Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

Chapter 1226 Arrival
Time passes minute by minute.

Everyone moved forward.

Finally, after about half an hour of venturing deep into the Land of Rivers, several ANBU ninjas, based on the information previously sent back by Itachi's team, found the coded markers they had left on the road.

"Wang~wang~"

A few barks came from the dog.

The ninja who had been suspected by Qingming of being from the Inuzuka clan flashed and stopped beside a large tree.

As you can see, there is a black stain at the base of this large tree, as if something has corroded the earth.

In fact, it is true.

These black stains are none other than the traces left by the corpse fluids of the ANBU ninja after he committed suicide.

Clearly, a former ANBU ninja once ended his life here.

For this reason, the expression on the face of this Inuzuka clan ninja suddenly became more solemn.

brush~
Yamato's figure appeared suddenly, followed by Qingming and the others.

Yamato glanced at the traces at the scene, let out a barely perceptible sigh, and then reached his palm into the tree trunk next to him.

Yes, it went inside.

Seeing this, apart from a few people, everyone else looked surprised and puzzled.

There's no other reason than that Yamato didn't use any ninjutsu during this process, but his hands simply became one with the trees, which made everyone wonder.

However, Qingming, who also possessed the 'Wood Release' bloodline limit, understood what he had done.

So, it's not surprising.

However, judging from the way the other party casually displayed it, it was clear that they did not intend to hide it. Perhaps it wouldn't be long before rumors spread in Konoha that someone had once again mastered the First Hokage's 'Wood Release'.

Shaking his head inwardly, Qingming stopped thinking about it and focused his gaze on the seed in Yamato's hand.

That's right, Yamato took out a woody seed the size of a soybean from the tree trunk.

According to his senses, the seed was sealed with an extremely sophisticated technique, and it seemed to contain something.

Sure enough, the next moment, Yamato infused it with Wood Release chakra, then raised his hands to form several hand seals and softly shouted, "Release!"

Click~
The next moment, accompanied by the sound of something hard cracking, the woody seed split in two.

Immediately afterwards, a piece of paper about the length of a thumb was revealed.

Open the note; it contains only one address—Eastern Sand Dunes, Amaterasuji Pass!

Upon seeing this address, Qingming's memories of his past life immediately flooded back.

In just a moment, he recalled that this address was the place where Deidara and Sasori found Orochimaru, and also the most important experimental base of the other party in the Land of Wind.

The Great Sand Dunes of the East, Amaterasuji Pass, means the Great Sand Dunes region in the eastern part of the Land of Wind, a place called Amaterasuji Pass.

As for why the other party didn't mention the Third Kazekage...
It's quite simple. When Orochimaru escaped here, he hadn't yet summoned the Third Kazekage, so naturally he didn't know.

Now, the situation is quite clear. The whole incident was caused by Orochimaru leaking his whereabouts first, which caught the attention of the Anbu.

Then, the team led by Itachi Uchiha conducted a tracking and reconnaissance mission, but unfortunately, they were discovered by Orochimaru when they found the place Amaterasuji Pass.

Left with no other choice, they had to run away.

Orochimaru probably didn't attack the Third Kazekage's reanimated body earlier, so the ANBU ninja responsible for covering the rear didn't leave any related information.

Afterwards, Orochimaru pursued them into the Land of Rivers.

Seeing that Itachi and the others were about to return to the Land of Fire, he disregarded his concealment and directly used the Third Kazekage's Edo Tensei form to fight them, leaving behind the battlefield in front of him.

Therefore, the most likely place for the missing Uchiha Itachi is now Amaterasuji Pass.

What Qingming could think of, Yamato could naturally think of as well. He was silent for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Set off immediately for Amaterasuji Pass."

Upon hearing this, the ANBU ninjas said nothing and immediately continued running forward in their previous formation.

The leader of Qingming's team, Uchiha Yatsushiro, breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the order.

Anyway, at least now we have a clear destination.

In this way, whether Itachi Uchiha is dead or alive, there will eventually be an explanation.

······
Time continues to pass.

Another hour later.

Qingming and the others crossed the long and narrow River Country and entered the Wind Country.

However, as soon as you enter, it's as if you've entered a completely different world.

In the Land of Rivers, the territory was still filled with rivers, streams, and mountains. Although the climate was not as suitable as that of the Land of Fire, it was not bad either.

But upon arriving in the Land of Wind, the world immediately turned into a sandstorm, forcing everyone to cover their mouths and noses to even breathe.

It can be said that within a mere ten miles, two completely different landforms are presented to everyone.

To this, Qingming could only say that the geographical environment of the ninja world is truly peculiar!
Of course, this is also related to the fact that there is a mountain range separating the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers.

Otherwise, no matter how unique the geographical environment of the ninja world is, it cannot withstand the erosion at the physical level.

Shaking his head inwardly, Qingming banished these thoughts and continued running towards their destination with the group.

Because the Land of Fire is located to the east of the Land of Wind, the Great Sand Dunes of the East became the only route that the Sand Village would take when invading the Land of Fire.

Therefore, the village of Konoha, especially the Anbu, has very detailed information about this place.

When Yamato learned the name Amaterasuji Pass, he already knew its approximate location.

In this way, the group took almost no detours and quickly arrived near their destination.

Under the bright moonlight, the group stood on a sand dune, looking at a sand ridge in the distance.

"Is that Amaterasuji Pass?"

Uchiha Tiehuo spoke.

"Ah."

Yamato nodded and said, "If the intelligence is correct, that is the target location."

Beside him, Uchiha Yatsuho looked around and confirmed, "There's no mistake, this is Amaterasuji Pass."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Tetsuka was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Captain, have you been here before?"

"Hmm~"

Uchiha Hachimoku nodded.

Then, a look of reminiscence flashed in his eyes, and he said, "During the Second Shinobi World War, my squad had a fierce battle with the enemy here."

At this point, he touched the scar on his face and said, "This scar was left by a Sand Ninja. That battle was extremely dangerous, and I remember it vividly!"

Everyone else felt reassured upon hearing the news.

With someone on their side confirming the information, they don't have to worry about going to the wrong place.

So, there's only one thing left to do: how to get close to the target location without anyone noticing and find Orochimaru's hiding place.

Judging from the experiences of Itachi Uchiha and others, Orochimaru is quite vigilant. In addition, he had already alerted the enemy, so finding them again will definitely be more difficult.

Therefore, we must have a proper discussion.

(End of this chapter)