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Chapter 208 - 208. Orochimaru's Involvement.
Hanekawa returned to the team.
Seeing that he was unharmed, Hyuga Hizashi and Chen didn't ask further questions.
Needless to say, the ninjas from Kirigakure had been dealt with by him.
The supply transport team continued on their way.
As before, Hanekawa stood on the roof of the vehicle, using his Mind's Eye to scout the surroundings.
Time passed slowly, and by the afternoon, they finally arrived at the main camps of Konoha and Sunagakure.
"Hanekawa!"
A faint, delicate fragrance wafted over.
Yuhi Kurenai's beautiful and exquisite face appeared before Hanekawa.
She was smiling, her good mood clearly visible.
Hanekawa reached out and patted her head.
His gaze shifted behind her, where he saw Nohara Rin.
She seemed more reserved, standing in place, wanting to greet him but not daring to speak.
Previously, she hadn't been so conflicted, but now she realized the change in Hanekawa's position in her heart.
Moreover, knowing that Kurenai liked Hanekawa, she felt somewhat at a loss.
"Has anything changed in Konoha?"
Kurenai took Hanekawa's hand and led him towards the camp.
"Same as before."
Hanekawa suddenly remembered something and said, "I brought some Konoha snacks for you."
"Where are they?"
Kurenai's eyes lit up like rubies.
"Here."
Hanekawa casually handed her a storage scroll, saying, "I bought them a couple of days ago. You'll need to warm them up before eating."
"Got it!"
Kurenai said with a smile.
"You and Rin eat first. I need to see sensei."
Hanekawa let go of her hand and said.
"Go ahead."
Kurenai knew he had to report the mission to Tsunade, so she didn't say more.
"Where's Sensei?"
Hanekawa asked casually.
"She's resting in her tent."
Kurenai explained, "She just returned from a mission and apparently fought with the Fourth Mizukage."
"The Fourth Mizukage?"
Hanekawa was surprised, "He actually came out?"
"Don't know."
Kurenai shook her head.
"Then I'll go see Sensei first."
Hanekawa turned and headed towards Tsunade's tent.
"Rin."
Kurenai asked curiously, "Why do you seem less enthusiastic today?"
"No, I'm fine."
Rin quickly replied, "I'm happy."
"Let's try the snacks Hanekawa bought."
Kurenai didn't think much of it and smiled, "If they're not good, we'll make him treat us to dinner tonight!"
"Okay."
Rin sighed in relief.
Hanekawa entered Tsunade's tent.
She was sitting on a carpet, looking at a map of the Land of Rivers.
"Back?"
Tsunade didn't look up.
In the entire Konoha camp, only Hanekawa dared to enter her tent without knocking.
"Yes."
Hanekawa walked forward and sat down opposite her.
His gaze inadvertently fell on Tsunade's bare feet.
They looked soft and white, delicate and boneless, making him want to touch them... or rather, massage them.
"Any unexpected incidents?"
Tsunade, having sat for a long time, stretched her legs.
Her deep blue pants tightened slightly with the movement, accentuating the fullness of her thighs.
"None."
Hanekawa paused, then asked curiously, "You encountered the Fourth Mizukage?"
"Yes."
Tsunade put down the map, "His Water and Wind Release techniques are quite good, almost on par with the Third Mizukage."
"He fought you and then retreated?"
Hanekawa was puzzled, "What was he trying to do?"
"Probably just trying to establish his reputation."
Tsunade suddenly smiled, "I think he knew you weren't here, so he dared to come out."
Hanekawa was taken aback.
Honestly, he found it hard to believe, but upon reflection, it made sense.
If he had been at the Konoha camp, Yagura would have needed to bring the Three-Tails Jinchuriki to stand a chance against him and Tsunade.
"Sounds like I'm on par with Sensei now."
Hanekawa stroked his chin.
"What do you think?"
Tsunade's lips curled, "Who would dare ignore a ninja who captured the Four-Tails and killed the Third Mizukage?"
"True."
Hanekawa nodded slightly.
He realized he had not only overshadowed Hatake Kakashi's reputation as a genius but also taken much of Namikaze Minato's spotlight.
At this point, it should have been the Yellow Flash's time to shine, but he hadn't achieved much.
How to put it?
