Konoha's Mission Master

“Grandpa just passed away… I’m still adjusting.”

The boy didn't expose such a clumsy lie.

After that day.

Light has appeared in the gloomy world of sorrowful bones and snow.

At the same time, he is willing to become a blade in Yakumo's hand!

June 3rd, noon.

Yakumo took a day off and did not go to Konoha Hospital.

Pick up the flowers from the florist.

Walking on the cobblestone path to commemorate one's parents, there were few pedestrians at this time, mostly young people, holding white paper flowers in their hands, their expressions mostly somber, and their steps somewhat heavy.

Yakumo saw Yukotsu Chiyuki cleaning the gravesite from afar.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Yukotsu Chiyuki did not rashly disturb Yakumo.

After climbing hundreds of steps, two black stones came into view.

Yakumo paused here and arranged the two bunches of flowers neatly.

At the same time, he bowed deeply.

He hadn't been here for a year; the last time was in June of last year. Dozens of black square stones had appeared in the distance, even though Konoha Village was now incredibly peaceful and quiet, like a paradise.

However, the killing never stopped within the ninja world, and nearly a hundred civilian ninjas were still killed last year.

Yakumo slowly began to recount what he had seen and heard last year.

Living in this world, one should have some dreams or goals; otherwise, wouldn't living a life in vain seem rather boring? Paying respects to one's parents is also a process of Yakumo reflecting on last year's experiences and looking forward to the future.

Yakumo sat cross-legged in front of the tomb.

In fact, his parents' graves were empty. Orochimaru had stolen their ashes two years ago. After killing Orochimaru, Yakumo did not ask about the whereabouts of his parents' ashes, and ultimately did not find them in the scrolls.

It's meaningless now.

Yakumo raised her head and looked at the photo in the center of the black square stone. It was a picture of Yakumo's father. In her memory, that man with low combat strength had two great hobbies in his life... gardening and drinking tea.

His slightly round face always wore a smile.

After a moment, a slight smile appeared on Yakumo's lips.

He slowly got up, turned around, and left.

The tasks and goals set last year have been accomplished.

So this year.

First, clear the first six levels of the arena.

Secondly, explore the Sea Overlord series of dungeons.

Thirdly, the intelligence attribute is increased to 60 points.

Yakumo's ultimate goal has always been clear—to become stronger. This is a macro-level goal, and he has never designed an end point.

The God of the Ninja World... is not enough!

Even the Six Paths level isn't enough!

With his unique talent, he believed he had no limit.

"call…"

As Yakumo descended the stairs, his gaze became incredibly determined. In the new year, all he needed to do was achieve the goals he had just set. One cannot become fat in one bite, nor can one instantly become invincible in the universe.

Just then, the game system notification sounded.

[Ding-dong.]

Congratulations, player, for triggering the annual mission.

"Seeker." 』

Task Requirements: 60 Intelligence points, complete the exploration of the real instance.

Task Reward: Three Grandmaster Breakthrough Scrolls.

Bonus reward: Daoist scroll.

SS rating or higher, additional reward: Eternal Shard.

Yakumo paused slightly, but quickly continued walking downwards. The start of the annual mission made him prioritize his sixty points of intelligence, but currently, he had lost the means to further improve his physical attributes.

The only way out is the dungeon of the Sea Overlord.

7 p.m. that evening.

The streetlights were turned on, and pedestrians continued to come and go.

Yakumo maintained her transformation and weaved through the crowd, carrying the gifts she had bought for Mori Masako and Naiqiu during the day, including all sorts of snacks and dozens of long dresses in different colors.

Today, the anniversary store will open.

Yakumo only has... 12600 gold coins.

On his way home, he began to think about the items he had bought that night, until Yakumo noticed the black-clad ANBU swiftly moving through the shadows, and a few minutes later those people completely left Konoha Village.

It disappeared directly from the range of Yakumo's perception.

Anbu ninjas flashed around, as if searching for something.

