Haseo had already decided to protect the most ideal version of himself in this world, so naturally he wouldn't provoke trouble in an enemy nation anymore, let alone target anyone stronger than him. In fact, he had never caused any trouble in enemy territory, nor had he ever sought to confront anyone more powerful than himself.
Yet the world often defies expectations—even when someone decides to turn over a new leaf, past habits have a way of dragging things forward. Specifically in Haseo's case, just when he least wanted trouble, trouble came looking for him.
The three-man squad withdrew along their original route. Thanks to detection jutsu patterns set up by Renjiro along the way, everything behind them was visible and transparent to Haseo, so Haseo could clearly see everything happening behind them, meaning they didn't have to guess at potential attacks or ambushes.
While the team was extremely tense during the surveillance mission, on the return trip, though no one had fully let their guard down, they were noticeably less tense than before.
After retreating back into the Land of Frost, Renjiro seemed somewhat exhausted, so the squad decided to stop for a short break.
"I'm gonna go take care of something out back—this sudden drop from high tension feels like it's giving me diarrhea… A powerful ninja like the Second Mizukage really puts pressure on a guy," Renjiro said awkwardly.
"Alright. Go somewhere far off and make it quick," Haseo replied.
Renjiro immediately ran off to deal with his stomach issue, while Haseo and Chichio stayed put, hiding themselves atop a large tree to rest slightly while waiting for him.
Whether it was just his imagination or not, shortly afterward Haseo couldn't help but notice a faint, rumbling sound echoing repeatedly in his ears. It seemed to be coming from an extremely distant place, but if real, he believed it could only be the sounds of battle between the Second Mizukage and the Second Tsuchikage.
Of course, considering the distance involved, this was quite possibly just a hallucination.
Then, something cool slipped through the gaps in the leaves and landed on Haseo's face—one drop, then two more. Looking upward, he realized the sky had begun drizzling lightly.
"The Mizukage… huh?"
Haseo speculated that such a weather change might be the result of a wide-area ninjutsu technique used by the Second Mizukage.
Compared to what might have just been Haseo hearing things, that possibility actually seemed more likely.
Just as Haseo's thoughts drifted toward the battlefield elsewhere, Renjiro swiftly moved through the woods and stopped at a location where he had previously placed a scouting jutsu pattern.
There, he lifted his head toward an empty space and asked, "Have all the forces arrived? Is the space-sealing barrier technique ready?"
As soon as his voice faded, a figure gradually materialized from that spot, replying, "We've mobilized practically every available force from both the Land of Rice Fields and the Land of Waterfalls. We moved quickly enough… but I still doubt your judgment. Compared to this matter here, we should focus our forces on capturing the Second Mizukage."
"There's no need to worry about the Second Mizukage anymore. He's already run into the Tsuchikage, and unless something goes off-plan, they should be fighting right now... This intelligence was only just confirmed—we hadn't had time to relay it yet."
"What? The Mizukage and the Tsuchikage have already started fighting... Then it seems we need to resolve our current situation quickly. Let's use the forces we've gathered and eliminate both the Mizukage and Tsuchikage in one strike." Compared with the current situation here, this ninja clearly considered the battle between the Mizukage and Tsuchikage more important... which was only natural.
However, Renjiro couldn't help but remind him, "Lord, the Mizukage and the Tsuchikage represent the past of Mist and Iwagakure respectively. Since they're evenly matched, even without our intervention, their fight will likely end with both dying—but that Leaf ninja is different. He embodies Konoha's future."
When he spoke now, he completely lacked that slightly clumsy appearance seen before—he looked extremely serious.
"I've met that ninja before... I don't think things are as serious as you describe. I'm here, Nikaido is also here, and approximately eighty elite Kumo ninja have gathered here too. Deploying such power is already excessive."
"Lord, what you met was him three years ago, not who he is now... Indeed, using such force against a young Leaf ninja seems excessive, but if we consider this force being used to eliminate the future Hokage of Konoha, then it would undoubtedly be a bargain."
"Fine, I hope your judgment proves trustworthy... Everything you requested has already been arranged. No one will escape from here."
Although there had been slight changes to his features, if Haseo were present he'd certainly recognize this person—this was B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of Kumo. During Haseo's previous diplomatic mission to Kumogakure, he'd formed a deep impression of him.
Conversely, within the Konoha team back then, Haseo himself hadn't stood out much. Who could have predicted that in just a few short years, he'd grow into someone potentially threatening in the future?
"If I'd known back then… Oh well, there's no point in dwelling on things that can't be changed. Even if I had known, there was nothing he could've done about it at the time."
Renjiro hadn't returned for a long time, and unusual chakra fluctuations began shining in the sky above. Meanwhile, rustling sounds came from the surrounding forest. Even if Haseo were somewhat insensitive, he could still perceive that something was wrong.
"Luoyu Slope—is that what this place is called? If so… this must be where I meet my end."
But strangely enough, Haseo showed no signs of nervousness whatsoever, even finding the mood to continue making jokes.
"Haseo," compared to him, Chichio's reaction was exactly how a ninja should react when facing such circumstances. She tightly stared at the ninja after ninja emerging from the woods, then said, "According to the map, this area is called Frostland, not 'Luoyu Slope.'"
"Oh, then there's no problem. Seems like my fate isn't to die yet."
Then, Haseo asked the Katsuyu hiding on his body, "Katsuyu, can you fly away?"
Katsuyu emerged from atop Haseo's shoulder, antennae waving as she responded, "No good, Lord Haseo. The space around us has been disrupted by a powerful barrier. My body can endure this spatial pressure, but a normal ninja's body wouldn't stand a chance. Trying to force teleportation would only get you crushed by the spatial chaos."
This was truly bad news... Well, more like a mix of good and bad.
"So you're saying from now on, I'll only be able to summon you in one direction?"
"That is correct, Lord Haseo."
Truly complete spatial isolation is nearly impossible to achieve. But stopping someone inside the barrier from escaping through reverse summoning by messing with the space? That wasn't all that hard.
Haseo's eyes flickered slightly. Whoever had set such a trap must have understood him well… At the very least, they knew he always carried a summoned beast.
Even though Haseo had never told his teammates about Katsuyu, her presence probably wouldn't have escaped a Sensor Ninja's notice.
So…
It must be a Sensor Ninja then.
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