In the previous chapter: Boruto and his group arrived in Amegakure, where they launched a direct attack on a building packed with ninja. Boruto unleashed devastating power: with his chakra chains, he tore through floor after floor, mercilessly massacring every shinobi he encountered. Outside, his team erected a barrier to isolate the city, while Boruto continued his relentless advance inside the building. Finally, he confronted the Kage of the Land of Rain; he pursued him across the rooftops and executed him with invisible slashes using the Jougan, demonstrating an unstoppable force.
After the battle, Boruto met with his subordinates and gave them precise orders: rebuild the city from scratch, train the ninja in new techniques, and seal the borders to control the country. It was then that he named the new village Shinkugakure no Sato, the Hidden Village in the Absolute Void, and gave his group scrolls containing secret techniques to transform it into a powerful nation. Following this, he decided to retreat to a remote, snowy area, where he began rigorous training using gravity and suppression seals to strengthen his chakra control.
Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Team 7 received a new mission in the Land of the Valley. Konohamaru accompanied them, along with Mugino, an old comrade who knew the region well. There they met Mia, a woman who revealed the disappearance of her husband, Anato, an employee of a mysterious healthcare company that had recently arrived in the valley. He hadn't returned from his last expedition a month ago, and she feared the worst. She appealed to Konoha for help, and the team accepted the mission, marking the beginning of a new investigation in unfamiliar territory.
At that moment, Team 7 was walking through the streets of the valley village. Saku carefully observed her surroundings; there were trees and plants everywhere, as if it were a vast, sprawling park. Looking up, she noticed how the town moved thanks to multiple elevators connecting the different platforms. The houses and buildings were nestled within the ravine that surrounded the entire village. The atmosphere seemed peaceful, adorned with nature and harmonious details that gave it a welcoming feel.
Saku couldn't help but feel amazed by the sight. However, as he looked down, he glanced sideways at Mia, who was walking with her head down, looking dejected. He turned slightly toward her and spoke with a calm smile:
—We'll do everything we can to find your husband, so don't worry too much.
Mia raised her head slightly and, with a weak but encouraging smile, nodded silently.
After venturing a little further, they reached a wide area of the valley where an imposing building stood. Around it were several smaller structures that appeared to serve as support buildings. A large metal logo stood out on the main facade, gleaming in the valley's sunlight.
Mia stopped in front of the building, looked at it with a gesture full of emotion, and spoke in a soft voice:
—This is the place… the company where Anato worked.
A moment later, they were all inside the building, in front of the reception desk.
The receptionist glanced at them sideways and, while adjusting his glasses, spoke in a monotone voice:
—So you have a pre-arranged appointment?
Sarada stepped forward, positioning herself as the group's representative. Her gaze was serious and resolute.
—We don't have an appointment. We're looking for information about a person. I hope you can give it to us.
The receptionist, unfazed, looked at them again lazily.
—So… you have a date?
Sarada frowned in annoyance and muttered under her breath:
—What's wrong with this guy?
Mia, with her hand on her chest, took a step forward trying to speak, but Mugino stopped her with a gesture and replied calmly:
—We'll take care of it, don't worry.
Mia nodded slowly, though she couldn't help but glance at the receptionist with a hint of tension. And Mugino spoke seriously to the receptionist:
—Could you tell us what kind of research you conduct at this location?
The receptionist began typing on his computer and, in an almost mechanical tone, replied:
—This company is dedicated to researching new technologies with the goal of changing the world. Our president, Vikta, suffered serious injuries in the past, and through this project, he seeks to save more lives. That's how he founded the company, which today has become one of the most recognized in the world.
Mia frowned and, in a tone full of despair, exclaimed:
—I just want to know about my husband. Please give me his information!
The receptionist looked at her with a hint of nervousness in his eyes.
—I understand how you feel… but we must wait for the search team to find him.
Mia lowered her head, her voice trembled.
—Then at least tell me… where did your equipment disappear to?
The receptionist sighed uncomfortably and looked away.
—I'm sorry, but your activities are confidential. I can't reveal that information to you.
Mia clenched her jaw tightly, and suddenly slammed both hands on the table.
—That's no good to me! Give me back my husband!
Konohamaru and Mugino quickly grabbed her, pulling her away from the counter as she struggled. Sarada and Saku tried to calm her down, but the tension had already filled the air.
Amid the commotion, a small white snake slithered out from Mitsuki's sleeve. It moved stealthily across the floor, unnoticed, and climbed up to one of the computers behind the reception desk. The screen displayed data, files, and a map marked with an "X." A moment later, the snake discreetly returned with the information.
The receptionist, trying to smooth things over, bowed his head in a forced reverence.
—I will pass on your message to the president. I hope they understand.
