Konoha's Mission Master

Nawaki's right hand reached for Yakumo's neck, and fine white scales emerged from under his skin and fastened tightly, like a layer of white armor.

His pupils were vertical, filled with fierce killing intent.

"Snapped."

Yakumo's expression remained unchanged... He clasped his hands together, and tree roots grew from the ground, wrapping around the Thousand Hand Rope Tree like a python. With the roots converging and working together, the Thousand Hand Rope Tree lost its ability to move.

But his eyes remained bloodshot, and he let out a monstrous roar.

More white scales emerged from under his skin, and even his face became blurred and ferocious, like a demon returned from hell.

The Thousand-Handed Rope Tree let out a deafening roar.

Tsunade belatedly let out a painful scream, unable to understand why her obedient and adorable younger brother had become like this.

Even though Nawaki looked very different from how she remembered him after her resurrection, Tsunade simply attributed it to the changes that came from experiencing life and death.

After all, Rope Tree has grown a lot. It is no longer naughty and mischievous, but has become thoughtful and no longer lazy and careless. Instead, it cultivates in an orderly manner according to the time plan.

He even stopped arguing with her and became incredibly obedient and well-behaved.

Tsunade was overjoyed, because her brother had finally returned from hell, and she was no longer alone in this world.

But now, no matter how unwilling Tsunade is, she has to admit that her younger brother has not returned.

A demon now inhabits this body!

Tsunade's resilient nerves crumbled instantly, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She approached Rope Tree with disbelief, reaching out to gently stroke its incredibly grotesque face.

Even as the erect scales cut her palms, Tsunade did not stop, her gaze gently fixed on the strangely shaped creature before her.

Blood flowed down his palm, staining the pure white scales red.

Under her reassurance, or perhaps due to the despair of struggling, the white scales burrowed back under the skin, like a retreating swarm of insects.

The intense, pounding heartbeat gradually faded away, and the heartbeat returned to normal.

"Sister, how did you get hurt?"

As Senju Nawaki's struggling movements subsided, his eyes became clear and bright, as if he had awakened from a hazy dream, having lost all memory of what had just happened.

This acting is so natural, it's like an instinct.

"Sister, don't cry."

Senju Nawaki tried to wipe away the tears from Tsunade's eyes with his hand, but his arm was firmly controlled by the tree roots and he could not move an inch.

"Yakumo, let him go."

Tsunade spoke with tears in her eyes and a hint of pleading in her voice.

it is good. "

Yakumo nodded and released his control over Nawaki. Thanks to the special nature of the Soul Reaper, he had already realized the problem with Nawaki.

It was more difficult to handle than he had imagined.

Tsunade immediately hugged Nawaki to her arms, completely unaware of the fleeting rejection in Nawaki's eyes.

Half a minute later, the two separated, and Tsunade's right hand had stopped bleeding.

"Yakumo, do you know why Nawaki underwent this change?"

Tsunade held onto Nawaki's right hand; the image of that beast-like figure from just moments ago still made her tremble uncontrollably.

Now, Nawaki is holding Tsunade's hand, his body quietly hiding behind her, looking just like a wounded little animal, and has become a well-behaved and sensible younger brother.

Is the problem serious?

Jiraiya was much calmer than Tsunade, and after seeing the change in Yakumo's expression, he asked with some concern.

"I am powerless. Orochimaru's soul has been mixed into his soul, which has also given him some of Orochimaru's talents."

For example, that state of being covered in white scales just now.

"this......"

Jiraiya was at a loss for words, unsure how to ask a question. He was truly clueless about matters of the soul.

Tsunade turned pale, her face as white as a sheet of paper.

"What harm will this cause?"

Yakumo thought for a moment, then stared at Nawaki's evasive eyes and said.

"His personality will undergo a drastic change. He will gradually lose himself and become more like Orochimaru, while Orochimaru may awaken inside Nawaki's body at any time."

Jiraiya asked on Tsunade's behalf, "Is there no way?"

"No, his soul is far too fragile compared to Orochimaru's."

"Phew..." Tsunade let out a long breath.

Now that she knows why Nawaki has become so obedient, she still can't feel happy at all.

Tsunade cursed. "Damn Orochimaru!"

