Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 268 Undercurrents

The team officially set off early the next morning. However, their departure method was quite bizarre: everyone stood in a circle and placed a hand on Naruto's arm.

"Next, we'll be teleported directly to the vicinity of the border of the Swamp Country. Let me clarify, that country is currently practically immersed in the power of demons; even my senses might not be able to provide a perfect warning. Everyone must be extremely attentive. Understand?"

"Ah."

"learn!"

"clear."

"understood."

"Humph."

The group of six disappeared from Ashiho's sight.

"No abnormalities." Neji's Byakugan swept around the area the moment he landed, the dazzling green markings on his forehead not affecting his movements or his good looks at all.

Speaking of which, the time is almost here to break this seal. With the seal on Hyuga Hizashi's head as a sample, and with the addition of the Uzumaki clan, who are proficient in sealing techniques, the progress in breaking the seal has made a qualitative leap.

The seal is essentially a seal on a portion of the eye meridians and brain nerves. The deliberate choice to seal it from a young age was to ensure each part of the seal is firmly integrated with the body, increasing the difficulty of breaking it. Forcibly breaking it would only damage the human tissue to which the seal is attached, essentially crippling the person. Therefore, the only way to break it is to develop a counter-spell.

He could barely understand the first part of the research report on the Caged Bird Seal, but the rest was pure gibberish, so he had no choice but to give up and hand over the task entirely to someone who truly knew how to use the sealing technique. Due to the special nature of the Impure World Reincarnation, the Caged Bird Seal on Hyuga Hizashi was also considered part of his body. Once the seal was lifted, it would automatically revert to its original state after a while. In the past, Hizashi would have been furious, but now he was overjoyed.

This is a research sample to protect the lives of his son and many branch families. The less destructive the unsealing, the better their safety will be. Anyway, he's in a corrupted form, so he can create whatever he wants.

As far as Naruto knew, the latest version of the anti-curse had been successfully executed without Hizashi feeling any discomfort. However, their target was an adult in their thirties or forties, whose meridians and nerves were far stronger than a child's. Furthermore, the essence of the Edo Tensei body was a cloud of dust, devoid of meridians. Their current method of judging success was still based on asking Hizashi how he felt. As for why they knew asking about his feelings was effective, it was because during the first attempt to undo the curse, Hizashi had instantly died...

"According to the intelligence we've received so far, the Ghost Legion of the Wraiths has no record of wading through water. Even if they could move in the water, the muddy riverbed would severely limit their speed. So I'm planning to go by water. Is that alright?" The information in his mind was fleeting, and Naruto quickly got back to the mission, in a relatively relaxed state.

After all, the four henchmen of the demons have already been buried in the Land of Demons.

Everyone agreed on which route to take and quickly formed a line.

Neji, with his visual blind spot, couldn't be placed last and was assigned to be the scout. Lee and Tenten flanked Sakura, who was carrying Shion on her back, while Naruto, as usual, brought up the rear. Their journey was ridiculously smooth; they encountered no ambushes along the way, as if the enemy truly didn't care about the priestess.

Meanwhile, Naruto was observing the surrounding situation and also receiving frontline battle reports from Hiu from time to time.

The five great powers reacted far too slowly. By this time, Hui had already steered the Ghost Army's route into the desert region and was planning to retreat quietly, concealing his achievements. Just then, a toad that should never have appeared in the desert squatted in the sand and managed to escape detection.

"They can modify the terrain on such a large scale? How much chakra do they have? This is outrageous!" Jiraiya observed the situation outside through the toad, growing increasingly alarmed with each assessment. The seemingly delicate receptionist he thought she was could actually wield a heavy sword with incredible power; the office worker he thought she was could actually flatten a mountain with Earth Release techniques in a short time; the seemingly cold and beautiful girl he thought she was actually passionately fiery and could unleash Fire Release techniques continuously for an hour...

He simply couldn't imagine how incredible their fighting power would be if these people actually went to the battlefield!

Thus, another significant detail was added to the intelligence regarding Hui, but Jiraiya was still hesitant about whether or not to pass on this information.

A ninja should not conceal such important information, but as a human being, he had inexplicably developed a longing for that new world.

It's obvious to anyone with a brain that once Hui's actions are discovered by the daimyo, they will spare no effort and use every means to nip this force in the bud. Hui is well aware of this, which is why they have always acted with extreme caution.

Currently, the Hidden Kingdoms that Jiraiya has discovered in other parts of the world are located in relatively remote areas. The first country they chose has a politically incompetent ruler. As for whether other countries have been occupied by the Hidden Kingdom, he is not yet certain. The world-renowned "East Wind" also has close ties with this organization and is very likely one of its branches. As for why he is certain that the Land of Rivers is the largest Hidden Kingdom stronghold, it is of course based on his judgment of the local conditions.

The Hikari of the Land of Rivers can even broadcast, something no other country has. Furthermore, the density of Hikari in Wande City is beyond imagination; it's definitely one of the most important strongholds. As for whether it's the most important? Jiraiya doesn't think so.

The person mentioned on the radio, "Beichen," is the one. However, he hasn't found any clues about Beichen yet. The other party is very well hidden and enjoys great popularity. Even if he were to ask, it would only alert him, right?

Forget it, let's go there and search for a while longer. He just doesn't believe that "Beichen" is a place that doesn't need to interact with the outside world at all!

The Konoha ninja are almost at the front lines; the military is organizing an orderly retreat.

Jiraiya left Wande City three days ago, heading full speed into the Land of Wind. It's possible he's also heading to find the Ghost Legion. The Land of Wind doesn't have the same dense sensory network as the Land of Rivers, and with so many of our people mobilized, we've lost track of him.

"Really? Then when we retreat, we should try to walk as much as possible. The perverted sage can hide inside a toad on Mount Myōboku, completely shielding himself from all senses. If he accidentally stumbles upon me using the Flying Thunder God Technique... I'm not ready to confess yet."

"Hmph, so there are things you're afraid of, huh?"

The trouble here isn't over yet. Once the demon is sealed away, we'll have to find a chance to repair the places it's been through. I've been working at this intensity for almost half a month, and I'm a little tired...

"Who told you to insist on fixing it yourself? It might fix itself in a while. You deserve to work yourself to death."

"Tobirama... am I still your older brother...?"

"Thank you all for your hard work these past few days. Take a break. I promise, the demons won't see the moon tonight."