The conversation with Orochimaru wasn't simply an impulse decision by Kagura.
After the battle that day, he had already keenly sensed the subtle eagerness hidden in Orochimaru's gaze whenever the latter looked at him.
Combined with his knowledge of Orochimaru's prior obsession with the Sharingan, he naturally understood exactly what that eagerness signified.
Yet after years of companionship, he'd come to believe Orochimaru's fundamental nature wasn't evil. Therefore, this conversation was something he deliberately initiated.
You could even say it was his way of trying to save someone he considered a friend.
Two days passed quickly.
During these two days, Sarutobi hardly showed up around them at all.
Orochimaru seemed to have received permission and spent every day visiting the local Ninja Academy.
He wouldn't return until evening, looking thoroughly satisfied.
As for Jiraiya, he became even more enthusiastic.
According to his own explanation, he had discovered many rare and unique novels here that were unavailable in Konoha.
But whether due to limited funds or the sheer difficulty of carrying so many books back,
Jiraiya ultimately decided to stay in the bookstore and read as much as possible.
From then on, he stayed holed up in the bookstore, not even returning to the inn at night.
Kagura found himself alone, facing an angry Tsunade.
Though he tried buying gifts or making small talk to soothe her anger, obviously these efforts yielded minimal results.
Today, Team 7 gathered again at the dock.
Jiraiya now carried a large basket of packed books tied behind him, while Orochimaru held a scroll, occasionally scribbling notes on it.
Only Tsunade kept her head turned sideways, standing far away from Kagura.
Seeing Tsunade clearly sulking, Sarutobi felt slightly puzzled but simply assumed she was indulging in childish tantrums again, so he ignored it.
Once back on the mainland, they set off for Konoha Village.
Though Fuchuan hadn't been especially slow on the way there,
Compared to their group of ninjas, there remained a substantial difference.
This time on the return trip, they sprinted the whole way.
In the forest, several dark shadows continuously darted between the towering trees.
Previously taking three days of travel, they now arrived at the outskirts of Konoha Village in just one day.
Hiruzen estimated the remaining distance in his mind, then glanced upward at the blazing sun overhead.
He raised his right hand, signaling the team to halt.
As several dark shadows flashed past, four figures suddenly materialized behind him.
Sarutobi spoke:
"We still have about two hours to go before reaching the village. Let's find some shade under a tree and eat something before continuing."
After nodding agreement, everyone directly dropped down to the ground to rest briefly.
Digging through his backpack, Kagura pulled out a sweet pastry.
It was a treat he'd bought two days ago in the Land of Whirlpools — specially made from honey, rice cake, and red beans.
Maintaining excellent taste while also able to last for days without spoiling made it perfect trail food.
So upon departing, Kagura had specifically purchased several pieces for consumption along the journey.
Looking at the last piece of pastry in her hand, Kagura hesitated for a moment before offering it to Tsunade sitting across from her.
"This tastes really good. Want to try it?"
"Hmph!"
Hearing this, Tsunade turned her head sideways with a huff and replied angrily,
"Why would I eat anything from you? Keep it for your older sister back in the Land of Whirlpools!"
This little hot pepper...
Does she have to stay mad for so long?
Kagura thought helplessly.
Orochimaru and Jiraiya munched on their own rations while watching the exchange between the two women with great amusement.
They looked like excited spectators watching an entertaining show.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he had already grown accustomed to such situations over the past couple days.
Sighing softly, he muttered something about the beauty of youth and otherwise gave the matter no further thought.
Seeing how things were going, Kagura had no choice but to silently eat the pastry herself.
Then, after taking some water, she leaned against the tree trunk and narrowed her eyes to rest.
Suddenly, a voice from the System echoed inside her mind.
"Ding!
Emergency Task Activated!
Task Option One: Successfully escape from 'Kinkaku'.
Task Reward: Randomly receive and master one Ninjutsu technique.
(The received technique will definitely be Rank A or higher.)
Task Option Two: Successfully kill 'Kinkaku'.
