The ANBU in the hawk mask finished his seals, then quietly stepped back. Along their path, they had already staged several such scenes.
Most of the team felt puzzled, but none questioned it. Obedience was the ANBU's creed.
The captain of the Mist ANBU studied the crater carved into the earth by the Water Release strike, then nodded.
"Pursue!"
At his command, the squad vanished, chasing onward.
...
Within two days, the bounty notice for Kinoshita Jiro had spread across the entire shinobi world.
Not only was the lure of an S-class missing-nin bounty irresistible, but Mist's hidden hand in spreading it stoked the flames.
Land of Earth—Hidden Stone Village.
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, expressionless, stared down at the report on his desk.
Though his hair was white, his energy still burned.
"Kurotsuchi. What's your take?"
He spoke after a long silence, glancing at the tall girl beside him.
"This kind of bounty is rare—especially one just for information, not for the man's head.
Looks like this Kinoshita Jiro holds something vital from the Mist. That explains it.
But… should we involve ourselves?"
Kurotsuchi laced her hands behind her head, her tone casual.
"Involve ourselves? Why would we?"
Ōnoki floated above his chair, voice cold.
...
Land of Lightning—Hidden Cloud Village.
"Hmph. Mist grows weaker by the day. Can't even keep their own shinobi in line—resorting to bounties now."
The Fourth Raikage, Ay, a towering bronze-skinned man, spoke with disdain.
"Raikage-sama, this Jiro likely carries key intelligence. Perhaps we should make contact."
Mabui's eyes flickered with thought.
"No need. With the Land of Fire in between, by the time we move, Konoha will already have him."
Ay waved it off, unconcerned.
...
Land of Fire—Hidden Leaf Village.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled smoke, eyes thoughtful over the intelligence report.
Knock. Knock.
The sound broke his focus.
"Enter," he said curtly.
The door creaked open. Shimura Danzo strode in, cane in hand.
His gaze swept the desk and the report there.
"You've seen Mist's news. That man, Kinoshita Jiro, carries a secret. I'll send men to contact him."
Sarutobi frowned slightly but kept his face unreadable.
"This doesn't fit Mist's usual way of operating. Something is off."
"Too cautious, as always," Danzo snorted. "Mist is weak. Even if they scheme, what of it?
I've already dispatched scouts near the Land of Water's border. They found battle traces. Your concern is wasted."
A glint flashed in Sarutobi's eyes, though he remained silent.
Seeing the silence, Danzo knew he had tacit approval. He turned and left without another word.
Only once the door shut did Sarutobi sigh.
"Sand's been moving strangely… and now Mist too. I hope I'm just imagining things."
...
Hidden Mist Village.
Near Utakata's residence, a training ground roared with battle.
Yuto watched with amusement as four clashed fiercely.
Ringo Ameyuri. Ranmaru. Kimimaro. Hozuki Suigetsu.
Kimimaro's illness had been fully suppressed by Yuto's hand.
He hadn't planned to give him a seal, but after Kimimaro saw Ranmaru's transformation, he had begged seven or eight times.
Yuto only told him—master your body first, then we'll see.
This spar began as a match between Kimimaro and Ranmaru. But when Ameyuri spotted them, she leapt in too.
And Suigetsu? He had the misfortune of being tossed in by Yuto.
In such a melee, everyone was an enemy. The poor Hozuki had no chance to explain before all three turned on him.
Even unwilling, he had no choice but to fight.
"Yuto-dono, Suigetsu won't be hurt, will he?"
Chojuro asked anxiously, eyes fixed on his struggling comrade.
He had brought Suigetsu here. If anything happened, he couldn't face the Hozuki clan head.
"Relax. He won't die. Not with me here."
Yuto waved it off lightly.
Chojuro was Mei's trusted aide, but also one of the Seven Swordsmen.
And now, the Seven were placed directly under Yuto. From this day forward, they answered only to him.
Hearing Yuto's casual tone, Chojuro eased slightly.
"Chojuro, why not join them yourself?"
Yuto's words froze him. He opened his mouth to refuse—
But in that moment, Yuto vanished.
When he reappeared, he held Suigetsu by the collar, the boy's clothes in tatters, his body half-liquid.
Chojuro blinked, and suddenly realized he was airborne—
SLAM!
He crashed into the middle of the fray.
Yuto glanced at Suigetsu and shook his head.
"Pathetic. Looks like you're the weakest now. Maybe I should find another Hozuki to replace you."
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