From Naruto onwards, I've become a dreamer.

Chapter 498 Encountering a Ghost!

Just as the Five Kage were discussing their alliance, Jiraiya's team also set off for Otogakure.

"Sasuke, I understand how you feel, but... how about taking a break?" Jiraiya looked at his most prized disciple with a headache and advised, "The reason we went to see Orochimaru this time is twofold: first, we hope to protect Naruto together, and second, we hope to borrow his power. We need to preserve our strength."

At this point, Jiraiya turned back helplessly to look at Sakura, who was panting heavily, and Yamato from the Anbu, and said, "Even if I can keep up, you have to consider your teammates, right?"

"No, I'm fine, Jiraiya-sama."

Sakura Haruno forced a smile and said, "I'm fine, Sasuke, let's continue."

"As expected of Jiraiya-sama's disciple, his stamina is truly impressive." Even Yamato, standing nearby, was amazed by Sasuke's physical strength.

Although Sasuke was very anxious and wished he could rush to the Sound Village immediately, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty after seeing Yamato and Sakura's condition: "I'm sorry, I was a little too hasty. Teacher is right, let's take a break for now."

"Sasuke, I understand how you feel about wanting to see Naruto."

Jiraiya patted her on the shoulder and comforted her, "But you have to consider that this mission won't be smooth sailing. Aurora and the people from Iwagakure might suddenly appear at any time, so we must always be in top condition, understand?"

"I understand, Jiraiya-sama."

Sasuke took a deep breath, suppressing his anxiety, nodded, and said to the other two, "I'm sorry, I didn't think it through. Let's wait until we've rested before we set off."

It was already close to midnight.

Upon hearing this, Yamato finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then a look of gratitude appeared in his eyes as he looked at Jiraiya.

Jiraiya smiled and turned to Yamato, saying, "It's up to you now, Yamato."

"Leave it to me, Lord Jiraiya."

As he spoke, Yamato formed hand seals: "Wood Release: Four Pillars Technique!"

Thick trees rose from the ground, instantly creating a complex two-story wooden house.

"This"

Sakura and Sasuke were both shocked.

Although I've seen Wood Release before, in the hands of the First Hokage, Wood Release was a ninjutsu that brought utter despair.

They're always using ninjutsu like Wood Dragon or Advent of the Tree World.

How did Wood Release become such a convenient ninjutsu when it was in Yamato's hands?

Admiring the shocked looks on the two juniors' faces, Yamato felt a surge of pride and thought to himself: With my Four Pillars Technique, even if the First Hokage came, he couldn't possibly create one better than him!

"Now you know why I brought Yamato along, right?"

Jiraiya, as if he had foreseen this, said, "With Yamato here, we don't need to worry about camping in the wild. Aren't you going to thank me?"

Upon hearing this, Yamato, who had been somewhat arrogant just moments before, showed a hint of shock on his face: "Lord Jiraiya, you specifically asked the Hokage to let me accompany you, could it be... just so you could have better accommodations?"

He originally thought that Jiraiya-sama valued his abilities and that's why he was specifically requested to be transferred here.

In the end, it turned out they were interested in 'building houses'?
Yamato was hit hard in an instant.

"Well, actually it's not entirely because of that."

Jiraiya touched his nose, somewhat guiltily, and said, "Yamato, you know Naruto is a Jinchūriki, right? I called you here not just to make sure you're comfortable, but also because if the Tailed Beasts go berserk, having you here would be perfect for suppressing them, wouldn't it?"

"Really? Lord Jiraiya!"

Yamato's eyes were filled with stars as he excitedly gazed at Jiraiya.

In Konoha, being recognized by the Sannin is an immense honor. Even those who spend years in the Anbu still hope to gain the recognition of such a legendary ninja.

"Yes, yes, it's true."

Jiraiya gave a casual answer, afraid of being questioned by Yamato again, and went into the cabin first, calling out to everyone, "Hurry up and rest, we still have to travel tomorrow."

"Sasuke, do you think Jiraiya really thinks that way?" Sakura asked in a low voice, her expression suspicious.

