Konoha's Mission Master

As dawn broke in the eastern sky, the sunlight illuminated Yakumo's face. Almost instantly, he opened his eyes, no longer feeling sleepy or tired. But only he himself knew how much strength he had actually recovered.

At this point, only 24 hours remained before Aoyama Reiko was assimilated.

As Yakumo stood up, the others also opened their eyes one after another.

"Today's strategy is simple: I'll take the lead and finish off Kushina Uzumaki within half a day," Yakumo said.

Yakumo's gaze swept over his companions without lingering. Last night he was so exhausted that he needed to sleep to recover his strength, but now, overnight... he seemed to have become that undefeated warrior again.

“Saving the world isn’t your job alone, and I’m prepared to make sacrifices, so there’s really no need to limit the timeframe to three days,” Aoyama Reiko said softly, her eyes filled with relief and ease.

Overnight, she seemed to have accepted her fate and no longer felt any resentment.

Reiko Aoyama's hair was a little messy, but her brows were relaxed and her eyes were full of tenderness. She did not blame the current outcome, nor did she complain about Yakumo who brought her into this world. As a ninja, she had experienced countless deaths and was already able to remain calm.

"Please believe me, sister." Upon hearing this, Yakumo gave Aoyama Reiko a very confident smile. Under the morning sun, his whole body seemed to be radiating golden light.

The scene was just like it was back then... In the early morning in Daming Prefecture, with bright eyes and white teeth, the young master was as handsome as jade.

Reiko Aoyama was slightly moved, and her right hand unconsciously clenched her sleeve. Only then did she realize that the one who was truly unable to accept this fact was actually Yakumo.

It could be concern, or it could be pride; Yakumo doesn't allow staff reductions to happen.

Masako Mori knew that Yakumo, though seemingly gentle and easygoing, was actually quite stubborn. Once he made up his mind about something, he would stick to it no matter what, even if he got hurt.

"Let's go, we're a bit rushed today."

At this time, there were few pedestrians on the streets of Konoha. Some houses still had lamps lit, making the place seem very dim. The whole village was immersed in the tranquil atmosphere of the night and was slowly awakening. Dark green moss grew at the foot of some ancient stone walls, and small birds perched on the branches, foraging for food.

The group walked silently, each preparing themselves for battle.

After a night's rest, Yakumo recovered about 95% of his fighting strength, but time was just too tight.

A dozen minutes later, the group arrived at the Whirlpool Mansion from their memories. Jiraiya was standing outside, drinking sake that would never make him drunk, his eyes glazed over, probably reminiscing about... someone he would never see again.

"You've arrived?" Jiraiya greeted him with unparalleled enthusiasm, just as he had when they first met two days ago.

"What are the characteristics of this enemy's combat style?" Yakumo asked directly. Since there had been people who had successfully challenged her before, Jiraiya probably had information on Kushina's combat skills.

“Her own manipulation of ethereal energy, and the ethereal Ten-Tails,” Jiraiya replied immediately, then added, “According to the hierarchy... Kushina Uzumaki is a ethereal energy master.”

From the moment they are contaminated with the illusory energy, everyone is initially just an infected person. Then comes the process of losing oneself. Only by constantly trying to conquer with willpower can one become a symbiotic being. But the symbiotic state is only a temporary life, like a drowning person struggling to break through the surface of the water.

Therefore, symbiotes cannot stay in the corner; they must keep moving forward to become the masters, otherwise they will fall back into the abyss like Sakumo Hatake, losing themselves and becoming infected again.

Becoming an infected person a second time is also called being a hopeless person.

Even if you give it your all, you can only gain a moment of clarity.

In terms of level, Minato Namikaze is in the most stable symbiotic state among the three guardians, Sakumo Hatake has lost his self, and Kushina Uzumaki is in a state of control.

The Ten-Tails in its ethereal form is roughly equivalent to a powerful power bank.

Yakumo's expression didn't change much after hearing Jiraiya's information. No matter how difficult the road ahead was, he couldn't stop moving forward. Even making a wrong choice was better than doing nothing.

"Wait... I'll take care of Kushina Uzumaki, and everyone else will take care of the Ten-Tails." Yakumo currently only has a vague understanding of Kushina Uzumaki, and the remaining battle strategy can be rearranged during the battle.

"Okay," everyone replied.

Jiraiya glanced at the resolute looks in their eyes, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Lord Jiraiya, please speak freely." Yakumo was very polite and enthusiastic.

"Of all the challengers, you are the only ones who have managed to overcome the first two challenges within two days. It can be said that... you are the most likely to destroy that door. I suggest you take a break and recover to your peak performance."

