Chapter 109: Emergency! White Fang’s Disappearance!

Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Emergency! White Fang’s Disappearance!

April 24, Year 43 of Konoha.

Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki officially got married.

Although the wedding wasn't grand and didn't have many guests, those who attended were all heavyweights, and the atmosphere was lively.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, acted as the officiant.

The Legendary Sannin were all present, along with Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, Sakumo Hatake, the head of the Shimura clan, and Minato's close friends from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

Seeing these people gathered, Shūichi could faintly sense something brewing.

But... Jiraiya was just too unreliable.

He even sent a shadow clone to take over for the busy Shūichi, dragging him off to a corner to beg for "research material."

Shūichi's face darkened. As a model student, how could he engage in such behavior?

What if they were discovered?

Although he wanted to become famous in the ninja world, definitely not through "Sexy Justu" like this.

So, Shūichi firmly rejected Jiraiya but promised they could study something else together another time.

...

In the afternoon, after seeing off the guests, Shūichi, Kakashi, Shisui, and Obito all felt exhausted.

"I didn't expect a wedding to be so troublesome," Obito grumbled. "It would be nice if we could skip this step in the future."

Kakashi immediately retorted, "You can always skip getting married!"

Obito panicked and quickly glanced at Rin Nohara, who was still busy nearby.

Shisui smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Obito. When it's your turn to get married, it'll be others doing all the hard work."

"Look at Minato Sensei; he's extremely happy right now!"

The group turned to look and saw Minato wearing a blissful smile, even though his ear was being tugged by Kushina.

Shūichi couldn't help but mentally comment: I've had enough of this lovey-dovey display today.

Obito, on the other hand, muttered, "Kushina-san is way too violent. Rin is much gentler."

He couldn't resist sneaking another glance at Rin, his face breaking into a shy smile.

Noticing this, Shūichi playfully teased, "Obito, do you have a crush on someone?"

Obito jumped in shock, practically leaping into the air as he frantically denied it, "No! Shūichi, don't say such things!"

Shūichi grinned, "If you do, don't let the chance slip by. Be brave and confess your feelings."

"Look at Asuma; he already made his move on Kurenai!"

Kakashi chimed in dryly, "Shūichi, isn't Shizune the one you like?"

Flustered, Obito found his escape. "Yeah, Kakashi's right! Shūichi, are you and Shizune already together?"

Shūichi spread his hands. "I never denied it, did I?"

So arrogant!

Obito turned red with frustration.

With a sly smile, Shūichi suggested, "Obito, how about we have a duel? Whoever loses has to confess to the girl they like."

Obito wasn't falling for it. He pouted, "You've already reached Special Jōnin. There's no way I'd win against you!"

Shūichi shifted his gaze to Kakashi. "Then duel Kakashi!"

Obito looked at Kakashi, hesitating but also itching for a challenge.

At that moment, Kushina's voice called out, and everyone turned to see her waving them over.

The conversation abruptly ended.

Destiny at work!

Shūichi sighed inwardly and, along with Kakashi and the others, made their way toward Kushina.

...

That evening, dinner was held at Minato's house. After parting with Kakashi and the others, Shūichi and Asuka strolled home together.

Though it was nighttime, the streets of Konoha's central district remained bustling and lively. The sounds of vendors shouting, children laughing and crying filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere of daily life.

Shūichi walked with his hands in his pockets, quietly observing and listening, a faint smile playing on his lips.

This feeling wasn't bad at all.

Meanwhile, Asuka's gaze lingered more on Shūichi than their surroundings.

She couldn't help but feel that there was always a mysterious aura around this young boy, something that unknowingly captivated people.

"Do you have any dreams, Asuka?" Shūichi suddenly asked.

Asuka was taken aback but then smiled. "Of course."

"And that's to live like this, with you and Nonō."

Shūichi raised an eyebrow. "That dream might not be so easy to achieve."

