Naruto: From Shikotsumyaku to Otsutsuki

Hokage Building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke and quickly wrote down the mission approval document.

Rank A Mission: Investigate the rogue ninja appearing on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Waterfall. Appointment: Kurenai Yuhi as captain, Hayate Gekko and Tsuru Inuzuka as team members. Depart immediately.

After giving his approval, he turned to the guard beside him and said, "Kakashi, first notify Kurenai Yuhi to come see me, then go and notify the others."

"Yes, Sandaime-sama."

Kakashi instantly disappeared, and a short while later, a voluptuous female ninja with wine-red eyes and long hair entered.

"Third Generation Lord." Kurenai Yuhi bowed her head in greeting.

"The Red Jonin is here." Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a kind smile, "How's your genjutsu training going lately?"

"Thank you for your concern, Third Hokage. Tobirama-sama's insights into illusion techniques are very useful. I have already developed two B-rank illusion techniques."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, his gaze towards his daughter-in-law growing increasingly satisfied: "Is that so? That's perfect. I have an A-rank mission here. There seems to be a rogue ninja appearing in the border region with the Land of Waterfall. You lead a team to investigate. The Jonin of the Hidden Takigakure will cooperate with you; it shouldn't be too difficult."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, he handed the letter of appointment to Kurenai Yuhi, his old face crinkling with smiles.

"Asma is taking a break these two days, so I've already arranged for him to wait for you on the way. You haven't seen each other for a long time, so it's a good opportunity for him to accompany you on your mission. He can also provide timely support if there is any danger."

Kurenai's cheeks flushed slightly as she bowed her head and said, "Thank you, Third Hokage."

"Haha, go ahead. Asuma has been protecting the daimyo for a long time and has little free time. He's also quite dull. It's good that you don't mind."

Kurenai's face turned even redder, and she hurriedly left the office.

Just then, Gekko Hayate and Inuzuka Tsuru arrived. After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them immediately headed towards Takigakure Village.

On the way, the three encountered Asma again.

These two are now considered the golden couple of Konoha; everyone knows about their relationship.

Asuma is the son of the Third Hokage, Kurenai Yuhi is a hero who sacrificed herself during the Nine-Tails' rampage, and Shinku Yuhi is the daughter of Kurenai Yuhi.

Both were Jonin, one skilled in ninjutsu and the other in genjutsu, making them a perfect match.

The four of them traveled on and met up with a Chunin squad from Konoha and Takigakure who were patrolling the border the next day.

As the Jonin leading the team this time, Kurenai Yuhi obeyed everyone's orders, including a Jonin from Takigakure.

After exchanging information, she frowned.

"You guys say the commotion at the border has been getting bigger these past two days? The rogue ninja's ninjutsu has already reached A-rank power?"

Now she is filled with doubt.

A-rank ninjutsu? That's very rare, even extremely rare, and usually a trump card.

The Chunin squad responsible for patrolling the border has only dared to observe from afar these past two days, and they are already terrified as they listen to the roar from dozens of kilometers away.

Seeing the arrival of the Konoha Jonin, they felt as if they had found their pillar of support.

"Lord Red, Lord Asuma, we are absolutely not lying. The roar that could be heard dozens of kilometers away, along with the intense light and lightning, was simply beyond human resistance."

The group of people had never seen much of the world, and seeing only that terrifying attack power, they didn't even have the courage to face it head-on.

Kurenai and Asuma exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

"Based on the description, what appeared at the border is probably an S-rank rogue ninja."

Asuma spat out the senbon needle he was holding in his mouth and pondered, "Intense light and lightning? To practice ninjutsu so recklessly, he must be developing A-rank Lightning Release. Among the S-rank rogue ninja, who is skilled in Lightning Release?"

Kurenai thought for a moment and said, "It could be Hiruko or Kakuzu. Only these two are proficient in Lightning Release ninjutsu, but the former is more likely. As for Kakuzu, he is proficient in all five elements."

After the two finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

The people they were talking about, one from Konoha and the other from Takigakure, happened to be here.

After a long pause, Kurenai Yuhi finally said, "No matter who appears at the border, we need to find out. From now on, the Chunin patrol teams don't need to follow us anymore; that's our mission."

After giving a few instructions, the Jonin from Takigakure did not leave; he was the one responsible for cooperating on this mission.

The group of five disappeared in a blur.

Half an hour later, they were still about 30 kilometers away from their destination, but they all stopped at the same time.

It was already evening, and the setting sun was gradually sinking in the west, making the light dim.

In the distance, streaks of purple-blue lightning would occasionally appear on the horizon, accompanied by a low rumble, which sent a chill down one's spine.

"What is that?"

Suddenly, Yue Guan Jifeng saw a thick pillar of light rise into the sky, then flash a few times before disappearing.

Kurenai Yuhi also saw the disappearing pillar of light and asked in confusion, "Why does it look so much like a Storm Release laser?"

"It does look very similar, but the scale is too exaggerated," Asuma said.

"We can't just guess; we need to confirm it with our own eyes. If the enemy is very strong, we'll retreat."

Although the mission is important, Kurenai Yuhi must first ensure the safety of her team members, and at the very least, avoid making unnecessary sacrifices.

They swiftly traversed the dense forest, crossing rivers and waterfalls.

As they approached, the frequency of the beams of light appearing in the sky increased, and the time they disappeared became shorter and shorter.

Whenever the beam of light appears, rings of blue light spread out, like ocean waves, sweeping up countless water vapors.

Moreover, the shape of the beam of light became increasingly strange, gradually flattening from a cylinder, resembling a sword magnified many times over, though it still lacked some details.

The sky had turned gloomy, with dark clouds hanging over the mountain peaks, dense lightning flashing through them, and thunderbolts striking from time to time.

"Be careful, the enemy is probably at a critical stage in developing ninjutsu. Everyone stay hidden. This is just a reconnaissance mission, we don't need to capture or fight."

The setting sun's red hair served as a reminder.

Given this situation, she had already prepared for the mission to fail.

The group of five didn't say much, but instead hurried forward with solemn expressions.

Fifteen kilometers, ten kilometers, five kilometers...

When it approached three kilometers, the beam of light stabilized and transformed into a giant lightsaber, with bolts of lightning crackling around its blade, radiating a terrifying and awe-inspiring power.

The group stopped in their tracks, goosebumps rising on their skin, their faces filled with shock.

"It's too dangerous, we can't get any closer."

The electrical charge floating in the air sent chills down the spines of the group.

Hidden in the shade of the giant tree, their chakra-enhanced eyes allowed them to see the source of all this.

Three kilometers away, a figure was seen holding a giant lightsaber nearly a kilometer tall, taking to the air.

His figure was not tall, and his face was obscured by the blinding lightning, making it difficult to see clearly.

From a distance, the figure appeared to be like Thor, suspended in the air, wielding a thousand-meter-long divine weapon, surrounded by thousands of lightning bolts.

He slowly raised his hand, making a chopping motion, aiming directly at the location of Kurenai Yuhi and her group.

At the entire junction, the roar of the waterfall gradually faded away.

Only countless dense thunderclaps, accompanied by a clear voice resounding throughout the heavens and earth.

"Storm Release: Futsu-no-Mitama!"