Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 166 Konoha Has Not Abandoned the Mission

Silent all night.

The next morning, Aburame Shisei opened his eyes in the dim light.

As he wished, the swarm of insects had completely covered the borders of the Land of Hot Springs, and traces of the evil god cult's activities were found in the mountains and forests to the east.

He straightened his clothes and was about to leave when Hideyoshi strode in from outside, carrying water: "Shiraki-kun, you're finally awake. Wash your face; this is warm water I prepared, the temperature is just right."

Thank you.

Even though he had already mastered the Wind Immortal Technique, which kept him clean from dust, he still reached out and washed his face with the basin of water.

The basin contained hot spring water at just the right temperature, showing that this friend genuinely cared for him.

"I'm leaving," said Shisei Aburame, wiping his face.

Although Hideyoshi knew he wouldn't stay long, he couldn't help but ask in surprise, "So, where are you going next, Shiraki-kun? Did you really come to Yugakure just for sightseeing?"

Aburame Shisei felt there was nothing to hide, so he smiled and explained, "Indeed, I came for the Evil God Cult. I just want to see what this so-called Evil God is all about. Once this is resolved, I will head overseas and probably won't be returning to the ninja world for a while."

"I never expected you to be here to eradicate the evil cult." Hideyoshi laughed after hearing this. "I knew you were a good person."

Aburame Shisei forced a smile: "I came to deal with the evil god cult not to save the Land of Hot Springs, but for another purpose."

"Haha, it doesn't matter, we judge by actions, not intentions." Hideyoshi laughed, scratching his head.

The evil cult has been a long-standing problem in Yunin Village, and recently it has even started kidnapping children. Hideyoshi has a feeling that there is an even bigger conspiracy behind it.

If he hadn't been unable to find any clues, he would have already gone to investigate. The village chief said that the village had already sent people to Konoha for help.

"So those Konoha ninjas came to help our Yugakure village?"

"Probably," Aburame Shisei replied casually.

"Shiraki-kun, count me in! I may be weak, but I'm still a Jonin! Destroying the evil cult is our duty as the Yu Ninja. Let me fight alongside you today."

Seeing his persistence, Yu Nu Zhicheng stopped refusing and nodded in agreement—it's always good to have another helper.

After a quick breakfast, the two hurried toward the cave indicated by the insect swarm.

-

Meanwhile, at the temporary camp in Konoha.

Jiraiya, enduring his injuries, bowed his head and apologized to his three young subordinates.

"I'm very sorry, I admit that I was reckless yesterday and almost caused a disaster."

"Lord Jiraiya, you flatter us."

Nara Shikaku never expected that Jiraiya, a member of the Hokage lineage, would so frankly bow his head and admit his mistake.

If he still doesn't accept, it will make him seem inconsiderate.

After the process of apology, helping each other up, and reconciliation was completed, everyone seemed to have returned to normal on the surface, but the rift had already been created, and some things were ultimately difficult to repair.

"I think we should return to Konoha immediately. With a top-tier expert like Shiraki here, it will be very difficult for us to complete the mission." Nara Shikaku calmly analyzed and offered the safest solution for the moment.

But when the topic of the mission came up, Jiraiya's attitude remained unchanged: "We cannot give up."

"Shiraki's strength is unfathomable, but if he really wanted to harm us, none of us would have escaped yesterday. Since he said he was just passing by, as long as we don't provoke him, we should be fine."

Jiraiya spoke earnestly, trying to persuade everyone.

Nara Shikaku's lips moved, but he ultimately swallowed back the words of dissuasion.

He wasn't persuaded, but yesterday's conflict made him see some things clearly—over the years, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio had sacrificed so much for the Hokage lineage, only to be met with such reckless adventures and stubbornness.

Disappointment accumulates little by little. Perhaps it's time for the Ino-Shika-Cho trio to reconsider their future stance.

Caught in the middle, Minato Namikaze was in a dilemma. On one side was his classmate and future subordinate, and on the other was his mentor, who had already paved the way for him.

If this mission ends, they will be stuck at the level of special Jonin for a long time.

If he succeeds, he will be promoted to Jonin and truly enter the core circle of Konoha.

That way, he would be one step closer to Kushina. Perhaps in the future, he could marry Kushina step by step, and even sit in that position that everyone admires.

Although Minato Namikaze was kind and cheerful, he was by no means stupid. He could naturally see through the Third Hokage's intentions and understand his teacher's good intentions.

He had already seen his future path clearly. If he missed the opportunity due to the failure of the mission, he might miss or postpone some things if he was just one step behind.

He didn't want to have any regrets.

"Let's continue with the mission."

"I believe in Jiraiya-sensei, and I also believe that Shiraki-senpai is not a bloodthirsty person."

Having said all that, anyone who objected would be ungrateful. The other two nodded in agreement, and Nara Shikaku could only comply in the end.

"Where do we go next?" Akimichi Choza suddenly asked.

Minato Namikaze immediately ordered, "Yesterday, my teacher and I found some clues. Today, we'll go directly to meet the village chief who issued the mission."

"As for Jiraiya-sensei, since you excel at investigation, please continue tracking those suspicious targets from yesterday. This is our mission, and given what happened yesterday, I'm leaving it to you."

"Okay, this is my responsibility."

After Jiraiya finished speaking, he turned around and disappeared from the spot, without making any excuses as he had yesterday.

The other four contacted the village chief of Yu-no-Kuni whom they had met the day before, in preparation for gathering further intelligence.

The four arrived at the village chief's house and knocked on the door: "Village chief, we are ninjas sent by Konoha to carry out a mission. My name is Namikaze Minato, and I am the team leader. These are my teammates, Yamanaka Kazuo and Nara..."

Just then, a ninja from the Land of Hot Water rushed into the village chief's house in a panic, interrupting their conversation.

"Village Chief! Something terrible has happened! A large group of masked, red-clad members of an evil cult have suddenly appeared in the village. They're smashing shops and killing people indiscriminately!"

"How could this be... how could it be so sudden!"

The old village chief looked completely helpless. Despite being a powerful Jonin, he appeared as helpless as a child.

"Fellow powerful figures of Konoha, I beg you, save our people!"

Minato Namikaze nodded emphatically, no longer caring about gathering intelligence; saving lives was the priority.

"Okay, leave everything to us!"

"Ichio, Shikamaru, Choji, we'll split up. Our primary objective is to rescue people! We must find the mastermind behind this riot as quickly as possible, stop them, and end the chaos!"

"Understood!" the three replied in unison, and with a flash, they quickly disappeared into the streets and alleys.

It was soon discovered that the evil cult's looting and vandalism were merely a cover; their real target was actually the abduction of children aged one to six.