Mia, exhausted, gradually stopped resisting. Her breathing was still ragged, but she finally gave in. Moments later, the group was escorted out of the building. Team 7 took a few more steps until they reached a secluded area where no one could hear them.
Saku let out a sigh of annoyance.
—Those guys sure do keep a lot of secrets…
Sarada crossed her arms seriously.
—That was to be expected. In the end, the pharmaceutical war was quite fierce.
Konohamaru turned his gaze towards Mia, firm but understanding.
—I don't know if you can tell us anything more about your husband… any detail you remember.
Mia slowly shook her head. Konohamaru nodded calmly and spoke in a determined voice.
—We'll do everything we can to find him, don't worry.
Mugino frowned, skeptical.
—And how will we do it? We have no information.
Mitsuki looked at him calmly and spoke quietly.
—Actually, we do have something… I got it while you were busy with the distraction.
Saku smiled in relief.
—That was quick, hehe.
Mitsuki turned his gaze towards Mia.
—I don't know exactly where Anato is, but I discovered the place where the search team was sent.
Mia's eyes shone with suppressed anxiety.
—Where did they send them?
Mitsuki responded calmly.
—To a waterfall to the west, a two-night walk from here. According to the records, they were searching that area.
Mia pressed her hands to her chest and murmured in a trembling voice:
—Anato told me about that place… he said he would take me there someday, that it was a very beautiful place.
Sarada nodded, mentally calculating the route.
—So he knew that area well. If we leave now, we'll arrive the day after tomorrow morning.
They all agreed with a firm gesture. Without wasting any time, they set off from the village. However, as they walked away into the shadows, a mysterious figure silently watched them.
Two days later, far from the village of Valle, stretched an immense cliff from which several waterfalls cascaded, crashing down into the depths. The mist rising from the cascading water covered much of the landscape.
On the other side, near the edge of the precipice, in a Shunshin, Team 7 appeared, counting on Konohamaru and Mugino.
They all stared at the place for a moment, and Saku took a few steps forward and peered into the void. The sound of the waterfalls echoed in her ears.
—I guess it's here… it's not a bad place, really.
Sarada looked in the opposite direction, towards the other end of the cliff, where the river split into several branches before plunging down.
—Yes, it's beautiful… and quite extensive. To get to the other side, we'll have to go all the way around the area.
Konohamaru nodded seriously, crossing his arms as his gaze analyzed the terrain.
—It's time to move. We must find any trace of Anato or the search team.
Mugino stepped forward and spoke in a firm voice.
—We'll be searching around the waterfalls. We need all the information we can get.
They all nodded silently. In a flash, they disappeared.
As they sped through the trees, the group moved with precision, almost leaving no trace. Mitsuki, alert, glanced back and spoke in a low voice:
—Mugino-san… there is another group following us.
Mugino also took a quick look behind him and nodded seriously.
"There are about five or six of them... they move fast." He paused, gauging the distance. "At that speed, they must be shinobi."
Among the branches in the distance, barely distinguishable in the thicket, several shadows slid nimbly, quickly covering ground.
Team 7 kept up the pace for a moment longer, until Sarada spoke firmly:
—So… are they enemies?
Mugino answered cautiously, still looking behind him.
—I don't know yet. But it's best to stay alert.
They all nodded without pausing.
A moment later, Konohamaru clicked his tongue in frustration.
—Damn… they surrounded us.
Immediately, the entire group vanished in a Shunshin, reappearing on the solid ground of the forest clearing. The silence lasted barely a second: from all directions, several figures emerged from the trees, closing the circle around the Konoha team.
They wore gray and black clothing, and on their forearms shone ninja scientific tools, which they raised at the same time, pointing precisely towards Team 7.
The sound of the machinery mingled with the tension of the moment, as the threat closed in on them.
The Konoha team reacted instantly, drawing their kunai and getting into fighting stances.
Konohamaru raised his voice firmly.
—What do you want?! Who are you?
Saku glanced at the strangers out of the corner of her eye and murmured suspiciously:
—Apparently… they have no intention of speaking.
The ninjas in gray and black robes tensed even more, gripping their scientific ninja tools cautiously, ready to strike. The tension was almost unbearable, until an unexpected sound broke the silence: footsteps approaching from the side.
Among them, a sharp thud, the creaking of wood against the floor.
Saku looked up and her eyes widened slightly as she recognized the figure.
From the shadows emerged a short man, dressed in an elegant suit and top hat. He walked calmly, leaning on what appeared to be a wooden prosthesis in place of a leg. His gaze was hard, for he had only one eye; the other was covered by a patch as he leaned on a cane.
Team 7 turned their heads toward him. Sarada murmured in surprise:
—That person is… President Vikta!
The old man observed them for a few seconds in silence and finally spoke in a deep voice.
