Not just Kakashi.
He had five little ones following behind him.
Hyuga Neji.
Tenten.
Lee.
And Uzumaki Naruto, carrying a small backpack.
"Why did you guys come over?" Ryosuke asked.
The Land of Demons was weak and barren. There weren't many valuable missions here, nor were there any sightseeing spots worth visiting. Other than thrill-seeking horror movie lovers, very few outsiders ever came.
Kakashi saw it was Ryosuke, then glanced at Konan, who was standing nearby with a cold and distant expression. He didn't understand how these two ended up together, but he still briefly explained,
"A week ago, we received a distress letter from the Land of Demons."
He took a letter out of his backpack and handed it to Ryosuke.
Ryosuke opened it and glanced at it.
The handwriting was messy, blood-red, with only three words, [Please save us!]
He lifted it to his nose and sniffed. He smelled a faint scent of blood.
Ryosuke flipped it back and forth.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Kakashi met Ryosuke's astonished gaze and understood the meaning in Ryosuke's eyes, "Just a letter with no details, no signature, no recipient, and you came all the way to the Land of Demons for this?"
Kakashi sighed and pointed at the damaged seal in the corner of the envelope.
"This is the seal of the Daimyo of the Land of Demons. We compared it, no issues. That means this letter was indeed written by the daimyo."
"The Leaf Village and the Land of Demons established relations during the First Hokage's era. Since we received a distress signal, we can't just ignore it."
No, as far as Ryosuke knew, even without diplomatic ties, Konoha usually wouldn't sit by and ignore this kind of thing.
Even though Konoha had declined for decades thanks to Hiruzen and Danzo's messing around, its 'big brother of the ninja world' habit hadn't been lost. If someone truly sought their help, Konoha would still extend a hand.
Of course, after the matter was resolved, the payment would still be collected.
After all, they were ninjas.
"The village is short on manpower right now. We couldn't dispatch a full, experienced team, so Lady Tsunade had me bring these few along to check the situation." Kakashi said.
As for why Kakashi was leading Guy's three students… Ryosuke had a guess.
During the recent war, when Might Guy saw the White Zetsu army fighting without fear of death, his blood boiled and he opened the Eight Gates. He opened them all the way to the Seventh Gate, Shock Gate.
He charged across the battlefield, invincible.
At the very front of the battlefield, his body blazing with blue vapor, Might Guy completely forgot about hiding his identity and roared, "I am the Blue Beast of the Leaf! Who dares challenge me to a death match!"
The moment that came out, he single-handedly intimidated tens of thousands of enemy troops, stopping them in their tracks.
It was exhilarating, truly exhilarating.
But once the war ended, Might Guy immediately went to the hospital.
Kamihara Hayato had come to Konoha with Ryosuke, partly to exchange information with Konoha's intelligence division, and partly to personally deliver the first batch of special medicine produced by the research institute for treating injured allied forces.
Guy couldn't come, Kakashi didn't currently have a team, Naruto and Sakura's class still had three months until graduation, Tsunade did some calculations, clapped her hands, and sent Kakashi to the Land of Demons with the group.
With Kakashi's strength, experience, and awakened Mangekyō Sharingan, he could handle most situations in the ninja world.
"Then..."
Ryosuke raised his chin at Naruto, who was walking at the front.
Naruto still had three months until graduation, but had already received his forehead protector. From time to time, he would take it off, breathe on it, wipe it shiny with his sleeve, then put it back on.
"I requested it."
Kakashi looked at Naruto's back and said, "Naruto has mastered the Rasengan and part of the Nine-Tails' power. Becoming a genin is more than enough. Rather than wasting time in the academy, it's better for him to come out early and see the world."
Kakashi definitely had feelings for Naruto, the child of his teacher.
But previously, because of Hiruzen and Danzo's policies, he couldn't get too close.
And on the other hand, because Naruto's father died due to rumors, and Naruto was ostracized as the 'fox child,' Kakashi didn't fear villagers, but instinctively kept some distance.
However, after coming out of that blazing "summer," Kakashi finally figured things out.
If he didn't look after his teacher's child, who would?
Rumors?
Who would dare?
Did they think Kakashi wouldn't show up at their doors in the middle of the night to kick them down?
Ryosuke grinned and gave Kakashi a thumbs-up.
Living openly, now that was a real man.
Along the way, Ryosuke also explained to Kakashi why he and Konan had come to the Land of Demons. After listening, Kakashi nodded and said, "If the masked man really appears, leave him to me. My Mangekyō is also a space-time technique, it might work well on him. Oh, right, this..."
Kakashi thought for a moment and waved at Naruto and Tenten.
"Hand over your forehead protectors."
