It's normal to get a kaleidoscope as a first deposit of six yuan, right?

Watching Xuejian leave, Zhixue dusted herself off and headed towards Konoha.

Although she had obtained a lot of information from Yukimi, she still wanted to see Konoha for herself.

Since the second Nine-Tails attack, Konoha has tightened its defenses around the barrier even further. Three squads of ninja have been assigned to patrol the outer perimeter of the barrier in rotation to prevent enemies from crossing it and causing damage inside Konoha again.

Looking at the three Konoha ninjas patrolling in the distance, Shiki formed hand seals and transformed into a puddle of water, slowly moving from the ground to the location of the barrier.

After the ninja patrol left, Zhixue returned to normal. However, when Zhixue finished forming the seals to enter Konoha, she couldn't squeeze in no matter what she did.

"Damn, Konoha has changed its barrier. Looks like we'll have to go in through the main gate." Zhi Xue put her hands on her hips and thought for a while. After sensing the surrounding situation, she used her virtual ring to hide her chakra and then used the Water Transformation Technique to jump into the water buckets of the Konoha merchant caravan.

However, the moment Zhixue jumped into the bucket, she sensed something was wrong.

"Holy crap, who puts liquor in a water purifier?!"

Chapter 108, Nine-Tailed Buddha's Worries

"Hello, we are merchants from the Land of Waves, here to do business with Konoha. Please make way for us."

At the main gate of Konoha Village, an ordinary businessman wearing a monocle showed his cooperation certificate and product license to the Konoha tavern.

As the gatekeeper of Konoha, Gangzi Tie held the two certificates in his hands and nodded to the visitor.

"I'm sorry, although you have proof, Konoha is still on high alert. Please come with me to register, and we also need to check the cargo for any chakra activity or suspicious items."

"Okay, no problem. We use transparent plastic buckets to conveniently store the liquor. Feel free to look around and drink a little, just don't drink too much, this stuff has a high alcohol content."

After hearing the merchant's answer, Gangzi Tie exchanged glances with the other Konoha ninjas around him, then led the merchant to the small hut at the entrance of Konoha to register. The other Konoha ninjas also looked around at the axle and the bottom of the cart carrying the wine barrels, and checked for any abnormal chakra reactions.

"Everything is normal." The Hyuga clansman in charge of the inspection nodded, then led the remaining ninjas back to their post.

Only after the merchant obtained permission from the gates of Konoha did he slowly drive his carriage through the gates of Konoha.

However, just after entering the gates of Konoha, a noise came from the carriage behind them, causing the escorts to turn around and check the facilities in confusion, but they did not find anything strange.

"Could we be hallucinating?"

"I don't know. Maybe the checks in Konoha are too strict, making us a little nervous. After all, I heard the Nine-Tailed Fox has reappeared recently. I hope it doesn't cause trouble again while we're buying goods..."

"The Nine-Tailed Fox? Don't be afraid. This is Konoha. Although we are often attacked by the Nine-Tailed Fox, look how prosperous we are! Trust the ninjas of this great village. Even if the Nine-Tailed Fox is hiding in our car, don't be afraid. The Hokage will protect us." Seemingly having heard the conversation behind them, a Konoha ninja responsible for escorting the road ran to the back and spoke with a few people, putting their minds at ease.

After the convoy had completely passed through the gates of Konoha and was heading down the street towards the bustling civilian area, a petite figure, soaking wet, covered her mouth and leaned against the wall, her cheeks flushed, behind a large tree not far away.

"belch!"

With a strong smell of alcohol and dazed eyes, Zhi Xue felt as if the world before her was spinning like a gyroscope, the colors of the world overlapping and swirling together, as if she had stepped into a dream.

"Damn it, this is my first time drinking. Is this what drinking feels like?" Zhi Xue staggered and took out a map, wanting to go home to check, but the map seemed to be connected by all sorts of lines, just like the view, looking like a bunch of balls of yarn.

"Huh? Where is my home again? And where am I?" Zhi Xue shook her head, the rice-scented wine on her body splashing onto the surrounding grass along with her soaked Akatsuki coat, leaving a lingering fragrance.

Feeling her mind go blank, somewhat unsure of what she was doing, and forgetting that she was still wearing the Akatsuki's black robe with red clouds, Zhixue stumbled and tried to run to the streets of Konoha to see where she was, but was dragged into an alley by a surge of Nine-Tails chakra emanating from her body...

"Hey, wake up! You're going to get into trouble if you go out like this!"

Seeing that Zhixue actually wanted to run into the streets of Konoha without any cover, Kurama couldn't help but pull Zhixue into a secluded place.

Although they are powerful enough to destroy Konoha to the point of nothingness, it is clear that Zhixue will not do that. If she were to go out and be discovered, it would undoubtedly cause a lot of trouble.

At this moment, Zhixue, who had been dragged into the alley by the Nine-Tailed Fox, was still a little confused as to why the earth was spinning. Was it because of gravity? But doesn't gravity make people fall down? If I were born allergic to gravity, would I be able to fly?