—Lower your weapons… apparently, this is all a misunderstanding.
The ninjas surrounding the group obeyed immediately. Konohamaru exchanged a glance with the others and nodded; little by little, the team sheathed their kunai.
Vikta cast her single glance over each of them and then spoke calmly.
—Follow me.
Without waiting for a reply, he turned around and began walking with a slow but steady stride. Team 7, Konohamaru, and Mugino exchanged glances before deciding to follow him.
A few minutes later, they reached some large rocks. Vikta sat down first, settling in calmly, and the rest did the same.
The old man was the first to speak, with a raspy voice that commanded respect.
—I was told that some shinobi from Konoha would be arriving… seeing you here, I suppose it's you.
Konohamaru nodded firmly.
"This happened because you keep too many secrets. Mia-san entrusted us with the mission of finding her husband."
Vikta stared at him before answering.
—It was to be expected… I don't blame her.
Saku intervened suspiciously.
—When we spoke to the receptionist, she told us that you were traveling… that's why you would leave a message when you returned.
Mitsuki added in a low voice:
—We didn't expect to find him with the search teams.
Vikta glanced at them out of the corner of her eye and sighed.
—We are doing everything we can to find them… but, from what I can see, your applicant doesn't think so.
He remained silent for a few seconds, adjusting himself by touching his knees. Sarada looked at him intently and frowned.
—He was injured in the Fourth Shinobi World War… right?
The old man let out a small, bitter laugh.
—Shinobi like to give their wars names. But for us civilians who experience them firsthand… the name is irrelevant. A war is a war, and that's all there is to it.
Her words hung in the air. Then, Vikta opened her single eye and continued more seriously:
—I want to develop treatments that help people. The Anatomy team was looking for materials in this area… they were investigating ways to reconstruct body parts.
Saku brought a hand to his chin, thoughtful, and murmured:
—That sounds… similar to what the Seventh Hokage did.
Vikta sighed deeply.
"I heard the Seventh lost an arm in the war... and now he has a special one. But that prosthesis isn't suitable for everyone. I aspire to something more advanced... regenerative technology."
Mitsuki looked up with interest.
—Regenerative technology?
The old man leaned forward slightly, a glimmer of motivation in his voice.
—Yes. We would activate the body's own DNA… so that it regenerates anything that has been lost.
Sarada opened her eyes in surprise.
—Is that… possible?
Vikta turned her gaze towards the waterfall and spoke with conviction:
—Not just limbs. Also organs… even the heart and brain. If we succeed, we could unlock the secret of aging.
He forcefully struck his cane against the ground, the sound echoing off the rocks.
—But we still lack the materials to make it a reality.
Mugino glanced sideways at Konohamaru. Konohamaru returned his gaze, and they both nodded simultaneously. Then, Mugino fixed his eyes on Vikta and spoke firmly:
"If you share all the information you have, we'll do our best to help you. After all, our mission is to find your investigator... don't you think?"
Vikta observed him for a moment, fixing his single eye on Mugino's. Finally, he sighed wearily and murmured:
—You're right… there's no point in continuing to hide information.
He shook his head and, using his cane, began to draw lines on the earthen ground. Konohamaru and Mugino stood up, moving closer for a better look. Slowly, the old man drew a makeshift map of the region.
When he finished, he marked several crosses at different points and calmly explained:
"We've inspected almost this entire area." He tapped his staff gently on each mark. "There's only one cave left... here."
He pointed to a more distant "X", in a corner of the map.
Then he pointed to another of the crosses.
—This is where Anato's team disappeared. When we arrived, most of them were dead.
The atmosphere grew heavier. Everyone remained silent, absorbing what they were hearing.
Finally, Vikta added seriously:
—We searched the surrounding area and found several footprints, but no clear answers. Now there's only one last area left… that cave.
Team 7 and the jōnin nodded silently. Vikta raised her staff and ordered her ninjas:
—It's time to move.
The subordinates nodded, and the entire group began walking toward the cave marked on the map. After several minutes, they reached the entrance: a huge tunnel carved into the rock, dark and damp, from which a thick, chilling air escaped.
They entered in formation. Vikta's ninjas advanced in reconnaissance, checking every corner, while Team 7 went deeper, jumping from ledge to ledge, calling Anato's name in different passages.
Vikta, in the middle of the group, led the exploration by looking at a map she was holding and giving instructions in a low voice.
Saku glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as she walked.
He seems like a good man… but something about him gives me a bad feeling.
He scratched his head and continued walking, although he noticed Vikta giving him a fleeting glance before returning her gaze to her map.
As the silence of the cave grew heavier, Saku remained alert to his surroundings. However, he tripped over some roots protruding from the ground and fell face-first onto the damp earth.