Task Reward: Randomly receive and master one Ninjutsu technique.
(The received technique will definitely be Rank S or higher.)
Only one of these task options may be completed. They cannot be repeated."
When Kagura fully registered the task details in her mind, she shot upright in shock.
Who is Kinkaku?
That man was a legendary figure whose actions changed the entire course of ninja history!
Especially for any ninja from Konoha Village—even students still attending the Ninja Academy—everyone knew this name.
Not too long ago during the later stages of the First Great Ninja War, internal divisions emerged within Kirigakure Village, splitting into pro-war and peace factions.
The peace faction led by the Second Raikage decided to end the war and form an alliance with Konoha.
During the alliance ceremony, it was precisely Kinkaku and Ginkaku—the Gold and Silver Brothers—who suddenly staged a coup, personally killing the Second Raikage and severely wounding the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
Konoha forces attempted to flee the scene amid the chaos, but were soon pursued by elite soldiers commanded by Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
At this critical moment, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju tested his companions' judgment and decisiveness before bravely sacrificing himself to draw enemy forces away and cover the team's retreat.
Unfortunately, facing overwhelming numbers, Tobirama Senju ultimately fell in battle.
Badly wounded, Tobirama passed away shortly after.
In that battle, all twenty elite soldiers led by Kinkaku and Ginkaku were completely wiped out.
The two brothers were also gravely injured in that battle—but managed to survive.
Later, A, the disciple of the Second Raikage—who had fallen to Kinkaku and Ginkaku—became the Third Raikage.
He vowed to take the heads of those two brothers and place them before his master's grave.
Already heavily injured from the previous fight against Tobirama Senju, Kinkaku and Ginkaku could not withstand the relentless pursuit of someone hailed as "The Strongest Spear," eventually ending their legendary lives.
The information of the two brothers flashed through Kagura's mind, and his face instantly turned pale.
Although he didn't know what had gone wrong—Kinkaku, who should have died at the hands of the Third Raikage, was now appearing at the outskirts of Konoha—
this wasn't the time to dwell on it. Right now, Kagura was desperately thinking about ways to escape.
It wasn't that he lacked confidence in Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him; it was just that this enemy's strength far exceeded expectations.
Kinkaku, honored together with Ginkaku as the "Two Luminous Beams of Cloud," was much more powerful than shown in the anime storyline.
He already possessed chakra at the level of a Tailed Beast, but what was even more terrifying was their brutal, bloodthirsty nature.
Once swallowed by the Nine-Tails, they actually started eating its flesh from inside its stomach.
In the end, even the Nine-Tails could only spit them out, giving up on devouring these two monstrous men.
As a result, they gained fortune from misfortune—obtaining the power of the Nine-Tails and even achieving the Nine-Tails' beast transformation form.
Most importantly, they also possessed the Five Legendary Ninja Artifacts [Ninja Tools] passed down from the Sage of Six Paths.
Each one of those artifacts had the power to turn the tide of war.
Therefore, according to historical records, even when facing the badly injured duo, the Third Raikage could only win through a surprise attack.
This was an opponent who once stood above even the other Four Kages—an S-rank powerhouse far beyond what the current Hiruzen Sarutobi could handle.
Noticing Kagura acting strangely, Hiruzen shot him a confused look.
But before he could speak, his expression suddenly changed, and he immediately stood up.
His face tightened in grim determination as he fixed his gaze upon the forest ahead.
Seeing this, the other three exchanged uneasy glances.
Then, after several seconds, even they began to sense an indescribable danger coming from the woods.
Everyone quickly took defensive stances, terror flashing across their faces as they stared into the forest ahead.
Though it was already past noon, the depths of the forest remained pitch-black, like an abyss glaring silently at them.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, carrying with it a terrifying pressure surging toward them.
Faced with this crushing pressure, Kagura and the others felt as though they were drowning in a tempest of raw power.
Just as Tsunade felt herself on the verge of breaking, a hoarse, mad voice suddenly echoed from the darkness:
"Oh?
Looks like I've run into some old acquaintances..."
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