Konoha's lexicon of ninjas

Chapter 111 Urgent! White Fang's Disappearance! (10,000-word update, please subscribe and vote!)

April 24, Konoha Year 43.

Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki officially got married.

Although the wedding wasn't grand and there weren't many guests, it was still very important and lively.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, served as the officiant at the wedding.

All three legendary Sannin of Konoha were present: Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, and Sakumo Hatake, along with the head of the Shimura clan and Minato Namikaze's friend and companion from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

From these people, Hoshino Shuichi had already vaguely seen a glimmer of hope.

However... Jiraiya is really too unreliable.

He actually created a shadow clone to replace the busy Hoshino Shuichi, and then dragged Hoshino Shuichi to a corner to ask for material.

Xingxia Xiu's face darkened. How could a model student do such a thing?

What if we get caught?

Although he wanted to be famous in the ninja world, it was definitely not through this kind of "body art".

So Hoshino Shuichi firmly refused, but said they could find another time to study it together.

……

In the afternoon, after seeing off all the guests, Hoshino Shuichi, Kakashi, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Obito all felt tired.

"I never imagined getting married would be so troublesome."

Obito Uchiha remarked, "It would be great if we could skip this step in the future."

Kakashi immediately retorted, "You don't have to get married in the future!"

Obito Uchiha immediately panicked and secretly glanced at Rin Nohara.

Uchiha Shisui smiled gently and said, "Obito, don't worry. When you get married, it will be other people who are busy."

"Look at Minato-sensei, he's so happy now!"

Hoshino and the others turned to look, and indeed Minato Namikaze had a happy smile on his face, even though his ear was being pulled by Kushina Uzumaki.

Hoshino Shuichi couldn't help but mutter to himself: I'm sick of this dog food today.

Obito Uchiha muttered to himself, "Kushina is too violent. Rin is much gentler."

Thinking about it, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Nohara Rin, who was still busy, and a shy smile appeared on his face.

Noticing this, Hoshishita Shuichi couldn't help but tease, "Obito, do you have a girl you like?"

Obito Uchiha was startled and jumped up, frantically protesting, "No!"

"Shuichi, don't talk nonsense."

Hoshino Hideichi chuckled and said, "If you have the chance, don't miss it. Be brave and confess your feelings."

"Look at Asuma, he already took down Red a long time ago."

Kakashi suddenly interjected, "Shuichi, you like Shizune too, don't you?"

An embarrassed Obito Uchiha immediately found his way: "Shuichi, Kakashi is right, hmph, are you and Shizune already together?"

Hoshino Hideichi shrugged and said, "I'm not denying it!"

That's how arrogant we are!

Obito Uchiha blushed with anger.

Hoshita Shuichi immediately suggested with a smile, "Obito, how about we have a duel? The loser can go and confess to the girl they like!"

Obito Uchiha wasn't fooled at all, and scoffed, "You've already reached the Special Jonin level. There's no chance I can win against you!"

Hoshita Shuichi looked at Kakashi: "Then let's duel Kakashi!"

Obito Uchiha looked at Kakashi, hesitant yet eager to try.

Just then, Kushina Uzumaki's voice came, and everyone immediately looked in the direction of the sound, only to see Kushina Uzumaki waving at them.

The conversation abruptly ended.

It's fate!

Hoshino sighed inwardly and headed towards Kushina Uzumaki with Kakashi and the others.

……

Dinner was again at the home of their teacher, Minato Namikaze. After parting ways with Kakashi and the others, Shuichi Hoshishita and Asuka strolled home together.

Although it was night, the streets in the core area of ​​Konoha were still bustling and lively, filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and children laughing, crying, and playing, creating a vibrant atmosphere of daily life.

With his hands in his pockets, Xingxia Xiu quietly watched and listened to these things, a faint smile playing on his lips.

This feels great!

Meanwhile, Asuka's gaze lingered more on Hoshino Shuichi.

She felt that there was always a mysterious aura about this boy, which unconsciously attracted people's attention.

"Asuka-neechan, what are your dreams?"

"Isai no Shuichi suddenly asked."

Asuka paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course."

"That means I can live like this forever with Shuichi and Nono-neechan."

Hoshita Hideichi raised an eyebrow: "This ideal isn't so easy to achieve!"

Asuka was startled: "Is this...very difficult?"

Hoshita Shuuichi said, "Because Asuka-neechan will fall in love with someone else in the future, right?"

Asuka breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "No way, Shuichi, don't overthink it!"

Hoshino Hideichi smiled, but felt the power of the bond even more strongly.

If someone isn't heartless, there will always be ties, feelings, and reluctance to part after spending a long time together.

He enjoys the peace and tranquility of Konoha right now and doesn't want to destroy it.

