I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 242 There are always a few cousins ​​in the family, and they're all taller than me after just a short time.

Tatsuma did not choose to perform surgery on Kato Dan before departure, even though the scheduled time had passed, but Tsunade and Kato Dan understood.

The surgeon in charge of this operation is Tatsuma, who is also the most confident in his abilities. If any adverse reactions occur after the operation, Tatsuma will be the one to make the decision and provide a treatment plan.

It's just a matter of lying down for a while longer. Half a year has already passed, so Kato Dan isn't in a hurry.

In fact, the one who least wanted to have surgery was Kato Dan himself, because he was really afraid of another accident. A life is a small matter, but he still had so many things he wanted to do.

Similarly, he was also the one who most wanted to have the surgery, for the same reason: he had too many things he wanted to do.

After checking on Kato Dan's condition, Tatsuma left Konoha Hospital. Tsunade knew that her disciple was in the Anbu, and seeing his solemn expression these past few days, she figured he must have an important mission.

After dropping Tatsuma off at the entrance of Konoha Hospital, just as Tatsuma was about to say goodbye and leave, Tsunade stopped him and said with unusual seriousness, "Tatsuma, you have always been a person with your own opinions."

I shouldn't have said anything about what Grandma left you, and I know you have grand ambitions, but only by living can you do what you want to do. Don't wait until you die to realize your stubbornness.

Tsunade's attitude surprised Tatsuma. He pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but Tsunade hugged him, put something in his arms, and whispered, "I only have you and Nawaki left. Take care."

After saying that, Tsunade released Tatsuma and wanted to pat his head as usual, but was surprised to find that Tatsuma was already as tall as her.

Tatsuma lowered his head slightly, letting Tsunade's raised hand rest on the back of his head, and replied, "I understand, teacher. Take care of yourself too."

By the way, don't go to the casino anymore. I recently took stock of our family's assets, and we can't afford your extravagant spending.

After saying that, Tatsuma shrugged off Tsunade's hand, then walked away with a smile. Tsunade was stunned for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "Once it's healed, I'll go to the casino and win it back!"

Tatsuma didn't turn around, but simply waved his hand. Tsunade's anger quickly dissipated, and after letting out a long breath, she turned and walked into the hospital.

After leaving the hospital, Tatsuma returned home, checked the supplies he had prepared for the trip, and after confirming that everything was in order, he allocated and stored the various rolls according to his own habits.

He then changed into his ANBU uniform, put on his mask, and was about to leave when he saw the bottle of poison Orochimaru had given him on the table next to him.

Hallucinogenic poisons are viewed differently by Tatsuma than the neurotoxins, cytotoxins, and cardiotoxins that Tsunade "copied" from Chiyo.

Although both were intended to subdue the enemy, Tatsuma always felt something was off about the hallucinogenic anesthetic poison. He even wanted to ask Orochimaru if the poison was addictive.

After examining the small medicine bottle for a long time, Tatsuma chose to put it down, giving up on the poison that Orochimaru claimed even a Jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast couldn't resist.

After checking his ninja tool bag one last time to make sure everything was alright, Tatsuma left his house.

Since it's a clandestine mission, there's no need to apply for any village exit permit, and they won't choose to leave through the village gate.

At a time when there were not few pedestrians, he kept darting around the village, but no one actually found Chenma's trail. Soon, he arrived at the agreed location.

Minato was already waiting. Tatsuma landed beside him and said, "I thought you would be with Kushina in the Senju clan's territory."

"I didn't tell her that I had joined the Dark Guard."

Scratching his head, Minato felt a little guilty. Although he had told Kushina that he was going on a mission, he hadn't told her the truth, which made him feel inexplicably guilty.

Tatsuma nodded and asked, "Hasn't Lord Sakumo arrived yet?"

"I haven't seen it yet."

Before Chenma could respond, another voice suddenly said, "That proves your cultivation is still insufficient."

Looking towards the source of the sound, Tatsuma discovered that Sakumo Hatake had somehow already straddled the main branch of a large tree, his somewhat tired eyes still holding a hint of good-natured mockery.

"Sakumo-sama."*2

Upon seeing Hatake Sakumo, the two immediately straightened their posture, bowed, and greeted him. Hatake Sakumo also descended from the height, waved his hand, and said, "Actually, I came with Yasha, so I was the last one to arrive."

Tatsuma didn't know whether what Sakumo Hatake said was true or false, so he didn't respond.

Tatsuma was quite confident in his stealth skills, but his equally confident counter-tracking and reconnaissance methods also failed to find Sakumo Hatake.

Therefore, he was unsure whether what Hatake Sakumo said was meant to comfort him, or whether he had actually been followed without his knowledge.

Sakumo Hatake didn't continue the topic. Instead, he came to the two of them and said, "Leave the Flying Thunder God Technique on me. After thinking about it, leaving it on my clothes still carries some risk."

A smile unconsciously appeared on Tatsuma's face. Sakumo Hatake's suggestion proved his trust in Tatsuma and Minato.

Once the Flying Thunder God Technique formula is left behind, it is almost impossible to remove if the main caster does not wish to. If it is an item such as clothing or kunai, the formula can be nullified by destroying it.

