The mission was thus settled, with the departure time set for around 10 AM tomorrow. After the two of them left Orochimaru's office area, they each began their preparations.
Compared to Kimimaro, who only needed to adjust his condition and equip himself, Amane's first task was to return to her residence in the Sound Village, where someone was waiting for her.
Inside the visible part of the Sound Village, Amane arrived at a luxurious wooden house situated next to a stream, where the surrounding air carried the fragrance of flowers.
This was the residence Orochimaru had arranged for the three of them.
Initially, it was just an empty lot, which made Karin and her mother feel like it was a show of dominance. However, after Amane clapped her hands and used the Wood Release House-Building Technique, this place officially became their home.
"I'm home." She energetically opened the door, and the fresh, fragrant air inside immediately rushed out, instantly washing away the smell of blood from the Sound Village's underground facilities.
This was Momohime's masterpiece. Who would have thought that Momohime would be so skilled at gardening and flower arrangement?
According to her, Amane had helped her realize her dream, and now, aside from Karin, she had no regrets in death.
"Welcome back. Can you stay home tonight?"
Momohime was dressed like a housewife. Compared to when she first arrived, when she was pale and malnourished, she now had a rosy complexion, and the bite marks on her skin had gradually faded over time, revealing her naturally fair skin.
One really had to marvel at the constitution of the Uzumaki Clan. She didn't look like she was in her late thirties at all. This was the Ninja World, and Momohime had been tormented like that just a few years ago, yet she had recovered completely.
"Yes, I have a mission tomorrow. If it's fast, maybe a month or so; if it's slow, maybe several months," Amane stated her estimated time frame.
Momohime's expression immediately turned anxious.
In the past two years, Amane had never taken a mission that lasted this long. It seemed this trip would be far away.
Momohime's attitude toward Amane was no longer just simple gratitude, especially after learning that Amane was Kushina's child.
She and Kushina had known each other in the Land of Whirlpools. Although they couldn't be called best friends, in a clan-based Ninja Village like Uzushiogakure, their mutual affection was inherently deep. However, since the day their country and home were destroyed, they had never seen each other again.
From Yakushi Kabuto, Momohime learned more than just this. She also learned about the deaths of Kushina and her husband, the Fourth Hokage, on that night 10 years ago in Konoha, the reason Amane had been striving all this time, and her ultimate goal.
This completely exceeded Momohime's imagination—this small body actually carried so many burdens.
But even so, Amane was able to maintain an inherently kind heart and realize the desires in her heart step by step.
Momohime truly wanted to help the descendant of her old acquaintance as much as possible.
But she was truly weak. In the past two years, she had also tried Ninja training, but perhaps she was past that period; although she could refine a good amount of Chakra, she found it difficult to use flexibly.
However, her daughter Karin seemed to have outstanding talent in medical and sensing Ninjutsu, and Yakushi Kabuto had taken her on as an assistant and student.
Whenever she thought of this, Momohime felt deeply ashamed as the elder among the three Uzumaki Clan Members.
Now, the only thing she could do was avoid causing trouble for the two children and try her best to care for and comfort them.
"Don't worry. Normally, nothing bad will happen. The most prominent trait of our Uzumaki Clan is being tough-lived, and I am the most outstanding among them."
Amane's words did nothing to reassure Momohime, even though they were the honest truth.
Regarding the so-called Wind Release Chakra Mode, according to Karin's retelling, white smoke never stopped rising from Amane's body during the training process.
Karin had once thought Amane was using Chakra to boil herself.
"Besides, Kimimaro is going with me this time. Uncle Snake's top two experts—excluding his secretary—are going out together. Aunt Momohime, do you still think I'll run into trouble?"
[Oh no! I've raised a flag!]
After Amane finished speaking, Momohime's expression seemed to improve, but Amane's mood couldn't help but sink a little; she had unknowingly doomed herself.
No accidents will really happen on this mission, right?
Could capturing Jugo really lead to an accident?
Moreover, with my heaven-defying vitality, it would be hard to die. Unless I encounter an expert of the Kage level.
There won't be one, right... For a moment, Amane's thoughts deepened, and she slowly began simulating in her mind what to do if she encountered a Kage-level expert.
Just then, the door was pushed open again, interrupting Amane's deepening contemplation.
"I'm home! Huh? Amane! You actually came back today?!"
It was Karin. Today was truly a good day; since the three of them had found their own things to do, the time they could occasionally spend together in a year was quite limited.
Seeing that Amane was actually here, Karin immediately hugged her from behind, expressing her affection.
"Have you completely stopped calling me Master?" Amane complained.
Ever since she started following Yakushi Kabuto, Karin had "forgotten her roots."
Amane had taught her many of the fundamentals before she was noticed. Before, she would occasionally call her Master enthusiastically, but now the word "Master" only appeared when she needed something from Amane.
"Hehe. After all, we're clearly the same age. Calling you Master would make Amane sound old! When I get married in the future, I still want to ask you to be my bridesmaid.
Amane has to ask me too when you get married. Oh, right, right, are you and Kimimaro really not... a thing?"
Karin said, her face full of gossip.
After all, they were similar in age, and as Orochimaru's right-hand people, rumors were inevitable.
Amane's expression gradually became heartbroken.
Is this romance-obsessed brain truly unavoidable? Is it that hard to focus on improving yourself like Amane? You're only ten, about the same age as me!
Forget it, forget it. At least judging by her cheerful personality now, the possibility of her continuing to be Sasuke's lackey should be gone.
The two chatted a lot more, and Amane also explained that she would be going on a mission with Kimimaro tomorrow and likely wouldn't be back for several months.
Unlike Momohime, Karin was much more accepting of the news. She just told Amane to continue instructing her on the Adamantine Sealing Chains when she returned, her eyes full of trust toward Amane.
There was no helping it; ever since Karin started following Yakushi Kabuto, her horizons had broadened, and she realized just how heaven-defying Amane's existence was.
Konoha's Kakashi was an ordinary Jonin at age 12, which was already exceptional talent. If Amane went all out at age 10, she could definitely take on an Elite Jonin one-on-one.
This was an evaluation from Orochimaru's secretary, plus Karin already had an extraordinary admiration for Amane.
Worry? It would be better to worry that Amane might suddenly fall for some man and run off with him one day.
Following this, the three of them ate dinner together, helped Amane organize her Ninja tools and other necessities, and then each returned to their rooms, preparing to end this rare, pleasant day.
Meanwhile, in Amane's room, Amane's Shadow Clone slipped out the window and into the night, leaving the house and heading straight for the Sound Village's Underground Laboratory.
A slender, yet small, white snake was waiting for her there.
"Have you come to fulfill our promise?"
The White Snake's voice was truly captivating, and coupled with its smooth, snow-white scales all over its body, it was incredibly beautiful.
In any case, when Amane first saw it two years ago, she even felt a strong impulse not to hand it over to Orochimaru.
"Alright, alright, you guessed correctly. I really did come to fulfill the promise. So stop using that Heart-Charming Technique of yours."
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