Sarada watched him and couldn't help but laugh softly.
Saku raised his head in annoyance, saw what had made him fall, and huffed in irritation before getting back up.
At that moment, Mitsuki's voice, who was further ahead, resonated strongly.
—Come on, look at this!
Team 7 ran in its direction. Upon arriving, they discovered that the walls and floor were covered in thick, gray roots, spreading as if the cave had been devoured by them.
Konohamaru approached one of the roots and touched it with his hand, frowning.
—What the hell happened here?
Before anyone could answer, a heart-wrenching scream echoed from another hallway.
Team 7 looked at each other for a moment and, without thinking twice, ran towards the source of the sound.
"Wait!" Vikta shouted, but no one paid any attention to her.
Moments later, they emerged at the end of the cave, reaching a wide, flat area where the sun beat down on their faces. There, a ravine opened up to an unseen bottom, where a waterfall cascaded with a tranquil murmur that contrasted sharply with the tension of the place.
With their backs to them, a figure stood. It wore a gray uniform, with Vikta's company logo emblazoned on the back. The clothing was torn, and its body moved erratically.
Sarada squeezed her eyes shut as she recognized the symbol.
—That's… Vikta's company logo.
Saku smiled with relief and took a step forward.
—Hey, it's Anato, right?!
But the figure let out a guttural growl, harsh and full of pain.
Saku's smile faded as she cautiously stretched out her arm.
—Is something wrong…?
Slowly, the man turned toward them. His body trembled uncontrollably until he was facing them. His eyes shone with a strange glow, and suddenly he let out a brutal scream.
His arm twisted, deforming into a swarm of gray roots that violently extended toward Team 7, ready to ensnare them.
The team was surprised, but reacted immediately: everyone jumped to the sides as the roots chased them. In mid-air, Saku pulled out a kunai and struck at them, deflecting several. Sarada and Mitsuki managed to land, and Sarada activated her Sharingan at full power, revealing its two tomoe.
He thought quickly: I can only maintain this speed for a moment. He took a breath, concentrated chakra in his feet, and vanished. An instant later, he reappeared above Anato, launching a horizontal kick toward his head.
Anato turned his face in time, narrowly avoiding a graze that cut his cheek.
Sarada was startled, and Anato, like a mindless creature, extended his hand toward her with brutal force. The kunoichi's eyes widened, but a barrier of branches erupted from the ground, rising like a wall between them. Anato's blow crashed directly into the defense, shattering it in the process.
Sarada glanced sideways and noticed Saku with her hands on the ground, controlling the branches. Taking advantage of that moment, she used her speed and disappeared, reappearing next to Saku. She was breathing heavily, sweat beading on her forehead, and murmured:
"I didn't think I'd be able to dodge that attack..."
Saku stood up and glanced sideways at Sarada.
—That was your speed, right?
Sarada nodded seriously. Saku fixed her gaze on Anato and spoke:
—We have to immobilize him… the way he moves he looks more like one of those zombies we see in the movies.
Sarada nodded again and looked at Mitsuki, who responded with another nod. At that moment, Konohamaru and Mugino entered the cave, arriving behind Saku and Sarada.
Konohamaru looked at his team and asked:
—What's happening?
His gaze lingered on the tattered uniform and, recognizing the logo, he added:
—He is Anato…
"We have to immobilize him," Saku said, looking again at the erratic figure. "For some reason, he's out of control... and he's capable of using Wood Release."
Konohamaru and Mugino opened their eyes in surprise, but soon nodded. In a flash, they surrounded Anato, and all prepared for battle.
Immediately, Konohamaru, Mugino, Sarada, and Mitsuki formed hand seals in unison.
— Ishi Tōjin no Jutsu .
They struck the ground, and a circle of luminous seals appeared around them, spreading throughout the cave. The marks rose from the earth, encircling Anato, and in seconds rendered him immobile. The man struggled violently, trying to break free.
"Saku!" Konohamaru shouted forcefully. "We can't put up with this much longer, do it now!"
Mugino glanced seriously at Saku. The boy hesitated for just a moment, but then performed several hand seals and extended his arm to the side.
— Mokuton : Mokusatsu Shibari no Jutsu .
His arm transformed into thick branches that exploded against the ground. Immediately, more roots and branches sprouted from the earth, violently reaching up toward Anato and trapping him. The branches enveloped him completely, compressing his body until he was lifted into the air as if crucified between the trunks.
Anato tried to break free, growling with savage fury, but the plant prison closed even tighter.
Mugino opened his eyes, impressed, just as the seal dissolved.
Saku sighed and took a step forward. At that moment, the branches that connected to his arm snapped with a sharp crack. Calmly, he withdrew his arm from the wood fibers, which remained firm, holding the prisoner in the air.