Jiraiya spoke very sincerely, and these heartfelt words were enough to prove that he truly hoped someone could destroy that door and end his tens of thousands of years of work.

“I am confident that I can defeat the guardian of the third gate,” Yakumo said with unwavering determination.

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya stepped aside.

“As long as I don’t ask Kushina for the key, her condition will remain stable, and we can even become friends. But as soon as the key is mentioned... the battle will begin immediately.” Jiraiya stopped trying to change Yakumo’s mind, because he had once had that resolute look in his eyes.

They would risk their lives and souls for it.

"Thank you for letting me know." Yakumo's attitude remained gentle as he then walked towards the door.

"Defeating Kushina Uzumaki is just obtaining the key; there will be an even stronger enemy in the end."

Jiraiya whispered in a voice that Yakumo could hear, and everyone else heard it at the same time.

But Yakumo's steps did not falter. He knew, of course, that there were even stronger enemies behind him, but he was even more certain that only by defeating Kushina Uzumaki could he obtain the qualification, that is, the ticket.

The road lies beneath your feet, and the distant mountains resemble clouds, yet they cannot stop the brave from moving forward.

Yakumo reached out and touched the wooden door, applying slight pressure.

What is the purpose of your coming into this world?

"Are you prepared to risk everything?"

Jiraiya called out loudly from behind. Yakumo was slightly taken aback, but still pushed the door open forcefully.

"I want to save the world, but I don't want to lose everything."

Yakumo acknowledges his greed, realizing that the more he wants to hold onto, the more difficult the road ahead will be.

The wooden door opened like opening a long-sealed jar, and a rich floral fragrance suddenly spread. All sorts of floral scents permeated Yakumo's nose and mouth. Directly opposite the door was a pebble-paved road, about 1.5 meters wide, with carefully maintained flowerbeds on both sides, where the flowers were thriving and vying for attention.

Some were crisp and clear, others intense and vibrant. There were wisteria flowers of various colors, as well as orchids. In the center was the orchid that Yakumo's father loved most, along with delicate violets and several cherry trees that were about five meters tall. They were in full bloom, with slender and tender petals and bright and beautiful colors, a truly breathtaking sight.

At the end of the cobblestone path, on the steps of the front yard.

Kushina Uzumaki wore a light blue Japanese kimono, with an incredibly gentle smile on her face. Her entire face was filled with laughter. She was like a woman who had walked out of the misty rain of Jiangnan, without any sharp edges, only endless tenderness.

She was beautiful, but she didn't resemble the fiery and impulsive Kushina Uzumaki from my memories.

"Esteemed guests from afar, would you like to have some breakfast with me?"

Kushina Uzumaki spoke in an incredibly gentle tone, her voice so soft it felt like a gentle breeze, and her slightly forward-leaning posture made her appear poised and elegant.

Upon seeing this, Yakumo suddenly lost the idea of ​​exchanging a few words. He realized that Kushina Uzumaki had completely suppressed her true personality while impersonating someone.

'What kind of being was the original master of the Void that could humble the proud phoenix so much...?'

Distracting thoughts arose in Yakumo's mind, but were instantly suppressed by his powerful reason.

"I want to take the key," Yakumo said directly, though he was actually short on time.

"Is that so?" Kushina Uzumaki slowly straightened her back, and the smile on her face disappeared.

The scene before my eyes collapsed instantly, and when I opened my eyes again, I found myself in the devastated Ninja World. The statues on the Hokage Rock in the distance were broken and the air was filled with a lot of gray dust.

Opposite them, Kushina Uzumaki's once red hair had turned completely white, and her entire body was enveloped in a kind of armor-like void energy. Foot-long barbs extended from her joints and shoulders, and her white hair fell naturally, creating an extremely eerie contrast with her blood-red armor.

The arms, enveloped in ethereal energy, rapidly extended, their nails lengthening and joints growing larger, resembling the claws of a wild beast, about eight or nine centimeters in length, and also appearing as if forged from metal, gleaming with a chilling light.

The earth began to shake, and the originally flat area gradually turned into hills, and then cracked open from the very center, as if a giant pair of scissors were cutting the earth. The crack expanded to about five meters, and the inside was pitch black, as if even the sunlight had been completely swallowed up.

An ominous aura spread outward from underground, forming a pale red mist that clung to the dilapidated buildings like a blanket. However, Yakumo keenly sensed the danger within; the crimson mist was continuously dissolving the buildings, trees, and even the dust in the air.