Yakumo understood instantly.

The purchased items were placed into the storage scroll.

Yakumo found a secluded spot and deactivated the transformation jutsu.

A few dozen seconds later, an ANBU member wearing an animal mask appeared behind Yakumo, bowing slightly and speaking respectfully.

"Lord Yakumo, the Hokage requests your presence at the Hokage Building."

"I'll go right away."

Inside the Hokage's office.

Yakumo sat in the chair in front of Sakumo Hatake.

"Some time ago, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind wanted Tsunade to go to the City of Wind to replace his internal organs. He offered a very high price... but I refused."

Sakumo Hatake spoke slowly and deliberately.

"In the end, didn't this matter just fade away?"

Yakumo asked, somewhat puzzled, and reached out to pick up the pen on the table and began to play with it. His face gradually showed interest, as if the important matter that Hatake Sakumo was about to tell was far less important than this pen.

"Actually... half a month ago, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind, with the cooperation of the Anbu of Sunagakure, had already embarked on the road to Konoha Village, and his life cell products had already been cultivated by Tsunade half a month ago."

Yakumo was somewhat surprised, not expecting that the daimyo of the Land of Wind would leave his own country and venture deep into enemy territory in order to prolong his life.

"The daimyo of the Land of Wind died on the way?"

Back in Konoha Hospital, Yakumo had overheard Tsunade mention that the age of the Daimyo of the Land of Wind was similar to that of the previous Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

He is now nearly eighty years old.

"More serious than that..."

Sakumo Hatake raised an eyebrow and said with a hint of helplessness.

He died in...the Land of Fire.

"It's not a big problem."

Yakumo, however, remained calm and composed.

"The Land of Wind dares not declare war, and his son is probably busy vying for the position of Daimyo, so he is unlikely to attack Konoha."

"You've put it too bluntly. I hope you can investigate this matter thoroughly. I have a feeling that the truth behind the death of the Daimyo of the Land of Wind is not so simple."

Sakumo Hatake's expression turned slightly serious; this feeling stemmed from the keen intuition he had cultivated over decades of working in the shadows.

"The Yuzuka clan is probably better suited for investigation and tracking than I am, isn't it?"

Yakumo put down his pen and asked in return.

The Inuzuka clan, combined with the characteristics of ninja dogs, can achieve long-distance tracking. Furthermore, by joining forces with the Aburame clan and using parasitic insects to find extremely detailed clues, the two clans can be described as the ninja world's version of a legendary detective.

"They...have all failed. The enemy is cunning and mysterious."

Hatake Sakumo rubbed his throbbing temples and sighed. Despite Yakumo's nonchalant attitude towards the matter, the death of the Daimyo of the Land of Wind within the Land of Fire had already caused a great shock in the ninja world.

Now, Konoha Village needs to find the real culprit. Only in this way can they clear Konoha of suspicion. Hatake Sakumo has lived an upright life, and he is unwilling and unable to bear the blame for murdering a daimyo of another country!

"Then I have no chance either. Although I am good at fighting, I am not omnipotent. At most, Milk Ball's sense of smell is similar to that of a ninja dog. Even the Inuzuka clan cannot lock onto the clues, so I have even less chance."

Yakumo shrugged and said rather innocently.

"Is there really no other way?"

Sakumo Hatake straightened his back and stared intently at Yakumo.

"Truly...more real than real gold."

Yakumo looked at Hatake Sakumo without any fear.

"Alright, you can go now."

Sakumo Hatake relaxed his body and leaned back in the soft chair.

After Yakumo left.

Hatake Sakumo calmed down. He had done everything he could. Inuzuka and Aburame, Hyuga and Uchiha had not been able to find any clues, and even Yakumo was helpless. This was all he could do now. As for whether the Land of Wind believed it or the ninja world believed it, what did it matter to him?

"Clap clap."

Sakumo Hatake clapped his hands softly.

The shadows appear in the corners.

Sakumo Hatake spoke slowly.