Chapter 243: Feeling Emptied Out
Masahiko returned fully loaded.
This trip to the battlefield was originally just to check on his disciples' situation, but it went further and further off track. However, the final result... wasn't bad?
At least Masahiko was very satisfied inwardly, feeling absolutely no shame in acting as a "thief."
At the entrance of the Konoha camp, Shikaku, Sakumo, and Masahiko's four disciples were waiting anxiously.
"Uncle Kento, did Elder Masahiko really say he was going to take action personally?"
Kento had finally managed to become an "uncle," and it was Sakumo who called him that.
"Teacher did indeed say he was going to take action personally," Kento replied. He was also somewhat puzzled now.
If Masahiko took action, even if it wasn't earth-shattering, it should at least cause some reaction across the entire battlefield, right? So much time had passed, why was there no commotion at all?
"Could Elder Masahiko have resorted to assassination?" Sakumo didn't even believe it himself as he said it. Of course, no one else would believe it either.
"Teacher is back," Nanako spoke up.
The others focused their gazes. Masahiko's figure was flashing in and out, approaching them rapidly.
"Teacher's way of traveling has changed..."
When Masahiko appeared before them, Shikaku finally couldn't help but ask, "Elder Masahiko, what happened to the Sand Village?"
Masahiko smiled. "Is there any problem when I step in? Rest assured, the Sand Village will retreat very soon."
Shikaku hesitated, truly not knowing whether to believe it or not. At the very least, they hadn't even seen Masahiko's signature Dust Release.
Masahiko also saw through this situation and shook his head. "Don't worry, the Sand Village suffered heavy losses this time."
During his last trip to the Sand Village, Masahiko had noticed that the Sand Village's economy had problems. With the supplies they had accumulated over an unknown number of years taken away by him all at once, they probably wouldn't recover anytime soon.
"If I may be so bold to ask, what method did you use to strike the Sand Village?" Shikaku asked.
Masahiko's face stiffened. "Since you know it's bold, why do you still ask! Nanako, Kento, Nagato, Konan, let's go."
Shikaku and Sakumo watched helplessly as Masahiko led his four disciples further and further away, gradually disappearing from their sight.
"Jonin Hatake, you understand Elder Masahiko better..."
"I do not understand him."
The two struggled with it for a long while until a familiar white-haired figure appeared in the distance.
"Shikaku, the Sand Village suddenly all retreated to their camp. Is there some conspiracy?" Jiraiya shouted loudly.
Shikaku was taken aback, then a look of joy appeared on his face.
"There are times when Elder Masahiko is actually reliable."
Fortunately, Masahiko, who had already gone far with his four disciples, didn't hear Shikaku's words. They had already left the borders of the Land of Rain.
On the journey, Masahiko finally found the time to ask Nagato and Konan about their war experience.
"Yo! Teacher..."
"Stop right there," Masahiko interrupted, his face turning dark.
Konan mumbled for a moment, then shook her head. "Teacher, why must wars happen in the Land of Rain?"
Although she had become an orphan early on and had basically forgotten all her beautiful memories of the Land of Rain, seeing innocent civilians killed still made her heart ache.
Masahiko was slightly taken aback. At this moment, he should probably say something like "weakness is a sin," but he didn't want to corrupt the "children."
"Hmm, regarding this question..."
"This involves relatively advanced strategies and tactics, like flanking maneuvers, penetrating deep behind enemy lines..." After thinking for a long time, Masahiko gave this explanation.
Konan was already fifteen years old, and her IQ wasn't low... Her look of disdain explained everything.
"Alright, let's not talk about this. Let's hurry back." Masahiko quickly changed the subject, cursing himself inwardly for having nothing better to do than ask about their war experience.
Masahiko stopped using his half-baked Space Ninjutsu. The group "sprinted" all the way and returned to Konoha in the better part of a day.
He told his disciples to wait for him at the Senju clan grounds, while he made another trip to the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen had long received the news that Masahiko had returned with his four disciples and was waiting anxiously downstairs. News from the battlefield hadn't reached Konoha yet.
"Elder Masahiko, the situation in the Land of Rain?"
"It's already resolved."
Hiruzen breathed a long sigh of relief. He felt that Masahiko wouldn't joke about such matters.
"Didn't you say it wasn't very convenient for you to take action?"
Masahiko wore a smile. "As long as I stand at the front lines, the opposing rabble will retreat without a fight. It's not even worth mentioning."
Hiruzen's face stiffened, not knowing what to say.
"With Elder Masahiko stepping in, naturally, you would sweep all before you and succeed in every endeavor."
The praise came from behind Masahiko. He originally would have felt "pleased," but these words... were actually spoken by Danzo.
"Demon, how dare you impersonate Danzo! Take a strike from my staff!" Masahiko ultimately couldn't bring himself to say these words out loud...
Turning around to look, it was indeed Danzo, genuine and guaranteed.
"Truly terrifying, truly terrifying," Masahiko muttered inwardly.
"What method did you exactly use to deal with the Sand Village?" Hiruzen was also somewhat thrown off by Danzo's words, and only spoke up again after a long moment.
Masahiko sighed. He knew he would be pressed for answers. Fortunately, he had already thought of a reply on the way back.
"Recently, while observing the celestial phenomena at night, I accidentally comprehended an immortal magic spell called 'Universe in a Sleeve.' I only need to flick my sleeves, and the enemy's weapons will fly right in. Having lost their weapons and provisions, the Sand Village collapsed without a fight."
Hiruzen: "???"
It was Danzo who understood first. "You are saying that you used a ninjutsu to stea... take away their weapons and provisions."
"Seized!" Masahiko corrected shamelessly.
Hiruzen also understood, and a look of joy crossed his face. He didn't care whether Masahiko was shameless or not, as long as it benefited Konoha.
"It seems that in another half a day, we will be able to receive the good news from the battlefield." Hiruzen and Danzo exchanged a glance.
Masahiko watched the interaction between the two close friends and shook his head with a smile.
"Do you want the Sand Village's weapons and provisions? I'll sell them to you at cost price."
Hiruzen was taken aback. After a long moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, we'll take as much as you have."
He was counting on giving Masahiko some benefits so that Masahiko would lend a hand like this in future wars.
"Step back a few paces and clear the open space in front of us." Masahiko looked as if he was about to cast a spell.
The two hurriedly stepped back. Hiruzen waved his hand to call the Anbu over to prevent civilians from walking through the area.
Masahiko shook his sleeves, executing the "Universe in a Sleeve," and poured out all the supplies from his space.
"Living creatures can survive inside your sleeves?" Hiruzen asked in amazement.
Masahiko's cheek twitched. He looked at the fat cat sitting on a pile of grain; this guy had actually come out along with it.
"Meow~" It first let out a miserable shriek as if startled, then noticed its owner, Masahiko, and sprinted over, hugging his leg and biting wildly. Masahiko hadn't fed it for a whole day, yet he had placed so much food inside the "pocket" to tempt it.
"Lose some weight, Fat Cat."
Masahiko muttered, then turned to the two men.
"Forgive the embarrassment, it's a useless pet I'm raising..." As he spoke, Masahiko's expression froze on his face.
"Elder Masahiko, what is this tree?"
Masahiko wanted to die from despair. Thinking about the 256 nodes in the space, he felt his body being emptied out.
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