Yuninja Village's Kage appeared like an aged, fading elder, leaning on a worn staff whose paint had long peeled away. Yet he seemed surprisingly spry. After giving Shisui and his group a slight nod, he gestured to the shinobi beside him.
That ninja rose and inclined respectfully toward Shisui's team, saying, "I trust the Hokage has already informed you of the true reason for this mission?"
The reception room looked more like a spa lounge—bubbling water noises drifted in, lending an unexpectedly relaxing atmosphere.
Shisui replied with measured seriousness, "We understand. But I want to hear your intel in person—relying only on written reports might cost us dearly."
He never took missions lightly—this one concerned both the shinobi's and the village's safety.
The ninja cleared his throat. "First, this group is a cult worshipping a so-called evil god. Their doctrine is utterly disturbing: they aim to exterminate anyone who doesn't kneel. This is my first encounter with such fanatic zeal. We sent a scout team in—but regrettably, none have returned. One cultist fought me—I'd have died if comrades hadn't intervened."
He pulled open his cloak to reveal a gruesome gash across his shoulder, clearly from a sharp blade.
Another ninja, Newchi, revealed his wound. "If it weren't for Taro, who saved me and Yukimura… Taro—"
Yukimura interrupted, fastening his clothing. "Newchi, don't mention Taro. Tell them about the cult's techniques."
Newchi nodded. "Their abilities are jutsu-based—likely tied to that 'evil god.' Their taijutsu is formidable. One cultist, wearing a demon‑horn mask, is their leader. He uses a triple‑section scythe and can cast jutsu that immobilize and cause hallucinations—hallucinations that inflict real damage."
Shisui frowned. "Hallucinations causing real damage?" Itachi and I looked at one another in thought. I recalled Hidan's immortal jutsu and wondered if this cult were experimenting with a form of that.
"So our mission is to locate their base, estimate personnel, and find weaknesses in their jutsu?" Shisui asked, voice steady.
Itachi and I stiffened. The danger level had just spiked—death was no longer unthinkable. And other villages were also involved: the base lay close to Kirigakure's territory, and Kumogakure might have stakes too.
Yukimura chuckled wryly. "I honestly expected Konoha would send a heavy‑hit team—didn't expect…"
Now he eyed us skeptically. With Shisui's expertise, yes—but two kids? Perhaps I was a genius prodigy—but still, it felt like a gamble.
Shisui smiled, pointing to us: "These two excel in reconnaissance. Konoha's ANBU will link up with us later—we're just the advance party."
Relief washed over the pair. As bodyguards of the Kage, they felt ready. Yet facing the cult, they'd lost. But reconnaissance? That's our specialty.
"With that in mind, rest here and prepare. We have the finest hot spring baths in Yuninja. Care to relax?"
Yukimura's eyes glinted. As for me... I couldn't help imagining some Jiraiya‑style, scandalous public bath—my cheeks flushed. Newchi laughed and smacked my shoulder, calming me: "Dude, it's just a bath to unwind!"
Shisui and Itachi eyed me strangely—my imagination and embarrassment were already showing.
Later, under the clean, deep-blue sky, I soaked in an open-air hot spring, feeling serene. My eyes drooped in contentment.
"Shisui… don't you worry that relaxing now will dull our vigilance?"
Shisui, half-lidded, lightly smacked my head: "A shinobi with firm conviction doesn't lose resolve. Enjoy this—starting tomorrow, you'll need every bit of mental alertness."
Itachi watched me with a gentle smile. When it's time to rest, just rest.
"But what if other shinobi are nearby, overhearing us?" I frowned.
Shisui and Itachi snapped upright, my caution cutting sharper than usual.
"My shadow clone overheard something in the annex," I said, blushing as I confessed shyness about bath-towel delays. "They found the clone and tried to kill it!"
Shisui's expression turned exasperated. My clone overheard them because I followed you quickly and hadn't grabbed my towel.
"Yes," I admitted, cheeks burning.
Shisui and Itachi exchanged exasperated glances—this kid is ridiculous.
Inside the annex, two shinobi in robes had engaged the clone. Showing advanced taijutsu and teamwork, they pressed it hard. Nearing the door, the clone spun and cast:
"Fire‑Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A two-meter fireball blasted outward—the annex erupted in flames. The two shinobi exchanged a glance before escaping. Meanwhile, Shisui, Itachi, and I silently retreated through the sauna area.
Outside, village shinobi and security rushed toward the spa. Nearby forest shinobi—masked like Kirigakure shinobi—met shadowy figures resembling ANBU in the woods. One made a signal and scattered, heading toward Yuninja.
From my hiding place, Shisui observed them. "Looks like we weren't the only ones deployed from Konoha. It appears Kirigakure shinobi are also here—whether sent by Yuninja or on their own, we don't know."
I nodded—these were dangerous waters. The cult, hidden cooperation from other village forces… this mission was far more complicated than it first seemed.