"Hiccup~ I think I've found... found the trick to flying! I'm going to fly on Newton's coffin lid, to be the first man in the world to fly into space, ah no, woman!" Zhi Xue, her face flushed, stood on a discarded iron plate and pointed to the sky.

At this moment, Nine-Tails pulled Zhixue, who was already starting to lose consciousness, to a wooden box next to her so she could rest for a while. This place seemed to be a place for storing miscellaneous items and trash cans, and there were usually not many people there, so it was a good opportunity for Zhixue to rest for a while and sober up.

"Sigh, having a Jinchūriki like this is such a headache." Looking at Shiki sitting in the wooden box outside, still looking drunk, Kurama couldn't help but facepalm.

It's amazing how he got soaked in the wine like this. No, he should be glad that Zhixue knew he had slipped out of the wine barrel and hadn't gone straight to the shop, otherwise he probably would have been finished.

"Huh? What's this on my body?" Still dazed, Zhixue looked at the crimson Nine-Tails chakra emanating from her body, scratched her head, then tore off a piece and ate it.

"Burp~ It's a bit too hot to eat, it doesn't taste good..."

Nine-Tails: ...

Self-sufficient, self-producing and self-consuming, right? Little Nine-Tailed Fox admits that she has truly broadened her horizons today.

While Nine-Tailed Fox was still trying to help Zhixue gradually regain her senses, an orange tabby cat appeared before her, carrying a mouse in its mouth. After placing it on the trash can, it elegantly groomed its fur.

Hearing the commotion, the Nine-Tailed Fox breathed a sigh of relief when it saw that it was just a cat.

"It's not human, that's good... Holy crap, what do you want to do?" Zhi Xue, who was getting up to pet the cat, seemed to hear the Nine-Tails' internal exclamation of surprise. She froze for two seconds before realizing what was happening and looking in the direction of the orange cat.

"Kurama, why have you gotten so fat... *hiccup* Wait, do foxes eat mice too...?" Zhi Xue, her cheeks flushed, scratched her head, then abandoned her annoying thoughts and pounced on the terrified orange cat.

Orange cat: !!!

Nine-Tails: ...

In this cramped space, the terrified cries of cats and the sounds of things falling constantly rang out. After such a commotion, the orange cat, carrying a mouse in its mouth, nimbly climbed up the eaves along the wooden planks placed in the corner and darted away. Zhi Xue also climbed up lightly, but after only a couple of steps, she lost her balance and fell off the eaves, landing in a trash can. Soon after, she felt drowsy and fell asleep, but soon, a strong aura of chakra emanated from the trash can.

A crimson light appeared in the trash can, and Zhixue, whose entire body was enveloped in the Nine-Tails' chakra, jumped out. The light flashing in her blood-red pupils was like the flames of hell, sending chills down one's spine.

"Luckily she fainted, otherwise I don't know how much trouble I would have had to go through." The Nine-Tails manipulated Shisui's body, twisting its neck and retracting the two scarlet chakra tails that had sprouted behind it. Then, it pulled a map from its waist and headed towards Shisui's house…

Chapter 109, Shisui returning home

Konoha... Hokage Building.

It was already close to 4 p.m., and it was estimated that the smoke from the chimneys would be rising in another hour. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up from the Hokage's chair, put his hands behind his back, and walked to the edge of the corridor, looking towards the setting sun.

Feeling the cool breeze blowing, Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring.

"The weather is getting cooler, the influence of the Nine-Tails is finally about to pass." Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, and Kakashi appeared beside Hiruzen Sarutobi in the blink of an eye.

"Kakashi, what are your thoughts on Uchiha Shiyuki, who went missing during the Nine-Tails incident?"

Kakashi was taken aback when he heard the Third Hokage ask this question, but he could understand. Shiki's disappearance was too coincidental, and her actions were also very strange. If Shiki wasn't Shisui's younger sister and he didn't have to consider Shisui's feelings and face, she would probably have been on the wanted list long ago.

"Third Hokage, Shiyuki... is a very cute girl. Although she is sometimes lazy and greedy, I believe she would never do anything to harm Konoha."

Upon hearing Kakashi's explanation, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

He didn't want to hear such a one-sided answer. It seems Kakashi is still quite a distance from the way of thinking of a Hokage. Although the ninjas of Konoha are all connected by bonds, these things need to be put aside in the face of the safety and interests of the village.

"Ah, Kakashi, I know you are still young and your mind is not mature enough. Sometimes you may not be able to see the hidden things. Although I don't quite understand many of the doubts either, and I can't even understand the situation of two Nine-Tails appearing at the same time, as the Hokage, I can't ignore these things in the fog."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi placed his hand on Kakashi's shoulder and patted him.

"Konoha is not what it used to be, and I'm getting old. You need to understand reality now so you can plan for the future," Hiruzen Sarutobi said cryptically before returning to the Hokage's office.

