Ōnoki listened to his granddaughter's words and forced a wry smile.
It seemed his granddaughter had misunderstood.
He was far from an invincible shinobi.
In the current shinobi world, even if his old bones didn't fear the aggressive Fourth Raikage in the slightest...
...he was quite intimidated by Uchiha Ryōsuke of the Leaf Village's Uchiha clan.
This man was yet another super-powered figure to emerge from the Uchiha clan since Uchiha Madara.
He couldn't help but be cautious.
"Your grandfather wouldn't dare compare himself to someone like Uchiha Madara, even if that man is a terrifying and unpleasant fellow."
Kurotsuchi tilted her small head in surprise, deep in thought. 'Is he really that strong?'
She knew her grandfather had shown her the power of his Kekkei Tōta, Particle Style.
A full-power strike from Particle Style could turn an entire mountain to dust; it was terrifying.
Just how strong was this Uchiha Madara that even her grandfather felt inferior?
Ōnoki then looked at his son, Kitsuchi.
"Kitsuchi, you and I will personally leave the village to bring the two Jinchūriki back."
"Understood, Father."
Kitsuchi replied immediately.
Beside them, Kurotsuchi's eyes lit up at the mention of leaving the village.
She hadn't been out of the village in a long time.
"Grandpa, let me come along too!"
Ōnoki rejected her instantly.
"No. Leaving the village is too dangerous. Stay here in the village."
Kurotsuchi couldn't help but feel frustrated.
"Grandpa, please take me! It's so suffocating staying in the village."
Kitsuchi looked at his daughter and said,
"Father, with you personally leading the team, there shouldn't be any danger. Plus, I'll be there."
Ōnoki looked at his adorable granddaughter.
He weighed the situation. His suspicion that the man claiming to be Uchiha Madara would target the Stone Village's Jinchūriki was just a guess.
Moreover, even if the enemy was coming to the Land of Earth, they probably wouldn't arrive so soon. They had just captured the Eight-Tails, after all.
Thinking this way, if he led the team himself, there should naturally be no danger.
"Fine. But you must be on your best behavior out there. No wandering off."
A smile immediately broke across Kurotsuchi's face.
"Thank you, Grandpa! Thank you, Father!"
Elsewhere, Ryōsuke led Haku and Zabuza out of the Land of Lightning at high speed.
Only then did they slow their pace.
The Cloud Village shinobi likely wouldn't pursue them any further.
Several days had passed, and the former Eight-Tails Jinchūriki should have woken up by now; he hadn't killed the man.
That guy had likely rushed back to the village to report.
Ryōsuke felt that given the reputation of Uchiha Madara, those people wouldn't dare chase them this far to reclaim the Tailed Beast.
They should be able to recognize the massive gap in their combat power.
And things played out exactly as he expected.
They continued their journey leisurely without encountering any pursuers.
Along the way, he received messages from Tsunade through the Katsuyu he carried.
He didn't hide anything and informed Tsunade of the situation, telling her to keep it a secret.
The trio crossed the Land of Moon and entered the Land of Hot Springs.
Upon entering the Land of Hot Springs, Ryōsuke looked at the steaming springs everywhere, and his interest was piqued.
After all, this was a country famous for its springs.
Using his powerful sensory abilities, he could feel that these hot springs were unique.
Whether in temperature or water quality, they were bound to be exceptionally comfortable.
Naturally, the three of them didn't bathe in the wild springs.
These weren't the best spots; the prime locations had, of course, been turned into professional bathhouses.
The three of them didn't walk far before arriving at a small town.
After enjoying a delicious meal, Ryōsuke said with interest,
"Let's stay in this hot spring town for a few days."
It was rare to get out, so they should enjoy themselves to the fullest. Since Haku was with him now,
he wanted her to enjoy it too.
There was no telling when they would have the chance to visit again.
It was a rare opportunity.
Regarding this decision, Zabuza remarked,
"Lord God King, the news that the Cloud Village's Eight-Tails has been abducted has likely spread throughout the shinobi world by now."
"Other villages might be hiding their Tailed Beasts or putting them under heavy guard."
Of course, heavy guards were useless against the God King.
Even a Tailed Beast from a powerhouse like the Cloud Village had been snatched away; the other villages didn't stand a chance.
Their next destination was the Hidden Waterfall Village.
That was just a minor hidden village, and their most significant military asset was their Jinchūriki.
During this time, although they had slowed their pace, they still heard the civilians they encountered discussing the news of the attack on the Eight-Tails in the Cloud Village.
He wanted to see how the God King would actually achieve peace in the shinobi world.
The current shinobi world was merely in a brief period of peace following the Third Great Ninja War; no one knew when conflict would erupt again.
In truth, the shinobi world remained a place full of schemes, conspiracies, and strife.
Ryōsuke replied with a smile,
"You have a point, but it's rare to bring Haku out for a trip. I don't know when we'll get another chance to soak in such authentic hot springs."
Hearing this, Zabuza admitted that the hot springs of the Land of Hot Springs were indeed highly therapeutic and famous throughout the shinobi world.
Although the God King's leisurely pace didn't quite fit his principles as a shinobi, perhaps this was simply the confidence of the truly powerful.
Even if those villages were prepared, so what?
They wouldn't be able to escape the God King's grasp.
Beside them, Haku was touched. Lord God King was too kind to her, always thinking about taking her out to have fun and eat delicious food.
The three of them subsequently stayed in the town.
Ryōsuke even made a grand gesture and rented out an entire bathhouse.
The owner was naturally swayed by the money.
Ryōsuke did this because he didn't want anyone else to disturb his enjoyment of the bath.
Furthermore, Zabuza flatly refused to bathe with anyone else. As Zabuza touched the bandages wrapped around his face, Ryōsuke seemed to realize something.
He suspected that, much like Kakashi, Zabuza had some compelling reason for keeping his face covered.
This likely wasn't just a quirk of a strong man, but a genuine necessity.
Because a powerhouse like him usually wouldn't hide his face for no reason.
The hot spring water here certainly did not disappoint.
Soaking in the water was far more comfortable than anywhere else.
After relaxing there for a while, all three felt physically and mentally refreshed.
They prepared to set off for their next destination, the Land of Sound.
The Land of Waterfall was located across the Land of Sound.
As they were walking down a forest path after leaving the town, they encountered two people fleeing for their lives. Judging by their attire, they were local civilians.
A frantic shout echoed from the distance.
"Since you refuse to join the Way of Jashin, your only choice is to be offered as sacrifices to Lord Jashin!"
##Discount##
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