Since Ryosuke and Konan needed to hide their identities and catch Obito off guard, instead of pretending to be travelers, it was better to disguise themselves as Konoha ninja and go to the daimyo's mansion with them.
A forehead protector wasn't a big deal, Tenten didn't mind handing hers over.
But Naruto was extremely reluctant.
He had just received it, had only worn it for less than a week, how could he give it away so easily? He held his head and refused, but how could he win against Kakashi? In no time Kakashi snatched it and handed it to Ryosuke.
Naruto looked at Ryosuke miserably.
"Th-then… when you wear it, be gentle with it, okay? Don't scratch it…"
Ryosuke rubbed his golden hair and smiled, agreeing.
He casually tied the protector around his arm, then noticed Konan staring at it in a daze. She sensed Ryosuke's gaze, snapped back, and softly said, "When I was little, I imagined countless times that I could follow Jiraiya-sensei to Konoha and become a happy Leaf ninja. I didn't expect, "
"To wear this forehead protector like this."
Ryosuke asked, "Do you still want to join Konoha now?"
"In the past, I wanted to join Konoha to rely on its rules and receive its protection. But now, "
Konan put on the forehead protector. Her shoulder-length hair tucked behind her ears, giving her a slightly sharper look than usual. She gave Ryosuke a carefree smile but didn't continue. Her amber eyes simply reflected Ryosuke.
She now had someone she wanted to rely on.
Ryosuke felt a bit embarrassed under her gaze. He looked away and walked ahead.
———
The group arrived at the capital of the Land of Demons late at night.
Just like the Snow Country Ryosuke had visited, the royal city here was the nation's largest, and only, large settlement. Beyond it lay vast forests, wastelands, and small villages.
The samurai guarding the gate saw that Konoha ninjas had arrived, quickly opened the gate, and notified the daimyo.
A familiar reception hall. Just a day earlier, the daimyo had spoken with Obito here.
Now it was their turn. This sense of familiar strangeness, paired with the gently flickering candlelight, made one feel slightly dazed.
The nominal captain, Kakashi, sat at the head. Ryosuke and Konan sat behind him, and further behind were Naruto and the others. Kakashi went straight to the point, he placed the letter on the table, looked at the daimyo, then at the shrine maiden kneeling beside him.
"Could you explain this?"
The daimyo of the Land of Demons was a pale man with sunken eyes, either physically weak or kidney deficient.
He picked up the letter, opened it, stared for a long time, then suddenly looked enlightened and smiled, "I think this is a misunderstanding."
"A while ago, I fell seriously ill and became delirious. No doctor in the nation could help. Even Shrine Maiden Shion was helpless."
"Back then, I must have written this letter in a daze and ordered my subordinates to send it. I've made you all come for nothing, I'm terribly sorry."
"But rest assured, a doctor treated me a few days ago. As for the compensation for your long journey, the Land of Demons will of course provide it."
Ryosuke caught the key detail.
"A doctor?"
"Yes, a masked doctor, mysterious, didn't look like a good person, but quite professional."
Ryosuke asked, "Where is he now?"
"As payment for the treatment, the doctor went to our library. But at some point, they already left."
Ryosuke and Konan exchanged glances.
Along the way, Ryosuke had been casting Thought-Writing every few hours to check on Obito, but got nothing.
He had stayed inside Kamui, reading scrolls.
It seemed like the lead matched?
But…
Ryosuke felt something was off.
He looked at the daimyo.
"I know a bit of medicine myself. Mind if I check your body?"
Even though it was still winter, a bead of sweat appeared on the daimyo's forehead. He swallowed.
"For some reason, when I look into this ninja's eyes… I feel like I'm facing a natural enemy."
The daimyo laughed loudly.
"I'm a daimyo, how could I have a natural enemy?"
As he laughed, he noticed everyone else staring at him strangely.
His laughter grew thinner.
Ten minutes later, the group left the reception room. A servant led them to their temporary guest rooms. Once the servant left and the door was shut...
"How is it?" Konan asked.
Ryosuke shook his head slightly.
"He's 'clean.'"
No genjutsu.
No illness.
Just much weaker than a normal person.
Ryosuke compared the blood on the letter with Ripple. It was indeed from the daimyo.
It really did seem like the daimyo got sick, became delirious, and accidentally sent a wrong distress letter.
Neji rubbed his chin and frowned. "A coincidence?"
Naruto stood with hands on his hips.
"I don't believe it! That daimyo uncle had such dark circles and such a pale face, he looked exactly like those scheming, no-good pretty boys in storybooks!"
Lee suddenly stood up, he clearly wanted to demand the daimyo confess the truth in "the spirit of youth."
