The final three days of vacation passed in the blink of an eye.
Sora spent almost all of his time studying the two sealing technique scrolls.
There were gains, but they were smaller than he had anticipated.
From the two scrolls, Sora successfully parsed out the theoretical technique for breaking the Tongue Eradication Seal.
But theory is theory, practice is practice.
Without actual samples to test on, relying solely on deduction, Sora could not guarantee the safety and success rate of the breaking process at all.
Nonō was not a test subject. He could not risk her life.
It seemed that armchair theorizing had its limits. He needed... actual 'materials' for verification.
Sora closed the scroll, a cold light flickering in his eyes.
The so-called "materials" were naturally those Root members who had been brainwashed by Danzo and also bore the cursed seal.
For these puppets who had long since lost themselves and become Danzo's tools, Sora felt no pity whatsoever.
'It just so happens I'm going out on a mission. I'll see if there's a chance to "bump into" a few isolated Root members along the way.'
Suppressing this thought, Sora collected himself and walked out of the room.
Today was the day his vacation ended and he returned to report to the Anbu.
...
The Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was still sitting behind his desk piled high with documents, wisps of smoke rising from his pipe.
He looked at Sora standing respectfully before him, his gaze lingering for a moment on the young man's calm and unreadable face.
"How was your vacation rest?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was mild, like an elder caring for a junior.
"Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama. I am fully prepared and ready to carry out a new mission at any time."
Sora's reply was concise, devoid of extra emotion.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. He seemed already accustomed to Sora's steady demeanor.
"Good. I called you here today because there is an important mission I need to entrust to you."
He put down his pipe, his expression turning slightly more serious. "According to intelligence, Tsunade is currently likely active in the Land of Hot Water area."
Sora's heart stirred slightly. So Tsunade really had left.
"Your mission is to find her and persuade her to return to Konoha as much as possible."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said slowly, his gaze profound. "With the tense war situation now, the village's medical system is under immense pressure. We urgently need a top-tier medical ninja like her to take charge."
Hearing this, Sora could not help but feel a trace of helplessness.
Bring Tsunade back to Konoha? The difficulty of this mission was anything but ordinary.
He remembered that it took the combined efforts of Jiraiya and Naruto, plus Naruto's nearly causality-defying "Talk no Jutsu," to barely persuade her.
He had neither that level of friendship nor the ability to use Talk no Jutsu. What could he use to persuade one of the Legendary Three who was determined in her decision and suffered from severe hemophobia?
As Tsunade's teacher and the Hokage, did Sarutobi Hiruzen not understand his own student's temper? This mission seemed more like a gesture, or an attempt to do one's duty and leave the rest to fate.
Failing to complete it was the normal outcome.
'Sarutobi Hiruzen probably doesn't hold much hope either. He's just sending someone to try their luck, to show the village's stance.'
Sora understood clearly in his heart.
Since that was the case, he had no psychological pressure about it.
Do his best to find her. After finding her, convey the order. If Tsunade wouldn't listen, then the responsibility for mission failure wouldn't lie with him.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. This subordinate will do his utmost to find Lady Tsunade." Sora responded solemnly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to see through Sora's thoughts but didn't say anything more. He simply took a thin intelligence scroll from a drawer and handed it over.
"This is the latest intelligence regarding Tsunade's whereabouts. You judge the action route yourself. The mission is designated as S-rank, with a one-month time limit. You are permitted to use all necessary means, but remember, do not clash with Tsunade. Her safety is the top priority."
"Understood."
Sora took the scroll. It felt very light in his hand, indicating the intelligence was indeed limited.
"Go now. Be careful on the road."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand and picked up his pipe again.
...
According to the intelligence scroll, Tsunade's last known location was a small town in the Land of Hot Water.
Sora chose the shortest route, his figure darting rapidly between trees. At full speed, he even left behind faint afterimages.
He took this opportunity to further familiarize himself with the recently mastered basic level of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Sapphire-blue electrical sparks danced across his body's surface. Not only did they not bring a burden, they stimulated cell activity, keeping his speed, reaction, and endurance at an extremely high level.
While traveling, Sora felt the changes in his body, treasuring this precious gift from Nonō even more.
As he journeyed, his mind was also racing, planning his next moves.
The primary objective was naturally to find Tsunade.
But regarding this, Sora maintained a go-with-the-flow attitude. The Land of Hot Water was not huge, but not small either. Finding one of the Legendary Three who was intentionally evading the village's pursuit was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Fortunately, his sensory abilities were not weak. As long as Tsunade was still in the Land of Hot Water, he could find her with some time.
The second objective was his private plan—capturing Root ninja.
'That old man Danzo's reach has always been long. Within the Land of Fire, and even in surrounding minor countries, he definitely has his informants and action squads.'
'As long as I carefully avoid any possible White Zetsu, capturing a few isolated Root members shouldn't be difficult.'
Sora's eyes were icy. He needed live test subjects to verify the method for breaking the Tongue Eradication Seal. Root ninja were the most suitable choice.
It could both weaken Danzo's forces and achieve his own goal, killing two birds with one stone.
...
Time passed quickly as he traveled and thought.
Several days later, Sora crossed the border of the Land of Fire and officially set foot in the Land of Hot Water, famous for its hot springs.
The atmosphere here was clearly different from the war-tension-filled Land of Fire. The air seemed permeated with a sense of laziness and pleasure.
There were quite a few merchants traveling between towns, and he could even see some tourists from other countries.
Following the intelligence guidance, Sora asked around along the way, heading in the direction of the small town where Tsunade was last seen.
However, after visiting several possible locations in succession, he found nothing. Tsunade seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth, leaving behind no effective clues.
'It seems Tsunade is hiding better than imagined. Or perhaps, she simply doesn't stay in one place for too long.'
Sora stood at the entrance of a small town, watching the bustling crowd, thinking to himself.
He wasn't surprised by this. Not finding her was the norm.
Seeing that the sun was almost setting, Sora decided to find a place to stay first, and gather some information while he was at it.
In this kind of tourist country, inns and hot springs were often hubs of information exchange. Didn't a certain white-haired ninja often go to such places to gather intelligence?
Following the signposts, Sora arrived at a rather large-looking hot spring inn called "Yukemuri no Sato" ("Village of Hot Water Vapor").
'Tonight, I'll rest here.'
Sora stepped forward and entered this hot spring inn.
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