.

The drizzling rain suddenly stopped, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the dark clouds.

"The rain has stopped."

Looking up at the sky, Miya glanced at it once, then continued on his way.

Just a day earlier, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was stationed in Konoha, received mission feedback from the returning Anbu Ninja and also heard the words that Miya had passed on to him from them.

"That little rascal."

Upon hearing the report from the Anbu Ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately cursed inwardly.

He wasn't doubting or disbelieving that Miya wouldn't have a large amount of war supplies; rather, he was criticizing Miya for making exorbitant demands.

What the hell is this 10% discount?

Based on his understanding of Miya, Hiruzen Sarutobi believed that Miya's war supplies would not exceed 60 million at most.

If Miya knew what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking at that time, he would definitely give him a thumbs up.

Therefore, Miya was profiting from the war.

That's why Hiruzen Sarutobi cursed Miya in his heart.

At the same time, Amegakure and known as a Hanzo of the Salamander, also received a letter from Takumigakure.

"Bang."

"Takumigakure, are you kidding me?"

Judging from Hanzō's angry expression, it was clear that the information Takumigakure provided regarding the cause of death of Amatsuka Yabuki and the identity of the murder suspect was not satisfactory to him.

However, despite his anger, Hanzō did not lose his mind.

Immediately afterwards, two teams of Rain Ninja led by Jonin were dispatched. One team was to investigate information about Miya, and the other team was to go to Takumigakure to investigate the cause of death of Amatsuka Yabuki and to demand an explanation from Takumigakure.

A Jonin died mysteriously in the village, and Hanzō had to make his stance clear no matter what.

Otherwise, everyone would think that Amegakure is easy to bully, and Hanzō wouldn't be able to survive.

It was dusk.

Miya finally arrived at Kikyo Mountain. The air after the rain was still so oppressive, and the shadow of war continued to loom over everyone's heads.

Who is it?

At the Kikyo Mountain, Miya, who made no attempt to conceal his presence, was quickly discovered by the patrolling Konoha Ninja.

"Konoha Chunin, Miya Hanama."

Looking at the Konoha Ninja surrounding him, Miya spoke calmly.

On the battlefield, everyone's nerves are extremely sensitive. They initially noticed the ninja Forehead Protector on Miya 'Gozu, which is why they didn't launch an attack immediately.

Hearing Miya introduce himself, they breathed a slight sigh of relief; at least, probably, he wasn't an enemy.

Because of Miya status as Orochimaru's disciple, many people have heard of Miya, though most have never actually met Miya.

The leading Konoha Chunin was taken aback upon hearing this, and then asked:

"Miya? Lord Orochimaru's disciple?"

He carefully examined Miya.

"Yes, I received a mission from three generations of old men to rush to the aid of Kikyo Mountain."

"Please inform Orochimaru- sensei that I've arrived."

The leading Konoha Chunin gave a wink to the person next to him, who quickly left to report into Kikyo Mountain.

Due to protocol, the Konoha Chunin stopped Miya questioned him extensively about Miya identity, ultimately confirming Miya completely.

And Miya also learned his name, Keito Tsuchihashi, a Konoha Chunin a commoner.

At this moment, in the Kikyo Mountain command post, Orochimaru was discussing the battle with Tsunade. Upon hearing the report that Miya had arrived outside Kikyo Mountain, his mouth instantly split open.

"They're here!"

"That little rascal is here, you don't need to be so happy, do you?"

Tsunade felt that Orochimaru's reaction was very unlike his usual Orochimaru- like behavior, completely inconsistent with his aloof persona.

Orochimaru didn't explain to Tsunade. Instead, he pulled out a top-secret intelligence scroll, tossed it to Tsunade, and said:

"Look! The old man just had it delivered not long ago."

With a hint of suspicion and confusion, Tsunade opened the scroll. Before she had even finished reading it, her breathing became heavier.

"Is this... is this real?"

Orochimaru nodded and replied:

"Didn't the old man write it very clearly? Besides, Miya wouldn't lie about something like this."

Upon learning what Miya was carrying, Tsunade, but she was anything but at peace inside.

As one of the decision-makers on the front lines, Tsunade, who had experienced both the First and Second Shinobi World War, was certainly aware of the importance of a large amount of war supplies to the front lines.

At the foot of the mountain, Orochimaru's figure suddenly appeared in front of Miya, without causing Miya any emotional fluctuation, because Miya had already discovered Orochimaru.

However, Orochimaru's appearance startled the others, who all lowered their heads and said:

"Lord Orochimaru."

Ignoring the Konoha Ninja around him, Orochimaru simply stared intently at Miya.

"He's gotten stronger again, and..."

With Orochimaru's keen eyesight, he immediately noticed that Miya, whom he hadn't seen for several months, had become even stronger.

As Miya's teacher, Orochimaru was well aware of Miya's abilities. Miya's increased strength was not unexpected to him. He would have found it strange if Miya had remained stagnant.

Noticing Orochimaru's gaze fixed on the sword in his hand, Miya's lips curled into a smile as he teased Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru- sensei, I know you're excited to see me, but please don't look at me like that... with that sword."