Konoha's Mission Master

Ye Cang walked to a point about one kilometer in front of the cave.

"Swish, swish, swish."

The black-clad operatives blocked their path. The leader wore a fox mask, and because of the dim light, Ye Cang couldn't see the eyes behind the mask. He only felt himself being locked onto by more than ten sharp auras.

"There are more caves a few kilometers away, please find another place."

The leader, wearing a fox mask, spoke softly—a rather pleasant female voice—but her tone carried a deep chill; it was a flatness devoid of any emotion.

Ye Cang nodded and immediately led the four of them to change direction.

Reiko Aoyama stood up and gazed in the direction of the cave for a long time without speaking. As soon as Yekura disappeared from sight, the Konoha Anbu used Body Flicker to leave and find a new hiding place.

"As expected, they are from Konoha. The leader is very strong."

Ye Cang rushed to the cave just to confirm something, but the five figures simultaneously turned into white mist and disappeared. These people... were actually just shadow clones of Ye Cang.

A few kilometers away, Yecang's main body was processing the memories within her body. After a brief hesitation, she decided to travel overnight.

"We cannot stay here for long."

She led the Sand Village team participating in the Chunin Exams, but the Third Kazekage did not send any Anbu to protect them. Moreover, the members participating in the Chunin Exams were not outstanding geniuses from the village; they were more like... abandoned pawns.

The five people quickly left the cave.

But Ye Cang saw a blue figure outside the cave. There was not even a trace of sand on him. The swirling sand was dispersed by invisible energy as it approached him.

By the light of the lamp in his hand, Ye Cang could see the face of the person in front of him clearly.

Almost instinctively, she spread her arms to shield the four people behind her and whispered her instructions.

"If a battle breaks out, you guys run away immediately."

"Shall we talk alone?" Yakumo asked with a smile.

Yekura remained silent, somewhat unable to comprehend the situation before her. She had assumed that Yakumo, the strongest ninja in the world, had come to ambush and weaken the future strength of Sunagakure.

If it's just chatting, there seems to be nothing wrong with it.

"it is good…"

Bang! Yekura created a shadow clone.

"I'll have my shadow clone take them away, but my main body can stay here, okay?"

"of course."

Yakumo nodded and walked toward the cave behind Yekura.

The shadow clone carried the boy further and further away. Yecang stepped back into the cave with mixed feelings, his initial smugness at discovering Konoha personnel gradually turning into intense self-mockery.

I'm so stupid... so stupid.

Knowing full well that the Konoha team was in great danger, they still risked testing them.

Curiosity killed the cat, and Yekura was always a cat-like girl with a strong sense of curiosity. When she encountered people from Konoha, she naturally wanted to find out more.

"There's no need to be so nervous."

"I'm not nervous."

Ye Cang shook her head. The worst that could happen was death. After preparing herself for the worst, she became more composed and gracefully removed the straw hat from her head, revealing her beautiful and ethereal face.

"You didn't do very well in Sunagakure, did you? Don't deny it yet. For example, the people who went to Iwagakure with you this time were not so-called geniuses, but just ordinary people with average talent. For example, even though it was the Chunin Exams, which were a joint effort of the four villages, no Anbu were sent to accompany and protect you."

When they were planning to jointly hold the Chunin Exams, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, wrote to Kirigakure to inquire about it, but the letter seemed to have sunk without a trace and he did not receive any reply.

The planned merger of the five villages was destined to fail.

After hearing what Yakumo said, Yekura remained expressionless, as if Yakumo's words had not caused any ripples.

But his heart was not as calm as it appeared.

"So what?"

Ye Cang asked without hesitation.

"Once the other ninja villages figure out your strength, the thousands of kilometers back to Sunagakure could become your death ground at any time. Moreover, with those few burdens, you won't be able to travel fast at all."

Yakumo continued speaking with a faint smile on his face.

"Heh, are you saying the ninja village has abandoned me?"

How could Yekura not know this? The position of the Fourth Kazekage was destined to belong to Rasa, after all, he was the Third Kazekage and the direct successor. Yekura's position in Sunagakure was in grave danger.

But how could she easily reveal this in front of outsiders?

"Do you think that with your strength and reputation, Luo Sha won't make a move?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

Ye Cang feigned ignorance and asked in return.

"Your reputation will affect the Fourth Kazekage's influence over Sunagakure. Of course, he will do everything he can to kill you. Reputation is not a shield, but the reason for your death!"

