"When we reach the mission site, we'll stay hidden. We'll only step in if your life is in imminent danger," said Yūhi Mitsune, her voice as cold as ever.
"I hope you'll remain cautious during the mission. Don't let our presence make you careless," she added, her tone unwaveringly sharp.
Her tall figure and frosty demeanor screamed "queenly authority."
"Don't worry—you won't get a chance to step in. You can treat this mission as a vacation. You'll witness a one-man ninjutsu spectacle," Jiraiya replied with a confident smile.
"Bold words. If you can't handle it, I'll let you suffer a bit longer before stepping in. I despise men who talk big," Mitsune retorted, her icy glare cutting through the room.
"Whether it's just talk or not, you'll find out soon enough," Jiraiya replied. Without further words, he left the Hokage's office, vanishing in a blur of Body Flicker Technique.
His destination: the bounty office he was tasked to destroy.
The office wasn't far from Konohagakure. If it were too far, keeping tabs on Konoha ninja activity would be much harder.
With his speed, Jiraiya estimated it would take two hours to reach the location using Body Flicker Technique. Once the mission was complete, he'd still have time to return and indulge in Tsunade's… charms.
Behind him, Yūhi Mitsune led her Anbu team, keeping pace. About two hours later, Jiraiya stopped on a tree branch, gazing ahead at a cylindrical building—the bounty office of the Land of Earth.
The building stood alone on a desolate plain, far from any village or town. The front gates were shut, and the windows were tightly sealed. According to Konoha's Anbu intelligence, this office had ceased issuing bounties. The ninja stationed there had started purchasing supplies like weapons and medical pills, intending to smuggle them back to the Land of Earth.
Konoha couldn't tolerate such actions, especially with war on the horizon. Allowing enemy ninja to procure strategic resources on Konoha's turf would be a massive embarrassment.
"When do you plan to act?"
Mitsune's voice broke the silence as she appeared beside Jiraiya, slightly out of breath. Keeping up with him using Body Flicker Technique had taken a toll on her team's chakra and stamina.
"First, summon the Anbu watching this place. If all the enemy ninja are inside, I'll act immediately," Jiraiya replied.
"You've been using Body Flicker Technique since we left the village. Aren't you going to recover your chakra first?" Mitsune asked, surprised at his eagerness. She and her team had already depleted a significant portion of their chakra—some were down to only 20% reserves.
"I've already recovered to full strength while we've been talking," Jiraiya replied with a shrug.
Mitsune blinked, momentarily stunned. She couldn't help but think, Doesn't this man ever tire?
Jiraiya, sensing her disbelief, smirked inwardly.
This must be the burden of being exceptional, he mused.
Mitsune didn't respond immediately, taking a moment before letting out a soft clicking sound from her mouth—a signal unique to the Anbu.
Moments later, a figure wearing a black boar mask emerged from the shadows.
"Captain Mitsune," the Anbu ninja greeted with a bow.
"What's the situation inside?" Mitsune asked without delay.
"Just earlier, two jōnin from the Land of Earth returned to the bounty office with supplies—weapons and medical pills—from nearby towns. They haven't left since. Based on my observations, they'll likely attempt to leave the Land of Fire today," the Anbu operative reported.
"They won't be leaving alive," Jiraiya said, pulling out the Lightning Flame Blade strapped to his back and stepping toward the bounty office.
Recently, his training in Mount Myōboku had taken up much of his time, leaving him fewer chances to enjoy Tsunade's company. He wanted this mission over with quickly so he could return to what truly mattered.
"Establish a perimeter and ensure no enemies escape," Mitsune ordered her team. Though her mask hid her face, her displeasure at Jiraiya's recklessness was evident in her tone.
She thought his eagerness bordered on arrogance. Acting without allowing her team to recover their chakra fully seemed irresponsible. If any of the enemy ninja escaped, her depleted team might struggle to contain them.
"By the way," Jiraiya said with a smirk, glancing back at her, "I'm not being reckless. I'm just confident in my abilities. My strength is as exceptional as your long legs—both unparalleled among Konoha's elite."
Mitsune paused, surprised by the unexpected compliment. Though she found him arrogant, she couldn't deny his taste was… accurate.
Her long legs were indeed unmatched, even among Konoha's kunoichi.
"Fine. But if you fail, don't expect me to help until you've had your share of pain," she shot back, her tone sharp but with a hint of amusement.
Jiraiya didn't reply, instead focusing on the bounty office ahead.
With a swift slash of the Lightning Flame Blade, he split the front gates in two. The loud crash echoed across the plain, signaling the start of the assault.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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