At the border, Kakashi looked at his hand and then at the river before him, his brow furrowed deeply.
A moment later, Kurenai Yuhi arrived via Body Flicker.
She shook her head gently.
"I couldn't find him. It seems like he was rescued by someone, and they were very fast and eerie; even the Byakugan couldn't track them."
"I see."
Kakashi looked at his palm, a look of doubt on his face. "My Lightning Blade clearly hit him—"
"Safety is the priority. You were right to withdraw in time, otherwise, the consequences of having your blood taken would be unimaginable."
Kurenai Yuhi's expression was grave as she looked at the river and said, "Surviving after having one's heart pierced is simply unheard of."
"Yeah."
Kakashi frowned.
Such an ability was something he had never heard of before.
"No wonder he could kill so many Jonin despite not being particularly strong himself."
Kurenai Yuhi said.
Afterward, she looked at the depressed Kakashi and smiled. "Don't overthink it. At least we've gathered one piece of intelligence on him. It will be easier to deal with him in the future."
1
"Yeah."
Kakashi nodded.
Then, he said with a smile, "Thanks to you this time as well, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to approach him so safely."
Kurenai Yuhi looked at Kakashi, about to ask for the next step of the plan.
Just then, she suddenly paused for a moment and then looked toward the direction of the Land of Fire.
"One of ours is coming."
"Hmm?"
Kakashi looked in that direction.
In terms of perception, he was a step behind Kurenai Yuhi and hadn't sensed the approaching Chakra signature.
However.
Within a few seconds, a Ninja rushed over, holding a scroll in his hand.
Seeing the seal from a distance, Kakashi's face turned serious.
The highest level of Anbu secrecy!
His gaze sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "Something might have happened in the Village."
"What?"
Kurenai Yuhi had never been in the Anbu and didn't know their internal rules.
The messenger reached Kakashi and immediately handed over the scroll, panting as he said, "Kakashi-sama, I finally found you!"
"Yes."
Kakashi didn't have time for pleasantries. He tore open the seal to check. With just one look, he immediately closed the scroll, the shock in his exposed eye impossible to hide.
He held the scroll and didn't speak for a long time.
Kakashi gripped the scroll, his fingers turning pale. He remained motionless for a long while, his eyes looking as if they had lost focus.
This piece of intelligence—
It was too heavy.
Kakashi's eyes dimmed. He glanced at Kurenai Yuhi, hesitating to speak.
Finally, he silently handed the scroll to Kurenai.
Kurenai Yuhi took it. At first, she was confused as to why Kakashi was so shocked and acting strangely, but then she opened the scroll and scanned it.
First came astonishment, then she looked up, her face a mask of bewilderment and loss.
Following that, Kurenai blinked and rubbed her face with one hand, trying hard to calm her emotions.
Finally, her voice trembling, she handed it back to Kakashi.
"Kakashi—"
"Kurenai, you... should go back first."
Kakashi's eyes were dark.
He understood this kind of pain and knew how much Kurenai's heart was hurting at this moment.
In such a state, she wouldn't be able to carry out the mission properly at all.
"But—"
"We're wrapping things up here anyway. The enemy can't be tracked, so there's no point in continuing to wander outside."
Kakashi replied.
He looked in the direction Hidan had fled and said, "You go first and take the situation here back with you. I'll be returning in a few days as well."
"Alright."
Kurenai Yuhi suppressed her emotions, turned, and used Body Flicker to head toward the Land of Fire.
Two or three days later.
In the Land of Iron, the habitat of the Iron-Eating Beast Clan.
Masahiko opened his eyes.
The Chakra Tenketsu in his body were mostly cleared now, and he was already capable of performing Rotation.
Actually—
Rotation wasn't actually that sophisticated of a Ninjutsu.
The reason many members of the branch family couldn't master it was simply because many of them didn't have the ability to open most of the Tenketsu in their bodies.
Even...
Including some Ninjas from the main family, they also lacked such an ability.
The Byakugan was also something that was developed and enhanced step by step.
For example, Hyūga Takashi's eyes were of a relatively low caliber and couldn't see most Tenketsu clearly, but after being transplanted—
As the degree of fusion continued to increase, the power of these eyes was also steadily improving.
Especially in the last two days.
Masahiko suspected that although the Bloodline Development Card didn't show any new Bloodline Limits, only Shikotsumyaku and the transplanted "Byakugan."
However, his internal bloodline had definitely undergone changes.
Specifically, Masahiko's fusion with the Byakugan was getting higher and higher. Unfortunately, the Byakugan was different from the Sharingan.
Unless it was a Byakugan like Uzumaki Himawari's, even if the Byakugan was deactivated, the physical characteristics would still be very obvious.
Masahiko stood up to stretch his muscles.
His body seemed to have grown stronger too!
It was just that there was still no sign of mastering Sage Mode.
"Without Toad Oil, trying to directly sense Nature Energy is still too difficult."
Fortunately, he had the Byakugan.
With the Byakugan, he could open all the Tenketsu in his body, making it easier to perceive Nature Energy in a special state.
Masahiko was about to proceed to the next step of his cultivation—
[Episode 32 of "naruto: prequel" filming complete!]
[Editing—]
[Film produced successfully!]
[Total screen time: 8 minutes 46 seconds. Shot percentage: 41.7%]
[Due to the large number of characters appearing in this episode, as a villain, your screen time exceeded 30%, and your salary has been increased.]
[Note: This episode is the final chapter of "naruto: prequel." After the broadcast is completed, a final settlement for the "Prequel" will be conducted.]
[Prompt: —]
Huh?
This is the last episode?
Masahiko was a bit surprised, but thinking carefully, the atmosphere of this episode was indeed similar to the period after the Third Hokage's death in Naruto.
After the Third's death, Naruto brought back Tsunade and left Konoha shortly after to travel.
And now—
Masahiko had already found a successor for the Ninja Academy teacher position earlier.
Although Ebisu looked down on commoners, he was conscientious in his teaching. It was only a matter of time before he was promoted to Special Jonin.
"In that case, these next few years will be a good time to settle down and properly cultivate Sage Mode."
Masahiko thought to himself.
It was only three and a half years until they graduated.
Three and a half years—
Was enough for him to do many things.
For example—
Hidden Forest Village.
Secondly, Karin, Ranmaru, and further expanding his influence and strength.
Relying on the current group of people was still far from enough to complete the layout in his heart.
"Konoha—"
Masahiko pondered for a moment, then stood up and walked toward the cave.
He had to start cultivating Senjutsu!
Additionally—
Regarding the Shadow Clone, he had to take action and go "talk" to Orochimaru.
Night.
Otogakure.
Inside the base stronghold, Orochimaru looked at Kurama Yakumo before him, his eyes unable to hide his admiration.
"Your talent is very high. Unfortunately, it's so high that your body is suppressed. On the contrary, Ido's mutation and the Sealing Jutsu have improved your situation—"
Orochimaru smiled. "That such an incredible thing exists in this world has truly opened my eyes!"
"Orochimaru-sama, is my teacher alright?"
Kurama Yakumo looked at him.
Orochimaru shook his head, the corners of his mouth curling slightly as he said, "Don't worry. Your teacher... even if Konoha were destroyed, he would be fine!"
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