Chapter 29: The Sun Shines on a New Day

"Are they the reason for your trip?"

Hearing Uchiha Mikoto's question, Uzuki Yugao and Uchiha Izumi exchanged glances and moved aside quietly. They seemed to sense the subtle tension in the air and tried to minimize their presence to avoid getting caught in any potential conflict.

"Yes."

"They are, like you, among the last survivors of the Uzumaki clan and have great potential."

"And they've had a very hard life."

"Even if they weren't from the Uzumaki clan, I would still rescue them."

Shishou, not sensing any underlying issues in Mikoto's words, responded directly.

He then explained the situation of Uzumaki Eri and Karin in Kusagakure.

When Mikoto and the other two heard how Uzumaki Eri and Karin had been used as human blood bags, bitten and covered in wounds, they finally understood the origins of the bite marks on Eri's hands.

This revelation sent chills down their spines, filling them with sympathy for the mother and daughter.

"The people of Kusagakure are truly despicable!"

"We should have killed more of them."

Uzuki Yugao said through gritted teeth. Uchiha Izumi nodded firmly in agreement.

"Sigh, she really is pitiful."

Mikoto looked at the sleeping Uzumaki Eri and sighed.

They were all survivors of their respective clans' destruction, but her situation had improved significantly since meeting Shishou.

"Enough, let's not dwell on this."

"I'm exhausted from the rescue. Let me sleep for a while."

Shishou said, then pulled Mikoto into an embrace and fell asleep on her lap.

Feeling the soft and fragrant pillow of Mikoto, Shishou yawned and drifted into sleep.

"Wait..."

Izumi and Yugao are still here...

Before Mikoto could voice her protest, Shishou had already fallen asleep in her lap, leaving her face flushed and unable to look at Izumi and Yugao.

Izumi and Yugao exchanged glances. Although they were aware of Shishou and Mikoto's relationship, seeing them embrace so openly felt like they were being ignored.

The next morning.

Shishou and the others finally returned to the Fire Source City residence.

After handing over Uzumaki Eri and Karin to Mikoto, Shishou yawned and returned to Konoha.

Having been away for two days, he needed to check in to avoid arousing suspicion.

...

Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he returned to Konoha.

Shishou lay down and slept for another two hours.

Though Mikoto's soft embrace was comfortable, it still didn't compare to sleeping in his own bed.

Two hours later.

Stretching lazily, Shishou got out of bed.

After checking the insect breeding area and finding everything normal, he headed back to the Forest of Death to visit Danzo's laboratory.

Despite Danzo's previous failures, Shishou wanted to investigate further.

What if Danzo succeeded this time?

Half an hour later.

Standing in the Forest of Death, Shishou sighed:

"Danzo still isn't making progress."

"Looks like I need to find Orochimaru."

Thinking of Orochimaru gave Shishou a headache.

He had no idea where to find Orochimaru.

Finding him would be no easy task.

"Hmm, Mitarashi Anko was Orochimaru's disciple. She might have some clues."

"Never mind, I'll check her place first."

Determined to find a way to successfully transplant Hashirama's cells, Shishou became desperate.

Without Hashirama's cells, he couldn't bear to use his Mangekyō Sharingan to cultivate insects at the cost of his vision.

Arriving at Anko's residence, Shishou looked around and, seeing no one, stealthily placed a small, barely noticeable Phosphorescent Bad Bug on her window.

The Phosphorescent Bad Bug could only survive in the air for a few minutes, but it was enough to leave a Flying Thunder God mark.

Once the bug left the mark inside the house, Shishou instantly appeared in Anko's bedroom.

"..."

Seeing Anko sleeping soundly on her bed, completely unarmed, Shishou's face darkened.

The sun's already up, and she's still asleep...

Although the sight of the sun on her behind was quite nice.

With a sigh, Shishou left the bedroom and began searching her study.

Knock, knock, knock!

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Anko, the Hokage has summoned you."

Shishou narrowed his eyes, attached some Phosphorescent Bad Bugs to Anko, and disappeared.

"Ah~~"

"I got it, I'm coming."

Yawning, Anko got up and started dressing.

...

In the Hokage's office.

Amid the smoke, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was reading a file.

Suddenly, an Anbu appeared before him using the Body Flicker Technique, kneeling and presenting a letter respectfully.

"Third Hokage."

"A letter from the priestess of the Land of Demons."

Hmm?

A letter from the priestess?

The Third Hokage immediately took the letter from the Anbu, opened it, and read it carefully.

The priestess of the Land of Demons had good relations with the Five Great Shinobi Villages and was someone they all wanted to ally with.

After all, the priestess's powerful sealing techniques were no less formidable than those of the Uzumaki clan.

Having finished reading, the Third Hokage stood and gazed out at Konoha.

The extradimensional demon Moryo, long sealed in the Land of Demons, was showing signs of awakening. The priestess, having sensed this, sent a request for aid to Konoha, hoping they would help her re-seal Moryo.

The Third Hokage immediately agreed to the request, seeing it as a prime opportunity to strengthen relations with the Land of Demons.

"Summon Kakashi, Guy, and..."

The Third Hokage quickly considered his options before continuing.

"Anko as well."

"Yes," the Anbu replied and vanished.

Shortly thereafter.

Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, and Anko Mitarashi appeared in the Hokage's office.

"A very troublesome mission has come up that I need you to handle."

The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe, tapped it, and continued:

"The priestess of the Land of Demons has requested our assistance to re-seal the extradimensional demon Moryo. This matter is of great importance, so be careful."

"All the other Jōnin in the village are currently occupied, so Anko will accompany you this time."

"Kakashi, you'll be the team leader."

"Understood," Kakashi said.

The Third Hokage nodded and continued:

"Additionally, the priestess may have sent similar requests to other villages. If you encounter ninjas from other villages, avoid conflict and focus on the mission."

"That's all. Prepare and depart in an hour."

The three nodded and responded in unison:

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

...

"The priestess of the Land of Demons, huh."

Elsewhere, having learned this information through the Phosphorescent Bad Bugs on Anko, Shishou muttered to himself before vanishing.