There were also Yakushi Nonou, Shizune, Tsunade, Uzumaki Kushina, Namikaze Minato... Each and every one of them was like a thread, woven into a net, trapping him!

Shuichi Hoshita originally just wanted to live a good life, but now he wants more.

"Asuka-neechan, you have to work really hard for your dreams!"

Hoshino Shuichi suddenly laughed and then leaped into the air.

This moment of enjoyment is enough. Now we must continue to work hard until... until we stand at the highest point!

"Of course, I've been working hard!"

Asuka clenched her fist, then leaped after him.

……

In the evening, Asuka and Nonou were studying medical ninjutsu in the study, while Hoshita Shuichi was practicing Lightning Release: Body Flicker in the courtyard.

In the general sense, the most basic form of Body Flicker Technique is simply a burst of chakra that propels the body to move at high speed.

For ninjas, the vast majority use this type of technique, but each person has different tricks and varying degrees of explosive power, resulting in different movement speeds.

In addition, there is the technique of instantaneous movement formed by incorporating different property changes.

Water can instantly transform, moving at high speed within the realm of water.

With a swift movement, Xingxia Xiu, who only remembered using the Ice Release technique, came and went like the wind.

The most famous user of Lightning Release: Body Flicker Technique is undoubtedly the Third Raikage of the Cloud Ninja, and the future Fourth Raikage.

Under Lightning Release Chakra Mode, the speed is arguably the fastest in the ninja world.

The only techniques faster than them are space-time type instantaneous movement techniques like Flying Thunder God.

Even Naruto, when he first activated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, wouldn't dare say he was stronger than the Fourth Raikage at that time.

It is evident that Lightning Release: Body Flicker Technique has an inherent advantage in terms of speed.

Besides the Lightning Release Chakra Mode of the Cloud Ninja, the most typical example of Lightning Release: Body Flicker Technique is the state of Chidori.

Lightning Release nature transformation activates cells and increases speed, which is a type of Lightning Release Body Flicker.

However, Chidori Stream is clearly far inferior to the Lightning Release Chakra Mode of the Cloud Ninja.

However, it can still be described as an A-level difficulty.

Hoshino Shuichi was enveloped in electric light as he moved at high speed through the courtyard, using the Chidori Stream technique he had acquired from Kakashi.

However, Hoshino Shuichi does not intend to use Chidori Ryu as his Lightning Release: Instantaneous Body Technique.

Although it's only Rank A, it wasn't difficult for him to obtain the [Lightning Release Expert] title and improve his talent with many other attributes.

With stronger chakra control, a deeper understanding of the human body, and a stronger spirit and willpower, Hoshino Shuichi is fully capable of activating his own cells with Lightning Release chakra at a deeper level.

This requires a gradual process of exploration and experimentation, while allowing the cells in various parts of the body to become accustomed to the stimulation of electrical currents.

Even different cells have different tolerance levels, so how to optimize and maximize overall activation are details that need to be explored step by step.

The prerequisites that Hoshino Shuichi possessed only accelerated this exploration process.

……

Time flies, and the holiday passed in the blink of an eye amidst practice and experiments.

The mission resumed, but for Hoshino Shuichi, the difference wasn't particularly significant.

Of course, with Shinnosuke Sarutobi's guidance, his progress in Water Release and Earth Release was indeed much faster.

On May 16th, Konoha Year 43, during lunch, Sarutobi Shinnosuke suddenly said, "Shuichi, I have some bad news for you."

"Huh?"

Xingxia Xiu was taken aback: "Not good news?"

Chihiro, standing to the side, blurted out, "Shuichi, you have a bounty on your head!"

"what?"

Xingxia Xiu didn't react for a moment: "A bounty?"

"Looks like I've been exposed..."

"Iwa ninja or Kumo ninja? How much bounty?"

Chihiro held up three fingers: "Thirty million!"

"According to the information, the bounty was issued by Iwagakure!"

Hoshita Shuichi chuckled lightly: "Thirty million, that's not a lot!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke shook his head: "That's quite a lot. It's the treatment of a Jonin, or even an elite Jonin."

Hoshita Hideichi chuckled, "I remember the captain's bounty is 4000 million, right?"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke smiled wryly; his 40 million was boosted by being the son of the Hokage.

Chihiro cautioned, "Shuichi, you should be more careful when going on missions alone in the future. There are many bounty hunters in the ninja world, including some S-rank wanted targets who are extremely strong."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke also solemnly said, "Chihiro is right."

Xingxia Xiu nodded, his joking expression also disappearing.

He naturally knew about bounty hunters, such as the famous Kakuzu, who was such a person before joining Akatsuki, and was one of the best.

Even after joining Akatsuki, Kakuzu was still keen on exchanging his head for money.

