"Do you need something?"
Jiraiya spoke while fixing up his tent, glancing at Asami Kumo as he worked.
There was a hole punched straight through the tent, but it hadn't collapsed at all. It only needed some simple stitching to be usable again.
Jiraiya was actually quite satisfied with Asami Kumo.
His strength wasn't weak—he already possessed jonin-level combat power. Although he hadn't been in Konoha for very long, his loyalty and support toward Yuki Seisui were widely known.
"No, nothing at all!"
Seeing Jiraiya nod, Asami Kumo immediately shook his head excitedly.
"Seisui-sama really has come!"
"I have to work even harder and keep up with Seisui-sama's footsteps!"
Asami Kumo shouted passionately, then turned and sprinted off into the distance.
Jiraiya watched his retreating back and fell silent for a moment.
Have ninjas really become like this now…?
What Jiraiya didn't know was that Asami Kumo hadn't run very far.
He stopped ahead of a group of over a hundred people and shouted excitedly,
"I've confirmed it with Jiraiya-sama—Seisui-sama has really arrived!"
"WOOHOO!"
"I knew it! Seisui-sama would never abandon us!"
"Let's go pay our respects to Seisui-sama!"
"Alright!"
"No!"
As soon as they suggested visiting him, Asami Kumo was the first to object.
"Seisui-sama has been traveling for so long, and I heard he was even ambushed on the way. He must be exhausted!"
"If we go over now, we'd only be disturbing him!"
"And with our current strength… can we really be of any help to Seisui-sama?"
Asami Kumo spoke with tears streaming down his face, even slapping his own cheeks.
"We'd just be dragging him down!"
"I don't even have the face to go see Seisui-sama!"
Hearing this, everyone fell silent, shame spreading across their faces.
"What we should do now is work hard to improve ourselves!"
"And silently support Seisui-sama from behind!"
"And spread Seisui-sama's deeds throughout all of Konoha!"
"No—spread them throughout the entire ninja world!"
"Let everyone know just how outstanding a ninja Seisui-sama is!"
Asami Kumo raised his fist high.
"Long live Seisui-sama!"
"Long live Seisui-sama!"
"Seisui-sama is invincible!"
"Seisui-sama is invincible!"
Every time Asami Kumo shouted, the crowd echoed him in unison.
Most of them were members of the hundred-man group Yuki Seisui had once led.
Back then, there had been exactly one hundred people.
So logically, there should have been only ninety-nine people—or even fewer.
Yet now, there were a full hundred and forty to fifty people present.
Besides the original members, many others had been drawn in through their fervent promotion.
Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly heated, Asami Kumo wiped away his tears and stood straight.
"Do you know?"
"I've already looked into it."
"Seisui-sama even learned medical ninjutsu—and improved it himself!"
"Even though we don't know how effective the improvements are…"
"Or what kind of technique it became…"
"I can feel it!"
"This is Seisui-sama's deep concern for us!"
"This is his great love for us!"
"This is Seisui-sama—Konoha's future Hokage!"
"The future Hokage!"
"The future Hokage!"
"The future Hokage!"
Their voices drew the attention of many ninjas still inside the camp.
Even Jiraiya and Tsunade stepped out.
"When did that kid gain such terrifying influence…"
Tsunade muttered softly as she looked toward Asami Kumo's group.
Jiraiya leaned over.
"Ever since that brat killed the Third Kazekage, his influence among the younger generation and ordinary ninjas has skyrocketed."
"See?"
He pointed toward Asami Kumo.
"Before you arrived, that guy had already gathered a whole crowd, preaching about that little bastard's exploits."
As Jiraiya spoke, he unconsciously moved a bit closer to Tsunade.
Sensing something, Tsunade glanced at him.
Thinking about how Jiraiya had flicked her forehead earlier, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she shifted a step away.
Jiraiya didn't notice her reaction and continued,
"Promoting that kid isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"Mm."
Tsunade calmed herself and nodded.
"The old man's intention for that kid to become Hokage is already common knowledge."
"Having people support him isn't a bad thing."
With that, Tsunade turned and left without looking back.
Watching her retreating figure, Jiraiya scratched his head.
"Strange… why does Tsunade seem a little off today?"
"Well, maybe it's that time of the month."
He muttered under his breath and returned to his tent.
From afar, the chanting continued.
"Long live Seisui-sama!"
And the Seisui-sama they were shouting about…
…was currently sleeping soundly while hugging his petite girlfriend.
Their tent was some distance away from the main camp, while Asami Kumo and the others were on the opposite side.
Though faint sounds carried over, neither Yuki Seisui, Uchiha Haru, nor Minato paid it any mind.