"As far as I know."

Sasuke covered his mouth and chuckled mischievously, saying, "He's probably just fooling Yamato~"

Yamato didn't hear their conversation, and the group quickly moved into the cabin.

It must be said that the houses built by Yamato were truly well-designed, with not only a dedicated area for lighting fires, but also several separate rooms.

Sasuke and Sakura shared a room, while Yamato and Jiraiya shared a room.

"You know what, Sasuke, it's actually quite comfortable." Sakura lay on the somewhat hard wooden bed, feeling sleepy from the day's fatigue. Although it wasn't as comfortable as at home, it was undeniably much more comfortable than sleeping in the wild, and most importantly, there were no mosquitoes to bother her.

Sasuke was about to reply when he heard soft snoring. He turned his head and saw Sakura asleep, looking exhausted.

After carefully covering Sakura with a blanket, she herself was not sleepy at all.

"Naruto, what are you doing right now?"

Gazing at the bright moon outside the wooden window, Sasuke recalled that day and his chance encounter with Naruto two years later.

He seemed much calmer and more composed than he was two years ago; his entire demeanor appeared completely different, and he had become much more composed.

Just then, it seemed as if indistinct whispers could be heard outside the window.

Sasuke, who was already awake, sprang up from the wooden bed and listened intently to the sound.

It's getting closer. It seems to be hovering just outside the wooden house.

In an instant, Sasuke became more alert, reached for the longsword beside him, and hid himself by the window of the wooden house, looking down at the high place.

But strangely enough, she didn't see anyone at all.

dong dong dong.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door!

In the stillness of the night, there was a sudden knock on the door, which made even Sasuke's heart skip a beat.

"who is it?"

She lowered her voice and asked the person who knocked on the door.

Boom boom boom!
But there was no response from outside the door; only the knocking continued.

At that moment, Sasuke realized something was wrong. He turned to look at the bed next to the room, lowered his footsteps, and carefully walked over.

Boom boom boom!
The knocking continued.

Sasuke gently reached out his hand to wake Sakura.

But a terrifying scene unfolded: Sasuke lifted the thin blanket, only to find no one inside.

Sakura has disappeared!
Staring at the empty wooden bed, Sasuke felt a chill run down his spine, an overwhelming coldness rising from his feet to his head.

"How can it be?!"

She stared in horror, realizing she hadn't fallen asleep and had been in the room the whole time.

Moreover, without sensing any intrusion, Sakura simply disappeared right under her nose?

Boom, boom, boom! Boom, boom, boom! Boom, boom, boom!
The knocking became more urgent and even more forceful!

The already somewhat flimsy wooden door was pounded so hard that it made a lot of noise, and even developed some cracks!

Sasuke was shocked, his mind racing: "The person knocking on the door couldn't possibly be my teacher or Yamato. So, it's an enemy!"

In a mere half-second, she immediately realized that someone had broken into the wooden house. Although she didn't know exactly how they had managed to sneak in unnoticed, she was certain they were there for them!

boom!
Just then, the wooden door finally gave way.

Sasuke moved with lightning speed, flipping over and leaping onto the roof beam. Three tomoe appeared quietly in his eyes, slowly rotating.

At the same time, she gripped the hilt of her sword with one hand, ready to counterattack at any moment.

But once again, the situation took her by surprise.

Although the door was pushed open, there was no one outside, nor did anyone seem to be coming in.

"Strange, what is going on?"

Just as Sasuke was wondering what was going on, she heard that chilling whispering voice again.

But unlike the last time, this time the whispers were closer and clearer inside the room!
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

Suddenly, as if someone was walking around the room, the wooden planks made a creaking sound.

Sasuke clearly didn't see anyone. Her pupils contracted, and a chill ran through her as she witnessed this completely incomprehensible phenomenon.

Calm down! You must stay calm!

Sasuke's heart pounded wildly, but she suppressed her fear of the unknown and tried her best not to make a sound.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

Inside the room, it felt as if someone was walking back and forth.

Suddenly, the blanket on Sakura's bed was lifted off the ground and landed on the floor next to her.

