For the following twenty-plus days, Sora transformed into "Vermilion Bird", moving through the Land of Water like a ghost.
He relied on intelligence provided by the Bounty Exchange and his own powerful sensory and flight-tracking abilities to efficiently carry out his newly accepted missions.
The targets of these missions were not weak, each possessing at least the skill level of an experienced Chunin. One even had the strength of a Jonin.
But in front of Sora, they were still no match.
When Sora submitted the proof of completion for several missions to the Bounty Exchange and received the remaining payment, his total funds had steadily surpassed the fifty million ryo mark.
This was a huge sum that would make many small country ninja villages covetous, and it was also a solid cornerstone for his future "Kekkei Mora" plan.
...
Counting the time, only seven days remained before the two-month mission deadline.
Sora did not delay any longer. He immediately set off at full speed, leaving the Land of Water and returning to the Land of Fire.
After a long and dusty journey, he finally reached Konoha village two or three days before the mission deadline.
The Hokage's Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took the scroll handed to him by Sora. He read it and nodded slightly.
"You have done well, Sora. This intelligence is very valuable. You have worked hard."
"Just doing my duty, Lord Hokage," Sora replied calmly.
Sarutobi did not ask further questions about the mission details. He pondered for a moment, then said, just like last time.
"You have had a tiring journey. I grant you two days off. Rest well."
"Yes. Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Sora bowed and then turned and left the office cleanly and efficiently. He knew that with Sarutobi Hiruzen's shrewdness, there was no need for him to superfluously add his speculation that "Kirigakure might attack the Land of Wind" to the report.
That old man could himself deduce more accurate judgments from these clues. He might have already been aware through other channels.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Sora went straight back to the orphanage.
Today happened to be a Saturday. As soon as Sora returned to the orphanage, he saw Kabuto, Yumi, and Ayumi gathered together, studying the medical notes left by Nonō.
Moreover, Kabuto's progress had actually caught up with the two little girls, making Sora marvel once again at Kabuto's talent.
Just after Sora had exchanged a few simple words with them and was about to ask about Kabuto's recent situation, his face suddenly paled slightly, and his body swayed violently.
"Sora, are you alright? You don't look well."
Kabuto, keenly noticing Sora's abnormality, asked with concern.
Miyamoto Ichirō, who had just walked over, and the two little girls also cast inquiring looks.
"It's nothing."
Sora forcefully suppressed the discomfort in his mind, rubbed his temples, and managed a slightly tired smile.
"Maybe I'm a little tired from the journey. I'll be fine after some rest. I'm going back to my room now."
Sora said nothing more. He nodded to them and quickly returned to his room.
Closing the door, he leaned back against it, took a few deep breaths, and slowly calmed the flood of information churning in his mind.
Just now, a shadow clone had been dispelled.
The vast memories and information accumulated from nearly two months of covert surveillance, along with the crucial fragment of finally discovering Yamato's traces, surged back into his mind from that distant, just-dispelled shadow clone like a burst dam.
Countless fragments of information assaulted Sora's consciousness, causing an intense wave of dizziness, as if he had undergone several days of high-intensity mental combat.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Sora closed his eyes and began carefully sorting through and digesting the memories transmitted by the shadow clone.
When he clearly "saw" that short Root member wearing a mask and sensed that unique, life-filled Wood Release chakra, a curve finally appeared at the corner of Sora's mouth.
'Finally... I have waited for you.'
Sora slowly opened his eyes. A flash of sharp light vanished within them. The discomfort from continuously receiving shadow clone memories was completely suppressed, replaced by the calmness and sharpness of the prey finally stepping into the trap.
He did not delay in the slightest. He immediately began carefully sorting through all the key information transmitted by the shadow clone in his mind.
Yamato, or rather, who should still be called "Tenzo" now, had appeared near that Root base at the edge of the Forest of Death five days ago.
He was following a four-person squad led by a Root Jonin on an external mission. The shadow clone tracked them covertly all the way and finally confirmed they had stopped in the border area between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain. They seemed to be performing some kind of surveillance or reconnaissance mission and had not left yet.
After confirming the target and estimating the time and Sora's location, the shadow clone left behind one clone to continue long-distance surveillance. The main body then dispelled the technique to transmit the information back.
'The Land of Rain border...'
Sora's fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on his knee as his mind raced.
That area was indeed currently one of the main battle zones between Konoha and Iwagakure. It was a mixed bag, with ninja from various forces appearing.
This environment had both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage was that any commotion caused during an attack could be more easily concealed. The disadvantage was that there were too many unexpected factors, making it easy for a third party to interfere.
Furthermore, taking action near the Land of Rain was too high-risk.
'The best opportunity is during their return journey to Konoha, after completing the mission.'
Sora quickly made a judgment. Ninja on their return journey often had their guard lowered compared to when they were on a mission, especially as they were about to re-enter the relatively safe territory of the Land of Fire.
Moreover, operating in the area around Konoha, Sora was also more familiar with the environment, which was convenient for setting up and retreating.
But there were two key problems here.
First, when exactly would Yamato's squad return to Konoha? The information transmitted by the shadow clone did not include the specific content or duration of the mission. It could be in one day, or in five days.
Sora had returned to the village at noon today. Counting the remaining time today, he barely had two and a half days.
Second, how could Sora himself leave Konoha for an extended period without raising suspicion?
He was now a member of the Anbu Special Operations Group. Although he had relatively high freedom of movement, he could not leave the village without reason.
Sora frowned slightly, his fingers pausing.
'Time waits for no one. The opportunity may slip away in an instant. I must leave the village as soon as possible.'
He stood up and paced in the small room.
Soon, an excuse came to mind.
'Summoning beasts... I'll use this reason.'
Last time he went to investigate the Valley of the End, he had also used this excuse.
This reason was reasonable. After all, powerful summoning beasts were obviously beneficial to a ninja's strength. Moreover, the search process was inherently uncertain. Spending several days was completely justifiable.
Thinking this, Sora hesitated no longer.
He quickly changed into a set of dark, casual clothes suitable for action. He specifically brought along some small sealed containers and simple tools for collecting and preserving biological samples.
Once everything was ready, he pushed open the door and walked straight towards the Hokage Building.
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