They continued sleeping peacefully.
They weren't the type to wake up at the slightest disturbance.
For the three of them, mere rustling wind meant nothing.
If real danger appeared, their instincts would wake them instantly.
=========
On the opposite side, Chiyo looked at her son and daughter-in-law, her expression grave.
"Are you really going to launch a surprise attack on Konoha's camp?"
"Yes!"
"Do you understand how dangerous this will be?"
Her expression remained stern.
If possible, she truly didn't want her son and daughter-in-law to take on such a perilous mission.
"It's fine."
"I inherited your puppet techniques. If we hide properly, Konoha's ninjas won't be able to do anything to the two of us."
Chinzu spoke confidently.
He was Chiyo's son—Sasori's father.
Chiyo's puppet techniques had been fully passed down to him.
"No, you don't understand."
Chiyo frowned deeply.
"That Konoha brat named Yuki Seisui isn't someone puppet techniques can deal with."
"As much as I hate to admit it…"
"If he's here, this mission is essentially a death sentence."
"Ghost of the Konoha?"
Bainai frowned beside Chinzu.
"Yes. Him."
Chiyo nodded heavily.
"Don't go. Let someone else handle it."
Her voice carried deep fatigue.
"But didn't intelligence say his eyes are already ruined?"
Chinzu clenched his fist.
"Konoha wouldn't possibly send him here, right?"
"No."
"You don't understand how terrifying that brat truly is!"
During the previous war, Chinzu and Bainai hadn't participated.
Though they'd heard about it afterward, without seeing it themselves, they simply didn't believe it.
"Don't worry, Mother. We'll be careful."
"And with us involved, no one can accuse you of sidelining the Kazekage."
"Our poison will also delay Konoha even longer."
Chiyo stared at her son for a long time before finally nodding.
"If that's the case… remember not to act recklessly."
"We only need to stall Konoha. With all four great villages surrounding them, they won't be able to endure."
She took a deep breath.
"Spread the poison, then retreat immediately."
"Remember—Sasori is still waiting for you back in the village."
Chinzu and Bainai exchanged a look, then nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry. We'll come back alive."
=======
Night fell.
The surroundings were deathly quiet, with only a few patrol teams moving back and forth.
Chinzu and Bainai led more than a dozen Sand ninjas skilled in poison, sneaking in from a small wooded area.
"Captain, Konoha's camp is just ahead."
"I'll scout first."
Bainai whispered.
Chinzu nodded.
"Alright. Be careful."
Bainai said nothing and disappeared into the darkness.
They had never intended to follow Chiyo's orders in the first place.
At the core, they didn't believe Yuki Seisui would come here at all.
They already knew that this time, Konoha was led by Jiraiya, one of the Three Legendary Sannin.
And because of Chiyo's presence, Tsunade—another of the Sannin—had to come as well.
With two of the Three Sannin present, there was no way Ghost of the Konoha would appear!
Chinzu's analysis earned praise from those around him.
"As expected of Chinzu-sama—brilliant mind!"
"That's right! Chinzu-sama and Bainai-sama are the future of the Sunagakure!"
"In my opinion, Pakura doesn't deserve to be Kazekage at all—Chinzu-sama is the only true choice!"
The flattery made Chinzu feel lightheaded, completely abandoning any attempt to hide his identity as a puppeteer.
Just then, two bird calls rang out from ahead.
Everyone instantly fell silent, slowing their steps as they advanced carefully.
This was their agreed-upon signal.
Two bird calls meant there was no danger ahead.
They regrouped beside Bainai, hiding in the bushes and quietly observing the scene.
One large tent.
One small tent.
"When did these tents appear?"
"They weren't here at noon!"
Chinzu silenced the speaker.
"It's fine. We'll just go around."
Their mission was to spread poison in Konoha's main camp.
This spot was still some distance away—the poison wouldn't reach from here.
As Chinzu spoke, he took out a scroll from his back.
Seeing this, Bainai immediately understood and warned the others.
"Stay alert. Watch your surroundings."
"Yes!"
"At a time like this, isn't raising your guard a little late?"
Minato's voice suddenly came from above.
Everyone looked up—three figures had appeared above them without anyone noticing.
The one speaking was the yellow-haired, spiky-headed youth wearing a green jumpsuit.
"Let's just finish this quickly."
Yuki Seisui yawned.
"Sneaking over to attack us in the middle of the night—what were you thinking?"
"Don't you know I have terrible morning—no, waking—temper?!"
His voice grew louder, colder, angrier with every word.
"Couldn't you idiots pick a different direction?!"
"LOOK AT ME—YOU LITTLE BRATS!!!"