Asuka was startled. "Is it... very difficult?"

Shūichi responded, "Because one day, Asuka will fall for someone else, right?"

Asuka breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. "No way. Don't overthink it, Shūichi!"

Shūichi chuckled but felt more and more the strength of bonds.

Unless someone was utterly heartless, spending time together inevitably formed bonds, feelings, and attachments.

Just like now, this peaceful Konoha... he enjoyed it and didn't want to see it destroyed.

There were also people like Nonō Yakushi, Shizune, Tsunade, Kushina, Minato... each person, like threads, had woven into a net that had captured him.

Shūichi had originally only wanted to live a good life, but now... he wanted more.

"Asuka, you'll have to work hard for your dreams!" Shūichi suddenly said with a smile, then leaped away.

This brief moment of enjoyment was enough; now it was time to continue striving—until... until he stood at the very top!

"Of course! I've always been working hard!"

Asuka clenched her fist, then jumped after him.

...

At night, Asuka and Nonō Yakushi were studying medical ninjutsu in the study, while Shūichi was training with the Lightning Release Body Flicker in the courtyard.

When it comes to the Body Flicker Technique, the most basic version is simply a burst of chakra that propels the user forward at high speed. For most ninjas, this is the standard method, though individuals may have different tricks, and the strength of their chakra determines their speed.

Beyond this basic version, there are also Body Flicker techniques infused with different nature transformations.

Water Body Flicker allows for high-speed movement in watery environments.

Wind Body Flicker, Shūichi only remembered seeing Haku from the Ice Release clan use it, moving as swiftly as the wind.

As for the Lightning Release Body Flicker, the most famous practitioners are undoubtedly the Third Raikage and the future Fourth Raikage of the Cloud Village.

In Lightning Release Chakra Mode, their speed is said to be the fastest in the ninja world.

Shūichi nodded: "Understood!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen then said: "Prepare yourself. They will be waiting for you at the village entrance!"

Shūichi immediately vanished.

...

At the exit of Konoha Village, Shūichi appeared, having removed his long cloak and mask.

He saw his two teammates.

Yūhi Shiwei, who should be the next head of the Yūhi clan.

The other person was unfamiliar to Shūichi, but the distinctive ninja dog indicated that he was from the Inuzuka clan.

Approaching them, Shūichi said: "Hello, I'm Shūichi Hoshita!"

The bespectacled Yūhi Shiwei responded: "Captain, I'm Yūhi Shiwei."

The other person said: "Captain, I'm Inuzuka Kaku!"

"Woof woof!"

The ninja dog following Inuzuka Kaku greeted Shūichi, and Inuzuka Kaku promptly added: "Captain, this is Hoshimaru."

Shūichi looked at the white-furred ninja dog with black spots and greeted it: "Hello, Hoshimaru!"

Then he turned to Minato Namikaze: "Minato Sensei!"

Minato Namikaze nodded: "Let's talk on the way!"

Shūichi complied, and the group of seven set off immediately.

Once they left the village, Shūichi glanced at the somewhat anxious Kakashi and chose not to offer comfort, instead asking Minato: "Minato Sensei, do we have more detailed information?"

"Let me explain,"

Yūhi Shiwei said: "The information we have is from my previous team."

Shūichi turned his attention to Yūhi Shiwei.

Yūhi Shiwei continued: "Due to the terrain in the Land of Wind, we didn't find traces left by Sakumo-senpai. What we found was the battlefield where the first team sent out by the Third Hokage was killed, partly buried by sand."

"Fortunately, they were poisoned, so their bodies were relatively well-preserved, allowing us to gather some information they left before they died, indicating that Sakumo-senpai had encountered an ambush, which included puppeteers."

"But there was no additional information beyond that."

Shūichi considered: "So, the information obtained by the previous team was also very limited."

"Perhaps the battlefield was covered or destroyed by sand, or maybe someone cleaned the site."

