A six-year-old girl who possesses two Kekkei Genkai? Her name is Terumi.
"We must rescue Terumi first before heading to Muin Village to pursue her."
"According to our intel, she might be hiding in this area. We need to dispatch three teams of ninja to search for her."
Takayama Haru widened his eyes. "Three teams? Are they the latest graduates?"
Jiraiya nodded.
"But they haven't done any real missions yet..."
Jiraiya spoke in a serious tone. "Yes, they haven't completed any missions, but this will serve as their initiation exam from genin to chunin."
"And you, Takayama Haru, will be the mission commander."
"Me?"
Jiraiya nodded again. "Yes, you are a Senju, after all. Naturally, the command falls to you."
Takayama Haru hesitated. "What about Minato?"
"Minato and I have another mission."
Jiraiya patted Haru on the shoulder. "Don't worry, you won't face any Jonin. We'll divert their attention. Your job is to find Terumi in this forest."
"Got it."
Since Jiraiya had put it that way, Haru felt it was his duty to accept.
As he saw Jiraiya off and began contemplating the mission's details, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
\[Ding! Congratulations, host, you've reached Shadow-level strength!]
Takayama Haru blinked and quickly opened his stats.
\[Name: Takayama Haru]
\[Strength: Shadow Level]
\[Rank: Special Ninja]
\[Character Card: SSS-level Senju Hashirama (Fusion 50%)]
\[Kekkei Genkai: Divine-level Wood Release (linked to character card)]
\[Jutsu: Flying Thunder God Lv3, Earth Reincarnation Lv3, Lightning Chidori Lv3, Lotus Fury Lv3, Yin Seal Lv3, Byakugou Technique Lv3, Four Symbols Seal Lv3, Reaper Death Seal Lv3, Harem Technique Lv3, Shadow Shuriken Jutsu Lv3]
He also had a Supreme Gift Pack still unopened.
He had been so preoccupied with his proposal to Kushina that he had forgotten about it.
\[Ding! Opening Supreme Gift Pack. Congratulations, you have obtained: S-level Character Card - Uzumaki Ashina.]
Uzumaki Ashina, the leader of the Uzushio Village and head of the Uzumaki clan, was a master of sealing techniques, known as the progenitor of Konoha's Fuinjutsu.
Haru's eyes nearly bulged out.
Uzumaki Ashina?!
A legendary Shadow-level figure of his era.
His unmatched Fuinjutsu instilled fear across other ninja villages.
After his death, many nations banded together to destroy the Uzumaki, leading to the fall of their nation.
The surviving Uzumaki went into hiding, scattered across the world.
Currently, the card couldn't be used, as the Senju Hashirama card hadn't fully fused yet. Once it reached 100%, the Uzumaki Ashina card could be integrated, unlocking the full suite of Uzumaki sealing techniques.
Would he eventually be able to seal even a full Nine-Tails?
...
The next morning, Haru arrived at the Ninja Academy. The other two teachers leading the mission had already gathered.
"Takayama Haru-kun, you're here."
Haru blinked in surprise—one of the Chuunin leaders was none other than Mikoto?
Thinking back, Konoha's Twelve included kunoichi like Sakura, Hinata, and Tenten, all of whom took on missions before settling down.
Jiraiya had mentioned last night that the borders were again unstable. Even the Fire Nation, one of the Five Great Countries, was seeing increased conflict, which meant most high-ranking Konoha ninja were already deployed.
So, for this mission, the leaders besides Haru (as a special ninja) were all Chuunin instructors.
Mikoto, being a Chuunin, made perfect sense.
If Haru remembered correctly, she had personally trained both Itachi and Sasuke in shurikenjutsu, indicating her skill.
Mikoto studied Haru curiously, wondering what kind of power he held for Jiraiya himself to entrust him with command.
After all, someone on par with Minato usually led such missions.
The other teacher, Haruno Akira, greeted Haru respectfully.
Rumors about the last remaining male Senju had spread through Konoha. Every Chuunin and above had heard of Takayama Haru.
One man had pressured three village elders into stepping down or leaving—a feat few could grasp fully.
Haruno Akira?
Haru asked with curiosity, "Mr. Akira, do you have a daughter named Sakura?"
Akira quickly waved his hands. "No, no, Takayama-sensei, please don't tease me. I'm not even married yet—you'll cause misunderstandings."
"Haha, sorry, my bad."
Haru realized he might be asking a bit too early.
"Let's head out then."
They had agreed to rendezvous with the students at the eastern edge of the Konoha Forest, ten kilometers from the village.
If the students couldn't make it there alone, they had no business going on missions—it would be suicide.
Haru, Mikoto, and Akira reached the forest edge.
Haru noticed his seventh-year students: Kakashi, Rin, and another group—Team 7, including Guy, Ebisu, and others who had already arrived.
Rin greeted them politely, "Takayama-sensei, Mikoto-sensei, Akira-sensei, good morning."
Mikoto beamed and walked over to Rin, gently patting her head. "Rin, you came too."
"Yes, I'm in Team Seven."
Kakashi grumbled, "Teacher, that idiot Obito is late again."
Haru chuckled. "It's alright. We'll wait."
Soon, Mikoto's team members arrived as well. Haru, however, wasn't impressed.
Eight students stared at Haru and the other teachers.
But since it was time to depart and Obito had yet to arrive, Haru said, "You two go ahead. I'll wait for my students."
Mikoto immediately responded, "It's fine, we can wait."
"Yes, Takayama-sensei, there's still time."
Haru shook his head. "Better not. If we move as a group, we'll attract attention."
"Our goal is to avoid Muin Village forces. Smaller groups are safer. Best to split up."
Then Haru handed them each a talisman. "These are protective charms I crafted. Take good care of them."
Mikoto and Akira curiously accepted the charms. Could they really be useful?
...
Ten minutes later, Mikoto and Akira led their teams away, leaving only Haru, Kakashi, and Rin.
Suddenly, a figure crashed out of the forest and fell hard to the ground.
No need to guess—Obito was late again.
Kakashi crouched in front of him. "Obito, you're late again."
"I..."
Haru interrupted with a smile. "It's fine. No need to explain. Let's go. Our destination is the Land of Water, Muin Village. It's a long journey."