"An invisible enemy?!" Sasuke's pupils suddenly contracted sharply. She was certain that the blanket hadn't been moved by the wind, but rather that someone had lifted it.

The next moment, Sasuke's bed seemed to collapse under some kind of force, and the contents of his backpack scattered all over the floor!

crunch
The unseen enemy lingered in the room for a long time, but eventually, unable to find Sasuke, the footsteps disappeared.

Along with it, the chilling whispers also vanished.

"Have you left?"

Sasuke, who was hanging on the roof beam, finally felt relieved.

Just then, she suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck.

Sasuke subconsciously turned his head to look, only to see a lifeless, pale face, as if still dead, hanging upside down from the rafters, with two empty eyes staring intently at her.

"Found you!"

Because she was traveling during the day, Sakura went to bed early.

In her hazy state, she seemed to hear a whispering voice lingering in her ear.

"Help me."

"Can't sleep."

"wake up."

The voice kept repeating that sentence.

Regardless, Sakura was a ninja after all, and she immediately woke up from her sleep and opened her eyes.

But the moment she opened her eyes, Sakura discovered that she was all alone in the room.

"Sasuke?"

Sakura noticed that Sasuke's backpack was scattered all over the ground, but he was nowhere to be seen, and she immediately realized that something was wrong.

problem occurs!
This was the first thought that flashed through Sakura's mind.

She immediately drew her kunai, stared at the door that looked like it had been violently damaged, and stormed out.

"Lord Jiraiya, Yamato, something terrible has happened!" She immediately went downstairs to find Jiraiya and Yamato and report Sasuke's disappearance.

But when they arrived on the first floor, they were shocked to find that they had all disappeared!
It seemed as if she was the only one left in the entire house.

"J-Jiraiya-sama?"

Sakura felt a sudden surge of fear, gripped her kunai tightly, and called out in a trembling voice.

call!
A gust of cold wind blew by, and the lit flames were suddenly extinguished!
The room suddenly plunged into darkness, and Sakura, who was already terrified, was so frightened that she took several steps back.

The eerie whispers echoed in the room once more.

This time, it was as if Sakura was completely enveloped, and the surrounding sounds became increasingly jarring, causing her heart to pound and her face to turn pale.

"Who? Come out!"

Sakura screamed in despair.

But the whispers in the room suddenly disappeared, as if silence had returned.

Just when she thought the unseen things had left, she saw bloody handprints suddenly appear around the house, like some kind of unseen creature crawling along the walls and getting closer to her location!

"what--!"

Sakura's pupils constricted, she screamed in terror, and turned to run upstairs.

As if they had found their target, those bloody handprints followed her closely, relentlessly approaching the upper floor!

Each bloody handprint looked as if it had just been made, dripping with blood and even still oozing fresh blood, emitting a pungent odor.

Such a terrifying scene caused Sakura to lose her mind completely. She couldn't care about anything else, and only one word remained in her mind: run!
Thump thump thump.
Sakura ran wildly back to her room, completely losing her composure.

She pushed the door back in, desperately bracing herself against the wooden door, covering her mouth tightly, her eyes filled with fear, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

After waiting for a long time, the bloody handprint did not appear.

Sakura dared not utter a sound, much less look; her mental defenses were on the verge of collapse.

"Sasuke, where are you? Come save me!"

She prayed desperately in her heart, but unfortunately, no one could save her now.

After calming down a bit, Sakura used something to prop up the wooden door, trying her best to make no noise, and walked towards the window.

She wanted to leave this place, to leave this terrifying, ghostly place!
Although it was only a dozen steps, it felt like thousands of meters to Sakura.

Finally, she made it to the window and saw a blood-red moon.

"Why is the moon blood red?"

Sakura paused for a few seconds.

Suddenly, she felt someone behind her covering her eyes with their hand.

How could there possibly be someone behind this?!
Sakura's face turned deathly pale. She stiffly turned her head and saw a pair of blood-stained, withered, bony hands gently covering her eyes.

"what--!!!"

(End of this chapter)