Yūhi Shiwei nodded: "We leaned towards such a deduction. The key point is that the information left by the previous team didn't mention whether Sakumo-senpai was dead or if there were any clues about his body."

Uchiha Obito couldn't help but say: "If there's no body, it means Sakumo-senpai is still alive, right?"

"In that case, he must have been captured by the enemy."

Ignoring Uchiha Obito, Shūichi said: "Sand can cover many traces—blood, scents, even bodies."

"If there were no poison, the body wouldn't need to be covered by sand; insects and birds would quickly consume it."

"Given the current situation, Sakumo-senpai is either captured, dead, or injured and escaped, but possibly poisoned or severely wounded, making it impossible to return to Konoha."

Although he listed three scenarios, it was clear to everyone that there were only two possibilities.

Either he was dead or captured!

As for the third scenario of escaping and being poisoned... in the environment of the Land of Wind, after such a long time, the likelihood of death is high.

However, Uchiha Obito, clearly emotional, shouted: "Even if he's dead and his body is consumed by insects and birds, there should still be some traces left!"

Minato Namikaze said sharply: "Obito!"

At this moment, Kakashi suddenly said: "Shūichi, you haven't mentioned one possibility: that the enemy might have taken his body!"

Kakashi's voice trembled a bit as he said the last part.

Shūichi nodded: "If the enemy likely cleaned the battlefield, they might have also taken Sakumo-senpai's body."

"Keep in mind, even a body can be of great intelligence value, especially for a ninja like Sakumo-senpai."

Uchiha Obito looked at Kakashi and said: "A powerful ninja like Sakumo-senpai would require the Sand Village's Kazekage or a large number of elite ninjas to subdue him, right?"

Shūichi pondered seriously: "It's possible that the Third Kazekage personally intervened..."

"The strongest puppeteer in Sunagakure is Chiyo, but given Sakumo-senpai's strength and his fighting style, Chiyo couldn't stop him."

"Obito is right. Either the enemy had a large number of people or there were other strong individuals restricting Sakumo-senpai's speed."

He then looked at Minato Namikaze: "Minato Sensei, there shouldn't be much useful information left if we revisit the site previously investigated by the teams."

Minato Namikaze understood immediately: "So, you suggest we infiltrate Sunagakure?"

Shūichi nodded: "The likelihood of Sunagakure being involved is very high, considering Sakumo-senpai had a significant enmity with them."

"Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law were killed by Sakumo-senpai. They were both powerful Jōnin-level puppeteers."

"Infiltrating Sunagakure seems to be the fastest way to make progress!"

Inuzuka Kaku said: "But it's also the most dangerous way!"

"Even if we enter Sunagakure, the most effective method to verify information would be to target Chiyo or the Third Kazekage, right?"

Minato Namikaze added: "We could also verify indirectly, checking if the Third Kazekage led any team out of the village around half a month ago."

"There should be quite a few people who know this information."

Shūichi nodded and then said: "Then it's decided. We'll split into two teams. Minato Sensei and your team will follow the previous traces, while I will take on the task of infiltrating Sunagakure."

Minato Namikaze quickly said: "I should go instead!"

Shūichi shook his head: "Minato Sensei, your transformation jutsu can't compare to mine, and your genjutsu might not be as effective..."

Minato Namikaze had no choice but to agree.

Infiltrating Sunagakure is not better with more people.

However, Uchiha Obito was stunned by Shūichi's confidence.

Shūichi is incredibly bold, isn't he?

The key point is that Minato Sensei actually agreed!

...

Once the two leaders made their decision, it was set.

That evening, they stayed overnight at the border of the Land of Fire. The next day, after crossing the Land of Rivers and entering the Land of Wind, Shūichi and Minato Namikaze agreed on a rendezvous point, and Shūichi set off alone towards Sunagakure.

Additionally, a flock of crows flew overhead!

(End of Chapter)

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