Kakashi truly had a headache.
Ever since receiving the reply from the village, his head had started to ache. The order from the Hokage's advisor was to find a way to invite Lady Tsunade back to the village. The order was simple enough, but how exactly they were supposed to "invite" this formidable figure was not specified—leaving them to figure it out on their own.
"Any ideas?"
Out of options, Kakashi opted for a brainstorming session with his team, hoping his companions could surprise him with a solution.
"No idea."
"Don't understand."
Uchiha Chizuru and Ringo Ameyuri were consistent with their personalities, which only extended to interests in battle and food. Anything beyond that, they weren't interested. Kakashi, already mentally prepared for this response, didn't expect them to offer anything useful.
Instead, he looked to Mangetsu, Itachi, and Kimimaro.
"I'm just as stumped as you."
Hozuki Mangetsu's face mirrored his frustration.
As a co-vice captain of the Konoha-Kirigakure Joint Investigation Unit, he and Kakashi held equal ranks, and this wasn't just Kakashi's responsibility—it was Mangetsu's too. If Kakashi had no way out, Mangetsu had even fewer options. No matter how long he had stayed in Konoha, he remained a Kirigakure ninja. He doubted anything he said would influence Tsunade in any way.
"No ideas at the moment," was Kimimaro's brief reply.
"...Lady Tsunade is coming over," Uchiha Itachi announced, standing up. They were still deep within the palace on Mount Sumi-lu, and clearing out the monsters there was only the first step of their investigation. Even though they had confirmed this wasn't a hideout for Hamato and his group, that didn't mean the place had no value.
Whoever was studying synthetic beasts here was unlikely to be an upstanding person. Since they had discovered such a stronghold, it was worth investigating thoroughly, especially as they had lost Hamato's trail. The sensory ninjas were still combing the mountains, searching for any potential clues.
So, for the time being, they stayed.
"Lady Tsunade."
Kakashi greeted her cautiously. "Have you found anything?"
"The lab was well cleaned, and no documents were left behind," Tsunade replied, though her expression suggested it was more complicated. "But even the equipment left behind can be considered intelligence. I've checked everything over. Although much of it appears custom-made, the design principles align with those my great-uncle left behind."
"You're saying…?"
Kakashi's expression immediately changed, realizing this might somehow connect back to the village.
"The owner of this place was a Konoha ninja. Though… we should add 'former' before that title," Tsunade sighed softly.
"Could it be… Orochimaru?"
Even though he voiced the name himself, Kakashi couldn't help feeling tense. Such an eerie place immediately made him think of Orochimaru. Among Konoha's most infamous rogue ninjas, Orochimaru's name might have faded among the newer generation, but Kakashi's generation knew well the power of the Legendary Sannin.
And Orochimaru's betrayal had once shaken Konoha to its core.
"No."
To everyone's surprise, Tsunade shook her head.
"It's not Orochimaru. This lab's style is entirely different from his. That guy would never build such an ostentatious palace on the surface… he's like a venomous snake who avoids the light. Even in a remote mountain like this, he wouldn't expose his lab above ground. There are also other details that eliminate Orochimaru as a possibility."
"...Is that so?"
Kakashi gave a dry response. He wasn't about to argue with Lady Tsunade's expertise, though her words didn't completely erase his doubts.
"I know you might still be wondering," Tsunade said, before Kakashi or Itachi could speak. "If I were in your shoes, I'd have suspicions too. But… I think I may know who's behind all this."
"Huh?"
"Who is it?"
Kakashi, Mangetsu, and Itachi reacted with obvious curiosity, even Kimimaro's eyes narrowing slightly.
However, instead of answering their question, Tsunade asked, "Kakashi, what are your plans from here?"
"From here… we'll see if the Sensory Unit can find any leads. Our mission is to capture Hamato, the traitor of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. If we find a lead, we'll pursue it. If not, we'll likely return to the village. Why, Lady Tsunade—do you have something in mind for us?"
"I'm planning to return to Konoha. If you're also planning to return, we could go together."
"Huh? Lady Tsunade, are you serious?"
Shizune, who had been quietly following behind Tsunade with her pet pig, suddenly spoke up, startling Tsunade. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts, and with Kakashi's group nearby, hadn't felt much need to stay vigilant about her surroundings.
Which led to her surprise when Shizune spoke up.
"Shizune, what are you so shocked about?"
"It's just… are you really planning to go back to Konoha?"
"When have I ever lied to you? Besides, it's just returning to Konoha. What's got you so excited?" Tsunade scolded her disciple and assistant, then looked back to Kakashi and his team, adding, "Of course, if you need to continue your mission, I'll go back alone."
"No, no, we'll head back as well. It'd be great to go together," Kakashi replied quickly.
The mask hid his changing expressions, keeping Kakashi's smile out of view. For once, he was genuinely happy. He had been troubled about how to convince Lady Tsunade to return to the village, even seeking advice from his team, but it all seemed like a wasted effort now.