Kakashi's pupils dilated as he looked at the closed door of the Hokage's office.

"Third Hokage... do you want me to be the successor to Hokage?"

……

At this moment, Nine-Tails controlled Shiki's body to shuttle back and forth in the gaps and alleys of Konoha. However, not long after, Nine-Tails ran back the way it came, squatted on the manhole cover with a puzzled look on its face, took out the map and looked around before realizing that it had gone the wrong way.

"Couldn't humans make maps simpler? Luckily, I can read, otherwise I would have gone straight for the Hokage Building." A hint of pride flashed across the young face of the Nine-Tails who was temporarily in charge of Zhixue. Then, he gestured the route on the map with his fingers again, preparing to go around it again. However, a series of footsteps around him made the Nine-Tails disappear into the nearby bamboo cage.

Two Konoha ninjas were walking on a nearby road. They glanced over at the scene twice and then left.

The Nine-Tailed Fox lifted the cage lid and looked at the ring on Zhi Xue's hand.

Fortunately, he had this thing to hide his chakra; otherwise, with his current chakra reserves, he would have been unable to move an inch in Konoha, and would have been doomed if there was even a sensory ninja nearby.

"We should hurry back." Kurama looked around, tore down a bed sheet drying on the balcony, ripped off a long strip of cloth to use as a mask, and then quickly leaped over the surrounding walls, running towards the Uchiha clan on the edge of Konoha...

Ninja Academy training grounds...

In the corner of the empty training ground, there were two backpacks. Naruto and Sasuke were exchanging blows and grappling with each other in this open space.

Although Naruto has a strong physique, he has clearly not yet fully developed, and the result of Sasuke's daily training is that Naruto is almost always being chased all over the field.

"Naruto! You won't grow up without getting beaten up!"

"Hey Sasuke, this is a strategic retreat, Sasuke, I'm got super stamina! Just wait until I'm exhausted, hehe." Naruto said with a grin as he ran towards Sasuke.

"Damn it, you actually came up with such a wicked plan! You better not let me catch you!" Erzhuzi looked at Naruto, who was still hiding from him. Although he seemed very angry on the surface, a smile inadvertently appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Just as Naruto and Sasuke were still half-fighting and half-training, the Nine-Tails inside Naruto suddenly opened its huge, lantern-like crimson eyes and looked at a dark figure flashing in an alley outside the Ninja Academy. It couldn't help but grab the iron-like seal, and a dense aura of chakra spread out like water mist.

"What it is!?"

After Kurama suddenly reacted, Naruto also felt a sharp pain in his stomach, and couldn't help but stop, clutching his stomach and colliding with Sasuke who hadn't stopped in time.

"What the hell are you doing?" Erzhuzi complained as he got up from the ground, feeling the pain from his fall.

However, Naruto ignored Sasuke and instead looked into the dark alley in the distance, his expression somewhat blank.

Something familiar seemed to have passed by...

……

Three hours later... a bright moon rose from the sky, and the lights of Konoha gradually dimmed. There was no place like a night market here. Most people here lived by working at sunrise and resting at sunset, and even the members of the guard team were no exception.

Goodbye, Shisui, sweet dreams.

"Thank you." After waving goodbye to Fugaku in the guardhouse hall, Shisui walked along the path home. Not long ago, he had left the Anbu and returned to the guardhouse as a vice-captain to observe the changes in his clan. Fugaku also seemed to want Itachi to stay by his side and learn how to care for the clan. Life was quite leisurely, but Shisui felt that without Shisui, life was always incomplete.

Since the garrison's base was right next to the Uchiha clan's, Shisui arrived at his doorstep in just a few minutes. However, before he could even open the door, a faint smell of alcohol and garbage startled him.

You should know that Zhishui is now living alone at home. He is very tidy and almost never drinks alcohol. He only drank one night after Zhixue left and hasn't touched alcohol since.

Shisui drew a kunai from his waist and created a shadow clone that remained in place to enter through the main entrance, while he himself used the Body Flicker Technique to jump in through the second-floor window.

"Ok?"

Chapter 110, An Inescapable Beginning

"Ugh, where am I... my head hurts so much..." As if the effects of the alcohol were gradually fading with time, Zhixue covered her head and got up from the floor, feeling a little dizzy.

However, after Zhixue got up, she suddenly felt waves of discomfort in her stomach, an experience she had never felt before. Could it be that she had overdone it or drunk too much alcohol and was having an allergic reaction? No, how could someone with Hashirama cells get such a minor illness?

Zhi Xue slowly got up from the ground, scratched her head, and looked around in a daze.

"Wait, how did I get home? No, that's not right. I remember jumping into a barrel of wine and then getting off the convoy..." Zhi Xue was still recalling what had happened before when Nine-Tails' voice suddenly resounded from within her.

"It was I who brought you home after you fainted, but now is not the time to talk about that. You should check your pants right away; it seems there's something seriously wrong!" Nine-Tailed Fox said to Zhixue very seriously.

Stop Snow: ? ? ?