Hanekawa had compensated them.
Hatake Sakumo hadn't committed suicide.
In the future Nine-Tails incident, Minato and Kushina likely wouldn't die.
By then, Hanekawa and Tsunade would be in Konoha, and dealing with Obito wouldn't be a problem.
"Sensei, what are you looking at?"
Hanekawa leaned over, looking at the map on Tsunade's lap.
But his gaze uncontrollably fell on the curves of her full, humongous bust.
This auto-focus just wouldn't turn off.
"This is a new Kirigakure outpost."
Tsunade pointed to an island not far from the coast on the map.
"Sensei, are you planning to take out this outpost?"
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.
"This is a congratulatory gift for the Fourth Mizukage's inauguration and a response to his actions today."
Tsunade chuckled.
"Sensei, you really know how to retaliate."
Hanekawa gave a thumbs up.
"This isn't retaliation."
Tsunade patted his hand, "This is called 'all's fair in war.'"
"I'll go with you."
Hanekawa seized the opportunity to grab her hand.
"Of course, you're coming."
Tsunade glanced at him, "As a Water Release user, you'll be most effective in an island assault."
"Right."
Seeing she didn't pull her hand back, Hanekawa played with her slender fingers.
"There's one more thing, related to you."
Tsunade paused, "Do you know about the Hozuki clan?"
"I've heard of them."
Hanekawa's heart stirred, guessing what was coming, "I remember the Second Mizukage was Hozuki Gengetsu from the Hozuki clan."
"Do you know the connection between the Hozuki clan and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
Tsunade asked further.
"The Hozuki clan holds the summoning scrolls for the seven swords."
Hanekawa smiled, "So, the Hozuki clan wants to reclaim the seven swords from me?"
"Exactly."
Tsunade nodded, "The Hozuki clan has a genius named Hozuki Mangetsu who claims he'll defeat you."
Hanekawa thought as much.
Hozuki Mangetsu, the older brother of Hozuki Suigetsu, was one of the second generation Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielding the Twin Swords Hiramekarei.
But his talent was high; in the original story, it was said he could skillfully use all seven swords.
Besides swordsmanship, he also had the Hozuki clan's Water Release secret techniques.
Like the Hydrification Technique.
It allowed his body to turn into liquid, immune to all physical attacks, but weak against Lightning Release.
Now, due to Hanekawa's butterfly effect, this Hozuki genius had no swords to use.
Plus, with the sword summoning scrolls, it made sense he'd target Hanekawa.
"Has he arrived at the Land of Rivers battlefield?"
Hanekawa's mind stirred, quite interested in Mangetsu's Hydrification Technique.
"He's right here."
Tsunade's lips curled as she pointed to the island on the map.
"You planned this?"
Hanekawa was surprised, raising an eyebrow.
"My student is being challenged; as his teacher, I naturally have to help."
Tsunade reached out and pinched Hanekawa's cheek.
"Sensei, you're adorable."
Hanekawa blinked.
"What are you saying? No respect!"
Tsunade glared at him, flicking his forehead hard.
"Yes, Sensei."
Hanekawa said obediently.
"Really, what am I going to do with you."
Tsunade, seeing his quick change in attitude, let him off.
"When are we attacking this outpost?"
Hanekawa changed the subject to business.
"Tomorrow morning."
Tsunade thought for a moment, smiling, "They won't expect us to move so fast."
"Alright."
Hanekawa reminded her, "I'll handle Hozuki Mangetsu then."
"Don't worry, no one will fight you for that."
Tsunade said with a hint of mischief, "Since Mangetsu wants to defeat you, we should help him achieve that wish."
Mangetsu was indeed a genius, but Hanekawa wasn't just a genius; he was already a powerhouse.
The outcome between them was a foregone conclusion.
"On my way back to Konoha, the Hyuga clan invited me for a meal."
Hanekawa suddenly remembered, "Hiashi said he wants his future child to be my student."
"The Hyuga clan has good plans."
Tsunade snorted lightly.
"I already agreed."
Hanekawa smiled, "If you think it's inappropriate, I'll let him know when I get back."
"Nothing inappropriate."
Tsunade shook her head, "The Hyuga clan leader's child is worthy of being your student."
She understood Hiashi's intentions.