For example, Asma, and Dilu.

Kakuzu is also proficient in the five major escape techniques; he's very strong!

……

In the afternoon, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro left one after the other, leaving only Hoshinoshita Shuichi on duty next to the Hokage's office.

The memories of the shadow clone who stayed outside to cultivate suddenly returned, and the word tree in his mind immediately became active.

Spiritual manifestation: Shizuka Hikaru appeared beneath the Tree of Words.

This is a mental world he recently discovered, similar to a chakra connection.

Looking up at the term tree, the [Water Escape Expert] had finally met the criteria for activation.

Light up!

With a thought, the leaves of the tree instantly lit up, and the effect of the word took effect immediately.

Water Release talent increased by 100%, allowing the use of Water Release ninjutsu without hand seals.

"Only Earth Release is left to complete the set of five elemental masters..."

Shuichi Hoshino is quite looking forward to it.

However, even if he obtains the "Professor of Ninjutsu" title, he will still prioritize the Flying Thunder God Technique.

After mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique, he then turned around and transformed the Five Elements Expert into the Five Elements Master.

I just don't know if I can trigger a stronger affix than "Professor of Ninjutsu" later on.

Just then, Hoshino Shuichi suddenly heard Kakashi's voice coming from next door, followed by his teacher Minato Namikaze.

Hoshino Hideichi immediately focused his attention.

What happened?

Hoshita Shuichi overheard something about Hatake Sakumo.

Soon, he heard Minato Namikaze and Kakashi leave.

"What exactly happened?"

Just then, Hoshino Hideichi heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice: "Flame!"

Hoshita Shuichi's figure immediately sank into the floor, then rose up from the floor above the Hokage's office next door: "Third Hokage!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "It has been confirmed that the Jonin who was on the mission, Sakumo Hatake, has gone missing!"

Hoshino Shuichi suddenly looked up, his expression one of astonishment beneath his mask.

Where has Muye Baiya gone?

Are you kidding me?

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to see Hoshino's astonishment and sighed, "Sakumo is carrying out a secret mission alone this time. According to the previous agreement, he must return to Konoha within half a month, regardless of whether the mission is completed or not."

"But it's been a month now. Of the two squads we sent out, one lost contact and was later confirmed to have encountered a strong enemy, and the entire squad was killed in battle."

"And this is the intelligence brought back by the second squad. Based on some information left behind by the first squad, Sakumo was very likely ambushed, and there were puppeteers among them!"

Hoshino Hideichi's gaze sharpened: "Puppet master... Third Hokage, based on the information we have so far, the only puppet master in the entire ninja world who could threaten Sakumo-senpai is probably Chiyo from Sunagakure."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, his gaze serious: "Sakumo's mission was indeed in the Land of Wind, and it was also in the Land of Wind where he lost his trail."

"So, Yan, this time I need you to lead a small team to the Land of Wind to find out the truth about this matter."

"Besides you, the Minato team will be there too."

Xingxia Xiu nodded: "Understood!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately said in a deep voice, "Go and prepare yourself; they'll be waiting for you at the village entrance!"

Hoshino Shuichi immediately disappeared.

……

At the exit of Konoha Village, only Hoshino Shuichi appeared, having removed his Root robe and mask.

He also saw his two teammates.

Aburame Shiki is likely to be the next clan leader of the Aburame clan.

The other one, Hoshino Shuichi didn't recognize, but that ninja dog was too iconic; it belonged to the Inuzuka clan.

He walked straight up to the two of them and said, "Hello, I'm Hoshita Shuichi!"

Wearing sunglasses, Aburame Shii said, "Captain, I am Aburame Shii."

The other person said, "Captain, I'm Inuzuka Jacques!"

"Woof woof!"

The ninja dog following Inuzuka Jacques greeted Hoshino Shuichi, and Inuzuka Jacques immediately said, "Captain, this is Hoshimaru."

Hoshino Shuichi looked at the ninja dog with black spots in its white fur and greeted it, "Hello, Hoshimaru!"

Then he turned to look at Minato Namikaze: "Minato-sensei!"

Minato Namikaze nodded and said, "Let's talk about it on the way!"

Hoshino Hideichi readily agreed, and the group of seven immediately set off.

Once outside the village, Hoshino Hideaki glanced at the somewhat agitated Kakashi, but instead of offering comfort, he asked Namikaze Minato, "Minato-sensei, do you have any more detailed information?"

"Let me explain!"

Aburame said, "The intelligence we gathered earlier was brought back by my previous squad."

Hoshita Shuichi immediately turned to look at Aburame Shii.

Aburame Shiki said, "Because of the terrain of the Land of Wind, we did not actually find any traces left by Sakumo-senpai. What we found was the battlefield where the first squad sent out by the Third Hokage died, and part of it has been buried by sandstorms."