“His fear and aggression towards me must have been influenced by the emotions carried in Orochimaru’s soul,” Yakumo said.

Such things are not common in the ninja world. For example, Ashura's reincarnations are often optimistic and kind, with the ability to unite others and the power of persuasion.

In contrast, the reincarnations of Indra are often incredibly gifted, inspiring fear in others; they are aloof, arrogant, and stubborn, like a solitary wolf roaming the grasslands.

"Rope Tree, you go train over there first."

Tsunade patted Nawaki on the back and whispered an instruction.

"Okay, I'll go cultivate now."

Senju Nawaki smiled brightly, which even gave Tsunade a strange feeling, as if her younger brother had never left.

Tsunade stared at Nawaki's retreating figure for a long time without looking away.

"Don't bother watching, it's just an act born of fear."

Yakumo could clearly sense Nawaki's malice towards him, like a lighthouse piercing through the dark clouds on a pitch-black sea.

"What do you mean?"

Yakumo's words shattered the warmth in Tsunade's heart.

"Nawaki has been severely influenced by Orochimaru. Do not communicate with him in the same way you used to. For example, when you were holding him just now, he was actually very resistant to being washed with milk."

Tsunade clearly didn't believe Nawaki would lie to her, and glared angrily at Yakumo.

“Yakumo is not lying to you about this; he can indeed clearly sense changes in other people’s emotions,” Jiraiya said seriously.

After a long silence, Tsunade finally spoke softly.

Is there really no way to deal with this situation?

Yakumo shook his head and replied, "No."

Yakumo has only just begun to grasp the secrets of the soul, and thanks to the talent he received from Nasus, he has temporarily gained the ability to damage souls.

The manipulation of two intertwined souls is a very subtle process, akin to dancing and leaping on a thin membrane; the slightest misstep will result in the immediate death of the rope tree.

The atmosphere on the training ground suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Yakumo's words were tantamount to a death sentence for Tsunade.

She had just gained it, but now she was facing loss.

Tsunade asked again, "Yakumo, are you truly powerless to help?"

Yakumo could only nod, once again bringing Tsunade to the brink of despair.

Jiraiya came to Tsunade's side and gently embraced her.

This time, Tsunade didn't mind Jiraiya's opportunistic behavior. Instead, she buried her face in his broad chest and sobbed silently.

Considering the changes in Nawaki during this period, Tsunade believed that what Yakumo said was true; her younger brother was indeed gradually losing himself and becoming unrecognizable.

Yakumo turned his head and began to walk.

He left this sorrowful space.

In his perception, Tsunade's despair pressed down on him like a thick blanket of snow.

This sorrowful will could not be dispelled; it piled up layer upon layer, and in an instant... it dispersed as quickly as a whirlwind.

Her love for Rope Tree was extremely complex, and could be described as the ultimate love. Only this level of love could give birth to such pure despair.

Tsunade didn't shed any tears, she just sobbed silently.

When the pain reaches its extreme, all that remains in one's heart is endless bitterness.

Jiraiya quietly comforted Tsunade.

…………

PS: Requesting monthly votes, 8000 words update.

Chapter 305 Mission Completed, Everything Ready

After walking for a while, passing through the lush green path and smelling the fragrance of flowers, Yakumo arrived at the Senju clan's botanical garden and saw the Senju Rope Tree crouching under the artificial hill.

This artificial mountain is made of black and white stones, and its shape is quite exquisite. From a distance, it appears symmetrical and balanced.

At first glance, it may seem ordinary, but after looking at it for a while, it's easy to calm your mind.

Yakumo could sense that Nawaki was afraid.

Yakumo asked, "Why are you afraid?"

Senju Nawaki's body trembled slightly, feeling endless fear and a faint anger at Yakumo's arrival.

"It was like I had a dream, a dream in which I died on the battlefield."

When she opened her eyes again, everything had changed. The once-proud Senju clan had fallen apart, and her sister had aged decades in an instant.

Of course, the most terrifying thing is that I am becoming less and less like myself, and I am becoming more and more annoyed by my sister's concern.

I don't know why this change happened.

Of course, the initial changes were not very obvious. I felt like a stranger when I saw myself in the mirror until I was delighted by the changes in myself.