After successfully persuading Hidan and Kakuzu to defect under her influence, Chinatsu immediately shifted into the next phase of her plan introducing herself into Akatsuki in a natural way through them and eventually reaching Nagato Uzumaki.
But she estimated that infiltrating Akatsuki properly would take at least half a year. The organization wasn't something you could casually walk into, especially with figures like Pain's "Six Paths" controlling it from the shadows.
However, finishing the Hidan and Kakuzu matter so quickly created an unexpected problem.
She had originally told Naruto and Sasuke she would be gone for several months.
Now…
It hadn't even been that long.
Chinatsu frowned slightly.
"…Going back now would be weird."
She immediately shook her head.
No. Absolutely not.
She couldn't return so soon. That would ruin the atmosphere.
Instead, she crossed her arms and started thinking.
"What I need right now… is chakra."
The previous Wood Release technique her miniature version of Advent of a World of Trees had nearly emptied her reserves. Even with her current level equivalent to multiple Kakashis, it was still not enough for sustained large-scale techniques.
She glanced toward the destroyed terrain left behind from her battle with Kakuzu.
Hashirama Senju's Wood Release… Madara Uchiha's counterfeits… both were on a completely different level.
She was still far behind.
"Sage Mode… Tailed Beasts… or Tsunade's Yin Seal…"
She narrowed her eyes.
The Yin Seal, one of Tsunade Senju's signature techniques, was a reserve chakra storage method believed to have roots in the Uzumaki lineage. It allowed chakra accumulation over time, then released it explosively for healing and enhanced physical strength.
But in Chinatsu's evaluation
"It's just storage."
Useful, yes. But not efficient enough.
Healing? She already had regeneration-type abilities.
Burst power? She preferred permanent growth.
Tailed Beasts offered massive chakra, but came with control issues.
After a short pause, she concluded:
"Sage Mode is better."
It had higher potential ceilings.
No hesitation this time.
"Alright. Decided."
She took a step forward
Then stopped.
"…Where exactly is Sage Mode learned again?"
Silence.
Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, Shikkotsu Forest.
Three holy lands.
And she didn't know the exact location of any of them.
In the original timeline, Naruto reached Mount Myōboku through Jiraiya and reverse summoning. But that required contact with Jiraiya.
Chinatsu immediately dismissed the idea.
"No."
She shook her head.
"I'm not forming a contract with toads."
It wasn't a tactical issue it was psychological.
The original body's instincts rejected frogs entirely, and even after reincarnation, that discomfort remained embedded in her memory.
"Annoying…"
She clicked her tongue softly.
That left only Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest.
Ryūchi Cave meant Orochimaru's influence another unpredictable variable.
So only one real option remained.
"Tsunade…"
Chinatsu sighed.
If luck was on her side, she might find her in a gambling den.
One of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade Senju famous for her gambling addiction, medical ninjutsu, and monstrous strength.
In Chinatsu's internal classification:
Ichiraku Ramen = Naruto's respawn point
Underground bounty networks = Hidan & Kakuzu's workplace
Gambling dens = Tsunade's habitat
The problem was obvious.
There were too many gambling dens.
"Finding her is going to take months…"
Time passed.
Back in Konoha, Naruto and Sasuke's emotional state deteriorated steadily.
Sakura became more cautious, sensing the oppressive mood around Sasuke. Kakashi, as their instructor, could only watch as the atmosphere worsened.
After several missions, he finally understood the cause.
"…So that's it. Chinatsu left the village."
No wonder these two were like this.
Still, as their teacher, he couldn't let them spiral further.
"Ahem."
Kakashi clapped his hands.
"Alright, you two. Snap out of it. We're starting a C-rank mission."
Naruto and Sasuke responded at the same time.
"…Oh."
Their voices were flat, lifeless.
Kakashi's eye twitched.
This was worse than expected.
He turned toward Sasuke.
"Sasuke."
"…"
"Didn't you always think missions were boring?"
Sasuke slowly looked up.
Kakashi raised his hand.
Lightning erupted instantly blue-white chakra crackling violently, forming the sound of a thousand birds screaming.
"Chidori."
The air vibrated.
"This is my self-created A-rank ninjutsu."
Sasuke's eyes sharpened immediately.
"…!"
"If you complete ten C-rank missions," Kakashi continued, "I'll teach you this."
Sasuke answered instantly.
"Of course."
His tone changed completely.
Kakashi then turned to Naruto.
"And you, Naruto. Same condition. Ten C-rank missions, and I'll give you something equivalent."
Naruto's eyes lit up immediately.
"Deal!"
Sakura stood nearby, pointing at herself internally.
"…What about me?"
Kakashi ignored the question.
The team's morale was finally restored.
Naruto and Sasuke's competitive fire returned both now motivated to surpass each other and show improvement when Chinatsu eventually returned.
Kakashi exhaled.
At least that worked.
Meanwhile, the mission ahead was no simple C-rank.
It was the Land of Waves arc.
Zabuza Momochi the Demon of the Hidden Mist and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen legacy would soon enter their path.
Far away in the Land of Fire…
Chinatsu stood inside a gambling establishment, scanning the room carefully like radar.
Nothing.
She turned and walked out immediately.
Next casino.
Same result.
She left again.
Repeat.
The process continued across multiple regions.
Hundreds of gambling dens existed, scattered across towns and borders. Finding Tsunade like this felt less like investigation and more like probability torture.
"If I actually find her on the first try," Chinatsu muttered, "I'll start worrying about how many lifespans I have left."
Her expression gradually stiffened.
Days passed.
Then weeks.
Her movements became mechanical enter, scan, leave.
Enter, scan, leave.
The smile she once carried faded completely.
A "pain mask" replaced it.
Chinatsu: "Tsunade… where are you…"
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