The others got back up behind him, tense. Saku raised his head, looking seriously at the trapped man.
—What do you think happened to him…?
Anato just kept screaming and growling, like an enraged beast.
Suddenly, he concentrated more strength into his body, and the branches that held him prisoner began to crack. Saku opened his eyes, surprised, just as the branches shattered into pieces.
With a roar, Anato launched himself straight at Saku.
Mitsuki reacted instantly: he stretched out his arms like whips, trapping Anato tightly. One of his snakes shot out, sinking its fangs into the man's arm. However, Anato unleashed even more power, writhing violently until he broke free.
At that precise moment, from a higher cliff, several ninjas from Vikta's company appeared, surrounding the area. They formed up, pointing their scientific instruments and performing hand seals in unison.
"Now!" one of them shouted.
Bursts of lightning shot out at the same time, falling on Anato in a deafening roar.
BOOM!
With a firm leap, Vikta descended to where Team 7 was. Her hardened expression and voice full of frustration cut through the air.
—You… have disappointed me.
Saku glared at him with suppressed rage, clenching her teeth.
—Vikta, that wasn't necessary!
The president didn't even turn to look at him. His only interest was in Anato, who lay unconscious amidst the remnants of smoke and broken roots.
—Get it under control immediately. As soon as you have it under control, start treatment.
Konohamaru took a step forward, frowning.
—Capturing him was our mission!
Vikta faced him with a stern look.
"If we had let him go free, there would only have been more victims. As president, I made the decision I had to make."
Sarada kept the Sharingan activated, the fury reflected in her crimson eyes.
"It wasn't necessary to go to this extreme..."
Vikta answered without hesitation, each word laden with reproach.
"You couldn't stop him. Mia was wrong to entrust you with this mission. You failed. Return to Konoha."
The words resonated deeply. Sarada pressed her lips together, took a deep breath, and finally closed her eyes, deactivating her Sharingan with a flash.
Vikta turned away, indifferent.
—Load it. We're leaving.
The company's ninjas silently obeyed, lifting Anato onto a makeshift stretcher. The group set off, disappearing into the mist from the waterfall.
Team 7, Konohamaru, and Mugino remained motionless, watching them disappear into the shadows. No one dared to break the silence.
Saku lowered her head, her fists trembling with helplessness.
After several hours, night had fallen over the valley. Team 7 sat silently on an old wooden bridge at the edge of a tranquil lake. The moon's reflection flickered on the water, mingling with the tired faces of Sarada, Saku, and Mitsuki.
Saku broke the silence, her gaze fixed on her reflection.
—I can't stop thinking about what happened… We failed, didn't we? We couldn't stop Anato… nor could we protect him.
Sarada, with her arms resting on her knees, responded in a firm tone, although her eyes showed frustration.
"It wasn't a failure. We tried everything we had. But... I can't accept the way Vikta handled things. I don't like it. It was like she didn't care about anything but her goals."
Mitsuki silently observed his own hands for a moment, before speaking calmly.
"What intrigues me is why Anato was in that state. It didn't seem like a simple accident... his body was mutating. And those roots... they weren't normal Wood Release."
Saku sighed, putting a hand to the back of her neck.
—Exactly. I don't know why, but I feel like Vikta hid something from us.
Sarada squeezed the water with her fingertips, creating ripples on the surface.
—We can't return to Konoha with our arms crossed. We have to uncover the truth.
Mitsuki nodded with his typical serenity.
—If we secretly follow Vikta, we might get more answers.
Saku gave a slight smile, without taking her eyes off her reflection in the water.
—Well, we know what to do. All that's left is to convince Konohamaru and Mugino.
Sarada and Mitsuki smiled, but suddenly Mitsuki looked down and stared at her hand. Her expression changed instantly. Her eyes widened in surprise, and the next moment she fell backward, writhing in pain as she clutched her hand tightly.
Sarada and Saku immediately turned their heads, alarmed, and ran towards him.
"Mitsuki?" Sarada exclaimed with concern.
The skin on his hand turned gray and began to crack, slowly spreading to his arm and face, like a strange infection.
Sarada touched him on the forehead and her voice trembled.
—He has a very high fever!
Saku frowned.
"He needs a doctor... If this continues, it could be serious. Besides... that thing on his skin... it looks like what happened to Anato. What's going on?"
At that moment, Konohamaru appeared in a Shunshin and knelt beside Mitsuki.
"I heard what they said," he said seriously, checking on the boy's condition. "The nearest city is too far away... I don't think he'll make it there."
Sarada glanced at him sideways, desperate.
—So… what do we do?
Mugino appeared behind the group, with a grave expression.
—I know a doctor near here.