Before he could even speak, Lady Tsunade had already decided to make a trip back to the village.
"Um… Lady Tsunade, is your return related to what's happening here?" Once his initial surprise subsided, Kakashi quickly realized that there had to be a reason behind her sudden decision.
And judging by the current situation, it was most likely related to the issues they were facing now.
"That's right. Although I could have explained some things in a letter... it's better to head back. That old fat man, Choza Akimichi, is having health problems again. It won't be long before the ANBU start flocking over like flies—no, like moths. It's a real hassle, so I might as well resolve it all on this trip."
Kakashi had already informed Tsunade about Choza's health problems earlier.
He didn't ask further about who was researching forbidden synthetic beasts here. Since Lady Tsunade was returning to the village, the Hokage's assistant could handle it from there. Their job was to ensure she got back to the village safely and as quickly as possible.
Miroku Mountain.
Hama stood on the balcony, silently gazing at the misty landscape veiled by a fine drizzle. He had been here for half a month since returning from a hunting mission in the Land of Water. Fortunately, his experiences over the past few years had accustomed him to waiting.
Though this was the first time he had been entirely alone.
Tenmu had not entered the mountain with him but had stayed outside, so when Hiruko disappeared, Hama was left as the only living person in the enormous palace. Of course, there were plenty of monsters roaming the halls, but they were hardly suitable company.
"You don't seem to be adjusting well to the loneliness."
A young, unfamiliar voice came from behind him, sounding somewhat childish.
Hama turned around to see a white-haired, red-eyed boy in a high-collared white robe walking toward the balcony step by step.
"You… Hiruko?"
Even though the thought was absurd, given that the palace seemed to house only him and Hiruko, the boy's unique appearance—white hair and red eyes, though not Sharingan—could hardly be considered common. So, however bizarre it seemed, it might just be true.
"What? Hard to believe?"
"Of course it is! You look completely different from before," Hama said, eyeing the 'kid' standing beside him. The high-collared robe couldn't hide the bandages wrapped around his face, covering everything from his eyes downward. Maybe Hiruko's condition wasn't fully stabilized yet?
"Don't focus too much on outward appearances. Changing forms is neither difficult nor meaningful to me. This look is just the most suitable state for my incomplete evolution. Once I complete the final step, I will achieve a new, perfect form."
"The final step… is that the Sharingan?"
"Indeed."
"Konoha won't be easy to take on!"
"I'm more aware of that than you are. After all... I used to be a Konoha shinobi. And didn't you want me to target Konoha? According to our agreement, you brought me the prey, and I will repay you with Konoha's destruction." Hiruko glanced at Hama from the corner of his eye.
"Hmph! Don't be so full of yourself! I never expected you to destroy Konoha in one blow. Just gathering enough data will be good enough." Hama had sensed an extremely dangerous aura from Hiruko, a warning from his instincts to stay away from this threat.
However—
He wasn't one to live life based solely on instinct.
Though not exactly a benevolent character, Hiruko wasn't one to betray a promise either. Hama didn't think Hiruko would suddenly harm him, even if he was now a useless pawn.
"So, you still don't trust my abilities?"
"I usually maintain some skepticism toward anything I haven't seen or experienced firsthand!"
"I see. Well, I think you'll find out soon enough."
Hiruko stared at Hama. "But before we get into that, I really want to know… where did you get that gift you gave me? Something like that isn't something you could possess. Be honest: who's really behind you? What's the purpose of giving me something like that?"
"Is it really that important?"
Hama smiled.
His confidence in dealing with Hiruko and his ominous aura came from that very gift—White Zetsu, a being with basic intelligence and the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai. He believed Hiruko could understand the implications of such a thing.
Until he figured out whether there was more going on behind Hama, Hiruko wouldn't recklessly attack him.
"Whether or not I gave you that thing doesn't change the plan, right? Destroying Konoha is still our goal. As for what comes after… we can deal with that after Konoha is gone."
"You make a good point."
Hiruko glanced at Hama deeply. "Once our deal is done, I hope you'll give me a satisfactory answer. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to use more forceful methods to get what I want."
"Don't worry, you'll get an answer, though I'm not sure if you'll like it."
"I'll be looking forward to it."
Their conversation ended there, and the two stood silently on the balcony for a long time.
Hama finally spoke up again. "So… how exactly are we going to carry out the plan? When will it start?"
"It won't be long. I can't stand remaining in this incomplete state for too long. I'm eager to complete the final step of my evolution. So, there won't be much delay. Also, don't worry about your body's condition. Although I'm not in my complete form, the gift you brought me has helped immensely. I think… solving your issue before the plan starts shouldn't be too hard."
Hiruko's words brought Hama some good news.
"Oh! That sounds… really great!"
Hama squinted his eyes, his smile growing even brighter.
This was indeed good news.
The incomplete integration of the Tsuchigumo Clan's forbidden jutsu had been a huge problem for him. If he could finally resolve this hassle, all the effort he had put in, even at the cost of his companion Shiko's life, would be worth it.
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