"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
Takumi smiled and hugged Yugito, then looked at Kurenai and said, "When you have time, teach her some things. Like what happened yesterday."
His words immediately made both women blush.
The sorrow of parting instantly dissipated from Yugito's heart.
She had come to terms with it.
It was only for a few days, anyway.
It wasn't like he was leaving forever.
"I'll wait for you to come back."
She said with a red face. "When you return, I'll definitely surprise you."
"Oh really?"
Takumi's eyes lit up, and he looked at Kurenai. "Then I'll leave it to you. Teach her well."
"Mm."
Kurenai agreed with a red face.
She knew exactly what Takumi wanted.
After bidding farewell to the two women,
Takumi returned home.
While packing his bags, he muttered to himself, "This mission might be related to Orochimaru. I need to prepare a lot."
These words were obviously meant for a certain someone hidden nearby.
Konan also knew these words were meant for her.
But she found it strange.
What was the use of telling her about something related to Orochimaru?
Orochimaru was no longer a member of the Akatsuki.
If it were before, the Akatsuki could have spared the effort to deal with Orochimaru.
But now, the Akatsuki was fully focused on finding and capturing Tailed Beasts; they had no time to bother with Orochimaru.
However, since Takumi said this to her, he clearly wanted her to send this information back.
As for why, she couldn't understand.
In fact, Takumi was doing this to protect her current covert identity.
Since Konan appeared near him and told Pain and the others she was there to monitor him,
If he left Konoha to perform a mission and Konan didn't report it, that would clearly be a dereliction of duty.
It might arouse suspicion.
Of course, Nagato wouldn't suspect Konan.
But Obito would.
Then Konan's situation might become dangerous.
After all, that was the Akatsuki's base.
He wasn't confident he could break in and come back unscathed yet.
So he could only sell himself out, letting Konan report valuable intelligence back.
This way, at least Konan wouldn't arouse anyone's suspicion.
She could continue to monitor him in the future.
Everything Takumi did was for Konan's sake.
Unfortunately, Konan hadn't yet grasped Takumi's meaning.
After speaking, regardless of whether Konan understood his intentions, he directly left without delay.
Knowing Takumi was going out on a mission, Konan originally wanted to follow.
But what Takumi had just said bothered her.
She thought it over and decided to go back first and report what Takumi had just said.
Arriving at the Konoha's gate, the others hadn't arrived yet.
"Takumi-kun, going out on a mission?"
Kotetsu asked curiously. "Didn't you just complete a big mission? Why not rest a few more days?"
"Resting too long makes the body rusty."
Takumi smiled. "Relying solely on training can't maintain actual combat effectiveness. Missions are more convenient."
Hearing this, Kotetsu immediately showed an expression of admiration. "You really work hard, Takumi-kun."
He bowed deeply to Takumi.
"Kotetsu-senpai is too polite."
Takumi quickly helped him up.
Although he was very pleased inwardly, he couldn't show it on the surface.
After waiting a while longer, Hinata, Shino, and Kiba finally arrived together.
"Alright, everyone's here. Let's go."
Takumi didn't waste time and directly flashed away.
The others quickly followed.
Although they still had some doubts, seeing Takumi's urgency, they knew this matter was definitely not simple.
"Takumi-kun, what's the specific mission?"
Shino was a bit curious and asked directly on the way.
"Last night, an Anbu risked his life to send back some intelligence."
Takumi led the way, leaping rapidly through the trees without looking back. "It's about Orochimaru."
"Orochimaru?"
Hinata gasped and couldn't help covering her mouth.
"The guy who attacked the village a few months ago?"
Kiba frowned.
"That's right."
Takumi nodded. "This time, our mission is not to directly confront Orochimaru, but to gather more intelligence."
"I see."
Shino said, "Although I hate to admit it, if we were to confront Orochimaru, we would probably only be a burden to you."
"Tch!"
Kiba curled his lip but didn't refute Takumi's words.
"Don't sell yourselves short."
Takumi smiled.
"You are also the future of Konoha."
Takumi said with a smile. "At least in terms of reconnaissance, you are far better than me."
"So that's why you brought us three?"
Kiba understood. "To gather more intelligence?"
"I, I will do my best."
Hinata said weakly, but firmly.
"Then I'll leave it to you guys."
Takumi said.
"Don't worry, when it comes to reconnaissance, we have one hundred percent confidence."
Shino said calmly.
This wasn't boasting.
After all, the three of them all possessed extremely strong tracking abilities.
Shino's Kikaichu, Kiba's sense of smell, and Hinata's Byakugan.
If Takumi didn't use his Observation Haki, he couldn't even come close to their reconnaissance abilities.
Seeing their firm will, he couldn't help but smile.
This mission was dangerous, true.
But with him there, any danger would turn into nothing.
At least Takumi wouldn't let them face any danger.
Otherwise, when he returned to the village, where would his dignity be?
…
Night soon fell.
Guren led a group of people towards the address Kabuto had given her.
There, she would see the Orochimaru she so longed to see.
Ever since being sent to that remote place, she had always longed to return to Orochimaru's side and work for him.
If she could become Orochimaru's vessel, that would be her greatest honor.
But for a long time, no news came.
She gradually became disheartened, and her moods became erratic.
Many experimental subjects with the Cursed Seal in the base were killed by her for no reason, without any explanation.
Now, she's finally summoned by Orochimaru,
Guren's heart felt as if it had come alive again.
In fact, the moment she saw Kabuto, she had a premonition.
She just didn't expect Orochimaru to summon her personally.
After all, Kabuto had always been a favorite close to Orochimaru.
This made her extremely jealous.
So jealous that she wished she could kill Kabuto and take his place.
But she wouldn't do that, because it would make Orochimaru angry.
For Guren, who had submitted to Orochimaru's power since childhood and was willing to do anything for him, angering Orochimaru was absolutely forbidden.
So, although she hated Kabuto deeply, she wouldn't kill him.