But the human body

Without much thought, since Sakumo Hatake trusted him enough, Tatsuma stopped being coy and reached out to Sakumo Hatake. Sakumo Hatake also lifted his shirt, allowing the two of them to leave Flying Thunder God Technique seals on his sides.

The technique was successfully executed, which means that as long as they are within Tatsuma and Minato's perception range, the two can get close to Hatake Sakumo at any time, provided they are protected.

However, if the two of them have malicious intentions and attack Sakumo Hatake when he is not on guard, then even Sakumo Hatake may suffer some harm.

After finishing inscribing the spell, Tatsuma lowered his hand and said, "Excuse me, Lord Sakumo. After the mission is over, Mokuto and I will remove the Flying Thunder God Technique seal."

Putting down his shirt, Hatake Sakumo shrugged nonchalantly and said, "It's fine. I don't work for those companies in Daimyo Prefecture, so it doesn't matter if I have some patterns on my clothes."

Seeing that Sakumo Hatake spoke so casually, Tatsuma smiled politely.

Straightening his clothes, Hatake Sakumo walked towards the wall, saying, "I've contacted the Land of Iron, but they don't seem willing to let us pass. So we'll have to choose between the sea route or going through the Land of Frost."

Sakumo Hatake asked for the opinion of the Land of Iron because Konoha and the Land of Fire recognized the Land of Iron's neutral status. As for the Land of Frost, they didn't need to inform him in advance; he could enter and exit directly without any complaints.

They couldn't even detect it.

Tatsuma nodded and said, "I've read the Uchiha's war report on the Northern War before, and I know about a few routes. I wonder if they were wiped out by Kumogakure."

"Let's test the waters then. There are more ways to deal with this kind of old-fashioned warfare than just eliminating people; we might also set up an ambush."

Sakumo Hatake casually shared a little bit of knowledge, which Tatsuma and Minato both remembered.

Using methods unique to the Anbu, the three left Konoha and headed north towards the Land of Lightning.

However, the three of them did not travel very fast. Perhaps it was to take care of Tatsuma, or perhaps it was because Sakumo Hatake's physical condition had not fully recovered after his injuries. The three of them traveled slowly towards the Land of Lightning.

This task has no time limit. Although it has a high priority, so high that even Sakumo Hatake had to put aside other tasks to carry it out, there is no set deadline for its completion.

In theory, if the three of them fail to complete the task and the village does not recall them, they can continue to wander outside, their purpose being to gather intelligence.

However, the three of them would not do such a thing, and the village would not allow it. If the three of them really dared to slack off, the village would probably remind them repeatedly to either carry out the mission quickly or go back to the village directly.

It took the three of them two days to infiltrate the Land of Frost, following the various routes they had laid out beforehand, searching for clues as they made their way toward the Land of Lightning.

Those battle routes were mostly destroyed, and the terrain of some routes was even altered, and this was still the part of the Frost Kingdom.

This is normal, though. Konoha ninjas can easily infiltrate the Land of Frost, and so can Kumogakure ninjas. Moreover, let alone infiltrating, even if they are discovered, the Land of Frost dares not say anything.

However, Tatsuma and the others found a relatively intact route. After Tatsuma checked the supplies along the way and confirmed that there were no problems, they used this route to head towards Kumogakure.

"There are quite a few sensory ninjas in Kumogakure. Although they are not as specialized as Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame, and their sensory coverage is not very large, we still need to be careful."

As they approached the Land of Lightning, Sakumo Hatake still offered a reminder. He knew that Tatsuma and Minato were both sensory ninjas, and he had previously heard that Tatsuma's sensory abilities were stronger. However, as they approached the Land of Lightning, Tatsuma had entrusted the task of sensory perception to Minato.

Sakumo Hatake was worried that this was a careless decision by Tatsuma, but upon hearing his concerns, Tatsuma smiled and said, "I don't have lightning chakra, but Minato does."

"The Land of Lightning is often stormy, which limits my senses. However, Minato's senses are greatly enhanced in this environment. Besides, given Minato's cautious nature, there shouldn't be any problems."

Minato nodded excitedly. He could also hear the worry in Hatake Sakumo's voice. Although he knew that Hatake Sakumo was reminding him because of the mission, the feeling of not having his abilities trusted made him somewhat uncomfortable.

Chenma's support quickly dispelled his discomfort and restored his confidence.

Seeing this, Hatake Sakumo realized he had misunderstood and looked at Minato, saying, "Then I'll leave it to you, Mizuki-Tu."

It took them almost another day, changing their route several times, before they finally crossed Raigū Ridge safely and truly entered the Land of Lightning. Finding a place to rest, Hatake Sakumo spread out a map and said:

"The Land of Lightning has advanced communication technology, possessing all sorts of advanced technologies. We can only choose a remote mountain path to detour to Kumogakure. What are your thoughts on this?"

Although these points had been discussed in previous conversations, a detailed route plan was not available at the time because the landing site was uncertain. As Minato looked at the map, a winding route slowly emerged in his mind.

Just as he was about to offer his suggestion, Tatsuma spoke first, saying, "We're not going to Kumogakure."

(End of this chapter)