Naruto: By lying low and hiding, he eventually became the leader of the Legendary Sannin.

Death is the greatest gift that the gods give to mankind.

Immortality is the greatest curse upon humanity.

After saying that, he patted Orochimaru on the shoulder, got up, and walked into the inn.

Watching his retreating figure, Orochimaru wore a thoughtful expression.

Chapter 18 A Sudden Mission

The conversation with Orochimaru was certainly not due to Kagura's sudden whim.

After that day's battle, he had keenly sensed the hidden longing in Orochimaru's eyes when he looked at him.

Considering Orochimaru's obsession with the Sharingan in the original work, he naturally understood what that hint of longing represented.

But after spending so many years together, he realized that Orochimaru wasn't inherently bad, so this conversation was something he deliberately arranged.

This can also be seen as his attempt to save his friend.

Two days passed quickly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi has barely appeared in front of them these past two days.

Orochimaru seemed to have received approval and spent his days going to the local ninja academy.

He didn't return until evening, looking completely satisfied.

As for Jiraiya, he seemed even more insane.

According to him, he found many rare novels here that were not found in Konoha.

However, whether it was due to insufficient funds or because he couldn't carry so many books back home.

Jiraiya finally decided to stay in the bookstore and read as many books as possible.

From then on, he was confined to the bookstore almost all day, and didn't even return to the hotel at night.

Kagura, left behind, could only awkwardly face the enraged Tsunade alone.

Although he tried to appease her anger by buying her gifts or striking up a conversation, it was clearly not very effective.

Today, the seventh group gathered again at the dock.

Behind Jiraiya, a large basket of packed books appeared, while Orochimaru was holding a scroll and occasionally writing something on it.

Only Tsunade turned her head to the side, standing far away from Kagura.

Seeing Tsunade clearly throwing a tantrum, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a little puzzled, but he just assumed Tsunade was being childish and ignored her.

After returning to the mainland by ship, the group began their journey towards Konoha Village.

Although Bucheon's pace was not slow on the way here.

But compared to those ninjas, there are still significant differences.

On the return journey, everyone sprinted the entire way.

In the forest, several dark figures darted and flashed among the tall trees.

What used to be a three-day journey, they reached the outskirts of Konoha Village in just one day.

I mentally estimated the remaining distance and then looked up at the blazing sun overhead.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his right hand, signaling the group to stop.

As several dark figures flashed by, four figures suddenly appeared behind him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi began to speak:

"It's about a two-hour drive from here to the village. Let's find a shady spot, grab something to eat, and then we'll set off again."

After everyone nodded, they landed on the ground and began to rest on the spot.

After rummaging through her backpack, Kagura pulled out a pastry.

These are pastries I bought a couple of days ago in the Land of Whirlpools. They're a rare treat made with honey, rice cake, and red beans.

While maintaining a good taste, it also has the characteristic of being able to be stored for a long time.

So before leaving, Kagura specially bought a few pieces to serve as provisions on the road.

Looking at the last piece of pastry in her hand, Kagura thought for a moment, then handed it to Tsunade opposite her, saying:

"This is delicious, would you like to try it?"

"Humph!"

Upon hearing this, Tsunade turned her head away and replied angrily:

"Who wants to eat your food? You should save it for your lady in the Land of Whirlpools!"

This little chili pepper...

Did you have to be angry for so long?

Kagura thought helplessly to herself.

Orochimaru and Jiraiya were eating their own rations while watching the two with great interest.

He had a gossipy expression on his face.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he had become accustomed to this situation over the past two days.

Aside from marveling at how wonderful youth is, I didn't have many other thoughts.

Seeing this, Kagura could only silently eat the pastry herself.

After drinking some water, he leaned against the tree trunk and rested with his eyes half-closed.

Suddenly, the system's voice rang in his mind.

"Ding!

Emergency mission triggered!

Mission Option 1: Successfully escape from 'Golden Horn'.

Mission reward: You will be able to randomly draw and learn one ninjutsu.

(Ninjutsu level must be A or above.)

Mission Option 2: Successfully kill 'Golden Horn'.

Mission reward: You will be able to randomly draw and learn one ninjutsu.

(Ninjutsu level must be S-rank or higher.)

Only one of the two task options can be completed; it cannot be repeated.

After clearly hearing the mission information in her mind, Kagura was so surprised that she immediately stood up.

Who is Jin Jiao?

That's a legendary figure who influenced the entire trajectory of the ninja world!

Especially among the ninjas of Konoha Village, even those who are students at the Ninja Academy have heard of this name.

In the later stages of the First Shinobi World War, not far from the present day, the Hidden Cloud Village began to split into the pro-war faction and the peace faction.

The peace faction, led by the Second Raikage, decided to cease hostilities and form an alliance with Konoha.

During the alliance ceremony, it was the Gold and Silver Brothers who led their subordinates in a sudden coup, killing the Second Raikage on the spot and injuring the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

The Konoha forces took advantage of the chaos to escape the scene, but were pursued by an elite force led by the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers.

At a critical moment, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, tested everyone's strategic thinking and ability to act, and then went alone to draw away the enemy to cover the team's retreat.

Unfortunately, facing a large number of opponents, Tobirama Senju was ultimately defeated.

Severely injured, Tobirama Senju soon perished.

In that battle, all 20 elite troops led by Jinjiao and Yinjiao were annihilated.

The two brothers also suffered great injuries in that battle, but they did not die.

Later, A, the disciple of the Second Raikage, died at the hands of Kinkaku and Ginkaku.

After taking office as the third Raikage, he was determined to avenge his master and attend his master's funeral with the heads of the two brothers.

Having been severely injured in their previous battle with Tobirama Senju, Kinkaku and Ginkaku were ultimately unable to withstand the pursuit of the so-called "strongest spear," thus ending their legendary lives.

As the information about the two brothers flashed through her mind, Kagura's face quickly turned pale.

Although no one knows what happened, Kinkaku, who should have died at the hands of the Third Raikage, has appeared on the outskirts of Konoha Village.

But this is not the time to delve into this matter; Kagura is currently trying to think of the possibility of escaping.

It wasn't that he lacked confidence in Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him; it was simply that this enemy's strength was far beyond his capabilities.

As one of the two "beams of light in the clouds" alongside Silver Horn, Golden Horn's strength is far greater than what is shown in the anime.

They already possessed chakra at the level of tailed beasts, and what was even more terrifying was the ferocious nature of the two brothers.

After being swallowed by the Nine-Tails, they actually ate the Nine-Tails' flesh right inside its stomach.

In the end, even the Nine-Tails had no choice but to spit them out and spare the two brothers.

As a result, they gained the power of the Nine-Tails by virtue of this misfortune, and were even able to use the Nine-Tails' tailed beast form.

Most importantly, they also possess the five great ninja tools passed down from the Sage of Six Paths.

Each of those ninja tools has the power to influence a war.

Therefore, according to the original storyline, even when facing two severely injured brothers, the Third Raikage could only achieve final victory by launching a sneak attack.

Such a Kage-level powerhouse, who was once above the Five Kage, is truly not someone that Hiruzen Sarutobi can handle now.

Seeing Kagura's strange behavior, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked over in confusion.

Before he could even speak, his expression suddenly changed, and he immediately stood up.

He stared intently at the woods ahead with a grim expression.

The other three exchanged puzzled glances.

Then, a few seconds later, even the three of them sensed an indescribable danger from ahead.