But Tenten grabbed him.
The four half-grown kids argued among themselves.
Kakashi massaged his throbbing temples.
By ninja rules, since the party who asked for help said nothing happened and was willing to pay travel and mission fees, the mission was considered complete. They could rest one night and return tomorrow.
Ryosuke, Kakashi, and Konan exchanged looks. They all saw the same feeling in each other's eyes.
"From the moment we entered the daimyo's mansion, something felt wrong."
Kakashi lightly tapped his forehead protector. "I've been watching with my Sharingan. The servants, the samurai, and even the daimyo himself, they all feel… not alive."
Ryosuke nodded slightly.
'Not alive.'
'But not dead either.'
If he had to describe it in one word…
"Fake."
Two simple words, yet when they fell on the group's ears, everyone shivered. Remembering the daimyo's stiff smile and wave earlier, their scalps tingled.
Clap!
Ryosuke clapped his hands.
"Doesn't matter what the problem is. I'll head to the shrine later."
Ever since they entered the Land of Demons, the world's "breathing," as reflected by Ripple, felt like a distorted note, full of wailing, resentment, and strangeness. And the entire city's "breath" was intertwined with the shrine behind the daimyo's mansion.
"Don't say there are no ghosts in this world. Even if there are..."
Ryosuke swept his gaze across them and smiled. "We've survived war. Are we supposed to be scared of a few little ghosts?"
Everyone smiled.
Only Naruto didn't.
He poured himself a cup of hot tea and gulped it down, using the cup to hide his expression, so he could hide the fact that he was terrified of ghosts.
———
[Back in the Same Reception Hall]
Yomi pushed the door open, "Lord Moryo, they've turned off the lights and are resting."
Inside were only the daimyo and Shrine Maiden Shion. The "Lord Moryo" Yomi referred to was, of course, the daimyo himself.
When the Fire, Earth, and Lightning countries pushed the world into war, Yomi took advantage of the chaos. He gathered people and broke into the palace that sealed the demon Moryo, releasing its soul.
After escaping the seal, Moryo originally planned to enter Yomi' body, warm his soul, and use the ghost army to reclaim his physical body sealed in the Land of Marsh.
Once soul and body were reunited, along with the immortal ghost army, Moryo could once again conquer the world and become ruler of the ninja world.
Then…
Yomi showed him Ryosuke's battle recordings.
After watching them, the man and the ghost were both silent.
Moryo really wanted to ask Yomi, "Did you have to release me at this exact moment?"
He even considered trying to reseal himself for a few more decades, waiting for Ryosuke to die before emerging.
But then, Yomi said something that reignited Moryo's long-silent blood,
"Lord Moryo, you…"
"Do you want Ryosuke's body?"
Moryo froze.
Moryo's original body was powerful. But compared to Ryosuke's world-shattering physique, it was several levels lower.
"If I obtained Ryosuke's body…"
He and Yomi looked at each other.
"The world would be within reach!"
Of course, they couldn't just walk up to Ryosuke and attack. They'd be slapped to death instantly.
So Yomi found a stepping stone.
The daimyo of the Land of Demons.
The distress letter was secretly written by the daimyo during the invasion, using the last of his will.
Moryo invaded the daimyo's body. This wasn't genjutsu, it was soul-level devouring. Ripple and ninjutsu couldn't detect it. The only one who could was Shrine Maiden Shion.
But she was a twelve-year-old girl. Yomi had countless ways to control her.
Just grabbing a hundred or so women and children from the Land of Demons and slaughtering them in front of her, letting her listen to their screams, was enough to make her give up any thoughts of resisting Moryo.
Now, Shion knelt in the corner, head down, clutching her skirt tightly while listening to Yomi and Moryo's wild laughter.
"I smell it. Fresh, scorching, like a descending sun."
Moryo's eyes widened with excitement. "That person, he's definitely Ryosuke!"
Moryo and Yomi knew Ryosuke had defeated the Three Great Nations. They originally planned to use an invitation as an excuse to lure him here.
They didn't expect, due to a twist of fate, that Ryosuke came early.
"This is the perfect opportunity!"
Yomi clenched his fists, excitement all over his face.
Hearing the name "Ryosuke," a spark of hope flashed in Shion's eyes. She'd heard of him, the man called "invincible."
Maybe...
A cold hand fell on her head.
Moryo chuckled. "Don't think about unnecessary things, Shion. I know you're not afraid of death."
"But think of the thousand children locked in the dungeon."
He shook the detonator in his hand.
"You don't want them to become paste because of you, do you?"
Shion lowered her head, clutching the protective bell her mother left her. After a long silence, she nodded weakly.
"I understand. I'll cooperate with you."