The Dharma Debate Conference
The Dharma Debate Conference proceeded smoothly.
Jiwu's discourse on the concept of Buddha left a deep impression. Many of his words, though cryptic to outsiders, resonated as profound truths to the monks and devoted Buddhists in attendance.
The debate lasted until evening. Due to the monks' enthusiasm, Jiwu extended his stay at Yuno Temple for another two days before setting off for Konohagakure.
Watching the Enemy
During his stay, Uchiha Tunan discreetly kept an eye on Kakuzu's movements.
The rogue ninja remained unnervingly calm, holed up in the same hotel as if he were waiting for something—or more precisely, for them to leave Yuno Temple.
As time passed, Uchiha Tunan also noticed several other rogue ninjas lurking nearby, each possessing the strength of at least a jōnin.
With this in mind, he became extra cautious.
---
A Stop at Rose Street
On the journey from Yuno Temple down the mountain, the group passed through Rose Street.
Suddenly, Uchiha Tunan spoke up.
"Can you wait for me a moment? I need to buy something."
Minato Namikaze turned to Jiwu, looking slightly conflicted. After all, they were still on a mission, and personal matters required the employer's approval.
Jiwu, however, clasped his hands together in a gentle smile and said, "Go ahead, we'll wait for you here."
"Thank you, Master Jiwu."
Uchiha Tunan entered a gift shop and began browsing.
Today was February 1st. The mission would take about five days to escort Jiwu to the Backfire Temple, and the return trip would take two more.
If there were no major delays, he would be back in Konoha by February 8th—just in time for Sarutobi Hiruzen's birthday.
Uchiha Tunan had written in his journal that he planned to buy a gift for the Third Hokage.
A good gift needed two qualities: thoughtfulness and sincerity.
Thoughtfulness meant choosing something appropriate for the recipient. Sincerity was reflected in the price—relative to similar gifts, of course.
Approaching the counter, he asked politely, "Do you have any high-quality tobacco? The kind used for pipe smoking?"
The shopkeeper nodded. "Ah, you mean shredded tobacco? Yes. Is it for a gift?"
"Yes. It's for my grandfather."
"What a filial young man! Here, we have—"
"No need to introduce them," Uchiha Tunan interrupted gently. "I'll take the most expensive one. Preferably something that isn't available in the Land of Fire."
The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment, then noticed the Konoha forehead protector on Uchiha Tunan's head and immediately put on a polite smile.
He reached to the highest shelf and carefully took down a small, exquisitely packaged bundle.
"This is our finest shredded tobacco. Thank you for your patronage. That'll be 16,000 ryo. Would you like it gift-wrapped?"
Uchiha Tunan nodded. "Yes. And I'll give you an extra 1,000 ryo—in exchange for a receipt stating 66,000 ryo and the most luxurious packaging you have."
The shopkeeper blinked in surprise, unsure if he had heard correctly. "Huh?"
Uchiha Tunan remained composed. "Can't do it?"
The shopkeeper quickly shook his head. "No, no! Of course, I can!"
"Good. Include the receipt inside the box."
Moments later, Uchiha Tunan paid the inflated sum and sealed the package inside a storage scroll.
He smirked slightly. Ordinary shredded tobacco cost only a few hundred ryo, and even the premium blend Sarutobi Hiruzen usually smoked was about 500 ryo per pouch.
The Third Hokage's reaction to receiving a supposedly 66,000-ryo pack of tobacco would be priceless.
---
An Ambush
As dusk fell, Minato Namikaze and the group made their way through the dense forests near the border of the Land of Fire.
The trees grew taller, mist clung to the air, and the damp scent of rain lingered. The soil underfoot was soft, likely from a recent shower.
Scattered puddles reflected their silhouettes as they moved.
Suddenly—
"Whizz!"
Several kunai shot out from the surrounding trees.
"Enemy attack!" Minato called out, reacting instantly.
With swift precision, he deflected the incoming kunai, positioning himself in front of Jiwu.
Kakashi and Uchiha Tunan immediately took formation, shielding their client.
Minato narrowed his eyes, straining his ears for movement. In one fluid motion, he pulled three kunai from his pouch and hurled them toward the source of the attack.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The kunai embedded into tree trunks, forcing three figures to leap away from the branches.
One of them, wearing a scratched-out Kumogakure forehead protector, folded his arms and sneered.
"Konoha shinobi, we'll be taking that old man's life. If you're smart, you'll step aside."
Their attackers were rogue ninjas—missing-nin from Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure.
Minato's expression darkened. Could they handle him?
Nearby, Uchiha Tunan activated his Sharingan, feigning a serious expression.
"Oh? So you're not going to move?" the Kumogakure rogue chuckled. "Fine. I'll take the blond kid. The rest of you can deal with the others. And don't even think about hogging the bounty."
The Iwagakure rogue snorted and clapped his hands together.
"Enough talk. Let's kill them already! Earth Style: Earth Moving Core!"
The ground trembled violently.
Sensing danger, the Konoha shinobi leaped away just as the ground beneath them collapsed into a bottomless pit.
Minato clenched a kunai in his palm and ordered, "Kakashi, Tunan—take Master Jiwu to safety! Leave these guys to me!"
Without hesitation, Uchiha Tunan hoisted Jiwu onto his back and darted into the trees, Kakashi following close behind.
The Kirigakure and Iwagakure rogues moved to pursue them—
But in a flash, Minato appeared on a tree branch behind the Iwagakure rogue, kunai in hand.
"What?! So fast! What kind of jutsu is that?!"
The rogue barely managed to block with his own kunai.
Before he could counter, Minato vanished and reappeared behind the Kumogakure rogue, attacking with lightning speed.
"Damn it! I underestimated him!" the Kumogakure ninja cursed, his fist crackling with chakra as he swung at Minato.
Boom!
The tree trunk shattered under the force of his punch.
But Minato had already teleported away.
Scattering Flying Thunder God kunai around the battlefield, he prepared for the inevitable counterattack.
If these rogues thought they stood a chance against him, they were sorely mistaken.
---
Meanwhile, Uchiha Tunan and Kakashi continued moving at high speed, Jiwu secured between them.
A Kirigakure rogue suddenly appeared in front of them, blocking their path.
Uchiha Tunan narrowed his eyes.
"Looks like we'll have to fight after all."