"Fortunately, they were poisoned, so their bodies were relatively well preserved. We were able to obtain some information they left behind before they died, and thus learned that Senior Sakumo had been ambushed, and that there were puppeteers among them."

"But there is no other information."

After listening, Hoshino Hideichi pondered and said, "Therefore, the previous squad actually obtained very limited intelligence."

"Perhaps the battlefield was covered and destroyed by sandstorms, or perhaps someone cleaned up the battlefield."

Aburame nodded slightly: "We also tended to think that way at the time. The key is that the information left by the previous squad did not mention whether Senior Sakumo was killed in battle or what information such as his body was."

Upon hearing this, Obito Uchiha couldn't help but say, "If there's no corpse, it means Sakumo-senpai is still alive, right?"

"In that case, shouldn't they have been captured by the enemy?"

Ignoring Obito Uchiha, Hoshino Hideaki said, "Sandstorms can cover up many traces: bloodstains, smells, and even corpses."

"If there is no poisoning, the carcass will be quickly digested by insects and birds, without even needing sandstorms to cover it."

"But judging from the current situation, Senior Sakumo has either been captured, died in battle, or escaped while injured, but he may have been poisoned or his injuries are too severe to return to Konoha to report."

Although three scenarios were mentioned, anyone with common sense knows there are only two.

Either die or be captured!

As for the third possibility of escaping due to injury or poisoning... in the environment of the Land of Wind, given such a long period of time, the probability of dying is very high.

However, some people present were clearly very emotional. Obito Uchiha shouted, "Even if someone dies in battle and their body is eaten by insects and birds, it's impossible for there not to be any trace of them."

Minato Namikaze shouted softly, "Obito!"

At that moment, Kakashi suddenly said, "Shuichi, you haven't mentioned one possibility yet... his body was taken away by the enemy, right?"

Kakashi's voice trembled slightly as he finished speaking.

Hoshino nodded: "Since the enemy is very likely to clean up the battlefield, they may also take away Sakumo-senpai's body."

"You should know that even the corpses of ninjas are extremely valuable for intelligence, especially those like Sakumo-senpai."

Obito Uchiha glanced at Kakashi and then said, "A powerful ninja like Sakumo-senpai would probably require the Kazekage of Sunagakure to be dispatched, or a large number of elite ninjas to surround and defeat him, right?"

Hoshita Hideichi pondered seriously after hearing this: "Perhaps it really was the Third Kazekage who personally took action..."

"Chiyo is the strongest puppeteer in Sunagakure, but with Sakumo-senpai's strength and fighting style, Chiyo can't stop him."

"Obito is right. Either there are too many enemies, or there is another strong person restricting Sakumo-senpai's speed."

After saying that, he looked at Minato Namikaze: "Minato-sensei, if we go back to the places the team has already explored, we probably won't get much useful information."

Minato Namikaze instantly understood and said, "So, you want to infiltrate Sunagakure to investigate?"

Hoshino nodded: "The possibility of Sunagakure taking action is extremely high, after all, Sakumo-senpai has a considerable grudge against Sunagakure."

"Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law died at the hands of Senior Sakumo, who was a powerful puppeteer at the Jonin level."

"Infiltrating Sunagakure should be the fastest way to break through!"

Inuzuka Jacques said, "But it's also the most dangerous way!"

"Even if we enter Sunagakure, the fastest and most suitable way to verify this would have to target Chiyo or the Third Kazekage, wouldn't it?"

Minato Namikaze said, "We can also verify this indirectly by seeing if the Third Kazekage led anyone out of the village about two weeks ago."

"There should be quite a few people who know this information."

Hoshino Hideichi nodded and then said, "Then it's decided. We'll split into two groups. Minato-sensei, you follow the previous trails, and I'll carry out the mission of infiltrating Sunagakure."

Minato Namikaze quickly said, "Let me do it!"

Hoshita Shuichi shook his head and said, "Minato-sensei, your transformation technique is no match for mine, and your illusion technique is probably no better than mine either..."

After hearing this, Minato Namikaze could only nod in agreement.

Infiltrating Sunagakure is not about having as many people as possible.

However, Obito Uchiha was dumbfounded when he heard what Hoshino Shizuka said.

Shuichi, that guy's way too arrogant!

The crucial point is that Minato-sensei actually... actually agreed!

……

After the two captains made their decisions, the matter was settled.

That night, they spent the night at the border of the Land of Fire. The next day, after crossing the Land of Rivers and entering the Land of Wind, Hoshino Shuichi agreed on a meeting point with Namikaze Minato and then traveled alone to Sunagakure.

However, in addition to that, there was a flock of crows flying overhead!

(End of this chapter)