"Does he dare to collude with outsiders and not be afraid of exposing the truth?"

"Covering up the truth is very simple..."

Yakumo suddenly froze. Yekura had participated in several major battles; how could she be so brainless? This woman was just pretending to be naive and innocent to trick him into talking…

"Have we been discovered?"

Although Yecang was asking a question, his tone was quite confident. He waved his hand dismissively, and the expression on his face gradually subsided into complete calm.

"If your fate is to be trapped by Rasa's schemes and have nowhere to go, you might as well defect from Sunagakure and enjoy a peaceful life in your later years."

Yakumo composed himself and continued.

"Tch, is this all the point of you coming here to spout this nonsense?"

"Almost. If you're willing, Konoha welcomes you to join us."

After saying this, Yakumo immediately canceled the Shadow Clone Technique.

Of course, this was just a minor move with little significance. Whether Yekura's future was to defect or die at Rasa's hands had almost no impact on Yakumo.

But if she were willing to join Konoha, that would be an unexpected bonus.

"Just a shadow clone? That's a rather naive idea."

Yekura stood up and chased after the shadow clone. Although the word "defection" was simple, she had an inescapable bond with Sunagakure.

It was precisely because of this relationship that she was bound by Luo Sha.

"Sigh... I hope it doesn't come to that."

Inside the cave, Yakumo opened his eyes and processed the memories in his mind.

Masako Mori leaned back, a faint smile playing on her lips, as if she were having some kind of beautiful dream.

Most of the people inside the cave had already fallen asleep.

Will the ending of Yekura's story change?

The group continued their journey towards Iwagakure in the early morning until the village came into view that afternoon. From below, Iwagakure was built against the mountain and appeared majestic.

The mountains stand tall, and the two are connected by an iron chain.

The mountainside and foot are formed by piled stones to create a circular tower. From a distance, the entire village appears to be only the color of rocks, with occasional patches of green growing diagonally along the edge of the thousand-meter-high mountain.

This is a fortress that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Yakumo analyzed the problem from a different perspective: if that gate made of steel were to close, how long would it take him to break through Iwagakure?

It should take about half a minute.

Hmm... this is a fortress that can be easily breached.

Yakumo withdrew his gaze and led the group toward Iwagakure. The closer they got, the more magnificent the gate appeared. At the top of the domed tower, various shrubs were planted, adding a touch of greenery to Iwagakure.

At the top of the tallest tower hangs a huge character for "earth".

That was clearly the Tsuchikage Building. After Kakashi showed the credentials at the village entrance, he was led to the rest area by Iwagakure ninjas.

The Iwagakure ninja left with a cold expression.

"Team up with each other and move around freely... but be careful."

Yakumo gave the order, and at the same time, he activated his senses to the maximum and quickly located the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki. He planned to go to Onoki to obtain the technique of submerging in the earth.

If he refuses... then don't blame him for being rude!

Just as Yakumo was about to make a move, Mori Masako suddenly reached out and grabbed his right hand, a smile on her face.

"Yakumo, will you accompany me on a tour of Iwagakure?"

"Of course... I'd be happy to."

What's so important about ninjutsu compared to a girlfriend?

The two walked side by side toward the commercial district of Iwagakure, while Yakumo created a shadow clone to spar with Yuuki Chiyuki in the courtyard.

But as soon as Yakumo stepped out, he encountered Yokura and two Yukito.

Two vibrant young women stood together, their expressions subtly suggesting a rivalry.

This resettlement area... includes Konoha, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure.

Why would Kumogakure send the Two-Tails Jinchuriki to lead the team?

Yakumo, holding Mori Masako's hand, walked past the two of them.

"That person, doesn't he look like Jing Yayun?"

"Yes."

The two Yugito immediately withdrew their aura and turned to walk towards the rest area of ​​Kumogakure. She needed to report this matter to the Fourth Raikage as soon as possible.

The sky above Iwagakure Village was a hazy gray.

This wasn't just the gloom before rain; it was countless fine dust particles floating in the air blocking out the sunlight. The environment here is very dry, and clean drinking water is an important resource.

As Yakumo walked along the road, he could see a boy dressed in gray clothes lying on a bluestone slab, gazing at the gray sky. His lips were very chapped, like a dried-up salted fish.

The commercial district has improved somewhat. Although it is not short of water, it is not comparable to Konoha in terms of prosperity, with only a few unique restaurants.

Examples include baked flatbread and baked beef skewers.