As Puhara and his group were deep in discussion, Rinjin, along with Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, arrived at the cave's entrance.
The four exchanged glances. Rinjin tilted his head toward the cave and gave a silent nod.
Seeing this, Orochimaru glanced at the eager Jiraiya and whispered, "Should we scout the area first, Dala Bung-ba?"
Rinjin shrugged casually and replied in a low voice, "Do as you see fit. Let me remind you again—I'm not your teacher; I'm just a bodyguard. But here's a tip: if your life is in danger, don't hesitate—scream as loud as you can.
Oh, and call me by my full name: Dala Bung-ba Bander Bedi Butobi Luoweng!"
With that, he stepped back, found a pile of rocks to hide behind, and lay down comfortably.
The three were left speechless.
Call your full name? Are you kidding? We'd die before we even finish saying it!
However, after spending a few days with him, they had come to understand Rinjin's personality somewhat. While he seemed unreliable most of the time, when it came to critical moments… well, they still weren't sure.
Shaking their heads in exasperation, the three huddled together to discuss their plan.
After a brief discussion, they decided that Jiraiya, with his proficiency in Earth Release and overall versatility, would infiltrate and scout the cave. Meanwhile, Tsunade and Rinjin would stand guard and block any potential escape routes.
After all, they had already accepted that Rinjin was absurdly powerful. With him covering their retreat, three jonin and one genin didn't seem like an insurmountable threat.
With the plan set, the three dispersed.
Orochimaru and Jiraiya simultaneously formed hand seals and performed the Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique.
In the next moment, they exchanged a glance, nodded, and sank into the ground.
Despite still being chunin, both Orochimaru and Jiraiya had honed their skills to near-jonin levels.
Rinjin, observing from the side, couldn't help but notice Jiraiya's peculiar presence. Even when standing still, Jiraiya seemed to blend subtly with his surroundings, almost as if he had a faint invisibility aura.
There was also an unmistakable sense of connection with nature emanating from him.
No doubt about it—this guy has been training in senjutsu (sage techniques).
Rinjin wasn't worried about Jiraiya at all. If Jiraiya's training speed before senjutsu was akin to driving a tractor, then after his time at Mount Myōboku, his progress was like riding a bullet train—non-stop.
As Rinjin mused over this, his senses suddenly picked up a large group of chakra signatures approaching rapidly.
Leading the group was a chakra presence so immense it could only belong to a Kage-level shinobi.
There was no time to think. Rinjin immediately formed hand seals.
Ox → Ram → Snake
"Secret Technique: Nurarihyon's Veil."
With a soft incantation, a gray mist enveloped Rinjin and Tsunade, concealing them from sight.
He raised a finger to his lips. "Shh... Someone's coming. A lot of them."
At that moment, Tsunade, lying beside Rinjin, reached out and yanked off his mask in one swift motion.
This! For the second time!
Has your Beedrill gone Mega yet? I've trained in Lightning Release Chakra Mode and still can't keep up with your speed. Damn it! Are you my natural counter or what?!
As Rinjin silently raged in his mind, Tsunade's expression darkened. Her amber eyes burned with fury as she gritted her teeth.
"I knew it was you! I suspected it all along. There's no one else in Konoha as ridiculous as you!"
Caught red-handed, Rinjin shrank back, offering a sheepish smile. "L-Little Tsunade, I didn't mean to hide it from you. It's just that… Uncle Hiruzen made me wear the mask!"
Before Tsunade could respond, a thick mist began to spread through the area. Rinjin's expression turned serious as he placed a steadying hand on her shoulder.
"Let's hide for now."
He let out a soft owl-like hoot, their prearranged signal to alert Jiraiya and Orochimaru of a change in plans.
Then, with a single hand seal, Rinjin teleported himself and Tsunade to the other side of the island using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As they landed, Tsunade's amber eyes widened in shock. She grabbed Rinjin by the collar, her voice low but intense.
"You know the Flying Thunder God Technique!?"
Rinjin scratched the back of his head awkwardly, flashing a nervous grin. "L-Little Tsunade, can we talk about this later? Let's focus on the mission for now."
Tsunade puffed her cheeks in frustration, her lips pouting so much they could hold a bottle.
"Rinjin, you're in big trouble! You knew the Flying Thunder God Technique and didn't come back to see me!
I waited and waited—"
Before she could finish, Rinjin clamped a hand over her mouth.
"They've landed. Stay alert."
Tsunade's brows furrowed as she nodded firmly. No matter how angry she was, the mission took precedence, especially with their teammates still inside the cave.
"What's the plan?" she whispered, leaning close to Rinjin.
"I'll use another secret technique to mask us. Remember, no sudden movements," Rinjin replied calmly.
He wasn't worried about Jiraiya and Orochimaru's safety. Both of them carried his Flying Thunder God seals, allowing him to teleport to their side instantly if needed.
While he lacked wide-area attack techniques, he excelled in one-on-one combat and mobility.
Once again, Rinjin formed hand seals. A layer of gray mist enveloped him and Tsunade, blending them into the shadows of the night and the surrounding fog.
The two crept silently toward the cave entrance, shoulder to shoulder.
The entrance was now surrounded by seven or eight Kirigakure shinobi, their headbands gleaming faintly in the moonlight.
At the forefront stood a man in a kimono, his black hair draped over his shoulders. His eyes remained tightly shut, as if the world wasn't worth the effort of opening them.
Rinjin's eyes flashed with lightning as he focused his enhanced vision on the man's face.
The Third Mizukage!
Rinjin's heart skipped a beat, and a bold idea began to take shape in his mind.
Inside the cave, Puhara and his group sensed the danger outside and rushed toward the entrance.
The moment they saw the figure standing there, they froze in terror.
Puhara's face twisted in despair as he muttered, "The Third Mizukage!"
The Mizukage's eyes opened ever so slightly, revealing a sliver of cold disdain.
"Puhara," he said, his voice calm yet dripping with contempt. "Did you really think I wouldn't know about your little rebellion?
Your plan was obvious from the start. Kidnap members of the Uzumaki Clan to draw Konoha's attention, then use the Uzumaki as hostages to pressure me.
But what does it matter? Do you think Konoha would go to war with the Land of Water over something so trivial?
Besides, Konoha will never know."
Puhara froze for a moment before gritting his teeth in fury.
"So that's why! That's why Konoha's shinobi never found us. You killed them all!"
The Mizukage smirked coldly. "You're correct. I killed them. But who will ever know? Soon, you'll all be dead, and your spoils will belong to me."
Underground, Jiraiya clenched his fists so tightly they trembled. If not for Orochimaru holding him back, he would have charged out to kill the Mizukage on the spot.
The two Konoha teams sent earlier had been slaughtered by this man.
At the cave entrance, Puhara stared at the Mizukage with a mix of fear and defiance. Suddenly, he burst into maniacal laughter.
"Honorable Mizukage, I may not succeed alone, but as long as you keep the borders closed, more rogue ninjas will emerge!
They'll leave the village and attack Uzushio Village relentlessly until Konoha intervenes!
The children we've captured will contribute to the chaos, all for the glory of Kirigakure's future!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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