They all looked at each other and nodded without hesitation. Saku hoisted Mitsuki onto her back, holding him gently. Without wasting any more time, the team and their sensei began running at full speed, their sole objective to reach the doctor before it was too late.
Elsewhere, Vikta walked calmly down a ruined corridor. The air smelled of iron and damp as she entered a destroyed laboratory. The walls were cracked, and on one of the many stone beds, traces of dried blood still remained.
Inside, next to a sink full of broken bottles, a man dressed in Vikta's company uniform was waiting for him.
—Mr. Vikta, welcome —said the man with a nod.
Vikta stopped and looked at him coldly.
—We couldn't find anything in Anato. Did you discover anything here?
The doctor, with dull, colorless eyes, replied in a monotone:
—The item was found here. In the end, Anato did as we instructed… he began the experiment. But, apparently, he ran into problems. His body ended up absorbing the item.
Vikta inhaled deeply, as if containing her frustration, and asked calmly:
—Where is the article now?
"At the moment, he is not in this place," the doctor replied.
At that moment, another man entered through the laboratory door and approached Vikta from behind.
"Sir," he reported nervously. "After examining Anato's body... we found nothing. The data was lost, and the modified death sample didn't work either. Without the original article... we can't move forward."
Vikta lowered her gaze to the ground, closed her eyes seriously, and murmured:
—I see… that's a shame.
Immediately, she opened her eyes and her voice turned icy.
—Kill Anato. He's useless now.
Just then, a third doctor rushed in. He bent down next to the head of the lab and whispered something in his ear. The man paled, and then spoke aloud:
—New developments… Apparently, the body number doesn't match the one registered in the lab. It's possible he fled the scene… taking the sample with him.
Vikta's eyes widened in fury. She clenched her jaw so tightly that a clicking sound echoed through the room.
"Find him!" he roared, his voice echoing off the crumbling walls. "I want to know what he did with what's mine."
Meanwhile, Team 7 advanced through a rocky area dotted with small patches of green. The fog wasn't dense; it revealed a landscape that, under other circumstances, might even have been pleasant.
Saku walked along, observing her surroundings. Sarada, sitting behind her, looked at Mitsuki and said:
"He seems to be improving. If they treat him soon, he'll be fine."
Saku took a breath and nodded silently. They continued until they came across a row of tents: tarpaulins tied with ropes forming a small, camouflaged stop in light brown tones.
Mugino stopped in front of the entrance and touched the canvas. Saku commented ironically:
—This is the place. It doesn't look like much, does it? Hahaha.
Sarada looked at him coldly and replied:
-Be quiet.
A moment later someone opened the door from the inside: a figure fell backward and, from inside, a rasping voice came out saying:
—Don't escape!
The man who had fallen, dressed in hospital gowns, was startled and, limping with a crutch, ran away. Then a woman appeared in the doorway, offering a smile that was anything but friendly.
"Why are you running?" she said mockingly. "I haven't heard enough screaming yet. Do you want me to fix your leg? Hahaha."
Mugino looked up and commented:
—I see you haven't changed, Yubina .
Yubina , with dark skin and light brown hair, glanced sideways and replied with amusement:
—If you're Mugino, I suppose you've come for a boring job, right?
Mugino shook his head.
—This time I'm bringing you a patient.
Yubina 's smile grew stranger, a mixture of amusement and cruelty. She looked at Saku and said aloud:
—An interesting patient. I hope his screams will delight me. Hahaha.
Sarada and Saku watched her with suspicion and a certain fear, without responding. Mugino calmly explained:
— Yubina , she's the doctor.
The woman nodded and, without losing her smile, added:
—It will be urgent, so you'll have to pay double.
Mugino answered seriously
-It doesn't matter…
The three of them entered. Mitsuki lay on a stretcher; his breathing was shallow. Yubina's hands were spread across his chest and stomach; a greenish chakra emanated from her palms, seeping like a liquid and soaking the sheet beneath him. Mitsuki's grayish, cracked skin contrasted sharply with the sickly glow of that technique.
Those present watched in silence, letting Yubina do her job.
A moment later, the woman spoke with amusement:
—Wow, she has a strange body… she's sure to scream a lot.
Saku sighed and commented ironically:
—Hey, the bad jokes are mine… But tell me, will she be okay? What's wrong with her?
Yubina smiled maliciously.
—Do you want to know? Just wait until I take it out.
Then he looked up at the others and asked:
—Are any of you medical ninjas?
Sarada knelt beside Mitsuki and replied firmly:
—I am a medical ninja.
Saku glanced at her sideways and asked incredulously:
—And since when are you a medical ninja?
Sarada observed him calmly before answering:
—My mom taught me… well, actually I asked her to train me. It was difficult, but I managed.
Yubina smiled with crooked amusement.