But overall, there was no harm.
After all, the Hyuga clan had always been strong supporters of the Hokage lineage, unlike the Uchiha who liked to stir trouble.
"That's good."
Hanekawa was relieved he wouldn't lose Hinata as his shy student.
Besides her, who else should he choose?
Hanekawa suddenly took a deep breath.
He had a feeling Kushina and Minato would entrust Naruto to him.
Perhaps the Uchiha, to strengthen ties with the new Hokage Tsunade, might also have Itachi or Sasuke become his students.
Thinking this, Hanekawa couldn't help but exclaim.
And the likelihood of this happening was high, given his strength and status.
Everyone wanted to be his student.
"Go rest."
Tsunade, having finished discussing, waved her hand, "Get some energy for tomorrow's main assault."
"Right."
Hanekawa snapped out of it, "Sensei, are you hungry? I bought your favorite tender chicken."
"Give it to me!"
Tsunade's eyes lit up, eager.
"I bought it two days ago."
Hanekawa opened the storage scroll, "Let me warm it up for you."
He placed his hands above the chicken, releasing Fire Release chakra.
Soon, a tempting aroma filled the air.
Tsunade subconsciously swallowed.
Hanekawa thought she looked like a little glutton, no, a big chested glutton.
"Aren't you eating?"
Tsunade took the chopsticks, surprised.
"This is specially for you."
Hanekawa stood up, "I told Kurenai and Rin I'd eat with them."
"Go ahead."
Tsunade picked up a piece of chicken and popped it into her mouth.
After Hanekawa left, she suddenly found the chicken less tasty than before.
Her previously high spirits also waned.
Hanekawa entered Kurenai's tent and was greeted by a delicious aroma.
They had already warmed up the snacks and were sitting at a small table eating.
"Come here!"
Kurenai waved at Hanekawa as soon as she saw him.
She held a skewer of tri-colored dango, having already eaten one.
"Thanks."
Hanekawa looked at the dango offered to him and took a bite.
Rin pursed her lips, envious.
The intimate way Kurenai and Hanekawa interacted was something she couldn't achieve.
"Want some?"
Kurenai noticed Rin's gaze and gave her the last piece of dango.
Rin's eyes widened.
She felt it was inappopriate for three people to share the same skewer.
"Thanks."
Rin hesitated but finally took a bite.
...
In a secluded alley in Konoha.
A puff of smoke appeared and quickly dissipated.
"Konoha hasn't changed much."
Jiraiya looked around and stretched.
He had returned from the Land of Hot Springs due to Tsunade's assignment a week ago to investigate the Wood Release experiments.
Before him stood an ordinary-looking toad.
"Lead the way."
Jiraiya said.
He had sent out many toads to investigate several Root bases and finally had some results.
Of course, these were former Root bases.
These toads weren't his summons, just common toads.
Most ninjas would overlook them.
Thanks to Danzo being on the Kumogakure battlefield.
If he were in Konoha, the investigation wouldn't have been so easy.
Given his strength and knowledge of Jiraiya's toad summons, he would have been suspicious.
Jiraiya followed the toad, carefully hiding, and finally reached an underground chamber.
He opened a drawer and found sealed experiment records.
After reading for a while, Jiraiya's face filled with anger.
Years ago, over sixty infants went missing from villages near Konoha.
An investigation at the time yielded no results.
But no one expected it was Danzo and Root, using them for Wood Release experiments.
"This is madness!"
Jiraiya couldn't help but curse.
He continued reading.
Unsurprisingly, all were failed experiments.
But he was puzzled why the Wood Release experiments were halted midway.
Jiraiya thought of the mysterious Wood Release ninja Tsunade mentioned.
Most likely, Danzo's experiments had succeeded.
But how many Wood Release ninjas were there?
Jiraiya turned to the last page and froze.
The handwriting was familiar—Orochimaru's.
Could it be... no, impossible!
Jiraiya's mind was in turmoil.
He couldn't believe Orochimaru was involved.
Jiraiya forced himself to calm down.
Handwriting alone wasn't conclusive.
If Orochimaru was involved, there would be traces.
Jiraiya decided to investigate both Danzo and Orochimaru.
Once sure, he'd discuss with Tsunade what to do.