Everything tangible becomes a target for these blood mists to devour. Whispers of demons emanate from within the mist, somewhat chaotic and jarring, attempting to shake the resilient nerves of the crowd.

Having experienced many great battles and undergone numerous trials, the group possesses a resilient spirit and should not encounter any problems in the short term.

Yakumo once possessed a similar skill, but it was not as domineering as this crimson mist.

With two loud bangs, two enormous, blood-red claws pressed down on either side of the crack. A low roar came from inside the crack, gradually growing louder as time went on.

About three more seconds passed.

A blood-red fox, clad in armor, crawled out from underground. It had ten tails, which were not covered with fur but instead covered with bone spurs, ranging in length from twenty centimeters to one meter, numbering in the hundreds.

The end of its tail is like a scimitar, and it looks incredibly sharp.

These ten tails are utterly deadly weapons.

While smaller than the Nine-Tailed Fox in the original story, it far surpasses it in terms of imposing aura. Its eyes are blood red with golden crosses inside, and a fist-sized Rinnegan grows on its forehead. With its appearance, the blood-red mist in the air suddenly becomes even denser.

It is Kushina Uzumaki's trump card, possessing the Nine-Tails form and the Hollow form of the Ten-Tails.

Yukotsuki charged towards the Ten-Tails at lightning speed, his long sword radiating an aura of death, and his entire body was enveloped in a dark aura.

Nasus's black figure emerged behind him, acting as a barrier to block the crimson mist. His massive axe sliced ​​through the air, leaving a dark afterimage.

At this moment, You Gu Qianxue was like the Grim Reaper.

Among the team, only You Gu Qianxue doesn't need to worry about death. He can transform death into a long slumber. In other words... he is immortal until the battle completely stops.

"You have no right to see him!!" Kushina Uzumaki lowered her head and then raised it again. Her gentle smile was gone, and she looked more like a lioness guarding her food, roaring loudly.

“If I go to see him, I can help you persuade him to forget that person and fall in love with you.” Yakumo replied with a smile, his right hand lightly holding the Demon-Subduing Blade, which had already appeared in his hand, with golden flames burning fiercely on its blade.

Kushina Uzumaki was stunned for a few seconds upon hearing this. She hadn't expected Yakumo to say such a thing. That person's love was her lifelong desire. Then she began to mentally rehearse whether this plan was feasible.

Kushina Uzumaki's mountain-like breasts heaved, and struggle and contemplation surfaced in her ruby ​​eyes, revealing her inner turmoil. Just when Yakumo thought the deception plan would work, Kushina Uzumaki suddenly regained her composure.

“You can’t convince him, you’re lying to me!” she said with absolute certainty.

Only those who experienced it firsthand can understand how deep Aoki's love for that person was. If words could sway him, things would not have turned out the way they are now.

"You're lying to me!" Kushina Uzumaki repeated herself, from pleading to roaring, until finally her blood-red figure appeared before Yakumo in an instant, her sharp claws slashing towards his chest, carrying a faint scent of blood.

"How dare you lie to me!!" Kushina Uzumaki's eyes were filled with fury at being deceived.

The sun had not yet set, but the surrounding environment was gradually becoming dark. In the distance, Yuuki Chiyuki was at a disadvantage in the initial clash with the Ten-Tails.

"Proceed according to plan." Yakumo compressed his voice and transmitted it telepathically.

Of course, he didn't hesitate and immediately swung his knife to block the claws.

The symphony of metal, the extreme high temperature generated by the collision, directly ignites the air, causing wind and fire to surge.

"I'm not lying to you. Your relationship with him is stuck in a stalemate. Why don't you ask me to help you break the deadlock? Although the chances are slim, I will help you. There's nothing wrong with you pursuing love."

Yakumo's attitude remained sincere. Although Jiraiya's intelligence recorded Kushina Uzumaki's cruel and cold fighting style, he was used to approaching the problem in a different way.

If we disregard many facts, Kushina Uzumaki was essentially just a little girl who couldn't have the love she wanted.

A complete and utter love-obsessed person, Yakumo has a wealth of experience dealing with love-obsessed individuals.

"Are you really willing to help me?" Kushina Uzumaki took a half step back, suddenly swung her long tail behind her, and the sharp blade at the end stabbed towards Yakumo's chest from behind, while her right hand struck out again.

A pincer attack from both sides.

With a whoosh, Yakumo merged into the space and retreated two meters to neutralize the attack.

"Of course I'll help you." Yakumo nodded slightly, then immediately swung his sword to deal with Kushina Uzumaki's next attack. Although the two were having a pleasant conversation, their battle gradually intensified.