"What a lovely story... but you're still a beginner. Never mind." She looked up at the others present and clicked her tongue. "You'd better leave. You're all in the way."
Saku looked at her with annoyance, crossing her arms.
—Well, I don't want to. I'll plant myself here like a tree.
Konohamaru, with a lopsided smile, effortlessly took his shoulder.
—Don't be stubborn, Saku.
Konohamaru barely had time to grumble at Saku before dragging him out of the room.
The group waited in silence, surrounded by the grayish moor. A light breeze stirred the mist, revealing patches of green among the arid rock.
Saku crossed her arms and murmured uncomfortably:
—Can we really leave it in that woman's hands?
Mugino, sitting on a rock, replied without flinching:
—Although it may not seem like it, Yubina is a medical ninja .
Konohamaru looked at him seriously.
—A medical ninja living in a place like this?
Mugino sighed, as if he had already explained the same thing too many times.
"You saw how strange she is. That's why she distanced herself. Now she treats ninjas from neighboring villages... I myself went to her more than once."
Konohamaru and Saku looked at each other without saying anything, but Mugino continued, firmly:
—Don't worry. Yubina won't let Mitsuki die.
Inside the tent, Sarada assisted Yubina as she worked with almost unsettling concentration. Several minutes passed before, finally, a grayish, cracked fragment emerged from Mitsuki's body. It was like a piece of dead bark. Yubina dropped it into a container and smiled with a sinister calm.
Shortly after, the door burst open. Sarada stepped out with a look of relief on her face.
—We're finished. Mitsuki is out of danger, you can go in.
Saku, Konohamaru, and Mugino immediately turned around. Their tense expressions eased as they hurried inside.
There they found Mitsuki lying down, unconscious but breathing steadily. Sarada was covering him with a blanket.
"She'll recover," she said firmly. "She just needs to rest."
Saku looked at him silently for a few seconds. Then he noticed that, in a bed next door, Yubina had fallen asleep, exhausted from the effort of the operation.
The hours passed slowly. The sun was hiding behind the mist when Mitsuki opened his eyes and, with difficulty, sat up on the cot. The group's silence surrounded him until he spoke in a low voice.
—I'd like to thank you… but you're not awake yet.
Sarada smiled sweetly.
—She's a good doctor. You can tell that, deep down, she loves what she does.
Saku clicked her tongue, forcing a smile.
—Or she likes listening to screams too much… she seems more like a degenerate enjoying that, hahaha.
A soft laugh broke the silence. Yubina opened one eye, tilting her head with a crooked smile.
—That's unnecessary, brat.
The group tensed up, but Yubina just closed her eye again, snuggling closer under the sheets.
Saku was surprised and took a step back.
Slowly, Yubina began to sit up. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Mitsuki.
—Thank you… you saved me —he said with a slight smile.
Yubina responded with an amused expression.
—You've already spoken, there's no need to thank me. But I must say you have a rather special body.
Mitsuki remained calm.
—My father doesn't want them to know much about me.
—Well, that saved your life—replied Yubina . —Your resistance is much greater than that of a normal person.
Mitsuki frowned.
-What do you mean?
"Something entered your body," she explained. "That triggered your immune system. Your immune system is much stronger than most people's, so you experienced the side effects because your body was trying to get rid of it."
He stood up and walked to a nearby table. Carefully, he picked up the grayish fragment he had extracted from Mitsuki.
—This is what I got out of her.
Everyone watched her seriously.
Saku narrowed her eyes and murmured:
—That's… Mokuton, right?
Yubina looked at him for a few seconds, raising an eyebrow.
—Do you know what it is?
Saku sighed. She extended her hand and, in an instant, it transformed into tree branches.
"I am a Senju," he confessed.
Yubina 's eyes widened in surprise, but Saku continued:
—That fragment didn't come from my body. It's possible that not even my cells have that much power.
Mugino sighed heavily.
—With this, we now know what happened.
Konohamaru clenched his fists.
—So… the Anatomy team was looking for Hashirama's cells, right?
Mugino collapsed onto a bed, exhausted.
"We need to inform Konoha immediately. The fact that those cells are running loose is already a huge problem, and furthermore..."
The silence broke it. Yubina sighed, walked between them, and spoke without looking back:
—Follow me. I'll show you something.
They looked at each other, hesitating, but in the end they followed her. They walked down a narrow corridor until they reached another room covered by blue curtains. The place was dark, barely illuminated by a dim lamp.
With a single pull, Yubina drew back the curtains.
—I'm afraid your hypothesis is already out of control.
Beyond, a small dome-shaped barrier enclosed an unconscious girl. Her skin was marked with the same signs of the wood release that Mitsuki had experienced.
Konohamaru clenched his jaw in anger.
—Damn… this is very bad.
Mugino lowered his gaze, worried.
—Now everything is getting worse.
Yubina exhaled deeply, crossing her arms.
"That barrier is the only thing preventing the wood release from spreading throughout his body. But I don't know how long he can hold out like that."
A moment later, everyone returned to the main room. Mitsuki, still sitting on his bed, was the first to speak.
—I didn't think it would be like that…
Saku crossed her arms and spoke seriously.
"My ancestor's cells are too powerful for ordinary people to handle. But I wonder... how did they get to this point?"
Mitsuki turned his gaze towards Yubina .
—One question… will I be able to resume the mission?
"Not so fast," she replied calmly.
Mitsuki watched her with concern.
—Is there something wrong with my body?
Yubina said . "You were saved by your immune system. Although you suffered side effects, the cells didn't manage to possess you."
Saku glanced at her and asked:
—What do you mean by that?
Mitsuki opened her eyes a little, understanding.
—Sure… it could work if antibodies are created.
Yubina smiled with satisfaction.
—Exactly. And those antibodies could help many people heal.
Mitsuki nodded firmly.
—What do you need me to do?
Yubina reached into her pocket and pulled out a small container of blood.
—I took a sample from your body earlier, but I still need time to create the antibodies properly.
Mitsuki nodded. Konohamaru looked at him with a calm smile and asked.
—Can you do it?
Mitsuki looked up and nodded decisively.
-Yeah.
Saku and Sarada approached Mitsuki and spoke in unison:
—Don't worry, we'll manage to get it done.
They both raised their fists, and Mitsuki smiled before raising his. The three of them bumped fists firmly and then smiled, sharing a quiet trust.
Konohamaru watched them with a slight smile, but his expression soon turned serious as he looked at Mugino. Mugino returned his gaze and nodded.
"The first thing will be to find the origin of Hashirama's cells," Konohamaru said in a firm tone.
Then he looked towards Yubina .
—Can you tell us where the sick girl was from?
Yubina held his gaze, without losing her composure.
—I found her in front of my door. She's been unconscious ever since.
Mugino crossed his arms and sighed.
—Then it won't help us at all…
Konohamaru nodded with concern.
—The first thing will be to locate those cells before they cause more damage.
At that moment, Yubina adopted a thoughtful expression, although shortly afterwards a mischievous smile appeared on her face.
Konohamaru and Mugino looked at her suspiciously, and Mugino was the first to speak:
—What are you laughing at, Yubina ?
Yubina let out a soft laugh.
"Hahaha... so that's what it was. I heard a very interesting rumor," he said, crossing his arms with a sly smile. "They say a rather peculiar product has appeared on the black market."
Konohamaru looked at her with a frown.
-So…?
Yubina shrugged nonchalantly.
"I can't say for sure," he replied with a mocking tone, though his eyes showed a certain caution. "But if we connect the dots, from the appearance of the infected people... it's possible we're talking about Hashirama's cells."
Saku looked at the group seriously.
—I guess we'll go to the black market, then.
Yubina glanced at him and smiled.
—It's not that simple, brat.
Sarada raised an eyebrow.
—What do you mean by that?
Yubina slowly turned her head towards her.
—There is only one nearby place where a black market of that type exists.
Konohamaru frowned deeply and slammed his fist against the palm of his hand.
—Damn… it couldn't get any worse.
Mugino opened his eyes in surprise, immediately understanding what he meant.
Sarada watched them, confused.
—What's going on?
Mugino spoke in a serious voice.
—This is going to be a problem.
Konohamaru nodded with a gloomy expression.
—The nearest place where that type of merchandise moves… is the Land of Silence.
Sarada and Saku looked at each other, surprised.
Mugino continued in a more serious tone.
"The Land of Silence is lawless. It's a haven for rogue ninjas and criminals from neighboring villages. If Hashirama's cells are there... we're in for a real hell."
Konohamaru nodded seriously and spoke:
—We have no other choice. We have to go.
Mugino nodded and started walking toward the exit; the rest followed him. Before leaving, they said goodbye to Yubina .
Upon leaving the tents, Konohamaru took out a scroll and spread it on the ground. With a precise gesture, he struck the seal with the palm of his hand; a puff of smoke rose, and from it appeared a messenger bird.
Mugino looked at her and said:
—Will you call for reinforcements?
Konohamaru shook his head, doubtfully:
"I don't think they'll arrive in time... but Konoha needs to know."
He placed a small note on the bird's leg—a summary of what had happened and the direction—and tied it carefully. The bird gave a powerful flap of its wings and rose, disappearing into the fog in one direction.
Meanwhile, Team 7 reunited and, with their roles now clear, set off for the Land of Silence, aware that what they were looking for awaited them in a place where rules did not exist.